The Impact of News and Media on Tourism Taxes

Media, News, Technology, , , , , , ,

Tourism plays a significant role in many countries’ economies. To support infrastructure and maintain popular destinations, governments often impose tourism taxes.

Visitax is a mandatory tourism tax that visitors to the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, including Cancun, must pay. The tax aims to support local infrastructure, public services, and the preservation of cultural and natural attractions. Visitax Cancun applies to all international travelers over the age of four and can be easily paid online before or during a visit.

These taxes, though beneficial for long-term growth, can stir debates. In recent years, news and media coverage has greatly influenced how the public views tourism taxes. The media’s role in shaping opinions on this subject is vital, as it can affect how travelers and locals respond to these charges.

The Role of Media in Tourism Tax Perception

Online news and social media platforms play a significant role in shaping public opinion about tourism taxes. When the media highlights the advantages of these taxes—like enhancing local services, developing new attractions, and protecting natural landmarks—people are generally more inclined to support them. For example, news stories demonstrating how tax revenue is reinvested to improve the tourism experience often elicit a positive response from travelers.

On the other hand, if media coverage emphasizes the negative side, such as rising travel costs, this can lead to backlash from tourists and locals. Travelers may feel discouraged by higher expenses, while local businesses could worry about losing potential customers. In this way, the media can sway opinions and potentially influence government decisions regarding tourism tax policies.

How Negative Media Impacts Tourism

Negative media coverage can have an immediate effect on tourism. For example, reports about excessive tourism taxes in popular destinations might lead travelers to seek cheaper alternatives. The media’s portrayal of tourism taxes as a financial burden can create a perception that a destination is too expensive or unfriendly to visitors. This may lead to a decline in tourism, affecting local economies that depend on tourists.

In extreme cases, sensationalized news stories can amplify minor issues, turning them into broader concerns that damage a destination’s reputation. News about protests against tourism taxes or dissatisfaction among local residents might push potential visitors to reconsider their travel plans, directly affecting the tourism industry.

Positive Media Influence and Opportunities for Growth

Despite the risks, the media also presents opportunities to promote tourism taxes positively. Governments and local tourism boards can collaborate with news outlets to highlight the positive outcomes of these taxes. This can include showcasing how the funds are used for environmental conservation, cultural preservation, and maintaining public safety in tourist areas. Such efforts can help tourists understand the purpose behind these taxes and feel more comfortable paying them.

When communicated effectively through the media, tourism taxes can even attract travelers who appreciate destinations that reinvest in their communities. Despite the added costs, transparency about funds’ spending can build trust and encourage tourism.

 

Navigating News & Media with Feline Companions

Media, News, , , ,

In today’s world, we’re surrounded by a deluge of information. News channels, podcasts, blogs, and social media updates inundate our screens, providing a constant stream of global events and happenings. But there’s another delightful distraction that many of us have in our homes: our feline friends.  Trying to keep pace with current events while living with cats offers a unique set of challenges and pleasures.

The Challenges of Combining News and Cats

Imagine this: An important press conference is airing. World leaders are discussing a crucial international agreement. Just as tensions rise, a soft paw reaches out and taps the remote, changing the channel to a bird documentary. Or perhaps a tail swishes in front of the screen, demanding immediate attention.

And then there are those early morning news segments, when journalists share the latest updates, only to be upstaged by the soft purring of a cat cozying up on a lap. Such moments make it clear that when it comes to the spotlight, cats reign supreme.

The Silver Linings of Cat-Driven Interruptions

On the flip side, cats offer a refreshing break from the intensity of the news. Their antics serve as reminders to pause, breathe, and enjoy life’s simpler pleasures. Whenever a news story becomes overwhelming, a playful kitty or a serene, sleeping cat can provide the perfect momentary escape.

Moreover, cats possess an uncanny ability to sense moods. During the more distressing news segments, a gentle nuzzle or purr can be the comfort many seek. This emotional support can make the intake of challenging news a bit more palatable.

Creating Harmony in a Cat-Filled News Environment

For those who are looking for ways to balance their need for information with their love for their cats, here are some tips:

Scheduled Playtime

Dedicate time before or after a news session for play. This helps in expending the cat’s energy and gives them the attention they crave.

Comfy Cat Spots

Set up cozy spots near the TV or computer. Cats love to be where the action is, and this can help them settle rather than become disruptive.

Interactive Toys

There are various toys that can keep cats engaged for longer periods. If they’re busy with a toy, they’re less likely to interfere with your news-watching.

In the grand scheme of things, while news and media keep people connected to the world, cats keep them grounded in the moment. Embracing the chaos and comfort of living with cats, even amidst the whirlwind of news, can lead to a harmonious and enriching daily routine.

Will Elon Musk Walk Back on Acquisition Deal or Just Looking to Renegotiate the Price

Media, ,

In late April, Elon Musk and Twitter closed a deal that will see the Tesla mogul taking over majority ownership of the social media company for $44 billion. Last week however, Musk announced putting the Twitter deal on hold, indicating a possible walk back on the Twitter acquisition deal. The move has put Twitter at a disadvantage, which could lead to a legal battle or force it to agree to a renegotiation of the acquisition price.

