Anna Garraway

Officials Report Texas Trooper Hospitalized After Fentanyl Exposure During Car Search – Spectrum News https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/officials-report-texas-trooper-hospitalized-after-fentanyl-exposure-during-car-search-spectrum-news/ SAN ANTONIO — Texas has been rattled with cases of fentanyl overdoses and accidental exposures, leading government officials and law enforcement agencies to call for action. Gov. Greg Abbott’s statewide order to rid Texas of this potent drug has enacted many agencies and organizations to step up their efforts in educating the public, apprehending drug traffickers behind the opioid’s uptick and stopping the distribution altogether. Although some have criticized Abbott for his approach to dealing with this crisis, it’s collectively understood how dangerous this drug can be. One officer in Bexar County, unfortunately, found out for himself. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, when performing a vehicle search in Bexar County, a trooper fell ill after coming into contact with a substance that was kept in a container he found in the car. EMS administered NARCAN on the trooper and took him to the hospital. The substance was unknown at the time, but upon special agents’ testing, they confirmed it was fentanyl inside the container. One of our Troopers became ill after being exposed to a substance while conducting a vehicle search in Bexar County. EMS administered NARCAN, and the Trooper was transported to a hospital. Special Agents were able to locate a substance in a container that tested + for fentanyl. pic.twitter.com/bABue97YdK — Texas DPS (@TxDPS) September 27, 2022 Texas DPS said that it’s common for officers to be exposed to an assortment of illicit drugs on the job, including cocaine, methamphetamines, opioids such as fentanyl and heroin for example.

In Colorado, A Ranch Getaway Is The Perfect Long Weekend – The Washington Post https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/in-colorado-a-ranch-getaway-is-the-perfect-long-weekend-the-washington-post/ It’s a stunning autumn day at some 9,000 feet above sea level in southern Colorado. An expansive sky stretches from the sandy dunes over which I’m riding on horseback with my 12-year-old son, Henry, and our guide, Amelia, a wrangler at the nearby Medano-Zapata Ranch (Zapata for short), where we are staying for a three-day fall harvest festival. In the distance, the yellowing leaves of aspen trees illuminate mountain ridges. The sure-footed horses navigate the dunes with ease. It rained last night, and the dense sand is springy underfoot. But Pickles, Henry’s horse, would prefer to dawdle. Amelia offers clear instruction — “shorten your reins, look where you want to go, give her a kick, let her know you mean it” — and Henry talks to his horse in a gentle voice as he tries to propel her forward. Earlier, as we walked through the creek bed to approach the dunes, Pickles stayed stubbornly out of the hoof-deep water, testing the resolve of my kindhearted tween. Zapata’s guided horse rides are nothing like most commercial operations; we’re not expected to ride “nose-to-tail” because that’s boring. Out here, we have the entire expanse of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve at our disposal, which means that Henry will have to figure it out on his own (but with Amelia’s encouragement). I’m tempted to weigh in. After all, I am his mother and a former equestrian, and I know a thing or two about trail riding. But what 12-year-old wants his mom bossing him around on a long weekend vacation where we are supposed to be bonding? Besides, Amelia is the perfect combination of instruction and confidence-boosting, and before I know it, Henry and Pickles overtake my horse and me. We crest the dune, admire the view and descend to the valley floor. When Amelia asks if we want to canter, Henry enthusiastically answers in the affirmative. Soon we’re racing across this iconic western landscape, and my heart soars with exhilaration and gratitude. It wasn’t hard to convince Henry to skip a day of school for a long weekend road trip with me to the San Luis Valley, 260 miles south of our home in Boulder. With the promise of delicious chef-cooked meals, horseback riding, a ranch stay and one night of glamping, he eagerly packed his bag and helped navigate our long drive south over mountain passes and into the stark high desert, a landscape of hardy, prickly vegetation, vast plains, massive dunes created by the combination of wind, water, sand and a mountainous barrier. Amenities are scarce; after leaving Salida, the last town with a grocery store en route to our valley destination, we drove 62 miles before reaching a gas station. Moody clouds gathered as we rolled into the Rustic Rook Resort our first evening. We found our tent — large enough to hold two double beds, a wood-burning stove and an en suite bathroom — and grilled the steaks and potatoes that we had preordered. They were tender and juicy, though I wished our dinner had also come with some leafy green vegetables (Henry didn’t mind their absence). To stave off the chilly night air, we lit a fire in the wood stove and then tucked in for the night. Sometime in the wee hours of the morning I awoke slightly cold and wished for warmer bedding. Instead, I slipped on my fleece and fell back into a deep sleep. A nighttime rainstorm left the landscape wet and fresh, and we grabbed our complimentary burritos and decamped to Zapata. A word about navigating the San Luis Valley: It’s big. Having your own car is essential, as nothing is close to anything else. Though Zapata Ranch was only 11 miles as the crow flies from the Rustic Rook Resort, construction on the connector road mandated that we take a detour that added almost an hour to our drive. Fortunately, once we got to the ranch, we were able to park the car and forget about it. In fact, from the moment we stepped onto Zapata’s grounds, we more or less forgot about anything that did not revolve around ranch life, riding, or eating five-course dinners prepared with locally sourced ingredients, including beef and bison raised on the ranch. Like the other guests who filled the 17-room lodge, we felt as if we had discovered a magical world. I was fascinated with the ranch’s history and mission. The Nature Conservancy bought the 103,000-acre Zapata Ranch in 1999 from a private owner who had embarked on a bison restoration program with the goal of creating a genetically pure herd without any beef DNA. In 2004, the nonprofit organization partnered with Ranchlands, a private ranch management company, to manage the Nature Conservancy’s 2,000-animal bison herd and to restore the property to native vegetation through a concentrated effort that used cattle grazing, pasture rotation and more. In 2009, Ranchlands began hosting guests at the lodge and in the auxiliary Stewart House, where Henry and I stayed. I appreciated that the house was a short walk from the lodge, offering an evening digestif stroll, and he loved that it had a pool table. With a guest season that runs from March through October, Zapata has workshops, series and seminars that last anywhere from two days to a week. Guests are immersed in whatever specialty event they’ve registered for and also learn about the ranch operations through hands-on experience that includes horseback riding, touring the bison operation and interacting with the ranch staff, including Kate Matheson, the busy ranch manager, who patiently answers questions about cattle, bison, the ecosystem and more. Our weekend’s focus was on local food and farm-to-table meals, while events through the rest of the 2022 season include a writing workshop with author Pam Houston and birding with “Birding Magazine” editor Ted Floyd. Next season’s programs haven’t yet been announced but will likely include classics like botanical foraging and wildlife photography, and more specialized workshops. Henry and I ended up at “Harvest Weekend” because it was when the ranch had availability, and from the first bite of my smoked trout salad during our horseback ride, I knew we had won the gastronomical jackpot. This was confirmed multiple times, especially on our first night when we both nearly melted in delight as we ate the chef-made bison-beef sausage course — which came after courses of salad, Mexican street corn and grilled squash, and before the chicken mole and chocolate cake. All of the food was remarkable, prepared in creative combinations and seasoned with local herbs and peppers to deliver a distinctly southwest flavor. We ate and ate and ate, and then we exercised and explored the ranch grounds. One afternoon we hiked seven miles up to a mountain pass in the national park and preserve, and another we slipped through the ranch’s cottonwoods on the short nature trail on the property. Henry was the only kid at the ranch, but the other guests were friendly, and with his easygoing attitude, he fit right in. He also helped me see things through fresh eyes. On a clear, dark night, he paused and pointed overhead to the brilliant Milky Way and the star-spangled sky. He put a finger to his lips. In the distance, a pack of coyotes yipped and howled. Henry’s eyes widened in enchantment, and he looped his arm through mine. Mother-and-son bonding at its finest. Walker is a writer based in Boulder, Colo. Find her on Twitter: @racheljowalker. Zapata Ranch 5305 Highway 150, Mosca, Colo. 719-378-2356 A 103,000-acre working cattle and bison ranch located roughly five miles from Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. All-inclusive stays from $350 per person, per night. Rustic Rook Resort 13254 Lane 5 North, Mosca, Colo. 719-270-1356 A dog-friendly glamping operation featuring fully furnished canvas tents on wooden platforms, grills, a nightly campfire with complimentary s’mores and endless views. Located about 20 miles from Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Rates from about $145 per night. Frontier Drive-Inn 105 E. County Rd. 11 North, Center, Colo. A dog-friendly, restored 1950s era drive-in theater that features nightly movies on the original screen, innovative ranch shed lodging and yurts with luxury interiors, and an art installation of enormous, roofless, 3D-printed adobe structures. Rates from $161 per night. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve 11999 Highway 150, Mosca, Colo. 719-378-6395 Established as a national park in 2004, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve encompasses 149,028 acres — 107,342 of which are national park and 41,686 acres of which make up the preserve. The park contains the tallest sand dunes in North America, and the dunes span roughly 30 square miles. No reservations required. Open daily, year-round. Basic entry pass, which is good for seven consecutive days, is $25 per car, $20 per motorcycle/rider and $15 per person for oversized vehicles. PLEASE NOTE Potential travelers should take local and national public health directives regarding the pandemic into consideration before planning any trips. Travel health notice information can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s interactive map showing travel recommendations by destination and the CDC’s travel health notice webpage.

Two Long Island Law Firms Combine – Long Island Business News https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/two-long-island-law-firms-combine-long-island-business-news/ Get our free LIBN e-alerts & breaking news notifications! By: Adina Genn September 29, 2022 Two Long Island law firms have combined. Forchelli Deegan Terrana, a law firm in Uniondale, has announced that the attorneys and staff of Mineola-based Koeppel Martone & Leistman have joined the firm.  The move bolsters FDT’s position in the real estate tax law space. KML Senior Partner Donald Leistman will continue as a senior partner at FDT and co-chair FDT’s Tax Certiorari practice group with John Terrana. The merger marks the “largest expansion in FDT’s history,” according to a press release about the combined firms. “Throughout the years, I have worked both with and against members of KML. I have always been impressed by their professionalism and the quality of their work. I am excited to have them join us,” Terrana said in a statement. Founded in 1963, KML  established itself as a large tax certiorari practice in New York State, counseling clients on real estate tax matters. The law firm has secured more than $1 billion dollars in real estate tax refunds and savings for commercial real estate clients with office buildings, industrial parks, shopping malls, apartment complexes and other properties, according to the press release. “We always strive to deliver the best results for our real estate tax clients. But now, we can greatly enhance our services by collaborating with the FDT attorneys across several different practice areas,” Leistman said in a statement. Combined, the firm will comprise 150 attorneys and staff, including a tax certiorari practice group. Other practice groups include land use and zoning, IDA benefits and government Incentives, and environmental and litigation. Jeffrey Forchelli, FDT’s chairman and co-managing partner, said the firm has been focused on strategic growth and expansion, enhancing services to clients “We are very excited to be joined by the attorneys and staff of Koeppel Martone & Leistman, L.L.C.,” Forchelli said in a statement. “We will make each other better, and all of our clients will benefit greatly as a result. The future is bright.” × Enjoy This Free Article We Have 2 More For You All You Need To Do Is Register To Receive Your 2 Additional Free Articles

Healthy Living Boosts Life Span, Even For Former Smokers – HealthDay News https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/healthy-living-boosts-life-span-even-for-former-smokers-healthday-news/ THURSDAY, Sept. 29, 2022 (HealthDay News) — Eating well and exercising can make for a longer life, and that holds true for former smokers, too, a new study shows. Researchers found that of nearly 160,000 former smokers, those who exercised, ate healthfully and limited their drinking were less likely to die over the next couple of decades, versus their counterparts with less-healthy habits. It’s well known that when smokers kick the habit, the health benefits are huge — with reduced risks of various cancers, lung disease, heart disease and stroke. But former smokers still have a higher risk of premature death than people who never smoked. The new findings were published Sept. 22 in the journal JAMA Network Open. They suggest they can narrow that gap by making other lifestyle changes. Given that 52 million Americans are former smokers, that’s an important message, experts said. It’s common for smoking to go hand-in-hand with other unhealthy lifestyle habits, said Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos, a pulmonary and critical care specialist at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore. So ideally, he said, when people seek help with quitting, those other lifestyle factors should be addressed, too. Many smokers, for instance, light up when they drink alcohol. So cutting back on drinking could help eliminate that smoking trigger — as well as the health consequences of excessive drinking. People also commonly pair smoking with unhealthy food choices, Galiatsatos said, or use it to deal with stress. “I promise you, everyone smokes in a pattern,” said Galiatsatos, who is also a spokesperson for the American Lung Association. “So I start by asking patients, why do you smoke?” The new study, by researchers at the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI), involved nearly 160,000 former smokers ages 50 to 69. They completed questionnaires on their medical history and lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise and drinking habits. Over the next 19 years, more than 86,000 study participants died. But those who reported healthier lifestyle habits at the outset were more likely to survive — even when the researchers accounted for differences like people’s education levels, and whether they’d had conditions like heart disease or cancer at the study’s start. On average, former smokers who had a healthy body weight and followed expert recommendations on diet, exercise and drinking were 27% less likely to die, versus former smokers who were not meeting any of those goals. The “adherent” group was getting at least four hours of moderate to vigorous exercise each week; limiting alcohol to no more than one drink a day for women, or two a day for men; and getting the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables, “good” fats and other nutrient-rich foods, while curbing sugar, salt and saturated fat. The more of those recommendations people followed, the better, lead researcher Maki Inoue-Choi said in an NCI news release. But, she added, sticking with even one healthy habit seemed to bring benefits. Former smokers who stuck with exercise recommendations, for instance, were 17% less likely to die during the study period, versus those who were most sedentary. There’s no question that smoking is bad, and quitting is good, Galiatsatos said. But the new findings, he added, underscore the importance of looking at overall lifestyle. When people understand why they smoke, and how different daily habits are intertwined, Galiatsatos said, they can be better armed to both quit and make other healthy choices: If they smoke to deal with stress, for instance, they could try replacing that response by going out for a walk. Inoue-Choi did point to a limitation of the study: It involved mostly white, relatively higher-income Americans — a group that may have an easier time fitting in exercise, or buying healthy food, for example. Future studies, the researchers say, should include more people of color and those with lower incomes. More information The American Lung Association has help for people who want to quit smoking. SOURCES: Panagis Galiatsatos, MD, MHS, assistant professor, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, and national spokesperson, American Lung Association, Chicago; U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI), news release, Sept. 22, 2022; JAMA Network Open, Sept. 22, 2022, online

