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‘Healthy Cities’ Status Shows Qatar’s Efforts To Improve Living Standards – The Peninsula https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/healthy-cities-status-shows-qatars-efforts-to-improve-living-standards-the-peninsula/ Doha: All municipalities of Qatar recently received the title of ‘Healthy Cities’ by World Health Organization (WHO). The achievement came as a result of efforts made by the Ministry of Municipality in coordination with municipalities and other authorities concerned to improve the quality of life of people in the country. The Healthy Cities initiative of WHO was conceived with the goal of placing health high on the social and political agenda of cities by promoting health, equity and sustainable development through innovation and multisectoral change. “These efforts contributed to the achievement of this accreditation by Qatari cities. Most notable of these efforts is the implementation of a comprehensive urban development plan for Qatar and the effective and directed investment in infrastructure projects in accordance with the Qatar National Vision 2030, the National Development Strategy, and the Sustainable Strategy of the Ministry of Municipality,” said Assistant Undersecretary for Municipal Affairs at the Ministry of Municipality, Mansour Abdullah Zaid Al Mahmoud. He said Qatari cities are characterised by the presence of multiple and interconnected utility networks, with large green spaces, pedestrian and bicycle paths, and various means of welfare for the population, which had a significant impact on improving the health of community members, both physically and psychologically. He said the Ministry has worked hard within the framework of its strategic plan to raise the standard of services and health and environmental conditions, in addition to activating the partnership with various community institutions, through awareness programmes, activities, and health and environmental projects to build sustainable habits.

Knights Of Month Named | News, Sports, Jobs – Evening Observer https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/knights-of-month-named-news-sports-jobs-evening-observer/ Silver Creek Middle School’s Knights of the Month for September 2022 are sixth-graders Lukas Charles and Elizabeth Eslinger; seventh-graders Alanna Waite and Cody Neubauer; and eighth-graders Keegan Vento and Gwendolyn Souter. SCMS educators select two Black Knights per grade level to serve as Knights of the Month every academic year. The students in sixth through eighth grades are picked based on: strong work ethic, helpfulness, respectfulness, and cooperation with others, along with a specific focus on the character trait of the month. The character trait for September was “Live Respectfully.” Pictured, from left, are: Seventh-grader Cody Neubauer, sixth-grader Lukas Charles, eighth-grader Gwendolyn Souter, sixth-grader Elizabeth Eslinger, and eighth-grader Keegan Vento. Not pictured: seventh-grader Alanna Waite. Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox

Sublime Object Of Ideology: Korean Beauty Standards And Metaverse – 코리아타임스 https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/sublime-object-of-ideology-korean-beauty-standards-and-metaverse-%ec%bd%94%eb%a6%ac%ec%95%84%ed%83%80%ec%9e%84%ec%8a%a4/ Courtesy of Liane By David Tizzard Note: The following piece was part of a video essay created with Michelle Ju Sihyun. For the full interactive experience, watch it here on YouTube. South Korean people are attractive. Especially the ones you see in the dramas, the music videos, the movies, and social media. Beauty here is off the charts. But such sky high beauty standards are not just expected from the country’s rich and famous. Nor are they only applied to women. Whether going to work, attending university, or just trying to live, Korean people young and old feel the pressure of having to look good. A certain type of good. There are standards as to what constitutes being beautiful in Korean society. These standards are not created by individuals, but instead by the community. And they are seen as a strength: a mark of personal development. Yet the expectations and pressure on ordinary Korean citizens have been very hard to live up to. Now something new has emerged. Something more than human. Something challenging the very fabric of reality. Something that might change the conversation about beauty in Korea…forever. Beauty and Lookism The Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky said that beauty will save the world. Here in Korea, many feel like beauty is doing the opposite. It’s strangling them. But what is beauty? And just how do societies like South Korea determine what is or isn’t beautiful? Standards of physical attractiveness differ by country, era, and culture. This points to beauty being, in part at least, socially constructed. Phenomenology tells us that there is a dialogue at play: our identities are formed by us perceiving how other people view us. Consciously and subconsciously we are affected by the people around us. We are reacting to others as we construct ourselves. That’s why social media now plays a very important role in our perception of beauty. The more time we spend online looking at other people, particularly beautiful ones with features and skin enhanced by the latest filters, the more we think about our own appearance. So despite all the talk of communication and connectivity, the internet isn’t just us experiencing other people. The internet leads us straight back to us. To ourselves. But why does beauty matter? Research tells us that a person’s physical attractiveness is positively associated with their quality of social experiences. The prettier you are, the more advantages you will have in life. But what about if you are not pretty? The less beautiful you are, the more likely you are to face discrimination. And studies have shown that when people face discrimination based on their appearance, it can have strong negative effects on their mental health. It can even lead to suicide. Something modern South Korea sadly knows far too much about. Discrimination based on beauty is common almost everywhere. While some of us might have been raised being told not to judge a book by its cover, in South Korea the opposite is often true. In this hyper-competitive society driven by the experience of a compressed post-colonial modernity, it has taken on an even more serious role. People are frequently reminded that first impressions matter ― including their face, clothes, and hair. A person’s external image carries huge importance. Like age, gender, and wealth, in South Korea, beauty can determine your life, your career, and your success. This focus on aesthetic experience as a way of securing social and cultural capital in South Korea is called “Lookism.” For some, lookism and a focus on beauty is a positive thing. It is a method of improving and bettering oneself, with its origins in the traditional Confucian ideas of self-cultivation. Gwansang is a traditional Korean concept which believes you can see someone’s fortune in their face. The outward appearance is everything and reveals our destiny. There are even stories of the biggest Korean companies having people specializing in such skills present during interviews ― determining through the face alone whether a person will bring success to the firm. To others, lookism is a far more modern issue, driven by economic pressures, the labour market, and the weight of the entertainment industry. Plastic surgery, seen this way, is a sign of strength in South Korea, not of weakness. It’s a way to present the best side of yourself. To make a great first impression. And to show that you care about the public gaze. In this way, beauty has become a surrogate for qualifications or experience. Instead of paying for training, citizens can instead invest in cosmetics or plastic surgery to help them better fit in and advance up the social ladder. They do this not by being themselves, but rather meeting the standards of beauty society expects of them. Thus, the uniform standards of appearance are maintained. Big eyes, pale skin, a small face, and a slender body. Reinforced through the media and then exaggerated to sometimes impossible levels by filters. Society demands you be hot…or at least try. And that trying is really important. In South Korea, for many people, looking good is a duty. Not a choice. It’s part of the social contract. And some people are much better at navigating this world than others. Virtual Influencers: Lucy is one of the many new virtual influencers, celebrities, and K-pop stars you can now find in the country. She works for Lotte Home Shopping. She’s huge on social media. She has a hundred thousand people following her. She’s all over the latest trends. But she’s not real. Not like you and me anyway. But what makes something real? These virtual influencers like Lucy have Wikipedia pages, verified Instagram accounts, and they appear in commercials. They make songs and hold concerts. And what can be realer than achieving the dream of working for South Korea’s most powerful companies? Lucy and these other virtual influencers are citizens of the metaverse. But some of you might be asking, what is the metaverse? The answer to that is both very easy, and very difficult. The metaverse forces us to question where we draw the line of what is and isn’t real, blurring the line between fiction and reality. The basic idea is that our current 2D internet experience becomes 3D. So instead of just looking at a flat computer or phone screen, we actually become part of the screen in front of us. We enter the computer. Abandoning our physical reality for a digital one. Becoming virtual pioneers and inhabitants of a new world. Rather than the speculative science fiction of The Matrix or Black Mirror, the metaverse is seen as part of our natural evolution as humans. Just like we went from living in the water, to trees, then caves, villages, towns, cities, and finally that super cramped but Netflix-having apartment all of your own, the metaverse is the next step. We once believed that whatever intelligence computers had, they never had the faculty of consciousness. They might have raw power, but they would never master things which we held to contain the essence of humanity, such as chess or music. These beliefs have since been dramatically shattered. So while there is certainly skepticism about the applications of the metavese, we would do well to remember that computers have continually surpassed everything we once thought they were capable and not capable of. The metaverse could well be the future of information, entertainment, education, and business. A revolutionary movement forward in becoming new humans. The birth of Homo Deus. Metaverse in Korea In the classrooms, students at Korean universities have begun attending orientation sessions in the metaverse. Here, alongside the pressure of starting a new chapter of their lives, young people have been carefully selecting their hair styles, faces, and eyes hoping to create a positive first virtual impression and impress their classmates in the digital world. And while previously we tried to get close to the rich and famous through backstage exclusives, gossip magazines, and celebrity tours, through the metaverse, South Korean production companies have found a far more immersive way to provide such sensations. They have recreated K-drama sets in virtual showrooms. Allowing viewers to digitally inhabit these worlds and become characters in their favourite shows. Experiencing for themselves the whirlwind that is the K-drama life. The music industry is not being left behind. We have already seen K-pop groups debut with virtual members alongside their real counterparts. And following the popular reality program ‘Produce 101’, similar competitions have been held online with popular female virtual influencers. These digital women held fan meetings, completed personality tests, and even uploaded compilations of their cutest sneezes for their devoted fans. But what exactly are these new idols? Are they the next Blackpink or BTS ready to take the world by storm? Or simply soulless dancing shadows, the products of their creators? A Search for Stability Our current world has abandoned trust and stability. We now live in a post-truth era, characterized by constant change and liquid modernity. Strangely, our desire to create a secular environment based only on facts and rationality has meant none of these seem to exist anymore. But as humans, we are always searching for our place in the world. Whether physically or psychologically. And so, despite not being real, virtual influencers like Lucy and digital worlds like the metaverse give us a very ironic sense of security amidst all the other changes we’re experiencing. They’re code. Secure. Rigid. And Pure. Trustworthy combinations of 1s and 2s that make us feel warm and safe. And that’s because ...

