Latest news with #GDN
Gulf Weekly
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gulf Weekly
Picture purr-fect!
melissa@ Cats are emerging as the 'meow'se of choice, inspiring many artists in Bahrain and posing the question: why do felines continue to claw their way into our paintings, literature and culture, coinciding with International Cat Day tomorrow. Whether it is Lewis Carol's Alice in Wonderland (1865), Japanese author Syou Ishida's We'll Prescribe You a Cat (2024), French Art Nouveau painter Théophile Steinlen's iconic Le Chat Noir (the black cat) poster (1896), or Freddie Mercury's musical tribute Delilah (1991) to his favourite namesake companion, cats have been an integral part of the art that we have been consuming for centuries. Even in Bahraini culture, these critters often appear in old tales, according to comic artist and illustrator from Muharraq Zainab Almahdi. 'Cats often appear in Bahraini and regional folklore as vessels for jinn and other spirits,' the 27-year-old told GulfWeekly. 'In my art, cats feature either as the main subjects, or I hide them in different parts of my work,' added the creative talent, who draws both regular and anthropomorphic cats. 'They are flexible, animated and silly, lend themselves to cartoon illustration, and automatically bring a sense of whimsy to any art piece. You can use cats to reframe ordinary scenes in art. For example, if I dress up a cat in traditional dress, suddenly the readers start paying attention to the piece, and, in turn, the message I am trying to convey,' explained the GDN reporter. Filipino expatriate and artist Heidee Gragas-Galas from Juffair enjoys bringing cats alive in her creations because they're 'cute' and they carry a 'soft, graceful elegance' that she believes reflects a 'feminine, calming energy'. 'Cats have a soft, quiet presence that feels delicate but confident, which pairs beautifully with florals in my work,' said Heidee. Growing up, the 33-year-old had a cat at home, which helped her develop a personal connection with the animal, naturally influencing her work. 'I remember stories from my elders saying cats can sense spirits or bring luck depending on their colour,' Heidee said. 'In art and books, they often show up as symbols of independence, grace or even magic. That mix of the real and the mythical fascinates me and makes them timeless subjects to paint,' she added. Renowned Bahraini artist Ebrahim Busaad's popular Sleeping Cats exhibition in 2016 struck a chord with both art and feline enthusiasts at the time. The striking pieces, including Rajul Al Qut ('the cat man'), Murdi'at Al Shar ('nurser of evil') and Al Hilm Al Azraq ('the blue dream') continue to wow fans even today, with many vocalising their applause on the artist's Instagram posts. In the collection, the founding member of the Bahrain Art Society brought alive the 'infidel' nature of the cat, using his distinct style of elegant lines and vibrant hues. The works also reflect the architectural elements and the decorative motifs that characterised the city of Muharraq, his hometown. The Sleeping Cats paintings are based on a recurring dream Ebrahim had about his cat. 'At the age of six, my grandmother gifted me a cat. For the first time, I had a companion,' the 71-year-old revealed – a sentiment that famous novelist and cat lover Charles Dickens shared, when he said, 'What greater gift than the love of a cat?'
Int'l Business Times
04-06-2025
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
Huma Joins the Global Dollar Network to Advance Stablecoin Adoption on Solana
San Francisco, California, June 4th, 2025, Chainwire Huma has officially joined the Global Dollar Network (GDN) — a coalition of leading enterprises committed to accelerating the adoption of stablecoins through aligned incentives, regulatory clarity, and global utility. Launched by Paxos and powered by Global Dollar (USDG), the network includes members such as Robinhood, Kraken, Anchorage, Nuvei, and Worldpay. USDG is a US dollar-backed stablecoin issued by Paxos Digital Singapore and is compliant with the Monetary Authority of Singapore's (MAS) upcoming stablecoin regulatory framework. Available on Solana, Ethereum, and other public blockchains approved by MAS, USDG supports fast, low-cost, and secure global money movement. Significantly, USDG's preferred blockchain is Solana—chosen for its unparalleled speed, efficiency, and scalability, making it ideally suited for powering real-time financial transactions. Currently, around $3.5 to $4 billion of daily stablecoin volume already occurs on Solana, highlighting its strong adoption and capacity for supporting global-scale financial operations. A Step Forward for PayFi Stablecoins have become a foundational layer of programmable finance—central to the future of PayFi and global liquidity—powering use cases from real-time settlement to cross-border payments. The Global Dollar Network builds on this momentum with a model designed to strengthen and scale the PayFi ecosystem. Aligned incentives: Network revenue is shared with GDN partners who mint, transact, and hold USDG. Regulatory confidence: USDG is designed to comply with MAS's forthcoming stablecoin framework, providing the trust institutions require. Lower barriers to participation: Enterprises can tap into stablecoin benefits without launching their own asset. Collaborative