Brett Favre Scandal: Hall Of Fame QB’s Foundation Funneled Large Sums To Southern Miss Athletics – CBS Sports https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/brett-favre-scandal-hall-of-fame-qbs-foundation-funneled-large-sums-to-southern-miss-athletics-cbs-sports/ Legendary NFL quarterback and former Southern Miss star Brett Favre is under fire for the role that his charity played in funneling money to the University of Southern Mississippi Athletic Foundation from 2018 to 2020, tax records show. During this time, Favre also tried to raise money for a new volleyball center at the university, where his daughter was a member of the team. Favre’s charity, Favre 4 Hope, was created to support charities that provide support to underserved and disabled children and breast cancer patients, according to its mission statement. However, tax records show the charity made large donations to the USM Athletic Foundation totaling more than $130,000. Those sums were significantly more than donations made to other organizations.  Favre 4 Hope donated $60,000 to USM in 2018, $46,817 in 2019 and $26,175 in 2020. The largest donation it made to any other organization during that time period was an $11,000 sum to the Special Olympics of Mississippi in 2019. The highest donations made in 2018 and 2020 were $10,000 sums to multiple organizations. Records obtained by ESPN also show that the booster club of Favre’s daughter’s high school received funds from Favre 4 Hope in years prior to her enrollment at Southern Miss. Favre 4 Hope’s role is part of a much larger welfare scandal involving the misappropriation of roughly $77 million, making it the largest public corruption case in Mississippi history. Favre sent text messages to the director of a non-profit organization expressing concern regarding his name potentially getting out in public, according to Mississippi Today.  Charities like Favre 4 Hope have an ethical obligation to spend funds the way donors intended, Charity Watch executive director Laurie Styron told ESPN.  John Davis, former Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, pled guilty in September to one count of conspiracy and one count of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds. Davis worked with four unnamed co-conspirators, two of which are executive directors of organizations, according to CBS News.  “MDHS provided federal funds to two nonprofit organizations and then directed the two nonprofit organizations to fraudulently award contracts to various entities and individuals for social services that were never provided,” the United States Department of Justice said in a release on Sept. 22.  Favre played quarterback at Southern Miss from 1987-90. He was drafted 33rd overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the 1991 NFL Draft and traded to the Green Bay Packers the following offseason. Favre starred for the Packers from 1992-2007, earning three straight MVP awards (1995-97) and winning Super Bowl XXXI. He joined the New York Jets in 2008 and finished his career with the Minnesota Vikings in 2009 and 2010. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.

Boston Startup Aims To Become ‘hospital Of The Metaverse’ – The Boston Globe https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/boston-startup-aims-to-become-hospital-of-the-metaverse-the-boston-globe/ So, in 2016, Orr made the leap and launched XRHealth, in hopes of offering physical therapy to patients through “extended reality,” which includes augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality. It works like this: People in need of certain types of physical or recovery therapy — those with chronic pain, autism spectrum disorder, or Parkinson’s disease, for example — can meet with XRHealth’s team of clinicians virtually for a one-hour screening session. After determining a diagnosis and treatment plan, XRHealth ships a virtual reality headset (made by HTC Vive) programmed with various applications, developed by XRHealth, to the patient. Get Innovation Beat Boston Globe tech reporters tell the story of the region’s technology and innovation industry, highlighting key players, trends, and why they matter. But what makes physical therapy in virtual reality better than standard treatment options? According to Stephanie Quigley, who used XRHealth to treat a back injury in 2020, the convenience of being home was a selling point. “I don’t think I ever would have gone to a physical therapist as often as I saw this physical therapist because it was virtual,” Quigley said. “I did two sessions a week for a while. And I don’t think I would have gotten in my car, driven somewhere, done the program, and come home twice a week. It was so convenient to just be in my home, turn on the camera, and go.” Quigley is one of about 5,000 patients who have used XRHealth so far. Each VR program is tailored based on the needs of the patient. Someone with chronic shoulder pain might use the “balloon popping” program — think Fruit Ninja, but your arms do the slicing — where users move their arms in ways that can be customized by the clinician. Someone recovering from post-traumatic stress might find the deep-sea meditation application helpful — it prompts meditation while you’re underwater, surrounded by virtual fish, in an effort to calm the user. One of the XRHealth headsets, provided by VIVE, programmed with physical therapy applications for patients to use.XRHealth The programs developed by XRHealth are monitored by clinicians when patients are undergoing therapy. Some clinicians opt to watch the patient through a video call as they play games, meditate, or use other apps. It’s not for everyone, though. Some might need more rigorous or intense therapy options that require close, in-person monitoring. Others might be at risk of motion sickness or dizziness. Others may prefer to be physically present with their therapist. But patients who fit the bill say the benefits go beyond convenience. “It just made it so fun,” Quigley said of the technology. “And then afterwards, I realized I felt actually a lot better.” One of the challenges facing XRHealth is ensuring public trust. The company recently published a study that demonstrates that “virtual reality technology is viable in treating upper limb dysfunction in multiple sclerosis patients,” according to a release. The study observed 30 individuals using VR training solutions and found that “virtual reality training would be viable” for 26 of the 30 patients. As virtual and augmented reality technologies expand, Orr thinks the use cases for health care will grow. “I think we have the potential to become – let’s call it the hospital of the metaverse,” Orr said, referring to the virtual world. “What we’re trying to build is a platform that enables the clinician to treat the patient in the metaverse, but not just as a gimmick, but as a real modality of care.” Collin Robisheaux can be reached at collin.robisheaux@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @ColRobisheaux.

The Best Home Security Systems | Reviews – National Today https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/the-best-home-security-systems-reviews-national-today/ Knowing that your home is safe is intrinsically related to your peace of mind. You can sleep better and perform better, and even take long vacations knowing that your home is safe. With modern home security systems, you don’t even have to worry about fires, floods, temperature swings, and other hazards that could sneak up on you. An added advantage is that when these security systems are integrated into your phone, control of your home is at the touch of a button. You might be calculating the expenses attached to making your house secure. The good news is, you don’t have to be as wealthy as Bruce Wayne to use his technology. Our review of the best home security systems provides you with the best and most cost-efficient options. So, make your pick and watch your home come alive with smart security technology. How We Picked Cameras with Additional Features Security cameras that record, zoom, track motion, and take snapshots are excellent choices for home security. We based our choices on these qualities. Motion Detection We considered the motion detectors that came with each security system and how well they worked, along with their ability to only send notifications for what they were intended. Power and Battery Life How long the security system lasts and how it functions in the event of a power outage was something we put into consideration, along with the life of the backup battery. Cost-Effectiveness We chose the best security options while prioritizing those that were affordable for almost all classes of people, ensuring that their least expensive packages met the requirements of both quality and affordability. Our Top Picks Our Top Pick ADT Blue Get protection on your terms. This do-it-yourself home security package includes 12 components that may be used to protect any home or apartment and can be easily relocated if necessary. Everything necessary to secure a 3 to 4-bedroom home or apartment is included in the 12-piece set that comes with one base system, 6 entrance sensors, 2 motion detectors, a keypad, a flood and temperature sensor, and a yard sign. Buy Now for $349.99 ADT has both wireless and hardwired options, making it a highly adaptable system. Smart home features can also be added to any of their indoor, outdoor, or doorbell cameras. Our Runner-Up Vivint Smart Home Security System Smarter security, professionally installed. Vivint’s cameras are set apart from the competition by features like video analytics and 4K image sensors (as well as more standard fare like motion detectors, two-way audio, and night vision). With Vivint home security, you can automate everything from the locks on your doors to the lights by your bed. They also offer comprehensive smart home support and professional installation. Buy Now This smart home security system is a state-of-the-art wireless solution that includes indoor and outdoor cameras. You also have complete control over your home with their smartphone app. Most Cost-Effective SimpliSafe Security System Keeps watch outside; keeps you safe inside. The Essentials package, which includes a single base station, a keypad, a motion sensor, and three entry sensors, is the most popular choice for installing a SimpliSafe system. There are various customizable options, including cameras, doorbells, key fobs, and “build your own” packages for the do-it-yourself types. Buy Now for $183.99 SimpliSafe is the best option if you need great security at an affordable cost and is also an excellent security option if you’re a renter. Who This Is For A security system is helpful if you want to feel more at ease about the protection of your loved ones and your possessions and if you want the assurance that someone will contact emergency services if they are needed. It’s important to remember that security systems have other uses besides keeping the public safe. Most now come upgraded with sensors that detect fire, water, and temperature to further ensure your family’s safety. You may also use them to monitor your elderly parent’s or grandparent’s activity levels and see whether they’ve left any doors or windows open with the help of certain sensors. Not only that, but a lot of these setups are compatible with other smart home technology as well. Home security vs. burglar alarms A burglar alarm and a security system are two distinct pieces of equipment. While burglar alarms are excellent at notifying you of a break-in, they do not provide absolute safety. You need a security system if you want comprehensive and failsafe safety from harm. As an example, a burglar alarm is rudimentary compared to a full-fledged security system and provides less than 50% of the service provided by a security system. In addition, a traditional burglar alarm also lacks the extensive use of cutting-edge technology provided by home security. Finally, unlike a single-purpose burglar alarm, home security is multipurpose and consists of multiple parts that all work together. Are home security systems a waste of money? It’s important to note that security systems do make a difference in terms of loss prevention from burglary. Research has shown that homes without security systems are, on average across the country, three times as likely to be burglarized. The research showed that eighty-five percent of convicted thieves claimed they check for alarms before breaking into a home and that if present, they move on to properties without any kind of security system. How many elements compose a full home security system? Motion detectors, indoor and outdoor cameras, glass break detectors, door and window sensors, yard signs and window stickers, smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide alarms are all parts of a comprehensive home security system. Each part of your security system contributes to its overall effectiveness in protecting your family from various forms of potential harm. Why You Should Trust Us To make our recommendations, we compiled reviews and ratings from reputable expert and consumer review websites. We then asked ourselves the questions you would need to guide you on your journey to purchasing a security system, such as is it easy to contact the company when you need help? What kind of quality can we expect from their products? If power outages are prevalent where you live, do they provide battery backups? We also searched for the pros and cons of each security system and the company, so that you can be aware of which disadvantages you may expect and make your purchase according to which ones you can deal with. Overall, we tested each system to make sure that it was worth the cost and interviewed users of each with several subscription packages to provide us with deeper insight before making our recommendations. How We Picked Cameras We considered the type of cameras that the security system provides and how many there are. You should know that, for optimum safety, cameras should be set up both inside and outside the house. Cameras installed indoors can be equipped with infrared lighting and motion sensors to notify the owner immediately of any suspicious activity. Many outdoor cameras also feature motion-activated floodlights and are designed to withstand all types of weather. Some models can even capture hours of footage and stream it in real-time. Added to that is the fact that the mere presence of a camera is sometimes enough to deter a would-be intruder. Nightvision In addition to being able to see during the day, a camera should also be able to do so at night. There are two types of night vision technology: infrared, which uses LED sensors and generates black and white footage; and color, which uses powerful white illumination. We checked out various options to make sure that the cameras, which are the core of your security, are capable of all-around vision. Number of cameras The size of your property and the level of protection you feel you need will determine how many security cameras you should install. It is advised that you install a camera at your home’s ground-level entry as a bare minimum. Extra security cameras should be installed on the ground floor and in any rooms used frequently or used for entry and exit. Main halls on the second and third levels are also ideal locations for security cameras. However, due to privacy concerns, we do not advise installing cameras in private spaces like bedrooms or bathrooms. Quality of picture We checked the quality of pictures provided by the security cameras and found that most state-of-the-art surveillance cameras now offer full 1080p HD quality, an upgrade from the standard 720p HD. The resolution of modern cameras, at 2K or 4K, is double that of 1080p HD, allowing for a much clearer and more detailed image. Therefore, we made sure that our picks were upgraded systems that provided pictures of high resolution. Storage and recording capabilities Local storage and cloud storage are the two main types of data storage. A micro-SD card or an external hard drive provides local storage for most cameras. The film is recorded locally on a card or hard disk, while in the cloud, it is uploaded to a server and stored there, which may or may not require a subscription. We recommend cameras that can store data in the cloud as well as on the device itself, just in case. Motion detection For maximum coverage, these are typically installed in the upper corners of the ceiling in a room. Motion detectors can be set to alert you to any suspicious activity even when you’re not there. These can be adjusted to disregard individuals or objects below a given weight, such as your pets. Connection to smart devices We also considered the security system’s ability to connect with smart devices to provide you with a fully integrated security system and allow you to control your s...

