Category Archives: Evolution

The Evolution of Bricklaying Robots: Changing the Rules of Traditional Construction

Automation is rapidly becoming a normalized part of many peoples daily lives and careers, a trend which has by no means evaded the construction industry. While this increasingly pervasive technology is often considered a symptom of the contemporary 21st century, however, one automated construction technology may have a history stretching as far back as the 1960s. This technology, the bricklaying robot, has transformed dramatically since its limited realization over 50 years ago, splintering into newer, more technologically advanced variations today.

In 2014, the newsreel archive British Path rediscovered and uploaded footage of the Motor Mason, a mechanical bricklayer that was supposedly developed as early as the mid-1960s. Claiming to lay bricks five to ten times faster than the ordinary method and hailing itself as the solution to housing shortages, the product would have been mounted on a rail parallel to a wall, along which it would first deposit mortar and afterward quickly insert individual bricks. After it was broadcast across the U.K. in a bi-weekly newsreel in 1967, however, the Motor Mason would quickly vanish from the construction industry and from the public imagination leaving little else known about the mysterious machine.

In 2015, around the same time the Motor Mason was rediscovered, Construction Robotics debuted its new bricklaying robot, SAM100 (Semi-Automated Mason) at World of Concrete. Like the Motor Mason, it claims to increase productivity by three to five times, and it similarly cites social concerns such as workforce safety and improved job planning as justifications for its adoption. Though occurring 50 years later, its parallels to the Motor Mason are unmistakable.

Of course, SAM100 is vastly more advanced than its predecessor in terms of technological capability. No longer limited to a parallel rail ill-equipped to handle corners or other variations in wall construction, SAM100 includes a conveyor built, mobile robotic arm, and concrete pump capable of being programmed to change brick patterning and layout. It is accompanied by data tracking technologies that reveal daily performance reports on productivity and job issues, allowing masons to modify and improve construction strategies. Thus, rather than replacing the mason, it aims to aid them to increase productivity and decrease labor efforts.

Not long after SAM100 was introduced, the Australian firm Fastbrick Robotics released its own automated bricklaying machine, named Hadrian X. Like SAM100, Hadrian X is highly technologically advanced, with several characteristics that nonetheless distinguish it from its contemporary. With an emphasis on precision, the machine is aided by CAD modeling and dynamic stabilization technologies not only toward the end of more exact construction but also to work toward zero-waste construction and lower costs. Speed and safety continue to be a primary consideration of the machine as well, allowing masons to work from further away while simultaneously being more productive.

Since the rail-confined Motor Mason of the 1960s, therefore, automated bricklaying technology has come a long way. Today, bricklaying machines interface with both CAD and data tracking technologies and their human users to create buildings more productively, safely, and sustainably than before. As these technologies continue to develop and are increasingly put to use, we can only expect masonry and construction automation to transform even more just as they have in the 50 years alone.

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The Evolution of Bricklaying Robots: Changing the Rules of Traditional Construction - ArchDaily

Since design student Carolyn Davidson created it in 1971 for $35, Nikes Swoosh logo has become one of the most recognizable motifs in business history so now Nike Sportswear and Foot Locker are reframing the culture behind the check with another expansive Evolution of the Swoosh collection. This second batch of special offerings presents the tale of the Swoosh through four packs and five different silhouettes.

First up is the womens-exclusive Legend of Her pack. Made up of an Air Max 270 React and Air Max 200, the collection is a direct nod to Swoosh creator Davidson. It features stacked branding, and We named our shoes after a woman hits, as the graphic was originally inspired by the Greek goddess of victory. Each is finished by a gold Swoosh charm on the laces, a modern-day nod to the gold Swoosh-emblazoned ring that Nike founder Phil Knight gave Davidson in 1983.

Nike

Nike

After Legend of Her, the collection looks to the kids with the Dunk It pack. Celebrating Nike campaigns from the late 90s to the early 00s, the Dunk It utilizes an Air Max 270 React and Air Force 1 as the base, both of which boast colorful abstract designs that are equal parts playful and poignant.

Nike

Nike

The meat and potatoes of this Evolution of the Swoosh drop come by way of the five-style Time Capsule pack, consisting of the Air Max 270 React, Air Flight 89, Air Max Plus, Air Max 1 and Air Force 1. Taking its red, white, black and blue hues from vintage Nike print ads, the Time Capsule offerings also feature stacked Swooshes, trimmed in white and overlaid with pops of red and black.

