Anna Garraway

10 Bucket-List Trips For Best Friends – PureWow https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/10-bucket-list-trips-for-best-friends-purewow/ 10 Bucket-List Trips for Best Friends of Any Age PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and the company may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. You can learn more about that process here. The bond between best friends is like nothing else. So it makes sense that you and your PIC would be on the same page for vacation, too. A BFF who’s always down to pack a bag and jet off somewhere awesome? Well, that’s the best kind of bestie. Whether you’re more into a chill seaside getaway or up-all-night antics weekend rampages. Ready to plan your next escape or need some inspo for a future trip? Bookmark these bucket-list destinations—from party islands and game reserves to wine country towns and culture-rich cities—that are perfect for dynamic duos.  Vrbo Where to stay: Historic Duplex (from $132/night), Charming House (from $168/night)  Hotel Singulier Bordeaux (from $215/night); Luxury Chateaux with Staff (from $1,651) Nestled on the Garonne River in southwestern France, Bordeaux is arguably the most famous wine capital in the world. What’s not up for debate? That incomparable quality of the vin produced in this legendary French viticulture region. To the surprise of absolutely no one, tourist pursuits mainly center around swirling and sipping. Pals who favor bold reds, in particular, will find a plentiful supply of vineyards to visit. Accommodations range from stylish five-star hotels in the city to grand châteaux set on enchanting vine-covered estates in the country. Did we mention the many Michelin-starred restaurants, including Racines by Daniel Gallacher and Le Pavillon des Boulevards?  Nik Wheeler/Getty Images Where to stay: Casitas de las Flores (from $250/night), El Careyes Club & Residences (from $350/night), Bungalows in Playa Rosa (from $600/night) An enclave for artists and free spirits since the ‘60s, the vibrant bohemian community of Careyes on the Pacific coast of Mexico is a magnet for those who share a passion for music, wellness and high-vibration pursuits. Colorful villas with bougainvillea-draped balconies face the and sea. Talented practitioners host sound healing sessions in La Copa del Sol. How special would it be to do a mud bath ceremony with your bestie on the gorgeous beach? There’s also visiting yoga instructor program, an art gallery tied to the Careyes Foundation and an art festival that many liken to a more intimate Burning Man called Ondalinda.  Clare Lawrence/Getty Images Where to stay: Hotel the Flag Shinsaibashi (from $54/night), Osaka Apartment (from $122/night,) InterContinental Osaka (from $302/night) Yes, it’s a long-haul flight from the U.S., but this article is about bucket-list trips and what’s more unforgettable and delicious than eating your way through the city known as the Kitchen of Japan? A shining star in the culinary world within the country and globally, Osaka boasts an endless array of palate-pleasing dining options—from upscale Michelin three-starred restaurants and famous omakase joints to unagi counters and stalls that sling traditional Japanese street food like takoyaki. Booking one of the club rooms at the InterContinental Osaka provides access to the swish lounge with complimentary breakfast, snacks and top-shelf booze. Vrbo Where to stay: Amazing Mykonos Studio (from $179/night), Rocabella Mykonos Hotel (from $305/night), Charming Flower-Covered House (from $229/night), Sea View Villa (from $349/night) The sun-splashed Greek island of Mykonos has become a hotspot for jet setters looking to let loose all day and night. Renowned for its revelrous atmosphere, the liveliest of the Cycles group brims with beach clubs, restaurants that turn into full-blown parties after the plates are cleared and huge clubs that blast tunes until the wee hours of the morning. In between dancing on tables, catching rays with a glass of crisp rosé in hand and toasting to the greatest trip ever, pairs of pals can splash in the sparkling Aegean Sea and sleep it off at one of the many stylish hotels around town.  Londolozi Images/Mint Images/Getty Images Where to Stay: Kapama River Lodge (from $450/night), Arathusa Safari Lodge (from $450/night), Hamiltons Tented Camp (from $1,400/night) Doing a once-in-a-lifetime safari in South Africa is one of the most epic vacations on the planet. Who better to bring along on this over-the-top amazing journey than your bestie? The largest and most popular safari destination in the country, the Greater Kruger National Park attracts animal-lovers with the promise of seeing Big Five game (lions, leopards, rhinoceros, elephants and buffalo), plus giraffes, hippos, zebra, hundreds of different species of birds and reptiles and many other wild, beautiful creatures. The stylish safari lodges—basically glamping setups with a major emphasis on the glam—are the ideal spot to unwind. Matteo Colombo/Getty Imagse Best for the Ultimate Beach Bums 6. Maldives Where to stay: Baros Maldives (from $405/night), Hurawalhi Island Resort (from $647/night), Six Senses Laamu (from $1,035/night) Yes, the Maldives tops of the list of the ultimate luxury honeymoon destinations, but you definitely don’t need to have a romantic partner to visit this dreamy Indian Ocean island nation. Your bestie who’s been there through all the ups and downs def feels like the right person to take on a heavenly beach holiday to a place that’s truly a tropical paradise. Start the day with a cup of coffee on the private deck of your overwater bungalow above the waves, sip cocktails by the pool, stroll the powdery white sand beaches and snorkel in the crystal-clear turquoise tides. Vrbo Where to stay: Modern Home with Pool (from $300/night), The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort, Scottsdale (from $390/night), Canyon Rock Resort (from $1,326/night) With more spas per capita than any other city in the United States, Scottsdale is a no-brainer for a weekend of massages, facials, mud wraps and giggling in the sauna with your BFF. It has a wealth of wellness experiences beyond just pure pampering. Why not try a sound bath or desert meditation? There are also some really great restaurants. Of course, we wouldn’t fault you for going the room service route. Getting cozy in fluffy robes, sipping bubbly and watching the sunset from the comfort of your room at a ritzy resort just sounds utterly blissful.  Go Ahead Tours Where to stay: Go Ahead Tours Trans Bhutan Trail (from $6,349/13-day itinerary + hotels + meals) Want to get away…like really get away with your bestie? Bhutan is far, remote and logistically requires quite a bit of effort to visit. (Sidenote: you’re better off planning the whole thing through a tour operator that specializes in tailor-made trips like this 13-day adventure through the country from Go Ahead Tours. All of these factors have helped shield the Buddhist kingdom on the eastern edge of the Himalayas from the plight of over-tourism and preserved its unique culture. It’s a special, peaceful place where spiritual awakening and off-the-grid adventure coexist. On the itinerary? Hike through serene hillsides (this trip includes seven hikes), forested valleys and tackle dramatic mountain peaks and journey to historic monasteries and fortresses. When you’re done, you’ll have better understanding for why Bhutan is considered the happiest place on earth. SolStock/Getty Images Where to stay: The Moore Hotel (from $265/night), The James New York – NoMad (from $329/night), Walker Hotel Tribeca (from $395/night) The Big Apple is always a convincing choice for best friends keen to experience all the excitement of the greatest city on earth (not that we’re biased or anything). Score tickets to a Broadway show. See fascinating exhibitions at world-class museums. Hungry? You’ve come to the right place. Snag a table at some of the hottest new restaurants or return to long-time classics. Go for a stroll through Central Park or meander along the Hudson River Waterfront Greenway. For a stylish stay in the middle of everything, check into The James New York – NoMad. Grab a drink at the speakeasy cocktail lounge and pick up some sleep-promoting products from the “insomnia cart.” Plum Guide Where to Stay: Rock Box (from $338/night), AutoCamp Joshua Tree (from $245/night), Ocotillo Bush (from $331/night), The Cactus Nest (from $403/night) Searching for a trip that’s guaranteed to reinvigorate your soul and strength those bestie bonds even further? The perfect mix of adventure and relaxation surrounded by the jaw-dropping beauty of the desert, Joshua Tree National Park feels like its own world. There are so many ways to experience the otherworldly landscape. Duos can hit the trails (just don’t forget hiking boots and water), do a rugged 4×4 off-road tour or even join a half-day group rock climbing expedition. It’s also an unparalleled destination for stargazing. Roll out a blanket and peer up at the wonder of the cosmos above. More Stories You’ll Love

AP Top Business News At 7:26 A.m. EDT – Federal News Network https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/ap-top-business-news-at-726-a-m-edt-federal-news-network/ UK scraps tax cut for wealthy that sparked market turmoil Kim Kardashian fined $1 million by SEC over crypto promotion US auto sales fell slightly in 3Q, even with September gains Global shares rise after ‘relief rally’ on Wall Street Live Updates: Russia-Ukraine War Russian losses evident in key liberated Ukrainian city Experts: Europe faces ‘unprecedented risk’ of a gas shortage German energy giant RWE to end coal… READ MORE UK scraps tax cut for wealthy that sparked market turmoil Kim Kardashian fined $1 million by SEC over crypto promotion US auto sales fell slightly in 3Q, even with September gains Global shares rise after ‘relief rally’ on Wall Street Live Updates: Russia-Ukraine War Russian losses evident in key liberated Ukrainian city Experts: Europe faces ‘unprecedented risk’ of a gas shortage German energy giant RWE to end coal use by 2030 In Ian’s wake, Florida residents brave a slow wait for power White House unveils artificial intelligence ‘Bill of Rights’ Copyright © 2022 . All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

