Benton County News Now

Live Updates: Stocks Sink After Hotter-Than-Expected Jobs Report – CNN https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/live-updates-stocks-sink-after-hotter-than-expected-jobs-report-cnn/ 2 min ago Stocks sink after hotter-than-forecast job report From CNN Business’ David Goldman (Mary Altaffer/AP) Investors were less than pleased after September’s job totals came in a bit stronger than expected. With 263,000 jobs added to the US economy last month, the Fed’s rate hikes may not be having the slowdown effect policymakers had hoped for. The Fed was hoping that a long series of historic rate hikes would slow down the economy and bring inflation lower. But the job market remains stubbornly robust, which means the Fed has more room to keep hiking rates. Rate hikes eat into corporate profits, which has sent stocks sinking sharply in 2022. Dow futures fell 140 points or 0.5%. S&P 500 futures were down 0.8%. Nasdaq futures were 1.3% lower. 29 min ago US labor market added 263,000 jobs in September From CNN Business’ Alicia Wallace The fever hasn’t broken yet for America’s employment market. The economy added 263,000 jobs in September, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday. That’s slightly higher than economists’ estimates of 250,000, according to Refinitiv. While still a robust headline number, it is the second consecutive month of falling totals, pointing to a labor market slowdown. The unemployment rate fell back to 3.5% from 3.7%. 2 hr 1 min ago Stocks mixed ahead of jobs report From CNN Business’ David Goldman Ahead of another consequential jobs report, stock futures remained relatively unchanged. Investors are likely hoping for a subdued jobs report. That could mean that the Fed has less room to keep hiking rates by historic levels in its fight against inflation. Dow futures were up 25 points, or 0.1%. S&P 500 futures fell 0.1%. Nasdaq futures fell 0.4%. US oil rose 0.9% to $89 a barrel. Average US gas prices rose to $3.89 a gallon. 2 hr 9 min ago What to expect from Friday’s jobs report From CNN Business’ Alicia Wallace When the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases its latest monthly jobs report at 8:30 am ET, all eyes will be on whether the labor market is showing signs of loosening up – one of many crucial factors that will help the Federal Reserve determine its next steps in its fight against decades-high inflation. The US economy is forecast to have added 250,000 jobs in September, which would be the lowest monthly jobs gain since December 2020. The unemployment rate is expected to hold steady at 3.7%, according to Refinitiv estimates. August jobs data already indicated that the historically tight labor market has loosened by a notch. The jobs report for that month found that America added 315,000 positions, a much lower level than the 512,000 average job gains over the past 12 months. The number of open positions also fell, sinking by 1.1 million, the largest monthly decline outside of the pandemic, according to the Jobs Openings and Labor Turnover Survey released on Tuesday. Read more 2 hr 9 min ago The bottom line in today’s jobs report From CNN Business’ Allison Morrow If Friday’s headline number comes in above 250K, Wall Street may read that as a sign the Fed is going to have to keep raising interest rates, adding to already-significant strain across financial markets. If it comes in well below 250K, you might see some renewed optimism that the Fed’s policies are starting to have their intended effect, and it may not need to keep inflicting pain on the economy. It’s hard to overstate just how delicate the situation is. In fact, just today the IMF’s managing director, Kristalina Georgieva, described the world as being in a period of “historic fragility” after a torrent of economic shocks over the last two-and-a-half years, from the pandemic to the war in Ukraine. That’s why the Fed’s decisions are being so closely scrutinized. When the Fed raises rates as aggressively as it has in the past several months, it creates painful ripple effects around the globe, pushing the US dollar’s value up and forcing other central banks to raise their own rates as well. All of which could tip the world’s biggest economies into a recession, the UN has warned. 2 hr 16 min ago Why the Fed is rooting against your paycheck From CNN Business’ Allison Morrow Investors and economists will be hyper-focused on wages in today’s jobs report. The Fed and others would be happy to see wage growth slow down. Less money in our wallets leaves us with less spending power, and when we stop buying things, prices go down. In theory, anyway. That’s just one part of the large and complicated inflation puzzle. In the last jobs report, wages were up 5.2% over the last 12 months. That’s historically high (woo!) but it doesn’t keep up with inflation, which is hovering around 8% year over year (boo!). Wages pose a particular conundrum for the Fed. It wants us to shop just a little less – but not a lot less. Unfortunately, there’s no magic formula for how much wages need to go down to make a dent. The risk of wages going down too much, too quickly raises the risk of falling into stagflation, which is as unpleasant as it sounds. Stagflation – a portmanteau of stagnation and inflation – is when economic activity slows while prices continue rising. 2 hr 17 min ago Why today’s big jobs report has global implications From CNN Business’ Allison Morrow When the government releases its latest monthly jobs report on Friday, all eyes will be searching for signs that the labor market is loosening up — a key factor weighing on the Federal Reserve as it figures out its next steps to fight inflation. Economists expect the headline figure to show 250,000 jobs were added in last month. That would be the smallest monthly gain in nearly two years, and well below the average of more than 510,000 for the past 12 months. Seems counter-intuitive, but the Fed (and much of Wall Street) is actually rooting for that number to go down. Here’s the thing: Before the pandemic and its whiplash-inducing economic rebound, the US economy averaged about 200,000 new jobs each month. So, while things are slowing down, they’re still pretty robust relative to those pre-pandemic normal times. And that’s part of what is keeping inflation elevated. 2 hr 19 min ago Here comes September’s unemployment From CNN Business’ Nicole Goodkind Investors are holding their breath this morning as they await the release of the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest monthly jobs report. All eyes will be on whether the labor market is showing signs of loosening up — one of the most crucial factors that will help the Federal Reserve determine its next steps in the fight against decades-high inflation. The US economy is expected to have added 250,000 jobs in September, which would be the lowest monthly jobs gain since December 2020, according to Refinitiv estimates. If numbers come in as estimates suggest, investors will likely be very happy. A weakening labor market will exert downward pressure on wages and inflation. That means the Fed’s policy is working and that it might pivot away from aggressive interest rate hikes. August jobs data already indicated that the historically tight labor market has loosened by a notch, reports my colleague Alicia Wallace. The jobs report for that month found that America added 315,000 positions, a much lower level than the 512,000 average monthly gain over the past 12 months. But while the hotly anticipated headline jobs number is falling, it’s still robust, BLS data shows. The monthly average prior to the pandemic was around 200,000.

Decrease In Physical Activity Linked With Increase In Sleep During The Retirement Transition – Bel Marra Health https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/decrease-in-physical-activity-linked-with-increase-in-sleep-during-the-retirement-transition-bel-marra-health/ Although retirement is often associated with newfound freedoms and opportunities, a recent study has shown that many retirees actually experience a significant decrease in physical activity and an increase in sleep. While there may be various reasons for this shift, it’s important to be mindful of the potential health implications. In order to maintain a healthy lifestyle during retirement, it’s important to find ways to stay active and engaged. As we all know, there are only so many hours a day. So, when researchers from the University of Turku, Finland, began a study looking at behaviors in retirees, they found that increasing the time spent on one activity during the day inevitable lead to a decrease in at least one other. Their study used sensitive accelerometers and Compositional Data Analysis to study the simultaneous changes in daily behaviors. Activity behaviors were divided into different sections: sleeping, sedentary time, light physical activity and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. When looking at people who retired, their sleep and sedentary behavior increased in relation to their physical activity and sedentary time. This change was found to be stronger in women than in men. “The decrease in the amount of physical activity is probably explained by the absence of activity related to work duties and commute to and from work when a person retires. These are replaced to some extent by sleep and, in the case manual workers, also sedentary time,” said primary author of the research article, Kristin Suorsa. Previous research has shown that replacing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity with any other movement behavior may be a risk factor for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Based on this new study, researchers believe that retiring people should aim to increase their amount of physical activity, particularly moderate-to-vigorous activity. Long periods of sedentary time should also be avoided, and sitting should be divided into shorter periods, with walking breaks taken frequently. Overall, it is vital to have a healthy balance of physical activity and good-quality sleep. In retirement, this ratio can get thrown off, so it is important to keep active and have a healthy sleep schedule. Promoting Optimal Sleep Sleep Sure Plus is an excellent way to help promote optimal sleep and restfulness through a variety of ingredients. One of the most important ingredients included in this unique formula is melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that is essential for the regulation of the circadian rhythm (the internal clock of the body). Sleep Sure Plus also contains valerian, one of the best natural ingredients for promoting rest and relaxation. These two essential ingredients are joined by another 6, which all work together to provide a better quality of

Emergency Sports Betting Meeting Set For Friday – NBC10 Boston https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/emergency-sports-betting-meeting-set-for-friday-nbc10-boston/ The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is set to hold an emergency meeting Friday, after the group failed to come up with an agreement during a meeting Thursday that went on for more than eight hours. As of now, the start of sports betting in the Bay State is still very much in the air. The commission couldn’t come up with a timetable as to when sports betting would be rolled out during Thursday’s conversations. The Bay State’s gaming commission is meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday with a lengthy agenda. One of the ideas tossed around was having in-person betting launch before the Super Bowl, and mobile betting by the March Madness tournament. But nothing has been agreed or voted on yet. “This should be done in a responsible way, that gets us to the patrons but also maximizes the benefit but minimizes the harm,” Eileen O’Brien with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission said. “I’m concerned about and I will say aggressive because I think this is an aggressive timeline.” The commission is under pressure to get legal sports betting up and running after the Legislature slow-walked the issue for years, but regulators have run into hurdles that have complicated their efforts in the nearly two months since Gov. Charlie Baker signed the betting law. Eager bettors are clamoring for action, and the commissioners have said they want to implement legal sports betting here without unnecessary delay but also without sacrificing their commitment to consumer protection and gaming integrity. Gov. Charlie Baker signed a bill to legalize sports betting in Massachusetts. Local In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston Area. Commissioner Nakisha Skinner asked repeatedly why the commission was pursuing an “aggressive” timeline and indicated that she was not comfortable with compressing the process in the interest of time. “If this compressed timeline makes sense and it’s responsible, I’m all for it,” Skinner said. “I just need to understand the rationale for why there is being this compressed timeline advanced as opposed to a reasonable timeline by which the team can get this done.” Friday’s meeting is scheduled for noontime. State House News Service Contributed to This Report

News: My Little Pony Moves Into The Metaverse – Brand Innovators https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/news-my-little-pony-moves-into-the-metaverse-brand-innovators/ When trying to reach kids, you need to go where the kids are. So, My Little Pony has ventured into the metaverse.  “We want to be everywhere that kids are, and we know they’re gaming in the metaverse and are starting to expect interactions with their favorite brands there,” said Jessica Murphy, senior vice president of entertainment brand marketing for Entertainment One. The venerable toy and entertainment brand has launched a new game, “Visit Maretime Bay,” on the Roblox platform. The game recreates a location in the Netflix series “My Little Pony: Make Your Mark,” where “everyone is welcome, and self-expression is free.” “This new generation of ponies is only a year old, and this series is the first drop of significant content [around them],” Murphy said. “There is a lot of fan-generated content, and this gives us an official platform to control our story.” As a way to give players an immersive experience, the game offers a twist in which players, upon entering Maretime Bay, automatically transform into a customizable pony avatar. Once in the virtual world, players can collect crystals, take pictures with the “Mane 5” ponies of the show, and play a series of minigames where they can earn badges developed along the lines of the ponies’ “cutie marks.” “We wanted to make sure we’re promoting our brand purpose of self-expression,” Murphy said of the customizable avatars. “By putting the self-expression element in, we are reinforcing that and our value of friendship.” Because the target audience is largely children, the brand has implemented extra security measures, such as eliminating the chat feature for non-connected users, as well as monetization through the Robux currency. Instead, the brand developed a crystal-based economy that can be used to redeem avatar customizations.  “We made our own digital currency within the game that you can gain by interacting with the characters,” Murphy says. “We felt this was appropriate for our target audience.” The Roblox activation is part of an overall “Visit Maretime Bay” campaign, developed with agency Media.Monks. The campaign positions the fictitious location as a hot new vacation spot for families. The effort includes a partnership with TripAdvisor (marking the first time the company has worked with a children’s entertainment brand).

Dark Days Are Ahead. Brighten Things Up Before Prime Day With This $20 Utility Flashlight. – Cult Of Mac https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/dark-days-are-ahead-brighten-things-up-before-prime-day-with-this-20-utility-flashlight-cult-of-mac/ Daily Deals Top stories This pocket-size flashlight is 30 times brighter than a smartphone. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals Fall is in full swing, and from now until early next year, the sun will set a little sooner each day. That’s nothing a handy flashlight can’t take care of. During our Deal Days sale, you can get an 8-in-1 Maglight for only $19.99 (regularly $29). This mini utility flashlight delivers impressive brightness that far outshines your smartphone, providing a simple solution for those days when you’re leaving school or work after the sun goes down. Our Deal Days event is our answer to Amazon’s Prime Day, and you can score discounts on this Maglight and other cool gadgets through October 12. Powerful light in a small package Offering 800 lumens of maximum brightness, the Maglight by WonderCube is an excellent option if you find yourself down a dark path. WonderCube says the Maglight is 30 times brighter than what your smartphone can offer. If you don’t need all that light, you can cycle between low, medium and high modes depending on your environment. You can even activate a strobe, which might come in handy when signaling for roadside assistance at night. Rated five stars in our store, the Maglight features convenient mounting options to light up your surroundings. You can flip the kickstand to lay the Maglight next to you as you work on a table. Or you can attach it to metal surfaces with its magnetic base. If you need room lighting in your garage or tent, you can hang the flashlight from a rope using the included carabiner. It even comes with a mounting hole, so you can attach the Maglight to cameras and tripods. And if you find yourself a bit thirsty in the dark, you can pop open a drink with the built-in bottle opener! The Maglight provides up to three hours of on time, and you can recharge it with the included USB-C cable. With a water- and dust-proof design, and weighing just 43 grams, this mini utility flashlight is a no-brainer addition to your everyday carry. “They are very bright and they take up very little space,” wrote verified customer Ed H. “I plan to buy more of them to keep in every car and everyplace in the house I might need one.” Save on this versatile mini flashlight Stylish and built to last, the Maglight could be a welcome addition to your tool bag or a handy friend on next outdoor excursion. Get the 8-in-1 Maglight by WonderCube for $19.99 (regularly $29) during Deal Days, which runs through October 12, 2022. And don’t forget to check out the rest of the discounts in our Deal Days collection! Prices subject to change.

