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HONEYWELL REVOLUTIONIZES ETHANOL-TO-JET FUEL TECHNOLOGY TO MEET RISING DEMAND FOR SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL – PR Newswire https://collincountynewsonline.com/honeywell-revolutionizes-ethanol-to-jet-fuel-technology-to-meet-rising-demand-for-sustainable-aviation-fuel-pr-newswire/ Honeywell’s new solution represents critical development in global drive to meet 2030 sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) mandates Provides a cost-effective path for producing lower greenhouse gas emission (GHG) jet fuel from ethanol Modular design lowers capital costs and speeds time to first production , /PRNewswire/ — Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON) today announced a new, innovative ethanol-to-jet fuel (ETJ) processing technology that allows producers to convert corn-based, cellulosic, or sugar-based ethanol into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Depending on the type of ethanol feedstock used, jet fuel produced from Honeywell’s ethanol-to-jet fuel process can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80% on a total lifecycle basis, compared to petroleum-based jet fuel.1 Ethanol to Jet Infographic Honeywell’s new solution represents critical development in global drive to meet 2030 sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) mandates. Demand for SAF continues to grow, yet the aviation industry is challenged by limited supplies of traditional SAF feedstocks such as vegetable oils, animal fats and waste oils. Ethanol offers producers a widely available, economically viable feedstock. Honeywell’s ready now technology uses high-performance catalysts and heat management capabilities to maximize production efficiency, resulting in a cost-effective, lower carbon intensity aviation fuel. A 2021 life-cycle analysis by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory concluded that ethanol-to-jet fuel conversion, combined with other technologies such as carbon capture and sequestration (CCUS) and smart farming practices, can result in negative GHG emissions compared to petroleum-based jet fuel.2 “Honeywell pioneered SAF production with its Ecofining technology, and our new ethanol-to-jet fuel process builds on that original innovation to support the global aviation sector’s efforts to reduce GHG emissions and meet SAF production targets with an abundant feedstock like ethanol,” said Barry Glickman, vice president and general manager, Honeywell Sustainable Technology Solutions. “Honeywell’s ethanol- to-jet process, when used as a standalone or when coupled with Honeywell carbon capture technology, is ready now to provide a pathway to lower carbon-intensity SAF.” SAF plants using Honeywell’s technology can be modularized off site enabling lower installed costs and faster, less labor-intensive installation compared to job site construction. By utilizing Honeywell’s ETJ technology and an integrated, modular construction approach, producers can build new SAF capacity more than a year faster than is possible with traditional construction approaches. Petroleum refiners and transportation fuel producers can also benefit from Honeywell’s ETJ design that is purpose-built to enable conversion of current or idle facilities into SAF production plants, potentially maximizing use of exiting sites for SAF production to meet the growing market demand. In 2021, the Biden Administration announced its Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Grand Challenge for the U.S. aviation fuel supply sector to produce at least three billion gallons of SAF per year by 2030 and reduce emissions from aviation by 20%, with an eventual goal of meeting 100% of U.S. aviation fuel demand with SAF by 2050. Also in 2021, the European Council released its ‘Fit for 55′ package which aims to increase the share of sustainable fuels at EU airports from a minimum of 2% in 2025 to at least 63% by 2050. These and other incentives, including the Inflation Reduction Act, accelerate the need for alternative SAF feedstocks to meet demand. Click here to learn more about Honeywell’s Ethanol to Jet Technology. Honeywell is committed to achieving carbon neutrality in its operations and facilities by 2035. This commitment builds on the company’s track record of sharply reducing the greenhouse gas intensity of its operations and facilities as well as its decades-long history of innovation to help its customers meet their environmental and social goals. About 60% of Honeywell’s new product introduction research and development investment is directed toward products that improve environmental and social outcomes for customers. About Honeywell Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) delivers industry-specific solutions that include aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings and industry; and performance materials globally. Our technologies help aircraft, buildings, manufacturing plants, supply chains, and workers become more connected to make our world smarter, safer, and more sustainable. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom. 1- Based on the EPA’s summary LCA of GHG emissions for sugarcane. 2- Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy: Sustainable Aviation Fuels from Low-Carbon Ethanol Production, Oct. 20, 2021, Accessed October 5, 2022 SOURCE Honeywell

Penn Entertainment Works Out New Leasing Arrangement With Gaming & Leisure – Seeking Alpha https://collincountynewsonline.com/penn-entertainment-works-out-new-leasing-arrangement-with-gaming-leisure-seeking-alpha/ LaraBelova Gaming & Leisure Properties (NASDAQ:GLPI) announced that it agreed to create a new master lease with Penn Entertainment (NASDAQ:PENN) for seven current properties. The companies have also agreed to a funding mechanism to support PENN’s pursuit of relocation and development opportunities at several of the properties included in the new master lease. The new master leasee will add Penn’s properties in Aurora and Joliet, Illinois; Columbus and Toledo, Ohio; and Henderson, Nevada. In addition, the existing leases for the Hollywood Casino at The Meadows in Pennsylvania and Hollywood Casino Perryville in Maryland will terminate and these properties will be transferred into the new master lease. GLPI has agreed to fund up to $225M for the relocation of PENN’s riverboat casino in Aurora at a 7.75% cap rate and to fund up to $350M for the relocation of the Hollywood Casino Joliet as well as the construction of hotels at Hollywood Casino Columbus and a second hotel tower at M Resort Spa Casino at then current market rates. For its part, GLPI stated that the company is excited to structure a new master lease with a long-term tenant that includes a funding option to allow PENN to extend its legacy of growth through development by pursuing attractive opportunities in Illinois, Ohio and Nevada. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to be effective January 1, 2023.

