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Australia Seen Dodging Recession Even As China Slows, US Teeters – Bloomberg https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/australia-seen-dodging-recession-even-as-china-slows-us-teeters-bloomberg/ We’ve detected unusual activity from your computer network To continue, please click the box below to let us know you’re not a robot.

China Science, Technology News Summary — Sept. 15 – China.org.cn https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/china-science-technology-news-summary-sept-15-china-org-cn/ BEIJING, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) — The following is a summary of published science and technology news of China. SHENZHOU-14 TAIKONAUTS The three Shenzhou-14 taikonauts have completed their first 100 days in orbit as they prepare for their second spacewalk outside China’s space station. To mark the first 100 days of what will be a six-month mission, the China Manned Space Agency shared several photos on social media platforms this week. It showed the trio testing spacesuits, playing with food, and doing physical exercises in the challenging microgravity conditions on board the core module Tianhe and lab module Wentian. VIRTUAL HUMANS Luya, a virtual singer who was admitted to a Chinese music college in this year’s back-to-school season, stole the limelight recently. The pink-haired anime girl, developed by iFLYTEK, China’s leading AI and speech tech company, is an example of the new industrial fad and fashion in the country. According to data from iiMedia Research, the market value in China driven by virtual humans is expected to reach 640.27 billion yuan (92.45 billion U.S. dollars) in 2025. HI-TECH ZONES China has established 173 national hi-tech zones so far and will raise the number to 220 by the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), according to the Ministry of Science and Technology on Wednesday. Li Youping, an official with the ministry, said at a press conference that the total output value of the national hi-tech zones grew from 5.4 trillion yuan in 2012 to 15.3 trillion yuan in 2021. Enditem

CDC Lowers Dallas County’s COVID Alert Level To Green – The Dallas Morning News https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/cdc-lowers-dallas-countys-covid-alert-level-to-green-the-dallas-morning-news/ By Marin Wolf 5:37 PM on Sep 14, 2022 CDT The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has lowered Dallas County’s COVID-19 alert level to green after weeks of declining case numbers and hospitalizations. Under the green level, which designated low community spread, the CDC recommends only that people stay up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines and follow isolation protocols if they have a suspected or confirmed case of the virus. Unlike under the yellow and red levels, there are no public masking recommendations for counties labeled green. Collin and Denton counties are both also in the green designation, while Tarrant County is considered yellow, meaning that people who are at high risk of severe infection should wear a mask when indoors in public. As of the week leading up to Sept. 9, Dallas County had an average daily case count of 483, down from an average daily case count of 609 the week prior. Dallas County’s internal COVID-19 level remains at orange, or “extreme caution.” The county, which uses a four-color system – green, yellow, orange and red – bases its own designation on a number of indicators, but there is no one metric that determines when the level will change. The CDC measures community spread level using a combination of three metrics: total new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people, total new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 people and percentage of inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients. The federal public health agency shifted Dallas County’s risk level to red two months ago as the highly-contagious BA.4 and BA.5 omicron subvariants caused a summertime case surge. Cases and hospitalizations in older patients have since subsided, according to analysis from University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center researchers. But while most age groups are seeing fewer cases, pediatric infections and hospitalizations have stayed elevated following the start of the school year. Pediatric COVID-19 cases accounted for about a third of all infections in Dallas County in early September, marking a pandemic high for the age group, according to data from the Parkland Center for Clinical Innovation. Part of the spike in infections among school-aged children is likely attributable to the group’s relatively low vaccination rates, said PCCI president and CEO Steve Miff. Dallas County had a similar increase in pediatric cases around the same time last year, although those cases didn’t account for as large of a share of the area’s total infections. Vaccination rates have been much lower for children compared to adults, especially for children between the ages of 6 months and 4 years. Just over 2% of Dallas County’s children under 5 have been immunized in the months since the vaccine was approved for the area’s youngest residents. Booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are now available to anyone 5 and older, with a new, updated booster available for people at least 12 years old. The new “bivalent” boosters protect against both the original COVID-19 strain and the new omicron subvariants. The federal government allotted Texas 900,000 booster doses to be divided among doctors’ offices and retail pharmacies. In an interview last week, Parkland Health’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joseph Chang said it’s too soon to tell whether North Texas will see another winter spike in coronavirus cases like it did in the last two years. It does seem likely, he said, that the flu will be stronger this year as public health measures like masking and social distancing ease. Flu shots are now available, and it’s safe to get a flu shot and the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time. Marin Wolf. Marin Wolf is a health care reporter for the Dallas Morning News. She previously covered breaking business news for The News’ business desk and race and diversity for Bloomberg News. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Hussman School of Journalism. marin.wolf@dallasnews.com @maringwolf

Michael Kors Brings Resort Wear To The City At His NYFW Show – The Washington Post https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/michael-kors-brings-resort-wear-to-the-city-at-his-nyfw-show-the-washington-post/ NEW YORK — Michael Kors says he’s been doing some revenge travel since the pandemic and wants to help dress women who are doing the same. “When I go to a resort, people are more dressed up than they’ve ever been before,” said Kors. “And the minute the weather gets warm in any big city, suddenly resort dressing comes to the city.” Kors’ spring/summer 2023 collection features business wear and night-out looks with a resort-style sensibility. At his New York Fashion Week show, unbuttoned shirts billowed, fringe flowed and kaftans swept the floor as he focused on a more relaxed silhouette. Semi-transparent linen pants were paired with a one-shoulder bodysuit and blazers were draped over dresses, blouses and crop tops in what Kors called an “urban-resort convergence.” “You’re polished when you’re away on vacation and then you have a sense of easiness when you’re in this city,” Kors said. Among those with a front row view of the new designs were Serena Williams, Anna Wintour, Anne Hathaway and Vanessa Hudgens. “I grew up in a family of very strong, opinionated, successful women and I’ve been dressing women who are that smart and successful my whole career,” said Kors. “So, when I see someone like Serena, who truly is an icon, a game changer … it’s a wonderful validation that we must be doing something right.” Bright reds, blues, pinks and greens brought pops of color to a collection featuring several monochrome white and black looks. Gold accessories, cutouts, small clutches and sequins added flare. In her second of two looks, A-list model and frequent Kors collaborator Bella Hadid wore a sequined black dress with a plunging neckline. “People want to get dressed up again,” said Kors. “They want to look great; they want to make an impression.” Beyond his goal of creating impressionable designs is his desire to make clothes that last. Before premiering his spring/summer line, Kors launched Michael Kors Pre-Loved, a resale market for gently used items from the designer. “The worst thing in the world that you can do is engage in the whole idea of fast fashion,” said Kors. “We’ve always believed in timelessness, that people can hold on to something from Michael Kors.”

In Other Business News | Ag News | Hpj.com – High Plains Journal https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/in-other-business-news-ag-news-hpj-com-high-plains-journal/ As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content. When you click get started below it will walk you through creating an online account to attach your print subscription number to. After your account is created it will ask you to either add a subscription for online access or click on the print subscriber button.  Click the print subscriber button header and it will open a dropdown, now click on get started.  The page will reload and you will be prompted to enter an account number and a zip code.  IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO USE THE NUMBER OFF OF THE MOST RECENT ISSUE OR ANYTHING AFTER JANUARY 28, 2019 TO GAIN ACCESS!   OLD ACCOUNT NUMBERS WILL NOT WORK The account number and zip code are easily available on your most recent issue of the High Plains Journal or Midwest Ag Journal in the address fields as is shown here.  Sometimes the account number has extra zero’s in front of it, just ignore those.

K21 Awards $55K Grant To Church For Childcare Ministry – Times-Union Newspaper https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/k21-awards-55k-grant-to-church-for-childcare-ministry-times-union-newspaper/ Content © 2022 Warsaw Times-Union Software © 2022 1up! Software, All Rights Reserved

USA TODAY Sports Ranks CFB QBs After Week 2: Stetson Bennett Receiving Some Love – UGA Wire https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/usa-today-sports-ranks-cfb-qbs-after-week-2-stetson-bennett-receiving-some-love-uga-wire/ The reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, entered Week 2 as the favorite to win the award again this season. But following a performance that left a bit to be desired vs. Texas, Young will have some ground to make up if he hopes to repeat in 2022. Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett has looked like the best passer in the league through two weeks this year and despite not yet playing a full 60 minutes in his first two games, he is still second in the conference in yards with 668. Buy Bulldogs Tickets USA TODAY Sports recently ranked the top-ten college football quarterbacks following Week 2 of play, and the Georgia signal-caller looks to be receiving the recognition he deserves. We at UGA Wire recently ranked Bennett as the No. 1 quarterback in the league, though Paul Myerberg of USA TODAY Sports is not ready to go that far, as he has Bennett as No. 4 in America, behind Young. USA TODAY Sports’ QB rankings, plus their Heisman odds (courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook): 10 JJ McCarthy, Michigan (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) Heisman odds: +6,000 Stats so far: 15/16, 259 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs, 4 carries, 66 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD (Wolverines Wire) 9 Frank Harris, Texas-San Antonio Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports Heisman odds: N/A Stats so far: 60/88, 696 yards, 6 TDs, 1 INT, 93 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD 8 Jaren Hall, Brigham Young Gabriel Mayberry-USA TODAY Sports Heisman odds: N/A Stats so far: 48/71, 522 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT 7 Sam Hartman, Wake Forest [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] Heisman odds: +6,000 Stats so far: 18/27, 300 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs 6 Hendon Hooker, Tennessee Syndication: The Knoxville News-Sentinel Heisman odds: +4,000 Stats so far: 45/67, 546 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs, 2 rushing TDs (Vols Wire) 5 KJ Jefferson, Arkansas Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports Heisman odds: +5,000 Stats so far: 36/47, 385 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs, 129 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs (Razorbacks Wire) 4 Stetson Bennett, Georgia (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) Heisman odds: +1,500 Stats so far: 49/66, 668 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs, 2 rushing TDs “Georgia kicks off SEC play this weekend against South Carolina but doesn’t play a true conference contender until the rivalry with Florida on Oct. 29, so Bennett should continue to put up the numbers necessary to factor into the Heisman race. While he’s yet to attempt a pass in the fourth quarter, the senior has gone for at least 300 yards in his first two games with three touchdowns and no turnovers.” 3 Caleb Williams, Southern California Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports Heisman odds: +330 Stats so far: 39/49, 590 yards, 6 TDs, 0 INTs, 15 carries, 72 rushing yards 2 C.J. Stroud, Ohio State Kyle Robertson-USA TODAY Sports Heisman odds: +260 Stats so far: 40/58, 574 yards, 6 TDs, 0 INTs 1 Bryce Young, Alabama (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) Heisman odds: +350 Stats so far: 45/67, 408 yards, 6 TDs, 0 INTs, 12 carries, 138 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD Click here to place your bets at Tipico Sportsbook. Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire. Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See applicable operator site for its terms and conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER. Must be 21 or older to gamble.

Anti-Metaverse Package ‘explosion’ At College VR Lab Probed By Investigators – The Register https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/anti-metaverse-package-explosion-at-college-vr-lab-probed-by-investigators-the-register/ A plastic carrying-case apparently exploded at Northeastern University’s Boston campus on Tuesday night, injuring one staff member, in what may be a protest against virtual reality – or just a hoax. Though the US city’s bomb squad and other emergency services and law enforcement responded, the box did not contain a bomb. According to CBS News, the package – a Pelican hard case used for safely transporting sensitive equipment – “was under pressure” and did not contain “any gunpowder or explosives in it.” The unidentified contents of the case depressurized – in a non-incendiary way – when the university staff member opened the case at Holmes Hall. “The staff member sustained minor injuries and is being treated at a local hospital,” Northeastern University said in a statement. “No students were injured.” While NBC10 Boston has said investigators are exploring the possibility the incident may be a hoax, the news organization also characterized the case as having been deliberately “rigged” to depressurize when opened. NPR is also reporting that investigators are trying to determine whether or not the incident was staged and that the employee who reported the explosion made all or some it up. Unabomber v.2.0? According to CNN, the package “contained a rambling note that criticized Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and the relationship between academic institutions and the developers of virtual reality.” Holmes Hall, where the explosion occurred, is the home of Northeastern University’s Immersive Media Lab and the Northeastern University Virtual Reality (NUVR) student club. The note has not been released to the public but reports describe it as a manifesto that criticizes virtual reality, artificial intelligence, the metaverse, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The note, said to rail against academic VR development, reportedly demands the cessation of VR research. NBC10 Boston said the note, “which contained grammatical issues, misspellings and copious exclamation marks, characterized virtual reality as a government operation.” Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Maker of ATM bombing tutorials blew himself up – Euro cops Russian ‘Minecraft bomb plot’ teen jailed for five years NYC issues super upbeat PSA for surviving the nuclear apocalypse Computer program to take on the Unabomber The internet giant formerly known as Facebook adopted the name Meta last year. Beyond the branding benefit of distancing itself from Facebook’s privacy problems – serious enough to sink its Libra-turned-Diem currency project – it did so to signal its commitment to developing and monetizing the metaverse, a dystopian term culled from the science fiction novel Snowcrash that the company glamorizes as “a set of digital spaces to socialize, learn, play and more.” Meta aspires to be the gatekeeper, advertising provider, and toll collector for these digital environments, visited via Meta-made headsets and accessories including vibrating gloves. Having detonated $10 billion to develop virtual world tech just last year, Zuck Corp. is unlikely to throw in the towel because of an exclamation-laden threat. On Wednesday morning, university officials issued a statement reassuring students and staff that the campus is safe and that classes will be held as usual. The investigation into the incident at Northeastern University continues on a local, state, and federal level. Max Abrahms, an associate professor of political science at Northeastern University and terrorism expert, told NBC News that the incident has some similarities with the Unabomber, who sent 16 bombs to universities, killing three people, between 1978 and 1996. The US government’s decision to publish the Unabomber’s anti-technology manifesto in 1995 led to the capture of Theodore Kaczynski, after his brother recognized the text style and contacted the FBI. ®

