Latest news with #TTS
Borneo Post
6 hours ago
- Borneo Post
World's largest pitcher plant on display at Borneo Flora Festival in Labuan
A Tombiruo replica is a centre of attraction at the Borneo Floral Festival in Labuan. – Bernama photo LABUAN (July 29): Seven types of pitcher plants, including the world's largest, were brought in specially from Kinabalu Park to be exhibited at the Borneo Flora Festival (BFF) here. Sabah Parks (TTS) Botanist Sukaibin Sumail said the largest pitcher plant known as 'Nepenthes rajah' is placed in an air-conditioned tent at the Permata Hutan Borneo. 'This pitcher plant, locally known as Kukuanga, can hold about 3.5 litres of water,' he told Bernama when met at the BFF site here. The event, which runs for five days, is set to conclude today (July 30). The BFF, which involves 31 exhibitors from Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei and Kalimantan, is being held for the first time at the Labuan International Marine Sports Complex. He said other pitcher plants exhibited at BFF are Nepenthes villosa, Nepenthes edwardsiana, Nepenthes stenophylla, Nepenthes burbidgeae, Nepenthes lowii and Nepenthes reinwardtiana. Sukaibin said visitors showed great interest in learning about the pitcher plant,s and he was delighted to share information about the rare species, which is seldom seen in public. In the same tent, a Bernama survey found that the Borneo Tropical Flowers section featured a tree decorated with fresh blooms and illuminated by light-emitting diode (LED) lights, creating a magical ambience within the enclosed space. At the base of the tree, various fresh flowers, including orchids, sunflowers and lilies, are beautifully arranged and accentuated with LED lighting. To preserve the condition of the fresh flowers, only 25 visitors were allowed in at a time. Guests are also welcomed by the natural, sweet fragrance of the 'sundal malam' flower upon entering the tent. Outside the tent, a three-meter-high replica of Tombiruo stands as a powerful symbol and reminder for humans to respect nature, uphold taboos and maintain harmony with nature. Crafted from driftwood, the striking sculpture is the result of a collaboration between local residents, members of the Faculty of Arts and Creative Multimedia at the Sabah Foundation College University, and carving, art and Borneo Heritage enthusiasts. The Tombiruo replica, along with a mural container installation, mural, will remain on display in the area, serving not only as a cultural attraction, but also a a draw for more tourists to Labuan. – Bernama
The Sun
11 hours ago
- The Sun
World's largest pitcher plant wows visitors at Borneo Flora Festival
LABUAN: Seven types of pitcher plants, including the world's largest, were brought in specially from Kinabalu Park to be exhibited at the Borneo Flora Festival (BFF) here. Sabah Parks (TTS) Botanist Sukaibin Sumail said the largest pitcher plant known as 'Nepenthes rajah' is placed in an air-conditioned tent at the Permata Hutan Borneo. 'This pitcher plant, locally known as Kukuanga, can hold about 3.5 litres of water,' he told Bernama when met at the BFF site here. The event, which runs for five days, is set to conclude tomorrow (July 30). The BFF, which involves 31 exhibitors from Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei and Kalimantan, is being held for the first time at the Labuan International Marine Sports Complex. He said other pitcher plants exhibited at BFF are Nepenthes villosa, Nepenthes edwardsiana, Nepenthes stenophylla, Nepenthes burbidgeae, Nepenthes lowii and Nepenthes reinwardtiana Sukaibin said visitors showed great interest in learning about the pitcher plant,s and he was delighted to share information about the rare species, which is seldom seen in public. In the same tent, a Bernama survey found that the Borneo Tropical Flowers section featured a tree decorated with fresh blooms and illuminated by light-emitting diode (LED) lights, creating a magical ambience within the enclosed space. At the base of the tree, various fresh flowers, including orchids, sunflowers and lilies, are beautifully arranged and accentuated with LED lighting. To preserve the condition of the fresh flowers, only 25 visitors were allowed in at a time. Guests are also welcomed by the natural, sweet fragrance of the 'sundal malam' flower upon entering the tent. Outside the tent, a three-meter-high replica of Tombiruo stands as a powerful symbol and reminder for humans to respect nature, uphold taboos and maintain harmony with nature. Crafted from driftwood, the striking sculpture is the result of a collaboration between local residents, members of the Faculty of Arts and Creative Multimedia at the Sabah Foundation College University, and carving, art and Borneo Heritage enthusiasts. The Tombiruo replica, along with a mural container installation, mural, will remain on display in the area, serving not only as a cultural attraction, but also a a draw for more tourists to Labuan. - Bernama
Barnama
12 hours ago
- Barnama
World's Largest Ptcher Plant On Display At Borneo Flora Festival In Labuan
LABUAN, July 29 (Bernama) -- Seven types of pitcher plants, including the world's largest, were brought in specially from Kinabalu Park to be exhibited at the Borneo Flora Festival (BFF) here. Sabah Parks (TTS) Botanist Sukaibin Sumail said the largest pitcher plant known as 'Nepenthes rajah' is placed in an air-conditioned tent at the Permata Hutan Borneo. "This pitcher plant, locally known as Kukuanga, can hold about 3.5 litres of water," he told Bernama when met at the BFF site here. The event, which runs for five days, is set to conclude tomorrow (July 30). The BFF, which involves 31 exhibitors from Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei and Kalimantan, is being held for the first time at the Labuan International Marine Sports Complex. He said other pitcher plants exhibited at BFF are Nepenthes villosa, Nepenthes edwardsiana, Nepenthes stenophylla, Nepenthes burbidgeae, Nepenthes lowii and Nepenthes reinwardtiana Sukaibin said visitors showed great interest in learning about the pitcher plant,s and he was delighted to share information about the rare species, which is seldom seen in public. In the same tent, a Bernama survey found that the Borneo Tropical Flowers section featured a tree decorated with fresh blooms and illuminated by light-emitting diode (LED) lights, creating a magical ambience within the enclosed space. At the base of the tree, various fresh flowers, including orchids, sunflowers and lilies, are beautifully arranged and accentuated with LED lighting. To preserve the condition of the fresh flowers, only 25 visitors were allowed in at a time.