Nike

Nike

Nike

Nike

Nike

Rounding out the selection, theres the Future Swoosh pack, centered around you guessed it a futuristic take on the Swoosh. This is accented by iridescent purple tones, ripstop materials, and pops of neon green. Its ranks consist of the Air Force 1, Air Max 270 React, Air Max Plus and Air Max 1.

Nike

Nike

Nike

Nike

The collection will be available across the Foot Locker family of stores Foot Locker, Footaction, Champs, and Eastbay with a staggered rollout: The Legend of Her pack releases on November 21, the Dunk It and Time Capsule on November 27 and the Future Swoosh on December 20.

Check out all the offerings above and for more remixed Nike classics, get a closer look at G-Dragons PEACEMINUSONE Air Force 1 Para-Noise.

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Nike & Foot Locker Evolution of the Swoosh Pack Info - HYPEBEAST

You've more than likely heard of today's guest from his collaborations with Adam Lambert, Kygo, Marshmello, Ellie Goulding, Kesha (yes, the list goes on), or on his own standout tracks like '11 Blocks' and 'The Village'. Yes, say hello to Wrabel. Were constantly bombarded with stories of darkness inspiring art, but what about the times when art is inspired by joy? It's joy that sits at the center of Wrabel's latest EP, One of those Happy People (out now). Over the course of the EP, we get to experience Wrabels bewilderment and gratitude towards the impact that can come from unexpected joy; which is largely whats discussed on this episode of the podcast. Ken Grand-Pierre met up with Wrabel on one of the last sunny days in New York. Together, they discuss how the EP was made, touring Europe with P!nk, and why its important that he wears his joy on his sleeve.

You can subscribe to the 405 Exchange podcast on iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, Stitcher, Google Play, and Overcast. You can also listen to the podcast over at Anchor.

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The 405 Exchange: Wrabel on the colourful evolution of his songwriting - The 405

SAO PAULO There was a lot of hype surrounding Ariane Lipski when the UFC signed her. But she didnt performed like she did in her days as the KSW flyweight queen.

With her back against the wall following decision losses to Joanne Calderwood and Molly McCann, The Violence Queen decided to spend a few weeks in Las Vegas and train with Calderwood, one fighter that was able to solve her puzzle.

My coach and I went to Las Vegas after my fight (with McCann) and spend some time doing tests at the UFC Performance Institute and training with Jojo at Syndicate MMA, Lipski told MMA Fighting before her fight with last-minute replacement Isabella de Padua, who stepped in for Veronica Macedo hours before the UFC Sao Paulo weigh-ins on Friday morning. She invited me to train with her and Roxanne (Modafferi) a while ago, but I couldnt go. This time we made it.

It was great, because Renato (Rasta, her head coach) was there, and he could see many flaws in sparring sessions, (and) the mistakes I was also making in the fights. So I can evolve and be ready to fight better.

Calderwood, who defeated Lipski via unanimous decision at UFC Brooklyn in January, lost to Katlyn Chookagian in her following bout, but then bounced back with a win over Andrea Lee in September.

Were not close in the rankings, Lipski said. Im coming off two losses, and shes in the top-five, so its not like were fighting each other again any time soon. Were both strikers, and she doesnt have many strikers to train with, so I was happy that she invited me to train with her.

Jojo is very professional, and so is everyone in her team, so there was no rivalry when I got there. But, at the same time, we were both pushing really hard in training. We fought once, but our games have changed a lot since then. We were showing each other things we had to fix in our games, and we came back completely different fighters the next day.

You go there thinking youll know how its going to be because you fought her before, but its a whole other game. Thats why I think its great that athletes train together sometimes because they wont be the same athletes if they have to fight down the line.

Down 0-2 under the UFC banner, Lipski was originally booked against Priscila Cachoeira in Sao Paulo. Cachoeira is 0-3 in the UFC, and it felt like it was a loser-leaves-town matchup. But then Macedo replaced Pedrita, who finished Polyana Viana at UFC Uruguay. On Friday morning, de Padua was signed by the UFC as the replacement.

Lipski doesnt feel any added pressure for the victory.

