Benton County News Now

CALIFORNIA, NEW JERSEY AND ILLINOIS AGAIN DOMINATE LIST OF VULNERABLE HOUSING MARKETS – PR Newswire https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/california-new-jersey-and-illinois-again-dominate-list-of-vulnerable-housing-markets-pr-newswire/ Chicago and New York City Areas Remain Most Exposed to Potential Downturns in Second Quarter of 2022; Other More-At-Risk Markets Scattered Around Nation; South Region Continues to be Less Vulnerable , /PRNewswire/ — ATTOM, a leading curator of real estate data nationwide for land and property data, today released a Special Housing Risk Report spotlighting county-level housing markets around the United States that are more or less vulnerable to declines, based on home affordability, unemployment and other measures in the second quarter of 2022. The report shows that New Jersey, Illinois and inland California continued to have the highest concentrations of the most-at-risk markets in the second quarter – with the biggest clusters in the New York City and Chicago areas. Southern and midwestern states remained less exposed. The second-quarter patterns – based on gaps in home affordability, underwater mortgages, foreclosures and unemployment – revealed that New Jersey, Illinois and California had 33 of the 50 counties most vulnerable to potential declines. The 50 most at-risk included nine in and around New York City, six in the Chicago metropolitan area, and 13 spread through northern, central and southern California. The rest of the top 50 counties were scattered across the U.S., including three in the Philadelphia, PA, metro area. At the other end of the risk spectrum, the South and Midwest had the highest concentration of markets considered least vulnerable to falling housing markets. “The Federal Reserve has promised to be as aggressive as it needs to be in order to get inflation under control, even if its actions lead to a recession,” said Rick Sharga, executive vice president of market intelligence at ATTOM. “Given how little progress has been made reducing inflation so far, the Fed’s actions seem more and more likely to drive the economy into a recession, and some housing markets are going to be more vulnerable than others if that happens.” Counties were considered more or less at risk based on the percentage of homes facing possible foreclosure, the portion with mortgage balances that exceeded estimated property values, the percentage of average local wages required to pay for major home ownership expenses on median-priced single-family homes, and local unemployment rates. The conclusions were drawn from an analysis of the most recent home affordability, equity and foreclosure reports prepared by ATTOM. Unemployment rates came from federal government data. Rankings were based on a combination of those four categories in 575 counties around the United States with sufficient data to analyze in the second quarter of 2022. Counties were ranked in each category, from lowest to highest, with the overall conclusion based on a combination of the four ranks. See below for the full methodology. The ongoing wide disparities in risks throughout the country comes during a time when the U.S. housing market faces headwinds that threaten to slow down or end an 11-year surge in home prices. Sales of both existing and new homes have declined as mortgage rates have almost doubled to 6 percent over the past year, and inflation remains near a 40-year high. However the most recent risk gaps do not suggest an imminent fall in housing markets anywhere in the nation. Home prices have risen more than 10 percent in most of the country over the past year, with new highs hit in the vast majority of metropolitan-area markets. That has kept homeowner equity and home-seller profits rising. Those numbers have continued to improve as demand, buoyed by increasing household formation by young adults and rising wages has continued to outpace an historically tight supply of properties for sale. Amid that mixed scenario, home affordability is worsening, lender foreclosures on delinquent mortgages are up and the number of home sales is slowing, with local housing markets heading into that uncertain future facing significant differences in risk measures. Most-vulnerable counties clustered in the Chicago, New York City and Philadelphia areas, along with sections of California Thirty-one of the 50 U.S. counties considered most vulnerable in the second quarter of 2022 to housing market troubles (from among 575 counties with enough data to be included in the report) were in the metropolitan areas around Chicago, IL; New York, NY; and Philadelphia, PA, as well as in California. California markets on the list were mostly inland, away from the coast. The top 50 counties included two in New York City (Kings and Richmond counties, which cover Brooklyn and Staten Island), seven in the New York City suburbs (Bergen, Essex, Ocean, Passaic, Sussex and Union counties in New Jersey and Rockland County in New York) and six in the Chicago metropolitan area (Cook, Kane, Kendall, McHenry and Will counties in Illinois and Lake County, IN). The three in the Philadelphia, PA, metro area that were among the top 50 most at-risk in the second quarter were Philadelphia County, along with Camden and Gloucester counties in New Jersey. Elsewhere, California had 13 counties in the top 50 list: Butte County (Chico), Humboldt County (Eureka), Shasta County (Redding) and Solano County (outside Sacramento) in the northern part of the state; Fresno County, Kings County (outside Fresno), Madera County (outside Fresno), Merced County (outside Modesto), San Joaquin County (Stockton) and Tulare County (outside Fresno) in central California, and Kern County (Bakersfield), Riverside County and San Bernardino County in the southern part of the state. Counties most at-risk continue to have higher levels of unaffordable housing, underwater mortgages, foreclosures and unemployment Major home ownership costs (mortgage payments, property taxes and insurance) on median-priced single-family homes consumed more than one-third of average local wages in 35 of the 50 counties that were most vulnerable to market problems in the second quarter of 2022. The highest percentages in those markets were in Kings County (Brooklyn), NY (102.9 percent of average local wages needed for major ownership costs); Riverside County, CA (67.6 percent); Rockland County, NY (outside New York City) (66.2 percent); Richmond County (Staten Island), NY (61.8 percent) and San Joaquin County (Stockton), CA (58.7 percent). Nationwide, major expenses on typical homes sold in the second quarter required 31.5 percent of average local wages. At least 7 percent of residential mortgages were underwater in the second quarter of 2022 in 23 of the 50 most at-risk counties. Nationwide, 5.9 percent of mortgages fell into that category. Those with the highest underwater rates among the 50 most at-risk counties were Rockland County, NY (outside New York City) (19.2 percent of mortgages were underwater); Lake County, IN (outside Chicago, IL) (18.9 percent); Peoria County, IL (17.6 percent); Philadelphia County, PA (16.1 percent) and Saint Clair County, IL (outside St. Louis, MO) (16.1 percent). More than one in 1,000 residential properties faced a foreclosure action in the second quarter of 2022 in 40 of the 50 most at-risk counties. Nationwide, one in 1,559 homes were in that position. Foreclosure actions have risen since the expiration last July of a federal moratorium on lenders taking back properties from homeowners who fell behind on their mortgages during the early part of the Coronavirus pandemic that hit in 2020. They are expected to continue increasing over the coming year. The highest rates in the top 50 counties were in Cuyahoga County (Cleveland), OH (one in 365 residential properties facing possible foreclosure; Cumberland County, NJ (outside Philadelphia, PA) (one in 373); Warren County, NJ (outside Allentown, PA) (one in 455); Camden County, NJ (outside Philadelphia, PA) (one in 462) and Saint Clair County, IL (outside St. Louis, MO) (one in 470). The June 2022 unemployment rate was at least 7 percent in 35 of the 50 most at-risk counties, while the nationwide figure stood at 3.5 percent. The highest levels among the top 50 counties were in Tulare County, CA (outside Fresno) (11.7 percent); Merced County, CA (outside Modesto) (11.5 percent); Kern County (Bakersfield), CA (11.3 percent); Kings County, CA (outside Fresno) (10.9 percent) and Kings County (Brooklyn), NY (10.8 percent). Counties less at-risk concentrated in South and Midwest Twenty-five of the 50 counties least vulnerable to housing-market problems from among the 575 included in the second-quarter report were in the South, while another 14 were in the Midwest. Just five were in the West and six in the Northeast. Tennessee had six of the 50 least at-risk counties, including three in the Nashville metropolitan area (Davidson, Rutherford and Williamson counties), while Wisconsin had five – Brown County (Green Bay), Dane County (Madison), Eau Claire County, La Crosse County and Winnebago County (Oshkosh). Another four were in Arkansas: Benton County (Rogers), Craighead County (Jonesboro), Sebastian County (Fort Smith) and Washington County (Fayetteville). Counties with a population of at least 500,000 that were among the 50 least at-risk included King County (Seattle), WA; Travis County (Austin), TX; Salt Lake County (Salt Lake City), UT; Wake County (Raleigh), NC, and Cobb County (Marietta), GA. Least-vulnerable counties have more-affordable homes along with lower levels of underwater mortgages, foreclosure activity and unemployment Major home ownership costs (mortgage payments, property taxes and insurance) on median-priced single-family homes consumed more than one-third of average local wages in just 24 of the 50 counties that were least vulnerable to market problems in the second quarter of 2022. The lowest perce...

Bring Back Food From Your Travels And Embrace Omiyage – Food & Wine https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/bring-back-food-from-your-travels-and-embrace-omiyage-food-wine/ Two Chicago deep-dish pizzas, carried on my lap back to the East Coast, each equivalent in weight to a small dog. A suitcase stuffed full of Parisian baguettes. Another suitcase from Hong Kong, crammed full of Cup Noodles because the ones in Asia are far superior to what you can find in the States. Duffel bags burdened with frozen Portuguese sausage and bags of poi. These are the true snapshots from my frequent travel routes and the souvenirs that matter the most. It would be as unthinkable for me to visit Kauai and not see my Great Aunt Helen as it would be for me to go and not bring back a few bricks of kulolo, a coconut and taro cake, Grandpa’s favorite. In Hawai’i, the practice of bringing back omiyage (special food products of a region you have visited) is a deeply ingrained tradition that started off Japanese and retained its Japanese name but is now very much Hawaiian, too. It can be as simple as picking up some beautiful mochi at the airport, or it can be an extreme sport. My parents started me young, shuttling omiyage across the globe as we split our time between Hawai’i and Hong Kong. Now in my thirties, I daresay I am an omiyage champion. While some people cram months’ worth of possessions into overhead bins to avoid check-in luggage fees and stuff clothes into neck pillows, I don’t pack light. I have one of those weird hidden talents: the ability to lift a suitcase and tell you exactly how much it weighs. Here are some tips on how to also be an omiyage champion. Pack properly but know that disasters can happen. “I was returning from Poland and brought back two bottles of starter for zurek, a fermented sour rye soup that we float kielbasa, potatoes, and eggs in. I used to make it by first boiling a moldy loaf of rye bread and was excited to find the zurek starter because it cuts out a lot of work,” says flavor scout Kristina Brodie. But one bottle of the starter broke in my suitcase, and I ended up with bubbling clothing. My suitcase was effervescent.” Ivy Lerner-Frank, a Montreal-based former diplomat, is known to schlep her Rancilio espresso machine from posting to posting. “For my first posting in Manila, we had a coffee mishap where the beans got packed in the Bounce sheets,” she says. “They infused the beans with a ‘je ne sais quoi’ which was not fabulous. We still drank the coffee.” Pack tightly. “Growing up, I would travel back to the Philippines every couple of years with my family and pack balikbayan boxes full of American chocolate, cereal, chips, clothes, Spam, and coffee. Last time I brought back coconut candies, ube food items, shrimp paste, dried fish, coffee, household goods, and traditional clothes like barongs,” says chef Tara Monsod of Animae. “Pack everything tight, so items don’t move around. I use t-shirts to wrap food items in glass jars, which makes more room in my suitcase. For perishable items, I pack the food frozen and add a bit of dry ice in a Ziplock to help keep it cold.” Bring an extra bag and fly non-stop. “I’m sure you’ve seen the coverage over the summer about challenges with checked bags in Europe. Thousands upon thousands of bags lost. That said, I bring extra duffel bags to shop,” says Zach Honig, a former travel writer whose job took him on international trips every other week. “I ended up buying some bags at the airport one time I was flying from Cape Town to New York on that non-stop United flight. The non-stop factor is important because I probably wouldn’t have thought to do this otherwise. I had bought four cases of wine since it’s South Africa and the wine is phenomenal. I thought I would be able to just bring the cardboard box of wine and check it, but they said no. I had maybe 10 minutes to figure it out and the pressure was on! All the bottles made it back unbroken.” Weigh your luggage and know the weight limits. “Check your baggage allowance and take full advantage of it,” recommends Honig. “Don’t be afraid to check a bag if you’re coming back with souvenirs and don’t have any valuables in it. Worst case scenario, it’s lost or delayed.” Check your bag for rodents. “I was in Zanzibar on Mnemba Island at the end of a 17-day safari, staying in a thatched hut with lots of ants and mini deer. I had a thinly quilted carry-on bag for essentials – iPad, passport, airplane clothes. Our flight wasn’t until midnight, so we had an entire day to enjoy the island. I packed my bag in the morning, which had granola and coffee beans in it, so I shook everything out onto a towel and whacked the empty bag against a pillar, repacked it and hung it up on a hook while I went to enjoy the beach,” recalls Brodie. “We stopped for dinner in Stone Town, then boarded a 21-hour flight back to Philly. As we were going through security, my son said, ‘Something smells like bad broccoli.’ I agreed but kept moving. Before we took off, I decided to change into my sweat suit. The smell of death met me in the face when I opened my bag. My children and my husband looked at my bag in horror and called over the immaculate Qatar Airways flight crew. ‘Excuse me, I’m a very clean person but something seems to have died in my bag,’ I tell them. We had to act quickly before the flight took off, dumping out the contents. The side of the bag was chewed up and shredded. I felt along the bottom of the bag and there was an orange-sized animal, likely a hyrax. I had flashbacks of smacking the bag against the pillar. I felt really bad.” Bring all the snacks. Seth Cohen works for a global firm, traveling frequently to Israel to fix technical problems and to bring me back new and exciting flavors of Bamba and buffalo grass vodka for my husband. I am not alone in my Bamba fanaticism. “It sounds silly, but a lot of people want junk food from other countries. My friends in Israel always want Cheetos from America because the ones in Israel really suck and Bamba and Bisli are always welcome in the US,” says Cohen. “Yes, I know you can get them in the US, but they’re not the same.” And for the buffalo grass vodka? “I always have a few wine shipping bags with me. You never know when you’ll find a wine or liquid you’ll want to bring back with you,” he says. “And I’ll bring a collapsible soft-sided cooler as my personal carry-on item, keep carabiners on my backpack handle to clip them to and pack resealable plastic bags – a must for spices.” Freeze your poi and know how to explain halvah in Spanish. Cohen knows the power of freezing when it comes to, “bourekas or any fresh pastry, which wouldn’t last long enough to make the trip home as is and require proper planning with insulated bags and freeze packs.” I apply the same concept to bringing poi from Hawai’i back to the mainland. Freezing poi turns it into a solid that will get you through airport security if you’re carrying it on. Be prepared to explain what you’re carrying. “I once carried four kilos of fresh halvah from Israel in my carry-on bag. Fresh halvah from the Middle East has no comparison to anything in the states,” says Cohen. “I had a layover in Spain and as I was going through security, I saw them take my bag for secondary inspection. Apparently fresh halvah looks like some sort of explosive on their scanners.” Know the danger; this may become your life’s work. Chef Melissa Fernando spent many years shuttling “curry powders, cinnamon, spiced nuts, tea, snacks, and chocolates” between Sri Lanka and India. “Back in the day, we traveled with frozen hot dogs and bacon — the Keels brand in Sri Lanka is so good — and fruits like rambutan and mangosteen, not readily available in India. One small suitcase was strictly assigned to carry only rambutan,” recalls Fernando. While there were some heartbreaking incidents (curry powders spilling out of their original packaging, pickles and sambals with oil breaking or spilling out of their bottles) Fernando now hauls her Sri Lankan dishes all over Philadelphia, popping up at restaurants and venues with dazzling frequency. Know you’re relaying comfort to people. “The things that people have brought me recently as omiyage from Hawai’i are not normally things that I buy for myself, but they’re so precious now – crack seed like li hing gummy bears, lemon peel, dried cuttlefish,” says Malia Yoshioka, who is originally from Maui but has been living in Turkey for the last few years. “Pork products are not readily available, and there’s definitely not an entire aisle of it like in Hawai’i, so people often bring me cans of SPAM Lite, which I now cut up into individual portions and freeze.” Yoshioka continues, “I rarely used to buy chocolate covered mac nuts in Hawai’i, but someone recently brought me a box of Hawaiian Host and I wanted to cry biting into the first one. Condiments and spices like Hawaiian salt and chili pepper water are precious for when I’m trying to coax something into tasting like home. But any omiyage that someone brings me brings me a smile each time I taste it, knowing that they made room and hand carried something they chose just for me, to remind me of home – my home, their home, or a temporary holiday ‘home.’ The intention makes it special.” Yoshioka’s closest friends are ones she met through a mutual love of food and she says, “It’s easy to want to share the place that I’ve been with them.” It’s exponentially better than sending a postcard. “Sharing food is the most vivid way to capture a place. It’s saying, I wish you could have been there experiencing this place with me. It’s also an important way to honor the culture of the place by learning about what foods or products are important, especially if I can find small producers or family businesses to support,” says Yoshioka, whom I had originally met over sharing food in Hawai’i. Years ago, she took me around Maui, laying platters of manju and dry mein...