Why Voting Matters, In The Words Of Texans – The Texas Tribune https://collincountynewsonline.com/why-voting-matters-in-the-words-of-texans-the-texas-tribune/ The Texas Tribune is answering reader questions ahead of the midterms about elections and the issues Texans are voting on. Thanks to readers like John R., Rosie E. and others for asking us if every vote matters in Texas elections. For the latest news and information on elections, sign up for our free daily newsletter. You can also get election updates via text message by texting “hello” to 512-967-6919. Election after election, Republicans have dominated Texas politics since roughly the end of the 20th century. And this year, Texas Republicans get another edge because it’s the first election after political maps for legislative and congressional seats were redrawn to largely favor Republican incumbents. That’s left some voters asking us: Why vote? Does casting a ballot matter if the outcome seems predetermined? Ahead of the voter registration deadline this Tuesday, Oct. 11, The Texas Tribune spoke to Texans across the political spectrum, political scientists and candidates in close elections and asked them to make their case for why voting matters this year. For Democratic voters, political scientists say the outlook is not as dire as it may seem. And Republican and Libertarian voters say the election represents a chance to make their voice heard — even if they live in areas of the state where their candidate is all but guaranteed to win or if they don’t see their values reflected by prominent candidates. “If you’re a citizen of a state or country, that’s what you’re supposed to do. You’re supposed to vote,” said Raleen Sloan, a 66-year-old retired teacher in Kaufman County. “And you might not get your way, but you don’t have a right to complain if you didn’t at least try.” Shifting politics and close local elections Politics in the state are shifting as cities and suburbs grow, and voters still hold power to decide elections, particularly in local and statewide races. “We’re not a state that is locked in,” said Richard Murray, a senior research associate for the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston. While Republicans started to take command of Texas in the 1990s, their control has eroded in major metropolitan areas, including Dallas, Houston and Austin. Harris County, which used to be considered a political battleground, has clearly swayed blue in recent years with Houston’s growth. That growth and change is also spilling into more suburban counties, such as Hays County in Central Texas, which transformed from a red to blue county during Beto O’Rourke’s 2018 bid for U.S. Senate and during the 2020 election. “The level of change was really dramatic, and that was a change almost entirely driven by increased election participation,” said Democratic state Rep. Erin Zwiener of Driftwood, who flipped the state House district that included Hays and Blanco counties in 2018. She won by 2,618 votes, or 3.2 percentage points. In 2020, she staved off a Republican attempt to take back control of the district. That year, she won by about 1,208 votes. “I only won by 1 percentage point, and that means every single person that came out and voted was essential, and their voice mattered,” she said. Other races have been decided by even narrower margins. In 2020, Republican candidate Justin Berry advanced to a primary runoff for an Austin state House seat by one vote. Berry went on to win his runoff but lost the general election to incumbent Democratic state Rep. Vikki Goodwin by 1,342 votes. He did not respond to an interview request for this story. No Democrat has won a statewide elected office in more than two decades. O’Rourke came the closest in 2018, when he lost to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz by 2.6 percentage points. But Zwiener said she still sees opportunities for political change at the statewide level “because you can’t gerrymander a statewide race.” The legislative and congressional districts drawn to keep Republicans in power usually “only work for a while because people move around and the maps get outdated,” Murray said. “We’re a very dynamic state, and if you don’t like the way things are now, they’re probably going to change,” Murray said. Texas Democrats are also grappling with political shifts in the Rio Grande Valley, a historic Democratic stronghold with lower voter turnout, where both Republican and progressive Democrats have seen some traction in recent elections. This year, Republican Mayra Flores flipped a historically Democratic congressional district in a special election to temporarily fill the vacant seat, and progressive Michelle Vallejo beat out a moderate Democrat in the primary for Texas’ most competitive congressional race by 35 votes. Political forecasters have more recently deemed Flores’ district, Texas Congressional District 34, a toss-up, and the district Vallejo is running for, District 15, a likely Republican win in the November midterm elections. What Texans say  Christina Cheng-Patel, a 42-year-old clinical researcher based in Collin County, lives in one of the state’s increasingly competitive counties. While she has always voted in national elections, she feels it is more important than ever to engage with smaller races because of their impact on issues that she cares about like education, public health, gun control and reproductive rights. “To affect change nationally, you have to change it locally,” said Cheng-Patel, who typically votes for Democrats. Christina Cheng-Patel looks through a binder full of forms related to her role as Collin County volunteer deputy registrar on Friday at her home in Allen. Credit: Evan L’Roy/The Texas Tribune It has been a priority to inform her parents about local elections, she said, because the Republican Texas House candidate in their county, Frederick Frazier, was charged in June with a felony for allegedly impersonating a public servant. This year, she is also helping to register Asian American voters as a volunteer deputy registrar. “If somebody looks like you or can speak your language, it opens a dialogue and they’re more open to what you have to say,” said Cheng-Patel, who also speaks Mandarin. Asian Americans are growing in number and becoming more politically engaged, but Cheng-Patel said some, including her, still feel hesitant about drawing attention as candidates for office. She said the alternative, especially when faced with a critical election cycle, is voting. “If you’re not ready to take the big step and put yourself out there, at least you can back somebody who has your best interests,” she said. “The least we can do is vote.” Sloan, the retired teacher in Kaufman County, agrees. She said everyone should inform themselves with a variety of news sources and vote. “Even if you don’t agree with me, you need to get out and vote,” she said, “Because apathy is kind of how we get in a mess anyway.” She said she’s “the perfect demographic” for a Republican voter — a white, Christian woman in a rural town — and she votes in Republican primaries to participate in local elections in her red county. But she identifies as an independent voter and sometimes favors Democratic candidates and policies, including expanding access to Medicaid coverage and affordable housing. “I want my vote to be for the good, especially those who have very little voice, and so I want to vote for that poor mother. I want to vote for that immigrant. I want to vote for the hungry and for the homeless and the children,” she said. “That aligns with my Christian faith because I believe Jesus made very clear how we treat these people is vital.” Voting is “the most powerful thing you can do, you know, you’re expressing your opinions,” says Dacoda Burkholder, a history and political science major at Stephen F. Austin State University. Credit: Mark Felix for The Texas Tribune Dacoda Burkholder, a 20-year-old college student at Stephen F. Austin State University, spends a lot of time thinking about elections. He’s a history and political science major, a tutor for a Texas government course and has helped people register to vote. He also urges friends and family to vote. “It’s the most powerful thing you can do, you know, you’re expressing your opinions. That can kick somebody out of office and a lot of people — especially women in a lot of countries — don’t have that right,” he told his mom, who has never voted. Some of his peers and other family members have become disillusioned with increasing political polarization and divisiveness. He’s struggled himself as a moderate Republican. He worries about the political influence of former President Donald Trump in the GOP and “vehemently” disagrees with Texas’ abortion ban. But that won’t deter him from voting. As a May 2023 graduate, he feels the economy and his future are on the line as the U.S. faces a possible recession. “If you want something to change, and it’s not changing fast enough, not voting, boycotting the election is really not gonna make anything change,” he said. “It’s gonna make it worse.” Kim Igleheart, a retired 61-year-old voter in Universal City, turned to voting for Libertarian candidates when she became disillusioned with the candidates on her ballot. She found voting for Republicans or Democrats compromised her values. “I just got tired of voting for people that I wasn’t behind. You know, I felt like a hypocrite,” she said. She said she has received comments on social media telling her she is throwing her vote away. But Ingleheart isn’t discouraged. “Oh, I don’t care what they say,” Igleheart said. “The parties need to give us better choices.” When Igleheart was younger, she said she could explain every single race on a ballot. Then bills, work and other responsibilities took more precedent in her life and she stepped back from the political sphere. Now, she is getting involved agai...

