70 Eight-Liners Seized In San Antonio Gambling Raids Dozens Detained In Texas Casino.Org News
70 Eight-Liners Seized In San Antonio Gambling Raids, Dozens Detained In Texas – Casino.Org News https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/70-eight-liners-seized-in-san-antonio-gambling-raids-dozens-detained-in-texas-casino-org-news/
Posted on: October 20, 2022, 07:13h.
Last updated on: October 20, 2022, 07:13h.
Two dozen people were detained and some 70 gaming machines were confiscated after two early morning raids on Wednesday in San Antonio, Texas.
Sheriff’s deputies huddle after a San Antonio, Texas gambling raid, pictured above. The illegal site was tied to motorcycle gangs. (Image: SBG)
Weapons were located at both sites, as well. Apprehended suspects included “armed personnel” at both locations, authorities said. They were apparently there to stand guard.
Some suspected illegal drugs were spotted, too, and deputies were searching later on Wednesday for more narcotics.
One site was on Guadalupe Street. The other was on Bandera Road. Both are located on the city’s West Side.
At this second location, deputies found a couple thousand dollars. Deputies on Wednesday continued to search the first location for cash and coins.
We’re happy to shut both of them down for now,” Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said during a press conference at one of the crime sites. “We’ll see how many people end up going to jail as a result of both operations.”
The gambling machines were eight-liners. Eight-liner machines have been found in prior gaming operation raids in San Antonio and elsewhere in Bexar County.
An eight-liner resembles a slot machine. Depending on the type, a player “wins” if a horizontal, vertical, or a diagonal row of objects line up.
Ties to Motorcycle Gangs
Salazar also said the two illegal gambling sites were “working in concert with one another. Both with pretty obvious ties to outlaw motorcycle gangs.”
Just some of the money seized in two gambling raids this week in San Antonio, Texas, pictured above. Gambling machines were seized and many people were detained. (Image: Bexar County Sheriff’s Office)
One item seized was a “Malditos” motorcycle vest. One seized motorcycle had a mounted plaque for the “Bandidos MC.”
Officials also noted the sites are close to elementary schools. “That’s cause for concern,” Salazar said. Students went by the locations on their way to school, he added.
The two illegal gaming sites were being run round the clock, Salazar added.
At least one of the gaming operations was located behind a locked gate. The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team had to ram through the gate to gain entry to the site.
Both searches were approved by a judge following an initial investigation.
This week’s raids follow other illegal gambling raids in San Antonio.
Prior Raid
For instance, in May over $15,000 and an estimated 100 eight-liner gaming machines were commandeered by sheriff’s deputies during a raid on the city’s South Side.
Four suspects were apprehended. Three men were in custody following the search. They were likely to have been charged with gambling offenses, Salazar said at the time of the raid.
Their identities were not released by officials in May.
Each had different functions in the operation. One was in charge of security, while another ran gambling operations, Salazar said. A fourth suspect, a woman, was charged with possession of Methamphetamine (meth).
At least two weapons also were seized during May raid.
Bags containing cash were found at the site, too. One bag held about $15,000. Some of the money was stored in an on-site ATM and safe.
The operation was located in various small buildings and sheds. The structures were connected.
Incredible LGBITQ Friendly Destinations To Add To Your Travel Bucket List EWN
Incredible LGBITQ+ Friendly Destinations To Add To Your Travel Bucket List – EWN https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/incredible-lgbitq-friendly-destinations-to-add-to-your-travel-bucket-list-ewn/
Are you planning an international vacation and wondering where the most LGBTQ+-friendly destinations are?
A rainbow flag, representing equality for members of the LGBTI community. Picture: Stock.xchng.
JOHANNESBURG – The recognition and inclusion of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/transsexual, intersex and queer/questioning (LGBITQ+) community in South Africa.
Several events including marches have over the years been staged to highlight the importance of affording LGBITQ+ equality in society.
This is despite the country’s Constitution promoting inclusivity and diversity.
Are you planning an international vacation and wondering where the most LGBITQ+-friendly destinations are?
Known for being a country that is proud of its LGBITQ+ community as well as driving equality on the continent, South Africa is recognised as a country that stands with its LGBITQ+ community.
South Africa legalised same-sex marriage in 2006, making it the first African country and fifth in the world to do so, and it continues to constitutionally protect its citizens against discrimination based on sexual orientation.
While oppressive laws and unwelcoming societies are still prevalent in many parts of the world, there are many other open-minded countries where everyone can express themselves freely.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Often called the world’s most liberal city, Amsterdam, is one of the most LGBITQ+-friendly destinations in the world. Amsterdam’s legendary open-mindedness saw homosexuality decriminalised way back in the early 1800s and the Netherlands was the first country in the world to welcome same-sex marriages back in 2001. The city, often called Europe’s gay capital, plays host to a number of LGBITQ+events throughout the year and is home to some of the world’s most popular gay bars – including Spijker Bar, a gay bar that is considered the oldest and friendliest in Amsterdam. However, there is so much more to Amsterdam’s gay scene than its many bars.
Toronto, Canada
As Canada’s largest city, Toronto has a bustling queer community and, as a result, is one of the most politically active cities in the world in terms of gay rights. Toronto is famous for having an active and energetic gay village that is full of various gay-owned bars, clubs and businesses. The city, which is home to tourist attractions like the CN Tower, the Royal Ontario Museum, and just a short drive from the world-famous Niagara Falls, also plays host to the Inside Out LGBITQ+ Film Festival, which occurs over two weeks in May.
Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm is famous for being one of the most open-minded cities in the world. Despite being a country rich in history and filled with gorgeous buildings and tourist hotspots, its thriving LGBITQ+ scene makes it a popular destination for tourists from around the globe. Patricia is the city’s biggest gay club with parties happening every night of the week. If you’re looking for something a little more low-key, a visit to the country’s popular ABBA Museum is a must.
Mykonos, Greece
If an island holiday is what you are after, many consider Greece’s popular city of Mykonos. Many consider Mykonos as the original gay island in the Mediterranean, a testament to its long-standing relationship with the LGBITQ+ community. Mykonos is home to dozens of gay beaches, hotels, establishments and beaches that are either gay-exclusive or gay-friendly, making it the perfect city for the LGBITQ+ community to soak up that Mediterranean sun.
Reuters Odd News Summary – Devdiscourse https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/reuters-odd-news-summary-devdiscourse-2/
Following is a summary of current odd news briefs.
Brazil’s furriest police corporal becomes internet sensation
A rescue dog turned police mascot has become one of Brazil’s most beloved furry internet sensations. Dubbed “Corporal Oliveira,” the dog was taken in by Rio police officer Cristiano Oliveira, who found him in 2019 near his police station abandoned, injured and hungry.
Garter snake causes stir aboard United Airlines jet in New Jersey
The unexpected appearance of a live snake on a plane caused some turbulence among business-class passengers aboard a United Airlines jet at the end of a flight from Florida to New Jersey. The reptile stowaway, identified as a harmless garter snake, turned up on United Airlines Flight 2038 from Tampa shortly after landing Monday afternoon at Newark Liberty International Airport, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
(With inputs from agencies.)
Mottainai Advocates Healthy Lifestyle, Proper Waste Disposal — OsunDefender – Osun Defender https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/mottainai-advocates-healthy-lifestyle-proper-waste-disposal-osundefender-osun-defender/
Oyo State Waste Consultant, Mottainai Recycling Ltd has stressed the importance of a healthy lifestyle, adding that keeping communities and environment clean is equally key.
This was emphasized by the MD, Mottainai Recycling Ltd., Mr. Adey Adewuyi during an inspection of waste evacuation by PSPs in Ibadan metropolis, the Oyo State capital today.
“Healthy living is best achieved when we keep our communities and environment clean. At Mottainai Recycling, we are committed to ensuring this is our reality”, says Adey Adewuyi.
Expressing the firm’s support for the campaign on proper waste disposal by the Oyo State government, he stressed that there is a need to educate the populace on proper sanitation.
Adewuyi restated the commitment of Mottainai Recycling Ltd in the continuous advocacy of a cleaner environment initiative in Oyo State.
He said, “Mottainai is supporting the Oyo State Government to ensure that the clean and ideal Oyo State is delivered.”
Adewuyi equally called on residents in the state to act in an environmentally-friendly manner, in order to avoid flooding.
Mr. Adewuyi said residents of Oyo State especially occupants of areas close to drainages must stop the dumping of refuse in drainage channels and erecting structures on drainage alignments.
Faces Of Fall: Oct. 20, 2022 | Sports | News-Gazette.com – News-Gazette https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/faces-of-fall-oct-20-2022-sports-news-gazette-com-news-gazette/
LANDRY HALL
Sullivan volleyball
➜ Her favorite athlete is … Anthony Rizzo.
➜ Her favorite team is … the Chicago Cubs.
➜ If she could attend any one sporting event in person, it would be … the Olympics.
➜ Her favorite sport besides volleyball is … club volleyball.
RILEY McJUNKIN
Centennial volleyball
➜ Her favorite athlete is … Michael Jordan.
➜ Her favorite team is … the St. Louis Cardinals.
➜ If she could attend any one sporting event in person, it would be … the Super Bowl.
➜ Her favorite sport besides volleyball is … soccer.
ADENA PAUL
Heritage volleyball
➜ Her favorite athlete is … Mikey Dudek.
➜ Her favorite team is … Northwestern.
➜ If she could attend any one sporting event in person, it would be … the Women’s College World Series.
➜ Her favorite sport besides volleyball is … track and field.
J’LYNN WALTZ
Georgetown-Ridge Farm volleyball
➜ Her favorite athlete is … Makaelyn Lagacy.
➜ Her favorite team is … the St. Louis Cardinals.
➜ If she could attend any one sporting event in person, it would be … an MLB game.
➜ Her favorite sport besides volleyball is … softball.
CASETiFY Partners With Global Metaverse Platform ZEPETO To Launch Phone Accessory Line-Up Featuring User-Generated Artwork PR Newswire
CASETiFY Partners With Global Metaverse Platform ZEPETO To Launch Phone Accessory Line-Up Featuring User-Generated Artwork – PR Newswire https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/casetify-partners-with-global-metaverse-platform-zepeto-to-launch-phone-accessory-line-up-featuring-user-generated-artwork-pr-newswire/
, /PRNewswire/ — Global lifestyle brand CASETiFY launches today its new collaboration with ZEPETO, a metaverse platform under Naver Z, showcasing winning artwork created by users of the ZEPETO platform.
Earlier in August, ZEPETO together with CASETiFY hosted a case design contest for ZEPETO users. A total of 15,500 entries were submitted to the Design Contest, with three being selected as part of the final accessory drop.
The designs of the three final winners will be available to purchase on CASETiFY’s official website, with the authors receiving rewards such CASETiFY products as well as coins to purchase items at ZEPETO. In addition to the three user-generated cases, the CASETiFY x ZEPETO collection will feature 3 other cases inspired by ZEPETO and designed by CASETiFY.
Through this design contest, CASETiFY taps into the metaverse world for the first time in hands with ZEPETO, building a linkage between the physical and digital experience.
Detailed information of the CASETiFY x ZEPETO collection can be found on CASETiFY’s official website. To learn more about the collaboration, visit CASETiFY on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Tiktok.
About CASETiFY
CASETiFY is a global lifestyle brand and home to the first and largest platform for customized tech accessories. Created with the highest-quality materials and most cutting-edge designs, CASETiFY’s products empower self-expression by turning your personal electronics into highly designed, stylishly slim, drop-proof accessories. Known for tapping top artists, big celebrities and creatives for its Co-Lab program, CASETiFY gives brands and individuals the opportunity to share their unique visions with the world. With 18 retail shops and growing, CASETiFY Studio provides a one-stop, visual retail experience where customers can customize their accessories on the spot. For more information on CASETiFY, its stores, partners and products, please visit www.CASETiFY.com.
