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  • Keith Lawler Launches Ireland’s First Dedicated Sonic Branding Agency to Create Strategic Audio Direction for Brands – Marketing Communication News

    Keith Lawler Launches Ireland’s First Dedicated Sonic Branding Agency to Create Strategic Audio Direction for Brands – Marketing Communication News

    Award-winning Creative Director, musician, and entrepreneur Keith Lawler launches LAUDHAUS, Ireland’s first agency dedicated to strategic sonic branding.

    With over two decades of experience in both music and advertising, Lawler created LAUDHAUS with a clear mission: harness the power of sound to build meaningful, distinctive brand identities that resonate deeply with audiences.

    “Sonic branding is one of the most under-utilised strategic tools available to brands today,” says Lawler. “Every brand has a voice—whether it’s intentional or not. Our goal at LAUDHAUS is to design that voice with purpose, so that brands stand out from the noise.”

    Research from Byron Sharp, Ipsos, Kantar, Caltech, Adweek and many more all show that strategically aligned sonic identities significantly enhance brand performance, build trust, elevate perception, and increase advertising effectiveness. According to Adweek, “Sonic branding is a must-have for any complete brand ecosystem.”

    In today’s media landscape, sound is often more effective than visuals at capturing attention and influencing emotion. “91.6% of people are looking at their phones while watching TV, you need your brand’s sound to grab their attention, to be consistent and break through.”

    Keith Lawler – Creative Director & Founder , LAUDHAUS

    At LAUDHAUS, we take a strategic approach to crafting every element of a brand’s sonic identity. This covers everything from sonic logos, brand music, advertising assets, UI sounds, social media content, to in-store experiences, events, and hold-music.

    “We all know the Netflix ‘Tudum’ or McDonald’s ‘Ba da ba ba ba,’ but sonic branding is far more than just a jingle. Everything is designed to work in harmony, reinforcing the brand’s DNA and ensuring consistency across all touchpoints. Just think of James Bond—25 very different versions of the Bond theme that all sound like they come from the same place, with memorable hooks and melodies. That’s sonic branding.”

    The agency specialises in creating sound that strengthens positioning, deepens emotional connections, and drives sales. By understanding the target audience, cultural context, and brand strategy, LAUDHAUS delivers sonic identities that are both memorable and meaningful.

    Lawler’s creative career spans top global agencies including VML, Saatchi & Saatchi Dubai, and TBWA, where he worked on well-known campaigns like The Tin Man for An Post and Team Of Us for Vodafone. His clients have included Adidas, Bank of Ireland, Bord Gáis Energy, Lidl, Qatar Airways, Virgin and Playstation. His work has earned honours from Cannes Lions, MENA Cristals, New York Clios, Eurobest, the Sharks, APMC, Effies, and ICADs.

    Beyond advertising, Lawler founded Firstage in 2014—a pioneering music-tech company that brought together his passions for music and technology. Firstage enabled artists to perform live via augmented reality, and in 2018 hosted the world’s first live-streamed AR concert.

    As a professional musician, he has released four critically acclaimed albums with Giveamanakick and SWEETS, and has toured globally, sharing the stage with acts such as Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Deftones, Fugazi, and Dinosaur Jr.

    LAUDHAUS works with the best artists in the business to bring the strategic vision to life, with Grammy nominees, multiple Choice Music Prize winners, Cannes-winning composers, platinum-selling and classical artists all ready to collaborate.

    After 7.5 years as Creative Director at Folk VML, where he led major campaigns for An Post, Bank of Ireland, Littlewoods, Circle K, Lidl, Bord Gáis Energy and Vodafone. Lawler is now focused on using sound strategically to elevate brands. With LAUDHAUS, he unites his expertise in music, branding, and creative strategy to help brands unlock their full potential through sound.

    Let’s make some noise. Strategically.

    Source: LAUDHAUS

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  • Samsung Showcases Industry-Leading Hotel Technology at Hotel and Hospitality Expo Africa 2025 – Samsung Newsroom South Africa

    Samsung Showcases Industry-Leading Hotel Technology at Hotel and Hospitality Expo Africa 2025 – Samsung Newsroom South Africa

     

     

    Samsung, a global leader in innovative technology solutions, took centre stage at the recent Hotel & Hospitality Expo Africa 2025, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. As a trusted partner to the hospitality industry, Samsung presented a powerful suite of cutting-edge hotel technologies designed to elevate guest experiences and streamline hotel operations.

