Benton County News Now

Lakeview Educator Is 2022 Ohio Teacher Of The Year – Warren Tribune Chronicle https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/lakeview-educator-is-2022-ohio-teacher-of-the-year-warren-tribune-chronicle/ CORTLAND – Melissa Kmetz, a 2007 graduate of Youngstown State University and third grade teacher at Lakeview Elementary school, is the 2023 Ohio Teacher of the Year as announced by the Ohio Department of Education. She was awarded the honor by interim state Superintendent of Public Instruction, Stephanie K. Siddens, during a school assembly today at Lakeview Elementary. The annual award identifies exceptional teachers, celebrates effectiveness working with students inside and outside of the classroom in providing opportunities to grow professionally, as well as leadership and advocacy. Kmetz began her 20-year teaching career at Salem City School District for three years where she taught kindergarten, the next 17 years of her career have been at Lakeview. Read MORE in Wednesday’s TRIBUNE CHRONICLE. Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox

How To Invest In The Metaverse? Compare Metaverse Investment Products – Cryptonews https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/how-to-invest-in-the-metaverse-compare-metaverse-investment-products-cryptonews/ Disclaimer: The Industry Talk section features insights by crypto industry players and is not a part of the editorial content of Cryptonews.com. An emerging trend to keep an eye on from an investment perspective is the metaverse.  This concept is expected to play a major role in the future of web 3.0 in conjunction with blockchain technology and NFTs.  Therefore, the purpose of this guide is to explain in layman’s terms how to invest in the metaverse while this concept is still in its infancy.   Our Recommended Best Metaverse Investment for 2022 Overall, Tamadoge represents one of the best ways to invest in the metaverse. This newly launched project has already raised presale funding of over $19 million. Investors are banking on the broader Tamadoge ecosystem becoming a huge hit in the coming years.  The project is building a play-to-earn gaming platform that enables players to mint and breed virtual pets via blockchain NFTs. The ‘Tamaverse’ will subsequently reward players in its native crypto asset – TAMA, for entering battles with their virtual pets.  In addition to its metaverse and NFT ecosystem, Tamadoge will also target other emerging technologies – such as augmented reality.  We discuss Tamadoge in addition to a number of other notable metaverse investments in greater detail further down in this guide. Buy Tamadoge on OKX CEX Buy Tamadoge on OKX DEX  How to Invest in the Metaverse in 4 Simple Steps In this section, we offer a brief overview of how to invest in metaverse projects like Tamaverse in under five minutes.  Step 1: Open OKX Account – The Tamadoge presale has now sold out. Fortunately for those that missed out, Tamadoge is now listed on OKX – which is one of the largest crypto exchanges globally. Get the process started by opening an account with OKX.  Step 2: Deposit Funds – OKX makes the deposit process easy for first-time metaverse investors, as it supports debit/credit cards. Upload some ID to deposit fiat money into the OKX account. Crypto deposits at OKX do not require a KYC process (limits apply). Step 3: Buy TAMA – Next, investors can use the search box to find the relevant market. Then, type in the total investment stake to buy Tamadoge tokens in real time.  Step 4: Withdraw TAMA to Wallet – This step is optional, albeit, it’s best to withdraw the TAMA tokens from OKX and into a private crypto wallet. Those learning how to invest in metaverse crypto projects like Tamadoge for the first time might likely require a more comprehensive tutorial – which can be found further down in this guide.  Buy Tamadoge on OKX CEX Buy Tamadoge on OKX DEX Ways of Investing in the Metaverse There are a variety of different ways to invest in the metaverse, across numerous asset classes and financial instruments.  This is good news for those investing in the metaverse for the first time, as investors can create a diversified portfolio to cover all bases.  Below, we explore some of the best ways to invest in the metaverse concept today.  Metaverse Crypto Assets One of the most seamless ways to invest in this emerging industry is to buy metaverse crypto coins. In a nutshell, there is a small selection of metaverse projects that are already active in this space – each of which has its own native crypto asset.  A great example of this is Decentraland. This metaverse project – which is built on top of the Ethereum blockchain, is backed by the MANA token. MANA is the primary currency of the Decentraland metaverse world – meaning that all internal transactions are conducted with the token.  This means that from an investment perspective, the easiest way to buy into the future of Decentraland is via MANA. To offer some insight into the growth of MANA, the token was priced at just $0.025 in 2017. MANA has since hit an all-time high of $5.90 – which translates into growth of over 23,500%.   Other examples in this space include the Sandbox (SAND), Axie Infinity (AXS), and MyNeighborAlice (ALICE). Interestingly, each of the aforementioned metaverse crypto projects operates on the Ethereum blockchain. As a result, another option is to invest in ETH tokens, as the respective blockchain is the go-to network for metaverse projects.    Another option for those that missed out on the likes of Decentraland and the Sandbox is Tamadoge.  As noted above, Tamadoge – which is one of the best long-term crypto assets to gain exposure to the metaverse, has just completed its presale campaign and will list on OKX in the coming days.  We discuss the best metaverse crypto to invest in further down.  Buy Metaverse Crypto Coins on eToro Cryptoassets are highly volatile and unregulated. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply.  Metaverse Real Estate One of the best metaverse investment opportunities to consider is to purchase virtual real estate. In a nutshell, metaverse projects like Decentraland and the Sandbox enable investors to buy virtual plots of land.  The value of the virtual plot will depend on a range of variables, such as its size and location within the metaverse.  For example, buying a plot next to Snoop Dogg’s mansion in the Sandbox will likely cost in excess of a million dollars.  However, much cheaper plots are available elsewhere.  Crucially, each virtual plot of land is represented by an NFT, which ensures that it can be traded or even flipped after making the purchase.  One of the largest metaverse NFT purchases to date – which consisted of 100 virtual islands within the Sandbox, sold for over $4 million.     Metaverse NFTs Another way to gain exposure to the metaverse is by purchasing NFTs.  Within the metaverse world, each NFT is unique from the next and enables investors to prove that they own a digital item.  The NFT will be stored on the blockchain and will therefore be tradable on a wallet-to-wallet basis. An example of one of the best NFT categories in this space is Beeple’s Human One. In what the project calls the “first human born in the metaverse”, this NFT recently sold for just under $30 million.  This once again highlights that serious capital is being pumped into the metaverse investment scene, even though the concept is still in its infancy.  Nonetheless, investors won’t need millions of dollars to buy Metaverse NFTs. On the contrary, some NFTs can be purchased with just a few dollars.  For example, when the Tamadoge play-to-earn game is eventually launched, virtual pet NFTs can be minted at affordable prices. Moreover, in-game items within the Decentraland metaverse world can be purchased cost-effectively via the NFT marketplace.  Metaverse Games We have mentioned play-to-earn games in this guide several times and for good reason. Put simply, many metaverse projects double up as games. This means that players from all over the world can play games with the view of winning real-world rewards.  More specifically, play-to-earn gaming rewards are paid out in the native crypto asset of the respective metaverse project. For instance, Tamadoge will enable players to earn TAMA, while in the case of Axie Infinity, rewards are paid in AXS.  Either way, this offers the opportunity to build a collection of metaverse crypto coins without needing to actually invest any money. On the contrary, this can be achieved simply by committing time to the respective game.  Metaverse Stocks A more conventional way to invest in the metaverse is by looking for suitable stocks. Although there are not any pureplay metaverse companies to invest in, Meta Platforms is arguably one of the most notable metaverse stocks in this space.   After all, the company recently rebranded from Facebook to Meta Platforms for the very purpose of highlighting its intentions to invest in this emerging concept.  In fact, many billions of dollars are now being invested into Meta Platform’s subsidiary division, Reality Labs, which focuses on the metaverse in addition to augmented and virtual reality.  Metaverse investing in the stock market is perhaps the most convenient option for beginners, considering that there is no requirement to buy or store crypto tokens.  We discuss additional companies investing in metaverse technologies in the following section of this guide.  Best Metaverse Investments To offer some insight into the best metaverse opportunities in the market today – we will now discuss 10 notable investments.  1. Tamadoge – Overall Best Way to Invest in the Metaverse As noted earlier, Tamadoge perhaps represents the overall best way to invest in the metaverse for maximum upside potential. To recap, Tamadoge is behind one of the best crypto presales of the year, raising $19 million in the process.  The TAMA token will be the newest coin listing on OKX in the coming days, which is a large crypto exchange with many millions of active traders. The growth of the TAMA token will directly correlate with its roadmap objectives being met in the coming months.  This includes building and launching its play-to-earn metaverse game, which centres on virtual pet NFTs. Players will be motivated to engage with the Tamaverse, not least because gaming rewards are distributed in TAMA tokens.  This offers a way for players to invest in the metaverse without actually risking any capital. However, time-starved investors will find it more seamless to buy Tamadoge tokens on OKX. The token will launch on OKX with a minute market capitalization, meaning that early investors can target an attractive upside.  All in all, Tamadoge is shaped to become one of the best future cryptocurrency projects in the ever-growing metaverse world.   Buy Tamadoge on OKX CEX Buy Tamadoge on OKX DEX 2. Battle Infinity – Low-Cap Metaverse Crypto Project With P2E Gaming Rewards  In a similar nature to Tamadoge, Batt...

Anime Roundup: Everything Coming Out In October 1-7 – Geek Girl Authority https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/anime-roundup-everything-coming-out-in-october-1-7-geek-girl-authority/ Welcome to another installment of the monthly anime roundup, where we give you a detailed list of everything coming out! Fall has finally arrived, bringing some hot new anime releases to enjoy on chilly nights inside.  Remember that due to the Funimation/Crunchyroll merger, there is no new anime debuting on Funimation. Funimation will continue to add episodes of current shows, but the new series will air exclusively on Crunchyroll. We will miss Funimation, but as we look to the future, we have everything here you should watch.  My Hero Academia (Season 6) – October 1 The best news of the October Anime Roundup is that we don’t have to wait for the sixth season of My Hero Academia, as it is coming to Crunchyroll promptly on October 1. The season synopsis reads that Deku is doing his work-study at the office of the number one hero, Endeavor. Working hard in the best possible environment, he is growing as a hero and using Blackwhip, a new Quirk that was hiding in One For All. Meanwhile, Tomura Shigaraki from the League of Villains clashes against the Metahuman Liberation Army led by Re-Destro.  RELATED: D23 EXPO 2022: Supervillains Are Knocking in New Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur Teaser SpyxFamily – October 1 October 1 is going to be a big day with the highly anticipated return of SpyxFamily as well. If you haven’t caught up with this hit from the summer, the series synopsis reads like this: World peace is at stake and secret agent Twilight must undergo his most difficult mission yet—pretend to be a family man. Posing as a loving husband and father, he’ll infiltrate an elite school to get close to a high-profile politician. He has the perfect cover, except his wife’s a deadly assassin and neither knows each other’s identity. But someone does, his adopted daughter who’s a telepath! Watch it on Crunchyroll. Uzaki-Chan Wants to Hang Out! (Season 2) – October 1 College junior Shinichi Sakurai may have been at the mercy of his pesky junior, Hana Uzaki, but his summer vacation turned out to be boredom-free. Still, that just wasn’t enough hanging out for Uzaki-Chan. Season 2 is coming to Crunchyroll.  Berserk: The Golden Age Arc – Memorial Edition – October 1 The lone mercenary Guts travels a land ravaged by a hundred-year war. Moving from battlefield to battlefield, his skill and ferocity eventually attract the attention of Griffith, the leader of a group of mercenaries called “The Band of the Hawk.” Desiring Guts’ power to help him achieve his goals, Griffith succeeds in recruiting the distrustful Guts by challenging him to a duel and defeating him. Pop Team Epic (Season 2) – October 1 What do you get when you mix two friends, one quick to anger and the other cool as a cucumber and throw them into the most ridiculous situations imaginable? You get Pop Team Epic! Popuko and Pipimi are back for another genre-bending season full of incredibly bizarre situations, hijinks and a splash of crude behavior. Watch it on Crunchyroll. RELATED:8 Anime Opening Songs That Are Total Bops Raven of the Inner Palace – October 1 The Raven Consort is a special consort living deep in the inner palace who, despite her title, does not perform nighttime duties for the emperor. She has the ability to use mysterious arts and will accept any favor asked of her, whether it is to find something lost or to curse someone to death. Watch it on Crunchyroll. Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury – October 2 An era when a multitude of corporations entered space and built a huge economic system. A lone girl from the remote planet Mercury transfers to the Asticassia School of Technology, run by the Beneritt Group, which dominates the mobile suit industry. With a scarlet light burning in her pure heart, this girl walks step by step through a new world. Watch it on Crunchyroll. Beast Tamer – October 2 Rein is a beast tamer who fights alongside the hero and his party to bring down Demon King. But one day, his comrades declare him useless and kick him out of the party. Afterward, he decides to start living a carefree life as an adventurer. Watch it on Crunchyroll. IDOLiSH7! Third BEAT! – October 2 A group of aspiring idols gather at Takanashi Productions and are entrusted with the company’s future. The seven men who have just met represent a variety of totally different personalities. However, they each have their own charm and possess unknown potential as idols. In the glorious but sometimes harsh world of idols, they aim for the top with dreams in their hearts. Watch it on Crunchyroll. Shinobi no Ittoki – October 4 Ittoki Sakuraba was an ordinary student until his life was turned upside down. Now a student at Kokuten Ninja Academy, a high school specializing in Shinobi techniques, Ittoki learns the way of the modern-day ninja, equipped with high-tech suits and gadgets. Together along with students from the other clans, they must clash with the Koga in an attempt to end the rivalry once and for all. Watch it on Crunchyroll.  RELATED: 8 Anime Outros Too Good to Skip VAZZROCK the Animation – October 4 The male idol units VAZZY and ROCK DOWN debut in this new TSUKIPRO anime series. Watch on Crunchyroll. Mob Psycho 100 III – October 5 In order to save the boss of The Claw, Suzuki, Mob absorbed all of the energy and caused giant broccoli to sprout within the city. The broccoli is now revered as a divine tree by the Psycho Helmet Religion, and eventually, the whole city becomes enchanted by this dangerous tree. Now, Mob must figure out a way to cut down this divine tree with Reigen, Ritsu, and Teru, but will they be successful? Watch on Crunchyroll.  Do It Yourself!! – October 5 There is a prestigious high school where students with the latest science and technology skills from all over the country gather. Right next to it, there is also a very ordinary school.The girls in the school are often compared with those in the neighbor school. In their school’s playground, there is an old log house used for DIY club room. The story begins with the girls in the club room that looks a bit outdated- making a treehouse by using the tree behind the log house. Muv-Luv Alternative (Season 2) – October 5 A story of the bonds between those who fight, in a world pushed to its limits. On one of the countless parallel worlds that exist throughout spacetime, humanity has fought a decades-long war against the BETA, hostile extraterrestrial invaders, using humanoid fighting machines called Tactical Surface Fighters. This is a story of how humanity lives and dies while on the brink of extinction. The Human Crazy University – October 5 Satake Hirofumi is a prisoner on death row for murdering his fiancée. For this, he has earned the interest of a research institution which studies real-life miraculous phenomena and the people who become entangled in them. Now a subject of their research, Satake relates to them his memories of his immortal, yet unhappy, life. Why did he kill his fiancée? The truth exposes a much bigger conspiracy. Legend of Mana -The Teardrop Crystal – October 7 In a small town, Shiloh meets two people of the Jumi race. The Jumi have long been hunted and killed for the gemstones embedded in their chests, and now, cases of mysterious gemstone thieves attacking Jumi are breaking out all over the world. Thus Shiloh sets out on an adventure centering around the Jumi gemstones. Catch it on Crunchyroll. With such a strong start to the Fall Anime season, you could only watch the October offerings and still have a full schedule. Of course, that was just week one of the October Anime Roundup and we still have a lot of ground to cover. What will you be watching first?  Anime Roundup: Everything Coming Out in September Author Recent Posts Lauren is a kidlit author and certified nerd. When not writing you can often find her reading comics, decorating her Animal Crossing Island, or arguing some nuanced facet of her fandoms. Latest posts by Lauren Darnell (see all)

Crypto Exchange FTX Is Replacing Its U.S. President – CNBC https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/crypto-exchange-ftx-is-replacing-its-u-s-president-cnbc/ Brett Harrison, FTX Source: CNBC Brett Harrison, the U.S. president of the crypto exchange FTX, announced his resignation on Tuesday, with the company in the midst of a massive expansion effort. Harrison said on Twitter that he will be moving into an advisory role at the company and said he plans to remain in the industry. “I have deep gratitude for my experiences at FTX in the last year and a half,” he wrote in a tweet. Harrison joined FTX, whose parent company is based in the Bahamas, in May 2021 after spending close to two years at Citadel Securities. Earlier in his career, he spent over seven years at Jane Street, the quantitative trading firm where FTX founder and CEO Sam Bankman-Fried got his start in finance. On FTX’s website, Harrison is the executive listed immediately after Bankman-Fried, and his title there is CEO of FTX US Derivatives. He concluded his Twitter thread by saying that he “can’t wait to share” what he’ll be doing next and, in the meantime, “I’ll be assisting Sam and the team with this transition to ensure FTX ends the year with all its characteristic momentum.” FTX, which was valued at $32 billion in a funding round earlier this year, is in talks with investors to raise up to $1 billion at a roughly flat valuation, CNBC reported last week, citing sources familiar with the matter. The company has been working to expand in the U.S., announcing Monday that it is set to buy Voyager Digital’s assets billion for $1.4 billion after winning a bankruptcy auction. In addition to Voyager Digital, FTX has been seeking out distressed crypto assets in the U.S. as it tries to expand its market share during the so-called crypto winter. In July, FTX signed a deal that gives it the option to buy lender BlockFi. FTX received a cease-and-desist warning from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in August, instructing the company to stop “misleading” consumers about the insurance status of their funds. “We really didn’t mean to mislead anyone, and we didn’t suggest that FTX US itself, or that crypto/non-fiat assets, benefit from FDIC insurance,” Harrison wrote on Twitter at the time.

