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Transport a key issue during the elections according to Couronne Sud

Transport: a key issue during the elections, according to Couronne-Sud elected officials

Central to discussions with the Third Link project should not be forgotten the issue of mobility and transportation in the Montreal suburbs, a situation that can sometimes go under the radar, according to members of the Table des Prefects and elected officials of the South Crown ( TPECS).

The organization therefore sent a questionnaire to provincial party leaders to learn more about their vision of active transport for the sector.

“The vision of the provincial parties in relation to the development of sustainable mobility and public and active transport must favor the construction of structuring infrastructures and stable and permanent funding, allowing to rely on fluid networks that meet the needs of our citizens ” , stated Tuesday by press release Christian Ouellette, mayor of Delson, prefect of the MRC de Roussillon and president of the table.

According to TPECS data, two-thirds of trips within communities and for the vast majority of residents are made by car.

“With the spread of jobs and the growth of economic centers in different sectors of the metropolitan area, the challenges and needs for public transport are immense and will certainly increase,” he specified.

The questionnaire is therefore the first step in a major project on mobility in the South Crown, which is planned for spring 2023.

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1662492857 MrBeast brings chaos and confusion to New Jerseys most ridiculous

MrBeast brings chaos and confusion to New Jersey’s most ridiculous mall – Rolling Stone

On a balmy Sunday morning in East Rutherford, New Jersey, a miracle occurs: a shopping center is completely full. Thousands of men, women and children have turned out for the grand opening of MrBeast Burger restaurant and are now clogging the arteries of the Galleria, eager to see a man say he wants to change the world. The 3 million square foot area welcomes them into the space, allowing kids and teens to throw themselves at barricades amidst the massive indoor attractions, including Legoland, roller coasters, a water park, and a year-round ski slope. This isn’t just a mall, and it’s not just a restaurant opening: this is a collaboration between one of the country’s biggest retail spaces and a massive internet star – and it brings out the worst in everyone.

Last week, just days before the opening, MrBeast announced the launch on his Twitter account and Youtube channel. “I’ll be working at the restaurant all day first day and if you stop by you might see me,” he tweeted in a message to his 15.3 million followers.

Mr Beast Jimmy Donaldson

“I didn’t think it would be like this,” a security guard told Rolling Stone. What started as 3,000 fans lining up early Saturday morning has now swelled to at least 10,000 corpses filling the sidewalks and completely blocking the few open storefronts. “That better be a good burger.”

With over 100 million subscribers on its main channel alone, MrBeast is famous for its videos with huge cash prizes that rely on volunteers willing to take part in grueling competitions for a chance at life-changing cash prizes. (He has a strong charitable side, which is best expressed in the videos for Beast Philanthropy, a nonprofit and charitable channel that focuses on gifts for those in need, such as Ukrainian refugees or underfunded American schools.) Seek video posted Saturday , released the day before the event, he gives 100 of his subscribers $10,000 each and then spends a night chasing them at the mall. The 23 who hide until morning get to keep their prizes. A mother bursts into tears after winning. “My kids are going to have a real vacation,” she says.

On Sunday the scene is radically different: people everywhere. There are parents and grandparents and older siblings and dogs and mall workers and people celebrating their twenty-first birthdays and mingling with sleeping teenagers and toddlers desperately trying to throw themselves out of plastic strollers with built-in tablets. Lines large and small run almost every inch of the eastern part of the mall, making it impossible to tell where anything begins or ends.

1662492854 540 MrBeast brings chaos and confusion to New Jerseys most ridiculous

CT Jones for Rolling Stone

It’s constant, utter chaos. The energy varies greatly between stagnation and pure adrenaline. People must have an official yellow wristband to join the line that ends at the burger shop front, but an influx of new patrons has infiltrated those who stayed the night. People run to stop others from cutting them in line, no one knows what’s going on. (I’m not immune to the disruption: there’s a MrBeast Burger logo on my media pass, and I’m constantly being approached and stalked by kids and parents asking me to take their photos or wondering if I’m the person who lets them skip the queue and meet their hero.)