Everyday Things You Didn’t Know Got Their Start On Shark Tank – Looper https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/everyday-things-you-didnt-know-got-their-start-on-shark-tank-looper/ × Cookies help us deliver our Services. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn More. By Looper Staff/Sept. 14, 2022 3:00 pm EDT This content was paid for by Sony and created by Looper. One of the most popular reality shows ever, “Shark Tank” offers a look into the worlds of inventors, small business owners, industry, finance, and top-level wheeler-dealers and barons of industry. Over the span of more than 300 episodes airing across more than a decade, upwards of a thousand entrepreneurs have entered “the Tank” to face off with “The Sharks”: five angel investors and venture capitalists with a proven track record of business success. If all goes according to plan, they’ll explain their proposal for their unique and innovative product or service, and at least one of the Sharks will agree to give them the hefty sum they’ve requested to take their business to the next level, in exchange for a moderate equity share of their company. Hundreds of people with good ideas and good products have emerged from the tank with a much needed lifeline for their business, but only a lucky and industrious handful of those entrepreneurs have experienced the promise and dream of “Shark Tank” to its fullest — for their creation to become a household name, fully incorporated into the daily lives of millions. Here are the most famous and important products to emerge from “Shark Tank.” Bombas socks The sixth season of “Shark Tank” got underway in 2014 in a big way, with what would turn out in the long run to be the biggest revenue-generating product that received financial backing from the long-running investment reality series. All it took to hit big and make that big impact was something almost impossibly soft: next-generation socks (and later T-shirts) made with a fabric blend that allowed smoothness and comfort to come first.  Randy Goldberg and David Heath entered the Tank in search of $200,000 in exchange for a five percent stake in their company, Bombas, a manufacturer of high-quality, eye-catching, and very, very soft socks. Right away, four of the five Sharks passed, and Daymond John was about to do the same until he asked for a 17 percent cut for his 200 grand. That turned out to be a wise investment for all parties concerned, because by 2021, Bombas had generated sales of $225 million, making it the most lucrative brand in “Shark Tank” history, with consumers ready and willing to shell out for the company’s comfortable socks, T-shirts, undergarments, and slippers. EverlyWell test kits Until the last decade or so, the idea of food allergies and sensitivities weren’t commonly known outside of some individuals’ potentially fatal physical aversion to peanuts. But in this era of rapid scientific breakthroughs, technological developments, and widely disseminated information, more and more people have become aware of the negative physical effects they may suffer from different types of food, including wheat and dairy. This phenomenon has coincided with the rise of easy, affordable at-home medical testing for any number of medical conditions, and a big player in that field is EverlyWell, a company that got a lot of exposure and a generous cash infusion after appearing on “Shark Tank” in 2017.  Founded by Julia Cheek in 2015, the company manufactures a big line of at-home medical testing kits that check for food sensitivities, hormone levels, deficiencies, the presence of toxins, and more. Lori Greiner ponied up the $1 million Cheek sought from “Shark Tank” in the form of a line of credit in exchange for a five percent stake. It paid off: Thanks in part to an at-home COVID-19 test kit, EverlyWell’s market valuation sits at around $13 billion. Bantam Bagels A traditional European-Jewish baked good with a history dating back centuries, the bagel is now thoroughly entrenched into American cuisine. Spongy but dense on the inside, crispy but light on the outside, bagels are incredibly adaptable and their qualities complement all kinds of toppings and additions, creating a huge market for flavored bagels, bagel sandwiches, microwavable mini-bagel pizzas, and frozen, heat-and-eat bite-size bagels. One of the most notable, commonly found, and widely consumed bagel-inspired food products is Bantam Bagels. Found in the frozen food section (and at thousands of Starbucks outlets) and quickly heated up and easily eaten on the go, they’re made up of balls of baked bagel dough. And the cream cheese, usually found atop a sliced and halved bagel? That’s stuffed inside. Bantam Bagels started out as a single bakery in New York City’s West Village in 2013, founded by former stockbrokers Nick and Elyse Oleksak. After a lot of media attention spurred business growth, the Oleksaks took their bagels to “Shark Tank” in 2015. After some negotiations, Lori Greiner invested $275,000 in the company for a 25 percent stake, which paid off big when the Oleksaks sold Bantam Bagels to Lancaster Colony in 2018 for $34 million. The Simply Fit Board Most anyone who exercises regularly for the sake of physical fitness, improved health, or a fitter appearance does so with an eye toward a flat stomach or toned abdominal muscles. The general marketplace is happy to oblige the millions of consumers in search of the right product that will help them reach that elusive goal with any number of gadgets and pieces of exercise equipment that claim to strengthen, build up, or rework abs. Of the many such products available, one of the top selling and easiest to use is also the simplest, both in conception and construction. The Simply Fit Board is a thick piece of shaped plastic with a dip in the middle that the user stands on. They must constantly maintain balance while they stand in place and twist their body, back and forth, repeatedly, working their abs and sides as they do so. Invented by mother-daughter team Linda Clark and Gloria Hoffman, the Simply Fit Board appeared on “Shark Tank” in 2015. With $1 million in sales already, Clark and Hoffman asked for a $125,000 investment for a 15 percent share. Lori Greiner put up the cash and negotiated an 18 percent share, which certainly made the Shark a lot of money — $160 million worth of Simply Fit products have sold since the “Shark Tank” exposure and deal. Bubba Q boneless ribs It’s no accident that “Bubba Q” sounds a lot like “barbecue.” The name firmly links the product to its category, a crowded marketplace, giving it an edge over competitors. Bubba Q also differs from the other many sauced smoked meats available in that it sells a fully cooked pork product that’s already been sauced with the bones removed, making for a much more convenient meal. Consumers definitely want what Bubba Q is selling — as of August 2022, the company boasts annual revenues of $5 million worth of boneless ribs. Seeing as how the Bubba Q restaurant closed in 2019 after 13 years, that’s all from sales of packaged ribs, made famous by a spot on “Shark Tank.” In 2013, Al “Bubba” Baker appeared on the financial reality TV show to promote and bolster Bubba Q Boneless Baby Back Ribs. The former NFL defensive lineman sought a $300,000 cash infusion in exchange for a 15 percent equity stake. Daymond John offered the sum requested, but negotiated a 30 percent share, which led to continued growth and attention for Bubba Q’s line of barbecue products. Silicone mats Thin, colorful silicone mats are a common kitchen contraption, simply built but effective for a number of uses, be it a jar opening assistant, trivet upon which to place hot dishes, a bowl cover, a splatter guard, a pot holder, or a microwave liner. Just silicone circles have become ubiquitous thanks in part to Safe Grabs, which are sold in multi-packs in an array of colors.  Made of food-grade silicon and free of potentially harmful BPAs, Safe Grabs got a jump on other manufacturers with an appearance by its creator on “Shark Tank” in 2016. Inspired by a lifelong tendency to burn her fingers when taking hot plates right out of the microwave, inventor Cyndi Lee went into the tank seeking $75,000 for a 12 percent stake in her company. Lori Greiner upped that to a 25 percent stake, clearing the way for Safe Grabs to cool down kitchens nationwide. Scrub Daddy Anybody with a kitchen has to wash their dishes somehow — and they’ve usually got to have some kind of sponge or scouring thing with which to wash those dishes. As such, millions of people over the last decade have chosen the Scrub Daddy. Aaron Krause created the 21st century’s relatively high-tech answer to the sponge.  He ran a manufacturing operation that left his hands greasy and oily and the only thing that got them clean was a special kind of foam. He developed that substance to a circular object, with two holes in the middle through which he could stick his fingers and clean them. The holes looked like eyes, he added a “smile,” and that’s how he came up with Scrub Daddy. They sold okay, but after failing to gain any attention from big retailers, Krause took Scrub Daddy onto Shark Tank in 2012, where Lori Greiner offered $200,000 for a 20 percent equity stake. Now available for a few bucks at dozens of stores and outlets, more than 25 million Scrub Daddy products have been sold. UV smartphone cleaners By May 2012, smartphones had been widely available for less than half a decade, but they’d already reached critical mass and had become a can’t-leave-home-without, can’t-live-without, multiple-gadget-replacing, ultimate-accessory of modern life. The downside of all that phone usage is the transmission of germs, bacteria, and viruses — everybody touching their phones hundreds of times a day, after touching countless other things, leaves a lot of nasty microscopic stuff behind on that little touchscreen. The market showed a...

The Ethereum ‘merge’ Is Almost Here—how The Historic Upgrade Will Affect Crypto Investors – CNBC https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/the-ethereum-merge-is-almost-here-how-the-historic-upgrade-will-affect-crypto-investors-cnbc/ The Ethereum blockchain, the largest behind bitcoin, is about to undergo the beginnings of a major upgrade. Dubbed the “merge,” Ethereum is switching to a more energy-efficient method of validating transactions that take place on the platform, known as proof of stake. The upgrade is similar to how the transition away from using dial-up modems to fiberoptics enabled the internet to be used for a wider variety of things, such as video, online storage and music streaming, Greg King, founder and CEO of Osprey Funds, tells CNBC Make It. Here’s a look at what the merge means and how it will affect crypto investors. What is proof of stake? The merge will transition the blockchain from a proof-of-work (PoW) model to a proof-of-stake (PoS) model. Both are algorithms used to allow users to add new cryptocurrency transactions and keep a record of them on a blockchain network. The current proof-of-work model requires massive amounts of energy to power computers that race to solve complicated math equations in order to validate transactions. Proof of stake, on the other hand, requires users to have a “stake” in the blockchain, as the name implies. This means that Ethereum users will need to make a pretty hefty investment upfront in order to authenticate transactions. However, this model is expected to be much less energy intensive. How will this affect investors and potential investors? Although the Ethereum merge isn’t expected to make the network faster or lower transaction costs immediately, investors may see benefits down the road. “While no outcome is certain, the merge could be bullish for crypto investors in the long run due to the groundwork it lays for future upgrades to speed, fees and ecosystem development,” says King. Quicker transactions and lower fees could eventually lead to more users as well, which could affect the value of ether, Ethereum’s native cryptocurrency, which investors use to make transactions of the platform. If the number of investors increases, the supply of ether should go down, says Vladimir Gorbunov, CEO and founder of the MetaFi ecosystem Choise.com. And as the supply of ether decreases, the value of individual coins could increase, which would be welcome news for investors. Ether is valued at about $1,600 per coin as of Sept. 14, 2022, according to Coin Metrics — down from an all-time high of about $4,892 in November of last year. How will this impact the environment? As previously mentioned, the merge is expected to make the blockchain more energy efficient. Currently, Ethereum’s carbon emissions are on par with Singapore and its total energy consumption is comparable to the Netherlands, according to its website. The merge is expected to lower Ethereum’s carbon footprint by over 99%, which could make the platform more attractive to environmentally conscious investors. Will the merge make Ethereum less vulnerable to hackers? “The merge will definitely make Ethereum more secure,” says Gorbunov. After the merge, the required initial investment to validate transactions on the blockchain would cost around $55,000 or 33 ETH, he says. That’s a cost everyone, including hackers, would have to bear in order to get into the network in the first place. Due to that barrier, Gorbunov expects Ethereum to become a lot safer. However, the blockchain will always be vulnerable to hackers, King warns. “After the merge, Ethereum’s susceptibilities may differ due to the underlying design change to the network, but the security risks will always remain the same,” he says. “Cybersecurity risk is always paramount.” Remember, ether, like many cryptocurrencies, is a highly volatile asset that is subject to unpredictable fluctuations in value with no guarantee of earning a profit. Experts recommend not investing more into these types of assets than you’re willing to potentially lose.   Sign up now: Get smarter about your money and career with our weekly newsletter Don’t miss: Crypto prices are down, but it’s not scaring away investors—here’s why