First Mover Americas: It’s Payrolls Day Again, And Bitcoin Holds Tight Near $20K – CoinDesk https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/first-mover-americas-its-payrolls-day-again-and-bitcoin-holds-tight-near-20k-coindesk/ Lyllah Ledesma is a CoinDesk Markets reporter currently based in Europe. She holds bitcoin, ether and small amounts of other crypto assets. Omkar Godbole was a senior reporter on CoinDesk’s Markets team. This article originally appeared in First Mover, CoinDesk’s daily newsletter putting the latest moves in crypto markets in context. Subscribe to get it in your inbox every day. Bitcoin (BTC) dipped below the $20,000 mark Friday, down almost 1% on the day, as traders in both crypto and stock markets awaited September’s jobs report in the U.S. The world’s largest cryptocurrency by market value has spent the last four months hovering around the $20,000 mark with little movement either side. “This could be really important for bitcoin that it has found a base around $20,000 that traders are seemingly comfortable with in these turbulent times,” wrote Craig Erlam, an analyst at OANDA, in a morning note. “It now looks like a very strong region of support that’s been reinforced with every test below.” Erlam said there could well be a case for this level forming a bottom for the cryptocurrency, but of course, another risk-off panic could put this theory to test. Ether (ETH) was also trading down on the day slightly, but has been slowly making its way back up after the post-Merge drop. A blockchain linked to the big crypto exchange Binance ordered a suspension on Thursday, after an estimated $100 million to $110 million in assets were moved off chain. BNB Chain, composed of BNB Beacon Chain and BNB Smart Chain, tweeted the suspension on BSC from its official account, later confirming that the activity stemmed from a “potential exploit.” Some $7 million of the total crypto has already been frozen. In the news, Citigroup’s director of blockchain and digital assets is leaving the U.S. bank to take a role at Six Digital Exchange, according to his LinkedIn page. A report from Morgan Stanley said the market for cryptocurrency exchange products continues to grow, a sign that institutional interest in the digital assets sector remains strong despite concerns of a crypto winter. Crypto lender Celsius’ top executives withdrew a little over $17 million in cryptocurrency between May and June 2022, right before the company suspended withdrawals and filed for bankruptcy, new court records show. Biggest Gainers Biggest Losers Sector classifications are provided via the Digital Asset Classification Standard (DACS), developed by CoinDesk Indices to provide a reliable, comprehensive and standardized classification system for digital assets. The CoinDesk Market Index (CMI) is a broad-based index designed to measure the market capitalization weighted performance of the digital asset market subject to minimum trading and exchange eligibility requirements. US Wage Growth May Be The Most Important Figure for Risk Assets An expected slowdown in the headline nonfarm payrolls (NFP) report may do little to bring relief to risk unless accompanied by a meaningful deceleration in the average hourly earnings. Sign up for Market Wrap, our daily newsletter explaining what happened today in crypto markets – and why. By signing up, you will receive emails about CoinDesk product updates, events and marketing and you agree to our terms of services and privacy policy. DISCLOSURE Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated . The leader in news and information on cryptocurrency, digital assets and the future of money, CoinDesk is a media outlet that strives for the highest journalistic standards and abides by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk is an independent operating subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, which invests in cryptocurrencies and blockchain startups. As part of their compensation, certain CoinDesk employees, including editorial employees, may receive exposure to DCG equity in the form of stock appreciation rights, which vest over a multi-year period. CoinDesk journalists are not allowed to purchase stock outright in DCG . Lyllah Ledesma is a CoinDesk Markets reporter currently based in Europe. She holds bitcoin, ether and small amounts of other crypto assets. Omkar Godbole was a senior reporter on CoinDesk’s Markets team. Lyllah Ledesma is a CoinDesk Markets reporter currently based in Europe. She holds bitcoin, ether and small amounts of other crypto assets. Omkar Godbole was a senior reporter on CoinDesk’s Markets team.

Stocks Slide After U.S. Payrolls Point To Hefty Rate Hikes – Reuters https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/stocks-slide-after-u-s-payrolls-point-to-hefty-rate-hikes-reuters/ A hiring sign is seen in a cafe as the U.S. Labor Department released its July employment report, in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., August 5, 2022. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly LONDON, Oct 7 (Reuters) – Stocks turned lower on Friday after figures showed the U.S. economy was creating jobs at a strong pace and give the Federal Reserve cover to continue with hefty interest rate hikes to quell inflation. After drifting sideways earlier in the session, stock markets turned lower, with bets on the Federal Reserve raising rates by 75 basis points at its next meeting increasing, sending the dollar higher. U.S. stock index futures , little changed before the data, fell by more than 1% after the report showed nonfarm payrolls increased by 263,000 in September – slightly above expectations – with the jobless rate at 3.5%, below forecasts. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com “With this jobs report it seems clear we are on course for another significant hike from the Fed, with the market pricing in a 75 bps rise in interest rates at its next meeting,” said Paul Craig, portfolio manager at Quilter Investors. Credit Suisse (CSGN.S) shares were up 4.5% after it announced it will buy back up to 3 billion Swiss francs of debt following steep falls in its stock price on unsubstantiated rumours that its future was in doubt. Stocks had recovered after being knocked earlier in the day on news of chipmakers Samsung (005930.KS) and AMD flagging a slump in demand, blaming inflation, higher interest rates and the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In Europe, the STOXX (.STOXX) index of 600 leading companies, flat ahead of the U.S. data, fell 0.7%. The immediate focus is on earnings for the United States and whether consumers are holding up in the teeth of rate hikes, Patrick Spencer, vice chairman of equities at Baird Investment Bank, said. “Bank earnings start next week from Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan, Wells Fargo and Citi. That’s going to be a pretty good indication because they all have big credit card businesses and they’ll give us a very good indication on the consumer,” Spencer said. The MSCI All Country stock index (.MIWD00000PUS) fell 0.5%, leaving it down about 24% for the year. U.S. INFLATION NEXT Apart from the U.S. earnings season kicking off, analysts said other key data also loom. “Next week, it all comes down to the U.S. inflation release,” UniCredit analysts said in a note to clients. Reuters Graphics Fed officials showed no intention of backing down from the most aggressive rate hike campaign in decades, with Fed Governor Lisa Cook, Chicago Fed President Charles Evans and Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari this week all emphasising that the inflation fight was ongoing and they were not prepared to change course. Markets currently price in a 92% chance of a 75-basis-point increase for next month’s Federal Open Market Committee meeting. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note was at 3.8916%, higher than before the payrolls data. The dollar index , which tracks the greenback versus a basket of six major peers, rose 0.4% to 112.730 following a 1.84% two-day rally from a two-week low. Sterling reversed course to fall 0.3% to $1.113. The euro also fell, down 0.35% at $0.9758. Crude oil on Friday steadied after a rapid climb triggered by OPEC+ output cuts announced this week. Brent crude was up 0.5% to $94.94 a barrel. WTI crude futures were up 0.3% at $88.74 a barrel. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Huw Jones, Lucy Raitano, Kevin Buckland; Editing by Christopher Cushing, Elaine Hardcastle, Andrew Heavens and Andrea Ricci Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

CACI Showcases Technology And Expertise That Deliver Innovation And Empower Decision Dominance For The U.S. Army – Business Wire https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/caci-showcases-technology-and-expertise-that-deliver-innovation-and-empower-decision-dominance-for-the-u-s-army-business-wire/ RESTON, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–CACI International Inc (NYSE: CACI) will showcase its award-winning and industry-leading technologies that enable innovation and decision dominance for the future of the U.S. Army. Join CACI at AUSA’s 2022 Annual Meeting and Exposition from Oct. 10-12 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., booth 7205 in Halls D and E. CACI is showcasing its demonstrated expertise and technology to modernize systems and rapidly deliver capability, information, and data to soldiers, no matter where they are. CACI’s multi-domain SMART portfolio enables mobile, resilient multi-domain technologies that provide tactical decision-makers the data needed to act with intent, whether in the command post or at the tactical edge. SMART, which stands for Sense, Make Sense, and Act with Resilient Technology, combines decades of mission-focused expertise and leading-edge technology to enable Joint All-Domain Command & Control (JADC2) through Joint Network Modernization, Mission Management Applications and Modular Mission Payloads. CACI SMART technology on display includes modular counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS); modernized and unified network capabilities and tools; digital transformation; Dark Web exploitation and analysis; rugged, resilient electronic warfare and spectrum dominance equipment; and multi-sensor gyro-stabilized imaging systems. For CACI’s complete guide to its capabilities and technologies featured at AUSA, visit https://www.caci.com/event/AUSA. To schedule a meeting to learn more about our expertise and technology for national security, contact Kevin Farmer. To schedule media interviews with CACI, contact Lauren Presti. Follow CACI on LinkedIn and Twitter for the latest news and information during AUSA. About CACI CACI’s approximately 22,000 talented employees are vigilant in providing the unique expertise and distinctive technology that address our customers’ greatest enterprise and mission challenges. Our culture of good character, innovation, and excellence drives our success and earns us recognition as a Fortune World’s Most Admired Company. As a member of the Fortune 1000 Largest Companies, the Russell 1000 Index, and the S&P MidCap 400 Index, we consistently deliver strong shareholder value. Visit us at www.caci.com. There are statements made herein which do not address historical facts, and therefore could be interpreted to be forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set forth in CACI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, and other such filings that CACI makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Any forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon and only speak as of the date hereof. CACI-Company News

Annual Chickin, Peelin’ And Politickin’ Event Draws Estimated Crowd Of 500 To Downtown Springdale – Arkansas Online https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/annual-chickin-peelin-and-politickin-event-draws-estimated-crowd-of-500-to-downtown-springdale-arkansas-online/ Event attendees mingle Thursday at the Shiloh Square in Springdale during Chickin, Peelin’ & Politickin’. Visit nwaonline.com/221007Daily/ for today’s photo gallery. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Charlie Kaijo) SPRINGDALE — An estimated crowd of 500 people attended the 12th annual Chickin, Peelin’ & Politickin’ dinner on Thursday, including U.S. Rep. Steve Womack and state Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. The outdoor get-together is the biggest gathering of Springdale Chamber of Commerce members outside of the group’s annual banquet, chamber president Bill Rogers said. The chamber hosted Thursday’s event with sponsors from businesses. The dinner began at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at Shiloh Park in Springdale. The chamber sold 615 tickets to the event, but not everyone who bought a ticket was able to attend, Rogers said. The event allows residents, businessmen and political figures from Springdale and throughout the Northwest Arkansas region to meet and talk in an informal, relaxed and nonpartisan atmosphere, participants who were interviewed said. “It’s just a great annual event, an opportunity to meet with government, school officials and each other,” said Nathan Gairhan, president of United Bank, which has headquarters in Springdale. “It’s great for keeping up with the community. It’s sort of a one-stop shop.” Seven mayors from towns in the region, three school district superintendents, and both the Washington and Benton county judges were among Thursday’s attendees, Rogers said. Springdale Mayor Doug Sprouse thanked the chamber in his remarks to the crowd for holding the event in downtown Springdale despite road reconstruction that left Emma Avenue in front of Shiloh Park fenced off. “When it’s done it will be worth the trouble,” Sprouse said of the construction going on downtown in both public and private projects. Rogers said in an earlier interview the chamber decided to keep the event downtown in part to showcase the development of the city’s downtown. Womack said it was one of the few political events where candidates from all parties feel welcome. “I think we need more of this,” he said, looking around the gathering. “There’s so much divisiveness in this country. Here we can set aside our differences and talk to each other.” “This is a really nice event,” Womack said. “People of all stripes are here.” Both the Republican and Democratic candidates for Washington County judge attended the event. So did Kelly Krout, Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor who is running against Rutledge for that office. Rutledge is ineligible to run for for reelection as attorney general under the state limit on terms.     Teresa Crosslind (center) greets Tim Graham (left) on Thursday at the Shiloh Square in Springdale during the Chickin, Peelin’ & Politickin’ event. Visit nwaonline.com/221007Daily/ for today’s photo gallery. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Charlie Kaijo)

This Highly Rated Packable Rain Jacket Is $29 – Travel + Leisure https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/this-highly-rated-packable-rain-jacket-is-29-travel-leisure/ Toss it in your daypack or purse to have on hand as an extra layer or if the weather calls for rain. Published on October 7, 2022 We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Photo: Amazon A rain jacket may not be the sexiest item of clothing to buy, but it’s actually one of the most practical jackets and belongs in everyone’s wardrobe. Yes, umbrellas can help keep some rain at bay, but they don’t leave you entirely dry, especially when it’s windy. Plus, an umbrella is also awkward and bulky to pack if you’re traveling, and a lot of the time it’s not allowed into sporting and concert venues. Luckily, Amazon shoppers have found a solution in the Avoogue Women’s Hooded Raincoat, which is lightweight, cute, and packs into its own pouch. Available starting at just $29, this polyester coat is made of the most lightweight, waterproof material. Even better — it’s actually breathable too, so you can be comfortable wearing it without feeling like you’re overheating. But, the best news is that the jacket has an accompanying pouch, which it can be rolled up and fit into. So while you could tie it around your waist in case the forecast calls for rain, you can also easily pack the jacket into its storage pouch and toss it in any suitcase, bag or purse — it’s that small and light. Amazon To buy: amazon.com, $29 If you’re taking it on an adventure, you’ll appreciate that the coat has a drawstring in the hood and along the hem, so you can adjust both for a personalized fit. The elastic cuffs on the sleeves keep water from sneaking through at your wrists, too. And while it is a rain jacket, it’s also a perfect layering piece for a cool autumn or spring day or a stylish adventure windbreaker. The coat has pockets on either side too where you can stash small valuables and your phone.   With more than 6,000 five-star ratings, Amazon shoppers and travelers are equally impressed to say the very least. One customer said, “Jacket was perfect for our Alaskan cruise. Packed nicely.” Another shopper preparing for a cruise tested the waterproofness before committing: “I ran the sleeve under water and it ran right off, so I expect it to hold up in the rain.” They also added, “Such a cute jacket! Surprisingly amazing quality, especially for the price, and the fit is roomy.”  Amazon To buy: amazon.com, $31 A five-star reviewer highlighted just how durable, flattering, and functional it is by saying, “This is a great rain jacket! It’s super lightweight, looks cute, fits well, and most importantly, it actually keeps the rain off you.” They continued, “I was in pouring rain and still was able to stay dry, and it also helped to block wind.” Other wearers of the jacket rave about the fact that it doesn’t take up a lot of space, so it’s perfect to throw into your suitcase. One buyer, who bought the jacket since they planned to only take a carry-on for a trip to Iceland, shared. “The jacket is adorable, lightweight, and actually waterproof. It’s very much a bargain for the quality — and it folds up into a little pouch that packs easily, even in a larger purse.” Amazon To buy: amazon.com, $30 The waterproof layer is available right now at Amazon starting at $29. Sizes range from small to 3XL, and the packable jacket comes in 25 different colors including army green, black, gray, yellow, wine red, royal blue, beige, and many more (including some two-toned options as well). Order one now to replace your old raincoat or to take as a packable option for your next trip — whether it’s for a hiking excursion, international vacation, or weekend getaway. Amazon To buy: amazon.com, $30 At the time of publishing, the price was $29. Shop More T+L Deals: Amazon Is Having a Secret Sale on Its Best-selling Golf Gear — Shop 47 Deals at Prime Day-level Discounts These Best-selling Packing Cubes Help Shoppers Fit 3 Weeks’ Worth of Clothes in Their Carry-ons Apple AirPods and Headphones Are Nearly 40% Off Ahead of Amazon’s Prime Early Access Sale — but Not for Long  Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week.  Thanks for your feedback! %