SOURCE CASETiFY
Garmin Venu SQ 2 Venu SQ 2 Music Edition Smartwatches Launched Check Price Specifications And Features Zee Business
Garmin Venu SQ 2, Venu SQ 2 Music Edition Smartwatches Launched – Check Price, Specifications And Features – Zee Business https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/garmin-venu-sq-2-venu-sq-2-music-edition-smartwatches-launched-check-price-specifications-and-features-zee-business/
Garmin Venu SQ 2, Venu SQ 2 Music Edition: Popular wearable brand Garmin on Thursday launched two new smartwatches — Garmin Venu SQ 2, Venu SQ 2 Music Edition in India. Both the devices are equipped with all-day health monitoring, fitness tracking, connected features and sleek rectangular watch face.
Garmin Venu SQ 2, Venu SQ 2 Music Edition: Price
The Venu SQ 2 is priced at Rs 27,990 and the Venu SQ 2 Music Edition at Rs 33,490 and they are available on online and offline platforms. The smartwatches are available in cool mint, shadow grey, white, black, french grey, and ivory colours and can be paired smoothly with both Android and iOS smartphones.
Garmin Venu SQ 2, Venu SQ 2 Music Edition: Specifications
The Venu Sq 2 series is made to keep up with an active lifestyle, with over 25 preloaded GPS and indoor sports apps — including walking, running, cycling, tennis and more. It even includes preloaded cardio, strength, yoga, HIIT and Pilates workouts.
With an increased battery life of 83 per cent (as compared to its predecessor) that can run up to 11 days in smartwatch mode, the Venu Sq 2 and Venu Sq 2 — Music Edition enable users to monitor health metrics 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the company claimed.
For those who want to take their music on the go, the Venu Sq 2 – Music Edition includes on-device music storage for up to 500 songs for phone-free listening. The Venu Sq 2 series is made to keep up with an active lifestyle, with 25+ preloaded GPS and indoor sports apps – including walking, running, cycling, tennis and more – it’s easy to switch up a workout. It even includes preloaded cardio, strength, yoga, HIIT and Pilates workouts.
Venu SQ2 is a sought after watch for those who enjoy HIIT workouts, it allows to track key metrics and allows users to set the number of rounds, work/rest intervals and more.
Europes Digital Bank N26 Has Good News For Crypto Traders AMBCrypto News
Europe’s Digital Bank N26 Has Good News For Crypto Traders – AMBCrypto News https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/europes-digital-bank-n26-has-good-news-for-crypto-traders-ambcrypto-news/
European digital bank N26 has announced its decision to offer cryptocurrency trading. The feature is first getting launched in Austria where customers will be able to trade in as many as 100 cryptocurrencies.
The Berlin-headquartered central bank, backed by Peter Thiel, plans to expand the service, called N26 Crypto, to other countries within the next six months. Soon, as many as 196 tokens will be offered to the customers.
The feature is powered by the Austrian crypto and stock trading app Bitpanda’s White Label product. Currently, N26 is charging a transaction fee of 1.5% on Bitcoin and a 2.5% fee on all the other cryptocurrencies.
The $9 billion European digital bank does not have local offices and works only online. Despite its high valuation, the bank has had a difficult few years, failing to penetrate the UK and U.S. markets and having to spend more on tightening anti-money laundering (AML) measures under regulatory pressure.
Customers can purchase and sell tokens but cannot move the assets to other digital wallets because the bank only offers crypto trading as a wealth-building option.
Is N26 late to the party?
Major fintech groups such as PayPal and Revolut have already been offering crypto assets to their customers. N26 entered the cryptocurrency market rather late.
“We believe that cryptocurrencies are going to continue to be a prominent part of the financial ecosystem,” Gilles BianRosa, Chief Product Officer, N26 said. He added that N26 users are extremely interested in cryptocurrency. The interest remains super high, even in a bear market.
This year, Bitcoin and other tokens have witnessed significant losses as investors exited the market owing to concerns about rising interest rates and liquidity shortages.
While traditional banking institutions have avoided cryptocurrency owing to worries about its high volatility and participation in the fraud, N26, which holds a European Union banking license, is putting its toes into the field, believing that it is becoming more popular.
Ser Suzuki Shillsalot has 8 years of experience working as a Senior Investigative journalist at The SpamBot Times. He completed a two-hour course in journalism from a popular YouTube video and was one of the few to give it a positive rating. Shillsalot’s writings mainly focus on shilling his favourite cryptos and trolling anyone who disagrees with him. P.S – There is a slight possibility the profile pic is AI-generated. You see, this account is primarily used by our freelancer writers and they wish to remain anonymous. Wait, are they Satoshi? :/
U.S. Weekly Jobless Claims Fall – Reuters https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/u-s-weekly-jobless-claims-fall-reuters/
Oct 20 (Reuters) – The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell unexpectedly last week, indicating the labor market remains tight even as demand for labor is cooling amid higher interest rates.
Initial claims for state unemployment benefits fell to a seasonally adjusted 214,000 for the week ended Oct. 15, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Data for the prior week was revised to show 2,000 fewer applications filed than previously reported. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 230,000 applications for the latest week.
The labor market has been largely resilient, though some cracks are emerging as the Federal Reserve ramps up its monetary policy tightening campaign. The U.S. central bank has hiked its policy rate from near-zero at the beginning of this year to the current range of 3.00% to 3.25%, and officials have signaled more large increases were on the way this year with inflation showing little sign yet of a substantial retreat.
The government reported earlier this month that job openings dropped by 1.1 million, the largest decline since April 2020, to 10.1 million on the last day of August. But economists do not expect widespread layoffs, saying companies were wary of releasing their workers after difficulties hiring in the past year as the COVID-19 pandemic forced some people out of the workforce, partly due to prolonged illness caused by the virus.
The claims report showed the number of people receiving benefits after an initial week of aid, a proxy for hiring, increased 21,000 to 1.385 million in the week ending Oct. 8.
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Reporting by Dan Burns Editing by Chizu Nomiyama
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Ascend Partners With Veruna To Bring Leading Technology & Payment Solution To Insurance Agents PR Newswire
Ascend Partners With Veruna To Bring Leading Technology & Payment Solution To Insurance Agents – PR Newswire https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/ascend-partners-with-veruna-to-bring-leading-technology-payment-solution-to-insurance-agents-pr-newswire/
, /PRNewswire/ — Today, Ascend, the first modern insurance payments platform, announced that they will be integrating their payments and premium financing solution with Veruna, developer of the insurance industry’s leading technology solution for independent agents.
Ascend is the first modern insurance payments platform that provides automated, all-in-one financing, collections, and payables. Veruna’s innovative technology couples the unmatched customer relationship management (CRM) capabilities of Salesforce with functionality explicitly tailored to the insurance industry, enabling exceptional mobility, flexibility, customization, and ease of integration.
Veruna is the industry’s only AMS designed by independent agents on an open platform architecture for the superior flexibility agents and brokers need to sell more and relate with customers better. Veruna gives users unprecedented control of their agency technology and their business’s growth, making it easy to create automated tasks and reminders for managing customer relationships, remarkets, lost business, expanding coverages to meet insureds’ needs, and streamlining back-office processes.
“We pride ourselves on developing technology that empowers agents and helps them grow, so to have a partner like Veruna who strives to achieve the same thing means everything,” says Praveen Chekuri, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Ascend. “A recurring issue in this industry is the antiquated technologies and the fragmentation of their holding agents/carriers/distributors back. By integrating our all-in-one financial solution with Veruna’s all-in-one AMS and CRM, we’re bringing together all of the tools people need into one, easy-to-use place.”
This integration allows agents to use only one tool instead of switching among multiple. All of their data will be stored in one place and accessed as needed, so they don’t have to waste time entering the same data over and over again. Ascend will also now be able to update statuses back to the AMS so users can manage the entire lifecycle from Veruna.
“Our goal is to create a comprehensive, customer-centric system that lets people harness the full power of the world’s #1 CRM and the insurance industry’s #1 AMS,” says Colleen Wells, Chief Strategy Officer of Veruna. “By working with Ascend, we’re bringing this to the next level and offering our users an all-in-one solution that addresses their financial and payment pain points in a way that no one else can.”
The integration between Ascend and Veruna will be offered to their mutual customers starting today. To learn more, visit useascend.com/veruna.
About Ascend
Ascend is the modern insurance payments platform that provides automated all-in-one financing, collections, and payables. Founded by two-time insurtech entrepreneurs Andrew Wynn and Praveen Chekuri, Ascend helps distributors sell more by eliminating labor-intensive, expensive processes while providing customers with the great online checkout and financing experience they’ve come to expect. To learn more, please visit https://useascend.com/.
About Veruna
Veruna, founded in 2015, inspires and empowers independent insurance agencies, carriers, insurtechs, brokers, and MGAs to sell more insurance and retain valued customers. To serve your customers better, Veruna allows agencies and MGAs to build custom configurations to capture your unique value propositions and integrate with numerous solutions. Delivering highly innovative insurance technology, Veruna allows agents to focus on one thing – your customers. For more information, please visit www.veruna.com.
Contact:
Kathy Osborne
[email protected]
SOURCE Ascend
CannaBus Promotes Expanded Access To Medical Marijuana In San Antonio San Antonio Report
CannaBus Promotes Expanded Access To Medical Marijuana In San Antonio – San Antonio Report https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/cannabus-promotes-expanded-access-to-medical-marijuana-in-san-antonio-san-antonio-report/
Tucked into a tiny industrial park just off of Bulverde Road is a small compound where several local companies purvey their various cannabis-related wares.
It’s here that the 36-foot-long CannaBus, Texas’ first mobile marijuana dispensary, parked Wednesday as a part of its statewide “Ride For Your Rights” tour.
The CannaBus is operated by Austin-based company goodblend, a subsidiary of parent company Parallel and one of only three medical cannabis operators licensed to operate in Texas. Their statewide tour kicked off earlier this month and aims to bring cannabis education and awareness to Texans across the state, said Terrence Baugh, goodblend patient advocate and spokesman.
He said only about 17% of Texans know that Texas has a medical marijuana program, Baugh said. “Under the state’s Compassionate Use Program, there are more than 150 conditions that legally qualify for medical marijuana use.”
While the tour doesn’t advocate for any political candidates, Baugh noted its timing ahead of midterm elections — early voting begins Oct. 24 — and encouraged Texans to talk to their legislators about supporting greater access to cannabis so “more people can have that as an option” as part of their medical treatment.
The medical cannabis program will never change unless Texans stand up and demand it change, Reece Fulgham, the CEO of Parallel stated in a press release announcing the tour.
“The ‘Ride For Your Rights’ CannaBus Tour was designed to educate and galvanize support for expanding access to Texans in need. We hope the support rallied will convince Texas policymakers that there’s strong public demand for real, lasting change.”
Expanding medical marijuana access
In Texas, the use or possession of marijuana is still illegal, except for patients enrolled in the state’s Compassionate Use Program, which allows residents with specific health conditions such as epilepsy, post-traumatic stress disorder and cancer to access cannabis oil with less than 1% by weight of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC — the psychoactive compound that makes users feel high.
The THC limit was raised from .5% during the last legislative session, which also added to the number of ailments that qualify, but the program remains one of the most restrictive in the nation. Advocates say that even the higher amount of THC is not enough to treat certain conditions.
Because of its low THC limit, Texas’ program is not considered an “effective medical marijuana program,” by the Marijuana Policy Project, which doesn’t include the state on its list of 38 states that have legalized marijuana for medical use.
Thus far, 19 states have gone farther, legalizing marijuana for recreational use, and five states — Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota — are set to vote on recreational marijuana this November.
As of 2019, what is legal in Texas is hemp, a cannabis cousin of marijuana that contains less than 0.3% or less THC, but does contain cannabidiol, or CBD — a non-psychoactive compound that may cause relaxation. Since then, “CBD shops” have popped up all over Texas, including in San Antonio.
Then there’s delta-8. The legality surrounding this THC variation or “isomer” is much hazier. When concentrated, this psychoactive substance can produce a high similar to marijuana, but because it contains less than 0.3% THC, it is technically legal in Texas — for now.
