#japan victor corporation
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Death Machine article with director Stephen Norrington, Brad Dourif & Ely Pouget
Cinefantastique #26 - 1995
Brad Dourif creates the mother of all rampaging robots.
The mother of all psycho robots roamed the corridors of Pinewood Studios, England from September 2, 1993, for 12 weeks. But the 20-foot tall, cable-controlled star of DEATH MACHINE mav look vaguely familiar. Like a giant metallic version of the Alien from Rid¬ ley Scott’s 1979 science-fiction classic? "Well sort of,” replied director Stephen Norrington adding, "It’s like ROBOCOP, TERMINATOR and HARDWARE too! That’s why it got financed in the first place. But while DEATH MACHINE is in the same area as all of those genre movies, it has emerged from that place with a unique style and humor to become its own separate entity.” Trimark Pictures has picked up the film’s U.S. video and technical rights for release later this year.
Norrington makes his directorial debut with this selfpenned chiller after years of gaining a formidable reputation as one of Britain's best special effects masters. He began as Rick Baker’s runner on GREYSTOKE and has since worked on numerous blockbusters including ALIENS, RETURN TO OZ and YOUNG SHERLOCK HOLMES. "After GREMLINS 2 I began losing interest in effects,” explained Norrington. "I started writing scripts with effects twists and the third one I came up with was DEATH MACHINE.” By 1990 however, Norrington hadn't got very far in attracting any financial interest in his new ambition so he joined the ALIEN special effects crew “just to keep my hand in” and then accepted an offer to supervise SPLIT SECOND. While working on that futuristic actioncr, producer Laura Gregory showed interest in one of Norringlon’s other scripts. SPEEDER, as a possible sequel for Rutger Hauer. (The script: Norrington’s TERMINATOR meets A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, is now planned as a follow-up to DEATH MACHINE.) The interest led Norrington to meet future DEATH MACHINE producer Vic Bateman (Japan's Victor Company head), who handled the world sales for SPLIT SECOND.
Noted Dominic Anciano, who produced DEATH MACHINE with Bateman and had a massive European success with Peter Medak’s THE KRAYS, "Vic thought Norrington ’s writing and ideas were very commercial and urged me to take him seriously. Because SPEEDER was apparently all tied up with Laura Gregory, I asked Stephen what else he had written and was given DEATH MACHINE. I thought it was so unusual for a British writer to be that succinct in his writing, that passionate about directing, 1 felt I had to give him the chance and let him make it his way. DEATH MACHINE is the sort of movie audiences worldwide want to see and we seem to have a commercial knack for making them in Britain.”
Co-financed by Japan’s Victor Company and Britain’s Entertainment Film Distributors (the latter produced SLIP STREAM), the $3 million DEATH MACHINE is set in the 21st century and focuses on nightmare events taking place behind the closed doors of the Chaank Weapons Corporation. The company has appointed a new female Chief Executive, Hayden Cale (Ely Pouget), to ensure they remain the leader of the techno-armament pack. But she wants to fire their number one asset Jack Dante, a neo-hippie whose dark genius for weaponry design is the envy of the industry. However, Dante is a childlike psychopath incapable of making the distinction between right and wrong after years of watching hardcore cartoon violence on television and decides he isn’t going without a fight. The result is the invention of his most destructive instrument ever…the unstoppable DEATH MACHINE.
Norrington pointed out, "It’s a hybrid of a million things I love; maniacs, actor Brad Dourif [who plays Dante], psycho robots, corporate nightmares, DIE HARD action and huge hi-tech sets. And that’s only naming a few. It’s your average ‘Crazed cyborg on the rampage menacing great looking people' saga!” Added Norrington more seriously, "While DEATH MACHINE is grim with some blood and gore, it isn't a splatter movie. Underneath the surface it’s about losing one’s innocence and how you become dehumanized if you are involved in an industry dealing with destruction. Do such inventors ever think about what they’re doing in real terms? Does their judgment have a guilty edge? This is about that turning off point taken to the most horrifying extreme.”
It was this edge in Norrington’s script which stirred Brad Dourif’s stomach a little. "And when that happens, it’s a sign of good material,” noted the voice of Chucky from the CHILD’S PLAY movie series and star of BODY PARTS and GRAVEYARD SHIFT. "The main point of interest for me was the cartoon connection. Dante is so tuned into animation and the mass media, he mimics everything he sees. I m taking a lot of acting risks playing this part because his responses are all so unreal and based on recognizable things. Dante responds more to TV than people. He’s a villain but a hard one to hate."
Many of the crew have noted how Dourif’s on-screen identity resembles Norrington's own off-screen look. Dourif nodded sagely, "There arc numerous similarities between Dante and Stephen. It’s his personal story about the problems we will all face when the world becomes even more industrialized. 1 can honestly say that Stephen is the best director I’ve ever worked with. It’s the era of first-timers and I've had an incredible run of them. Stephen is better equipped than most to direct this sort of movie because of his visual eye, love of the genre and his special effects background."
For Ely Pougct, the attraction was the weird twisted logic of DEATH MACHINE. The actress who appeared in the recent DARK SHADOWS TV series noted, “In Hayden’s backstory, she was responsible for the death of a child. So hunting and trying to kill the ‘childlike’ Dante causes her major psychological traumas. However, I'm definitely the tough Sigourney Weaver figure in DEATH MACHINE. Despite the script's hard as nails exterior, Stephen has put in a softness, an underlying sadness allying it more to KING KONG and FRANKENSTEIN than the obvious hi-tech equivalents.”
“The fine acting from Brad and Ely has made DEATH MACHINE less derivative than I expected in truth,” admitted Norrington on the Pinewood soundstage where the glass Chaank offices have been created. He added, “Their unique characterizations have added some real potent surprises above those contained in the script. It's less reliant on hard-tech gimmicks than I anticipated and far more bizarre than I ever imagined. I see it as a more thoughtful cross between Sam Raimi horror slapstick and James Cameron energetic action."
Norrington loves those two directors.
It’s the reason he included them in a script peppered with familiar names for the leading characters; Scott Ridley, Carpenter and, of course, Dante are other examples. Plagiarism as an art form!” said Norrington. "I wrote the script when I was still a frothing fan boy. Then someone pointed out Fred Dekker had done exactly the same thing in NIGHT OF THE CREEPS. How uncool! 1 ditched a few references after finding that out.”
Responsible for the special effects in Norrington’s feature debut is Creature Effects (CFX for short) an all-British outfit consisting of Dave Elsey, Cliff Wallace, Alan Hedgecock and Brendan Lonergan who together and separately have worked on numerous high profile movies including NIGHTBREED, RETURN OF THE JEDI and WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT. Norrington chose CFX mainly because he knew them, and their work, personally.