Oil Up $2 A Barrel From Multi-Month Low On U.S. Gulf Supply Cuts, Softer Dollar – Reuters https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/oil-up-2-a-barrel-from-multi-month-low-on-u-s-gulf-supply-cuts-softer-dollar-reuters/ An aerial view shows oil tanks of Transneft oil pipeline operator at the crude oil terminal Kozmino on the shore of Nakhodka Bay near the port city of Nakhodka, Russia June 13, 2022. Picture taken with a drone. REUTERS/Tatiana Meel Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com BP, Chevron cut offshore oil production ahead of Hurricane Ian Iraq says OPEC monitoring prices, seeks market balance Coming up: API supply report at 4:30 p.m. EDT, 2030 GMT NEW YORK, Sept 27 (Reuters) – Oil rose by $2 a barrel on Tuesday from a nine-month low a day earlier, supported by supply curbs in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico ahead of Hurricane Ian and a slight softening in the U.S. dollar. Prices also drew support from analyst expectations of possible supply cuts from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies (OPEC+), which meets to set policy on Oct. 5. Brent crude was up $2.35, or 2.8%, to $86.41 a barrel at 10:52 a.m. EDT (1452 GMT). On Monday it fell as low as $83.65, the lowest since January. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was up $2.04, or 2.7%, at $78.74. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Crude soared after Russia invaded Ukraine in February, with Brent coming close to its all-time high of $147 in March. Recently, worries about recession, high interest rates and dollar strength have weighed. “Oil is currently under the influence of financial forces,” said Tamas Varga of oil broker PVM. “In the meantime, relief rallies, like the one this morning caused by Hurricane Ian in the U.S. Gulf, are viewed as temporary phenomena.” The dollar edged back from a 20-year high, which also supported oil. A strong dollar makes crude more expensive for buyers using other currencies. Supply cuts also lent support. BP and Chevron said on Monday they had shut production at offshore platforms in the Gulf of Mexico as Hurricane Ian approached. read more The outages may only provide a momentary reprieve for oil prices, Jim Ritterbusch, of Ritterbusch and Associates, said in a note. “Outages are apt to prove brief,” Ritterbusch said, adding that the Gulf of Mexico represents “only about 15% of total U.S. production amidst this shale age” so the effect “is apt to be minimal.” The oil price drop has raised speculation that OPEC+ could intervene. Iraq’s oil minister on Monday said the group was monitoring prices and did not want a sharp increase or a collapse. read more “Only a production cut by OPEC+ can break the negative momentum in the short run,” said Giovanni Staunovo and Wayne Gordon of Swiss bank UBS. The market is awaiting the latest U.S. inventory reports, which analysts expect will show a 300,000-barrel increase in crude stocks. The American Petroleum Institute’s report is out on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m EDT (2030 GMT). Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Additional reporting by Alex Lawler in London and Mohi Narayan in New Delhi; Editing by David Evans, Mark Potter and David Gregorio Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

ATTO Technology Strengthens Latin America Distribution With Adistec Partnership – The Bakersfield Californian https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/atto-technology-strengthens-latin-america-distribution-with-adistec-partnership-the-bakersfield-californian/ AMHERST, N.Y., Sept. 27, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ATTO Technology, Inc., a global leader of network, storage connectivity and infrastructure solutions for data-intensive computing environments, announces a distribution agreement with Adistec Corp. that extends the availability of the ATTO high-performance storage and network connectivity portfolio into Latin America. Adistec is a value-added distributor of data center, networking and security solutions, specializing in the discrete business and technology requirements that vary widely from country to country. Adistec complements its product portfolio with cloud services running in several proprietary data centers, as well as extensive consulting and educational services. Many media, IT and networking companies, including Fortune 1,000 brands, rely on Adistec to extend their market reach and ensure customer delivery. ATTO joins their close partners Intel, Quantum and Avid, among others, in leveraging the hard work of the entire Adistec team. “Adistec has been doing amazing work for our partners in Latin America where there is a lot of market potential,” said Tim Klein, president and CEO, ATTO Technology. “Working with Adistec was an obvious choice – we look forward to a long and successful partnership!” “Our Media & Entertainment business unit continues to grow,” said Marcelo Gardelin, Adistec Media & Entertainment Director – Americas. “We are very proud that ATTO Technology has chosen us to represent them across Latin America.” With this distribution partnership, ATTO Technology’s entire high-performance storage and network connectivity portfolio is available in Latin America, keeping pace with growing demand not only in business and government data centers but in the television, film, music and education markets as well. Purchase ATTO products through leading Value Added Resellers, System Integrators and the ATTO Web Store. Learn more: www.atto.com/howtobuy/ Follow ATTO on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook (@ATTOTechnology). ABOUT ATTO For 34 years ATTO Technology, Inc. has been a global leader across IT and media & entertainment, specializing in network and storage connectivity and infrastructure solutions for the most data-intensive computing environments. ATTO works with customers and partners to deliver end-to-end solutions to better store, manage and deliver data, often as an extension of their design teams. ATTO manufactures host adapters, SmartNICs, storage appliances and controllers, intelligent bridges, Thunderbolt adapters, and software. ATTO solutions provide the highest level of storage connectivity performance for Fibre Channel, SAS, SATA, iSCSI, Ethernet, NVMe and Thunderbolt. ATTO is the Power Behind the Storage. ABOUT ADISTEC Adistec is a leader in value-added distribution in the Americas, including the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean. Established in 2002, our organization delivers 100% IT solutions through channels. We are a team of professionals specialized in Datacenter and Security bringing a portfolio of leading brands in each of these areas to our business partners. We strengthen our partners’ business through five business units: Distribution, Education, Professional Services, Cloud Solutions and Adistec Integrated Solutions. All trademarks, trade names, service marks and logos referenced herein belong to their respective companies. Contact: Richard Root ATTO Technology, Inc. rroot@atto.com Phone: +1 (716) 691-1999 x285 Fax: +1 (716) 691-9353 Copyright 2022 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

GIGABYTE M27F A Gaming Monitor Review: 1080p 165Hz + Built-In KVM – TweakTown https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/gigabyte-m27f-a-gaming-monitor-review-1080p-165hz-built-in-kvm-tweaktown/ TweakTown’s Rating: 88% The Bottom Line GIGABYTE’s M27F-A gaming monitor is sub $200, features a native 1080p resolution and 165Hz refresh rate but the star of the show is the built-in KVM switch. Pros + KVM built-in is super awesome, very useful for those who need it + 27-inch IPS panel provides beautiful colors, sharp visuals + 165Hz refresh rate = work + gaming smoothness + Sub $200 pricing won’t break the bank Cons – 1080p resolution isn’t the best, but it’s $180 Should you buy it? AvoidConsiderShortlistBuy Introduction GIGABYTE’s new M27F A gaming monitor is the world’s first KVM gaming monitor, with the company sending over a review sample for me to check out… let’s dive right into it. 34 The GIGABYTE M27F-A gaming monitor, from the front VIEW GALLERY – 34 IMAGES The world’s first KVM monitor, hey? Is that something you’d use? If so… read on. If not… well, you might find the monitor has other perks like its 1080p resolution and 165Hz refresh rate. If 1440p and 4K are out of your budget — not just in terms of cost, but the GPU power required to run 1440p and 4K at 120FPS and over — then the GIGABYTE M27F A has its 1080p and 165Hz ready. The KVM feature of the monitor lets you plug multiple devices into the monitor, and then use a single keyboard, monitor, and mouse to control it all. You can press the exclusive KVM button on the GIGABYTE M27F gaming monitor to quickly switch between inputs. This is a great option for those who have two computers, but don’t want to use two different sets of mice and keyboards. USB Type-C is what enables the KVM abilities on the GIGABYTE M27F gaming monitor, which makes it especially useful if you are using a laptop and desktop PC. You can even access your smartphone or tablet through USB-C into the KVM feature of the monitor. This means you can use your monitor, mouse, and keyboard to control both your gaming PC and your laptop or smartphone. A single press of the KVM button on the back of the monitor and you’ve switched between inputs. Better yet, if you’re using your smartphone and want to play games or watch TV shows or movies on the bigger 27-inch IPS-based panel, you can. USB-C connectivity from your smartphone to the GIGABYTE M27F gaming monitor, a press of the KVM button on the back of the display, and you’re gaming on what is almost an IMAX-sized panel compared to your smartphone. 34 The KVM button on the back of the GIGABYTE M27F-A gaming monitor You’ve also got the 165Hz refresh rate, so if you’ve got a flagship gaming smartphone that can handle 120/144/165Hz refresh rates, the GIGABYTE M27F gaming monitor and USB-C connectivity with the built-in KVM feature is a real selling point. Maybe not for everyone, but as a nice bonus feature on the side — well, I should say the back with the KVN button location — is great to see at this price point. GIGABYTE has the M27F-A gaming monitor listed on Amazon for $179 at the time of writing. GIGABYTE M27F A 27″ 165Hz 1080p – KVM Gaming Monitor Today Yesterday 7 days ago 30 days ago $179.99 $179.99 $179.99 – Buy * Prices last scanned on 9/26/2022 at 10:18 pm CDT – prices may not be accurate, click links above for the latest price. We may earn an affiliate commission. Detailed Look GIGABYTE ships the M27F A gaming monitor in a rather plain box, leaving the fancier retail boxes for the AORUS gaming monitors. The company does detail what’s going on with the GIGABYTE M27F A gaming monitor, telling you everything you need to know on the box. 34 The retail packaging of the GIGABYTE M27F A gaming monitor The company does have a plastic strap wrapped around the styrofoam packaging, which keeps the styrofoam packaging from falling apart when you take the monitor out of the box. Speaking of pulling the GIGABYTE M27F A gaming monitor out of the box, you can pull the top styrofoam up which pulls the monitor up making it easier for you to pull it out of the box. 34 The front of the GIGABYTE M27F A gaming monitor 34 The back of the GIGABYTE M27F A gaming monitor GIGABYTE uses a thin bezel around the M27F A gaming monitor, at least at the top and sides. The stand… pun intended… stands out, which is something I don’t really like for a smaller 27-inch monitor. But, some people do like their monitors up close, but that stand might get in the way depending on how close. I use monitor stands for the most part, so it went directly onto the new Secretlab MAGNUS Monitor Arm. GIGABYTE includes a monitor stand, but also VESA mounting on the M27F A gaming monitor You’ve got a little bit of flexibility on the M27F A gaming monitor 34 The built-in KVM on the back of the GIGABYTE M27F A GIGABYTE has a nifty little KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) switch built directly into its M27F A gaming monitor, which means you can plug multiple sources into the single monitor and not have to have cables going everywhere, as well as multiple mice and keyboards on your desk. Connectivity, Specs, Marketing GIGABYTE’s new M27F-A gaming montior has dual HDMI 2.0 ports, a single DisplayPort 1.2 connector, USB-C connectivity, a 3.5mm headphone jack, USB 3.0 hub and dual USB 3.0 ports for I/O. 34 Panel size: 27 inches Panel type: IPS Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (1080p) Refresh rate: 165Hz Response time: 1ms (MPRT) Contrast ratio: 1000:1 HDR: Yes (up to 400 nits) Connectivity: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2, 1 x USB Type-C AC input max: 61W power 34 The built-in KVM switch on the GIGABYTE M27F-A gaming monitor. Test System Specs I’ve recently upgraded my major GPU test bed for 2022, but I will be upgrading again soon enough once Intel launches its new 13th Gen Core “Raptor Lake” CPUs and Z790 motherboards, and AMD with its upcoming Ryzen 7000 series “Zen 4” CPUs and X670E motherboards. 34 The new upgrades include the shift to the Intel Core i9-12900K processor, ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Extreme motherboard, 64GB of Sabrent Rocket DDR5-4800 memory, and 8TB of Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus PCIe 4.0 M.2 SSD goodness. Intel’s flagship Core i9-12900K is a beast, with the Alder Lake CPU packing 8 Performance cores (P-cores) and 8 Efficient cores (E-cores) at up to 5.2GHz. Motherboard: ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Extreme 34 I’ve got that installed into the bigger-than-life ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Extreme motherboard, which is absolutely loaded to the brim with technologies and features that it houses everything you need. We’re talking about one of the best-looking designs on a motherboard yet, PCIe 5.0 support, enthusiast-grade 10GbE networking, and oh-so-much more. RAM: 64GB Sabrent Rocket DDR5-4800 34 Sabrent helped out in a huge way by sending over 64GB of DDR5-4800 memory in the form of 4 x 16GB DDR5-4800 modules of its new Sabrent Rocket DDR5 memory. The company also helped out in an even bigger way, supplying us with a gigantic and super-fast 8TB model of its Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD. SSD: 8TB Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus M.2 34 We’re talking about 7.5GB/sec+ (7500MB/sec) from a single M.2 SSD, along with a gigantic 8TB of capacity. The 2TB drives aren’t big enough for all of our game installs for GPU testing… the 4TB is much better, but the 8TB gives us room to move into 2023 without worrying about installing multiple games that are 200GB+ in size. Some glory shots, of course. Displays: ASUS ROG Strix 43-inch 4K 120Hz ASUS has been a tight partner of TweakTown for many years, with the fine folks at ASUS Australia sending over their ROG Strix XG438Q and ROG Swift PG43UQ gaming monitors for our GPU test benches. They’re both capable of 4K 120Hz+ through their DisplayPort 1.4 connectivity. 34 34 I will be upgrading these in the near future, over to some DisplayPort 2.0-capable panels and some new HDMI 2.1-enabled 4K 165Hz panels in OLED form of course…given that next-gen GPUs are right around the corner, there has been no better time to upgrade your display or TV. I’ve been working on this system for a while now, but now we’re stretching its legs with the newly-released PC port of Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered. Not just in 1080p or 1440p, not even in just 4K… but at 8K with a native resolution of 7680 x 4320. I’ve run through some of the very fastest GPU silicon on the planet. CPU: Intel Core i9-12900K (buy from Amazon) Motherboard: ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Extreme (buy from Amazon) Cooler: CORSAIR iCUE H150i ELITE LCD Display (buy from Amazon) RAM: Sabrent Rocket 64GB DDR5-4800 (4 x 16GB) (F4-3600C18Q-32GTZN) (buy from Amazon) SSD: Sabrent 8TB Rocket 4 Plus PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD (buy from Amazon) PSU: MSI MPG A1000G Gaming Power Supply 1000W (buy from Amazon) Case: InWin X-Frame 2.0 OS: Microsoft Windows 11 Pro x64 (buy from Amazon) Display: ASUS ROG Swift PG43UQ (4K 120Hz) (buy from Amazon) What’s Hot, What’s Not What’s Hot KVM built-in is super useful: If you’ve ever used a KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) switch before then you know how useful it would be to have it built into the back of the monitor itself. This saves having any cables on your desk, but having the full use of two totally different desktops. Very, very useful if you’ve got multiple PCs like a work or regular PC and a gaming PC but want to use the same keyboard, display, and mouse. 27-inch IPS panel: GIGABYTE uses a high-quality IPS panel for its M27F-A gaming monitor, so while it’s not a high-end gaming monitor, you’re not getting a crappy panel. The IPS panel is a nice touch, together with the built-in KVM switch on the GIGABYTE M27F-A. 34 165Hz refresh rate: Anyone that reads TweakTown or follows me on Twitter will know that I’ve been using 100Hz+ refresh rate panels since the late 90s. I can’t do 60Hz even on a professional monitor, where I actually have an 8K 60FPS (Dell UP3218K) but the 60Hz really hurts my soul. GIGABYTE provides a gami...

