Anna Garraway

Live Oak Man Arrested In Stabbing That Left Victim’s Intestines ‘exposed,’ Records Show – KSAT San Antonio https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/live-oak-man-arrested-in-stabbing-that-left-victims-intestines-exposed-records-show-ksat-san-antonio/ Affidavit: Suspect tried to clean blood from car’s exterior SAN ANTONIO – A Live Oak man has been arrested following an altercation and stabbing that left the victim’s intestines “exposed,” according to court records. Phillip Andrew Montez, 21, has been charged with aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury and tampering with evidence, records with the Bexar County Jail show. Live Oak police said the incident happened early Monday morning in the 11500 block of Lone Shadow Trail, not far from Kitty Hawk and Toepperwein roads. Officers arrived to find the victim in the middle of the road. He had a severe stab wound to his stomach and his “intestines were exposed,” police said. He was taken to Brooke Army Medical Center. The suspect and male victim gave police conflicting reports of what led to the stabbing, but a witness said that it unfolded after she claimed Montez touched her inappropriately, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. The witness told police that they were hanging out at a home in Converse on Sunday night, and she reported Montez to the victim. Both men then went outside the home, and the witness said she never saw them again that night. The victim later told police that he asked Montez to “go for a ride” to talk about the allegations. They left in Montez’s car and Montez drove them to his house, police said. The affidavit states that on the way there, Montez texted a relative and told him to meet him outside with a gun. The victim told police that when they arrived, the relative came out of a bush, approached him, and pointed a gun at him. He said that once he got out of the car, Montez approached him from the back and cut him in the stomach, the affidavit states. He said they fought over the knife, which cut his hand, and Montez’s relative hit him on the head with the gun. The victim was able to break free and started to crawl down the road. He said he saw one of the men following him and then said, “Ok bro, I’m dying already,” the affidavit states. He was able to call 911 before one of the men grabbed it from him and threw it, police said. A neighbor who heard the commotion went outside to check on the victim, and the men ran away, the affidavit states. Montez, however, said the altercation started when the victim tried to rob him, according to investigators. Montez said the victim made him drive to his home and threatened him with a knife. He also said the victim accidentally stabbed himself with the knife during the tussle, the affidavit states. Montez told police that he tried to wipe blood off his car when he returned home. Police noted that dried blood was seen in various spots on the exterior of the car, and it “appeared that someone tried to wipe it as it appeared to be smeared.” The car also had scratch marks on the hood, the affidavit states. A search warrant was completed at Montez’s home, and officers found bloody clothes, a knife, a handgun, and two towels with DNA evidence, police said. At this time it is unknown if Montez’s relative will face charges in the incident. Montez was booked on Thursday and his bond is set at $85,000, records show. Read also: Copyright 2022 by KSAT – All rights reserved.

The 50 Funniest Town Names In America, State By State – USA TODAY https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/the-50-funniest-town-names-in-america-state-by-state-usa-today/ The American landscape is scattered with hidden treasure, from awe-striking flatlands, untouched wilderness, and hyper-specific cuisine. It’s a map not quite like any other. Perhaps the most amusing among these hidden treasures though are the offbeat and sometimes outright ridiculous town names that can be found in each state. Carefree, Arizona for example sits northeast of Phoenix and Waterproof, Louisiana is just inland from the Mississippi River. Some of these hamlets claim less than a thousand residents, while others are prominent cities in their state. Come with us from the wild west to the northern coast on a phantom road trip as we take you across America to the most distinctively named cities and towns. You might even decide some of these spots are worth a real-life visit. Alabama Eclectic The population of this Alabama town is just under 1200 people, Mayor Gary Davenport tells me. The name was generated by one of the founding fathers who practiced ‘eclectic medicine‘, a form of American medical practice that focused on noninvasive therapy and healing.  Arkansas Delight This small town in Pike County, Arkansas is only a few miles from the birthplace of country music sensation Glen Campbell, known best for his countrypolitan anthem ‘Rhinestone Cowboy’. In fact, the sign welcoming you to Delight has a black and white portrait of the singer.  Arizona. Why This community sits at the intersection of Highways 85 and 86 and is home to 65 residents. Anyone passing through can visit the comically named Why Not Travel Store which offers refreshments, knick-knacks, and, one would assume, a ‘why not’ attitude.  Alaska Unalaska This island, inhabited for thousands of years by the Unangan people gets its name from a Native Aleut word: Agunalaksh.  Ray Hudson, an Unalaska historian and author writes, “The name “Unalaska” does not reflect a thwarted attempt to secede from the 49th State, nor does it imply that the residents of Unalaska view their community as one that runs counter to the majority of the state, although some might.” It is simply the evolution of a word, first co-opted by Russians, then by the United States Board on Geographic Names.  What is the world’s most populous city?: Top 10 most populous cities in the world, US ranked. California Rough and Ready This small town in Nevada County, California has less than a thousand residents and was named after President Zachary Taylor whose nickname was “Old Rough and Ready.” In 1850 the town seceded, deciding it didn’t want to be taxed and becoming the independent Republic of Rough and Ready. The secession was later reversed when residents became frustrated that nearby saloons would not sell liquor to “foreigners.” Connecticut Mystic This coastal town earned Hollywood fame when it was depicted in the 1988 rom-com “Mystic Pizza” starring Julia Roberts. It documented three young girls working at a pizza parlor in Mystic, Connecticut.  The real parlor from the film still serves up hot pies today. If you visit, you can grab a slice! Colorado Superior This Colorado town has a population just above 13,000 and was given its name at the turn of the 20th century for the ‘superior’ quality of the coal mined in the region.  Honorable mentions in this state go to the unincorporated communities of Paradox and Hast and, notably, Moffat, Colorado which is considering changing its name to ‘Kush’ to honor the growing cannabis industry.  Delaware Slaughter Beach This tiny beach side town has a lot of varied lore surrounding its name. One story though involves the horseshoe crabs which are plentiful in the area. In the spring and summer they come to shore to lay their eggs and are sometime flipped by waves, then left to die in the hot sun. This phenomenon is nicknamed “Slaughter of the Crabs.” Bob Wood, mayor of the town of slaughter beach tells me by phone that another theory is that the name comes from a old English word, sounding similar to ‘slaughter’ and referring to plum trees, which are also plentiful by the shoreline.  Georgia  Enigma Located in southern Georgia, Enigma has a town population of just above 1,000. In his book “Georgia Place-Names”, author Kenneth Krakow writes that when the citizens of the town were unsuccessful in deciding a name, one commented that it was “just an enigma.” It stuck. What are the best beaches in America?: Destinations for any type of beach vacation. New Hampshire Sandwich Believe it or not Sandwich is actually one of the largest towns in the state of New Hampshire. It is named after the Fourth Earl of Sandwich who had a propensity for gambling, so much so he refused to get up from the table for meals. He is said to have asked for a slab of beef between two slices of bread to be brought to him. Soon enough people at the table began to say, “I’ll have the same as Sandwich”, hence the birth of the popular lunchtime special.  Washington Electric city Located in eastern Washington, Electric City has a population of 1,025 residents, according to city clerk Peggy Nevsimal. And is named for the nearby Grand Coulee Dam which produces, you guessed it, large amounts of electricity. When the dam was first built many of the engineers settled in the town. Nevada Cal-Nev-Ari Intuitive minds might guess, this is a small area in Nevada’s Clark County that sits incredibly close to the borders of nearby Arizona and California. It’s name is an abbreviated jumble of the three states. As of 2021, it had a mere 250 residents.  West Virginia Hometown That’s right, for residents who grew up in this West Virginia hamlet, their hometown is literally Hometown. There are only six streets and one elementary school, which services about 80 children according to the county clerk. The town in total had 595 residents as of the 2020 census. Virginia Tightsqueeze This unincorporated community in Pittsville County got its name many years back when both a general store and a blacksmith-wheelwright shop were built on a narrow dirt road, close enough to the road so that people riding by in carts could step right out of the carriage and onto the porch of the stores.  According to the Pittsylvania Historical Society, when passersby came through they would have to slow their vehicles because it was such a “tight squeeze”, hence the name.  New York  Tuxedo This town, bearing the name of men’s formal wear, is located in New York’s Orange County along the Ramapo River.  The name is actually derived from tucseto, a word found in the language of the Lenni-Lenape tribe, native Americans indigenous to this region.  New Jersey  Loveladies This waterfront neighborhood in New Jersey was named after Thomas Lovelady, who once owned a small island just across from the land. Lovelady Island can still be seen on a map.  New Mexico Truth of Consequences Formerly called ‘Hot Springs’ this 6,000 person town is home to plentiful natural hot springs and a ‘retro’ vibe. The new name came about in 1950 when, for the 10th anniversary of NBC radio’s Truth or Consequences game show, host Ralph Edwards suggested there might be a town willing to adopt the name as their own. The people of “T or C”, as locals call it, bought in.  Honorable mention for New Mexico goes to Dulce, a town on the Jicarilla-Apache reservation originally dubbed “Agua Dulce”, or ‘Sweet Water’ in English for the natural springs which supplied quality drinking water. Not unlike another famed New Mexico town, Dulce has a great deal of paranormal lore. Residents claim to have seen and photographed UFOs, and a group of theorists is convinced there is an underground alien base.  Autumn colors abound!: 10 best destinations for fall foliage Iowa What Cheer This Iowa town has just over 600 residents. City clerk Melanie Vermillion told local newspaper The Gazette in 2015 that school children all across the county write to her about where the name came from. The answer? Joseph Andrews, an early settler. Andrews opened a post office once the town grew big enough and named it after the English greeting “What Cheer.” The town later took on the name as well. Maine Bald Head This village on the coast of Maine was christened ‘Bald Head’ for a nearby rock formation bearing the same name.  Maryland Halfway This community sits halfway between Hagerstown and Williamsport, making the name a natural choice. Near the Pennsylvania border in Maryland’s Washington County, this community is home to just under 12,000 residents.  Michigan  North Star North Start Township, to be exact, was founded in 1857, though it didn’t receive its noble name until 1884. The 2020 census indicated a population of 895 people.  Honorable mentions go to Loud Township and Covert Township.  Minnesota  Harmony Local legend has it that this town was named when residents were engaged in a tense debate over what the town was named and an onlooker stepped in saying, “Let’s have Harmony here!” Participants agreed that indeed, Harmony would be a nice idea, and named the town after it.  Mississippi Hot Coffee In the market for a piping hot cup of joe? Perhaps this should be your first stop. How Coffee is an unincorporated area in southern Mississippi. It gets its name from an inn that was built back in pioneer days. The inn brewed, you guessed it, hot coffee, and travelers used to delineate their journey’s progress by how much longer it would be until they could get to this town and snag a cup. Kentucky  Monkey’s Eyebrow Mark Usler, author of ‘Hometown Revelations’, told NPR in 2007 that the town name originates from a local legend that if you stand on a nearby mountaintop and look down at the region, it resembles the shape of a monkey’s eyebrow.  Located on the Ohio river, an LA Times article noted in 1987 that residents of nearby Pad...