adoption: GDN fosters industry coordination to drive real-world stablecoin use cases across finance and commerce. Erbil Karaman, Co-Founder of Huma, said 'Stablecoins are ready to power global payments and fintechs, however single issuer stablecoins fail to create the network effect needed to accelerate adoption. That's why we are so excited to be joining GDN alongside many of our existing partners and bring the PayFi movement to the masses.' Huma's PayFi network has already facilitated over $4.5 billion in payment-backed transactions, addressing a global market exceeding $30 trillion annually. Stablecoins, such as USDG, have become essential financial infrastructure, processing over $35 trillion in transactions in 2024 alone, underscoring their critical role in the evolving financial landscape. Ronak Daya, Head of Product at Paxos, said 'Huma joins Global Dollar Network with a proven track record in delivering liquidity and credit solutions for global payments. Their infrastructure directly strengthens our network partners' ability to move money efficiently across borders. With significant stablecoin volume already on Solana, USDG is well positioned for adoption in remittance and money movement, an area in which Huma addresses critical challenges around liquidity and pre-funding.' Accelerating Always-On Financial Infrastructure As stablecoin adoption accelerates with regulatory clarity emerging with the GENIUS Act, Huma is positioned to capture the infrastructure opportunity ahead with this integration with Global Dollar Network. Learn more about Huma's PayFi network here or explore USDG integration here. About Huma Huma Finance is the first PayFi network accelerating global payments with instant liquidity through regulatory-compliant infrastructure. Processing over $4 billion in transactions, Huma bridges traditional and decentralised finance, enabling real-time settlement and sustainable yields backed by payment flows. As the leader in payment financing, Huma's network addresses a total market estimated at over $30 trillion, providing an innovative payment infrastructure that transforms how money moves globally. Contact Account Manager Andrew Wickerson YAP Global andrew@
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Global Dollar Network Announces USDG Launch on Ink Blockchain from Kraken
SINGAPORE, May 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Dollar Network (GDN) is proud to announce that Global Dollar (USDG) is now available on the Ink Blockchain. This significant launch marks a key milestone for USDG, as availability on Ink is bringing the next generation of stablecoins to a vibrant and innovative platform. The availability of USDG on Ink provides users and developers a stable asset for transactions, liquidity provision and interactions with a wide array of DeFi applications, all while leveraging USDG's inherent stability and utility. Issued by Paxos, USDG was built with distinct features to serve demanding onchain environments like Ink: Fully backed 1:1: Global Dollar (USDG) is a single-currency stablecoin pegged to the US dollar. USDG is fully redeemable from Paxos on a one-to-one basis for US dollars. Trusted and transparent: Paxos publishes monthly reserve reports for all Paxos-issued stablecoins, including USDG, to ensure full transparency and reliability of financial data. USDG powers Global Dollar Network: GDN is the world's fastest-growing stablecoin network with unmatched economic upside. Powerful integration: USDG is designed for deep integration, offering native performance on Ink while maintaining its Ethereum compatibility for broader accessibility. USDG is also available on Solana. "The launch of USDG on Ink furthers the mission of Global Dollar Network and benefits the stablecoin ecosystem at large," said Sergio Mello, Head of Stablecoins at Anchorage Digital on behalf of Global Dollar Network. "By integrating USDG with Ink, we are empowering users to confidently navigate and participate in the exciting opportunities within DeFi, backed by the reliability of USDG and the trusted environment of Kraken." "Stablecoins are evolving fast, and it's crucial for ecosystems to keep pace with demand for emerging options that are growing rapidly," said Andrew Koller, Founder of Ink. "USDG on Ink expands the freedom of choice and flexibility for anyone to move value with confidence." For more information about Global Dollar Network and how to join, visit About Global Dollar Network Global Dollar Network (GDN) is an open, distributed network of leading enterprises working to accelerate stablecoin adoption worldwide. Powered by Global Dollar (USDG), a US dollar-backed stablecoin issued by Paxos Digital Singapore, GDN offers a transparent and equitable economic model that rewards partners for their contributions. Founded by Anchorage Digital, Bullish, Galaxy Digital, Kraken, Nuvei, Paxos and Robinhood, GDN is revolutionizing the financial system by making it more accessible and efficient for all. CONTACT: press@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Global Dollar Network Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Gulf Weekly
22-05-2025
- Health
- Gulf Weekly
Freedom from gadgets