We never know whats going to happen, she said. (Viviane Pereira) Sucuri was 2-2 in the UFC, and they didnt re-sign her. Ill have one more fight in my contract after this one, but that doesnt mean that they will re-sign me, win or lose. We never know how that works with the UFC. Im really cool about it because I know what I want, I know Im ready for this fight, but I have my name. Im not worried about it because I know I wont lose.

The UFC hired me because of my name and the fanbase I have, so it wont be this fight that defines my career.

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Ariane Lipski sparred with former opponent Joanne Calderwood to seek evolution ahead of UFC Sao Paulo - MMA Fighting

A golf ball can cause plenty of joy and pain while out on the lush greens of the Indian Canyons Golf Resort in Palm Springs. Despite weighing 1.62 ounces and spanning a mere 1.68 inches in diameter, it can be your friend or foe and earn both praise and then disdain in a matter of seconds. Unfortunately, it rarely listens to your requests, no matter how desperate the pleas. Just ask any golfer.

Golfers may not know everything about outer layers, inner cores, ionomer resins, or other unpronounceable ingredients that now go into making them, but they do know the golf ball has evolved over time. The first versions created centuries ago were rumored to have been made from wood a bit impractical, so a significant step forward came in the early 1800s with the featherie ball, so named because of the boiled goose feathers used to fill up a small leather sack that was then stitched up and painted.

Another key milestone occurred in the mid-1850s with the introduction of the gutta percha ball, made with a gum-like material (derived from trees) that was then heated and formed into a round shape, a process that led to faster and more efficient ball production. The biggest step ever was probably from the featherie to the gutta percha, says Steven J. Quintavalla, Director, Equipment Research & Testing, at the United States Golf Association (USGA). The Haskell ball [developed with a more modern rubber core by American Coburn Haskell in the 1890s] was a huge improvement over the gutty, but in terms of performance and expense, I imagine that the gutty did more to broaden golfs availability and appeal than any other ball technology.

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Golf Ball Evolution Shows Results of Engineering Tweaks - Palm Springs Life

"This planned evolution of our leadership structure is an important step to ensure we are positioned to meet and exceed the needs of today and tomorrow's retailers and consumers," said Smucker. "The Board of Directors and I are confident the changes we are making will strengthen our Company and ensure each of our 7,591 talented employees are empowered and focused on delivering our strategy, which creates value for our shareholders and all constituents."

The Company also announced separately today that Vice Chair and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Mark Belgya, will retire September 1, 2020, and Tucker Marshall, Vice President, Finance, will succeed Belgya as CFO following the completion of the current fiscal year on May 1, 2020.

New Executive Leadership Structure and Roles

Chief Operating OfficerThe Company has announced the establishment of a Chief Operating Officer role and commenced a search process, inclusive of external candidates. This position will provide strategic and operational oversight of the Company's U.S. Pet Food and Pet Snacks, Coffee, Consumer Foods and North American Away From Home businesses, as well as its Operations and Supply Chain functions.

Chief Marketing and Commercial OfficerGeoff Tanner, Senior Vice President, Growth and Consumer Engagement, has been elected Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer. In this role, Tanner will continue to lead the Company's Marketing, Innovation, Insights and eCommerce functions, while expanding his responsibilities to include the U.S. Retail Sales and Market Development functions.

"Geoff is a highly talented, creative and transformative leader," said Smucker. "The creation of the Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer role, and Geoff's leadership, will bring a more strategic, integrated and effective approach to how we go to market and grow our brands."

Chief People and Administrative OfficerJill Penrose, Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Corporate Communications, has been elected Chief People and Administrative Officer. In this role, Penrose will continue to lead the evolution and further integration of the Company's administrative functions, including Human Resources, Corporate Communications, Government Relations, Corporate Sustainability, Charitable Giving and Corporate Services, while expanding her responsibilities to include Information Services.

Chief Strategy and International OfficerAmy Held, Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy, M&A and International, has been elected Chief Strategy and International Officer. In this role, Held will continue to lead the Company's Corporate Strategy, M&A and International functions.

Chief Legal and Compliance Officer and Secretary Jeannette Knudsen, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, has been elected Chief Legal and Compliance Officer and Secretary. In this role, Knudsen will continue to lead the Company's Legal, Regulatory, Compliance and Risk Management functions.