WA Schools Ask For More Time To Spend $2.6B In COVID Relief – Crosscut https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/wa-schools-ask-for-more-time-to-spend-2-6b-in-covid-relief-crosscut/ Washington K-12 schools have spent about half of $2.6 billion in combined relief, largely intended to help schools navigate immediate coronavirus-related challenges. Now as they look to the remaining $1.3 billion, administrators say they fear federal deadlines in 2025 will cut short projects addressing lost academic progress, student mental health and school air quality. “People were getting criticized that they weren’t spending the money fast enough,” said Joel Aune, executive director of the Washington Association of School Administrators. “We’re being criticized because we’re being careful with the money.” More than 40 Washington school leaders joined hundreds of districts from across the country in an Aug. 29 letter to the U.S. Department of Education asking for more time to spend their federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds, which were part of the three national COVID-19 recovery packages. Districts that signed on span the state and include Bellevue, Castle Rock, Yakima, Highline, Coupeville, Kiona-Benton City, Oak Harbor and others. “The staggering social-emotional and mental health needs of our students requires continued staffing and programming,” the letter reads. “Additional time to liquidate the … funds ensures that we maintain the critical pandemic-related services that our students require to overcome the challenges of the past three academic years.” Administrators also told Crosscut the pending deadlines could undermine long-term contracts and risk forfeiting money on equipment caught in supply chain delays. And though the federal government will offer districts a chance to apply for case-by-case extensions, school administrators say the process is unclear. Academic counselor Alison Von Stein, left; family resource coordinator Christney Kpodo and school social worker Lauren Riley, all of Challenger High School, work in a small group during a Bethel School District Behavioral Health Team presentation and training with the district’s counselors and social workers at Cougar Mountain Middle School in Graham, Wash., Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. (Lindsey Wasson for Crosscut) Though public schools reopened their physical classrooms in 2021 after at least a year of remote learning, the aftermath of the pandemic continues to weigh on them. Students are still catching up academically to where their grade-level peers were before the pandemic, according to Washington’s state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). And the social effects of pandemic-induced isolation are likely just beginning to be understood.  “Mental health is not going to take necessarily just one or two years to solve the problems that exist to begin with, let alone the ones that have been added on due to COVID-19 isolation,” said Tom Seigel, Superintendent of Bethel School District in Pierce County.  So far Bethel has used aid money to hire four new staff to expand a behavioral health team and contracted with a company called Hazel Health to offer access to counselor visits for all of the district’s 20,000 students through their school-issued tablets.  Districts can also use the money for wellness expenses such as additional school nurses and counselors to help with student mental health. Students nationwide have reported rising levels of stress and anxiety in the past two years.  This story is a part of Crosscut’s WA Recovery Watch, an investigative project tracking federal dollars in Washington state. Seigel said those impactful programs face being cut or curtailed if the current deadlines remain in place. Districts must allocate the largest chunk of money by September 2024 and unload it by January 2025 – or lose access to those federal dollars. Washington school districts received a combined $2.6 billion in pandemic aid from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief fund (ESSER), which came in three rounds based on federal Title 1 poverty rates in each district. Allocations ranged from $15,222 for the approximately 60 students in the Wishram School District in Klickitat County to $74 million for Seattle and $63 million for Spokane, among the largest districts in the state. OSPI administers the ESSER funds and tracks spending, including how much each district was allocated and each district’s expenditures so far. State data show the first round – sent to states and districts as part of the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act in 2020 when officials suddenly closed school buildings nationwide and launched widespread remote learning in a matter of weeks – is nearly 100% spent.  “They were a godsend for districts for the challenges and expenses of running a school during COVID,” Aune said. Rounds two and three came from subsequent COVID-19 aid packages; the third and largest pot is from the 2021 American Rescue Plan. Much of Washington’s ESSER money from rounds two and three has yet to be allocated – just over $1.3 billion. Find tools and resources in Crosscut’s Follow the Funds guide to track down federal recovery spending in your community. Along with building improvements, and mental health and wellness, ESSER dollars can be used to address learning loss or academic setbacks exacerbated by pandemic disruption, through programs such as summer schools or tutoring. However, with the second and third grant phases, school districts are not only trying to recover the ground lost in the past two years; administrators are also attempting to make the effects of this spending last, Aune said. Aune, a former superintendent who led the Snoqualmie Valley and Colfax districts, described the 2025 spending deadline as facing a “cliff” – particularly for those programs effective at improving student academic and mental health outcomes. “They see the benefit for kids, and now they are jammed up,” he said. “They have to find the money to fund the program or the program goes away.” Elementary counselors and social workers from throughout the district look on during a Bethel School District Behavioral Health Team presentation. Educators are just beginning to understand the long-term mental health effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on students. (Lindsey Wasson for Crosscut) Extending the expenditure deadline would allow a district to, for instance, pay a mental health counselor over two years by hiring someone part-time, budgeting other pots of money or finding other grants to stretch the dollars for a full-time counselor, Aune said, adding that an answer from the federal government will help districts consider their strategies on budgeting the remainder of their allocations.  Administrators also told Crosscut that shortages in construction labor and materials threaten their ability to fit key school infrastructure purchases, such as HVAC systems to improve classroom air quality, into that window. “People are short, supply chains are short, you’re trying to fit it into what you’re already doing,” said Tim Payne, superintendent of Ephrata School District in Grant County. “All of that takes time.” The Aug. 29 letter, signed by 683 district leaders nationally, follows similar previous requests, including one in July from several national education advocacy groups that proposed stretching the deadline to December 2026. The federal program has provided a partial workaround: Individual districts can request an additional 18 months to expend their ESSER funds, according to a May 13 letter from a U.S. Department of Education official. However, these “late liquidation” requests are granted on a case-by-case basis and require the state education agency to facilitate the process.  Washington’s OSPI has not received any such requests yet, according to Chief Financial Officer T.J. Kelly, who said he expected to see more districts reach out as deadlines approach next year. But it’s not entirely clear how to even apply for that federal extension, Kelly said, adding that he asked federal education officials last year to clarify the process. The U.S. Department of Education did not respond to an email asking how many districts have so far applied for “late liquidation” extensions. A spokesperson for the department acknowledged receipt of the letter and wrote in an email that they “look forward to directly responding to the signees,” but did not say when. Seigel, the Bethel School District superintendent, said schools have been under-resourced for many years for things like mental health support, small class sizes and special education services. The influx of federal money helps, but one big drop of resources doesn’t address what Seigel said he sees as an ongoing lag between Washington state education funding and what schools are tasked with doing for students. “That federal ESSER money is a Band-Aid,” Seigel said. “It’s a big Band-Aid, it’s a good Band-Aid, but … there’s a longer, ongoing, endemic funding flaw at the state level.” Bethel School district counselors and social workers work in small groups during a Bethel School District Behavioral Health Team presentation and training at Cougar Mountain Middle School. Bethel has used aid money to hire four new staff to expand a behavioral health team and contracted with a company called Hazel Health to offer access to counselor visits for all of the district’s 20,000 students through their school-issued tablets. (Lindsey Wasson for Crosscut)

How To Plan Long-Term Travel (With Tips That Actually Help) – TheTravel https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/how-to-plan-long-term-travel-with-tips-that-actually-help-thetravel/ Planning long-term travel seems like a daunting task, and visitors are not always sure exactly where to draw the line when the usual short-term vacation changes everything and last many months or even a year. Regardless of how long one takes to experience new places, planning is key because tourists will need to know a lot about their priority destinations. Long-term travel is more than just how many days or months one spends on a trip. Vacationers’ mindsets also matter as well as lots of preparations before beginning the journey. This is how to plan long-term travel, along with tips that actually help. Why A Long-Term Travel? Deciding If You Are Ready To Embark On A Long-Term Journey The internet has brought so many things right at the touch of our fingertips, giving us exceptional freedom to choose from plenty of options. Traveling has gone through digital changes, and now the new generation of nomads and independent tourists have an incredible opportunity to not only make money online but also travel the world. We are seeing many people doing this full-time, and there is an increase in the number of long-term vacationers. But why long-term travel? How do you know when you are ready to adopt this lifestyle? Is it sustainable? Let’s find out. Does Realism Match Your Optimism? Traveling can be exciting and fun, but at the same time, it can be challenging and exhausting. Long-term traveling needs someone to be optimistic, but an equal amount of realism is even better because it involves a lot. Vacationers find it difficult to accept one fact: that every day isn’t going to be as fun and exciting. People are always enticed by Instagram’s breathtaking photos of destinations. But understanding that every day isn’t going to be beautiful is important when planning a long-term trip. Leaving the comforts of one’s home to tour new places and interact with different cultures means letting go of the usual lifestyle and starting a new one. Behind every stunning Instagram picture is long period of planning and preparation. Things like the possibility of losing luggage, missing a train, or spending more than planned – are important to think about when preparing for this kind of lifestyle. Understanding that long-term travel has downsides and having the optimism to overcome those challenges will help vacationers decide if they are ready for the journey. Have You Set Aside Enough Money? Money matters a lot when it comes to long-term travel, as it is the major factor that determines most of the travel aspects, like transport means, accommodation, and meals. The number of months or weeks to spend on a long-term journey depends on the money allocated for the same. Money will also help travelers decide the countries they can visit because exploring some places can be expensive. But enough money doesn’t have to be a six-digit saving. Traveling doesn’t have to be expensive, even if it’s a long-term trip, and it largely depends on the kind of travel one is planning. Plus, there are several budget options for accommodation, transport, and attractions. There are also tips to cut costs when visiting a destination. This allows travelers to spend less and make money on their long-term trips. If one is feeling comfortable with the amount of money they’ve set aside for a long-term journey, then they are ready to get started. How Do You Handle The Fear Of Missing A Long-Term Travel Opportunity? A lot of fears come with long-term travel planning – fear of leaving loved ones, losing a career, visiting certain countries, the fact that things might not go as planned, and having to get back home only after a short while. But the fear of failing on this long-term journey has to be greater than all these other fears. One is ready to embark on a long-term trip when they feel it’s a must to make the travel work, and they wouldn’t be satisfied if it doesn’t. Tips For Getting Started On A Long-Term Trip After deciding about readiness to embark on long-term travel, some tips for getting started should make the planning and the trip easy. Here are some to keep in mind: Get Educated On The Priority Destinations First of all, it is important to list the places one would like to visit and then set priorities. Travelers should then conduct some thorough research and educate themselves about the countries they’d wish to visit. And this is beyond just learning a few words like saying ‘hello’ or ‘thank you in a local language. It is important to have some ideas about the country’s culture and traditions, history, politics, and tourism status. This will smoothen the trip and make it easier to interact with the locals upon one’s arrival at the destination. Get an idea of itineraries, public transportation means, visas, and their costs, backpacking prices, and things to experience in those destinations. There are a lot of online resources to use – travel blogs and social media (perhaps join a Facebook group!). Know Which Countries To Avoid If Traveling On A Budget Some countries are extremely expensive than others. It is not advisable to group destinations as a continent or a region to decide which countries to visit. Remember, some regions can be less expensive to visit, but the countries within them vary widely in price. For instance, getting accommodation in Singapore can cost three times more than in Hanoi, and the countries are both in Southeast Asia. Countries like Canada, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the USA can be pretty expensive, making them unsuitable for a long-term budget trip. Consider Reviews When Searching For Accommodation Options Reading other travelers’ reviews on sites like TripAdvisor is important. The type of search engine to use in research depends on which type of accommodation and country one is opting for. Travelers looking to stay in hostels should use hostelworld.com, but Airbnb is also a good resource. Couchsurfing is a crucial site for vacationers looking to embark on long-term budget travel. Booking.com is the best search engine for travelers planning to travel to North America. Have Long-Term Travel Insurance Ready To get started on a long-term journey, ensure long-term travel insurance is ready. The last thing one would want to experience is getting caught up in medical charges. When researching insurance companies, it is important to keep activities like high-altitude hiking and skiing into consideration so that all needs are covered. Pack Everything You’ll Need, But Not Too Much While travelers should have all the essentials, they must also pack light for long-term travel. Some things to pack include: Lightweight raincoats Long-term travel backpacks Portable charger A water bottle (a filter type is preferable) Sun protection items, like a hat and sunscreen Shirts (long-sleeved and short-sleeved), pants, jeans, leggings, underwear, and a hoodie Where To Stay On A Long-Term Travel Where one is going to stay is something crucial to consider when planning long-term travel. For vacationers who’ve never traveled long-term, wrapping their heads around which type of accommodation to opt for can be challenging. Consider these factors when deciding where to stay: Are you traveling solo or with family or friends? Would you mind sharing kitchens or rooms with other travelers if traveling solo? How much privacy do you need? Are you on a tight budget? Answers to these questions will determine whether one will stay in a hostel, a hotel, or a vacation home. Long-term travel has upsides and downsides – and understanding them is the best way to prepare and plan well for the journey. %

Live News Updates: France Keen To Push Through Nuclear Reactor Plans – Financial Times https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/live-news-updates-france-keen-to-push-through-nuclear-reactor-plans-financial-times/ Choose your subscription Trial Try full digital access and see why over 1 million readers subscribe to the FT For 4 weeks receive unlimited Premium digital access to the FT’s trusted, award-winning business news Digital Be informed with the essential news and opinion MyFT – track the topics most important to you FT Weekend – full access to the weekend content Mobile & Tablet Apps – download to read on the go Gift Article – share up to 10 articles a month with family, friends and colleagues Print FT print edition delivered Monday – Saturday along with ePaper access Delivery to your home or office Monday to Saturday FT Weekend paper – a stimulating blend of news and lifestyle features ePaper access – the digital replica of the printed newspaper Team or Enterprise Premium FT.com access for multiple users, with integrations & admin tools Group Subscription Premium Digital access, plus: Convenient access for groups of users Integration with third party platforms and CRM systems Usage based pricing and volume discounts for multiple users Subscription management tools and usage reporting SAML-based single sign-on (SSO) Dedicated account and customer success teams Or, if you are already a subscriber Sign in Are you a student or a professor? Check if your university has an FT membership to read for free. Check my access

Circadian Rhythms Company, Arcascope, Raises $2.85 Million To Accelerate Its Go-To-Market And Advance The Science Of Chronomedicine – PR Newswire https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/circadian-rhythms-company-arcascope-raises-2-85-million-to-accelerate-its-go-to-market-and-advance-the-science-of-chronomedicine-pr-newswire/ Arcascope, a circadian rhythms technology company, has just raised a $2.85 million seed round to accelerate the commercial rollout of its innovative, evidence-based offering for shift workers and their employers, while expanding into new application areas.  The company, founded by 3 PhD experts in sleep science, is launching its validated circadian management platform, bolstered by clinical data showing marked improvements in sleep and fatigue.  Interest in circadian rhythms has grown rapidly in recent years, with new attention being paid to circadian disruption, as in jet lag, and the emerging field of chronomedicine, or the idea of timing drugs to maximize efficacy and minimize toxicity.  , /PRNewswire/ — Arcascope, a healthcare technology company solving the massive problem of circadian rhythms disruption caused by modern life, today announces the closing of a $2.85 million seed round led by Supermoon Capital, with participation from Inception Health, New Dominion Angels, AIoT Health, Inflect Health, the Accelerate Blue Fund and the Monroe Brown Seed Fund, HealthX Ventures, and other well-respected angel investors.  Light exposure at night affects our health and ability to sleep. Image shows a person working on a computer and experiencing light from a computer and an overhead light. Shift workers’ jobs put their health at risk. Image shows a nurse working at night, but unable to sleep during the day. Screenshots from Arcascope’s Shift app. Circadian health is an often ignored dimension of sleep health. Image shows a person sleeping in a bed. The company is launching its validated circadian management platform, currently accessible through the smartphone app, Shift, which addresses the pressing unmet needs of shift workers. Working nights causes profound disruption of the body’s internal circadian clock, which has been linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and cancer. Clinical research, spearheaded by the Arcascope team, has shown that tracking this disruption in real world contexts and making personalized behavioral interventions can improve health.  “Circadian science is in a renaissance, and Arcascope is leading the way in the development of technologies to optimize our temporal health,” says Daniel Forger, a Professor of Mathematics and Professor of Computational Medicine & Bioinformatics at the University of Michigan and the company’s CSO.  Despite increasing evidence for light and behavioral interventions that can help shift workers improve their circadian health, few resources have existed for these workers until now. With Arcascope’s sleep and circadian digital twin technology, years in development, there is finally a solution for helping shift workers to adjust their body’s internal clock to fit the demands of their jobs. With this new funding, Arcascope will expand its technology to the Android market and help more enterprise customers retain staff, reduce absenteeism, and improve the health and wellbeing of their workers. Long term, the company is excited to lead development in the field of chronomedicine, enabling pharmaceutical companies, researchers, and individuals to benefit from optimizing the timing of drugs and treatments.  “Arcascope is at the forefront of the rapidly growing field of chronomedicine,” said Grayson Judge, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Supermoon Capital. “The company’s circadian rhythm technology offers a new class of time-optimized interventions that will extend and enhance lives.” Previously supported by more than $2 million in non-dilutive funding from the National Institutes of Health, the company is led by an award-winning team with deep technical knowledge. The CEO, Olivia Walch, is an applied mathematics PhD who previously won grand prize at two international hackathons and whose prior apps have been downloaded more than half a million times; she is also a cartoonist whose work has been featured in the Washington Post, The Nib, and the volume she co-edited on the mathematics of gerrymandering, Political Geometry. The CTO, Kevin Hannay, was the recipient of SIAM Life Sciences Early Career award for his work modeling human circadian rhythms, and the CSO, Daniel Forger, is an internationally known researcher in sleep and circadian rhythms and author of Biological Clocks, Rhythms, and Oscillations: The Theory of Biological Timekeeping from MIT Press. Arcascope recently won the Well Living Alliance’s Home as a Hub for Health (H3) competition from Delos and the Mayo Clinic, in recognition of their efforts to transform the home environment into one that promotes healthy living.  About the company:  Arcascope is a circadian rhythms technology company building a clinically validated platform to help people reclaim control of their time. Leveraging signals from wearable devices, we provide personalized behavioral recommendations and environmental integrations to help shift workers adapt quickly to changing work schedules, travelers adjust faster to new time zones, and people of all backgrounds improve their long-term health and happiness. https://www.arcascope.com ([email protected]) About Supermoon Capital: Supermoon is a venture capital firm that backs visionary entrepreneurs around the world building the future of sleep. The firm invests in innovative solutions from all sectors, applying science and technology to inform their investment process and support their portfolio companies. See portfolio companies here: https://supermooncapital.com/portfolio/ Media Contact: Olivia Walch [email protected] SOURCE Arcascope

