Clark County News Now

Strong September Continues Momentum For NJ Gaming Industry – NJBIZ https://clarkcountynewsnow.com/strong-september-continues-momentum-for-nj-gaming-industry-njbiz/ The state Division of Gaming Enforcement released September gaming figures Oct. 17, showing the industry’s continued trend in the right direction as total gaming revenue checked in at $485 million, up nearly 7% from September 2021. Especially noteworthy were the in-person gaming figures, which is a pivotal stat as casinos try to attract visitors to their facilities in a challenging environment emerging from the pandemic. Bokunewicz “September’s mild weather helped contribute to a strong start to the fall season for Atlantic City’s casino operators,” said Jane Bokunewicz, faculty director of Stockton University’s Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism, who analyzed the report. Bokunewicz noted that at $251.7 million, traditional brick-and-mortar gaming revenues exceeded September 2021 ($248.5 million) and September 2019 ($224.5 million) by 1.3% and 12.1%, respectively. Last month, total casino gaming revenue was $431 million, which exceeded September 2021 ($405.1 million) by 6.4% and September 2019 ($283.5 million) by 52.1% “The nine months ending September 2022 set a steady pace, with Atlantic City’s casinos surpassing the same periods in 2021 and 2019 by 12.5% and 4.0% respectively for brick-and-mortar and 14.5% and 43.9% respectively for total casino gaming revenue,” said Bokunewicz. “At this rate, Atlantic City’s casino operators are likely to meet and potentially exceed pre-pandemic end-of-year totals for both brick-and-mortar and total gaming revenue.” Following the release of the numbers, New Jersey Casino Control Commission Chairman James Plousis put out a statement, remarking that “Atlantic City’s results continue to impress.” “In September, casino win edged last year’s figure by $3 million and it was higher than every September going back to 2012,” said Plousis. “Year-to-date, the casino hotels eclipsed $2 billion in casino win, which is only the second time in eight years that has happened during the month of September.” Plousis also noted that to date, Atlantic City’s total gaming revenue surpassed $3.5 billion, topping 2019’s pre-pandemic year-end figure of $3.3 billion. Ahead of the curve September’s report also showed the continued explosion of internet gaming, with casinos and their partners reporting a $135.2 million win — 10.3% higher than last September. “Internet gaming win continued to grow and is on pace for another record year,” said Plousis. East Coast Gaming Conference Gov. Phil Murphy was the keynote speaker at the annual East Coast Gaming Conference for the fourth time. – MATTHEW FAZELPOOR The 25th annual conference came at a particularly opportune moment as the industry emerges from the pandemic, armed with new lessons derived from those tough times while dealing with perilous economic conditions, as well as an uncertain road ahead. Read our roundup here. “Internet gaming continues to play a significant role in Atlantic City casino gaming operations, accounting for 31.4% of total casino gaming revenue in September 2022 and 34.3% for the year to date,” said Bokunewicz. “As evidenced by the performance of Atlantic City’s gaming operators, internet gaming is the fastest growing segment of the gaming industry.” Bokunewicz pointed out that at the recent Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas, American Gaming Association president Bill Miller called on industry leaders to embrace a digital future. “According to the American Gaming Association, internet gaming revenue YTD July in the six states that have legalized internet gaming was up 41.1%. New Jersey being the first state to legalize online gaming is positioned well to capitalize on this growth trend,” Bokunewicz explained. “New Jersey is clearly ahead of the curve.” The return of football last month led to an expected bounce back for sports betting, following the annual summer swoon. The September sports betting handle was $866.7 million, up 58.5% from August, but down 14.3% from September 2021’s handle, which broke the $1 billion mark. September’s revenue from sports betting, after expenses and paying off winning bets, was just under $98 million, up 50.1% from August and up 18.9% from September 2021. “Handle numbers are on the rise once again after a long summer of decreases,” TopNJCasinos said in an analysis of the figures. “September saw a nearly 60% rise in bets placed – this can be attributed to the gradual return of a few popular sports to the calendar. Through the end of the year, it’s expected that these numbers will continue to rise to balance out the summer’s losses.” Notably, the revenue figure is the second-best yet for New Jersey. The No. 1 month on record is November 2021’s $114.8 million. “In such a consistently strong market, the following months are poised to be record-breaking as well,” TopNJCasinos added. At a time when the world faces a ton of economic headwinds and hurdles, the September report was a positive one for the casino industry as it continues its journey out of the pandemic, building on a strong summer. “The success of Atlantic City’s memorable summer has created momentum that is clearly being felt this fall season,” said Plousis. “The casino hotels are providing the right mix of gaming and entertainment opportunities sought by modern pleasure-seekers, making Atlantic City a very competitive regional destination.” × Enjoy This Free Article We Have 1 More For You Receive 1 Additional Free Article When You Register

Double Murder Trial Day 3: Fathers Of The Victims Testify About The Day Their Sons Went Missing – Daily American Online https://clarkcountynewsnow.com/double-murder-trial-day-3-fathers-of-the-victims-testify-about-the-day-their-sons-went-missing-daily-american-online/ The two fathers struggled to remain composed on the witness stand, trying not to display their sadness and devastation as they testified about the day in March 2017 when their sons went missing and not learning until September of that year their sons went missing because they were murdered. It was about two months after that, when police charged one of the three defendants standing trial beginning last week when the jury was chosen for the murder of friends, James Smith, 32, of Portage, and Damian Staniszewski, 19, of Duncansville. Samson Ezekiel Washington, 30, Johnstown, and Devon Lee David Wyrick, 28, Hollidaysburg, formerly Columbus, Ohio, were the first to be accused of the murder of Smith and Staniszewski. Wyrick was severed from the cases and trial regarding the co-defendants the morning of jury selection. Then on April 30, 2021, Deandre Callender, 29, Somerset, and Marekus Edward Benson, 32, Johnstown, were charged in relationship to the murder on April 30, 2021. Washington, Callender and Benson are joined as defendants in the case. However, Each of the three defendants allegedly had different roles in the case, and thus, the jurors will have to decide whether they are guilty or not guilty on each of the charges separately. More:Double-murder trial day 2: Jury selection Since 2017, the defense has taken on a different look. At one time there were six defendants, then there were five and then four and last week on the day when the jury was to be picked that number went down to three. On Monday, the third day of the murder trial held in Somerset County Court of Common Pleas, the prosecution called its first witnesses to the stand — Tim Smith, James’ father, and Sean Staniszewski, Damien’s father. What the dads had to say Sean Staniszewski’s son James, was living with his grandparents, to help care for Sean’s father, he said. “Our relationship was outstanding,” he said about his son. He spoke with him every day. He spoke with him last on the morning of March 27, 2017. He worried when he didn’t hear from him later that day. “I tried to telephone, and text him. Nothing. The following day he received the information that his father’s truck was found near a wooded area in Somerset County. He was told to go get it. “My first impression was that the windows were down. Then, there were no keys in the truck,” he testified. Later when he cleaned the truck he discovered shell casings, he said. Smith’s father said his now deceased former wife called him on March 28, 2017, about their missing son. He drove all around looking for him and then reported him missing to the Portage police. “I was at a football game in Meyersdale when I learned bones were found at Somerset Pike,” he testified as he fought tears. Case background Smith and Staniszewski allegedly stole a large quantity of drugs and money from a stash house in Johnstown a day before they went missing on March 27. Once that incident was discovered by members of the East Main Money Gang out of Columbus, Ohio, which allegedly had made inroads in the Johnstown area and was associated with the stash house in question, the two men were put through an ordeal that led to their death. First they were taken by force from the parking lot at the Galleria Mall. Next they were moved to the basement of the stash house in Moxham. And last their horrific experience ended with bullets in a wooded area along Ligonier Pike in Conemaugh Township, Somerset County, according to court documents. More:‘Six years won’t cover it’: Victim’s family reacts to Kline’s third-degree murder sentence Building the roadmap On Monday, the prosecution and two of the defense attorneys presented opening statements to the jury. Opening statements are essentially a roadmap that provides each sides’ theories of the case and how they plan to develop those theories. The prosecution went first. “Drugs, money, murder, that is why we are here today,” said Senior Deputy Attorney General Evan Lowry II. He and Deputy Attorney Kara Rice are prosecuting the case for the state Attorney General’s Office. “There are three killers in the courtroom and they are behind me,” he said facing the jury with the defense tables behind him. Lowry said that the prosecution will answer the question of why the gang out of Ohio came to Johnstown and why they “set up shop.” He delved into why Smith and Staniszewski became victims. The two victims took drugs and money from the stash house and the gang members wanted it back. Additionally, a statement needed to be made, he said. The statement: “We put two bullets in your head and leave you in the woods to rot,” Lowry said. Many of the witnesses are addicts and drug dealers, he said. “It is what it is. But, because someone is an addict or someone has a criminal record, that doesn’t mean they are lying,” Lowry said. “Just because the Commonwealth makes a deal with a witness for their testimony does not mean they are lying.” More:Somerset County teen will spend time in prison for planning to shoot up high school The defense went second. Washington’s attorneys, Jaclyn Shaw, of Pittsburgh, Ashlan Clark, of Ebensburg, decided to wait to make their opening statement until after the prosecution presents its case. Somerset attorney Matthew Zatko, who represents Callender, told the jury that his client could not be connected to any of the scenes where the crimes are alleged to have happened. “Mr. Callender was not at the Galleria, not at Boyer Avenue (stash house) when the men were stripped and beaten and he was not in the woods (where they were shot to death),” he said. Callender was with seven individuals in three cars that went to Portage on March 27 to find Smith, but did not do so, he said. “They had no plan or agreement to do anything when they got back,” Zatko said. His client was not seen again after that, he said. Somerset attorney Patrick Svonevac told the jury that evidence will show that the prosecution did not present important evidence that because it did not fit their narrative of the events leading up to and the death of Smith and Staniszewski. “It is important to ask yourself, ‘What am I not hearing?'” Svonevac said. Additionally, he stressed, that it is important that the evidence is not the same against each of the three defendants. Since they are all defendants in the case, and if guilt is found with one of them then “convict them all. That is not your job,” he told the jury. The judge addresses the jury “Pay close attention to everything going on in the courtroom,” said Judge Scott Bittner to the jury. “I don’t want you to miss anything,” he said. Then the judge went over the procedure of the trial with the jury, as well as definition of the charges filed against the defendants. Bittner reminded the jury not to talk about what goes on in the courtroom until after the end of the process, even to each other, until the deliberation phase, or family members and friends until the end of the trial. “Allowing outside influences is unfair or prejudicial,” he said. Additionally, the judge told the jury not to be concerned with what the possible punishment might be for the defendants. “The question of guilt and punishment are separate questions,” he said.

Investing In A Holiday Home? Know 5 Things To Keep In Mind – News18 https://clarkcountynewsnow.com/investing-in-a-holiday-home-know-5-things-to-keep-in-mind-news18/ Last Updated: October 18, 2022, 14:39 IST New Delhi, India Representational image for investing in a house. (Credits: Shutterstock) Even for people who are not particularly inclined to find getaways often, vacation homes are a great investment opportunity from a renting-out point of view. The desire to escape the congested environs of jam-packed and active Indian cities is burgeoning. Not surprisingly, the demand for vacation homes – getaways located in a calm, quiet spot away from the city – is booming. Even for people who are not particularly inclined to find getaways often, vacation homes are a great investment opportunity from a renting-out point of view. Platforms like Airbnb and OYO have successfully presented vacation homes in a completely different light for young tourists. If you want to invest your capital in a peaceful home away from home, here are five things to keep in mind so you get a bang for your buck. Double-check your finances Buying a vacation home is not a one-time investment. You will have to spend not only on the house itself but also on its interiors, security, and general caretaking and maintenance. This means that you will be shelling out some notes every month to pay salaries and some bills. There are also certain tax implications to keep in mind. It is advised that you only invest in such a property if you have assured long-term surplus capital or income. Pick your purpose The kind of arrangements, financial and otherwise, that you will have to make for a house will differ based on whether you want to rent the place, use it regularly, or keep it aside for resale. For instance, if you want to rent a place, sticking to popular taste would be better. But if you want to use it, you might want to find a house more suited to your personal taste. The perfect spot Selecting a location relies heavily on the purpose of the vacation house. In case you want to set it aside for resale, you will want to pick a location where ballooning price will be the top priority. However, if you want it for personal use, you would prefer it to be closer to your usual residence to allow easy access for travel, regular checks, etc. Resale value Resale value of a vacation home will depend on the location, projections for the future, demand, how well it fits the taste and preferences of the time. Remember that real estate appreciation does not take place as quickly as in metropolitan areas. Moreover, reselling such houses can be difficult as the demand arises from people’s aspirations rather than necessities. Ownership model Explore various ownership models in place before investing in the house. Fractional ownership, a shared ownership model, for instance, is gaining momentum these days. Read all the Latest Business News and Breaking News here

Online Florist Floom Aims To Blossom With Capital Injection – Sky News https://clarkcountynewsnow.com/online-florist-floom-aims-to-blossom-with-capital-injection-sky-news/ One of the UK’s best-known online florists is hunting for fresh capital after raising millions of pounds from prominent venture capital investors. Sky News understands that Floom has drafted in advisers from Interpath to advise it on strategic options which could include a sale. Operating in the UK and US, Floom provides a trading platform for florists as well as acting as a marketplace enabling consumers to buy from independent flower-sellers. The company, founded in 2016, is said to be approaching 250,000 customers. Information circulated to potential investors under the codename Project Neel suggests that Floom made a loss of close to £2m last year, slightly more than the £1.4m loss it recorded the year before. It competes with the likes of Interflora and Bloom & Wild. In 2018, it raised a £2m funding round from investors including Firstminute Capital. The founder of New Look, Tom Singh, and former executives from companies including Just Eat and The Hut Group were also among the investors. It was unclear on Tuesday how much additional money it was seeking or which prospective backers it was in discussion with. Lana Elie, Floom’s founder and chief executive, wrote in an email: “We have engaged Interpath Advisory to support Floom secure investment to support our next stage of growth.”