     

    Visitors to the Samsung exhibition stand experienced first-hand how the brand is shaping the future of smart hospitality. On display was a curated portfolio of Samsung’s premium commercial solutions tailored specifically for hotels, including:

     

    • Samsung Hotel TVs – Commercial TVs built for business, and designed to offer an immersive in-room entertainment or conference experience. These advanced displays allow your guests to enjoy seamless and life-like picture quality. Explore more
    • Samsung Kiosk and Connection Box – Modernise guest self-service with intuitive, secure, all-in-one solutions that simplify check-ins, payments, and more. See details
    • Samsung Flip Screen – Encourage collaboration in conference or event spaces with an interactive whiteboard that brings meetings to life.
    • LED Smart Signage – Find the perfect display solution for any business. Make a striking impression with high-impact indoor and outdoor LED signage, ideal for lobbies, event promotions, or wayfinding. More info | Smart Signage
    • Samsung Tablets – Business-ready tablets that support operations and communication – designed to maximise productivity in the field, classroom, or office. Browse tablets

     

    Samsung’s commitment to innovation, reliability, and seamless integration positions it as a leading technology partner for the hospitality sector. From enhancing operational efficiency to delivering premium guest experiences, Samsung’s hotel solutions are trusted by hotels across South Africa and around the world.

     

    At the expo, Samsung gave visitors an opportunity to discover how technology is reshaping the hospitality landscape, making every stay smarter, safer, and more connected.

     

    For more information about Samsung’s business solutions, visit: https://www.samsung.com/za/business

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  • Preview: ACT Brumbies v The British & Irish Lions

    Preview: ACT Brumbies v The British & Irish Lions

    As the Wallaby Test series draws ever closer, the Qatar Airways British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia 2025 heads to the capital for a clash with the Brumbies in Canberra.

    Fresh from making it a hat-trick of wins on Australian soil, The British & Irish Lions now have just two more matches before the Test series gets underway.

    For Head Coach Andy Farrell, that means another look at potential Test combinations, as he finetunes the side that will run out in Brisbane for the first Test.

    They take on a Brumbies side who triumphed in this fixture 12 years ago, Tevita Kuridrani with the sole try in a 14-12 success.

    Maro Itoje will captain the Lions this time around, with an enticing half-back pairing of Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell, their second start after playing in the win over the Reds.

    Elsewhere, Ollie Chessum is given a chance to show what he can do at blindside flanker, while Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose start together for the first time in the midfield on this Tour.

    While they will be missing a number of front line Wallabies, it is still a Brumbies team featuring many of the players who helped them reach the semi-finals of Super Rugby Pacific.

    So the Lions will need to be at their best to remain unbeaten in Australia on this Tour.

    Where to watch

    Sky Sports will be showing all the action live in the UK, Ireland and Gibraltar throughout this Tour.

    Welsh language channel S4C will broadcast extensive same-day highlights of each game every evening.

    For a full breakdown, click here.

    What they said

    Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham said of the Hooper brothers: “It’s been amazing to watch the growth of both Tom and Lachie over the past few years. And it’s special that they may get the opportunity to play alongside each other in a Brumbies shirt on Wednesday night.

    “Not only that, but it’s against a world-class team in the British & Irish Lions, who tour our country only every 12 years. They’ll be chomping at the bit to contribute positively to the team.

    “The boys have been back in training for a couple of weeks and they are aware of how big an opportunity this is for them to take on the Lions. We’re under no illusions at the challenge that lies ahead, they are an incredibly strong and powerful side.”

    British & Irish Lions Head Coach Andy Farrell said: “In 2013 the Brumbies beat The British & Irish Lions in Canberra and this year they were the leading Australian team in Super Rugby – so we are fully aware of the challenge in front of us.

    “It will also be a special occasion for Mack Hansen as he returns to his hometown and gets the opportunity to play for and represent the Lions against some of his old teammates.”

    Key Battle Tom Hooper v Ollie Chessum

    The battle of the blindsides has the potential to be very influential on Test selection for both teams.

    Tom Hooper is a back-rower capable of filling in at lock when required, while Ollie Chessum is more of a lock who has it in him to switch back to the back row if necessary.