Mexico, U.S. Close VU Manufacturing Complaint In Fifth USMCA Labor Probe – Reuters https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/mexico-u-s-close-vu-manufacturing-complaint-in-fifth-usmca-labor-probe-reuters/ Flags of Mexico, United States and Canada are pictured at a security booth at Zaragoza-Ysleta border crossing bridge, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico January 16, 2020. REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com MEXICO CITY, Sept 14 (Reuters) – Mexico and the United States have resolved the latest in a series of labor complaints under a regional trade pact, saying on Wednesday that workers at auto-parts plant VU Manufacturing in northern Mexico were able to elect the union of their choice. U.S. officials in July called for a probe under the 2020 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the fifth such case aiming to improve workplace conditions in Mexico, after activists alleged the company interfered in workers’ efforts to select their union. read more Michigan-based VU Manufacturing, whose factory in the Mexican border city of Piedras Negras produces interior car parts including arm-rests and door upholstery, did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com U.S. labor officials said the Mexican government educated workers and trained management to ensure a fair union election on Aug. 31, including asking the company to issue a statement vowing to stay neutral. The Mexican government also requested vote observers from Mexico’s electoral institute and the United Nations-backed International Labor Organization. Workers ultimately elected an independent union, La Liga Sindical Obrera Mexicana, which will negotiate the plant’s first collective contract, covering some 400 people. “Workers at Manufacturas VU Auto Components facility now have a union – chosen through a fair election – with whom they are consulting as they prepare for negotiations,” U.S. Labor Minister Marty Walsh said in a statement. Their rights to free association and collective bargaining had previously been denied, the statement added. Mexico’s economy and labor ministries said the peaceful vote ensured workers could elect the group they believed would best represent their interests, and officials would continue monitoring worker rights at the factory. Previous USMCA labor complaints led to probes at Mexican plants owned by companies including carmakers General Motors and Stellantis. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Daina Beth Solomon; Editing by Anthony Esposito, Jonathan Oatis and Josie Kao Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Spotlight Interview: Tristan Gadsby, CEO And Founder Of Alliants | – Hotel Technology News https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/spotlight-interview-tristan-gadsby-ceo-and-founder-of-alliants-hotel-technology-news/ 9.14.2022 Tristan Gadsby is CEO and founder of Alliants, which helps high-end hotels like Four Seasons deliver on their luxury promise. The company’s experience platform combines messaging with concierge, enabling contactless communication and trip planning to deliver exceptional guest experiences. Tristan has spent his career focusing on using technology to make companies and industries more seamless and accessible to consumers. Tristan has sought to innovate throughout his working life, having built a successful startup in the education sector before spending 10 years at Accenture working with companies including Prudential, American Express and British Airways. He worked on the Travelport IPO and consulted on the Avis Digital Transformation, Four Seasons Digital Experience and Samsung Digital Strategy. A frequent speaker at industry events, Tristan has also contributed to research on transforming the hotel experience through technology, the role of messaging in enhancing the customer experience and reshaping the future of hospitality. In this interview, he shares his perspective on some of the technology innovations being embraced by hotels and how these innovations help improve the guest experience. What shifts have you seen recently in hotel technology? The most striking change that we are currently experiencing is less to do with the technology itself – although this is developing all the time — and more to do with hotels embracing technology again. In recent years we have seen cost and complexity push hotels away. The sector learned to fear that one head turned at a presentation would lead to expensive long-term contracts being signed, only for the solution purchased to be less of a solution and more of a problem; costly and disruptive installations, confusing for teams to use, outmoded and useless too soon. Hotels were burned too many times and finance departments became suspicious of investment. The cloud had started to make inroads before the pandemic, allaying concerns that new technology meant months of disruption and chaos, but it was guests’ need to stay distanced which has helped hotels realize the value of what we offer. For too long, hotels — particularly at the luxury level where we operate — have lived by the mantra that service can only be delivered by people, preferably plenty of people. And guests do want to interact with another human and build those relationships, and not just when they are trying to check in at 7am after a long flight. The customer is used to automation in the rest of their lives, they are used to auto-filling forms and to having their phone do all the heavy lifting when it comes to tedious, repetitive tasks. Guests will always have the same frequently-asked questions, so an automated messaging platform removes a real burden on staff and provides a better service because guests receive answers immediately and in their chosen language and on their chosen channel. Pre-arrival, guests are looking for the same levels of communication they enjoy in their daily lives. We can all spot a generic marketing email and most are never opened, but a well-designed text or WhatsApp message to the device guests have with them at all times helps to build a closer, more personal relationship.  It also empowers guests to enrich their itinerary by suggesting a room upgrade and a variety of products and services to enjoy during their trip. Guests don’t want to arrive at a hotel and be asked their address, or for their credit card details, that should have been taken care of by the time they arrive and guests are happy to do this; they are used to sharing information about themselves. When they arrive in your hotel, they want to start enjoying their stay, not completing admin tasks which could be done more quickly and more accurately through automation. Instead you can offer a warm welcome, the change to cement the relationship you’ve started to build before the stay, offering them a favorite drink or a tip about about a local event which you know matches their interests. How can technology help operations? Hotels are significantly more complicated to operate than they were in the days when it was just about finding somewhere for you and your horse to sleep. There are many departments within the property and many stakeholders overseeing it. If you have a platform which integrates all of these and which everyone can access, you can enjoy a seamless, efficient operation. This may sound obvious, but years of haphazard growth, alongside systems which don’t talk to each other or don’t center around the guest, is how you end up with guests wandering around your spa in their toweling gowns angry and mystified about their missing treatment, or complaining about the cold room service which took two hours to arrive. One of the most immediate benefits is technology’s capacity to step in as an additional team member, or whole team. I won’t belabor the point, we all know that there aren’t enough staff to go around, even in the luxury sector, and those who are still in the sector find it a more pleasant place to work if they are not performing repetitive tasks. People don’t come to the hotel sector to tick boxes, they come to brighten other people’s days. If you free people up to deliver service, you have a happy guest, but you also have a fulfilled team member who is more likely to stay in your hotel long term. What core function can best improve the guest experience? Messaging and conversations are the real key to better guest relations and exceptional experience, which creates lifetime loyalty. We are all used to using our phones to get what we want, preferably without having to talk to anyone. Hotels have fallen behind other sectors in delivering on messaging, and on putting the power into guests’ hands. The use of messaging gives hoteliers the opportunity to deliver on the much-desired seamless experience, but it is also a key enabler in driving ancillary revenues — we found that there was a 90% increase in spend for users of chat. Ease of communications means that the guest is more likely to access services and drive spend. People want their holidays to be simple and stress free. How much more likely is it that you’ll add an activity such as snorkeling to your day if you can do it from your lounger rather than having to go and find the relevant team member? Hotels have never needed to work harder to generate revenue. Costs are rising across the board with no sign of subsiding and everything cannot be passed onto the consumer. We reported a 30 percent increase in engagement when guests can choose the channel and instant translation from more than 75 languages across 10 platforms allows all queries and requests to be responded to in their own language which amongst other things increased the room service average order value by percent. But delivering a guest-centric experience is more than supporting numerous messaging channels. Hotels must also be aware where the guest is in their journey to gauge what their requirements are, as well as understanding the purpose of their journey and tailoring it accordingly. The experience starts before the guest arrives at the hotel and continues after they have left, giving the hotel many opportunities to assist the guest and learn about their needs. If you improve your knowledge of the guest it helps you to see them as individuals, which means not just personalization, but recognition for their custom, what their preferences are and, if applicable, their loyalty. When working with one brand, we reported an 11 percent increase in guest satisfaction, and a 33 percent increase in spend per customer and grew the mix of direct bookings faster than any other channel, including OTAs. What does this mean for your brand? None of the above means anything if you don’t listen to your brand values. It’s not just enough to just improve the technology in your venue, it is part of how guests perceive the hotel and how they relate to your brand. So if you implement systems, your execution must be on brand: tools can lay the foundation but implementation can be the differentiation. What technology innovations are currently in the works at Alliants? We partnered with Zendesk earlier this year after having worked with them for several years and  we are planning to integrate our Customer Experience Platform with Zendesk solutions more closely and develop a number of value-added solutions, including messaging insights, which should help hotels build stronger relationships with their guests and be more creative in their thinking. We are also building a Zendesk professional services model to help customers across all industries maximize the benefits from their investments in customer experience technology. Hotels have always been eager to use the latest technology and used to inspire other sectors. Now they are more cautious and service — and revenue — is suffering as a result. Hotels are the locations for some of our most memorable experiences and we believe that we can help them be not merely the backdrop, but the source of those unforgettable moments.

East Rockaway’s Historic Denton Homestead Up For Sale – Liherald.com https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/east-rockaways-historic-denton-homestead-up-for-sale-liherald-com/ A historic home in East Rockaway will soon hit the auction block, according to a notice of sale issued by the Nassau County Supreme Court. “It would be a shame to lose this home which was built circa 1795,” Frank Torre, a member of the Historical Society of East Rockaway and Lynbrook, wrote in an email. The Denton Homestead, at 60 Denton Ave., in East Rockaway, has been a fixture in the village for more than 200 years. Based on the judgment of foreclosure and sale issued on June 13, by the court, the property will be put up for public auction at a price of $800,913.24, plus interest and costs. The foreclosure sale will be held on Sept. 27 at 2 p.m., on the steps on the north side of the courthouse, at 100 Supreme Court Drive in Mineola. Built as a tavern for seafarers in the late 1700s, the property was later sold and, in 1808, converted into a homestead by Oliver Denton, a wealthy real estate mogul. For four generations, the Denton family, after which Denton Avenue was named, played a significant role in the development of the Village of East Rockaway. The home, which was moved twice over the past two centuries, retains many of its original features, including the doors, mantelpieces and hardware, which were made by 18th- and 19th-century blacksmiths. It was first recognized as a national historic landmark in 2014, when Gov. Andrew Cuomo added it to the New York State Registry of Historic Places. The designation automatically put the Denton Homestead on the National Register of Historic Places. While being added to the historic register does not give a home any official protection, it does make the property eligible for state and federal preservation grants and tax credits. Following its designation as a national landmark, the Historical Society of East Rockaway and Lynbrook presented the owner with an official historic marker from the U.S. Department of the Interior on Oct. 8, 2016, and a year later the Town of Hempstead officially granted the homestead its landmark status, ensuring that the property would be preserved in its current form. That does not mean, however, that the property cannot be sold. Hempstead town councilman and congressional candidate Anthony D’Esposito championed the house’s landmark status in 2017. He said that while the designation runs with the land, it does not prevent the property from being sold to the highest bidder. “Change of ownership has no effect on the historical landmark,” D’Esposito said. “The new owner would not have the ability to make any structural changes or subdivisions. They would have to apply back to the historical committee for approval.” Apart from the Denton family, only two other families have lived on the property—the Dengels and the Morrisons. Ellen Morrison first acquired the property in 2004 and was instrumental in acquiring the homestead’s historic designation.  With help from Greg Dengel, who provided information and research on the history of the homestead in honor of his father, the late William E. Dengel, she was able to secure its historic designation with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. In 2014, when the state first added the house to the register, Morrison indicated that she sought the historical distinction in part to help protect the house. “This register will not legally prevent it from being torn down, but hopefully it will help ensure that this house can stay true to its history for as long as possible,” Morrison previously told the Herald. “East Rockaway has been building away from its foundation recently and I’ve found myself asking, where’s the antiquity? I grew up in East Rockaway, and I wanted to preserve the history of this town, along with its antiquity and charm.” Madeline Pearson, director of the Historical Society of East Rockaway and Lynbrook indicated that Morrison had been through the foreclosure process once before and had trouble maintaining the property. Pearson said that Morrison loved the house where she had lived for almost 18 years and worked hard to preserve its more than 200-year history in the village. Any potential buyers of the property would be required to maintain the homestead in its current condition, as it is deemed a historic landmark. Any alterations to the property would require the approval of the Town’s landmark commission. Repeated attempts to contact the owner, Ellen Morrison, or Richard Morrison, the defendant named in the foreclosure proceedings, were not returned by press time.

Everything You Need For A Memorable Vacation To South Africa – Energeticcity.ca https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/everything-you-need-for-a-memorable-vacation-to-south-africa-energeticcity-ca/ Cape Town is the southernmost city in Africa and is worth exploring. As the second-largest town in South Africa, this coastal gem displays centuries of history in its architecture, cuisine, and cultural attractions. Prepare for beautiful wildlife, moving displays of political and personal perseverance, and diverse neighbourhoods celebrating cultures worldwide. When to Go Anytime you visit South Africa, you’ll find special events and a mild climate. Plan on shopping around for airfare and booking tours and accommodations early for this popular destination. Travelling in September and October is an ideal time to enjoy perfect temperatures around 70 degrees and slightly less-crowded tourist hot spots. How to Get There and Get Around Flights to Cape Town are frequent from New York City and Los Angeles. Using your favourite discount airfare site can help you narrow down the best routes and times to buy. If you have any reason to travel to Europe, flights to South Africa departing overseas can be less expensive and worth tacking on to the end of another trip. Once in Cape Town, you’ll find that Ubers are plentiful and generally cheaper than taxis. When you’re in the city center, you can easily walk or bike to visit some of the sites. Photo: Jaturun phuengphuttharak via 123RF What to Do and Eat Cape Town is full of beautiful sights and intriguing neighbourhoods. If you only have limited time, check out these must-do activities off your list before heading home. Hike Table Mountain Table Mountain is one of the most iconic South African locations and a must-see for visitors to the country. Its flat-top feature makes for stunning photographs, and the wildlife in the area is diverse and abundant. You can take the aerial tram to the top if you’d rather not hike, so there’s no excuse to miss this site! Visit Boulders Beach Travelling with kids or avid swimmers? Head to Boulders Beach, where the calm waters are perfect for taking a dip. One of the best parts of this beach location is the colony of penguins living there. Because of these fun local friends, the beach is often crowded, but visiting in the fall gives you the best chance to have a slightly less-crowded area. Explore the Company Gardens Tourists often overlook this location. That means it’s likely less crowded than other parks. You can stroll the lanes, admiring the wildlife and trees, or stop at one of the museums to learn more about the country’s colonial past. These gardens were planted to grow fruits and vegetables for passing ships during colonial days, so there’s plenty of history for the curious tourist. Tour Robben Island It’s hard to escape the political past when you visit South Africa, and visiting Robben Island gives you a firsthand look at some of the consequences of apartheid. Many tour guides you’ll encounter are former political prisoners, giving you the chance to ask for personal accounts of their time on the island. Visit The Old Biscuit Mill For a one-stop dining location, head to this refurbished 19th-century mill and taste various offerings from the many shops and restaurants in its “village” area. This is an excellent spot for casual dining that doubles as sightseeing. Grab Some Seafood in Paternoster For fresh, local seafood and a quaint atmosphere, take the 90-minute drive to nearby Paternoster and explore the area on foot. Paternoster is one of South Africa’s oldest fishing villages. You can find lobster and other seafood the locals catch right in front of your eyes. Whale Watch in Hermanus Hermanus is about two hours from Cape Town. During peak whale-mating season (which ends in late October), you can see mothers and calves swimming from your vantage point on the white sandy beaches. Experience Fine Dining at The Test Kitchen The Test Kitchen is Cape Town’s most upscale restaurant, serving a 16-course dinner with experimental offerings like homemade gummy bears. This location is the hottest spot in the city, so make sure to have a reservation in place three months in advance. Stay in the Gardens Suburb Gardens is an inner-city Cape Town suburb. It’s an excellent place to stay to be close to the action and feel like you’re getting some local flavour. You can easily walk to museums, clubs, shops, and galleries. Plus, the accommodation prices are more reasonable than in some other neighbourhoods. If you’ve always wanted to visit South Africa, start planning today for the adventure of a lifetime!

