Blizzard Entertainment’s Classic World of Warcraft may have transitioned into Burning Crusade Classic, but it seems like vanilla WoW Classic’s story is not quite over. A recently launched Classic PTR server (Public Test Realm) appears to have ‘Phase 1’ rules. Moreso, it appears the Chronoboon, which Blizzard added at the end of Classic’s lifespan, is in the build. While nothing is confirmed, we could be getting fresh Classic WoW servers sometime soon.To get more news aboutBuy WoW WLK EU Gold, you can visit lootwowgold official website.

The new build on the PTR appears to have Phase 1 like content. All Phase 1 means is a lack of PvP Rankings, while Molten Core and Onixia are the only raids available, along with some changes like the Chronoboon. Adding in the Chronoboon, which stores a character’s World Buffs, is evidence of a major design shift if fresh servers are true. The Phase 1 addition of the Chornoboon removes the need to log out until raid or the rage-inducing moments of getting your buffs purged by an opposing faction member. It means that a potential Phase 1 on the PTR will be massively different from Classic’s Phase 1 if it does happen.

Changes are nothing new to Classic WoW. TBC now has Horde-only battlegrounds to address a major PvP community issue. Meanwhile, the Chronoboon was a solid remedy to the World Buff meta, while still allowing players to grief if they so wished. It is clear Blizzard is open to changes now that the consequences of a true vanilla experience don’t necessarily mean you get a vanilla experience.
Fresh Classic WoW servers have been a hotly requested feature, dating back to the pre-release of Burning Crusade Classic. With the rampant botting and hyperinflated economy, many Classic players predicted disaster for TBCC and the future of Classic progression servers. Not to mention that Classic was not vanilla. The rampant World Buff meta forced raiders to log off their characters so that they can raid ‘optimally’. If they didn’t, they could face the bench in the most extreme cases (not very vanilla-like). Fresh Classic WoW servers with the above changes could get players much closer to the vanilla-like experience that Classic WoW tried to emulate, but ultimately failed to achieve.

Blizzard Entertainment is more than aware of the interest in fresh Classic WoW servers. The launch of TBC was nowhere near as dramatic as the Classic WoW launch of 2019. Furthermore, the fans that caused Classic to appear in the first place have always been Classic enthusiasts. Even popular content creators in the WoW community frequently ask Blizzard to create fresh Classic WoW servers.
Before TBC’s launch, some communities in North America and Europe attempted to launch a Classic fresh experience on some of World of Warcraft’s ‘dead realms’. Those projects aimed to create a more vanilla-like experience, with a much healthier economy that attempted to avoid the rampart botters. While those projects failed due to a plethora of community and meta-issues, it doesn’t mean Blizzard will.

Of course, the phenomenon of fresh Classic WoW servers is not entirely new. Before Blizzard released Classic WoW, many vanilla WoW fans played on private servers. It became a bit of a meme in those communities of how much they loved fresh. Not to mention that many freshes servers tended to reshape the game and add changes to adapt to the community skill or to make it more interesting. Only time will tell what Blizzard will do, and we so await an official announcement.

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Before Steve Bannon oversaw the conservative Breitbart News Network and, subsequently, joined then-candidate Donald Trump's campaign, the chief political strategist became a player in Hollywood and ... World of Warcraft.To get more news aboutbuy wow gold classic, you can visit lootwowgold official website.

Bannon's migration from banker at Goldman Sachs to his current post in Trump's inner circle is chronicled in the new book Devil’s Bargain: Steve Bannon, Donald Trump, and the Storming of the Presidency, out Tuesday, by Joshua Green, a reporter with Bloomberg Businessweek.
In 2005, Bannon secured $60 million in funding from Goldman Sachs and other investors for Internet Gaming Entertainment, a Hong Kong-based company. IGE did not make games, but instead employed "low-wage Chinese workers" to play online multiplayer game World of Warcraft and earn in-game gold that could be traded for virtual goods, which in turn could be resold to players of the hugely popular PC game for real money, Green writes. At the time, the game published by Blizzard Entertainment, had about 10 million subscribers.

Some players fancied the idea of paying for goods that would take hours of grinding through the game to earn. But other players "considered it a form of cheating," Green writes, and many posted "anti-Chinese vitriol" on bulletin boards.

Eventually, Blizzard shut down accounts used by virtual "gold farmers" and IGE became the target of a class-action suit by a player who said the company's practices were "substantially impairing" players' enjoyment of the game. Bannon took control of the company from Brock Pierce, a child actor who appeared in The Mighty Ducks films and, according to Internet Movie Database, was a consultant on an episode of HBO series Silicon Valley.

Even though the business plan was a flop, Bannon became intrigued by the game's online community dynamics. In describing gamers, Bannon said, "These guys, these rootless white males, had monster power. ... It was the pre-reddit. It's the same guys on (one of a trio of online message boards owned by IGE) Thottbot who were [later] on reddit" and other online message boards where the alt-right flourished, Bannon said.Green postulates that Bannon's time at IGE was "one that introduced him to a hidden world, burrowed deep into his psyche, and provided a kind of conceptual framework that he would later draw on to build up the audience for Breitbart News, and then to help marshal the online armies of trolls and activists that overran national politicians and helped give rise to Donald Trump," Green writes.