Life Time Debuts First Luxury Athletic Country Club In Brooklyn Today, Oct. 18 – PR Newswire https://clarkcountynewsnow.com/life-time-debuts-first-luxury-athletic-country-club-in-brooklyn-today-oct-18-pr-newswire/ Sixth NYC club; Covers 77,000 square feet with six studio boutiques, lap pool, basketball court, restaurant, spa and Kids Academy, located in new Front & York development , /PRNewswire/ — Life Time (NYSE: LTH), the nation’s premier healthy lifestyle brand, today announced the opening of Life Time Dumbo, the company’s first location in Brooklyn and sixth in New York City. Prominently located in the up-and-coming Dumbo neighborhood within the Front & York development, the 3-story, 77,000-square-foot healthy living destination will serve members from nine months to 90+ years with an abundance of health and wellness activities starting with its Kids Academy up through specialized ARORA programming for active agers. Life Time Debuts First Luxury Athletic Country Club in Brooklyn Oct. 18. Life Time Dumbo covers 77,000 square feet with six studio boutiques, 6-lane lap pool, basketball court, LifeCafe, Life Spa, Kids Academy and more all located in new Front & York development. The debut of Life Time Dumbo expands Life Time’s New York footprint in strategic locations to conveniently serve New Yorkers throughout the city and boroughs. “We’re thrilled to bring Life Time over the Manhattan Bridge to Brooklyn with the opening of Life Time Dumbo,” said Jeff Zwiefel, Life Time President and Chief Operating Officer. “Life Time Dumbo is a space unlike anything else the area and truly has something for individuals, couples and families who wish to pursue a healthy way of life.” With striking modern architecture, impeccable design and luxury amenities, Life Time serves members for workouts, relaxation and rejuvenation in a healthy social community for themselves and their families. Highlights include: Six dedicated studios for more than 100 group classes weekly, including barre, cardio and strength, indoor cycling, Pilates, and yoga – the ultimate boutique destination. Designated spaces for personal and signature group training programs, including GTX, Alpha and Ultra Fit. Kids Academy where children can spend up to 2.5 hours daily and enjoy activities including music, yoga, sports, as well as an infant room for childcare. An aquatic center featuring a 6-lane, 25-yard indoor pool. A full-size basketball court with Ultimate Hoops leagues and skills training. Hundreds of pieces of best-in-class equipment for cardio, strength, and functional training. LifeSpa, offering full-service salon and spa services, including hair, nail, esthetician, and massage. LifeCafe and Life Time Lounge offering wholesome, real-food with a chef-curated menu, to-go meals, and beverages from morning breakfast to evening happy hours. LT Recovery featuring compression, massage, and chiropractic services. Luxurious dressing rooms with multiple rejuvenation areas, including whirlpool suites, saunas, steam rooms and high-end, complimentary personal care products. ARORA programming designed for active agers with classes, social events, and seminars. Ample spaces for remote work with an expansive outdoor terrace. Life Time’s expansion in the Big Apple and surrounding boroughs began in 2016 with the opening of Life Time Sky in Hell’s Kitchen followed by 23rd Street in 2020, NoHo and Battery Park in 2021 and most recently in the Financial District just six weeks ago. Additionally Life Time Midtown, located at 128 W 57th Street, will open later this year, followed by the 2023 planned openings of Life Time Brooklyn Tower and Life Time Park Avenue. The club is open Monday through Friday, 5am to 11pm and Saturday and Sunday, 7am to 10pm. For more information regarding features, amenities, and membership options, visit Life Time Dumbo at 168 Front Street or call 718.233.8100. Additionally, follow along at LifeTime.Life on Facebook and on Instagram at LifeTime.Life and LifeTime.NYC. About Life Time®, Inc. Life Time (NYSE: LTH) empowers people to live healthy, happy lives through its portfolio of nearly 160 athletic country clubs across the United States and Canada. The company’s healthy way of life communities and ecosystem address all aspects of healthy living, healthy aging and healthy entertainment for people 90 days to 90+ years old. Supported by a team of more than 30,000 dedicated professionals, Life Time is committed to providing the best programs and experiences through its clubs, iconic athletic events and comprehensive digital platform. SOURCE Life Time, Inc.

Today In Sports History: Oct. 18 – The Times Of Northwest Indiana https://clarkcountynewsnow.com/today-in-sports-history-oct-18-the-times-of-northwest-indiana/ Today in sports history: Oct. 18 In 1977, Reggie Jackson hits three consecutive home runs to lead the New York Yankees to the World Series championship over Los Angeles in six games. See more sports moments from this date: 1924: ‘Red’ Grange accounts for 6 touchdowns in Illinois’ win over Michigan 1924 — Harold “Red” Grange accounts for six touchdowns in Illinois’ 39-14 win over Michigan. Grange returns the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. He follows with touchdown runs of 66, 55 and 40 yards in the first 12 minutes of the game. Grange later passes for another touchdown and returns another kick for a touchdown. In this 1924 file photo, Illinois’ Red Grange, left, follows a blocker on a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Michigan. (AP Photo) AP FILE 1968: Bob Beamon shatters long jump world record at Mexico City Olympics 1968 — Bob Beamon of the United States shatters the world record in the long jump at the Summer Olympics in Mexico City. Beamon’s leap of 29 feet and 2 1-2 inches betters the mark by one foot, 9 3-4 inches. The previous record, 27-4 3-4, was held by Soviet jumper Igor Ter-Ovanesyan and Ralph Boston. In this Oct. 18, 1968, file photo, Bob Beamon digs his feet into the sand pit after a record-shattering long jump at the Summer Olympics in Mexico City. (AP Photo) AP FILE 1974: Bulls’ Nate Thurmond has NBA’s first quadruple-double 1974 — Chicago center Nate Thurmond, in his first game with the Bulls, records the NBA’s first quadruple-double. Thurmon has 22 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists and 12 blocks in the Bulls’ 120-115 overtime win over the Atlanta Hawks at Chicago Stadium. In this November 1974 file photo, Nate Thurmond (42) of the Chicago Bulls knocks Fred Carter of the 76ers out of his way as he passes the ball to a teammate in a game in Philadelphia. (AP Photo) AP FILE 1977: Reggie Jackson’s homers lead Yankees to World Series win 1977 — Reggie Jackson hits three consecutive home runs, all on the first pitch, to lead the New York Yankees to the World Series championship over Los Angeles in six games. In this Oct. 18, 1977, file photo, New York Yankee Reggie Jackson blasts home run No. 3 during the sixth and final game of the World Series at Yankee Stadium in New York. (AP Photo) AP FILE 2003: No Pan Intended wins harness racing’s Triple Crown 2003 — No Pan Intended becomes the 10th pacer to win harness racing’s Triple Crown, going wire-to-wire in the Messenger Stakes at The Meadows. In this September 2003 file photo, David Miller, foreground, raises his arm to celebrate as he crosses the finish line with No Pan Intended to win the Little Brown Jug at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in Delaware, Ohio. (AP Photo/Mark Hall) AP FILE 2009: Tom Brady sets NFL mark with 5 touchdown passes in one quarter 2009 — Tom Brady of the Patriots throws six touchdown passes — five in one quarter, an NFL mark — in a 59-0 win in the snow against Tennessee. The 59-point margin matches the largest since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970, the Los Angeles Rams’ 59-0 win over the Atlanta Falcons in 1976. New England’s 45-0 halftime lead is the biggest in league history. In this Oct. 18, 2009, file photo, New England quarterback Tom Brady throws a pass during the Patriots’ rout of the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson) AP FILE 2015: Packers beat Chargers despite San Diego QB Philip Rivers’ career day 2015 — The Green Bay Packers stop San Diego on fourth-and-goal from the 3 with 15 seconds left and overcome a career day by Philip Rivers to hold off the Chargers 27-20. Rivers sets career highs with 43 completions, 65 attempts and 503 yards passing with two touchdowns. In this Oct. 18, 2015, file photo, the Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Rodgers, left, talks with San Diego’s Philip Rivers following the Packers’ win in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer) AP FILE Related to this collection Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick filed a grievance against the NFL, alleging that he was still unsigned because of coll… Here are some of the notable people celebrating birthdays today, including Angela Lansbury, Bob Weir, Flea, John Mayer, Naomi Osaka, Sue Bird,… At the age of 90, actor William Shatner – best known as Captain Kirk on “Star Trek” – rode into space and back aboard a ship built by Jeff Bez… Here are some of the notable people celebrating birthdays today, including Ashanti, Caleb McLaughlin, Doc Rivers, Jerry Rice, Marie Osmond, Na… Here are some of the notable people celebrating birthdays today, including Alan Jackson, Eminem, Felicity Jones, Marsha Hunt, Matthew Macfadye… Here are some of the notable people celebrating birthdays today, including Jay Pharoah, Justin Hayward, Lori Petty, Natalie Maines, Ralph Laur… Here are some of the notable people celebrating birthdays today, including Chris Botti, Hiroyuki Sanada, Hugh Jackman, Josh Hutcherson, Martie… The Cuban missile crisis began as President John F. Kennedy was informed that reconnaissance photographs had revealed the presence of missile … Here are some of the notable people celebrating birthdays today, including Dominic West, Keyshia Cole, Emeril Lagasse, Kimberly Schlapman, Lin… One year ago: The New Jersey Nets said Kyrie Irving could not play or practice with them until he could be a full participant; New York City r…

Meta’s Horizon Worlds Is Shrinking, Jeopardizing Its Metaverse Ambitions – Protocol https://clarkcountynewsnow.com/metas-horizon-worlds-is-shrinking-jeopardizing-its-metaverse-ambitions-protocol/ Hello, and welcome to Protocol Entertainment, your guide to the business of the gaming and media industries. This Tuesday, we’re looking at Meta’s struggles to grow its Horizon Worlds platform, and what that says about its social-first push to sell mainstream consumers on VR and the metaverse. Also: a key endorsement for the Activision Blizzard deal and the voice acting controversy engulfing Nintendo’s Bayonetta 3. ‘An empty world is a sad world’ Meta, a company known for scaling social products to billions of users at breakneck speed, is facing a serious, expensive, and increasingly existential challenge in growing its nascent metaverse platform, Horizon Worlds. The platform, currently a VR-only app, reported 300,000 monthly active users in February of this year. According to a new report from The Wall Street Journal, however, that number is shrinking. While Meta set out in 2022 to grow the platform to more than half a million people, it has sunk to below 200,000 monthly users. In Horizon’s struggles lies a central hurdle for Meta: What if Mark Zuckerberg’s metaverse flops? Horizon isn’t sticky enough. Unlike other social networks, which rely on the dopamine rush of likes, comments, and algorithmic recommendations, Horizon Worlds is a VR playground that requires you to hang out with friends and strangers alike with a computer strapped to your face. The problem is that most people just don’t stick around. The WSJ’s report said most users stop logging back into Horizon after the first month, and only 9% of user-generated worlds are ever visited by more than 50 people. “An empty world is a sad world,” read an internal document on Horizon’s population problem. The report also states that more than half of all Quest headsets sold end up unused after six months. Not even the employees building the platform seem eager to use it. The Verge reported earlier this month that Metaverse VP Vishal Shah put the platform into a “quality lockdown” to squash bugs and improve the user experience while new features would be put on ice. Shah encouraged more employees in a company memo to use Horizon to help improve it: “The simple truth is, if we don’t love it, how can we expect our users to love it?” “Everyone in this organization should make it their mission to fall in love with Horizon Worlds. You can’t do that without using it,” Shah added in a second memo. “We are working on a product that has not found product market fit. If you are on Horizon, I need you to fully embrace ambiguity and change.” Meta is gambling on a social-first vision. While most VR today revolves around gaming, Zuckerberg is pitching a version of the metaverse that’s immersive, social, and tethered to the real world, including people’s social and work lives. This comes with risks: What if only a limited number of people want to work with a VR headset on or socialize with friends or co-workers as cartoon avatars? “Back when we started working on this, we believed that over time social experiences would become the main way people would use VR. That’s coming true. Today the top apps in the Quest store are social metaverse apps,” Zuckerberg said during the Connect keynote. “For the first time, we can build technology centered around people and how we actually experience the world,” Zuckerberg added. “That’s why the metaverse is first-person. Right? You feel like you’re actually in it.” This sounds compelling on paper, but the social experiences most people want to engage in right now are not social networks or VR versions of Microsoft software. They’re video games like Fortnite, Roblox, and Minecraft, none of which needed VR or productivity add-ons to grow. Meta is banking on Horizon Worlds’ success. The company continues to buy VR game developers, including three new purchases announced last week, and operates a Roblox-like platform called Crayta. But Horizon Worlds is supposed to be Meta’s proof that social VR is the killer app of the metaverse. So far, it’s failing. The app has drawn criticism for its poor graphics and rudimentary avatars. Meta is planning to revamp the visuals and has showcased new, more realistic avatar designs. But at Meta Connect, when Zuckerberg announced that Horizon avatars would finally feature legs (instead of floating torsos) and realistic locomotion, the company had to quietly clarify after the fact that it used “animations created from motion capture.” Legs, it seems, are still in the oven. A big hurdle for Horizon right now is that it requires a Quest headset, and Meta has seemingly given up on its strategy of subsidizing affordable VR to help maintain mainstream adoption. (Mobile and browser versions of Horizon are still on the way.) Meta raised the price of the Quest 2 earlier this year in response to the economic downturn. Last week Meta announced a $1,500 Quest Pro supposedly catering to “prosumer” customers who want to experiment with VR productivity apps, including a suite of Microsoft app integrations teased last week at Connect. This is all starting to cost Meta a lot of money. The company’s stock price is down 60% this year. Over the past two quarters, Meta has incurred nearly $6 billion in losses on its Reality Labs division, with tens of billions more spending planned for the years ahead. Horizon Worlds in many ways feels like a microcosm of Meta’s struggle to build the metaverse. It’s an ambitious product that can at times evoke profound social experiences, but it is also trying too much too early. The New York Times’ Kashmir Hill wrote this month that her extensive use of the app helped her meet a diverse cast of strangers from all over the world, but she also compared the experience to “surfing AOL chat rooms in the 1990s.” Is the platform a video game, a social network, both? Does it really need VR, or can it gain traction as a mobile app or desktop website? Meta doesn’t really know what Horizon Worlds is yet, just like it doesn’t know exactly what the metaverse will look like, who might build it, or what we’ll all want to do in there. Zuckerberg says he has a pretty good idea as to the answers, but so far, he’s missing the mark. — Nick Statt A MESSAGE FROM GOALS HOUSE It’s becoming increasingly appreciated among the broader business and NGO community that the planet and people elements of sustainability are mutually dependent, and as such a focus on one at the exclusion of the other will be fruitless. But balancing profit and sustainability progress remains a more thorny debate. Learn more Overheard “We’re certainly of the belief that it’s a good thing for Microsoft and for the industry. We’re in favor … It’s a highly fragmented business and there’s plenty of room for creativity to go around. Microsoft is an ally of ours, and if this makes their business more powerful, we think that’s good for us.” — Strauss Zelnick, the CEO of Grand Theft Auto publisher Take-Two Interactive, endorsed Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, which is now facing intense regulatory scrutiny, in an interview last week with The Wrap. “Mobile is a great place to have a successful game. At the core of it, what I wanted to do was make a game I really wanted to play. I had just become a father. My son was born basically the day Hearthstone was released and I found that it was much easier for me to play mobile games. So I wanted to build something that I would be able to play more often.” — Ben Brode, the game director for Blizzard’s Hearthstone, spoke to The Washington Post about working with Marvel on the free-to-play mobile game Marvel Snap with his new studio, Second Dinner. In other news Netflix adds a profile transfer feature. The new feature will make it easier for people to disentangle shared accounts; Netflix blames account sharing for some of its recent woes. Nintendo settles labor dispute with contractor. A former game tester for Nintendo of America has settled with the company and its U.S. staffing agency for $25,000 after accusing the firms of retaliating against them for asking about unionization, Axios reported. Apple’s headset is supposed to have an iris-scanning feature. The still-unannounced device could use biometrics for authentication; a new report from The Information claims Apple’s design will also conceal outward-facing cameras. Activision Blizzard faces another sexual harassment lawsuit. An unnamed employee filed a lawsuit last week alleging serial harassment from former manager Miguel Vega, who was only fired last fall after years of reports regarding his behavior. Samsung is licensing its TV OS to third-party manufacturers. To grow its advertising business, Samsung is now making Tizen for TVs available to some ODM companies. G4’s short-lived second life. Comcast’s Spectacor is shutting down G4 TV, the video game and pop culture channel that was revived just last year after first shutting down back in 2014, Deadline reported. The company’s leaked memo cited low viewership. Overwatch 2 hits a major milestone. Despite an incredibly bumpy launch, the new free-to-play iteration of Overwatch racked up more than 25 million players in just 10 days, a feat it took its paid predecessor roughly eight months to achieve. Take-Two shuts down Playdots. The Grand Theft Auto publisher is shutting down the mobile developer behind Dots and Two Dots, Bloomberg reported. Take-Two, which spent close to $13 billion this year on Zynga, acquired the studio only two years ago for $192 million. Bayonetta’s voice actor speaks out The upcoming third installment in Nintendo and PlatinumGames’ Bayonetta franchise is now facing a boycott after actress Hellena Taylor, the original voice of the titular character in the series’ first two installments, said she was offered a paltry sum to reprise her ...

