The Blue Planet

The Blue Planet is northern Europe’s largest and most modern aquarium, with a spiral design which is unique in the world. The Blue Planet is home to 450 different species and 20,000 fish and other aquatic animals, which include sharks, sea lions, dwarf crocodiles, moray eels and barracudas.

The facade is covered with small diamond-shaped aluminium plates, known as shingles, which adapt to the building’s organic form. The Blue Planet is the latest version of Denmark’s National Aquarium in Copenhagen, which dates back to 1939.

As the largest aquarium in northern Europe, it is expected to attract 700,000 visitors a year, which will make it one of Denmark’s five most popular attractions. The Blue Planet celebrates the Earth’s aquatic biodiversity and is home to 20,000 fish and aquatic animals representing 450 different species –150 more than in the old aquarium.

The Blue Planet is situated on the island of Amager, close to Copenhagen Airport. When viewed from a plane the whirlpool shape is clearly seen. Viewed from ground level, the building appears to float in a circular reflection pool.  A walk through its interior is a journey through several organic worlds.

In designing The Blue Planet, the architect team was indeed inspired by nature, says principal of 3XN, Kim Herforth Nielsen. “We wanted to stage a totality of the experience one has visiting an aquarium. The starting point was this magnificent experience of fish in their natural element. We wanted to create that adventurous feeling, and we took inspiration from the natural phenomenon of the whirlpool drawing you into the deep. A sculpture on the coast, it unites the natural elements of water, air and earth.”

With a floor space of 9,000 square metres and technical systems running round the clock, the Blue Planet will not be a beacon of sustainability. Nevertheless the engineers have devised solutions to substantially cut energy consumption, for instance by using seawater in the cooling process, which is estimated to reduce energy consumption for cooling by 80%. The saltwater tanks also get their water from the sea while the freshwater tanks are supplemented by rainwater capture. In addition, the building is insulated to a high international standard and fitted with low-energy glazing.

The Blue Planet is devoted to nature conservation as well as raising awareness on water issues. The aquarium partners with researchers for scientific collaboration and work to reduce over-fishing and pollution, and to preserve endangered species.

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Europe Demands Apple To Pay $14 Billion

This ruling handed down after a 2-year investigation would rebuff the efforts of the United States to persuade the EC to drop its interest amid warnings about retaliation from Washington. Europe has been looking into the company’s tax deals with Ireland, according to which Apple paid very little tax on income earned in EU.

The European Commission launched a formal inquiry 2 years ago after publishing preliminary findings that suggested involvement of state aid in deals between Apple and Ireland in 1991 and 2007, which was incompatible with the EU’s internal market. However, the alleged parties to the deal have denied its very existence with Apple calling the investigation “political crap” and promising to appeal against a ruling that the company received state aid.

The financial experts estimated that if the European Union requires Apple to retroactively pay the Irish corporate tax rate of 12.5% on the pre-tax profits it collected via the country, it would amount to about $19bn. At the same time, Irish sources expect the bill to be much smaller, just in the hundreds of millions.

Three years ago, a US Senate investigation found that the tech giant paid little or no tax on profits of at least $74bn over 4 years, exploiting the gaps in the Irish and American tax code. However, the investigation found no evidence of illegal activity at the time, while both Apple and Ireland denied any wrongdoing.

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New Microsoft Lumia Smartphones

Microsoft has leapt on the bling bandwagon with the launch of a gold edition of its flagship Lumia 930 smartphone, as well as its recently-unveiled Lumia 830. Announced back in April, the Lumia 930 was one of the first devices announced specifically for Windows Phone 8.1, and already shipped in a number of bright colors, including green, orange, and white.

The phones aren’t entirely caked in gold, however. They will come in black or whte variants, with a gold finishing touch. The Lumia 830 incarnation will be available from next month in Europe, Asia Pacific, China, India, and across select markets in the Middle East and Africa. The price will vary across the boad,

The Lumia 830 Gold is expected to be available in black and white in February. This smartphone can be purchased in select countries in Europe, Asia Pacific and China, and India, the Middle East and Africa. The price will vary by region and network, though for guidance the existing device costs around $430 SIM-free.

Bon Jovi or Guns-N-Roses?

The wild hair and crazy lifestyle was a thing that stuck with all Rock bands from back then. Bands like Bon Jovi and Guns-N-Roses  could never catch a break with critics and music fans.

The '80s were above all a time of international corporation, as one major after another gave it up to media moguls in Europe and Japan. Bands such as AC/DC, Queen, Def Leppard, Kiss, Mötley Crüe, Bon Jovi, Quiet Riot, Scorpions, Europe, Ratt, Twisted Sister, Poison, Dokken, Whitesnake, and Cinderella were among the most popular acts of the decade.