Luxury Travel Market Size Worth USD 2.61 Trillion By 2030 – Growth Prospects, Investment Analysis, Increasing Demand Outlook – Adroit Market Research – GlobeNewswire https://collincountynewsonline.com/luxury-travel-market-size-worth-usd-2-61-trillion-by-2030-growth-prospects-investment-analysis-increasing-demand-outlook-adroit-market-research-globenewswire/ With the biggest market share, the European region is most likely to dominate the luxury travel market. The presence of major companies like Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC, Micato Safaris, Cox & Kings Ltd, Travcoa, Ker & Downey, Tauck, Scott Dunn Ltd, Kensington Tours, Thomas Cook Group PLC, and Butterfield & Robinson Inc. and different strategies adopted are anticipated to contribute to the luxury travel market. October 10, 2022 06:53 ET | Source: Adroit Market Research Dallas, Texas, Oct. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Due to rising disposable incomes and bettering transportation options, people’s increasing willingness to spend money on exotic vacations and leisure activities is a key factor driving the global luxury travel market expansion. As people become more conscious of eco-friendly travel options and modern campsites or creative glamping accommodations become more popular, the demand for luxury travel is expanding across the globe. Aside from this, a lot of travel agencies are utilizing cutting-edge technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI), to give customers the ability to book trips online, improve access to travel information, compare different reservation possibilities, and save effort and time. The size of the global luxury travel market was US$ 1,947.2 billion in 2021, and it is anticipated that the industry would expand to US$ 2,617.8 billion by 2030, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7%. Get a sample of the report from: https://www.adroitmarketresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/867 To improve guests’ entire experience throughout their stay, luxury travel services offer premium, exclusive, and personalized amenities. These amenities include comfortable mattresses, free Wi-Fi, gourmet meals served in-room, dependable transportation, and cutting-edge locations. Today, a number of travel agencies provide genuine vacation packages with uncommon activities, round-the-clock assistance, and off-the-beaten-path locations to draw in a wide customer base and keep a competitive advantage. The demand for luxury travel services is also being fueled by the increasing emphasis on one-of-a-kind journeys that include sailing, cultural excursions, and daring sports. As local economies rely on tourists spending money on things like culture, art, guides, restaurants, and athletic events, luxury travel plays a crucial role in the distribution of wealth around the world. In terms of age-based segments, the industry is segregated into millennials, baby boomers, generation X, and silver hair. Among these, the baby boomers age group segment led the global market in 2021 and accounted for the highest share of more than 42.68% in terms of revenue. Baby boomers have the time, money, and desire to travel, visit a number of exciting locations, and check off a variety of items on their bucket list, such as taking a world cruise, having a long vacation on a luxurious cruise ship, seeing exotic ports, and going on a posh safari. Report coverage & details: Report Coverage Details Base Year 2022 Study Period: 2020-2030 Market Size in 2030 USD 2,617.8 billion CAGR CAGR of 5.7% during 2021-2030 Segment Covered Tour, Age Group, Travel Type, Regions Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, South America In 2021, the North American luxury travel market will be worth USD 2,000 million. One of the things driving regional growth is the growing number of millennials planning solo travels to far-flung places with the most freedom and flexibility possible. Through 2029, it is predicted that Europe will become a significant center for the luxury travel sector. This can be ascribed to the actions taken by important regional businesses to increase their market share. Place a purchase order of this report @ https://www.adroitmarketresearch.com/researchreport/purchase/867 For instance, The premium tourism business the White Desert introduced Echo in November 2021, giving customers access to the Antarctic continent for exquisite experiences and vistas of its interior that are rarely seen. Likewise, a special edition trip with astronomy specialists, including the first woman to walk in space, was announced by Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC in November 2019. The company’s Antarctica & the Total Solar Eclipse Cruise is made to provide a privileged encounter with exceptional celestial sights, together with specialists. Table Of Contents: 1.  Introduction 2.  Research Methodology 3.  Market Outlook 4.  Luxury Travel Market by Type, 2022-2029 (USD Billion)             o   Customized and Privet             o   Adventure and Safari             o   Cruise/Ship Expedition             o   Small Group Journey             o   Celebration and Special Events             o   Culinary Travel and Shopping 5.  Luxury Travel by Distribution Channel, 2022-2029 (USD Billion)             o   Online             o   Offline 6.  Luxury Travel by Region 2022-2029 (USD Billion) 7.  Competitive Landscape 9.  Company Profiles 10. Appendix Looking for DISCOUNT? If yes, then request for discount @ https://www.adroitmarketresearch.com/contacts/discount/867    Access research repository of Upcoming Reports @ https://adroitmarketresearch.com/upcoming.html About Us: Adroit Market Research is an India-based business analytics and consulting company incorporated in 2018. Our target audience is a wide range of corporations, manufacturing companies, product/technology development institutions and industry associations that require understanding of a market’s size, key trends, participants and future outlook of an industry. We intend to become our clients’ knowledge partner and provide them with valuable market insights to help create opportunities that increase their revenues. We follow a code– Explore, Learn and Transform. At our core, we are curious people who love to identify and understand industry patterns, create an insightful study around our findings and churn out money-making roadmaps. Contact Us: Ryan Johnson Account Manager – Global 3131 McKinney Ave Ste 600 Dallas, TX 75204 Email ID: sales@adroitmarketresearch.com Phone No.: +1-9726644514, +91-9665341414 Connect with us: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

These New Restaurants, Business Are Opening In Southwest Illinois. Here’s The Latest – Belleville News-Democrat https://collincountynewsonline.com/these-new-restaurants-business-are-opening-in-southwest-illinois-heres-the-latest-belleville-news-democrat/ Subscribe to continue reading Save over 90% on your first month of unlimited digital access to our website, mobile app and eEdition. Add unlimited digital access to USA TODAY for only $2 more per month. Digital Access – Monthly Try 1 month for $1 then only $15.99 per month. Cancel anytime START NOW BEST OFFER Monthly Digital Access + Try 1 month for $1 then only $17.99 per month. Cancel anytime START NOW USA TODAY Subscriber Agreement & Privacy Policy apply. Digital Access – Annual Only 33¢ a day billed annually at $120 a year. Cancel anytime START NOW Home delivery options starting at $5.99/week. ➔