Best Crypto YouTube Channels In 2022 – Cryptonews https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/best-crypto-youtube-channels-in-2022-cryptonews/ Disclaimer: The Industry Talk section features insights by crypto industry players and is not a part of the editorial content of Cryptonews.com.  Currently, there are many hundreds of thousands of videos on YouTube that are related to the cryptocurrency arena. Many offer valuable insight into the crypto market, providing educational content for beginners as well as experienced investors.  In this guide, we discuss some of the best crypto YouTube channels to watch in 2022.  Best 11 Cryptocurrency YouTube Channels Ranked Ranked Check out our list of the best crypto YouTube channels available right now: Jacob Crypto Bury – Overall Best Crypto YouTube Channel Coin Bureau – YouTube Channel to Follow for Crypto Fundamental Analysis BitBoy Crypto – Popular Cryptocurrency YouTube Channel Offering Investment Tips Benjamin Cowen – Best Channel for Crypto Technical Traders Altcoin Daily – Get Daily Crypto Market Updates Crypto Banter – Top YouTube Account for Crypto Beginners CryptoRUs –  YouTube Channel Offering Crypto Trading Insights 99Bitcoins – Crypto Channel With Top-Notch Educational Content Sheldon Evans – Popular Crypto Influencer With Engaging Videos Kitco News – YouTube Channel to Follow for Financial News Ivan On Tech – Watch Interviews of Crypto Experts This list covers traders, investors, and educators who are highly experienced in the crypto industry.  Having said that, advice given by crypto influencers on YouTube should not be used as a substitute for independent research.  Investors should always conduct their own due diligence before trading or investing in cryptocurrencies.  Best Crypto YouTube Channels Reviewed To pick the best cryptocurrency YouTube channel, we looked at a number of factors, such as: The type of content Market updates offered Frequency of video uploads The comprehensiveness of the videos The number of subscribers  Nevertheless, the best crypto YouTube channel for each trader/investor will ultimately depend on their preferences.  In the reviews below, we take a closer look at the best influencers in the YouTube crypto space and what crypto tips they offer.  1. Jacob Crypto Bury – Overall Best Crypto YouTube Channel in 2022 Jacob Bury is an accomplished blockchain investor who also happens to be a technical analyst. In other words, it is safe to say that he knows how to break down technical information and use relevant data to find trading opportunities in the crypto market.  Although the channel is relatively new, Jacob Bury does an excellent job of translating complex crypto concepts into layman’s terms.  The channel also has plenty of videos on how to trade cryptocurrencies via popular platforms such as TradingView. This makes it the best crypto YouTube channel for those starting out in this space.  Furthermore, Jacob Bury uploads price predictions and market updates regularly. In fact, this channel was one of the few to spot some of the top trending cryptocurrencies, such as Tamadoge and Mithril. Tamadoge had one of the best crypto presales in 2022, raising over $19 million.  In addition to the YouTube channel, Jacob Bury also runs an active crypto Discord group. The Discord channel is free to join and is accessible to everyone, not just his YouTube subscribers. Jacob Bury regularly offers market updates via both Discord and YouTube, introducing subscribers to the best upcoming ICOs and potential crypto investment opportunities.  The Discord channel is a great way to engage with Jacob Bury directly, as he takes time to answer questions from his subscribers and even offers explanations about the analysis provided. Jacob Bury also offers one of the best crypto TikTok accounts focused on cryptocurrencies that might appeal to younger audiences.  As of writing, Jacob Crypto Bury has over 6,000 subscribers. However, after taking a look at his videos, it would be fair to say that this channel is just getting started.  Subscribe to Jacob Crypto Bury’s Channel 2. Coin Bureau – YouTube Channel to Follow for Crypto Fundamental Analysis With over 2 million subscribers, Coin Bureau is by far one of the most popular crypto channels on YouTube. The videos are narrated by Guy, a crypto enthusiast who makes it simple for beginners to navigate through the technicalities of the digital asset industry. The channel uploads videos every single day without compromising on the quality. These videos address virtually everything in the crypto universe, from the latest news to blockchain fundamentals.  The channel delves into crypto price predictions, new coin listings, reviews, and analysis.  Nevertheless, Coin Bureau is best known for its ‘explainer-style’ videos, which describe how the crypto market functions. Instead of focusing on technical analysis, the channel goes over the fundamentals of digital coins, emerging blockchain technology, and similar topics.  Guy also reviews top products and services in the crypto space.  No matter the cryptocurrency, the chances are that Coin Bureau has done a detailed video on the project. Furthermore, videos not only cover the future prospects of a cryptocurrency but also break down the technology behind the digital coin into simple terms.  All in all, Coin Bureau is a great starting place for beginners to obtain an in-depth understanding of cryptocurrencies.  3. BitBoy Crypto – Popular Cryptocurrency YouTube Channel Offering Investment Tips BitBoy Crypto is a YouTube channel that has built a strong community of over 1 million subscribers. Unlike Coin Bureau, BitBoy’s videos are presented in a more conversational style, which some find more engaging.  The BitBoy Crypto YouTube channel is headed by Ben Armstrong. He posts videos fairly regularly, often uploading content three or four times per week.  The videos cover almost everything from market commentary to news and, of course, Armstrong’s personal views on cryptocurrency projects.  The videos demonstrate Armstrong’s deep understanding of the crypto industry, including technical and fundamental analysis. The channel also uploads interviews with crypto entrepreneurs and other well-known people in the space. Interviews have helped BitBoy grow his subscriber count, as this offers different opinions on trending crypto topics. In addition to being one of the best cryptocurrency YouTube channels, Armstrong has a strong following on Twitter, with over 888k subscribers.  4. Benjamin Cowen – Best for Crypto Technical Traders Benjamin Cowen is arguably the best crypto YouTube channel for technical analysis. This crypto YouTuber has a Ph.D. in engineering and a background in Computational Mathematics and Programming.  And he uses his expertise in these areas to take on a scientific approach to the price analysis of cryptocurrencies.  And what’s more, Cowen offers a completely unbiased view. He also has tutorials on technical indicators and, sometimes, even on mathematical concepts related to trading.  That being said, his videos seem too advanced for complete beginners. Nevertheless, Cowen makes it a point to explain his investment thesis in a clear, concise manner without using too much technical jargon.  As such, we found this channel is best suited for those getting started with technical trading. Additionally, the majority of Benjamin Cowen’s videos cater to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Cardano.  Therefore, investors looking to spot the best meme coins might find that this channel is not a suitable option. As of writing, Benjamin Cowen has over 760k subscribers on YouTube.  5. Altcoin Daily – Get Daily Crypto Market Updates Run by brothers Austin and Aaron Arnold, Altcoin Daily is a YouTube channel that has over 1.2 million subscribers as of writing. Altcoin Daily uploads videos on topics such as crypto news, daily market analysis, and price movements of digital tokens.  In addition to this, the videos often include educational content, interviews, and opinion pieces. The brothers began investing in cryptocurrencies in the market’s early days and started their YouTube channel in 2018.  The channel focuses not only on crypto but also on its related industries, such as mining, blockchain technology, and the metaverse. Those looking for the best NFTs might also find the content of Altcoin Daily to be useful.  According to its bio, this YouTube channel also has a strong focus on finding the best altcoins that have long-term growth potential.  6. Crypto Banter –  Top YouTube Account for Crypto Beginners Crypto Banter is another popular YouTube channel in this space. The channel is hosted by Run Neuner, a chartered financial analyst with significant experience in crypto investing and trading.  He posts multiple videos a day, and while some of them focus on fundamental analysis, others offer market updates. Today, the Crypto Banter team consists of several members who offer their insights and opinions on digital tokens and other aspects.  Moreover, the Crypto Banter Youtube channel is the first live-streaming platform dedicated to blockchain. This allows viewers to interact with Run and other subscribers while the video is being streamed.  Crypto Banter also has a full-fledged website under the same name that offers additional content, such as market research and news updates. Crypto Banter has a following of over 580k subscribers as of writing.   7. CryptoRUs – YouTube Channel Offering Crypto Trading Insights George Tung started his CryptoRUs YouTube channel in 2017. Today, at the time of writing, this YouTube channel is home to a subscriber count of over 650k.  This crypto investor has extensive experience in the field of IT and programming, which makes him a credible source to discuss blockchain technology. The channel offers a mixture of different formats – from crypto news and fundamental analysis to interviews.  The channel...

Fed’s Bullard Doesn’t See UK Situation Affecting U.S. Economy – Reuters.com https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/feds-bullard-doesnt-see-uk-situation-affecting-u-s-economy-reuters-com/ Sept 29 (Reuters) – The U.S. economy is mostly insulated from turmoil in UK markets, St. Louis Federal Reserve President James Bullard said on Thursday, a day after the Bank of England resumed its bond-buying in an emergency move to protect pension funds from partial collapse. “We certainly saw some movement in U.S. asset prices in response to this, but I do think this is about UK policy,” Bullard said during a conference call with reporters. “I don’t see this really impinging on the U.S. inflation or real growth developments, so this is mostly about financial markets needing to price in the volatility you are seeing in the UK.” The pound touched an all-time low of $1.0327 on Monday and British government bonds sold off at a ferocious pace in response to tax cuts proposed by the government of new British Prime Minister Liz Truss. There are widespread fears the government’s plan will further stoke inflation and put Britain’s fiscal and monetary policy at odds with each other. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com The mixed signals added another dose of volatility to world financial markets already coping with the U.S. central bank’s interest rate increases moving faster and higher than anticipated, and many other countries racing to follow suit. Bullard added that the Fed carefully monitors the impact of global developments on U.S. financial stability. Part of the issue was the way UK pension funds were structured, he said, calling on others around the world to take heed. “It’s certainly true that some players in global financial markets didn’t realize they were taking risks with their strategies or they downplayed the risks … I’d encourage them all to review their strategies in the current situation.” Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Lindsay Dunsmuir; Editing by Franklin Paul and Paul Simao Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Tech News You May Have Missed: Sept. 22 – 29 – TechRepublic https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/tech-news-you-may-have-missed-sept-22-29-techrepublic/ on September 29, 2022, 8:02 AM PDT Tech news you may have missed: Sept. 22 – 29 Malicious 2FA attacks, account takeovers on the rise and how to dictate text on your iPhone lead this week’s tech news. Image: arthurhidden/Adobe Stock In a week of security breaches and product releases, these are the top stories you may have missed on TechRepublic for Sept. 22 – 29, 2022. Jump to: Account takeover attacks on the rise, impacting almost 25% of people in the US How to dictate text on your iPhone Malicious OAuth app enables attackers to send spam through corporate cloud tenants Why 2FA is failing and what should be done about it How to find and install the new Windows 11 22H2 update Account takeover attacks on the rise, impacting almost 25% of people in the US Image: BillionPhotos.com/Adobe Stock The fraud management company SEON found that 22% of adults in the US were affected by account takeovers. Over half of these attacks took over social media accounts, and nearly a third were bank accounts, reports Lance Whitney. TL;DR: 60% of victims used the same password for multiple accounts, a practice that can be mitigated with password management software. Read the full article here. How to dictate text on your iPhone Image: Tada Images/Adobe Stock iOS 16 brings updated dictation features that allow users to provide more nuance and detail in their dictated messages than in previous versions of the mobile OS. Included in the new features are phrases that quickly all-cap, start a new paragraph or line, and add simple emojis. SEE: BYOD Approval Form (TechRepublic Premium) TL;DR: Lance Whitney provides a quick overview of the new dictation capabilities, as well as detailed instructions on how to enable and use the new features. Read the full article here. Malicious OAuth app enables attackers to send spam through corporate cloud tenants Image: Feng Yu/Adobe Stock Experienced attackers used credential stuffing, takeover of the Exchange Online PowerShell module, and app-authentication permissions via OAuth and removal of transport rules to cloak high volumes of spam emails, said Microsoft in a recent report. TL;DR: Cedric Pernet reports that by setting up app-authentication permissions, threat actors could continue to access accounts via OAuth even if the account owner changed password permissions. These types of attacks show the increased need for organizations and individuals to adhere to strict security guidelines. Read the full article here. Why 2FA is failing and what should be done about it Image: THAWEERAT/Adobe Stock Jack Wallen breaks down why two-factor authentication is failing consumers and making business data less safe: The short term compromises that companies are making to appease consumers who still use “password123” for all their apps are hobbling long-term security gains. TL;DR: By adhering to strict 2FA guidelines for all apps and all users, we steepen the security learning curve and get fewer successful hacks in the long term. Read the full article here. How to find and install the new Windows 11 22H2 update Image: sdx15/Adobe Stock For those who can’t wait for Microsoft to push the new Windows 11 22H2 update, Lance Whitney details how to find, download and install the new version of Windows from the Microsoft website. TL;DR: The Windows Installation Assistant requires only a couple of clicks to install and confirm your update, while downloading the Disk Image ISO file takes a few more steps. Read the full article here. Also See ATS: The best applicant tracking systems (TechRepublic) Remote work policy (TechRepublic Premium) Hybrid work policy (TechRepublic Premium) Latest tech news, tutorials and tips (TechRepublic on Flipboard) After Hours

Former Hong Kong Lawmaker Sentenced To 3 1/2 Years In Jail – MySA https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/former-hong-kong-lawmaker-sentenced-to-3-1-2-years-in-jail-mysa/ HONG KONG (AP) — Former Hong Kong lawmaker and pro-democracy activist Ted Hui was sentenced to 3 1/2 years in jail for criminal contempt after he skipped bail and fled overseas, missing trial for cases against him. Hui was facing charges for his role in an anti-government protest in 2019 when he left Hong Kong in December 2020. He provided what have since been deemed “false documents” as part of his application to lift travel restrictions: invitation letters and an itinerary for an official trip to Denmark. Hui was granted approval to leave. However, he did not return to Hong Kong and eventually settled in Australia. Hui’s sentencing comes amid a crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong after months of anti-government protests in 2019. Authorities have arrested dozens of pro-democracy activists and many of the city’s most outspoken activists have either been jailed or fled abroad. In a written judgment, High Court Judge Andrew Chan said that Hui had “carefully orchestrated” the deception, and that his actions “made a mockery of the criminal justice system.” Hui was sentenced in absentia to 3 1/2 years of prison as he had shown “no remorse” for his actions. In a Facebook post Thursday, Hui reacted to the sentencing with “dismissive derision” and described Thursday’s ruling as “barking at the moon.” “I will continue to openly flout the unjust laws imposed by the Hong Kong Communist Party’s court system, as I stand resolute in my fight for Hong Kongers’ freedom until the end,” he wrote. While in Hong Kong, Hui had been an outspoken pro-democracy lawmaker. He was also known for disrupting a legislative session after he threw a rotten plant in the chamber to stop a debate of the national anthem bill. He was subsequently fined 52,000 Hong Kong dollars ($6,600) for the act. Hui is also wanted by authorities for allegedly inciting others to cast blank votes at the 2021 legislative election.