Socio-Demographic Factors And Healthy Lifestyle Behaviours Among Malaysian Adults: National Health And Morbidity Survey 2019 | Scientific Reports – Nature.com https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/socio-demographic-factors-and-healthy-lifestyle-behaviours-among-malaysian-adults-national-health-and-morbidity-survey-2019-scientific-reports-nature-com/ Abstract This study aimed to investigate the association between socio-demographic factors and designated healthy lifestyle behaviours in a nationally-representative sample of Malaysian adults aged 18 years and above. Secondary data involving 7388 participants aged 18–96 years from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019, a national cross-sectional survey, was used in this study. A healthy lifestyle score (0–5 points) was calculated based on five modifiable lifestyle factors: non-smoker, body mass index � 25 kg/m2, physically active, moderate (or less) alcohol intake, and daily consumption of ≥ 5 servings of fruits and vegetables. Associations between socio-demographic factors and healthy lifestyle behaviours were examined using multinomial logistic regression adjusted for sampling design. About 30.6% of the participants met at least four out of the five healthy lifestyle factors. In multinomial model, subjects who were female (aOR = 3.26, 95%CI = 2.58, 4.12), of Chinese (aOR = 2.31, 95%CI = 1.62, 3.30 or other ethnicity (aOR = 1.44, 95%CI = 1.05, 1.98), and aged 18–30 years (aOR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.12, 2.71) showed significant association with achieving healthy lifestyle compared to male, Malay and ≥ 61 years old as reference categories. Our results indicated that gender, age and ethnicity associated with healthy lifestyle behaviours. Information on the influence of socio-demographic factors on the prevalence of healthy lifestyles will facilitate the development of effective intervention strategies to improve the adaptation of healthy lifestyle practices. Introduction Healthy lifestyle habits are important for preventing disease, improving health, and maintenance of overall well-being throughout one’s life1. In general, healthy lifestyle habits include adopting a healthy diet, abstaining from smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding harmful alcohol consumption, and being physically active. Leading a healthy lifestyle also reduces one’s risk of developing major chronic diseases. While the aforementioned modifiable lifestyle factors are individually associated with a decreased risk of major chronic diseases and a longer life expectancy, several studies have found that combined healthy lifestyle habits have a greater impact on increased life expectancy than on their own2. Other studies have also found that a combination of healthy lifestyle factors is associated with improved survival3 and reduced risk of major chronic diseases, such as coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure and diabetes4,5,6. Adherence to a combination of five healthy lifestyle factors reduced mortality risk by 61%3. In previous studies among adults in China7,8 and cancer survivors9, researchers looked into the effects of combined healthy lifestyle factors in lowering overall and cause-specific mortality. Using measures of healthy lifestyle, including exercise, diet, sleep, alcohol consumption, and smoking, it found that 7.7% of adults reported practicing five healthy behaviours10. In another study using European Social Survey data observed that around 5.8% of European adults achieving all five healthy behaviours. Finland with 9.2% and United Kingdom with 8.6% were those the highest prevalence while Hungary with 1.3% and Czech Republic with 1.9% were the lowest prevalence of five healthy behaviours11. To date, there have been no studies conducted in Malaysia focusing on the effects of combined healthy lifestyle factors. There is also a lack of information on the prevalence of healthy lifestyle habits or practices among Malaysian adults. Numerous studies have established a link between the prevalence of adopting healthy lifestyle habits and socio-demographic factors. In Germany, it was found that healthy lifestyle habits differ according to socio-demographic characteristics such as age, sex and educational levels12. Other studies found that higher socioeconomic status was associated with combinations of healthy lifestyle habits, decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, and lower mortality rates13. Information on the influence of socio-demographic factors on the likelihood of leading a healthy lifestyle amongst the local population is important for public health policy development, as it identifies relevant target areas for appropriate individual- and population-level interventions. In Malaysia, there are no nationally-representative studies on the prevalence of healthy lifestyle behaviours and its socio-demographic correlates in adult populations. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to assess the prevalence of healthy lifestyle behaviours based on data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS)—a nationwide health study in Malaysia—and to identify socio-demographic factors associated with leading a healthy lifestyle in a nationally-representative sample of Malaysian adults. Methods Data and participants This study utilized secondary data from NHMS 2019. The NHMS is a national survey coordinated by the Institute of Public Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, and has been conducted annually since 2011. This study is a cross-sectional survey with the aims of determining Malaysians’ health status, monitoring disease trends, and assessing healthcare utilization in Malaysia. The NHMS 2019 employs a nationally representative sample of the non-institutionalised general population of Malaysians of all ages in Malaysia. This study employs two-stage stratified random sampling to ensure the resulting sample was representative of the country. The country’s population is stratified by urban and rural regions in each of the 16 states or federal territories, hence a total of 29 strata. The first stage involves systematic random sampling of Enumeration Blocks (EB) within each stratum. The second stage involves random sampling of twelve living quarters (LQ) within each selected EB. For the entire country of Malaysia, a total of 475 Enumeration Blocks (EB) were selected proportionate to the population size of each stratum. A total of 5676 LQs were selected from the selected EBs. Further details of the NHMS 2019 study have been described in the NHMS 2019 technical report14. Between July and October 2019, 14,965 participants were recruited (response rate of 87.2%). All participants signed an informed consent form. For the present study, participants under the age of 18 years were excluded (n = 4493), as the study’s focus was on the adult population. Respondents with missing socio-demographic data and healthy lifestyle data were excluded (n = 3084). After these exclusions, 7388 respondents were included in the present analyses. Assessment of lifestyle factors and socio-demographic variables Body weight, height and body mass index (BMI) were determined. Body weight was measured in kilograms using a digital weighing machine (TANITA HD-319) and the height in centimetres was measured using SECA Stadiometer 213. The BMI was computed by dividing weight in kilograms by the squared height in metres. BMI was then classified according to the WHO BMI guidelines: (� 25 kg/m2 as underweight to normal weight, ≥ 25 kg/m2 as overweight or obese)15. Four questions were used to assess fruit and vegetable consumption: (1) “In a typical week, how many days did you consume fruits?” (2) “Usually on the day you eat fruits, how many servings of fruits did you eat in a day?” (3) “In a typical week, how many days did you eat vegetables?” (4) “Usually on the day you eat vegetable, how many servings of vegetables did you eat in a day?” Food photographs were used to assist respondents in recalling the serving size of fruits and vegetables consumed. The photographs depicted a single serving of commonly consumed fruits and vegetables, including one slice of watermelon, one medium-sized orange, one cup of chopped raw leafy green vegetables and a half cup of other vegetables, cooked or chopped raw such as carrot. The total number of servings of fruits and vegetables consumed per day was calculated using responses to these four questions. Data from the first two questions were used to estimate respondents’ fruits intake. Another two questions were used to estimate respondents’ vegetable intake. The number of days in a week was multiplied by number of servings to estimate the number of servings per week that respondents consumed. Responses for the past 7-day questions were then divided by 7 to determine daily intake. The number of servings/day for fruits and vegetable intake were summed to estimate the servings of fruits and vegetables intake. The range of score was 0 to 12 servings/day. Based on the Malaysian Dietary Guidelines, consumption of ≥ 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day was defined as adequate while consumption of � 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day was defined as inadequate16. The validated short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to assess levels of physical activity17. The IPAQ short form was developed to estimate overall physical activity levels through the assessment of three specific types of physical activity (low, moderate and vigorous-intensity activities) across a broad range of domains (home, at work, sitting, moderate leisure, vigorous leisure, transportation and other activities). Physical activity was quantified in terms of metabolic equivalents (MET minutes, or METs)18. The minutes and days of a week spent on low, moderate, and vigorous intensity activities were multiplied by 3.3, 4.0 and 8.0 respectively, to compute MET scores for each activity. The total physical activity score was calculated as the sum of all MET score...

Faces Of Fall: Oct. 4, 2022 | Sports | News-Gazette.com – News-Gazette https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/faces-of-fall-oct-4-2022-sports-news-gazette-com-news-gazette/ Alayna Cutler, Arthur Christian, during the Faces of Fall 2022 shoot at the News-Gazette in Champaign on Saturday, August 6, 2022. Robin Scholz/The News-Gazette ALAYNA CUTLER Arthur Christian School volleyball ➜ Her favorite athlete is … Harrison Bader. ➜ Her favorite team is … the St. Louis Cardinals. ➜ If she could attend any one sporting event in person, it would be … the World Series. ➜ Her favorite sport besides volleyball is … baseball. Mollie Pollock, Tri-County, during the Faces of Fall 2022 shoot at the News-Gazette in Champaign on Saturday, August 6, 2022. Robin Scholz/The News-Gazette MOLLIE POLLOCK Tri-County volleyball ➜ Her favorite athlete is … Jordyn Poulter. ➜ Her favorite team is … the Chicago Cubs. ➜ If she could attend any one sporting event in person, it would be … a college volleyball match. ➜ Her favorite sport besides volleyball is … softball. Elena Poulosky, Urbana, Faces of Fall 2022 shoot at the News-Gazette in Champaign on Saturday, August 6, 2022. Robin Scholz/The News-Gazette ELENA POULOSKY Urbana girls’ swimming and diving ➜ Her favorite athlete is … Sydney McLaughlin. ➜ Her favorite team is … the Washington Wizards. ➜ If she could attend any one sporting event in person, it would be … a track and field meet. ➜ Her favorite sport besides swimming is … soccer. Macie Russell, Oakwood, during the Faces of Fall 2022 shoot at the News-Gazette in Champaign on Saturday, August 6, 2022. Robin Scholz/The News-Gazette MACIE RUSSELL Oakwood/Salt Fork girls’ cross-country ➜ Her favorite athlete is … Yadier Molina. ➜ Her favorite team is … the St. Louis Cardinals. ➜ If she could attend any one sporting event in person, it would be … the Olympics. ➜ Her favorite sport besides cross-country is … track and field.

4 Things You Need To Know About The Metaverse This Week – World Economic Forum https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/4-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-metaverse-this-week-world-economic-forum/ Privacy Policy & Terms of Service © 2022 World Economic Forum

This App Puts A Life Mentor In Your Pocket, And You Won’t Find It On Amazon – Columbus Ledger-Enquirer https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/this-app-puts-a-life-mentor-in-your-pocket-and-you-wont-find-it-on-amazon-columbus-ledger-enquirer/ We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through one of our links. The newsroom and editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content. As the leaves fall and the seasons change, there’s no better time to work on yourself than now. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to spend gobs of money to help yourself. All it takes is a little investment in the right guidance. That’s why a Mentorist Pro subscription is so cool. It takes the teachings that a life coach might give you and condenses them into affordable, accessible book summaries. During our Deal Days sale, which is our version of Amazon’s Prime Day, you can get lifetime access to Mentorist Pro at a major discount, just $49.99 This incredible limited-time exclusive deal will only be around through Oct. 12, so it’s best to act fast! Plus, there are also many other sweet deals on gadgets, apps and home goods you might want to check out during this event. Mentorist allows you to read summaries from great books and turn them into real-world positive actions. It summarizes the bestsellers in business, leadership and personal development. And unlike other self-help resources, Mentorist gives you very actionable steps you can take to enact change in your life. Plus, this subscription grants lifetime access, so you can read at your own pace and revisit everything you previously learned. With this deal, you get the best-on-web pricing on the program that has 4.7 out of 5 stars on the App Store and 4.2 out of 5 stars on the Google Play Store. Subscribing to Mentorist Pro for life normally costs $490, but you can get it for only $49 through this exclusive Deal Days offer — no coupons necessary! Want to find even more deals in time for holiday shopping? Visit our Deal Days collection before Oct. 12! Price subject to change.

Fixed 90% APY With Oryen (ORY) Outperforms Pancakeswap (CAKE) And Spookyswap (BOO) Returns – Cryptonews https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/fixed-90-apy-with-oryen-ory-outperforms-pancakeswap-cake-and-spookyswap-boo-returns-cryptonews/ Disclaimer: The text below is an advertorial article that is not part of Cryptonews.com editorial content. With the recent introduction of yield farming on the Binance Smart Chain, many users are wondering which platform offers the best return on investment. While Pancakeswap and Spookyswap are both popular options, Oryen is quickly becoming the go-to choice for yield farmers. Offering a fixed APY of 90%, Oryen significantly outperforms both Pancakeswap and Spookyswap, which offer APYs of around 10-20%. Additionally, Oryen offers a more hassle-free investing process for its investors than either of its competitors, making it a better idea overall. What is Oryen (ORY)? Oryen Network is a crypto-staking network that offers a juicy APY of 90% on ORY coins. ORY provides users with other utilities like risk-free lotteries (to be introduced soon) in addition to the platform’s super-simple auto-staking protocol. To do this, Oryen employs a “rebase” approach, which means that the token’s circulating supply will rise in line with the treasury in order to guarantee both the token’s price and the interest rate.  The rebase tokens aren’t generated at random. They have a risk-free value that is funded by the “buy and sell” tax on the token. The buyer pays an 8% royalty, or “tax,” while the seller pays a 12% royalty, or “tax.” The treasury also carries additional equity to keep the floor in place in the event of a severe price decline. But the best thing about Oryen is that its holders don’t have to do anything to get their money. Simply purchase and keep ORY in your wallet. Tokens are automatically staked, and rebase rewards are automatically airdropped back into the wallet of the holder. Final thoughts Oryen is now launching a three-round pre-launch ICO with a token price of $0.05 + bonus tokens. The incentive percentage lowers at the end of each month to entice early birds. Oryen will go live on December 30, 2022. This is one ICO that we are confident will sell out. Find out more here: Join Presale: https://presale.oryennetwork.io/register Website: https://oryennetwork.io/ Telegram: https://t.me/OryenNetwork Discord: https://discord.com/invite/jSvaXmb2cB Twitter: https://twitter.com/oryennetwork

