Anna Garraway

The Texas Department Of Transportation (TxDOT) Celebrated The Groundbreaking For Segment 2 Of The Texas Department Of Transportation (TxDOT) Loop 1604 North Expansion. – Virtual Builders Exchange https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/the-texas-department-of-transportation-txdot-celebrated-the-groundbreaking-for-segment-2-of-the-texas-department-of-transportation-txdot-loop-1604-north-expansion-virtual-builders-exchange/ Feature Photo: Gov. Abbot was joined by TxDOT officials at the Oct. 19 ground breaking ceremony of the Loop 1604 North Expansion project in San Antonio. Posted: 10-19-2022 San Antonio (Bexar County) — The  Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) celebrated the groundbreaking for Segment 2 of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Loop 1604 North Expansion. As part of the statewide Texas Clear Lanes initiative, the $418 million segment aims to increase mobility, reduce congestion, and enhance safety for Loop 1604 drivers through roadway improvements on more than 2.5 miles at the highly traveled Interstate 10 interchange in northwest Bexar County. Gov. Greg Abbott and Chairman J. Bruce Bugg were joined at the groundbreaking ceremony by San Antonio District Engineer Gina Gallegos, P.E., as well as other state and local officials. “Key construction projects all throughout Texas, just like this one to widen 1604 in San Antonio, will alleviate the traffic burden experienced by Texans in our fast-growing state,” said Gov. Abbott. “I thank TxDOT and Chairman Bugg for the hard work, vision, and leadership in ensuring Texans on the roadways get to where they’re going faster and safer. In the coming years, the exhaustive work of TxDOT and road workers with the Texas Clear Lanes initiative will relieve traffic headaches for millions of travelers and pave the way for the Lone Star State’s continued economic growth.” “Today, we’re taking another step forward in creating more mobility and less congestion for San Antonians with the start of another segment of the Loop 1604 North Expansion project,” said TxDOT Chairman Bugg. “This project will build the improvements that are needed to help get drivers out of congestion and back to the things they want and need to do.” “Segment 2 will add capacity with the expansion of the main lanes, increase mobility options with the addition of HOV lanes, and create more connectivity with the construction of an innovative interchange at I-10,” said District Engineer Gina E. Gallegos. “Once the Loop 1604 North Expansion is complete, drivers along Loop 1604 could see future travel times reduced by as much as 76%.” With traffic volume on the Loop 1604 North corridor projected to double to an estimated 290,000 drivers each day by 2045, the Segment 2 expansion project includes improvements to expand the main lanes from a four-lane to a 10-lane expressway, add high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes in each direction, and construct an innovative and multi-level interchange at the I-10 intersection. Construction on Segment 2 began in late summer 2022 and is expected to be complete by 2027. The Loop 1604 North Expansion project includes plans for five separate segments of construction on the corridor from State Highway 16 (Bandera Road) to I-35. More information is available on the Loop 1604 North webpage. Edited from news release. art@virtualbx.com

7 Eco-Hotels In Mexico To Save The Planet – TravelPulse https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/7-eco-hotels-in-mexico-to-save-the-planet-travelpulse/ If you are looking for a trip with your family, loved ones or solo and want that trip to include adventurous activities, wellness experiences and special offers surrounded by nature and without the preoccupation of the biological impact, here are six options from which to choose. Many travelers are holding themselves to higher social responsibility standards as they plan their trips and set forth on their journeys. Hotels and resorts are paying attention to these demands and are implementing innovative solutions and new technologies to have less of an impact on the environment. Trending Now Living green is becoming increasingly important for everyone. When people travel, it can be more complicated to maintain those “green” values because the things travelers consume on their journeys and with their lodging are not necessarily environmentally friendly but these Mexico properties are putting the environment front and center. If you’re thinking about eco-friendly lodging, you don’t have to limit yourself to rustic places that rob you of the comfort you’re looking for in your vacation. These are some of the best eco-friendly hotels in Mexico that connect guests with nature as well as all of the comforts of home. The place is surrounded by the jungle of the Tulum ecological reserve and nearby Mayan archaeological wonders, just minutes from the beach and city center. Mayaliah Tulum Hotel & Residences Located within the premium award-winning and innovative community of Aldea Zamá, long regarded as being the best location in Tulum, Mayaliah Tulum Hotel & Residences – MGallery Hotel Collection will harmoniously coexist with nature. The place is surrounded by the jungle of the Tulum ecological reserve and nearby Mayan archaeological wonders, just minutes from the beach and city center. Guests will enjoy enchanting and memorable experiences that draw upon the spirit of the destination, inspired by the Mayan culture and local community, and complemented by authentic and excellent service. Influenced by the unique stories and personality of the hotel, Mayaliah Tulum will offer several elevated dining experiences at its four restaurants and bars, including a rooftop bar that will showcase innovative Mexican cuisine and inventive cocktails that highlight local ingredients. El Patio 77 Housed in a 19th-century mansion, this B&B is ideal for an eco-friendly getaway. It is furnished with vintage recycled pieces and uses solar panels, recycled water, LED light bulbs (that work with sensors), and filtered water (not bottled) to accompany the 100% organic breakfasts. The hotel has been acknowledged by a large number of design, travel, fashion, hotel, etc. magazines for the architectural value of the house and its configuration and decoration. Since the opening of El Patio 77, many guests have asked to use the space as a location for photos, commercials and recordings. Most of the spaces in the house have been used as locations in various print and digital media. Organico Hotel This property transports guests traveling to Mexico city to a tranquil oasis, and besides being eco-friendly, the hotel is pet friendly, too. The rooms are constructed with recycled wood, lighting is energy-efficient and activities connect guests with nature. Organico Hotel Boutique has always bet on the development of outdoor activities. Enjoying a weekend full of peace and tranquility without leaving the city is now possible thanks to this beautiful hotel nestled in the middle of the Ajusco forest, just minutes from downtown Mexico City. This place is for you if you like the beach, yoga, and sustainability. Xinalani This place is for you if you like the beach, yoga and sustainability. The villas were built and decorated by local artisans. There are eco-tours, biodegradable bath products in guestrooms and recycled water contributing to its appeal as a “green” lodge. The resort is also one of Mexico’s best wellness and yoga retreats, providing world-class yoga retreat centers. Ithe property also offers beautiful rooms, healthy Mexican food and eco-friendly activities. As a wellness resort, it provides a unique environment for those dedicated to spiritual transformation and personal growth. Azulik Tulum Tulum was created as Mexico’s ecological destination. But Azulik Tulum takes it to another level for guests who want to disconnect, relax and focus on the best of the destination. Electricity use is minimal. They have a farm-to-table menu and a clothing store with sustainable and fair-trade designs. The Azulik Hotel has been named the Prix Villegiature 2022, one of the best hotels in the Artistic Universe category. The place became a top-tier destination thanks to its fantastic beaches, natural cenotes, chill lifestyle and great restaurants. Unsurprisingly, the beach town has attracted many incredible hotels, some of which stand out among competitors. Azulik Tulum was designed to celebrate ancient Mexican history and traditions through its concept. They define the building as an “immersive work of art” with irregular lines and organic architecture. This place has Rainforest Alliance Certification, recycling, a water treatment plant, environmental education program, a plant nursery, and solar panels. Sandos Caracol A resort for the whole family that is sustainable? Yes, it exists. Sandos Caracol has Rainforest Alliance Certification, recycling, a water treatment plant, environmental education program, a plant nursery and solar panels. It is the ideal destination for your family to fall in love with green living. Sandos Caracol features the exciting All Nature Experience, with daily activities that allow guests to experience the magic found within the property’s lush ecosystems. At the eco-resort, you can snorkel in the clear waters of a natural cenote, swim through a mangrove forest and enjoy ecological excursions through the most breathtaking outdoor sites. And, best of all, it’s all-included. El Copal Lose yourself in nature at this wilderness destination to disconnect from it all. The eco-chic Cpal has ecological practices such as limited use of artificial light and water recycling and was built to adapt to the environment so as not to cut or affect the nature of the space. Located 5 minutes from downtown Mazunte and behind Punta Cometa, El Copal has become one of the most exclusive places on the Oaxacan coast. Its original rooms, ideally located among the abundant tropical vegetation of the place, and its unique design, give you the ideal disconnection from everyday life that you need. The place offers privacy and tranquility around every corner. The hotel’s goal is to be a place that feels like home, full of good times, excellent vibes, family dinners, and endless hours of talks. But with an eco-chic and artistic touch since El Copal has been artistically intervened by the Mexican neo-muralist Israel Guerra Spaik.

Economic Activity – Page 2452 Of 2452 – Providence Business News https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/economic-activity-page-2452-of-2452-providence-business-news/ SUBSCRIBE TO PBN’s All Access Subscription PBN subscribers get ahead with unlimited access to PBN news, information, and insights from our editorial team, research and data, webinars and much more.

Free Community Healthy Living Series | Montville, NJ News TAPinto – TAPinto.net https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/free-community-healthy-living-series-montville-nj-news-tapinto-tapinto-net/ Free Community Healthy Living Series | Montville, NJ News TAPinto  TAPinto.net

Nets’ Kyrie Irving, Heat’s Udonis Haslem Join Warriors’ Stephen Curry In Calling For Brittney Griner’s Release – CBS Sports https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/nets-kyrie-irving-heats-udonis-haslem-join-warriors-stephen-curry-in-calling-for-brittney-griners-release-cbs-sports/ Prior to their 2022-23 season getting underway, the Golden State Warriors received their championship rings for winning the NBA title last season. During that occasion, star guard Stephen Curry ended up having an opportunity to speak on the microphone and made sure to mention one very important topic. Curry asked for the release of women’s basketball star Brittney Griner, who was arrested in Moscow in February after officials alleged that they discovered vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage. In August, Griner was sentenced to nine years in Russian prison after she pled guilty to drug smuggling charges. For a full explainer of Griner’s situation, click here.  “We want to continue to use our platform and the opportunity to shout out a very special member of the basketball community,” Curry said prior to the Warriors’ 123-109 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday. “Brittney Griner’s birthday is today, she’s 32. We want to continue to let her name be known, and we pray,” Curry said. “It’s been 243 days since she was wrongfully incarcerated in Russia. We hope that she comes home soon, that everybody’s doing their part to get her home.” Curry was not the only one who brought attention to Griner before their team’s season opener. On Wednesday, Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving spoke to the crowd before his team’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans and said “the big picture going on in the world” was Griner’s situation. “Free our sister Brittney Griner, please. Please, POTUS, do your job,” Irving said, referencing U.S. President Joe Biden. “Everybody do your job. Please bring our sister home.”  The Miami Heat’s Udonis Haslem also addressed the crowd on Wednesday before facing the Chicago Bulls, mentioning it was Griner’s birthday this week and the fact that she has been detained for 244 days. “We’re still thinking about you and everything that you’re going through,” Haslem said. “You’re on our hearts and our minds.” Earlier this month, Griner’s wife, Cherelle, spoke to CBS’ Gayle King and revealed that she is “terrified” that she may never be able to see her wife again. An appeal of Griner’s sentence is expected to be heard later this month in a Russian courtroom. “It feels like my wife is stuck in a hostage situation,” Cherelle told King. “It terrified me because when you watch movies, sometimes those situations don’t end well. Sometimes they never get the person back.”

