Ergo Foundation Announces ErgoHack V: Mining And Minting Cryptonews
Ergo Foundation Announces ErgoHack V: Mining And Minting – Cryptonews https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/ergo-foundation-announces-ergohack-v-mining-and-minting-cryptonews/
Disclaimer: The text below is a press release that is not part of Cryptonews.com editorial content.
Ergo Continues to Establish Itself as a Leading Option for Crypto Miners Post-Merge
Singapore – August 29, 2022 – This fall, the Ergo Foundation will host the fifth iteration of the highly successful ErgoHack series. This latest hackathon will take place from October 3-20, 2022, and it will be co-presented with Flux, Alephium and the Djed Alliance. With the much anticipated Ethereum Merge coming this fall, this ErgoHack aims to inspire developers and entrepreneurs to explore projects as they relate to mining and minting with the potential for cross-chain development and deployment (for example, consider the ways your project could take advantage of the tools on these other blockchains). Please note that although the theme of the hackathon deals with mining and minting, any and all project proposals are welcome for submission.
As a Layer 1 blockchain, Ergo is one of the most active platforms in terms of developer activity – it continually ranks amongst the highest in this category on Stack. Ergo hackathons have become an identifying feature of the platform over the last year, and previous ErgoHacks have yielded some of the most used dApps currently in the ecosystem. With the upcoming Ethereum Merge, there will be countless miners looking for a new crypto to mine, and Ergo is poised to welcome a great deal of those miners. The Ergo Platform is optimally situated to offer miners several technological innovations in the Proof of Work mining industry (ie. Storage Rent, governance responsibilities, etc). Ergo is already starting to see increased hashrate migration with the network hashrate up over 250% since the beginning of August.
With an eye to the future of Proof of Work mining, ErgoHack V: Mining and Minting will primarily focus on creating dApps, tools, and infrastructure to further attract miners that will be looking for a new crypto to mine after the Ethereum Merge. Those who are interested in participating in this exciting opportunity are encouraged to visit the ErgoHack website for details on how to submit an application. The ErgoHack V prize pool is also the largest to date! Prizes include:
1st Prize – 10k SigUSD
2nd Prize – 6k SigUSD
3rd Prize – 2k SigUSD
Additional prizes from co-presenters will include 1800 DACAU (Djed Alliance Contribution Accounting Unit), 20k ALPH, and more!
Ergo is setting the new standard in the evolution of Proof of Work blockchains. Together with our partners, participants are invited to help us build the future of blockchain and to explore the potential for cross-chain deployment. Are you ready to help build the future? Visit the Ergo Platform website for more information on Ergo and get your ErgoHack application started today!
ErgoHack V Sponsors and Presenters
Ergo
Ergo is a robust Proof of Work, smart contract platform built on the eUTXO model with numerous technological innovations, including NIPoPoWs, Storage Rent, Sigma Protocols, ErgoMixer, SigUSD, and subpool mining to name a few. It was fairly launched with no pre-mining, no pre-allocation of tokens, and no venture capital partnerships. The entire supply of ERG tokens has been reserved for the mining consensus, save a small portion (4.37% of the entire supply) that was sent to a treasury fund to be spent on promoting and developing the Ergo blockchain. The team behind the project represent some of the greatest minds in blockchain development, with numerous years of experience and countless academic papers to their credit. At the time of writing, the ERG token is up over 195% from the middle of July 2022.
Djed Alliance
Djed is a formally verified crypto-backed autonomous stablecoin protocol. Ergo’s main stablecoin, SigmaUSD, is a deployment of an open-source implementation of this protocol. The Djed Alliance stewards the evolution and growth of the Djed protocol, with the mission of bringing stability to the cryptocurrency industry.
Alephium
Alephium is the first operational sharded L1 blockchain scaling and enhancing on PoW & UTXO concepts. Decentralization, self-sovereignty, and security meet high-performance, accessibility, and energy efficiency in a dev-friendly network optimized for DeFi & smart contract applications. For more information, please visit Alephium’s website.
FLUX
Flux is building a new generation of scalable, decentralized cloud infrastructure. Developing Web3, Flux offers the advantages such as redundancy, interoperability, decentralization, and cost efficiency. For more information, please visit Flux’s website.
European Markets Nudge Higher As Global Investors Await U.S. Inflation Data CNBC
European Markets Nudge Higher As Global Investors Await U.S. Inflation Data – CNBC https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/european-markets-nudge-higher-as-global-investors-await-u-s-inflation-data-cnbc/
European stocks were cautiously higher on Tuesday as global markets geared up for the latest reading of U.S. inflation, with the August data set to be released Tuesday.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 was up 0.2% in early trade, with food and beverage stocks adding 0.9% to lead gains while retail stocks slid 1.3%.
The inflation report is one of the last pieces of data on inflation the U.S. Federal Reserve will see ahead of its September meeting, where the central bank is expected to deliver its third consecutive 0.75 percentage point rate hike in an effort to combat high inflation.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell reiterated last week that he is “strongly committed” to bringing down inflation.
UBS plans to boost dividend; shares rise in pre-market
UBS Group plans to increase its dividend by 10% to $0.55 per share and expects its 2022 share repurchases to exceed $5 billion, the Swiss bank said on Tuesday.
UBS shares were indicated 1.2% higher in pre-market activity after what ZKB analyst Michael Klien called surprise news.
Read more here.
— Reuters
Stocks on the move: Future up 5%, Ocado down 12%
Shares of Future Plc gained 5.5% in early trade to lead the Stoxx 600 after the British media company projected that full-year adjusted operating profit would come in at the top end of market expectations.
At the bottom of the European blue chip index, British grocery technology company Ocado plunged more than 12% after warning of lower full-year sales as consumers weather soaring inflation.
– Elliot Smith
CNBC Pro: Forget oil — coal is hot right now. Here are 2 stocks to play it, according to the pros
Coal mining in Wyoming.
Brian Brainerd | The Denver Post | Getty Images
Coal prices are at record highs and market watchers see prices going even higher as a global energy crisis looms.
“It’s almost like any or all companies are a buy,” analyst Peter O’Conner said of the booming coal sector, and reveals his favorite stock.
CNBC Pro subscribers can read more here.
— Zavier Ong
Relief rally is likely bear market bounce, Wells Fargo says
The recent relief rally in stocks is likely another bear market bounce and investors should position for more choppiness ahead, according to Wells Fargo.
“Year-do-date, the outperformance of defensive, high shareholder payout, high-quality and low-valuation stocks reminds investors of the hallmark of a bear market,” global portfolio and investment strategist Chao Ma wrote in a Monday note.
Such recoveries happen in nearly every bear market and many are quickly reversed, leaving investors with regrets, they added.
“Although it is difficult to predict the bottom of a bear market, in the past, market bottoms were typically preconditioned by over-pessimistic market sentiment and a sign of definitive improvement in the underlying economic or market issue,” Ma said. “We believe we are not there yet in either regard.”
In the meantime, Ma recommends investors look for defensive stocks with low volatility, high dividends and share repurchase yields. He also says investors should go for high quality names with profitability and leading market share and affordable market price.
—Carmen Reinicke
U.S. stock futures rise ahead of Tuesday CPI report
U.S. stock futures were higher Monday night as Wall Street looks ahead to the August consumer price index report set to be released Tuesday morning. The report will give investors an update on the inflation situation in the U.S. and is one of the last pieces of data the Federal Reserve will see ahead of its September meeting.
Dow Jones Industrial Average futures gained 55 points, or 0.17%. S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures climbed 0.18% and 0.21%, respectively.
—Carmen Reinicke
CNBC Pro: Want to invest in real estate? These REITs are among analysts’ favorites
Real estate investment trusts — or REITs — are coming back to the spotlight after a volatile year for many asset classes.
Analysts from Morgan Stanley and Citi highlight REITs from two sectors that they say could outperform the wider market, and remain resilient in a recession.
CNBC Pro subscribers can read more here.
— Weizhen Tan
Wed, Aug 17 202212:29 AM EDT
European markets: Here are the opening calls
European stocks are expected to open cautiously higher on Wednesday with the U.K.’s FTSE index seen 18 points higher at 7,560, Germany’s DAX 33 points higher at 13,944, France’s CAC 40 up 18 points at 6,616 and Italy’s FTSE MIB up 42 points at 23,029, according to data from IG.
Data releases include preliminary euro zone unemployment data for the second quarter as well as second quarter gross domestic product. The latest U.K. inflation numbers for July will be released as well as preliminary second quarter Dutch GDP.
Earnings come from Uniper, Carlsberg, Persimmon, Balfour Beatty, BAT and National Grid.
Sun, Aug 14 20229:15 PM EDT
Sign up for CNBC’s newsletter here:
Grimes Says Mark Zuckerberg under Qualified To Launch The Metaverse The Indian Express
Grimes Says Mark Zuckerberg ‘under Qualified’ To Launch The Metaverse – The Indian Express https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/grimes-says-mark-zuckerberg-under-qualified-to-launch-the-metaverse-the-indian-express/
Grimes, a popular Canadian musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer said Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is “under-qualified” to launch the metaverse. “If Zuck oversees the Metaverse it is dead and people who care about art and culture are building something else,” the singer tweeted, in response to Zuckerberg’s recent interview with Joe Rogan.
Grimes– who previously dated Elon Musk– is a vivid NFT collector, she has sold an NFT collection for nearly $6 million. The singer is known for her love of video games and sci-fi and fantasy culture. She also took a dig at Meta CEO’s recent avatar release. “This is bad. The quality of this image alone speaks to how wildly underqualified he is to build an alternate reality, literally every indie game looks better.”
This comes several days after Zuckerberg shared a screenshot of images from Horizon Worlds, the company’s metaverse. The screenshot showed a Zuckerberg avatar in front of the Eiffel Tower and Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia. The images were shared alongside an announcement that Horizon Worlds was launching in France and Spain.
According to The Verge, netizens on Twitter mocked the low-resolution graphics and called them “amateur”. Following which, Zuckerberg announced some new screenshots on Facebook and Instagram, the photos are more life-like versions of him and look pretty realistic. “I know the photo I posted earlier this week was pretty basic — it was taken very quickly to celebrate a launch. The graphics in Horizon are capable of much more — even on headsets — and Horizon is improving very quickly,” he wrote.
Meta changed its name from Facebook to Meta in October last year. Facebook’s attempt to rename itself was to align with its focus on building the metaverse, which CEO Zuckerberg sees as becoming a reality sooner or later. And Facebook, which also owns the Oculus VR gaming platform, doesn’t want to be left behind in the race to be a part of the metaverse. The rebranding followed the company’s 2014 acquisition of Oculus, a company that produces VR headsets with an emphasis on gaming, for $2 billion.
Meanwhile, the metaverse arm has missed on profits for the second quarter in a row. According to Reality Labs, Meta’s metaverse reported earnings of $452 million, a decrease from $695 million in the previous quarter. The division previously reported a $2.9 billion loss in the first quarter of 2022.
Football: Bucks Remain Third In Polls | Sports Yankton Daily Press
Football: Bucks Remain Third In Polls | Sports – Yankton Daily Press https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/football-bucks-remain-third-in-polls-sports-yankton-daily-press/
Yankton’s Gavin Swanson, 30, and Shaylor Platte, 32, clear the way for teammate Tucker Gilmore during the Bucks’ Eastern South Dakota Conference football game against Watertown, Friday at Yankton’s Crane-Youngworth Field. Yankton (3-0) remained third in both the media and coaches’ football polls, announced Monday. Yankton travels to top-ranked Pierre this week.
James D. Cimburek/P&D
The Yankton Bucks (3-0) remained third in both the media and coaches football polls in advance of this week’s matchup with top-ranked Pierre. Both polls were announced Monday.
Pierre (3-0) received 21 of 22 first place votes in the media poll and 28 of 30 first place votes in the coaches’ poll. Tea Area, fresh off beating Class 11AAA power O’Gorman (2-1), ranked second in Class 11AA and received the other first place votes in the class.
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Extreme Travel Experiences Growing In Popularity NewsNation Now
Extreme Travel Experiences Growing In Popularity – NewsNation Now https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/extreme-travel-experiences-growing-in-popularity-newsnation-now/
(NewsNation) — Taking a vacation no longer necessarily means lounging on a beach. Mysterious realms of the planet are being revealed like never before, with some saying extreme vacations are becoming more accessible to the average person.
Even with prices bordering on steep, people are still booking trips to all ends of the Earth. From deep sea dives costing anywhere from $45,000 to $250,000 to climbing Mount Everest for anywhere from $30,000 to $160,000 or visiting the North and South Pole for around $7,775, people appear to be hungry for unusual, challenging travel experiences following the pandemic.
Extreme travel options include a nearly $20,000 cruise around the world that hits about 50 destinations or a visit to the Titanic’s shipwreck, two miles below the ocean surface.
Sandra McLemore, a travel industry expert, appeared on “NewsNation Prime” to discuss the exotic travel choices gaining popularity.
“It’s not really a new thing. I think it’s the fact that we missed it. When you take something away from somebody, they just want it even more afterwards,” she said.
McLemore says there are some phenomenal travel experiences out there for nearly every budget.
Starting on the high end, McLemore says she’s seen “people chartering planes and literally flying around the world one step at a time, wherever their heart or their place will take them. I’ve seen people doing world cruises of 164 days. I’ve seen people going on expeditions to Antarctica and playing with penguins.”
For those on a budget, she says, there’s a 111-day world cruise that has 50 different destinations and comes with a twist.