Staying Healthy In A Schizoid World – UCA News https://collincountynewsonline.com/staying-healthy-in-a-schizoid-world-uca-news/ The ancient Romans put it well: “A healthy mind in a healthy body” (mens sana in corpore sano). This adage accurately sums up the traditional system of education. In this context, academic studies were blended with sports and athletics, as well as with public expression in the arts, like elocution, music, painting and theater. Thus, the human person grew intellectually, physically and emotionally. But modern education, increasingly competitive and focused largely on financial gain, tends to forget this. One reason why the decline of mental health, not just in adults but in adolescents as well, has become one of society’s gravest concerns today. Oct. 10 is World Mental Health Day, a day chosen to increase awareness and education about health issues. What is mental health? What we call “mental health” is perhaps better described as “emotional well-being,” that is, it’s not so much a deterioration of the brain as an atrophy of the heart, of feelings, of relationships. The World Health Organization (WHO) describes mental health as the state of someone who “functions at a satisfactory level of emotional and behavioral adjustment.” Or to put it more descriptively, mental health is “subjective well-being, perceived self-efficacy, autonomy, competence, inter-generational dependence and self-actualization of one’s intellectual and emotional potential, among others.” Mental health issues arise because of a variety of reasons: stress, depression, loneliness, anxiety, deaths in the family, mood disorders and various other mental illnesses. Feelings of deprivation, of financial loss, major health issues, moving to a new place, retirement and several such stressful events can leave a person vulnerable to depression. Many of these are lifestyle ailments, that is, they are caused by the irreversible change of social behavior patterns of modern living. Modern life, whatever benefits it has brought some of us, is also fast-paced, hectic and stressful. It values success, especially financial success, as its main goal. It is also more individualistic and disdains relationships with family and kin, in spite of knowing that it is our relatives who provide the emotional buffer in life’s various tragedies. No wonder the growing incidence of mental illness, or emotional breakdown, expresses itself in depression and violent paranoia. Therapy, counseling, or medication can help overcome these illnesses, but because of the social stigma associated with mental breakdown — “becoming mad” — many patients decline to visit a doctor. With no professional help, such patients often move towards taking extreme steps, like suicide.          Mental health in India According to a WHO report, India is the most depressed country in the world. The report says that between 1990 and 2017, one in seven people in India suffered mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety and other severe conditions. India also has a very low number of health professionals to deal with mental health issues. These challenges require the government’s as well as citizens’ immediate attention. As per WHO estimates, nearly 50 million Indians suffer from depression. “That is, an increase of more than 18 percent in cases of depression as compared with the last decade, and account for over two-thirds of global suicides in low- and middle-income countries like ours,” says Mahesh Jayaraman, co-founder of the health platform Sepalika.com. While there are numerous ways to deal with depression, most often people resort to chemical antidepressants and, in some severe cases, electroconvulsive therapy. Alternative strategies Are there safer, alternative strategies to cope with a mental disability? This World Mental Health Day, here are four scientific ways to deal with depression. Eat a balanced diet, rich in high-quality fats: A balanced and nutritious diet helps promote good health and works effectively on the body to fight depression. While good fats are known to enhance mental calm, trans fats and saturated fats are bad and can adversely affect brain health. Conduct thyroid function tests: Abnormal thyroid hormone levels can result in mood swings, anxiety, irritability, fatigue, insomnia and depression. If you are detected with hypothyroidism and depression, then dietary supplements that support thyroid function can come to your rescue. As thyroid function improves, depression goes away naturally. Consume adequate B vitamins: Often, low levels of vitamin B12 and other B vitamins can trigger depression. These vitamins play an important role in producing brain chemicals that affect mood and other brain functions. Practice yoga and meditation: Yoga and meditation are among the most effective ways to fight depression and its symptoms. Yoga and meditation have demonstrated therapeutic effectiveness on many patients dealing with depression, mental and emotional problems. The famous psychologist Carl G. Jung in his classic study Modern Man in Search of a Soul observed that the loss of religion in modern life was responsible for many of its ailments. He declared that finding a “spiritual vision for oneself” was the first step to recovery. Religion, as we know, is a two-edged sword. Many societies across the globe promote a fundamentalist kind of religion, replete with codes and rituals, and suspicious of everything modern. What Jung implied was rather “spirituality,” an orientation of the human spirit to all that is true, good and beautiful, particularly a reverence for life in all its forms in nature. Such spiritual persons then have discovered that the key to healthy living lies in relationships — with others, with oneself, and with that Divine Power beyond us — and that our total well-being consists in bringing these relationships to fruition. *The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official editorial position of UCA News.

Sporting News Pegs Boston Celtics’ Al Horford As NBA’s Ninth-Best Power Forward For 2022-23 – Celtics Wire https://collincountynewsonline.com/sporting-news-pegs-boston-celtics-al-horford-as-nbas-ninth-best-power-forward-for-2022-23-celtics-wire/ As we inch closer to the 2022-23 regular season, the annual exercise of ranking everything that isn’t nailed down continues in the NBA media as is the custom ahead of Opening Night, and starting Boston Celtics power forward Al Horford can’t escape the assessment of Sporting News’ Stephen Noh in his latest positional rankings for the 4 around the league. But Horford might not want to anyway given Noh sees the Florida product as the ninth-best swingman in the Association, checking ahead of names on the come-up like Scottie Barnes of the Toronto Raptors and Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers. “Horford looked like he might be close to done a few years ago, but he revitalized his career at age 35 with the Celtics,” writes the S/N analyst. “He’s an extremely high-feel defender, and he guards stars like Antetokounmpo as well as anyone else in the league.” Rep. Ayanna Pressley on Jaylen Brown’s leadership in Boston and beyond https://t.co/o9rZdhfgr6 — The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) October 9, 2022 “Horford has also become a good 3-point shooter in the back half of his career,” adds Noh. “He hit an absurd 48% of his 3-pointers in the 2022 NBA Playoffs and has canned 36% of his 3-point attempts for his career.” Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

Meta’s Horizon Worlds Metaverse App Is So Bad, It Has To ‘force Its Employees’ To Use It – Firstpost https://collincountynewsonline.com/metas-horizon-worlds-metaverse-app-is-so-bad-it-has-to-force-its-employees-to-use-it-firstpost/ FP StaffOct 10, 2022 16:23:41 IST Facebook, or as it is now known, Meta, was one of the first tech companies to go all in on the Metaverse. The concept of the Metaverse itself was somewhat made popular by Meta. The Metaverse was supposed to be the next phase of Facebook, the social media platform’s evolution. Unfortunately, it seems that Meta has squandered the opportunity of cashing in on Metaverse. Evidently, Meta’s Metaverse is so bad, that it has to force its employees to use it. One of the first public images from Meta’s Metaverse app called Horizon Worlds. Meta says the human figure is of Mark Zuckerberg. Image Credit: Meta Meta’s version of the Metaverse can be accessed through an app called Horizon Worlds. All you need to do, is put on a virtual reality headset like the Oculus Rift S and Meta Quest 2, log in and, and you’re good to go. But so jarring has been the experience that not even Meta’s employees are using the app regularly. An internal memo from Meta has leaked online, which says that the company would “hold managers accountable” for their teams using it. One of the biggest challenges for Meta has been getting people to buy the VR headsets that they need to get into and interact with the Metaverse. It is currently available through the company’s Oculus Rift S and Meta Quest 2 VR headsets, and will be available on the upcoming Meta Quest Pro VR/AR headset, which is expected to have a similar spec to the long-awaited Apple Headset. A major part of Meta’s vision for Horizon Worlds is that it will be used by businesses as well as consumers. However, given that even the engineers at Meta who helped develop Horizon Worlds aren’t spending as much time as the company would like them to. In a number of leaked memos which are being attributed to Vishal Shah, Meta’s lead for Metverse operations states that employees at Meta aren’t using the new App and the VR system to log into Horizon Worlds. A September 15 Memo reads: “For many of us, we don’t spend that much time in Horizon and our dogfooding dashboards show this pretty clearly…Why is that? Why don’t we love the product we’ve built so much that we use it all the time? The simple truth is, if we don’t love it, how can we expect our users to love it?” Another memo from Shah, just 15 days later, dated September 30 reads:  “Employees still aren’t using Horizon enough…hold managers accountable for having their teams use Horizon at least once a week. Everyone in this organization should make it their mission to fall in love with Horizon Worlds. You can’t do that without using it. Get in there. Organize times to do it with your colleagues or friends, in both internal builds but also the public build so you can interact with our community.” People outside of Meta who have experienced Horizon Worlds have reported that the app is buggy, jittery, and has some stability issues. Furthermore, the onboarding experience is confusing and frustrating for users. There are issues that Shah and the Meta team are fully aware of, and are trying to resolve. Find latest and upcoming tech gadgets online on Tech2 Gadgets. Get technology news, gadgets reviews & ratings. Popular gadgets including laptop, tablet and mobile specifications, features, prices, comparison.