UA Summit Seeks To Empower Entrepreneurs – Arkansas Business Online https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/ua-summit-seeks-to-empower-entrepreneurs-arkansas-business-online/ (Cari Humphry/University of Arkansas) The University of Arkansas will host startup founders, civic leaders and educators from across the state next month at the SEED Arkansas Summit, which aims to empower entrepreneurs through higher education and other regional initiatives. Organizers said SEED, which stands for Startups, Education and Economic Development, also seeks to spur economic growth that retains local talent in communities across the state.  Conference sessions will be held Oct. 11-12 at the Fayetteville Public Library. Topics will include entrepreneurial ecosystem building; innovative problem solving; funding strategies to implement entrepreneurial programming; and how to engage local business to bridge the town and gown divide. The U of A’s Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation will hold its annual seed funding pitch competition at the conference. Student teams can received up to $2,000 for their ideas.

Facing Cancer: How To Turn Stress Into Strength – SurvivorNet https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/facing-cancer-how-to-turn-stress-into-strength-survivornet/ Dealing With the Mental Challenges After a Cancer Diagnosis Cancer can be a major mental challenge as well as a physical one. Different approaches to managing stress and anxiety will work for different patients. Some patients benefit a great deal from traditional therapy, while others seek comfort in support groups or confiding in a trust friend. Psychiatrist Dr. Samantha Boardman says learning to recognize and play up your natural strengths can be a great help in the face of these anxious feelings. Getting a cancer diagnosis and going through the treatment process can be incredibly stressful. It’s completely normal to feel anxious, scared, sad, and so much more. The disease is a mental challenge as well as a physical one. One way to get your mental health back in check after a diagnosis is to try to play up your strengths, Dr. Samantha Boardman, a New York-based psychiatrist and author, tells SurvivorNet. “I sometimes will ask patients, tell me about yourself when you were at your best,” she explains. “Using that story, trying to figure out what strengths come to mind … is it patience? Is it appreciation of beauty? It is perseverance? [Then we can] use those strengths in constructive ways to navigate their cancer journey.” Dr. Boardman says another way to approach harnessing the strength you already have is tapping into your values. This could be family, close friendships, spirituality, commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Reminding yourself of what your values are and how you are living accordingly is another way to unleash that inner strength. Lastly, patients shouldn’t underestimate the value of simply opening up, Dr. Boardman says. This could mean speaking to a close family member or friend, or it could mean seeking support in other ways — by finding a therapist that meets your needs or looking into joining a support group. Questions to Ask Your Doctor What activities can I do at home if I’m feeling especially stressed? Are there any support groups you can recommend? Should I consider seeing a therapist? What can I do if I’m very stressed before treatment? Dr. Samantha Boardman is a New York-based psychiatrist and author. Read More Dealing With the Mental Challenges After a Cancer Diagnosis Cancer can be a major mental challenge as well as a physical one. Different approaches to managing stress and anxiety will work for different patients. Some patients benefit a great deal from traditional therapy, while others seek comfort in support groups or confiding in a trust friend. Psychiatrist Dr. Samantha Boardman says learning to recognize and play up your natural strengths can be a great help in the face of these anxious feelings. Getting a cancer diagnosis and going through the treatment process can be incredibly stressful. It’s completely normal to feel anxious, scared, sad, and so much more. The disease is a mental challenge as well as a physical one. One way to get your mental health back in check after a diagnosis is to try to play up your strengths, Dr. Samantha Boardman, a New York-based psychiatrist and author, tells SurvivorNet. Read More “I sometimes will ask patients, tell me about yourself when you were at your best,” she explains. “Using that story, trying to figure out what strengths come to mind … is it patience? Is it appreciation of beauty? It is perseverance? [Then we can] use those strengths in constructive ways to navigate their cancer journey.” Dr. Boardman says another way to approach harnessing the strength you already have is tapping into your values. This could be family, close friendships, spirituality, commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Reminding yourself of what your values are and how you are living accordingly is another way to unleash that inner strength. Lastly, patients shouldn’t underestimate the value of simply opening up, Dr. Boardman says. This could mean speaking to a close family member or friend, or it could mean seeking support in other ways — by finding a therapist that meets your needs or looking into joining a support group. Questions to Ask Your Doctor What activities can I do at home if I’m feeling especially stressed? Are there any support groups you can recommend? Should I consider seeing a therapist? What can I do if I’m very stressed before treatment? Learn more about SurvivorNet’s rigorous medical review process. Dr. Samantha Boardman is a New York-based psychiatrist and author. Read More

Haifa Vs. PSG Live Score, Updates, Highlights As Kylian Mbappe Puts PSG In Front After Lionel Messi Equalizer – Sporting News https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/haifa-vs-psg-live-score-updates-highlights-as-kylian-mbappe-puts-psg-in-front-after-lionel-messi-equalizer-sporting-news/ The hosts started brightly in Israel, troubling PSG throughout a frenetic first 45 minutes, but it was not to be as PSG outclassed Maccabi Haifa in a 3-1 win to stay perfect through two Champions League group stage games. It marks the first time ever that Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Neymar all found the back of the net in the same Champions League match. That proved too much for Maccabi Haifa, whose spirited first half simply ran out of gas. Tjarron Chery put Haifa in front before the half-hour mark, sending a boisterous Sammy Ofer Stadium into a frenzy, and sending PSG shockingly down a goal. Haifa goalkeeper Josh Cohen stood tall on a number of occasions to protect the early lead, but would eventually succumb to one of the greatest players of all-time. Messi found PSG’s equalizer on 37 minutes, receiving great service from a shifty Mbappe, giving PSG something to savor after an otherwise shaky first-half that saw the hosts run PSG ragged. After the break, PSG eventually wore Haifa down with pure class and skill. Mbappe would find PSG’s second on a great vertical ball by Messi, and Neymar put the game away late after latching onto a long-ball from Marco Verratti. The overall performance from Maccabi Haifa, especially in the first half, deserves plaudits as they troubled one of the world’s best teams for the full 45 minutes, but they just couldn’t keep up the tempo all game, succumbing to a supremely talented squad. MORE: 2022/23 Champions League group stage standings & schedule The Sporting News followed the Maccabi Haifa-PSG match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happened. Maccabi Haifa vs. PSG final score   1H 2H Final Maccabi Haifa 1 0 1 PSG 1 2 3 Goals: 24th min — MHA — Tjarron Chery 37th min — PSG — Lionel Messi 69th min — PSG — Kylian Mbappe 88th min — PSG — Neymar Maccabi Haifa vs. PSG post-match analysis Can PSG keep out-classing teams? We all know that PSG, on paper, have one of the best teams in the world. They’ve proven as much time and time again, doing so on yet another occasion today in Israel. Kyilan Mbappe, Lionel Messi, and Neymar are an unstoppable force up front. Still, it does feel like PSG are beating teams on talent instead of on cohesion, chemistry, or tactics. The Parisians were second-best through significant periods in both their Champions League matches to date. Against Juventus, they took an early 2-0 lead before crumbling late and barely hanging on, while today they were troubled consistently through the first half by Maccabi Haifa. Surely at some point, if this continues, a better team like Man City, Real Madrid, or Bayern Munich will put PSG to the sword during these spells of trouble, and the Parisians won’t be able to simply flex their muscles and come out in front after 90 minutes. Competitive goals involvements for PSG in 2022-23 so far: Neymar: 18 in 10 apps Messi: 13 in 10 apps Mbappé: 10 in 8 apps pic.twitter.com/90Lh2SI7oK — The Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) September 14, 2022 Maccabi Haifa can be proud It was a spectacular performance from the hosts today in every facet of the game. Maccabi Haifa were not afraid to venture forward, holding long spells of possession and forcing PSG to defend in earnest. They attacked the PSG penalty area and put the visiting defenders under pressure. At the other end, the defense played bravely, throwing their bodies in front of shots and remaining tactically organized. They didn’t back down from 50/50 challenges, and often bested PSG in the air. The goalkeeper stood tall on a number of occasions, only beaten when the defensive line broke down in full. Even the crowd mightily impressed, singing in full voice for the entire 90 minutes, even when PSG scored and celebrated in their faces. A performance the entire Haifa community can be proud of, even in defeat. Maccabi Haifa vs. PSG live updates, highlights, commentary 88th min: GOAL! PSG! This one is over, as PSG outlast Haifa. Neymar the one to close the door, with Verratti pinging a brilliant switch to the opposite flank. The Haifa defense completely lost track of Neymar at the far end, and he’s wide open to receive the ball and bury the chance. PSG just too much class in this one! Watch in the USA: — CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 14, 2022 For some reason, the official is having a VAR check, and is completely surrounded by the PSG players. Neymar is booked in the aftermath, and replay shows its for a rude celebration, mocking the Haifa players or supporters with an gesture. Silly from the Brazilian, who’s withdrawn by Galtier almost immediately. 85th min: Verratti clips an opponent at the top of the PSG penalty area, and this is a dangerous set-piece for the hosts. Imagine if this finds the back of the net? Sammy Ofer Stadium would explode! It’ll be Chery, the Haifa goalscorer, to take the free-kick with his left, with Haziza also standing over it. Haziza departs, so it’s Chery’s to take…he hits it well but it goes a few feet over the crossbar. 83rd min: Well, we knew this game couldn’t keep up the pace for a full 90 minutes. It’s all gotten a bit messy now. Mbappe’s fouled in midfield and PSG will kill some more time, as Achraf Hakimi comes on in place of Mukiele, who’s upset with being withdrawn. Maccabi Haifa appear to be running out of steam. 75th min: Marquinhos goes down emphatically after Pierrot technically puts a hand on the Brazilian’s face. Yellow card for the Haifa striker. It’s all a bit soft, really. 72nd min: The game has opened up a bit since the goal. There’s more action in the Haifa 18-yard box, with Mbappe and Messi continuing to probe, but the home defenders are there to clear. PSG will bring Vitinha off, with Fabian Ruiz entering the pitch. Haifa counter bringing Din David on for Atzili. 69th min: GOAL! PSG! Stop us if you’ve heard this before: Kylian Mbappe scores after being sent free by Lionel Messi! A vertical ball from Messi breaks the Maccabi Haifa back line, and Mbappe is clean through after getting by Seck. The French superstar makes no mistake, finding the gap between a diving Cohen and the far post. Watch in the USA: Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi connect again, this time Messi with the assist, Mbappe with a delicious finish. pic.twitter.com/OhwK9Ifi1X — CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 14, 2022 64th min: Chance, PSG! A HUGE DOUBLE STOP! First Josh Cohen saves brilliantly, diving down to his left after Messi got free. Then Cornud recovers well to reach the ball first, with a sliding clearance to deny Mukiele who was charging down the rebound. PSG starting to turn the screw, but the hosts are so far up to the task! Josh Cohen said he wanted to make a big save on Lionel Messi, and he just made two.#UCL — Jonathan Tannenwald (@thegoalkeeper) September 14, 2022 63rd min: The Haifa defense continues to stand tall. A rip from Mbappe is blocked very bravely by the substitute Abdoulaye Seck, while Messi’s follow-up from a tight angle is saved by Cohen. 60th min: Kylian Mbappe is a menace, and he very nearly earns a penalty, going down under a challenge from Haziza right on the edge of the penalty area. The referee points for a free-kick and shows Haziza a yellow card. Mbappe wanted a penalty, but replay shows that not only was the location of the foul correct, but it’s also a very soft foul, and a bit of a flop. Still, PSG have a dangerous free-kick…and it’s into the wall from Neymar. Mbappe sends it back in from the other end, but it’s cleared well by the Haifa defense. 58th min: The game has slowed in pace, mostly because Haifa have taken the air out of the ball. They’re holding heavy possession and PSG are forced to chase the ball. A few deep shots fail to trouble Donnarumma, but his goal kicks are giving the ball right back to the hosts. 52nd min: Chance, Haifa! A long-range effort by Cornud is SO NEARLY redirected in by a streaking Pierrot, but the ball whizzes over the bar! Donnarumma was fooled, and Pierrot should have scored. A missed chance for Haifa! As play stops, the trainers are out for Sundgren, and it looks a concerning one. Unsure what happened, but the Swedish international will have to come off holding h is chest, with Haifa forced into the game’s first substitution. Trainers are taking their time with Sundgren, who’s clearly shaken up. 49th min: Like they were in the first half, PSG remain very sloppy in possession. Atzili takes a shot from distance on a counter, but it’s collected well by Donnarumma who goes down low to smother the ball. In the aftermath, Atzili gets a deserved yellow card after getting worked by Vitinha in midfield. 46th min: The second half is under way in Haifa! It will be fascinating to see how Christophe Galtier tactically counters what Maccabi Haifa threw at PSG in the first half. We’ll be lucky to be treated to another 45 minutes of similar energy and pace! HALFTIME: Maccabi Haifa 1-1 PSG It’s a brilliant first half from the hosts, utterly spectacular. They were brimming with confidence and swagger through the entire 45 minutes, and seemed to catch PSG on their heels. The opening goal was wonderfully executed, and they’ve locked down PSG for the most part. To the Parisians’ credit, they were unlucky to not earn a penalty as Josh Cohen took down Neymar, and Lionel Messi is inevitable. The match is indeed very much there for the taking in the second half, and the visitors very well could assert their dominance, but it will take plenty of hard work to break down the extremely energetic home side. 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗗: Lionel Messi has now scored a Champions League goal against a 39 different teams: Lionel Messi: 39 Cristia...