After taking over in 2012 at the Breitbart News Network — it was founded five years earlier by Andrew Breitbart, who died in 2012 — Bannon recruited Milo Yiannopoulos to handle technology coverage.

Like Andrew Breitbart, Yiannopoulos "just had that 'it' factor," Bannon says in the book. "The difference was, Andrew had a very strong moral universe, and Milo is an amoral nihilist."

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Why Do People Buy High-End Luxury Brands of Jewelry?

Just why would someone spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on high-end jewelry when they can buy a counterfeit version of it at a fraction of the price? One major factor that drives the price of luxury jewelry is the exceptional materials used to make them.To get more news aboutcustom jewelry maker, you can visit jewelryhunt.net official website.
From 18 carat gold to vibrant eye-clean gemstones, and conflict-free diamonds, acquiring the best raw materials and crafting them to perfection takes serious monetary investment and fine artisan skills.
While this reason drives up the price of luxury jewelry, you can rest assured that your jewelry will outlive any cheap counterfeit and always look beautiful. After all, diamonds are forever.
STYLE
Whether you are into bold statement pieces or delicate strings of pearls, jewelry is the perfect way to express yourself.

Best of all, the more jewelry you own, the more adaptable they become. Dare to mix and match classic jewelry with modern favorites and subtle pieces with something daring to create a style that is entirely you.
CELEBRATION
A new piece of high-end luxury jewelry is the perfect way to celebrate something wonderful. The moment before actress Taraji P. Henson was proposed to by NFL star Kelvin Hayden, he gifted her with matching $10,000 Cartier Love Bracelets to celebrate their love.
From graduations, promotions, weddings, and first births, there are plenty of reasons to treat yourself to (or gift your special someone with) a beautiful piece of luxury jewelry that can be cherished for a lifetime.
PRESTIGE
When we think of luxury, images of success, power, and wealth come to mind. Luxury brands cultivate these images for their brands through captivating ads and celebrity ambassadors who embody these desirable traits.
By wearing high-end jewelry, the wearer becomes imbued with these attractive characteristics, which are instantly recognizable to others familiar with these prestigious brands.
CONFIDENCE
Who hasn’t enjoyed a little bit of retail therapy? According to Psychology Today, more than half of Americans admit to engaging in retail therapy.
Whether you are getting over a breakup or have a stressful event on the horizon, shopping for luxury jewelry comes with plenty of emotional benefits such as a boost in self-esteem and feeling relaxed.
With the right piece of jewelry, you will feel empowered to tackle any change, be it a first date, a job interview, or a final exam.
CELEBRITY INSPIRATIONS
From Met Gala looks, to glossy magazine covers, film appearances, and Instagram posts, we all love seeing what our favorite celebrates are wearing.
It is all too easy to become inspired by Meghan Markle’s jewelry box of Cartier treasures, Mariah Carey’s cascades of Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra creations, and the vibrancy Lupita Nyong’o brings to Tiffany & Co. as one of the newest faces of the jewelry house.
BETTER INVESTMENTS
Diamonds, gold, and fine luxury jewelry are always in demand. While you may get to enjoy a convincing counterfeit Cartier bracelet or piece of costume jewelry for a few years, the bad news is that they are not worth anything.
Since authentic high-end jewelry is made with outstanding materials that can last a lifetime and are imbued with the prestige of their brand, they better maintain their value than any piece of counterfeit or costume jewelry could.
If there is ever a day where you want to update your jewelry box, you may consider selling the pieces that you no longer love to fund new jewelry purchases.
When selling genuine jewelry, you will get far more money back than you ever could selling fake or costume jewelry.

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A stepdad uses Christmas traditions to earn the affections of his wife’s children in a tale of patience, love, and laughter. Sound like the plot to a new, heartwarming Disney Pixar movie? Close. The Walt Disney Company this week launched its new holiday ad a full [checks calendar] 51 days before Christmas Eve, just in case the trailer for The Book of Boba Fett wasn’t enough to convince you.To get moredisney updates, you can visit shine news official website.

Created by Disney’s in-house creative team, "The Stepdad” tells the story of new stepdad Mike and his efforts to endear himself to his wife Nicole’s two kids, Max and Ella. In 90 seconds, Mike goes from starting to build meaningful bonds by making a snowman, FaceTiming family, and watching movies with the kids, to having it all come crashing down thanks to an ill-timed Gingerbread House incident. Of course, it wouldn’t be Disney without a happy ending, but don’t expect a spoiler here.

A small-framed hint at the start lets us know this is a sequel to last year’s "Lola.” For a company that houses both Marvel and Star Wars, maybe it should come as no surprise that this appears to be the start of an extended Xmas ad universe.

When it comes to advertising, the holiday season has long been the U.K.’s Super Bowl. Retailer John Lewis may have started it, and still remains the standard against which all other spots are measured, but given it now has a streaming service to pitch, Disney is clearly flexing its storytelling chops to make its own case as a holiday heavy hitter.

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According to the recent "Ericsson Mobility Report,” service providers continue to switch on 5G, and more than 160 have launched commercial 5G services. The report projects some 580 million 5G subscriptions by the end of 2021. This increase is estimated, despite the fact that COVID-19 constrained some 5G buildouts in 2020 and created 5G-enabled chip shortages. This coheres with recent IoT World Today survey report that indicates 5G connectivity is a priority for survey respondents.To get morelatest news on ericsson, you can visit shine news official website.

