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Trust Through Transparency: How AutoTechIQ Is Rebuilding Consumer Confidence In The Auto Repair Industry

Benzinga

When you google ‘trust,’ you’ll find “ Firm belief in the integrity, ability, or character of a person or thing; confidence or reliance. ” Surveys reveal that nearly half of car owners think auto repair shops overcharge them. In fact, more than half would like a better explanation of the condition, cause, and correction to make sure they know whether the money spent is a good investment in the safety, driveability, and longevity of their vehicle. AutoTechIQ.com addresses this uncertainty by adding vehicle-specific education content and recommending auto repair businesses certified by AutoTechIQ. A new way of gaining trust Digital inspection and communication tools have created a platform for car owners to address concerns about overpaying. The traditional trust in the shop to provide a safe and reliable means of transportation is accompanied by clear and transparent education for car owners to make decisions based on well-documented findings. They are the basis for a budget and appointment schedule for future visits. How does transparency create trust? Assume your car smells like burning oil, and it is hard for you to pinpoint the source, so you drop off your car at a repair shop. Modern shops will perform a Digital Vehicle Health Inspection, which not only documents the testing of your concern but adds 35-50 topics for a full bill of health. For example, in the case image below, a transaxle seal dripping was causing a burning oil smell; the red arrows and text document the details. Red arrows point out the leak, and the text provides The condition (the smell), The cause (the shaft seal is leaking.), and The correction (the seal needs to be replaced). This documentation provides complete transparency and, applied to all topics, will make you ask for a quote. You'll be more confident that the shop will perform high-quality work. Car Owners like me experience the same Another element of trust is people’s decisions who are in a similar or identical situation. For example, buying products and services online is almost unthinkable without reading reviews. Consumers not only browse the good and bad reviews but also prioritize reviews by people in the same situation, like car owners experiencing the same symptom and who drive the same vehicle type. AutoTechIQ.com will show, per symptom, how many car owners driving the same vehicle type have experienced the same symptom and what potential fixes auto repair shops perform to fix it. Since similar symptoms don’t mean a single fix, the website lists all typical and potential repairs to make you confident about what to discuss with your trusted auto repair shop. You can explore an example of the burning oil smell here: https://www.autotechiq.com/symptom/my-car-smells-like-burning-oil. Can I repair the car myself to eliminate a problem? Most symptoms need a professional inspection, test and/or diagnosis to pinpoint the cause. A key element of today’s auto repair is the ability of the shop’s service advisor to educate the customer about why the repair needs to happen and what safety, cost avoidance, and environmental impact it imposes. Then, with a list of options on the table, the customer can decide the best outcome for their vehicle and their goals. AutoTechIQ has introduced three certification levels for the shops near you: Certified Business Recommended Business Business in Good Standing All levels require at least 100 Google Reviews with an average score of 4.5 and higher. Certified businesses conduct a Digital Auto Checkup on every vehicle and recommend the right approach for longevity, reliability, and driveability instead of just replacing parts and correcting the car’s symptoms. Then, you ultimately choose what is budget-friendly for you. More details can be found here. Also, note that recommended businesses conduct a Digital Vehicle Health Inspection but have not been certified yet. A high level of transparency eases your concern about overpaying or not having the correct diagnosis. AutoTechIQ.com is extracting symptoms and fixes from millions of work orders across North America and making the results available to you in an easy-to-digest way and with a minimum of the technical lingo experts often say. How do I find the best professional auto repair shop for my car? There has been a significant change in how former ‘mom-and-pop’ shops focus on repairing vehicles after becoming professional businesses. Now, they focus on helping you determine your vehicle's best outcome by meeting your goals for longevity and dependability. This approach spans longer than just one visit. Check the auto repair shops near you! Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

November 08, 2022 01:14 PM Eastern Standard Time

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FiscalNote Holdings (NYSE: NOTE) Still Relying On Twitter To Get Your Political News? This Company With Insight From Over 75 Years Of Reliable Experience Could Give You A Better Edge