Dollar Slips On Euro As Lower U.S. Yields Give Markets A Breather – Reuters https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/dollar-slips-on-euro-as-lower-u-s-yields-give-markets-a-breather-reuters/ Pound and U.S. dollar banknotes are seen in this illustration taken January 6, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo LONDON, Oct 4 (Reuters) – The dollar slid on Tuesday, as U.S. Treasury yields paused in a relentless climb higher, providing brief relief to share markets and helping the euro in particular move further off multi-year lows. The Australian dollar was also in focus, sinking after the nation’s central bank surprised markets with a smaller-than-expected interest rate hike. The euro was last up 0.67% at $0.9889, a moderate recovery from its 20-year low of $0.9528 on Sept. 26, while sterling was up a touch at $1.1337, off a record low of $1.0327 also hit Sept. 26. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com A calmer British government bond market was a relief for the pound after recent government-inspired turmoil. In a statement on Monday, the Bank of England reaffirmed its willingness to buy long-dated gilts and the head of Britain’s debt management office, overseeing the bond market, told Reuters in an interview the market was resilient. However, demand was soft for a sale a 40-year British government bonds. “The pullback by the U.S dollar has coincided with a sharp correction lower for U.S. yields,” MUFG analysts said in a note to clients, adding that the two moves had “brought some much-needed relief for risk assets and high-beta currencies.” MUFG flagged the New Zealand dollar up 2.6% since the start of the week and Norwegian crown , up 3% this week, as particular beneficiaries. The dollar index was down 0.55% at 111.12 having traded as high as 114.78 last week. The moves in the dollar and yields appear to partially reflect market participants’ greater comfort that the Fed is moving closer to the end of its rate hike cycle, MUFG said, expectations that were supported by weak U.S. manufacturing data released Monday. “Market expectations for the Fed’s terminal policy rate for next year have come down from around 4.75% to 4.39%,” they added. The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield was last 3.5815%, down sharply from last week when it briefly poked above 4%. The relentless climb in U.S. yields, as the Federal Reserve raises rates aggressively, has been one factor behind the dollar’s recent gains. Shares in Asia and Europe also rose on Tuesday in line with the improved sentiment, following overnight gains in the United States Elsewhere the dollar was little changed against the Japanese yen at 144.7 yen , keeping below 145 after briefly popping above that level on Monday for the first time since Japanese authorities intervened to support their currency on Sept. 22. Japanese finance minister Shunichi Suzuki repeated on Monday that authorities stand ready for “decisive” steps in the foreign exchange market if “sharp and one-sided” yen moves persisted. The Australian dollar was down 0.64% at $0.6472, dragged down after the Reserve Bank of Australia raised rates by a smaller-than-expected 25 basis points, saying rates had increased substantially in a short period of time. “Obviously the RBA hasn’t been persuaded by what other central banks are doing, which does make the comment that they don’t have any concerns about the exchange rate down here,” said Ray Attrill, head of FX strategy at National Australia Bank in Sydney. “There’s no evidence yet that other central banks are about to step down the aggression with which they are tightening policy, (so) I think it makes sense for Aussie to be below 65 for the time being.” Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Kevin Buckland in Toyko and Alun John in London; Editing by Lincoln Feast, Clarence Fernandez and Chizu Nomiyama Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Adults Facing More Socioeconomic Deprivation Less Likely To Use Diabetes Technology – Healio https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/adults-facing-more-socioeconomic-deprivation-less-likely-to-use-diabetes-technology-healio/ October 04, 2022 2 min read Source/Disclosures Published by: Disclosures: Healio could not confirm relevant financial disclosures at the time of publication. ADD TOPIC TO EMAIL ALERTS Receive an email when new articles are posted on Please provide your email address to receive an email when new articles are posted on . We were unable to process your request. Please try again later. If you continue to have this issue please contact customerservice@slackinc.com. Adults in the U.K. with type 1 diabetes are less likely to use diabetes technology if they face more socioeconomic deprivation despite the benefits of technology use, according to study findings published in Diabetic Medicine. “Our study provides real-world evidence for differences in the use of diabetes technology across ethnicity and socioeconomic deprivation with the lowest use in the most deprived quintile,” Parizad Avari, MBBS, BSc, MRCP, clinical research fellow in the department of metabolism, digestion and reproduction at Imperial College London, and colleagues wrote. “Importantly, technology use improved HbA1c outcomes, irrespective of social deprivation and ethnicity.” Adults with type 1 diabetes who face the most socioeconomic deprivation are less likely to use diabetes technology. Data were derived from Fallon C, et al. Diabet Med. 2022;doi:10.1111/dme.14906. Researchers conducted a retrospective observational study of 1,631 adults with type 1 diabetes utilizing diabetes services across three hospitals under the umbrella of the Imperial College London National Hospital Service Trust (mean age, 44 years; 47% women). Demographics, data of diabetes diagnosis, technology use and HbA1c before starting technology and 1-year post-device initiation were collected from electronic medical records. The English Indices of Deprivation 2019 was used to measure socioeconomic deprivation. The study cohort was divided into quintiles based on deprivation level. There were racial disparities between the socioeconomic quintiles. Of the least-deprived quintile, 62% were white and 1.1% were Black, whereas 41% of participants in the most-deprived quintile were white and 15% were Black (P .001 for both). Of the study cohort, 55% used technology, with 24% using continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, 19% using real-time continuous glucose monitoring and 34% using intermittently scanning CGM. A higher proportion of participants in the least socioeconomically deprived group used diabetes technology compared with the most-deprived quintile (67% vs. 45%; P .001). There was a linear increase in technology use across all quintiles, with the proportion of people using technology at 53% in the second-most deprived group, 56% in the middle quintile and 62% in the second-least deprived group. Findings were similar for adults using a combination of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion and CGM. HbA1c data were available for 56 adults using continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, 89 using real-time CGM and 255 using intermittently scanned CGM. All three technology types showed overall benefit, with reductions in HbA1c of 2.8% for continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion and real-time CGM users from pre-initiation to 1-year post-initiation, and an HbA1c reduction of 2.7% with intermittently scanned CGM. There were no differences in HbA1c reduction among the socioeconomic deprivation quintiles. “Glycemia was positively affected in all groups,” the researchers wrote. “This suggests that reducing inequalities in technology access may resolve the disparities observed in glycemia.” Of the study cohort, 33% participated in structured diabetes education. As deprivation status worsened, adults were less likely to participate in diabetes education, with 23% in the most-deprived quintile completing diabetes education compared with 43% in the least-deprived quintile (P .001). “It is imperative that health disparities are recognized and addressed,” the researchers wrote. “Qualitative research evaluating structural, policy, health care professional and individual reasons for differences in technology use with deprivation would provide a deeper insight into the causes for social inequalities in health and uncover areas for potential interventions to prevent these.” ADD TOPIC TO EMAIL ALERTS Receive an email when new articles are posted on Please provide your email address to receive an email when new articles are posted on . We were unable to process your request. Please try again later. If you continue to have this issue please contact customerservice@slackinc.com.

“Windmills Is Free To Play Exclusively On GX.games, Months Ahead Of Other Platforms” – Games Press https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/windmills-is-free-to-play-exclusively-on-gx-games-months-ahead-of-other-platforms-games-press/ Windmills, a new Metroidvania developed by Poor Locke, will be free to play exclusively on GX.games for three months before it will be available anywhere else. This adds yet another exciting title to the roster of paid games playable for free on GX.games, including Chronicon and Textorcist. 4th October 2022, Oslo, Norway: Getting your hands on high-end indie games for free is awesome. But what’s even sweeter is being able to play those games before everyone else. That’s why, GX.games – a platform full of indie games for you to play, is introducing its first exclusive game, Windmills, available now through to December, before being released on any other gaming platforms. Lovingly crafted over almost two years by Greek developer Dimitris Locke, under the guise Poor Locke, Windmills, is a story-rich, combat-focused metroidvania, forged in the spirit of games like Dark Souls and Elden Ring. The pixel-art platformer also features mechanics and easter eggs that will no doubt appeal to fans of the popular ninja-themed action-adventure game, The Messenger.     Like all the free indie games on GX.games, Windmills has been beautifully crafted using GameMaker, the fastest and friendliest cross-platform game development technology. Alongside Opera GX, the world’s first gaming browser with over 17 million users, GameMaker and GX.games are part of an ecosystem dedicated to supporting creators and developers, while providing gamers with exclusive access to uniquely original and creative games. “The games available on GX.games are cool indie games that you can dive into whenever you have a break or some spare time. This is why millions of GX.games users have already experienced top-end indie games like Chronicon, Seals of Bygone, Tunnel of Doom, Totemlands and Dyo for free, since we introduced monthly free games back in the summer. For October, we’re taking things to the next level and giving users exclusive access to Windmills, before its launch on other platforms next year” said Mattijs de Valk, VP Content Acquisition at Opera. “Offering Windmills exclusively, demonstrates the unique strength of the GX.games, GameMaker and Opera GX ecosystem, which has been forged to support creators throughout every step of the development process and connecting those games straight into our audience of over 17 million gamers on Opera GX” he added.    In addition to Windmills, GX.games has also added Chronicon (10/10 Steam) – an expansive, fantasy-based APRG that will appeal to fans of Diablo or Torchlight. In Chronicon, players must discover the magical device known as Chronicon, which allows them to travel into the souls and memories of fallen heroes and unlock epic adventures where loot and monsters await.    Every two-weeks, GX.games adds a new top-notch and fantastic indie game to the platform which has been created using GameMaker, which users can play for free as much as they like for up to three-months. Currently, users can get free access to popular tiles such as Seals of Bygone, Dyo, Tunnel of Doom and Textorist.    To experience these games for free,  users will need to open or download Opera GX – the gaming-centric version of the Opera browser. They can then access GX.games by navigating to the website or directly from the GX Corner in the browser. They can start playing games, including the premium indie titles instantly, without the need to create an account or to download any of them.     GX.games is also home to hundreds of awesome games which have been created and shared on the platform for free using GameMaker, the multi-million downloaded 2D game development engine that is part of the Opera Gaming family.    Opera GX was built with gamers in mind. The browser offers tons of visual customization options, sounds, ability to control your hardware’s RGB lighting and includes unique features like CPU, RAM, and Network limiters, to prevent lag so games run smoothly, while also introducing Discord and Twitch in the sidebar to ensure players don’t miss a beat.   https://gx.games   ##ENDS##   About Opera GX  Since its inception in 2019, Opera GX has quickly become the browser of choice for millions of gamers seeking a more custom internet experience. Along with countless customization options including color themes, sound effects, background music, and a gaming-inspired design, GX includes CPU, RAM and Network Bandwidth limiters that make the browser less resource-hungry and leave more of the computer’s resources for gaming. The browser also includes a Hot Tabs Killer feature, which lets users “kill” the most resource-draining tabs and GX Cleaner to purge those old unwanted files.    About Opera Opera is a global web innovator. Opera’s browsers, news products and fintech solutions are the trusted choice of hundreds of millions people worldwide. Opera is headquartered in Oslo, Norway and listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange (OPRA).

Confessions Of A Gentrifier: Why Owning A Home On San Antonio’s East Side Comes With Great Responsibility – San Antonio Report https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/confessions-of-a-gentrifier-why-owning-a-home-on-san-antonios-east-side-comes-with-great-responsibility-san-antonio-report/ In the spring of 2020, just a week before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down businesses, schools and public gatherings, I closed on my first home near Fort Sam Houston to the east of Interstate 35. Having a place to call my own — a cozy 1,015-square-foot new construction on the near East Side — was a godsend as the pandemic hit. The months of social isolation were a little easier to bear in my humble new abode. But that reality — and perhaps willful denialism — also delayed the slow realization that I am not like my neighbors. A young urban professional with a college degree, I am part of a new middle class that has moved into the neighborhood. I’m a gentrifier. It wasn’t a label that was easy to accept. I spent a lot of time trying to “well, actually” my way out of wearing the scarlet letter G. First, the homes in my community are income-restricted (at up to 120% of the area median income), and they have to be used as primary residences by their owners, thanks to a partnership between developer Terramark Urban Homes and Opportunity Home, formerly known as the San Antonio Housing Authority. These are starter homes. The sale price for the more than 25 housing units in the homeowners association, set up as a means to manage common utility lines, was between $140,000 and $180,000. For reference, Bexar County’s median sale price when I purchased my home in March 2020 was $227,000. It has since shot up to $306,000 as of August 2022. I’m Hispanic, and many of the new residents in my community are, too. You can’t be a gentrifier if you’re gente, right? Wrong. I’ve now started to remove the layers of emotional viscera that I had wrapped around that word. As a former Austinite, I bore witness to the extreme displacement of low-income and minority populations from that city’s urban core between the year I enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin and my departure from the city a decade later. Now I see gentrification much more clinically. It is a phenomenon taking place in almost every major city in the U.S., as formerly derelict portions of American city centers have sprouted farmers markets, trendy new restaurants and mixed-use developments. As terrifying as it was to admit, I am just another guy who has fallen into the lure of urban-core authenticity. I moved to the near East Side to be among the tapestry of culture that has so richly sustained the sense of community in these historic neighborhoods over the years. Instead of rows of white-picket fences in the suburbs, I sought to live in a community that was home to a diversity of backgrounds and architectural styles. My decision was also amenity-driven: My favorite restaurants, entertainment hubs and nightlife spots are within Loop 410, a modern demarcation line (and many will chafe at this statement) between San Antonio’s urban core and the ’burbs.  These are the same sorts of desires that drove swaths of social climbers in the 1980s and ’90s to the brownstones of Brooklyn, then seen as a blighted area with a preponderance of crime. Decades after the first Brownstoners found their way to the borough in search of affordable housing and authentic living, Brooklyn is one of the most expensive places to live in the U.S. and home to some of the most insufferable hipsters on the planet. Acknowledging my place as a middle-class Latino in a historically Black and low-income part of San Antonio has helped me realize my responsibility as a community member and the need to help beat back the effects of gentrification. A pedestrian walks by a large painted sidewalk that reads ‘We Live Here’ in the Wheatley neighborhood in the near East Side. Credit: Scott Ball / San Antonio Report Home prices in my zip code have gone up about 20% in a year, and a quarter of the homes here are selling for above the asking price, according to Redfin. Some of my fellow homeowners have seen their home valuations shoot up in the past year, and that’s affecting their tax bills. My neighbors with lower incomes are likely to feel that much more acutely. Long-time residents of gentrifying neighborhoods who often skew older and poorer may have already paid off their homes or have lower mortgage payments, so rising property taxes are often the biggest threat to their incumbency. At least three small businesses in the area, all owned by people of color, have been the targets of lawsuits alleging they aren’t accessible to people in wheelchairs. Their owners say the plaintiff has never patronized their establishments, raising the specter that something more cynical may be at play. Already faced with the struggles of running mom-and-pop shops amid the pandemic, these owners say legal expenses could force them out of business. Online companies such as OpenDoor and Orchard that purport to make it easier to sell your home are sending mailers to me and my neighbors, offering to buy our homes in spite of deed restrictions limiting sales to middle-income individuals. One of these companies listed a house just two doors down from me at nearly $300,000, double its purchase price two years prior. These are just a few of the forces of gentrification at play in my neighborhood. These forces have crept up across the near East Side over the past decade or so, driving up the cost of housing in places such as Denver Heights and Dignowity Hill. Many of my neighbors and I hope to blunt the blows that may come as an indirect result of our arrival. How can we achieve this? By being good neighbors, supporting neighborhood businesses and keeping an eye out for bad actors. Gentrification in my neighborhood will almost surely bring about dramatic change, but I’m optimistic it will remain both affordable and vibrant for years to come. More from San Antonio Report