The UAE Metaverse Healthcare Projects Pushing Medical Frontiers – PYMNTS.com https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/the-uae-metaverse-healthcare-projects-pushing-medical-frontiers-pymnts-com/ As part of Dubai’s ambition to become a global center for metaverse business and technology, the emirate recently inaugurated its first hospital in the metaverse built by the UAE-based healthcare provider Medcare. See more: Dubai Ramps Up Efforts to Become Global Metaverse Capital The Metaverse healthcare facility mirrors Dubai’s real-world Medcare Women & Children Hospital and will be used in their medical tourism initiatives, giving potential patients an immersive experience of the hospital prior to visiting in person. Announcing the launch, Dr. Shanila Laiju, CEO Medcare Hospitals and Medical Centers, said: “Our ultimate aim is to deliver actual healthcare services by incorporating the delivery of real-time consultations through our team of over 400 medical experts.” She added that they expect traditional telemedicine services to be replaced by a need for Metaverse interactions in the long run, enabling “our patients to receive a more tangible and collaborative service.” Earlier this year, another UAE healthcare company, Thumbay Group, announced its own intentions to build a virtual hospital where doctors and patients can meet for remote consultations. Thumbay Group is also working with UAE-based Gulf Medical University to incorporate Virtual Reality (VR) into medical training. While metaverse skeptics might argue that such initiatives are little more than telehealth with 3D glasses, another project unveiled at the Gitex 2022 conference in the Dubai World Trade Center earlier this month is proving that remote medical treatment can go beyond consultations to treatment. Related: EU HealthTech Firms Use Partnerships, Hybrid Approach to Complement Existing Delivery Model Currently in the clinical trial stage, a digital new eye test is being developed by the Indian HealthTech ShopDoc. While there have been other experiments with digital eye care, previous attempts assess the change in a patient’s visual acuity over time by asking the customer to distinguish several letters and shapes in the range of their current prescription. These new tests, however, use technology developed by the U.S. digital optometry specialist CLEAR to test a more comprehensive range of prescription factors including visual acuity, contrast, pupil size, accommodation, binocular balancing and more, which the company states are able to deliver clinically verified 20/20 prescriptions. With plans to first roll out remote eye tests in India and the UAE, the technology will be available to users of the ShopDoc Metaverse platform. ShopDoc has already entered into agreements with over 100 eye clinics in the UAE as part of efforts to promote its metaverse digital eye test project. Learn more: PYMNTS Provider Rankings: Telemedicine Apps Transforming Modern Surgery With VR/AR Aside from the enhanced remote appointments made possible by VR, the technology has been used by surgeons to simulate operations. In fact, in life-or-death situations, getting in some virtual practice before can make all the difference. Earlier this year, surgeons separated two conjoined twins in Brazil after months of trialing the techniques using VR projections of the twins, based on Computed tomography (CT) and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. With some members of the team based in London and others in Rio de Janeiro, for the first time, surgeons in separate countries wore headsets and operated in the same virtual theater in real-time. To bring this kind of cutting-edge technology to the UAE, Dubai’s Abdul Latif Jameel Health has partnered with Japanese medical VR specialist Holoeyes in a project that will deploy detailed 3D VR models for training, education and analysis. In the related field of Augmented Reality (AR) assisted surgery, medical professionals in Abu Dhabi have been pioneering new surgical techniques using Microsoft’s HoloLens AR headset. The technology, which Dr. Rashed Al Shaeel of Burjeel Medical City compared to “a surgical sat-nav,” provides real-time patient data to surgeons and shows them where to make incisions. At the same time, colleagues can remotely monitor the operation through the headset’s cameras, giving specialists anywhere in the world a live view of the patient. For all PYMNTS EMEA coverage, subscribe to the daily EMEA Newsletter. Sign up for our daily newsletter. We’re always on the lookout for opportunities to partner with innovators and disruptors. Learn More https://www.pymnts.com/personnel/2022/metaverse-vp-sharma-to-head-stripes-revenue-and-financial-management/partial/ See More In: AR, Augmented Reality, digital innovation, EMEA, Healthcare, Metaverse, modern healthcare, News, remote appointments, remote healthcare, telehealth, UAE, United Arab Emirates, virtual reality, VR

FEE’s Lawrence Reed Talks Freedom, Economics In Montana – Kmmsam https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/fees-lawrence-reed-talks-freedom-economics-in-montana-kmmsam/ We had a remarkable guest join us in our radio studios here in Montana Wednesday morning. If you’re in the Billings area Wednesday night and read this in time- you can actually meet and hear Lawrence Reed, the President Emeritus of FEE, the Foundation for Economic Education at Rocky Mountain College at 7 p.m. He is speaking at an event for the Frontier Institute, a free market think tank based here in Montana. Click here for free ticket info. Reed is going to talk about “The Seven Principles of Sound Public Policy.” Aaron Flint: “Number one: free people are not equal, and equal people are not free. Expand on that a little more. Because that is a brilliant statement.” Lawrence Reed: “Well, thank you. You have to focus in on a particular kind of equality- when it comes to equality before the law, the idea that we should all be innocent or guilty based upon whether we did it, not according to our racial background, or place of origin, or faith, or whatever. That’s not an issue. What I’ll be talking about is economic equality. Equality in terms of our material income, and our wealth. And a free society is not going to generate equal incomes. And why? Mainly because people are different. There’s not a single person in the history of the world who has been identically copied by another individual. Everybody’s different. We’re different in terms of the talents, we have our willingness to work, our propensity to save versus spend, our ambitions, a million factors make us very different people. So why should we expect in a free society people will generate the same incomes? They won’t. Those who apply their talents and apply them well will tend to do better than those who don’t.” He also shared an incredible radio story from behind the Iron Curtain, before Communism came crashing down in Poland. As Tanner Avery with the Frontier Institute tells us: Lawrence was recently awarded the The Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland – the highest honor bestowed by Poland upon a foreigner. Past recipients include Ronald Reagan and Sir Roger Scruton. He was awarded this because of his extensive work to bring Liberty and Freedom to Poland. You can read more here.“ You’re gonna want to listen to the whole chat. Here’s audio of our full conversation with Larry Reed: LOOK: Things from the year you were born that don’t exist anymore The iconic (and at times silly) toys, technologies, and electronics have been usurped since their grand entrance, either by advances in technology or breakthroughs in common sense. See how many things on this list trigger childhood memories—and which ones were here and gone so fast you missed them entirely.

Crypto Asset Manager Valkyrie Lost The Biggest Investor In Its $11M Funding Round – CoinDesk https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/crypto-asset-manager-valkyrie-lost-the-biggest-investor-in-its-11m-funding-round-coindesk/ Elizabeth Napolitano is a news reporter at CoinDesk. Months after announcing it had raised $11.15 million, crypto asset manager Valkyrie Investments earlier this month revealed – quietly – that the biggest participant in the funding round reneged, leaving Valkyrie scrambling to find others to fill the gap. In a letter that went largely unnoticed until now, Valkyrie CEO Leah Wald wrote that an entity she called CSA Evolution VC Fund was no longer able to contribute $5 million toward the transaction. “We had a signed subscription doc in-hand, and their [limited partners] were blue chip firms that have impeccable reputations in the business,” she wrote in the letter dated Oct. 7. “In the months that have since passed, though, those LPs backed out and the investor was unable to meet its obligation.” She went on to say that Valkyrie was looking for other investors to step in. When reached Wednesday, a Valkyrie spokesperson said, “we of course are in advanced talks with a number of potential investors who have expressed interest in our firm, and hope to have positive news in the coming weeks.” Before the publication of this story, there was a single Google search result for CSA Evolution VC Fund: Wald’s letter. There are signs, however, that there is an association of some kind with Clear Sky Advisers, a Houston-based firm that describes itself as an investor in “environmental credits and companies focused on decarbonization, electrification and resource sustainability.” First, there’s the obvious: Clear Sky Advisers can logically be shortened to CSA. But far more significantly than that, Valkyrie’s June press release on the more than $11 million fundraising listed, among others, a participant it called “Clearsky.” There was no mention of CSA Evolution VC Fund. Furthermore, there’s a person who clearly connects Valkyrie and Clear Sky Advisers. The CEO of the latter, Shawn Singh, is mentioned in Valkyrie regulatory filings for its exchange-traded funds (ETFs). He is listed, for instance, as a trustee of the Valkyrie ETF Trust II. Clear Sky Advisers declined to comment. Singh did not respond to multiple requests for comment. In June, Valkyrie Chief Investment Officer Steven McClurg downplayed the importance of Valkyrie’s raise. He told CoinDesk that Valkyrie had even declined some offers, which were unsolicited. In the end, the decision to accept the investments was “less about the money and more about [forming] strategic partnerships” with key industry players, McClurg said. “We really weren’t anticipating raising any capital right now.” That message conflicts with Valkyrie’s own regulatory filings. In March, the company told the SEC it was seeking to raise $20 million and already had $5.1 million in fresh capital banked. (Valkyrie’s previous funding round was a $10 million Series A in June 2021). And Wald’s comments suggest Valkyrie is still hungry for capital. “Over the past few months, we explored a number of avenues and potential solutions to get the promised investment in the door,” she wrote. “In fact, the firm’s principal recently made an investment from his own personal funds.” And now Valkyrie has “decided for now to pursue alternative funding sources, including additional investors.” Valkyrie had hoped to use venture capital money to fund its staking and mining operations and ultimately court more institutional investors in the digital assets space. The firm currently runs several operations, including a decentralized finance (DeFi) hedge fund, three ETFs listed on Nasdaq, several protocol trusts and a protocol treasury management business. In the second quarter, the firm reported $1.2 billion in assets under management. “It pains me to have to write this letter,” Wald wrote. “Thankfully, we are already talking to a handful of prominent investors who may be willing to step in and fill this gap, and are eager to move past this challenge.” Sign up for The Node, our daily newsletter bringing you the biggest crypto news and ideas. By signing up, you will receive emails about CoinDesk product updates, events and marketing and you agree to our terms of services and privacy policy. DISCLOSURE Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated . The leader in news and information on cryptocurrency, digital assets and the future of money, CoinDesk is a media outlet that strives for the highest journalistic standards and abides by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk is an independent operating subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, which invests in cryptocurrencies and blockchain startups. As part of their compensation, certain CoinDesk employees, including editorial employees, may receive exposure to DCG equity in the form of stock appreciation rights, which vest over a multi-year period. CoinDesk journalists are not allowed to purchase stock outright in DCG . Elizabeth Napolitano is a news reporter at CoinDesk. Elizabeth Napolitano is a news reporter at CoinDesk.

Georgia Man, 80, Arrested At U.S. Capitol With Guns In His Van – Reuters.com https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/georgia-man-80-arrested-at-u-s-capitol-with-guns-in-his-van-reuters-com/ Oct 19 (Reuters) – An 80-year-old Georgia man illegally parked on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, saying he wanted to deliver documents to the Supreme Court, was arrested on Wednesday after three guns were found in his van, police said. Tony Payne of Tunnel Hill, Georgia, was taken into custody three weapons-related charges, the U.S. Capitol Police said in a written statement. Two passengers in the van were detained but not arrested. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Capitol Police officers spotted the white van parked illegally near the U.S. Supreme Court building at around 3:45 p.m. EST. When they approached, the three occupants said they had come to deliver documents to the court. Payne told officers that he had weapons in the van and a search turned up two handguns and a shotgun, along with a pipe and containers, Capitol Police said. Capitol Police said dozens of people are arrested each year for bringing weapons onto Capitol grounds. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Dan Whitcomb; Editing by Sandra Maler Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

1,500 Poor Households To Get Technology Boost | News – Jamaica Gleaner https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/1500-poor-households-to-get-technology-boost-news-jamaica-gleaner/ Flow Jamaica will start providing bundled package Internet, laptops and training at a subsidised rate to selected poor households as a means of spurring economic and social development.  The pilot will initially supply 1,500 households across Jamaica. The data gathered from the pilot will inform Flow on steps to widen the project. Households will pay $800 a month for the service worth at least five times more at market rates.   “The pilot will be rolling out in days,” stated Stephen Price, vice president and general manager at Flow Jamaica, at the launch on Wednesday at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston.   Headlines Delivered to Your Inbox The households will receive devices, particularly a HP laptop, Internet connectivity and digital skills training. Educational entities OneonOne Limited, an online platform, and the Caribbean School of Data, with its implementing partner Mona School of Business, will provide the training.  “From a cost perspective we are sharing the partnership in terms of education fees and digital literacy fees,” said Price in the question-and-answer session.  Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government issued some 40,000 laptops to students as a means of allowing them to conduct classes remotely. It was aimed at stemming the spread of the virus.   The Flow project, called Jump, aims to hone in on vulnerable households that are likely to continue to fall behind in connectivity and education. Price said that overtime he expects it to increase graduation rates, jobs, financial inclusion and overall economic growth.  “Jump is our new programme to bridge the digital divide,” he said and later explained about measuring the uptake and usage of the devices. “We will be measuring success at every stage. So, we have a mark for three-months, six-months and so on, just to make sure we are collecting the data as we go,” said Price.  The launch was endorsed by Karl Samuda, Minister of Labour and Social Security, and Daryl Vaz, Minister of Science, Energy and Technology. The 1,500 households will be chosen from a list under the Government’s Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) programme.   Steven.jackson@gleanerjm.com Follow The Gleaner on Twitter and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.