Last year, the Texas Department of State Health Services shocked sellers when it quietly attempted to stop sales by classifying delta-8 as an illegal substance on its website. Shop owners sued the state agency, and that lawsuit is ongoing, but sales continue.
Decriminalizing marijuana in San Antonio
Since 2018, San Antonio police officers have followed a cite-and-release basis policy for non-violent misdemeanor offenses such as possession of marijuana in small amounts. Bexar County followed suit in 2019 under District Attorney Joe Gonzales, who said it was a priority of his to implement a cite-and-release program.
In its first year, the policy saved Bexar County $4.7 million in jail booking costs, county officials say, by stopping roughly 6,200 low-level offenders from being arrested.
This week, state and local activists announced they were seeking enough signatures to add a charter amendment to San Antonio’s May 2023 ballot that would, among other things, decriminalize marijuana, turning the current voluntary policy into law.
While Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan has said he plans to crack down on DAs across Texas who, like Gonzales, have implemented cite-and-release policies, he has also said he supports reducing the punishment for possessing marijuana.
Advocates like goodblend would like to see the state legislature increase the THC limit, expand who can access medical marijuana and regulate it to be safer and more uniform, Baugh said.
San Antonio residents who came out to see the CannaBus Wednesday said they would like to see these steps taken, too.
“There’s a lot of folks in San Antonio suffering, and [marijuana] is a lot safer and easier for a lot of people than [opioids] or other stuff,” said Diana Hernandez.
More from San Antonio Report
Three Startups To Help You Steal Your Favourite Influencers Vacation The Globe And Mail
Three Startups To Help You Steal Your Favourite Influencer’s Vacation – The Globe And Mail https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/three-startups-to-help-you-steal-your-favourite-influencers-vacation-the-globe-and-mail/
Travel influencer Talaya George in the Smoky Mountains, Tenn.Handout
According to an April, 2022, report by Arrivia, a U.S.-based travel rewards provider, almost one in three travellers turn to social media for trip inspiration. The numbers are even higher for younger travellers: 40 per cent of millennials and 60 per cent of Gen Zs say they’ve looked to social media for vacation ideas.
Many of these travel consumers rely on their favourite influencers and creators on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and so on for inspiration. However, it is not only a challenge for travellers to book or recreate trips they see on their feed, it is equally difficult for influencers with large social media followings to actually sell the travel they are showcasing on their platforms. Three tech startups have caught on to this challenge and are looking to solve it.
TrovaTrip, a Portland-based business that launched in December, 2017, offers more than 150 trip itineraries planned by vetted tour operators. Influencers select, promote and sell those trips and then travel with their followers. “Say you’re a yoga instructor, you’ve got a large social media following and you want to plan retreats,” says Lauren Schneider, the company’s co-founder and chief revenue officer. “But you don’t want to deal with the headache of booking your own accommodations and figuring out how to process payments. Instead, you use our platform.”
The company has more than 400 influencers using their product – a third of which are Canadian – as well as 15,000 travellers booked to date. In September, it announce raising US$15-million in Series A funding.
Then there’s Thatch, an app where influencers make their own multimedia travel guides – suggestions on where to eat, stay and so on – to sell in an online shop. They can also generate revenue by offering trip planning consultations or accepting tips from readers who enjoy their free content.
“Travel creators mostly make money in ways other than selling travel, like brand deals, advertising revenue and selling hoodies,” says West Askew, chief executive officer and co-founder of the San Francisco-based startup. “They just don’t have the tools they need to curate, merchandize and sell their travel knowledge in a modern format that their audience has come to expect.”
The company was founded in 2018, but the app and website in their current form have been live since February and the number of influencers using the product has grown 20 per cent month-over-month.
As for Austin, Tex.-based Luxury Travel Hackers, influencers will be able to design their own travel packages comparable to trips they’ve posted and shared before – complete with hotel bookings, flight reservations and so on – and then sell it online. Their followers can then book the trip as is or modify to their liking. “There is a massive gap between the ability to view content on social and actually find that trip online without spending 15-20 hours of individual research,” says Danny Lannon, CEO and chief marketing officer. “Additionally, creators don’t have a way to monetize their historic travel content and we’re providing the platform to be able to do that.”
The technology won’t be live for two months, but Luxury Travel Hackers has 300 influencers on its waitlist, including 25 per cent from Canada. Looking to the future, Lannon adds: “With newer platforms like TikTok and the rise of tools for creators, we’re only seeing this as something that will continue to grow over the next few years and beyond.”
Influencers weigh in on Thatch and TrovaTrip (and so far, it’s good news)
Jessica Rooks, @travelwithmeko, on Thatch
Jessica Rooks in New York.Handout
“When people travel to New York, they’re always asking what’s the best neighbourhood to stay in, so that’s one guide I made available for purchase. But I’ve made other ones for free, too. One thing I like about it is you can add little voice notes, external links and your own photos – so you can really personalize it when you’re writing.”
Jeffrey James Binney, @jeffreybinney, on TrovaTrip
Jeffrey James Binney at Mount Washburn, in Yellowstone National Park.Handout
“When I announced my first trip to Yellowstone, I was terrified nobody would be interested. How embarrassing to make a big hubbub about this trip only to have to cancel it because nobody booked. Luckily, it sold out in three hours. And it was an absolute success. My husband and I – and the attendees – had a blast.”
Jon Barr, Here Be Bar/YouTube only, on Thatch
Jon Barr.Handout
“I was a little skeptical at first as I hear from plenty of brands. Once I started to use the app and built out a sample itinerary, I realized how helpful it is. It’s like the Shopify of travel guides. Drag and drop. The results were immediate. I had sales within the first hour and have racked up close to 30 in a week.”
Talaya George, @_asipoftee, on TrovaTrip
Talaya George.Handout
“I love hosting group hikes and camping trips, but also want to help people have the opportunity to travel outside the country as well. TrovaTrip does an amazing job with handling all logistics of the trip and allows for a more hands-off experience, which is what drew me to the company most.”
Turkey Trot 4 Hope Returns In Norway Lewiston Sun Journal Lewiston Sun Journal
Turkey Trot 4 Hope Returns In Norway – Lewiston Sun Journal – Lewiston Sun Journal https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/turkey-trot-4-hope-returns-in-norway-lewiston-sun-journal-lewiston-sun-journal/
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The 5th Annual Turkey Trot 4 Hope will be held in-person and virtually this year. All proceeds benefit the Cancer Resource Center of Western Maine. Visit raceroster.com/59121 to register
NORWAY — The fifth annual Turkey Trot 4 Hope Scenic 4 Mile Run or 1 Mile Run/Walk will be held Thanksgiving Day, November 24, at 9 a.m. at the Norway Fire Station, 19 Danforth Street, Norway. Our many sponsors this year have guaranteed that this will be a great event to benefit the Cancer Resource Center of Western Maine (CRCofWM). This is indeed a day of thanks, where individuals teams, businesses, and communities can support the work that the CRCofWM does.
You can register individually or as a team at raceroster.com/59121. Registration through October 31 is $25 and guarantees you a t-shirt. All Maine students K-12 can register for free, thanks to a very generous donor. On November 1, registration increases to $30. We are fortunate this year to have Back40 doing our timing and announcing. At 10:15 a.m., there will be awards for the top runners as well as drawings for prizes for all participants.
You will receive a free T-shirt if you register by October 31. There will be timing for runners, prizes and water stations throughout the course. Prizes will also be awarded to the highest fundraisers. Organizers also encourage anyone to join in the fun VIRTUALLY from November 20-27 anytime, anywhere, in support of the CRCofWM. Your route can be a favorite trail, a walk with your dog, a daily running route, or even a treadmill. If you run virtually, your T-shirts will be mailed to you and we would love to see where you chose to participate by posting on our Facebook page or #turkeytrot4hope.
“This is the signature fundraising event for Cancer Resource Center of Western Maine, and this year we hope to have many more participants actively fundraising,” commented Gene Benner, committee co-chair. “We challenge each Turkey Trot 4 Hope participant to help us raise much needed funds to support people in western Maine affected by cancer.”
CRCofWM’s mission is to embrace anyone affected by cancer in a community that offers hope and caring through support, education and concepts in healthy living. CRCofWM offers one to one support, free wellness programs and classes, support groups, travel and food assistance, and comfort items to anyone impacted by cancer….because no one should face cancer alone. For more information, www.crcofwm.org or 207-890-0329.
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Veritone Launches SPORT X An AI-Driven Short-Form Sports Video Licensing Marketplace Yahoo Finance
Veritone Launches SPORT X, An AI-Driven, Short-Form Sports Video Licensing Marketplace – Yahoo Finance https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/veritone-launches-sport-x-an-ai-driven-short-form-sports-video-licensing-marketplace-yahoo-finance/
ATP Media, Euroleague Basketball, Extreme E and SNTV among early adopters
DENVER, October 20, 2022–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Veritone, Inc. (NASDAQ: VERI), creator of aiWARE, a hyper-expansive enterprise AI platform, today launched SPORT X, a new intelligent marketplace for sports federations and content producers from around the globe to license short-form sports video directly to media buyers, maximizing additional revenue streams and their visibility amongst media organizations. SPORT X launches first for customers in the EMEA region, with plans for future expansion.
Sports rights holders on board with SPORT X include ATP Media, Euroleague Basketball and Extreme E. Several other federations and sports content owners are in advanced discussions to place their content onto SPORT X in the coming weeks. In addition, SPORT X plans to host content from SNTV, the world’s biggest sports news video outlet, which will include content from this year’s World Cup in Qatar, including press conferences, stadium profiles, fan zones, game reviews and profiles of all 32 teams.
“This is an exciting development for Veritone and the sports media industry. SPORT X provides a supplementary revenue stream and new global customer base for producers of sports content and short-form video globally. This is another innovative step for the company and comes on the heels of last week’s announcement of our AI-voice partnership with sports data and tech leader Stats Perform as we move deeper into the sports space as a business,” said Veritone President Ryan Steelberg.
SPORT X is powered by aiWARE to automatically deliver quality, rights-cleared, indexed and metadata-rich video in a highly secure environment in seconds. Pricing, which is set by the rights holder, will be dependent on the usage type, content and region. Content owners can add multipliers when there is an increase in demand.
There is no upfront fee for federations and video suppliers to make their content available to license on SPORT X and can include highlights, news, social posts and user-generated content. Media buyers can use the content for all types of editorial, sport programming, TV shows and social or digital channels, depending on the license parameters set by the video provider.
“Our goal is to connect global sports content owners with a network of media buyers in a highly accessible sports content exchange, using AI that will continue to learn buying and selling patterns from both sides of the marketplace. This is an opportunity for sports content producers to maximize the monetization of their digital assets and at the same time reach new audiences and grow their sport’s footprint,” said Elizabeth Eastham, managing director of SPORT X at Veritone.
Eastham added, “Through AI, we are able to deliver personalized and contextualized content recommendations in real-time. Data points from the available media are married with buying history, territory, platform, event and athlete preferences to create a unique feed for buyers. This efficiently speeds up the search for relevant content, saving time for buyers and allowing sellers to scale content opportunities and generate even more revenue.”
On the content provider side, SPORT X is for anyone who holds the rights to quality current licensable sports content. Rights clearance by the owner is established at the time of ingesting the content, which can be updated whenever available. Sellers can geo-block content they do not wish to license in certain territories. SPORT X’s analytics dashboard provides clarity on how content is performing with buyers and where it is being sold so that sellers can optimize their content strategy accordingly.
Media buyers create an account and can only access video that is clearly delineated for their use. SPORT X uses the financial payment processing platform Stripe to maintain a high level of security and ensure payments are protected. Stripe accepts most major credit cards and debit cards.
SPORT X complements Veritone’s existing offerings to sports federations, leagues, clubs and broadcasters around the world. These include Veritone Digital Media Hub, an AI-powered, white-label asset management and monetization solution that gives content owners the opportunity to generate more revenue from their assets by setting up their own digital storefront and makes content easily discoverable with AI-powered metadata tagging and content management.