“What most people don’t know is that you can actually purchase a segment of the cruise. World cruises are often broken into 14-day segments. So, it’s just a matter of picking which segment of the world you want to cruise and taking yourself on a portion of that world cruise for a fraction of the price,” McLemore said.
And while “it’s not realistic for people to rent a jet or charter a plane … what most people don’t know is that companies like JSX, they’re just one of the very many private air companies. You can fly private for around $200 a flight per person right here in America. You still get that luxury feeling and that exclusive experience, but you’re not breaking the bank.”
McLemore says there are a few spots in particular where the dollar can really stretch on vacation.
“If you were traditionally on a Holiday Inn budget, you could really get something luxurious in somewhere like Bali, Indonesia, South America, Costa Rica or even Mexico. There are some great places where your dollar stretches further, and you really can step into luxury,” McLemore said.
McLemore recommends booking with a professional travel advisor to help find the best value experiences.
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Solaris Senior Living Merritt Island To Host Free Healthy Snacking Seminar Event Sept. 15 SpaceCoastDaily.com
Solaris Senior Living Merritt Island To Host Free ‘Healthy Snacking’ Seminar Event Sept. 15 – SpaceCoastDaily.com https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/solaris-senior-living-merritt-island-to-host-free-healthy-snacking-seminar-event-sept-15-spacecoastdaily-com/
Home » Solaris Senior Living Merritt Island to Host Free ‘Healthy Snacking’ Seminar Event Sept. 15
St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care will co-present a free Healthy Snacking seminar
Solaris Senior Living Merritt Island and St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care will co-present a free Healthy Snacking seminar at 2 p.m. this Thursday, September 15. Solaris Senior Living Dietary Director Jayne Garcia, above, will discuss how healthy snacking can prevent overeating, help keep blood sugar levels steady, and more.
BREVARD COUNTY • MERRITT ISLAND, FLORIDA – Americans get an average of 24 percent of their calories from snacks, according to The Journal of Nutrition. With snacks providing this much of the day’s calories, choosing healthy options can prevent overeating and improve overall health.
Solaris Senior Living Merritt Island and St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care will co-present a free Healthy Snacking seminar at 2 p.m. this Thursday, September 15.
The event will be held at Solaris Senior Living Merritt Island, located at 535 Crockett Boulevard on Merritt Island.
Solaris Senior Living Dietary Director Jayne Garcia will discuss how healthy snacking can prevent overeating, help keep blood sugar levels steady, and more.
“We’ll learn how snacking wisely can give us much-needed extra energy, help with weight loss, and curb afternoon slumps,” said Garcia.
“St. Francis Reflections is honored to support Solaris Senior Living with this healthy living event,” said Kelli McGuire, CTRS, Business Development Specialist for Skilled Nursing at St. Francis Reflections.
Solaris Senior Living Merritt Island is a leading assisted living community offering 24/7 nursing services and six levels of care for residents. It is one of 19 healthcare communities operated by Solaris Foundation, Inc., a Florida-based not-for-profit organization.
“St. Francis Reflections is honored to support Solaris Senior Living with this healthy living event,” said Kelli McGuire, CTRS, Business Development Specialist for Skilled Nursing at St. Francis Reflections.
“We are grateful to work with our community partners regarding ways to maximize the quality of life. At St. Francis, our vision is to compassionately serve our community by empowering people to live life to the fullest.”
“Eating the right snacks aids in having a better mood, increases energy, and helps you focus so you can make the most out of each day,” added McGuire.
Space is limited please RSVP to c.byars@solarisfoundation.org, or call 321-454-2363.
St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care offers a diverse range of compassionate care services including palliative care, hospice and grief support for all ages
For more information about Solaris Senior Living, please call 321-454-2363, or visit SolarisHealthcare.org. For more information about St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care, please call 321-269-4240 or visit ReflectionsLSC.org.
Cummins JBA Lead YMCA Battle | News Sports Jobs Jamestown Post Journal
Cummins, JBA Lead YMCA Battle | News, Sports, Jobs – Jamestown Post Journal https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/cummins-jba-lead-ymca-battle-news-sports-jobs-jamestown-post-journal/
The 34th annual YMCA Battle of the Businesses, sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of WNY, Greater Chautauqua Federal Credit Union and Eventz by Scott, hosted golf and bowling Sunday.
Cummins tops the Large Division with 470 points, while Jamestown Bar Association/City Court and Matco Tools ties for the Small Division title with 280 points each.
The Cummins team of Rob Culpepper, Scott Melquist, Tatum Veeraraghavan and Bob Drake won the men’s golf in the Large Division with a score of 30 to beat Bush Furniture (31) at Maplehurst Country Club. SKF Aeroengine (32) took third place.
For the women’s Large Division golf event, Frewsburg Central School’s team of Sierra Beaver, Lindsey Vitello, Michelle Mole and Ashley Yahner shot a 36 to top second-place finisher Jamestown BPU (37). Cummins came in third place with a 38.
In the Small Division, JBA’s foursome of John LaMancuso Jr., James Benning, Gerry Lenikie and Grace Hanson took first place with a 30. Southern Tier Brewing/Distilling Co. (31) and Rand Precision Machining (32) took second and third place respectively.
The SKF men’s bowling team of Brandon Miller, John Williams Jr., Brent Miller and Ryan Colburn rolled a 2,161 three-game series at the Jamestown Bowling Company to gain the Large Division top 100 points.
The Resource Center (2,086) and Frewsburg (2,030) bowled for second and third place respectively.
The Cummins team of Jen Haskins, Shelly Lord, Sue Bero and Steph Tompkins rolled a 1,707 pin count for the Large Division women’s win. The teams of Bush (1,554) and UPMC Chautauqua (1,512) scored second and third place.
PJ Jones, Roger Wynn, Bill Leonard and Jeff Arnold of Matco Tools posted a 1,909 series for the Small Division to earn the 100 points. Jamestown Macadam, Inc. (1,603) and Rand (1,599) followed.
The Battle of the Businesses continues today at the Jamestown YMCA with the Large Division volleyball at 6 p.m. and the Small Division roller skating relay (skates provided by YMCA), starting at 6 p.m. at the Lakewood YMCA.
Participants are reminded to wear their team T-shirts and check event schedule for exact team arrival times.
For more information, call the Lakewood YMCA at 716-763-0303.
Standings
Large Division
Cummins 470
Frewsburg Central School 450
Jamestown BPU 405
Bush Furniture 400
The Resource Center 390
Falconer Central Schools 385
Chautauqua County Government 345
TitanX Engine Cooling, Inc. 275
UPMC Chautauqua 265
SKF Aeroengine 265
Small Division
Jamestown Bar Association/City Court 280
Matco Tools 280
Southern Tier Brewing/Distilling Company 270
Rand Precision Machining 255
Trinity Biotech/Greater Chautauqua Federal Credit Union 230
GA Family Services at Lutheran 215
Rehabilitation Specialists/CES – 210 Jamestown Macadam, Inc.175
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A Digitised Tunku Abdul Rahman Teaches Netizens About The Metaverse Options The Edge
A Digitised Tunku Abdul Rahman Teaches Netizens About The Metaverse – Options The Edge https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/a-digitised-tunku-abdul-rahman-teaches-netizens-about-the-metaverse-options-the-edge/
Once in a while, a photo lets Ivan Khoo into his grandmother’s mind when wisps of her memory allow it. Like a camera shutter that is constantly misfiring, her brain captures hundreds of impressions and attempts to preserve them before dementia steals them away. As a loved one, unmoored by time, drifts into the abyss, Khoo hopes that the familiar face of a family member can make the fragmented anecdotes in a patient’s life whole again.
Dementia sneaks up like a robber in the night to destroy a house built over a lifetime, but Khoo has realised that technology could be the hand to catch those free-falling in this battle of cognitive decline. When Maxis Bhd approached his company Ministry XR for a Chinese New Year campaign to raise awareness on dementia, Khoo and his team designed a data-driven app called RE:Collection to help patients relive their favourite memories through reminiscence therapy. Working with Kuala Lumpur-based dementia enrichment centre Caring With You and the Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation Malaysia, Ministry XR allows the elderly to recall poignant moments through augmented reality (AR), while giving caregivers better insight into which memory triggers matter the most to their loved ones.
“It was a project that was closest to my heart,” says Khoo, who co-founded Ministry XR with chief technology officer Dr Andrew Yew in 2017, and grew the business into a leading spatial computing solution developer in the region in just four years. But Khoo, a former music and advertising expert, wants to extend his reach beyond the virtualisation of activities and interactions between machines, people and objects. “We’re now looking at advancing humanity by creating a thriving metaverse digital economy. Our virtual lives could play as important a role as our physical realities.”
The biggest ideas in tech often barrel into the lexicon before they are truly coherent but if the jargon above sounds all too intimidating, picture this: You are attending a live performance by your favourite musician, rocking an outfit you have specially put together and cheering away with a group of concertgoers. But here’s the twist — the show is taking place in the metaverse, while your physical self is sitting in your own home. The dress and sneakers you picked out earlier are gaining attention because a non-fungible token (NFT) ensures they are virtual couture. And the cheering? It comes from other avatars who are live-streaming at the same time as you.
Ever since the concept of metaverse was coined by Neal Stephenson in his 1992 novel Snow Crash to define a 3D world inhabited by digital people, it has been repurposed to describe the convergence of virtual reality and a digital second life in modern times. Although the buzzword has been bandied around in the worlds of commerce, business, finance and entertainment, its definition is still fuzzy and contested as it is continuously shaped by the ambitions of the people using it. Yet, tech titans are wasting no time jumping on the bandwagon — Facebook, for example, renamed itself Meta to reflect its metaverse vision and announced it will make 10,000 hires over the next few years to develop its platform. Touted to supersede the internet, this elevation of the online world will see more game-like representations of people (avatars) interacting in a graphically rich space, where they can work, play, trade, shop and pay for anything with cryptocurrencies. Soon, this will no longer sound like science fiction.
Metaverse, a tangible outcome of a Web 3.0 environment built on blockchain-based protocols that decentralise control and allow users to democratically govern the internet’s direction, radiates the promise of a virtual place untethered by hierarchies and limitations of the real world. Tech players around the globe are already embracing a digital frontier in which social norms and value systems are written anew, but is Malaysia ready for the metaverse? How do we stack up against others in terms of our digital standing?
“I would think that we are 10 years behind,” laments Khoo, who also set up a headquarters in Singapore, which boasts a richer digital ecosystem with stricter digital privacy and security measures.
“We have been going to some of the biggest tech conferences in the world, including the Augmented World Expo in Silicon Valley, the US. When I was there, I felt such a big relief because conversations were easier as everyone shared the same innovative spirit and passion for knowledge. In 2020, 70% of Fortune 500 companies were already making plans to develop digital strategies using XR technology. But progress was a little lagging back home. For instance, when dot-com boomed, how many Malaysians saw the opportunity to make a compelling impact with a solution?”
As much as we possess a voracious appetite for technology and a good understanding of AR, Khoo points out that local tech companies are too few and far from being leading-edge to assist with the adoption. Ignorance, fear of change and a high resistance investing in new ideas among business holders despite wanting to leverage AR could also impede Malaysia from being at the forefront of digital fields such as big data, cloud and artificial intelligence (AI).
“The next era of computing [that is ubiquitous computing or the metaverse] will drive the next industrial revolution. And it stems from advancements made on foundational IR 4.0 technologies. We need people of influence to lead, top level corporate management to incite change, and government bodies to provide support by commissioning for proprietary technology development locally and providing subsidies to companies that perform it.”
Thus, to gain a foothold in the virtual world and capitalise on the unlimited realities these technologies offer, Ministry XR is launching Xanadu, Asia’s entertainment metaverse and NFT gallery that can be experienced during a three-week festival to celebrate 65 years of our country’s independence. Billed as the world’s first national day event, the aptly named Merdekaverse allows netizens — particularly the younger generation — to relive the historic declaration of “Merdeka!” by our first prime minister; attend the Tanggal 31 concert by our very own Singing Lawyer; and join a jubilant parade that culminates with firework displays in the sky. To mimic how a real festival would take place, the backdrop of Merdekaverse changes when a user logs in at different times — you may see decorations and flags being put up at Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad to drum up excitement one day, or jam with a live DJ at Xanadu Beach during the grand finale the next.
Malaysian-themed games also add to the fun, where players can scour the site for 65 items to win a treasure hunt, navigate pothole-riddled roads in Lari Sampai Pengsan that pokes fun at our daily struggles, or scale our iconic Petronas Twin Towers (or jagungs, as the locals call it) in an obstacle course. As floods are becoming a common sight in the country, a cheeky and satirical side-scrolling game named Banjir Surf raises money to help flood relief organisations while promoting the #kitajagakita mentality.
“This is a way of showing how the metaverse can give back to society and perform transfer of knowledge as we take history lessons out of the classroom,” says Khoo, whose team has worked closely with Arkib Negara and Muzium Negara to glean information, old photos and never-before-seen footage of our Bapa Kemerdekaan to complement the digital festival. Apart from getting government bodies on board, Xanadu has also engaged social enterprise Projek57 and Mercy Malaysia for the event.
