Denton County News Online

Ex-Police Detective Suspected Of Preying On Black Women Faces U.S. Charges – The New York Times https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/ex-police-detective-suspected-of-preying-on-black-women-faces-u-s-charges-the-new-york-times/ Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker

TECHNOLOGY NEWS – Collision Repair Mag https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/technology-news-collision-repair-mag/ MORE TECH, MORE TROUBLES New vehicle technology comes with an understandable learning curve for drivers, though a recent J.D. Power report suggests these additions affect driver satisfaction in ways more nuanced than it may seem. In its 2022 Tech Experience Index (TXI) studies and Initial Quality Studies (IQS), J.D. Power measured vehicle quality via a problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) model. The company claims that, while the “notion that advanced technologies always lead to significant problems is a misconception,” certain pieces of technology have been found to be easier for drivers to adapt to than others. “Of the advanced technologies included in the 2022 TXI Study, 46 percent had at least one problem with a PP100 score higher than the most problematic attribute included in the 2022 IQS, with some exceeding it several times over,” said the report. In its most recent study, J.D. Power found there was significant variation in meeting user expectations between different pieces of advanced technology. For example, rear seat reminder technology had a range of problems from 1.9 PP100 to 26.2 PP100, demonstrating that tech can be developed with minimal owner complaints. On the other hand, fingerprint reading technology was identified as the most problematic technology in driver satisfaction, scoring a PP100 of 54.3. J.D. Power expressed that they do not want to see automakers discouraged from developing more advanced technology based solely on how initial satisfaction is affected by change. FACT, NOT FICTION Autonomous vehicles (AVs) may lead to safer roads—a challenge the collision repair industry will have to seriously consider. CEICA hosted a webinar on Aug. 25 led by Tara Andringa, executive director at Partners for Automated Vehicle Education (PAVE), a non-profit organization promoting public education on AVs. When asked about how mass AV adoption will affect the collision repair industry, Andringa said collision repairers will need to join the conversation, given that this innovation has no real equivalents or historical precedents. She cites law enforcement as another industry that faces intense shakeups—police officers may have to pull over AVs or get information from an empty AV, while repairers need to learn about AV technology and prepare their industry for the shakeup. Given that AVs do not get tired, distracted and have more complete vision than the average driver, it is extremely likely this technology will make driving safer and accessible to more people. By the time it’s rolled out, truly autonomous AVs will be among the most vetted technologies in the world. NO KNOCK NEEDED According to Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) West Region, four Dodge Ram 1500s were stolen on August 28 from the driveways of multiple residences, with relay attacks suspected. Unlike traditional entry methods, relay attacks use technology to duplicate key fob signals emanating from a nearby location. These duplicated signals, combined with a blank key fob, allows thieves to digitally copy the vehicle’s key. While earlier reports suggest that physical entry and mechanical breaches remain the most used technique, the rising prevalence of relay attacks in 2022 suggests that they are no longer as rare as initially believed. There is a simple defence against this technique though–faraday cages and key pouches can do the job for a considerable price, but a cookie tin will protect you just as well. A BITE OF THE APPLE Some high-tech nefariousness seems to be at play with the development of Apple’s mysterious autonomous vehicle, as a former engineer for the tech giant pleaded guilty to trade secret theft in U.S. federal court in August. Zhang Xiaolang was heading to the airport to catch a one-way flight to China in July 2018 when he was arrested under the charge of having downloaded a 25-page document to his wife’s laptop that included schematic drawings of a circuit board design for a portion of an autonomous vehicle. Zhang admitted to the accusation during a hearing in San Jose, Calif. Trade secret theft carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The former Apple engineer, who was hired on as a hardware engineer in the company’s autonomous vehicle division in 2015, was reportedly on his way to China to work with a startup company also operating in the electric and autonomous vehicles sector. THE MOD’ POD New research from the Speciality Equipment Market Association (SEMA) suggests that nearly half of all late-model pickup owners have modified their pickups—and these drivers are reportedly considering even more modifications in the future. The report found that pickup owners spent US$16 billion on specialty equipment parts in 2021, and that half of an estimated 29 million pickup trucks 2010 or newer are modified. SEMA also suggests that 62 percent of latemodel pickup accessorizers buy off-road parts, and that 84 percent of those accessorizers plan to make mods in the future. Further, SEMA says that 45 percent of specialty equipment business see electric pickup trucks as an “opportunity.”

GMC Hummer EV Goes Gaming In Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare II – Motor1 https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/gmc-hummer-ev-goes-gaming-in-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-ii-motor1/ An all-electric vehicle has joined Call of Duty for the first time. This is in the form of the GMC Hummer EV pickup truck, which has collaborated with the popular Activision first-person shooter video game franchise. Announced during the Call of Duty: Next event and teased by GMC a few days before, the Hummer EV pickup truck will be in two upcoming Call of Duty games. “The GMC Hummer EV Pickup is truly the world’s first all-electric supertruck. Now, it is entering the gaming world where it will define a new chapter of capability and bring players together across the globe,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Global Buick and GMC. “Bringing the supertruck into Call of Duty will allow players to elevate their experience and provide a new way to play, powered by a nearly quiet and fast-accelerating EV,” he added. The GMC Hummer EV will be appearing in the upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II. As mentioned, this is the first time that an EV has joined the Infinity Ward-developed video game. Moreover, the Hummer EV will also be a playable vehicle in the highly anticipated Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0. Players will be able to use the truck to explore the massive play space of the online multiplayer vvideo game. “We’re excited to bring the GMC HUMMER EV Pickup into the fold for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II and Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0,” said William Gahagan, director of Global Partnerships at Activision. “There’s nothing like driving across Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 in an all-electric, 1,000 horsepower supertruck. I can’t wait for players to get their hands on it this fall.” The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II will debut on October 28, 2022, while the Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 is coming this fall.

UPDATE: 23-Year-Old Man Found Dead In East Macon – 41 NBC News https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/update-23-year-old-man-found-dead-in-east-macon-41-nbc-news/ The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a body was found in east Macon Thursday night. UPDATE:  A 23-year-old man was found dead Thursday night in east Macon. The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office says deputies responded to a call of a person shot at the intersection of Denton Street and Haywood Road. Upon arrival, deputies found 23-year-old Jermaine Brandon Reynolds lying in the road unresponsive. Deputy Coroner Lonnie Miley pronounced him dead at the scene. Call the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office at (478) 751-7500 or Macon Regional Crimestoppers at 1-877-68-CRIME if you have any information. MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a body was found in east Macon Thursday night. Sgt. Clay Williams confirmed the discovery without confirming the exact location. He said he’s working to provide more information. That’s all we have right now. Check back for updates. Follow Tucker Sargent on Facebook and Twitter.

Shawmut Corp. Sued Over Mask Venture – The Boston Globe https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/shawmut-corp-sued-over-mask-venture-the-boston-globe/ LEGAL Shawmut Corp. sued over mask venture An affiliate of development firm The Fallon Co. has sued manufacturer Shawmut Corp. in Suffolk Superior Court, alleging that Shawmut has breached its contract with Fallon for a joint venture created two years ago to produce N95 masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both companies initially contributed $3.4 million for the 50-50 venture, according to the lawsuit, and procured a multimillion-dollar machine known as a Reifenhauser to make polypropylene for the masks. Developer Joe Fallon started the venture after learning about the pressing need for domestically manufactured N95 masks in the spring of 2020. The venture was announced in October 2020, and was supported by a $2.7 million state grant. Shawmut, according to the suit, had planned to start with making 5 million masks a month at its West Bridgewater plant, gradually ramping that up to 15 million a month. But Fallon claims Shawmut kept it in the dark about the venture’s finances and was surprised to learn in 2021 that Shawmut had only made a small fraction of that amount before essentially shutting down production. Fallon said it then learned that Shawmut is going into business on its own by making and selling N95 masks. Dan Tighe, a lawyer for Shawmut, said there’s no merit to Fallon’s lawsuit and Shawmut plans to fight it: “There’s another side to the story and we look forward to telling it in court.” Fallon Co. president Brian Awe issued a statement saying: “Unfortunately, our trust was misplaced and despite the grave need and significant demand, Shawmut, in breach of its commitments, failed to perform or deliver. We are deeply disappointed and unfortunately are left with no other choice but to seek resolution through the filing of this case.” — JON CHESTO Get Innovation Beat Boston Globe tech reporters tell the story of the region’s technology and innovation industry, highlighting key players, trends, and why they matter. ENERGY Shell CEO to leave Shell CEO Ben van Beurden is stepping down at the end of 2022 after nine years in charge, the energy giant said Thursday, a change that comes as oil and natural gas companies are under pressure to shift away from fossil fuels even as they see soaring profits from energy prices driven up by Russia’s war in Ukraine. Taking over Jan. 1 is Wael Sawan, who has worked for Shell for 25 years and is now director of integrated gas, renewables, and energy solutions. The choice signals the focus of the London-based company to take what it calls a leading role in the energy transition despite facing criticism that it’s been slow to reduce climate-changing emissions. — ASSOCIATED PRESS INTERNATIONAL EU proposes law to force cybersecurity standards The European Union’s executive arm proposed new legislation Thursday that would force manufacturers to ensure that devices connected to the Internet meet cybersecurity standards, making the 27-nation bloc less vulnerable to attacks. The EU said a ransomware attack takes place every 11 seconds, and the global annual cost of cybercrime is estimated at 5.5 trillion euros in 2021. In Europe alone, cyberattacks cost between 180 and 290 billion euros each year, according to EU officials. — ASSOCIATED PRESS RETAIL Kanye ends contract with the Gap Kanye West says he’s breaking up with the Gap. An attorney for Kanye West, who goes by Ye, told the Associated Press that a letter has been sent to the clothing chain Thursday seeking to terminate the contract between Gap and West’s company, Yeezy. The clash comes a little over a year after Yeezy’s first item— a blue puffer jacket — appeared in Gap stores. — ASSOCIATED PRESS RETAIL Bed Bath & Beyond to begin closing stores Bed Bath & Beyond will begin closing down and liquidating about a third of the approximately 150 stores it plans to shutter in a round of cost cuts, with the first round focused on the upper Midwest, New York, and New Jersey. The store closings come amid the retailer’s plan to let go about 20 percent of its workforce as it works to stay afloat. — BLOOMBERG NEWS AIRLINES Southwest says business travel still lags Southwest Airlines said Thursday that corporate travel is recovering more slowly than the airline had expected, although that is offset by continuing strong demand from leisure travelers even after the end of the traditional summer vacation season. Southwest said revenue from “managed” business travel in the quarter ending Sept. 30 will be down 26 percent to 28 percent from 2019 levels. That’s a retreat from Southwest’s earlier forecast of a 17 percent to 21 percent decline, which the airline attributed to “softer” last-minute business-travel bookings since late July. — ASSOCIATED PRESS FINANCE Bank of America to offer paid sabbaticals to longtime employees Bank of America is starting a paid sabbatical program to reward its long-term employees, starting with four weeks off for those who have spent 15 years with the company. Beginning next year, the bank will offer its workers four to six weeks off to “reinvest in their priorities in life,” according to a memo seen by Bloomberg News. The move is to recognize tenure at the company at certain career milestones, and to attract and retain talent. Sabbaticals increase over time, amounting to five weeks for those who have worked between 20 and 25 years, and six weeks for 30 years or more, according to the memo. The paid time off is in addition to normal vacation days, according to a person familiar with the program who asked not to be identified discussing the private details. — BLOOMBERG NEWS AIRPORTS Head of troubled Schiphol resigns The CEO of Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport has quit after a summer that descended into chaos and flight cancellations amid staff shortages in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I’ve done my very best, but we’re not there yet. I do hope it gets better soon,” CEO Dick Benschop said in a statement released by the airport Thursday, after he told the board of his decision on Wednesday night. The busy aviation hub on the outskirts of Amsterdam has been hit by huge queues and piles of unclaimed baggage over the summer vacation months as air travel roared back after the pandemic. — ASSOCIATED PRESS AUTOMOTIVE Ford bucks trend with new gas-powered Mustang Ford Motor’s glitzy introduction of a redesigned Mustang sports car powered by fossil fuels runs counter to the industry narrative of ditching gas-burning cars to make way for electrified models. Ford is betting there’s enough life left in the 58-year-old Mustang to help pay for the company’s electric-powered future, in which chief executive Jim Farley is investing $50 billion to build 2 million EVs annually by 2026. With the Mustang, Ford is also offering a plug-in version, the Mach-E, which has seen sales soar 49 percent this year. — BLOOMBERG NEWS

