Anna Garraway

How Local News Helps Make America Great | News, Sports, Jobs – Warren Tribune Chronicle https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/how-local-news-helps-make-america-great-news-sports-jobs-warren-tribune-chronicle/ We ran an editorial early last week lauding the important job that local media plays in society. The piece was written as part of National Newspaper Week. Granted, we realize we aren’t the only industry or special interest to hold its own personal celebration. But while many of those special weeks are intended for fun, I believe National Newspaper Week creates an important opportunity to remind readers about what we provide and the critical information, news and entertainment that readers of local newspapers like this one simply cannot easily receive in one, well-organized medium. We take very seriously our duty to accurately and thoroughly report the news of our communities to you. That could include the responsibility of reporting on local city council or boards of education meetings, it could include analyzing public spending or reporting on local police reports — whether it’s chasing down information on a serious crime or gathering police blotters so you know what’s going on in your neighborhood. Where else can you read about local high school sports, and have the ability to clip and save stories and photos when it’s your son or granddaughter who scored the winning goal or placed high in the varsity cross country meet? You can read stories on health topics of interest, local community theater, important Valley business growth, local or national politics, get some new recipes and even, sadly, read the obituaries of friends or neighbors you might know. This month, you’ll be able to read locally reported stories about political candidates seeking county commissioner seats, Ohio Statehouse posts, U.S. Senate and many more posts or issues. We are taking time to interview many candidates and share their positions so you can be educated and informed when you go to the polls in coming weeks. In some races we will share our endorsements on this newspaper’s Opinion pages. We always realize, however, that our commentary is only one opinion. We invite our readers to share your own respectful opinions on important issues via letters to the editor, published each weekend. Most importantly, on our news pages you’ll find balanced information generally presenting all sides, so that you can become informed and make your own personal decisions. We also know how hard we must work to earn your trust. Frankly, that becomes more challenging every day as the world becomes more divisive, as readers have more choices of news sources and as people spend increasingly more time seeking out only one side of news events that they desire to read or hear. In my humble opinion, doing that is very, very dangerous because it limits our ability to grow, learn and be educated. The opportunity we, as Americans, have to become educated and be free thinkers simply is not available everywhere in the world. And that, dear reader, is one thing that helps to make America great. Even the father of our country knew that early on. “If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter,” George Washington once said. Local reporting and, yes, community newspapers like this one are crucial to ensuring that does not happen, and they are crucial to our democracy. Report after report studying this issue has determined that sense of community and trust in democracy consistently dip when journalism is diminished. (And by journalism, I mean balanced, real journalism — not a bunch of pundits blathering around the clock on a cable news network about their opinions on issues of the day, arguing that anyone who disagrees is just plain wrong.) “The fate of communities across the country — and of grassroots democracy itself — is linked to the vitality of local journalism,” stated researchers in one such report released a few years ago by the University of Carolina. Data also suggests a direct correlation between consumption of local news and civic engagement. That is, if you consume local news, you’re more likely to vote, contact local officials and participate in other forms of civic and democratic engagement. And that, too, helps to make America great. blinert@tribtoday.com Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox

The Metaverse — A Revolution In Gaming – DataDrivenInvestor https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/the-metaverse-a-revolution-in-gaming-datadriveninvestor/ Anyone who has been staying up to date with news from the technology world has inevitably heard of the Metaverse. The Metaverse, as a concept, was first introduced in Neal Stephenson’s 1992 novel, Snow Crash. What was once a distant dystopia is now closer to our reach than ever. For a while now, virtual reality (VR) games have been in use. These games require the use of a headset, and lo and behold, you find yourself immersed in a virtual world. Now, at the pace at which technology is evolving, we have far progressed beyond virtual games. While these games are at its core, the Metaverse has spanned several more industries, with even big brands venturing into the territory. However, gaming and the Metaverse are inextricably tied together. As of now, NFT games are the roadway to the Metaverse. In the future, we can expect the Metaverse to take gaming miles ahead in its turn. Before all else, let us first stop a moment and understand what exactly the Metaverse is all about. The Metaverse is simply a 3-dimensional network that consists of interconnected virtual and augmented reality. In this world, people can exist as digital avatars that represent them. Melding the real world with the virtual, the Metaverse will seamlessly integrate virtual reality, augmented reality, digital currency, and social networks. Any task from buying an NFT to interaction with friends to playing a game of cricket can be done within the Metaverse. There have been two types of Metaverses that are the talk of the town. A Centralized Metaverse is, as the name suggests, under the authority of a single entity. While it has its benefits, the privacy of the user may be sacrificed. On the other hand, we have a Decentralized Metaverse wherein interoperable virtual platforms on a blockchain form an ecosystem. This is projected to have the ultimate immersive experience coupled with safe blockchain transactions. NFT gaming, which is set to be a key part of the Metaverse, has been gaining steam since 2021. These games provide opportunities for players to earn rewards and currency by simply playing. Understandably, NFT games have been the new name in the gaming sector, promising to take us forward into the future. Now, when the Metaverse finally arrives, it may take NFT gaming to a whole new level in a multitude of ways. Here are a few of them. P2E Gaming: We have already discussed how Play-to-earn NFT game has brought about a revolution in the gaming industry. Well, with Metaverse in the picture, it will only grow like never before. As these games become platforms for social connectivity, marketplaces may flourish, and buying and selling NFTs may be as easy as 1 2 3. Interoperability: Interoperability of platforms means that digital assets from one platform can be moved to and used in another. For instance, skins and weapons from a certain game can be used to play another NFT game. Mixed Reality: Mixed reality will play a huge role in the Metaverse. With the Metaverse, a user can seamlessly move from augmented reality to mixed reality to virtual reality. Immersive Experience: One of the most prominent features of the Metaverse is that it will be immersive. The user can lead a parallel life in the virtual world. Gaming, especially, would be taken to new heights as the Metaverse will render players capable of creating their own games, characters, and storylines. Social Connection: Above all else, the Metaverse is inherently social. Ever since we were children, games have brought people together. This will take on a whole new dimension with the Metaverse transcending geographical boundaries. Through the Metaverse, players can invite friends, form new connections, and simply play as a team. Final Thoughts The Metaverse is close at hand; there is no denying that. With Meta foraying further into the Metaverse day by day, and Disney exploring Web3, the Metaverse is fast becoming a reality that will take every industry by storm. With gaming already at the forefront of technology, the two can do so much more for each other beyond anything we can imagine. The Metaverse has all the potential to be the future of the internet. It will revolutionize the way we think about and interact with technology. The fact that something as tangible as real estate has found a place in virtual reality is testimony to the fact that the Metaverse will bring all boundaries crashing down. With technology such as this, it is also possible for people from all walks of life to find solace in the Metaverse. With due consideration, the Metaverse could be the most inclusive thing to ever happen in history bringing everyone together and fostering authentic expression. Disabilities, which may constrain gaming, too, may be overcome in the Metaverse. Therefore, if properly developed, the Metaverse could be the future of not just gaming, but the world as a whole.

Six Best Bluetooth Speakers, Portable And Pocket Friendly – Moneycontrol https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/six-best-bluetooth-speakers-portable-and-pocket-friendly-moneycontrol/ If you are looking for a portable Bluetooth speaker under Rs 20,000 in 2022, look no further October 09, 2022 / 11:33 AM IST Carry your music wherever you go, from work breaks, house parties to forest camping Looking for a portable Bluetooth Speaker under Rs 20,000? From battery life to acoustics, brands have upped their game. Portable doesn’t mean compromise any more. Whether you’re looking for some lounge music at work to overcome Monday morning blues or need to spice up a house party, or some mellifluous company on a camping sojourn in a forest, we’ve got you covered. JBL Flip 6 JBL’s Flip line is one of its bestsellers. The Flip 6 — the newest iteration comes in a refreshed colour palette. The audio set-up has been reimagined, too. The new Flip is kitted with dual passive radiators, a powerful racetrack-shaped woofer, and a separate tweeter for better high-frequency extension. Pairing is a breeze with JBL’s intuitive app. This one is pool-deck proof – it’s IP-67 certified for dust and water resistance. JBL promises 12 hours of battery life for this light-weight speaker that punches above its weight in the sound output department. Price: Rs 11,999 Marshall Emberton II It brings all the stuff we love about Marshall in a compact form factor. It’s not just design; this IP-67 certified speaker is packed with two 2” full range drivers and two passive radiators. The killer feature is  “True Stereophonic”, a unique multi-directional sound solution from Marshall that separates spatial content of stereo recordings that produces a sound much larger than its size. The new-gen Emberton promises 10 hours of additional playtime over its predecessor allowing you to tune in to your favourite music for 30 hours on a single charge. You can hook up multiple Emberton II speakers with “Stack Mode”. Price: Rs 14,999 Bose Soundlink Flex The latest addition to Bose’s Soundlink Bluetooth speaker family, the Flex comes in a cool Stone Blue. This speaker is ready for the elements (dustproof and waterproof) thanks to its IP67 certification. The Flex boasts of Bose’s proprietary Digital Signal Processing (DSP) technology that minimises distortion while the dual-opposing passive radiators that turn vibration into the audio output from the compact speaker. Bose’s unique PositionIQ solution automatically detects the orientation (whether you’ve placed the speaker upright or flat) and adjusts to deliver the best acoustic experience. Price: Rs 15,900 Sonos Roam Emily Lazar, the Grammy award-winning mastering engineer from the Sonos soundboard distinguishes the Roam from a megaphone calling it a finely-tuned speaker. The audio set up combines two Class-H amplifiers, a mid-woofer that maximises low-end output and also delivers faithful playback of mid-range frequencies. There’s also a tweeter that creates crisp high frequencies. This elegantly designed,  ultra-portable speaker weighs just above 400 gm and fits into your slimmest backpack. You can stream via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The Roam delivers 10 hours of battery life and powers up in quick time; wireless charging (with compatible Qi chargers) is a handy add-on. Price: Rs 19,999 Apple HomePod mini Don’t let its tiny footprint fool you. The smallest sibling of the HomePod family might be just 3.3-inches tall but delivers stellar sound for a diminutive smart speaker. Need a widder soundstage? No problem. All you have to do is create a stereo pair by placing two HomePod mini speakers in the same room. At the heart of the HomePod mini is Apple’s S5 chip that works with advanced software to analyse the unique characteristics of the music and applies complex tuning models. This chip optimises loudness, adjusts the dynamic range, and controls the movement of the driver and passive radiators in real time. Price: Rs 9,900 Sony SRS-XB23 It makes our list for Sony’s proprietary Extra Bass that give it serious thump at its less than Rs 10K asking price. Dual passive radiators work together with full-range speakers to give low-end tones and bass an extra boost. Sony touts a unique non-circular diaphragm and off-centre design that maximises the speaker diaphragm, creating more sound pressure but keeps the speaker compact in size. This one’s ready for a beach party. The XB23 features an IP67 rating and is not just waterproof but also salt-water resistant. You can switch to WFH mode effortlessly thanks to the speakerphone function. Just what you need for virtual meetings. Price: Rs 8,990 Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day

HEX Token Sees Over 37,000% Growth, But Is It A Scam? – BeInCrypto https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/hex-token-sees-over-37000-growth-but-is-it-a-scam-beincrypto/ The 2-year-old cryptocurrency project gives 38% staking rewards. Is the project legitimate or a scam?  The HEX token is based on the Ethereum blockchain. Their website says they are the first blockchain certificate of deposit. Those who stake HEX tokens are given an average of 38% returns. The figure is lucrative because most US banks do not provide more than 2% annual interest. Who is the founder? The HEX was founded by Richard Schueler, who adopted the stage name Richard Heart. One of the steps to fundamentally analyze any project in Web3 is to check out the history of its founder. Source: WantFi.com Richard’s mail archive shows that he used to run a course on How to Spam people. In fact, he was charged with invoking Washington State’s anti-spam law. His Twitter bio reads that he owns the most expensive Rolex, the world’s fastest Ferrari, and some more boasting about his lifestyle. He has flexed his wealth on multiple occasions on social media. When he was asked why he flexes his wealth, he replied that it was for views and engagement.  The aggressive marketing by HEX focused on price gains. Twitter’s name of the official account reads the gain in price and high staking rewards. There aren’t many genuine projects that focus on price gains as much as HEX does. Generally, projects care about building the best services for their community. Their social media handles do not market how much the token’s price increased, let alone shout it through their handle’s name. They also started a campaign #HEXBoughtThis on social media, where shillers or early investors flex their wealth bought from HEX gains. It is one of the most aggressively marketed crypto projects. The project has been advertised in newspapers, magazines, billboards, and airports. All these campaigns focus on showing how much the token’s price has risen. The approach is the same as any get-rich-quick scheme, to cater to common people’s greed. A Twitter user posted that HEX used customer records from the Ledger hack and sent marketing material by mail to addresses obtained from there. How many Web3 projects do the marketing at par with HEX?  The website claims that investors will make “life-changing wealth.” Genuine projects with strong products do not primarily focus on the increase in their market price for marketing purposes. Bitcoin and Ethereum’s website does not discuss price fluctuations or creating “life-changing wealth” because they serve a purpose. Investors gaining money is a by-product of the greater purpose these projects serve.  The HEX buyers are incentivized to lock up their capital for a certain period. There is a heavy penalty if someone unlocks them before the lock-in period ends. This effectively reduces the supply of the tokens in the market, and demand is brought in through FOMO with the aggressive marketing campaign. The staking rewards. The website, as of writing, shows staking rewards of 38%. Who gets the staking reward? In the proof-of-stake consensus mechanism, the validators deposit a certain amount to the smart contract as collateral to keep the blockchain secure. They are rewarded for their up-time and are slashed for remaining inactive for a long time.  While there is no such thing with HEX, the stakers do not stake their HEX to secure the blockchain or validate the transactions. The only purpose of staking HEX is to reduce the supply, which puts upwards pressure on HEX’s price. The argument on whether HEX is a scam or not is quite a hot topic of debate amongst the Twitter community. Along with critics, the project has attracted hardcore supporters. Notable industry leaders believe that HEX is a scam going to zero.  HEX made an all-time high in September 2021 at 0.51. It is down by around 94% from all-time highs. Most scam projects in crypto do not survive the test of bear markets. Will HEX survive the current bear market, or will it go to zero? Perhaps, only time can answer this. For Be[In]Crypto’s latest Bitcoin (BTC) analysis, click here Disclaimer All the information contained on our website is published in good faith and for general information purposes only. Any action the reader takes upon the information found on our website is strictly at their own risk.