Why Luxury Trains Are The Next Stop For Some Luxury Hotel Brands – The Points Guy https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/why-luxury-trains-are-the-next-stop-for-some-luxury-hotel-brands-the-points-guy/ You have more than Agatha Christie to thank if you immediately think “Orient Express” when someone brings up the notion of luxury train travel (preferably sans murder). The Venice-Simplon Orient Express still runs today thanks to travel company Belmond (formerly known as Orient Express Hotels). The luxury train operates between a variety of cities, including Paris and Istanbul, and will set passengers back a hefty penny: A five-night voyage between the two cities next August costs over $36,000 for a double occupancy historic cabin, Belmond’s entry-level offering aboard the VSOE. Want a nicer suite? That’ll run more than $86,000. Sign up for our daily newsletter With rates like that — and trains that frequently sell out — it’s no wonder others are entering the luxury train orbit and why there are increasingly more luxury train offerings around the world. For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. In Japan, one doesn’t just book an overnight trip on the Seven Stars train service — you apply to be picked from a lottery. If selected, travelers take one- to three-night journeys through Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost main island known for its volcanoes and beaches. Fares range from $6,332 for a one-person suite on the one-night voyage to nearly $17,000 for a one-person deluxe suite on the three-night excursion. Belmond, which declined questions for this story, operates trains like the Royal Scotsman and British Pullman in the U.K. In Asia, there’s the Eastern & Oriental Express, and in Peru, Belmond offers the Andean Explorer. A newer entrant in luxury-on-rails comes from the hotel sphere. Accor plans to launch its own Orient Express, the Orient Express La Dolce Vita, sometime next year amid its broader expansion of the Orient Express brand into hospitality. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be able to take a brand that people dream about — a true luxury brand is one that you can fall in love with,” Stephen Alden, Accor’s CEO of Raffles and Orient Express, told TPG earlier this year. “Who hasn’t dreamed of taking a trip with Orient Express?” Accor’s soon-to-be-refurbished Orient Express rail car. ACCOR Hotels on the rails It may seem like a head-scratcher that hotel companies want to get into the business of train transit, but experts say this isn’t some out-of-left-field infrastructure play by the hospitality sector. Instead, it’s something akin to how Marriott International is getting into the cruise business while Four Seasons rolled out a private jet service. In short: This array of Orient Express offerings or Belmond’s luxury train lineup isn’t exactly Amtrak’s Northeast Regional between Boston and New York City. “I’m not sure that hospitality train services are going to be mainstream. I think it’s going to remain a niche offering, which will be an interesting one,” said Nicolas Graf, associate dean at New York University’s Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality. “I’m not discounting that [possibility], but I don’t think it’s something that will grow as another alternative type of lodging.” But there’s still a reason to go even after the most niche of travel sectors, as customers in this space tend to spend more on travel. Hotel companies made various plays for luxury consumers in recent years, and those overtures ramped up during the pandemic. The Grand Suite aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. BELMOND IHG acquired ultra-luxury brands like Regent and Six Senses. Marriott International launched a vacation rental platform called Homes & Villas. Mandarin Oriental went a step further by launching its own vacation home rental arm, but this division went through a 700-point checklist to guarantee the homes Mandarin Oriental offered were basically at the same quality level as an actual Mandarin Oriental hotel. “If your objective is to catch as close to 100% of the share of your guest’s travel wallet, you want to have enough scale that they never need to look outside your ecosystem,” Marriott International CEO Anthony Capuano said at Skift Global Forum this month, while introducing the rationale for why the company launched Homes & Villas. Using that logic, why wouldn’t a hotel company or two go after luxury train travelers? It’s a way to offer yet another new experience to the booming leisure travel segment. “I’m not surprised that Accor is getting into it. It’s fabulous because it’s another extension of the hospitality experience to be able to provide something new and different,” said Leora Lanz, assistant dean of academic affairs at Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration. “This, to me, is just another creative offering to provide for the leisure experience. It’s about creating memorable experiences.” Trainspotting The Eastern & Oriental Express. BELMOND Just because there’s a market for something like this doesn’t mean you should expect Belmond or Accor to suddenly start running luxury trains along the Northeast Corridor or across the U.S. Instead, this is likely to remain a geographically limited travel sector rooted in places that historically had ties to luxury train travel like Europe and select parts of Asia. That can also mean using historic train routes that take longer to traverse in order to give riders a more scenic route — and enough time to make it seem like they are getting bang for their buck. “If you look at the railroad system, the modern one, for the most part, has been designed for efficiency. Instead of going up the mountain, they build a tunnel. Now, the more historical ones go through windy paths and up mountains and pass by lakes. They have a totally different scenery,” Graf said. “You need these ingredients to make it worth more money. I would look at where historically these were built because they are the ones that would offer the ingredients for the ultra-luxury train experience.” Sorry, Northeast Regional. Maybe in a few hundred years you’ll get your Venice-Simplon Orient Express moment. Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

Business Over Breakfast With Kwik Trip Director | Oconomowoc Business News | Gmtoday.com – Greater Milwaukee Today | GMToday.com https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/business-over-breakfast-with-kwik-trip-director-oconomowoc-business-news-gmtoday-com-greater-milwaukee-today-gmtoday-com/ OCONOMOWOC — The Oconomowoc Chamber of Commerce will hold Business over Breakfast from 8 a.m.-9:30 a.m. on Oct. 6 at Oconomowoc Community Center, 220 West Wisconsin Ave. Stay up-to-date on all the latest Oconomowoc-area news with a subscription: Click here Kwik Trip Director of Corporate Communications, Leadership Development, and Training John McHugh will travel from La Crosse to share information with Oconomowoc businesses about Kwik Trip’s culture of employee engagement and how it contributes to their success. Happy and engaged employees create genuine connections with customers, turning them into loyal customers. Visit https://business. oconomowoc.org/ for more information.

Wellframe And Linkwell Health Launch Wellsquared To Close The Gap Between Health Plans And Their Members – Insurance News Net https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/wellframe-and-linkwell-health-launch-wellsquared-to-close-the-gap-between-health-plans-and-their-members-insurance-news-net/ , (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today Wellframe and announced the launch of Wellsquared, a new product designed to deepen engagement with members and help health plans deliver the modern healthcare experience members expect. Wellsquared is a partnership between Wellframe, the market leader in member experience solutions for health plans, and , the premier consumer engagement technology and content company serving health plans and health services organizations. Wellsquared will enable health plans to seamlessly onboard members, better educate them about their health plan and care options, and empower them to more effectively activate and utilize their benefits. Health plans have long struggled to engage members effectively and have been slow to evolve their marketing approach to meet the rising expectations of the modern health plan member. A recent Wellframe consumer survey of over 1,000 health plan members found that only 33% of individuals fully understand their health plan communications with a full 10% saying they’re “always” confused by them. Those new to insurance (33%) and long-term insurance members (29%) are almost equally confused about their health plan benefits. The survey provided a clear picture that members don’t understand or know the full benefits their health plans offer due to the lack of structured communications provided by their insurer. Wellsquared addresses this challenge head-on, and health plans and members alike will benefit. Health plan members will experience a significant change in how their health plans communicate with them, making it easier to learn how to take advantage of all the benefits plans offer. Wellsquared offers health plans the following new services: Easy integration into other health plans’ communication channels, including email, social media, SMS, and print. Branded-content hosting for more active, measurable member outreach. Customization of content according to the plan’s marketing and engagement goals. Development of engagement journeys to drive members through the funnel and provide the proper support through their health journey. Creation of targeted content for response-driven omnichannel programs, accounting for any necessary regulatory needs. Shifting behavior is key to creating change, especially as 43% of members say they don’t understand their health or benefits coverage, and 88% say they often ignore phone calls from businesses or unknown numbers. “The consumer survey we conducted was reassurance that clear and consistent communication with health plan members is a big area of opportunity,” said , senior vice president of marketing and engagement at Wellframe. “Wellsquared is the right solution that will provide the strategy, resources, and support for our health partners and members.” “Wellsquared’s new member engagement model takes advantage of high-quality content distributed on multiple channels and published on health plan-branded content destinations to improve awareness, engagement, and utilization,” said , president and chief executive officer of . “Members will develop greater trust in their health plan and be more receptive to its programs when they receive content that is contextual, action-oriented, and meets them where they are on their individual health journey.” To learn more about Wellsquared and how this new service increases trust between members and health plans, visit www.wellframe.com/member-marketing. About Wellframe Wellframe, a HealthEdge company, strategically partners with health plans nationwide to reimagine the relationship between plans and members. Our digital health management solutions enable a level of care and support that empowers people and organizations to achieve their best. By combining innovative technology, strategic partnership, and passionate conviction, Wellframe creates measurable impact on lives, at scale. Wellframe’s solutions, Digital Care Management and Digital Customer Service, form the base of a Member Advocacy service model. With an Advocacy model, health plans can address member needs holistically and proactively using technology. About , the premier consumer experience technology company serving health plans and health services companies, creates healthy experiences for consumers by guiding them to take actions to improve their well-being. Linkwell’s technology platform, the Healthy Living Engine, seamlessly delivers our world-class content and engagement solutions to the right audience in the right channel at the right time, building deep trust and loyalty and ultimately driving consumers to engage with the programs, benefits, and care they need. Linkwell’s expertise with acquisition, onboarding and retention, quality metrics, and brand engagement and satisfaction is unparalleled in the healthcare space, with its content reaching more than 55 million consumers each year. For more information, visit linkwellhealth.com. Media Contacts:(339) 227-0583[email protected] Source: Wellframe

Prep Football Top 10 (Sept. 29, 2022) | Sports | News-Gazette.com – News-Gazette https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/prep-football-top-10-sept-29-2022-sports-news-gazette-com-news-gazette/ RK., SCHOOL REC. PREV. COMMENT 1. Mahomet-Seymour 5-0 1 Bulldogs stormed past Charleston on homecoming week, face an intriguing non-league foe next in Quincy Notre Dame. 2. Centennial 5-0 2 Chargers outlasted Danville in a defensive slugfest. Upcoming visit to Bloomington is club’s first road trip since Week 1. 3. Prairie Central 5-0 3 Hawks crusied past Chillicothe IVC to set up an all-unbeaten Week 6 Illini Prairie game at Paxton-Buckley-Loda. 4. Paxton-Buckley-Loda 5-0 4 Panthers blitzed Rantoul to remain perfect in Illini Prairie play and overall. Prairie Central will challenge that on Friday. 5. BHRA 5-0 5 Blue Devils racked up 60 points in a win against Oakwood, heads to Catlin this week to face a solid Salt Fork squad. 6. Unity 4-1 6 Rockets drubbed Bloomington Central Catholic and will look to have more fun with a trip north to Pontiac this week. 7. Tuscola 4-1 10 Warriors bounced back from first loss by shutting out Central A&M, are gearing up for homecoming tilt versus Clinton. 8. Danville 3-2 7 Vikings missed opportunity to knock Centennial from unbeaten ranks. No time to pout with Normal Community on tap. 9. St. Joseph-Ogden 3-2 NR Spartans return to the poll on a two-game win streak, most recently beating Nokomis. Bloomington CC is on deck. 10. Monticello 3-2 NR Sages also back in the fold following a 45-0 win against Pontiac. They’ll visit Rantoul before a two-game homestand.

BNV Takes Paris Fashion Week Into The Metaverse With K-Pop Group Lightsum – Decrypt https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/bnv-takes-paris-fashion-week-into-the-metaverse-with-k-pop-group-lightsum-decrypt/ Following designer Victor Weinsanto’s latest fashion collection showcase in the Marais district of Paris, there was the typical post-show scrum you’d find at any Paris Fashion Week event: models with their hair in elaborate styles that give Bjork a run for her money, photographers snapping street style shots, and a lot of cigarettes being smoked and gossip exchanged. Two floors down, however, in a subterranean room with all the lights shut off, was something very different: a series of glass cases displaying 3D holograms of apparel that exists only in digital form. These designs were the result of a collaboration between the designer’s titular Weinsanto brand, Korean pop group Lightsum, and virtual fashion company BNV. A look inside Weinsanto’s metaverse fashion event. Image: BNV Dubbed the M3talove collection, the eight virtual looks were made in-house at BNV using digital 3D tailoring techniques. Each one reflects the personality of a different member of the K-pop band. The outfits look like something that could be worn on stage, with little pops of glamor—a black feather trim here, or a beaded hem there. But unlike real stage outfits, they never need to be cleaned and will always maintain their texture. The way they were presented, on silvery doll-like avatars of the band members, tempted viewers with the impulse to play a game of dress-up. And fans can soon do just that when the designs are released as Ethereum NFTs sold on BNV’s website. But first, it was important to BNV founder and CEO Richard Hobbs to host a real-world event to connect a physical fashion experience to the rapidly-expanding digital world. “Whatever happens in the metaverse, it’s got to have relevance to people’s real lives,” he told Decrypt. To that end, the NFTs will have various digital and real-world benefits attached to them. At the event itself, attendees could mint a free POAP (Proof of Attendance Protocol) NFT—kind of like a virtual ticket stub—as part of a partnership between BNV and Decrypt.  “It’s about experiences,” Hobbs said. “That’s what people want these days.” Blurring the lines The M3talove collection debuted with a preview and a cocktail party, immediately following Weinsanto’s official Paris Fashion Week show. And it’s not the only Web3 presence at this season’s shows, which have already seen Bored Ape Yacht Club and CryptoPunks avatars on the catwalk at Vivienne Tam’s recent show in New York. Like many, Hobbs sees Paris as the ideal place for a digital fashion event, because of the confluence of growing crypto activity and the city’s illustrious fashion history. “It’s the combination of fashion and tech,” he said. “It’s the home of fashion, and there’s this symbiotic thing happening here.” The way the traditional high fashion industry has embraced Web3 marks a contrast with its slow adoption of online shopping in the 2000s. Hobbs suggests that this is partly because the ownership elements of Web3 suit high-value items, as NFTs are able to mirror the scarcity of real-life designer products within digital spaces. Another advantage of making fashion for the metaverse is the opportunities it offers to let imagination take over, enabling designers to explore far-out and even physically impossible apparel and accessories. “Creating looks in the metaverse offers such an incredible design opportunity to express yourself in an entirely new way,” said Weinsanto at the debut of the M3talove collection. Even in Weinsanto’s in-real-life show, there were hints of a designer keen to push the limits of what is possible with clothing. Models wore headpieces too large for the door frames and skirts too wide for the aisles. They carried clutch bags the size of bollards. The creator’s vision is quite literally larger than life, which matches well with one of the ways digital fashion advocates say the medium will create new opportunities for designers. Hobbs said BNV is working to help create a digital fashion future in which there is space not just for virtual designers, but also for stylists, editors, and many of the other traditional fashion professions. But awareness needs to grow over the next few years for digital fashion to achieve its full potential, he said, which is why crossover events like this are so important. “We have a number of routes we’re following to get more people into digital fashion, and what Web3 can potentially offer,” Hobbs said. “It will get people to go: ‘OK, that’s not what I thought it was.’” Stay on top of crypto news, get daily updates in your inbox.