Constructing the Death Machine fell to Animated Extras, the prosthetic/ mechanics company owned by Daniel Parker and Nick Williams who worked on the Indiana Jones film scories, ENEMY MINE and MARY SHELLEY’S FRANKENSTEIN. They worked from Norrington’s design marquette for the killer robot. "The fullsize construction was so big and heavy it needed 12 people on the controls to make it move,” said Parker.
So was directing harder or easier than Norrington expected? He gave a wry smile and said, “I’d directed some award winning commercials and promos before DEATH MACHINE. Anyone could do it. I’m living proof that directing, in the words of the immortal, god-like James Cameron, is criminally easy. The only challenge I’ve faced had to do with time and money: staying at a consistently high quality on such a short schedule.”
#death machine#brad dourif#jack dante#interview#stephen norrington#magazine scan#ely pouget#hayden cale#90s sci-fi#90s horror#horror movies
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Okay so, after the rollercoaster ride of today's Silent Hill transmission from Konami, I do have some preliminary thoughts.
(I'll link to the individual trailers as I go; the full transmission is like almost an hour long, I don't want to subject anybody to that lmao)
The full slate of media being worked on is at least 5 separate projects:
Silent Hill 2 Remake, a RE2-make style traditional remake developed by Polish studio Bloober Team (Layers of Fear, The Medium) in collaboration with the core remaining members of Team Silent, Masahiro Ito and Akira Yamaoka
Return to Silent Hill, a new film by the 2006 film's original director Christophe Gans and produced by Victor Hadida, his late brother Samuel Hadida's production partner, that largely follows the plot of Silent Hill 2
Silent Hill Ascension, some sort of livestreamed semi interactive evolving media production created as a partnership between Bad Robot (JJ Abrams' media company), dj2, Behaviour Interactive (creators of Dead by Daylight), and Genvid Software
Silent Hill Townfall, a mysterious character driven piece created by Annapurna Interactive (Stray, Kentucky Route Zero) and NoCode Games (Observation)
Silent Hill f, a title left deliberately vague, set in 1960s Japan and developed by the creator of j-horror landmark Higurashi: When They Cry, Ryukishi07
I have mixed feelings about all of these! I love the original developers and appreciate the depth of care and affection all these new partners have for the franchise--multiple people at each satellite company have stated how deeply formative they found the original games--but like... there's so much going on at one time here.
Out of all of these? I have the highest confidence in Townfall and f. Annapurna Interactive has shown (to me at least) that they understand ambience, the importance of quiet spaces and environmental storytelling, emotional nuance, and no fear of taking risks or being left field. That's EXACTLY what the franchise needs right now, after years of being trash trapped in the doldrums. Likewise, Ryukishi07 (whoever they are, single plural or otherwise) has a veteran pedigree in Japanese psychological horror, and could do a lot of good transforming the games into the new world with their talents. How much it ends up feeling silent hill y is up for debate, considering how juxtaposed their normal style is from the American cinematic homage Silent Hill normally reads as, but still.
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With regards to the movie: I do like Christophe Gans, and think he's a competent filmmaker with an appreciation for the source materials and atmosphere that other directors might lack (such as MJ Bassett, the director who botched Revelation in 2012).... but. I simply don't trust the vision he's outlined in his recent interview with Konami to be a captivating movie. Why watch his movie at all? If Return to Silent Hill is going to be like they said, pretty much a straight adaptation of 2, they're not going to have the room to grow and develop from the source materials to make it feel like its own Thing the way the 2006 film managed.
I'm a bit of an outlier in that I did genuinely like the 2006 movie! Despite its problems with pacing and the corporate interference of adding the B plot with Sean Bean, and the flashbacks detailing Alessa's backstory being a bit mishandled (also likely due to upper management's demands of rewrites), the tone, the environments, and performances were really effective. It haunted me for quite a while after my first viewing, to the point where it helped develop my affinity for horror in general and the series of games in particular, which imo is a hallmark of a good movie! But the way Konami and Constantin Pictures have outlined their project for RtSH, I have no reason not to just skip it and watch a compilation of cutscenes from the game on YouTube instead and call it a day, or pony up for the remake, which is going to deliver the same story almost shot-for-shot.
I have no idea what they're doing with this Ascension bullshit. It's supposed to be interactive and crowd operated in a live setting, but like. How does that work here. This franchise has always been a very independent experience from the jump, and the only deviations have been utter failures (notably Book of Memories, a top-down roguelike co-op game on the PS Vita relentlessly hated by fans and critics). How do you translate the fear of isolation and claustrophobia and violence and the unknown into a livestream? I just don't see it being good honestly. I'm happy to be wrong! Please I hope I'm wrong here. But... considering "executive produced by JJ Abrams" has been the blood in the water for more than one esteemed franchise, because he can't fucking write his way out of a paper bag but people tell him he can, I just don't see it having the nuance or subtlety the brand needs.
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The SH2 remake is just an utter wildcard, but I'm leaning towards "eh" at this point. I just think, like... we don't really need a film adaptation of 2 AND a remake. It's so redundant, telling the same story in the same ways, when 2 is already a beloved central pillar of horror gaming to begin with. There's so much potential and so many stories to work with in the franchise already! Or even an original screenplay set in the universe could be good too. But what sounds like a 1-1 adaptation of the original game is, well. Not what I want all that much, either from the movie side or the game side. I don't know whether I like the focus in the game so far, considering it's supposed to feel quite hazy and unsettling, while the trailer feels a bit too grounded and emotive. But it's hard to say this early whether that means they miss the mark or nail it in terms of atmosphere. The discourse is pretty evenly split from what I've seen. As a good sign: Masahiro Ito and Akira Yamaoka are both involved as core members of the SH2R team, which means creatively the Bloober Team should be on a comparatively tight leash with regards to the liberties they can take with the game's direction. Bad sign: apparently Bloober Team are known for bungling topics around mental illness in some of their work... and idk if you've ever played Silent Hill 2, but that's a pretty significant component of the title lmao.
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Overall? My feelings are certainly mixed, but the fact that the series is being brought back to life after nearly a decade of silence and development hell? I'm glad. I certainly hope all of these end up good, but won't hold my breath and choke on it if I can help it. High hopes for f and Townfall, though. If any of these can make it, it's them. And as always, remember
"The fear of blood tends to create fear for the flesh"
#silent hill ascension#silent hill 2#silent hill f#silent hill townfall#the discourse#long post#sorry I just have a lot of thoughts today#Youtube
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i've seen a few messages thrown your way about the whole YOI situation, but no one else i know is talking about it... i was wondering if you could explain what's happened? i'm guessing the movie is just stuck in limbo or something due to censorship??
There is a lot of fuzziness around it and lack of detail, but yes it is in limbo due to corporate headassery. Mappa doesn't want to focus on it because they're too busy being greedy for shounen franchises. Avex and Mappa both wanted a major international release, but that included Russia and China and Sayo and Kubo were not having a YOI without lgbt+ content. Of course they could just say 'okay we won't release it in those countries', but the suits are too fucking greedy for that. Never mind that it would still be a massive hit even if it wasn't able to be released in every country where YOI was popular. And if there was any content taking place in the present timeline, considering Victor and Yuuri are literally engaged, a film without lgbt+ content would also be massively OOC, obviously.