Explainer: U.S. Marijuana Pardons Help Thousands, Leave Others In Prison – Reuters.com https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/explainer-u-s-marijuana-pardons-help-thousands-leave-others-in-prison-reuters-com/ Oct 9 (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden’s pardon for thousands of Americans convicted of simple marijuana possession under federal law has profound impact, experts and individuals say, even if it affects fewer people than similar state and local initiatives. Biden has called on governors to issue similar pardons regarding state marijuana offenses. WHO IS AFFECTED? Biden’s pardons announced Oct. 6 affect about 6,500 people convicted of cannabis possession at the federal level. None remain in prison. Without a felony on their record, they won’t be tripped up when applying for a job or trying to rent an apartment. Research by the American Civil Liberties Union has shown Black Americans are nearly four times as likely as whites to be arrested for marijuana possession. WHO ISN’T Biden’s pardon does not affect some 3,000 people convicted of higher level marijuana crimes who remain in federal prisons, and as many as 30,000 who are still in prison in several states, according to the advocacy group the Last Prisoner Project. Those numbers do not reflect people with convictions for marijuana possession at the state level, although approximately 2 million marijuana convictions have been expunged or pardoned by states where the drug is now legal. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com SPEAKING OF THE STATES Biden has called on governors to give similar pardons in their states, where most possession cases are prosecuted. Kevin Sabet, an opponent of marijuana legalization who runs the group Smart Approaches to Marijuana, said in an interview that he thinks Biden’s pardons could serve as a model for governors in conservative as well as a few liberal states who oppose decriminalizing pot but agree that users should not go to prison. Marijuana is now fully legal in 19 U.S. states and allowed for medical use in 37. Most states that have legalized marijuana have also moved to expunge the records of nonviolent offenders or issue pardons. But thousands of people continue to be arrested for marijuana offenses annually. Data is hard to come by, but NORML estimates that about 350,000 people were arrested for marijuana-related offenses in 2020, of which roughly 91% were for possession offenses only. According to the ACLU, of the 8.2 million marijuana arrests in the U.S. between 2001 and 2010, 88% were for just possessing marijuana. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Sharon Bernstein; Editing by Donna Bryson and Leslie Adler Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Snapchat Update: What Is Unviewed Story Or Unseen Story? – Zee News https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/snapchat-update-what-is-unviewed-story-or-unseen-story-zee-news/ US-based multimedia instant messaging platform Snapchat boasts millions of active users across the globe and is among the most loved apps in many countries. Snapchat helps users share images, videos, and direct messages with their friends. In May this year, Snapchat had rolled out a new ‘Shared Stories’ feature that made it easier for users to collaborate and share memories. The feature was rolled out as a part of the already existing ‘Custom Stories’ feature. The custom story feature of Snapchat allows users to create a story and add friends to view and contribute to it.  The stories feature allows users to post photos/videos on their profile that can be viewed by a list of people that users choose. The updates disappear after 24 hours just like the WhatsApp status. Snapchat users can also upload photos of their memory in the ‘my eyes only’ section which is a password-protected area to store photos.  Also Read: WhatsApp users ALERT! Telegram CEO makes EXPLOSIVE claim; warns users to stay away from WhatsApp The rumour mills have been abuzz with reports related to the Snapchat update. Recently, some users claimed to have received notifications reading ‘unviewed story’ or ‘unseen story’ alongside the username of one of their contacts. However, many of the users were not aware of the feature. The ‘unviewed story’ or ‘unseen story’ notification as the name suggests is meant to notify users about one of their contacts who has posted a story that the user may not have seen yet. Through the notification, the app gave a reminder to the user to view the story before it disappears once 24 hours duration is completed.  When the users received the Snapchat notification, they thought that a user from their contacts had ‘unviewed’ a story posted by the user himself. However, it’s not possible to undo or remove one’s view from any story once the user has seen it.

DeLaurent Leads SE Missouri State Past Tennessee Tech 34-20 – MySA https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/delaurent-leads-se-missouri-state-past-tennessee-tech-34-20-mysa/ CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (AP) — Paxton DeLaurent threw three touchdown passes — two of them to Ryan Flournoy — to spark Southeast Missouri State to a 34-20 victory over Tennessee Tech on Saturday. DeLaurent’s touchdown passes spanned the second and third quarters and helped Southeast Missouri State (5-1, 2-0 Ohio Valley Conference) turn a 13-all tie into a 34-13 lead heading into the final quarter. Jeremiah Oatsvall connected with Davin Dyal for a 7-yard score to pull Tennessee Tech (1-4, 0-2) even at 13 with 2:44 remaining in the first half. DeLaurent needed five plays to regain the lead for the Redhawks, tossing a 12-yard scoring strike to Flourney with 1:03 left. Trai Hodges picked off Oatsvall and returned it 49 yards to the Golden Eagles’ 26-yard line. Two plays later DeLaurent hit Johnny King for a 7-yard score with 10 seconds left for a 27-13 halftime lead. DeLaurent’s final touchdown throw was a 4-yarder to Flournoy for the only score of the third quarter. DeLaurent completed 22 of 33 passes for 266 yards. Flournoy caught five passes for 101 yards. Geno Hess carried 13 times for 88 yards and a touchdown. Oatsvall completed 27 of 48 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns with three interceptions. Bradley Clark had the other touchdown catch for the Golden Eagles. ___ More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25. Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25

8 Not-Too-Miss Hotel Promotions For Fall And Winter Travel – Forbes https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/8-not-too-miss-hotel-promotions-for-fall-and-winter-travel-forbes/ Marriott With the leaves changing and temperatures dropping, you don’t have to stop thinking about your next warm-weather vacation. A long list of loyalty program promotions from hotels could have you racking up points and other perks to enjoy on your next trip. From your favorite hotels in global hubs like London and Sydney to new hotels elsewhere that are opening this fall, vacation mode should be permanently switched on thanks to the benefits that come with hotel loyalty programs and affiliated credit cards. Vacations can also stem from travel-related contests and sweepstakes, some of which can have you living your bucket list travel or sports fan dream. No matter where you plan to go this fall, these are some of the biggest fall promotions worth registering for in the coming weeks. Choose your fall bonus with IHG One Rewards InterContinental This fall promotion from IHG One Rewards gives members the chance to choose the promotion that works best for their travel plans. They can register for 2,000 bonus points after every two nights or 10,000 bonus points after every four nights. Once chosen, the offer cannot be adjusted, and that’s how they will earn points on qualifying stays between Oct. 13, 2022 and Dec. 31, 2022. Be sure to register before you check in for your first stay. To maximize the promotion, it depends how many nights you plan to stay with IHG this fall. If you will have a lot of nights, the 10,000 point offer makes more sense, especially if these are in even multiples of four. Up to 4,000 bonus points per Marriott Bonvoy stay Melbourne Marriott Hotel Docklands Between now and Dec. 15, Marriott Bonvoy members can earn 2,000 bonus points per stay beginning with their second stay. If you have a Marriott Bonvoy-affiliated credit card, you could earn an additional 2,000 points per stay. Be sure to register for this promotion before checking in for your first stay this fall. The offer is only valid when paying a qualified rate at a participating hotel. This could be quite the rewarding way to plump up that balance in time for a holiday travel redemption. Free Night Sweet Spots from Choice Privileges The Cambria Hotel Sonoma Wine Country The loyalty program of Choice Hotels now offers “sweet spot” awards that offer substantial discounts on a free night redemption. For a set period of time, the program is slashing the points redemption rate at several properties to offer a solid discount. It’s worth exploring the list of hotels to see if any intersect with your travel plans or if any entice a potential trip that you may want to plan this fall. The hotels range a variety of private points and are available across the country. Accor partners with Qatar Airways for reciprocal perks Accor Many airlines and hotels partner together (United and Marriott; American and Hyatt, for example). Accor and its All Live Limitless (ALL) program are now partnering with Qatar Airways giving members the chance to earn and redeem points and perks when doing business with either program. To take advantage of this new opportunity, be sure to have a membership number with both programs and link them together online. For example, Accor program members will earn one ALL point for every $2 spent on Qatar flights. Qatar Airways Privilege Club members will earn one Avios point for every 2 euros spent with Accor. Elite members within each program are also eligible for reciprocal elite status. Qatar Privilege Club members now earn Avios points, and these can be swapped to Avios accounts affiliated with British Airways and Iberia, too. Earn 3x points for dining at World of Hyatt properties getty Even when not a guest at a World of Hyatt hotel, visitors can provide their loyalty program number when paying the check to earn points for eligible charges. Typically, most hotels only award points when in-house guests charge something to their room. World of Hyatt is different and offers non-guests 5x points per dollar spent at participating restaurants, but this fall promotion offers 15x points per dollar spent (even more if you have elite status with Hyatt). This is a great way for members to top up their points balance when dining out near home or when traveling and staying at other hotels. Between now and Dec. 20, dining at a World of Hyatt-participating restaurant can get you closer to that next free redemption. Be sure to register for the promotion here where this is also a list of participating properties. Earn bonus Best Western points, when redeeming points Best Western Best Western Rewards will refund members 5,000 points when they redeem points for a redemption night of at least 12,000 points at a Best Western-branded hotel in the United States, Canada or the Caribbean between now and Nov. 21. To earn the bonus, be sure to register for the promotion before checking in for the stay. 3x Wyndham Rewards points on 2+ night stays Wyndham Grand Cancun All-Inclusive Resort & Villas Between now and Jan. 16, 2023, Wyndham Rewards members can earn triple points on stays of at least two nights. Be sure to register for the promotion before your first stay to be eligible to earn the extra points. To be eligible, members must make their reservation through the Wyndham website or app. Members can earn a maximum of 30,000 points with this promotion, which is enough for a free night (if not more) at any Wyndham hotel or resort around the world. Radisson Rewards Americas: 3,000 nightly bonus points Radisson Members of the Radisson Rewards Americas program can earn 3,000 bonus points per night during this fall’s promotion. This offer requires advance registration and is available for stays between now and Dec. 15. Eligible stays for this promotion include stays at all of the affiliated brands including Radisson Blu, Radisson, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson and Country Inn & Suites by Radisson hotels in the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean.

SMEs Rise To Challenges In A More Conducive Business Environment – PR Newswire https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/smes-rise-to-challenges-in-a-more-conducive-business-environment-pr-newswire/ , /PRNewswire/ — By Beijing Review: On January 21, 10 days before the Spring Festival holiday (from January 31 to February 6 this year), the workshops of Baoji Saiwei, a heavy machinery manufacturer in Baoji, Shaanxi Province in northwest China, are in full swing to complete their orders. By late 2021, Saiwei had already received its orders for the first half of 2022. Deputy General Manager Li Hui told Beijing Review, “We need to deliver the products in time as well as explore new markets.” The Beijing Stock Exchange starts trading on November 15, 2021, focusing on funding for innovation-oriented small and medium-sized enterprises (WEI YAO) That same day, in the capital of Beijing, Du Peifan, founder of ZhiqingFin, an artificial intelligence (AI) company focusing on smart speech services, was doing his routine work taking his employees through a checklist in service of their bank clients. The next day, January 22, in Yiwu, known as the world’s largest wholesale market of consumer goods in the eastern province of Zhejiang, Wei Lingying, CEO of OMAWine International, a company importing Spanish wines and foods, is busy taking and delivering orders. Wei even struggled to squeeze in this Beijing Review interview. Though operating in different sectors and playing individual roles in the market, all three are part of the most robust component of the Chinese economy—small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). China’s SMEs, accounting for roughly 99 percent of all firms nationwide, are the main force behind China’s economic and social development. According to a 2020 report by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, over 50 percent of national tax revenue and 60 percent of GDP stem from SMEs. They create 70 percent of technological innovation and 80 percent of urban employment. However, these companies do face many difficulties in and concerns about their further development. Alive and kicking  COVID-19 flare-ups, rising commodity prices, supply chain problems and financing difficulties, among others, pose treacherous challenges. The rising expenditures of importing wine and food products combined with a declining demand due to the pandemic put OMAWine International on edge. Compared to pre-pandemic times, wine orders decreased 20 percent during this year’s pre-Spring Festival sales season, according to Wei. On the plus side, all three companies are still alive, inspiring those willing to have a go at entrepreneurship. Saiwei only halted production for a brief period at the very onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 and soon resumed operations. “Like gears, we are the inseparable parts that guarantee the swift functioning of China’s industrial and supply chains,” Li said. “We, SMEs or private companies, could not simply give up and close up shop; we are not just enterprises, but also the economic backbone of our workers’ families.” Trials and tribulations  SMEs usually gather in competitive industries, making it essential for them to adjust their business models and actively find new growth opportunities in the new market environment, Zhang said. Compared with large intelligent speech companies that provide only one standard product, ZhiqingFin’s customized services are better, especially in the post-sales field, according to Du. The pandemic has generally stimulated technological expansion, with AI now widely applied. Yet financing remains an issue. It’s a tough task for Du to increase company bankrolling to invest in technology capacity and service research. Pan Gongsheng, Deputy Governor of the People’s Bank of China, the country’s central bank, said at a press conference in September 2021 that addressing the financing needs of SMEs is high on the agenda of the regulatory authority. Loans to micro and small firms totaled 17.8 trillion yuan ($2.75 trillion) as of late July 2021, up 29.3 percent year on year, according to Pan. Hi-tech SMEs like Saiwei also receive financial assistance. As opposed to regular enterprises producing heavy machinery, Saiwei caters to specific customer requirements. Last year, it invested roughly 30 million yuan ($4.7 million) in research and development. The company has been inducted into the Little Giant Firms program, covering small enterprises in their early stages of development, all focusing on high-end technologies. This could bring Saiwei millions of yuan in research support over the coming year. Du’s company, too, has applied for the program. So what does the future hold for China’s SMEs? The answer is two-fold: Innovation-led and green development will be two key directions to promote their high-quality growth in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, according to a government guideline.  SOURCE Beijing Review

This Middle-School Teacher Is Now A Financial Educator – Henry Herald https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/this-middle-school-teacher-is-now-a-financial-educator-henry-herald/ Brian Stoffel is very familiar with a classroom setting — even if he’s teaching adults how to understand the stock market The finance world is a fascinating place. You’ll see plenty of people who knew that they wanted to stake their claim in the world of economics before moving into their first dorm room. Some others figure out pretty quickly after freshman year that finance is the industry fit for them. But there are also those whose paths led to other careers before landing in finance. Stacker curated a list of the 100 worst horror films of all time, which we calculated using a combination of IMDb and Metacritic data from September 2022. Click for more.