The restaurant itself is said to elicit from its YouTube channel. A glass container in the storefront wall displays thousands of crumpled bills, while the rest of the arrangement highlights props and clips from his biggest videos. In a hallway lined with white brick, clerks write the names of everyone ordering a burger on ladders. But very few people speaking to Rolling Stone seemed to be focused on the burger. Instead, most are obsessed with MrBeast’s connection to money – and many came with signs asking for cash or asking to enter one of his contests. People in the crowd babble on the possibility that the entire event could be another giveaway stunt for his channel. Her excitement at meeting her hero seems totally entangled in the possibility that meeting could change her life.

Parents hold their children up when cameras appear, or encourage children to hold hand-made signs higher above the crowd. “Let her take a picture of your zodiac sign, baby,” says one mother, encouraging her son to remove his mask so the camera can see his face. A child is sitting on the floor next to a sign that reads “MrBeast is the American Dream.”

Next to one of the lines, teenagers are screaming and arguing over encircled patches of grass scattered throughout the mall. They appear to be for some sort of competition, matching a large red circle placed on a stage, one of several in the center of the mall. Even after being told by people with lanyards that officials wouldn’t select competitors that way, people refuse to give up their jobs.

A boy named Damon tells Rolling Stone that he’s willing to take any money MrBeast offers. “What have I got to lose?” he says. After another boy informs him that others have been kicked out of the lawn circles. “If I tell them I’m competing for a food bank, they might take a closer look,” he says. Later in the day, there is a competition on the main stage in which the circles and at least 10 volunteers participate. Damon is nowhere to be seen from the balcony.

1662492855 826 MrBeast brings chaos and confusion to New Jerseys most ridiculous

CT Jones for Rolling Stone

According to social media and fans, MrBeast has been at the mall since at least 8am Sunday morning. He’s on the move in the burger section, but the fans are moving so fast, following his path in disbelief as if he might disappear at any moment. He has said he will take a photo with anyone who buys a burger, but is constantly being pulled away from the line and replaced with one of his Beast brothers, to the horror of the waiting crowd. Even when he’s there, he keeps taking breaks and disappearing into the maze of the mall’s back corridors, the smile fading from his face as the cameras rotate.

A budding youtuber wearing a dress made from MrBeast candy bar wrappers is frustrated that his team doesn’t seem to take her request to meet him seriously. A girl waits on the side to shoot a video of MrBeast opening her gender reveal card. At some point during the day, he does a TikTok with the corn boy, who was helpful enough to bring his own corn on the cob. The man is physically surrounded by both fans and his own team, who have a few dozen cameras trained on him. Waiting fans who have completely exited the queue now camp out in droves at most barricaded entrances and exits, shouting his name at the glimpse of his face.

He looks overwhelmed. MrBeast posted a video on Twitter waving at the crowd.

“I literally work in my studio all day and hardly ever leave it, so it’s overwhelming to see something like this,” he writes.

A young girl bursts past two security guards and rams right into the arms of MrBeast who, although looking a little startled, tries to hug back and force a smile before someone pulls her away. His eyes are wide. she is sobbing.

Earlier this year, MrBeast told Rolling Stone that he and his team are working on building a Tyler Perry-esque production center in his hometown of North Carolina, likely for aspiring content creators who need the space to do MrBeast-level stunts and antics. He balked at the idea that his videos encourage young children to focus on money, saying his only desire is to inspire his young fans to do good and popularize unconditional giving. Social media is all about his self-proclaimed goal of making the world a better place.

But walking through the crowded mall – seeing kids desperately trying to even get close to MrBeast and his team, burgers being thrown away when he’s spotted, the sheer volume of TikToks and vlogs, and the Youtube streams that filmed, and the six-year-olds going wild for an amount of money they can’t even count – it’s easy to wonder: Is this the better world of MrBeast?

