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Capitol Statue Honors Legacy Of President Harry S. Truman – Chicago Tribune https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/capitol-statue-honors-legacy-of-president-harry-s-truman-chicago-tribune/ “Give ‘em hell Harry.” That was the preeminent statement applied to President Harry S. Truman, and accurately sums up his political and more general style while in the White House, and thereafter for the rest of his life. At the end of September, a statue of President Truman was unveiled in the United States Capitol, where our Congress does our nation’s legislative business, and conducts legislative hearings along with the more private debates, discussions and deals that have kept our great nation more or less together for nearly 250 years. The statue, the work of gifted artist-sculptor Tom Corbin of Kansas City, is seven-and-a-half-feet tall, distinctive and captures Truman’s personal style and impact. The nation’s chief executive is descending stairs but looking straight ahead, with straight posture and a firm expression. Every state can place two statues in the Rotunda. The statue of President Truman replaces one of another Democrat, Sen. Thomas Hart Benton, who represented Missouri in the upper house from 1821 to 1851, an unprecedented length of tenure up until that time. The Benton statue will be moved to the Missouri State Historical Society Art Gallery. The setting is appropriate, and the monument fitting. Truman was an exceptionally dedicated, effective — and honest — member of the United States Senate, including tireless work during World War II that paved his way to becoming vice president, and then president upon the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt in April 1945. Democratic Party leaders very consciously selected Sen. Harry Truman as the vice presidential candidate in 1944. He was in no way an “accidental” president when FDR died only 82 days into his unprecedented fourth term in the White House. Despite iron determination and discipline, President Roosevelt’s deteriorating health at times alarmed those around him. Long-term undertow of polio paralysis, plus enormous strains of World War II and more than a decade in office exacted a final toll. Vice President Henry Wallace, more populist left-winger than practical politician, sympathetic to the Soviet Union, was unacceptable. Truman, in World War I an artillery officer tested by combat, led effective investigation of corruption in federal contracts during World War II. Only a few months into the job, President Truman faced the decision of whether to use the just-developed atomic bomb against Japan. He decided yes. Truman along with Gen. George C. Marshall, Secretary of State Dean Acheson, George Kennan and others led the formation of United Nations institutions; the Marshall Plan to aid devastated Europe; and as the Cold War descended, the NATO alliance. Crisis followed crisis: the Soviet blockade of encircled West Berlin, communist threats to Greece, Italy and Iran, communist victory in China. President Truman was decisive in supporting UN efforts to defend South Korea against North Korea’s invasion in 1950. He fought pressure to use the atomic bomb there. When influential Gen. Douglas MacArthur publicly criticized U.S. policy, Truman fired him. At home, Truman desegregated our military and federal civil services. Lake County News Sun Twice-weekly News updates from Lake County delivered every Monday and Wednesday In 1948, Democrats nominated Truman for president, but Southern Democrats and Wallace radicals ran separate tickets. Truman campaigned tirelessly. A Bremerton, Washington supporter shouted he should “give ‘em hell,” and he did, and he won. At the statue unveiling in the Capitol, Republican Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri commented insightfully that, “No president in such a short period of time made more consequential decisions.” On the base of the statue is the reminder President Truman kept on his desk, visible to visitors: “The buck stops here.” Arthur I. Cyr wrote “After the Cold War.” Contact acyr@carthage.edu

US Short-Term Rental Market Poised For Further Growth – CoStar Group https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/us-short-term-rental-market-poised-for-further-growth-costar-group/ US Short-Term Rental Market Poised for Further GrowthPricing, Location Might Dictate Demand Patterns Instead of Pandemic Considerations Adam Zarcynski Over the past decade, the short-term rental industry has taken the world by storm, affecting not just where people stay while traveling, but also how they vacation in general. Before 2008, short-term rental websites existed, but Airbnb revolutionized the home-sharing concept and essentially created a new category of rental housing. Similar platforms emerged, and in a relatively short period, this alternative lodging market has evolved to become a widely accepted, mainstream industry valued at approximately $115 billion worldwide in 2019. The short-term rental segment is comprised mainly of private accommodation bookings. This includes private holiday homes and houses as well as short-term rental of private rooms or flats via portals such as Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. In recent years there has been a convergence between traditional hospitality companies expanding into the short-term market, and short-term rental companies operating more like hotels. Companies such as Sonder have expanded upon the short-term rental model by operating traditional apartment units like hotel rooms. Sonder was founded in Montreal in 2014 and today operates properties in more than 40 cities worldwide. Sonder offers a more traditional hotel experience than individual short-term rental properties while enhancing the guest experience through technology. Everything from check-in to service requests to check-out can be handled on the app and the goal is to make the guest stay a seamless experience. The increased competition in alternative lodging has also pushed traditional hotel companies to innovate, evidenced by Marriott International’s entry into this space with its alternative brand, Homes and Villas. According to a July 2022 mid-year update on the U.S. short-term rental industry by AirDNA, there were 1,059,541 available units on various listing platforms in 2021, which was a slight increase from the number of listings in 2020 but still down 9.9% from the number of available listings in 2019. The following table provides short-term rental data from 2019 to 2021 along with forecasts for 2022 and 2023. In 2020, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic inundated many short-term rental hosts with cancellations. However, while listings declined by 11.5% and demand for short-term rentals dropped 16.2% overall for the year, some vacation rental locations saw a surge in new bookings. As early as late March, those who wanted to travel but were looking for safety and seclusion began flocking to rural, drive-to getaways. During the pandemic, more travelers were choosing to stay at larger homes in destination markets, with higher average rates, leading to overall ADR growth in 2020 and 2021. In May 2022, there were 88,000 new short-term rentals added to the overall supply, leading to an all-time high in total listings, per AirDNA. Although demand is projected to increase by more than 20% in 2022, occupancy is projected to decline due to the amount of new supply. In its initial forecast for 2022 prepared in December 2021, AirDNA forecasted a decline in ADR for 2022; however, due to inflation and strong demand during peak times, AirDNA now forecasts ADR to finish at $277.53 for 2022. Looking ahead to 2023, AirDNA forecasts continued growth in terms of the available listings, but occupancy is once again expected to decline due to supply outpacing demand growth. According to a 2020 CBRE Research study, houses and apartment/condo/loft units make up about 96% of all the properties available for rent in the U.S. on short-term rental distribution channels. The other 4% includes unique units — such as lighthouses, boats, and tents — bed and breakfasts, hotels, and hostels. The following table shows the short-term rental supply for the entire U.S. by property type and listing type in 2019. By 2019, house rentals had grown at a significantly higher rate than apartment/condo/loft units and accounted for 54.5% of the total U.S. supply. Shared spaces, hotel/hostel units, and bed and breakfasts represented only 3.7% of the total supply. Research data from AirDNA has shown that short-term renters are looking for larger rentals that can accommodate groups and families. As demonstrated in the following chart, the average number of rooms for booked properties has grown consistently over the last five years and jumped considerably in 2020 as guests avoided smaller urban properties in favor of larger homes in destination locations. Although the size of the rental is an important factor, guests are also interested in unique experiences, no matter the size. As the following table shows, tiny houses were the fastest-growing short-term rental property type, growing 27% in 2021 to 9,402 listings. In recent years, there has been a growing trend of people utilizing short-term rentals to help pay their mortgage and other living expenses as most short-term rentals found on booking platforms such as Airbnb are individual owners. According to the 2022 Airbnb annual survey of hosts and guests, approximately 45% of hosts reported that income from renting their property helped them continue to afford their homes’ expenses, while more than 20% of hosts stated their rental income kept them from having their property foreclosed or being evicted. The average host reported earning approximately $13,800 in 2021, which was an 85% increase from 2019. Some homeowners are now specifically looking for properties with rental potential when searching for homes to purchase to help cover some of their living expenses. This could include purchasing a duplex, a home with an outbuilding, a finished basement or attic space, and other options. While some of these owners are looking for long-term rental potential, others prefer the short-term model as it provides them with more flexibility. Local interaction, home-like amenities, more space, and/or unusual experiences are some of the factors that motivate consumers to choose short-term rental accommodations. Price and location, however, remain the primary motivators. Short-term rentals can provide affordable options to tourists visiting cities in which hotels have disproportionately high prices, plus the typical home or apartment unit offers cost-saving benefits, such as kitchen and laundry facilities. According to CBRE, short-term rentals offered a discount of about 5% across the top 30 markets, and in the more urban U.S. cities the discount was as high as 20% to 30%. After price, location is generally the most likely reason travelers choose to book a short-term rental. A CBRE analysis of hotel and short-term rental unit location data shows that more than 35% of short-term rental properties are located more than a mile from the closest hotel. That increases to 57% for rural locations. Recent growth of short-term rentals has primarily occurred in suburban and rural areas. Though the supply of units in urban locations grew by 17% in 2019, these locations dropped to 21% of total short-term rental supply, down from 46% in 2014. As of 2019, 57% of units were located outside of large cities. According to CBRE’s 2020 study, most of the change in share resulted from large increases in resort and rural locations that primarily serve destination-vacation travel. Units for rent along the beach, at lakes, and at ski/mountain resorts accounted for 42% of units outside of urban areas. ADR growth for short-term rentals has seen the sharpest increase for properties in smaller to midsized markets. In a recent article, CoStar highlighted the top 10 markets for demand change from year-to-date June 2022 versus June 2019. The data showed that of these 10 markets, the biggest ADR growth for short-term rentals was in the smaller markets of Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, Tennessee; Panama City Beach, Florida; and the Wisconsin Area. In each of these markets, the ADR growth for short-term rentals has been noticeably higher than the ADR growth for hotels. One notable large market is Houston, Texas, where short-term rentals have experienced a 36% increase in ADR during this period, while hotels have only seen a 3% increase. While short-term rental platforms have seen much greater demand in recent years, one question that has remained is how many travelers are leaving traditional hotels behind in favor of short-term rentals. A 2021 survey conducted by ValuePenguin found that 72% of all survey participants preferred to stay at a hotel or resort compared to a vacation rental. This does not hold true among all demographics, however, as another survey conducted by YPulse found that 24% of millennials would prefer to stay at either an Airbnb or rental house compared to 12% who preferred an all-inclusive resort and 12% who preferred a national hotel chain. Per iPropertyManagement, 51% of all Airbnb bookings are generated from travelers between the ages of 18 and 34. In contrast, the fastest-growing demographic for new hosts on the Airbnb platform are seniors, who total more than 400,000 worldwide. While there are many factors that influence a traveler’s decision, the survey conducted by ValuePenguin found that some of the biggest factors for preferring a hotel stay included more amenities, a more simplified booking experience, higher staffing levels and dining options at the property. Travelers who are combining business and leisure trips, known colloquially as bleisure travelers, are more concerned with having strong internet performance, which gives traditional hotels a slight advantage as internet service varies widely between vacation rentals. Another factor for guests preferring hotels was the rewards program. Guests who can earn travel re...

Priciest Home Sales In Brookville – Long Island Business News https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/priciest-home-sales-in-brookville-long-island-business-news/ Get our free LIBN e-alerts & breaking news notifications! 134-2 Wheatley Road Brookville / OneKey MLS photo By: David Winzelberg October 12, 2022 Priciest home sales in Brookville (11545)  September 2022  The three highest-priced home sales in Brookville last month ranged from $2.1 million to $2.43 million.  The priciest Brookville home sold in September was a 6-bedroom, 6.5-bath colonial on 2 acres at 134-2 Wheatley Road that sold for $2.43 million. It was listed by Aileen Murstein of Douglas Elliman Real Estate and sold by Xiao Zheng and Lei Shi of Jamie & Connie Real Estate Group.  An 8-bedroom, 6.5-bath colonial on .46 acres at 88 Swan Court fetched $2.1 million. It was listed and sold by Limor Karudo and Elimor Kochavi of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Laffey International Realty.  At 5 Heather Hill Road, a 5-bedroom, 4.5-bath colonial on 2.87 acres went for $2.1 million. It was listed by Michael Pesce, Ronald Lanzillotta and Robert Barnes of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Laffey International Realty and sold by Vivian Scalia-Dash of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.  Source: OneKeyMLS.com  × Enjoy This Free Article We Have 2 More For You All You Need To Do Is Register To Receive Your 2 Additional Free Articles

Dubai Business Women Council Organizes Health And Wellness Forum – ZAWYA https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/dubai-business-women-council-organizes-health-and-wellness-forum-zawya/ Health and Wellness Forum urges to overcome work and life pressures by investing in mental health. Forum is in line with Dubai’s ongoing efforts to be a healthy and safe city that provides residents with welfare and wellness. Forum recommends maintaining a healthy lifestyle and adopting practices that reduce work stress. Forum is part of DBWCFORUMS initiatives aimed at raising awareness among women and entrepreneurs about the importance of mental health as a key to success. Dubai: The Dubai Business Women Council (DBWC) has organized a special edition of the “Holistic Health and Wellness Forum” at the headquarters of Dubai Chambers, bringing together more than 65 participants as well as leaders of the business community and companies in Dubai. The event came in conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Month and in celebration of World Mental Health Day, which falls on October 10 of every year. It is also in line with Dubai’s mandate to support health and wellness and create a healthier work environment. The forum discussed the importance of mental health in boosting productivity in the workplace as well as the need to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and adopt practices that reduce work pressure and its challenges, as well as its negative impacts on everyone’s life and health. The conference was organized in collaboration with “Beyond Mindful Living,” and in partnership with support partners including Mind Resilience Training and Claudia Sidoli, Personal Trainer of the Mind, Success & Confidence Coach, and Corporate Educator & Elevator. The forum brought together an elite group of speakers and experts with expertise in the field of health and medical care and treatments for trauma therapies, where they spoke about the need to invest in mental health, overcome psychological workplace issues, and innovate in safe work settings. During the event, it was unanimously agreed that mental health is an essential element in defining everyone’s future and that it is a shared personal and institutional responsibility, with the participants calling for investing in mental health and creating an ideal business environment away from psychological constraints. Speakers emphasized the need to educate the public about the dangers of stress and anxiety as well as their detrimental effects on various personal and professional aspects. They also emphasized the importance of not underestimating the psychological challenges related to work environment and its pressures. Forum activities The event started with a talk by Scott Armstrong, Founder of “Mentl”, in which he spoke about the importance of mental health, followed by the first panel discussion, which was moderated by Claudia Sidoli. The session involved the participation of Rebecca McGowen, Wellness and Benefits Director at Beneple, Nancy Debban, Training and Talent Development Consultant, and Scott Armstrong, where they discussed the importance of mental health in workplace. The first session was followed by a talk with Bahar Wilson, founder of Beyond Mindful Living, who stressed the need to overcome the vicious cycle of procrastination. Entitled “Entrepreneurs Mental Health and Burn Out,” the second session brought together Lara Al Saad, Career empowerment coach, Dina Bisharat, Team and Leadership Coach, and Hiba Khayata , Career Services Manager, Career and life Coach at American University of Sharjah. The session was moderated by Sami Khoury, founder and Mindset Trainer at Mind Resilience Training. Chris Haill, founder of MindForce, also took part in the forum where he spoke about the future and progression of mental health in the UAE. Also, during the forum, a talk entitled “Maximize your peak performance: Brain and Body” was delivered by Dr. Shai Efrati, Co-Founder Aviv Scientific & Professor at Tel Aviv University – Aviv Clinics Dubai   The third and final panel session discussed how to deal with grief and trauma. It was attended by Dr. Saliha Afridi, Managing Director of the Lighthouse Arabia, Dr. Mary Thompson, Clinical Director at Vivamus, and Bahar Wilson, founder of Beyond Mindful Living. The session was moderated by Mélanie Lapointe, Learning & Development Specialist, Partnership Manager, and Consultant DE&I. The forum comes in line with the council’s ongoing efforts to spread awareness about techniques that help alleviate psychological pressures and the hardships of daily life. It also aims to help the participants pursue and adapt to their professional lives and achieve success on both personal and professional levels. It is also a part of the #DBWCFORUMS initiative, which aims to increase the awareness of women, entrepreneurs, and workers of both genders in the business community on a variety of topics that improve and hone their skills and support them in maintaining an ideal, more-balanced, healthy life away from work obligations and pressures in line with international best practices. Established in 2002, under the umbrella of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, the Dubai Business Women Council is the UAE’s leading platform for the personal and professional development of business women in the Emirate of Dubai. It aims to support businesswomen and entrepreneurs in taking the first steps in the world of business. The Council plays an important role in enhancing the contribution of businesswomen to the country’s economy and promoting economic development in all sectors of the business community. -Ends- For further information, please contact: Mustafa Taha Misbar Communications mustafa@misbar-me.com Ali Elgendy Misbar Communications ali@misbar-me.com Mahmoud Soliman Misbar Communications mahmoud.soliman@misbar-me.com