‘I Don’t Deserve To Be Spoken To Like This’ — Voters Take Frustration Out On Staff Ahead Of Election – San Antonio Express-News https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/i-dont-deserve-to-be-spoken-to-like-this-voters-take-frustration-out-on-staff-ahead-of-election-san-antonio-express-news/ SAN ANTONIO — Mail-in ballots continue to try the patience of voters and the Bexar County elections staff ahead of the November election. Callers are demanding and demeaning, calling staff incompetent and swearing at them because they have not yet received their ballots, according to Elections Administrator Jacque Callanen. Elections officials keep a record of exactly when a ballot was mailed, but some callers have accused workers of lying to them. “I’ve actually told my staff — which I wouldn’t have believed I’d do it — I’m telling them that they can say, ‘I don’t deserve to be spoken to like this, I’m ending the call,’” Callanen said Wednesday. “I can tell you the staff members who have had to do it are upset because that’s not our norm, and it never should be our norm.” On ExpressNews.com: ‘We’re completely isolated’ — Bexar County election workers stress security when counting votes Callanen said there are less than 40,000 mail ballot applications, a small amount compared to the 125,000 applications for the presidential election. As of Wednesday, 38,000 ballots have been sent out, and 6,000 are back in-house, Callanen said. But the complicated absentee voting process is just one headache for the staff ahead of the Nov. 8 election. Commissioners Court responded earlier this week to a judge’s ruling requiring Callanen and her staff to open several more polling locations on Election Day — 302 sites compared with the 267 planned on Oct. 5. “The staff is scurrying,” Callanen said. The Texas Organizing Project last month sued the Bexar County Elections Department over its plans to reduce the number of Election Day polling sites — a move the liberal activist group argued would make it harder for minority voters to cast ballots. Election officials are training judges and recruiting to make sure they are ready to man every site. “It’s getting close. We’re almost there,” Callanen said. “We’ve had a number of people just reach out to us. My fantastic trainer is almost exhausted because she’s having continual training classes.” Callanen said this is important because their policy is not to have a voting center without an election judge with experience working an election. In Bexar County, registered voters can cast their ballot at any location they choose. Four school districts have declared Election Day a school holiday — including North Side, Northeast, East Central and Southwest independent school districts — to allow voters to cast their ballot at campus polling sites without jeopardizing student safety. One additional school district has provided “pushback,” but Callanen said she understands that some districts don’t want the added security risk. “We want everybody to be safe,” Callanen said. “We want the students to be safe in the schools. We want our election officials to be safe — and especially for the voters.” The final list of 302 Election Day sites was unavailable Wednesday, and 51 early vote centers are scheduled to open next week. “The polls will open Monday, bright and early,” Callanen said, looking up at a clear blue sky on a cool day outside the elections headquarters, a butterfly hovering over the news conference. “I hope we have a good day like this.” On ExpressNews.com: ‘Quite frankly, no excuse not to vote’ — Bexar County settles lawsuit with 302 polling sites Asked about Election Day security, Callanen said plans are in place to respond to any disturbances, but she did not elaborate on what they are. She did, however, say that anyone arrested for disturbance or breach of peace must be allowed to vote first before being taken to jail, as mandated in the Texas elections code. Callanen said the staff expects between 650,000 and 700,000 people to vote, though many of them may not rush out at the start of early voting. To that end, staff will still be given protective equipment despite the decreased risk of COVID. Callanen said they also expect more poll monitors who will be outside the 100-foot mark. “It’s an important election,” Callanen said. “There’s just a lot of emotion behind it. So, you know, we’re going to prepare our election judges, how to soften things, how to pay attention. I think that’s all necessary things that we’re going to be training them on Friday.” jbeltran@express-news.net

Have You Been Priced Out Of Hawaii Vacations Too? – Beat Of Hawaii https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/have-you-been-priced-out-of-hawaii-vacations-too-beat-of-hawaii/ You’ve said it thousands of times in the comments. And we hear you. The cost of Hawaii vacations has jumped tremendously. We just experienced this ourselves on last week’s visit to the Big Island. The price of the same accommodations rose about 300% over pre-Covid. Wow. At the same time, interisland airfare plummeted to $39 each way. The increases in the cost of Hawaii vacations are across the entire range of trip expenses. It includes transportation (and especially car rentals), hotels, food, and Hawaii activities. We’d go so far as to say that Hawaii vacations have become synonymous with being expensive and are best compared with international vacation costs rather than with domestic ones. It is said that Americans tend to budget about 2% of their annual budget on vacations. That is according to the latest federal government statistics. But Hawaii is in a league by itself, and those budgets are now out the window in most cases. How we saved on our Hawaii vacation on the Big Island. Instead of booking massages for $300 or more at the hotel spa, we both opted for the Hokulani Massage Academy in Waimea, where apprentice massage rates are $45 for an hour and a professional hour-long massage is $75. We also asked for a microwave at our hotel to enjoy lanai dining from the grocery store rather than an expensive eat-out meal every single night. With that said, we did splurge and ate at the Canoe House one night, which we enjoyed thoroughly and will perhaps review based on the food, location, ambiance, and creativity. Another savings was checking and rechecking the prices of car rentals before our trip. We wrote about that experience specifically in We Saved Extra 25% On Hawaii Car Rental. It Wasn’t Costco. We also had sticker shock trying to get an Uber at one point. The 12-mile trip was first priced at $179, and we’ll let you know what happened to that in another humorous yet telltale article. So while airfare and hotel prices may or may not fluctuate, you can save on activities and dining by being creative and doing online research. If you have any tips on how you saved on your Hawaii vacation, please share them with others in the comments below, since prices have soared to new records. What is today’s average cost of a moderate 7-night Hawaii vacation for two? Accommodations: $2,800 (that is at the economy end of the scale). Air transportation: $1,200 (may be more or less depending on location). Car rental: $800 (varies significantly by season and other factors). Food and beverages: $1,400 (with one moderate main meal out daily). Total estimated average cost: $6,200 per week. Due to the cost of airfare to travel from 2,500 to 5,000 miles and the highest accommodation cost in the U.S., Hawaii vacations are unlike most domestic trips. The total costs can vary greatly by how you travel, where you stay and eat, and what you do. Older Hawaii vacationers tend to spend more. We’ve seen estimates that those who are retired or near retirement spend up to 4x more on Hawaii vacations than those in their 20s for example. Will you now shun Hawaii for more affordable vacations? Hawaii vacation costs here have escalated more rapidly than we see elsewhere. Take even restaurants, for example. They have raised their prices due to food, supplies, shipping, insurance, and fuel costs. That is probably the truth, given what we see here at Costco and other stores here in Hawaii. Prices have risen more here than elsewhere. In part, that is due to the distance that everything needs to travel to get to Hawaii. How hard is it for Hawaii tourism businesses to attract and retain employees? Then there’s the cost of people. It is extremely hard to attract employees to the Hawaii travel industry after Covid. And that problem doesn’t seem to be improving. We still find businesses suddenly closed when adequate staffing doesn’t show up to work. Higher airfares are coming too, except for these specific routes. The cost of flights to Hawaii is on the rise. Economy airfares to Hawaii have risen less, whereas extra legroom and business class have risen far more. These premium offerings have risen in price by on average more than 100% since pre-Covid, based on our own checking. The exception to airfare increases is on those routes where extreme competition between Hawaiian and Southwest continues to suppress price increases. That includes Hawaii flights from California cities and interisland flights primarily. On those routes, it is still easy to find Hawaii airfares of about $300 RT, or less, including all taxes and fees. In that case, for two people, the average cost might be at or below $600. Start Hawaii trip planning with Hawaii hotels to find any value options. Since Hawaii hotel rates are the highest in the US, start looking for value options there before purchasing airfare. Revenge travel, post-pandemic, allowed those rates to rise to levels never seen before. In your editors’ visit to the Big Island this week, we found that hotel rates had risen multiple times since last being there pre-Covid. For example, we once wrote about staying at the oceanfront Kona Tiki Hotel on Big Island, when it was $69 a night. When checking rates today, that same room starts at $309 nightly for a two-star budget hotel. Up on the Kohala coast, oceanfront resorts have gone up in price by hundreds of percent. Hawaii hotels/vacation rentals are the number one expense. This can now cost at least five times more than Hawaii airfare. With the highest hotel accommodation rates in the U.S., accommodation for an average 7-night Hawaii vacation, including all taxes and fees, is likely to amount to $3,000 or more. And if you’re heading to Maui, keep in mind that Wailea hotels are still getting daily rates in the range of $1,000. So you can expect a 7-nighter with taxes and fees to run you $8,500 or more. Those estimates are conservative too. We recently checked rates at South Maui properties for January and found Andaz, and Four Seasons, for example, starting at nearly $2,000 per night. Lower-end properties, such as Aston Maui Hill, were asking $1,098 in January. Remember that Hawaii hotels have dynamic pricing and tend to adjust prices daily and seasonally. Ever considered the 7-night NCL Cruise visiting four islands? The current price starts at $1,449 per person and includes your room, dining, entertainment, Wi-Fi, and free ground excursions. Your editors have done this cruise twice and highly recommend it. When you add up the cost of a 7-night vacation for two, this is an attractive option to save money and visit Big Island, Oahu, Maui, and Kauai. Plus it’s just a lot of fun. Have you tried buying a lei in Hawaii lately? This is just another example of costs that have gone through the roof. The cost of flowers in Hawaii has become extreme. Once ubiquitous and cheap, flowers are hard to come by. Also likely due to the lack of labor for island flower farming. We also opted out of purchasing a beach towel at our Big Island hotel, which was $117 with tax. Seriously? Now it’s your turn to comment. Have you been surprised by the costs in Hawaii? What have you done to save money? Disclosure: We receive a small commission on purchases from some of the links on Beat of Hawaii. These links cost you nothing and provide income necessary to offer our website to you. Mahalo! Privacy Policy and Disclosures.

Piramal Pharma Falls 4.98 Pc After Listing | Business News – The Indian Express https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/piramal-pharma-falls-4-98-pc-after-listing-business-news-the-indian-express/ PPL includes Piramal Pharma Solutions (PPS), an integrated contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO), Piramal Critical Care (PCC), a complex hospital generics business and the India consumer healthcare business, selling over-the-counter (OTC) products. Piramal Pharma Ltd, which listed its shares on the stock exchanges on Wednesday, closed down by 4.98 per cent at Rs 191.75 on the BSE. As part of the demerger process, four equity shares of face value of Rs 10 each fully paid up of Piramal Pharma will be issued and allotted for every one share of face value of Rs 2 held in Piramal Enterprises. “The simplification of the corporate structure will unlock greater shareholder value. PPL is well poised to be a global Indian brand in the pharmaceutical space. It has an integrated business model, niche product offerings and a global team to deliver responsible growth in the future,” said Ajay Piramal, Chairman of Piramal Group. In June 2020, PPL signed an agreement with The Carlyle Group Inc. to invest growth equity capital for a 20% stake in Piramal Pharma. Accordingly, the pharmaceuticals business was vertically demerged from Piramal Enterprises Ltd (PEL). In October 2021, the board of directors of PEL approved the demerger of the pharmaceuticals business and simplification of the corporate structure to transform PEL from being a multi-sector conglomerate to two separate sector-focused listed entities in financial services and pharmaceuticals. PPL includes Piramal Pharma Solutions (PPS), an integrated contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO), Piramal Critical Care (PCC), a complex hospital generics business and the India consumer healthcare business, selling over-the-counter (OTC) products. In addition, it has a joint venture with Allergan, a leader in ophthalmology in the Indian formulations market. First published on: 20-10-2022 at 04:16:47 am