The Global True Wireless Stereo Earbuds Market Size Is Expected To Reach $243.9 Billion By 2028, Rising At A Market Growth Of 34.6% CAGR During The Forecast Period – GlobeNewswire https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/the-global-true-wireless-stereo-earbuds-market-size-is-expected-to-reach-243-9-billion-by-2028-rising-at-a-market-growth-of-34-6-cagr-during-the-forecast-period-globenewswire/ New York, Sept. 29, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report “Global True Wireless Stereo Earbuds Market Size, Share & Industry Trends Analysis Report By Price Band, By Sales Channel, By Regional Outlook and Forecast, 2022 – 2028” – https://www.reportlinker.com/p06322395/?utm_source=GNW A growing number of users are choosing Bluetooth earbuds over traditional earphones while they commute or work out as a result of the recent removal of the 3.5mm true wireless stereo earbuds jack design from many mobile phones. Wireless earbuds have developed into a very compact size and cordless form factor due to the advancement of Bluetooth technology, which refers to as True Wireless Stereo (TWS). True Wireless Stereo (TWS) uses Bluetooth signals rather than wires or cords to transfer sound. TWS stands out from wireless accessories since it doesn’t rely on physical connections to media sources but still needs them to ensure that a device’s many components can communicate with one another. Wireless sport stereo earbuds that are connected by a wire that runs around the user’s neck are an awesome example of this. However, accessories that make use of true wireless technology are just truly wireless. To connect to a media source device or to connect one speaker or earphone to another, they don’t need cords. Through Bluetooth chips, connectivity is achieved fully wirelessly. Different TWS devices can connect to media sources in different ways depending on the brand and accessory in question. A single earbud is frequently used as the main link between the news outlet and the second earpiece in TWS true wireless stereo earbuds. An immersive surround-sound experience is created when earbud one transmits a signal to the source device, joins, and then the source device sends the same signal to earbud two. COVID-19 Impact Analysis The pandemic did not affect consumer demand, nevertheless, as a disproportionately larger portion of goods retailing was done online. Throughout the pandemic, the market’s steady growth has been maintained by the rising product demand for work-from-home/fitness activities. However, the COVID-19 pandemic saw a considerable surge in the production of several consumer gadgets. Consumer electronics were more in demand as a result of lockdown protocols. The consumer electronics sector grew exponentially as a result of the rise in popularity of smartphones, laptops, and personal computers. Market Growth Factors The Growing Popularity Of Wireless Earbuds Among Gaming And Sports Enthusiasts Consumers growing emphasis on health and fitness is boosting the demand for smart devices to use while exercising. The popularity of video game consoles among sports fans and the growing demand for attractive wearable technology are driving the use of wireless earphones. True wireless earbuds have many advantages over conventional earphones, chief among them being their ease of usage for a multitude of activities. True Wireless Stereo Earbuds Secure And Comfy Even better, these earbuds typically have ergonomic designs for optimal comfort and a snugger fit, and they now have longer battery lives than in the past so they can last longer than just a few stops on the train before needing a quick charge. All of this painfully demonstrates one thing: going wireless is now more enticing than ever. Tech-savvy consumers are quickly embracing portable headphones with cutting-edge capabilities like noise-canceling and echo reduction. Market Restraining Factors Growing Products Demand That Are Counterfeit Premium wireless earphones are becoming more and more popular. The largest obstacle for the market for wireless earbuds is the widespread availability of counterfeit goods. The desire for premium products from the top market participants may be hindered shortly as a result of the availability of forged goods in grey marketplaces at unbelievably low prices. Additionally, the growing popularity of smart and neckband wireless earbuds is another factor that could limit the market’s expansion. Price Band Outlook On the basis of Price Band, the True Wireless Stereo Earbuds Market is divided into Below USD 100, USD 100-99, and Over USD 200. The USD 100-99 segment acquired the highest revenue share in the true wireless stereo earbuds market in 2021. It is because companies such as Apple Inc., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., and Jabra, among others, have significantly influenced the market share. Over the next few years, Apple Inc. is projected to maintain its leadership position in the global true wireless stereo earbuds market. Sales Channel Outlook Based on the Sales Channel, the True Wireless Stereo Earbuds Market is classified into Offline and Online. The online segment recorded a substantial revenue share in the true wireless stereo earbuds market in 2021. It is owing to the growing number of smartphones along with the high penetration of internet. In addition, there are many key companies which are increasing their online presence for the sales of these earbuds. Along with that, the convenience offered by online stores would escalate the growth of the segment over the forecast period. Regional Outlook Region-wise, the True Wireless Stereo Earbuds Market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and LAMEA. The North America segments garnered the highest revenue share in the true wireless stereo earbuds market in 2021. The demand for TWS in North America has been largely driven by the success of Air Pods. Several smartphone manufacturers have released wireless earbuds that are specifically connected to their products. Many consumers are seen making purchases of related accessories due to the sharp increase in the frequency of smartphone replacement cycles. The major strategies followed by the market participants are Product Launches. Based on the Analysis presented in the Cardinal matrix; Apple, Inc. is the forerunner in the True Wireless Stereo Earbuds Market. Companies such as Amazon.com, Inc. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Huawei Device Co., Ltd. are some of the key innovators in True Wireless Stereo Earbuds Market. The market research report covers the analysis of key stake holders of the market. Key companies profiled in the report include Apple, Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (Samsung Group), Amazon.com, Inc., Xiaomi Corporation, Sony Corporation, Boat-Lifestyle (Imagine Marketing Private Limited), Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (Huawei Investment & Holding Co., Ltd.) (Huawei Device Co. Ltd.), Shure, Inc., Sennheiser Electronic GmbH & Co. KG, and Bose Corporation. Recent strategies deployed in True Wireless Stereo Earbuds Market Partnerships, Collaborations & Agreements Jan-2021: BoAt came into a partnership with Amazon, an American multinational technology company. Through this partnership, the companies aimed to introduce EDICT audio brand. The product range offers wireless headphones, true wireless earbuds, wireless speakers, in-ear wireless earphones, in-ear wired headphones, and a wireless neckband. Additionally, EDICT is fitted with Bluetooth 5.0 and comes with multifunction controls to control calls, music playback, device assistance, and more functions. Product Expansion & Product Launch Aug-2022: Apple launched Beats Fit Pro TWS (true wireless stereo) earphones in the US industry. The new Beats Fit Pro arrived with top-of-the-line features such as Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) as well as Spatial Audio and Apple’s H1 chip. Additionally, they come with quick charging support and a 5-minute charge is stated to deliver an hour’s worth of music playback, while the case delivers an extra 24 hours of service. Aug-2022: Sony introduced Sony LinkBuds WF-L900 true wireless earphones. The new Sony LinkBuds’ touch contains features that work without even touching the earpieces, due to the Wide Area Tap feature. Additionally, the Sony LinkBuds also work with the Sony Headphones Connect app for personalized settings and are placed below the Sony WF-1000XM4 in the true wireless earphones range in India. Aug-2022: Samsung launched Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds. The new devices sustain 24bit Hi-Fi audio with Samsung Galaxy gadgets running on Android 12-based One UI 4.0 or higher. Moreover, TWS comes in Graphite, Bora Purple, and White colors. Aug-2022: Sennheiser introduced CX Plus and CX True Wireless earphones. The new earphones deliver Active Noise Cancellation and transparent hearing, a companion for everyday listening. Additionally, Sennheiser’s range of new TWS earphones incorporates the proprietary True Response transducer which is designed for Sennheiser’s range of superior earphones. Jun-2022: Sennheiser unveiled the XS Wireless IEM in-ear monitoring system. The new XS Wireless IEM is a comprehensive starter set for personal monitoring and has been developed to set a new ideal for easy, adaptable, and dedicated wireless in-ear monitoring. Moreover, the system allows consumers to quickly designate an easy-to-manage wireless connection in the skilled UHF range. May-2022: BoAt unveiled BoAt Airdopes 201 portable True Wireless earbuds. The new earbuds deliver superior HD sound with precise stereo as well as a trait a sleek and lightweight design. Additionally, earbuds connect to a smartphone through Bluetooth 5.0 and the 470mAh charging case is stated to deliver 9 hours of play-time while each earbud survives for 3 hours on a single charge. May-2022: Sennheiser launched Momentum True Wireless 3. The new bud elements like adaptive noise ca...

XRP Price In The Green – Can It Reach $0.50 Today? – Cryptonews https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/xrp-price-in-the-green-can-it-reach-0-50-today-cryptonews/ Source: Unsplash The price of Ripple’s XRP token is in the green for the past 24 hours, after buyers bid it up from a strong support zone yesterday. And although $0.50 may be a stretch today, the significant price level could be in play once highs from this week are taken out. As of Thursday at 11:36 UTC, XRP traded at $0.44, up 2.8% for the past 24 hours and up 2.7% for the past 7 days. Notably, the token also stands out as one of the best-performing tokens over the past 30 days among the top 100 coins by market cap with a gain of 33.2%. XRP 30-day price chart. Source: CoinGecko The gains today came after the token reached a peak of $0.56 on Friday last week, which was followed by a near week-long sell-off. The selling intensified in recent days, before buyers entered the scene on Wednesday to bid the price up from the $0.42 support zone. The question for traders now is whether XRP will continue to rise after bouncing off the support zone yesterday, or if the downtrend from the past few days instead will resume. Looking at the token purely from a technical analysis standpoint, it’s clear that the short-term trend is now up. This can clearly be seen on the hourly chart, with a series of higher lows since the market bottomed yesterday around 8am UTC. Zooming out to the daily timeframe, however, we can see that a fall towards previous resistance-turned support around $0.385 could be in the cards. It’s also worth noting that the daily relative strength index (RSI) has fallen from “overbought” territory, and is now in the upper half of the neutral zone. To the upside, the first major obstacle would be Wednesday’s high of around $0.45 area. If that level is taken out, further upside towards highs from earlier this week around $0.50 could also be seen within a relatively short amount of time. Ripple court case lingers on As reported by Cryptonews.com on Wednesday, XRP was down 11% over the course of just 24 hours that day as the Ripple vs. SEC legal battle lingers on. The latest news from the case now is that both Ripple and the SEC have filed for the court to make a summary judgment on the case, which would bring it to a close. Such a judgment isn’t going to be made immediately, but the fact that both parties have called for it means that it’s now on the horizon. Ripple has been involved in a legal battle against the US financial regulator since December of 2020, when the SEC brought a suit against the firm for its sale of XRP tokens to investors.

U.S. Weekly Jobless Claims Fall; Second-Quarter GDP Unrevised – Reuters.com https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/u-s-weekly-jobless-claims-fall-second-quarter-gdp-unrevised-reuters-com/ WASHINGTON, Sept 29 (Reuters) – The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week as the labor market remains resilient despite rising headwinds from the Federal Reserve’s stiff interest rate increases and slowing demand. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 16,000 to a seasonally adjusted 193,000 for the week ended Sept. 24, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Data for the prior week was revised to show 4,000 fewer applications filed than previously reported. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 215,000 applications for the latest week. While there have been reports of some companies laying off workers, claims have remained at the lower end of their 168,000-252,000 range for this year. Economists say most employers are hoarding workers after experiencing difficulties hiring in the past year as the COVID-19 pandemic forced some people out of the workforce, in part because of prolonged illness caused by the virus. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com They expect companies to pull back on hiring before resorting to widespread job cuts. The U.S. central bank last week raised its policy interest rate by 75 basis points, its third straight increase of that size, and signaled more large increases to come this year. Since March, the Fed has hiked its policy rate from near zero to the current range of 3.00% to 3.25%. There were 11.2 million job openings at the end of July, with two jobs for every unemployed person. The claims report showed the number of people receiving benefits after an initial week of aid fell 29,000 to 1.347 million in the week ending Sept. 17. The so-called continuing claims data, a proxy for hiring, covered the week that the government surveyed households for August’s unemployment rate. Continuing claims fell between the July and August survey periods. The jobless rate rose to 3.7% in August from 3.5% in July. The Fed last week raised its median forecast for the unemployment rate this year to 3.8% from its previous projection of 3.7% in June. It boosted its estimate for 2023 to 4.4% from the 3.9% projected in June. The strong labor market is helping to keep the economy afloat. While a separate report from the Commerce Department on Thursday confirmed that the economy contracted in the first half of this year, it is not in recession, with the income side of the growth ledger expanding moderately. Gross domestic product fell at an unrevised 0.6% annualized rate last quarter, the government said in its third estimate of GDP. The economy contracted at a 1.6% rate in the first quarter. The government also revised GDP data from the fourth quarter of 2016 through the fourth quarter of 2021, which showed the economy’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic was much stronger than initially thought. The revisions also showed the gap between GDP and the other economic growth measure, gross domestic income (GDI), was far much smaller than initially thought in 2021. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Lucia Mutikani; Editing by Paul Simao and Chizu Nomiyama Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

New Research At Forrester’s Technology & Innovation North America Reveals Global Tech Spending Will Surpass $4 Trillion In 2023 — Despite Increasing Uncertainty – PR Newswire https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/new-research-at-forresters-technology-innovation-north-america-reveals-global-tech-spending-will-surpass-4-trillion-in-2023-despite-increasing-uncertainty-pr-newswire/ Economic turbulence, supply chain issues, and a tech talent shortage will prompt tech leaders to prioritize investments in projects that improve operational resilience to drive growth , /PRNewswire/ — New research unveiled at Forrester’s ( Nasdaq: FORR) Technology & Innovation North America reveals that global tech spending will reach more than $4 trillion in 2023 as two-thirds of technology decision-makers increase their tech budgets, despite increasing economic uncertainty. Additionally, in the coming year, to stay competitive, future fit tech leaders will take a more practical approach to innovation experiments to prioritize customer needs — 80% of companies will pivot their innovation efforts from creativity to resilience, according to Forrester’s 2023 Tech Leadership Predictions. At Technology & Innovation North America, which kicked off today in Austin, Texas and digitally, Forrester analysts will unveil new research and frameworks to help future fit tech leaders take charge in fueling their organizations’ future growth through the creation and execution of adaptive and resilient technology strategies. This new research includes: Predictions 2023: Tech Leadership. Technology companies are under distress due to capital flow reductions, higher interest rates, and fears of reduced customer demand. In 2023, tech leaders should review their vendors well in advance of upcoming renewal cycles and build contingency plans accounting for software-as-a-service (SaaS) failures, spinouts, and product retirements. There will also be an anticipated uptick of whistleblowers stepping up to hold tech leaders accountable, forcing CIOs to act. Join this keynote to discover what the future holds for tech leaders in 2023. The State Of Future Fit Technology Strategy, 2022. According to Forrester’s latest research, companies that met customers’ needs by being future fit, even in uncertain times, grew revenue 1.8 times faster than their peers. With more than 75% of business and tech professionals at future fit organizations strongly agreeing that their organizations can easily absorb major business changes, tech platforms are key to accelerating organizations’ transformation and innovation journeys. Join this session to learn best practices for creating a future fit platform strategy that powers business outcomes. A Skills-Based Talent Strategy Is Central To An Adaptive Organization. As tech leaders struggle to attract the right talent, they will need to create an adaptive organization that continuously develops and applies knowledge and skills to drive resilience. Join this session to learn how to rethink tech skills and competencies in order to build a future fit strategy that broadens the talent roster. The Top 10 Emerging Technologies In 2022. According to Forrester, 65% of tech professionals say their firm will increase spending on emerging technologies over the next 12 months. Future fit tech organizations are poised to see positive near-term ROI in four emerging tech categories: extended reality (XR), AI-powered TuringBots, Web3, and Zero Trust edge. Join this keynote to learn more about which emerging technologies are ready now, which are going to take some time, and which have a long way to go. “Looking ahead, future fit tech leaders will take a pragmatic but opportunistic approach to enhance their organizations’ operational resilience despite any uncertainty to outpace the long shadow of the pandemic,” said Matthew Guarini, event host and VP and senior research director at Forrester. “At Technology & Innovation North America, we will unveil research and insights for tech leaders to overcome this complex landscape — turning lessons learned from difficult times into capabilities that will ensure that their organizations are more adaptive and successful long term.” Resources:  Learn more about Forrester’s 2023 Tech Leadership Predictions (client access required). Learn more about the tenets of a future fit tech strategy. Learn why tech leaders need to create an adaptive organization to drive resilience (client access required). Learn more about the top 10 emerging technologies tech leaders should implement, experiment with, or start watching (client access required). Follow @Forrester and #ForrTech for updates. About Forrester Forrester ( Nasdaq: FORR) is one of the most influential research and advisory firms in the world. We help leaders across technology, customer experience, digital, marketing, sales, and product functions use customer obsession to accelerate growth. Through Forrester’s proprietary research, consulting, and events, leaders from around the globe are empowered to be bold at work — to navigate change and put their customers at the center of their leadership, strategy, and operations. Our unique insights are grounded in annual surveys of more than 700,000 consumers, business leaders, and technology leaders worldwide; rigorous and objective research methodologies, including Forrester Wave evaluations; 70 million real-time feedback votes; and the shared wisdom of our clients. Media Contact:  Ira Kantor  Public Relations  Forrester Research, Inc.  [email protected] SOURCE Forrester

