Virgilio Clapp

Woman Slashes Grocery Bills By Getting ‘freezer Full’ Of Free Tesco Shopping – RSVP Live https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/woman-slashes-grocery-bills-by-getting-freezer-full-of-free-tesco-shopping-rsvp-live/ A major issue for households across Ireland is the rising prices of foods and other grocery items during the cost of living crisis. As supermarkets struggle to maintain the prices of their products, people have seen everything becoming more expensive, from meat and vegetables to toilet paper and toothpaste. However, one woman has shared her incredible tip to cutting back on her shopping bills. Read more: You shouldn’t use washing machine or dryer during two specific hours to cut energy bills She posted her massive grocery haul to the Facebook group Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK. After using the app Olio, she was able to get her hands of a “freezer full” of free items. Olio is an app that helps to reduce food waste by connecting those with surplus food, such as supermarkets, to those who need or want these extra items. People can find food that is nearing its expiration date on the app. The woman wrote: “Olio… I’m in shock. Picked all this up for free as it’s going off soon – that’s my freezer full!!! Not all of this is for me, we’ve shared with neighbours.” The poster explained that a local man collected all the bits from Tesco, with the supermarket offering everything from bread to pastries through Olio. “Everyone getting their knickers in a twist, I’m not the food waste hero person. “I got this from a guy who obviously collected from Tesco himself – it was just lucky timing I got all this!” Woman slashes grocery bills by getting ‘freezer full’ of free shopping (Image: Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK) People can volunteer to be Olio’s food waste heroes and pick up a load of items. They can then list all the surplus food on Olio for people in the surrounding area to pick up. Lots of commenters were blown away with the idea, with one person sharing: “Wow well done!” A second group member wrote: “Wow brilliantly timed, enjoy.” A third person added: “Wow, must give it a try!!” Irish shoppers can also benefit from the deal as Olio paired up with Tesco Ireland in Dublin in April 2021. However, they have also spread out to the rest of the country since then. People can complete different actions via the app, including borrowing items such as books and requesting things from their fellow users using the ‘Wanted’ feature. Get the latest RSVP headlines straight to your inbox for free by signing up to our newsletter READ MORE The most up-to-date headlines and stories on our site rsvplive.ie We tried the bed sheet hack and it dried our clothes in half the time Social welfare Ireland: Dates confirmed for seven lump sum payments before Christmas Mum goes viral showing shoppers how to cut down grocery bills with ‘better’ products Clever mum uses money-saving trick to dry clothes outside without a tumble dryer

Social Security Supplemental Income 2022 — $841 Direct Payment Scheduled As 33 States Boost Benefits – See… – The US Sun https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/social-security-supplemental-income-2022-841-direct-payment-scheduled-as-33-states-boost-benefits-see-the-us-sun/ Live Blog BIG BOOST Updated: 15:30 ET, Oct 17 2022 MILLIONS of SSI recipients are awaiting their monthly $841 payments, which are set to drop in about two weeks. Social Security Supplemental Income is intended to help seniors, disabled, or blind people with lower incomes. SSI payments are always sent out on the first of the month unless it falls on a holiday or a weekend. This next payment is scheduled for November 1. SSI is calculated based on a recipient’s income, with a maximum monthly payment of $841 and a national average amount of $621, according to the Social Security Administration. Checks are typically distributed at the same time as federal benefits. However, this year, 33 states are sending out their own supplemental payments. Read our Supplemental Security Income live blog for the latest news and updates… Resources on SSI According to an SSA report in July 2021, more than 7.8million Americans were receiving SSI benefits. If you plan to apply for SSI, you can begin the application process and complete a large part of the application on the SSA website. You can also call toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 to ask for an appointment with a Social Security representative. Who is eligible? Qualifying for SSI will depend on your earnings and your assets. To qualify, individuals can’t have more than $2,000 in assets, while couples can have up to $3,000. Further, the more you make, the less your SSI benefit will be. SSI is not to be confused with Social Security because seniors can claim both. Benefits for eligible children are said to be larger because many don’t have earnings. Where to report income New income and income changes can be reported in three ways: Call the number 1-800-772-1213 For deaf and hearing-impaired, call TTY 1-800-325-0778 Visit your local Social Security office How to receive a proof of income letter The SSA.gov website has a proof of income request page. You can also use this page to obtain more information on services from other government agencies. Here, you can utilize personalized tools and request a replacement social security card. When to report your income New and changing incomes should be reported as soon as possible, and no later than the 10th day of the month following the change. For example, if work begins on April 3, it should be reported no later than May 10. More information can be found here. Reporting Social Security scams If you suspect an email you got from the Social Security Administration may be fraudulent, you’re urged to avoid responding or clicking on any links in the message. The SSA said you should report the email by forwarding it to the US Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) at phishing-report@us-cert.gov. What’s the solution? There are options out there that could make COLA more beneficial than it currently is. During his campaign, President Joe Biden spoke often about changing the metric for COLA to the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E). This focuses on the spending habits of those 62 and older, which would give a better idea of how much money these people need. Will the current COLA be enough? The Social Security Administration has been offering automatic COLAs since 1975. Since these are implemented in October, the Motley Fool reports it won’t help beneficiaries cover higher costs they’ve already incurred. Plus, the added funds aren’t applied to payments until January, which means they most likely won’t offset holiday spending. The CPI-W levels in the third quarter of the current and previous years are used to calculate the COLA, which could leave out months where inflation could have been significantly higher. This could cause the annual Social Security benefit increase to be too low to address the actual impact of higher prices. Why a smaller COLA is better Earlier this year, it was estimated the COLA may hit double digits. The original estimates of a possible 10 percent increase came with the notion inflation would continue to run hot. Experts are now expecting a COLA of somewhere near 8 percent, and while that’s still high, it’s significantly better than earlier predictions. COLA is meant to keep beneficiaries’ buying power the same amid inflation, so a lower COLA means inflation has actually slowed down. When to start saving for retirement While it seems like you should start saving money for retirement as soon as you come out of the womb, experts are now saying you don’t have to start stockpiling cash until you’re 35. According to Go Banking Rates, you should wait to start saving until you start earning “peak wages,” which usually come further into your career. Jason Scott, managing director of J.S. Retirement Consulting, suggested putting money into buying homes rather than a retirement plan. A ‘once in a lifetime’ event Mary Johnson,  a policy analyst for The Senior Citizens League, told The Motley Fool this is a combination we may never see again. She added that the extra funds could change lives ” because people can’t afford to buy as much today as they did a year ago.” The extra funds could go toward unexpected costs like dental work or home repairs, but more importantly, they can improve seniors’ day-to-day lives by giving them back their purchasing power for things like groceries and medications. Medicare Part B, explained Premiums for enrollees are set to drop from $170.10 to $164.90 in 2023. On top of this, the annual deductible for enrollees will decrease from $233 to $226.  Retirees who claim both Social Security and Medicare will usually see the costs taken from their benefits check. With premiums going down, this means beneficiaries will be getting more in their monthly checks. Positive changes coming to SS and Medicare Along with a major bump to benefits from the COLA, beneficiaries who also get Medicare will see some nice adjustments next year. Medicare Part B premiums are expected to fall next year, saving enrollees some cash. Part B covers several services from doctors and healthcare providers such as home healthcare, outpatient care, medical equipment and preventative services. How much to save for unexpected moments Older adults and retirees should prepare to spend more than $20,000 in dental premiums from the age of 62 to around 87. Medicare doesn’t cover all dental work, like fillings or pulling a tooth, so it’s important to save up or consider purchasing a dental plan. Your own health expenses and caring for loved ones should be at the top of your list when planning your savings. If you plan on living in your own home, it’s important to save up for anything that may go wrong, like an appliance breaking down or a leaky roof. Those with adult children should also plan on being able to help them financially if something happens. The most common unexpected expenses Planning for retirement includes tallying up how much you plan to spend. While you can’t plan for emergencies, there are events that are more likely to happen that people fail to take into account. Things like dental work and home repairs are two of the biggest expenses people forget to save for, reports Market Watch. It’s best to assume you’ll have to spend money on your oral health and making home improvements to avoid draining your bank account. If nothing happens crazy, you’ll have some extra cash on hand. What is the social security tax rate? The tax rate for 2022 earnings sits at 6.2 percent each for employees and employers. So individuals earning $147,000 or more in 2022 would contribute $9,114 to the OASDI program, and their employer would contribute the same amount, according to the Social Security Administration. For those who are self-employed, the OASDI tax rate is 12.4 percent. How do Social Security claimants pay taxes? If it turns out that you do owe taxes on your benefits, you can opt to make quarterly estimated payments to the IRS, or you can choose to have federal taxes withheld when you initially apply for benefits. You can choose seven percent, 10 percent, 12 percent, or 22 percent of your monthly benefit withheld for taxes. We explain five changes hitting Social Security in 2022. Do Social Security claimants need to pay taxes? In January of each year, you’ll be notified of how much you received in benefits during the previous year. This Social Security benefits statement is a form SSA-1099 and can be used to help you complete your tax return. By using this form, you’ll find out if your monthly benefits are subject to tax. If by February you’ve not received this form, or if you’ve misplaced it, you can request a new one using your online Social Security account. Four 401k mistakes that cost you thousands Many retirees rely on their 401k during retirement but could be missing out on savings because of a few common mistakes. The four mistakes are: Ignoring tax liabilities Employer matching Allocating your funds properly Keep your contributions consistent Social Security recipients charged thousands, part two The report states that the woman received nearly $47,000 in benefits but failed to report a $120,000 house she inherited from her father. Additionally, she also failed to report car loans that she co-signed for her children, which she claimed was her lawyer’s advice. The report also revealed that a Chicago woman was charged $132,000 after wrongly collecting nearly $10,618 in benefits. Documents obtained by The Post reveal that 83 people were charged a total of $11.5million. Social Security recipients charged thousands Nearly 100 people have been fined hundreds of thousands of dollars after receiving disability benefits they were not entitled to. The fines were...

Why You Should Wear Sunscreen On Airplanes, According To A Dermatologist – The Pioneer https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/why-you-should-wear-sunscreen-on-airplanes-according-to-a-dermatologist-the-pioneer/ You probably know it’s a good idea to slather on sunscreen before hitting the beaches of your sunny vacation destination. But have you ever considered using sun protection on the journey there?  A 2015 study conducted by the University of California found that 56 minutes in the cockpit of a plane at 30,000 feet exposed flight crew members to the same amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation as 20 minutes in a tanning bed. Additionally, pilots and flight attendants are twice as likely to develop melanoma, a cancer directly related to UV damage.  Although the study focused on crew members, are travelers also at risk? According to Dr. Lavanya Krishnan, MD, FAAD and board-certified dermatologist at Arya Derm in San Francisco, airline passengers also face the threat of increased UV ray exposure. “A good rule of thumb is that if you can see rays of sunlight entering through a window, whether it be a window in your home or car or an airplane window – you are at risk of UV ray penetration into your skin,” says Dr. Krishnan. “Moreover, airplane travel is at much higher altitudes and is associated with reflection of the UV rays off of surrounding clouds. All of these factors further compound the enhanced risk for airline pilots, crew members, and passengers alike.” What are Ultraviolet (UV) rays?  Ultraviolet radiation (UV) is a well-known human carcinogen. There are two types of cancer-causing rays: Ultraviolet B (UVB) and Ultraviolet A (UVA). UVB has a shorter wavelength and is associated with burning, as it penetrates and damages the outermost layer of the skin. Its more insidious UVA counterpart has a longer wavelength and digs into the skin far deeper than UVB, causing genetic damage to the cells that can lead to skin cancer and premature aging over time.  Why does this differentiation matter? UVB rays cannot penetrate glass, while UVA rays can penetrate windows and cloud cover. So while you may not notice a visible sunburn when you hop off a plane, you could have still been exposed to risky levels of UVA radiation. Ironically, UVA is the main type of light used in tanning beds and was once thought to be a safer ray as it produces less immediate visible skin burning, but now we know it’s very much the opposite.  How to protect yourself from sun damage while flying  There are a few proactive steps travelers can take before hopping on a plane, according to Dr. Krishnan.  Her recommendation? Apply sunscreen, wear sun-protective clothing and close the window to drastically reduce risk. “Either sit in the middle row of a larger airline or sit by the window so you can keep the window shut,” says Dr. Krishnan.    Additionally, she notes that protection should be used year-round since UV rays are always more intense at higher altitudes. So even if you’re flying in the gloomy dead of winter, it’s a good idea to lather on the SPF.   TSA-approved sunscreens for traveling   Can you bring sunscreen on a plane? In short, yes. Liquids – including sunscreen – can be packed in your carry-on luggage or personal item so long as they don’t exceed 3.4 ounces in volume, as outlined by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).  While the “best” sunscreen is a bit subjective and depends on individual skin types and needs, when it comes to travel, the best sunscreen is the one you’ll actually use. Below are a few that are easy to apply on the go, won’t take up excess space in a carry-on bag, and will help protect from UV rays while in the skies. Murad Correct & Protect Serum Broad Spectrum SPF 45 Murad’s 2-in-1 facial formula utilizes carotenoid technology to reflect UV light for an instant glow while powerful antioxidants brighten and reduce discoloration. The slim bottle packs 1 fluid ounce of 100% mineral sunscreen and can be easily stored in a purse or backpack. Stream2Sea EcoStick SPF 35+ Stream2Sea stream2sea.com $14.95 Handling and applying liquid sunscreen on a plane can be a drag. Thankfully, Stream2Sea has a solution: A compact solid SPF stick. Their travel-approved Ecosticks fit in the palm of a hand and can be applied directly to the skin for mess-free application. And while you’re protecting your skin, you’re also protecting the environment: Stream2Sea’s reef-safe products are tested and proven safe for freshwater fish, saltwater fish, and coral larvae. For added protection, throw one of their SPF lip balms into your travel bag as well.   Sunny Skin Super Sun SPF 50  Sunny Skin’s formula protects against UV rays, blue light, and environmental pollution. Their daily Super Sun SPF is void of skin irritants like fragrances, parabens, chemical UV filters, silicones, mineral oil, and gluten. The non-detachable twist lid makes dispensing the product a breeze. Bask Suncare SPF 30 Lotion – Travel Size Bask Suncare basksuncare.com $22.00 Bask’s playful packaging and delicious fragrance will take you to a tropical vacation destination before you even get off the plane. This TSA-compliant travel sunscreen packs the whole 3.4 fluid ounces allotted, so it’ll last for many trips to come. The formula is Hawaii reef-friendly and free of benzene contamination.  Summer Camp EnviroUV Facial Sunscreen Mist SPF 50 Summer Camp takes the hassle out of sunscreen application. Just take the slim 1.7 fluid-ounce bottle out of your travel bag and spray. The clear mist is super fine, won’t leave a white cast, and doesn’t have a strong smell that could offend your seat neighbor. Plus, it is packed with skin-nourishing antioxidants for extra hydration – which is great for combating the drying effects of plane rides.  %

Diamond’s Panmure Gordon Plots Merger With Listed Rival FinnCap – Sky News https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/diamonds-panmure-gordon-plots-merger-with-listed-rival-finncap-sky-news/ The City stockbroker controlled by Bob Diamond, the former Barclays chief, is plotting a merger with one of its listed rivals as a slowdown in corporate activity drives a search for bigger cost savings. Sky News has learnt that Panmure Gordon, which Mr Diamond’s Atlas Merchant Capital took a majority stake in in 2017, has approached finnCap Group about a potential tie-up. Discussions between the two companies are said to be at an early stage, and there was no certainty on Monday evening that they would result in a deal. A merger of Panmure and finnCap would bring together two of the best-known players in the area of the London stockbroking industry which focuses on advising small- and mid-cap companies. FinnCap has endured a difficult period, losing Sam Smith, its prominent chief executive and one of relatively few female City bosses, during the summer. Its shares have slumped by nearly two-thirds during the last year. At Monday’s closing share price of 13.5p, it had a market capitalisation of just £24m. Panmure itself also used to be listed on the London stock market, and it was unclear whether a deal would see it launch a reverse takeover of FinnCap that would see it return to being a listed company. Mr Diamond’s move to take control of Panmure in 2017 came five years after he stepped down as Barclays chief executive just days after it was fined for manipulating the Libor interbank rate. Since then, he has parachuted in Rich Ricci, a former Barclays colleague, as Panmure’s CEO. Its other shareholders include a vehicle backed by the Qatari royal family. Panmure reported in May that it had turned a profit for the first time since Mr Diamond took control. A dearth of initial public offerings and takeover activity in the City this year have forced investment banks to begin cutting their cost-bases. At the weekend, it was reported that finnCap was making 10 of its 150-strong workforce redundant, while The Sunday Times said that Numis, Peel Hunt and Zeus Capital were also trimming jobs. Other broking firms are also expected to participate in industry consolidation, including WH Ireland, which is under siege from an activist shareholder. Atlas Merchant Capital and finnCap both declined to comment.