2022 MLB Playoffs: Bracket, Scores, Matchups, Schedule As Mariners, Guardians Advance To ALDS – CBS Sports https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/2022-mlb-playoffs-bracket-scores-matchups-schedule-as-mariners-guardians-advance-to-alds-cbs-sports/ The 2022 MLB postseason is underway with the Wild Card Series Oct 8, 2022 at 10:08 pm ET • 2 min read CBS Sports Major League Baseball’s postseason kicked off Friday with the brand-new Wild Card Series. MLB is using a 12-team playoff format for the first time in 2022, and eight teams are participating in the best-of-three Wild Card Series. Two teams have already advanced to the LDS: the Guardians and Mariners. The Mariners ousted the Blue Jays with a shocking seven-run comeback on Saturday to sweep the best-of-three series on the road. The Guardians took care of the Rays in two games, beating them Saturday in a 15-inning Game 2. Things are still undecided on the National League side in the Wild Card Series. The Cardinals and Mets are hosting Game 2s on Saturday night, trying to keep their seasons alive against the Phillies and Padres, respectively. The top two teams in each league (the Astros and Yankees in the American League and the Dodgers and Braves in the National League) received byes and will start their postseason journeys in the LDS round next week. Once teams clear the Wild Card Series, the playoffs will resemble their traditional selves: a best-of-five Division Series and then best-of-seven League Championship Series before the best-of-seven World Series. Below you’ll find the schedule and results for every round of the postseason. 2022 MLB playoff bracket CBS Sports Wild Card Series schedule (best-of-three) Friday, Oct. 7 Game 1: Guardians vs. Rays CLE 2, TB 1 ESPN Game 1: Cardinals vs. Phillies PHI 6, STL 3 ABC Game 1: Blue Jays vs. Mariners SEA 4, TOR 0 ESPN Game 1: Mets vs. Padres SD 7, NYM 1 ESPN Saturday, Oct. 8 Game 2: Guardians vs. Rays CLE 1, TB 0 (15) ESPN2 Game 2: Blue Jays vs. Mariners SEA 10, TOR 9 ESPN Game 2: Mets vs. Padres 7:37 p.m. ET ESPN Game 2: Cardinals vs. Phillies 8:37 p.m. ET ESPN2 Sunday, Oct. 9 Game 3: Mets vs. Padres (if nec.) 4:07 p.m. ET or 7:07 p.m. ET ESPN Game 3: Cardinals vs. Phillies (if nec.) 7:07 p.m. ET or 7:37 p.m. ET ESPN League Division Series Tuesday, Oct. 11 Game 1: Braves vs. TBD Fox or FS1 Game 1: Dodgers vs. TBD Fox or FS1 Game 1: Yankees vs. Guardians TBS Game 1: Astros vs. Mariners TBS Wednesday., Oct. 12 Game 2: Braves vs. TBD Fox or FS1 Game 2: Dodgers vs. TBD Fox or FS1 Thursday, Oct. 13 Game 2: Yankees vs. Guardians TBS Game 2: Astros vs. Mariners TBS Friday, Oct. 14 Game 3: Braves vs. TBD FS1 Game 3: Dodgers vs. TBD FS1 Saturday, Oct. 15 Game 4: Braves vs. TBD (if nec.) FS1 Game 4: Dodgers vs. TBD (if nec.) FS1 Game 3: Yankees vs. Guardians TBS Game 3: Astros vs. Mariners TBS Sunday, Oct. 16 Game 4: Yankees vs. Guardians (if nec.) TBS Game 4: Astros vs. Mariners 4 (if nec.) TBS Game 5: Braves vs. TBD (if nec.) FS1 Game 5: Dodgers vs. TBD (if nec.) FS1 Monday, Oct. 17 Game 5: Yankees vs. Guardians (if nec.) TBS Game 5: Astros vs. Mariners (if nec.) TBS League Championship Series Tuesday, Oct. 18 NLCS, Game 1 Fox or FS1 Wednesday, Oct. 19 NLCS, Game 2 Fox or FS1 ALCS, Game 1 TBS Thursday, Oct. 20 ALCS, Game 2 TBS Friday, Oct. 21 NLCS, Game 3 FS1 Saturday, Oct. 22 NLCS, Game 4 Fox or FS1 ALCS, Game 3 TBS Sunday, Oct. 23 NLCS, Game 5 (if nec.) FS1 NLCS, Game 4 TBS Monday, Oct. 24 NLCS, Game 6 (if nec.) FS1 ALCS, Game 5 (if nec.) TBS Tuesday, Oct. 25 NLCS, Game 7 (if nec.) Fox and FS1 ALCS, Game 6 (if nec.) TBS Wednesday, Oct. 26 ALCS, Game 7 (if nec.) TBS World Series Friday, Oct. 28 Game 1 Fox Saturday, Oct. 29 Game 2 Fox Sunday, Oct. 30 Travel Day Monday, Oct. 31 Game 3 Fox Tuesday., Nov. 1 Game 4 Fox Wednesday, Nov. 2 Game 5 (if nec.) Fox Thursday, Nov. 3 Travel Day Friday, Nov. 4 Game 6 (if nec.) Fox Saturday, Nov. 5 Game 7 (if nec.) Fox

Apple’s CEO Bashes The Metaverse, And Nvidia’s CEO Embraces It: What It Means For Investors – The Motley Fool https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/apples-ceo-bashes-the-metaverse-and-nvidias-ceo-embraces-it-what-it-means-for-investors-the-motley-fool/ On a recent trip to Europe, Apple (AAPL -3.67%) CEO Tim Cook spoke with Dutch online media company Bright to discuss the future of technology. In the interview, Cook downplayed the metaverse, instead touting Apple’s focus on augmented reality (AR). Cook said that one day, we will all “look back and think about how we once lived without AR.”   Meanwhile, Nvidia (NVDA -8.03%) spent an entire week at its biannual GTC event for tech developers, and the metaverse consumed a large amount of the time. In fact, CEO Jensen Huang talks about the metaverse a lot, and how it will shape the future.   What in the name of metaverse originator Neal Stephenson is going on here? These debates about what the metaverse actually is and what it will do are becoming silly. Not to mention confusing for investors, let alone the everyday consumer, who is already overwhelmed by the rapid changes the world has undergone in the last few years.  What is the metaverse anyway? If you do a web search for “What is the metaverse?” you’ll get as many variations on the answer as the times you click on an article (including one from yours truly). But let’s let Jensen Huang settle it once and for all. In his keynote address at GTC 2022, he provided perhaps the simplest and most elegant definition to date: The metaverse is “the 3D internet.”  I really appreciate this description. Rather than trying to reinforce this notion that the metaverse is confusing and that no one wants it (like Cook did in the above-mentioned interview), Huang breaks it down into simple terms. If some web-based service or app you use has a three-dimensional element to it, let’s just call it “the metaverse.”  Cook’s comments about AR are perhaps the best clue we have that Apple is readying some sort of device, perhaps AR or virtual reality (VR) headsets (maybe — there’ll be an announcement in 2023). But if we view the metaverse through Huang’s simple take, Apple is getting involved with the metaverse, too, whether it likes it or not. AR and VR applications will be web-based, and many AR apps are already available on the Apple App Store. I’m calling it like I see it: Apple Metaverse.   It’s all marketing! Elementary, my dear Watson. If you’re still with me, let’s turn to this question: Why all the tech CEO disagreements on what the metaverse is and what kind of future it will have? If the metaverse is just a 3D representation of the internet, a technology we all use every day and absolutely can agree has a well-established definition, why jockey for attention by bashing it? Or hype the metaverse like it’s this brand-new shiny thing that’s being built from scratch? It’s simple: marketing.  Like any good “walled garden” business, Apple has a vested interest in putting down other companies’ technology efforts while championing its own. After all, why would Apple use such a term when Meta (META -4.04%), formerly Facebook, literally changed its name to a contracted form of “metaverse” to indicate its 3D web app future? Apple has gone to great lengths to try to weaken Meta’s (ahem, Facebook’s) hold on its iPhone users’ data.  In contrast, like any good “platform” business model that helps others build tech for themselves, Huang is being inclusive and touting how the metaverse can mean different things for different consumers and businesses. Thus the term “Omniverse” for its new cloud-based collaboration and development apps. If you’re a video game company, the metaverse might mean an immersive 3D game. If you’re a manufacturing company, the metaverse might mean a virtual re-creation of your factory used for planning purposes. And if you’re a medical college, the metaverse might mean an AR app that trains students how to practice medicine.   Someday, hopefully soon, we can all agree to call the 3D extension of the internet the same thing. Maybe it will be “the metaverse,” maybe it will be something else (like “3D internet,” or, I dunno, maybe just “the internet”).  But one thing is for sure: This thing we’re discussing is already here, and new capabilities using 3D virtual content are being developed. Any differences you hear in what all this is and what it means from various CEOs’ perspectives is simply marketing to get us all ready to buy into it.  Now it’s time for you, the investor, to decide which businesses you like best to capitalize on 3D virtualization. I, for one, think Apple and Nvidia both are pretty good bets. Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Nicholas Rossolillo and his clients have positions in Apple, Meta Platforms, Inc., and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple, Meta Platforms, Inc., and Nvidia. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long March 2023 $120 calls on Apple and short March 2023 $130 calls on Apple. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

