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Electric Taxi Hailing Service NopeaRide Liquidates Following the Declaration of Insolvency From Majority Shareholder

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NopeaRide, a Kenyan taxi-hailing service, and electric mobility have wound up its operations, due to the declaration of insolvency by its majority shareholder EkoRent Oy, in Finland.

As a result of this, Infraco limited, the minority shareholder filed for the liquidation of Eko Rent Africa limited, a subsidiary of the company in Kenya’s high court.

This upheaval negatively impacted NopeaRide as it struggled to stay afloat, which forced it to take away its fleet of cars off the road, shutting down its operation.

The company said in a statement,

“We have taken our fleet of electric vehicles off the road and have notified our staff and corporate clients. We are now working with relevant authorities to ensure that our operations are wound up in accordance with local legislation,” said NopeaRide in a statement.

“We would like to extend our deepest regret to our dedicated team of staff and drivers. We would also like to thank our loyal NopeaRide customers, corporate clients, and other partners who have supported NopeaRide’s vision for electric mobility in Africa.”

NopeaRide was Africa’s first electric taxi company and delivery service with its operations in Kenya. The company through its electric vehicles was on a mission to provide environmentally friendly mobility solutions and clean energy services.

In 2021, NopeaRide announced that it would increase the number of cars in its fleet from 30 to 100 as part of a growth strategy.

In the first quarter (Q1) of 2022, NopeaRide traffic numbers grew exponentially as it began to put more effort into its corporate segment as most of its employees signed contracts with a few big international companies, some of them potentially reserving the majority of available Nopea capacity.

Since its launch 5 years ago, the startup has imported 70 electric vehicles to Kenya that had driven more than 4 000 000 kilometers by June 2022, saving over 650 tons of CO2 emissions.

NopeaRide also operated the largest electric vehicle charging network in East Africa.

Tesla EV Market Shares Predicted to Decline by 2025, Due to More Affordable Options

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Following the arrival of more affordable EV models, analysts predict that the top-selling electric vehicle brand in the U.S, Tesla, will witness a decline of 20% in its market share by 2025.

The company’s share price declined by more than 40% since the start of 2022, performing worse than the Nasdaq index.

It reported a total revenue of $21.45 billion for the third quarter, as its shares fell nearly 5.5% in pre-market trading, falling short of analyst estimates of $21.96 billion.

However, the automotive Electric car company no doubt remains the top-selling brand for Electric Vehicles (EV) models in the U.S., as recent data reveals that it still dominates 65% of the market share.

Out of more than 525,000 Electric Vehicles (EVs) registered in the first nine months of 2022 in the U.S., about 340,000 were Tesla vehicles.

An analysis by Electrek, an American news website dedicated to electric transportation and sustainable energy, stated that so far, Tesla has been able to produce EVs in large volumes which is the reason for its domination.

The website said, “It’s all about production volume. Whichever automaker is able to produce compelling EVs in large volume is going to dominate, and so far that’s Tesla. There’s no doubt about it.”

However, its dominance is predicted to be eroded, as some of these new EV models from other automakers are expected to reach high-volume production within the next three years, which will challenge Tesla’s dominance in the U.S.

The brand is showing the expected signs of shedding market share as more entrants arrive with affordable prices. As Musk focuses attention on carry out various revamp on his recently acquired micro-blogging platform Twitter, Tesla shares closed down by about a point to $180 on Tuesday.

Also, much of Tesla’s share loss is to EVs available in a more accessible MSRP range – below $50,000, where Tesla does not yet truly compete.

Tesla’s position is changing as new and more affordable options arrive, offering equal or better technology and production build.

During the company’s third-quarter earnings call in October, Musk said Tesla was finally working on a new, more affordable model that he first teased in 2020.

S&P noted that the growth in EVs is largely coming from current owners of Toyota and Honda vehicles. Both of the automakers are well-known for fuel-efficient vehicles but have been slow to transition to all-electric models.

In China, Tesla has slashed starting prices for its model 3 and model Y cars by 9% following the growing competition of EV makers in the country, as analysts project slow sales in 2023.