Sports Illustrated Expands Golf Coverage, Acquires Morning Read – Sports Illustrated https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/sports-illustrated-expands-golf-coverage-acquires-morning-read-sports-illustrated/ A new chapter in Sports Illustrated’s golf coverage is about to begin. Today The Arena Group, which publishes Sports Illustrated, announced the formal acquisition of Morning Read, which was owned by Buffalo Groupe. As a reader, you may have been aware that SI.com and Morning Read have been working together as editorial partners for more than a year. That partnership turned out to be a win for both companies, but most importantly, it was a boon for readers, because together SI and MR reached farther and deeper with coverage and created a must-read daily destination for golf enthusiasts. So, now what? To put it simply: Sports Illustrated’s golf coverage is about to go to another level. Here is what this new chapter means for you. First, subscribers to Morning Read newsletters will continue to receive them in inboxes six days a week, with travel- and equipment-focused editions on Tuesdays and Fridays. (And if you aren’t signed up for those free newsletters, what are you waiting for?) SI’s golf homepage address remains the same and has a new look, and expect it to look and feel more dynamic as SI Golf evolves. Next, a brief reminder: some of the greatest sportswriters ever to wield a notepad have graced SI’s pages while covering this game, from Grantland Rice, Herbert Warren Wind and Dan Jenkins, to Frank Deford, Rick Reilly, Alan Shipnuck and Michael Bamberger. The SI.com Vault is a treasure trove of some of the greatest game stories, features and profiles ever written about golf. A fan can get lost in it for a long time. Frankly, there are worse ways to spend a weekend. Now we’re ready to add to that storied history with more news, features and analysis every day. Count on SI.com’s golf coverage to be an industry leader for original reporting. (For recent examples, see our news about LIV Golf’s 2023 schedule, or our interview with Phil Mickelson.) Our top reporters in the field, Bob Harig and Alex Miceli, are industry stalwarts who combined may have the entire PGA, LPGA, European and LIV Golf tours in their respective rolodexes. They, along with Senior Editor John Schwarb, will join SI Senior Writers Michael Rosenberg and Stephanie Apstein to give us quite possibly the most robust golf news team in the business. And we aren’t stopping there: we’re also hiring a new reporter to join our crew as we continue to grow. Our evolution will expand beyond tour news – we plan to bolster our coverage for other topics that interest golf fans, including equipment, travel destinations, and gaming and gambling. Look for more new features coming soon in those areas, plus many more. It’s an exciting time on the golf beat, and we wouldn’t be here without you. Here’s to all that’s ahead at SI Golf, ready for liftoff. Jeff Ritter Managing Director Here’s the full release announcing the Sports Illustrated/Morning Read acquisition: NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Arena Group (NYSE American: AREN) (the “Company” or “The Arena Group”), the tech-powered media company operating more than 240 brands, including Sports Illustrated, TheStreet and Parade, today finalized its purchase of golf publisher Morning Read from Buffalo Groupe, LLC. The acquisition continues the expansion of The Arena Group’s sports vertical, focusing on in-depth coverage of the golf world – from breaking news and championship coverage to podcasts, video travel, and interview series at SI.com/golf. With the acquisition, the Company will rebrand its golf coverage to SI Golf. The addition of Morning Read’s industry-leading and trusted editorial team, highly engaged newsletter subscriber base, and strong e-commerce business will accelerate revenue and audience growth across The Arena Group’s sports media vertical. According to Google Analytics, Sports Illustrated Media Group reported 174% year-over-year growth in average monthly page views in the second quarter. Across all verticals, the Company reached 1.5 billion visitors last quarter and has established an avid golf audience of 40 million monthly digital visitors (according to Liveramp and Google Analytics). “This is another step in growing quality storytelling and experiences for consumers, further expanding our footprint in one of the most valuable categories in all of sports,” said Ross Levinsohn, CEO of The Arena Group and Sports Illustrated. “The evolution of our year-long relationship with Morning Read created an exceptional opportunity for our sports arena to expand SI’s illustrious golf coverage with a talented in-house editorial team,” said Chris Pirrone, SVP & General Manager of Sports Illustrated Media Group. “We are excited to add depth and expertise on professional and amateur golfers, influencers, culture, equipment, travel and much more, for the high household income visitors who frequent our sports, finance, and lifestyle brands.” Morning Read first became an editorial partner with The Arena Group in 2021, providing compelling coverage around the PGA Tour, the LPGA Tour, and the newly formed LIV Golf Tour, plus original videos and podcasts. Morning Read’s editorial team joins The Arena Group alongside Sports Illustrated journalists and award-winning editorial staff to deliver print and digital content across all platforms. The team will report to Managing Director of SI Golf, Jeff Ritter, with the recent addition of Billy Condon from Golfweek to lead the golf revenue strategy. “Morning Read was created for golf enthusiasts to start their day with the most comprehensive original golf content and partnering with Sports Illustrated has not only expanded our audience, but created the ultimate golf destination,” said Kyle Ragsdale, CEO of Buffalo Groupe, LLC which operates Morning Read. “We are extremely proud of Morning Read’s evolution which is directly attributed to the editorial and leadership team of Buffalo Media Network and look forward to seeing continued growth.” About The Arena Group The Arena Group creates robust digital destinations that delight consumers with powerful journalism, news about the things they love – their favorite sports teams, advice on investing, the inside scoop on personal finance, and the latest on lifestyle essentials. With powerful technology, editorial expertise, data management and marketing savvy, the transformative company enables brands like Sports Illustrated, TheStreet and Parade to deliver highly relevant content and experiences that consumers love. To learn more, visit www.thearenagroup.net. About Sports Illustrated Sports Illustrated (SI) is an unparalleled and influential leader recognized for shaping modern culture and uniting athletes, teams and fans worldwide. SI’s award-winning media enterprise brings powerful storytelling to life across platforms ranging from Emmy-winning video to the monthly print magazine with a 67-year heritage. Get in-depth features, probing profiles, and iconic and beloved photography from the best writers and photojournalists in the game at SI.com. About Buffalo Groupe, LLC Buffalo Groupe, LLC is a collection of agencies, events and media properties that authentically serve the escape industries of golf, outdoor recreation, travel, lifestyle, real estate and active sport. The collection is comprised of industry leading companies including Buffalo Agency, BGRM, 54 Brands, Longitudes Group, The First Call and Moments Live. Guided by our core principles of kindness, clarity and courage, our people adhere to a Groupe-wide foundational philosophy to connect brands and lifestyle audiences through content. Buffalo Groupe is headquartered in Charleston, SC with company offices in Washington, DC, Charlotte, Charleston, Portland and LA. For more information visit www.buffalogroupe.com.

2 Monster Metaverse Stocks To Buy For The Long Haul – The Motley Fool https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/2-monster-metaverse-stocks-to-buy-for-the-long-haul-the-motley-fool-2/ Several tech giants are betting that the metaverse could turn out to be the next hot trend in technology. The metaverse is widely believed to be the next evolution of the internet, allowing people to experience the internet in 3D. Not surprisingly, the metaverse is expected to touch several sectors ranging from online education to gaming to social interactions to commerce. This explains why Goldman Sachs sees the metaverse generating an $8 trillion revenue opportunity in the long run for its participants. Amazon (AMZN 1.20%) and Nvidia (NVDA -2.30%) are two tech giants that could win big from this massive opportunity. Let’s see how. 1. Amazon The e-commerce market is expected to be one of the key beneficiaries of the metaverse. TechNavio estimates that metaverse in the e-commerce market could grow at an annual pace of 36% through 2026, adding $60 billion in incremental revenue during the forecast period. North America is expected to occupy a 38% share of the metaverse-powered e-commerce market by 2026. The proliferation of the metaverse in e-commerce could add another dimension to Amazon’s growth given the company’s position in the North American and global e-commerce markets. For instance, Amazon captured 56% of the U.S. e-commerce market in 2021. Its global share stood at 13% back in 2020. Amazon has been setting itself up to take advantage of this opportunity even before the metaverse became a thing. In 2017, the e-commerce and cloud computing giant launched an augmented reality (AR)-enabled iOS app called AR View. The app allowed consumers to visualize how items such as furniture would look in a room. The company updated that app in 2020 and gave consumers the power to place multiple items in a room with the Room Decorator tool. This year, the company gave its AR tool another upgrade with the launch of Amazon View. Consumers can now get a 3D layout of their house on their smartphones and customize it with accurate measurements of the furniture items they may want to purchase. Also, customers looking for interior design inspiration can get a quick assessment with the help of Amazon View. Of course, this technology has been around for some time, but Amazon’s focus on refining it and its solid share of the e-commerce market position the company in a nice position to take advantage of the metaverse. This, however, is just one way in which Amazon is on track to win in the metaverse. The cloud computing market could be another beneficiary of metaverse adoption. That’s because hosting the 3D virtual worlds that will form the base of the metaverse will require a lot of computing power so that multiple users can be served in real time. Other cloud services, such as analytics, machine learning, and storage should also see a bump in demand. With Amazon controlling 34% of the cloud infrastructure market in the second quarter of 2022 and occupying a bigger share than the next two providers combined, the demand for its cloud services should ideally boom as metaverse adoption gains momentum. All this indicates that Amazon could turn out to be a top metaverse pick in the long run, with the emerging tech trend complementing the solid growth it is witnessing in other niches. As such, don’t be surprised to see Amazon’s earnings grow at a faster rate in the next five years as compared to analysts’ estimate of 33% annual growth. 2. Nvidia Nvidia’s expertise in graphics cards positions it to tap into the metaverse opportunity. The company started taking advantage of this opening with its Omniverse platform, supporting 3D designs, virtual avatars, and digital twins, which are 3D virtual representations of physical objects in the real world. On its August earnings conference call, Nvidia CFO Colette Kress pointed out that the chipmaker has “announced advancements to several foundational technologies of the metaverse, defined as the 3D version of the Internet.” The company’s “Omniverse Avatar Cloud Engine will enable businesses to create and deploy assistants and avatars, transforming interactions across a range of industries.” Nvidia has also released solutions that will “help automate the creation of virtual worlds” with the help of artificial intelligence and graphics cards. It is worth noting that Nvidia’s metaverse-specific solutions are already gaining traction among customers. Siemens and Nvidia announced a partnership in June 2022 to accelerate the adoption of digital twins in the industrial niche. PepsiCo is another company that tapped Nvidia’s Omniverse digital twins to improve the efficiency of its operations. Partnerships like these put Nvidia on track to benefit from a fast-growing opportunity. The demand for digital twins is increasing rapidly as they help deliver productivity and process improvements and play an important role in the industrial Internet of Things. Mordor Intelligence estimates the digital twin market could clock 34% annual growth through 2027. Nvidia’s Omniverse ecosystem continues to expand with the addition of third-party developers in various industries such as robotics, 3D designs, and industrial automation. It won’t be surprising to see the company become a major player in this rapidly growing market. On the other hand, Nvidia’s graphics cards are also powering supercomputers that are supposed to enable the metaverse. So, the semiconductor giant is on its way to taking advantage of both the hardware and the software side of the metaverse. The massive opportunity present in this market means that it could become a monster metaverse play in the long run. John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Harsh Chauhan has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Goldman Sachs, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Andor Doesn’t Look Or Feel Like Star Wars—and That’s A Good Thing – The A.V. Club https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/andor-doesnt-look-or-feel-like-star-wars-and-thats-a-good-thing-the-a-v-club/ Diego Luna as Cassian Andor Image: Lucasfilm Here’s a hypothetical question: if someone who had never heard of Star Wars jumped into the first episode of Andor, would they be able to follow it as well as a fan with comprehensive knowledge of the lore? If such a person existed, they probably could. Andor doesn’t have a baby Yoda or Boba Fett or Obi-Wan Kenobi to connect it to the older films. It’s not interested in cashing in on that kind of nostalgia. And while it is built around a character who first appeared in Rogue One, you don’t need to have seen that film to get what Cassian Andor is about as a character. Everything you need to know about him is provided in the first three episodes, and beyond. In fact, you might actually enjoy the show more if you didn’t know his ultimate fate. The series thrusts Diego Luna’s Cassian Andor into the middle of the conflict between a totalitarian regime and the underground resistance fighting to bring it down. That may sound vaguely familiar to Star Wars fans, but it does a lot more with this premise than we’ve seen before. Cassian is no hero. A more grounded take on Star Wars He’s not a rogue, either. He’s just a regular guy trying to get by in a world where one misstep can put you on the wrong side of the authorities and completely ruin your life. It’s a more nuanced and mature take on the gray area between good and evil. This isn’t new to Star Wars, it’s just addressed here in a new way. There’s a grounded, human element to it that feels really modern. G/O Media may get a commission Perhaps the most obvious departure is in the visual design. Andor leaves behind the rural outposts we’ve spent so much time in lately for industrial streets, factories, alleyways, and scrapyards. It’s not always pretty, but at least we don’t have to go back to Tatooine yet again. This is the first Disney+ Star Wars series that doesn’t make use of The Volume, an immersive LED soundstage that projects digital environments. While previous shows used the innovative new technology to great effect, filming in actual locations in the U.K. gives Andor a sense of scope and scale no soundstage could hope to match. The hardware in the show—ships, guns, droids, gadgets, and such—has a weathered quality that shares its spiritual origins with the rest of the Star Wars universe, yet could easily stand on its own outside of it. The tech is there for practical reasons, the designs driven by a carefully calibrated blend of form and function. Andor stars Adria Arjona, Kyle Soller, and Denise Gough on joining the Star Wars universe Of brothels and blasters Andor doesn’t just look different, though: it represents a major tonal shift for the franchise. The show heads confidently down the path originally laid out in Rogue One—away from a sci-fi story for kids of all ages and towards more mature and complex modes of storytelling—and goes even further. The first scene is set in a brothel. Not long after that, the main character shoots someone point blank with a blaster (try retconning that, George). Characters have sex and use actual swear words. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise from creator Tony Gilroy, who wrote the screenplay for Rogue One. He’s also known for writing thrillers like the Bourne films and Michael Clayton. His version of Star Wars may not be as recognizable as, say, The Mandalorian, but it’s ultimately cool. You couldn’t accuse this show of giving us the same old thing. Besides the virtue of originality in and of itself, anyone who’s paid any attention to the fan discourse lately can understand that nostalgia is a trap (if you’re hearing Admiral Ackbar in your head right now, you’ve just fallen into it). People want more Star Wars, and Lucasfilm is ever eager to meet that demand. But since no new film or series could possibly replicate the emotional impact of the original—which many adult fans first experienced as kids—anything that tries is bound to fall short of expectations. Worse, when the creators of these projects shift the narratives to center marginalized groups, the individuals whose point of view was always centered before react as though something has been taken away from them. Better to wipe the slate clean and start from a place that’s fresh and unexplored. Rather than relying on a connection to something old, Andor dares to give us something new. Whether you like the show or not, you’ve got to give them credit for the effort.

Top 5 Cryptocurrency Courses You Can Take To Learn About Crypto – Cryptonews https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/top-5-cryptocurrency-courses-you-can-take-to-learn-about-crypto-cryptonews/ Online courses have become one of the most popular ways to learn about a new area of interest or a specific topic. Naturally, you can also find cryptocurrency online courses that teach students about Bitcoin, crypto, blockchain, web3, and more.  Read on to discover five high-quality crypto courses you could sign up for today.  Introduction to Digital Currencies by the University of Nicosia (UNIC) Introduction to Digital Currencies is a course that’s offered by the University of Nicosia (UNIC) and is taught by Andreas Antonopoulos, Antonis Polemitis, and George Giaglis. Antonopoulos is a well-known Bitcoin advocate, tech entrepreneur, podcast host, and teaching fellow. Some of the books he has (co-)authored include Mastering Bitcoin, Mastering Ethereum, and The Internet of Money. Besides being a free online course, Introduction to Digital Currencies is also the first course in the MSc in Digital Currency offered by UNIC. The e-learning course is available to anyone around the world who is interested in learning the basics of cryptocurrencies in a paced and resource-rich environment under the guidance of real experts. It covers both a technical overview of decentralized digital currencies, such as bitcoin (BTC), and their broader economic, financial, and legal context.  The course does not require you to have prerequisite knowledge of cryptocurrencies to register. Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies Offered by Princeton University Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies is a free cryptocurrency course that’s offered by Princeton University on the Coursera learning platform. The course is taught by Arvind Narayanan, an assistant professor of computer science at Princeton who focuses on the security and stability of Bitcoin. The course will introduce you to basic cryptography concepts and link them to the basics of Bitcoin. Through videos, Narayanan describes how Bitcoin mining works, how decentralization is executed in practice, and how Bitcoin gets securely stored. He also gives a short explanation of altcoins and their potential future. Although no certificate is issued after the course completion, the course provides an in-depth introduction to Bitcoin and other crypto assets, making this course an excellent educational resource where you can learn about crypto. EdX Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies by UC Berkeley Another course you can take to learn about cryptocurrencies is the Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies course that’s offered by UC Berkeley university. The six-week course was created by Blockchain at Berkeley and faculty from UC Berkeley’s premier Computer Science department.  The e-learning course presents Bitcoin, other digital currencies, and blockchain, all while offering a thorough and extensive overview of the fundamental concepts of the cryptocurrency sector with a key interest in Bitcoin. The course will help you learn about the basic properties of Bitcoin, the mechanics behind it as well as its origins in the Cypherpunk movement and Libertarian ideals. Learners will also get to learn the practical applications of Bitcoin, such as mining, wallets, and how to destroy Bitcoin. Additionally, the course also takes a transient look at Ethereum and how blockchain technology can be utilized outside of cryptocurrencies. The course is open to anyone, regardless of their background. Moreover, the course is free but will cost you $99 should you want to get a digital certificate of completion. Blockchain Essentials by developerWorks Blockchain Essentials is a blockchain online course that’s offered by two IBM developers, namely Ant Cole and Dave Gorman.  Offered as a video course, this e-learning course was created in partnership with IBM and covers the basics of blockchain and how it can be used to solve business problems. As a student, you will get to understand how blockchain technology can help improve the banking, supply chain, plus other transaction networks, all while creating new opportunities for people and businesses to innovate. Certified Cryptocurrency Expert (CCE) by Blockchain Council Certified Cryptocurrency Expert (CCE) is an online advanced-level cryptocurrency course that is offered by Blockchain Council. By taking the course, you will become certified in the blockchain discipline of distributed ledger technology from a vendor-neutral perspective. The course, which takes only four hours, covers a wide array of topics, from the basics of crypto trading, an introduction to blockchain, an introduction to crypto exchanges and trading processes, and strategies for making optimal trading decisions, among others. Simply put, this advanced level course offers training on not just cryptocurrencies but digital assets as well. This CCE course is among some of the best online cryptocurrency courses that you can take, as it gives you the flexibility to complete the course at your own schedule and pace, and comes with a certification from a blockchain institute.   There are numerous online cryptocurrency courses for you to choose from. Most of these courses can range from basic explainers of what Bitcoin is to a more technical overview of blockchain technology. This is because there is a lot of information on digital currencies that are all designed to help learners understand the crypto market and its technicalities. If you are looking for a cryptocurrency course online, the courses mentioned above will give you a good start on what crypto is and whether they are a good investment.