Eating Disorders In Colorado Teens, Young Adults Rose During Pandemic – Colorado Springs Gazette https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/eating-disorders-in-colorado-teens-young-adults-rose-during-pandemic-colorado-springs-gazette/ As the pandemic enveloped the globe in 2020, Emma Warford used her newly acquired free time to laser in on a destructive hobby — scrutinizing her caloric intake. Over the course of the next year that obsession, coupled with stressful activities, such as taking advanced placement and college classes, having a job and extracurricular hobbies, landed her in the pediatrician’s office. She was deemed severely underweight, diagnosed with anorexia and placed in outpatient treatment, where she saw a dietician and therapist weekly. Several factors coalesced to create a perfect disordered eating storm. “Being at home and also I am definitely a perfectionist,” said Warford, 17, who attends Rock Canyon High School in Highlands Ranch. “I have OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) that contributes a little bit. I’ve never had coping skills. I was never taught how to prioritize mental health.” Warford wasn’t the only one. The pandemic, with its double whammy of isolation and fear of getting sick, changed the way many people related to their bodies and contributed to a rise in eating disorders for kids and young adults. According to a recent study, in 2020 those disorders increased by 15.3% in children and adults 30 and younger. It’s a serious statistic about an issue more dangerous than many might believe. Even if someone isn’t losing a massive amount of weight, the consequences can be harsh. Depriving the body of nutrition can cause a wealth of physical problems, such as impaired memory, the ability to learn and even death. Malnourishment can lead to increased rigid and obsessive thinking. And this, added to a potentially fraught time of life, when teens and younger people are already perseverating on their bodies and image, can be detrimental. “People think we die more by depression,” said Jenna Glover, child psychologist and director of psychology training at Children’s Hospital Colorado, “but because of the complications that come with an eating disorder, like cardiac arrest, malnutrition and death by suicide, it’s a very serious disorder.” About eight months into the pandemic 17-year-old Colorado Springs student Shelten stopped playing football due to fears of getting COVID-19. After he stepped away, his mind began to play tricks on him and lured him into a tricky relationship with food. “I worried I wouldn’t stay fit physically and mentally,” he said. “I thought if I changed the way I ate it would do that, but it didn’t help. It made it worse. I just ate things that didn’t have a lot of calories or small portions.” People restrict their eating for a few reasons, Glover said. In Western culture, with its emphasis on beauty ideals — muscular men and thin women — body image is a looming factor. Social media hasn’t necessarily made it worse, she said, but it has provided more opportunities for comparison. An eating disorder also can grow out of trauma. Restricting what someone eats can give a sense of control or help change their body in such a way that others won’t be interested in it. There’s also orthorexia, an obsession with healthy living. “We talk about being on the paleo diet,” Glover used as an example about the diet that promotes eating the same foods eaten by humans during the Paleolithic era. “We elevate what wellness looks like and take it to the extreme. It can become an obsession, when it’s not healthy anymore and it’s the extreme.” After being diagnosed, Warford’s health continued to decline. After an EKG revealed her heart rate was plummeting last year, she was rushed to the hospital where she stayed for a few weeks until she got medically stable. She went home, but wound up requiring residential care. A facility in Washington took her in when the waiting list for such a place in Colorado was too long. Warford spent four months recovering before coming home and resuming her junior year. “I’m doing well,” she said. “Physically I’m 100% better. There are still some mental aspects I’m working on because the physical comes first. I still see a therapist and dietitian occasionally. A lot of it I do by myself, navigating and trying new things, like being more comfortable around food and accepting myself as I come.” After being admitted to the hospital on Christmas two years ago, Shelten, who also learned he had OCD after getting sick, spent the next five months in recovery, four of which were at an eating disorders center. After returning home in the summer of 2021, he’s faring well, spending time at football practice and working two jobs. “I’m doing amazing,” he said. “I still have some problems with my emotions, but I’m getting helped by doctors. I have medicine to help with that.” Warford and Shelten are lucky. In the majority of cases, it takes an average of seven years from when a child develops an eating disorder until they’re diagnosed, Glover said. It can live under the surface for a long time before anybody else notices. The good news is recovery is possible. If it’s caught early in teens, they can be treated on an outpatient basis. Others, who have lived with disordered eating for a long time and are malnourished, might need intensive programming and possibly residential treatment. “You can’t just refeed someone immediately. It will cause damage,” Glover said. “After a course of treatment it’s a lifelong maintenance of recovery for some, but they can recover and live their lives without an obsession of food and body image.” While there might be a few kids who tell their parents they’re struggling with disordered eating, they’re the exception. Kids either refuse to believe they have an issue or they use it as a coping strategy, Glover said. “It makes them feel better temporarily,” she said. “Or they know it’s a problem, but they don’t want anyone to take it away from them. They’re highly secretive about it — this is helping me and I don’t want to change it or I’m highly ashamed and I don’t want anyone to know.” Signs to watch for include significant changes in eating habits; suddenly caring about calories; refusing certain foods or eating at a restaurant if they don’t know the calorie count; sudden interest in grocery store outings or what the family is eating; excessive amounts of time looking in the mirror or their phone; checking body parts, such as wrist size; negative comments about their body; over-exercising; and withdrawing from mealtimes or in general. “One thing wouldn’t be concerning, but multiple things warrant a conversation with your child and pediatrician,” Glover said. “If a parent suspects or has a child who is diagnosed and suffering with an eating disorder, they should also get their own support. This is a chronic medical condition, the same as if a kid had cancer.” Warford did try to tell her mom a few times something was wrong, but it took a while to register. “I had no idea. An eating disorder is hard,” said Chris Hendrickson, Warford’s mother. “How can you not eat? … You want to say just eat, what’s the problem? But you’re not addressing what’s going on in their head. Something is going on that is so strong and turning off their eating cues.” Though the increase in eating disorders is holding steady, doctors are still seeing more mental health problems in kids and young adults. “They’ve lost time with friends and learning opportunities,” Glover said. “There’s more stress to get back into everyday life. If chronic stressors exist for a long time, it takes a long time for kids to get back to normal, even though their daily schedule looks like normal.” She advises parents to develop healthy language and habits around food, such as talking about food in a nonjudgmental way. So often in society foods are deemed good or bad, or people make comments like, “I was bad today so I can’t eat dinner tonight.” “We don’t want to model that for our children,” she said. “Food is medicine for bodies and energy. There is no good or bad food. It’s just food. And don’t make negative comments about your body. Talk about your body in a way that is neutral and positive: I love my legs, they take me everywhere.” Contact the writer: jen.mulson@gazette.com

Ballon D’Or 2022 Live Stream: How To Watch On Paramount+, Time, News With Karim Benzema The Favorite – CBS Sports https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/ballon-dor-2022-live-stream-how-to-watch-on-paramount-time-news-with-karim-benzema-the-favorite-cbs-sports/ The 2022 Ballon d’Or will be awarded Monday in Paris and it will be the 66th annual edition of the ceremony, which is presented by monthly publication France Football. The prestigious prize recognizes the best soccer players in the world from the 2021-22 period and like last year, the ceremony will take place at Theatre du Chatelet. You can watch it live on Paramount+. Men’s titleholder and seven-time winner Lionel Messi has not been nominated for this year’s award, which is the first time since 2005 that the Argentina and Paris Saint-Germain star does not make the cut. France and Real Madrid superstar Karim Benzema is expected to triumph here while women’s defending champion Alexia Putellas of Barcelona could successfully retain her crown. Here is our refresher on the rules, how you can tune in to the ceremony and more: How to watch on Paramount+ Paramount+ will present complete coverage of the 66th edition of the Ballon d’Or on Monday, Oct. 17. The ceremony, which will be hosted by Didier Drogba and Sandy Heribert live from Paris, begins at 2:30 p.m., ET, streaming live on Paramount+. Red carpet coverage kicks off the day at 12:50. Coverage will culminate with an hourlong press conference beginning at 4, featuring interviews with winners. The awards that will be unveiled as part of France Football’s Ballon d’Or ceremony streaming live on Paramount+ include: Kopa Trophy (top young player) Socrates Award (recognizes a player involved in social and charitable projects) Women’s Ballon d’Or Yachine Trophy (top goalkeeper) Gerd Müller Trophy (top scorer award) Best Club of the Year Trophy Men’s Ballon d’Or Streaming details Date: Monday, Oct. 17 | Time: 2:30 p.m. ET Location: Theatre du Chatelet — Paris TV and live stream: Paramount+ Favorites to win: Karim Benzema and Alexia Putellas Voting and rule changes This year’s nominees were unveiled on Aug. 12, and it will be the first time that the results are decided based upon what was achieved during a season and not an entire calendar year. The new formula is designed to cover the most critical sporting period with a sharpened jury, tighter selection process and clearer award criteria. France Football have specified that “individual performances” and “decisive and impressive character of contenders” will be the leading criteria ahead of “the collective aspect and trophies won” as well as “the player’s class and sense of fair play.” Craving even more coverage of the world’s game? Listen below and follow ¡Qué Golazo! A Daily CBS Soccer Podcast where we take you beyond the pitch and around the globe for commentary, previews, recaps and more. Nominees for Ballon d’Or and Ballon d’Or Feminin Ballon d’Or: Trent Alexander-Arnold (ENG, Liverpool): Karim Benzema (FRA, Real Madrid); Joao Cancelo (POR, Manchester City); Casemiro (BRA, Real Madrid); Thibaut Courtois (BEL, Real Madrid); Cristiano Ronaldo (POR, Manchester United); Kevin de Bruyne (BEL, Manchester City); Luis Diaz (COL, FC Porto/Liverpool); Fabinho (BRA, Liverpool); Phil Foden (ENG, Manchester City); Erling Haaland (NOR, Borussia Dortmund/Manchester City); Sebastien Haller (CIV, Ajax/Borussia Dortmund); Harry Kane (ENG, Tottenham); Joshua Kimmich (GER, Bayern Munich); Rafael Leao (POR, AC Milan); Robert Lewandowski (POL, Bayern Munich/FC Barcelona); Riyad Mahrez (ALG, Manchester City); Mike Maignan (FRA, AC Milan); Sadio Mane (SEN, Liverpool/Bayern Munich); Kylian Mbappe (FRA, PSG); Luka Modric (CRO, Real Madrid); Christopher Nkunku (FRA, RB Leipzig); Darwin Nunez (URU, Benfica/Liverpool); Antonio Rudiger (GER, Chelsea/Real Madrid); Mohamed Salah (EGY, Liverpool); Bernardo Silva (POR, Manchester City); Heung-Min Son (KOR, Tottenham); Virgil Van Dijk (NED, Liverpool); Vinicius Junior (BRA, Real Madrid); Dusan Vlahovic (SER, Fiorentina/Juventus) Ballon d’Or Feminin: Selma Bach (France, Lyon); Aitana Bonmati (Spain, Barcelona); Millie Bright (England, Chelsea); Lucy Bronze (England, Manchester City/Barcelona); Kadidiatou Diani (France, PSG); Christiane Endler (Chile, Lyon); Ada Hegerberg (Norway, Lyon); Marie-Antoinette Katoto (France, PSG); Sam Kerr (Australia, Chelsea); Catarina Macario (USA, Lyon); Beth Mead (England, Arsenal); Vivianne Miedema (Netherlands, Arsenal); Alex Morgan (USA, Orlando Pride/San Diego Wave); Lena Oberdorf (Germany, Wolfsburg); Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria, Barcelona); Alexandra Popp (Germany, Wolfsburg); Alexia Putellas (Spain, Barcelona); Wendie Renard (France, Lyon); Trinity Rodman (USA, Washington Spirit); Fridolina Rolfo (Sweden, Barcelona). Prediction  It has felt for a while like Benzema winning the men’s prize is a foregone conclusion after his latest UEFA Champions League title with Real. Truly, there are few other credible contenders with stronger cases than this year. As for the women’s, Putellas may well end up with back-to-back titles despite her injury. It would not only be the first time in the award’s history. She would also become the all-time most-titled female Ballon d’Or winner.