The U.S. Dollar Is Crushing It Worldwide Making Travel Cheaper For Americans – Travel Off Path https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/the-u-s-dollar-is-crushing-it-worldwide-making-travel-cheaper-for-americans-travel-off-path/ Last Updated 26 mins ago The U.S. dollar has never been as strong as it is now. In spite of the United States’ slower-than-expected post-Covid recovery and latest political imbroglios, the dollar has moved upwards while most of the competing currencies, including the Euro and the British pound, which have always been much stronger, fell hard. In simpler terms, the U.S. dollar is absolutely crushing it, making travel much cheaper for Americans. While we will not focus on why the dollar is so strong right now, given the economic nature of the matter and the fact that we are a travel news website, one thing you should know is that the ‘extra demand’ for dollars resulting from the mass purchase of bonds, has further strengthened the world’s most traded currency. Consequently, as investors opt for dollars instead of other currencies from more volatile markets, these tend to drop in value: The Dollar Is Now Officially Worth More Than The Euro, And It Could Be Coming For The British Pound Next As stated in a Guardian article published this week, UK travel is ‘on sale’ – that is, for Americans and/or those earning in U.S. dollars. Tour operators in Britain have classed September as their ‘best month’ in overall performance since 2019. This means that, during the pandemic era, no other month has had as many bookings. Effectively, Americans are flying to the UK in their droves to benefit from the weaker pound (GBP). While last year it was trading at GBP 1.00 per USD 1.37, this year it’s reached the dollar has reached a historic high of USD 1.03 to the pound. Since September 25, a week ago, it has fluctuated between the 1.08 and 1.11 marks. According to Lana Bennett, the chief executive of Tours International, interviewed by the British publication, the booking surge is ‘quite good news’ for British tour operators. As Bennett puts it, there’s ‘a lot more certainty, more keenness’ on Americans’ part to take advantage of the depreciated pound. Elsewhere in Europe, the dollar is exchanged at an even better rate, with the Euro currently exchanged at a USD 0.98 rate on October 02, 2022. Earlier this year, we reported Europe’s multi-national currency had hit parity with the dollar for the first time in recent history – now, it is worth far less, performing worse than the pound even. Dollars Go Furthest In These European Destinations Across Europe, Americans may find it cheaper to book flight tickets and reserve accommodation, especially along Europe’s easternmost flank. While not all destinations in the continent use the Euro, most of them are part of the European Single Market, and their currencies are semi-pegged to it, increasing vacation options for Americans on a budget. This year, the European country where the Euro is in use and Americans will get the best value for their buck is Montenegro, which ranked at number seven on Eurostat’s comparative list of price levels for consumer goods and services. Interestingly, Montenegro is neither in the EU nor uses the Euro legally, having unilaterally adopted the currency in 2002. Other European destinations that will be favored by Americans looking not to splurge, in spite of the dollar’s excellent conversion rate, are: Turkey North Macedonia Romania Bulgaria Bosnia and Herzegovina Out of those, Turkey is the cheapest for Americans traveling to Europe/Western Asia and based on the liquidation of the Turkish Lira, this should come as no surprise. In late September, it was close to reaching an all-time low of TRY 20.00 to USD 1.00, and due to the Turkish President’s controversial economic approach, it may not recover anytime soon. Asian And South American Become Cheaper Also Elsewhere in the globe, Japan’s yen is also facing a strong depreciation, with USD 1.00 now buying JPY 144.55 – throughout the pandemic, it oscillated between 103 and 115 yen, proving Japan’s conservative measures in tackling the Covid crisis, which were only partially reverted recently, took a heavy toll on its tourism-dependent economy. In Latin America, traditionally an affordable destination for U.S. citizens, Argentina takes the crown as the country with the most depreciated currency. At present, on September 10, USD 1.00 equals a whopping ARS 147.54, a sharp drop compared to the start of the year when the exchange rate averaged ARS 100. Inflation is at a record-high worldwide, threatening to plunge the world’s leading economies into a crippling recession pit. While in the U.S., the situation isn’t much better, the power of the dollar has remained a constant in the life of Americans, unlike Europeans, Brits, the Japanese or Turks, who have seen their own markets struggle to uphold value. Bottomline Weaker currencies are surely not good news for locals, but the overall economic depression may benefit those who are earning U.S. dollars and planning on traveling internationally soon. We must remind you this article was written based on information available at the time, and that currency exchange rates are liable to change daily. Read More: Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022 South Korea, Lebanon, And Luxembourg Drop All Travel Restrictions Returning To Normal Tourism Top Traveler Fails That Are Trending On Reddit The U.S. Is The Last North American Country Of The Free World To Ban Unvaccinated Tourists Google Maps Launches Cool New Feature For Travelers This article originally appeared on Travel Off Path. For the latest breaking news that will affect your next trip, please visit: Traveloffpath.com ↓ Join the community ↓ The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily!  SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling.  Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

Peterson Reports A Positive 2021 Financial Performance – Aberdeen Business News – Aberdeen Business News https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/peterson-reports-a-positive-2021-financial-performance-aberdeen-business-news-aberdeen-business-news/ LEADING international energy logistics company, Peterson Energy Logistics (Peterson), part of the Royal Peterson and Control Union Group, today announced its consolidated results for the 12 months ending 31st December 2021. Peterson reported revenue of £249.3m for the year, and £1.8m operating profit, compared to a breakeven result in 2020. The company announced it is positioned to deliver improved financial performance again in 2022 as demand for its energy logistics services continues to increase. Overall, 2021 saw a significant increase in activity as the energy sector emerged from the confines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quayside tonnages and fuel sales increased significantly in 2021 helping the organisation to continue its improving underlying financial performance. During the year, the company segmented its UK operations into eight new operating entities to better focus the management and delivery of services to its broad UK customer base. At the start of 2022, Peterson appointed Sarah Moore as CEO and established a new leadership team responsible for daily operations and the strategic direction of the business. Commenting on the group’s performance Sarah Moore, CEO of Peterson, said: “We’re pleased to report a significantly improved financial result in 2021, as we reflect on our collective achievements throughout the year.  “Our focus remains on delivering industry-leading logistics solutions to support our clients’ operations with safety, innovation, and efficiency at the core of our service offering. “The leadership team is driving substantial improvements across all aspects of our business, in particular our safety culture and ambitious environmental targets as we strive to meet the expectations of our ‘Goal Zero’ programme. We also work collaboratively with our existing customers to embrace the challenges of energy transition. We continue to make strategic investments, secure opportunities in the renewables sector and target diversification as we grow the business and strengthen the Peterson brand.  “We are proud of the efforts of all our people and thank them for their collective efforts in safely delivering our services and helping us achieve a positive result in 2021.”  Peterson continues to significantly invest in enhancements to its Lighthouse suite of digital applications and other supporting technologies. Part of its renewables strategy saw the company form a joint venture with Coast Renewable Services to establish Coast Offshore which will provide integrated services to the offshore wind sector. Peterson also expanded into Australia opening an office in Perth in line with the company’s strategic growth plans. The company was later announced by Kimberley Marine Support Base Pty Ltd (KMSB) as the operator of the Kimberley Marine Offloading Facility in Broome, Western Australia. The $AUD160 million facility will provide new supply chain options to numerous industries, offer lower movement costs, reduce carbon emission options, and minimise risks through shorter distances to offshore oil and gas operations. Once the facility is built operations are set to begin in 2024. Peterson has a robust sustainability road map and is set to achieve carbon-neutral status across all 27 sites in seven countries under the PAS2060 accreditation scheme at the end of 2022. Through the implementation of various initiatives so far, Peterson has seen a 42% reduction in total emissions, and remains on track to reach net zero operations by 2025. The company is committed to playing its role in the energy transition, supporting clients with their sustainability targets, and reducing emissions in supply chains. Some of Peterson’s initiatives include the use of a blend of electric and HVO-powered forklifts, the use of environmentally friendly fuels in cranes and trucks, utilising wind, turbine and solar power to operate facilities and the use of advanced technologies to achieve optimal planning in the supply chain to minimise the movement of goods across locations. A new staff initiative has also been introduced as part of Peterson’s net zero framework by joining the Pawprint pioneer programme – an online tool and app, which allow users to measure, understand and reduce their carbon footprint. Sustainability is integrated into Peterson’s social responsibility (CSR) programme, ‘Dare to Care’, and is based on four robust sustainability pillars: customers, employees, environment, and community. Each pillar represents a social aspect of the company it aims to uphold to demonstrate a positive role in the communities and wider society it operates in. Peterson is part of the wider family-owned Royal Peterson and Control Union Group, which has a presence in more than 70 countries and over 100 years of experience in logistics, quality, certifications, and risk management. The group’s services cover all aspects of the supply chain across many industries including agriculture, energy, forestry, sustainability, and textiles.

Greenbay – Welcome To A Healthy And Nature Inspired Living – APN News https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/greenbay-welcome-to-a-healthy-and-nature-inspired-living-apn-news/ Checking if the site connection is secure www.apnnews.com needs to review the security of your connection before proceeding.

Soccer Predictions, Best Bets Today: Betting Tips, Expert Picks For Games On Tuesday, October 4 – Sporting News https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/soccer-predictions-best-bets-today-betting-tips-expert-picks-for-games-on-tuesday-october-4-sporting-news/ It’s all about the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday with eight matches on the slate. Our best bets for four of the eight Champions League matches are outlined below, including two moneyline/goal total parlays. The Tuesday slate has plenty of attractive matchups, including Inter-Barcelona and Liverpool-Rangers, but those two matches did not present much value to our experts. Instead, they’re banking on goals in Ajax-Napoli and Eintracht-Tottenham, as well as Olympique Marseille and Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala to have standout performances. MORE: Sporting News soccer betting guide Ajax vs. Napoli prediction, best bet Best Bet: Napoli to win & 2+ goals Odds: +380 (Caesars) Prediction (Win/Draw): Napoli Napoli are on a roll, and have a chance to make it three wins from three in Champions League Group A, having already blasted Liverpool and Rangers. They score loads of goals, with Georgian wonderkid Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in spectacular form. Ajax are in a slump, winless in their last three matches, but have gone way under their expected goals total in each of those three games. Both teams should find the back of the net, and the Italian side to come out on top. — Kyle Bonn * = Napoli and Over 2.5 goals is available on Sports Interaction at 3.90.  Marseille vs. Sporting CP prediction, best bet Best Bet: Marseille win & Under 3.5 goals Odds: +190 / 2.90 (Sports Interaction) Prediction (Win/Draw): Marseille These two teams have been incredibly wonky, with Marseille looking great in Ligue 1 play but terrible in the Champions League, while Sporting have slipped in league play but they are perfect through two European games. Something has to give, and expected goals (xG) can provide some insight. Sporting have won their two UCL games by a combined 5-0 score, but registered under 1.0 xG in both games. Meanwhile, Marseille haven’t been great offensively, but are spectacular at the back and were unlucky to lose their Champions League games, with an early red card in one and bunch of chances missed in the other. This is a game where things regress to the mean on both sides. — Kyle Bonn Pick Caesars (USA) Sports Interaction (Canada) Marseille win & Under 3.5 total goals — 2.90 Bayern Munich vs. Viktoria Plzen prediction, best bet Best Bet: Jamal Musiala anytime scorer Odds: +115 Prediction (Win/Draw): Bayern win The most interesting angle in a match that is expected to be lopsided is the anytime scorer market, where there are six Bayern players listed at less than even money. Attacking midfielder Jamal Musiala is not one of them and that’s value. The teenager has scored in six of the 11 matches in which he has played for Bayern this season, and two of his goal-less matches were cameos off the bench. Given this will be a game with few spaces for Bayern, the scoring edge should go to players who can create their own shot or make the ghosting run from midfield. Musiala excels at both. — Simon Borg Eintracht Frankfurt vs Tottenham prediction, best bet Best Bet: Over 2.5 total goals Odds: -135 Prediction (Win/Draw): Tottenham A combination of Tottenham’s counterattacking prowess and Eintracht’s desperation to come away with a home win should see goals exchanged between two talented attacks. Mario Gotze is out for Eintracht, but they still have enough firepower to cause issues for an uncharacteristically leaky Spurs backline (nine goals conceded in their last six matches on 7.2 xG). Despite the recent stats, Spurs are capable of locking things down defensively on their day, which is a reason ‘Both Teams To Score’ at -155 is less attractive. — Simon Borg Yesterday’s picks Kyle predicted the goals would be flowing in the bottom-of-the-table clash in the Premier League. But a surprise corner-kick header by Elche, who only had five total shots in the match at Rayo Vallecano, torpedoed his clean sheet pick. A stoppage time Udinese winner (2-1) and a shot that rang the post by Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi in a 4-0 loss (Forest mustered 1.10 xG) ruined the day for Borg. Best Bets or Leicester-Nottingham Over 2.5 goals (Kyle Bonn) Rayo Vallecano clean sheet vs. Elche (Kyle Bonn) Leicester-Nottingham BTTS (Yes) (Simon Borg) Verona-Udinese Under 2.5 goals (Simon Borg) Soccer best bets records Records below compiled since the first edition of this post on October 3, 2022.   Kyle Bonn Simon Borg Best Bets (Won-Lost-Push) 50% (1-1-0) 0% (0-2-0) Total Units (+ Won / – Lost) +0.69 -2.00 Match Predictions (Correct picks) 50% (1 of 2) 50% (1 of 2)

