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What if the US-Mexico border wall was an energy corridor that could pay for itself?

Instead of a wall, build a first-of-its-kind energy park that spans the 1,954 miles of the border between the United States and Mexico to bring energy, water, jobs and border security to the region.




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Saratoga Wind Farm now delivering 66-MW of clean energy for MGE

Last week Wisconsin’s Madison Gas and Electric's (MGE) said its 66-MW Saratoga Wind Farm is fully operational and delivering energy to the electric grid. MGE and Vestas – the company that built the turbines – have completed testing of the turbines and electrical systems, and the wind farm is fully online.




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Opinion: Puerto Rico's energy future is renewable

When Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, it cut short nearly 3,000 lives, displaced thousands of families, and subjected the commonwealth to the longest energy blackout in U.S. history. This tragedy invited a new vision for Puerto Rico’s battered electric grid, and I hoped that a central tenet of the rebuilding effort would be an aggressive move toward safe, abundant and resilient clean energy.




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Wind-solar pairing cuts equipment costs while ramping up output

A trailblazing wind-solar hybrid project in western Minnesota could be a preview of what’s to come as renewable developers look for new ways to bolster projects.




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Wind generated more than one-third of electricity last week in the UK

RenewableUK highlighted last week that Great Britain’s onshore and offshore wind farms generated more electricity than any other source of power last week.




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Wind sector needs to take initiative on off-taker risks to drive European PPA surge

In order for wind energy power purchase agreements (PPAs) to see sustained uptake in central Europe, sellers need to take a lead in managing long-term risks including power price forecasting, covenant strength and buyer inexperience.




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New Mexico Governor Grisham signs law requiring 100 percent renewable energy by 2045

On Friday, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the state’s groundbreaking Energy Transition Act (ETA) into law, meaning that by 2045, the state should be fully powered by clean, carbon-free electricity.




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Tucson Electric Power hires EDF to build its largest wind farm to date

Tucson Electric Power (TEP) is building a 247-MW wind farm that will help the company more than double its use of renewable energy by 2021. The company hired EDF Renewables North America to construct it in a Build and Transfer Agreement (BTA) worth approximately $370 million.




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Marine energy textbook released

A new textbook on offshore renewable energy has been released by M. Reza Hashemi with the University of Rhode Island, in collaboration with Simon Neill with Bangor University in Wales, the United Kingdom.




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Germany generated more than 50 percent of electricity from renewables in March

In a first for the country, Germany generated 54.5 percent of electricity from renewable energy in March 2019. This is according to data collected by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems.




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UK power grid to be 'zero-carbon-capable' says operator

Two years after Britain had its first coal-free day since the Industrial Revolution, the nation’s network operator is readying itself for life without any fossil fuels.




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A 'Green New Deal' for Central America would present business opportunities for renewable power generators

Recently there has been a great deal of interest in a ‘Green New Deal’ for the United States. It is seen as a way to solve pressing environmental, employment and economic problems with a single comprehensive plan. Modeled on Roosevelt’s New Deal, which created jobs, invested in large infrastructure projects, and pulled the US out of the Great Depression, the Green New Deal is a modern version of that program, but with green energy investments, 21st century job training, and deficit reduction as the key components.




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Get ‘renewable therapy’ during next week’s Solar Education Week

The Redford Center, a California-based non-profit co-founded in 2005 by Robert Redford and his son, James, announced that every morning, from April 15-22, 2019, the organization will post an episode a day of "Renewable Therapy for Climate Anxiety," a conversational mini-series featuring Filmmaker, James Redford, and Matthew Nordan, clean energy investor and managing partner at MNL Partners. In each two-minute installment, the pair explores questions that nag environmentalists when it comes to renewable energy. Watch the first episode below.




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Mayor: PG&E assets are ‘great’ opportunity to bring clean energy to San Francisco

San Francisco Mayor London Breed wants to use PG&E Corp.’s bankruptcy to take over some of the company’s assets for the city’s power needs, a move that would shake up California’s largest utility and remake the state’s energy landscape.




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GE expanding Turkish wind turbine blade factory; hiring 300 workers

This week LM Wind Power, a subsidiary of GE Renewable Energy, announced its plan to recruit 300 additional employees at its wind turbine blade manufacturing site in Bergama, Turkey.




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Clean energy engineering experts share blueprints for zero-emission buildings

Buildings account for nearly four-tenths of U.S. energy consumption through heating, cooling and other electricity use, according to the Energy Information Administration. And if that energy comes from fossil fuels, it releases more greenhouse gases that drive human-caused climate change.




