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Considering a home generator? Why you should install now

2025-10-01T11:01:00

(BPT) – Have you considered installing a solar generator? Whether you want to be prepared for power outages and other emergencies, live off-grid or want to reduce your monthly energy bill, a solar home generator can get the job done.

However, if you’ve been sitting on the decision for a while, you could be missing out on thousands of dollars of savings. Read on to find out why now is the perfect time to purchase a solar generator and claim the Residential Clean Energy Credit.

What is the Residential Clean Energy Credit?

Solar home generators can be expensive, making them cost-prohibitive for many homeowners. Thanks to the Residential Clean Energy Credit, investing in this reliable, sustainable energy source for home use has become more affordable. The tax credit allows homeowners who purchase and install a qualifying solar generator to write off 30% of the purchase and installation costs.

However, homeowners will not be able to claim the tax credit after this year. Due to recent legislation, homeowners who want to save money on purchasing a solar generator need to act fast and purchase and install their generators before Dec. 31, 2025.

Am I eligible?

If you have purchased a new solar generator, you may be eligible to claim the tax credit. Not all products qualify, so it’s important to find models that meet the criteria.

Jackery — global leader of innovative solar generators and green off-grid energy solutions — offers many solar generators that qualify for the Residential Clean Energy Credit. When you purchase a qualifying Jackery product of over 3kWh capacity and have it professionally installed via a manual transfer switch, automatic transfer switch, or smart transfer switch, you can claim a 30% tax credit, reducing your overall cost. Depending on the price of the model, you may be able to claim the tax credit to cover the installation fee for the generator setup.

For example, the Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus is one of the most trusted solar generators for homes. It can power almost all household appliances. It has 12 output ports to power multiple appliances, such as fridges, computers, home servers, routers and more, and can be connected to a home’s crucial circuits through Jackery’s Smart Transfer Switch. According to Jackery, the standard price of this particular solar generator bundled with the Smart Transfer Switch is currently $2,799. If you are eligible to claim the tax credit, you could save as much as $839, reducing the net cost to $1,959.30 before installation.

The brand new Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus connected to a home through a manual transfer switch is eligible for the credit at even lower costs up-front, along with many other bundle options from Jackery.

Don’t wait until the end of the year

With the end of 2025 in sight, it’s time to start the process of purchasing and installing your essential home backup solar generator. It’s a practical and reliable way to ensure you always have power when you need it most.

Not sure how to get started? Jackery offers a step-by-step guide on how to apply for the tax credit. To learn more about eligible Jackery products, the Residential Clean Energy Credit and solar power, visit Jackery.com.

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From cellulite to sculpted: The non-invasive solution everyone is talking about

2025-10-01T09:01:00

(BPT) – Cellulite affects up to 90% of women — regardless of age, shape or fitness level. Often described as a dimpled “orange peel” effect, cellulite is caused by enlarged fat cells, reduced circulation and stiffened connective tissue beneath the skin. While exercise and diet can improve overall tone, they rarely address these root causes, leaving many women frustrated by the lack of visible improvement.

That’s why more women are turning to endermologie® treatments, a clinically proven, non-invasive technique designed to smooth cellulite, firm skin and sculpt body contours — all without needles, surgery or downtime.

The science behind the smooth

Developed in France and backed by over 175 clinical studies, endermologie® uses LPG®‘s state-of-the-art Cellu M6 Infinity® device to deliver targeted mechanical stimulation. This gentle yet powerful action helps:

  • Stimulate fibroblasts to boost natural collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid
  • Reactivate circulation and lymphatic drainage to reduce fluid retention
  • Improve tissue suppleness for smoother, firmer skin

The result: Cellulite is visibly reduced, skin appears more toned, and body contours are refined — naturally.