Why Musk is Walking Back on the Twitter Acquisition

Musk contends that it has come to his knowledge that about 90% of the accounts making up the Twitter social media site are spam accounts. If that is the case, Musk feels he has been misled, and concluded that the social media site is not at all worth $44 billion. Although Musk said he is still interested in buying up the company’s shares of stocks, he wants to renegotiate the price. If not, he is willing to pay $1 billion as “breakup fee.”

According to Musk, he considers Twitter as an important venue where free speech is essential to the future of humanity. The multi billionaire said he is excited about making improvements on the social media platform and of working with the users of Twitter accounts. However, as it is, he found out aht nearly 90% of the accounts making up the platform are considered spam.

Many are questioning the legality of Musk’s action as his reversal can impact the value of Twitter’s stock shares.

Apparently, Twitter can sue Elon Musk for breach of contract, to cost Musk more than just a billion dollars for nothing. However, many see the hold action as Musk’s strategy in bringing down the acquisition price. After all, for Twitter, renegotiation is also the cheaper alternative to filing a lawsuit against Musk.

Twitter Spaces Spark Program Kicked Off with Application Submissions Last October 22, 2021

News, Technology,

The people at Twitter are expanding their Spaces tab to promote new star creators by way of a support initiative called the Twitter Spaces Spark Program. Twitter initiative aims to help social audio creators in establishing their success in developing content that will work toward building their audience.

What is the Twitter Spaces Spark Program All About

The three-month program offers monetary rewards to passionate social audio creators in addition to providing marketing, financial, and technical support. Even creators who are already hosting an existing show, or simply someone who wants to try something new in live audio broadcasting are qualified to submit their application

According to Twitter, they share the sentiments of their users who have been utilizing Spaces for conversations, whilst finding creative ways to use Space. In their tweet, the Twitter Team mentioned they recognize the hard work required in creating audio content, which enable them to see the potential of live social audio. Through their program, they are giving an opportunity for audio content Creators to flourish.

Once the registered Creators are accepted into the Spark program, they will be hosting in their Space two times a week over the span of three months. Not only that, they will also be receiving exclusive monthly pay of $2 500 and other offers from the social media company, such as the following:

  • Exclusive rewards include:
  • Custom Spaces swag ;
  • Ad credits to promote spaces every month after creating a business account and accepting the terms & conditions that apply
  • Opportunities for well-performing spaces are prioritized in their in-app discoverability;
  • Early access to the social media’s new features and products;
  • Virtual launch with Twitter product leadership;
  • Twitter content series promotional spotlights;
  • Support from Twitter’s social handles and;
  • Connection to other Twitter Spaces Spark Program Creators.

Applicants for the Twitter Spaces Spark Program who were able to submit their application last October 22, 2021, will receive notice of their application status in early November.

3 Important Changes that Pres. Biden’s July EO Has Set for the Telecom and Tech Industries

Business, , ,

In looking to promote and strengthen competition in America’s economy, Pres. Biden signed a sweeping Executive Order that implements changes in key industries. Containing a total of 72 initiatives for different industries, the long list includes orders for regulators of the telecom and technology industries to promote fair competition by implementing three important changes, namely:

  • The Reinstatement of Neutrality Rules
  • Maintain Transparency of Broadband Prices and Subscription Rates
  • Eliminate Conditions that Deprive Consumers the “Right to Repair”

The Biden administration sees the promotion of fair competition as the force that will make capitalism work for the benefit of all and not just of the moneyed capitalists.

Reinstatement of Neutrality Rules

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has been ordered to reinstate the neutrality rules that were introduced during the Obama administration, but subsequently repealed by ex-pres Donald Trump. Reinstating the said rules will prohibit providers of Broadband Internet Access Service (BIAS) to diminish Internet services by suppressing speeds, or by blocking access to selected websites or online services.

The White House fact sheet supporting the Executive Order gives emphasis on the Biden administration’s objectives in reinstating the neutrality rules. That is, to put and end to the practice of deliberately and discriminatorily slowing down Internet access, as supported by the Trump administration.

Maintain Transparency of Broadband Prices and Subscription Rates

The new Executive Order uges the FCC to promote price transparency by formulating rules that require BIAS providers to periodically report on broadband price rates and subscription charges. The FCC, will in turn, disseminate price information to the American public.

The new directive also calls for the elimination of early termination fees that BIAS providers charge on consumers who opt to shift to another service provider. On the average, Internet service providers charge $200 as early termination fees.

Additionally, Pres. Biden’s EO urges the FCC to revive the so-called Broadband Nutrition Label, which helps ensure that BIAS customers do not pay for hidden fees and add-ons unknowingly.

Eliminate Conditions that Deprive Consumers of the “Right to Repair”

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is encouraged to introduce rules that would ensure the right of consumers to use a third party provider of repair services or to take on Do-It-Yourself repairs on their devices. While the order for “right to repair” seems broad ranging, the July EO specifically takes aim at manufacturers of mobile phones and other handheld communication devices.

As it is, manufacturers impose restrictions or incorporate designs or features that would preclude device users from bringing their units to third party repair shops, or to resort to DIY. This is quite important especially if the manufacturer’s repair fees are deemed too costly and time consuming due to the long queue of requests for repairs being handled by the manufacturer’s repair service centers.

Animoto’s 2021 Survey Gives Insights on Consumer Response to Videos

Business, , ,

Animoto, a leading provider of video creation services came out with another survey on how video infographics influence consumers in their decision making. Now that e-commerce has become mainstream, the insights provided by Animoto’s survey of 580 consumers, reveal how consumers respond and/or react to powerful presentations of knowledge, information or data by way of video.