Here Are Cool Gadgets For A Better Night Sleep In Your Bedroom – Gadgets Africa https://clarkcountynewsnow.com/here-are-cool-gadgets-for-a-better-night-sleep-in-your-bedroom-gadgets-africa/ There are countless sleep gadgets that can help you have great nights and Here Are Cool Gadgets for A Better Night’s Sleep in Your Bedroom. Sometimes getting your best quality sleep is all about creating a sleep-inducing environment. Smart Clock A smart clock can set alarms, play calming music while you sleep, and answer questions in the morning about the day ahead. A smart alarm clock is essentially a smart speaker. There are those that are specially designed with extra privacy features so that they can live in your bedroom. Glowing Night lights lamps Start off your week with tech news recap and trending conversations in your inbox Glow Night Lights have two modes for the night. The Sleep Mode setting is perfect for bedrooms and they have a Light Sensor that automatically turns the Night Light off once it detects brightness in the room. The Glow Night Light helps minimize sleep disruption and increases brightness of the night light once any movement nearby is detected. Noise-masking earbuds The earbuds are incredibly comfortable earbuds that mask ambient noise in an attempt to help you sleep better. They are a bit smaller and much softer and are completely wireless, so you don’t have to worry about getting tangled up with a cable at night. Bedside smartphone stands A mobile stand keeps you organized and gives your hands a much-needed break. These mobile stand helps keep smartphones safe and clean while keeping you comfortable and productive. Holding your phone for a long time to watch a video can be exhausting. Oil Humidifier Once you are home from work, prior to bedtime, or throughout the night you can encourage both your mind and body to relax and succumb to a restful sleep. A whole home diffuser allows everyone in the family to benefit from a better night’s sleep. The soothing aroma of oil diffusers promotes relaxation, relieves stress and the smell helps you unwind.

Russia Hits Infrastructure Targets Across Ukraine, Targets Power And Water – Reuters https://clarkcountynewsnow.com/russia-hits-infrastructure-targets-across-ukraine-targets-power-and-water-reuters/ Three blasts hit port of Mykolaiv – witness City of Zhytomyr left without power, water Blasts heard in Kyiv, other cities hit Zelenskiy accuses Russia of targeting civilians Moscow denies that, says hitting infrastructure KYIV/MYKOLAIV, Ukraine, Oct 18 (Reuters) – Russian missiles crashed into infrastructure targets across Ukraine on Tuesday morning as Moscow stepped up what looked like a deliberate campaign to destroy electricity and water facilities before winter. The major of Zhytomyr, a city of 263,000 people, said the attacks had knocked out the power and water supply, and two explosions rocked an energy facility in the southeastern city of Dnipro, a city of nearly 1 million, causing serious damage, according to Kyrylo Tymoshenko, a Ukrainian presidential aide. In the southern Ukrainian port of Mykolaiv, a missile slammed into an apartment building killing at least one man, a Reuters witness said, and blasts were heard and smoke seen rising in Kyiv, the capital. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com There were also reports of power facilities being targeted in the city of Kharkiv, a city with a pre-war population of 1.43 million people, close to the Russian border. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy accused Russia of terrorising and killing civilians with the air attacks, which came a day after drone strikes on Kyiv and other cities killed at least four people. “Ukraine is under fire by the occupiers. They continue to do what they do best – terrorise and kill civilians,” Zelenskiy wrote on the Telegram messaging app. “The terrorist state will not change anything for itself with such actions. It will only confirm its destructive and murderous essence, for which it will certainly be held to account.” There was no immediate word on how many people had been killed in the strikes. Russia earlier this month named General Sergei Suvorikin as overall commander of what Moscow calls its “special operation” in Ukraine. Suvorikin served in Syria and Chechnya where Russian forces pounded cities in a scorched earth policy against its foes. A local resident takes pictures of a building heavily damaged by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Mykolaiv, Ukraine October 18, 2022. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko Nicknamed “General Armageddon” by the Russian media because of his alleged toughness, his appointment was followed by the biggest wave of missile strikes against Ukraine since Moscow invaded on Feb. 24. Russia carried out its latest strikes on Tuesday after the United States warned it would hold Moscow accountable for any war crimes. Moscow denies targeting civilians. Its defence ministry has said it is carrying out attacks on military targets and energy infrastructure across Ukraine using high-precision weapons. In the port city of Mykolaiv, a Reuters witness said they had heard three explosions in the early hours of Tuesday. A missile had completely destroyed one wing of a building in the downtown area, leaving a massive crater, they said. A fire crew was seen pulling the dead body of a man from the rubble. “In Mykolaiv, the enemy destroyed a residential building with S-300 missiles. A person died. There was also a strike at the flower market, the chestnut park. I wonder what the Russian terrorists were fighting against at these absolutely peaceful facilities?” Zelenskiy said. The Russian strikes followed advances by Ukrainian forces in the east and south and came after an Oct. 8 blast on a bridge linking mainland Russia to Crimea – the peninsula Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014. U.S. President Joe Biden’s press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Monday that the White House “strongly condemns Russia’s missile strikes” and spoke of Putin’s “brutality”. Putin sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24 in what he called a “special operation” to root out what it calls dangerous nationalists. Ukrainian forces have mounted stiff resistance, with the help of arms supplied by the United States and its allies, who have also imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia in an effort to force it to withdraw. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Reuters bureaux; Writing by Andrew Osborn; Editing by Philippa Fletcher Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Cryptoverse: Flurry Of Funds Bet On Bruised Bitcoin’s Allure – Dunya News https://clarkcountynewsnow.com/cryptoverse-flurry-of-funds-bet-on-bruised-bitcoins-allure-dunya-news/ Technology Cryptoverse: Flurry of funds bet on bruised bitcoin’s allure Investment firms have unleashed a flurry of exchange-traded funds. (Reuters) – A growing number of funds are betting on the long-term appeal of bitcoin and ether, a gritty gambit in the depths of a crypto winter. Unfazed by a collapse in prices over the past 11 months, investment firms have unleashed a flurry of exchange-traded funds, anticipating that elite cryptocurrencies and their underlying technology will eventually prevail. Of more than 180 total active crypto exchange traded products (ETPs) and trust products globally, half have launched since the bitcoin bear market started, Morgan Stanley said in a note published this month. The proliferation came even as the total value of assets in the market slumped 70% to $24 billion in that period as crypto prices tanked. About 95% of those 180 funds are focused on the top two coins, bitcoin and ether, Morgan Stanley said. “Naturally when the market is slower, prices are lower, people have lost money, the intensity of the appetite does diminish,” said Chen Arad, co-founder of crypto risk monitoring firm Solidus Labs. “But it’s not the case in the long run. As a whole, I don’t think anyone is giving up.” The attraction of ETPs is that they provide exposure to digital assets on a regulated stock exchange, so retail and institutional investors don’t have to worry about securely storing their crypto and eluding hacks and heists. In terms of money, cryptocurrency investment products have attracted about $453 million in net inflows this year with much of it going into bitcoin and investment vehicles that include the biggest cryptocurrencies, according to a report from digital asset manager Coinshares. “There is more asset allocation towards baskets that combine the top five or 10 crypto assets by market cap. It’s a flight to quality compared to alternative assets in the crypto industry,” said Eliezer Ndinga, director of research at 21shares. Other major cryptocurrencies include solana , cardano and ripple . TICK BY TICK Most active crypto ETP products are registered outside the United States, though, with Switzerland, Canada, Australia and Brazil racing ahead with spot crypto offerings. One reason is that U.S. regulators have turned down several applications for spot bitcoin funds, which mirror the cryptocurrency’s price movements tick-by-tick, citing multiple reasons including a lack of surveillance-sharing agreements with regulated markets relating to the spot funds’ underlying assets. Investors in futures-based funds must often shoulder the additional cost of the futures rollover as contracts approach settlement day, to maintain their position. Bitcoin has lost 17% in the past three months, while ProShares Bitcoin Strategy’s ETF , which tracks bitcoin futures, has shed about 21%. The world’s largest bitcoin fund, Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC.PK), is down 34% in the same time. ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF, has seen assets under management (AUM) shrink to just over $600 million as of the end of September, according to Refinitiv Lipper data. At its debut a year ago it pulled in over $1 billion in a matter of days. At Grayscale’s Bitcoin Trust, the AUM have tumbled to $12.2 billion from over $30 billion at the end of 2021, data from the firm showed. Will Peck, head of digital assets at WisdomTree, whose spot bitcoin ETF was blocked by U.S. watchdogs last week, said he wasn’t surprised by the decision, but expressed hope that an agreement could be reached. “I think we’ll ultimately get there. But we’ll be in a holding pattern for the foreseeable future.” ‘ ; var i = Math.floor(r_text.length * Math.random()); document.write(r_text[i]);

FlexiSpot E8 Review – A Gaming And Standing Desk For Smaller Spaces – PCGamesN https://clarkcountynewsnow.com/flexispot-e8-review-a-gaming-and-standing-desk-for-smaller-spaces-pcgamesn/ When you think of gaming desks, you usually think of tabletops chock full of RGB lighting. By comparison, the FlexiSpot E8 standing desk might seem a little plain, but it’s one that gamers who also work from home should consider when making their next purchase – especially if you’re limited for space and need a jack of all trades worktop. Firstly, the E8 comes in three sizable boxes (if you buy the legs and desktop together). Each of these is very heavy, and the box containing the legs is almost certainly a two-person job to transport. This is a throughline that you’ll find throughout the unpacking and assembly of the E8. Flexispot packages the E8 well with foam and cardboard braces to prevent any dents or dings. Although the whole thing is a bit of a workout, assembling the desk is pretty straightforward, as the instructions are simple, easy to follow, and aided with diagrams to show what goes where. Each part of the E8 desk is reassuringly sturdy. The legs, feet, and frame are all made of high-quality metal, and there’s no way that you’ll mistake it for a cheap desk. The downside to this is, of course, weight. If you’re installing this desk upstairs, you’ll find yourself making numerous trips, taking only one part of the desk at a time due to the sheer weight of the metal – the E8 is the heaviest desk I’ve ever used, so I can only imagine what the Secretlab Magnus is like. FlexiSpot kits you out with everything you need to put the desk together, and installation is easy. Simply bolt the bracket and feet onto the legs with the provided allen key (all high quality; none of those cheap bolts that get stripped and allen keys that get bent), and then you’re ready to screw on the desktop of your choice. The flexibility the E8 brings in desktop choice is perhaps one of its greatest strengths. See, when you order the E8, you can choose from a multitude of sizes and colours to customise the desk to the size of your workspace, which is refreshing. The desktops themselves are far nicer than I was expecting. The wood is solid and makes a satisfying thud when doing the tap test with your finger, so you can expect a quality workspace that doesn’t have the hollowness of brands that use cheaper components. Attaching the desktop is where things slow down, however. Whereas the frame itself is easily put together by simply fixing metal components with hex bolts, fitting the desktop requires you to lift the heavy metal frame and slide it onto the underside of the desktop. You must then align all the holes and use a screwdriver to attach the desktop to the frame. This is fiddly and, while it could probably be done with one person, it almost necessitates the help of an accomplice to hold one side of the frame in place as you get to work. This is symbolic of the wider issue when installing the E8; its high quality means heavy weight, which in turn means that even dragging the cardboard boxes into your home is a two-person job. So, if you’re considering this desk, you should rope a friend into helping you beforehand. Once the desktop’s in place, all that’s left to do is affix the electronic control panel to either the left or right side of the desk, plug the cables from the motors in each leg to the central control box (already affixed to the frame), and finally flip the desk over and stand it up. Once the desk is all put together and in place, the FlexiSpot E8 standing desk is faultless. The desk height adjustment controls are easy to use and can be adjusted manually by pressing the up and down arrows on the controller, which displays the current height of the desk in centimetres as it moves up and down. Handily, you can save four separate desk heights too; there’s one for sitting, one for standing, and two others labelled ‘1’ and ‘2’ to customise to your exact liking. You can assign your personalised height to these presets by pressing the ‘M’ button at any height, then pressing the button you want to save it as. For example, if you want to save 65cm as your sitting height, then all you need to do is adjust the desk to 65cm, press ‘M’, then press the sitting icon button. The control panel also has a powered USB built in so that you can charge devices at your workstation, which is a nice additional feature that shows thought went into the desk’s design. I should also note that the motors make a quiet whirring when adjusting the height of the desk, but it doesn’t sound like someone just drove a tractor into your office like some standing desks out there. The E8 also carries a hidden trick that can help you manage cables: a USB-A port baked into the right-side of the control panel. This might influence whether you position the controller to the left or right, but it allows you to quick charge your phone while at your desk without creating a spaghetti monster down the back. Overall, the FlexiSpot E8’s greatest strengths lie in its modular design and high quality components. Not only can you swap out desktop sizes to your needs – meaning that you don’t need to fully swap desks if you move somewhere with a larger or smaller workspace – but the E8 platform is a great choice for those who need both a productive space for work and a great place to game. The E8 is absent of the annoying monitor wobble that some desks cause as you’re flicking your mouse in Counter-Strike, but it also looks classy and absent of garish RGB gaming paraphernalia. Whether you’re in the market for the best gaming desk or the best standing desk, the Flexispot E8 should be on your radar. Our review sample came with a 120×60 cm desktop size, making it one of the only standing desks that comes in a smaller size while also maintaining the electric standing desk functionality. Add to this its rock solid and quality components and modular design and the FlexiSpot E8 standing desk should easily be on your radar. Gamers looking for blinding RGB lights should look elsewhere, but those wanting something functional, good-looking, and that can straddle gaming and productivity well will find a lot to love with the FlexiSpot E8. FlexiSpot E8 One of the best all-round standing desks that you can buy if you like a streamlined setup with no extra RGB-shaped frills. 9