Global Stocks Mixed Ahead Of US Employment Update – 69News WFMZ-TV https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/global-stocks-mixed-ahead-of-us-employment-update-69news-wfmz-tv/ BEIJING (AP) — Global stock markets were mixed Friday ahead of U.S. employment data investors hope will show the economy is weakening and persuade the Federal Reserve to ease off plans for more interest rate hikes. London and Frankfurt opened higher. Tokyo and Hong Kong declined. Oil prices rose. The future for Wall Street’s S&P 500 index was unchanged after the market benchmark fell Thursday following a private sector report that said U.S. employers hired slightly more workers than forecast in September. That gives ammunition to Fed officials who say more rate hikes are needed to cool the economy and rein in inflation that is at a four-decade high. U.S. government data due out Friday are expected to show fewer people were hired compared with previous months. Investors hope that will help persuade the Fed five rate hikes this year are working and it can scale down plans for more. “What the market seems to be crying out for is a Fed pivot,” said Robert Carnell of ING in a report. “For its part, the Fed is sticking to its ‘higher for longer’ mantra.” In early trading, the FTSE 100 in London gained 0.1% to 7,007.32 and the DAX in Frankfurt added 0.1% to 12,487.27. The CAC 40 in Paris advanced 0.1% to 5,943.54. On Wall Street, the future for the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.1%. On Thursday, the S&P 500 lost 0.2%. The index is up 4.4% for the week following its best two-day rally in 2 1/2 years. The Dow slid 1.1%. The Nasdaq composite gave up 0.7%. In Asia, the Nikkei 225 in Tokyo sank 0.7% to 27,116.11 and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng tumbled 1.5% to 17,740.05. The Kospi in Seoul shed 0.2% to 2,232.84 while Sydney’s S&P ASX 200 lost 0.8% to 6,762.80. India’s Sensex lost less than 0.1% to 58,213.21. New Zealand and Southeast Asian markets declined. The Fed and central banks around the world are focused on extinguishing inflation that is running at multi-decade highs, but investors worry the unusually large and rapid pace of their rate hikes might tip the global economy into recession. Strong U.S. hiring is positive for job hunters but a sign of enduring economic strength, which might make the Fed think more rate hikes are needed. U.S. government data showed the number of applications for unemployment benefits hit a four-month high last week. That suggests the job market might be cooling. Forecasters expect the government to report the economy added 250,000 jobs last month, well below the past year’s monthly average of 487,000 but still a strong number despite inflation and two straight quarters of U.S. economic contraction. In energy markets, benchmark U.S. crude gained 56 cents to $89.01 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract advanced 69 cents on Thursday to $88.45. Brent crude, the price basis for trading international oils, advanced 45 cents to $94.87 per barrel in London. It rose $1.05 the previous session to $94.42. The dollar declined to 144.84 yen from Thursday’s 145.07 yen. The euro gained to 98.06 cents from 97.94 cents. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Importance Of Organizations In Building A Healthier Nation – Times Of India https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/importance-of-organizations-in-building-a-healthier-nation-times-of-india/ Health and socio-economic development are closely intertwined and are impossible to achieve without one another. While garnering socio-economic policies one must understand that all the sectors interact directly with the health of every citizen. As we are climbing the fiscal ladder with PM’s vision to build India as a 5 trillion economy, our healthcare system has been doing significantly well on various fronts. From developing the most affordable vaccine to being a favourite spot for medical tourism, India today has made its mark globally. However, there are various challenges to Indian healthcare infrastructure, but we should keep in mind that infrastructure is just a necessary condition and not sufficient to guarantee a healthy nation. Let’s take the example of global leader – the United States, even having the most equipped healthcare infrastructure it was one of the worse affected countries during the corona crisis. This happened due to a lack of willingness and casual attitude of individuals to participate in the government’s initiative to curb the outspread eventually leading to a toppling economy. While on the other hand, middle-and-low-income countries like India were able to restrict the spread of the virus following the principle of “prevention is better than cure”.  As meeting the needs for treatment would exceed most healthcare budgets, Indians opted for a more trusted approach leaving prevention as a viable option. However, the pandemic disrupted various industries while exposing the gaps and vulnerabilities, it also proved as a catalyst for change. The unparallel challenge created a window for opportunities for India to collaborate from micro to macro levels to respond to the needs of the masses in a modernised and structured way.  While both central government and states/UTs governments were doing their bit in taking all the pre-emptive, proactive, and graded measures to prevent, contain, and manage Covid-19 in the country; the response approach could nearly meet the demands of such a densely populated country. This is when private organizations, businesses, foundations, social impact investors, corporations, and philanthropists all collaborated from national as well as local levels to ensure the supply of urgent resources from oxygen cylinders to PPE kits for the public health response.  This move helped in ensuring affordable, quality services and lessons for future pandemics and other health emergencies. Despite the initial hiccups, the privately led organizations were quick enough to invest and support the governments in providing free RTPCR testing, isolation beds for treatment, medical consultations, providing masks to ensure their commitment to social welfare initiatives. Apart from various initiatives, organizations today are also trying their best in grappling with the masses through social media to create awareness of healthy living and other preventive measures. Various HR policies have been put into play keeping in view the health of their employees including work from home, health insurance, and even sessions for mental wellbeing. This ongoing participation of organizations with a message of a healthy lifestyle brought remarkable change in behaviour and thought process of individuals. Today individuals are adopting healthy lifestyle practices in their daily chores including food, and physical exercises with a focus on mental well-being. The organizations’ efforts were not limited to the digital space, but they also contributed on-ground support by providing free health check-up camps, distributing dry rations and cooked meals, and even organizing vaccination drives on both national as well as local levels. As it is said that necessity is the mother of invention, various branches of medicines including modern Allopathy and Homeopathy alongside the ancient Unani and Ayurveda also came up with contemporary solutions. Private organizations in the medical space came forth aggressively pushing their R&D team to develop vaccines along with preventive and curative medicines. It’s a matter of pride that when developed nations were finding it difficult to come up with solutions, India on the other hand came out to be the largest and the most affordable producer of covid vaccine globally. The Indian pharma industry today has reached a level where it can not only cater to the needs of the nation but can globally contribute in research and development. Today, the healthcare space in India has the agility in sustaining its commitment to provide improved drugs, diagnoses, and vaccines. With the contribution of private players, Indian healthcare is not just catering to the needs of the country but also developing a global strategic alliance for providing better access to crucial drugs and innovative means of treatment. As we are living in an era where the future generations will communicate in the pre and post-Covid era, the valiant efforts put by private organizations across sectors can never be obliterated. It is commendable how Indian organizations took a robust multistake holder approach and came forward to share the hefty burden of not only contributing to build India as a healthy nation, but equally contributing to the economy. With CSR initiatives and collaboration with local NGOs, today we are able to penetrate the remotest area making health services accessible and affordable to all. In fact, the situation led to companies pivoting their CSR priorities to address more pertinent social issues caused by the pandemic. We have witnessed that at the time of need, corporates, both large and small, headquartered in India or abroad, have risen to the challenge and augmented the government’s efforts by re-orienting their strategies. As we move forward, we all hope that the same zeal and mission mode orientation carries over in years to come. Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author’s own. END OF ARTICLE

On The Air | News, Sports, Jobs – Marquette Mining Journal https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/on-the-air-news-sports-jobs-marquette-mining-journal/ Subject to change Highlights of TV, radio coverage ————— Today ————— High school football • Westwood at L’Anse, 7 p.m., WZAM 106.9 FM & 970 AM • Marquette at Menominee, 7 p.m., Fox Sports 105.1 FM & 99.9 FM • Negaunee at Gladstone, 7 p.m., WKQS 101.9 FM • Ishpeming at Tomahawk, Wis., 7 p.m., WRUP 98.3 FM (recently added game) • Rapid River at Newberry, 7 p.m., WMJT 96.7 FM • Corner Canyon (Utah) at Lone Peak (Utah), 10 p.m., ESPNU ————— College hockey • Northern Michigan University at Colgate, 7 p.m., WUPT 100.3 FM ————— Major League Baseball • Playoffs, Wild Card series, Game 1: Tampa Bay Rays at Cleveland Guardians, noon, ESPN • Playoffs, Wild Card series, Game 1: Philadelphia Phillies at St. Louis Cardinals, 2 p.m., WBUP-ABC • Playoffs, Wild Card series, Game 1: Seattle Mariners at Toronto Blue Jays, 4 p.m., ESPN • Playoffs, Wild Card series, Game 1: San Diego Padres at New York Mets, 8 p.m., ESPN ————— Golf • PGA Juniors: Junior League Championship, at Scottsdale, Ariz., noon, ESPN2 • PGA Champions Tour: Constellation Furyk & Friends, first round, at Jacksonville, Fla., 2 p.m., Golf Channel • PGA Tour: Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, second round, at Las Vegas, 5 p.m., Golf Channel • LPGA Tour: Mediheal Championship, second round, at Somis, Calif., 9 p.m. (taped), Golf Channel ————— Pro hockey • Global Series (NHL regular-season game), at Prague, Czech Republic: San Jose Sharks vs. Nashville Predators, 2 p.m., NHL Network • NHL preseason: Toronto Maple Leafs at Detroit Red Wings, 7:30 p.m., Bally Sports Detroit and/or NHL Network ————— Women’s soccer • International friendly, at London: U.S. vs. England, 3 p.m., Fox-U.P. ————— High school volleyball • GEICO Invitational, semifinals, at Omaha, Neb.: Skyview (Idaho) vs. Papillion (Neb.), 5 p.m., ESPNU ————— College volleyball • Penn State at Ohio State, 6:30 p.m., Big 10 Network • Alabama at Mississippi, 8 p.m., SEC Network • Minnesota at Michigan, 8:30 p.m., Big 10 Network ————— College football • Nebraska at Rutgers, 7 p.m., FS1 • Harvard at Cornell, 7 p.m., ESPNU • Houston at Memphis, 7:30 p.m., ESPN2 • Colorado State at Nevada, 10:30 p.m., FS1 • Nevada-Las Vegas at San Jose State, 10:30 p.m., CBS Sports ————— College men’s soccer • Clemson at Pittsburgh, 8 p.m., ACC Network ————— Auto racing • Formula 1, Japanese Grand Prix, at Suzuka, Japan: practice, 11 p.m., ESPN News; qualifying, 2 a.m. Saturday, ESPN2 ————— Tennis • ATP Tokyo, semifinals, 1 a.m. Saturday, Tennis Channel ————— Saturday ————— High school football • Manistique at Charlevoix, 2 p.m., WTIQ 1490 AM • Brimley at Munising, 7 p.m., WQXO 1400 AM ————— College hockey • Northern Michigan University at Colgate, 4 p.m., WUPT 100.3 FM, WUPZ 94.9 FM or WUPG 96.7 FM ————— College football • Davenport at Northern Michigan University, 1 p.m., WUPT 100.3 FM, WUPZ 94.9 FM or WUPG 96.7 FM • Michigan at Indiana, noon, Fox-U.P. • Eastern Michigan at Western Michigan, noon, CBS Sports • Purdue at Maryland, noon, Big 10 Network • Texas vs. Oklahoma, at Dallas, noon, WBUP-ABC • TCU at Kansas, noon, FS1 • Tennessee at LSU, noon, ESPN • Wisconsin at Northwestern, 3:30 p.m., Big 10 Network • Auburn at Georgia, 3:30 p.m., WZMQ-CBS • Texas Tech at Oklahoma State, 3:30 p.m., FS1 • Tulsa at Navy, 3:30 p.m., CBS Sports • Utah at UCLA, 3:30 p.m., Fox-U.P. • Ohio State at Michigan State, 4 p.m., WBUP-ABC • Mississippi at Vanderbilt, 4 p.m. SEC Network • Air Force at Utah State, 7 p.m., FS1 • James Madison at Arkansas State, 7 p.m., NFL Network • Iowa at Illinois, 7:30 p.m., Big 10 Network • Notre Dame vs. Brigham Young, at Las Vegas, 7:30 p.m., WLUC-NBC • Clemson at Boston College, 7:30 p.m., WBUP-ABC • Washington State at USC, 7:30 p.m., Fox-U.P. • Texas A&M at Alabama, 8 p.m., WZMQ-CBS • Hawaii at San Diego State, 10:30 p.m., CBS Sports • Oregon State at Stanford, 11 p.m., ESPN ————— Tennis • ATP Tokyo, ATP Nur-Sultan, WTA Ostrava & WTA Monastir, semifinals, 6 a.m., Tennis Channel ————— Golf • DP World Tour: Open de Espana, third round, at Madrid, Spain, 7:30 a.m., Golf Channel • PGA Juniors: Junior League Championship, at Scottsdale, Ariz., 11:30 a.m., ESPN News • PGA Champions Tour: Constellation Furyk & Friends, second round, at Jacksonville, Fla., 2 p.m., Golf Channel • PGA Tour: Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, third round, at Las Vegas, 5 p.m., Golf Channel • LPGA Tour: Mediheal Championship, third round, at Somis, Calif., 9 p.m. (taped), Golf Channel ————— Men’s soccer • Italian Serie A: Inter Milan at Sassuolo, 9 a.m., CBS Sports • English Premier League: Brentford at Newcastle United, 10 a.m., USA • English Premier League: Tottenham Hotspur at Brighton & Hove Albion, 12:30 p.m., WLUC-NBC • Canadian CPL: Pacific FC at Calvary FC, 6 p.m., FS2 ————— Major League Baseball • Playoffs, Wild Card series, Game 2: Tampa Bay Rays at Cleveland Guardians, noon, ESPN2 • Playoffs, Wild Card series, Game 2: Seattle Mariners at Toronto Blue Jays, 4 p.m., ESPN • Playoffs, Wild Card series, Game 2: San Diego Padres at New York Mets, 7:30 p.m., ESPN • Playoffs, Wild Card series, Game 2: Philadelphia Phillies at St. Louis Cardinals, 8:30 p.m., ESPN2 ————— Auto racing • NASCAR Cup Series, Bank of America ROVAL 400, playoffs round of 12, at Concord, N.C.: qualifying, 12:30 p.m., USA • NASCAR Xfinity Series: Drive for the Cure 250, playoffs round of 12, at Concord, N.C., 3:30 p.m., WLUC-NBC • Formula 1: Japanese Grand Prix, at Suzuka, Japan, 1 a.m. Sunday, ESPN2 ————— Pro hockey • Global Series (NHL regular-season game), at Prague, Czech Republic: Nashville Predators vs. San Jose Sharks, 2 p.m., NHL Network • NHL preseason: Dallas Stars at Minnesota Wild, 6 p.m., NHL Network ————— Horse racing • Thoroughbred Club Stakes, at Caulfield East, Australia, 5 p.m., CNBC ————— Boxing • Showtime Championship, at Carson, Calif.: super-welterweights Sebastian Fundora vs. Carlos Ocampo, 10 p.m., Showtime Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox

Next Earth Metaverse’s Launchpad Successfully Deploys Its First Project, RisingStar – EIN News https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/next-earth-metaverses-launchpad-successfully-deploys-its-first-project-risingstar-ein-news/ RisingStar’s virtual avatar in a 3D environment With the help of Next Earth, the LA-based production studio aims to revolutionize the entertainment industry within the metaverse. RisingStar’s one-of-a-kind 3D/AR/VR content combined with the Earth-based metaverse of Next Earth unlocks infinite possibilities: think of an interactive 3D/VR concert on the virtual Eiffel Tower.” — Gabor Retfalvi, Next Earth CEO LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, October 7, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ — Next Earth, one of the biggest metaverses out there, closed its first token presale with huge success. RisingStar, the first project on the Next Earth Launchpad, aims to revolutionize the entertainment industry within the metaverse. The goal of the presale was to reach a softcap of $80,000, but the collaboration brought in more than double between 21-27th September. The presale was exclusively available for those who own land in the metaverse and hold some of its native token, NXTT. The public sale of RisingStar’s own token, STAR, began on 27th September on decentralized exchange Uniswap. RisingStar is an LA-based production studio creating volumetric videos and web3 content for brands, artists, athletes, and influencers. Their one-of-a-kind 3D/VR/AR technology not only ensures a smooth transition between “real” and virtual reality, but aims to generate interactive content that blurs the line between content creators and their viewers. By making their content interactive, fans can join the production not only as passive participants, but active partakers, creators even, of this new experience. To create this unique, lifelike, three-dimensional content, RisingStar utilizes their mobile, 1000m2 green screen area with 40 cameras in a studio in Los Angeles. These digital avatars and productions will be distributed on an “on-demand entertainment-service” platform. Users will be able to browse, recommend, and take these productions and move them into a different context to their liking. “RisingStar’s one-of-a-kind 3D/AR/VR content combined with the Earth-based metaverse of Next Earth unlocks infinite possibilities: think of an interactive 3D/VR concert on the Eiffel Tower, or any stadium in the world” says Gabor Retfavi, CEO of Next Earth. He goes on saying “this collaboration provides a perfect example of how we imagine the metaverse: third party partners and businesses provide services through Next Earth, creating a foundation for an ecosystem and giving utility for the properties of landowners”. Besides providing an interactive experience to users, RisingStar aims to revolutionize how artists and influencers monetize their content, hence gaining extra revenue. This is where STAR token comes into the picture: its utility is giving users the opportunity to buy extra content, like customized NFTs from their role models, while content creators can ensure a better revenue by hoarding STAR tokens. “We could not have wished for a better partner than Next Earth in developing the web3 presence of RisingStar. They helped us create a sustainable business model and the perfect tokenomics to achieve our goals. We can’t wait to see the possibilities that this collaboration will bring to the entertainment industry and the metaverse” says RisingStar CEO, Attila Kralik. With more than 45,000 landowners, Next Earth is one of the world’s largest metaverses and the world’s first land-based metaverse to run on a blockchain. Its vision is to make the metaverse available to every company and person in the world, creating a complete virtual ecosystem on the platform. One of the tools for this is Next Earth’s exclusive token launch platform, the Next Earth Launchpad. This supports the tokenisation of quality projects related to the Next Earth metaverse by making them available to users before they are publicly released. This gives projects early access to capital, while allowing users to be early investors in projects closely related to the platform, after the folks at Next Earth have done their due diligence. The recent successful launch of RisingStar was Next Earth’s first external launchpad project, following the successful launch of the metaverse’s own token, NXTT, in January. Next Earth will announce more collaborations and launchpad projects in the coming months. In addition, the Next Earth app and marketplace are being revamped, and an API (application programming interface) is being created to allow anyone to develop an app, program or service on the Next Earth platform. The latter is expected to bring hundreds or even thousands of businesses and applications to Next Earth in the coming months. Bence Varga Next Earth marketing@nextearth.io Visit us on social media: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn RisingStar x Next Earth – The First Next Earth Launchpad Project With An LA-Based Motion Capture Studio You just read: EIN Presswire’s priority is source transparency. We do not allow opaque clients, and our editors try to be careful about weeding out false and misleading content. As a user, if you see something we have missed, please do bring it to our attention. Your help is welcome. EIN Presswire, Everyone’s Internet News Presswire, tries to define some of the boundaries that are reasonable in today’s world. Please see our Editorial Guidelines for more information. Submit your press release

What Is A Water-Cooled Computer And Should You Buy Or Build One? – Gadget Bridge https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/what-is-a-water-cooled-computer-and-should-you-buy-or-build-one-gadget-bridge/ Ensuring that your PC does not overheat is pivotal in maintaining its longevity and keeps the integral components free from the risk of permanent damage. Most computers come with multiple fans integrated within the cabinet and it is generally advised to place your PC in an area which is well-ventilated. Even though internal fans do a decent job of cooling down a PC, the processor still heats up while carrying out heavy tasks. A water-cooled PC is a great solution to this problem. Using water as a coolant, a water-cooled computer is able to dissipate a greater amount of heat fairly quickly and makes sure your PC can handle even the most rigorous tasks with relative ease. In this article, we explain what a water-cooled computer is, how it works, and whether you should build one.  Read Also: Amazing technology that is changing entertainment What is a Water-Cooled computer and how does it work? – Advertisement – A water-cooled computer or PC replaces the internal fans in a traditional PC with cooling pipes that use water to bring down the internal temperature of the computer. Water has a higher specific heat capacity than air, which means it is able to absorb a greater amount of heat. A water-cooled computer works similar to the cooling system within a car. Water runs through the cooling pipes across the components, absorbing heat along the way. The conduction of heat in a water-cooled PC takes place through water blocks made out of aluminium or copper. Much like a car, a water-cooled PC requires a liquid cooling pump to move the water within the cooling tubes. After that, the heated-up water ends up in a radiator where it is allowed to cool off before being pumped back in, forming a loop. Should you build a Water-Cooled PC? – Advertisement – While water-cooled computers are efficient in handling the high internal temperatures of a PC, they are also very appealing visually. The water blocks make a great sight, and the whole process looks amazing. Unsurprisingly, water-cooled computers take a lot of time, money, and effort to assemble. So, is it worth building? If you’re a casual to moderate PC user and do not demand an exorbitant level of performance from your PC, a water-cooled computer is not for you. Most air-cooled PCs do a decent job of cooling down the core components. If your computer is placed in a well-ventilated area, then you’re probably not going to face any major issues with overheating.  However, if you’re someone that puts their PC to the task by pushing its boundaries and getting the most out of its performance, you may want to look into a water-cooling unit for your machine. Not only will you be able to reduce overheating by a major factor, but a water-cooling unit will also get rid of the annoying noise that the internal fans create. Putting together a water-cooled computer can be an intensive task, requiring you to be extra careful while installing the cooling tubes. Any leaks can prove to be detrimental, and you need to make sure that the water does not come in direct contact with any PC component.  Read Also: What Do the Android Status Bar Symbols Mean? A full guide Conclusion Even though a water-cooled PC is bound to provide more efficient cooling, it may not outweigh the effort of putting it all together. With every passing year, air cooling solutions are getting better, and you may want to look into what the latest internal fans have to offer. However, if you’re a PC enthusiast and want to try out something new that looks appealing as well, building a water-cooled PC should definitely be on your list. – Advertisement –

Big Law Attorneys Buy Crypto Despite Lack Of Firm Guidance – Bloomberg Law https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/big-law-attorneys-buy-crypto-despite-lack-of-firm-guidance-bloomberg-law/ Big Law attorneys are feeling free to buy cryptocurrencies—and some are doing so—as most firms lack policies that restrict investments in digital assets. Lawyers including Joshua Ashley Klayman of Linklaters and Joe Cutler of Perkins Coie confirm they have purchased Bitcoin, and in Cutler’s case Ethereum as well, and others say they have opened crypto wallets to become acquainted with the technology. “I’ve known more than a couple lawyers who made a ton of money” investing in crypto, said Stephen Palley, co-chair of Brown Rudnick’s digital commerce group in Washington. “I’ve also known others who bet big and lost everything.” Lawyers are following their own paths when it comes to crypto investing in the absence of clear firm guidance and a dearth of federal regulations. Some make calls based on firms’ general cautions to avoid mixing their own finances with client business interests. Crypto investing is “not permitted or prohibited” at Hogan Lovells, said Liz Boison, a Washington-based partner with the firm. “There isn’t instruction.” She opened multiple digital wallets to help improve her guidance to clients, she said, adding: “I don’t know how lawyers could do this without knowing how it all works.” Klayman, the US head of fintech, blockchain and digital assets for Linklaters in New York, said she limits her investments, as “I do not wish to be a speculator in the market.” The key is to avoid even the possibility of insider-trading scrutiny by being cautious and doing the right thing, Klayman said. This is particularly important when small crypto clients share material, nonpublic information about their growth plans, she said. Kirkland, Roche Kirkland & Ellis, the world’s largest law firm by revenue, acknowledged in a July court filing that some of its lawyers are customers of crypto broker Voyager Digital Holdings Inc. “These attorneys have not and will not” do work tied to the firm’s representation of Voyager in its bankruptcy, the filing said. Roche Freedman, a boutique launched in 2019, has said some of its lawyers own AVAX tokens or have a personal equity interest in Ava Labs, the issuer of the tokens. The firm has denied allegations, fueled by the August leak of secret recordings of a firm founder, that it used class-action lawsuits to target competitors of Ava Labs. Several firms—including Goodwin Procter, Davis Polk & Wardwell, and Sidley Austin—declined to respond to questions about their crypto investing policies. Two firms mentioned in a news account last year as having policies that limit their lawyers’ ability to trade crypto—Sullivan & Cromwell and Latham & Watkins—also declined to respond. Kari Larsen, co-head of the digital practice at Willkie Farr & Gallagher, said her current and previous firm require approval for lawyers to trade publicly-held securities “when a client might be involved.” She previously practiced at Perkins Coie. There’s no “significant evidence” that crypto-specific policies are needed at law firms, said Tonya M. Evans, a professor at Penn State Dickinson Law. Yet firms should consider updating their policies to ensure they apply to any capital assets that could trigger insider trading rules, Evans said in a statement. Federal Confusion Firms seeking federal guidance for setting their crypto policies will find little clarity. The law hasn’t fully caught up with the technology, and getting there will likely require years of actions in the courts, in Congress and at regulatory agencies. For now, the Securities and Exchange Commission defines many crypto tokens as securities, with Bitcoin being a prominent exception. That means the SEC would have jurisdiction, and issuers would need to follow the same registration and disclosure laws as any company issuing stocks and bonds. But the crypto industry, many members of Congress, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission tend to see tokens as commodities. That would subject the tokens to the lighter-touch regulation of the CFTC. There is some federal guidance from which firms can work. In July, the US Office of Government Ethics issued a legal advisory stating that federal officials who have invested in cryptocurrencies or stablecoins are prohibited from working on regulations that could have “a direct and predictable effect” on the value of those digital assets. Capital Assets After booming in recent years, the digital asset market has swooned. By some estimates, some $2 trillion in market value has evaporated, and 12,100 crypto tokens have effectively ceased trading this year, Bloomberg News reported Oct. 3. On Oct. 4, Bitcoin sold for about $20,400—less than half what it was worth one year prior, when it sold for more than $49,000. Market dissatisfaction has helped drive litigation against crypto companies, which have been accused of everything from money laundering, to pump-and-dump schemes, to trading against their own customers. On Oct. 3, reality television celebrity Kim Kardashian agreed to pay about $1.3 million for promoting EMAX crypto tokens without noting she was paid to do so. And that leads to a key point, several lawyers said. While they feel free to trade in crypto, and some do, their biggest purpose in the space is still to counsel clients. “My personal preference is to focus more on giving legal advice and not on whether or not I would purchase any of these tokens,” said Cutler, co-chair of Perkins Coie’s fintech industry group in Seattle. Lawyers can best avoid crypto pitfalls by following the long-time advice of bar authorities, he said: “This is more about the ethical duty not to entangle yourself in the business of your clients.” —Justin Wise contributed to this story.

European Markets Mixed Ahead Of Key U.S. Jobs Report – CNBC https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/european-markets-mixed-ahead-of-key-u-s-jobs-report-cnbc/ European markets were mixed on Friday to round out a volatile week, as global investors await a key monthly jobs report out of the United States. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index was fractionally higher by mid-morning, with tech stocks falling 1% while food and beverage stocks gained 0.9%. The jobs report due at 1:30 p.m. London time is expected to show an increase in payrolls of 275,000 in September, with unemployment projected to remain steady at 3.7%, according to economists surveyed by Dow Jones. The reading will likely influence the U.S. Federal Reserve‘s monetary policy decision in November. Markets in Asia-Pacific retreated on Friday, with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index leading losses, while U.S. stock futures also pulled back slightly in early premarket trade. Major U.S. averages closed lower during regular trading on Thursday but are still on course for their best week since June 24. Stocks on the move: Renault up 4%, AMS-Osram down 4% Renault shares gained 4.1% in early trade to lead the Stoxx 600, while at the bottom of the index, electronics company ams Osram fell 4.7%. – Elliot Smith CNBC Pro: Fund manager says oil is in a multi-year bull market – and names 3 stocks to cash in Oil is in a bull market that’s going to last for at least six years, according to fund manager Eric Nuttall. The partner and senior portfolio manager at Ninepoint Partners, which manages more than $8 billion in assets, named three stocks for investors to cash in. Pro subscribers can read more here. — Zavier Ong German industrial production falls in August German industrial output declined in August, the country’s Federal Statistical Office revealed Friday, as supply bottlenecks persisted due to the war in Ukraine and lingering pandemic-related distortions. Industrial production dropped by 0.8% month-on-month, below expectations for a 0.5% decline among analysts polled by Reuters. However, July’s monthly figure was revised up to 0% from its previous -0.3%. – Elliot Smith Credit Suisse to buy back $3 billion in debt, sell landmark hotel as credit fears persist One of the biggest challenges for Credit Suisse this quarter was litigation costs. Thi My Lien Nguyen | Bloomberg | Getty Images Troubled bank Credit Suisse offered to buy back up to 3 billion Swiss francs ($3.03 billion) of debt securities Friday, as it navigates a plunging share price and a rise in bets against its debt. The Swiss lender also confirmed that it is selling its famous Savoy Hotel in Zurich’s financial district, prompting some speculation that it is scrambling for liquidity. In a statement Friday regarding the offer to repurchase debt securities, Credit Suisse said: “The transactions are consistent with our proactive approach to managing our overall liability composition and optimizing interest expense and allow us to take advantage of market conditions to repurchase debt at attractive prices.” Read the full story here. Here are the opening calls Britain’s FTSE 100 is seen around 20 points lower at 6,977, Germany’s DAX is set to shed around 64 points to 12,407 and France’s CAC 40 is set to slip by around 18 points to 5,918. — Elliot Smith