ConnectOne Bank Expanding With New East Hampton Office – Long Island Business News https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/connectone-bank-expanding-with-new-east-hampton-office-long-island-business-news/ Get our free LIBN e-alerts & breaking news notifications! A ConnectOne Bank branch in Ridgewood, N.J. / Google Maps image By: David Winzelberg September 30, 2022 ConnectOne Bank will soon be opening an office in East Hampton.  The bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of publicly traded ConnectOne Bancorp, will open a 1,000-square-foot office at 14 Main St. in late October.  The East Hampton loan production office will be ConnectOne’s second Long Island location, with its other office in Melville.  “We are thrilled about the expansion of our banking model onto the east end of Long Island,” ConnectOne Bank Chairman and CEO Frank Sorrentino III said in a company statement. “Since the establishment of our Melville office, we’ve seen growing demand from local small businesses for a bank that understands community roots.”    ConnectOne also announced the hiring of Margie Meighan as vice president and business development officer. Meighan was formerly a branch manager for Dime Bank in East Hampton.  “I am very excited to join the ConnectOne Bank team and support the growth of its people-first business model,” Meighan said in the statement. “The East End of Long Island has a robust small business market that values the relationship focused banking that ConnectOne provides.”  × Enjoy This Free Article We Have 2 More For You All You Need To Do Is Register To Receive Your 2 Additional Free Articles

Solano Board Sends Letter Seeking CPUC Funds For Railroad Crossings – Fairfield Daily Republic https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/solano-board-sends-letter-seeking-cpuc-funds-for-railroad-crossings-fairfield-daily-republic/ FAIRFIELD — The Vanden Road/Jepson Parkway rail overcrossing project is the highest priority in Solano County because it directly supports vehicular traffic accessing Travis Air Force Base. The county also noted the importance of the Parkway Boulevard Overcrossing project in a letter the Board of Supervisors is sending to the California Public Utilities Commission seeking funding for design and construction of the two rail overcrossings. “The (Vanden Road/Jepson Parkway rail overcrossing project) represents a final phase in a long series of projects that will complete the Jepson Parkway corridor between the cities of Fairfield and Vacaville,” the staff report to the board states. “Since annexation into . . . Fairfield in 2012, the Jepson Parkway corridor has seen major investment into transit-oriented development along Vanden Road, including the recent completion of the Fairfield-Vacaville Hannigan Train Station. A new overcrossing at Vanden Road from Canon Road would remove the existing at-grade rail crossing on Canon Road, which has been experiencing significant accident rates.” Fairfield and the Solano Transportation Authority have been working on the overcrossing utilizing impact fees, “but additional grant funds would be necessary to fully offset the significant cost involved in this project,” the report states. Similar language was used to support the need for funding for the Dixon project. “Due to changes in requirements for the overcrossing design over time, the total cost of the project has escalated to an estimated $34.5 million. Currently, there is a $24.7 million shortfall for the project after consideration of the funding provided by the city and local and regional impact fees, to date,” the staff report states. The project would include the closure of the existing crossing at Pitt School Road near Porter Road as required. In other action, the board: • Approved adding the Health Services Clinic manager and Health Services Clinic senior manager positions with a monthly salary range of $8,582 to $11,310; added the Health Services Program manager and Health Services Program senior manager positions with a monthly salary range of $8,582 to $11,310; reclassified four Health Services manager to Health Services clinic managers, and three Health Services managers to Health Services Program managers; and reclassified one Health Services senior manager to Health Services Clinic senior manager and three Health Services senior managers to Health Services Program senior managers. • Added Organization Development and Training specialist with a monthly salary range of $6,990 to $8,496; and added Emergency Medical Services administrator with a monthly salary range of $8,631 to $10,491. • Approved a $210,068 contract with Innovative Health Solutions to provide nutrition education services through Sept. 30, 2023, and approved a $40,044 appropriations transfer to recognize unanticipated revenue from the California Department of Public Health CalFresh Healthy Living Program. • Approved the Notice of Completion for the Asphalt Rubber Cape Seal 2021 Project for Bridgeport Avenue, Creed Road, Fry Road, Lopes Road, Peabody Road, Pitt School Road, Richie Road, Walters Road, Weber Road and on the public roads within the Home Acres and Starr subdivisions. The contractor was VSS International of West Sacramento. The cost was $2.56 million. The project was paid for with a $250,000 CalRecycle grant, with the remainder coming from the Road Fund.

Faces Of Fall: Sept. 30, 2022 | Sports | News-Gazette.com – News-Gazette https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/faces-of-fall-sept-30-2022-sports-news-gazette-com-news-gazette/ ETHAN DAVIS Salt Fork footballHis favorite athlete is … Tiger Woods. His favorite team is … the St. Louis Cardinals. If he could attend any one sporting event in person, it would be … the Super Bowl. His favorite sport besides football is … disc golf. MJ HALL Argenta-Oreana footballHis favorite athlete is … Michael Jordan. His favorite team is … the Chicago Cubs. If he could attend any one sporting event in person, it would be … the Super Bowl. His favorite sport besides football is … baseball. TOMMY HARRIS Danville footballHis favorite athlete is … Bo Jackson. His favorite team is … the Pittsburgh Steelers. If he could attend any one sporting event in person, it would be … an NFL game with Lamar Jackson. His favorite sport besides football is … basketball. RYAN “BEANS” KING Milford/Cissna Park footballHis favorite athlete is … Larry Bird. His favorite team is … the Chicago Bears. If he could attend any one sporting event in person, it would be … a World Series Game 7. His favorite sport besides football is … baseball.

How COVID-19 Changed The Healthcare Metaverse Prognosis – VentureBeat https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/how-covid-19-changed-the-healthcare-metaverse-prognosis-venturebeat/ September 30, 2022 5:20 AM Image Credit: Getty Images Dr. Justin Barad recalls times when he or colleagues would do quick Google searches in the middle of a procedure as a refresh, or to bone up on a surgery they had never performed before. Or, being asked to assess his surgical proficiency by playing the classic game “Operation” (for the record, he was able to do it without getting buzzed). These are just a couple of instances that underscore the fact that extended reality (XR), virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are “unbelievably critical and more important than ever” in healthcare, he said.  Still, we’re not quite there yet. How can the technology be implemented in healthcare with the least disruption? How can regulators foster adoption? How can healthcare experts identify the most valuable platforms? These are the main barriers and hurdles, as identified by Barad and colleagues in a panel discussion at this week’s virtual MetaBeat event.  With XR, VR and AR “the potential is limitless. The imagination runs wild,” said Barad.  “That creates a challenge because it really feels like anything is possible, but to make that possible can be a lot of work and you really need to be focused to execute and scale a technology — especially in healthcare.” The pandemic changed everything (for bad and good) COVID-19 has thrust us into a virtual world, and people have come to realize that virtual healthcare is not only possible, but beneficial, said Amy Raimundo, managing director with Kaiser Permanente Ventures.  Now it’s a matter of pragmatism, she said: How technology can drive better quality outcomes and efficiencies. “We don’t think of it in terms of the metaverse, we think of it in terms of how technology can help us enable virtual education, virtual collaboration,” said Raimundo. XR, VR and AR can bring efficiencies to repeatable processes in healthcare and enable training at scale, she said. And, healthcare professionals are beginning to use VR in clinical trials and some treatments, so it’s moved beyond the concept of “a bright, shiny object” to a tool that can be put to real use.  “We’re really seeing practical applications, as opposed to what can happen,” said Raimundo.  Bradley Tusk, cofounder and managing partner of Tusk Venture Partners, agreed, pointing to the fact that doctors have adopted virtual visits as a regular practice. The next step: Actually performing procedures such as CAT scans and X-rays with VR.  “In the last few years, we’ve seen major, major advances in digital health, in many ways thanks to COVID — it’s weird to ever say ‘Thanks to COVID’ — but it really did make the value proposition much clearer to medical professionals, consumers, regulators, and led to more widespread acceptance,” said Tusk.  Barad, who launched virtual surgical training platform Osso in October 2016, underscored the criticality of medical training. There are 1.1 million surgeons in the world, and 300 million surgeries are performed annually, he said.  But, training can be lacking. He identified three core factors contributing to this: modern surgery is complicated (robotics and minimally invasive techniques take much longer to learn), the industry lacks methods to assess surgical proficiency and, most notably, there’s simply too much to learn.  “Accelerating science and technology is spreading us too thin,” he said. “We’ve gone from the French laundry to the Cheesecake Factory; you just can’t do everything well.” Particularly in the medical field, training is not just reading books or watching videos; it requires coordination, collaboration and collective rehearsing, he said. With VR, medical professionals can remotely train as a team.  “It’s not just connecting us digitally, it’s allowing us to be present together,” said Barad. Not a ‘move fast and break things’ mentality Still, one of the main obstacles is the expense — and that’s not necessarily the technology itself, but the implementation, said Raimundo.  She described healthcare as a complex system of highly skilled people “working together in a symphony.” When a new technology disrupts that — putting it out of tune, if you will — it must be justified.  “Disruption in healthcare is not a good thing,” she said.  New technologies must be introduced thoughtfully and consider distribution and workflows, she said. Getting buy-in and building confidence around these technologies is also critical. Once you can get past that curve, it only feels natural and rational.  Medicine itself changes all the time, so experts must narrow the field where technologies can make the most difference. “The mantra of ‘move fast and break things’ does not work in healthcare,” said Raimundo.  Tusk also emphasized the importance of regulator support. During COVID, regulators acted in the best interest of the general population “for once,” he said, by waiving state licensure restrictions and allowing controlled substances to be delivered via mail.  “This is a good thing,” he said. “We are providing better care, more affordable care to people.”  But now, protectionism is creeping back in again. He said he has sat down with regulators on both ends of the spectrum — and while on most points, they are in massive disagreement, they are unified on this front. For technology adoption to be successful going forward, entrenched interests must be dealt with. The industry and regulators must also be aware that bad actors in areas unrelated to healthcare might deter adoption of a healthcare metaverse.  So, too, can companies that people are skeptical of — such as Meta, which, as Barad described, has “quintupled down” on its use of AR.  Ultimately, as he put it: “We are just scratching the surface of the depth of use cases.” VentureBeat’s mission is to be a digital town square for technical decision-makers to gain knowledge about transformative enterprise technology and transact. Discover our Briefings.