Benzinga

If you’re still relying on Twitter for political news, you could be falling behind. There are just too many bills and legislative changes for the social network to track. Since World War II, Congress has typically enacted 4 million to 6 million words of new law in each two-year congress, according to GovTrack. The topics of these acts range from genocide prevention and nuclear power use to abortion rights and corporate taxes. You could argue that keeping tabs on the highest profile cases — like the overturning of the Roe v. Wade Act of 1973 — is a possibility, but that effectively also gives the reigns to social media outlets to decide what is worthy of public attention. And certain legislative changes that have no bearing on the majority of the population may still be significant to others. As the midterm elections approach, it’s more important than ever that Americans keep tabs on the political landscape. Catering to the needs of the people, FiscalNote Holdings Inc. (NYSE: NOTE) is an agency specialized in collecting and analyzing data on the regulatory processes in the U.S. and abroad. Here’s how it could help you stay ahead of the political curve. Could FiscalNote Change The Game? According to FiscalNote, over 5,000 organizations trust the company’s regulatory data operations, including Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (NASDAQ: WBA) and the Executive Office of the President of the United States. Unlike other data-centric companies like Workiva Inc. (NYSE: WK) and Splunk Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLK), FiscalNote’s emphasis is to help customers like Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) and Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX) stay ahead of rapidly evolving political, corporate and regulatory environments. Two of the company’s products stand out in this category. First is CQ Federal, a software platform aimed at ensuring individuals never miss an update on legislation and regulations. Armed with a user-optimized application, CQ Federal provides investors immediate access to updates on the issues that matter across bills, transcripts, reports, votes and more. The U.S. government produces thousands of documents and updates, and CQ Federal allows you to sift through them via advanced tools and dig deep into those that impact you the most. Second is VoterVoice, a comprehensive digital advocacy solution that helps campaigns mobilize their supporters, amplify their message and take legislative action. VoterVoice connects campaign organizers’ advocates via best-in-class address-matching capabilities, ensuring the campaign message is heard by those with the power to enforce change. Additionally, VoterVoice functions as a virtual hub, allowing campaigners to reach out to their supporters via e-mail and notifications and keep them engaged and informed via newsletters, polls and updates. Think of it like ZoomInfo Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: ZI) of politics. With tools tailored to optimizing the curation of important political information, why depend on unspecialized alternatives? Reacting quickly and properly to emerging information is a key quality of competent management teams. FiscalNote, which has over 75 years of unbiased experience, allows individuals to do so with ease. Ready to level up in the political playing field? Head to FiscalNote to get started. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

November 08, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Bluberi Adds a Slice with “Bluberi π” Studio in Reno, NV

Bluberi Gaming

Bluberi or (the “Company”) today announced the grand opening of its brand new game development studio “Bluberi π” in Reno, NV. Bluberi is opening this studio as a complementary content stream to help build the portfolio in conjunction with the development team in Drummondville, Canada. The studio is led by Vice President of R&D, Keith Hughes, an experienced Game Designer with a background at IGT and Scientific Games (now Light & Wonder). Keith is joined by a mix of industry veterans as well as some new faces to the gaming industry. “We here at Bluberi π are thrilled to be a part of this team. The games coming out of our talented Canadian team such as Devil’s Lock & Fu Bamboo showcase the potential of Bluberi and set a high bar for our team here in Reno. We can’t wait to contribute to the Bluberi roadmap and provide an additional source of content as the company grows in the coming years!”, said Hughes. The name, “Bluberi π”, comes from the team’s deep-rooted commitment to industry leading math and the Bluberi New School core value. One of the most iconic numbers in all of math, π, is a constant, while also never-ending and mysterious. As a homonym to the word “pie”, the studio’s name also represents the Company’s commitment to a fun and irreverent approach to game design. "2022 has been an amazing year for Bluberi, thanks to consistently strong releases from our flagship R&D facility in Drummondville, Quebec, the lifeblood of the company. And as we're primed for growth in 2023 and beyond, we're very excited to introduce our second studio, Bluberi Pi. Due to strong planning and leadership we're already highly staffed and primed to unveil their first products next year." said Mike Brennan, Chief Product Officer. “Having Bluberi π as part of the Bluberi family is an incredibly exciting development for the company”, said Christian Smith, Senior Director of Product and Marketing. “The experience, creativity, and passion this team brings will serve as a great compliment to the successful games being developed in Drummondville.” “Most of the success in my career has come from collaboration with team members that bring diverse thoughts, ideas, and opinions, and I am excited to continue that style of game development with both the creative and passionate people in the Bluberi π studio as well as with the team in Drummondville.”, Hughes added. Bluberi π is targeting to have its debut game in the market sometime in 2023. About Bluberi Backed by more than 25 years of industry experience, Bluberi is an established and reliable company with an expansive vision to deliver the highest quality casino gaming experience to players in Class II and Class III markets across the globe. We strive to provide industry-leading customer service by being the easiest company to do business with and are proud to be an agile supplier; able to respond to customer feedback quickly as we grow to become a best-in-class gaming partner. To learn more, visit bluberi.com. Bluberi Media Contact: Christian Smith, Sr. Director of Product & Marketing, christian.smith@bluberi.com Contact Details Bluberi Christian Smith, Sr +1 847-778-2462 christian.smith@bluberi.com Company Website https://bluberi.com/

November 07, 2022 09:00 AM Pacific Standard Time

Tia Lee Deletes All Instagram Photos, Puts up Mysterious Square Grid on Instagram