“Merdekaverse is a good case study to convince brands about the transformative possibilities of the metaverse. The goal of Xanadu is to redistribute the ownership, power, opportunities and wealth of the internet to its community of creatives, creators and end users. So in the case of Merdekaverse, it’s all wins across the board — music artists get the exposure through an immersive engagement with fans, creators can build more interactive content that courts collaborations, and brands can sponsor local acts and promote partnerships that bring new audiences to the table on their platforms at a small fee. If you look at it, it’s democratising advertising too because as much as people want to be associated with brands, they don’t want commercials to be shoved in their face all the time.”
Marketers are slowly seeing the potential for new revenue streams in the metaverse, such as renting digital land they own to other brands or selling digital collectibles to consumers. Although most platforms are still nascent, enthusiasm for the virtual world remains undimmed as a fledgling, savvy generation — which already has one foot in the metaverse via gaming and social media — sees it as an avenue of self-expression. They celebrate individuality over conformity and community over corporations in ways simply not possible in real life. Moreover, thanks to a high rate of internet penetration in Malaysia, forward-thinking schools and teachers are nurturing a crop of tech enthusiasts. Ministry XR’s partnership with Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), which developed state-of-the-art equipment and facilities that include a 360-degree volumetric video capture zone, extended education experience (EDEX) station and mixed reality smart glasses in the form of Microsoft HoloLens, is a salient example.
“We’re trying to create a sustainable ecosystem with a prospective future. If brands, government institutions and large corporations take the leap in spatial technology and, say, the metaverse, more career opportunities will result in a pool of high-value engineers, product visionaries, and creative technolo...
Try This Gadget To Remove Fuzzy Hair All Year Round: Ulike Sapphire Ice-Cooling Laser IPL Hair Removal Device Tech Times
Try This Gadget To Remove Fuzzy Hair All Year Round: Ulike Sapphire Ice-Cooling Laser IPL Hair Removal Device – Tech Times https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/try-this-gadget-to-remove-fuzzy-hair-all-year-round-ulike-sapphire-ice-cooling-laser-ipl-hair-removal-device-tech-times/
Body hair is normal, but when it gets out of control, it can be uncomfortable to show off your skin. It doesn’t help that the never-ending hair removal and growth cycle persists. You wish it could be washed away with a few rinses, but that’s not how it works. This is where the Ulike Sapphire Ice-cooling Laser IPL Hair Removal Device comes in handy, as it inhibits the regrowth of hair for both men and women in just four weeks. Check out how Ulike Beauty designed their laser hair remover to get rid of your body hair and keep your skin silky smooth.
(Photo : Ulike Beauty)
What Is IPL Hair Removal?
The Ulike Sapphire Ice-cooling Laser IPL Hair Removal Device delivers next generation IPL hair removal technology, a trusted technology used by professional clinics to banish hair at the root. IPL technology uses multi-spectrum lights, and converts light energy to heat energy, which destroys the nutrient supply of the dermal papilla and hair follicles, permanently reducing hair regrowth over time to bring users silky smooth, hair free skin, without the hefty price tag.
With Ulike’s patented medical grade Sapphire ice-cooling technology, heat output from the device is reduced, cooling skin to protect it from injuries. With traditional hair removal devices, the temperature of light can reach 158℉-212℉. Thanks to Ulike’s Sapphire Ice-cooling technology, skin is cooled to 50℉-104℉, effectively avoiding burning and heat injuries caused by high temperatures and ensuring each treatment is painless and safe.
How Much Does Laser Hair Removal Cost?
Laser hair removal generally costs more than $300 for each appointment. If you are shocked by the price, you might be worried to hear you’ll have to pay that price for up to six sessions to see long lasting results.
Alternatively, you can check out the Ulike Sapphire Ice-cooling Laser IPL Hair Removal Device to explore how you can achieve painless and permanent beauty salon quality results without the hefty price tag.
Is Getting Laser Hair Removal Worth It?
Based on its cost and convenience, laser hair removal is definitely worth it. This is especially true with the Ulike Sapphire Ice-cooling Laser IPL Hair Removal Device.
(Photo : Ulike Beauty)
Key Features
Easy to Use and Effective: Designed with a flat head and different Sapphire gradings depending on the model, the Ulike Sapphire can be easily pressed onto skin, boosting effectiveness and targeting unwanted hair more efficiently, without causing irritation or pain.
For Everyone: Satisfying the needs of different hair and skin types, the Ulike Sapphire has up to five energy levels, suitable for use on the face, underarms, bikini line, arms and legs, perfectly delivering a cool and comfortable IPL treatment for men and women.
Lightweight and Stylish: The Ulike Sapphire features an elegant, ergonomic shape and weighs just 284g, perfectly fitting in users’ hands for a simple and seamless experience. It is sleek, stylish and portable, allowing you to enjoy discrete and convenient hair removal anytime at home, or even on holiday.
Safe to Use: Ulike’s unique medical grade Sapphire Ice-cooling technology quickly reduces heat output from the device, chilling it to 50°F-104°F and ensures there’s no burning and heat damage caused by excessive temperatures. Plus, it is FDA authorized, meaning that it is safe to use and adheres to strict requirements for a safe and effective hair removal experience.
Benefits
Applicable for different skin types as well as certain areas in both men and women
Salon grade experience that is both effective and safe to use
Uses a unique medical grade Sapphire ice-cooling technology that rapidly cools the skin once it has been heated
FDA-approved, promising safety, and high standards
SGS certified and tested, delivering effective results in four weeks at most
Compact body hair removal device that works in 10 minutes
Ensures safety and cleanliness without the risk of injury
(Photo : Ulike Beauty)
What Stage Is It Best to Remove Hair? Start in Fall, Shine in Summer
Considering your hair has a predetermined growth phase, it is hard to get rid of hair in a single session. In most cases, it takes 1-2 months of consistent therapy to attain the desired results. In other words, permanent hair removal takes consistent application overtime to get the desired outcomes. With this in mind, Ulike Beauty recommends beginning your treatment in the fall for smooth and beautiful skin ready for spring and summer.
Fall has shown to be an ideal time to begin your hair removal therapy owing to the normal hair growth cycle and lower exposure to UV radiation. UV rays are harmful to the skin and these rays are at their peak in the summer, so it’s best to limit your skin’s exposure to the sun. Meanwhile, the environment in fall is much safer for your skin because of your clothes. Given the circumstances, long-sleeved clothing provides enough protection when they are comfortable to wear.
Put in the effort now and get smoother, more beautiful skin for the next season. Take advantage of faster results and Say Goodbye to Unwanted Hair Forever at home with laser hair removal from Ulike!
ⓒ 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Crypto.com Price Attempts A 20% Rally Without Hunting Sell-Stops FXStreet
Crypto.com Price Attempts A 20% Rally Without Hunting Sell-Stops – FXStreet https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/crypto-com-price-attempts-a-20-rally-without-hunting-sell-stops-fxstreet/
Crypto.com price has produced a higher high in an attempt to trigger a 20% rally.
The run-up could reverse after a 12% ascent due to the uncollected sell-stops below $0.1080 and $0.0985.
A daily candlestick close above $0.1080 will invalidate the bullish thesis for CRO.
Crypto.com price has been on a bullish trend between September 7 and 10 as Bitcoin price exploded due to bullish resurgence. However, as bulls exhaust, BTC is slowing down, and altcoins, including CRO, are also taking a minor hit.
Crypto.com price ready to face the test
Crypto.com price hovers in the $0.0985 to $0.1950 range, with the midpoint at $0.1460. Although CRO produced equal lows at $0.1080 and rallied 15%, the pullback was only 4%, leaving the sell-stops uncollected.
Regardless, the 15% move created a higher high relative to the September 6 swing high at $0.122. This bullish market structure shift stipulates that Crypto.com price should head higher after the ongoing pullback.
From a market makers’ perspective, Crypto.com price could target the August 26 swing high at $0.1330, which is roughly 12% away. In a highly bullish case, CRO could make a run for $0.1420 after a 19.5% ascent.
Either way, a 12% to 19% move could be cooking for CRO and the only way this scenario will occur is with the support of Bitcoin price.
CRO/USDT 1-day chart
While things are looking up for Crypto.com price, the bullish outlook is derived due to Bitcoin’s recent run-up. If the big crypto takes a U-turn, CRO will follow suit. Therefore, a daily candlestick close below the equal lows formed at $0.1080 will invalidate the bullish thesis for CRO.
In such a case, Crypto.com price could sweep the range low at $0.0985 to collect the next set of sell-stops.
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.
If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.
FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.
The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.
US Leaders Avoid Victory Dance In Ukraine Combat Advances The Associated Press En Español
US Leaders Avoid Victory Dance In Ukraine Combat Advances – The Associated Press – En Español https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/us-leaders-avoid-victory-dance-in-ukraine-combat-advances-the-associated-press-en-espanol/
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. leaders from President Joe Biden on down are being careful not to declare a premature victory after a Ukrainian offensive forced Russian troops into a messy retreat in the north. Instead, military officials are looking toward the fights yet to come and laying out plans to provide Ukraine more weapons and expand training, while warily awaiting Russia’s response to the sudden, stunning battlefield losses.
Although there was widespread celebration of Ukraine’s gains over the weekend, U.S. officials know Russian President Vladimir Putin still has troops and resources to tap, and his forces still control large swaths of the east and south.
“I agree there should be no spiking of the ball because Russia still has cards it can play,” said Philip Breedlove, a retired U.S. Air Force general who was NATO’s top commander from 2013 to 2016. “Ukraine is now clearly making durable changes in its east and north and I believe that if the West properly equips Ukraine, they’ll be able to hold on to their gains.”
Lawmakers particularly pointed to the precision weapons and rocket systems that the U.S. and Western nations have provided to Ukraine as key to the dramatic shift in momentum, including the precision-guided High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, and the High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile, or HARM, which is designed to target and destroy radar-equipped air defense systems.
“They’re there, they’re in theater, and they’re making the difference,” Sen. Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat and member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In the hands of highly motivated Ukrainian fighters who are making the most of weapons ranging from off-the-shelf drones and abandoned Russian arms to advanced weapons from the West, the HIMARS are enabling Ukrainians “to turn the tide, dramatically,” Coons said.
Meanwhile, a senior defense official said the U.S. is looking at future needs, including discussions about providing more intensive combat training for larger Ukraine units, a change from current training focused on smaller teams learning to handle specific weapons. It is also considering sending additional air defense systems, as well as lethal strike drones and more surveillance drones. The official was one of two who briefed reporters Monday on condition of anonymity to discuss planning details.
Ukraine’s launch in recent days of a much-anticipated counteroffensive — in a different part of the country from where Russian troops occupying Ukraine had massed strength to meet it — has brought on the biggest territorial changes in months in the 200-day war, launched when Putin rolled Russian forces into the neighboring country, targeting its Western-oriented government.
The U.S. officials acknowledged that the U.S. provided information to help the Ukrainian counteroffensive, but declined to say how much or if Western officials helped strategize the idea to throw Russian forces off guard by calling attention to attack plans in the south, while actually plotting a more formidable campaign in the east.
The U.S provided information “on conditions” in the country, said one of the officials, but “in the end, this was the Ukrainian choice. The Ukrainian military and the Ukrainian political leadership made the decisions on how to conduct this counteroffensive.”
Ukrainian forces claimed Monday to have retaken a wide band of territory and more than 20 Ukrainian settlements from Russia, pushing all the way back to the two countries’ northeastern border. Russian soldiers were surrendering in such numbers that Ukraine was having difficulty making room for them, Ukrainian military officials said.
Ukrainians have pounded 400 targets in all with the HIMARS since the U.S. began supplying them, using them “with devastating effect,” Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters late last week as Ukraine’s counteroffensive was getting underway.
The truck-mounted, GPS-guided systems fire faster, farther and more precisely than the Soviet-designed rocket launchers otherwise used by both Russia and Ukraine. They can hit targets up to 80 kilometers (50 miles) away. Ukrainian forces have used the 16 HIMARS and several similar systems to strike supply lines, ammunition depots and other key Russian targets.
The Ukrainians “believe that this has happened because of the new technology equipment and weapons that we’ve sent them. They … said well, if you would have sent them six months ago,” said Sen. Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat. “We didn’t have them six months ago, but you know, we had to build the weaponry, and train their people on it, takes time.”
Still, Ukrainian leaders are still pressing for more — including fighter jets and the longer-range Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMS, a surface-to-surface missile that the U.S. has so far declined to send.
A key question going forward will be how much more Congress and the American public are willing to spend on the war in Ukraine, which the U.S. and the West say also represents a significant threat to Europe.
It’s unclear if, or how, Ukraine fighters’ successes in recent day will affect the ongoing debate. The White House has asked Congress to greenlight an additional $11.7 billion in aid as part of an overall government funding measure that lawmakers must approve before the end of the month.
“I haven’t seen any lack of appetite so far” for continuing funding for Ukraine, said Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo. “I think to see the ability to take the help that they’ve been given and then be clearly successful in some of their efforts is an encouragement to want to do more of that.”
The U.S. — the lead contributor to Ukraine’s war effort among NATO members — has poured more than $15 billion in weapons and other military support into Ukraine since January.
Biden acknowledged the battlefield gains for Ukraine over the weekend but refused to say more. “I’m not going to speak to that now because things are in process,” he told reporters.
Breedlove noted that despite the recent battle losses, Putin still has “a lot of tanks and a lot of trucks and a lot of people that he can still throw at this problem. They’re just not his best tanks, his best trucks or his best people.”
But he warned that winter may bring the most daunting challenge. Putin’s moves to shut down fuel supplies to Europe, which is expected to increase prices, are likely aimed at turning public opinion across the region.