Hulk’s EMP Blast Is The Ultimate Anti-Iron Man Power – Screen Rant https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/hulks-emp-blast-is-the-ultimate-anti-iron-man-power-screen-rant/ While Iron Man has built many ‘Hulkbuster’ suits to take on his fellow founding Avenger, it’s rare that Hulk loses a fight to Tony Stark. With his strength, durability, and outrageous healing factor, Hulk is prone to stomping the Armored Avenger whenever they clash. However, the Green Goliath doesn’t actually need any of these abilities to triumph, as one forgotten power could shut down Iron Man’s entire arsenal in moments. Hulk’s powers have been explored in depth over his comic career. While initially believed to be due to a mutation caused by gamma radiation, Bruce Banner later discovered supernatural aspects to his abilities that defied scientific explanation – such as Hulk’s ability to see ghosts. Al Ewing and Joe Bennet’s landmark Immortal Hulk explained this with the Green Door – a mystic process which connects Hulk to the Below-Place, a hellish dimension from which he draws gamma energy as part of the apocalyptic plans of the One-Below-All. Within Hulk’s body, science and magic work hand in hand, creating the most physically powerful being to ever exist. It’s the mixing of these power sources that makes Hulk so dangerous to Iron Man, as his ability to generate and manipulate different types of energy allows him to release an electromagnetic pulse that disables nearby electronics. This is generally a conscious decision on Hulk’s part rather than a natural element of his energy output, and was confirmed in Totally Awesome Hulk #11, by Greg Pak and Mahmud Asrar. There, the Black Panther attempts to take down Amadeus Cho – at that point in possession of Bruce Banner’s gamma energy – but finds the new Hulk is able to shut down his hi-tech mech with what’s described as a mini-EMP. Hulk’s Forgotten Electromagnetic Pulse Power It’s likely that this EMP blast is partly reliant on the mystical elements of Hulk’s gamma powers, as both Iron Man Black Panther have been shown to shield their gadgets from regular EMP attacks before. Hulk would need to draw on some unusual energy to make this as effective as it’s shown to be, though it’s possible that simply the amount of energy and the proximity of Hulk is what makes it work. But while Black Panther only uses his mech to match Hulk’s strength, Iron Man relies on his armor for flight, life support, and on many occasions to keep his heart from failing. Hulk’s EMP blast would instantly put Tony Stark’s life at risk, and it’s an attack fans already know would work. In Dark Ages #1, by Tom Taylor and Iban Coello, Iron Man is caught in a magic EMP that disables all modern technology, plunging to Earth as his suit fails and losing his leg in the process. Hulk Would Destroy Iron Man with an EMP The one protection Iron Man has from Hulk’s ability to generates EMPs is that it seems to be a deliberate and considered attack. Amadeus Cho was able to suppress his gamma rage far better than Bruce Banner, meaning he was more able to think tactically about how to use his powers. This is likely why Amadeus was able to use the EMP when Bruce Banner doesn’t, given their powers and even the energy behind them were the same (Amadeus stole Bruce’s gamma to try and give him a normal life.) The EMP power would likely therefore be restricted to one of the smarter Hulk personas such as Doc Green or Devil Hulk, with the classic Savage Hulk not understanding his own powers or energy manipulation enough to unleash an electromagnetic blast on purpose. While mainstream fans think of the Hulk as pure muscle, his sci-fi and mystic connections mean there are always more surprises lurking in his powers. As Amadeus Cho showed, one such surprise is an EMP blast capable of swatting Iron Man from the sky – hopefully a power that Tony Stark can figure out how to protect against in case Bruce Banner’s Hulk figures out how to do it on purpose. Next: The Boys Humiliated Hulk by Putting a Disgusting Twist on His Powers

Ethereum Scaling Solution Aurora Pays $2 Million Bug Bounty To Hackers – Cryptonews https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/ethereum-scaling-solution-aurora-pays-2-million-bug-bounty-to-hackers-cryptonews/ Image credit: Aurora.com Aurora, an Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatible scaling and bridge solution built on top of the NEAR Protocol blockchain network, has completed the payment of a $2 million bug bounty to a pair of whitehat hackers that reported vulnerabilities on the platform back in June.  According to a blog post written by ImmuneFi, a leading web 3 bug bounty platform that facilitated the transaction, the whitehat hackers will each receive $1 million worth of the platform’s eponymously named native token streamed linearly over one year.  The vulnerabilities the hackers discovered related to Aurora’s permissionless bridging functionality between NEAR Protocol and Ethereum. The first vulnerability was that the platform had a different ERC-20 (fungible token standard) called NEP-141. This would potentially allow an attacker to create worthless NEAR tokens, bridge them to Aurora, and then use them to withdraw ETH from the addresses of Aurora users.  The second bug had to do with the burn function of the bridge. It would have allowed an attacker to create a “fake burn event” on Aurora which could then be used to withdraw ETH from the protocol’s reserve.  Both vulnerabilities have been fixed without any loss of funds to users, the blog post noted. The first report on the vulnerabilities was written by DeFi security firm Halborn.  “We would like to thank the anonymous whitehat for doing an amazing job and responsibly disclosing such an important bug. Big props also to the Aurora team who responded quickly to the report and patched it,” ImmuneFi said in the post.  Hacks still a major problem among blockchain platforms Not all cross-bridge blockchain platforms have been as lucky as Aurora in handling major vulnerabilities without loss of funds. According to a CNBC report in August, bridge protocols have lost over $1.4 billion to hackers so far in 2022.  The report notes that the endemic attacks on bridges can be traced in part to sloppy engineering. This was the case in the hacks of Axie Infinity’s Ronin Network, and also Harmony Horizon, Wormhole, and Nomad.  Meanwhile, they are not the only sector of the crypto market under attack by cybercriminals. The New York Times estimates that over $2 billion in total have been stolen from the crypto industry this year by hackers. The trend points to the need for greater scrutiny and regulation of the space the report noted.

Southeast Among U.S. News & World Report’s 2022-2023 Best Colleges Rankings – Southeast Missouri State University News https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/southeast-among-u-s-news-world-reports-2022-2023-best-colleges-rankings-southeast-missouri-state-university-news/ Southeast Missouri State University has been recognized among the best regional universities in the Midwest, according to the 2022-2023 U.S. News & World Report. Now in its 38th year, the rankings evaluate more than 1,450 colleges and universities on academic quality. Southeast is ranked as the 26th best public school and 89th best regional university in the Midwest. Southeast has been consistently ranked by U.S. News since 1993. “I am pleased to see Southeast included in the rankings once again,” said Dr. Carlos Vargas, president of Southeast Missouri State University. “It is because of our dedicated faculty and staff who work to ensure our students have outstanding academic programs to prepare them for tomorrow’s careers and have necessary support, so they succeed in their academic and career pursuits.” Southeast was also listed among the top performers on social mobility for regional Midwestern universities, something Vargas said he was particularly pleased to see. This ranking recognizes universities that are successful at advancing social mobility by enrolling and graduating large proportions of disadvantaged students who have been awarded Pell Grants. “With nearly 30% of our students receiving federal Pell Grants and 45% of our students the first in their families to go to college, it is rewarding to see Southeast named a top performer for social mobility. This truly speaks to the transformational power of higher education and our mission to contribute to the development of our region and beyond,” said Vargas. U.S. News publishes the Best Colleges rankings each year to provide prospective students and their families with helpful data and information on factors such as graduation rates, social mobility, and graduate indebtedness.

U.S.-Israel Strategic High-Level Dialogue On Technology – Mirage News https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/u-s-israel-strategic-high-level-dialogue-on-technology-mirage-news/ President Biden and Prime Minister Lapid launched the U.S.-Israel Strategic High-Level Dialogue on Technology in July to establish a partnership on critical and emerging technologies to bring the cooperation between the countries to new heights. On September 28, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Israeli National Security Advisor Dr. Eyal Hulata led the first meeting of the Dialogue in Washington, DC. The U.S.-Israel technological partnership has never been stronger, and senior representatives from the White House National Security Council, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Department of State, the Department of Commerce, the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Health and Human Services, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Science Foundation held discussions with senior representatives from the Israel National Security Council, the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economy and Industry, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Finance and the Embassy of Israel in the United States to expand our technological partnership to address global challenges and protect and promote our innovation ecosystems in line with our national interests, democratic principles, and human rights. To further our partnership, the United States and Israel decided to establish focused working groups to advance cooperation, utilizing existing collaboration mechanisms or creating new bilateral avenues on an as-needed basis. The United States and Israel look forward to reviewing progress on cooperation at the next meeting of the Dialogue in Israel in 2023. The United States and Israel took note of the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Presidium of Israeli Employers and Businesses to accelerate private sector cooperation. Climate Change: The United States and Israel intend to work together to accelerate technology development for climate change, including on: Clean and renewable hydrogen and solar based energy: Support research and development on hydrogen production, delivery, infrastructure, storage, fuel cells, and multiple end uses across transportation, industrial, and stationary power applications to support large-scale commercial hydrogen deployment projects. Food security: Increase access to safe, affordable, and healthy food for all by advancing the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate through encouraging increased investment in and deployment of climate-smart agricultural technologies. Prediction of extreme local weather events: Explore opportunities for development of improved extreme weather prediction and disaster risk reduction initiatives. Israel and the United States intend to explore opportunities to support the deployment of clean energy technologies in low and middle income countries, in line with the priorities of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment. The two countries welcomed next month’s Water Reuse Mission to Israel, which will bring nearly 50 Federal, State, and local officials working on water issues from around the country to increase U.S.-Israel practical collaboration on water reuse policies, scientific research, and methods and technologies. The United States and Israel intend to cooperate on battery supply chains at home for battery materials and technologies, and identify opportunities under the Inflation Reduction Act to cooperate on deployment and investment opportunities throughout the electric vehicle battery supply chain. Pandemic Preparedness: The two countries look forward to signing next month a Memorandum of Understanding between the United States Department of Health and Human Services and the Israeli Ministry of Health to advance broad health cooperation, including on: Health-related monitoring and analysis, technologies for health intelligence development, and models for forecasting events that can threaten public health. Biomedical research in areas of diagnostics and treatment including genomic and molecular medicine. Regulatory frameworks and import safety. Israel and the United States will work to enhance our public health ecosystem to share knowledge and work in public engagement during pandemics. The two countries look forward to working together on global health security and pandemic preparedness in the Negev Forum Health Working Group and in other fora. Artificial Intelligence (AI): The United States and Israel intend to support research and translational implementation to enable trustworthy AI in healthcare and share results, including for the treatment of veterans. This will include fair AI-driven health systems and smart health as well as facilitating the ability for health researchers to test the impacts of medicines and treatments. The Israeli Ministry of Innovation Science and Technology, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology intend to share risk management approaches for trustworthy and responsible Al, in addition to advancing mutually supported international standards. These will support an approach that strives to create an environment for businesses to innovate and operate responsibly in the two countries and other likeminded countries. The United States and Israel will share results and lessons learned from trustworthy AI pilots and explore pathways for secure data sharing. The two countries intend to support research to utilize AI to develop new crop varieties and new traits for seed breeding that have stronger tolerance to climate change. Trusted Technology Ecosystems: U.S. and Israeli counterparts decided on a workplan to manage risks to our respective technology ecosystems, including in research security, export controls, and investment screening. The United States and Israel welcome the meeting between the National Quantum Coordination Office and the Israel National Quantum Initiative. The two countries plan to initiate experts’ discussions by hosting a delegation from Israel in the United States. /Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) may be of a point-in-time nature, edited for clarity, style and length. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s).View in full here.

