Anna Garraway

Apple IPhone Exports From India Top $1 Bln In 5 Months – Bloomberg News – Reuters https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/apple-iphone-exports-from-india-top-1-bln-in-5-months-bloomberg-news-reuters/ Oct 4 (Reuters) – Apple Inc’s (AAPL.O) iPhone exports from India crossed $1 billion in five months since April, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, reflecting the tech giant’s growing bet on the South Asian nation amid New Delhi’s push for local manufacturing. The outbound shipments of India-made iPhones, mainly to Europe and the Middle East, are set to reach $2.5 billion in the 12 months through March 2023, almost double when compared to the year through March 2022, the report said, citing sources. Apple started making the iPhone 13 in India earlier this year, and the company announced last week its plans to manufacture the latest iPhone 14. The tech giant has been manufacturing iPhones in India from 2017. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com The devices exported from India from April to August this year comprise iPhone 11, 12 and 13 models, Bloomberg said. The report comes as Apple seeks to shift some areas of iPhone production from China to other markets including India, the second biggest smartphone market in the world, where it is also planning to assemble iPad tablets. India and countries such as Mexico and Vietnam are increasingly turning important to contract manufacturers supplying to American brands as they seek to diversify production away from China, amid COVID-related lockdowns and simmering tensions between Washington and Beijing. Apple did not immediately respond to Reuters’s request for comment. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Rhea Binoy in Bengaluru; Editing by Dhanya Ann Thoppil Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Leading Gaming Technology Provider Quixant Announces The Launch Of New Cabinet Offering – PR Newswire https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/leading-gaming-technology-provider-quixant-announces-the-launch-of-new-cabinet-offering-pr-newswire/ CAMBRIDGE, England, Oct. 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Quixant unveils new range of turnkey cabinets, Quantum and Qinetic, and redesigned website, reflecting its continued evolution and efforts to allow the industry to push its creativity to the maximum, and deliver the ultimate Gaming and Sports betting experiences. Quixant has announced the launch of Quantum and Qinetic, its new range of turnkey cabinets, which are tailored to the requirements and legislation of all global Gaming markets and the Sports Betting industry.  The range of cabinets is powered by Quixant’s market-leading gaming hardware platforms and comes with a comprehensive suite of peripherals. They are highly configurable and can be tailored to each customer’s product and market requirements, with expert technical support from Quixant’s cabinet design team. Duncan Faithfull CCO at Quixant commented: “We are renowned for providing powerful and reliable gaming hardware platforms and software solutions to the Gaming industry, enabling our customers to focus on creating the best games and sports betting experiences on the planet. Speaking with our customers and the wider industry over recent months, it is clear that sourcing and developing hardware solutions can be costly and time consuming and takes them away from developing content and enhancing the player experience, which really differentiates their products.” Duncan continued: “That’s why we developed Quantum and Qinetic – evolving from our market-leading platforms, to provide the industry with the powerful, reliable, and game-changing outsourced cabinet solutions it requires. Like all of our products, they are developed with a deep, in-house understanding of the requirements and regulations of the Gaming and Sports Betting world and are available via a variety of commercial models. Duncan commented: “With Quixant, you can get your cabinets to market faster, and make them stand out from the crowd. We enable you to push what’s possible, adding the wow factor that doesn’t just stop customers in their tracks but keeps them coming back.” “Whilst global component markets and their supply chains continue to be compromised, the team at Quixant is using all of its engineering expertise and supply chain knowledge to ensure we meet our customer’s product requirements. Launching our new cabinet range, and enhancing Quixant.com and The Quixant Hub show our continued efforts to provide our customers the ultimate customer experience, so they can focus their efforts on developing game-changing content and the ultimate player experience” Faithfull summarised. Find out more at Quixant.com/cabinets  Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1752610/Quixant_Logo.jpg SOURCE Quixant

Person Who Allegedly ‘lured’ Migrants To Martha’s Vineyard Identified – FOX 29 https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/person-who-allegedly-lured-migrants-to-marthas-vineyard-identified-fox-29/ Person who allegedly ‘lured’ migrants to Martha’s Vineyard identified  FOX 29

Travel Tuesday: Spectacular Places To Visit In Chopta For A Rejuvenating Vacation – PINKVILLA https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/travel-tuesday-spectacular-places-to-visit-in-chopta-for-a-rejuvenating-vacation-pinkvilla/ Here is a list of varied places that you must add to your bucket list while on a trip to Chopta to keep yourself as excited as awestruck by Mudra Saini   |  Updated on Oct 04, 2022 11:44 AM IST  |  15.4K Chopta in Uttarakhand is one such beautiful hilly destination which is decked up in gorgeous snow-capped mountains. With the peaceful ambience, lush green meadows and picturesque lakes and humming waterfalls- Hill stations are one of the best places to soothe yourself in the natural serenity while spotting nature at its best! Chopta in Uttarakhand is one such beautiful hilly destination which is decked up in gorgeous snow-capped mountains and tranquil gorges whose gorgeousness is mostly untapped and will provide you with a refreshing retreat. Whether you are a peace gainer, nature adorer, capturer or adventure junkie, Chopta has something for everyone and with its wildlife collection, astonishing tracks and camping sites, this place will give you a great break from your city woes. Here is a list of varied places that you must add to your bucket list while on a trip to Chopta to keep yourself as excited as awestruck. Tungnath Peak Nestled at an elevation of 2700 metres, Tungnath is perched in the Himalayan Range and this spot is located in a dense forest that consists of varied trees including deodars, oaks, and rhododendrons which all add up to an outstanding trail. With a length of 3.5 km, the trail that takes you to the peak is pretty fine with a few sheer climbs or sharp turns. Tungnath peak consists of an ancient temple whose existence is more than 1000 years. Scenic views of Mandakini and Alaknanda river valleys can be witnessed from this peak. Kanchula Korak Musk Deer Sanctuary If you are a wildlife lover, then witness the rare Himalayan species at this sanctuary which is situated 7kms away from Chopta. With an expanse of 5 square kilometres, this sanctuary is known for its beautiful collection of beautiful musk deer and sporadic floras that are bliss to the sight. Multiple activities can also be indulged in to witness the wildlife closely and in a fun way. Ukhimath Also prominent by the name of ‘the Winter Seat of Kedarnath,’ Ukhimath is a petite town which is perched at a distance of about 28 km from Chopta. The town is all decked up in spiritual vibes and has a well-preserved culture along with plenty of sightseeing options. Madhameshwar Mela is the special event of this place that will surely take you in-depth into the vivid culture and vitality of the place with its variety of activities including folklore, songs, and dances. Pandava Dance can also be explored at this place. Deori Tal Quite nearby to the Sari village on the Ukhimath, Deori Tal is a prominent tourist spot that is known for its enchanting view. Enclosed by the calm, discreet and dense wooden greens that will soothe your eyes and the serenity you found here is appealing to your soul and mind. The lake is gushed at the inner of the Chaukhamba peak and captures the beautiful views of Neelkantha, Yellow Tooth and Kedar peaks that can effortlessly captivate and aw-inspire anyone. Bird watching can also be witnessed at this place. Chopta is a mesmerizing place where you can witness beautiful quaint spots. Camping and trekking are quite illustrious at this place. Do plan a trip to this gorgeous spot and let us know your experience below. Also Read: Crazy after parties to Goan delicacies, explore the perks of a beach wedding in Goa For the latest Bollywood news, Telugu news, entertainment exclusives, gossip, movie reviews, and more, follow the Pinkvilla website and YouTube channel, or head to our social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram!

COCOBOD Secures $1.13b To Purchase Cocoa – Ghana Business News https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/cocobod-secures-1-13b-to-purchase-cocoa-ghana-business-news/ The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has secured $1.13 billion from a consortium of international banks to meet its financing needs to purchase cocoa and related operations for the 2022/23 cocoa crop season. The Board signed the agreement with Standard Chartered Bank Ghana Limited on behalf of the other lenders. Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, witnessed the signing ceremony together with the Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Charles Adu Boahen, and Dr Ernest Addison, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana. “Despite the challenging context for COCOBOD and Ghana this year, the new annual financing for a thirtieth successive year closed successfully with the strong support of its relationship banks and enhanced level of collateralisation and pricing, confirmed the longstanding successful track record of this PXF,” a statement said. The Ghanaian government confirmed its long term and continuous support to COCOBOD and to the domestic cocoa industry given the sector’s long standing critical role in the Ghana economy. As a structured performance risk loan lenders continue not to require a sovereign guarantee, the statement added. Source: GNA

New Guide To Improve Health Outcomes For People With Intellectual Disabilities – Mirage News https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/new-guide-to-improve-health-outcomes-for-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-mirage-news/ Helping caregivers to better understand and meet the healthcare needs of people living with a cognitive impairment or intellectual disability is the aim of a new health literacy guide published by The University of Notre Dame Australia (UNDA). The 180-page guide, which is now freely available online, was developed by Dr Rachel Skoss from UNDA’s Institute for Health Research following widespread consultation with stakeholders, families and healthcare providers. It was also supported by a WA Department of Health Research Translation Project grant. The guide covers topics such as healthy lifestyles and preventative care, managing specific health conditions, navigating the health system, and engaging with health professionals. It also contains advice about how to help people with an intellectual disability understand what is happening to them, and empower them to make informed decisions about their treatment options. Dr Skoss said people with an intellectual disability were more likely to suffer from multiple health issues and those issues were often undermanaged, resulting in poor long-term health outcomes. “Caregivers are often family members or support workers who receive little training to help them manage the extremely complex health needs of the person they are caring for,” Dr Skoss said. “Further complicating matters is the fact that the person receiving care is often not able to clearly communicate how they are feeling or what symptoms they are experiencing. “That is why it was important to bring together as much practical information as possible into one handy document that is easy to read and also includes additional links to a range of trusted sites promoting best practice healthcare advice from around the world. “We hope the guide will also be a useful resource for medical practitioners, helping them to better understand the unique needs of their patients and the importance of working with them and their caregivers to achieve the best possible outcomes. We also believe that it will be useful for disability organisations who support people living in group homes.” You can view and download the guide here. /University Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) may be of a point-in-time nature, edited for clarity, style and length. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s).View in full here.

Cardinals Zip Bluejays In Soccer, 1-0 | News, Sports, Jobs – Fairmont Sentinel https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/cardinals-zip-bluejays-in-soccer-1-0-news-sports-jobs-fairmont-sentinel/ LEAPING BLOCK — Fairmont Area goalie Jack Kosbab (yellow jersey) leaps to stop a shot by Waseca’s Logan Heyer (3) as the Cardinals’ Ben Heinze (12) watches during soccer action Monday night in Fairmont. (Photo by Greg Abel) FAIRMONT — The Fairmont Area boys soccer team swept its regular-season series with the Waseca Bluejays, winning 1-0 on Monday night at the Jeffery Kot Soccer Complex in Fairmont. The Cardinals won the first meeting with the Bluejays 3-1 on Sept. 6. “We had possession a long time tonight and had good passing,” Fairmont Area head coach Brady Meyer said. “We played more as a team tonight. You feel good after a game like this. You play hard, play well and win. You don’t feel good if you play hard, play well and lose.” After dominating possession in the first half, Erick Gonzalez-Godoy scored the game’s lone goal with less than five minutes left in the opening 40 minutes. Matthew Kotewa had the assist. In the second half, the Cardinals increased their pressure on Bluejays netminder Eduardo Gallegos, sending 12 shots his way, six of which he saved. The Cardinals finished with only four shots on goal in the opening half and six in the second half for a total of 10, compared to the Bluejays’ six and two for a total of eight. Defensively, Fairmont Area goalkeeper Jack Kosbab had the shutout, stopping all eight shots. The Cardinals (7-6-1) host Marshall at 7 p.m. tonight at Kot Soccer Complex, while the Bluejays travel to Mankato to battle Loyola at 4:30 p.m. today at the Good Counsel Campus. “This was a big win for us in the playoff standings and we have two more games in which we can move up in the seedings in the playoffs,” Meyer said. Waseca 0-0–0 Fairmont Area 1-0–1 Scoring Plays 1st Half FA–Erick Gonzalez-Godoy (Matthew Kotewa), 3:56. 2nd Half No scoring Shots-on-goal: Waseca 6-2–8; Fairmont Area 4-6–10. Corners: Waseca 1; Fairmont Area 4. Saves: Eduardo Gallegos (W) 9; Jack Kosbab (FA) 8. Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox

Shiba Inu Reveals “Canyon” Concept Artwork For SHIB Metaverse – The Crypto Basic https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/shiba-inu-reveals-canyon-concept-artwork-for-shib-metaverse-the-crypto-basic/ – Advertisement – Shiba Inu has shared the first concept of another hub in its metaverse project. Shiba Inu has continued to release beautiful visuals of different sections of its metaverse. After releasing the concept artwork for Rocket Pond and WAGMI Temple, the canine-themed project has shared the first concept art for Canyon. New Metaverse Blog: “Canyon” First Concept Art Reveal inspired by the badlandshttps://t.co/wnGTzPwWRH Join the discussion during the Fireside chat on Discord this Thursday:https://t.co/AvapcAr2W5 pic.twitter.com/2fCCekgglz — SHIB The Metaverse (@ShibTheMV) October 4, 2022 According to a blog post today, Shiba Inu sees concept art as an initiative that provides the strongest reference points that align the creative outlook and the hub being introduced. Similar to the Rock Pond and WAGMI Temple artworks, the first concept of Canyon is depicted in black and white, communicating suggestions and feedback to express the hub’s role in the metaverse.  “Black and white sketches and concept artwork include a strong, physical, and powerful potential, especially in abstract artwork. Amongst the architectural inspiration designs taken from many locations,” The teams behind Shiba Inu metaverse noted. The early sketch of the Canyon got its inspiration from many locations in the United States, including Badlands in New Mexico, Grand Canyon in Arizona, Moab in Utah, Mesa Verde in Colorado, Lake Tahoe in Nevada, and Salt Flats in Utah.  Additionally, the flora inspiration for the hub was gotten from Desert Wildflowers, Thick Leaf Penstemon, Indian Paintbrush, Desert Phlox, Arizona Thistle, etc. Furthermore, the teams said they got the fauna inspiration depicted in the artwork from Roadrunner, Giant Centipedes, Wren, Raven, Tarantulas, Lizards, hawks, etc. “The Canyon elevates the essence of earthy rivers, adventure, and breathtaking Scenery,” the announcement added.  Meanwhile, the Shiba Inu team scheduled a fireside chat on the official Shibtoken Discord group on October 6, 2022, from 5 PM to 8 PM PST.  Shiba Inu Committed to the Success of SHIB: The Metaverse The development suggests that the team behind the development of SHIB: The Metaverse, Shiba Inu, and The Third Floor (TTF) are working relentlessly toward the project’s success.  Aside from the release of the concept artworks of some hubs of the metaverse, the team has added professionals who will join in the mission of taking the project to greater heights. – Advertisement –

Airthings View Plus Review – Pickr – Pickr https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/airthings-view-plus-review-pickr-pickr/ Not sure if the rooms in your home are the right temperature or need clearer air? The Airthings View Plus could help, though we’re not sure how much. What is the Airthings View Plus? Designed to monitor the air for nasties that might cause you or loved ones harm, the Airthings View Plus is an air monitor with the ability to track and check the air you leave the gadget in. One of a few models found in the Airthings range, the View Plus is basically the premium model that can do it all, and even shows you results on a small display. Ovular in design, the View Plus is very much a passive device that you just leave on, connected, and to do its own thing, with a small electronic ink screen up front that can be configured to show the measurements you need most, with a hand wave in front of a sensor telling you whether the air is good with a happy face, or less good without. You can have it run on batteries for up to two years, or even keep it plugged into a USB Type C power source if need be. All up, it’s a fairly simple design made for use inside the home, though works for one room at a time. What does Airthings View Plus do? Air monitoring information on the View Plus includes tracking dust particle levels in the air (PM), excess CO2 from when we breathe out or cry, temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, airborne chemicals known as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that emerge often from the paints and treatments used on furniture, and even potentially slight forms of radioactivity called radon. There’s also an app that can talk to your phone, compiling the results of previous days to let you know whether you have issues in the immediate, or if they’ve been building for some time. It’s the sort of technology that might be handy if you have loved ones with a respiratory illness or some form of immunodeficiency, as it can provide a glance as to what the air is doing inside your home and their room, reporting in either the app, the gadget’s screen, or even popping up on your wearable. Does it do the job? If you’re looking for a way to check what the air is like in a room, the Airthings View Plus definitely provides that, with a quick read out on the small e-ink display on the device, plus a little more with some data over an extended amount of time. Helpful data like an increase on VOC levels might make you rethink your furniture choices, or even go out and buy a purifier that can cut back on the levels of airborne chemicals, such as when you touch a piece of furniture. It’s a similar situation if you’re intending to work out if a room is too hot or too cold, and whether that drives you to turn on a fan or the AC. That can be super helpful, because those insights could calm air levels in a room in the following ways: Too much CO2? Open a window. Easy. Too many VOCs? Consider a purifier and switch it on. Temperature too high? Turn on the AC or switch on a fan. Makes sense. The issue of temperature has been quite useful through our time reviewing the View Plus, simply because it provided a good understanding of the warmth for the newborn’s room. With temperature being tracked on the floor with a heater and up top in a baby monitor, the Airthings View Plus provided a position in the middle of each that was able to more accurately cite what our baby would have been feeling the temperature to be, which was always a degree or two cooler than the gauge in the camera. Unfortunately, insights like this need to be interpreted by you, the user, and worse, can’t be triggered in an automatic way, at least not at the time of publishing this review. What does it need? We live in a world where many things can connect. Grab some smart lights and they can be triggered and controlled remotely, and the same is true for many appliances, fans, air conditioners, and so on and so on. The world of the smart home is upon us, and things can talk. They can trigger from each other and play nice. But Airthings doesn’t appear to have gotten that memo, at least not in a remarkably complete kind of way. You can connect Alexa to your Airthings account and get it to check a sensor reading in a room, and you can have that talk to IFTT or Amazon Alexa in the smallest of ways. But it’s not a simple logic of “if temperature equals this, then do something else” sort of affair. It would be great if an increase in temperature detected by Airthings could trigger Alexa or IFTTT to turn on a compatible fan, or even if the View Plus picked up on increased humidity, if it could turn on the power switch for a smart power point connected to a dehumidifier. These should all be technically possible, but none of them are at present. In fact, almost every attempt we had at making a smart home action for the Airthings View Plus didn’t result in success. The most we could seem to do was ask Alexa what the temperature was, which wasn’t exactly our idea of using the View Plus to improve our smart home, and just came back to that overall problem of lacking any immediate action inside the smart home. Is it worth your money? You’ll likely find a few insights here and there with the View Plus, but at $399, it’s hard to call it a compelling purchase, especially given where aspects of the technology can be found. Comparatively, Dyson’s Purifer Cool Link fan range has the ability to monitor temperature, VOCs, and particulate matter, and adds in a way to treat it, too. Granted, it comes in a little more, fetching a good $300-400 on top, but it provides the “action” part of the insight, which is what Airthings lacks. Yay or nay? Simply put, the Airthings View Plus is all insight, no action, and that makes this one a difficult choice. There are some suggestions at times — open a window — but for the most part, this is insights with little action, something that itself is frustrating, to say the least. You can make your own calls, of course, but if there was a little more in the way of joining the dots, the roughly $400 spend for the View Plus would make sense for more people. If you have someone that you care for who needs to have these details checked, the View Plus could be a handy addition. However, Airthings really needs to sort out its smart home connections and capabilities, because that lets down the package overall. It means you can get the information, but you’ll need to work out what to do with it, because there’s no too much help here, automatic or otherwise. Airthings View Plus The good Works without much intervention Provides data without an app on its on-screen eInk display Offers more data for use over time in the app The not-so-good Doesn’t give you many actionable insights Connecting to the rest of the smart home isn’t as seamless or easy as it could be

Cryptoverse: Trading Names In A Mind-Boggling Crypto Craze – U.S News & World Report Money https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/cryptoverse-trading-names-in-a-mind-boggling-crypto-craze-u-s-news-world-report-money/ FILE PHOTO: A non-fungible token (NFT) displayed on the website of NFT marketplace OpenSea is seen through a magnifying glass, in this illustration picture taken February 28, 2022. REUTERS/Florence Lo/IllustrationReuters By Lisa Pauline Mattackal and Medha Singh (Reuters) – A new NFT trading craze where names are bought and sold for eye-popping sums is providing a multi-million-dollar lifeline for speculators shivering in the bleak crypto winter. “Domain” names such as coin.crypto (which has sold for $100,000) and beer.eth (which fetched $39,000) are a new breed of NFTs that owners can use to replace the jumble of 16 random numbers and letters that form their digital wallet addresses. It might seem a lot of money for the crypto equivalent of a custom car plate, yet backers say these names could become valuable real estate in the years to come with the advent of Web3, a much-hyped vision of a future internet built on blockchain. Right now the trading market for these alternative assets is providing rich – and risky – pickings for some investors who are scooping up buzzy domains with the aim of flipping them for a profit in the secondary market on NFT platforms like OpenSea. “We have domain names starting at as little as $5, we’ve had some sell for as much as $100,000,” said Matthew Gould, CEO Unstoppable Domains, which sells names ending in .crypto, .nft and .wallet on its website. “The range is because there’s a definite perceived value difference between different words and lengths.” The company has seen some bumper deals of late: for example wallet.crypto sold for $250,000 and earn.crypto went for $100,000, both in April. Meanwhile the .eth names generated by the Ethereum Name Service (ENS), the biggest domain seller, were the fourth-most traded type of NFT on OpenSea in September, with total volumes rising 75% from a month ago to the equivalent of $12.5 million. ENS domain names were topped by only NFTs (non-fungible tokens) from well-known collections such as CryptoPunks and Bored Ape Yacht Club. Trading in the comparatively new assets has grown apace even as the crypto winter has battered the NFT market. Monthly registrations for .eth domain names jumped to over 433,000 in September, the highest in the past 12 months and a 5,000% surge from a year ago, according to Dune Analytics. The domain names which command the highest value are often those with simple and short English words, terms referencing pop culture or Web3, and number sequences, according to experts, such as crypto.nft or 000.eth. WHAT’S A NAME WORTH? Crypto domains are still in their infancy, though. There is no guarantee they, or Web3, will live up to their promise, while the highly volatile nature of cryptocurrency and NFT markets suggest perils for the unschooled trader. Questions also abound on the scalability of the technology, and the potential for confusion as competing domain providers issue similar names, potentially leading to the misrouting of funds, a report by Block Intelligence said. Sasha Fleyshman, portfolio manager at investment firm Arca in Los Angeles, said domain names were likely to grow in popularity as crypto became more mainstream. The 16-character alphanumeric addresses used for digital wallets “are not exactly user friendly, especially for non-crypto native people”, he added. In an indication of some investor confidence that digital assets linked to .eth domain names will grow in value, the ENS project’s crypto token soared nearly 90% in the third quarter to $15.92 – though still a far cry from the $40 it was trading at the beginning of the year. Bitcoin ended the quarter mostly flat, struggling to stay above $20,000. Yet many market players warn that it’s tough to value a domain name as it amounts to a speculative bet on what might be in demand in the future. This weakens the case for institutional investment, Fleyshman said. “From a fund perspective, it’s rather hard to make a fundamental investment into specific domain names,” he added. “It’s just not our wheelhouse to say which domains are going to accrue value and which ones are not.” (1 ether = $1,330.20) (Reporting by Medha Singh and Lisa Pauline Mattackal in Bengaluru; Editing by Tom Wilson and Pravin Char) Copyright 2022 Thomson Reuters.