"As societies plan a return to a more normal situation after the pandemic,” the Ericsson report said, "the need to secure and invest in high-quality digital infrastructure should be on everyone’s agenda as a key component of economic recovery.”

Bandwidth improvement is a top driver for 5G adoption (60% of respondents), and many anticipate 5G to be an enabler for the introduction of new services (51%). As a result, 72% of respondents are confident or very confident that 5G will enable artificial intelligence or artificial reality services. Sixty-seven percent of the respondents are either confident or very confident that 5G will deliver the promised business benefits within the next year.

The report noted that a variety of new 5G smartphone models is accelerating the demand for public 5G connectivity, as is the decrease in 5G-enabled device pricing. On the networking side, more 5G standalone (SA) networks are developing, enabled by networking slicing and dual connectivity using new radio.

And of course, the report noted, IoT devices themselves have become accelerators for 5G connectivity.By the end of 2026, 44% of cellular IoT connections will be broadband IoT, with 4G connecting the majority, the report said.

The report noted that as we progress through 2021 and into 2022, more IoT infrastructure will be 5G SA. Non-Standalone (NSA) 5G is the model of deployment where 5G services are provided without an end-to-end 5G network. This means that the network will rely on some previous-generation (4G LTE) infrastructure.

"In the first half of 2021, we have seen the first IoT devices with 5G SA capability. 5G SA-capable modules from a few vendors are already available, and additional module vendors are expected to fuel the IoT ecosystem,” the report said. "We expect to see 5G extend its reach to more IoT device types during the second half of 2021, such as cameras, VR headsets and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Some of these use cases are expected to evolve with time-critical communication capabilities during 2022.”

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Americans might be haunted with scary eye infections long after Halloween if they wear costume contact lenses without a prescription, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).To get more news aboutcolored contacts, you can visit beauon.com official website.

The agency notes out of the 45 million Americans who wear contact lenses, it’s difficult to estimate approximately how many actually wear decorative contact lenses, but the number always increases around Halloween, with highest demand often in the demographic at most risk for infectious complications, according to a recent report.The CDC advises to only purchase contact lenses from an eye doctor, because when decorative contact lens are sold without a valid prescription and the proper medical education, there is a high risk of contact-related eye complications.To get more news aboutcolored contacts prescription, you can visit beauon.com official website.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies contact lenses as medical devices, which means they pose a moderate health risk without proper medical supervision from an eye doctor, warning that any website selling costume contact lens without a prescription is breaking the law. To get more news aboutcolored contacts non prescription, you can visit beauon.com official website.

According to a recent article about the safety concerns of costume contact lens, Dr. Phillip Yuhas, an assistant professor of optometry at Ohio State University, says "a contact lens is a piece of plastic that covers the eye and can prevent oxygen from reaching its front surface. New blood vessel growth, redness, watering and pain are all signs and symptoms that an eye is starved for oxygen."Without the proper education or valid prescription, the lens may not completely fit correctly, leaving the outer layer of the eye more susceptible to scratches or ulcers, which can cause long-term scarring and permanent vision loss, according to the CDC.

The agency notes between 40%-90% of contact lens wearers do not properly follow the routine care instructions and reported almost everyone who wears them admitted to at least one high-risk behavior in their hygiene routine that increased the risk of an eye infection or inflammation.Yuhas noted: "Of those risky behaviors, sleeping in your contact lenses is perhaps the most dangerous. In fact, it puts you at a high risk of getting an infection in your cornea, the clear dome that covers the front of the eye."

This painful eye condition is called keratitis, which sometimes leads to bacterial, viral or parasitic infections, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology noted that cosmetic contacts which people often wear during Halloween to change the color of their eyes contain certain chemicals that can be toxic to the eyes, sometimes leading to vision loss.

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The year-ending Global Finals for World of Warcraft’s Mythic Dungeon International will make for a tense weekend of competition, with eight teams vying for their share of $300,000.To get more news aboutBuy WoW Gold, you can visit lootwow.com official website.

The event is being broadcast exclusively on YouTube, with the primary English-language broadcast airing on the official World of Warcraft channel.

The best-of-three, double-elimination bracket is being played throughout the weekend with competition starting at noon CT every day leading up to the finals on Sunday. The Grand Finals will be a best-of-five.

Each team played its first-round matchup on Friday, and while popular teams like Echo advanced, some other notable ones, like Perplexed, were knocked down to the losers bracket.Tournament admins set specific affixes and keystone levels for this event. All keys are between level 20-23. Half the dungeons are Fortified with the other half being Tyrannical, and just about every other affix is represented in at least one dungeon. The fourth affix for all dungeons is Tormented.

To keep up with the action throughout the weekend, this piece will be updated regularly with the tournament bracket as the results come in.

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The year is 2021. World of Warcraft: Shadowlands has been out for nearly a year. It has had one content update. One. Every other game in the big five has managed to put out multiple content updates in that timeframe or is currently preparing for an expansion in the very near future. Blizzard Entertainment is mired in an ongoing sexual harassment scandal. So it is a masterful reading of the room that the studio has now released a cash shop mount for players to purchase.To get more news aboutbuy wow gold paypal, you can visit lootwowgold official website.