Chief Financial OfficerTucker Marshall, Vice President, Finance, has been promoted to Senior Vice President and Deputy CFO and elected an Officer of the Company, effective November 25, 2019. He will succeed Belgya as CFO May 1, 2020, following the completion of the current fiscal year.

As part of these executive leadership changes, Dave Lemmon, President, Pet Food and Pet Snacks, and Kevin Jackson, Senior Vice President, U.S. Retail Sales and Away From Home, are no longer in leadership roles, effective today, and will officially be exiting the Company in early December. The Company has initiated a search process for both roles, inclusive of external candidates. The Pet Food and Pet Snacks business will be led on an interim basis by Rob Ferguson, Senior Vice President, Pet Food and Pet Snacks (Interim) and Supply Chain. Ferguson has more than 14 years of management experience in the pet category and a proven track record of delivering results. Ferguson will receive counsel from Jeff Watters, former President and CEO of Ainsworth Pet Nutrition, who will bring more than 12 years of experience in the pet food category to his new role as a strategic advisor.

Newly Elected Company OfficerLindsey Tomaszewski, Vice President, Talent and Organization Excellence, has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Human Resources, and an elected Officer of the Company, effective November 25, 2019. Tomaszewski joined the Company in 2013 and has assumed human resource leadership positions of increasing responsibility, including overseeing Organization Business Partners, Talent Acquisition, Organization Development and HR Communications. Prior to joining Smucker, she held senior human resource positions at PNC Financial Services and National City Corporation. She will continue reporting to Penrose.

About The J. M. Smucker CompanyInspired by more than 120 years of business success and five generations of family leadership, The J. M. Smucker Company makes food that people and pets love. The Company's portfolio of 40+ brands, which are found in 90 percent of U.S. homes and countless restaurants, include iconic products consumers have always loved such as Folgers, Jif and Milk-Bone plus new favorites like Caf Bustelo, Smucker's Uncrustables and Rachael Ray Nutrish. Over the past two decades, the Company has grown rapidly by thoughtfully acquiring leading and emerging brands, while ensuring the business has a positive impact on its 7,000+ employees, the communities it is a part of and the planet. For more information about The J. M. Smucker Company, visit jmsmucker.com.

The J. M. Smucker Company is the owner of all trademarks referenced herein except for Rachael Ray, a registered trademark of Ray Marks Co. LLC, which is used under license.

SOURCE The J. M. Smucker Company

http://www.jmsmucker.com

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The JM Smucker Company Announces Evolution of Executive Leadership Structure and Team - PRNewswire

Now that Pokmon Sword and Shield has finally launched, players are discovering all the ways the new Pokedex is rolling out in terms of rare and special evolutions. One of the most interesting so far comes from the new variant of the Galarian Zigzagoon and its two evolutions, Linoone and Obstagoon. The final version is both new to the game series and is somewhat rare, or rather, requires special attention to attain.

The first step is to find a Zigzagoon, which is relatively common in the open world. YouTube content creator nirth explains that the Pokmon has a 2% of being found and shows how with some running around in grassy areas in Route 2, players can spot one with a little effort. If one does not appear, players can simply run into all of the Pokmon in an area and then Run away from the encounter to reset the spawning of new Pokmon to catch.

After finding a Zigzagoon it will need to be leveled up to about level 20 to evolve into Linoone, or alternatively, caught in the wild once further into the game. Linoone then needs to see a lot of action through combat before it will evolve into Obstagoon.

Once evolved, its entry text reaffirms that non-stop combat is the best way to trigger an evolution, which reads, It evolved after experiencing numerous fights. While crossing its arms, it lets out a shout that would make any opponent flinch.

RELATED:Pokmon Sword & Shield Leak: Every Trainer And Team In The Game

Here is where the internet seems to have a broad range of opinions on when it will level. Nirth for example states that his evolution came at level 35, whereas other players are reporting that Linoone did not evolve for them until reaching between 50-55. One thing is certain, and that is that players should simply focus of making Linoone fight as often as possible to bring the evolution as soon as possible.

For players who want to collect Obstagoon but have no interest in using it or its previous evolutions, the option to simply catch it also exists. After collecting most of the games badges, players will be able to find it in the Bridge Field region and should have one to trade with Team Yell Grunt for a Kanto region Mr. Mime.

