(NewsUSA) - CME Group, the world’s leading derivatives marketplace, is reminding students that registration in its 20th Annual University Trading Challenge will remain open until Thursday, September 28 at 5 p.m., Central Time.

This year’s University Trading Challenge kicks off on Sunday, October 1 and concludes on Friday, October 27. Undergraduate and graduate students from colleges and universities around the world will be competing on student-lead teams, or in cooperation with a faculty advisor, to see who can best manage a variety of environmental, economic and other marketplace risks to protect their mock investment portfolio.      

"As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of our University Trading Challenge program, we are extremely proud of the role we play in educating up-and-coming professionals on the significant impact risk management can have on the economy, as well as on businesses and individuals globally," said Anita Liskey, Global Head of Brand Marketing and Communications at CME Group. "Through this engaging and competitive trading simulation, thousands of students around the world have been able to compete against each other, while learning about futures markets and the importance of hedging."

During the month-long competition, students will experience the energy, excitement, disappointments and daily challenges of a real-world trading environment on a simulated, professional trading platform provided by CQG. They will also receive education, market-related data and news, including live updates from Dow Jones newsfeeds and The Hightower Report, that will test their abilities to evaluate and react to changing market dynamics in real-time.

Each eligible member of the winning team will receive a $2,000 cash prize*. Additional prizes will be awarded for second through fifth place.

Student participants will also have the opportunity to attend CME Group’s Day of Market Education. This one-day forum will provide them with an exclusive look into CME Group and the derivatives industry.     

More than 500 teams of nearly 2,000 students from 23 countries participated in last year's University Trading Challenge, with the winning team coming from Mexico's Universidad Anahuac UG. 

CME Group is committed to educating the next generation of finance professionals on the significance of global derivatives markets and risk management. In addition to interactive events like the University Trading Challenge, CME Group also partners with other industry organizations to offer broad educational tools, such as Futures Fundamentals, a one-stop educational resource that explains the role of futures markets in everyday life. The goal of the site is to make financial education an engaging experience for anyone, regardless of how well versed they are in the world of finance.

To register and view details on eligibility, rules, regulations and requirements, please visit: https://www.cmegroup.com/events/university-trading-challenge.html.

For social media updates throughout the competition, make sure to follow #TradingChallenge2023.

*Eligibility to receive competition prizes is only open to residents in the United States (US), Canada (CA) excluding Quebec, United Kingdom (UK), Germany (DE), Netherlands (NL), Switzerland (CH), Republic of Korea (KR), Taiwan (TW), and Japan (JP).

(NewsUSA) - We Never Knew of Darkness by Dennis Snyder

In April 1994, Hutu extremists—known as the Interahamwe —assassinated Rwanda's president and embarked on a campaign of ruthless genocide against the minority Tutsi populations. Elijah Mutabazi, a sergeant in the Rwandan army, finds his younger sister, having been gang-raped and slaughtered by teenage killers recruited by the Interahamwe. Elijah spends his every waking hour caring for his father and protecting their village.

 Upon returning to active military duty, Elijah learns that the international community had not come to aid those who survived the genocide, but ensured safe passage for the Interahamwe overlords. Elijah deserts his army post and enters a world of reckless abandon via heroin, psychedelics, and grain alcohol.

 Elijah's singular mission becomes vengeance against an active Interahamwe cell and its maniacal leader, who once served as a captain in the Rwandan Army and had been Elijah's mentor. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3QCVA2Y.

The Sacrifice by Caroline Steiger

A chilling journey with a captivating storyline and well-developed characters, this novel will keep readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end.

Spring Break. A rite of passage. A ritual. A must-do until everything turns on its side. A sociopath amid the revelry. The three J's, their ringleader John. Always together and never apart. The witnesses to his crime or accomplices, as he refers to them. "You did nothing to stop me," says John, and his friends are forever linked to him.