On Abortion, Texas Isn’t A Whole ‘Nother Country – The Dispatch https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/on-abortion-texas-isnt-a-whole-nother-country-the-dispatch/ Abortion rights demonstrators march near the State Capitol in Austin, Texas, June 25, 2022. (Photo by Suzanne Cordeiro/AFP/Getty Images.) “Texas: It’s like a whole ’nother country,” or so the state tourism bureau slogan used to insist, but in spite of its yee-haw reputation, Texas is in most ways a whole lot like the rest of the country, including in Texans’ attitudes toward abortion: In recent polls, 54 percent of Texans said they oppose a total ban on the procedure, precisely the same figure found in national polls.  But something very close to a total ban on abortion in the state is what Texas has—a fact that has some Republicans hearing footsteps ahead of Election Day.  They probably are overreacting. Even as “Roe the Vote” signs go up in the manicured yards of affluent lefty neighborhoods around the state, Texans continue to tell pollsters that their top issues are border security, immigration, political corruption, and inflation, in that order, with abortion coming in next as the top issue for only 8 percent of voters compared to a combined 30 percent for border security and immigration. (Border security and immigration are, in effect, one issue in Texas as a matter of political reality. Texans who say their top issue is immigration aren’t usually talking about well-heeled Nigerians settling in Harris County.) Abortion is unlikely to a dispositive issue. In any case, the people with the “Roe the Vote” signs and bumper-stickers probably weren’t going to be super enthusiastic about Greg Abbott irrespective of the Dobbs decision or the consequent activation of Texas’ abortion “trigger” law, which prohibits abortion except in the case of a “life-threatening physical condition aggravated by, caused by, or arising from a pregnancy that places [a woman] at risk of death or poses a serious risk of substantial impairment of a major bodily function.” That being said, Texas Republicans have no reason to be cocky. The Republican share of the presidential vote in Texas has declined from 61 percent in 2004 to barely 52 percent in 2020—of course, Texan George W. Bush might have been expected to put up a big number in 2004, but Mitt Romney in 2012 finished with a convincing 57.2 percent of the vote in 2012, and John McCain won 55.5 percent in 2008. Maybe Donald Trump’s relatively low numbers in Texas in 2016 and 2022—52.2 in 2016, declining slightly to 52.0 in 2020—were about Trump. But they might have been about the Texas electorate.  The Dixie Chicks may sing about “Wide Open Spaces,” but Texas is in fact slightly more urban than is the nation at large, and is home to six of the nation’s 25 largest cities. But where Texas really stands out demographically is that it is the second-youngest state, with a median age of only 35.2 years. Youth and progressivism do not necessarily go hand-in-hand (the state with the youngest population is, by far, Utah), but a state that is younger and more urban than the nation at large, that is No. 8 in the nation when it comes to its foreign-born population share, that is home to Oracle, Sysco, Dell, AT&T, Hewlett Packard, and a shiny new $1 billion Apple campus—that state wouldn’t look like obvious Republican territory if you didn’t know it was Texas.  Big cities in Texas tend to look politically a lot like big cities elsewhere in the country. Joe Biden won the majority of the votes in every Texas city larger than Lubbock (pop. 237,013) in 2020, even edging out Trump in the once reliably Republican sprawl of Tarrant County (Fort Worth and Arlington) while running away with 65 percent of the vote in Dallas County and 58 percent of the vote in Bexar County (San Antonio).  So while Republicans may be wrong to be worried about this election cycle and to focus too narrowly on abortion, they are not wrong to be concerned.  At a recent panel discussion hosted by the Texas Tribune, state Sen. Robert Nichols (R–Jacksonville) said he would vote for a rape exception to Texas’ abortion law if given a chance, earning the immediate condemnation of Texas Right to Life. Dade Phelan, speaker of the statehouse, says he has been hearing from fellow Republicans who also are concerned about the issue. (The speaker’s office did not respond to requests for comment.) At the same Tribune event, former speaker of the statehouse Joe Strauss called Texas’ trigger law a ”horrendous mistake” and a “huge mess, a self-inflicted wound to members of my party who should’ve paid better attention and didn’t think the consequences will be difficult for them.”  Strauss, who became a hate-totem for the conservatives who ultimately chased him out of the speaker’s chair, is far from typical of Texas Republican leaders. More typical is Bryan Slaton, an East Texas Republican who rejects revisiting the question of exceptions out of hand. Slaton may be more typical of Republican elected officials, but he is not more typical of Texans at large, who are in the largest part sympathetic to exceptions in cases of rape or incest. The popular view isn’t the right view merely by dint of its being popular, but Republicans cannot simply pretend the political gap between the activist right and the median voter isn’t there or that it doesn’t matter.  If the political conversation about abortion in Texas ends up being dominated by the efforts of Republicans who are well to the right of the average voter to defend themselves rhetorically and politically from Republicans who are even farther to the right of the average voter, then that isn’t going to be good for GOP prospects or, in the long run, for the pro-life cause. What pro-life Republicans really need is outreach to voters who are not already on board rather than an attempted purge of the 96th-percentile pro-lifers by the 99th-percentile pro-lifers. Republicans in Texas and elsewhere unfortunately seem to have mostly forgotten how to engage in that kind of old-fashioned coalition-building politics.  But, in the near term, abortion is more like to feature as a lively issue in intra-Republican factional politics in Texas than in the general elections. “A lot of people in the pro-life movement are going to say, ‘No abortions, no exceptions,’ and if you’re not with them, they’re going to primary you,” says Republican strategist Karl Rove. He points to Nichols as a target. Rove argues that the current Texas law is “unsustainable” as a political matter and that it is likely to prove troublesome for Republicans if the legislature doesn’t revisit the question. “The legislature has a chance to put this issue to bed to the advantage of the pro-life movement,” he says. “There’s a broad consensus that abortion should be limited to some reasonable point in the first trimester, France’s 14 weeks for example, and support for parental notification and other measures advocated by the pro-life movement.” But, he emphasizes, there is very little public support, in Texas or anywhere else, for the kind of no-exceptions model demanded by pro-lifers seeking a seamless anti-abortion settlement.  Democrats may dare to dream, but Texas has had years like this before: Every election year, in fact, there is the great Democratic hope—remember Wendy Davis and her dopey sneakers?—that goes down in flames. No doubt Beto O’Rourke will declare a “moral victory” if he gets within 5 points of Greg Abbott—which would be a better showing than current polls suggest. Republicans probably aren’t going to lose Texas in this cycle or the next, or the one after that, over abortion.  Conservatives should be on the pro-life side of the abortion issue because it is the right side, but they should at the same time understand that they have a lot of political work to do on the issue—the hard and grinding work of persuasion. And in Texas, as in the rest of the country, they are going to have to come up with some plausible means of evolving from a rural-exurban party of older white people into one that has a more secure and familiar place among the younger, more urban voters such as the ones in Houston, Austin, and San Antonio—who at some point will represent the dispositive power in Texas politics.

Weekend In Asheville: Hip, Artsy Enclave In The Blue Ridge Mountains Beckons Visitors With Food, Beer, Browsi – Cleveland.com https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/weekend-in-asheville-hip-artsy-enclave-in-the-blue-ridge-mountains-beckons-visitors-with-food-beer-browsi-cleveland-com/ ASHEVILLE, North Carolina – Asheville was an afterthought, a last-minute addition at the end of a nearly weeklong trip to neighboring Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Rookie mistake. This mountain town in far western North Carolina deserves top billing on its own itinerary, filled with gallery hopping and top-rated restaurants, a quirky drum circle and comedy bus tour. And did I mention the beer? The city, population 95,000, is perhaps best known for being home to the Biltmore Estate, the elaborate former home of George and Edith Vanderbilt, the largest private residence in the United States, open daily for touring. Read more: The Biltmore, America’s most elaborate private residence, is fit for a king Its best attribute, however, is its location – surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, with parkland on all sides. The region’s stunning beauty has made Asheville a long-time magnet for artists and adventurer seekers, who collectively give the town a cool, authentic vibe, all of which also happens to make it a great place to visit. If you’ve never been here — or even if you have — it’s worth the trip, all on its own. Downtown window shopping in Asheville.Susan Glaser, Cleveland.com Comedic guide Cookie Carter entertains a bus full of tourists on the LaZoom Comedy Bus Tour in Asheville.Susan Glaser, Cleveland.com Wicked Weed Brewing, one of more than 30 brewpubs in Asheville.Courtesy ExploreAsheville.com Laughing at the city’s past To get my bearings, I signed up for the LaZoom Comedy Bus Tour, a 90-minute, PG-13 romp through town in a retrofitted school bus that covers much of the city’s history, from a frontier outpost in the late 1790s to the arrival of the Vanderbilts a century later to Asheville’s first designation as Beer City USA in 2010. We motored by downtown’s former 75-foot-tall memorial (“the erection at the intersection”) to Civil War-era governor Zebulon Vance, dismantled last year; and the Asheville Civic Center, where Elvis Presley played three shows in July 1975, including one when he famously exited the stage for seven minutes to use the restroom (“Sometimes, the king needs to sit,” he reportedly said). We passed the Asheville Masonic Temple, built in 1915 and used as a hospital for Black residents during the Spanish flu, “the worst pandemic in history,” according to comedic guide Cookie Carter. (“Whoops,” she added. “I think we need to update the script.”) And we drove by the former Highland Hospital, a psychiatric facility turned wedding venue, where Zelda Fitzgerald, the wife of author F. Scott Fitzgerald, died in a fire in 1948. An accomplished painter, writer and dancer, Zelda Fitzgerald may have also been the uncredited source of much of her husband’s work, according to Carter. Described as schizophrenic and possibly bipolar, Carter said, “Maybe she was just an independent woman in the 1920s.” Halfway through the tour, we stopped for an adult beverage at Green Man Brewery, founded in 1997 and among the oldest brewpubs in the city’s beer-focused South Slope neighborhood (“bro-muda triangle on sunny Saturday afternoons,” according to Carter). We also wheeled through the River Arts District, just southwest of downtown along the French Broad River, where dozens of former factories and warehouses have been turned into galleries, and the Montford historic district, filled with beautiful old homes. I made a mental note of all the places I wanted to revisit. Gallery-hopping in Asheville’s River Arts District.Susan Glaser, Cleveland.com Medina County native Kevin Giriunas recently opened a studio in Asheville’s River Arts District.Susan Glaser, Cleveland.com Exploring the neighborhoods My visit coincided with the River Arts District’s Second Saturday gallery walk, with demonstrations, workshops and entertainment in and around the neighborhood’s studios and galleries. My husband and I meandered through a dozen-plus spaces, perusing hundreds of pieces of art whimsical and serene – glass, pottery, painting, jewelry and more. Locals (and visitors) can take classes at the studios and watch artists in action. During my browsing, I met Kevin Giriunas, a Medina County native who recently relocated to Asheville and opened a painting studio on Roberts Street. “Asheville has a vibrant big city feel in a small mountain town,” said Giriunas, a former engineer who is now working full-time as an artist. “The art scene is awesome.” From River Arts, we headed back downtown, where there are many more galleries to explore – including the Woolworth Walk, inside a former F.W. Woolworth Co. store, now filled with mini exhibits featuring the works of more than 100 local artists. Also here: the store’s recreated Soda Fountain, featuring ice cream, sandwiches and salads. (One historical note: The actual lunch counter here was the subject of civil rights protests in the 1950s, as high school students in Asheville sought to emulate the college protesters in nearby Greensboro.) Downtown Asheville features some of the best, most eclectic shopping I’ve experienced anywhere – terrific stores in a relatively compact, easily walkable space. Other downtown stops: * Grove Arcade, a four-story retail and office complex that was built in 1929 and billed as America’s first indoor shopping mall (but we Clevelanders know that our Arcade, which opened in 1890, was, in fact, the first). During World War II, the arcade here was taken over by the federal government for wartime planning. * French Broad Chocolate Lounge, with exquisite chocolate drinks, pastries and candies to consume on site or take with you (or, even better, both). You can also take a tour of their production facility just north of downtown. * The Asheville Bee Charmer, a story devoted to honey, with a tasting bar and more; Malaprop’s Books, Voltage Records; the Center for Craft and many others. The historic Grove Arcade in Asheville.Susan Glaser, Cleveland.com The honey tasting bar at downtown’s Asheville Bee Charmer.Susan Glaser, Cleveland.com Every Friday, April through October, a group gathers at Asheville’s Pritchard Park to play drums, dance and hang out.Susan Glaser, Cleveland.com Dining and drinking Downtown is also the epicenter of the highly regarded dining scene in Asheville, which is routinely cited among the nation’s best foodie cities. On our first night in town, my husband and I headed to Chai Pani, a casual Indian eatery that was recently named “America’s most outstanding restaurant” by the James Beard Foundation. Prepare to wait an hour or more for a table – the place doesn’t take reservations – and it wasn’t accepting any more additions to its waiting list by the time we arrived. We dined instead at Red Ginger, with terrific small plates and sushi, across from Pritchard Park, home every Friday night (April through October) to the city’s quirky drum circle, a feel-good Asheville tradition since 2001. Other places we ate: The Rhu for brunch, a sister restaurant and bakery to the more upscale Rhubarb; and Nine Mile, with terrific Caribbean fusion fare in the Montford historic district. We also got a primer on sour beer at Funkatorium, an outpost of Wicked Weed Brewing, where our bartender explained the effects of a longer fermentation period on what we were about to drink. “It’s like when you let a bottle of wine age,” she said. “It tastes better.” On our tasting flight: mouth-puckering samples of Silencio, barrel-aged with coffee and vanilla, and Sandiaca, a tasty concoction fermented with watermelon and basil. Where to stay We stayed at the Carolina Bed and Breakfast, a large, luxurious inn in the historic Montford neighborhood, just north of downtown. The house, along with numerous others in the neighborhood, was designed by Richard Sharp Smith, who was the supervising architect of the Biltmore Estate following the death in 1895 of primary architect Richard Hunt Morris. Smith, along with numerous other creative types, stuck around Asheville after the Biltmore was completed and helped the town evolve into the arts-focused community that it is today. “We have more culture than a yeast infection,” quipped guide Cookie Carter. Don’t take her word for it. Put Asheville at the very top of your next vacation itinerary, and go see for yourself. The Carolina Bed and Breakfast in Asheville’s historic Montford neighborhood.Susan Glaser, Cleveland.com If you go: Asheville, North Carolina Where: Asheville, in far western North Carolina, is about an eight-hour drive from Cleveland, along I-77 south, I-81 south and I-26 south. Asheville Regional Airport, south of town, is the closest airport. Nearby: The city is adjacent to to Pisgah National Forest, close to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is near the southern terminus of the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway, the scenic drive that connects the Smoky Mountains with Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Where to stay: We stayed at the Carolina Bed and Breakfast in the historic residential Montford neighborhood, just north of downtown. Rates start at about $230 a night. See carolinabb.com More information: exploreasheville.com Read more: Dodging the crowds and clouds at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, America’s most popular Overnighting at LeConte Lodge, the only inn inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park (but first, you have to get there) Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission.

