We live in a dirty world. Wherever we go, we are among microbes. Bacteria, fungi and viruses live on our phones, bus seats, door handles and park benches. We pass these tiny organisms to each other when we share a handshake or a seat on the plane.

Now, researchers are finding we also share our microbes through our money. From tip jars to vending machines to the meter maid – each dollar, passed person to person, samples a bit of the environment it comes from, and passes those bits to the next person, the next place it goes.

The list of things found on our dollars includes DNA from our pets, traces of drugs, and bacteria and viruses that cause disease.

The findings demonstrate how money can silently record human activities, leaving behind so-called “molecular echoes.”

What’s on a dollar bill?

In April, a new study identified over a hundred different strains of bacteria on dollar bills circulating in New York City. Some of the most common bugs on our bills included Propionibacterium acnes, a bacteria known to cause acne, and Streptococcus oralis, a common bacteria found in our mouths.

The research team, led by biologist Jane Carlton at New York University, also discovered traces of DNA from domestic animals and from specific bacteria that are associated only with certain foods.

A similar study recovered traces of DNA on ATM keypads, reflecting the foods people ate in different neighborhoods. People in central Harlem ate more

Article source: http://world.einnews.com/article/388566424/Cc3JZSbpS-JS9Eco?ref=rss&ecode=dYZEnKEuqPQMTccj

BOULDER, Colo., June 21 — Western Resource Advocates issued the following news release:

Today, the Colorado Public Utilities Commission approved critical improvements in the electric grid, which will save customers money, reduce energy use, and meet Xcel customers’ energy needs in the 21st century. The Advanced Grid Intelligence and Security (“AGIS”) initiative was supported by diverse parties including environmental, consumer and business advocates along with Xcel Energy, Colorado’s largest investor-owned utility.

“Today the PUC put Colorado on a path to creating a 21st century electric grid,” said Erin Overturf, Chief Energy Counsel with Western Resource Advocates. “Advanced electric meters will empower Coloradans to control and manage their energy use, saving money and reducing waste. Other grid improvements will reduce customers’ energy consumption by approximately 2%, avoiding over 300,000 tons of harmful carbon pollution each year.”

The decision today consists of two main components: First, a commitment to install ‘advanced electricity meters’ for Xcel customers, allowing users more control over their energy use. These meters provide valuable information to customers, facilitate integration of electric vehicles and smart appliances, and also improve reliability of the grid.

The second component is optimization of the voltage across Xcel’s distribution grid (known as “conservation voltage optimization” or “integrated volt-VAR optimization”) in the Denver metro area. These utility-side upgrades will improve efficiency and result in 2% reduction in energy consumption for customers, thereby reducing consumers’ energy bills. These system improvements will avoid approximately 360,000 tons of carbon pollution each year, and reduce other harmful air pollutants.

“Colorado continues to lead in

Article source: http://world.einnews.com/article/388566602/YCdbdu1pbISUUNht?ref=rss&ecode=dYZEnKEuqPQMTccj

What would your Zakatul-al-Fitr on grain do to a Muslim family who has nothing to celebrate the Eid-el-fitr? Do you think giving out guinea corn to the needy would make him/her happy?

These among others are the reasons why early Muslim scholars, including Al-Hasan al-Basrī, Sufyān al-Thawrī, and Abū Ishāq al-Sabīʿī agreed that these items could be paid in their monetary values.

In fact, the famous Umayyad Caliph, ʿUmar b. ʿAbd al-Azīz didn’t only approve it, he also enforced as part of his policy. He issued a decree that half a silver coin should be deducted from all those who get a stipend from the government, in lieu of zakat-al-fitr.

Although some early scholars however disagreed based on the hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him) which instructed that four mudu (equivalent to 14 tins of milk) of wheat, or barley, or dates, or raisins, or curled milk be given to the needy.

In his wisdom, contemporary Muslim scholar, Sheikh Yaasir Qadhi concluded: Zakat-al-fitr was given in staple food items during the life of the Prophet (peace be upon him) because there were many families who were in dire need of it. Such food items were more accessible to the Muslims than gold and silver, and poverty was so pronounced that it was more needed by the poor than gold and silver.

There is no unequivocal textual evidence that implies

Article source: http://world.einnews.com/article/388567195/2XC0ebyl1LAXphaH?ref=rss&ecode=dYZEnKEuqPQMTccj

Federal and state law enforcement in El Paso, Texas have arrested 14 member of the Orrantia Drug Trafficking Organization, including ringleader Mario Armando Orrantia.

One arrest took place Tuesday night while the other 13 were Wednesday. 

The suspects are facing drug trafficking charges, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Richard Durbin and Special Agent in Charge Will Glaspy of the DEA’s El Paso office. 

During the investigation, law enforcement seized about five kilograms of cocaine, 600 kilograms of marijuana, seven vehicles and almost $140,000. 

“This week, DEA and our federal, state and local law enforcement partners severely disrupted the Orrantia Drug Trafficking Organization operating here in El Paso”, said Glaspy in a statement.

A federal grand jury indicted 12 of the suspects on conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, five suspects on conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, seven on substantive drug possession with intent to distribute, 10 on conspiracy to commit money laundering, and one on bulk cash smuggling. 

“This organization was disguising criminal activity in the form of legitimate business and threatening the safety of the communities in which we work and live. DEA, along with our law enforcement partners, remains committed to bringing to justice those who import and then distribute illegal drugs in our communities,” said Glaspy’s statement. 

Authorities said the organization would smuggle hundreds of kilograms of cocaine and marijuana into the El Paso area and transport it for distribution to locations around the United States including Ohio, South Carolina and Colorado. They would also take

Article source: http://world.einnews.com/article/388567302/86LW7bmtwe2lU51p?ref=rss&ecode=dYZEnKEuqPQMTccj

Why does it cost so much to move money? If every record is computerized, if all the movement is recorded electronically, then why the fees to get money out of a different bank’s ATM? Why the fees to spend your money in another country? Is it that expensive to move money? And does it need to be so anymore?

On today’s show, Brett King hosts Bill Barhydt of Abra, and Shachar Bialick of Curve, two fintech companies trying to solve this issue, making it better, smarter and cheaper to use your money where you are and how you need.

Also, Penny Crosman from American Banker joins the show to give the news overview.

Related:

IMF: Digital currency could remake ‘cumbersome’ cross-border payments

Inside Ripple’s plan to make money move as fast as information

Moving Money Across Borders, Phone to Phone

Why Remittances Cost So Much — and How to Make Them a Lot Cheaper

Article source: http://world.einnews.com/article/388567812/jOcojRBoLeTx8O-H?ref=rss&ecode=dYZEnKEuqPQMTccj