NFL Week 6 Power Rankings: New York Teams Continue To Surge As Giants Move Into Top 10, Jets In Upper Half – CBS Sports https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/nfl-week-6-power-rankings-new-york-teams-continue-to-surge-as-giants-move-into-top-10-jets-in-upper-half-cbs-sports/ Pete Prisco says the success of the Giants and Jets has been among the biggest surprises so far Oct 12, 2022 at 7:45 am ET • 1 min read / Getty Images The New York Giants and New York Jets are a combined 7-3 this season. Can you believe it? It’s true, but, yes, it’s hard to believe based on preseason expectations. Yet after five weeks of the season, the Jets and Giants are the two biggest surprises of the season, and once again it brings into focus the unpredictability of the NFL. I dare you to try and figure it out. The Giants are 4-1 and riding high after beating the Green Bay Packers in London on Sunday. Giants coach Brian Daboll is the leading contender for Coach of the Year right now and has his team playing good, sound, fundamental football. It isn’t pretty, but it’s worked well enough so far to beat the No. 1 seed from each conference from a year ago in the Green Bay Packers and the Tennessee Titans. The Giants are getting solid quarterback play from Daniel Jones, a nice running game keyed by Saquon Barkley and good defense led by aggressive coordinator Wink Martindale. That has the Giants up into the top 10 of my Power Rankings this week at No. 8. The Jets upset the Miami Dolphins at home Sunday in a game where the Dolphins were down to third-team quarterback Skyler Thompson because of concussion issues for to Tua Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater. That taints the victory some, but you are what you are in this league and the Jets are 3-2. Coach Robert Saleh, the one who kept the receipts, might be pulling them out to expose all the doubters from earlier this season. Go ahead and unveil the scroll, Robert. The only names not on there would be either your players or others inside the organization. Let’s be real and admit few saw the Jets at 3-2 and up into the top half of these rankings at No. 14. Yet here they are after five weeks proving a lot of people wrong. The Giants are doing it even more so. This is why the NFL is king. Nobody knows what’s going to happen week to week or year to year. The Jets and Giants are a combined 7-3. Simply amazing. Biggest Movers Rk Teams   Chg Rcrd 1 Eagles They didn’t play a great game at Arizona, but they found a way. That’s the sign of a good team. Now here come the Cowboys. — 5-0-0 2 Bills Now that Gabe Davis is back putting up numbers, can this offense be stopped? They have the big one this week with the Chiefs. That will be fun. — 4-1-0 3 Chiefs Words of wisdom: Don’t fall behind by 17 to the Bills this week like you did against the Raiders. The Bills-Chiefs game should be a shootout. I can’t wait. — 4-1-0 4 Buccaneers They got back on track against Atlanta, but they didn’t close out the game the way they would have liked. They still haven’t come close to playing a complete game. 2 3-2-0 5 Vikings They are 4-1, but they sure made it interesting against the Bears. The defense has to be better as they head to Miami. 2 4-1-0 6 Cowboys That defense can be suffocating, which has keyed this team. It will be fun to see how they match up with the Eagles offense this week. 2 4-1-0 7 49ers That defense traveled well to face Carolina, which will be their calling card all year long. The Nick Bosa injury bears watching. 2 3-2-0 8 Giants They face the Ravens this week in what should be a real challenge for their defense and coordinator Wink Martindale, who was with the Ravens before going to the Giants. 8 4-1-0 9 Packers They just don’t have the look of a deep-playoff team. The passing game is limited and the defense has been worse than expected. They need to pick it up soon. 5 3-2-0 10 Dolphins With Tua Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater out, they had no shot against the Jets. But the defense has been an issue all season long. That’s a major concern. 5 3-2-0 11 Ravens The defense finally showed up in a game this season, limiting the Bengals and their passing game. Maybe they are adjusting to the new scheme. — 3-2-0 12 Titans They have won three straight games to right their season. It isn’t always pretty to watch, but they are a tough team who will be tough outs for whoever they play as they sit atop the AFC South. — 3-2-0 13 Chargers They won two straight road games to help right things, but they still have major issues on defense. That won’t win a lot of games. 2 3-2-0 14 Jets Rookie Breece Hall showed in beating the Dolphins that he might be ready to take off and roll up some big numbers. He was that impressive. They are a real shock to be this high. 12 3-2-0 15 Rams OK, it’s official. The Super Bowl hangover is real. The question now is whether they can shake it off or will they spend the season feeling down and gloomy? 5 2-3-0 16 Bengals They are 2-3 and all three losses came on the last play of the game. They are a team that is definitely better than their record. 3 2-3-0 17 Patriots They won with rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe making his first start, thanks mainly to the defense. That unit played well in shutting out a good offense in Detroit. 6 2-3-0 18 Saints They pulled out a fun, high-scoring game against Seattle, but what has happened to their defense? Give credit to Taysom Hill for helping them win Sunday. 6 2-3-0 19 Colts They are 2-2-1 but hardly look like a playoff team. Maybe the come-from-behind victory at Denver will get them going – especially on offense. — 2-2-1 20 Browns The defense is a big problem for the Browns. They can’t stop anybody, which won’t win a lot of games, even with an offense that can really run it. 3 2-3-0 21 Broncos Can you believe Russell Wilson is leading this anemic offense? He has been bad this year, and the question is whether he can fix it. 3 2-3-0 22 Cardinals At 2-3, they just haven’t played as good as expected. They hung around against the Eagles, but they have to find a way to win games against good teams. 2 2-3-0 23 Raiders At 1-4, their season in serious jeopardy of being over. They’ve lost some tough games, but the start has to be considered a big disappointment. 2 1-4-0 24 Falcons At 2-3, they’ve been competitive in games. But they just don’t have enough good players to compete for a playoff spot. 2 2-3-0 25 Texans They own the Jaguars. They have now beat them nine consecutive times. That is amazing. 7 1-3-1 26 Jaguars The Jaguars turned into the Jaguars again in their loss to the Texans. There is no excuse for that or maybe they just aren’t that good. Trevor Lawrence has to pick it up. 12 2-3-0 27 Seahawks Geno Smith continues to play well, but their defense is terrible. Each week looks like it could be a shootout for this team. — 2-3-0 28 Bears The offense showed some signs of life against the Vikings, which could be something to build upon. They just won’t win a lot of games this season. 3 2-3-0 29 Steelers Kenny Pickett’s first start was a tough one, even if he did some good things. The Steelers never had a chance at Buffalo, but he kept fighting. That’s a good thing. 1 1-4-0 30 Lions The defense was bad again, but this time in the loss to the Patriots the offense was just as bad. They couldn’t even score a point, which is not a good look. 1 1-4-0 31 Panthers Now that Matt Rhule is out as coach, can Steve Wilks bring some life to this team? The offense has been awful. 1 1-4-0 32 Commanders When the coach is calling out the quarterback publicly, that’s not a good thing. This thing could unravel in a big way. 1 1-4-0

The Metaverse, Green Claims And Data Privacy – What Critical Issues Lie Ahead For Retailers And Consumer Brands In Autumn 2022? – Lexology https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/the-metaverse-green-claims-and-data-privacy-what-critical-issues-lie-ahead-for-retailers-and-consumer-brands-in-autumn-2022-lexology/ United Kingdom October 12 2022 International law firm RPC launches the latest edition of Retail Compass With the metaverse, green claims, data privacy and plastic packaging high on the agenda, international law firm RPC is helping businesses maximise opportunities and navigate regulatory changes ahead in the latest edition of Retail Compass. The publication coincides with RPC’s inaugural Retail Compass Live! – a one-day event bringing key topics to life with guest speakers and panel discussions – on Wednesday, 9 November. Key highlights from the latest edition of Retail Compass include: Entering the Metaverse – The metaverse provides great potential for retailers looking to build their omnichannel offering and embrace virtual engagement as a key part of a consumer’s overall experience. In this new (virtual) world, what should they be looking out for? RPC has compiled a 10 top tips on everything from how to protect and register your IP, to looking after customer data, negotiating contracts and keeping on top of the latest regulations. Digital transformation – Innovative technologies present both risk and reward. On the one hand, these technologies can help retailers and consumer brands gain valuable information about their customer base, such as proximity marketing using Bluetooth, personalised reward schemes and footfall analytics.  On the other hand, technology capturing large amounts of consumer data could put retail businesses at risk of breaching data privacy laws. Recently, retailers and consumer brands have been warned about collecting ‘faceprints’ of customers as a deterrent to theft. With breaches of GDPR incurring potential fines of €20m, retailers will need to ensure any data they collect is handled in compliance with data privacy regulations. Greenwashing – What are green claims and how can businesses mitigate the risk of falling foul of regulators? RPC offers retailers and consumer brands a list of key points to consider to ensure they comply with the Competition and Market Authority (CMA)’s Green Code. The UK Government has proposed changes that would give the CMA wide-reaching powers to hit businesses with fines of up to 10% of their annual global turnover if they make misleading or untrue claims about their environmental credentials. RPC has been helping clients navigate the evolving Regulatory landscape. Plastic packaging – From 1 January 2023, extended producer responsibility (EPR) over plastic packaging will be introduced. However, EPR is not confined to packaging manufacturers as might be the initial impression. Retailers and brand owners are also within the scope of EPR regulations as “packaging activities” includes: Packaging own-brand products to sell to UK consumers; Using a third party to package and sell own-brand goods to UK consumers; Importing own-brand and third-party packaged products into the UK to sell to consumers, unless doing so on behalf of a third party (such as a supermarket) With data collection requirements under this new change fast approaching, what steps should retailers that meet the criteria take to prepare for the data reporting aspect of EPR? Karen Hendy, Partner and Co-head of Retail and Consumer at RPC says: “Retailers and consumer brands are facing a multitude of regulatory changes and increased scrutiny as they head into 2023, from issues involving green claims to plastic packaging and data protection. “Taking steps now is the best way businesses can ensure they are ready and compliant when these changes come into force.” Jeremy Drew, Partner and Co-Head of Retail and Consumer says: “Retail is being transformed at a rapid pace as technology pushes the sector deeper into the digital revolution, providing retailers and consumer brands with an immense wealth of information that will drive their businesses forward. “But as the guardians of such data there is a huge responsibility. Avoiding regulatory scrutiny will come down to how robustly businesses can protect their customer data.” Partner Ciara Cullen, Head of Food and Drink, adds: “Sweeping new powers in the pipeline for the CMA could see retailers and consumer brands hit with GDPR-level fines for making unsubstantiated claims about their environmental credentials. With so much at stake, (not least from a reputational perspective) it would be prudent for retail and consumer brands to review existing claims to make sure they are compliant.”

Robot Dog Adds To UB’s Collection Of Cool Gadgets – University At Buffalo https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/robot-dog-adds-to-ubs-collection-of-cool-gadgets-university-at-buffalo/ It doesn’t bark. It doesn’t shed. It doesn’t even have a head. Meet Spot, UB’s newest gadget. The robot dog, made by Boston Dynamics, arrived on campus earlier this summer. Since then, it has been making its home — doghouse, if you will — inside the Distributed Robotics and Networked Embedded Sensing (DRONES) lab on the first floor of Davis Hall. One recent morning, the robot sat motionless in a corner of the lab amid quadcopter drones until its handler, Karthik Dantu, associate professor of computer science and engineering, awakened it with a remote control. Spot then sprung to life, like an alert border collie ready to herd a flock of sheep. Its four legs moved in synchronized step, tapping the concrete floor in military-like cadence. Spot trades certain canine features — namely a head and fur — for a sophisticated network of sensors that allow it to walk in rough terrain, up and down stairs, and in other real-world environments that robots have struggled with. Spot can even dance. But it’s not all fun and games. The pup has a job at UB. It will serve as a learning and research platform, enabling faculty and students to explore new frontiers in robotics, autonomous vehicles, computer science, artificial intelligence and other fields. “It’s really an incredible machine at the forefront of robotics,” says Dantu. “I think our students, as well as our faculty, are going to have a lot of fun working with Spot.” The robot is the latest in a series of cool gizmos that UB has acquired for learning and research. Perhaps the most visible is Olli, the mostly 3D-printed, self-driving shuttle that plies Service Center Road on North Campus. Olli is sometimes joined by its less conspicuous cousin, an unnamed Lincoln MKZ that’s retrofitted with autonomous vehicle technology. The pair often cruise by SOAR, the Structure for Outdoor Autonomy Research, one of the largest outdoor, enclosed drone-testing facilities in the nation. Elsewhere at UB, there is the industrial robot Baxter (built by Rethink Robotics) and other pneumatic robots, as well as the Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, where Dantu serves as an affiliated faculty member. David Doermann, the institute’s director and an Empire Innovation Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, says the institute serves as a clearinghouse at UB for AI, data science, robotics and other exciting, tech-focused fields. The acquisition of Spot, as well as other strategic investments, will help bring together educators, researchers, students and external partners to continue UB on its path as an international leader in creating, curating and disseminating data and computing-related knowledge and skills, he says. “Our mission is to provide the infrastructure and opportunities to build relationships, facilitate visionary ideas that are needed to address society’s most pressing problems,” he says. One other note about your friendly neighborhood robot dog: Spot will soon have a new name. Doermann and Dantu have been seeking suggestions from the UB community, and plan to unveil Spot’s new handle later this month.

Bittrex Crypto Exchange Fined For US Sanction Evasion – Cryptonews https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/bittrex-crypto-exchange-fined-for-us-sanction-evasion-cryptonews/ Source: The US Department of the Treasury The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed a fine of about $24 million on crypto exchange Bittrex which also had to sign a $29 million settlement with the department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). The fines are related to the exchange’s violations of anti-money laundering regulations and sanctions on the residents of certain countries and territories. “As a result of deficiencies related to Bittrex’s sanctions compliance procedures, Bittrex failed to prevent persons apparently located in the Crimea region of Ukraine, Cuba, Iran, Sudan, and Syria from using its platform to engage in approximately $263,451,600.13 worth of virtual currency-related transactions between March 2014 and December 2017,” the department said in a statement. The applicable sanctions programs prohibit US persons from involvement in transactions with these jurisdictions, according to the statement. The department said that, based on internet protocol (IP) address es collected from its customers, the exchange, which is based in Liechtenstein and Bermuda, had reason to assume that these users were located in jurisdictions that are subject to sanctions.  “At the time of the transactions, however, Bittrex was not screening this customer information for terms associated with sanctioned jurisdictions. This information was not voluntarily self-disclosed,” according to the statement. “For years, Bittrex’s AML program and SAR reporting failures unnecessarily exposed the U.S. financial system to threat actors,” commented Himamauli Das, FinCEN’s Acting Director. “Bittrex’s failures created exposure to high-risk counterparties including sanctioned jurisdictions, darknet markets, and ransomware attackers.” “Since inception, Bittrex has strived to comply with all government requirements diligently and in good faith,” the exchange said in a statement obtained by The New York Times.