Six Best Bluetooth Speakers, Portable And Pocket Friendly – Moneycontrol https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/six-best-bluetooth-speakers-portable-and-pocket-friendly-moneycontrol/ If you are looking for a portable Bluetooth speaker under Rs 20,000 in 2022, look no further October 09, 2022 / 11:33 AM IST Carry your music wherever you go, from work breaks, house parties to forest camping Looking for a portable Bluetooth Speaker under Rs 20,000? From battery life to acoustics, brands have upped their game. Portable doesn’t mean compromise any more. Whether you’re looking for some lounge music at work to overcome Monday morning blues or need to spice up a house party, or some mellifluous company on a camping sojourn in a forest, we’ve got you covered. JBL Flip 6 JBL’s Flip line is one of its bestsellers. The Flip 6 — the newest iteration comes in a refreshed colour palette. The audio set-up has been reimagined, too. The new Flip is kitted with dual passive radiators, a powerful racetrack-shaped woofer, and a separate tweeter for better high-frequency extension. Pairing is a breeze with JBL’s intuitive app. This one is pool-deck proof – it’s IP-67 certified for dust and water resistance. JBL promises 12 hours of battery life for this light-weight speaker that punches above its weight in the sound output department. Price: Rs 11,999 Marshall Emberton II It brings all the stuff we love about Marshall in a compact form factor. It’s not just design; this IP-67 certified speaker is packed with two 2” full range drivers and two passive radiators. The killer feature is  “True Stereophonic”, a unique multi-directional sound solution from Marshall that separates spatial content of stereo recordings that produces a sound much larger than its size. The new-gen Emberton promises 10 hours of additional playtime over its predecessor allowing you to tune in to your favourite music for 30 hours on a single charge. You can hook up multiple Emberton II speakers with “Stack Mode”. Price: Rs 14,999 Bose Soundlink Flex The latest addition to Bose’s Soundlink Bluetooth speaker family, the Flex comes in a cool Stone Blue. This speaker is ready for the elements (dustproof and waterproof) thanks to its IP67 certification. The Flex boasts of Bose’s proprietary Digital Signal Processing (DSP) technology that minimises distortion while the dual-opposing passive radiators that turn vibration into the audio output from the compact speaker. Bose’s unique PositionIQ solution automatically detects the orientation (whether you’ve placed the speaker upright or flat) and adjusts to deliver the best acoustic experience. Price: Rs 15,900 Sonos Roam Emily Lazar, the Grammy award-winning mastering engineer from the Sonos soundboard distinguishes the Roam from a megaphone calling it a finely-tuned speaker. The audio set up combines two Class-H amplifiers, a mid-woofer that maximises low-end output and also delivers faithful playback of mid-range frequencies. There’s also a tweeter that creates crisp high frequencies. This elegantly designed,  ultra-portable speaker weighs just above 400 gm and fits into your slimmest backpack. You can stream via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The Roam delivers 10 hours of battery life and powers up in quick time; wireless charging (with compatible Qi chargers) is a handy add-on. Price: Rs 19,999 Apple HomePod mini Don’t let its tiny footprint fool you. The smallest sibling of the HomePod family might be just 3.3-inches tall but delivers stellar sound for a diminutive smart speaker. Need a widder soundstage? No problem. All you have to do is create a stereo pair by placing two HomePod mini speakers in the same room. At the heart of the HomePod mini is Apple’s S5 chip that works with advanced software to analyse the unique characteristics of the music and applies complex tuning models. This chip optimises loudness, adjusts the dynamic range, and controls the movement of the driver and passive radiators in real time. Price: Rs 9,900 Sony SRS-XB23 It makes our list for Sony’s proprietary Extra Bass that give it serious thump at its less than Rs 10K asking price. Dual passive radiators work together with full-range speakers to give low-end tones and bass an extra boost. Sony touts a unique non-circular diaphragm and off-centre design that maximises the speaker diaphragm, creating more sound pressure but keeps the speaker compact in size. This one’s ready for a beach party. The XB23 features an IP67 rating and is not just waterproof but also salt-water resistant. You can switch to WFH mode effortlessly thanks to the speakerphone function. Just what you need for virtual meetings. Price: Rs 8,990 Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day

HEX Token Sees Over 37,000% Growth, But Is It A Scam? – BeInCrypto https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/hex-token-sees-over-37000-growth-but-is-it-a-scam-beincrypto/ The 2-year-old cryptocurrency project gives 38% staking rewards. Is the project legitimate or a scam?  The HEX token is based on the Ethereum blockchain. Their website says they are the first blockchain certificate of deposit. Those who stake HEX tokens are given an average of 38% returns. The figure is lucrative because most US banks do not provide more than 2% annual interest. Who is the founder? The HEX was founded by Richard Schueler, who adopted the stage name Richard Heart. One of the steps to fundamentally analyze any project in Web3 is to check out the history of its founder. Source: WantFi.com Richard’s mail archive shows that he used to run a course on How to Spam people. In fact, he was charged with invoking Washington State’s anti-spam law. His Twitter bio reads that he owns the most expensive Rolex, the world’s fastest Ferrari, and some more boasting about his lifestyle. He has flexed his wealth on multiple occasions on social media. When he was asked why he flexes his wealth, he replied that it was for views and engagement.  The aggressive marketing by HEX focused on price gains. Twitter’s name of the official account reads the gain in price and high staking rewards. There aren’t many genuine projects that focus on price gains as much as HEX does. Generally, projects care about building the best services for their community. Their social media handles do not market how much the token’s price increased, let alone shout it through their handle’s name. They also started a campaign #HEXBoughtThis on social media, where shillers or early investors flex their wealth bought from HEX gains. It is one of the most aggressively marketed crypto projects. The project has been advertised in newspapers, magazines, billboards, and airports. All these campaigns focus on showing how much the token’s price has risen. The approach is the same as any get-rich-quick scheme, to cater to common people’s greed. A Twitter user posted that HEX used customer records from the Ledger hack and sent marketing material by mail to addresses obtained from there. How many Web3 projects do the marketing at par with HEX?  The website claims that investors will make “life-changing wealth.” Genuine projects with strong products do not primarily focus on the increase in their market price for marketing purposes. Bitcoin and Ethereum’s website does not discuss price fluctuations or creating “life-changing wealth” because they serve a purpose. Investors gaining money is a by-product of the greater purpose these projects serve.  The HEX buyers are incentivized to lock up their capital for a certain period. There is a heavy penalty if someone unlocks them before the lock-in period ends. This effectively reduces the supply of the tokens in the market, and demand is brought in through FOMO with the aggressive marketing campaign. The staking rewards. The website, as of writing, shows staking rewards of 38%. Who gets the staking reward? In the proof-of-stake consensus mechanism, the validators deposit a certain amount to the smart contract as collateral to keep the blockchain secure. They are rewarded for their up-time and are slashed for remaining inactive for a long time.  While there is no such thing with HEX, the stakers do not stake their HEX to secure the blockchain or validate the transactions. The only purpose of staking HEX is to reduce the supply, which puts upwards pressure on HEX’s price. The argument on whether HEX is a scam or not is quite a hot topic of debate amongst the Twitter community. Along with critics, the project has attracted hardcore supporters. Notable industry leaders believe that HEX is a scam going to zero.  HEX made an all-time high in September 2021 at 0.51. It is down by around 94% from all-time highs. Most scam projects in crypto do not survive the test of bear markets. Will HEX survive the current bear market, or will it go to zero? Perhaps, only time can answer this. For Be[In]Crypto’s latest Bitcoin (BTC) analysis, click here Disclaimer All the information contained on our website is published in good faith and for general information purposes only. Any action the reader takes upon the information found on our website is strictly at their own risk.

Explainer: U.S. Marijuana Pardons Help Thousands, Leave Others In Prison – Reuters.com https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/explainer-u-s-marijuana-pardons-help-thousands-leave-others-in-prison-reuters-com/ Oct 9 (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden’s pardon for thousands of Americans convicted of simple marijuana possession under federal law has profound impact, experts and individuals say, even if it affects fewer people than similar state and local initiatives. Biden has called on governors to issue similar pardons regarding state marijuana offenses. WHO IS AFFECTED? Biden’s pardons announced Oct. 6 affect about 6,500 people convicted of cannabis possession at the federal level. None remain in prison. Without a felony on their record, they won’t be tripped up when applying for a job or trying to rent an apartment. Research by the American Civil Liberties Union has shown Black Americans are nearly four times as likely as whites to be arrested for marijuana possession. WHO ISN’T Biden’s pardon does not affect some 3,000 people convicted of higher level marijuana crimes who remain in federal prisons, and as many as 30,000 who are still in prison in several states, according to the advocacy group the Last Prisoner Project. Those numbers do not reflect people with convictions for marijuana possession at the state level, although approximately 2 million marijuana convictions have been expunged or pardoned by states where the drug is now legal. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com SPEAKING OF THE STATES Biden has called on governors to give similar pardons in their states, where most possession cases are prosecuted. Kevin Sabet, an opponent of marijuana legalization who runs the group Smart Approaches to Marijuana, said in an interview that he thinks Biden’s pardons could serve as a model for governors in conservative as well as a few liberal states who oppose decriminalizing pot but agree that users should not go to prison. Marijuana is now fully legal in 19 U.S. states and allowed for medical use in 37. Most states that have legalized marijuana have also moved to expunge the records of nonviolent offenders or issue pardons. But thousands of people continue to be arrested for marijuana offenses annually. Data is hard to come by, but NORML estimates that about 350,000 people were arrested for marijuana-related offenses in 2020, of which roughly 91% were for possession offenses only. According to the ACLU, of the 8.2 million marijuana arrests in the U.S. between 2001 and 2010, 88% were for just possessing marijuana. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Sharon Bernstein; Editing by Donna Bryson and Leslie Adler Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Snapchat Update: What Is Unviewed Story Or Unseen Story? – Zee News https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/snapchat-update-what-is-unviewed-story-or-unseen-story-zee-news/ US-based multimedia instant messaging platform Snapchat boasts millions of active users across the globe and is among the most loved apps in many countries. Snapchat helps users share images, videos, and direct messages with their friends. In May this year, Snapchat had rolled out a new ‘Shared Stories’ feature that made it easier for users to collaborate and share memories. The feature was rolled out as a part of the already existing ‘Custom Stories’ feature. The custom story feature of Snapchat allows users to create a story and add friends to view and contribute to it.  The stories feature allows users to post photos/videos on their profile that can be viewed by a list of people that users choose. The updates disappear after 24 hours just like the WhatsApp status. Snapchat users can also upload photos of their memory in the ‘my eyes only’ section which is a password-protected area to store photos.  Also Read: WhatsApp users ALERT! Telegram CEO makes EXPLOSIVE claim; warns users to stay away from WhatsApp The rumour mills have been abuzz with reports related to the Snapchat update. Recently, some users claimed to have received notifications reading ‘unviewed story’ or ‘unseen story’ alongside the username of one of their contacts. However, many of the users were not aware of the feature. The ‘unviewed story’ or ‘unseen story’ notification as the name suggests is meant to notify users about one of their contacts who has posted a story that the user may not have seen yet. Through the notification, the app gave a reminder to the user to view the story before it disappears once 24 hours duration is completed.  When the users received the Snapchat notification, they thought that a user from their contacts had ‘unviewed’ a story posted by the user himself. However, it’s not possible to undo or remove one’s view from any story once the user has seen it.

Mid-Shore Calendar | Calendar | Stardem.com – The Star Democrat https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/mid-shore-calendar-calendar-stardem-com-the-star-democrat-4/ Angela Price Oct 9, 2022 10 min ago 0 Post a comment as anonymous Welcome to the discussion. Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don’t Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don’t knowingly lie about anyone or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the ‘Report’ link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We’d love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article. To view our latest e-Edition click the image on the left.