Source: gamerant.com

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How To Evolve Zigzagoon To Obstagoon In Pokmon Sword & Shield - TheGamer

Rohit Kumar

India has been taking several steps to expand its technological infrastructure in recent years. The nation is not only promoting tech-driven processes, it is also creating a conducive environment for technological businesses. Digital India, Startup India, and Smart Cities Mission are some of the few upshots of this approach.

The biggest breakthrough in the Indian Financial Sector recently was the launch of NPCIs Unified Payments Interface (UPI) back in April 2016. The indigenously developed real-time interbank payment mechanism has multiple advantages. It can settle payments round the clock and even during bank holidays. UPI-based payments are also the most cost-effective remittance solution with just 10 paise charge for payments up to Rs. 1,000 and 50 paise for payments worth more than Rs. 1,000 (according to the latest notification by NPCI). These charges are further incurred only by the banks and are free for the end-users.

The rise of UPI in India rapidly catalysed digital payments throughout the country. As per RBIs annual report 2018-19, UPI-based transactions have already overtaken the debit card payments last year. The report revealed that 5.35 billion UPI-based transactions were conducted in 2018-19 as compared to 4.41 billion debit card payments. In the year 2017-18, these figures were 915.2 million (for UPI) and 3.34 billion (for debit card transactions) respectively.

At the same time, India has taken an all-encompassing approach towards its technological infrastructure. The nation is developing IndiaChain based on blockchain technology. For the uninitiated, blockchain technology which is the underlying technology of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin creates an infallible ledger system that cannot be altered with. The technology has widespread use cases including quicker financial settlement and smart contract enforcement. The development of IndiaChain will specifically empower Indias emerging fintech sector and enable them to create more evolved products.

At present, the blockchain technology is leveraged by several fintech players. It is also helping process secure transactions across less-digitized geographies including rural regions. Many fintech platforms are driving digital empowerment towards these regions through innovative models such as All-Time-Cash (ATC) vans and blockchain-based kiosks.

India is also trailblazing product innovation. Various regulators including SEBI, IRDAI, and RBI have launched a Regulatory Sandbox for precisely the same reason. It helps fintech platforms to save both cost and time by testing new products and services in a controlled regulatory environment without waiting for approval. The government committee for RBI specifically highlighted the need for innovations in blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), given its applications in several financial and non-financial domains.

Fintech markets in UK and Singapore have an open API culture that allows anyone to plug in APIs easily and empower innovative solutions. With NPCIs UPI (Unified Payments Interface), Aadhaar API, GSP (GST Suvidha Provider), and Blockchain, India also on the same track. The liberal financial data access alongside subsequent data-driven innovation is helping us inch closer to a liberal and high-growth economy with lower financial leakages.

All of these developments add a considerable thrust to the ongoing fintech operations in our country. The increasing penetration of digital technologies is further amplifying data generation and further improving the efficiency of our financial sector. As much the Gordian knot that our nation as a market is, the inherent diversity as well as technical difficulties including low digital adoption, the relative absence of data and infrastructure, etc. are giving rise to pioneering fintech models. These difficulties are in fact opportunities in disguise. They will sooner or later help us in scaling such products and services in other developing and undeveloped nations.

Clearly, India and Indian Financial Sector have an upper hand against its Western counterparts. With rapid infusion of technology, the nation is gradually becoming a force to reckon with at a global scale. We just have to wait and watch till we eliminate our own bottlenecks and financial leakages and then, help other nations in doing so.

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Paytechments: The Evolution of tech-driven payment ecosystem in India - Moneycontrol

In 2012, American pop singer Katy Perry arrived on an ornate palanquin at Chennais YMCA College of Physical Education stage. Leading a group of dancers dressed in shiny I Dream of Jeanie and Aladdins Jasmine-esque costumes, the then 27-year-old made her India debut kick-starting the Indian Premier League season. With a brief interlude featuring Hindustani beats, she seductively, lovingly even, crooned California Girls, rife with double entendre lyrics like So hot/Well melt your popsicle. Perhaps hotter than the April Indian summer, her performance, with its lavish costumes and props, raised the bar for live music concerts in the country.