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1662492078 Crook pistol whips New York Postal worker and steals 100000

Crook pistol whips New York Postal worker and steals $100,000 from office safe

A man gunned a U.S. Postal worker on a Bronx street Tuesday morning, prompting her to unlock the federal office, then snatched more than $100,000 hidden in a safe before fleeing, police said .

The 56-year-old employee was with her husband outside the post office on Castle Hill Avenue near Powell Avenue in Unionport just after 7 a.m. when the suspect approached the couple from behind and struck the postal worker in the head with a gun . said cops.

He asked them to unlock the building and open a safe inside, authorities said.

The NYPD works with the US Postal Police to investigate a robberyThe NYPD joins the US Postal Police to investigate a robbery. Dennis A Clark

The NYPD works with the US Postal Police to investigate a robberyThe suspect snatched more than $100,000 hidden in a safe before fleeing, police said. Dennis A Clark

The NYPD works with the US Postal Police to investigate a robberyThe woman’s husband who dropped her off was not injured. Dennis A Clark

He stole about $112,000 in cash and an undisclosed amount of money orders before taking off, police officers said.

The woman’s husband, who was taking her to work at the time, was not injured, sources said.

The crook is still in the wind.

An FBI spokesman confirmed that the agency is investigating the incident.

“At this point I have no other information to provide or confirm,” he said.

The US Postal Service wrote in a statement: “Around 7:05 a.m. this morning, the Castle Hill Station, 1163 Castle Hill Ave., Bronx, NY, 10462-9991 was robbed by an unknown person.

“There were no injuries to employees or customers.

“The Postal Inspection Service, with support from the NYPD and FBI, is leading the investigation to locate and apprehend the individual responsible for this crime. If you have any information regarding this matter please contact Postal Inspectors immediately at 212-330-5266.”

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Independence No now but maybe later yes says Duhaime

Independence: No now, but maybe later yes, says Duhaime

MONTREAL | Éric Duhaime is now closing the door but is not ruling out independence as a solution for Quebec in the future.

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“Please let the last one to come in leave the door open,” Jacques Parizeau said in 1994 to call for a gathering of sovereignists.

Éric Duhaime instead suggests “locking the door, but not throwing the key in the river”. While at the Brokerage Institute to woo Montreal’s English-speaking community, the conservative leader vowed not to hold a referendum on Quebec’s independence if he is elected provincial head.

But if a referendum were held today, would he vote against Quebec’s independence? “In the current context, absolutely,” he replied.

The Conservative leader explained that young people have no appetite for sovereignty. “Look at all the polls and talk to young people. There is a new reality and we cannot create a country against the will of the new generation,” he argued. There are also several Sovereignists in Mr Duhaime’s immediate circle who share the same opinion.

However, according to Éric Duhaime, a prime minister’s responsibility would also be to ensure that the people of Quebec have the opportunity to choose independence if they so choose.

“I want to make sure that if the next generations change their minds, they have the opportunity,” he said.

Mr Duhaime believes the French fact “can flourish very positively” in Canada at the moment. But other circumstances, he says, could make the independence project relevant “in a decade, two decades, or five decades.”

“The French fact, I think, can thrive very positively within the Canadian confederation at this time, but if the majority comes to different conclusions in a decade, two decades, five decades, they must have the opportunity to do so.”

“It’s not an issue that can be resolved in a year or two, it can evolve,” he concluded.

Independence: No now, but maybe later yes, says Duhaime Read More »

Its a slippery slope Most consumers underestimate monthly subscription costs

‘It’s a slippery slope’: Most consumers underestimate monthly subscription costs by at least $100, says study

Recent research suggests that the amount of money you lose on subscriptions may be more than you think.

According to a survey commissioned by market research firm C+R Research, more than half of consumers (54%) underestimate their monthly subscription spend by at least $100. For 24%, the difference was $200 or more.