9. North Carolina | Business News | Wfmz.com – 69News WFMZ-TV https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/9-north-carolina-business-news-wfmz-com-69news-wfmz-tv/ If you know of local business openings or closings, please notify us here. PREVIOUS OPENINGS AND CLOSINGS – The Cadillac Pub opens where Klingers used to be at 24 E. Main Street in Fleetwood – II-VI Inc. (pronounced “two-six”) will become Coherent Corp., taking on the name of a company it recently acquired. – ABEC, a company that provides services and products to the pharmaceutical industry, with headquarters in Northampton County, will invest in a new disposable-container facility in North Carolina. – A new Lehigh Valley Martial Arts center will hold a grand opening starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10, with a ribbon-cutting shortly afterward. – Bethlehem Township’s planning commission has approved an Amazon parking lot with 248 spaces at Brodhead and Mowrer roads. – The Bethlehem Zoning Hearing Board rejected variance requests that would have allowed multifamily homes to go up on the Southside properties at 508-512 Selfridge St. – Northampton County Council voted 1-8 against a tax break for development of a proposed warehouse at the Dixie Cup building on South 25 Street in Wilson Borough. – The former Valley Farm Market, now known as Gerrity’s Valley Farm Market, will take on a new name as of Oct. 14: Gerrity’s The Fresh Grocer. – Hamsa Exoticz is already open at the Lehigh Valley Mall, but it will hold a grand opening at 5 p.m. Sept. 16 with the Whitehall Chamber of Commerce. – A new Home Depot will open a 136,048-square-foot building on about 21 acres of vacant land just off Hamilton Boulevard in Lower Macungie Township. – Rocco Ayvazov’s Monocacy General Contracting received approval from the Bethlehem Planning Commission to put up a six-story building with 55 apartments and retail space on the first floor at 128 E. Third St. – The old Allen Organ showroom building on Route 100 in Lower Macungie Township will come down and about 100 total apartment units will go up. – Reading Hospitality’s Catering by DoubleTree will handle food at events at Reading Country Club, after Exeter Township supervisors approved a new agreement. – Natural healing is the goal at Reike Balance, which will open Sept. 9. on Reading Avenue in West Reading. – The Pocono Chamber of Commerce held a grand opening at the Bartonsville branch of Farmhouse Cafe. – The reopening date for the historic Frenchtown Inn building overlooking the Delaware River in New Jersey remains unclear.  – River Paws, a pet-supply store, is across Race Street from the Frenchtown Pharmacy. – The planned reopening date of Aug. 13 for Toby’s Cup was pushed back after ownership said a dispute about the occupancy of a home on the hot dog stand’s property delayed the reopening.

COMMUNITY IN THE KNOW – Florida Weekly https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/community-in-the-know-florida-weekly/ Candlelight recovery vigil to be held on Friday Substance use disorders and overdoses are a critical challenge that Charlotte County must address immediately. To draw attention to the issue, Charlotte Behavioral Health Care will lead a Recovery Vigil to raise awareness for people in need of treatment and recovery support services. Join the event when it kicks off at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, at Laishley Park, 100 Nesbit St., Punta Gorda. There will be a short presentation where community members share their inspiring stories of recovery, along with honor beads, a bubble release, rock painting, a basket raffle and candles for the vigil. There will also be numerous community partner information tables. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. The event will feature several free items, including T-shirts to the first 100 walkers, refreshments and snacks, mental health screenings and Narcan. “This event emphasizes that individuals in recovery and their support systems can be change agents in our community,” said Kelly Pomerville, director of marketing and public relations at CBHC. “Recovery is for everyone – every person, every family, every community.” National Recovery Month highlights individuals who have reclaimed their lives and are living happy and healthy lives in long-term recovery, and also honors the prevention, treatment and recovery service providers who make recovery possible. CBHC’s annual recovery vigil promotes the message that recovery in all its forms is possible, and also encourages residents to take action to help expand and improve the availability of effective prevention, treatment and recovery services for those in need. There are millions of Americans whose lives have been transformed through recovery. These successes often go unnoticed by the broader population; therefore, Recovery Month provides a vehicle to celebrate these accomplishments. “It is important that the momentum we establish at this event is carried over to tomorrow, and the next day, week and year,” said Ms. Pomerville. “We all have the potential to make a difference and be visible, vocal and valuable to help spread the message that recovery is possible.” For more information, contact Ms. Pomerville at 941-639-8300, ext. 2275. Military museum hosts Battle of Britain Celebration The Military Heritage Museum, 900 W. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda, will host an inaugural Battle of Britain Celebration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16. Classic car clubs are invited to participate in this English and German car exposition at the museum. Admission to the museum includes classic car show, aircraft simulators, virtual reality, Battle of Britain movie in the Gulf Theater, lecture on the Battle of Britain, British and German music, and entertainment by the Calendar Girls. Darts and pints (British and German beer) will be available for purchase. For more information, contact Frantz Brutus at fbrutus@militaryheritagemuseum.org, see www.militaryheritagemuseum.org or call 941-575-9002. Elks host biker run for suicide awareness From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, Punta Gorda Elks Lodge 2606 will host the completion of the Biker Life 4th Annual Vegas Dice Run, a suicide awareness charity fundraiser hosted by Biker Life. About 300 riders are expected to participate. The band American Made will perform in concert from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. For more information, see www.puntagordaelks.org. ¦

Pirates Sweep 4-Game Series | News, Sports, Jobs – Altoona Mirror https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/pirates-sweep-4-game-series-news-sports-jobs-altoona-mirror/ The Associated Press CINCINNATI — Rodolfo Castro hit a three-run homer and an RBI single, and the Pittsburgh Pirates completed a four-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds with a 10-4 victory on Wednesday. Rookie Oneil Cruz connected for a two-run drive, helping last-place Pittsburgh to its first four-game win streak since mid-July. Ke’Bryan Hayes had three of the Pirates’ 12 hits. “It’s been a lot of fun,” Castro said through an interpreter. “It’s what we’ve worked for. We’ve been working diligently, and we’re communicating. It’s good to see results.” It was Pittsburgh’s first four-game series sweep in Cincinnati since July 11-14, 1991. “We played really good defense and pitched well,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “I’m proud to say we ran the bases well, like in the late innings today. We pounded the zone. We played a full 36 innings. We played well. Sweeping a doubleheader is hard. Sweeping a series is hard.” Kyle Farmer and Austin Romine homered for the lowly Reds, who have dropped six in a row. Nick Lodolo (4-6) struck out 11 while working 6• innings of three-run ball. Pittsburgh broke it open with four runs in the ninth against Luke Farrell. Michael Chavis had the big blow, a two-run single that made it 9-3. Tyler Beede (2-5) got six outs for the win in relief of Roansy Contreras. Miguel Yajure pitched three innings for his first career save. Cincinnati jumped in front on Spencer Steer’s RBI single in the second, but Pittsburgh went ahead to stay on Castro’s ninth homer in the third. Castro also hit a three-run shot during the Pirates’ 6-3 win in the series opener Monday night. “I’m starting to believe in my work ethic,” Castro said. “I have the mindset of staying positive through the highs and lows.” Hayes made it 4-2 when he singled home Greg Allen in the seventh, and Cruz went deep against Joel Kuhnel in the eighth. Lodolo allowed six hits in his first loss this month. The rookie left-hander was 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA in his previous two starts. He became the first Cincinnati pitcher with back-to-back games with at least 11 strikeouts and no walks. Contreras yielded one run and three hits in four innings in his shortest start since he recorded five outs in a 19-2 loss to Milwaukee on July 1. He threw 55 pitches. “We knew he was only four and 60 today,” Shelton said. “We’re going to monitor him. We want to keep him in the rotation and finish the season.” Health report Pirates: 2B Kevin Newman tumbled over the tarp and into the seats down the first base line in the ninth. He left the game with a cut finger after being checked out by a trainer. He was expected to get an X-ray. Up next Pirates: RHP JT Brubaker (3-11, 4.36 ERA) is scheduled to make his team-leading 27th start of the season tonight at the New York Mets. Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox

Metaverse, VR In Spotlight As Tokyo Game Show Kicks Off – Kyodo News Plus https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/metaverse-vr-in-spotlight-as-tokyo-game-show-kicks-off-kyodo-news-plus/ The Tokyo Game Show started on Thursday, returning to a fully in-person format for the first time since the outbreak of the coronavirus, with metaverse and virtual reality titles and technologies coming under the spotlight. The annual extravaganza for video-game lovers, one of the biggest of its kind in the world, will be held at Chiba’s Makuhari Messe convention center, near Tokyo, through Sunday. The first two days are mainly reserved for media reporters and industry officials, with general visitors allowed in from Friday afternoon. The Tokyo Game Show opens at Chiba’s Makuhari Messe convention center on Sept. 15, 2022. (Kyodo) It was the first time for the show to welcome attendance from the general public after being held largely online for the past two years because of the coronavirus pandemic. The organizer expects to attract 150,000 visitors during the four-day period this year. About 600 companies and organizations from 37 countries, including Japanese giants Capcom Co. and Square Enix Co., have participated in the event. Part of its contents can also be accessed online, according to the organizer, the Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association. Metaverse has become a buzzword in the game industry and beyond as more companies from game developers to banks have started to see a business potential in a virtual world that allows users to experience shopping, attend events and communicate with each other just like in the real world. Facebook Inc., the operator of its namesake social media, changed its name to Meta Platforms Inc. last year to focus on its metaverse business, bringing public attention to the previously relatively unknown area. With the country increasingly easing anti-virus restrictions, the number of participating organizations recovered to about 90 percent of that of 2019, which stood at 655. The number of titles exhibited came to 1,864, surpassing 1,522 in 2019. The Tokyo Game Show is one of the world’s three biggest gaming events, along with E3 in the United States and Gamescom in Germany. A visitor tries out a virtual reality game at the Tokyo Game Show at Chiba’s Makuhari Messe convention center on Sept. 15, 2022. (Kyodo)