Firefighters Working To Extinguish Large Mulch Fire On The Southwest Side – WOAI https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/firefighters-working-to-extinguish-large-mulch-fire-on-the-southwest-side-woai/ Firefighters working to extinguish large mulch fire on the Southwest Side  WOAI

Travel Insurance For Trips To Brazil – Forbes https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/travel-insurance-for-trips-to-brazil-forbes/ Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations. Whether you plan to marvel at Christ the Redeemer atop Mount Corcovado or relax in the surf of Praia do Futuro, you’re bound to discover something new and different in the diverse and naturally beautiful country of Brazil. As you start paying for pricey international airfare, hotels or resorts and other pre-paid travel expenses, it’s a good time to think about travel insurance. The best travel insurance plans can protect your investment if certain aspects of your trip go awry. Here are considerations to keep in mind when buying travel insurance for Brazil. Compare & Buy Travel Insurance Entry Requirements for Brazil Brazil requires travelers arriving on international flights from any country to provide proof of Covid-19 vaccination in English, Portuguese or Spanish. For travelers who meet certain exclusion requirements for vaccination, a negative PCR test taken at least 24 hours prior to boarding is required. Buying Travel Insurance for Brazil: Best Practices While travel insurance is not a requirement to visit Brazil, you can gain considerable peace of mind when you buy a plan well before you depart. A solid travel insurance policy can help protect you from some of the added risks that come with a trip to South America. Look for a comprehensive travel insurance plan that includes: Trip cancellation insurance Trip interruption insurance Trip delay insurance Travel medical insurance Emergency medical evacuation coverage 24/7 assistance services Delayed or lost luggage protection Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance for Bad Weather in Brazil While trips to the Caribbean are more likely to be affected by severe weather like hurricanes, northern and eastern countries of South America also experience tropical and subtropical cyclones that could affect travel, says Scott Adamski, vice president of AIG Travel Guard. Travel insurance plans that include trip cancellation insurance and trip interruption insurance can reimburse you for pre-paid, non-refundable trip expenses if unexpected severe weather disrupts your trip. Trip cancellation insurance Trip cancellation insurance reimburses you 100% of pre-paid expenses you lose if your travel plans change because of a reason listed in the policy, such as inclement weather that causes your airline to cease operations or a natural disaster at home or at your destination. It also covers money you lose if you have to cancel your trip because you become sick or injured. Trip cancellation can be purchased up to the day before you leave, but buying travel insurance earlier covers you over a longer period of time for the same price. Trip interruption insurance Trip interruption insurance generally reimburses up to 150% of your trip costs, depending on the travel insurance plan you choose. This coverage compensates you for non-refundable portions of your trip you miss if you have to return home early due to a reason listed in the policy, such as falling ill. It also pays for a last-minute flight home if you have to cut a trip short. Related: Advantages to buying travel insurance right after you book Should You Buy “Cancel for Any Reason” Coverage? It can also make sense to purchase “cancel any reason” (CFAR) travel insurance that can reimburse your pre-paid travel expenses if you decide to cancel a trip for any reason at all. CFAR coverage is a good option for people who aren’t entirely certain they will be able to travel on the trip they’ve planned, says Shannon Lofdahl, CEO of Travelex Insurance Services. “This option allows travelers to cancel a trip for any reason, usually up to 48 hours before their scheduled departure date, and they can receive reimbursement for a significant portion of their insured trip costs so they’re not left with the full cost of a trip they can’t go on,” she says. CFAR coverage usually reimburses 75% of your lost trip cost, as long as the entire value of the trip has been insured. This type of coverage typically needs to be purchased within 14 days of making your first payment for your trip. It adds an average of 50% to the cost of travel insurance. Trip Delay Travel Insurance: Iguaçu Falls Will Have to Wait Sometimes you start your trip with no issues, but get waylaid in a connecting airport. An unexpected delay on your travel route could cause you to arrive later than planned and lose money on non-refundable accommodations, pre-booked transportation or pre-paid tours. Trip delay insurance can help you recoup those costs and get your Brazil vacation back on track. Another benefit of trip delay insurance is that it can reimburse you for extra expenses caused by a travel delay. Say your connecting flight from Chicago to Rio de Janeiro is canceled and you have to spend the night in Houston. You can file a claim for money you spend on dinner, transportation and a night at a hotel while you wait for your new flight the next day. Trip delay insurance kicks in after a certain delay period, such as six or 12 hours. Check the plan you purchase for rules on waiting periods. If your flight is only delayed an hour or two, don’t expect to file a successful claim. Featured Travel Insurance Partners Medical & evacuation limits per person $250,000/$1 million Medical & evacuation limits per person $500,000/$500,000 3 GoReady (formerly April) Preferred Plan Pandemic Plus Medical & evacuation limits per person $50,000/$500,000 3 GoReady (formerly April) Travel Medical Insurance for Misadventures in the Amazon Travel medical insurance is “imperative,” says Lofdahl, when you’re booking an international trip. In most cases Medicare is not accepted outside the U.S. and U.S. health plans sometimes do not have good coverage outside the U.S. In the event of illness or injury in Brazil, you would need to pay the medical costs out of your own pocket. Imagine taking a boat tour into the heart of the Amazon and needing urgent medical care somewhere deep in the rainforest. Emergency medical evacuation insurance will pay for a medevac to transport you to the nearest adequate medical facility. Lofdahl says medical evacuations on their own can cost as much as $250,000, depending on the specific location. “If a traveler has a medical emergency, gets sick or injured, or needs a hospital or evacuation, travel insurance can help them find a doctor and provide payment so they can focus on feeling better,” she says. 24/7 Assistance Services Can Save the Day 24/7 assistance services included with travel insurance plans can come in handy if you run into trouble in Brazil. These services offer a range of help with: Emergency cash transfers Emergency translation Finding a local doctor Legal assistance For even more help while traveling, buy a plan with travel insurance concierge service. This can help you with restaurant reservations, theater tickets and other services. Baggage Insurance for Your Carnaval Costumes and Camera, Too There are two types of baggage insurance to look for when buying a travel insurance plan: baggage and personal effects and baggage delay. Baggage and personal effects If your luggage is lost, stolen or damaged, you can file a baggage insurance claim to get reimbursement for the depreciated value of your belongings. This is true even if the problem happens while you’re traveling in Brazil. So if your camera is stolen while you’re relaxing on Ipanema Beach, you can file a claim. Just be sure to report a theft as soon as it happens because your travel insurance company will request documentation. It’s also wise to read your policy closely so you are aware of what baggage insurance covers and what it doesn’t—typically some exclusions apply. Baggage delay insurance Celebrating Rio’s pre-Lenten Carnaval won’t be as exciting if your suitcase full of partywear is delayed. If you need to buy some replacement festive apparel while you wait for your luggage to arrive in Brazil, baggage delay coverage can help. Baggage delay insurance has a waiting period, which will depend on the policy. Your baggage might have to be delayed six, 12 or even 24 hours before your coverage kicks in. How Much Does Travel Insurance for Trips to Brazil Cost? The average cost of travel insurance for a Brazil trip is $184, according to a Forbes Advisor analysis of plans purchased so far in 2022. The average trip cost for Brazil is $2,517. Your cost of travel insurance will vary based on the age of the travelers, the length of the trip and the trip cost you’re insuring. For example, here are quotes for a seven-night trip to Brazil from several of the best travel insurance companies. The quotes below are for a 42-year-old woman traveling in February 2023 with a total trip cost of $5,000. The quote range for each company reflects the range of coverage offered by various plans by each company. When you compare travel insurance quotes for Brazil, it’s important to do an “apples to apples” comparison. This means making sure the plans you’re considering have all the types of coverage you want and that the limits for each coverage protection are similar. Compare & Buy Travel Insurance

Shetland Construction Event Focuses On Zero Carbon And Innovation – Scottish Business News https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/shetland-construction-event-focuses-on-zero-carbon-and-innovation-scottish-business-news/ BUSINESSES and suppliers interested in emerging new innovations in the construction sector are being encouraged to attend a showcase and conference in Shetland next week. The event will also appeal to anyone who wants to find out more about careers in the sector.  Industry experts will gather at Mareel in Lerwick on 6 October for the ‘Innovation and Skills Showcase and Conference’. The showcase is at 3-5pm and will be followed by the conference 5-8pm.  The event is organised by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), which, along with other organisations, will host a stand to offer advice and information on funding support. Those attending can learn more about new skills, training and careers in construction as well as innovative new sustainable processes, business support and low carbon heating.  Demonstrations include some of the latest technology used in the construction sector such as augmented reality (AR) helmets and virtual reality (VR) training simulators, 3D scanning equipment and a heat flow metre in BE-ST’s “Make it Smart” hub.  HIE’s area manager for Shetland, Katrina Wiseman will provide the opening welcome. She said: “This event is to inspire Shetland’s construction industry and it would be great to see as many people attend as possible. Innovation is changing the way we work and is creating new opportunities for businesses, boosting productivity and increasing profitability, particularly as we head towards a zero-carbon future.  “This event in Lerwick will bring a real sense of what the future of construction looks like and where the opportunities lie. Together with our partner organisations, we can provide support and advice for businesses looking to create new products or services, improve productivity, reduce their carbon footprint and grow their business.” Business Gateway and Shetland Islands Council will also be on hand to provide further details of support available to companies, while Skills Development Scotland and UHI will discuss apprenticeships and training opportunities in construction and built environment. Other business support services on the day include Built Environment – Smarter Transformation (BE-ST), formerly Construction Scotland Innovation Centre whose mission is to accelerate the built environment’s transition to zero carbon emissions. Key speakers at the conference include Chris Stewart, President of Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) who will focus on the circular economy and HIE’s John Mackenzie will speak about the agency’s support for housing and construction sector.

