Collin County News Online

Meet The Woman Who Made Selling Sioux Falls Her Career – Argus Leader https://collincountynewsonline.com/meet-the-woman-who-made-selling-sioux-falls-her-career-argus-leader/ Teri Schmidt has always made an effort to get to know people on a personal level, and she uses that positive hospitality to sell Sioux Falls. Schmidt is the CEO of Experience Sioux Falls and has been part of the organization for nearly 39 years. Formerly known as the Convention and Visitors Bureau, Experience Sioux Falls is responsible for advocating and tracking the economic impact of tourism in the city. Schmidt sat down with the Argus Leader in an interview to discuss what she does, how she does it and why she thinks Sioux Falls is the best place to be. Editor’s note: This Q&A has been edited for conciseness and clarity. Q: In your own words, what exactly is Experience Sioux Falls? A: A lot of people know Experience Sioux Falls as the Sioux Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau, and we’re the official destination marketing organization Sioux Falls. Anything that has to do with tourism and bringing people to the city–whether that’s for a convention, a vacation, a business trip–that’s what we do. Q: Why the name change? A: A couple years ago we did a rebranding, which is what a lot of other places in the tourism industry have done. You have Visit Denver, Meet Minneapolis. Well, we really wanted a name that encompasses the feel of the city. We want people to experience Sioux Falls and all it has to offer. More:City board moves forward on plan to revitalize Sioux Falls events center complex Q: And how did you join the organization? A: I actually taught first grade for nine and a half years in the Brandon Valley School District, which I totally loved. I loved the kids. But one day a friend of mine called me and said, “I heard about this position at the Convention and Visitors Bureau, and I think you’d be perfect for it.” My response was, “What’s a Convention and Visitors Bureau?” After she told me, I just decided to apply because it sounded fun. And here I am 39 years later, still here. I always say, I used to teach the ABC’s and the 1, 2, 3’s. Now I teach the ABC’s of Sioux Falls and the 1, 2, 3’s of why we’re the best city in America. It’s such a great place to live, and I really believe in this community, so it makes it easy to sell. Q: When you’re trying to sell Sioux Falls, what is the first thing that you tell people to convince them to come? A: The first thing I always do is try to customize it and think, who are they? What are they looking for? What’s important to them? It’s a lot of listening about their wants and needs before I start on my big speech in Sioux Falls. If it’s a sporting group, their main focus is an arena, or if it’s a festival and their main focus is needing four blocks of open street. A convention has to have 200 sleeping rooms attached to the meeting facility, and so on. I always try to zero in on those things, but ultimately at the end of the day, it’s who is Sioux Falls? What is Sioux Falls? Why would they like it here? One of the main things is making a warm, friendly welcome and talking about the other friendly people in town. The food scene also blows everybody away – they all love to know about the food scene. Then, of course, we always like to brag in a non-bragging way about how “We’re the perfect place for you because of all these things I just said, but also because we’ve hosted this group and this group and this group very similar to yours, and they loved it here.” At the end of the day, it should be a win-win. A win for our guest and a win for Sioux Falls. Q: So besides the hospitality, what are some of your favorite things about Sioux Falls? A: It’s an easy community to live in, get around in. We have so many of the same amenities a larger city has when it comes to festivals and events. There’s an opportunity for our young people to get out, or to advance their career. Our school systems are strong, and people here care about each other. From a personal standpoint, I think it’s a great place to raise a family. Family is the most important thing to me. More:‘Teri Schmidt Day:’ Mayor surprises Sioux Falls visitors bureau director Q: Who’s all in your family? A: My husband, Jim, and I raised our two daughters here – one works in Washington D.C. now and the other works here. I also have the cutest grandson in the world, Tobias, who just turned five. Then we had three dogs, but they all passed away. Q: What kind of dogs did you have? A: We had three Shih Tzu’s and they’ve all been named Lebanese food names. I’m Lebanese myself and grew up on the food. Our first dog was Grape Leaf, then Tabbouleh and Zahti were the other two. Q: So when you’re not working, what do you like to do in your spare time? A: Our grandson was the center of our lives before our daughter moved, so Jim and I have found ourselves redefining what we do with our leisure time. We go out with friends a lot. I’m a shopper – I love to shop. I love to get coffee or breakfast with friends. I like to read. I love to travel, although most of my travel is through work. Q: What are some places you’ve traveled to? A: Hawaii is my favorite spot on Earth to vacation, other than Sioux Falls, of course! This job just takes you everywhere – New York, Dallas, Miami, San Francisco. Of course we enjoy the Black Hills and other locations around the country, too, but sometimes it’s nice to come home after a long trip. Q: What’s one thing you want to add to Sioux Falls? A: Hmm, can I say two things? Q: Of course. A: First, I want a larger Convention Center to ensure that Sioux Falls can compete with other cities in the future. We want to make sure these conventions are looking to us when choosing a place to visit. And number two, I want a new visitor center at Falls Park. A true visitor center with videos playing about the history of Sioux Falls, places for people to sit, an area with photographs showing all the history so that the Visitors Center itself can be a destination within Falls Park. And I want Trader Joe’s – that’s three, haha. Q: So what is it that keeps you in this position? A: Honestly, it’s so fun to have the opportunity to meet and work with people from every walk of life from all over the United States and internationally. And the competitive side of me loves to sell Sioux Falls and convince people that this is where they want to hold their gathering, and that really keeps me going every day. Q: Do you see yourself ever wanting to get a different job or do you think you’ll kind of stick with this? A: I think I’ll stick with this. As much as I love my job, I actually don’t look at it as a job. It’s a gift that I’ve been given to be able to be in this position, and it’s a blast. It’s a way of life for me, and I love it.

Kwasi Kwarteng: Investors Wary As Economic Plan Brought Forward – Bbc.com https://collincountynewsonline.com/kwasi-kwarteng-investors-wary-as-economic-plan-brought-forward-bbc-com/ Image source, PA Media By Daniel Thomas Business reporter, BBC News A decision by the chancellor to bring forward his plan for balancing the government’s finances by three weeks failed to reassure markets on Monday. Government borrowing costs rose sharply after Kwasi Kwarteng said he would fast-track his plan to 31 October. The plan will set out how he will fund tax cuts and reduce debt after his mini-budget sparked market turmoil. An independent forecast of the UK economy’s prospects will be published at the same time. In the wake of the September mini-budget, the pound slumped to a record low, government borrowing costs surged and the Bank of England was forced to step in and take emergency action after the dramatic market movements put some pension funds at risk of collapse. The volatility eased but on Monday the yields – or effective interest rates – on UK government bonds were almost at the levels seen at the height of the market turmoil. Further efforts by the Bank of England to calm markets, along with the appointment of an experienced civil servant as Permanent Secretary to the Treasury also seemed to fall short. Former Treasury chief Lord Macpherson warned the government that there could be an even tougher response from the financial markets in the coming weeks if the chancellor could not show his sums added up. “Unless the government can restore economic credibility, the market response in the weeks ahead could be a whole lot worse than we’ve seen so far,” he told the House of Lords. ‘Critical to millions’ Mr Kwarteng had initially said he would wait for 23 November to give details of his economic plan but faced mounting pressure from his MPs to change course. The new date means Mr Kwarteng’s fiscal statement will be published before the Bank of England announces its latest decision on interest rates on 3 November. The Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is widely expected to raise interest rates for the eighth time since last December with many economists forecasting a sharper rise than previous increases. But Mel Stride, chairman of the Treasury Select Committee, tweeted that he hoped Mr Kwarteng’s decision to release the report earlier would result in a smaller rate rise. He tweeted this would be “critical to millions of mortgage holders”, Former Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, who supported Rishi Sunak in the Tory leadership contest, called Mr Kwarteng’s decision “a belated but sensible move”. Noting that that the plan will be published on Hallowe’en, Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner tweeted: “Trick or cheat? The Tory horror show rattles on.” The OBR, the independent budget watchdog, will now publish a report alongside Mr Kwarteng’s statement at the end of October. Its forecasts will give an indication of the health of the nation’s finances. Analysis By Dharshini David, BBC economics correspondent The chancellor bringing forward his explanation of how he intends to get down government debt and the official watchdog’s assessment of his plans to Hallowe’en is aimed at quelling the market turmoil which has driven up borrowing costs for households and government. Providing reassurance on that score will likely mean confirming unpalatable news for others. For most economists reckon that, even if the government can boost growth, it will realistically need to find savings of perhaps £40bn or more, if it is to bring down debt in a few years. But by anyone’s measure that’s not small change, it’s an amount greater than the defence budget, and won’t be raised through efficiency savings. Many public services are already hampered by pandemic disruption and rising inflation. The Institute for Fiscal Studies reckons the latter means departments have to find £18bn from existing budgets just to provide planned services. On top of that balancing act, they’ll be bracing for a new wave of austerity. Borrowers have faced paying the price for the markets’ lack of faith in the government’s plans – millions more may feel the cost of regaining it. There was confusion last week after government sources briefed journalists that Mr Kwarteng would bring forward his fiscal statement to October, only for the chancellor and prime minister to contradict this a day later. Quizzed on Tuesday by GB News, the chancellor said there had been no change. “People have been reading the runes and the pauses, it’s going to be the 23rd,” he said. However, Treasury sources then clarified that the chancellor would, indeed, bring the statement forward and that it had simply been waiting to officially announce the change of date in Parliament. Since then the government has been forced into a series of embarrassing climbdowns under growing pressure from its own MPs. Last week, Mr Kwarteng scrapped a decision to cut the top rate of income tax. Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Liz Truss faces a rebellion from her MPs over benefits And on Monday, James Bowler was announced as the new permanent secretary to the Treasury. There had been speculation that Antonia Romeo, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Justice, would take on the role. Ms Truss fired Sir Tom Scholar, the civil servant who previously held the job and planned to bring in a high profile outsider – a move some feared would further spook the markets. Ms Truss still faces a potential rebellion from her MPs after declining to say whether she would increase benefits in line with inflation next April. Her approval ratings have plummeted since the mini budget. The prime minister says her tax cuts will boost the UK economy after years of lacklustre growth. But there are fears the government will have borrow huge sums to fund this. The cost of government borrowing consequently jumped, as investors demanded higher rates of interest on UK government bonds. It has fed through to the mortgage market where hundreds of products were pulled due to concerns about how to price these long-term loans. Last week, interest rates on typical two- and five-year fixed rate mortgages topped 6% for the first time in over a decade. ‘Clearly nervous’ On Monday, the Bank of England announced measures to ensure an “orderly end” to an emergency bond buying scheme it was forced to launch after Mr Kwarteng pledged additional tax cuts on top of those outlined in the mini-budget. Susannah Streeter, senior investment and markets analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said that the government and the Bank had launched “a two pronged attempt to calm markets” as the pound remained weak and government borrowing costs were rising again. “Policymakers and politicians are clearly nervous about seeing a repeat of the mini-financial crisis unleashed following the presentation of the Truss administration’s slash and spend plans and fresh moves are being made to try and repair the damage,” she said. “All eyes will be on the independent assessment of his spending plans, and the risk is that if the numbers don’t add up, the markets could take fright again.”

My Third COVID-19 Infection: Why Reinfection Can Be Anything But Mild – Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance https://collincountynewsonline.com/my-third-covid-19-infection-why-reinfection-can-be-anything-but-mild-gavi-the-vaccine-alliance/ As the pandemic approaches its third anniversary, most people are well and truly bored with COVID-19. With so many of us having recovered from at least one COVID-19 infection, not to mention being vaccinated and/or boosted, it is seductive to believe that catching it again won’t matter. I’ve been to pubs and parties, packed myself onto public transport without a facemask, and entertained various guests with ‘colds’. But having just experienced COVID for the third time, I am regretting letting my guard down. This is particularly true in the Omicron era, where we’re encouraged to believe that COVID-19 is ‘nothing but a minor sniffle’ and we must ‘learn to live with the virus’. I too have been enjoying largely living life as if the pandemic never happened in recent weeks and months. I’ve been to pubs and parties, packed myself onto public transport without a facemask, and entertained various guests with ‘colds’. But having just experienced COVID for the third time, I am regretting letting my guard down. I am not advocating a return to full or even partial lockdowns; I desperately want my kids to continue attending school, and I don’t think pubs or restaurants need to stop serving customers indoors either. But as evidence mounts that northern hemisphere countries could experience a new wave of COVID-19 infections as winter approaches, combined with the return of influenza and other everyday illnesses, the onus is on everyone to do what they can to keep themselves – and each other – healthy. COVID-19 reinfection This latest bout of COVID-19, was my third in less than three years. The first, in March 2020, was characterised by a persistent cough and chest pains; the second, in June 2021, by fatigue and loss of taste and smell (I still suffer from “parosmia”). Having recovered from these infections, and been vaccinated, and boosted – twice – I had assumed that were I to catch it again, any illness would be negligible. Ever since the rise of Omicron, scientists have talked about its relative mildness – particularly in healthy people who have been vaccinated, like me. But my third experience of COVID-19 has been my worst yet. Part of the problem, I think, is that the medical description of “mild illness” is at odds with the normal perception of “mild”, such as with mild weather or mild cheese. When doctors and scientists talk about “mild COVID-19”, what they mean is “not severe enough to cause breathing difficulties”. This time, I experienced various “cold-like” symptoms – sore throat, sneezing, runny nose – but it was the feverishness and headaches that immobilised me in bed for three days, unable to cook, do anything for my kids, or work. Fortunately, I am gradually starting to feel better, but my experience of “mild COVID” was easily on par with flu – an illness I previously vowed never to catch again. The possibility of going through it all again next year, assuming that’s what ‘living with coronavirus’ means, is already filling me with dread. Waning immunity Whereas at the start of the pandemic, nobody had any immunity to SARS-CoV-2, nearly three years on, everyone’s immune systems are on a slightly different learning curve. Unfortunately, current COVID-19 vaccines still only top-up people’s immune protection for a limited period before their antibody levels begin to drop. They will still be largely protected against severe disease and death, but waning antibodies increase individuals’ susceptibility to reinfection. Although at the extreme end of the spectrum, reinfections tend to be less severe than people’s first brush with SARS-CoV-2, data from the UK’s Office for National Statistics have suggested that the proportion of people reporting symptoms during reinfection varies according to which variants they have been infected with before. When they were infected, relative to their last COVID-19 infection or vaccination, could also influence their symptom severity, because levels of protective antibodies gradually diminish over time. Then there’s how much virus someone is exposed to. According to Ben Krishna, a postdoctoral researcher in immunology and virology at the University of Cambridge, UK, infection with a higher dose of virus (say, if someone with COVID-19 sneezes in your face) could enable higher levels of virus to gain a foothold in the body before the immune system manages to stamp them out, resulting in more severe symptoms. Booster campaign My last COVID-19 booster was in June, so I was surprised to have come down with it again so soon. My experience shows that boosters do not offer total protection from the disease even though they are very effective in preventing severe disease and death. COVID-19 vaccines have had a massive impact on people’s risk of being hospitalised with or dying from the disease, and are the reason many countries have largely been able to return to normal life, without hospitals being overwhelmed.  Unfortunately, current COVID-19 vaccines still only top-up people’s immune protection for a limited period before their antibody levels begin to drop. They will still be largely protected against severe disease and death, but waning antibodies increase individuals’ susceptibility to reinfection. Unlike the COVID-19 waves we experienced during 2020 and 2021, where a single variant, such as Delta, rapidly outcompeted all others and spread across the world, virologists are currently tracking the growth of multiple subvariants The rationale for some countries launching COVID-19 booster campaigns in the coming weeks and months is to temporarily boost antibodies, reducing the risk of a sharp increase in severe cases, precisely when hospitals are likely to be grappling with a spike in influenza admissions. It is therefore important to take up the offer of a booster vaccine, if you are offered one, but it won’t make you invincible. Viral evolution Then there’s the issue of increasingly immune-resistant subvariants. Although the WHO hasn’t assigned any new Greek letters since Omicron, the subvariant that’s making me sick is likely very different to the one that infected my husband in early March, which was itself quite different to the original BA.1 version of Omicron that emerged in November 2021. The number of new, and potentially worrying Omicron subvariants in circulation right now, is unprecedented. Unlike the COVID-19 waves we experienced during 2020 and 2021, where a single variant, such as Delta, rapidly outcompeted all others and spread across the world, virologists are currently tracking the growth of multiple subvariants, each carrying overlapping changes to the spike protein, which SARS-CoV-2 uses to grab onto, and infect human cells. Crucially, these mutations affect the ability of antibodies to recognise the virus and block it from infecting us. If you are unfortunate enough to be reinfected, it is still likely that your infection will be mild. But mild doesn’t necessarily mean trivial. Not everyone has the benefit of sick pay, or a partner who can take over all childcare duties while their other half quarantines in bed. Although vaccination and previous COVID infections have left us with other weapons against the virus, its ongoing evolution and individuals’ waning immunity means that even people who caught COVID-19 in May or June, when the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants took off, could be susceptible to reinfection with the newest crop of subvariants, assuming they continue to spread. Disruptive illness If you are unfortunate enough to be reinfected, it is still likely that your infection will be mild. But mild doesn’t necessarily mean trivial. Not everyone has the benefit of sick pay, or a partner who can take over all childcare duties while their other half quarantines in bed. Even for those lucky enough to have these things, the risk of Long COVID still looms large. COVID-19 isn’t just about individual risk. There are still plenty of people in our communities who risk being hospitalised, or developing lasting disability, if they catch COVID-19 – even if they’ve been vaccinated. This includes people who may look relatively young and healthy. Living life as if there’s no pandemic is risky – for everyone. It is also unsustainable. Widespread absences due to COVID-19, flu, or any other infection, risks there being too few teachers, delivery drivers, healthcare staff and other essential workers to keep society running as normal. Everyone wishes for a return to normal life, but behaving as if there is no COVID-19 will have consequences. Relative normality is another matter. With a few common-sense precautions – such as avoiding mixing with people if you are unwell; wearing a good quality facemask in crowded indoor spaces if local case numbers are high (particularly if you are unwell); taking a COVID-19 test if you can; getting a booster vaccine if you are offered one; and keeping indoor spaces ventilated – we can all help to keep everyone protected.