Here are the nice things you can say about the mount: It is a very cute gigantic cat. We approve of the work the art and sound teams did for this adorable creature.

Here is the problem: This is a mount being sold for $25 in the cash shop of a game that has a subscription fee and cannot successfully put out more than one major patch for the game over the course of a year. There is currently no information about when the next actual content update for the main retail game will arrive; the next scheduled patch contains customization options after Blizzard had previously announced no further customization options would be added, but no new content. Activision-Blizzard is worth approximately $60 billion dollars.

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Editor’s Note: A lawsuit has been filed against Activision Blizzard by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, which alleges the company has engaged in abuse, discrimination, and retaliation against its female employees. Activision Blizzard has denied the allegations. The full details of the Activision Blizzard lawsuit (content warning: rape, suicide, abuse, harassment) are being updated as new information becomes available.To get more news aboutbuy wow gold safe, you can visit lootwowgold official website.

World of Warcraft, first released in 2004, was made in the beginning of the MMO era and boasted the highest subscriber count for an MMORPG. Even though World of Warcraft launched so long ago, the game still boasts millions of players. There are many World of Warcraft veterans that have been playing for years, and regular content updates (such as the Shadowlands expansion last year) constantly bring new players into the virtual world. Some people may be wondering, just how many people are still playing World of Warcraft and what is the current WoW subscriber count?

There’s no definite answer readily available because Blizzard is the only one with access to the official WoW sub count. The last time the company released information about its player base was in 2015. Back then, World of Warcraft had an outstanding 5.6 million subscribers across the globe. However, now that five years have passed, it is difficult to guess the WoW subscriber count now. A lot has happened since then – including new World of Warcraft expansions, the release of WoW Classic, and a string of Activision-Blizzard controversies.

Related: Who World Of Warcraft: Shadowlands’ Main Characters Are

Because Blizzard does not release World of Warcraft‘s subscriber count to the public, people will have to rely on third-party statistics that may not be entirely accurate. Statista suggests that World of Warcraft‘s player count was around 4.88 million in 2020 (when Shadowlands was released). The latest WoW subscriber count for 2021 shows a bit of dip with 4.74 players total. This may be due to no new major content in the game or because of Activision-Blizzard’s ongoing lawsuits. However, the data suggests that it is going down at a rate of roughly 140,000 players per year since about 2016, so this may just be part of the trend.
Since it’s known that World of Warcraft‘s player count was 5.6 million in 2015, it would make sense that it’s gone down about 800,000 in the past 5 years. Even with that downward trend, 4.74 million players is still very good for an MMO that was released 16 years ago. World of Warcraft has been thriving for over a decade, and it will probably still be a long time before the game hits its end. While some players have flocked to other MMOs like Final Fantasy XIV recently, likely lowering WoW‘s sub count even more, there are still millions of players logging in on a regular basis.

Even with this decline, World of Warcraft consistently shows an active player community, even with its monthly WoW subscription system. If Blizzard listens to players and gives them what they want, that predicted downfall could quickly turn into an increase. WoW Classic managed to nearly double World of Warcraft’s player base, but that success was short-lived. Shadowlands likewise caused a spike in subscriber counts for WoW, but that also leveled off after a short time. Blizzard could manage to make a comeback with World of Warcraft by creating another great expansion that players want, similar to how Shadowlands became the fastest-selling PC title ever last year.

Of course, those expansions typically only keep new players in for a few months or so, and then only the hardcore players still remain subscribed to WoW. Blizzard’s main goal should be keeping the game fresh for veteran players. The 4.74 million players that still play World of Warcraft need more content if they are to keep coming back, and new content is a great way to keep WoW subscriber counts up.

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The fashion scene is (and always has been) *exploding* with Black talent, and industry veterans are advocating for it to be seen. Just a little over a week after Lindsay People Wagner and Sandrine Charles’ Black In Fashion Council highlighted a handful of rising labels at NYFW, emerging Black-owned jewelry designers are now getting that same well-deserved recognition, thanks to Melanie Grant.To get more news aboutbest jewelry design and custom websites, you can visit jewelryhunt.net official website.

The journalist and author of Coveted: Art and Innovation in High Jewelry joined forces with premier luxury marketplace Sotheby’s to debut its first-ever "Brilliant and Black Showcase." Held from September 17 to 26, the exhibit features 21 Black jewelry designers from the United States and Europe, displaying pieces spanning from $5,000 to upwards of $1 million.
While some of these up-and-coming designers may not yet be on your radar, many of them are already sitting in several A-listers' jewelry boxes. You’ve heard of Rihanna, right? Turns out that the singer-turned-fashion designer flaunted Thelma West’s iconic 5-carat Rebel Black ring (pictured above) at the 2021 Met Gala—accompanied by her comforter-inspired ensemble by Balenciaga, nonetheless. It’s not her first time sporting the Nigerian designer’s jewels, either—take a peek at her Essence Magazine cover for more of West's sparklers. Net-net: expect to see the jeweler splashed all across your Instagram feed in no time.