ANZ Banking Group Plans For Metaverse – Finance – Software – ITnews https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/anz-banking-group-plans-for-metaverse-finance-software-itnews/ ANZ banking services lead Nigel Dobson is taking a keen interest in the metaverse as a place where some of the bank’s customers want to be and transact in, but sees “really key questions” that need answers as the space takes off. Speaking during a Trans-Tasman Business Circle panel, Dobson said the metaverse, a connected network of virtual communities built on blockchain platforms, is “one that traditional supporters of the digital economy like banks should be planning for”. Dobson predicted that while current excitement about the metaverse will “flatten out eventually, the hype precedes the genuine foundation of business models” and is an opportunity to find a business model “that makes sense”. However, he said the metaverse is “just an exponential version of what’s already happening on the internet” with “technology leading regulation”, creating “a classic problem we’ve been trying to catch up with and deal with for many decades now”. In particular, he said that current notions of digital identity “are probably not sufficient to appropriately govern and manage the safety [of participants] in the metaverse.” “I’m no expert in the space, but I think there’s a lot of work that needs to be done in that space to ensure that we do bring some sort of trade-off between anonymity and privacy to accountability,” he said. Dobson said information sharing arrangements across blockchains would become important so as to “allow individuals in their virtual form to move between various worlds and potentially even transfer assets between those worlds.” “In order to do that, you’ve got to have an underpinning set of standards [and] have an underpinning sense of governance and a well woven together legal frameworks that span the globe,” he said. “Now, most countries do not make global laws – and yet we are dealing with a borderless phenomenon here in decentralised venues, or the metaverse.” “That’s one of the things that the regulators will have to catch up with” as they seek a best practice approach to standards-setting “across these different worlds”. “These are all questions I have no good answers to… the regulators need to stand in front of this” to clearly define regulation jurisdictions, he said. “Otherwise, we will not move forward and the metaverse will become a dangerous place. Which if it does, then commerce will cease to exist. While “that’s making a very definitive statement”, Dobson said “those sorts of questions need to be answered” if the metaverse is to ever scale. Transaction enablement Dobson added “the use of smart contracts on-chain secured with native coins that can be issued by a bank is a really important development.” “At ANZ, have already created a stablecoin that can interact on a range of blockchains called A$DC. “It’s a tokenised version of Australian dollars and it’s built to interact with digital assets like NFTs”. Dobson highlighted ANZ Worldline Payment Solutions, the bank’s joint venture with European payments company Worldline, as an example of “how we’re working with customers” as it recently established beverage maker “Naked Life in Decentraland and set them up as a merchant in the virtual world”. “Wherever your customers want to do business, you should be interested in,” said Dobson. ‘Fundamentally, if the business models that you recognise are transitioning to a different operating model that your customers feel comfortable in those environments, then we want to be there and we want to be testing and learning alongside them.”

Use Your IPhone’s Mail App To Schedule Emails That Auto-Send At Specific Dates And Times – Gadget Hacks https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/use-your-iphones-mail-app-to-schedule-emails-that-auto-send-at-specific-dates-and-times-gadget-hacks/ You no longer have to resort to a third-party email client on your iPhone to schedule messages to send whenever you want. Apple built the scheduling functionality into its Mail app, and it works with any email client you use, whether iCloud, Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, or another service. To try it out, ensure your iPhone is running iOS 16. The change also appears on iPadOS 16 for iPad and macOS 13 Ventura for Mac, which are still in beta. Start or open a draft in the Mail app from any email account. When you’re ready to schedule it to send later, long-press the send button. From the menu, you can choose preset times like “Send Tonight” and “Send Tomorrow” or use “Send Later” to pick your own date and time. When you use Send Later, just hit “Done” after setting the date and time. Don’t Miss: Your iPhone Just Got a Massive Feature iCloud and macOS Had Forever No matter what date and time you choose, you can view your scheduled emails from the new “Send Later” folder on your mailboxes list. In the folder, you should see the date and time it will auto-send each message. If you don’t want to send the email anymore, you can delete it like any other draft. If you want to change the date and time, open the draft and hit “Edit” next to “This email will be sent [date] at [time].” The same Send Later interface will appear for you to reschedule it. You can tap “Cancel Send Later” to delete it altogether (it won’t revert to a draft) or “Done” to save your changes. Send Later does not sync to iCloud or any of your email accounts since it’s an on-device feature, meaning it only works from the originating device. For Mail to send the scheduled message successfully, your iPhone needs a network connection at the scheduled time to ensure delivery. If your iPhone doesn’t have an internet connection at the scheduled time, Mail will move your email from the Send Later folder to your “Outbox” folder. The message will then auto-send as soon as your iPhone connects to the internet — it won’t cancel the email altogether. Keep Your Connection Secure Without a Monthly Bill. Get a lifetime subscription to VPN Unlimited for all your devices with a one-time purchase from the new Gadget Hacks Shop, and watch Hulu or Netflix without regional restrictions, increase security when browsing on public networks, and more. Buy Now (80% off) Other worthwhile deals to check out: 41% off a home Wi-Fi analyzer 98% off a learn to code bundle 98% off an accounting bootcamp 59% off the XSplit VCam video background editor Cover photo and screenshots by Justin Meyers/Gadget Hacks

Crypto Traders In Wait-And-See Mode In Countdown To Ethereum Merge – CoinDesk https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/crypto-traders-in-wait-and-see-mode-in-countdown-to-ethereum-merge-coindesk/ Crypto markets appeared to be in suspension on Wednesday as traders awaited the Ethereum blockchain’s historic Merge – the network’s transition to proof-of-stake (PoS) network, expected to take place in about 12 hours. Bitcoin (BTC) was in a choppy trading range around $20,000 while ether (ETH) changed hands just above $1,500. Bitcoin price chart shows a choppy trading range between $19,000 and $20,000 on Wednesday. (CoinDesk) Stocks and cryptocurrencies sank Tuesday after August’s U.S. consumer price index showed that inflation remains hot. But there hasn’t been much follow-through on the downside. Alex Tapscott, managing director of the digital asset group at alternative investment manager Ninepoint Partners, said bitcoin still looks bright in the long term. “Bitcoin’s simplicity is maybe its biggest drawback because it can’t be programmed to do lots of different things, but it’s also the greatest asset, in my opinion,” Tapscott told CoinDesk in a video interview. “I think[of bitcoin] as a simple, immutable, highly secure store of value that is completely decentralized and almost impossible to capture by any single force, whether it’s a government or company.” As Ethereum’s Merge approaches, Tapscott said he has a bullish outlook on ether that “has lots of potential but many more risks.” “I think that the contrast is kind of poetic that this is happening as we move with Ethereum to proof-of-stake, and Bitcoin is simultaneously becoming its most secure ever,” he said. Ethereum price chart shows a climb in the past seven days. (CoinDesk) ETH rose 2.4% in the past seven days but was down 17% over the past 30 days and remains well off its 30-day high of $1,951. Crypto market watchers are eyeing the Merge, which is expected to reduce Ethereum’s energy consumption by 99%. A Bank of America research report last week said this could attract more institutional investors who were barred from buying tokens that run on blockchains that use the proof-of-work (PoW) consensus system. “If you’re a big company and you’re planning on investing millions of dollars in Web3 opportunities, whatever those might be, you want to know that the technology you’re building on is going to be consistent over time,” Tapscott said. “Ethereum is clearly the leader of smart contracting platforms through a community-driven effort. And if all of a sudden there’s a deluge of big companies [that] are building on this new platform, you might think that seems like a pretty good investment opportunity.” Oanda Senior Market Analyst Craig Erlam said in a note Wednesday that some suggest the Merge may have contributed to the rebound in ether’s price. “That could equally compound the sell-off if it becomes a ‘Buy the rumor, sell the fact’ event,” he said. “Time will tell.” CORRECTION (Sept. 14, 2022 20:45 UTC): Changes price update to ether (ETH) from ethereum classic (ETC). Sign up for Crypto Long & Short, our weekly newsletter featuring insights, news and analysis for the professional investor. By signing up, you will receive emails about CoinDesk product updates, events and marketing and you agree to our terms of services and privacy policy. DISCLOSURE Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated . The leader in news and information on cryptocurrency, digital assets and the future of money, CoinDesk is a media outlet that strives for the highest journalistic standards and abides by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk is an independent operating subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, which invests in cryptocurrencies and blockchain startups. As part of their compensation, certain CoinDesk employees, including editorial employees, may receive exposure to DCG equity in the form of stock appreciation rights, which vest over a multi-year period. CoinDesk journalists are not allowed to purchase stock outright in DCG .

Nasdaq Closes Higher On Wednesday As Stocks Stabilize Following Massive Sell-Off – CNBC https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/nasdaq-closes-higher-on-wednesday-as-stocks-stabilize-following-massive-sell-off-cnbc/ Steel ETF posts worst day in two months as Nucor slumps more than 11% The VanEck Steel ETF fell 4.2% Wednesday, its worst one-day decline since mid-July, and is now on pace for its worst week since mid-June. Nucor tumbled more than 11% and U.S. Steel was lower by almost 9% Wednesday. — Scott Schnipper and Christopher Hayes New 52-week lows Wednesday include Intel at weakest in 6.5 years Wednesday’s late day 52-week lows in the S&P 500 included Intel, which fell to the lowest since February 2016. These were the other 52-week lows made late Wednesday. (An earlier blog post gave the names of stocks hitting 52-week lows shortly after the market’s open.) Walgreens Boots Alliance lowest since Nov. 2020 Capital One (Jan. 2021) Quest Diagnostics (March 2021) Organon (June, 2021) Bio-Techne (Jan. 2021) A.O. Smith Corp (Oct. 2020) NortonLifeLock (May 2021) Seagate (Jan. 2021) WestRock (Nov. 2020) Lithium miner Albemarle, spun off from Ethyl Corp. in 1994, reached an all-time high. —Scott Schnipper and Christopher Hayes Stocks rally in final minutes, major averages close higher Stocks bounced in the final minutes of trading on Wednesday, pushing all the three major averages into positive territory. The Nasdaq remained the leader, gaining about 0.7%. The Dow squeaked out a gain of roughly 30 points. — Jesse Pound Stocks slip in final hour The stock market weakened in afternoon trading, with the Dow’s losses extending past 200 points. The Nasdaq, which had held above the flatline for most of the day, also turned negative. — Jesse Pound Nasdaq clings to gains in afternoon trading With just over an hour left in the trading session, the Nasdaq Composite is holding on to a gain of 0.2% for the day. The S&P 500 is down about 0.1%, and has held above the 3,920 level during several dips intraday. The Dow, which has spent most of the day swinging in a 300-point range, was last down about 100 points. — Jesse Pound CFRA’s Sam Stovall expects the June low will hold CFRA’s Sam Stovall expects that the June low will hold in spite of a hot inflation report that renewed investor fears of greater interest rate hikes for longer. Stocks are now digesting the likelihood of a more rapid pace of tightening from the Federal Reserve, which is broadly expected to hike rates by 75 basis points next week, as well as weaker gross domestic product growth in 2022, according to a Wednesday note from CFRA. Gross domestic product is currently expected to grow by 1.8% in the third quarter, down from 2% previously, read the note. It’s expected to jump 1.4% in the fourth quarter, down from expectations of 1.6%. That’s going to add pressure to earnings per share growth in the S&P 500, which has already seen estimates trimmed to 6.9% in 2022, down from 8.9%, read the note. Still, Sam Stovall said: “Despite the possibility of an additional near-term decline in prices, we still think the June low will hold.” — Sarah Min Investors Intelligence bullish newsletter editors had edged higher in latest week Going in to Tuesday’s August CPI report, the number of bullish investment newsletter editors surveyed by Investors Intelligence had risen to 32.4% from 29.7% the week before. The reading two weeks ago was close to the mid-June number of 26.5% that accompanied the bear market low in the S&P 500, and the fewest since early 2016. Bearish newsletter editors dropped to 28.2% last week from 29.7% the prior week, while the percentage who forecast a correction also retreated, falling to 39.4% from 40.6%. The so-called “bull-bear spread” widened to +4.2 from 0.0 the week before. Higher bull-bear spreads can sometimes serve as a contrarian signal for more risk, while lower readings are associated with less risk. — Scott Schnipper Netflix rises to session highs, advertising plans in focus Shares of Netflix jumped to session highs following a Wall Street Journal report that the streaming giant projects advertising-supported tier would reach 40 million viewers by the third quarter of 2023. Netflix announced plans to create an ad-supported subscription plan earlier this year as subscriber growth slowed and even reversed. The company is partnering with Microsoft to build the product, which has not launched yet. Shares of Netflix were last up 2.9%. — Jesse Pound Energy stocks outperform Energy is the top performing sector in the S&P 500 as oil prices perked up on Wednesday. Shares of Coterra Energy and APA have jumped more than 7% each. Devon, EOG and ConocoPhillips are also among the top performers in the S&P 500. Overall, the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund is up 3.4%, easily outpacing the broader market. — Jesse Pound Rails stocks dip as strike fears mount Rail stocks moved lower on Wednesday after a labor union that represents railroad workers said its members voted against a tentative contract agreement aimed at preventing a potential labor strike. Workers have threatened to halt work if their demands aren’t met for vacation, sick days and several other quality-of-life issues. The Dow Jones U.S. Railroads Index slumped 3.4%, with shares of CSX Corporation, Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern down 2.3%, 4.4% and 2.5%, respectively. — Samantha Subin Major averages hold onto slight gains in aftermath of massive sell-off Stocks are holding on to modest gains in midday trading. The Nasdaq Composite is in the lead, with a gain of about 0.6%. Notable movers include Moderna, up 6.6%, and Starbucks, up more than 5%. Tesla has also added a healthy 3.8% on the session. “Stocks are trying to stabilize, but the whole tape is on edge after the Tues decimation, and few people have much confidence in an immediate rebound,” Adam Crisafulli of Vital Knowledge said in a note. — Jesse Pound These are the stocks hitting fresh lows A slew of stocks notched fresh 52-week lows early in Wednesday’s trading session. That included Meta Platforms, which fell about 1.5% and stooped to levels not seen since March 2020. Chipmaker Nvidia also hit a fresh low back dating back to March 2021. These are some other stocks that made 52-week lows: Paramount trading at lows not seen since July 2020 CarMax trading at lows not seen since May 2020 Whirlpool trading at lows not seen since July 2020 Tyson Foods trading at levels not seen since August 2021 Qorvo trading lows not seen since April 2020 Western Digital trading at lows not seen since November 2020 Dow Inc trading at lows not seen since November 2020 Mohawk Industries trading at lows not seen since October 2020 Whirlpool trading at lows not seen since July 2020 Church & Dwight trading at lows not seen since March 2021 Charter Communications trading at lows not seen since March 2020 Lumen Technologies trading at lows not seen since November 2020 Eastman Chemical trading at lows not seen since October 2020 International Paper Company trading at lows not seen since October 2020 LyondellBasell trading at lows not seen since November 2020 Digital Realty Trust trading at lows not seen since March 2020 Meanwhile, shares of Corteva moved slightly higher to trade at an all-time high back to its spin-off from DowDuPont in May 2019. — Christopher Hayes, Samantha Subin 2-year yield moves higher as market prices in more rate hiking The 2-year Treasury yield is rising, along with market expectations for what level the Federal Reserve will take its fed funds rate to before it stops raising rates. The terminal rate is the point where the Fed is expected to end its rate hiking. In the futures market, expectations for where that level will be went from just under 4% ahead of Tuesday’s consumer inflation report to 4.38% Wednesday morning. The 2-year yield topped 3.80% Wednesday, the highest since November, 2007. The yield was at 3.78% in mid-morning trading. The 2-year closely reflects Fed policy moves. Treasury yields quickly ramped up after Tuesday’s report of the August consumer price index, which showed inflation rising instead of falling. BMO’s Ben Jeffery said the 2-year and 3-year yields have been rising with the market’s expectations of a higher terminal rate. “That’s definitely why we have the 2-year yields at 3.8%, versus 3.5% a few days ago,” said Jeffery. — Patti Domm U.S. oil futures move back toward $90 per barrel Oil prices advanced Wednesday, making back losses from the prior session that saw broad-based selling across assets. West Texas Intermediate crude futures, the U.S. oil benchmark, advanced 2.18%, or $1.90, to $89.16 per barrel. International benchmark Brent crude added 1.85%, or $1.72, to trade at $94.89 per barrel. U.S. natural gas prices advanced 5.6% to $8.748 per million British thermal units. The International Energy Agency lowered its forecast for 2022 oil demand growth Wednesday. The firm now expects this year’s demand growth to be 2 million barrels per day, down 110,000 barrels per day from prior forecasts. But the Paris-based agency said the recent decline in fuel prices is also beginning to support demand, according to early indicators. — Pippa Stevens Twilio announces layoffs Twilio is laying off 11% of its workforce as part of a broader restructuring plan, the company announced Wednesday. The company, which reported 7,867 employees at the end of 2021, has been aiming for profitability in 2023. Several major tech companies have announced layoffs or slowed hiring over the summer, as recession fears and the drop in the stock market have made companies tighten their belts. Shares of Twilio were up 1.5% in early trading. — Jesse Pound, Ashley Capoot Stocks open slightly higher Stocks rose modestly at 9:30 a.m., with the Dow gaining less than 100 points. However, the major averages drifted back toward the flatline in the opening minutes...