Locked On Sports Today: October 10, 2022 | 9news.com – 9News.com KUSA https://collincountynewsonline.com/locked-on-sports-today-october-10-2022-9news-com-9news-com-kusa/ Discussing and debating the day’s top sports stories from the Ravens flying high in the AFC North to Taysom Hill proving his worth to the New Orleans Saints. Author: 9news.com Published: 9:21 AM MDT October 10, 2022 Updated: 9:21 AM MDT October 10, 2022

GUEST ESSAY: Privacy Risks Introduced By The ‘metaverse’ — And How To Combat Them – Security Boulevard https://collincountynewsonline.com/guest-essay-privacy-risks-introduced-by-the-metaverse-and-how-to-combat-them-security-boulevard/ As digital technologies become more immersive and tightly integrated with our daily lives, so too do the corresponding intrusive attacks on user privacy. Related: The case for regulating facial recognition Virtual reality (VR) is well positioned to become a natural continuation of this trend. While VR devices have been around in some form since well before the internet, the true ambition of major corporations to turn these devices into massively-connected social “metaverse” platforms has only recently come to light. These platforms, by their very nature, turn every single gaze, movement, and utterance of a user into a stream of data, instantaneously broadcast to other users around the world in the name of facilitating real-time interaction. But until recently, the VR privacy threat has remained entirely theoretical. Berkeley RDI is a preeminent source of open-access metaverse privacy research. To test the true extent of data collection in VR, we designed a simple 30-person user study called MetaData. Users were asked to play an innocent-looking “escape room” game in VR, while in the background, machine learning scripts were secretly observing their activity and trying to extract as much information about them as possible. The game was explicitly designed to reveal more information about users than they would otherwise have revealed, a unique threat of XR environments. In fact, most of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test was hidden within the escape room. Nair In the end, the adversarial program had accurately inferred over 25 personal data attributes, from environmental data like room size and geolocation, to anthropometrics like height, wingspan, and reaction time, within just a few minutes of gameplay. Why, one may wonder, should I care if my use of VR reveals my height or reaction time? In short, we should care not just which attributes can be directly observed, but also what that data can in turn be used to infer. For example, by combining height, wingspan, and voice frequency, a user’s gender is revealed with a high degree of accuracy. On the other hand, the combination of vision, reaction time, and memory can reveal a user’s age to within a year. The sheer scale of data attributes available in VR make such inferences more accurate and abundant than on any conventional platform, such as web or mobile applications. Garrido And instead of having to combine numerous data sources (like a smartphone, laptop, and wearable device) to build a user profile, VR constitutes a one-stop shop for all of the biometric, environmental, behavioral, and demographic data an application could ever hope to harvest. The story is not entirely pessimistic, however. In a follow-up work, called “MetaGuard,” we present a promising solution to our VR data privacy woes. Using a statistical technique called local differential privacy, we allow users to “go incognito” in the metaverse to obscure their identity and hinder tracking between sessions, just as they might on the web. In fact, MetaGuard goes far beyond “incognito mode” on the web, protecting not just metadata but the telemetry data itself. It does so by literally warping the coordinate system virtual world to hinder the accuracy of adversarial measurements, while achieving a provably-optimal balance of privacy and usability impact. The result: a 94.6 percent reduction in the ability to deanonymize VR users even at the lowest supported privacy setting. MetaGuard is by no means a complete solution to privacy concerns in VR. Instead, it is a first step towards solving a dangerous technological disparity: despite posing an unprecedented degree of privacy risk, VR currently lacks even the most basic privacy tools. We hope our work begins to shed light on the risks that lie ahead, and encourage practitioners to advance research at the intersection of data privacy and VR. About the essayist: Vivek Nair is an NSF CyberCorps Scholar, NPSC Fellow, Hertz Foundation Fellow, IC3 Researcher, and an EECS Ph.D. student researching applied cryptography at UC Berkeley. Gonzalo Munilla Garrido is a researcher at the BMW Group and CS Ph.D. student researching differential privacy at TU Munich. Nair and Garrido are members of the UC Berkeley Center for Responsible, Decentralized Intelligence, a preeminent source of open-access metaverse security and privacy research.  (Editor’s note: This work was supported by Berkeley RDI, the NSF, the NPSC, and the Hertz Foundation. Opinions expressed in this material are exclusively those of the authors and not the supporting entities.) *** This is a Security Bloggers Network syndicated blog from The Last Watchdog authored by bacohido. Read the original post at: https://www.lastwatchdog.com/guest-essay-privacy-risks-introduced-by-the-metaverse-and-how-to-combat-them/

The Best Gifts Available From Amazon: 20 Gifts From $10 To $200 – CNET https://collincountynewsonline.com/the-best-gifts-available-from-amazon-20-gifts-from-10-to-200-cnet/ This story is part of Gift Guide, our year-round collection of the best gift ideas. Finding the right gift for your friends and family can be daunting. But whether you’re spending $25 or $200, it’s likely you’re getting some of your gifts from Amazon. It makes sense; after all, Amazon offers free shipping on most things if you have a Prime membership, and it’s quick and easy to find what you want. But what if you don’t know what to give? That’s where we come in. We’ve pulled together some of our favorite gifts at different price points to help you get a feel for what might be right for the person you are buying for. Amazon’s Prime Early Access Sale, its second Prime Day-style sale of the year, kicks off this Tuesday, Oct. 11, and promises big savings, so be sure to check back here for more savings on these holiday gifts. Gift ideas under $25 Gifts in this price range are perfect stocking stuffers or a fun Secret Santa gift for your co-workers. My kids love to get these kinds of presents as they like lots of small fun things, rather than one big expensive present. n “,”topic”:””,”ttag”:””,”searchDim”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”variant”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”viewguid”:””,”event”:”listicle|image|1″,”correlationId”:””,”_destCat”:”https://www.amazon.com/Gamewright-317-Forbidden-Island-Card/dp/B003D7F4YY/”,”productName”:”Forbidden Island”,”formatType”:”IMAGE”,”location”:”LIST”,”position”:1,”sku”:””,”dwLinkTag”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”selector”:”#article-body #listicle-2550416d-d717-48b9-ba61-60391c628dd9 .itemImage”}}” data-omitnoreferrer=”http://www.cnet.com/” href=”https://assoc-redirect.amazon.com/g/r/https://www.amazon.com/Gamewright-317-Forbidden-Island-Card/dp/B003D7F4YY/?tag=cnet-buy-button-20&ascsubtag=___COM_CLICK_ID___%7C___VIEW_GUID___%7Cdtp” rel=”noopener nofollow” target=”_blank” Amazon Family game night is often fraught with arguments. When you pit father against daughter and mother against son, things can go awry in the worst way. Forbidden Island is a cooperative game that removes that friction and transforms game night into an “us versus the game” situation. You all work together to escape a sinking island with as much treasure as you can grab. It’s a lot of fun and brings families together instead of tearing them apart. n “,”topic”:””,”ttag”:””,”searchDim”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”variant”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”viewguid”:””,”event”:”listicle|image|2″,”correlationId”:””,”_destCat”:”https://www.amazon.com/Kitchen-Gizmo-Strainer-Silicone-Colander/dp/B081FGJHC9/”,”productName”:”Kitchen Gizmo Snap N Strain Pot Strainer”,”formatType”:”IMAGE”,”location”:”LIST”,”position”:2,”sku”:””,”dwLinkTag”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”selector”:”#article-body #listicle-0fd08815-c439-481d-882e-a032ac954151 .itemImage”}}” data-omitnoreferrer=”http://www.cnet.com/” href=”https://assoc-redirect.amazon.com/g/r/https://www.amazon.com/Kitchen-Gizmo-Strainer-Silicone-Colander/dp/B081FGJHC9/?tag=cnet-buy-button-20&ascsubtag=___COM_CLICK_ID___%7C___VIEW_GUID___%7Cdtp” rel=”noopener nofollow” target=”_blank” Kitchen Gizmo We’ve all tried to balance a pot lid so that it’s open just enough to pour water or oil through but not enough to let the food fall out. Sometimes it works; often it doesn’t. This cool little gadget makes that entire process easier by clipping to the edge of your pan and acting like a colander to strain off liquid without losing your delicious food. n “,”topic”:””,”ttag”:””,”searchDim”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”variant”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”viewguid”:””,”event”:”listicle|image|3″,”correlationId”:””,”_destCat”:”https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Outlet-Hanger-Black-generation/dp/B08D7KKT3Q/”,”productName”:”Echo Dot 4th gen hanger”,”formatType”:”IMAGE”,”location”:”LIST”,”position”:3,”sku”:””,”dwLinkTag”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”selector”:”#article-body #listicle-c67b3fa5-252f-4c58-a526-ee5aaf984abd .itemImage”}}” data-omitnoreferrer=”http://www.cnet.com/” href=”https://assoc-redirect.amazon.com/g/r/https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Outlet-Hanger-Black-generation/dp/B08D7KKT3Q/?tag=cnet-buy-button-20&ascsubtag=___COM_CLICK_ID___%7C___VIEW_GUID___%7Cdtp” rel=”noopener nofollow” target=”_blank” Echogear The Echo Dot is in just about every home in America, right? You can’t seem to go anywhere without seeing two or three of them scattered around on people’s desks or kitchen counters. They can be difficult to place though, as we all only have so much counter space. I use this hanger to hang the Echo Dot from an outlet, and it helps to declutter, especially as the cords and charging block fit neatly inside the hanger too. n “,”topic”:””,”ttag”:””,”searchDim”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”variant”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”viewguid”:””,”event”:”listicle|image|4″,”correlationId”:””,”_destCat”:”https://www.amazon.com/Starter-Set-Dragons-Stormwreck-Isle/dp/B09V84WNPK/”,”productName”:”D&D Starter Kit: Dragons of Stormwreck Isle”,”formatType”:”IMAGE”,”location”:”LIST”,”position”:4,”sku”:””,”dwLinkTag”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”selector”:”#article-body #listicle-ffb5ed7a-9655-47d8-ba2a-f24f95c81d74 .itemImage”}}” data-omitnoreferrer=”http://www.cnet.com/” href=”https://assoc-redirect.amazon.com/g/r/https://www.amazon.com/Starter-Set-Dragons-Stormwreck-Isle/dp/B09V84WNPK/?tag=cnet-buy-button-20&ascsubtag=___COM_CLICK_ID___%7C___VIEW_GUID___%7Cdtp” rel=”noopener nofollow” target=”_blank” Wizards of the Coast I’m an avid tabletop gamer and I love giving these starter kits out to friends and family. So many people want to learn about Dungeons and Dragons but don’t know where to begin. This box has everything you need to start your first adventure.  Imagination is the key to a good D&D campaign, but you also need rules and dice. This set gives you both. n “,”topic”:””,”ttag”:””,”searchDim”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”variant”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”viewguid”:””,”event”:”listicle|image|5″,”correlationId”:””,”_destCat”:”https://www.amazon.com/Drawer-Organizer-Dresser-Desk-Dividers/dp/B098HH4KSK/”,”productName”:”25-Piece Drawer Organizer Set”,”formatType”:”IMAGE”,”location”:”LIST”,”position”:5,”sku”:””,”dwLinkTag”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”selector”:”#article-body #listicle-c0e7b3ab-0697-4292-90ee-7c51d8166764 .itemImage”}}” data-omitnoreferrer=”http://www.cnet.com/” href=”https://assoc-redirect.amazon.com/g/r/https://www.amazon.com/Drawer-Organizer-Dresser-Desk-Dividers/dp/B098HH4KSK/?tag=cnet-buy-button-20&ascsubtag=___COM_CLICK_ID___%7C___VIEW_GUID___%7Cdtp” rel=”noopener nofollow” target=”_blank” Seseno This is one of the many cases of “TikTok made me buy it” that you will see while looking for gifts this year. We ended up buying several sets of these to organize everything from our pantry to our bathroom drawers. These kinds of organizers aren’t the first thing people think of to buy themselves, which makes them a great gift. n “,”topic”:””,”ttag”:””,”searchDim”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”variant”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”viewguid”:””,”event”:”listicle|image|6″,”correlationId”:””,”_destCat”:”https://www.amazon.com/Lark-and-Clam-Codenames-Undercover/dp/B07GBFNVCL/”,”productName”:”Codenames Undercover”,”formatType”:”IMAGE”,”location”:”LIST”,”position”:6,”sku”:””,”dwLinkTag”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”selector”:”#article-body #listicle-21bae1ab-59dc-40de-8f56-a0c2011afae4 .itemImage”}}” data-omitnoreferrer=”http://www.cnet.com/” href=”https://assoc-redirect.amazon.com/g/r/https://www.amazon.com/Lark-and-Clam-Codenames-Undercover/dp/B07GBFNVCL/?tag=cnet-buy-button-20&ascsubtag=___COM_CLICK_ID___%7C___VIEW_GUID___%7Cdtp” rel=”noopener nofollow” target=”_blank” Lark & Clam Codenames is a great family game that pits two teams against each other to guess words based on your team’s single-word description. This version, however, is a little more risque than the ones you might have seen, so it’s a great gift for a couple in your life who likes to laugh at naughty words. If you have adult game nights, then this is the game for you. n “,”topic”:””,”ttag”:””,”searchDim”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”variant”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”viewguid”:””,”event”:”listicle|image|7″,”correlationId”:””,”_destCat”:”https://www.amazon.com/Kalimba-Portable-Finger-Adults-Beginners/dp/B07Q38FWFJ/”,”productName”:”Newlam Kalimba Thumb Piano”,”formatType”:”IMAGE”,”location”:”LIST”,”position”:7,”sku”:””,”dwLinkTag”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”selector”:”#article-body #listicle-310d5945-2de5-4819-90b7-670c02080ea9 .itemImage”}}” data-omitnoreferrer=”http://www.cnet.com/” href=”https://assoc-redirect.amazon.com/g/r/https://www.amazon.com/Kalimba-Portable-Finger-Adults-Beginners/dp/B07Q38FWFJ/?tag=cnet-buy-button-20&ascsubtag=___COM_CLICK_ID___%7C___VIEW_GUID___%7Cdtp” rel=”noopener nofollow” target=”_blank” Newlam My son loves to play the piano, but it isn’t the easiest thing to carry around. This fun little Kalimba lets him plink away at something that offers a small but beautiful sound when we are out and about and the urge to be musical strikes him. Gift ideas under $50 This price point is similar to the “under $25” category in that these are gifts you can buy more than one of. However, when you venture into the “under $50” realm, they’re more likely to be useful or have a better quality than the cheaper products on this list. n “,”topic”:””,”ttag”:””,”searchDim”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”variant”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”viewguid”:””,”event”:”listicle|image|8″,”correlationId”:””,”_destCat”:”https://www.amazon.com/JAPANESE-KIT-KATS-VARIETY-BUNDLE/dp/B092RY1R5S”,”productName”:”Japanese KitKat variety pack”,”formatType”:”IMAGE”,”location”:”LIST”,”position”:8,”sku”:””,”dwLinkTag”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”selector”:”#article-body #listicle-3dbf6c...