Proven results

After a typical 12-session program with the Cellu M6 Infinity®:

  • 93% of women reported visibly smoother cellulite*
  • Skin firmness increased by 71%*
  • Waistline circumference reduced by up to 2.3 inches***
  • 50% reduction in heavy-leg sensations was observed**

“We’re proud to offer endermologie® at Vendôme Clinique & Spa | Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, as it delivers exactly what today’s guests are seeking: visible results, deep relaxation and a refined spa experience. In just 35 minutes, it helps smooth the skin, reduce the appearance of cellulite and boost circulation — without any downtime or discomfort. It’s the perfect blend of wellness and indulgence.” – Sandrine Chevalie

A treatment that feels as good as it looks

Unlike aggressive or invasive procedures, endermologie® is comfortable and relaxing — often compared to a deep-tissue massage. Sessions are performed while wearing Endermowear™, LPG®‘s patented, breathable suit that enhances stimulation while ensuring comfort and privacy.

About LPG® America

LPG® America is the subsidiary of LPG® Group, the global leader in non-invasive beauty and wellness technologies. Our treatments are trusted by leading dermatologists, luxury spas, premium wellness centers and five-star resorts across the country.

We partner with the most prestigious destinations to bring endermologie® to clients seeking exceptional results, elevated experiences and natural beauty solutions.

Discover the benefits of endermologie® treatments and find an authorized provider near you: Find an LPG® center near you

Follow LPG® America for expert tips, results and innovations:

* Hausswirth C. et al. study report_ Institut BeScored 2024. Evaluation of the slimming, redensifying, smoothing and draining effect of the new Cellu M6® device: As of 12 sessions, 93% of women reported a smoothed orange-peel aspect and 92% reported an improvement in their skin’s firmness.

** 2024 BeScored study: Sensation of heavy legs reduced by 50% after the first session.

*** 2024 BeScored study: Waistline circumference reduction up to 2.28 inches (5.8 cm).

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57% of Americans cut back on candy this Halloween as chocolate prices rise: New study

2025-10-01T10:01:00

(BPT) – New research from Empower finds that over half of Americans (57%) say rising chocolate prices are changing how much they dish out for candy. A third consider Halloween one of the costliest times of the year, and Americans plan to spend an average of $296 between costumes, decor and entertainment in 2025, while Millennials and Gen Z plan to spend almost double ($522, $435 respectively). Yet despite the price tag, 51% say Halloween is one of their favorite holidays, and nearly six in 10 (57%) say the memories they make with friends and family on Oct. 31 are priceless.

Spooky spending

Five in 10 are cutting back on Halloween spending overall due to inflation (52%), though 39% of Americans say they overspend each year, highest among Millennials (52%) and Gen Z (48%). More than half of Americans (54%) believe parents today feel pressured to spend more on Halloween than past generations. Almost a third (31%) say they end up spending more when they see friends or family doing so, even if it’s beyond their means (53% Gen Z, 50% Millennials).

Overall, Americans expect to spend an average of $296 this Halloween, including:

  • Candy: $58
  • Children’s costume(s): $56
  • Adult costume(s): $46
  • Pet costume(s): $33
  • Home and yard decorations: $52
  • Parties and entertainment: $51

Millennials and Gen Z will spend the most ($522 and $435 respectively), while Gen X and Boomers will spend the least ($325 and $89, respectively). Most shoppers will start looking for Halloween items in September (39%) and October (43%). Though, close to one in five Millennials start shopping for Halloween in August (16%). Two in five (40%) say they look forward to Halloween shopping more than shopping for other holidays (61% Millennials, 56% Gen Z).

Tricks to save on treats

More than a third (35%) say candy is more expensive this year (46% Boomers) and 19% are spending less on candy now because of rising prices and inflation. One in five end up spending more than they planned on Halloween candy (21%), even though they budget a set amount for it (20%).

Rising costs are leading to new candy strategies:

  • 38% hunt for sales, coupons or bulk deals to save money on Halloween candy
  • 22% buy Halloween candy before October to spread out the cost
  • 31% admit they buy extra, knowing they’ll eat it themselves

Still, some 35% say they’ll splurge for full-sized candy bars, even though it costs more.