This Week In Tech News: 8 Stories You Need To See – PR Newswire https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/this-week-in-tech-news-8-stories-you-need-to-see-pr-newswire/ A roundup of the week’s most newsworthy technology industry press releases from PR Newswire , /PRNewswire/ — With thousands of press releases published each week, it can be difficult to keep up with everything on PR Newswire. To help journalists covering the business technology industry stay on top of the week’s most newsworthy and popular releases, here’s a roundup of stories from the week that shouldn’t be missed. The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each story. Click on the press release headlines to access accompanying multimedia assets that are available for download. Major League Baseball Renews Key Partnership with Google Cloud to Continue Innovating MLB.TV, MLB Media Platforms for Baseball Fans Around the World “Google Cloud has been an outstanding partner to baseball, helping us innovate platforms that provide our fans with exceptional real-time experiences, from Statcast to Film Room,” said Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. LIV Golf Appoints ISBI 360 to Sell Tickets for their Domestic Schedule “We’re looking forward to partnering with ISBI 360 to deploy their reps and sales methodology to get more tickets into our fans’ hands,” said Matt Goodman, President of Franchises for LIV Golf Enterprises. Motional and Uber Announce Industry-Leading Multimarket Commercial Agreement for Autonomous Ride-Hail and Delivery Services The 10-year, multimarket agreement creates the opportunity for effective scaling and broad adoption of AVs by pairing Motional’s advanced driverless technology with Uber’s network of millions of customers. Hyundai Mobis Developed 5G Communication Module for Autonomous and Connected Vehicles The solution features a broad range of transport applications for enhanced safety and convenience for drivers: sensor-data sharing between vehicles, automatic deceleration in school zones, and vehicle control in emergencies. Sdaia, Google Cloud to Launch Training Program to Empower Women in Ai Sector Elevate is a global program which aims to use AI to reduce the gender gap by empowering more than 25,000 women globally in the next five years. The program will provide free accessible training to women in tech and science, empowering them and pursuing the growing number of job opportunities in the field of data and artificial intelligence. AI and Cities: UN-Habitat and Mila Launch a Collaborative White Paper on the Use and Potential Challenges of AI to Support the Development of People-Centered Sustainable Cities and Settlements “AI, like any other technology, can be a force that widens or reduces social gaps depending on how it is applied. We have a collective responsibility to appropriately use and integrate AI solutions and ensure that there are no unintended consequences.” says Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director at UN-Habitat. DoorDash Partners with Marvel Entertainment to Launch “The Dashers” Comic Book at New York Comic Con Introduced at New York Comic Con, DoorDash and Marvel worked together to launch a new custom comic book, The Dashers, which celebrates the work and lives of those who deliver with DoorDash. Deezer Invests to Create Livestreaming Powerhouse as Driift Acquires Dreamstage The acquisition brings together Driift’s award winning production capabilities with Dreamstage’s best-in-class technology and commerce platform. Read more of the latest business technology releases from PR Newswire and stay caught up on the top press releases by following @PRNbiztech on Twitter. Helping Journalists Stay Up to Date on Industry News These are just a few of the recent press releases that consumers and the media should know about. To be notified of releases relevant to their coverage area, journalists can set up a custom newsfeed with PR Newswire for Journalists. Once they’re signed up, reporters, bloggers and freelancers have access to the following free features: Customization: Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Photos and Videos: Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Subject Matter Experts: Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Related Resources: Read and subscribe to our journalist- and blogger-focused blog, Beyond Bylines, for media news roundups, writing tips, upcoming events, and more. About PR Newswire and PR Newswire for Journalists For more than 65 years, PR Newswire has been the industry leader with the largest, most comprehensive distribution network of print, radio, magazine, television stations, financial portals and trade publications. PR Newswire has an unparalleled global reach of more than 200,000 publications and 10,000 websites and is available in more than 170 countries and 40 languages. PR Newswire for Journalists (PRNJ) is an exclusive community that includes over 20,000 journalists, bloggers and influencers who are logging into their PRNJ accounts specifically looking for story ideas. PR Newswire thoroughly researches and vets this community to verify their identity as a member of the press, blogger or influencer. PRNJ users cover more than 200 beats and verticals. SOURCE PR Newswire

Register To Vote By Tuesday, Oct. 11 | University Of Arkansas – University Of Arkansas Newswire https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/register-to-vote-by-tuesday-oct-11-university-of-arkansas-university-of-arkansas-newswire/ The Staff Senate Legislative Committee urges all staff as well as the rest of campus to participate in the General Election this November. To participate, you must be registered to vote by Oct. 11. To register, click here. To check if you are registered in Arkansas, click here. New voter ID laws are in place for this election. University IDs are still a valid form of voter identification. Read more here. Early voting is available at Bud Walton Arena again this year. Dates and times are: Wednesday, Oct. 26, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Find other locations to early vote in Washington County here. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8 To find a polling place open on Election Day in Washington County, click here. If you live in  Benton County, learn about your voting options here. If you live in Madison County, learn about your voting options here. If you live in Crawford County, learn about your voting options here.

Four Points By Sheraton Seeks Chief Brew Officer To Take The Next Great “Beercation” – Hospitality Net https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/four-points-by-sheraton-seeks-chief-brew-officer-to-take-the-next-great-beercation-hospitality-net/ Four Points by Sheraton®, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio of 30 hotel brands, is searching for an honorary Chief Brew Officer (C.B.O.) to embark on the ultimate “Beercation” of a lifetime around the United States. One lucky beer enthusiast, plus a companion, will start their journey at the Orlando Beer Festival before heading to two hoppin’ cities to explore local beer-focused attractions. Inspired by Four Points’ Best Brews® program, the trip will give a taste of the brand’s signature guest experience, which offers local craft beers on tap at its hotels worldwide. “We are excited to launch this special experience for our C.B.O. to discover the universal connectors that are travel and great beer,” said Diane Mayer, Vice President and Global Brand Leader, Classic Select Brands. “The Four Points Best Brews program transcends oceans, borders, and languages, allowing guests to kick back, relax and immerse themselves in each destination by enjoying a cold pint on-tap from a local brewery. We are celebrating our newest hotels in beloved beer destinations and the lucky winner will get to travel the country while honing their beer tasting skills.” On November 12, 2022, the C.B.O. will test out the position at the Orlando Beer Festival, where their first task will be to pick their favorite brewery to receive the honorary “Four Points stamp of approval.” From there, the C.B.O. will travel to two additional beer destinations to experience Best Brews at each Four Points hotel and the cities’ local breweries. Participating cities include Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Seattle, and more. Four Points’ C.B.O. will also be awarded a Level Two Cicerone Certification training course to learn more about beer quality and identity by taste while on their “Beercation,” adding credibility to their honorary title. Other perks of the “job” include: VIP tickets to the Orlando Beer Festival 3-day/2-night stay at Four Points by Sheraton Orlando International Drive 4-day/3-night stays at two additional Four Points by Sheraton properties in the U.S. Round-trip airfare and ground transportation for up to two people Access to a Level Two Cicerone Certification training course All travelers can book and enjoy Four Points’ Beds and Brews Package through the month of October 2022, providing two complimentary beers per day of stay. Those interested in experiencing this once-in-a-lifetime adventure can submit their application for a chance to win the coveted title of C.B.O at www.FourPointsBestBrewsContest.com from October 6 – October 18, 2022. Four Points invites all beer lovers 21 years or older to share why they would be the best candidate for the job – bonus points for creativity. Terms & conditions apply. About Marriott International Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 8,100 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 139 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy®, its highly awarded travel program. Connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram. Christine Lin +1 301 380 4906 Marriott %

Asian Stock Markets Fall Ahead Of US Employment Update – 69News WFMZ-TV https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/asian-stock-markets-fall-ahead-of-us-employment-update-69news-wfmz-tv/ BEIJING (AP) — Asian shares followed Wall Street lower Friday ahead of U.S. jobs data investors hope will persuade the Federal Reserve to ease off plans for more interest rate hikes. Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul and Sydney retreated. Chinese markets were closed for a holiday. Oil prices declined. Wall Street’s benchmark S&P 500 index fell 1% on Thursday after a private sector report said U.S. employers hired slightly more workers than forecast in September. That gives ammunition to Fed officials who say more rate hikes are needed to cool the economy and rein in inflation that is at a four-decade high. U.S. government data due out Friday are expected to show fewer people were hired compared with previous months. Investors hope that will help persuade the Fed five rate hikes this year are working and it can scale down plans for more. “What the market seems to be crying out for is a Fed pivot,” said Robert Carnell of ING in a report. “For its part, the Fed is sticking to its ‘higher for longer’ mantra.” The Nikkei 225 in Tokyo sank 0.7% to 27,116.11 and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng tumbled 1.3% to 17,780.81. The Kospi in Seoul shed 0.2% to 2,232.84 while Sydney’s S&P ASX 200 lost 0.8% to 6,762.80. India’s Sensex opened down 0.6% at 57,900.92. New Zealand and Southeast Asian markets declined. The Fed and central banks around the world are focused on extinguishing inflation that is running at multi-decade highs, but investors worry their unusually large and rapid pace of rate hikes might tip the global economy into recession. On Wall Street, the S&P 500 fell to 3,744.52. The index is up 4.4% for the week following its best two-day rally in 2 1/2 years. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.1% to 29,926.94. The Nasdaq composite slid 0.7% to 11,073.31. The yield on U.S. government debt, or the difference between market price and the payout at maturity, widened. That indicates traders expect more rate hikes. The yield on the 10-year Treasury, which helps set rates for mortgages, rose to 3.81% from 3.75% late Wednesday. The yield on the two-year Treasury rose to 4.22% from 4.14% late Monday. Strong U.S. hiring is positive for job hunters but a sign of enduring economic strength, which might make the Fed think more rate hikes are needed. U.S. government data showed the number of applications for unemployment benefits hit a four-month high last week. That suggests the job market might be cooling. Forecasters expect the government to report the economy added 250,000 jobs last month, well below the past year’s monthly average of 487,000 but still a strong number despite inflation and two straight quarters of U.S. economic contraction. In energy markets, benchmark U.S. crude lost 21 cents to $88.24 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract advanced 69 cents on Thursday to $88.45. Brent crude, the price basis for trading international oils, shed 25 cents to $94.17 per barrel in London. It rose $1.05 the previous session to $94.42. The dollar edged down to 145.04 yen from Thursday’s 145.07 yen. The euro declined to 97.70 cents from 97.94 cents. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

6 Things Every Health Conscious Person Can Relate To – ScoopWhoop https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/6-things-every-health-conscious-person-can-relate-to-scoopwhoop/ In association with Coca-Cola India Trying to lead a healthy life is just a nightmare, especially if you’re living on your own. How can you expect me to say goodbye to my Monday momos and Tuesday tacos. And once you become health conscious you see the world differently. But while we have all been bidding goodbyes left right and centre, it’s not time yet to say goodbye to great taste! When it comes to conscious beverages, Coke Zero has literally been the OG for sometime now. And boy, are we thankful! The fitness journey is a tough journey, mate. We’ve all been there, or at least tried to get there. So crack open a health conscious beverage, (wink wink) and check out these 6 things every person health conscious will relate to.  1. Your sleep schedule is supposed to be Timotheé Chalamet! Perfect, I meant perfect! Your sleep schedule is the ultimate definition of perfection when you choose to live a fitter life. However, all the drama, parties, binge watching, and aimless scrolling seem too enticing to be missed. Wait, did you just miss another two hours of rest thinking about fixing your sleep? (It’s okay, really…)  2. You ask for Coke Zero everywhere you go.  To you, self indulgence is a trap to test your self control. Be it a cheesecake or a cornchip, you just struggle not go overboard with indulgence. (And your friends play the lead role in ruining your diet.) But with Coke Zero, you can indulge all you want in the great taste without a second thought and thus, that is all you ask for wherever you go.  3. All your math skills come from counting calories. Your friends might call you obsessed at this point and that’s okay. You spend an ungodly span of time calculating nutrition values. You’re slightly tired of it, aren’t you? The only thing you’re getting out of this, is the math skill. Because, well, everything is cake and you love it too much to resist.  4. You tend to try balancing your meals more than your life! A balanced diet is the key to a fit lifestyle and you know it. It gets really difficult when one has to practice eating healthy all the time though. It seems like you put all your energy into healthy eating and end up ordering a pizza for dinner. Well, at least there’s always a good old can of Coke Zero to balance the cheese out…  5. Movie night is a piece of ca…Kale chip for you! Recreation and snacks go hand in hand. But you just feel out of place with your sad pack of kale chips. So, while your friends gobble up tubs of cheese popcorn and milkshakes, you’re stuck with your pack of green goodness. (Life and its struggles get us big time, don’t they?)  6. Cheat day guilt is killing you. Do you run to your “effortlessly fit” friend everytime you cheat? Really, cheat day guilt is the worst nightmare and there’s no way out of it (except for ice-cream). And so, the loop of stressing over cheat days and cheating again to cope with stress proves to be the ultimate obstacle to you. (Hang in there bud, you’ve got this.)  Well, it takes quite a bit of effort to choose fitness over great food. All we can say is kudos to you for trying. Successful or not, your little steps towards fitness deserve a treat. And what better to give yourself a pat on the back than a refreshing can of Coke Zero? So health freak or not, you’ll always have the great taste of Coke Zero to sit back and enjoy!