Samsung Released A Behind-The-Scenes Video Of The Galaxy Z Fold 4 & Galaxy Z Flip 4 – TechNave https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/samsung-released-a-behind-the-scenes-video-of-the-galaxy-z-fold-4-galaxy-z-flip-4-technave/ Just recently, Samsung released a video showcasing the Galaxy Z’s series folding testing process. It’s not just a rigorous testing process, but a reliability testing of its Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 smartphones. The video showed all the important processes such as the back cover assembly and compression, and functional testing with a stylus-like machine. Testing on the folding mechanism wasn’t enough, as the company also put the devices through rigorous testing in network connection, camera, and wireless charging to ensure safety.  Furthermore, the devices also went through a big water splash to see how much resistance they can take. Suffice to say, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 can take it quite well and also got folded multiple times (including the button pressing performance). Also, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 made its appearance during the water resistance test by being submerged in a water tank. By the way, Samsung Malaysia is still holding the launch sales of the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 until 30 September 2022. Customers can still get exclusive gifts worth up to RM1398 or even trade in and own them for as low as RM1969. You can find out more information about the launch promotions here, as well as the Galaxy Flextival Roadshow here.  Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 Specs & Price Tags: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 announce, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 Malaysia launch, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 Malaysia release date, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 review, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 specs, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 Malaysia price, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 Malaysia, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 pre-order, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 Malaysia pre-order, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 harga, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 price Malaysia

Egypt’s Central Bank Issues Crypto Warning — Violators Risk Imprisonment – Regulation Bitcoin News – Bitcoin News https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/egypts-central-bank-issues-crypto-warning-violators-risk-imprisonment-regulation-bitcoin-news-bitcoin-news/ The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) has issued a fresh warning about cryptocurrency, noting that violators could face imprisonment. The Egyptian central bank’s law “prohibits issuing, trading, or promoting cryptocurrencies, creating or operating platforms for trading it, or carrying out related activities.” Crypto Warning Issued by Egypt’s Central Bank The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) has renewed its warning about all types of cryptocurrencies, citing a number of risks, including high volatility, use in financial crimes, and e-piracy, Egypt Independent reported Tuesday. The ECB also stressed that crypto is not issued or backed by the central bank or any other official authority. “In the same context, the Law of the Central Bank of Egypt and the Banking System — promulgated by Law No. 194 of 2020 — prohibits issuing, trading, or promoting cryptocurrencies, creating or operating platforms for trading it, or carrying out related activities,” the CBE statement reads, adding: Whoever violates this shall be imprisoned, and fined no less than one million pounds and no more than LE10 million [$516,340], or one of these two penalties. The Egyptian central bank issued a similar warning about cryptocurrencies in January 2018, specifically naming bitcoin, stating: It is worthy to note that cryptocurrencies are not issued by any central bank, or any official central issuing authority that can be held accountable. “Moreover, cryptocurrencies are not backed by any tangible assets and are not supervised by any regulators worldwide, and consequently, they lack the official governmental guarantee and support enjoyed by the other official currencies issued by central banks,” the central bank added. Egypt’s Dar El-Ifta, the government’s principal Islamic institution for issuing fatwas (religious opinions), issued an edict in January 2018, declaring that any and all uses of cryptocurrency were ḥarām, or forbidden — including purchasing, selling, and leasing. What do you think about the crypto warning by the Central Bank of Egypt? Let us know in the comments section below. Kevin Helms A student of Austrian Economics, Kevin found Bitcoin in 2011 and has been an evangelist ever since. His interests lie in Bitcoin security, open-source systems, network effects and the intersection between economics and cryptography. Image Credits: Shutterstock, Pixabay, Wiki Commons Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a direct offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation or endorsement of any products, services, or companies. Bitcoin.com does not provide investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Neither the company nor the author is responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in this article.

Senate Panel Advances Bill To Bolster US Security Assistance To Taiwan – CNN https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/senate-panel-advances-bill-to-bolster-us-security-assistance-to-taiwan-cnn/ (CNN)The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved a bill to bolster US security assistance to Taiwan, authorizing $6.5 billion over the next five years. The bill, called the Taiwan Policy Act of 2022, was approved by a 17-5 vote, with Democratic Sens. Brian Schatz of Hawaii, Chris Murphy of Connecticut and Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky voting against the measure, according to a Democratic aide. The bill now heads to the Senate floor. It remains unclear when it will get a vote. Earlier this month, the Biden administration approved more than $1.1 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, a move seen as likely to inflame already-heightened tensions between Washington and Beijing. The administration formally notified Congress of the proposed sales, which included up to 60 anti-ship missiles and up to 100 air-to-air missiles. A State Department spokesperson said at the time that the sales were in line with the United States’ policy on Taiwan, noting the longstanding history of the US providing defensive weapons to the island. The “swift provision” of such arms, they said, was “essential for Taiwan’s security and we will continue to work with industry to support that goal.” Tensions between China and the US soared following House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in early August. The visit marked the first US speaker to visit in 25 years at a time when Washington-Beijing relations have been especially tense. US congressional delegations have also visited the self-governing island in recent weeks. Senate Foreign Relations Chair Bob Menendez nodded to the visits in announcing the legislation on Wednesday. “After soliciting and incorporating input from Members of the Committee to address wide-ranging views and concerns, holding multiple hearings and briefings on this issue, as well as allowing for Committee members to travel to Taiwan, we passed a comprehensive piece of legislation to lay a new and bipartisan path forward for U.S.-Taiwan policy that maintains cross-Strait stability, all while reinforcing a status quo that is under threat from Beijing and that, without reinforcement, would inevitably and invariably collapse,” the New Jersey Democrat said. CNN’s Manu Raju and Jennifer Hansler contributed to this report.

Google Photos Gets New Update, Adds Improved ‘Memories’ Feature – The Indian Express https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/google-photos-gets-new-update-adds-improved-memories-feature-the-indian-express/ Home Technology Tech Google Photos gets new update, adds improved ‘Memories’ feature The latest Google Photos update brings in lots of new features to the Memories section of the app such as video snippets and full cinematic memory. Google added the Memories feature to the Photos app earlier this year. (Image Source: Google) Earlier this year in May, Google introduced a new feature called Memories in the Google Photos app. The recently added feature lets users take a look back at photos from years past, favourite activities and moments spent with their loved ones.  Now, the tech giant is rolling out an update to Google Photos Memories. You have exhausted your monthly limit of free stories. To continue reading,simply register or sign in Already have an account? Sign In You need a subscription to read on. Buy one for as low asRs. 2.50 per day. *Conditions Apply Already a subscriber? Sign In This premium article is free for now. Register to continue reading this story. Already have an account? Sign In This content is exclusive for our subscribers. Subscribe to get unlimited access to The Indian Express exclusive and premium stories. This content is exclusive for our subscribers. Subscribe now to get unlimited access to The Indian Express exclusive and premium stories. Already a subscriber? Sign In Starting with the biggest change, Memories now features video snippets. While Google says the video snippets intelligently select the most important part of the video, users now have the ability to select, trim and save these video snippets. Photos will now have a zoom effect applied, but this is different from the full dynamic zoom on Cinematic Photos. Seems like Google will also be adding whistling music to user certain clips. Then there is the ability to swipe up or down or navigate between Memories in addition to the normal left and right tap navigation options. The updated Google Photos app now lets users combine multiple images into a ‘Full Cinematic Memory’ which uses the dynamic 3D zoom from Cinematic photos and plays instrumental music on top. The tech giant says it will introduce the ability to add instrumental music to other Memories next month. Apart from this, a new collage editor will enable both Android and iOS users to edit or drag and drop photos in a user-chosen layout and share it with their friends. If you happen to be a Google One subscription or own a Pixel device, you will get some more features like HDR and Portrait Light. The recent Google Photos update also adds a new feature called ‘Style’ that automatically applies graphic art to memories. Google Photos will now let users access ‘Shared Memories’ from within the app on any device running on Android. Google says web and iOS will be supported in the near future. © IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd First published on: 15-09-2022 at 08:55:42 am

