Newly Expanded Production Line in Covestro Taiwan to Serve Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) Market

Covestro, one of the world’s leading polymer providers, announced today the completion of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) capacity expansion at its Changhua manufacturing site in Taiwan. This comes after the successful expansion in New Martinsville in the US and the takeover of the majority of the Japan Joint Venture, all happening within 12 months. With the expansion, the site’s production capacity increased by 30%, an important step to benefit from the growing demands in the APAC region. TPU is a highly versatile elastomer that offers both superior performance as well as flexibility. It has various applications from footwear, automotive all the way to IT. Changhua site’s proximity to ASEAN is also an advantage as it gives Covestro the upper hand, especially in industries such as footwear.

The global TPU market is expected to grow at 6% in the forecast period 2017 to 2022, and the majority of such growth will come from the APAC region. “One of our strategies is to participate in this growth with our capacity expansion,” said Dr. Stephan Ehlers, Head of TPU Production & Technology. “It will allow us to better serve our customers, meet the rising market demands and also sustain our strong presence in the APAC region.”

“The Changhua site is Covestro’s largest TPU production site in Asia, supported by Covestro’s APAC TPU Research and Development Center,” said Dr. Thomas Roemer, Global Head of Thermoplastic Polyurethanes. “With the capacity expansion, we will cater to the market’s needs in APAC with diverse and innovative products, such as bio-based TPU.”

Excellent properties for different product variants

TPU has several outstanding properties, including light weight, comfortability, high abrasion resistance, high shear strength, high elasticity, recyclability and resistance to oil and grease. These qualities therefore make it a sensible and appealing replacement for certain material solutions, which in turn further boosts its market demand.

For instance, in the footwear sector, TPU can be used for several parts, such as uppers, shanks, insole, midsole, outsole, heel cups as well as logo on shoes. Knitting technology is increasingly being adapted for the uppers on sports shoes – a single knitting process allows a stylish design while saving material use  per pair of shoes. To catch up with this trend, Covestro has taken a further step forward to develop this unique, innovative TPU fiber that can be seamlessly integrated into the state-of-the-art knitting technology for footwear applications.

Covestro has had roots in Taiwan for decades and serves as one of the most important innovation partners for the IT and shoe industries. Meanwhile, with more and more footwear supply chains moving to ASEAN, Taiwan now has the advantage of being close to these nations. “We look forward to best utilising and showcasing Taiwan’s innovation potential to further create synergy and in return, create product that push the boundaries of technology,” said Michael Lee, Managing Director of Covestro Taiwan.

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Nora Fatehi makes shocking revelations on her break up with Angad Bedi on By Invite Only on zoOm styled by Myntra

Mumbai, 12 April 2019: Nora Fatehi and Angad Bedi’s break up was the talk of the town! The actress opens up for the first time on By Invite Only on zoOm styled by Myntra on the episode to be aired on Saturday, 13th April at 7:30 pm, on how she dealt with the heart break. “All girls go through at least once in their life! For me, it was little bit difficult because it was an unexpected experience and I was broken by it. I lost my drive 2 months! However I must say that experience really just transformed me. In between I had lost hope for a bit in terms of perusing my career but when that breakup happened I got that fire again and I was like let’s go! I am passionate again, I want to work, I want to make my mark, I want to prove everybody wrong and I can’t regret that breakup because if it wasn’t for that breakup, my fire would not have come back and I needed that fire to kind of just explore”, Nora said.

The actress makes a strong remark on the separation taking away the focus from her career, “I feel like after the experience I went through in 2018…after you go down, you only go up, there is no other way! Hence, I needed that boom you know for me to come back and say now I am ready.”

Watch Nora Fatehi speak her heart out on Angad Bedi on By Invite Only on zoOm styled by Myntra on Saturday, 13th April at 7:30 pm.