Hendon Hooker’s Perseverance Leading Revival Of Tennessee Football As Family Proudly Watches On – CBS Sports https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/hendon-hookers-perseverance-leading-revival-of-tennessee-football-as-family-proudly-watches-on-cbs-sports/ Leon Hooker would have loved this week. He didn’t take spit off anybody. So, if someone wanted to fade his grandson, Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker, there would be a literal fight brewing this week of the LSU game.   Leon was maybe 5-foot-9, 160 pounds. He made furniture frames in a small North Carolina town where folks sometimes grew their own food. But watch out at Little League games. He’d get in the face of umpires.   Once, when his son didn’t play the season opener quarterbacking for North Carolina A&T, Leon told him to go back to his dorm, pack up his stuff. They were leaving. “My mom talked him out of it,” said Alan Hooker, son of Leon and father of Hendon. “He would look for confrontations. If he thought it was injustice, he was going to deal with it.” That’s why it’s a shame there is a key witness missing to what’s happening at Tennessee this fall. Leon was a proud, belligerent, loving grandfather to the quarterback leading the nation’s No. 1 offense. He died two years ago at age 78 having witnessed, as it turned out, enough. “He saw Hendon play [before he died],” Alan said. “He’d tell the world how much better Hendon was than me. He would not let go. He would constantly remind me, ‘You couldn’t make that throw boy. You couldn’t make that throw.'” Grandpa saw early what the rest of the world is now realizing: Hendon Hooker, a 24-year-old in his sixth year of eligibility, is a living example of perseverance, hard work and … crying. There was lots of crying before Hendon got to this point. Before we go there, let’s assess. The Virginia Tech transfer is coming off the best game of his career: 349 yards passing, 112 yards rushing and three total touchdowns against Florida. A bye week has let him and Tennessee soak in the adulation prior to the LSU meeting. Tennessee’s first 4-0 start since 2016 has him out front of this quick turnaround under second-year coach Josh Heupel. No. 8 Tennessee suddenly looks like challenger to Georgia in the SEC East. Its quarterback is certainly a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate almost halfway through the season. But in an SEC loaded with plenty of QB talent this season, Hooker is the only one who can say he leads the nation’s top offense — and that means just about everything. The Volunteers are exciting again. Neyland Stadium is selling out. There is a hint of the old days in the air by the banks of the Tennessee River. Hooker got there because there was a lot of what he didn’t know. He didn’t know he’d get COVID-19 two years ago, essentially derailing his career at Virginia Tech. He didn’t know there would be a scare involving a heart condition. He didn’t know that, 19 days after arriving on campus at UT, the coach that recruited him (Jeremy Pruitt) would be fired. Prove himself? Been there, done that. That included transferring from Virginia Tech after having started 15 games over three seasons. “I remember my parents visiting me in my apartment during that fall camp,” Hooker said of his run at the starting job as a Hokies’ redshirt freshman in 2019. (He didn’t win it.) “I was crying my eyes out. My dad being a great encourager said, ‘Everybody has a different path. This is going to be yours. It’s just another incredible scene in your story.’ It helped me persevere through tough times.” When COVID-19 hit him in 2020, the symptoms (loss of taste, runny nose) were not the hardest part for him personally. The pandemic upended his routine. In the offseason, Hooker was used to getting to the facility at 5 a.m. and throwing early with equipment managers. During that upside down COVID-19 period, health restrictions meant he couldn’t even access the hot tub after a workout. Then there was the heart issue before the season. A procedure ultimately revealed there was nothing wrong, but Hooker and his father blame medication from the procedure staying in the quarterback’s system creating an embarrassing episode three months later. Hooker was shown shaking and almost convulsing on the sideline during a December game against Clemson. When asked about his player after the game, Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente said his quarterback was “cold.” The game time temperature was 37 degrees. Hooker said the medicine they’d used during the scope of his heart had “reactivated.” “You’re sitting on the sidelines so long with no movement,” Hooker recalled. “You’re on the top of the mountain [at Virginia Tech]. There’s no heat on the sidelines. You try to do some jumping jacks. All the sudden, my body just starts to shake. “My teeth are chattering. I see my fingernails turning blue. What in the world? This is crazy! To come back in the next day [and see] my coach told the media I was just cold was hurtful. I didn’t know what to say.” In that game, Hooker completed one pass, fumbled a snap and never play another down at Virginia Tech. The Hokies went with Braxton Burmeister to finish the season. It became clear there was no future for him there. “I grew up in Blacksburg,” Hooker said figuratively. “A lot of my friends from home came because I was there already. I tried to handle it professionally. … I jumped in the [transfer] portal a couple of days later. I remember coming in to tell Coach Fuente about it. It brought tears to my eyes because I really enjoyed being there.” Any animosity about the transfer from the Hooker angle was cleared up. “Old news,” Fuente said when reached for comment through an intermediary. Alan told CBS Sports his son ended up texting his old coach last year to wish him Merry Christmas. “There are no hard feelings there. Coach Fuente responded back, ‘Hey Hendon, you had a great year. I enjoyed watching you,'” Alan shared. A month later as a transfer who had just arrived in Knoxville, Tennessee, Hendon was studying a playbook that would be obsolete in less than three weeks. Pruitt left in shame, the center of an ongoing NCAA investigation regarding bringing in prospects during the COVID-19 dead period. The NCAA said Pruitt and his wife used money out of their own pockets on the recruits. The Hookers sensed instability. When they asked, “Do we need to look someplace else?” Tennessee quarterbacks coach Chris Weinke urged them to stay put. That spring, Heupel added Michigan‘s Joe Milton from the transfer portal. Hendon had another fight for a starting job on his hands. Maybe that’s the moment a bit of Grandpa Leon’s stubbornness kicked in. This would be where he made his stand. “Did he tell you about ‘The Last Dance?’ Alan asked. Well, no. It took some digging for an anecdote only a family could detail. Turns out Hendon and his brother, Alston, took up watching the documentary about the Chicago Bulls dynasty as a means of motivation. Michael Jordan famously motivated himself by exaggerating the tiniest of slights. Half the documentary is about Jordan’s perceptions of slights, incidents and beefs.   Now we see those issues being resolved on Saturdays. Alston, like his father before him, is a quarterback at North Carolina A&T. Hendon goes into Saturday tied for the national lead with the most touchdown passes without an interception this season (11). Only Heath Shuler (18) has thrown a TD in more consecutive games at Tennessee than Hooker (16 and counting). Against Florida, Hooker posted the most yards passing against the Gators by a Vols quarterback since Peyton Manning in 1997. Unlike Manning, Hooker also got a win over the Gators. Milton started the first two games of that 2021 season before Hooker took over. Then Tennessee truly morphed into Heupel’s vision. In seven of the remaining 11 games, the Vols scored at least 45 points. Tennessee jumped on opponents hard and fast. In his career, Heupel leads all active coaches averaging 12.79 points per first quarter. Hooker picked up where he left off at Virginia Tech. His decision-making remains incredible. His streak of 212 consecutive passes without an interception has already smashed the school record by 46. Since coming to Tennessee, he has thrown 39 touchdowns to only three picks. His career ratio (6.1-1) nearly triples the national average (2.2-1). After finishing the 2021 season ranked third nationally in pass efficiency, Hooker is currently sixth in 2022. It’s scorched earth type stuff. The Vols are averaging 559.3 yards per game. If the average of 48.5 points per game holds up, it will be a school record.    Hooker calls Heupel “the best coach in the America.” Heupel says he never had a player who understands the “why” of it all. Existential, yes, but Heupel seems to spread this kind of magic wherever he goes. It’s easy to forget the 44-year-old has two Heisman Trophy references on his resume. He was the runner-up for the trophy as Oklahoma‘s quarterback in 2000. Eight years later, he was Sam Bradford’s quarterbacks coach the year Bradford won the Heisman at OU. As Missouri‘s offensive coordinator in 2017, Heupel oversaw Drew Lock leading the country in touchdown passes (44) while setting the SEC and Missouri single-season records. Heupel’s had a chip on his own shoulder since being let go by Bob Stoops as OU’s co-offensive coordinator seven years ago. While at Mizzou, Heupel actually recruited Hooker. “I always remember what Coach Heup saw in me at the time,” Hooker said. “After some games he would let me know, ‘I saw the film, you look good.’ He would give me some insight into what they were running that week. I had them in my top five coming out of high school.” Virginia Tech was the choice because of a warm reception and a vision of the future. Out of Greensboro, North Carolina, Hooker was pursued by North Carolina, Wake Forest, South Carolina and NC State. Then Wolfpack offensive coordinator Elijah Drinkwitz was the first co...

Lawyer Warns Of Deepfake And Metaverse Libel Threat To Publishers – Press Gazette https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/lawyer-warns-of-deepfake-and-metaverse-libel-threat-to-publishers-press-gazette/ Most of us likely have a degree of familiarity with the term “deepfake” – they’ve become increasingly common. For those who are less familiar, a deepfake is a life-like digital impersonation, usually of a well-known individual. They can take the form of face re-enactment (where software manipulates an individual’s facial features), face generation (where a new face is created), face swapping (where one person’s face is swapped with another’s), and speech synthesis (where voices are re-created). The metaverse and deepfakes Given the ability of a deepfake to make it appear as if an individual has acted in a way in which they have not, they pose a direct threat to the accuracy of information relating to any individual in a digital environment. The advent of the metaverse only serves to increase the risks posed by deepfake technology – there will likely be more opportunities for its use as the metaverse moves from representing individuals as avatars or other similar graphic representations towards representing individuals in more life-like ways. Time and resource is being poured into the metaverse, and some commentators have predicted that by 2030 we will be spending more time in the metaverse than we are in the real world – shopping, socialising, working and attending events. We are already seeing well-known individuals such as Paris Hilton and Snoop Dogg creating their own virtual worlds, and we should expect more to follow. Disinformation and manipulation Many deepfakes we have seen so far have been created as obvious parodies, such as 2020 deepfakes of Richard Nixon announcing the failure of the 1969 Moon landing. However, this evolving technology has the potential to be used for disinformation relating to international diplomacy and even war – in June 2022, it was reported that the mayors of several European capitals had been duped into taking part in video calls with a deepfake of the Mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko. The pitfalls for journalists here are clear. It is not difficult to envisage deepfake technology being used by unscrupulous actors to impersonate celebrities and politicians on metaverse platforms and for it to become difficult to distinguish between genuine and fake digital depictions of individuals. The risk of wrongly ascribing views or actions to individuals is significantly increased in the virtual world, with all of the usual expensive real world legal consequences. Worryingly, there is also clear potential for individuals to deny past actions and to claim that they have been subjected to the use of deepfake technology. Trust – a disappearing luxury So, what can journalists who want to report on what is happening in the metaverse do to protect themselves from libel claims as a result of mistaken identity and make sure they are not being duped? The same rules are likely to apply to the avatars/graphic representations of people who now appear in the metaverse as will apply once more life-like representations of individuals become prevalent. The first is to exercise the usual caution when it is not possible to identify conclusively the real person behind the digital representation. If the decision to publish is made, qualify any assumptions as to identity appropriately in any reporting, which may help if an issue does arise. Another is of course to try to verify the identity of the individual behind the digital representation, via online research or real-life sources. In cases where public interest is involved, the public interest defence may be helpful, provided you reasonably believe that publishing the statement complained of is in the public interest and the reporting is what used to be described by the courts as “responsible journalism”. In due course it is likely that metaverse platforms will adopt digital identification solutions which will help to verify identity in the metaverse. These will either be developed by the platforms or by third party providers who may use blockchain technology to verify identity – this is likely to be needed for robust financial systems to develop in the metaverse. Systems such as the blue tick identification already seen on social media may well be used in the case of well-known individuals. There is also technology in development which aims to discern between deepfakes and genuine footage/content (including AI, which claims to be able to identify audio deepfakes) which may be helpful. Until then the position is much as it was at the advent of the internet and social media – laws originally intended to deal with the pre-digital world can often be used to deal with issues relating to the metaverse in the same way. If not, the law will eventually catch up either through case law or legislation. As all the world becomes a stage, the best advice is to be aware of the potential for digital impersonation. Trust has become an unaffordable luxury, so be cautious – check and verify the real person behind a digital representation where you can. Carolyn Pepper is a partner at Reed Smith LLP. Her co-authors are Jonathan Andrews, associate, and Alex Dainton, seconded trainee. Picture: Rob Lever/AFP via Getty Images

Amazon Great Indian Festival Sale 2022: Get As Much As 71% Off On Boys’ T-Shirts – Hindustan Times https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/amazon-great-indian-festival-sale-2022-get-as-much-as-71-off-on-boys-t-shirts-hindustan-times/ Summary: Amazon Great Indian Festival Sale 2022: If you have young boys at home, you would know the pain (and the cost) of buying clothes every six-seven months as they outgrow them soon. Reason why you must check out this sale’s apparel section. Amazon Great Indian Festival Sale 2022: Time to buy t-shirts for your boys in bulk.  Young children outgrow clothes really fast. Ask a young parent what it is to see a perfectly decent garment grow short and tight and you will know what disappointment means. But that is the reality – children grow up fast and clothes don’t fit anymore. Hence, it is important to have fresh and lively and inexpensive options for parents to consider in the kids wear section. If you are a young parent, it is time to explore Amazon to get over this problem. Why? That’s because the e-commerce platform is holding to mega sale – Great Indian Festival Sale 2022. A whole host of products are part of the sale from gadgets and washing machines to clothes for men, women and children. We have curated a list of t-shirts for boys which, we think, you will find very interesting. These are colourful, made from skin-friendly fabric and affordable. Many of them come in packs of three and five. Take a look. Marvel By Kidsville Boys’ T-Shirt This is a pack of three and contains three colourful t-shirts in blue, black and red. These t-shirts for boys is available in 11 different colour and print combinations. You will find popular cartoon and fantasy themes on the t-shirt like Spiderman and Avengers. Made from 100% cotton fabric, it features ‘character prints’. They all have round neck. They have half sleeves and can be hand washed. You get a 55% discount on them. art-Fashiontiled-1Fashion’,’fashionMarvel By Kidsville Boys- T-Shirt Pack of 3 MC001_Multicolor_3-4 Years’,’1′), clickEventCDPAnalytics(‘https://www.hindustantimes.com/shop-now/fashion/amazon-great-indian-festival-sale-2022-get-as-much-as-71-off-on-boys-tshirts-101665064945966.html’, ‘OFFERS’, ‘fashion’, ‘Marvel By Kidsville Boys T-Shirt Pack of 3 MC001_Multicolor_3-4 Years’, ‘809’, ‘B07XQV2XSY’)” rel=”sponsored” target=”_blank” Marvel By Kidsville Boys’ T-Shirt (Pack of 3) (MC001_Multicolor_3-4 Years) 55% off ₹ 809 ₹ 1,799 Max Boy’s Regular T-Shirt This is a pack of five t-shirts, meant for boys from the age group of two to three years and going up to seven to eight years. This set of five t-shirts is available in a six colour combinations. All are printed t-shirts and have attractive prints and slogans. These regular fit t-shirts come in gentle pastel colours while two of the lot are in primary colours of black and white. These t-shirts are 100% cotton garments. You get to save a cool 42%. art-Fashiontiled-2Fashion’,’fashionMax Boy-s Regular T-Shirt M21DBTAMZ3MULTI_Multi 3 4 Years’,’2′), clickEventCDPAnalytics(‘https://www.hindustantimes.com/shop-now/fashion/amazon-great-indian-festival-sale-2022-get-as-much-as-71-off-on-boys-tshirts-101665064945966.html’, ‘OFFERS’, ‘fashion’, ‘Max Boys Regular T-Shirt M21DBTAMZ3MULTI_Multi 3 4 Years’, ‘554’, ‘B09C6BWT2B’)” rel=”sponsored” target=”_blank” Max Boy’s Regular T-Shirt (M21DBTAMZ3MULTI_Multi 3 4 Years) 42% off ₹ 554 ₹ 949 Allen Solly Junior Boys Polo This polo neck t-shirt is available in vast range of sizes, starting from two-three years and going up to 15 to 16 years. These t-shirts come in solid colours and you get a huge range in colours too – three shades of blue, orange, red, black, green, yellow and pink. These regular fit t-shirts can easily be machine washed. This garment is available at a discount of 39%. art-Fashiontiled-3Fashion’,’fashionAllen Solly Junior Boys- Plain Regular Fit T-Shirt AKBTS5182132_Blue_5-6 Years’,’3′), clickEventCDPAnalytics(‘https://www.hindustantimes.com/shop-now/fashion/amazon-great-indian-festival-sale-2022-get-as-much-as-71-off-on-boys-tshirts-101665064945966.html’, ‘OFFERS’, ‘fashion’, ‘Allen Solly Junior Boys Plain Regular Fit T-Shirt AKBTS5182132_Blue_5-6 Years’, ‘588’, ‘B07HJRV1SS’)” rel=”sponsored” target=”_blank” Allen Solly Junior Boys’ Plain Regular Fit T-Shirt (AKBTS5182132_Blue_5-6 Years) 26% off ₹ 588 ₹ 799 T2F Boy’s Solid Regular fit T-Shirt Here’s a charming set of five t-shirts meant for boys starting from the age group of two to three years and going up to nine to 10 years. These t-shits are available in a range of dark and bright colours with sweet prints like stars, cactus, pineapples etc. This is a 100% cotton t-shirt and can easily be machine washed. It has a round neck and can easily be slipped in to. You get a 71% off on this product. art-Fashiontiled-4Fashion’,’fashionT2F Boy-s T-Shirt Pack of 5 TSRT5P02_Multicolor 1_3-4 Years’,’4′), clickEventCDPAnalytics(‘https://www.hindustantimes.com/shop-now/fashion/amazon-great-indian-festival-sale-2022-get-as-much-as-71-off-on-boys-tshirts-101665064945966.html’, ‘OFFERS’, ‘fashion’, ‘T2F Boys T-Shirt Pack of 5 TSRT5P02_Multicolor 1_3-4 Years’, ‘529’, ‘B07TMMXP4L’)” rel=”sponsored” target=”_blank” T2F Boy’s T-Shirt (Pack of 5) (TSRT5P02_Multicolor 1_3-4 Years) 71% off ₹ 529 ₹ 1,800 T2F Boy’s Regular Fit T-Shirt Here’s another set of five t-shirts with fun prints on them. This set is available in five different colour combinations. These are half sleeves t-shirts and made using 100% cotton fabric. They are available for kids starting from the age group of two to three and go up to 13-14 years. These are fuss-free garments and can easily be machine washed. This set is available at a 36% discount. art-Fashiontiled-5Fashion’,’fashionT2F Boy-s Solid Regular Fit T-Shirt BYS-TSRT-02_Multicolor 2 5-6 Years’,’5′), clickEventCDPAnalytics(‘https://www.hindustantimes.com/shop-now/fashion/amazon-great-indian-festival-sale-2022-get-as-much-as-71-off-on-boys-tshirts-101665064945966.html’, ‘OFFERS’, ‘fashion’, ‘T2F Boys Solid Regular Fit T-Shirt BYS-TSRT-02_Multicolor 2 5-6 Years’, ‘768’, ‘B08R7QMLVN’)” rel=”sponsored” target=”_blank” T2F Boy’s Solid Regular Fit T-Shirt (BYS-TSRT-02_Multicolor 2 5-6 Years) 36% off ₹ 768 ₹ 1,200 Price of t-shirts for boys at a glance: Product Price Marvel By Kidsville Boys’ T-Shirt ₹1,799.00 Max Boys Boys Printed Crew Neck T-Shirt ₹949.00 Allen Solly Junior Boys Polo ₹799.00 T2F Boy’s Solid Regular fit T-Shirt ₹1,800.00 T2F Boy’s Regular Fit T-Shirt ₹1,200.00 At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase.