Right now, the Wrap-Up Magazine wants you to choose from Bon Jovi or Guns-N-Roses and the top favorite band. Either the band touched you with there music or lifestyle, which of the two would you choose?

Comment your answer below! Be sure to share with your friends and check out other articles below!

What Song From Bon Jovi Touch Your Heart The Most?

What's Your Favorite Guns N Roses Track?

Slick Rick Headed Back On Tour

The legendary Grammy-nominated, hip-hop icon Slick Rick is touring Australia next month for the very first time playing all major capital cities, supported by a select group of talented locals including Def Wish Cast, DJ J-Red, DJ Peril, Alerts and Gaz Hazard. 

A Place For Pedestrians

Chongqing is one of China’s biggest and fastest growing cities with a population of around 11 million people. In recent years, pedestrianised streets have been turned into motorways in the Chinese metropolis Chongqing. Now the city council is returning the streets to pedestrians and cyclists, and has teamed up with a Danish urban planner.

Chongqing has developed in the same way as hundreds of other Chinese metropolises: skyscrapers shoot up everywhere, while old buildings are demolished. Cars have taken over with multi-lane motorways, while pedestrians and cyclists have been displaced.

But now the citizens of Chongqing are about to reclaim their streets. Chongqing city council has teamed up with the Danish urban research and design consulting firm Gehl Architects, which pecialises in pedestrianised streets and pedestrian-friendly urban spaces.

The objective is to create an interconnected pedestrian network through central Chongqing, which like Manhattan in New York, consists of a peninsula between two rivers. This can be achieved by making urban routes recognisable and easy to navigate, for example by using uniform paving, good lighting and signposting, and setting up benches and similar urban furniture.

Denmark has long had a liking for pedestrian-friendly city spaces. 50 years ago, one of the world’s first carfree pedestrianised streets, Strøget, was established in the capital city Copenhagen. At 1.1 kilometres in length, it remains one of Europe’s longest pedestrianised streets.

The same backlash against the domination of the car is being seen in China. Urban planners, mayors and citizens are all insisting on better conditions for pedestrians in cities. Kristian Villadsen comments that the same themes which have developed in the West are also emerging in China today, i.e. to create attractive, vibrant, safe, sustainable and healthy cities:

“In China, people are very good at using public transport, but if public transport is seen only as a means of transporting the greatest possible number of people from A to B and it is forgotten that people don’t live at the station but also have to get there, it won’t function. Public transport then becomes solely for those who don’t have a car”.

Bandidos vs Hells Angels

The Bandidos Motorcycle Club has started a probationary chapter in the city of Sittard in the Netherlands. In the country where once the Hells Angels reigned supreme things have gotten pretty crowded in the past few years. The presence of the Bandidos is especially worrisome to police, though, as the two clubs have a bitter and violent rivalry in other parts of the world.

Ben Affleck Moves Out of Shared Mansion with Jennifer Lopez

 

Ben Affleck moved his belongings out of his shared mansion with Jennifer Lopez when she was away in Europe. 

“Ben continues to live at the Brentwood rental. He’s been there for about two months now,” another source says. “He seems okay. He’s been at his office every day and seems focused on work. He’s also spending time with his kids.”

Kendrick Lamar Tours Top All Time High

 

Kendrick Lamar now holds the distinct honor of the highest-grossing rap tour of all-time. Lamar has taken the top spot with his run of The Big Steppers tour, which supported his Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers album. Baby Keem and Tanna Leone supported the run of shows.

#Stream Noveliss - "Metal Face Hokage" EP @TheNoveliss

Detroit's own Noveliss, member of Clear Soul Forces, drops his latest solo offering "Metal Face Hokage".

The EP is the spiritual successor to "Mic Swords", his 2016 debut release and the follow-up to 2018's "Cerebral Apex".

The project consists of 7 tracks, featuring a bonus remix version of the song "Vultures". The first single and video "Traveling Man" is a record about his time on tour in Europe and across the US; constantly losing track of time, switching between time zones and missing calls from his fiancé.

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Apple Buys Musicmetric

Apple has acquired a London music startup. The tech giant has bought the company behind music analytics service Musicmetric, Musically reports. 

Musicmetric owner Semetric changed its registered address to 100 New Bridge Street in London, home of Apple Europe Ltd. On the same day, it also filed documents to detail the appointment of a new director. He’s called Gene Daniel Levoff and up until now has been based at Apple’s global HQ.