Best Utility Tokens In 2022 – Cryptonews https://collincountynewsonline.com/best-utility-tokens-in-2022-cryptonews/ Disclaimer: The Industry Talk section features insights by crypto industry players and is not a part of the editorial content of Cryptonews.com. Utility tokens refer to crypto projects that offer real-world value, insofar as they grant access to a particular product or service.  An example of this is MANA, which enables holders to buy virtual real estate within the Decentraland metaverse.  In this guide, we offer an in-depth analysis of the best utility tokens to buy right now.  The 11 Best Utility Coins to Buy The list below highlights the 11 best utility tokens that we identified during the research process.  Tamadoge – Overall Best Utility Token to Buy Now Battle Infinity – Low-Cap Crypto That Offers Utility in the Metaverse    Lucky Block – NFT Platform That Offers Access to Competitions and Rewards   DeFi Coin – New DEX That Offers Utility via Staking and Yield Farming  MANA – Native Token of the Decentraland Metaverse World  Ethereum – Utility Token That Backs Thousands of ERC-20 Standard Projects XRP – Provides Utility for the Ripple Interbank Payments Network  BNB – Proprietary Token of the Binance Smart Chain Ecosystem   Basic Attention Token – Incentivization to use the Brave Browser  1inch – DEX Aggregator Offering Traders the Most Favorable Price ApeCoin – In-House Currency in the Otherside Metaverse  As per the list above, the best utility coins come from a variety of crypto niches, from the metaverse and P2E gaming to DeFi yield services.  We discuss each and every utility coin project in more detail in the following sections.  Reviewing the Crypto with the Best Utility  Unlike meme coins – which are largely focused on speculation and hyper, utility tokens have an actual use case.  This means that by holding a utility token, investors can gain exclusive access to the respective project’s products and services.  Ultimately, utility tokens have a much greater chance of surviving the current crypto bear market.  Therefore, we will now take a much closer look at the 11 best utility crypto coins to consider buying right now.  1. Tamadoge – Overall Best Utility Token to Buy Now After completing our comprehensive research process, we concluded that overall, Tamadoge is the best utility token to buy today. This newly launched cryptocurrency ecosystem is building a play-to-earn game. This means that players can win real-world rewards that are paid in TAMA – the utility token that is native to Tamadoge.  This is a perfect example of a utility coin, insofar that players are motivated to engage with the Tamadoge ecosystem. Moreover, those holding TAMA tokens will have access to the Tamaverse – which is the project’s take on the metaverse. Additionally, in order to play the Tamadoge game – which is based on caring, breeding, and battling virtual pets, an NFT must be purchased.  And the only currency that can be used for this goal is TAMA. Another reason why we like Tamadoge as the overall best utility coin is that it recently witnessed one of the best crypto presales of the year. Put simply, the project raised over $19 million from investors, and the TAMA token is now listed on multiple exchanges, including OKX and Uniswap.  Those that opted to buy Tamadoge tokens during the presale have since experienced unprecedented growth. In fact, TAMA has already managed to generate post-ICO gains of 10x, which makes it one of the top trending cryptos in the current bear cycle. Furthermore, according to CoinMarketCap, Tamadoge has a market capitalization of just $44 million as of writing.  As one of the best low-cost cryptos, TAMA potentially offers the most upside potential. Those that missed the presale can also consider buying a Tamadoge NFT, with the collection due to launch in the coming days. Just 21,100 NFTs will ever be sold, and the best price possible is available in the impending launch.  Buy Tamadoge on OKX CEX Buy Tamadoge on OKX DEX 2. Battle Infinity – Low-Cap Crypto That Offers Utility in the Metaverse    Battle Infinity is another low-cap crypto project that recently witnessed one of the best crypto ICOs of 2022. Although Battle Infinity raised a modest $5 million, this represents its hard-cap target. Moreover, the presale was planned for three months, but the campaign sold out in just 24 days. This is even more impressive considering the current bear market.  In terms of its utility, IBAT tokens sit at the heart of the Battle Infinity metaverse – otherwise branded as the ‘multiverse’. This will consist of many play-to-earn games, all of which will take a multiplayer format. The first game to launch in the Battle Infinity multiverse is centered on a conventional fantasy sports league.   Successful players will be rewarded with IBAT tokens. Players can then choose to stake their IBAT for passive income directly on the Battle Infinity platform. Or, players can use the Battle Infinity DEX to swap their IBAT for another token type. IBAT can also be used to buy and sell Battle Infinity NFTs, which offer an enhanced in-game experience.  In terms of its price action, Battle Infinity is trading at $0.003 at the time of writing, which equates to a market capitalization of $10 million. The presale priced IBAT at $0.0015, so this represents growth of 100%. However, IBAT previously touched an all-time high of $0.0055, which translates into growth of over 260% from its presale price.  All in all, IBAT could be one of the best penny cryptocurrencies to add to a utility token portfolio today – especially considering its small market capitalization. Those wishing to learn how to buy Battle Infinity tokens can read our beginner’s guide.  Visit Battle Infinity 3. Lucky Block – NFT Platform That Offers Access to Competitions and Rewards   While Tamadoge and Battle Infinity are the best utility tokens from within the play-to-earn gaming space, Lucky Block is focused on NFT competitions. The concept here is that Lucky Block offers a range of competitions on the blockchain, which can be entered by purchasing and holding a relevant NFT.  For example, a popular competition being run right now offers the chance to win a Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT. As of writing, this NFT carries a floor price is over $100,000, albeit, during the most recent crypto bull run, investors were paying over $1 million. Nonetheless, there are 10,000 NFTs attached to this Lucky Block competition.  Once all 10,000 have sold out, the prize draw will be made. In the meantime, after buying an NFT, holders will receive passive income rewards via the LBLOCK token. Moreover, the rewards are paid indefinitely, long after the competition draw. Other notable competitions being run by Lucky Block as of writing include FIFA World Cup tickets and $1 million worth of Bitcoin.  The LBLOCK token itself is also worth considering from an investment perspective. LBLOCK had a hugely successful ICO process earlier in the year. After raising over $5 million in presale funding, LBLOCk became the fastest cryptocurrency to hit a market capitalization of $1 billion. Those buying this top-rated utility coin now will, however, pay 95% below its previous all-time high.  For more information on how to buy LBLOCK tokens, consider reading our beginner’s guide.  Visit Lucky Block 4. DeFi Coin – New DEX That Offers Utility via Staking and Yield Farming       Another low-cap gem that offers a variety of utility benefits is DeFi Coin. This cryptocurrency is also fairly new, with the project being founded in late 2021. DeFi Coin is the native utility token of the DeFi Swap exchange, which is currently in the final stages of development. The DeFi Swap exchange will offer a range of ways to generate passive income. This includes a user-friendly staking tool that eventually, will support the vast majority of cryptocurrencies across many different blockchain networks. Multiple staking options will be provided, from 30 days up to a year. Alternatively, investors might also consider using DeFi Swap to access its yield farming tool.  This will provide liquidity to the DeFi Swap exchange so that investors can buy and sell tokens without needing access to market participants or traditional order books. In return, liquidity providers will earn a share of the revenue generated from DeFi Swap trading commissions. Additional features are being built into the DeFi Swap, which will add further utility for DeFi Coin.  Another major benefit of investing in DeFi Coin is that as of writing, the project has a market capitalization of under $1 million. Considering how big the decentralized finance industry is expected to grow in the coming years, this offers a highly attractive entry point. DeFi Coin can be purchased from PancakeSwap in exchange for BNB.    Visit DeFi Coin Now 5. MANA – Native Token of the Decentraland Metaverse World       Another area that the best utility coins play a major role is in the metaverse. One of the best metaverse coins in this regard is MANA, which backs the Decentraland ecosystem. As we briefly noted earlier, MANA is the native digital currency of the Decentraland metaverse and it is required to access the many products and services on offer.  For example, one of the most popular aspects of Decentraland is that users can purchase virtual real estate within its metaverse, in exchange for MANA. The price of each plot will vary depending on market conditions and the location within the metaverse. For instance, buying land close to Paris Hilton or Snoop Dogg will come at a huge premium.  Nonetheless, as per the current bear market, there are some great deals to be had. MANA is also used to access play-to-earn games within Decentraland, in addition to buying and selling NFTs. More utility is expected as the metaverse concept becomes more mainstream. In the meantime, MANA can be purchased at a huge discount when ...

Cyberattacks Reported At US Airports – ABC News https://collincountynewsonline.com/cyberattacks-reported-at-us-airports-abc-news/ Some of the nation’s largest airports have been targeted for cyberattacks Monday by an attacker within the Russian Federation, a senior official briefed confirmed to ABC News. Importantly, the systems targeted do not handle air traffic control, internal airline communications and coordination, or transportation security. “It’s an inconvenience,” the source said. The attacks have resulted in targeted “denial of public access” to public-facing web domains that report airport wait times and congestion. The attacks were first reported around 3 a.m. ET when the Port Authority notified the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency that the LaGuardia Airport system had been hit. LaGuardia has been restored, but other airports around the country have subsequently been targeted. The websites for Des Moines International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Chicago O’Hare International Airport appeared impacted Monday morning. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport reported around 10:30 a.m. ET that its site is back up and running and that “at no time were operations at the airport impacted.” “Early this morning, the FlyLAX.com website was partially disrupted,” LAX said in a statement to ABC News. “The service interruption was limited to portions of the public facing FlyLAX.com website only. No internal airport systems were compromised and there were no operational disruptions.” Engineers and programmers are actively working to close backdoors that allowed the attacks and shoring up more critical computer infrastructure. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. ABC News’ Alex Stone contributed to this report.

Global Terahertz Technologies Market Analysis Report 2022: A $1.61 Billion Market By 2027 – Increasing Number Of Investments To Create Affordable, Convenient, And Compact THz Technology Based Devices – ResearchAndMarkets.com – Businesswire.com https://collincountynewsonline.com/global-terahertz-technologies-market-analysis-report-2022-a-1-61-billion-market-by-2027-increasing-number-of-investments-to-create-affordable-convenient-and-compact-thz-technology-based-devices/ DUBLIN–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The “Terahertz Technologies Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027” report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering. The global terahertz technologies market reached a value of US$ 441.5 Million in 2021. Looking forward, the market to reach US$ 1,616.7 Million by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 24.15% during 2021-2027. Terahertz (THz) technologies are based on electromagnetic radiation, which lies in the spectrum between infrared radiation (IR) and microwaves. They can penetrate clothing, paper, wood, plastic, ceramics, cardboard, masonry, enclosures, and other opaque materials without causing any damage. They yield high-resolution images and help transfer vast amounts of data quickly. Moreover, their low-energy levels make them non-destructive, non-invasive, and intrinsically safe for humans, animals, and plants compared to X-rays and near-infrared radiation (NIR). As a result, they find extensive applications in the pharmaceutical industry wherein they are utilized to perform non-destructive, internal, chemical analysis of tablets, capsules, and other dosage forms. Terahertz Technologies Market Trends: Expanding applications of THz radiation in different sectors across the globe represents one of the major factors contributing to market growth. For instance, it is widely employed in the food and beverage (F&B) sector to conduct non-destructive analysis (NDT) of sealed packages. In addition, stringent regulations adopted by governments of several countries about public safety and product quality is influencing the market positively. Apart from this, the growing awareness about the advantages of early diagnosis is encouraging the adoption of THz tomography to screen tooth decay and cancer at early stages. It is also used to visualize wounds under gypsum or bandage layers. Moreover, due to the rising public security concerns, it is gaining traction at airports for remote screening of people and luggage. It also assists in building a new generation of high-frequency wireless telecommunication systems that allow high-speed information transmission between electronic devices. Furthermore, the increasing number of investments to create affordable, convenient, and compact THz technologies-based devices is anticipated to provide a favorable market outlook. Key Questions Answered in This Report: How has the global terahertz technologies market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years? What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global terahertz technologies market? What are the key regional markets? What is the breakup of the market based on the type? What is the breakup of the market based on the component? What is the breakup of the market based on the end use industry? What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry? What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry? What is the structure of the global terahertz technologies market and who are the key players? What is the degree of competition in the industry? Competitive Landscape: The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being Advantest Corporation Bakman Technologies LLC Batop GmbH Gentec Electro-Optics Inc. HUBNER GmbH & Co KG Luna Innovations Inc. Menlo Systems GmbH Teraprobes Inc Terasense Group Inc. TeraView Limited TOPTICA Photonics AG. Key Market Segmentation: Breakup by Type: Terahertz Imaging Systems Active System Passive System Terahertz Spectroscopy Systems Time Domain Frequency Domain Terahertz Communication Systems Breakup by Component: Terahertz Sources Terahertz Detectors Breakup by End Use Industry: Healthcare and Medical Defense and Security Telecommunications Food and Agriculture Others Breakup by Region: North America United States Canada Asia-Pacific China Japan India South Korea Australia Indonesia Others Europe Germany France United Kingdom Italy Spain Russia Others Latin America Brazil Mexico Others Middle East and Africa For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/o7y87r