Brazil: Police Shut Down $769m Crypto ‘Pyramid’ That ‘Drew In’ Celebs, Sports Stars – Cryptonews https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/brazil-police-shut-down-769m-crypto-pyramid-that-drew-in-celebs-sports-stars-cryptonews/ Source: mehaniq41/Adobe Brazilian police have swooped on an alleged crypto pyramid scheme that appears to have sucked in a top model, soccer players, and more to the tune of $769 million. Per Globo and UOL, police believe that an individual nicknamed the “Bitcoin Sheik” (real name Francisley Valdevino da Silva) masterminded the project, which revolves around a company named Forcount and a token named mindexcoin. Brazilian media outlets reported that the coin “has no market value” and is not listed on exchanges. Source: Federal Police Francisley was described as the “main target” of a major operation named Poyais, launched by the Federal Police, who appear to have been tipped off by disgruntled investors. Some 100 police officers conducted a total of 20 raids across the nation – taking in states such as Santa Catarina, São Paolo, and Rio de Janeiro. Lawyers representing the alleged victims have claimed that Forcount and mindexcoin are fronts for a financial pyramid whereby high-level investors were told they could expect to earn more by recruiting members. The would-be investors were told that they could “rent” coins – and that doing so would allow them to make 20% profits on their initial stakes. One of the highest-profile “victims” to emerge thus far is the model, TV personality, and actress Sasha Meneghel who reportedly decided to invest in the alleged scheme after meeting the “Sheik” at an evangelical Christian church service. A number of unnamed soccer players were also allegedly among the victims, Globo added. Operation Poyais – Busting a Crypto ‘Pyramid’ The police explained that they had seized caches of gold bars, as well as luxury watches, and mountains of cash. They added that properties had also been seized and bank accounts had been frozen. Officers explained that the project had attracted money from thousands of investors based in Brazil, as well as the United States, and “at least 10 other countries.” Police spokespeople also added that – in classic Ponzi style – the project’s operators appear to have used new investors’ money to pay early-stage investors. But much of the money was instead used by those at the top of the “pyramid” to pay for “high-cost real estate, luxury cars, boats, designer clothes, and jewellery, officers said. Media outlets added that the United States Department of Homeland Security was also involved in the operation. The “Sheik” is based in the city of Curitiba, and had claimed to head a vast team of elite crypto traders. Last month, officers raided 15 companies in a bust that targeted an alleged “crypto pyramid,” while this week a Brazilian court granted a bank permission to search a debtors’ crypto wallets for assets.

Putin Confronted By Insider Over Ukraine War, U.S. Intelligence Finds – The Washington Post https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/putin-confronted-by-insider-over-ukraine-war-u-s-intelligence-finds-the-washington-post/ A member of Vladimir Putin’s inner circle has voiced disagreement directly to the Russian president in recent weeks over his handling of the war in Ukraine, according to information obtained by U.S. intelligence. The criticism marks the clearest indication yet of turmoil within Russia’s leadership over the stewardship of a war that has gone disastrously wrong for Moscow, forcing Putin last month to order the mobilization of hundreds of thousands of troops in a desperate bid to reverse recent battlefield losses. The information was deemed significant enough that it was included in President Biden’s daily intelligence briefing and shared with other U.S. officials, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence. The discontent that the member of Putin’s inner circle expressed related to what the insider considered mismanagement of the war effort and mistakes being made by those executing the military campaign, according to one of the people. The insider’s identity could not be confirmed, although the name has been included in U.S. intelligence reporting. The new intelligence, coupled with comments from Russian officials, underscores divisions within Putin’s upper echelon, where officials have long been loath to bring bad news to an autocratic Russian leader who is seen as more isolated that at any time in his 22-year rule. A spokesperson for the National Security Council declined to comment on the intelligence. The number of people Putin counts as close or trusted aides and advisers is small and composed primarily of colleagues from his days serving as a KBG officer and those he met while a deputy to the mayor of St. Petersburg in the 1990s after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The mobilization has sparked domestic unrest, prompted hundreds of thousands of Russian fighting-age men to flee the country and been beset by bureaucratic incompetence, with individuals being called up who are supposed to be excluded from service. As the war enters its eighth month, and Russian victory remains elusive and ill-defined, the unquestioning loyalty Putin has enjoyed may be slipping, intelligence officials said, but they cautioned there was no indication the Russian leader was on the brink of being swept aside. “Since the start of the occupation we have witnessed growing alarm from a number of Putin’s inner circle,” a Western intelligence official said. “Our assessments suggest they are particularly exercised by recent Russian losses, misguided direction and extensive military shortcomings.” A second senior Western official said the internal tensions are “consistent with the way in which the campaign has gone for the Russians, and the atmospherics in the Kremlin. There are a lot of people who are convinced this isn’t going well or the right course of action.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged there have been disagreements and debates among Russian leaders as Putin has faced crucial decisions such as the mobilization. “There is disagreement over such moments. Some think we should act differently,” Peskov told The Washington Post. “But this is all part of the usual working process.” Asked about disagreements within Putin’s inner circle, Peskov said, “There are working arguments: about the economy, about the conduct of the military operation. There are arguments about the education system. This is part of the normal working process, and it is not a sign of any split.” But Peskov said U.S. intelligence reporting about an individual in Putin’s inner circle directly challenging the Russian leader was “absolutely not true.” Armed with American and European weapons, Ukrainian forces have recaptured thousands of square miles of territory in recent weeks from a Russian military reeling from personnel shortages. The losses prompted a scramble by the Kremlin to organize hasty staged referendums and announce formal annexations of occupied land, widely condemned as illegal, all while beginning to draft hundreds of thousands of military reservists despite the risk of domestic opposition and protest. Putin has also threatened to take extreme measures to protect Russia’s territory, including the use of nuclear weapons, hoping the threat will make Ukraine’s backers think twice about how far Kyiv should be enabled to advance. The situation has led to public criticism of Putin’s defense minister and top generals in a rare outpouring of discontent. Ramzan Kadyrov, head of Russia’s Chechen Republic, who has sent Chechen militias to fight against Ukraine, lashed out at a top general in recent days and said he should be demoted to private. After the comments, Kadyrov announced that Putin had promoted the Chechen to the rank of colonel general. Yevgeniy Prigozhin, a longtime Putin ally whose Wagner mercenaries have also been fighting for Moscow in Ukraine, agreed with Kadyrov, describing Russian military leaders as “pieces of garbage” in a statement. One Moscow-installed official in occupied Kherson described a retreat in recent days by Russian forces northeast of the city as a “regrouping” and claimed the region was “locked down,” but also called top Russian military leaders traitors and incompetents. “Indeed, many people say that if they were the minister of defense, who brought things to this state of affairs, they would shoot themselves, if they were real officers,” Kirill Stremousov, deputy head of the Russia-installed Kherson administration, said Thursday in a video on Telegram. Putin’s problems on the battlefield are compounded by a haphazard mobilization at home. “It seems to me his position is fragile,” one Russian official said of Putin in an interview on the day the mobilization was announced. “In all these months we have heard that half the world is on our side. But neither Modi nor Xi are now supporting this,” the Russian official said, referring to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who were seen to be distancing themselves from Putin’s war effort during a summit last month in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. In another conversation this week, the official said he had not heard about any direct challenges to Putin from within the inner circle. But “there are protests” by the heads of parliamentary committees about how the president and the military are conducting the war — “about why the army is not being supplied properly, about why the campaign is not going as it should,” the official said. Senior security officials in Europe said they were not aware that anyone had dared to challenge Putin directly over the course of events in Ukraine and added that they hadn’t seen the U.S. intelligence reporting on the criticism directed at Putin. Even so, some of those officials said that cracks were increasingly evident across multiple layers of the Russian system, citing outbreaks of criticism and finger-pointing across the Russian military, security services and regional governments now forcing military-age men into service. One senior European security official described growing “criticism of Putin — behind his back,” including from within the Kremlin ranks. “They think he’s stubborn,” the official said, and “obsessed with Ukraine” — an “obsession they do not necessarily share.” A second security official in Europe said: “There is scapegoating. Finger-pointing. All of this is happening.” Two Russian business executives who maintain contacts with political officials echoed those sentiments and said the coming weeks could be crucial for determining Putin’s future and what decisions he makes about the war. If the Russian military doesn’t stem its losses, then infighting will break out, said one of these people, a member of the Russian business elite. “This is a breaking point.” The mobilization of forces has proved widely unpopular in Russia and may signal that Putin feels pressured to take desperate measures. For months, Putin had resisted calling up additional forces, even as battlefield losses suggested he had not deployed sufficient forces at the outset of the war. As early as the spring of this year, when Putin’s plan for a quick invasion and occupation of Ukraine had clearly fizzled, U.S. intelligence analysts assessed that he would have to announce a broad mobilization — amounting to hundreds of thousands of additional troops — if he hoped to achieve his objectives, which at the time Putin believed he still could, according to a senior U.S. official familiar with the matter. Putin’s decision to call up what Russian officials say will be 300,000 additional troops ranks as among the most destabilizing and politically risky moves of his career and “may lead to regime instability,” a third European security official said. Others, however, said that despite a mass exodus of military-age men from Russia, Putin has crossed an important threshold without triggering any meaningful internal challenge to his rule. Even regional officials angered by the mobilization are overwhelmingly complying, supplying tens of thousands of recruits. “Everybody is keen on searching for signs of Russia folding, and you do see internal tensions,” a senior Baltic official said. “But Russia is now on a war footing, and they are still going. We haven’t seen anything to suggest otherwise.” Belton reported from London. War in Ukraine: What you need to know The latest: Russian President Vladimir Putin signed decrees Friday to annex four occupied regions of Ukraine, following staged referendums that were widely denounced as illegal. Follow our live updates here. The response: The Biden administration on Friday announced a new round of sanctions on Russia, in response to the annexations, targeting government officials...

GNTC Business Healthcare Technology Program Provides Shot In The Arm To Fight Medical Coder Shortage – Coosa Valley News https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/gntc-business-healthcare-technology-program-provides-shot-in-the-arm-to-fight-medical-coder-shortage-coosa-valley-news/ Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s (GNTC) Business Healthcare Technology program prepares graduates not only to help combat a nationwide shortage of medical coders but also to provide data that will influence medical protocols and patient outcomes.  The American Academy of Professional Coders defines medical coding as the translation of healthcare diagnoses, procedures, medical services and equipment into universal medical alphanumeric codes. “The aging Baby Boomers’ increased healthcare needs and the need for more statistical data—as we have discovered with the recent pandemic—have contributed to the increased demand for medical coding,” said Gina Stephens, instructor of Business Administrative Technology. “Medical coding offers many opportunities for specialization and growth.”  The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a need for more than 34,000 medical records and health information specialists annually over this decade. “The World Health Organization (WHO) develops and regulates diagnostic and procedural codes and collects data from countries around the world to track regional, state, national and global health statistics,” said Lisa Hunt, program director of Business Healthcare Technology. “Disease tracking allows us to identify and address outbreaks in their early phase, before they become endemic or pandemic in nature.”  The data can be used when organizations like the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) work with the WHO to address safe water, vaccination protocols, disaster planning, patient education and treatment, prevention guidelines and other environmental issues, she said.  The WHO even tracks accidents with these codes. If the agency notes a higher number of accidents in a region, the cause of the accidents can be researched so that safety measures can be implemented, Hunt said.  Pharmaceutical companies also use medical codes to identify medication resistance and new pharmacological needs and to examine the quality of care by tracking patient outcomes. Insurance companies, in turn, use that data to adjust premiums, she said.  Many cutting-edge technologies and social viewpoints influence medical coding, Stephens said, adding that “artificial intelligence and social determinants of health are very interesting influences on medical coding.”  Basic medical coding can be done with artificial intelligence, but complex decisions and audits require a coding expert, Hunt said, adding “we are training our students to code using Encoders, which is the current industry trend.”    At its heart, medical coding begins with the healthcare provider, Hunt said. “If the data on a patient’s chart does not match the medical diagnosis (International Classification of Diseases code) or a procedural code, the provider or facility can be penalized financially or subject to criminal charges,” Hunt said. Federal oversight is conducted through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Department of Health and Human Resources and the Office of the Inspector General, she said. The FBI reports tens of billions of dollars in losses annually from healthcare fraud. Facilities are also required to return millions of dollars each year for coding errors, abuse and fraud, she said.  Inaccurate coding can also create a financial crisis or result in a negative impact on a patient’s life or wellbeing, Stephens said. GNTC’s program covers many of the potential problems that can be avoided in coding errors, accounting fundamentals, electronic communications, internet research, electronic file management, healthcare regulation and compliance, effective communication skills and terminology, she said. The program also provides opportunities to upgrade present knowledge and skills or to retrain in the area of administrative technology. The program, launched in fall 2017, emphasizes the use of software and technology, she said. Hunt said the program offers Medical Front Office Assistant courses; certificates in Medical Coding, Healthcare Documentation Specialist, Healthcare Billing and Reimbursement Assistant, and Healthcare Billing and Coding Specialist; a diploma in Business Healthcare Technology; and an associate degree in Business Healthcare Technology specializing in either Compliance and Reimbursement or in Practice Management.  To date 300 students have earned a degree, diploma or certificate in the Business Healthcare Technology program, and 229 students have completed Medical Front Office Assistant courses, according to GNTC data.   “Students can start at any level in the program,” she said. “Oftentimes, they begin by earning a certificate and work up to the associate degree. Courses transfer from the certificate level upward; this allows students to enter the workforce earlier and continue to work towards their degree post-employment.”    As more and more college graduates seek opportunities to work at home, new graduates in this field rarely work from home. “They will be asked to work onsite until they are fully oriented to the company and show they are coding with 95% accuracy,” she said. The program also attracts a number of retired nurses and educators from the K-12 system who are looking for “work from home” opportunities during their retirement years, she said. “We also offer our program to high school students through Dual Enrollment,” Hunt stated. “Some of my best students come from this area.” Hunt believes another way the program stands out is that the faculty has combined decades of experience in the healthcare field industry and higher education experience. She said the staff includes bilingual faculty, and 75% are Registered Nurses. “This breadth of experience allows us to understand healthcare from many different perspectives with a comprehensive view of facility organization,” Hunt said.  Stephens oversees campus needs and serves as instructor on the Floyd, Gordon and Polk County campuses. Hunt is the program director and instructor at the Catoosa, Walker and Whitfield Murray County campuses. Hunt earned her associate degree in Nursing at Dalton State College, a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Colorado Technical University, her master’s degree in Business Administration in Health Administration at Colorado Technical University and a bachelor’s degree in Health Information Administration from Stephens College.  Hunt holds a Registered Nurse License in Georgia and a Compact License, a multistate license that allows a nurse to practice with patients across state lines, she said. She has nursing experience in pediatrics, obstetrics, medical/surgical and industrial health, as well as a Red Cross volunteer and CPR instructor. She works with the American Council on Education on Accreditation in higher education programs and on the development of the ACE Military Guide.  She teaches classes covering healthcare delivery systems, reimbursement, healthcare administrative procedures, practice law and ethics, management fundamentals and healthcare leadership and professional effectiveness.  Stephens said she graduated with an associate degree in Nursing from Georgia Highlands College and pursued her master’s degree in Nursing at Western Governors University. She worked as a Registered Nurse for more than 20 years and also performed medical transcription and medical coding/quality assurance duties.  Both a Certified Professional Coder and an American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Approved Instructor, Stephens has taught all courses within the Business Healthcare Technology department, as well as a few in the Allied Health program, she said. Her current classes mostly consist of those related to coding, auditing and reimbursement.  Founded in 1962, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is celebrating 60 years of providing quality workforce education to the citizens of northwest Georgia. Students have the opportunity to earn an associate degree, diploma or a certificate in aviation, business, health, industrial or public service career paths. This past year, 11,134 people benefited from GNTC’s credit and noncredit programs. GNTC has an annual credit enrollment of 8,528 students and an additional enrollment of 2,606 people through adult education, continuing education, business and industry training and Georgia Quick Start. For more information about GNTC, visit us at www.GNTC.edu. GNTC is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia and an Equal Opportunity Institution.