Additionally, Veritone announced a new partnership with Stats Perform, the sports tech leader in data and AI that provides real-time play-by-play, pre-game, in-game and post-game updates. The solution combines the power of Veritone’s award-winning synthetic voice AI technology and Stats Perform’s unrivaled sports data, bringing localized, real-time AI voice capabilities to broadcasters, content creators, media organizations, brand agencies, teams, leagues and betting platforms around the globe.
About Veritone
Veritone (NASDAQ: VERI) is a leader in enterprise artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. Serving organizations in both commercial and regulated sectors, Veritone’s software, services and industry applications simplify data management, empowering the largest and most recognizable brands in the world to run more efficiently, accelerate decision making and increase profitability. Veritone’s hyper-expansive Enterprise AI platform, aiWARE, orchestrates an ever-growing ecosystem of machine learning models to transform audio, video and other data sources into actionable intelligence. Through its robust partner ecosystem and professional and managed services, Veritone develops and builds AI solutions that solve the problems of today and tomorrow.
Safe Harbor Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “could,” “estimate” or “continue” or the negative or other variations thereof or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. Assumptions relating to the foregoing involve judgments and risks with respect to various matters which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond the control of Veritone. Certain of such judgments and risks are discussed in Veritone’s SEC filings. Although Veritone believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove inaccurate and, therefore, there can be no assurance that the results contemplated in forward-looking statements will be realized. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking information included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by Veritone or any other person that their objectives or plans will be achieved. Veritone undertakes no obligation to revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221020005419/en/
Contacts
Valerie Christopherson or Lora Metzner
Global Results Comms (GRC)
+1 949 608 0276
Veritone@globalresultspr.com
Sarah Rich
Veritone
srich@veritone.com
TIP Tips Metaverse-Ready Networks Project Group SDxCentral
TIP Tips Metaverse-Ready Networks Project Group – SDxCentral https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/tip-tips-metaverse-ready-networks-project-group-sdxcentral/
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Gotham Knights Review A Slick Sidekick Special In Vibrant Gotham HITC Football Gaming Movies TV Music
Gotham Knights Review – A Slick, Sidekick Special In Vibrant Gotham – HITC – Football, Gaming, Movies, TV, Music https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/gotham-knights-review-a-slick-sidekick-special-in-vibrant-gotham-hitc-football-gaming-movies-tv-music/
As a comic-book geek, there are many factors to consider when embarking on a new superhero video game: Are the characters faithful to the source material? Does the tech support ambition? Is there a litany of suits? While these are all valid questions, there’s only one that really matters: Do you feel cool while playing? In Gotham Knights’ case, the answer is a resounding yes.
Warner Bros. Games has been championing this sidekick spin-off from its Montréal devs as relentlessly as Batman would cheer for his own colorful troop. Boasting a satisfactory single-player experience alongside thrilling online co-op mirrors the vigilante roleplay for the team players and the lone wolves.
DC fans will instantly recognize the four protagonists perching on Gotham’s skyscrapers alongside a rogues’ gallery of classic villains. Their countless appearances across media never feel mundane. Still, the WB team has served them within an original story to even pique the interest of crime aficionados amongst the die-hard Batman fans. But how tall does the action RPG stand without the Dark Knight’s presence?
**Warning – A majority of this review is spoiler-free, however, some details may be too revealing for players wanting to go in fresh**
MORE: GOTHAM KNIGHTS STANDARD VS DELUXE VS COLLECTORS EDITION CONTENTS AND PRICE
Gotham Knights | Official Cinematic Launch Trailer
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Gotham Knights | Official Cinematic Launch Trailer
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The Sidekicks Are Back in Town
By now, we’ve all heard the names Robin, Batgirl, Nightwing, and Red Hood, masking their real-life personas Tim Drake, Barbara Gordon, Dick Grayson, and Jason Todd. There’s no reason they shouldn’t work together, which is why this team has paid off to be a charming, diverse roster. For starters, it was a good idea for the devs to swap Alfred’s “Master Dick” for “Master Richard”, which was a continuous grimace throughout Joel Schumacher’s Batman movies. In fact, Alfred is not just the loveable butler in Gotham Knights, he can also hold his own in dire straights where most NPCs would leg it.
Barbara is the brains of the group and strategic, following in the footsteps of her late father Commissioner Jim Gordon. Her stamina to crack the case carries into Batgirl’s objectives and fuels the kickboxing expert’s determination on patrol, despite sadly remaining the least interesting of the group.
Jason is the classic brawler of the team and frequently injects conflict into the group’s decision-making – because an easy-going team is just plain boring. His impulsiveness and physical strength make him a gun-wielding brute against the Freaks and Mob, and when you change to Red Hood, there’s no mistaking the realistic added weight you’ll feel playing this beefcake.
Tim is perhaps the most charismatic of the bunch, flaunting his laid-back nature as a youngster but not without the heart to help his comrades. Cracking cases and sneaking through enemy territories with Robin’s small frame is ideal and the wind blowing his ‘Knightwatch’ cape is unmatched – although I’m secretly hoping for a Batman Forever DLC suit.
Going into Gotham Knights, I was sure Robin would be my character of choice, but Nightwing’s acrobatics and strong stature won me around to the blue corner – even though a bulkier Grayson was hard to accept in the New Guard suit. Being the charmer of the group, Nightwing is somewhat radiant as a leader, which offers an intriguing interaction should you play him during Harley Quinn’s appearance.
“What envigorates this standard, open-world formula is the setting you patrol in and it’s perhaps the most vibrant image of Gotham City you’ve ever seen. By vibrant, I don’t mean the technicolor of Batman & Robin, but rather a city rich in history and world-building details that are integral to the game’s exploration drive.”
Same Old Mechanics, Different Gotham
The usual suspects are all present in Gotham Knights’ mechanics, with the addition of a well-stocked database to keep track of all your encounters and emails from the other Knights that build personality. There is a stacked catalog of things to do on and off patrol in Gotham – a majority of which include exploration rather than assigned interactions – and enough reading within objects of interest to have you well-versed in the city’s history.
The Belfry is your hub and home, which is a neat nook to explore in itself flavored with a mini-game and Wonder Woman Easter egg. This den is also equipped with the main HUD, an evidence board for all the true-crime fans, and a training corner where you can learn from the best – yes, it’s Batman. Bruce Wayne’s epic send-off during the prologue was a thrilling opening within an equally impressive Bat Cave (and equally impressive traps on the billionaire’s shoulders) and although Bruce is gone, he is very much not forgotten.
Your time outside of the Belfry is broken up into nights, encouraging you to explore and break up petty crimes or hostage situations while completing main missions. Each time you return to the Belfry, you’ll get a summary of your night, and going home without numbers is a roundhouse kick to the ego. Collecting, adding, and surveying evidence is a nice role to undertake on the back of The Batman’s success, even though the puzzles could be solved by Damian Wayne.
What envigorates this standard, open-world formula is the setting you patrol in and it’s perhaps the most vibrant image of Gotham City you’ve ever seen. By vibrant, I don’t mean the technicolor of Batman & Robin, but rather a city rich in history and world-building details that are integral to the game’s exploration drive. Certain parts of Gotham’s map are a neon wonder that obviously looks great against the puddle-ridden streets – because it’s always raining in Gotham. The Freaks’ hideouts or even the Penguin’s Iceberg Lounge is a hued visit.
Suits and Gadgets Galore
Are you even a real superhero if you haven’t got a closet full of customizable suits and an arsenal of gadgets? Luckily, Warner Bros. knows what we need from that department, offering 15 different suits (in the Deluxe version) for each sidekick, including the steampunk ‘Knight Ops’ selection, or my personal favorite, the ‘Shinobi’ suits. The ‘Knightwatch’ collection designed by Jim Lee comes with the Deluxe edition, and it was great to see classic designs against modern Gotham in a game that actually keeps your assigned cosmetics in cutscenes and the title screen. I’m looking at you Ubisoft.
With most of the suits unlocking at different levels, it came down to thwarting local criminals in order to upgrade suits and weapons of the melee and ranged kind. Being rewarded with XP and crafting materials for breaking up low-level crimes sadly didn’t motivate me to sweep every sector in Gotham. I wanted more weapons or suit accessories, but I guess I’m just greedy. You’ll also find the suits on display back at the Belfry when you’re off patrol, showcased to admire your choices, along with your new best friend on the streets.
The Batcycle is introduced to you very early on (much to my delight) and is your primary mode of transport for traveling everywhere from Gotham Heights to the Bay. Calling your revving steed with one flick of the button is idyllic, combined with its good grip and steering on those rainy nights, and yeah, its colorway is also customizable. The glider is another neat addition to transport tech and a fun novelty, but nothing beats feeling the grit underneath your tires and having angry NPCs honk at you every time you pop a wheelie passed them.
MORE: GOTHAM KNIGHTS COUNTDOWN: RELEASE DATE, TIME & PRE-ORDER BONUS
Mr. Freeze Hailed a Cab
A couple of points lowered the overall score of Gotham Knights in my experience, which decreased its sophistication instead of allowing the sidekicks to soak up the same grime from the Arkham series, for example, and it all started when Mr. Freeze hailed a cab.
While it may have been normal to spot a taxi frozen in mid-air within the first launch of Cyberpunk 2077, I wasn’t expecting to come across this anomaly on the streets of Gotham. Though not quite Glitch City, the frozen cab paved the way for sticky markers and some suit capes that disappeared when the wind blew too strong.
The aforementioned will likely be ironed out in patches, but the unfortunate mishap with Gotham Knights lies in its narrative and dialogue. Sure, the momentum builds the further you progress, but the initial investigations lead you through DC villains like an appetizing smorgasbord, which did little to strengthen the original story despite delivering giddy fanservice.
The Court of Owls sequence is the perfect example of iconic villains appearing in gameplay who give very little to the core tale. That’s not to say the sequence was dull or nonsensical, on the contrary, it remains one of my favorite encounters, but the Court’s overall impact on the greater story could have been stronger.
Another aspect that needed fortified was the dialogue, which felt targeted toward a younger audience despite the game’s PG-15 rating. The writing progresses the missions just fine, but the back-and-forth’s remained shallow, sometimes clunky, and always desired to be sharper. This is why fleeting moments touching on the group’s grief, using Alfred’s unfinished chess game with Bruce as an example, managed to ground those raw emotions and stop the narrative from floating off like one of Harley Quinn’s balloons.
“The momentum builds the further you progress, but the initial investigations lead you through DC villains like an appetizing smorgasbord, which did little to strengthen the original story des...
Crypto Expert Believes This One Catalyst Can Trigger New Bull Market Market Rebound Incoming? Cryptonews
Crypto Expert Believes This One Catalyst Can Trigger New Bull Market – Market Rebound Incoming? – Cryptonews https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/crypto-expert-believes-this-one-catalyst-can-trigger-new-bull-market-market-rebound-incoming-cryptonews/
Scott Melker and James Butterfill. Source: a video screenshot, Scott Melker / YouTube
James Butterfill, head of research at digital asset manager CoinShares, argues that there is one catalyst that could take bitcoin (BTC) and the crypto market straight into the next bull run – a Fed pivot.
In an interview with trader and investor Scott Melker, aka the Wolf of All Streets, Butterfill said that, if the US Federal Reserve (Fed) – the country’s central bank – pivots from its hawkish position, the USD may weaken and a BTC bull run may restart.
He argued that BTC and equities were highly correlated at the beginning of the year, and it was “nothing to do with [BTC] being a risk asset,” but the Fed was being really aggressive, which increased the correlation.
The executive stated that,
“Until the Fed backs off, […] we’re not really going to see any kind of measurable rise in the bitcoin price.”
Important indicators to look out for, for any kind of a measurable rise, he said, would be early signs that usually show a “real weakness” in the economy.
Explaining his opinion further, he said that there has been a divergence in bitcoin-equities correlation in a short amount of time recently – which will continue – and the reason is the growing narrative where people are seeing the Fed as an entity that’s pushing them into recession due to policy mistakes.