What We Learned From Week 4 Of High School Football – KELOLAND.com https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/what-we-learned-from-week-4-of-high-school-football-keloland-com/ SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Four weeks have come and gone in the 2022 South Dakota high school football season. 11B and 9-man schools have just five weeks left as the classes begin to sort themselves out. Plenty of football action happened this past weekend and we’re going to take a look at what we learned through the seven classes. 11AAA Jefferson sits atop the 11AAA poll for the third straight week, following a 30-13 win over #3 Lincoln. The Cavaliers looked sharp in their victory as they raced out to a 30-0 lead at halftime. The defense and offense were nearly perfect in the first half. Sioux Falls Jefferson – 2022 Running back, Nelson Wright, rushed for 118 yards and a touchdown in the first half alone. However, he’d leave in the second quarter with an injury and he wouldn’t return to the contest. That proved to be an issue. Jefferson didn’t score in the second half, but they didn’t really have to either. With a four-score lead, the Cavs showed less urgency. Wright has been a rock for Jefferson through three games. He’s rushed for over 100 yards in each of the contests. We’ll see how long he’s unable to play and how that’ll affect the Cavs. Lincoln was unable to run the ball effectively on Saturday and that forced them to throw. The passing game couldn’t find the chunk plays that they normally find as the Cavs kept everything in front of them. The Patriots got in a 16-0 hole before they could even blink on Saturday. A better start will be key for this team going forward. On that note, Jefferson has now raced out to big leads in each of their three games. #2 O’Gorman O’Gorman is coming off their first loss of the season, as they suffered a 44-41 setback to 11AA #2 Tea Area. Two things stick out about the loss for the Knights. The first thing is something we probably already knew… Bennett Dannenbring can play! He threw for 482 yards in the loss, and it was raining for most of the contest. We knew he could play, but seeing him have to play wire-to-wire for the first time this season, he really shined. The second thing is more of a concern for the Knights. They allowed Tea Area to rush for 300 yards. While the Titans have the ability to rush well against any team, it’s still a concern anytime a defense gives up 300 yards on the ground. That’s something the Knights will have to tighten up going forward. #4 Harrisburg The final team we’ll discuss in 11AAA is Harrisburg, who appears to be adjusting well to the loss of 23 seniors from last season. Not to mention, the Tigers lost their standout running back, Gavin Ross in the first half of their season opening game. Harrisburg has now won back-to-back games and their defense has really been impressive. The Tigers have allowed just 14 points of offense over the last two games, while their offense posted 56 points. Anytime you lose that many players, it’s nearly impossible to hit the ground at full speed the next year, but the Tigers have quickly found their footing and they are quietly becoming a team to keep a close eye on in 11AAA. They’ll face a big test on Friday when they host Lincoln. 11AA Pierre is still the top team in 11AA, but Tea Area’s impressive win over O’Gorman, earned them one first place vote. #1 Pierre Pierre beat Mitchell, 50-6 on Saturday, but we honestly didn’t learn much. Lincoln Kienholz dominated against the Kernels, but that’s nothing new. The future Washington Huskie threw for 388 yards and six touchdowns. We also saw Jack Merkwan have another great game, but again, there’s little surprise there. He had five catches for 212 yards and a touchdown. It’s still clear in 11AA, that Pierre is the favorite, but they may have some company for a second straight season. #2 Tea Area As mentioned above, Tea Area rushed for 300 yards in Friday’s win over O’Gorman. Anytime you can rush like that against a team from 11AAA, it’ll catch people’s attention. Blake Thompson was a nearly unstoppable force for the Titans. He rushed for more than 150 yards, while also collecting two interceptions on the defensive side of the ball. The Titans certainly made people turn their heads with their victory. For those who are curious, Pierre hosts Tea Area on Friday, October 14 at 7 p.m. #3 Yankton Yankton sits at number three, as they are coming off a dominant 41-7 win over Watertown. The Bucks are now 3-0 and they’re winning by an average of 37 points per contest. That’s quite the resume against Mitchell, Watertown and Spearfish. Led by quarterback, Rugby Ryken, the Bucks are pouring points onto the scoreboard. However, we’re looking to learn a lot come Friday evening. Yankton travels to Pierre to play the Govs on Homecoming. This will be the biggest test to date for both Yankton and Pierre. 11A 11A has West Central still atop the rankings, but Dell Rapids sits right behind them at number two. #1 West Central West Central’s Justin Zirpel – SR Quarterback West Central is now 3-0 on the season, but it hasn’t come easy. After a 43-point win over Custer to open the year, the Trojans have earned a pair of three-point victories. The second half offense, particularly in the fourth quarter. The Trojans scored 14 points to help knock off Madison on Friday, 28-25. The Trojans have now scored 27 points in the fourth quarter alone over the past two games. That ability to score late is certainly a big reason West Central is unbeaten. #2 Dell Rapids Dell Rapid sits at number two in the rankings as they are also 3-0. The biggest thing we learned from the Quarriers this week is the fact that they can score the football. Dells put up 41 in a win over Hot Springs. That’s the third time this year they’ve posted at least 30 points in a game. They’re currently scoring 39.7 points per game. The Quarriers have plenty of speed and athleticism, especially at their skill positions and so it’s by no surprise that their offense has been sharp. #3 Canton Sophomore Wide Receiver – Cain Wallner throws a WR pass against Lennox The final team that we’ll look at in 11A is the Canton C-Hawks. They are now 2-1 on the season, but they’ve played a very challenging schedule to this point. The C-Hawks have beaten Lennox (36-25) and Sioux Falls Christian (27-20). Those two teams have been receiving votes all season long in 11A. Canton’s lone loss came at the hands of Beresford in a 7-6 decision. The Watchdogs are ranked fourth. The C-Hawks may have played the toughest schedule this season and it doesn’t get any easier. In fact, Canton may have their toughest battle on Friday when they host #2 Dell Rapids. The C-Hawks offense has been strong in two of their three games and they’ll need it to be tough on Friday, when they face the talented offense from Dell Rapids. 11B The 11B rankings didn’t change one bit this week as Winner remains the top team in 11B, followed by Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan, Elk Point-Jefferson, St. Thomas More and Mt. Vernon/Plankinton. #1 Winner The Warriors took on a talented 11A team in Beresford last week, but Winner still earned a 22-0 win. The Watchdogs were able to keep the Warrior offense in check, but the Winner defense continued their season of dominance. Winner is still scoring 46 points per contest this season and their defense is allowing just eight points. With talent like that, the Warriors may be unstoppable in 11B again. I’d still keep an eye on the other ranked teams however. #2 Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan When you lose your quarterback with an injury early in the season, how do you adjust? Simple, you just play suffocating defense. The Seahawks haven’t allowed a single opponent to score more than once in a game this year. Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan is allowing 3.8 points per game. That’s just a hair more than a field goal per game. While the Seahawk offense has leveled off over the past three games, the defense is playing championship level and they’ll need to that over the next four games. Their next four opponents have a combined record of 15-1 as they are set to play Sioux Valley, Winner, McCook Central/Montrose and Elk Point-Jefferson. That is an insanely tough schedule. #3 Elk Point-Jefferson Elk Point-Jefferson came into the season as one of the favorites to potentially dethrone back-to-back state champion, Winner. The Huskies are 3-0 and coming off a bye last week. They have scored 155 points in three games, while not allowing a single point. They’ve defeated Parker, Baltic and Sioux Valley by a combined score of 155-0. Ben Swatek and Lucas Hueser are the two-headed monster at running back, that combine with quarterback Noah McDermott to build a loaded backfield. Elk Point-Jefferson is playing some incredible football and they should be considered one of the more dangerous teams in 11B. Teams to watch: Aberdeen Roncalli, McCook Central/Montrose, Mount Vernon/Plankinton and St. Thomas More are four teams that are currently undefeated. That’s a total of seven undefeated teams in 11B through four weeks and that’s something to keep a close eye on. 9AA There is a lot of talent in 9AA as the five teams in the rankings have a combined record of 18-2. Howard, Wall, Hamlin, Elkton-Lake Benton and Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy are the five teams that are still unbeaten. #1 Howard Statically, the Howard Tigers don’t have a top five offense or defense in 9AA and they rank 11th in scoring differential at just 11.3. Part of that is the fact the Tigers have only scored 25 or more points in one game. They’ve played a challenging schedule, that saw them open the season with a trio of one score victories. The first was against Hanson (20-12), the second against Canistota (21-20) and third against Kimball/White Lake (9-6). The offense finally found its’ rhythm last week with a 59-26 win over Colman-Egan. The biggest thing we learned about ...

Villa Serenity In Jamaica Is Now Booking For Fall And Beyond – PR Newswire https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/villa-serenity-in-jamaica-is-now-booking-for-fall-and-beyond-pr-newswire/ Villa Serenity in Jamaica is a female-owned and founded company welcoming guests to book now for the 2022/2023 season. , /PRNewswire/ — A luxury villa establishment in Jamaica, Villa Serenity, is excited to announce availability for its unique accommodation this fall. Villa Serenity offers the comfort of an all-inclusive resort without the impersonal experience of a massive hotel chain. Villa Serenity: owned and operated by Cavel Capalbo, Villa Serenity was inspired by her passion for travel and culture. The establishment opened in 2006 and is proud to welcome back loyal guests who vacation there yearly. Occupancy is limited, with just five rooms onsite, so it’s rare to find an opening. Fortunately, booking has just opened for the fall 2022 season through to fall 2023, enabling travelers looking to visit Jamaica to secure a spot. Employs locals from the community, supporting the local economy It offers a cultural experience that larger resorts cannot match Is family-friendly The company describes staying at this accommodation as “Experiencing an all-inclusive Jamaica villa that offers personalization, value and unique experience.” Guests’ experience at Villa Serenity in Jamaica is unlike other all-inclusive resorts because of the attention to detail. Customer service comes first at this small-scale resort, with owner Cavel Capalbo exclusively focused on delivering a personalized, authentic Jamaican experience. Guests staying at the villa will find themselves in a 5-bedroom mansion by the beach, complete with a chef to serve them local Jamaican cuisine. There are also housekeepers, butlers, gardeners, and groundskeepers to ensure the property is in top shape and guests are well cared for throughout their stay. The Villa Serenity is located in Ocho Rios and is close to attractions like Dunn’s River Falls. The all-inclusive vacation packages grant guests access to the mansion, the swimming pool, and several excursions. These include visiting the Blue Hole, taking a catamaran cruise, horseback riding, and going whitewater tubing. The villas are suitable for families with kids, girlfriend getaways, and guys’ weekends. Owner Cavel Capalbo is committed to helping guests plan their dream vacation and make it a reality at Villa Serenity. She holds a BA Hons and an MBA and sees the success of Villa Serenity as the realization of a decades-long dream of her own. Anyone interested in traveling to Ochos Rios, Jamaica, between fall 2022 and fall 2023 can book their spot at Villa Serenity online now. Spaces are limited, and reservations require a deposit of $99 per person. Contact: Cavel Capalbo ***@jamaicaoceanviewvilla.com Photos: https://www.prlog.org/12932754 Press release distributed by PRLog SOURCE Jamaica Villa Serenity %

California, Tribal Leaders Announce New Tourism Initiative | Business News | Wfmz.com – 69News WFMZ-TV https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/california-tribal-leaders-announce-new-tourism-initiative-business-news-wfmz-com-69news-wfmz-tv/ SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — In a state with the second-most federally recognized Indigenous tribes in the country, California officials and tribal leaders announced an initiative Wednesday to drive up tourism in native communities. The initiative, Visit Native California, and its accompanying website are funded by a $1 million grant from the American Rescue Plan Act, which targets public health and economic impacts of the pandemic and was signed into law by President Joe Biden last year. Tribes announced it in partnership with Visit California, the state’s main tourism marketing agency. It’s one of the latest efforts to revitalize tourism nationwide after the early stage of the pandemic halted travel — and the spending that comes with it. California lost a projected $72.8 billion in tourism spending in 2020, according to research by Tourism Economics, a data and consulting firm. The goal is to inform tourists about the music, art, nature, and history that have shaped tribal communities for generations. The website will promote locations around the state, including through podcasts, and provide itineraries for travelers. “This project, this site, it gives my tribe the opportunity, the ability to share our culture,” said Reid D. Milanovich, chairman of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, at a press conference at the Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza in Palm Springs. The plaza, which will open next year, hosts the 48,000-square-foot Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, a trail and a spa at the sacred Agua Caliente mineral hot spring. Other tribal sites promoted by the campaign include the Barona Cultural Center and Museum in Lakeside, California, and a cultural center in the Santa Monica Mountains near Los Angeles. Milanovich, whose ancestral lands see 200,000 annual visitors, said he hopes the initiative leads to similar ones in other states. “I am optimistic and hope that other states across the country see what we are doing here in California,” Milanovich said. “The state and tribes partnering on tourism is a win-win.” Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California, estimates that the organization has been in contact with more than a dozen of California’s 109 tribes ahead of the initiative’s rollout, set for March 2023. Leaders involved in the initiative hope it offers a chance for visitors to become more informed about the history of tribal lands. “Cultural tourism to us is so important for many, many reason,” said Sherry Rupert, American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association President and CEO. Sophie Austin is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Sophie Austin on Twitter. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Ecarma’s Narra Health Supplement Helps Strengthen Immune System – Manila Bulletin https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/ecarmas-narra-health-supplement-helps-strengthen-immune-system-manila-bulletin/ Ecarma’s Narra health supplement helps strengthen immune system An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, and what better way to keep infections at bay than strengthening the immune system? In this day and age where Covid-19, monkeypox, influenza, and other afflictions disrupt daily life, strengthening the body and mind is crucial to combating these health risks and ensuring a good quality of life. Besides getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and having a balanced diet, a healthy lifestyle can include taking health supplements that are rich in antioxidants. Narra extract, in particular, such as Ecarma tea and capsules, can significantly improve the body’s defenses against various diseases, both for healthy people and especially for those who are already at risk. Ecarma’s contain pure Philippine Narra extract, an effective immune-booster and excellent source of antioxidants that help with heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic diseases. Based on the study by Xu and colleagues from the Yanbian University in China last year, the potent antioxidant pterostilbene is found in Philippine Narra which is proven to strengthen the immune system. The researchers also observed that pterostilbene is also anti-asthma, anti-cancer, antifungal, antiulcer, and anti-allergy. Virgilio Miguel Hernandez, a 66-year-old former Telco manager, used to suffer from high blood pressure, which can cause heart failure, memory and thinking problems, and osteoporosis when left unmanaged. Thanks to Ecarma, Hernandez noticed his blood pressure stabilize, improving his daily living. “I took [the] Ecarma capsule once a day, then Ecarma tea twice a day. I experienced the difference after a month. [My blood pressure] stabilized at—would you believe—120/80,” he said. Previously, Hernandez said that he last had his current blood pressure of 120/80 in his 40s and now at his age, he’s happy that it has stabilized an overall improvement in his health. “We at Ecarma Health Options strongly believe in the health-giving power of Philippine Narra. Through our Ecarma tea and capsules, we hope to extend Narra’s immune-boosting benefits, improving the quality of life of Filipinos across the country.” Ecarma Health Options President TJ Meneses asserted. Ecarma Immun Herbal Capsules and Ecarma Herbal Tea can be found in Mercury Drug stores nationwide, St. Joseph Drugstores, and in Shopee and Lazada. SIGN UP TO DAILY NEWSLETTER CLICK HERE TO SIGN-UP YOU MAY ALSO LIKE 2022-09-15 08:41:00 [“lifestyle”,”well-being”,”lifestyle”] [3085015,3085915,3085961,3085864,3085861,3085377,3083727]

USA TODAY Sports Ranks CFB QBs After Week 2: Stetson Bennett Receiving Some Love – UGA Wire https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/usa-today-sports-ranks-cfb-qbs-after-week-2-stetson-bennett-receiving-some-love-uga-wire/ The reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, entered Week 2 as the favorite to win the award again this season. But following a performance that left a bit to be desired vs. Texas, Young will have some ground to make up if he hopes to repeat in 2022. Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett has looked like the best passer in the league through two weeks this year and despite not yet playing a full 60 minutes in his first two games, he is still second in the conference in yards with 668. Buy Bulldogs Tickets USA TODAY Sports recently ranked the top-ten college football quarterbacks following Week 2 of play, and the Georgia signal-caller looks to be receiving the recognition he deserves. We at UGA Wire recently ranked Bennett as the No. 1 quarterback in the league, though Paul Myerberg of USA TODAY Sports is not ready to go that far, as he has Bennett as No. 4 in America, behind Young. USA TODAY Sports’ QB rankings, plus their Heisman odds (courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook): 10 JJ McCarthy, Michigan (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) Heisman odds: +6,000 Stats so far: 15/16, 259 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs, 4 carries, 66 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD (Wolverines Wire) 9 Frank Harris, Texas-San Antonio Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports Heisman odds: N/A Stats so far: 60/88, 696 yards, 6 TDs, 1 INT, 93 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD 8 Jaren Hall, Brigham Young Gabriel Mayberry-USA TODAY Sports Heisman odds: N/A Stats so far: 48/71, 522 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT 7 Sam Hartman, Wake Forest [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] Heisman odds: +6,000 Stats so far: 18/27, 300 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs 6 Hendon Hooker, Tennessee Syndication: The Knoxville News-Sentinel Heisman odds: +4,000 Stats so far: 45/67, 546 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs, 2 rushing TDs (Vols Wire) 5 KJ Jefferson, Arkansas Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports Heisman odds: +5,000 Stats so far: 36/47, 385 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs, 129 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs (Razorbacks Wire) 4 Stetson Bennett, Georgia (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) Heisman odds: +1,500 Stats so far: 49/66, 668 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs, 2 rushing TDs “Georgia kicks off SEC play this weekend against South Carolina but doesn’t play a true conference contender until the rivalry with Florida on Oct. 29, so Bennett should continue to put up the numbers necessary to factor into the Heisman race. While he’s yet to attempt a pass in the fourth quarter, the senior has gone for at least 300 yards in his first two games with three touchdowns and no turnovers.” 3 Caleb Williams, Southern California Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports Heisman odds: +330 Stats so far: 39/49, 590 yards, 6 TDs, 0 INTs, 15 carries, 72 rushing yards 2 C.J. Stroud, Ohio State Kyle Robertson-USA TODAY Sports Heisman odds: +260 Stats so far: 40/58, 574 yards, 6 TDs, 0 INTs 1 Bryce Young, Alabama (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) Heisman odds: +350 Stats so far: 45/67, 408 yards, 6 TDs, 0 INTs, 12 carries, 138 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD Click here to place your bets at Tipico Sportsbook. Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire. Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See applicable operator site for its terms and conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER. Must be 21 or older to gamble.