European Markets Uncertain As Investors Look Ahead To U.S. Inflation Data – CNBC https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/european-markets-uncertain-as-investors-look-ahead-to-u-s-inflation-data-cnbc/ European markets fluctuated on Wednesday, with global growth concerns dominating sentiment and investors looking ahead to Thursday’s inflation data out of the U.S. The pan-European Stoxx 600 was down 0.2% by mid-afternoon, having bounced either side of the flatline throughout the session. Banks dropped 1.5% while household goods gained 0.6%. On Tuesday, the International Monetary Fund cut its global growth forecast for next year to 2.7%. The prediction is 0.2 percentage points lower than its July forecast, and suggests that 2023 will feel like a recession for millions around the world. European markets closed lower on Tuesday. All major bourses and the majority of sectors ended the trading session in the red. The region’s markets have suffered consecutive losing days as volatility continues to rattle sentiment. The Bank of England intervened again to restore order to U.K. markets on Tuesday, with volatility in long-dated government bonds posing what it called a “material risk to U.K. financial stability.” Uncertainty in the bond market persisted on Wednesday as the U.K.’s gilt market sell-off spilled over into continental Europe. Stocks on the move: Chr. Hansen up 13%, Philips down 9% Shares of Danish bioscience company Chr. Hansen jumped more than 13% by mid-afternoon, after a robust quarterly earnings report and promising outlook. At the bottom of the Stoxx 600, Philips shares slumped more than 9% after the Dutch health tech firm issued a third-quarter profit warning and highlighted a 1.3 million euro ($1.26 billion) charge for its embattled sleep and respiratory care business. – Elliot Smith UK gilt market chaos rattles euro zone bonds The turmoil in U.K. gilt markets spilled over into the euro zone on Wednesday, with euro zone government bond yields rising sharply after the Bank of England confirmed the end of its emergency bond-buying program on Friday. The 10-year German bund yield was up 8 basis points to 2.3880% during afternoon trade in Europe, having earlier notched its highest point in more than a decade, while Italian 10-year BTP yields also jumped. Yields move inversely to prices. U.K. 30-year gilt yields were up by around 16 basis points at 4.963% while the 10-year yield was up by more than 9 basis points at 4.533%. – Elliot Smith The Bank of England needs to keep the gilt market operating properly, says economist Samy Chaar of Lombard Odier says “it’s very easy to say that pension funds have to get their act together,” but they would need a functioning gilt market with liquidity to do so. Stocks on the move: Chr. Hansen up 11%, Philips down 11% Shares of Danish bioscience company Chr. Hansen jumped more than 11% in early trade after a robust quarterly earnings report and promising outlook. At the bottom of the Stoxx 600, Philips shares slumped more than 11% after the Dutch health tech firm issued a third-quarter profit warning and highlighted a 1.3 million euro ($1.26 billion) charge for its embattled sleep and respiratory care business. – Elliot Smith British pound whipsaws after mixed messages from the Bank of England UK economy shrinks by 0.3% in August U.K. GDP contracted by 0.3% month-on-month in August, the Office for National Statistics said Wednesday, below expectations for stagnation from a Reuters poll of economists. The fall in activity was driven partly by manufacturing weakness and maintenance work on North Sea oil and gas facilities, the ONS said, while both production and services activity fell. July GDP growth was revised down to 0.1% from a previous estimate of 0.2%. “While this figure is not what the country wants to see, it won’t make much of a difference to the path we are already on. The Bank of England (BoE) will continue to increase its base rate at it battles to tame runaway inflation,” said Marcus Brookes, chief investment officer at Quilter Investors. “The BoE continues to face the incredibly difficult task of guiding the country through this uncertain period where it finds itself in a rock and a hard place by raising rates to meet inflation but embarking on a gilt buying operation to help steady the markets following the turmoil precipitated by the mini budget.” – Elliot Smith CNBC Pro: It’s too early to buy the dip, investor says, naming 8 stocks to buy when the time is right One fund manager is cautioning against buying the dip, despite a 25% decline in the S&P 500 this year. Instead, investors should be repositioning toward stocks sensitive to interest rates, John Ricciardi, head of asset allocation and a fund manager at Deuterium Capital, said. He names three stocks in the consumer staples sectors, three in utilities, and two in materials for investors to scoop up when the time is right. CNBC Pro subscribers can read more here. — Ganesh Rao U.S. economy is doing well amid economic uncertainty, says Treasury Secretary Yellen Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the U.S. is “doing very well” amid global economic uncertainty. Although the U.S. economy has slowed after a strong recovery, jobs reports indicate a resilient economy, she said in an interview Tuesday with CNBC’s Sara Eisen. She also acknowledged that inflation is too high and that lowering it is a priority for the Biden administration, and emphasized the importance of maintaining a healthy labor market while doing so. — Chelsey Cox, Tanaya Macheel IMF cuts global growth forecast for next year CNBC Pro: This stock is a better bet than even U.S. Treasurys, fund manager says Nick Griffin, chief investment officer at Munro Partners, is so bullish on one stock, he says it’s a better bet than U.S. Treasurys.       “It’s cheaper than a U.S. Treasury. It grows faster than the U.S. Treasury, and it’s probably got a better balance sheet than the U.S. Treasury. So from our point of view, it’s a fairly safe place to [put your] cash,” he said. Short-term U.S. Treasurys have surged in popularity among investors of late as yields pop. CNBC Pro subscribers can read more here. — Weizhen Tan Wed, Aug 17 202212:29 AM EDT European markets: Here are the opening calls European markets are heading for a lower open on Wednesday with global growth concerns dominating sentiment and investors looking ahead to Thursday’s inflation data out of the U.S. The U.K.’s FTSE index is expected to open 22 points lower at 6,867, the German DAX down 56 points at 12,148, France’s CAC down 27 points at 5,799 and Italy’s FTSE MIB down 127 points at 20,511, according to data from IG. On Tuesday, the International Monetary Fund cut its global growth forecast for next year to 2.7%. The prediction is 0.2 percentage points lower than its July forecast, and suggests that 2023 will feel like a recession for millions around the world. European markets closed lower on Tuesday with all major bourses and the majority of sectors ending the trading session in the red. The region’s markets have suffered consecutive losing days as volatility continues to rattle sentiment. The Bank of England intervened again to restore order to U.K. markets on Tuesday, with volatility in long-dated government bonds posing what it called a “material risk to U.K. financial stability.” — Holly Ellyatt

Fashion Tech Start-Up InHaus Secures £ 300,000 Funding | Retail Tech News USA – Apparel Resources https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/fashion-tech-start-up-inhaus-secures-300000-funding-retail-tech-news-usa-apparel-resources/ InHaus – a fashion technology start-up which uses technology and automation to help online fashion retailers create high-quality product videos – has secured £ 300,000 in funding to support team growth, commercialise its software and simplify the process of video creation for brands. A major investor in the funding round was Solid Bond Capital following an introduction through the Exchange programme which supports early-stage tech businesses. InHaus’ founding team members Isabella Sumner – a Fashion Stylist, and Till Janz – an international fashion photographer, noticed that there was a gap in the market for a simple way for retailers to make impactful product videos. As per the company, currently, only 15 per cent of products globally have a video, despite the increasing conversion rates and minimising returns. The software provides a low-cost solution which removes many of the complexities of video creation for retailers, who will take their own videos of products using smartphones and then upload the raw footage to an automised, cloud-based editing programme. InHaus’s recent investment is allowing the team to hire more programmers, including an expert from Berlin who is moving to the UK to join the company, to further sophisticate and develop the editing programme to finesse product videos. InHaus has been a member of the Exchange programme for the past six months and, during these months, the founders have received support from a network of expert partners and like-minded entrepreneurs on the scheme to continue the development of the company. Isabella Sumner, Founder of InHaus, said, “By enabling online retailers to easily create product videos for all their items, we can support them in boosting sales and customer satisfaction. Fashion items tend to only have photos featured on the page, but video is much more persuasive. With our recent funding success, we are excited to increase access to quality product video creation so more retailers, both large and small, can enjoy the benefits it brings.” Shaz Sulaman, Founder of Solid Bond Capital, commented, “We are pleased to be able to back the team at InHaus as part of this funding round. High-quality video production, at scale, is a significant challenge for retailers and the product the InHaus team is building will help retailers increase conversions, reduce returns and provide a better experience for consumers. The team at Solid Bond Capital were impressed with how fit for purpose the product is for retailers which clearly comes from the Founder’s deep sector expertise. We look forward to continuing to support the founders as they venture to make product videos standard with the fashion industry.” Alice Pickersgill, community outreach lead at Exchange, averred, “Isabella and Till’s vision is dynamic and forward-thinking, and we can’t wait to see where this new funding takes them over the next six months of membership on the programme.”

It’s Not Just Highways. The Time For Street Reform Is Now. – Next City https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/its-not-just-highways-the-time-for-street-reform-is-now-next-city/ Op-Ed: If we want to address barriers to access, and the public health and climate impacts of car-dependence, we must make it easier for non-drivers to get around our communities. If you’re a driver, you notice highways. It’s the one road you aren’t allowed to cross. For people outside of cars, we notice them too, of course. But for us, especially those of us with disabilities, there are a lot of roads that can feel just as impossible. Maybe there’s no stoplight, no stop sign, no crosswalk or curb ramps. Maybe there is a light but there’s no audible signal or the countdown isn’t long enough, especially if we have to dodge cars making right turns. Maybe we know cars go too fast and regularly blow through lights, and we’ve been hit or almost hit, or know someone who has. Crossing these high-speed, multi-lane roads, even though they aren’t technically highways, can mean detouring half an hour out of the way, or taking risks that will get us blamed for being “reckless” pedestrians. I hate the term “vulnerable road users” because of its paternalism and the agency it takes away from those of us outside of vehicles, but the reality is we are less safe than the people in vehicles. Nationally, we are facing a pedestrian safety crisis, and as Smart Growth America’s latest installment of its Dangerous by Design report points out, it’s non-interstate arterial highways where most of these fatal and serious crashes occur. As the director of the Disability Mobility initiative at Disability Rights Washington, I spend a lot of time talking to other disabled non-drivers – people who, like me, don’t have the option to drive. Unless we can get a ride or get door-to-door paratransit service, we navigate our communities walking or rolling. And in so many of these conversations, I hear about the challenges our existing car-centric infrastructure – infrastructure that too often prioritizes speed over access, creates for non-drivers. Chris, a low-vision mom who lives in Clark County, just across the river from Portland, Oregon, showed me the walk to her nearest bus stop. It’s along a busy arterial with no sidewalks, 40-mile per hour traffic, and no audible pedestrian signals. “At quieter intersections you don’t feel as unsafe as at busier intersections — crossing a two-lane road versus if you are trying to cross four or five lanes,” she says. While Chris is willing to take the risk and navigate to this bus stop, many other disabled people decide that it’s just not worth it. “I would use the fixed route, but I can’t,” Frank, from Benton City in Eastern Washington, tells me. “I can’t walk very far. And also I’m very slow across the street. And I’m very, very, I feel very vulnerable. Crossing the street real slow. The cars are going so fast, if people seem to be distracted, that’s my biggest barrier.” So Frank relies on paratransit instead, which requires pre-scheduling rides and pickups. While it’s exciting to see renewed interest in pushing back against highway expansion, as well as new organizing efforts (and even federally-funded programs) to repair the past harms created by dividing communities with limited-access highways, we must recognize that high-speed, multi-lane arterials aren’t the solution either. Seattle, where I live now, which has a reputation of being a progressive, green city. In the 1980s, two highways that cut through historically redlined Southeast Seattle were decommissioned as state highways and returned to city control. However, these remain two of the three most dangerous and crash-prone streets in the city (the other being Aurora, which is still a state highway). The legacy of limiting crossings, and timing lights to prioritize high speeds of cars, persists. This is despite the 25 mph speed limits on both of these now city-controlled streets. There’s a stop light where I cross to the nearest bus stop from my house, but drivers will regularly run through it, as it’s a pedestrian-only crossing; because of the high-traffic noise, terrible sidewalk conditions, and little pedestrian-scale business facades, there are very few pedestrians along this route. All road widening not only induces more people to drive more often and further, but it also makes life for people outside of vehicles more difficult. For people with the choice to drive, this means more people will choose to drive because being a pedestrian is more awful. And for those of us who can’t drive, it means taking more risks to go to the same places, or forgoing those trips all together. It’s not enough to tear down highways and replace them with multi-lane, high speed boulevards. While these boulevards may technically accommodate people walking, rolling or riding, they are only comfortable spaces for drivers. If we want to address barriers to access, and the public health and climate impacts of car-dependence, we must make it easier for non-drivers to get around our communities. And dangerous, stressful routes along or across arterial roads are that barrier. Seattle has another feature I haven’t seen in any other U.S. city: de facto one-way streets in most neighborhoods. Because parking is allowed on both sides of the road, there’s only room for one moving vehicle at a time, so when two vehicles are approaching each other, one has to yield, pulling into a parking spot or backing up to the nearest intersection. This means that on neighborhood streets, drivers have no choice but to travel slowly, resulting in much safer and more comfortable streets for everyone. What if slow speed streets were the default for our cities? Yes, it would take longer to travel far distances by car in a city, but that may be one of the more equitable ways we can incentivize people to choose other modes, especially if roads designed for slower car speeds were paired with investments in faster bus-only lanes. In doing so, and investing in higher speed bus or rail connectivity, we will begin to see more people who can choose to, choose not to drive. For our roads to be safer for people outside of vehicles, for those of us who can’t drive to have more reliable and frequent transit access, more pedestrian-scale storefronts instead of acres and acres of creepy and hostile parking lots, more roads that are slow and quiet enough that we can carry on a conversation with our kid while we’re waiting at the bus stop – we have to reach a critical mass. That means fighting more than just highways. It means fighting for every street to be somewhere you want to walk or roll along. Anna Zivarts is a low-vision mom and nondriver who was born with the neurological condition nystagmus. Since launching the Disability Mobility Initiative (DMI) at Disability Rights Washington, Anna has worked to bring the voices of nondrivers to the planning and policy-making tables. Through DMI, Anna has built a nondriver storymap, compiled the expertise in these stories into a groundbreaking research paper and launched the #WeekWithoutDriving challenge for elected leaders to understand what it’s like to get around without driving themselves. Anna represents disabled nondrivers on the Washington State Active Transportation Council, Autonomous Vehicle Work Group and Transit Demand Management Executive Board and serves on the board of the League of American Cyclists and the National Safety Council’s Mobility Safety Advisory Group. Anna received both her masters and undergraduate degrees from Stanford University.