Analysts at China Merchants Bank International (CMBI) have disclosed that 2023 would bring more competition to the EV sector, stating that it is expected to see sales growth for EVs and hybrids on a combined basis to drop below 50%.

Electronic cigarettes and fashion in 2023

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TEHRAN, IRAN - JULY 19: (RUSSIA OUT) Russian President Vladimir Putin leaves his presidential plane during the welcoming ceremony at the airport, on July 19, 2022 in Tehran Iran. Russian President Putin and his Turkish counterpart Erdogan arrived in Iran for the summit. (Photo by Contributor/Getty Images)

Modern fashion is an unstable, changing, fluid phenomenon. Sometimes it is even called “fast fashion” by analogy to “fast food”. Over time, people’s tastes change, and things considered beautiful lose their relevance. The answer to the question of whether to consider something fashionable also depends on the social circle of the person who decides. Age, gender, and culture influence the perception of the world in general and fashion in particular.

Which electronic cigarettes can be considered fashionable, and whether it is possible to talk about them in the context of fashion – these are two questions we will try to answer today.

Which vape pens can be considered fashionable?

In the previous two months, the attention of famous designers, models, fashion experts, and journalists was focused on the catwalks of London, Milan, New York, and Paris. It was there that numerous fashion shows took place, as a result of which the whole world will see the trends for the spring and summer of 2023.

Size

Despite the maximalism in most accessory collections of past seasons, many designers are leaning towards making more streamlined, subtle, and refined accessories this year. One of the greatest trends these days is understated luxury.

A certain restraint also applies to the size of accessories in some collections. This season, fashionistas prefer stylish clutches rather than huge shopper bags. The same rule applies to the belt’s width or the earrings’ size. The small size of the accessory is not always practical or convenient from a functional point of view.

Even the best vape pens (https://vapingdaily.com/best-vape-pens/) cannot charge for long if they have a weak battery. Powerful batteries are usually large in size. However, not the only battery. All the “internal” parts of the device need space. Therefore, devices with more power and functionality are usually larger than others. This is exactly the case where size can matter.

Colour

As for the color, there is no consensus. Raspberry Blush, “an unapologetically brazen yet warm hue”, is recognized as a color of the year 2023 by experts from Benjamin Moore. Digital Lavender, a specifically calming kind of purple, was named as the answer to the same question by WGSN. Warm Yellow, Cinnamon, and Wenge have also been found in various tops created by fashion experts. However, apart from warm and juicy colors, Vining Ivy, a teal shade, and Starry Night Blue, bold blue, can also be found among various color top winners.

Considering this, you can choose a vape pen of any of the beforementioned colors without hesitation on the condition it fits the rest of your outfit. Another good idea is to buy a few vape pen covers and use them when needed.

An always fashion: a good idea?

So-called classic things are never out of fashion. They are usually elegant but with no exaggeration in details. However, some people prefer their accessories to tell the story. Therefore, there could be a vape pen designed after the works of a specific artist or designed to support the solution of some social issue. Suppose you have such an electronic device, which is the best vape pen because it represents your story or values. In that case, there is no need to change it for a “storyless” device with the same functions but fitting contemporary fashion. The Fluidness of fashion will break your heart if you take it too seriously.

Vape pens in the context of fashion

First of all, electronic cigarettes are devices, namely electronic devices. This means that the most important feature of e-cigarettes is their function, not their aesthetic appearance.

To better understand this, let’s take smartphones as an example. If a smartphone model becomes popular, it is most likely due to a set of certain technological characteristics rather than the shape, size, or design of the device itself.

However, we must not forget that we all like to change phone cases occasionally. Some people have whole sets of these covers, and these people change them depending on what is happening in society. For example, for Christmas, they choose a cover with Santa Claus, and if there are protests in their country, then – ones with the symbols of these protests. During long-term social actions (for example, Movember, LGBT Pride Month, etc.), they also choose corresponding ones. There is also a tendency for certain people to choose a certain color of smartphone case, etc.

However, the functions of the selected device always remain a priority. The same works for electronic cigarettes. Therefore, manufacturers should care not only about the design and fashion trends but also about the technical quality of the product.