Courts | News, Sports, Jobs – Morning Journal News https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/courts-news-sports-jobs-morning-journal-news-2/ Common Pleas New Cases Kenny Armstrong, Y & O Road, East Liverpool, and Noel McCoy, Hammond Park Drive, Wellsville; dissolution sought. Kelli Stasik, Commerce Street, Wellsville, and Paul Stasik, Scio; dissolution sought. Nationstar Mortgage LLC, Coppell, Texas, vs. Jeremy McElroy, West Grant Street, East Palestine, et al.; mortgage foreclosure sought. J.P. Morgan Mortgage Acquisition Corp., Anaheim, Calif., vs. Zachary Coker, Walnut Street, Salem, et al.; mortgage foreclosure sought. Mary Jarrett, Southeast Boulevard, Salem, vs. Michael Jarrett, Howard Street, Salem; divorce sought. Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC vs. Dylan Morrow, Stump Road, Minerva; case transferred from Alliance Municipal Court, collection of $1,142 debt sought. Pennymac Loan Services, LLC, Moonpark, Calif., vs. Jeffry A. Davis, Fairview Court, Salem, et al.; mortgage foreclosure sought. Douglas Raffle, Irondale, vs. PHD Manufacturing, Columbiana Waterford Road, Columbiana, and Bureau of Workers’ Compensation; appeal of Industrial Commission of Ohio decision to refuse hearing employer appeal. Jerrica Pelley, Tenth Street, Wellsville, vs. Jacob Witmer, East Woodland Avenue, Columbiana, and Progressive Casualty Insurance Company, Mayfield Village, et al.; personal injury/damages claim from 2020 traffic accident in Wellsville. Progressive Specialty Insurance Company, Los Angeles, Calif., vs. Jacob Witmer, East Woodland Avenue, Columbiana; collection sought of $15,426 paid for 2020 accident claim. Docket Entries Brian Gallina and Robyn Blake; dissolution granted. Ashlee Severs vs. Matthew Severs; divorce granted. County Treasurer vs. unknown heirs June E. Potts, et al.; delinquent property tax foreclosure ordered for state Route 39, Salineville property. County Treasurer vs. Michael Owens, et al.; delinquent property tax foreclosure ordered for Ninth Street, East Liverpool property. Columbiana Floral Company Inc. vs. Edward Stanko; case dismissed. Trinity Financial Services LLC vs. Carl Barnett, et al.; mortgage foreclosure ordered for Jimtown Road, East Palestine property. County Treasurer vs. Nathan Daniels Jr., et al.; sheriff sale canceled, case stayed. County Treasurer vs. James M. Davis, et al.; delinquent property tax foreclosure ordered for Hillsdale Street and Clark Street, East Liverpool properties. Court News LISBON — A Pennsylvania man who robbed the Buckeye Pharmacy in Calcutta at gunpoint three years ago pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony with a gun specification and having weapons under disability, third-degree felony. Michael Lukan, 65, Georgetown, Pa., appeared in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court before Judge Scott Washam for the plea hearing, with sentencing set at 1 p.m. Dec. 20. According to the plea agreement, the prosecution will recommend nine years in prison for the aggravated robbery charge and three years for the weapons under disability charge, with both terms to be served at the same time, but consecutive to a mandatory three-year term for the gun specification, for a total prison term of 12 years. Lukan brandished a handgun when he robbed the store on Nov. 12, 2019. At the time, he was prohibited from possessing a gun due to a previous felony conviction in 1983 in Washington County, Pa., for rape. Also in Common Pleas Court: — William Davis, 34, North Market Street, Lisbon, was found competent to stand trial and ineligible for the insanity defense for aggravated burglary, a first-degree felony, and felonious assault, a second-degree felony, for allegedly entering another man’s apartment in Lisbon on Nov. 7, 2021 and assaulting him. A motion to suppress hearing was set Nov. 7 after the defense filed a motion to suppress statements Davis made to police on Nov. 7, 2021 and Nov. 8, 2021, claiming the admissions were made under duress and in violation of his rights. A status hearing was set Feb. 13, followed by a jury trial Feb. 28. — Daniel Mathes, 30, state Route 154, Rogers, was sentenced to 180 days in jail, with 124 days credit, leaving a balance of 56 days to serve for grand theft of a motor vehicle, a fourth-degree felony. Mathes on May 28, 2021 stole a Kia belonging to David Witherow. — Lawrence Norton, 57, Rochester Road, East Rochester, was placed under community control for three years and ordered to serve six months at the Eastern Ohio Correction Center in Wintersville for violation of a protection order, a fifth-degree felony. A motion his attorney filed to withdraw his plea was denied. The protection order violation occurred on June 12, 2021, with the indictment noting Norton had previously been convicted of a protection order violation. Municipal LISBON — In Columbiana County Municipal Court, a case against Shane Allen Jenkins, 31, Steubenville, was bound over to the county grand jury on charges of third-degree felony compelling prostitution, fourth-degree felony attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, and fifth-degree felonies of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles, possessing criminal tools and importuning. Jenkins allegedly arranged for sexual conduct in exchange for $120 with an undercover Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force agent posing online as a 15-year-old female and also sent a photo message of his private parts to the undercover agent, then traveled to Salem on Sept. 27 for the meeting. A preliminary hearing was set Oct. 13 for Tammy Sue Merriman, 51, Martha Street, East Liverpool, charged with receiving stolen property for allegedly have a stolen vehicle in her possession on Oct. 5 in St. Clair Township. David Kern, 51, Warren, was fined $750 for engaging in prostitution and possessing criminal tools for arranging to have sexual activity with an adult female after answering an ad placed on a known escort website by an undercover Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force agent and arriving in East Palestine for the meeting July 13. He was ordered to forfeit $120 to East Palestine police and was buying out 40 hours community service. A pretrial was set Oct. 17 for Alecia OHanlon, 36, Dunn Road, East Liverpool, charged with two counts of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle for allegedly taking a vehicle without permission on Sept. 28 from Dunn Road, East Liverpool and using a vehicle belonging to the same victim on Oct. 1, also without permission. A pretrial was set Nov. 22 for Andrew Buchs, 42, Bandy Road, North Benton, charged with telecommunications harassment for allegedly contacting a woman via 58 text messages and 18 phone calls on Sept. 2 after she told him multiple times to stop. A pretrial was set Nov. 22 for Ieisha Renea Stalling, 30, Youngstown, charged with complicity for allegedly traveling to East Palestine on May 14 with another woman for an arranged sex for hire meeting. Timothy Sabau, 49, Cortland, was fined $1,250, ordered to forfeit $140 to the East Palestine police and permitted to buy out 50 hours community service for engaging in prostitution and possessing criminal tools. Sabau solicited sexual conduct in exchange for $140 from a Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force agent posing as an adult female and traveled Sept. 29 to East Palestine for the meeting. Sue Baddeley, 58, Newgarden Avenue, Salem, was fined $450 and sentenced to 180 days in jail, with 179 days suspended and credit for one day served for assault, with a charge of menacing dismissed. Baddeley was accused of assaulting and threatening a male victim at the Flying Pig Saloon in Salem on March 23 while consuming alcohol and refusing to leave after being asked to leave the establishment. Anthony Eberhart, 34, Moore Street, East Liverpool, was fined $150 and sentenced to 30 days in jail, with 22 days suspended and credit for eight days served for domestic violence. He was ordered to perform 30 hours community service. Eberhart was accused of sending a woman a photo of himself brandishing a weapon and making her fear for her life on Sept. 21 in East Liverpool. A pretrial was set Nov. 28 for David Gromley, 39, Railroad Street, Kensington, charged with disorderly conduct for allegedly threatening to harm a person and engaging in violent behavior toward the person on Sept. 20 at the scene of an injury accident on state Route 644, Kensington in front of police and firefighters. William Joseph Martin, 50, State Street, Salineville, was ordered to serve seven days in jail, with credit for four days served, for violating his probation on charges of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, failure to stop after an accident, driving under suspension, failure to control and no seat belt. He also had a case bound over to the grand jury for breaking and entering, a fifth-degree felony, for allegedly trespassing on a Haiti Road, Salineville property on Sept. 27. John Yoho, 25, West Middletown Road, Salem, was fined $1,100 and sentenced to 90 days in jail, with 84 days suspended and credit for three days for a driver intervention program, leaving three days to serve for OVI and failure to control. His license was suspended for one year, with driving privileges granted. He may buy out 20 hours community service. A pretrial was set Oct. 17 for Carter Hollinger, 21, Enon Valley, Pa., charged with disorderly conduct for an incident Oct. 5 in St. Clair Township when he allegedly walked in the road, flipping off motorists and acting aggressive toward officers. A pretrial was set Nov. 17 for Ryan Adkins, 37, East Eighth Street, East Liverpool, charged with disorderly conduct for allegedly acting disorderly while walking intoxicated on McGuffey Road in St. Clair Township on Oct. 5. Todd Williams, 33, Cleveland, was fined $750 and sentenced to 20 days in jail, with credit for three days served, for fleeing and eluding a police officer and driving under suspension. The driving u...

Top 10 Tips When Booking Your Olivia Cruise – San Francisco Bay Times – San Francisco Bay Times https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/top-10-tips-when-booking-your-olivia-cruise-san-francisco-bay-times-san-francisco-bay-times/ By Maggie Beaumier and Kelly McMahon– For nearly five decades, Olivia’s mission has been to provide safe and celebrating spaces for lesbians and LGBTQ+ women. And today, that mission continues. Olivia is the leading travel company for lesbians and LGBTQ+ women, having produced well over 300 trips for more than 350,000 women. From large cruises to resorts, intimate riverboats to adventure vacations, the company always charters the entire ship or resort so that guests can always feel free to be themselves. Exceptional entertainment, friendly personalized service from Team Olivia, bucket list destinations, and friendships that last a lifetime are just some of the highlights guests will find on an Olivia vacation. Follow these tips to make the most out of your Olivia trip: 1. Talk to an Olivia Travel Consultant. You can book online at any time, but you can also talk to an Olivia Travel Consultant who will be happy to answer any questions. They can help you select the cabin that best fits your needs and your budget. They can also set you up with a payment plan and recommend which travel insurance coverage is best for you. Not ready to book just yet? Your consultant can put a courtesy hold on a cabin so you can talk it over with your partner … or better yet, if it’s a surprise, they can make sure we keep it a secret (at least until embarkation day). 2. Buy travel insurance. You’ve earned your vacation. Safeguard your investment, whether you buy travel insurance through Olivia or on your own. Protect yourself in case of lost baggage, missed flights, or medical emergencies while traveling. It’s worth the peace of mind. 3. Make sure your passport isn’t expired. If you’re sailing to an international destination, it’s always a good idea to bring a passport, even if it’s not required for the ports you’ll be visiting. If you ever need an emergency flight home, it will be much easier to book if you have your passport on hand. Also make sure that it hasn’t expired and is valid for at least six months after your cruise ends. 4. Pack smart. Olivia cruisers have all sorts of tips and tricks to share. Some favorites include bringing magnets to attach Olivia’s daily program to your cabin wall or decorations to spruce up your door with pictures and other mementos. Towel clips will stop your beach towel from flying off your lounger on a breezy day. Packing cubes are perfect for squeezing one more theme night outfit into your luggage. Hanging shoe bags store toiletries vertically and keep your bathroom clutter free. 5. Put medications in your carry-on and important documents in a folder. Stay prepared and organized by packing your medications (including an extra week’s supply) and valuables in your carry-on and your important documents all in one folder. Keep your cruise ticket and passport close at hand as you may have to show them a few times during embarkation. Depending on your itinerary, you may also need to carry your passport or other documents with you when you go ashore. 6. Join the Olivia Facebook Group for your cruise. Every Olivia trip has a Facebook group. Be sure to join as it’s a great way to make new friends even before you step on board. Stay connected, get insider tips from seasoned Olivia travelers, and share in the excitement of your upcoming vacation! 7. Arrive a day or two ahead of your cruise departure. Plan to arrive at least a day ahead of the sail date, especially if you are flying. Arriving early helps ensure that you don’t miss the boat (literally). Plus, it allows you to shake off any jet lag and rest up before embarkation day. Olivia provides host hotels with preferential rates for our guests. Be sure to book early since Olivia room blocks can sell out quickly. 8. Get to know your ship. Familiarize yourself with the deck layout and take a virtual tour. On embarkation day, walk along the decks and take yourself on a tour of the ship. Scout out some favorite spots, including any quiet corners in case you need some downtime or a private space to soak in all of the Olivia excitement around you. 9. Be prepared to celebrate. Come as you are and indulge in the entire Olivia experience—from incredible entertainment and signature programming to community and camaraderie 24/7. Be prepared to make friendships that will last a lifetime. 10. Don’t feel like you have to do it all. With so many exciting events happening all week—including solo traveler meet and greets, Sisters at Play mixers for BIPOC guests, Gen-O gatherings for Olivians under 40, OWL trivia (for Older Wiser Lesbians), alumni parties, nightly entertainment, theme nights with incredible DJs, and so much more—you just might need a vacation after your vacation. But remember, you can do as much or as little as you’d like. This is your time, and you’ll want to find moments just to chill, relax, and watch the world sail by. Maggie Beaumier and Kelly McMahon are proud members of the Olivia Travel team. https://www.olivia.com/ Published on October 6, 2022 %