Analysis | The U.S. Lags On Happiness, Health, But It Tops The List For Cyber Power – The Washington Post https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/analysis-the-u-s-lags-on-happiness-health-but-it-tops-the-list-for-cyber-power-the-washington-post/ Welcome to The Cybersecurity 202! Noooooooo. Please don’t combine one of my favorite things, the octopus, with one of my least favorite things, robots doing things I don’t want them to do. Below: Ukraine warns about forthcoming Russian cyberattacks, while the Biden administration and TikTok approach a possible security-related deal. But first: Ranking the top players in cyberspace, both the usual suspects and unexpected ones The United States ranks 16th on the World Happiness list, last place on health-care systems among 11 high-income countries and 129th on the Global Peace Index. But there’s one area where it’s still No. 1: cyber power. That’s according to the second edition of the National Cyber Power Index out today, part of the Cyber Project within the Harvard Kennedy School Belfer Center. The index makes its return after its inaugural edition in 2020. While No. 1 and No. 2 are the same as before — the United States and China — Russia has moved into the top three, and several nations have rocketed up the list, like Iran, Ukraine, Vietnam and South Korea. The list ranks 30 nations across a range of factors, including offense and defense. It seeks to measure capabilities in eight objectives, like foreign intelligence collection or ability to destroy rivals’ infrastructure. Those that rank highly on the list demonstrate both capabilities with cyber power and the willingness to use it. “Trying to apply outside data and indicators to parse this out, I think is an important endeavor,” Lauren Zabierek, executive director of the Cyber Project, told me. “Because how else do you even start the conversation and try to develop that understanding?” One goal of the list is to look beyond the nations that most commonly emerge in conversations about cyber: the United States, China, Russia, Iran and North Korea. North Korea doesn’t even crack the index’s top 10, which is populated by a fair number of “not the usual suspects,” like France or the Netherlands. That full top 10 is, in order: the United States, China, Russia, United Kingdom, Australia, Netherlands, South Korea, Vietnam, France and Iran. The biggest climbers include Iran (to 10th from 22nd), Ukraine (to 12th from 29th), South Korea (to 7th from 16th) and Vietnam (to 8th from 20th). Ukraine has demonstrated its defensive capabilities since the Russian war, for instance, and Iran has gotten more aggressive about using cyber for financial purposes. While North Korea ranks only 14th, it’s well above other countries in that financial category. The United States, meanwhile, ranks highly in almost every category, especially its destructive capabilities and in using cyber to gather intelligence. The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) assembled its own cyber power rankings last year, using a different method and system, but still concluding that in cyberspace, the United States is in a tier of its own. Both ranking systems have drawn questions about their methodologies, but some have even asked whether they provide any value at all. “The rankings themselves raise questions as to their value regardless of the methodology used, as trying to assess cyber power quantitatively and qualitatively is purely a subjective exercise,” Emilio Iasiello, a cyber pro and former Defense Intelligence Agency intel officer, wrote last year about the IISS list. “Quantifying amorphous issue-areas like cyber dependence and empowerment, global influence in governance (no headway has been made by anyone), the existence of a strategy and more importantly, military doctrine (often not publicly available), is more art than science.”   The authors of today’s report — Julia Voo, Irfan Hemani and Daniel Cassidy — acknowledge some limitations of the exercise. “Due to the sensitivities of some aspects of cyber power, particularly destructive, defensive and espionage capabilities and their reliance on domestic national security structures, states may deliberately be shielding their intent and capabilities from public knowledge for strategic purposes,” they write. But “just because something is hard doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try,” Zabierek said. “We know the shortcomings of the index … but we stand by that this is better than nothing,” she said. “We know that we’re only starting to witness these important conversations on cyber power, and we know they will spark debate, which we are proud of.”  As more states create election integrity units, Arizona is a cautionary tale Citing the specter of widespread voter fraud, Republicans across the country are embracing an aggressive tactic to bulk up state agencies’ power and resources to investigate election crimes ahead of the midterms this November, our colleagues Beth Reinhard and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez report.  But a Washington Post examination of an earlier endeavor in Arizona to sniff out fraud found it has prosecuted just 20 cases in the last three years, despite having received thousands of election-related complaints.  Rather than reassure citizens about the strength of the local voting systems, The Post’s review found that the state’s election crimes unit fueled more bogus theories and distrust while sapping valuable government resources — an example of the dangerous consequences that can emerge when public officials use their power to reinforce false claims that voter fraud is a significant issue in American elections. Ukraine raises alarms about a new wave of ‘massive cyberattacks’ coming from Russia The Ukrainian military intelligence service is warning that Russia is planning “massive cyberattacks” targeting the critical infrastructure of Ukraine and its closest allies, specifically Poland and the Baltic state, Cyberscoop’s AJ Vicens reports.  Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence agency expects the incoming wave of cyberattacks to be focused initially on the country’s energy sector, with the goal of blunting the Ukrainian army’s ongoing offensive and increasing the destructive effects of missile strikes against the country’s energy supply facilities, the agency said in a statement posted to a government website. “The experience of cyberattacks on Ukraine’s energy systems in 2015 and 2016 will be used when conducting operations,” the advisory warned, alluding to two infamous Kremlin-backed assaults on the country’s power grid that left Ukrainians without heat or electricity in the middle of winter. The announcement comes as researchers from Google have begun raising alarm bells about a growing body of evidence that suggests pro-Russian hackers and online activists are coordinating with the country’s military intelligence agency, the Wall Street Journal’s Robert McMillan and Dustin Volz reported recently.  U.S., TikTok approach a possible security-related deal The Biden administration and TikTok are hammering out the details of a preliminary agreement that would let the video-sharing platform continue operating in the United States without requiring its owner, the Chinese internet giant ByteDance, to sell it, told the New York Times. The deal is still in flux, but people familiar with the foundations of the agreement said it would require the company to take action in three key areas: Shifting its storage of Americans’ data to servers solely operating in the United States, instead of its own in Singapore and Virginia. Bringing in Oracle to monitor the app’s powerful algorithms, which determine what content TikTok recommends for its users. Creating a board of security experts to oversee its U.S. operations, which would report to the federal government. Next steps: High-ranking officials from the Justice Department, which is leading negotiations with the company, and the Treasury Department have criticized the current draft as not tough enough on China or doing enough to address the administration’s national security concerns. That, coupled with the impending midterm elections, could force changes to the terms and prolong a final resolution to the issue for months.  The Times story arrived the same day that the United Kingdom raised the prospect of a $29 million fine for a possible breach of a data protection law. Movement on battling spam texts The Federal Communications Commission voted 4-0 Friday to approve a proposal to limit spam texts, Margaret Harden McGill reports for Axios. “The American people are fed up with scam texts, and we need to use every tool we have to do something about it,” said chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. This is just one step in the life of the regulations. The approved proposal, awaiting a vote for nearly a year, seeks comment from cell phone companies about the idea of requiring them to block spam texts from known illegal and fraudulent numbers. It’s a process that could add even more months to the timetable. And Congress is unlikely to take action to update the pertinent 1991 law, which doesn’t reflect today’s technology. “Politicians themselves want to be able to send these texts without fear of being sued,” Margot Saunders, senior counsel to the National Consumer Law Center, told Axios. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee holds a markup of several cybersecurity bills, including the Securing Open Source Software Act of 2022, on Wednesday at 11 a.m. The Center for Democracy and Technology holds an event, “The Big Lie’s Long Tail: Election Denialism in the Midterms and Beyond,” on Wednesday at 3 p.m. The only people now afraid of the Russian military are Russian men of military age. — Darth Putin (@DarthPutinKGB) September 26, 2022 Thanks for reading. See you tomorrow.

88. Dell Technologies – Business Travel News https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/88-dell-technologies-business-travel-news/ 2021 U.S.-Booked Air Volume: $3.4 million 2021 U.S. T&E: $71.6 million Primary Air Suppliers: American, Delta, United Primary Hotel Suppliers: Hilton, Marriott Primary U.S. Car Rental Suppliers: National/Enterprise Primary Global Online Booking Tool: SAP Concur Primary U.S. Payment Supplier: American Express Card Program: Individual Bill/Central Pay Primary Global Expense Supplier: Concur Primary U.S. Travel Risk Management Supplier: ISOS Consolidated Global TMC: Amex GBT U.S.-booked air volume in 2021 at technology and hardware firm Dell Technologies was a bit less than 20 percent of 2020 volume, but such volume should rebound in 2022 to a bit more than half of 2019 levels. Dell maintains levels of required pre-trip approval and has deployed the Concur Request tool to help manage that process. Managers or vice presidents are required to approve domestic and lower-cost international trips, while a senior vice president must approve higher-cost international travel. The Concur Request tool was integrated into the travel-request workflow with Dell’s consolidated global travel management company, American Express Global Business Travel. Dell last year incorporated another three onsite agencies in India into its Center of Excellence service hub and increased global agency adoption levels to 90 percent from 86 percent the year prior. Hotel attachments to online bookings increased 13 percent to 61 percent. The company partnered with airlines to help recoup funds from canceled and unused tickets, saving millions and funding 2022 on a first-come, first-served bases for business travelers. Dell in 2021 enhanced booking functionality in its Concur Travel online booking tool, which it has deployed in more than 50 markets. The tool now allows for rail booking in the United Kingdom, and Dell has refreshed the tool’s pop-up and profile messaging to travelers. The company also refreshed its Concur Travel home page to enable Amex GBT graphics. The company last year also expanded its use of the Tripbam reshopping tool to another 28 markets and the use of Amex GBT’s Air Re-Shop tool in France and Germany. Dell is implementing data feeds from DVI, the spending analytics specialist purchased in 2021 by Emburse. Dell also has engaged with Amex GBT on sustainability strategies, undergoing a baseline assessment that could serve as a foundation for emissions-reduction measures. Dell in 2021 spun off its stake in cloud computing firm VMWare and sold data integration firm Boomi, after selling in 2020 network security firm RSA Security. Dell as of Jan. 28, 2022, had about 133,000 employees worldwide, with about 32 percent in the United States.

Three Candidates Compete In Arkansas House Race For New Majority Hispanic District – Arkansas Online https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/three-candidates-compete-in-arkansas-house-race-for-new-majority-hispanic-district-arkansas-online/ SPRINGDALE — The state took special care to create a majority-Hispanic House district in Springdale when it redrew legislative boundaries last year. Three candidates seek that District 9 seat in the Nov. 8 general election. District voters will choose between Republican nominee DeAnna Hodges, Democratic candidate Diana Gonzales Worthen and Libertarian contender Steven Stilling. State legislative races have no runoff elections, so whoever gets the most votes in the race wins. The district stretches from the Washington-Benton county line in the north to Don Tyson Parkway in the south. It touches Thompson Street in the west and Sonora Road in the east. State representatives serve two-year terms and receive a base salary of $44,357. There are 100 members of the state House. Early voting begins Oct. 24 for the Nov. 8 general election. Hodges said residents of the district, whatever their ethnic origin, want to build their own lives. “Everyone is on the same page, whether Marshallese, Hispanic or anything else,” Hodges said. “Everyone here wants the American dream.” “I feel I can represent every person in Springdale,” Hodges said. “I can give them a chance to prosper, the freedom to prosper. This is a hardworking community that wants to keep more of their money in their pockets.” Hodges would work to protect small businesses if elected, she said, but also pointed out much of the district is rural while it also contains much of downtown Springdale, including industry. There’s a variety of interests and concerns to be represented, she said. “They all want less taxes and less government regulation,” Hodges said of constituents. They also want a good, safe place to raise their families and enjoy the community’s diversity, she said. She called the July 30 “Stroll the Atolls” event by the Arkansas Coalition of the Marshallese “wonderful.” Worthen has lived in what is now District 9 for 26 years, she said, and has seen all the changes there in that time. She knows the district and its people well, she said. “I know the gaps that need filling,” such as good quality jobs and mental health services, she said. Too many district residents are not engaged politically and need a legislator who listens, she said. “There are too many voices unheard,” she said. “People here are not afraid to work,” Worthen said. “We’re multilingual and multicultural. We can compete globally. Wherever in the world you want to compete in business, somebody here will come from there.” “I want to pull people together where we can share the different perspectives we have from the community,” Worthen said. The district’s children need more prekindergarten education opportunities, Worthen said. The district’s working families need greater access to affordable child care. “The family can’t progress without it,” she said. The district and the state need more teachers, Worthen said. People with talent from District 9 can move up into those jobs if afforded the opportunity, she said. Worthen directs Project REACH at the University of Arkansas, a program to increase the number of bilingual teachers to address the need for them that developed during the increased immigration of speakers of Spanish and other languages to Northwest Arkansas that began in the 1990s. Stilling said the Founding Fathers followed the right principle when they divided government into three branches, making it difficult for any one to gain dominance over the other two. The politics of the country, though, erred “massively,” he said, by having only two major political parties. The country needs three parties also, instead of two competing to see which one can take all the power, he said. “A two-party system forces people to choose between the lesser of two evils,” Stilling said. “That’s why the last three presidents are idiots.” He paused. “Make it four.” People risked their lives to vote in Afghanistan, where people had their thumbs dyed while voting as an election verification method. They understood they risked being killed by extremists for voting but did it anyway, even though they knew who would win — but they had a choice. That left a lasting impression on him, Stilling said. He decided running for office as a third-party candidate would be a good way to continue serving the country after leaving the Army, he said. Stilling decided to join the Libertarian Party, he said, because they appear to have the best chance of being a viable third party. “What people in this district really want is for government to keep out of our business,” he said.     Steven Stilling        DeAnna Hodges

How To Find Travel Insurance For Severe Weather – Forbes https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/how-to-find-travel-insurance-for-severe-weather-forbes/ Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations. When severe weather strikes, even the best-laid vacation plans can fall apart. A hurricane might disrupt your cruise route or a blizzard could shut down your destination airport. If you buy a comprehensive travel insurance plan well in advance of your trip, you will be better prepared to take severe weather in stride. The right travel insurance plan can compensate you for weather-related travel woes, but it’s important to know what your policy covers—and what it doesn’t. Compare & Buy Travel Insurance Does Travel Insurance Cover Severe Weather? The best travel insurance plans package together several types of coverage that can protect you financially if severe weather causes travel delays, interruptions or cancellations. The key is to make sure the travel insurance plan you buy includes the types of coverage you need and lists severe or inclement weather as a reason you can file a claim for reimbursement. What qualifies as severe weather will be defined by your policy, but often includes: Windstorms Hurricanes Tornadoes Fog Rainstorms Hailstorms Snow storms Ice storms Be sure to shop for a travel insurance policy that specifically addresses your severe weather concerns. Plans from these companies offer good hurricane and severe weather coverage: GoReady John Hancock Insurance Agency Seven Corners Tin Leg The types of insurance coverage you should look for in a travel insurance plan for severe weather include: Trip cancellation Trip delay Trip interruption Also, look for additional coverage options, such as: Missed connection. WorldTrips offers additional benefits if severe weather causes you to miss a connecting flight. Travel inconvenience. AIG’s Travel Guard Deluxe plan has coverage for certain travel inconveniences, such as arriving in the mountains to ski and finding the resort closed because of inclement weather. Trip Cancellation Insurance and Severe Weather If you need to cancel your trip to the Bahamas because a hurricane caused the Nassau airport to shut down, you can turn to your trip cancellation insurance. This coverage will reimburse 100% of your insured trip cost, as long as you are canceling because of a problem—such as severe weather—listed in the policy. There is an exception. In order to file a successful trip cancellation claim, you need to have purchased your travel insurance plan before the severe weather becomes a “known event.” So, if a hurricane near your vacation destination has already been named, it’s too late to buy travel insurance for hurricane coverage. Also, check for specific timelines for trip cancellation due to a hurricane at your destination. For example, to make an insurance claim your destination may have to be under a hurricane watch issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration within three days of your scheduled departure date, and you may have to cancel at least 14 days after your policy’s effective date. It’s important to note that your destination usually must be inaccessible or uninhabitable due to severe weather for trip cancellation benefits to kick in. Sometimes severe weather strikes at home, too. If your primary residence is uninhabitable after a named hurricane hits, you can be eligible to file a trip cancellation claim, as long as you bought the policy before the storm was named. You can also make a trip cancellation claim if your house is uninhabitable due to damage from a natural disaster listed in your policy. That way you can stay home to take care of the damage but still recoup your trip costs with an insurance claim. “Cancel for any reason” travel insurance upgrade If you want maximum flexibility for scrapping your trip, add “cancel for any reason” travel insurance (CFAR) to your travel insurance plan when you buy it. This will typically increase the cost of your policy by 50% but will allow you to cancel no matter your reason. There are some CFAR caveats to keep in mind: You typically need to buy CFAR coverage within 14 days of making your first trip deposit. In order to file a successful CFAR claim, you need to cancel your trip at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure (so, not at the last minute). CFAR generally reimburses 50% or 75% of your insured trip cost, depending on your policy. Trip Delay Insurance and Severe Weather Say you’re waiting at the airport and your flight is delayed due to a blizzard at your destination. This is where trip delay insurance can be used. Trip delay coverage can reimburse you for the loss of any pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses if you experience a delay that’s longer than the waiting period listed in your policy. For example, the specified waiting time can be six hours or 12 hours. So if that blizzard causes you to miss a day of skiing that you paid for in advance, you can file a claim for this loss, as long as severe weather is listed as an acceptable reason in your policy. Trip delay insurance can also help pay for a hotel room and meals you buy during a layover due to severe weather. There is typically a daily maximum and overall maximum limit per person for trip delay benefits. Trip Interruption Travel Insurance and Inclement Weather Travel insurance usually doesn’t cover minor weather frustrations such as rain that puts a damper on your beach vacation. But if unexpected severe weather causes you to end your trip early, trip interruption insurance can help. For example, if a tornado strikes at your destination preventing access to the area or making the region uninhabitable, you can file a trip interruption claim. If a tornado blows through your neighborhood back home while you’re away and makes your house uninhabitable, you’re also eligible for trip interruption benefits. Most travel insurance companies have complimentary 24/7 helplines for policyholders. If you need to return early due to inclement weather, representatives can help you book a new flight home. Trip interruption insurance covers the extra expense of that last-minute ticket and reimburses you for pre-paid, non-refundable costs you lose by leaving early. But again, only if you’re flying home early because of a problem listed in your policy. “Interruption for any reason” travel insurance upgrade For more freedom to end your trip early for any reason, some travel insurance companies offer an “interruption for any reason” travel insurance. This premium upgrade reimburses you for up to 75% of your trip cost, provided you insure the entire value of your trip. It kicks in after a certain waiting period, generally 48 hours or 72 hours into your trip. Like CFAR, you usually need to buy “interruption for any reason” coverage within 14 days of booking your trip. When Is Severe Weather Not Covered by Travel Insurance? Travel insurance generally excludes coverage of “known events.” Once a natural disaster is a known threat (and no longer “unforeseen”), it likely won’t be covered if you buy new a travel insurance plan. For example, if you’re scheduled to leave for a cruise in a week and a new hurricane is named, you can’t quickly buy travel insurance to cover hurricane-related delays or trip interruptions. This is the best argument for buying travel insurance early, says Jeff Rolander, director of claims at Faye Travel Insurance. “It’s best to buy travel insurance as soon as possible after booking your trip (such as your flights or accommodation). That way, you’ll be protected against unexpected events that might cause you to delay or cancel.” Many travel insurance companies offer a “free look” period after you buy a policy. Take this time to read the fine print of the travel insurance plan and decide if the policy meets your needs. If not, cancel it for a refund. Compare & Buy Travel Insurance %