On average, consumers spend $133 a month — about $1,600 a year — more than estimates, the study showed.

“It’s a slippery slope with subscriptions because it just happens automatically and you’re not actively making that purchase every month,” said certified financial planner Douglas Boneparth, president of Bone Fide Wealth in New York.

With the explosion of subscription services over the past decade, it can be difficult to keep track. For media and entertainment-only, the average number of paid subscriptions per consumer was 12 in 2020, according to Statista. Millennials had the most: 17.

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Because subscriptions are often automatically charged to a debit or credit card, it’s easier for users not to notice the cost. The survey found that most people (86%) rely on Autopay for at least some, if not all, of their subscriptions.

Meanwhile, 42% said they forgot they’re still being billed for a subscription they no longer use.

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lost track? There is an app for that

“It’s the rare person who doesn’t have at least one insidious charge that they’ve forgotten,” said Kathryn Hauer, CFP at Wilson David Investment Advisors in Aiken, South Carolina.

For those who want a better grip on how much they’re spending and on what, it’s worth considering an app like Truebill or Mint that lets you track your subscriptions. Many banks or credit card companies also allow you to view your recurring charges in one place through your account.

Taking a closer look at your subscriptions can also help you plan your budget better so you don’t overspend.

“It really comes down to organization,” Boneparth said.

“The more organized you are in terms of cash flow, the better able you are to see what you do and don’t want to spend your money on,” he said.

The survey for the study was conducted among 1,000 consumers in late April and early May.

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1662490215 Japanese Yen Hits 24 Year Low Against Dollar

Japanese Yen Hits 24-Year Low Against Dollar

The yen fell to its lowest level against the US dollar since August 1998 on Tuesday, as hedge funds in Europe and the US resumed bets on a continuation of the Bank of Japan’s ultra-loose monetary policy.

The Japanese currency fell as much as 1.7 percent to a low of ¥142.97 against the dollar in a sharp selloff that began late in the day in Tokyo and accelerated into the New York trading session.

The BoJ has bucked the tightening trend from global central banks, maintaining a program that keeps long-term borrowing costs extremely low even as yields in other markets rise. The widening gap has severely damaged the appeal of holding the yen relative to other currencies.

The yen selling gained momentum on Tuesday after a key survey showed that activity in the US services sector picked up unexpectedly in August. The data triggered a further rise in US and European bond yields as traders bet the Federal Reserve would continue its program of large rate hikes this month to tame inflation.

A group of Wall Street banks have also said they expect the European Central Bank to hike interest rates this week by the highest rate since 1999, which could put even more pressure on the Japanese currency.

Unlike its counterparts, the BoJ still seeks to rein in long-term borrowing costs through a mechanism known as “yield curve control,” under which it has committed to buying an unlimited amount of bonds to match the 10-year Treasury bond to retain return from an increase above 0.25 percent. By comparison, the 10-year Treasury yield traded at 3.35 percent on Tuesday. Funds are often shifted to countries whose debt offers higher yields.

Traders said leveraged funds, which had previously bet heavily on the yen’s decline and contributed to its long descent since March, began trimming those positions during August amid fears that rising recessionary risk would prompt central banks to turn around would cause more dovish.

The ¥ per $ line chart shows the yen falling to a 24-year low

However, at last month’s Jackson Hole meeting, the Fed signaled that the US interest rate cycle was not over, and this appears to have reinvigorated the flow of speculative money into the “short yen” bet.

JPMorgan analyst Benjamin Shatil said there is now a vacuum in terms of trade barriers for the yen. “We’re not ruling out an eventual extension of the yen towards the 1998 high of around 147, especially now that the market is comfortable with the idea that 140 isn’t a line in the sand,” he said.