Compass Minerals Picks Lithium Extraction Technology To Supply Ford, Others – Kitco NEWS https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/compass-minerals-picks-lithium-extraction-technology-to-supply-ford-others-kitco-news/ Reuters Wednesday September 14, 2022 16:30 Sept 14 (Reuters) – Compass Minerals International Inc (CMP.N) said on Wednesday it will use a lithium extraction technology developed by EnergySource Minerals LLC to produce the electric vehicle battery metal for Ford Motor Co (F.N) and others. Washington has been pressing for U.S. companies to find greener ways to boost domestic production of battery metals and lessen the country’s reliance on China. Compass chose EnergySource’s direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology over four rivals and plans to use it alongside existing evaporation ponds to remove the battery metal from Utah’s Great Salt Lake. Compass said it spent more than two years studying EnergySource’s technology and is confident it can begin producing 10,000 tonnes of lithium annually by 2025. “This is the right technology for this resource,” Compass executive Ryan Bartlett told Reuters. Compass also on Wednesday said it would sell shares worth $252 million to Koch Industries Inc and use proceeds to fund its lithium project. Compass has lithium supply deals with Ford and LG Energy Solution Ltd (373220.KS). The partnership is the first technology license by privately held EnergySource, which counts oilfield giant Schlumberger NV (SLB.N) and mining investment firm TechMet as investors. EnergySource technology relies on an adsorbent that separates lithium from impurities in brine. EnergySource is developing its own DLE project in California’s Salton Sea, but warned in June that a recently enacted state lithium tax could force it to invest elsewhere. Eric Spomer, EnergySource’s chief executive, said the Compass partnership was not linked to the California tax, but added: “There are a lot of brine resources in North America.” Elsewhere, several DLE partnerships have recently soured. Lake Resources NL (LKE.AX) plans to seek arbitration to settle a dispute with Bill Gates-backed Lilac Solutions Inc. And officials in Bolivia, which holds the world’s largest lithium resource, parted ways with EnergyX. Reporting by Ernest Scheyder; Editing by David Gregorio Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.

Senior Talk DFW — Fall Prevention – The Cross Timbers Gazette https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/senior-talk-dfw-fall-prevention-the-cross-timbers-gazette/ Fall Prevention Day is every day! Falls Prevention Awareness Day is September 22nd at the start of the fall season and it’s a very serious matter we all need to be paying attention to. It’s the leading cause of injury-related emergency room visits and the day is used to address this public health issue. Falls can be more dangerous than they might seem. They can cause bruising, hip fractures, and head injuries, and these accidents have the potential to be fatal, especially for older adults which means they deserve extra attention to make sure they’re protected. More than 25 percent of older people fall each year, but less than half tell their health care provider, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Falls account for 2.8 million older people visiting emergency rooms each year and over 800,000 hospitalizations. Many things contribute to falls: lower body weakness, Vitamin D deficiency, difficulties balancing, use of medicines that affect cognitive abilities, vision problems, foot pain and poor footwear are some of them. As we age, and I’m right there with you, it can be frustrating. We can’t do what we always did or what we expect we should still be able to do. What we CAN do is stay active to stay mobile. My biggest fear is immobility. To ward it off I exercise by going to Jazzercise two times a week, bowl once a week and walk 1-2 times a week. Chiropractors massage therapists and magnesium supplements are my friends. My Daddy turns 90 September 26th. He still walks 1/3 mile 1-2 times per day and does 10 minutes daily on his Wii-Fit to help balance. He stays mobile to preserve his quality of life. How can you help prevent your falls or those of your loved ones? Do an audit of your living space. Throw rugs are not your friend. Change out light bulbs to LED Daylight bulbs to see better. Have grab bars in the tub or shower. If you live alone, get an Alert Button. Check for Matter of Balance or similar classes at your local senior center or community to improve your balance and strength. Are you in a home that no longer fits your needs or can’t be made safer for you? Plan for the next season of your life. Would it help to know how much equity you have in your home? Visit www.HomeEquityAnalysisDFW.com to request your free report. What resources can I provide or questions can I answer? 469-616-0561 Edwena Potter, Certified Senior Housing Professional, Keller Williams Realty. “Like” my Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/SeniorTalkDFW (Sponsored content)

The Great Airplane Debate: Should You Ever Switch Seats? – The Washington Post https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/the-great-airplane-debate-should-you-ever-switch-seats-the-washington-post/ Benét J. Wilson isn’t sure what makes her a magnet for seat-swapping requests. “I don’t know if I have that face that people think I will just do it,” said the longtime aviation journalist and aisle seat aficionado. “But it’s ridiculous. It’s almost become comical.” Some people want to sit with a spouse or friend. Some are trying to stay close to children. Others just don’t want a middle seat. As someone who uses her frequent flier status — or pays extra — to choose a seat near the front Wilson is typically unmoved. Unless it’s a parent-and-child situation, “because I’ve been there and done that,” Wilson said, her answer is a short and simple “no.” “I’m sure there are good reasons, but in the end that’s not my problem,” she said. The scenario can become a problem, or at least a major annoyance. Social media posts and news accounts frequently provide examples of cheeky seat-swapping requests and rude responses — or completely reasonable requests and understandable responses, depending on whose side you take. “It’s a stressful situation for everyone involved in the actual switch and everyone seated around the people trying to make the switch and the crew,” said Bobby Laurie, a former flight attendant and host of the syndicated travel talk show “The Jet Set.” An Irish model and TV personality made headlines in August after using profanity on her podcast to describe a man who initially didn’t want to trade so her family could be together after she booked a wrong seat. In response, Daily Mail columnist Jaci Stephen wrote that she always refuses to give up her seat for families. “Here’s the simple fact: if you want to travel as a family or in a group, book your seats together beforehand,” she wrote. “Your incompetency in failing to do so is no one else’s responsibility and you should certainly not be making others feel uncomfortable when they want to stick to their probably well organized plans.” I just watched a man agree to switch his aisle seat for a middle seat on this plane and now I’m mad on his behalf. — NJ’s Glen Tickle (@glentickle) July 28, 2022 At least three Reddit threads this year, most recently in early September, have explored the question of whether a passenger was in the wrong because they wouldn’t change seats for families. (They were all validated.) There are clearly strong feelings on both sides of the issue. When it’s appropriate to ask Etiquette expert Jacqueline Whitmore, founder of the Protocol School of Palm Beach and a former flight attendant, said an acceptable reason to ask for a swap is if a traveler is separated from someone who depends on them for care. “Unless you have a minor child or perhaps even an elderly parent or someone you’re caring for that needs some special attention … I really don’t see where it’s mandatory or where you should ask to be moved,” she said. And there are no guarantees, especially since many airlines charge to select certain seats. “As a family you have to accept that maybe you’re not going to sit together because those people who have paid for those seats don’t want to give them up,” Whitmore said. When someone does have a valid reason to request a new seat, Whitmore said they should ask the airline before boarding. “You go to the gate, say, ‘This is the situation, is there anything you can do to help us out?’” she said. “When you wait until you’re on the plane, it puts everybody in a precarious position.” Laurie said if someone is sitting in a bulkhead seat behind a divider, they may be asked to give that up for a passenger who is traveling with a service animal because the legroom is more generous. Many fliers who responded to a Washington Post query on Twitter say they usually try to accommodate a family with kids — though some included the caveat that they would not move from the front to the back of the plane or switch to a middle seat. The U.S. Transportation Department issued a notice to airlines in July urging them “to do everything in their power to ensure that children who are age 13 or younger are seated next to an accompanying adult with no additional charge.” Despite her strict switching policy, Wilson said she was once moved to voluntarily give up her aisle seat when she noticed an extremely tall man board. “I was like, ‘Oh my God, I cannot in good conscience allow this guy to be crammed into the middle seat for 3½ hours,’” she said. Several optimistic travelers said they would happily abandon their economy seat for one in business class or first class. Some fliers said it would be no big deal to make an even trade — aisle for aisle, window for window — in the same section, as long as they were flying solo that day. “I guess it’s always okay to ask, but it’s never okay to be mad if someone says no,” Laurie said. To allow families with young children or the elderly or immobile to sit together, sure. But now that you have to pay extra for any seat that’s not in the last/lav row, that family better be SUPER cute and buy me a drink as thanks. — Joshua Crouthamel (@JoshOnTheBus) September 13, 2022 No one should expect another passenger to give up their window or aisle for a dreaded middle seat; don’t even think about asking. Asking someone to leave the front of the plane for the back is another hard sell. A nearly impossible mission: swapping a free seat in the main cabin for any selection that required a surcharge — especially one with extra legroom or in a higher fare category. And don’t expect another passenger to leave their group so you can be with yours. Laurie said no one should expect the answer to their request will be “yes.” “If you go in with that assumption, you go in kind of with that attitude that you deserve it and that person needs to give it to you,” he said. “That’s not a polite way of asking someone to give up what they planned for or what they were expecting.” The worst approach, Whitmore said, is to preemptively sit in a seat that doesn’t belong to you. “People make mistakes all the time, but if you intentionally sit in someone else’s seat, that’s wrong — that’s rude,” she said. “Then the flight attendant has to get involved. Then the flight attendant has to make you go back to your original seat. It’s causing delays.” She said people who don’t plan their seat selection have to be prepared to either sit apart from each other, arrive early to talk to a gate agent or pay for an upgrade when they get to the airport. Still, experts agree there may be circumstances when travelers are split up for reasons that don’t amount to cheap behavior or careless planning. Maybe they booked last-minute because of an emergency, or perhaps they were rebooked on a plane with a different layout after a cancellation and lost the seats they chose. Sometimes passengers don’t realize they booked the most restrictive fare that doesn’t allow for seat selection or guarantee all members of a party sit together. “You don’t know if they’re going on vacation, you don’t know if they’re going to a funeral, you don’t know if they’re going to a wedding,” Laurie said. “It’s always best to just remember that we’re all in this together, we should all treat everybody the way you want to be treated.” I beg y’all, stop asking people to switch seats with you on a plane and just pay extra to pick your seat if it’s that serious to sit next to your person — Indy (@MsIndyBabii) July 4, 2022 Politeness is key, Laurie said. “Lead with the fact that you know it would be an inconvenience on the person you’re asking, understanding the position you’re putting them in,” he said. He said it’s also okay to ask for a flight attendant to facilitate if the request is being made on the plane; they can sometimes help make the decision easier if the need to swap is extreme. Laurie said on one United flight when he was asked to change seats, he was offered a $25 credit. He swapped. Other travelers told The Post on Twitter that they had agreed to switch and then got upgraded or were given free drinks or food for their good deed. Gary Leff, author of the travel blog View from the Wing, said on Twitter that “good trade bait” was important. “Don’t expect to trade a middle seat in back for an extra legroom aisle,” he wrote. “Offer a compelling reason. Ask nicely. Offer cash or gift cards.”