“Even though Mr. Putin’s military has taken a beating on the military front, his big card, yet probably to play is how well does Europe hold together through a winter that Mr. Putin is going to make completely miserable for the European people,” Breedlove said. “I think Mr. Putin is desperately trying to hang on to winter because his big hope now is to separate the European people from their European political leadership.”
___
Associated Press writers Seung Min Kim, Lisa Mascaro and Aamer Madhani contributed to this report.
Prosser Parents Fall Victim To Scam Claiming Their Child Was In An Accident YakTriNews KAPP-KVEW
Prosser Parents Fall Victim To Scam Claiming Their Child Was In An Accident – YakTriNews KAPP-KVEW https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/prosser-parents-fall-victim-to-scam-claiming-their-child-was-in-an-accident-yaktrinews-kapp-kvew/
September 12, 2022 5:09 PM
Posted: September 12, 2022 5:09 PM
Tero Vesalainen // Shutterstock
Phishing is one of the most common online scams. It’s a form of social engineering, meaning a scam in which the “human touch” is used to trick people. One offline form of phishing is when you receive a scam phone call where someone claims to be calling from the fraud department at your bank and requests your account number as verification.
With online phishing, scammers do the same kind of thing but use emails and links to fraudulent websites to fool users. In your spam folder, you’ll often see messages claiming to be from Bank of America and others. These links lead to imitation bank sites designed to capture your personal banking information.
PROSSER, Wash. — If there’s one thing that will strike fear into a parent, it’s learning that their child was involved in some kind of an accident. This was the experience of several parents of students at Housel Middle School, who were targeted in a phone scam.
According to an alert issued through the Prosser School District, the administration at Housel Middle School was contacted by several parents who said they received a call about their child being in an accident. This scam call indicates that their child needs to be picked up from school.
For HHS parents, you can verify any request by calling the front office directly at 509-786-1732.
WATCH: Seattle Seahawks host Russell Wilson’s Broncos on KAPP-KVEW tonight
If you are a parent or guardian who receives a call like this from another school, simply call the school’s front desk to verify the situation.
This was the message shared by officials from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, who took the matter seriously. They posted the following statement via social media:
“If you receive a similar call from the school please call the school back on a published number to confirm the call as legitimate before leaving work or traveling to the school.”
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Disney Vacation Club Launches New Hotel Booking Tool LaughingPlace.com Laughing Place
Disney Vacation Club Launches New Hotel Booking Tool – LaughingPlace.com – Laughing Place https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/disney-vacation-club-launches-new-hotel-booking-tool-laughingplace-com-laughing-place/
Disney Vacation Club has launched a new hotel booking tool through Interval International.
What’s Happening:
This new option represents a dramatic expansion of vacation and exchange possibilities, adding even more power to eligible Members points and giving you more vacation options than ever before.
Beginning today, this online, self-service tool will curate a list of properties using a combination of points and cash. Hotel exchange features hundreds and hundreds of well-known hotels from trusted brands in sought-out cities across New York City, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, London and many more! Members can even search available hotels by desired travel dates and destination, filter by brand, and calculate required vacation points.
While the previously offered exchange accommodations through Concierge Collection will no longer be available, most of the luxury resorts that were part of the collection are offered within this new hotel exchange.
Please note that confirmed Concierge Collection reservations will be honored.
More Disney Parks and Experiences News:
Laughing Place recommends MouseFanTravel.com for all your Disney travel planning
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Cash Advance Apps Vs. Payday Loans: Which Is Better? 69News WFMZ-TV
Cash Advance Apps Vs. Payday Loans: Which Is Better? – 69News WFMZ-TV https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/cash-advance-apps-vs-payday-loans-which-is-better-69news-wfmz-tv/
If asked to picture a payday lender, you might think of a storefront in a strip mall with green dollar signs and neon slogans like “everyday’s payday.” You probably don’t picture a mobile app that advertises on TikTok and sports a colorful logo.
But cash advance apps like Earnin and Dave provide advances with the same borrow-and-repay structure as payday lenders, and consumer advocates say they carry similar risks. Both are fast, no-credit-check options to bridge an income gap or ease the pressure of inflation.
Neither is an ideal first choice for borrowing fast cash, but knowing their differences can help you save money and avoid damaging your finances.
Cash advance apps work like payday loans
Like most payday loans, a cash or paycheck advance app lets you borrow money with no credit check. You’re also required to repay the advance, plus any fees you agreed to, on your next payday.
A single pay cycle is usually not enough time for borrowers to repay a payday loan, so many people fall into a pattern of getting another loan to pay the previous one, says Alex Horowitz, principal officer at The Pew Charitable Trusts.
App users may find themselves in a similar cycle. A 2021 study from the Financial Health Network found that more than 70% of app users get advances consecutively. The study doesn’t say why users reborrow, but Horowitz says the behavior is notably similar to payday loans.
“Direct-to-consumer wage advances share DNA with payday loans,” he says. “They’re structured alike, they have repeat borrowing and they’re timed to the borrower’s payday, giving the lender a strong ability to collect.”
Apps may offer more flexibility
Payday lenders and paycheck advance apps both collect repayment directly from your bank account. If your account balance is too low when they withdraw funds, you could incur an overdraft fee, says Yasmin Farahi, senior policy counsel at the Center for Responsible Lending.
An app might try to avoid overdrawing your account. Mia Alexander, vice president of customer success at Dave, says the app reviews users’ bank accounts before withdrawing repayment. If repayment will put the balance close to zero or negative, the app may not withdraw funds, she says.
However, apps commonly include language in their user agreements that even if they try not to overdraw your account, they aren’t responsible if they do.
In states where payday lending is allowed, it’s unlikely that a payday lender will offer a free, unsolicited payment extension, as some apps say they do. Some states require payday lenders to offer no-cost extended payment plans to struggling borrowers, but a 2021 report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says that some lenders misrepresent the plans or don’t disclose them.
Also unlike payday lenders, apps don’t make collection calls. If a user revokes access to their bank account to avoid repayment, the app won’t try to collect the funds. The user just can’t get another advance until they repay the previous one.
Payday loans cost more
Payday loans tend to have high, mandatory fees, while apps often don’t. Instead, they charge small fees that users can opt into throughout the borrowing process. Those fees can add up, but they’re usually less than what payday lenders charge.
For example, an app might charge a monthly subscription fee, or a fee for instant access to funds. Most cash advance apps also ask for a tip for the service.
The fee on a $375 payday loan is most commonly about $55 in a two-week period, Horowitz says. Because cash advance app fees are mostly optional, you can easily keep the cost below $10.
Earnin user Sharay Jefferson says she used payday loans in the past, but she switched to a cash advance app because it’s a cheaper way to cover bills and unexpected expenses.
“If you get a payday loan for $200, you’re going to pay maybe three-something back,” she says. “With Earnin, I’m going to have to pay back that $200, plus whatever I decide to tip them. It’s way less expensive.”
Technically, apps aren’t lenders
Regulators like the CFPB haven’t classified paycheck advance apps as lenders, despite their similarities to payday lending.
Earnin CEO and founder Ram Palaniappan says the app is more like a payroll service or ATM because it facilitates access to your own funds. Earnin requires users to upload a time sheet showing they’ve worked enough hours to have earned the cash advance amount. Other apps scan a user’s bank account for income and expenses to determine whether they qualify for an advance.
Farahi says apps should be treated like creditors, meaning they would follow the Truth in Lending Act, which requires creditors to disclose an annual percentage rate. An APR lets consumers compare costs between financing options. For example, users could compare a cash advance app’s APR to a credit card’s and choose the most affordable one.
“People still need to know what the actual cost of credit is and be able to evaluate it and truly compare that cost against other options,” she says.
Apps would also have to adhere to applicable state lending laws. Currently, 18 states and Washington, D.C., have maximum interest rate caps that could limit app fees, she says.
Cash advance app vs. payday loan: Which is better?
If you urgently need cash, you may have better alternatives than payday loans and advance apps, Farahi says.
Local nonprofits and charities can help with basic food and clothing needs. A family or friend could loan you money without charging extra fees. If you have a few hours to spare, a side gig could generate as much money as a typical payday loan or cash advance app.
If the choice is between an app and a payday loan, the app is probably the better option because:
It’s cheaper.
It may not trigger an overdraft fee.
If you don’t repay it, the app won’t send you to collections.
A cash advance from an app is unlikely to leave you in a better financial spot, Farahi says. But it may be a little less likely than a payday loan to leave you worse off.
The article Cash Advance Apps vs. Payday Loans: Which Is Better? originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Quality Sleep And Healthy Living With Vitafoam: Risks Of Taking Sleeping Pills And How To Avoid It Part I Tribune Online
Quality Sleep And Healthy Living With Vitafoam: Risks Of Taking Sleeping Pills And How To Avoid It – Part I – Tribune Online https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/quality-sleep-and-healthy-living-with-vitafoam-risks-of-taking-sleeping-pills-and-how-to-avoid-it-part-i-tribune-online/
It’s bedtime over the night, activities settled, lonely sounds become noticeable from room electronics, the ticking of the clock and insect cries, then, either at the beginning of the sleep time or during the sleep interruption, you’re staring at the ceiling and the walls, thinking about work, transactions, bills, relationships or family, tossing and turning. When sleep just won’t come, the night appears unusually longer. This is the picture of sleep problems where one may have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or not feeling refreshed upon waking. If one regularly has such sleep troubles, it’s understandably tempting to resort to sleeping pills for relief.
As the name suggests, sleeping pills or medications help one catch some sleep. Sleeping pills may excitedly help people who have sleep problems to fall asleep easier, stay asleep longer or both. Rightly, the drugs should be taken only when prescribed by a well-trained qualified doctor for sleep problems. The various types of sleeping pills work to change brain chemicals differently and enhance sleep in the sleep-wake cycle. The pills slow down, silence and suppress the area of the brain that keeps one awake and alert. Contrary to the widespread belief that sleeping pills help people get a full, restful night’s sleep; several studies show that this is not exactly true. On average, people who take the drugs sleep only a little longer and a little better than those who don’t take them.
Meanwhile, all sleeping pills have various serious and deadly damaging effects, which can be witnessed immediately in the following days or distantly during later months or years. These harmful effects vary depending on the specific drug, the dosage, the person’s age, and how long the drug lasts in one’s system.
They can cause immediate severe but rare allergic reactions which lead to sudden death including death during sleep. They can also cause dangerous sleep-related behaviours like sleep-walking (walking without full awareness of one’s surroundings and directions which usually results in falls, especially among older adults), sleep-driving (driving while drowsy with resultant accidents), sleep-eating (eating in the middle of the night with blurred alertness often resulting in food-choking, food-poisoning, and unhealthy feeding), sleep-talking (talking inappropriately while unaware of the jargon speech). In all, the person appears to be awake, but the person’s brain is not fully alert. Most people don’t remember doing these things after they wake up.
The dulling properties of some sleeping pills last well into the next day, leading to a next-day hangover effect, a drugged effect, the morning after taking them. People may feel confused and so sleepy the next day, have mixed-up thinking and experience dizziness or unsteadiness. These daytime effects can impair one’s ability to drive, operate machines, work, interact with others and complete daily tasks.
There are other numerous harmful effects of sleeping medications, affecting different body parts and functions, including interactions with other medications.
Considering the gravity of the destructive effects, it has been established that behavioural adjustments and sleep environmental changes are safer and better ways to improve sleep than medication, without the risk of deadly side effects – the reason we need to run away from the sleeping pills and embrace the following good sleep practices.
Firstly, practices to ensure the brain’s good health:
– Consistently drink water at least 4.5L – 5.0L over the day, with urine turning colourless.
– Regularly eat just enough quantity of balanced diet two or three times daily.
– Regularly do SAFE exercises like fast walking, swimming, push-up sets, etc. – 30mins daily or at least five times a week.
– Avoiding smoking, excess alcohol and stimulants like caffeine.
– Keeping stresses in check with avoidance of avoidable stressors
– Maintaining the same sleep schedule, particularly the period to go to bed.
Secondly, ensure sleeping-inducing surroundings by:
– Relaxing with soothing music, a good book or meditation.
– Sleeping in a calming and relaxing environment
– Sleeping on quality mattresses and pillows that are conducive sleeping surfaces for supportive posture
In our next article, I will discuss other numerous bad effects, emphasize good sleep practices, and highlight the few occasions where sleeping pills can be prescribed by trained doctors along with the guidelines for pill use.
Let us remember that where you sleep, when you sleep and how you sleep affect your mental health, physical wellbeing and living a healthy life. We all need quality sleep to be set for more productivity in our endeavours.
Do you need further information on the above subject? Are you looking for the best way to maintain quality sleep for general wellbeing and healthy living? Are you currently facing any sleeping difficulty? Remember, a doctor is an appropriate person to offer relevant advice for maintenance of quality sleep and solution to sleep difficulties. Do you want to contact the Orthopaedic Sleep Consultant, Dr Charles Uzodimma, kindly send your request to sleepinfo@vitafoam.com.ng
Vitafoam Nigeria Plc is the first foam manufacturing company in Nigeria to partner with a Sleep Expert in educating Nigerians on Quality Sleep and Healthy Living. They are truly passionate about quality sleep, healthy living and general wellbeing of Nigerians. Vitafoam is proudly Nigerian and constantly supports Nigerians with consistent quality products for comfort and wellbeing. With Vitafoam, you don’t just sleep, they give you the comfort that gets you recharged. To learn more about Vitafoam, visit www.vitafoamng.com
Tom Brady Admits Hes Sore After Week 1 Win Over Cowboys: Theres No Margin For Error When Youre 45 CBS Sports
Tom Brady Admits He’s Sore After Week 1 Win Over Cowboys: ‘There’s No Margin For Error When You’re 45’ – CBS Sports https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/tom-brady-admits-hes-sore-after-week-1-win-over-cowboys-theres-no-margin-for-error-when-youre-45-cbs-sports/
What’s it like to be 45 years old and a quarterback starting an NFL game? Before Sunday night, no one knew. Then came Tom Brady, the man who defies the laws of aging.