Latest Business News India Today 29 September 2022 | News Headlines – Tentaran https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/latest-business-news-india-today-29-september-2022-news-headlines-tentaran/ Please follow and like us: Here’s today business news, the latest business news India today 29 September 2022 The government has approved a 4% hike in DA for central government employees and DR for pensioners. Torrent Pharmaceuticals has acquired Curatio Healthcare for Rs. 2,000 crores. Axis Bank will be investing Rs. 49.9 – 69.9 crores in Go Digit-Life Insurance for a 9.94% stake. Reliance Retail has launched ‘Reliance Centro’, a fashion and lifestyle store. Buy Online Women’s Kurta Pant Palazzo and Kaftan Dress at Wholesale Price – Shop Now Must Read: 29 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 29 September 2022 – business news headlines today A solar power project of 1000MW is to be set up in Dima Hasao district in Assam along with the Skill Development Centre to provide skilled employees. Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd has reported a turnover of Rs 28,215 crores in FY2021-22. Edelweiss Financial Services is to raise around Rs 400 crores via the public issue of bonds by next week. FPT Industrial to acquire a minority stake in Blue Energy Motors for an undisclosed amount. India is to invest around USD 100 billion to boost cell manufacturing and refining of raw materials to meet the domestic demand for lithium-ion batteries by 2030. Tata Motors has launched the first premium hatchback EV variant of Tata Tiago named Tiago.ev. Must Read:29 September 2022 ke Mukhya Samachar Latest business news India today 29 September 2022 – business news India today An MoU has been signed by Coromandel International, Chambal Fertilizers, and Indian Potash Ltd with Canpotex, based in Canada, to reduce supply and price volatility and supply of Potassic fertilizer in India. Torrent Pharmaceuticals has signed a definitive agreement for the acquisition of a 100% stake in Curatio Healthcare, a skincare manufacturer, for Rs 2,000 crores. GOI has signed an MoU with Amazon India and the Skill Council for People with Disabilities to jointly provide skill training and employment opportunities in the field of e-commerce. A majority of the stake has been acquired by Universal Music India in TM Ventures for an undisclosed amount and will work towards talent management, live events businesses, and entertainment consultancy. The strategic sale of a 100% stake in Central Electronics Limited has been terminated by the Union Government. The rights issue of Rs 1200 crores has been announced by Suzlon Energy Limited and is set to open on October 11, 2022. Must Read:News Headlines of India today 29 September 2022 Must Read:Today Current Affairs 29 September To keep yourself abreast with the latest business news India today 29 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.

Nutrileads Investigates Consumer’s Nutraceutical Perceptions Through The Pandemic – Nutraceutical Business Review https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/nutrileads-investigates-consumers-nutraceutical-perceptions-through-the-pandemic-nutraceutical-business-review/ 29-Sep-2022 A NutriLeads consumer insights report has shown that consumer perceptions fundamentally changed through the pandemic NutriLeads, a health ingredients company, has announced the results of a new consumer insights report which shows that consumer views on immune health have changed fundamentally in the wake of COVID-19. The report draws on extensive data gathered by research company FMCG Gurus through consumer surveys conducted with 45,000 consumers from 15 countries across 2019, 2020, and 2022. According to the report, not only is immune health significantly more important to consumers, but immune health is also perceived to have a far-reaching impact on long-term health and wellbeing. Two-thirds of consumers worldwide say immune health is their top health priority over the next 12 months—more than digestive health, heart health, or any other health issue. In addition, some 78% of consumers view poor immune health as being easily susceptible to long-term health problems. This research shows us that the experience of living with the pandemic is likely to have a lasting effect “It’s clear that during the pandemic, consumers have been paying attention to their immune health more than ever before,” said Joana Carneiro, NutriLeads CEO. “This research shows us that the experience of living with the pandemic is likely to have a lasting effect. Consumers are more knowledgeable about immune health and place more importance on improving it on the longer term.” Among the trends highlighted in the report is the greater number of consumers (40%) who are taking a proactive approach to their immune health even if they believe they are in good health. What’s more, consumers are taking a holistic approach to their wellbeing, incorporating exercise and fresh food in their lifestyle, and paying attention to digestive health and mental wellbeing. At the same time, consumers expect more from immune health products. Eight in 10 global respondents to the survey say the top three claims they want to see on the label of immunity products are scientifically validated and clinically-proven (82%), multifunctional benefits (79%), and helps lead a healthy lifestyle (79%). Companies Nutrileads

Tyson Fury Sets Anthony Joshua Another New Deadline | ‘Get This Contract Signed Today’ – Sky Sports https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/tyson-fury-sets-anthony-joshua-another-new-deadline-get-this-contract-signed-today-sky-sports/ Tyson Fury has returned to negotiations for the all-British heavyweight super-fight with Anthony Joshua. But Fury has set his rival another deadline and called for him to sign the contract for their showdown today. “My promoter Frank Warren convinced me to let Queensberry carry on negotiating with your team this week, despite me knowing that you were never going to do this fight,” Fury said. Tyson Fury: Let’s find out if Joe Joyce can beat me Joe Joyce: I’d get to Oleksandr Usyk! Wilder expects fourth Fury fight Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Fury believes Joe Joyce is currently the second-best heavyweight in the world and admits he could fight his fellow Brit in the future Both Fury and Joshua are aligned with different broadcasters. Bringing those networks to an agreement on a TV deal was seen as a key stumbling block in the negotiations for this fight. But Fury has claimed that the rival broadcasters are “all happy with the terms”. “So the deadline was Monday,” Fury said. “I allowed Frank to continue doing meetings with your team and your broadcasters and all that. Now we have BT, DAZN and ESPN all on the same page. They are happy with everything, they are all ready to rock and roll. “You guys ask for a lot of stuff, you want to be co-promoters when you’re a voluntary challenger. Guess what, I said give it them, let them be co-promoters. “You wanted full transparency, even though you’re not an equal shareholder in this party. You know what I said? Give them full transparency, I’ve got nothing to hide, I’m not trying to rob anybody, I’ve not robbed anybody of a penny in my life. “So now you’ve got full transparency, everything is clean and fair. Now Joshua, the ball is really in your court son.” Joshua has previously insisted that he would sign the contract, but it had to go through his lawyers and management team. In a direct challenge to him, Fury declared, “Everybody is done. If you’re a man, and if you’ve got any sort of dignity and pride about you, you’ll get this contract signed today. This is it. There is no more days, weeks, months, you’ve had the contract now for over two weeks and you still haven’t signed it. “Show the public that you’re really the big coward that I know you are, and don’t sign it. I don’t care either way if you sign it or you don’t, it makes no difference to me at all. You’re a beaten man and I’m a world champion. I’m chucking you a massive bone, but I know I can punch a face in so I’m willing to give you an opportunity. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Dillian Whyte says he’d be happy to fight Joshua in December if his proposed fight with Fury doesn’t get made “There’s nothing more to do, everyone is happy. Get your team onto mine, they will be available all day, like they’ve been available the last two weeks. Get this contract signed! “Let the British fans have what they want. There is no running, you have to fight me. You cannot escape. The Fury is coming.” But Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has told Sky Sports that he is ‘quite baffled’ by Fury’s latest ultimatum, with ‘positive conversations’ still ongoing between both promotional teams. “I don’t want to get involved with back and forths that are going to negatively impact this fight being made, but to be honest, we are quite baffled by the situation,” said Hearn. “Firstly, when we agreed terms for the fight, it took us over a week to receive a draft contract. We have not had that contract for 14 days. Image: Eddie Hearn is still attempting to finalise the Fury vs Joshua fight “Over the next week, we’ve worked tirelessly and had a number of meetings with Queensberry to get the contract in some kind of decent shape. Last Monday, we sent our final draft of the contract to Queensberry, only to see that Tyson Fury had publicly pulled out of the fight and it was no longer on the table. “Yesterday we then received comments back from Queensberry on our final draft of the agreement, of which is now being reviewed. “I’m not sure why Tyson Fury keeps setting unrealistic deadlines whilst also offering the fight to a number of other heavyweights for the selected date. If he is serious about the fight being made, I suggest he allows Matchroom and Queensberry to keep working hard to make the fight, of which everyone has been trying hard to do. “You can’t publicly keep pulling out of a fight and then restart negotiations when there has been so many positive conversations had. We’ll see what happens from here.” Usyk expects to fight Fury early next year Anthony Joshua is no longer a world champion after losing the IBF, WBO and WBA titles to Oleksandr Usyk last year. Usyk defended his unified championship when he won last month’s rematch against Joshua. The Ukrainian star was initially Fury’s target for an undisputed title clash. But when Usyk revealed that injury would prevent him boxing again this year, the WBC titlist’s attention shifted to the negotiations with Joshua. Usyk’s team however believes that his fight with Fury will still happen. Alexander Krassyuk, Usyk’s promoter, told Sky Sports that: “There won’t be Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua.” He expects Fury to be Usyk’s next fight early in 2023.

SenseTime’s Xu Li On Business Of Metaverse Natives · TechNode – TechNode https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/sensetimes-xu-li-on-business-of-metaverse-natives-%c2%b7-technode-technode/ Xu Li, co-founder of SenseTime, talks at the BEYOND Expo 2022 online in the BEYOND metaverse. SenseTime’s co-founder Xu Li shared his vision and insights on digital natives of the metaverse and how their habits can redefine business models in the immersive virtual world. This keynote speech took place on Sept. 21 at the Beyond Expo 2022 tech conference, held online at BEYOND Metaverse. The text below has been condensed and edited for clarity. Digital natives of the metaverse In 2020, Travis Scott’s virtual concert on Fortnite attracted 100 million views from 23 million audiences, generating $20 million in revenue. The show is completely virtual. Why did it attract so many consumers? We have to talk about it from the perspective of the metaverse natives. From their views, the barrier between the real world and the virtual one is thin. The difference between both worlds can be torn down fairly easily.  In the traditional internet era, the distinction between the virtual online world and the offline world has always been clear. There is a very clear boundary when people surf online. I remember when we, the first generation [of netizens,] surfed online, we had to dial via modem to get connected, a ritualistic process. But today, in the mobile internet era, we are connected all the time, with all devices. And that’s why we’re suddenly talking about the word – metaverse – today. The old internet world wasn’t that real. In many cases, it’s not exactly like the real world. So you won’t think of it as a universe. But now, the virtual world is reaching a new level in digitization, vividness, and interactivity, further blurring the boundary between the digital world and the physical world. And that leads to a new generation of digital natives who do not experience difference [between the two worlds]. Willing to spend on virtual identity Xu Li, co-founder of SenseTime. Metaverse natives identify themselves with virtual goods. They are not just buying the things, but an icon, an identity for themselves.  For example, when we play games in virtual scenes, we may need to enter with an avatar, creating our own digital image. Since everyone would want a unique identity, even in the virtual world, we want to create our own characteristics. Many of the purchases in the metaverse are driven by people wanting to express their personalities to the outside world.  Many people would ask whether the metaverse has big commercial potential. I foresee new disruptions to the core business models in the internet age as long as productivity tools and interactive experiences keep improving.  We can think about what a platform company can do for today’s internet: social networking, searching, e-commerce, and traditional games. In the metaverse, all the current business models on the internet can be redefined. If we think about new business opportunities from the viewpoint of metaverse native, we will get to wilder imaginations. Ward Zhou is a tech reporter based in Shanghai. He covers stories about industry of digital content, hardware, and anything geek. Reach him via ward.zhou[a]technode.com or Twitter @zhounanyu. More by Ward Zhou

Nothing Ear Stick’s ‘roll-To-Open’ Mechanism Revealed In New Video – The Indian Express https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/nothing-ear-sticks-roll-to-open-mechanism-revealed-in-new-video-the-indian-express/ Here’s everything we know about Nothing’s next earbuds so far. (Image Source: Nothing) Nothing’s next product, its second pair of TWS earbuds called the ‘Ear Stick’ has not seen an official launch yet, but has already been spotted twice on social media. While we still do not know much about the technical specifications of the earbuds, the video gives us a glimpse of how the case opens and closes to allow access to the earbuds themselves. Unlike traditional earbud cases, including that of the Nothing Ear (1), the Ear Stick case, which is made to look like a fashion accessory, actually ‘rolls’ in place to open and close. The new case does look pretty cool, and the rolling mechanism does give it a touch of uniqueness compared to the sea of clamshell TWS cases we already have. But a few questions that will still need some answering include details on the longevity of the hingle-less case as well as more details on the earbuds themselves. Check out the video below. As per leaks from earlier this year, the Nothing Ear Stick could be very similar to the Ear (1) earbuds in design and its feature-set, but other leaks have suggested we will not be seeing Active Noise cancellation on the Ear Stick. Nothing is yet to launch the product officially, and while it continues to build hype for its product through small glimpses, we’d still have to wait for the launch to know more details on what’s actually new with the earbuds. In other news, the Nothing Phone (1) which recently got a pricing discount in India as part of the country’s festive sales, is now getting a new OTA update which bumps up the phone’s software to Nothing OS 1.1.4 and brings many camera improvements along with some new features and bug fixes. © IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd First published on: 29-09-2022 at 04:29:31 pm