Irish Sportsbook BoyleSports Reportedly Discussing Sale To Another Gaming Operator – Casino.Org News https://collincountynewsonline.com/irish-sportsbook-boylesports-reportedly-discussing-sale-to-another-gaming-operator-casino-org-news/ Posted on: October 10, 2022, 10:54h.  Last updated on: October 10, 2022, 10:54h. BoyleSports, the go-to sports betting company in Ireland, could soon have a new home. The news comes from Independent.ie, which claims to have an exclusive line on the inside track. A BoyleSports sports betting shop waiting for customers in Ireland. The company is reportedly discussing a sale with another gaming operator. (Image: Irish Times) Negotiations are reportedly already taking place for the company, which the media outlet says is worth “hundreds of millions of euros.” While the deal is mostly under wraps, Entain was mentioned as a company with interest in the acquisition. However, this doesn’t confirm that it’s the target. Acquiring BoyleSports would be significant for any company. It has an established presence in Ireland and the UK, and is working on expansion. This year, it set its sights on the Netherlands and Africa, as well as Canada. BoyleSports Offers Great Potential At the right price, acquiring BoyleSports could be a very lucrative proposition. The company has 340 retail betting establishments in the UK and Ireland, and its expansion into the online space is already beginning to produce rewards. The growth has followed normal progression. BoyleSports is an Irish company that began in 1982. Since then, it expanded into the UK after making several key acquisitions. Evolving with the interest in online gaming and strong market possibilities, it then set out to enter the digital market, where it has begun to grab a foothold. The company, which recently lost former CEO Mark Kemp to DAZN, also announced this year additional expansion plans. It is moving into Kenya and South Africa by next year, taking advantage of significant gaming interest in those markets. With Canada’s expanded gambling industry beginning to show signs of life, BoyleSports has been exploring entry there, as well. It hasn’t confirmed its end game, but has stated that all of the retail and online expansion projects are at the center of its current operations. Should Entain be the company interested in purchasing BoyleSports, it could create a significant power struggle in the UK and Ireland. Flutter Entertainment, the company behind Paddy Power and others, already has a good grasp of the markets. However, Entain would have a global powerhouse of gaming experts to challenge that position. Before finalizing any deal, BoyleSports and its suitor would have to go through the customary regulatory review. This would explore their operations separately, as well as what would happen once they merged. Ireland Gaming Undergoes Transformation The news about the potential sale comes only a month after Ireland made one of its most significant changes related to gaming. The country now has its new Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), of which Anne Marie Caufield will be CEO. Ireland has been somewhat of a black sheep in the European Union, unable to pin down its gaming regulations. That changes with the new GRA, although there are no concrete details of what might be coming. One thing that is certain is that new taxes are on the way. Some insiders believe that, once the final numbers are in, the gaming industry could see a reduction in revenue by anywhere from 10% to 16%. This is amid the struggles currently in the UK, which is witnessing meteoric inflation and an uncertain short-term future. It will also, at some point, welcome new gaming regulations, as well. There’s a lot going on that will influence the industry and force businesses to change their tactics.

For McKinney’s Chamber Of Commerce President, The Business Landscape Is Headed In A Positive Direction – Star Local Media https://collincountynewsonline.com/for-mckinneys-chamber-of-commerce-president-the-business-landscape-is-headed-in-a-positive-direction-star-local-media/ Allen American Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every morning so you don’t miss out on updates. Allen American e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Allen American Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! Carrollton Leader Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. Carrollton Leader e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Carrollton Leader Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! Celina Record Daily Headlines Daily Headlines from Celina Record Celina Record e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Celina Record Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! Coppell Gazette Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. Coppell Gazette e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Coppell Gazette Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! Flower Mound Leader Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. Flower Mound Leader e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Flower Mound Leader Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! Frisco Enterprise Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. Frisco Enterprise e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Frisco Enterprise Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! Lake Cities Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. Lake Cities e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Lake Cities Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! Lewisville Leader Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. Lewisville Leader e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Lewisville Leader Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! Little Elm Journal Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. Little Elm Journal e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Little Elm Journal Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! McKinney Courier Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. McKinney Courier e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. McKinney Courier Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! Mesquite News Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. Mesquite News e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Mesquite News Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! Plano Star Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. Plano Star e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Plano Star Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! Rowlett Lakeshore Times Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. Rowlett Lakeshore Times e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Rowlett Lakeshore Times Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! The Colony-Courier Leader Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. The Colony-Courier Leader e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. The Colony-Courier Leader Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports!

Cottage Specials, Golf Getaways In Pure Michigan’s October Travel Deals – MLive.com https://collincountynewsonline.com/cottage-specials-golf-getaways-in-pure-michigans-october-travel-deals-mlive-com/ Some travel deals are just a little sweeter in the fall. It might be the gorgeous autumn leaf colors or the cozy fireplaces that invite you to sit down, relax and linger. Whether you’re up for a late season game of golf or a snug cottage stay with a lakefront view, our friends at Pure Michigan have put together a buffet of deals for fall travelers. So pick a spot, pack your overnight bag and get ready to give yourself a much-needed reset before the snow arrives. Here are the top six spots: Tricks and treats await on Halloween Weekend at Grand Hotel. Photo provided by Grand Hotel. #1 Halloween at Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel Deal: Halloween package offers breakfast and dinner daily, Halloween-themed activities all weekend Available: October 28-30, 2022 Details: “For activities for young-in-age and young-at-heart, join us for Halloween Weekend at Grand Hotel! Experience fall on Mackinac Island and enjoy all the spooktacular activities and ghoulish excitement Grand Hotel offers for the whole family including a haunted trail and maze, movie marathon, haunted ball—and more!” Prices vary depending on the room selected. For more information, check the resort’s website. #2 Advance sales of Cool School at Treetops Resort in Gaylord Deal: Stay, unlimited play, and dining for $139 per adult; kids 17 and younger are only $49 each. Expires: October 13, 2022 Details: “Cool School is the ultimate winter getaway for families, beginners, and those with an adventurous soul. We’ve created an all-inclusive midweek deal packed with unlimited winter fun, lodging, and dining, so you can beat the winter blues and be entertained all day long. Cool School includes unlimited skiing, snowboarding, rentals, lessons, extreme tubing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice skating. Plus, patrons get dinner, breakfast and lodging! All for $139 per adult; $49 per kid. Buy now and book your trip later!” For more info, check here. Treetops Resort has a new fall color culinary tour which lets guests soak in the autumn views, then whisks them to a hilltop spot for a great dinner. Photo provided by Treetops Resort. #3 Cottage Getaway Special at Bay Pointe Inn, Shelbyville on Gun Lake Deal: Cottages start at $199 per night. Expires: October 31, 2022 Details: “Book the Cottage Getaway Special at Bay Pointe Inn Lakefront Resort for $199 per night in October. These 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom cottages sleep eight people comfortably with access to full resort amenities including extraordinary casual dining at the Terrace Grille Restaurant, hot tub, marina and boat rentals.” For more details, check the inn’s website here. Biking Cartier Park in Ludington. Photo provided by Pure Ludington. #4 Fall Lodging Special in Ludington Deal: 50% off second night stay this fall Expires: October 31, 2022 Details: “The changing landscape of Ludington’s unspoiled natural resources offers a quintessential ‘Up North’ experience. Pure Ludington delivers the perfect combination of unrivaled outdoor recreation and quaint, small-town charm. With endless outdoor adventure, unique craft beer and dining experiences—not to mention fall lodging specials like 50% off a second-night stay—Ludington offers the perfect fall getaway destination!” For more details, check the tourism bureau’s website here. A flight of hard ciders pictured at Tandem Ciders on the Leelanau Peninsula on June 14, 2022. (Neil Blake | MLive.com) Neil Blake/MLive.comNeil Blake/MLive.com #5 Fall in Love with Northern Michigan Deal: Fresh fall savings on lodging, spa services, golf and more in the Traverse City Area Expires: October 31, 2022 Details: “Seize the chance to save on your vacation with a seasonal package. Plan an escape to Traverse City to ring in the autumn season and experience all that northern Michigan has to offer. Invite friends and family to join you for a color tour around the region or arrange a romantic getaway for just you and your loved one.” For more details, check the tourism bureau’s website here. Delamar Hotel in Traverse City is home to the Artisan restaurant and an outdoor patio. Photo provided by Delamar. #6 Grand Golf Getaway Deal: Stay and play the Grand Rapids area’s best courses with a hotel-golf package. Expires: November 1, 2022 Details: “October is a great time for golf in Grand Rapids —especially when you take advantage of this special stay and play deal. Check in to the Country Inn & Suites East Hotel for one or two nights and play up to 54 holes at six local courses —including Pilgrim’s Run (a Golf Advisor top Michigan course), Ravines (an Arnold Palmer design) and The Mines (built atop historic gypsum mines. After a day on the links, relax at one of the city’s 45+ breweries!” For more information, check here. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.

Business News Digest – Federal News Network https://collincountynewsonline.com/business-news-digest-federal-news-network-3/ The highlights of the AP Business report. All times EDT. An up-to-the minute listing of all business stories planned is available in Coverage Plan on AP Newsroom, http://newsroom.ap.org/coverageplan. For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, contact AP Customer Support at 877-836-9477 or apcustomersupport@ap.org. The AP Business News supervisor can be reached at (800)-845-8450, ext. 1680. TOP STORIES: NOBEL-ECONOMICS — Former U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke, who put his academic expertise on the… READ MORE The highlights of the AP Business report. All times EDT. An up-to-the minute listing of all business stories planned is available in Coverage Plan on AP Newsroom, http://newsroom.ap.org/coverageplan. For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, contact AP Customer Support at 877-836-9477 or apcustomersupport@ap.org. The AP Business News supervisor can be reached at (800)-845-8450, ext. 1680. TOP STORIES: NOBEL-ECONOMICS — Former U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke, who put his academic expertise on the Great Depression to work reviving the American economy after the 2007-2008 financial crisis, won the Nobel Prize in economic sciences along with two other U.S.-based economists for their research into the fallout from bank failures. By David Keyton, Frank Jordans and Paul Wiseman. SENT: 930 words, photos. BRITAIN-ECONOMY — Britain’s Treasury chief said Monday he will bring forward the publication of the government’s full fiscal statement after facing widespread criticism for not providing details about a multibillion-pound, tax-cutting stimulus package he announced last month. By Sylvia Hui. SENT: 490 words, photos. MARKETS & ECONOMY: FINANCIAL MARKETS — Stocks are off to a mixed start on Wall Street ahead of the beginning of the corporate earnings reporting season, which will provide insight into how high inflation and high interest rates have been affecting U.S. companies. By Damian J. Troise and Alex Veiga. SENT: 670 words, photos. UPCOMING: 800 words by 4:30 p.m., photo. INDUSTRY: INSIDER Q&A-GOODWILL — Matthew Kaness, chief executive of GoodwillFinds, talks to The Associated Press about the nonprofit organizations new initiative to expand its online thrifting business. By Anne D’Innocenzio. SENT: 480 words, photos. PERSONAL FINANCE: NERDWALLET-LIZ WESTON-SPOT GREAT 401(K) — It pays to know the difference between a good 401(k) and a great 401(k). Compared to an average plan, great plans offer features that could potentially lead to tens of thousands of dollars in additional retirement money. By Liz Weston of NerdWallet. SENT: 860 words, photo. INTERNATIONAL: JAPAN-FOREIGN TOURISTS — Individual travelers will be able to visit Japan without visas beginning Tuesday, just like in pre-COVID-19 times. The yen has weakened sharply against the dollar, giving some travelers much heftier buying power and making Japan nearly irresistible to bargain hunters. By Yuri Kageyama. SENT: 610 words, photos. FRANCE BRAZIL PLANE CRASH TRIAL — Airbus and Air France went on trial on manslaughter charges Monday over the crash of a Rio de Janeiro to Paris flight in 2009 that plunged into the Atlantic amid thunderstorms, killing all 228 people aboard and leading to changes in air safety regulations. By Nicolas Vaux-Montagny and Jeffrey Schaeffer. SENT: 510 words, photos. —————————— Copyright © 2022 . All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