The seven-time Super Bowl champion became the oldest quarterback to ever start in an NFL game, clocking in at 45 years and 39 days.
Brady is somehow still at the top of his game and looks just as in shape as he ever has, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t feeling the effects of Father Time. After the Tampa Bay Buccaneers‘ 19-3 road win against the Dallas Cowboys, Brady admitted he was feeling the impact of suiting up.
“There’s no margin for error when you’re 45,” Brady said Sunday on his “Let’s Go!” podcast. “You take hits and you feel every hit. When you’re younger, your body’s a lot different. And when you’re 45, your body changes a lot. So what am I dealing with today? I woke up today going, ‘Holy s—, there was a few hits.'”
Brady said the feeling he had waking up made him think about how much longer he can realistically play.
“You look at your arm and you got bruises, you got cuts,” Brady said. “And you go, ‘OK, how much longer do I want to make this commitment?’ And I obviously made the commitment for this year and everything’s going to be like always — continue to evaluate all these different aspects of playing.”
Brady went 18 of 27 with 212 yards, one touchdown, one interception and endured two sacks from Micah Parsons on third down in the red zone.
The future Hall of Famer may be hinting towards this being his last year, and eventually, he does have to hang up his cleats. But there is no sure bet on when that will happen. Even when he officially retired and his NFL career seemed to be over, he ended up announcing his return just 40 days later.
Brady has been in the league for more than two decades, and as he enters his 23rd season, the question on everyone’s mind — and the question that’s been on everyone’s mind for a while now — is how much longer can No. 12 keep playing at an elite level?
For right now, all we know is that he is committed to this year, but a few victory Mondays waking up sore may send him back to retirement for good.
DMMs Metaverse Project Called Mid Mega City Is Now Under Development Using Unreal Engine 5 The Ritz Herald
DMM’s Metaverse Project Called Mid Mega City Is Now Under Development Using Unreal Engine 5 – The Ritz Herald https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/dmms-metaverse-project-called-mid-mega-city-is-now-under-development-using-unreal-engine-5-the-ritz-herald/
Japan-based electronic commerce and online company DMM.com LLC is pleased to announce that its newest metaverse project, known as Mid Mega City (MMC), is now in development using Unreal Engine 5.
MMC will be the newest and original metaverse which is planned, developed, and will be managed by the DMM Group. Using its experience in foreign exchange, video streaming, and other fields, the company aims to offer a metaverse of unlimited possibilities valued by users globally. Unreal Engine 5 is a 3D computer graphics game engine that was developed by Epic Games.
Daisuke Motohashi has been assigned as the Development Studio Head and Producer for the project. He comes with production and management experience at JP Games and Square Enix and has worked with a selection of gaming platforms, from mobile apps to PCs and consoles.
When asked about his thoughts on the Metaverse MMC Development, Motohashi explained that his goal is to build a more enjoyable and intuitive metaverse that people have always been dreaming of. He hopes to use his technical expertise and knowledge in the gaming field to offer a richly expressive and interactive experience.
On top of that, leveraging the DMM Group’s participation in different fields will allow them to offer unrivaled services that individuals do not know they are missing. He also mentioned that even though the project is still in its infancy stage, he will look forward to speaking with future partners about development, management, and business to establish a metaverse that they can get thrilled about.
Meanwhile, Epic Games representative Takayuki Kawasaki is also thrilled to see that Colonel Motohashi, which is a veteran in the world of game production, and DMM, a service provider of a wide array of services, have partnered for this project.
Motohashi also expressed that he plans on using Unreal Engine 5 to its fullest potential when it comes to productivity and expressiveness. He is also confident that this project will be something unique and is looking forward to seeing everybody in MMC soon.
What makes Unreal Engine 5 so amazing is its base level of visual quality, modularity, and ease of access. Normally, a game engine is the core of the experience. Into the engine, you insert previously made animations and models, audio already made and ready to go. Each of those game elements would be designed externally and imported into the engine. Unreal Engine, particularly UE5, scraps the concept and instead brings it all into one single place.
For metaverse gaming, it indicates smaller development teams can reach even higher. The quality of entry for even solo developers has been increased by the arrival of Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 5.
The economy built in the MMC metaverse will be connected to the broad spectrum of offerings of DMM. The company also wishes to offer business partnerships along with external content holders and tech firms. Companies and developers interested in such partnerships are requested to email info-meta@dmm.com for any inquiries about MMC development and business opportunities.
DMM.com LCC is considered the most comprehensive company, with more than thirty-nine million users. Since its foundation in 1998, the company has presented more than sixty services like 3D printing, games, English conversational classes, foreign exchange, and video streaming, among other things.
The best part about it is it has even ventured into the aquarium sector in Okinawa and supervised football clubs in Belgium. Since 2018, the firm has been improving its support of young entrepreneurs, striving to be more actively involved in investment as well as M&A through DMM Ventures.
Amazon Products For Corgi Lovers Inspired By The Queens Favorite Breed 22 Words
Amazon Products For Corgi Lovers, Inspired By The Queen’s Favorite Breed – 22 Words https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/amazon-products-for-corgi-lovers-inspired-by-the-queens-favorite-breed-22-words/
Corgis are the cutest, and no one was a bigger fan of this adorable breed than Queen Elizabeth II. The late monarch owned no less than 30 in her lifetime! Her love for these adorable little cattle dogs popularized corgis around the world and inspired tons of irresistible merchandise. In fact, you can thank her for that corgi sweater you’re wearing right now!
If you love corgis as much as the Queen did, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve listed out my favorite corgi merch from Amazon; it includes everything from corgi oven mitts to themed desk decor. Now you can surround yourself in adorable floofiness at all times! Enjoy!
You will love our editor’s curated product picks! FYI: We are an Amazon affiliate partner and may get a share of the sale of your purchase (at no cost to you).
It Doesn’t Get Any Cuter Than Tiny Succulents in Little Corgi Pots
The rest of us may not have expansive royal gardens, but we are plant enthusiasts! These matching planters are perfect for a quirky windowsill display, desk decoration or even a coffee table centerpiece if you’re feeling inspired.
Get Cozy on the Couch with This Corgi Pillow
Look at this adorable corgi pillow! I’m in love! I’ve been dreaming of getting a corgi since I first took my cousin’s dog on a walk; it’s been almost 10 years and I’m still obsessed with the breed. Unfortunately, my life is still a little too crazy to take on a new pet right now, so I’ve decided to cope by buying this pillow. It keeps my pet-owning dreams alive!
The Crazy Corgi Lady Makeup Bag You Never Knew You Needed
First of all, I want to know who ISN’T corgi crazy? Like who out there looks at a corgi and is just like, “Meh, I feel nothing”? How could that cute little wiggle butt not instantly melt your heart? If you’re in the market for a new makeup bag, this one won’t disappoint. It’s water resistant, scratch resistant and it’s made with a high quality canvas material, so it’s cute and sturdy!
A Funny Corgi Mug for Your WFH Desk
Your new remote setup isn’t complete without a desk mug. Regardless of your decor style, it’s going to look great and make you smile every day. It’s completely microwave and dishwasher safe too, so you don’t have to worry about the cute pattern wearing off.
This Corgi Handbag Would Have Made Her Chuckle
The Queen never went anywhere without her hat or handbag. She would have LOVED a corgi handbag, if the royal decorum had allowed her such an accessory. If you need a new puppy-themed bag, this one is definitely the cutest one I’ve seen on Amazon.
Get Some Corgi Crew Socks for Winter Time
These are so cute! They’re perfect for cozying up next to the fireplace this holiday season. Did you know the queen first knew she wanted a corgi when she was a child? According to BBC, she owned over 30 corgis in her lifetime! Next time your husband gets mad at you for bringing home a cute puppy, tell him he should be thankful you didn’t bring back as many as the Queen did!
Dog Lovers, You’re Going to Want This Ice Mold
I don’t know about you, but this product is just what I need to ride out the beginning of fall heat waves.
Buyer Matthew Diep confirmed it’s exactly what you’re looking for in an ice mold: “I have a collection of various ice cube molds and had to get this one because I have a pet corgi (Bonnie). I like this tray a lot because it’s firm enough to fill it with water and handle it with one hand – so no floppy water spillage or any of that nonsense. The cubes come out of the tray easily and the mold produces a well-contoured cube. The cubes fit in various containers that I have (Yetis and Hydroflask for the most part). I tried it with a room temperature scotch and found that the ice cube stayed frozen for longer than I anticipated, which was nice. I like it and feel like it’s going to get a lot of use this summer.”
Your Home Office Needs This Corgi Pencil Holder
IKEA may have cheap furniture, but they really don’t compete when it comes to desk decor. Amazon is loaded with cool niche gadgets like this hilarious pencil holder! If you can’t get enough of these furry babies, add this accessory to your desk for an extra dose of serotonin every day!
You Know She Would Secretly Want a Pair of These Corgi Slippers
Underneath the perfect smile and strict sense of decorum, I’m sure the Queen kicked back in her comfies like the rest of us before bed. She may not have owned a pair of slipper exactly like this, but you can bet that chilly British weather had her in some kind of cozy footwear. Personally, I like to imagine she had a secret pair of corgi slippers; it makes me smile.
Take Your Corgi Obsession on the Road with This Travel Mug
This mug is a great conversation starter at work, ideal for your new office! It’s guaranteed to grab the attention of all pet lovers (myself included). Take the opportunity to network and maybe set up a fun play date for your corgi! As for the specs, this mug won’t let you down: its double-walled vacuum insulation ensures your coffee will stay fresh for hours.
A Doormat Made for Dog Lovers
Your pup is your best friend, and you’re going to make sure the world (or at least your neighbor) knows it. Before anyone even enters the house, they’ll be able to clearly tell you’re a dog person. I have to admit, that’s also a great way to warn those of us who are dog-shy what to expect. All in all, it’s a great find for anyone who wants a fun new doormat.
Make Corgi-Shaped Treats with These Cookie Cutters
Tea and biscuits is the most British tradition ever – why not add a few corgis into the mix? Next time you host a brunch, try using these to cut out cute little sandwiches! The best part is that these are made with pure copper, so they’re a little bit flexible and, at the same time, very durable.
Gift These Socks to the Corgi Lover in Your Life
The best ones here are clearly the Corgis in London socks. The little dog with the crown absolutely sends me. You can also get your corgi fix with these other memorable patterns: corgis on pizza, corgis on bacon, corgis on kayaks and even corgis in shark costumes.
This British Corgi Towel is Coming Home with Me
Look at this distinguished gentleman. He would fit right in with the Royal Family! He’s even got the little flag bandana. At first I thought this was a kitchen towel, but apparently it’s designed to absorb water, making it more of a sports towel. The colors are super bright, but you can still machine wash it, which I think is nice for such a novelty item.
A Corgi Origami Necklace for On-the-Go
Buyers are raving about this unique piece of jewelry! Reviewer Brittanica says the rose gold coloring is especially useful for outfit planning: “I got the rose gold option, and it matches my outfits both silver and gold jewelry so it really branches out as far as what it can pair with. My corgi, Flynn, seems to love that he’s represented while I’m out of the house, as he had to pop in the picture for the review here. Enjoy, it’s a very cute purchase and I get sweet compliments on it.” Flynn sounds like quite the charmer!
This Corgi Ornament Belongs on Your Christmas Tree
Your pet themed Christmas tree absolutely needs this ornament. How could you say no to that face? Buyer G. Hokanson can confirm it makes the perfect gift for animal lovers: “If you have, or have friends who have corgis, you’ll (and they) will be very happy with this ornament.” Time to add this to my Christmas shopping list!
Buy This Plushie, Quick, Before You Adopt Another Puppy!
Real talk: kittens are my weakness, and I have to ACTIVELY stop myself from just going out and adopting one. As tempting as bringing home a new family member may be, there are plenty of reasons why one more animal might not be the best idea right now. Instead of putting yourself in that position, buy this adorable plushie instead! As you can see from the picture, he’s definitely very snuggleable. This one will definitely be a hit with the grandkids!
No Corgi Shrine is Complete without a Statue
The nice thing about knick-knacks is that you can pretty much use them anywhere: in the bathroom, the kitchen, on a desk or in your living room. Personally, I think this little guy belongs right next to a tea and coffee station, but I could also see him greeting guests from the front window.
Break out This Puppy Puzzle When the Nasty Winter Storms Arrive
Honestly, there’s nothing more relaxing than instrumental music, some tea and a nice puzzle on a rainy afternoon. It’s a great way to unplug for a little while and occupy your time, especially when it’s too wet to go out on your day off. Grab your furry best friend and enjoy some quality time!
Kick Back and Relax with This Corgi Wine Glass
Nothing says “I’m a dog mom” more than this glass! If you’re looking to replace your old wine glasses with something more fun, these definitely have all the personality you want without going over the top. The pattern is sand-etched, so it’s safe to use in the dishwasher too.
A Corgi Oven Mitt? I MUST HAVE!