No Fondness Between GOP, Dem Candidates For Nevada Governor – Oil City Derrick https://clarkcountynewsnow.com/no-fondness-between-gop-dem-candidates-for-nevada-governor-oil-city-derrick/ 1 of 3 FILE – Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak, left, and Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo leave a media briefing at Metro Police headquarters in Las Vegas on Oct. 4, 2017. In 2017, Sisolak and Lombardo stood together in the national spotlight, kicking off a fund that raised millions of dollars for victims of the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history on the Las Vegas Strip. There are no fond words now, with Sisolak seeking a second term as governor and Lombardo, with backing from former President Donald Trump, leading a Republican bid to unseat him in a key partisan race drawing national attention. FILE – Nevada Republican gubernatorial nominee Joe Lombardo participates in a debate during IndyFest at Worre Studios, on Oct. 2, 2022, in Las Vegas. With days ticking down to Election Day on Nov. 8, polls generally show the race close between Gov. Steve Sisolak and Lombardo. Sharp and shrill ads funded by the parties, political action committees and campaigns blame each candidate for a range of ills. FILE – Gov. Steve Sisolak, D-Nev., reacts to a statement made by Nevada Republican gubernatorial nominee Joe Lombardo in a debate during IndyFest at Worre Studios on Oct. 2, 2022, in Las Vegas. With days ticking down to Election Day on Nov. 8, polls generally show the race close between Sisolak and Lombardo. Sharp and shrill ads funded by the parties, political action committees and campaigns blame each candidate for a range of ills. 1 of 3 FILE – Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak, left, and Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo leave a media briefing at Metro Police headquarters in Las Vegas on Oct. 4, 2017. In 2017, Sisolak and Lombardo stood together in the national spotlight, kicking off a fund that raised millions of dollars for victims of the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history on the Las Vegas Strip. There are no fond words now, with Sisolak seeking a second term as governor and Lombardo, with backing from former President Donald Trump, leading a Republican bid to unseat him in a key partisan race drawing national attention. FILE – Nevada Republican gubernatorial nominee Joe Lombardo participates in a debate during IndyFest at Worre Studios, on Oct. 2, 2022, in Las Vegas. With days ticking down to Election Day on Nov. 8, polls generally show the race close between Gov. Steve Sisolak and Lombardo. Sharp and shrill ads funded by the parties, political action committees and campaigns blame each candidate for a range of ills. FILE – Gov. Steve Sisolak, D-Nev., reacts to a statement made by Nevada Republican gubernatorial nominee Joe Lombardo in a debate during IndyFest at Worre Studios on Oct. 2, 2022, in Las Vegas. With days ticking down to Election Day on Nov. 8, polls generally show the race close between Sisolak and Lombardo. Sharp and shrill ads funded by the parties, political action committees and campaigns blame each candidate for a range of ills. LAS VEGAS (AP) — Five years ago, Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak and Joe Lombardo stood together in the national spotlight, kicking off a fund that raised millions of dollars for victims of the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history on the Las Vegas Strip. Sisolak, a Democrat, at the time was chairman of the powerful Clark County Commission, the elected body with jurisdiction over Las Vegas. He praised Lombardo, the nonpartisan elected Clark County sheriff and head of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the largest police agency in Nevada. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Danish officials have confirmed that there has been “extensive damage” to the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea off Denmark and that the cause of the damage was “powerful explosions.” In a statement Tuesday, the Copenhagen Police said it had carried out a number of preliminary investigations of what it called “the crime scenes,” with assistance from Denmark’s Armed Forces and in collaboration with, among others, the Danish security and intelligence agency. The agency and the police have decided to set up a joint investigation group which will handle the further investigation of the incidents, the police said. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has ordered preparations to allow all of the country’s three remaining nuclear reactors to continue operating until mid-April. The move marks another hiccup in the country’s plan to end the use of atomic energy. The fate of nuclear power in Germany appeared sealed after Scholz’s predecessor, Angela Merkel, declared following the Fukushima disaster that it should be phased out by the end of 2022. The war in Ukraine and the climate crisis have reopened the debate, though, fueling fresh calls for existing nuclear plants to be kept online to prevent energy shortages and the burning of unnecessary coal. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a virus that can cause severe problems, especially for young children and older adults, has increased illness and hospitalizations. Herschel Walker went into Friday night’s debate against U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock with one job — to convince the Republicans still undecided about him that he is capable of the basics of the job of being a U.S. senator. HARTFORD, Conn. — It was just after dawn on Jan. 4, 1999, when Marlene Harris packed up her three children and drove to an East Hartford Stop & Shop, where she picked up a pay phone and dialed 211. Her husband didn’t allow her to use their phone at home. Air strikes have again pounded energy and infrastructure facilities in Ukraine, part of an apparent quickening effort by Russia to drive Ukrainians into the cold and dark as winter bites. The mayor of Zhytomyr, west of the capital, said all of the city was without electricity and water after a double missile strike Tuesday on an energy facility.  Authorities said missile strikes also hit an energy facility in Kyiv and severely damaged another in the south-central city of Dnipro. The governor of the partly Russian-occupied southern Zaporizhzhia region also reported a fire at an infrastructure facility caused by suicide drones — so called because they slam into targets and explode. Australian and Singaporean leaders have announced what they describe as a world-first agreement to cooperate in transitioning their economies to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese outlined their so-called Green Economy Agreement between the two countries Tuesday after meeting in the Australian Parliament House. The agreement has 17 components that cover facilitating trade and investment in green services and collaboration between businesses to build green growth sectors. Australia has committed to reducing its emissions to net-zero by 2050 and Singapore is considering adopting the same target. A helicopter bringing Hindu pilgrims from a popular temple site in the Indian Himalayas crashed Tuesday in foggy weather. Media reports said six passengers and a pilot were on board. Officials said the helicopter operated by a private company crashed in foggy weather. Other details were not immediately known. The Kedarnath temple of Hindu god Shiva is a pilgrimage site in Uttarakhand state. It is at a high elevation and open to devotees only from April to November. Police say two Indian laborers were killed in a grenade attack in disputed Kashmir, two days after assailants fatally shot a Kashmiri Hindu man. Police say the suspect arrested in Monday’s attack was an undercover militant. The two victims were day laborers from Uttar Pradesh. Rebels in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir have been fighting New Delhi’s rule since 1989, and tens of thousands of people have been killed in the conflict. A spate of targeted killings in Kashmir this past year has come as Indian troops have intensified counterinsurgency operations and clamped down on dissent and media freedom across the region. An Iranian female competitive climber has left South Korea after competing at an event in which she climbed without her nation’s mandatory headscarf covering. Farsi-language media outside of Iran have warned that she may have been forced to leave early by Iranian officials and could face arrest back home. The decision by climber Elnaz Rekabi comes as protests sparked by the September death of a 22-year-old woman detained by the country’s morality police have entered a fifth week. Iran’s Embassy in Seoul denied “all the fake, false news and disinformation” about Rekabi, but posted an image of her from Moscow wearing the hijab. Questions are swirling in Burkina Faso about what role Russia may have played in the West African nation’s second coup this year. People demonstrating in support of new leader, Capt. Ibrahim Traore, have been waving Russian flags in the streets of the capital, Ouagadougou. Some are publicly calling for the deployment of Russian mercenaries in Burkina Faso to help fight rising violence from Islamic extremists, as was done in neighboring Mali. Asked about the coup in a call with reporters earlier this month, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov wouldn’t comment on prospects of establishing ties with Burkina Faso’s new junta leaders. As temperatures drop below freezing in eastern Ukraine, those who haven’t already fled from the heavy fighting, regular shelling and months of Russian occupation are now facing a brutal winter. Collecting firewood and pulling up water from wells, tens of thousands of Ukrainians are digging in for the cold months. Many residents of the Kharkiv region have been living without gas, water or electricity for weeks after Russian strikes cut off utilities in many cities and towns....