A Recession Could Be Good For You – Roanoke Times https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/a-recession-could-be-good-for-you-roanoke-times/ In his first inaugural address, in March 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt said: “So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” It was the Great Depression. The unemployment rate was over 25%. An estimated 12 million people were out of work, about one-fourth of the civilian labor force. “More than 11,000 of 24,000 banks had failed, destroying the savings of depositors,” according to the National Archives. Fast-forward to now, and as bad as things are — rising interest rates, high inflation, stock market tumbling — the economy hasn’t imploded as it did during the Great Depression. I have to say this because, as Roosevelt pointed out, fear itself can lead to actions that worsen your finances. While many people are hurting, there may be ways to cushion the downside. Here are seven silver linings if we are heading into a recession: 1. Housing prices may finally come down to reasonable levels. The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage jumped to 6.7 percent this week, according to data released by Freddie Mac. Higher mortgage rates may result in sellers in many markets lowering their asking prices so that buyers can qualify for the loans. With cheaper loans gone, there will be fewer bidding wars to drive up home prices. 2. Savings rates are up. At least one bright side of the Federal Reserve raising rates to fight inflation is banks are paying people more to hold their money. My credit union has a special 20-month offer on a certificate that would pay me a 3% annual percentage yield. “Many prospective savers may not have yet noticed that yields have been on the rise,” said Mark Hamrick, senior economic analyst and Washington bureau chief for Bankrate. Be sure to shop around, Hamrick said. “Why leave money on the proverbial table when you can have it in your account?” he said. “The key is making it a priority to have access to funds when and if an urgent development occurs.” By the way, no, you shouldn’t stop contributing to your retirement plan. Historically, over time, the market recovers. If you bail now, you will miss the recovery. 3. The I-bond inflation rate might go even higher. The Series I Savings Bond was created as a hedge against inflation. Until the end of October, the bonds are paying 9.62%. There are two components to the return for an I bond — a fixed rate and the inflation rate. The fixed rate, which right now is 0%, applies for the 30-year life of the bond. The fixed rate of newly purchased bonds and the semiannual inflation rate are announced by the Treasury Department each May and November. If inflation stays high, I bonds could be paying more come November. To buy an electronic I bond, you must set up an account through TreasuryDirect, at treasurydirect.gov. Individuals can purchase up to $10,000 in electronic I bonds in a calendar year. 4. The dollar is king. Although a lot is in flux, if you have plans to travel overseas, your dollar may go a lot further. This week, the British pound fell to an all-time low against the dollar. 5. Unemployment is still relatively low. People with jobs and money to spare can spend on luxuries such as a vacation. Despite higher prices and rising interest rates, millions of Americans have been taking leisure trips. More than half of Americans plan to travel for one or both of the holidays this year, even though airfares will be 43% higher than last year, according to Hopper, a travel booking app. However, the unemployment rate did rise to 3.7%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. So, if you’re worried about your job security or a recession, cancel any vacation plans you might have over the holidays or even for summer 2023. 6. Your used car is worth more. If you’re looking to upgrade to a newer car and your car is in fairly good condition, you’ll get more for your trade-in. Used-car and truck prices jumped 7.8%, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Unfortunately, new-car prices were up 10% from a year ago. 7. Student loan forgiveness is coming. Roosevelt used his executive power to wage war against the economic emergency gripping the United States. President Biden is doing something similar by forgiving student loan debt to help struggling borrowers. Biden announced a one-time forgiveness program that will wipe out up to $10,000 in federal student loan debt and up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients for individuals who earn $125,000 or less per year or less than $250,000 for married couples. The Biden administration also announced last year a time-limited waiver to help forgive more debt under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Act fast to sign up for the waiver. The deadline is Oct. 31. Of course, times are tough — and for some people, much more than others. But remember that fear will not help you make wise financial decisions. Michelle Singletary is a personal finance columnist for The Washington Post. Her column runs on Sunday. The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.

Diversity, Equality And Inclusion Is Good For Car Business – Automotive News https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/diversity-equality-and-inclusion-is-good-for-car-business-automotive-news/ It has been 14 months since we at Automotive News launched our first monthly report dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion within the industry, DE&I at Work. And in today’s issue, we are honoring 18 difference makers with our second annual Notable Champions of Diversity. While all corners of the automotive industry, including corporate offices, factories, showrooms, service and repair shops, and financial institutions that underwrite car purchases understand why creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace environment benefits the bottom line, such efforts are still sometimes met with resistance. We hear arguments suggesting that DE&I policies are a form of reverse discrimination that might violate the rights of other people. I’m no legal expert, but I’m sure the multibillion-dollar corporations that each have an army of capable attorneys would swiftly refute the supposed illegalities of DE&I. Most companies that are serious about DE&I — General Motors, Honda Motor Co. and Mercedes-Benz, just to name a few — have issued publicly available reports detailing the demographic makeups of their work forces and executive ranks, and have set goals to do business with vendors owned by minorities and women. Let’s make one thing abundantly clear: Discriminatory and exclusionary treatment is not the point of DE&I. The point is to open the door to capable people of different races, genders, religions, sexualities, geographic regions and professional backgrounds who otherwise would not even get a foot in because of decision makers’ implicit biases. Why is having a diverse group of workers so darned important? Because customers and business allies and rivals also come from a broad variety of backgrounds, and understanding them is good business. Business vs. fairness case Countless studies have analyzed the business case for DE&I. “Diversity Wins” by McKinsey & Co. in 2019, which examined more than 1,000 large companies in 15 countries, found that “companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams were 25 percent more likely to have above-average profitability than companies in the fourth quartile — up from 21 percent in 2017 and 15 percent in 2014.” McKinsey also found that companies with more than 30 percent female executives were more likely to outperform companies underneath that threshold, and the top-quartile companies in ethnic and cultural diversity outperformed those in the fourth quartile by 36 percent in profitability. For a company’s decision makers, it is hard to argue with hard numbers. However, a June 15 Harvard Business Review article, “Stop making the business case for diversity” by Oriane Georgeac of Yale University and Aneeta Rattan of the London Business School, both professors of organizational behavior, views corporate diversity from a different perspective. The article argues that making a business case for diversity is merely a means to an end. The research found that “underrepresented participants who read a business case for diversity on average anticipated feeling 11 percent less sense of belonging to the company, were 16 percent more concerned that they would be stereotyped at the company, and were 10 percent more concerned that the company would view them as interchangeable with other members of their identity group.” Instead, they say, businesses should present the “fairness case” for diversity, meaning a justification of diversity on moral grounds of fairness and equal opportunity. The Harvard Business Review article does make a compelling point about the business vs. fairness case. But it doesn’t have to be an either/or argument. The business case can be used to convince investors and bankers — and maybe even those who are anti-DE&I — while the fairness argument can be used to lead employees and the organization. When a company opens up opportunity to all, in a fair and equitable way, without having to justify itself, that is the ideal nexus between the business and fairness cases. Here is a sampling of how this year’s Champions of Diversity are positively impacting their businesses. Rosa Estrada, corporate controller at Michigan supplier Gentex, is helping recruit and retain applicants who primarily speak Spanish in a competitive job marketplace. Phil Sadler, the quality control general manager who oversaw Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada’s response to the discovery of unmarked graves at residential schools in 2021, engaged with Indigenous leaders to find ways for employees to learn and take part in reflection and mourning. Megan Stenquist, director of culture at Mark Miller Subaru, completed two pay equity studies that fixed some unintentional disparities and improved morale at the dealership. We will never convince everyone that DE&I is an overall positive force. And we don’t have to. There are enough people and institutions of great influence determined to drive change. As long as the auto industry is committed to DE&I, we will remain committed to covering it. And that’s the bottom line.

Letters To The Editor: Oct. 9 – Salisbury Post – Salisbury Post https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/letters-to-the-editor-oct-9-salisbury-post-salisbury-post/ Published 12:00 am Sunday, October 9, 2022 Let’s try gleaning In the United States, an allegedly Judeo-Christian nation, the biblical concept of gleaning must be public policy. It should include a living wage, health care, food security, criminal justice, and affordable housing. In Leviticus 25:6 the seventh year is for the field to be left unsown. With staggered land ownership this provides constant provision for all God’s creation. The same is mentioned in Exodus 23:11. Caring for the poor is throughout the scriptures. This is coupled with the idea of justice, treating God’s creation rightly, not withholding, or defrauding laborers their wages. The United States GDP per capita is five times its nearest economic peer China. At $62,000 versus $12,500 per person. It is not a lack of resources but a lack of political will expressed through public policy that prevents the United States from providing for the poor, the oppress, the widow, the orphan, the incarcerated and the sick. The concept of gleaning is not to concentrate all the wealth in the hands of a few but distribute it among many. Today, 34% of all the wealth in this country is held in the hands of the 1%. This concentration of wealth has skewed the social dynamic. It has created a permanent class of poor, ill-fed, ill-housed, ill-educated, falsely incarcerated, and underpaid individuals. God never intended to have a permanent class of poor people. The notion of a Sabbath year testifies to this. The American church has failed, being co-opted by white evangelicals and Black pastors for profit, to provide the moral compass needed to fulfill biblical themes. Study after study has shown that by simply providing direct childcare payments throughout the year lifted children and families out of poverty. A White House paper during the Obama administration illustrates how providing the formerly incarcerated with $15 hour wages reduces recidivism. We have the resources; we need the political will the church needs to speak out. — Michael Stringer Cleveland Residents need help through United Way With the start of a brand new year approaching, the Rowan-Cabarrus YMCA is looking back on the last three years with grateful appreciation of the generous outpouring of support that the Y received from United Way, local area businesses and valued community members. Without the community’s support, the Y would not have been able to remain open to serve. The Rowan-Cabarrus YMCA would like to take a moment to acknowledge the kindness of these organizations and individuals because without their continued support, the YMCA wouldn’t be able to offer the quality programming that Y members and the Rowan community deserves. On Sept. 16, the Rowan County United Way announced its “Whole Hearted Harmony” campaign, a community-wide outreach for help to close a significant funding gap for community service agencies. In 2022, Rowan County United Way provided support to 19 programs in the focus areas of mental health, substance use, healthy lifestyles and basic needs through 13 community investment partners, such as the Boy Scouts, Capstone Recovery Center, Communities in Schools, Families First, Family Crisis Council, Main Street Mission, Nazareth Child & Family Connection, One Love Community Program, Rowan-Cabarrus YMCA, Rowan-Salisbury Schools, Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, Salisbury Police Department and The Salvation Army. From the elderly man down the street who was not evicted from his home to the single working mother picking up groceries from a food pantry to feed her children or that young boy in an after-school program, not falling victim to violence and crime, thousands of people around us are helped every day. They are our friends, neighbors, co-workers and family members. They are our whole community. Because of United Way funding, all 2022 Community Investment Partners received the funds needed to close the financial gap in providing services to those in need. Please consider helping United Way reach their 2023 goal of $1.375 million. Visit  https://rowanunitedway.org/donate/ or stop by the office at 131 West Innes Street, Suite 201, Salisbury or call the office at 704-633-1802. — Jamie Morgan Editor’s note: Morgan is president/CEO of Rowan-Cabarrus YMCA. Supreme Court works against freedom The Supreme Court of the US is like no other court in the world with lifetime appointments and no censure means. Is there no way to censure Justice Thomas, who did not recuse himself on a decision with implications for his wife’s participation in Jan. 6? A severe backslide for SCOTUS started in 2010 with the Citizens United Case, the decision which gave corporations, etc. the right to contribute to campaign the dirty money we now see “buying elections.” And the Voting Rights Act of 1965 finally put into effect the 15th Amendment 95 years earlier to give Blacks a fair chance to vote. The key provision was struck down by SCOTUS in 2013 and is now continually being attacked negatively by SCOTUS, including severe gerrymandering. Two cases in front of the court now, including one from NC, could be the final straw to allow gerrymandering with states determining the outcome, allowing GOP controlled states to control elections forever. Last year we watched SCOTUS overturn the Roe decision, allow public money to support religious schools, overturn EPA structure for clean water, and weaken a state’s gun safety law. All of this with how many justices appointed for lifetime terms by presidents who did not receive the most popular vote. As SCOTUS begins a new term, will decisions further move against free and fair elections, support of the U.S. democratic republic and removal of our freedoms? — Pat Bullard China Grove