Straight To The Point | Living It | Stlamerican.com – St. Louis American https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/straight-to-the-point-living-it-stlamerican-com-st-louis-american/ Kelly McGowan, a self-proclaimed health advocate, talks about the legislation of local St. Louis politics in her animated series Straight Facts. The St. Louis city resident isn’t shy about sharing her concerns, dislikes, or downright disdain for some of our elected officials or their policies.  Straight Talks sheds light on how our local government contributes to many of the things that go on in our neighborhoods. For example, development projects, zoning, the closing of our schools, or the opening of liquor stores in our communities.  She helped develop a wellness program aimed at making sure that Black and brown communities are engaging in healthy behaviors for the Missouri Foundation for Health initiative Healthy Schools Healthy Communities. It illuminated many of our region’s problems that are beyond access to healthy food options for poor Black and brown neighborhoods.  “I realized through that experience that local government impacts how our environment, and communities are designed,” said McGowan.  Straight Facts encourages residents to attend municipal and St. Louis County Council meetings, and McGowan believes that access to local government can be difficult – especially for everyday people. Straight Facts breaks down jargon and “lets the people know what’s going down.”  Straight Facts creator Kelly McGowan sitting in front of St. Louis City Hall where the idea for the series started Fri. Oct. 14, 2022. Photo by Wiley Price | The St. Louis American During her work with MFH initiative, McGowan visited north county communities and school districts including Riverview Gardens, Normandy, and Ferguson-Florissant.  She noted “how much red tape and hoops” she had to jump through to get free programs addressing healthy eating incorporated in many north county municipalities. “The fragmentation in north county was eye-opening for me,” said McGowan.  Bordering municipalities don’t collaborate, she said. This created many barriers and challenges, slowing progress on her work.  After ending her time with the Missouri Foundation For Health she immersed herself in talking with the locals about their thoughts and feelings about the eclectic officials in our region.  She heard concerns that many residents do not have enough time to engage in politics, and residents needed more explanation about zoning, development projects, legislation, and board bills.  McGowan listened to recordings of public meetings and wondered how she could get this information to the public in a way that is easily understood. The Straight Facts concept was born. “The process to get the series up and running took over a year, but it was a real labor of love,” said McGowan.  The animated series made its debut in September at the Contemporary Art Museum, and the creator says it is “a conversation starter to get people to start asking questions, start calling these politicians out,” said McGowan.  The first season included five-episodes, and covered former and current local elected officials. McGowan hopes viewers walk away feeling empowered and “revved up to make a difference, and address their complaints and concerns.” “If we show up collectively actively we can make something shake,” she said.  “I want everybody and their mama to see [Straight Facts],” she said. “Too many of our elected officials feel like ‘who gon check me boo?’ and it’s time we start checking them. They work for us.  She is hoping viewers check out the show on YouTube, in particular high school students. She hopes to partner with St. Louis Public Schools to see how she can collaborate with them on how to incorporate Straight Facts into their curriculum.  “We have to be very intentional about nurturing our students and providing them with the tools to learn more about local government. Teaching them the importance of advocacy. I want to make sure young minds have the right information,” said McGowan.  You can find Straight Facts on Youtube under Kelly McG314. Ashley Winters is the Report for America reporter for the St. Louis American

List Of Mass Sports Betting Operators Hopefuls Includes An Underdog (Or Two) – Gaming Today https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/list-of-mass-sports-betting-operators-hopefuls-includes-an-underdog-or-two-gaming-today/ Massachusetts could see an “underdog” or two among its mobile sports betting apps when the state launches online sports betting in 2023.  New York-based Underdog Sports Wagering and Nigeria-based Easywin are among 23 mobile sports betting operators that made an Oct. 17 deadline to submit required company information to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) as part of the agency’s sports betting licensing application process.  Another is Buddybet, an Australian social entertainment platform that allows bettors to wager with a handshake. “No odds, no complicated betting terms, no fat-cat bookmakers, just bets between buddies,” is how the app describes itself.  But more than a handshake will be required by applicants competing for 16 mobile Massachusetts sports betting licenses – including only seven standalone apps. Newcomers vying for a spot in the Bay State market will have to contend with well-established operators like FanDuel, BetMGM, DraftKings, and Caesars that now operate sportsbooks in dozens of states.  The MGC meets Thursday to continue reviewing – and maybe approving – a number of the 200-plus state regulations needed to get in-person sports betting live by late January and mobile sports betting up and running by March Madness next year. Underdog Sports Wagering Underdog Sports Wagering out of Brooklyn is one of the 23 companies that made the Oct. 17 deadline and is now allowed to compete for a Massachusetts mobile sports betting license in the coming weeks. Underdog is a longtime fantasy sports company that has recently ventured into sports betting in both Massachusetts and Ohio.  The company has partnered to be the mobile operator for the Cincinnati Reds when the Buckeye State launches sports betting Jan. 1. BetMGM will opererate the Reds’ retail sportsbook. Underdog’s expansion is part of its “focus on building new, innovative games and delivering amazing customer experiences,” according to a quote from Underdog investor Chris Grove of Acies Investments shared by WCPO-TV on Sept. 7.  “As the company moves into licensed sports betting, I believe that the unique focus on product and experience will reshape the industry,” Grove said.  Easywin Easywin operates an online sports gaming and lottery app in several African nations including Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, and Nigeria. A LinkedIn page for the company says its plan now is to expand into the legal sports betting realm in other countries.  A quick look at Easywin’s online platform shows active sports betting options for soccer (including MLS matches) basketball, volleyball, badminton, tennis, and table tennis. The site bills itself as “one of the best sports betting sites in Nigeria.”  “Easywin Lottery operates and provides an integrated portfolio of leading-edge technology products and services across all regulated gaming markets (with) plans to introduce electronic gaming machines, sports betting, interactive gaming, and commercial services,” says the site.  Six Possible Mass Sports Betting Retail Locations Also in the Running There are 29 companies in all that made the Monday deadline and can now proceed with the rest of the sports betting application process in Massachusetts. Twenty-three of those are in the running for a mobile sports betting license. The other six are the state’s three casinos and three simulcast/racing facilities, all of which are eligible to apply for in-person and mobile licenses under the Bay State’s 2022 sports betting law.  Until recently, only two simulcast facilities – Raynham Park and Suffolk Downs – were considered likely to seek retail sports betting licenses and separate licenses for mobile sportsbook apps branded to each facility. Then in early October, Great Meadowbrook Farm in Hardwick announced it is also seeking to operate retail sports betting next year. That increased the number of potential mobile sportsbook apps in Massachusetts to 16 from 15 earlier this fall.  Application Deadline Set for Nov. 21 The data submitted by the 29 companies is part of Massachusetts’ sports betting license application  process and a prerequisite to be considered as an applicant. The deadline to submit the application itself is Nov. 21. Under that deadline, the MGC is expected to meet its plans to launch retail sports betting in late January. That would have in-person sports betting live in the state in time for Super Bowl 57 on Feb. 12. Mobile sports betting, however, will miss the big game. Full List of Potential Mass Sports Betting Operators Companies that submitted requested information by the Oct. 17 deadline and are now potential applicants for a Massachusetts sports betting license are as follows:   Casino – Retail         Encore Boston Harbor          MGM Springfield          Plainridge Park Casino  Simulcast/Racing – Retail         Commonwealth Equine and Agricultural Center/Great Meadowbrook Farm          Raynham Park          Suffolk Downs  Mobile           Bally Bet          bet365          Betfred          BetMGM          Betr          BetRivers          Betway          BuddyBet          Caesars Sportsbook          Clutchbet          DraftKings          Easywin          Fanatics          FanDuel Sportsbook          Fanlogic          MaximBet          Mohegan Digital          Novibet          Penn Sports Interactive          PointsBet          Underdog Sports Wagering          Unibet          WynnBet  Photo Contributor: alexei_tm

Will The Gulf’s Metaverse Gamble Pay Off? – Scoop Empire https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/will-the-gulfs-metaverse-gamble-pay-off-scoop-empire/ Saudi Arabia has invested billions into metaverse technologies and included the metaverse as a vital component of its ambitious NEOM city project. The UAE has likewise made heavy investments and the country’s Ministry of Economy has even opened an office in the virtual world. However, the promise of a new digital economy to aid the region’s transition away from a reliance on oil has so far been built on the conceptual framework of the metaverse, which has continued to elude any concrete definition. Despite massive investments and the utopian promises of its proponents, serious doubts have begun to emerge about the feasibility of the project as a whole, especially in regards to the belief that it has the ability to reshape the global economy. As the NFT and cryptocurrency markets crash and many who have ventured into the metaverse for work or play report underwhelming and headache-inducing experiences, many are increasingly asking the question, what’s the point of the metaverse? The Arab World Invests Big in the Metaverse In a symbolic move representing how seriously the UAE is taking the metaverse, the country’s Ministry of Economy during the Dubai Metaverse Assembly announced that it had invested in metaverse real estate to host the ministry’s digital headquarters. According to Khaleej Times, during the event, Minister Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri announced that, “with advanced physical and digital infrastructure, the UAE can build on its position as a gateway for global trade to become a digital export centre and a leading metaverse economy.” The announcement by the UAE’s Ministry of Economy shortly followed Dubai’s Crown Prince Shiekh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announcing the Dubai Metaverse Strategy. As a world first, the comprehensive plan ambitiously aims to add $4 billion a year to the emirate’s economy by 2030, in addition to adding 40,000 virtual jobs. To encourage a digital economy, the UAE also set up the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority and approved a whole host of laws relating to virtual asserts. This attempt to attract investments and confidence in the UAE’s metaverse project and for cryptocurrencies to increasingly turn to Dubai, was a world first. The emirate of Ajman in the UAE experimented with the metaverse in a bid to improve its police services. Several officers from one of the emirate’s police stations were trained on how to use virtual reality goggles and were tasked with meeting residents in the metaverse and responding to their queries. Reported by local officials as being a success, Ajman claims to have plans to expand the program to all police stations across the country and to slowly include other government services. Not addressed, however, was why putting on a pair of VR goggles and logging into the metaverse to get your question answered by a police officer was either better or more convenient than just calling on the telephone. Qatar has similarly been no stranger to efforts to incorporate the metaverse as an important part of its economy. In a world first, Warba Bank became the first bank run on Islamic principles to enter the metaverse. Qatar University similarly followed suit and became the world’s first university to enter the metaverse. Turning to Saudi Arabia, as part of its economic restructuring plan, $6.4 billion has been set aside for investments into advanced technologies, many of which depend on metaverse and blockchain technologies. NEOM city is set to have a virtual city alongside the physical one, with NEOM Tech & Digital Company having just been given a billion dollars by the central government to launch its own metaverse. Private initiatives have also tried to experiment with the metaverse, with one advertising agency organising celebrations for Saudi National Day virtually on the metaverse. A Storm Brewing in the Metaverse? Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar have ridden the wave of metaverse enthusiasm, undoubtedly driven by predictions by McKinsey & Company that the sector will generate up to $5 trillion by 2030 in an opportunity described by the global management consultancy as “too big for companies to ignore”. However, critics are increasingly arguing that the metaverse, which proponents claim is “too big for companies to ignore”, may instead be too good to be true. Continuing to avoid definition or a clear summary of its benefits and workings, the metaverse has also in its early stages failed to impress upon a large range of users its real use or value. With the undefined future digital economy being such a large part of the development plans of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE and such large amounts of money in the region already being invested in the sector, whether the metaverse comes to fruition is of great importance. NFTs, or non-fungible token, which are proposed as being an important part of the ownership structure in the metaverse, have undergone a significant drop in value. With both the amount of sales going down by 92% and average price of sales for NFTs now a quarter of what they once where, the market is undergoing a drastic dip following the previous hype around the digital assets. Many critics have been pointing to examples of how the massively reduced resell value of NFTs is revealing how NFT valuation was built almost completely on hot air. For example, the listing of an NFT of the world’s first ever tweet, went from a list price of $48 million to only receiving a top bid of around $13,000. Considering the owner originally paid $2.9 million for the NFT, this incredible loss in value raises serious questions as to the viability of the use of NFTs in the metaverse, let alone proposing they form an important part of a nation’s economy, as proposed by Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The plunge in NFT prices have been mirrored by a collapse in the metaverse’s real estate market. Bringing to light the question of how the virtual world really relates to the physical world in terms of actual value, virtual mansions brought almost for the same price as actual mansions are now worth a mere 20% of their previous value, according to WeMeta. Considering that the metaverse is presented as an important part of the world’s future economy by its proponents, market volatility and false valuations leaving investors empty handed are the opposite of the type of market confidence that successful economies require. The virtual world has also unfortunately brought parts of the real world that would be best left behind. In a depressingly common occurrence mentioned by numerous female journalists exploring the metaverse, sexual harassment is rife. With various metaverse platforms enabling hand gestures, groping and lewd gestures have also become part of this new world. Worryingly, reporters have also posed as children on several metaverse platforms and were very quickly subject to grooming attempts by adults. This widely reported phenomenon puts the metaverse’s claim to being an inclusive place into serious doubt and raises serious concern for the safety of women and children. How and if this can be properly policed is a difficult question to answer, and presents serious problems for Saudi’s NEOM project trying to introduce virtual citizenship as an important part of city life for its residents. Away from the serious economic and social problems plaguing the metaverse, there’s also the question of whether people actually like using the platform. With Meta’s Horizon platform receiving numerous complaints about glitches and how awkward it can make social interactions, the platform has only attracted around 200,000 monthly users. Considering the amount of money invested and promotion of the platform, these low numbers when compared to Meta’s other platforms puts doubt on the feasibility of people and businesses adopting to transition to the metaverse for both work and leisure. The notion of the metaverse and associated technologies like blockchain and NFTs are undoubtedly coming under increasing scrutiny and going through a turbulent period. However, many explain these as necessary growing pains for a growing technology that has yet to be properly or even understood. While there is an argument to be made that the internet similarly went through a slow, steady, and sometimes tumultuous growing period, and likewise avoided a substantial definition for many years. Whether the metaverse as a concept will emerge along with the development of the technology itself and its real value and uses make themselves apparent over time is still yet to be seen. However, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE show no signs of slowing down on their drive to create a new virtual economy and social life based on the metaverse and are continuing full steam ahead. WE SAID THIS: Don’t Miss… Good News, Pilgrims! Saudi Is Taking Hajj And Umrah To The Metaverse