Can The Metaverse Drive The Metamorphosis Of Healthcare? – Forbes https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/can-the-metaverse-drive-the-metamorphosis-of-healthcare-forbes/ As reality post-Covid-19 becomes increasingly encumbered with economic, geopolitical & social headwinds, it is fitting that the alternate realities brought by the metaverse cast an optimistic vision for the future. The potential of the metaverse to transform entertainment, work, commerce and the social world has driven a global technological gold rush, however, much remains to be explored on its impact in healthcare. getty A Reimagination Of The Healthcare Experience Despite the many layers of the metaphorical onion of the metaverse, it can be simply considered to be an online environment that is – not incrementally, but rather, exponentially – more experiential, interactive and defined by its immersive nature. It represents the ‘second coming of the internet’: a rebirth that is enriched and engineered with elements of hyperconnectivity, augmented & virtual reality, and artificial intelligence. Within healthcare, these technological pillars have the capacity to fully reimagine the doctor-patient experience and have, in fact, already been used in fortuitous capacity as care has evolved over the past decade. Physical therapy, cognitive therapy and rehabilitation have all been taking place in the de facto ‘metaverse’ even before the term had been coined. Now the Metaverse, Web 3.0 and all the monikered technologies of tomorrow have come to support our capacity to deliver care – reminiscent of Max Goodwin in New Amsterdam: ‘How can I help’? The Metaverse: How It Can Help The convergence of these new-age technologies will enable healthcare professionals to deliver a suite of highly integrated, intentional and individualized care, unfettered by the siloed nature of existing healthcare models. The rapidity of both doctor-patient & doctor-doctor communication enables unprecedented levels of sophistication in prevention, diagnosis and treatment: the archetypal primary colors of healthcare delivery. With the pandemic-driven adoption of telemedicine, our appetites for remote care have been whetted and many hunger for what lies beyond this ceiling. The metaverse brings the potential for Telemedicine 2.0 with a next-level doctor-patient experience that is augmented by virtual reality. This additive level of immersion could strongly support the effectiveness of both diagnostic and therapeutic efforts and, in fact, such tools have strong precedent having been used over the years in the treatment of mental illnesses through virtual stimuli. getty The metaverse also enables both precision medicine and the larger capacity for individualized research through the possibility of creating ‘digital twins’ in the virtual world: digital representations of human beings. These ‘guinea pigs’ can support our understanding of physiological, psychological & pharmacological profiles on an individual level with high levels of granularity. They create the capacity for accurate scientific exploration through simulated experiments in predictive medicine: understanding how our bodies will react in the future in a broad array of scenarios. This peer through the looking glass could potentially revolutionize preventative medicine, allowing us to concretely see and feel the effects of our health (mis)behaviours, and reorganize our pain-pleasure incentive structures in highly visceral ways. So what happens to hospitals? Though physical hospitals will likely never disappear, there is a current race to the future to create an integrated virtual reality hospital environment that is accessible through a headset. In line with Dubai’s vision to become the world’s metaverse hub, Aster DM Healthcare – a hospital chain in the UAE – has rolled out the first medical facility in the metaverse. Through full-scale rollout of their hospitals on Web 3.0, they seek to enable an immersive and improved remote doctor-patient experience. At GITEX 2022, the largest startup & Unicorn exhibition worldwide, Dr. Shanila Laiju, CEO of Medcare Hospitals affirmed her belief that traditional telemedicine services will be replaced by a more tangible and creative service in the metaverse. Similarly, a diversified international business conglomerate known as the Thumbay group had announced plans to create a full-fledged virtual hospital in the metaverse to provide patients with an immersive healthcare experience. The race is indeed on. getty Virtual Reality or Reality Check? The road to the metaverse is paved with good intentions, however, the metamorphosis of the healthcare industry is likely to face significant headwinds. Ubiquitous economic inequities translate into many of these technologies being inaccessible to the (very) vast majority of the world’s population. Moreover, we still have not figured out the logistic nuts and bolts that will make this new model of care work. We have yet to understand how healthcare consumers will be attracted to the metaverse, how the metaverse will interact with physical healthcare needs and how we will connect patients to the virtual environment. Will VR goggles be the smartphone of the future? Furthermore, the historically unagile healthcare industry, anchored by legacy and tradition, will need to reinvent its business models to align with new models of care. Reimbursements, insurance and remote treatments will have to be redesigned in this virtual universe… in a world where it took over 20 years and a pandemic to drive the adoption of telemedicine at scale. Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained Despite these headwinds, we must look upon this innovative and revolutionary possibility with excitement given its potential to provide a healthcare experience that is virtually limitless. Anything that can break the barriers of geographic restriction, improve care for patients around the world and move human health one step forward is a challenge worth taking. That’s the reality.

This Will Be Record Year For Crypto Hackers, Over $3 Billion Already Looted – Kitco NEWS https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/this-will-be-record-year-for-crypto-hackers-over-3-billion-already-looted-kitco-news/ (Kitco News) With crypto hacking headlines now making regular appearances in mainstream media, this year is looking to be a new record year for hackers, according to a report by Chainalysis. Year-to-date, hackers have already managed to steal more than $3 billion across 125 different hacking attempts, the blockchain analysis firm headquartered in New York City said in a report released mid-October. October, which is not even over, was the best month for hackers in 2022, with $718 million stolen in eleven different hacks. Decentralized finance protocols (DeFi) were the main targets this year. This is a shift that began in 2020. DeFi protocols use software-based algorithms that allow users to trade, borrow or lend crypto without a central intermediary. 2/ At this rate, 2022 will likely surpass 2021 as the biggest year for hacking on record. So far, hackers have grossed over $3 billion dollars across 125 hacks. pic.twitter.com/vgT3pz2iOu — Chainalysis (@chainalysis) October 12, 2022 “Back in 2019, most hacks targeted centralized exchanges, and prioritizing security went a long way. Now a vast majority of targets are DeFi protocols,” the report said. “Cross-chain bridges remain a major target for hackers, with 3 bridges breached this month and nearly $600 million stolen, accounting for 82% of losses this month and 64% of losses all year.” 3/ Back in 2019, most hacks targeted centralized exchanges, and prioritizing security went a long way. Now a vast majority of targets are #DeFi protocols. pic.twitter.com/efSKCkhnm2 — Chainalysis (@chainalysis) October 12, 2022 In another report, Chainalysis estimated that North Korea-affiliated groups got their hands o $1 billion worth of crypto in various hacking attempts on DeFi protocols. One of the biggest hacks from October involved Binance’s native blockchain, BNB Smart Chain (BSC), which was hit with a bridge exploit. The hack triggered a network suspension for a brief period. Reports said that a hacker took advantage of an issue with a cross-chain bridge, escaping with an estimated $80 million in BNB tokens, the native currency of the chain.  Another big hack involved Solana-based decentralized finance protocol Mango Markets (MNGO). In this instance, a hacker manipulated the price data of its native MNGO token and exploited under-collateralized cryptocurrency loans. The attack managed to wipe out $100 million.  Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.

U.S. Urges 6-Month Sentence For Ex-Trump Adviser Bannon Over Contempt Conviction – Reuters https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/u-s-urges-6-month-sentence-for-ex-trump-adviser-bannon-over-contempt-conviction-reuters/ WASHINGTON, Oct 17 (Reuters) – The U.S. Justice Department on Monday asked a federal judge to sentence former President Donald Trump’s adviser Steve Bannon to six months behind bars, saying he pursued a “bad faith strategy of defiance and contempt” against the congressional committee probing the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Bannon, 68, an influential far-right political figure, was convicted in July on two counts of contempt of Congress for defying a subpoena. Each count is punishable by between 30 days to one year in prison and a fine ranging between $100 to $100,000. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com He is due to be sentenced before U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols on Friday morning. Prosecutors told Nichols in their sentencing recommendation on Monday that Bannon’s actions, including his refusal to this day to produce “a single document” to the congressional committee, led them to recommend a prison sentence at the top of the U.S. guidelines range. They also urged the judge to impose the maximum fine of $200,000, which they said they based on Bannon’s “insistence on paying the maximum fine rather than cooperate with the Probation Office’s routine pre-sentencing financial investigation.” “Throughout the pendency of this case, the defendant has exploited his notoriety — through courthouse press conferences and his War Room podcast — to display to the public the source of his bad-faith refusal to comply with the committee’s subpoena: a total disregard for government processes and the law,” prosecutors wrote in their filing. “The defendant’s statements prove that his contempt was not aimed at protecting executive privilege or the Constitution, rather it was aimed at undermining the committee’s efforts to investigate an historic attack on government.” Bannon’s attorneys filed a sentencing memo on Monday saying their client should be sentenced to probation only. If the judge insists on incarceration, then Bannon should be permitted to serve his sentence at home, and not in prison, they said. Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s White House chief strategist Steve Bannon attends his arraignment at the New York Criminal Courthouse in New York, U.S., September 8, 2022. Steven Hirsch/Pool via REUTERS In their memo, they argued that Bannon was convicted on statutes governed by “outdated” caselaw, and that he relied on his attorney’s legal advice by not appearing before the committee. “The facts of this case show that Mr. Bannon’s conduct was based on his good-faith reliance on his lawyer’s advice,” they wrote. During the trial, Nichols limited the scope of Bannon’s defense. He was barred from arguing that he believed his communications with Trump were subject to a legal doctrine called executive privilege that can keep certain presidential communications confidential. He was also prohibited from arguing he relied upon an attorney’s legal advice in refusing to comply. Bannon was a key adviser to the Republican Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, then served as his chief White House strategist during 2017 before a falling out between them that was later patched up. While he was awaiting sentencing for his contempt of Congress conviction, he was separately indicted by a New York state grand jury on money laundering and conspiracy charges for allegedly deceiving donors to an effort to help Trump build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Bannon, who pleaded not guilty, could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted on those charges. The state charges are similar to federal charges filed against Bannon and several others in August 2020. Bannon was never convicted in the federal case, after Trump pardoned him during the final hours of his presidency. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Editing by David Gregorio Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

5G Network Rollout: Nokia, Ericsson Bag Jio’s $3-Bn Contracts – The Indian Express https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/5g-network-rollout-nokia-ericsson-bag-jios-3-bn-contracts-the-indian-express/ Reliance Jio, the country’s largest telecom service provider, on Monday awarded long-term contracts to global gear makers Ericsson and Nokia to roll out its standalone 5G network. Though the value of the contracts was not disclosed by the companies, industry estimates have pegged the total value around $3 billion, divided equally between the two vendors. In August, Bharti Airtel had awarded similar contracts to Nokia, Ericsson and Samsung for rolling out its 5G network. The value is estimated to be similar. Going ahead, Jio is likely to award one more contract to South Korean major Samsung, which has built its 4G network. The developments conclusively show that Chinese vendors like Huawei are not going to be part of the country’s 5G network. As per the contract, Ericsson will deploy its energy-efficient 5G radio access network products and solutions for Jio’s 5G network rollout, whereas Nokia will supply equipment such as base stations, high-capacity 5G Massive MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) antennas, and remote radio heads to support different spectrum bands, and network software. Ericsson and Nokia would be paid upon achievement of certain milestones laid down by the telecom service provider. The structure of the contract involves building, operating and maintaining the network. Jio’s core network is already up and running, built by the company itself. Once these radios are put on the towers, the 5G coverage will get enhanced. Jio has already started beta trial of its 5G services in four cities – Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Varanasi. It has said that its 5G services will be available on a pan-India basis by December 2023 at a total outlay of $2 trillion. “Jio transformed the digital landscape in India with the launch of LTE (4G) services in 2016. We are confident that Jio’s 5G network will accelerate India’s digitalisation and will serve as the foundation for achieving our nation’s ‘Digital India’ vision,” Akash Ambani, chairman of Reliance Jio, said. Unlike its peers Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea, Jio is deploying its 5G network on standalone architecture, which it calls a ‘true 5G’ solution. In standalone 5G architecture, the network deployed is independent of the 4G network. According to experts, the standalone architecture does not have a developed ecosystem at present but every telco would have to switch to this architecture eventually to unleash the varied use cases of 5G and give an optimum experience of the new technology to the users. According to Jio, its standalone 5G network deployment represents a major technology leap as it modernises the network infrastructure to deliver a transformative 5G experience to consumers and enterprises with advanced features. For Ericsson and Nokia, India is one of the top markets in terms of business opportunity. “India is building world-class digital infrastructure that will drive innovation, job creation and entrepreneurship across the country. We are happy to partner with Jio in those ambitions, through Ericsson 5G standalone connectivity, which will be a major catalyst in meeting those digital transformation goals across society, enterprise and industry,” Borje Ekholm, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Ericsson, said. “This (deal with Jio) is a significant win for Nokia in an important market and a new customer with one of the largest RAN (radio access network) footprints in the world. This ambitious project will introduce millions of people across India to premium 5G services, enabled by our industry-leading AirScale portfolio. We are proud that Reliance Jio has placed its trust in our technology and we look forward to a long and productive partnership with them,” Pekka Lundmark, president and CEO at Nokia, said. Currently, only limited users are able to use 5G services as handset makers are yet to launch the required software updates on the 5G-enabled devices. Simultaneously, the telecom operators are working to extend the coverage of 5G network across the cities. FE