Mouseplanet – Walt Disney World Resort Update For October 18-24, 2022 By Alan S. Dalinka – MousePlanet https://clarkcountynewsnow.com/mouseplanet-walt-disney-world-resort-update-for-october-18-24-2022-by-alan-s-dalinka-mouseplanet/ Walt Disney World Resort Update for October 18-24, 2022 You can view a larger version of the photos included in the Update by clicking on the photo. Each photo will open in a separate tab without a caption.  Writer’s Note, News & Views Following last week’s change to Genie+ pricing (it’s now set dynamically by date rather than a fixed amount), it has been another quiet week for news around Walt Disney World Resort. Disney did share the less-than-specific news that the revised version of Fantasmic! will open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in November (following the announcement earlier this year that the show would return before the end of 2022). The good news for those cast members (and us locals) that approach the Resort from the northeast via Reams Road this week is that the flooding between Bay Court and Magic Kingdom cast parking subsided sufficiently for Orange County to finally reopen the road this week for the first time since September 28 and the approach of Hurricane Ian. On the whole now, the Resort has fully returned to pre-Hurricane Ian operations. Of course, the tropical storm season continues through the end of November and storms do not know how to read calendars, so it remains important to keep tuned in for weather events as we head into Florida’s typically dry winter season. Views Around the World With the summer heat and humidity further fading now that fall is underway, I again made it over to three of the parks this past weekend and even took the long walk from Magic Kingdom to main parking via Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (and the new detour around the DVC construction that is underway). All of the parks were busy during my visits, so whatever lull in attendance that fall brought in the past was not evident when I was there. Magic Kingdom and Vicinity With Halloween about two weeks away, I noticed that the entrance to Magic Kingdom has already begun a slight transformation to Christmas: the Mickey head floral bed seems to consist of the winter holidays’ traditional red poinsettias. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka. With the TRON Lightcycle Run attraction expected to open in the Spring, pavement installation is now evident in this new expansion of Tomorrowland beyond the Speedway. Railroad tracks have been reinstalled around Tomorrowland and through a new tunnel under the TRON Lightcycle Run canopy. Tomorrowland Light & Power Co. is closed for refurbishment and its exterior look continues to evolve. This “exit through the gift shop” for Space Mountain likely will also serve as a merchandise location for TRON Lightcycle Run when it opens. The Walt Disney World Railroad remains closed because of the on-going construction of TRON Lightcycle Run. Next to the Fantasyland station, the railroad track re-installation remains incomplete. Photos by Alan S. Dalinka. At Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, the culinary team has created a Halloween display that pays tribute to The Haunted Mansion. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka. The walkway from Disney’s Grand Floridian to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort now detours away from Seven Seas Lagoon due to the construction of the new Disney Vacation Club tower on the former site of the Spirit of Aloha luau dinner theater. Detour signs lead guests walking between the two resorts through Disney’s Wedding Pavilion’s parking lot. To walk between Disney’s Grand Floridian and Polynesian Resorts, guest must now cross Floridian Way twice. A new crosswalk has been painted across Floridian Way at the exit to the Wedding Pavilion’s parking lot. Guests walking between the two resorts now share the path with the golf cart path along the Floridian Way side of the Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course. The Magnolia Golf Course itself is undergoing a major reimagination right now as well. Guests cross Floridian Way near Disney’s Polynesian Resort where the golf cart path crosses the road. The detour between the resorts ends where the existing Polynesian longhouses stand. Photos by Alan S. Dalinka. Further south along Floridian Way where it approaches the Speedway Auto Center and World Drive, construction has finally resumed on the flyover ramps that began long-before the pandemic and its temporary shutdown of the resort. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka. The flyover on the west side of Magic Kingdom’s main parking lot will change the flow of traffic around the parking lot. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka. EPCOT EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival continues for another month, through November 19. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka. The Disney Vacation Club Member lounge (on the upper level of Imagination! pavilion), has some new graphics on the walls surrounding the space. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka. The graphics on the DVC Member Lounge now also include a “permanent” photo spot. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka. Back downstairs in the Imagination! pavilion, I noticed Bing Bong appearing on the walls from time to time for the first time. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka. Steel framing for the future CommuniCore Hall (festival center) is visible from all over the west side of the park. From the monorail around the former Future World section of the park, guests can see quite a bit of ongoing construction now. The area where the Fountain of Nations formerly stood remains an active construction area. The future CommuniCore Hall (festival center) construction can be seen from the monorail as it heads to the station. The future Journey of Water inspired by Moana walk-through attraction continues to take shape ahead of its expected debut sometime next year. Some of the rock work for Journey of Water already shows some finer details. Photos by Alan S. Dalinka. Disney’s Hollywood Studios Since our last Update, Disney got slightly more specific as to when the updated version of Fantasmic! will open: November. Socially distanced Donald was again appearing near the park’s entrance this weekend. Although about a third of the Cairo set was not on stage during a performance of Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular on Sunday (along with about a third of the usual show), Indy and Marion stunt doubles still took a major leap off one of the towers. Exterior construction at the Roundup Rodeo BBQ table service restaurant continues. I hope that the “backyard” theme of Toy Story Land is restored to this area and the administration building beyond the restaurant is once again hidden when construction is complete. Disney has not shared an opening date for this restaurant that was originally announced for a 2020 debut. When browsing the stores of the park, it is never surprising that even some of the newest characters of Disney subsidiaries are available to help celebrate Halloween. Photos by Alan S. Dalinka. This & That & Reminders… …An okapi calf was born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, the twelfth okapi born at Walt Disney World Resort and the fifth at the lodge. Named Beni, the baby okapi is the first calf to be born at Walt Disney World Resort since 2018, and at a little over three feet tall from hoof to shoulder, he weighs just under 100 pounds. He could eventually grow to between five and six feet tall and up to 650 pounds! BOO! Isn’t this the cutest “ghost of the forest” you’ve ever seen? Meet Beni, an okapi calf born this summer at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. He’s currently backstage where he’s perfecting his wobbly walk & following in mom Olivia’s “hoof”steps: https://t.co/wrazEjYyW9 pic.twitter.com/KenADpz0AE — Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) October 15, 2022 …Disney Parks Blog saluted Miguel Arribas this week as part of honoring of all the talented Hispanic cast members and beyond. Arribas has devoted more than 50 years of his life to creating Disney-themed collectibles as a glass artist at Arribas Brothers stores across Walt Disney World Resort since opening year. Originally from Montevideo, Uruguay, Arribas is one of the longest-serving team members at the Walt Disney World Arribas Brothers locations. Walt Disney World Resort, and especially Disney Springs, is now celebrating Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month. …Looking ahead to Thanksgiving, Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant at Disney Springs will be serving up its special Thanksgiving dinner all day—11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Guests who prefer to order lunch or dinner from the restaurant’s all-day menu are also welcome to do so; Raglan’s plant-based Shepherd’s Pie (This Shepherd Went Vegan) is a popular vegan option too. Live Irish music and dance begins at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day and continues through pub close. Considering Thanksgiving dining at Raglan Road? Reservations recommended: RaglanRoad.com. …REMINDER: Give Kids The World’S popular “Night of a Million Lights,” will be back for its third year—but at the Island H2O Water Park in Kissimmee, Florida, rather than at the not-for-profit Village’s resort as it had been since its debut. From November 11, 2022, through January 1, 2023, the Island H2O Water Park, 3230 Inspiration Drive, Kissimmee, FL 34747, will be “transformed into a dazzling winter wonderland featuring millions of lights, luminous displays, festive family activities and live entertainment for a one-of-a-kind, fully immersive holiday experience.” Nightly entertainment will include performances by Dueling Pianos Jingle and Jangle and the strolling a cappella group Santa’s Dancing Reindeer, with DJ Jack Frost Ice Block Party leading an interactive holiday hits dance party. Tickets are on sale now at gktw.org/lights/. Night of a Million Lights was hosted at Give Kids the World Village in late 2020 and 2021. Its third installment will be at Island H2O Water Park in Kissimmee. File photo by Alan S. Dalinka. …REMINDER: Give Kids the World Village is ...

Welsh Businesses Face Perfect Storm Of Risk – Business News Wales https://clarkcountynewsnow.com/welsh-businesses-face-perfect-storm-of-risk-business-news-wales/ ICAEW’s director for Wales, Robert Lloyd Griffiths is urging Welsh firms to review their approach to risk management and prepare for further challenges ahead.  His call follows a recent report published last month by fellow professional membership body, the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) which found businesses are facing a perfect storm of risks with the war in Ukraine, the cost-of-living crisis, looming recession and the climate emergency throwing many into a permanent state of crisis. The Risk in Focus 2023 research report identifies the top risks facing organisations for the year ahead based on a poll of 834 chief audit executives (CAEs). Cybersecurity tops the annual business risk survey for the fifth year running, with 82% of CAEs citing it a top five risk, reflecting the rapidly weaponised cyber-attack landscape. Half cite human capital, diversity, and talent management a top five risk making it the second biggest risk faced by organisations, up two positions from 4th place last year – reflecting the severe recruitment and retention challenges facing many companies. Meanwhile, geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty is the risk that has risen highest up the agenda, up four positions from 7th to 3rd place in the risk rankings, marking a 44% year-on-year increase. And yet, despite the severity of this risk 92% of respondents say they are not spending major time or effort auditing the impacts of this risk on their business. As the war in Ukraine intensifies, it is accompanied by higher global energy prices, soaring inflation, and increased tensions between the West and China, so the gap between awareness and action taken to mitigate this rising risk is alarming. Other key findings in the report include: Changes in laws and regulations were cited as a top five risk by 44% of respondents, slightly down from 46% a year ago. Digital disruption, new technology and AI was cited by 38%, down from 45% and moving it from the 3rd to 5th biggest risk, as other issues take precedence. Climate change continues to rise in the rankings for the fifth year in a row. Perhaps prompted by the record-breaking temperatures recorded across Europe this summer, 37% now cite climate change as a top five risk, compared to 31% last year. Robert Lloyd Griffiths, Director of ICAEW in Wales says that the survey results reinforce why Welsh businesses should be focusing on risk management and resilience as a priority: “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy here in Wales and they are facing multiple risks as the cost of doing business soars and the political uncertainty continues. It is therefore critical that businesses of all sizes review their approach to risk management and prepare for the potential challenges ahead because, now more than ever, there is a need for good governance and prudence.” “Although change is a feature of doing business, managing it successfully can be complex. During times of economic uncertainty, businesses will often focus on the short term and how to survive the current storm, but boards must also consider what might be around the corner.” “While we don’t know what 2023 is going to bring, ICAEW Chartered Accountants will be guiding their clients and taking these decisions in businesses the length and breadth of Wales over the coming weeks and months.  Our members have the skills to help model the impact of any changes so businesses can plan ahead, as well as advise on new approaches and investments.” “The Risk in Focus report sets out a series of recommendations for how boards should work with their audit and finance functions to tackle these risks. There is also help and guidance available via our own Corporate Governance Community. We urge businesses of all sizes across Wales to take heed of this advice.” Membership of ICAEW’s Corporate Governance Community is free and open to everyone, including non-ICAEW members. Further information is available here.

Menopause Is Associated With Postprandial Metabolism, Metabolic Health And Lifestyle: The ZOE PREDICT Study – The Lancet https://clarkcountynewsnow.com/menopause-is-associated-with-postprandial-metabolism-metabolic-health-and-lifestyle-the-zoe-predict-study-the-lancet/ Summary Background The menopause transition is associated with unfavourable alterations in health. However, postprandial metabolic changes and their mediating factors are poorly understood. Methods The PREDICT 1 UK cohort (n=1002; pre- n=366, peri- n=55, and post-menopausal females n=206) assessed phenotypic characteristics, anthropometric, diet and gut microbiome data, and fasting and postprandial (0–6 h) cardiometabolic blood measurements, including continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data. Differences between menopausal groups were assessed in the cohort and in an age-matched subgroup, adjusting for age, BMI, menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) use, and smoking status. Findings Post-menopausal females had higher fasting blood measures (glucose, HbA1c and inflammation (GlycA), 6%, 5% and 4% respectively), sugar intakes (12%) and poorer sleep (12%) compared with pre-menopausal females (p0.05 for all). Postprandial metabolic responses for glucose2hiauc and insulin2hiauc were higher (42% and 4% respectively) and CGM measures (glycaemic variability and time in range) were unfavourable post- versus pre-menopause (p0.05 for all). In age-matched subgroups (n=150), postprandial glucose responses remained higher post-menopause (peak0-2h 4%). MHT was associated with favourable visceral fat, fasting (glucose and insulin) and postprandial (triglyceride6hiauc) measures. Mediation analysis showed that associations between menopause and metabolic health indicators (visceral fat, GlycA360mins and glycaemia (peak0-2h)) were in part mediated by diet and gut bacterial species. Interpretation Findings from this large scale, in-depth nutrition metabolic study of menopause, support the importance of monitoring risk factors for type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in mid-life to older women to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with oestrogen decline. Funding Zoe Ltd. Keywords Menopause Postprandial metabolic responses Age-matched subgroups Research in context Evidence before this study We searched PubMed for articles published up to Feburary 4th, 2022 using the terms “menopause metabolic syndrome”, “menopause postprandial responses”, “menopause gut microbiome”, “menopause diet quality” and “menopause inflammation”. We found several published observational studies showing increases in body mass index, visceral fat, cardiometabolic risk and inflammatory markers following menopause. Changes in gut microbiome relating to oestrogen levels and menopausal status have also been reported, and a weak or non-existent link between menopausal status and insulin resistance has been published before. The role of dietary intake and changes in habitual diet in all of the above have not been explored to date nor has the proportion of time that pre-, peri- and post-menopausal women are within healthy glycaemic ranges (Time spent in range (TIR)). There are several studies that have investigated post-menopausal changes on postprandial metabolic responses but only small studies (n100) have sought to separate the effect of age from the effect of menopause from postprandial responses, typically focusing on only one component of the postprandial response. Assessments of which factors are mediating the metabolic changes observed during menopause have not yet been performed in deeply phenotyped large cohorts. Added value of this study In this deeply phenotyped cohort, we show that continuous measures of glycaemic control (TIR and glycaemic variability) are unfavourable post- versus pre-menopause. Using an age-matched design we report that higher glycaemic postprandial responses are not due to age. We also report a protective association between menopausal hormone therapy and visceral fat and fasting and postprandial measures. Using formal mediation analysis we find that associations between menopausal status and key metabolic health indicators (visceral fat, inflammatory and glycaemic postprandial responses) are in part mediated by diet quality and gut bacterial species abundances. We also confirm differences in body composition, fasting blood measures, postprandial metabolites, lifestyle, diet, microbiome, sleep and mood across sex, age and menopausal status. Implications of all the available evidence Postprandial glycaemic responses worsen in the post-menopausal state, not because of increasing age but because of altered hormonal status. These effects are in part mediated by changes in dietary habits and gut microbiome composition indicating these two modifiable factors are potential targets to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with loss of oestrogen. These findings will be of high importance to clinicians, researchers, the general public and policy makers, enabling stratified dietary and lifestyle advice to attenuate the unfavourable effects of menopause on cardio-metabolic risk. Introduction Women spend more than one-third of their lives in a post-menopausal state. Menopause is the definitive disappearance of menstruation due to the depletion of ovarian activity, occurring after 12 months of amenorrhoea. 1 Santoro N Roeca C Peters BA Neal-Perry G. The menopause transition: signs, symptoms, and management options. The menopause transition, also known as perimenopause, is the beginning of menstrual irregularities when symptoms of female sex hormone deficiency begin. Menopausal change is associated with higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk factors, as well as alterations in mood, sleep, diet and other lifestyle factors. 2 Zhu D Chung HF Dobson AJ et al. Type of menopause, age of menopause and variations in the risk of incident cardiovascular disease: pooled analysis of individual data from 10 international studies. ,  3 Christakis MK Hasan H De Souza LR Shirreff L. The effect of menopause on metabolic syndrome: cross-sectional results from the Canadian longitudinal study on. ,  4 Bromberger JT Kravitz HM. Mood and menopause: findings from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) over 10 years. However, whether the reported changes associated with menopause are due to hormonal alterations, psychological changes associated with the transition, natural ageing, social and behavioural factors of midlife or genetic vulnerability is less clear and warrants further exploration. Extensive evidence shows that changes in body composition including loss of lean body mass, accumulation of fat mass and redistribution of the adipose tissue in the abdominal area occur with menopause. 5 Abildgaard J Ploug T Al-Saoudi E et al. Changes in abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue phenotype following menopause is associated with increased visceral fat mass. Subsequently, unfavourable fasting blood measures 3 Christakis MK Hasan H De Souza LR Shirreff L. The effect of menopause on metabolic syndrome: cross-sectional results from the Canadian longitudinal study on. and a shift to an atherogenic lipid profile (increases in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and apolipoprotein B) occur independently of age, due to menopause. 2 Zhu D Chung HF Dobson AJ et al. Type of menopause, age of menopause and variations in the risk of incident cardiovascular disease: pooled analysis of individual data from 10 international studies. However, less is known regarding the impact of menopause on the integrated postprandial metabolic response. 6 Rathnayake KM Weech M Jackson KG Lovegrove JA. Impact of meal fatty acid composition on postprandial lipaemia, vascular function and blood pressure in postmenopausal women. Given that humans spend the majority of their day in the postprandial (1–8 h post eating) phase (∼18 h/d) and postprandial lipaemia and glycaemia are independent risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (due to their downstream effects on inflammation, oxidative stress, haemostatic function and lipoprotein remodelling), studies exploring multi-factorial postprandial responses with respect to menopausal status are needed. Furthermore, the gut microbiome is increasingly recognised as an important regulator of metabolism and is associated with multiple cardiometabolic risk factors. 7 Asnicar F Berry SE Valdes AM et al. Microbiome connections with host metabolism and habitual diet from 1,098 deeply phenotyped individuals. , 8 Becker SL Manson JE. Menopause, the gut microbiome, and weight gain: correlation or causation?. Whilst alterations in gut microbiome composition have been shown during the menopausal transition, its role in increased metabolic risk faced by menopausal women remains unclear. 8 Becker SL Manson JE. Menopause, the gut microbiome, and weight gain: correlation or causation?. In light of the well-recognised changes that occur in lifestyle and body composition upon menopause, research furthering our understanding of the key metabolic and microbial changes occurring in concert may help provide tailored lifestyle and dietary advice for women during their menopausal transition and post-menopause. This study leveraged the densely phenotyped ZOE PREDICT cohort to, firstly, characterise lifestyle, diet and health measures in pre-, peri- and post-menopausal women and, secondly, explore the physiological changes of menopause with a focus on postprandial metabolism and the gut microbiome. We report; 1) differences in body composition, fasting blood measures, postprandial metabolites, lifestyle, diet, microbiome and mood across sex, age and menopausal status, 2) an independent association of menopause with postprandial glucose responses in an age-matched subgroup, 3) a protective association between menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) use a...