Philips Shareholders Appoint Roy Jakobs As Next President And Chief Executive Officer – GlobeNewswire https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/philips-shareholders-appoint-roy-jakobs-as-next-president-and-chief-executive-officer-globenewswire/ September 30, 2022 Amsterdam, the Netherlands – Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) announced that today’s Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders (EGM) appointed Roy Jakobs as the company’s next President and Chief Executive Officer, effective October 15, 2022, succeeding current President and Chief Executive Officer Frans van Houten. “I am very pleased that Roy Jakobs has been appointed today as the next CEO of Philips,” said Feike Sijbesma, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Royal Philips. “On behalf of the entire Supervisory Board, I would like to thank Frans for successfully leading Philips’ transformation into a focused, global solutions leader in health technology. We are convinced that Roy is the right successor to lead Philips’ efforts to help improve the health and well-being of people globally, and further shape the company for increased value creation for shareholders and all other stakeholders.” “I have enjoyed and feel deeply privileged for having been given the opportunity to shape Philips onto a path of future relevance as we embraced health and healthcare innovation as our company focus,” said Frans van Houten, CEO of Royal Philips. “Much has been achieved in the past 12 years and I want to thank the many passionate, talented colleagues who have made this possible. Nevertheless,  much remains to be done, and this will now be the task of the Executive Committee under the leadership of my successor. I wish Roy and the team much success.” “I am honored to be appointed as the next CEO of Philips, and together with our Philips colleagues continue to help improve people’s health and well-being with meaningful innovations,“ said Roy Jakobs, incoming CEO of Royal Philips. “Philips is a unique company with a strong brand, more than 130 years of innovation power and a bright future as a leader in health technology solutions. I look forward to leading the company in a transparent way, empowering our people as we address the current challenges, while also shaping the next chapter of Philips.” Additional information on the composition of Philips’ Board of Management and the Executive Committee can be found here . For more information about the EGM, please click on this link . For further information, please contact: Elco van Groningen Philips Global Press Office Tel.: +31 6 8103 9584 E-mail: elco.van.groningen@philips.com Derya Guzel Philips Investor Relations Tel.: +31 20 59 77055 E-mail: derya.guzel@philips.com About Royal Philips Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people’s health and well-being, and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum – from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips generated 2021 sales of EUR 17.2 billion and employs approximately 79,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter. Roy Jakobs Frans van Houten CEO Frans van Houten congratulates incoming CEO Roy Jakobs on his appointment Incoming CEO Roy Jakobs introduces himself to the shareholders

Expresso National And International Sports News Update At 1:30 Pm 30th September, 2022 – The Indian Express https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/expresso-national-and-international-sports-news-update-at-130-pm-30th-september-2022-the-indian-express/ Episode 771 September 30, 2022 Listen to the latest National and International Sports News by the Indian Express where we look at the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia and how Team India suffered a huge setback with ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah rendered doubtful for the tournament. Former New Zealand allrounder Chris Cairns has given the latest update on his chemotherapy for cancer. In other news: Pakistan fast bowler Naseem Shah has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss the remaining two Twenty20s against England. Stay tuned for the latest updates on The FIFA-AFC delegation, which is currently in India on a three-day visit. Expresso National and International Sports News Update at 1:30 pm 30th September, 2022Listen to the latest National and International Sports News by the Indian Express where we look at the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia and how Team India suffered a huge setback with ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah rendered doubtful for the tournament. Former New Zealand allrounder Chris Cairns has given the latest update on his chemotherapy for cancer. In other news: Pakistan fast bowler Naseem Shah has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss the remaining two Twenty20s against England. Stay tuned for the latest updates on The FIFA-AFC delegation, which is currently in India on a three-day visit.

Entering The Metaverse – Are Retailers Prepared For The Next Stage Of Digital Transformation? – CPO Magazine https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/entering-the-metaverse-are-retailers-prepared-for-the-next-stage-of-digital-transformation-cpo-magazine/ In “Alice in Wonderland,” Alice’s entire world is transformed when she decides to follow the rabbit down the rabbit hole. Merchants are now facing a similar choice with the introduction of the Metaverse – do they follow into the unknown or risk getting left behind? While Meta hasn’t promised Cheshire cats or mad hatters (yet), luxury brands have begun to use the Metaverse and other similar digital worlds to reach global audiences. Gucci created a virtual handbag that sold for $4,100 (which is more than it is sold for in stores) and Balenciaga unveiled its 2021 collection initially on the popular game Fortnite. Plein, a luxury brand that now accepts more than 20 different cryptocurrencies, recently dropped $1.4 million to buy virtual real estate in Dencetraland, an online platform that provides a metaverse experience. Other brands will likely follow suit as the popularity of NFTs and the demand for more virtual assets rise. The intersection of the digital and physical worlds Morin Oluwole, the director and global head of luxury at Meta, recently urged brands to prepare for a “hyperdimensional shopping experience” at Paris Fashion Week. What exactly that entails and whether it will be successful remains to be seen. But brands are rightfully starting to ask hard questions such as, “Do we take the jump and invest or wait and risk being left behind?” But, it is important for retailers to weigh the pros and cons before falling down the rabbit hole of the Metaverse — especially when it comes to the delicate balance of stopping fraud and optimizing customer experiences. The current state of digital commerce fraud Digital commerce is projected to account for 22% of all retail sales by 2023 — a 7.9% jump from 2019. Unsurprisingly, its rise in popularity has caught the attention of consumers and scammers alike. From card testing, account takeover ,fraudulent account creation and compromised loyalty programs/points, the possibilities for bad actors are endless. In an effort to curb fraud attempts and a hit on their bottom line, some retailers have doubled down on stricter policies. For example, blocking transactions based on IP addresses or transaction amount. However, many of these policies are too rigid, resulting in legitimate customers being turned away and merchants losing out. With many merchants still struggling with stopping fraud in traditional digital commerce, it begs the question: how will these problems play out in the Metaverse? The risk of fraud in the metaverse The truth is, no one knows exactly what fraud will look like in the Metaverse. What’s for certain is that bad actors will follow the money trail. For example, the possibility of creating multiple identities in the Metaverse could provide an opportunity for fraudsters to create fake profiles and place bids on items. Or automated bots could be used to impersonate legitimate users, creating unnecessary digital traffic that can slow down these virtual spaces, similar to reseller activity in the real world. Both payment and personal information could also be at risk of potential compromise if not properly secured. This type of data is extremely lucrative for bad actors and readily available in the Metaverse. The lines of the Metaverse are blurred, and it’s hard to secure things without firm edges. In the meantime… With the Metaverse, we found Wonderland. But before retailers get lost in it, it’s important they prioritize the security and customer experience of traditional digital commerce. Then, when the time comes, they can more confidently jump down the rabbit hole. Here’s how: Requiring users to enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Requiring that users enable MFA for account logins helps prevent fraudsters from gaining access to the accounts. Many businesses use 3D Secure (3DS) to implement MFA on their websites. 3DS is a technology to securely validate users, who authenticate their identity using two of the following: Something they know: e.g., a password, PIN, or passphrase. Something they have: e.g., a smartphone, smartwatch, or smart card. Something they are: e.g., a fingerprint, facial features, or voice patterns. Deploying a modern fraud prevention solution With real-time, modern fraud prevention solutions that are backed by machine learning technologies, retailers can identify unusual behavior for user accounts quickly. These solutions also use data to make precise decisions about the trustworthiness of users so that fraudsters are stopped in their tracks. As merchants weigh the risks and rewards of expanding into the Metaverse, it’s important to understand the fraud and customer experience implications. Before making the leap, retailers should ensure their existing digital commerce platforms are secure.

5 Things To Know Before The Stock Market Opens Friday – CNBC https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/5-things-to-know-before-the-stock-market-opens-friday-cnbc/ Traders on the floor of the NYSE, Sept. 28, 2022. Source: NYSE Here are the most important news items that investors need to start their trading day: 1. A bang, or a whimper? The third quarter comes to a close Friday, and it couldn’t come any sooner for beaten-up stock markets. It’s been a terrible month for equities. The Federal Reserve’s policy makers made it clear they’re serious about raising rates until price increases cool down, sending bond yields surging and stocks down. The central bank’s critics say much of the turmoil is the result of the Fed waiting too long to address inflation and then doing too much, too quickly, to fight it. The economic mess in the UK and the nuclear-tinged anxiety over Russia’s war in Ukraine haven’t helped, either. Earnings season is around the corner, too, which could add even more pressure to markets that have already fallen below their previous 2022 lows. Follow live market updates here. Read more: Euro zone inflation soars again 2. Not great, Apple Apple CEO Tim Cook presents the new iPhone 14 at an Apple event at their headquarters in Cupertino, California, U.S. September 7, 2022.  Carlos Barria | Reuters A somewhat surprising name led Thursday’s big selloff in tech stocks: Apple. While the top-tier gadget maker is down a whopping 20% so far this year, it has outperformed the tech-loaded Nasdaq, which has fallen an even-worse 31% since the end of 2021. Technology stocks are typically considered riskier and more vulnerable to interest rate increases, so when there’s volatility investors head to safer securities. In this case, it was a downgrade from Bank of America that triggered the decline in Apple, which brought other big names down with it, such as Alphabet and Microsoft. “Shares have outperformed significantly YTD … and have been perceived as a relative safe haven,” BofA analyst Wamsi Mohan wrote Thursday, in downgrading Apple to a hold. “However, we see risk to this outperformance over the next year, as we expect material negative est. revisions driven by weaker consumer demand.” Still, a vast majority of analysts on the Street have Apple at a buy rating. Read more: Apple exec leaves company after vulgar comment goes viral on TikTok 3. Toyota CEO stands by EV plan Akio Toyoda, president of Toyota Motor Corp., gestures while posing for photographs during a news conference at the company’s showroom in Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 14, 2021. Toyota announced plans for its EV vehicles. Kiyoshi Ota | Bloomberg | Getty Images Akio Toyoda has heard your complaints that his company, Toyota, isn’t moving fast enough to go all-in on electric vehicles, but he’s not budging. “That’s our strategy and we’re sticking to it,” the CEO said. While Ford and General Motors have been telling investors, customers and politicians alike that they’re going all-electric, Toyota is taking an all-of-the-above approach. That means producing gas-electric hybrids, like the Prius, as well as hydrogen-electric vehicles and plugins. The company has increased investments in electric vehicles, but it doesn’t view EVs as the only solution. “Everything is going to be up to the customers to decide,” Toyoda told reporters Thursday. 4. Nike has an inventory problem A man wearing a protective face mask walks past a Nike brand store central in Kyiv, Ukraine December 10, 2020. Valentyn Ogirenko | Reuters It looks like people will be getting a lot of steeply marked-down Nike gear for holiday gifts this year. The sneaker and sporting goods company said in its earnings report Thursday that it’s overwhelmed with products from multiple seasons because of supply chain problems. Some shipments intended for earlier seasons showed up after taking too long, Nike said, while the company is also getting products for the holiday shopping season, which it ordered early to hedge against shipping delays. Overall, the company’s inventory jumped 44% in the prior quarter, and by 65% in North America, its largest market. So that’s left Nike with no choice but to “aggressively liquidate” big chunks of its inventory, said CFO Matthew Friend. Nike isn’t the only one in selling mode: Shares of the company fell in off-hours trading. More from CNBC PRO: Nike results offer clues about the strong dollar and earnings season 5. Ian strengthens after pummeling Florida A man takes photos of boats damaged by Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida, on September 29, 2022. Giorgio Viera | AFP | Getty Images Ian became a hurricane again after it barreled through Florida and hit the Atlantic Ocean. Now the storm is on a collision course with South Carolina, where it’s projected to make landfall Friday afternoon. Parts of the state could receive 8 inches of rain while suffering from severe flooding and winds, weather authorities said. Ian has already left a wide path of destruction in Florida, and knocked out powered to millions. President Joe Biden warned of a “substantial loss of life.” Images of Fort Myers, Florida, were particularly horrifying: Lingering floods, boats left on streets, houses smashed. “Watching the water from my condo in the heart of downtown, watching that water rise and just flood out all the stores on the first floor, it was heartbreaking,” Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson told NBC’s “Today.” – CNBC’s Alex Harring, Jordan Novet, Michael Wayland and Lillian Rizzo contributed to this report. — Sign up now for the CNBC Investing Club to follow Jim Cramer’s every stock move. Follow the broader market action like a pro on CNBC Pro.