This oven mitt is so cute, I could cry! He’s even got little heart glasses on. If you love to bake for the holidays as much as I do, grab these now! You can show them off every time your friends and family come over for freshly baked pumpkin bread.
This Corgi Mug is Perfect for Your Boss
I don’t think I’ve ever had a boss who didn’t own a dog, seriously. If you’re struggling over what to get your new manager for this year’s Secret Santa, this mug is a safe bet. Especially if it’s white elephant, you know people will fight over this.
Digital Wallet Provider MetaMask Allows Crypto Purchases With Brazilian Reals CoinDesk
Digital Wallet Provider MetaMask Allows Crypto Purchases With Brazilian Reals – CoinDesk https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/digital-wallet-provider-metamask-allows-crypto-purchases-with-brazilian-reals-coindesk/
Paulo Alves is a crypto editor at InfoMoney, a leading financial news publication in Brazil.
This article is adapted from CoinDesk Brasil, a partnership between CoinDesk and InfoMoney, one of Brazil’s leading financial news publications. Follow CoinDesk Brasil on Twitter.
MetaMask, one of the largest crypto wallet providers, has integrated the Brazilian government’s payment system Pix and started allowing crypto purchases with Brazilian reals.
MetaMask integrated with Pix via the payment infrastructure company MoonPay, which takes about a 1% commission per transaction, plus a network fee calculated in real time, MetaMask said in a statement on Friday.
In April, MetaMask partnered with MoonPay to allow users buy ether and other ERC-20 tokens through different payment methods, such as cards, bank transfers and Apple Pay.
In Brazil, MetaMask currently requires a minimum transaction of 102 Brazilian reals, equivalent to $20, to buy ether, CoinDesk confirmed on Monday.
Pix, a real-time retail payment system launched by the Brazilian Central Bank (BCB) in October 2020, has 126 million users and is already used by leading crypto exchanges such as Binance and Bybit.
In July, MetaMask revealed that Brazil was its second-largest user market after the US.
This article was translated by Andrés Engler, and edited by CoinDesk. The original Portuguese can be found here.
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Paulo Alves is a crypto editor at InfoMoney, a leading financial news publication in Brazil.
Paulo Alves is a crypto editor at InfoMoney, a leading financial news publication in Brazil.
U.S. Returns Rare Coin Minted By Jews During Rebellion From Rome The New York Times
U.S. Returns Rare Coin Minted By Jews During Rebellion From Rome – The New York Times https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/u-s-returns-rare-coin-minted-by-jews-during-rebellion-from-rome-the-new-york-times/
The silver quarter shekel, estimated to be worth as much as $1 million, was minted in the first century by Jews who created it as a statement of sovereignty during the uprising known as The Great Revolt.
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Experts say that this coin, dated to roughly A.D. 69, is among the rarest remaining from the Jewish uprising against imperial Rome. It is estimated to be worth $500,000 to $1 million.Credit…via The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office
Sept. 12, 2022Updated 8:20 p.m. ET
American investigators returned a rare silver coin to Israel on Monday that they say was minted as a marker of independence during the Great Revolt against Roman oppression of A.D. 66-73 and centuries later was looted from an archaeological site in the Valley of Elah.
The coin was seized in 2017 when collectors tried to sell it at an auction in Denver, where it was listed as having an estimated value between $500,000 and $1 million. But it did not clear the legal hurdles to be returned to Israel until this summer.
Experts say the coin, a quarter-shekel piece featuring palm branches and a wreath and dated to A.D. 69, is among the rarest coins remaining from the bloody Jewish uprising against imperial Rome. The Roman response included the sacking and burning of the Temple Mount in A.D. 70 and, in A.D. 73, the demise of the last Jewish holdouts at Masada.
The minting of such coins by Jews during the rebellion was considered a major statement of sovereignty by people whom the Romans had forbidden from issuing silver coins.
Ilan Hadad, a numismatics investigator and archaeologist with the Israeli Antiquities Authority, called the coin “a national treasure” that “has strong religious and political symbolism to Jews and Christians around the world.”
“Coins like this were a very in-your-face declaration of independence by the lands of Israel,” he said. “They made them by scratching out the images of emperors on Roman silver coins and restamping them.”
The recovery of the coin, which was said to have been illegally excavated in 2002, came after years of searches in multiple countries that began with a tip from an informant in the West Bank and led to inquiries in Jordan and England as investigators tracked its whereabouts, Mr. Hadad said. It was returned to the Israeli consul general in a ceremony in New York at the Manhattan district attorney’s office.
While there may be a few thousand shekels and half shekels still in existence, the quarter shekel is much rarer because it was only produced in two of the five years of the revolt, experts said.
The recovered coin was described as one of four known quarter-shekel coins minted in the fourth year of the revolt. A second has been in the British Museum since the 1930s. The recovered coin and two others surfaced only recently during what Israeli authorities described as looting that took place in the Elah Valley area, the biblical site of the battle between David and Goliath. The location of the two others is unknown, but they are believed to be in private collections.
Image
David Roberts’s painting, “The Siege and Destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans Under the Command of Titus, A.D. 70” (circa 1850).Credit…Wikimedia Commons
The trail of the coin ultimately led investigators to Denver, where it was listed for sale by Heritage Auctions in 2017. Agents with U.S. Homeland Security Investigations seized the coin while the sale was underway, Mr. Hadad said, but it would be several years before investigators were able to produce clear evidence it had been stolen, officials said.
In an email, Sam Spiegel, director of International Numismatics at Heritage Auctions, said his company had relied on the representation of a client in London who said he had inherited the coin from his father. Mr. Spiegel said the client had signed an agreement affirming he had clear title to the coin and that the auction house had been granted a British export license that allowed the coin to be brought to the United States.
“Shortly before the auction was to begin,” Mr. Spiegel said, “Homeland Security contacted us about the coin, and we fully cooperated by turning it over and supplying them with all the requested information.”
Officials did not identify the sellers of the coin but said the sellers had tried to block the confiscation, claiming that the item had been out of Israel for several years before Israel adopted a 1978 law declaring that all relics excavated from that point forward belonged to the state. Federal officials said the consignors had provided two sets of false provenance information as a way of justifying their possession of the coin.
Earlier this year, the Israeli government enlisted the help of the Manhattan district attorney’s office to make the case that the coin was provably stolen. The district attorney’s office has a special unit that focuses on antiquities trafficking and it determined it had jurisdiction because the coin had passed through Kennedy International Airport en route to Denver and had in recent years been stored by federal officials in New York.
In June, Assistant District Attorney Matthew Bogdanos obtained a seizure warrant from a New York judge and confiscated the coin before the statute of limitations on prosecuting the theft expired last month.
Along with the false provenance letters, Mr. Bogdanos said in an interview that his office had obtained photographs of the coin encrusted with dirt that were evidence of its recent excavation and had been used to solicit business from illicit antiquities dealers.
David Hendin, an honorary curator for the American Numismatic Society and expert on Judaic coins who authenticated the quarter shekel for investigators, said many of the coins from the revolt were imprinted with patriotic slogans emphasizing independence like “shekel of Israel” or “Jerusalem the Holy.” This quarter shekel, he noted, however, carries only a simple design of three palm branches on the front, known as the obverse, and the number four in Hebrew script surrounded by a wreath on the reverse, marking the fourth year of the revolt.
Image
A wreath surrounds the number 4 in Hebrew script on one side of the coin, indicating it had been created in the fourth year of the rebellion.Credit…via The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office
At the time, there was a marked distinction in the treatment and use of bronze and silver coins. The Romans had not forbidden the Jews from issuing bronze coins, which were used for everyday purchases. But they prohibited them from making silver shekels, which were employed during higher commerce or for religious purposes like paying temple dues, he said.
Production of the coins stopped in A.D. 70, the year the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed by Roman forces under Titus. Now they serve to provide us with incremental but important information about the ancient society that made them, experts said.
“It was a very critical time in both Christianity and Judaism and everything we can know about that period is going to come from small clues,” Mr. Hendin said.
D4D Technologies LLC Confirms Filing Of US Patent Infringement Complaint Against Medit Corporation PR Newswire
D4D Technologies, LLC Confirms Filing Of US Patent Infringement Complaint Against Medit Corporation – PR Newswire https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/d4d-technologies-llc-confirms-filing-of-us-patent-infringement-complaint-against-medit-corporation-pr-newswire/
RICHARDSON, Texas, /PRNewswire/ — D4D Technologies, LLC, a US company based in Texas, confirmed today that it filed a federal court complaint against Medit Corporation, a South Korean Company, asserting that Medit’s intraoral scanner systems infringe on D4D Technologies, LLC patents related to high-speed, 3D digitalization of objects primarily used in connection with dentistry and orthodontics. The complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Waco Division. The complaint seeks monetary damages as well as injunctive relief.
D4D Technologies, LLC is not the only company to file a U.S. patent infringement complaint against Medit Corporation. In early July, 3Shape A/S also confirmed filing a federal lawsuit for patent infringement against Medit for similar reasons, though the technology patented by 3Shape A/S is different from that created and patented by D4D Technologies, LLC.
Regarding the infringement, Tammi Carter, CEO at D4D Technologies, LLC said, “The scanner digitalization technologies developed by D4D Technologies, LLC were the product of a huge investment of time and money by our company and its employees. We simply cannot allow other companies to copy our hard-earned technologies, infringe our patents, and divert customers. We have filed the complaint against Medit Corporation to protect our company’s investment in these technologies.”
D4D Technologies, LLC asserts that certain Medit intraoral scanner systems, including the i500 and i700, infringe a number of D4D Technologies, LLC patents. The patents presently asserted in the complaint filed by D4D Technologies, LLC against Medit Corporation are U.S. Patent Nos. 7,342,668 and 7,978,892.
About D4D Technologies, LLC
D4D Technologies, LLC is best known for designing and manufacturing technology in the dental equipment and air purification industries. With specialties in 3D imaging, software engineering and laser technologies and medical devices, they’ve designed, created & launched products that revolutionized each industry they’ve touched.
SOURCE D4D Technologies
Judge Mendoza Confirmed To Court Of Appeals For The Ninth Circuit KHQ Right Now
Judge Mendoza Confirmed To Court Of Appeals For The Ninth Circuit – KHQ Right Now https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/judge-mendoza-confirmed-to-court-of-appeals-for-the-ninth-circuit-khq-right-now/
From the Office of Senator Murray:
Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) applauded the confirmation of Judge Salvador Mendoza Jr., a Washington state-native, to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit by a vote of 46-40. Judge Mendoza will be the first Latino from Washington state to serve on the Ninth Circuit bench.
Senator Murray recommended Judge Mendoza to the Biden-Harris administration following Judge Margaret McKeown’s announcement that she would take senior status. Judge Mendoza is the 6th federal judge from Washington state confirmed to a lifetime appointment during this Congress, all of whom were recommended by Senator Murray.
“Judge Mendoza has been a trailblazer, focused on building a more fair and just legal system that works for everyone—not just the wealthy and well-off,” said Senator Murray. “In his time on the bench in the Eastern District [of Washington], he has presided over nearly 1,500 cases—including appellate cases—where he treated every party who came before him with fairness and respect.
“Beyond just his impeccable professional qualifications, Judge Mendoza will bring an important perspective to one of the most consequential appellate courts in this country: the perspective of someone whose parents immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico and worked as farm laborers, maids, and factory workers to build a better life for their family,” continued Senator Murray. “I have no doubt—and based on his record I think there can be no doubt—that serving on the Ninth Circuit, Judge Mendoza will carefully review each case as an appellate judge, respect every party that appears before him, and protect the rights of the American people.”
Judge Salvador Mendoza, Jr. has served as a U.S. District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Washington since 2014—he was confirmed by the full Senate for this role by a bipartisan vote of 92-4. Judge Mendoza previously served as a Washington State Superior Court Judge from 2013 to 2014. From 1999 to 2013, Judge Mendoza was a solo practitioner, then president, of a small law firm in Eastern Washington, and he also served as a judge pro tempore on various local courts. From 1998 to 1999, Judge Mendoza served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and from 1997 to 1998, he was an Assistant Attorney General in the Office of the Washington State Attorney General. Judge Mendoza’s parents immigrated to the United States from Mexico working as farm laborers, maids, and factory workers to build a better life for their family—and as a child, Judge Mendoza worked as a migrant farmworker. He went on to receive his B.A. from the University of Washington in 1994, and his J.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law in 1997. Judge Mendoza will be the first Latino from Washington state to serve on the Ninth Circuit Court bench.
Senator Murray has been a vocal supporter of the confirmation of highly qualified judicial candidates who represent the diverse communities in Washington state and across the country, with a special emphasis on increasing professional diversity on the federal court. Most recently, Senator Murray secured the confirmations of Tana Lin, Washington state’s first ever Asian American federal judge and a former public defender and civil rights lawyer; Lauren King, a tribal law expert who is serving as Washington state’s first ever Native American federal judge; John Chun, who will be the first Asian American man to serve as a federal judge in Washington state; David Estudillo, the son of Mexican immigrants and a former immigration attorney; and Kit Dimke who is serving in the Eastern District of Washington from the Spokane Courthouse.
She is also pushing for the confirmation of Tiffany Cartwright, a leading civil rights lawyer who advanced out of the Senate Judiciary Committee with bipartisan support, as well as three nominees who have yet to receive a hearing: Jamal Whitehead, the Biden Administration’s first nominee with a disability to the federal bench, and Kymberly Evanson to the Western District of Washington, and Charnelle Bjelkengren, who is nominated to fill Judge Mendoza’s seat and would become the first Black woman to sit on the Eastern District of Washington.