Kanye West And Gap Splitting Up After 2 Years – 69News WFMZ-TV https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/kanye-west-and-gap-splitting-up-after-2-years-69news-wfmz-tv/ NEW YORK (AP) — Kanye West is breaking up with the Gap. An attorney for Kanye West, who goes by Ye, told The Associated Press that a letter has been sent to the clothing chain Thursday seeking to terminate the contract between Gap and West’s company, Yeezy. The clash comes a little over a year after Yeezy’s first item— a blue puffer jacket — appeared in Gap stores. The deal was announced in June 2020 to much fanfare. In the letter that West’s lawyer shared with The AP on Thursday, it said that Gap failed to meet obligations in the pact, including distributing merchandise to Gap store locations and creating dedicated YZY Gap stores. “Gap left Ye no choice but to terminate their collaboration agreement because of Gap’s substantial noncompliance,” said Nicholas Gravante, West’s attorney with Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft, in an emailed statement to the AP. “Ye had diligently tried to work through these issues with Gap both directly and through counsel. He has gotten nowhere.” Gravante said that Gap’s failure to comply with the terms of the contract has been costly. He said West plans to begin opening Yeezy retail stores. Gap confirmed that the pact was ending in a memo to its employees. “Simply put … while we share a vision of bringing high-quality, trend-forward, utilitarian design to all people through unique omni experiences with Yeezy Gap, how we work together to deliver this vision is not aligned,” Mark Breitbard, president and CEO of Gap Brand told employees in the memo. “And we are deciding to wind down the partnership.” The company plans to continue to sell the Yeezy Gap products that were in the pipeline. West has unleashed criticism on social media against Gap as well as Adidas AG where he has a similar deal. Adidas declined to comment. The San Francisco retailer had been hoping the partnership with West would resonate with customers in a period of declining sales. For Yeezy, being in more than 1,100 Gap stores worldwide would have put his brand in front of more people. West has had a history with Gap. He worked at one of its stores in Chicago as a teenager. And he told Vanity Fair magazine back in 2015 that he wanted to be creative director for the brand. Follow Anne D’Innocenzio on Twitter. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

‘Today’ Show Nutrition Expert Joy Bauer Offers Advice On Healthy Living During West Palm Beach Visit – WPTV News Channel 5 West Palm https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/today-show-nutrition-expert-joy-bauer-offers-advice-on-healthy-living-during-west-palm-beach-visit-wptv-news-channel-5-west-palm/ WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — “Today” show nutrition expert Joy Bauer believes what you eat affects your everyday life. She spoke Wednesday morning at the Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches breakfast event. The organization delivers meals to homebound seniors. Her presentation was interactive at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, showing guests how to incorporate healthy foods. Bauer has a heart for the organization. “When I was a little girl, my mom and my grandmother were both very involved. We had a local chapter in New York,” Bauer said. “They would put me in the car, and from elementary school up through high school, I would help my mom with the deliveries. And we had meaningful friendships that we developed with these seniors.” WPTV “Today” show nutrition expert Joy Bauer speaks at the Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches breakfast event in West Palm Beach on Sept. 15, 2022. Bauer, who has authored more than a dozen books, said whether you want to lose weight or increase your energy, write down your reason. “Put it down on paper. Put it on a Post-it Note, hang it on your bathroom vanity,” she said. “Put it on your screen saver. Put it on your refrigerator and remind yourself every single day what your reason is because that’s going to be your motivation.” She said it’s about including produce in every meal. “Vegetables and fruit are high volume, and they are low in calories, so they fill us up without filling us out,” Bauer said. “But even more importantly they are chock-full of the good stuff: antioxidants, fiber, vitamins and minerals. And they shower our body with things that help to reduce the risk for certain diseases and to just make us feel better and to thrive.” RELATED LINKS: Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches Joy Bauer Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Sign up for the South Florida Sports Headlines Newsletter and receive up to date information.

Giants First-Round Pick Kayvon Thibodeaux ‘really Confident’ About Making NFL Debut Vs. The Panthers – CBS Sports https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/giants-first-round-pick-kayvon-thibodeaux-really-confident-about-making-nfl-debut-vs-the-panthers-cbs-sports/ USA Today It’s good to be a New York Giants fan. Fresh off of their season-opening win over the Titans, rookie first-round pick Kayvon Thibodeaux expects to make his regular-season debut Sunday against the Panthers. Thibodeaux missed the opener after sustaining a sprained right MCL during the Giants’ second preseason game.  Thibodeaux was limited during Wednesday and Thursday’s practices. Giants coach Brian Daboll said that his rookie linebacker took part in team drills Wednesday and was a little more involved in practice on Thursday. Thibodeaux also did some extra cardio on his own.  “Getting close,” Thibodeaux said on Thursday, via ESPN. “Like I said, trying not to look too far — what is today? Today is Thursday — still have Friday, Saturday. I’m really confident in this Sunday.” The fifth overall pick in the draft, Thibodeaux racked up 19 sacks and 35.5 tackles for loss in 31 games with the Ducks. The first player in a dozen years to lead Oregon in sacks and tackles for loss in back-to-back seasons, Thibodeaux was also the first Ducks defensive lineman to earn All-America honors since Colts Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner in 2015.  Assuming he plays on Sunday, Thibodeaux will look to help the Giants’ defense contain a Panthers offense that is led by former All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey. New York’s defense played well in Week 1, allowing just 19 first downs and 93 rushing yards on 26 carries in the 21-20 win.  “We’ve been making great gains,” Thibodeaux said. “Ultimately it will come to how I feel on Friday and Saturday. But everything is going well and I’m optimistic about it.”

Nikko Unveils Metaverse ETF In Hong Kong – ETF Strategy https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/nikko-unveils-metaverse-etf-in-hong-kong-etf-strategy/ Nikko Asset Management has unveiled a thematic equity ETF in Hong Kong providing actively managed exposure to companies worldwide that are developing and enabling the metaverse. The metaverse is a hypothesized iteration of the internet, supporting persistent online 3-D virtual environments. The NikkoAM Metaverse Theme Active ETF is listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong in Hong Kong dollars (3091 HK) and US dollars (9091 HK) and has estimated ongoing charges of 1.25%. The fund has been created by revamping one of Nikko’s existing strategies, the NikkoAM E-Games Active ETF. The metaverse is a term used to describe the concept of a future iteration of the internet, made up of persistent, shared, 3D virtual spaces linked into a perceived virtual universe. Combining aspects of social media, online gaming, augmented & virtual reality, e-commerce, and blockchain technology, the metaverse is expected to influence many aspects of people’s lives including how they interact, socialize, learn, shop, work, and play virtually. While still in its infancy, the metaverse has already attracted billions of dollars of investment. Morgan Stanley analysts predict the metaverse has the potential to generate $8.3 trillion in total consumer expenditure in the US alone, depending on the level of disruption. Investment approach The ETF utilizes Nikko’s proprietary research to identify companies across several metaverse-related business categories. Hardware companies refer to those that are developing physical technologies such as augmented & virtual reality devices, mobile phones, and enterprise hardware that will allow individuals and businesses to interact in a virtual environment. Computing companies refer to those that are delivering computer power to support the operation of the metaverse. The category includes companies involved with semiconductors, data matching, and artificial intelligence. Connectivity companies refer to those that are providing high bandwidth or networks enabling data transmission on the metaverse. Eligible firms include cloud service providers and telecommunication companies providing fiber networks. Platform companies refer to those that are creating and operating immersive 3D worlds in the metaverse. Eligible firms include online gaming and social media platforms. Tools companies refer to those that are providing protocols such as Web 3.0 and the facilitation of 3D rendering. Payments companies refer to those that are facilitating transactions in the metaverse via fiat currency on-ramps, cryptocurrencies, and non-fungible tokens. Content companies refer to those that are facilitating the creation, storage, distribution, and protection of digital assets such as games, online avatars, and NFTs. Eligible firms include electronic game developers and companies that offer NFTs on underlying assets. There is one other ETF in Hong Kong targeting the global metaverse theme – the CSOP Metaverse Concept ETF (3034 HK) – which also adopts an actively managed approach. Its estimated ongoing charges are 2.00%. The Samsung Asia Pacific ex NZ Metaverse Theme ETF (3172 HK), meanwhile, targets metaverse-related companies specifically located in the Asia Pacific region, also utilizing an active approach. Its ongoing charges are 0.85%.

These Luxurious Amazon Products Will Make You Feel Like British Royalty – 22 Words https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/these-luxurious-amazon-products-will-make-you-feel-like-british-royalty-22-words/ With the British Royal Family in the spotlight, it’s easy to picture yourself living the life of a prince or princess. Shows like Downton Abbey, House of the Dragon and Bridgerton don’t help either! They all have such beautiful clothes, accessories and palaces. I know it’s unlikely I’ll wake up tomorrow inside a castle with all of the luxuries I could ever want, but a girl can dream. If you want to bring that enchanting, gorgeous lifestyle to your home, I’ve put together a list of my favorite budget-friendly items from Amazon. You may not have a castle, but you can absolutely get your hands on some elegant satin pajamas, 24K gold face masks and gourmet teas worthy of the Windsors. I hope you enjoy these items inspired by the British royals! You will love our editor’s curated product picks! FYI: We are an Amazon affiliate partner and may get a share of the sale of your purchase (at no cost to you). Enjoy Your Single Malts in These Stylish Old Fashioned Whiskey Glasses If you’ve ever wanted to debate politics in your study like the kings of old, this is the classiest way to do it in 2022. All you need is a cigar, a world map and these old fashioned glasses. Reviewers love these glasses for their vintage appeal and weight – apparently, they’re perfect for making Old Fashions! A Luxurious Wine Aerator and Dispenser for Your Dining Table An aerator and dispenser all in one? Wow, talk about luxury living. Unless you’re planning to go all the way and hire professional bottle service for every dinner party, this self-pouring gadget is the next best thing. It’s rechargeable, easy to use and is compatible with most standard bottles sizes. You’ll Want to Stay in Bed All Day After You Try These Satin Sheets These silky, cool sheets are going to feel SO good after a long day on your feet. Slip into bed with your favorite herbal tea for a little me time! Even the sweatiest husbands and over-enthusiastic pets won’t ruin your luxury experience – these sheets are made to be cooling and tear resistant! Excuse me while I add these to my cart… Get That Pair of Satin Silk Pajamas You’ve Always Wanted! Real talk: I’ve been lusting after a pair of these since I first saw Princess Diaries 2 (if you know, you know). There’s nothing like a bunch of mattress surfing princesses in classy nightwear to inspire your next clothing obsession! If you want to feel like you’re part of the fairy tale every night, this silky upscale fit will not disappoint you. It’s light and breezy, perfect for lounging or sleeping during warm nights. Turn Boring Tap Water into a Spa Experience with These Bath Bombs If you seek to emulate the palace lifestyle, here’s one tidbit of advice: the royals never rush. Why hurry through a five minute shower when you could luxuriate for an hour in a bathtub that smells like roses? Um, yes, I’ll take that with a glass of wine! Swap Your Candles out for This Essential Oil Diffuser Candles are lovely, but they burn out so quickly! A few hours in and many of mine simply stop working, usually thanks to an ill-placed wick. A diffuser like this is a much better investment. It’s reusable, it comes with seven different light-up color options and it helps add a little humidity to the air (which should help keep your lungs clear overnight). It’s really easy to use! Just add water and your favorite essential oil. Get the Beauty Sleep You Deserve with This Sleep Mask While the Royal Family can expect to enjoy quiet seaside cottages and private castles, the rest of us have to endure every little disturbance of tight-quartered city living. If the 4 am headlights or your night owl roommates are giving you a headache, consider grabbing one of these to block out the world. Available in more than 10 different colors, these satin eye masks are also perfect for pairing with your favorite pajamas and intimates! Erase Dark Circles and Puffiness with These 24K Gold Under-Eye Masks I laughed the first time I saw a 24K gold mask. I thought, “These are so extra, there’s no way they actually work.” According to the reviews, I’m dead wrong and I’ve been missing out. Buyer C. Blake was skeptical like me, but his experience with them completely changed his mind: “I took a chance on these to help get rid of my dark circles/lines/puffiness around my eyes and it works! I’m also a 40 year old man, but I look much better rested now and healthier. At first I was skeptical, but now they are just part of my evening routine. You need to use them consistently, every night, and use all of them. At the end, you will see they really worked.” Wow, I guess I’m going to have to try these! This Bidet Attachment Will Make Your Toilet Feel So Fancy! All the finest establishments have bidets, and your home isn’t exempt! When you add this bidet to your bathroom, you’ll be offering your family and your guests a luxury experience. I’ve used one and I can tell you from experience that it’s totally worth it. It takes a little bit to get used to, but once you’re hooked, there’s no going back. For the cost of one 24 pack of bamboo toilet paper, you can ditch TP forever and enjoy the freshest bum of your life. Only the Finest Gold Face Serum for Your Spa Day There’s nothing that says palace luxury like spreading actual gold on your skin. Apparently, a similar gold-based product was used by Cleopatra in ancient Egypt to maintain a glowing, flawless complexion. If you want that drowning in jewels and riches kind of aesthetic for your next home spa sesh, be sure to grab this serum. It’s loaded with all the other goodies you want too: Vitamin C serum, hyaluronic acid and Vitamin E cream. Enjoy Your Own High Tea with a Gourmet Tea Sampler Box Bring a little bit of that British regency feel to your home by hosting a high tea. This isn’t your average mug of evening chamomile – I’m talking tiny sandwiches, scones, mini desserts and your best china. Even if you don’t have the fancy three-tiered display or sandwich ingredients on hand, there’s nothing to stop you from brewing some of this gourmet tea and enjoying a couple of chocolates with your favorite people. This will be even more fun if you dress for the occasion! An Electric Tea Kettle with a Magical Surprise Tea enthusiasts, you HAVE to get this kettle! This review by Laura says it all: “THIS IS THE COOLEST GOSH DANG KETTLE. Listen, I bought this thing cuz I needed hot water, and I needed it fast. Simple enough. It does that. It also does that quieter than my previous kettle. But this isn’t just any old ordinary kettle, my friend, oh no. Have you ever thought to yourself, boy I wish I could keep a mini ocean wave inside my home somehow? WELL NOW YOU CAN! Watching the water boil through the glass, lit by the electric blue light, was fascinating enough that myself and two roommates stared at it in awe… and the finale? When it’s reached boiling temperature, it looks like a MINIATURE TSUNAMI!!! Buy this electric kettle. Buy it now.” I Just Added These Plush Slippers to My Wish List Mom, if you’re reading this, THIS is what I want for Christmas! These are so cute, and they would pair especially well with a vintage robe. None of us should have to endure the constant crumbs underfoot, not when there are gorgeous slippers like this out there to be had. They look so soft too…