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Tax on windfall profits of sugar millers being mulled
ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary panel headed by Member National Assembly Atif Khan, is likely to propose a tax on the windfall profits of sugar millers—similar to the levy imposed on banks—in light of the recent surge in sugar prices. The National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce during a recent meeting chaired by Jawed Hanif Khan, criticized the sugar industry as a 'mafia' and decided to identify the 'hidden' beneficiaries. The committee subsequently constituted a special multi-party panel to investigate the causes behind the sugar price spike, the circumstances surrounding sugar exports and imports, and the cyclical patterns of the industry over the years. The panel includes Atif Khan (Convener), Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Shahida Rehmani, Tahira Aurangzeb, with Farhan Chishti as a special invitee. Pakistan tenders to buy 100,000 metric tons of sugar, traders say Retail sugar prices are currently hovering around Rs 200/kg. Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, stated that some mills are not adhering to the agreement with the government regarding the ex-mill price. According to the agreement—available with Business Recorder—the maximum ex-mill price was fixed at Rs 165/kg effective July 15, 2025, with a permissible monthly increase of Rs 2/kg until October 1, 2025. This sets the ex-mill prices at: (i) July 15 – Rs 165/kg ;( ii) August 15 – Rs 167/kg ;( iii) September 15 – Rs 169/kg; and (iv) October 15 – Rs 171/kg The agreement also stipulates that provincial governments will enforce retail prices as per law and policy. Insiders from the Ministry of National Food Security and Research argue that the Rs 2/kg monthly carry cost—originally based on a 25% interest rate—which is no longer justified now that the rate has dropped to 11%. They claim the actual carrying cost is closer to Rs 1/kg and that even this estimate has been exaggerated by the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA). The agreement further outlines that corporate consumers must procure sugar directly from mills, with pricing to be mutually agreed. The federal government will only permit the export of sugar stocks exceeding 7 million metric tons (MMT)—including carryover and 2025-26 production—30 days after the end of the 2025-26 crushing season. Final decisions regarding available stock will be made by a four-member committee comprising representatives from the federal and provincial governments, as well as two PSMA members, using FBR's Track & Trace System (TTS) data as the baseline. Sources indicate that both the Finance and Commerce Ministries were hesitant to support sugar exports, fearing domestic price escalation. They allege that major sugar groups that held stocks through the end of last year made substantial profits from exports. The PSMA had previously assured the government that sugar prices would not exceed Rs 140/kg. However, instead of offering to create a buffer stock for price stability, millers were reportedly lured by the export opportunity—given the expectation that local prices would rise, international prices being Rs 30-40/kg higher; and no sales tax liability on exports. As prices now soar past all reasonable limits, the government is considering sugar imports—triggering a national controversy and renewed criticism of PSMA's influence and manipulation. Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain, who had earlier opposed sugar export, aligned with the stance of a committee led by Musaddiq Malik, is reportedly facing criticism within Cabinet meetings. In a recent Sugar Advisory Board (SAB) session, he is said to have reprimanded the PSMA, expressing frustration over the steep price hike. To address growing public pressure, the newly formed NA panel led by Atif Khan is considering a windfall tax on sugar mill profits, similar to the one imposed on banks. The proposal aims to curb the alleged manipulations of the PSMA, which has historically lobbied for favourable export policies while allegedly providing misleading data. During the previous government as well, the sugar industry came under scrutiny for benefiting from export-induced price hikes. Larger groups, with greater holding capacity, were again the primary beneficiaries. 'Taxing windfall profits will support the national exchequer and send a strong message to the industry not to exploit the public,' said an official from the Ministry of National Food Security. Meanwhile, the government's efforts to stabilise prices have yielded little success. A previous tender floated by the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) for the import of 50,000 tons of sugar failed to attract bids. TCP has now floated a fresh tender for 100,000 tons. Officials from the Commerce Ministry say they are proceeding cautiously, given the sensitivity of the issue. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Time Business News
3 days ago
- Business
- Time Business News
From Page to Voice: How Text-to-Speech Is Transforming Digital Communication
