5 inches of rain inundates Ascension: Pump stations activated and sandbags made available – WBRZ

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GONZALES - As much as 5 inches of rain pelted parts of Ascension Parish Monday, leading to street flooding and parish officials activating flood control measures.

The Marvin Braud and Sorrento pumping stations were turned on. Parish officials also made sandbags available for people in Ascension Parish.

Roads were closed throughout the parish Monday morning as the streets and highways flooded.

A Twitter user in Gonzales posted a video of water flooding her carport and threatening to seep into her home on Monday morning.

In Ascension, sandbags were made available at:

Butch Gore Park, Harry Savoy Rd, St. Amant

7th District Fire Dept. Roddy Rd, Gonzales

Fire Station #1 Hwy 61, Gonzales

Prairieville Fire Dept. Hwy 73 @ Miller Rd, Prairieville

Jackie Roberson Park, Coco Rd, Geismar

5th Ward Fire Dept. Hwy 22 @ Astroland Subd., Darrow

Stevens Park, Cannon Rd, St. Amant

DPW West, 725 Church Street - Donaldsonville

The area is under a weather alert until Tuesday evening. Click HERE for more from the WBRZ weather team. Click HERE for photos of high water around Ascension, EBR and Livingston.

Parish emergency operations officials reported a car dealership had water entering its facility on Burnside Ave. Officials also reported to the National Weather Service of two homes in low-lying areas near there with minor flooding. About five inches of rain fell in this area of Gonzales, the National Weather Service estimated.

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5 inches of rain inundates Ascension: Pump stations activated and sandbags made available - WBRZ

Two years ago, the Wombats brought home a state title – Donaldsonville Chief

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If there's one thing you can count on every summer in Ascension it's the widespread success of the parish's American Legion baseball team, the Gauthier & Amedee Wombats.

If theres one thing you can count on every summer in Ascension its the widespread success of the parishs American Legion baseball team, the Gauthier & Amedee Wombats.

Theyre having another tremendous season in 2020. It brings up memories of 2018, when the Wombats won their first state title in five years.

The two-year anniversary of that state title win is just around the corner. They won the championship on July 11, 2018. Here is the article the Weekly Citizen published on the occasion:

Wombats take American Legion state championship

Two out of three aint bad. In fact, its pretty great.

Ascensions Gauthier & Amedee American Legion baseball team was hungry for their first state title in five years, but to win it, they had to go through a Jesuit-based Retif Oil squad. The Wombats took two of the three matchups

They earned the second victory in style, as they turned a tight 2-1 contest into a 9-1 laugher courtesy of a six-run fourth inning.

Gauthier & Amedee came into the state tournament in New Orleans as one of the prohibitive favorites. They only lost two regular-season games, and they completed their schedule with a six-game winning streak.

After defeating Refuel in the opener, the Wombats met Retif Oil for the first time all season.

Gauthier & Amedee came from behind to defeat the Oilers, 6-4. Dutchtowns Brayden Caskey supplied a two-RBI single in the fifth inning that proved to be the difference.

From there, the Wombats crushed Best Chevrolet (De La Salle), 16-2, and then squeaked by St. Landry, 7-6, in the semifinals.

The victory finally got them over the hump and set up a championship matchup against Retif Oil.

Just one victory away from a state title, Gauthier & Amedee fell short against the Oilers in the first game last Wednesday evening.

The Wombats fell into a hole right from the start.

Retifs Will Moran was hit by a pitch to lead off the the top of the first, and he was joined on base by Seth Dardar following a walk.

Brian Valigosky then came through with an RBI single, and Zack Casbonne drove in another run with a sacrifice to give the Oilers a 2-0 lead.

They added another run in the top of the sixth, before the Wombats finally got on the scoreboard.

At the bottom of the inning, Dutchtowns Jordan Badame drove in East Ascensions Carson Dabadie with a double.

However, Gauthier & Amedee would not score another run.

Retif put the game away in the seventh with a score of their own. The 4-1 victory forced a winner-take-all game between the two.

In the loss, Badame and Dabadie combined for four hits, but the rest of the Wombats were limited to just three..

Ace Dwain Guice (St. Amant) had been nearly unhittable all summer, but the Oilers got to him on Wednesday evening. In six complete innings, they produced five hits and four runs against him.

But the loss didnt discourage the Wombats.

In the next game, they were the team that jumped out in front 2-0.

In the bottom of the second, Retif committed back-to-back errors. This allowed Dabadie to score. East Ascensions Preston Thrash then came up with an RBI single.

The Oilers cut the Wombat lead in half in the third, but Gauthier & Amedee responded with the knockout punch in the bottom of the fourth.

Dutchtowns Layton Lee reached base on an error to begin the frame. He was joined by Dabadie following a walk.

Thrash came up big once again. His triple brought both runners home. Thrash then scored on yet another Oiler error.

Caskey walked, and Ascension Cahtolics William Dunn joined him on base with a single. Both players then scored on a base hit by St. Amants Zane Zeppuhar.

The Wombat flurry finally ended with an RBI single by St. Amants Reed Babin.

Gauthier & Amedee added an insurance run in the sixth after Thrash scored on a passed ball.

The 9-1 victory awarded the Wombats their first state championship since 2013. It was also their first under second-year head coach Marty Luquet.

Its the franchises eighth state championship, dating back to All-Star Ford.

In the title win, Thrash led the way as he went 2-2 with three RBIs and a walk. He also scored two runs, and he closed out the game from the moundpitching two scoreless innings with five strikeouts.

Dutchtowns Jack Merrifield earned the victory from the bump as he pitched five complete innings in which he surrendered just three hits and one run. He struck out four.

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Two years ago, the Wombats brought home a state title - Donaldsonville Chief

Street flooding reported across parts of Baton Rouge, Ascension Parish; I-110 reopened – The Advocate

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Street flooding has been reported across parts of metro Baton Rouge and surrounding areas after heavy rain passed through Monday morning.

Interstate 110 has reopened, officials say.City officials say a portion of I-110 is closed in both directions due to high water.

Other areas of southeast Louisiana held standing water Monday. WBRZ reports La. Highway 44 in Ascension was closed from Airline Highway to La. 30 after flooding.

Click here to see DOTD traffic map and cameras.

Full list of road closures here.

Aflash flood watchhas been issued for southeast Louisiana until 7 p.m. Tuesday, forecasters said.

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Street flooding reported across parts of Baton Rouge, Ascension Parish; I-110 reopened - The Advocate

Macomb heroes: Experience and perseverance allow frontline workers to carry on – The Macomb Daily

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Businesses have reopened. People are starting to travel but still, we have health care workers, first responders and others working on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic.

Who are these masked heroes who have shown great strength and endurance during this crisis?

Each week, for the past two months this Macomb Daily series has highlighted these extraordinary citizens and what they're doing to help not only people in our community but also the individuals that they work alongside in the hospitals.

This is available to all readers in the interest of public safety. Please consider supporting local news; subscribe for only 99 for the first month.

This weeks installment of hero profiles, include:

Monica Buckner, R.N.

Supervisor of cancer care and rapid treatment at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital

Monica Buckner of Chesterfield Township supervises the chemotherapy infusion center at the Henry Ford Cancer Institute, as well as the hospitals Rapid Treatment center, which provides supportive outpatient infusion for patients outside of chemotherapy, including hydration, blood transfusion or iron infusion. The Cancer Center has provided services to a steady volume of patients throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, visitors are restricted from the Cancer Center to help maintain social distancing during chemotherapy infusions. Monica credits the great team that she works with for providing a calm, warm, welcoming and safe atmosphere for patients to receive treatment.

Mya Bellinger, is an Airman First Class with the 127th Wings Civil Engineer Squadron at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township. Bellinger is one of the reasons frontline workers never have to worry about the generator failing on their COVID-19 unit. Photo courtesy of SANG

Mya Bellinger

Airman First Class with the 127th Wings Civil Engineer Squadron at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township

A native of Frakenmuth, Michigan, Bellinger, who is among the service members who have maintained the generators at a COVID-19 center, is an electrical apprentice who has been stationed at SANG for over a year. Her role in keeping the electrical systems running for the coronavirus testing center in Dearborn has been a 24/7 mission.