See below for a statement submitted for the Congressional Record by Senator Murray:
“I rise today in support of the nomination of Judge Salvador Mendoza, from my home state of Washington, to serve on the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
“I was honored to recommend Judge Mendoza for this seat to President Biden, and to introduce him before the Senate Judiciary Committee in May.
“I was thrilled to see him advance out of the Committee in a bipartisan vote and I couldn’t be happier to support him today and to strongly urge all my colleagues to join me in voting for his confirmation to the bench.
“Judge Mendoza is a lifelong Washington state resident, and a tremendously qualified candidate to join the Ninth Circuit Court. He has served as a district court judge for the Eastern District of Washington since 2014, when he was confirmed by the Senate with an overwhelming, bipartisan majority of 92-4.
“In his time on the bench in the Eastern District, he has presided over nearly 1,500 cases—including appellate cases—where he treated every party who came before him with fairness and respect.
“And before that, he served Washington state as a Superior Court Judge.
“He also has experience as a prosecutor, in the state Attorney General’s office, and as a solo practitioner—where he often represented defendants who could not afford their own attorneys.
“He also worked to establish the first Drug Court in Benton and Franklin counties along with prosecutors, defense attorneys, mental health professionals, and other judges.
“From representing those without means, to establishing drug courts, to serving with distinction on the Eastern District Court, Judge Mendoza has been a trailblazer, focused on building a more fair and just legal system that works for everyone—not just the wealthy and well-off.
“Judge Mendoza’s many years of public service and even-handed application of the law have earned him not only the support of people across the state of Washington, but also the respect of both Democrats and Republicans.
“It’s why my bipartisan judicial merit selection committee—which includes top Republican lawyers—recommended him to serve in his current District Court judgeship eight years ago, and why he was confirmed to that judgeship in an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote.
“And that should be no different today.
“Beyond just his impeccable professional qualifications, Judge Mendoza will bring an important perspective to one of the most consequential appellate courts in this country: the perspective of someone whose parents immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico and worked as farm laborers, maids, and factory workers to build a better life for their family.
“The perspective of someone who, as a child, worked beside them on farms in the Yakima Valley.
“The perspective of someone who was the first Latino federal judge in the Eastern District of Washington and who would break new ground once again as the first Latino from Washington state to serve on the Ninth Circuit.
“Confirming Judge Mendoza will bring us even closer to building a federal bench that reflects the diversity of the people it serves.
“That’s especially important to me, and to the many people across the country who don’t currently see themselves represented on our nation’s courts.
“I have no doubt—and based on his record I think there can be no doubt that serving on the Ninth Circuit, Judge Mendoza will carefully review each case as an appellate judge, respect every party that appears before him, and protect the rights of the American people.
“I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting his confirmation.
“Thank you.”
Vacation Photos Capture Travel Destinations Across California World Stockton Record
Vacation Photos Capture Travel Destinations Across California, World – Stockton Record https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/vacation-photos-capture-travel-destinations-across-california-world-stockton-record/
Vacation photos was the assignment for this month’s Readers Photo Challenge. Vacations are for relaxing and visiting interesting and beautiful places. Of the 52 photos sent in by 13 readers, some were from as far away as Austria while others were as close as Carmel on the central coast and Lake Alpine in the Sierras. Whether close or far, here are some of the best of examples of what you did on your summer vacations.
Tom LaBounty took a dramatic photo while on his family vacation Morro Bay along the central coast of California. Morro Rock, the remnants of a volcanic plug, juts out of the ocean at the edge of the land and sea. A narrow causeway connects it to the shore. The rock, which stands about 580 feet tall, is the town’s main geographic feature. With a Google Pixel 6 pro cellphone, LaBounty captured the rolling, incoming fog as is swirled around and obscured the large rock, threatening to the swallow up the anchored sailboats in the foreground.
One of the reasons we go on vacation is to have fun and Lou Matz’s photo reminds us of that. With a Nikon D5100 DSLR camera the Stockton resident captured his 13-year-old son Tyler DiGuilio-Matz riding a boogie board being propelled by a wave at Huntington Beach in Southern California. The huge smile stretched across the boy’s face expresses the fun he’s experiencing.
Bettina Engleman took an early morning walk up Kapuzinerberg, a hill on the eastern bank of the Salzach River in Salzburg, Austria. It was a steep climb up the paved path of the 2,100 ft. tall hill and Engleman had to stop several times to catch her breath. On one of those stops she used her Apple iPhone 11 to capture a sunrise beyond a building. The orange rays of the sun bathed the clouds in a warm glow. An old street lamp provides some visual interest in the foreground, and a curved path helps lead the viewers’ eyes into the scene compositionally.
Engleman’s husband Paul also came back from their trip with a great photo of the old city. From a high vantage point, he photographed an overall city/landscape of Salzburg, Austria. A street in the foreground and the Salzach River create strong diagonal lines, helping to lead the viewers’ eyes into the scene, which is populated by the buildings of the city, founded in the year 696. Three hills rise in the background and dramatic clouds fill the sky.
Andrew Dompeling of Stockton captured the serenity that we can sometimes find when traveling our big country. With a LG K51 smartphone, he photographed the Lake Champlain Bridge which connects New York to Vermont. The bridge and its arched support is reflected in the lake’s waters making a gentle oval composition. The early evening light painting the bridge and the gently rolling hills in the background helps emphasize the overall gracefulness of the image.
Mark Condit of Manteca got his photo by getting away from it all. Condit vacationed in Moose Pass, Alaska. He experienced eight days of rain. But when he took a side trip to spend a night in a cabin “off the grid” at Johnson Lake, the skies opened up at about 5 p.m. while hiking to the cabin and he was able to catch a faint rainbow in the distance.
All of the photos can be seen in a gallery at recordnet.com. A new challenge assignment will be issued on Sept. 20.
Record photographer Clifford Oto has photographed Stockton and San Joaquin County for more than 37 years. He can be reached at coto@recordnet.com or on Instagram @Recordnet. Follow his blog at recordnet.com/otoblog. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
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Fraud Trial Begins For Founder Of Automaker Nikola 69News WFMZ-TV
Fraud Trial Begins For Founder Of Automaker Nikola – 69News WFMZ-TV https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/fraud-trial-begins-for-founder-of-automaker-nikola-69news-wfmz-tv/
NEW YORK (AP) — Trevor Milton, the founder of the automaker Nikola Corp., went on trial Monday on charges that he whipped up an investor frenzy for the startup company with false claims about its ability to produce trucks that run on electricity or hydrogen fuel cells.
Nikola’s stock price crashed and many investors suffered heavy losses in 2020 after reports emerged questioning Milton’s rosy claims about the company’s ability to produce cutting-edge vehicles.
In one example, the company put out a video that appeared to show a prototype truck driving down a desert highway. Prosecutors said that in reality, the truck wasn’t operational and had been rolled down a hill for the commercial.
The company’s promotional campaign won over many smaller investors. Nikola shares reached a price of close to $66 in June of 2020, briefly giving the company a market valuation that exceeded some major, established automakers. The stock now trades at under $5.50 per share.
Milton, who lives in Oakley, Utah, was indicted last year on charges of securities fraud and wire fraud. Jury selection began Monday at a federal court in New York.
He pleaded not guilty, and has been free on $100 million bail.
Milton’s lawyers have said they intend to argue at trial that he had no intention of deceiving anyone about the company’s products or technology.
Milton started Nikola in 2015 and announced that its stock would be publicly listed in 2020. He resigned in September of that year after the company had signed a $2 billion agreement with General Motors but following a report making allegations of fraud.
At that time, Nikola said the report was filled with misleading statements and accusations.
The company paid $125 million last year to settle a civil case against it by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Nikola didn’t admit to any wrongdoing in making that agreement.
The company continues to operate from a headquarters in Arizona. It has begun delivering some vehicles to customers and says it has been ramping up toward a capacity of making thousands of trucks per year.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Gay Rights Group Was Set Up to Promote Transphobic Activity Court Told The Guardian
Gay Rights Group Was Set Up ‘to Promote Transphobic Activity’, Court Told – The Guardian https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/gay-rights-group-was-set-up-to-promote-transphobic-activity-court-told-the-guardian/
The gay rights organisation LGB Alliance was set up to “promote transphobic activity rather than pro-LGB activities”, the head of Consortium, an umbrella group of LGBT organisations told a court on Monday.
In the first full day of hearings in the appeal by the transgender rights charity Mermaids against the Charity Commission’s decision to award charitable status to LGB Alliance, Paul Roberts, the chief executive of Consortium, said that LGB Alliance was created to pursue an anti-trans agenda.
In cross-examination, Akua Reindorf QC, for LGB Alliance, repeatedly questioned whether the label transphobic was merited, arguing there were areas where the rights of lesbian, gay and bisexual people might not be aligned with the rights of trans people, justifying the creation of a separate charitable organisation.
The day’s hearing at the General Regulatory Chamber explored the line between transphobia and campaigning for the separate rights of lesbian, gay and bisexual people.
Questions focused on several contested areas of LGBTQ+ rights. At the start of the hearing there was a discussion of the changing definition of sexual orientation. The definition given by the country’s largest LGBTQ+ organisation, Stonewall, has shifted in the past decade from “same-sex attracted” to “same-gender attracted”; LGB Alliance says it was founded to stand up for the rights of same-sex attracted people.
Reindorf asked Roberts: “Do you think it is transphobic to say a person with a female body cannot be a gay man.” Roberts replied: “Yes.”
Reindorf asked if being attracted to people of the same gender was “a qualitatively different thing” to being attracted to people of the same sex. “I don’t believe we live in such a clearcut, binary way,” Roberts replied.
Reindorf also highlighted concerns raised by LGB Alliance that some children who have been referred to gender identity services might otherwise have gone on to be gay, but were offered puberty blockers as treatment for gender dysphoria.
She cited media interviews with Tavistock gender clinic staff warning that possible same-sex attraction was being ignored and noted that some clinicians had said sending children who may be gay down the pathway to change gender felt like “conversion therapy”.
Roberts said there were “elements of transphobia” in that position.
Roberts was asked about questions raised in the Hilary Cass review of gender identity services for children and young people over the 4,400% rise in the number of young girls, a disproportionately high percentage of whom were same-sex attracted, being referred to the service.
“There seems to be an extraordinary sudden rise in same-sex attracted girls identifying as male and seeking a medical pathway. If this is happening, then is it not properly a matter of great concern to an organisation which promotes LGBT rights?” Reindorf asked. Roberts said he was not an expert in this area, but added that in his daily work he saw “many young trans people and many trans adults living healthy lives, and this would not reflect their experiences”.
Roberts was also asked to address the question of whether lesbians should be refused membership of lesbian dating sites if they stated they would refuse to date trans women and to state whether he agreed with comments made by Nancy Kelley, the chief executive of Stonewall, that not wanting to date trans people was “sexual racism”.
He said no one should be coerced to have sex with someone against their will.
In 2020 Consortium refused to admit LGB Alliance to its umbrella group of organisations, of which Mermaids is a member. In skeleton arguments released on Monday, Mermaids said it would argue that LGB Alliance was “not tackling problems facing lesbian, gay and bisexual people, but rather is seeking to prevent the resolution of problems facing transgender persons”.
In its skeleton arguments LGB Alliance said the appeal was ideologically motivated, arising from a “profound disagreement with LGB Alliance’s approach to the promotion and protection of LGB rights”.
It is understood to be the first time one charity has attempted to remove legal status from another. The hearing will continue until Friday.
Sports n Stuff 9/12/22 News-Talk 1480 WHBC Whbc.com
Sports ‘n Stuff 9/12/22 – News-Talk 1480 WHBC – Whbc.com https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/sports-n-stuff-9-12-22-news-talk-1480-whbc-whbc-com/
JT with the lighter side of sports and entertainment news. follow JT on Insta: @thejtturk
King Charles III was formally proclaimed monarch on Saturday in an official accession ceremony at St. James’s Palace in London, where the Garter King of Arms made the king’s proclamation official and led cheers of “hip, hip, hooray!” for the new king.
Queen Elizabeth II passed peacefully last Thursday at the age of 96.
The Queen’s state funeral is now set for September 19th after her coffin lies in state for four days for the public to pay their respects.
Major League Baseball announced Friday three rules changes to take effect in the 2023 season.
1. A pitch clock limit the amount of time a pitcher can take between pitches. Pitchers will have up to 15 seconds between pitches when the bases are empty and up to 20 seconds between pitches with at least one runner on base.
In a related story, there is no truth to the rumor that James Karinchak is now retiring
2. Another new rule will put restrictions on the defensive shifts teams are allowed to employ.
3. The league will also implement larger bases in 2023, increasing from 15 inches square to 18 inches square.
Larger bases have reduced base-related injuries by 13.5% in the Minor Leagues this season, according to the league. Additionally,
the larger bases reduce the distance between bases by 4.5 inches, which the league expects will encourage more base stealing.