COMFEE’ Retro Small Microwave Oven Review 2022 – The Kitchn https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/comfee-retro-small-microwave-oven-review-2022-the-kitchn/ Access to this page has been denied because we believe you are using automation tools to browse the website. This may happen as a result of the following: Javascript is disabled or blocked by an extension (ad blockers for example) Your browser does not support cookies Please make sure that Javascript and cookies are enabled on your browser and that you are not blocking them from loading. Reference ID: #f5e053ae-5003-11ed-b253-66684b4f524d

Crypto Is ‘easily Tracked,’ And Not As Anonymous As You Think – Michal Gromek – Kitco NEWS https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/crypto-is-easily-tracked-and-not-as-anonymous-as-you-think-michal-gromek-kitco-news/ Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin can be “easily tracked,” said Michal Gromek, Co-Chair of the Digital Asset Task Force, a committee at the Global Coalition to Fight Financial Crime. Would-be criminals cannot easily escape law enforcement. “Conducting transactions on the blockchain and feeling that you will run away and be unpunished is not true,” he said. “Most suspects can be easily tracked.” Gromek said that coin exchanges are usually subject to KYC (Know-Your-Customer) and anti-money laundering regulations. This makes it easier to trace criminals. “On a global level, there is a financial action task force… to ensure that cryptocurrency brokers are subject to [legislation],” he explained. “When you send money to another wallet, and then to a sanctioned entity, this is still visible on the blockchain… and that can still be reported.” Gromek spoke with David Lin, Anchor and Producer at Kitco News, at the Future Blockchain Summit in Dubai. Financial Crimes It is “not very smart” to use “pseudo-anonymous” cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ether to conduct illegal transactions, said Gromek. “According to reports, illicit activities on the blockchain are roughly around 0.15 percent of all transactions,” he stated. “Conducting transactions on the blockchain with pseudo-anonymous currencies is not smart.” Since the blockchain stores data on all transactions and wallet addresses, police can use these data to track down criminals. “You just type in different cryptocurrency addresses and you can see how the transactions have been flowing,” he said. Even cold wallets, which are offline, are not impervious to surveillance, since cold wallet crypto holders, who want to use their funds, will ultimately need a hot wallet, Gromek said. Hackers and Scam Artists In order to prevent money from being stolen from a crypto scammer, investors should “select partners which are active in a trusted jurisdiction, working with a good regulator,” said Gromek. “Some regulators, ask you [crypto companies] to deploy your code to them, and then they review your code,” he said. “And then, there is a trust approval saying that this code or this token or this solution is approved.” However, he emphasized that there is always a “risk” when investing in new products. “You basically have to have a bit of faith that whatever we do on a global level will yield results that are accessible for everyone,” said Gromek, referring to the task of regulators. Privacy Coins? Monero, a proof-of-work cryptocurrency that uses complex codes to hide wallet addresses, is a so-called ‘privacy coin,’ which is intended to protect both anonymity and privacy of users. This is in contrast to Bitcoin, in which a wallet address can be used to identify users. However, even so-called privacy coins like Monero can be traced by law enforcement. “There are still tools that we can use for privacy coins as well, that are being used to identify suspects that are conducting certain crimes,” said Gromek. To find out Gromek’s thoughts on Central Bank Digital Currencies, watch the video above. Follow David Lin on Twitter: @davidlin_TV Follow Kitco News on Twitter: @KitcoNewsNOW Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.

Canada Promises Industry It Will Respond To U.S. Inflation Act – Reuters Canada https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/canada-promises-industry-it-will-respond-to-u-s-inflation-act-reuters-canada/ OTTAWA, Oct 19 (Reuters) – Canada must strengthen its incentives meant to help industry scale up clean technologies after the United States passed massive investments in August to accelerate the green transition there, the finance minister said on Wednesday. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was signed into law by U.S. President Joe Biden and contains incentives for consumers and businesses as the United States seeks to drastically cut its carbon emissions. “This is a far-reaching piece of legislation with a lot of different consequences for Canada,” Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland told reporters in Windsor, Ontario, where she spoke to automotive parts manufacturers earlier. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com There are “elements” of the IRA that Canada needs to “respond to,” she said. “We are working on it. You will see some of that in the fall economic statement, and you’ll see further action in the budget in the spring.” Freeland said she would soon announce a date for the annual fall economic statement (FES), which is when the government updates its economic projections and sometimes tweaks its spending plans. Canada should avoid new stimulus in the FES, analysts told Reuters last week. Canadian companies seeking to build carbon capture facilities and manufacturers hoping to attract new electric vehicle (EV) or battery plants have expressed concern that the IRA will give the United States an unfair advantage. Governments in Europe and Asia have raised complaints about parts of the act impacting their industries. On Wednesday, the Biden administration announced another big boost for its green transition, saying it was awarding $2.8 billion in grants to encourage U.S. production of EVs or the minerals that go in their batteries. Freeland has repeatedly welcomed the introduction of the IRA because it puts the United States on a path toward the green transition without penalizing Canada with new EV consumer tax credits only for American carmakers as had initially been announced. Instead the tax credits are allowed for “North American” carmakers. The sweeping IRA also boosts the requirements to source critical minerals used to make batteries with free-trade agreement allies like Canada, which has an abundance of the minerals but still needs to scale up production and processing. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Ismail Shakil in Ottawa; Editing by Steve Scherer and Matthew Lewis Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

US Busts Network Providing Technology To Russian Military – The Associated Press https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/us-busts-network-providing-technology-to-russian-military-the-associated-press/ WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Wednesday announced a round of criminal charges and sanctions related to a complicated scheme to procure military technologies from U.S. manufacturers and illegally supply them to Russia for its war in Ukraine. Some of the equipment was recovered on battlefields in Ukraine, the Justice Department said, and other nuclear proliferation technology was intercepted in Latvia before it could be shipped to Russia. The Justice Department charged nine people in separate cases in New York and Connecticut, as well as two oil brokers for Venezuela. The defendants are accused of acquiring the military technology from U.S. companies and then laundering tens of millions of dollars for wealthy Russian businessmen and other sanctioned entities. Some of the defendants are also accused of brokering illicit oil deals for the Venezuelan state-owned oil company. “As I have said, our investigators and prosecutors will be relentless in their efforts to identify, locate, and bring to justice those whose illegal acts undermine the rule of law and enable the Russian regime to continue its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. The five defendants charged in New York are all Russian nationals, and two have been arrested. All four defendants in the Connecticut case — three Latvians and one Ukrainian — were taken into custody months ago at the request of U.S. authorities. The criminal charges complement the latest round of Biden administration sanctions targeting Russia. The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control announced sanctions Wednesday against one of the men charged by the Justice Department, designating Yury Orekhov and two of his firms, Nord-Deutsche Industrieanlagenbau GmbH and Opus Energy Trading LLC, for procuring advanced semiconductors and microprocessors used in fighter aircraft and ballistic and hypersonic missile systems among other military uses. Orekhov and the firms ultimately sent the materials to Russian end-users, including companies designated by various federal agencies, in violation of U.S. export controls. The Justice Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control worked in coordination to identify the Russian network. Along with sanctions on members of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s inner-circle, the U.S. has frozen Russian Central Bank funds and imposed aggressive export controls. The latest effort is dedicated to preventing Russia from procuring military technologies. Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said in a statement Wednesday that Russia has increasingly struggled to get the technologies it needs to sustain the war “thanks to the unprecedented sanctions and export controls imposed by our broad coalition of partners and allies.” “We know these efforts are having a direct effect on the battlefield,” he said, “as Russia’s desperation has led them to turn to inferior suppliers and outdated equipment.” Information from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, presented Friday at the Treasury Department, said Russia has lost more than 6,000 pieces of equipment since the beginning of the war in late February and is turning to Iran and North Korea for supplies. Russia is reliant on foreign production machinery and ongoing banking sanctions have undercut the Kremlin’s ability to obtain financing for importing military equipment, the ODNI said.

Teen Charged With Murder Stifles Sobs Before A Juvenile Judge – KENS5.com https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/teen-charged-with-murder-stifles-sobs-before-a-juvenile-judge-kens5-com/ Defense attorney Adam LaHood asked that the teen be released on a GPS monitor. SAN ANTONIO — A 16-year-old entered juvenile court quietly Wednesday morning, took a seat, put his face in his shackled hands and tried hard to stifle sobs. Facing charges of murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, he came to court hoping to be allowed to return home on a GPS monitor. He left court the way he arrived — wearing handcuffs and headed back for at least ten more days in juvenile detention.  Juveniles are not eligible for bond. The teen is charged in connection with a brazen attack that killed 25-year-old Novita Brazil and left another woman with a gunshot wound. It happened on Bald Mountain in far west Bexar County on October 4. At the time, Sheriff Javier Salazar said two teens were arrested after a ten-mile car chase that reached speeds up to 100 miles per hour – attacked a house that was not their intended target, adding that the woman killed was a completely random, innocent victim. In court, a probation official first urged that the teen be detained, as he already has a previous felony charge. Prosecutor Marjorie Hilmo agreed, saying the teen should be considered a threat to himself and the community “based on the fact that the new offenses include a murder and the shooting up of a neighborhood.”  Hilmo told Judge Carlos Quezada the teen is not allowing himself to be adequately supervised. “We feel since he does have prior adjudication and he is picking up new felonies, similar and more serious and more violent than the felonies he has previously been adjudicated for, two of which do involve a firearm and a firearm being used.” Defense attorney Adam LaHood asked that the teen be released on a GPS monitor. Giving the teen’s mother a chance to comment, Judge Quezada heard the woman ask that her son be allowed to have counseling services, as he is troubled. Assigning blame to the other teen involved in the attack, a 14-year-old, the mother told the judge, “He got involved with this little boy and it happened so fast. That’s really not who he is.” Wiping away tears, the teen declined to offer an explanation for the incident when the judge gave him a chance to comment. The teen will return to court for his next detention hearing on November 2.