Engineering Professor Joins U.S. Soybean Export Council Discussion With Chinese Ambassador – University Of Arkansas Newswire https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/engineering-professor-joins-u-s-soybean-export-council-discussion-with-chinese-ambassador-university-of-arkansas-newswire/ Photo Submitted Marty Matlock, professor in the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department at the U of A and research professor in the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, was invited to join the United States Soybean Export Council on Sept. 16 in St. Louis as they hosted Qin Gang, the Chinese ambassador to the U.S. The Agricultural Experiment Station is the research arm of the U of A System Division of Agriculture. The participants joined in a roundtable discussion focused on sustainable and climate smart agricultural practices. The group included U.S. Department of Agriculture Acting Deputy Under Secretary Jason Hafemeister, as well as Chinese delegates and leaders from the U.S. and China’s food and agriculture industries. Matlock has worked with the council for 15 years to develop goals, metrics and assessment tools for sustainability. His work covered interests and impacts that include soil resilience, water use efficiency, energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity and land use impacts. In response to discussion of the role of U.S. soybean producers in leading innovation in sustainable production, Ambassador Gang said, “Agriculture is a key contributor to China’s green development. We (China and the U.S.) have a common responsibility to promote sustainable agriculture and food security for future generations. “Our market will remain open, and we will continue to collaborate with U.S. farmers, companies and entities who want to advance green development of China’s food and agriculture,” Gang said. Jim Sutter, CEO of the council, said, “We all have a responsibility to act for consumers, our children and our grandchildren.” China is the world’s leading soy consumer and the largest importer of U.S. soybean products, including edible oil and soy foods for people as well as feed for Chinese pork, egg, aquaculture and poultry production. U.S. soy has collaborated in China since 1982. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch and on Instagram at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk. About the Division of Agriculture The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system. The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses. The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

Virginia Tech Receives $5 Million Gift – Cardinal News https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/virginia-tech-receives-5-million-gift-cardinal-news/ Here’s a roundup of education briefs. Want more education news? There’s no full-time education reporter west of Richmond. You can help change that. Help us fund this position. * * * Virginia Tech receives $5 million to expand sustainable land development initiative A Virginia Tech alumnus has committed $5 million to the Charles E. Via Jr. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering to expand learning initiatives in sustainable land development, the university announced Monday. The Bowman Sustainable Land Development Program, named for Gary Bowman, a 1980 graduate, will encompass the undergraduate and graduate academic components of sustainable land development, including a master’s program that’s now in its second year, according to a news release. Gary Bowman. Photo courtesy of Virginia Tech. The program also will encompass the Land Development Design Initiative, which will be renamed but will continue to serve as a portal through which individuals and organizations in the land development industry can provide input on curriculum and engage with students.  The Land Development Design Initiative, which was created around 2005, began as a collaboration between the Via department and professionals across the land development industry. In addition to providing mentors inside the classroom, the initiative works to acquaint students with career opportunities within the industry, including municipal engineering, real estate and specialized areas of sustainability. Bowman, who graduated from Tech with a degree in civil and environmental engineering, founded Bowman Consulting in 1995 as a small firm focused on the planning and design of residential communities throughout Northern Virginia. It has grown into a 1,700-person publicly traded design and consulting firm with offices throughout the U.S. Bowman has served on the College of Engineering Advisory Board and the Civil and Environmental Engineering Alumni Board. He also is a member of the Via department’s Academy of Distinguished Alumni. During the Land Development Design Initiative’s early years, Bowman served on the program’s leadership board. Bowman’s wife, Terri, and son Greg are both graduates of the Pamplin College of Business.  “The program has withstood the test of time and has blossomed into a mature program educating a tremendous number of students,” Bowman said. “My hope is that this gift will be the beginning of a new level of support for the program that will ensure its long-term durability and provide resources to enable it to continue to grow and evolve.”  * * * UVA Wise students to present at Marshall Two students at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise will pitch their entrepreneurship business projects at the first Appalachian Social Enterprise Summit at Marshall University on Tuesday. Zachary Cunningham, a business administration major from Farmington, Missouri, will share his vision linking eastern Kentucky and Southwest Virginia nonprofits called Appalachia Social Capital Bridge. Isaias Martin Gutierrez, a business major, will present his solution to help feed Appalachia called Hungry to Serve Appalachia. He hopes to tackle chronic hunger in the region though a non-profit that aims to reduce food waste and better utilize natural resources. Martin Gutierrez is from Huelva, Spain.  * * * University of Lynchburg will host 2 history seminars The University of Lynchburg will host two history seminars this fall, one focusing on archaeology at Historic Sandusky and the other on wolf eradication in the U.S. and Finland. The first presentation, “Archaeology in Action: New Insights from the Kitchen Excavation at Historic Sandusky,” will be held at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 17 in Hopwood Auditorium. Admission is free and the event is open to the public. The presentation provides an overview of archaeological work currently being undertaken at Lynchburg’s Historic Sandusky, a house museum owned and operated by the University of Lynchburg since 2016. In a partnership with the university, engineering firm Hurt & Proffitt’s cultural resources department is leading the kitchen house renovation. The presenters will be a mixture of H&P staff and students from the university. They include Jessica Gantzert, H&P’s laboratory director and conservator and the principal investigator on the kitchen house project; Randy Lichtenberger, archaeologist and director of cultural resources for H&P; and three Lynchburg history majors, Emma Coffey ’23, Haley Sabolcik ’23 and Abby Gonshorowski ’24. Greg Starbuck, director of Historic Sandusky, said in a statement that “excavations have taken place sporadically over the years, but starting in early 2021, continuous work has been done on the property focusing on the side work yard,” which includes the detached kitchen and smokehouse. Work is also being done to research the enslaved people who lived and worked in those areas. These undertakings, Starbuck said, have provided archaeologists with new and previously unknown insights into what daily life looked like in Lynchburg in the 19th century. The second presentation will be given by a University of Lynchburg history professor, Adam Dean. “Wolf Eradication in the United States and Finland” will be held at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 14 in Hopwood Auditorium. Admission to the lecture is free and the public is invited. The lecture will begin by exploring an extremely rare wolf-predation incident in Finland between 1879 and 1882, when two gray wolves killed 35 children. * * * Danville Community College opens registration for 2022 Idea Fair Danville Community College is seeking students to participate in its annual Idea Fair, which will be held in the Temple Building on the DCC campus from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 15. The fair is conducted each year on National Entrepreneur’s Day, which honors people who have built an empire from absolutely nothing. The Idea Fair is meant to ignite innovation and creativity in students and seeks to address disparities, such as the lack of entrepreneurial programming for women and people of color, an underdeveloped pipeline for youth entrepreneurship and a lack of support for entrepreneurs facing isolation, according to a news release. To participate, students submit an original entrepreneurial ideas to be judged by a panel of volunteers from local high schools, universities and businesses. Projects will be judged on originality, creativity, project design, presentation, innovation, diversity, economic impact, sustainability and how well the project solves a relevant problem. Participants must be present to explain their projects to the judges and other attendees. Winners will be awarded for their submissions: First place prize for a high school senior attending DCC next year – $1,000 First place student – $300 Second place student – $200 Third place student – $100 Each additional participant – $50 To register, visit www.danville.edu/ideafair2022. For questions about the Idea Fair, contact Willie Sherman at 434-797-8470 or willie.sherman@danville.edu. The fair is open to students from Pittsylvania County Schools, Danville Public Schools, Caswell Public Schools, area private schools, DCC and the community. It is hosted by the college in partnership with Dan River Region Entrepreneur Ecosystem, Longwood Small Business Development Center, River District Association, Danville/Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce and The Launch Place.

Oasis Gaming’s Kurtesy Leads CSB’s Romançon Gaming In AllG VALORANT Opener – INQUIRER.net https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/oasis-gamings-kurtesy-leads-csbs-romancon-gaming-in-allg-valorant-opener-inquirer-net/ The second split of the AcadArena Alliance Games (AllG) just started last Saturday, October 1, 2022, and leading the charge in the VALORANT play-ins for CSB’s Romançon Gaming is no other than Oasis Gaming’s initiator Kurt Francis “kurtesy” Cinco. #ALLG? HERE COMES THE PARTY! Our VALORANT campus teams are ready for the opening day! Watch the Alliance Games LIVE this Saturday, OCTOBER 1 Co-presented by @enjoyglobe Powered by @logitechg#NotJustPlay pic.twitter.com/V4pKhHvvqr — AcadArena (@acadarena) September 30, 2022 With AllG’s VALORANT Play-Ins kicking off with their match first, Romançon Gaming took down the MGS Clubs at Ascent 13-9. The Romançon squad started their AllG conquest looking dominant as ever as they took the opening pistol round and sprinted to claim seven rounds for themselves in the first nine rounds of the game. However, the Club started reclaiming rounds late in the first half to eventually end it 7-5. With a two-round lead at halftime, Romançon lost its foothold as the Clubs quickly won some rounds to equalize the game. Fortunately, Romançon pushed back and reached double digits first and eventually won the game. Other VALORANT Results Romançon’s match wasn’t the only game that got streamed for Week 1. Here are the results for the rest of the week’s streamed matches: Zephyrus (Technological Institute of the Philippines – Quezon City) – Pewpew (Central Philippine University) Zephyrus blew away the 9-3 curse in order to win Fracture 13-7. Calayo (Central Mindanao University) – USTP Trailblazers (University of Science and Technology of the Philippines) Calayo made an impressive comeback on the back of Sayonaraa‘s 4K to end the game on Bind 13-9. Panthera Esports Orion (Systems Plus College Foundation) – Grayhawks (Technological University of the Philippines – Taguig) Panthera Esports Orion squad shot down the Grayhawks as they won the close game on Bind 13-11. Teletigers (University of Santo Tomas) – Khrysomallos (Asia Pacific College) The UST Teletigers pounced on their prey as they domineeringly won on Haven 13-4. For more collegiate VALORANT action, tune in at AcadArena’s Alliance Games live on their Facebook page. Read Next Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000. For feedback, complaints, or inquiries, contact us.