I've even heard they're having some problems with some of the skaters who were involved being really obnoxious about how much of their handprint is going to be visible on the final product.
YOI's MASSIVE popularity may also be part of its downfall. If it was just a moderate hit, we prob would have had an (uncensored) second season years ago, before Mappa even had a chance to pick up JJK, AoT, or CSM. But it was a hit of unprecedented proportions for a show not geared at cishet men, and not just in Japan, but as an international phenomenon.
Mappa and Avex wanted everything after that; the success, the money, the skater guest stars (tho I'm sure Sayo and Kubo wanted that part too LOL), etc., but they weren't willing to commit further to the aspects of the series that made it so beloved (though these aspects were okay when the show was just niche of course). No doubt they also know how important the romance aspect is to fans, so they also can't release a YOI without that. But they won't release one with it. That leaves us with nothing, at least for now.
I feel so bad for Kubo and Sayo. This was their passion project, and the most successful thing they've ever created. They pushed hard against attempts at censorship in the original series, something they easily could have lost their jobs for doing. And they were proven right. Not only did people want to see it, but people adored it. I hope every day that the suits will just release the IP so Kubo and Sayo can take it to a new studio who actually gives a shit (Wit studio maybe???? I'm looking at you).
#where is this info from?#everywhere#this is an amalgamation of leaks from the studio that have been coming out for years#i don't believe every single thing i hear but#these are the repeated themes#anonymous
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I have a theory that in the 80s and 90s, Pioneer, Yamaha, Sony, Victor, and all the other Japanese electronics conglomerates went around and sponsored all the small clubs throughout Japan. They wired them with their most cutting edge musical instruments, soundboards, and house speakers to show off their kit. Then they made these utterly pristine recordings of jazz fusion artists since that genre never stopped selling records in that country.
They pressed these recordings onto Laserdisc, and that was the seed that grew into the vaporwave aesthetic.
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Alright, I’ve officially decided I’m never going to touch anything PokeMas-fandom related ever again. At least not Reddit related. I’m just going to get my datamine and then leave.
The Pokemon fanbase has always been a cesspool, but considering how character-focused PokeMas is I honestly shouldn’t be surprised how batshit insane things get down there.
I don’t understand how people get so goddamn heated over which character does or doesn’t get an alt. Sure, it’s a bit ridiculous that Brendan has 0 alts while May is likely getting her 4th soon. But Nate is my second favorite protagonist who hasn’t gotten a single alt since his arrival, and I just...hold out hope that he gets one. I don’t get why everyone needs to shit on every single goddamn alt that comes out that isn’t the character they wanted. And the campaigns for ‘Justice for Brendan’ ‘Justice for Korrina’ (which is still going on despite the fact she already got an alt) ‘Justice for Victor’ ‘Justice for Let’s Go’ is just getting so tiring and cluttering up the entire subreddit. It was cute when the first Justice for Kris campaign started, since it was new and the campaign was largely about hyping up Kris rather than shitting on new pairs. But now it’s just so goddamn formulaic and tedious.
And the sheer amount of hypocrisy that’s present within the fanbase is off the charts, mainly when it has to do with the female characters. People will start complaining that DeNa doesn’t give male protagonists enough attention, yet once the discourse dies down that argument will immediately subside again and people will once again start talking about how much they’re crushing on the female protagonists and their alts (most of which are explicitly children and I’m never going to stop being pissed about how normalized this shit is within this fanbase). Like, gee, I wonder why the female protagonists are getting alts so much? And who does care about the male alts we do have right now? Furbert’s a non-entity right now, Red’s only talked about in relation to his Classic version, and the hype around SS Ethan started to die down. Hell, who cares about the male characters in general outside of the aforementioned ‘Justice for X’ campaigns? Who’s going to pull for these male protagonist alts if they finally come out?
DeNa is a corporation. DeNa is a corporation that wants money. They make their alts based on what sells (especially taking Japan into consideration). Cynthia sells, so they give her 3 alts. Lillie sells, so they give her 4 alts. N sells, so they give him 3 alts. Leon sells (at least in Japan), so they give him 3 alts. They do care about their fanbase a lot more than most companies do, but they’re still making this game to make money. And I’m not going to shame anyone who spends money on this game (God knows anyone who follows my main blog saw the biggest dumbfuck decision I made recently), but the point still stands. The characters who make money or will make money are going to get the most attention.
This sounded a lot more pretentious than I intended it to be, I just needed to barf this out. I’m just so goddamn tired of this discourse surrounding a Pokemon gacha game of all things that most people only use as a timekiller.
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Holidays 2.26
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Premieres
The Abyss (Film; 1993)
Booty Call (Film; 1997)
Bullwinkle Bellows Again or Moonin’ Low (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S2, Ep. 102; 1961)
Come Away With Me, by Norah Jones (Album; 2002)
Cop Out (Film; 2010)
The Crepe Hangers or Brighten the Coroner Where You Are (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S4, Ep. 207; 1963)