Now, shes back to headline the first edition of the OnePlus Music Festival in Mumbai this evening. It has been seven years since Ive been to India, and Ive got lots of new songs and visuals to share, says the 35-year-old. It will be a blast getting to reconnect. She will be sharing the stage with the likes of British pop singer Dua Lipa, Indian EDM artiste Ritviz, and post-rock band, aswekeepsearching.

Age of streaming

In the time since Perry was last here, the global music industry has completely changed. The amount of content thats created to keep up with the average persons attention span is enough to make your head spin, she says. For one, artistes are dissing the album route to drop singles with plenty of social media push. Take American singer Charli XCX for instance, who, several months before releasing her album in September, dropped a string of stand-alone tracks to guarantee sales. Shed even tweeted, Angels, your mother is about to feed you new music for five months straight. You deserve it and youre welcome.

The petite brunette isnt the only one capitalising on the potential of streaming music. Billie Eilish, The Chainsmokers, Camila Cabello and almost anyone making music today are all following suit, including Perry. I love technology because it allows me to give to my fans as well as get their feedback much quicker, she says, about streaming platforms. I agree that in this age of constant content, youre also told about algorithm-this and algorithm-that, but, at the end of the day, I think that the authentic artiste and their content will always rise to the top. Theres a balance to be struck between data and intuition.

Perry for your thoughts

In true Katy Perry style, reinvention is always round the corner. Shes held her own, and more, amid changing trends. This year alone shes released Harleys in Hawaii, Small Talk, and Never Really Over, among others. For the latter, she created alternate endings to the music video, to feature on Spotify Canvas (a new feature on the app that allows artistes to add a full screen, and three to eight-second moving visual to tracks). I love the opportunity to hide Easter eggs for my biggest fans and keep them constantly engaged with new content to get back to the song, she says, touching upon TikTok as a powerful platform to market music. I think you should always keep your toolbox full. But you should also know which tool is right for each job.

It has been an eventful year for the singer, who, after more-than-a-decade of making music and touring the world, is kicking back to maintain a work-life balance. Im enjoying this experiment [releasing music one single at a time, to allow each song to shine on its own] in my career, but Ill not dismiss a larger body of work in the near future, says Perry, who has just been booked to perform at the 2020 ICC Womens T20 World Cup finals, with a concert during both the pre-game show and the post-match celebration, in Australia.

Headline makers

Then and now

But the singer who, in February, got engaged to actor Orlando Bloom has a less than exemplary side, too, that continues to court controversies. This August, she recalled two products from her line of footwear, a loafer called the Rue Face and a sandal titled the Ora Face, which brought blackface to mind. She has also been accused of sexual misconduct more than once. Model Josh Kloss, who starred in her video for Teenage Dream, alleged that shed sexually assaulted him at a party; Russian journalist Tina Kandelaki claimed that a drunk Perry tried to kiss her without consent; and, last year, Perry kissed a then-19-year-old Benjamin Glaze during his American Idol audition.

This is quite a contrast to her upbringing. Born to Pentecostal pastors, shes previously revealed how shed handed out How to Find God pamphlets at a Marilyn Manson concert. And before blowing up on the global pop musical radar with I Kissed a Girl, she made Christian rock and gospel music even releasing her debut album, Katy Hudson, in 2001.

A commercial failure at the time, she later collaborated with Glen Ballard, the producer of Canadian singer Alanis Morissettes 1995 album, Jagged Little Pill (of which she was a fan), to write new music and reinvent herself. In 2008, she released the sexually-fuelled One of the Boys. But it was Teenage Dream in 2010 that cemented her meteoric rise, replete with an album cover that had her lying nude on a fluffy pink cloud.

Three years later, Prism earned her a nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards, featuring the arena banger Roar. And in 2015, she took things a notch higher with a memorable Superbowl half-time performance alongside Missy Elliot and Lenny Kravitz. The 12-minute show, with Perry straddling a metal tesseract-ed lion, snagged the highest Super Bowl ratings ever, with 118 million people tuning in. Perry had arrived, and in grand style.

Birth of a liberation

Perrys transformation be it her looks or her music wasnt as drastic as Britney Spears, writhing to Im a Slave for You, or Christina Aguileras muddy Dirrty. But with her 2017 album Witness, it was evident shed broken away from her upbringing. During this time, a short pixie cut her hair had fried out translated shifting visual aesthetics, from a scintillating pin-up girl to pastels tones with candy colours, and eventually an edgy look. It directly mirrored the evolution of her sound.