17 Big IPhone Features And Improvements On IOS 16.1 « IOS & IPhone :: Gadget Hacks – Ios.gadgethacks.com https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/17-big-iphone-features-and-improvements-on-ios-16-1-ios-iphone-gadget-hacks-ios-gadgethacks-com/ It hasn’t been long since Apple released iOS 16.0 with over 350 new features, but iOS 16.1 is hot on its tail with even more cool updates for your iPhone. While some of the recent upgrades were expected, others are somewhat surprising — and there’s even one that you may not even think was possible. Apple’s iOS 16.1 update is still in beta testing, but you can install the beta on your iPhone right now if you want to start testing the below features out before everyone else. Some of these features also appear on iPadOS 16.1 for iPad, also still in beta. Don’t Miss: Apple Photos Has 21 New Features for iPhone That Make Your Life Easier 1. Larger Numbers for Battery Percentage On iOS 16.0, Apple finally added a switch in the Battery settings on Face ID devices to enable the battery percentage in the status bar, something Touch ID devices have long been able to do. The update put the percentage inside the battery icon, and iOS 16.1 makes the numbers larger and easier to see. Below, you can see the icons before and after in light and dark modes. 2. Battery Percentage for More iPhones While iOS 16.0 lets us add the battery percentage to the battery icon in the status bar on Face ID devices, it’s not available on all Face ID models. Specifically, the iPhone XR, 11, 12 mini, and 13 mini are left out, presumedly because of their smaller displays. The iOS 16.1 update adds support for those models, so now all iPhone models that can run iOS 16 can get the new battery icon. 3. Clean Energy Charging Go to Settings – Battery, then open up the “Battery Health & Charging” menu, previously just “Battery Health,” and you’ll see a new option called “Clean Energy Charging.” Apple says your iPhone “will try to reduce your carbon footprint by selectively charging when lower carbon emission electricity is available.” It goes on to say your iPhone “learns from your daily charging routine so it can reach full charge before you need to use it.” The setting should be automatically enabled by default, but the “Learn More” link goes to a non-existing webpage, which should go live when iOS 16.1 stable is released. 4. Live Activities Live Activities are finally here. They appear on the bottom of your iPhone’s lock screen, as well as in the Dynamic Island for the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max models, and display an app’s most current data, updated in real time. Live sports games in the Apple TV app is one example of what Live Activities can do. Pick a live game available in your region from the Live Sports section, then tap the “Follow” button. You’ll then see the play-by-play and real-time scores on your lock screen and in the Dynamic Island if you have an iPhone 14 Pro or 14 Pro Max. Right now, I can only get it to work with MLB games. According to Apple, a Live Activity can only be active for up to eight hours in the Dynamic Island, but it can go as long as 12 hours on the lock screen. So on the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max, a Live Activity would disappear from the Dynamic Island after eight hours but remain on your lock screen for up to four more hours. Needless to say, you can stop following a Live Activity at any time. There are also four different viewing modes for Live Activities in the Dynamic Island: a compact leading view, a compact trailing view, a minimal view, and an expanded view. 5. Live Activities API Live Activities aren’t just available for Apple’s apps — any third-party developer can incorporate them into their apps using the new ActivityKit framework. Examples of activities you could track include a ride pickup from Uber or Lyft, package delivery from UPS or FedEx, food delivery from GrubHub or DoorDash, pickup order for Starbucks or Target, workout using Nike or Health, and so on. While developers are now building Live Activities for their apps, you won’t be able to try any out until the iOS 16.1 stable release appears. That’s because developers can’t submit their updated apps with Live Activities to the App Store until the iOS 16.1 Release Candidate is available, the last beta build. You may be able to find beta apps on TestFlight that are experimenting with Live Activities. 6. Download In-App Content Before First Launching Apps There’s a new toggle in Settings – App Store for “In-App Content,” which will “automatically run apps in the background to download content before you first launch them” when enabled. You’ll notice the change mostly in games and navigation apps that need a lot of resources to run correctly. The App Store has file size limits, but developers can push the required resources after the initial app installation. It is unclear if the feature only applies during the app’s initial installation or if it can also install new in-app content in the background after manually or automatically installing an app update. After installing the iOS 16.1 update, this toggle should be enabled by default. Before (left) and after (right) the iOS 16.1 update. 7. Subscribe to Fitness+ Without Apple Watch Before iOS 16.1, you had to have an Apple Watch to subscribe to Fitness+ in the Fitness app. Now, you don’t need one, but you’d be missing out on all the health and fitness metrics displayed on the Apple Watch during a workout. If you don’t care about that data and just want to follow along to a workout session, Fitness+ is now a viable option. 8. New Shortcut Actions The iOS 16.0 update added almost 60 new actions in the Shortcuts app, and iOS 16.1 throws a few more in. One is “Get Current Focus” for the Settings app, which returns the currently active focus. The other is “Search in Shortcuts” for the Shortcuts app, which opens Shortcuts and performs a search for the specified text. 9. Delete Apple Wallet If you don’t use Apple Pay, Apple Cash, Apple Card, or store loyalty cards and tickets in Apple Wallet, you can finally delete the Apple Wallet app. Before, you could only remove it from the home screen, hiding it in the App Library, but now it can be gone for good. 10. Lock Screen Customization Changes Apple is making the lock screen and home screen customization less confusing on iOS 16.1. Now, whenever you hit the “Customize” button for a lock screen in the lock screen switcher, it will give you a choice between editing the lock screen or home screen wallpaper. Previously, it would jump right to the lock screen editor when you tapped “Customize.” Then, when you were done editing it, you would get an option to “Set as Wallpaper Pair” or “Customize Home Screen.” You’ll still see those two options when adding a new lock screen. Don’t Miss: Customize Your iPhone’s Lock Screen with These 27 Killer New Features on iOS 16 11. Switch Wallpaper Pairs from Settings Apple continues to tweak wallpaper management, and iOS 16.1 gives us better options via Settings – Wallpapers. Before, you could only customize your current wallpapers or add a new pair — you couldn’t switch between all your pairs. The new interface fixes that. The wallpaper settings will show your current pair of wallpapers, and you can swipe left or right to find the wallpaper set you want to switch to, and you can hit “Set as Current” to make the change. While there’s a redesigned “Add New Wallpaper” button below the previews, you can also swipe left to the very end of the previews and hit the plus (+) on the blank set to build and use a new pair. 12. Screenshot Editor Changes When you tap on the thumbnail after taking a screenshot to open the editor, everything should look the same until it’s time to exit the editor. Tap “Done,” and instead of a large action sheet that takes up the bottom half of the screen (left screenshot below), you’ll get a smaller contextual menu near the “Done” button itself (right screenshot below). 13. iCloud Shared Photo Library If you use Family Sharing to share content with your partner, kids, and other family members, iCloud Shared Photo Library is another feature you can now take advantage of. It can be shared with up to five users, and everyone can add, edit, favorite, caption, and delete content. You can include all your photos in the shared library or use the setup tools to include only specific content based on a start date or group of people. People can also add content manually or share media automatically via a switch in the Camera app, using a Bluetooth proximity trigger, or from sharing suggestions in For You. Content from your iCloud Shared Photo Library may appear in the Photos widget, under your Featured Photos in For You, or as memory videos. Images via Apple 14. Matter Support Matter, a new unifying open connectivity standard for the Home app, Siri, Control Center, and HomeKit-based apps, enables secure, IP-based communication among a wide range of compatible smart home devices and accessories. Designed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance, which includes hundreds of companies like Apple, Amazon, and Google, the royalty-free protocol makes devices and accessories from different companies work together seamlessly across platforms. According to Apple, it will “provide more choice and interoperability for customers.” Amazon Echo, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings are just some of the smart home tech that will work with Matter. To use Matter accessories, you’ll need a home hub, such as an Apple TV or HomePod device. While it’s not there now, you may be able to see all of your connected Matter accessories via Settings – General – Matter Accessories. 15. Game Center Improvements The Contacts app will show your friends’ Game Center profiles, and you can tap through to see what games they’re playing and the achievements they’re accomplishing. There’s also a new toggle in Game Center for “Allow finding by friends” and a new splash screen f...

Killing More Worthless Projects Would Be A Win For Crypto – Cointelegraph https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/killing-more-worthless-projects-would-be-a-win-for-crypto-cointelegraph/ Killing more worthless projects would be a win for crypto  Cointelegraph

US Hurricane Rebuilding Rules Must Adapt To ‘Era Of Climate Change’: Expert – Barron’s https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/us-hurricane-rebuilding-rules-must-adapt-to-era-of-climate-change-expert-barrons/ After an extreme weather event, such as Hurricane Ian which devastated parts of Florida last month, most Americans choose to rebuild rather than move to less hazardous areas. But as climate change increases the frequency and scale of natural disasters, does US policy need to adapt? Gavin Smith, a professor of environmental planning at the University of North Carolina, worked for several states following major hurricanes, including Katrina in Mississippi (2005) and Matthew in North Carolina (2016). According to him, current reconstruction standards are not up to the challenges posed by climate change, but correcting them will require real “political will.” Smith’s responses to AFP have been lightly edited and condensed for clarity. Q: What are the rules for re-construction after a hurricane, and are they adapted to climate change? A: Communities must comply with the local codes and standards in place in their jurisdiction before the storm struck. In the US, we have the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which has historically been subsidized by the federal government. For a community to join the program, it has to adopt certain flood risk reduction standards. They include building codes as well as land use plans. Then, if a home is damaged in the storm more than 50 percent of their value, it must be built back to the most recent code and standards in place. Our standard for flood is rebuilding largely back to the “100 year flood,” more accurately termed the one percent annual chance flood event. But in an era of climate change, that “100 year” flood is happening more and more often. Most risk reduction codes and standards often reflect a climate of the past. For example, we spent $14 billion rebuilding the levee system in New Orleans after hurricane Katrina. That levee system was built back to the “100 year flood.” So you could make the argument that in the era of climate change, that levee system is already out of date. Q: What do you expect from government officials? A: Disasters can present opportunities to rebuild communities safer. What I’m suggesting is that if we’re going to spend hundreds of millions of dollars building these communities back, we need to require communities to adopt higher codes and standards. But that takes political will of both members of Congress and local elected officials. These are really difficult trillion dollar questions. You’ll also have builders and the private sector saying, “We should limit those kinds of regulations, as we need to quickly rebuild.” It takes a lot of political will for a mayor or for a governor to say “No, we’ve got to do what’s right in the long run.: Unfortunately, people don’t get elected by saying “I am going to require higher standards.” That’s not a winning slogan. It takes political will to say, enough is enough, we need to adopt higher standards, it’s going to take time, cost more, and people may have to pay more to do it. That said, we also need to make sure we include equity in processes adopted to develop those standards. The shrimpers and the crabbers that live in a very modest house on the water, if we make them adopt higher standards, can they afford it? Q: Concretely, what would be these better standards? A: A really simple way to think about it is “where” and “how” you build in relation to natural hazards, including those exacerbated by climate change. The “how” include elevating structures, more stringent standards for wind performance, like better roof shingles, hardening our infrastructure — communication systems, bridges, roads, levees… We can also do this by protecting natural systems like dunes and wetlands. The “where” is what we would often refer to as land use planning. Should we be putting a hospital, or a school, in an area subject to storm surge? Probably not. A community may choose to say, we’re not going to build a house within 200 meters of the beach. Or adopt a gradual disinvestment strategy in extremely risky areas (managed retreat). It’s very difficult to do politically, but it’s happening on a small scale. Resilience is really about a series of protective measures or choices. It’s not just one. A levee, if that’s your only protection and it fails, to me that’s not resilience.

Duke Struggles On Offense And With Injuries In 23-20 OT ACC Road Loss To Georgia Tech – Raleigh News & Observer https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/duke-struggles-on-offense-and-with-injuries-in-23-20-ot-acc-road-loss-to-georgia-tech-raleigh-news-observer/ You don’t have permission to access “http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/duke/article266982106.html” on this server. Reference #18.4b3b2f17.1665285305.12f2ba52

William & Mary Holds Off Delaware To Win 27-21 – MySA https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/william-mary-holds-off-delaware-to-win-27-21-mysa/ Oct. 8, 2022Updated: Oct. 8, 2022 6:15 p.m. WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (AP) — Bronson Yoder rushed for 114 yards and a touchdown, Darius Wilson added what proved to be the winning points and William & Mary upset FCS sixth-ranked Delaware 27-21 on Saturday. The 17th-ranked Tribe (5-1, 2-1 Colonial Athletic Association), built a 24-7 lead after Wilson’s 1-yard touchdown early in the third quarter following a muffed punt that gave William & Mary possession at the Delaware 23-yard line. Nolan Henderson threw a pair of touchdown passes to get the Blue Hens (5-1, 3-1) back within three going into the fourth quarter, but Ethan Chang kicked his second field goal with 1:45 left and the Tribe held on. The Tribe outgained the Blue Hens 423-331 and held Delaware to 1 of 11 on third-down conversion tries. Wilson passed for 144 yards with an interception and ran for 57. Henderson passed for 203 yards, well below his 291 average, which had him in the top 10 nationally. Jourdan Townsend had 91 yards receiving with a score. Justis Henley blocked two field-goal attempts. ___ More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/ap_top25. Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/mrxhe6f2