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Northeast planned offshore wind farms already bringing economic growth to the region

Even though there is only one small existing offshore wind farm in the Northeast, the 30-MW Block Island wind farm off the coast of Rhode Island, two announcements this week highlight the growing economic importance of the region's burgeoning offshore wind industry.




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CellCube to bring grid scale vanadium battery to South Australia

Renewables firm Pangea Energy and vanadium battery producer CellCube have signed on to build a 50MW storage system alongside a solar farm in South Australia.




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Associated Electric Cooperative signs 20-year PPA for 265 MW of wind power

Enel Green Power North America announced on Thursday that it has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) between its subsidiary White Cloud Wind Project, LLC and Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. (AECI), a power utility based in Springfield, Missouri. In line with the agreement, AECI will purchase the entire output generated by the 236.5 MW White Cloud wind project, currently in development in Nodaway County, Missouri.




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Advocates want next phase of ComEd microgrid powered by renewables

Stakeholders including clean energy and community groups are watching closely as ComEd begins the second phase of a microgrid pilot project in Chicago.




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Bermuda Electric Light Company installs 10-MW/5.5-MWh energy storage system

Yesterday, energy storage company Saft said it delivered and installed a turnkey Energy Storage System to Bermuda Electric Light Company (BELCO). The system provides up to 10 MW power for spinning reserves and frequency response to maintain grid stability and has a storage capacity of 5.5MWh, said the company. The official ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on May 16.




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LevelTen receives series B funding; arranges 146-MW PPA for Starbucks

Seattle, WA-based LevelTen Energy helps corporate buyers of renewable energy find and purchase energy from solar and wind projects within North America through its procurement platform. The company says its solution reduces the cost, complexity, and risk of renewable energy power purchase agreements (PPAs), by incorporating analytics, aggregation, and process best practices.




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In quest for bigger batteries, California mulls pumped hydro

As the sun sets on California’s solar farms, a backup energy source deep in the Sierra Nevada Mountains springs to life.





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Women are missing out on the clean energy job boom in America

While the industry is welcoming more women leaders, its rank-and-file workforce is still a lot like those at fossil-fuel companies: white and dominated by men. The lack of gender diversity is being driven by manufacturing jobs, and that means women are now missing out on the biggest jobs boom America has to offer.




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Google spending billions on data centers in renewable energy rich regions

Alphabet Inc.’s Google said it would invest 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) to expand its data center infrastructure in the Netherlands.




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The failure of privatization in the energy sector and why today’s consumers are reclaiming power

Back in the 1980s and 1990s, the twin forces of privatization and deregulation of public infrastructure services ascended to a global paradigm of progress and development. Government management of services such as telecommunications, transportation, water, and energy was deemed inefficient, underperforming, and monopolistic. Private industry – accountable to the profits and losses of an open market and, thus, believed more efficient than government – was proclaimed the better way for consumer choice and a more efficient use of taxpayers’ expenses.




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Builder of Saudi Aramco oil rigs plans to expand into wind power

An Abu Dhabi-based company that builds drilling platforms for oil giant Saudi Aramco plans to diversify into renewable energy by supplying gear for offshore wind farms.




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China drops electricity subsidy price for offshore wind power

China’s National Development and Reform Commission (the NDRC) issued a Circular on Policies of Improving the Electricity Price for On-Grid Wind Power (the Circular) at the end of May 2019. According to the Circular, the price of electricity from offshore wind power projects is cut to 0.8 yuan per kWh [US $0.12 per kWh] in 2019 and will further drop to 0.75 yuan [US $0.11] per kWh in 2020.





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Small Missouri utility proposes big pivot to clean energy in latest resource plan

Missouri’s smallest investor-owned utility is charting a dramatically different course two years after being acquired by new owners.





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In battle to break up utilities, Arizona steps to the front line

Of all the efforts to break up utility monopolies in the U.S., the one unfolding in Arizona may be the most important to watch.




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U.S. wind energy prices are at historical lows, DOE report says

The national average price of wind power purchase agreements dropped to below 2 cents/kWh in 2018, according to the annual Wind Technologies Market Report released by the U.S. Department of Energy.




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On the brink of blackouts, Texas makes case for power plant boom

It may be time to start building power plants in Texas again.




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Can Italy strike twice?

Italy’s National Energy Strategy aims to increase wind and solar power’s share of gross final energy consumption by 2030. The country boasts a track record of meeting past renewables targets, but can it be successful once more? Stefania Belisario, associate director, Infrastructure, S&P Global Ratings, assesses the factors either driving or impeding progress.