We are continuously providing preventive maintenance to ensure the testing center can continue to operate, Bellinger said. I joined the Michigan Air National Guard because I come from a military family and Ive always wanted to be able to give back to my community.

Ryan Liddy, a resistered nurse and patient care services unit manager at McLaren Macomb in Mount Clemens. Photo courtesy of McLaren Macomb

Patient care services unit manager at McLaren Macomb in Mount Clemens

Liddy, who is a Clinton Township resident, never imagined the extent that COVID-19 would test his nursing skills.

However, when the coronavirus gripped southeast Michigans health care system he drew on the experience he had and as a floor nurse working during emergencies provided the care needed during the sudden surges of critical patients.

Asked to run two COVID units with two full nursing staffs, Liddy was able to create an organized and collaborative team of nurses across multiple units, keeping them focused during extraordinary times to continue to offer compassion and provide the best possible care to the patient.

Nominations for Macomb Frontline Heroes can be sent to gina.joseph@macombdaily.com or edit@macombdaily.com. Please be sure to include the nominee's name, hometown, where they work and what they do. Also include a photo in jpeg format of the nominee.

Free trips for heroes

Do you know of a health care worker, who has gone above and beyond their duties during the coronavirus pandemic and deserves the opportunity to hit the road in a cool recreational vehicle?

Then nominate them.

In new program launched this week by Outdoorsy an RV rental and outdoor experience marketplace -- frontline workers throughout the country are being awarded a free three-day, two-night RV rental from Outdoorsy.

Healthcare Hero, is part of a larger national effort to give our heroes across North America the mini getaway they deserve in light of COVID-19.

Among the local individuals, who have been named Healthcare Hero by Outdoorsy is Gary Kanner, an emergency medicine resident at Ascension St. John Hospital in Detroit. Photo courtesy of Outdoorsy.

Among the winners this week is Gary Kanner, an emergency medicine resident at Ascension St. John Hospital in Detroit, who contracted the coronavirus while serving a very vulnerable population on the frontlines. Fortunately, he recovered and got right back to work. Set to finish his last year of residency training and graduate this June, he will be moving to New Mexico. With members of his cohort also scattering across the country to start new jobs, the time they have together is dwindling. That in mind, Kanners girlfriend, Erin Hendrix, nominated him for an RV trip with his co-residents, to get outdoors and spend some much-needed quality time.

Outdoorsy is interested in hearing about doctors, nurses, EMTs, or anyone working in healthcare, who are making a difference and deserve a trip. Nominations for the "Outdoor Hero" can be submitted in the nomination section of the program page at: outdoorsy.com/m/healthcare-heroes

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Coronavirus testing aims to reach 60,000 people in East Baton Rouge and Ascension in 12 days – The Advocate

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State health officials say their best chance at fighting the resurgence of coronavirus cases in the Baton Rouge area is testing as many people as possible to get a more accurate snapshot of the disease's presence in the community, especially among those infected who aren't displaying symptoms.

Starting Tuesday, the federal government is backing free COVID-19 testing to about 60,000 people over 12 days at three new sites opening in East Baton Rouge Parish and one in Ascension Parish.

"We're trying to flood the market in concentrated areas with access to testing with fast turnaround times," said Kim Hood, COVID-19 community testing coordinator for the state health department. "This initiative is giving us a boost to testing access in a single region to see if we can identify asymptomatic cases, intervene and get people quarantined to try and slow down this continued spread we're seeing."

Baton Rouge was one of three cities identified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as COVID-19 hotspots after recent spikes in reported cases and hospitalizations since business re-openings began. Jacksonville, Florida, and McAllen, Texas, are the other two launching similar surge testing efforts this week, Hood said.

The new test sites are coming online at a time when many medical facilities are running out of testing kits as new cases surge in the state and across the nation.

Hood said test kits for the sites are being allocated directly by the federal health department, which will supply what's needed to meet the 5,000-per-day test goal they've set for the next 12 days.

People should get their results within three to five days, Hood said.

The Louisiana Department of Health has traced at least 230 cases of the coronavirus to bars across the state, including the more than 100 case

"We've contracted with a single lab that's giving us a considerably shorter turnaround for results than we've seen with a lot of the larger commercial labs," she said.

The new regional testing sites are operating a little differently than many previous ones.

Most notably, they're open to everyone, not just those living in East Baton Rouge Parish or exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms. And people don't have to pay or get doctors orders to receive the tests which have been requirements for many of the drive-thru facilities that opened in Baton Rouge after the virus broke out in the area in March.

"With this surge in testing, we can learn how many people there are who are asymptomatic and walking around with a virus that can be spread," said Dr. Dawn Marcelle, the Louisiana Department of Health medical director for Region 2, which includes most of the Baton Rouge area. "These are people we otherwise might miss if they're not in the hospital or haven't been admitted to an emergency room where they would get tested."

Louisiana health officials on Monday reported 1,101 new coronavirus cases in its daily statewide report, with Region 2 accounting for more than 140 of those diagnoses.

Marcelle noted that research shows the resurgence in COVID-19 cases, especially among young people, is being caused by the "community spread" of the virus outside of high-risk settings such as prisons and nursing homes.

A White House report last week cited Jefferson, Lafayette and East Baton Rouge parishes as having the highest number of new coronavirus cases in the stateover a three-week period. That same report singled out Baton Rouge as having the most newly diagnosed cases, recommending that the government implement a mask order and that people who took part in recent protests against police brutality or attended social gatherings get tested.

Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome followed many of the recommendations in the report, signing an executive order late last week requiring that masks or face coverings be worn in businesses and anywhere in public where social distancing can't occur.

On the first day of Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome's executive order requiring people wear masks at Baton Rouge public businesses, most

"When our numbers are so high that the federal government has concerns and is looking at our city in particular, that should be a wake-up call," Broome said Monday. "People got a little relaxed in terms of adhering to the mandates in Phase 2, and that's what brought us to where we are today."

Susan Hassig, a Tulane University epidemiologist, said the only way to contain the virus and revive the positive trends that prompted the governor to lift his stay-at-home order is the earlier identification of those who are infected. That allows health workers to alert others who were exposed to the virus to the need to take precautions, such as self-isolation.

"If we wait to test sick people when they show up at hospitals, it's too late," she said. "Just testing is valuable. But the real value for the community comes from them letting the health department know who they've spent time with after they've tested positive. Then we can chop off those chains to keep the virus from spreading and spreading."

The new testing sites will be open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week starting Tuesday and ending July 18.

The test sites are:

Also, starting Wednesday a mobile testing site will be at Healing Place Church, 19202 Highland Road in Baton Rouge, through July 18 with the exception of July 12.

Pre-registration isn't required but is encouraged. People can do so at http://www.DoINeedaCOVID19test.com. Those who don't do so earlier can register on site, but it will take longer, officials said.

Test results will be provided by email, and people who test positive will also be contacted by phone. There will not be a phone number to call for results.

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Roulette Myths – Common Myths About Roulette That Gamblers Believe – BestUSCasinos.org

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Red, black, or take a gamble hoping to hit it big? For many players who step up to the roulette table, these are the decisions that will make or break the trip.

Roulette has grown to be one of the most popular games on the casino floor, and for good reason. Its easy to understand, the hands go quickly (but not too quickly), and the odds are very favorable.

Even as its popularity has grown, some misconceptions do still exist. In this article, Ill explain the top 4 commonly-believed roulette myths that should stop today.

Most people in America are accustomed to the standard version of the game that has numbers 1-36 with a 0 and 00 on the wheel as well. You might be surprised to know that there are actually other versions of the game available. Not just that, but they provide better odds to players.

Here are a few examples of real money roulette options that can be found in casinos around the world. Note that just because a certain version is named after a country/region, that doesnt mean its only found in that country/region.