If you’re in the New York area, clear your schedule to check out the showcase IRL. But if not, no worries—we’ve got you covered. Below, read on to learn all about the four designers that will be a part of Sotheby’s Brilliant and Black Showcase.
1. Thelma West
In addition to the Fenty founder, Thelma West has a devoted celebrity following that includes the likes of Angela Bassett and Zendaya—and it’s easy to see why. Founder Thelma West turned her lifelong admiration of gems into a business when she launched the London-based label back in 2012. Ever since it was born, the brand has released one unique dazzler after another.
2. Jacqueline Rabun
Jacqueline Rabun has been gracing the world with her talents for quite a while. After touching down in London, the jewelry designer debuted her first collection, "Raw Elegance,” in 1990. As for today, Rabun is using Brilliant and Black Showcase as a platform to showcase gems from her Black Love collection. Rabun says in a press release, "I am honored to take part in this historic exhibition curated by Melanie Grant for Sotheby's to showcase the beauty and craftsmanship of jewelry designers of color.” While browsing, take note of the statement ring rendered in 18k yellow gold and rutilated quartz crystal—it's sure to disappear in a flash.
3. Maggi Simpkins
Los Angeles-based brand Maggi Simpkin follows a rather unique approach to engagement ring-making. To ensure every piece is one-of-a-kind, the designer sits down with every customer to talk through their life experiences. The result: Truly distinct pieces that tell a story. (Check out its Instagram for further proof). If there’s any indication the exhibit is going to create buzz, it’s the fact that the designer created a million-dollar 2.43-carat fancy pink ring created exclusively for the showcase—which, if sold, will be the most expensive piece of jewelry made by a female Black designer to ever be sold at a global auction.
4. Marei New York
"It is an absolute honor to be selected as one of the designers of African descent for this monumental first-of-its-kind selling exhibition at Sotheby’s New York,” Marei New York’s founder Angie Marei says in a press release. The Egyptian and Dominican designer's pieces range from $10,000 pearl rings to $83,000 diamond hoop earrings—all of which are inspired by design codes from Ancient Egypt, as well as Art Deco and Gothic architecture.

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For the past few years, we have witnessed a novel concept in the world of watchmaking: configurators that allow consumers to personalize their own watches by selecting bezels, dials and other accents. Now, thanks to the Gemist website, consumers can personalize their own jewelry, as well – creating anything from small stackable rings to larger necklaces and even statement cocktail pieces.To get more news aboutjewelry designers, you can visit jewelryhunt.net official website.

The idea is the brainchild of founder Madeline Fraser who is no newcomer to the entrepreneurial spirit. Her first foray into digital startups happened almost eight years ago when she began an interior design company, Zoom Interiors, online. From the home she narrowed in on furniture and created Hutch, a mobile app to visualize furniture in your house before you buy. Now, she is opting to revolutionize the idea of customized jewelry with the online Gemist platform. She has even garnered the support of De Beers Diamonds and other top investors.
The adventurous soul can visit Gemist and begin creating their own jewelry immediately, opting for a particular style and then selecting the customizable options such as which material (gold, sterling silver, even platinum) to make it out of. The next option comes with the gemstones and settings. Variety is the spice of life here, with many different gemstones to choose from that run the gamut from orange spinel to garnets, sapphires of all shades, emeralds and diamonds. For those looking to create highly affordable personalized jewelry, there is even the choice to use Swarovski crystals. Other options include having a piece of jewelry entirely stone set or partially gem set, depending on the piece.

For those looking to spend a bit more money and be totally secure in their choices, Gemist offers Stylist Consultations. The shopper can opt for a 30-minute free phone conversation to collaborate on styles ideas, budgets and more. There are even certified gemologists on staff as well as fine jewelry designers. Depending on the materials, the stones, the elaborateness of the jewelry, one can spend anywhere from a few hundred dollars for a customized piece to tens of thousands.

If the customer works with a consultant, when she or he is ready to move ahead with the job, they pay a $150 deposit and Gemist moves forward with the design, offering drawings and a variety of renderings so that the customer can make edits or changes if wanted (up to three times). When the design is finalized, the customer pays a 50 percent deposit. The jewelry item is then made by hand at the brand’s Los Angeles studio and pictures and a final video are sent to the customer, who pays the remainder of the fee before the piece of jewelry is shipped.

Alternatively, the customer comfortable with her own (or his own) ideas, can go ahead and create the order online without the assistance of a stylist. Still unsure what you want? If it is rings, Gemist offers a "Try on at Home” box of rings. Customers pay $45, which they get back once they return the box of rings, and Gemist ships a box of several mock-up rings (not made of precious materials or stones) for the customer to try on before ordering. If the customer doesn’t return the box in two weeks, they pay $125 for the box. But according to Fraser, less than 1 percent of customers don’t return the box. They’re too eager to order their own personalized rings after trying on the mockups. For those who don’t know their ring size, Gemist offers a physical ring sizer that they mail to you, or they have a PDF ring sizer online for customers to download and print.

Gemist jewelry includes huggies earrings, charms, rings, necklaces, accessories, bridal and engagement rings and more. In short, the Gemist concept is fun, whimsical and enormously personal. It isn’t every day you can pick your metals, pick your stones, pick your setting and do it again and again as many times as your budget allows.

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Shanghai-based journalist Siyuan Meng was buying some noodles when the lady selling them abruptly took off. To get more news aboutshanghai special dishes, you can visit shine news official website.

"I was at a street vendor, after I ordered the food, a few minutes later the lady handing over the food told me, 'Hey, be fast, they're coming' … and soon she was escaping away."