How San Francisco Can Solve Its Homelessness Problem: A Campus-Based Model In San Antonio Suggests A Path Forward. | Lawrence J. McQuillan – The Beacon https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/how-san-francisco-can-solve-its-homelessness-problem-a-campus-based-model-in-san-antonio-suggests-a-path-forward-lawrence-j-mcquillan-the-beacon/ A campus-based model in San Antonio suggests a path forward. For every homeless person in San Francisco who becomes housed with the help of government, four more people become homeless, according to a new report. This Sisyphean track record offers important lessons for other cities. Unfortunately, measures on the city’s November ballot ignore proven solutions and double down on misguided policies. San Francisco’s first mistake is misdiagnosing the problem. The city’s political class thinks homelessness is primarily caused by insufficient housing. In truth, homelessness is more often caused by substance abuse and mental illness. That mistake has caused the city to pour hundreds of millions of dollars into “affordable” or “permanent” housing programs. In 2016, city leaders created the San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH). Since its inception, HSH has received $3.5 billion, while the number of people experiencing homelessness in the city annually has increased by 63 percent. About 50–60 percent of HSH’s funding in a typical year supports various permanent-housing programs. Up to 20,000 people experience homelessness in San Francisco over the course of a year. San Francisco is the most expensive place on Earth to build, according to construction consultant Turner & Townsend. One “affordable” unit costs developers an average of $750,000 to build in the city. It’s cheaper to buy units, but not by much. For example, San Francisco recently bought two buildings for permanent supportive housing containing 252 units for $162.3 million, or $644,000 per unit. Even if the city had $15 billion to build 20,000 units, it would not solve the problem, as the services draw new homeless people to the city: another 20,000 homeless people would emerge the next year, followed by 30,000 the next, and so on. The inflow of people experiencing homelessness greatly exceeds the number of people who become housed. The “Housing First” vision of giving every homeless person a permanent home is an expensive fool’s errand. City officials helped to put two measures, D and E, on the November ballot, which proponents claim will increase the production of affordable housing by streamlining permitting when a project meets certain thresholds of affordability and tenant income (the measures differ on those thresholds). But to appease union overlords, both measures require builders to pay construction workers higher “prevailing [union] wages” on projects of 10 units or more, which could drive up total project costs by more than 35 percent. That won’t make housing more affordable. San Francisco needs more housing, but giving HSH more money will not solve the homelessness problem; doing so would ignore the actual causes of homelessness. And in a desperate attempt to salvage a morsel of legitimacy for HSH, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors put Measure C on the ballot, asking voters to create a seven-member Homelessness Oversight Commission to oversee HSH, adding another layer of government bureaucracy. San Francisco has compounded its homelessness problems by recklessly handing out cash assistance, effectively subsidizing self-destructive behaviors. After just one month of residency, people can receive benefits up to $869 a month for food and general assistance. In a 2022 viral video, a self-described “old-school junkie” from Louisiana explains how “they pay you to be homeless here [in San Francisco]… it’s free money.” He uses assistance to pay for Netflix and Prime Video on his cell phone as he lives in a tent on a sidewalk and uses fentanyl. More housing development won’t solve this problem. People experiencing homelessness will continue to stream into the city, lured by permanent homes at taxpayer expense, generous cash benefits, and, perhaps most importantly, tolerance from political elites. While San Francisco pursues its impossible dream of permanent housing for every homeless person, incentivizing more people to come to the city with cash assistance and the promise of housing, its political class tolerates neighborhood decay. Officials uncaringly sacrifice certain neighborhoods (but not Nancy Pelosi’s Pacific Heights) to the street problems accompanying homelessness. The epicenter of San Francisco’s homeless population is the Tenderloin, a nightmare of concentrated violence, theft, encampments, fires, drug dealing, drug use, and overdoses, which kill about two people a day in San Francisco. The Tenderloin, Mission District, South of Market, and other neighborhoods have become dangerous shelters of first resort, unsafe for housed and unhoused residents alike. The root cause of this neighborhood decay is an unwillingness by government officials to enforce “the public purposes of public spaces” throughout the city. Parks, sidewalks, alleys, nature areas, and land along freeways and near transit systems have well-established public purposes that don’t include residential living. Since the city doesn’t preserve public spaces for their intended uses, unhoused people live in those areas, evading difficult choices such as receiving treatment, moving to designated safe sites, going to jail, or moving to another town. Homelessness should never be a crime, but specific actions by an individual experiencing homelessness—or anyone else—should be crimes. That includes defecating in public, open drug use, littering, trespassing, assault, battery, and living on sidewalks and roadways. Residents of the Tenderloin—or any neighborhood—deserve a safe, clean community in which to raise their kids, where parks are used for recreation, not drug injection. That leaves the question of where unhoused people should go. Housing First addresses the symptom of homelessness but leaves the root causes of homelessness—personal trauma, substance abuse, mental-health issues, disaffiliation—largely untreated, with deadly consequences. From 2016 to 2021, 869 homeless people died in San Francisco, according to a 2022 study by medical researchers. The highest number of yearly deaths, 331, occurred during the peak of the Covid lockdowns, from March 2020 to March 2021, when people experiencing homelessness were shunted into their Housing First rooms. A full 82 percent of the 331 deaths were due to overdoses, the majority involving fentanyl, because underlying causes weren’t addressed. Without treatment, “Housing First” too often becomes ‘Death Second.’ In contrast, San Antonio, Texas, provides a proven compassionate model that focuses on the root causes of homelessness. Moreover, it can be scaled up relatively cheaply, compared to San Francisco’s approach. Haven for Hope, which opened in 2010, is the vision of San Antonio business leader Bill Greehey, who raised $103 million to build the nonprofit facility. Most of the money came from private sources, and the City of San Antonio donated the land. Haven for Hope is an integrated “one stop” 22-acre campus for the safe housing and treatment of homeless people in Bexar County. It collaborates with 183 partners, 70 of which are on-site, and it provides transportation to off-site providers. The 17-building complex offers a low-barrier emergency shelter called The Courtyard, where meals, showers, toilets, laundry, medical care, and case management services are provided. The complex also has a Transformational Campus of long-term housing with no time limit and individualized services for addiction recovery, mental-health care, life skills, and job training. The staff are well-trained, and around-the-clock security ensures the safety of the 1,700 residents and the surrounding neighborhoods. The operating budget for fiscal year 2021 was $24.7 million. Since 2010, more than 40,000 people have been helped at Haven for Hope. Almost 6,000 people have found permanent housing through the transformational program, with 92 percent remaining stable and housed after one year. Judges in Bexar County offer many individuals facing criminal charges who have mental-health or substance-abuse problems a choice: jail or a recovery program at Haven for Hope. Results for individuals entering Haven for Hope through courts are reportedly as good as those for individuals entering without court intervention. The results are impressive. In 2009, San Antonio and San Francisco had similar levels of homelessness, but during the decade that followed, the homeless population in San Antonio decreased 11 percent (including 77 percent fewer homeless downtown), while the homeless population in San Francisco surged nearly 80 percent. San Antonio is committed to getting people off the streets and into safe facilities dedicated to healing underlying traumas and tackling the true causes of homelessness through personalized treatment and job training. A similar commitment is needed in San Francisco. For starters, the State of California should donate the underused 62-acre Cow Palace for a Haven for Hope-style campus for San Francisco. It should be staffed by trained professionals who collaborate with nonprofit service providers with proven track records of success. Business leaders should raise private funds to build the facility. San Francisco should preserve its public spaces and revitalize its neighborhoods by directing people experiencing homelessness to designated, safe, state-of-the-art campuses that combine a low-barrier shelter with transitional housing and personalized treatment for substance abuse, mental illness, and job training. A campus is cheaper to build and scale than the permanent housing approach. Enforcement of the public purposes of public spaces must be consistent and citywide...

Abolish Fall Break – The Chronicle – Duke Chronicle https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/abolish-fall-break-the-chronicle-duke-chronicle/ The idea of Duke’s fall break has always perplexed me. Spring break makes sense; even though it isn’t usually positioned around Easter or another holiday, it marks pretty evenly the middle of the second semester, and gives a long enough pause from classes and assignments to do something. Whether that be to go somewhere, get ahead on your work or just relax for a while, spring break at least lets you breathe. Inherently, fall break isn’t a horrible idea, but in practice it falls rather short. For whatever reason we only get off about one total week of classes per semester, so the presence of a fall break makes Thanksgiving break shorter, giving students and faculty two mediocre pauses rather than one good one. Fall break’s justification is also its side effect: midterms. We have fall break to recover from the preceding midterms, but we have these midterms all at the same time because fall break is a natural barrier between segments of course material. With such a short break, even if you leave, your assignments don’t really pause. There’s a difference between having no class and having a break. Last year I stayed on campus for both fall and Thanksgiving breaks, because of COVID concerns and travel costs, and it looks like the same will be true of this semester. Staying on campus was obviously not as nice as visiting home or going on a short vacation might have been, but the actions of the university only made things worse. For example, there were not any on-campus dining options throughout Thanksgiving day, and very limited ones for the rest of the break. This year, I imagine there will be more of the same. On the First-Year Dining page, it says that freshmen will not get Marketplace swipes for dinner Friday, October 7th through breakfast Tuesday, October 11th, nor breakfast Wednesday, November 23rd through breakfast Sunday, November 27th. While this is nice for the Marketplace workers for getting a bit of a break as well, freshman staying here will have to figure out what to do about those missing meals; with the massive food inflation across campus, relying on food points won’t be a perfect solution. Here’s the thing: if you’re staying on campus for the breaks, there’s a reason for it. Maybe home is too far, maybe you can’t afford to go anywhere or maybe you just want a mental health break instead of a stressful half-week of travel. Not only can you not go anywhere while seeing many of your peers on fancy weekend trips or flying home to California for a long weekend, but you have to plan ahead for how to get food and navigate campus with limited facility hours and bus routes. Not to mention that every conversation before and after a break revolves around what you’re planning to do or did do. The icing on the cake is that parents’ weekend is a week after fall break, and I imagine there’s a lot of overlap between people staying here for the break and also not having their parents visit the next weekend. It’s a further reminder of the amount of privilege at Duke for the students whose families can’t justify visiting. The negatives of not leaving for breaks are compounded on the students who are already disadvantaged—the setup of the fall semester breaks is classist, to say the least. Since coming here, the whole academic calendar situation has confused me. Last summer was absurdly long—there were about seventeen weeks off, practically the entirety of May through August. All through that time, Duke was able to host, in addition to summer session, a wide variety of camps and programs for high schoolers willing to shell out whatever money Duke wanted to charge. The more time us students spend on campus, the less time anyone else can. I don’t know if this is why Duke tries to minimize the total time us students are here for the academic year, but it seems a tad suspicious. Why can’t we have two weeks off during the semesters and a fifteen-week summer? Staying here for fall break isn’t horrible—it is a piddly two days off, after all—but Thanksgiving is another story. Perhaps if we had a week-long Thanksgiving break—or even one week off for fall break and another for turkey day—it would feel worth it to fly home for the holiday, but it’s really hard to justify spending upwards of $400 to fly home for maybe three full days with my family. Especially since the majority of students at Duke do not live in North Carolina, the presence of such a short break doesn’t make the same amount of sense it does at a state school, like UNC, at which students could a lot more easily drive home for an extended weekend. Perhaps it’s a lazy institutional attempt to provide the appearance of caring about giving students a mental break, by implementing a practice that some other colleges have. I might understand the odd length more if it overlapped a holiday—perhaps Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, as a guest column suggested—or if they were days in addition to rather than subtracted from Thanksgiving break. Perhaps we could have a couple of random long weekends sprinkled throughout the semester, or start earlier, having winter break begin at Thanksgiving and end at New Years, with a week long fall break in the middle (although, knowing us, I fear too long of a break would lead to the necessity of “winternships”). Duke undeniably lives up to its work hard, play hard culture, but the presence of two tiny breaks goes a bit too far. We get time off, but nowhere near long enough to actually relax. If you travel, you’ll probably end up farther behind work-wise than you started. If you don’t, you feel the effects of a campus that doesn’t really want you there. If Duke wants to stick with the presence of two tiny breaks in the fall, they should provide resources for the students who don’t have much of a choice but to be here; at the very least they shouldn’t add to the food insecurity that so many students already feel. Otherwise, let’s make fall break an actual break or abolish it entirely. Heidi Smith is a Trinity junior. Her column runs on alternating Tuesdays. Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.

Business Beat: Daily Donut Opens In Spring Hill – Longview News-Journal https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/business-beat-daily-donut-opens-in-spring-hill-longview-news-journal/ Daily Donut opened in September at 4405 Gilmer Road, in the Spring Hill area. The restaurant is open 5 a.m.-8 p.m. daily, in a space attached to Panther Quick Stop. The restaurant also serves fried chicken, pho — or rice noodle soup — in different flavors, spring rolls and egg rolls, and sides such as fries, coleslaw, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese and fried okra. A variety of donuts, including cake donuts and sweet treats such as fried Oreos and fried apple pie round out the menu. LEDCO office in budget Wayne Mansfield Construction of a new office for the Longview Economic Development Corp. is proceeding on budget and without delays. LEDCO President and CEO Wayne Mansfield told his organization’s board of directors on Thursday that construction is “moving along pretty quickly.” Selection of carpet and other interior design elements will start next week, he said.  He said the project hasn’t had any issues getting necessary materials, and move-in will likely take place in the February-March time frame. LEDCO began construction on its new 5,000-square-foot office in May, at Whaley and Second streets, on the site where Longview High School was located from 1933-1976. The project has a $2 million budget. Massage therapy school  Massage tables are set up inside a new classroom for a massage school at Copper Tree Retreat and Med Spa in Longview. (Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo) Les Hassell Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo A new massage therapy school in downtown Longview has started enrolling students. Copper Tree Retreat: School of Massage could start offering classes toward the end of October or early November, depending on enrollment Copper Tree Retreat Massage and Med Spa opened on Fredonia Street in downtown Longview about 3 1/2 years ago. About a year ago, the business moved a few blocks away, into the former Chase bank building at Fredonia and South streets. Owners Hailey and Jason Davis renovated the building, and it opened in late 2021 with a retail boutique and new services. Now, the business is expanding again. “We decided to open a school upstairs,” Hailey Davis said. “We’ve been planning it probably for the last two years …” “There’s actually a big demand for massage therapy and massage therapists,” she continued, explaining that COVID-19 made it harder for students to finish massage therapy school because of all the restrictions when the virus first began circulating in 2020. “There were just not as many coming out of the schools.” For more information, call Copper Tree at (903) 230-1911 or visit the business at 116 E. South St. New owners for Tyler Grand Slam Family entertainment center Times Square Grand Slam in Tyler is now a part of Texas-based EVO Entertainment Group. The 65,000-square-foot center has been a locally owned business owned by the Howard Charba family. The center has been a popular location for birthday parties, with seven theater screens, more than 70 state-of-the-art arcade games, 22 bowling alleys, bi-level laser tag arena, virtual reality entertainment, all-ages ropes course, full restaurants and VIP bar access. — Business Beat appears Wednesday. If you have items for the column, email to newstip@newsjournal.com; mail to Business Section, Longview News-Journal, P.O. box 1792, Longview, TX 75606; or call (903) 237-7744.