First Mover Asia: Ether Tumbles Below $1.5K; Ethereum Merge May Ding Demand For Chips, But Semiconductor Stocks Could Still Be A Good Buy – CoinDesk https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/first-mover-asia-ether-tumbles-below-1-5k-ethereum-merge-may-ding-demand-for-chips-but-semiconductor-stocks-could-still-be-a-good-buy-coindesk/ Good morning. Here’s what’s happening: Prices: Ether plummets in the hours after the Merge; bitcoin declines. Insights: The Ethereum Merge could lessen the need for chips powering GPUs, but semiconductor stocks could still be a good buy. Catch the latest episodes of CoinDesk TV for insightful interviews with crypto industry leaders and analysis. And sign up for First Mover, our daily newsletter putting the latest moves in crypto markets in context. ● Bitcoin (BTC): $19,708 −2.7% ● Ether (ETH): $1,474 −9.8% ● CoinDesk Market Index (CMI): $981 −4.4% ● S&P 500 daily close: 3,901.35 −1.1% ● Gold: $1,671 per troy ounce −1.5% ● Ten-year Treasury yield daily close: 3.46% +0.05 Bitcoin, ether and gold prices are taken at approximately 4pm New York time. Bitcoin is the CoinDesk Bitcoin Price Index (XBX); Ether is the CoinDesk Ether Price Index (ETX); Gold is the COMEX spot price. Information about CoinDesk Indices can be found at coindesk.com/indices. Ether Plummets Post-Merge; Bitcoin Sees Red as Well After holding steady in the hours immediately following the Ethereum Merge on Thursday, ether and other major cryptos tumbled. Ether was recently trading below $1,500, a roughly 10% dive over the past 24 hours, and its largest, daily drop since late August. The second biggest cryptocurrency by market capitalization had topped $2,000 earlier that month largely on Merge euphoria. The technological overhaul that has changed the Ethereum blockchain to a more energy efficient proof-of-work protocol went seamlessly, and data from crypto futures markets on Thursday showed that many investors seemed to have closed out hedged positions in the ensuing hours. The trend signaled that they were wrapping up trades they had made during the previous month or past few weeks to bet on possible outcomes of the event, including the possibility of a revolt by crypto miners wanting to continue operating in the PoW system. “We’ve seen that there was bullish positioning into the Merge, and as an industry we’re already looking for what’s next,” Jon Campagna, Partner, head of trading and capital markets at crypto investment firm CoinFund, wrote in an email to CoinDesk. Campagna noted ether and other cryptos’ recent tendency to track stocks, and riskier assets ongoing vulnerability to wider uncertainties. “We’re at the throes of challenging macroeconomic factors, which seem to persist,” he wrote. “It’s unclear if we will see enough idiosyncratic performance in the asset class to materially deviate from equities at this time.” Bitcoin fell below the psychologically important $20,000 barrier for the first time since Sept. 8, a nearly 3% drop from the previous day. The largest crypto in market value has tended to underperform ether in recent weeks. Other cryptocurrencies from the CoinDesk top 20 by market cap stood firmly in a red swamp with popular meme coins DOGE and SHIB and ADA recently off more than 3%. Equity markets also had their problems with the tech-focused Nasdaq and the S&P 500, which has a strong technology component, both declining more than a percentage point, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) losing about 0.5%. Investors remain skittish about inflation and the looming robustness of the U.S. central bank’s next interest rate hike at its Federal Open Reserve Committee meeting in less than a week. Observers of monetary policy widely expect a third, consecutive 75 basis point increase, although the odds of a 100 basis point rise ticked higher on Wednesday. Among the latest data in a week of key economic reports, retail sales kicked higher by 0.3%, reflecting consumers continued buying strength and an about-face from July when sales declined 0.4%. But rates for 30-year fixed, residential mortgages hit 6% on Thursday for the first time in nearly 15 years, another blow to a weakening housing market. Merge issues dominated crypto news. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin said the event had lowered the world’s energy consumption by 0.2%, marking what may be one of the single biggest decarbonization efforts in history. And U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler said that staked cryptocurrencies may be subject to federal securities regulations, repeating a pro-oversight stance in the wake of Ethereum’s transition to just such a method. CoinFund’s Campagna suggested that ether’s price drop could be temporary, highlighting its fluctuations after the Ethereum network’s last major upgrade in August 2021. “It spent the following days slowly trading down 5% to $3060, before rallying 30% in two weeks, closing at $3940 on September 3rd,” he said. “Granted, the macro environment has shifted during that time.” “Could we see the pattern repeat?” Biggest Gainers Biggest Losers An Inconvenient Merge, but Semiconductor Stocks Could Still Be a Good Buy Chipmakers Nvidia and AMD, which once provided the brains to ether mining farms worldwide, are having a rough year. Their struggles are not entirely because of crypto, yet Ethereum’s shift to proof-of-stake might provide an interesting opportunity for investors. Despite an exciting few moments where record-setting exchange inflows of ether signaled a potential sell-off, ether traded flat in the hours following the Merge and then dropped more than 9% at one point during the following U.S. trading day.. Ethereum Classic was recently  up 1% as proof-of-work fans stage a protest vote with their trading accounts. As a result of this, Graphics Processing Unit  prices are in freefall, and data from analyst house John Peddie Research shows that channel supply (distributors) is bulging. Nvidia, never a fan of crypto mining, will always downplay things. Nvidia CFO Colette Kress’ line is that the company has “limited visibility into how much this impacts our overall GPU demand” and is “unable to accurately quantify the extent to which reduced cryptocurrency mining contributed to the decline in Gaming demand.” Perhaps these non-answers have resulted from Nvidia’s settlement with the SEC for failing to disclose that crypto mining was a major contributor to its 2018 revenue. It would be reasonable to assume that Nvidia’s stock is being driven down because of the glut of GPUs on the market. But that’s not entirely the case. Nvidia does not only sell GPUs on the retail level but also to organizations using data centers and high-performance computers that crunch large stacks of numbers for research purposes. The ability of these chips to address massive amounts of information and make CPUs more efficient through what’s called parallel computing, makes them a considerable asset worldwide. Thus, data center is the company’s largest segment. China has been a large buyer of these data center chips during the last decade, as the country’s industries double down on artificial intelligence and its universities catch up to their American counterparts in research. Within these companies and universities data centers are Nvidia’s chips. This demand is why Nvidia’s stock tumbled when Washington announced an export ban on its most advanced AI chips to China, alongside AMD which also designs similar products.  Nvidia said the new ban could mean the loss of up to $400 million in revenue; AMD didn’t disclose its loss but it’s expected to also be large. This scenario has precedent. In 2015, the U.S. Department of Commerce banned the export of Intel’s Xeon chips, used in data centers, to some of China’s largest universities, including China’s National University of Defense Technology, which was at the time developing the world’s fastest supercomputer. The rationale given was that these universities were engaged in nuclear weapons research. Intel’s stock was unaffected by the news. In contrast, Nvidia’s dropped nearly 10% on the news of its export ban, compounding losses throughout the year as tech stocks have struggled. Nvidia has lost nearly half its value, putting it back to where it was in October 2020. Could this all be an overreaction, and the market acting irrationally? Maybe, says one analyst. “We view the 8% selloff in the stock yesterday (vs 2% SOX) as an overreaction, and view the recent weakness as a particular buying opportunity,” Jeffries analyst Mark Lipacis was quoted as saying. Lipacis notes that most of Nvidia’s business in China goes to tech giants not the government which would make it easier for the company to get an export license, insulating its loss potential. Analysts polled by Dow Jones seem to agree that there’s a value buy here, 27 give it a buy rating, 11 say it’s best to hold, and one says it’s a sell. The decline of mining has likely already been priced into the stock too. As early as February, when the company closed its fiscal fourth quarter, the mining market was beginning to bottom out. Of course, other proof-of-work tokens like Ethereum Classic. But Etherem Classic’s post-Merge jump in hashrate is frivolous: It’s only at 142 TH/s, which is a fraction of the roughly 950-1000 TH/s with which Ethereum finished its last quarter. Nvidia is going to fight against a nearly 13% decline of PC sales year-over-year and glut in the channel. Meanwhile,, the gaming market is expected to cross $200 billion this year – which gives Nvidia plenty of room to move past Ethereum. 10 a.m. HKT/SGT(2 a.m. UTC): China industrial production (Aug./YoY) 10 a.m. HKT/SGT(2 a.m. UTC): China retail sales (Aug./YoY) 10 a.m. HKT/SGT(2 a.m. UTC): U.K. retail sales (Aug./YoY) In case you missed it, here is the most recent episode of “First Mover” on CoinDesk TV: Special Ethereum Merge coverage included a look at the historic transition ...