The cost of costumes

Social media also influences 29% of people to spend more on costumes, decor or events. To save money, close to a quarter say they often reuse or recycle costumes from past years (22%) or shop at thrift stores/discount retailers for Halloween looks (22%). One in five prefer to DIY or make costumes at home (20%). Close to a quarter (23%) of Gen Z and Millennials buy costumes for their pets, even if it costs extra (18% overall).

Unmasking AI

A quarter (24%) of younger generations will use AI to find the best deals on candy, costumes or decorations. Gen Z and Millennials will use it to generate costume ideas (25%). More than one in five Millennials will use it to help plan fall or Halloween themed-travel (21%).

Fear and fun: The experience economy

Even with tighter budgets, Americans want Halloween to feel memorable: 45% say they’d rather spend on experiences like trips or parties than decor. This year, Americans are opting for pumpkin patches or harvest festivals (31% overall; 41% Gen Z, 39% Millennials), Halloween parties (23% overall; 39% Millennials, 35% Gen Z), and Halloween theme parks or haunted houses (21% overall; 37% Millennials, 35% Gen Z).

More than a third (35%) plan to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters, while 27% will be watching Halloween movies or streaming spooky content. About a quarter say they’ll decorate their homes or yards (25%) or carve pumpkins (23%), and just over one in five (21%) will bake or cook Halloween-themed treats. Another 18% are heading out for seasonal activities like haunted houses, corn mazes or hayrides. When paying for these Halloween experiences or purchases, half of Americans will use a credit card to pay (50%), while 25% will use Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) (42% younger generations).

Visit The Currency™ to read Empower’s full research study, “Trick-or-Treat-onomics.“

Methodology:

Empower’s “Trick-or-Treat-onomics” study is based on online survey responses from 2,000 Americans ages 18+ from Sept. 10-16, 2025.

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[Executive Corner] Leading the Game: How LG Became Spain’s #1 in Professional LED Technology at Sports Venues

2025-09-30T21:17:00

(BPT) – By Jaime de Jaraíz, president of LG Electronics Iberia

When fans walk into a stadium, they expect more than just a game or a show — they expect to feel part of something bigger. In Spain, this new era of immersive sports and entertainment has two shining examples: the Riyahd Air Metropolitano in Madrid and the Roig Arena in Valencia. At both venues, we at LG are helping write a new chapter in the digital transformation of sports, leading a technological revolution that redefines how every moment is experienced.

What sets us apart is not only our leadership as the No. 1 provider of professional LED technology in Spain,* but also our ability to turn every project into a unique digital ecosystem. We don’t just install screens — we create living platforms where image, software and infrastructure work together to make every corner of a venue come alive.

Riyahd Air Metropolitano: An Icon in Transformation

In Madrid, our collaboration with Atlético de Madrid has transformed the Riyahd Air Metropolitano into a stadium that breathes innovation. The exterior and interior now form a dynamic canvas of light and color, amplifying the atmosphere of every moment.

At the top, our state-of-the-art Mesh LED envelops the stadium in a 360-degree visual spectacle, amplifying the excitement of every goal and every play and making the roar of the fans even more powerful and unforgettable.

Roig Arena: A New Global Benchmark

In Valencia, the Roig Arena was envisioned as one of the most advanced arenas in the world. At the heart stands our technological gem: the high-resolution video scoreboard. This giant screen, bearing the LG seal of innovation, offers precise sharpness and color uniformity that allow every replay, every stat and every detail of the game to be seen with astonishing clarity throughout the stands. But it does much more than display scores — it syncs with lighting, sound and dynamic content to turn every key moment into a cinematic experience.

Around it, the perimeter LED ribbon and the iconic outdoor screen, The Eye, complete a digital ecosystem that extends the excitement beyond the venue, placing Valencia at the forefront of Europe as a venue for top-level competitions and events.

Digitalization as a Driver of Change

In both Madrid and Valencia, we’re showing that digitalizing stadiums isn’t just about impressive visuals — it’s about smarter management, new ways to communicate and deeper connections with audiences. These venues are flexible platforms that can adapt to matches, concerts, cultural shows or corporate events. And for sponsors, they open new doors to engage with the public in more personal, real-time ways.