When choosing a vape pen, make sure that your purchase is reasonable. Firstly, you should understand why you need to buy a new device. It may be because your present device broke down or it does not fit your current needs, and you spend more time and energy than you get the benefits of vaping. Secondly, consult an expert, so you do not buy a lemon. This will both save you money and discourage manufacturers from producing products of low quality in the future. This attitude might indirectly improve the environmental situation, which is also high fashion today.

Scholastic Understanding of Transgression -Insights from Living and Late Philosophers

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Crown of thorns and nails engraved on stone

Transgression is defined using sociological, philosophical, and media perspectives, according to Nagle (2017), Gournelos & Gunkel (2011), and Hermes & Hill (2021). Nagle (2017) traces the concept’s history and situates it within Western social liberalism, allowing art critics to form and express views that, consciously or unconsciously, cross social and political boundaries. Gournelos and Gunkel (2011) extensively cited Jenk’s definition of transgression, which states that transgression is defined as “going beyond the bounds or limits set by a commandment, law, or convention, it is to violate or infringe…” This is consistent with Nagle’s (2017) historicization of the concept previously captured.

Before transgressing, people, in my opinion, must first recognize that certain social and political actions do not bode well for them. This position is becoming more apparent as new technologies help people and organizations create, distribute, and circulate messages that resonate with their ideologies and what they want the public to accept (Gournelos & Gunkel, 2011). Through a collection of academic articles for a journal’s special issue, Hermes & Hill (2021) explore transgression as a crucial concept for comprehending contemporary media engagement and experiences.

The scholars specifically used six cases to establish the place and roles of transgressions in today’s contemporary world of navigating and discussing various issues on the physical and virtual sphere with the intention of breaking social and legal boundaries perceived as incompatible with individual and collective freedom. Jenk’s (2013) definition of transgression, which reads: “a social process and a means of transcending boundaries or overstepping limits,”(p.4) is used by Hermes & Hill (2021) to support their argument.

Hermes & Hill (2021) take a philosophical approach to the idea in order to better understand it, making specific allusions to Nietzsche, Freud, and Georges Bataille. The philosophers cited emphasize transgression as being opposed to moralism, against civilization, and as favoring self-determination over obedience. These explanations are closely related to the earlier definitions of the concept. They support the idea that transgression should always be understood as an idea that seeks to incite liberation and rebellion through carefully crafted and disseminated messages or materials using any form of media as well as psychical settings (Nagle, 2017; Hermes & Hill, 2021).

According to Hermes & Hill (2021), transgression can have both symbolic and material forms with varying connotations. For instance, transgression may manifest as nonviolence, invasion of privacy, and physical and sexual violence. When these take place, symbolic transgression will be given various interpretations (Hermes & Hill, 2021). For example, transgressions motivated by physical violence would be seen as a lack of respect for established social or political boundaries by those in positions of authority or by groups of people. A typical example is Nagle’s (2017) citation of Siouxse Sioux, who was assaulted for wearing a swastika armband. “Her intention was certainly to shock and offend, but few would argue that it was an earnest declaration of allegiance to Nazism,” (p.30).

Tactics of transgressing 

What are the methods of transgression if these are the ways to comprehend the concept? Hermes & Hill (2021) provide some transgressors’ tactics by citing some scholar (Mikhail Bakhtin, Gramsci and Foucault). As fundamental tactics, carnival satire, cultural hegemony, and power as a product are offered. Mikhail Bakhtin is known for his carnival satire, in which transgressors use mockery to break down barriers and topple hierarchical authority. Hermes & Hill (2021) highlight how certain groups (transgressors) could exert dominance through cultural differences from Gramsci’s perspective on cultural hegemony.

Herms and Hill (2021) believe that transgression can occur from both people in positions of authority and those who do not hold any position, based on Foucault’s concept of power as both productive and repressive. This is consistent with Gournelos and Gunkel’s (2011) submission on the definition of transgression 2.0, which asserts that new technologies have profoundly redefined transgressive cultural practices through institutionalized surveillance, censorship, monopolistic consolidation, and discourse foreclosure.

Note to reference: A search using the scholars’ names will turn up the cited publications. Due to the need to conserve space, they are therefore not included here.