Restaurant Owner Convicted Of Torching Business For Insurance – Mid Hudson News Website https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/restaurant-owner-convicted-of-torching-business-for-insurance-mid-hudson-news-website/ GOSHEN – An Orange County Court jury Monday convicted a Newburgh man of arson, conspiracy, reckless endangerment, insurance fraud and tax fraud for torching his Town of Newburgh restaurant. Zef Gjurashaj, 60, faces 25 years to life in prison on the arson conviction when sentenced in December in connection with the fire that destroyed Andiamo’s Restaurant at 5025 Route 9W in September 2017. Prior to the trial, Gjurashaj’s co-defendant, Marina Gjurashaj, 38, of Yonkers, the wife of his nephew, pled guilty to arson and conspiracy for her role in setting the fire. As part of her plea agreement, she testified against Zef Gjurashaj at trial. Prosecutors argued that knowing the business was in steep financial decline, Gjurashaj instructed his niece by marriage how to start the fire by removing a plug from a propane line in the kitchen and spraying an ignitable liquid on the floor, then opening the propane line and lighting the liquid. The fire was so intense that it put the firefighters, and Gjurashaj’s wife, who was present at the time of the fire, at grave risk of death. After the fire, Gjurashaj presented to his insurance company fraudulent proof of loss seeking payment for damage caused by the fire and testified under oath about the fire. The investigation also revealed he underreported cash income from the restaurant as part of his state tax filings. “Arson for profit is, by nature, an incredibly challenging crime to prosecute because of the complexity of the evidence as well as because, as in this case, the perpetrator often intentionally attempts to destroy any link between themselves and the crime,” said District Attorney David Hoovler. “This fire, which was set solely for financial gain of the defendant, created an extremely dangerous situation for first responders who valiantly fought the fire. The utter disregard for human life and property exhibited in this case is appalling.”

Global Protein Powder Market Size To Grow USD 19.3 Billion By 2030 | CAGR Of 4.52%; Spherical Insights – GlobeNewswire https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/global-protein-powder-market-size-to-grow-usd-19-3-billion-by-2030-cagr-of-4-52-spherical-insights-globenewswire/ New York, USA, Sept. 27, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Global Protein Powder Market Size Was Valued At USD 4.4 Billion In 2021. The Market Is Projected To Grow USD 19.3 Billion In 2030, At A CAGR Of 4.52%. as per the latest research report by Spherical Insights & Consulting. Get a Sample PDF Brochure: https://www.sphericalinsights.com/request-sample/1116   Changing lifestyles, urbanization, and evolving consumer dietary choices have resulted in increased demand for nutritious food items, which is expected to drive market statistics. The market outlook is likely to be boosted further by a favorable perspective toward functional food intake due to increased prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and the number of weight management programmers. Because the population in Europe, the United States, and Japan is getting older, customers are looking for a variety of nutritional supplements to help them improve and maintain their overall health and well-being. The global market for protein powders is experiencing an increase in demand. The increased demand for protein powders, as well as their availability in retail stores, contribute to the global market’s sales growth. Protein supplements were previously only available at specific outlets such as fitness stores, specific retail stores, and drugstores, but now that demand for protein powders is increasing, they are available in supermarkets, hypermarkets, and even online stores, driving this market in the global market. There has been an increase in the number of health-conscious customers around the world in recent years. They are on the lookout for ways to live a healthy and active lifestyle, which has spurred the demand for health-conscious foods. As a result, protein powders enjoy the same level of popularity throughout North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Obesity, food sensitivity, and the number of individuals affected by diseases are all on the rise, therefore living a healthy lifestyle is becoming a typical way of life. The constantly changing lifestyle, as well as the expanding popularity of whey as sports nutrition for athletes and bodybuilders, are driving the growth of the protein powders industry. The growing popularity of protein powders among millennials, as well as the rapid development of innovative protein-based supplements in various forms, which are associated with various health benefits of the product, are driving the overall demand for protein powders market over the forecast period of 2021 to 2028. Furthermore, the growing relevance of an active lifestyle, as well as increased knowledge of the health advantages of protein, is a major driver of the worldwide protein powders market. Furthermore, the fast-paced lifestyle and growing health consciousness are both contributing factors. Inquire Before Buying This Research Report: https://www.sphericalinsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/1116 Because of the growing animal feed sector and greater consumer awareness about animal health, the North American protein powder market is expected to rise at a healthy rate. Major corporations are investing in the launch of new products for both domestic and international markets. Mexico is one of the world’s top producers of animal feed, resulting in significant demand for protein powder. The important drivers impacting the market expansion for protein powder in North America include increased domestic consumption of animal nutrition products, the introduction of new technologies, and the incorporation of healthy ingredients in animal feed. Protein Powder Market: Competitive Landscape Partnerships, strategic mergers, and acquisitions are expected to be the most successful strategies for industry participants to get speedy access to growing markets while also improving technological capabilities. For example, In 2018, Glanbia introduced BevEdge technology, which allows manufacturers to eliminate lecithin from their products. Whey, milk, casein, and pea are just a few examples of animal and plant-based products that can benefit from this technology. in July 2019, Nestlé and Corbion signed a cooperative development agreement to assist create algae-based products that are high in vitamins and protein. Buy Now Full Report: https://www.sphericalinsights.com/checkout/1116 Key Players: ABH Pharma Inc, Amway, Herbalife International of America, Inc Abbott, Glanbia Group, Makers Nutrition, GlaxoSmithKline, GNC Holdings Vitaco Health, Living Inc, Omega Protein, Atlantic Multipower UK Limited, Melaleuca Inc, Dalblads and Others. Browse key industry insights spread across 200 pages with 119 market data tables and figures & charts from the report “Global Protein Powder Market Size, By Source (Animal-Based, Plant-Based), By Product (Protein Powder, Ready-To-Drink, Protein Bars & Others), By Application (Sports Nutrition & Functional Food), By Distribution Channel (Supermarket/Hypermarket, Online, Drugstore, Nutrition & Health Food Store & Others); By Region (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Rest Of North America, The UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Nordic Countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden, Norway), Benelux Union (Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg), Rest Of Europe, China, Japan, India, New Zealand, Australia, South Korea, Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Rest Of Southeast Asia), Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Kuwait, South Africa, Rest Of Middle East & Africa, Brazil, Argentina, Rest Of Latin America) – Global Insights, Growth, Size, Comparative Analysis, Trends And Forecast, 2021-2030”, in detail along with the table of contents https://www.sphericalinsights.com/reports/protein-powder-market Browse Related Reports Global Agricultural Biologicals Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Function Type (Biopesticides, Biostimulants, and Biofertilizers), By Source (Microbial, Natural Products, and Biochemicals), By Application Method (Foliar Spray, Soil Treatment, Seed Treatment, and Others), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2021 – 2030 https://www.sphericalinsights.com/reports/agricultural-biologicals-market Global Agritech Market Size, Share & Trends, COVID-19 Impact Analysis Report, By Type (Biotechnology and Biochemical, Big Data and Analytics, Sensors and Connected Devices, Mobility and Others), and By Application (Irrigation, Production and Maintenance, Supply Chain, Marketplace and Others); (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2021 – 2030 https://www.sphericalinsights.com/reports/agritech-market Global Pet Food Market Size, Share & Trends, COVID-19 Impact Analysis Report, By Animal Type (Dog, Cat, and Others), By Form (Dry, Wet, Semi-moist, and Others), By Source (Animal-based, Plant-based, and Others), By Distribution Channel (Supermarkets/Hypermarkets, Specialty Pet Food Stores, Online and Others), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2021 – 2030 https://www.sphericalinsights.com/reports/pet-food-market Global Extended Warranty Market Size, Share & Trends, COVID-19 Impact Analysis Report, By Type (Accidental Protection Plan, and Protection Plan), By Application (Consumer Electronics, Automobiles, Home Appliances, and Others), By End-User (Individual, and Business), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2021 – 2030 https://www.sphericalinsights.com/reports/extended-warranty-market Global Contract or Temporary Staffing Market Size, Share & Trends, COVID-19 Impact Analysis Report, By Type (Temporary Staffing, Permanent Staffing), By Services (General Staffing, Professional Staffing), By Channel (Online, Offline) and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2021 – 2030 https://www.sphericalinsights.com/reports/contract-or-temporary-staffing-market Global Immersion Solvent Cleaning Machines Market Size, Share & Trends, COVID-19 Impact Analysis Report, By Type (Fiberglass Reinforced (G Type) and Polyster Reinforced (PY Type)); By Application (Residential and Commercial); By Region – Global Insights, Growth, Size, Comparative Analysis, Trends and Forecast, 2021-2030 https://www.sphericalinsights.com/reports/immersion-solvent-cleaning-machines-market For more information on your target market, please contact us below: Phone: +1 303 800 4326 (the U.S.) Phone: +91 90289 24100 (APAC) Email: inquiry@sphericalinsights.com, sales@sphericalinsights.com Contact Us: https://www.sphericalinsights.com/contact-us Follow Us: LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter

Scottish Premiership And Scottish Women’s Premier League Live On Sky Sports In ‘historic’ SPFL Deal – Sky Sports https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/scottish-premiership-and-scottish-womens-premier-league-live-on-sky-sports-in-historic-spfl-deal-sky-sports/ Sky Sports will broadcast more Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) matches than ever before and for the first time, the Scottish Women’s Premier League. From the 2024/25 season, a new four-year extension to the current deal will mean up to 60 cinch Premiership matches per season will be shown exclusively live until the 2029 campaign, with scope to increase this over the term of the deal. The agreement with the SPFL also means from 2024 Sky Sports will broadcast live from each Premiership ground on up to five occasions every season, one more than the current deal. Scottish Premiership table | Results | Fixtures Scottish Premiership live on Sky Additionally, all top-flight clubs will be able to sell Pay Per View streams within the UK and Ireland of up to five league home games per season, with immediate effect, subject to certain conditions including no matches during blocked hours. ‘A historic moment for the SWPL’ Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player SWPL managing director Fiona McIntyre says the deal which will see Sky Sports broadcast the SWPL from this season onwards is For the first time, Sky Sports will show live Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL) action from this season and become the title sponsor of the SWPL League Cup for the next seven campaigns. A minimum of five SWPL or League Cup matches will be broadcast exclusively live every season from 2022/23, with the option of an additional five possible. Defending champions Rangers – who ended Glasgow City’s 14-year reign – currently top the SWPL 1 from Celtic and Glasgow City on goal difference after six matches. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Rangers ended Glasgow City’s 14-year grip on the Scottish Women’s Premier League by clinching their first SWPL 1 title with a game to spare Get Sky Sports | Download the Sky Sports App SWPL managing director Fiona McIntyre said: “This is a historic moment for the SWPL and an enormous step forward for the women’s game in Scotland. “This deal brings significant financial investment to the new leagues and enhances the visibility of the SWPL at this crucial time for the game. “I’m delighted that Sky Sports recognise the value and potential of the SWPL and will be a key partner for us as we enter into this new era. “Our clubs have invested considerable resources and we can now see the rewards of that work, with increasing commercial interest. This deal will allow clubs to invest further and will put the SWPL on the map as one of the most progressive women’s leagues in the world.” ‘Reaching an even wider audience’ Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player SPFL CEO Neil Doncaster discusses the record-breaking deal which will see Sky Sports broadcast more matches than ever before and the Scottish Women’s Premier League. Scottish Professional Football League CEO Neil Doncaster said: “This is a very significant financial and promotional deal for the SPFL and I’m delighted our clubs have overwhelmingly supported deepening their relationship with the UK’s leading sports broadcaster. “Today’s announcement represents a major financial boost for our 42 member clubs at a time when the UK economy is facing significant headwinds, and will increase the exposure of Europe’s most exciting and passionate league. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player A look at some of the best goals scored in the opening month of the Scottish Premiership season “We have much work to do to achieve our target of paying fees to member clubs of £50million per season – but this is an important and significant first step towards that target. “Sky has an unparalleled track record of capturing the spectacle and passion of our sport and this partnership will bring Scottish football’s action-packed drama to an even wider audience.” Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player A look at some of the best goals scored in the Scottish Premiership throughout September Stephen van Rooyen, Sky’s EVP and CEO UK and Europe said: “Every time we extend our partnership with the Scottish Professional Football League, more football fans are watching. With this latest extension of our long-running partnership, Sky Sports customers will continue to be treated to the biggest games and even more live matches. “For the first time, they will also have access to Scottish Women’s Premier League matches as well, as we look to continue to bring the best football to an even wider audience.” Scottish Premiership & SWPL on Sky Sports Image: Celtic are defending Premiership champions while Rangers won the SWPL 1 title last season Sky Sports – This season up to 48 cinch Premiership games will be available across Sky Sports’ flagship channels, including Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event, plus at least five SWPL matches. From 2024/25, up to 60 cinch Premiership will be live on Sky Sports, in addition to the SWPL. Sky Sports News – Running 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Scottish football fans can enjoy Sky Sports News’ (channel 409) rolling editorial coverage of the cinch Premiership and SWPL throughout the season. Sky Sports Digital – Follow all the latest from Scottish football across SkySports.com and app, including exclusive features and interviews, plus dedicated live blog coverage, in-game clips from matches live on Sky Sports and free highlights. Sky Sports Social – Alongside coverage and visibility for the league across all Sky Sports’ main social media channels, the bespoke Twitter channel @ScotlandSky will continue to be the home of all Scottish football content on Sky Sports. Highlights show – Tune in for a dedicated round-up from the cinch Premiership every week on Sky Sports Football. To download the Sky Sports app click here, to visit Sky Sports website click here. Sky Sports is the home of domestic football in the UK and Ireland, with more than 400 games per season across the SPFL, SWPL, Premier League, WSL, and EFL.