Apple told Musically that it “buys smaller technology companies from time to time,” adding that it doesn’t “generally discuss our purpose or plan”. Semetric also declined to comment.

It’s speculated that Apple’s latest purchase could pave the way for the company to expand its music services. Apple wants to better tune its music arms: iTunes will likely be overhauled. But it’s Beats Music that stands to benefit most. Apple is going to relaunch the platform this year and there’s talk it could come pre-installed on iPhones and iPads.

Musicmetric launched in 2008 and allows music industry clients to track social and sales analytics through a dashboard, Musically writes — it also offers data streaming. In Jan. 2013 it received $4.8 million in funding.

Musicmetric says it’s about “turning big data into big opportunities”, and continues: “Whether you’re planning your first album launch or a global tour, on the lookout for new talent or after some killer intelligence to help pick your next brand ambassador, the Musicmetric dashboard will quickly and simply tell you all you need to know.”

How Apple chooses to use and develop Musicmetric remains to be seen, but one certainty is the implications the acquisition has for other streaming companies such as Spotify and Next Big Sound.

Here’s what Musically says:

Spotify has a partnership with Musicmetric to pipe in streaming data for labels to access via the latter’s dashboard.

Just as rival streaming services ended their partnerships with music/tech firm The Echo Nest firm when Spotify bought it last year, so Spotify is unlikely to be too keen on providing a firehose of its data to an Apple subsidiary.

Yamin Semali - Missing Me

East Point, GA rapper/producer Yamin Semali presents the Will Feagins Jr.-directed music video for "Missing Me", the new single from The HotEP, his EP produced by Virginia beatsmith Dublohskytzo. Fresh off a Europe tour with Cunninglynguists, Yamin's last release was The $aturday/$unday Remixes, a project in which he remixes over his own productions the Monday/Friday album he released in 2015 with fellow Atlanta producer Illastrate are (Monday/Friday on Bandcamp).

Kanye West Discusses His Love Of Florence, Italy

+Kanye West has just discussed why he love Florence, Italy so much. Kanye spoke to a local Florence, Italy newspaper, and Us Weekly is breaking down his interview in which he espouses his love for all things Firenze. The tiny rapper revealed.

Kanye told the paper, "I think that our daughter North was conceived here among the Renaissance masterpieces," adding, "It was our first honeymoon. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world—for me the most beautiful in Europe.”

Yeezy also gushed about how much he loves his family while reminding us about the most ridiculous floral arrangement in recent history. He shared, "[I'm] very happy. I am a romantic: for Mother’s Day I gave Kim a wall of flowers. Family is everything for me, the antidote to the pressure of fame. Family and creativity relax me. I am happy to create for my family.”

Kanye has been in the gorgeous city studying under fashion designer Ermanno Scervino. A lover of bad taste design, Kanye cited Kimmie as his muse, saying, "I consult her on elegance and what I wear, and she does the same for me. Today as a musician I like to dress in a less showy way than in the past.” So less crystals on his masks?

#SouthAfrican #artist Rking has #newmusic for all #hiphopfans @rking_za

 

Rking all the way from South Africa Aka RkInG. He was globally recognized by my trapsoul track ANGEL which stands on 9 Thousand streams/plays. He recently just dropped a music package with three songs. 

In his own words:

People all over the world well they are not so many but i am assured that if I drop I will get streams in Europe, America and few countries in Asia which is worth a step, they like track number three which is 1214FREESTYL3 well of course I don't know why but on that track i was saying something our new generation does not regularly says or speaks.

Germany Wins World Cup

Germany became World Cup champion for the fourth time on Sunday night, and the first European team in history to clinch soccer’s greatest prize on South American soil. It did so courtesy of a winner deep into extra time from substitute Mario Gotze, who displayed a brilliant piece of skill to decide a contest of outstanding quality. Gotze took a pass from the left from Andre Schurrle in the 113th minute of action, trapped it on his chest and swiveled it past Sergio Romero and into the Argentinanet. The goal proved to be enough to give Germany a 1-0 victory.

For the second World Cup in a row scores were level after 90 minutes, but unlike when Spain beat the Netherlands four years ago this was no snoozefest. It was tense and cagey and royally entertaining. And it was sealed by a 22-year-old who had come on as substitute for Miroslav Klose with just two minutes of regulation time remaining. Gotze’s strike was the first time Argentina had trailed in the entire tournament and sent his nation into delirium, securing its first world title since 1990.

For Argentina it was agony. Lionel Messi and his team came so close but it wasn’t enough. In the end, the Germans were too strong, too clinical, and in every way the best all-round collection of players at this event. Argentina had the best early chance, the kind that leaves forwards holding their head if they miss them. This time the unfortunate man was Gonzalo Higuain, who was sent through by an ill-conceived backward header from Germany’s Toni Kroos. But Higuain scuffed his shot completely with only Manuel Neuer to beat.