Unlocking New Metaverse Experiences With Real World Vertical Location – IoT For All https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/unlocking-new-metaverse-experiences-with-real-world-vertical-location-iot-for-all/ As the #2 top trending word in 2021, it feels like everyone is talking about the “metaverse.” On NextNav’s webinar with echo3D, a cloud platform that is revolutionizing the way 3D, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) content is stored and streamed, we talked about building truly new metaverse experiences. To do this, we partnered to provide developers with the crucial 3D location data needed to build immersive AR and VR content built on top of the physical world. In this webinar, we discuss both NextNav and echo3D’s solutions that provide developers with the crucial 3D location data and cloud infrastructure needed to build immersive metaverse experiences built on top of the physical world. Watch the full webinar recording to learn more about NextNav’s Pinnacle vertical location technology and echo3D’s unique platform, and see how easy it is to add vertical location to your app or game today! NextNav & echo3D partnership NextNav (Nasdaq: NN), a leader in next-generation GPS has partnered with echo3D, a cloud platform that is revolutionizing the way 3D, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) content is stored and streamed. Through this partnership, NextNav’s vertical location service, Pinnacle, will provide echo3D developers with the crucial 3D location data needed to build immersive metaverse content. Over 16,000 developers rely on the echo3D platform for the tools and infrastructure needed to generate faster and lighter 3D, AR, and VR experiences. Now, these developers will have the ability to create digital content utilizing NextNav’s industry-leading 3D location technology, opening up new possibilities for more immersive and realistic digital content. For example, different augmented reality content within a multi-story building can be tied to an end user’s vertical location – unlocking realistic views, perspectives, and experiences, and even allowing users to purchase and collect items with location-based validation. “Our partnership with echo3D enables developers to build immersive experiences, games, and applications that reflect our real world,” said Dan Hight, NextNav VP of Business Development and Partnerships. “As we look ahead toward the building of the metaverse, our collaboration with echo3D marks a key development in enabling the digital layer that will soon exist on top of our physical world.” With its unmatched ability to convert, compress, and optimize 3D models, animations, and interactive content, echo3D can deliver virtual experiences to any smartphone, headset, or browser. To date, developers using echo3D have built cloud-connected games, AR advertisement campaigns, NFT marketplaces, and more.

Preview: 2024 Ford Mustang Injects Modern Tech Into The Traditional Pony Car – Motor Authority https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/preview-2024-ford-mustang-injects-modern-tech-into-the-traditional-pony-car-motor-authority/ The Ford Mustang started the pony car segment when it hit the market in 1964. Now, it will carry the torch for that segment in an automotive market switching to electric vehicles. On Wednesday, Ford introduced the 2024 Mustang at the Detroit auto show. The iconic pony car will continue on the same platform with a revised look, a pair of gas engines—including the requisite V-8 with up to 500 hp—and a tech-laden interior to attract a new generation of connected buyers. It also adds two cool new features to show off to your friends: Remote Rev and an Electronic Drift Brake. 2024 Ford Mustang Ford has the Mustang Mach-E crossover to carry the torch for the EV market, but the 2024 Mustang coupe and convertible get updated versions of its previous gas engines. The base 2.3-liter turbo-4 in EcoBoost models adds port and direct injection, gets a higher compression ratio and higher thermal efficiency, and reduces internal friction to make more power and deliver better fuel efficiency. Ford isn’t stating power or fuel economy figures yet, but the current 2.3-liter makes 310 hp or 330 hp with a Performance Pack and gets up to 25 mpg combined. The revisions to the 5.0-liter V-8 in GT models include a new dual-airbox intake to feed dual electronic throttle bodies and feed more air to the plenum intake manifold. It also has a longer duration exhaust camshaft to handle the increased airflow, and it continues with port and direct injection. In the 5.0-liter V-8 in the 2022 Mustang makes 450 hp in the GT and 470 hp in the Mach I. Ford said it’s targeting 500 hp in the 2024 Dark Horse model. Transmission choices will once again be a 10-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual with rev matching for both engines. 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Ford said there will be three Dark Horse models; Dark Horse, Dark Horse S, and Dark Horse R. Shy on details, the automaker said the S model will be a track day car while the R model will be built around a marque-specific race series. 2024 Ford Mustang race cars The 7th-generation Mustang will go racing across the spectrum participating in NASCAR, GT3, and GT4 classes. Ford mentioned the Mustang will specifically race at the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. 2024 Ford Mustang 2024 Ford Mustang 2024 Ford Mustang While the new internally coded S650-generation Mustang was rumored to switch platforms to the CD6 rear- and all-wheel-drive architecture from the Ford Explorer and Lincoln Navigator, it instead stays on the Mustang-specific DC2 platform that’s served the car since 2015. However, Mustang Vehicle Engineering Manager Eddie Kahn told Motor Authority Ford revised several parts, including the aluminum lower control arms, rear suspension links, shocks, springs, and stabilizer bars, all with the goal of providing better dynamics and responsiveness. Ford also revised the steering system with a stiffer rack and and a faster 15.5:1 steering ratio versus 16.0:1 for the last model. 2024 Ford Mustang An an optional Performance Pack for both the GT and EcoBoost adds a front strut tower brace and a Torsen limited-slip differential. Performance Pack cars can also get a magnetic suspension, wider rear wheels and tires, larger brakes, Recaro bucket seats, and an active exhaust. The GT Performance Pack adds also gets brake ducts and an auxiliary engine oil cooler for better cooling. Ford mentioned a Handling Package for the Dark Horse model but didn’t elaborate. Ford will offer three upgraded brake options. The top version, offered for Performance Pack cars, will feature 6-piston front calipers clamping down on 15.4-inch rotors and 4-piston rear calipers with 14.0-inch rear rotors. All of the calipers will have Brembo calipers, and they will be available in three colors: black, red, or Grabber Blue. 2024 Ford Mustang The exterior design is an evolution of the throwback look Ford adopted in 2005 and has evolved since. All the body panels are new, and Ford says it will have more downforce than the outgoing model and the lowest coefficient of drag for a Mustang yet. The car gets a lower beltline, which should aid outward vision, more pronounced rear haunches, smoother flanks without as many creases, and revised front and rear fascias with a new take on the Mustang’s tri-bar lighting theme. The noses of the 2.3 and GT models will be unique. Compared to the 2.3, the GT will have struts in the traditional Mustang grille, taller intakes at the corners, and a standard louvered hood vent. Profile images of all seven generations of Mustang will line up along the lower rear glass as one of the car’s Easter eggs. A Bronze Design Series Appearance package will come with bronze alloy wheels and badges. 2024 Ford Mustang 2024 Ford Mustang 2024 Ford Mustang Inside, the new Mustang goes for revolution. The big change is a healthy injection of technology. Every Mustang will come with dual screens, 12.4 inches for the digital instrument cluster and 13.2 inches for the center infotainment touchscreen. The screens will be separated on the base model, but other models will connect them under a single piece of glass, even though the touchscreen angles toward the driver. The screens will run Ford’s Sync 4 infotainment interface and be configurable. Ford will include five themes for the instrument cluster: Normal, Sport, Track, Calm, and Fox Body, each with a different digital layout. Fox Body will take on the analog look of the beloved Fox body Mustangs built from the late 1970s to the early 1990s. A MyMustang mode will allow drivers to pull up a three- or five-gauge digital auxiliary gauge layout on the center screen. Another Easter egg? The track icon shown in the Track drive mode display will be Michigan’s Grattan Raceway. The other modes will consist of Normal, Sport, Slippery, Drag, and a customizable setting with up to six individual profiles. 2024 Ford Mustang The interior also gets a thicker, flat-bottom steering wheel and improved materials with more soft-touch surfaces and contrast stitching. A new Carmine Red interior color will be offered, and the seats will range from cloth in the base version to cloth and vinyl to vinyl and leather. In addition to the line lock and launch control functions of previous Mustangs, owners will have access to two new cool gadgets. The first is an Electronic Drift Brake. It’s an electronic parking brake that the driver controls with a different take on a parking brake handle. Instead of a straight handle, it has a 90-degree bend, and it can be enabled by an icon on the center screen. When used, it automatically puts the car in Track driving mode, and lets drivers control the parking brake like a pro drifter. That’s no coincidence as Ford worked with noted drifter Vaughn Gittin, Jr. to develop it. 2024 Ford Mustang The other new feature is a party trick to show off to the neighbors. It’s called Remote Rev and it lets owners not only start the car remotely but also use the keyfob to rev the engine and hear its fury. On the safety front, the new Mustang gets adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, speed limit sign recognition, active lane control, evasive steering assist, and front and rear automatic emergency braking. Performance Pack cars also have Active Pothole Mitigation, which monitors the suspension, body, and steering and braking inputs, and adjusts the suspension to lessen the impact of potholes. 2024 Ford Mustang family The 2024 Ford Mustang will hit dealerships in early summer 2023. Full specs and pricing will be released closer to the market launch. For more coverage from Detroit, check out our dedicated hub.

The Ethereum ‘merge’ Is Almost Here—how The Historic Upgrade Will Affect Crypto Investors – CNBC https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/the-ethereum-merge-is-almost-here-how-the-historic-upgrade-will-affect-crypto-investors-cnbc/ The Ethereum blockchain, the largest behind bitcoin, is about to undergo the beginnings of a major upgrade. Dubbed the “merge,” Ethereum is switching to a more energy-efficient method of validating transactions that take place on the platform, known as proof of stake. The upgrade is similar to how the transition away from using dial-up modems to fiberoptics enabled the internet to be used for a wider variety of things, such as video, online storage and music streaming, Greg King, founder and CEO of Osprey Funds, tells CNBC Make It. Here’s a look at what the merge means and how it will affect crypto investors. What is proof of stake? The merge will transition the blockchain from a proof-of-work (PoW) model to a proof-of-stake (PoS) model. Both are algorithms used to allow users to add new cryptocurrency transactions and keep a record of them on a blockchain network. The current proof-of-work model requires massive amounts of energy to power computers that race to solve complicated math equations in order to validate transactions. Proof of stake, on the other hand, requires users to have a “stake” in the blockchain, as the name implies. This means that Ethereum users will need to make a pretty hefty investment upfront in order to authenticate transactions. However, this model is expected to be much less energy intensive. How will this affect investors and potential investors? Although the Ethereum merge isn’t expected to make the network faster or lower transaction costs immediately, investors may see benefits down the road. “While no outcome is certain, the merge could be bullish for crypto investors in the long run due to the groundwork it lays for future upgrades to speed, fees and ecosystem development,” says King. Quicker transactions and lower fees could eventually lead to more users as well, which could affect the value of ether, Ethereum’s native cryptocurrency, which investors use to make transactions of the platform. If the number of investors increases, the supply of ether should go down, says Vladimir Gorbunov, CEO and founder of the MetaFi ecosystem Choise.com. And as the supply of ether decreases, the value of individual coins could increase, which would be welcome news for investors. Ether is valued at about $1,600 per coin as of Sept. 14, 2022, according to Coin Metrics — down from an all-time high of about $4,892 in November of last year. How will this impact the environment? As previously mentioned, the merge is expected to make the blockchain more energy efficient. Currently, Ethereum’s carbon emissions are on par with Singapore and its total energy consumption is comparable to the Netherlands, according to its website. The merge is expected to lower Ethereum’s carbon footprint by over 99%, which could make the platform more attractive to environmentally conscious investors. Will the merge make Ethereum less vulnerable to hackers? “The merge will definitely make Ethereum more secure,” says Gorbunov. After the merge, the required initial investment to validate transactions on the blockchain would cost around $55,000 or 33 ETH, he says. That’s a cost everyone, including hackers, would have to bear in order to get into the network in the first place. Due to that barrier, Gorbunov expects Ethereum to become a lot safer. However, the blockchain will always be vulnerable to hackers, King warns. “After the merge, Ethereum’s susceptibilities may differ due to the underlying design change to the network, but the security risks will always remain the same,” he says. “Cybersecurity risk is always paramount.” Remember, ether, like many cryptocurrencies, is a highly volatile asset that is subject to unpredictable fluctuations in value with no guarantee of earning a profit. Experts recommend not investing more into these types of assets than you’re willing to potentially lose.   Sign up now: Get smarter about your money and career with our weekly newsletter Don’t miss: Crypto prices are down, but it’s not scaring away investors—here’s why