Trade Marks In The Metaverse – Lexology https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/trade-marks-in-the-metaverse-lexology/ Australia September 27 2022 The lines between physical and virtual reality are getting set for an overhaul as the Metaverse continues its gradual entry into our everyday lives. Whilst the Metaverse is still only in its infancy, leading developers in the space have already made it possible for users to work, learn, socialise, play and do business in this exciting, albeit slightly mystifying, new digital world. Whether or not you have plans to blend your business activities with NFTs and/or the Metaverse, there is value in awareness of the threats and opportunities facing brand promotion and protection that arrive with the evolving digital arena. Trade Mark Protection in the Metaverse You may have heard when Nike Inc recently applied to register a number of trade marks globally, which included claims in class 9 for “downloadable virtual goods”, and in class 35 for “retail store services featuring virtual goods”. Since then, Nike Inc has become far less lonely in their exploration of NFTs (non-fungible tokens) and the opportunities that exist in the Metaverse, with many other well-known companies having shown interest in joining the evolving digital arena. A recent and exciting addition to this category of companies is McDonalds, as early reports indicate McDonalds could open ‘virtual restaurants’, as well as develop NFTs and sell virtual goods. In the midst of this growing trend, it’s worth asking the question of whether the strategies and procedures for protecting brands from misuse will also need to adapt to the new marketplace. The answer, of course, will vary. For trade marks being used in connection with virtual goods or services, protection can begin with filing for registration of the mark in class 9 (computer and scientific apparatus and software), class 35 (retail, business and advertising services), class 41 (entertainment services) and/or class 42 (scientific and technological services). However, traders of goods and services only in the physical world might also consider filing in these classes. In theory, anyone can make a virtual product, which stresses the need to be ready for intervention upon discovery that someone else is making virtual copies of your goods, or applying your trade mark to digital material without your permission. If you provide services such as entertainment, education, business or legal services, there may be less of a need to adapt your claims to specify that they are also provided virtually, however, this could depend on the exact nature of your services. In Australia, a trade mark offers protection against similar or identical trade marks claimed on the same or similar goods or services. Typically, virtual goods would not be considered similar to physical goods such as clothing or jewellery. The classification system in Australia has not yet comprehensively adapted to the changing consumer landscape and there is currently no clear timeframe for when this will take place. Whilst awaiting clarification, many brand owners have adopted the strategy of including protection over virtual renditions of their goods, as is evidenced by the large number of pending or recently registered Australian trade marks which include claims for “digital materials” or “downloadable virtual goods”. A possible showcase of the value of this approach has arisen out of the ongoing dispute between the luxury goods company Hermès and Mason Rothschild, who recently created and sold 100 “MetaBirkin” handbags in the form of NFTs. Whilst Hermes owns registrations in the United States for BIRKIN covering physical bags, the registrations do not cover virtual goods or the design of the bag. Hermès is now taking action against Mason Rothschild, alleging that the NFT handbags created and sold by Mason Rothschild using the name “MetaBirkin” infringe the BIRKIN trade mark. The merits of the allegations have not yet been assessed, however the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York denied Mason Rothschild’s motion to dismiss the suit, which is a promising outcome for Hermès. A similar dispute has arisen between Nike Inc and StockX LLC, an online shoe retailer, on the basis that StockX has minted NFTs utilising the Nike trade mark, without permission. In defence of their actions, StockX has asserted that its NFTS are, in essence, a “key” to access a stored physical item rather than “virtual products” themselves. These disputes have so far offered valuable take-aways for trade mark owners. Firstly, and more obviously, is that registering your trade mark also in respect of virtual goods might reduce the complexity of the dispute and/or the strength of any allegations of trade mark infringement. Secondly, is that alleging intellectual property infringement against the maker of an NFT may not be straight-forward, because an NFT is merely a digital token that conveys ownership of a digital asset. It can be thought of as a receipt proving ownership of an asset (e.g. digital artwork) rather than the asset itself. Further clarification from law-makers on the effect of this distinction is no doubt welcome. Territoriality and the Metaverse Another key issue facing trade mark protection in the Metaverse is that trade mark registration grants protection only in the territory where the mark has been registered. Conversely, the Metaverse worlds may not have similar regard for the territorial boundaries we recognise in the physical world. Therefore, it will not always be clear which laws and within what jurisdiction disputes which arise in the Metaverse should be considered. Until a clear regulatory framework is introduced to resolve this issue, trade mark owners will have to be particularly vigilant when it comes to detecting infringements and enforcing their rights against other parties. As a possible safeguard, it may be worthwhile at this stage to register trade marks in multiple jurisdictions. In summary, there will be plenty of uncertainty for trade mark owners in the years ahead as the Metaverse and utility of NFTs continues to expand. To manage this uncertainty, you may consider: Registering your trade mark in classes 9, 35, 41 and/or 42 to cover digital renditions of your goods and services or specifying that your services are also provided in virtual mediums or relate to virtual products. Broadening the scope of your territorial coverage to ensure all major markets are captured. The metaverse phenomenon is said to be a new version of the internet, enhanced by immersive online engagement through VR technology and augmented reality. But how does intellectual property operate in this emerging online world?

Trifox Release Date Confirmed With Latest Trailer – Bleeding Cool News https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/trifox-release-date-confirmed-with-latest-trailer-bleeding-cool-news/ | Big Sugar, along with indie developer Glowfish Interactive, confirmed the release date for Trifox with a brand new trailer. This action-adventure title features a fox who is trying to get back his stolen TV remote, and to do so, he will employ a number of tactics and weapons to fight through hordes of enemies. The game will be released at different points as it will come out on the Nintendo Switch first on October 13th, followed by XB and PC platforms (Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG) on October 14th. PlayStation will be coming out before year’s end but an exact date hasn’t been set yet. For now, enjoy the latest trailer down at the bottom. Credit: Big Sugar Trifox is a colourful and cartoonish action-adventure featuring a phenomenal fox with a multitude of talents! After his home is attacked and his TV remote stolen, Trifox sets out in pursuit of the mysterious looters in an action-packed adventure. Use magic, might, and marvelous gadgets to outfox foes across four danger-filled worlds as you fight your way to a final showdown at Villain HQ! A multi-talented mammal, Trifox can use the skills of three different character types – Warrior, Mage, and Engineer. Each has its own unique set of class-based abilities which can be mixed-and-matched, allowing players to create a wily protagonist with a tailor-made moveset. Three different classes: Wield a giant hammer as a Warrior! Master magic and mystery as a Mage! Use a backpack full of gadgets as an Engineer! Mix-and-match styles: Customise your Trifox by combining different class-based abilities! Want to cast spells and fire a Gatling Gun? No problem! 30 abilities to unlock: Collect and spend coins to gain new skills, such as Spike Slam, Shield Bubble, Guided Missile, and many more! Four worlds to beat: Fight hordes of enemies, traverse platforming pitfalls, overcome environmental puzzles, and battle big angry bosses! A modern retro adventure: A new and fresh experience designed to evoke the spirit of classic 3D platformers! Enjoyed this? Please share on social media! About Gavin Sheehan Gavin is the current Games Editor for Bleeding Cool. He has been a lifelong geek who can chat with you about comics, television, video games, and even pro wrestling. He can also teach you how to play Star Trek chess, be your Mercy on Overwatch, recommend random cool music, and goes rogue in D&D. He also enjoys hundreds of other geeky things that can’t be covered in a single paragraph. Follow @TheGavinSheehan on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Vero, for random pictures and musings. Latest by Gavin Sheehan Jagex has officially launched a new aspect to RuneScape and Old School RuneScape as Fresh New Worlds has begun in the game. During their presentation last week, Logitech G revealed a new Pro Racing Wheel and Pedals for the enhanced racing experience. Com2uS has revealed that their latest entry into the Summoners War series, Summoners War: Chronicles, is coming out in November. Untold Tales has partnered with German developer DreamWorlds to release Splatter Zombiecalypse Now for the Nintendo Switch. Kabam has released a brand new update into Disney Mirrorverse as players have two new characters and Rift Raids to play. Logitech G revealed multiple new products last week, including a new addition from Astro Gaming with the A30 Wireless Gaming Headset. Latest in Games Big Sugar, along with indie developer Glowfish Interactive, confirmed the release date for Trifox with a brand new trailer. Jagex has officially launched a new aspect to RuneScape and Old School RuneScape as Fresh New Worlds has begun in the game. During their presentation last week, Logitech G revealed a new Pro Racing Wheel and Pedals for the enhanced racing experience. Com2uS has revealed that their latest entry into the Summoners War series, Summoners War: Chronicles, is coming out in November. Untold Tales has partnered with German developer DreamWorlds to release Splatter Zombiecalypse Now for the Nintendo Switch. Kabam has released a brand new update into Disney Mirrorverse as players have two new characters and Rift Raids to play.

Crypto Lender NEXO Faces Cease-And-Desist Order From California – Cryptonews https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/crypto-lender-nexo-faces-cease-and-desist-order-from-california-cryptonews/ Source: AdobeStock / AndriiKoval All-in-one cryptocurrency platform Nexo has received a cease-and-desist order in the U.S. state of California.  The desist-and-refrain order which was filed by California’s Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) alleges that Nexo has offered and sold “unqualified securities” through the program in violation of California’s Çooperation Code.  The DFPI estimated in the document that as of July 2022, over 18,000 California residents have accounts in the program and hold investments of at least $174.8 million. However, Nexo has not registered with the state regulator to offer these investment services to Californians.  “The Commissioner has issued no permit or other form of qualification authorizing Nexo, Nexo Inc., or Nexo Capital Inc. to offer or sell securities, including Earn Interest Product accounts, in California. Nor are the offers and sales of these securities excepted, exempt, or otherwise not subject to qualification,” the document said.  Securities regulators in seven other states including New York, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Washington, and Vermont all simultaneously filed their own administrative actions against Nexo.  In a statement, the Attorney General of New York, Letita James said that her office was suing the lender for failing to register as a securities and commodities broker despite warnings, and also misrepresenting to investors that they are a licensed and registered platform. James intends to compel Nexo to also forfeit all revenue it earned from operating in the state.   “Instead of misleading New Yorkers about its compliance with the law, crypto platforms must register to operate just like other investment platforms,” she added in a tweet.  Nexo says it has consistently tried to comply with regulations  According to a CNBC report, Nexo has said in a statement in response to the allegations that it has been working with U.S. federal and state regulators and understands their concern especially in the face of multiple bankruptcies in the crypto market. However, Nexo is very different from other earn interest product providers as its performance in recent months have shown it reassured.  “As the recent months have clearly underlined, Nexo is a very different provider of earn interest products, as showcased by the fact that it did not engage in uncollateralized loans, had no exposure to LUNA/UST, did not have to be bailed out, or needed to resort to any withdrawal restrictions,” the statement read.  Back in February, Nexo restricted new U.S. customers from signing up for its interest bearing products. Meanwhile, in similar regulatory actions, crypto lending platform BlockFi was ordered to pay a $100 million settlement to the SEC and 32 state regulators.

Dementia In Prison Is Turning Into An Epidemic: The U.S. Penal System Is Badly Unprepared – Scientific American https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/dementia-in-prison-is-turning-into-an-epidemic-the-u-s-penal-system-is-badly-unprepared-scientific-american/ Northwestern University Law Review, Carter, along with Drexel University associate professor of law Rachel López, argue that the current sentencing structure all too often locks people up and throws away the key. A former commissioner on Pennsylvania’s sentencing board, López is especially concerned with the number of elderly people who are incarcerated. “It’s all part of the legacy of the ‘tough on crime’ era,” she says. A survey by the Pew Charitable Trusts found that the number of inmates age 55 or older increased by 280 percent from 1999 to 2016. Three-strikes laws and mandatory life sentences without the possibility of parole expanded during the 1980s and 1990s, and many of these laws are still on the books today. As the number of aging prisoners balloons, so, too, do instances of dementia. An article López authored in the June 2020 issue of Federal Sentencing Reporter projected that between 70,341 and 211,020 of the estimated 400,000 incarcerated elderly in 2030 will develop dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common diagnosis, but dementias that involve Lewy bodies, the vascular system and Parkinson’s disease are also on the list. Prison may also accelerate aging and the possibility of developing the disease, according to a January 2022 article published in the journal Health & Justice. Study author Bryce Stoliker, a researcher at the University of Saskatchewan, says that the high risk is because of challenges faced in prison life—and inmates’ experiences before incarceration. Prisoners are often marginalized members of society with less access to health care, poorer diet, issues with alcohol or drug misuse, mental health problems and potential traumatic brain injuries—all factors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition. “Once behind bars, a lack of stimulation and an overall poor quality of life magnifies the problem,” Stoliker says. Prisoners with dementia are also vulnerable to abuse. Their erratic behavior and inability to follow directions is aggravating to other prisoners and to the staff in an already tense and sometimes violent environment, says Tina Maschi, co-author of the book Aging Behind Prison Walls: Studies in Trauma and Resilience. A 2012 study she authored in the Gerontologist found that those with dementia are increasingly vulnerable to “victimization.” If they become aggressive toward staff or can’t stay in line, they’re more likely to be reprimanded. “They’re no longer in touch with the prison rules, and as a result, it appears to staff, who often aren’t trained in dealing with dementia patients, that they’re acting out,” Maschi says. Additionally, according to the study, they can become victims of sexual assault by other prisoners because they can’t defend themselves. With strict sentencing practices still in place, the problem could get worse. The American Civil Liberties Union projects that in a decade, prisoners age 55 and older will make up will make up one third of the U.S. incarcerated population. And prisons, López says, don’t have the resources to tend to this highly vulnerable population. Still, there may be some relatively available short-term solutions. Older prisoners are often housed together, but senior structured living programs that include daily stimulation such as puzzles, knitting and cognitive exercises may help to reduce the risk of elderly prisoners who get dementia later on. True Grit, a program at Northern Nevada Correctional Center, is described in a review published in the December 2019 issue of Health & Justice. It teaches inmates older than age 55 skills such as latch rug making, crocheting, painting, jigsaw puzzle making and beading, as well as emphasizing the importance of physical exercise. The program has been shown to increase inmate quality of life, reduce medication use and behavioral problems, and enhance overall health and well-being. Compassionate release is another tool that is largely underutilized, according to experts. Also called “geriatric parole,” it’s currently used once patients get to the end of their life. But for the program to reduce the elderly burden on the prison system, it would have to be used before inmates are so ill that they can no longer be integrated back into society. Once prisoners are too far gone, says Ronald Aday, author of the book Aging Prisoners: Crisis in American Corrections, it’s much harder for them to find “a place to land” outside of prison, and nursing homes are unlikely to admit a felon. Still, a 2018 report from Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) found that the program is rarely used and that, in many states, it presents aging inmates with a troubling “number of barriers” to getting out. When inmates do develop dementia, prison workers, at a minimum, need to be provided with basic training to deal with the disease. “Correctional staff and those in direct daily contact with older prisoners need to understand both their vulnerability to other inmates and their inability to understand orders,” Aday says. Looking ahead, dementia wards in prison may be needed to house prisoners with cognitive problems. One such memory ward opened in 2019 at Federal Medical Center Devens in Massachusetts. The facility staff is specially trained to take care of those with dementia. But building dementia wards in prisons shines a spotlight on a larger issue: prisons are not properly equipped to house these patients because this was never their purpose in the first place. “The original intent of prison was to rehabilitate,” Aday says. “Correctional institutes were meant to ‘correct people’ so they could go back out and work.” Somewhere along the way, he adds, we’ve lost our purpose, and as a result, 10-year sentences have tripled, and life in prison without the possibility of parole is all too common. If we don’t get ahold of our out-of-balance sentencing structure, Aday says, we’ll never be able to really address the issue. Carter, now age 53, feels lucky that he made it out “by the skin of his teeth.” After graduating from Villanova University and spending years taking care of elderly inmates, he was able to commute his sentence to life with parole for a robbery that he says went terribly wrong when he was 22 years old. Last July he was released after spending three decades in maximum-security prison. Still, Carter is haunted by those he left behind, especially in the hospice ward. He says by the end of their life, most of them don’t even realize where they are, let alone what got them there. “You gotta wonder what kind of punishment it is if you don’t even know you’re in prison,” Carter says. ABOUT THE AUTHOR(S) Sara Novak is a science writer based on Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina. Her work has appeared in Discover, Sierra Magazine, Popular Science, New Scientist, and more. Follow her on Twitter@sarafnovak

Valmet To Supply Key Technology For Cheng Loong’s New Board Machine In Vietnam – PR Newswire https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/valmet-to-supply-key-technology-for-cheng-loongs-new-board-machine-in-vietnam-pr-newswire/ Valmet Oyj’s press release on September 27, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. EEST , /PRNewswire/ — Valmet will supply the Cheng Loong Binh Duong Paper Company with key process technology for its new containerboard machine 23 (BM 23) at the company’s Ben Cat mill in Binh Duong Province in Vietnam. Valmet’s delivery includes approach flow systems, headboxes, a press section, a sizer, process air systems, a winder, automation systems and Industrial Internet solutions. The order is included in Valmet’s orders received of the third quarter 2022. Its value will not be disclosed, but such an order is typically worth between EUR 20 and 30 million. Cheng Loong decided to invest in this new recycled containerboard mill to tap into Vietnam’s growing packaging demands. “The containerboard market is growing globally, driven by e-commerce and new packaging applications. Valmet has developed several innovative solutions to meet market needs. Our technical highlights and the production potential of the containerboard machine were the decisive factors for Cheng Loong. Valmet’s previous successful deliveries to Cheng Loong (the latest in Vietnam and Taiwan) have proved it can respond to their requirements,” says Marko Oinonen, Sales Director, Board and Paper Mills, Valmet. Technical information about the delivery Valmet’s delivery for the new containerboard machine will include equipment and engineering for three new approach flow systems, three new OptiFlo Fourdrinier headboxes to ensure higher productivity, and an OptiPress Linear press section with a double-nip press with a linear web run and modern shoe press technology for high dryness to improve energy efficiency. OptiSizer Film ensures high-quality sizing with easy operation and installation. The OptiWin Drum two-drum base winder offers a high capacity to meet the production needs of BM 23 and is easy to operate. TurnFloat web turning offers air turn for contactless web turning to optimize runnability. The delivery will also include the Valmet DNA Machine Control System (MCS) to ensure fast start-ups and more production time, Valmet IQ Dilution Profiler, IQ Moisturizer and MD/CD controls for optimized end-product quality. On-demand expert support by Valmet Performance Center is included as part of Valmet Industrial Internet solutions. The 7,250 mm wide (wire) BM 23 will produce recycled liner and kraft top testliner with a basis weight range of 140–300 g/m2 at a maximum speed of 1,100 m/min. Information about the Cheng Loong Binh Duong Paper Company Cheng Loong Binh Duong Paper Company is part of Cheng Loong Corporation, which was established in 1959. The company has five paper mills and 19 box plants in Taiwan, China and Vietnam and distributes products worldwide. Its annual production capacity is 2.10 million tonnes of paper products (paper and paperboard) and more than 1.7 billion m2 of paper container boxes. VALMET  Corporate Communications  For further information, please contact: Marko Oinonen, Sales Director, Board and Paper Mills, Valmet. tel. +358 50 562 7240 Petri Paukkunen, Area President, Asia Pacific Area, Valmet. tel. +66613845050 Valmet is a leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. With our automation systems and flow control solutions we serve an even wider base of process industries. We aim to become the global champion in serving our customers. Our 17,000 professionals work close to our customers and are committed to improving our customers’ performance – every day. The company has over 220 years of industrial history and a strong track record in continuous improvement and renewal. In 2022, a major milestone was achieved when the flow control company Neles was merged into Valmet. The combined company’s net sales in 2021 were approximately EUR 4.5 billion based on the respective company figures. Valmet’s shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki and the head office is in Espoo, Finland.     Follow us on valmet.com | Twitter | Twitter (IR) | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | Processing of personal data This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/valmet-oyj/r/valmet-to-supply-key-technology-for-cheng-loong-s-new-board-machine-in-vietnam,c3637294 SOURCE Valmet Oyj