Germany’s possession game was slick and sharp but missing a little extra ingredient. Sami Khedira had been ruled out through a late injury, then his replacement Christoph Kramer went down with a sickening head clash midway through the first half, bringing Schurrle into the fray. The Germans should have gone ahead on the stroke of halftime, with Benedikt Howedes surging forward to aim a powerful header at goal, only for his effort to crash against the post with Romero beaten.

While Messi toiled and teased in the second half it was Germany that was taking control and Toni Kroos, one of the players of the tournament, marked an uncharacteristically sloppy display with a tame shot with nine minutes of normal time to go. The pace did not slacken, not a bit. It was relentless; Sergio Aguero broke clear at the other end and foolishly tried to shoot from an angle instead of cutting back, while substitute Rodrigo Palacio, on for Higuain, went clear minutes later but skewed his attempted lob over Neuer but wide of net.

Penalties had been used as a decisive factor in the World Cup final just twice before – when Brazil beat Italy at the Rose Bowl in 1994 and when Italy defeated France following Zinedine Zidane’s infamous headbutt in 2006. Just when potential takers were being discussed around the iconic Maracana Stadium it was time for Gotze, one of Europe’s most heralded youngsters, to step up. He stepped quickly to move clear of the defense, with balance to steady himself – and forwards, into history.

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Jay Z Splits From Longtime Business Partner

Jay Z has ended his partnership with John Meneilly, a man he once called his ‘consigliere.’

On to the next one. Jay Z and Solange Knowles may have (publicly at least) squashed whatever beef led to their now-infamous elevator brawl, but Hova and his longtime business manager are over.

Music industry insiders exclusively tell Confidenti@l that Jay Z has cut ties with John Meneilly, who helped build the “Empire State” rapper’s empire. Music industry insiders tell Confidenti@l that news of Meneilly’s departure started making the rounds shortly before Memorial Day weekend.

The former Provident Financial executive is largely credited with navigating the rise of the Rocawear clothing line, which Jay Z sold off for $200 million in 2007 while maintaining marketing and licensing rights. Meneilly is also credited as one of the architects behind Jay Z’s huge deal with Samsung last year, which instantly moved a million copies of the rapper’s “Magna Carta Holy Grail.” Meneilly was also a chief player at Roc Nation, which has grown from a record label to a talent management group that reps Yankee CC Sabathia and former Bronx Bomber Robinson Cano.

The “99 Problems” rapper is having a rough couple of weeks for sure. In addition to a surveillance video that went public of his sister-in-law pummeling him after the Met Ball gala in mid-May, photos of Jay and Bey sufaced in the Hamptons last weekend while his “Watch the Throne” collaborator Kanye West was marrying Kim Kardashian in Europe. Jay Z is also being sued for $7 million by an artist who says the rapper ripped off his Roc-A-Fella records logo design in 1995. Jay Z’s legal team is trying to postpone that case while Mr. and Mrs. Carter are on tour this summer.

Top 5 Trick Daddy Videos

+Trick Daddy is still one of the hottest producers behind the curtains. Maurice Young, better known by his stage name Trick Daddy, is an American rapper, actor, and producer from Miami's Liberty City. The Wrap-Up Magazine has just released the top 5 videos of +Trick Daddy.

This is one of Trci Daddy hottest videos, so that why its posted first. I'm a Thug is the second track from Thugs Are Us album by Miami rapper Trick Daddy.

Trick Daddy featuring Trina "You Don't Know Nann" was a crazy hit. This track went off the charts with Trina featuring in it.

Thug Holiday is the fifth studio album by rapper Trick Daddy, released on August 6, 2002, on Slip-N-Slide Records. Even after releasing more than an album each year since 1997, Trick Daddy kept up the quality control with 2002's Thug Holiday.

This track help to make Trick Daddy the ghetto public figure for the streets. He did this one for the struggle.

Atlantic Records signed Trick Daddy to the label in 2000 and released Book of Thugs: Chapter AK Verse 47 that year. This is "Trick Daddy - Shut Up (feat. Duece Poppito of 24 Karatz, Trina & Co of Tre +6)".

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Kim Kardashian Hot Photos

+Kim Kardashian showed some serious skin as she attended the the "Mademoiselle C" premiere in Paris, France, on Tuesday in an eye popping dress. The reality star showed off some major cleavage as she posed with her pal, Givenchy creative director Riccardo Tisci.