These are the roulette offerings out there with American being excluded:

The European form of roulette is very similar to the American version but with one very noticeable difference. Instead of having a 0 and 00, theres just one 0 space. This might not seem all that significant, but when you consider that the houses edge is typically just the 0 spaces, it means European roulette has only 50% of the house edge that American roulette does.

Frances take on the game might actually be one of the first casino games that ever existed. In fact, some refer to French roulette as the queen of casino play.

Just as in European Roulette, theres only one 0. One major difference, however, is that in French roulette there are fewer betting options. French Roulette is less common than European and American roulette in many areas of the world, but if you do stumble upon the French version, make sure you know the rules beforehand.

If you really want to take things to the next level, try your luck at multi-wheel roulette. This game involves only one table, but multiple roulette wheels are simultaneously in use.

The choice is yours in terms of how many wheels you want to play at once. Then, your single bet is multiplied by the amount of wheels you have chosen to play. For example, if you bet on 3 wheels, you put in 3 times your bet and have 3 chances to win or lose.

Multi-wheel roulette is exciting and presents a nice opportunity for some big wins, but make sure youre staying on top of your plays things can get out of hand quick!

Just as you might have guessed from the name, multiplayer roulette simply is roulette with a group. Whereas normally bettors wouldnt be gathered around the same table and talking throughout, this version of the game allows you to do just that.

While its good for social people, there isnt much else to be gained. Though some advocates do suggest that you can learn many new strategies if you participate and listen.

Since the beginning of time, gamblers have been looking for foolproof betting strategies that guarantee a victory. One such strategy that has been thought to accomplish this is the Martingale System.

Let me first say that I could go on for pages about the mathematical specifics of the system, but I wont do that to you. Instead, heres a quick breakdown of how it works:

Player A bets 2 units, if he loses, his next bet is 2 units +1. If he loses that, his next bet is 4 units +1. If he loses that, his next bet is 8 units +1, and so on. Essentially, the methodology states that you should always make a bet that covers your losses, and then at one unit on top of it so that youll make a profit.

At first, it seems to be a pretty solid strategy. It has survived in gambling circles for decades because its not entirely misguided but there are some shortcomings that need to be addressed.

One of the main issues with the system is that it requires a huge bankroll to actually follow through with the bets in the way that the Martingale System suggests.

Another problem is that the system doesnt take into account what happens if you lose a few hands in a row. What starts out as a reasonable $10 or $20 initial bet can turn into thousands within just a few hands.

When you break it down, the Martingale System, though solid on the surface, simply doesnt hold up. Think of it this way: if there was actually a foolproof betting strategy that gamblers could use to win every time, youd probably have heard about it at this point.

Many gamblers are aware of this phenomenon, but even more have not been clued in. The mistake known as the Gamblers Fallacy is so common that you guessed it it has its own name.

The incorrect philosophy assumes that prior trials have some type of impact on future trials, when in fact they do not. It extrapolates a probability situation that is seen over thousands and thousands of trials and assumes that the same model also works on a much smaller scale.

If that doesnt make sense, heres a much simpler explanation that youve probably encountered during your time at the roulette table:

Lets say the past three spins have ended up on black. Unfortunately, youve lost all three of your last bets as you had your money down on red. When its time for the fourth spin, theres a higher chance of it landing on red than black, right? The correct answer is: no.

While over time, meaning over the course of thousands of spins, the times it lands on red and the times it lands on black will be very similar, on small scale you cant count on it. The lesson to be taken out of this experiment is to recognize that every single spin is its own trial and isnt affected in any way by the ones before it.

To simplify even further, heres an example. For the sake of the example, Ill assume that theres a 50% chance it lands on black, and a 50% chance it lands on red (even though thats not quite right). If you spin the wheel 20 times and it lands on black every time, what are the chances it lands on red on the 21st spin? The answer is still 50%.

The bottom line is that regardless of what happened before your current turn, the odds are the exact same every time. Overall probabilities cant be calculated in one single game, so thinking that something is due to happen is a major mistake that has hurt gamblers since the beginning of time.

If a casino game exists, theres always going to be someone out there who thinks theyve cracked the code. Roulette is no different, and this often presents itself in bets that are spread out across the board.

Obviously, if you place your bet on a specific number or any one of the higher risk spaces, you have a chance to take in a bigger win. However, the odds are never going to actually tip in your favor over the house advantage and no combination of bets is going to change that fact.

Its completely fine to try risking a little more if you arent looking to stick to red/black, odd/even, or over/under 18.

Taking a flyer on a potential big win once in a while is reasonable. Just dont think that you can actually get an edge thats going to be sustainable long-term.

Just like the Martingale System shows, if a foolproof strategy for winning roulette existed, everyone would know about it, and the casinos would have made adjustments.

As long as you stay away from these 4 myths, the roulette wheel presents some of the best opportunities in the casino. The low house edge and ease of play makes it something that should be incorporated into every visit.

Mind your bankroll, ignore the Gamblers Fallacy, and let the chips fall where they may.

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MGM Springfield prepares for reopening; union expects not all workers will return right away – MassLive.com

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SPRINGFIELD MGM Springfield the nearly 2-year-old, $960 million resort casino in Springfields South End is calling back employees ahead of a planned July 13 reopening.

But an official with its largest labor union doesnt expect everyone to resume their jobs initially, if at all.

MGM Springfield had about 2,500 employees before the state ordered it an Massachusetts two other casinos to close in mid-March to arrest the spread of the coronavirus. Four months later, the casinos will reopen under virus safety restrictions imposed by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.

Some 600 of the 2,500 people working at MGM Springfield before the shutdown were members of Unite Here, said Ethan Snow, chief of staff for the New England Joint Board of the union.

I dont know, its definitely going to be a lot less on reopening day, he said of the number of workers. Definitely less.

Hes expecting that bars and restaurants either wont be open or will have operations curtailed, for example. MGM has said its hotel and spa will remain closed for the time being, and valet service will not be available.

Dining options will be limited initially to the Tap Sports Bar, South End Market and Costas pizza. Liquor and other drinks will be available on the casino floor and in connection with seated dining.

In accordance with rules from the state Gaming Commission, MGM will disable slot machines to accommodate six feet between players. Poker, roulette and craps will not be offered.

Unite Here represents hotel housekeepers, bartenders, cocktail servers, casino porters and cleaners. Dealers at gambling tables are not in the union, but its members include slot attendants who cash folks out.

There are other unions representing workers at the casino, including the Teamsters, Electrical Workers and Stage Hands.

MGM is keeping all the laid-off employees on its health insurance plan through the end of August, including ones who are not called back right away. Thats according to both the company and to Snow.

"That's a really big thing for people," Snow said.

Snow said hes proud of protections Unite Here negotiated for its members in the areas of cleaning, sanitization and protections for workers who must interact with the public. MGM has announced mask policy covering all its locations.

In the meantime, some workers are getting called back.

"People have been slowly trickling back and receiving training on what the operation is going to look like once it reopens," Snow said.

MGM spokeswoman Jocelyn Kelly did not go into detail in emails responding to questions from The Republican this week.

We are bringing back employees based on available amenities and business demand, she wrote. Its an evolving situation.

MGM will reopen with Chris Kelley, president of the Northeast Group at MGM Resorts, taking on new responsibilities at MGMs Empire City Casino in Yonkers, just north of New York City.

MGM announced back in May that Kelley who is still less than six months into his time here in Springfield was named president of the Yonkers facility as well. The move came as part of a companywide management shakeup that saw four MGM presidents lose their jobs. Kelleys appointment is pending approval by New York state gaming regulators.

He came to Springfield in January from an MGM property in Ohio. He replaced Mike Mathis, who shepherded the MGM Springfield project though regulatory approvals and construction, to its opening in 2018, and through its first several months of lackluster financial performance.

Before the casino opened, MGM Resorts International told regulators it would bring in an average of $34.8 million a month in gross gambling revenue from slot machines and table games. Instead, the average over its first 18 full months was $21.5 million. The peak was $26.9 million in September 2018, MGM Springfields first full month of operation.