Family Granted RV By Make-A-Wish Foundation, Local Company – Laredo Morning Times https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/family-granted-rv-by-make-a-wish-foundation-local-company-laredo-morning-times/ Jorge A. Vela, LMTonline.com / Laredo Morning Times Oct. 8, 2022 This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 1of17 The Make-A-Wish Foundation and Ron Hoover RV & Marine of Laredo bestowed five-year-old Rochelle Mata, who has an undiagnosable condition that degenerates her brain,  and her family with an RV so they can go camping and on vacation as a family. The family praised the gift and stated that it is something that will better the quality of life of their daughter while also making sure they travel together as a family. Jorge A. Vela / Laredo Morning TimesShow MoreShow Less 2of17 The Make-A-Wish Foundation and Ron Hoover RV & Marine of Laredo bestowed five-year-old Rochelle Mata, who has an undiagnosable condition that degenerates her brain,  and her family with an RV so they can go camping and on vacation as a family. The family praised the gift and stated that it is something that will better the quality of life of their daughter while also making sure they travel together as a family. Jorge A. Vela / Laredo Morning TimesShow MoreShow Less 3of17 4of17 The Make-A-Wish Foundation and Ron Hoover RV & Marine of Laredo bestowed five-year-old Rochelle Mata, who has an undiagnosable condition that degenerates her brain,  and her family with an RV so they can go camping and on vacation as a family. The family praised the gift and stated that it is something that will better the quality of life of their daughter while also making sure they travel together as a family. Jorge A. Vela / Laredo Morning TimesShow MoreShow Less 5of17 The Make-A-Wish Foundation and Ron Hoover RV & Marine of Laredo bestowed five-year-old Rochelle Mata, who has an undiagnosable condition that degenerates her brain,  and her family with an RV so they can go camping and on vacation as a family. The family praised the gift and stated that it is something that will better the quality of life of their daughter while also making sure they travel together as a family. Jorge A. Vela / Laredo Morning TimesShow MoreShow Less 6of17 7of17 The Make-A-Wish Foundation and Ron Hoover RV & Marine of Laredo bestowed five-year-old Rochelle Mata, who has an undiagnosable condition that degenerates her brain,  and her family with an RV so they can go camping and on vacation as a family. The family praised the gift and stated that it is something that will better the quality of life of their daughter while also making sure they travel together as a family. Jorge A. Vela / Laredo Morning TimesShow MoreShow Less 8of17 The Make-A-Wish Foundation and Ron Hoover RV & Marine of Laredo bestowed five-year-old Rochelle Mata, who has an undiagnosable condition that degenerates her brain,  and her family with an RV so they can go camping and on vacation as a family. The family praised the gift and stated that it is something that will better the quality of life of their daughter while also making sure they travel together as a family. Jorge A. Vela / Laredo Morning TimesShow MoreShow Less 9of17 10of17 The Make-A-Wish Foundation and Ron Hoover RV & Marine of Laredo bestowed five-year-old Rochelle Mata, who has an undiagnosable condition that degenerates her brain,  and her family with an RV so they can go camping and on vacation as a family. The family praised the gift and stated that it is something that will better the quality of life of their daughter while also making sure they travel together as a family. Jorge A. Vela / Laredo Morning TimesShow MoreShow Less 11of17 The Make-A-Wish Foundation and Ron Hoover RV & Marine of Laredo bestowed five-year-old Rochelle Mata, who has an undiagnosable condition that degenerates her brain,  and her family with an RV so they can go camping and on vacation as a family. The family praised the gift and stated that it is something that will better the quality of life of their daughter while also making sure they travel together as a family. Jorge A. Vela / Laredo Morning TimesShow MoreShow Less 12of17 13of17 The Make-A-Wish Foundation and Ron Hoover RV & Marine of Laredo bestowed five-year-old Rochelle Mata, who has an undiagnosable condition that degenerates her brain,  and her family with an RV so they can go camping and on vacation as a family. The family praised the gift and stated that it is something that will better the quality of life of their daughter while also making sure they travel together as a family. Jorge A. Vela / Laredo Morning TimesShow MoreShow Less 14of17 The Make-A-Wish Foundation and Ron Hoover RV & Marine of Laredo bestowed five-year-old Rochelle Mata, who has an undiagnosable condition that degenerates her brain,  and her family with an RV so they can go camping and on vacation as a family. The family praised the gift and stated that it is something that will better the quality of life of their daughter while also making sure they travel together as a family. Jorge A. Vela / Laredo Morning TimesShow MoreShow Less 15of17 16of17 The Make-A-Wish Foundation and Ron Hoover RV & Marine of Laredo bestowed five-year-old Rochelle Mata, who has an undiagnosable condition that degenerates her brain,  and her family with an RV so they can go camping and on vacation as a family. The family praised the gift and stated that it is something that will better the quality of life of their daughter while also making sure they travel together as a family. Jorge A. Vela / Laredo Morning TimesShow MoreShow Less 17of17 One family got its wish granted, being gifted a vehicle that will help it with a special needs child to make sure they can go on their first vacation while all together.  The Make-A-Wish Foundation and Ron Hoover RV & Marine Centers in Laredo bestowed 5-year-old Rochelle Mata and her family with an RV so they can go camping and on vacation together. The family praised the gift and stated that it is something that will better the quality of life of their daughter while also making sure they can travel together. “This is a wish that we have been working on for years,” said Alicia Cavazos, mother to Rochelle and 8-year-old Alissa Mata. “To be honest, we had put it on hold, as at first we didn’t really know what to ask for. For the first four years of life for Rochelle, we lived in hospitals, traveling to doctor appointments and trying to find answers because Rochelle has an unknown condition, so doing this today was very unreal. According to Cavazos, Rochelle was born with a neurotypical brain that was functioning regularly, but once born, doctors began noticing that her brain began shrinking over the ensuing months. While doctors did a lot of tests, the best diagnosis they got was that she was suffering from a degenerative neural condition, in which her brain affects her ability to communicate and mobility. Cavazos also states that due to the lack of a formal diagnosis, Rochelle has never officially been told what her life expectancy is. Doctors initially warned she may only live around five years, but she has already surpassed that figure.  “We don’t have any answers, but we just try to give her the best quality of life, make her happy and enjoy life,” Cavazos said. “She enjoys her cartoons and sometimes peace and quiet, and she also loves to be with her sister and me, as just hearing our voices just makes her so happy.” The people that made the wish possible were members of the Laredo Ron Hoover RV & Marine Centers. Blake Anthony, the company’s vice president of consumer affairs, stated that the gift was possible through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, as for the past five years, they have been very involved with the organization in making sure families and children who want anything from an RV to a boat in more than 20 cases were able to get their wishes granted.  “This is always very emotional for me,” Anthony said. “I am always very inspired, blessed and a little choked up sometimes to be honest,” Anthony said. “The RV is a perfect gift, as many of these children cannot go to hotels and sometimes their immune systems are very challenged. The RV provides the perfect environment where the meds and the treatments can be controlled and dispensed in a very efficient and satisfactory manner.” Anthony states that just in the areas that their companies operate, the organization provides about 1,200-1,500 wishes a year. Ray Galvan, the general manager of Ron Hoover RV & Marine Centers in Laredo, said that they got in contact with the Make-A-Wish Foundation just about a month and a half ago, and since then they started working to make this event a reality.  Another individual who was also present at the ceremonial event was Zapata County Sheriff Raymundo Del Bosque Jr., who states that he works very close with the RV company and expressed his gratitude for what it did. He stated that something similar should be expected in Zapata County as well, calling the company a great partner with the law enforcement community of Zapata.  “It is great that Ron Hoover RV & Marine of Laredo partnered up with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, as it touched the family’s heart and helped the kids experience something — because of their condition, that is very hard to accomplish,” Del Bosque said. “We are working on different projects out in Zapata and to help the kids also in Zapata and surrounding areas with the Ron Hoover RV & Marine of Laredo and the Make-A-Wish Foundation to bring those blessings to everyone around us in the communities of Webb and Zapata County.” Meanwhile, Alissa states that she loves her sister dearly and is very happy that the family will be able to take trips together going forward. “I am excited, as I have never gone on a trip with Rochy, so I am very excited,” Mata said. “I love a lot, a lot my sister.” Cavazos said the RV will be a great help for he...

LIVE: PM Modi To Declare Modhera As India’s First Solar-Powered Village Today – Hindustan Times https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/live-pm-modi-to-declare-modhera-as-indias-first-solar-powered-village-today-hindustan-times/ Live Updated on Oct 09, 2022 06:19 AM IST Breaking news October 09, 2022, live updates: Get latest news, breaking news, latest updates, live news, top headlines, breaking business news and top news of the hour. Get latest news, breaking news, latest updates, live news, top headlines, breaking business news and top news of the hour. Welcome to hindustantimes.com updates platform where you can find breaking news from India and across the world. Find fast updates about the latest news as it breaks. Follow all the updates here: Oct 09, 2022 06:19 AM IST PM Modi to declare Modhera as India’s first solar-powered village today Prime Minister Narendra Modi will declare Modhera, a village in the Mehsana district of Gujarat as India’s first solar-powered village on Sunday. According to the Gujarat government, over 1000 solar panels have been installed on the village houses, generating electricity round the clock for the villagers. Subscribe to our best newsletters LIVE: PM Modi to declare Modhera as India’s first solar-powered village today Updated on Oct 09, 2022 06:19 AM IST Breaking news October 09, 2022, live updates: Get latest news, breaking news, latest updates, live news, top headlines, breaking business news and top news of the hour. Get latest news, breaking news, latest updates, live news, top headlines, breaking business news and top news of the hour. Gambia police launch inquiry into cough syrup deaths Updated on Oct 09, 2022 05:41 AM IST India is investigating cough syrups made by a local pharmaceutical company after the World Health Organisation said they could be responsible for the deaths. AFP | | Posted by Sharangee Dutta Edu ministry identifies 9 areas of research under IKS programme this year Published on Oct 09, 2022 05:17 AM IST The Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) division was established by the ministry as an innovation cell at the All India Council for Technical Education in 2020 to promote interdisciplinary research on aspects of indigenous knowledge. No role for third parties in Kashmir, India reiterates Updated on Oct 09, 2022 05:50 AM IST The external affairs ministry was responding to remarks by Pakistan foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock at a joint news conference in Berlin on Friday. Kerala: Forceps left inside woman’s stomach taken out after 5 yrs, probe ordered Updated on Oct 09, 2022 05:06 AM IST Harshina said after her third caesarean in November 2017, which she underwent at the Kozhikode Medical College, she began experiencing “unbearable pain”. A CT scan by doctors of a private hospital later revealed a metal object in her stomach that caused her urinary infection. 2 held for smuggling 665 exotic animals Published on Oct 09, 2022 12:12 AM IST DRI had recently received reliable inputs regarding the smuggling of exotic animals via air cargo. Based on the input, the agency on October 5 intercepted a vehicle in Vile Parle. The vehicle had taken delivery of some imported material that was being transported to the residence of importer Raja in Dharavi. ByVijay Kumar Yadav, Mumbai Seize Ola, Uber autos if still operating: Karnataka minister Sriramulu Published on Oct 09, 2022 12:11 AM IST “Ola and Uber are meant to help commuters without causing them any trouble, but we are getting complaints every year. Also, there are certain technical issues involved, so notice has been issued to them,” Karnataka minister Sriramulu said. CBSE to soon launch holistic progress card on pilot basis for students Updated on Oct 09, 2022 04:54 AM IST Dubbed the Holistic Progress Card, the initiative is envisaged under the National Education Policy 2020 for a “multidimensional progress monitoring” of school students. Tiger linked to 9 deaths shot dead by authorities in Bihar Updated on Oct 09, 2022 04:51 AM IST The forest department, however, has not provided any conclusive evidence to prove the tiger was responsible for all nine deaths, which had led to protests by villagers living near the reserve, seeking killing of the big cat to end the fear. Glitch hits Vande Bharat on New Delhi-Varanasi route, passengers moved to Shatabdi Published on Oct 09, 2022 12:04 AM IST On Saturday, the rake of the Vande Bharat train, which left New Delhi station at its scheduled time of 06.00 am, suffered a failure due to a bearing defect in the traction motor of the C8 coach between the Dankaur and Wair stations of the North Central Railways (NCR), officials said. CBI questions former governor Malik over his bribery allegations Updated on Oct 09, 2022 04:38 AM IST The probe agency filed two FIRs in April based on Satya Pal Malik’s allegation that he was offered a bribe of ₹300 crore to clear two files when he was in office as J&K governor. Have been sent by god to finish off descendents of Kansa, says Kejriwal Published on Oct 08, 2022 11:59 PM IST Kejriwal and Mann, who are on a two-day visit to Gujarat, began their Tiranga Yatra nearly three hours late from Vadodara at around 4 pm. The contentious posters had slogans like ‘I renounce Hinduism which is harmful to humanity,’ ‘I have no faith in Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh, Ram and Krishna and I will not worship them.’ PM Modi set to unveil projects worth ₹14.5k crore during 3-day Gujarat visit Updated on Oct 09, 2022 04:35 AM IST During the visit, PM Narendra Modi will also inaugurate and lay foundation stones of multiple projects at Modhera in Mehsana on Sunday, where Modhera will also be declared as India’s first 24×7 solar-powered village, the statement said. Drugs worth ₹350cr seized from Pakistani boat off Gujarat coast Updated on Oct 08, 2022 11:51 PM IST On Friday night, the Coast Guard had deployed two interceptor ships, C-429 and C-454, for patrolling the international maritime border There was no peace under Cong, PM took northeast to new heights, says Shah Updated on Oct 09, 2022 05:03 AM IST In the last eight years of Bharatiya Janata Party rule in Assam, the state and the region marched ahead on the path of peace and development, Union home minister Amit Shah said after inaugurating the BJP office in Guwahati. ByBiswa Kalyan Purkayastha, Silchar Story Saved New Delhi 0C Sunday, October 09, 2022

Best Parlay (+410) For Atlanta Falcons Vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Week 5 – October 9 | 2022 NFL Football Season – Sportskeeda https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/best-parlay-410-for-atlanta-falcons-vs-tampa-bay-buccaneers-week-5-october-9-2022-nfl-football-season-sportskeeda/ The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-2) will play host to their divisional foe, the Atlanta Falcons (2-2), on Sunday (October 9) in NFL action at Raymond James Stadium. Both teams will look to climb over the .500 mark as they finish the first quarter of the season. Below, we’ll go through the best parlay to make for Sunday’s contest. Bet $5 on Week 5 action and win $200 in free bets if your money line bet wins on NFL when you join DraftKings Through FanDuel, place a 4+ Leg SGP (Same Game Parlay), SGP+ on any 10/9 NFL Games and get a bonus in free bets equal to the size of your wager, up to $10, win or loss (wagers must have final odds of +400 or greater). NFL Parlay Leg #1: Chris Godwin Any Time Scorer (+120) It’s safe to say that Chris Godwin has owned the Atlanta Falcons for the entirety of his career. The Penn State product averages 80 yards and a score per game against the division rival. In addition, Godwin dominated the Falcons secondary last year with 19 receptions for 205 yards and one TD in two games. All this occurred with Atlanta CB A.J. Terrell playing at an All-Pro level. With Atlanta’s inability to make a significant addition to their secondary in the offseason, Godwin should be able to find a lot of green grass on Sunday and find his way into the endzone. NFL Parlay Leg #2: Tom Brady 250+ Yards (-245) The beneficiary of Godwin’s dominance will no doubt be his quarterback Tom Brady. Like Godwin, Brady has made a healthy living playing against Atlanta. His 113.9 QB rating against the Falcons is the highest amongst all 32 NFL franchises. Asking Brady to throw for over 250 yards seems like a small task, as he averages 334 passing yards per game against the division foe. A blowout shouldn’t affect the Tampa Bay passing attack either. Brady has eclipsed 250 passing yards in four of five games they won by 24+ dating back to last season. Bet $10, win $200 if either team scores a touchdown for new BetMGM players NFL Parlay Leg #3: Drake London 40+ Yards (-350) Somebody has to catch the ball in Atlanta, so why not side with unequivocally their best player – Drake London – a rookie out of USC, has been a bright spot for the Falcons so far. He has played 80% or more of the snaps in his last three contests, and his receiving prop is set at 59.5 yards. A positive game script should aid in London surpassing the 40-yard threshold. In their two losses, London has seen 19 targets and has hauled in 13 of them. NFL Parlay Leg #4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3.5) (-280) As an NFL spread approaches double digits, the worry is always the back door cover. The Bucs will most likely close as a -10 favorite, so buying 6.5 points seems like a safe bet. Tampa has swept the season series in the past two seasons, yet two of the wins came by only four points. It also doesn’t help that Atlanta is 4-0 ATS so far this season. The safe play here is taking Tampa to win by four and increasing the odds of the SGP to over +400. Tail one of these plays when joining BetMGM for a $Risk-Free Bet up to $1,000 Rate this story! ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Thank You!