Despite Gains By Ukraine Against Russia, U.S. Expects Much More Fighting – The Washington Post https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/despite-gains-by-ukraine-against-russia-u-s-expects-much-more-fighting-the-washington-post/ Despite Ukrainian forces’ startling gains in the war against Russia, the Biden administration anticipates months of intense fighting with wins and losses for each side, spurring U.S. plans for an open-ended campaign with no prospect for a negotiated end in sight. The surprise success by Ukrainian forces in areas of the country occupied by Russian troops during the weekend generated euphoria among Ukrainians sapped by months of fighting. It also fueled hopes among many of Kyiv’s foreign backers that its scrappy military might be able to expel Russia’s larger, better-armed force. President Volodymyr Zelensky, raising his country’s blue-and-yellow flag Wednesday over the liberated city of Izyum, promised it would be “definitely impossible to occupy our people, the Ukrainian people.” Officials in Kyiv said forces recaptured some 3,000 square kilometers in the Kherson and Kharkiv regions. Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry described its forces’ disorderly withdrawal as a tactical “regroup.” U.S. officials, providing a quiet check to Ukrainian exuberance, said that while Ukraine troops have performed better in offensive operations than even their American backers had anticipated, those forces will encounter a period of intense fighting in the lead-up to winter as part of what they expect to be a “nonlinear” trajectory for the war. A senior State Department official, who like other officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal planning, said Thursday that while Ukrainian forces had proven they can reverse advances made by Russia following President Vladimir Putin’s Feb. 24 invasion, Russia retained a potent force. “They have significant equipment and arms and munitions positioned in the occupied territories, not to mention what they have in Russia,” the official said. “And so it is far from over, despite the momentum.” Those expectations undergird a U.S. strategy of attempting to hold together international support and gradually expanding American military aid without the immediate injection of heavier weaponry that might trigger a wider war. The advances in Izyum and other areas — which allowed shellshocked local residents to venture out of their homes, sharing stories of occupation and abuse — were all the more rousing following Ukrainian setbacks, including the withdrawal from the city of Lysychansk in July. After the weekend advances around Kherson, Russia hit electricity plants and other infrastructure, illustrating its willingness to strike civilian targets in an attempt to weaken Ukrainian resolve. U.S. officials expect intense fighting for the remainder of the fall, as both sides attempt to put themselves in the best possible position before the onset of winter makes transport and combat more difficult. Russian forces still control vast sections of Ukraine — including the cities of Kherson, Melitopol, Mariupol and Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014 — and U.S. officials anticipate Putin may use the coldest months to refit his spent, demoralized military before launching a renewed campaign in the spring. Putin has remained defiant, threatening to cut off gas supplies to Europe even as hints of public dissent raise questions about how long he can keep Russia behind what the Kremlin has dubbed its “special military operation.” Pentagon officials have said they are looking at ways to assist Ukraine’s evolving defense needs, focusing on areas including air defenses, surveillance and fighter capability. So far, the total of U.S. security aid to Ukraine amounts to some $15 billion since Russia’s invasion. Despite Ukraine’s ongoing calls for new, more sophisticated military hardware, U.S. officials don’t plan to immediately expand the array of weaponry they are providing, which has included High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems armed with midrange Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems. So far, the officials have stopped short of authorizing systems with much longer ranges, including the Army Tactical Missile Systems. Russia’s Foreign Ministry illustrated the stakes of such decisions on Thursday when it warned that supplying longer-range missiles to Ukraine would cross a red line for Russia and make nations providing them a “party to the conflict,” reinforcing earlier suggestions that Russia could strike NATO nations if they authorized shipments of more potent arms. Russia’s setback in Kharkiv has prompted speculation about whether Putin would be forced to resort to a general mobilization to fuel his war — a possibility the Kremlin has dismissed for now — or even use a nuclear device as Russia seeks to compensate for its defeat. Samuel Charap, a Russia expert at at Rand Corp., said the counteroffensive success was shaping the dynamics around the conflict, in part by illustrating Ukraine’s ability to successfully conduct complete offensive operations. “We had no evidence of that before,” Charap said. “That very fact is likely to disincentivize them to seeking compromise because they think they can do more of that.” To date, the U.S. strategy has been informed partly by what U.S. officials see as the remoteness of any possible negotiations to halt the fighting. A flurry of attempts to kindle substantive talks early in the fighting fizzled out as each side embraced a harder line. “Right now the Ukrainians do not have a viable map from which to negotiate. Twenty percent of their territory has gone; something like 30 percent of their industrial and agricultural potential is gone,” a senior State Department official said last week. “That’s why we’re supporting this counteroffensive.” U.S. officials expect it would be difficult for Zelensky to negotiate a settlement even if he wanted to do so, after Russian abuses have hardened public opinion against possible concessions to Moscow’s war aims. Moreover, officials say, Russia remains an untrustworthy negotiating partner and Putin’s war aims have shifted repeatedly as the tactical situation has evolved. The U.S. goal remains helping Ukraine make battlefield advances that will strengthen its negotiating position should eventual negotiations with Russia occur. The current moment draws attention to a tension that underlies America’s strategy for the war, as officials channel massive military support to Ukraine, fueling a war with global consequences, while attempting to remain agnostic about when and how Kyiv might strike a deal to end it. President Biden has vowed to support Ukraine in asserting its independence and sovereignty, promising in an opinion piece this spring to do so without pressuring Kyiv to make territorial concessions. He did not however explicitly back the goal of recovering all territory occupied by Russia, including areas taken or contested since 2014. The first senior State Department official said another key part of the Biden administration’s plan for propelling the conflict toward a settlement was its efforts to weaken Russia’s economic and technological edge through sanctions and other means. “But telling a sovereign country what success looks like for them, or what a negotiated solution looks like, that just isn’t where we want to be,” the official said. So far, U.S. officials appear to have kept to that pledge, taking a hands-off approach that marks a sharp contrast to U.S. actions in places where officials have at times adopted a much more expansive approach in dealing with foreign leaders supported by U.S. aid. “For both political and strategic reasons, they’ve been uninterested in drawing lines on the map and I think they’re absolutely justified in that reluctance,” Daniel Fried, a veteran diplomat who served as U.S. ambassador to Poland, said this week. Biden will attempt to stiffen international support for Ukraine’s self-defense at the United Nations next week, seizing the annual General Assembly meetings as a chance to smooth over friction caused by global inflation and food insecurity linked to the war. The resolve of European nations in particular, which have been among Ukraine’s biggest backers, will be tested this winter by high energy prices. But experts including Alexander Vershbow, who served as U.S. ambassador to Russia and deputy secretary general of NATO, say that tension may eventually come to a head, for example if Ukraine faces a choice between settling for territory it controlled before Feb. 24 and embracing a longer conflict with the goal of recapturing all areas under Russian control since 2014. “The Ukrainians are right now adamant that they would say we won’t concede one inch, but at some point difficult choices will be needed,” Vershbow said Thursday. Right now, however, “the administration doesn’t want to take a position.” Fried said the Biden administration was right to approach the months ahead with caution, but said Ukraine was different than other recent U.S. conflicts. “We’ve been so traumatized by our failures in Afghanistan and, partially, in Iraq. This is a situation where an actual success is possible — not inevitable — and it’s not a long shot,” Fried said. “Leaning into that prospect is in our national interest.” ​ Dan Lamothe and Alex Horton contributed to this report. War in Ukraine: What you need to know The latest: Grain shipments from Ukraine are gathering pace under the agreement hammered out by Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the United Nations in July. Russia’s blockade of Ukrainian Black Sea ports had sent food prices soaring and raised fears of more hunger in the Middle East and Africa. At least 18 ships, including loads of wheat, corn and sunflower oil, have departed. The fight: The conflict on the ground grinds on as Russia uses its advantage in heavy artillery to pummel Ukrainian forces, which have sometimes been abl...

Tech ‘capitulation’: BofA Top Banker Rick Sherlund Predicts Breakout In Mergers Due To Troubled Economy – CNBC https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/tech-capitulation-bofa-top-banker-rick-sherlund-predicts-breakout-in-mergers-due-to-troubled-economy-cnbc/ Mergers in software may be about to break out. Top investment banker Rick Sherlund of Bank of America sees a wave of struggling companies putting themselves up for sale at cheaper prices due to the economic downturn. related investing news “You do need to see greater capitulation,” the firm’s vice chair of technology investment banking told CNBC’s “Fast Money” on Thursday. “Companies will have their valuation expectations soften, and that will combine with more fully functional financial markets. I think it will accelerate the pace of M&A [mergers and acquisitions].” His broad analysis comes on the heels of Adobe‘s $20 billion dollar deal Thursday for design platform Figma. Adobe failed to generate excitement on Wall Street. Its shares plunged 17% due to questions about the price tag. Sherlund, a former software analyst who hit No. 1 on Institutional Investor’s all-star analyst list 17 times in a row, worked at Goldman Sachs during the 2000 tech bubble. He believes the Street is now in the beginning stages of a difficult market cycle. “You need to get through third quarter earnings reports to feel confident that maybe the bad news is largely out into the market because companies will be reporting lengthening of sales cycles,” he said. “We need to reset expectations for 2023.” Read more about tech and crypto from CNBC Pro Sherlund and his team are very active in the M&A market. “You have private equity with a boatload of cash, and they need functioning debt markets for leverage to do deals,” Sherlund noted. “They’re very eager and actively looking at this sector … It suggests that [for] M&A, in absence of an IPO market, we’re just going to see a lot more consolidation coming in the sector.” He notes the IPO has been hurt in connection with rising interest rate headwinds and inflation. “[The IPO market] is not open. But when the window does open back up, you are going to see a lot of companies going public,” he added. The long-term prospects for software are extremely attractive, according to Sherlund. “You’ve got to be very bullish on the long-term fundamentals of the sector,” Sherlund said. “Every company is becoming a digital enterprise.” Disclaimer

Tencent Lays Off Nearly All Of Staff At Its Gaming Site Fanbyte – TechCrunch https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/tencent-lays-off-nearly-all-of-staff-at-its-gaming-site-fanbyte-techcrunch/ The first rule of conducting layoffs is to not be a jerk about it. The second rule is to make sure the social media manager you just laid off doesn’t still have access to your accounts. Today, Tencent violated both of those rules as it laid off nearly all of the editorial staff at Fanbyte, an online gaming publication. Tencent is the world’s biggest gaming company and the most valuable company in China, holding a stake in dozens of international game studios and gaming companies: Riot Games, Epic Games, Roblox, Discord, Pocket Gems, you name it. Tencent also owns WeChat, the Chinese social media superapp, as well as Tencent Music. After posting its first revenue decline ever last quarter, Tencent laid off about 5% of its workforce, impacting 5,000 people. But a month later, it looks like Tencent is still making cuts. I have some degree of sympathy for burgeoning startups that are navigating a challenging market and make the painstaking decision to cut jobs — but Tencent is a mega-company that earned over $88 billion in revenue last year. Sure, its valuation has taken downturn after it almost reached an unfathomable $1 trillion last year. But is laying off some writers really the answer to these problems? I see a lot of empathy going out to everyone who was fired today but let’s please also spare some thought for the people who had to fire everyone one by one over the course of countless hours, drawing out the delicious psychological torture — merritt k (@merrittk) September 15, 2022 According to tweets by Merritt K, one of the final remaining staff at Fanbyte, the layoffs included the site’s editor-in-chief, head of media, features editor, social editor, news editor, graphic designer, podcast producer and several writers. Tencent did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the layoffs. As promised, these layoffs were handled so terribly that it almost makes Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase, look good. Fanbyte employees were laid off slowly, one by one, over the course of several hours. There’s nothing like sitting alone in your apartment, waiting to find out if you still have a job, watching as your coworkers tweet that they’re looking for new work. I do firmly believe that the future of games media lies in independent outlets – Into The Spine, Uppercut, RPG Site, and so on. How can anyone be expected to truly care about the work they put out if their job could disappear tomorrow because of gross corpo negligence — Cian Maher (@cianmaher0) September 15, 2022 One extremely small silver lining, though, was that the social media manager got laid off while she still had access to the Fanbyte social media accounts. She basically gave Tencent the middle finger, and after years of watching writers that I love lose their jobs for reasons far beyond their control, I’m living for it. For several hours, the Fanbyte Instagram bio has read, “Tencent made $35 billion in net income last year and laid off almost every member of child company Fanbyte! Please support the staff elsewhere :)” The account is currently sporting the display name, “forgot the keys?” Ah, sweet revenge. You know what would be even sweeter, though? If the biggest media companies in the world stopped gutting good publications to save a couple hundred thousand dollars a year, which is only about a fraction of a fraction of a percent of their net income anyway.

U.S. General Warns Of China’s Expanding Nuclear Arsenal – The Washington Post https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/u-s-general-warns-of-chinas-expanding-nuclear-arsenal-the-washington-post/ President Biden’s nominee to take over the U.S. military’s nuclear arsenal and missile-defense operations warned on Thursday that China’s rise as a nuclear power poses historic threats and challenges requiring a reevaluation of current policies. Air Force Gen. Anthony Cotton, appearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, told lawmakers reviewing his nomination to lead U.S. Strategic Command that the military’s assessment of China’s nuclear mettle had changed dramatically since 2018 when Beijing was judged as requiring “minimal nuclear deterrence.” At that time, the Pentagon’s nuclear posture review assessed China’s ambitions as being focused on “regional hegemony,” he explained. That impression started to shift in recent years, as China made concerted efforts to expand its nuclear capabilities, and stepped up its aggressive posture toward the United States and its regional allies. The Pentagon’s latest nuclear posture review was transmitted to Congress in March and has not yet been made public, but Cotton appeared to foreshadow some of its top-line findings during Thursday’s testimony. “We have seen the incredible expansiveness of what they’re doing with their nuclear force — which does not, in my opinion, reflect minimal deterrence. They have a bona fide triad now,” Cotton explained, meaning the Chinese military has nuclear-capable forces that operate on land, and in the air and sea. The nuclear threat posed by China, he added, cannot be sufficiently addressed by duplicating the approach the United States has taken toward Russia, whose nuclear aims are familiar to the United States and date back decades to the Cold War. Beijing and Moscow, the general said, “act differently, from a doctrine’s perspective.” After racing each other for years to build up their nuclear arsenals, the United States and the former Soviet Union struck several arms reduction pacts in the later part of the 20th century. Only one of those treaties — the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or New START, which applies to intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and nuclear capable bombers — remains in effect. Historically, Beijing did not possess the arsenal of the two major Cold War superpowers, nor were its nuclear ambitions regarded in Washington with the same intensity as Moscow’s. China was also never a party to the arms-control regimes that have defined the nuclear relationship between the United States and Russia — a fact that politicians and advocates insist must be remedied going forward. “We need to seriously consider that we are entering a new, trilateral nuclear competition era,” the committee chairman, Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) told Cotton. “You will be responsible for continuing to ensure that the United States and its allies can deter not one, but two near-peer nuclear adversaries, something your predecessors did not face.” Cotton did not detail his plans for updating the military’s approach to China, but he acknowledged there was work to be done to correct the imbalance. “We understand Russian nuclear theory and nuclear doctrine,” Cotton said, citing President Vladimir Putin’s decision to put his nuclear forces on high alert days after the invasion of Ukraine — a move met largely with indifference by the Pentagon, and one that so far has not resulted in any direct assault on NATO. “We’re going to have to understand more deeply the Chinese nuclear strategy,” he added. Cotton was resolute, however, in assessing that “at the end of the day, Russia and China both understand that we have a strong, resilient nuclear force that is offering deterrence to ourselves and extended deterrence to our enemies.” But the United States must take seriously threats by Moscow or Beijing to use nuclear weapons, the general said — particularly when it comes to potential confrontation over Taiwan. “If you have a credible deterrent, it would make them think twice before engaging with us,” Cotton noted. Some senators challenged Cotton to say not only what he would do to expand and update the military’s portfolio of nuclear weapons, but how he would go about ensuring that U.S. proliferation won’t get out of hand. Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) asked Cotton to say whether he agreed with the Biden administration’s recommendation to scrap the development of sea-launched low-yield nuclear cruise missiles over concerns about the program’s cost and efficiency. That position, which administration officials have said was informed by the most recent nuclear posture review, has inspired some controversy, with some fearing the program’s cancellation will negatively impact the U.S. military’s ability to compete with its adversaries’ nuclear capabilities. Earlier this year, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley publicly joined those criticizing Biden’s decision. When asked for his take Thursday, Cotton demurred, saying he wanted an opportunity to conduct a full review of the program after his expected confirmation. But when Hirono asked Cotton whether he believes the United States has a role to play in limiting the nuclear arms race, he answered: “I do.” “Whatever treaty that we could do to prevent proliferation is good, with a caveat: that it incorporates every aspect of what the signing agreement would be. Weapons that are currently not seen as strategic weapons need to be added to that calculus,” Cotton elaborated, before concluding: “Any treaty that would prevent proliferation across the globe, I am for.”