MLB Current Playoff Picture
American League
No. 1 seed: Houston Astros (90-50), first-round bye
No. 2 seed: New York Yankees (85-56), first-round bye
No. 3 seed: Cleveland Guardians (73-65) vs. No. 6 seed: Toronto Blue Jays (78-61)
No. 4 seed: Tampa Bay Rays (78-60) vs. No. 5 seed: Seattle Mariners (79-61)
National League
No. 1 seed: Los Angeles Dodgers (96-43), first-round bye
No. 2 seed: New York Mets (89-52), first-round bye
No. 3 seed: St. Louis Cardinals (83-58) vs. No. 6 seed: San Diego Padres (77-64)
No. 4 seed: Atlanta Braves (87-53) vs. No. 5 seed: Philadelphia Phillies (78-62)
The 22nd annual Hollywood casino 400
Presented by Barstool Sportsbook
At Kansas motor speedway yesterday
Bubba Wallace is your winner
Cole Custer finished 22nd
AT THE MOVIES:
The trailer is finally out & “Indiana Jones 5” is due in theaters June 30th, 2023.
Harrison Ford Says this is it, he will no longer play Indiana Jones after this movie The 80-year-old Ford also said, “This is it. I will not fall down for you again. But thank you so much,” alluding to the fact that this is the last time he’ll play Jones.
Here is this weeks top five movies at the box office:
1. Barbarian
2. Brahmaster part 1. Shiva
3. Bullet Gun
4. Top Gun: Maverick
5. DC League of Super Pets
The 74th Annual Emmy Awards air tonight at 8pm on NBC.
“Saturday Night Live’s” Kenan Thompson is hosting.
“Succession” has the most nominations this year with 25, followed by “Ted Lasso” and “The White Lotus” with 20 each.
Dak Prescott sustained a thumb injury on his throwing hand which will require surgery. He could be out 6-8 weeks. It’s not season-ending, but it certainly could be season destroying for the Cowboys. Now they turn to Cooper Rush or should they try to make a deal for Jimmy Garoppolo. Stay tuned!
Monday Night Football tonight features the Broncos at the Seahawks at 8:15.
MNF is on ESPN and won’t it be weird to see Russell Wilson on the visitors sideline?
The Guardians remained in first place after sweeping the Twins over the weekend in Minnesota. Cleveland went 5-1 on the road trip and return home to take on the Angels in the first of 3 games.
Today is Monday September 12, 2022
Today in sports and pop culture history:
56 years ago – In 1966, “The Monkees” TV show premiered on NBC.
43 years ago – 1979 – Carl Yastrzemski of the Boston Red Sox became the first American League player to get 3,000 career hits and 400 career home runs.
20 years ago 2002 – A judge announced that a jury would have to decide who would get the ball that Barry Bonds hit for his record 73rd home run. The ownership of the ball, with an estimated value of $1 million, was being disputed between two men that had been in the bleachers.
Today we Celebrate the birthday of the late Neil Peart drummer of Rush. Some say the greatest drummer in rock & roll history.
(1952 – 2020) …he would have been 70
Is Metaverse Pioneer Roblox Ready For Fierce Competition? This Analyst Doesnt Think So Morningstar
Is Metaverse Pioneer Roblox Ready For Fierce Competition? This Analyst Doesn’t Think So – Morningstar https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/is-metaverse-pioneer-roblox-ready-for-fierce-competition-this-analyst-doesnt-think-so-morningstar/
By Wallace Witkowski
Cowen analyst, who refuses to capitalize ‘metaverse’ for a reason, makes a lot of science-fiction comparisons — because right now, the ‘metaverse’ that people imagine is still just science fiction
Roblox Inc. is recognized as being one of the leaders working to create the so-called “metaverse,” but one analyst thinks even the social-gaming platform will get overwhelmed by the competition.
“While we think the development of the metaverse represents an enormously important technology, we also think realization of the metaverse could be at least 10 years away,” Cowen analyst Doug Creutz, who just started coverage of Roblox (RBLX), said in a Monday note, entitled “Roblox and the metaverse: With the (virtual) universe at stake, competition will be intense.”
“Current tech incumbents and content owners are very aware of the potential power of the metaverse, and therefore Roblox is likely to face extremely determined competition,” he said.
Creutz noted that the term “metaverse” is borrowed from Neal Stephenson’s 1992 science-fiction novel “Snow Crash,” which follows the hacker/pizza-delivery guy protagonist literally named “Hiro Protagonist.”
“In the lingo, this imaginary place is known as the Metaverse,” the novel reads. “Hiro spends a lot of time in the Metaverse.”
Creutz said people are also thinking of “The Matrix” as a template for contemplating what the metaverse will be like.
“In 1999, a Warner Bros. marketing campaign asked audiences ‘What is The Matrix?'” Creutz said. “Here, we propose to at least try to answer the question ‘What is the metaverse?’ since Roblox has made its intention clear to be a major player in this emerging junction of technology and media.”
It’s here where Creutz describes why he refuses to capitalize the “m” in metaverse: “In this note we decline to capitalize the term ‘metaverse’ except as it refers to specific uses in other media, since we are referring to a still-indefinite concept as opposed to an actual destination that merits the use of a proper noun, like the Internet.) ”
Creutz uses that quote in his note in explaining how Roblox will fare in the metaverse.
“Is it a red pill/blue pill situation in believing in forecasting Roblox dominance in the still science fiction ‘metaverse?'” Creutz said.
While Roblox has big plans for the metaverse, Creutz believes that the metaverse “will be much bigger than what Roblox can possibly hope to provide, given the technical requirements and need for diverse and compelling content.”
“As a destination in the metaverse, Roblox will face competition from many companies that are simply much better equipped in terms of technology and capital, and which perhaps more importantly have demonstrated an overwhelming will to power during Web2.”
It seems that people have different ideas about what the metaverse will be like, but it is still imaginary, so how do people imagine something that doesn’t exist yet? Creutz said people likely will use science-fiction movies and books to get their ideas.
Creutz also cited the movie “Tron,” William Gibson’s “Neuromancer” and Ernst Cline’s “Ready Player One” as also being big influences for how people imagine how the metaverse will be.
“Most everything that companies like Roblox and Meta are talking about today was imagined on a page or screen as much as 40 years ago (if not earlier),” the Cowen analyst said. Creutz said that while many people think of Roblox as a template for the virtual world, he disagrees.
“We believe the current entertainment experience that is closest in spirit to a real metaverse is not Roblox, but [Take Two’s] ‘Grand Theft Auto Online,'” he said.
“Even if we are wrong, however, and the metaverse arrives sooner than we expect, we are skeptical that Roblox will find dominance and profitability therein,” Creutz said. “Unlike social media and search, where existing tech incumbents failed to recognize the importance of the emerging platforms and allowed upstarts (Facebook and Google) to grow rapidly and profitably until it was too late, the focus on metaverse development is intense and widespread. As a result, we think success in the metaverse will be in the context of a highly competitive market, with no chance to catch incumbents unawares. We see plenty of other companies with more significant financial and content resources as positioned to be powerful metaverse players, including (but not limited to) Sony , Take-Two (TTWO), Microsoft (MSFT), [Alphabet Inc.’s (GOOGL)(GOOGL)] Google, Apple (AAPL), Meta (META) and Epic Games.”
In August, Roblox shares took a hit after the company reported a surprise decline in bookings, their second year-over-year quarterly decline in a row, but executives were quick to note that July booking had risen.
The company defines bookings as “revenue plus the change in deferred revenue during the period and other noncash adjustments.” The importance of bookings comes into play as the company sells virtual currency on its site that may be considered deferred revenue.
Back in May, Roblox shares also came under heavy fire after the company reported an unexpected decline in bookings, resulting in Roblox stock logging its worst one-day performance since it went public. The company dropped more than a quarter of its value in one trading session, following lighter-than-expected results as once-stuck-inside kids were finding other ways to spend their time as pandemic restrictions eased.
Roblox went public through a direct listing in March 2021, and was a darling stock as recently as last November, when the company said in an earnings report that a three-day outage over Halloween weekend did not fail to stop October growth But, as restrictions eased, children put down their tablets and ran outside to play as evidenced in Roblox’s results in February.
Of the 23 analysts who cover Roblox, 12 have buy-grade ratings, eight have hold ratings, and three have sell-grade ratings, with an average target price of $45.44. Back in June 2021, all eight analysts covering Roblox had buy-grade ratings, which it enjoyed for six quarters, according to FactSet data.
-Wallace Witkowski
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
09-12-22 1836ET
Copyright (c) 2022 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
Pat Dooleys Back Nine (September 12th) ESPN 98.1 FM 850 AM WRUF WRUF
Pat Dooley’s Back Nine (September 12th) – ESPN 98.1 FM – 850 AM WRUF – WRUF https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/pat-dooleys-back-nine-september-12th-espn-98-1-fm-850-am-wruf-wruf/
The Back Nine comes at you after a Rainsville Saturday that put a damper on the expectations of Gator fans who were so fired up a week earlier. It was a nice Sunday, though.
10. Being out and about on Sunday allowed my wife and I to run into many people dealing with the loss to Kentucky and they were unanimous in their feelings that they were not shocked Florida lost. They just didn’t see it coming the way that it did. We all thought Kentucky might control the line of scrimmage the way Utah did or that Will Levis would dominate with his passing. That’s how Florida could lose. What nobody saw coming was a historically bad performance by Anthony Richardson. Stats are for losers and assistant coaches, Steve Spurrier once told me, but this one tells the story of the game – Florida averaged 4.3 yards per play against Kentucky.
11. But when Florida went up 16-7, the Gators could have run on every play from that point on and won the game because the Wildcats scored 14 points on two interceptions basically. There was certainly evidence that – despite Richardson saying “Physically, I was fine,” he took a low hit from blitzing defensive back Jalen Geiger early in the second quarter and was hobbling to the line of scrimmage. It was almost identical to the hit Trey Dean was penalized for, but this isn’t about the officials. You have to play around bad calls or a lack of them (Kentucky had one penalty for five yards). Whether the Florida quarterback was hesitating to run because of the ankle or not, the real culprit here was the Kentucky defense.
12. Because the Wildcats had a full game’s worth of tape to watch Richardson in a Billy Napier offense, something Utah did not have. That’s why Jordan Wright was in perfect position to intercept the first pass and Keidron Smith was reading the quarterback and letting the receiver run by him on his pick-six. There was also a play very late in the game when Florida had a third-and-3 and AR stuck it in the belly of Trevor Etienne and I was thinking, “Pull it and run around the end.” But he did not and Etienne was stuffed.
13. It was Game Two of what I believe will be a long run for Napier and some day we may look back as it being the worst game he has ever called. I keep waiting for two things:
* Like any kind of gadget play. I know he’s trying to get the team to run a new offense, but one reverse would not kill him.
* A game without a crucial holding penalty on the kickoff team. Of Florida’s 10 penalties in two games, three have been for holding on the kickoffs by three different players. This one came after Florida went up 16-7 and backed the Gators up to the 20-yard line. A better return and no holding should have set Florida up with ideal field position to go for the jugular.
14. It was a crazy Saturday in college football that saw Bryce Young make a Heisman move and the Sun Belt dominate and Kansas win and cats and dogs living together. Texas lost and went from unranked to ranked. Alabama won on the road and lost the top spot in the polls. Three Power 5 schools paid 4.2 million to Appy State, Georgia Southern and Marshall to be gimmees and all three lost. It is why we love the game so much.
15. Of course, Georgia Southern beat Nebraska as Clay Helton could finally show people he’s not as bad a coach as he showed at USC. Interesting that Nebraska chose to cut Frost loose (unlike Florida when Will Muschamp lost to Georgia Southern) when it could have waited another couple of weeks and saved $7.5 million. Dude, those Big 10 teams are so flush with money they could pay him off with loose change in the couch cushions.
16. The first Sunday of the NFL season is always one of my favorite days of the year because we get the Red Zone Channel for free and the games are usually pretty good. We were this close to having two tie games for the first time since 1973 and for a while there it seemed like nobody could make a kick. And now Dak Prescott is out for a month or so and T.J. Watt is out, but at least I got to see them play. I will see this – I’m not in a fantasy league this year and I enjoyed the games way more. But that’s just me.
17. So, it was a good day for The Picks even if I missed the Florida game for the second week in a row. After a 4-1 week, Dr. Football is 6-4 for the season against the spread so we’re making money. On to this week:
* Florida is getting 24 points as it prepares for a third straight home game. It will be a diluted crowd, but I think Napier is going to get their attention this week. At the same time, the combination of injuries and Florida’s lack of desire so far to go after big plays makes me think the Bulls will cover.
* Georgia is a 24.5-point favorite at South Carolina and the Bulldogs will likely blow through the early excitement of the crowd and show Spencer Rattler what the best team in the SEC looks like up close.
* Penn State is a 3-point favorite at Auburn and I have seen nothing out of Bryan Harsin that makes me believe he will be Auburn’s coach at the end of the year. That’s why I am taking Auburn and the points. College football, man.
* Mississippi State is a 3-point favorite at LSU which says a lot about LSU. Unless the guy playing quarterback for the Tigers is that fan who wandered out on the field DURING PLAY at the last game, I think LSU wins outright.
* Texas A&M lost to Appy State last week and is still a 5.5-point favorite at home against Miami. Easiest bet of the week. The Aggies are frauds. The Canes are not. Give me Miami and the points all day.
18. I did make it to the press box for the first time since the 2020 Kentucky game and it was awesome to be up there although I forgot how it could pass for a NASCAR wind tunnel. Here’s today’s playlist:
* “Some of Us Are Brave” by Danielle Ponder.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC5UBAoa6nw
*”It’s So Hard to Hold on” by Trampled By Turtles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3yyAbRCnZY
* And for an old one, “Along Comes Mary” by the Association.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYJhhKSXOBo