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Digital Gambling Is Crippling The Indian Economy

Digital Sports Gambling has become a major addiction amongst Indians & is the biggest source of ruining and destroying the Indian economy. In the past few years, India has lost a whopping amount of over Rs 15000 crores which is a huge economic loss for India. Our country is already struggling against black money & money laundering, hence stopping digital sports gambling should be our government’s top priority.

The big names that have floated illegal betting portals & are operating this illegal business are Chander also known as Shankar Jalandar, Hamanth Sood and Sid Ad, these 3 are the main persons who have ruined India through different software and digital gambling tactics and running illegal gambling portals. Insider's inform that they are further engaged in cheating also such as fixing cricket games through underworld don Dawood Ibrahim's connections  like Noman, Dileep, Javaid Chotani. They also fix soccer and tennis matches through their mafia connections in UK & Russia.

Surprisingly another big player of digital gambling Mr Lal Chand, originally a Pakistani resident but has shifted base to Europe since few years....Lal Chand has recently entered into the Wellbeing industry, he has recently launched LC Well in Dubai & And sources inform that Lal chand has sold his sports gambling portal business to another giant named AB group which is spearheaded by Junior kalkata [Suren Bagri], JK Ahmedabad , Karan Munir and Girish. These 4 are partners in AB GROUP & now AB group is extremely active in digital gambling. Mr Lal Chand has taken an exit from the gambling business totally .

Besides, many other ill legal gambling websites are being operated like Sodi’s Gamex, Harry’s Sky Exchange, Rakesh Rajkot’s Diamond Exchange etc etc all of them are collectively ruining India and its economy. Govt Officials & Cyber Crime Teams take strict action and block these gambling portals with no further delay. A serous crack down is the need of the hour.

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Global Education Options for Indian Teenagers

Partnership between TimesPro and Monash College invites applications from students who wish to study business in Australia  

The number of Indian students studying abroad is increasing rapidly, and a nearly 50% surge in the past decade is proof of the pudding. As per UNESCO data, by August 2017, over 3, 00,000 Indian students were studying abroad. The reasons for an Indian teen to pursue higher studies abroad are myriad. International universities offer a vast variety of courses and better quality of education. That apart, the independent thought process that a student imbibes by way of global education is one that also enables youth to explore more opportunities. The prestige a family feels while their ward is studying and staying abroad, is of course, additional motivation.

What is students' choice? 

As per government of India data, while the study-abroad options for Indian students may be as many as 86 countries, the USA, the UK, Australia and Canada are the most popular choices. Of the total number of students abroad in 2017, a whopping 69.5% chose the aforementioned countries as their destination for higher studies. Even though traditionally the USA leads the charts with just over 1 lakh Indian students, Australia has been emerging as the recent favourite. As of August 2018, Australiahouses over 68,000 Indian students, up 16.8% from 2017, says data released by the Australian High Commission in India. Both countries believe education to be a flagship sector as part of their bilateral relationship, and are doing everything they can to encourage exchange.

Why Australia? 

Australian universities have an impressive international reputation. The environment is safe, and immigration policies favourable. Australia offers world class standards of living with considerably lower expenditure than the USA and the UK. Up for grabs are attractive work opportunities to students, which can offset living costs to a bare minimum. Equal opportunities are ensured for students who have graduated out of a specific course, from any university in the country. The biggest advantage however, is the work rights - Australia allows students a work visa for two years post study. A student can completely recover the expenses incurred during the study period in these two years.

Study options in Australia 

Australian universities are actively working on increasing awareness among Indian students. Education institutes in India such as TimesPro, in conjunction with varsities such as Monash and Queenslandamong others, are offering pathway programs to make global education not only more accessible, but also less expensive. A pathway is a learning experience that provides international students lateral entry to various undergraduate or graduate programs at universities, by offering them an academic foundation and essential language skills. Pathway programs enable Indian students to join international courses on Indian shores and then continue their degree abroad at a later stage. This is especially beneficial for students who, after graduating school, may have missed admission into the international universities of their choice but do not want to have gaps in their education.