MGM promised to create 3,000 jobs here, but has fallen well short of that goal.

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Coronavirus Live Updates: US and World News – Up News Info

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As school districts across the United States consider whether and how to restart in-person classes, they face two fundamental uncertainties: No nation has tried to send children back to school with the virus raging at levels like Americas, and the scientific research about transmission in classrooms is limited.

The World Health Organization has concluded that the virus is airborne in crowded, indoor spaces with poor ventilation, a description that fits many American schools, and many of the countrys 3.5 million teachers are feeling under siege, under pressure from the White House, pediatricians and some parents to resume normal teaching.

Im just going to say it: It feels like were playing Russian roulette with our kids and our staff, said Robin Cogan, a nurse at the Yorkship School in Camden, N.J., who serves on the states committee on reopening schools.

Three science reporters for The Times, Pam Belluck, Apoorva Mandavilli and Benedict Carey, reviewed relevant studies from around the world. The data, they write, clearly shows that children are far less likely than adults to become seriously ill from the virus. And some research suggests younger children are less likely than teenagers to infect others, though the evidence is not conclusive.

Countries like Norway and Denmark reopened schools after reducing infection levels, and have not seen a surge in cases. They initially opened only for younger children, strengthened sanitizing procedures, and have kept class size limited, children in small groups at recess and space between desks.

The larger concern is that children could become infected, many with no symptoms, and then spread the virus to others, including family members, teachers and other school employees. In Israel, the virus infected more than 200 students and staff after schools reopened in early May and lifted limits on class size a few weeks later, according to a report by University of Washington researchers.

On the other hand, a study in Ireland of six infected people two high school students, an elementary student and three adults who spent in schools before they closed in March found that the only documented transmission involved one of the adults, and outside of school.

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Bitcoin Rally or Altcoin extinction? Top Trader sees gloomy future for ETH, XRP and Co. – Born2Invest

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Despite the massive losses in the wake of the corona crisis, Bitcoin has had a good year until now in 2020. The year-to-date performance until Sunday, July 5th, was over 25%, which means that BTC even beats the US S&P 500 share index in the first half of the year. However, these price gains seem almost meager compared to the gains that some old coins have made this year to date. These include Ethereum with +72% and Tezos with +65%.

However, this appearance of dwindling Bitcoin dominance can be deceptive. While some see a new Altcoin rally like in 2017, others are not so sure about this point. A well-known top trader in the crypto sector is more likely to believe that there will be an extinction of Altcoins before the next long-awaited Bitcoin Rally. What is true about his thesis?

Find out more about Bitcoin and the faith of other cryptocurrencies and read the latest finance news with The Born2Invest mobile app.

The top trader from the crypto sector is Joe007, who has made a name for himself by positioning himself at the top of the Bitfinex Leaderboard. In a new Twitter post from July 3rd, Joe007 makes a bold thesis when he writes that in his opinion an Altcoin mass extinction will come before a possible next Bitcoin Rally. Specifically he wrote: I believe the mass extinction of Shitcoins will likely precede the next Bitcoin rally. Make it whatever you want.

The statement of Joe007 can be seen as very controversial, as there is always hope among some Crypto fans for an Altcoin season like 2017. But the trader seems to have a critical attitude towards everything that is not called Bitcoin. So he also shot against the DeFi area, which is based on the second largest and therefore most promising cryptocurrency besides BTC:

DeFi is nothing but another marketing ploy by a shadow gang of snake oil sellers behind Ethereum. It is obvious that they are trying to create another ICO-like mania. With the same 0 real benefits in the real world.

The top trader Joe007 is not the only one who has radical views on Altcoins. So Adam Back, the CEO of Blockstream, who was mentioned by name by Satoshi Nakamoto in the BTC White Paper, wrote on Twitter on June 30th: There is only one cryptocurrency, Bitcoin.

The programmer told Bloomberg in early June that Bitcoin is on track to reach $300,000 within the next five years. This would mean that BTC would increase by more than 3,000% from its current level.

Max Keiser, a BTC proponent who is also well-known in the crypto sector, is a so-called Bitcoin maximalist in addition to Back. In a recently published interview, Keiser explained his preference for digital gold as follows: There is no coin out there that can do something that Bitcoin is not already doing or will soon be able to do.

As it can be seen from the examples of Joe007, Adam Back and Max Keiser, many crypto experts agree that Bitcoin is the only true cryptocurrency and that Altcoins are doomed to failure in the long run. But will they be right?

Basically, it can be said that the 11-year supremacy of Bitcoin is no coincidence, despite almost 5,600 other cryptocurrencies according to Coinmarketcap. The cryptocurrency invented by Satoshi Nakamoto was the biggest innovation in the crypto sector, so it is no wonder that BTC has the most market capitalization.

However, only the future can show whether all other cryptocurrencies are automatically doomed to failure. One thing is certain, however, that the world does not need 5,600 cryptocurrencies and 99% of them will become worthless. In this scenario, there would still be room for some other special cryptocurrencies besides Bitcoin.

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(Featured image by WorldSpectrum via Pixabay)

DISCLAIMER: This article was written by a third party contributor and does not reflect the opinion of Born2Invest, its management, staff or its associates. Please review our disclaimer for more information.

This article may include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words believe, project, estimate, become, plan, will, and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks as well as uncertainties, including those discussed in the following cautionary statements and elsewhere in this article and on this site. Although the Company may believe that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, the actual results that the Company may achieve may differ materially from any forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of the management of the Company only as of the date hereof. Additionally, please make sure to read these important disclosures.

First published in CRYPTO MONDAY, a third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

Although we made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translations, some parts may be incorrect. Born2Invest assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions or ambiguities in the translations provided on this website. Any person or entity relying on translated content does so at their own risk. Born2Invest is not responsible for losses caused by such reliance on the accuracy or reliability of translated information. If you wish to report an error or inaccuracy in the translation, we encourage you to contact us.

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Bitcoin Rally or Altcoin extinction? Top Trader sees gloomy future for ETH, XRP and Co. - Born2Invest

The Jordan Mars 270 Low Is Accented In Bright Orange And Aqua Hits – Sneaker News

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Quite possibly due to the fact that Jordan Brand has had a busy schedule revealing their Fall retro lineup as well as newer lifestyle offerings such as the Air Cadence and Jordan Delta Breathe, theyve given the backseat to the Jordan Mars 270 Low. Last seen before the commencement of the Spring season in a Pure Money makeover, the silhouette is prepared to grow its family with another iteration here shortly.

From its side profile, youll notice that given the nature of its color-blocking that features black leathers, white overlays, and orange Swooshes, they almost channel a Shattered Backboard type of aesthetic. However, the branded areas such as its midfoot tabs, heel tabs, tongue logos, and insoles usher in bright aqua blue blasts that complete its design with a retro-esque vibe reminiscent of the 1996 NBA All-Star uniforms. Grab a detailed look here below, and be on the lookout for these to drop quietly on Nike.com and through select retailers in the coming weeks.

For other news, the Air Jordan 1 Mid Chicago has been unveiled.

Jordan Mars 270 LowStyle Code: CK1196-101

Make sure to follow @kicksfinder for live tweets during the release date.

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Jordan- HPC marks World Population Day with call to safeguard health, rights of women, girls – MENAFN.COM

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(MENAFN - Jordan Times) AMMAN The COVID-19 pandemic has 'laid bare' health and socio-economic challenges that directly impact all population groups, particularly the most vulnerable, said Higher Population Council (HPC) Secretary General Abla Amawi.

As Jordan commemorated World's Population Day on Saturday under theme 'Safeguarding the health and rights of women and girls around the world even during COVID-19', Amawi said that the pandemic is expected to have long-term implications on human capital, according to an HPC statement.

'It is more than just a health crisis and will result in repercussions on all aspects of life,' the statement quoted Amawi as saying.