Redhill Asia

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 7 November 2022 - Having kept a low profile since wishing her fans Happy New Year on Instagram in February, Tia Lee, Asian fashion icon, pop singer, film and television actress, has recently returned to her IG. However, her loyal followers are disappointed - not to see any new photo of Tia. Instead, she has deleted all her posts and uploaded a mysterious black six-square-grid with a dark-blue strike through the middle! What does all the deletion mean? And why the dramatic strike through on the grid? Tia’s profile icon was also replaced with a broken tiara? For the past three years, Tia has kept herself out of the spotlight and away from the public eye. Before this shocking deletion on Tia’s IG, she may have been immensely disappointed by all the negative news surrounding the announcement of her new single ‘Goodbye Princess’ release at the Golden Melody Awards 2022 in July. Since then, she has disappeared from the entertainment and fashion scenes. Is this the trigger for her latest move on IG? All of these have sparked widespread speculation about her next move. “Tia is finally updating her Instagram! Is it a comeback? Why all the posts disappeared” “What happened Tia” “When are you releasing a new song, is this a new teaser or what? Goodbye Princess” “It has been quite some time since your last song, miss you so much, looking forward to seeing your new release” “I love you, my girl welcome back!! Have been waiting for your appearance for so long already! I miss ya so much” “Your new song was on Golden Melody Awards…. Very brainwashing indeed!” …. Fans are going wild with speculations! Yet, there has been rumour saying Tia was spotted in Bangkok, working on her upcoming project. If this is true, then followers of Tia should be seeing Tia again very soon! Tia Lee 李毓芬Official Channels: Instagram @leeyufen: https://www.instagram.com/leeyufen/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tialeeofficial/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leeyufentialee/ Weibo: https://weibo.com/u/1396928042/ About Tia Lee: Tia Lee (李毓芬), born in Taipei, is an Asian pop singer, film and television actress, model, and former member of the girl band Dream Girls. In addition to her acting roles and musical career, Tia appears frequently at major fashion shows. As a fashion icon and trend-setter, Tia has graced the covers of fashion, beauty and lifestyle magazines such as Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, and shares her beauty and fashion tips through a number of Vogue’s social media channels. Contact Details Redhill Asia Media Contact +852 6077 7342 global@redhill.asia

November 07, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Could This Regulatory Data Company Attract More Interest As The Midterm Elections Approach?

Benzinga

What is the role of information in changing the world? For companies like FiscalNote Holdings Inc. (NYSE: NOTE), this consideration is the cornerstone of its business. As an agency specialized in collecting data on the regulatory processes in the U.S. and abroad, FiscalNote’s existence is a testament to the power of quality information. FiscalNote belongs to a growing library of companies specializing in the timely acquisition and creative distillation of information. These companies have molded information to offer a variety of services ranging from automating finances such as Workiva Inc. (NYSE: WK) to consumer behavioral analysis like Splunk Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLK). For FiscalNote, regulatory data is the foundation of the work. Policies can have a radical impact on how businesses operate. Take the Roe versus Wade case, which in 1973 created a whole new industry for abortion-seeking individuals. FiscalNote is dedicated to collecting valuable regulatory information and detailing how it would affect its customers’ businesses and operations. As the U.S. midterm elections creep closer, FiscalNote’s work may be more valuable than ever. Fortunately, the company has reportedly prepared for this moment. In an episode on SPACInsider, FiscalNote CEO Tim Hwang outlines the company’s recent acquisitions, its cash-rich position and the favorability of market valuations as driving forces in the company’s quest for market share. Leveraging Market Conditions The past two years have seen shifts in the requirement for large-scale data. Brewing market uncertainty and the COVID-19 pandemic provide some of the strongest catalysts for this growing demand for data. As discussed in the podcast episode, Hwang believes the pandemic increased the number of touchpoints governments at every level have on business operations. Additionally, poor market conditions and whipsawing currency valuations are posing significant risks for businesses worldwide. FiscalNote provides services that help businesses tackle and understand their issues through data. The company says it has undergone significant growth to improve its service, including prioritizing key conditions in getting the right SPAC deal for it, and that it is already taking advantage of being a publicly-listed company. Specifically, Hwang highlighted the following developments: The acquisition of DT-Global Business Consulting, an Austria-based market intelligence company, that expands FiscalNote's existing Geopolitical & Market Intelligence solutions business, shortly after its initial public offering (IPO). The expansion into alternative data — financial information covering the economic activity that isn’t covered by equities and traditional markets. Labor, wage and credit card expenditure data are some examples. The acquisition of Aicel, a South Korea-based alternative data solutions and software company that enhances FiscalNote’s Data-as-a-Service offerings on a global scale. Commenting on the business’s merger and acquisition (M&A) strategy, Hwang said, “We are expanding the scope of our products and services to be able to drive continued organic growth well into the future.” Hwang sees the M&A process as simple product development — finding companies that would enrich FiscalNote’s data collection and analysis and acquiring them is a clear-cut way to improve the business’s database and reach. Hwang says that current market conditions, which have sent business valuations well below book and cash values, represent an incredible opportunity for FiscalNote, one that the company is taking advantage of via its acquisitions. Armed with $90 million in cash and a flexible credit facility driven by the company’s annual recurring revenue, Hwang believes the company has both the right management team and the right financials to take FiscalNote to the next level. As midterm elections creep around the corner, the importance of regulatory data and information may reach new heights. Hear more about how FiscalNote is tackling the situation here. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

November 04, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Venture Capital and Private Equity Continue to Have a Taste for HR and HCM Tech Opportunities