The host and the guest argued that the Fed pivot is likely inevitable, and that the bear market is transitory, with Butterfill adding that he spent a long time looking at positioning in the dollar, stating that, among other things, the US Dollar Index (DXY) is very high, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission futures positioning is elevating, which is “highlighting quite elevated long position for the dollar.”
He concluded that,
“So we know the dollar is very overvalued. So when the Fed does pivot, the trade-weighted dollar could really flip quite quickly and quite sharply, and that would be quite supportive for something like bitcoin.”
Butterfill said that we are in the late stage of a bear market, and now we are seeing a holding pattern. Anecdotally, he said, clients are saying: “I’m just waiting for the Fed to pivot and then I’m buying bitcoin.”
He added that now may be a good time to do some BTC shopping, saying that:
“For me, now is an interesting entry position. […] There aren’t many opportunities that come along when bitcoin’s on sale like it is right now.”
Meanwhile, as previously reported, famous Canadian businessman and television personality Kevin O’Leary, aka Mr. Wonderful, argued that, once the ‘Stablecoin Transparency Act’ is passed in the US, which may happen soon after the November midterm elections, BTC could break out of the $19,000-$22,000 trading range.
At 9 UTC on Thursday morning, BTC was trading at $19,140, unchanged for a day and for a week. It’s down 2% in a month and 70% in a year.
You can watch the full interview here:
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U.S. Charges 5 Russians In Alleged Sanctions Evasion Scheme The Washington Post
U.S. Charges 5 Russians In Alleged Sanctions Evasion Scheme – The Washington Post https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/u-s-charges-5-russians-in-alleged-sanctions-evasion-scheme-the-washington-post/
The U.S. Justice Department charged five Russian nationals Wednesday in an alleged sanctions evasion scheme that involved millions of barrels of smuggled oil from Venezuela and U.S. military technology that was traced to the battlefield in Ukraine.
Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn accused Yury Orekhov and Svetlana Kuzurgasheva of purchasing “sensitive” military and dual-use technologies from the United States and shipping them to Russian companies, including some that service the country’s defense sector.
Orekhov and Kuzurgasheva are accused of helping Russians acquire items including advanced semiconductors and microprocessors, which can be used in fighter aircraft, missile systems and other military technology, the Justice Department said. In some cases, the electronic components were found in Russian weapons platforms seized from the battlefield in Ukraine. They were charged with bank fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to defraud the United States and other counts.
Russian nationals Timofey Telegin and Sergey Tulyakov, who control sanctioned Russian companies that received some of the shipments, also face several charges, including money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to defraud the United States.
The Justice Department also accused Orekhov and the son of a Russian governor, Artem Uss, of smuggling hundreds of millions of barrels of oil from Venezuela through a front company that the pair co-owned in Germany. The oil was allegedly sent to clients in China and Russia in illegal multimillion-dollar deals brokered by two Venezuelan nationals, Juan Fernando Serrano Ponce and Juan Carlos Soto, who were also charged Wednesday.
As the war in Ukraine drags on for its eighth month, the United States has dialed up pressure on Moscow and parties that cooperate with Russia. In late September, the Biden administration announced new sanctions that aim to restrict the Russian defense industry’s access to technology and penalize Russian and Belarusian officials.
The measures were aimed at reducing “the capacity of the Russian military machine to regenerate its ability to threaten Ukraine,” national security adviser Jake Sullivan said at the time.
Breon Peace, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, called the seven defendants “criminal enablers for oligarchs.” They face up to 30 years in prison, and the United States has moved to extradite Orekhov and Uss, who were arrested in Germany and Italy, respectively.
“Their efforts undermined security, economic stability and rule of law around the world,” Peace said in a statement.
In a separate case unsealed by federal prosecutors in Connecticut on Wednesday, four people from Latvia and Ukraine were charged with violating U.S. export laws by trying to send an advanced, computerized grinding machine to Russia. Called a “jig grinder,” the item is export-controlled and has the potential to be used in nuclear proliferation and defense programs, the Justice Department said.
Karen DeYoung and Yasmeen Abutaleb contributed to this report.
Google Announces Android 13 Go Edition: Heres Whats New The Indian Express
Google Announces Android 13 Go Edition: Here’s What’s New – The Indian Express https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/google-announces-android-13-go-edition-heres-whats-new-the-indian-express/
Back in 2017, Google introduced a lightweight version of the Android operating known as Android Go. Designed for low-end budget devices with less than 2GB RAM, the first version of Android Go was available on Android Oreo.
In a recent blog post, Google announced Android 13 Go Edition. With the Go Edition now available for the latest version of Android, the tech giant introduced a new feature called Google Play System Updates, which makes sure the devices running Android Go get important software updates easily without straining the device storage.
This also means that Android Go users no longer have to rely on the device manufacturer to push out security and other critical updates. Android 13 Go also brings quick access to Discover, which lets users see a curated list of articles among other content. Users can access the new feature by swiping right from the home screen.
The latest version of Android Go Edition also features ‘Material You’ design, bringing in several new and useful features like notification permissions, app language preferences and many more.
Android Go has several useful features that focus on optimising the available memory and storage space, the ability to translate and listen to text from the recent screen, hibernating apps that haven’t been used for a while and a privacy dashboard similar to the normal version of Android.
Over the years, the tech giant developed lightweight versions of Google apps for Android Go Google Go, Camera Go, Assistant Go and Files Go. In the last five years, Google said more than 250 million people have been using Android Go powered devices, with nearly 180 million coming online in the last year.
Mayor: Dozens Of Immigrant Families Unexpectedly Arrive At Methuen Hotel WCVB Boston
Mayor: Dozens Of Immigrant Families Unexpectedly Arrive At Methuen Hotel – WCVB Boston https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/mayor-dozens-of-immigrant-families-unexpectedly-arrive-at-methuen-hotel-wcvb-boston/
Fifty-five migrant families, including 75 children, are being housed at a Days Inn after unexpectedly arriving in the city of Methuen, Massachusetts, according to the mayor.”They are primarily from Haiti, Columbia and Venezuela and arrived at Boston Medical Center Friday and the decision was made sometime last week to send them up to Methuen Friday,” Methuen Mayor Neil Perry said. “I can’t tell you whether they’re documented legal aliens or illegal aliens. None of that information has been shared.”The state’s Department of Housing and Community Development is required to provide shelter to all eligible families with children under the age of 21 and pregnant women, including recent arrivals in Massachusetts.The department said it is currently sheltering a limited number of families in available hotels and motels, which it may do when there are no open units in the state’s shelter system and no other appropriate shelter.All families in the shelter program receive services through local services providers, including three meals per day. Perry, however, said he was told that the migrants had not eaten in more than a day, so Methuen city employees provided them with pizza and pasta from a local restaurant, Bada Bing. The city then distributed $750 worth of microwavable foods and snacks.Perry said he has been asked to assist the migrant families with SNAP benefits and enrolling children in Methuen schools, but he said his city is already experiencing a severe housing crisis and that he is attempting to work with Gov. Charlie Baker’s administration to learn more about how the group ended up in his city.”If the plan is to find them housing in the Methuen community, I have to respectfully push back. Not that I don’t want them to have housing, (but) I have housing needs of my own community today I’m not satisfying,” Perry said.Perry said city and state officials will be meeting in Methuen on Thursday to discuss the situation.On Sept. 14, flights carried 49 mostly Venezuelan migrants from Texas to the Massachusetts island of Martha’s Vineyard. Local officials weren’t told in advance that the migrants were coming.Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis claimed responsibility for the flights as part of a campaign to focus attention on what he has called the Biden administration’s failed border policies. He was joining Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in the tactic of sending migrants to Democratic strongholds without advance warning.Last week, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar certified the 49 migrants flown from San Antonio to Martha’s Vineyard to be crime victims, a move that allows them to apply for special visas to remain in the United States. That move came nearly a month after Salazar announced he was launching a criminal investigation into the people responsible for transporting the dozens of migrants from Texas to Massachusetts.Political instability in Haiti has simmered ever since last year’s still-unsolved assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, who had faced opposition protests calling for his resignation over corruption charges and claims that his five-year term had expired. Moïse dissolved Parliament in January 2020 after legislators failed to hold elections in 2019 amid political gridlock.Haiti has been gripped by inflation, causing rising prices that have put food and fuel out of reach for many, as well as protests that have brought society to the breaking point. Violence is raging, making parents afraid to send their kids to school. Hospitals, banks and grocery stores are struggling to stay open. Clean water is scarce and the country is trying to deal with a cholera outbreak.The president of the neighboring Dominican Republic, which shares the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, recently described the situation as a “low-intensity civil war.”The Associated Press contributed to this report.
METHUEN, Mass. —
Fifty-five migrant families, including 75 children, are being housed at a Days Inn after unexpectedly arriving in the city of Methuen, Massachusetts, according to the mayor.
“They are primarily from Haiti, Columbia and Venezuela and arrived at Boston Medical Center Friday and the decision was made sometime last week to send them up to Methuen Friday,” Methuen Mayor Neil Perry said. “I can’t tell you whether they’re documented legal aliens or illegal aliens. None of that information has been shared.”
The state’s Department of Housing and Community Development is required to provide shelter to all eligible families with children under the age of 21 and pregnant women, including recent arrivals in Massachusetts.
The department said it is currently sheltering a limited number of families in available hotels and motels, which it may do when there are no open units in the state’s shelter system and no other appropriate shelter.
All families in the shelter program receive services through local services providers, including three meals per day. Perry, however, said he was told that the migrants had not eaten in more than a day, so Methuen city employees provided them with pizza and pasta from a local restaurant, Bada Bing. The city then distributed $750 worth of microwavable foods and snacks.
Perry said he has been asked to assist the migrant families with SNAP benefits and enrolling children in Methuen schools, but he said his city is already experiencing a severe housing crisis and that he is attempting to work with Gov. Charlie Baker’s administration to learn more about how the group ended up in his city.
“If the plan is to find them housing in the Methuen community, I have to respectfully push back. Not that I don’t want them to have housing, (but) I have housing needs of my own community today I’m not satisfying,” Perry said.
Perry said city and state officials will be meeting in Methuen on Thursday to discuss the situation.
On Sept. 14, flights carried 49 mostly Venezuelan migrants from Texas to the Massachusetts island of Martha’s Vineyard. Local officials weren’t told in advance that the migrants were coming.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis claimed responsibility for the flights as part of a campaign to focus attention on what he has called the Biden administration’s failed border policies. He was joining Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in the tactic of sending migrants to Democratic strongholds without advance warning.
Last week, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar certified the 49 migrants flown from San Antonio to Martha’s Vineyard to be crime victims, a move that allows them to apply for special visas to remain in the United States. That move came nearly a month after Salazar announced he was launching a criminal investigation into the people responsible for transporting the dozens of migrants from Texas to Massachusetts.
Political instability in Haiti has simmered ever since last year’s still-unsolved assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, who had faced opposition protests calling for his resignation over corruption charges and claims that his five-year term had expired. Moïse dissolved Parliament in January 2020 after legislators failed to hold elections in 2019 amid political gridlock.
Haiti has been gripped by inflation, causing rising prices that have put food and fuel out of reach for many, as well as protests that have brought society to the breaking point. Violence is raging, making parents afraid to send their kids to school. Hospitals, banks and grocery stores are struggling to stay open. Clean water is scarce and the country is trying to deal with a cholera outbreak.
The president of the neighboring Dominican Republic, which shares the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, recently described the situation as a “low-intensity civil war.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Tourism Therapy Mental Wellbeing Travel Is More Than Just A Leisure Activity WIT Web In Travel
Tourism, Therapy, Mental Wellbeing – Travel Is More Than Just A Leisure Activity – WIT – Web In Travel https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/tourism-therapy-mental-wellbeing-travel-is-more-than-just-a-leisure-activity-wit-web-in-travel/
IF you Google “travel and mental health”, you’ll find countless articles, news stories, and research summaries highlighting the fact that taking a trip can have positive effects on your mental wellbeing. Maybe it’s the novelty of a new place, the curiosity of meeting new people, or just breaking the daily routine – travelling has a way of making us feel refreshed and reenergized, both physically and mentally.