FTX Crypto Exchange CEO Considered Buying Twitter With Elon Musk – Cryptonews https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/ftx-crypto-exchange-ceo-considered-buying-twitter-with-elon-musk-cryptonews/ Image credit: FTX Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), the billionaire CEO of crypto exchange FTX, was interested in joining Elon Musk’s bid to buy Twitter, according to new court documents that were made public as part of the case discovery process.  Business Insider reports that Will MacAskill, an executive of the SBF-funded foundation the FTX Future Fund and a top advisor of the CEO, texted Elon Musk in March regarding SBF’s interest in Twitter.  “Hey — I saw your poll on Twitter about Twitter and free speech. I’m not sure if this is what’s on your mind, but my collaborator Sam Bankman-Fried has for a while been potentially interested in purchasing it and then making it better for the world. If you want to talk with him about a possible joint effort in that direction,” the unredacted message said.  MacAskill went on to reveal that SBF would be willing to commit $8 billion to $15 billion to the joint venture. For his part, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO made inquiries about SBF while discussing financing with Morgan Stanley banker Morgan Grimes.  Per a text exchange between Musk and Grimes in April, the banker told Musk that he would like SBF as he was a “genius and doer builder” and could possibly provide up to $5 billion. However, Musk declined to set up a meeting with SBF or include him in the deal.  The Twitter deal breakdown and SBF’s vision for Twitter  Musk’s SEC filing in May of investors funding the Twitter deal did not include SBF or FTX. Text messages exchanged between Musk and other billionaires including the former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison were also made public. The disclosures are part of the pretrial discovery process in Twitter’s case suing Musk for trying to back out of the about $44 billion purchase deal. Musk has argued in the case that Twitter “made false and misleading representations”, especially in its reported number of active users.  Musk maintains that he is convinced that 90% of Twitter comments are from both or spam accounts. The case is up for a five-days trial starting on October 17 that will determine if Musk will be compelled to carry on with the deal.  SBF’s interest in Twitter is not surprising as the serial investor has previously shared suggestions on how the social media platform can leverage blockchain and Web 3.0 technology. In a Twitter thread in April, SBF explained how the platform can use Dogecoin (DOGE) – a meme cryptocurrency Elon Musk backs – to incentivize new business models.  He also told Bloomberg in the same month that he believes social media platforms in their current form are broken but can be fixed with blockchain technology.

U.S. Investors Brace For More Wild Market Gyrations After Dizzying Q3 – Reuters https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/u-s-investors-brace-for-more-wild-market-gyrations-after-dizzying-q3-reuters/ NEW YORK, Sept 30 (Reuters) – In a year of wild market swings, the third quarter of 2022 was a time when events took a truly extraordinary turn. As the Federal Reserve ratcheted up its monetary policy tightening to tame the worst inflation in decades, U.S. Treasury yields shot to their highest levels in more than a decade and stocks reversed a summer rally to plumb fresh depths. The S&P 500 (.SPX) is down nearly 24% year-to-date, while yields on the benchmark 10 year Treasury note , which move inversely to bond prices, recently hit their highest level since 2008. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Outside the United States, the soaring dollar spurred big declines in global currencies, pushing Japan to support the yen for the first time in years. A slump in British government bond prices, meanwhile, forced the Bank of England to carry out temporary purchases of long-dated gilts. Many investors are looking to the next three months with trepidation, betting the selloff in U.S. stocks will continue until there are signs the Fed is winning its battle against inflation. Yet the last quarter of the year has often been a beneficial time for U.S. equities, spurring hopes that markets may have already seen the worst of the selloff. Reuters Graphics PASS THE DIP The strategy of buying stock market dips yielded rich rewards for investors in the past but failed badly in 2022: the S&P 500 has rallied by 6% or more four times this year and went on to make a fresh low in each instance. The third quarter saw the index rise by nearly 14% before reversing to make a fresh two-year low in September after investors recalibrated their expectations for even more aggressive Fed tightening. Buying the dip in stocks has failed badly this year LOOK OUT BELOW? With several big Wall Street banks expecting the benchmark index to end the year below current levels – Bank of America and Goldman Sachs both recently published year-end targets of 3,600 – the outlook for dip-buying remains murky. In addition, the current bear market, which has so far lasted 268 days and notched a peak-to-trough decline of about 24%, is still relatively short and shallow compared with past drops. Since 1950, the average bear market has lasted 391 days with an average peak-to-trough drop of 35.6%, according to Yardeni Research. S&P 500’s drawdowns from most recent peak over the last 50 years LOOK TO BONDS Though equities have been volatile, the gyrations in bond markets have been comparatively worse. The ICE BofAML U.S. Bond Market Option Volatility Estimate Index (.MOVE) shot to its highest level since March 2020 as the ICE BofA US Treasury index (.MERG0Q0) is on track for its biggest annual drop on record. By comparison, the Cboe Volatility Index (.VIX) – the so-called Wall Street “fear gauge” – has failed to scale its March peak. Some investors believe stock turbulence will continue until bond markets calm down. “I think there is a good scenario where once we get through the bond market violence, we get to a more tradable bottom (for stocks),” said Michael Purves, chief executive at Tallbacken Capital Advisors in New York. Bond volatility expectations have risen to multi-year highs while the VIX has remained relatively muted …AND THE DOLLAR Soaring U.S. interest rates, a relatively robust American economy and investors’ reach for safe haven amidst a rise in financial market volatility has boosted the U.S. dollar – to the detriment of other global currencies. The greenback is up about 7% for the quarter against a basket of currencies and stands near its highest level since May 2002. The dollar’s strength has the Bank of Japan to shore up the yen through interventions while also presenting an earnings headwind for U.S. corporates. “Market risk-takers are grappling with the double-barreled threat of persistent dollar strength and dramatically higher interest rates,” Jack Ablin, chief investment officer at Cresset Capital, said in a note. Reuters Graphics EARNINGS TEST Third quarter earnings may present another obstacle to markets, as companies factor in everything from dollar-fueled currency headwinds to supply chain issues. Analysts have become more downbeat on third quarter profit growth, with consensus estimates falling to 4.6% from 7.2% in early August, according to Refinitiv IBES. So far, that is only slightly worse than the median 2.2 percentage point decline ahead of reporting periods historically, yet warnings from companies such as FedEX (FDX.N) and Ford (F.N) have hinted at the possibility of more pain to come. Reuters Graphics ‘TIS THE SEASON The calendar may offer weary stock investors some hope. The fourth quarter is historically the best period for returns for major U.S. stock indexes, with the S&P 500 (.SPX) averaging a 4.2% gain since 1949, according to the Stock Trader’s Almanac. Reuters Graphics Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Saqib Iqbal Ahmed and Lewis Krauskopf; Editing by Ira Iosebashvili and Marguerita Choy Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Legacy Technology Continues To Be A Significant Pressure Point For The Industry, ALFI Panelists Say – Asset Servicing Times https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/legacy-technology-continues-to-be-a-significant-pressure-point-for-the-industry-alfi-panelists-say-asset-servicing-times/ Legacy technology continues to be a significant pressure point for the industry, ALFI panelists say The issue of legacy technology continues to be a significant pressure point for the industry, agreed panelists discussing digital transformation at this year’s Association of the Luxembourg Fund Industry (ALFI) Global Distribution Conference. The panel, entitled “How can evolving digital transformation enable retail investors’ cost-effective access to investment solutions?”, highlighted that providing a digital platform that can adapt to local legislations and combine new product features is a goal that the industry should be working towards. Connecting new technology to legacy systems, many of which are up to 20 years’ old, breaks the digitisation of systems. The ecosystem must be interoperable and encompass many technologies, the group added. Simplifying asset management and making it more accessible is essential, as is educating and interesting young investors, who are more likely to lean towards crypto markets, said Emanuelle Pecenicic, head of digital propositions and partnerships at APACxJ Fidelity. She also suggested the funds industry should follow crypto’s lead — using social media, the metaverse, and a focus on community to market to the younger generation. Olivier Portenseigne, CEO of FundsDLT, agreed, and emphasised the importance of making the process easier for ‘digitally-native’ audiences of both asset and wealth managers. Developing direct-to-client (D2C) products removes distributors from the process, something that Portenseigne sees as a benefit. Questioning whether they are effective in their roles, he argued that their absence will allow asset managers to better understand their customers. However, he also mentioned that due to some asset managers’ lack of brand image, they may wish to keep B2B2C distribution strategies. Charles Sayac, head of sales for wealth and distribution at Amundi Technology, added that many asset managers are working alongside distributors to create new solutions for retail investors. Sayac also reframed Pecenicic’s vision of ‘cannibalisation’ as creating a new distribution channel, complementing rather than superseding existing structures. Challenges around implementing such a service were also discussed. Closing the panel, the three concluded that now is the moment to go digital, emphasising the increased transparency and potential for personalisation that digital transformations offer.

Firefighters Working To Extinguish Large Mulch Fire On The Southwest Side – FOX 29 https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/firefighters-working-to-extinguish-large-mulch-fire-on-the-southwest-side-fox-29/ Firefighters working to extinguish large mulch fire on the Southwest Side  FOX 29