    Hooper was used off the bench against Fiji last weekend, and has come straight back into this encounter – his last for the Brumbies before he heads north to play for Exeter Chiefs.

    Chessum, meanwhile, gets his first start of the Tour at blindside flanker, a role previously filled by Tadhg Beirne. With his size and work-rate, Chessum should equip himself comfortably in the lineout and around the park as the Lions search for the perfect back-row balance.

    Should Chessum holds his own against the Brumbies, he will start to put serious pressure on in the race for a Test spot.

    Oval Insights

    • There is no Welsh involvement in the matchday squad for the first time in over a century. No Welshman toured Argentina in any of the three non-test playing tours in 1910, 1927 and 1936, whilst the sole Wales representative on the 1899 tour to Australia, centre Gwyn Nichols missed only two games, against Mount Morgan on 11 July and New England on 25 July.

    • Lions have played ACT on three previous occasions, in the amateur era in 1989 at Seiffert Oval in nearby Queanbeyan, winning 41-25 and twice against the Brumbies at GIO Stadium in 2001, winning 30-28 and in 2013 losing 12-14.

    • The Lions have played two other fixtures in the ACT, beating the Combined ACT/NSW Country side 47-3 in 1950 and NSW Country Eagles 6-3 in 1966. Both games were played at Manuka Oval in Canberra.

    • Mack Hansen played twenty-one games for the Brumbies between 2019-2021, ten of those were at GIO Stadium, scoring just three tries all in the same game against the Waratahs at GIO Stadium in Super Rugby Australia in February 2021.

    • Ben O’Donnell and Mack Hansen played together once for Connacht, appearing on opposite wings against Dragons in October 2021.

    • Ben O’Donnell and Bundee Aki played together once for Connacht against Ospreys in the Rainbow Cup in June 2021

    • Billy Pollard and Corey Toole scored 11 tries apiece in Super Rugby this year – the joint-second most among all the players. Toole also made the joint-most line breaks (24).

    • Tom Hooper made the most carries (166) and post-contact metres (186) for the Brumbies in Super Rugby this year. He also made the second-most tackles (197), and won the second-most turnovers (15).

    • The Brumbies conceded the fewest penalties per 80 minutes (7.8) in this year’s Super Rugby. They had a ruck success rate of 96.6% (2nd), a scrum success rate of 97.1% (2nd), and a lineout success rate of 87% (3rd).

    • Alex Mitchell beat seven defenders and made two line breaks vs Waratahs. His try and try assist took him to five try involvements on tour so far – more than any other Lion.

    • Josh Van Der Flier made more tackles than any other Lion (15) and won a turnover last weekend; he had a 100% tackle success rate

    Teams

    ACT Brumbies: 15. Andy Muirhead, 14. Ben O’Donnell, 13. Ollie Sapsford, 12. David Feliuai, 11. Corey Toole, 10. Declan Meredith, 9. Ryan Lonergan (c), 1. Lington Ieli, 2. Lachlan Lonergan, 3. Rhys van Nek, 4. Lachie Shaw, 5. Cadeyrn Neville, 6. Tom Hooper, 7. Rory Scott, 8. Tuaina Taii Tualima

    Replacements: 16. Liam Bowron, 17. Cameron Orr, 18. Feao Fotuaika, 19. Lachie Hooper, 20. Luke Reimer, 21. Harrison Goddard, 22. Jack Debreczeni, 23. Hudson Creighton

    The British & Irish Lions: 15. Blair Kinghorn, 14. Tommy Freeman, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Bundee Aki, 11. James Lowe, 10. Finn Russell, 9. Jamison Gibson-Park, 1. Ellis Genge, 2. Dan Sheehan, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Maro Itoje (c), 5. Joe McCarthy, 6. Ollie Chessum, 7. Tom Curry, 8. Jack Conan

    Replacements: 16. Ronan Kelleher, 17. Andrew Porter, 18. Will Stuart, 19. Josh van der Flier, 20. Henry Pollock, 21. Alex Mitchell, 22. Marcus Smith, 23. Mack Hansen

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  • Heavy rain expected countrywide over next two days: PMD – Pakistan

    Heavy rain expected countrywide over next two days: PMD – Pakistan

    The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Tuesday issued an alert for heavy rainfall in several parts of the country, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northeast Punjab, Azad Kashmir and parts of Balochistan, for the next two days.