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BNEF finds that hydrogen’s plunging price could boost its role in a carbon-free future

The cost of producing hydrogen gas with renewables is likely to plummet in the coming decades, making one of the most radical technologies for reducing greenhouse gases economical.




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Covering Climate Now signs on more than 170 news outlets

MORE THAN 170 NEWS OUTLETS from around the world have now signed up for Covering Climate Now, a project co-founded by CJR and The Nation aimed at strengthening the media’s focus on the climate crisis.




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Clean energy investment set to hit $2.6 trillion this decade

The global energy supply is turning greener.




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5. März 2020 - Der IPC veröffentlicht neue Ausgaben seiner Richtlinien




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10. März 2020 - Fabrication Technologies Inc./IGM Solutions in die Liste qualifizierter Hersteller nach IPC J-STD-001 und IPC-A-610 aufgenommen




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23. März 2020 - Der IPC veröffentlicht Addendum für die Automobilindustrie, IPC J-STD-001GA/IPC-A-610GA




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30. April 2020 - IPC veröffentlicht PCB Branchen-Entwicklung für März 2020




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Level up: The best laptops to boost your gaming experience

BEST DEALS ON GAMING LAPTOPS:


It's time to level up.

If you didn't already know, PC gamers take great pride in the way they play. These are the folks who delight in the fact that PC gaming is just so much better than playing on a console, and if this Reddit thread is any indication — this way of thinking isn't going away any time soon.

While it can take a year or two for gaming consoles to adapt to updated technology, PCs see that improvement hit almost instantly. New rigs and laptops hit the market faster, as opposed to consoles that make you wait for months until their release.  Read more...

More about Laptops, Pc Gaming, Gaming Laptops, Mashable Shopping, and Tech
IMAGE: Walmart

BEST CHOICE OVERALL

MSI GP63 Leopard

A dependable graphics card, excellent speeds, and a lightweight build make this the complete package.

  • Processor: Intel Core i7-8750
  • RAM: 16GB
  • Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
  • Storage: 1TB HDD + 256GB SSD
  • Weight: 4.8 lbs
$1 from Walmart

IMAGE: Walmart

BEST FOR VR AND VIDEO QUALITY

MSI GT75 Titan 4K-071

While it carries a hefty price tag, the MSI GT75 Titan is everything you could want out of a gaming laptop, down to VR and 4K.

  • Processor: Intel Core i9-8950HK
  • RAM: 32GB
  • Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 8GB
  • Storage: 1TB HDD + 1TB SDD
  • Weight: 10.05 lbs
$120.93 from Walmart

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR GAMERS ON A BUDGET

Dell Gaming Laptop G5587

While you may not have $2000 to drop on some higher performance gaming laptop, you can still get reliable gaming performance with the Dell Gaming Laptop G5587.

  • Processor: Intel Core i5-8300
  • RAM: 8GB
  • Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060
  • Storage: 128GB SSD + 1TB HDD
  • Weight: 6.28 lbs
$1 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR POWER IN A SLIM DESIGN

ASUS ROG Zephyrus M

ASUS offers the best of both worlds with a slim and light gaming laptop that doesn't skimp on the power under the hood.

  • Processor: Intel Core i7-8750H
  • RAM: 16GB
  • Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 8GB
  • Storage: 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD
  • Weight: 5.4 lbs
$1 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR NEW GAMERS

Acer Nitro 5

If you're new to PC gaming, the Acer Nitro 5 delivers a reliable laptop at a reasonable price.

  • Processor: Intel Core i5-7300HQ
  • RAM: 8GB
  • Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
  • Storage: 256GB SSD
  • Weight: 2.65 lbs
$749.99 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR TRADITIONAL/HARDCORE GAMERS

Acer Predator Triton 700

Hardcore gamers expect power out of their platform of choice, and Acer delivers on that power with the Predator Triton 700 laptop.

  • Processor: Intel Core i7-7700HQ
  • RAM: 32GB
  • Graphics Card: GeForce GTX 1080
  • Storage: 512GB SSD
  • Weight: 5.4 lbs
$1 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR BUDGET VR

Alienware 15

Alienware is one of the most recognized names in PC gaming, and the Alienware 15 lives up to that namesake, even delivering a reliable VR laptop.

  • Processor: Intel Core i7-7700HQ
  • RAM: 16GB
  • Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070
  • Storage: 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD
  • Weight: 8 lbs
$1 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR PERFORMANCE

MSI GS65 Stealth THIN-051

This is one of the thinnest laptops built for intense gaming on-the-go.

  • Processor: Intel Core i7-8750H 6 Core
  • RAM: 16GB
  • Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060
  • Storage: 256GB
  • Weight: 4.14 lbs
$1,282 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR SLEEK DESIGN

Razer Blade 15

Think of this as the Apple MacBook Pro of gaming laptops.