The NFT Gaming Company (NFTG) Launches $7 Million Micro IPO – Seeking Alpha https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/the-nft-gaming-company-nftg-launches-7-million-micro-ipo-seeking-alpha/ da-kuk What Is The NFT Gaming Company? Roseland, New Jersey-based The NFT Gaming Company (NFTG) was founded to develop proprietary games and related NFT (Non-Fungible Token) technologies to provide unique experiences to game players worldwide. Management is headed by Chairman and CEO, Vadim Mats, who has been with the firm since 2022 and was previously CFO of DatChat (DATS) and prior to that CFO of Grand Private Equity, a fintech-centric family office. The company’s primary offering under development is Gaxos, which will seek to bring together gamers, publishers and developers on a platform with the opportunity to earn rewards and ‘participate in other opportunities.’ The platform will initially be built on the Polygon Network (MATIC). As of June 30, 2022, NFT Gaming has booked a fair market value investment of $2.1 million as of June 30, 2022 from investors. The firm has not yet booked or received any revenue but will likely market its platform via digital media and online & offline events. NFT Gaming’s Market & Competition According to a 2022 market research report by SkyQuest Technology, the global market for NFTs was an estimated $15.7 billion in 2021 and is forecast to reach $122 billion by 2028. This represents a forecast CAGR of 34.1% from 2022 to 2028. The main drivers for this expected growth are a rising demand for digital artworks, both visual and audio, growing awareness of the technology among a wider group of consumers and easier access to information and purchasing capabilities. However, the growth in the market has been notably volatile, with strong growth in the summer of 2021 followed by a sharp drop in interest by the summer of 2022. Major competitive or other industry participants include: Coinbase OpenSea Larva Labs Cloudflare Dapper Labs Binance Skill Labs Others NFT Gaming’s IPO Date & Details The initial public offering date, or IPO, for The NFT Gaming Company has not yet been announced by the company or its underwriter. (Warning: Compared to stocks with more history, IPOs typically have less information for investors to review and analyze. For this reason, investors should use caution when thinking about investing in an IPO, or immediately post-IPO. Also, investors should keep in mind that many IPOs are heavily marketed, past company performance is not a guarantee of future results and potential risks may be understated.) NFT Gaming intends to raise $7 million in gross proceeds from an IPO of its common stock, offering approximately 1.7 million shares at a proposed price of $4.15. No existing shareholders have indicated an interest to purchase shares at the IPO price. Assuming a successful IPO, the company’s enterprise value at IPO would approximate $43.1 million, excluding the effects of underwriter over-allotment options. The float to outstanding shares ratio (excluding underwriter over-allotments) will be approximately 13.93%. A figure under 10% is generally considered a ‘low float’ stock, which can be subject to significant price volatility. Management says it will use the net proceeds from the IPO as follows: We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for product development, marketing, working capital and general corporate purposes. (Source – SEC) Management’s presentation of the company roadshow is not available. Regarding outstanding legal proceedings, management says the firm is not currently involved in any legal proceedings that would have a material adverse effect on its operations or financial condition. The sole listed bookrunner of the IPO is EF Hutton. How To Invest In The Company’s Stock: 7 Steps Investors can buy shares of the stock in the same way they may buy stocks of other publicly traded companies, or as part of the pre-IPO allocation. Note: This report is not a recommendation to purchase stock or any other security. For investors who are interested in pursuing a potential investment after the IPO is complete, the following steps for buying stocks will be helpful. Step 1: Understand The Company’s Financial History Although there is not much public financial information available about the company, investors can look at the company’s financial history on their Form S-1 or F-1 SEC filing (Source). Step 2: Assess The Company’s Financial Reports The primary financial statements available for publicly-traded companies include the income statement, balance sheet, and statement of cash flows. These financial statements can help investors learn about a company’s cash capitalization structure, cash flow trends and financial position. My summary of the firm’s recent financial results is below: The company’s financials have shown no revenue since inception and significant R&D and G&A costs associated with its platform development efforts. Free cash flow for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was negative ($587,536). The firm currently plans to pay no dividends on its common stock and to retain any future earnings for reinvestment back into the company’s growth initiatives. Step 3: Evaluate The Company’s Potential Compared To Your Investment Horizon When investors evaluate potential stocks to buy, it’s important to consider their time horizon and risk tolerance before buying shares. For example, a swing trader may be interested in short-term growth potential, whereas a long-term investor may prioritize strong financials ahead of short-term price movements. Step 4: Select A Brokerage Investors who do not already have a trading account will begin with the selection of a brokerage firm. The account types commonly used for trading stocks include a standard brokerage account or a retirement account like an IRA. Investors who prefer advice for a fee can open a trading account with a full-service broker or an independent investment advisor, and those who want to manage their portfolio for a reduced cost may choose a discount brokerage company. Step 5: Choose An Investment Size And Strategy Investors who have decided to buy shares of company stock should consider how many shares to purchase and what investment strategy to adopt for their new position. The investment strategy will guide an investor’s holding period and exit strategy. Many investors choose to buy and hold stocks for lengthy periods. Examples of basic investing strategies include swing trading, short-term trading or investing over a long-term holding period. For investors wishing to gain a pre-IPO allocation of shares at the IPO price, they would ‘indicate interest’ with their broker in advance of the IPO. Indicating an interest is not a guarantee that the investor will receive an allocation of pre-IPO shares. Step 6: Choose An Order Type Investors have many choices for placing orders to purchase stocks, including market orders, limit orders and stop orders. Market order: This is the most common type of order made by retail traders. A market order executes a trade immediately at the best available transaction price. Limit order: When an investor places a buy limit order, they specify a maximum price to be paid for the shares. Stop order: A buy-stop order is an order to buy at a specified price, known as the stop price, which will be higher than the current market price. In the case of buy-stop, the stop price will be lower than the current market price. Step 7: Submit The Trade After investors have funded their account with cash, they may decide on an investment size and order type, then submit the trade to place an order. If the trade is a market order, it will be filled immediately at the best available market price. However, if investors submit a limit order or stop order, the investor may have to wait until the stock reaches their target price or stop-loss price for the trade to be completed. The Bottom Line NFTG is seeking public capital markets funding to advance its NFT Gaming platform and related technologies. The market opportunity for NFT products and services is large and expected to grow at a very high rate of growth in the coming years, so the company enjoys strong industry growth dynamics in its favor. EF Hutton is the sole underwriter, and IPOs led by the firm over the last 12-month period have generated an average return of negative (68%) since their IPO. This is a bottom-tier performance for all major underwriters during the period. The primary risks to the company’s outlook are its lack of revenue history and large competitors in the form of major exchanges and existing platforms. As for valuation, management is asking investors to pay an enterprise value of around $43 million at IPO, despite no revenue and an incomplete platform. While the NFT space has shown remarkable growth recently, it has also produced extremely high volatility and the NFT market now is generating a fraction of the user volume compared to the summer of 2021. The low nominal price of the stock combined with the company’s focus on the crypto space may attract day traders seeking volatility. But, given the company’s lack of revenue, the IPO is purely speculative at this stage, so my opinion on it is on Hold. Gain Insight and actionable information on U.S. IPOs with IPO Edge research. Members of IPO Edge get the latest IPO research, news, and industry analysis. Get started with a free trial!

Jackson Roloff Shows Off His Genius With New Gadget – TV Shows Ace https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/jackson-roloff-shows-off-his-genius-with-new-gadget-tv-shows-ace/ Little People, Big World star Jackson Roloff is showing fans just how smart he is. The five-year-old boy is growing up quickly and learning a lot these days. Keep reading for all of the details about his new gadget. If you follow Tori Roloff on social media, you might have seen her post videos of Jackson playing or learning at home. It looks like he enjoys hands-on activities. And because Tori was a kindergarten teacher before becoming a stay-at-home mom, she is often playing educational games with Jackson at home. The five-year-old also started going to kindergarten this year. He turned five in May and began school in August. Even on the weekend, however, he’s putting his knowledge to good use. Jackson Roloff shows fans how smart he is On her Instagram Stories this weekend, Tori revealed that she got some quality time with her son, Jackson. As she recorded a video of him, he showed off his genius. In the videos, Jackson is sitting at the kitchen table. He’s using a kids’ writing tablet, which automatically erases with the touch of a button. As the video begins, Tori encourages her son to write all of his numbers. He starts writing the numbers one through five and says them out loud as he does. When he gets to number four, he asks his mom which kind of four he should write. She instructs him to write it however he wants to. In another short video, Jackson Roloff continues showing off his genius. He ended up writing all of the numbers up through 14. Then, he starts writing on the tablet once again. Tori wrote to fans, “I love that these are a perfect way to get my kids away from screen time!” It looks like Jackson is a big fan of it too. She also shared the link to the product so fans could buy it for their own kids. It’s possible that Tori earns a commission for the products sold because she promoted it on her Instagram Stories with Jackson’s help. Maybe his genius is a good strategy to help sell the writing tablet. So, can you believe how smart Jackson Roloff is? What do you think of his cool gadget? Sound off in the comments section below, and come back to TV Shows Ace for more LPBW news. Plus, don’t miss Jackson and the rest of the family on Little People, Big World Season 24, which premieres on TLC on Tuesday, November 1. Author Recent Posts Aubrey Chorpenning has been a freelance writer since December 2016. She enjoys writing, researching, spending time with her cats, and of course, watching TV! Latest posts by Aubrey Chorpenning (see all)

Air Quality Advisory For Douglas, Lane And Linn Counties – Coos Bay World https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/air-quality-advisory-for-douglas-lane-and-linn-counties-coos-bay-world/ The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Washington Southwest Clean Air Agency and Lane Regional Air Protection Agency extended an air quality advisory Monday for Douglas, Lane and Linn counties due to smoke from the Cedar Creek fire near Oakridge. The agencies expect the air quality advisory to last until at least Friday, Oct. 21. DEQ and partner agencies will continue to monitor smoke in the area. Because of improving conditions, DEQ removed several counties from the advisory list: Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, Coos, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Washington and Yamhill counties. However, those counties should expect to see continued intermittent smoke depending on fire behavior, including the Nakia Creek fire in Clark County. Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on weather. Check current conditions on the Oregon Smoke Information Blog, DEQ’s Air Quality Index, or by downloading the free OregonAIR app on your smartphone. Smoke can irritate the eyes and lungs and worsen some medical conditions. People most at risk include infants and young children, people with heart or lung disease, older adults and pregnant people. Protect yourself and your family when smoke levels are high: Stay inside if possible. Keep windows and doors closed. If it’s too hot, run air conditioning on recirculate or consider moving to a cooler location. Avoid strenuous outdoor activity. Use high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters in indoor ventilation systems or portable air purifiers. Or create your own air purifying filter by following these instructions. Be aware of smoke in your area and avoid places with the highest levels. When air quality improves to moderate or healthy (yellow or green on the Air Quality Index), open windows and doors to air out homes and businesses. If you have a breathing plan for a medical condition, be sure to follow it and keep any needed medications refilled. Cloth, dust and surgical masks don’t protect from the harmful particles in smoke. N95 or P100 respirators approved by NIOSH may offer protection, but they must be properly selected and worn. Select a NIOSH-approved respirator with a N, R or P alongside the number 95, 99 or 100. Learn how to put on and use a respirator. Respirators won’t work for children as they don’t come in children’s sizes. People with heart or lung conditions should consult their health care provider before wearing a respirator. Additional resources: Find a cleaner air space in your area: Visit org and search for “Wildfire Related Clean Air Shelters.” Or call 211 any time or day. Learn more about protecting your health during wildfires

Planning A Holiday Or Winter Vacation? Here’s Everything You Need To Know. – News 12 Long Island https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/planning-a-holiday-or-winter-vacation-heres-everything-you-need-to-know-news-12-long-island/ If you’re planning an upcoming vacation this holiday and winter seasons, it’s important to be prepared. “…I think this year, the person that plans in advance, who maybe puts aside a little bit more money, will probably have a better time,” said Pauline Frommer, the editorial director of Frommer’s Travel Guides, over the summer. Below are a few important tips to prepare you for your trip: How can you find airline deals? In a study, Frommer’s Travel Guides found that Skyscanner.com was consistent in finding the lowest prices. Flexibility is important when looking for deals. Frommer says that looking at alternate airports could be a way to save. Should you get travel insurance? Frommer says yes! “If you get tested, and you’re positive for COVID, you’re stuck where you are,” Frommer says. She says that 95% of travel policies will cover expenses if you have to stay somewhere. How can you make sure you’ll make your flight in time? The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) says that airports, like highways, have high traffic surges and construction delays. Plan to arrive at the airport with plenty of time to check in, check bags and complete security screening in time to avoid stressful sprints to the departure gate. At the TSA checkpoint, have a valid ID card readily available and follow the liquids rule of 3.4 ounces or less, with the exception of hand sanitizer, which has a temporary 12-ounce limit in carry-on baggage. Enroll in TSA PreCheck now to expedite screening and reduce touchpoints. Travelers who are enrolled in TSA PreCheck don’t have to remove their shoes, belts, lightweight jackets, electronics or their bag of travel-size liquids and gels. Traveling internationally? Don’t forget to check your passport: Double check your passport’s expiration. It may not be expired now, but some places require you to travel within a specific pre-expiration period. HERE is what to do if your passport is lost or expired before your international trip. What can you pack? Planning ahead and packing properly can facilitate the screening process and ease your travel experience at the airport. Know what you can pack in your carry-on and checked baggage before arriving at the airport by reviewing this TSA list. Traveling with gifts? TSA recommends against wrapping gifts when packing them for a flight. Why? Because if a wrapped gift triggers an alarm, it will need to be unwrapped to determine whether the contents of the wrapped item present a security threat. Instead of wrapping a gift, consider using a gift bag, a gift box or a festive bow so that wrapping paper does not need to be removed. TSA’s officer-elves don’t want to take on the role of Scrooge and unwrap someone else’s gift. However, they will have to if the item triggers a security alarm. CLICK HERE for tips on how to pack traditional holiday gifts. Traveling with food? Below are some helpful links from TSA so you know what you can bring, and what’s not allowed: Traveling by car? If you’re traveling by car this holiday season, make sure you service your car before heavy travel days. Your car breaking down on a busy highway or interstate not only puts you at risk, but other drivers as well. Here are some things to do when your car breaks down on a roadway. How is the decreased workforce affecting travel this year? In a survey over the summer, 96% of hotel operators said they are trying to hire, yet are struggling to fill open positions. You might notice that daily housekeeping is disappearing at hotels. How to save when booking hotel rooms: Looking to get your money’s worth when booking a hotel reservation? CLICK HERE for some tips to keep in mind when booking. How to avoid vacation rental scams: Are you planning to rent a home during your next getaway? Be mindful of scammers that misrepresent rentals or list fake homes online that do not actually exist. CLICK HERE for the tips. Prepare your home for your absence: When traveling, be aware of home burglars! According to the FBI, in 2019 the average dollar loss per burglary offense was $2,661. Before you pack for your vacation, follow THESE SAFETY TIPS to keep your family and home secure while you’re away. %

C-Stores Are Elevating Their Foodservice Game – Food Business News https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/c-stores-are-elevating-their-foodservice-game-food-business-news/ LAS VEGAS — Restaurant-quality offerings, better-for-you options and global flavors are trending in new foodservice offerings launching across the convenience channel. Foodservice sales in convenience stores increased 20.5% in 2021 after falling 10% in 2020, according to the 2022 Convenience Store News Industry Report. Elevated offerings that go beyond the typical gas station fare are key to capturing a bigger share of shoppers’ wallets. “I think the messaging for the convenience channel has to evolve,” said Bradley Borchardt, strategic account chef for convenience stores at Minneapolis-based Cargill. “C-stores still have the halo of ‘cokes and smokes,’ but a lot of them are doing food that is better than most quick-service restaurants. Getting that message out there is more prevalent than ever before.” Tyson Foodservice, a division of Springdale, Ark.-based Tyson Foods, is helping convenience stores compete in the “fast-food chicken sandwich wars” with its new Hot N’Spicy Chicken & Waffles Sandwiches, made with antibiotic-free portioned chicken breasts and Belgian-style waffles. The company also is gearing up to introduce Southern Style Chicken Sandwiches, made with soft brioche buns and a breading profile featuring notes of dill, onion and garlic. Better-for-you options  Convenience stores are challenging the channel’s reputation as a purveyor of empty-calorie offerings with better-for-you options. Veggies Made Great entered the foodservice channel earlier this year with a range of vegetable-forward items in convenient formats. It has continued to expand its foodservice footprint with convenience stores as a key area of focus, said Elliot Huss, CEO of the Rahway, NJ-based brand. “Convenience store offerings have dramatically evolved in the last decade,” he said. “Today’s c-stores are closer to quick-service restaurants with gas pumps. The core c-store foodservice consumer, Gen Z and millennials, are demanding better-for-you food options everywhere they shop, and the pandemic has only accelerated this expectation for healthier options.” Veggies Made Great offers individually wrapped sweet muffins made with zucchini and carrots, available in flavors like double chocolate, blueberry oat, banana chocolate chip and keto-friendly cinnamon roll. It also offers a range of savory frittatas, including a plant-based sausage, egg and cheese frittata made with Beyond Meat Sausage Crumbles, and a mushroom and three cheese egg white frittata made with cauliflower and kale. Photo: Veggies Made Great “Breakfast and snacking remain the core dayparts for c-stores, with breakfast coming back strong as a growth area post-pandemic,” Mr. Huss said. “C-store operators have an opportunity to offer better-for-you on-the-go items in place of sugary baked goods and overly indulgent breakfast items.” The brand recently introduced a line of Stuffed Cauliflower Bites. The healthier alternative to pizza rolls features a crispy cauliflower crust made with carrots, broccoli and spinach, plus alternative flours like chickpeas and rice, and are filled with a blend of vegetables and cheese. Varieties include margherita, stuffed with mozzarella, tomatoes and basil, and spinach and ricotta, stuffed with spinach, ricotta and Parmesan cheese. “The Stuffed Cauliflower Bites are a great format for c-store customers who want a familiar, crave-worthy hot snack,” Mr. Huss said. “They satisfy consumers craving for convenient comfort foods while still appealing to health-conscious eaters since the bites are a good source of protein and fiber. They can go straight from the freezer into the convection oven, high speed oven, microwave or air fryer with zero prep needed, so they are a great option for c-store operators looking to elevate their warm snack options.” The Kellogg Co., Battle Creek, Mich. is bringing its MorningStar Farms plant-based portfolio into the foodservice channel. It is testing a variety of meat-free options for convenience stores, including chicken-style tenders, breakfast sausage alternatives, chorizo-style crumbles and spicy black bean burgers. “MorningStar Farms is more common in other channels, but we see c-stores as a big white space opportunity,” said Daniel DeMeyer, senior director of commercial strategy, small format, at Kellogg. “We’ve been working on things like on-the-go breakfast sandwiches and other meal solutions that just need to be placed under a heat lamp or in a microwave.” Flexibility and versatility  Data from Cargill show millennials are the top indexing convenience store customers. Better-for-you foodservice offerings are key to capturing the demographic, as are Mexican-inspired flavors, said Jessica McMillan, strategic account lead for convenience stores at Cargill. “When we look across the consumer base, millennials are actually the first generation to prefer Mexican flavors over Italian flavors,” she said. “If you look at Gen Z, Asian flavors are their top choice.” With convenience stores facing a challenging labor environment and contending with small kitchens and prep spaces, operators are seeking flexible foodservice offerings that are easily incorporated into multiple dishes, Mr. Borchardt added. “Finding ways to utilize products in multiple different applications is key,” he said. “You could use a crumble in a breakfast burrito or breakfast nachos, and then use the same crumble as a pizza topping later in the day.” The company offers Charter Reserve, a lineup of fully cooked, prepared proteins. Featuring a variety of whole muscle proteins in on-trend Mexican- and Asian-inspired flavors, the “ready-to-heat-and-eat” offerings elevate menus in a convenient and labor-efficient way. “The key with our cooked meats portfolio is that we do 80% to 90% of the heavy lifting and allow 10% to 20% for brand customization,” Mr. Borchardt said. “You could take a pork carnitas that is very neutral in flavor and add barbecue sauce for a barbecue pork sandwich or sour cream for a carnitas taco. That flexibility allows you to do different limited-time offerings throughout the year with the same product, just by changing the sauce.”