More recently, many studies have emphasized the influence tourism has on not only one’s psychology, but long-term mental wellbeing as well. A 2020 study published in the Nature journal found that people who see more changes in scenery day-to-day tend to be happier. Another (much older) study found that women who vacation at least twice a year are less likely to suffer from depression and chronic stress than women who vacation less than once every two years.
But it’s not just the act of going on a trip that has healthy benefits, even anticipating a vacation has been shown to boost happiness. It gives new meaning to the phrase “the journey is half the fun”, doesn’t it?
A study published twenty years ago by the University of Surrey, found that people are at their happiest when they have a vacation planned. A more recent Cornell University study outlined how the anticipation of an experience increased a person’s happiness much more so than the anticipation of buying material goods.
Matthew Killingsworth, one of the co-authors of the Cornell study and now a senior fellow at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, says trip-planning encourages an optimistic outlook. “As humans, we spend a lot of our mental lives living in the future. Our future-mindedness can be a source of joy if we know good things are coming, and travel is an especially good thing to have to look forward to.”
It’s safe to say that travel, like hope, is the promise of something good on the horizon. In 2020, during the peak of a fresh pandemic, travel expert Rick Steves said this to the New York Times: “This virus can stop our travel plans, but it cannot stop our travel dreams. Planning for travel—thinking about it, talking about it, imagining it—may in fact be the best thing you can do to stay optimistic and, when this is all behind us, be ready to embark on your trip of a lifetime.”
Then there’s the fairly modern concept of ‘travel therapy’.
A study from researchers at Australia’s Edith Cowan University (ECU), conducted in collaboration with tourism and health experts and published in Tourism Management, explained that cognitive stimulation has been proven to activate the brain and prevent cognitive decline, making travel an attractive candidate for dementia intervention. According to lead researcher Dr Wen Jun, “Medical experts can recommend dementia treatments such as music therapy, exercise, cognitive stimulation, reminiscence therapy, sensory stimulation and adaptations to a patient’s mealtimes and environment. These are all also often found when on holiday.”
The thing is, travel doesn’t have to mean hopping on a plane and going overseas, either. In fact, the act of seeing new things, tasting new food, being out and about and the freedom to move around, even if it’s within your own city, is said to boost mental health.
Back in June, migrant workers in Singapore who were able to leave their dormitories and visit popular locations after restrictions were mostly lifted, said the day out with friends helped with their mental health. Shyam Chandran, a construction worker, told the Straits Times, “I’m very happy that I can practice my photography again. This is the first time in two years that I’ve been able to use my camera”. He was seen busy taking portrait shots of his friends in Jurong East.
Nevertheless, just because travel is stress-relieving doesn’t mean it’s stress-free. Crowded airports, flight delays, and a chaotic itinerary can negate the positive effects of tourism – which is why the idea of “the connected trip” is gaining traction. As mentioned during WiT Singapore 2022, the hospitality scene is undergoing a revolution to cater to the new world consumer.
So how can we fully benefit from a trip in terms of mental wellbeing? To further understand the impact of travel on one’s mental health, we spoke to Dr. Eugene Tee, Associate Professor in Psychology, HELP University.
Q: I think it’s safe to say that travel has a positive influence on one’s mental health. Could you expand on why that is, and what travel does to a person’s way of thinking?
Eugene: What pleasant positive travel experiences does is that it expands on our world views true positive emotions. So, emotions such as interests, inspiration and awe. So just to take it to extremes, some studies have shown the consequences of travel, one known as the overview effect. This is the sense of oneness, connection and awe that astronauts from space report from seeing the entirety of planet Earth from outside its atmosphere. But just to keep things grounded, we can experience positive emotions from travel experiences because they enrich our understanding of our world and the fragile yet natural beauty that it still has. Our exposure to different cultures, different customs can certainly foster tolerance of different beliefs, practices, and really helps us connect with our fellow men and women. So ultimately, what I think travel does is that it gives us a lot of psychological richness.
Q: What would be the perfect length of a vacation or holiday for someone to feel the positive effects of travel?
Eugene: I think it’s important to not rush your travel experiences, I think the ideal or the optimal length for vacation depends on a whole bunch of other factors, right? People you’re traveling with, or the activities you get up to, but if you want a more precise answer to this, one study published by the Journal of Happiness shows that the ideal vacation time is about eight days. So specifically, people’s ratings of health and wellbeing peaked on the eighth day of their vacation – in a study where the vacations were typically about 23 days on average. But the study also suggested, importantly, and I think this is a crucial point… that it is the engagement in activities that allows one to savor, and to dwell upon, and to prolong the experience of positive emotions from your vacation – what this does, when you savor, when you take it a little bit slow, is that it helps moderate and spread out the enjoyment and wellbeing benefits of being on that holiday.
“I would stress not to rush through the getaway and to take your time to savour the experience.” ~ Dr Eugene Tee, Associate Psychologist, HELP University
Q: For those who can’t afford long vacations or trips overseas, what’s a good alternative to enjoy the same psychological benefits?
Eugene: So a weekend getaway might do the trick and might be a viable alternative that allows you to scope out hidden spots, impromptu road trips can be quite fun, so that allows you to inject some positive emotions through novelty in your lives. Again, I would stress not to rush through the getaway and to take your time to savour the experience. I know this is less appealing as an alternative to some but I found myself really enjoying virtual tours and walkabout videos on places that I wanted to travel to but wasn’t able to go because of the lockdown – you’ll find plenty of these videos on YouTube. So it was a temporary beneficial way, to me at least, that allowed me to immerse myself in a travel experience. At the very least it was a healthy distraction and I found these micro-moments of immersion to be quite therapeutic.
Q: How can the travel and hospitality industry tap into this information, and the connection between mental health and travel, to better serve consumers?
Eugene: I think it’s safe to say that not all holidays are created equal. Some are definitely going to be more beneficial to your wellbeing and your connections to others. Going back to the research published in the Journal of Happiness Studies, activities that allow engagement in passive activities – savoring, pleasure, relaxation, control… but I think most important but often overlooked during travel – sleep, right? These are all associated with health and wellbeing gains from holidays. I think if it hasn’t been done already, a market for forms of travel that directly benefit mental health, with options to engage and immerse with nature – Japan has a term for this called forest-bathing, for instance – these can be options for travellers wishing to avoid the usual commercial tourist traps and to swap that out for something slower paced and ultimately better for their wellbeing.
Q: Travel can also be stressful – flight delays, crowded airports, late check-ins, traffic in a new city. How does one circumvent these things, so they don’t add stress instead of reducing it?
Eugene: I only have three words to to this question. The words will be Plan, Plan and Plan – there are definitely going to be factors beyond your control like delays and cancellations. I would advise doing your best to ensure that you have most of what you can control planned out and an itinerary in place before traveling. The itinerary helps as there’s over-estimating the time it will take for you to get from one point of your travel to another. Book in advance whenever possible, prep for contingencies… and for me it’s worked out quite well to travel during off-peak periods, if possible. Basically, whatever you have within your control – exert that agency over your travel plans, or say, let someone handle it for you if you’re part of part of a tour.
Q: If someone (traveller / agent / app) were to design a travel plan revolving around mental wellbeing, what fa...
Truss Faces Clamor To Quit Amid UK Government Chaos 69News WFMZ-TV
Truss Faces Clamor To Quit Amid UK Government Chaos – 69News WFMZ-TV https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/truss-faces-clamor-to-quit-amid-uk-government-chaos-69news-wfmz-tv/
LONDON (AP) — U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss was hanging on to power by a thread on Thursday, after a senior minister quit her government with a barrage of criticism and a vote in the House of Commons descended into chaos and acrimony.
A botched economic plan unveiled by the government last month triggered financial turmoil and a political crisis that has seen the replacement of Truss’ Treasury chief, multiple policy U-turns and a breakdown of discipline in the governing Conservative Party.
Many Conservatives say Truss must resign – but she has remained defiant, saying she is “a fighter and not a quitter.”
Conservative lawmaker Simon Hoare said the government was in disarray.
“Nobody has a route plan. It’s all sort of hand-to-hand fighting on a day-to-day basis,” he told the BBC on Thursday. He said Truss had “about 12 hours” to turn the situation around.
Newspapers that usually support the Conservatives were vitriolic. An editorial in the Daily Mail was headlined: “The wheels have come off the Tory clown car.”
International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan, sent onto the airwaves Thursday morning to defend the government, insisted the administration was providing “stability.” But she was unable to guarantee Truss would lead the party into the next election.
“At the moment, I think that’s the case,” she said.
With opinion polls giving the Labour Party a large and growing lead, many Conservatives now believe their only hope of avoiding electoral oblivion is to replace Truss. But they are divided about how to get rid of her and as yet there is no front-runner to succeed her.
A national election does not have to be held until 2024, and under Conservative Party rules, Truss technically is safe from a leadership challenge for a year. The rules can be changed if enough lawmakers want it. There is fevered speculation about how many lawmakers have already submitted letters calling for a no-confidence vote.
In a major blow, Home Secretary Suella Braverman resigned Wednesday after breaching rules by sending an official document from her personal email account. She used her resignation letter to lambaste Truss, saying she had “concerns about the direction of this government.”
“The business of government relies upon people accepting responsibility for their mistakes,” she said in a thinly veiled dig at Truss.
Braverman was replaced as home secretary, the minister responsible for immigration and law and order, by former Cabinet minister Grant Shapps. He’s a high-profile supporter of Rishi Sunak, the former Treasury chief defeated by Truss in the final round of the Conservative leadership race.
Truss faced more turmoil in Parliament Wednesday evening on a vote over fracking for shale gas — a practice that Truss wants to resume despite opposition from many Conservatives.
With a large Conservative majority in Parliament, an opposition call for a fracking ban was easily defeated, but some lawmakers were furious that Conservative Party whips said the vote would be treated as a confidence motion, meaning the government would fall if the motion passed.
There were angry scenes in the House of Commons, with party whips accused of using heavy-handed tactics to gain votes. Labour lawmaker Chris Bryant said he “saw members being physically manhandled … and being bullied.” Conservative officials denied there had been manhandling.
Rumors swirled that Conservative Chief Whip Wendy Morton, who is responsible for party discipline, and her deputy had resigned. Hours later, Truss’ office said both remained in their jobs.
The dramatic developments came days after Truss fired her Treasury chief, Kwasi Kwarteng, on Friday after the economic package the pair unveiled Sept. 23 spooked financial markets and triggered an economic and political crisis.
The plan’s 45 billion pounds ($50 billion) in unfunded tax cuts sparked turmoil on financial markets, hammering the value of the pound and increasing the cost of U.K. government borrowing. The Bank of England was forced to intervene to prevent the crisis from spreading to the wider economy and putting pension funds at risk.
On Monday Kwarteng’s replacement, Treasury chief Jeremy Hunt, scrapped almost all of Truss’ tax cuts, along with her flagship energy policy and her promise of no public spending cuts. He said the government will need to save billions of pounds and there are “many difficult decisions” to be made before he sets out a medium-term fiscal plan on Oct. 31.
Speaking to lawmakers for the first time since the U-turn, Truss apologized Wednesday and admitted she had made mistakes during her six weeks in office, but insisted that by changing course she had “taken responsibility and made the right decisions in the interest of the country’s economic stability.”
Opposition lawmakers shouted “Resign!” as she spoke in the House of Commons.
But she insisted: “I am a fighter and not a quitter.”
Follow AP’s coverage of British politics at https://apnews.com/hub/liz-truss
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Age-Friendly Community Initiative Lewiston Sun Journal Lewiston Sun Journal
Age-Friendly Community Initiative – Lewiston Sun Journal – Lewiston Sun Journal https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/age-friendly-community-initiative-lewiston-sun-journal-lewiston-sun-journal/
The Bethel Citizen
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AARP suggests that ”if you’re one of the many older adults who want to stay in their homes as they age, you may need to make some changes. And one of the first places to consider should be the stairs. Check out eight ways experts say they can be made safer.“
https://www.aarp.org/home-family/your-home/info-2022/ways-to-make-stairs-safer-at-home.html?