What Channel Is Steelers Vs. Bills On Today? Time, TV Schedule For NFL Week 5 Game – Sporting News https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/what-channel-is-steelers-vs-bills-on-today-time-tv-schedule-for-nfl-week-5-game-sporting-news/ Josh Allen and the Bills welcome the Pittsburgh Steelers to Buffalo this Sunday in a battle between AFC rivals. The Bills are coming off of their biggest comeback win since 2011 last week against the Ravens. They trailed 20-3 late in the first half before storming back to win 23-20 on a soggy afternoon in Baltimore. Allen bounced back from a rough start to finish with 283 total yards and 2 touchdowns (one passing, one rushing) to offset 1 interception. It was an important victory for Buffalo after dropping a close game to Miami in Week 3, in which Allen threw for 400 yards but couldn’t find the end zone in the second half. Despite having to deal with a banged-up defense, they remain betting favorites to win the Super Bowl after moving to 3-1 on the season. The Steelers, meanwhile, are facing a quarterback conundrum.  Starter Mitchell Trubisky was benched at halftime in Pittsburgh’s Week 4 game against the Jets, with rookie Kenny Pickett coming on to replace him. The former Pitt Panthers QB provided an offensive spark with 135 total yards and 2 touchdowns in the second half, but he also tossed 3 interceptions as the Steelers fell to a deflating 24-20 loss.  Now, the Steelers are expected to name Pickett the starter vs. the Bills. “I think he did some good things,” Tomlin said. “I thought there was some energy there.”  MORE: Iyer: Pickett’s debut a big win for Steelers despite loss to Jets The Steelers have slumped to a 1-3 start to the campaign, and a road trip to Buffalo will be the toughest test they’ve faced yet.  Will the Bills take care of business to move to 4-1? Or will the Steelers pull off an upset to get their season back on track? Here’s what you need to know to watch Steelers vs. Bills in Week 5, including kickoff time, TV channels, live stream info and the full NFL schedules for both teams. MORE: Watch Steelers vs. Bills live with fuboTV (free trial) What channel is Steelers vs. Bills on today? TV channel (national): CBS TV channel (Buffalo): WIVB TV channel (Pittsburgh): KDKA Live Stream: Paramount +, fuboTV Steelers vs. Bills will be broadcast regionally on local CBS affiliate channels. Jim Nantz and Tony Romo will be on the call from Western New York. You can find the Bills’ home broadcast on SiriusXM channel 227, while the Steelers’ away broadcast airs on channel 385. Those watching from the US can stream the game live on fuboTV, which offers a free trial. In Canada, viewers can watch Steelers vs. Bills with a subscription to DAZN, which includes every NFL game. Steelers vs. Bills start time Date: Sunday, Oct. 9 Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET Steelers vs. Bills is scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday from Bills Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. Pittsburgh Steelers schedule 2022 Week Date Opponent Kickoff time  TV 1 Sept. 11 at Bengals 1 p.m. ET CBS 2 Sept. 18 vs. Patriots 1 p.m. ET CBS 3 Sept. 22  at Browns (Thursday) 8:15 p.m. ET Amazon Prime Video 4 Oct. 2 vs. Jets 1 p.m. ET CBS 5 Oct. 9 at Bills 1 p.m. ET CBS 6 Oct. 16 vs. Buccaneers 1 p.m. ET Fox 7 Oct. 23 at Dolphins 8:20 p.m. ET NBC 8 Oct. 30 at Eagles 1 p.m. ET CBS 9 BYE — — — 10 Nov. 13 vs. Saints 1 p.m. ET Fox 11 Nov. 20 vs. Bengals 8:20 p.m. ET NBC 12 Nov. 28 at Colts (Monday) 8:15 p.m. ET ESPN 13 Dec. 4 at Falcons 1 p.m. ET CBS 14 Dec. 11 vs. Ravens 1 p.m. ET CBS 15 Dec. 18 at Panthers 1 p.m. ET CBS 16 Dec. 24 vs. Raiders (Saturday) 8:15 p.m. ET NFL Network 17 Jan. 1 at Ravens 1 p.m. ET CBS 18 Jan. 7/8 vs. Browns TBD TBD Buffalo Bills schedule 2022 Week Date Opponent Kickoff time TV 1 Sept. 8 at. Rams (Thursday) 8:20 p.m. ET NBC 2 Sept. 19 vs. Titans (Monday) 7:15 p.m. ET ESPN 3 Sept. 25 at Dolphins 1 p.m. ET CBS 4 Oct. 2 at Ravens 1 p.m. ET CBS 5 Oct. 9 vs. Steelers 1 p.m. ET CBS 6 Oct. 16 at Chiefs 4:25 p.m. ET CBS 7 BYE — — — 8 Oct. 30 vs. Packers 8:20 p.m. ET NBC 9 Nov. 6 at Jets 1 p.m. ET CBS 10 Nov. 13 vs. Vikings 1 p.m. ET Fox 11 Nov. 20 vs. Browns 1 p.m. ET CBS 12 Nov. 24 at Lions (Thanksgiving) 12:30 p.m. ET CBS 13 Dec. 1 at Patriots (Thursday) 8:15 p.m. ET Amazon 14 Dec. 11 vs. Jets 1 p.m. ET CBS 15 Dec. 17 or 18 vs. Dolphins TBD TBD 16 Dec. 24 at Bears (Saturday) 1 p.m. ET CBS 17 Jan. 2 at Bengals (Monday) 8:15 p.m. ET ESPN 18 Jan. 7 or 8 vs. Patriots TBD TBD

Chainlink And FTX Token Are Unable To Hold Their Crippling Prices, While Metacryp Emerges As A New Metaverse Coin – Analytics Insight https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/chainlink-and-ftx-token-are-unable-to-hold-their-crippling-prices-while-metacryp-emerges-as-a-new-metaverse-coin-analytics-insight/ Chainlink and FTX Token Are Unable To Hold Their Crippling Prices, While Metacryp Emerges As A New Metaverse Coin  Analytics Insight

Yellow Submarine Is The Most Incredible Tiny House You Can Actually Experience Yourself – Autoevolution https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/yellow-submarine-is-the-most-incredible-tiny-house-you-can-actually-experience-yourself-autoevolution/ As it so happens, the Yellow Submarine is also a unique tiny house you can experience and explore yourself, should you ever find yourself in Marton, New Zealand, as well as a brilliant example of upcycling. “Nothing is ever wasted, just transformed” could be the personal motto of Keith Lovelock, the retired radio technician who came up with the idea for it, way back in 2016, as he was sipping coffee in a yellow cafe. For the past four years, the Yellow Submarine has been offered on Airbnb, allowing guests the chance to experience the unique space. However, it did not start out as a commercial enterprise: Keith wanted to build himself a toy in the family’s backyard, maybe one that he and the grandkids could one day enjoy together. In the process, he created a wonderful and very quirky project that shows just how much you can achieve through upcycling, with dedication, talent and an unbound imagination. The Yellow Submarine started out as a fiberglass grain silo that the two bought online for as little as NZD$1 (US$ 0.56 at the current exchange rate). They needed something that would resemble the shape of a submarine, and this was just perfect. The silo was brought to their home, power-washed and painted yellow, and then Keith started improvising to further create the hull of the sub. He created a plywood structure for the front end, adding radio and satellite dishes to create a more rounded shape. Once inside, you see that these dishes serve like slide-outs, except that they never move, expanding the space by creating small recesses. On top, he built a control tower with a roof made out of an upturned, discarded hot tub. Pieces of solar panels and a repurposed fan further create the illusion of a submarine. As the name implies, the Yellow Submarine is a sort of a Beatles tribute, down to the way it’s anchored between redwoods in a “sea of green” like in the song. Depending on who’s staying it it, it can also serve a Cold War theme, or a steampunk one, because it has elements of both. “There’s no logic to this project at all. It’s just purely whimsical,” Keith once told the media. “Whimsical” doesn’t even begin to describe just how awesome this project is. Access is done through a slow-rising front hatch off the front porch. Right away, as the video tour at the bottom of the page will show, you’re welcomed by a John Lennon mannequin and the distinct impression that, despite appearances, this is a spacious and comfy place. There’s a kitchenette to the side, with a sink made from an old dresser, a microwave, and a decently-sized pantry. There’s also a lounge with a leather Chesterfield couch that can sleep two, and a small desk where you can handle correspondence of the most urgent kind. When you’re in charge of a crew and maybe even responsible for the fate of the world, some issues might not suffer delays. Towards the “pointy end” is the crew’s quarters, with double bunks and an ensuite bathroom that still manages to offer a shower, sink and toilet even though it’s cramped inside a space that doesn’t leave much room to wriggle around. But, as Keith says, you can fit almost anything in a can of sardines if you try hard enough. Keith is a very funny – and smart – man. Upstairs in the control tower, Keith put in a captain’s chair, and all sorts of gadgets and devices built from leftovers from his radio technician days. Also here is a sofa to recline in while taking in the amazing views. The place is packed with amazing stuff that is handbuilt, upcycled or bought on the second-hand market. Gauges on the walls, plaques, maps and blueprints, vintage propaganda posters, and memorabilia like the “genuine” US Navy Mark V diving antique helmet that is actually a “brilliant” knockoff from India, all help tie in the theme beautifully. The Yellow Submarine is 33 feet (10 meters) long and 16 feet (4.8 meters) high, and is hooked to the mains for power, but also has its own backup. There’s a small water heater that’s good for 5-minute showers, and no cellphone or internet because, duh, both are “impossible onboard a submarine.” The construction was completed in early 2018, with Keith and Jen working on and off for about a year on it. The total cost for the project was of about NZD$20,000 (US$11,227) and “a bit of magic.” Getting to spend the night inside it or, for those of us who can’t travel there, getting a feel of the place through videos are both priceless.

Killing More Worthless Projects Would Be A Win For Crypto – Cointelegraph https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/killing-more-worthless-projects-would-be-a-win-for-crypto-cointelegraph/ Killing more worthless projects would be a win for crypto  Cointelegraph

EUR/USD Rate Susceptible To Another Rise In US Core CPI – DailyFX https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/eur-usd-rate-susceptible-to-another-rise-in-us-core-cpi-dailyfx/ Euro Rate Talking Points EUR/USD trades to a fresh weekly low (0.9726) following the larger-than-expected rise in US Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP), and data prints coming out the US may continue to sway the exchange rate as the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is anticipated to show sticky inflation. Fundamental Forecast for Euro: Bearish EUR/USD carves a series of lower highs and lows after failing to test the 50-Day SMA (0.9996), and the exchange rate may continue to depreciate over the coming days as it appears to be tracking the negative in the moving average. As a result, EUR/USD may struggle to retain the advance from the yearly low (0.9536) as evidence of a resilient labor market allows the Federal Reserve to pursue a restrictive policy, and the update to the US CPI may encourage the central bank to retain its current approach in combating inflation as the core rate, which strips out volatile items such as food and energy prices, is expected to increase to 6.5% in September from 6.3% per annum the month prior. Another rise in the core CPI may drag on EUR/USD as the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) retains a hawkish forward guidance for monetary policy, and the US Dollar may continue to outperform against its major counterparts ahead of the next Fed interest rate decision on November 2 as evidence of sticky inflation fuels speculation for another 75bp Fed rate hike. Until then, developments coming out of the US may continue to sway EUR/USD as the European Central Bank (ECB) shows little interest in carrying out a restrictive policy, and it remains to be seen if the Governing Council will implement a smaller rate hike at next meeting on October 27 as the actions taken at the September meeting “frontloads the transition from the prevailing highly accommodative level of policy rates towards levels that will ensure the timely return of inflation to our two per cent medium-term target.” With that said, an uptick in the US CPI report may keep EUR/USD under pressure as the Fed’s Summary of Economic Projections (SEP) reflect a steeper path for US interest rates, and the exchange rate may continue to track the negative slope in the 50-Day SMA (0.9996) as it reverses ahead of the moving average. — Written by David Song, Currency Strategist Follow me on Twitter at @DavidJSong DailyFX provides forex news and technical analysis on the trends that influence the global currency markets.