What Channel Are NBA Games On Today? Times, Opening Night Schedule For 2022-23 Season – Sporting News https://clarkcountynewsnow.com/what-channel-are-nba-games-on-today-times-opening-night-schedule-for-2022-23-season-sporting-news/ A wild offseason is behind us. The rosters are set. It’s time to hit the floor for the start of the 2022-23 NBA regular season. The league will kick off a new campaign on Tuesday with what should be an entertaining doubleheader. The 76ers will travel to Boston to face the Celtics at the TD Garden, and the Lakers will battle the defending champion Warriors at the Chase Center. Wednesday’s slate will feature 12 games, including a couple of national TV contests. The Knicks and Grizzlies will play in the early ESPN game, and the Mavericks and Suns will meet later in a Western Conference Semifinals rematch. Here’s everything you need to know about watching the start of the 2022-23 regular season. NBA PLAYER RANKINGS: PG | SG | SF | PF | C | Bench | Top 30 NBA schedule for 2022-23 regular season NBA teams will play the usual 82-game slate for the 2022-23 campaign. Here’s a breakdown of the 2022-23 NBA calendar: Regular season: Oct. 18, 2022-April 9, 2023 All-Star break: Feb. 17-22, 2023 Play-In Tournament: April 11-14, 2023 NBA Playoffs: April 15-June 18, 2023 (latest possible NBA Finals game) NBA Draft: June 22, 2023 The schedule below includes the first regular season game for every NBA team. Tuesday, Oct. 18 Game Time (ET) National TV 76ers vs. Celtics 7:30 p.m. TNT Lakers vs. Warriors 10 p.m. TNT Wednesday, Oct. 19 Game Time (ET) National TV Magic vs. Pistons 7 p.m. — Wizards vs. Pacers 7 p.m. — Rockets vs. Hawks 7:30 p.m. — Pelicans vs. Nets 7:30 p.m. — Bulls vs. Heat 7:30 p.m. — Cavaliers vs. Raptors 7:30 p.m. — Knicks vs. Grizzlies 7:30 p.m. ESPN Thunder vs. Timberwolves 8 p.m. — Hornets vs. Spurs 8 p.m. — Nuggets vs. Jazz 9 p.m. — Mavericks vs. Suns 10 p.m. ESPN Trail Blazers vs. Kings 10 p.m. — Thursday, Oct. 20 Game Time (ET) National TV Bucks vs. 76ers 7:30 p.m. TNT Clippers vs. Lakers 10 p.m. TNT How to watch NBA games 2022-23 TV: ABC, ESPN, NBA TV, TNT Stream: Watch ESPN | Watch TNT | NBA League Pass | Sling TV Live scores: SN Scoreboard NBA regular season games will once again be spread across ABC, ESPN, NBA TV and TNT. You can stream games on Watch ESPN and Watch TNT, both available on desktop and by downloading the mobile apps. You can also stream games via NBA League Pass or Sling TV. Fans in the U.S. can watch the biggest games of the 2022-23 NBA season on Sling TV. Stream Sling Orange for $35/month to catch all regular season games on TNT, ESPN & ABC. For games on NBA TV, subscribe to Sling Orange & Sports Extra for $46/month. Local regional blackout restrictions apply. For a limited time only, Sling subscribers can watch every NBA League Pass game for free! Stream every out-of-market NBA game from 10/18-10/24 on Sling TV. SIGN UP FOR SLING: English | Spanish NBA division previews 2022-23 Eastern Conference Atlantic Division Central Division Southeast Division Western Conference Northwest Division Pacific Division Southwest Division

We Tried Flipkart’s Experimental Metaverse Shopping And It’s Terrible: Know More – MediaNama.com https://clarkcountynewsnow.com/we-tried-flipkarts-experimental-metaverse-shopping-and-its-terrible-know-more-medianama-com/ What’s the news: Walmart-owned Flipkart on October 17 announced that it has partnered with Web3 company eDAO to launch metaverse shopping on the platform. Called Flipverse, the feature will all customers to browse products in a “photorealistic virtual” manner, the company said.  “Phase one of Flipverse is an Android-only experience, and will be live for a week,” Flipkart added. Read: Into The Metaverse — A Primer On The Future State Of The Internet How can you access this feature: Flipverse is available on Flipkart’s NFT platform FireDrops, which can be accessed from the home page of the e-commerce platform’s Android app. The experience does not require a virtual reality (VR) headset. How was the shopping experience: We tried out the feature and it’s underwhelming, to say the least. The platform took forever to load. Once it loaded, we played a short game… Please subscribe/login to read the full story.

Turn Your Creative Mode On With The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite & Its Impressive Suite Of Features! – Gadgets Now https://clarkcountynewsnow.com/turn-your-creative-mode-on-with-the-samsung-galaxy-tab-s6-lite-its-impressive-suite-of-features-gadgets-now/ Being always on the move and managing work, study, & everything in between is a daunting task. And to top it off, if one has to find time to keep your creativity at its peak takes hustling to a whole new level. Now, thanks to technology, there are devices that can satiate these on-demand needs. While a smartphone is the first thing that comes to our mind, however, a bigger screen like that of a laptop can fuel their productivity to the next level. How about a mix of both? This is where tablets come into the picture. With a simplistic user interface like that of a smartphone and a footprint of a laptop screen, the tablet is a sure-shot winner for the younger lot. While there are many players in the market, for years now, Samsung is leading in delivering world-class tablets. And when it comes to curating a device meant to fuel creative & keep productivity at its peak, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite comes to our mind. This offering from Samsung is a slim and lightweight tab meant for students & young creative types. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite boasts a huge 26.31cm (10.4″) display on a slim and light metal unibody build. The Tab S6 Lite has a huge 7,040mAh battery, a super fast Octa-core processor, Dolby Atmos support, and it also supports S Pen, which unlocks a whole new world of possibilities. Let’s delve deeper to understand why the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is an ideal piece of technology that you must have. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite: Light. Thin. Fits right in. When it comes to designing hardware, the fine craftsmanship shines in the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite. The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite packs a slim and lightweight profile thanks to its metal unibody design. Given its slim profile, the device can easily take a permanent spot in your bag. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite comes in three chic colour options – Oxford Gray, Angora Blue or Chiffon Pink. For those who want a sleek case that’s as stylish as it is convenient, then the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite Book Cover should be your go-to choice. The cover folds around and clings magnetically, so you can easily gear up as you’re headed out the door. What’s even more interesting is that there’s a separate compartment for S Pen. Yes, the tab supports S Pen and all its glory! Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite: The Wonders of S Pen What makes the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite an ideal choice is its ability to make the most of the S Pen. With multiple writing instruments all bundled in one, the S Pen fuels productivity in the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite. Its natural grip, low latency and impressive pressure sensitivity will compel you to go for it, be it drawing to editing documents. With the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite by your side, keeping up with lectures is a breeze, thanks to the S Pen. When you’re in the class, you can quickly jot down notes & then change colours or highlight text later to remember the lecture better. Another cool feature unlocked courtesy of the S Pen is that you can quickly sort through memos when you save with searchable tags. Got a quick PDF to share with your inputs? Write them directly onto PDFs to cut the study clutter. When it’s finally crunch time, you’ll be organised and ready. If you have an online course, then the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite makes learning easy. As you watch lectures, use S Pen to quickly jot down ideas and organise your thoughts on Samsung Notes seamlessly. This is done simply by adjusting window transparency. So you can stay on top of your studies even from your room. For creative geniuses, the PENUP app takes it to the next level. Now you can enjoy sketching or colouring on Galaxy Tab S6 Lite with the PENUP app. In fact, you can share your drawings on the PENUP app. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite: Fuel your productivity too! Getting stuck in a situation where you cannot use your laptop on the move can lead to a loss of time. But with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, you can fuel your creativity and be more productive. How? With this offering from Samsung, experience full PC-like productivity in a slim tablet with Samsung DeX. All you need to do is just tap the DeX button on the Quick panel for features that let you use your tablet just like a PC. With this, you can open several windows at once, drag and drop a photo into an email, and right-click for more functions. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite: Unwind in style with Dolby Atmos, gaming features & more! As mentioned earlier, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite has a huge 26.31cm (10.4″) display. Adding icing on the cake is the support for Dolby Atmos, which enhances your binge-watch sessions richer. Once you decide to unwind after class, you can fold the cover to keep your screen up on one of your cover’s two angles for easy viewing. Those who game more than enjoy a session of streaming a movie would also love the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite. The tablet’s aesthetics makes it easy for the users to play game and the powerful processor paired with superfast RAM makes everything buttery smooth. Now those online gaming sessions will be lag free as the tablet comes with fast LTE & Wi-Fi speeds. And don’t worry about battery life as the device comes loaded with a long-lasting 7040mAh battery size. With all these features and more, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite comes out as an ideal choice for the ones who are always on the move. To bring home the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, click here. Disclaimer: The article has been produced on behalf of Samsung by the Times Internet’s Spotlight team. FacebookTwitterLinkedin

New York Man Faces 25 Years In Prison For Bitcoin Money Laundering And Narcotics Scheme – Cryptonews https://clarkcountynewsnow.com/new-york-man-faces-25-years-in-prison-for-bitcoin-money-laundering-and-narcotics-scheme-cryptonews/ Source: Unsplash A New York man is facing 25 years in prison, after being convicted by a federal jury in Brooklyn of money laundering and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. The unlicensed business the man was accused of operating was part of a scheme to launder money earned in bitcoin (BTC) from illegal drug trafficking, a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York said. The convicted man was identified as 50-year-old Mustafa Goklu, also known as “Mustangy.” The verdict followed a four-day trial in New York, and Goklu now faces a prison sentence of 25 years. According to Breon Peace, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Goklu’s business offered customers the ability to launder proceeds from various criminal activities, while at the same time remaining anonymous and “conceal where their Bitcoin was coming from […].” “With today’s verdict, Goklu’s illicit business of converting money from one form to another without a required license has been shut down and the defendant has been convicted for his crimes,” Peace said. He went on to thank the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York Division for “outstanding investigative work on the case.” Goklu’s arrest came after undercover law enforcement agents first noticed an advertisement posted on the peer-to-peer bitcoin trading platform LocalBitcoins.com where a user named “Mustangy” offered to purchase up to $99,999 worth of BTC. The undercover agents then proceeded to contact “Mustangy,” whose real name was Mustafa Goklu, and later met with him in person to sell bitcoin for cash. Per the press release, the undercover agents reportedly indicated “on multiple occasions” that the source of the bitcoin they were selling was drug trafficking, but Goklu still completed the trade as agreed. In total, Goklu and the undercover agents met on seven occasions over a nine-month period, which ended with Goklu’s arrest in April 2019.