Texas Receives Federal Funding After Floods | CNHI | Cnhinews.com – Cnhinews.com https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/texas-receives-federal-funding-after-floods-cnhi-cnhinews-com-cnhinews-com/ AUSTIN — The U.S. Small Business Administration approved a request for aid on Thursday following recent floods that left large swaths of the Dallas-Fort Worth area under water.  A downpour of rain in several north Texas counties in August flooded roads and submerged cars. To help the area recover, the SBA granted access to its Home Disaster Loans, Business Physical Disaster Loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loan programs to those whose properties suffered damage in Dallas, Collin, Denton, Ellis, Kaufman, Rockwall and Tarrant counties. The long-term, low-interest loans will help Texans cope with economic injury and physical damage to homes and businesses, state officials said. Residents can apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at www.disasterloanassistance.sba.gov. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800- 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.  “This disaster declaration ensures Texans impacted by last month’s flooding are able to receive the support and assistance needed to recover and move forward,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement. Preliminary damage assessments found that at least 47 homes and businesses in Dallas County sustained major damage and suffered an uninsured loss of more than 40%. The total major damage is estimated to be $1.97 million, while additional minor damage of six other structures is estimated to be $295,000, documents said.

What Is Overtourism? And What Can Be Done To Combat It – Travel Noire https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/what-is-overtourism-and-what-can-be-done-to-combat-it-travel-noire/ Photo Credit: The Lazy Artists Gallery/Pexels What Is Overtourism? And What Can Be Done to Combat It What is overtourism? Wanderlust is all too real. The desire to experience different cultures, cuisine, people, and places, is a strong one. But travel is a privilege and when the travel bug beckons, it comes with responsibility.  Tourists have been flocking to popular travel destinations for decades, but in recent years the issue of overtourism has gained more public awareness. Just take a look at the #overtourism hashtag on social media showing photos of overcrowding at sought-after locations or videos of locals begging tourists not to travel to their city.  While travel is a beautiful thing that can bring people from diverse backgrounds together it can also cause harm to residents and resources. Especially now as travel picks up across the globe and reflects pre-pandemic levels, it’s important to practice responsible tourism and be mindful of your travel impacts. What Is Overtourism?  It’s the overwhelming influx of tourists to a destination. But how many tourists are too many? It’s subjective but generally, if a high volume of visitors is negatively impacting locals and their quality of life, then that destination is being plagued by overtourism.  The Impacts Overtourism can impact a community in many ways. For example, more visitors to a location might result in raising rent prices and pushing locals out to make room for vacation rentals and hotels. It can also lead to local businesses being replaced by chain stores and shopping outlets. But humans aren’t the only ones being pushed out by overtourism. Wildlife is also often affected. When large masses of people descend on natural ecosystems animals are forced to find another home outside of their natural habitat. In addition, overtorism increases noise, air, water, and land pollution. All of these can be signs of overtourism.  How to Combat It Here are five simple ways you can help effect change and resist contributing to overtourism. Travel to less-visited areas The next time you feel that traveler’s itch, why not consider visiting a more off-the-beaten-track destination? The world is a vast place with thousands of beautiful and unique destinations. Instead of jumping on the bandwagon to popular destinations seek out a location facing undertourism. There are tons of great places that actually encourage travelers to come and visit, so check them out. Plan your trip during the off-season It’s ok if your bucket list includes visiting hotspot destinations like Europe or a popular island getaway, but you can still do it mindfully. One simple way to do this is to visit during the off-season when popular destinations are less likely to be packed with visitors. Not only is this better for locals and the environment but it’ll also probably be more pleasant for you. It might be cheaper to travel and tourist attractions will be less crowded. Support local businesses One of the beauties of travel is immersing yourself in a new community and exploring local life. This includes spending money at local and family-owned businesses. For example, instead of staying in a fancy hotel or using a mainstream vacation rental company like Airbnb, try booking your accommodations with a locally owned guesthouse. Instead of shopping at a chain supermarket, do your shopping at a local market. There are many little things you can do to ensure your money is supporting locals. Make sustainable choices As a tourist, you should always aim to be a sustainable traveler. This means enjoying your trip without contributing to the destruction of natural and cultural environments. There are several simple ways you can do this including choosing a non-stop flight to reduce carbon emissions, using reusable bottles and toiletries, and traveling shorter distances. You can even opt for carbon-neutral hotels and support rewilding projects when you travel.    Travel solo or in small groups If it can be avoided, you should try to travel in a small group (generally 4 or fewer people) in order to minimize your contributions to overtourism. But don’t overlook the venture that is solo travel. A solo trip can be empowering and eye-opening for any traveler. While it might seem scary and overwhelming at first a good solo trip can be life-changing and it’s a great way to reduce the impacts of overtourism.  Meet The Locals: Vancouver Travel Noire, Travel, Meet The Locals

What To Expect From The Federal Reserve’s Interest Rate Decision – 69News WFMZ-TV https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/what-to-expect-from-the-federal-reserves-interest-rate-decision-69news-wfmz-tv/ The investing information provided on this page is for educational purposes only. NerdWallet does not offer advisory or brokerage services, nor does it recommend or advise investors to buy or sell particular stocks, securities or other investments. The Federal Reserve’s job hasn’t been easy amid this year’s economic volatility. The Consumer Price Index, a key inflation gauge, rose 8.3% year over year in August — well over the Fed’s 2% target. The stock market hasn’t been well-behaved either: The S&P 500 index is down by more than 10% so far this year. The Federal Open Market Committee is due to meet Sept. 20-21, when it will decide whether to raise interest rates for the fifth time this year — and by how much. Here’s what economists and a financial planner have to say about what’s going into the decision, how the stock market might react, and what it means for long-term investors. Why is the Federal Reserve raising interest rates? In short, the Fed is considering raising interest rates again to reduce inflation. But it’s trying to do so in a way that doesn’t burden consumers and businesses. According to Terrance Grieb, a professor of finance at the University of Idaho, the Federal Reserve’s operations follow a dual mandate. Its two responsibilities are “to provide price stability within the economy, and also to provide a healthy job market.” “What they’re trying to do is set interest rates — which are a key component of monetary policy — in order to balance those two things against each other,” he says. The federal funds rate, which is guided by the Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee, is the interest rate at which banks can borrow money from each other. Banks earn profits by borrowing money at a low interest rate and then lending it out to customers at a higher rate. Changes to the federal funds rate trickle down through the banking system, influencing interest rates on a variety of things, including mortgages and bonds. Higher interest rates decrease spending by making it more expensive to borrow money. That decreases demand for goods and services throughout the economy, then slows down the price increases that we call inflation. But when the Fed raises interest rates, it also runs the risk of hurting the economy — and the stock market in particular — by slowing down spending too much. “Corporations borrow a lot of money every day to run their businesses, and when it costs them more money to borrow, it means their profits go down. And if their profits go down, then their stock is not as attractive,” says Delia Fernandez, a Los Alamitos, California-based certified financial planner with Fernandez Financial Advisory. What are markets expecting from the next meeting? “The markets are clearly expecting a 0.75% increase in [the Fed’s] target for the federal funds rate,” says Grieb. He explains that stock market valuations can act as a predictor of future rates and that the current level of the S&P 500 and similar indexes points toward a 0.75% increase. “If we saw a 1% rise or 1.25%, I think the markets would react very badly to that. We would see stock prices decrease. And vice versa — if it were only 0.5%, the markets would react very strongly,” he says. Grieb says that any decision other than a 0.75% rate increase would be a surprise — but that a higher increase might be slightly less of a shock than a lower one. “Chairman [Jerome] Powell has been pretty clear that they feel the need to be aggressive about this,” Grieb says of the Federal Reserve chair. Keith Jakob, a professor of finance at the University of Montana, says that if rates go up by the expected 0.75%, the market reaction may be driven by what the Fed says about expectations for the next FOMC meeting in early November. If the Fed hints that more increases are ahead, that could push markets down. But if it doesn’t, markets could rise. “If they say, ‘Yeah, we’re doing 0.75% but we think that’s enough,’ that maybe would lead to the market saying, ‘OK, let’s have a relief rally because we think they’re finished raising rates,’” Jakob says. How do the August inflation numbers affect the decision? On Sept. 13, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported inflation numbers for the month of August that were higher than economists’ expectations. In response, the S&P 500 and other major stock indexes fell by several percentage points. “There was a grain of hope in the markets that inflation was going to start cooling more quickly,” Grieb says. That might have given the Fed the opportunity to be more gentle with its interest rate increases. But Grieb says that the higher-than-anticipated inflation numbers show that “the Fed will have to stick to its guns,” with an aggressive course of interest rate increases in the near future — hence the negative stock market reaction. “The markets are realizing that the aggressive path the Fed has laid out — they don’t have much room to adjust that,” he says. Should long-term investors pay attention to Fed interest rate policy? Fernandez says no. “They should ignore the news, they should ignore the ups and downs, they should know that they’re in it for the long term,” she says. Ideally, Fernandez says, investors should be making small, but frequent contributions to their investment accounts over time (for example, a set amount from each paycheck). This approach, which is called dollar-cost averaging, can help them buy into investments at lower prices during periods of turmoil. The article What to Expect From the Federal Reserve’s Interest Rate Decision originally appeared on NerdWallet.

Videos On Healthy Eating Can Help Obese Children Lose Weight, Study Finds – The Guardian https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/videos-on-healthy-eating-can-help-obese-children-lose-weight-study-finds-the-guardian/ Watching videos about how to cook, eat less and choose healthier foods can help obese children lose weight, reduce their risk of diabetes and become happier, a study has found. The doctor behind the findings believes they can help in treating childhood obesity because they show that online healthcare can be just as effective as face-to-face appointments. A team of researchers led by Dr Felix Reschke, of the children’s hospital in Hanover, Germany, studied 108 children who followed the video-based weight loss programme while the country was in its second Covid-19 lockdown in late 2020. The trial resulted in many participants eating much more fruit and vegetables and far fewer sugary treat foods such as sweets, snacks and soft drinks. In addition, they reduced the number of meals they ate each day, though they still averaged 4.1 meals, as a result of “video-based structured education”. Overall, two-thirds lost weight and generally displayed better health. The yearlong programme consisted of the young people watching educational videos about good food choices, the amount they should be eating at mealtimes and the benefits of being physically active. Participants ranged from eight to 17 years old and their average age was 12. All were already enrolled in the KiCK outpatient healthy living programme for under-18s who were overweight or obese. It was remodelled owing to Covid to become online-only. It also included educational seminars and workshops, as well as online cooking sessions and discussions about difficult subjects such as “emotional eating” and the health consequences of obesity, which can include diabetes and a higher risk of heart, breathing and joint problems. Participants displayed “significant improvements” in five key measures of their health. They had a lower body-mass index, reduced risk of developing diabetes, less cholesterol in their bloodstream, better results in a six-minute test of their walking speed, and improved mental welfare. “Successful treatment of childhood obesity is challenging work, but we have demonstrated that adolescents with pre-existing obesity may be helped through video-based training,” Reschke said. “Participants showed improvements in their dietary choices, appetite control and portion sizes, which was reflected in better measures of their metabolic health and quality of life.” The results proved that virtual care could help patients as much as in-person consultations, he added. “Our results are very hopeful that this approach may be a useful and cost-effective model for treating obesity in children. It eliminates the need for regular face-to-face contact, which may be of particular use for those who have difficulty attending appointments. Although we must take care not to unnecessarily increase the amount of screen time used by children. It may be a fine line, but our data suggest this approach is worthwhile.”