Serbian Scientists Name New Species Of Beetle After Djokovic – The Indian Express https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/serbian-scientists-name-new-species-of-beetle-after-djokovic-the-indian-express/ Serbian scientists have named a new species of beetle after tennis great Novak Djokovic due to its speed, strength, flexibility, durability and ability to survive in a difficult environment, Serbian media reported on Friday. The insect, which belongs to the Duvalius genus of ground beetles that are present in Europe, was discovered several years ago in an underground pit in western Serbia. It is named Duvalius Dokovici, the Tanjug news agency quoted researcher Nikola Vesovic as saying. Vesovic said that a new species was a specialised underground Coleoptera beetle, a predator which had lost its eyes living deep underground. “I proposed to name the new species after Djokovic,” Vesovic was quoted as saying. “He is the man who did much for this country. We feel urged to pay him back in the way we can.” Last weekend, the 35-year-old Djokovic, who has won 21 Grand Slam trophies, won the Tel Aviv Open to clinch his third title this season, after winning a seventh Wimbledon crown in July. He was playing on Friday against Karen Khachanov in the quarter-finals of the Astana Open, which also features fourth-ranked Russian Daniil Medvedev who is also in the last eight. Top seed Carlos Alcaraz was knocked out in the first round.

Helen Maggie (Arnett) Carter | Obituaries | Johnsoncitypress.com – Johnson City Press (Subscription) https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/helen-maggie-arnett-carter-obituaries-johnsoncitypress-com-johnson-city-press-subscription/ BLOUNTVILLE – Helen Maggie (Arnett) Carter, age 79, of Blountville, Tennessee went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, October 7, 2022 at the Waters of Bristol Nursing Home. Helen was born in Carter County, a daughter of the late Paul and Grace (Simerly) Arnett. In addition to her parents, Helen was also preceded in death by her beloved husband, Harry McClain Carter; three brothers, Bill Arnett, Sammy Arnett, and Cecil Arnett. Helen was a beloved mother and grandmother who loved traveling and working outside. As the wife of a military husband, she traveled extensively with her husband and developed a love for traveling and making new friends wherever she went. Helen had a servant’s heart and a deep devotion to her family and as such, she donated a kidney to her brother. Helen will be deeply missed by her family and those who had the pleasure of knowing her kind soul.

8 Not-Too-Miss Hotel Promotions For Fall And Winter Travel – Forbes https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/8-not-too-miss-hotel-promotions-for-fall-and-winter-travel-forbes/ Marriott With the leaves changing and temperatures dropping, you don’t have to stop thinking about your next warm-weather vacation. A long list of loyalty program promotions from hotels could have you racking up points and other perks to enjoy on your next trip. From your favorite hotels in global hubs like London and Sydney to new hotels elsewhere that are opening this fall, vacation mode should be permanently switched on thanks to the benefits that come with hotel loyalty programs and affiliated credit cards. Vacations can also stem from travel-related contests and sweepstakes, some of which can have you living your bucket list travel or sports fan dream. No matter where you plan to go this fall, these are some of the biggest fall promotions worth registering for in the coming weeks. Choose your fall bonus with IHG One Rewards InterContinental This fall promotion from IHG One Rewards gives members the chance to choose the promotion that works best for their travel plans. They can register for 2,000 bonus points after every two nights or 10,000 bonus points after every four nights. Once chosen, the offer cannot be adjusted, and that’s how they will earn points on qualifying stays between Oct. 13, 2022 and Dec. 31, 2022. Be sure to register before you check in for your first stay. To maximize the promotion, it depends how many nights you plan to stay with IHG this fall. If you will have a lot of nights, the 10,000 point offer makes more sense, especially if these are in even multiples of four. Up to 4,000 bonus points per Marriott Bonvoy stay Melbourne Marriott Hotel Docklands Between now and Dec. 15, Marriott Bonvoy members can earn 2,000 bonus points per stay beginning with their second stay. If you have a Marriott Bonvoy-affiliated credit card, you could earn an additional 2,000 points per stay. Be sure to register for this promotion before checking in for your first stay this fall. The offer is only valid when paying a qualified rate at a participating hotel. This could be quite the rewarding way to plump up that balance in time for a holiday travel redemption. Free Night Sweet Spots from Choice Privileges The Cambria Hotel Sonoma Wine Country The loyalty program of Choice Hotels now offers “sweet spot” awards that offer substantial discounts on a free night redemption. For a set period of time, the program is slashing the points redemption rate at several properties to offer a solid discount. It’s worth exploring the list of hotels to see if any intersect with your travel plans or if any entice a potential trip that you may want to plan this fall. The hotels range a variety of private points and are available across the country. Accor partners with Qatar Airways for reciprocal perks Accor Many airlines and hotels partner together (United and Marriott; American and Hyatt, for example). Accor and its All Live Limitless (ALL) program are now partnering with Qatar Airways giving members the chance to earn and redeem points and perks when doing business with either program. To take advantage of this new opportunity, be sure to have a membership number with both programs and link them together online. For example, Accor program members will earn one ALL point for every $2 spent on Qatar flights. Qatar Airways Privilege Club members will earn one Avios point for every 2 euros spent with Accor. Elite members within each program are also eligible for reciprocal elite status. Qatar Privilege Club members now earn Avios points, and these can be swapped to Avios accounts affiliated with British Airways and Iberia, too. Earn 3x points for dining at World of Hyatt properties getty Even when not a guest at a World of Hyatt hotel, visitors can provide their loyalty program number when paying the check to earn points for eligible charges. Typically, most hotels only award points when in-house guests charge something to their room. World of Hyatt is different and offers non-guests 5x points per dollar spent at participating restaurants, but this fall promotion offers 15x points per dollar spent (even more if you have elite status with Hyatt). This is a great way for members to top up their points balance when dining out near home or when traveling and staying at other hotels. Between now and Dec. 20, dining at a World of Hyatt-participating restaurant can get you closer to that next free redemption. Be sure to register for the promotion here where this is also a list of participating properties. Earn bonus Best Western points, when redeeming points Best Western Best Western Rewards will refund members 5,000 points when they redeem points for a redemption night of at least 12,000 points at a Best Western-branded hotel in the United States, Canada or the Caribbean between now and Nov. 21. To earn the bonus, be sure to register for the promotion before checking in for the stay. 3x Wyndham Rewards points on 2+ night stays Wyndham Grand Cancun All-Inclusive Resort & Villas Between now and Jan. 16, 2023, Wyndham Rewards members can earn triple points on stays of at least two nights. Be sure to register for the promotion before your first stay to be eligible to earn the extra points. To be eligible, members must make their reservation through the Wyndham website or app. Members can earn a maximum of 30,000 points with this promotion, which is enough for a free night (if not more) at any Wyndham hotel or resort around the world. Radisson Rewards Americas: 3,000 nightly bonus points Radisson Members of the Radisson Rewards Americas program can earn 3,000 bonus points per night during this fall’s promotion. This offer requires advance registration and is available for stays between now and Dec. 15. Eligible stays for this promotion include stays at all of the affiliated brands including Radisson Blu, Radisson, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson and Country Inn & Suites by Radisson hotels in the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean.

SMEs Rise To Challenges In A More Conducive Business Environment – PR Newswire https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/smes-rise-to-challenges-in-a-more-conducive-business-environment-pr-newswire/ , /PRNewswire/ — By Beijing Review: On January 21, 10 days before the Spring Festival holiday (from January 31 to February 6 this year), the workshops of Baoji Saiwei, a heavy machinery manufacturer in Baoji, Shaanxi Province in northwest China, are in full swing to complete their orders. By late 2021, Saiwei had already received its orders for the first half of 2022. Deputy General Manager Li Hui told Beijing Review, “We need to deliver the products in time as well as explore new markets.” The Beijing Stock Exchange starts trading on November 15, 2021, focusing on funding for innovation-oriented small and medium-sized enterprises (WEI YAO) That same day, in the capital of Beijing, Du Peifan, founder of ZhiqingFin, an artificial intelligence (AI) company focusing on smart speech services, was doing his routine work taking his employees through a checklist in service of their bank clients. The next day, January 22, in Yiwu, known as the world’s largest wholesale market of consumer goods in the eastern province of Zhejiang, Wei Lingying, CEO of OMAWine International, a company importing Spanish wines and foods, is busy taking and delivering orders. Wei even struggled to squeeze in this Beijing Review interview. Though operating in different sectors and playing individual roles in the market, all three are part of the most robust component of the Chinese economy—small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). China’s SMEs, accounting for roughly 99 percent of all firms nationwide, are the main force behind China’s economic and social development. According to a 2020 report by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, over 50 percent of national tax revenue and 60 percent of GDP stem from SMEs. They create 70 percent of technological innovation and 80 percent of urban employment. However, these companies do face many difficulties in and concerns about their further development. Alive and kicking  COVID-19 flare-ups, rising commodity prices, supply chain problems and financing difficulties, among others, pose treacherous challenges. The rising expenditures of importing wine and food products combined with a declining demand due to the pandemic put OMAWine International on edge. Compared to pre-pandemic times, wine orders decreased 20 percent during this year’s pre-Spring Festival sales season, according to Wei. On the plus side, all three companies are still alive, inspiring those willing to have a go at entrepreneurship. Saiwei only halted production for a brief period at the very onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 and soon resumed operations. “Like gears, we are the inseparable parts that guarantee the swift functioning of China’s industrial and supply chains,” Li said. “We, SMEs or private companies, could not simply give up and close up shop; we are not just enterprises, but also the economic backbone of our workers’ families.” Trials and tribulations  SMEs usually gather in competitive industries, making it essential for them to adjust their business models and actively find new growth opportunities in the new market environment, Zhang said. Compared with large intelligent speech companies that provide only one standard product, ZhiqingFin’s customized services are better, especially in the post-sales field, according to Du. The pandemic has generally stimulated technological expansion, with AI now widely applied. Yet financing remains an issue. It’s a tough task for Du to increase company bankrolling to invest in technology capacity and service research. Pan Gongsheng, Deputy Governor of the People’s Bank of China, the country’s central bank, said at a press conference in September 2021 that addressing the financing needs of SMEs is high on the agenda of the regulatory authority. Loans to micro and small firms totaled 17.8 trillion yuan ($2.75 trillion) as of late July 2021, up 29.3 percent year on year, according to Pan. Hi-tech SMEs like Saiwei also receive financial assistance. As opposed to regular enterprises producing heavy machinery, Saiwei caters to specific customer requirements. Last year, it invested roughly 30 million yuan ($4.7 million) in research and development. The company has been inducted into the Little Giant Firms program, covering small enterprises in their early stages of development, all focusing on high-end technologies. This could bring Saiwei millions of yuan in research support over the coming year. Du’s company, too, has applied for the program. So what does the future hold for China’s SMEs? The answer is two-fold: Innovation-led and green development will be two key directions to promote their high-quality growth in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, according to a government guideline.  SOURCE Beijing Review

Butte County Extension Educator Partners With Middle School To Help Students Realize Potential – Post Register https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/butte-county-extension-educator-partners-with-middle-school-to-help-students-realize-potential-post-register/ By JOHN O’CONNELL University of Idaho Oct 8, 2022 3 hrs ago 0 University of Idaho Extension educator David Callister, Butte County, poses with the class of students at Butte County Middle School whom he sought to help prepare for the future through a program he started. courtesy of University of Idaho Post a comment as anonymous Welcome to the discussion. We welcome comments, however there are some guidelines: Keep it Clean: Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexual language. Don’t Threaten: Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful: Don’t lie about anyone or anything. Be Nice: No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading. Be Proactive: Report abusive posts and don’t engage with trolls. Share with Us: Tell us your personal accounts and the history behind articles. To view our latest e-Edition click the image on the left.