California Sues Amazon, Alleging Antitrust Law Violations | Business News | Wfmz.com – 69News WFMZ-TV https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/california-sues-amazon-alleging-antitrust-law-violations-business-news-wfmz-com-69news-wfmz-tv/ NEW YORK (AP) — California is suing Amazon, accusing the company of violating the state’s antitrust laws by stifling competition and engaging in practices that push sellers to maintain higher prices on products on other sites. The 84-page lawsuit filed Wednesday in San Francisco Superior Court mirrors another complaint filed last year by the District of Columbia, which was dismissed by a district judge earlier this year and is now going through an appeals process. But officials in California believe they won’t encounter a similar fate, partly due to information collected during a more than two-year investigation that involved subpoenas and interviews with sellers, Amazon’s competitors as well as current and former employees at the company. In the lawsuit, California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office said Amazon used contract provisions to effectively bar sellers from offering lower prices for products on non-Amazon sites, including on the sellers’ own websites. That, in turn, harms the ability of other retailers to compete. The suit maintains merchants that do not comply with the policy could have their products stripped from prominent listings on Amazon and face other sanctions such as suspensions or terminations of their accounts. It alleges Amazon’s policy essentially forces merchants to list higher prices on other sites, helping the retail giant maintain its e-commerce dominance. Among other things, the California lawsuit seeks to stop Amazon from entering into contracts with sellers that harm price competition. It also seeks a court order to compel Amazon to pay damages to the state for increased prices. State officials did not say how much money they are seeking. Seattle-based Amazon controls roughly 38% of online sales in the U.S., more than that of Walmart, eBay, Apple, Best Buy and Target combined, according to the research firm Insider Intelligence. About 2 million sellers list their products on Amazon’s third-party marketplace, accounting for 58% of the company’s retail sales. “Amazon coerces merchants into agreements that keep prices artificially high, knowing full-well that they can’t afford to say no,” Bonta said in a statement. Amazon has said in the past that sellers set their own prices on the platform. It has also said it has the right to avoid highlighting products that are not priced competitively. Despite that defense, Amazon’s market power has been a subject of scrutiny from lawmakers and advocacy groups calling for stricter antitrust regulations. Earlier this year, congressional lawmakers urged the Justice Department to investigate if the company collects data on sellers to develop competing products and offer them more prominently on its site. Critics have also lambasted increasing fees imposed on sellers, which makes it more difficult for merchants to enter the market. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have been pushing bipartisan legislation aiming to limit Amazon and other Big Tech companies, including Apple, Meta and Google, from favoring their own products and services over rivals. The bill has cleared key committees but has languished in Congress for months amid intense pushback from the companies. Meanwhile, regulators have also been looking into Amazon’s business practices and deals. In July, the company offered concessions to settle two antitrust investigations in the European Union, including a promise to apply equal treatment to all sellers when ranking product offers on the site’s “buy box,” a coveted spot that makes items more visible to shoppers. In the U.S., the Federal Trade Commission is investigating Amazon’s $3.9 billion acquisition of the primary health organization One Medical as well as the sign-up and cancellation practices of Amazon Prime, the company’s paid subscription service that offers deals and faster shipping. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

News In Brief August 2022 – Vermont Biz https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/news-in-brief-august-2022-vermont-biz/ (Roundup of news from August 2022) S&P affirms and upgrades credit outlook for State of Vermont bonds S&P Global Ratings has affirmed the State of Vermont’s AA+ (the second highest) general obligation bond ratings and revised the rating outlook from negative to stable. Vermont is still the highest rated New England state. In the ratings report, S&P wrote that the improved outlook is attributed to recent shifts in demographic trends, “retirement reforms designed to significantly reduce unfunded liabilities,” and historical credit strengths including “regular forecast updates, annual midyear budget adjustments, consistent reserve levels across economic cycles, and debt affordability oversight.” Vermont received the highest score possible in the financial management category. The state’s bond rating was downgraded by Moody’s and Fitch from triple A status in 2018 and 2019, respectively, and the assignment of a “negative outlook” by S&P in 2020. State tax revenues again greater than expectations The State’s General Fund, Transportation Fund (T-Fund), and Education Fund receipts in July were a combined $227.0 million, or 2.8%, above monthly consensus expectations. The General Fund, Education Fund and even the Transportation Fund all finished the month with revenues above target, marking a strong start for the new fiscal year. The sales tax, which feeds the Ed Fund, was particularly strong (plus 8.5%). General Fund revenues collected for the month totaled $136.6 million, $0.6 million above the monthly consensus cash flow revenue target. The corporate income was particularly strong (plus 18.25%), while the personal income, which has been very robust, had a more modest month (plus 3.1%). The tourism-related rooms & meals tax, which also has been strong, was below targets (minus 3.55%) as set by state economists. Revenues into the Transportation Fund exceeded monthly consensus expectations, bringing in $23 The Education Fund revenues were $4.9 million, or 7.9%, above the monthly consensus cash flow target, having collected $66.8 million in July. Strong performance was to be expected given the still largely positive pace to retail and visitor activity in Vermont. Vermont’s unemployment rate falls to 2.1 percent in July Vermont’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell one-tenth in July 2022 to 2.1 percent. All three major metrics showed positive results, as the labor force and number of employed increased and the number of people looking for work decreased. In addition, the civilian labor force participation rate rose to 61.7 percent in July, up one-tenth from June. The jobless rate has returned to pre-pandemic levels, but the labor force is still far behind and some 20,000 available jobs in Vermont are still unfilled. Vermont has the fifth lowest jobless rate in the nation. Healthy Living Market receives Deane Davis Business of the Year Award VermontBiz and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce announced August 17 that Healthy Living Market and Café is the winner of the prestigious and highly anticipated Deane C. Davis Outstanding Business of the Year Award, 2021. This annual award honors a Vermont business that shows an outstanding history of sustained growth while displaying an acute awareness of what makes Vermont unique. The award, named for the former governor of Vermont, was created 32 years ago by VermontBiz and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce to recognize and honor the state’s best companies. Scott issues 10-point public safety enhancement and violence prevention action plan framework Governor Phil Scott has issued his 10-point public safety enhancement and violence prevention action plan, laying out the framework of a comprehensive response to address violent crime and other public safety concerns across the state. To begin, Governor Scott has directed the commissioner of Public Safety and other agency and department executives – in partnership with other law enforcement entities, prosecutors, and the judiciary – to implement a 10-point plan focused on three core goals: To reinforce frontline law enforcement capacity and prioritize immediate reduction, prevention and prosecution of violent crime statewide; To expand prosecution capacity and help the courts address a backlog of cases; and To prioritize long-term violence prevention policies, systems, and services. GMCB approves health insurance rates hikes of 11.7% for Blue Cross and 18.3% for MVP The Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) is requiring Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont (BCBSVT) and MVP Health Plan, Inc to lower the premiums they wanted to charge individuals and small businesses for health insurance plans in 2023. BCBSVT asked for a 15.4% increase and got 11.7% in the small group (business) plan; MVP asked for a 23.4% increase and got 18.3%. The increase in rates for individuals were similar (see below). Despite the reductions, the rates are still the highest approved since August 2019. AOE and VDH provide recommendations on COVID-19 for the start of school The Vermont Agency of Education and the Department of Health has issued a joint memo to school nurses for the opening of school relative to COVID-19. The memo gives school nurses recommendations on how to manage symptomatic individuals, implement testing protocols, and suggests communication strategies including the need to work closely with local medical practices. The memo puts emphasis on the clinical judgment of school nurses in determining if a student or staff member with mild symptoms is well enough to attend school. The memo puts emphasis on the clinical judgment of school nurses in determining if a student or staff member with mild symptoms is well enough to attend school. Schools will be provided a supply of both antigen and LAMP tests to implement the protocol outlined in the memo. Both in-school and take-home testing will be available. Decisions about when to test, and what test to use, will rely on the expertise of school nurses. Court approves plan to sell Jay Peak for $58 million A Park City, Utah, resort company has offered to acquire Jay Peak Resort for $58 million. Jay Peak Receiver Michael Goldberg will accept this bid for Vermont’s northern-most ski resort unless a higher bid comes in over the next month. Goldberg announced the bid by Pacific Group Resorts Inc in a filing to the US District Court in Miami. The court granted Goldberg’s motion on August 4. The Pacific Group bid is binding, according to Goldberg, regardless of any other bid. However, if there is another bid, at the receiver’s discretion, an auction could be triggered to generate a higher offer for the resort. The receiver would then make the final determination on the winning bid, with the minimum offer being $58 million. According to the resort, since the initial offer other bidders have emerged, though no stated bidder or offer has been made public. A final bid is expected to be announced by the end of this year. AOT receives $12.5 million in E-Bus funding and public transit improvements The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) has received two new grants through the Federal Transportation Agency (FTA) totaling $12.5 million. These awards will bring nine new e-buses to Vermont and allow for a new building and facility improvements to the Marble Valley Regional Transit District. The first grant award of $9.2 million is through the FTA’s Low and No Emissions Bus and Bus Facility Grant program and will bring nine new e-buses to Marble Valley Regional Transit District (MVRTD) and Green Mountain Transit (GMT). Five of these buses will be medium-sized transit vehicles from a new manufacturer, Letenda, located in Longueuil, Quebec. Five towns commit ARPA funds to build high-speed internet Select boards in Groton, Hardwick, Peacham, Ryegate, and Walden have voted to allocate a total of $328,050 in American Rescue Plan Act funding towards constructing additional high-speed broadband infrastructure within their communities. The funds pledged by the five Caledonia County towns will be matched by both NEK Broadband and the Vermont Community Broadband Board. The combined total of $984,150 will accelerate the construction of the initial framework of infrastructure referred to as the “backbone” of the project. By building the backbone sooner than planned, NEK Broadband expects to bring new high-speed internet to portions of 90% of the towns in the Northeast Kingdom over the next two years. The ARPA funding also enables NEK Broadband to build new infrastructure sooner to three additional towns: Danville, Lyndon, and Saint Johnsbury. AOT grant program for 2023 municipal highway and stormwater mitigation projects The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) has announced a grant funding opportunity for 2023 municipal highway and stormwater mitigation projects, as part of the Agency’s ongoing commitment to improve the quality of state waters and provide financial assistance to municipalities in these efforts. The enabling legislation that determines eligibility states: Any environmental mitigation activity, including pollution prevention and pollution abatement activities and mitigation to address stormwater management, control, and water pollution prevention or abatement related to highway construction or due to highway runoff. Delegation applauds funding of over $34 million in three transportation projects Senator Patrick Leahy (D), Senator Bernie Sanders (I), Representative Peter Welch (D) and state and local officials have announced that the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded Vermont three Rebuilding American Infrastructure With Sustainability And Equity (RAISE) grants totaling $34,624,624 for Fiscal Year 2022. The grants will support three projects in Vermont: replacing the Winooski River Bridge; construction of the Federal Street Multi-Modal Connector in St. Alban...

Birth Reported Sept. 14, 2022 – Jamestown Sun | News, Weather, Sports From Jamestown North Dakota – The Jamestown Sun https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/birth-reported-sept-14-2022-jamestown-sun-news-weather-sports-from-jamestown-north-dakota-the-jamestown-sun/ One birth was reported Wednesday by Jamestown Regional Medical Center. Sept. 14, boy, 6 pounds, 10 ounces, to Marina Ladeau and Charles Stiles, Jamestown.