New Culinary Collection Of Holiday Menus From Princess Cruises Kicks Off Holiday Season In Grand Fashion – PR Newswire https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/new-culinary-collection-of-holiday-menus-from-princess-cruises-kicks-off-holiday-season-in-grand-fashion-pr-newswire/ Guests sailing during 2022 holiday season to experience a whole new holiday dining offering—including a new gourmet Thanksgiving menu , /PRNewswire/ — Guests sailing on a Princess Cruises vacation over the 2022 holiday season will enjoy a host of new gourmet dining options and traditional go-to’s. Today, the Princess culinary arts team, led by Chef Rudi Sodamin, unveiled the Princess Cruise Culinary Collection of Holiday Menus, a new series of inspired fare available in the main dining rooms throughout the fleet ranging from a Thanksgiving feast featuring five entrees, to the meaningful and fun foods of Hanukkah, delectable Christmas dishes from traditions around the world, and concluding with a sparkling New Year’s Gala menu. Over the Thanksgiving holiday period, Princess will offer dozens of sailings to ports of call around the world. No matter where they happen to be in their itinerary, each ship will recognize the American Thanksgiving holiday on November 24 in high style—with festive autumnal decorations, and Thanksgiving-inspired activities with football broadcast on outdoor big screens. Of course, the centerpiece of the Princess Cruise Thanksgiving celebration will be the elaborate Thanksgiving feast. “Growing up in a large family, holiday meals were always extremely important to me and a source of excitement and anticipation. But it wasn’t until I was an adult and went to work at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City that I learned about the American tradition of Thanksgiving where food is the undisputed star of the show,” said the Austrian-born Sodamin, head of Culinary Arts for Princess Cruises. “The imaginative and innovative new Thanksgiving menu honors cherished holiday traditions while also introducing some exciting fresh options that we hope can become new favorites. Collaborating with our talented team of culinary artists on this menu has been a meaningful and memorable.  This year will be a totally stress-free holiday as we’ll do all the shopping, cooking and clean up too!” “The entire Food & Beverage staff sees this new Thanksgiving menu as an opportunity to go the extra mile in impressing our guests,” says Sami Kohen, Princess’ vice president of food and beverage. “Princess has always done a great job taking the stress out of the holidays and making each holiday special for our guests, and with this new Thanksgiving menu, we have elevated the experience to a whole new level.” The four-course Thanksgiving menu offers a choice of five entrées. Naturally, there will be juicy whole roasted turkey served with apple sage dressing, giblet gravy and the rest of the traditional American Thanksgiving trimmings like caramelized sweet potato, brussels sprouts and whole cranberry sauce. Vegetarians will appreciate the offering of homemade potato gnocchi with roasted butternut squash and sage in a light Champaign-parmesan cream or the grilled vegetable mille feuille with roasted red pepper sauce. The other entrées on offer are a grilled jumbo shrimp and seared sea scallops combination with a tomato-caper beurre blanc and a festive pineapple-glazed ham spiked with cloves served in a pineapple-bourbon sauce with mashed yams. The full menu follows below. More information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237), or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com. THANKSGIVING 2022 ~ The Captain and Culinary Staff Wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving! ~ OUR DAILY GIFT OF BREAD Maple Corn Bread ~ Whole Wheat – Rye Rolls WHET THE APPETITE Chilled Winter Citrus Supreme blood orange, pink grapefruit, satsuma tangerine chili lime zest Seafood Martini poached shrimp, calamari, scallops, basil lemon vinaigrette Duck and Pistachio Pate autumn lettuces, roasted cherry vinaigrette Roasted Pumpkin Soup toasted almond oil, pumpkin seeds Chilled Carrot Dill Soup cranberry coulis FROM BOUNTIFUL GARDENS AND FIELDS Autumn Mesclun Salad sliced apple, crumbled feta, candied walnuts, maple champagne vinaigrette MAIN OFFERINGS FROM SEA AND SHORE Potato Gnocchi roasted butternut squash, caramelized shallots, sage leaves, shaved parmesan Grilled Jumbo Shrimp and Seared Sea Scallops jasmine rice timbale, snow peas and red bell pepper, tomato-caper beurre blanc Traditional Thanksgiving Turkey tender breast slices, caramelized sweet potato, apple sage dressing, steamed broccoli, roasted brussel sprouts, giblet gravy, whole cranberry sauce Pineapple-glazed Ham spiked with Cloves pineapple-bourbon sauce, mashed yams, broccoli and carrots Grilled Vegetable Mille Feuille flaky puff pastry, arugula, red-pepper sauce, balsamic reduction, basil-infused oil TO COMPLETE THE FEAST Traditional Pumpkin Pie Cinnamon Apple Pie whipped cream a la mode Bourbon Pecan Pie Sugar-free Strawberry Napoleon a la mode mascarpone cream About Princess Cruises One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is the world’s leading international premium cruise line and tour company operating a fleet of 15 modern cruise ships, carrying millions of guests each year to 330 destinations around the globe, including the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England, Antarctica, and World Cruises. A team of professional destination experts have curated 170 itineraries, ranging in length from three to 111 days and Princess Cruises is continuously recognized as “Best Cruise Line for Itineraries.”  In 2017 Princess Cruises, with parent company Carnival Corporation, introduced MedallionClass Vacations enabled by the Medallion device, the vacation industry’s most advanced wearable device, provided free to each guest sailing on a MedallionClass ship. The award-winning innovation offers the fastest way to an effortless personalized vacation, giving guests more time to do the things they love most. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE:CUK).       SOURCE Princess Cruises

Live News: US Charges Five Russians For Money Laundering And Evading Sanctions – Financial Times https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/live-news-us-charges-five-russians-for-money-laundering-and-evading-sanctions-financial-times/ Choose your subscription Trial Try full digital access and see why over 1 million readers subscribe to the FT For 4 weeks receive unlimited Premium digital access to the FT’s trusted, award-winning business news Digital Be informed with the essential news and opinion MyFT – track the topics most important to you FT Weekend – full access to the weekend content Mobile & Tablet Apps – download to read on the go Gift Article – share up to 10 articles a month with family, friends and colleagues Print FT print edition delivered Monday – Saturday along with ePaper access Delivery to your home or office Monday to Saturday FT Weekend paper – a stimulating blend of news and lifestyle features ePaper access – the digital replica of the printed newspaper Team or Enterprise Premium FT.com access for multiple users, with integrations & admin tools Group Subscription Premium Digital access, plus: Convenient access for groups of users Integration with third party platforms and CRM systems Usage based pricing and volume discounts for multiple users Subscription management tools and usage reporting SAML-based single sign-on (SSO) Dedicated account and customer success teams Or, if you are already a subscriber Sign in Are you a student or a professor? Check if your university has an FT membership to read for free. Check my access

Cheers! Here Are 16 Delicious, Dietitian-Approved, Healthy-Ish Alcoholic Drinks – Parade Magazine https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/cheers-here-are-16-delicious-dietitian-approved-healthy-ish-alcoholic-drinks-parade-magazine/ While anything with alcohol isn’t technically healthy (sorry, there’s no getting around that), it is possible to live a healthy lifestyle without cutting ties with it completely. Fitness trainers, dietitians and doctors like unwinding with a libation just like the rest of us. But the difference between them and, well, everyone else is that they know the healthiest alcohol to drink—or at the very least, what drinks are going to do the least damage to the brain and body. Of course, no matter what you’re drinking, moderation is key. “Moderation is defined as two drinks or fewer per day for men, and one drink or less for women,” says registered dietitian Melissa Rifkin, RD. And no, using a wine glass as big as your head isn’t a way around the recs. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, “one drink” can be 12 ounces of beer, five ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of a spirit. The guidelines also say that some people shouldn’t drink alcohol at all, which includes people who are under 21, pregnant, on certain medications or have alcohol use disorder. With that caveat in place, what alcoholic drinks might you see your dietitian or fitness instructor drinking at the bar? We’ve rounded up 16 healthy-ish picks. Cheers! 16 Healthy-ish Alcoholic Drinks 1. Zero-proof cocktails Before we get into the boozy picks, we’d be remiss not to acknowledge the growing popularity of zero-proof cocktails, alcohol-removed wine, and alcohol-free beers. (If you’re looking for a place to find an alcohol-free version of whatever you’re looking for, check out Boisson.) To keep your zero-proof cocktail on the healthy side, Rifkin says to look for products that are made with high-quality, wholesome ingredients and aren’t loaded with sugar. That goes for your mixers, too. Some ideas of what to pair your zero-proof spirit with include club soda, cold-pressed fresh juice, herbs, spices and fruit. Related: 18 Festive Fall Cocktails and Mocktails to Enjoy After a Day At the Pumpkin Patch 2. Red wine Red wine is often said to be a heart-healthy drink. (Again, in moderation.) Registered dietitian Jenny Beth Kroplin, RD, says that this is because it’s high in polyphenols, a beneficial type of compound. “Research suggests that the phenolic compounds in red wine exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and may be beneficial in cardiovascular health, memory, mood and may promote longevity,” she says. While this is true, it’s also important to note that you can reap the same benefits by eating red grapes—and they won’t contain the toxins found in alcohol. iStock 3. Sauvignon blanc More of a white wine drinker? Rifkin says to go for a white wine that’s low in sugar. One that fits the bill is sauvignon blanc, which has less sugar than most other white wines. 4. Chardonnay Rifkin says that another low-sugar white wine pick is chardonnay. It has a similarly low amount of sugar as sauvignon blanc, between four and eight grams per serving. iStock 5. Pinot grigio Pinot grigio has even less sugar than chardonnay and sauvignon blanc, clocking in at less than four grams per serving. Related: New Research May Have Good News for Anyone Who Loves a Glass of Wine With Dinner 6. Tequila with lime Both Kroplin and Rifkin say that the major reason why alcoholic drinks can be high in calories and sugar is not because of the spirit itself; it’s what the spirit is mixed with. Keep it simple by sipping on tequila with lime or fresh-squeezed lime juice. Want something a little smokier? Go for mezcal instead. iStock 7. Greyhound If sipping a straight spirit with just a hint of lime is too strong for you, Rifkin recommends mixing the spirit with citrus juice. Making a greyhound is an easy way to use just that: It’s just gin (vodka works too), grapefruit juice and lime. (scroll to keep reading) 8. Paloma A paloma is similar to a greyhound, just made with tequila instead of gin. Both follow the same combination of a spirit plus citrus juice. Simple and sweet (literally). 9. Gin & seltzer water Rikfin says that another way to keep your cocktail simple—the best way to avoid excess sugar or calories—is by mixing your spirit with seltzer water. Unlike tonic, seltzer water doesn’t contain sugar, making it a healthier choice. iStock 10. White wine spritzer “A white wine spritzer is a great way to stretch the serving [of your wine], reducing calories and sugar,” Kroplin says. It will prolong the experience of enjoying your drink and the amount of alcohol consumed—which will lead to feeling less foggy than you might otherwise. Related: This Is Exactly How Long Alcohol Stays In Your System, According to Doctors 11. Bloody Mary Both dietitians say that vegetable juice is an oft-overlooked mixer. One classic way to incorporate it is in a Bloody Mary, made with vodka, tomato juice, lemon and celery. Bonus points if you actually eat the celery stick in your drink—it’s full of fiber. iStock 12. Hot toddy Want a cocktail that’s sure to warm you up? Kroplin says a hot toddy is another alcoholic drink that’s low in sugar and calories. To make it, all you need is whiskey, hot water, honey and lemon. It’s basically your favorite sick-day tea—only spiked. 13. Low-calorie beer Yep, you can still enjoy beer while living a healthy lifestyle. Kroplin says to just go for one that’s low-cal. Most beer brands make a low-calorie option. A few you’re sure to easily find near you include Michelob Ultra Pure Gold, Miller Lite Lager and Goose Island So-Lo IPA. iStock 14. Light margarita Margaritas made with a mix can be pretty high in sugar and calories, but Kroplin says that you can make a healthy version by keeping the ingredients simple. Instead of a premade mix, blend your own with tequila, lime juice, orange juice and a touch of agave. 15. Vodka, club soda and rosemary Kroplin says not to underestimate the great flavor that herbs and spices can give your drink. One simple way to do that is vodka, club soda and a sprig of rosemary. With just three ingredients, you have a sophisticated sip that’s low-calorie and has no sugar whatsoever. 16. Mint mojito Similar to margaritas, mojitos can be either high or low in sugar and calories; it all comes down to how you make it. This is another instance where Kroplin recommends forgoing premade mixes. To make your own healthier mojito, use white rum, club soda, lime, mint leaves and crushed ice. It bears repeating that alcohol is a toxin, so it’s never going to benefit your body. But you can still enjoy a healthy-ish drink by steering clear of high-sugar mixes. “All alcohol can be part of a healthy diet as long as it is consumed in appropriate proportions,” Rifkin says. With that in mind, drink and be merry.  Next up, check out these 20 fun drinking games to try during your next happy hour. Sources Melissa Rifkin, RD, registered dietitian Jenny Beth Kroplin, RD, registered dietitian