And maybe you’d benefit from a professional visit to your home to assess that and other potential danger spots. Through AFCI’s free Home Safety Assessment program, you may call Occupational Therapist Brie Weisman directly to schedule an appointment:
Do you watch for all the terrific movies and community events at The Gem Theater (thegemtheater.com)? Do you miss going out because you can’t drive any more (permanently or temporarily)? Are you no longer able to visit your dear friend because you can’t drive? Are you missing church services? Well, the AFCI Neighbor to Neighbor (N2N) program can help you. You may request a free ride for almost any occasion, in our local area and some locations outside the Bethel Area community. Call 207-824-4444 to request a ride (at least 3 days ahead). N2N volunteers not only like to drive, but more important, they like the interaction with their riders.
Community
“Six Foods to Skip After 50”
https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2021/foods-to-avoid-after-50.html?
And for a “Healthy Eating – Tune Up for Winter,” Cathi DiCocco will offer an interactive, fun cooking
demonstration with practical information about saving time and money while eating well. Tuesday, October 25, 4-6 p.m. at Dicocoa’s, 125 Main Street, Bethel – part of WMSC’s To Your Health program. Reserve early by calling Lynne Zimmerman, 207-595-0780.
Bethel Food Pantry, first and third Wednesday of each month, 9-2.
Community Suppers (free, open to all) – Wednesday, October 26, 4:30-6, Bethel Alliance Church. Eat-in or take-out.
Conversation, coffee and a bagel or doughnut, every Thursday, 9-noon, Bethel Alliance Church; come for one hour or all three.
Tips
Get your COVID booster shot (to combat the new Omicron variant)! At Walgreens and other locations. For more information, https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/s0901-covid-19-booster.html.
Read why AARP says that older adults should also get flu vaccinations:
https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2022/older-adults-high-dose-flu-shot.html?
Learn about the new Maine property tax stabilization bill – also called a “tax freeze” bill – at
https://www.mainepublic.org/politics/2022-08-05/new-maine-law-allowing-seniors-to-freeze-property-taxes-takes-effect.
All AFCI services are free. To request any above-mentioned service: 207-824-4444. For information, inquiries and suggestions – email: [email protected], visit our Facebook page or website
www.agefriendlybethel.org. We love to hear from you!
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How To Watch Clippers Vs. Lakers Today: TV Channel Time Live Stream For 2022 NBA Thursday Game Sporting News
How To Watch Clippers Vs. Lakers Today: TV Channel, Time, Live Stream For 2022 NBA Thursday Game – Sporting News https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/how-to-watch-clippers-vs-lakers-today-tv-channel-time-live-stream-for-2022-nba-thursday-game-sporting-news/
The Battle for L.A. was missing some star power last season with Anthony Davis and Paul George in and out of the lineup for their respective teams, and Kawhi Leonard sidelined for the entire season.
This season, everything should be back to normal.
On Thursday, the Lakers and Clippers face each other in the first of four meetings in the 2022-23 regular season. Both sides enter the campaign with big expectations. Led by Davis and LeBron James, the Lakers will be looking to return to the playoffs after not qualifying last season. With Leonard and George back to full strength and a deep supporting cast around them, the Clippers own the third-best odds to win the championship.
How will Leonard look in his first game in over a year? Will Davis and James spoil his highly-anticipated return?
Here’s everything you need to know to watch the matchup.
MORE: Pacific Division Preview: Sleepers, X-Factors and burning questions
What channel is Clippers vs. Lakers on?
Date: Thursday, Oct. 20
TV channel: TNT
Live stream: Watch TNT | Sling TV
Clippers vs. Lakers will air on TNT. Viewers can also stream the game on Watch TNT or Sling TV.
Fans in the U.S. can watch the biggest games of the 2022-23 NBA season on Sling TV. Stream Sling Orange for $35/month to catch all regular season games on TNT, ESPN & ABC. For games on NBA TV, subscribe to Sling Orange & Sports Extra for $46/month. Local regional blackout restrictions apply.
For a limited time only, Sling subscribers can watch every NBA League Pass game for free! Stream every out-of-market NBA game from 10/18-10/24 on Sling TV.
SIGN UP FOR SLING: English | Spanish
Clippers vs. Lakers start time
Date: Thursday, Oct. 20
Time: 10:00 p.m. ET | 7:00 p.m. PT
Clippers vs. Lakers is scheduled to tip off around 10:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, Oct. 20. The game will be played at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.
Clippers schedule 2022-23
Here are the Clippers’ next five games of the 2022-23 regular season:
Date
Opponent
Time (ET)
TV channel
Oct. 22
at Kings
10:00 p.m.
Oct. 23
vs. Suns
10:00 p.m.
NBA TV
Oct. 25
at Thunder
8:00 p.m.
Oct. 27
at Thunder
8:00 p.m.
Oct. 30
vs. Pelicans
3:00 p.m.
Lakers schedule 2022-23
Here are the Lakers’ next five games of the 2022-23 regular season:
Date
Opponent
Time (ET)
TV channel
Oct. 23
vs. Trail Blazers
3:30 p.m.
Oct. 26
at Nuggets
10:00 p.m.
ESPN
Oct. 28
at Timberwolves
8:00 p.m.
Oct. 30
vs. Nuggets
9:30 p.m.
NBA TV
Nov. 2
vs. Pelicans
10:30 p.m.
The Top 5 Metaverse Moments Of October – AdAge.com https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/the-top-5-metaverse-moments-of-october-adage-com/
Short-form video app Triller is taking a shot across Meta’s bow with a new metaverse platform. Dubbed “Metaverz,” the proprietary world will showcase Triller’s owned-and-operated events, such as bare-knuckle fighting, rap battles and concerts. A teaser video suggests the world is island-themed, with virtual bars and a central arena for events.
“Metaverz” was built over the course of two years with AR/VR platform Epik, and has north of $100 million in investment value, per Triller. While the company is embracing the metaverse, the move follows a period of instability at Triller, marked by troublesome product rollouts and lawsuits from various parties. The company has also failed to annex a larger share of the short-form video market from formidable rival TikTok.
“Metaverz” will include a digital currency called “Illr Bucks,” which can be used for virtual apparel and tickets to events, according to Reuters. The world debuts on Oct. 22 with a performance by DJ Sam Feldt. Triller plans to host 2,000 events over the next year, the majority of which will occur in both the physical world and “Metaverz.”
No. 3: Cheetos celebrates Halloween with “Chesterville” game
Another Halloween activation in the metaverse comes from Cheetos, which is opening a temporary space in Meta’s Horizon Worlds called “Chesterville,” named after the brand’s cheetah mascot. The goal of the experience is to gain access to a spooky mansion on Cheetos Hill, which players can do by playing various games and causing mischief, such as Tp-ing trees and trapping fellow players in orange blobs.
Once inside the mansion, players will be able to vote to resurrect in the real world one Cheetos product that is no longer available. The products in question are Cheetos Flamin’ Hot Chipotle Ranch, Cheetos Flamin’ Hot Pepper Puffs and Cheetos Nashville Hot snacks, the winner of which will receive a second, limited-time run.
The Frito-Lay brand will also open up the vote on a microsite for consumers who don’t enter the virtual world. Fans can unlock “Cheetle Codes” from the brand’s social media to find more ways to advance in “Chesterville.”
No. 2: Tidal wave of critical Meta stories
Despite facilitating Cheetos’ activation, Meta has had a tough couple of weeks thanks to a slew of critical stories from various news outlets. The stories—which include deep dives from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Verge—all focus on Meta’s strategy for the metaverse, and note the project is so far faring poorly. The Journal, for example, found that Meta initially set a year-end goal of reaching 500,000 monthly active users for its Horizon World platform, but currently has yet to reach 200,000.
Elsewhere, The Verge reported a lack of use of Meta’s products by its own employees, while indicating an excess of bugs and internal frustration from project leaders. The Times further summarized confusion among Meta’s employees as to CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s true intentions for the metaverse.
This Meta coverage has intensified the negative attention directed toward the Web3 spaces since the crypto industry began to wind down earlier this year. Other adjacent markets, such as for rival metaverse platforms and NFTs, have also faced backlash amid lessening demand, which critics suggest is a sign that Web3 is a passing fad.
Related: How Meta is rebuilding its ad platform
No.1: President Macron gives a speech in Decentraland
On Oct. 6, French President Emmanuel Macron became the first leader of a country to give a speech in the metaverse. While the event, dubbed “Big 2022,” was held in Paris by investment bank Bpifrance, a virtual counterpart took place in Decentraland, where users could watch the speech on a giant screen in real time.
Metaverse event company RLTY organized the virtual event, and in doing so achieved a milestone for virtual spaces everywhere. It’s hard to imagine virtual events completely supplanting physical ones, but providing virtual counterparts as in the case of “Big 2022” could make metaverse spaces remarkably useful for a variety of industries.
Concerts are already leveraging this concept of “twinning,” as are combat sports (see No. 4 on this list). Could the political arena be next?
TECH SURPRISES TO GET FOR YOUR LOVED ONES THIS DIWALI CXOToday.com
TECH SURPRISES TO GET FOR YOUR LOVED ONES THIS DIWALI – CXOToday.com https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/tech-surprises-to-get-for-your-loved-ones-this-diwali-cxotoday-com/
As every other aspect of our lives has been transformed by technology, so have our gifting ideas. In the last few years, gifting electronic accessories has become an emerging trend. Whether it is a set of earbuds or a power bank, these gadgets can go a long way towards being an unexpected but useful gift for people from all age groups.
With the ongoing Diwali season, it calls for the perfect opportunity to give your loved ones the gadgets that they are going to love using. Some of the very trendy yet affordable recommendations for tech surprises to get for your family and friends are:
Infinity (JBL) Glide 510
This set is ideal for gamers and binge-watchers because of its remarkable battery life, which allows it to play music continuously for 72 hours. Users can switch from standard to deep bass with the press of a button and enjoy an immersive audio experience. These wonderfully comfy cushioned headphones are a delight to use at any time and in any place. Because of its clever and lightweight design, it can be folded and carried with you for on-the-go activities. The JBL headphones include an in-line microphone, with voice-assistance support and Bluetooth 5.0. These headphones are marked at Rs. 1,699 currently on Amazon.
Lyne Lancer 1 Smartwatch
With its colourful and sleek look, this smartwatch from Lyne is a perfect choice to add dynamism to the personality of the user. Lancer-1 comes with a 1.3-inch HD screen and a super long battery life. It comes equipped with Bluetooth calling, a phone notification alert system, and a “Find-My-Phone” feature. It has a complete health assessment system where it measures and monitors your necessary body vitals like heart rate, body temperature, and stress levels. This IP68 waterproof watch, along with step-counter functions, is perfectly suited for people who indulge in sports activities. Additionally, the special sedentary reminder feature of this smartwatch keeps track of your body’s MET levels, letting you know to stand up and move around every once in a while. With all these features together, this smartwatch becomes a worthwhile option to get for yourself and your loved ones. Lancer 1 can be checked out in stores just for Rs. 2,299.
Zoook Rocker Twins Earbuds
Zoook Rocker Twins are an excellent example of a product that provides prolonged playtime and enjoyment while also producing high-quality sound. The earbuds have flawless HD rendering technology, which offers outstanding sound quality with deep bass while preventing noise and echo too. The Bluetooth 5.0 headphone chip provides a quicker wireless connection, efficient transmission, consistent performance, and high compatibility. They are great for being used for calls while offering dual-pairing. These headphones have a working life of 20 hours and have a type-C port for charging. With all the features, the Zoook Rocker Twins are priced at Rs. 1,299 on Amazon.