One such program is the Monash College International Pathway Program (MCIP) by TimesPro, conducted over eight months in India, specifically designed for students who wish to study business or commerce undergraduate degrees at Monash University. With MCIP, one won't just learn theories and trends, but also develop a more creative and confident mind-set with hands-on training and practical exposure. After successful completion of the program and meeting entry requirements, one will have guaranteed* entry into second year at Monash University.

*terms and conditions apply

A global education inculcates a sense of global citizenship. The 'Land of Oz' a not just a brilliant option for education for young boys and girls, but is also a beautiful country with a unique culture, waiting to be embraced. 

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ESPN India Commends the Performance of LiveU's LU600 HEVC at the FIFA World Cup™ in Russia

LiveU has always earned its reputation by delivering cutting-edge technology solutions and flawless performance in even the most testing of circumstances.

At this year's FIFA World Cup Championship, LiveU managed to break all its previous records. LiveU released its live broadcasting figures for the FIFA World Cup™ in Russia with 485 units onsite used by customers from over 40 countries. The numbers have doubled, and even tripled, since the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ – including over 15,000 hours of live broadcasting, over 30,000 live sessions and 36TB of live transmission – with LiveU's LU600 4K HEVC solution enabling customers to broadcast more hours with less data.

With numerous interviews of players, fans and spectators and exciting behind-the-scene captures, LiveU has successfully grasped the essence and atmosphere of this truly global event with daily live feeds.

One of the biggest sports broadcasters – ESPN India – was present in Moscow to catch all the live action of FIFA WC 2018 with the LU600 HEVC.

Live feeds captured on the ground needed to be sent back to India to be broadcast live on Sony Pictures Networks India. Flexibility, mobility and signal reliability were the three main requirements and LiveU was able to pass with flying colours. 

"We used LiveU units throughout the tournament to capture live feeds that were sent back to India to be broadcast live on Sony Pictures Networks India. Our experience was really good – even at crowded locations where there were issues of network congestion. Sending live feeds back to India was seamless with no technological glitches," said Suketu Mehta, a Multimedia Producer with ESPN, India.

The other two features of the LU600 HEVC that were highlighted were its form-factor and cost effectiveness.

"There was a time when the live TV experience involved the use of heavy and bulky equipment and a huge crew. Now it has been replaced by this small, portable, easy-to-carry solution that fits in a backpack. The compact chassis is what makes it one of the most portable solutions. You can literally carry it anywhere," Mehta said. "Thank you LiveU for your rock-solid support!"

LiveU was able to provide customers with bandwidth guarantees for superior connectivity in the 11 host cities. The offering provided a special add-on priority SIMs package for streaming high-quality live video, enabling customers to reach 20Mbps uplink and deliver HD live feeds even from the most crowded locations. LiveU had a dedicated technical team on site, managing the logistics and providing 24/7 support, with two designated distribution centers in Moscow and St Petersburg.

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500 Years of Timeless Fashion

Ever imagined a fabric so fine that wrapping it around you feels warm and luxurious all at the same time?

Appropriately called the "soft gold of Asia", Pashmina is the art of Handcrafting distincitve pieces of luxury with fine Himalayan Cashmere. It has withstood the test of time & have been around for more than five centuries. From being draped by the European nobility to now being the ultimate fashion accessory, this ancient art has gone through a whirlwind of a ride in the last few decades.

There's a flood of fast fashion today and most brands have jumped on to this bandwagon. Even when it comes to Cashmere, most brands are selling "affordable products" in the name of machine-made and blended varieties. Since Cashmere is regal and a symbol of opulence, consumers (because of the lack of awareness) go in for such tall claims and later pay a heavy price for their choices.