1. For someone who has spent most of her life working in the media, the constant news barrage took its toll on my health. So, many years ago, I decided to spend one precious day a week without using my mobile, a digital detox for my sanity. I deliberately shut out the world, silencing notifications from my mobile and embracing the quiet. Twenty-five years of this practice has given me immense joy, peace and stability. People always tell me that I look happy and younger than my age! Going offline has also taught me patience and endurance, making me a better person, ready for any challenges that life has to offer. I continue to 'detox' to this day, especially during weekends. The irony of it - I am happiest whenever I am not touching my mobile. Prioritising my mental health above all is the best decision I've ever made in my life. - Nanju Francisco, 59, Filipino media specialist 2. Living a day without the phone? Unthinkable, right? Trust me, it is both liberating and refreshing. Ironically, I attempted this a few weeks ago and felt refreshed albeit just for a day but it was worth it. Jumped out of bed, resisted the urge to 'Wordle', instead dived into the newspaper with my cuppa. The GDN it was! Then hopped on my bicycle for a long ride into oblivion; soaked in nature, listened to the many tunes of happy birds and got doused with a spray of water from a garden sprinkler, gone wild. Liberating! Withdrawal symptoms sans phone? Sure! Not checking it constantly for updates on social media made me calmer and Zen-like as I immersed myself in other hobbies. As the day progressed, I got restive and called friends I had not seen in a while on my landline. Sadly, a gadget meant to connect us is losing its flavour as it slowly disconnects us from the real world and real people. No thanks to social media, the 'digital drug' that's getting us hooked. I plan to make phone-free days a habit rather than a one-off challenge. – Sheela Pai, 63, retired Indian banker 3. The digital detox challenge is something I do regularly. I often take time away from gadgets. Even on a daily basis, I have set a time limit after which phone usage is only to attend to important calls. Instead of spending hours scrolling , I love to read and write. For news updates, I prefer to listen to the radio or read the newspaper. Going for regular evening walks with my son Parth is a must, which gives us time to connect with nature, observing the sunset and sunrise, listening to chirping birds from dawn to dusk - it uplifts me. And, I never carry the phone. Meditating on a regular basis also helps me distract myself from screens. I am happy, calm and relaxed when I step away from my device. I have observed that I don't crave screentime and continue to pursue my hobbies and have meaningful interactions with loved ones. – Parul Sharma, 40, Indian homemaker and part-time teacher 4. GDN and GulfWeekly reporter Nader Adnan also accepted the challenge! Here's what he had to say. Going into this challenge. I avoided all screen time, except occasionally checking my phone for urgent or work-related messages. I avoided social media in its entirety, and learned very quickly that I did not miss it. It was refreshing going through the day without negativity or doom scrolling. Instead, I went through my camera – photography is one of my hobbies – and discovered a couple of new settings and features I've never seen before! I like going for walks and usually do so with headphones. No screen time however meant no music, and it felt weird walking around the neighbourhood without songs in my ears. I ended up actually observing my surroundings more mindfully. I realised that other than a couple of instances here and there, I did not really miss my phone that much, although it did feel weird paying for something in cash instead of BenefitPay!
Time Business News
29-04-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
Google Ads Mastery: Search, Display, Shopping, and Video Ads
Unlock the Power of Google Ads with These 4 Proven Campaign Types Did you know that over 80% of global internet users are reached through Google Ads? Whether you're a digital marketing beginner or a seasoned professional, understanding the four major types of Google Ads—Search, Display, Shopping, and Video—is critical to maximizing ROI. In this guide, you'll dive deep into each ad type, uncover best practices, and learn how to craft campaigns that drive results. Google Ads is far from fading. With over 8.5 billion daily searches and billions of impressions delivered via YouTube and the Display Network, it remains a top platform for businesses of all sizes. What's changed is the increasing complexity of audience targeting, automation, and bidding strategies. To stay ahead, you need more than just a working knowledge—you need Google Ads mastery. This article will cover: Search Ads: Capturing high-intent traffic Display Ads: Boosting brand awareness Shopping Ads: Driving ecommerce sales Video Ads: Engaging audiences through YouTube Tips on ad copy, bidding, and analytics How to level up through an advanced digital marketing course Let's break down each campaign type Search Ads are text-based and appear at the top of Google's search results when users type in a query. These ads are triggered by keywords and typically focus on high-intent actions like buying, signing up, or contacting a business. Use SKAGs (Single Keyword Ad Groups): Keep ad groups tightly focused for maximum relevance. Keep ad groups tightly focused for maximum relevance. Incorporate