A sacrifice made to keep them from prison and their souls forever fractured. The Sacrifice is a psychological thriller spanning three timelines, three murders and souls forever bound by the carnage of their ill-fated spring break to the exotic Cancun in 1989. Purchase at https://bit.ly/44ByYmU.

Finding His Way Home by Katie Mongelli

“A celebration of the most important aspects in our lives (family, love, friendship), which often get placed on back burners as we drive toward what we think we want,” says Elizabeth B. Splaine, author of Steel Butterflies.

Escape to the picturesque town of Pine Lake, where the weight of the world is washed away by the gentle lapping of crystal-clear waters. Zachary Hartmann, a man teetering on the edge of ruin, seeks solace amidst the tranquil embrace of this lakeside haven. Zachary yearns to rediscover himself and untangle the knots of his unraveling existence. However, fate has a different plan when he crosses paths with the captivating Missy Wagner. Her girl-next-door allure and an infectious spirit enchant Zachary, as he finds himself falling under her spell. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3Kq1xN4.

Two Roads by Randy Wojnarowicz

An unforgettable, heartbreaking love story set in picturesque New England, where a family discovers, as Jean Baptiste Racine forewarned, "There are no secrets that time does not reveal!"

As Ray Shipman slips deeper into Alzheimer’s, he reveals a dark family secret that threatens to destroy the people he spent a lifetime protecting. Ray and his wife Allison face a reality they avoided since the first year of their marriage, forcing them to question whether their 50-year love story was real. Ray’s daughter Dorothy struggles to find the truth of who she really is and whether Ray is the loving father she adores—or a fraud

Two Roads takes readers on an emotional ride, seen through the eyes of three generations—as they grapple with their past, losing Ray, and an unimaginable tragedy no one sees coming. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3qwKAtC.

(NewsUSA) - Henderson House by Caren Simpson McVicker

An enchanting boardinghouse tale of sisters, secrets, and later-in-life romance, Henderson House invites readers to pull up a rocking chair and lose themselves in the heartaches and hopes of 1940s Oklahoma.

In May 1941, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, hums with talk of spring flowers, fishing derbies, and the growing war in Europe. And for the Blackwell sisters, who reside in a quiet neighborhood boardinghouse, the winds of change are blowing.

Mrs. Henderson, the landlady, cook, and adopted matriarch of the Blackwell clan, possesses an uncanny intuition about all her boarders. She knows true love when she sees it. But soon her vision becomes clouded as Florence schemes to undermine her sister's budding romance. In a desperate attempt to keep Bessie by her side, Florence exposes the sisters' darkest secret – a secret that will change their lives, and the lives of those they love. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3rJJoDf.

The Little Green Armchair and Tales of Echo Forest by Lisa Luttrell
A beautiful Spring morning in Echo Forest is the setting for three sentimental journeys of blossoming friendships, courage and enduring love. The Little Green Armchair illustrates how solitude, peacefulness and nature create connections that span a lifetime.

In The Windy Day Picnic, Primrose Possum and her little possum family exhibit the extent to which a parent will go to make sure her children are safe at the end of a long adventure. And, finally, Neville, The Thirsty Little Stinkbug, provides a little story about how wonderful friendships can be created and blossom out of troubled situations.

“Multiple whimsical plot lines are woven together to create a magical tale. The author lets your imagination run wild with characters that come to life,” says one reviewer. The Kops Fetherling International Gold Award Winner for 2020. Purchase at https://bit.ly/44tLbuH.

Soldier On by Bracha Horovitz

A true story about what it means to be a woman, and how the heat of hardships can forge strong character.

The daughter of an Auschwitz survivor, author Bracha Horovitz set her heart on living a life that would honor her family, her community, and her heritage. At eighteen, Bracha joined the Israel Defense Forces. Intense military training taught her that women, too, can be fierce fighters. Then she was selected to participate in the Miss Israel beauty pageant, raising new questions about the meaning of womanhood and her purpose in life.