MUO Giveaway: Win A GEEKOM MiniAir 11 Mini PC – MUO – MakeUseOf https://collincountynewsonline.com/muo-giveaway-win-a-geekom-miniair-11-mini-pc-muo-makeuseof/ We know just how much our readers love cool gadgets, so we thought you may all like getting your hands on something free: GEEKOM MiniAir 11. If you’ve been looking into mini PCs, then you know how great GEEKOM products are. Our giveaway will have two winners, each getting a package that’s worth $299! Who wants one? Sign up for our giveaway HERE. How the MUO Giveaway Works Before we go any further, we have to discuss the mechanics of this giveaway. What you need to do to enter is to sign up for our newsletter. Old and new MUO subscribers can sign up for the giveaway here. When Our newest giveaway starts right NOW! Between October 10th, 2022, and October 17th, 2022, at 11:59 PM EDT. You can enter the giveaway anytime during this timeframe. How If you want the chance to win one of our two prizes, you need to be a subscriber to MUO Daily, our super informative newsletter. You can sign up for our newsletter on the giveaway page. See? Nothing too complicated! If you want to sign up for our newsletter only to get a chance to win the cool mini PCs from GEEKOM, we get that too. You can unsubscribe anytime you want, as long as you do it after the giveaway ends. We do hope you’re here to stay, however, because our newsletters are pretty awesome, with loads of helpful articles, tutorials, reviews, deals, and more. You should also read our privacy policy to learn all about how we handle your personal information. Who Wins The winners of our giveaway will be selected at random from the entire list of entrants. All winners will be alerted via email, which means you really should use a valid email address to enter since you’ll actually need to check it. Giveaway prizes can be shipped to the United States, Canada, the UK, Germany, Italy, France, and Spain. If you live elsewhere, we’re sorry, but you’re going to have to wait this one out. MUO Giveaway Prizes For this giveaway, we have two Geekom Anniversary Special edition boxes. Each one is valued at $299! The anniversary special edition box from Geekom features: Geekom MiniAir11 1 Mouse pad 1 Geekom mascot Other fun accessories If you prefer using mini PCs for work, we absolutely understand where you’re coming from. Mini PCs are super easy to carry with you whenever you need to travel. This is a PC that literally fits inside the palm of your hand, and it features an 11th Gen Intel Celeron N5095 processor, Intel UHD Graphics 605, a 256GB SSD, and 8GB of DDR4 RAM. If you’re worried about the ports, well, this one has more than many laptops we’ve seen. More specifically, you can find a USB-C port, a USB 3.2 gen 2 Port, a headphone/mic combo jack, the power button on the front, and another set of ports on the rear (a USB-C port, HDMI, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, an Ethernet port, a Mini DisplayPort, and a DC power port). The PC also features an SD card slot. The GEEKOM MiniAir 11 also features Bluetooth and Wi-Fi antennas. So, if you want a PC that you can take anywhere with you, the MiniAir 11 is a great choice. You can check out our full review for the GEEKOM MiniAir 11 to learn more about it. Visit GEEKOM’s 19th anniversary page if you want to learn more about the company. Enter the Giveaway for the Chance to Win One of the GEEKOM Prizes If you can’t wait to get a great mini PC, sign up for MUO Daily and enter the giveaway for the chance to win the MiniAir 11!

Crypto News Today: Here’s The Latest News About Solana, Fantom, And Big Eyes Coin – Euro Weekly News https://collincountynewsonline.com/crypto-news-today-heres-the-latest-news-about-solana-fantom-and-big-eyes-coin-euro-weekly-news/ The cryptocurrency market is a unique ecosystem different from other financial systems you may find worldwide. And why is that? The coin market has several digital assets, giving users many options to invest in or trade. This financial market is also renowned for its volatility. You must give yourself the right information to get the best results from trading in the cryptocurrency ecosystem. You’ll need to find out the characteristics of each coin and how they can contribute to growing your wallet. By now, you already know that there are thousands of individual tokens in the crypto space. So, you’ll need to pick the assets to follow up closely. This piece will update users with the latest happenings around Solana, Fantom, and Big Eyes Coin.  BUY BIG EYES COIN NOW! Solana: The Ethereum Killer You’ll have heard about Solana if you’ve been active in crypto in the last few years. This cryptocurrency has been on the market for many reasons. This cryptocurrency was popularly touted as the Ethereum killer for many months, and many people still feel that it will dethrone the world’s largest altcoin. Ethereum’s proof-of-stake system ensures that transactions are secure and that users can swap crypto tokens seamlessly. Due to this consensus’s high flexibility, Solana users can process as many as 65,000 transactions per second. Now, that’s more impressive than most coins can offer. While Solana is one of the unique crypto projects, it hasn’t been without its challenges. Solana’s first challenge this year was the raging 2022 crypto crash. Due to the turbulent bear market. Solana lost a huge chunk of its value and trust from investors. Many investors sold their assets to avoid losing too much. However, the bear market is approaching its end, and Solana will rise again. Another major challenge for Solana occurred when its proof-of-stake network experienced some downtime on September 30, 2022. A misconfigured node caused a network outage that disturbed the flow of transactions. But now, things are back to normal. BUY BIG EYES COIN NOW! Fantom: One of the most reliable protocols on the market  Like Solana, Fantom is one of the most reliable cryptocurrency projects worldwide. Fantom is also considered an Ethereum killer because it can support decentralized applications. However, it has some way to go before becoming the largest altcoin in the coin market. Fantom can use smart contracts to support decentralized applications. It can also process transactions at lightning speed because of its reliable mechanism. Users on this network must settle transaction fees with Fantom’s token – FTM. It’s also possible to purchase FTM on top cryptocurrency exchanges worldwide. Yes, Fantom experienced a massive price dip during the 2022 crypto crash. But reports indicate it may finally be time for the coin to return to its earlier positions. Previous market data has shown that Fantom enjoyed a thrilling Q3. The coin enjoyed an average of 820,000 daily transactions, and new wallets were created regularly. With more people flocking into the Fantom project towards the end of the bear market, it’s already looking like this project will have a thrilling bull season. BUY BIG EYES COIN NOW! Big Eyes Coin: A new DeFi sheriff is in town The first thing you must note about Big Eyes is that it’s currently the hottest meme project on the coin market. The hype around big eyes has been building gradually. Meme lovers are looking forward to this project because it promises to be different from previous projects on the coin market. The first interesting thing to note about Big Eyes is that it will be a meme project that will introduce a unique utility to the coin market. Big Eyes will be one of the first meme coins to support NFT development in the meme sector. Also, this coin will adopt a community-driven approach that will safeguard users’ investments. This cryptocurrency has a proactive community of developers who want meme lovers to enjoy the benefits of the DeFi sector. That’s why everyone wants to be a part of this project. However, this cryptocurrency is already in the second stage of the presale, and many users are purchasing big bags of this token. Click the presale link to avoid being left out. BUY BIG EYES COIN NOW! For more information on Big Eyes Coin (BIG), please visit the following links: Presale: https://buy.bigeyes.space/ Website: https://bigeyes.space/ Telegram: https://t.me/BIGEYESOFFICIAL Sponsored