Altoona Police Warn Of T-Shirt Scam | News, Sports, Jobs – Altoona Mirror https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/altoona-police-warn-of-t-shirt-scam-news-sports-jobs-altoona-mirror/ The Altoona Police Department is warning local residents about a T-shirt scam circulating on social media. The department is not selling T-shirts to the public and anyone who gets a text message about the sale should not attempt to purchase items on the website attached to the message, the department stated on its Facebook page Monday afternoon. The department said the T-shirt appears to include the APD patch logo, but it is a scam. Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox A duplicate Elvis Presley Jungle Room furniture set was reported stolen in Broad Top Township, Bedford … Doctors have a message for vaccine-weary Americans: Don’t skip your flu shot this fall — and seniors, ask for a … Grant applications are being accepted from area nonprofits that promote healthy living for youth and the community. … HOLLIDAYSBURG — A Blair County jury took about 45 minutes on Monday to convict an Altoona man of three … Altoona police are searching for a city man who allegedly stole a vehicle. Travis James Pfahler, 36, is wanted by … A state prison sentence imposed on a former Huntingdon County contractor charged with home improvement fraud has …

Both Devils, Dragons Will Be Seeing All Red In Finals – Altoona Mirror https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/both-devils-dragons-will-be-seeing-all-red-in-finals-altoona-mirror/ Central Cambria’s Marley Ratchford and Ella Persio will face Central’s Julia Ritchey and Ashlyn Renner in the District 6 Class 2A Girls Doubles Tennis championship match. The two duos both advanced with through the semifinals on Monday on the Herb Faris Courts at Mansion Park and will meet on the same court at noon Wednesday. Ratchford and Persio, the top seed, beat Centrals Adacyn James and Kate Dunn in the quarterfinals, 6-3, 6-3, and eliminated Westmont Hilltop’s Olivia Berish and Celina Hong in the semifinals, 6-1, 6-0. Ritchey and Renner, the No. 2 seed, beat CC’s Riley Baxter and Lydia Paskowski in the quarters, 6-4, 6-4, and Westmont’s Morgan Allen and Madison Podrebarac in the semis, 6-2, 6-4. The District 4-6 Class 3A doubles tournament will be held today through the semifinals. FIRST ROUND Adacyn James-Kate Dunn, Central, def. Ashlynn McKinney-Sarah Butina, Tyrone, 6-3, 6-3. Madison Sivi-Haylee Walyko, Richland, def. Morgan Guisler-Alissa Sentman, Huntingdon, 6-1, 6-2. Olivia Berish-Celina Hong, Westmont, def. Deanna Plummer-McKenzie Webb, Forest Hills, 6-1, 6-0. Julia Ritchey-Ashlyn Renner, Central, def. Haylee Dunlap-Abby Shawley, Richland, 6-1, 6-0. Riley Baxter-Lydia Paskowski, Central Cambria, def. Renee VanProoyen-Emma Witkamp, Tyrone, 6-3, 6-2. Morgan Allen-Madison Podrebarac, Westmont, def. Kennedy Williams-Ada Stapleton, Huntingdon, 6-0, 6-1. Ella McClellan-Lily Pearl Koelle, Bishop Guilfoyle, def. Kayla Weinzierl-Lucia Yuhas, Forest Hills, 6-2, 6-3. QUARTERFINALS Marley Ratchford-Ella Persio, Central Cambria, def. Adacyn James-Kate Dunn, Central, 6-3, 6-3. Olivia Berish-Celina Hong, Westmont, def., 4, Madison Sivi-Haylee Walyko, Richland, 2-6, 6-4, 6-0. Julia Ritchey-Ashlyn Renner, Central, def. Riley Baxter-Lydia Paskowski, Central Cambria, 6-4, 6-4. Morgan Allen-Madison Podrebarac, Westmont, def. Ella McClellan-Lily Pearl Koelle, Bishop Guilfoyle, 6-0, 6-1. SEMIFINALS Marley Ratchford-Ella Persio, Central Cambria, def. Olivia Berish-Celina Hong, Westmont, 6-1, 6-0. Julia Ritchey-Ashlyn Renner, Central, def. Morgan Allen-Madison Podrebarac, Westmont, 6-2, 6-4. CROSS COUNTRY CC sweeps Portage PORTAGE — The Central Cambria boys topped Portage, 15-46, and the CC girls won, 15-49, in high school girls cross country action on Monday. Aiden Lechleitner placed first for the CC boys with Evan George and Dom Kuntz following next, and CC’s Abigail George won the girls race, followed by Annaliese Niebauer and Alaina Sheehan. BOYS 1, Lechleitner, CC, 16:57.92; 2, George, CC, 17:04.38; 3, Kuntz, CC, 17:53.14; 4, Wilson, CC, 18:25.21; 5, Archangelo, CC, 18:58.01; 6, Corte, P, 19:06.12; 7, Gentile, P, 19:24.53; 8, Ray, CC, 19:38.23; 9, Hanik, North Star, 19:44.40; 10, Bradley, CC, 19:46.56. GIRLS 1, George, CC, 19:28.09; 2, Niebauer, CC, 19:33.30; 3, Al. Sheehan, CC, 19:49.78; 4, Brandis, CC, 19:59.28; 5, Ab. Sheehan, CC, 20:07.07; 6, Long, CC, 20:28.58; 7, Chobany, P, 21:01.25; 8, Link, CC, 21:51.91; 9, Ruddek, CC, 22:10.43; 10, Westrick, CC, 23:11.37. Records: Central Cambria boys (7-0), girls (7-0); Portage boys (5-7), girls (1-9). Junior high boys: Central Cambria, 16-47: 1, McConnell, CC, 9:15.46; 2, Illig, CC, 9:28.71; 3, Brannigan, CC, 9:36.14. Junior high girls: Central Cambria, 20-42: 1, White, P, 9:55.42; 2, Remillard, CC, 10:11.50; 3, Krumenacker, CC, 10:32.0. Adams leads Heights MORRISDALE — Zoe Adams ran to a first-place finish to help the Cambria Heights girls defeat West Branch, 17-44, in cross country action. Savannah Hoover, Josie McMullen and Emily Lowe finished 2-3-4 for the Heights girls. Noah Ryder placed first to help the West Branch boys earn a 20-35 win. Heights’ Brock Eckenrode was third. BOYS 1, Ryder, WB, 18:28; 2, Carr, WB, 18:30; 3, Eckenrode, CH, 18:33; 4, Alexander, WB, 19:47; 5, Hock, CH, 19:51; 6, Hurley, WB, 19:59; 7, Brown, WB, 21:02; 8, Delattre, CH, 21:32; 9, Hall, CH, 21:45; 10, Elias, CH, 22:35. GIRLS 1, Adams, CH, 21:52; 2, Hoover, CH, 23:46; 3, McMullen, CH, 24:40; 4, Lowe, CH, 25:00; 5, Petriskey, WB, 25:19; 6, Alexander, WB, 25:20; 7, Kutruff, CH, 28:22; 8, Farabaugh, CH, 29:08; 9, Hall, CH, 29:11; 10, Clary, CH, 29:14. Records: Cambria Heights boys (6-3), girls (5-4). Junior high boys: Cambria Heights, 11-25. Junior high girls: Cambria Heights, 10-26. Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox

PwC Hong Kong Signs Agreement With Metaverse Dev TerraZero Technologies – Crowdfund Insider – Crowdfund Insider https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/pwc-hong-kong-signs-agreement-with-metaverse-dev-terrazero-technologies-crowdfund-insider-crowdfund-insider/ PwC Hong Kong announces the signing of a collaboration agreement with TerraZero Technologies, Inc. With offices in Vancouver and Los Angeles, TerraZero brings together specialists and entrepreneurs “from blockchain, web3, design, programming, entertainment, marketing and finance backgrounds.” PwC and TerraZero are “devising a go-to-market strategy to help businesses across all sectors attain, reclaim and invite new audiences and to engage with them in new ways through immersive 3D experiences.” The two firms will “collaborate to market each other’s services to companies in Hong Kong looking to create experiences across a variety of metaverse platforms.­­­” PwC will “work with TerraZero to explore new ways in which companies can build privately hosted metaverse experiences.” These will “have the enterprise level safety, privacy and security features that big brands need in order to interact and transact with their customers in ways that build trust with users.” Peter Brewin, Partner, PwC Hong Kong, said: “In addition to creating engaging experiences for customers and delivering sustained outcomes, it is important that companies can manage the risks around user privacy, data security, cyber, payments, tax and financial crime. TerraZero’s solutions, combined with PwC’s digital expertise in these areas, provide a tool kit for businesses to build experiences that their users can trust.” Guy Parsonage, Partner, PwC Hong Kong, remarked: “This is a superb step into the metaverse for PwC Hong Kong and TerraZero together. It enables us to take full advantage of the amazing experiences that can be created with the technology.” TerraZero CEO Dan Reitzik added: “TerraZero’s strengths are in creating engagement, community and usability solutions which bridge the real world and the metaverse. We are particularly excited about both decentralised metaverse worlds and what TerraZero is creating for private environments: where companies, entrepreneurs, artists and content creators of all kinds can safely conduct transactions and KYC processes, manage their brand IP, and more – all within an environment which brands can completely control themselves. This is the vision we will follow as the metaverse continues to grow and major entities enter the space.” As noted in the update, TerraZero Technologies Inc. is “a vertically integrated metaverse development group and leading web3 technology company specializing in helping brands create immersive experiences.” The company’s metaverse-agnostic vision is “to develop and implement products and services with scalable commercial applications to flourish engagement across gamified experiences where enterprise- level businesses, metaverse platforms, and web3 creators can seamlessly bridge and actionably grow their virtual world and the physical world endeavours together as one.” TerraZero owns digital real estate “for brands to establish presence in existing virtual worlds and can also offer brands their own private worlds to provide offices and services to those interested in the metaverse.” Furthermore, TerraZero “acquires, designs, builds, and operates virtual assets and solutions to monetise the metaverse ecosystem.”