Alabama Vs. Texas A&M Score: Live Game Updates, College Football Scores, NCAA Top 25 Highlights Today – CBS Sports https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/alabama-vs-texas-am-score-live-game-updates-college-football-scores-ncaa-top-25-highlights-today-cbs-sports/ Season Leaders passing M. Johnson517 YD, 3 TDS M. Johnson517 YD, 3 TDS B. Young1202 YD, 14 TDS, 3 INTSB. Young1202 YD, 14 TDS, 3 INTS rushing D. Achane81 ATT, 466 YD, 3 TDSD. Achane81 ATT, 466 YD, 3 TDS J. Gibbs43 ATT, 378 YD, 2 TDSJ. Gibbs43 ATT, 378 YD, 2 TDS receiving A. Smith15 REC, 291 YD, 2 TDSA. Smith15 REC, 291 YD, 2 TDS T. Holden17 REC, 228 YD, 4 TDST. Holden17 REC, 228 YD, 4 TDS See New Posts Pinned Pinned Milroe fumbles, Texas A&M set up to tie it The pocked collapsed on Jalen Milroe again, and he was stripped while trying to find green grass. Jaylon Jones recovered it at the 49-yard line to give the Aggies good field position. Haynes King immediately let one rip to Evan Stewart down to the 6-yard line before Texas A&M called a timeout. Things are getting interesting in T-Town Pinned Pinned Pinned Pinned Pinned It happens that fast 5:33 Q2: No. 1 Alabama 14, Texas A&M 7 Alabama responded to that Texas A&M scoring drive about as well as it could. Jahmyr Gibbs broke off a 37-yard run, which was immediately followed by a 35-yard dart over the middle to Jermaine Burton to put the Crimson Tide back on top. It capped off a three-play drive that has to be demoralizing for Texas A&M after it snagged a little bit of momentum. Pinned Pinned Pinned Aggies tie it up 6:33 Q2: No. 1 Alabama 7, Texas A&M 7 The Aggies have had a hard time converting red zone opportunities into touchdowns, but Haynes King looked very comfortable inside the scoring area to tie it seven. He found Moose Muhammed III over the middle for a 5-yard score to cap off a 6-play, 30-yard drive. King was 3 of 4 on the drive, including a dart over the middle to Chris Marshall on third-and-7 to get inside the 10-yard line. King had been hesitant to let it rip up until that point, but now he has a little more confidence even though he’s under relentless pressure. Pinned Pinned Pinned Pinned Aggies catch a break Jalen Milroe got a little too antsy in the pocket and was sacked from the backside and fumbled. The Aggies took over at the Alabama 30-yard line and are in business. If they’re going to spring the upset, a short field is necessary.  Pinned Pinned Pinned Pinned Pinned Alabama on the board 11:39 Q1: No. 1 Alabama 7, Texas A&M 0 Jalen Milroe has been a force on the ground, especially when he escapes the pocket. He didn’t have to escape the pocket to crack the scoreboard, though. He stood tall and threw a 10-yard dart to tight end Cameron Latu over the middle in coverage to give the Crimson Tide the lead. Texas A&M wasn’t intimated by the passing attack before that play. After that, Milroe’s arm should have the Aggies’ attention. Pinned Pinned Pinned Pinned Pinned Texas A&M isn’t threatened by the pass Jalen Milroe and Jahmyr Gibbs have had a reasonable amount of success, but it’s clear at this point that Texas A&M isn’t threatened by Milroe through the air. They have stacked the box and are having success after the first drive in which Milroe and Gibbs got going on the ground. Pinned King is looking at the pass rush Texas A&M quarterback Haynes King hasn’t made a big mistake, but it’s clear that he’s rattled by the pressure that Alabama is bringing. The Aggies’ third drive stalled and they were forced to punt after Alabama got pressure on virtually every down.  Pinned Pinned Texas A&M needs big plays Will Anderson Jr. rocked Haynes King on second-and-10, and that was the third time on the drive that Alabama’s front seven impacted the play. It’s clear that the Aggies are going to have a hard time controlling the line of scrimmage, which means they’re going to have to break off some explosive plays to have a chance. That hasn’t happened much this year though. Pinned Pinned Jalen Milroe gets the start and the drive stalls It was indeed Milroe who took the first snap in play of Bryce Young, and it didn’t go according to plan. Jahmyr Gibbs had a 25-yard scamper, but Milroe missed Cameron Latu on third-and-16 and the Crimson Tide were forced to punt. The passing game isn’t necessarily Milroe’s strength, but it’s hard to expect much when he gets behind the sticks. Pinned See More

Metaverse Tokens That Could Do 10x Before The Year Ends – Decentraland, Enjin Coin, And MetaCryp | – Bitcoinist https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/metaverse-tokens-that-could-do-10x-before-the-year-ends-decentraland-enjin-coin-and-metacryp-bitcoinist/ Blockchain, cryptocurrencies, the Metaverse, and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are paving the way for new ways to escape the rat race and enter a safe, drama-free environment. Now that we have this cutting-edge technology, we can all step out of the cold and into the sunshine, explore a fantastical world, communicate with people across the globe, and even play games. Through the Metaverse, one can create a unique environment, complete with all the bells and whistles, meet new people, and have fun playing games without ever having to leave the house. We have compiled a list of the top gaming tokens available for purchase in this post so that you can experience the boundless realm of the Metaverse – The Sandbox (SAND), Enjin Coin (ENJ), and new crypto MetaCryp (MTCR). Explore the Metaverse with The Sandbox (SAND) Regarding online gaming, The Sandbox (SAND) is a blockchain-based utopia. The land is a digital property that can be created, bought, and sold by anybody with access to the network. The project combines a programmable environment with non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which are becoming increasingly popular in the gaming industry, to give players a richer, more interactive gaming experience. The Sandbox takes on two major problems in the gaming industry: locked funds and a lack of transparency. Several routes exist in the Sandbox for players to withdraw their funds and use them in other games or the real world. In the Sandbox, users can use a basic Ethereum blockchain explorer to confirm any item’s authenticity, history, and capabilities. Players can generate passive money by collecting land access fees from other players. As players acquire more land or improve their existing holdings, so do their rewards. Have Fun with Enjin Coin (ENJ) Enjin Coin (ENJ) is a digital asset used to back the value of blockchain assets developed on the Enjin online gaming creation platform. This digital asset is built on the ERC-20 standard. This open-source platform was designed specifically for online gamers and the gaming community. It enables virtual ownership of items and trading between players and community members, all of which are made possible through smart wallets. While ENJ was first developed on the Ethereum blockchain, the company has just finished a funding round that raised over $19 million and will use that money to create a blockchain for NFTs based on Polkadot. The DeFi world has a new GameFi Token – MetaCryp (MTCR) Through their new Network, MetaCryp (MTCR) is providing people from all over the world with an environment that seems like a home away from home. The MetaCryp Network is the very first GameFi space in the world. It is a community-focused ecosystem that provides its users with a location that feels just like home, where they may indulge in intense fun and let their wildest imaginations run free. MetaCryp is developing a new space to advance the direction DeFi and the metaverse are headed. This new space is built on the Binance Smart Chain. They are concentrating on developing products compatible with one another in high-end gaming systems, DeFi, and NFT software programs. The objective of the MetaCryp Network is to achieve a position of prominence among those capable of producing a secure and entertaining environment for all its users. These users will be able to take advantage of modernized tools in blockchain technology, the Metaverse, Play2Earn gaming, advanced DeFi platforms, socializing, and all things related to the metaverse in terms of gaming, events, and collectibles. In addition, playing games on the ‘Play-to-Earn Ecosystem’ allows users to earn $MTCR tokens without leaving the comfort of their homes. It ensures they will have the opportunity to earn money using the $MTCR token, in-game assets, or NFTs. There are 500,000,000 MTCR tokens available in circulation. On your first purchase, you can receive a 32% incentive. You will also receive a 10% discount when purchasing MTCR tokens with Ethereum and 8% and 13% discounts when purchasing with BTC and BNB, respectively. To find out more about MetaCryp Token (MTCR), visit the links below: Presale: http://presale.MetaCryptoken.io/ Website: http://MetaCryptoken.io/ Telegram: https://t.me/MetaCrypOfficial Disclaimer: This is a paid release. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily represent those of Bitcoinist. Bitcoinist does not guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of information available in such content. Do your research and invest at your own risk.