Majority of the consumers who responded to the survey said that when researching about a new product or service, they prefer to view videos, rather than look at photo images; or read reviews about a product or service.

As it is now the norm for brands to move the marketing and selling of their products online, consumers browsing habits have also changed.

Key Findings of Animoto’s 2021 Survey on Video as Infographic Tools

Infographics are visual representations used to enhance human ability to discern information clearly and quickly. The following findings show how consumers responded to videos when planning to buy a products or when learning about a product:

Ninety-three per cent (93%) of consumers find videos about products very helpful.

Seventy-one (71%) of survey respondents said they actually made decision to purchase a product, or engage a service after watching a brand’s related video.

Forty percent of the 2021 survey respondents said they are inclined to make more purchases after viewing advertising videos in social media sites. Moreover, majority of the consumers surveyed, stated that video contents of brands on social media are their top favorites.

The consumers also indicated that the top three platforms where they usually find brand videos are Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.

The 2021 Animoto Consumer survey confirms the findings of the video creator’s findings of its 2018 State of Social Video Consumer Report and Marketer Trends Report. The two reports explored how brands influence customers on social media and how marketers have been responding to consumers‘ growing demand for videos

The Massive 133-Vehicle Pileup Accident in Fort Worth

News, ,

The massive pileup accident last Jan. 11 (Thursday), in Fort Worth, Texas involved 133 vehicles and had injured 65 people and claimed the lives of six people. The accident happened particularly on the icy roads across Dallas-Fort Worth, which extended between Northeast 28th St. and Northside Drive.

Three semi trailers were involved in the mishap along with multiple vehicles that were mangled from the accident. One of the cars was stuck under one of the 18-wheeler trucks, while one car was pinned under a pickup truck. The Weather Channel news that reported the accident said that initial investigations seemed to indicate that the pileup started when a couple of vehicles lost control and crashed.

Most of the motorists who figured in the accident were health care workers on their way to hospitals, already wearing their hospital badges and scrubs. The hour the accident happened was the time when most hospital shifts are scheduled to take place.

A Mad Rush to Rescue All Victims of the Massive Pileup

As there was a mad rush to rescue the motorists trapped inside the massive wreckage caused by the pileup, rescue efforts also resulted in injuries on the part of police officers. According to Deputy Chief Neil Noakes of the local police department, one of the police officers was involved in the accident while three others were injured during the mad rush to help the 65 victims. The four injured police officers were sent home after receiving treatment for their injuries.

According to police officers at the scene, cleaning up the cars will take time due to the extent and degree of the accident.

A MedStar spokesperson gave advice for everyone to refrain from going outside and driving during these harsh weather conditions if it’s not really necessary. Doing so will not only lessen car crashes and accidents, but also lessen calls for assistance coming from motorists who experience hypothermia while driving.

Terminating Pests Made Easy

Business, Home, Media, Uncategorized

Pests are mostly known as unwanted insects. From this simple definition of it, people will never permit its presence and will do everything to terminate  the unwanted insects. But how? Is it that easy to terminate them? Is there a way to prevent their presence? Can I do it myself? Are there professionals offering services for the said matter? Do sprays really work? and isn’t it harmful to use pests spray?

The answer to the questions above is, yes. It is either you will be searching for tips, ways, and means on the internet to prevent the pests or you will seek for a professional help for prevention and even termination of these unwanted wildlife.

Fortunately, both options are possible. With the use of the online world, it is now easier to look for ways to maintain your room or even the whole house and protect it from pests. Doing it yourself could be both easy and hard depends on the tips and ways you will be able to searched. But again, it is possible.

However, the disadvantage of preventing and terminating pests by yourself is its effectiveness. The assurance of terminating everything will not be there and definitely you will be doubting yourself if you really terminated all the pests. You might also then doubt the way or means you used for prevention and termination. This is a reason why شركة رش مبيدات is created. Companies who focused on maintaining houses and buildings.

The convenience of hiring professional to solve a pest problem is worth it compared to doing it yourself, purchasing all materials needed and ended up not preventing or terminating all the pests at all, then after realizing it, still availing services from a pesticide spraying company. In short, double the job and doubling its cost as well.

WHO Published Medical Advice that Cast Doubts on Gilead’s Remdesivir

Health and Wellness, ,

Last Friday, the WHO published in The British Medical Journal an advice to doctors, which repudiates the US FDA’s approval of remdesivir as COVID-19 treatment.

Gilead, the American biotechnology company that developed remdesivir, which it manufactures under the brand name Veklury, immediately published a statement opposing the medical advice published by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The biotech company insists that remdesivir is regarded as a customary treatment in aiding patients battle against the coronavirus disease. Gilead cited guidelines from various reliable organizations worldwide as confirmations; including those published by the Health and Infectious Diseases Societies of America, Germany, Japan and the UK.

Why is WHO Against the Use of Remdesivir as COVID-19 Treatment?

According to a panel of specialists comprising the WHO Guideline Development Group (GDG), currently, there is still not sufficient proof that the remdesivir drug is capable of increasing the survival chances of patients infected with COVIS-19, and much less, capable of speeding up recovery time. The WHO’s statement created a huge disparity between the two country’s regulatory guidance on the acceptability of medications used as coronavirus treatments.