ChristianaCare’s Cancer Program Wins Innovation Honors – HealthLeaders Media https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/christianacares-cancer-program-wins-innovation-honors-healthleaders-media/ The Delaware-based health system’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute has received an award from the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) for a program that integrates cancer care with primary care. ChristianaCare’s cancer care program has earned national recognition for a unique program that integrates primary and cancer care. The Delaware-based health system’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute has won the Association of Community Cancer Centers’ (ACCC) 2022 Innovator Award for the program, which builds on the institute’s Oncology Express Unit, which offers urgent care services to cancer patients in need of emergency services during treatment. It also addresses a gap in cancer care management spotted by the health system. “We conducted an informal survey that found as many as 15% of our patients did not have their own primary care provider,” Cancer Program Clinical Director Cindy Waddington, MSN, RN, AOCN, said in a press release, which includes a link to a recent podcast on the program. “Having a primary care provider onsite working closely with the entire cancer care team helps ensure that essential patient care beyond cancer treatment is not delayed.” The health system pointed out that patients undergoing cancer treatment are often dealing with other health concerns, especially chronic issues like diabetes, heart problems, COPD, and high blood pressure, and that cancer treatment can exacerbate those issues. To facilitate comprehensive care, the program enables oncologists to refer their patients to primary care services for any non-cancer concerns. “Primary care in oncology has been a long-standing challenge for cancer patients and cancer programs,” Family Nurse Practitioner Debra Delaney, RN, MSN, ACNS-BC, FNP-BC, who provides primary care services at the Graham Cancer Center, said in the press release. “Thankfully, we’ve been able to solve that challenge by addressing the whole person and promoting healthy living for the long-term.” As part of the process, Delaney helps patients who finish their cancer treatments transition to a primary care provider for ongoing care management. “Earning the prestigious ACCC Innovator Award for our primary care practice is an accomplishment that belongs to our entire cancer care team, which has worked long and hard to develop this unique program designed to improve our patients’ long-term health,” Nicholas Petrelli, MD, the Bank of America endowed medical director of the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, said in the press release. Eric Wicklund is the Innovation and Technology Editor for HealthLeaders. Photo credit: Photo courtesy ChristianaCare

HokieSports Weekly: Oct. 17-23, 2022 – VT Hokiesports.com https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/hokiesports-weekly-oct-17-23-2022-vt-hokiesports-com/ See what’s coming up this week and get the latest news from Blacksburg.   UPCOMING HOME EVENTS   Tuesday, Oct. 18 Men’s Soccer vs. Princeton – Thompson Field @ 6 p.m. ET (free admission) (Student Hokie Club Night)   Thursday, Oct. 20  Women’s Soccer vs. Notre Dame – Thompson Field @ 7 p.m. (free admission) (Throwback Thursday: Y2K)   Sunday, Oct. 23 Women’s Soccer vs. Syracuse – Thompson Field @ 1 p.m. (free admission) (Youth Soccer Day)   HEADLINES FROM LAST WEEK A goal in the final minute gives women’s soccer the tie 3-3 against UVA on Thursday. Tech found themselves down 3-1, but two goals from forward Taylor Bryan in the final ten minutes earned them the tie.    Men’s soccer fell to Pitt 1-0 on Friday. Tech recorded an ACC season-high five shots on target in defeat.    Volleyball traveled to Louisville Friday and fell to the No. 2 Cardinals 3-1. Outside hitter Cera Powell led the team with 12 kills while libero/outside hitter Maddie Slagle earned her 1,000th career dig.   Volleyball fell to Notre Dame 3-1 on Sunday. Outside hitter Ava Francis led the Hokies with 10 kills while Tech had three players reach double figures in digs.    LAST WEEK’S SCOREBOARD   Thursday, Oct. 13 Women’s soccer at UVA — T, 3-3   Friday, Oct. 14 Men’s soccer vs. Pitt — L, 1-0 Volleyball at Louisville — L, 3-1   Saturday, Oct. 15 Football vs. Miami (Fla.) — L, 20-14   Sunday, Oct. 16 Volleyball at Notre Dame — L, 3-1

Decentraland Announces 2nd Metaverse Music Festival; Returns With OZZFEST, Dillon Francis, … – The Bakersfield Californian https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/decentraland-announces-2nd-metaverse-music-festival-returns-with-ozzfest-dillon-francis-the-bakersfield-californian/ LOS ANGELES, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Decentraland, the world’s largest user-owned and operated virtual social world, announced today the sophomore edition of Metaverse Music Festival (MVMF), including confirmed talent, new types of metaverse experiences, and more. This year, MVMF returns bigger and bolder from November 10-13 with 100 confirmed artists (more to come) across uniquely curated community genre stages, and with newly-created, Web3-enabled, immersive music experiences. Presented by digital asset platform Kraken, MVMF is free for all to attend, no VR, ticket or headset required. In October 2021, Decentraland hosted the inaugural Metaverse Music Festival which hosted 80+ artists including Web3 innovators Deadmau5, 3LAU, Paris Hilton, RAC, and Alison Wonderland, and saw 50,000 unique attendees during the 4-day event. Since then, major artists including Jason Derulo and Grimes, labels and producers, have embraced virtual performances leading to MTV announcing a new metaverse category at their 2022 VMAs. Set in a cyberpunk city of the future, the 2022 festival centerpiece is the Tower of Babel stage featuring Universal Music France’s Vladimir Cauchemar, award-winning Chinese idol group SNH48, CryptoPunk Rapper Spottie WiFi, Japanese girl group Atarashii Gakko!, London-based afro and funk band Amadis & The Ambassador, Finnish one woman orchestra Maija Kauhanen, space rock project Handshaking, British DJ and producer Akira the Don, DJ Eddy Temple-Morris’ band Losers and Klezma (Web3 music launchpad) artists inc. K-Pop band 2AM, Israeli DJs and producers Erika Krall and Lian Gold and former Division One athlete PIP. Metaverse Music Festival features curators who are redefining IP ownership and seeking to transform the music industry through Web3 technology and AI software, including: The Iconic Global touring metal festival OZZFEST which launched the careers of countless new bands, including Slipknot, Disturbed, System of a Down, Incubus, Lamb of God, and many others, is coming to Decentraland with a confirmed virtual performance from Ozzy Osbourne himself (fresh from his global chart-topping new Patient Number 9 album) and exciting acts that are soon to be announced. Iconic music brand LIMEWIRE will host one of the main stages with an exclusive avatar performance and music video premiere from Soulja Boy directed by Grammy-nominated director Yasha Gruben, in addition to many other music artists across various genres. AR metaverse platform OVER will showcase experiences and performances DJ Regard, Morgan, Jamis, Nicola Fasano, Danilo Rossi and Azel. UNPAIRED, the team behind the Party Degenerates NFT collection, will inaugurate the OxArena, a unique venue with an open air stage, 3 indoor clubs, concept store and NFT gallery. Jump in for curated performances by Superf3st, Volta XR, Revealed Recordings, Fold London and others. Metaverse music label SOUNDR who’s stage features Junior Andre, Ellysse Mason, Tarune, Lil Yamaha, Miya Miya, and Soundr’s first AI virtual band Skullz. RANDOM RAVERS, a metaverse music brand, is presenting The Raverse, an immersive rave experience featuring international artists such as Dead-Tones, Ray Kash, Kana Hishiya and NonCitizens amongst others. METATOKYO will present a stage featuring Japanese music acts and Metaverse artists and a special installation – a gigantic dancing doll made in collaboration with Metaani, NFT Character and the iconic Japanese artist Kyary Pamyu Pamyu. This year, Decentraland is doubling down on music in the metaverse. MVMF will showcase the latest metaverse technology that presents listeners with truly unique experiences only available through a virtual world. Decentraland’s unique Emotes feature enables any creator worldwide to create custom moves and gestures that bring your avatar to life, and will be a central part of how concert goers have fun through dancing and self expression during the festival. New motion capture technology will also be demonstrated on this global stage from Move.ai which enables motion capture with no suits and Kinetix.tech that aims to empower creators to make emote NFTs using only a phone camera. Presenting partner Kraken will also drop a series of NFT wearables exclusive for festival-goers, unveil a pop-up NFT gallery as well as host a special festival after party. Whether it’s promoting an album release, supporting an NFT strategy, experimenting with metaverse performances, or looking for new ways to share their music with new audiences, Decentraland’s MVMF supports artists in a myriad of ways. New fan engagement models – such as wearables, NFT gated-experiences, and exclusives – have gained momentum over the last year and are being taken to another level this year. The artists playing at MVMF have worked with community designers in Decentraland to create one-of-a-kind swag options and soon-to-be-announced specials. For this year’s festival, superstar producer, songwriter and DJ Dillon Francis has collaborated with Vegas City to bring a state-of-the-art Dillon Francis mega club to Decentraland. Dillon will open the festival with a very special set that will be projected on several screens throughout the mega club all weekend, making it a right of passage of sorts for anyone who comes to the festival at any point. Attendees will also be able to play Smash the Piñata with Dillon’s infamous piñata sidekick Gerald and chase him all throughout the venue. The Decentraland Festival District is showcasing an array of new experiences and exciting performances including a Jerry Garcia Acoustic Stage, MultiNFT Techno Parkour Stage, an epic pop-up nightclub by web3 music network MODA DAO and importantly the OG stage featuring Decentraland’s most prolific musicians and event promoters. Last but not least, Decentraland will introduce a variety of new metaverse experiences for users to attend when their ears need a moment of rest, such as the Portaloo experience to the Follow the Rabbit to the Take the Blue Pill experience. Other experiences are geared towards creators and community organizers looking to develop more embedded experiences, showcased through the MadMax Decentrally race, a community dance contest using the first generation of Emotes, and the Backstage Pass Quest. Join Decentraland at the next installment of Metaverse Music Festival by pre-registering at Event link. Follow us on Twitter at #DCLMVMF22 and join our Discord to learn more about specific experiences and still-unannounced artists that will join us at MVMF. See you at the show. About Decentraland Launched in 2020, Decentraland is a virtual social world powered by the Ethereum blockchain and the first decentralized metaverse. Within the Decentraland platform, users can create, experience, and monetize content and applications as well as socialize and attend a wide range of daily community-driven events. Decentraland is unique in that it is owned, created, and governed by the people who use it every day. Through the decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) users can submit proposals and even apply for grants for the community to vote on. About Kraken Kraken is one of the world’s largest digital asset platforms and the leader in euro volume and liquidity. Globally, Kraken’s client base trades more than 200+ digital assets and 8 different fiat currencies. Kraken was founded in 2011 and was one of the first exchanges to offer spot trading with margin, regulated derivatives and index services. Kraken is trusted by well over 10 million clients and institutions around the world and offers professional, around-the-clock online support.” For Media Inquiry: press@decentraland.org Copyright 2022 GlobeNewswire, Inc.