  • Processor: Intel Core i7-8750H 6 Core
  • RAM: 16GB
  • Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q
  • Storage: 512GB SSD
  • Weight: 4.56 lbs
$1 from Amazon




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10 of the best fitness trackers for monitoring heart rate

BEST FITNESS TRACKER DEALS:


Wellness is a buzzy word lately. Over the past few years, we’ve seen a surge in all things health, wellness, and spirituality. Juice bars are popping up, boutique studios are becoming more accessible, and essential oils are chilling us out. Self-care is becoming more of the norm too, but amidst all this hype, it can be challenging to find the right routine that promotes good exercise, sleep, vitals, and mindset.  Read more...

More about Apple Watch, Fitness Trackers, Smart Watch, Heart Rate Monitor, and Mashable Shopping
IMAGE: Amazon

BEST OVERALL

Apple Watch Series 4

Take heart monitoring to the next level with the Apple Watch Series 4's amazing EKG feature and FDA-cleared precision.

  • Warranty: 90 days with Apple Care+
  • Smartphone compatibility: Yes
  • Battery life: 22 hours
  • Weight: 1.06 oz
  • What you'll get: A case, band, 1m magnetic charging cable, and 5W USB Power Adapter
$236.98 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK

Polar A370 Fitness Tracker

Smartphone compatibility and a variety of wellness features makes Polar’s A370 Fitness Tracker our top choice for health management.

  • Warranty: 2 years
  • Smartphone Compatibility: Yes
  • Battery life: 4 days
  • Weight: 13.8 ounces
  • What you’ll get: A Polar A370 Fitness Tracker, a band, a charging cable, and a manual
$114.99 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

EASIEST TO USE

Fitbit Charge 3 Fitness Activity Tracker

The new Charge 3 provides no-fuss wellness features to take your daily sleep, workouts, and vitals to the next level.

  • Warranty: 45-day guarantee and 1 year warranty
  • Smartphone compatibility: Yes
  • Battery life: 7 days
  • Weight: 4.8 ounces
  • What you’ll get: A Fitbit Charge 3, classic wristbands (both small & large), and a charging cable
$119.03 from Amazon

IMAGE: Best Buy

BEST FOR ATHLETES

Garmin Forerunner 735XT Smartwatch

With sport-specific settings, advanced training feedback, and a connected app, Garmin’s Forerunner 735XT Smartwatch is the perfect fitness companion for athletes.

  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Smartphone compatibility: Yes
  • Battery life: 1 day
  • Weight: 1.4 ounces
  • What you’ll get: A Garmin Forerunner 735XT Smartwatch, a charging/data clip, and a manual
$349.99 from Best Buy

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR TECH ENTHUSIASTS

Nokia Steel HR Hybrid Smartwatch

Add some tech to your exercise regimen with the Nokia’s Steel HR Hybrid with Alexa integration and three different heart monitor modes.

  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Smartphone compatibility: Yes
  • Battery life: 25 days
  • Weight: 8.2 ounces
  • What you’ll get: A Nokia Steel HR Hybrid Smartwatch and a CR2 battery
$199.95 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR WATER SPORTS

Garmin vívoactive 3

  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Smartphone compatibility: Yes
  • Battery life: 10 days
  • Weight: 1.44 ounces
  • What you'll get: A vívoactive 3 Fitness Tracker, a charging/data cable, and manuals
$319.99 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR STYLE

Motiv Ring

  • Warranty: 45-day guarantee and 1-year warranty
  • Smartphone compatibility: Yes
  • Battery life: 3 days
  • Weight: 1.6 ounces
  • What you'll get: A Motiv Ring, sizing set, and two slim charging docks
$199.99 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BUDGET PICK

Microtella Fitness Tracker

Microtella’s Fitness Tracker is affordable, monitors your heart rate, and comes with 14 different fitness settings for personalized workout stats.

  • Warranty: None
  • Smartphone Compatibility: Yes
  • Battery life: 7 days
  • Weight: 4 ounces
  • What you’ll get: A Microtella Fitness Tracker, a band, and a USB charger
$39.99 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

Samsung Galaxy Fit

The perfect midpoint between the Fitbit and Apple Watch, the Samsung Galaxy Fit is great for tracking your high-intensity activities and for managing your daily life.

  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Smartphone Compatibility: Yes
  • Battery Life: 7 days
  • Weight: 3.2 ounces
  • What you'll get: Samsung Galaxy Fit, charging cable, manuals
$79 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST ON-SCREEN WORKOUTS

Fitbit Versa

The Fitbit Versa is best for those who need some extra guidance in the gym, and thanks to its comprehensive array of on-screen workouts, you'll get exactly that.