Benzinga

The Surprise: While recession risks have led VCs to press pause on many pandemic favorites, the Human Capital Management (HCM) niche has proven to be the exception. It is a crowded space - over 400 HCM companies set up shop at the 2022 HR Technology Conference in Las Vegas. There's a reason for all the competition. The need for a scientific approach to managing a company's workforce gained steam during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading HR Tech to receive a record amount of VC attention in 2021. Despite all the hype over the past two years, this trend shows signs of staying power. The global HR Tech space is projected to expand at a CAGR of 9.1% through 2029 to $46.85B, which dwarfs the current size of $25.53B. Let’s provide some perspective on Human Capital Management’s dramatic rise in relevancy. HR Tech companies received a 250% increase in VC funding in Q4 2021 compared to Q4 2020. In that final quarter of 2021, VCs poured $11.2B into 212 unique HR Tech startups, which equates to an average deal size of $58.3M. In H1 2022, HR Tech was the beneficiary of $14.2B in funding across 387 deals, which equates to an average deal size of $41M. While the 2022 numbers thus far aren't nearly as eye-popping, context is everything. Recession fears in the U.S. and around the world kicked in during Q4 2021. Officials admitted inflation wasn't transitory. The public accepted the inevitability of higher borrowing costs. The stock market, being a forward-looking indicator, peaked in October of 2021. It's no surprise then that funding slowed from its peak. In fact, as of September 2022, overall VC investment has hit a two-year low. But not all industries feel the effects equally - flows into HR tech are holding up much better than the overall market. The Problem: Stubborn inflation and a fractured employer/employee relationship has put many small to midsize businesses at a crossroads. An American Express survey revealed that while the average small to midsize business enjoyed an 87% increase in revenue from July 2021 to July 2022, that same average also saw profits decrease by 4%. That’s the equivalent of running faster while falling even more behind. It’s easy to settle for top-line growth during a bull market, but downturns are when metrics like profitability and free cash flow become king. While expenses creep up, the expectations gap between employers and employees is also growing wider. As the gap expands, employee productivity, morale, & retention fall. The disconnect between both parties has become so widespread that it led to the coining of the term ‘quiet quitting’, which is an employee consciously doing just enough not to get fired. So while simply cutting costs through a reduced headcount would put a dent in the first problem, it would only exacerbate the second. A more comprehensive approach is needed to ensure a workforce is both happy and efficient. The Solution: Asure allows a small to midsize business to adopt a scientific attitude towards the management of its workforce. Asure Software’s (NASDAQ: ASUR) platform helps small and midsize businesses attract, manage, & retain the right people by automating the boring essentials - payroll, HR, & taxes. By removing administrative tasks from the equation, you free up the team’s day to do what they were hired to do. This streamlined approach saves employers money by reducing unnecessary headcount, and it ensures team members have the time to work on the business rather than just in the business. Let’s share a few examples of how the software is relevant in this climate. The tax laws in this country are more complex than ever. Under the CARES act, the Employee Retention Credit provision incentivized small and midsize businesses to keep employees on the payroll. For every employee spared, the business could receive a tax refund of up to $26,000. While the savings are significant, owners that looked to leverage this provision manually wasted hours navigating the application process. Do I fill out Form 941-X or Form 5884-A? How do I know if my business even qualifies? Am I compliant? Asure's clients didn't have to ask these questions because the company’s in-house experts and streamlining technology help to make the entire filing process smooth and without any time burden or confusion for the business owner. Asure recently integrated Equifax’s (NYSE: EFX) The Work Number technology with its platform to allow for instant verification of employment & income. Before this partnership, employees would have to fill out a verification request ahead of big applications like a mortgage or a car loan. Employers would then manually respond to each one. This Equifax integration eliminates all that back & forth at no extra cost to Asure’s clients. It's easy to miss the latest integrations or to only use a fraction of a software's capabilities. While Asure emphasizes efficiency for its clients, it's a company that believes in a personal touch. Upon subscribing, each client is assigned a dedicated team of Asure specialists in the local area. The implementation and maximization of the platform become significantly easier when help isn't outsourced to a call center. Asure offers its B2B cloud-based software via a subscription model. The company has a laundry list of individual solutions - Performance Tracking, Electronic Onboarding, Workers’ Compensation, you name it. But for small and midsize businesses that want to move beyond the a la carte approach, Asure offers comprehensive payroll & HR plans that bundle a host of services together. Asure has been around since 1985. Over those decades, Asure has earned the trust of 80,000 clients - 95% of which are SMBs. So despite being a company with vast resources, Asure markets itself to the business with say 100 employees. And as that business grows its market share, the software can scale and grow right along with it to serve 1000+ employees without expensive upgrades. As it is publicly traded, Asure is not a target for VC funding. However, VC and PE firms have certainly been active in acquiring HR tech and HCM companies during the recent market downturn. Thoma Bravo is one private equity software firm that has been on an acquisition spree recently. In October 2022 alone, the PE firm acquired ForgeRock (NYSE: FORG), Ping Identity, UserTesting (NYSE: USER) and completed a strategic investment into SMA Technologies. In addition, the strong activity in the industry by institutional investors highlights the underscoring demand is represents an overall “bullish” signal for the industry. Retail investors who believe in the secular shift to Human Capital Management would be wise to do further due diligence into the ticker symbol ASUR. Disclaimer: Spotlight Growth is compensated, either directly or via a third party, to provide investor relations services for its clients. Spotlight Growth creates exposure for companies through a customized marketing strategy, including design of promotional material, the drafting and editing of press releases and media placement. All information on featured companies is provided by the companies profiled, or is available from public sources. Spotlight Growth and its employees are not a Registered Investment Advisor, Broker Dealer or a member of any association for other research providers in any jurisdiction whatsoever and we are not qualified to give financial advice. The information contained herein is based on external sources that Spotlight Growth believes to be reliable, but its accuracy is not guaranteed. Spotlight Growth may create reports and content that has been compensated by a company or third-parties, or for purposes of self-marketing. Spotlight Growth was compensated five thousand dollars cash for the creation and dissemination of this content by the company. This material does not represent a solicitation to buy or sell any securities. Certain statements contained herein constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may include, without limitation, statements with respect to the Company’s plans and objectives, projections, expectations and intentions. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company’s industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management. The above communication, the attachments and external Internet links provided are intended for informational purposes only and are not to be interpreted by the recipient as a solicitation to participate in securities offerings. Investments referenced may not be suitable for all investors and may not be permissible in certain jurisdictions. Spotlight Growth and its affiliates, officers, directors, and employees may have bought or sold or may buy or sell shares in the companies discussed herein, which may be acquired prior, during or after the publication of these marketing materials. Spotlight Growth, its affiliates, officers, directors, and employees may sell the stock of said companies at any time and may profit in the event those shares rise in value. For more information on our disclosures, please visit: https://spotlightgrowth.com/disclosures/ The article “ Venture Capital and Private Equity Continue to Have a Taste for HR and HCM Tech Opportunities ” first appeared on Spotlight Growth. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