Dr. No Turns 60: The Quirky Bond Movie – Tilt Magazine https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/dr-no-turns-60-the-quirky-bond-movie-tilt-magazine/ Dr. No Turns 60: A Retrospective As James Bond says in 2015’s Spectre while ensnared in Ernst Stavro Blofeld’s Moroccan lair: Tempus fugit. October 5th, 2022 marks the 60th, yes, the 60th anniversary of the James Bond film franchise. Few series’ can claim to have lasted as long as that started by American producer Albert “Cubby” Broccoli and Canadian-born Harry Saltzman when they agreed to translate Ian Fleming’s novel, ”Dr. No,” from novel to screen. Many rivals have lasted a long time, but a significant portion of them, especially in the past couple of decades, go dormant for several years, only to resurface after an extended hibernation. Bond, on the other hand, consistently produces content. Dr. No (DN) premiered at the London Pavilion and started the series that as recently as one year ago saw its 25th outing, No Time to Die, roar across movie screens internationally.  The logical thought process when looking back at the relatively modest franchise premier is to highlight the ingredients that would eventually become series mainstays. Directed by Terrence Young, starring Sean Connery as Bond, Ursula Andress as Honey Rider, and Joseph Wiseman as the eponymous antagonist, the original 007 cinematic adventure is certainly infused with stylistic and storytelling decisions that make up tried, tested, and true Bondian DNA. The suaveness, the international intrigue, the women, the guns, the action, etc. Since it was the filmmaker’s first effort at adapting Ian Fleming’s literary hero, they hadn’t honed a style. Furthermore, given that DN is from 1962, it stands to reason that some filmmaking techniques differed back then.  Credit: EON/DANJAQ To celebrate Dr. No’s 60th anniversary, Tilt Magazine looks back at the film’s more peculiar and unique qualities. What are some of the things that make it stand apart, either because the template hadn’t been ironed out or simply because movies were different back in the 60s? Starting With a Bang Pre-title Sequence Bond fans, casual and ardent alike, love watching the first few minutes of a new 007 adventure. After James Bond walks across the screen in a while little dot (a graphical representation of a gun’s barrel, hence the terminology of “gunbarrel scene”) and shoots in the audience’s direction, blood trickles down and viewers are whisked to an undisclosed mission. From there, audiences are treated to some action and fun before the film’s proper story begins. In Bond parlance, this is referred to as the pre-title sequence (as in: “rank the Bond pre-title sequences”). Credit: EON/DANJAQ DN plays its cards differently, if only because director Young and company had no template to work from. Simply put, there is no pre-title sequence. Seconds after the blood starts oozing from the top of the screen, the famous James Bond theme erupts and the credits are showcased in colourfully kaleidoscopic fashion courtesy of Maurice Binder. It wouldn’t be until the next movie, From Russia with Love, that 007 films would begin with a thrilling action scene. Two Actors Playing Bond? That’s right. There are two actors seen on screen playing James Bond in DN. In fact, Sean Connery is the second actor in the movie to play the part. This isn’t a cheat. The man portraying Bond in the aforementioned gunbarrel scene is not the famed Scotsman. Rather, his stunt double Bob Simmons walks right to left before firing at his would-be assassin.  Title Song Singer Traditionally Bond films get a popular music artist to belt out a ballad or rock tune that accompanies the opening credits, making the experience feel like its own music video of sorts. As previously established, it is the main Bond theme everyone knows that blasts on the soundtrack. If that wasn’t enough, there are no fewer than three tracks that play over the credits. The Bond theme eventually fades out, replaced with some Jamaican dance music, which itself fades into a calypso rendition of Three Blind Mice! Soak in the Local Flavour Jamaican Rhythm In the laundry list of ingredients that should feature in a Bond adventure is travel to exotic, sexy locations, or very dangerous locations. Missions of the past few decades have taken the British super spy to multiple locations per film. The last time Bond went head-to-head with his foes in as few as two places was in 1989’s Licence to Kill. That was 32 years ago.  Back in the franchise’s youth, the filmmakers took 007 to a single international territory. For DN, the adventure is set in Jamaica, which was where Fleming had set the novel’s story, in addition to where the author spent his winters writing the books. This lends the early movies a different tone and especially a different pace from the ones that followed in the 80s onwards. Can anyone really attest to having a solid feel for Bregenz after watching Quantum of Solace? The same cannot be said of Jamaica, which is where 80% of the first movie takes place. Keeping the British End up It’s not only the fact that viewers get to soak in the warm Jamaican sun and its beaches when enjoying DN. The country earned its independence in August of 1962, even though it’s still officially a member of the Commonwealth. Keep in mind that the film was shot in the winter of ’62. When Terence Young and his crew completed their on-location work, Jamaica was still months away from its big day. As such, there are plenty of references to the island’s status as a British colony. People play bridge at the Queen’s Club, and Bond’s contact at the Governor’s House is a typically polite, astute, Caucasian fellow who speaks in the Queen’s eloquent English.  The Home Team The Quartermaster Few scenes in Bond movies are as beloved as those when the protagonist and his famous gadget man, Q, banter back and forth as the exasperated Quartermaster (hence, Q) tries his best to make Bond concentrate and understand how to operate his newfangled weapons. All the 007 actors have had tremendous chemistry with their respective Q counterparts, including Daniel Craig with Ben Wishaw. First-time viewers may be surprised to discover that no character dubbed “Q” appears in DN. Instead, there is an armourer played by Peter Burton. At M’s request, he hands James the now famous Walther PPK, replacing the secret agent’s preferred Beretta. There is no banter between the two. In fact, the scene plays out very much as if the weapons specialist and 007 hardly know each other at all.  Credit: EON/DANJAQ Working for MI7 Which fan of the series does not know that James Bond, agent 007, works for His Majesty’s Secret Service, aka the Secret Intelligence Service, aka MI6? Well, apparently that’s not the case in DN. Bernard Lee’s M very clearly states that he is head of MI7 while briefing Bond on his Caribbean-bound mission. Very little information is available to us that would explain exactly why the number 7 is used instead of 6. Of note, there was, at least for a brief while, such a department as MI7 in British Intelligence.  Bond, James Bond You Know My Name Ah yes, the famous line that marked in cinematic history. Few character introductions are as iconic as the strange way in which agent 007 introduces himself. Surname, then given name followed by surname once more. The way in which it’s said for the first time ever is not only superbly cool for its 1960s, smoky casino setting (with the Bond theme playing), but for the context in which the line is delivered.  It’s a detail one might not realize until they’ve seen the film multiple times or have it pointed out to them. Everyone gets so excited when Sean Connery says “Bond, James Bond” whilst lighting his cigarette, many forget he is replicating the way his soon-to-be girlfriend says her name. The woman seated across the chemin de fer table, played by Eunice Gayson, is told by un unseen Bond that, given her losses, her courage is admired, Ms…? “Trench, Sylvia Trench. I admire your luck, Mr…?” You know the rest.  Credit: EON/DANJAQ Absent Aston It seems like in nearly every new film agent 007 gets to ride his beloved grey 1964 Aston Martin DB5. The brand and that model are synonymous with the film franchise to the point where, as beautifully crafted as the luxury vehicle is, few would complain if Bond drove something else in the next iteration. Bond doesn’t do much driving in DN. The one time he’s behind the wheel, he evades pursuers in a 1961 Alpine Sunbeam. A sporty, cool-looking little car with an open roof, it’s a great machine to joyride Jamaica in. It doesn’t hold the iconic status of the DB5, nor is it tricked out with any optional extras, unless one considers Bond’s extraordinary driving skills as a gadget.  A Super Spy’s Living Quarters Few of the films take viewers into the hero’s personal home in London. After all, Bond is a man of action, someone constantly called upon to save Britain and civilization as we know it. Given that most of the films open with 007 mid-mission, then a briefing with his chief M, followed by international intrigue and explosions, it is forgivable for not even thinking about what Bond’s home looks like.  Credit: EON/DANJAQ Of the 25 canonical entries, the protagonist is seen in his London living quarters only three times, the first being in DN. It’s a handsomely decorated flat, at least from what viewers are privy to. The scene comes early in the film after Bond leaves M’s office. Only the entrance hall and what looks to be a living room are visible, but they have a relatively homely feel about them.  Gadget Counter Some people can’t get enough of 007’s arsenal of gadgets, while others prefer films in which the secret agent relies on his wits more so than easy technological cheats. The latter group can rest easy with the original 1962 picture, as Bond is equipped exclusively with a Geiger counter. Not even one hidden in his watc...

How Worried Are Ethereum Devs About Safety At Devcon Bogotá? – Decrypt https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/how-worried-are-ethereum-devs-about-safety-at-devcon-bogota-decrypt/ Cadres of crypto developers began trickling into Bogotá, Colombia, on Monday in anticipation of Devcon, the Ethereum Foundation’s marquee global conference, which is set to kick off next week in the South American nation’s capital city.  But according to reports, some of crypto’s leading digital builders may already be second-guessing those travel plans. Twitter buzzed early Monday with rumors of Devcon attendees being robbed and experiencing other safety issues after arriving in Bogotá. On Monday morning, Polygon co-founder Sandeep Nailwal tweeted that he would no longer be attending Devcon “due to safety concerns.”  Source: Twitter Nailwal has since deleted the tweet, and did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Decrypt clarifying why he deleted the comment or whether he would still be attending the conference.  Ethereum core developers, meanwhile, largely dismissed the rumors swirling Monday as sensationalized and consistent with what travelers to the region should reasonably expect.  “I don’t think [the safety issue] is as bad as people are saying,” Ethereum core developer Terence Tsao told Decrypt. “I think all these people getting mugged aren’t exercising common sense,” said Ethereum core developer Raul Jordan to Decrypt.  Jordan confirmed he’d already heard multiple accounts of Devcon attendees getting mugged upon arrival in Bogotá, but emphasized that these individuals had all made themselves into “huge targets” by “trusting strangers, wearing bright clothing, big backpacks, and shorts, and […] taking phone calls in public,” among other missteps. having thousands of rich eth holders all fly to bogota for ethereum devcon, with their nerdy unicorn tshirts and their private keys on laptops and phones and usb devices, must be the stupidest thing the ethereum foundation has ever done and that’s saying a lot — Udi Wertheimer (@udiWertheimer) October 3, 2022 Devcon’s site advises all conference attendees to follow the Colombian practice of “No des papaya,” which translates to “not giving a papaya”—a local expression that means avoid making yourself an obvious target. The site lists tips such as avoiding wearing flashy items, leaving valuables at home, and abstaining from walking in public with phones and laptops.  Marius Van Der Wijden, another Ethereum core developer, told Decrypt that he plans “to travel very light” and mitigate risks by purchasing a burner phone for the trip. He expects other developers will likely follow suit.  It’s unclear whether the conference attendees thus far targeted were unaware of these warnings; Jordan felt the Ethereum Foundation’s obligation to warn Devcon attendees was besides the point.  “I think people should do their research on the safety of any region in the world they are visiting,” Jordan said.  One crypto-specific twist to standard travel precautions in the case of Devcon appears to be the necessity of avoiding wearing apparel donned with the logos of crypto companies and organizations, a common practice at promotion-heavy conferences. Avoid looking like an easy target: – Wearing expensive jewelry – Bringing all your cash with you in your pocket – Carrying your laptop if you know you’re going to be walking around all day – Walking around with your iPhone in your back pocket or hand – Wearing crypto clothes — cami ᵍᵐ (@camiinthisthang) October 3, 2022 Heard someone from the Solana eng team got robbed at Bogota airport (they were wearing Solana merch lmao). Think ETH devs should value safety for me bringing no crypto stuff at all. Picking up and new laptop and phone tomorrow. Taking zero chances. — McKenna (@Crypto_McKenna) October 3, 2022 Apparently, a Solana shirt is, by local standards, a papaya. Stay on top of crypto news, get daily updates in your inbox.

Australia Stocks Jump After Smaller-Than-Expected Rate Hike; Asia Markets Rise – CNBC https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/australia-stocks-jump-after-smaller-than-expected-rate-hike-asia-markets-rise-cnbc/ Pedestrians wearing face masks walk past a monitor displaying the Nikkei 225 index on February 25 in Tokyo, Japan. Tomohiro Ohsumi | Getty Images Asia-Pacific shares traded higher on Tuesday after stocks on Wall Street rallied overnight. The Nikkei 225 in Japan rose 2.79% in early trade, and the Topix index was 2.99% higher. South Korea’s Kospi advanced 2.44% on its return to trade after a holiday. The Kosdaq added 2.86%. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan gained 1.58%. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 jumped 3.63%. The Reserve Bank of Australia raised its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points. Markets in mainland China and Hong Kong are closed for a holiday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average popped 765.38 points, or nearly 2.7%, to close at 29,490.89. The S&P 500 advanced about 2.6% to 3,678.43. The Nasdaq Composite added nearly 2.3% to end at 10,815.43. It was the best day since June 24 for the Dow, and the S&P 500′s the best day since July 27. — CNBC’s Tanaya Macheel and Samantha Subin contributed to this report. Australia’s rate hike will help balance demand and supply: RBA statement The Reserve Bank of Australia said its rate hike of 25 basis points will “help achieve a more sustainable balance of demand and supply” in the nation’s economy. The central bank said it expects to continue increasing rates over the period ahead. It also noted that Australia’s unemployment rate is at its lowest in almost 50 years and said an increase in the rate is expected with slowing economic growth. –Jihye Lee Australia’s central bank raises interest rates by 25 basis points The Reserve Bank of Australia raised its benchmark interest rates by 25 basis points to 2.60%, missing expectations forecasted by economists in a Reuters poll. RBA’s board members had said “the case for a slower pace of increase in interest rates as becoming stronger,” according to minutes from its meeting in September. This is the sixth consecutive move by the central bank in its attempt to control inflationary pressures in the economy. The Australian dollar was down 0.8% at $0.64625 against the greenback shortly after the decision. –Jihye Lee South Korea, Japan defense stocks rise following North’s missile test South Korea’s Naver slips more than 4% on Poshmark deal announcement Shares of Naver fell in early trade after the South Korean internet giant said Monday it would buy U.S. e-retailer Poshmark for around $1.2 billion. Naver’s stock dropped 4.65%, compared to a rise of 1.34% on the broader Kospi index. Poshmark shares jumped around 14% overnight in the U.S. after the announcement. — Abigail Ng CNBC Pro: Want a ‘defensive move’ with up to 5% return? Buy this fund, says strategist It’s been a volatile year for both stocks and bonds, with major Wall Street indexes just ending their worst month since March 2020, and Treasury yields remaining elevated. However David Dietze, chief investment strategist at Point View Wealth Management, says “pockets of opportunity” still exist. “Short-term defensive measures probably are warranted,” Dietze told CNBC’s “Street Signs Asia” on Monday, and named his favorite fund to play the market right now. Pro subscribers can read more here. — Weizhen Tan Australia’s central bank expected to hike rates by 50 basis points: Reuters poll A Reuters poll of economists expects the Reserve Bank of Australia to hike its benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points to 2.85%. RBA’s board members said the case for a slower pace of rate hikes was growing, according to minutes from its Sept. 6 meeting, when it raised its interest rate by 50 basis points. Analysts at Nomura are expecting the central bank to raise rates by 40 basis points, “to convey the view of RBA nearing the end of upsized hikes.” Economists at Commonwealth Bank Australia see a higher chance for a 25-basis-point hike than a 50-basis-point hike. –Jihye Lee CNBC Pro: Here’s what’s next for stocks, according to Wall Street pros September is finally behind us, much to the relief of many equity investors who endured a difficult month, with all major U.S. indexes posted steep losses. With a historically weak month now firmly in the rearview mirror, what is the outlook for stocks as we enter into the fourth quarter of the year? CNBC Pro combed through the research to find out what Wall Street thinks. Pro subscribers can read more here. — Zavier Ong