With Travel Prices And Currencies Up And Down This Year, What Are Your Points And Miles Worth? – MarketWatch https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/with-travel-prices-and-currencies-up-and-down-this-year-what-are-your-points-and-miles-worth-marketwatch/ This article is reprinted by permission from NerdWallet.  This has been an unusual year for currencies, period. Rising inflation has sent all sorts of costs skyrocketing (including travel prices). Meanwhile, the euro EURUSD, and British pound GBPUSD, are falling in value relative to the U.S. dollar, making a European vacation somewhat … affordable? With all of these fluctuating prices, how are the currencies of airline and hotel loyalty programs, better known as points and miles, being affected? To get to the bottom of that question, NerdWallet turned to the data. The results of our annual analysis of the value of airline miles and hotel points is finally here, and it has some interesting stories to tell. To get our estimates, we collect real-world data on thousands of flights and hotel stays and compare cash prices and award prices to determine the baseline value of each loyalty program’s points. Here’s how the value of miles and points compares to last year — and what changes you should make to your travel rewards strategy as a result. See: 1 in 3 people say they overspent on travel to earn a credit cards sign-up bonus Most airline miles are worth more The good news is that almost all points and miles are worth more now than they were last year, possibly due in part to inflation, which has driven up the cash prices of flights and hotel nights. Airline miles are now worth an additional 0.1 cent-0.3 cents in value across the board. For example, United Airlines UAL, MileagePlus miles were worth about 1 cent each in our last analysis, so 50,000 miles should have been able to get you a free flight worth about $500. If you didn’t use those miles last year, those same 50,000 miles are now worth 1.2 cents each. That means you can likely redeem them for a flight worth about $600 today. Keep in mind though, inflation has driven travel prices much higher. According to the latest set of Consumer Price Index data, airfare prices are up 33% year-over-year in August. Meanwhile, the valuations of airline miles are up only 8.7% on average from last year. So even though your miles are valued higher, you might still have to shell out more miles for a flight than you would have last year because the flight itself is likely more expensive. Also read: Four travel card perks that might not be worth it anymore Hotel points-wise, one brand stands out Hotel points saw a similar increase to airlines exacerbated by inflation. But there is one huge jump that stands out: World of Hyatt H, . Hyatt has long been a favorite of travelers because of its high value redemptions, and it has consistently had higher valuations than other hotel loyalty programs. Its fixed award chart has further cemented its value in this high-inflation year. This year, Hyatt’s valuation jumped almost an entire cent, from 1.9 cents per point in 2021 to 2.8 cents per point now. That means its points are four times as valuable as competitors’ like Marriott Bonvoy MAR, ( 0.7 cent), Hilton HLT, Honors (0.6 cent) and IHG IHG, One Rewards. (0.7 cent). This discrepancy is likely due to Hyatt being the only hotel loyalty program with the aforementioned fixed award chart. The award chart specifies a limit for the highest number of points a night can cost at a certain property, even if the cash rate may go much higher. That’s where you’ll find Hyatt sweet spots. Read: ‘Forget about chasing rewards and seek the lowest interest rate possible’: Credit-card rates near peak not seen since 1996 How you might change your points and miles strategy Based on our findings, there are a few key takeaways to remember as you book travel into 2023. Consider flying airlines besides Southwest Airlines and JetBlue Airways. Last year, JetBlue JBLU, and Southwest LUV, had the highest-value airline miles, around 1.5 and 1.4 cents respectively. Now, American Airlines AAL, , Delta Air Lines DAL, , JetBlue and Southwest miles are all worth the same — around 1.5 cents. If loyalty with American or Delta is more convenient for you, start collecting their miles knowing that you’ll get about the same return. Target high-value transfer partners. If you have a travel credit card that earns transferable points, you might spend less points by transferring to a high-value partner like Hyatt instead of booking a Hyatt hotel through the credit card’s travel portal. Don’t miss: Three common travel disasters and what to do about them Calculate the value of your redemption before you book. NerdWallet’s valuations are a baseline value, meaning you should aim to get that value when you cash in your points for a free flight or hotel stay. But not all redemptions are created equal. Make sure you divide the equivalent cash price of the flight or hotel by the number of points they want to charge you. If that number is lower than NerdWallet’s valuations, you might want to save your points for a better redemption. You can use an airline miles calculator to simplify your calculations. More From NerdWallet Meghan Coyle writes for NerdWallet. Email: mcoyle@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @inkwaves.

Latest Business News India Today 30 September 2022 | News Headlines – Tentaran https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/latest-business-news-india-today-30-september-2022-news-headlines-tentaran/ Please follow and like us: Here’s today business news, the latest business news India today 30 September 2022 Reliance Industries launched their 1st in-house premium fashion and lifestyle store, Azorte in Bengaluru. Akash Ambani became the only Indian to feature on Time Magazine’s 100 emerging leaders’ list. IGIA becomes India’s 1st 5G ready airport, passengers with 5G handsets and SIMs can experience the technology once telecom industries roll out 5G services. TVS Motor Company has signed an MoU with the UK government to offer Chevening TVS Motor Company Scholarships. SEBI has introduced a new framework for credit rating agencies which will be applicable from 1st January 2023. Buy Online Women’s Kurta Pant Palazzo and Kaftan Dress at Wholesale Price – Shop Now Must Read: 30 September in Indian history Limited Offer – Buy Online Books in India – Buy Deepshikha Books Online at Best Prices In India – Buy Now Latest business news India today 30 September 2022 – business news headlines today Schneider Electric India Pvt Ltd to set up its 2nd facility at Telangana with an investment of Rs 300 crores. Adani Green Energy Ltd to commission the largest wind-solar power plant in the world of 600MW capacity in Jaisalmer. K Raheja Corp has acquired 1.5 acres of land parcel in Mumbai’s Sion from K J Somaiya Trust for Rs 120 crores. The government has lowered its borrowing target from the market for the current fiscal year by Rs 10,000 crores due to buoyant tax collection. Hero Motorcorp has collaborated with California-based manufacturers of electric motorcycles, Zero Motorcycles for developing electric motorcycles. Must Read:30 September 2022 ke Mukhya Samachar Latest business news India today 30 September 2022 – business news India today Uno Minda to set up a JV with Tachi-S Company for manufacturing and marketing of seat recliners for the passengers of four-wheelers in India. The largest maker of beer in India, United Breweries, has introduced Heineken Silver as a move to expand the Heineken franchise. The Competition Commission of India has approved the acquisition proposed of a 100% stake in DB Power and Diligent Power by Adani Group. An amount of Rs 21.14 crores in the bank accounts of OctaFX and related entities has been frozen by the Enforcement Directorate due to violations of forex rules. Must Read:News Headlines of India today 30 September 2022 Must Read:Today Current Affairs 30 September To keep yourself abreast with the latest business news India today 30 September 2022 – business news headlines today, business news India, India startup world news, latest business news, business news live, latest news, business news today India, do follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For watching our collection of videos, follow us on YouTube.

Wearable Fitness Trackers Market Is Expected To Grow At A CAGR Of 15.8%by 2026 – Exclusive Report By Future Market Insights, Inc. – Digital Journal https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/wearable-fitness-trackers-market-is-expected-to-grow-at-a-cagr-of-15-8by-2026-exclusive-report-by-future-market-insights-inc-digital-journal/ The worldwide wearable fitness trackers market is supposed to enroll a CAGR of 15.8% during 2017 – 2027, with North America, Western Europe, Japan and China representing critical market esteem shares toward the conjecture time frame’s end. Future Market Experiences conveys key bits of knowledge on the worldwide wearable fitness trackers market in its report named “Wearable Fitness Trackers Market: Worldwide Industry Examination 2012 – 2016 and Opportunity Evaluation 2017 – 2027.” Development in the market worth of the worldwide wearable fitness tracker market will stay alluring as the market is supposed to develop consistently at a CAGR of 15.8% as far as worth during the gauge time frame 2017 – 2027. The worldwide yearly income from the wearable fitness tracker market was esteemed at US$ 21,661.3 Mn toward the finish of 2017, as would be considered normal to develop at a consistent speed throughout the next few years. The overwhelming locales, i.e., North America, Western Europe, Japan, China and Ocean and Other of APAC, are supposed to by and large record for a greater part portion of the worldwide wearable fitness tracker market. The North America wearable fitness tracker market, Western Europe wearable fitness tracker market and APEJ wearable fitness tracker market are probably going to rule the worldwide market over the estimate period. Request a Sample Copy of this Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-4887 Wearable Fitness Trackers Market: Factors Boosting Adoption Since last few years, the adoption of wearable fitness trackers has been increasing considerably, especially in the 25-44 years category. Development in the imaging technologies of wearable fitness trackers and continuously emerging new features in the products are boosting the adoption of wearable fitness trackers in the consumer segment. Nowadays, consumers prefer modern ways of fitness tracking as “guesstimating” is not accurate to keep track of the fitness data. Hence, the availability of technology-based smart wearable devices for keeping track of fitness activities is driving the wearable fitness trackers market. Disposable income and rising concerns regarding a healthy lifestyle are also driving the wearable fitness trackers market across major economies of the world. Continuous technological developments intended to reduce the overall cost of various components of wearable fitness trackers are facilitating a decrease in the overall cost of wearable fitness trackers, which is making it more affordable for the middle-income population.  At present, wearable fitness trackers are largely being used by the high-income population for an enhanced end-user experience with reference to fitness and health aspects. Wearable Fitness Trackers Market: Segmental & Regional Analysis On the basis of FMI analysis, the wrist wear sub-segment of the product type segment is expected to dominate the wearable fitness tracker market since wrist wear is easy to use and increases the focus of users towards fitness. On the basis of application, the pedometer segment is expected to be a dominating segment in the global wearable fitness tracker market. The development and integration of healthcare processes with technology and the evolution of new functions/features are some of the major factors driving the adoption of wearable fitness trackers. The North America wearable fitness tracker market is expected to dominate the global wearable fitness tracker market due to high growth in the overall revenues generated from the wrist wear segment, high disposable income as well as the high standard of living in the region. The wearable fitness tracker market in Western Europe has high potential owing to the increasing adoption of wearable fitness trackers as one of the solutions for living a healthy life. The APEJ wearable fitness tracker market will be a target market for market participants owing to the high growth opportunities in countries such as India and China. For More Information on this Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/wearable-fitness-trackers-market Wearable Fitness Trackers Market: Competition Landscape Vendors in the wearable fitness tracker market are now focusing on introducing advanced innovative features and functionalities, as well as on expanding their sales channels across the globe. Some of the vendors in the wearable fitness tracker market vendors included in this study of the global wearable fitness tracker market are Apple Inc.; Fitbit Inc.; Samsung Electronics; Sony Corporation; Xiaomi; Garmin Ltd.; Fossil Group; Jawbone; TomTom International BV and Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. Vendors are continuously innovating their wearable fitness tracker products to penetrate the technology-influenced global market. For instance, in May 2017, Apple Inc. partnered with Nokia, a provider of information & communication technology. As per the partnership agreement, Nokia provides certain network infrastructure products and services to Apple. In June 2017, Fitbit Inc. partnered with the Minnesota Timberwolves, a Minnesota-based American professional basketball team. Under this partnership, Fitbit is an “Official Wearable” and “Official Sleep Tracker” for the players of Minnesota Timberwolves. In March 2017, Samsung partnered with Under Armour, one of the leading manufacturers of sports, casual apparels, shoes, etc., to support the “Under Armour Connected Fitness suite,” which includes various fitness applications. Key Segments Covered Product Type: Wrist wear Leg wear Smart garments Others Application: Pedometer Heart rate monitor Daily activity tracker Call text & calendar Sleep tracking GPS tracking Others Distribution Channel: E-Commerce Retail Stores Age-Group: 0-5 Years 6-18 Years 19-24 Years 25-44 Years 45-60 Years 60+ Years Ask for Customization in the Report, Enquire Now @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/customization-available/rep-gb-4887 Table of Content Executive Summary 1.1. Market Overview 1.2. Market Analysis 1.3. FMI Analysis and Recommendations Market Introduction 2.1. Market Taxonomy 2.2. Market Overview 2.3. Market Definition 2.4. Market Facts 2.5. Pricing Analysis Market View Point 3.1. Macro-Economic Factors 3.2. Opportunity Analysis 3.3. Technological Trends 3.4. Key Regulations Global Market Analysis 2012–2016 and Forecast 2017–2027 4.1. Market Volume Projections 4.2. Market Size and Y-o-Y Growth 4.3. Absolute $ Opportunity 4.4. Value Chain To Continue TOC… Future Market Insights Most Trending Reports of Technology – Lead Management Market Trend: The lead management market is expected to reach US$ 12,342 Million by 2032 at a CAGR of 17%. The market is expected to reach US$ 2,558.2 Million in 2022. VOIP Services Market Forecast: The VoIP services market revenue by the end of 2021 was US$ 123.3 Bn. The VoIP services market is expected to reach US$ 354.7 Bn by 2032, as it is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 10.2% for 2022-2032. Residential Robotic Vacuum Cleaner Market Growth: The overall demand for residential robotic vacuum cleaners is projected to rise at an impressive CAGR of 14.5% from 2022 to 2032 totaling a market valuation of ~US$ 9,665.4 Bn by 2032. About Us Future Market Insights (ESOMAR certified market research organization and a member of Greater New York Chamber of Commerce) provides in-depth insights into governing factors elevating the demand in the market. It discloses opportunities that will favor the market growth in various segments on the basis of Source, Application, Sales Channel and End Use over the next 10-years. Contact: Future Market Insights Inc. Christiana Corporate, 200 Continental Drive, Suite 401, Newark, Delaware – 19713, USA T: +1-845-579-5705 For Sales Enquiries: [email protected] For Media Enquiries: [email protected] Browse latest Market Reports: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports LinkedIn| Twitter| Blogs The post Wearable Fitness Trackers Market is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of 15.8%by 2026 – Exclusive Report by Future Market Insights, Inc. appeared first on Future Market Insights.