U.S. Northeast Faces Potential Energy Shortages As Rails Start To Shut – Reuters https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/u-s-northeast-faces-potential-energy-shortages-as-rails-start-to-shut-reuters/ Unused oil tank cars are pictured on Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad tracks outside Hinsdale, New York August 24, 2015. Picture taken August 24, 2015. REUTERS/Lindsay DeDario/File Photo Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com NEW YORK, Sept 14 (Reuters) – Some trains carrying fuel components to the U.S. Northeast have been halted in preparation for a possible railroad shutdown in the coming days, two sources familiar with the situation said on Wednesday. The northernmost East Coast states rely on railroad shipments to supplement pipeline deliveries from the U.S. Gulf. The region is among the largest fuel consumers in the nation, where U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data shows that in July inventories of heating oil and diesel reached the lowest levels in at least three decades. Major railroads, including Union Pacific (UNP.N) and Berkshire Hathaway’s (BRKa.N) BNSF, must reach a tentative deal with three unions representing 60,000 workers before 12:01 a.m. on Friday to avert a shutdown. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Unit trains to the Northeast that carry commodities including ethanol and crude oil have already stopped, two sources told Reuters on the condition of anonymity. All railroads are preparing to wind down operations in the next day, said a spokesperson at Norfolk Southern (NSC.N) who declined to comment further. Passenger rail operator Amtrak has already canceled all long-distance routes nationwide as their trains run largely on freight lines outside of the U.S. Northeast. read more Nationwide, stocks of distillates, which include heating oil and diesel, are at their lowest levels seasonally since 2000, according to EIA data. The situation is more dire in New England and the Central Atlantic states. In that region, stretching from Maine to Maryland, stocks are at 16.6 million barrels, lowest seasonally since the EIA started keeping the data in 1990. Fuel distributors generally have inventories to last several days and those markets can also receive imports, but prices would be expected to rise in anticipation of a possible shortage. Some shippers, anticipating a shutdown, have already stopped transporting hazardous materials around the United States, including fuel blending components. “I already have companies that have been limiting their production knowing this was coming and now they’ll have to face the music and shut down,” said Tom Williamson, a railcar broker and owner of Transportation Consultants, which manages over 2,000 railcars. He said he has been busy the past few days communicating with clients who are starting to shut down production of hazardous materials. The upper Northeast relies on rail for shipments of crude oil, natural gas and fuel products more than other regions because of a lack of pipelines. New England receives most of the natural gas it uses to heat homes and light stoves by rail, according to consultancy RBN Energy, making it vulnerable to a stoppage. “Over the past 20 years, regional imbalances between where products are produced and where they are demanded has increased,” said Debnil Chowdhury, vice president, Americas head of refining and marketing, S&P Global Commodity Insights. “This has increased the need to transfer products from the Gulf Coast to the (Northeast).” Pipelines carrying fuel and natural gas from Texas and other oil and gas-producing states of the U.S. South are already full, Chowdhury said, leaving little room to increase flows on the lines if a shutdown happens. “All sorts of stuff is going to grind to a halt,” said one executive familiar with the region’s rail operations, who asked not to be named. “It’s going to be brutal.” In July, governors of New England states wrote a letter to U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm warning her that the region faced surging winter heating bills due to lack of natural gas pipeline connectivity. They also asked the Biden Administration to suspend the Jones Act, which requires goods moved between U.S. ports to be carried by ships built domestically and staffed by U.S. crew, for the delivery of LNG for at least a portion of the upcoming winter. In 2021, the six-state New England region got most of its power, or 46%, from natural gas, according to ISO New England, the region’s power grid operator. On the coldest winter days, the grid relies on oil as well to fuel a much bigger percentage of power generation. Nationwide, shippers for oil and chemical companies are making contingency plans. “We are starting to see impacts already,” said Chris Ball, chief executive officer of Quantix, a Houston-based company that provides trucks and trailers to transport chemicals for companies including Exxon Mobil, Dow and LyondellBasell. “They (railroads) have already restricted what they’re taking and so we’re getting a fair amount of trucking orders across our whole network,” Ball said. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Laila Kearney, Laura Sanicola and Jarrett Renshaw; Additional reporting by Arathy Somasekhar in Houston and Scott DiSavino in New York; Editing by David Gregorio and Muralikumar Anantharaman Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. Laura Sanicola Thomson Reuters Reports on oil and energy, including refineries, markets and renewable fuels. Previously worked at Euromoney Institutional Investor and CNN.

China Science, Technology News Summary — Sept. 15 – China.org.cn https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/china-science-technology-news-summary-sept-15-china-org-cn/ BEIJING, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) — The following is a summary of published science and technology news of China. SHENZHOU-14 TAIKONAUTS The three Shenzhou-14 taikonauts have completed their first 100 days in orbit as they prepare for their second spacewalk outside China’s space station. To mark the first 100 days of what will be a six-month mission, the China Manned Space Agency shared several photos on social media platforms this week. It showed the trio testing spacesuits, playing with food, and doing physical exercises in the challenging microgravity conditions on board the core module Tianhe and lab module Wentian. VIRTUAL HUMANS Luya, a virtual singer who was admitted to a Chinese music college in this year’s back-to-school season, stole the limelight recently. The pink-haired anime girl, developed by iFLYTEK, China’s leading AI and speech tech company, is an example of the new industrial fad and fashion in the country. According to data from iiMedia Research, the market value in China driven by virtual humans is expected to reach 640.27 billion yuan (92.45 billion U.S. dollars) in 2025. HI-TECH ZONES China has established 173 national hi-tech zones so far and will raise the number to 220 by the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), according to the Ministry of Science and Technology on Wednesday. Li Youping, an official with the ministry, said at a press conference that the total output value of the national hi-tech zones grew from 5.4 trillion yuan in 2012 to 15.3 trillion yuan in 2021. Enditem

Suspect Jailed After Shootout With Police And A Standoff In A Stranger’s Kennewick Apartment – Tri-City Herald https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/suspect-jailed-after-shootout-with-police-and-a-standoff-in-a-strangers-kennewick-apartment-tri-city-herald/ Kennewick, WA A man was arrested after exchanging gunfire with a Kennewick police officer and then forcing a two-hour standoff inside a stranger’s apartment. The confrontation happened Tuesday when a team of police officers and deputies from Kennewick, Richland and Benton County were in the middle of a scheduled operation to arrest people wanted on warrants. Anthony Martinez-Mata, 26, of Kennewick, was one of the suspects on that list. He was wanted on a felony assault charge involving a gun, Kennewick police said in a news release. They saw him in a car near the Clearwater Bay Apartments on the 5200 block of Clearwater Avenue shortly before 6:20 p.m. He jumped out of the car and ran to nearby motorcycle but couldn’t get it started. When officers approached him, Martinez-Mata ran into the complex and opened fire at a pursuing officer. The Kennewick officer shot back but it’s unclear if Martinez-Mata was hit. The officer, who was not named in the release, was not hurt. Martinez-Mata then barged into a stranger’s apartment, and the person inside escaped out a back window. Officers surrounded the apartment and were joined by the Tri-City Regional SWAT team. After a couple hours of negotiating, Martinez-Mata surrendered about 8:30 p.m. and was taken at the hospital for non-life threatening injuries. Clearwater Bay Apartment Homes are at 5225 W. Clearwater Ave. in Kennewick. Bob Brawdy Just before midnight he was booked into the Benton County jail on suspicion of first-degree burglary, first- and second-degree assault and possession of a stolen vehicle. The Regional Special Investigations Unit (SIU) was called in to handle the shooting investigation. The unit, which covers Benton, Franklin and Walla Walla counties, does independent investigations of officer-involved shootings. Martinez-Mata’s last conviction came in 2018 when he pleaded guilty to a 2017 drive-by shooting in Pasco. He was sentenced to 5 1/2 years in prison. He was released in October 2021 but violated his probation in June when he failed to check in as required. Check back for updates on this developing story. This story was originally published September 14, 2022 10:25 AM. Cameron Probert covers breaking news and education for the Tri-City Herald, where he tries to answer readers’ questions about why police officers and firefighters are in your neighborhood. He studied communications at Washington State University.

Michael Kors Brings Resort Wear To The City At His NYFW Show – The Washington Post https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/michael-kors-brings-resort-wear-to-the-city-at-his-nyfw-show-the-washington-post/ NEW YORK — Michael Kors says he’s been doing some revenge travel since the pandemic and wants to help dress women who are doing the same. “When I go to a resort, people are more dressed up than they’ve ever been before,” said Kors. “And the minute the weather gets warm in any big city, suddenly resort dressing comes to the city.” Kors’ spring/summer 2023 collection features business wear and night-out looks with a resort-style sensibility. At his New York Fashion Week show, unbuttoned shirts billowed, fringe flowed and kaftans swept the floor as he focused on a more relaxed silhouette. Semi-transparent linen pants were paired with a one-shoulder bodysuit and blazers were draped over dresses, blouses and crop tops in what Kors called an “urban-resort convergence.” “You’re polished when you’re away on vacation and then you have a sense of easiness when you’re in this city,” Kors said. Among those with a front row view of the new designs were Serena Williams, Anna Wintour, Anne Hathaway and Vanessa Hudgens. “I grew up in a family of very strong, opinionated, successful women and I’ve been dressing women who are that smart and successful my whole career,” said Kors. “So, when I see someone like Serena, who truly is an icon, a game changer … it’s a wonderful validation that we must be doing something right.” Bright reds, blues, pinks and greens brought pops of color to a collection featuring several monochrome white and black looks. Gold accessories, cutouts, small clutches and sequins added flare. In her second of two looks, A-list model and frequent Kors collaborator Bella Hadid wore a sequined black dress with a plunging neckline. “People want to get dressed up again,” said Kors. “They want to look great; they want to make an impression.” Beyond his goal of creating impressionable designs is his desire to make clothes that last. Before premiering his spring/summer line, Kors launched Michael Kors Pre-Loved, a resale market for gently used items from the designer. “The worst thing in the world that you can do is engage in the whole idea of fast fashion,” said Kors. “We’ve always believed in timelessness, that people can hold on to something from Michael Kors.” %

In Other Business News | Ag News | Hpj.com – High Plains Journal https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/in-other-business-news-ag-news-hpj-com-high-plains-journal/ As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content. When you click get started below it will walk you through creating an online account to attach your print subscription number to. After your account is created it will ask you to either add a subscription for online access or click on the print subscriber button.  Click the print subscriber button header and it will open a dropdown, now click on get started.  The page will reload and you will be prompted to enter an account number and a zip code.  IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO USE THE NUMBER OFF OF THE MOST RECENT ISSUE OR ANYTHING AFTER JANUARY 28, 2019 TO GAIN ACCESS!   OLD ACCOUNT NUMBERS WILL NOT WORK The account number and zip code are easily available on your most recent issue of the High Plains Journal or Midwest Ag Journal in the address fields as is shown here.  Sometimes the account number has extra zero’s in front of it, just ignore those.