Kardashian and her baby daddy Kanye West are in Europe without their daughter North. The "Keeping up with the Kardashians" star posted some photos on Instagram of the loot she received from several designer friends. Thanks +Kim Kardashian and +Kanye West 

Cocaine And Money

Cocaine comes from a natural plant grown deep in the jungles of South America. To bear fruit, farmers plant the plant that make cocaine; then the plant is picked and processed for distribution. The shimmering white colored powder cross over transnational borders and eventually find its way around the world where hordes of users sniffed it up into someone's sniffing nose or shot into a user's veins. Cocaine can either make you poor and weak, make you do the unimaginable, make you wealthy--or it can even take your mind on weird trips. As Rock Star singer Rick James once said, "Cocaine is one helluva drug."

But it is no secret that selling cocaine on a grand scale can bring filthy riches to a player in the dope game. Cocaine prices vary but profits are enormous for a heavy hitter depending where the dope is sold. Narcotic analysts explains that illegal drugs like and cocaine and heroin cost much less where it is produced. Worldwide, prices can range from $2 a gram in Panama to over $300 per gram in New Zealand.

According to U.S. law enforcement, Colombian national police, and Foreign narcotic experts, a wholesaler can buy a kilo of cocaine straight from the jungle in Colombia for approximately $2200.00. At Colombian ports, wholesale prices for a kilo of cocaine average between $5,500.oo, and $7,000.00. DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) officials has reported over the years that cocaine prices increased exponentially once it leaves production and transferred to markets in the United States and foreign markets. Actually, as the report points out, the farther away, and the more isolated the drugs are from different countries the higher the cost for dealers and users.

 For example, Central America cocaine cost $10,000.00 per kilogram, and in Southern Mexico that same kilo sells for $12,000,00, unless a broker make an agreement to reduce the price based on multiple kilos of cocaine. Notice the much higher price between Central America and Mexico. After cocaine is transported into Mexico City area, a kilo is worth approximately $16,000.00 near the border town of Northern Mexico. Depending on the location in the U.S., wholesale on the streets average between $24,000.00, and $27,000.00.

Coca (a substance made from leaves that actually make cocaine) is one of the oldest, potent, most dangerous stimulants of natural origins. Australian world renowned psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud who once used cocaine himself became the first to publicly promote cocaine as a tonic to cure depression and sexual impotence.

Around 1886, the popularity of the drug got a higher boost when maverick John Pemberton mixed coca leaves as an ingredient in his new soft drink now known today as "Coca Cola". Effects from consumers sipping coke only skyrocketed Coca-Cola popularity during the 1900s.

Back during the 1600s, people chewed coca like tobacco. In the 1800s, cocaine earned the distinction as a popular mind altering substance to get high on among the upper-class people in Europe. If history correct, Pope Leo XIII gave papal endorsement to a coca-treated Bordeaux wine. During 1850s' an Italian neurologist named Paolo Manteganza, became so addicted to gnawing on coca leaves until he wrote excitedly about the effects.

Is Melania Trump An Illegal Immigrant?

When GOP nominee Trump announced his candidacy for president in June 2015, one major aspect of his platform was his strict stance on immigration. "When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best," Trump infamously said in his announcement speech, ultimately calling immigrants "rapists." His plan to build a wall has been one of the most controversial.

Donald Trump's wife Melania has found herself in hot water again.  Parts of her speech were stolen from Michelle Obama, she reportedly lied about graduating from college, her nude photos made the front page of the NY Post, and now she's rumored to be an illegal immigrant.

According to a deep-dive from Politico featuring input from "immigration experts," the narrative presented by the Trumps has some noticeable gaps. Comments from Melania herself suggest that, despite repeated insistences claiming otherwise, she may have been in the country on a short-term visa when shooting those infamous photos:

The initial confusion appears to stem from a Harper's Bazaar article published in January, in which Melania Trump said staying in the U.S. "without papers" never crossed her mind. "You follow the rules," she said at the time. "You follow the law. Every few months you need to fly back to Europe and stamp your visa. After a few visas, I applied for a green card and got it in 2001." As noted in Politico's investigation, returning to Slovenia to "stamp" her visa would have only been required if using a temporary business or tourist visa.

"If Melania was traveling to the U.S. on a B-1 business visa, there is a potential problem," a representative from a "major national immigration law firm," told Politico. "She would not have been authorized to work in the U.S. while on a B-1 visa. In fact, if a customs agent encounters someone entering the U.S. on a B-1 visa and they know that the individual intends to work for a U.S. employer, the individual will usually be denied admission." In order to avoid being sent home, the representative said, Melania "may" have had to lie about the intentions of her trip.