What Covid-19 Precautions Should People Take For International Travel? – CNN https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/what-covid-19-precautions-should-people-take-for-international-travel-cnn/ (CNN) — Last week, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced it would no longer be maintaining a country-by-country travel advisory of Covid-19 risk. Instead of assessing the level of Covid-19 infection in each country, the CDC will post notices only when there are new variants or other situations that would change its travel recommendations. What does the CDC’s change mean and how should people assess the risk of international travel? What precautions should they take, and how can they best prepare for a trip? Are there specific considerations for those who want to resume cruising? And what about domestic travel, especially coming into colder months? To address these questions, I spoke with CNN Medical Analyst Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and professor of health policy and management at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health. She is also author of “Lifelines: A Doctor’s Journey in the Fight for Public Health.” Passenger walk through the arrival lobby of Haneda Airport in Tokyo on Oct. 11. Japan began accepting vaccinated visitors from 68 countries without visas Tuesday, ending almost three years of tighter border controls. Toru Hanai/Bloomberg/Getty Images CNN: What does it mean that the CDC is no longer maintaining country-by-country Covid-19 travel advisories? Dr. Leana Wen: The CDC has long maintained health travel advisories on its website. The CDC advises travelers to be wary of areas experiencing outbreaks of yellow fever, dengue, cholera, Ebola and other infectious diseases. During the pandemic, the agency also stratified countries based on their level of Covid-19 infection. This was meant to assist people planning trips understand to what extent Covid-19 was circulating in various parts of the world, and for travelers to avoid nonessential travel in areas undergoing coronavirus surges. However, there was some concern about the travel advisories. Not all countries maintained accurate or up-to-date numbers. At different points over the last two and a half years, there were many parts of the United States with higher rates of Covid-19 than countries in the CDC’s “avoid nonessential travel” category. In addition, after vaccines became widely available in the United States, there has been a growing sense that the primary risk determinant should no longer be primarily based on coronavirus levels — as long as vaccines were protecting people from hospitalization. This CDC decision does not mean that the agency will stop tracking Covid-19 altogether. The CDC will alert the public if there is a new concerning variant emerging. It would also flag if countries are hit so hard by the coronavirus or other diseases that their health care infrastructure is overwhelmed. But infection levels alone are not going to trigger an increase in warning levels moving forward. CNN: How can people go about assessing their risk of international travel? Wen: The key question is to ask if whether you are up to date on the Covid-19 vaccine, meaning that you have received the new bivalent booster. If so, you are very well-protected from severe illness due to Covid-19. Some individuals may have decided to hold off on the updated booster. If you have recently had Covid-19, it would be reasonable to wait three months, as reinfection is unlikely during this time. Also, the updated booster is not yet available for children under 12. Kids in general are much less likely to become severely ill compared with adults — and if they are vaccinated or have recently contracted the coronavirus, they are very unlikely to become severely ill even without any booster. Your age and presence of underlying medical conditions are also factors. Those who are immunocompromised should ask their doctor whether they are eligible for the preventive antibody Evusheld. People 65 and older and people who have chronic medical conditions should also inquire, in advance of a trip, whether they would be eligible for treatments such as Paxlovid and/or monoclonal antibodies if they were to contract Covid-19 while abroad. If so, these are additional considerations in planning travel: Will the location you’re going to have these treatments available? If you become severely ill and need hospitalization, is there good health care readily accessible? Finally, remember that the primary purpose of the coronavirus vaccines is to protect against severe disease. They also reduce the risk of infection compared with individuals who are unvaccinated or not boosted, but they do not prevent it altogether. Those who wish to reduce their risk of infection should take additional precautions, such as wearing high-quality N95 or equivalent masks in indoor settings like airports, train stations, restaurants and other crowded venues. CNN: What precautions should people they take while traveling, and how can they best prepare for their trip? Wen: Again, getting vaccinated with the new Covid-19 booster is the first and most important step. Make sure to get the vaccine at least 10 days prior to travel. You should get the flu vaccine, too. The influenza vaccine can be given at the same time as the Covid-19 vaccine. Bring plenty of coronavirus tests with you — at least two for each family member traveling. That way, you can test if you develop symptoms or find out that you have a significant exposure. Know what treatments you are eligible for. Some physicians may be willing to prescribe Paxlovid to you just in case you contract Covid-19 on your trip. Others may not — in which case, know which treatments you would get if you do end up with the coronavirus. Have a plan for how to access treatments. Do pharmacies need a doctor’s prescription, or can you just walk in and get Paxlovid? Are there reliable, high-quality hospitals in case you become severely ill? And will your insurance or other coverage cover health care costs in another country? Travel insurance is generally a good idea, though not all policies cover delays or cancelations due to Covid-19, so be sure to check. Also, find out what are rules for each country you’re going to. Many countries have lifted vaccine and testing requirements, but they are still in place in some. CNN: Are there specific considerations for those who want to resume cruising? Wen: The CDC lifted its Covid-19 risk warning for cruise travel in May. Some cruise lines have also been relaxing previously strict vaccine and testing protocols. This means people traveling on cruises must be prepared to encounter Covid-19. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go, but you need to assess your individual risk and the value of a cruise vacation. Many people will say they accept the risk of contracting the coronavirus because of how much being onboard matters to them. If you are vaccinated and up to date on boosters, the chance of severe illness is probably very low, so this is a reasonable decision. Others might decide on different modes of international travel. A cruise where thousands of people are freely associating while maskless with one another is very different from, say, a beach vacation in one location where all meals are outdoors, or a self-catered trip where you’d mask in indoor settings like trains and museums. Those who wish to continuing avoiding the coronavirus can choose a more cautious approach while still resuming travel. CNN: What’s your advice for domestic travel, especially coming into colder months? Wen: The key recommendation for being up to date on vaccines still applies, as does my advice to bring plenty of tests and to know what treatments you’d get and from where. We’ve entered a point with Covid-19 where we’ve recognized that this virus is going to be with us for many years to come. That means taking advantage of the many tools at our disposal to protect us, while also going back to the pre-pandemic activities we love — including travel. %

Bank Of England Insists Again Pensions Help Will End – BBC https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/bank-of-england-insists-again-pensions-help-will-end-bbc/ Media caption, Bank boss tells the BBC it is doing ‘everything’ to ensure financial stability By Tom Espiner & Faisal Islam BBC Business The Bank of England has insisted again that it will go ahead with its decision to stop supporting the bond market on Friday after reports it may extend it. “As it had made clear from the outset”, the help would end on Friday, it said. The Bank is buying bonds to stabilise their price and prevent a sale which could put some pension schemes at risk. The Bank’s statement comes after boss Andrew Bailey told pension funds: “You’ve got three days left now and you’ve got to sort it out.” The pound fell against the dollar to below $1.09 after Mr Bailey’s surprisingly blunt statement on Tuesday evening, which appeared to dash investor hopes of the support being extended. Government borrowing costs remain close to the levels seen at the height of the market turmoil last month, when the Bank first stepped in. Mr Bailey told the BBC he had stayed up all night to try and find a solution and said the Bank was doing everything it could to preserve financial stability, but said it had always been clear that the help would be temporary. Speaking on the BBC’s Today programme, however, Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg suggested that the reason for economic turmoil in recent weeks was down to moves in interest rates, rather than tax cut pledges by the government. Mr Bailey’s insistence the recent support would end was no slip of the tongue, with the governor going out of his way to say financial giants now had to arrange their affairs. He said pension funds have “an important task” to ensure they are resilient. “I’m afraid this has to be done, for the sake of financial stability,” he said. The Bank has stepped in three times to buy government bonds since the chancellor promised huge tax cuts without saying how he would fund them, sparking investor fears over the UK’s financial stability. The government raises money it needs for spending by selling bonds – a form of debt that is paid back plus interest in anywhere between five and 30 years. Pension funds invest in bonds because they provide a low but usually reliable return over a long period of time. However, a sharp fall in their value after the mini-budget forced pension funds to sell bonds, threatening to create a “downward spiral” in their prices as more were offloaded, which reportedly left some funds close to collapse. Members of the Bank’s Financial Policy Committee (FPC), which helps to protect UK financial stability, told journalists at a briefing that the governor was crystal clear the bond-buying programme would end, although other support measures would remain in place. The recent turmoil has already fed through to the mortgage market, where hundreds of products have been suspended as the volatility has made it difficult for lenders to know how to price these long-term loans. The Bank’s FPC said that this was likely to put households under severe pressure next year. ‘Uncharted territory’ Earlier, pensions industry body the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association had warned against the help ending “too soon”. It suggested the support should be extended until 31 October, when chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng is due to detail his economic plan explaining how he will balance the public finances. The statement will be accompanied by independent forecasts on the prospects for the UK economy. The government has said it remains confident in its tax cuts plan, with Mr Kwarteng telling MPs he was “relentlessly focused on growing the economy” and “raising living standards”. But Mr Bailey’s words further increases the pressure on the government, and the chancellor, to come up with an economically credible and politically viable debt plan, and quickly. Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg argued that the current market turbulence could mainly have been the result of the Bank of England’s failure to raise interest rates in line with US policymakers, rather than the chancellor’s 23 September mini-budget. “What has caused the effect in pension funds… is not necessarily the mini-budget. It could just as easily be the fact that the day before the Bank of England did not raise interest rates as much as the (US) Federal Reserve did,” he said. He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that “jumping to conclusions about causality is not meeting the BBC’s requirement for impartiality” after Mishal Husain suggested the chancellor’s actions had been the trigger for the fluctuations in the value of the pound and government bonds. But Labour’s shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “This is a Tory crisis that has been made in Downing Street, and that is being paid for by working people.” Former IMF deputy director Mohamed El-Erian told BBC News that the economy was on “shaky ground”. He said financial systems going into turmoil “can cause a lot of damage”.

World Arthritis Day 2022: 8 Superfoods People With Arthritis Should Add To Their Diet To Improve Bone Health – NDTV Doctor https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/world-arthritis-day-2022-8-superfoods-people-with-arthritis-should-add-to-their-diet-to-improve-bone-health-ndtv-doctor/ Home »  Bones & Joints & nbsp;»  World Arthritis Day 2022: 8 Superfoods People With Arthritis Should Add To Their Diet To Improve Bone Health These foods may help relieve your sore joints and may even prevent the worsening of arthritis.   By: Manya Singh  Updated: Oct 12, 2022 03:23 IST 3-Min Read World Arthritis Day 2022: Broccoli may be beneficial for people with arthritis Several foods can assist in reducing the symptoms of arthritis and enhance your overall joint health. A healthy diet can reduce inflammatory reactions from the body that produce pain in addition to the use of medications. Eating the right foods also aids in maintaining a healthy weight, which is crucial because the majority, if not all, of your body weight, is supported by your hips and knees.  Regardless of whether you stick to a particular diet plan or not, routinely include the following items on your plate while reducing your intake of unhealthy foods. This may help relieve your sore joints and may even prevent the worsening of arthritis.  Add these 8 superfoods to your diet if you have Arthritis: 1. Olive oil Oleocanthal and omega-3 fatty acids, which have exceptional anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, are abundant in olive oil. Additionally, it aids in preventing pro-inflammatory enzymes from significantly thickening the synovial membrane and resulting in discomfort. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are advised to use olive oil when preparing food. 2. Broccoli One of the most nutritious vegetables is broccoli. In fact, it could even be linked to reducing inflammation. Furthermore, broccoli has vital nutrients that may lessen the signs and symptoms of arthritis. Like sulforaphane, a substance found in broccoli that has been linked to the prevention of the development of rheumatoid arthritis. 3. Ginger  Ginger and its compounds prevent the body from producing chemicals that cause inflammation. In addition to this, ginger extract may lower levels of a certain inflammatory marker linked to arthritis. Consuming ginger in its fresh form, powdered, or dried forms may help to lessen arthritic symptoms and inflammation. 4. Onions Quercetin, a bioflavonoid antioxidant that reduces inflammation, is abundant in onions. It efficiently eliminates free radicals from arthritic joints and controls the release of enzymes that break down proteins. Onions are a prominent part of Indian dishes and can be consumed in various different ways. 5. Banana A banana is an extremely nutritious food that is rich in potassium, vitamins, and folic acid. It is well known that potassium-rich bananas assist in reducing arthritis-related joint pain as well as salt retention and bone mass loss. Furthermore, it possesses anti-calcification qualities that considerably enhance bone health.  6. Garlic Garlic has been proven to have an anti-inflammatory impact that may aid in reducing arthritic symptoms. Even certain immune cells may perform better when garlic is present, strengthening the immune system. Garlic may reduce the symptoms of arthritis and improve general health. 7. Green tea Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a particular antioxidant, and polyphenols, both of which are abundant in green tea, contribute greatly to reducing inflammation and discomfort. While polyphenols aid in reducing or restricting the degradation of cartilage, EGCG aids in preventing the activity of a chemical that harms joints in RA patients. 8. Fatty fish Salmon and tuna are among the fatty fish species that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been found to have strong anti-inflammatory properties. Vitamin D, which can help prevent insufficiency, is also abundant in fish. Low vitamin D levels have been linked to rheumatoid arthritis in several studies, which may add to symptoms. Add these nutrient-dense superfoods to your diet if you want to further improve the health of your bones and joints.  Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information. DoctorNDTV is the one stop site for all your health needs providing the most credible health information, health news and tips with expert advice on healthy living, diet plans, informative videos etc. You can get the most relevant and accurate info you need about health problems like diabetes, cancer, pregnancy, HIV and AIDS, weight loss and many other lifestyle diseases. We have a panel of over 350 experts who help us develop content by giving their valuable inputs and bringing to us the latest in the world of healthcare.

Expresso National And International Sports News Update At 1:30 Pm On 12th October, 2022 – The Indian Express https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/expresso-national-and-international-sports-news-update-at-130-pm-on-12th-october-2022-the-indian-express/ Expresso National and International Sports News Update at 1:30 pm on 12th October, 2022 You are listening to the Expresso Sports Update. Here is the latest news from the world of Indian and International Sports brought to you by The Indian Express. “Let’s begin with some cricket news. Captain Shikhar Dhawan took charge of the dance celebrations after India beat South Africa by seven wickets in the third ODI in Delhi to clinch the series 2-1. Team India’s head coach for the series, VVS Laxman took to his Twitter to post a video of the 36-year-old choreographing the steps for his teammates to follow. The 36-year-old, who has been leading India across multiple ODI bilaterals since last year, has been the life of a party on and off the cricket field. With the bat, Dhawan had a forgetful series as he scored just 25 runs Across 2022, Dhawan has scored 567 runs across 16 ODI outings, the highest for India in the format. “ “Former India captain Sourav Ganguly is about to become a former BCCI president and is unlikely to be the cricket board’s choice for the post of ICC chairman, either — even as secretary Jay Shah is expected to continue with his “team” set to take charge of key positions, The Indian Express has learnt. Roger Binny, a member of the 1983 World Cup-winning team and Karnataka Cricket Association president, is set to become the new BCCI chief “unopposed”. In fact, the BCCI election next Tuesday is expected to be a formality since none of the office-bearers’ posts had more than one nomination on the first day of filing the papers. The last date for filing nominations is today,” “India’s Deepti Sharma on Tuesday jumped three places to reclaim a career-best third position in the Women’s T20I bowlers rankings list and also touched the same rank in the all-rounder’s chart. Sharma gained ranking points, riding on some fine performances in the ongoing Asia Cup in Sylhet, Bangladesh. She grabbed three wickets against Pakistan and two each against Bangladesh and Thailand, overtaking South Africa fast bowler Shabnim Ismail and now only trails England spinners Sophie Ecclestone and Sarah Glenn. She first achieved the third rank in the bowler’s list in November 2019. Sharma has also moved up one slot to 35th among batters and is ranked third among all-rounders after overtaking Australia’s Ashleigh Gardner. “ “Meanwhile, in some boxing news, Tokyo Olympics bronze winner boxer Lovlina Borgohain and Commonwealth Games medallists Mohammed Hussamuddin and Jaismine Lamboria registered to dominate victories to storm into the finals of their respective weight divisions at the National Games. In the women’s 75kg middleweight category, Lovlina lit up the ring, displaying her class against local girl Ruchita, who looked good in patches before the lanky Assamese used her experience to win the bout and set up a summit clash with Haryana’s Saweety Boora. In the men’s 57kg featherweight category, Gujarat’s Aasifali went down by unanimous decision 5-0 to Haryana’s Sachin Siwach, who will be up against two-time CWG medallist Hussamuddin of the Services in the final.” “Meanwhile, in some football news, Erling Haaland is on a goal-scoring spree for Manchester City in the Premier League and Champions League. Haaland had scored 15 goals in the Premier League and had scored five goals in the Champions League. In a documentary named ‘Haaland: The Big Decision’ the striker revealed his 6,000 calorie diet, which includes heart and liver. He said, “You don’t eat this, but I am concerned with taking care of my body. I think eating quality food that is as local as possible is the most important. People say meat is bad for you, but which? The meat you get at McDonald’s? Or the local cow-eating grass right over there? I eat the heart and the liver.” “ “ It took the USA just nine minutes to get on the scoresheet in their opening 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup match against hosts India at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday. And once they started, you had a feeling that it was going to be a long night for India. The USA produced an attacking masterclass to hand India an 8-0 drubbing, their biggest-ever win at an Under-17 World Cup. It was also India’s worst-ever defeat at the U-17 level. Seeing as the girls were the first women to represent India at a FIFA event, you could probably chalk this performance down to simply nerves. “ “Lastly, in some sensational news, France and Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe has said he wants to depart the club mere months after signing a new contract that made him one of the top-earning footballers in the world, ESPN has reported that Mbappe has been unhappy during the season so far and that the club have not lived up to the promises made to him by president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and manager Christophe Galtier. One of these promises includes playing alongside a second striker in the pivot, a difficult task with the Parisian outfit’s star-studded attacking trio including Neymar and Lionel Messi. Interestingly, Mbappe had agreed on terms with Real Madrid before making a U-tun extend his contract with PSG. “ “You were listening to the Expresso Sports Update by The Indian Express. Ask your digital assistant device to play the latest sports news from the Indian Express to stay up to date with the most accurate and reliable updates in the world of Sports.” Click here to listen to yesterday’s Sports News bulletin