Week 6 Prep Football Poll: Lyman Drops One Spot After Loss To Wall – Rapid City Journal https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/week-6-prep-football-poll-lyman-drops-one-spot-after-loss-to-wall-rapid-city-journal/ The Lyman football team made waves through the first month of the regular season by winning their first four games, shooting up the Class 9A rankings and going from unranked without any votes to No. 4. On Friday night, the Raiders took their undefeated record to 9AA No. 2 Wall and fell to the Eagles in a 48-6 blowout. They suffered a bit in the most recent prep media football, released Monday, dropping to No. 5. Gregory still firmly holds the top spot in 9A, even picking up an additional first-place vote, while Harding County/Bison, which has fallen out of the rankings in recent weeks, picked up more votes, going from two to seven. Rapid City Stevens, which only a few weeks ago rose to No. 4 in 11AAA, has fallen further and further, now down to just one vote after suffering its third straight loss. St. Thomas More’s Matthew Larson (33) breaks up a pass to Sturgis receiver Jake Vliem (88) in the first half of the Cavaliers’ 20-10 win Friday night. Kent Bush, Journal staff Sturgis dropped out of the 11AA top five as well after a 20-10 loss to St. Thomas More, earning just vote. Spearfish made a reappearance in the class, garnering one vote as well after beating Spearfish 40-12. STM and Hot Springs remain without a ranking despite their wins on Friday. The Cavaliers picked up three votes, while the Bison, who dominated Lead-Deadwood 44-0, garnered two.  Kadoka Area remains on the outside looking in of 9B, tallying six votes for the second straight week, while Faith has returned to the conversation with three votes after a surprising 20-14 victory over Timber Lake. The South Dakota Prep Media football polls for the week of Sept. 26 are listed below, ranking the top-five teams in each class, record, total points and previous ranking. First-place votes received are indicated in parentheses.  Class 11AAA 1. Jefferson (18)       5-0       90        1 2. O’Gorman             4-1      71        2 3. Harrisburg            4-1      55        3 4. Brandon Valley     3-2       32        5 5. Lincoln                 2-3      20        4 Receiving votes: Stevens 1, Washington 1.  Class 11AA 1. Pierre (18)               5-0      90        1 2. Tea Area                  5-0      72        2 3. Yankton                   3-2      47        3 4. Brookings                4-1      43        4 5. Aberdeen Central     2-3       16        RV Receiving votes: Sturgis 1, Spearfish 1.  Class 11A 1. West Central (14)            5-0      86        1 2. Dell Rapids (4)                5-0      76        2 3. Beresford                        4-1      53        3 4. Dakota Valley                  4-1      28        5 T-5. Sioux Falls Christian     3-2       12        RV T-5. Canton     2-3      12        4 Receiving votes: Lennox 3. Class 11B 1. Winner (18)                         5-0      90        1 2. Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan     5-0       63       2 3. Elk Point-Jefferson                5-0      62        3 4. Mount Vernon/Plankinton     6-0       34        4 5. Aberdeen Roncalli               5-0      16        5 Receiving votes: St. Thomas More 3, Hot Springs 2.  Class 9AA 1. Howard (17)                  6-0      87        1 2. Wall                             6-0      68        2 3. Hamlin (1)                   6-0      55        3 4. Hanson                       4-1      33        4 5. Elkton-Lake Benton     6-0       16        RV Receiving votes: Parkston 11.  Class 9A 1. Gregory (17)           5-0       88        1 2. Warner (1)              5-0      73        2 3. Castlewood             4-1      40        3 4. Alcester-Hudson     6-0       38        5 5. Lyman                    4-1      23        4 Receiving votes: Harding County/Bison 7, Canistota 1.  Class 9B 1. Herreid/Selby Area (17)     5-0       89        1 2. Hitchcock-Tulare (1)           6-0      73        2 3. Corsica-Stickney                5-1      37        5 4. Sully Buttes                      5-1      35        3 5. De Smet                           3-2      27        4 Receiving votes: Kadoka Area 6, Faith 3.  Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!

10 New Standout Hotels In Asia – The New York Times https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/10-new-standout-hotels-in-asia-the-new-york-times/ GET THE TRAVEL DISPATCH NEWSLETTER  Essential news on the changing travel landscape, expert tips and inspiration for your future trips. From ryokans overlooking rice fields to resorts on private islands, there’s no shortage of inviting places to stay in Asia. Here are 10 noteworthy newcomers — a modest selection given the hundreds of tantalizing properties that have opened since the beginning of the pandemic. Yet taken together, this handful of hotels spans countries, tastes and budgets, from less than $100 a night to thousands of dollars a night (all the properties below provided their rates in U.S. dollars). Individually, each has some quality that makes it stand out: its architecture, unconventional location, creative social spaces, debut as a new brand, intimate size or sheer opulence. Whether you’re considering a trip to the pine forests of Bhutan or the bustling capital of Vietnam, let these hotels be a departure point for your imagination. Image Guest accommodations at Six Senses Bumthang in Bhutan.Credit…Six Senses Bhutan Image The hotel overlooks a Himalayan pine forest.Credit…Six Senses Bhutan BHUTAN Six Senses Bumthang There are just eight suites at Six Senses Bumthang, a graceful hideaway in a Himalayan pine forest. Some trees grow through the stone flooring of the terrace used for al fresco dining. Others rise from the open-air vestibules of the suites. (There’s also a two-bedroom villa to accommodate families or friends traveling together.) Sitting atop a hillside, amid farmland and ancient monasteries, it’s a plum spot for forest bathing, and a bucolic base from which guests can set off for a Buddhist pilgrimage site, bike through fields dotted with prayer flags, or spend an afternoon foraging for mushrooms. Such activities seem fitting in a kingdom known for its environmental consciousness and pioneering quality of life indicator, Gross National Happiness. Speaking of quality of life, guests can partake of different types of massages as well as rituals like the traditional dotsho, a hot stone bath that uses mineral-rich stones from riverbeds. Bumthang is the most recent of five lodges from Six Senses to open in Bhutan’s western and central valleys, forming a collection of properties called Six Senses Bhutan — the others are known as Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey and Paro — that enable visitors with the time and money to valley-hop through the kingdom. Prices from $2,100 a night, including taxes, service charge and daily full-board meals. Image The 260-room TRIBE Phnom Penh Post Office Square in Phnom Penh is aimed at digital nomads, and puts an emphasis on shared social spaces and work pods.Credit…Robert Kleiner CAMBODIA TRIBE Phnom Penh Post Office Aiming to attract the growing number of digital nomads, the 260-room TRIBE Phnom Penh Post Office Square — the first TRIBE hotel in Cambodia — is designed to be a place to not only rest your head, but to also socialize and work collaboratively. The lobby lounge beckons with candy-colored couches and work pods with desks, enabling visitors to hang out or work remotely while sipping coffee from local roasters. A 24-hour lobby bar, TRIBE Express, means snacks and beverages are always on hand. There’s a gym, or, as the hotel calls it, the Workout Atelier; an outdoor saltwater pool overlooking the Mekong River; a rooftop restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating; and a rooftop bar shaped like a small truck and known as Mezcal Mad Memories 21, where guests and locals can rub shoulders and imbibe mezcal-based drinks. Rooms are modern and affordable, with floor-to-ceiling windows and — for digital nomads who happen to be night owls — blackout blinds. When you’re ready to explore the capital, you’re within walking distance of Wat Phnom temple and the Royal Palace. Image At the affordable Moxy Shanghai Xuhui, which is aimed at younger travelers, check-in takes place at the lobby bar and comes with a complimentary cocktail called “Got Moxy.”Credit…Moxy Hotels CHINA Moxy Shanghai Xuhui Though only certain groups of travelers can enter China right now — and those who do may be subject to movement and access restrictions because of the government’s “zero-Covid” policy — Shanghai will likely be a top destination for many foreign tourists when the country fully opens. It’s a city of sumptuous hotels, and the 253-room Moxy Shanghai Xuhui offers young travelers a lively and affordable place from which to explore it. Check-in takes place at the lobby bar and comes with a complimentary cocktail called “Got Moxy.” Foosball and board games await in the hotel’s communal spaces. And there’s a 24-hour “ironing room” (you read that correctly) for those who wish to smooth the wrinkles out of their clothes before hitting the streets. Prefer to pump iron instead? The fitness center is also open 24 hours. And so is a spot to grab snacks, juice, coffee, wine and beer. Moxy’s gathering areas and its cheerful, industrial design seem tailor-made for travelers who value socializing and sightseeing more than square footage. The 253 rooms are small and streamlined, with peg walls rather than closets, fold-up worktops, and bedside USB ports so there’s no crawling around hunting for an outlet. When it’s time to hit the town, guests needn’t go far. The hotel is close to the Bund, the historic promenade along the Huangpu River, and about a 15-minute car ride from the China Art Palace and the Shanghai Film Museum. Prices from $72 a night. Image Raffles Udaipur is set on a 21-acre private island in Rajasthan, India.Credit…Raffles Udaipur INDIA Raffles Udaipur Set on a 21-acre private island in Rajasthan, Raffles Udaipur is the first Raffles hotel to open in India. Getting there is part of the fun. After about a 20-minute drive from the airport, guests board a private boat for a trip across Udai Sagar Lake. Bird spotting is encouraged. Along the way travelers might glimpse a greater flamingo, a painted stork or a pied kingfisher. Once on the island, visitors enter a grand hotel with nods to Mughal architecture, comprised of 101 rooms and suites, each with features that make it hard to leave, be it a plunge pool, private garden, balcony, lake view or some combination. For those seeking the sort of serenity you might expect from a hotel on a private island, there are ornamental gardens to stroll and spots from which to admire the surrounding hills of the Aravalli Range. If a quiet cocktail sounds appealing, the Writer’s Bar is where guests can sip and settle in with a favorite book. Didn’t bring your own? Choose one from the bar’s library. Champagne and caviar are also on the menu. There are no shortage of places to drink and dine on the island, including Raffles Patisserie, for treats like French desserts and baked breads, and Sawai Kitchen, which draws on recipes from regional royal households to serve up Indian specialties. Prices from $650 a night. Image Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape in Ubud, Bali, is based on a “no walls, no doors” wilderness concept.Credit…Duwi Mertiana Image An interior view of one of the villas.Credit…Duwi Mertiana INDONESIA Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape The adults-only villas at Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape in northern Ubud, Bali, are part of a new “no walls, no doors” wilderness concept from Banyan Tree. That may sound a bit like camping to some, but while the 16 spacious villas immerse guests in nature, they’re a far cry from roughing it. Each villa has a private pool, gazebo, open deck and breathtaking views of Balinese mountain peaks and jungle. Wood roofs hover above furnished indoor-outdoor living and sleeping areas (shades on the sides can be rolled down for privacy or to keep out rain) with minibars, safety boxes and that rare jungle amenity — Wi-Fi. In keeping with the hotel’s theme, open dining and lounge spaces were designed to encourage community and to share with guests the property’s zero-waste, farm-to-table philosophy, which it puts into practice: Much of the menu is plant-based and sourced locally. The resort also serves up local adventures, including jungle trekking and crossing the Ayung River, visiting the Buahan waterfall and yoga by moonlight. Prices from $1,000 a night for a villa. Image Hoshino Resort KAI Yufuin is a luxurious hot spring ryoken in southern Japan.Credit…Hoshino Resort KAI Yufuin Image Hoshino Resort KAI Yufuin’s deck overlooks rice fields and a bucolic landscape.Credit…Hoshino Resort KAI Yufuin JAPAN Hoshino Resort KAI Yufuin Lovers of architecture may want to pack their bags for this hot spring ryokan designed by Kengo Kuma, renowned for buildings such as the Suntory Museum of Art and the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo. A long way from the capital, Hoshino Resort KAI Yufuin is in rural southern Japan in Yufuin Onsen, home to abundant spring water and hot spring sources — and to stirring views of Mount Yufu. Guests can dip into baths fed by the hot springs, or relax and gaze out over the rice fields from the rice terrace deck. As the seasons change, so do the rice terraces, transforming from green to gold and then to rice straw after the autumn harvest. The spare, 45-room resort endeavors to bring the outside in. The prefecture’s giant timber bamboo was used for headboards and sofas. Even the scents of the region have found their way indoors thanks to lighting that uses shichitoi grass, filling the air with its faint aroma. (After a long period of being largely closed to most travelers because of Covid, Japan has recently refined its policies for allowing independent tourists to visit the country.) Prices from about $269 a night per person in a two-person room, including tax and service charges as well as breakfast and dinner. Image The 324-room Clan Hotel Singapore aims to combine old and new traditions in a Singapore neighborhood of shophouses and ...

Scotland’s Papers: UK Financial Market In ‘turmoil’ As ‘pound Tanks’ – BBC https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/scotlands-papers-uk-financial-market-in-turmoil-as-pound-tanks-bbc/ Image caption, Tuesday’s front pages are dominated by the turmoil in the markets on Monday, which saw the pound touch an all-time low against the dollar. The i reports on the decision by several mortgage lenders – including Halifax, Virgin Money, and Skipton – to temporarily stop some or all new loans, and says others are expected to follow suit. The front page features a picture of Prime Minister Liz Truss and Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng sliced by a graph showing the continual fall in the value of the pound over recent months. Image caption, The withdrawal of mortgages came in anticipation of a rise in interest rates to as much as 6% by midway through next year, reports The Daily Telegraph. The paper says such a rise would add £800 to the monthly cost of a typical mortgage. Image caption, “The pound Kwar-tanks,” reads the headline in the Metro. The paper says it wasn’t just the dollar that the pound fell against on Monday, but also the euro, the Japanese yen, and even the Russian ruble. Image caption, The Times reports on concern among Conservative ministers about the new government’s economic strategy, and quotes one warning that the party faces a “world of pain” if voters blame it for soaring mortgage costs. The paper also carries the results of a YouGov poll giving Labour a 17-point lead, its biggest in more than two decades. Image caption, The Herald says the Bank of England has said it “will not hesitate” to hike interest rates to further prop up the value of the sterling. Image caption, The Scottish Daily Express urges its readers not to panic and says the chancellor “shrugged off yesterday’s financial market jitters with a vow to lay out his plan to bring down debt”. Mr Kwarteng announced he would bring forward an announcement of a “medium-term fiscal plan” to start bringing down debt levels following an adverse reaction to his £45bn package of tax cuts set out on Friday. Image caption, Speculators who were able to profit from the turbulence by short selling the pound have “sparked fury”, reports the Scottish Daily Mail. The paper quotes senior Tories criticising traders for “trying to make money out of bad news” and warning against “talking the pound down”. Image caption, The first minister has given her strongest indication yet that Holyrood will not follow the UK government’s tax cutting plans, according to The Scotsman. The paper says Nicola Sturgeon has branded Kwasi Kwarteng’s tax cuts for the rich as “morally repugnant” and a “catastrophic disaster”. Image caption, The Daily Record says the first minister labelled the No 10 plan as “catastrophic” and the “wrong thing to do” in Scotland. Image caption, The Edinburgh Evening News also reports on the falling value of the pound, saying millions of households face further financial misery following the crisis. Image caption, The SNP’s written case to the Supreme Court in the indyref2 case has been published in full by the party, reports The National. The written submission sets out the party’s case arguing that the Scottish Parliament has the competency to pass a bill legislating for a second independence referendum. Image caption, Brewdog boss James Watt, 40, was subjected to a vicious online smear campaign which saw him scammed out of £100,000 by his ex, according to The Scottish Sun. The paper says Emili Ziem, 29, vowed to “take down” Mr Watt and set up fake social media pages spreading lies about him. She then conned him into paying £25,000 a time to unmask the sick “trolls”. Image caption, The Daily Star of Scotland says Scottish football’s new £150m TV deal is set to be rubber-stamped this week after Rangers were effectively frozen out of the vote. The paper says it revealed earlier this month that the SPFL (Scottish Professional Football League) were ready to rip up their own rule book to force a bumper Sky deal through after the Ibrox club refused to give it their backing. Image caption, The Courier leads with the death of a 26-year-old woman, killed in a road crash in north-east Fife. The paper says two vehicles were involved in the incident and three other people were injured. Image caption, The Press and Journal reports that island communities in Scotland are being left to “suffer” due to high levels of ferry disruption, the Scottish Liberal Democrats have said. The paper says islanders will be hit with a record number of cancellations this year, as figures show there were more that 7,000 cancellations in the first half of this year alone. Image caption, Staff at an under-fire cycling charity claim they were made redundant in the middle of their shift, says the Glasgow Times. Despite an ongoing campaign to see the cycling track at Free Wheel North transferred to a new owner, four workers were laid off suddenly last Wednesday. A protest was held on Sunday afternoon at the gates of the Glasgow Green facility. Image caption, The Dundee Evening Telegraph reports that a fire-raising “sex killer” who torched her own home to “burn old life away” has dodged a jail sentence. Victoria Kydd, 43, has been ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work in the community. Image caption, An Aberdeen community is celebrating after winning a £3.2m prize from the People’s Postcode Lottery, according to the Evening Express. Related Internet Links The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.