The vendor had heard that local enforcement officers, known as Chengguan, had been spotted nearby. It's a familiar scene in many of China's urban centres.

Many of China's street food vendors have found themselves in a "cat and mouse" game with local authorities. "It's pretty intense — because, technically, street food is banned in Shanghai," Ms Meng said. Strict regulations are making it harder for vendors to operate. They risk being shut down, fined or having their wares confiscated.

China's rapid modernisation has left the nation's street vendors fighting for survival in some parts, as authorities look to clean up city streets.

"There used to be many more street vendors in Shanghai or in China … I really don't want street vendors to disappear entirely," Ms Meng says. The variety of food you can find on China's streets is staggering, with each city and region home to its own favourites.

One that's quite popular here are these, like, steamed sandwiches, steamed buns, and then you put shredded or minced meat with spices inside," Ms Gouk said. Other common favourites include Chinese pancakes known as Jianbing, dumplings and noodles — while more exotic foods such as donkey burgers and scorpions can also be found.

Vendors also operate at all hours of the day, catering in particular to shift workers and late-night revellers in Shanghai. "I remember when I first moved to Shanghai in 2011, I saw a lot [of vendors] late at night outside clubs. These carts were massive and had every kind of skewer on the planet."

"It looked like mystery meat, but I ate it anyway," Ms Gouk said. However, getting your mystery meat fix is becoming harder and harder, particularly in cosmopolitan cities such as Shanghai. University of Macau associate professor of sociology Jianhua Xu is a researcher into street vending in the city of Guangzhou.

"The government tends to think there are lots of problems associated with hygiene, and the blocking of traffic, and also, sometimes, people complain about disorder in the street," he said.Professor Greenspan helped run a project called Moveable Feasts that mapped Shanghai's street food, and its decline.

"[In Shanghai] there's beautiful cocktail bars and beautiful restaurants, but I also just like to squat on the street and eat a bowl of noodles … and that is getting harder and harder," Professor Greenspan said.

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SHANGHAINESE is proving to be one of Sydney’s boom cuisines, with Taste of Shanghai set to open at Westfield Hurstville.The opening, slated for early in 2016, follows a major renovation of the Taste of Shanghai outlet in Sydney’s World Square.To get more news aboutChina cuisine, you can visit shine news official website.

Owner Aaron Mi, who arrived in Australia from China 27 years ago, says his aim is to attract a more western audience to his regional cuisine. He says the Giant Designs refit of the World Square property has taken it from daggy to hip.

"It was ordinary like any other Chinese restaurant (before),” he says. "But we now want to tell people that it’s more than a Chinese restaurant even though it has the traditional looking elements inside.”

Taste of Shanghai’s expansion follows the rapid growth of competitor, New Shanghai, which opened recently at Westfield Sydney.The launch of the third in a trio of restaurants at Chippendale’s Old Clare Hotel has been delayed until next year. Celebrity British chef Jason Atherton was due to open Kensington Street Social at the Broadway property last month, but construction delays have resulted in the opening being pushed back until January at the earliest.

A spokesman for the project confirmed recently that the scheduled 2015 opening would not happen.Jason Atherton will be in Sydney for the opening. He’s working closely with executive chef Robert Daniels on a menu that is focused around Australian produce.”

The opening will follow the successful launch in recent months to two other high-profile restaurants in the venue — Clayton Wells’s Automata and Sam Miller’s Silvereye. Atherton worked with Daniels at Gordon Ramsay’s Maze in the UK.WHILE Merivale has spent the past few years shrugging off the pub and bar behemoth tag, J&M, an intimate whisky bar on level two of the CBD’s historic Angel Hotel, is a return to its roots — with a little class.

J&M, which opens tomorrow, will first launch as a Chivas Regal showcase, particularly Chivas 18, with the bar a tribute to Justin Hemmes’ late father John and mother Merivale.

The site is the original House of Merivale fashion hot spot, which was also one of the couple’s first forays into hospitality, a restaurant and espresso bar on level two.

The bar is all rich interiors, including green velvets, luxurious chesterfield sofas and copper accents, plus a drinks trolley named The Sidecar. One cocktail is described as "Buttered Popcorn washed Chivas Regal 18yo, salted caramel syrup, bitters, Himalayan salt”.LOOK out for our special edition of Sydney Taste next week, when we name Sydney’s 50 Best Cafes. From the city to the far West and everywhere in between, you’ll find out where to get the best coffee, brunches and lunches in Sydney. Local winners and an overall winner will also be named. If you love coffee and your local cafe, don’t miss your chance to nominate it for our People’s Choice awards. Stay tuned to our homepage later in the week for more details.

Featuring a raft of restaurant reviews from around Australia, recipes from the nation’s best-loved chefs, and tips on styling, food trends and where’s hot in travel. Delicious editor-in-chief Kerrie McCallum says the website will be dynamic and progressive.

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COVID-19 has caused a dramatic shortage in the supply of face masks1, which is mainly explained by a surge in demand.To get more news aboutfamous nonmedical mask factory, you can visit tnkme.com official website.

Since no country can meet the increase in the demand for masks alone, trade is essential. Export bans are harmful for countries without production capacity, but can also backfire on the country imposing them when they need to import inputs, additional masks or other essential goods. Tariffs or export licenses can delay trade, in addition to increasing prices.

The smooth operation of transportation infrastructure and logistics, especially air cargo, is critical to support the face masks value chain during the crisis. More attention should also be given to the supply of key inputs.

But free trade and trade facilitation are not enough to solve the current shortage; an important increase in supply is required in the short-term, requiring government planning and incentives for firms to convert existing assembly lines and create additional capacity. Certification procedures should be expedited to allow masks produced by new companies to be traded as soon as possible

Looking ahead, it would be excessively costly for every country to develop production capacity that matches crisis demand and encompasses the whole value chain. An alternative, more effective and cost-efficient solution in the long-term may involve the combination of strategic stocks; upstream agreements with companies for rapid conversion of assembly lines during crises (with possible government incentives and co-ordination); and supportive international trade measures.

← 1. The term "face mask” generally refers to surgical masks (also known as "procedure masks” or "medical masks”). This note also covers N95 respirators as they have a similar value chain and trade data do not distinguish them from surgical masks.
Surgical masks and N95 respirators are used to prevent the spread of respiratory infections. They are part of the personal protective equipment (PPE) used by health workers and are different from other types of masks used to protect from pollution or dust.1 Surgical masks are loose fitting and designed to trap sprays and droplets from coughing and sneezing.2 N95 respirators fit more tightly and can also protect from smaller airborne particles. While N95 respirators are designed to protect the wearer from infections, surgical masks are mostly used to prevent the wearer from disseminating germs and viruses (such as in the case of a surgeon operating on a patient). Surgical masks do not offer full protection against the coronavirus but are recommended for health workers, particularly when both the patient and the worker wear one.

Both surgical masks and N95 respirators are disposable, explaining the high and recurrent demand. Once used, their external layer may become covered with germs. Moreover, humidity from the mouth slowly alters their filtering properties. Masks are therefore effective only for a few hours (four hours for surgical masks and one day for N95 respirators) and there is a risk of contamination when manipulating them or re-using them. Therefore, the strategy is to have cheap and disposable protective equipment that can be safely disposed of and replaced. Re-usable masks have been found to create higher risks of contamination.3

As the coronavirus is transmitted via droplets of fluid from the nose or mouth, face masks are essential for health workers who are in direct contact with infected patients.4 They can also play a role in preventing sick people from spreading the virus when coughing or simply talking or breathing. While the recommendation initially was to wear masks only when taking care of people suspected of COVID-19 infection, WHO issued new guidance on the use of masks for healthy people in community settings5 on 6 April 2020 and health authorities are increasingly recommending the broader use of masks.

Meeting demand for face masks has become one of the main issues for governments fighting the pandemic. Masks may play an even greater role in the next phase of the crisis, when lockdowns are gradually lifted and economic activity resumes, while the virus remains a threat.

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Faced with Covid-19 and its more contagious variants, health authorities in different countries are turning to FFP2 mask wearing in order to limit the increased risk of contamination. In Austria, they are now mandatory in transportation, shops and service places. Germany has also made it mandatory to wear this type of protective mask.To get more news aboutquality medical surgical mask factory outlet, you can visit tnkme.com official website.

In France, the High Council for Public Health recommends wearing high performance category 1 single-use masks (according to the EN 14683 standard) for the General public. At the same time, the HCPH recommends the use of the FFP2 mask only for healthcare personnel practicing invasive procedures and performing manipulations on the respiratory tract.To understand why the FFP2 mask is popular in the fight against the Sars-CoV-2 epidemic, it is necessary to understand the difference between a surgical mask and respiratory protective masks categorized as FFP.

Surgical masks meeting the NF EN 14683 standard are, as their name suggests, primarily intended for medical use. Depending on their type (I, II or IIR) they prevent droplets projection but do not prevent aerosols inhalation (very fine particles suspended in the air). However, the Covid-19 transmission risk by aerosols is considerable. It is one of the three transmission modes of the Sars-CoV-2 (the others being: contact with respiratory droplets, secretions from breathing, coughing and sneezing, and contact with an infected person or surface).

Respiratory protection masks categorized as FFP according to the NF EN 149 standard are dedicated to protect against the finest particles present in ambient air and specifically aerosols. This is why they are currently prized to prevent Covid-19 contamination as much as possible.Designed with multiple layers of innovative filtering materials, disposable FFP2 masks are easy to use, affordable, and offer protection against viral particles such as Covid-19.

The FFP2 mask is a respiratory protection that filters at least 94% of aerosols with an inward leakage rate of less than 8%. Commonly used in many environments, it is a respiratory protection mask compliant to the NF EN 149 standard (similar to the American N95 mask, or the KN95 for South Korea). Outside the medical environment, this PPE (personal protective equipment) is used in various industries for woodworking, metal processing, or waste disposal. Indeed, FFP2 protection provides a high level of safety against various elements such as very fine particles of wood, metal, welding fumes, droplets and aerosols from paint, varnish and viruses.

FFP (for Filtering Facepiece Particles) protection is available as disposable masks but also as gas mask filters. For example, combined filter cartridges like the A2-P3 offer protection against organic and inorganic gases and vapors with a boiling point above 65 ° and against solid & liquid microparticles.