Discovery, by Daft Punk (Album; 2001)
Dixieland Jass Band One-Step, by The Original Dixieland Jass Band (Jazz Song; 1917)
Double Trouble or Two’s a Crowd (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S4, Ep. 208; 1963)
Dragon Ball (Animated TV Series; 1986)
Eddie the Eagle (Film; 2016)
El Mariachi (Film; 1993)
Falling Down (Film; 1993)
Fiddle Saddle (Modern Madcaps Cartoon; 1960)
Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said, by Philip K. Dick (Novel; 1974)
Frantic (Film; 1988)
Fright Flight or A Rocky to the Moon (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S2, Ep. 101; 1961)
From Here to Eternity, by James Jones (Noel; 1951)
Hairspray (Film; 1988)
Heebie Jeebies, recorded by Louis Armstrong (Song; 1926) [1st Recorded Scat Singing]
Howard’s End (Film; 1993)
Jack and the Beanstalk (Hanna-Berbera Animated Special; 1967)
Java, recorded by Al Hirt (Song; 1962)
Justice League: The New Frontier (WB Animated Film; 2008)
Livery Stable Blues, recorded by the Original Dixie Jass Band (Song; 1917) [1st Recorded Jazz Song]
Lonesome Ranger (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1966)
Loose Boots, by Honeyhoney (EP; 2008)
Lotsa Luck (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1968)
Mexican Mousepice (WB MM Cartoon; 1966)
Mirror Image (Twilight Zone TV Episode; 1960)
Pierre and Cottage Cheese (The Inspector Cartoon; 1969)
Polka-Dot Puss (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1949)
Rich Man, Poor Man, by Irwin Shaw (Novel; 1968)
Scooby-Doo! Mask of the Blue Falcon (WB Animated Film; 2013)
Six Characters in Search of an Author, by Luigi Pirandello (Play; 1922)
Spitting Image (UK TV Series; 1984)
Stork Naked (WB MM Cartoon; 1955)
Symphony No. 5, by Frank Harris (Symphony; 1943)
There’s Something About a Soldier (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1943)
200 Cigarettes (Film; 1999)
Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps (UK TV Series; 2001)
The United States vs. Billie Holiday (Film; 2021)
What Price Porky (WB LT Cartoon; 1938)
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Today’s Name Days
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Today is Also…
Day of Year: Day 57 of 2024; 309 days remaining in the year
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Season: Winter (Day 68 of 89)
Week: 4th Week of February
Zodiac: Pisces (Day 8 of 30)
Calendar Changes
Aristotle (Ancient Philosophy) [Month 3 of 13; Positivist]
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Holidays 2.26
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Bill Hicks Day
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Johnny Cash Day
Lesser Periwinkle Day
Letter to an Elder Day
Levi Strauss Day
Liberation Day (Kuwait)
Llama Dress Day
Man in Black Day
Michael Somare Remembrance Day (Papua New Guinea)
National Customized Wheel and Tire Day
National Firefox Day
National Personal Chef Day [also 7.16]
National Ranboo Day
National Remembrance Day (Papua New Guinea)
National Saul Day
National Set a Good Example Day
New York City Subway Day
Patrick Star Day
Pound Notes Day.(UK)
Read Me Day
Rooks Nesting Day
Sourdough Rendezvous
Tell a Fairy Tale Day
Thanks Day (Myanmar)
Thermos Bottle Day
Thriller Day
Tournament of Hearts (Scotland)
Trayvon Martin Day
Violet Day (French Republic)
World Leisure Day
World Trade Center Bombing Anniversary Day
Zamboanga Day (Philippines)
Food & Drink Celebrations
Bacon Day (Iowa)
National Pistachio Day (a.k.a. World Pistachio Day)
4th & Last Monday in February
International Corporate Philanthropy Day [4th Monday]
Museums Advocacy Day [4th Monday]
National Cupcake Day (Canada) [Last Monday]
Play More Cards Day [Last Monday; also 2.22]
Study Abroad Day [4th Monday]
Weekly Holidays beginning February 26
America Saves Week [Last Monday]
Fairtrade Fortnight [Last Monday]
International Petroleum Week
Museum Advocacy Day [Last Monday] (thru 2.27)
National Eating Disorder Awareness Week [Last Monday]
National Invasive Species Week [Last Monday]
National Justice for Animals Week
National Nothing Week
National Pasty Week [Ends closest Sunday to St. Piran’s Day: 3.5] (thru 3.3]
Real Bread Week
Independence & Related Days
Annexation of Poland (by Russia; 1832)
French Republic declared (1848)
Texas Independence Day Celebration, Day 2 (of 2; Texas)
Festivals Beginning February 26, 2024
Geneva International Motor Show (Geneva, Switzerland) [thru 3.3]
HAI (Helicopter Association International) Heli-Expo (Anaheim, California)v[thru 2.29]
Kosher Food and Wine Experience (East Rutherford, New York)
National Potato Council Washington Summit) [Washington, DC) [thru 3.1]
RCI Chocolate Boot Camp (Waterbury, Connecticut) [thru 2.29]
Snow Machine Festival (Nagano, Japan) [thru 3.3]
Feast Days
Alexander of Alexandria (Christian; Saint)
Anaximander (Positivist; Saint)
Animal Transformation Day (Celtic Book of Days)
Big Hugs Candle Spell Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)
Christopher Marlowe (Writerism)
Dance of the Known Places (Shamanism)
Day of Nuit (Thelema)
Emily Malbone Morgan (Episcopal Church (USA))
Emo Phillips Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)
Festival of Ayyám-i-Há (Baha'i)
Festival of Mihr (God of Fire; Armenia)
Forgiveness Sunday (Orthodox Christian) [Last Sunday before Lent]
Honore Daumier (Artology)
Hopalong Hamster (Muppetism)
Hygeia’s Day (Pagan Hygiene Goddess)
Isabelle of France (Christian; Saint)
Kasimir Malevich (Artology)
Li Tim-Oi (Anglican Church of Canada)
Lost Pen Day (Pastafarian)
Mourn Lost Socks Day (Pastafarian)
Nestor (Christian; Martyr)
Nuit’s Day (Pagan)
Pentagram Night (Everyday Wicca)
Porphyry of Gaza (a.k.a. Parphyrius; Christian; Saint)
Saviours' Day (Nation of Islam)
Shan e-Barat (Night of Records; Bangladesh; West Bengal, India)
Victor Hugo (Writerism)
Victor of Champagne (a.k.a. Victor the Hermit; Christian; Saint)
Lucky & Unlucky Days
Dismal Day (Unlucky or Evil Day; Medieval Europe; 4 of 24)
Egyptian Day (Unlucky Day; Middle Ages Europe) [4 of 24]
Fortunate Day (Pagan) [10 of 53]
Lucky Day (Philippines) [11 of 71]
Taian (大安 Japan) [Lucky all day.]