SPI International Launches Metaverse Space – Advanced Television https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/spi-international-launches-metaverse-space-advanced-television/ Media company SPI International, now a part of the Canal+ Group, has announced the launch of its first space in the metaverse, Casa FilmBox. The virtual space within Spatial’s metaverse features an auditorium, meeting rooms, galleries and exhibition halls to showcase SPI’s portfolio of content, products and marketing campaigns. Casa FilmBox also features a performance centre that the company aims to use for hosting special events such as movie screenings, shows, company get-togethers and other community activities. “With the introduction of higher speed mobile internet, 5G, metaverse will become an essential part of our daily lives. We see the metaverse as a space where the physical and digital come together to create the “phygital” – a brand new immersive experience that will transform the ways in which brands engage with their communities and vice versa. This will be a kind of immersive engagement that is unprecedented in the professional world,” comments Haymi Behar, CMO & CDO at SPI International.  Casa FilmBox is designed to familiarise the metaverse users with the SPI/FilmBox brand and to bring SPI teams, partners and audiences together within a fully immersive virtual hub that enables a new level of creative and efficient collaboration. “These virtual hubs will allow professionals to visually manifest their ideas, work and co-create with their team members from all around the world within a single shared environment as if they are right next to each other. Collaborative thinking increases productivity immensely and the metaverse will help in this direction,” added Behar.  SPI has also created an exhibition hall that showcases its content selection for clients who would like to browse through their catalogue. Additionally, the company plans to create and share its own non-fungible tokens (NFTs) with the community in the near future through the metaverse.    “By taking full advantage of the rapidly evolving technology, Casa FilmBox aims to reach audiences by creating unique, personalised and immersive experiences. Web3, NFTs and blockchain technologies open countless opportunities to interact with and experience content. We also believe that the presence of our brands in the metaverse will help grow our relationship with young, connected audiences. Innovation is at the heart of all of our endeavors at SPI and it brings us immense joy to be at the forefront of this transformation that will eventually become an integral part of our lives,” said Behar.  Metaverse is an inclusive universal virtual world composed of simulated digital environments. Powered by virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies, the metaverse proposes a new way of interaction among users that is beyond the confines of space and traditional communication. The spaces within the metaverse can be accessed through PCs, game consoles, mobile phones and VR headsets.

This Genius Tefal Air Fryer Is 44% Off In The Amazon Prime Day Sale Today Only – HELLO! https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/this-genius-tefal-air-fryer-is-44-off-in-the-amazon-prime-day-sale-today-only-hello/ Last modified on Oct 12, 2022 10:18 BST Sophie Hamilton The Tefal ActiFry Genius Air Fryer is in the Amazon Prime Day sale with 44% off – all the details Amazing news for foodies as the popular Tefal ActiFry air fryer is in the Amazon Prime Day sale with 44% off! Now, this nifty machine is reduced from £219.99 to £124 only on 12 October – which means you save nearly £100. RELATED: 16 best air fryers with top reviews in 2022 If you’re new to air fryers, the cool kitchen appliance is a low-fat, faster and healthier way to cook your favourite fried foods. Think fluffy-yet-crispy French fries and delicious roasted vegetables with barely any oil needed. And this one is genius! It features “hands-free cooking” with automatic stirring, which means you’ll get evenly cooked results without having to stop and shake the basket. Tefal ActiFry Genius Air Fryer, was £219.99, Prime Price: £123.96, Amazon SHOP NOW You can use it to roast, broil, bake, steam and reheat – and leftovers wont be limp and soggy like the results from a microwave. And with NINE auto programmes and the hands free cooking feature you can literally hit the button, walk away and have a perfectly cooked meal when the timer goes off. MORE: Queen Elizabeth II’s former chef bakes Victoria Sponge cake in an air fryer – here’s how SHOP: Want Mrs Hinch’s favourite hoover? You can get up to 60% off at Amazon It’s no wonder the Tefal Genius has nearly 2,000 five-star reviews!  “Best thing in my kitchen,,” said one shopper, while another raved “Fast, efficient and energy saving…  It is energy efficient and with today’s prices will pay for itself.” With many families cutting budgets because of rising energy costs, air fryers have become a kitchen must-haves. The compact gadgets are not just healthier – using up to 75 per cent less fat than traditional frying methods – they are 75 per cent faster than fan ovens and use much less electricity. Prime Day ends on 12 October at midnight, so get yours quick! HELLO!’s selection is editorial and independently chosen – we only feature items our editors love and approve of. HELLO! may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. To find out more visit our FAQ page.

Best Crypto To Buy During The Dip In 2022 – Cryptonews https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/best-crypto-to-buy-during-the-dip-in-2022-cryptonews/ Disclaimer: The Industry Talk section features insights by crypto industry players and is not a part of the editorial content of Cryptonews.com. Crypto prices are down considerably throughout the industry and this has been the case since the markets peaked in late 2021. While nobody wishes to experience a bearish cycle, this does offer the opportunity to scope up some top-rated crypto assets at a huge discount. The purpose of this market insight is to analyze the 8 best crypto to buy during this dip to take advantage of the current bear cycle. The 8 Best Crypto to Buy on the Dip The list below offers a quick overview of the best crypto to buy during the crash: IMPT – Overall Best Crypto to Buy During This Dip Tamadoge – P2E Gaming Platform With Metaverse and NFT Features Battle Infinity – Low-Cap Gem Building a Decentralized Fantasy Sports Game Lucky Block – NFT Reward and Competition Project With Huge Upside Potential DeFi Coin – Undervalued DeFi Ecosystem About to Hit the Market Bitcoin – Buy the World’s Most Popular Crypto Asset at a 70% Discount Ethereum – Large-Cap Smart Contract Blockchain That Remains Undervalued BNB – Proprietary Cryptocurrency Backed by Binance Many of the projects listed above have been hit hard by the crypto winter that we currently find ourselves in. As a result, this offers an attractive entry point for long-term investors – in preparation for the next bull run. Visit IMPT Presale Now Analyzing the Best Cryptos to Buy During the Crash Just because a crypto asset is trading at a huge discount when compared to its prior all-time high, this doesn’t automatically make it a sound investment. Investors should instead take a step back before risking any capital and conduct in-depth research on the many options available in this bear market. In this section, we analyze the best crypto to invest in during the crash so that traders can make an informed decision. 1. IMPT – Overall Best Crypto to Buy During This Dip Concerns for the environment continue to increase on a global scale, with many governments committed to reaching carbon neutrality by 2030. From an investment perspective, this has resulted in huge interest in carbon credit stocks, in addition to renewable energy stocks. With that being said,  perhaps a better option to consider is IMPT – which is arguably the greenest cryptocurrency to invest in during this market. For those new to this project, IMPT is a recently founded blockchain project that is building a global credit carbon ecosystem. The overarching objective of the project is to provide a gateway for businesses to reduce their carbon footprint. This can goal will be achieved not only through blockchain but IMPT tokens. In a nutshell, investors can buy IMPT tokens and subsequently decide to do one of two things. After making the purchase – which is backed by an NFT, environmentally-conscious stakeholders can burn their IMPT tokens. This will reduce the token holder’s carbon footprint and thus – help combat climate change. The second option will appeal to those that wish to make investment gains. Put simply, the value of the IMPT token will allegedly mirror that of global carbon credit prices. This means that if prices increase, so could the IMPT token. According this most eco-friendly crypto, the carbon offset market will be worth over $700 million by 2027. As such, this market is expected to grow considerably over the coming years. In the meantime, investors can gain exposure to IMPT via its ongoing presale campaign. This offers early investors the opportunity to buy IMPT tokens at a discounted price of $0.018 and gain exposure to one of the best carbon offset programs in 2022.  Once the current allocation of IMPT tokens is sold, the presale price will increase to $0.023. As such, investors with an interest in this project will need to get in early to get the best price possible. For more information investors can explore the IMPT whitepaper as well as join the official Telegram group with over 12.3k subscribers. Chain Ethereum Standard ERC-20 Token Price $0.0180 End Date 1st December 2022 (Stage 1) Vesting Unlock Token Generation Event Team Denis Creighton (CEO), Mike English (CTO), Hugh Phelan (CLO) Visit IMPT Presale Now 2. Tamadoge – P2E Gaming Platform With Metaverse and NFT Features Tamadoge continues to trend in the crypto market even though we are firmly in a bearish cycle. The reason for this is two-fold. First, Tamadoge recently executed its much-anticipated crypto presale, whereby the project raised its hard cap total of $19 million in a matter of weeks. Second, the project was then accepted by tier-one exchange OKX for its first centralized and decentralized listing, marking one of the best IEO cryptos to buy this year. This was a huge success, with the value of Tamadoge increasing 10-fold within a few days. Fortunately for those that missed out on the initial buying pressure, the price of Tamadoge has since witnessed a market correction. With that said, CoinMarketCap notes that Tamadoge was originally priced at $0.021 upon listing on OKX. As of writing, Tamadoge is trading at just over $0.037. This means that in just a couple of weeks of trading, Tamadoge investors are looking at gains of 80%. In comparison, most crypto assets have barely moved in recent weeks – with the likes of Bitcoin still staring at a decline of 70% from its pre-bear market peak. Another reason why Tamadoge could be the best crypto to buy during this dip is that its market capitalization sits below $40 million. As such, Tamadoge is arguably one of the most undervalued crypto assets as of writing. In terms of the project itself, Tamadoge has begun building a play-to-earn game that offers crypto rewards and NFTs. Players will need to mint, feed, breed, and care for a virtual Tamadoge pet before entering battles with the view of winning TAMA tokens. To buy Tamadoge today, the digital token can be purchased at OKX, Uniswap, LBank, Bitmart, BKEX, and MEXC. Buy Tamadoge Now 3. Battle Infinity – Low-Cap Gem Building a Decentralized Fantasy Sports Game Long-term investors that seek hugely undervalued cryptocurrencies to buy might wish to explore Battle Infinity. This project is also building a play-to-earn game that offers crypto rewards in IBAT tokens in addition to NFT ownership. The first multiplayer game to hit the Battle Infinity platform is the IBAT Premier League. This is a take on fantasy sports but on the blockchain protocol. Successful players will win IBAT tokens by creating a fantasy sports team that performs well in the real world. Battle Infinity will eventually offer immersive gaming experiences from within its very own metaverse – the Multiverse. So if you’re wondering how to invest in the metaverse, Battle Infinity could be a great option to consider. The Multiverse will also host staking tools, a decentralized exchange, and an NFT marketplace. As of writing, Battle infinity is just a couple of months into its play-to-earn development journey. The project hosted its presale with a hard cap target of just over $5 million – or about 16,500 BNB. Put simply, Battle Infinity achieved this goal in just 24 days. The presale campaign offered IBAT tokens at a fixed price of $0.0015. Since launching on both PancakeSwap and Lbank, IBAT has gone on to hit an all-time high of $0.0055. This represents growth of over 260% since the presale. However, IBAT is still one of the best crypto to buy during the crash – considering that as of writing, it is trading at 45% below its former peak. Potential investors might consider joining the Battle Infinity Telegram to get real-time updates on the development of the Multiverse in addition to upcoming exchange listings. Buy Battle Infinity Now 4. Lucky Block – NFT Reward and Competition Project With Huge Upside Potential  Lucky Block was founded in January 2022 with the view of revolutionizing the global competition space. It is already achieving this goal through its NFT-backed competition platform that is built on top of the blockchain protocol. In its most basic form, people can enter a Lucky Block competition by purchasing a Lucky Block NFT. Each NFT collection is assigned to a specific competition – which includes a Lamborghini, 5-star package holidays, and $1 million worth of Bitcoin. Each NFT that is purchased amounts to one entry into the chosen competition. Once the respective NFT collection sells out, the competition draw then takes place via a secure smart contract. What’s more, both winners and losers will continue to receive LBLOCK tokens simply for keeping hold of the NFT. This offers an incentive to enter competitions considering that passive income will continue to be earned indefinitely. Lucky Block also offers its Platinum Rollers Club NFT series. This in itself offers a full suite of perks, such as having access to a lifetime competition draw. Each NFT from within this collection has its own number, which represents a ticket entry to the weekly prize draw. Another way to gain exposure to Lucky Block is to buy the LBLOCK token, which trades on several of the best crypto exchanges. V1 of the token – which follows the BSc standard, is traded on PancakeSwap. V2 – which follows the ERC-20 standard, trades on Uniswap, LBank, MEXC, and Gate.io. After studying its price trajectory, the LBLOCK token is available to purchase at a huge discount right now, which makes it one of the best crypto to buy during the crash. Buy Lucky Block Now 5. DeFi Coin – Undervalued DeFi Ecosystem About to Hit the Market  Next up on this list of the best crypto to buy during the crash is DeFi Coin. As of writing, DeFi Coin is trading at a hugely undervalued market capitalization of just $840k, making it one of the most undervalued cryptos on the market. While the...