LeBron’s Bold Plan To Play Alongside ‘Chosen Sons’ Detailed In Sports Illustrated Magazine – Business Wire https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/lebrons-bold-plan-to-play-alongside-chosen-sons-detailed-in-sports-illustrated-magazine-business-wire/ September 15, 2022 05:47 PM Eastern Daylight Time NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–LeBron James has a grand plan to play in the NBA with his 17-year-old son Bronny… and maybe 15-year-old son Bryce too. The trio was shot exclusively in LeBron’s Akron, Ohio high school gym and broke records as the most viewed Sports Illustrated Daily Cover this summer. The King explained his audacious plan with Chris Ballard, adding that they don’t give a damn what anyone thinks of that dream, in the October Sports Illustrated issue on newsstands and at SI.com/issues today, with additional features below. October Issue Features Their Decision: LeBron James isn’t done dreaming: Chris Ballard takes us inside LeBron’s plan to end his career by playing alongside his son (or sons?) in the NBA. Aaron Judge: According to Tom Verducci, the easy narrative is that Aaron Judge bet big on himself when he rejected a mammoth contract offer from the Yankees before this season. But maybe it’s not a gamble if, after years of work and study, he’s a hitting master coming into his own at just the right time. He Plays For Sean: It’s been 15 years since Washington Commanders safety Sean Taylor was shot and killed by burglars in his home, a tragedy that sparked an outpouring of support across the country. Now his younger brother Gabriel is honoring Sean’s football legacy—and creating his own as a defensive back at Rice University according to Alex Prewitt. New York Mets: New York’s other team is poised to play in October, thanks to a turnaround project by new Mets owner Steve Cohen’s efforts to transform a bumbling franchise. Stephanie Apstein investigates if one competent season erases decades of dysfunction. Roll With It: More than a decade ago, an avid cyclist named Ian Mackay was paralyzed in a horrific bike crash. Now he finds happiness and inspires others by getting back on the road—as a record-setting endurance wheelchair racer, by Joseph Bien-Kahn. Also in this issue: As four iconic female athletes retire this fall, SI says goodbye with a photo tribute to Serena Williams, Sue Bird, Allyson Felix and Sylvia Fowles. Longtime SI writer/editor Jerry Kirshenbaum remembers a momentous Munich night 50 years ago: his dinner with Mark Spitz hours after the swimmer won his seventh gold medal of the Olympics, and hours before a brutal terrorist attack that changed the Games forever. SI Gameplan: Mark Bechtel on a new collection of football photos from longtime photographer Michael Zagaris. Richard Johnson on five college coaches sitting on the hot seat this fall. Point after: Shohei Ohtani’s incredible two-way encore performance. Follow Sports Illustrated on Twitter @SInow, Instagram @sportsillustrated, or Facebook. Subscribe to Sports Illustrated today or purchase single issues at SI.com. 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 The Arena Group The Arena Group creates robust digital destinations that delight consumers with powerful journalism and 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.

Meta: More Than Just A Story (Upside Beyond The Metaverse) – Seeking Alpha https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/meta-more-than-just-a-story-upside-beyond-the-metaverse-seeking-alpha/ Fritz Jorgensen I have written an article on Meta (NASDAQ:META) that illustrates an opportunity for a huge rally in the second half of 2022. While the focus on Meta has understandably been more on the metaverse, I think that the opportunity for Meta in the near term lies beyond the metaverse. The real near-term opportunity and catalyst is in its Family of Apps and more importantly, Reels. As we look to Meta’s experience and learnings from monetizing and ramping up Stories, I am of the view that the opportunity for Reels in terms of engagement and monetization is much more. This article aims to explain this and provide an update on my investment case for Meta. Reels improving engagement With Reels, I think the message that management has been wanting to bring across is that it is growing rather quickly, and perhaps faster than they would have anticipated. As mentioned in my earlier article, Reels took up about 20% of the total time spent on Instagram, which to me, was rather encouraging given that Reels is in its early days. In the current quarter, this time spent increased by more than 30% on both Instagram and Facebook, implying that about 26% of total time spent on Instagram was in Reels. While most of these gains in the early days are likely driven by advances Meta has made in its artificial intelligence, I also think that this proves the point of the importance of Reels and short-form videos for Meta as a social media company today. An example of AI improving time spent on Reels was that there was an increase of 15% in time spent on Reels in Facebook after the addition of a recommendations AI model. In my view, there is without a doubt that the company will need to continue to make improvements and add new AI models to, over time, increase engagement and time spent of Reels across its platforms. In building Reels, it is becoming clear that Mark and the team have a vision for it based on the past experience in building social media products for consumers. The focus is on connecting people as a social media company and this involves creating a flywheel effect through its network. As such, the important thing is for consumers to comment on and interact on these platforms. As such, I think that Reels is headed the right way as more than half of the content that consumers have been sharing on Instagram is Reels. This implies to me that Reels is helping improve engagement on Instagram and helping elevate the platform through better interactions and ultimately create a strong moat for Meta in Instagram. With regards to how Reels could add to time spent on Meta’s platforms, I get the sense that Reels could result in some form of cannibalistic effect on the overall company. However, management has reiterated that while there will be some form of cannibalistic impact from rolling out reels, there are incremental benefits to time spent on the company’s platform. Put it in another way, I am of the view that Reels, while having some cannibalistic impact, will see a net positive effect as short-form videos like Reels are the way to go moving forward to improve engagement in the long run. As such, it would be beneficial for Meta in the long run to focus its efforts on Reels to boost engagement of its platform. Reels monetization shows huge potential I think that the Meta team is doing good work in the monetization progress for Reels, given that Reels ads have officially reached the $1 billion annual revenue run rate. The progress that has been made for Reels at this point in time is actually faster than the monetization progress and pace for Stories a couple of years ago. As such, I am of the view that while we cannot hurry the monetization process for Reels as much as investors would really like to, the current progress made thus far has been really decent, especially when benchmarking it to Stories. While Reels is currently at a faster pace of monetization in a similar time frame compared to Stories, I think we have to be patient with the monetization process for Reels. A successful strategy does not happen overnight. For Stories, the monetization journey really began in 2018 and in 2022, and the company just reached parity on it. As such, I would expect Reels to take a multi-year process to fine-tune and optimize monetization in a way that works best for the businesses, consumers and Meta. While Meta reached a $1 billion run rate faster for Reels than for Stories, I think that the optimism that this brings should be put into perspective. This faster monetization was a result of Meta having a familiar playbook it could rely on where it has been successful in making products that its users love, and to integrate advertisement formats that works for its customers. As a result of its experience and lessons learnt from Stories, this $1 billion run rate was achieved faster than Stories. However, there are still challenges Meta faces in its monetization of Reels. One example of a challenge includes the video format of Reels being more difficult for small businesses that are more used to static photos as an advertisement format. As a result, some form of adjustment is necessary for Meta to take to drive further monetization results from Reels. So, what is next for Reels monetization? It is really about improving the performance and ramping up of Reels ad load. The use of AI will be crucial to ensure that the relevant videos are being pushed to consumers while the relevant ads are used to target these consumers. Meta gave an example where Wild Alaskan Company’s use and testing of ads on Reels resulted in 36% return on their spend as well as 26% decrease in cost per new subscriber. Second quarter results While there were fears about headwinds from a weakening demand for digital advertising, Meta reported 2Q22 advertising revenues that were better than expected, rising +3% year on year. However, operating margins disappointed as there were pressures from both Family of Apps and Reality labs. This came as management was spending more in 2Q22 than expected as they invested heavily into core business investments of AI and machine learning, needing to spend and invest in talent and infrastructure. In addition, Meta continued with its share buybacks in 2Q22, with a total of $5.2 billion worth of shares being bought back. Meta announced further reductions to its guidance for expenses from by about 3% to 4%, with the mid-range being around $89.5 billion. This lowering of expenses is part of management’s continued efforts to align the expectations and cadence for investments with its growth in revenues and margin profile. Weakening demand for digital advertising a near-term headwind Although 2Q22 beat on revenues and missed on operating margins, management’s commentary suggests that the opposite will be true in the next few quarters. This is due to more uncertainty in the macroeconomic environment while the company focuses on streamlining its costs structure in the next few quarters. While Mark’s commentary that we are seemingly about to move into an economic downturn is no surprise given the latest news about the economy, it is still pertinent to take this into account given that Mark did comment that he views the current macroeconomic environment as worse than 1 quarter ago. This will have an impact on the whole digital advertising industry and thus, if prolonged, could have a material and severe impact on Meta’s business. As such, the company’s guidance for 3Q22 implied a negative 10% to negative 2% growth for the quarter, which was lower than my initial expectations. This weakness was driven by the current sentiment on weakening demand for advertising as well as headwinds from foreign exchange. The metaverse As elaborated by Mark several times, Meta will, over the next decade, be building a platform for the metaverse across use cases including work and gaming. The focus on developing these platforms comes as Meta will then have the freedom to develop experiences in ways it wants without any external constraints. As this will be an expensive project that will take up heavy capital expenditures in the years to come, the metaverse project is a work in progress and provides the upside to Meta as it works towards being ahead of its competition. I firmly believe that the company’s near-term catalysts are unlikely to be the metaverse, and the metaverse then is likely to be a medium to longer-term project. However, as updated in the second quarter, Meta is looking to expand its metaverse platform, Horizon, as well as make improvements to its Avatars platform. These efforts will help to improve the user experience and user engagement in the metaverse to achieve its end goal. With regards to hardware of the metaverse opportunity, Mark has committed to releasing Project Cambria later in the year. This hardware will be focused on professionals, and it is expected to be a high-end device. As highlighted earlier, the main focus right now is more on its Family of Apps rather than on the metaverse opportunity, although the company is and intends to invest into the metaverse for the long term. What it has announced so far is only the beginning in a rather long-term opportunity, and this project requires patience in the near term. Valuation The negative sentiment around Meta has caused its P/E multiple to contract significantly from more than 1 year ago as concerns about increasing competition, weakening advertising demand and significant spending on the metaverse weighed on the company. Meta is now trading at 11.9x 2023F P/E and 10x 2024F P/E based on my estimates. Multiple expansion is very much in the cards given that it is trading at a discount to its peer group. Applying a 15x P/E multiple on 2024F EPS, I derive a target price of $225 f...