Chinese Chip Stocks Tumble After U.S. Calls For New Curbs On High-End Tech – CNBC https://collincountynewsonline.com/chinese-chip-stocks-tumble-after-u-s-calls-for-new-curbs-on-high-end-tech-cnbc/ A worker at a chips factory in Chongqing, China, on March 30, 2022. Future Publishing | Future Publishing | Getty Images The U.S. said it would grant a temporary license from Oct. 21 through to April next year to allow businesses to manufacture some of the high-tech products in China for use outside the country. Chinese chips stocks tumble China’s largest chipmaker, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation, traded 3% lower Monday afternoon in Hong Kong, amid a broader market sell-off. Hua Hong Semiconductor was down by about 9%, while Shanghai Fudan Microelectronics plunged by more than 20% as of Monday afternoon. Shares of U.S. chipmakers Nvidia and AMD tumbled in Friday’s trading session as worries about falling demand dragged down the sector. “The U.S. has been abusing export control measures to wantonly block and hobble Chinese enterprises,” Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Mao Ning said at a briefing over the weekend, according to an official English-language transcript. “Such practice runs counter to the principle of fair competition and international trade rules,” she said. “It will not only harm Chinese companies’ legitimate rights and interests, but also hurt the interests of U.S. companies.” Mao did not mention any plans for Chinese countermeasures. The global semiconductor supply chain is highly specialized. Only a few companies have the most advanced tech, while China has been heavily investing in domestic players in an attempt to catch up. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company dominates the manufacturing capacity for the world’s most advanced semiconductors. Netherlands-based ASML is the world’s only company able to make the highly complex machines that are needed to produce the most advanced chips. On the other hand, U.S. companies such as Lam Research, KLA and Applied Materials are industry leaders for other tools needed to make chips. Assessing the damage It remains to be seen how damaging the new U.S. restrictions will be on business. The U.S. government previously put Chinese companies Huawei and SMIC on a blacklist that requires suppliers to obtain a license before selling to them. But suppliers to those two companies received licenses last year to do billions of dollars’ worth of business, according to Reuters. Read more about tech and crypto from CNBC Pro The U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security estimated the latest rule changes mean it will receive at least an additional 1,600 new license applications a year. International cooperation is also needed, a senior U.S. government official said in a briefing Thursday, Reuters reported. “We recognize that the unilateral controls we’re putting into place will lose effectiveness over time if other countries don’t join us,” the official said in the report. “And we risk harming U.S. technology leadership if foreign competitors are not subject to similar controls.” The U.S. embassy in Beijing did not immediately respond to a CNBC request for comment on the report.

Technology News | ⚡Google Pixel Watch To Get 3 Years Of Wear OS Updates – LatestLY https://collincountynewsonline.com/technology-news-%e2%9a%a1google-pixel-watch-to-get-3-years-of-wear-os-updates-latestly/ As part of the Pixel Watch rollout, tech giant Google has detailed that the Wear OS device will get “at least” three years of updates. The period will start “from when the device first became available on the Google Store in the US”.

Global Ambition: Saudi Arabia Wants To Be A Gaming And Esports Hub. Is It Ready For Major International Human Rights Pushback? – Sports Business Journal https://collincountynewsonline.com/global-ambition-saudi-arabia-wants-to-be-a-gaming-and-esports-hub-is-it-ready-for-major-international-human-rights-pushback-sports-business-journal/ The Next World Forum, held last month in Riyadh, featured powerful people in the esports industry.Next World Forum The Saudi Esports Federation announced in September it was joining Saudi Arabia’s “Vision 2030,” with the goal of investing about $38 billion to become a global hub in esports and gaming, according to Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud. Investments from companies like Savvy Gaming Group and the SEF (which Faisal heads) number in the billions. “There is a call for diversifying the Saudi economy away from [a reliance on] oil. One of those projects underneath the vision is a specific strategy for gaming and esports,” Faisal said.   The Next World Forum, held in Riyadh in early September, touched on Saudi Arabia’s plans. It featured several powerful faces in esports, like now-former G2 Esports CEO Carlos “ocelote” Rodriguez and British Esports CEO Chester King. Multiple attendees say speakers were flown in on business class and housed at the Four Seasons on the state’s dime. These investments come with intense public scrutiny and ongoing questions about what the royal family and the Middle East-North Africa region’s private sector want. “When a monster player like Savvy … gets in the game, it raises a bunch of eyebrows,” said a forum attendee on background. The money SGG used to merge tournament organizers ESL and Faceit came from the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, a government entity. Faisal said that the ESL Faceit Group “is not a Saudi company; it’s an international company.”   Playing monopoly Saudi Arabia faces international accusations of “sportswashing” — the use of state investments in popular industries, like gaming, to improve its image. Other investments, like LIV Golf and partnerships in Formula One, face similar allegations. Faisal said the federation wants to serve the global community. One Western attendee says the investments are exciting, noting thin profit margins and the power discrepancy between game publishers like Valve (Counter-Strike, Dota 2) and teams and third parties like tournament organizers. Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud talks about the goal to make esports part of the “Vision 2030” plan.Next World Forum ESL Faceit is the largest esports event organizer in the world. In 2020, ESL and Faceit hosted 18 esports tournaments. The next closest is Dreamhack (an ESL property) with 13. Combined with Faceit’s online matchmaking platform, the newly formed group is by far the industry’s largest third-party organizer.  Faisal deflected monopoly concerns, noting that esports had too many moving pieces and that “what you cannot monopolize is gaming, because gaming is based on storytelling. And anyone can create a story.” In one sense, he’s correct. Since publishers own the games, they control who competes. But in 2020, the PIF invested $3.3 billion in publishers EA, Take Two, and Activision Blizzard, which operate global esports leagues. The PIF also bought 8% of Embracer Group’s shares in 2022, prompting a statement from the CEO explaining the investment to a questioning audience. Diversity discussion Faisal maintains the forum held discussions and panels tackling some of the tougher questions that come with Saudi Arabia’s investments in esports. “What this strategy helps us do is change the conversation from ‘why’ to ‘why not,’” regarding Saudi Arabia, Faisal said. Yet multiple attendees said on background there were few, if any, discussions of its discriminatory laws toward women and the LGBTQIA community.  Fans had rejected previous investments from the Middle East. In 2020, tournament organizer Blast and the League of Legends European Championship announced their first Saudi partnership. Broadcast talent and production workers revolted, and they backed out. Ubisoft faced a similar backlash in February when it announced, then canceled, a Rainbow Six: Siege Major in the United Arab Emirates. Worried fans have similar concerns about the UAE’s use of state money and harsh laws. Amnesty International said the UAE has “continued to commit serious human right violations” in a 2021 report.   Faisal said that “as Ronald Reagan said, trust but verify,” intending to soothe safety concerns. For many LGBTQIA workers in esports, simply trusting is hard. Jessica “JessGOAT” Bolden, an openly gay Valorant broadcast analyst who’s also covered Rainbow Six, was selected to host the Gamers8 Rainbow Six: Siege event, saying that she “considered it as a way to extend the olive branch and provide a platform of normalizationn of LGBTQIA people” in a statement to Sports Business Journal. She backed out of the event due to death threats based around her sexuality, she said.   When presented with parts of Bolden’s story, Faisal said “that is something I’m very sorry to hear. I wish I would’ve heard that earlier,” noting he would have worked with her to guarantee her safety.   Coming change? Faisal is aware of concerns. He said the only way to understand the culture and change minds is to “come and see for yourself.” But for many, the problems require legal changes and time. Faisal said change is coming. “One of the things I think that people misunderstand is that the change that’s happening is that we, as a community, we as a population, are looking for, are behind, and are excited about. While we understand that there is accountability on a global scale, and that should be everywhere, that is everywhere, that’s not something unique to this country or this region … [change is happening] at a pace for this population and this culture.”  For many teams, workers and organizers, the prospect of financial stability, or just getting rich, is too enticing given layoffs in esports and global economic worries. And in an industry in which almost anyone can compete and enjoy, having state investments from nations with discriminatory policies draws concern. Faisal said that change is on the horizon. He quotes one of his sisters, Reema: “We are looking at modernization and moving forward, but we’re not looking at Westernization.”