This is where we have stepped in to revive the lost glory of Pashmina. This royal art has its roots in the picturesque valleys of Kashmir and for us, maintaining its pristine beauty is paramount. At Pashmina.com, we believe in the adage 'less is more' and propagate sustainable luxury through all our offerings. Each of our products is painstakingly hand-crafted: hand-woven & hand-embroidered by the gifted artisans of the land of Kashmir.

For a piece so timeless and which is a repertoire of rich history, we strongly work towards quality & craft authenticity, each of our pieces – shawls, hijabs, stoles & scarves, wraps, blankets – go through stringent testing by the Crafts Development Institute, which is under the aegis of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.

Though the art of Pashmina has a rich history, it is the artisans who are the real stars. They painstakingly create masterpieces that reflect the highest level of craftsmanship. To cater to varied tastes of our consumers, we offer two distincitve lines, one of the timeless pieces with Bold, Weaves & Hand Embroidery to the contemporary line of pashminas with Ombre, Swarovski Crystals, Prints & Chantilly Laces.

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Hyderabad to Host India’s First-Ever International Blockchain Congress

Collaborated Effort of NITI Aayog, Govt. of Telangana, Govt. of Goa & Nucleus Vision A

Delhi, 26 July 2018: The inaugural edition of the International Blockchain Congress in India will be held on August 3 & 4, 2018, Novotel & HICC Complex, Hyderabad. The event is poised to be the largest confluence of regulators, industry experts, and technology innovators and will be the first of many efforts to transform India into a global powerhouse.

In collaboration with NITI Aayog, and governments of Telangana and Goa, and Nucleus Vision, the International Blockchain Congress is aimed at bringing thought-provoking conversations on blockchain for enterprise next-generation financial services, developing blockchain applications and blockchain technologies for government and regulations.

The first edition of the conference will be attended by distinguished guests such as Mr. Tim Draper, Founder of DFJ Ventures, Mr. Amitabh Kant, CEO Niti Aayog, Mr. KT Rama Rao, IT Minister, State of Telangana, Mr. Rohan Khaunte, IT Minister, Goa, Mr. CP Gurnani, CEO Tech Mahindra, Mr. Mohandas Pai, Chairman, Manipal Global Assoc., Mr. Min Kim, CEO of ICON Foundation, Mr. Ian Balina, Global Community Influencer, and many others.

The two-day conference is being organized with an objective of bringing leaders, innovators and regulators together under one roof, to share their expertise and innovations, and create a collaborative environment as well as build a strong community. It also gives attendees an opportunity to gain expertise, learn and understand the tools, new challenges and solutions for creative ideas and strategies through series of interactive session, panel discussion and B2B engagement opportunities to be held by industry experts such as IBM and Binance.

Hon’ble Minister IT E&C, MAUD, Industries & Commerce, Mines & Geology, Public Enterprises and NRI Affairs, Govt. of Telangana, Mr. K T Rama Rao, said, “The Telangana Government has partnered with Nucleus Vision to host International Blockchain Congress to create a large blockchain ecosystem and build a nation-centric procedure which is custom built for the country’s needs.”

Abhishek Pitti, CEO, Nucleus Vision, added, “With internationally acclaimed speakers, informative and engaging sessions, and several networking events, the International Blockchain Congress will provide ample opportunity to forge synergies between important industry leaders and government officials.

Rohan Ashok Khaunte, Cabinet Minister, IT, Government of Goa, commented, “Over the past few years, the government of Goa has quietly been building a world class support infrastructure for technology startups and is becoming a destination of choice among several new age entrepreneurs. Blockchain and its possibilities have always been in our horizon and with the right partners, the International Blockchain Congress is the perfect platform to showcase our commitment to the space. We invite innovators from all over the country to participate at the event and we look forward to working with the international industry experts to create a hotbed for innovation in the scenic state of Goa.”

With over 12 key notes, 80+ speakers, 1500+ participants and attendees expected to attend, the event will witness a proactive interaction between government regulators, industry leaders and startup innovators.

For more information, visit www.ibc.vision.

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