November 03, 2022 10:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

THE INDO-AMERICAN ARTS COUNCIL ANNOUNCES ANNUAL WEEKLONG LITERARY FESTIVAL

IAAC

- In Its 8th Year, the IAAC Literary Festival offers an intimate interaction with the leading minds and works of authors and poets writing about the Indian experience - The Indo-American Arts Council ( IAAC ), the organization dedicated to celebrating and showcasing the arts in North America, announced today the lineup for its eighth annual Literary Festival on November 7-13, 2022, in New York. Notable speakers, making in-person appearances at the Caelum Gallery (526 W 26th St.) in NY’s renowned Chelsea neighborhood, include Padma Shri, Barkha Dutt, Priya Kumari and Raza Mir. In continuation of its honored tradition, IAAC will also host a live Poetry Panel headlining Arundhathi Subramaniam and moderated by poetry curator, Dr. Ravi Shankar. Prior to the in-person weekend events, there will be a series of virtual events hosted on Facebook and YouTube each evening starting November 7-11 at 6:30 p.m. ET, which will feature ten writers including Nobel Peace Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi; London-based restaurateur and Netflix’s “Chef’s Table” star, Asma Khan with Michelin Chef Vikas Khanna - author of the world’s first “phygital” (physical and digital) cookbook; plus, actress, dancer and choreographer, Rukmini Vijayakumar. This series also includes a dedicated Children’s Literary Panel on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 which will showcase readings of “When Blackbirds Fly” by Hannah Lalhlanpuii and “Jamlo Walks” by Samina Mishra. "IAAC's Literary Festival showcases writers who bring stories of the Indian experience and ethos to the world. Even as they set new standards of literary excellence, they excite our imagination and shape humanity's future through their thought leadership. The festival attendees will become part of extraordinary conversations. Supporting the festival will be a stellar group of moderators who themselves are literary luminaries. As always there will be a focus on first time regional translations, children's literature and poetry," said Rakesh Kaul, Vice Chairman, IAAC. IAAC’s literary festival will be an intense two-day immersive experience featuring thought-provoking conversations, readings and discussions of stories told by courageous authors. Each authors' skill and expertise cover a wide range of civilizational and cultural topics including archeology, design, dance, history, compassion, wonder and the culinary arts. A panel of four poets will showcase powerful word-play that will make imaginations soar and speak directly to hearts, young and old. Refreshments, breakfast and lunch will be served, wine and cheese will accompany the poetry session. The festival wraps on a high note with the Annual Gala on November 13th. “At IAAC, we pride ourselves on our ability to seek out and find foundational storytellers who are not only noteworthy for their skill with language but whose seminal works also weave remarkable narratives that shape the world around them. This year is no exception; I have had the privilege to work with a dedicated team of literature lovers whose hard work and energy made this festival possible,” said Preethi Urs, Literary Festival Director, IAAC. A full list of writers and featured works below. For the full schedule with dates, times and moderators, please visit IAAC.us. Virtual Events (November 7-11): Kailash Satyarthi's greater body of work Ammu: Indian Home Cooking to Nourish your Soul (Interlink Books, May 2022) by Asma Khan Sacred Foods of India in NFT format (Akshaya, June 2022) by Vikas Khanna His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 100 Anecdotes (India Penguin, December 2022) by Arthy Muthanna Singh and Mamta Nainy The Dalai Lama: Leadership and the Power of Compassion (Interlink Books, November 2022) by Ginger Chih which includes a forward by His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama Finding Shiva: An Inner Journey of the Performative Experience (INDIC, 2021) by Rukmini Vijayakumar Virtual Children’s Panel: When Blackbirds Fly (Duckbill, February 2022) by Hannah Lalhlanpuii Jamlo Walks (India Puffin, September 2021) by Samina Mishra Somnath Hore: Wounds (Art1st, August 2021) conceptualized by Ritu Khoda, written by Likla Lall and featuring illustrator, Kripa (additionally, featuring in-person on November 13) In-Person Events (November 12-13): The Way of the Goddess: Daily Rituals to Awaken Your Inner Warrior and Discover Your True Self (TarcherPerigee, September 2022) by Ananta Ripa Ajmera Tata's Leadership Experiment: The Story of the Tata Administrative Service (HarperBusiness, August 2022) by Bharat Wakhlu, Mukund Rajan, Sonu Bhasin TO HELL AND BACK: Humans of COVID (Juggernaut, February 2022) by Barkha Dutt The Greatest Telugu Stories Ever Told (Rupa, March 2022) translated by Tamraparni Dasu and Dasu Krishnamoorty A Country Called Childhood: A Memoir (Aleph Book Company, July 2022) by Deepti Naval [Block] Chain Reaction - The Future of How We Live and Work (Soul Excellence Publishing, January 2022) by Elizebeth Varghese Tomb of Sand: A Novel by Geetanjali Shree (Tilted Axis Press, August 2021), translated by Daisy Rockwell Shehnai Virtuoso and Other Stories by Dhumketu (Deep Vellum Publishing, July 2022) translated by Jenny Bhatt Rajaraja Chola: King of Kings (Aleph Book Company, November 2022) by Kamini Dandapani Dava Shastri's Last Day (Grand Central Publishing, November 2021) by Kirthana Ramisetti A Matter of Trust (HarperCollins India, July 2021) by Meenakshi Ahamed The View from the Very Best House in Town (Walker Books US, February 2022) by Meera Trehan The Soul Catcher (Bodes Well Publishing, September 2021) by Monica Bhide Mirror Made of Rain (The Unnamed Press, May 2022) by Naheed Phiroze Patel The Candid Life of Meena Dave (Lake Union Publishing, June 2022) by Namrata Patel People of the Indus (India Penguin, November 2022) by Nikhil Gulati Leaf Talks Peace - Buddha's Message of Harmony (Eternal Tree Books, May 2022) by Priya Kumari Talent: The Market Cap Multiplier (Ideapress Publishing, January 2022) by Ram Charan and Anish Batlaw Murder at the Mushaira: A Novel (Rupa Publications India, January 2021) by Raza Mir Smashing the Patriarchy: A Guide for the 21st-Century Indian Woman (Rupa, November, 2021) by Sindhu Rajasekaran KALA - Essays on Contemporary Design Aesthetics (Times Group Books, 2020) edited by Padma Shri Sunita Kohli Somnath Hore: Wounds (Art1st, August 2021) conceptualized by Ritu Khoda, written by Likla Lall and featuring illustrator, Kripa Notable International Poets: Love Without a Story (Westland, April 2019) by Arundhathi Subramaniam My Body Lives Like a Threat (Flowersong Press, January 2022) by Megha Sood Time Regime (Gaudy Boy, March 2022) by Jhani Randhawa Singing in the Dark (Vintage Books, October 2020) edited by Nishi Chawla and K Satchidanandan Attendance Details: For a complete calendar of events between on November 7-13, 2022, visit https://iaac.us/iaac-literary-festival-2022/ RSVP for both in-person and online events at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/iaac-literary-festival-2022-tickets-446199724387 Social Media for IAAC: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iaac.us YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7XldGWApKYy-IvQPapxFJg Twitter: https://twitter.com/IAArtsCouncil Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iaacny Hashtag: #IAACLitFest For a full press kit including photos and posters: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1DtbCXBSbA25yTQmf7vfMEWcdWFOGszA-?usp=sharing For IAAC Suman Gollamudi, Executive Director, Indo-American Arts Council suman.gn@iaac.us About Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC): The IAAC supports all the artistic disciplines in classical, fusion, folk and innovative forms influenced by the arts of India. We work cooperatively with colleagues around the U.S. to broaden our collective audiences and to create a network for shared information, resources and funding. Our focus is to help artists and art organizations in North America as well as to facilitate artists from India to exhibit, perform and produce their work here. The IAAC is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law. For information, please visit www.iaac.us. For a full press kit including photos and posters: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1DtbCXBSbA25yTQmf7vfMEWcdWFOGszA-?usp=sharing Contact Details Indo-American Arts Council Suman Gollamudi, Executive Director suman.gn@iaac.us

November 02, 2022 04:57 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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How Much Should I Spend on an Engagement Ring?