10 Gadgets Spider-Man Has But Never Uses Anymore – CBR – Comic Book Resources https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/10-gadgets-spider-man-has-but-never-uses-anymore-cbr-comic-book-resources/ Since his first appearance back in 1962, Spider-Man has become one of Marvel Comics’ most popular heroes. With his cool superpowers, wise guy persona, and determination to do the right thing, Spider-Man has become a staple in pop culture. However, Peter Parker doesn’t just use his powers to solve every situation. Using his genius intellect, he can find simple solutions to save lives and take down his many foes. One way Sider-Man accomplishes this is through his many inventions over the years. While some tools, such as his web shooters, have become synonymous with the character, there are a few that have managed to fall to the wayside. From being used sparingly to gimmicks solving one particular issue, there are a few products of Parker that will continue to collect dust for a while. 10 The Spider Signal Stopped Shining First appearing in Amazing Spider-Man #3 by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, the Spider Signal was one of Parker’s first gadgets used in his crime-fighting career. This device was part of his utility belt, which shined a bright red light reflecting his face on whoever came across it. While readers could detect that the signal shared a similar approach to a certain hero in Gotham City, they do have a difference. While Batman has the Bat Signal to alert him of a crime, Spider-man uses his to alert criminals of his arrival. However, over time, the Signal began to be used on and off again, depending on the creative teams of the series. Though the light may have been diminished, it still remains a fan favorite for long-time readers. 9 Many Alternate Suits, But Only One Use Not every situation can be handled the same, and no one knows that better than Spider-Man. With each new foe with an unforeseen power comes the need for scientific invention. And there have been none as awesome (or as silly) as Peter’s need to don a new wardrobe to fight particular threats. From wearing an Electro-proof suit to stop Electro, to wearing a full suit made of steel, Peter has worn them all. Sadly though, after each villain encounter, these clothes tend to either be destroyed or retired. Though fans enjoy a return of some fan favorites, there is no doubt that the red and blue is still the most beloved. 8 Impact Webbing: Webs By Another Spider It’s no surprise that Spider-Man has used his intelligence to create different types of webbing for different uses. However, unlike most tools, this one has a different owner. Impact webbing was made popular in part to Ben Reilly, or as some would come to know him, the Scarlet Spider. Impact Webbing dealt with normal web fluid, now shaped into little spheres that could be launched at rapid speed, growing around an opponent when in contact. This form of webbing was used mostly during Reilly’s run as Spider-Man, going with him after he left. Though not used as much by Peter, it still shows up from time to time, including in the PS4 video game. 7 WebWare Was Cool, But Had To Be Destroyed During Peters’ time as CEO of Parker Industries, his company would create Web Ware, a device similar to current-day smartwatches. The users could access the internet and call from their wrists simply by pressing the pad. For, Peter, the device served another function. Connected to his Spider Armor, the devices gave Spider-Man unlimited access to all users and to track their locations. At first, Web Ware proved popular and resourceful in stopping crimes. Unfortunately, Peter would be forced to hack and destroy each one after they were infected by the Carrion Virus, ending his company. 6 The Spider Tracer Tracker Was Useful, But Irrelevant Later On Spider Tracers have been one of Peter’s long-lasting inventions, useful for tracking criminals who get away. However, sometimes in order to find these bugs, there needs to be a tracer for the tracer. Introduced in Amazing Spider-Man # 11 by Lee and Ditko, Peter sought to use the device in order to track down a now freed Doctor Octopus. Spider-Man would go back to using the device a few more times in other situations. However, by advancing his technology to respond with his own Spider-Sense, the tracer seemed redundant at best. The tracker has since been used sparingly, such as Peter losing his Spider Sense or tracking his former sidekick, Alpha. 5 Waldoes/Tentacles Reminded Peter Of His Past Misfortunes During Civil War, by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven, Iron Man blessed Peter with a gift: a mechanized Spider-Man suit filled with many gizmos and cool features. However, one standout was the Waldoes, four mechanical arms that increased mobility and offensive attacks. While the suit was a cool addition, Peter abandoned it when he betrayed Tony during the series. However, a new incarnation would arise thanks to Otto Octavius during his possession over Peter’s body in Superior Spider-Man, by Dan Slott and Ryan Stegman. Unlike before, the arms resembled pincers, and allowed for better, faster attacks. These too would be abandoned once Peter regained control of his body. 4 The Arachnaughts Were Overkill Established during Superior Spider-Man, Octavius’s takeover of Peter’s body would bring Otto’s own expertise to the Spider name. One such creation would be the Spiderlings, armed mercenaries who would serve as his enforcers around New York City. And on patrol, they would bring heavy artillery in the form of the Arachnaughts. With these giant spider-like robots, Otto was able to bring militia style combat to the field, each robot equipped with huge lasers and video surveillance. However, just like Otto’s career as a hero, all the Arachnaughts were destroyed once Peter regained consciousness of his body, blowing up Otto’s base. And due to the damage Octavius caused (as well as poor funds), Peter has never sought to revive them. 3 The Belt Camera, Useful For Photographers Only After getting picked up by J Jonah Jameson for The Daily Bugle, Peter would attach a micro camera to his utility belt. With this, he managed to obtain photos of his battles as Spider-Man and later submit them as Peter to the Bugle. At first, this device was one of Peter’s mainstays, serving as a tool for both of Peter’s professions. However, once Peter left the company, it served him no purpose to keep the camera. Even so, with that old Parker luck usually forcing him to go back to the Bugle, the camera may not stay as dormant. 2 The Web Wings Were A Design Choice Appearing back in Amazing Fantasy #15 by Lee and Ditko, One of the features that Steve Ditko drew on the character was webbing under his armpits. This unique feature originally served as a way to convince readers that Peter could fly, using them to glide down. While an interesting choice, this feature would be later implemented with another hero, Spider-Woman. Even so, the webbing has since become a choice between writers and artists on whether to use it. Some prefer the classic design, while others feel they get in the way. Although used in later Spider-Man films, the webbing still remains a debatable option. 1 The Spider Mobile Never Caught On In 1974, Spider-Man had to face his greatest foe in all history: car promoters. Appearing in Amazing Spider-Man #126 by Gerry Conway and John Romita Sr, Corona Motors begged for Spider-Man to promote their non-polluting engine, which required a car. Although he thought it ridiculous due to never needing a car in the city, Spider-Man would later rope the Human Torch into helping him construct a car aptly themed around the webhead. Spider-Man and his vehicle would go on a few strange adventures, from battling Hammerhead to the Tinkerer after he gave the car an evil makeover. However, the vehicle was scrapped due to the concept still coming across as ridiculous. The car has since served as an Easter egg among fans, who look upon and go, ‘Oh yeah, that was a thing.’ NEXT: Marvel: The 10 Most Useless Gadgets Used In The Comics

Cowboy Maverick Johnny Cash Mines 2.6 BTC Jackpot In Gold Rush At Bitcoin.com’s Crypto Casino – Promoted Bitcoin News – Bitcoin News https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/cowboy-maverick-johnny-cash-mines-2-6-btc-jackpot-in-gold-rush-at-bitcoin-coms-crypto-casino-promoted-bitcoin-news-bitcoin-news/ Gold Rush with Jonny Cash dishes out a massive win of 2.6 BTC! Massive Win on Casino Slot Jackpot wins on our crypto casino Bitcoin.com Games have become a regular phenomenon with players winning insane amounts of BTC every month. Just yesterday, a lucky player’s mining adventures on the smashing slot game Gold Rush with Johnny Cash took an extremely fortuitous turn. One of the bets that they had made on the slot was destined to land them a massive win of 2.6 BTC. Gold Rush with Johnny Cash Gold Rush with Johnny Cash is a western-themed slot from the popular games provider BGaming where the infamous bandit cactus named Johnny Cash searches for money and gold. Players can join the notorious gold digger in his underground quest for gold in a splendid vista of western drylands. High volatility and 25 pay lines exacerbate the chances of winnings bets landing a big win multiplier of up to 5,820x the bet value. Player gets lucky with a small bet, lands a big multiplier! Bitcoin.com Games offers various types of casino games including exciting slot and table games, games with big jackpots, and even a live casino with real dealers on the other side interacting with you. Players can choose from a range of fantastic slots that often accumulate crazy jackpots. Placing a bet on these games unlocks the opportunity for players to land insane multipliers, many of them going upwards of 100,000x! Bitcoin.com Games is a premium gaming portal that has been growing in popularity ever since its inception. With big jackpots and money multipliers being rewarded every week, the casino has seemingly become a thriving place for players to test their luck, and possibly, win life-changing money. Play Gold Rush with Johnny Cash now or check out other games with big jackpots and bonuses that you can play on Bitcoin.com Games. What do you think about this big win on Gold Rush with Johnny Cash? Let us know what you think in the comments section below. Tags in this story big win, Bitcoin, Casino, crypto casino, Cryptocurrency, Games, gold rush, Johnny Cash, online casino, Prize Pool, Promotion, Tournament This is a promoted post. Learn more on how to reach our audience here. Read the disclaimer below. Bitcoin.com Since 2015, Bitcoin.com has been a global leader in introducing newcomers to crypto. Featuring accessible educational materials, timely and objective news, and intuitive self-custodial products, we make it easy for anyone to buy, spend, trade, invest, earn, and stay up-to-date on cryptocurrency and the future of finance. Image Credits: Shutterstock, Pixabay, Wiki Commons Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a direct offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation or endorsement of any products, services, or companies. Bitcoin.com does not provide investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Neither the company nor the author is responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in this article.

Tech News: 5 Things To Know In Australia Today – Gizmodo Australia https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/tech-news-5-things-to-know-in-australia-today-gizmodo-australia/ Happy Friday. This week has been heavy on the iPhone content, with the new 14 range going on sale today (if you’re after a good deal, we’ve got some), bringing with it a tonne of new things to do in iOS 16 and a throwback to the ’90s with an Apple website blunder. But there’s more happening outside of the Time Cook empire. 1. YouTube will now sell you ads vertically It’s well established that, if a major tech company sees another platform succeeding based on a (relatively) original idea, it’s going to want to shamelessly copy that idea. And it’s probably also going to want some upgraded ad-tech to go with it. That’s what YouTube is doing. Google is bringing vertical ads to your phone, using AI to translate the horizontal to a more TikTok/Instagram Reels-like experience. Ugh. Fab. 2. TikTok’s newest feature is a brazen copy of BeReal While YouTube is trying to be TikTok, TikTok is trying to be BeReal. The company is experimenting with a new feature called TikTok Now that, just like the once-a-day photo app BeReal, will prompt users to capture what they’re doing at a moment using both front and rear cameras. The key takeaway? Originality is a dead language, at least in the world of social media apps. TikTok Now sends users push notifications to record a picture or quick video of whatever they’re doing. Image: TikTok 3. Zoom outage gives quick solace Zoom went down for around an hour super early this morning, giving everyone working from home on the other side of the world a bonus brief period of time without back-to-back meetings. As reported by The Verge, users saw plenty of “an error occurred” messages, and most weren’t able to launch meetings. Zoom’s main website, zoom.us, even displayed a 502 gateway error for the majority of the outage. 4. Ethereum just completed ‘The Merge’ The Ethereum network, which powers the second largest cryptocurrency in the world, completed a long-planned upgrade known as “The Merge”, moving from a proof-of-work system to a proof-of-stake system. And nothing catastrophic has happened yet, despite plenty of dark predictions by an army of short-sellers. Read our explainer on The Merge over here. 5. myGov audit is go Prior to the election, Labor said if it were successful, myGov would undergo an audit. The user audit, Albanese said previously, would take a “fresh look at how well myGov is performing when it comes to reliability and functionality for a user-friendly experience”. Well, that audit is actually going ahead. The man who led the last major review of the Australian Public Service will also chair the myGov audit: none other than former Telstra CEO David Thodey. BONUS ITEM: Here’s some fresh nightmare fuel for your Friday. — Attractive Patriot (@RAF_Valerie) September 13, 2022 Have a great weekend.

The Company “at The Apex Of Gaming And Youth Culture” Is Selling Land In The Metaverse. Welcome To FaZe World. – Tubefilter https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/the-company-at-the-apex-of-gaming-and-youth-culture-is-selling-land-in-the-metaverse-welcome-to-faze-world-tubefilter/ Entertainment and esports organization FaZe Clan has gone public and won major trophies. Most consumers are already experiencing the metaverse. So it was only a matter of time before those two worlds collided. FaZe Clan’s path to the metaverse will lead it to FaZe World. That space — described as “part virtual real estate, part amusement park” — will be built inside of The Sandbox, where virtual “land” is available in exchange for ETH. FaZe Clan announced that the land sale for its Web3 World will “be announced later this year.” The Sandbox, a subsidiary of Animoca Brands, will work with FaZe Clan to produce events, develop games, and coordinate product releases inside of FaZe World. The brand’s most devoted fans will get the opportunity to become the “neighbors” of their favorite creators. The amusement park side of the venture will include “immersive experiences,” which are slated to launch in 2023. Subscribe for daily Tubefilter Top Stories Subscribe FaZe Clan’s arrival in the metaverse is a logical step for one of the major players in the gaming industry. Many gamers have resisted NFTs and other ventures built on Web3 technology. There are many entrepreneurs, however, who believe blockchain-based ventures offer a more equitable financial model than the current norm in the gaming industry. Prominent execs who worked at YouTube Gaming and Twitch are now buying into the crypto hype, even against economic headwinds. (FaZe Clan has also plotted NFT ventures of its own.) The expanding roster at FaZe Clan now includes more than 100 creators. “FaZe Clan’s leadership position at the apex of gaming and youth culture presents an ideal opportunity to build bridges and lead the gaming community at large into the metaverse,” said FaZe Clan CEO Lee Trink in a statement. “Through FaZe World and our partnership with The Sandbox, our already digitally native fans can experience FaZe Clan in a new immersive way.” Though FaZe World will be the company’s first foray into the metaverse, it will not be the first time it has established a communal space filled with games and events. Earlier this year, FaZe launched a pop-up establishment called The Armory. The L.A. venue hosted esports tournaments and product drops. Subscribe for daily Tubefilter Top Stories Stay up-to-date with the latest and breaking creator and online video news delivered right to your inbox. Newsletter Subscribe for daily Top Stories Subscribe