Community Calendar: Oct. 14-21 – Portland Press Herald – Press Herald https://collincountynewsonline.com/community-calendar-oct-14-21-portland-press-herald-press-herald/ Benefits Thursday 10/20 Brunswick Downtown Association’s Live Benefit Auction, “Magic on Maine”: 5 p.m., location TBA, Brunswick. Books/Authors Patten Free Library Writing Contest: Open to adults and teens grades 7 and up in library’s service, RSU 1 and other schools for short fiction and nonfiction. Deadline Dec. 3, cash prizes, patten.lib.me.us/2022-writing-contest. Wednesday 10/19 Author John Connolly: “The Furies”: 6 p.m., Longfellow Books, 1 Monument Way, Portland. Author Roxie Zwicker: “Stories, Stones and Superstitions of Maine”: 7 p.m., Merrill Memorial Library, 215 Main St., Yarmouth. Ongoing Blurb Club in Congress Square Park: noon to 1 p.m., every other Thursday in Congress Square Park, Portland. Hosted by Portland Public Library, Riverton Branch, 1600 Forest Ave. portlandlibrary.com. Books and Brews: 6 p.m., first Thursday, Flight Deck Brewing, Brunswick Landing. Books on Tap: 5:30 p.m. third Monday of the month via Zoom, hosted by Scarborough Public Library.  [email protected] Casco Bay Writers’ Project at the Hall: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., every Thursday, Maine Charitable Mechanics Association, 519 Congress St., Portland. mechanicshallmaine.org. Civil War Book Club: 7 p.m., second Monday, People Plus, 35 Union St., Brunswick. Great Books Discussion: 10 a.m. to noon second Saturday, Topsham Public Library, 25 Foreside Road.  [email protected] Guerilla Poetry Whoop: 6:30 p.m., second Thursday of the month via Zoom, hosted by Thomas Memorial Library in Cape Elizabeth, thomasmemoriallibrary.org/poetry-at-tml. Just Desserts Mystery Group: 6:30-7:30 p.m. virtual meeting first Tuesday of the month, presented by Curtis Memorial Library. curtislibrary.com. Midcoast Indigenous Awareness Group Book Club: 10 a.m. Fridays via Zoom, hosted by Curtis Memorial Library.Email [email protected] for Zoom invitation. Monday Afternoon Book Group: 1 p.m., first Monday of the month at Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick. [email protected] Racial Equity Book Group: 7-8 p.m. third Thursday of the month, hosted by Curtis Memorial Library. Books provided. Email [email protected] with questions. Registration and book list at curtislibrary.com (if registration is full, submit the form to be put on the waiting list). Read Your Mind: 12:30 p.m. last Wednesday of the month, virtual from Portland Public Library. Features new books, topics and resources about teen mental health, portlandlibrary.com. Reading Challenge 2022: Prince Memorial Library, Cumberland. List of 18 reading prompts to challenge readers throughout the year, princememorial.org. Road Scholars Walking Group: 10-11 a.m. Thursday. Do you want to read more? Do you want to walk more? Would you like to do both at the same time? Merrill Memorial Library, 215 Main St., Yarmouth. yarmouthlibrary.org. Sci-fi Book Club: 5-6 p.m. via Zoom second Thursday of the month, hosted by Curtis Memorial Library. Email Marian Dalton at [email protected] to sign up. South Portland Public Library Writers’ Group: 2-4 p.m. first and third Saturdays via Zoom, southportlandlibrary.com/writers-group. World War II Commemoration: free military history, African-American history and Latino history downloads at ebooksforstudents.org. Writers’ Meet-Up: 6 p.m. second Thursday of the month via Zoom through Portland Public Library, portlandlibrary.com/series/writers-meet-up/ for more, including monthly writing prompts. Bulletin Board Saturday 10/15 Free Jazz Workshop with Pandelis Karayorgis Quartet, Dimensions in Jazz: 4 p.m., First Church of Christ, Scientist, 61 Neal St., Portland. Sunday 10/16 Equality Community Center Grand Opening Block Party & Campaign Kick-Off: Noon, Equality Community Center, 15 Casco St., Portland. Wednesday 10/19 Evening for the Environment 2022: 6 p.m., UNE Innovation Hall, 772 Stevens Ave., Portland. Thursday 10/20 “How-To,” Protecting a Lifetime of Savings: 8 a.m., BerryDunn, 2211 Congress St., Portland. Hubble Vision 2: 1 p.m., Southworth Planetarium, 96 Falmouth St., Portland. Ongoing Board Game Social: 3-5 p.m. Fridays, Slot Car Junction, Brunswick. brunswickdowntown.org. Cafe en Français – French Conversation Club: 2:30 p.m., fourth Tuesday of the month, People Plus, 35 Union St., Brunswick. peopleplusmaine.org. Calico Quilters: 7 p.m. first and third Mondays, North Yarmouth Congregational Church, Route 115, 7-9 PM. Contact [email protected] Chess Club: 6 p.m. first and third Wednesdays of the month, Curtis Library Chess Club open to all ages, younger than 8 must be accompanied by an adult helper. Curtis Memorial Library, 23 Pleasant St., Brunswick. curtislibrary.libcal.com. Citizens Climate Lobby Portland Chapter: 9-10:30 a.m. via Zoom first Saturday of the month, Facebook or citizensclimatelobbymaine.weebly.com. Connected: nondenominational social group for widowers, widows, divorced and singles 55 and over, 7 p.m. first Monday of the month, St. Charles Borromeo Church Hall, 132 McKeen St., Brunswick. Guest speaker, light refreshments, 725-1266 or 725-8386. Craft Meetup: 4:30-6 p.m. Mondays, Curtis Memorial Library, 23 Pleasant St, Brunswick. curtislibrary.libcal.com. Critical Home Repair program: Habitat for Humanity partners with low-income homeowners who require safety and structural repairs, including accessibility issues, unsafe roofing or flooring, lack of heat, electrical or plumbing hazards. Cumberland County residents only, habitatportlandme.org/critical-home-repair. Down East Ship Modelers Guild: 1 p.m. second Thursday of every month, 200 Congress St., Bath, rear of the American Legion Hall. 751-2453. Free Yoga Class: 9:30 a.m., weekly, Freeport Community Services, 53 Depot St., Freeport. Freeport Farmers Market: 9 a.m. every Friday, Corner of Main & West Streets, next to the Town Office, Freeport. visitfreeport.com. Freeport American Legion: 5:30 p.m. every 2nd Thursday of the month, Freeport Masonic Lodge, 33 Mallot Drive. All veterans welcome. Game Night: 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. every Sunday, Foreplay Sports Pub, 436 Fore St., Portland. Free. Maine Irish Heritage Trail: self-guided historical Portland tour, map at maineirishheritagetrail.org. Maker’s Market: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, Brick South at Thompson’s Point, 15 Resurgam Place, Portland. Local farms, artisans, artists, thompsonspoint.com. Makers on Main: 10 a.m., first Saturday of each month through September. Freeport. visitfreeport.com. Monument(al) Square Market: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Thursday in Portland, goods crafted by Portland makers. Museum Passes: Merrill Memorial Library in Yarmouth has passes for patrons to Maine Maritime Museum, Maine Wildlife Park, Portland Museum of Art, Children’s Museum of Maine, Farnsworth Art Museum and Maine State Parks. Reserve at 846-4763 or [email protected] Portland ReStore: 659 Warren Ave., restoreportlandmaine.org. Scarborough 55-plus Program Senior Drop-In: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Friday. Get together for coffee, snacks, games and camaraderie. Registration not necessary. SCS Hub, 418 Payne Road, Scarborough. Free, scarboroughmaine.org. Scarborough Kiwanis: noon lunch meeting Fridays, Cowbell Wood-Fired Grill, 185 U.S. Route 1, Scarborough. scarboroughkiwanis.org. Senior Bingo: noon, every Monday, Scarborough Community Center Hub, 418 Payne Road, Scarborough, 55-plus, free, registration not necessary, scarboroughmaine.org. Stump Trivia: 8-10 p.m., Sea Dog Brewing Company, 125 Western Ave., South Portland. sopo.seadogbrewing.com. Topsham ReStore: 126 Main St., 504-9340. Trivia: 6:30-9 p.m. Wednesdays, Stroudwater Distillery, 28 Resurgam Place, Portland. Free, stroudwaterdistillery.com. Trivia Night: 6:30-8 p.m. Thursdays, Byrnes’ Irish Pub, 38 Centre St. Bath. byrnesirishpub.com. Vigils for Peace and Justice: 5-5:30 p.m. Fridays, Brunswick Town Mall, Maine Street at Park Row. Crafts Saturday 10/15 Sip n Stitch Knitting Group: 10 a.m., Topsham Public Library, 25 Foreside Road, Topsham. Monday 10/17 Calico Quilters: 7 p.m., North Yarmouth Congregational Church, 3 Gray R0ad, Route 115, North Yarmouth. Craft Meetup In-Person: 4:30 p.m., Curtis Memorial Library, 23 Pleasant St., Brunswick. Wednesday 10/19 The Stitchery (hybrid): Noon, Maine Charitable Mechanic Association, 519 Congress St., Portland. Dining Friday 10/14 Souper Supper at St. Mary’s: 5 p.m., St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 43 Foreside Road, Falmouth. Free. Saturday 10/15 Bean supper: 5 p.m., AMVETS Post 6, Route 100, New Gloucester. Community Take-Out Meal: 4 p.m., West Scarborough United Methodist Church, 656 U.S. Route 1, Scarborough. 14th Annual Empty Bowl Meal: 5 p.m., First Lutheran Church, 132 Auburn St., Portland. Ongoing Brunswick Farmers Market: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday and Friday, Brunswick Mall, Park Row and Maine Street. Cumberland Farmers Market: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, Town Hall, 290 Tuttle Road. Curbside Souper Supper: 5 p.m. second and fourth Fridays of the month. Masks and social distancing. Free to all. St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 43 Foreside Road, Falmouth. smary.org. Deering Center Community Church in Portland: Call 773-2423 for more information. Freeport Community Services Food Pantry: open for in-person shopping 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday and 9:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday at 55 Depot St., Freeport, see fscmaine.org. Meals on Wheels: call the Brunswick Meals on Wheels Coordinator Casey Henson at 729-0757 or visit People Plus, 35 Union St., Brunswick. peopleplusmaine.org. Merrymeeting Sharing Table: Library Park Gazebo, Bath, noon to 2:30 p.m. every Tuesday. No income or residency requirement to pick up free food, merrymeetingfoodcouncil.org. Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program: 12 Tenney Way, Brunswick, mchpp.org, 725-2716. Portland Farmers Market: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday in Deering Oaks Park through Nov. 23. p...

Massachusetts Aims To Launch Sports Betting In Late January – WBUR News https://collincountynewsonline.com/massachusetts-aims-to-launch-sports-betting-in-late-january-wbur-news/ A customer holds sheets with betting information at the sports book bar at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, RI on Jan. 29, 2019. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is planning to launch in-person sports betting in the state in late January, just in time for the Super Bowl. The commission set a timeline at a meeting Friday, aiming to start in-person sports betting in late January at casinos and mobile sports betting in early March. The commissioners couldn’t agree on a timeline at a meeting the day prior, and said on Friday that the target dates may be too aggressive and could still be pushed back. Republican Gov. Charlie Baker signed a bill in August legalizing betting on professional and collegiate sports, joining more than 30 other states, including several neighbors. Baker said that he supports it because state residents are already traveling to Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New York and Connecticut to place legal wagers. The U.S. Supreme Court in 2018 ruled that banning sports betting was unconstitutional. The gaming commission released a survey Friday that it’s requiring companies applying for a sports wagering operator license and vendors to those potential licensees to complete. The survey seeks specific company information before the full applications are due.

Walmart Has Entered The Metaverse Via Roblox – Analytics Insight https://collincountynewsonline.com/walmart-has-entered-the-metaverse-via-roblox-analytics-insight/ Walmart Has Entered The Metaverse Via Roblox  Analytics Insight

Nicole Kidman’s Toned Abs In A Bra Top In These Keith Urban BTS Pics Are 💯 – Yahoo Life https://collincountynewsonline.com/nicole-kidmans-toned-abs-in-a-bra-top-in-these-keith-urban-bts-pics-are-%f0%9f%92%af-yahoo-life/ Nicole Kidman is a super supportive spouse, and she proved that fact with a backstage Instagram photo from hubby Keith Urban’s tour this weekend. In the photo, the 55-year-old star also showed off her impressive core strength in a crop top, and her abs were seriously sculpted. Nicole doesn’t share much about her workout routines, but in the past, she’s been big into scenic runs. Country star Keith Urban is currently on tour and, naturally, his all-star wife Nicole Kidman is joining him on the journey. Nicole just shared the sweetest BTS tour photo on Instagram, and it’s everything. In the pic, the 55-year-old Oscar winner can be seen walking down a hallway with her husband. Her hand is on his shoulder as he talks to her. Nicole is working a cool-girl blazer, bra, top and pants combo with her jacked abs fully on display. “On tour backstage Nashville, Tennessee ,” she wrote simply in the caption. And those impressive abs weren’t lost on fans. “Damn girl look @ those abs!” one person wrote in the comments. “Nic’s abs are ,” another said. Nicole has brought those jaw-dropping abs out to play recently, including during a photoshoot with Perfect magazine. Full disclosure: Nicole hasn’t shared a ton about her workout routines lately, but clearly she’s doing something right. (See: abs of steel.) She’s also shared some of her workout and wellness habits that are holistic approaches to movement. Nicole has talked a lot in the past about her love of running. Last year, the Roar star shared a cool shot on Instagram of herself running up a big hill under a rosy sky. She’s been a fan of scenic, long runs for a long time. Nicole told Women’s Health back in 2013 that she grew up in a family that loved to run marathons. “I would get dragged out of bed by my dad… and he would just make us ran laps of the oval,” she said. Now, “I just put my music on and off I go. I go into the woods and that’s why I love living in Nashville. And in Sydney you’ve got the beach, which is absolutely beautiful to run on,” she said. For Nicole, movement has been a regular part of her day for a long time, and back in 2014, she told the Los Angeles Times that she jumps at the chance to get moving, whether that’s riding a bike, doing yoga, or going for a run. At that time, her workouts were also centered around “family time,” and she tries to get the whole fam involved in the exercise. Nicole is also an equestrian, a sport that requires some impressive thigh and core strength. She even goes for beachy rides! While she certainly takes time to maintain her physical strength, she also focuses on health from the inside-out. Nicole previously told Allure that she takes vitamins to get her super glowy skin. “I really believe in taking vitamins and supporting my skin with inside health,” she shared. “My nails are probably the worst part of me—they’re always breaking—so I use this amazing skin, hair, and nails vitamin from Swisse Wellness, and it’s really changed them.” And when it comes to her diet, Nicole has historically not been overly restrictive with her eating plan (according to her interview back in 2013). At the time, she would follow the 80-20 approach, where she would eat healthy foods and ingredients 80 percent of the time and indulge for the other 20 percent. “I’m just not someone that believes in denial,” she said. “It’s walking a path that’s ultimately 80% healthy, 20%…sometimes it falls to 70,” she said. I love this for you, Nicole! You’re crushing it. You Might Also Like 14 Reasons You Sweat So Much In Bed—And What To Do About Them, According To Sleep Experts The 11 Best Mental Health Books To Cope With Whatever Life Throws At You This Avocado-Spinach Green Smoothie Recipe Is The Best Way To Start Your Day

Bitcoin Price Prediction – Max Pain Is Sideways Chop Until 2024 – Bluntz – Cryptonews https://collincountynewsonline.com/bitcoin-price-prediction-max-pain-is-sideways-chop-until-2024-bluntz-cryptonews/ Crypto analyst Bluntz (@SmartContracter) predicted Bitcoin will trade sideways in a range bound environment for 12 more months – so far, he’s been accurate. He posted the tweet below on August 29th, and six weeks on Bitcoin is still trading sideways between approximately $17,500, the 2022 yearly low, and the range high at around $25,000. Bluntz’ Bitcoin Price Prediction His max pain scenario for Bitcoin would take until late 2023 to play out – Bluntz marked out a possible 392 day trading range on the Bitcoin price chart. ‘Max pain’ is a term applied to options trading, and also used colloquially in all types of crypto trading. It’s defined on Investopedia as the ‘price at which a stock (or cryptocurrency) would cause financial losses for the largest number of option holders – puts and calls – at expiration’. With the next Bitcoin halving set to take place around March 2024 – in 527 days – some predict it could also take until then for a significant bullish catalyst for the BTC price to come into play. Bluntz’ Bitcoin price prediction allows for a ‘sprinkle of capitulation’ – new lows being hit below $17,500 as some BTC holders become frustrated and sell their position (finding it too painful to hold) and longs are stopped out or liquidated. He also expects the current $25,000 range high to be swept ($25,211 on Binance against USDT). However both bulls and bears will be disappointed – as he isn’t expecting the most optimistic price targets to be hit in either direction, such as $30,000 to the upside or $10,000 to the downside. Bluntz has 211,000 followers and is widely regarded as one of the best crypto analysts to follow on Twitter. His pinned tweet is one of the most famous Bitcoin price predictions among traders – his prediction of the 2018 bottom. Six months in advance, he predicted the bear market bottom would be ‘$3.2k with a $200 leeway either side’, and in December of that year Bitcoin bottomed out at $3,156. Bitcoin Alternatives One option for investors not wanting to sit on their hands for another 12 – 18 months for the current sideways range to resolve to the upside, is to invest in a new token presale. We recently reviewed IMPT token, which is currently on the first stage of its presale and has raised approximately $3 million. Visit IMPT.io

Trust In US Government’s Ability To Handle International Problems Rebounds: Gallup – The Hill https://collincountynewsonline.com/trust-in-us-governments-ability-to-handle-international-problems-rebounds-gallup-the-hill/ AP/Patrick Semansky Sun shines on the U.S. Capitol dome in Washington, Friday, Aug. 12, 2022. A divided Congress gave final approval Friday to Democrats’ flagship climate and health care bill. The House used a party-line 220-207 vote to pass the legislation. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) Trust in the U.S. government’s ability to handle international problems has bounced back from record lows last year, a new Gallup poll shows.  The poll found that 45 percent of U.S. adults have a “fair amount” or “great deal” of confidence to handle the matters of international importance, up from a record low of 39 percent last year.  The share of Americans who expressed a “great deal” of confidence climbed from 8 percent last year to 11 percent this year, and share of Americans who said they had no confidence at all fell from 25 percent last year to 20 percent this year.   The confidence rate is a surge back from last year, but still hasn’t caught back up to the 48 percent recorded in 2020.   Results have varied with just under or just over half of respondents reporting a fair amount or great deal of confidence in the last several years, but last year’s 39 percent is the lowest logged in similar surveys conducted since 1972.  By contrast, 40 percent of Americans said they had a great deal or fair amount of confidence in the government’s ability to handle domestic problems, a one-point improvement from last year. The poll notes that Americans’ confidence coincides with their party affiliation and the party of the people in power.  Democrats were more likely to express trust in the federal government’s issue-handling abilities as their party leader holds the White House, while Republican trust in the government fell off when President Biden was elected.   The Gallup poll was conducted Sept. 1-16 and surveyed 812 U.S. adults with a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.   Tags Biden federal government Gallup Poll trust in government