Portronics SoundDrum P
The SoundDrum P is a bluetooth-enabled, cool-looking portable speaker. These speakers are promised to be durable, tough yet lightweight. The fine fabric used provides a fantastic appearance with added dust and splash protection. It contains a USB-C charging connector, an AUX port, a USB Type-A port, and a MicroSD card slot, as well as a clever control panel that lets you effortlessly switch between input types, skip audio tracks, change the volume, and answer calls. There’s a strap that allows it to be safe and portable, carried however you like. This speaker can be availed online between the prices of Rs. 2000 and Rs. 3000.
Lyne Power Box 4
With a 10K mAh battery, the PowerBox 4 power bank’s ability to charge several devices eliminates the need to frequently recharge the power bank. This product includes an integrated phone holder to make working while your device is charging more convenient. In addition to this, it has a 5-in-1 feature that enables efficient, simultaneous fast charging of multiple devices. The charger comes with an LED indicator to show its battery level. This power bank is an ideal gadget for someone who’s always on the go. These power banks can be bought from stores near you at Rs. 1,349.
Sennheiser MKE 200
The Sennheiser MKE 200 directional on-camera microphone is an excellent present for aspiring video makers and content creators. It has a hyper cardioid capsule function that delivers focus and precision while rejecting undesirable background noise, allowing for ideal audio capture in noisy conditions. It adds presence to the voice, and features like a built-in windshield and shock mount make the recordings cleaner than before. It has a 3.5mm jack that enables compatibility with both phones and cameras. This mic is small and elegant enough for a camera or a phone, and it will improve the audio for any video shot. This microphone is presently available for INR 8,490.
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Europes $9 Billion Digital Bank N26 Launches Crypto Trading Service Amid Bear Market CNBC
Europe’s $9 Billion Digital Bank N26 Launches Crypto Trading Service Amid Bear Market – CNBC https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/europes-9-billion-digital-bank-n26-launches-crypto-trading-service-amid-bear-market-cnbc/
N26 Crypto will let users buy and sell 100 tokens including bitcoin and ether.
N26
European digital bank N26 announced Thursday it is launching a crypto trading service, starting with Austria as the first market for the product.
The service, called N26 Crypto, is set to become available to N26’s Austrian clients in the coming weeks and will initially include 100 tokens including bitcoin and ether. N26 plans to roll out the feature to users in other markets over the next six months and eventually expand its token offering to include a total 194 coins.
Gilles BianRosa, N26’s chief product officer, told CNBC the bank’s crypto brokerage feature allows users to “dip their toes into the water in a way that’s not frothy.”
To make a trade, users select a coin and specify how much they want to buy or sell. Once they complete their order, cash is deducted from their main account balance and appears alongside the token of their choice. Customers can also “drag and drop” funds from their main account into their crypto portfolio, or vice versa, N26 said.
Berlin-based N26 is a bit of a latecomer to the crypto rush. Fintech rivals PayPal and Revolut have long offered their users the ability to buy and sell digital assets, and payment leviathans Visa and Mastercard also sell their clients crypto and so-called “Web3” services. On Wednesday, Brazilian digital bank Nubank launched its own token, called Nucoin.
“Our users are extremely interested in crypto,” BianRosa said in an interview. “That interest remains super high, even in a bear market.”
N26’s crypto foray could have been better timed. Bitcoin and other tokens are deep in the red this year after investors fled the market due to fears over higher interest rates and liquidity constraints. While main street banks have steered clear of crypto due to concerns over its sharp volatility and involvement in fraud, N26 — which holds an EU banking license — is dipping its toes into the space out of the belief that it’s more than “just a fad.”
“We want to take a pretty long-term view around this,” BianRosa said. “It’s not like we’re trying to time the launch on how the market is doing.”
N26 is charging a 2.5% fee on buy and sell orders for all cryptocurrencies — other than bitcoin, which it offers at a reduced transaction fee of 1.5%. For subscribers to its paid Metal accounts, which cost 16.90 euros ($16.54) a month, the transaction fee is 1% on bitcoin and 2% for all other tokens.
The feature is powered by Bitpanda, the Austrian crypto and stock trading app that shares N26 backer Peter Thiel as an investor — with Bitpanda pocketing a commission on each trade processed through N26. N26 said it plans to support trading in other asset types over time.
The move may cause discomfort for regulators, who’ve gotten much stricter in their approach to crypto after the $2 trillion market wipeout this year. The European Union in particular has sought to crack down on the “Wild West” of crypto, with incoming rules expected to enhance investor protections around digital assets. N26 has previously had restrictions placed on its growth by BaFin, the German financial watchdog, due to alleged failings in its fraud prevention systems.
“We have a very strong working relationship with all the regulators, so obviously we inform them of our plans, they’re aware and we’ve covered all the regulatory needs we have for this market,” BianRosa said.
BaFin was not immediately available for comment on N26’s crypto ambitions, which the company has previously stated publicly. The Austrian Financial Market Authority, which supervises the market in which N26 is first launching its crypto service, didn’t immediately return a request for comment.
Notably, N26’s crypto service doesn’t include support for custodial wallets, meaning customers are unable to move their assets off the platform. Platforms like Robinhood and Revolut have introduced features giving users more control over their crypto assets lately.
BianRosa said this creates a “closed-circuit investment loop” where users’ assets are sealed in a controlled environment. It’s a feature some of crypto’s biggest proponents might say is at odds with the technology’s decentralized roots. But N26 argues this offers greater protection for its users. Clients have to fulfill identity verification checks before becoming eligible to make crypto trades.
“It’s not like you can convert those bitcoins and buy something from the dark web with those assets from your wallet,” N26’s product chief said.
N26 is one of Europe’s largest fintechs, scoring a $9 billion valuation in its most recent financing round last year. Like other fintechs, however, the firm is losing money. N26 racked up net losses of 172.4 million euros ($168.8 million) in 2021, a 14% increase from the year before.
Microsoft Apple Other Firms Urge Congress To Protect Dreamers As DACA Fades NBC News
Microsoft, Apple, Other Firms Urge Congress To Protect “Dreamers” As DACA Fades – NBC News https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/microsoft-apple-other-firms-urge-congress-to-protect-dreamers-as-daca-fades-nbc-news/
Microsoft, Apple, Meta and dozens of other Fortune 500 companies launched an ad campaign Thursday to push Congress to pass a new law that would secure the fate of migrants known as “Dreamers,” part of a last-ditch effort to save the protections as federal courts seem likely to end the executive order that has protected them since 2012.
But both Republican and Democratic Senate aides say the effort has a slim chance of working and predict that Dreamers will most likely begin to lose their work authorization and security from deportation sometime early next year. Republicans, who are expected to increase their numbers in Congress in November’s midterm elections, largely oppose protecting Dreamers unless Democrats make significant concessions to beef up border security and turn away asylum-seekers, which they are unlikely to do.
More than 600,000 Dreamers — children brought to the U.S. as children but who lack legal status — are protected under the 2012 executive order known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, and advocates say hundreds of thousands more are eligible.
The ad, running in The Wall Street Journal, The Dallas Morning News and The Charlotte Observer, warns congressional leaders that ending DACA would hurt the economy.
“Collectively, we represent the backbone of an American economy facing tremendous workforce challenges as a result of the pandemic. We face another crisis if Congress fails to act on an issue that has strong bipartisan support from the American people,” said the letter, signed by Target, Starbucks, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, Apple, Google, MGM Resorts and other companies, as well as the Business Roundtable.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled that DACA was illegal but allowed more than 600,000 current DACA recipients to keep their status while a lower court reviewed a new DACA rule the Biden administration put forward.
Last Friday, the judge in the lower court, Andrew Hannen of U.S. District Court for Southern Texas, asked for more information from both sides. He is predicted to rule against the new DACA rule ultimately, because he found its previous iteration illegal.
The case may ultimately go to the Supreme Court. Although the justices in 2020 blocked the Trump administration from ending DACA, legal experts believe the court, now more conservative, will ultimately rule that DACA itself is illegal, particularly because it allows for work authorization for undocumented migrants.
The recent court rulings spell the end of DACA, advocates of the program say.
“Tragically, the 5th Circuit and courts have made it clear that not only did they rule the current DACA rule is illegal, but the new DACA rule will be illegal, too,” said Todd Schulte, the president and executive director of FWD.US, a group that has advocated for DACA to continue. “DACA is an already dead zombie program — the question now is will Congress actually pass something in lame duck, which could be the last chance before the horror that comes from nearly 700,000 DACA recipients’ being forced from their jobs and subjected to deportation.”
Apple CEO Tim Cook said: “Dreamers are an essential part of the fabric of our nation. They make our communities stronger, they make our companies more innovative, and they deserve a right to live in America with dignity. I stand with the bipartisan majority of Americans who agree that granting permanent protections for Dreamers is the right thing to do. It’s time for Congress to act.”
DACA legislation would need at least 10 Republicans to sign on to pass the Senate, which is unlikely, say Senate aides from both Republican and Democratic offices.
Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., chair of the Judiciary Committee’s subcommittee on immigration, said the “brutal reality” is that the lame duck session of Congress after the midterms is “absolutely critical” because of the strong possibility Republicans will take the House.
“I certainly welcome [the business community’s] increased engagement and advocacy,” he said. “Anything that can continue to add to the sense of urgency is also welcome.”
A Republican aide said the “business community always underestimates how hard it is to get legislation through on this topic and tends to misread the political environment.”
The business community’s long-standing influence within the Republican Party showed its limits on the issue of immigration in 2013, when the Chamber of Commerce and a host of business leaders endorsed a comprehensive overhaul that passed the Democratic-led Senate and died in the GOP-controlled House, amid implacable opposition from conservatives to a legalization program.
Slimmer bills to normalize the status of Dreamers have also run into GOP opposition, including in the Trump administration, as conservatives insisted on pairing normalization with cuts to family-based immigration.
Another Republican aide said there is “zero” chance to pass immigration legislation while Joe Biden is president.
“Now, no one trusts Democrats of the Biden administration to actually enforce the law and crack down on illegal immigration. Until that changes, there is no deal to be had,” the Republican aide said.
A Democratic aide agreed that the business community can accomplish only so much with an ad buy and encouraged companies to put their lobbying power behind reaching out to individual Republicans on DACA and immigration reform.
“From what I’m seeing and hearing, Republicans are not budging on this,” the Democratic aide said. “I’m glad these companies are doing this now, but they’re only as effective as their outreach.”
Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., said the business community could play a major role in shaping the immigration debate.
“At some point, the business community will wake up and say: ‘Hey, we need immigration in order to meet our labor challenges. We have 11 million jobs that are going unfilled,” Menendez told NBC News.
Brembos Venture Capital Arm Will Invest In Tech Startups Automotive News Europe
Brembo’s Venture Capital Arm Will Invest In Tech Startups – Automotive News Europe https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/brembos-venture-capital-arm-will-invest-in-tech-startups-automotive-news-europe/
MILAN — Premium brakes maker Brembo has set up an internal venture capital unit, called Brembo Ventures, to accelerate the development of technologic solutions to be applied to the automotive industry.
The move of the Italian group mirrors similar initiatives by other companies including Stellantis and CNH Industrial with the common purpose to spur innovation in a fast-changing environment as the automotive industry moves towards electrification and autonomous driving.
A spokesman for the group said Brembo Ventures was a unit and not set up as a proper venture capital fund with an initial financial endowment.
Investments and funds needed will be assessed as opportunities arise, the spokesman added.
Brembo Ventures will invest in startups globally, focusing on artificial intelligence, big data, sensors, mechatronics, energy efficiency and sustainability, it said in a statement.
“With Brembo Ventures, we are even more structured to seize the market opportunities that can contribute to our goal of redefining future of braking systems and mobility,” Brembo’s Chief Business Development Officer Roberto Grazioli said.
Brembo Ventures’ portfolio already includes a recently acquired 6.8 percent stake in PhotonPath, a company developing integrated photonics-based products, and a 20 percent stake in integrated photonic systems company Infibra Technologies which the brakes maker bought in 2020.