U.S. Democrats Want Tougher Response On Saudi Arabia – The Washington Post https://clarkcountynewsnow.com/u-s-democrats-want-tougher-response-on-saudi-arabia-the-washington-post/ You’re reading an excerpt from the Today’s WorldView newsletter. Sign up to get the rest free, including news from around the globe and interesting ideas and opinions to know, sent to your inbox every weekday. In Washington, or at least some corners of it, knives are being sharpened for Saudi Arabia. It’s been almost two weeks since Riyadh and its counterparts in the OPEC Plus cartel moved to raise global oil prices by announcing its largest supply cut in years, no matter the desperate entreaties of the Biden administration. The resulting fallout still smolders in Washington, where many interpreted the decision as a calculated act to humiliate President Biden and undermine his party’s prospects ahead of the upcoming midterm elections — on top of boosting the fossil fuel-subsidized war machine of Russian President Vladimir Putin. In recent days, Democratic lawmakers have touted a series of punitive measures against the kingdom. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) announced legislation last week that would immediately halt all arms sales to Saudi Arabia for one year. “There must be consequences for fleecing the American people in order to support Putin’s unconscionable war,” Khanna said in a statement. In the summer, Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-N.J.), a former U.S. diplomat, backed Biden’s controversial July trip to Saudi Arabia as a bid to “ensure our client states that depend on our security are on our side.” But earlier this month, he and two other Democrats in the House introduced a bill to mandate the removal of U.S. troops and missile systems deployed in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which was also party to the cartel’s production cut. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, last week urged that U.S. missile systems and batteries committed to help defend the oil infrastructure of the Gulf kingdoms be transferred instead to protect Ukraine from Russian attacks. “Policy decisions have consequences, and these steps would right-size the relationship with Saudi Arabia and help Ukraine,” Murphy said in an emailed statement. Across the Democratic caucus, a lurking dissatisfaction with the United States’ long-standing entanglements with the Saudis exploded into full-bore rage. There remains disquiet over the outsize Saudi role in the attacks of 9/11, a long record of human rights abuses culminating garishly in the abduction and murder of Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi, as well as wariness over Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s partisan affections for Republicans and former president Donald Trump. After Biden’s reticent fist bump with MBS, the OPEC Plus decision was seen as a deliberate punch in the gut that had to be met with a tough response. The anger has given new life to the so-called NOPEC bill, long-mooted congressional legislation that would make the cartel’s member states subject to antitrust laws. That some lawmakers now believe a bill that could cause further havoc to energy markets has a chance, albeit a slim one, of passing is a sign of the appetite for confrontation with Riyadh. “It’s time for our foreign policy to imagine a world without this alliance with these royal backstabbers,” Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) tweeted. In public remarks, Saudi officials have treated the American reaction with bemusement. “When you are in the election season, what some call ‘the funny season,’ a lot of things are said and a lot of things are done that may not make sense at another period of time,” Adel al-Jubeir, minister of state for foreign affairs, told CNN. “I hope this is what we’re dealing with here.” Jubeir cast the OPEC Plus decision as one made entirely on technical and economic grounds by oil producers minding their collective interests. There’s an obvious truth to that — and some analysts have stressed the need for U.S. officials to look beyond their domestic frames of reference. “The Saudis weren’t thinking about Ukraine — like many people in Asia and Africa, they don’t think in absolute terms of being pro- or anti-Russian — although that was certainly shortsighted,” wrote Hussein Ibish, senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. “And it’s frankly narcissistic for Democrats to imagine that the Saudis are adjusting their national grand strategy around the upcoming midterm vote.” On Sunday television, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Biden would address the anger in Congress, while also cautioning against calls for an abrupt change to U.S.-Saudi relations. “He is going to act methodically, strategically, and he’s going to take his time to consult with members of both parties, and also to have an opportunity for Congress to return so that he can sit with them in person and work through the options,” Sullivan said. Yet it’s clear there is little love lost between the crown prince and Biden, who once campaigned on making Riyadh a “pariah” and journeyed begrudgingly to the kingdom this summer largely because of the new economic and political realities created by the war in Ukraine. As my colleague Adam Taylor detailed last week, the Saudi-U.S. relationship has been built on an age-old bargain, defined by the American need for oil and Saudi Arabia’s desire to shelter beneath the security umbrella of the U.S. hegemon. That decades-long transaction is not bound by treaty, is backed by minimal public support and has not led to the confluence of many other serious interests, let alone political values. Aaron David Miller, a former U.S. diplomat and senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told me that what we are seeing now is “the fraying of this essential trade-off.” The United States no longer needs Saudi oil imports (though it remains vulnerable to Saudi influence over global energy prices), while MBS and his cohort have made clear that the kingdom in the long run is going to diversify its geopolitical portfolio, cultivating closer ties to countries elsewhere from China to Brazil. Over the weekend, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, on a visit to Riyadh, said that MBS had expressed interest in joining the BRICS nations, an economic bloc of major emerging economies including Russia. “The bottom line is that MBS doesn’t care,” said Miller, “and that he really does believe he has enormous leverage over the United States and is dealing with a president who is in his eyes an inconvenient speed bump.” After all, a Republican takeover of Congress, followed by a presidential election where Trump or a Trump ally may come to power, would set the table more favorably for the crown prince. Saudi Prince Saud al-Shaalan, close relative of MBS, said this following Democrats’ criticism of their oil price hike: “Anybody that challenges the existence of this country and this kingdom, all of us we are projects of jihad and martyrdom.” pic.twitter.com/3nXXnE6lZ4 — Ken Klippenstein (@kenklippenstein) October 16, 2022 For now, though, the Saudis have few cheerleaders in Washington. Democratic lawmakers want to call MBS on his bluff and strip away the U.S. patronage once unquestioningly bestowed upon Riyadh. The broader foreign policy community is also turning against the Saudis. “Much of the national security establishment, which had supported greater engagement with Riyadh, is affected deeply,” Emile Hokayem, a Middle East expert at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, told the Financial Times. “It’s now a cold transactional relationship at best.” Miller didn’t believe the “broken crockery” of the moment will lead to a “rupture” in the U.S.-Saudi relationship. But he said a clear-eyed reappraisal is necessary. “I’m hoping that what emerges out of this is a fundamental assessment that Saudi Arabia is not an ally,” he said, “and that, going forward, we should only give what we get.”

Redmi Pad Review: A Budget Tablet That Works Well – The Indian Express https://clarkcountynewsnow.com/redmi-pad-review-a-budget-tablet-that-works-well-the-indian-express/ When it comes to ‘budget’ tablets, the Indian market can sometimes be very limiting in terms of options. Very often, you will find that most brands are offering the same specifications at more or less the same price. In the budget category—Rs 12,000 to Rs 20,000—finding a tablet that stands out can be a challenge. And this is what Redmi is hoping to change with its Redmi Pad. The latest tablet from Xiaomi’s sub-brand packs the promise of good performance with a stylish design. But is that enough? Here’s our review. Redmi Pad specifications: 10.2-inch 2000×1200 display with 90Hz refresh rate | MediaTek Helio G99 chipset | 3GB + 64GB , 4GB +128GB and 6GB RAM+128GB| 8MP rear camera + 8MP front camera | 8000 mAh battery with 18W fast charging | Android 12 with MIUI 13 | Dolby Atmos and quad speakers Redmi Pad price in India: Rs 14,999 for the 3GB+64GB model, Rs 17,999 for the 4GB+128GB model and Rs 19,999 for the 6GB+128GB model Redmi Pad: What’s good? The Redmi Pad might be an affordable tablet, but the device does not look like a ‘budget’ offering. It comes with an all-metal body, the camera module at the back looks stylish and Redmi has even introduced this in a mint green colour option. I had the grey-coloured option with me, which looks stylish, though the lack of a cover means the back is quickly covered in smudges but the screen itself should keep most users happy. But the best part about this Redmi tablet is just how lightweight it is, weighing around 465 gram—that’s less than the iPad (9th gen). That second aspect might appeal to a lot of folks looking for a 10-inch affordable tablet that is not bulky. The Redmi Pad gets a 10.2-inches display with 2000×1200 pixels resolution and a 90 Hz refresh rate. The display itself is excellent, especially if you are buying this tablet from an entertainment perspective. I used this mostly to watch shows on Netflix such as Derry Girls and Rick and Morty on this. I also used the Kindle app to finish a book title and found the experience quite good. But the big screen might not be suited for some games as Genshin Impact just looked terrible on this resolution. The Redmi Pad also comes with quad speakers and Dolby Atmos certification, which means the audio quality was quite good. The audio is not jarring as such which can be an issue on some budget tablets. The Redmi Pad comes with a 10.2-inch display.(Image Source: Shruti Dhpola/ The Indian Express) The Redmi Pad runs MIUI 13 with Android 12 and will get two years of software updates, which means Android 13 and 14. It will come with three years of security updates as well. The Redmi Pad gets a similar software experience as the more expensive Xiaomi Pad 5 which is good to see. Thankfully, there is no bloatware either. Features such as floating windows, split view, etc work well on the Redmi Pad without any hiccups, and multi-tasking should not be a problem for users. The Redmi Pad is not compatible with Xiaomi Pen that launched with the Xiaomi Pad 5, though it will support any ​​capacitive stylus. I don’t have one, so I could not see how the device would respond to this. The Redmi Pad comes with the Helio G99 processor and I have the 6GB RAM option for review. The tablet works fine with basic daily tasks and some gaming. But the performance is not all perfect. With the Helio G99 4G chip, the Redmi Pad works fine with basic daily tasks and some gaming (Image Source: Shruti Dhpola/ The Indian Express) The device also comes with an 8MP front and rear camera. The rear camera continues with a document mode which users will appreciate. This was seen on the Xiaomi Pad 5 as well. I’m not someone who relies on the tablet for their photos, but the camera is good enough for taking pictures in bright light. The document mode remains very useful when taking pictures of notes, etc. The tablet has an 8000 mAh battery with 18W charging support. It will take around four hours to get this to 100 per cent—presuming you are totally out of charge. In my experience, with a 20 per cent charge left, the tablet was fully charged to 100 per cent in around two and a half hours. But the battery will easily last more than two days even with the most heavy-duty usage, including a lot of gaming, binge-watching shows, etc. The battery life of this tablet is its strong suit. Redmi Pad review: What’s not good? The Redmi Pad’s big distinction is supposed to be around the performance. And while I liked the daily performance, you can see that once you push it too far, the tablet has its limitations. There are moments when you see a slight lag or stutter as you open the multitasking window or even when switching between apps. I played Asphalt 9 on the tablet, which worked fine, but then more resource-intensive games like Genshin Impact just don’t look so great and can be a struggle. But to be fair, it’s not something I expect a tablet like this to run smoothly as the experience is not designed for the bigger screen. This is not to say the Redmi Pad has terrible performance, it’s just that at times, I could see a hint of sluggishness.  The Redmi Pad comes with a 10.2-inch display.(Image Source: Shruti Dhpola/ The Indian Express) Redmi Pad review: Should you consider it?  When it comes to picking a tablet, software and hardware both play a critical role. With the Redmi Pad, both work well in sync, though the performance is perhaps not all that it is hyped up to be. Where I think the Redmi Pad enjoys an advantage compared to some others I have reviewed with a similar price tag is with the battery and the display. If you are looking for a budget tablet, the Redmi Pad delivers well for the price.

Fifa 23 Review: This Swansong Gaming Title Offers Very Little – Mint Lounge https://clarkcountynewsnow.com/fifa-23-review-this-swansong-gaming-title-offers-very-little-mint-lounge/ Fifa 23, the last version of the Fifa football gaming title, has nothing new for you. It’s evident that EA hasn’t put a lot of work into it Fifa 23, the 2022 edition of the football simulation game from Electronic Arts (EA) is known for one thing above all — the fact that it’s the last of the lot. Fifa 23, as it is called, is the last game that will use the world footballing body’s name in its title as EA has lost the rights to do so. The next version of the game will instead be replaced by the title EA Sports FC. It’s no surprise then that EA hasn’t really put a lot of work into this last iteration of the popular gaming title. There are some new things, like power shots, new sprint mechanics, and some useless cutscenes, but that’s about it. I know at least one person who tried to get their money refunded off Steam after playing Fifa 23 for a day or two. Making a new Fifa game I said this in last year’s Fifa 22 review too. Football games may have peaked, and no matter how much Fifa wants to sell ‘hypermotion’, the gameplay itself has no change whatsoever. EA may have hooked up motion capture cameras on 22 real footballers, but my simulated men still don’t look and feel significantly different. In fact, Fifa 23’s ‘hypermotion 2’ is perhaps an even bigger farce, since it really only seems to mean that replays of certain goals will be accompanied by statistics, like distance to goal, etc. It looked intriguing the first time a replay showed up like that, but it takes no more than a few of these to realize that they really don’t add anything to gameplay, and instead take more time. Press ‘A’ to skip. The gameplay does have some changes though. For instance, you can now press LB+RB+Shoot (on the Xbox) to execute what is called a ‘power shot’. Which, as the name suggests, means your attacker will really put their might into the shot they’re taking. For football fans, this is perhaps the only way to reliably score screamers – the way Trent Alexander-Arnold scores for Liverpool in real life. It’s a decent addition, and mastery over it can lead to some nice goals too, but I daresay it will get boring fast (just like finesse shots), once a player figures out the right points from where goals are all but guaranteed. Speaking of guaranteed goals, another change is how passing works in this game. You press the same buttons as before but Fifa 23 seems to require more precise directional targeting and power selection. Passing too hard can lead the ball straight out of play, and a weak pass will be intercepted by the opponent. Through balls are also slightly more difficult to make as compared to Fifa 22, even in comparatively easier difficulty modes, like professional mode. But all this really brings us back to square one. The overall gameplay in Fifa 23 is not new. EA hasn’t even tried to increase the number of players that look realistic. Headliners like Cristiano Ronaldo (currently of Manchester United and Portugal) or Kylian Mbappe (who represents France and Paris Saint Germain) look real for sure, but even someone like Liverpool’s new signing Darwin Nunez hasn’t been updated to ‘needing a real face scan’ status. That said, it seems nigh impossible to make big improvements to gameplay anyway. Fifa could scan a few more players and make their faces look more real, but will that change how we play this game? Definitely not. The answer instead is to focus on game modes, etc. Which is why bugs in Career Mode are one of the many disappointing elements of Fifa 23. For instance, I saw one where Marcus Rashford scored for my England team, but the news screen said ‘Rashford scores to give Manchester United victory over Wales’. Really? It’s not exactly bug riddled, and career mode is definitely playable, but it’s just a reminder that Fifa doesn’t care for users who buy the game to play this mode. To the extent that EA hasn’t even bothered to make realistic faces for all managers offered in the Career Mode’s headline feature this time, which gives you the ability to play as a real manager. Managers like Jurgen Klopp look fine, but United’s Erik Ten Hag or Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta look nothing like their real selves. Instead of refining these elements, EA chose to add new cutscenes to career mode, which get old really fast and actually make little sense in terms of realism too. They’re just tired simulations showing the player walk into a club, shake hands with the manager and pass their medical. Perhaps a few of the other players will pop into a cutscene if the player you bought was among the world’s best. There’s also a new grading system for transfers. The game gives you a grade (F-A) for each transfer, and tells you how much you could have saved or earned on a specific transfer. As far as I can tell, it seems to have no bearing on how a club perceives their manager, and hence, it loses relevance pretty fast too. It has bugs as well. For instance, I’m not sure why failing to save 470k on a $20 plus million deal would lead to a transfer grade of F. Like the overall gameplay, career mode has some superficial changes, but nothing that will have lasting impact or make the game worth buying. It’s sad that EA gave up on a story mode in career, and with Ultimate Team being the real money maker, it hardly feels like the company will ever care about career mode players like me ever again. Especially now, since losing Fida’s support may increase licensing fees, even if just a little. Speaking of which, the micro-transaction riddled Ultimate Team will likely continue to be one of Fifa’s most used features. I’ve personally never been a fan, and like many others, I too believe that allowing game makers to sell digital items inside games should be closely regulated. This year’s FUT (Fifa Ultimate Team) has a new “FUT Moments” feature that offers small challenges to players, as an alternative to always trying out new players in full-fledged matches. The chemistry system has also changed, allowing greater diversity in teams, but at the very core, nothing changes the fact that those who spend more money will do better in FUT. Should you buy it? In the end, the conclusion is inescapable. If you bought Fifa 22 last year, or didn’t buy that one because you were happy with the version before, Fifa 23 really has absolutely nothing new for you. The only reason to buy this game is the same that drives Fifa games every year, players just want the newest teams, newest player ratings, and so on. Fifa 23 is a fitting swansong to one of the biggest video game brand names ever, but I daresay that EA needs to listen to players more if it wants to give the upcoming EA Sports FC the same legacy as Fifa games. Also read: ‘FIFA’ at 25: For the love of the virtual game Next Story