The National Institute For Innovation And Technology (NIIT) Announces New Director Of National Workforce Strategies – PR Newswire https://collincountynewsonline.com/the-national-institute-for-innovation-and-technology-niit-announces-new-director-of-national-workforce-strategies-pr-newswire/ The NIIT’s National Talent Pipeline Development Initiative to be led by one of the nation’s top experts in biomanufacturing workforce development and Registered Apprenticeship Programs , /PRNewswire/ — Today, the National Institute for Innovation and Technology (NIIT), the nation’s leader in the semiconductor talent pipeline development, announced that Dr. Pam Howze will lead its National Talent Pipeline Development Initiative (TPDI).  Under the initiative, Dr. Howze will be responsible for deploying the NIIT’s infrastructure and programs to support state and regional talent pipeline development. She will focus on programs that attract and provide career access to a wider segment of the population, including currently underrepresented and underserved populations as well as veterans and their families. “We are thrilled that Dr. Howze has agreed to join our team of national experts in the field of workforce development,” said Mike Russo, President and CEO of the NIIT. “Dr. Howze’s wealth of experience in talent pipeline development will be an asset to our mission of expanding education and training opportunities in critical sectors for the nation.” Dr. Howze spent much of her career leading efforts to expand apprenticeship and work-based learning at the local, state and national levels. Her extensive experience in apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship and youth apprenticeship programs includes developing a state tuition waiver program for community college youth that enter a registered apprenticeship while still in high school. She has taught in both the North Carolina and South Carolina community college systems for more than 20 years and is an assistant teaching professor at NC State University’s College of Education. Previously, Dr. Howze held roles at Red Hat, Siemens and Merck focused on workforce development. She began her career as a U.S. Army Officer and served for seven years on active duty and in the SC National Guard. “It is a pleasure to take on this new role at the National Institute for Innovation and Technology as we work with the public and private sectors to increase workforce preparedness in critical industries,” said Dr. Pam Howze. “I look forward to contributing to this goal and working alongside a passionate group of experts providing a real service to this country.” The TPDI is designed to support place-based economic development by creating regional “talent hubs” that integrate all aspects of training and education into what is a holistic approach to establish career pathways, improve access and increase opportunities in order to broaden the talent pipeline. The initiative leverages the NIIT’s National Talent Hub, the nation’s first integrated portal to support the expansion and development of the talent pipeline in tech-based job recruitment, as well as the NIIT’s innovative Registered Apprenticeship program, which is being scaled under an exclusive U.S. Department of Labor contract. About the NIIT The NIIT is a 501(c)(3) with a mission to identify roadblocks to innovation in strategic industry sectors – those important to the nation’s national security and global competitiveness – and ensure they are eliminated. Talent pipeline development is the major focus of the NIIT, and through comprehensive industry engagement, the NIIT is leading the development of a national strategy and infrastructure to broaden and build the talent pipeline for the semiconductor industry and strategic industry sectors in general. Through its National Talent Pipeline Development Initiative and the support of the federal government, the NIIT has developed a comprehensive, nationally integrated approach that includes the alignment of programs K-12 through higher education and adult and veteran training, infrastructure to attract a broader population and improve access and connections to career and needed training, and the ability to scale to support the nation. SOURCE National Institute for Innovation and Technology (NIIT)

The Best Gaming Controllers Of 2022 – How-To Geek https://collincountynewsonline.com/the-best-gaming-controllers-of-2022-how-to-geek/ 8BitDo Picking the Right Gaming Controller in 2022 Video game controllers have settled into the familiar design many gamers know and love. Sony laid the foundations for the current basic layout with the release of the Dual Analog (and later DualShock) controller for the original PlayStation in 1997. It was the first to incorporate dual analog sticks, a directional pad, triggers, bumpers, and four face buttons in a single design. Many improvements have been made since then, but the general layout has remained the same. This ensures broad cross-compatibility between console families, which is ideal for games that rely on dual analog sticks. Modern controllers now incorporate wireless play, motion controls, vibration or haptic feedback, rechargeable batteries, decent build quality, and improved ergonomics. More specialized controllers feature adjustable analog sticks, replaceable components, programmable buttons, additional inputs, and the ability to switch profiles depending on what you’re playing. Matching your choice of controller to your chosen platform is the most important consideration, especially if you’re buying from a third party. We’ve not yet reached the point of interoperability between platforms, but PC and mobile gamers have many more options in this regard. Though it’s often the case that the “best” available controller isn’t necessarily the one that came bundled with your console, first-party controllers are still good options and shouldn’t be discounted. They cost more than budget controllers from off-brand manufacturers, but the build quality and ergonomics are generally of a much higher standard. If you’re shopping for a primary controller you intend to use daily, it’s worth spending a bit more. A quality controller will look and feel better, last longer, and should mean that you’re not missing out on features like adaptive triggers or haptic feedback. If you’re buying a spare for occasional use with friends, a cheap controller isn’t a bad idea since it probably won’t get used that much. Best Controller Overall: Xbox Core Wireless Controller Hopix Art / Shutterstock.com Pros ✓ Ridiculously comfortable ✓ Textured plastic feels great in the hand ✓ Features a Share button ✓ Works with Xbox, Windows, macOS, iPhone and iPad, Android, and Linux Cons ✗ Doesn’t work with PlayStation or Nintendo Switch ✗ Clicky directional pad may not be to everyone’s liking ✗ No haptics Microsoft barely made any changes to the Xbox Core Wireless Controller when launching the Xbox Series consoles in 2020, and for good reason. The controller that comes with every new Series X and Series S console might just be the most comfortable controller you’ve ever laid your hands on, and it’s compatible with a wide range of systems. The latest iteration features a share button, USB-C connection, 3.5mm audio jack, and space for AA batteries or an optional rechargeable battery pack. It’s made from a hard-wearing, textured plastic that feels great in the hand, with a “clicky” directional pad that works surprisingly well (though it is a little noisy). Microsoft’s controller of choice still has some of the best battery life in the game, delivering up to 40 hours of play. The controller is perfect for Xbox Series and One consoles, Windows, macOS, iPhone and iPad, Android, and even Linux gaming. Buttons can even be remapped on Microsoft platforms using the Xbox Accessories app. It’s incredibly comfortable to use even over long play sessions, and if you run out of juice, you can connect and power it using a standard USB-C cable. For the best possible experience, grab an Xbox Play and Charge Kit too. Xbox Core Wireless Controller Xbox Core Wireless Controller – Carbon Black Probably the most comfortable controller on the planet, the Xbox Core Wireless Controller is compatible with Xbox, PC, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux (with the right software). It takes AA batteries or an optional rechargeable battery pack and connects using Bluetooth or USB-C cable. Best Xbox Controller: Microsoft Elite Series 2 Controller Pros ✓ Excellent build quality, feel, and functionality ✓ Adjustable thumbsticks and remappable buttons ✓ Replaceable components you can swap out ✓ Works with Xbox, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux Cons ✗ Expensive ✗ Due for an update (released in 2019) ✗ Lacks a dedicated Share button If you’ve got an Xbox One or Xbox Series console and you want the absolute best controller money can buy, take a look at the Elite Series 2 Controller from Microsoft. The Elite Series 2 was first released in 2019 during the Xbox One era but works perfectly well on the new Xbox Series console (though it lacks a dedicated Share button). Standout features include adjustable thumbstick tension, customizable buttons, programmable paddles on the rear, hair-trigger locks for a competitive edge, and a swanky carrying case. The controller can be charged wirelessly in its case or using the included USB-C cable (though you’ll need to supply a rechargeable battery). You can swap components to match your play style or replace them as they wear out. In the box, you’ll get the controller, a set of six thumbsticks, four paddles, and two different directional pads. You can use your Elite Series 2 controller anywhere an Xbox controller can be used, including on Windows, macOS, and mobile devices. If you’re looking for something customizable but want to spend a lot less, consider the 8BitDo Ultimate Wired Controller for Xbox. It features two extra back buttons, adjustable stick sensitivity, custom button mapping, and three profiles. Unlike the Core and Elite controllers, there’s no wireless functionality. Xbox Elite Series 2 Controller The ultimate Xbox controller features adjustable tension thumbsticks, additional rear paddles, customizable button mapping, replaceable components, and 40 hours of (rechargeable) battery life. Best PlayStation 5 Controller: SCUF Reflex Pro Pros ✓ A high-quality DualSense alternative ✓ Swappable thumbsticks and removable rear paddles ✓ Saves up to three profiles ✓ Works with PlayStation 5, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android Cons ✗ Expensive ✗ No adjustable thumbstick tension ✗ Availability can be an issue The SCUF Reflex Pro is a high-quality, third-party PlayStation 5 controller that includes everything you love about Sony’s first-party offering. That means it has the same adaptive triggers and haptics found in the DualSense while offering a few more “Pro” features for the discerning PS5 owner. The Reflex Pro includes up to four removable and programmable paddles on the back of the controller, replaceable thumbsticks of differing heights, a non-slip performance grip, and the ability to remember three different profiles. Just like the DualSense, it features a built-in rechargeable battery and includes a USB-C cable for charging in the box. You can use it with PlayStation 5, Windows, macOS, iPhone and iPad, and Android devices. You can even customize your Reflex Pro using SCUF’s design tool, which lets you change the controller, trim, thumbstick, bumpers, triggers, directional pad, face buttons, and rear panel to your liking. Best Switch Controller: Nintendo Switch Pro Controller Pros ✓ Great build quality and ergonomics ✓ USB-C charging and 40 hours of battery life ✓ Supports HD rumble, gyroscopic aiming, and Amiibo functionality ✓ Works with Nintendo Switch, Windows, and macOS devices Cons ✗ Lacks programmable buttons and fancy features ✗ No iOS support (yet) Nintendo’s hybrid console can be played in handheld mode or while docked. If you’re thinking of hooking your console up to a TV for high-resolution play (perhaps using a portable dock), you can’t beat the official Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. Not only is it one of the most comfortable controllers on the market, but it also includes Switch features like gyroscopic aiming, HD rumble, and support for Nintendo’s Amiibo collectibles. Full-sized analog sticks provide a greater range of movement than those on the Joy-Con, plus you get a proper directional pad, Home and Capture buttons, and larger triggers, bumpers, and face buttons. The controller charges over USB-C and features up to 40 hours of playtime on a single charge. There’s even a USB-A to USB-C cable included in the box, perfect for plugging into the external USB-A port on the Switch dock. There are no fancy features here which means no adjustable sticks, programmable buttons, or paddles on the back, but it is a comfortable and capable controller. Looking for something to replace your Joy-Con controllers in handheld mode? Try the Hori Split Pad Pro. These larger Switch controllers are suitable for those with larger hands, for longer play sessions, or for anyone who finds Nintendo’s official controllers a bit too cramped. They lack features like rumble and gyro controls, but the larger analog sticks and programmable rear buttons make them a better choice for many games. Best Budget Controller: 8BitDo Pro 2 Wired Pros ✓ Compatible with Switch, PC, Mac, Android, and Linux ✓ Adjustable triggers, customizable mapping, rear paddles, and switchable profiles ✓ Modern grips and analog sticks for comfort ✓ Premium feel at a more affordable price point Cons ✗ Not the cheapest controller ✗ Wired A good budget controller can be hard to come by, and what you pick depends entirely on which system you will use it with. We chose the 8BitDo Pro 2 Wired controller as it’s fairly system-agnostic. It’s a good pick for gamers looking for a wired controller for use on their PC, Mac, Android smartphone, Raspberry Pi, or Linux setups. The Pro 2 Wired takes its cues from Nintendo’s SNES controller, except with the benefit of ergonomic grips that make the controller more comfortable. Switch owners will be delighted to see a real directional pa...