Why Are So Many Crypto Execs Leaving? – CoinDesk https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/why-are-so-many-crypto-execs-leaving-coindesk/ Daniel Kuhn is a features reporter and assistant opinion editor for CoinDesk’s Layer 2. He owns BTC and ETH. Management shake-ups are hitting crypto in what some are calling crypto’s “great resignation.” On Monday it was announced Gemini co-founder Cameron Winklevoss – twin of Tyler – is stepping back as a director of Gemini Europe. The news, announced in a U.K. regulatory filing, comes as the wholly owned Gemini subsidiary maps out its expansion into known tax haven Ireland. This article is excerpted from The Node, CoinDesk’s daily roundup of the most pivotal stories in blockchain and crypto news. You can subscribe to get the full newsletter here. No formal reason was given for Winklevoss’ move, but it comes amid a wave of C-Suite shuffling across the digital asset industry. Growing regulatory challenges as well as a multi-month long market rout have led to a number of resignations. Among the most notable departures or downsizings, for very different reasons, are Genesis CEO Michael Moro, MicroStrategy CEO Michael Saylor, Kraken CEO Jesse Powell, all announced in recent weeks. Alameda Research co-CEO Sam Trabucco also stepped down, as did FTX.US President Brett Harrison. Then there’s Celsius’ Alex Mashinsky and Daniel Leon, who served as the now-bankrupt crypto neobank’s chief executive and chief strategy officer, respectively. The crypto lender is going through a difficult Chapter 11 restructuring, and it seems likely that Mashinsky could face lawsuits. The reasons for these exoduses vary on a case by case basis. In many instances it seems like individual attempts to save face after making bad business decisions, or a result of pressure from a company’s board or owners. Moro threw in the towel, for instance, after Genesis got in bed with the overzealous and potentially criminal hedge fund Three Arrows Capital, which apparently lost the institutional-facing lending firm Genesis a whopping $1.2 billion. Genesis, like CoinDesk, is owned by Digital Currency Group. Michael Saylor, the long-time CEO of business intelligence company MicroStrategy, directed the firm’s first bitcoin purchase in 2020 and essentially transformed the firm into a BTC investment trust. MicroStrategy’s BTC buys seemed prescient in 2020, ahead of the bull run – and was even said to catalyze other corporate entities into holding bitcoin “on the balance sheet” as a hedge against inflation – but are now deeply in the red. Saylor kept buying, even as the market turned against him, while most other publicly listed firms have not. He remains at MicroStrategy as executive chairman. Kraken’s Powell founded the exchange in 2011 and has long been known as one of crypto’s most ideologically driven executives. This year, the libertarian-leaning former CEO was accused of fostering a toxic workplace culture after making offhand remarks and setting “anti-Woke” policies. Powell, like Saylor, said he’s stepping down as CEO to continue focusing on crypto advocacy. In some cases, these shifts work out. David Marcus, who oversaw the Libra project at Facebook, before both were renamed, has emerged as a thoughtful industry commentator and CEO of Bitcoin Lightning-focused Lightspark. Like the broader tech industry, several crypto firms have put hiring-freezes in place and started rounds of layoffs. Bear markets, where the goal is to merely survive as users and capital flood out, require an entirely different set of managerial skills than bull markets, where growth and market dominance seem to be all that matters. The tricky thing with crypto, however, is that management can be hard to hire. Many companies, particularly Coinbase, have relied on hiring from within due to the complexities of the industry. Decent managers need to have an understanding of crypto’s technicalities as well as the gumption to lead in such a volatile market. Sign up for Valid Points, our weekly newsletter breaking down Ethereum’s evolution and its impact on crypto markets. By signing up, you will receive emails about CoinDesk product updates, events and marketing and you agree to our terms of services and privacy policy. DISCLOSURE Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated . The leader in news and information on cryptocurrency, digital assets and the future of money, CoinDesk is a media outlet that strives for the highest journalistic standards and abides by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk is an independent operating subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, which invests in cryptocurrencies and blockchain startups. As part of their compensation, certain CoinDesk employees, including editorial employees, may receive exposure to DCG equity in the form of stock appreciation rights, which vest over a multi-year period. CoinDesk journalists are not allowed to purchase stock outright in DCG . Daniel Kuhn is a features reporter and assistant opinion editor for CoinDesk’s Layer 2. He owns BTC and ETH. Daniel Kuhn is a features reporter and assistant opinion editor for CoinDesk’s Layer 2. He owns BTC and ETH.

U.S. Speaker Pelosi’s Husband Sold Nvidia, Micron Options At A Loss – Reuters https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/u-s-speaker-pelosis-husband-sold-nvidia-micron-options-at-a-loss-reuters/ Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and her husband Paul Pelosi arrive for the 42nd Annual Kennedy Awards Honors in Washington, U.S., December 8, 2019. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts Oct 17 (Reuters) – U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband sold call options in chipmakers Micron Technology (MU.O) and Nvidia (NVDA.O) for a loss of under $1 million, according to a new transparency filing. In a periodic transaction report dated Friday, the senior Democrat disclosed that her husband, financier Paul Pelosi, lost $392,575 in the sale of Micron call options he had purchased in December 2021. The report also showed he sold Nvidia call options bought in July 2021 for a loss of $361,476. The same report also shows Paul Pelosi exercised 200 call options to buy shares of Google-parent Alphabet (GOOGL.O) in a transaction worth $2 million, while allowing call options in Walt Disney (DIS.N) to expire for a loss of $132,824. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com All of those events occurred on Sept. 16, according to the transaction report. Paul Pelosi frequently trades shares of companies popular with many investors, including Apple (AAPL.O), Microsoft (MSFT.O) and other tech companies. A 2012 law makes it illegal for lawmakers to use information from their work in Congress for their personal gain. The law requires them to disclose stock transactions by themselves or family members within 45 days. Senior House Democrats have yet to allow a vote on legislation restricting members of Congress and other government officials from trading stocks. Such legislation has been introduced in response to allegations that some lawmakers may have taken advantage of their positions for personal gain. Pelosi initially voiced skepticism of changes to the current law, but later allowed legislation to advance toward consideration by the chamber. In July, Paul Pelosi sold Nvidia shares days before the House approved legislation providing subsidies and tax credits worth over $70 billion to boost the U.S. semiconductor industry. An analysis by Unusual Whales, a service selling financial data, concluded that congressional lawmakers last year traded $290 million in stocks, options, cryptocurrency and other assets, and that they outperformed the market, on average. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Noel Randewich; Editing by Josie Kao Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

MSP M&A: Syscom Business Technologies Acquires LVTC – ChannelE2E https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/msp-ma-syscom-business-technologies-acquires-lvtc-channele2e/ by Ty Trumbull • Oct 17, 2022 Managed IT and cybersecurity company Syscom Business Technologies has acquired Lehigh Valley Technology Company (LVTC) for an undisclosed amount. This is technology M&A deal number 899 that ChannelE2E has covered so far in 2022. See more than 2,000 technology M&A deals involving MSPs, MSSPs & IT service providers listed here. Syscom Acquires Lehigh Valley Technology Company Syscom, founded in 1978, is based in Sterling Heights, Michigan. The company has 18 employees listed on LinkedIn. Syscom’s areas of expertise include managed IT services, IT consulting, IT security service, business IT, network infrastructure, managed services, IT projects and IT services. LVTC, founded in 2012, is based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The company has eight employees listed on LinkedIn. LVTC’s areas of expertise include computers, data backup, cloud computing, information security, Office 365, firewall, disaster recovery, business continuity, servers, network administration, data forensics, network security, managed service provider, MSP, information technology, MSP, IT, customer service, remote monitoring management, service plans, virtual CIO, HIPAA, dark web and information technology services. LVTC will soon operate under the Syscom Business Technologies name, the company said. In addition to its newest location in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Sycom has four locations across Michigan including Grand Rapids, Lansing, Traverse City and Sterling Heights as its headquarters. Syscom previously acquired Michigan Computer Solutions in November 2020. Syscom Acquires Lehigh Valley Technology Company: Leadership Insight Scott Huxley, managing principal, Syscom Scott Huxley, managing principal, Syscom, commented: “Combining Lehigh Valley Technology Company’s 17-years with Syscom’s 44-years in the IT space will provide all our clients with the technology depth and breadth needed for continued long-term success in a rapidly changing business market. We have developed a mature managed services model and structured IT support program that delivers consistent, predictable results to our clients. With this acquisition, we want everyone to know we are focused on our customers’ success and continued innovation. “Looking at IT from a business standpoint is at the root of all that we do and how we serve our customers – which is exactly how LVTC provides services. The acquisition made sense right from the start seeing how our cultures and delivery of services aligned.” Scott Gingold, former president of LVTC, said: “Though I had many suitors interested in purchasing Lehigh Valley Technology Company, the decision to be acquired by Syscom was easy. Syscom shares the same values regarding staff, customers, and culture. Under Scott and Brandon Clous’s leadership, they will take Lehigh Valley Technology Company (LVTC) to a new level of technology and customer satisfaction that will serve employees and customers beyond what I might have otherwise achieved.” Brandon Clous, CEO, Syscom, added: “The integration of both companies will take place over the coming months but most importantly all of our clients will continue to receive the same high-quality services and solutions they have come to expect.”

FIFA 23 Prime Gaming Pack 1: How To Claim – DBLTAP https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/fifa-23-prime-gaming-pack-1-how-to-claim-dbltap/ FIFA 23 Prime Gaming Pack 1 is now available to claim as the first reward for the new Ultimate Team cycle. EA Sports and Prime Gaming have partnered on Prime Gaming Packs for the past few years allowing FUT fans to claim free packs. A pack is released each month for the game cycle and contains certain rewards for each point in the year. This first Prime Gaming pack is now available to claim for FIFA 23. Here’s how to claim FIFA 23 Prime Gaming Pack 1 and what’s included in the pack. — EA SPORTS FIFA (@EASPORTSFIFA) September 30, 2022 After successfully claiming the pack, you’ll be granted an in-game message next time you log into FUT stating the pack has been granted. The pack can then be found in the store. Here’s what’s included in the pack: The next Prime Gaming pack is slated to be released sometime in November.

Logitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld Review: Terminally Online – The Verge https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/logitech-g-cloud-gaming-handheld-review-terminally-online-the-verge/ Logitech’s G Cloud Gaming Handheld is a heartbreaker. It’s a joy to game on: it’s much more comfortable to use than the Nintendo Switch, and when the conditions are right, it works like a dream. With a good connection to a cloud gaming service, it often felt like I was using a portable Xbox, or had somehow crammed a $1,500 gaming PC into a tiny footprint. The rest of the time, it’s a mediocre Android tablet with a controller grafted on. It’s just not fun to use. Sure, it can access a huge library of Android games, but trying to play the likes of Fortnite or Genshin Impact on its sluggish hardware was an exercise in frustration.  At $349.99, the G Cloud Gaming Handheld costs as much as a Nintendo Switch OLED and almost as much as a Steam Deck, both of which are still good gaming machines when the internet goes down. (Note: the G Cloud Gaming Handheld is $299.99 during its preorder phase, but the price will jump up by $50 on October 18th.) These flaws wouldn’t disappear with a lower cost, but it’d at least be easier to recommend to more people, like the work-from-home crowd who’s always around Wi-Fi or those who already have a good gaming PC and want a comfy handheld to stream their games locally. It’s very good at that. Logitech isn’t just competing with Nintendo, Valve, or the myriad other niche handheld makers, like Aya, OneXPlayer, or GPD; it’s competing with the phone or tablet you already own. This handheld’s marquee apps — Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce Now — run on pretty much any Android or iOS device (in some cases, they’re progressive web apps — glorified webpages). It’s easy to then connect a controller that you may already own, like an Xbox controller, Backbone One, or a Razer Kishi V2, and start gaming.  The G Cloud Gaming Handheld is a more comfortable and intuitive way to play cloud games than cobbling a controller and a smartphone together. But unless those words resonate deeply within you, I don’t think that’s a good enough reason to justify buying one. Logitech isn’t just competing with Nintendo, Valve, or the myriad other niche handheld makers; it’s competing with the phone or tablet you already own Cloud gaming and handheld consoles seem like a perfect match. Instead of ponying up thousands of dollars for a gaming PC or being constrained by the hardware that can fit in the handheld, you pay a subscription fee to offload the heavy lifting. Relying on cloud services to hold up your platform is a trust fall, but Logitech’s platform-agnostic approach isn’t nearly as risky a bet as, say, the Google Stadia model. The cloud game services that Logitech is banking on are very good (as long as your Wi-Fi is, too), and they show no signs of winding down. Xbox Cloud Gaming is available to Game Pass Ultimate subscribers ($14.99 per month), and it comes with access to over 200 Xbox games, from AAA titles from Microsoft’s studios to buzzworthy indie games. Nvidia GeForce Now is less like Netflix and more like Movies Anywhere in that it collects many of the PC games you already own on Steam, Epic Games Store, or Ubisoft Connect (plus some free-to-play games) in one place. The base tier is free, though it limits you to one-hour-long 720p streaming sessions. The next tier is $9.99 / month and allows for four-hour sessions at 1080p / 60 frames per second, which match the specs of the G Cloud Gaming Handheld’s screen. Logitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld specs Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G RAM: LPDDR4x 4GB Internal Storage: 64GB eMMC Expandable Storage: microSD slot (up to 1TB) Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.1, Wi-Fi 5 (2 x 2 MIMO) Ports: USB-C 3.1, headphone jack Display: 7-inch 1920 x 1080 IPS LCD touchscreen Refresh Rate: 60Hz Dimensions: 256.84 x 117.21 x 32.95 mm (40.45mm at thickest point) Weight: 463g Battery capacity: 23.1Wh, 6,000mAh The Google Play Store gives the G Cloud Gaming Handheld even more ways to play PC games you already own. For instance, the Steam Link app, which is preinstalled, lets you stream games from your PC either locally or away from home as long as it’s on and running Steam. If your PC has an Nvidia GPU, I highly suggest trying out Moonlight, a free open-source app that provides a good-looking, shockingly responsive gaming experience. Both Steam Link and Moonlight can work over a local network, which requires good networking hardware (not fast internet speeds) to have an enjoyable session.  Sadly, while you can use Sony’s PS Remote Play app to stream games from your PS4 or PS5, the app doesn’t recognize the G Cloud Gaming Handheld’s built-in controls. Touchscreen controls are the only option unless you tether a DualShock 4 or a DualSense via Bluetooth, which defeats the purpose of using this handheld instead of your phone. The spring yellow G button brings up the Xbox dashboard within Xbox Cloud Gaming, but it’s less useful in other apps. G Cloud Gaming Hardware The G Cloud Gaming Handheld looks a lot like a Nintendo Switch except that it has a D-pad on the left rather than four separate buttons, and its right ABXY buttons are arranged Xbox-style. There are clicky shoulder buttons and analog triggers that have a satisfying level of travel. Logitech did a great job with the layout, comfort, and design of the inputs. I only wish it were available in colors other than all white with spring yellow accents. The home button and spring yellow G button require a little explanation. Pressing home will always take you directly to the handheld’s app selector, and holding it brings up a shade containing quick settings, like brightness and volume dials. The G button’s purpose is sometimes contextual. It makes perfect sense in the Xbox Cloud Gaming app, where pressing it will bring up the Xbox home interface to show what your friends are up to, to check achievements, or to quit a game. Pressing it within the GeForce Now interface takes me home, but it’s useless in-game during a cloud session. Two tiny speaker slits flank the USB-C charging port and 3.5mm headphone jack on the bottom of the console. Unsurprisingly, headphones sound better than these speakers. You can either use wired headphones, go the Bluetooth route, or insert a USB-C audio transmitter that some gaming headsets include these days. In case you were wondering, the USB-C port cannot deliver video; it’s limited to charging, data connection, or audio passthrough. The G Cloud Gaming Handheld runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 720G — sans cellular capability. It’s a midrange chipset announced in 2020 that’s also found in the Samsung Galaxy A52 and a bunch of phones released outside of the US. It’s fast enough at launching apps, loading new pages in the Google Play Store, and running games that aren’t super resource-intensive, like Dead Cells. But most graphically intensive games run sluggishly. It can’t multitask, which is disappointing; every time you launch a new app, it asks you to close the one you were just using. There’s 64GB of storage built in, and it supports microSD storage expansion. Battery life stands up to Logitech’s claims, lasting for a dozen or so hours of gaming per charge. Unlike the experience of using a handheld that’s actually running games off the hardware, it’s cool (albeit expected) to spend an hour in a game without taking a huge bite out of the battery life. The G Cloud Gaming Handheld is bigger than a Nintendo Switch, but it doesn’t feel bulky. Its seven-inch display is the same size as the one on the Steam Deck and Switch OLED console, though Logitech’s IPS panel is obviously nowhere near as brilliant as an OLED. Even so, games look gorgeous in the right Wi-Fi conditions; small text is legible, and graphics don’t look too aliased. (Though, when streaming from the cloud, dark environments and objects are prone to visual gradation.) It was a good enough experience that I sometimes forgot that I was playing games hosted on remote servers, with only a handful of moments when fuzzy, distorted image quality ruined that illusion. Streamed video also looks great if you can handle the public embarrassment of holding the handheld in portrait mode to navigate Netflix and the like. Yes, it felt weird to watch Cyberpunk: Edgerunners on the subway while holding the console with two hands, but it worked. The handheld’s interface shows your most recently-used apps near the front. It also lets you save some favorite apps beneath the rectangular tiles for easier access. The custom Android 11 interface is viable but nothing special. It organizes apps in horizontal tiles across the screen, with recent ones near the front. You can hit the options button located near the top right side of the handheld’s front side to create a permanent spot for a favorite app, which will be added beneath the scrolling tiles. There are just two color schemes and backgrounds offered by the software, each of which delivers a pretty strong gamer-y look. It’s pretty basic stuff. You’ll get the same set of default apps that come preinstalled on every Android device that supports Google Play (Gmail, Google Photos, Google Drive, etc.).  Logitech’s efforts to hide the fact that you’re using an Android tablet don’t go far beyond the surface. For instance, it kicks you over to Google’s very plain settings interface for more in-depth options, which is jarring. Instead of letting you get notifications, the handheld vibrates, but it hides them in a setting along the top drawer of options called “Messages.”  It’s two versions of Android behind Given that it’s an Android device, it needs the latest updates to stay secure. As mentioned before, it’s two versions of Android behind, which is frustrating. What’s disconcerting is how outdated its security patches are. It has the June 5th, 2022, security update, though it’s lagging further behind with its Goo...