Alabama Vs. Texas A&M Score: Live Game Updates, College Football Scores, NCAA Top 25 Highlights Today – CBS Sports https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/alabama-vs-texas-am-score-live-game-updates-college-football-scores-ncaa-top-25-highlights-today-cbs-sports/ Season Leaders passing M. Johnson517 YD, 3 TDS M. Johnson517 YD, 3 TDS B. Young1202 YD, 14 TDS, 3 INTSB. Young1202 YD, 14 TDS, 3 INTS rushing D. Achane81 ATT, 466 YD, 3 TDSD. Achane81 ATT, 466 YD, 3 TDS J. Gibbs43 ATT, 378 YD, 2 TDSJ. Gibbs43 ATT, 378 YD, 2 TDS receiving A. Smith15 REC, 291 YD, 2 TDSA. Smith15 REC, 291 YD, 2 TDS T. Holden17 REC, 228 YD, 4 TDST. Holden17 REC, 228 YD, 4 TDS See New Posts Pinned Pinned Pinned Aggies catch a break Jalen Milroe got a little too antsy in the pocket and was sacked from the backside and fumbled. The Aggies took over at the Alabama 30-yard line and are in business. If they’re going to spring the upset, a short field is necessary.  Pinned Pinned Pinned Pinned Pinned Alabama on the board 11:39 Q1: No. 1 Alabama 7, Texas A&M 0 Jalen Milroe has been a force on the ground, especially when he escapes the pocket. He didn’t have to escape the pocket to crack the scoreboard, though. He stood tall and threw a 10-yard dart to tight end Cameron Latu over the middle in coverage to give the Crimson Tide the lead. Texas A&M wasn’t intimated by the passing attack before that play. After that, Milroe’s arm should have the Aggies’ attention. Pinned Pinned Pinned Pinned Pinned Texas A&M isn’t threatened by the pass Jalen Milroe and Jahmyr Gibbs have had a reasonable amount of success, but it’s clear at this point that Texas A&M isn’t threatened by Milroe through the air. They have stacked the box and are having success after the first drive in which Milroe and Gibbs got going on the ground. Pinned King is looking at the pass rush Texas A&M quarterback Haynes King hasn’t made a big mistake, but it’s clear that he’s rattled by the pressure that Alabama is bringing. The Aggies’ third drive stalled and they were forced to punt after Alabama got pressure on virtually every down.  Pinned Pinned Texas A&M needs big plays Will Anderson Jr. rocked Haynes King on second-and-10, and that was the third time on the drive that Alabama’s front seven impacted the play. It’s clear that the Aggies are going to have a hard time controlling the line of scrimmage, which means they’re going to have to break off some explosive plays to have a chance. That hasn’t happened much this year though. Pinned Pinned Jalen Milroe gets the start and the drive stalls It was indeed Milroe who took the first snap in play of Bryce Young, and it didn’t go according to plan. Jahmyr Gibbs had a 25-yard scamper, but Milroe missed Cameron Latu on third-and-16 and the Crimson Tide were forced to punt. The passing game isn’t necessarily Milroe’s strength, but it’s hard to expect much when he gets behind the sticks. Pinned Pinned Pinned Pinned Pinned Pinned Prediction time I’ll take No. 1 Alabama to win this game over Texas A&M 42-7. I don’t think the Aggies will be able to move the ball at all, and Alabama will run, run and run some more. That’ll drain the clock and put this one to rest relatively early. Pinned Well, maybe Bryce Young was a decoy Young was announced as Alabama’s starting quarterback inside the stadium. However, it appears that he might not be taking the first snap of the game. Pinned Bryce Young announced as the starting QB The 2021 Heisman Trophy winner sprained his shoulder in the second quarter of last week’s win over Arkansas, and was relieved by dual-threat signal-caller Jalen Milroe. Young’s status has been in doubt all week, and it appears — for now anyway — that he will start for the Crimson Tide. Pinned Pinned Pinned Pinned See More

Metaverse Tokens That Could Do 10x Before The Year Ends – Decentraland, Enjin Coin, And MetaCryp | – Bitcoinist https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/metaverse-tokens-that-could-do-10x-before-the-year-ends-decentraland-enjin-coin-and-metacryp-bitcoinist/ Blockchain, cryptocurrencies, the Metaverse, and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are paving the way for new ways to escape the rat race and enter a safe, drama-free environment. Now that we have this cutting-edge technology, we can all step out of the cold and into the sunshine, explore a fantastical world, communicate with people across the globe, and even play games. Through the Metaverse, one can create a unique environment, complete with all the bells and whistles, meet new people, and have fun playing games without ever having to leave the house. We have compiled a list of the top gaming tokens available for purchase in this post so that you can experience the boundless realm of the Metaverse – The Sandbox (SAND), Enjin Coin (ENJ), and new crypto MetaCryp (MTCR). Explore the Metaverse with The Sandbox (SAND) Regarding online gaming, The Sandbox (SAND) is a blockchain-based utopia. The land is a digital property that can be created, bought, and sold by anybody with access to the network. The project combines a programmable environment with non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which are becoming increasingly popular in the gaming industry, to give players a richer, more interactive gaming experience. The Sandbox takes on two major problems in the gaming industry: locked funds and a lack of transparency. Several routes exist in the Sandbox for players to withdraw their funds and use them in other games or the real world. In the Sandbox, users can use a basic Ethereum blockchain explorer to confirm any item’s authenticity, history, and capabilities. Players can generate passive money by collecting land access fees from other players. As players acquire more land or improve their existing holdings, so do their rewards. Have Fun with Enjin Coin (ENJ) Enjin Coin (ENJ) is a digital asset used to back the value of blockchain assets developed on the Enjin online gaming creation platform. This digital asset is built on the ERC-20 standard. This open-source platform was designed specifically for online gamers and the gaming community. It enables virtual ownership of items and trading between players and community members, all of which are made possible through smart wallets. While ENJ was first developed on the Ethereum blockchain, the company has just finished a funding round that raised over $19 million and will use that money to create a blockchain for NFTs based on Polkadot. The DeFi world has a new GameFi Token – MetaCryp (MTCR) Through their new Network, MetaCryp (MTCR) is providing people from all over the world with an environment that seems like a home away from home. The MetaCryp Network is the very first GameFi space in the world. It is a community-focused ecosystem that provides its users with a location that feels just like home, where they may indulge in intense fun and let their wildest imaginations run free. MetaCryp is developing a new space to advance the direction DeFi and the metaverse are headed. This new space is built on the Binance Smart Chain. They are concentrating on developing products compatible with one another in high-end gaming systems, DeFi, and NFT software programs. The objective of the MetaCryp Network is to achieve a position of prominence among those capable of producing a secure and entertaining environment for all its users. These users will be able to take advantage of modernized tools in blockchain technology, the Metaverse, Play2Earn gaming, advanced DeFi platforms, socializing, and all things related to the metaverse in terms of gaming, events, and collectibles. In addition, playing games on the ‘Play-to-Earn Ecosystem’ allows users to earn $MTCR tokens without leaving the comfort of their homes. It ensures they will have the opportunity to earn money using the $MTCR token, in-game assets, or NFTs. There are 500,000,000 MTCR tokens available in circulation. On your first purchase, you can receive a 32% incentive. You will also receive a 10% discount when purchasing MTCR tokens with Ethereum and 8% and 13% discounts when purchasing with BTC and BNB, respectively. To find out more about MetaCryp Token (MTCR), visit the links below: Presale: http://presale.MetaCryptoken.io/ Website: http://MetaCryptoken.io/ Telegram: https://t.me/MetaCrypOfficial Disclaimer: This is a paid release. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily represent those of Bitcoinist. Bitcoinist does not guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of information available in such content. Do your research and invest at your own risk.

You Have Less Than 48 Hours To Shop The Top Deals Of The Year – 22 Words https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/you-have-less-than-48-hours-to-shop-the-top-deals-of-the-year-22-words/ We’re less than three months away from 2023 – can you believe it? This year flew by SO fast, but it gave us so many cool new gadgets, fashion trends, and convenient home gadgets. My Amazon wish list really grew this year, but my paycheck did not – yikes… Thankfully, many of the things I still want are on a flash sale right now. It’s not too late to grab your favorites! Here are a few of my top picks from each category; I’ve included everything from gaming computers and flat-screen TVs to top-rated skincare products, a massage gun that will save you $180, and more. Grab these goodies before they’re gone! You will love our editor’s curated product picks! FYI: We are an Amazon affiliate partner and may get a share of the sale of your purchase (at no cost to you). Want a Nice Rug for Less Than $50? It’s 75% OFF I can’t believe how affordable this rug is! This is a great find for your first apartment, home office or modern nursery. Available in three different sizes and colors, you can select the look that best matches your interior decor. Personally, I’m a big fan of the white on blue. These Affordable Acne Healing Patches Work Miracles This is the acne cure I wish I had had as a teen. Customers like Laura say they can’t get enough of these miracle patches: “I LOVE these patches. I’ve tried different brands because they were cheaper but the adhesive caused very dry patches on my skin, or even additional breakouts. I’ve used these No BS ones for about a year now, often times repeatedly over the same area as zits and stuff pop up, and holy cow they are well worth the investment. They draw out blackheads or whatever weird stuff pops up on my face, and I haven’t experienced any bad reactions.” Save $180 on This Amazing Deal and Massage Away the Stress This item is MAJORLY DISCOUNTED! Whether you’re a construction worker, fitness instructor, teacher or sales rep, you’ll be feeling that eight hour shift when you finally get to sprawl out on your bed. Rather than risking a cramp or accidental spine adjustment overnight, use this massager before bed to loosen tense muscles, knots and tendons. A little bit goes a looooong way! Over 50% OFF! Stay Warm on Your Next Backpacking Trip with This Mountain Vest I know it sounds impossible, but husbands, dads, and brothers can actually can get cold. Mind-blowing, I know. Their secret is, they wait until they’re literally freezing before they actually consider adding another layer. By then, it’s too late and they get chilled to the bone. If this sounds like your husband, get this vest for him for wintertime. Help him match it with his favorite shirt so he can feel like it’s more of a fashion choice than a need for warmth if that helps. And let him know you got it on sale! I’m sure he will love the discount. The Most Convenient (and Cheap!) Clip-on Pasta Strainer I’m a lazy chef, so naturally, I love this item For it’s easy of use and of course… THE PRICE. All you have to do is clip it onto your pot of choice once the pasta or veggies are done boiling and pour out the water. This is especially nice if you’re making macaroni and cheese; your pasta never has to leave the pot! Start Your Own Home Gym with These Peloton Dumbbells You’ve been talking about it for years – it’s time to switch to an at-home workout product! Trust me, it’s totally worth it. In the long run, you’ll save money, and time (which is usually spent waiting for someone to get off the machine you want) and spare yourself the anxiety of looking peak at the gym. Now you can focus on what really matters – THE GAINS. Over $170 OFF the Original Price: Your Fur Baby Needs This Cat Climber Admit it – you’ve seen all of the videos of wall-mounted cat furniture and you want one of your own sets now! Well, I’ve got good news for you: this five-level climber is on sale! Compared to those old disintegrating, dust-collecting cat trees, this climber is made with easy-to-clean charter oak and sleek metal. But don’t worry – there are plenty of padded surfaces for nap time! Under $50! An Awesome Deal on this OtterBox Case for Your iPhone I’m all about OtterBox as a brand, so if you’re in the market for something that will actually save your phone from even the worst falls and fumbles, this is the case for you. And who can say their colors and patterns aren’t cute? Just look at this Disney-themed case. A Classic Chunky Sweater at a great price point Pumpkin patches, hot cocoa at the pier, and homemade apple pie in the mountains call for the perfect seasonal fashion. Regardless of where you live, the chunky knit sweater embodies that cozy autumn spirit and looks good with pretty much any choice of bottoms. Don’t worry – it comes in ALL the colors, so you can match it with your personal aesthetic. Under $80! Listen to Anything and Everything With These Headphones This product is the best way to block out noisy neighbors… as it also comes with sound-blocking technology. You can relax knowing that you’re listening to your audio using the best possible sound quality. It would also be perfect for planes! This is the Budget-Friendly Coffee Grinder You’ve Been Waiting For! I waited on buying my own bean grinder for YEARS because the ones I kept seeing were so expensive! Not to mention the high prices of those Starbucks blends… Fast forward to 2022, I bought myself one of these lower-cost grinders and started grinding my own fresh Peet’s Coffee beans – I am so impressed with how well it does. Now I can have fresh coffee anytime I want (and my husband won’t be mad at me for racking up a hefty monthly bill at Starbucks)! Everyone Deserves a Top-Rated Moisturizer That is over 30% OFF Yes, over 30% OFF! If you want glowing, dewy skin, grab this cream right now! This fragrance-free night cream is loaded with collagen peptides, ceramides and Vitamin E – everything you need to brighten and tighten overnight. Buyer TM says it “has a very nice, almost whipped consistency and absorbs really well.” Take Adantage! New Moms, You’re Going to Want Some of These Anti-Choke Spoons If you’ve got a baby on the way, take advantage of this flash sale! I’m sure there are TONS of baby items for sale right now, but definitely make sure to grab this one. I don’t have children myself, but I hear babies and toddlers can be a handful at mealtime. You turn your back for one moment and, next thing you know, food is on the floor or they’re eating something they’re not supposed to ingest. These spoons come with anti-choke barriers and chewable baby-safe silicone, so you know your newest family member will be safe even if you have to leave them alone for a second. A small price to pay for peace of mind! 20% OFF! Crack Down on Your Chaotic, Messy Car with This Trunk Organizer I’m downright ashamed of how messy my trunk is. It’s become a permanent storage space for things I keep forgetting to take out of the car, in a trashy, rat’s nest kind of way. With 2023 just around the corner, I think I’m finally sick enough of it to actually reorganize it. If you feel the same way about your car, invest in this trunk organizer to help you get the job done quickly. Only $30! What a Steal – I’ve Found the Best Travel Grooming Kit for Men & Masculine people This kit is just what you need for your next business trip. As its name suggests, the Exploration Kit is great for first-time users and those who want to branch out. It comes with travel-size versions of the sea salt spray, hair paste, hair cream and hair wax – perfect for experimenting and playing around with what works for your manly mane. Rest assured, reviewers say each one smells great and won’t leave your hair feeling greasy! When in doubt, start with a little bit and work it into your hair; a little goes a long way, so this kit should last you a long time. Cargo Pants are Back, Baby! And They Are 50% OFF The new 90’s clothing trends are bringing back all kinds of awesome fashion choices, including cargo pants. These Columbia brand cargo pants are a steal right now! With added moisture-wicking features, UV blocking fabric, and more pockets than you really know what to do with, these pants are pretty much all-purpose. Can we agree there’s really no need to ever wear jeans again? Over 30% OFF! This Eye-Catching Coffee Table is Perfect for Under Your TV Honestly, this would look cool and work well just about anywhere in your house, but I think it would look best under a sleek flat-screen TV. Because it’s open on the front and back, you won’t have to hassle with doors or drilling holes to make room for cables and consoles. Reviewers like it for being super classy, compact, and easy to assemble! Under $30! Oil Diffusers are the New Candle – And They Make Great Gifts For the cost of one premium three-wick candle, you could take home a reusable scent diffuser and 10 essential oils to go with it! That’s crazy! Truth be told, I really love diffusers. I live in a drier part of California and I love using mine just as a humidifier. These can also really add spa-like ambience to your bedroom; if you want to create a chill zone, definitely don’t miss out on this deal. Cheap & Cute! You’ll Love These Reusable Chalkboard Labels From one host to another: if you don’t have these labels already, you really need to buy them for your next gathering. While I like these for labeling spooky fantasy drinks and foods at my annual Halloween party, you can use them for pretty much anything in your kitchen. They’ll help guests find exactly what they need and they’re customizable, which means you can list out ingredients for your allergy-sensitive guests. Under $20! Ditch the Paper Towels and Grab This Reusable Microwave Bacon Cooker I know it looks weird, but I think this item is genius! The Bacon Wizard offers all the same benefits you...