Bracha married an honorable, entrepreneurial man. They seemed to have it all—lucrative careers, a happy marriage, and a small family. Invited to work in the U.S., they struggled to maintain their Israeli identity while adapting to cross-cultural life. But then tragedy struck. Purchase at https://www.endeavorliterary.com/popular-books.

Shit That We Should Never Pass Along, and All That We Cannot Leave Behind by MJ Boin De 

In late 1980s rural Kansas, Mara takes on more than she can chew. Mara’s mother is a woman ahead of her own time when it comes to the investigative day job she holds and her progressive take of thoughts on the day’s larger social issues. Mara’s mother divorces her abusive stepfather and moves with Mara and her two youngest sisters from city life to a new rural awakening.

 An authentic throwdown between the Baby Boomer and Gen Xers, delving into childhood abuse, racism, abortion, religion, higher education, and ensuring those familial elitists we all know are set for the next generation of epic failure and loss. Sure to infuriate all comers, keep everyone laughing and crying in equal measures. Intended for mature audiences over 25 years. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3KMbWTi.

(Sara Oliver, MD, MSPH, LCDR, Servicio de Salud Pública de los Estados Unidos) - Como pediatra especializada en enfermedades infecciosas, hablo con padres todo el tiempo sobre la importancia de la vacuna contra el VPH. Lo que es más importante, es que también soy madre de dos increíbles niños. Mi hijo, que acaba de cumplir 11, recibió su vacuna contra el VPH. ¿Por qué era tan importante para nosotros hacer esto ahora? En pocas palabras, la vacuna contra el VPH previene cánceres relacionados con el VPH. Los últimos años han sido difíciles para todos nosotros mientras nos ponemos al día con nuestras rutinas ocupadas habituales. Pero la vacuna contra el VPH no puede esperar. Todos necesitamos proteger a nuestros hijos ahora, y esta es la razón: la vacuna contra el VPH es prevención del cáncer. 

Si los padres de mis pacientes tienen alguna pregunta sobre la vacuna contra el VPH cuando es momento de que su hija o hijo reciba la vacuna, siempre les aseguro que una generación entera ya ha recibido esta vacuna que salva vidas. Tenemos más de 15 años de datos para confirmar que la vacuna contra el VPH es segura y ya ha prevenido muchas infecciones por el VPH y precánceres. Les cuento lo importante que realmente es esta vacuna, y por qué no esperé cuando llegó el momento de que mi propio hijo e hija la recibieran en su cumpleaños número 11. Más del 90 % de los cánceres relacionados con el VPH que ocurren todos los años podrían prevenirse con la vacuna contra el VPH de rutina. Si puedo prevenir que mis hijos tengan cualquier tipo de cáncer en el futuro, lo voy a hacer.

Como pediatra y mamá, vacuné tanto a mi hijo como a mi hija.

Elegí proteger a mi hija e hijo al vacunarlos contra el VPH apenas cumplieron 11 años. Mi hija de 13 años ya completó su serie de dos dosis, y mi hijo de 11 años acaba de recibir su primera dosis este año. Antes de su cita, él y yo hablamos sobre la vacuna. Él estaba un poco preocupado de que iba a doler, pero se portó muy bien el día de su visita y me dijo que "recibir la vacuna definitivamente valió la pena porque no tener cáncer es algo muy bueno".

Proteja a sus hijos.

Como pediatra, sé que la vacuna contra el VPH es segura y es una forma eficaz de prevenir el cáncer. Se recomienda para las niñas y los niños a los 11 o los 12 años. Hable con sus hijos sobre la importancia de esta vacuna que salva vidas y programe la vacunación contra el VPH en su próxima visita. Como madre, me aseguré de que mis hijos estén vacunados ahora para protegerlos en el futuro.