The HPC secretary general stressed that the crisis response plans must integrate and focus on population dynamics and the challenges faced by different population groups, including the unmet needs for spacing pregnancies or limiting births among nearly 14.2 per cent of currently married women who are not using contraceptives, with rates varying by governorate.

The 2017-2018 Population and Family Health Survey of 2012 further revealed that 20.3 per cent of women with unmet needs have no education and 16.8 per cent are in the lowest wealth quintile, the statement said.

The 2017-2018 survey revealed that 21 per cent of ever-married women aged 15-49 have experienced physical violence at least once since the age of 15, while 2 per cent have experienced physical violence during pregnancy, Amawi said in the statement.

Additionally, 26 per cent of ever-married women aged 15-49 have experienced spousal physical, sexual or emotional violence: 21 per cent have experienced emotional violence, 18 per cent physical violence and 5 per cent spousal sexual violence, the statement said.

Only one in five women, 19 per cent, who have experienced a form of physical or sexual violence, sought help to stop the violence, while two-thirds of women have never sought help or told anyone about the violence, according to the survey's results.

The HPC highlighted the findings of the State of World Population-2020 report published by UNFPA, which showed a mixed picture of progress on gender equality globally.

Despite strong advances towards gender parity in access to healthcare and education, discrimination and marginalisation are still evident around the world, according to the report.

In 57 countries, only 55 per cent of women aged 15-49, who are married or in a union, make their own decisions about the use of contraceptives and reproductive health services, according to the report's findings.

As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads, the number of women unable to access family planning, facing unintended pregnancies, gender-based violence and other harmful practices could increase, the statement said.

Statistics have revealed the enormous impact of COVID-19 on women as health systems become overloaded, facilities close or only provide a limited set of services to women and girls, and many choose to skip important medical checkups due to fear of contracting the virus, read the statement.

To mark World Population Day, the HPC will organise an array of activities including a national webinar on sexual and reproductive health during the time of COVID-19, and will also release a study titled 'An assessment of the current situation of sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights awareness programmes for adolescents and youth in Jordan'.

Established in 1989, World Population Day was inspired by interest in the day the world's population reached approximately 5 billion on July 11, 1987. According to the United Nations, the world's population currently exceeds 7.7 billion and is expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, and 11 billion by 2100.

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Points of contention on police inquests in King… – Renton Reporter

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Inquests frequently unfold against a backdrop of sadness and drama: Family members shock at the sudden loss of a loved one at the hands of the police, and police defending their actions. It can be insensitive and frustrating.

Recently, King County Executive Dow Constantine and the mayors of Kent, Auburn and Federal Way exchanged political fire over Constantines wanting to change the rules on how inquests would be processed.

Inquests are fact-finding hearings held by a 4-6 member jury. Under state law and county charter, an investigation is required for any death involving a member of law enforcement during the fulfillment of their job duties. The county believes that includes cities and the cities disagree.

In 2018, in response to complaints from family members of those who had died from being shot by city police officers, Constantine formed a citizens group to make recommendations on improving the process. After the release of his new rules, the cities filed a lawsuit to stop the rules from taking effect.

Constantine wanted the cities to withdraw their lawsuit and allow the six inquests that have been on hold since 2017 to be heard and bring the families closure. Some community members believe the inquest process has been unbalanced in favor of police, and some families likely believe the police acted beyond what was necessary or reasonable to resolve the situation without using lethal force. The cities responded by accusing Constantine of playing politics, exceeding his authority and trying to bully them. Renton has joined the lawsuit, and Seattle has withdrawn.

The public might ask: Why is this of interest? Dont both sides want the same thing a fact based conclusion?

Yes, and Kent Mayor Dana Ralph and Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell, along with Executive Constantine, all used the word accountability as one of their goals in a recent story on inquests. But it is what gets considered in that conclusion that is at issue. Anytime a police officer uses lethal force, there should be a public process to determine the facts of what happened.

The national tide of public opinion on racial justice and police use of force has undergone dramatic change in the past few months from what it was three years ago, prior to the public being able to see a cellphone video every night.

Constantines more regional view seeks accountability through the inquest format. In contrast, suburban police have political clout with mayors, city council members and community leaders in their home jurisdictions, and they view accountability as a local issue. Their word has always been taken over a suspect. The cities believe Constantine has created a contest between the deceaseds family and the police officers involved rather than focusing on facts. Actually, Constantine appears to be broadening what facts can be considered in the inquest conclusion as part of accountability.

While the county and cities disagree on several points, there are three that appear to be key points of contention.

The old system was limited to facts and circumstances surrounding the death. The new system expands the interpretation of facts to include questions about department policy and officer training.

Under the old system, the jurors were asked whether the officer feared for his or her life during the incident. Under the new system, jurors may be asked if the officers actions were consistent with department training and policies. Jurors would no longer be asked if the officer or officers feared for their lives.

Under the old system, involved officers could voluntarily testify or be subpoenaed to testify (officer maintains Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination). Under the new system, the lead investigator of the incident will testify and the chief law enforcement officer (or designee) will answer questions about training and policy. The involved officer can voluntarily testify, but not be subpoenaed. However, if the subpoenaed officer does not testify, the officer may not be represented by legal counsel.

On June 15, Constantine added a compromise on the last issue: An involved officer may voluntarily testify or be subpoenaed to testify (officer maintains Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination) and the officer may be represented by legal counsel throughout the proceeding, regardless of whether they testify.

Constantines view is of concern for the families and a desire to expand the facts that can be admitted for accountability and may benefit in a new era racial justice. Meanwhile, the cities want to protect their police officers, avoid court, or resolve training and policy questions in court and not at the inquest.

A city police officers training, and knowledge of city policy, is always key to any court cross-examination in a use of deadly force case. Whether the officer testifies and how well he or she handles the cross-examination are always crucial in the eyes of the jury. Also, an officer fearing for their life has always been the magic phrase to avoid criminal culpability.

Constantines inclusion in the inquest phase would provide a more thorough record and may determine what cases would go to court.

I spent 12 years as Mayor of Auburn, and 11 years in two management positions with King County. I argued for and against each side on different policies. This is not a case where settlement or compromise are possible. Cities question why they are even part of the inquest process and feel it should apply only to the King County Sheriff. The county is confident that Constantines authority is broad enough to withstand a citys legal challenge.

Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus makes a viable point: I believe a statewide process would be beneficial and equitable to everyone. Auburn is in a unique situation. We are part of two counties. I pray we would never utilize the process. It should be the same regardless of where an incident might occur.

The case is scheduled for July, and the court will need to decide less on the two sides political differences, and more on Constantines authority and whether they want criminal culpability to be a new part of the inquest process.

But the Legislature will meet in January and may meet in special session this August. Seattle withdrew from the case, believing the Legislature would be the best place to sort out the issues. While this battle may be just starting, both sides need to be aware of the message they are sending to minority constituent groups. Constantines effort is more reflective of current public opinion.

Federal Way resident Bob Roegner is a former mayor of Auburn. Contact bjroegner@comcast.net.

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Martha McSally: Women in the military get pregnant to "skirt" deployment – Salon

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Arizona Republican senator and former Air Force combat pilotMartha McSallyonce published an academic paperin which she said military servicewomen should be counseled against the "foolishness of entering into a lifetime commitment (motherhood)"to avoid deployment, and calledfor the Pentagon to repeal the policy that allows womento use pregnancy as an excuse to "skirt" their commitment.

The article, titled "Women in Combat: Is the Current Policy Obsolete?"appeared in a 2007 edition of the Duke Journal of Gender Law & Policy. At the time,McSally, the first femalecombat pilot in U.S. history and the first-ever losing Senate candidate to immediately receive a Senate seatwas pursuing a second graduate degree at Air War College.

She later expandedon the articlein a lectureat the Duke University School of Law, whichhosts a full videoon its website. Aclip aboutthe pregnancy issue can be seenhere.

State polls have shownMcSally consistently down bydouble digitsagainstDemocratic challenger Mark Kelly,the astronaut husband of former Arizona Rep. Gabby Giffords. Last month,Kelly wasup 15 points among women.