Unlucky Day (Grafton’s Manual of 1565) [12 of 60]
Premieres
The Abyss (Film; 1993)
Booty Call (Film; 1997)
Bullwinkle Bellows Again or Moonin’ Low (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S2, Ep. 102; 1961)
Come Away With Me, by Norah Jones (Album; 2002)
Cop Out (Film; 2010)
The Crepe Hangers or Brighten the Coroner Where You Are (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S4, Ep. 207; 1963)
Discovery, by Daft Punk (Album; 2001)
Dixieland Jass Band One-Step, by The Original Dixieland Jass Band (Jazz Song; 1917)
Double Trouble or Two’s a Crowd (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S4, Ep. 208; 1963)
Dragon Ball (Animated TV Series; 1986)
Eddie the Eagle (Film; 2016)
El Mariachi (Film; 1993)
Falling Down (Film; 1993)
Fiddle Saddle (Modern Madcaps Cartoon; 1960)
Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said, by Philip K. Dick (Novel; 1974)
Frantic (Film; 1988)
Fright Flight or A Rocky to the Moon (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S2, Ep. 101; 1961)
From Here to Eternity, by James Jones (Noel; 1951)
Hairspray (Film; 1988)
Heebie Jeebies, recorded by Louis Armstrong (Song; 1926) [1st Recorded Scat Singing]
Howard’s End (Film; 1993)
Jack and the Beanstalk (Hanna-Berbera Animated Special; 1967)
Java, recorded by Al Hirt (Song; 1962)
Justice League: The New Frontier (WB Animated Film; 2008)
Livery Stable Blues, recorded by the Original Dixie Jass Band (Song; 1917) [1st Recorded Jazz Song]
Lonesome Ranger (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1966)
Loose Boots, by Honeyhoney (EP; 2008)
Lotsa Luck (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1968)
Mexican Mousepice (WB MM Cartoon; 1966)
Mirror Image (Twilight Zone TV Episode; 1960)
Pierre and Cottage Cheese (The Inspector Cartoon; 1969)
Polka-Dot Puss (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1949)
Rich Man, Poor Man, by Irwin Shaw (Novel; 1968)
Scooby-Doo! Mask of the Blue Falcon (WB Animated Film; 2013)
Six Characters in Search of an Author, by Luigi Pirandello (Play; 1922)
Spitting Image (UK TV Series; 1984)
Stork Naked (WB MM Cartoon; 1955)
Symphony No. 5, by Frank Harris (Symphony; 1943)
There’s Something About a Soldier (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1943)
200 Cigarettes (Film; 1999)
Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps (UK TV Series; 2001)
The United States vs. Billie Holiday (Film; 2021)
What Price Porky (WB LT Cartoon; 1938)
The Zoo Cat (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1944)
Today’s Name Days
Edigna, Gerlinde, Ottokar (Austria)
Aleksandar, Branimir, Robert, Viktor (Croatia)
Dorota (Czech Republic)
Inger (Denmark)
Ingmar, Ingo, Ingvar, Selmar (Estonia)
Nestori (Finland)
Nestor (France)
Denis, Edigna, Gerlinde, Mechthild, Ottokar (Germany)
Anatoli, Fotine, Fotini, Photini, Porfirios, Porfyrios, Sebastianos (Greece)
Géza (Hungary)
Arnoldo, Nestore, Romeo (Italy)
Evelīna, Eveline, Mētra (Latvia)
Aleksandras, Aurimė, Izabelė, Jogintas (Lithuania)
Inger, Ingjerd (Norway)
Aleksander, Bogumił, Cezariusz, Dionizy, Mirosław, Nestor (Poland)
Porfirie (Romania)
Svetlana (Russia)
Viktor (Slovakia)
Alejandro, Néstor (Spain)
Torgny, Torkel (Sweden)
Sebastian (Ukraine)
Levi, Nestor, Savana, Savanna, Savannah (USA)
Today is Also…
Day of Year: Day 57 of 2024; 309 days remaining in the year
ISO: Day 1 of week 9 of 2024
Celtic Tree Calendar: Nuin (Ash) [Day 9 of 28]
Chinese: Month 1 (Bing-Yin), Day 17 (Geng-Shen)
Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025)
Hebrew: 17 Adair I 5784
Islamic: 16 Sha’ban 1445
J Cal: 27 Grey; Sixday [27 of 30]
Julian: 12 February 2024
Moon: 96%: Waning Gibbous
Positivist: 1 Aristotle (3rd Month) [Anaximander]
Runic Half Month: Tyr (Cosmic Pillar) [Day 3 of 15]
Season: Winter (Day 68 of 89)
Week: 4th Week of February
Zodiac: Pisces (Day 8 of 30)
Calendar Changes
Aristotle (Ancient Philosophy) [Month 3 of 13; Positivist]
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Unveiling the Best of 2024: Top 5+ Badminton Racket Brands
Choosing the right badminton racket can significantly impact your game, whether you're a beginner aiming to learn the ropes or a seasoned professional looking for that competitive edge. Understanding the top badminton racket brands is crucial in making an informed decision. Let’s delve into the world of badminton rackets and learn which brand will best suit your needs in the New Year!
1. Victor: Precision Craftsmanship from Taiwan
Originating from Taiwan, Victor Rackets Industrial Corporation, popularly known as Victor, has earned a reputation of producing top-quality badminton equipment. The company was founded in 1968 by Chen Den-li. The company quickly expanded its distribution to European countries after early successful years in Taiwan.
From badminton rackets, shoes, to shuttlecocks and other badminton gear, the brand offers premium sports equipment approved by BWF for international tournaments. The brand is well-known for their advanced technology, durable materials, and exceptional performance.
Global Technical Advisor/Brand Ambassadors: Zhao Jianhua, Wang Shixian, and Li Jinhui.
Victor Sponsored Players: Denmark national badminton team, Anders Antonsen, Tai Tzu-ying, Wang Tzu-wei, Jenny Moore, Greg Mairs , Ashwini Ponnappa, Hendra Setiawan, Mohammad Ahsan, Praveen Jordan, Melati Daeva Oktavianti, Greysia Polii, Apriyani Rahayu, Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti, Lee Zii Jia, and Kirsty Gilmour.
Top Badminton Rackets from Victor:
1. Victor Thruster TTY A is a head-heavy racket for advanced players.
2. Victor Thruster F Enhanced Edition is an excellent racket for smashes.
3. Victor Thruster F Claw LTD Edition is the hallmark of long-term collaboration between VICTOR and World No. 1 Tai Tzu Ying.
4. Victor BraveSword 12 is an all-around racket for dominating rallies.
5. Victor Jetspeed S 12 ii F ensures superior agility and pace on the badminton court.
6. Victor Thruster Ryuga offers great offensive shots, given by its characteristics.
7. Victor AuraSpeed 100X focuses more on the continuity between each shot.
2. Yonex: Japanese Excellence in Badminton
Who doesn’t know about Yonex in the world of sports? Hailing from Japan, the company was started by Minoru Yoneyama in 1946. The company produced fishing equipment and later began manufacturing badminton rackets for other brands in 1957. The company started selling Yoneyama-branded racquet in 1961 and became a world leader. It started manufacturing tennis rackets and golf clubs soon after.
Renowned for its cutting-edge technology, Yonex rackets are favored by top players globally. The brand is committed to advanced research and development to ensure that their rackets deliver the best innovations to its players.
Yonex Sponsored Teams: National Badminton Teams of Malaysia, China, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, India, England, France, Chinese Taipei, and Spain.
Yonex Sponsored Players: Lin Dan, Viktor Axelsen, Lakshya Sen, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, Marcus Fernaldi Gideon, Taufik Hidayat, Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo, Kento Momota, Yugo Kobayashi, Lee Yang , Lee Chong Wei, Choi Sol-gyu, Lee Yong-dae, Zheng Si Wei, Dechapol Puavaranukroh, Kantaphon Wangcharoen, Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Lucas Mazur, Wang Yi Lyu, Aaron Chia, Sooh Wooic Yik, Takuro Hoki, and many other professional male badminton players.
Yonex also sponsors Kim So Yeong, Michelle Li, Saina Nehwal, Yuki Fukushima, Arisa Higashino, Sayaka Hirota, Mayu Matsumoto, Nami Matsuyama Wakana Nagahara, Aya Ohori, Chiharu Shida, Sayaka Takahashi, Akane Yamaguchi, An Se-young, Chae Yoo-jung, Chang Ye-na, Kim Ga-eun, Kim So-yeong, Kim Hye-rin, Kong Hee-yong, Huang Dong Ping, Huang Ya Qiong, Lee So-hee, Shin Seung-chan, Jia Yi Fan, Sung Ji-hyun, Ratchanok Intanon, Busanan Ongbamrungphan, Sapsiree Taerattanachai, Beiwen Zhang, Carolina Marin, Chen Qing Chen, Chen Yu Fei, and Delhpine Delrue.