Open about her fear of intimacy and oversexualising herself, the 2017 album was also a breaking of the shackles of expectations, a liberation. Ive never been one to follow trends, and I always strive to tell my story and my truth on the best sonic wave that matches it. That is my most authentic sound, she admits. Im just putting out music on my own timeline.

Standing Witness

The statement rings true with the sonic transitions of Witness, which featured a heavy electronica influence, a marked shift from her previous work. Perry continued to sing about love and romance, but strategic collaborations made sure the music was never frothy and frilly. The likes of Nicky Minhaj, Migos and Skip Marley, coupled with plenty of explicit lyrics, ensured that the singer transcended the tweeny demographic she long associated with. This time, there was also an emphasis on being a strong woman, a theme shed been skirting in the past. When prodded about using her art as a tool feminism, she says music is genderless. Music and lyrics can resonate with you if they come from the heart of the artiste and reach out to the listeners heart, states Perry. I hope being a strong, empathetic female is a general good influence for other strong, empathetic females to succeed.

Perry has come a long way since side gigs like starring in Gym Class Heroes Cupids Chokehold video in 2005 and delivering back-up vocals to Mick Jaggers Old Habits Die Hard in 2004. She has gone from demure spiritual music to sexually-charged bubblegum pop to a new, easy sound in 2019. And despite her several ups and downs, she continues to remain one of the most bankable and successful musical artistes of all time as KatyCats will reaffirm today, at the DY Patil Stadium, rocking to Roar and Harleys in Hawaii.

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The evolution of Katy Perry - The Hindu

The Prime Minister was challenged by Pamela, a BBC caller from Cardiff, as he took questions from the nation on BBC Radio 5 Live on Friday morning. Pamela suggested Boris Johnson goes back to the EU after the December election and demands a free trade deal with the threat of walking away if nothing better than that is offered by the Brussel bloc. She said: I would ask Parliament why they want to stay on the Titanic - in other words, the EU - because its sinking, its sinking fast. And we are doing very well in Britain and we have been 100 of years on our own

They seem to forget that weve been a very good country.

Democracy seems to have gone out of the window and if I were in your shoes Id go back to the EU and say we need a free trade deal or a no deal.

The Prime Minister took the opportunity to launch an attack on French President Emmanuel Macron, claiming that his "interesting" ideas of further EU integration would never have widespread support in the UK.

He said: I do think that Parliament has been senselessly blocking Brexit and blocking the will of the people.

READ MORE:Boris Johnson promises to revitalise neglected towns with 280m

But youre also right about the evolution of the EU because it is changing and has changed a lot in the last ten to twenty years in a way that the British people didnt bargain for.

You listen to what Emmanuel Macron says, hes a very brilliant guy but you listen to what hes saying wanting to create a banking union now.

Wanting to create a proper European army. These are very interesting concepts but theyre not ones that necessarily attract widespread democratic support in this country.

And what we want to do is to be supportive of our friends and partners.

Were a great European power, possibly the greatest European power actually if you look at our military contribution, our cultural impact.

But what we also want to do is get out to the world and do free trade deals.

The Prime Minister was also challenged on the implication of his Brexit deal on Northern Ireland and the risk of a customs border in the Irish Sea.

He said: The point of our deal was to allow the entire of the UK to come out of the EU whole and entire.

What the EU wanted, was to offer a Northern Ireland only backstop as they referred to, which would have kept Northern Ireland in the customs union and in the single market forever.

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He added: "If you read the agreement, the treaty that weve done with the EU, the deal that is ready to go, it says explicitly that Northern Ireland is in the UK customs territory.

A customs union is an area with a perimeter where tariffs are charged and the tariffs that Northern Ireland will charge on goods from third countries around the world, whether that is Japan or India or wherever, will be the tariffs that the UK charges not that the EU charges.

Northern Ireland will be offering for free trade deals around the world the same tariffs as the rest of the UK and Northern Ireland will be coming out of the EU along with the rest of the UK for customs purposes.

And that is a fantastic thing.

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Johnson warns of EU evolution Britons didnt bargain for in staunch attack on Macron - Express