This New Green Crypto Has Raised Over $2.1 Million This Week – Best Presale 2022? – Cryptonews https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/this-new-green-crypto-has-raised-over-2-1-million-this-week-best-presale-2022-cryptonews/ Disclaimer: The Industry Talk section features insights by crypto industry players and is not a part of the editorial content of Cryptonews.com. IMPT is a brand-new project that strives to use blockchain technology to make the world more sustainable. It is an excellent nominee for the “greenest” cryptocurrency of the year.  After only five days of the presale, the project’s native currency, the IMPT token, has already raised an incredible $2.1 million. 1 IMPT equals $0.018 in the first presale phase, and the network has already sold 109 million tokens. IMPT Presale – Source: impt.io IMPT – Best ESG-friendly Crypto to Buy Today By acquiring carbon credits, the equivalent of offsetting 1 ton of carbon, individuals and businesses can lower their impact on the environment through IMPT. To address the problems now confronting the sector, IMPT has decided to tokenize carbon credits.  This will eliminate any issues with double-spending tokens and greatly boost the industry’s openness. Several options exist for acquiring carbon credits. In the first place, you can get them from the IMPT market.  However, IMPT has partnered with over 10,000 brands to award users with IMPT tokens merely for buying, making it possible for anyone without access to a cryptocurrency exchange to get their hands on some. Carbon credits can be bought and exchanged with these tokens. IMPT Uses NFTs for Carbon Credits With IMPT, NFTs can be employed in a brand new context: as a form of carbon offset. Putting carbon credits on a blockchain makes them much harder to falsify than any other method. The public nature of the ledger makes it extremely difficult for carbon credits to be abused in any significant sense. It also ensures that they are constantly transparent, neither of which would be feasible without this system. IMPT Marketplace Carbon credits can be purchased, sold, and retired in the IMPT carbon marketplace. To create a market for carbon credits, NFTs are created. When used in carbon markets, blockchain technology eliminates the chance of double counting and fraud. An independent auditor checks all carbon credits on the IMPT platform to ensure they were generated per the Global Certification Protocols.  Carbon credit issuers and holders must complete a Know Your Customer (KYC) process. Moreover, the carbon trading platform IMPT operates on three tiers: First Tier Tokens for the IMPT platform can be obtained by anyone at Level 1 using cryptocurrency or fiat currency. The user can save these IMPT tokens and then use them to purchase carbon credits.  The blockchain-based NFTs will replace the carbon credits. Second Tier Users can trade and sell their carbon credit tokens on the market. Only IMPT tokens can be used to pay for goods and services, and users can either burn their carbon credit tokens to lower their carbon footprint and see an effect immediately or hold on to the tokens as an investment. Third Tier Users can buy and sell valuable NFTs obtained by burning carbon credit tokens in the third and final tier. The user who burnt the carbon credit tokens and the artist who designed the collectible NFT would each own a unique work of art. Visit IMPT Today If you want to buy IMPT tokens, you’re in luck because the IMPT presale is still going on. However, the IMPT presale appears to be completely sold out well ahead of its scheduled end date of November 25.  Join their social community channels and groups to learn more about the project. Telegram Discord Instagram Related News and Analysis How to Buy IMPT Token Experts Believe This Crypto Could Go 50x by 2023 – This Year’s Best Performer? 11 Most Eco-Friendly Cryptocurrencies to Invest In

US Imposes New Sanctions Connected To North Korea Following Spate Of Missile Tests – WDJT https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/us-imposes-new-sanctions-connected-to-north-korea-following-spate-of-missile-tests-wdjt/ By Michael Callahan, CNN (CNN) — The US is imposing new sanctions following a spate of North Korean ballistic missile tests, the US Treasury and State Department announced on Friday. The sanctions target two people and three entities “connected to the delivery of refined petroleum to the DPRK, an action which directly supports the development of DPRK weapons programs and its military,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement Friday. The sanctions include two Singapore registered companies and an entity registered in the Marshall Islands for “illicit ship-to-ship (STS) transfers to circumvent UN sanctions,” according to the Treasury Department. “By designating these entities and individuals, the United States is sending a clear message that we will continue to take actions against those who support the development and sustainment of the DPRK’s military and weapons arsenal,” Blinken said in a statement. North Korea has fired six missiles in the past two weeks — an uptick, even in a year that has seen the highest number of launches since leader Kim Jong Un took power in 2011. The aggressive acceleration in weapons testing has sparked alarm in the region, with the US, South Korea and Japan responding with missile launches and joint military exercises this week. The US has also redeployed an aircraft carrier into waters near the peninsula, a move South Korean authorities called “very unusual.” On Wednesday Blinken warned that if North Korea continues “down this road” of provocation “it will only increase the condemnation, increase the isolation and increase the steps that are taken in response to their actions.” The recent tests have caused administration officials to grow concerned that Kim is set to oversee his nation’s seventh nuclear test. The-CNN-Wire & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

College Football Scores, Updates: UCLA Upsets Utah, While USC-Washington State, Alabama-Texas A&M Battle – Yahoo Sports https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/college-football-scores-updates-ucla-upsets-utah-while-usc-washington-state-alabama-texas-am-battle-yahoo-sports/ UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (1) signals a first down during his team’s win over Utah in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) UCLA suddenly look like one of the Pac-12 favorites after an emphatic 42-32 victory over No. 11 Utah at home on Saturday. Led by quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (299 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT) and running back Zach Charbonnet (198 rushing yards, 1 TD), the Bruins scored at will against the Utes to improve to 6-0 and 3-0 in conference play. Watch out for UCLA. Here’s what else we’re watching today. (Note: All times ET, odds from BetMGM) Washington State at No. 6 USC Time: 7:30 p.m. | TV: Fox | Line: USC -13 | Total: 65.5 The Trojans are 5-0 and up to No. 6 in the AP poll headed into this weekend’s home game against Washington State. Caleb Williams was excellent once again against Arizona State last week, but he did finally throw his first interception of the year. It was the first turnover of the year for USC, which is still No. 1 in the nation in turnover margin at plus-14. Washington State, meanwhile, bounced back from a heartbreaking loss to Oregon by cruising past Cal 28-9 at home to improve to 4-1 on the year. QB Cameron Ward is a dynamic talent, but he’ll need to limit his turnovers if WSU wants to pull off a big upset at The Coliseum. Texas A&M at No. 1 Alabama Time: 8 p.m. | TV: CBS | Line: Alabama -24.5 | Total: 51.5 A few months ago, most expected massive stakes for this game. Jimbo Fisher and Nick Saban had some of the spiciest offseason drama in recent memory with a war of words over NIL, among other things. The two claim to have squashed their beef, but that defiant Fisher news conference will be on the minds of many as the Aggies and Crimson Tide line up in Tuscaloosa. Texas A&M upset the Tide in College Station last fall but the Aggies are off to a disappointing 3-2 start this year. Alabama, meanwhile, is 5-0 and up to No. 1 in the rankings following a convincing win over Arkansas. Bryce Young, Alabama’s Heisman-winning quarterback, is questionable to play due to a shoulder injury sustained in the Arkansas win. Nonetheless, Alabama is still a massive favorite. That says a lot about where these two programs currently stand. What’s happened so far Kansas loses Jalon Daniels to injury, falls to TCU Michigan coach Mike Hart carted off field after seizure on sideline Texas bludgeons Oklahoma in historic Red River blowout LSU embarrassed by Tennessee in one-sided affair

Westbound US-60 Traffic In Mesa Flows Once Again After Crash Involving A Pedestrian – FOX 10 News Phoenix https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/westbound-us-60-traffic-in-mesa-flows-once-again-after-crash-involving-a-pedestrian-fox-10-news-phoenix/ article Traffic slows on US-60 in Mesa at Val Vista Drive MESA, Ariz. – Westbound traffic came to a crawl on US-60 in Mesa at Val Vista Drive Saturday afternoon following a crash, but it’s flowing once again. The Arizona Department of Public Safety says the crash was between three cars and a person on the freeway. Two people were taken to the hospital with unknown injuries. We’re working to learn more details about the crash and what may have caused it. This is a developing story and will be updated when more information is released.

Former Microsoft/Fox Exec Hanno Basse Joins Digital Domain As Chief Technology Officer – Below The Line | Below The Line – Below The Line https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/former-microsoft-fox-exec-hanno-basse-joins-digital-domain-as-chief-technology-officer-below-the-line-below-the-line-below-the-line/ Hanno Basse Digital technologies pioneer Hanno Basse has been named Chief Technology Officer at the award-winning visual effects studio Digital Domain. Basse will oversee the studio’s continued growth as it scales up its global operations while helping to develop new technologies and techniques that ensure the highest level of quality across all mediums. Basse joins Digital Domain during an unprecedented period of growth for the company. With offices around the world — including a new 500+ person studio in Montreal — the VFX house will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2023 with a full docket of projects ranging from blockbuster features to high-profile TV shows and major ad campaigns. As CTO, Basse will oversee the ongoing development of Digital Domain’s industry-leading digital human and autonomous human technologies, along with its AI-powered tools. He will also help to ensure that both clients and artists can call upon the most advanced VFX and filmmaking techniques, including everything from virtual production to real-time CG. “Over the last 30 years, Digital Domain has provided the industry with top-of-the-line artistry and groundbreaking technologies to pair,” said Digital Domain CEO Daniel Seah. “In a rapidly evolving content industry with several emerging platforms and mediums, Hanno is exactly the right person to help bring our leading technology offerings to the next level.” Basse is an entertainment industry veteran, with over 30 years of experience helping companies integrate and implement new technologies. His resume includes a recent tenure as the CTO of Microsoft Azure Media and Entertainment, where he oversaw the implementation of Microsoft’s Azure cloud technology, as well as edge and AI technologies. He also handled content production, and post-production workflows for studios while working with customers, partners, industry groups, and vendors. Before joining Microsoft, Basse held the role of CTO at Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp, where he was instrumental in positioning the company for the next generation of entertainment technologies, including the advent of high dynamic range and Ultra-HD. Prior to his time at Fox, Basse was a member of DirecTV, where as a Senior Vice President of Broadcast Systems Engineering, he was an integral part of its 2005 transition to HD — the largest rollout of its kind at the time. In 2009, he also helped to launch DirecTV’s video-on-demand infrastructure, spearheading the movement toward a new distribution model for content. Along with his corporate accomplishments, Basse is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and a Fellow of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers. He has also been awarded 30 separate patents. “The next few years are going to be crucial for the VFX industry, as studios adapt to the needs of both the clients and audiences,” Basse said in a statement.. “We can’t just keep up, we need to continue to innovate and develop new tools and pipelines to give content creators more options while also ensuring our artists have what they need to succeed and thrive. I am thrilled to be part of Digital Domain, and I can’t wait to see where we go next.” Digital Domain aims to create genre-defining experiences that entertain, inform and inspire. Throughout the last quarter of a century, the studio has established itself as a leader in the film visual effects industry, expanding to encompass episodic series, commercials, and game cinematics, while also embracing previsualization and virtual production. Digital Domain has also become a pioneer in digital humans and virtual reality, adding to a rich legacy that consists of hundreds of blockbuster feature films for every major studio, thousands of commercials, music videos, game cinematics, and digital content by world-renowned directors and brands. A creative force in visual effects and premium content, Digital Domain has brought artistry and technology to films including Titanic, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and blockbusters Ready Player One, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame. Staff artists have won more than 100 major awards, including Academy Awards, Clios, BAFTA awards, and Cannes Lions. Digital Domain has also successfully become the first independent visual effects studio to enter Greater China. It has additional locations in Los Angeles, Vancouver, Montreal, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taipei, and Hyderabad.