Shaping the Future Through Leadership

In recent years, we’ve been proud to contribute to nearly thirty sports venues in Spain, from stadiums and arenas to the Rafa Nadal Academy and local gyms. With a 45% share of the professional LED market in Spain in the first quarter of 2025,* and the trust of eight out of 10 major Spanish stadiums, we are not just equipping venues — we are redefining the live event experience.

However, this leadership isn’t built on technology alone. It comes from people — the talent, passion and dedication of nearly 240 professionals at LG Spain. From engineering to sales, logistics to marketing, every department has played a vital role in making these projects a reality.

Each installation is a milestone that brings Spain a little closer to the global forefront of sports and entertainment technology. Our expertise also extends beyond Spain, to iconic venues like Wembley Stadium in London, Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt and Jan Breydel Stadium in Belgium.

At LG, we believe life is richer when emotions are lived intensely. That’s why our mission is to make every fan, in every seat, feel that Life‘s Good — and why we believe the future of sports and entertainment venues is already here.

*Source: OMDIA. Data on the professional LED display market in Spain, published up to June 2025, based on installed volume (in square meters) during 2024 and the first quarter of 2025. LG Electronics has not participated in the preparation of this study. For more information, visit: www.omdia.com.

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The challenge of solving the cybersecurity skills gap

2025-10-01T08:01:00

(BPT) – The need for cybersecurity professionals has never been greater. In the U.S. alone, cyberattacks may cost the American economy over $1 trillion and globally $10.5 trillion in 2025. The frequency of ransomware cyberattacks are also predicted to increase, with one happening every two seconds by 2031.

Cybercriminals are savvy, but the lack of talent in the cybersecurity field is worsening the situation. Globally, industry experts calculate that nearly 5 million additional cyber defense professionals are needed, according to the 2024 ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study.

But what’s behind this deficit in cybersecurity talent? There aren’t enough people going into the field. Many positions go unfilled because companies overlook the importance of entry-level positions.

Restricted access: The lack of entry points for new talent

Despite rising demand for cybersecurity professionals, early-career talent continues to be shut out. The ISC2 report found that almost a third (31%) of surveyed organizations have no entry-level (0-1 year of experience) cybersecurity professionals and 15% have no junior-level (1-3 years of experience) personnel.

There’s plenty of entry-level and junior-level talent. However, industry leaders require years of experience for entry-level roles. In fact, the study reports that 62% of teams had open roles, but hiring managers were focused on finding only mid-level to advanced roles.

“If industry leaders continue to restrict entry-level opportunities, the talent shortage will only get worse,” said Fred Kwong, VP and chief information security officer at DeVry University. “Not only will this hinder workforce readiness, but this industry practice will deepen the cybersecurity risk across the board.”

Educating and hiring the next generation of cyber leaders

To strengthen their future defenses, organizations can rethink their hiring practices. In addition to hiring entry- and junior-level talent, industry leaders can find ways to collaborate with universities to nurture the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

For example, DeVry University’s Cybersecurity Center of Excellence offers robust cybersecurity programs built on skills-based, hands-on learning models and real-world exposure. By partnering with industry leaders, the university has designed a curriculum that aims to help close the skills gap by equipping early-career professionals with the knowledge needed to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving cyber landscape.

In these programs, students don’t just learn about cybersecurity, they get to practice it. Last year, DeVry launched a cutting-edge cyber range platform. Powered by Cloud Range, a leading provider of cyber range training as a service, the platform offers realistic, immersive simulations that mimic real-world cyber threats. Students can practice and master analytics, investigation, repulsion, remediation and other cybersecurity techniques.

“Cybersecurity attacks are becoming more complex and hitting faster than ever before,” added Shantanu Bose, Ph.D., DeVry University’s provost and chief academic officer. “Learning theory isn’t enough. Our curriculum is built on experiential learning, so graduates are job-ready by graduation and ready to take on professional cybersecurity roles.”