Learning On The Edge | MIT News | Massachusetts Institute Of Technology – MIT News https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/learning-on-the-edge-mit-news-massachusetts-institute-of-technology-mit-news/ Microcontrollers, miniature computers that can run simple commands, are the basis for billions of connected devices, from internet-of-things (IoT) devices to sensors in automobiles. But cheap, low-power microcontrollers have extremely limited memory and no operating system, making it challenging to train artificial intelligence models on “edge devices” that work independently from central computing resources. Training a machine-learning model on an intelligent edge device allows it to adapt to new data and make better predictions. For instance, training a model on a smart keyboard could enable the keyboard to continually learn from the user’s writing. However, the training process requires so much memory that it is typically done using powerful computers at a data center, before the model is deployed on a device. This is more costly and raises privacy issues since user data must be sent to a central server. To address this problem, researchers at MIT and the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab developed a new technique that enables on-device training using less than a quarter of a megabyte of memory. Other training solutions designed for connected devices can use more than 500 megabytes of memory, greatly exceeding the 256-kilobyte capacity of most microcontrollers (there are 1,024 kilobytes in one megabyte). The intelligent algorithms and framework the researchers developed reduce the amount of computation required to train a model, which makes the process faster and more memory efficient. Their technique can be used to train a machine-learning model on a microcontroller in a matter of minutes. This technique also preserves privacy by keeping data on the device, which could be especially beneficial when data are sensitive, such as in medical applications. It also could enable customization of a model based on the needs of users. Moreover, the framework preserves or improves the accuracy of the model when compared to other training approaches. “Our study enables IoT devices to not only perform inference but also continuously update the AI models to newly collected data, paving the way for lifelong on-device learning. The low resource utilization makes deep learning more accessible and can have a broader reach, especially for low-power edge devices,” says Song Han, an associate professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), a member of the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab, and senior author of the paper describing this innovation. Joining Han on the paper are co-lead authors and EECS PhD students Ji Lin and Ligeng Zhu, as well as MIT postdocs Wei-Ming Chen and Wei-Chen Wang, and Chuang Gan, a principal research staff member at the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab. The research will be presented at the Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems. Han and his team previously addressed the memory and computational bottlenecks that exist when trying to run machine-learning models on tiny edge devices, as part of their TinyML initiative. Lightweight training A common type of machine-learning model is known as a neural network. Loosely based on the human brain, these models contain layers of interconnected nodes, or neurons, that process data to complete a task, such as recognizing people in photos. The model must be trained first, which involves showing it millions of examples so it can learn the task. As it learns, the model increases or decreases the strength of the connections between neurons, which are known as weights. The model may undergo hundreds of updates as it learns, and the intermediate activations must be stored during each round. In a neural network, activation is the middle layer’s intermediate results. Because there may be millions of weights and activations, training a model requires much more memory than running a pre-trained model, Han explains. Han and his collaborators employed two algorithmic solutions to make the training process more efficient and less memory-intensive. The first, known as sparse update, uses an algorithm that identifies the most important weights to update at each round of training. The algorithm starts freezing the weights one at a time until it sees the accuracy dip to a set threshold, then it stops. The remaining weights are updated, while the activations corresponding to the frozen weights don’t need to be stored in memory. “Updating the whole model is very expensive because there are a lot of activations, so people tend to update only the last layer, but as you can imagine, this hurts the accuracy. For our method, we selectively update those important weights and make sure the accuracy is fully preserved,” Han says. Their second solution involves quantized training and simplifying the weights, which are typically 32 bits. An algorithm rounds the weights so they are only eight bits, through a process known as quantization, which cuts the amount of memory for both training and inference. Inference is the process of applying a model to a dataset and generating a prediction. Then the algorithm applies a technique called quantization-aware scaling (QAS), which acts like a multiplier to adjust the ratio between weight and gradient, to avoid any drop in accuracy that may come from quantized training. The researchers developed a system, called a tiny training engine, that can run these algorithmic innovations on a simple microcontroller that lacks an operating system. This system changes the order of steps in the training process so more work is completed in the compilation stage, before the model is deployed on the edge device. “We push a lot of the computation, such as auto-differentiation and graph optimization, to compile time. We also aggressively prune the redundant operators to support sparse updates. Once at runtime, we have much less workload to do on the device,” Han explains. A successful speedup Their optimization only required 157 kilobytes of memory to train a machine-learning model on a microcontroller, whereas other techniques designed for lightweight training would still need between 300 and 600 megabytes. They tested their framework by training a computer vision model to detect people in images. After only 10 minutes of training, it learned to complete the task successfully. Their method was able to train a model more than 20 times faster than other approaches. Now that they have demonstrated the success of these techniques for computer vision models, the researchers want to apply them to language models and different types of data, such as time-series data. At the same time, they want to use what they’ve learned to shrink the size of larger models without sacrificing accuracy, which could help reduce the carbon footprint of training large-scale machine-learning models. “AI model adaptation/training on a device, especially on embedded controllers, is an open challenge. This research from MIT has not only successfully demonstrated the capabilities, but also opened up new possibilities for privacy-preserving device personalization in real-time,” says Nilesh Jain, a principal engineer at Intel who was not involved with this work. “Innovations in the publication have broader applicability and will ignite new systems-algorithm co-design research.” “On-device learning is the next major advance we are working toward for the connected intelligent edge. Professor Song Han’s group has shown great progress in demonstrating the effectiveness of edge devices for training,” adds Jilei Hou, vice president and head of AI research at Qualcomm. “Qualcomm has awarded his team an Innovation Fellowship for further innovation and advancement in this area.” This work is funded by the National Science Foundation, the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab, the MIT AI Hardware Program, Amazon, Intel, Qualcomm, Ford Motor Company, and Google.

China’s Gaming Market Sextuples In Size In 10 Years – Yicai Global https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/chinas-gaming-market-sextuples-in-size-in-10-years-yicai-global/ (Yicai Global) Sept. 28 — China has become a major gaming consumer and producer in the ten years since 2011. The country’s gaming market has sextupled in that decade and the number of gaming firms has jumped by around 70-fold. China’s gaming market is likely to log revenue of USD50.2 billion this year, just behind the US with USD50.5 billion, according to a forecast released in May by Dutch market research firm Newzoo. The world’s gaming market is likely to be worth USD203.1 billion. China has over 390,000 game developers, around 70-times more than a decade ago, according to corporate data provider Tianyancha. China is already the world’s largest mobile game market. Chinese gaming developers, led by Tencent Holdings and NetEase, take up around 20 percent of the global market excluding China, and the figure is still rising, according to data science analyst data.ai. Tencent and NetEase were the biggest grossing game publishers on Apple’s App Store and Google Play last year, according to Data.ai. TikTok operator ByteDance ranked seventh, while miHoYo and 37 Interactive Entertainment also made the top 30. Chinese game developers are seizing a growing share of overseas markets, indicating that they are competitive, said Liu Wuhua, chief executive director of Yangfanchuhai and former editor-in-chief of Sina Games Channel. Mobile games will take up a greater share of the world’s gaming market as mobile games will be the first games that young people play, Mao Yanhui, head of Moonton Games’ e-sports business and overseas branch, told Yicai Global. This is a big trend in the gaming market and it is where Chinese game makers’ strengths lie. Editors: Shi Yi, Kim Taylor

Reports: Migrant Flights’ Mysterious Recruiter Identified – The Associated Press – En Español https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/reports-migrant-flights-mysterious-recruiter-identified-the-associated-press-en-espanol/ SAN ANTONIO (AP) — The mysterious woman who allegedly lured dozens of migrants on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ flights to Martha’s Vineyard from San Antonio has been identified by several media outlets as Perla H. Huerta, a former combat medic and U.S. Army counterintelligence agent living in Tampa. The New York Times reported late Sunday that a Venezuelan migrant who was working with Huerta to recruit migrants confirmed her identity, and a migrant in San Antonio whom Huerta had unsuccessfully sought to sign up identified a photo of her. CNN reported that a friend of Huerta confirmed her identity in a photo provided by a migrant. Pictures have been circulating of the woman — until now known simply as “Perla” — after she allegedly recruited many of the 48 Venezuelan migrants outside a city-operated shelter in downtown San Antonio and moved them at a La Quinta Inn, before they were flown to the upscale Massachusetts island at the expense of Florida taxpayers. The San Antonio Express-News, citing unnamed sources, reported Monday that the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, which includes San Antonio, considers Huerta, 43, a “person of interest” in its criminal investigation into the incident. Sheriff’s office spokesman Johnny Garcia said in a statement Monday the office had not confirmed or identified any persons of interest in the ongoing investigation. Asked about Huerta, Garcia had told the Express-News, “We are not publicly identifying anybody.” The Associated Press tried numerous phone numbers and emails for potential matches for Perla H. Huerta or possible relatives, and got no answer or the lines were disconnected. Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar has said he’s looking into whether the migrants were lied to or if the two flights last month broke any laws. Some migrants have said they were enticed with McDonald’s gift cards and promises of jobs and housing that never materialized. U.S. Army spokesperson Madison Bonzo confirmed to the AP that a Perla H. Huerta left the military in August and served as a combat medic and worked in counterintelligence. She held the rank of master sergeant when she left the service and had deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and Djibouti. DeSantis said he used contractors for the operation, but he has refused to release details or the contracts.