Man Partially Ejected From SUV In Clark County Crash Dies – KATU https://clarkcountynewsnow.com/man-partially-ejected-from-suv-in-clark-county-crash-dies-katu/ Man partially ejected from SUV in Clark County crash dies  KATU

Study Released On Impact Of Policy Restrictions On Short-Term Vacation Rentals – Travel Daily News International https://clarkcountynewsnow.com/study-released-on-impact-of-policy-restrictions-on-short-term-vacation-rentals-travel-daily-news-international/ Daily travel & tourism news portal for the international travel trade market since 1999

BREAKING- Helicopter Crashes In Kedarnath With 6 Passengers On Board – Hindustan Times https://clarkcountynewsnow.com/breaking-helicopter-crashes-in-kedarnath-with-6-passengers-on-board-hindustan-times/ Live Updated on Oct 18, 2022 12:29 PM IST Breaking news October 18, 2022 LIVE: 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 18, 2022 12:20 PM IST Helicopter crashes in Kedarnath with 6 passengers on board The helicopter crash in Kedarnath is extremely unfortunate. We are in touch with the State government to ascertain the magnitude of the loss, and are constantly monitoring the situation. — Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) October 18, 2022 Helicopter crashes in Kedarnath with 6 passengers on board. Oct 18, 2022 11:54 AM IST In Jayalalithaa death, panel holds Sasikala, ex TN health minister C Vijayabadkar guilty In Jayalalithaa death, panel holds Sasikala, ex TN health minister C Vijayabadkar guilty; recommends probe in report submitted in assembly today. Oct 18, 2022 11:37 AM IST Ukraine says Russia ‘kidnapped’ two nuclear plant workers: AFP Report Ukraine’s state nuclear energy company was quoted as saying by news agencies that Russia has kidnapped two senior officials at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and their whereabouts are unknown. Oct 18, 2022 10:13 AM IST First phase of Delhi-Mumbai expressway to be completed this year Union Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari while speaking about the status of the Delhi-Mumbai Express Highway said that work on the first phase from Delhi to JNPT in Mumbai would be completed this year itself. Read more Oct 18, 2022 09:26 AM IST 47 candidates in fray for Munugode Assembly bypoll in Telangana A total of 47 candidates are in the fray for Munugode Assembly bypoll scheduled to be held on November 3, after the deadline for withdrawal of nominations ended on October 17. Oct 18, 2022 09:15 AM IST Death toll from Russia plane crash rises to 13 as search ends: ministry At least 13 people, including three children, were killed after a military plane crashed into a residential area of Yeysk in southwest Russia, Russian news agencies said Tuesday as the search for survivors ended. “Rescuers have finished excavating the rubble (…) In total, 13 people died, including three children, while 19 people were injured,” according to the ministry of emergency situations, quoted by Russian agencies following Monday’s crash. AFP Oct 18, 2022 08:43 AM IST India logs 1,542 new Covid cases in last 24 hours India on Tuesday saw over 1,500 Covid cases in the last 24 hours. The number of active cases stay above 26,400. Oct 18, 2022 08:41 AM IST Indian-American appointed to Homeland Security’s Faith-Based Security Advisory Council Indian-American Chandru Acharya from Michigan has been appointed to the Faith-Based Security Advisory Council of Homeland Security. Acharya is the lone Hindu voice in this committee of 25 distinguished faith leaders from the United States, a media release said on Monday. Oct 18, 2022 07:17 AM IST Japan to impose additional sanctions against North Korea Japan will impose additional sanctions against North Korea by freezing assets of groups involved in the development of missiles, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told a regular briefing on Tuesday. “We cannot tolerate North Korea’s repeated provocative actions which threaten Japan’s security and international peace and safety,” Matsuno said. Oct 18, 2022 06:35 AM IST China recruiting British ex-military pilots to train members of PLA: Report China has recruited dozens of former Royal Air Force pilots to train members of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), news agency ANI reported. Oct 18, 2022 06:24 AM IST Australia floods crisis set to worsen amid forecast for more rain Thousands of residents across southeast Australia braced for renewed flooding on Tuesday as weather forecasters warned of more downpours later this week, while swollen rivers continued to roll downstream inundating farms, towns and homes. Oct 18, 2022 06:08 AM IST Russian military jet crashes in southwest, at least six dead A Russian military plane crashed on Monday into a residential area of Yeysk, a town in southwest Russia near the border with Ukraine, causing a huge fire and killing at least six people, according to Russian authorities. “Six people died, 19 injured including two children,” a spokesman for the ministry of emergency situations said giving an updated toll late Monday. Subscribe to our best newsletters Nissan wages big SUV war, lines up 3 models for India Published on Oct 18, 2022 11:32 AM IST Nissan Motor is gearing up to intensify rivalry in the SUV segments in India. The three SUVs, one of which is set to make a comeback to India, will be positioned from the compact to the mid-size segments when launched. Nissan Motor has lined up three SUVs for India which are currently undergoing tests. Among the three models is the new X-Trail, which is set to make a comeback to India after eight years. Peace in border areas basis for normal India-China ties: Jaishankar Published on Oct 18, 2022 10:53 AM IST Jaishankar’s remarks, made while delivering an address on the theme “China’s foreign policy and international relations in the new era” at a conference organised by the Center for Contemporary China Studies (CCCS), came against the backdrop of the dragging military standoff in Ladakh sector India’s 1st case of Omicron subvariant BQ.1 detected in Pune Published on Oct 18, 2022 10:09 AM IST State surveillance officer Pradeep Awate cited the detection and added that high-risk patients should follow precautions PM Modi set to visit Ayodhya for Deepotsav celebration on eve of Diwali Updated on Oct 18, 2022 10:04 AM IST Ayodhya Deepotsava celebrations: Seventeen lakh diyas – earthen lamps – are set to be lit during the celebration. This would be a new record. Morning brief: RSS looks to enhance role of women in organisation Updated on Oct 18, 2022 08:55 AM IST Here are today’s top news, analysis, and opinion. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times. Story Saved New Delhi 0C Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Hundreds Turn Up To Support KZN’s Mental Health Walk – Rising Sun Overport https://clarkcountynewsnow.com/hundreds-turn-up-to-support-kzns-mental-health-walk-rising-sun-overport/ Durban’s North Beach was a hive of activity on Sunday morning as activists, healthcare workers, and the public turned out in their numbers to support the annual Mental Health Advocacy Walk, now in its seventh year, bolstering its status as the largest free event for mental health activism in the province. Participants also had dance, aerobics, and yoga lessons. Hosted by the KZN Mental Health Advocacy Group, the walk is a partnership with civil society organisations, such as the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG). Suntosh Pillay and Suvira Ramlall, who began the event in 2016, thanked the public for raising awareness to promote wellness and eradicate stigma against psychiatric conditions. “What’s really inspiring is that we’re creating momentum, advocacy and activism from the bottom up, so that this event is community-driven,” said Ramlall, a professor in psychiatry based at King Dinuzulu Hospital Complex. Pillay agreed, praising ‘the power of mass mobilisation to effect real change, on the ground, where it truly matters.’ ALSO READ: With poor mental well-being, SA must prioritise mental health “This is more than a walk. It builds social capital in the province, makes it easier for people to ask for help when they are in distress or suicidal, and promotes healthy living,” said Pillay, a clinical psychologist. This walk is about solidarity and visibility. Keith Ruthanum, deputy-director for mental health and substance abuse in KZN, reiterated that the theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day on October 9 is making mental health and well-being a global priority for all. Blanche Moila, an 18-time Comrades runner and retired nurse, said she joined the walk because there’s still a stigma against mental illness even though it can effect anyone, whether you’re a professional, a labourer, whether you’re rich or you’re poor. Pillay noted the if the KZN province is going to take mental health seriously, it needs to employ staff at greater numbers than it is currently doing. “There are still major hospitals in eThekwini that do not have a single psychologist, leaving patients in the lurch when it comes to access to psychotherapy or assessments. Managers must do more. An institution is incomplete without full-time mental healthcare service,” Pillay explained. Dr Sandile Kubheka, once the youngest doctor to qualify from UKZN, is now a registrar at Albert Luthuli Hospital. The doctor said that the walk was a stimulating and exciting morning, reminding him that ‘taking care of ourselves is crucially important. “We have to always make sure our mental health is in a good place,” he concluded.

George C. Tadt Jr. | News, Sports, Jobs – Evening Observer https://clarkcountynewsnow.com/george-c-tadt-jr-news-sports-jobs-evening-observer/ George C. Tadt Jr. George C. Tadt Jr., 95, of Fredonia, N.Y., passed away suddenly on Sunday Oct. 16, 2022. Calling hours will be Thursday 7-9 p.m. and Friday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the LARSON-TIMKO Funeral Home, 20 Central Ave., Fredonia, N.Y. Funeral services will be held Saturday, with location and time to be announced in the full obituary in the Wednesday edition of The Observer. Online condolences may be made at larson timkofuneralhome.com. Arrangements by David J. Dengler.

What Is The Metaverse? Why Is Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s Virtual Platform In Trouble? – AS USA https://clarkcountynewsnow.com/what-is-the-metaverse-why-is-facebook-ceo-mark-zuckerbergs-virtual-platform-in-trouble-as-usa/ In the social media wars Facebook, under its umbrella company Meta, has been losing. Back in February the company reported a drop in the number of daily users of the app for the first time ever, wiping $200 billion off of its worth, around 25 percent. “Although the direction is clear our path ahead is not yet clearly defined,” said CEO Mark Zuckerberg at the time, “Last year was about putting a stake in the ground about where we are heading. This year is about execution.” The stake and execution was further investment into the Metaverse, a virtual world with an all-encompasssing view of the internet and social interactions through virtual reality technology. Zuckerberg has sunk a lot of time into the project and has been the centre of a big marketing push since it was opened with the Quest 2 headset. It has yet to prove popular. The Wall Street Journal has reported that the majority of users stop returning to the platform after just a month. Why is the Metaverse struggling? As mentioned prior there is the initial investment of $400 for the headset. If these came out in the midst of the covid-19 pandemic, a time where middle-class savings increased, then perhaps more people would have bought the necessary gear. But now in 2022 a recession is expected in the US and already happening in some countries. The disposable income is not there for the purchase. These leads to a low player base from the get-go. The servers are unpopulated, worlds empty. The gameplay itself looks devoid of fun with graphics reminiscent of gaming at the turn of the millenium. Check out Jordan Peele trying his best to sound interested in the project. Is the concept even worthwhile? Once again going back to the pandemic it seemed there would be a necessity for keeping in human contact without real meetings. This shift away from virtual meetings is evidenced in the share price of one of the pandemic’s winners, Zoom. Since restrictions began to be eased at the end of 2020 their share price has shrunk by 86 percent. With covid-19 restrictions all but gone why meet friends in an empty virtual world compared to real life? Advertising has been littered with borderline lies about what the Metaverse is, where you can do it and what it can offer. The marketing has been full of adverts with disclaimers of “not real VR footage,” or showing actors in the Metaverse while playing in locations that the company itself says are not suitable. You will need a big house or at least a large, open space for the headset to work, something many people simply cannot access. The metaverse is interesting in that its the most blatant example of something that has no realistic use-case for anyone anywhere beyond the potential of uncountable profit, so the creators would rather try to rewrite all of reality to fit the metaverse than actually admit that — Rami Ismail (رامي) (@tha_rami) October 12, 2022 It has an expensive upfront cost, low user-base, and bland, lifeless content and visuals. At present it’s a recipe for a huge flop. Zuckerberg and Meta will be hoping their great investment will bear fruit, and quickly.

Lenovo Legion 5i Pro Review: ‘i’ Stands For Impressive – Gadgets Now https://clarkcountynewsnow.com/lenovo-legion-5i-pro-review-i-stands-for-impressive-gadgets-now/ Powering this model of the Legion 5i Pro is Intel’s Core i9-12900H processor, which comes paired with RTX 3070Ti GPU from Nvidia for handling graphic-intensive tasks. Complementing the brain and brawn is 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a terabyte of PCIe Gen 4 NVMe M.2 SSD. It is possibly the best hardware you can get for its price, and we also have some numbers to solidify this further. In Cinebench R23, the Legion 5i Pro scores 1,928 and 15,767 in single and multi-core tests, perfect numbers for this hardware. In PCMark 10, the laptop got 7,950 points on productivity and 2,310 on storage tests. We also ran 3DMark, and we got a score of 11,686. Do note that we ran these tests in the performance mode. No points for guessing; the Legion 5i Pro did not break a sweat in day-to-day tasks. For context, we used to have around 20 tabs opened in Chrome, having YouTube, Google Docs, Twitter, and a few more apps running in the background. The Legion manages to deliver in the range of 80 to 90 fps while playing intense titles as the likes of Marvel’s Spider-Man, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Avengers at high graphics settings. (Yes, we have a soft spot for Marvel games). In contrast, the less demanding titles, such as Apex Legends or Valorant, ran in the range of 150-180 fps. So, to conclude, the laptop is very much capable of running whatever game you want. Though, remember to turn on the performance mode and do not forget to plug it into the wall socket. Lenovo has a new cooling mechanism — CoolFront 4.0 — which promises to keep the temperatures down and works as said. We did not see the temperature going over 85 degrees, and the chassis remained cool even during the extended period of gameplay. Though, the sound of fans blaring can be irritating whenever the laptop gets a little hot. Lenovo’s Vantage app gives deep insight into the machine. You can get the current status of the CPU and GPU and even overclock them. Not just that, you can play a lot more with the hardware using the Vantage. Battery life has never been a strong suit of Windows laptops, and it has been the one major weakness of almost every gaming laptop out there. With 4 hours of life, the Legion 5i Pro is not different. And the 300W charger is so bulky that it gets hard to carry it everywhere with you, so it is a “portable work laptop.”

Crypto’s Foot Race Heats Up As Ex-Meta Workers Unfurl Blockchain – Bloomberg https://clarkcountynewsnow.com/cryptos-foot-race-heats-up-as-ex-meta-workers-unfurl-blockchain-bloomberg/ We’ve detected unusual activity from your computer network To continue, please click the box below to let us know you’re not a robot.