The panel of specialists are experts coming from all around the globe, who based their recent findings on comparisons made over the different effects yielded by various COVID-19 drug treatments. Additionally, the panel of international experts also provided evidence from four random international clinical trials that encompass over 7,000 hospitalized patients infected by the virus.

With the data they have collected, the expert panel of WHO GDG concluded that the antiviral drug remdesivir has no effect as far as reducing the mortality of the patients are concerned. Additionally the GDG also discovered that remdesivir has no meaningful significance in determining a patient’s need for mechanical ventilation or in determining the period for clinical improvement.

About FDA’s Approval in the Use of Remdesivir as Coronavirus Treatment

A month ago, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the use of the Veklury antiviral drug, the branded name of the generic remdesivir medication for the treatment of Covid-19 infected adults and children over the age of 12 who weigh at least 40 kilograms or 88 pounds. Actually, the Veklury is the very first coronavirus treatment that received approval from the US FDA, but was given under a condition that the drug can only be used by healthcare facilities or hospitals that are capable of giving acute care to COVID-19 patients

As it turned out, the US FDA’s approval of the remdesivir is not applicable to the overall population as its initial approval was made under the conditions of Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). The approval was later revised in order to continuously give access to children covered by the EUA.

The administration modified the authorization of remdesivir use by including patients below 12 years old but only if the child weighs at least 3.5 to 40 kilograms. Apparently, the approval of remdesivir as a coronavirus treatment under the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) still requires continuation of ongoing clinical trials in order to evaluate the safety and efficiency levels of the drug, particularly for the pediatric population.

Microsoft’s Plan to Buy Tik Tok Gives American Users a Glimmer of Hope

Business, Media, ,

Microsoft has given millions of Tik Tok users in America a glimmer of hope after making it known that the company will pursue a deal to buy the social media app from ByteDance. The move was spawned by Trump’s Executive Order for Chinese companies ByteDance and Tencent to stop running their social apps, Tik Tok and WeChat respectively, after September 15, 2020.

While Donald Trump may be happy in getting his revenge versus the Tik Tok teenagers who tanked his Tulsa rally back in June, 2020, he has all the more antagonized the young generation of voters and future voters.

After all, Tik Tok is a social media app that Trump will find difficult to use, for posting his rants against those who oppose him and in spreading misinformation to cover up his incompetencies as a national leader. Yet Tik Tok has proven to be a powerful tool in mobilizing movements against his bid for re-election.

The Latest Developments on Microsoft’s Move to Buy Tik Tok

Thankfully Microsoft, the tech company founded by Bill Gates 40 years ago, has stepped in and is currently negotiating with Byte Dance officials regarding the acquisition terms. The initial news is that Tik Tok will command a price ranging between $10 billion and $30 billion, but only for the platform’s coverage in four countries. Aside from the U.S. and Canada, a Microsoft-run Tik Tok will include Australia and New Zealand.

This denotes that Tik Tok users in these countries will no longer be able to follow their favorite K-pop artist at Tik Tok. In the same way, the top Tik Tok users who have gained millions of fans from across the globe will likewise lose millions of Tik Tok followers.

Still the latest report is that Microsoft is aiming to buy Tik Tok’s entire operations including Douyin, the Chinese version of the Tik Tok app. According to reports from the Financial Times, a source said that splitting the app and segregating operations in the ByteDance platform will take long to accomplish; while Microsoft has to quickly address the security issues that the U.S. government cites as reasons for banning the use of Tik Tok in America.

Apparently, Microsoft has to immediately secure and transfer to the U.S. all private information pertaining to American users. Any back-up data stored outside of the U.S. will be deleted from all external servers after completion of the transfers.

Properly Placed Subwoofers: Satisfying Home Entertainment Experience

Entertainment, Home, Technology,

There’s a new movie showing on Netflix, but you can’t seem to enjoy the movie because it lacks that perfect sound. The bass does not boom in your compact speakers as you imagine. Time to finally integrate your subwoofer into the hi-fi system.

For affordable subwoofers, you can visit MyBestSubwoofer website (https://mybestsubwoofer.com/best-subwoofers-under-500/). They feature the best subwoofers that fit your budget.

Subwoofer – what is it and what do you need it for?

The subwoofer is also called a bass box because it amplifies the tones at low frequencies. Normal compact speakers are not able to cover the entire frequency range – under certain circumstances, you may not notice the bass line of a song without a subwoofer. If you have large, high-quality floor standing speakers, you can do without subwoofers in most cases, as the large speakers generally map all frequencies from 40 Hz to 20 kHz linearly. However, a subwoofer is often the better choice for particularly bass-heavy electronic music or the acoustic enjoyment of an action film in the home cinema.

Subwoofers are conceivable in various hi-fi systems: whether in a comprehensive 5.1 Heim home cinema system or in the reduced version with only two normal speakers and just the subwoofer. When connected and set up correctly, a subwoofer enriches the sound experience.

Connect the subwoofer to AV receiver or stereo system

Usually, you only need a so-called cinch cable to integrate your subwoofer into the hi-fi system. However, this only applies to active subwoofers that do not require a separate amplifier. With passive bass speakers, it is also necessary to connect the external amplifier. How this works in individual cases can be found in the operating instructions for your subwoofer.

Consider the following:

  • Most AV receivers have a connector labeled “Subwoofer”, “Sub” or “Sub Out”. Put the cinch cable in there. The other side comes directly into the appropriate connection on your subwoofer.
  • If your AV receiver also has two subwoofer outputs, it doesn’t matter which one you use. The second is only intended for a second bass box.
  • If you do not have a separate AV receiver, but for example only a one-piece compact system including speakers, you can also connect your subwoofer via a cinch cable, if such an output is available. Otherwise, a normal speaker cable (jack plug) can be used to connect the subwoofer and the normal speaker output.
  • And last but not least, there are of course now wireless subwoofers that do not require a cable connection. The configuration is usually done via special apps, which are available for most models for both iOS and Android.

Set up the subwoofer correctly

Acoustically, the subwoofer is not tied to the other speakers, which is why it can theoretically be placed anywhere in the room but it could be better placed strategically so that it radiates the sound in all three directions. Nevertheless, where you put your subwoofer does matter because not every location is equally suitable. Ideally, it should sound like the bass is also coming from the speakers. Always follow the following when positioning your subwoofer in the listening room or home theater:

  • Do not place the subwoofer equally far from two parallel walls, otherwise, a so-called flutter echo may occur.
  • Do not place the subwoofer in the corner of the room and not too close to a wall, as reflections can otherwise impair listening pleasure.
  • In a home theater system, do not place the subwoofer too close to the center speaker, as the bass could otherwise overlay the speech output.
  • Do not place the subwoofer on the floor, but raise it slightly and it is best to place it opposite the position where you usually enjoy the music or the film. This ensures more direct sound from the subwoofer and fewer reflections from the room.

Regardless if you are working with a mono RCA cable or with an RCA Y cable with two connections at one end, even if your subwoofer has two inputs (usually a red and a white), it is enough to plug your mono cinch cable into one of the sockets – often one is labeled “Mono”. The Y cables only have low volume advantages, which you can easily compensate for in practice by simply turning your system a little louder.

Conclusion

Most speaker set-ups can benefit from using a subwoofer – provided that you have connected it correctly and placed it sensibly in the room. Then it ensures a crisp bass when playing music or sound at home theater.

Connecting the subwoofer is a child’s play and can be done quickly using a suitable cable. Only the best possible placement of the bass box requires a little time because the optimal location cannot be determined overall. Trying is about studying here – just rely on your hearing to find out where the bass comes across optimally.

Post Offices: Becoming Obsolete Due to Internet Existence

Business, Media, News

 

As internet use among customers perpetuates, companies are changing their marketing budgets to marketing and advertising channels such as websites, search engines, email, and media from conventional channels like direct mail, print, and television in epic proportions. Interactive marketing is generally much less sumptuous, more straightforward to quantify, and recognized to disperse increased return on investment.

This change in company spending is inducing the interactive advertising and marketing business to double, which will represent a particular percent of marketing spend, funneling budgets into search advertising, display advertisements, email advertising, gregarious networking, and mobile advertising.

However, the rapid growth of internet affects a lot of industries. The US Postal Accommodation has been struck hard. A lot of jobs were lost and of course the income was also affected. This is because people nowadays do not ask  for the “post office near me” , because sending a message, package or anything is now easier in the online world.

Any industry today should be complex enough to follow trends and not get left behind.Since interactive advertising generally requires customers to click an advertisement, take a look at a web site, or execute a targeted actions, proximately all facets of an interactive marketing and advertising campaign could be monitored, measured, and analyzed. Marketers optimize conversions and prices, and can test messages onto a target market. Quantification can’t be accomplished through television direct mail, or advertisements, which–at best–may gain prospects’ attention to react at a period and typically at another medium.

Email advertising by way of instance, enables companies to measure how many mails are sent, dispersed, opened, and clicked. Search engine marketing makes it easy to monitor clicks. Websites can disperse entrepreneurs a wealth of valuable insight such as the amount of traffic, where those visitors originated (i.e. an internet search engine advertising, and email advertising, or banner advertisements, etc.) and which site pages traffic clicked. Entrepreneurs can create expeditious, ameliorations that are incremental to make the most of their advertising return on investment.

COVID-19 Made Netflix the Winner by Default

Entertainment,

Netflix’s battle with cinemas seemed to have reached a conclusion when the COVID 19 forced people to stay home and moviehouses to close.

 

When it seemed that in January 2020, cinema operators had won, after the multi award-winning non-English, South Korean movie “Parasite’ made a killing at movie houses. Although already available at streaming sites, millions still flocked to movie houses in order to see the movie in full cinematic view, and find out why Parasite won the Film Academy’s Oscar awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Foreign Language Film.

“Parasite” had delivered earnings of as much as $44.3 million to theaters in North America. The outcome made the future of the cinema industry at the start of year 2020, look bright and promising. After all, several potential blockbuster movies were already in the lineup of films scheduled for release, led by Daniel Craig’s “No Time to Die” James Bond movie.

Netflix came out of the battle beaten, hardly winning any award that the streaming giant had hoped to claim, by investing heavily in the production and promotion of the Martin Scorsese/Robert DeNiro movie “The irishman.”

The Coronavirus Crisis, Made Netflix the Winner by Default

However, an unfortunate stroke of luck swayed the decision in favor of Netflix, as the COVID-19 disease had imposed restrictions that made the streaming giant, the winner by default.

Moviegoers had no other choice, since theaters were ordered to shut down, while residents were told to stay-at-home to avoid contracting and spreading the disease. Netflix became a lifesaver. The streaming giant continuously provides millions of people throughout the world with fresh and original content, keeping them entertained while forced to stay at home.

Perhaps, it will take moviegoers some time before they will venture to see a movie at cinemas, as they will probably wait until the health crisis clears out. Nonetheless, during the months that the lockdown orders have been in place in every region, the streaming company already emerged a winner.

Last April 2020, Netflix reported to have gained 15.8 million subscribers, which brought the current tally of Netflix customers to a total of 183 million. The increase enabled the streaming company to generate as much as $709 million in Net Income, which more than doubled the Income Netflix generated in the same period last year.

Protestant Churches Polarized Over Giving LGBTQ Members Equal Marriage Rights

Religion,

Protestantism is a religion that was basically founded on the concept of reform. It should come as no surprise therefore, this Christian faith has been polarized by a new reform movement that gives equality of marriage rights among LGBTQ members.

Protestant denominations are divided, as the two largest Protestant denominations have expressed strong oppostion to same-sex marriages.

Protestant Denominations in Support of LGBTQ Marriages

Leading the movement of giving equal marriage rights to LGBTQ memmber is the United Church of Christ. Since 2005, this denomination was the first major Protestant sect to allow same-sex marriages.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America took a similar stance in 2009. Evangelical leaders left it to the local ministers to make the final decision on such matters.

The Presbyterian Church USA took a different route by holding a general assembly in 2015, to vote on the matter of amending the definition of marriage in the Presbyterian Book of Orders. Seventy-one percent of the sect’s church leaders voted in favor of defining marriage as “union between two people,” which paved the way for gay marriages.

The Episcopal denomination found favor with the Presbyterian approach and therefore followed suit in 2018. Likewise, the result gave LGBTQ Episcopal congregants the right to get married in any Episcopal church.

Protestant Churches Opposed to Same-Sex Marriages

The largest of all Protestant denominations, the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) has the most hardcore position in keeping marriages traditional. As it is, the SBC has not shown any signs or intentions of giving in to the calls for allowing same sex marriage in any of their congregation.

The SBC maintains that gender identity is determined biologically and not on an individual’s self-perception, as a means of justifying the alternative lifestyle being adopted by LGBTQ members.

In trying to solve the unending debate over allowing same-sex marriage among LGBTQ members, the United Methodist Church has put forward a proposal that would see this second-largest Protestant sect divided.

Notwithstanding that Methodist churches have been experiencing a continuing decline in membership numbers, since 1964. The unsettled question about LGBTQ marriages only heightened the unending decline in church attendance,

The Methodist proposal is to create a new denomination that would distinguish a Methodist church with an anti-LGBTQ marriage stance as “Traditionalist Methodists.” The proposal however, does not provide the equitable solution sought by Methodist LGBTQ members.

Electing to officially make a Methodist congregation a “Traditional Methodist” denomination depends on the result of a local voting process. Obviously, the LGBTQ members in each congregation will have a difficult time mustering the number of votes needed to sway their congregation from traditional concepts.

It is interesting to note that Pope Francis, the current head of the Vatican State, keeps an open mind toward members of the LGBTQ community. The pope previously remarked

“Who am I to judge gay people?”

Latest Polls by Pew Research Center Show Rapid Decline of Christianity in the U.S.

Religion,

Christianity is on a rapid decline among American adults. This was the findings revealed by 2018 and 2019 telephone surveys conducted by the Pew Research Center. The latest polls were geared toward updating Pew’s research study about the changing religious landscape in America, which the research company conducted a decade ago.

When compared to the previous data gathered in determining religious affiliation, only 65 percent of American adult-respondents described themselves as Christians. The number indicated a 12 percent decline in Christian religious affiliation.

Correspondingly, the “nones” or those who identify with other religious group or having no religious affiliation at all, grew in numbers. When compared to the Pew Research surveys conducted in 2009, the unaffiliated respondents rose from a previous 17 percent to 26 percent.

Overview of the Declining Numbers if Christians and the Ascending Numbers of Nones

As a whole, believers in the Christian gospel in the U.S. are represented by people who adhere to Catholicism and Protestantism as religious practices. The decline in affiliation is present in both sectors.

Where previous poll data showed that 51 percent of adult Americans described themselves as Protestants, the new survey shows that only 43 percent of the respondents identified themselves as such. Indicating an 8 percent decline as far as Protestantism is concerned.

The change is also evident among Catholics. When matched against the 23 percent who identified with Catholicism in 2009, the recent polls saw only 20 percent of American adults who said they are Catholics.

The religiously unaffiliated or the “nones” that represent a subset population had naturally shown a swelling in number. About 17 percent of the respondents chose the “nothing in particular” in stating their religious affiliation; revealing a 5 percent when compared to the 12 percent who responded as such in the 2009 polls.

At present, the number of Atheists polled rose to 4 percent from a previous 2 percent.

The number of respondents who claimed they are agnostics represent 5 percent of the American adults surveyed; up by 2 percent when matched against the 3 percent revealed by the 2009 Pew polls.

 

Combining SEO and Social Media for Business Success

Business, Media

 

The utilization of social networking websites has opened an incipient route for amalgamating the search engine optimization marketing methods along with communication procedures that were online. Social networking have become the most prevalent method for individuals to verbalize about what they’re currently doing, businesses that are concrete, goods that are certain, and anything else they feel like discussing. People locate and search sites than they do with search engines like Google. It is logical to utilize these methods to acquire withal the comments a provider desires for achievement and traffic.

The commix of media and SEO provides several opportunities that might have been otherwise offered to a company.

Search Engine Optimization or SEO enables a company to succeed. This content may be in the kind of videos, articles, blogs, or graphics. If these items can’t be found at a search engine, then their efficacy is in nature lost because they will not be visually perceived by customers. Search engine optimization tactics ascertain all content that is congruous and puissant. Social networking now integrates another component. Optimized content may be utilised to increment overtness as people share info on those websites. This is because this info is found by individuals through videos profiles, articles, and other websites on the website. Involution that may be habituated to receive a business is emboldened by social websites. Individuals share information but additionally vote, comment, and connect to it.

How can websites and SEO collaborate to ameliorate traffic and company overtness? First the audience they’d dote to procure must be tenacious by a business. Goals can be resolute concerning the conclusion goals of the promotion campaign. Plans are made to gratify with the objectives. Strategies for accomplishment could be tweets, videos, sites, convivial networks, and other things. Content for these strategies is links to the business site in integration to SEO optimized to engender information. These things coalesce to culminate the aims of a business enterprise. If this method is consummated, a company receives a network of traffic that is curious consumers, ameliorated overtness, plus more. This kind of advertising can be misunderstood as it’s all done online as methods. Many companies locate their effort to become efficacious with the assistance of a professional marketing support like gold coast seo services.

Young Mormons Rewarned about LDS Church’s Prohibition vs. Coffee, Vaping, and Any Habit-Forming Substances

Health and Wellness, Religion,

In light of Starbucks’ impending plan of opening its first outlet near Brigham Young University of the Mormon church, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or LDS, particularly the youth, are rewarned about the faith’s prohibition against coffee and any drinks containing caffeine.

As reassertion and renewal of the LDS church’s warnings, a comprehensive set of new guidelines were published in the August edition of the Mormon youth magazine New Era; furnishing clear statements pertaining to the prohibitions mentioned in the church’s “Word of Wisdom.”

The reiteration stated that there are no gray areas when it comes to the prohibitions prescribed as Mormon health codes. The “Word of Wisdom’s” forbiddance encompasses all habit-forming substances including tea, vapes, cigarettes, or any drink that includes caffeine, mocha, espresso, latte or -ccino in its product name.

The need to reiterate the LDS church’s prohibition is also in light of the concerns raised by a 2016 survey, which revealed that four (4) out of every ten (10) active Mormons below 51 years old, who responded to the survey, admitted to having drank coffee during the past six months from the date the survey was taken.

Some Key Points about the New LDS Guidelines Clarifying the Prohibited Substances

Moreover, the guidelines no longer include the hardline prohibition against entering coffee-shops like Starbucks, which for many years were regarded as taboo. Instead, young Mormons are given advise that when ordering a drink from an outlet, particularly if the shop specializes in coffee beverages, to always ask first if the concoction includes coffee, caffeine or tea as an ingredient.

Vapes, even if advertised as an alternative to conventional cigarettes, still contain nicotine and have been ascertained as addictive substitutes as well. The prohibition therefore includes vapes that come in fruity or other alluring flavors.

About the LDS Church’s “Word of Wisdom”

The “Word of Wisdom” refers to the book containing 1833 section of the Doctrine and Covenants considered by Mormon faith as compilation of revelations from God that LDS founder Joseph Smith received in 1833.

Strict compliance with the health codes set in the “Word of Wisdom” is a prerequisite for Mormon baptism, for rendering full-time missionary work, in attending Mormon church schools, and in entering LDS places of worship. Violation of the code though is not considered as ground for excommunication or any form of disciplinary action.

Media: News And Social

Entertainment, Media, News

Knowing how to indite a media release for convivial networking is your first step toward wealth. You shouldn’t contain any private opinions or comprise off-topic articles; this includes previous details regarding your organization or any type of background info that is not directly cognate to this information.

By way of instance, endeavoring to set up incipient clients using a lengthy, exordial paragraph regarding your company will turn off subsisting clients and make them click away. While potential clients do need to be apprised about your business, such as a link back to an own page or including a second resource in the terminus of this media launch will sanction them to see at their own leisure. The period of the content to your relinquishment should be no more than one page.

As soon as you’ve learned the way to inscribe a media release and understand exactly what should be contained in its articles, there are still a couple different mistakes to eschew should you optate your articles to achieve the best number of individuals. One big mistake people make would be to relinquish their verbal expressions in the incorrect moment. As you can not prognosticate breaking information, submitting your media release whenever there are significant world events caked will make it become buried in a fury of shared connections and information victuals. Better to postpone your promulgation than have it becoming disoriented one of articles which have significantly more media puissance.

Another error people that are callow with media release inditing create is they endeavor and go over an extravagant amount of themes at once in one post. As you may be alacritous to speak about your incipient solution, its potential applications, how it will impact your company, and potential future gains, in addition to a lot of different subjects, producing your post overly long or trying to incorporate an extravagant quantity of information will discombobulate your visitors or just lead them to click away. Many readers and Web users that read articles such as this in their convivial media desire information which they can process straight away, so be as concentrated as you can when engendering your articles.