10 Most Immersive Cooking Games – GameRant https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/10-most-immersive-cooking-games-gamerant/ Who loves good food? Trick question; everybody does! The Cooking Mama franchise accelerated the cooking game popularity to new heights, selling over 12 million units. Cooking games are a niche genre that can be a great way to pass the time and avoid the stress of real-life cooking. Cooking games can either be strategic restaurant management games that require players to look after their finances or peaceful life simulations where they can harvest their own ingredients, taking them straight from the farm to the oven. Can’t handle the heat? Get out of the kitchen, and into a virtual one. These are the most immersive cooking games available on the market. 10/10 Food Truck Simulator Food Truck Simulator is an immersive first-person simulator game in which players drive a food truck around a city; pretty self-explanatory. Before players set up for the day, they will need to be mindful of their location, paying attention to minute details like traffic levels and congestion for a truly engaging and realistic experience. Players can try their hand at creating their own culinary masterpieces, from sushi to a cheeseburger special! Of course, the truck can be fully customized, and the cooking equipment can be upgraded as the player’s prestige grows. In Food Truck Simulator, take each day as it comes and drive around a living city with a dynamic day and night cycle. 9/10 PlateUp! PlateUp! is in a similar realm to the famous Overcooked, as players are thrown into the midst of a chaotic kitchen and are tasked with managing it while plating up food. Up to four players can participate and build this restaurant from the bottom up. There is some classic co-op cooking action, from preparing vegetables to boiling ingredients – take care not to get in each other’s way! PlateUp! allows for a totally personalized experience, as the chefs can curate their own menu and add their own flair to the interior decor. From steaming soups to tender steaks, there is something for every customer to enjoy. 8/10 Epic Chef Embark on the culinary quest of a lifetime as players take on the mantle as Zest, the lead character in Epic Chef. It’s a story-driven adventure game combining elements of life-sim-farming and crafting to create a unique beast of a game with comedic value. Epic Chef features some hilarious cutscenes that fans of the Food Wars anime will enjoy. Ingredients in Epic Chef each have their own properties, and with the dynamic recipe creation system, players can experiment with thousands of different ingredient combinations to create a menu of delectable delights. The food looks good enough to dive through the screen and eat! 7/10 Good Pizza, Great Pizza Ever get nostalgia for the Club Penguin pizza parlor mini-game? Look no further than Good Pizza, Great Pizza. Featuring a multitude of toppings like pepperoni, sausage, onions, peppers, and yes, even pineapple, players get to experience firsthand what it’s like to own a pizza shop. There are over 100 different customers, each with unique orders and individual personalities, adding to the game’s replay value. Good Pizza, Great Pizza is the perfect game to play to relax and unwind while enjoying a real-life pizza. 6/10 Lemon Cake Restore an abandoned bakery, and cook pastries, straight from the farm to the table in Lemon Cake! Players can milk cows, collect honey from their beehives, and get some fresh organic eggs to add to their recipes. They can even turn their cute cottage into an adorable cat café with the help of a friendly ghost! Though Lemon Cake looks adorable on the outside, it is a strategic life sim game that requires a lot of attention. Players will need to keep their display counter well stocked for customers, and must remember to water their plants and feed their farm animals, or else they will run low on their ingredients! 5/10 Cook, Serve, Delicious! 3?! Cook, Serve, Delicious, is a simulation game in which players are tasked with running an old, run-down restaurant and restoring it back to its five-star rated glory. To do this, players must take orders from impatient customers and prove their culinary skills. Players must figure out the best way to pack out their restaurant full of customers, but beware of rush hours! It is one of those games that is easy to learn but hard to master, as players may get overwhelmed with the number of orders they have to deal with. Cook, Serve, Delicious is an anxiety-inducing yet addictive game that will give players a rush! 4/10 Stardew Valley Far more than just a simple farming simulator, Stardew Valley features hours upon hours of content that will immerse players in its cozy cottage-core world. While improving their farm, honing their skills, and befriending their local community, players can also gather ingredients for cooking delicious home-cooked meals. Stardew Valley features its own cooking show, the Queen of Sauce, and even 74 different recipes to bake, from a heartwarming Pumpkin Pie that is perfect for autumn to a Complete Breakfast to prepare for a hard day of work. Many of the dishes prepared in Stardew Valley can grant the player useful bonuses to help them in their day-to-day life on the farm. 3/10 Dungeon Munchies Hunt down broccoli monsters and eat them in Dungeon Munchies! Dungeon Munchies is a side-scrolling RPG with beautiful pixel art and smooth-flowing combat animations similar to Terraria. Aided by the undead Necro-Chef Simmer, players must survive, eat, and find a way to escape the bizarre facility they find themselves in. The combination of dishes players choose to eat will impact their entire playthrough, as different dishes grant unique abilities. The character can only handle seven dishes, so players must carefully craft a meal that will maximize their strengths. Any odd combinations of food may mean the difference between health regeneration or damage output. 2/10 Cooking Simulator Cooking Simulator is definitely the most realistic cooking game currently on the market, as it is played from a first-person perspective – it can even be played with a VR headset for extra immersion. There are over 80 different recipes and 140+ lifelike ingredients, with realistic physics and an array of utensils to be used. Become a gourmet chef in no time! The recipes are also detailed enough that should players wish to recreate these delicious dishes, they should realistically be able to use the in-game recipes from Cooking Simulator to make something edible in real-life. 1/10 Overcooked Heavily designed to focus on cooperative play, the Overcooked games thrust players straight from the frying pan into the fire. Working together and co-operating, players must fulfill customer food orders, all while preparing and cooking the food themselves before their angry customers storm out. Each new kitchen brings a tough challenge, steadily ascending in difficulty as players will have to juggle different dishes and multitask. Whether it be sliding around on an unstable pirate ship to simply having the kitchen split in half, the Overcookedgames will test the strongest of friendships and the mettle of the bravest chefs. MORE: Most Immersive Simulation Games

Blast On Crimea Bridge Deals Blow To Russia’s War Effort: Latest Ukraine News – The New York Times https://bexarcountynewsonline.com/blast-on-crimea-bridge-deals-blow-to-russias-war-effort-latest-ukraine-news-the-new-york-times/ Video A large explosion hit the Kerch Strait Bridge on Saturday. The bridge links the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula to Russia, and is a primary supply route for Russian troops fighting in the south of Ukraine.CreditCredit…Agence France-Presse — Getty Images KYIV, Ukraine — A fireball consumed two sections of the only bridge linking the occupied Crimean Peninsula to Russia on Saturday, disrupting the most important supply line for Russian troops fighting in southern Ukraine and dealing an embarrassing blow to the Kremlin, which is facing continued losses on the battlefield and mounting criticism at home. The blast and fire sent part of the 12-mile Kerch Strait bridge tumbling into the sea and killed at least three people, according to Russian authorities, who said a Ukrainian truck bomb had caused the blast. The Ukrainian government, which applauded the damage, did not publicly take responsibility for the explosion. One senior Ukrainian official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of a ban on officials discussing the matter, said that Ukraine’s intelligence services had orchestrated the attack and that it involved a bomb loaded onto a truck that drove across the bridge. It was unclear if the driver of the truck, who appeared to have died in the blast, was aware there were explosives inside. In video captured by a surveillance camera on the bridge, a huge fireball is seen. A small sedan and a tractor-trailer truck driving side by side appear at the epicenter of the blast. For President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, who presided over the bridge’s opening in 2018, the explosion was a highly personal affront, underscoring his difficulties in the face of continued Ukrainian successes. The full extent of the damage was not immediately clear. The bridge has spans for train and automobile traffic. By Saturday evening, the railroad section of the bridge had undergone repairs and a train with 15 cars had successfully crossed the span, according to a Russian state news agency, Tass. Car traffic had also resumed on the undamaged side of the bridge, the head of Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov, said in a post on Telegram. Even so, Russian officials and hard-line military bloggers were already calling for revenge, with one member of Crimea’s Parliament warning that anything less than an “extremely harsh” response would show weakness. The explosion is emblematic of a Russian military in disarray. Russian forces were unable to protect the bridge, despite its centrality to the Russian war effort, its personal importance to Mr. Putin and its potent symbolism as the literal connection between Russia and Crimea. Any serious impediment to traffic on the bridge could have a profound effect on Russia’s ability to wage war in southern Ukraine, where Ukrainian forces have been fighting an increasingly effective counteroffensive. The bridge is the primary military supply route linking Russia with the Crimean Peninsula. Without it, analysts said, the Russian military will be severely limited in its ability to bring fuel, equipment and ammunition to Russian units fighting in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, two of the four Ukrainian provinces that Mr. Putin announced Russia had annexed on Sept. 30. Image A handout satellite image made available by Maxar Technologies shows smoke and a collapsed part of the Kerch Strait bridge in Crimea.Credit…/EPA, via Shutterstock Russia’s National Anti-Terrorism Committee said in a statement that a truck had exploded on the automobile side of the bridge, igniting seven fuel cisterns being pulled by a train on a parallel crossing headed in the direction of Crimea. The explosion caused two sections of the bridge to partly collapse. While there was no official claim of responsibility, Russian and Ukrainian officials indicated that the explosion was no accident, and top Ukrainian officials, who in the past have said the bridge would be a legitimate target for a Ukrainian strike, made no secret of their satisfaction. “Crimea, the bridge, the beginning,” Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukraine’s president, wrote in a Twitter post on Saturday. “Everything illegal, must be destroyed. Everything stolen returned to Ukraine. All Russian occupiers expelled.” The president, Volodymyr Zelensky, seemed to allude to the attack when he noted in his nightly address that Saturday “was a good and mostly sunny day” in Ukrainian territory. “Unfortunately, it was cloudy in Crimea,” he said. Ukraine’s domestic intelligence agency, the Security Service of Ukraine, known by its Ukrainian acronym S.B.U., issued a statement rephrasing a stanza of a poem by Ukraine’s national poet, Taras Shevchenko. “Dawn, the bridge is burning beautifully,” the agency posted on Twitter. “A nightingale in Crimea meets the S.B.U.” Maria Varenikova contributed reporting from Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, and Megan Specia from Kyiv, Ukraine. Image The Kerch Strait Bridge in Crimea in 2019.Credit…Aleksey Nikolskyi/Sputnik, via Reuters The 12-mile Kerch Strait Bridge linking the Crimean Peninsula to Russia, which was badly damaged by an explosion on Saturday, is not just the primary supply route for Moscow’s forces fighting in southern Ukraine. It is also deeply symbolic for President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, a pillar of his disputed claim to the Crimean Peninsula since the completion of the twin road spans in 2018. Mr. Putin presided over the bridge’s opening, personally driving a truck across what is a physical link between Russia and Crimea — land that Mr. Putin seized from Ukraine in 2014 and annexed to international outcry. Ukrainians loathe the bridge, whose symbolism and strategic importance for resupply has long made it a potential target. Over the summer, the Ukrainian military posted a taunting image on Twitter threatening to strike it with American-provided guided rockets. The video showed the launch vehicle, a High Mobility Artillery Rocket system, floating on a pink inflatable pool raft in the strait, and the bridge in the background. And at one point over the summer, it appeared to have been targeted: Russian officials said that a drone had triggered air defense systems. The Ukrainian government had no official comment at the time. Moscow had stepped up countermeasures to defend the structure, deploying a target ship — replete with an array of radar reflectors — to protect the bridge from attack and running drills to cover the bridge with a smoke screen. As well as military value, the structure holds deep symbolic significance for the Kremlin. After illegally annexing Crimea in 2014, Moscow vowed to physically connect the peninsula to Russia. For a century, talks of building a bridge across the strait — which runs between two mountain ranges, creating a fierce wind tunnel — had failed to result in action. But Mr. Putin put his weight behind the project, despite that and other engineering challenges, which include a seabed covered with some 250 feet of fine silt deposited by the alluvial flow from various rivers. During World War II, an ice floe unleashed during the spring thaw toppled a German military bridge that had been hastily constructed across the waters to aid the Nazi war effort. In 2018, when the new bridge was opened, Mr. Putin hailed it as a “remarkable” achievement that, he said, referring to a major city on the peninsula, “makes Crimea and legendary Sevastopol even stronger, and all of us are even closer to each other.” But after explosions at the Saki airfield on Crimea in August, the bridge served a different purpose: It was a quick escape route as the war came to the peninsula, with more than 38,000 cars crossing in one day, the most recorded since Mr. Putin declared it open. Image A helicopter drops water to extinguish the blaze on the Kerch Strait Bridge in Crimea on Saturday. Credit…Reuters KRYVYI RIH, Ukraine — In a war fought on the expanse of steppe in southern and eastern Ukraine, victory or defeat is in large part decided by the logistics of moving men, weaponry, ammunition, fuel and food over vast distances — all of which could become more difficult for the Russian army after the partial destruction of the Kerch Strait Bridge. The 12-mile span, part of which now slumps into the Black Sea, had been a linchpin of Russian military logistics for a sprawling land war. The bridge is important for tying Russia with the Crimean Peninsula; the peninsula, in turn, had been used as a staging area for attacks elsewhere in Ukraine. Since early summer, Ukraine has focused its strikes on supply lines, with the Kerch Strait Bridge marking a cherished prize for a military force that for months has been publicly hinting at its plans to hit the span. Russia has alternatives for transporting troops to staging areas where they can be reorganized into battle-ready units, but they are more costly, dangerous and time-consuming, Ukrainian and Western analysts and former military officials say. Other options include sailing ships to harbors in Crimea and sending trains and trucks on railroads and roads in other occupied areas of Ukraine. “The biggest issue is not supplying, the biggest issue is staging,” Andriy Zagorodnyuk, a former Ukrainian defense minister, said in a telephone interview. “They were getting them ready for the battlefield safely in Crimea, forming battlefield units in Crimea and sending them to the frontline.” With the bridge partly destroyed, Russia can use roads from the Ukrainian border that wind through the occupied towns of Mariupol and Berdyansk, hugging the coast of the Azov Sea, that weave in and out of range for Ukrainian rocket artillery. Troops would have to form battle-ready units inside Russia and travel longer distances in these formatio...