The ways we create and consume information have shifted drastically in the digital age. Text-based communication has long been dominant, but audio is rising fast. Not just in entertainment, but across work, education, accessibility, and everyday life. As we face growing volumes of content and shrinking attention spans, there is one quiet revolution making things more efficient, inclusive, and user-friendly: text-to-speech. In its simplest form, text to speech is the automated process of converting written language into spoken words using artificial intelligence. It is not just a convenience tool anymore; it is becoming essential across a range of settings. One platform enabling this shift is Speaktor, which provides an AI-powered online tool for converting digital text into lifelike audio. It offers users a streamlined, browser-based way to access voice generation without needing complex software. This technology now serves as a bridge between static content and dynamic experiences. Whether it's students listening to study material, professionals reviewing reports on the go, or multilingual teams adapting internal documentation, TTS is becoming a crucial utility. Platforms like Speaktor simplify this process by removing the need for recording equipment and allowing users to generate spoken content in seconds. That efficiency is what makes it such a game-changer in both casual and professional settings. We are drowning in content. Blogs, reports, articles, eBooks, training manuals, the average internet user encounters thousands of words a day. But reading is not always efficient, especially when multitasking or dealing with visual fatigue. Text to speech solves this by making content consumable without a screen and without interruption. Industries are adopting TTS for everything from corporate training and compliance to podcast summaries and internal communication. The appeal lies in how fast and scalable it is. Audio files can be generated in minutes, made accessible on any device, and translated for global audiences. With tools like Speaktor, a software-as-a-service platform designed to turn digital text into speech using cloud infrastructure, businesses and educators can adapt content without overhauling their workflows. This makes it an ideal solution for fast-paced, resource-conscious environments. One of the most powerful impacts of TTS is its role in accessibility. For users with visual impairments, dyslexia, or cognitive differences, having content read aloud is essential. But accessibility today also means meeting people where they are, whether at the gym, on the train, cooking dinner, or managing screen fatigue after hours of digital exposure. TTS enables flexibility. It is how information keeps flowing, even when screens are off. And it is becoming expected. Educational institutions now rely on voice-based formats to accommodate diverse learners. Corporates use audio summaries for time-strapped teams. Government services turn to TTS to make public-facing content more inclusive. These shifts are what make platforms like Speaktor valuable. Not because they are loud or flashy, but because they quietly solve a universal need. As digital consumption evolves, users expect more than just one format. Articles now appear as blog posts, videos, infographics, and increasingly, as audio clips. This shift toward multimodal content is not just about preference, but about reach. TTS enables content creators to present information in a format that's accessible on the move, accommodating users who prefer to listen rather than read. Audio complements visual content. It provides a break from screens while still keeping users engaged. With TTS, a single article or document can become a podcast-like experience. This is especially useful for educators, marketers, and publishers who want to meet their audience in varied contexts- during commutes, workouts, or while performing other tasks. In education, TTS allows students to engage with textbooks and study guides through auditory learning. It supports those who struggle with traditional reading and helps others retain more through audio repetition. For content creators, TTS adds an additional format to blogs, newsletters, or tutorials. This expands reach without multiplying production costs or needing a full studio setup. In the workplace, voice-enabled documents are transforming how professionals consume information. Reports, proposals, and presentations are no longer limited to PDF viewers or email threads. They can be listened to in the car, on a walk, or during low-focus work. This kind of flexible consumption is why TTS is gaining traction across departments , from HR and training to marketing and project management. The early days of robotic, synthetic voices are over. Today's TTS engines use machine learning and neural voice modeling to mimic human tone, inflection, and rhythm. This makes the audio not only understandable, but also listenable for extended periods – a must for education, content marketing, or formal documentation. Pacing, emotion, and pronunciation can be adjusted to fit the context. From casual to corporate, voices can be tuned to sound more appropriate for different purposes. This has elevated TTS from a basic tool to a creative asset. When listeners forget they are hearing a machine, the experience becomes seamless. That is when it starts to replace traditional voiceover workflows entirely. Another powerful use case is language learning. TTS gives learners an auditory reference for pronunciation, rhythm, and sentence structure. Hearing a word used in context improves retention and reduces the cognitive load of studying grammar in isolation. Learners can repeat, slow down, and loop content -creating a customizable listening environment that suits different proficiency levels. Platforms like Speaktor support multilingual capabilities, allowing learners to switch between languages and voices. By turning written lessons or vocabulary lists into audio, learners are exposed to spoken rhythm and real-world phrasing, which are often missing in textbook-only instruction. It's a subtle yet powerful upgrade to traditional language study methods. As voice interfaces expand from smart speakers and wearables to embedded systems in vehicles and devices – TTS will continue to grow. It is already found in e-learning platforms, customer support systems, internal dashboards, and public kiosks. Soon, the expectation will not be whether content can be heard, but whether it should be. Voice has always been our most natural form of communication. Bringing it back into the digital world, not as a gimmick but as a practical utility, is what makes TTS such a transformative force. And with tools like Speaktor, which offers a streamlined, cloud-powered solution for generating spoken versions of written material, what was once static on screen can now speak – clearly, naturally, and on demand. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