Oil Steady On Tight Supply, But Dollar Weighs – Reuters.com https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/oil-steady-on-tight-supply-but-dollar-weighs-reuters-com/ Oct 12 (Reuters) – Oil futures recouped some losses on Wednesday, recovering from a 2% slide in the previous session, supported by supply concerns stemming from last week’s OPEC+ cut to its production target, though a stronger dollar weighed on sentiment. Brent crude futures were up 36 cents, or 0.4%, at $94.65 a barrel by 0920 GMT after touching a session low of $93.33. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was up 21 cents, or 0.2%, at $89.56 after a session low of $88.27. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com “There are two dominant forces in the oil market at the moment; the economic outlook being the primary downside risk and OPEC+ the upside,” said OANDA analyst Craig Erlam. “The latter reasserted itself last week with the 2 million barrel per day cut … but growth fears are still dominating in the markets, which may stop the price from taking off.” Last week, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies including Russia, together known as OPEC+, decided to cut their output target by 2 million barrels per day (bpd). “Although OPEC+’s 2 million bpd headline oil output cut from the August quotas looks large on paper, the effective cut would be smaller,” Citi Research said in a note, adding that it expects the final cut to be less than 900,000 bpd, partly owing to poor compliance from Iraq. Also on the supply side, Russia’s state-owned pipeline monopoly Transneft (TRNF_p.MM) on Wednesday said it had received notice from Polish operator PERN about a leak on the Druzhba oil pipeline, Interfax reported. Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar hit a 24-year high against the yen on Wednesday on concerns about inflation and the pace of increases to U.S. interest rates. A stronger dollar makes dollar-denominated commodities more expensive for holders of other currencies and tends to weigh on oil and other risk assets. Also on the downside, the International Monetary Fund on Tuesday cut its global growth forecast for 2023 and warned of increasing risk of a global recession. The U.S. consumer prices report is due on Thursday. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Noah Browning Additional reporting by Mohi Narayan in New Delhi and Isabel Kua in Singapore Editing by David Goodman Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

SIMPLEX QUANTUM, Inc. Completes US Patent Registration Of Artificial Intelligence Technology Designed To Determine Heart Failure Stage Using Electrocardiogram Data – Business Wire https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/simplex-quantum-inc-completes-us-patent-registration-of-artificial-intelligence-technology-designed-to-determine-heart-failure-stage-using-electrocardiogram-data-business-wire/ TOKYO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–SIMPLEX QUANTUM, Inc. has completed registration in the United States of a patent for technology designed to use artificial intelligence (AI) to stage heart failure. Patent US 11,412,978 B2 describes the technology as an information processing system to reduce labor of medical staff in determining heart failure stage. The system references data from hundreds of thousands of electrocardiograms (ECGs) interpreted by clinicians to determine heart failure stage. The SIMPLEX QUANTUM processor executes a software program to determine heart failure stage using deep learning methodology. In the current diagnostic process, a clinician detects heart failure by obtaining a patient’s electrocardiogram and clinical information including heart rate and respiratory rate. Determining the stage of heart failure is an additional, often time-consuming step. “Our new technology is designed to automate heart failure staging,” says SIMPLEX QUANTUM CEO Ryu Saito. US patent registration follows registration in Japan and filing in countries worldwide. SIMPLEX QUANTUM technology has not yet received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for marketing in the US. With its pre-submission application to the FDA, the company has initiated the regulatory pathway to market of its technology as a medical device in the US. About SIMPLEX QUANTUM, Inc. Founded in 2014, SIMPLEX QUANTUM develops technology in collaboration with partners including the University of Tokyo Hospital and Japan’s Agency for Medical Research and Development. For more information, please visit https://simplex-q.com/en/. About Heart Failure According to the Heart Failure Society of America, approximately 6.5 million Americans over age 20 have heart failure. One study estimates 960,000 new cases every year. Heart failure may contribute to up to 36% of all cardiovascular disease deaths. It remains the leading cause of hospitalization among Medicare patients, producing a significant burden on our health system. Medical providers order an echocardiogram to help determine a patient’s stage of heart failure, a chronic condition that gets worse with time and has four stages, from “high risk of developing heart failure” to “advanced heart failure.” The patient’s stage helps determine the course of treatment. For more information, please visit https://hfsa.org/.

Area Volleyball Roundup For Oct. 11: Howard Earns 16th Win Of The Season At Ethan – Mitchell Republic https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/area-volleyball-roundup-for-oct-11-howard-earns-16th-win-of-the-season-at-ethan-mitchell-republic/ High school volleyball Adam Thury / Mitchell Republic ETHAN, S.D. — Howard picked up its 16th win of the season on Tuesday night with a three-set win over Ethan in high school volleyball action. The Tigers won the match 25-15, 25-15 and 25-23. Howard had 15 kills from Kate Connor in the win, while Abby Aslesen, Landree Callies and Piper Thompson each had six kills. Canyon Kidd had a match-high 25 digs and Thompson added 21, while Rylee Rudebusch had 28 assists in the winning effort. For Ethan, Ava Lingemann had 10 kills and 20 digs, while Marissa Storm had six kills. Claire Mellegaard had 21 digs for the Rustlers, who picked up 10 assists and two aces from Aubrie Biteler. Howard (16-8) will host Baltic on Oct. 18, while Ethan (10-13) will host Hanson on Thursday, Oct. 13. Wagner’s Avari Bruguier powered her way to 13 kills, 12 digs and five service aces, while Macy Koupal put up 37 assists with 12 digs and an ace as the Red Raiders swept Parkston. For the Trojans, Mya Nuebel had 13 kills, eight digs and three blocks. Adisyn Indahl notched 11 kills with six service aces as Kailee Frank chipped in nine kills and seven digs for Burke in a straight-set win over Andes Central/Dakota Christian. The Cougars are now 21-3 on the season with their 11th straight victory.  Gabrielle Zachariasen and Morissen Samuels paced Class AA No. 3 Harrisburg with 13 kills apiece in a straight-set win over Pierre. Zachariasen added two blocks, while Samuels also had two service aces. Addisen Barber put up 21 assists and five service aces as Class A No. 1 Sioux Falls Christian breezed to a sweep of Tri-Valley. Madison’s Amanda Vacanti recorded 12 kills, 12 assists, 10 digs and six service aces as the Bulldogs took down Milbank in three sets. Viborg-Hurley’s Coral Mason notched 20 kills, 18 digs and a pair of ace serves, aided by 33 assists by Mataya Vannorsdel, in a straight-set win for the Cougars over Freeman Academy/Marion. Sioux Valley earned a sweep of Arlington behind 13 kills and 13 digs from Landree Wilson with Kaedyn Sapp adding 11 kills and 20 digs. In a four-set win over Freeman, Oldham-Ramona/Rutland’s Julia Trygstad amassed 27 kills, eight digs, five blocks and one ace serve. On the other side, the Flyers got 12 kills, 13 digs and one ace from Ashlin Jacobsen. In a five-set win over Garretson, three players posted double-digit kills for McCook Central/Montrose. Michaela McCormick led the way with 15 to go along with 12 digs, while Brandy Pulse added 13 with 16 digs and Tayah McGregor chipped in 11 and seven blocks. Brianna Even had 32 set assists and five service aces in the win. Aberdeen Roncalli def. Mobridge-Pollock, 25-20, 6-25, 25-17, 25-16 Bon Homme def. Scotland, 22-25, 25-21, 25-13, 25-14 Burke def. Andes Central/Dakota Christian, 25-11, 25-10, 25-8 Canton def. Parker, 25-16, 25-9, 25-13 Chester Area def. West Central, 25-13, 25-18, 25-15 Colman-Egan vs. Bridgewater-Emery, 25-12, 25-14, 25-15 Dakota Valley def. Lennox, 25-14, 25-12, 25-13 Dell Rapids def. Deubrook Area, 25-19, 25-21, 25-14 Dell Rapids St. Mary def. Centerville, 25-8, 25-12, 25-18 Edgemont def. Newell, 25-18, 25-15, 26-24 Elk Point-Jefferson def. South Sioux City (Neb.), 25-18, 25-17, 25-17 Elkton-Lake Benton def. Deuel, 25-9, 25-16, 25-16 Faulkton Area def. Herreid/Selby Area, 25-10, 25-22, 25-15 Gayville-Volin def. Sioux Falls Lutheran, 25-14, 26-24, 25-9 Gregory def. Colome, 25-22, 25-9, 25-18 Hamlin def. De Smet, 25-22, 25-17, 25-11 Harrisburg def. Pierre, 25-21, 25-23, 25-20 Hill City def. St. Thomas More, 19-25, 25-19, 25-21, 25-20 Howard def. Ethan, 25-15, 25-15, 25-23 Huron def. Sioux Falls Roosevelt, 21-25, 25-21, 27-25, 25-20, 15-13 Kadoka Area def. White River, 19-25, 25-19, 25-19, 25-9 Jones County def. Lyman, 25-19, 28-26, 27-25 Madison def. Milbank, 25-17, 25-21, 25-22 McCook Central/Montrose def. Garretson, 17-25, 25-23, 25-27, 25-14, 15-13 Miller def. Platte-Geddes, 25-12, 27-25, 25-20 Mount Vernon/Plankinton def. Kimball/White Lake, 16-25, 25-23, 25-21, 23-25, 15-10 New Underwood def. Lead-Deadwood, 25-19, 25-11, 25-15 Oldham-Ramona/Rutland def. Freeman, 25-23, 25-23, 23-25, 25-18 Ponca (Neb.) def. Vermillion, 23-25, 25-19, 25-14, 25-14 Rapid City Stevens def. Douglas, 25-17, 25-19, 25-17 Sanborn Central/Woonsocket def. Iroquois/Lake Preston, 25-20, 19-25, 23-25, 25-20, 16-14 Sioux Falls Christian def. Tri-Valley, 25-11, 25-1, 25-10 Sioux Falls Jefferson def. Mitchell, 25-23, 25-16, 25-23 Sioux Falls Lincoln def. Watertown, 20-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-15 Sioux Falls Washington def. Brookings, 25-16, 25-18, 25-12 Sioux Valley def. Arlington, 25-21, 25-23, 26-24 Standing Rock (N.D.) def. McLaughlin, 25-18, 25-23, 25-27, 25-16 Tea Area def. Beresford, 25-12, 18-25, 25-19, 25-17 Tripp-Delmont/Armour def. Marty, 25-3, 25-8, 25-13 Viborg-Hurley def. Freeman Academy/Marion, 25-15, 25-17, 25-17 Wagner def. Parkston, 25-20, 25-18, 25-21 Warner def. Redfield, 25-10, 25-3, 25-15 Webster Area def. Langford Area, 25-19, 25-14, 25-22 Wessington Springs def. Sunshine Bible Academy, 25-5, 25-6, 25-7 Wilmot def. Waubay/Summit, 25-20, 21-25, 25-17, 25-9 Winner def. Chamberlain, 25-21, 25-16, 25-17 Wolsey-Wessington def. Highmore-Harrold, 25-4, 25-20, 25-8 Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of “Mitchell Republic.” Often, the “Mitchell Republic” byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story.

Google Expands Its Things To Do Feature Deeper Into Maps – Skift Travel News https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/google-expands-its-things-to-do-feature-deeper-into-maps-skift-travel-news/ Skift Take Step by step, inch by inch, Google is becoming more central to the tours and activities sector. We’ve seen this playbook before. Dennis Schaal Online Travel This Week The typical Google Maps use case doesn’t entail people planning their entire vacations in the app, but they can selectively find flight information, compare hotel prices and — Google announced Tuesday — mix and match prices of attractions tickets. No, Google Maps isn’t a superapp yet but it’s edging in that direction, and touts 1 billion people monthly using the feature. Search “New York” in Google Maps and you’ll find restaurants, hotels, museums, transit options, pharmacies, ATMs, and now things to do. In a blog post, Richard Holden, Google’s vice president of travel products, wrote: “Last year, we began showing ticket booking links on Search when people look for attractions, like the Boston Tea Party Museum, to help them quickly compare admissions prices across different partners. Now, this ticket information is available on Google Maps as well, where travelers often plan their itinerary for the day.” In other changes announced Tuesday, Google is in the initial stages of introducing in Google search booking links for tours that are connected to attractions, such as a combination Vatican and Colosseum tour in Italy. Previously, Google had booking links to attractions tickets, such as for the Vatican, and some related tours were mixed in. With the tweaks in Google search, the attractions tickets’ booking links and related tours are separated into distinct modules so they aren’t competing for attention, and users can readily make tour to tour comparisons. Google plans to introduce this functionality into Maps, as well. Google currently only offers these booking links when they are connected to attractions, and doesn’t provide them for “food tours in Rome,” for example, but you can bet that will be coming. Google Upped Its Ad Game for Things to Do Importantly, Google announced that it expanded the reach and format of text ads for things to do that it launched initially in 32 cities in September 2021. With the expansion, more graphical tours and activities ads get triggered with appropriate queries in 24 countries, which would be a greater revenue opportunity for Google. Pictured is an image of Google ads from Viator and Tripadvisor (both are Tripadvisor brands), triggered on mobile by a query for “things to do in Miami.” Parallels to Google’s Hotel Playbook Google dropped its Reserve with Google feature for tours and activities in August 2021, and one month later transitioned to a system of paid advertisements and free booking links for attractions, aggregators and operators. That combination of advertisements plus free links is similar to the way it changed Google Hotels in March 2021, supplementing its years-long paid booking links from online travel agencies and hotels with free links for a sometimes long-tail array of providers. In another parallel move, Holden detailed how attractions operators can now update their own ticket prices through their own Google business profile. Previously pricing updates could only be made on Google via a feed with a tie-in to a connectivity partner, so the do-it-yourself feature is likely most relevant for smaller operators. Holden wrote that these business profile updates would soon be available for tours and activity operators, and not just for the attractions themselves. Again, this is what Google previously did for hotels, enabling them to manually update their rates in their Google business profiles if that’s the way they wanted to do them. Google has lots of time and money to develop robust features for things to do, making itself an essential part of the sector’s fabric through its grip on search, knowledge about user behavior, and talent. Google over the years edged its way into the travel ecosystem for flights and hotels, and is patiently building out vacation rentals (although Airbnb doesn’t participate), things to do, and newly, trains in Europe. Google has all the time in the world to consolidate its position in tours and activities — unless regulators say otherwise. In Brief Traveloka Leans Into Its Travel Core Products During the initial stages of the pandemic, Traveloka officials emphasized that the company was much more than a travel firm, but it has now shuttered its various delivery services. However, Traveloka still has a menu of non-travel fintech offerings. Skift Airbnb’s Chesky Wants to Clean Up the Cleaning Fee Albatros Airbnb hasn’t been in much of a hurry over the years to mute the outcry over host’s cleaning fees, but 17 months ago it began probing the overall fee issue, and this week CEO Brian Chesky said changing displays of fees and pricing are among his top priorities. A scathing Wall Street Journal article about the issue last month didn’t go unnoticed at Airbnb, for sure. Skift Sister Companies Booking.com and Priceline Add Attractions Partners Booking.com and Priceline, sister brands within Booking Holdings, separately added partners to source tours and activities for their respective businesses. Booking.com added Klook, and Priceline brought on Musement. Booking CEO Glenn Fogel recently said that tours and activities are must-haves to service travelers, but they aren’t nearly as lucrative for the company as hotels. Skift %

LIVE: MiG 29K Aircraft Crashes Over Sea Off Goa Coast Due To Technical Glitch – Hindustan Times https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/live-mig-29k-aircraft-crashes-over-sea-off-goa-coast-due-to-technical-glitch-hindustan-times/ Live Updated on Oct 12, 2022 01:40 PM IST Breaking news October 12, 2022 live updates: Get latest news, breaking news, latest updates, live news, top headlines, breaking business news and top news of the hour. Get latest news, breaking news, latest updates, live news, top headlines, breaking business news and top news of the hour. Welcome to hindustantimes.com updates platform where you can find breaking news from India and across the world. Find fast updates about the latest news as it breaks. Follow all the updates here: Oct 12, 2022 01:40 PM IST Ukrainian nuclear plant lost external power: UN’s nuclear watchdog The head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog says the Ukrainian nuclear plant, controlled and surrounded by Russian troops, has lost external power. Oct 12, 2022 12:59 PM IST Ukraine says it has recaptured five settlements in the key southern region of Kherson Ukraine says it has recaptured five settlements in the key southern region of Kherson, reports AFP. Kyiv is continuing a counteroffensive drive despite mass Russian missile strikes in recent days. Oct 12, 2022 12:06 PM IST HC quashes FIRs against BJP leader Bagga and Kumar Vishwas The Punjab and Haryana high court on Wednesday quashed criminal cases registered against BJP leader Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga and poet Kumar Vishwas registered by Punjab police. Oct 12, 2022 11:34 AM IST MiG 29K aircraft crashes over sea off Goa coast due to technical glitch MiG 29K aircraft crashes over sea off Goa coast due to technical glitch, pilot ejects safely: Indian Navy Oct 12, 2022 11:33 AM IST SC gives Centre two weeks to respond to a clutch of petitions challenging the validity of the 1991 Places of Worship Act Supreme Court gives Centre two weeks to respond to a clutch of petitions challenging the validity of the 1991 Places of Worship Act. The law locks the identity and character of religious places as on Aug 15, 1947. Next date of hearing set on on Nov 14. Oct 12, 2022 10:41 AM IST Haryana drug regulator issues show cause notice to Maiden Pharmaceuticals Cough syrups row: Haryana drug regulator issues show cause notice to Maiden Pharmaceuticals for quality testing violations, reports Reuters. Oct 12, 2022 10:05 AM IST Myanmar convicts ousted leader Suu Kyi on 2 more corruption counts Myanmar convicts ousted leader Suu Kyi on 2 more corruption counts, extending prison term to 26 years, reports AP. Oct 12, 2022 09:31 AM IST India reports 2,139 new Covid cases in 24 hours With 2,139 new Covid cases, India’s active caseload stands at 26,292. Oct 12, 2022 08:34 AM IST Nirmala Sitharaman meets American counterpart Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday in a meeting with her American counterpart Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen discussed a range of issues, including bilateral relationships, the global situation as well as India’s upcoming G-20 Presidency. Oct 12, 2022 07:35 AM IST Rahul Gandhi resumes ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ from Challakere Town Congress MP Rahul Gandhi resumes ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ from Challakere Town, Chitradurga in Karnataka. The Yatra which began on September 7th from Kanniyakumari has covered a distance of 905 km so far. It will pass through a total of 12 states, to culminate in J&K. Oct 12, 2022 06:26 AM IST Spaceship successfully deflected asteroid in test to save Earth, says NASA NASA said it had succeeded in deflecting an asteroid in a historic test of humanity’s ability to stop an incoming cosmic object from devastating life on Earth. Read more here Subscribe to our best newsletters Kerala ‘black magic’ case: One body was cut into 56 pieces, reveal cops Updated on Oct 12, 2022 01:38 PM IST Gruesome details of the Kerala human sacrifice case have come to light as police said one of the body was cut into 56 pieces. The three accused reportedly cooked parts of the victims’ bodies and consumed. Police and locals at the place where two women were allegedly murdered and buried in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta.(PTI) Sitharaman, Yellen discuss global economy, G20, energy Published on Oct 12, 2022 11:50 AM IST Yellen said the India-United States (US) partnership was “critical” to addressing the world’s most important global economic challenges Swati Maliwal ‘receiving threats’ for letter against Sajid Khan in Bigg Boss Updated on Oct 12, 2022 10:58 AM IST Delhi women commission chief Swati Maliwal raised her voice against Me Too accused Sajid Khan contesting in popular reality show Bigg Boss. Story Saved New Delhi 0C Wednesday, October 12, 2022