1662490213 715 Japanese Yen Hits 24 Year Low Against Dollar

Earlier Tuesday, Japan’s Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said the yen’s sharp moves were unwelcome and that he was watching the slide with “a great sense of urgency.” The comments echo his comments from last week, which has yet to convince the market that the Japanese authorities are ready for more than verbal intervention.

In a note to clients entitled “Staring into the abyss,” Joey Chew, Senior Asia FX Strategist at HSBC, highlighted the yen’s increasingly unusual relationship with risk indicators. The Japanese currency, Chew said, is now negatively correlated with the Vix index, a key measure of expected volatility in U.S. stocks, meaning it weakens when stock market volatility rises.

But the phenomenon could prove to be temporary. “As higher terminal interest rates from major central banks become more fully priced in by the market, the yen’s negative correlation with risk sentiment should normalize,” Chew wrote.

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Internet voting an option under consideration in Quebec for 2025

Internet voting: an option under consideration in Quebec for 2025

Thanks to a pilot by Elections Quebec, but with some challenges, Quebec voters could vote online in the 2025 local elections.

The organization has been working for several years on the possibility of offering this new option to voters. After analyzing cases in several countries, but also closer to home, in Ontario and Nova Scotia, this internet voting project was considered.

“All the parameters of this pilot project have yet to be targeted, there are several steps to go through before internet voting is rolled out,” said Julie St-Arnaud Drolet, spokeswoman for Élections Québec, in an interview with agency QMI.

The COVID-19 pandemic also had an impact on this decision; in the last local elections in November 2021, several elected representatives submitted the idea of ​​voting online.

If the municipal elections are not conducted by Élections Québec but by the cities, the organization proposes to ensure centralized administration, which could be repeated in future provincial elections.

“For us, the interest is in allowing more and more access to vote, and that could be beneficial for certain groups of voters,” explained the spokesman, thinking in particular of voters outside Quebec, people with reduced mobility, but also those who who mention a lack of time.

Not like a simple bank transaction

Voting on the internet is not without complications, between respect for the voter’s anonymity and the risk of computer hacking.

There are three main elements to consider for computer security: the type of voting, the device used by the voter, and the network. However, they cannot all be controlled by Elections Quebec.

“For the rollout of internet voting, the risks need to be understood and accepted by both the political class and voters,” argued Ms St-Arnaud Drolet.

Don’t think that voting is as easy to do as a transfer between accounts, the spokesman said.

“One of the challenges relates to ballot secrecy, which requires separating the vote from the voter’s identity once the vote has been recorded. On the other hand, it is also necessary to be able to carry out controls to ensure the integrity of the process, which would be based on the traceability of the reconciliation,” she said. “There are solutions, but they have to be well thought out.”

Internet voting: an option under consideration in Quebec for 2025 Read More »

Floridas Mother Teresa pays 196 million for pyramid scheme

Florida’s ‘Mother Teresa’ pays $196 million for pyramid scheme

A Florida man and woman “often referred to as ‘Mother Teresa'” have been accused of operating a $196 million pyramid scheme, a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission shows. Pavel Ruiz, 29, of Fort Lauderdale, was accused of personally raking in $6.5 million out of $42 million defrauded by investors through companies run by Johanna M. Garcia. Garcia, from North Lauderdale, had a blog post on one of her company’s websites, saying she’s “often referred to as ‘Mother Teresa’ in her community” for finding ways “to help hard-working people make money “. The SEC filing against Ruiz states that Garcia’s companies were run as a Ponzi scheme that raised “more than $196 million from at least June 2020 through August 2021 from more than 15,400 investors nationwide through an unregistered fraudulent securities offering.” earned”. The alleged scheme involved Garcia’s company selling itself to investors as a company making merchant cash advances (MCA) to companies in need of cash fast. “But only a small fraction of investor money was used to create MCAs,” the SEC filing against Ruiz said, adding that most of the cash was instead used to pay “notional returns” to investors and other causes .

Read it in the Tampa Bay Times

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