Mastercard Launches Platform To Help Banks Offer Crypto Trading – Kitco NEWS https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/mastercard-launches-platform-to-help-banks-offer-crypto-trading-kitco-news/ Editor’s Note: With so much market volatility, stay on top of daily news! Get caught up in minutes with our speedy summary of today’s must-read news and expert opinions. Sign up here! (Kitco News) – Global payment processor Mastercard has unveiled the launch of Crypto Source, a new program that will enable financial institutions to begin offering secure crypto trading services to their customers.   The new service is being offered in partnership with Paxos and will allow Mastercard’s financial institution partners to gain access to “a comprehensive suite of buy, hold and sell services for select crypto assets, augmented with proven identity, cyber, security and advisory services,” the announcement from Mastercard said.  Mastercard has chosen to launch the new service to help deal with the reluctance on the part of traditional banks to enter the crypto-trading space. Crypto Source will allow Mastercard to assist in maintaining compliance with crypto-related rules, verify transactions, and provide anti-money-laundering and Know Your Customer checks. Crypto Source also integrates Mastercard Crypto Secure, “a first-of-its-kind technology solution” that will help bring additional security to the crypto ecosystem and support card issuers in their compliance with complex regulations. “At Mastercard, trust is our business. What we are announcing today is a connected approach to services that will help bring users safely and securely into the crypto ecosystem,” said Ajay Bhalla, President, Cyber & Intelligence at Mastercard. “Our recent investments in this space, such as the acquisition of CipherTrace and Ekata, are providing us with a unique set of capabilities to help provide our customers and consumers with the most technically advanced solutions available in the market.” With this new addition to Mastercard’s suite of crypto-related offerings for banks and fintechs, the firm now supports the purchase, sale and holding of select crypto assets; offers comprehensive security management; allows for crypto spend and cash out capabilities through services like crypto cards; and helps with crypto program management design, product development, marketing consultancy services and technology implementation. Paxos Trust, a leading regulated blockchain infrastructure platform, has been tapped by Mastercard to help with this endeavor. The partnership with see Paxos  provide crypto-asset trading and custody services on behalf of the banks, while Mastercard will leverage its technology to integrate those capabilities into banks’ interfaces “Our commitment is simple – to explore crypto and the underlying digital assets technology to support consumer choice in payments,” said Jorn Lambert, Chief Digital Officer at Mastercard. “We’re excited to build on our long-term partnership with Paxos – co-innovating to bring safe and secure technology to financial institutions. Our crypto product innovations will provide choice at scale and continue to bring one-of-a-kind opportunities to financial institutions as they seek to offer new, advanced services to their customers.”  Walter Hessert, Head of Strategy at Paxos, said the new partnership “will give [financial institutions] the fastest and most trusted way to offer safe, reliable crypto access for their consumers globally.”  This latest development adds to Mastercards efforts over the past few years to bring new services and capabilities that help make crypto more accessible, safe and secure. Through the integration of new technologies with Finicity, Ekata, RiskRecon and CipherTrace, Mastercard has provided eligible financial institutions the opportunity to directly manage crypto asset investments for consumers. Mastercard Crypto Source is currently being prepared for pilot programs that are planned to launch in Q1 2023. Additional details on its broader availability will be made available at a later date. Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.

U.S., UK To Deepen Cooperation On Russia, Other Sanctions -Statement – Reuters https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/u-s-uk-to-deepen-cooperation-on-russia-other-sanctions-statement-reuters/ WASHINGTON, Oct 17 (Reuters) – The United States and Britain will further their cooperation on sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine as well as on other targets, top financial officials for the two allied nations said in a joint statement on Monday. “Over time, we expect to realize the benefits of our collaboration not only in relation to the sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but also across other common sanctions regimes,” Andrea Gacki, the head of the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, and Giles Thomson, the head of Britain’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, wrote. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Susan Heavey, Editing by Franklin Paul Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

The Paley Center For Media Announces Schedule For The 28th Annual Paley International Council Summit “Forging New Horizons: The Next Era For Media” On November 8-9, 2022 At The Paley Museum – PR Newswire https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/the-paley-center-for-media-announces-schedule-for-the-28th-annual-paley-international-council-summit-forging-new-horizons-the-next-era-for-media-on-november-8-9-2022-at-the-paley-museum-pr-newsw/ The Paley Center for Media will host the 28th Paley International Council Summit –‘Forging New Horizons: The Next Era for Media’– on November 8-9, 2022. The global Summit will convene international dignitaries, thought leaders, and the most prominent executives from across industries, including media, entertainment, sports, telecommunications, and technology. The discussions will address topical issues in tech and media that are poised to determine the course of business, globally, in the future. The Paley International Council Summit is made possible by the generous support of Hearst, Nielsen, Verizon and the William S. Paley Foundation. , /PRNewswire/ — The Paley Center for Media announces the agenda and speaker lineup for its 28th Annual Paley International Council Summit “Forging New Horizons: The Next Era for Media.” Taking place Tuesday, November 8 and Wednesday, November 9, the Summit will be live and in-person for the first time in three years at The Paley Museum located in the heart of New York City. The global Summit will bring together international dignitaries, thought leaders, and the most prominent executives across industries – including media, entertainment, sports, music, telecommunications, and technology, to address topical issues in tech and media that are poised to determine the course of business, globally, in the future. The Paley International Council Summit is co-chaired by Frank A. Bennack, Jr., Chairman of The Paley Center for Media and Executive Vice Chairman and former CEO of Hearst, and Henry A. Kissinger, 56th United States Secretary of State and Founding Principal, Kissinger Associates, Inc. The Summit will feature The Henry A. Kissinger Annual Keynote Address Made Possible By The William S. Paley Foundation, a discussion with Frank A. Bennack Jr. and Dr. Henry Kissinger centered on how new levels of interconnectivity impact global events. “The 28th Annual Paley International Council Summit, Forging New Horizons: The Next Era for Media, brings dignitaries from across the world together to discuss important issues and topics around the next generation of media,” said Frank A. Bennack, Jr., Chairman of The Paley Center for Media and Executive Vice Chairman and former CEO of Hearst. “We look forward to reconvening international dignitaries and thought leaders and learn from their key insights around our ever-evolving industry.” “We’re thrilled to celebrate the in-person return of the 28th Annual Paley International Council Summit at the Paley Center for Media and to continue driving the global media conversation forward as we welcome back dignitaries and CEOs from the most influential companies from around the world,” said Maureen J. Reidy, the Paley Center’s President & CEO. “Thank you to our sponsors Hearst, Nielsen, Verizon, and The William S. Paley Foundation for making this signature event possible.” The 28th Annual Paley International Council Summit includes the following session schedule: Day One: Tuesday, November 8, 2022 8:30 am – 9:30 am: Registration 9:30 am – 9:40 am: Welcome Remarks  Forging New Horizons: The Next Era for Media Speakers: Maureen Reidy, President & CEO, The Paley Center for Media Frank A. Bennack, Jr., Executive Vice Chairman & Former CEO, Hearst; Chairman, The Paley Center for Media 9:40 am – 10:10 am: Finding New Fans: How Companies Are Finding, and Keeping, the Generation of Loyal Customers Speakers: Strauss Zelnick, Chairman and CEO, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Ynon Kreiz, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mattel, Inc. The way businesses engage and retain consumers has changed significantly. Diversification, especially into new and exciting types of content, has been one key adjustment. Companies that previously focused on one product or content category have branched out and found new customers in other formats and in every corner of the globe. And the way customers find content is changing too. This session will examine how Mattel and Take-Two Interactive are changing along with the modern consumer to create groundbreaking content that leads to a loyal fanbase and growing profits 10:15 am – 10:45 am: The Next Era for Media: How a Changing World Is Impacting the Way We Connect Speaker: Jessica Rosenworcel, Chairwoman, Federal Communications Commission of the United States Interviewer: Jon Fortt, Co-Anchor, CNBC  Stopping robotexts, protecting Americans from falling space debris, and bringing the internet to the farthest flung corners of the country, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel’s world is as unique as it is varied. This conversation will examine the role of the modern FCC and its place in shaping a media business that is rapidly changing as new technologies continually alter the landscape. 10:50 am – 11:20 am: Leveraging Web3: Strategies for Success in the Metaverse Speakers: Joe Tsai, Co-founder and Executive Vice Chairman, Alibaba Group; Chairman, South China Morning Post; Owner, Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty Robert Triefus, CEO, Gucci Vault & Metaverse Ventures; Senior Executive Vice President, Corporate & Brand Strategy, Gucci From music to sportswear, real estate, and currency, brands, businesses, and investors are positioning themselves to make the most of immersive technology like Web3 and augmented/virtual reality. But is the metaverse truly the digital utopia that many believe will usher in the future of content, advertising, and entertainment? 11:25 am – 11:55 am: Positioning for the Future: How Business Is Forging New Horizons for a Post-Pandemic Global Economy Speakers: Dr. Albert Bourla, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Pfizer Edward Skyler, Executive Vice President, Global Public Affairs, Citi Geopolitical upheaval has complicated an already fraught transition to the “new normal” for media businesses and all organizations in just about every country and across every sector. Hear how today’s headlines and a completely reimagined, post-pandemic workforce impact corporate strategy. 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm: The Value of Varied Perspectives: Diversity from the Board Room to the Writers’ Room and Beyond Speakers: Debra L. Lee, Founder and CEO, Leading Women Defined, Inc. Alex Mahon, Chief Executive, Channel 4 While it is now frequently taken as a given that diversity of background and thought is integral to the success of companies and media entities, too often we do not discuss why this is the case. This session will explore how industry leadership and creative teams benefit by reflecting our global society in the decisions, products, and content they make. 12:35 pm – 1:10 pm: The Henry A. Kissinger Annual Keynote Address made possible by the William S. Paley Foundation Speakers: Henry A. Kissinger, Chairman, Kissinger Associates, Inc. Frank A. Bennack, Jr., Executive Vice Chairman & Former CEO, Hearst; Chairman, The Paley Center for Media As we look towards 2023, it has become clear that society now engages with global events from war to pandemics to increasing political division by leveraging all the tools of the modern media landscape. Join visionary leaders Dr. Henry Kissinger and Frank A. Bennack, Jr. as they share unparalleled insight into how new levels of interconnectivity impact global events—like Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s place in the current balance of power. 1:15 pm – 2:15 pm: Networking Lunch 2:20 pm – 2:50 pm: The Next Era of Technology, Media & Telecom Speakers: John C. Malone, Chairman, Liberty Global Mike Fries, CEO, Liberty Global Digital transformation across industries around the world continues to accelerate. What types of companies have been most impacted and which have turned the change into growth? What are the next innovations and where will it take technology, media, and telecom as the world settles into a post-pandemic reality? Mike Fries leads a wide-ranging discussion with John C. Malone about the future of TMT globally and what we can expect in an evolving landscape. 2:55 pm – 3:25 pm: Advertising in a Mobile World: How Brands Are Changing the Way They Reach Consumers Speakers: Steve King, Chairman of Europe, Publicis Group Michael Kassan, Founder and CEO, MediaLink While internet advertising is nothing new, only recently have ad agencies and brands truly unlocked the potential. From display ads to influencers, this session will explore how technology and changing consumer habits have created a sea change in the industry. 3:25 pm – 3:45pm: Afternoon Networking Break 3:50 pm – 4:25pm: Keeping the World Safe Online and In-Person Speakers: Nikesh Arora, Chairman and CEO, Palo Alto Networks Aristedes Mahairas, Fmr. Special Agent in Charge, FBI New York Special Operations/Cyber Division; Director of Security and Life Safety, SL Green Realty Around the globe, corporate data breaches have become frighteningly routine and continue to pose a real threat to businesses’ bottom lines and customer trust – and those are some of the more innocuous threats to corporate infrastructure. What cyber security issues keep executives up at night, what are they not thinking enough about, and what can be done about it all? 4:30 pm – 5:05 pm: Networking Break 5:10 pm – 5:40 pm: Games for Good: Connecting the World with Videogames Speakers: Phil Spencer, Executive Vice President, Gaming, Microsoft Corporation Cynthia Williams, President and CEO/COO, Wizards of the Coast As the gaming industry continues its astounding growth across verticals like consoles, mobile, and esports, the opportunity for games to be a uni...