    Monsoon rains fall across the region from June to September, offering respite from the summer heat. They are crucial to replenishing water supplies and agriculture, and therefore the livelihoods of millions of farmers and food security. However, they also wreak havoc by triggering deadly floods, landslides and displacement, particularly in vulnerable, poorly drained, or densely populated areas.

    At least 19 people lost their lives in Balochistan, KP, and the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi due to rain-related incidents in the past two days. An alert by the National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) about a possible flood-like situation in various parts of the country has prompted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to order the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to be prepared to deal with potential emergencies.

    In its latest weather update issued today, the Met Office said, “Monsoon rains continue to lash Pakistan, with further downpours expected in upper parts till July 10, 2025.

    “Rain-wind/thundershower are expected today (July 8) in Punjab, KP, Azad Kashmir, GB, northeastern and southern Balochistan and Islamabad.”

    The Met Office added that “heavy rainfall is also likely at isolated places in Kashmir, northeastern Punjab, Potohar region, and northeastern and southern Balochistan”.

    “The public is urged to exercise caution and stay informed as rain continues in the coming days,” the weather agency advised.

    The low-lying areas in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Nowshera and Peshawar are expected to be submerged due to heavy rainfall, it warned.

    Islamabad and other areas will receive downpours with strong winds and thunderstorms, while Karachi and other areas of Sindh’s coastal belt could receive drizzling or light rainfall, it added.

    The advisory warned against flooding in rainwater drains and local streams in Galliyat; Islamabad/Rawalpindi; Kashmir; KP’s Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Buner, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Nowshera, Swabi and Mardan districts; Punjab’s Dera Ghazi Khan and Murree; and Balochistan’s Barkhan, Kohlu, Musakhail, Dera Bugti, Nasirabad, Sibi, Loralai, Zhob, Kalat, Khuzdar, Lasbela, Awaran, Panjgur and Turbat districts.

    It cautioned that heavy rainfall and downpours could cause landslides, leading to roadblocks and hurdles in traffic flow in the KP districts, Murree, Galliyat and Azad Kashmir.

    In 24 hours since 8am yesterday, several cities recorded heavy to moderate rainfall across Pakistan.

    In Punjab, Sheikhupura received 48mm of rainfall, Lahore 75mm, Islamabad 37mm (16mm in Saidpur, 12mm in Zero Point, 9mm in Golra), Gujranwala 6mm, Murree 5mm, Faisalabad 4mm, Sialkot 2mm, and 1mm each in Mandi Bahauddin and Hafizabad, along with traces of rainfall in Toba Tek Singh, Bahawalnagar and Kasur.

    In KP, Balakot received the highest amount of rainfall (40mm), while Kakul ranked second with 31mm. Malam Jabba recorded 17mm; Bannu 8mm; Lower Dir 4mm; Cherat 2mm; Upper Dir, Bajaur and Ghalanai 1mm each; and traces of rain in Kalam and Peshawar.

    In Sindh, Badin received 4mm of rainfall, Mithi 2mm, while Jacobabad, Larkana, Hyderabad and Karachi received traces. Balochistan’s Kalat recorded 17mm and Ziarat 12mm, with light rainfall in Lasbela.

    In Azad Kashmir, Bandi Abbaspur received 7mm, Muzaffarabad 13mm (city area 7mm and airport 6mm), and Rawalakot and Kotli witnessed 1mm each.

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  • What happens when bees can’t buzz right? Nature starts falling apart

    What happens when bees can’t buzz right? Nature starts falling apart

    Ongoing research into the effect of environmental change on the buzzing of bees reveals that high temperatures and exposure to heavy metals reduces the frequency (and audible pitch) of non-flight wing vibrations, which could have consequences on the effectiveness of bee communication and their role as pollinators.

    “People have been long interested in how insect flight muscles work, as these muscles power the most efficient flight systems in nature,” says Dr Charlie Woodrow, a post-doctoral researcher at Uppsala University. “However, many do not know that bees use these muscles for functions other than flight.”