Your Harlow – Your Harlow https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/your-harlow-your-harlow/ A NEW scheme has been launched to help improve the health of people living in some of our area’s most challenged communities. Through the ‘Our Health Matters’ scheme, pilot projects are being set up in six district council wards, in Hertsmere, Epping Forest and Harlow, where residents face some of the biggest barriers to living long, happy and healthy lives. Staff called ‘Community Connectors’ will work alongside families, individuals and community groups to really understand the issues that affect their health. Residents and Community Connectors will then work together to ensure that people living with serious health conditions including severe mental illness, high blood pressure and respiratory diseases get the expert help they need, and to improve the detection of cancer signs and symptoms. As well as helping people to get the healthcare they need, when they need it, Community Connectors will work with local people to develop schemes in their area that help people to stay well. Dr Jane Halpin, the Chief Executive of the Hertfordshire and west Essex Integrated Care Board said: “This programme is about much more than just providing healthcare. It involves listening to communities to find out what is making people ill in the first place, and then making the changes that will make a difference. We know that poor health can be caused by loneliness, anxiety, poverty, crime, inadequate housing and unemployment – as well as a number of other causes that can’t be addressed by healthcare professionals alone. “By taking a new, community-based approach we hope to help people to have the happy, healthy lives that we would all like to see for ourselves and our families.” NHS and social care organisations from the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care System area are working with the voluntary and community sector organisations ‘Communities 1st’ in Hertfordshire and ‘Rainbow Services’ in west Essex to develop and deliver the Community Connectors programme locally. Communities 1st will deliver the programme in the Cowley Hill and Brook Meadow wards in Hertsmere, and Rainbow Services will deliver the programme in the Loughton Alderton & Waltham Abbey Paternoster wards in Epping Forest, and the Toddbrook and Staple Tye Wards in Harlow. The programme will run until March 2024, with the £100,000 costs met by a national scheme, following a successful bid by organisations from the Hertfordshire and west Essex Integrated Care System. Tim Anfilogoff Head of Community Resilience for the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board, said: “The Our Health Matters approach recognises that people and communities often know what they need and what would work, and that the NHS and our public and voluntary sector services needs to hear from these communities. “By working alongside people, listening to them, supporting them and sharing their ideas, we can take a big step forward in addressing the gaps in healthcare.”

Here Is The Latest SEC Sports News From The Associated Press – Mankato Free Press https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/here-is-the-latest-sec-sports-news-from-the-associated-press-mankato-free-press/ UNDATED (AP) — Ole Miss’ Jonathan Mingo is coming off of the biggest game of his career. He broke the receiving record set by current New York Jets wide receiver Elijah Moore by getting 247 yards against Vanderbilt. It was the most yards of any FBS player in a game this season and vaulted Mingo into the Southeastern Conference lead with 507 yards entering Saturday’s game with Auburn. Mingo has battled injury in his career and been overshadowed by 1,000-yard receivers Moore and Dontario Drummond. Now, he’s among the elites for No. 9 Ole Miss. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee starting safety and captain Jaylen McCollough has been arrested for aggravated felony assault. That puts his status for Saturday’s game against No. 3 Alabama in question for the sixth-ranked Volunteers. Coach Josh Heupel said the team learned about McCollough’s arrest on Sunday night. According to an arrest warrant obtained by Knox News, a man reported that he went inside the wrong apartment after drinking with friends, and a man followed him out and punched him, causing him to fall down stairs and knocking him unconscious. Police said McCollough had blood seeping through a bandage on his hand, declined to answer questions and was arrested. UNDATED (AP) — It could well be among the marquee quarterback matchups of the season: Alabama’s Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young versus Tennessee’s rising star Hendon Hooker. Young’s sprained right shoulder was being re-evaluated, but coach Nick Saban seemed somewhat optimistic about his status for the Saturday’s game. Hooker and Young are still among the leading Heisman Trophy candidates. Jalen Milroe started for Alabama in a squeaker over Texas A&M. UNDATED (AP) — Georgia has taken back the top spot in The Associated Press college football poll from Alabama. The Crimson Tide slid to No. 3. The Bulldogs received 32 first-place votes and 1,535 points in the Top 25 to easily reclaim No. 1 on Sunday after being just two points behind Alabama for the No. 2 spot last week. Georgia thumped Auburn 42-10 on Saturday. The Tide escaped an upset bid at home by Texas A&M with Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Bryce Young sidelined by injury. Ohio State moved up a spot to No. 2, receiving 20 first-place votes. UNDATED (AP) — Beating Oklahoma has been a way to get ranked in the Big 12 — which is odd considering how poorly the Sooners have played lately. No. 22 Texas became the third Big 12 team in the last three weeks to defeat Oklahoma on Saturday and end up in the AP Top 25 on Sunday. Often complaints about the preseason poll and how it shapes the rankings in the regular-season can be overblown. But Reality Check can’t help but wonder if those Big 12 teams would have gotten such a big boost if the Sooners didn’t start the season as a top-10 team. UNDATED (AP) — Air Force has reached the halfway point of the season on track for its third straight national rushing title. Ohio State is on pace to be the top scoring team again. The Falcons are running for better than 352 yards per game and the Buckeyes are averaging nearly 49 points. Texas Tech is first in passing yards per game at 365 and Tennessee is the total offense leader at 548 per game. Defensively, Illinois is giving up just eight points per game. Other leaders are Minnesota in total defense, James Madison in rushing defense and Boise State in passing defense. UNDATED (AP) — Maybe making a coaching change less than halfway through the season isn’t such a terrible idea. After an unprecedented spate of early season firings, teams with interim head coaches went 4-0 this weekend in major college football. Georgia Tech and Nebraska each won their second straight games to move into position to contend in their divisions. Wisconsin played its best game in a couple of seasons in its first game after Paul Chryst was fired. And, Arizona State got its first victory since firing Herm Edwards. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

What Is The Business Impact Of The Metaverse? – Forbes https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/what-is-the-business-impact-of-the-metaverse-forbes/ Wondering how the metaverse will impact business value in the future? I recently spoke with Emma Ridderstad, CEO of Warpin Media, an immersive technology solutions company focused on bringing the Enterprise Metaverse to forward-thinking organizations. Adobe Stock When I asked Emma what the metaverse means to her, she said she imagines the metaverse as everything we do online today — through our smartphones and our computers — but being able to do it all in immersive 3D, via virtual and augmented reality. In the metaverse, we’ll be able to seamlessly move between worlds so we can work better, play better, and communicate more freely. Emma says, “This technology enables us to engage with more senses at the same time, so it’s a much richer experience.” What Is the Future Business Value of the Metaverse? Warpin Media works with innovative companies that already recognize the potential power of the metaverse, and we discussed some unique use cases that companies are already launching. For example, businesses are already using augmented reality and virtual reality to provide experiences for consumers and engage them in ways they have never done before. When a new Star Wars movie premiered in Japan, clothing retailer H&M set up a designer booth in their Tokyo store. Shoppers could put on Magic Leap augmented reality glasses to turn plain black t-shirts into customized apparel that they could actually take home with them. Other companies are finding ways to use AR and VR to enable customers to try on or try out their merchandise. Luxury car company Ferrari, for example, showcases their models in augmented reality, so car shoppers can “walk” around the cars and even delve into the cars’ engines and braking systems. Many retailers are also figuring out how to offer 3D virtual versions of their products. More and more consumers will be interested in purchasing NFT garments that mirror physical clothing and accessories. Businesses can also add value by incorporating storytelling into their immersive experiences for customers. One whiskey company collaborated with a hotel to create a new cocktail, then created an immersive experience that transports the consumer to Scotland to fly over the Highlands, lets them get an inside look into how whiskey is made, and gives them a virtual tour of a distillery. After the virtual tour, you take your virtual reality glasses off, and your whiskey cocktail is sitting in front of you. These kinds of immersive brand storytelling experiences are a great way for companies to connect with customers in innovative ways. Emma adds, “From the consumer’s point of view, you will have so much more information about the brand and the product that you’re buying — because this is the first time you’re not constricted to a 2D printed ad or commercial. You can really work with the product…like interacting with a normal ad, but making that come alive in 3D.” What Forward-Thinking Companies Should Do to Prepare When I asked what advice Emma has for companies who want to get started with metaverse technology, Emma said: “Every company should start thinking about using virtual reality for their own in-store or staff training. Companies can experience the metaverse through virtual and augmented reality and use it to practice things that you already need to practice within the company — and you reap all the benefits from saving costs and higher retention.” She also recommends having a policy of thinking big, starting small, and testing often. “Have the end goal of what you can imagine with this technology, but start with a very small project and see how it goes,” Emma adds. “You’re emerging yourself in a whole new way, but then take a look at how the technology can solve the problem that a company has.” Companies should also bring in diverse voices to contribute to projects. When entering the metaverse space, companies don’t just need tech experts — they need people who understand human behaviors, so we can create safe and secure metaverse spaces that people want to be in. A Larger Vision for the Metaverse In her work with Warpin, Emma has a larger vision for the metaverse. “My hope is that we can use this technology to enhance the human experience…to build bridges between humans. I want us to work with empathy and creativity and use the metaverse to bring people together.” To learn more about the future of technology and business, visit my blog or head to my YouTube channel to watch more conversations with leading-edge industry experts.