Contrary to popular belief, an FFP2 PPE does not always take the form of a duckbill mask. Indeed, the FFP2 qualification does not depend on its form but on its protection level against particles and aerosols. The FFP2 protection level can be attributed to many equipment types and forms. A duckbill, shell, medical, consumer, disposable, reusable or dust-proof mask can obtain this qualification. The same is true for other filtering respiratory protection equipment such as full gas masks or powered air purifying respirators that can be fitted with anti-particle protection filters up to the FFP3 level.

Some FFP2 masks can be fitted with an exhalation valve. Wearing non-motorized air purifying (filtering) respiratory protective equipment requires a respiratory effort proportional to the equipment’s protection level. An FFP2 mask without valve therefore involves resistance during inhalation and exhalation. Whatever mask shape you choose, the exhalation valve will allow exhaled air to escape more easily. Thus, these valve PPE bring great comfort to their wearer. This is why respiratory protection with an incorporated valve is generally more popular for demanding jobs (sanding, spray painting, etc.).

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Austrians on Monday swapped their cloth face coverings for medical-grade FFP2 masks, now mandatory for those over 14 on public transport, shops and businesses, pharmacies as well as hospitals or medical practices.To get more news aboutquality nonmedical mask factory, you can visit tnkme.com official website.
Austria is among the first European countries to make FFP2 masks mandatory.

The measure has largely been accepted without complaint, despite controversy over other measures such as the closing of schools while ski lifts remain open.

"Because of the (more contagious) variants of the coronavirus, it is necessary to protect yourself better," said 24-year-old Vienna resident and graphic designer Hannah Zuegner.

"If everyone participates, I think it will change the situation, especially when the vaccines arrive," she said.

Though often sold for more than 5 euros each just a few weeks ago, the masks, which block 94 percent of aerosols, can now be found at all grocery stores for 59 cents each. Elderly residents and low-income households received packs of free FFP2 masks last week.

The measure also applies to supermarkets and to service providers such as garage owners and health professionals, while teachers, warehouse workers and people in the public service must also comply at their workplace, unless a minimum distance of two metres can be ensured.

Pregnant women and people with medical conditions that make it harder for them to breathe are exempt.

Following a second lockdown that ended in early December and allowed stores to open for Christmas shopping, daily infection rates quickly increased, leading the government to imposed a third lockdown just a few weeks later, on December 26.

Though it was meant to be lifted on January 25, this third lockdown failed to significantly contain new infections in the nation of 8.9 million, leading to an extension until February 8 and stricter regulations, including the mandatory FFP2 masks.Currently, around 130 new infections are registered per 100,000 residents each day -- well above the maximum of 50 infections the government aims for.

Schools, museums, sports halls, cinemas and non-essential shops are currently closed and the government is urging Austrians to limit social contacts and to work from home wherever possible.

Outdoor sports, however, are permitted, and photos of crowds queueing at lifts or huddling with drinks at ice skating rinks have sparked outrage.

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Since the start of the pandemic, many small businesses have been making cloth masks that may be good for the environment but don't necessarily offer the necessary thickness and layers of fabric for full protection.To get more news aboutfamous FFP2 mask factory outlet, you can visit tnkme.com official website.

There is now international concern about cloth face coverings worn in public, with Germany and France leading calls for citizens to upgrade to medical-grade masks.

In the UK earlier this week, the government's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said face masks are most effective at protecting wearers from spreading Covid-19 to others, and are most useful when used indoors, such as in shops and supermarkets.They are somewhat effective at protecting the mask wearer too, although it is unclear to what extent, Mr Vallance said.

He reiterated that everyone must continue to wear face coverings.Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel agreed on Tuesday that either single-use surgical FFP1 masks or more protective FFP2 filtering face piece respirators should be worn in the workplace, on public transport and in shops.

In France, masks are compulsory in all indoor public spaces, as well as on the streets in around 400 towns and cities, but the government guidance rules that only a mask fully covering the nose and mouth must be worn. People caught without masks or wearing them incorrectly face a €135 ($164) fine.

Last week, Didier Lepelletier, co-president of France's Covid-19 working group, said the group had decided that cloth masks – which are preferred by many people because they can be re-used – did not guarantee sufficient protection against the new Covid-19 variants.

The group recommended wearing a category 1 mask – those that filter more than 90 per cent of particles – rather than a category 2 covering.

Category 1 includes FFP2 filter masks, blue single-use surgical masks and certain types of fabric masks that meet specifications.In one of his first actions as US president, Joe Biden signed a mask mandate, requiring that face coverings be worn inside buildings and on land controlled by the federal government.

That includes places like national parks and during interstate travel on trains, buses and aircraft.

The order also includes a "100 Days Masking Challenge" to encourage Americans to commit to wearing masks for at least that length of time and compels federal workers and contractors to follow other social-distancing guidelines recommended by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.

While the executive order does not have the authority to change mask policies in individual cities or states, President Biden "will call on governors, public health officials, mayors, business leaders, and others to implement masking, physical distancing and other public measures to control Coid-19," said Jeff Zients, co-ordinator of the new US administration’s pandemic response.As countries introduce measures to prevent the spread of the UK, Brazilian and South African variants, it is thought many will amend face-covering advice and recommend the medical-grade masks.

Scientists warn that while face coverings can help control Covid-19 transmission in the community, they should not be a replacement for other coronavirus measures, such as social distancing.

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