McSally ran for an open Senate seat in Arizona in 2018, but was narrowly defeated byDemocrat Kyrsten Sinema. Then McSally was appointed by Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey to fill the seat formerly held by the late Sen. John McCain. She could end up losing two U.S. Senate races in the same state within two years, a rare accomplishment.

In the article, theformer squadron commander calls for a cultural shift to teach servicewomen that it is "not appropriate" to have a child just because they want to.

"The military must foster a culture in which military women understand that it is not appropriate to get pregnant whenever they desire," she writes."Instead, women need to realize their duties take precedence. They must take measures to prevent unplanned pregnancies and plan for pregnancies to occur only when they are in non-deployable situations." She does not elaborateon what those measures might include, and later rules out abortion as an acceptable option.

McSally goes on to explainthat the primary "issue" with her proposalis that senior officials would have trouble saying with certainty exactly what a woman's "intent" was behind her pregnancy. The solution, she says,is for senior officers to offer"proper counseling" for women:

Military leaders must create a climate where commanders are not afraid to talk about pregnancy as a readiness issue and to counsel female warriors on their obligation to avoid pregnancies when it will negatively impact unit readiness.The issue is intent, which is difficult to enforce except through strong leadership, a call to dedication and integrity, and proper counseling for military women.

McSally'spolicy solution to this"foolishness"also hinges on counseling.

"It is the author's recommendation that young service women, especially, need to be counseled about the foolishness of entering into a lifetime commitment (motherhood) in order to be released early from a four- or six-year commitment to serve in the military," she says.

(Her paper notes that the courts have ruled, in the1976 caseCrawford v. Cushman,that dischargingpregnant servicewomen violatedthe Fifth Amendment's due process clause, because thepolicy assumesthat pregnant women are permanently unfit for duty.)

McSally's most ambitious proposal is to repeallongstanding Pentagon policy that, in her words, allowspregnant women to "skirt"their duty.

The Department of Defense should rescind the policy that allows servicewomen to skirt their commitment to the military due to pregnancy.It must also create a climate where commanders are encouraged to counsel military women on their responsibilities to not plan a pregnancy during deployment vulnerability times or when serving in jobs where pregnancy would prohibit them from conducting their primary duties.

McSally, who during a 2019hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committeerevealedin emotional testimony that she had been "preyed upon andraped by a senior officer," writes that in her experience as asquadroncommander "single, pregnant, junior enlisted personnel were considered the most problematic because the pregnancies were less likely to be planned and more likely to create other problems, such as financial and child-care problems, that impacted the unit."

A NewYork Times reportpublished soon after that hearing specifies that McSally had been assaulted soon after entering the Air Force Academy, in 1988.

The law journal paper does not address unwanted pregnanciesas a resultof rape.

McSallyspins her argument as feminist, even though"some argue that droves of women will get pregnant to avoid the possibility of serving in combat." The military, she says,should not apply "double standards" to anyservice members,andpregnancies can create the "perception or reality" of a double standard.

The article does not address in any detail the role of men in conception or parenthood, but does callparenthooda permanent condition that affectsservicemen and servicewomen alike.

"Single parents and dual military parents are obligated to have a plan for care of their children in event of deployment and many manage their duties and parenthood admirably," she argues."Servicewomen should not be allowed to avoid their service obligations merely because they become pregnant."

McSally goes on to liken unplanned pregnancies to injuries or diseases, but rules out abortion as a acceptable solution.

"The author realizes accidents may happen, and units should deal with them just like unplanned injuries and illnesses. There is a fine line between creating an ethos that addresses this issue seriously and not encouraging women to have abortions or endanger the health of their babies for fear of potential career implications," she says.

In her 2019 Senate testimony, McSally said that"weaknesses in the processes"had motivated her "to make recommendations to Air Force leaders, shaped my approach as a commander, and informed my advocacy for change while I remained in the military and since I have been in Congress."

Even though McSally, the first female squadron commander in U.S. history,said thatshe"felt raped bythe system," shestill believed thatonly military courts should handle sexual assault cases, arguing that commanders would otherwise be let off the hook.

She spokemore freelyin her lecture at Duke, saying that the policy of givingtemporary leave to pregnant women was"ludicrous"and that the mere prospect of apregnancyis "enough to cause a problem" that all servicewomen get "lumped into."

"You know, go work at Walmart if you want to do that," she says. "Nothing against Walmart."

One year before her Senate testimony, McSally also disclosed that she wasraped in high school byher track coach, who pressured her into having sex with him.

"Even though he didn't physically force me, it certainly was an emotional manipulation," McSally said in aninterviewwith theWall Street Journal. Afterwards, shestepped up her running regimen in an effort to stop her menstrual cycle, which she said had happened before when she ran long-distance.

"I was freaking out that he would get me pregnant," she said.

Watch the clip of McSally's Duke Universitylecture:

The McSally campaign did not respond to Salon's request for comment.

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Martha McSally: Women in the military get pregnant to "skirt" deployment - Salon

CREAM co-founder: Thats why VeChain is the no. 1 enterprise blockchain – Crypto News Flash

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Source: Diego Ioppolo - Shutterstock

Jackson Fu, co-founder of CREAM, an investment incubator for the blockchain and crypto industry, has written a blog post explaining why VeChain is the number one blockchain technology for enterprise adoption. As Fu describes, VeChain provides solutions to core problems that no other crypto project has been able to deliver to production.

Fu states that the cooperation between VeChain, Fresh Supply Co. and Alipay Australia is a prime example of why VeChain has already convinced large corporations and government initiatives on several occasions in the corporate sector. By using logistics data logged via IoT devices on the VeChainThor Blockchain, Alipay Australia can offer to provide the supplier with a loan for their goods, which are then quickly shipped to the buyer in China.

The old-fashioned method, which usually gives a payment term of 90 days+ and goods are not shipped until payment is received, is revolutionized by VeChain, as Fu describes:

Alipay uses Trustworthy Immutable Data to validate logistics data independently, rapidly accelerating the speed at which value can circulate through the economy. This simple advancement in blockchain application can potentially disrupt supply chain finance industry as a whole. Creating values for not just producers, buyers and logistics companies, but financial services companies as well.

A core problem that VeChain solves is what Fu calls the garbage in = garbage out problem. This is that within the supply chain industry there is a trust problem that is currently being solved by auditing giants such as DNV GL, PwC, SGS, Intertek, NQA etc. who have built a hundred billion dollar CTI industry (certification, testing, inspection). However, the use of this service is expensive.

Blockchain solves this trust problem by making the data unchangeable by involving world leaders in quality assurance to ensure data quality.

VeChain has been extremely intelligent in how it addresses this age-old issue. By partnering up with key providers who are leaders of C.T.I. industries such as DNV-GL, PwC and others, companies are able to ensure the quality of theirs and their suppliers internal processes, providing assurance for the quality of data entering the blockchain in the first instance.

By guaranteeing the quality of data, enterprise clients can enable numerous new kinds of collaborative business models. [] This is a win-win situation for both VeChain and assurance giants as the value of trust is now transparent and enhanced for all stakeholders.

According to Fu, one problem that VeChain solves like no other crypto project is the basic technical and practical design of the blockchain at the protocol level. This starts with the scalability of the blockchain, continues with the difficulty of use and the upgrade process and ends with the fluctuating transactions fees. According to Fu, VeChain has solved all these problems with the Proof of Authority (PoA).

VeChain has a unique structure there are 101 block producing nodes globally as part of its Proof of Authority (PoA) consensus mechanism. This number strikes the perfect balance of decentralization, scalability and speed, perfectly addressing the blockchain trilemma.

According to Fu, VeChain also has a simple and ingenious solution to the cost problem: The introduction of the two token system consisting of VET and VTHO. VET, the native token generates VTHO and VTHO is used to pay for transactions in the network. VTHO can be used to compensate for price fluctuations:

When network activity grows and VTHO gets too expensive as a result of increasing market demand, the cost of a transaction in VTHO terms can be reduced, allowing the network to maintain a stable transaction cost in dollar terms.