Top Badminton Rackets from Yonex:
1. NanoFlare 800 Pro will make your counter-drive shots more effective.
2. NanoFlare 1000 Z delivers incredible speed and cuts air resistance like none.
3. ArcSaber 11 Pro designed for all-around performance on the court.
4. Astrox 99 Pro makes your attacks more powerful than ever.
5. Astrox 88D Pro designed for quick attacks in a doubles game.
6. Astrox 88S Pro is made for professionals who demand control over their shots.
7. ArcSaber 7 Pro helps you with incredible precision, accuracy, and control.
8. Astrox 100 ZZ is the perfect choice for speedy smashes.
9. NanoFlare 700 delivers lightning-fast drives, net shots, and smashes.
10. Nanoflare NextAge will make your shots faster without being too demanding.
3. Apacs: Malaysian Ingenuity for All Levels
Established in 2002, the Malaysian brand Apacs, is now available across 50 countries. The company has gained a quick reputation for its commitment to manufacturing high-quality badminton equipment with advanced technology. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced player, Apacs rackets will provide a wide range of options to enhance your game.
The name of the company incorporates all the essential ingredients of the game including Aggressive, Power, Accurate, Control and Speed.
Apacs Sponsored Players: Cheam June Wei, Tommy Sugiarto, Soong Joo Ven, Tan Wee Kiong, Cheak Liek Hou, Lee Hyun IL, and others.
Top Badminton Rackets from Apacs:
1. Apacs Ziggler LHI Pro III is ideal for pro players who want a slightly head heavy racket for hard smashes and faster defense.
2. Stardom Pro III is the perfect racket for all-around performance in a singles and doubles game.
3. Apacs Honor Pro racket will dominate the court with powerful smashes and controlled shots. Another racket for aggressive players is the Apacs Imperial Pro.
4. Li-Ning: A Chinese Powerhouse on the Court
Li-Ning, originating from China, was started by the legendary gymnast, Mr. Li Ning in 1990 with a goal of providing local athletes a national brand that they can proudly wear on the global stage. Several years later, the company has become a global force in badminton equipment because of its innovation and design. The company celebrates 21st century technology and matches it with the nation’s glorious heritage.
Li-Ning rackets are well-known for their unique design, cutting-edge technology, and diverse range that caters the demands of all playing styles and levels.
Li-Ning Sponsored Players: PV Sindhu, Yuta Watanabe, Srikanth Kidambi, Goh Liu Ying, Chen Long, Fu Haifeng, Zhang Nan, Li Xuerui, Zhao Yunlei, Liliyana Natsir, Liu Yuchen, Pornpawee Chochuwong, Jonatan Christie, Jia Yifan, Ou Xuanyi, Liu Yuchen, Loh Kean Yew, and many others.
Top Badminton Rackets from Li-Ning
1. Li Ning Ax Force 80 is a head-heavy racket for powerful shots.
2. Li-Ning G-Force 3500 Superlite is a carbon-fiber racket for attacking.
3. Li-Ning Aeronaut 6000 headlight racket makes your defense lightning fast.
4. Li-Ning BladeX-700 delivers striking force for more efficient shots.
5. Babolat: Heritage Meets Precision
What started as a family business in Lyon for manufacturing raw material for racket strings, the brand is now a leader in racquet-sports equipment. In 1995, the French company was a well-known name in the tennis world. The company decided to expand and foray into the game of badminton with the very first Babolat badminton racket frame. Today, it has a wide range of badminton rackets for children and adults of all playing levels.
Babolat Sponsored Players: In addition to Chloe Birch, Babolat is popular in the European continent where it sponsors several junior and club teams.
Top Badminton Rackets from Babolat
1. Babolat X-Feel Origin Power racket delivers extreme control over your shots with incredible precision and sensation.
2. Babolat X-Feel Origin Essential is an all-around racket with even balance.
3. Babolat Satellite Gravity 74 weighs just 74 grams to give you faster swings than any other racket.
4. Babolat Satellite Blast is a head-heavy racket to empower your game.
Carlton: British Legacy in Badminton
Carlton is credited to introducing the first modern-day metal badminton racket that utilizes grommets to make the equipment more stable and durable. Carlton has introduced many innovative technologies in the field of badminton such as the first truly one-piece graphite racket.
Carlton has sponsored several All England Champions such as Eddy Choong, Lim Swie King, Morten Frost, and Mike Tredgett. The company also sponsored legends such as Peter Rasmussen, Simon Archer, Nathan Robertson, and Gail Emms.
Top Badminton Rackets from Carlton
1. Carlton MegaFlex F1 Titanium is an offensive racket with even balance.
2. Carlton MegaFlex F2 has a head-heavy balance for maximum power.
3. Carlton Airblade Tour is an all-around racket to play both: defensive and aggressive game.
Bonus! Franklin Sports for Recreational Badminton Play
For those engaging in badminton recreationally, Franklin Sports provides a range of rackets that emphasize fun and accessibility. The company was started in 1946 as a regional brand by Irving H. Franklin and brother Sydney Franklin. The brand has collaborated with several world-class athletes including Sugar Ray Leonard, David Robinson, Dan Marino, Barry Bonds, and Joe Namath.
Franklin Sports is dedicated to creating equipment that encourages players to enjoy the game at any skill level, thus, making the brand an excellent choice for family gatherings and picnics.
#Badminton Racket#Victor Thruster F Enhanced Edition#Victor Thruster F Claw LTD Edition#Victor Brave Sword 12 racquet#NanoFlare 800 Pro#NanoFlare 1000 Z#best badminton racquets
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177.) Road Blaster
Release: August, 1985 | GGF: Action, Arcade, Racing/Driving, FMV, FPS, Vehicular Combat, QTEs | Developer(s): Data East Corporation | Publisher(s): Data East Corporation, Victor Company of Japan, Ltd., Wolf Team, Renovation Products, Inc., SEGA Enterprises Ltd., Tec Toy Indústria de Brinquedos S.A., Pioneer Electronic Corp., Jitensha Sōgyō | Platform(s): Arcade (1985), MSX (1986), Sharp X1 (1986), SEGA CD (1992), LaserActive (1995), Sharp X86000 (2009), Windows (2009)
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An Overview of China Merchants Bank
Founded in 1987, China Merchants Bank is known as one of the earliest joint-stock commercial banks in the country. Headquartered in Shenzhen, it is also one of the most profitable banking institutions in the world.