IOS 16.1 Has Important Changes For Shortcuts — Here’s Everything You Need To Know – Gadget Hacks https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/ios-16-1-has-important-changes-for-shortcuts-heres-everything-you-need-to-know-gadget-hacks/ The latest iPhone update introduces big features like Live Activities and Clean Energy Charging, but those aren’t the only things you’ll notice different on iOS 16.1. If you build your own shortcuts in the Shortcuts app, there are a few things you’ll definitely want to know about the new software. It’s not a massive feature drop as with iOS 16.0, but they are important changes. You can use a few more actions in your shortcuts, but the most significant changes in Shortcuts affect glyphs. The changes below also appear on iPadOS 16.1 for iPad and macOS 13 Ventura for Mac, which are still in beta. Don’t Miss: Unlock Your iPhone’s Secret Apple TV Remote App for Home Screen, App Library, Siri, and More — No Control Center Needed 1. More Shortcut Actions Apple added almost 60 actions to Shortcuts with iOS 16.0, but you’ll see a few more new ones on iOS 16.1. Here they are and what they do: Get Current Focus (Scripting, Device): Returns the currently active focus. Open Smart List (Reminders): Opens a specific smart list in Reminders. Search in Shortcuts (Shortcuts): Opens Shortcuts and performs a search for the specified text. However, one action has been removed on iOS 16.1: Open Folder (Notes): Get quick access to one of your Notes folders. And at least one received a minor name change: Change Recording Playback Setting (Voice Memos): Changes playback settings in Voice Memos. (It used to be Change Playback Setting.) Some of the new actions on early iOS 16.0 betas were absent on the stable iSO 16.0 release, such as seven additional actions for the Books app and “Delete Messages” for the Messages app. Those are still missing on iOS 16.1, but the new update did bring back the “Search in Shortcuts” option seen above. 2. Better Glyph Categories Before iOS 16.1, there were only three categories — Objects, People, and Symbols — to sort glyphs in Shortcuts’ icon picker. With so few groupings, browsing for an icon you didn’t know the name of was exhausting. (Left GIF below.) Now there are 29 total categories for easier glyph browsing. They are all listed alphabetically below, not in the order they appear in Shortcuts). (Right GIF below.) Accessibility Arrows Automotive Camera & Photos Commerce Communication Connectivity Devices Editing Fitness Gaming Health Home Human Indices Keyboard Math Media Nature Objects Objects & Tools People Privacy & Security Shapes Symbols Text Formatting Time Transportation Weather The glyph categories on iOS 16.0.3 (left) and iOS 16.1 (right). However, unlike before iOS 16.1, when you search for a glyph, all results are in one big grid; It no longer separates search results by categories. 3. Glyphs Show in Multiple Categories Having 29 categories for browsing glyphs is helpful, and you would expect all of the glyphs to appear in one category only. That’s not the case. For even faster browsing, some glyphs appear in multiple categories. So if you’re looking for a sun, you’ll find it under the Nature, Weather, and Keyboard categories, not just one of them. Some glyphs might show in multiple sections, as seen below. The names in parentheses are the names according to Voice Control. If there are no parentheses, Voice Control also uses the listed name. Alarm clock (Alarm): Objects & Tools + Time Back button (Back): Arrows + Camera & Photos Band-aid (Bandage.fill): Editing + Health + Objects & Tools Bathtub (Bathtub.fill): Home + Objects & Tools Bed (Bedtime.fill): Health + Home + Objects & Tools Bitcoin (Bitcoinsign.circle.fill): Commerce + Indices Brain: Health + Human Brain in human head (Brain.head.profile): Health + Human British pound sterling (Sterlingsign.circle.fill): Commerce + Indices Camera: Camera & Photos + Objects & Tools Car: Automotive + Devices + Transportation Cars: Automotive + Devices + Transportation Clock: Objects & Tools + Time Cloudy (Mostly cloudy): Nature + Weather Cloud raining (Rain): Nature + Weather Compose note (Compose): Editing + Objects & Tools Crescent moon (Do Not Disturb): Nature + Weather Crescent moon button (Do Not Disturb): Nature + Weather Crop: Editing + Objects & Tools Dial knob low (Dial.low.fill): Editing + Objects & Tools Dial knob high (Dial.high.fill): Editing + Objects & Tools Down button (Go down): Arrows + Camera & Photos Electric car (Bolt.car.fill): Automotive + Devices + Transportation Euro (Eurosign.circle.fill): Commerce + Indices Exclamation mark triangle sign (Warning): Automotive + Privacy & Security Eyedropper (Pick color halffull): Editing + Objects & Tools Face mask (Facemask.fill): Health + Objects & Tools Filters: Camera & Photos + Editing + Objects & Tools Forward button (Chevron.forward.circle.fill): Arrows + Camera & Photos Fuel pump (Fuelpump.fill): Automotive + Objects & Tools + Transportation Game controller: Devices + Fitness + Gaming + Objects & Tools Hand reading braille (Hand.point.up.braille.fill): Accessibility + Human Home: Gaming + Home Hourglass (Duration): Objects & Tools + Time Human dancing (Figure.dance): Fitness + Human Human hiking (Figure hiking): Fitness + Human Human in wheelchair (Figure.roll): Accessibility + Fitness + Human Human running (Running): Fitness + Human Human running button (Figure.run.circle.fill): Fitness + Human Human skiing (Figure.skiing.crosscountry): Fitness + Human Human snowboarding (Figure.snowboarding): Fitness + Human Human swimming (Figure.pool.swim): Fitness + Human Human walking (Walk): Fitness + Human + Transportation Human weightlifting (Figure.strengthtraining.traditional): Fitness + Human Keyboard: Devices + Keyboard Key (Passwords): Automotive + Objects & Tools + Privacy & Security Lightbulb: Home + Objects & Tools Lightning bolt (Flash): Camera & Photos + Nature Lock locked (Lock): Objects & Tools + Privacy & Security Lock unlocked (Unlock): Objects & Tools + Privacy & Security Magic wand (Enhance): Editing + Objects & Tools Magic wand and stars (Wand.and.stars.inverse): Editing + Objects & Tools Minimize (Exit full screen): Arrows + Camera & Photos Over-the-ear headphones (Audiobook): Devices + Objects & Tools Over-the-ear headphones button (Audiobook): Devices + Objects & Tools Paintbrush (Format): Editing + Objects & Tools Payment card (Card): Commerce + Objects & Tools Pencil (Edit): Editing + Objects & Tools Pill bottle (Cross.vial.fill): Health + Objects & Tools Pills (Medicine): Health + Objects & Tools Plus button (Add): Gaming, Math Printer (Print): Devices + Objects & Tools Quote bubble filled (Bubble): Accessibility + Communication Quote bubble unfilled (Bubble): Accessibility + Communication Scissors (Cut): Editing + Objects & Tools Shopping bag: Commerce + Objects & Tools Shopping cart: Commerce + Objects & Tools Shower (Shower.fill): Home + Objects & Tools Stopwatch: Objects & Tools + Time Stop hand (Block): Human + Privacy & Security Stop hand crossed out, filled (Unblock): Human + Privacy & Security Stop hand crossed out, unfilled (Unblock): Human + Privacy & Security Storage drive connected (Externaldrive.connected.to.line.below.fill): Connectivity + Objects & Tools Stove/Oven (Stove.fill): Home + Objects & Tools Sun (Brightness higher): Keyboard + Nature + Weather Syncing/Switch camera (Syncing): Arrows + Camera & Photos Syringe (Syringe.fill): Health + Objects & Tools T-shirt (Tshirt.fill): Human + Objects & Tools Timer: Objects & Tools + Time Timer in a box (Timer): Objects & Tools + Time Trophy (Trophy.fill): Fitness + Objects & Tools U.S. dollar (Dollarsign.circle.fill): Commerce + Indices Up button (Go up): Arrows + Camera & Photos Yen (Yensign.circle.fill): Commerce + Indices 4. Removed Glyphs The new Shortcuts update also includes an anti-feature, so to speak, where Apple took something away from us. Actually, it took a lot away. From my count, Apple removed 100 glyphs when it introduced categories. It’s possible the Apple developers didn’t immediately know which category the glyphs should go in or left out entire categories by accident or with the intention to add them back later. But for now, you can see everything that’s missing below. The names in parentheses are the names according to Voice Control. If there are no parentheses, Voice Control also uses the listed name. Airdrop Airplay audio Airplay video Alien head (Emoji.alien.inverse) Alien monster (Emoji.alien.monster.inverse) Appearance Barcode Baseball (Emoji.baseball.inverse) Basketball (Emoji.baseball.inverse) Bear head (Emoji.bear.face.inverse) Calculator (Calculator.fill) Cat head (Emoji.cat.face.inverse) Checklist Chicken head (Emoji.chicken.face.inverse) Circled i (Info) Click Close button (Close) Closed fist (Emoji.closed.fist.fill) Columns filled (Column View) Columns unfilled (Column View) Compass (Safari) Cow head (Emoji.cow.face.inverse) Database (Cylinder.split.1×2) Dog head (Emoji.dog.face.inverse) Dotted circle (Circle.dotted) Download arrow (Download) Dragon head (Emoji.dragon.face.inverse) Duplicate Face blowing a kiss (Emoji.face.blowing.a.kiss.inverse) Face grimacing (Emoji.face.grimacing.inverse) Face grinning (Emoji.face.grinning.inverse) Face grinning with squinting eyes (Emoji.face.grinning.with.squinting.eyes.inverse) Face rolling on the floor laughing (Emoji.face.rolling.on.the.floor.laughing.inverse) Face smiling (Face.smiling.fill) Face smiling with heart eyes (Emoji.face.smiling.with.heart.eyes.inverse) Face smiling with hearts (Emoji.face.smiling.with.hearts.inverse) Face smiling with smiling eyes (Emoji.face.smiling.with.smiling.eyes.inverse) Face smiling with sunglasses (Emoji.face.smiling.with.sunglasses.inverse) Face winking with tongue out (Emoji.face.winking.with.stuck...

Crypto Firm 21Shares Lists Bitcoin ETP On Nasdaq Dubai – U.S. News & World Report https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/crypto-firm-21shares-lists-bitcoin-etp-on-nasdaq-dubai-u-s-news-world-report/ By Yousef Saba DUBAI (Reuters) – Crypto investment products firm 21.co said on Wednesday its subsidiary 21Shares AG has listed a bitcoin exchange-traded product on Nasdaq Dubai, making it the Middle East’s first physically-backed bitcoin ETP. The 21Shares Bitcoin ETP trades, under the ticker ABTC, in the same way as the 21Shares Bitcoin ETP in Europe, 21.co said in a statement. Dubai has ambitions to become a global cryptocurrency hub and has attracted big industry players to set up shop like Binance, which went on a UAE hiring spree this year and is helping to shape the Middle East commercial hub’s virtual assets regulations. Following the Dubai listing, 21Shares has 46 listed products in seven countries, 21.co added. Swiss-based 21.co last month raised $25 million in a funding round that valued it at $2 billion, which it said made it “Switzerland’s largest crypto unicorn”. The crypto market has suffered a rout that has forced some of its biggest players to lay off thousands of employees to cut costs. But Sherif El-Haddad, appointed 21Shares head of Middle East in August, was upbeat, saying cryptocurrencies were “fast becoming the asset of the future for investors and wealth managers around the world”. The Middle East and North Africa is the world’s fastest-growing cryptocurrency region, where the volume of crypto received jumped 48% in the year to June, blockchain researcher Chainalysis said in a report last week. Hany Rashwan, CEO and co-founder of 21Shares, said in the statement the company “will continue to support the Middle East’s ambitions to become a global crypto hub”. (Reporting by Yousef Saba; editing by Barbara Lewis) Copyright 2022 Thomson Reuters.

COVID-19 Testing, Oxygen Programs Launched – U.S. Embassy & Consulates In Italy – US Embassy Rome https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/covid-19-testing-oxygen-programs-launched-u-s-embassy-consulates-in-italy-us-embassy-rome/ The U.S. is partnering to improve COVID-19 testing and treatment in numerous countries. Above, a patient is tested for COVID-19 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, January 30. (© Mahmud Hossain Opu/AP Images) Nearly a dozen countries will get lifesaving medicines while others will receive increased access to oxygen supplies needed to treat COVID-19 patients under U.S.-led initiatives announced September 23. “This pandemic taught us the importance of expanding access to critical medical supplies,” U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said. While COVID-19 vaccination rates in low- and middle-income countries have quadrupled since September 2021 (from 13% to 56%), Thomas-Greenfield said more must be done “to address the equity gap in global vaccinations and protect people at risk of severe illness.” Greenfield outlined three initiatives during a September 23 COVID Global Action Plan Ministerial on the sidelines of the 77th session of the U.N. General Assembly. ‘Test-to-treat’ programs Ten countries will participate in the pilot program to help those at highest risk of severe COVID-19 get tested and receive antiviral medications early in their illness if they test positive. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria will launch these “test-to-treat” pilot programs in partnership with host governments and public health experts. The programs will help countries act quickly in case of a surge in COVID-19 cases. The countries involved are Bangladesh, Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, El Salvador, Ghana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda and Senegal, USAID said. Access to medical oxygen The U.S. helped train nurse Sandra Karimi and other health care workers in Kenya to provide therapeutic oxygen. Above, Karimi works at Wangige Hospital in Kenya October 27, 2021. (USAID/Lameck Ododo) The pandemic strained global supplies of medical oxygen, needed for treating patients with severe COVID-19. Before the pandemic, roughly half of inpatient facilities in Africa had reliable access to medical oxygen, Thomas-Greenfield said. The U.S. government has already committed $50 million to provide medical oxygen, install oxygen storage tanks and upgrade medical infrastructure that delivers oxygen to patients’ bedsides. Through this initiative, USAID will work with the governments of Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Ghana, Jamaica, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Tanzania, Vietnam and Zambia. New global clearinghouse Partners will also establish a global clearinghouse that will facilitate countries’ access to needed medical supplies. The effort, expected to launch next year, aims to make global medical supply chains more resilient and efficient. The clearinghouse will convene procurement agencies and medical supply and components manufacturers. “We’ve seen throughout this pandemic access to these essential supplies can mean the difference between life and death,” Thomas-Greenfield said. These new initiatives build off the COVID-19 Global Action Plan (GAP), launched in February, that seeks to: Increase COVID-19 vaccinations around the world. End the acute phase of the pandemic. Strengthen global health security. Thomas-Greenfield urged, “Let’s continue to work together … to make the world safer, to make the world healthier, and free from pandemics for all.” By U.S. Mission Italy | 11 October, 2022 | Topics: News | Tags: Covid-19

Social Annotation Technology Helps Students Read Together – Inside Higher Ed https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/social-annotation-technology-helps-students-read-together-inside-higher-ed/ Matthew Luskey, assistant director of the University of Minnesota’s writing across the curriculum program, wants undergraduates in his classes to talk with each other when they first encounter an essay such as Vershawn Ashanti Young’s “Should Writers Use Their Own English?” But several of his classes are blended, which means that some of the “talking” needs to happen online. Luskey could direct students to a discussion board in the learning management system, but “talking” there tends to be linear; one student may comment, followed by one or two replies, followed by another student comment and so on. Also, when a student wants to refer to a section of the text on a discussion board, they must import the quote, where it sits apart from the rest of the essay, cutting short conversations that might have naturally emerged from the context. For these reasons, Luskey is a proponent of online tools that facilitate social annotation—collaborative reading, thinking and marking up of an article, webpage, podcast, collection of images or video. Now, a new study offers evidence supporting what Luskey has long observed: online social annotation helps students understand and construct knowledge around scholarly content, while at the same time building community. Social annotation tools may be the natural evolution of collaborative learning and reading in online spaces. Instead of students engaging in discussions about a text in a corner of a learning management platform, they congregate over the source itself. Many faculty members are enthusiastic proponents of social annotation tools, even while acknowledging their limitations. “It’s bringing that collaborative energy right to the thing, with zero distance between it and our peers,” said Dan Whaley, CEO and founder of Hypothesis, a company that creates open-source software and pushes for standards in online social annotation. A Digital Upgrade for an Age-Old Practice Students have long marked up texts to make sense of reading. When they collaborate online, they not only have access to a wider range of annotation tools for text but also may annotate a wider range of content, including audio and visual sources. To start, students go online and open an article, book, graph, photo, webpage or other object of study. Then, working asynchronously, they highlight passages and add digital comments, questions, links, images or audio or video clips. When the object of study is an audio file or video, the annotations are anchored with a time stamp. Students can also tag and aggregate notes with hashtags. The social part happens when they read and respond to each other’s annotations. No fancy tools are needed. Students may, for example, work together on a shared Google document. But for PDFs, webpages or other artifacts, they may need a tool such as Hypothesis, a free browser extension that allows users to make private, semiprivate or public annotations. “Social annotation became hot in the pandemic,” Luskey said. “People were looking—sometimes desperately—for ways to maintain community in online spaces that weren’t initially designed to be an online space.” Benefits of Social Annotation When students use social annotation tools to study a shared piece of writing or other object, their peer-to-peer interaction makes their thinking visible and invites discussion. “The text shapes the form of the conversation that is happening,” said Esteban Morales, a doctoral student in the University of British Columbia language and literacy education program. The marked-up version that results serves as a “heat map” for the interaction. When social annotation happens online, students construct knowledge by way of elaborating, clarifying and asking questions, according to a study Morales and his team published this year based on 2,121 annotations written by 59 students in three undergraduate courses at a Canadian university. Students might, for example, list assumptions in a reading, connect ideas with examples or ask questions that prompt further discussion. At the same time, students who engage in online social annotation also build consensus, support each other and debate—though to a lesser degree than they elaborate or clarify, and ask questions—according to the study. For example, they might negotiate a definition or interpretation, empathize with each other, or offer a different point of view in a direct reply. Social annotation activities may also redress instances of inequity. Unlike in-person class discussions, students who prefer to reflect before responding have equal opportunity (within the bounds of the assignment deadline) as those who are quick to reply. Likewise, marginalized students who may be less inclined to speak in class may be more at ease adding their voices to the digital notes. Limitations of Social Annotation Despite the benefits of social annotation, instructors interested in incorporating the practice into their teaching can get started in less-than-perfect ways, according to proponents. As with other technology, instructors should first ensure that they know how to use the tool. Then they should allocate class time to instruct students on its use. Even when all are versed in the mechanics, students may need guidance on how to engage. “Something similar happens with peer response, right?” Luskey said. “The research shows it’s a good practice, but we’ve all had crappy experiences doing peer response—oftentimes when we don’t know what we’re supposed to be doing, when there’s no protocol, procedure or clarity about the process.” Guidance for annotators often involves two steps. “Highlight something that is confusing and ask a question about it,” Derek Bruff, visiting associate director at the University of Mississippi’s Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, suggested as an example. “Highlight something that you find surprising and then write why you find it surprising. Highlight something that reminds you of something else we studied, and make that connection explicit.” Social annotation may help students grapple with, for example, a first pass on a reading, though it may be less effective when they are asked to summarize or respond to an argument about a whole document, according to Bruff. Also, faculty members who adopt the tools specifically for autograding features may be disappointed. “They’re not just there because they must make seven annotations and respond to two of their peers’ comments,” Bruff said. “That’s going to bring a lot of artificiality to it.” Social Annotation Beyond the Classroom Ithaka, a nonprofit focused on improving access to knowledge and education, recently made a $2.5 million investment in Anno, the public benefit corporation that is home to Hypothesis. The two organizations are also working together on a pilot project that will enable instructors and students at select colleges to use Hypothesis to annotate articles available in JSTOR within their learning management systems. In time, they plan to provide the service to all JSTOR users. “We’re hopeful that connecting Hypothesis and JSTOR will accelerate the beneficial use of annotation by faculty and students all over the world,” Kevin Guthrie, president of Ithaka, said of the digital library that houses more than 12 million journal articles, books, images and primary sources spanning 75 disciplines. Social annotation advocates in academe and beyond, including a (now-closed) working group of the World Wide Web Consortium that develops internet standards, envision a world in which the practice of layering conversation over original sources is interoperable and ubiquitous. “I don’t know ultimately whether it will be Hypothesis that brings [open interoperable annotation] to the world—we certainly hope so—but it’s coming,” Whaley said. “This is a core new capability that will be embedded everywhere … in the same way that the web and [learning management systems] are ubiquitous. Students will take for granted that somebody is there to help on that sentence … that help is on tap whenever and wherever they might need it.”