While your media release will probably have the maximum impact when you’ve got quite a few of convivial websites for your organization or brand, maybe not all of convivial media websites function in precisely the exact same fashion, which means that your articles is going to be shared differently on every website.

On Facebook, instead of relinquishing a media promulgation in your own personal blog as the organization’s CEO, engender a Fan Page to your brand rather and get meer volgers op Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites. From engendering a fan page, you may offer your readers a thorough landing page which provides them slightly of history on your business and other info, in addition to a location from which to start your media releases. Whenever you do that, the readers that follow your webpage will get habituated, which will make your Fan Page their go-to resource for each your business’s information, and they’ll be liable to apportion data from this page too.

China Intensifies Persecution of Chinese Christians and Other Religions

News,

Since last year, the Communist Party in China has been intensifying its drive to quell the growing popularity of Christianity throughout the country. So much so that the Guangzhou Communist Party is offering a substantial reward to those who furnish information about secret Christians, underground churches, and others participating in religious activities regarded “illegal” by the Chinese government.

Carried out through a regulatory program called “Incentives to Motivate the Masses to Report on Illegal Religious Activities,” the Department of Ethics and Religious Affairs of Guangzhou, is offering to pay as much as 10,000 Chinese yuan ( $1,500), to anyone who provides information that will lead to the actual arrest of religious leaders and Christians. Those who will come forward with tips about religious meeting places and churches used and built without approval of authorities, stand to receive smaller bounties.

The regulatory body will then disseminate the tips and provide assistance to government agencies tasked to track down illegal religious groups and its members.

Persecution watchdog China Aid, through its founder Bob Fu, aired concerns that the regulations will significantly heighten the persecution of Christians in China, being officially, an atheist country.

The Director of the Christian Study Centre on Chinese Religion and Culture at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Ying Fuk Tsang, explained that the objective of the crackdown is not to put an end to religions. Tsang stated further that

“President Xi Jinping is trying to establish a new order on religion by censoring its continuing development”…The government’s aim is to regulate the entire ‘religious market”

President Xi is said to be rousing the country to guard against “infiltration” that can be perpetuated through extremist ideology and religion.

What the Chinese Government Considers as Illegal Religious Activities

Guangzhou authorities describe activities as illegal if they involve establishing and holding religious activities in places of religious worship or in non-religious locations, without government approval.

It is also illegal to organize trips abroad that will enable Chinese citizens to attend religious meetings, seminars or worship, as well as receive religious education, all without first securing government approval

When accepting religious donations, government approval must likewise be sought in order not to be considered as an illegal religious activity.

During the month of December, Christian activities and celebrations are prohibited.

How Christian Gospel Helped Justin Bieber Overcome Depression

News,

Fame and fortune came to Justin Bieber at the young age of 12. Back then he was already happy making and posting homemade videos of himself at YouTube because he was attracting thousands of viewers. Yet everything changed when Scottie Braun, an American talent manager, had the young Canadian YouTube sensation brought to Atlanta to meet with Usher.

The rest is history, after Usher agreed to mentor and help launch the musical career of the eager 12-year old Justin. Usher’s undertaking resulted to one of the most sensational pop stardoms in the history of music recording.

Fandom brought the young Bieber to the peak of success, which also came with stories of drugs, mischief, and women; plus a good dose of public opinion and ridicule that conveyed Justin Bieber does not deserve to be where he was. Until at the age of 21, the young man hit rock bottom, no longer feeling the natural euphoria he felt in the early years of “Bieber Fever”.

Bouts with Depression Led to Justin Bieber’s Rebirth as Christian

Not getting any younger, with most of his teenage fans also maturing, the older Bieber went into fits of depression; finally realizing that stardom had not brought him true happiness. To help him get over long nights of feeling despondent, Justin’s mother put him to sleep by making him listen to cassette tapes of the preachings of a Seattle hipster preacher named Judah Smith. The depressed Bieber finally sought the help and friendship of Smith, who in turn brought him to Carl Lentz, pastor of Hillsong Church, New York.

Pastor Lentz saw the 21 year old Bieber struggling with the effects of the toxic world he lived and moved in for years. In an interview with Complex, a pop culture digital magazine, Lentz said Justin was trying to do his best in figuring a way out of the rut he carved for himself. Justin came to realize that his Christian faith was his only salvation, to which he sought to be reborn by way of baptism.

Justin Decides to Step Away from Pop Culture Limelight by Singing Gospel Songs

During his initial period of Christian rebirth, Justin found purpose and meaning by focusing himself and his talent to spreading gospel messages by way of music. No longer the egotistical, self-centered brat, the Canadian pop star had matured into a young adult who finally had a purpose and a broader understanding of his influence to the worldwide fans that brought him fame and fortune. The change was most evident in his 2017 album “Purpose”, particularly in the lyrics of “Life is Worth Living.”

Recently in March of 2019, Justin Bieber made an instagram post, explaining why he had to take a break. He mentioned his need for treatment to overcome his depression but made a promise that he will soon be coming back,

“I will come with a kick ass album ASAP, my swag is undeniable and my drive is indescribable.”

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