Paris District Road Report For Oct. 10, 2022 – MyParisTexas.com https://collincountynewsonline.com/paris-district-road-report-for-oct-10-2022-myparistexas-com/ Here’s a look at work planned in the district for the week starting Oct. 10, 2022. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Motorists are advised to remain alert and pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems. Paris Area (Delta, Lamar, Red River Counties) Contacts: Paris Area Office (903) 784-1357; Delta Co. Maintenance (903) 395-2139; Lamar Co. Maintenance (903) 785-4468; Red River Co. Maintenance (903) 427-3561. SH 37, Red River County: from US 82 to Texas-Oklahoma state line. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews resurface the roadway. US 271, Red River County: from SH 37 to Titus County Line. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews resurface the roadway. FM 906, Lamar County: from FM 2648 to CR 47400. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures. FM 38, Lamar County: from US 82 to US 82. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews improve drainage structures and upgrade bridge rail and metal-beam guard fence. FM 195, Red River County: from the Lamar County line to SH 37. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews improve drainage structures and replace bridge rail. FM 1487, Red River County: from FM 909 to FM 910. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews widen and rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures. Loop 286, Lamar County: from FM 1497 around the North Loop to FM 1507. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews improve guardrail and drainage structures, perform bridge maintenance, and make crossover closures. Loop 286, Lamar County: At Collegiate Drive intersection and the westbound FM 195 exit ramp. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews improve guardrail and drainage structures, perform bridge maintenance, and make crossover closures. FM 64, Delta County: from FM 128 to SH 1532. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures. FM 2675, Delta County: from Lamar County line to FM 128. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures. CR 3440, Delta County: at Jennings Creek. Watch for road closure while crews replace the existing bridge. CR 15100, Lamar County: at a Branch of Cuthand Creek. Be aware that the road is closed while crews replace the existing bridge. Sherman Area (Fannin, Grayson Counties) Contacts: Sherman Area Office (903) 892-6529; Grayson Co. Maintenance (903) 893-8831; Fannin Co. Maintenance (903) 583-7566. SH 56 (Lamar St.) at the Post Oak Creek bridge is closed to traffic for contractors to perform bridge repairs. The closure is scheduled to last for nine days. During this closure, traffic is signed to detour onto Woods Street and then take Pecan Street back to the US 75 frontage road. After the initial closure, the remaining work will be completed using lane closures. US 75, Grayson County: from FM 1417 to SH 91 (Texoma Parkway). Watch for shoulder closures and lane shifts on the northbound and southbound US 75 main lanes between SH 91 and FM 1417 as crews work on building new main lanes, bridges, and retaining walls. Watch for lane closures on the frontage roads between FM 1417 and SH 91. A reduced speed limit of 60 mph on the US 75 mainlanes has been set for this construction project. The southbound lanes for SH 91 are closed at the US 75 underpass for crews to begin construction on the new overpass. Motorists traveling southbound on SH 91 will be detoured along the northbound US 75 frontage road to Taylor Street where they will make a left on Taylor Street and another left on the southbound frontage road. This closure is expected to last until Oct. 25, weather permitting. The northbound and southbound US 75 frontage road intersections with Center Street have been converted to an all-way stop condition. Traffic on the frontage roads is asked to pay attention to the advanced warning signs and new stop signs, and approach the intersection prepared for a stop there. Lamar Street and Houston Street under US 75 are closed to through traffic with detour signs in place to guide motorists around these intersections. Eastbound Lamar Street traffic will turn right on the southbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on Center Street, and turn left on the northbound US 75 frontage road to return to eastbound Lamar Street. Video animation of this detour can be seen at the following link. https://youtu.be/5LrCpdOA8OQ Westbound Houston Street traffic will turn right on the northbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on Washington Street, and turn left on the southbound US 75 frontage road to return to westbound Houston Street. Video animation of this detour can be seen at the following link. https://youtu.be/7jCatnI3Oq4 These switches will allow crews to reconstruct the proposed US 75 mainlanes and the bridge over Lamar and Houston Streets. The US 75 northbound frontage road traffic is reduced to one travel lane, but two travel lanes remain for northbound US 75 mainlane traffic. A concrete barrier separates the northbound frontage road and mainlane traffic. Video animation of this alignment can be seen at the following link. https://youtu.be/y_uO0UmpCzk For southbound US 75 the frontage road traffic is reduced to one travel lane, but two travel lanes remain for southbound US 75 mainlane traffic. A concrete barrier separates the southbound frontage road and mainlane traffic. Video animation of this alignment can be seen at the following link. https://youtu.be/k2EG2W9rFJY US 75, Grayson County: at the US 82 intersection. Watch for shoulder closures on the northbound and southbound US 75 main lanes between South Loy Lake Road and Lamberth Street as crews work on building new exit and entrance ramps. Watch for shoulder closures and lanes shifts on the eastbound and westbound US 82 main lanes between FM 131 and Loy Lake Road while crews work on building new exit and entrance ramps. Watch for lane closures and lane shifts for the frontage roads at the US 75 and US 82 intersection as crews work on construction of new frontage road lanes. FM 1417, Grayson County: from US 82 to SH 56. Watch for lane shifts and shoulder closures between US 82 and SH 56 while crews construct the new roadway pavement. The ultimate roadway will be a four-lane divided section with turn lanes. A reduced speed limit of 45 mph has been set for this construction project. The West Cypress Grove Road intersection on the east side of FM 1417 will be closed to through traffic to work on paving at the intersection beginning Oct. 13. During the closure, traffic wishing to use Cypress Grove Road is asked to use Mimosa Drive and Redbud Trail as a detour route. South Travis Street, Grayson County: in Sherman at Post Oak Creek. Construction is underway for the South Travis Street bridge over Post Oak Creek. During construction, the bridge will be reduced to one lane with traffic signals controlling traffic through the project, while the new bridge is built in phases. Business US 377B, Grayson County: in Whitesboro from Randy Street to Walnut Street. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to construct sidewalks and curb ramps. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone. Business US 377B, Grayson County: south of Whitesboro at the railroad underpass near US 377. Watch for lane closures with signals controlling traffic while crews work to upgrade the bridge railing. SH 5, Grayson County: in Van Alstyne along Newport Drive from Partin Elementary School to SH 5, and along SH 5 from Newport Drive to Forrest Moore Park. Construction on a new multi-use trail is underway. The project will install a minimum eight-foot-wide sidewalk trail along this stretch of roadway. Occasional lane closures will be required to complete the work while this project is underway. FM 121, Grayson County: from Jim Jones Road to FM 3356. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews work to complete the remaining work on the project. US 75 full depth concrete repair, Grayson County: Crews will be working on US 75 each week from Sunday night through Friday morning during the overnight period. Lane closures will be present at night for crews to replace failed concrete sections. Lane closures will begin at 7:30 p.m. each night and should be reopened to traffic by 6 a.m. This work will extend from the Collin-Grayson County line to the Oklahoma State line. FM 1753, Grayson County: from FM 120 to FM 1897. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and overlay the roadway. FS 121 (Grayson Parkway), Grayson County: from the Collin County line to FM 121.  Construction is ongoing on this new-location roadway which is west of SH 289 approximately four miles. The new roadway will be two lanes with shoulders and will be an extension of the frontage road of the Dallas North Tollway. Local traffic on CR 60 (Marilee Road) and Stiff Chapel Road should expect occasional road work at those intersections, with flaggers present to control traffic. Work on FM 121 at the FS 121 intersection (formerly Scharff Road intersection) is ongoing as crews work to widen the pavement to add turn lanes. Motorists on FM 121 should expect daytime lane closures while crews widen the pavement and install a culvert. US 377, Grayson County: Willis Bridge at the Oklahoma State line. Watch for occasional lane closures on the existing bridge as workers pour ...

Here’s An Essential Guide To The Historic City Of Dubrovnik – TheTravel https://collincountynewsonline.com/heres-an-essential-guide-to-the-historic-city-of-dubrovnik-thetravel/ The ancient city of Dubrovnik, on the Adriatic Sea in southeastern Croatia, is known for its dramatically walled old town, its red terra cotta roof tiles, and its emerald green ocean waters. For these and other reasons, it’s often called the pearl of the Adriatic. The city, which was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, draws about 1.4 million visitors each year and is home to some 42,000 residents. Founded in the 7th century, the peaceful vacation destination that visitors see today has had its share of hard times, most recently when it endured a months-long siege during the Serbian/Yugoslav war of 1991-92. Dubrovnik was badly damaged, and most of its iconic roof tiles were destroyed. A major restoration after the war restored the city to its former glory. Most of its historic buildings were constructed in the Middle Ages, and it is these landmarks that most tourists are keen to explore. Ancient Buildings Define Dubrovnik’s Old Town The Pile Gate is the traditional entrance into Old town of Dubrovnik, which can be easily explored on a walking tour. The gate was built in the 15th century and features a statue of St Blaise, Dubrovnik’s patron saint. The Stradun, or main road, runs from Pile Gate to Ploce Gate, at the other end of the city. Its paving stones were laid in 1468, and today the road is lined with outdoor cafes and restaurants. Other top attractions in Old town include: Onofrio’s Fountain built in 1438 by Onofrio della Cava, an Italian architect. The Franciscan Monastery built in the early 1300s and is said to be one of the oldest apothecaries in Europe. The Church of St Blaise is a Baroque-style building constructed in the early 1700s. It has a silver statue of the city’s patron saint on its altar. The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary was originally built in the 12th century but rebuilt in 1673 after an earthquake. Another quake in 1979 revealed the remains of an older Romanesque cathedral underneath, and further excavations uncovered an even older church dating from the 6th century. Walk Dubrovnik’s City Walls For Fantastic Views Most of Dubrovnik’s old town is surrounded by defensive walls that measure over 6,300 feet and, in some places, are as high as 83 feet. The Old town has been enclosed since the 13th century. Two hundred years later, 15 towers were added to the walls, and some can be seen today. The walls have four entry gates into the Old town, Pile Gate, Ploce Gate, Peskarija Gate, and Ponta Gate. The city charges a fee to those who want to walk the walls about $30 per person. Plan on about two hours to walk all the way around. Several cafes are situated on the route, offering beverages and snacks. Also, the city provides restrooms along the way. Several local companies offer guided tours of the walls. Dubrovnik Has A ‘Game Of Thrones’ Connection Sections of Dubrovnik are prominently featured in the wildly popular HBO series “Game of Thrones.” For example, the riot scene in the television series was filmed at Pile Gate, many scenes of the Red Keep were filmed inside the city’s Fort Lovrijenac, and scenes of the Purple Wedding were shot in the city’s Gradac park. Also, one of the series’ most famous scenes, when Cersei walks naked in the streets of Kings Landing, was filmed on the Spanish steps at Saint Ignatius Church. Some of the local guide companies have created walking tours that specifically follow the scenes in “Game of Thrones.” Beaches Near Old Town Offer Swimming, Water Sports Several beaches are within walking distance from Old town, and some of them offer water sports such as kayaks and waterski rentals. In fact, sea kayaking is a particularly popular activity in Dubrovnik, and guided tours offer excursions to secluded beaches only reachable by water. One beach location close to Old town and said to be good for families is Banje. Chairs and umbrellas can be rented, it’s a calm water pebble and sand beach, and has a nice view of Old town. Another beach that caters to families is Copacabana, which has shallow water and a small water park for youngsters. Sulic Beach is located in a scenic cove with cliffs on both sides. A nudist beach is located on nearby Lokrum Island. It’s accessible only by boat from the old harbor. Boats run throughout the day. Most Hotel Accommodations Are Outside Old Town Most of Dubrovnik’s resorts and boutique hotels are located outside the historic walled city, and many are built into the cliffsides to the east and west of the city, offering great views of the city walls and Dubrovnik’s beaches. Hotels in the area typically include breakfast in their rates. Well-regarded options include these: Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik, with nightly rates of about $330, is an 1890s building with a restaurant, an indoor pool, and a spa. Hotel Dubrovnik Palace offers rates of about $165 and has views of the Adriatic Sea. Rixos Premium Dubrovnik is a beachfront property with nightly rates of about $172. Hotel Excelsior, where rates are around $227, offers two restaurants and a piano bar, and a spa and fitness center. Royal Blue Hotel has balcony rooms and is beachfront, with rates from about $160. Heritage Villa Nobile is located just 800 feet from a beach and has rates of about $220.

How Business Journeys From SAP Smooth The Path To Sustainable Business – SAP News Center https://collincountynewsonline.com/how-business-journeys-from-sap-smooth-the-path-to-sustainable-business-sap-news-center/ How Business Journeys from SAP Smooth the Path to Sustainable Business  SAP News Center

Healthy Living: 5 Effective Ways To Boost Your Cardiovascular Health – News18 https://collincountynewsonline.com/healthy-living-5-effective-ways-to-boost-your-cardiovascular-health-news18/ Last Updated: October 10, 2022, 18:09 IST New Delhi, India You can choose between moderate and vigorous physical exercise depending on your practice and daily routine. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per week help to improve heart health. Healthy habits are important for your physical well-being, especially for heart health. Cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading causes of death across the globe. Our daily lifestyle often impacts the heart and many unhealthy habits are said to be the underlying factors behind cardiovascular diseases. A poor diet, inadequate sleep, lack of exercise and consumption of tobacco as well as alcohol are some of the habits which could lead to heart ailments. The good news is there are many easy ways to improve your heart health and you just need to make certain lifestyle changes. Despite the fact that the risk of getting affected by heart ailments increases with age, a few simple steps daily can improve your heart health. Here are 5 effective tips that will help you minimise the risk of developing any cardiovascular disease. Consume plenty of fruits and vegetables Fruits and vegetables are high in nutrients and low in calories, which can help you maintain a healthy weight and prevent inflammation. Vegetables and fruits are rich in vitamins and low in fat, which helps to keep heart diseases at bay. Exercise regularly You can choose between moderate and vigorous physical exercise depending on your practice and daily routine. If you are a beginner it’s advisable to start slow and go for moderate exercises instead of an intense workout. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per week or 75 minutes of strenuous activity per week can help to improve your heart health. Include Almonds and Walnuts in Your Diet Almonds and Walnuts are known for numerous amazing health benefits. Almonds control blood sugar and blood pressure levels as well as reduce cholesterol. Walnuts are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids which help in improving artery health and reduce inflammation related to heart disease. Cut down on alcohol and tobacco products Health experts advise reducing the consumption of alcohol and tobacco products for a healthy heart. Too much intake of alcohol can result in irregular heart rhythms, high blood pressure, heart muscle damage, and other fatal consequences like stroke. Choose healthy cooking methods Baking, grilling, steaming, boiling, or poaching are some of the cooking methods which help to preserve the natural ingredients in vegetables. For a healthy heart avoid using butter and ghee and instead go for low-fat oils. Reducing the use of salt, sugar and spices while preparing food items could also help to improve your heart health. Read all the Latest Lifestyle News and Breaking News here

Cumulus Media Launches 810 THE SPREAD, The Bay Area’s First – GlobeNewswire https://collincountynewsonline.com/cumulus-media-launches-810-the-spread-the-bay-areas-first-globenewswire/ October 10, 2022 09:00 ET | Source: Cumulus Media Inc. SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cumulus Media (NASDAQ: CMLS) announces that it has launched the Bay Area’s first Sports radio station focused on sports betting, 810 THE SPREAD. The new station brings sports and sports betting news, information, and insights to the burgeoning and underserved sports betting audience in San Francisco. 810 THE SPREAD will deliver behind-the-book perspectives from experts in a highly entertaining and engaging format. 810 THE SPREAD goes live today on the legendary 810am frequency that has been the 80-year home of historic Talk Radio KGO-AM. Cumulus San Francisco also launched the station’s new website at www.810thespread.com. Kevin Graham, Program Director of Cumulus’ sister sports stations KNBR 680AM/104.5FM and 1050 KTCT, adds Program Director duties for 810 THE SPREAD.  Larry Blumhagen, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus San Francisco, said: “810 THE SPREAD joins our sports brands KNBR 680AM/104.5FM and 1050 KTCT for a trifecta of dynamic sports content across four signals and streaming everywhere. We are excited about this new chapter and look forward to serving the Bay Area’s passionate sports fans in an incomparable way.”   Blumhagen added: “This is a bittersweet day for us, as it’s hard to say goodbye to the legendary KGO, which has been a part of listeners’ lives for so many years. We want to thank all the people who have been a part of KGO’s historic run these many years – and the listeners who loyally tuned in to the station. Times change, and we must change with them.”   Kevin Graham, Program Director, 810 THE SPREAD, said: “810 THE SPREAD will be the Bay Area’s best bet for sports fans and sports betting enthusiasts, and we are pleased to introduce sports-betting radio to our community. The station will feature a lineup of expert personalities that deliver unique sports talk and sports betting insights that entertain, inform, and engage, along with Cal Football and Basketball as well as select professional and college sports play-by-play events. While 810 THE SPREAD will feature specific gambling information, we believe our entertaining presentation will make it a favorite for all Bay area sports fans and a perfect complement to the legendary KNBR and KTCT. With its addition, it truly shows Cumulus’ commitment to the Bay area as ‘The Sports Leader’!”      The weekday programming lineup for 810 THE SPREAD includes:     6am-9am – Bet QL Daily – The must-consume show for sports fans and betting fans alike. Hosted by Joe Ostrowski, Joe Giglio, and Erin Hawksworth.       9am-12pm – Jim Rome - Aggressive, informed sports opinions, rapid-fire dialogue, and plenty of sports smack. As one of the most prolific sports talk hosts in America, Rome draws massive tune-in with legions of fans known as clones, who live for Rome’s take on the day’s largest issues in sports.     12pm-4pm – You Better You Bet – Nick Kostos and Ken Barkley have you covered for the best bets on the biggest matchups, the latest line movement and updates in the futures market. We’ll have up-to-the-minute coverage of backdoor covers and bad beats, and the cheers and tears that come with them. It’s sports betting conversation like you’ve never heard before.  4pm-8pm – Bet MGM Tonight – Live sports betting updates for all the night’s games as they happen – plus live “look-ins” for Major League Baseball games in progress. Get the latest scores, sides, totals, props, parlays, futures, and much more with hosts Quinton Mayo, Trysta Krick, and Ryan Horvat.     8pm-12 Midnight – CBS Sports Radio     BetQL Network programming is provided by Cumulus Media’s Westwood One through a partnership with Audacy.    For more information or to stream 810 THE SPREAD, visit: http://www.810thespread.com.   About Cumulus Media Cumulus Media (NASDAQ: CMLS) is an audio-first media company delivering premium content to over a quarter billion people every month — wherever and whenever they want it. Cumulus Media engages listeners with high-quality local programming through 405 owned-and-operated radio stations across 86 markets; delivers nationally-syndicated sports, news, talk, and entertainment programming from iconic brands including the NFL, the NCAA, the Masters, CNN, the AP, the Academy of Country Music Awards, and many other world-class partners across more than 9,500 affiliated stations through Westwood One, the largest audio network in America; and inspires listeners through the Cumulus Podcast Network, its rapidly growing network of original podcasts that are smart, entertaining and thought-provoking. Cumulus Media provides advertisers with personal connections, local impact and national reach through broadcast and on-demand digital, mobile, social, and voice-activated platforms, as well as integrated digital marketing services, powerful influencers, full-service audio solutions, industry-leading research and insights, and live event experiences. Cumulus Media is the only audio media company to provide marketers with local and national advertising performance guarantees. For more information, visit www.cumulusmedia.com.  Contact: Lisa Dollinger, Dollinger Strategic Communication for Cumulus Media, 512.633.4084, lisa@dollcomm.com.