Créditos fotográficos: Lizzie Oliver

(Sara Oliver, MD, MSPH, LCDR, U.S. Public Health Service) - As a board-certified infectious disease pediatrician, I talk to parents all the time about the importance of HPV vaccination. More importantly, I am also a parent of two great kids. My son, who just turned 11, got his HPV vaccine. Why was it so important to us to do this now? To put it simply, the HPV vaccine prevents HPV-related cancers. The last few years have been a struggle for us all to catch up with our regular busy routines. But HPV vaccination can’t wait. We all need to protect our kids now, and here’s why: HPV vaccination is cancer prevention. 

If parents of my patients have any questions about HPV vaccination when it’s time for their daughter or son to receive the vaccine, I always reassure them that a whole generation has already received this lifesaving vaccine. We have more than 15 years of data to confirm that the HPV vaccine is safe and has already prevented so many HPV infections and actual precancers. I tell them just how important this vaccine really is, and why I didn’t wait when it was time for my own son and daughter to get it on their 11th birthdays. More than 90% of HPV-related cancers that occur every year could be prevented by routine HPV vaccination. If I can prevent my kids from having any type of cancer later in life, I will.

As a pediatrician and mom, I got both my son and daughter vaccinated.

I chose to protect my daughter and son by getting them vaccinated against HPV as soon as they were 11 years old. My 13-year-old daughter already completed her two-dose series, and my 11-year-old son just received his first dose this year.  Before his appointment, he and I talked about the vaccine. He was a little worried that it was going to hurt.  But he was a trooper the day of his visit and told me that getting “the shot was definitely worth it, because not getting cancer is a really good thing.”

Protect your kids.

As a pediatrician, I know that the HPV vaccine is safe and effective cancer prevention.  It’s recommended for girls and boys at age 11 or 12. Talk to your kids about the importance of this lifesaving vaccine and schedule HPV vaccination at their next visit. As a parent, I made sure that my kids are vaccinated now to protect them later.

Photo Credits: Lizzie Oliver

(NewsUSA) - Nearly 9 in 10 Americans are concerned about the current cost of living in the United States, which has created an increasing need for the trusted, often life-changing advice of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^™ professionals. Alongside their paid work helping people plan their financial futures, thousands of CFP^® professionals across the country have chosen to “give back” with pro bono financial planning. If you like helping others, consider a career as a CFP^® professional — a career where serving those in need is encouraged.

Changing Lives. Making a Difference.

Last year, CFP^® professionals provided more than a quarter-million hours of free, no-strings-attached financial advice to those in need, such as domestic violence survivors, widows, wounded veterans, immigrants, cancer patients and others. This pro bono financial planning significantly impacts the lives of financially vulnerable Americans. Recognizing the substantial demand for assistance, CFP Board recently passed a resolution encouraging CFP^® professionals to commit to a minimum of 20 hours per year of pro bono work. Choosing a career as a CFP^® professional means embracing a culture of service.

Get Involved: Pro Bono Volunteering

Encouraging pro bono service is part of CFP Board’s commitment to expanding access to competent and ethical financial planners. With more than 97,000 CFP^® professionals in the United States, CFP Board has access to an immense potential supply of pro bono volunteers. And CFP Board has partnered with the Foundation for Financial Planning (FFP) to connect CFP^® professionals with people in need. FFP is an independent charitable organization solely focused on expanding pro bono services in the financial planning profession. 

FFP helps CFP^® professionals link up with nonprofit organizations seeking pro bono assistance for their constituents through its national volunteer opportunity clearinghouse: www.ProBonoPlannerMatch.org. More than 115 nonprofit organizations use the website to post volunteer opportunities for CFP^® professionals.

As a CFP^® professional, you’ll also have access to the training (CE credit eligible), resources and tools needed to be a successful pro bono volunteer.

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In addition to being part of a culture of service, becoming a CFP^® professional offers personal fulfillment and flexible schedules, provides opportunities for advancement in a rapidly expanding profession and boasts high salaries, with experienced financial advisors earning an average of $192,000 a year. Additionally, 86% of CFP^® professionals report that certification has had a positive impact on their career satisfaction.

What are you waiting for? Start your journey to become a CFP^® professional today.