Seven Healthy Lifestyle Habits May Reduce Dementia Risk For People With Diabetes: A Good Night’s Sleep, Social Contact And Exercise Among Healthy Habits – Science Daily https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/seven-healthy-lifestyle-habits-may-reduce-dementia-risk-for-people-with-diabetes-a-good-nights-sleep-social-contact-and-exercise-among-healthy-habits-science-daily/ A combination of seven healthy lifestyle habits including sleeping seven to nine hours daily, exercising regularly and having frequent social contact was associated with a lower risk of dementia in people with type 2 diabetes, according to a study published in the September 14, 2022, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. “Type 2 diabetes is a worldwide epidemic that affects one in 10 adults, and having diabetes is known to increase a person’s risk of developing dementia,” said study author Yingli Lu, MD, PhD, of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine in China. “We investigated whether a broad combination of healthy lifestyle habits could offset that dementia risk and found that people with diabetes who incorporated seven healthy lifestyle habits into their lives had a lower risk of dementia than people with diabetes who did not lead healthy lives.” For the study, researchers looked at a health care database in the United Kingdom and identified 167,946 people 60 or older with and without diabetes who did not have dementia at the start of the study. Participants completed health questionnaires, provided physical measurements and gave blood samples. For each participant, researchers calculated a healthy lifestyle score of zero to seven, with one point for each of seven healthy habits. Habits included no current smoking, moderate alcohol consumption of up to one drink a day for women and up to two a day for men, regular weekly physical activity of at least 2.5 hours of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise, and seven to nine hours of sleep daily. Another factor was a healthy diet including more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fish and fewer refined grains, processed and unprocessed meats. The final habits were being less sedentary, which was defined as watching television less than four hours a day, and frequent social contact, which was defined as living with others, gathering with friends or family at least once a month and participating in social activities at least once a week or more often. Researchers followed participants for an average of 12 years. During that time, 4,351 people developed dementia. A total of 4% of the people followed only zero to two of the healthy habits, 11% followed three, 22% followed four, 30% followed five, 24% followed six and 9% followed all seven. People with diabetes who followed two or fewer of the seven healthy habits were four times more likely to develop dementia than people without diabetes who followed all seven healthy habits. People with diabetes who followed all of the habits were 74% more likely to develop dementia than those without diabetes who followed all the habits. For people with diabetes who followed all the habits, there were 21 cases of dementia for 7,474 person years or 0.28%. Person-years represent both the number of people in the study and the amount of time each person spends in the study. For people with diabetes who followed only two or fewer habits, there were 72 cases of dementia for 10,380 person years or 0.69%. After adjusting for factors like age, education and ethnicity, people who followed all the habits had a 54% lower risk of dementia than those who followed two or fewer. Each additional healthy habit people followed was associated with an 11% decreased risk of dementia. The association between healthy lifestyle score and dementia risk was not affected by medications people took or how well they controlled their blood sugar. “Our research shows that for people with type 2 diabetes, the risk of dementia may be greatly reduced by living a healthier lifestyle,” Lu said. “Doctors and other medical professionals who treat people with diabetes should consider recommending lifestyle changes to their patients. Such changes may not only improve overall health, but also contribute to prevention or delayed onset of dementia in people with diabetes.” A limitation of the study was that people reported on their lifestyle habits and may not have remembered all details accurately. Lifestyle changes over time were also not captured. The study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and other funders. Story Source: Materials provided by American Academy of Neurology. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Rajkot Sports Carnival To Promote National Games Begins Today – The Indian Express https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/rajkot-sports-carnival-to-promote-national-games-begins-today-the-indian-express/ Preparations at Sabarmati Riverfront Event Centre in Ahmedabad ahead of the National Games. Nirmal Harindran The Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) will organise a four-day-long Sports Carnival at Race Course from Thursday to draw more people to the stadia at the 36th National Games, which is scheduled to begin on September 30 in Ahmedabad.  Rajkot will host hockey and aquatic events from September 2 to 9 and September 2 to 8 respectively. The Sports Carnival will start with a hockey match between two Gujarat teams comprising senior players at the Major Dhyanchand Hockey Ground Thursday evening. This will be followed by other games such as hula hoop, pyramid, forward roll, cartwheeling, etc on a stage near the art gallery at Race Course. Simultaneously, other games, including those for children, will be organised near the art gallery. This will be followed by a cultural programme at the art gallery. On September 16, a walking race will be organised in the morning at the athletics ground in Race Course while a basketball match will be organised in the evening.  On the final day of the carnival, Commissioner’s Eleven and Mayor’s Eleven will clash in a cricket match at Madhav Rao Scindia Cricket Ground at 6 pm. © The Indian Express (P) Ltd First published on: 15-09-2022 at 04:21:57 am

Anti-Metaverse Package ‘explosion’ At College VR Lab Probed By Investigators – The Register https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/anti-metaverse-package-explosion-at-college-vr-lab-probed-by-investigators-the-register/ A plastic carrying-case apparently exploded at Northeastern University’s Boston campus on Tuesday night, injuring one staff member, in what may be a protest against virtual reality – or just a hoax. Though the US city’s bomb squad and other emergency services and law enforcement responded, the box did not contain a bomb. According to CBS News, the package – a Pelican hard case used for safely transporting sensitive equipment – “was under pressure” and did not contain “any gunpowder or explosives in it.” The unidentified contents of the case depressurized – in a non-incendiary way – when the university staff member opened the case at Holmes Hall. “The staff member sustained minor injuries and is being treated at a local hospital,” Northeastern University said in a statement. “No students were injured.” While NBC10 Boston has said investigators are exploring the possibility the incident may be a hoax, the news organization also characterized the case as having been deliberately “rigged” to depressurize when opened. NPR is also reporting that investigators are trying to determine whether or not the incident was staged and that the employee who reported the explosion made all or some it up. Unabomber v.2.0? According to CNN, the package “contained a rambling note that criticized Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and the relationship between academic institutions and the developers of virtual reality.” Holmes Hall, where the explosion occurred, is the home of Northeastern University’s Immersive Media Lab and the Northeastern University Virtual Reality (NUVR) student club. The note has not been released to the public but reports describe it as a manifesto that criticizes virtual reality, artificial intelligence, the metaverse, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The note, said to rail against academic VR development, reportedly demands the cessation of VR research. NBC10 Boston said the note, “which contained grammatical issues, misspellings and copious exclamation marks, characterized virtual reality as a government operation.” Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Maker of ATM bombing tutorials blew himself up – Euro cops Russian ‘Minecraft bomb plot’ teen jailed for five years NYC issues super upbeat PSA for surviving the nuclear apocalypse Computer program to take on the Unabomber The internet giant formerly known as Facebook adopted the name Meta last year. Beyond the branding benefit of distancing itself from Facebook’s privacy problems – serious enough to sink its Libra-turned-Diem currency project – it did so to signal its commitment to developing and monetizing the metaverse, a dystopian term culled from the science fiction novel Snowcrash that the company glamorizes as “a set of digital spaces to socialize, learn, play and more.” Meta aspires to be the gatekeeper, advertising provider, and toll collector for these digital environments, visited via Meta-made headsets and accessories including vibrating gloves. Having detonated $10 billion to develop virtual world tech just last year, Zuck Corp. is unlikely to throw in the towel because of an exclamation-laden threat. On Wednesday morning, university officials issued a statement reassuring students and staff that the campus is safe and that classes will be held as usual. The investigation into the incident at Northeastern University continues on a local, state, and federal level. Max Abrahms, an associate professor of political science at Northeastern University and terrorism expert, told NBC News that the incident has some similarities with the Unabomber, who sent 16 bombs to universities, killing three people, between 1978 and 1996. The US government’s decision to publish the Unabomber’s anti-technology manifesto in 1995 led to the capture of Theodore Kaczynski, after his brother recognized the text style and contacted the FBI. ®

Everyday Things You Didn’t Know Got Their Start On Shark Tank – Looper https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/everyday-things-you-didnt-know-got-their-start-on-shark-tank-looper/ × Cookies help us deliver our Services. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn More. By Looper Staff/Sept. 14, 2022 3:00 pm EDT This content was paid for by Sony and created by Looper. One of the most popular reality shows ever, “Shark Tank” offers a look into the worlds of inventors, small business owners, industry, finance, and top-level wheeler-dealers and barons of industry. Over the span of more than 300 episodes airing across more than a decade, upwards of a thousand entrepreneurs have entered “the Tank” to face off with “The Sharks”: five angel investors and venture capitalists with a proven track record of business success. If all goes according to plan, they’ll explain their proposal for their unique and innovative product or service, and at least one of the Sharks will agree to give them the hefty sum they’ve requested to take their business to the next level, in exchange for a moderate equity share of their company. Hundreds of people with good ideas and good products have emerged from the tank with a much needed lifeline for their business, but only a lucky and industrious handful of those entrepreneurs have experienced the promise and dream of “Shark Tank” to its fullest — for their creation to become a household name, fully incorporated into the daily lives of millions. Here are the most famous and important products to emerge from “Shark Tank.” Bombas socks The sixth season of “Shark Tank” got underway in 2014 in a big way, with what would turn out in the long run to be the biggest revenue-generating product that received financial backing from the long-running investment reality series. All it took to hit big and make that big impact was something almost impossibly soft: next-generation socks (and later T-shirts) made with a fabric blend that allowed smoothness and comfort to come first.  Randy Goldberg and David Heath entered the Tank in search of $200,000 in exchange for a five percent stake in their company, Bombas, a manufacturer of high-quality, eye-catching, and very, very soft socks. Right away, four of the five Sharks passed, and Daymond John was about to do the same until he asked for a 17 percent cut for his 200 grand. That turned out to be a wise investment for all parties concerned, because by 2021, Bombas had generated sales of $225 million, making it the most lucrative brand in “Shark Tank” history, with consumers ready and willing to shell out for the company’s comfortable socks, T-shirts, undergarments, and slippers. EverlyWell test kits Until the last decade or so, the idea of food allergies and sensitivities weren’t commonly known outside of some individuals’ potentially fatal physical aversion to peanuts. But in this era of rapid scientific breakthroughs, technological developments, and widely disseminated information, more and more people have become aware of the negative physical effects they may suffer from different types of food, including wheat and dairy. This phenomenon has coincided with the rise of easy, affordable at-home medical testing for any number of medical conditions, and a big player in that field is EverlyWell, a company that got a lot of exposure and a generous cash infusion after appearing on “Shark Tank” in 2017.  Founded by Julia Cheek in 2015, the company manufactures a big line of at-home medical testing kits that check for food sensitivities, hormone levels, deficiencies, the presence of toxins, and more. Lori Greiner ponied up the $1 million Cheek sought from “Shark Tank” in the form of a line of credit in exchange for a five percent stake. It paid off: Thanks in part to an at-home COVID-19 test kit, EverlyWell’s market valuation sits at around $13 billion. Bantam Bagels A traditional European-Jewish baked good with a history dating back centuries, the bagel is now thoroughly entrenched into American cuisine. Spongy but dense on the inside, crispy but light on the outside, bagels are incredibly adaptable and their qualities complement all kinds of toppings and additions, creating a huge market for flavored bagels, bagel sandwiches, microwavable mini-bagel pizzas, and frozen, heat-and-eat bite-size bagels. One of the most notable, commonly found, and widely consumed bagel-inspired food products is Bantam Bagels. Found in the frozen food section (and at thousands of Starbucks outlets) and quickly heated up and easily eaten on the go, they’re made up of balls of baked bagel dough. And the cream cheese, usually found atop a sliced and halved bagel? That’s stuffed inside. Bantam Bagels started out as a single bakery in New York City’s West Village in 2013, founded by former stockbrokers Nick and Elyse Oleksak. After a lot of media attention spurred business growth, the Oleksaks took their bagels to “Shark Tank” in 2015. After some negotiations, Lori Greiner invested $275,000 in the company for a 25 percent stake, which paid off big when the Oleksaks sold Bantam Bagels to Lancaster Colony in 2018 for $34 million. The Simply Fit Board Most anyone who exercises regularly for the sake of physical fitness, improved health, or a fitter appearance does so with an eye toward a flat stomach or toned abdominal muscles. The general marketplace is happy to oblige the millions of consumers in search of the right product that will help them reach that elusive goal with any number of gadgets and pieces of exercise equipment that claim to strengthen, build up, or rework abs. Of the many such products available, one of the top selling and easiest to use is also the simplest, both in conception and construction. The Simply Fit Board is a thick piece of shaped plastic with a dip in the middle that the user stands on. They must constantly maintain balance while they stand in place and twist their body, back and forth, repeatedly, working their abs and sides as they do so. Invented by mother-daughter team Linda Clark and Gloria Hoffman, the Simply Fit Board appeared on “Shark Tank” in 2015. With $1 million in sales already, Clark and Hoffman asked for a $125,000 investment for a 15 percent share. Lori Greiner put up the cash and negotiated an 18 percent share, which certainly made the Shark a lot of money — $160 million worth of Simply Fit products have sold since the “Shark Tank” exposure and deal. Bubba Q boneless ribs It’s no accident that “Bubba Q” sounds a lot like “barbecue.” The name firmly links the product to its category, a crowded marketplace, giving it an edge over competitors. Bubba Q also differs from the other many sauced smoked meats available in that it sells a fully cooked pork product that’s already been sauced with the bones removed, making for a much more convenient meal. Consumers definitely want what Bubba Q is selling — as of August 2022, the company boasts annual revenues of $5 million worth of boneless ribs. Seeing as how the Bubba Q restaurant closed in 2019 after 13 years, that’s all from sales of packaged ribs, made famous by a spot on “Shark Tank.” In 2013, Al “Bubba” Baker appeared on the financial reality TV show to promote and bolster Bubba Q Boneless Baby Back Ribs. The former NFL defensive lineman sought a $300,000 cash infusion in exchange for a 15 percent equity stake. Daymond John offered the sum requested, but negotiated a 30 percent share, which led to continued growth and attention for Bubba Q’s line of barbecue products. Silicone mats Thin, colorful silicone mats are a common kitchen contraption, simply built but effective for a number of uses, be it a jar opening assistant, trivet upon which to place hot dishes, a bowl cover, a splatter guard, a pot holder, or a microwave liner. Just silicone circles have become ubiquitous thanks in part to Safe Grabs, which are sold in multi-packs in an array of colors.  Made of food-grade silicon and free of potentially harmful BPAs, Safe Grabs got a jump on other manufacturers with an appearance by its creator on “Shark Tank” in 2016. Inspired by a lifelong tendency to burn her fingers when taking hot plates right out of the microwave, inventor Cyndi Lee went into the tank seeking $75,000 for a 12 percent stake in her company. Lori Greiner upped that to a 25 percent stake, clearing the way for Safe Grabs to cool down kitchens nationwide. Scrub Daddy Anybody with a kitchen has to wash their dishes somehow — and they’ve usually got to have some kind of sponge or scouring thing with which to wash those dishes. As such, millions of people over the last decade have chosen the Scrub Daddy. Aaron Krause created the 21st century’s relatively high-tech answer to the sponge.  He ran a manufacturing operation that left his hands greasy and oily and the only thing that got them clean was a special kind of foam. He developed that substance to a circular object, with two holes in the middle through which he could stick his fingers and clean them. The holes looked like eyes, he added a “smile,” and that’s how he came up with Scrub Daddy. They sold okay, but after failing to gain any attention from big retailers, Krause took Scrub Daddy onto Shark Tank in 2012, where Lori Greiner offered $200,000 for a 20 percent equity stake. Now available for a few bucks at dozens of stores and outlets, more than 25 million Scrub Daddy products have been sold. UV smartphone cleaners By May 2012, smartphones had been widely available for less than half a decade, but they’d already reached critical mass and had become a can’t-leave-home-without, can’t-live-without, multiple-gadget-replacing, ultimate-accessory of modern life. The downside of all that phone usage is the transmission of germs, bacteria, and viruses — everybody touching their phones hundreds of times a day, after touching countless other things, leaves a lot of nasty microscopic stuff behind on that little touchscreen. The market showed an o...