  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Smartphone Compatibility: Yes
  • Battery Life: 4 days
  • Weight: 5.12 ounces
  • What you'll get: Fitbit Versa, charging cable, manuals
$199.95 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST BATTERY LIFE

Wahoo TICKR

Won't take up precious real estate on your wrists and will provide personalized heart rate training, as well as an unbeatable 12-month battery life.

  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Smartphone Compatibility: Yes
  • Battery Life: 1 year
  • Weight: 2.4 ounces
  • What you'll get: Wahoo TICKR, battery, manuals
$45.94 from Amazon




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Protect your privacy with this half-price VPN

TL;DR: A one-year subscription to Norton Secure VPN is on sale for £2.50 per month, saving you 50% on list price.


It feels like the world of VPNs is expanding, with more and more providers entering the market and increased demand from users. 

This market can be a daunting place, especially as you probably won't be familiar with most of the available providers. This doesn't mean you shouldn't consider these services, but we totally understand if you're reluctant to invest in an unknown provider.

Fortunately for those who would prefer to subscribe to an established provider, there are plenty of options from the leading names in securityNorton is one such brand, with a comprehensive VPN service on sale for just £2.50 per month. Read more...

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Send love to faraway friends and family with this video montage app

TL;DR: Give a meaningful gift during these difficult times with a Tribute Video Montage for $64.99, a 34% saving as of May 9.


A Zoom happy hour only goes so far.

If you're looking for a way to celebrate and send affection to your loved ones, regardless of the reason, check out Tribute Video Montage as an alternative to those wonky (and sometimes awkward) video calls. 

Sending a Tribute might just be one of the best morale-boosting presents you can send during these trying times. It's a way for friends and family to share their love and appreciation for someone they want to celebrate, whether for a major milestone, like a 50th anniversary or 30th birthday or just because. The platform is super easy to use and breaks a 10-hour process down to just 10 minutes. Read more...

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Try your hand at becoming a cybersecurity superhero for just $40

TL;DR: Get trained in cybersecurity with The Ultimate 2020 White Hat Hacker Certification Bundle for $39.90, a 97% as of May 9.


When you think of superheroes, you probably picture capes and some sort of otherworldly powers. But in the digital world, superheroes are actually normal people like you and me. They just happen to know a thing or two about stopping cybercriminals in their tracks.

These superheroes are in short supply across the world. In fact, there are over half a million cybersecurity job openings in the U.S. alone. That just means this could be your chance to swoop in, superhero style, and save the day. But first things first, you need to learn the ropes and the Ultimate 2020 White Hat Hacker Certification Bundle is a great place to start. Read more...

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Coronavirus cases would dwindle if 80% of Americans wore masks, says study

Americans have been receiving contradictory information about the coronavirus pandemic, so much so that it's become a joke. One example is face masks: In March, the World Health Organization advised people to not wear masks if they aren't sick or caretakers of the sick. 

But given that some coronavirus patients are asymptomatic, opinions of masks from top officials have shifted. The CDC and the media now advise you to wear a damn mask. And a new study may provide more evidence that masks can help beat the outbreak.

According to this study, if 80 percent of Americans wore masks, coronavirus infections would plummet, Vanity Fair reports. The title of the study makes the researchers' view clear: Universal Masking is Urgent in the COVID-19 Pandemic. Read more...

More about Health, Study, Masks, Coronavirus, and Covid 19




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Guy Fieri loves John Krasinski and 'The Office' as much as you do

Guy Fieri — one of the most popular celebrity chefs— has spent nearly 15 years starring in and hosting entertaining culinary shows. But one of Fieri's favorite things to watch on television isn't food-focused. It's the workplace comedy, The Office.

That's right, the Mayor of Flavortown is obsessed with the employees of Dunder Mifflin's Scranton branch. And much to his delight, he recently got to team up with one of the show's former stars, John Krasinski, to help lift spirits and raise money for restaurant workers in need.

Fieri guest starred on the potluck episode of Some Good News, in which Krasinski invited famous chefs to cook viewer-submitted recipes on video chat. Fieri made a "Dynamite," which has Big Sloppy Joe Energy. And then Krasnski surprised him by announcing a $3 million PepsiCo donation to his Restaurant Employee Relief Fund, which provides financial assistance to restaurant workers impacted coronavirus. Read more...

More about The Office, John Krasinski, Guy Fieri, Tv Shows, and Some Good News