With branches and offices spread across mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Japan, and other countries, the bank has come to be an important part of Chinese international business. Let's take a look at what makes this bank so special.
Rich Merchants Dining With Singing Girls, Pekin, China. c. 1901. Photo by Ralph Flickr.
History of China Merchants Bank
The history of China Merchants Bank is closely tied to that of its parent company - the China Merchants Group (CMG).
Established in 1872 by prominent Chinese businessmen during the late Qing Dynasty, CMG was originally meant to provide support for foreign trade and promote economic development in coastal regions.
Over time it expanded its operations into shipping, real estate, and finance - eventually leading to the formation of the China Merchants Bank (CMB) in 1987.
The China Merchants Bank is one of the oldest and most renowned financial institutions in all of China. Founded in 1872, it is a pioneering financial institution that has played an important role in shaping the banking sector of the country for nearly 150 years.
The Founding of China Merchants Bank
The first iteration of the China Merchants Bank was founded in 1872 as “the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Commercial Bank” by Hua Hengfang, an influential merchant from Guangdong province.
In keeping with his vision for modernizing Chinese commerce and banking, Hua established a fully integrated financial institution that provided credit services, bill exchange services, loan financing, foreign exchange trading, and more.
Hua Hengfang's vision was revolutionary for its time, as it was one of the earliest attempts to establish a modern banking system in China. This groundbreaking effort laid the foundation for today's banking industry in that country.
Modernization and Expansion
In 1915, after decades of growth and expansion, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Commercial Bank changed its name to “China Merchants Bank” (CMB). Under this new moniker, CMB continued to expand its operations across mainland China before eventually expanding into Hong Kong and Macau.
CMB also continued to innovate technologically by introducing ATMs (Automated Teller Machines) into their branches in 1979, making them one of the earliest adopters of automated banking technology worldwide.
Meanwhile, CMB also became increasingly involved in international finance as well—in particular through its involvement with offshore banking activities during the 1990s. This allowed CMB to become one of the largest banks in Asia by total assets. Today CMB continues to be one of China's leading commercial banks with over 1 trillion yuan ($159 billion) in total assets under management.
USB key of China Merchants Bank. Photo by 陈少举. Wikimedia.
Businesses & Services
China Merchants Bank offers a wide range of services from consumer banking and corporate banking to investment banking and asset management.
It also provides wealth management services such as insurance products and credit cards through subsidiaries such as CMB International Wealth Management Company Limited and CMB Wing Lung Credit Card Company Limited respectively.
The bank also operates numerous subsidiaries outside mainland China such as CMB International Capital Corporation Ltd., which provides securities trading services to individual investors in Singapore and Hong Kong.
WeChat Pay and AliPay. Photo by Victor Zheng. Flickr.
Innovations & Achievements
In recent years, CMB has been at the forefront of innovation when it comes to financial technology (fintech). This includes introducing innovative mobile payment solutions such as WeChat Pay and Alipay that allow customers to make payments using their mobile phones without having to carry cash or cards with them.
The bank has also developed facial recognition technology that can be used for identity verification purposes when opening new accounts or applying for loans.
In addition, it has established partnerships with companies like Apple Inc., Uber Technologies Inc., Didi Chuxing Technology Co., Ltd., Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure cloud computing platform, etc. to further enhance its fintech capabilities.
Facial Recognition Technology
One of CMB’s most impressive achievements is its use of facial recognition technology to authenticate customers when they access their accounts online.
This technology allows customers to securely access their accounts with just a few clicks and without having to remember any complicated passwords or PINs. This also makes it easier for customers to keep their accounts secure, while also improving their overall user experience.
AI Customer Service
In addition to its facial recognition technology, CMB has made great strides in its use of AI customer service—a system that provides personalized advice and support on financial matters.
The AI system can analyze customer data and provide tailored advice based on factors such as income levels, age, and location. This helps customers make informed decisions about their finances without having to visit a branch or speak with an advisor.
Mobile Payment Solutions
CMB has also developed several mobile payment solutions that allow customers to make payments using their smartphones or other mobile devices.
These solutions are designed to make it easier for customers to pay bills, transfer money between accounts, and manage their finances on the go.
In addition, these apps are integrated with other services such as e-commerce platforms and online merchants which makes it even easier for users to shop online without worrying about security issues or long wait times for payments to be processed.
Investment Strategy
CMB's investment strategy focuses on creating long-term wealth for its clients. This is accomplished by investing in assets such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and real estate that are expected to generate a steady return over time.
In addition to this traditional approach, the bank also utilizes sophisticated financial instruments such as derivatives and options to generate additional returns and hedge against market volatility.
The bank also has a multi-asset portfolio with investments in various countries around the world, providing clients with access to global markets and diversification benefits.
China Merchants Bank tower. Photo by Daniel J. Prostak. Wikimedia.
Corporate Governance
CMB has established a corporate governance structure that ensures the bank's operations are conducted in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements. The bank also has an internal risk management system in place that monitors potential risks and vulnerabilities so they can be addressed before they become serious issues.
The bank is committed to protecting the rights of its shareholders and customers and actively engages with them on corporate social responsibility initiatives. It also works closely with local regulators and governments to ensure it operates within the law at all times.
Overall, CMB strives for excellence in everything it does—from its customer service to its investment strategy—and is dedicated to helping its clients achieve their financial objectives.
By embracing innovation, developing cutting-edge technologies, and providing a secure banking experience, the bank is well-positioned to continue its success into the future.
Awards and Recognition
CMB has been awarded numerous awards for its success, including being named ‘Best Retail Bank in China' by Euromoney Magazine for three consecutive years from 2017 to 2019.
In addition, CMB was also ranked No. 1 for ‘Best Corporate Governance’ among all listed companies on the Shanghai Stock Exchange by Wind Information Co., Ltd., an independent financial data provider, for 10 consecutive years from 2010 to 2019.
Innovation
CMB is also known for its innovative approach to banking services. The bank was a pioneer in launching online banking services back in 2002, and it was one of the first Chinese banks to launch mobile banking services back in 2008.
Additionally, CMB launched an innovative credit card-based payment system called Jiebei (借呗) that allowed customers to borrow money directly from their credit cards. This system revolutionized payments in China and gave customers more control over their finances than ever before.
Financial Technology
Over the past few years, CMB has invested heavily in financial technology (fintech). The bank currently operates a fintech research lab that focuses on developing new technologies that can help improve customer service and increase efficiency within the banking industry as a whole.
Additionally, CMB has partnered with several leading tech companies—such as Tencent—to develop new products and services that will help drive growth and innovation within the bank’s operations.
China Merchants Bank, Beijing. Photo by 維基小霸王. Wikimedia.
Sustainable Development Initiatives
In addition to its traditional banking activities, CMB has also become a leader in sustainable development initiatives. The bank has adopted an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investment policy that focuses on supporting long-term sustainable development goals.