    These important non-flight muscle vibrations are used in communication, defense and buzz-pollination. “Buzz pollination is an incredible behavior whereby a bee will curl its body around the pollen-concealing anthers of some flowers, and contract the flight muscles up to 400 times per second to produce vibrations which shake the pollen loose,” says Dr Woodrow.

    “We want to understand how variation in these vibrations affects pollen release, to understand plant reproduction and pollinator behavior,” says Dr Woodrow. “This inspired us to research how non-flight buzzes differ within and between species, and the drivers affecting these buzzes.”

    Dr Woodrow’s experiments were carried out using colonies of buff-tailed bumblebees (Bombus terrestris), a common European species that are well studied. Using accelerometers, Dr Woodrow and his team were able to measure the frequency of the buzz, which corresponds to the audible pitch. “They are super easy to use in the field,” he says. “We press these against the thorax of the bee, or against the flower the bee is visiting, and we can record the vibrations the bee produces.”

    Dr Woodrow and his team also coupled the accelerometry with thermal imaging, which shows them how bees deal with the extra heat that they generate when buzzing. “We have also been using high-speed filming to uncover never before seen behaviors,” says Dr Woodrow. “For example, we recently discovered that bees don’t just vibrate on flowers, but they periodically transmit these vibrations to flowers by biting.”

    “We have recently found that temperature plays a vital role, much more than was previously appreciated, and this work is currently in review for publication,” says Dr Woodrow. “This has many implications for how we study buzz-pollination, as temperature is not really something that has been considered up to this point.”

    As well as increased temperatures, exposure to heavy metals was also shown to reduce the contraction frequencies of the flight muscles during non-flight buzzing, which Dr Woodrow is working on in collaboration with Dr Sarah Scott at Newcastle University, UK. However, the researchers were surprised to find no differences in the effect of temperature on buzzing when the experiments were reproduced in the Arctic compared to those further south, suggesting underlying muscle physiology, rather than local adaptation, may be responsible for determining the properties of a bee’s buzz.

    The benefits of understanding the impact of environmental change on a bee’s buzz include unique insights into bee ecology and behavior, helping to identify the species or regions most at risk, and the improvement of AI-based species detection based on sound recordings. “Perhaps buzzes could even be used as a marker of stress or environmental change,” says Dr Woodrow. “For example, we now know that certain environmental pollutants can affect the buzzes bees produce, so they could even serve as an indicator of ecosystem health.”

    “It is important we understand how these changes will affect non-flight buzzes because they are responsible for so many aspects of a bee’s ecology,” says Dr Woodrow. “If these vibrations are disrupted, this could lead to poor communication in the colony, inefficient thermoregulation, or poor resource acquisition for their offspring.”

    Perhaps most concerningly for humans and wildlife alike, a reduction in buzz-pollination could have potentially serious consequences for plant reproduction and biodiversity. “For example, buzz-pollination is energetically expensive and causes the bee to generate metabolic heat – therefore if the environment gets too warm, it may simply choose to avoid buzz-pollinated flowers,” says Dr Woodrow.

    As well as furthering our understanding of how environmental change may be affecting bee buzzes, there are also applications for robotics and the future safeguarding of pollination services. “We are working towards understanding bee vibrations through micro-robotics, so our results are also going towards developing micro-robots to understand pollen release,” says Dr Woodrow.

    This research is being presented at the Society for Experimental Biology Annual Conference in Antwerp, Belgium on July 8th 2025.

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  • Noa Essengue & Matas Buzelis ready to lead fast-paced 2025 Summer League Bulls – NBA

    Noa Essengue & Matas Buzelis ready to lead fast-paced 2025 Summer League Bulls – NBA

    1. Noa Essengue & Matas Buzelis ready to lead fast-paced 2025 Summer League Bulls  NBA
    2. Noa Essengue Meets Ozzie Guillen 🤝 #chicagobulls #whitesox #mlb #nba #nbadraft #ozzieguillen  BVM Sports
    3. Chicago Bulls analyst believes team has makings of strong defensive duo  chicitysports.com
    4. 2025 NBA Draft Recap: Noa Essengue, Lachlan Olbrich, and Other Moves  On Tap Sports Net
    5. Noa Essengue takes to court for practice with Bulls  CBS News

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  • EU4Health supports the initiative to monitor pathogens and pollutants in wastewater

    EU4Health supports the initiative to monitor pathogens and pollutants in wastewater

    image: ©Thomas Faull iStock

    The European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) has launched a new initiative under the EU4Health programme to improve the early detection of health threats through enhanced wastewater monitoring

    This involves the signing of new framework contracts that will establish a comprehensive sentinel surveillance system across the European Union.