You Have Less Than 48 Hours To Shop The Top Deals Of The Year – 22 Words https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/you-have-less-than-48-hours-to-shop-the-top-deals-of-the-year-22-words/ We’re less than three months away from 2023 – can you believe it? This year flew by SO fast, but it gave us so many cool new gadgets, fashion trends, and convenient home gadgets. My Amazon wish list really grew this year, but my paycheck did not – yikes… Thankfully, many of the things I still want are on a flash sale right now. It’s not too late to grab your favorites! Here are a few of my top picks from each category; I’ve included everything from gaming computers and flat-screen TVs to top-rated skincare products, a massage gun that will save you $180, and more. Grab these goodies before they’re gone! You will love our editor’s curated product picks! FYI: We are an Amazon affiliate partner and may get a share of the sale of your purchase (at no cost to you). Want a Nice Rug for Less Than $50? It’s 75% OFF I can’t believe how affordable this rug is! This is a great find for your first apartment, home office or modern nursery. Available in three different sizes and colors, you can select the look that best matches your interior decor. Personally, I’m a big fan of the white on blue. These Affordable Acne Healing Patches Work Miracles This is the acne cure I wish I had had as a teen. Customers like Laura say they can’t get enough of these miracle patches: “I LOVE these patches. I’ve tried different brands because they were cheaper but the adhesive caused very dry patches on my skin, or even additional breakouts. I’ve used these No BS ones for about a year now, often times repeatedly over the same area as zits and stuff pop up, and holy cow they are well worth the investment. They draw out blackheads or whatever weird stuff pops up on my face, and I haven’t experienced any bad reactions.” Save $180 on This Amazing Deal and Massage Away the Stress This item is MAJORLY DISCOUNTED! Whether you’re a construction worker, fitness instructor, teacher or sales rep, you’ll be feeling that eight hour shift when you finally get to sprawl out on your bed. Rather than risking a cramp or accidental spine adjustment overnight, use this massager before bed to loosen tense muscles, knots and tendons. A little bit goes a looooong way! Over 50% OFF! Stay Warm on Your Next Backpacking Trip with This Mountain Vest I know it sounds impossible, but husbands, dads, and brothers can actually can get cold. Mind-blowing, I know. Their secret is, they wait until they’re literally freezing before they actually consider adding another layer. By then, it’s too late and they get chilled to the bone. If this sounds like your husband, get this vest for him for wintertime. Help him match it with his favorite shirt so he can feel like it’s more of a fashion choice than a need for warmth if that helps. And let him know you got it on sale! I’m sure he will love the discount. The Most Convenient (and Cheap!) Clip-on Pasta Strainer I’m a lazy chef, so naturally, I love this item For it’s easy of use and of course… THE PRICE. All you have to do is clip it onto your pot of choice once the pasta or veggies are done boiling and pour out the water. This is especially nice if you’re making macaroni and cheese; your pasta never has to leave the pot! Start Your Own Home Gym with These Peloton Dumbbells You’ve been talking about it for years – it’s time to switch to an at-home workout product! Trust me, it’s totally worth it. In the long run, you’ll save money, and time (which is usually spent waiting for someone to get off the machine you want) and spare yourself the anxiety of looking peak at the gym. Now you can focus on what really matters – THE GAINS. Over $170 OFF the Original Price: Your Fur Baby Needs This Cat Climber Admit it – you’ve seen all of the videos of wall-mounted cat furniture and you want one of your own sets now! Well, I’ve got good news for you: this five-level climber is on sale! Compared to those old disintegrating, dust-collecting cat trees, this climber is made with easy-to-clean charter oak and sleek metal. But don’t worry – there are plenty of padded surfaces for nap time! Under $50! An Awesome Deal on this OtterBox Case for Your iPhone I’m all about OtterBox as a brand, so if you’re in the market for something that will actually save your phone from even the worst falls and fumbles, this is the case for you. And who can say their colors and patterns aren’t cute? Just look at this Disney-themed case. A Classic Chunky Sweater at a great price point Pumpkin patches, hot cocoa at the pier, and homemade apple pie in the mountains call for the perfect seasonal fashion. Regardless of where you live, the chunky knit sweater embodies that cozy autumn spirit and looks good with pretty much any choice of bottoms. Don’t worry – it comes in ALL the colors, so you can match it with your personal aesthetic. Under $80! Listen to Anything and Everything With These Headphones This product is the best way to block out noisy neighbors… as it also comes with sound-blocking technology. You can relax knowing that you’re listening to your audio using the best possible sound quality. It would also be perfect for planes! This is the Budget-Friendly Coffee Grinder You’ve Been Waiting For! I waited on buying my own bean grinder for YEARS because the ones I kept seeing were so expensive! Not to mention the high prices of those Starbucks blends… Fast forward to 2022, I bought myself one of these lower-cost grinders and started grinding my own fresh Peet’s Coffee beans – I am so impressed with how well it does. Now I can have fresh coffee anytime I want (and my husband won’t be mad at me for racking up a hefty monthly bill at Starbucks)! Everyone Deserves a Top-Rated Moisturizer That is over 30% OFF Yes, over 30% OFF! If you want glowing, dewy skin, grab this cream right now! This fragrance-free night cream is loaded with collagen peptides, ceramides and Vitamin E – everything you need to brighten and tighten overnight. Buyer TM says it “has a very nice, almost whipped consistency and absorbs really well.” Take Adantage! New Moms, You’re Going to Want Some of These Anti-Choke Spoons If you’ve got a baby on the way, take advantage of this flash sale! I’m sure there are TONS of baby items for sale right now, but definitely make sure to grab this one. I don’t have children myself, but I hear babies and toddlers can be a handful at mealtime. You turn your back for one moment and, next thing you know, food is on the floor or they’re eating something they’re not supposed to ingest. These spoons come with anti-choke barriers and chewable baby-safe silicone, so you know your newest family member will be safe even if you have to leave them alone for a second. A small price to pay for peace of mind! 20% OFF! Crack Down on Your Chaotic, Messy Car with This Trunk Organizer I’m downright ashamed of how messy my trunk is. It’s become a permanent storage space for things I keep forgetting to take out of the car, in a trashy, rat’s nest kind of way. With 2023 just around the corner, I think I’m finally sick enough of it to actually reorganize it. If you feel the same way about your car, invest in this trunk organizer to help you get the job done quickly. Only $30! What a Steal – I’ve Found the Best Travel Grooming Kit for Men & Masculine people This kit is just what you need for your next business trip. As its name suggests, the Exploration Kit is great for first-time users and those who want to branch out. It comes with travel-size versions of the sea salt spray, hair paste, hair cream and hair wax – perfect for experimenting and playing around with what works for your manly mane. Rest assured, reviewers say each one smells great and won’t leave your hair feeling greasy! When in doubt, start with a little bit and work it into your hair; a little goes a long way, so this kit should last you a long time. Cargo Pants are Back, Baby! And They Are 50% OFF The new 90’s clothing trends are bringing back all kinds of awesome fashion choices, including cargo pants. These Columbia brand cargo pants are a steal right now! With added moisture-wicking features, UV blocking fabric, and more pockets than you really know what to do with, these pants are pretty much all-purpose. Can we agree there’s really no need to ever wear jeans again? Over 30% OFF! This Eye-Catching Coffee Table is Perfect for Under Your TV Honestly, this would look cool and work well just about anywhere in your house, but I think it would look best under a sleek flat-screen TV. Because it’s open on the front and back, you won’t have to hassle with doors or drilling holes to make room for cables and consoles. Reviewers like it for being super classy, compact, and easy to assemble! Under $30! Oil Diffusers are the New Candle – And They Make Great Gifts For the cost of one premium three-wick candle, you could take home a reusable scent diffuser and 10 essential oils to go with it! That’s crazy! Truth be told, I really love diffusers. I live in a drier part of California and I love using mine just as a humidifier. These can also really add spa-like ambience to your bedroom; if you want to create a chill zone, definitely don’t miss out on this deal. Cheap & Cute! You’ll Love These Reusable Chalkboard Labels From one host to another: if you don’t have these labels already, you really need to buy them for your next gathering. While I like these for labeling spooky fantasy drinks and foods at my annual Halloween party, you can use them for pretty much anything in your kitchen. They’ll help guests find exactly what they need and they’re customizable, which means you can list out ingredients for your allergy-sensitive guests. Under $20! Ditch the Paper Towels and Grab This Reusable Microwave Bacon Cooker I know it looks weird, but I think this item is genius! The Bacon Wizard offers all the same benefits yo...

Latest EU Sanctions Expected To Stimulate Russia’s Own Crypto Market, Exchanges Maintain Services – Regulation Bitcoin News – Bitcoin News https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/latest-eu-sanctions-expected-to-stimulate-russias-own-crypto-market-exchanges-maintain-services-regulation-bitcoin-news-bitcoin-news/ The new crypto sanctions imposed by the European Union are likely to spur the development of the country’s digital asset market, according to a Russian lawmaker. Anatoly Aksakov, who chairs the parliamentary Financial Market Committee, believes Russians will manage to bypass the restrictions. Meanwhile, major exchanges have reportedly informed Russian users that trading continues. Russians Find Ways to Circumvent Mounting European Crypto Sanctions, Duma Member Insists This week, the EU adopted its eighth package of penalties against Russia, meant to hit its government, economy, and energy exports in response to the recent escalation of the military conflict in Ukraine and the annexation of Ukrainian territories. Russian access to cryptocurrency, viewed as a tool to circumvent financial restrictions and export wealth, was also targeted. Anatoly Aksakov The Council of the European Union completely banned the provision of crypto wallet, account, and custody services to Russian residents and entities. However, according to a high-ranking member of the Russian parliament quoted by the Tass news agency, the EU decision may actually stimulate the development of Russia’s digital financial asset (DFA) market. The opinion was expressed by Anatoly Aksakov, head of the Financial Market Committee at the State Duma, the lower house of Russian parliament. He has been deeply involved in recent efforts to regulate the country’s crypto space, including the use of digital currencies in international settlements. Authorities in Moscow have been discussing the matter for over a year and considering an expansion of the legal framework which currently covers mostly DFAs with an issuer, such as tokens. The latest round of EU sanctions tightens previously imposed restrictions. Earlier this year, as part of its fifth package of measures approved a little over a month after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, the 27-strong bloc limited only “high-value” crypto-asset services for Russians and Russian-registered organizations — those for digital holdings exceeding €10,000 in fiat value (approx. $11,000 at the time, less than $10,000 now). Binance, Huobi Comment on Latest EU Sanctions, No New Restrictions for Now “Similar decisions have already been made before. They closed the official representative offices of their crypto exchanges in Russia, but de facto nothing has changed. There can also be an office in the virtual space, not at some address in Moscow,” Anatoly Aksakov further elaborated, insisting that Russians can easily bypass the sanctions. While the world’s largest crypto exchange, Binance, partially complied with the EU’s earlier requirements, allowing only withdrawals in the case of Russian account balances exceeding €10,000, it has now told users it did not introduce new restrictions, Bits.media revealed in a report. Another major platform, Huobi, said it “continues to support the stable trading of Russian users.” Of the top seven global crypto exchanges popular with Russians, which also include Bybit, Coinbase, FTX, Kraken, and Gate.io, none is a “European resident” for which the measures would be mandatory, the Russian crypto news outlet noted. Russian crypto experts, like the CEO of defi banking platform Indefibank, Sergey Mendeleev, doubt that most crypto companies would rush to implement the EU resolution targeting all Russian users as this would lead to loss of market positions. “Moreover, these restrictions stimulate the development of modern technologies. Next year will be the year of digital financial assets in Russia, you’ll see,” Aksakov promised. His comments come as deputies in the State Duma prepare to adopt a new law “On Digital Currency” designed to regulate decentralized crypto assets such as bitcoin and their employment in cross-border crypto payments between Russian companies and their foreign partners. Tags in this story Aksakov, Binance, conflict, Crypto, Cryptocurrencies, Cryptocurrency, Development, DFAs, Digital Assets, EU, european, European Union, Exchanges, Huobi, invasion, lawmaker, legalization, Regulation, restrictions, Russia, russian, Sanctions, Ukraine, War Do you think the latest EU sanctions will speed up the legalization of cryptocurrencies in Russia? Share your thoughts on the subject in the comments section below. Lubomir Tassev Lubomir Tassev is a journalist from tech-savvy Eastern Europe who likes Hitchens’s quote: “Being a writer is what I am, rather than what I do.” Besides crypto, blockchain and fintech, international politics and economics are two other sources of inspiration. Image Credits: Shutterstock, Pixabay, Wiki Commons, ID1974 Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a direct offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation or endorsement of any products, services, or companies. Bitcoin.com does not provide investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Neither the company nor the author is responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in this article.