The Remotto Enerjoy Battery Looks To Extended Undocked Switch Gaming On The Go – The Outerhaven https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/the-remotto-enerjoy-battery-looks-to-extended-undocked-switch-gaming-on-the-go-the-outerhaven/ One of the best reasons I don’t play on my Nintendo Switch undocked is the battery dying mid-game. I hate that, and it’s happened to me more than once. Sure, I know there are several battery kits I could use, but most are awkward and bulking. Now, one company, Remotto, is looking to solve that issue with a new Switch external battery called the Enerjoy. The Remotto Enerjoy is a battery pack that clips to the rear of the Switch and will come in a 5,000 mAh size and will provide up to 9 hours of extra gaming time. Or if that’s not enough, the larger 10,000 mAh Remotto Enerjoy Pro will double that at 18 hours. In addition, both devices will utilize a nifty magnetic clip, which will fit both the Nintendo Switch and the Switch OLED models. However, it will not work with the Switch Lite models. The clip will clap onto the Switch, while the magnetic function will hold the battery into place. While a USB-C cable will connect the Switch and the battery, allowing gamers to play on the go. Currently a Kickstarter project, the Remotto Enerjoy has already blown past its original goal short of $20,000 and is sitting close to $40,000, which 27 days left to go. The more I’ve looked into the Remotto Enerjoy, the more I’m impressed with what it can do. Sure, it can keep your Switch from dying during heavy gaming sessions. But it can also charge your Joy-Cons in gamepad mode or when they need a charge. Remotto has also claimed that the Enerjoy is the (or will be) the lightest battery available for the Nintendo Switch. Given that several batteries are out there, and again, many of them are just way too heavy, that’s some tall talk. Hopefully, it lives up to the claims. So far, this seems like a good idea, and I’ve already placed an order so we can get some hands-on and review the Everjoy when it gets released. Currently, Remotto is planning to ship the Everyjoy during Q1 2023. However, the exact date hasn’t been finalized. Of course, dates can change regarding Kickstarter projects, so keep that in mind. I have no doubt this will be successful, given the Kickstarter campaign. Maybe, after this launches, Remotto can work on one for the Steam Deck. Talk about battery life killing a gaming session.

Change A Child’s Life For The Better, Support The Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter. – KNWA https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/change-a-childs-life-for-the-better-support-the-northwest-arkansas-childrens-shelter-knwa/ by: Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter Posted: Oct 17, 2022 / 08:53 AM CDT Updated: Oct 17, 2022 / 08:53 AM CDT by: Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter Posted: Oct 17, 2022 / 08:53 AM CDT Updated: Oct 17, 2022 / 08:53 AM CDT “Northwest Arkansas needs a children’s shelter because foster homes are closing at alarming rates, and Washington and Benton County rank highest in reported cases of abuse and neglect. As a community we’re also seeing an increase in child trafficking cases, and so the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter ensures that every child in that hour of need, when they need a safe place more than anything, they can come to us and ensure that they’re safe and they can begin to heal. Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter is a home away from home. We make sure children have a safe place to sleep, they receive nutritious meals, they go to school, ensure they have a good education in place. Most importantly, these kids can walk through our doors and learn how to hope again, learn how to be kids again, and we give them a brighter future. We are a nonprofit organization that relies on the support of individuals in our community, so if that’s through volunteering, if that’s through a financial contribution, we have a needs list on our website with items that our children need, there are so many ways that you can get involved, and what I encourage you to do today is to take that first step, and know that when you take that step in joining our family, you’re going to change a child’s life for the better.” Trending Stories

Get A Front Row Seat To The Northern Lights At These Stunning Hotels – TheTravel https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/get-a-front-row-seat-to-the-northern-lights-at-these-stunning-hotels-thetravel/ Viewing the Northern Lights is an experience most travelers dream about, and even though the celestial phenomena is on display all year round, undoubtedly the best times for scoping its technicolor glory is during the winter months—the farther north, the better. And while planning a vacation in the auroral zone may seem like a daunting task, there are plenty of luxe locales just waiting for travelers to set up camp and view the Northern Lights—and the following are some of the very best. With sumptuous accommodations and plenty of activities on the itinerary, these top spots for aurora adventures have everything any intrepid traveler needs for an unforgettable Northern Lights vacation. Norway Knows Northern Lights From late September through late March, Northern Norway is shrouded in darkness from early afternoon through the late morning—making it one of the best places on earth to see the Northern Lights in all their dramatic splendor. Wide open spaces unhampered by light pollution serve as the perfect backdrop for sky viewing, while plenty of winter activities provide more than enough recreation for visitors who want to soak up those Nordic Norway vibes. Sorrisniva Arctic Wilderness Lodge Situated on the banks of the Alta River, this amazing spot offers a number of distinctive experiences for guests who want to scope the Northern Lights in style. Where It’s At: Sorrisniva 20, 9518 Alta Rates: Approximately $280 USD and up/night Amenities: Floor-to-ceiling windows; stunning river and Northern Lights views; balcony; walk-in showers; onsite restaurants; complimentary breakfast; plenty of add-on activities Experiences: Sami and Reindeer Meet and Greet; Husky Visit; Hammocking under the Midnight Sun; Hike to the Alta Canyon Lyngen Experience Lodge Situated on the edge of a fjord on the Lyngen Peninsula, this epic accommodation’s location above the Arctic Circle makes it an amazing place to catch the Northern Lights. And there are plenty of options and experiences for viewing them, too. Where It’s At: Lenangsveien 1656 Leiligheter: Sandnesveien 36 9068 Nord-Lenangen Rates: Inquire directly for room rates and availability Amenities: Onsite bar and restaurant; lodge, apartment, and aurora hut accommodations available; spa area with hot sauna, outdoor jacuzzi; fantastic mountain and fjord views Experiences: Aurora Hut; Northern Lights Tour; Sami Culture and Reindeer Experience; Dog Sledding; Whale Safari; Deep Sea Fishing A Sumptuous Swedish Stay In Sweden, the Northern Lights can be seen in all their vibrantly-hued glory from September through March, and sometimes even in early April. When winter arrives, the long nights in the country’s north, aka Swedish Lapland, become the ultimate backdrop for some of the most stunning light shows in all of Scandinavia. Arctic Bath An immersive and incredibly luxe property surrounded by picturesque natural beauty and unending, unspoiled vistas, Arctic Bath offers guests the chance to stay in a floating(!) cabin on the Lule River or in tucked-away cabins along the shore. Either way, the plethora of activities and wellness options makes this an ideal place to view the Northern Lights. Winter season begins November 18, 2022 Where It’s At: Ramdalsvägen 10, 960 24 Harads Rates: Start at about $687 USD and up/night Amenities: Onsite restaurant with Arctic Culinary Dinner Experience; onsite spa; spectacular views; variety of luxe lodgings; complimentary breakfast Experiences: Snowmobile, Snowshoe, and Hidden Spots Northern Lights Tours; Husky Tours; Cold Baths and Sauna Experiences Northern Lights Lodging, Alaska-Style From late August through April, Alaska’s daylight dwindles as its night skies become awash with vibrant colors. Considered one of the best places to view the Aurora Borealis outside of Scandinavia and Canada, the 49th state is packed with everything an aspiring sky watcher needs. From a myriad of scenic destinations and distinctive experiences to top-notch lodgings with unimpeded views of the colorful natural phenomena. Borealis Basecamp Fairbanks is undoubtedly one of the best spots in Alaska to view the Northern Lights as it’s easily accessible with plenty of tours and accommodations geared toured sky viewers—and Borealis Basecamp offers the best of both worlds. Close to the hubbub and activity of Fairbanks, while also remote and secluded enough to be away from it all, it’s the perfect stay with its dark skies and forested surroundings. Where It’s At: 2640 Himalaya Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Rates: Two nights, three days (igloo stay) starts at $980/person; numerous packages are available Amenities: Igloo and Cube accommodations; amazing Aurora views via clear ceiling (igloo) or floor-to-ceiling windows (cube); onsite restaurant; in-room beverage bar Experiences: Sunset Snow Coach Experience; Private Arctic Circle Drive; Aurora Portrait Adventure; Dogsledding; UTV Tours; Reindeer Hiking Experience Sheldon Chalet Those looking for a truly once-in-a-lifetime Northern Lights viewing experience need look no further than this five-star, ultra-luxe property. Its hefty price tag is definitely worth it for its heart-stopping views of the Aurora Borealis with dramatic Denali as its backdrop and a veritable parade of sumptuous amenities. Where It’s At: Don Sheldon Amphitheater of Denali’s Ruth Glacier, Talkeetna, AK 99676 Rates: Contact property directly for rates and availability Amenities: Round-trip helicopter rides; private world-class chef; all-inclusive experience; use of adventure gear; private sauna; viewing decks; private, hexagonal chalet; oysters and champagne upon arrival Experiences: Guided Trek to Don Sheldon Amphitheater; Sledding; Spelunking; Gourmet Glacier Picnics; Snowshoe Glacier Trekking; Rappelling Canada Is For Sky-Gazing Depending on the area, the Northern Lights can be viewed in Canada all-year long, depending on the location—however, the best months to view the spectacular light show are from October through March (shorter days, longer nights). As for the best viewing spots, the Northern Provinces reign supreme; though those who favor summer traveling can also catch them during periods of high solar activity in the southern provinces. Either way, get ready for a front seat to some of the best Borealis viewing around. Northern Lights Resort & Spa Located in Canada’s Yukon Territory (with its long Northern Lights viewing window), this stunning spot is the perfect chalet stay. And with plenty of Aurora viewing packages and a slew of activities, guests can count on a colorful celestial backdrop to complement an unforgettable trip. Where It’s At: 41 Gentian Ln, Whitehorse, YT Y1A 6L6, Canada Rates: Aurora Viewing & Sightseeing Package starts at about $688 USD/person. See website for additional rates and packages Amenities: Multiple accommodations and packages available; onsite bar and restaurant; onsite spa and wellness options; glass-fronted Aurora chalets Experiences: 1/2 Day Dog Sledding, Snowshoeing, Ice-fishing, and Snowmobiling Adventures; Nordic Hot Springs Visit; Yukon Sightseeing Tours; Guided Wolf Creek Trail Hike Seeing the Northern Lights in all of their multi-hued splendor is undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime bucket list experience for most travelers. And while this natural phenomenon occurs all year round, nothing beats scoping the skies when they’re at their darkest—and these hotels offer the best front-row seats available to witness nature’s best light show at its best. %

After Four Years Of Legal Cannabis, Will Provinces Review Policies? – Business News – Castanet.net https://bentoncountynewsnow.com/after-four-years-of-legal-cannabis-will-provinces-review-policies-business-news-castanet-net/ Michael J. Armstrong – Oct 17, 2022 / 7:02 am | Story: 390990 Photo: The Canadian Press Oct. 17 marks the fourth anniversary of Canada’s recreational cannabis legalization. When The Cannabis Act was passed in 2018, Canada became the second country in the world to legalize the sale, possession and non-medical use of cannabis by adults. Now, four years on, the federal government is reviewing the law to see if it’s meeting Canadians’ needs. Morris Rosenberg, the former deputy minister of justice, will chair an expert panel for that purpose. Similarly, the Ontario Cannabis Store recently announced a “holistic review” of its pricing. Other provincial and territorial governments should follow these examples and likewise start looking for improvements in their cannabis rules. The industry’s rapid growth During Canada’s first month with legal recreational cannabis, there were only about 100 licensed stores and sales were just $42 million. But the industry grew quickly — even the pandemic didn’t slow it down — and Canada now has more than 3,300 licensed stores. Legal cannabis products are more accessible than ever. Legal products also became more competitive with illegal ones thanks to dry cannabis prices dropping 25 per cent since 2018. In some provinces, they now start at $3.57 per gram including taxes. Improved cannabis product quality has also made those products more competitive with illegal ones.  Consequently, monthly recreational cannabis sales hit $395 million in July, just over half the size of Canada’s beer sales. However, not all is well with industry. Producers’ profits have suffered due to overproduction. Meanwhile, stores in some places, like Toronto and Manitoba, face too many competitors. After having little information about the health impacts of cannabis for years, evidence is starting to emerge. A recent study found an increase in cannabis hospitalizations among young children — all the more reason to review cannabis rules. The federal government’s review only covers things within its jurisdiction, like producers, products and pardons. Since the provinces regulate retailing and consumption, it’s crucial they review their rules too. Cannabis taxes vary Aside from health-related issues, the provinces should revisit their cannabis rules on taxation. Ontario’s cannabis excise taxes during 2021-22 totalled $215 million, twice that of the year before. Profits at its Ontario Cannabis Store wholesaler, likewise doubled to $184 million. I estimate Ontario also collected about $121 million in sales tax, putting its combined cannabis cash haul at around $520 million. This means the provincial government received about 30 cents out of every dollar its residents spent on legal recreational cannabis last year. The Ontario Cannabis Store spent another six cents on operating expenses. By comparison, I estimate the federal government collected a relatively modest eight cents in taxes. That left about 20 cents for retailers and 36 cents for producers. Those businesses spent some of that on government licences, property taxes and income taxes. Or consider Alberta, which often brags about charging no sales tax but rarely mentions its extra 16.8 per cent cannabis excise tax. That surcharge likely contributed about $74 million of the $164 million Alberta collected in cannabis taxes last year. Governments clearly need revenue from someplace. But is it appropriate to extract so much from consumers in ways that ignore the industry’s low profitability? Provincial agency operations Provinces also should review their cannabis agencies’ operations, including whether those agencies should keep their wholesale monopolies. The Ontario Cannabis Store, for example, collects wholesale markups of about 31 per cent — even on sales it doesn’t touch, when producers sell directly in stores — when just 10 per cent would cover its operating costs.  And as monopolies, the agencies become bottlenecks if they fail. When computer troubles in Ontario and a strike in British Columbia temporarily stopped shipments from cannabis agencies last summer, retailers lost money because they ran out of products. Why not let products flow directly from producers to retailers instead, like Saskatchewan does? A second issue is whether provincial cannabis agencies have enough stores. Québec’s efficient cannabis agency’s retail-plus-wholesale markup was just 38 per cent, compared to the Ontario Cannabis Store’s 74 per cent. But with fewer stores per capita than other provinces, its legal sales per capita were the lowest. That left more of the market for illegal dealers. Lastly, provinces should consider simplifying rules to help retailers, without hurting public policy. For example, Alberta recently removed its requirement for stores to cover their windows. Transparent glass can make shops safer for staff inside, and street-friendlier for pedestrians outside. Store locations are key Retail density is another key consideration. At one extreme, some Ontario neighbourhoods have too many shops. This clustering occurred partly because the province stalled licensing for a year. The government should make it easier for cannabis businesses to move to underserved areas, thereby reducing the retail hyperconcentration. Conversely, some rural areas have too few customers to support standalone shops. Newfoundland handles that by letting general stores sell cannabis. Other provinces could consider doing the same thing.  There are also some cities, like Mississauga, Ontario and Richmond, B.C., that have no legal stores because provincial governments let local councils opt out. While it was a smart political move for provinces to allow municipalities to opt out, it might not be a wise policy move. Learning from experience As one of the few countries to legalize recreational cannabis, Canada has set an example for others to follow. A growing number of places, including Thailand, Malta, South Africa, Mexico and Germany, are working to implement nationwide legalization.  Even the United States federal government recently took a tiny step toward reforming its conflicted cannabis law patchwork. In the U.S., some states have passed laws authorizing cannabis sales, but they remain illegal at the federal level. These countries can learn much from Canada’s four years of experience. But Canada’s provincial and territorial governments should learn from that experience as well by reviewing their rules. – This article was originally published on The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. Author Michael J. Armstrong is Associate Professor, Operations Research, at Brock University.