U.S. Limits Export Of Fentanyl To Russia, Calling It A Potential Weapon – The Washington Post https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/u-s-limits-export-of-fentanyl-to-russia-calling-it-a-potential-weapon-the-washington-post/ The United States on Thursday strictly limited the export of fentanyl and related chemicals to Russia, saying that they “may be useful” as chemical weapons to support Russia’s “military aggression.” The Commerce Department said sales to Russia of the powerful opiate will now require a U.S. government license. The rule also applies to exports to Belarus, whose leadership supports Russian President Vladimir Putin. Fentanyl is widely known in the United States as an illicit street drug that has caused thousands of overdose deaths in recent years. But it also has legal uses as a prescription painkiller. It is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Commerce Department didn’t respond to questions about why it took the step. But the move brings the United States in line with the European Union, which controlled fentanyl and related drug exports to Russia in June, saying that the substances “have been used as toxic chemicals … in the past by Russia.” In 2002, Russian special forces used a gaseous form of fentanyl as a knockout agent before storming a theater where hostages were being held. The gas allowed the agents to enter and kill the Chechen militants who had taken hundreds of people hostage, but the powerful narcotic also killed more than 100 of the hostages. Russian officials at the time wouldn’t identify the type of gas used, saying only that it was a nonlethal anesthetic. But U.S. officials said that tests done by U.S. embassy doctors on Americans present during the hostage-taking indicated that the gas was fentanyl. The new U.S. export controls also apply to the precursor chemicals needed to make fentanyl, and to a group of compounds closely related to fentanyl. The measure was one of a list of additional sanctions and export controls the United States adopted on Thursday in relation to Russia. It slapped new controls on the export of quantum computing technology to Russia. It also sanctioned additional executives in Russia’s financial sector. And it adopted new sanctions on people it accused of supporting Putin’s war in Ukraine and committing human rights abuses, including Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov; a Russian neo-Nazi militia allegedly fighting in Ukraine, and a Russian official who the United States said has “led Russia’s efforts to deport tens of thousands of Ukrainian children.” War in Ukraine: What you need to know The latest: Grain shipments from Ukraine are gathering pace under the agreement hammered out by Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the United Nations in July. Russia’s blockade of Ukrainian Black Sea ports had sent food prices soaring and raised fears of more hunger in the Middle East and Africa. At least 18 ships, including loads of wheat, corn and sunflower oil, have departed. The fight: The conflict on the ground grinds on as Russia uses its advantage in heavy artillery to pummel Ukrainian forces, which have sometimes been able to put up stiff resistance. In the south, Ukrainian hopes rest on liberating the Russia-occupied Kherson region, and ultimately Crimea, seized by Russia in 2014. Fears of a disaster at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station remain as both sides accuse each other of shelling it. The weapons: Western supplies of weapons are helping Ukraine slow Russian advances. U.S.-supplied High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) allow Ukrainian forces to strike farther behind Russian lines against Russian artillery. Russia has used an array of weapons against Ukraine, some of which have drawn the attention and concern of analysts. Photos: Washington Post photographers have been on the ground from the very beginning of the war — here’s some of their most powerful work. How you can help: Here are ways those in the U.S. can help support the Ukrainian people as well as what people around the world have been donating. Read our full coverage of the Russia-Ukraine crisis. Are you on Telegram? Subscribe to our channel for updates and exclusive video.

Lewisville Lake Symphony Hits Cultural Note In Denton County – The Cross Timbers Gazette https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/lewisville-lake-symphony-hits-cultural-note-in-denton-county-the-cross-timbers-gazette/ People say if you want to know everything there is to know about the Lewisville Lake Symphony, talk to Nancy Wright. After all, she’s been involved with Denton County’s best-kept cultural secret for so long that she was likely there when the doors opened, and the first violin string was plucked nearly 40 years ago. OK, so that last part isn’t true. But Wright got involved as quickly as she could. “I wasn’t there on the first day. But I started very early on as someone who wanted a way to play beautiful music,” said Wright, who played the flute in the orchestra for four years. She’s currently a member of the symphony’s board of directors and has been leading the volunteer effort in everything from writing grants and putting together programs to overseeing the budget and steering the organization through the pandemic. “My full-time job kept getting in the way of my volunteer work, though, so I often joke that I needed to retire in order to do my real job — my symphony stuff. “I call this my unpaid part-time job. I knew the quality they were working toward, and I wanted to be a part of making that happen.” Despite the Lewisville Lake Symphony having been around for as long as it has — they’re starting their 39th season this month — many local classical music lovers are shocked to hear there is a professional orchestra in their community. As Wright will tell you, the symphony started innocently enough with a group of volunteers who felt there weren’t enough cultural events in the Lewisville Lake area and held concerts at nearby churches. Fast forward to today, and that once-fledgling idea is now rated as one of the top regional symphonies in Texas. There are still plenty of volunteers steering the ship behind the scenes, but the all-professional Lewisville Lake Symphony is home to some of the top classical music players in the Metroplex. They present an annual symphony series at the Grand Theater in Lewisville and a free international chamber series in Flower Mound. The chamber series is presented in cooperation with the College of Music at the University of North Texas, a partnership that started 19 years ago. The upcoming series includes the Bancroft String Quartet on October 7, Junyoung Hwang, piano, on December 27, and Ran Feng, piano, on January 27. The next installment in their symphony series is called Opera and features the International Competition for Voice winners Jonathan Patton and Adia Evans. That show is slated for 7:30 p.m. on September 16. The organization’s mission is twofold: to enrich the community through live, quality classical music and to expose, educate, and encourage young people to appreciate and get involved in music. Over the years, they’ve added roughly nine youth programs, including competitions, intern programs, a Lewisville ISD concert, and opportunities to earn scout merit badges. Their ongoing collaboration with the Lake Cities Ballet helps them put on quality programs such as “Peter and the Wolf,” which introduces their youngest listeners to the wonders of live orchestral music. “It’s exciting to see how much everything has changed for the better,” Wright said. “The Grand gave us a professional venue, and we’ve always had so many people with lots of great ideas. It is a great partnership between our outstanding musicians and conductor on the stage and a terrific group of volunteers. This has always been a congenial, hardworking group dedicated to making sure ideas are brought to life and work gets done behind the scenes. When you’re here long enough, you discover lots of ways to enhance the impact of what we do. Our volunteers are passionate about that and make things happen. She added, “People still say, ‘I had no idea we had a symphony of such high quality right here in town.’ It’s the best-kept cultural secret, but we’ve kept it going for a long time, and our goal is to fill the concert hall for a long time to come.” To learn more about the Lewisville Lake Symphony, visit lewisvillesymphony.org.

Travel + Leisure Co. Provides Update On Strong Momentum In Third Quarter Prior To Conference Presentations – Business Wire https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/travel-leisure-co-provides-update-on-strong-momentum-in-third-quarter-prior-to-conference-presentations-business-wire/ ORLANDO, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Travel + Leisure Co. (NYSE:TNL), the world’s leading membership and leisure travel company, provided an update on its third quarter results and outlook for the remainder of 2022 in advance of presentations at several conferences in September. Travel + Leisure Co. will be attending NYSE’s 3rd Annual Investor Access Consumer Day on September 20, 2022, Deutsche Bank’s 30th annual Leveraged Finance Conference on September 20, and Wells Fargo’s Consumer Conference on September 21. A link to the company’s updated Fall 2022 investor relations presentation is available online at travelandleisureco.com/investors. Third Quarter Update The company is reiterating the third quarter and full year outlook provided on July 28, 2022, in its earnings press release, including the following measures1: Third quarter adjusted EBITDA of $230 million to $240 million Full year adjusted EBITDA of $860 million to $880 million “The strong momentum we saw in the second quarter continued through August as our vacation ownership business continues to draw families prioritizing their vacations. Through the end of the year, booking pace at our vacation ownership resorts remains strong with room nights on our books 8 percent above 2019,” said Michael D. Brown, president and CEO of Travel + Leisure Co. About Travel + Leisure Co. Travel + Leisure Co. (NYSE:TNL) is the world’s leading membership and leisure travel company, with nearly 20 travel brands across its resort, travel club, and lifestyle portfolio. The company provides outstanding vacation experiences and travel inspiration to millions of owners, members, and subscribers every year through its products and services: Wyndham Destinations, the largest vacation ownership company with more than 245 vacation club resort locations across the globe; Panorama, the world’s foremost membership travel business that includes the largest vacation exchange company and subscription travel brands; and Travel + Leisure Group, featuring top travel content and travel services including the brand’s eponymous travel club. At Travel + Leisure Co., our global team of associates brings hospitality to millions each year, turning vacation inspiration into exceptional travel experiences. We put the world on vacation. Learn more at travelandleisureco.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Forward-looking statements are any statements other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, hopes, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expects,” “should,” “believes,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” “future,” “intends” or other words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results of Travel + Leisure Co. and its subsidiaries (“Travel + Leisure Co.” or “we”) to differ materially from those discussed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, risks associated with: the acquisition of the Travel + Leisure brand and the future prospects and plans for Travel + Leisure Co., including our ability to execute our strategies to grow our cornerstone timeshare and exchange businesses and expand into the broader leisure travel industry through new business extensions; our ability to compete in the highly competitive timeshare and leisure travel industries; uncertainties related to acquisitions, dispositions and other strategic transactions; the health of the travel industry and declines or disruptions caused by adverse economic conditions, unemployment rates and consumer sentiment, terrorism or acts of gun violence, political strife, war, including hostilities in Ukraine, pandemics, and severe weather events and other natural disasters; adverse changes in consumer travel and vacation patterns, consumer preferences and demand for our products; increased or unanticipated operating costs and other inherent business risks; our ability to comply with financial and restrictive covenants under our indebtedness and our ability to access capital markets on reasonable terms, at a reasonable cost or at all; maintaining the integrity of internal or customer data and protecting our systems from cyber-attacks; uncertainty with respect to the scope, impact and duration of the novel coronavirus global pandemic (“COVID-19”), including resurgences, the pace of recovery, distribution and adoption of vaccines and treatments, and actions in response to the evolving pandemic by governments, businesses and individuals; the timing and amount of future dividends and share repurchases, if any; and those other factors disclosed as risks under “Risk Factors” in documents we have filed with the SEC, including in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on February 23, 2022. We caution readers that any such statements are based on currently available operational, financial and competitive information, and they should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s opinion only as of the date on which they were made. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to review or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances as they occur. 1 Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. This guidance is presented only on a non-GAAP basis because not all of the information necessary for a quantitative reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is available without unreasonable effort, primarily due to uncertainties relating to the occurrence or amount of these adjustments that may arise in the future. Where one or more of the currently unavailable items is applicable, such items could be material, individually or in the aggregate, to GAAP reported results.

Live News: IAEA Urges Russia To Surrender Ukrainian Nuclear Plant – Financial Times https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/live-news-iaea-urges-russia-to-surrender-ukrainian-nuclear-plant-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

NEWLY NAMED ESKATON PRESIDENT PEIFER TO FOCUS ON STRATEGIC GROWTH, COMMUNITIES AND SERVICES TO MEET SENIOR LIVING NEEDS – PR Newswire https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/newly-named-eskaton-president-peifer-to-focus-on-strategic-growth-communities-and-services-to-meet-senior-living-needs-pr-newswire/ , /PRNewswire/ — Eskaton, a nonprofit Sacramento-based senior living organization, has announced the promotion of Sheri Peifer to President as part of the first phase of a board-led CEO succession plan. In her new role, Peifer will oversee operations and strategic growth for the organization to meet the increasing demand for high-quality senior living solutions. “I believe the most successful organizations plan ahead and cultivate and develop their next leaders,” said Todd Murch, Eskaton CEO. “I fully support the board’s decision to name Sheri as my successor. Sheri brings a strong set of skills in strategic planning and innovation, operational excellence and partnership development as Eskaton continues to expand and meet the needs of older adults across the region.” Peifer, who formerly served as Eskaton’s Chief Strategy Officer, joined the organization in 2005 and has led Eskaton’s efforts in development, management services and affiliations, joint ventures, partnerships, innovation, marketing and communications. Over her tenure, she has led Eskaton’s expansion of services into the Bay area and Central Valley by managing and/or affiliating with nonprofit senior living providers who desire a strategic alliance with Eskaton. Peifer also led the expansion of Eskaton’s home and community-based services across the region. As President, Peifer’s short-term strategy will be focused on integrating and strengthening Eskaton’s communities and services, including investing in support for Eskaton’s dedicated workforce. Peifer noted that older adults will make up one-quarter of the state’s population by 2030, and she intends to ready Eskaton to meet the growing need. Her vision for the future includes positioning Eskaton as a single-point solution for older adults who desire an integrated healthy living experience through a range of innovative services and living options. “Eskaton is well-positioned to expand our reach through diverse partnerships and continue providing the high quality of life we are known for,” said Peifer. “Our future imperative will focus on understanding and delivering new customer experiences, services and ways to age well within a community. We anticipate partners will continue to be an ever-important part of our growth as we prioritize the well-being of older Californians.” Ms. Peifer serves as Vice Chair of the LeadingAge California board of directors and chairs its Planning Committee. She is a graduate of the national LeadingAge Leadership Fellow program based in Washington D.C. She holds a BA from Messiah College and a MS in Gerontology and Education from California State University, Sacramento. About Eskaton Since 1968, Eskaton has been serving older adults in Northern California. As a nonprofit senior living provider, our mission is to enhance the lives of older adults through innovative health, housing and social services. With five decades of experience and a national reputation for innovation, Eskaton is Transforming the Aging Experience. For more information, please call 1-866-ESKATON, or visit www.eskaton.org. CONTACT: Zach Melchiori 916-344-0810 [email protected] SOURCE Eskaton