US Imposes New Sanctions Connected To North Korea Following Spate Of Missile Tests – WDJT https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/us-imposes-new-sanctions-connected-to-north-korea-following-spate-of-missile-tests-wdjt/ By Michael Callahan, CNN (CNN) — The US is imposing new sanctions following a spate of North Korean ballistic missile tests, the US Treasury and State Department announced on Friday. The sanctions target two people and three entities “connected to the delivery of refined petroleum to the DPRK, an action which directly supports the development of DPRK weapons programs and its military,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement Friday. The sanctions include two Singapore registered companies and an entity registered in the Marshall Islands for “illicit ship-to-ship (STS) transfers to circumvent UN sanctions,” according to the Treasury Department. “By designating these entities and individuals, the United States is sending a clear message that we will continue to take actions against those who support the development and sustainment of the DPRK’s military and weapons arsenal,” Blinken said in a statement. North Korea has fired six missiles in the past two weeks — an uptick, even in a year that has seen the highest number of launches since leader Kim Jong Un took power in 2011. The aggressive acceleration in weapons testing has sparked alarm in the region, with the US, South Korea and Japan responding with missile launches and joint military exercises this week. The US has also redeployed an aircraft carrier into waters near the peninsula, a move South Korean authorities called “very unusual.” On Wednesday Blinken warned that if North Korea continues “down this road” of provocation “it will only increase the condemnation, increase the isolation and increase the steps that are taken in response to their actions.” The recent tests have caused administration officials to grow concerned that Kim is set to oversee his nation’s seventh nuclear test. The-CNN-Wire & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

Legal Fraternity For More Use Of Technology In Judicial System – The Tribune India https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/legal-fraternity-for-more-use-of-technology-in-judicial-system-the-tribune-india/ Photo for representational purpose only. – File photo Tribune News Service Chandigarh, October 8 To mark the 89th birth anniversary of Justice Madan Mohan Punchhi, a former Chief Justice of India, the Competent Foundation organised the third Justice Madan Mohan Memorial Lecture at the Law Bhawan in Sector 37 here today. The theme of the lecture was ‘Need for Legal Reforms with the Advent of Technology’. On the occasion, invited justices emphasised the need for maximum use of technology in the judicial system. In their address, foundation president Sanjay Tandon and organising committee member Pawan Kumar Mutneja said Justice Punchhi was considered a pillar of the judiciary as he had set ideals during his tenure.

VP Kamala Harris In Austin Hits Texas Abortion Ban As ‘immoral,’ Asks For Votes – Denton Record Chronicle https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/vp-kamala-harris-in-austin-hits-texas-abortion-ban-as-immoral-asks-for-votes-denton-record-chronicle/ Best of the Blotter Every Wednesday morning, get the week’s top crime stories in Denton from the Blotter in your inbox. Breaking News Get the latest, most up-to-date news alerts when you sign up to receive our Breaking News newsletter.  e-Edition Notifier Receive a daily notification that the DR-C e-Edition is available. Sign up now. High School Season Pass Stay up to date with all of the sports news coming out of Denton-area high schools.  Mean Green Spotlight Get exclusive, in-depth coverage of the University of North Texas athletics teams in this weekly newsletter. Promotions and Offers Would you like to receive information from our advertisers or DR-C offers? Sign up now. Wake Up with the DR-C Every morning, get a link to our newly redesigned e-Edition and the top Denton headlines you need to start your day. Your Money, Your Home In the DR-C’s newest newsletter, get exclusive coverage about business in Denton County, with a focus on the housing market.

7 Best Toiletry Bags For 2022 – Dopp Kits For Travel – Popular Mechanics https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/7-best-toiletry-bags-for-2022-dopp-kits-for-travel-popular-mechanics/ Popular Mechanics: Courtesy of Tumi Forgetting to pack a jacket or favorite shirt on vacation is annoying, but forgetting to pack contact lenses or that dentist-prescribed mouthwash is an undeniably worse fate. However, with a sturdy toiletry bag in tow, you can make sure those essentials are safely contained. Toiletry bags and dopp kits should store what you’ll need on a trip and ideally keep it organized so that when you land, you don’t have a bag full of busted shampoo or lipstick tubes that are now painting a Pollock all over your wardrobe. The Best Toiletry Bags 1 2 Best Weekender Dopp Crossover 2 Toiletry Bag Thule Read More 3 Best for Organization Travel Toiletry Organizer Dopp Kit BAGSMART Read More 4 Best 2-in-1 Cosmetics and Dopp Kit Pack It All Organizer SEPHORA COLLECTION Read More 5 Most Rugged Option Alpha 3 Hanging Travel Kit TUMI Read More 6 Best Minimalist Kit Weekend Waterproof Toiletry Bag Rains Read More 7 Best Ultralight Dopp Kit Flatpak Waterproof Toiletry Case Matador Read More What to Consider Size Buying a toiletry bag is similar to buying a tiny suitcase—you need one that’s big or small enough to suit your packing style. If you want to take every product you use in your entire nightly skincare routine and still need to pack a toothbrush and razor, then the classic single-compartment toiletry bag style likely isn’t a good fit. If you’re a light packer, however, a no-frills, large-pocket design that will hold only the bare minimum may be the right choice. Materials The materials your toiletry bag is made of will dictate both its durability and style. You’ll want one made of quality materials, like durable nylon, leather, or faux leather, that can hold up to the wear and tear of both sporadic travel and daily use. If you typically take your entire bag into the shower on trips, you’ll want to opt for a toiletry bag made of waterproof, or at least water-resistant, materials. Special Features Many toiletry bags have features that can bolster their functionality and durability: A waterproof coating on a toiletry bag means you can take it straight into the shower with you and an attached hook can make hanging it on the towel bar or soap dish easier. Many of the bags we included also have organizing features so you can separate your stuff into different compartments to keep your belongings neat and easily accessible. How we selected To determine the best toiletry bags and dopp kits on the market, we first had to consider the essential needs of travelers and what they’re likely to be bringing on trips. We gathered toiletry bags with a wide array of special features, in styles for men and women, made from a variety of materials, and priced from budget-friendly to high-end. All of the toiletry bags we chose have an average customer rating of at least 4 out of 5 stars, so you’re sure to find something that’ll work for you. For more great travel gear check out our picks for best packing cubes, travel pillows, and rolling suitcases. 1 Best Overall ZEEMO Toiletry Bag Key Specs Dimensions (L x W x H) 11.5 x 7 x 5 inches Color(s) Blue, black, gray Materials Synthetic leather Special Features Water-resistant, see-through interior pockets, double-sided top opening 2 Best Weekender Dopp Thule Crossover 2 Toiletry Bag Key Specs Dimensions (L x W x H) 9.5 x 4 x 6 inches Color(s) Black Materials Nylon Special features Water-resistant, wide-mouth opening, interior mesh pockets, snap-hang design 3 Best for Organization BAGSMART Travel Toiletry Organizer Dopp Kit Key Specs Dimensions (L x W x H) 9.4 x 4.6 x 6.3 inches Materials Polyurethane leather Color(s) Pink, black, gray, navy Special Features Double-zipper opening, multiple compartments, interior organization 4 Best 2-in-1 Cosmetics and Dopp Kit SEPHORA COLLECTION Pack It All Organizer Key Specs Dimensions (L x W x H) 9.5 x 5 x 7.5 inches Materials Vegan synthetic leather Color(s) Black Special Features Large main compartment, removable mesh baskets, removable pouch, interior organization 5 Most Rugged Option TUMI Alpha 3 Hanging Travel Kit Key Specs Dimensions (L x W x H) 11.5 x 4.5 x 8 inches Materials Ballistic nylon, leather Color(s) Black Special Features Military-grade materials, antibacterial lining, interior organization 6 Best Minimalist Kit Rains Weekend Waterproof Toiletry Bag Key Specs Dimensions (L x W x H) 10.2 x 4.7 x 5.5 inches Materials Coated polyurethane Color(s) Silver pine, black, wood Special Features Waterproof, single large compartment, adjustable straps to compress 7 Best Ultralight Dopp Kit Matador Flatpak Waterproof Toiletry Case Key Specs Dimensions (L x W x H) 9.5 x 3.75 x 5.5 inches Materials Cordura nylon Color(s) Black Special Features Rolltop closure, hanging loop, waterproof Danny Perez Commerce Editor Danny Perez is a commerce editor at popular Mechanics.

Here’s What Medicare Part A Costs And Covers In 2023 – 69News WFMZ-TV https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/heres-what-medicare-part-a-costs-and-covers-in-2023-69news-wfmz-tv/ Medicare helps tens of millions of Americans get necessary healthcare coverage in retirement. With coverage available at age 65 for most participants, the various parts of Medicare work together to provide comprehensive coverage for multiple types of healthcare needs. Under the traditional Medicare program, Part A offers hospital and inpatient-care services. Medicare Part A sees minor changes each year, and the government agency that administers the program recently announced what’s new for 2023. Here’s what participants can expect. What Medicare Part A offers you Medicare Part A coverage comes into play when you require a hospital stay or need to go to a skilled nursing facility. Under typical coverage, patients get coverage for medically necessary hospital stays, giving them a semi-private room and the medical treatment, services, tests, and prescription drugs needed to address the patient’s condition. Patients also qualify to receive meals during their stays. Image source: Getty Images. Medicare Part A is intended to provide the healthcare needed to resolve adverse health conditions fully. Stays of two days or more qualify for coverage, with the federal government financing extremely long stays, in many cases. It’s important to understand that Medicare Part A doesn’t cover long-term nursing-home stays. However, skilled nursing care does qualify, although for inpatient-facility costs to be covered, patients typically need to have had a related hospital stay of at least three days. As with hospital stays, Medicare’s intent with its skilled nursing-care coverage is to address conditions and get participants back to full health. Patients can also get access to some other services under Medicare Part A. These include home hospice care for terminally-ill patients, as well as home-provided care for other conditions when it’s medically necessary. Medicare Part A costs One big benefit of Medicare Part A is that most people are eligible to participate without having to pay a monthly premium. If you or your spouse paid into the Medicare program via payroll withholding for at least 10 years, you generally won’t have to pay for Part A coverage. Some people who don’t have 10 full years of work history will have to pay monthly premiums. Those working between 30 and 39 quarters will pay $278 per month in 2023, up $4 from 2022. Those with less than 30 quarters of eligible work history have to pay $506 per month, higher by $7 from year-earlier levels. If you need to use your Part A coverage during the year, there are additional costs under the program. A deductible of $1,600 for 2023 applies upfront before Medicare starts to cover costs. That’s $44 higher than it was in 2022. There are also copayments for many Part A services. After the deductible is met, Medicare provides full coverage for the first 60 days of a hospital stay. From the 61st day to the 90th, the copayment is $400 per day, up $11 from 2022. On the 91st day and beyond, you have 60 lifetime reserve days for which you’ll pay $800 per day in 2023, $22 higher than in 2022. The cost structure for skilled nursing-facility stays is similar. Copayments are $0 for the first 20 days, and then from the 21st day to the 100th day, patients have to pay $200 per day. That’s up by $5.50 per day from 2022. Beyond the 100th day, Medicare no longer offers coverage. Take advantage of Medicare Part A Retirees always have to take healthcare costs into consideration as a key expense in their retirement planning. Medicare Part A does a great job of covering many of those costs, but it doesn’t cover everything. By getting to know the program better, you can more accurately plan for your overall finances in retirement. The $18,984 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook If you’re like most Americans, you’re a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known “Social Security secrets” could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $18,984 more… each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we’re all after. Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.