Latest news with #Ivy
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Vintage baby girl names that are on-trend and will 'never be boring'
Deciding your little one's name is no easy task as there are so many to choose from – and while unique names are great these traditional, vintage ones never go out of style Anyone who's had a baby, or is expecting, knows how exciting the naming process can be. Choosing a moniker for your child is one of the most important decisions new parents will make. It can often be difficult if you haven't found the perfect one as there are so many names to choose from. With that being said, you might need a little inspiration. One video went viral on TikTok recently – as 'The Baby Name Consultant' shared a list of 31 vintage names for those expecting little girls. She listed the traditional names have stood the test of time, which means they are less likely to go out of fashion or get boring. Girly names that are popular right now include Penelope, Florence and Matilda. According to Bounty, a family toy company, Ivy comes in at number seven as most popular. If you are looking for names beginning with 'S', you could use vintage names such as Sophie or Sophia, or Seraphina - which is commonly shortened to 'FiFi'. The list by @thebabynameconsultant also mentioned Maeve, Iris, Phoebe, Ruby, Flora, Lydia, Juliet, Elena, Juno, Zoe, Naomi, Helena, Louise, Lucia, June, Vivian, Isadora, Claudia, Elise, Nina, Frances and Georgia. One parent commented and said: "My daughter is Serafina, Fifi for short and my name is Nina! Rare seeing both of our names in one place." Another said: "We have an Iris." A third wrote: "We have a Genevieve and call her Gigi." And a fourth added: "Louise is so beautiful." Why do parents like vintage baby names? Many parents feel a connection to the past and want to honour their family heritage by choosing names that belonged to grandparents or great-grandparents. Vintage names often have a classic, enduring quality. They tend to age well and are less likely to go out of style quickly. And as some vintage names fell out of common use, they now feel fresh and distinctive compared to more modern, trendy names. What are the most popular baby names in the UK? The Office for National Statistics (ONS) released its annual figures for the most popular baby names in England and Wales back in December. The data always reflects the year just gone, so the list makes up the top 100 names for boys and girls from 2023. Muhammad has overtaken Noah as the top name for baby boys, with Noah dropping to second place after coming in first in 2021 and 2022, followed by Oliver. Muhammad was the second most popular name last year and has been in the top 10 since 2016. Back in 2012, it ranked only 20th so it's climbed up the list significantly over the past decade. Meanwhile, there have been no changes to the top three names for baby girls, with Olivia, Amelia and Isla, coming up top. Unsurprisingly, Olivia has stolen the crown as the most popular baby girl's name for the eighth year in a row.
Time Business News
15-07-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
Why Solana is so fast and cheap
Solana isn't trying to be everything. It's doing one thing well: high-speed, low-cost transactions that actually work at scale. Most blockchains force a tradeoff. You either get speed or you get decentralization. Solana restructured that equation by introducing a different way to reach consensus. Instead of waiting for blocks to line up, it uses a cryptographic clock called Proof of History. This lets validators agree on the order of events with less back-and-forth. That small shift in architecture changed everything. Solana processes thousands of transactions per second. Not just in testing, but under real-world load. The chain holds up during mints, token launches, or trading spikes. While other networks slow down or price users out, Solana keeps going. On Solana, transaction fees are so low they're not even part of the conversation. You don't need to check gas prices before clicking. You're paying fractions of a cent per transaction, even when traffic is high. This isn't a temporary discount. It's a result of network efficiency. With a design that avoids bottlenecks and parallelizes execution, Solana keeps the cost of computation down without relying on external scaling solutions. This changes what's possible. You can build things that wouldn't work on high-fee chains. Real-time trading. Micro-payments. Dynamic on-chain games. Use cases that demand constant interaction and low latency start to make sense on Solana. Speed means nothing if it's unstable. Solana performs well, but more importantly, it performs consistently. Block times average under 500 milliseconds. Finality is fast. Fees are stable. You don't need to optimize for variable gas or build fallback logic into every contract. Developers can rely on the network to behave the same way every time. That consistency has a compounding effect. Apps become more reliable. Dev cycles shorten. Users stop noticing they're interacting with a blockchain at all. Solana's speed and pricing structure remove a lot of friction. But what keeps developers here is how well the chain holds up under pressure. You can scale without hitting performance walls. You can onboard thousands of users without fees ballooning. You can move faster without compromising on-chain responsiveness. A strong example of this in practice is Ivy Oracle. Ivy is a Solana validator that also provides tools for stakers, including real-time Solana staking reward calculators. They don't just validate blocks. They contribute to the overall performance and transparency of the network. Tools like theirs are possible because Solana allows for near-instant interaction with state data at almost no cost. That changes the level of precision you can offer to users. For a more detailed technical breakdown, they've published a piece on why Solana is so fast and cheap, covering the underlying architecture and how it compares to other chains. The usual question comes up. And the answer depends on what you're comparing it to. Solana requires more powerful hardware to run a validator. That's not a secret. But that doesn't mean it's closed off. Anyone with the technical and financial resources can spin up a node and participate. There are over 3,000 active validators right now. The code is open source. The upgrade process is community-driven. No blockchain is perfectly decentralized. Solana leans toward performance, but it still maintains a level of openness and security that protects the integrity of the network. For a while, Solana had the tech but not enough usage to match. That's changed. You're now