Furthermore, companies using VeChain do not have to hold and store both VET and VTHO themselves. The delegation of fees (VIP-191) solved the problem that companies using public blockchains have to own the cryptocurrency by allowing named third parties to pay the transaction fees. Thus, companies can easily use the VeChainThor blockchain just like any other internet based service.

With the invention of the fee delegation, VeChain has successfully removed one of the biggest hurdles to implementation, namely the need to directly manage crypto to pay for the use of the network.

The ToolChain Credit (TCC) functionality has recently been further enhanced by allowing companies to easily take a crypto-credit to write data to the blockchain when using the ToolChain, VeChains all-in-one blockchain toolkit. This, according to Fu, is a huge step forward for regions where cryptocurrencies like VET and VTHO are in a gray zone:

This new addition completely removes the need for companies to interact with crypto, enabling the widest possible user base for the network by providing a solution for companies in legally grey jurisdictions, like the US and China.

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Report: VeChain one of the most innovative blockchain companies – Crypto News Flash

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The Shanghai Municipal Economics and Information Commission together with the Financial Information Association published a new report that recognizes VeChains innovation in the blockchain sector. Called 2020 Global Blockchain Innovation Applications, the report highlights 3 of VeChains most important projects in Shanghai province: its partnership with Shanghai Gas, Walmart and H&Ms sustainable deployment.

The report uses four criteria to evaluate the projects: the amount of progress they have made and their level of innovation, as well as their ability to be replicated in other scenarios and to be demonstrated. The Commission and Shanghai Association evaluated projects in different industries and sectors. Culture, Entertainment, Government, Financial Services, these were just some sectors evaluated.

The first of the VeChains projects in Shanghai that the report points out as a case of innovation is the Shanghai Gas project. As reported by CNF, VeChain partnered with Shanghai Gas in April this year. The cooperation enabled VeChain to establish an energy as a service ecosystem.

In the report, it is noted that this ecosystem together with a new blockchain infrastructure improved trade, financial service innovation and industry data sharing in the province. VeChain partner PriceWaterhouseCoopers offered its consulting services in project development and research. In this way, the cooperation was able to overcome obstacles faced by the industry, especially in the management of logistics operations.

The report highlights the cooperation between VeChain and Walmart Shanghai. At the end of last year, both companies launched the Walmart China Blockchain Tracking Platform (WCBTP). Based on the VeChainThor blockchain, the supermarket chain has been able to expand the variety of products it offers to its customers.

In addition, Walmart can share information about its products with suppliers and customers. They can track a given product from the beginning of the supply chain until it reaches their nearest Walmart store. Once there, customers can use the WCBTP to receive all information regarding a product.

Finally, the report highlights the partnership between VeChain and DNV GL to verify and track products, materials and processing plants for the H&M group. The partnership began in 2018 and has enabled the fashion giant to find the best sustainable and recyclable materials to produce its clothing.

The partnership is based on the blockchain Mi tracking solution Story. The solution allows for the documentation and complete tracking of products worldwide from the point of production to the end user. My Story has already been used to track high-quality Italian wine, Norwegian salmon and a range of other food products.

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3 Big Blockchain Companies Teamed Up on a DeFi Product That Pays Passive Income – Cointelegraph

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In a special announcement made at the Unitize conference on July 6,Cosmos, Polkadot, and Terra revealed a new DeFi savings product called Anchor that aims to offer dependable interest rates on stablecoins deposits.

The companies involved in the creation of Anchor plan to launch it across their respective blockchains at the end of Q3 this year and scale across to other PoS blockchains in the future.

Do Kwon, founder and CEO of Terra, explained in a prepared statement:

While DeFi staples such as Maker and Compound have been revolutionary in creating fully decentralized crypto money markets, the volatility of their interest rates makes them unsuitable to be used as a household savings product. DeFi mass adoption needs the creation of a fully decentralized savings account that offers dependable APR.

Anchors smart contracts receive stablecoin deposits and use a portion of them to acquire staking positions on compatible Proof of Stake blockchains. Users will receive their passive income from these staking rewards.

The initial governance for this platform will come from the Interchain Asset Association (IAA), a newly formed organization that sees Zaki Manian of Cosmos, Jack Platts of the Web3 Foundation, and Do Kwon of Terraform Labs collectively steering the ship.

On June 26, Cointelegraph reported about a partnership between the Gitcoin project and Polkadot that will help the interoperable blockchain platforms developers find community support and funding. The Kava decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol also recently launched on the Cosmos (ATOM) network, with collateral support for Binance Coin (BNB).

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When Will the Caribbean Be Back in Full Swing? – TravelPulse

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As it stands now, travel advisors are on the fence as to when the Caribbean will again be fully back in business. The one thing thats certain, they say, is that nothing is certain.

Earlier this season, we all seemed to think the Caribbean would be the place where we could send our displaced travelers from Europe, said Becky Lukovic of Bella Travel Planning, an affiliate of Travel Experts. However, with the current COVID-19 situation in the U.S., some islands are changing their travel restrictions often, giving many advisors pause in even recommending them or booking them, lest our travelers suddenly be unable to travel to their destination.

Further exacerbating the situation is that even if the island is open for U.S. tourists to visit, the resort openings may be significantly behind the border opening dates, she added.

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For a full recovery, Lukovic believes that several things need to happen. First, the numbers of COVID cases in the U.S. will have to decrease enough for the islands to welcome our travelers. Second, the public in the U.S. and other countries need to be willing to travel in order for the resorts to be able to financially afford to open, she said.

Third, there needs to be some sort of stability in the entry requirements for each island. When the entry requirements change as quickly as they been in the past few weeks, its a gamble to plan travel there.

As a case in point, Holly Lombardo of Classic Travel Advisors, an affiliate of Travel Experts, relayed a travel scenario illustrating the challenges the Caribbean and its visitors face.

Lombardos clients canceled a trip to Greece on June 2 for travel in July because of the border closure. On June 26, I suggested St. Barts as a tropical alternative since it has just opened to the U.S. on June 2, she said, adding that entry requirements included arrival with a negative COVID-19 within 72 hours or alternatively taking a test on the island within 24 hours.

On June 28, Lombardo booked nonrefundable flights from Atlanta connecting through St Martin after researching that St Martin would open to the U.S. on July 1.

On June 29, Lombardo booked the prepaid non-refundable hotel stay in St Barts for arrival a week later, on July 7.

On July 3, St Martin announced it changed its mind and it would now not be allowing [travelers from] the U.S. in until July 15, she said. The hotel refused to refund monies [of] $12,000, [but] I was able to get the last two seats on a connection via San Juan on Tradewinds instead arriving on July 8 rather than July 7, which resulted in one lost hotel night for the clients and $2,500 in lost and higher-priced airfare.

Then, on July 7, St Barts announced new entry requirements, which would take effect on July 10, requiring that travelers must arrive with negative COVID-19 tests that were administered within 72 hoursand with no option to wait until you arrive to have it done, Lombardo said.

On July 8, her clients were almost denied boarding by Delta because of the announcement by St Barts, which Lombardo said she thought was simply a case of employees misreading the Timatic, which verifies passenger travel document requirements.

Meanwhile, the clients were able to get the COVID-19 tests completed at the San Juan International Airport, arriving in St. Barts with negative results in hand.

You can see how this is an absolute mess. Literally, I thought to myself, I may stop selling any 2020 departures, she said. It may not be worth the liability and the heart palpitations!

Approximately one-third of Lombardos business is generated from Caribbean bookings. Because Im an Atlanta-based agent, travelers can easily get to the Caribbean for three- to five-night getaways, she said. All but one of my March/April/May/June/July/ bookings were canceled by clients or refunded by hotels due to closures. Not one person has rebooked yet. They have kicked the tires and asked for extensions of rebooking deadline dates.

Those clients with future-stay credits generally are feeling more comfortable with the possibility of first and second quarters of 2021, Lombardo said.