The 1st Indian QSR Chain To Launch In Metaverse – IndianWeb2.com https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/the-1st-indian-qsr-chain-to-launch-in-metaverse-indianweb2-com/ Wow! Momo becomes first Indian QSR Chain to launch in Metaverse It has opened all 3 brands: Wow! Momo, Wow! China and Wow! Chicken on the metavers The Outlets have been launched in the FESTIVEMVERSE – curated to celebrate all the festivals of the country round the year Wow! Momo Foods that operates with 3 Brands; Wow! Momo, Wow! China and Wow! Chicken, has launched its 3 outlets in the metaverse. The Brands are on a new Metaverse Platform called FESTEMVERSE – That curates Festivals of India across the year. Currently FESTEMVERSE is available for android users; soon to be available on IOS devices too. All the consumers need to do is download FESTEMVERSE from the pay-store or Apple App Store, create their avatar and plunge into the immersive experience of the platform. The brand aims to start trading from their METAVERSE STORES, By Dhanteras. Consumers can trade on Metaverse stores and convert NFTs and redeem it on physical outlets. Launched in August 2008, the multi-billion-rupee QSR chain currently has over 490 outlets in 23 Indian cities; aims to enter over 100 cities soon. The launch of the Wow! Momo, Wow! China and Wow! Chicken brands on metaverse; is first-of-its-kind in the Indian QSR space. Commenting on the announcement, Sagar Daryani, CEO & Co-Founder, Wow! Momo Foods, said “Its imperative to stay relevant and stay up to speed today; Metaverse is an investment for the future; whilst we are launch partners for FESTEMVERSE today; our aim is to grow this and at the same time also be part of all the popular metaverse platforms.”. Last month, Wow! Momo had raised INR 125 Crores at a staggering valuation of INR 2125 Crores. Wow! Momo has been successful in creating a category and convert a small road-side snack into a formidable national brand across the country; similarly with Wow! China its redefining Desi Chinese taking it to the Pan-India audience and the recently launched Wow! Chicken aims at Indianizing fried & grilled chicken in the country. The company plans to take this brand across all major metros and Tier-1 and Tier 2s cities over the next 24 months. Also the ready to eat momo launched earlier has gone through a rechristening in terms of production technology & refreshed packaging! Soon to be available across all leading grocery chains and ecom platforms in the coming quarter.

The 10 Best And Worst Gadgets In James Bond Movies – We Got This Covered https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/the-10-best-and-worst-gadgets-in-james-bond-movies-we-got-this-covered/ Image via Eon Productions To celebrate 60 years of James Bond movies, Amazon is adding the entire back catalog of 25 action-packed outings of agent 007 to its Prime Video service across various territories, from the Sean Connery beginnings all the way through to the modern Daniel Craig era.  Albeit a little more sparse in recent outings, one recurring focal point across the many years of Bond films has been the sheer assortment of gadgets the various Bond actors have been outfitted with.  There has always been consistent staples in Bond’s arsenal, with the likes of his always cutting edge and high tech watches and cars, but as we prepare to binge our way through hours upon hours of spy movies, we’ve put together ten of the best and worst unique gadgets seen in the franchise over the years, regardless of whether Bond has been on the giving or receiving end of use.  1. Best: Briefcase (From Russia with Love) Image via Eon Productions A simple and elegant design which most passers by wouldn’t take a second look at, this businessperson’s staple is packed to the brim, at least figuratively, with a whole host of lethal and handy tools for your average special agent. Its contents include an AR-7 rifle with concealed ammo and an easily accessible throwing knife, fifty gold sovereigns, and just for good measure, a nasty tear gas surprise for those nosy types who attempt to open the briefcase without following proper procedure. 2. Worst: Cigarette gun (You Only Live Twice) Image via Eon Productions This could simultaneously fall in the ‘so bad it’s good’ category, but smokers around the world can attest to the feeling of dry mouth they get from a cigarette. Imagine how it would feel to shoot a bullet out of your mouth – would you even have salivary glands left, let alone teeth? Sure, regardless of the implications on your oral health – you may be left wanting for one in the stereotypical situation of facing down a firing squad, but still, we’ll pass on this one.  3. Best: Jetpack (Thunderball) It’s goofy, it’s dated, and Sean Connery looks like a numpty in that helmet. Yes to all of the above. However, there’s just a certain universal appeal about donning a jetpack to make a quick getaway, or, to the general public, a cruisy way to get from point A to point B while dodging peak hour traffic. There’s a good reason many Grand Theft Auto players still have the cheat code to acquire a jetpack firmly embedded in their brains.  4. Worst: Laser Polaroid (Licence to Kill) Image via Eon Productions In the same film that featured an equally ridiculous exploding alarm clock, we also saw this silly thing. On the surface, a regular old Polaroid camera. Point it, shoot it, and it instantly spits out a photograph. Give it a few shakes and it’s ready to stick on the fridge. Though in the case of this particular hoodwinking camera, its point, shoot, and murder your subject with a high-powered laser. It’s just goofy – and not in a particularly memorable way either. 5. Best: Dagger shoes (From Russia with Love) Image via Eon Productions These give would-be assassins quite the edge in hand to hand combat. The idea of the tables being fatally turned by an unexpected shin kick from these poison-tipped puppies is pretty high-stakes, and grim. Their debut in From Russia with Love looks rather clunky for its time, but their appearance would go on to inspire appearances in films outside of the Bond franchise, most notably in fan-favorite Batman flick The Dark Knight.  6. Worst: Mini scuba tank (Thunderball) Image via Eon Productions Although similar technology does now exist in real life, and this gadget came in handy for Bond in a pinch, it still seems particularly far-fetched that this stick about the same size as an icy pole can provide its user with four minutes of air. The mere fact that Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace took inspiration from this gadget meant that this little device was perhaps a little too space-age for a spy movie with a more modern, albeit technologically advanced setting. Then again, we had high praise for the jetpack that appeared in the same movie, so who are we to judge? 7. Best: Pen grenade (Goldeneye) Image via Eon Productions This thing is simply cool. Three clicks to activate its explosive power, and another three clicks if you change your mind. All housed in an inconspicuous writing utensil. It certainly manages to get Bond out of a pinch in an absolute nail-biter of a scene, during which a captive Bond carefully watches a nervous Grishenko click away at it, who is completely clueless of the explosive power. In what was very much a 50/50 gamble, Bond manages to knock the pen out of Grishenko’s hand, causing an explosion and creating enough of a distraction to make his escape. 8. Worst: Sony Ericsson Phones (Brosnan era onwards) Image via Eon Productions Sure, some of the features in these otherwise innocuous cellphones prove to be quite handy for the budding spy, particularly in the Brosnan era, in which they contained fingerprint analyzers and lock picks. Though by the time the brand was still getting plugged in the Craig era, it was pretty much a standard issue Sony Ericsson device with a fancy camera. The simple act of placing the brand has dated the films quite quickly, considering one flagship iOS or Android device today has enough computing power to blow several of these out of the water. 9. Best: Walther PPK (Skyfall) Image via Eon Productions At face value, the Walther PPK seen in Skyfall is a fairly ordinary handgun. What sets it apart is a pretty interesting biometric feature, in that it will only fire when it detects Bond’s palms wrapped around it. There’s been many an action movie where a singular gun trades hands multiple times over the course over a close-quarters struggle, which can be titillating, but this feature would ultimately leave any would-be villain short of the mark when they realize this gun only answers to one decision maker.  10. Worst: Alligator submarine (Octopussy) Image via Eon Productions Another which one could argue into the ‘so bad it’s good’ camp, but come on – seriously? I think the image says most of what needs to be said about why this one is just a little too far on the silly end of the spectrum.

How Can You Play At A Crypto Casino? – The Olive Press https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/how-can-you-play-at-a-crypto-casino-the-olive-press/ If you haven’t just returned from Mars on a 17-year journey, you’ve certainly read or heard, at least one thing, about cryptocurrencies and the huge momentum they’ve added to the non GamStop casinos, like on gamblingpro.pro. What you may not realize and doubt very much (although it is a proven fact) is that during the past 17 years of the Bitcoin revolution there have been a lot of empires and fortunes built on this digital asset. Perhaps the biggest development in Bitcoin history so far is that El Salvador has come to support it and consider it an alternative to foreign exchange reserves, and more countries may soon follow suit. There are three categories of non GamStop casinos, namely: Casinos that support cryptocurrency only. Casinos that do not support encrypted digital currencies, and accept only fiat currencies. Casinos that support both cryptocurrency and fiat currencies. In this article we will explain to you how to use cryptocurrency to deposit/ withdraw from online casinos. Moreover, we will learn about the most important features that crypto casinos also have. What Are the Features of the Best Crypto Casinos Without GamStop? For regular players, the comparison between regular and crypto casinos may be limited to the currencies available for use. However, this is absolutely not true! It is safe to say that crypto casinos differ in every aspect from regular casinos. The number one advantage that crypto casinos have is the usability of Bitcoin and its digital cousins ??to process your deposits and withdrawals. It is also possible that the player is allowed to use one of the fiat currencies. However, note that all online casinos require players to use the same deposit method to withdraw winnings. Using Bitcoin comes with another excellent feature which are bonuses and promotions as they tend to be more generous and bigger than the bonuses offered by regular casinos. On the other hand, crypto casinos without GameStop offer an innovative selection of games that are usually not available in regular casinos. Deposits and Withdrawals – In general, players can conduct their transactions using a wide range of e-wallets and crypto gateways. Bonuses and Promotions – Imagine that you deposited 1 Bitcoin and got 100%, do you know what the total value will be with you now? It’s the equivalent of $21,200! This is an immense amount and incredibly more than what you can get from the best regular casinos. Games Selection – Besides the usual selection of slots, table games and card games, Bitcoin casinos tend to be innovative in their selection and offer their customers an innovative selection of games. Customer Service – Certainly the use of cryptocurrencies has indomitable benefits and features, but sometimes you may have questions about the process. This is where the excellent support section comes into play. This is exactly what you will get at the best online crypto casinos. How to Use Cryptocurrencies at Casinos Not on GamStop? Are you ready for your adventure to gamble with bitcoin? Then, of course, bitcoins have to be bought first! You can buy your cryptocurrencies through crypto wallets.  There are a number of well-known crypto wallets, such as Binance, Coinbase, Exodus, MetaMask, and Ledger Nano X. After you have downloaded this app on your smartphone or computer, you can put money into your account via credit card, web wallet, bank transfer, or in another way. After you have done this, you can purchase bitcoin or any other altcoin. The Resemblance/ Difference Between Cryptocurrency and Gambling Because the prices of bitcoins have risen in value over the long term so far, this can be a very interesting business to invest in and then add more value to it in the casino – although of course it remains a gamble. In addition, the prices of the crypto coins are anything but stable due to the immature market: the risk on bitcoins is quite high and it can therefore also be the case that the price drops very quickly in no time. In that regard, buying crypto is quite a gamble. The fall or rise in value of cryptocurrency is influenced by all kinds of external factors over which you have no influence. Think of regulations, the development of the currency, external financing (remember Elon Musk who bought a lot of bitcoin in a short time and then sold it again freely?), influencers (again we think of Elon Musk who widely promoted Dogecoin) and of course authorities who act on it. In that respect, you could compare it to a game of blackjack or poker – you have good cards in your hand, but external factors (the dealer, the hands of everyone else at the table) can greatly influence your hand. However, in addition to the similarities, there are also differences. Because so many external forces influence the price of cryptocurrency, consumers can also anticipate this well. However, when you play casino game only the luck factor can affect your result. After all, when you play bet on roulette or slot at non GamStop casinos, the ‘luck’ factor is much greater than when trading cryptocurrency. We would therefore rather compare buying crypto with investing in shares. The crypto wallet is the stock market in miniature. Is Gambling in Non GamStop Casinos Different From Crypto Casinos? Gambling in a bitcoin casino is largely similar to gambling in a regular online casino. Apparently it offers the same advantages and disadvantages compared to the land-based casino: it is more anonymous, you can do it from home, the game runs very smoothly and there are many players active. On the other hand, you also have to deal with the fact that there is no supervision and the casino is open 24/7, so if you are prone to addiction that is disadvantageous. The range of games that you can play is also the same and the crypto casinos work with the exact same software suppliers as the regular online casinos, such as Evolution Gaming and NetEnt. Actually, only the payment method is different, but nothing else. However, it also offers additional advantages and disadvantages. The biggest advantage for the user is that he can make transactions completely anonymously. So if a player has a ban from GamStop, this can offer a solution. The financial authorities won’t find you anyway. In addition, the transactions are very fast, because again there is no bank between you and the casino.