seeing real products that rely on Solana's speed. Not clones of Ethereum apps, but experiences that wouldn't be feasible on slower chains. On-chain order books. Native memecoins with real-time movement. NFT projects that update instantly without waiting for confirmation. Games that feel like normal apps, not turn-based transactions. The ability to move quickly, cheaply, and reliably changes what's possible to build. And that shift is starting to show across the ecosystem. The Metrics Tell Their Own Story Transactions per second : Often above 65,000 in testing environments : Often above 65,000 in testing environments Average block time : Around 400 to 500 milliseconds : Around 400 to 500 milliseconds Transaction fee : Typically $0.00025 : Typically $0.00025 Validators : Over 3,000 active nodes : Over 3,000 active nodes Energy use: Lower than major credit card networks per transaction These aren't projections. They reflect how the network behaves today. You can build on these numbers. Solana has had issues. No one's pretending otherwise. There were outages. Some were painful. But the response has been focused and technical. New validator clients like Firedancer are in development. These reduce reliance on a single codebase and improve performance. Other improvements, like local fee markets and state compression, have already been rolled out. And the ecosystem has grown more resilient with every update. The point isn't that Solana is flawless. It's improving fast without breaking the things that already work. If blockchain is going to support real-world applications, it has to be invisible. It can't feel like you're waiting. It can't charge you $9 to click a button. It has to be instant, cheap, and boring. Solana is getting close to that. Not in a theoretical way, but in how it actually runs day to day. Transactions feel like API calls. Apps work like web apps. Costs don't get in the way of usage. That creates a base layer developers can count on. A validator network that can grow without becoming inaccessible. And a future where real-time, on-chain interaction doesn't feel like a compromise. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Otago Daily Times
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Old photographs and the memorable folk captured within
For years there's been a cardboard box atop the wardrobe which housed old photos, newspaper clippings and invitations to now-forgotten social occasions. The detritus of an ill-spent life, I guess. Last week came the time to throw out the old box, but looking through the contents produced an attack of nostalgia. Many of the faded and crinkled treasures came from the 1970s and featured a time when I was employed by the NZBC as an announcer, a job description never heard these days when "personality", "celebrity" and "beloved media icon" have taken over. NZBC announcers weren't celebrities. The NZBC controlled both television and radio, and its announcers were used to say words on both. In my case I might start the day doing a breakfast show on 4ZB and later (having tidied myself up a bit) be sent to the Garrison Hall to read the news on DNTV2. Then, from time to time, an announcer would be told he was fronting some television show or other as each of the four channels was expected to churn out material which would then be used in nationwide broadcasts. A photo from those days sparked memories of one of those programmes and it was the people in the picture rather than the show itself which had me reminiscing with some fondness. The programme was called You Must Be Joking and it involved two teams of "personalities" providing explanations, only one of which was true, for the origin of pictures which would be shown on a screen at the back of the set. The opposing team then had to guess which was the correct explanation. My job was to act as chairman or moderator or dogsbody. The humour, such as it was, was to be provided by the false explanations and some photos, like a brass band on bicycles, gave plenty of scope for laughs. The show ran for its dozen or so episodes on Saturday nights during 1972 and was never given a second series. Perhaps it wasn't worth it. I never saw it as no playbacks were organised at the studio, and I never watched television. Indeed, I never owned an instrument. However, we were supplied with newspaper clippings in the hope that we might find ways to make the show more acceptable to the viewers. Ivy Trew, the wife of a distinguished military man who contributed to Punch , wrote to the Press in appreciation of "the divinely imaginative interpretation of the pictures' contents which would do credit to the Goons. To crown a most amusing entertainment all six competitors are easy on the eye." In spite of Ivy ignoring the chairman's good looks, I warmed to her and hoped for more similar verdicts. They never came. Indeed, the most memorable, and perhaps most honest verdict, came from a reviewer who simply wrote, "Last night saw the start of a new NZBC programme called You Must Be Joking . They must be!" No copies of You Must Be Joking seem to have survived (video tape was too expensive to be wasted on archiving so it was erased and reused again and again) and thus no-one can prove it was actually that bad. But, good or bad, You Must Be Joking gave me a chance to work with some fine people. Eileen Cook, gracious and witty, fronted the afternoon television show On Camera and later produced arts programmes for Radio New Zealand. Charles Joye, smooth-voiced and affable, specialised in acting the fumbling frontman being taught how to do it in shows like Tricks of the Trade and Greenfingers . Peggy Turvey (Colin Lehmann's wife) was a Mosgiel girl for whom the phrase "bubbly personality" was invented. She rose to stage stardom with the Southern Comedy Players and by the 1970s was teaching speech and drama, a calling she has followed in recent times in Wellington. Colin Lehmann himself was 4ZB's breakfast host (with Charlie Mouse) who included Miss New Zealand shows and Note for Note among his television repertoire. Later Radio Dunedin's breakfast man, he was a broadcaster's broadcaster. Shirley La Hood, for whom "larger than life" might have been coined, produced numerous stage shows in Dunedin and Paul Savage, an epitome of the NZBC-trained announcer, later worked with the ABC to teach Australians how to speak properly. A hopeless task. Behind the scenes were the floor crew and production team who made the Garrison Hall specifically and Dunedin generally such great fun in those far off times. Many of them, and most of the You Must Be Joking panellists are no longer with us. It's one photo I'll hang on to. No joking. — Jim Sullivan is a Patearoa writer.