    The contracts, signed under three specific Lots, focus on the supply of equipment, the analysis of pathogens, and the monitoring of pollutants in untreated wastewater. The three lots demonstrate efforts to establish a robust early warning system for detecting emerging threats, such as pandemics and environmental risks.

    A sentinel system for Europe

    The goal of this initiative is to develop a global sentinel system by closely monitoring untreated wastewater at selected “super-sites” across Europe. Wastewater is increasingly recognised as a valuable source of data for public health surveillance, offering insight into community-wide trends in infection and pollution levels.

    The contracts will ensure that strategic sites can collect, package, and analyse wastewater samples for the presence of viruses, bacteria, and chemical pollutants. This effort is expected to improve Europe’s capacity to detect and respond to potential public health crises promptly.

    Lot 1: Supplies and equipment for wastewater sampling

    The first contract, signed on March 12, 2025, focuses on logistics and equipment. Valued at up to €7.2 million and set to run for four years, this framework agreement encompasses the provision of sampling materials, equipment for wastewater collection and analysis, and dispatch services.

    These services will ensure the efficient transport of samples from monitoring super-sites to laboratories designated under Lots 2 and 3 for further analysis.

    Lot 2: Pathogen detection and genetic analysis

    On 27 May 2025, multiple contracts were signed under Lot 2 to conduct advanced microbiological analyses on wastewater samples. With a total financial support of €18.8 million, these contracts encompass several key technologies, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR), whole-genome sequencing (WGS), next-generation sequencing (NGS), and Shotgun Metagenomics.

    These methods allow researchers to detect known pathogens and track new or mutating ones through genetic data. The integration of Shotgun Metagenomics also enables the study of complex microbial ecosystems, providing a clear view of the microbial content of wastewater samples.

    Lot 3: Monitoring pollutants of emerging concern

    Also signed on 27 May 2025, Lot 3 focuses on chemical analysis. With a total allocation of €6 million, these contracts enable the detection and quantification of pollutants using mass spectrometric techniques combined with multi-residue extraction methods.

    These procedures are essential for identifying contaminants that could pose risks to human health or the environment, including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and industrial chemicals.

    Improving public health resilience

    This wastewater surveillance initiative is part of a broader EU4Health effort to strengthen public health systems and resilience in Europe. Initially developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, EU4Health now plays a vital role in preparing for future cross-border health threats.

    Managed by HaDEA, the programme supports health authorities, organisations, and research institutions through funding and procurement initiatives. With this latest set of contracts, the EU is positioning itself at the forefront of health surveillance, using innovative science to protect its population from emerging risks.

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  • These are the Guinness World Records ICONS of 2025

    These are the Guinness World Records ICONS of 2025

    Meet the ICONS – iconic Guinness World Records title holders who made history! 🤩

    Every year, we take a good look at allll of our amazing record holders and, amongst them, we find people with some of history’s most game-changing and remarkable achievements in the entire world…

    These are our ICONS! 🏆

    Want to know who made the cut in 2025?

    Keep reading…

    Preet Chandi

    Meet Preet Chandi, also known as Polar Preet.

    She is a polar explorer who travels to the freezing North or South Pole to learn about the icy land, animals, and how to survive in extreme cold…🥶

    And to break world records, of course!

    Preet completed the longest and fastest solo unsupported one-way polar ski journey in history whilst carrying a 75-kg (165-lb) sledge with supplies.

    To do it, she skied for an average of 13 hours a day, completing the feat in 31 days, 13 hours and 19 minutes. ⛷️

    What a legend!

    If you have big dreams like Preet, here is her advice:

    “Take it one step at a time, you can do it. Don’t give up!”

    Rumeysa and Jyoti

    These are Rumeysa Gelgi and Jyoti Amge, respectively the world’s TALLEST and SHORTEST women!

    Rumeysa is from Türkiye while Jyoti is from India and, after meeting recently for the first time, they became good pals. 😌

    So how tall are they?