Biden To Set New U.S. Guidelines On Reproductive Rights, 100 Days After Roe V Wade – Reuters https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/biden-to-set-new-u-s-guidelines-on-reproductive-rights-100-days-after-roe-v-wade-reuters/ WASHINGTON, Oct 4 (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden will announce new guidelines and grants to protect reproductive rights on Tuesday, and describe how abortion rights have been curtailed since the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to terminating pregnancies. He will be speaking at a meeting of the reproductive rights task force, also to be attended by Vice President Kamala Harris, that is being held 100 days after the landmark Roe v. Wade judgment. The meeting will focus on how millions of women cannot access abortion services and doctors and nurses are facing criminal penalties for providing such services, according to a White House official and a letter shared by the White House. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com The letter to the president was from Jen Klein, the head of the inter-agency task force on abortion access. At the meeting, the president will also speak about new guidelines for universities from the Department of Education to protect students from discrimination on the basis of pregnancy and $6 million in new grants to protect access to reproductive healthcare services from the Department of Health & Human Services. The letter from Klein said abortion bans have gone into effect in more than one dozen states since the court overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling on June 24. Nearly 30 million women of reproductive age now live in a state with a ban, including nearly 22 million women who cannot access abortion care after six weeks, it said. The letter also notes efforts by Republican lawmakers such as Senator Lindsay Graham to issue a nationwide abortion ban. Democrats are increasingly hopeful that the Supreme Court decision will boost voter support in November’s midterm elections. A Pew Research Center poll in August showed abortion rocketing up as a priority for Democratic voters — from 46 percent in March to 71 percent. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Nandita Bose in Washington; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

ST Engineering IDirect’s Game-Changing Mx-DMA MRC Technology Positions AXESS Networks For Cellular Backhaul Network Expansion Across Latin America – PR Newswire https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/st-engineering-idirects-game-changing-mx-dma-mrc-technology-positions-axess-networks-for-cellular-backhaul-network-expansion-across-latin-america-pr-newswire/ The breakthrough waveform enables AXESS to deliver exceptional agility and performance to MNOs, allowing greater versatility and scale for its clients across Colombia, Peru, Mexico and other regions of the continent , /PRNewswire/ — ST Engineering iDirect, a global leader in satellite communications, has delivered its Mx-DMA® MRC technology to global service provider AXESS Networks, enabling the company to further augment its cellular backhaul networks whilst achieving greater efficiencies. The implementation, across Colombia, Peru and Mexico, has been completed at a time when demand for mobile connectivity continues to increase across the region where it serves businesses, organizations and individuals with essential communications. AXESS Networks Teleport, Germany A longstanding customer of ST Engineering iDirect, AXESS has deployed both the Evolution® and Dialog® platforms which provide VSAT and 4G services to the Americas and EMEA regions. As a company that strives to remain at the leading edge of technological advancements, AXESS has adopted the revolutionary Mx-DMA MRC waveform after utilizing ST Engineering iDirect’s Mx-DMA return technology that incorporates the best features of MF-TDMA and single channel per carrier (SCPC). The initial rollout took place in Colombia, where AXESS migrated its first four MNO networks to Mx-DMA MRC. The company now plans to expand its solutions to operate corporate and cellular backhaul networks in Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Mexico and Chile, all utilizing Mx-DMA MRC bringing the total to seven high-capacity networks on the return technology and more than 2 Gbps. “The migration to the Mx-DMA MRC technology was important because, in addition to being a technical challenge for the entire organization, it allowed us to improve our scale and the versatility of our network design, reaching backhaul markets where we did not have a presence before, such as Chile,” said Germán Pérez, Director of Product and Business Development at AXESS. “This technology adds the power of Mx-DMA and the versatility of TDMA with the benefit of scale in hardware, eliminating the limitation from a couple of dozen remotes to over a thousand SCPC links at over a thousand per box and all handled using one single piece of hardware.” Mx-DMA MRC is a patented multi-access waveform that incorporates the scalability of MF-TDMA with the efficiency of SCPC into a single return technology for unprecedented service agility. It enables service providers to cover a myriad of use cases in a single return link without making tradeoffs between speed, efficiency and scale, lowering their total cost of ownership. “Since deploying MRC, we have noted that our cellular backhaul solutions achieve high efficiency, operating more than 3 bits/Hz in download in both forward and return, with the most powerful return link for organizations that seek to find greater bandwidth for their clients using small terminals,” continues Pérez. “We use the benefits of acceleration for mobile solutions or GTP that operates very powerfully over MRC. The net result is an end user experience that rivals that of terrestrial connectivity.” “The impact that Mx-DMA MRC has had on AXESS’ cellular backhaul network is absolutely tangible and is reflected in the end user experience,” said Darren Ludington, Regional Vice President, Americas, ST Engineering iDirect. “We look forward to seeing AXESS’ continued success, and to supporting them with the most powerful technology available today and in the future.” ST Engineering iDirect, a subsidiary of ST Engineering, is a global leader in satellite communications (satcom) providing technology and solutions that enable its customers to expand their business, differentiate their services and optimize their satcom networks. Through the merger with Newtec, a recognized industry pioneer, the combined business unites over 35 years of innovation focused on solving satellite’s most critical economic and technology challenges and expands a shared commitment to shaping the future of how the world connects. The product portfolio, branded under the names iDirect and Newtec, represents the highest standards in performance, efficiency and reliability, making it possible for its customers to deliver the best satcom connectivity experience anywhere in the world. ST Engineering iDirect is the world’s largest TDMA enterprise VSAT manufacturer and is the leader in key industries including broadcast, mobility and military/government. In 2007, iDirect Government was formed to better serve the U.S. government and defense communities. For more information on our platforms please visit www.idirect.net. SOURCE ST Engineering iDirect

HP Omen 17 Reviewed: The Gaming Notebook Fails To Arouse Enthusiasm – Notebookcheck.net https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/hp-omen-17-reviewed-the-gaming-notebook-fails-to-arouse-enthusiasm-notebookcheck-net/ Reviews, News, CPU, GPU, Articles, Columns, Other Not Set Default Review Flagship Review Short Review Review Update Ultra Short Review Live Default Review Live Flagship Review First Impression Review Other Review Smartwatch / eBike / Camera Comp. Accessory Review Game Benchmark Review 3D Printer Review Analysis Default News Major Launch News (NDA) Sponsored News Special Topic News Advertorial Article Magazine Article List Article Column “or” search relation. 3D Printing, 5G, Accessory, AI, Alder Lake, AMD, Android, Apple, Arc, ARM, Audio, Benchmark, Biotech, Business, Camera, Cannon Lake, Cezanne (Zen 3), Charts, Chinese Tech, Chromebook, Console, Convertible / 2-in-1, Cryptocurrency, Cyberlaw, Deal, Desktop, DIY, E-Mobility, Education, Exclusive, Fail, Foldable, Gadget, Galaxy S, Gamecheck, Gaming, Geforce, Google Pixel, GPU, How To, Ice Lake, Intel, Intel Evo, Internet of Things (IoT), iOS, iPad, iPad Pro, iPhone, Jasper Lake, Lakefield, Laptop, Launch, Leaks / Rumors, Linux / Unix, List, Lucienne (Zen 2), MacBook, Mini PC, Monitor, MSI, OnePlus, Opinion, Phablet, Radeon, Raptor Lake, Renoir, Review Snippet, RISC-V, Rocket Lake, Ryzen (Zen), Science, Security, Single-Board Computer (SBC), Smart Home, Smartphone, Smartwatch, Software, Storage, Tablet, ThinkPad, Thunderbolt, Tiger Lake, Touchscreen, Ultrabook, Virtual Reality (VR) / Augmented Reality (AR), Wearable, Wi-Fi 7, Windows, Workstation, XPS, Zen 3 (Vermeer), Zen 4 Ticker

Reports: Migrant Flights’ Mysterious Recruiter Identified – NBC10 Boston https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/reports-migrant-flights-mysterious-recruiter-identified-nbc10-boston/ 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. More on the migrant flights 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 Best Luxury Luggage And Travel Accessories For Your Next Vacation – Luxebook https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/the-best-luxury-luggage-and-travel-accessories-for-your-next-vacation-luxebook/ Arushi Sakhuja    In 2022, travel is finally opening in full swing. But one of the many tasks to tick from your travel checklist is investing in great luggage and stocking up on travel accessories.     For some travellers, designer luggage is an airport staple, and to travel smart, it’s imperative to have a stylish and durable suitcase. Pick a classic Louis Vuitton or Gucci suitcase or amp up the fun with a printed Gucci and Disney backpack. For a formal appeal, Balmain’s sleek black duffle will be your best bet. We’ve rounded up some of our favourite travel essentials to fit every type of traveller, whether you’re looking for something neutral or a stand-out piece.     Goyard Satolas GM Photo Courtesy: Goyard The Satolas GM is a dream to carry around, thanks to its four 360-degree wheels. Perfect in size for check-in baggage with two polycarbonate shells, the bag is made with canvas and clamecy cowhide. If brown isn’t your preferred choice, you can even pick the black option.    Price on Request, Buy Now     Gucci GG Supreme Tiger Print Backpack Photo Courtesy: Gucci Why be basic when you can make a statement? For fuss-free travel, Gucci’s GG supreme canvas backpack is the ideal choice. Spacious enough to fit your laptop and essentials, if you are someone who likes to infuse a quirky element to your style, this should be on your radar.    Price: ₹1,79,644 Buy Now    Gucci Bamboo Small Backpack  Photo Courtesy: Gucci All you fashion mavericks we have the perfect travel companion for you! Say hello to Gucci’s Bamboo small backpack defined by its impressive bamboo detailing. Crafted in smooth pink leather, the accessory is inspired by styles introduced in the House’s collections of the 90s. It is also available in black, brown, white and blue.    Price: ₹3,17,771, Buy Now    Louis Vuitton Horizon 55   Photo Courtesy: Louis Vuitton Louis Vuitton has for many decades been the chosen brand when it comes to luxury travel. One of the most iconic bags they have is the Horizon 55. We’ve picked out a glamorous edition of this bag with its titanium shell that pays homage to the original monogram branding. A 4-wheel cabin bag, it is at once functional and stylish with smooth leather trimmings on the corner, mixing modernity and savoir-faire. It is available in a range of colours – a pink shade of EPI Leather, Monogram Canvas and Eclipse Monogram to name a few.   Price on Request Buy Now     Balmain Monogram Holdall Bag  Photo Courtesy: Balmain If you’re whizzing off for a quick getaway, the travel bag you need should be compact and lightweight. Balmain’s Holdall Bag made with cotton-calfskin blend fits effortlessly into an airplane’s overhead storage (or into the back of your car). The duffel is spacious with one zipper inside for your important elements. And might we add, your hands will appreciate the soft leather grab handles and adjustable shoulder strap.    Price: ₹1,06,828 Buy Now    Dior Travel Suitcase  Photo Courtesy: Dior The Dior Travel suitcase combines emblematic House elements with relaxed and modern design. Made with blue waterproof Dior Oblique technical jacquard, the front is embellished with the signature brand logo. The medium suitcase is an ideal, and well-designed travel companion with two wheels, a retractable telescopic handle and a TSA-approved lock.    Price On Request Buy Now     Fendi Eye Mask Photo Courtesy: Fendi Get a good night’s sleep before your touchdown courtesy of Fendi’s reversible eye mask. The luxurious lustrous blush and black silk-satin material with an elasticated strap prioritize comfort. When not in use, stow your mask in the drawstring pouch.     Price: ₹39,122 Buy Now    Hermès Endless Road Luggage Tags  Photo Courtesy: Hermès Make it easy to identify your luggage with the Hermès leather luggage tags. A premium luggage tag that is the Rolls-Royce of travel accessories, this gorgeous bleu de prusse luggage tag is handcrafted using a combination of three different signature Hermès leathers: togo and swift calfskin and taurillon clemence leather.   Price: ₹95,810 Buy Now     Versace Medusa Studded Travel Mug  Photo Courtesy: Versace Whether you wish to savour a cold or hot drink during your travel, this travel mug will be your best friend. Beat the heat with a chilled cooler or keep warm as you sip on hot coffee. This very Versace studded travel cup is crystal-embellished with a signature Medusa motif at the centre and comes with a reusable straw. Available in red, mauve, black, silver and gold.     Price: ₹118,200 Buy it Now    So, it’s time to pick your favourites, because this season it’s all about travelling in style!    You may also like:   A 101 guide to the best watches for women 7 classic shoes for every man