Here’s Why $80 Billion Was Wiped Off The Crypto Market – NewsBTC https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/heres-why-80-billion-was-wiped-off-the-crypto-market-newsbtc/ Over the last 24 hours, a substantial amount has been wiped off the crypto market. Billions of dollars were taken off the market cap as cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin lost about 10% of their value in the same time period. Following this, Charles Hoskinson, founder of the Cardano network, has shared his thoughts on what caused the market to crash. Inflation Is The Culprit Taking to Twitter, Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson explained that the high inflation rate was the reason behind the market crash. It is no secret that the inflation rate of the United States has been climbing in the last couple of months, and the most recent CPI data report saw another increase in inflation, triggering panic across the financial markets. On the headline inflation, there was only about a 0.1% increase according to the CPI data, while core inflation rose 0.6%. However, despite these numbers not being ‘large’ compared to previous inflation growth rates, it showed that inflation was not slowing down. With the year-over-year inflation rate now sitting at 8.3%, it triggered a massive sell-off in the market.  Hoskison shared a report from CNBC that showed that the crypto market was not the only one hit in the sell-offs that accompanied the release of the CPI data. The DOW had fallen 1,200 points in a single day, which was the largest single-day drop recorded in the last two years. Market cap drops to $951 billion | Source: Crypto Total Market Cap on TradingView.com Hoskinson’s statements on the topic of inflation were, “I remember attending a dinner party in Abu Dhabi and sitting next to a famous economist who told me inflation had nothing to do with printing massive sums of money. The people in charge are a delusional cult. You get the bill.” The crypto market has lost a total of $80 billion in the last 24 hours, which has brought the total market cap below $1 trillion once more. Now, the market looks toward the FOMC meeting that is planned to happen at the start of next week. The decision will also have a significant impact on the market. But before then, the Ethereum Merge presents another event that could have an impact on the market. Bitcoin’s strong correlation with the stock market is also having an impact on the market. This means that for there to be a recovery in the crypto market, a recovery in the stock market would help it along. However, with the inflation rates remaining so high, recovery may remain far off until there is more positive news. Featured image from Forkast, chart from TradingView.com Follow Best Owie on Twitter for market insights, updates, and the occasional funny tweet…

Mexico, U.S. Close VU Manufacturing Complaint In Fifth USMCA Labor Probe – Reuters https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/mexico-u-s-close-vu-manufacturing-complaint-in-fifth-usmca-labor-probe-reuters/ Flags of Mexico, United States and Canada are pictured at a security booth at Zaragoza-Ysleta border crossing bridge, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico January 16, 2020. REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com MEXICO CITY, Sept 14 (Reuters) – Mexico and the United States have resolved the latest in a series of labor complaints under a regional trade pact, saying on Wednesday that workers at auto-parts plant VU Manufacturing in northern Mexico were able to elect the union of their choice. U.S. officials in July called for a probe under the 2020 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the fifth such case aiming to improve workplace conditions in Mexico, after activists alleged the company interfered in workers’ efforts to select their union. read more Michigan-based VU Manufacturing, whose factory in the Mexican border city of Piedras Negras produces interior car parts including arm-rests and door upholstery, did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com U.S. labor officials said the Mexican government educated workers and trained management to ensure a fair union election on Aug. 31, including asking the company to issue a statement vowing to stay neutral. The Mexican government also requested vote observers from Mexico’s electoral institute and the United Nations-backed International Labor Organization. Workers ultimately elected an independent union, La Liga Sindical Obrera Mexicana, which will negotiate the plant’s first collective contract, covering some 400 people. “Workers at Manufacturas VU Auto Components facility now have a union – chosen through a fair election – with whom they are consulting as they prepare for negotiations,” U.S. Labor Minister Marty Walsh said in a statement. Their rights to free association and collective bargaining had previously been denied, the statement added. Mexico’s economy and labor ministries said the peaceful vote ensured workers could elect the group they believed would best represent their interests, and officials would continue monitoring worker rights at the factory. Previous USMCA labor complaints led to probes at Mexican plants owned by companies including carmakers General Motors and Stellantis. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Daina Beth Solomon; Editing by Anthony Esposito, Jonathan Oatis and Josie Kao Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Spotlight Interview: Tristan Gadsby, CEO And Founder Of Alliants | – Hotel Technology News https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/spotlight-interview-tristan-gadsby-ceo-and-founder-of-alliants-hotel-technology-news/ 9.14.2022 Tristan Gadsby is CEO and founder of Alliants, which helps high-end hotels like Four Seasons deliver on their luxury promise. The company’s experience platform combines messaging with concierge, enabling contactless communication and trip planning to deliver exceptional guest experiences. Tristan has spent his career focusing on using technology to make companies and industries more seamless and accessible to consumers. Tristan has sought to innovate throughout his working life, having built a successful startup in the education sector before spending 10 years at Accenture working with companies including Prudential, American Express and British Airways. He worked on the Travelport IPO and consulted on the Avis Digital Transformation, Four Seasons Digital Experience and Samsung Digital Strategy. A frequent speaker at industry events, Tristan has also contributed to research on transforming the hotel experience through technology, the role of messaging in enhancing the customer experience and reshaping the future of hospitality. In this interview, he shares his perspective on some of the technology innovations being embraced by hotels and how these innovations help improve the guest experience. What shifts have you seen recently in hotel technology? The most striking change that we are currently experiencing is less to do with the technology itself – although this is developing all the time — and more to do with hotels embracing technology again. In recent years we have seen cost and complexity push hotels away. The sector learned to fear that one head turned at a presentation would lead to expensive long-term contracts being signed, only for the solution purchased to be less of a solution and more of a problem; costly and disruptive installations, confusing for teams to use, outmoded and useless too soon. Hotels were burned too many times and finance departments became suspicious of investment. The cloud had started to make inroads before the pandemic, allaying concerns that new technology meant months of disruption and chaos, but it was guests’ need to stay distanced which has helped hotels realize the value of what we offer. For too long, hotels — particularly at the luxury level where we operate — have lived by the mantra that service can only be delivered by people, preferably plenty of people. And guests do want to interact with another human and build those relationships, and not just when they are trying to check in at 7am after a long flight. The customer is used to automation in the rest of their lives, they are used to auto-filling forms and to having their phone do all the heavy lifting when it comes to tedious, repetitive tasks. Guests will always have the same frequently-asked questions, so an automated messaging platform removes a real burden on staff and provides a better service because guests receive answers immediately and in their chosen language and on their chosen channel. Pre-arrival, guests are looking for the same levels of communication they enjoy in their daily lives. We can all spot a generic marketing email and most are never opened, but a well-designed text or WhatsApp message to the device guests have with them at all times helps to build a closer, more personal relationship.  It also empowers guests to enrich their itinerary by suggesting a room upgrade and a variety of products and services to enjoy during their trip. Guests don’t want to arrive at a hotel and be asked their address, or for their credit card details, that should have been taken care of by the time they arrive and guests are happy to do this; they are used to sharing information about themselves. When they arrive in your hotel, they want to start enjoying their stay, not completing admin tasks which could be done more quickly and more accurately through automation. Instead you can offer a warm welcome, the change to cement the relationship you’ve started to build before the stay, offering them a favorite drink or a tip about about a local event which you know matches their interests. How can technology help operations? Hotels are significantly more complicated to operate than they were in the days when it was just about finding somewhere for you and your horse to sleep. There are many departments within the property and many stakeholders overseeing it. If you have a platform which integrates all of these and which everyone can access, you can enjoy a seamless, efficient operation. This may sound obvious, but years of haphazard growth, alongside systems which don’t talk to each other or don’t center around the guest, is how you end up with guests wandering around your spa in their toweling gowns angry and mystified about their missing treatment, or complaining about the cold room service which took two hours to arrive. One of the most immediate benefits is technology’s capacity to step in as an additional team member, or whole team. I won’t belabor the point, we all know that there aren’t enough staff to go around, even in the luxury sector, and those who are still in the sector find it a more pleasant place to work if they are not performing repetitive tasks. People don’t come to the hotel sector to tick boxes, they come to brighten other people’s days. If you free people up to deliver service, you have a happy guest, but you also have a fulfilled team member who is more likely to stay in your hotel long term. What core function can best improve the guest experience? Messaging and conversations are the real key to better guest relations and exceptional experience, which creates lifetime loyalty. We are all used to using our phones to get what we want, preferably without having to talk to anyone. Hotels have fallen behind other sectors in delivering on messaging, and on putting the power into guests’ hands. The use of messaging gives hoteliers the opportunity to deliver on the much-desired seamless experience, but it is also a key enabler in driving ancillary revenues — we found that there was a 90% increase in spend for users of chat. Ease of communications means that the guest is more likely to access services and drive spend. People want their holidays to be simple and stress free. How much more likely is it that you’ll add an activity such as snorkeling to your day if you can do it from your lounger rather than having to go and find the relevant team member? Hotels have never needed to work harder to generate revenue. Costs are rising across the board with no sign of subsiding and everything cannot be passed onto the consumer. We reported a 30 percent increase in engagement when guests can choose the channel and instant translation from more than 75 languages across 10 platforms allows all queries and requests to be responded to in their own language which amongst other things increased the room service average order value by percent. But delivering a guest-centric experience is more than supporting numerous messaging channels. Hotels must also be aware where the guest is in their journey to gauge what their requirements are, as well as understanding the purpose of their journey and tailoring it accordingly. The experience starts before the guest arrives at the hotel and continues after they have left, giving the hotel many opportunities to assist the guest and learn about their needs. If you improve your knowledge of the guest it helps you to see them as individuals, which means not just personalization, but recognition for their custom, what their preferences are and, if applicable, their loyalty. When working with one brand, we reported an 11 percent increase in guest satisfaction, and a 33 percent increase in spend per customer and grew the mix of direct bookings faster than any other channel, including OTAs. What does this mean for your brand? None of the above means anything if you don’t listen to your brand values. It’s not just enough to just improve the technology in your venue, it is part of how guests perceive the hotel and how they relate to your brand. So if you implement systems, your execution must be on brand: tools can lay the foundation but implementation can be the differentiation. What technology innovations are currently in the works at Alliants? We partnered with Zendesk earlier this year after having worked with them for several years and  we are planning to integrate our Customer Experience Platform with Zendesk solutions more closely and develop a number of value-added solutions, including messaging insights, which should help hotels build stronger relationships with their guests and be more creative in their thinking. We are also building a Zendesk professional services model to help customers across all industries maximize the benefits from their investments in customer experience technology. Hotels have always been eager to use the latest technology and used to inspire other sectors. Now they are more cautious and service — and revenue — is suffering as a result. Hotels are the locations for some of our most memorable experiences and we believe that we can help them be not merely the backdrop, but the source of those unforgettable moments.