Malaysian Reserve
11-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Malaysian Reserve
Modlily Celebrates the Real Beauty and Empowers Women with ModlilyStyle Campaign
LOS ANGELES, July 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Modlily, a leading global online fashion retailer, celebrates diversity, confidence, and authenticity through the ModlilyStyle Campaign. As part of the campaign, Modlily invited real customers from around the world to showcase their swimwear styles. Nearly a thousand authentic submissions highlight the power of inclusive fashion. From sun-drenched poolside moments to joyful beach getaways, the campaign features women of all ages, body shapes, and backgrounds confidently wearing Modlily swimwear. Whether in vibrant bikinis, elegant one-pieces, or chic tankinis, each participant brought their unique beauty to life — underscoring the brand's mission of empowering women through affordable, stylish, and body-positive clothing. 'The ModlilyStyle campaign is a celebration of our customers,' said Ivy, the marketing manager. 'We have been committed to making fashion accessible and inclusive. These photos capture the essence of what we stand for — that every woman deserves to feel confident, exactly as she is.' The campaign's imagery, some of which features customers basking in the sun at resort pools or smiling on serene shorelines, reflects not only seasonal style but also self-assurance. Each photo tells a story of individuality — from a woman in her 20s striking a powerful pose in a ruched aqua bikini to a mature customer radiating joy in a printed one-piece and sunhat. These real-life portraits challenge conventional beauty norms and invite others to embrace themselves fully. As part of the campaign, participants were encouraged to use the hashtag #ModlilyStyle on Instagram and Facebook, creating a digital gallery of positivity and self-love that continues to grow. The brand plans to feature select participants across its social platforms and future marketing campaigns — further reinforcing the shift toward authentic, user-driven content. This initiative also highlights Modlily's growing global community. With customers spanning over 50 countries and millions of social followers, the brand continues to engage directly with its base through interactive storytelling, social challenges, and customer-first campaigns. For more information or to shop the latest swimwear collection, visit Follow the campaign on social media @modlilyofficial #ModlilyStyle. About ModlilyModlily is a global online fashion boutique offering trendy and affordable apparel for women of all sizes. With a strong commitment to inclusivity and comfort, Modlily has earned a loyal following by empowering women to feel confident at every stage of life.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Modlily Celebrates the Real Beauty and Empowers Women with ModlilyStyle Campaign
LOS ANGELES, July 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Modlily, a leading global online fashion retailer, celebrates diversity, confidence, and authenticity through the ModlilyStyle Campaign. As part of the campaign, Modlily invited real customers from around the world to showcase their swimwear styles. Nearly a thousand authentic submissions highlight the power of inclusive fashion. From sun-drenched poolside moments to joyful beach getaways, the campaign features women of all ages, body shapes, and backgrounds confidently wearing Modlily swimwear. Whether in vibrant bikinis, elegant one-pieces, or chic tankinis, each participant brought their unique beauty to life — underscoring the brand's mission of empowering women through affordable, stylish, and body-positive clothing. "The ModlilyStyle campaign is a celebration of our customers," said Ivy, the marketing manager. "We have been committed to making fashion accessible and inclusive. These photos capture the essence of what we stand for — that every woman deserves to feel confident, exactly as she is." The campaign's imagery, some of which features customers basking in the sun at resort pools or smiling on serene shorelines, reflects not only seasonal style but also self-assurance. Each photo tells a story of individuality — from a woman in her 20s striking a powerful pose in a ruched aqua bikini to a mature customer radiating joy in a printed one-piece and sunhat. These real-life portraits challenge conventional beauty norms and invite others to embrace themselves fully. As part of the campaign, participants were encouraged to use the hashtag #ModlilyStyle on Instagram and Facebook, creating a digital gallery of positivity and self-love that continues to grow. The brand plans to feature select participants across its social platforms and future marketing campaigns — further reinforcing the shift toward authentic, user-driven content. This initiative also highlights Modlily's growing global community. With customers spanning over 50 countries and millions of social followers, the brand continues to engage directly with its base through interactive storytelling, social challenges, and customer-first campaigns. For more information or to shop the latest swimwear collection, visit Follow the campaign on social media @modlilyofficial #ModlilyStyle. About ModlilyModlily is a global online fashion boutique offering trendy and affordable apparel for women of all sizes. With a strong commitment to inclusivity and comfort, Modlily has earned a loyal following by empowering women to feel confident at every stage of life. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Modlily Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