The Big Duck Enjoys Top Billing As A Quirky Roadside Attraction – WTVD-TV https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/the-big-duck-enjoys-top-billing-as-a-quirky-roadside-attraction-wtvd-tv/ FLANDERS, NY — At the dawn of the Great Depression, Long Island duck farmer Martin Maurer and his wife, Jeule, were on a road trip and enjoyed a cup of Joe inside a big coffee pot. They decided, the story goes, that if the world can have a big coffee pot, then it really needs a big duck, and that they’d be the ones to provide us all with it. And so in 1931 was born one of the quirkiest and most influential roadside attractions in American history. The Big Duck measures 20 feet tall, 18 feet wide, and 30 feet long. It’s held together by a wood frame, wire mesh, white stucco cement – and 91 years of love, courtesy of countless caretakers and visitors. The duck’s red eyes come from the tail lights of a Ford Model T. This was the Great Depression, and it paid to be practical. To say that the Big Duck remains a popular tourist destination is not to do it justice. A visit to the Big Duck isn’t just a stop on a vacation itinerary or a side trip during a weekend stay in the Hamptons. Making your way to the Big Duck on Long Island’s East End takes some doing. It’s a pilgrimage, something people do because they hear about it and resolve to witness it for themselves. The Big Duck was made for bucket lists. That’s what a couple and their daughter told ABC’s Localish recently as they took in the splendor of the Big Duck, on Route 24 in Flanders, New York. They’d seen it in a book years ago, and now, they were finally seeing it in person. The Big Duck is a holdover of a time when the East End had dozens of duck farms. There’s only one left today, and it’s not the Big Duck. The only ducks you’ll find being sold from inside its belly these days are of the souvenir variety, but the main draw at the Big Duck has long been the joyful architecture. Visitors to the Big Duck will likely meet Janice Jay Young, but she’s not just ringing up your T-shirt and mug at the cash register. Young has an encyclopedic knowledge about the Big Duck and is one of its proudest promoters. As visitors come in, and they trickle in all day, from far and wide, she’s ready with a compressed but compelling history of the Big Duck. She talks about the Maurer family, who had the pluck to build the duck. She’ll talk about how this peripatetic Pekin, which first settled in nearby Riverhead, moved a few times over the years, until finally nesting, presumably for good, back in its longtime home of Flanders, at the Big Duck Ranch. She’ll talk about the campaign in the 1980s to save it, after the duck farm closed. She’ll point to a collage on the wall with dozens of photos, postcards and articles about other examples of programmatic architecture – those big coffee pots, big tea kettles, big fish, big ketchup bottles that sprang up across America decades ago, when road trips ruled and plane flights were for the fancy – or were still just flights of fancy. Richard Martin, director of Historic Services at the Suffolk County Parks Department, explains the term “duck” stuck as a way of describing this kind of architecture – buildings designed to look like the product they sold, hoping to lure motorists off the road to spend a few bucks and maybe snap a picture or two. As the owner of the duck, Suffolk County is charged with caring for it, with help from Friends of the Big Duck. The land the duck sits on belongs to the Town of Southampton, and is protected from development. People will be able to visit the duck and the surrounding ranch in perpetuity. Young said the duck means so much more to locals here in Flanders. In this hamlet, The Big Duck is the center of their community. “Flanders is kind of a no man’s land. You know, we’re the western part of Southampton Town. And sometimes we just feel a little forgotten here. So there’s no bank, there’s no post office, there’s no Zip Code. You know, we actually have no grocery store,” Young explains. Flanders does have something nobody else has, she points out. “We do have a Big Duck.” Copyright © 2022 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Governor Again Suspends Georgia Gas Taxes Into Mid-November – 69News WFMZ-TV https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/governor-again-suspends-georgia-gas-taxes-into-mid-november-69news-wfmz-tv/ ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia’s governor is extending the suspension of the state’s motor fuel tax through Nov. 11. Gov. Brian Kemp on Monday signed an executive order extending the suspension for a fifth time, meaning the suspension will be in place through the Nov. 8 election when Kemp, a Republican, seeks another term against Democrat Stacey Abrams. Kemp previously signed a law in March that passed with broad bipartisan support, suspending the state’s gas tax through May 31. Kemp signed additional extensions in May, July, August and September. The order also suspends the state sales tax on train locomotive fuel. Under state law, Kemp can suspend taxes as long as state lawmakers ratify the action the next time they meet. Georgia’s gasoline price normally includes a federal tax of 18.4 cents per gallon and a state tax of 29.1 cents per gallon. A number of counties and the city of Atlanta also charge taxes. Federal taxes on diesel fuel are 24.4 cents per gallon, while Georgia’s tax on diesel is 32.6 cents per gallon. Kemp’s extension comes as gas prices begin to creep up after hitting recent lows last month. According to motorist group AAA, the average price for a gallon of regular gas in Georgia was $3.17 on Monday. That’s down about 17 cents in a month, but up about a nickel from a week ago. While the national average is now $3.80, Georgia is one of eight states in the South, with average gas prices below $3.25 a gallon. Gas prices in Georgia remain 18 cents a gallon above where they were a year ago. A gallon of diesel fuel is averaging $4.57 a gallon, down 17 cents in the last month. The suspension costs the state more than $150 million a month in tax revenue, with Kemp estimating the amount of forgone tax revenue at $800 million so far. Kemp plans to backfill the money for road building using some of the $6.6 billion in state surplus. Kemp, who has blamed President Joe Biden for inflation and high gas prices, seeks to tie Abrams to the unpopular president. Abrams has called for Kemp to commit to suspending the gas tax through the end of the year. The price of oil has risen dramatically around the world since Russian President Vladimir Putin began amassing troops on Ukraine’s border and then invaded the eastern European country. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

First Lady DeWine And ODNR Director Mertz Open Newest Storybook Trail At Salt Fork State Park | Governor Mike DeWine – Governor Mike DeWine https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/first-lady-dewine-and-odnr-director-mertz-open-newest-storybook-trail-at-salt-fork-state-park-governor-mike-dewine-governor-mike-dewine/ (LORE CITY, Ohio)—Through a partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio, Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine and Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Director Mary Mertz officially opened the 20th Storybook Trail in the Ohio State Park System at Salt Fork State Park in Guernsey County today.  The trail creates a unique opportunity to improve childhood literacy, develop an appreciation for nature, and encourage healthy living. “I encourage families to bring their children to our newest Storybook Trail at Salt Fork or check out another Storybook Trail elsewhere throughout Ohio,” First Lady Fran DeWine said.  “Early reading is so very important for the best development of kids.  And as I’ve found with my own grandkids, reading an Imagination Library book while on a beautiful park trail elevates the experience.” Salt Fork State Park is full of stunning landscapes of forested hills, open meadows, and beautiful stream-filled valleys. The park features two marinas with eight launch ramps, a challenging trail system, the historic Kennedy Stone house, and a top-rated 18-hole golf course. The new Storybook Trail features “Wonder Walkers” by Micha Archer. The picture book follows two young explorers who venture outdoors and create their own story about Earth. “We are proud to partner with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio to give children and their families access to these wonderful stories,” ODNR Director Mary Mertz said.  “Storybook Trails encourage children to love books and inspire a curiosity about the natural world for our next generation of conservationists.” A donation from the Guernsey County Library through the Ohio State Parks Foundation made the Storybook Trail at Salt Fork State Park possible.  For more information about the Ohio State Parks Foundation and to support their work, please visit ohiostateparksfoundation.org. ODNR launched the Storybook Trail program in 2019 and partnered with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio in 2020. There are currently 20 half-mile Storybook Trails located at state parks throughout Ohio, each with child-height panels featuring pages of a children’s book and an activity to accompany the text on the page.  Learn more about Ohio’s Storybook Trails and where you can find them here. There are currently 355,340 children enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio, which provides one free book every month to children enrolled in the program from birth to age five. To learn more about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio and how to participate, visit OhioImaginationLibrary.org.

Sports Planner For Tuesday – The Republic https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/sports-planner-for-tuesday-the-republic/ COMING UP Indianapolis Colts Thursday at Broncos, 8:15 p.m. (Prime Video) Oct. 16 vs. Jaguars, 1 p.m. (CBS) Oct. 23 at Titans, 1 p.m. (CBS) Indiana University football Saturday vs. Michigan, Noon (FOX) Oct. 15 vs. Maryland, Noon (TBA) Oct. 22 at Rutgers, Noon (TBA) Purdue football Saturday at Maryland, Noon (BTN) Oct. 15 vs. Nebraska, Noon (TBA) Oct. 22 at Wisconsin, 3:30 p.m. (TBA) Notre Dame football Saturday at BYU, 7:30 p.m. (NBC/Peacock) Oct. 15 vs. Stanford, 7:30 p.m. (NBC/Peacock) Oct. 22 vs. UNLV, 2:30 p.m. (Peacock) Cincinnati Reds Today vs. Cubs, 6:40 p.m. (Bally Sports Indiana) Wednesday vs. Cubs, 4:10 p.m. (Bally Sports Indiana) Indy Eleven Saturday vs. Charleston Battery, 7 p.m. (ESPN+/WNDY) Oct. 15 at Birmingham Legion FC, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN+) NASCAR Sunday at Charlotte, N.C., 2 p.m. (NBC) Oct. 16 at Las Vegas, 2:30 p.m. (NBC) Oct. 23 at Homestead-Miami, 2:30 p.m. (NBC) HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS TODAY Volleyball Hauser at Edinburgh, 6 p.m. Columbus East at Madison, 7:15 p.m. Columbus North at Bloomington South, 7:15 p.m. Jennings County at Jeffersonville, 7:15 p.m. Boys soccer Columbus East vs. Columbus North in Roncalli Sectional, 7:30 p.m. Girls soccer Trinity Lutheran vs. Southwestern (Hanover) in Trinity Sectional, 5:30 p.m. Boys tennis Columbus North vs. Southwestern (Hanover) in Bloomington South Regional, 5:45 p.m. SPORTS ON TV TODAY College golf The Blessings Collegiate Invitational: Second Round, 4:30 p.m. (Golf Channel) Men’s college soccer Maryland at Rutgers, 7 p.m. (BTN) MLB Yankees at Rangers (Game 1), 2 p.m. (MLB) Phillies at Astros, 8 p.m. (TBS) NBA Cubs at Reds, 6:30 p.m. (Bally Sports Indiana) Preseason: Pistons at Knicks, 7 p.m. (TNT) Preseason: Pelicans at Bulls, 9:30 p.m. (TNT) NBA G League Preseason: Metropolitans 92 at G League Ignite, 10 p.m. (ESPN2) NHL Global Series: Sharks at Eisbaren Berlin, 2 p.m. (NHL) Preseason: Hurricanes at Sabres, 7 p.m. (NHL) Preseason: Kings at Ducks, 10 p.m. (NHL) Men’s soccer UEFA Champions League (taped), 7 p.m. (CBSSN) Tennis Tokyo-ATP, Nur-Sultan-ATP, Ostrava-WTA, Monastir-WTA Early Rounds, 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. today and 6 a.m. Wednesday (Tennis)

Australia’s NBL Dunks Into The Metaverse And NFTs – Stockhead https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/australias-nbl-dunks-into-the-metaverse-and-nfts-stockhead/ Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL) is either slam-dunking, alley-ooping or between-legs dribbling its way into crypto and the metaverse – pick your favourite basketball move. The NBL has today announced a partnership and multi-year agreement with NFT/crypto firms BlockTrust, ePlays and Tracksuit Group. It’s a union that aims to help spread the NFT love to Aussie basketball fans. According to info shared with Stockhead, the partnership will allow fans to “engage with the NBL in a new and exciting way, through Discord channels, NFTs [non-fungible tokens], digital collectibles, and more”. The partnership will develop the NBL’s upcoming “web3 marketplace” known as Chainz, providing fans with a dedicated app that will serve as an entry point into the NBL metaverse and their “personal web3 world”. (In case you didn’t know, by the way, “web3” is the term used within crypto circles to describe the next generation of the internet, built on blockchain/crypto rails.) The app will include an NFT wallet element for buying, trading and showcasing NBL NFTs, as well as a “strong community component” and a location for the NBL and its partners to airdrop “digital and real-life benefits”.  NBL collectibles will also be compatible with the Dapper wallet, which is a gateway into the Flow blockchain – home of the NBA Top Shot digital collectibles/NFT platform.  Targeting ‘a whole new legion’ of supporters The Chainz website provides a brief summary of the sorts of proposed benefits designed for fans who get involved with the NBL’s metaversal foray. This includes: “collecting moments and participating in challenges” to win Chainz merch and discounts; interaction opportunities with players at the game or online; access to exclusive events; and Chainz governance functionality. Source: chainz.basketball.com.au The NBL’s Chief Commercial Office Brad Joyner believes that the basketball league’s foray into the metaverse and things non fungible will help to bring “a whole new legion of supporters” to the sport. “We are absolutely thrilled to be stepping into the metaverse with ePlays, BlockTrust and separately the Tracksuit Group,” said Joyner, adding: “The digital universe space provides NBL fans a new way to engage with the league. As one of the fastest-growing sports in Australia, we are always looking for new and innovative ways to grow our audience.” For more info, head to the NBL’s Chainz website.