As Christian Nationalism Rises, Progressive Pastors In North Texas Fight To Keep The Faith – Dallas Observer https://collincountynewsonline.com/as-christian-nationalism-rises-progressive-pastors-in-north-texas-fight-to-keep-the-faith-dallas-observer/ Keri Lynn Lucas swears the story is true. While driving one day, a vision came to the pastor: She would start a support group for LGBTQ teens in Collin County, a conservative enclave that desperately needed such a group. She didn’t yet know the details, let alone how to navigate the politics of North Texas, but she trusted the vision. It was, in her words, “something worth doing.” She called a friend to ask for help with the group. “Oh my God,” the friend said. “That’s my dream job.” Lucas says it’s her calling to help other people “figure out how they can serve God’s kingdom.” “It gives me life,” she says. So, it was the perfect setup: With her friend’s help, Lucas, a veteran pastor in the Methodist church, would counsel LGBTQ teens as they face trials such as coming out to their parents. Lucas would handle the logistics and theological conversations, and her friend would help love and support the kids. But there’s a catch. Lucas has been leading the support group for over a year, and while some members of her congregation chip in with financial support, her church doesn’t know. “I am the community organizer,” she says. “That’s the way I see it. And I happen to be a pastor.” Amid the decline in church attendance, the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the rise of Christian nationalism, faith leaders like Lucas are doing what they can to care for their congregants and wrest control of the common narrative that “Christian” is synonymous with “conservative.” These leaders believe theology can be a source of healing and comfort, but they want to meet people — particularly kids — where they are. “Young people see no place for themselves in what they’ve been told God blesses,” says Pepa Paniagua, the founding pastor and executive director of kin•dom community. “If they are not white and they are not cisgender and they are not upper-middle class or affluent, if they’re not the things American Christianity has lifted up and said are blessed, then where do they find hope?” Thus, the work these pastors do often takes them far outside the literal confines of the church and the traditional boundaries of a pastoral role. It also involves the occasional private meeting or event. “We’re very private about what we do, and that’s for the sake of the kids,” says Paniagua. “There was a camp on the Today Show that does similar work, and someone asked me why we don’t do that. I said it’s because we’re not in a state where it’s safe to do.” kin•dom community is inspired by Ada María Isasi-Díaz, a dissident theologian The New York Times says “spoke for those she considered the neglected spiritual core of the church’s membership: Hispanic women like herself.” The community’s signature event is a camp open to LGBTQIA+ youth ages 12 to 17. All religions are welcome, and all faith activities are opt-in only. Campers zipline, do archery, play music and are reminded that they are loved for who they are. “We are proud of the work we do,” Paniagua adds, “and [we] rely on a lot of word of mouth to get the word out about the work we do. But we are keenly aware that the world, especially Texas, is not a safe place for the LBGTQIA+ community. So, we take extra care to do what we can to make sure we don’t unintentionally put people in danger.” “Young people see no place for themselves in what they’ve been told God blesses.” – Pepa Paniagua, kin•dom community tweet this Paniagua, her campers and the folks who help her lead kin•dom have yet to be physically endangered at the camp itself, but they’ve witnessed enough hateful activity — some of it under the banner of Christianity — to know they should prepare for the worst. They’ve seen armed protesters and far-right Proud Boys at Pride parades, and they’ve experienced their fair share of hate speech too. As Paniagua says, “being a queer woman in this state is not easy, and it doesn’t feel safe. This work is made even more complicated when my own personhood has been legislated against, and there is a real chance I am breaking the law by offering gender-affirming care when I tell people they’re safe.” Therefore, each event they throw is accompanied by ample security plans and protocols, and some events have included personnel hired specifically to keep Paniagua’s campers safe. Their work is also still evolving. The first camp happened this past summer, and in the future, Paniagua says she may include a queer Bible study — a conversation wherein she and her campers redefine “parts of the Bible that have been used for harm.” This is a common theme espoused by the Texas faith leaders interviewed for this story. The way the Bible has been taught has been a significant instrument of harm, they say, so to undo that harm, they must go to the source. That was the driver behind “Bible Bullshit,” the discussion group launched by Macie Liptoi last year. From Sodom and Gomorrah to every weaponized quote and passage in between, the group tackled and untangled a different part of the Bible each week. “The whole idea was to take the bullshit out of the Bible,” Liptoi told the Observer. “The Bible is sacred to me, but that doesn’t mean I can’t question it.” Liptoi recently left the Dallas church where she started these discussions, and her work continues in Collin County. As a pastor at First United Methodist Church in McKinney, the unabashed progressive makes progress where she can. For instance, at an annual North Texas conference for Methodist leaders, Liptoi helped pass a resolution that declares gender-affirming care is not child abuse. “We’re trying to make people feel embraced without making people mad.” – Macie Liptoi tweet this Much of the time, though, the work of progressive faith leaders happens behind closed doors. “I see progressive Christians as people who are doing work that isn’t necessarily demonstrative,” she says. “When I look at the progressive Christians I know, I see people hosting anonymous groups for queer youth that allow them to come to church without being outed. You don’t see that work. It’s in the background; it doesn’t get explosive and it’s not dramatic.” Liptoi’s mentor is one such leader, a pastor who, in Liptoi’s word, “is not someone you would look at and identify with radicalism.” She says, “I joke with him, ‘You’re playing the long game, but it’s effective.’” But is the long game inherently flawed because, by nature, it takes a while? The pastors themselves grapple with that question, even as they bristle at the notion that progressive Christians and conservative Christians are locked in a bitter conflict: The point of faith and the church is to offer guidance and love, they say, not gain political territory. Still, they expressed some degree of concern that the public at large is losing faith in Christianity because of its ties to conservatism. The data backs them up: Recent Pew Research Center numbers show Christians made up 90% of the U.S. population 50 years ago. Now, that figure is down to roughly 64%. “I do worry about losing ground,” says Josh Esparza, a pastor who recently moved from a Dallas church to one in Allen. “I’m not sure the church as it exists today is going to exist 20 or 30 years from now.” ** Fox News and QAnon have a 24/7 hold on many churchgoers, while most pastors see their flock only for a couple hours once a week. This isn’t a new problem (Butler says she saw conservative Christianity gaining hold of her friends during the days of Reagan), but the tacit imprimatur of Donald Trump has helped public supporters of Christian Nationalism ascend to power in Washington. Take, for instance, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., who recently said, “I’m a Christian, and I say it proudly, we should be Christian nationalists.” Or consider Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano, who called the separation of church and state “a myth.” But these are only the loudest examples. There are also signs that Christian nationalism — the belief that America is a Christian nation blessed by God and the government should keep it that way — is gaining more of a foothold in everyday life. Researchers and authors Allyson F. Shortle, Eric L. McDaniel and Irfan Nooruddin recently discovered that strong adherents to this idea of “American religious exceptionalism” stayed stable between 2008 and 2018, while “moderate support” climbed from 26% in 2008 to around 50% by 2018. The biggest change in this time period was a decrease in strong opposition. In other words, there is a diminishing number of Americans who oppose the idea that their country is blessed by God and should remain a “Christian nation.” This decrease in strong opposition has fueled a growing divide among progressive faith leaders: Some people want to leave the church as we knew it in the past, and others still believe the church can be a source of good. Often, faith leaders like Josh Esparza are caught in the middle, with likeminded liberals on one side and more conservative parishioners on the other. And the middle can be a lonely place. “It does definitely feel like an island out here,” he tells the Observer. “It often feels like I’m the person trying to push too far, and sometimes I question if I’m even pushing far enough.” Esparza previously worked at Owenwood Farm and Neighbor Space, a church in East Dallas that is intentional about building a trans-inclusive community. Yet, not all parishioners lined up neatly behind Esparza’s politics. In March 2021, shortly after Robert Aaron Long gunned down six Asian women at Atlanta spas as part of his effort to supposedly eliminate “temptation,” Esparza sent an email to his congregants. “We need to be mindful of [our] biases and repent for the things we’re saying,” he wrote. “We n...