ad extensions: Add site links, callouts, and structured snippets to improve CTR. Add site links, callouts, and structured snippets to improve CTR. Optimize Quality Score: This score (1–10) affects your CPC and ad rank. Focus on ad relevance, landing page experience, and expected CTR. Leverage Responsive Search Ads (RSAs) to let Google dynamically test multiple headlines and descriptions. In 2025, RSAs are the standard ad type for most accounts Display Ads are visual banners that appear on over 2 million websites and apps in the Google Display Network (GDN). These ads are ideal for brand awareness, retargeting, and top-of-funnel campaigns. Custom Audiences: Define segments based on interests, search intent, or website behavior. Define segments based on interests, search intent, or website behavior. Affinity and In-Market Audiences: Reach users who show long-term interest or are ready to purchase. Reach users who show long-term interest or are ready to purchase. Placement Targeting: Choose specific websites, YouTube channels, or apps to show your ads. Use high-quality, mobile-optimized images. Test different banner sizes (e.g., 300×250, 728×90, 160×600). A/B test static vs. animated creatives to see what performs better. Display Ads are cost-effective (lower CPC than Search) but require strong visuals and compelling messaging to capture attention in a distraction-heavy environment Shopping Ads are product-based ads that appear in Google Search and the Shopping tab. They display product images, prices, reviews, and promotions pulled from your product feed in Google Merchant Center. Smart Shopping Campaigns (SSC): Combine standard shopping and display remarketing with automation. Google chooses placements, bids, and audiences. Combine standard shopping and display remarketing with automation. Google chooses placements, bids, and audiences. Performance Max Campaigns: The newer, AI-powered upgrade to SSCs, allowing cross-channel delivery (Search, Display, YouTube, Gmail). Clean and detailed product titles: Include brand, size, color, and keywords. Include brand, size, color, and keywords. Use high-quality product images: Avoid logos or promotional text overlays. Avoid logos or promotional text overlays. Implement structured promotions: Discount codes and limited-time offers can increase CTR. According to Google, businesses that use Shopping Ads see 30% higher conversion rates compared to text ads for ecommerce Video Ads appear on YouTube and partner sites and can be skippable or non-skippable, in-feed or bumper formats. With over 2.5 billion users, YouTube offers vast reach and deep engagement. Skippable in-stream ads: Viewers can skip after 5 seconds; you only pay if they watch 30+ seconds or engage. Viewers can skip after 5 seconds; you only pay if they watch 30+ seconds or engage. Non-skippable in-stream ads: Great for brand awareness, limited to 15 seconds. Great for brand awareness, limited to 15 seconds. In-feed video ads: Appear in YouTube search results and watch pages. Use custom intent audiences to reach people based on recent search behavior. to reach people based on recent search behavior. Retarget website visitors with sequential storytelling ads. Include a strong CTA in the first 5 seconds for skippable ads. Well-produced video ads can significantly boost brand recall and purchase intent. Even better, YouTube ads often have lower CPVs (cost per view) than many display networks Google's automation tools—like Smart Bidding, Performance Max, and automated ad creation—have evolved dramatically. In 2025, machine learning is no longer optional; it's the backbone of scalable ad success. To get the best results: Feed Google with strong first-party data. Use offline conversion tracking (OCT) for lead gen campaigns. for lead gen campaigns. Continually test and adapt creatives and audiences. Google's AI tools now adjust bids, placements, and creatives in real time, based on thousands of signals like device, time of day, and browsing history True Google Ads Mastery: Search, Display, Shopping, and Video Ads requires a combination of technical skill, strategic thinking, and creative experimentation. Here are some ways to stay ahead: To truly master Google Ads in a rapidly changing landscape, formal training is key. An advanced digital marketing course covers not just campaign types, but also: Behavioral analytics and attribution modeling AI tools and automation workflows Omnichannel strategy integration These courses often include hands-on labs, certification prep (like Google Ads Certification), and real campaign audits, making them invaluable for marketers aiming to upskill or pivot careers Google Ads isn't a plug-and-play platform. It rewards those who learn, test, and adapt continuously. Whether you're running search campaigns for lead generation, launching video ads for brand awareness, or pushing ecommerce sales via shopping feeds, each ad type serves a unique purpose in the buyer journey. By mastering Search, Display, Shopping, and Video Ads, you position your brand or clients to win in a crowded, competitive market. And with AI doing more of the heavy lifting, your creative and strategic input is more important than ever. Get started today—because the next big breakthrough in your digital marketing strategy could be just one campaign away. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