Cardano Crypto Price Prediction – Can ADA Reach $5 By 2023? – Cryptonews https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/cardano-crypto-price-prediction-can-ada-reach-5-by-2023-cryptonews/ The price of Cardano (ADA) has risen by 2% in the past 24 hours, reaching $0.436895. This represents a 1% dip in a week and a 9% fall in a fortnight, with the macroeconomic backdrop of high inflation, rising interest rates and a potential global recession weighing down the altcoin’s movement. However, these external pressures aside, ADA’s fundamentals remain in good shape. And with the altcoin decidedly oversold and undervalued at the present moment in time, there’s a very good chance it could lock in some substantial gains in the medium-to-long term. Indeed, not only does $1 seem like a realistic medium-term objective, but the more distant future could see ADA reach $5, assuming that Cardano posts some substantial organic growth. Cardano Crypto Price Prediction ADA’s current level of $0.436895 means that it’s 85.5% down from its all-time high of $3.08, set back in September 2021. This is a relatively large comedown, but it’s actually slightly smaller than the retreats from ATHs seen with SOL (87%), DOT (88%) and AVAX (88%). ADA’s indicators confirm that it’s on a low ebb right now. Its relative strength index (purple) has fallen to 40, while its 30-day moving average (red) is well below its 200-day average (blue). Both of these indicators signal that ADA is oversold right now, and going at a discount. They also suggest that, in the short-term, we could expect to see the ADA price move up a little, particularly after recent falls. Looking at recent benchmarks, its seven-day high of $0.475899 suggests that it could post a 9% increase from its price at the time of writing. Even better, its 30-day high of $0.521808 indicates a potential gain of 19.6%, assuming a proportional upswing. Turning to the medium and longer term, Cardano’s fundamentals leave every reason to believe that ADA could enjoy substantial price gains towards the end of 2022 and into the start of 2023. Most importantly, Cardano continues to see the steady development of its capabilities and ecosystem. Last week, it implemented the important Vasil upgrade/fork, something which will improve its scalability, while also make dapp development easier and more efficient. The Vasil hard fork is only the latest in a fairly long line of updates stretching back at least as far as last September (when Cardano introduced smart contracts), all of which are contributing towards making Cardano a more secure and capable network. Judging by the numbers, developers seem to agree that Cardano has considerable potential as a blockchain network. For instance, the latest figures put the number of projects building on Cardano at 1,107, while 99 projects have already launched, in addition to over 3,000 Plutus scripts (i.e. smart contracts) running on the network. Of course, Cardano’s total value locked in remains relatively low, at $78m, yet this number has held relatively steady throughout 2022’s bear market. In other words, no one is abandoning Cardano, with the declines in TVL predominantly caused by declines in the price of ADA. That ADA is already the eighth-biggest cryptocurrency with Cardano’s TVL at only $78m is very, very promising. It suggests that, even with a modest increase in this TVL figure, ADA could post some significant gains in the coming months. To take a simple example, if Cardano were to increase its TVL to $1 billion, ADA’s price could rise as high as $5.60. This assumes its price rising in direct proportion to TVL, which isn’t likely to happen, but it’s worth pointing out that Cardano TVL and ADA price rises/declines have been more or less proportional, if not 1:1. Between the end of March and today, Cardano’s TVL dropped from $326 million to $78 million, a 76% decline. Across the same timeframe, the price of ADA dropped by about 60%. The Next Bull Market However, it’s possible that when the next bull market comes the price of ADA could surpass even $5. That is, ADA’s high during the 2017/18 bull market was $1.18, while its (current) 2021 high was $3.08, representing a 161% increase from one record to another. Assuming a proportionate jump in the next bull market (whenever that may be), ADA would potentially rise to roughly $8.05. This is perfectly feasible, yet the question remains as to when macroeconomic conditions will improve. This is difficult to answer, but what isn’t difficult to answer is that ADA is almost certainly undervalued right now in comparison to its ‘true’ worth.

U.S. Into FIBA World Cup Semifinals After Test, Triple-Double Watch – NBC Sports https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/u-s-into-fiba-world-cup-semifinals-after-test-triple-double-watch-nbc-sports/ SYDNEY — Alyssa Thomas and her United States teammates were tested for the first time in the World Cup by a physical Serbia team. After a slow start, the Americans used a dominant run spanning the half to take control of the game and reach the semifinals again. Thomas had 13 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists to help the U.S. beat Serbia 88-55 in the quarterfinals of the women’s World Cup on Thursday. “I think you expect every team’s best punch in the first quarter,” Thomas said. “We just had to settle into the game and once we settled in, then we were really able to break away.” Kelsey Plum scored 17 points and A’ja Wilson added 15 to lead the Americans (6-0) into the semifinals. “They played super physical, more physical than we’ve seen the entire tournament,” Plum said. “Credit to them. I felt that early-on their pressure bothered us a little bit, but we were able to kind of get under control.” MORE: FIBA World Cup Schedule, Results The Americans had run through pool play, winning by 46.2 points per game and hadn’t faced any kind of challenge. Serbia (3-2) wasn’t afraid though, going right at the U.S. The Serbians scored the first basket of the game — marking the first time the Americans trailed in the tournament. It was back-and-forth for the first 17 minutes, with the U.S. failing to go on any major run. Then, with 2:59 left in the half and the U.S. up by five, Kahleah Copper drove to the basket and was fouled. She landed hard on her hip and had to be helped off the court by the U.S. training staff. Copper, who has been a sparkplug for the U.S. in her first tournament, didn’t return. “It’s too early to tell,” Reeve said of the extent of Copper’s injury. “We’re getting her some imaging and we’ll have information later.” Plum replaced Cooper and hit the two free throws, starting a 12-0 run to close the half as the Americans led 50-33 at the break. Thomas had 13 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals in the opening 20 minutes. The U.S. extended its run to 20 straight points in the third quarter before Serbia finally ended a nearly 8 1/2 minutes drought with a 3-pointer by Yvonne Anderson. That cut the deficit to 22 points. Serbia didn’t get much closer after that. Anderson led Serbia with 14 points. Betnijah Laney went down hard early in the fourth quarter on a put-back. She left the game and sat on the bench for the rest of the game. “She took a hard fall,” Reeve said. “She was in the locker room afterwards and I think in her case it was a little more of it took the wind out of her.” The victory was the 28th in a row in World Cup play for the Americans, who haven’t lost since the 2006 semifinals against Russia. The Soviet Union holds the World Cup record with 56 straight wins from 1959-86. After going unbeaten in pool play again, the U.S. reached at least the semifinals for the 12th consecutive tournament, dating to 1975. That year completed a cycle in which the Americans lost 14 games combined in four tournaments. They’ve only lost five games since. PICASSO IT WAS NOT The U.S. had dominated the paint even without Brittney Griner, outscoring its opponents by an average of 60.8-24.4 in pool play. Serbia held a 20-16 advantage at the half and ended up outscoring the Americans 28-26 in the game by constantly having two or three players inside to clog up the middle. “It’s one of those things you got to live with,” Wilson said. “Hopefully these next couple of games we can get back to owning the paint. Serbia did a great job of locking it down. TRIPLE-DOUBLE WATCH Thomas, who had a triple-double in each of the last two games in the WNBA Finals, fell just short again of getting the first one at the World Cup since Erika Dobrovicova in 1994 for the Slovak Republic against Spain. Assists and rebounds weren’t kept before 1994. Thomas had 14 points, nine assists and seven rebounds in the opener against Belgium. TIP-INS Jewell Loyd returned to the U.S. starting lineup a game after resting according to the team. She had eight points. OlympicTalk is on Apple News. Favorite us! Follow @nbcolympictalk The U.S. goes for its fourth consecutive title at the FIBA World Cup in Sydney — and eighth global gold in a row overall when including the Olympics. A’ja Wilson, a two-time WNBA MVP, and Breanna Stewart, the Tokyo Olympic MVP, headline a U.S. roster that, for the first time since 2000, includes neither Sue Bird (retired) nor Diana Taurasi (injured). The new-look team includes nobody over the age of 30 for the first time since 1994, before the U.S. began its dynasty at the 1996 Atlanta Games. The Americans have won 52 consecutive games between worlds and the Olympics dating to the 2006 Worlds bronze-medal game. The field also includes host Australia, the U.S.’ former primary rival, and Olympic silver medalist Japan. Nigeria, which played the U.S. the closest of any foe in Tokyo (losing by nine points), isn’t present after its federation withdrew the team over governance issues. Spain, ranked second in the world, failed to qualify. OlympicTalk is on Apple News. Favorite us! Follow @nbcolympictalk 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup Schedule, Results Date Time (ET) Game Round Wed., Sept. 21 8:30 p.m. Puerto Rico 82, Bosnia and Herzegovina 58 Group A 9:30 p.m. USA 87, Belgium 72 Group A 11 p.m. Canada 67, Serbia 60 Group B Thurs., Sept. 22 12 a.m. Japan 89, Mali 56 Group B 3:30 a.m. China 107, South Korea 44 Group A 6:30 a.m. France 70, Australia 57 Group B 8:30 p.m. USA 106, Puerto Rico 42 Group A 10 p.m. Serbia 69, Japan 64 Group B 11 p.m. Belgium 84, South Korea 61 Group A Fri., Sept. 23 12:30 a.m. China 98, Bosnia and Herzegovina 51 Group A 4 a.m. Canada 59, France 45 Group B 6:30 a.m. Australia 118, Mali 58 Group B Sat., Sept. 24 12:30 a.m. USA 77, China 63 Group A 4 a.m. South Korea 99, Bosnia and Herzegovina 66 Group A 6:30 a.m. Belgium 68, Puerto Rico 65 Group A Sun., Sept. 25 12:30 a.m. France 74, Mali 59 Group B 4 a.m. Australia 69, Serbia 54 Group B 6:30 a.m. Canada 70, Japan 56 Group B 9:30 p.m. Belgium 85, Bosnia and Herzegovina 55 Group A 11:30 p.m. Serbia 81, Mali 68 Group B Mon., Sept. 26 12 a.m. USA 145, South Korea 69 Group A 2 a.m. France 67, Japan 53 Group B 3:30 a.m. China 95, Puerto Rico 60 Group A 6:30 a.m. Australia 75, Canada 72 Group B 9:30 p.m. Puerto Rico 92, South Korea 73 Group A 11:30 p.m. China 81, Belgium 55 Group A Tues., Sept. 27 12 a.m. USA 121, Bosnia and Herzegovina 59 Group A 2 a.m. Canada 88, Mali 65 Group B 3:30 a.m. Serbia 68, France 62 Group B 6:30 a.m. Australia 71, Japan 54 Group B Wed., Sept. 28 10 p.m. USA vs. Serbia Quarterfinals Thurs., Sept. 29 12:30 a.m. Canada vs. Puerto Rico Quarterfinals 4 a.m. China vs. France Quarterfinals 6:30 a.m. Australia vs. Belgium Quarterfinals Fri., Sept. 30 3 a.m. USA vs. Canada Semifinals 5:30 a.m. China vs. Semifinals 11 p.m. Third-Place Game Sat., Oct. 1 2 a.m. Final Tokyo Olympian Derrick Mein became the first U.S. male shooter to win a world title in the trap event since 1966, prevailing at the world shotgun championships in Osijek, Croatia, on Wednesday. Mein, who grew up on a small farm in Southeast Kansas, hunting deer and quail, nearly squandered a place in the final when he missed his last three shots in the semifinal round after hitting his first 22. He rallied in a sudden-death shoot-off for the last spot in the final by hitting all five of his targets. He hit 33 of 34 targets in the final to win by two over Brit Nathan Hales with one round to spare. The last U.S. man to win an Olympic trap title was Donald Haldeman in 1976. Mein, 37, was 24th in his Olympic debut in Tokyo (and placed 13th with Kayle Browning in the mixed-gender team event). The U.S. swept the Tokyo golds in the other shotgun event — skeet — with Vincent Hancock and Amber English. Browning took silver in women’s trap. OlympicTalk is on Apple News. Favorite us! Follow @nbcolympictalk LET’S GO! Derrick Mein is the 2022 World Champion for Men’s Trap AND earned an Olympic quota!!!!!!!#USASWorlds #TeamUSA #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/yh5bDzyLgu — USA Shooting (@USAShooting) September 28, 2022

Light Science Technology Shares Surge On Contract And Trial News | Financial News – London South East https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/light-science-technology-shares-surge-on-contract-and-trial-news-financial-news-london-south-east/ (Alliance News) – Light Science Technologies PLC on Thursday said it has received additional orders from an existing customer as well as signed two trials for its new sensorGROW product. Shares in the Derbyshire, England-based agricultural lighting and monitoring systems provider were trading 9.6% higher at 7.40 pence each in London on Thursday morning. Light Science Technologies also operates in the pest control and oil and gas sectors. It received additional orders worth GBP500,000 from Rentokil Initial PLC, a pest control company, in addition to existing forward order contracts. The new orders are expected to be fulfilled between November 2022 and March 2023. The company said that its contract electronics manufacturing division – which formed its partnership with Rentokil over 10 years ago – continues to grow in line with expectations, driven by a strong demand for UK manufacturing in light of supply chain disruption. The controlled environmental agriculture division has signed two trial contracts for the recently launched sensorGROW product. The company said that if these trials are successful, they could generate subscriptions worth GBP940,000. sensorGROW was launched in June 2022 and its technology enables farmers to monitor key growing factors such as CO2 levels, light and soil pH levels in real time. The company said the sensorGROW product provides an additional high-margin route to market. Chief Executive Officer Simon Deacon said: “We are delighted that Rentokil has chosen to increase its forward orders with us, as it shows our commitment to quality and high levels of service. This contract demonstrates the continued demand for UK manufacture, as we see customers focus on maintaining mid-term supply chain as well as controlling costs. “I am also pleased to see confirmation of several sensorGROW trial contracts and expect more to be forthcoming. This demonstrates how growers see the importance of combining intelligence and increasing productivity to maximise yields within their indoor growing environments in a time when energy efficiency is crucial.” By Chris Dorrell; chrisdorrell@alliancenews.com Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.