BreShawn Holley ’22 Credits Having The Right People In His Corner For His Success – Today At Elon https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/breshawn-holley-22-credits-having-the-right-people-in-his-corner-for-his-success-today-at-elon/ Holley, a broadcast journalism graduate, is now a Minorities in Sports Fellow with Tepper Sports & Entertainment and works with the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte Football Club in a variety of behind-the-scenes roles. BreShawn Holley (left) during the Minorities in Sports Fellowship with Tepper Sports & Entertainment. When BreShawn Holley ’22 first came to Elon as a broadcast journalism major, he wasn’t comfortable with his camera work or production skills. But through the diligent and innovative faculty in the School of Communications, Holley has not only developed greatly in these areas, he has excelled in them. “Now, I’m literally doing that work for an NFL and MLS team. It’s all coming to fruition,” Holley said, who is in the middle of a year-long Minorities in Sports Fellowship with Tepper Sports & Entertainment. Working with the Carolina Panthers and the newly minted Charlotte Football Club for the year-long fellowship, Holley will spend three months getting hands-on experience in four different departments for both franchises – ticketing, stadium operations, brand and consumer marketing, and “Panther Vision,” the team’s broadcast network. The variety of experiences Holley has gained in a field he is passionate about has been the ultimate reward. Holley in his Elon cap and gown outside of Bank of America Stadium, where the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte Football Club play their home games. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do; I just knew I wanted to be in the sports world. And for me to find a fellowship that had four different departments in one and I’m able to get my feet wet in every area was a blessing in disguise,” he said. A piece of advice Holley would give current students preparing to embark on their future careers is to be passionate about what they’re doing. Although it’s not an original or insightful observation, Holley said it’s still important. “The biggest tip for anyone that wants to get into the sports world is you have to love what you’re doing,” Holley said. “Right now, I’m averaging between 60 and 70 hours a week, but I love it because I’m going into an NFL and MLS stadium and it’s something that a lot of people wish they could do. I never take it for granted.” Holley said his short-term goal is to land a full-time position with the Panthers once his fellowship is completed. But long-term, Holley has his sights sets on a far loftier goal. “I definitely want to be the general manager one day. It’s a hard position to get, but with me being born and raised in Charlotte and being a life-long Panthers fan, that’s the main goal,” Holley said. But it’s not just the position title that motivates him. “I just want to be able to leave a legacy and be remembered for doing good in the community. I just want my name to be associated with nothing but positivity and respect … that’s my life goal,” Holley said. “My career goal would be to have a lasting impact on the Carolina Panthers organization before my time is up.” Holley (right) with Sir Purr, the Panthers mascot. Holley said he’d be remiss not to acknowledge all the helping hands that have supported him along the way. Whether it be his family, the mentors he developed in the Panthers organization through LinkedIn networking such as Director of Inclusion and Belonging Jasmine James, or Elon faculty and staff, like Kelly Furnas, Alex Luchsinger or Kathy Ziga, Holley has always had the right people in his corner. “That’s the best thing about Elon,” he said. “I didn’t know how to do a lot of things and I would question and doubt myself if I was capable enough to do it, but Elon had the right people to be in my corner and push and guide me.” Holley said Elon didn’t just give him the car and keys and expect him to drive. But step by step, he was given the tools to take his career forward and now is utilizing them in great ways. “Right now, I think I’m driving pretty good,” Holley said.

Marketing In The Metaverse Part 2: Brand IP, Co-Creation And Scale – Eventmarketer.com https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/marketing-in-the-metaverse-part-2-brand-ip-co-creation-and-scale-eventmarketer-com/ B-to-C Events Posted on October 19, 2022 by Kaylee Hultgren A follow-up conversation with State Farm and iHeartMedia on the challenges and opportunities of marketing in the metaverse Last week, our sister publication Chief Marketer spoke with State Farm vp of marketing… LOGIN Please contact clientservices@accessintel.com if you are unable to login. Forgot Password? Tags:State Farm, Q&A, brand-artist collaboration, Executive Chats, iHeartMedia, metaverse, audio-centric, Roblox Related Articles Amazon’s Treasure Truck and Focus Features Treat ‘Downton Abbey’ Fans to High Tea The #DellExperience Returns to SXSW with a ‘Syndicated’ Content Strategy and Music Three Platforms Worth Exploring in the Booming Social Audio Space The Full Field Report: Brands Captivate Pop Culture Superfans at Comic-Con International: San Diego

Cool Holiday Gifts For Dads In 2022 – CNET https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/cool-holiday-gifts-for-dads-in-2022-cnet/ This story is part of Gift Guide, our year-round collection of the best gift ideas. The holidays are fast approaching, and if you’re looking for a gift to show dad how much you care, you’ve come to the right place. Your favorite elves at CNET have compiled a gift list for every kind of dad this holiday season. Whether he’s a sporty dad, techy dad, culinary dad, outdoorsy dad… or any other kind of dad, there’s probably something here that he would love to open on Christmas morning or a Hanukkah evening. And it doesn’t matter if you have $20 to spend on Pops or $220 — you can be sure that these vetted gifts will “wow” at the family gift exchange. We’ve got sought-after brands and trendy gifts on this list, including new gadgets, cozy clothing, gifts just for fun and practical presents that serve a purpose. Check out the surefire suggestions below and see which one jumps out at you. Perhaps it’s the beer dispenser? Or the cool joggers? Hopefully you’ll have soon checked another gift off your shopping list — just don’t forget to wrap it. n “,”topic”:””,”ttag”:””,”searchDim”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”variant”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”viewguid”:””,”event”:”listicle|image|1″,”correlationId”:””,”_destCat”:”https://www.therabody.com/us/en-us/mini-us.html”,”productName”:”Theragun Mini”,”formatType”:”IMAGE”,”location”:”LIST”,”position”:1,”sku”:””,”dwLinkTag”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”selector”:”#article-body #listicle-a087bb83-dbce-43da-afa7-067c6225d597 .itemImage”}}” data-omitnoreferrer=”http://www.cnet.com/” href=”https://theragun.xibx.net/c/159047/617418/10041?&sharedId=cnet&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.therabody.com%2Fus%2Fen-us%2Fmini-us.html&subId1=cn-___COM_CLICK_ID___-dtp___OPTOUT___” rel=”noopener nofollow” target=”_blank” David Carnoy/CNET Maybe you’ve eyed pricey Theragun massagers (which we’re big fans of, by the way) but haven’t pulled the trigger. The affordable Mini size is here to change that — and fulfill your holiday shopping needs. With the Theragun Mini, Dad can knead his sore muscles using three different speeds. The ergonomic handle is easier to use than a bulkier, bigger massage gun and reduces wrist strain. The Theragun Mini provides 150 minutes of battery life and it’s actually quiet, making it nicely portable. The new fourth generation is available in black, dusty rose, white and red. n “,”topic”:””,”ttag”:””,”searchDim”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”variant”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”viewguid”:””,”event”:”listicle|image|2″,”correlationId”:””,”_destCat”:”https://vuoriclothing.com/products/sunday-performance-jogger-forest-heather?”,”productName”:”Vuori Sunday Performance Jogger”,”formatType”:”IMAGE”,”location”:”LIST”,”position”:2,”sku”:””,”dwLinkTag”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”selector”:”#article-body #listicle-e2b5ea64-db9b-4422-b2d0-fe347e5bdf4d .itemImage”}}” data-omitnoreferrer=”http://www.cnet.com/” href=”https://vuoriclothing.com/products/sunday-performance-jogger-forest-heather?” rel=”noopener nofollow” target=”_blank” Vuori Athleisure brand Vuori has taken dads by storm with its comfortable performance wear. Most notable: the Sunday Performance Jogger, a favorite for its relaxed yet tapered cut. This pant goes from the home office to school pickup to the grocery store and everywhere in between. They’re available in 10 different colors, and the dad in your life will want to collect them all. n “,”topic”:””,”ttag”:””,”searchDim”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”variant”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”viewguid”:””,”event”:”listicle|image|3″,”correlationId”:””,”_destCat”:”https://www.amazon.com/ZWILLING-J-Henckels-Gourmet-Stainless/dp/B0758JZBL6″,”productName”:”Zwilling Gourmet 8-inch Chefu0027s Knife”,”formatType”:”IMAGE”,”location”:”LIST”,”position”:3,”sku”:””,”dwLinkTag”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”selector”:”#article-body #listicle-ef939060-54d3-437a-9dfb-fdc025f1c6c0 .itemImage”}}” data-omitnoreferrer=”http://www.cnet.com/” href=”https://assoc-redirect.amazon.com/g/r/https://www.amazon.com/ZWILLING-J-Henckels-Gourmet-Stainless/dp/B0758JZBL6?tag=cnet-buy-button-20&ascsubtag=___COM_CLICK_ID___%7C___VIEW_GUID___%7Cdtp” rel=”noopener nofollow” target=”_blank” David Priest/CNET J.A. Henckels’ Zwilling Gourmet 8-inch Chef’s knife is CNET’s top pick for the best midprice chef’s knife — one you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on, but still feels good in your hand. Dad can slice and dice meat and veggies with ease thanks to this knife’s ergonomic polymer handle. And the large blade means it can tackle most kitchen tasks. n “,”topic”:””,”ttag”:””,”searchDim”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”variant”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”viewguid”:””,”event”:”listicle|image|4″,”correlationId”:””,”_destCat”:”https://www.parksproject.us/collections/candles”,”productName”:”Parks Project candle”,”formatType”:”IMAGE”,”location”:”LIST”,”position”:4,”sku”:””,”dwLinkTag”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”selector”:”#article-body #listicle-dcb6ee09-8f12-4581-a141-90c038993681 .itemImage”}}” data-omitnoreferrer=”http://www.cnet.com/” href=”https://www.parksproject.us/collections/candles” rel=”noopener nofollow” target=”_blank” Parks Project If the dad on your holiday list loves the great outdoors, this Yosemite National Park Lodgepole Pine candle is a great gift idea that will light his fire. Pine, granite, meadow dew and fresh chopped wood scents mix and mingle in this popular Parks Project gift. The 11.6-ounce candle has an 80-hour burn time.  n “,”topic”:””,”ttag”:””,”searchDim”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”variant”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”viewguid”:””,”event”:”listicle|image|5″,”correlationId”:””,”_destCat”:”https://theathletic.com/checkout/?type=gift”,”productName”:”The Athletic”,”formatType”:”IMAGE”,”location”:”LIST”,”position”:5,”sku”:””,”dwLinkTag”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”selector”:”#article-body #listicle-447993ee-9eef-4d98-a74c-e294877ec3fc .itemImage”}}” data-omitnoreferrer=”http://www.cnet.com/” href=”https://theathletic.com/checkout/?type=gift” rel=”noopener nofollow” target=”_blank” Ezra Shaw/Getty Images If your dad is a sports fanatic who loves to keep up with his favorite pro or college sports teams, you can always get him a subscription to The Athletic, which covers basketball, football, soccer, baseball, hockey, mixed martial arts, auto racing, rugby, cricket and more. There are currently three subscription tiers for gifting: $30 for three months, $72 for one year and $100 for two years.  n “,”topic”:””,”ttag”:””,”searchDim”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”variant”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”viewguid”:””,”event”:”listicle|image|6″,”correlationId”:””,”_destCat”:”https://www.amazon.com/Fizzics-DraftPour-Beer-Dispenser-Nitro-Style/dp/B07G5NQ5B7/”,”productName”:”Fizzics DraftPour”,”formatType”:”IMAGE”,”location”:”LIST”,”position”:6,”sku”:””,”dwLinkTag”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”selector”:”#article-body #listicle-11acc92e-f2ab-4561-92f3-981c45dfce83 .itemImage”}}” data-omitnoreferrer=”http://www.cnet.com/” href=”https://assoc-redirect.amazon.com/g/r/https://www.amazon.com/Fizzics-DraftPour-Beer-Dispenser-Nitro-Style/dp/B07G5NQ5B7/?tag=cnet-buy-button-20&ascsubtag=___COM_CLICK_ID___%7C___VIEW_GUID___%7Cdtp” rel=”noopener nofollow” target=”_blank” Fizzics The Fizzics DraftPour makes any beer better by converting natural carbonation into microfoam, which gives beer the aroma and flavor you usually only get from a bar tap. The beer dispenser works with most beer cans and bottles, and any type of beer: lagers, IPAs, ambers, porters and more. n “,”topic”:””,”ttag”:””,”searchDim”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”variant”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”viewguid”:””,”event”:”listicle|image|7″,”correlationId”:””,”_destCat”:”https://www.amazon.com/Starter-Set-Dragons-Stormwreck-Isle/dp/B09V84WNPK”,”productName”:”D&D Starter Kit: Dragons of Stormwreck Isle”,”formatType”:”IMAGE”,”location”:”LIST”,”position”:7,”sku”:””,”dwLinkTag”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”selector”:”#article-body #listicle-4b02e2ae-45c2-4141-a6e9-a5121846e40c .itemImage”}}” data-omitnoreferrer=”http://www.cnet.com/” href=”https://assoc-redirect.amazon.com/g/r/https://www.amazon.com/Starter-Set-Dragons-Stormwreck-Isle/dp/B09V84WNPK?tag=cnet-buy-button-20&ascsubtag=___COM_CLICK_ID___%7C___VIEW_GUID___%7Cdtp” rel=”noopener nofollow” target=”_blank” Wizards of the Coast If dad has always wanted to try out D&D but never got a chance, this starter kit is the perfect gift. As CNET’s James Bricknell says, “I’m an avid tabletop gamer and I love giving these starter kits out to friends and family. So many people want to learn about Dungeons and Dragons but don’t know where to begin. This box has everything you need to start your first adventure.” Imagination is the key to a good D&D campaign, but you also need rules and dice. This set gives you both. n “,”topic”:”Smart Home”,”ttag”:”other”,”searchDim”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”variant”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”viewguid”:””,”event”:”listicle|image|8″,”correlationId”:””,”assettitle”:””,”campaign”:”other”,”cval”:35,”leadCpc”:0.35,”leadProdPrice”:59.99,”manufacturer”:”Amazon”,”productName”:”Amazon Smart Thermostat (White)”,”seriesGuid”:”b7e2ee50-5758-4b50-911d-51ac1fc6d939″,”sku”:”B08J4C8871″,”reviewId”:”9756bf72-8a8a-4544-8698-b61dd4a8f4e7″,”formatType”:”IMAGE”,”location”:”LIST”,”position”:8,”dwLinkTag”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”selector”:”#article-body #listicle-a9f2ecf9-8e0a-473b-aa82-6be83e1d7bc7 .itemImage”}}” data-omitnoreferrer=”http://www.cnet.com/” href=”https://shop-links.co/link/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbestbuy.7tiv.net%2Fc%2F376373%2F633495%2F10014%3Fprodsku%3D6483323%26u%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.bestbuy.com%252Fsite%252F-%252F6483323.p%253Fcmp%253DRMX&publisher_slug=cnet&article_name=cool%20holiday%20gifts%20for%20dads%20in%202022&article_url=__ARTICLE_URL__&exclusive=1&u1=cn-___COM_CLICK_ID___...