Hyperreal CEO Remington Scott Is Giving The Metaverse A Soul – TheWrap https://collincountynewsonline.com/hyperreal-ceo-remington-scott-is-giving-the-metaverse-a-soul-thewrap/ The true innovation of Remington Scott’s company, Hyperreal, is not just that he’s created strikingly lifelike digital versions of stars who are living or dead (or completely fictional). It’s that he’s putting those creations into the hands of the talent themselves, empowering them to drive the innovation. Hyperreal, which is known for its “Hypermodel” digital humans, has in two years created a near-perfect double of pop star Madison Beer (for a performance that won a Webby for Tech Achievement); made Paul McCartney resemble a Beatles-era version of himself; designed a virtual model of the late rapper The Notorious B.I.G.; and, with entertainment mogul Simon Fuller and Verizon, invented an AI-driven alien pop princess named Alta B who appeared with the boy band Now United in their “Jump” video. (With 60 million views, “Jump” is the most-watched video featuring a virtual being.) Signaling confidence in Hyperreal’s continued growth, the Korean giant CJ ENM took a minority stake in Hyperreal in April.  The fact that the digital versions of real, flesh-and-blood humans are owned by their real, flesh-and-blood human selves (or their estate) means that they can one day bring those models into other virtual spaces in the metaverse — a critical component to Web3 and the metaverse.  Commenting on his strategy for sustaining his company’s growth, Scott emphasized the very thing that makes the Hypermodels so lifelike: human individuality. “There’s playbooks, and a lot of people write about how to do business or write about how to make things,” Scott told TheWrap. “It’s great to listen to those things. But none of them replace what makes you unique and how you are driving forward your vision. You have to embrace that and move forward with that.” Scott, a veteran of computer graphic design in the video game world who supervised the motion-capture work of Gollum on “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers,” declined to share details about Hyperreal’s future work with other A-list stars. But he said the company has expanded to working with corporate clients to develop branded characters and mascots. Hyperreal is also looking to open its services to regular folks.  It’s all in the service embracing the digital future. “In 2022, we’ve seen art and technology and business colliding and offering new opportunities for value and new opportunities for expression. And these may be like fits and starts,” Scott said. “Sometimes they work well and sometimes they don’t. Sometimes you might see something that gets a lot of excitement, but then it kind of burns out. But they’re all going to be helping to build a foundation for how we’re moving forward in the technology space.” Innovators List 2022: Read about all 12 of Hollywood and the media world’s most exciting disrupters

Every James Bond Movie Ranked By Critics, According To Rotten Tomatoes – Insider https://collincountynewsonline.com/every-james-bond-movie-ranked-by-critics-according-to-rotten-tomatoes-insider/ Sean Connery as James Bond. Bettmann / Contributor via Getty Images The James Bond franchise turned 60 years old on October 5. To celebrate, every Bond movie was made available to stream on Amazon Prime. From Sean Connery to Daniel Craig, see how your favorite 007 stacks up. The lowest-rated Bond movie is 1967’s “Casino Royale,” starring David Niven as the titular spy. “Casino Royale.” Columbia Pictures Rotten Tomatoes score: 26% This version of “Casino Royale” is a parody of spy films, rather than a straightforward Bond caper. It’s also one of two films about James Bond that wasn’t produced by Eon Productions. “Casino Royale” also starred Peter Seller, Ursula Andress, Joanna Pettet, Daliah Lavi, Barbara Bouchet, and Terence Coop in double roles — all of them play different versions of Bond. Woody Allen also appeared as Bond’s nephew, Jimmy. “Unfortunately, after the introductory sequences, ‘Casino Royale’ begins a downhill slide. It gets progressively sillier and more incoherent until it’s impossible to keep any of the plot elements straight. Worse, with only occasional exceptions, the humor ceases to be funny, and the whole production degenerates into absurdity,” wrote James Berardinelli of ReelViews. Roger Moore’s final outing as 007 was also his worst, according to critics. “A View to Kill,” released in 1985, was his seventh appearance as Bond. “A View to Kill.” Keith Hamshere/Getty Images Rotten Tomatoes score: 37% “A View to Kill” sees Bond travel to San Francisco to save Silicon Valley from a rogue KGB agent played by Christopher Walken. His bodyguard and lover, May Day, was notably played by Grace Jones. The classic “Bond girl” was played by Tanya Roberts, of future “That ’70s Show” fame. “It’s not double-oh-seven anymore, but double-oh-seventy, the best argument yet for the mandatory retirement age,” wrote The Washington Post’s Paul Attanasio. Moore’s second out, 1974’s “The Man with the Golden Gun,” didn’t fare much better. “The Man With The Golden Gun.” Sunset Boulevard/Corbis/Getty Images Rotten Tomatoes score: 40% “The Man with the Golden Gun” starred Moore as Bond, and legendary actor Christopher Lee as the titular man with the golden gun, Francisco Scaramanga. Meanwhile, Bond’s love interest Mary Goodnight was played by Britt Ekland. Bond and Scaramanga engage in a game of cat-and-mouse for much of the movie, as no one knows what Scaramanga looks like, outside of the fact that he has a third nipple. “If you enjoyed the early Bond films as much as I did, you’d better skip this one,” wrote Nora Sayre of The New York Times. Rotten Tomatoes called Moore’s sixth Bond outing, 1983’s “Octopussy,” “formulaic.” “Octopussy.” Bryn Colton/Getty Images Rotten Tomatoes score: 42% Let’s get it out of the way: Yes, this movie is really called “Octopussy.” Its titular character, a successful businesswoman and jewel smugger, was played by Maud Adams. Bond and Octopussy have personal business: Years earlier, Bond arrested her father for treason. The two form an uneasy alliance to defeat an exiled Afghan prince, Kamal Khan, played by Louis Jourdan. “It’s an easy film to hate (and often paints a big target on its back encouraging you to do so), but it works perfectly as a piece of entertainment, where the good ultimately outweighs the bad,” wrote Jake Tropila of Film Inquiry. The worst Bond film starring Pierce Brosnan is 1999’s “The World Is Not Enough,” Brosnan’s third. “The World Is Not Enough.” Keith Hamshere/Getty Images Rotten Tomatoes score: 51% In “The World Is Never Enough,” Brosnan’s Bond shares the screen with an American nuclear physicist named (somehow) Dr. Christmas Jones. Equally improbably, she’s played by Denise Richards. His other female co-star is Elektra King, an oil heiress played by Sophie Marceau. The classic Bond villain, Renard, an ex-KBG agent who became a terrorist, was played by Rober Carlyle. “What do the James Bond series, the Chicago Cubs, and Master P’s No Limit empire have in common? All owe their considerable commercial success more to loyalty, marketing, and tradition than to quality,” wrote Nathan Rabin for the AV Club. Brosnan suited up for his second Bond film in 1997 with “Tomorrow Never Dies.” “Tomorrow Never Dies.” Keith Hamshere/Getty Images Rotten Tomatoes score: 56% “Tomorrow Never Dies” introduced international audiences to Michelle Yeoh, and for that alone it remains an important cultural moment. The film follows Bond as he attempts to stop power-hungry media tycoon Elliot Carver, played by Jonathan Pryce, from engineering events to bring upon World War III. “In the latest James Bond, our hero saves the world from brand-name unawareness. ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’ is a dramatized trade show; imagine Comdex or the Geneva Automobile Salon with a plot,” wrote the Wall Street Journal’s Joe Morgenstern. Brosnan’s fourth and final appearance as Bond, 2002’s “Die Another Day,” saw him get overshadowed by Halle Berry. “Die Another Day.” MGM Distribution Co. Rotten Tomatoes score: 56% “Die Another Day” plays as a classic early 2000s film: heavy on the CGI and the product placement. But it’s notable for its casting of Berry as Jinx Johnson, an NSA agent, whose entrance in an orange bikini remains iconic 20 years later. “Die Another Day” was also the first Bond movie in 39 years to not feature Desmond Llewelyn as the head of the British Secret Service’s fictional research and development division — in other words, he provided Bond with all of his nifty gadgets. Llewelyn died in 1999, just a few weeks after the premiere of “The World is Not Enough.” He was replaced as Q by John Cleese for “Die Another Day,” which would end up being Cleese’s only appearance as the character. “In a year when ‘Austin Powers’ has scoffed at 007 as a joke and ‘xXx’ has scoffed at him as an anachronism, ‘Die Another Day’ is a fluffed opportunity to assert that nobody does it better,” wrote Nicholas Barber for the Independent. “Moonraker,” released in 1979, will always be remembered as the film where Bond goes to space. “Moonraker.” Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Rotten Tomatoes score: 59% It took four movies for Moore’s Bond to blast off into space, which he does by the end “Moonraker.” He faces off against an all-time Bond villain, Hugo Drax (Michael Lonsdale), who somehow wants to kill the entire population of Earth with nerve gas, and use his own space station as Noah’s Ark to repopulate the planet with a “master race.” “The space-age plot is spread dangerously thin, the fights all tend to slapstick, and the wanton destruction has become rather too predictable. But it’s held together by likable performances,” wrote Chris Auty for Time Out. Sean Connery returned to the role of Bond after skipping “Her Majesty’s Secret Service” for the 1971 installment, “Diamonds Are Forever.” “Diamonds Are Forever.” Anwar Hussein/Getty Images Rotten Tomatoes score: 63% After starring in five Bond films, Connery left the role and let someone else take a (relatively successful) crack at the character. But he returned for Bond...

Ethereum Sees Biggest Network Growth Day In 2022 – Number Of Addresses Hits All-Time High – Cryptonews https://collincountynewsonline.com/ethereum-sees-biggest-network-growth-day-in-2022-number-of-addresses-hits-all-time-high-cryptonews/ Source: Unsplash The Ethereum network has seen its biggest one-day growth so far in 2022, with the total number of wallet addresses on the network hitting a fresh all-time high over the weekend. The growth indicates that the real-world utility of the network is rising. Per data from the crypto analytics firm Santiment, a surge in new addresses created on Ethereum was seen on Saturday, when as many as 135,780 brand new wallet addresses popped up on the network. The firm noted in a tweet published this weekend that the increase was 11.1% larger than what was seen on January 3, which marked the second biggest day for network growth this year. As explained by Santiment, the network growth means that the utility of the network is rising, which it said “commonly foreshadow potential asset breakouts.” The unusually strong network growth was also pointed out by others on Twitter, with one Twitter user predicting that “big moves” are coming: The large growth seen over the weekend also meant that the cumulative number of wallet addresses on Ethereum reached a new all-time high. As of Sunday, a total of 207.4m unique addresses existed on the network, data from Etherscan showed. Source: Etherscan Growth in Ethereum’s utility – and ultimately the ETH price – is something the Ethereum community has wished for following the highly anticipated transition to proof-of-stake (PoS) on September 15, known as the Merge. Among other things, the Merge is expected to bring huge improvements in terms of energy efficiency, with the Ethereum Foundation famously pointing to a potential reduction in the network’s energy use of 99.95%. As previously reported by Cryptonews.com, it is widely believed that this could also lead to large capital inflows from ESG-conscious investors. So far, however, the price has not reacted in the way the community had wished for, with ETH still trading almost 17% lower than it did at the time of the Merge. As of 11:10 UTC on Monday, ETH traded at $1,311. The price is down 0.9% for the past 24 hours, but up 1.1% for the past 7 days.

US STOCKS-Futures Slip On Escalating Ukraine War, Dip In Chip Stocks – Yahoo Finance https://collincountynewsonline.com/us-stocks-futures-slip-on-escalating-ukraine-war-dip-in-chip-stocks-yahoo-finance/ (For a Reuters live blog on U.S., UK and European stock markets, click or type LIVE/ in a news window.) * Futures: Dow -0.18%, S&P -0.31%, Nasdaq -0.45% By Ankika Biswas Oct 10 (Reuters) – U.S. stock index futures slipped on Monday, as an intensifying war in Ukraine and U.S. curbs on chip technology exports to China hit investors’ appetite for risk assets ahead of the upcoming earnings season. Major U.S. banks are set to kick off the earnings season this week, in what is expected to be a roller-coaster quarter for companies, which have been dealing with inflationary pressures, rising interest rates and geopolitical uncertainties. Russia struck Ukrainian cities during rush hour on Monday morning, killing civilians and destroying infrastructure after President Vladimir Putin declared an explosion on the bridge to Crimea as a terrorist attack. The Biden administration’s move to hobble China’s chip industry with sweeping new export rules hit shares of Intel Corp , Nvidia Corp, Qualcomm Inc, Micron Technology Inc and Advanced Micro Devices, all of which fell between 0.2% and 1.2%. As analysts increasingly price in a downturn next year, earnings for S&P 500 companies for the third quarter have now been estimated to rise 4.1%, down from an increase of 11.1% at the beginning of July, according to Refinitiv data. At 6:47 a.m. ET, Dow e-minis were down 54 points, or 0.18%, S&P 500 e-minis were down 11.25 points, or 0.31%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 50 points, or 0.45%. The U.S. bond market was shut on Monday on account of Columbus Day, which could lead to thin trading volumes. Wall Street fell sharply on Friday following a solid jobs report for September that increased the likelihood of the U.S. Federal Reserve sticking to its aggressive interest rate hiking campaign and likely pushing the U.S. economy into a recession. Money markets are pricing in an 89% chance of another 75 basis-point hike at the Fed’s November meeting. As economic data continues to point to price pressures, investors will keep a close watch on comments from Fed’s Chicago President Charles Evans and Vice Chair Lael Brainard. With yields on the 10-year Treasury note rising to a near two-week high, rate-sensitive technology and other growth names such as Alphabet Inc, Apple Inc and Meta Platforms Inc were in the red. Tesla Inc dipped in premarket trading after RBC Capital Markets expressed concerns on overall demand, while cutting its price target and flagging potential risk to fourth-quarter deliveries in the United States. (Reporting by Ankika Biswas; Editing by Anil D’Silva)