    Well, tallest woman living Rumeysa is 215.16 cm (7 ft 0.7 in) tall, while Jyoti, the shortest woman living (mobile), is 62.8 cm (2 ft 0.7 in) tall…

    Their height difference is roughly equivalent to a 12-year-old girl! 🤯

    According to Rumeysa, “Every disadvantage can be turned into an advantage for yourself, so accept yourself for who you are, be aware of your potential and do your best.”

    Remember that if you ever feel insecure!

    Taylor Swift

    Who doesn’t LOVE the iconic pop star Taylor Swift?! 🎤

    Amongst her many, many achievements, she holds OVER 100 world records – too many to count.

    Her best advice?

    “No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind.”

    Well said, Taylor!

    Robert Wadlow

    Robert Wadlow and Craig

    Robert Wadlow is the tallest man ever – yes, the tallest man to EVER EXIST!

    No man will ever be taller than Robert Wadlow, and that’s a fact.

    How tall, you ask?

    The “Giant of Illinois” was an incredible 8 ft 11 in (2.72 m) tall – taller than a grizzly bear standing on its hind legs! 🐻

    He couldn’t feel his feet and he required leg braces when walking, but he never used a wheelchair in his life.

    He was famous all around the world as a young man in the 1930s, almost 100 years ago.

    Wow! 

    Barbie

    Girl holding four Barbies

    Last but not least, no doll is more iconic than Barbie, one of the most successful toys in the world!

    Do you have any Barbie dolls? 👧

    Barbie holds so many records, such as:

    • The most expensive Barbie doll sold at auction was bought for $302,500 (then approx. £192,000) 🤑
    • The largest collection of Barbie dolls is 18,500 and belongs to Bettina Dorfmann from Germany.

    And Barbie’s most iconic motto?

    “You can be Anything!” ✨


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  • Best TV deal: Save over $150 on 65-inch TCL QM6K TV

    Best TV deal: Save over $150 on 65-inch TCL QM6K TV

    OVER $150 OFF: As of July 8, the TCL QM6K 65-inch TV is just $547.99 at Amazon, down from $698. That’s its lowest ever price for a saving of 21%.


    There’s no better symbol for an event like Prime Day that a seriously big, generously discounted smart TV. Well, Prime Day 2025 is here, and among the TV discounts we’ve found the TCL QM6K 65-inch TV, a QD-Mini LED TV of eye-popping proportions — with all the bells, whistles, and spec — down to a record low price.

    The TCL QM6K 65-inch TV has been marked down by 21%. As of July 8, it’s available for $547.99 for Prime Day — down from the regular list price of $698.

    SEE ALSO:

    How to sign up for Amazon Prime ahead of Prime Day

    The first thing to notice: it’s absolutely huge. At 65 inches, it’s the kind of TV that’s made for a big home cinema experience and major sporting events. Not to mention streaming from all the top platforms — which come courtesy of the Google TV operating system — as well as next gen gaming, thanks to a whole host of gaming features.

    The crisp, richly colored 4K visuals are created by precise mini LED technology, with support for Dolby Vision and other HDR formats. The colors are vivid and the blacks are sumptuous. And AI-powered processing analyzes every frame to optimize the brightness, color, and contrast as you watch.

    As for gaming, it has a dedicated games bar where you can adjust all your settings and see real-time performance stats. It maxes out with a refresh rate of 288hz. It’s the perfect accompaniment to a PS5 or Xbox.

    Mashable Deals

    Don’t miss the TCL QM6K 65-inch TV at a bargain knockdown discount of 21% — now just $547.99.

    If you’ve only just jumped into the sale, take a look at our Prime Day live blog to get the full lowdown.

    The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable’s team of experts

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  • UK shares trade flat as investors assess latest tariff updates, company news – Reuters

    1. UK shares trade flat as investors assess latest tariff updates, company news  Reuters
    2. FTSE 100 and US markets lower as Trump turns up tariff threat again  Yahoo
    3. Late market roundup: London markets lose midday gains to end Monday lower, 7 Jul 2025 17:25  Shares Magazine
    4. FTSE 100: Can UK GDP, Retail Data Keep the Uptrend Intact as Oil Stocks Cool?  Investing.com UK
    5. FIVE at FIVE: Shell, sportwear, Tesla, FTSE 100  Proactive Investors

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