Why Reddit Is The Best Platform For Research On Crypto – Bravewords.com https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/why-reddit-is-the-best-platform-for-research-on-crypto-bravewords-com/ Among the most crucial necessities for both veteran crypto experts and newcomers is access to reliable information. As a result, sites that report on the cryptocurrency industry are providing invaluable support to its rapid growth. This finding explains why social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter have become so important to the community-based approach that characterises the cryptocurrency sector.  Because of this, more and more people working in the crypto industry are gravitating toward social news and discussion websites like Reddit. We’ll go over the basics of Reddit, show you around, and give you some tips on what to look for in a crypto-specific subreddit. What Exactly Is Reddit? Social media platform Reddit bills itself as “the main site of the web.” While this claim may appear implausible at first, a quick look around the site will show you differently. The software organises the vast amount of data it stores into distinct discussion groups. Since users of Reddit are free to build communities devoted to sharing material on whatever subject they want, the site serves a wide variety of subcultures.  Users, often known as Redditors, may participate in the site by posting links, images, writings, and videos. Moreover, you have the option to either upvote or downvote the efforts of others. Subreddits Based on our definition, crypto Subreddits are communities on Reddit dedicated to discussing cryptocurrency and related issues. The popularity of Reddit within the large crypto community has attracted the attention of crypto-focused businesses and information hubs. Subreddits have been set up so that people who use or are interested in the platform’s services may talk to one another and address any questions or concerns they may have. Furthermore, anybody may start a crypto-themed Subreddit. Reasons Reddit Is The Best Crypto Platform For Crypto Research Multiple forms of communication are Facilitated by Reddit. Reddit’s multimedia sharing features are a big draw for the crypto community. Users may choose the most effective method of conveying information to the group. This is especially the case with Subreddits where users often provide helpful resources like Best Crypto to Buy Right Now on Reddit and how-to guides as well as cryptocurrency charts. They may upload videos themselves, or they can send a hyperlink to a video hosted on YouTube. Quickest Way To Keep Up To Date Reddit is likely the first social media site where crypto news is disseminated, and this is well-known among crypto companies and news outlets. That’s why they’ve committed some of their resources to monitor crypto-specific subreddits in order to learn more about the prevalent attitudes in the crypto space. This will help them determine what types of products or content are most popular within the crypto community. Great To Build A Strong Crypto Personality  Experts in the field of cryptography often provide helpful insights and answers to user questions in various crypto-related Subreddits. They understand that the more useful and insightful information they provide about cryptocurrencies they publish, the more others will appreciate their expertise and respect their judgement. This is encouraging news for them and any associated businesses or endeavours. Finding The Right Subreddits After covering the inner workings of Reddit and its increasing popularity within the crypto community, this part will go into what to look for in a crypto-specific subreddit. This depends on the following elements: What The Particular Subreddit Specializes In As we said previously, Subreddits tend to focus on certain niches. Consequently, you must think about the specific area of cryptocurrency that said Subreddit covers. There’s no use in joining a Cryptocurrency-related Subreddit if you’re not going to get any value out of it. Given that this is the case, it is wise to learn the fundamentals of your chosen crypto vocation or specialisation. Then, check to see whether the selected Subreddits have the tools you need to reach your scalability goals. Let’s look at a crypto trader as an example. He is well aware of the need of having ready access to relevant and timely information, such as news, quality crypto signals, gateways to cryptocurrency exchange, and development reports pertaining to the crypto assets in said portfolio. Having compiled his essential requirements, it is reasonable to assume that the finest cryptocurrency exchanges Subreddits are those that fit him. Member Activeness Simply joining a Subreddit dedicated to talks about your chosen area of cryptography is not sufficient. Instead, you should look at Subreddit’s activity to see whether its users are determined to assist you. Subreddits with a large number of members probably won’t be helpful in any way for your cryptocurrency-related endeavours. Therefore, before submitting yourself to a potentially hostile world on such Subreddits, it is wise to confirm the response of its members. Quality Of Content Quality, on the other hand, demonstrates how valuable the member’s inputs really are, in contrast to plain activity, which reflects the member’s enthusiasm to add to the community.  If you’re having trouble finding postings that are really of interest to you, it doesn’t matter how much hype surrounds your favourite crypto Subreddit; you’ll soon lose interest. This idea also applies if the participants of a Subreddit are resistant to hearing alternative ways of conveying their viewpoint. Using visuals or movies might be helpful when trying to convey the nuances of something like crypto mining. You may have to put in additional work to understand explanations provided in text format if the self-proclaimed specialists in the Subreddit are hesitant to impart information through training videos. For this reason, before signing up for a crypto-specific Subreddit, you should research the community’s openness to suggestions and the level of discourse there. Beginner Friendly Subreddits Individuals enter Subreddits since they desire to be members of a community with people who are eager to teach each other and spread the word about a certain topic. For this reason, newcomers to the crypto space should avoid crypto-related Subreddits that don’t provide a welcoming and learning environment.  Certain subreddit will have more advanced topics and users will not take to kindly to beginner questions.  Keeping this in mind, experts suggest you subscribe to Subreddits whose ethos is centred on guiding newcomers through the ever-changing world of cryptocurrencies.

U.S. Senate Panel Advances Bill To Rein In OPEC+ Over Oil Output Cut – Reuters.com https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/u-s-senate-panel-advances-bill-to-rein-in-opec-over-oil-output-cut-reuters-com/ The OPEC logo pictured ahead of an informal meeting between members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Algiers, Algeria, September 28, 2016. REUTERS/Ramzi Boudina WASHINGTON, Oct 19 (Reuters) – A U.S. Senate committee this week quietly advanced a bill that seeks to rein in OPEC+ after the oil producer group led by Saudi Arabia and Russia this month agreed to cut output. The legislation could be debated by lawmakers after the Nov. 8 midterm elections. The so-called No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels bill, or NOPEC, gained momentum in the U.S. Congress after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies decided on Oct. 5 to cut production by 2 million barrels per day. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com That was despite lobbying by the administration of President Joe Biden. High oil prices are a vulnerability for Biden and his fellow Democrats who are seeking to keep control of Congress in the elections. The Senate Judiciary Committee, which easily passed the bill in May, moved the bill on Tuesday to the Senate floor, the Senate website showed. It was “just a paperwork processing step,” a Senate aide said. Senator Chuck Grassley, a Republican who sponsored NOPEC, tried to attach the legislation to the annual defense policy bill. The effort failed, but the bill could be attached to other legislation later this year. Grassley’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The future of the bill is now up to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat. The Senate schedule will likely be packed after the elections, which could prevent the bill’s consideration. Schumer’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. On Oct. 6, Schumer said: “What Saudi Arabia did to help (Russian President Vladimir) Putin continue to wage his despicable, vicious war against Ukraine will long be remembered by Americans. We are looking at all the legislative tools to best deal with this appalling and deeply cynical action, including the NOPEC bill”. read more If passed by both chambers of Congress and signed by Biden, NOPEC would change U.S. antitrust law to revoke the sovereign immunity that has protected OPEC+ members and their national oil companies from lawsuits over price collusion. It is unclear exactly how a federal court could enforce judicial antitrust decisions against foreign countries. The United States could also face criticism for its attempts to manipulate markets by, for example, its planned release of 180 million barrels of oil from the emergency oil reserve between May and December. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Timothy Gardner Editing by Marguerita Choy Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Reuters Science News Summary – Devdiscourse https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/reuters-science-news-summary-devdiscourse-12/ Following is a summary of current science news briefs. Apollo, Gemini astronaut James McDivitt dies at age 93 James McDivitt, a former U.S. astronaut who commanded some of NASA’s earliest and most ambitious missions in space, died in his sleep last week at age 93, NASA said in a statement on Monday night. McDivitt, who was selected for NASA’s second astronaut class in 1962, was the commanding pilot for the U.S. space agency’s Gemini 4 mission in 1965 and Apollo 9 in 1969, a mission that helped pave the way for the first human lunar landing. Genetic findings from Siberian caves give glimpse into Neanderthal life Bone and tooth remnants from two Siberian caves are helping scientists for the first time decipher the social organization of our cousins the Neanderthals through genetic sleuthing, including on the remains of a father and his teenage daughter. Researchers on Wednesday described genomic findings from the remains of 13 Neanderthals – 11 from Chagyrskaya cave and two from Okladnikov cave in the Altai Mountains of Russia – in one of the largest genetic studies of a Neanderthal population to date. The Paleolithic remains date to about 54,000 years ago. Virgin Orbit to launch first satellite in Europe within six weeks – Branson Richard Branson’s small satellite service provider Virgin Orbit Holdings Inc will be doing its first launch from European soil within the next six weeks, its founder said on Tuesday. “Virgin Orbit can launch satellites into space from anywhere in the world into any orbit at a days notice,” Branson said during a press conference in Milan. Europe plans first Ariane 6 rocket launch in Q4 of 2023 Europe plans to launch the first Ariane 6 rocket, its next-generation space launcher, in the fourth quarter of 2023, the European Space Agency (ESA) said on Wednesday. The 22-nation agency had previously said it was delaying the first launch from 2022 to 2023 without giving details. (With inputs from agencies.)