James Cooper, a 37-year-old personal trainer from East Grinstead, West Sussex, has completed an extraordinary challenge of running a marathon every single day throughout 2024, including Christmas Day, to raise funds for suicide prevention charity Samaritans. Tomorrow, on New Year’s Eve, Cooper will cross the finish line after completing his 366th marathon, marking the end of his remarkable year-long journey. The challenge, known as Smilinggg 366, has seen Cooper run a total of 9,589.2 miles – the equivalent of running to Australia. Despite the gruelling nature of the challenge, Cooper has shown incredible resilience, overcoming both physical and emotional obstacles…
Author: Pop Card
The Second World Ice and Snow Economy of Cold Regions Conference kicked off on December 19 at the BEIDAU Ski Resort in Jilin City, China, marking a significant step towards boosting the ice and snow economy in cold regions. Hu Yuting, representing the Jilin Provincial Party Committee and provincial government, welcomed guests to the event and expressed appreciation for the support from various sectors towards the revitalisation of Jilin. In his opening address, Hu emphasised the importance of the ice and snow economy as a driving force for the region’s economic development. He also outlined the significance of the conference’s…
On December 20, 2024, the global lifestyle brand MINISO unveiled its largest store in Spain, marking the launch of its first-ever MINISO LAND store in Europe. Located on Madrid’s bustling Gran Via, this new flagship offers an immersive and playful shopping experience, introducing the brand’s unique “IP theme park-style” concept to European consumers for the first time. MINISO LAND is a scenario-based, IP co-branded store that brings together some of the world’s most popular intellectual properties (IPs) in an engaging, interactive environment. Featuring themed zones across two floors, the store showcases beloved collaborations with well-known brands, including Harry Potter, Sanrio,…
A new art space has opened in central London, with Elizabeth Xi Bauer gallery launching its latest venue in Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell. The gallery’s inaugural exhibition offers a glimpse into its future programme and highlights its commitment to multidisciplinary art practices that span cultural boundaries. The exhibition features a diverse range of works from both established and emerging artists, including Abraham Kritzman, Theodore Ereira-Guyer, Antonio Pichillá Quiacaín, Marta Jakobovits, Thiago Barbalho, Oswaldo Maciá, Karoliina Hellberg, and Elena Njoabuzia Onwochei-Garcia. Each artist brings unique perspectives and techniques, helping to define the gallery’s vision as it prepares for an ambitious 2025 programme…
As the festive season approaches, Parcelhero, a leading international delivery expert, has launched a free-to-use tool designed to help Brits avoid costly Customs charges when sending Christmas gifts overseas. The tool provides valuable insights into each country’s duty and tax-free allowances, allowing senders to ensure their parcels remain within the limits and are not subject to unexpected fees. With the growing trend of sending gifts abroad, many people are unaware that Customs duties and taxes can significantly increase the cost of international shipping. These charges vary depending on the value of the parcel and the nature of the goods being…
JobRad Leasing GmbH, a leader in the rapidly growing company bike leasing industry, has partnered with management and technology consultancy BearingPoint to streamline its data management and reporting processes. This collaboration aims to optimise JobRad’s first securitisation transaction by leveraging BearingPoint’s “Securitization as a Service” (SaaS) solution, enhancing the company’s ability to manage its asset-based financing effectively. JobRad, based in Freiburg, Germany, pioneered the concept of company bike leasing, providing employees with the opportunity to lease bicycles with significant tax benefits. Since its inception, the company has successfully put over 1.5 million people on bikes, and its parent company, JobRad…
In a new initiative aimed at enhancing the gaming experience, global video game commerce company Xsolla has partnered with Mastercard and Alior Bank to introduce a seamless payment solution for gamers in Poland. Mastercard cardholders with Alior Bank can now redeem their loyalty points for in-game purchases using the Xsolla Pay with Points system, offering a more convenient way to buy virtual items, games, and in-game currency. The collaboration is designed to simplify the process of making in-game purchases. Using Mastercard’s digital redemption capabilities, players will be able to use their accumulated loyalty points—earned through everyday spending—directly within Xsolla’s Pay…
The OpenID Foundation is set to return to the Gartner Identity and Access Management (IAM) Summit in Grapevine, Texas, from December 9th to 11th, 2024, where it will highlight the capabilities of its Shared Signals Framework (SSF) in enhancing digital identity security. Following the success of its interoperability sessions at the earlier 2024 Gartner Summit in London, the Foundation will once again demonstrate how its Shared Signals Framework (SSF) is transforming identity threat detection and response (ITDR). The SSF, an open standard developed by the OpenID Foundation’s Shared Signals Working Group (SSWG), enables dynamic and secure communication between applications and…
As furniture prices have risen by over 30% in recent years, many families are facing challenges when it comes to furnishing their homes. The demand for affordable yet stylish furniture is greater than ever, and one brand is stepping in to fill that gap: Furnituretta. The London-based company offers a wide selection of high-quality, budget-friendly furniture designed to meet the needs of today’s homeowners without compromising on style. A Wide Range of Furniture for Every Room Furnituretta offers a diverse range of furniture, from living room essentials to bedroom comforts, catering to various tastes and preferences. For those looking to…
Türkiye’s bid to have döner kebab recognised as a traditional product in the EU has faced objections from Germany. Bereket Döner, a leading Turkish culinary company, has stepped forward with academic research to defend Türkiye’s cultural heritage. During a press conference in Istanbul on 5th December, Bereket Döner unveiled a study providing compelling historical evidence of döner’s Turkish origins to counter Germany’s claims. “Our research demonstrates that döner is deeply rooted in Turkish history and culture,” said Mevlüt Ceyhun Tekdemir, Vice Chairman of Bereket Döner’s Board. “From Takiyeddin Efendi’s 16th-century mechanical drawings to insights from Evliya Çelebi, our evidence leaves…