As cyber threats escalate in scale and sophistication, the responsibility to close the talent gap cannot rest solely on the shoulders of industry leaders. Higher education institutions must continue to take an active role in preparing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals by aligning academic programs with real-world demands.

Through hands-on training, strategic partnerships with employers and a focus on experiential learning, colleges and universities can ensure that learners are not only educated but fully equipped to enter the workforce. Bridging the gap between education and employment is no longer optional — it’s essential to building a resilient, future-ready cybersecurity workforce.

“Ultimately, securing the future depends on empowering and supporting the people who will shape it,” noted Bose.

To learn more about how DeVry is equipping aspiring cyber professionals and discover its cybersecurity program offerings, visit DeVry’s Cybersecurity Center of Excellence.

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Step into Tomorrow: A Peek Inside the Future of the AI Home at LG’s IFA 2025 Booth

2025-09-30T20:27:00

(BPT) – This year’s IFA in Berlin may be over, but LG’s booth left a lasting impression. Under the theme AI Appliances Orchestra, we presented our comprehensive vision for the future of home living — a future where LG ThinQ AI enables everyday appliances to seamlessly connect, adapt and evolve to make your life better.

At the core of it all was LG AI Home — a connected suite of appliances and services powered by our unique Affectionate Intelligence. Designed with European lifestyles in mind, LG AI Home is a fully integrated system where products communicate with each other to improve performance, save time and energy, and provide you with the personalized care and comfort you deserve.

Key elements of LG ThinQ AI include ThinQ UP, which lets you customize your appliances with features that fit your needs, and ThinQ Care, which delivers proactive maintenance to help keep your devices running at their best. This empathetic AI elevates home life by putting your happiness — and the health of the planet — first, prioritizing convenience and sustainability at every turn.

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The LG booth was divided into several discrete zones, each showing a different aspect of our AI Home vision. The Hero Zone, located at the booth entrance, served as the centerpiece — illustrating how our appliances work together like an orchestra, with ThinQ AI as the conductor, bringing harmony to your home.

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In the Fit & Max Zone, we recreated European-style living spaces to show how effortlessly our innovations can fit into real homes. Perfect for compact spaces, the lineup included kitchen and living solutions designed to save space while maximizing capacity — like our new refrigerator with a Zero Clearance Hinge.

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The AI Core Tech Zone highlighted the advanced AI technologies behind our latest Better Life innovations. In laundry, we introduced the AI-driven HeatPump WasherDryer, delivering a complete wash-and-dry cycle with an “A”‘ energy rating. Features such as AI Wash™ senses fabric type and weight, while specialized cycles help reduce the amount of microplastics shed by clothing during washing, protecting both you and the water supply.

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Over in the AI Home Zone, visitors saw LG AI Home in action through real-life scenarios. Live demonstrations made clear the many benefits of our smart ThinQ ON-powered ecosystem, where you can use voice commands, automated routines and personalized settings to create the home lifestyle you’ve always dreamed of.

We also introduced Spielraum, our AI mobility solution that extends the smart home into vehicles, resulting in a seamless, connected experience that lets you take the comforts of home on the road with you.

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Vacuum cleaning solutions were another highlight of our IFA showcase. The new generation of vacuum cleaners we revealed included smarter robot vacuums, featuring a built-in docking station with automated capabilities.

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The LG innovations displayed at IFA 2025 also reflected our continued focus on personalization and energy efficiency — two of the most important considerations for customers seeking to buy new home solutions, both in Europe and around the world.

Our commitment to sustainability was recognized at the first-ever IFA Innovation Awards, where we received multiple honors in the home appliance category for our AI-powered living solutions.

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For those who managed to visit our IFA booth, either in person or online, the takeaway was clear: LG is actively redefining the role of home appliances. No longer just tools for getting chores done, they are fast becoming intuitive partners that help people to live smarter, more comfortably and more sustainably.

As IFA showed, Life’s Good right now, and with LG taking the lead, it’s only going to get better.