Prior to the pandemic, Time For Travel was having a huge year for Caribbean bookings, said its president, Sarah Kline. The Caribbean was hot, and the demand was higher than ever, adding that its about 50/50 in terms of clients who rebooked versus canceled.

For James Berglie of Be All Inclusive, about 80 to 85 percent of our clients rebooked versus canceled.

He predicts a full Caribbean recovery will take years. My guess would be two to three years, he said. Travel will slowly return as people become more comfortable in the post quarantine world, but that will take time. The availability of a daily nonstop will be a huge determinant depending on the market guests are coming from.

Noting that clients always prefer nonstops, in a post -quarantine world I think it will be even more important to some people, as they want to lessen the time in planes and traveling. For us in Baltimore, that means Jamaica, Punta Cana, Aruba and Cancun.

For Kline, weve had the most demand for Riviera Maya and Jamaica for 2020, but for 2021 clients seem to want less crowded destinations and weve had more requests for Antigua, Saint Lucia, Turks and Caicos and Costa Rica.

Not surprisingly, agents contend that Caribbean destinations that fare the best will be those with the most effective health and safety protocols.

Generally speaking, it will be a destination where the government and resorts work together to have good health protocols in place across the board and supervision of some sort to make sure those protocols are uniformly followed, said Claire Schoeder of Elevations Travel.

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When Will the Caribbean Be Back in Full Swing? - TravelPulse

7 Careers For People Who Want to Live in the Caribbean – South Florida Caribbean News

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Imagine living in the Caribbean and waking up to the fantastic weather and breathtaking scenery every day. It may sound like a fantasy, but its a reality for numerous people. You can do it, too! But what career option will allow you to live this life? Here are careers that would enable you to live in the Caribbean.

Hospitality is a top industry in the Caribbean since people love to go to the area for vacation. If you want to live in a permanent vacation environment, you could do worse than working toward a career in hospitality. Find a job in a hotel, for example, and ensure that guests have a stay that enhances their entire Caribbean experience. If you want a college degree, you can study hospitality management. A degree might help you land your dream job, earn higher pay, and set you apart from others competing for the same jobs.

When people come to the area, they need someone to show them around. They wont know where to go or what to look at if someone doesnt help them. You can become the person to point out the most amazing landmarks and day trips. You will not only get to experience the journey with your tour group every day, but youll also get the opportunity to meet many interesting people from all over the world. Some tour companies will even provide training and teach you everything youll need to know.

You arent the only one who wants to live in the Caribbean. Many other people are looking at properties. Some may need to stay in an apartment for a year or two for temporary work. Other people may want a vacation home. Still others may want a permanent residence. By starting a business, you can be the person to help connect people with their dream home in their dream location.

People get sick and injured everywhere in the world, even in a place as beautiful as the Caribbean. They need nurses and doctors just like anywhere else in the world. You can work in different clinics or hospitals or even start your own practice. Many people assume they must complete their medical training before they move, but thats not true. There is even a medical school in the Caribbean, so you dont have to wait until after your training is finished to make a move.

Many people arent able to go to the Caribbean to learn about what is happening in that part of the world. Too often, people dont even care if someone doesnt bring it to their attention. Go to the Caribbean to become a journalist. You can write about your experiences while in the area for different travel blogs and travel magazines. You can also write on topics that affect the area, such as politics and natural disasters. Get a degree in English or Journalism to help establish yourself. You may even choose to start your own travel blog to develop a following.

Tourists in the Caribbean are going to eat out and go out for drinks more often than at home. They will probably tip better than at home. They are on vacation, after all! You can work in the restaurant industry as a server, cook, hostess, or bartender. You may even get to enjoy some of the best establishments in the country for yourself.

The Caribbean is a group of islands. That means theres a lot of water in the area and a lot of marine life. You can do your part to help the animals in the air by working as a marine biologist. As a marine biologist, you will learn how to best protect wildlife and keep the oceans clean. You may even get the opportunity to go diving to see the beauty underwater for yourself. Look into different marine biology programs at your local college or at a college in the Caribbean.

If you have adventure in your blood, you should pick a career that could take you to fun places. All of these careers can bring you to the Caribbean. Once you are done in the Caribbean, who knows where your career will take you next?

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7 Careers For People Who Want to Live in the Caribbean - South Florida Caribbean News

Funding Needed to Help Caribbean Tourism Withstand Crisis – Travel Agent

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Additional sources of funding must be established to help Caribbean tourism withstand future crisesaccording toa new report on astudy on the effects of COVID-19 (coronavirus)on national destination management and marketing organizations in member countries of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and their early responses to the global pandemic.

The survey found that COVID-19 affected the financial health of the tourism organizations, with nearly of all of those polled either had, or expected, cuts to their operating budgets. This is an ominous signal, the report said.

It also called for advocacy on behalf of the destination organizations for financial support in order to remain strong and help to lead tourisms recovery and rebuilding efforts, adding that these entities would have to find creative ways to do more with less, especially with regards to marketing.

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Moving forward, destination organizations will need to consider how to diversify their funding sources, which are mainly based on lodging and cruise taxes, to ensure that they can withstand future COVID-19 waves and future shocks to the tourism industry, the George Washington University International Institute of Tourism Studies (GW IITS), who conducted the study with the CTO, said in the report.

At the same time, it said the tourism bodies needed to remain vigilant and advocate for continued support to tourism businesses if these businesses are to survive. Without sustained financial assistance, tourism businesses that are operating at less than full capacity will be challenged to remain in business through 2020, the report added.

Beyond funding, the report stressed the need for effective crisis management and communications among the immediate steps needed to recover from the economic fallout of COVID-19 and its impact on tourism. Seleni Matus, GW IITS executive director said, Its essential that destination organizations act now to work with local governments and businesses to find ways to create public and private partnerships that will benefit all parties involved, from hotels, tour operators and restaurants to local residents and touristsimmediate investment is urgently needed.

The online survey, designed and analyzed by GW IITS, was conducted from May 6 22 amongst CTOs 24 member countries. The GW IITS also inventoried tourism destination actions from mid-March to early May on mobility, economic relief, destination management and community support, crisis communication and destination marketing.

The university additionally reviewed the websites and social media channels of various destination marketing organizations, industry associations and destination consumer-facing websites to better understand the tourism industrys response to COVID-19, and it compiled data on mobility and economic relief from various secondary sources.Forty-three countries in the greater Caribbean, including CTOs 24 member countries, were included in this component of the research.

To learn more, visit http://www.onecaribbean.org.

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Funding Needed to Help Caribbean Tourism Withstand Crisis - Travel Agent

Low in the Gulf and wave in the Caribbean might develop into tropical systems, NHC says – NOLA.com

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The National Hurricane Center is monitoring three tropical systems, two of which have yet to develop into tropical depressions but could sometime this week.

In the northern Gulf of Mexico, an area of low pressure is spinning off the Florida panhandle, south of Panama City.

It's possible a tropical depression forms before the system moves ashore Monday. But the higher chance for development will unfold after it moves over into the Atlantic Ocean later in the week.

"This system is expected to evolve into a larger low pressure system and move northeastward, possibly emerging offshore of the Carolinas later this week where environmental conditions are expected to be more conducive for development," the NHC said in a Sunday evening tropical update.

The system has 40% chance of tropical development in the next five days, according to the NHC's forecast.

Meanwhile, a tropical wave about 700 miles east of the Winward Islands in the Caribbean Sea also has forecasters' attention too, but the window of time for it to develop into a tropical depression is narrow.

"Some slight development of this system is possible on Monday before environmental conditions become hostile for development on Tuesday," the NHC said.

Tropical Depression 5, centered northeast of Bermuda, is forecast to possibly become Tropical StormEdouard on Monday.

If that occurs, a record would be set for the earliest a fifth-named storm has formed in a hurricane season.

Colorado State University meteorologist Philip Kloztbach said that the current record for the earliest fifth-named storm formation was Emily on July 12, 2005.

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Low in the Gulf and wave in the Caribbean might develop into tropical systems, NHC says - NOLA.com