Benzinga

Buying an engagement ring signifies a lifelong emotional investment in your future with your partner. An engagement ring purchase is also a significant financial investment. According to a 2021 BriteCo™ survey, 38% of respondents said that buying their engagement ring was the biggest purchase outside of buying a home or vehicle. Making such a significant financial decision requires considering how much to spend on an engagement ring. Find out how much you should spend on this sentimental piece of jewelry by exploring the average engagement ring cost and how to budget for a ring you and your partner love. What’s the Average Cost of an Engagement Ring in 2022? Engagement ring shopping can be stressful and confusing, so to help you determine how much an engagement ring should cost, it’s helpful to know the average price of an engagement ring to use as a baseline. The average engagement ring price in 2021 was approximately $7,011, an increase of 6.1% over 2020. Respondents of the BriteCo™ survey reported a slightly lower median price of $3,250, with 61% spending between $2,500 and $10,000 or more. BriteCo research showed the average spend on earth-mined diamonds increasing 11.9%, from $7,197 to $8,053 in 2021. The average spend for engagement rings with lab-grown diamonds, by comparison, was $4,383, up 8.6% over 2020 prices. BriteCo data also showed that lab-grown diamonds increased their market penetration in the past year from 18.7% of engagement ring sales in 2020 to 28.4% of sales in 2021. The average cost of an engagement ring also varies based on the buyer’s location. In the Mid-Atlantic region, including New York, rings cost an average of $9,343. States in the Pacific region, including California, saw an average spend of $8,626, and people in the central parts of the U.S. spend about $5,530 on average. Deciding on Your Engagement Ring Budget Deciding how much you should spend on an engagement ring involves understanding your budget for the purchase. Your income level, ring preferences and ring-related expenses like jewelry insurance all factor into how much you can and want to spend on your partner’s engagement ring. You can also use an engagement ring calculator tool to find out how much it will really cost to buy a stunning ring for your partner. What Can You Afford? The No. 1 consideration for buying an engagement ring is how much you can afford. In the past, many people determined how much to spend on an engagement ring based on salary. A 1930s De Beers Group marketing campaign suggested that a man had to spend at least three months’ salary on a diamond engagement ring or wedding ring to prove his devotion. While this rule may have worked in past decades, many modern ring buyers choose to spend much more conservatively. Most buyers forgo the salary-based budgeting method altogether. But if you are wondering, “How much should an engagement ring cost according to salary?” CNBC recommends only 5% of your income go toward the purchase. If you make close to the median household income of $70,784, that would mean a reasonable ring budget of about $3,539. What Materials Do You Prefer? Ring materials such as metals and diamonds affect the amount you’ll spend on your engagement ring. When deciding how much to spend, you’ll need to consider what ring materials you and your partner prefer, how much they cost and how to choose an option that matches your aesthetic desires with a price you can afford. Metals In general, platinum and palladium rings are the most expensive metals, with gold, including yellow, rose and white, coming in second. Cobalt and tantalum are less costly metals, and stainless steel and titanium rings are the most affordable, which can help cut engagement ring costs and save money. Diamond The most crucial consideration in most engagement rings is the diamond — the most expensive element. Diamonds are typically priced according to the 4Cs: cut, clarity, color and carat. Cut refers to the way a jeweler cuts a diamond to reflect light. More intricate cuts, rated 10 on the American Gem Society (AGS) scale, will be more expensive than lower-rated cuts. Diamonds with better clarity ratings or unique colorings may cost more than those with lower ratings. For example, a vivid yellow diamond ring may cost upward of $16,000 per carat, while a regular white diamond might sell for $1,000 per carat. Generally, the more a diamond weighs in carats, the more it will cost. Diamond prices typically move between weight groupings. For example, a diamond weighing between 0.01 to 0.90 carats will cost the same, but the price jumps for diamonds weighing between 0.98 to 1.5 carats. Where Will You Buy Your Engagement Ring? Where you buy your engagement will factor into how much you plan to spend. A ring from a high-end jeweler like Harry Winston Inc. or Tiffany & Co. may cost tens of thousands more than one from a brand-name retail store or local jeweler. Additionally, buying in-store versus online may offer different pricing options for engagement rings. The BriteCo™ survey showed that 81% of ring buyers prefer in-person sales, with 9% opting for online-only retailers and 11% purchasing from a known jeweler’s website. Because of distribution costs, an engagement ring online may be 30% to 40% cheaper, but buying from a trusted brand or local jeweler offers more security. Should You Insure Your Engagement Ring Purchase? Your insurance premiums should also factor into your budget for an engagement ring. High-value pieces require higher monthly premiums. But compared to other types of insurance, getting specialty jewelry coverage is very affordable, ranging from 0.5% to 1.5% of your ring’s appraised value. Many people believe that their homeowners or renters insurance will fully cover their engagement ring if something happens to it. But the average coverage provided by homeowners or renters insurance for fine jewelry is approximately $1,500. This falls significantly short of the average cost of an engagement ring, leaving you with substantial out-of-pocket costs if your ring is damaged, lost or stolen. Dedicated or specialty jewelry insurance ensures that you are covered for the full replacement cost of the piece. Look for a policy with no deductible that also covers preventative maintenance and repairs. It’s easy to get affordable engagement ring insurance online. Before applying for jewelry insurance, you must have your engagement ring appraised. You can get an appraisal online, at the jewelry store where you purchased the ring or through a professional certified appraiser. You will pay a small fee for the appraisal, typically between $50 and $150. Buy a Ring Your Partner Will Love Your engagement ring represents your commitment and connection to your partner. So, while there are archaic ideas about how much you should spend on an engagement ring, the ideal ring price ultimately depends on your budget and your partner’s style preferences. Regardless of how much you spend on a ring, ensure that you get comprehensive jewelry insurance to protect your investment. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