Through this policy, CMB has invested in projects such as clean energy, renewable energy, and green finance initiatives. Additionally, the bank has implemented a number of green technology projects to reduce its environmental impact. It also works closely with local communities to promote social responsibility.
Conclusion
CMB is a leading Chinese bank that has been at the forefront of innovation and sustainable development in the banking industry. Through its commitment to corporate governance, use of cutting-edge technology, and implementation of ESG initiatives, CMB is well-positioned to continue its success into the future.
By embracing innovation and providing a secure and safe banking experience, CMB is dedicated to helping its customers achieve their financial objectives. The bank is also focused on monitoring potential risks and vulnerabilities so they can be addressed before they become serious issues.
All in all, CMB is a success story of how one organization has grown from humble beginnings to become a global player in the banking industry.
Sources: THX News, China Merchant Bank & Wikipedia.
Read the full article
#ChinaMerchantsBank#Chineseinternationalbusiness#Corporategovernance#ESGinvestmentpolicy#Facialrecognitiontechnology#Financialtechnology(fintech)#Globalbankingsuccess#Innovationinbanking#Mobilepaymentsolutions#Sustainabledevelopmentinitiatives
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According to The Wall Street Journal, the sales growth of Philippine Seven Corporation reached 38.77% in the year 2022.
38.77
3 + 8 + 7 + 7
= 25
= 2 + 5
= 7
Lucky 7
38.77
( 3 + 8 ) 77
11 77
711
___
7-Eleven Philippines
Philippine Seven Corporation
Board of Directors
11 Members
Jose Pardo
Jui-Tien Huang
Jose Victor Paterno
Wen-Chi Wu
Ching-Feng Kuo
Tsung-Hsien Lee
Yung-Wei Lu
Jorge Araneta
Maria Cristina Paterno
Antonio Jose Periquet, Jr.
Michael Zalamea
M - Maria Cristina Paterno
M - Michael Zalamea
A - Antonio Jose Periquet, Jr.
J - Jose Pardo
J - Jui-Tien Huang
J - Jose Victor Paterno
J - Jorge Araneta
E - wEn-chi wu
S - Seven-Eleven
T - Tsung-Hsien Lee
I - yung-weI lu
C - Ching-Feng Kuo
___
Image credit:
Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd.
___
#711
#Lucky7
#Majestic
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ウラなんば番外地 ワシらのNew Wave at 大阪日本橋R/H/B, 8th June 2023
Legs / Art of Noise [China, 1985]
Forces of Oppression / the Pop Group [Y/Rough Trade/Japan, 1981]
Machine Age Voodoo (Junk Funk) / SPK [WEA, 1984]
Not Moving / DNA [Antilles, 1978]
America Is Waiting / Brian Eno + David Byrne [Sire/Nonsuch, 1981]
These Things Happen / David Van Tieghem [Warner Bros., 1984]
Computer Liebe / Kraftwerk [Kling Klang/Parlophone, 1981]
Einstein a Go-Go / Landscape [RCA, 1981]
After a Fashion / Midge Ure & Mick Karn [Chrysalis/Musicfest/Toshiba EMI, 1983]
Eros Arriving (Single Version) / Bill Nelson [Mercury/Cocteau, 1982]
Let Me Go / Heaven 17 [Virgin/Victor, 1982]
Hyperactive! (Heavy Breather Subversion) / Thomas Dolby [Parlophone Odeon, 1984]
Shout (Jakatta Thrilled-Out Mix) / Tears for Fears [Mercury, 2004]
B2B
Do You Really Want to Hurt Me (Dub Version) / Culture Club [VIrgin/VIctor, 1982]
Only You / Yazoo [Mute/Sire/Warner-Pioneer Corporation, 1982]
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Today’s reminder that War is Piracy by another name.
Piratical History Repeats Endlessly. For example…
As did General Cornwallis in 1781, so did General MacArthur in December. 1941 ~ moved troops to a peninsula with an easy to defend narrow connecting strip which they fortified. Then awaited their nation’s superior naval power which would extract the trained troops to be the nucleus of a continuing war.
But because Piracy was the order of the day neither fleet arrived.
The US Asian Pacific fleet based in Subic Bay in the Philippines set sail ~ in November 1941 evidently under secret orders ~ to IndoChina and Indonesia to seize for US corporations the treasures of Vichy French colonial rubber and Occupied Dutch colonial oil.
The US presumption being that the November 1941 renegotiation with Japan to continue to supply US oil to Japan in conjunction with the secret sailing of the Japanese fleet under radio silence in late November led to a (mistaken) belief that the Japanese Empire was joining Hitler in attacking Communist Russia.
Obviously that Diplomatic Chess game ended in an unexpected checkmate.
When the Pacific Home Fleet ~ based in Seattle, Frisco, and San Diego (but moored for several years in Honolulu) ~ was sunk, the US did NOT choose recall the Asian fleet to rescue ‘our boys’ in the Philippines.
Instead the Asian Pacific fleet continued, out numbered and out gunned in aging vessels, into battles with an acknowledged superior and modern navy.
The Japanese seized Indonesia and eventually Indo -China. But couldn’t transport the booty of rubber and oil to their homeland due to unrestricted submarine warfare against supply ships by the Kaiser’s dastardly U-Boats…no…by the U.S. noble Silent Service.
(Just as the US couldn’t extract natural rubber during the Vietnamese civil war 1945-1975. Resulting in the US rubber manufacturers just giving up and closing obsolete plants rather than modernizing. Handing domestic US markets to foreign artificial rubber tire manufacturers.)
In 1781 British fleet aiding Cornwallis had been redirected to plunder the Dutch island of St. Eustatius. They did but while carrying the booty to Englandwere sunk by the French. A further defeat of another British Navy fleet in US waters by the French navy led to a checkmate at Yorktown.
(It wouldn’t be until enough captains-because-daddy-is-in-the-House-of-Lords died in battle that the came-up-through-the-ranks captains transformed the Brit Navy into the victors of Trafalga, the burning of Washington DC 1814, WWI and WW2.
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The USA’s international *designated* enemies since the first Bush Administration have been useful targets for Piracy:
[1] oil producing countries who <gasp, clutch pearls> undercut US/OPEC price fixing: Iraq, Iran, Venezuela.
[2] Afghanistan, a country closing down opioid production while US pharmaceuticals were in the process of creating an opioid addiction crises in the US. Terrorists!
[3] An unstable administration which had undergone two coup attempts so potentially threatening the Panama Canal trade route. So whose leader we discover <gasp, clutch pearls> dealt drugs (for the CIA) and arranged arms to Iran (for the Reagan Administrarion). The villain!
These international enemies are either bounded by shallow water or landlocked. But these enemies justify a fleet of deep water nuclear powered attack subs.
Sadly, the Chine and Russians won’t cough up the “Defense” naval budgets for a deep water fleet for the Kaisers U-Boats…sorry, US subs, to sink.
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