Q&A: Megamigs – The Biggest Industry Event In Canada – Business News – MCV/Develop https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/qa-megamigs-the-biggest-industry-event-in-canada-business-news-mcv-develop/ MEGAMIGS is the biggest industry event for game developers over in Canada, and has been for over 15 years. It’s going back to being an in-person meet up this year, and as developers around the world pack up their suitcases and get ready to enjoy their time at the show, Vince Pavey sat down with Émilien Roscanu from La Guilde du jeu vidéo du Québec to find out all about the upcoming 2022 event. What is the focus of the MEGAMIGS event? MEGAMIGS is Canada’s number one B2B2C event. It aims to bring together industry professionals as well as the public in the charming and welcoming environment that is the city of Montreal, Quebec. The focus is to be an event that is of a more human scale than big conventions, where you can reach and meet with everyone present, and you don’t have to stand in line to get your name out there. What you see is what you get: an event that is not only great for business, but that is also a great showcase opportunity for getting your project out there. Why is the games industry becoming increasingly smitten with Quebec? Quebec is the third largest video game hub in the world, and it is renowned around the world as a creativity powerhouse with a tax friendly environment. Our talents are the heart of our industry, and we have a strong ecosystem that helps circulate talent around triple-A studios and indie startups, and anywhere in between. This ecosystem of nearly 300 studios is closely held together by camaraderie and a wish to help the next generation of game developers. MEGAMIGS is organised by La Guilde du jeu vidéo du Québec, Quebec’s Game Developers Association, who regroups and represents over 300 video game companies from around the province. How did the event come together? Tell us about the history of the show. Initially, MEGAMIGS was two separate events. The Montreal International Gaming Summit (MIGS) started in 2004 and brought our international community together. Then came the Montreal Expo Gaming Arcade (MEGA) in 2017, a B2B focused event for the general public. They both came together in 2019 to form what is today known as MEGAMIGS. What were the most notable things to happen during previous years of MEGAMIGS? Since this form of MEGAMIGS is quite new, and it has had to hold two of its events online in the last couple of years, I would say that the strongest aspect of MEGAMIGS is that it brings people together in such a way that everyone that comes once always wants to come back to the next show. How has MEGAMIGS changed this year? MEGAMIGS is coming back fully in-person after a two year virtual parenthesis. We are glad to welcome back the whole gaming community and all the developers from around the world to come and meet with the local and international talent. What highlights can we expect at the 2022 MEGAMIGS show? The highlights of the 2022 show will be the presence of several gaming developers from around the world. We expect around 4000 business visitors to attend the B2B conferences, talks and hold meetings and networking events. Our guest speakers include Daniel Dociu (NCSoft), Johan Eile, (Kabam Montréal), Julian Maroda (Norsfell), Shum Singh (Agnitia Capital), TQ Jefferson (Survio) and Trent Oster (Beamdog) to name a few. We will be discussing many newsworthy subjects during talks, like working on the spectrum, tenacity of mothers in the global games industry, recovering from workplace issues and women in games IT. We are also holding the MEGAMIGS Awards, where indie talent will be celebrated. The global publishers fill most of the high-rise office space, but what interesting studios work in their shadows that the world might not be aware of? We often talk about hidden gems that can rise above the crowd and become a success story. We have a lot of those gems out there, and one of MEGAMIGS missions is to help them become known to the industry and to the general public. We also have an area called the Indie Zone during the event, where indie studios from around the world have the chance to participate for free on the expo floor with a kiosk. Those studios, who for the most part are making their first game, have this great opportunity to be known by the industry, but most importantly by the gamers. The way to self-publishing success stories is through building strong communities around your project, so networking is important. What have been the difficulties of organising the event this year? Organising an event is always difficult, even more so when you are coming back from a two year hiatus alongside so many in-person events. The hardest part was to find a suitable venue when there has been such a huge amount of events coming back from the pandemic’s imposed torpor. MEGAMIGS is normally held mid-November, but has had to be held earlier because of those constraints this year. Is there anything different this year compared to years past? Bringing everyone together is no small feat and that is a big difference after two years of uncertainty. We will be located in a new and modern venue at Hotel Bonaventure in Montreal. Our talks and panels are modern and are rooted in current affairs. This year’s focus is on “discoverability and playability”. Why? How are you achieving this? This year’s focus is really linked to MEGAMIGS’ DNA. What we want for this event is to be able to bring together the industry, the studios, the publishers and the service providers, all in a cosy and accessible atmosphere here in Montreal. This is where discoverability is key, for the B2B side of things. We want our guests to be able to meet, talk and have a fun time together. This is where opportunities are created, where ideas are born, and the setting is key for that to happen. Playability is for the gamers out there as well as from within the industry. What better way is there to explain what we do than to show it to the people, to let them experience it with their senses themselves? What are the expectations for success this year? What we have seen is that the interest for live gaming expos and B2B events is more alive than ever. We have already seen great interest from the industry to be there and to meet the public, as our kiosks were almost sold out 6 months before the event. We expect to welcome 10,000 guests over the course of four days, and for this to be our biggest version of the event yet. MEGAMIGS takes place this year between October 19th and October 22nd. If you’d like to purchase tickets, you can find them over at https://megamigs.com/en/

Power Oil Urges Use Of Pedestrian Bridge To Promote Heart Health, Safety – Legit.ng https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/power-oil-urges-use-of-pedestrian-bridge-to-promote-heart-health-safety-legit-ng/ In commemoration of the 2022 World Heart Day, Power Oil, Nigerian No.1 Choice of Healthy Cooking Oil has engaged over 15,000 people directly across 3 locations within Lagos State, stressing the need to use Pedestrian Bridge rather than crossing the express road. It noted that this is important for their safety and to promote their heart health. The World Heart Day is observed and celebrated annually on September 29, with the aim of increasing awareness of cardiovascular diseases and how to control them. PAY ATTENTION: Share your outstanding story with our editors! Please reach us through info@corp.legit.ng! At the visited locations, Power Oil teams were present at the tail of the pedestrian bridges discouraging passers-by against the option of crossing the express road and enlightened them to use the overhead bridge as a safer and healthier alternative. After a successful completion of the trip to the other end, another brand team members were waiting to receive them with cheers and reward of product sachet for a good job. Interested pedestrians were further encouraged to burn more calories by engaging in more rigorous work out to win more exciting gift items such as food flask, water bottle, branded jotters and sample products. There was a workout breakdown chat detailing different activities and the number of calories it consumes. According to Ms. Valerie Amakulor, Brand Manager, Power Oil “The rationale behind this campaign is to educate Nigerian Population on the importance of a healthy lifestyle through routines in our daily lives. The need to create awareness about maintaining a healthy heart can never be overemphasized as cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the most common cause of death globally. An estimated number of over 17 million people die from CVD every year. Coronary heart disease or strokes were the major causes of these deaths. While reviewing this estimation, it was realized that awareness effort needed to go further in Nigeria, especially at different touch points unimaginable, which gave rise to this concept of pedestrian-bridge engagement exercise. An Estimation of 20 people die in Lagos state from crossing the road monthly in Nigeria, even when the bridges are available for use they still opted for the risky option. Power Oil rose to the occasion by not only cheering pedestrians to use the bridge for safety purpose, but to also educate them about the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle, at this point, a sample the brand is offered. However, to further drive healthy choices, pedestrians were engaged to partake in minor workouts to get more rewards. “It was delightful to see the number of people being engaged today at all three locations, this further demonstrates that a little push might only be required to achieve the right amount of behavioral adjustments towards a healthy lifestyle”, Amakulor said. [Sponsored] Source: Legit.ng

Today’s Birthdays | News, Sports, Jobs – The Steubenville Herald-Star https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/todays-birthdays-news-sports-jobs-the-steubenville-herald-star/ Emily Lamatrice, 27, Toronto. Marianne Kane, Weirton. Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox Jefferson County Sheriff Shouldn’t have: A 16-year-old girl who had taken her grandmother’s car without … Emily Lamatrice, 27, Toronto. Marianne Kane, Weirton. Jefferson County Sheriff Drove away: Someone left a Tiltonsville gas station without paying the $62 they owed … The following marriage applications have been filed in Jefferson County: Alexander Michael Garan and Maria … Ashley Platko, 37, Toronto. Toronto Police Charged: Asia Powell, 28, 3912 Hanlin Way, Weirton, disorderly conduct, Sept. 23; Amber S. …

Wow! Momo Becomes First Indian QSR Chain To Launch In Metaverse – Devdiscourse https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/wow-momo-becomes-first-indian-qsr-chain-to-launch-in-metaverse-devdiscourse/ New Delhi, India (NewsVoir) • It has opened all 3 brands: Wow! Momo, Wow! China and Wow! Chicken on the metaverse • The Outlets have been launched in the FESTIVEMVERSE – curated to celebrate all the festivals of the country round the year Wow! Momo Foods that operates with 3 Brands; Wow! Momo, Wow! China and Wow! Chicken, has launched its 3 outlets in the metaverse. The Brands are on a new Metaverse Platform called FESTEMVERSE – That curates Festivals of India across the year. Currently FESTEMVERSE is available for android users; soon to be available on IOS devices too. All the consumers need to do is download FESTEMVERSE from the pay-store or Apple App Store, create their avatar and plunge into the immersive experience of the platform. The brand aims to start trading from their METAVERSE STORES, by Dhanteras. Consumers can trade on Metaverse stores and convert NFTs and redeem it on physical outlets. Launched in August 2008, the multi-billion-rupee QSR chain currently has over 490 outlets in 23 Indian cities; aims to enter over 100 cities soon. The launch of the Wow! Momo, Wow! China and Wow! Chicken brands on metaverse; is first-of-its-kind in the Indian QSR space. Commenting on the announcement, Sagar Daryani, CEO & Co-founder, Wow! Momo Foods, said, “Its imperative to stay relevant and stay up to speed today; Metaverse is an investment for the future; whilst we are launch partners for FESTEMVERSE today; our aim is to grow this and at the same time also be part of all the popular metaverse platforms.” Muralikrishnan, CMO and Co-founder at Wow! Momo added that we have always pioneered every new initiative, to us Metaverse is a step that gets us closer to the modern consumer and closer you are to the consumer the stronger is your pull Last month, Wow! Momo had raised INR 125 Crores at a staggering valuation of INR 2125 Crores. Wow! Momo has been successful in creating a category and convert a small road-side snack into a formidable national brand across the country; similarly with Wow! China its redefining Desi Chinese taking it to the Pan-India audience and the recently launched Wow! Chicken aims at Indianizing fried & grilled chicken in the country. The company plans to take this brand across all major metros and Tier-1 and Tier 2s cities over the next 24 months. Also the ready to eat momo launched earlier has gone through a rechristening in terms of production technology & refreshed packaging! Soon to be available across all leading grocery chains and ecom platforms in the coming quarter. (This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Best Thing About New IPhone 14 – News.com.au https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/best-thing-about-new-iphone-14-news-com-au/ The new iPhone 14 series is a significant step up from older models. It’s faster, and the camera and battery are better. The improved video stabilisation is out of this world. But there’s one feature I couldn’t stop playing with – and it came with the release of the new iOS 16. The fun feature that grabbed my attention is the ability to take photos, and with one touch, cut parts of the image or text and easily use them elsewhere. I’ll show you what I mean. And the same thing works for text. I took a photo from a textbook I’m using and the tech recognised the text and lifted the words right out. I was able to paste the text in an email and send it to myself, which is much easier than typing out the quotes. iPhone 14 series review Apple sent me over an iPhone 14 to check out and – full disclosure – I’ve been solidly on team Android for years. Nonetheless, I was impressed by the latest offering from the world’s biggest tech company. The Cliffs Notes version of the major improvements is big changes to the iPhone’s performance, camera and battery life. Improved performance The A15 bionic chip with a 5-core GPU, which first appeared in the iPhone 14 Pro, has been slotted into the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus. The chip is the engine that powers the phone – including the 16-core neural engine for the camera that enables features like cinematic mode in 4K resolution. Overall it is about 18 per cent faster, meaning the phone has smoother graphics for game play and increased efficiency for the phone. The chips used in phones are an increasingly important factor as all brands are upping their game, so it was good to see Apple using the A15 in the standard iPhone 14. Camera system reworked There have been a bunch of changes to the iPhone’s camera system. First of all there’s a new main camera with a larger sensor for better shots in all lighting conditions. It has a bigger sensor, larger pixels and a faster aperture. A quick note about Apple’s “Photonic Engine”, it now applies Deep Fusion (an image processing system) to uncompressed images earlier in the image pipeline, enabling use of more data for more detail, more colours and brighter colours. In this way, the photonic engine dramatically increases the ability of the phone to take photos in low light conditions. There’s also a new front “TrueDepth” camera, with a faster aperture and autofocus for the first time. And the “Ultra Wide” camera captures four times more scene. And on the video front, action mode enables people to take stable video footage – even if you jump around like a madman. Many people are choosing their phones on the basis of camera performance alone. There’s tight competition between the iPhone, Google Pixel, Samsung, OnePlus and Oppo. AI camera technology is also super important for people like me who point and shoot, so Apple’s focus on the Photonic Engine is welcome. Battery Apple says the iPhone 14 series has the best battery of any phone it has made yet. It’s billed to last all day – and it certainly did for me, although I wasn’t intensively using the phone. Other cool features Apple made some major moves with the iPhone 14 series that have received plenty of attention. The back glass of the phone can be simply removed, making it the easiest to fix since the iPhone 7. The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max now have a ‘Dynamic Island’, which essentially consolidates alerts, notifications and activities into one interactive place. The more expensive models also have the “Always-On” display. The iPhone 14 Pro model also has the ability to detect serious car crashes – and can automatically contact emergency services. My thoughts The iPhone 14 has copped some criticism for being too similar to the iPhone 13, with one meme going viral. But I think it’s a tad unfair. The improvements to performance, the photo system and battery are significant, and in my view, are enough to justify upgrading, especially if you have an older model. The iPhone 14 is lightweight, sleek and lives up to Steve Jobs’ vision of simplicity. The phone has long been a status-symbol – a fashion statement of sorts. And there are now plenty of colours to choose from – the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus comes in midnight, starlight, blue, purple and red, and the iPhone 14 Pro in silver, gold, space black and the all-new deep purple. The iPhone 14 starts from $1399 and the 14 Pro starts from 1749. Overall, it’s a great phone – but it’s still not enough to convince me to switch from Android. But for the millions of Australians who have iPhones, you’ll love the iPhone 14 series. Read related topics:Apple