November 02, 2022 01:03 PM Eastern Daylight Time

A Simple Guide to Permanent Jewelry

Benzinga

One glance at TikTok and you’re likely to see stories about permanent jewelry. This trend is taking over the jewelry scene, and people are waiting in line for hours just to have a piece of jewelry welded to their body. What is permanent jewelry, and why is it so popular? You’ll learn everything you need to know about the trend in this guide to permanent jewelry. What is Permanent Jewelry? Permanent jewelry is a type of jewelry that is welded onto the wearer, a popular example being forever bracelets or friendship bracelets. Getting the jewelry put on is an easy and totally pain free process. The jewelry is made from dainty, delicate chains and can be put on your wrist, neck, finger or ankle. You can add small charms to personalize the jewelry even more. The idea behind permanent jewelry is that it never comes off, and it becomes a part of your everyday wear. You wear it night and day. For instance, a permanent or forever bracelet is welded together at both ends on your wrist, and you will never have to worry about taking it off and putting it back on. If you decide that you no longer want to wear the jewelry, you will have to cut it off. But as long as you have it on, it’s like having your favorite jewelry with you at all times! Where Can You Get Permanent Jewelry? Not all jewelry stores offer permanent jewelry, so if you want a welded bracelet, ankle bracelet, ring or necklace, you will have to do a little research in your local area. You can look online for jewelry stores that offer permanent jewelry, talk to specialty stores in your area or keep a watch on social media for pop-up stores that offer the product. Where Are the Most Popular Areas to Wear Permanent Jewelry? The most popular places to get permanent jewelry are on the wrists, ankles, and fingers. However, you can get it done anywhere on your body. Some people even get it welded onto their teeth! Advantages of Permanent Jewelry Things don’t become hot trends unless there are advantages that people can identify with. And the welded bracelet trend has plenty of them. Here are a few you may not have considered. Effortless Jewelry Addition Have you ever lost your favorite piece of jewelry? If you have, you understand one of the biggest advantages of permanent jewelry. Because you won’t have to put it on and take it off every day, the chances of losing it are minuscule. And that effortlessness extends into other aspects of jewelry wearing. You will no longer have to struggle with the clasp every day as you put on your bracelet. Instead, it will already be sitting ever-so-pretty on your wrist. Commemorating Special Occasions Some people get tattoos to commemorate special occasions. They may get a tattoo when their child is born, on the day they married or to remember some special occasion. But tattoos aren’t the only way to commemorate a special person or occasion. When you get a permanent bracelet welded onto your wrist, it can serve as a special reminder of a friendship, a major life event or an occasion you want to remember such as bridal showers and bachelorette parties. The same is true for a permanent necklace, ring or ankle bracelet. And by adding a special charm, it can add even more meaning. Representing an Important Time or Person Everyone remembers loved ones in their own way. They may keep mementos from someone they loved who is no longer with them, or they may celebrate their life at a certain time of year. The same is true for celebrations — when you reach a difficult goal or get that promotion you’ve been vying for, you likely want a way to remember it. Permanent jewelry is a great way to remember someone who is no longer with you and mark an important milestone such as getting through a difficult time. The jewelry can also be used to mark joyous times in your life. Disadvantages of Permanent Jewelry Along with advantages, permanent jewelry has a few disadvantages you should be aware of. Not Interchangeable When you wear a permanent necklace and it doesn’t quite go with the top you want to wear, you won’t have the option of trading it out for one that does. Permanent jewelry is just that — permanent — and that’s why you should choose jewelry you can wear with a variety of clothes and styles. The only Removal is to Break it What happens when you get tired of wearing your permanent jewelry? You have to cut it off — literally. Because the jewelry is welded onto you, the only way to remove it is to cut it off. Luckily, the chains that are used in this type of jewelry are thin and delicate, so you can cut off the jewelry with a pair of scissors. But once you cut it off, you can’t put it back on. The good news? You can take it to a jeweler who does permanent fine jewelry and have it welded to your arm, leg, ankle or finger again. How Long Will Permanent Jewelry Last? Permanent jewelry is made to last. Because people want to wear the jewelry for a long time, it is made with high-quality materials like solid gold, sterling silver, stainless steel and other metals that are durable and long-lasting. You can even swim with your permanent jewelry. However, you should be careful not to pull on it or catch it on anything. As long as you take care of your jewelry, it should last for as long as you want to wear it. Keep Your Permanent Jewelry Protected Do you have a special occasion or person to commemorate? Do you want to create something special to mark the date when you reached a goal? Or maybe you just want to enjoy the ease of being able to wear beautiful jewelry every day without having to struggle with clasps or remember where you left it. If you decide permanent jewelry is right for you, don’t forget to insure it. Jewelry insurance is an affordable way to ensure your investments are protected. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

November 02, 2022 12:58 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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