James William Tibbetts Sr. | News, Sports, Jobs – Evening Observer https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/james-william-tibbetts-sr-news-sports-jobs-evening-observer/ James William Tibbetts Sr., 86. Born June 16, 1936, and passed away Sept. 27, 2022, in Belton Texas. He will be buried on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Nolanville Texas. Full obituary can be read at https://www.dossmanfh. com/

Is AR Paving The Way For The Industrial Metaverse? – The Edge Singapore https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/is-ar-paving-the-way-for-the-industrial-metaverse-the-edge-singapore/ Checking if the site connection is secure www.theedgesingapore.com needs to review the security of your connection before proceeding.

Get A Programmable Synthesizer And Wow The Music Lover In Your Life – Mashable https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/get-a-programmable-synthesizer-and-wow-the-music-lover-in-your-life-mashable/ Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. TL;DR: As of Sept. 30, you can snag the Synthia DIY Digital Music Sampler(opens in a new tab) for $109.99, rather than $119.99 — that’s a savings of $10. Some people are just hard to find gifts for. Whether it’s because their interest is too niche or too technical, shopping can be a struggle. Friends and family of audiophiles and DIY obsessives(opens in a new tab) know how it is. This year, you may be able to give your favorite tech and music enthusiast something they didn’t expect — or directly ask for. Synthia is a DIY digital music sampler that lets you build and code your own synth, complete with its own LED light show, and it has been marked down to $109.99.  A great DIY gift for the holidays This one gadget combines hardware modification, coding, and music production into one customizable focal point. Use it as a music sampler that can create any beat and make a mix from five tracks(opens in a new tab). Code your own pocket rave with 121 onboard LEDs, or record your own samples using the built-in MEMS microphone.  You could also use Synthia as a learning tool. What a cool way to get your young musician thinking of new ways to edit their sound. Or, use it as a teaching tool for a young STEM learner. It could even be an early coding project with tangible results. Mastering a concept in C++ may be satisfying on its own, but how cool would it be to have the reward for all that work on the computer being a programmed LED light show set to your child’s favorite songs? A way to learn or play for techies young and old Whether you’re shopping for an experienced audio enthusiast or a young STEM student (or yourself), Synthia: DIY Digital Music Sampler(opens in a new tab) could be an awesome gift, and it’s on sale for $109.99 (Reg. $119).  Prices subject to change.

India Freezes Bitcoin At Binance Amid Investigation Involving Crypto Exchange Wazirx – Regulation Bitcoin News – Bitcoin News https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/india-freezes-bitcoin-at-binance-amid-investigation-involving-crypto-exchange-wazirx-regulation-bitcoin-news-bitcoin-news/ India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) says it has frozen more than 77.6 bitcoins that were transferred to Binance from Indian crypto exchange Wazirx. The freeze is part of a money laundering investigation into a mobile gaming application. Indian Authority Freezes Bitcoin Held at Crypto Exchange Binance India’s Directorate of Enforcement (ED) announced Wednesday that it has frozen 77.62710139 bitcoins under the country’s Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The ED is the Indian government’s law enforcement and economic intelligence agency. The freeze is part of the ED’s investigation into a mobile gaming application called E-nuggets. According to the announcement, the cryptocurrency was transferred from Wazirx, a popular Indian exchange, to Binance. The ED also tweeted a summary of its action. The law enforcement agency explained that “Aamir Khan, S/o Nesar Ahmed Khan launched a mobile gaming application namely E-Nuggets, which was designed for the purpose of defrauding [the] public,” adding: After collecting seizable amount of money from the public, all of a sudden withdrawal from the said app was stopped on one pretext or the other. Thereafter, all data including profile information was wiped off from the said app servers. The ED explained that its investigations have revealed that the accused transferred part of the illegally earned funds overseas via the Indian crypto exchange Wazirx. The accused allegedly opened a dummy account in the name of “Sima Naskar (Proprietor of M/s Pixal Design)” with Wazirx and used it to purchase cryptocurrencies, the ED further described, elaborating: Thereafter the said crypto currencies were further transferred to another account in another crypto exchange, namely Binance. “The balance of said transferred cryptocurrencies i.e. 77.62710139 bitcoins [equivalent to USD 1,573,466 (Rs 12.83 crore approximately)] at Binance crypto exchange has been freezed,” the ED wrote. Binance was believed to have acquired Wazirx in 2019. However, Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) recently said that the acquisition “was never completed,” emphasizing that “Binance has never — at any point — owned any shares of Zanmai Labs, the entity operating Wazirx.” The ED froze the bank assets of Wazirx worth more than $8 million in August. However, earlier this month, Wazirx said that its bank accounts have been unfrozen. Following Wazirx, the ED froze crypto and bank assets worth $46 million of Vauld, a crypto platform backed by Peter Thiel. In August, the agency searched crypto exchange Coinswitch Kuber. However, the CEO of the exchange said that it was not related to money laundering investigations. What do you think about the ED freezing bitcoin held at crypto exchange Binance? Let us know in the comments section below. Kevin Helms A student of Austrian Economics, Kevin found Bitcoin in 2011 and has been an evangelist ever since. His interests lie in Bitcoin security, open-source systems, network effects and the intersection between economics and cryptography. Image Credits: Shutterstock, Pixabay, Wiki Commons Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a direct offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation or endorsement of any products, services, or companies. Bitcoin.com does not provide investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Neither the company nor the author is responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in this article.

Taiwan Says U.S.-Led ‘Chip 4’ Group Discussed Supply Chain Resilience – Reuters https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/taiwan-says-u-s-led-chip-4-group-discussed-supply-chain-resilience-reuters/ TAIPEI, Sept 30 (Reuters) – The United States has convened the first meeting of a working group of East Asian countries to discuss how to strengthen the semiconductor supply chain, a Taiwanese official said on Friday, after a two-year global chip crunch. The semiconductor shortage, which forced some carmakers to halt production, thrust chip powerhouse Taiwan into the spotlight and has made supply chain management a bigger priority for governments around the world. “We exchanged views at a first preliminary meeting, and hope everyone can discuss how to collaborate in the future on supply chain problems like the ones we recently encountered,” Taiwan Economy Minister Wang Mei-hua Wang told reporters in Taipei. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com The preliminary meeting of the working group – which has been dubbed ‘Chip 4’ – also involved representatives from South Korea and Japan. The group’s member countries are home to the world’s largest contract chip maker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd (2330.TW), South Korean memory chip giants Samsung Electronics Co Ltd (005930.KS) and SK Hynix (000660.KS), and key Japanese suppliers of semiconductor materials and equipment. President Tsai Ing-wen last month told visiting U.S. lawmakers that Taiwan is committed to ensuring its partners have reliable supplies of semiconductors, or “democracy chips”, and urged allies to boost collaboration amid intensified threats from China. China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory. Taiwan’s government rejects China’s sovereignty claims. The American Institute in Taiwan, its de facto U.S. embassy, hosted the virtual meeting of the U.S.-East Asia Semiconductor Supply Chain Resiliency Working Group, a spokesperson told Reuters. South Korea’s foreign ministry said the country’s top representative in Taiwan attended the meeting on Wednesday. Kyung Kye-hyun, who heads Samsung’s chip business, said earlier this month that his company has conveyed concerns about the proposed Chip 4 alliance, including the need for South Korea to seek China’s understanding before any negotiations. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Sarah Wu; Additional reporting by Joyce Lee in Seoul; Editing by Edmund Klamann and Jan Harvey Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

From Throne Speech To Tech Speech “Techrede” – Mirage News https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/from-throne-speech-to-tech-speech-techrede-mirage-news/ The Technology Drivers launched Techrede 2022. The Technology Drivers are a group of ambitious, socially engaged students from the 4 Technical Universities in Delft, Eindhoven, Twente and Wageningen; an initiative of the 4TU.Federation. State Secretary of Infrastructure and Water Management, Vivianne Heijnen, watched the Techrede and praised the usefulness and necessity of the involvement of the Voice of the Future in the debate around societal challenges and driving technological innovation. The Drivers are committed to the same themes as the cabinet, but above all they want to build momentum. – Unfortunately, your cookie settings do not allow videos to be displayed. – check your settings Last week was the week of the Throne Speech, containing the government’s plans for the coming year. Meaningful plans that can make a difference. At the same time, the feeling prevails that the plans are still too high-minded and focused more on the longer term than the short term. And it is precisely in that short term that many opportunities lie. State Secretary Vivianne Heijnen after viewing the Techrede: “Great to see that the new generation is working on smart solutions to make the world a better place. The Technology Drivers show that you can make an impact by helping that whole chain of people who also all have to participate. Good to get everyone involved, not just producers and enterprises, but also consumers.How do you ensure that you convey information about the environmental impact of products to consumers in an accessible way? That’s where the materials passport can be of help!” With an eye on the short term and the how-to of accelerating transitions, a group of ambitious, socially engaged students from the 4 Technical Universities in Delft, Eindhoven, Twente and Wageningen have been working on projects to achieve societal impact. In the Techrede, the Technology Drivers talk about the actions that have already been taken over the past year and call for concrete actions that politicians can start immediately. What can you expect from the Techrede? The Techrede is an approximately 20-minute video covering the following topics: To complete the plastic cycle, we need to go back to a much more limited number of plastics on the market. Consumers play a key role in bringing about this movement: with transparent information, people are more likely to choose packaging that is easy to recycle. With six concrete recommendations, the Voice of the Future makes its voice heard on the role of hydrogen in the energy transition. A lot of political movement and courage is needed to accelerate the transition with innovation. Prevention in healthcare, including through technological innovation, should be rewarded. With Zorgverzekeraars Nederland, the Technology Drivers worked on steps towards a future-proof healthcare system. How do we ensure that citizens understand where our food comes from, what it takes to produce it and how to optimise sustainability in our agricultural sector? Education is the answer: by having co-developed an education module, we inform the young generation. More knowledge and better choices leads to a healthy social debate. /Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) may be of a point-in-time nature, edited for clarity, style and length. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s).View in full here.