Futureworlds 2022 Announced As First In-Person Metaverse Conference In Los Angeles – EIN News https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/futureworlds-2022-announced-as-first-in-person-metaverse-conference-in-los-angeles-ein-news/ www.futureworlds.co Nov. 12, 2022 Conference Features Metaverse Professionals From Music, Retail Brands, Fashion, Real Estate, IP And More We’re at a convergence point in the creation & adoption of a new level of technology that will massively change the way we live, engage & experience – as important as establishing the internet itself.” — Steve Stewart LOS ANGELES, USA, September 14, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ — Futureworlds LLC announced today that metaverse conference Futureworlds 2022 (www.futureworlds.co) will take place on Nov. 12, 2022 at Playa Studios in Culver City, CA, bringing together creatives, thought leaders and artists to build community in the fast-growing metaverse space. Futureworlds 2022 is the first in-person metaverse conference to be held in the Los Angeles area, and features more than 40 speakers – including a number of exhibitors introducing cutting-edge advances in metaverse hardware and software platforms. The conference will be live-streamed for virtual attendees from around the world. Panel topics include: Music, Retail/Brands, Fashion/Digital Products, Virtual Real Estate, IP/Rights, Tech Development and an Artist panel featuring some of the most active artists in the metaverse. The event appeals to creatives and businesses working in the metaverse, and those interested in networking and learning the current state-of-the-art in metaverse development, as well as the many retail and entertainment opportunities becoming available. A partial list of confirmed speakers includes: Jessica Powell (CEO, Audioshake), Kimberly Knoller (CMO, Pixelynx), DJ Skee (CEO, DASH Radio), Michael Patterson (producer/mixer – Notorious B.I.G., Diddy, Beck, Duran Duran), and Jeremy Welt (President, Invisible Robot), with more being announced shortly. Interest in the metaverse has exploded after initial adoption by leaders in the online gaming community (Fortnite, Roblox, Axie Infinity, etc.) led to platforms like Decentraland, The Sandbox, VRChat and Meta’s Horizon Worlds emerging recently. Major recording artists such as Steve Aoki, Travis Scott, Marshmellow, Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande have jumped in with virtual concerts, digital merchandise and NFT drops. Fashion brands Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga, Ralph Lauren, Nike, Burberry and Givenchy have all developed initial placements in various aspects of the metaverse, and understand the value proposition for dressing the digital world. Fashion Week saw more than 100,000 attend its metaverse show this past March in Decentraland, and Black Pink recently won MTV’s new Video Music Award category for “Best Performance In The Metaverse.” Futureworlds Co-Founder, Steve Stewart, stated, “We’re at a convergence point in the creation and adoption of a new level of technology that will massively change the way we live, engage and experience – as important as establishing the internet itself. We’re excited to bring together as many leaders as we can to build community among the many aspects of the metaverse, as we know it so far.” About Futureworlds: Founded by Joe Berman and Steve Stewart as a creative development agency with years of experience in the entertainment and technology sectors, Futureworlds works with IP right holders of iconic properties, destinations and brands to develop virtual worlds inspired by landmark locations, definitive eras, notable figures, culture, nightlife, fashion music and art. Futureworlds also curates live events and conferences, bringing together thought leaders, creators and influencers to build community and share knowledge and expertise in the metaverse space. For tickets and sponsorship information, please visit: www.futureworlds.co Steve Stewart Futureworlds +1 424.222.9580 email us here Visit us on social media: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Other You just read: EIN Presswire’s priority is source transparency. We do not allow opaque clients, and our editors try to be careful about weeding out false and misleading content. As a user, if you see something we have missed, please do bring it to our attention. Your help is welcome. EIN Presswire, Everyone’s Internet News Presswire, tries to define some of the boundaries that are reasonable in today’s world. Please see our Editorial Guidelines for more information. Submit your press release

Buggwatch Reviews: Does Buggwatch Really Work? – UrbanMatter https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/buggwatch-reviews-does-buggwatch-really-work-urbanmatter/ Buggwatch Review was compiled by our best reviewers who found out this amazing new piece of technology that promises to be the next big thing in insect pest control. It is a simple watch that is worn but functions effectively to scare those nasty mosquitoes and bugs away from where the wearer is. This Buggwatch Review goes into specifics concerning the workings of the watch, how to use it, its pros and cons and where to get the watch. If you’re interested in this device, it will be a very good idea to quickly peruse the contents of this review before making a decision on buying or not buying this Buggwatch. Mosquitoes and other flying insects are increasing in number as summer approaches and temperatures rise. These insects, particularly mosquitoes, have the potential to make us dread one of the most tranquil times of the day: the night. Mosquitoes can be very upsetting, regularly interrupting your sleep and leaving you exhausted and very irritable all morning. These arthropod creatures not only disrupt peaceful times, but they also carry pathogens that you’d rather not have around.  One myth regarding mosquitoes is that they are merely a minor irritation, similar to house ants and flies. In truth, mosquito bites can actually be pretty harmful. The majority of mosquitoes do not spread diseases, so being bitten by one will probably only be a little inconvenience on an otherwise lovely day in the sun. However, some mosquitoes can transmit harmful viruses. The West Nile virus, dengue, malaria, and the Zika virus are some of the most well-known illnesses spread by mosquitoes. Malaria, one of the most dreadful diseases of the world right now that has succeeded in killing millions of people is also spread by mosquitoes. The pesky little creatures, apart from constituting a nuisance and disrupting otherwise perfect nights, are vectors of deadly diseases. They are usually a source of concern for campers and hikers who have to pass through or camp at open grounds where mosquitoes breed and infest. Most campers usually always look for devices to keep mosquitoes at bay so they can enjoy the camping or the hike. Therefore, the question is: Is it feasible to eliminate mosquitoes without actually pursuing them? Even if you have free time, you should invest your energy in more fulfilling pursuits because that is a lot of work. It is not even reasonable to rely on physically keeping the mosquitoes away. There are other methods of mosquito control but most of them involve using chemicals on your body or your environment that are sometimes harmful to you and your environment. This is the rationale behind the creation of the Buggwatch device. It helps you get all the uninterrupted slumber you require while keeping mosquitoes at bay. While other similar devices focus on eliminating mosquitoes, Buggwatch is a product that makes the claim that it has been enhanced and now has greater functions. With summer approaching, it has gained popularity, and this Buggwatch review will study it. Let us see what the device is all about, anyway. What Is Buggwatch – Buggwatch Reviews Buggwatch is a powerful ultrasonic device that is designed like a watch you can wear to keep away insects especially mosquitoes who like to bite and suck human blood. Buggwatch uses ultrasonic waves to scare away mosquitoes and other annoying bugs like gnats. The sound isn’t audible to humans, but it hits just the right frequency to drive mosquitoes mad and make them stay far away from the sound. The watch has zero side effects or smell, and it’s safe for anyone to wear. You never have to replenish or buy more like creams and sprays, since one watch is all you need to last. The Buggwatch works using advanced ultrasonic technology to prevent mosquitoes from biting you when you wear the watch. This is very important as these mosquitoes transmit their diseases and mix their saliva with human blood when they bite humans and feed on human blood. This can quickly turn fatal as they mostly transmit viruses and parasites that cause fatal diseases.  Meanwhile, when you wear your Buggwatch, you can go about your activity outdoors without any fear of any disease or pesky, irritating mosquito bite. All Buggwatch Reviews found out that this device is non-toxic and chemical-free. This is in direct contrast to most of the conventional methods of mosquito control. The Buggwatch uses advanced ultrasonic technology to keep mosquitoes away.  You will agree with us that most of the conventional creams, sprays, and rubs used to repel mosquitoes contain harmful chemicals that can easily irritate the skin or lungs and cause even more problems. A lot of people with sensitive skin cannot use most of these creams. They tend to cause rashes that can be very irritating and darken the skin where they touch. It is generally not advisable to be rubbing those creams on your skin to keep mosquitoes away.  The Buggwatch, however, is safe for everyone to use. This is because the working principle the device uses in keeping mosquitoes away does not include any harmful or toxic chemicals. This principle using ultrasonic waves only affects the insects and bugs it is made for but it is very safe for humans as humans cannot even perceive the sound it emits. This makes the Buggwatch safe for you and your family who you would also want to be protected from mosquitoes. The device has no side effects and you can use it whether you have sensitive skin or any other condition. Buggwatch saves you a lot of money too. How? When you use creams or sprays to repel mosquitoes, you will keep making multiple trips to the store to replace the cramps or refill the sprays. These multiple trips you make year in, year out will set you back a lot of money in the end. This is in contrast to the Buggwatch, which you just have to buy once. The device is made with such high quality that you can use it for years before you need another one. You just have to recharge it and switch it on and you’re set each time. Buying this device now will definitely save you a lot of money in the long run. CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR BUGGWATCH FROM THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE AT MASSIVE DISCOUNT TODAY  Specifications – Buggwatch Reviews Battery: Polymer Battery 100 mAh 3.7V (6-month standby; be continuously used for 7 days after it is fully charged); Frequency: 34 Hz – 70 KHz Charge: Micro USB 5V / 1A Significant reduction of mosquitoes biting activity rate by 80% – 90% The outdoor mode suppresses the activity of mosquitoes and its effect radius is 3 m2 Charging time: 30 minutes Continuous use time: 5 – 6 days How Does Buggwatch Really Work? The working principle of this ultrasonic device is super simple. The device emits higher frequencies of sound waves which are undetectable to the human ear but are unbearable for these bugs. These high frequency, unobtrusive sound waves create a sonic barrier that protects you from mosquito bites wherever you are. Buggwatch Reviews confirm that the device automatically adjusts the frequency of ultrasonic waves emitted to prevent adaptation.  The aforementioned principle is scientifically proven. There are multiple studies and researches that show that the ultrasonic technology is actually effective in repelling mosquitoes. They irritate the insects so much that they start flying haphazardly and lose control momentarily until they get away from where the sound is emanating from. This is why it is very effective, even more effective than some of the more conventional methods. It uses two proven methods to achieve this; Physical Drive – Buggwatch adopts microcomputer ultrasonic frequency, enables the transmission of 360° ultrasonic wave, electromagnetic wave and bionic wave that can interfere with the auditory and nervous system of mosquitoes so as to drive them.  Researches show that female mosquitoes bite humans or animals during breeding season to nurse their eggs. Meanwhile, they hate contact with male mosquitoes. Smart mosquito repellent simulates oscillating waves frequency emitted by male mosquitoes to drive mosquitoes. Additionally, this smart mosquito repellent doesn’t contain any chemical agent and is environmentally healthy. Buggwatch will not kill the insect but will keep it from coming in the first place or repel it if it is already there and keep it from coming back. To achieve absolute mosquito control, continued use is recommended.  Does Buggwatch Outperform Similar Ultrasonic Devices? Up until recently, there have been quite a number of conventional methods used to achieve pest control. These include mechanical methods, chemical methods and biological methods. Mechanical methods are things like laying mouse traps, squishing that spider, clapping your palms to crush that mosquito. These methods require a lot of effort, are unsafe and to a large extent, unreliable. Chemical methods include the use of pesticides, rodenticides and insecticides. These chemicals are uncomfortable at best and dangerous at worst. They are foul-smelling and require constant application to maintain pest control.  Biological methods involve the use of certain animals to ward off pests. Like the use of cats to pursue mice and rats. This method is absolutely unreliable. Buggwatch is a technological advancement and improvement on these already existing methods. It uses ultrasonic technology to achieve bug control. It has been noted on the Buggwatch official website as the most advanced bug repellent in 2022.  It uses safe and effective high frequency sound waves to ward off mosquitoes and bugs. This method is miles ahead of the other methods as it has no bad smells, does not require refilling and has no side effects. Also, it is safe to use for everyone since it doesn’t have any chemicals or side effects. When you purchase the Buggwatch, it is a one-...

Top 5 Trends Shaping Crypto Mining Future: What Awaits Miners – Cryptonews https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/top-5-trends-shaping-crypto-mining-future-what-awaits-miners-cryptonews/ Source: Google As the Ethereum blockchain awaits the Merge and its full transition to proof-of-stake (PoS), a broader discussion about miners and their future has emerged. As things stand, the Ethereum blockchain market is incredibly fragmented. The Merge is expected to usher in a new era in which validators and coin stakers replace miners. Miners who have spent much resources on ETH mining equipment may be rendered obsolete. Recent discussions about proof-of-work (PoW) mining and its benefits and drawbacks make it worth considering the market’s future. How will mining change in the coming years, and what can miners do to prepare? Here are a few trends that cryptocurrency miners should be aware of: Renewable Energy Application  Although it may sound like a buzzword, the shift to renewable energy is gaining traction in the mining industry. Mining rigs consume a significant amount of power. Large-scale mining operations employ thousands of miners at the same time. Much has already been written about the energy consumption associated with cryptocurrency mining. According to one report, crypto mining consumes up to 110 terawatt-hours of energy per year – the same amount of energy as a small country. Since Tesla stopped accepting Bitcoin payments last year, there has been a broader discussion about mining and its carbon footprint. As a result, many in the mining industry advocate for more carbon-neutral mining operations. Indeed, one of the reasons for the Ethereum blockchain’s transition to PoS is environmental concerns. One of the most significant trends in the mining industry is the shift away from carbon-based power and toward renewable energy sources. This pattern will likely continue, particularly as market participants seek to disprove industry skeptics. Miner Obsolescence  Perhaps the most significant consequence of many coin developers’ shifting to PoS is that miners may soon become obsolete. It’s an unpleasant truth. Many coin developers are abandoning the PoW model. Miners are becoming obsolete as a result of this shift. Stakeholders and validators have taken their place. This pattern is likely to continue in the future. Miners will have to find new ways to stay profitable. But with mining becoming less appealing, miners’ future does not look promising. Increasing Hashrates  The hashrate measures the resources needed to conduct mining operations and secure the Bitcoin blockchain. According to industry experts, the hashrate of the Bitcoin network will significantly increase over the next year. Chinese miners who left the space last year are expected to gradually return, moving out of the country to other countries that welcome miners. At the same time, new market entrants are expected, particularly once the market downturn has passed and coins become more profitable. All of this means that mining difficulty will rise significantly, possibly exceeding the all-time high of 248.11 EH/s, set earlier this year. Reduced Margins  Miners will most likely have difficulty logging profits from their activity as mining difficulty and hashrate rise. However, this will depend on the Bitcoin price moving consistently over time. If this occurs, rewards could be cut in half, with competition eventually eating away at the high margins that miners have enjoyed thus far. This means businesses that can keep costs low and use the most efficient machines will survive in the long run. Smaller margins will disproportionately affect new individual miners, potentially leading to the rise of mining pools. Chip Shortages Finally, there is expected to be a severe shortage of chip availability in the future. Mining rigs are built with the same semiconductor chip used to build electric cars, mobile phones, and other devices. Since 2019, demand for these semiconductor chips has surged by 17%. Increased production of electric vehicles, tablets and smartphones, artificial intelligence devices, and other items has resulted in a surge in demand, and mining rigs are catching up. Even though semiconductor manufacturers reportedly produce at 90% capacity, supply has not increased to meet demand. Because of this disparity, mining industry players cannot afford to make short-term decisions at this time. Mining companies will need to plan their operations at least a year in advance, place orders early, and wait the period out. According to a report by the US Department of Commerce, the primary bottlenecks appear to be thin production capacity – which will necessitate long-term solutions. Chip shortages are expected to persist until those solutions are found.