Crypto Better Days Coming: UN Urges Federal Reserve Not To Hike Interest Rates | Bitcoinist.com – Bitcoinist https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/crypto-better-days-coming-un-urges-federal-reserve-not-to-hike-interest-rates-bitcoinist-com-bitcoinist/ Crypto prices immediately came crashing down after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell announced they are increasing interest rates during an economic summit on September 21. Now, in a not-so-delayed reaction, the United Nations is calling on the U.S. central bank and other large western regulators not to continue raising their interest rates, a UN agency says. The Fed and other central banks worldwide raised their interest rates with the objective of containing the onslaught of inflation.  The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) warns, however, that this could trigger a worldwide economic crisis. JUST IN: United Nations says the FED and other central banks risk pushing the global economy into recession if they keep raising interest rates. — Watcher.Guru (@WatcherGuru) October 3, 2022 Better Days Ahead For Crypto? UNCTAD published its Trade and Development Report 2022 on Monday, in which it expressed concern about the possibility of a global economic calamity brought on by the Fed’s rigid monetary policy, the effects of which would be felt most severely in developing nations. “Any belief that they (central banks) will be able to bring down prices by relying on higher interest rates without generating a recession is… an imprudent gamble,” the agency said. The market immediately reacted negatively to Powell’s reiteration that the Fed must maintain its fight against rising inflation by further increasing interest rates. As has been the case over the past few months as the prices of Bitcoin and Ether have been increasingly tied to the stock market, the Bitcoin price and the larger crypto market followed suit. Current Fed Policy Hurts Vulnerable People Globally “Current policies are harmful to vulnerable populations everywhere, especially in developing nations. Rebeca Grynspan, the UNCTAD secretary-general, made these remarks at a press conference in Geneva. Market analysts at Bitfinex, a cryptocurrency exchange headquartered in the British Virgin Islands, have issued the following statements through email: “The cryptocurrency market, like other risk assets, is extremely sensitive to comments made by the Federal Reserve, and it has been recently impacted by the Fed’s rate hikes.” As of this writing, Bitcoin is trading at $19,603, up 3 percent in the last seven days, data from Coingecko show, Tuesday. A Recession Would Benefit Crypto? Meanwhile, predictions on how cryptocurrency prices would behave during a recession are all over the map. While the consensus is that the value of crypto assets will plummet in the event of a stock market crash, an opposing viewpoint is gaining ground. A recession, which American investor Stan Druckenmiller believes will happen next year, would be good for the cryptocurrency sector as a whole, he says. Druckenmiller pointed out that a growing lack of trust in governments and their central banks could be good news for cryptocurrencies. Because Bitcoin is decentralized, market watchers believe it will likely diverge from the pack and increase in price. Some analysts believe that as Bitcoin rallies – whether the Fed hikes its rates or not – so will other major cryptos like Ethereum, Tether, and Dogecoin. The Fed easing its current stance on interest rates could have a healing effect on the overall health of the crypto markets. When the Federal Reserve meets again on November 4, they will decide if interest rates will be allowed to climb again. And with the UN now breathing heavily down its nape, the Fed must get back on the drawing boards and chart its next move. BTC total market cap at $376 billion on the daily chart | Source: TradingView.com Featured image from BGR, chart from TradingView.com

The US Says It’s Helping Iranians Navigate A Massive Internet Blackout. Activists Say It’s Too Little, Too Late – CNN https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/the-us-says-its-helping-iranians-navigate-a-massive-internet-blackout-activists-say-its-too-little-too-late-cnn/ CNN  —  As protesters took to the streets of Iran following the death in detention of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman apprehended for apparently not wearing her hijab properly, videos of the uprising began to flood the internet. Clips of students tearing up pictures of Iran’s Supreme Leader in northern Iran. Photos of women removing their hijab in Iran’s capital, Tehran. Videos of protesters marching down the streets of the capital with their fists in the air. The outpouring of anger following Amini’s death was visible to the world. But then it went dark as WhatsApp, Signal, Viber, Skype, and even Instagram, one of the last remaining social media apps to be usable, were blocked. Internet shutdowns aren’t new in Iran, often accompanying periods of unrest and dissent. The most severe crackdown was in 2019, during which more than 100 protesters were killed and the internet was cut off for 12 days, according to Amnesty International. Activists in Iran say that the primary purpose of the shutdowns is to disrupt communication among people organizing protests on the ground and stifle dissent. “They don’t want you to be able to communicate with your friends, with your family, with your colleagues, because simply if you’re going to basically create a group […] you’re going to be more effective in the way that you are doing protest,” Amir Rashidi, director of digital rights and security at human rights organization Miaan Group, told CNN. As a result of these frequent blackouts, tech-savvy Iranians have learned increasingly to rely on more advanced tools like VPNs or Tor network as workarounds to stay connected. But even these are now being restricted by authorities and are therefore far from reliable. “I can hardly get in touch with my friends because we can’t always get connected to VPNs,” 22-year-old Ali, whose name CNN changed because he fears for his safety, told CNN via an encrypted ProtonMail conversation. A VPN, or virtual private network, encrypts the user’s traffic and connects it to a remote server, protecting the data and activity; Tor is an open-source network which allows anonymous web browsing; ProtonMail is an end-to-end encrypted email service. “This time they are not just limiting the internet,” Ali added. “They have removed WhatsApp and Instagram from local app stores, they have blocked our connection to Google Play store and App Store so we can’t download any VPN or social media apps […] they do this so protesters can’t connect to each other and can’t share news on social media, the high censorship starts from 4pm to 11:59pm, sometimes we have issues even for calling each other!” Another user, 18-year-old Nima, whose name CNN changed because he fears for his safety, told CNN there were no messaging apps that work in Iran right now without using VPNs, “The government is blocking VPNs right now, one by one. Our accessibility is getting limited each day. We are hardly able to know about the protests and the victims in my country,” he said. In comparison to the full shutdown in 2019, this blackout is more targeted and sophisticated, according to Alp Toker, director of international technology platform NetBlocks, which tracked three different methods – internet outages, mobile service disruptions, and the ban on Instagram and WhatsApp – that Iranian authorities have used to restrict online communications. “You have an environment that makes it very difficult for people to speak out to express discontent about the government in any form,” he told CNN. However, the challenges Iranians face come not just from their own regime but from the international community as well, including governments and tech companies. The Biden administration last month expanded its general license to Iran to “support the free flow of information” and authorize American tech companies to provide people inside the country access to certain tools that help them communicate with each other amid one of the worst internet shutdowns in history in Iran for breadth and scope. On Monday, President Biden said the US was making it easier for Iranians to access the internet, “including through facilitating greater access to secure, outside platforms and services.” While digital activists and Iranian digital natives welcome these moves, they fear they may not be enough to address the issues average Iranians face every day while attempting to connect to the internet. CNN has spoken with digital rights activists, tech experts and Iranian internet users who spoke out about the unintended consequences of US sanctions. Exemptions to tech sanctions were introduced in 2013 but failed to go far enough, activists say. The new exemptions weren’t introduced until September 23. “It has been almost 10 years that Iranians have had to wait for this update in the license. Better late than never, it has been a belated action by the US government. And so there has been a lot of harm done in the interim,” said Mahsa Alimardani, senior internet researcher at Article 19, a freedom of expression organization. US sanctions unwittingly accelerated Iran’s development of an internal network, the National Information Network project, ironically making it cheaper and easier for Iran’s government to shut off the internet without disrupting government operations such as banks, financial systems and hospitals, Rashidi said. These sanctions also pushed tech companies to over-comply or withdraw entirely from Iran, leaving Iranians with no alternative but to use government-controlled domestic servers at heightened personal risk in terms of safety, privacy and security, Rashidi added. “What US sanctions have done on one level is give the government basically an excuse to further nationalize and isolate Iran’s internet,” Alimardani said. Iranian internet users who spoke to CNN shared the same frustration. “I gotta complain, why do tech companies […] restrict Iranian people? They are targeting directly people not the government,” said Ali, who says he’s posting on social media “to inform people about the different ways they can connect to the internet in this hard censorship because I believe it’s a human right.” Not only has the Iranian government blocked the Apple Store and Google Play – making it impossible for users to access tools that could circumvent the blackout – but activists in Iran say they are unable to upload their own apps for wider distribution. CNN approached Apple for a comment but had not received a statement by the time of publication. In a statement to CNN, Google said: “Google has allowed users in Iran to access free, publicly available services related to communications and/or sharing of informational materials. This includes products like Google Search, free consumer Gmail, Google Maps and YouTube. It is important to note that, although Google can decide to make these services available, we cannot ensure they are accessible within Iran.” When asked about the inability of Iranian app developers to upload their own apps to Google Play Store, Google said the new US sanction exemptions do “not extend to accepting or hosting Iranian-origin apps.” Google also recently announced it would make more of its tools available, including more VPNs and location sharing on Google apps, in the light of updated US sanctions. But digital activists Alimardani and Rashidi call this “low-hanging fruit,” saying Google needs to do more. “Google Cloud Platform, Google App Engine, they have been very important in terms of internet infrastructure, helping Iranian technologists right now. So that really needs to be made available,” Alimardani said. Asked why other Google services, such as Google Classroom, Google Analytics, Google Developers, Google chat, remain inaccessible, including many services accessible via the Google Play Store, the company replied: “Ongoing legal or technical barriers may block the provision of certain services, but we are exploring whether additional products might be made available.” Alimardani and Rashidi point favorably to GitHub, a popular code hosting platform for IT developers, which last year secured a license from the US government to offer its services in Iran. Signal, the encrypted messaging network, is also offering instructions to people in Iran and suggesting help for whoever is able to host a proxy server and direct download. CNN contacted the Iranian government for comment but received no reply at the time of publication. While more people inside Iran now rely on the Tor browser, which has seen a spike in users since the start of the protests, a sense of defiance is spreading among Iranian digital natives. “We suffered a lot from the Islamic Republic for many years. We were hurt in different ways,” said 30-year-old Reza, whose name CNN changed because he fears for his safety. “But the recent tragedy gave us a new sadness, anger and despair that we cannot stop thinking about it, and the way the Islamic Republic responded and the future of us and our loved ones. “If we don’t react and stand up against oppression, we are either a bad person or a stupid person.”