Messi is now part of the Crypto community – Apecoin (APE) and Shiba Inu (SHIB) prove hype isn’t enough for investors – Orbeon Protocol (ORBN) shows real utility

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TEHRAN, IRAN - JULY 19: (RUSSIA OUT) Russian President Vladimir Putin leaves his presidential plane during the welcoming ceremony at the airport, on July 19, 2022 in Tehran Iran. Russian President Putin and his Turkish counterpart Erdogan arrived in Iran for the summit. (Photo by Contributor/Getty Images)

Apecoin and Shiba Inu are some of crypto’s most popular meme coins, only surpassed by Dogecoin. Utility is key in crypto, and both memecoins are doing their best to add in new features and reasons beyond hype to hold their tokens. However, despite the popularity of Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs and ApeCoin’s DAO, and the Shiba token and ecosystem, prices are stagnant. In contrast, Orbeon Protocol’s business model offers investors the chance to get in on early stage crypto projects using NFTs, and has recently sold out of its stage 1 presale with a 260% price increase.

>>BUY ORBEON TOKENS HERE<<

Orbeon Protocol’s F-NFTs real world utility impresses investors

In the world of NFTs where PFPs currently remain the primary usage, Orbeon Protocol is bringing new utility, via the use of F-NFTs (fractionalised NFTs). Orbeon Protocol, a decentralized investment platform currently in presale, plans to use F-NFTs to represent funding in early stage web2 and web3 businesses. Retail investors will then be able to buy a stake in the companies, using a fractionalised NFT from as low as $1.

Orbeon Protocol is leveraging the use of smart contracts within its NFTs to provide greater safety to their community, by implementing a ‘Fill or Kill’ mechanism.  This means that if a project or business fails to raise their total funding goal, the NFT holders will be automatically refunded.

Unlike Apecoin and Shiba Inu, whose prices have yet to make significant gains from their summer lows, Orbeon Protocol’s token ORBN is up by 260% in November, with predictions by analysts suggesting that the token could rise by a staggering 6000% once the token leaves the presale phase.

>>BUY ORBEON TOKENS HERE<<

ApecoinDAO releases an NFT marketplace, but fails to make progress with the token price

ApeCoin was airdropped to holders of BAYC and Mutant BAYC NFT holders.  At its peak, in April 22, Apecoin was worth $26, meaning that holders of the NFTs could have exchanged their tokens for approximately $300,000. Subsequently though, the price dropped due to lack of utility and is now trading at around $3.40.

In an effort to gain utility, Apecoin founded a DAO, and on 24th November released its non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace, where people can trade NFTs from Yuga labs collection with lower fees than marketplaces such as OpenSea and Rarible.

Whilst Apecoin fails to make significant gains, and NFT trading has slowed considerably, BAYC still holds value with a Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT selling for $927,000 worth of ETH last week.

Shiba Inu begins to add more utility to their token, resulting in small gains; more needed

Shiba Inu is the second most popular memecoin after dogecoin, and whilst Shiba Inu do not have the backing of industry leader Elon Musk, they have been busy building their ecosystem and trying to add utility to their token, offering staking of SHIB, LEASH and BONE. There is also a Shiba Inu game in the works.

Shiba Inu is now completely decentralised, and like Apecoin, is governed in part via a DAO. In a surprise move, according to a tweet by Kusama on the 22nd November, the WEF (World Economic Forum) would like to partner with Shiba Inu, to help shape global metaverse policy. A poll on twitter showed that SHIB fans support this.

Shiba Inu is also partnering with Amazon via their SHIBsuperstore, promising that a percentage of the affiliate profits will be burned, in order to boost price levels of SHIB.

Whilst its physically impossible for Shiba Inu to reach $1, as many of their community wish for (since this would require more money than exists in the world!) it’s clear that Shiba Inu and its army have realised that unless they focus on adding utility to their token, the memecoin is not going to prosper.

 

Find Out More About The Orbeon Protocol Presale

Website: https://orbeonprotocol.com/

Presale: https://presale.orbeonprotocol.com/register

Telegram: https://t.me/OrbeonProtocol