‘Love At First Sight’: Man Shares Incredible Tale Of Meeting Wife On Airbnb – Newsweek https://collincountynewsonline.com/love-at-first-sight-man-shares-incredible-tale-of-meeting-wife-on-airbnb-newsweek/ Finding the perfect apartment, hotel, or home to rent for a vacation or trip can be tricky, but one couple had a five-star experience when a woman rented a room on Airbnb. Jim Gonzales credits the popular vacation rental service with being the reason he met his wife, and in a viral post on LinkedIn that has seen thousands of reactions, he shared their heartwarming story. Online short-stay vacation let service Airbnb was founded in 2008. Today it has listings in over 220 regions and more than 6 million active listings in all corners of the globe. Gonzales was hosting a room in his parents’ house in San Diego. Described as a “clean minimalist room,” it attracted hundreds of guests and was frequently fully booked—it was only $39 a night after all. Jim Gonzales and Priscilla Nianhezi Liu, the couple who married after meeting for the first time thanks to vacation rental service Airbnb. The heartwarming story has gained viral attention online. Jim Gonzales But one guest was set to change everything. Recently graduated student Priscilla Nianhezi Liu was looking to give her parents a tour of California on a trip from China. When they booked the room for the night, Gonzales was close to declining the reservation because he had been so busy—but eventually accepted because he needed the money. But this one-night stay would, eventually, lead to a beautiful relationship and marriage. Gonzales told Newsweek: “I tease Priscilla that it was ‘love at first sight.’ Our first interaction was actually quite short. We talked a bit about traveling and I shared with her recommendations for activities to do in San Diego.” After Liu and her parents stayed in the room for one night, Gonzales sent a message a few days later to ask how the trip was going. “She didn’t message me back for a few days since there was no reception in Sequoia,” he explained: “She eventually replied, and the back-and-forth texts started to happen.” The pair exchanged messages about travel and food—something they are both passionate about. After texting daily for a few weeks, Gonzales gave Liu a call on her birthday. “It was always easy for me to talk with her and it never felt awkward over the phone,” he said. “Eventually, she told me she’d be moving to LA and we planned to meet.” Exactly a month after their first meeting, the pair had their first date. “Every time we went on a date, it felt like we had known each other much longer,” Gonzales said. A relationship quickly blossomed between the two, and three years later they booked an Airbnb together in New Orleans. “The plan was to go full circle,” said Gonzales. “I messaged her through the app, and told her my feelings, then went downstairs, got on one knee, and asked, ‘Will you travel the world with me and marry me?’ She said yes, and the rest is history.” The unusual love story has delighted LinkedIn users, with commenters writing that the meeting was “fate” and wishing the couple well. “I had no idea I’d meet my wife through Airbnb,” said Gonzales: “But I’m grateful I’ve met my soulmate in the most extraordinary way.”

Why Is Hybrid Work Plan India Inc’s New Favourite? | Business News | Manorama English – Onmanorama https://collincountynewsonline.com/why-is-hybrid-work-plan-india-incs-new-favourite-business-news-manorama-english-onmanorama/ When COVID-19 and the pandemic-induced protocols eased their firm grip on individuals and their lifestyles, businesses were left scrambling to piece together a flexible workplace. In the post-pandemic era, most employees refused to leave the comforts of their homes to face the additional costs of commuting to work and the benefits of balancing personal life. Last month, hundreds of New York Times employees resisted the company’s return to office push by working from home. The shift in priorities naturally left employers in a conundrum- how to coordinate the huge workflow and data daily while keeping employees remote? Thus emerged the concept of hybrid work culture, a compromised model of work to incorporate the benefits of both worlds. Three days a week in the office is the most popular hybrid working style for India Inc, with 26% of the firms preferring the same, according to a Colliers survey on consulting, BFSI and engineering sectors. Preference for hybrid models “As the pandemic has become the ‘new normal’, we are asking employees to return to the office, albeit with the perks of hybrid working. We have started a phased ‘return-to-work’ model to ensure our workforce is not rushed into any changes especially if it impacts their well-being,” says Kavita Kurup, Global Head of HR, UST. A survey of more than 9,000 workers around the world by Accenture discovered that 83 per cent of the workers consider a hybrid model optimal. “The major advantage of a hybrid workplace is lesser commute time,” says Revathy S Benjamin, Senior Test Engineer at Capgemini India. 83 per cent of the workers consider a hybrid model optimal. Accenture Survey The Mumbai-based IT professional says she saves more than 2 hours of commute time daily by working remotely. “The flexible timings also allow us to communicate with clients who work at US and UK timings and provide late-night deliveries,” Revathy adds. But not all employees think flexible timings are an advantage. “Working from home is helpful in many ways. The flexibility of working without a clock ticking near your head helps us in running personal errands and maintaining a balance. Unfortunately, it’s not without its fair share of evils. IT professionals often end up working unsustainable, extended hours when they opt to work remotely. Hybrid models could help us find a healthy middle ground,” a former employee at Tata Consultancy Services says. Many employees however complain that working from home limits human interaction and affects productivity. Representational image: Manorama “At my new firm, I’ve met my associates and colleagues only virtually. This affects rapport and therefore, teamwork. A hybrid model would help rectify that,” says the former TCS employee. The Accenture survey revealed that giving employees the option to work remotely helped develop stronger work relationships and left employees feeling better off. Meanwhile, 85 per cent of the people felt their place of work did not affect their productivity. “When employees have more control of their work schedules, they can free up time to take care of the things that crop up in their personal lives — whether it’s running an errand, picking up kids from daycare, or being home for a delivery,” says Kavita. She adds that it also allows firms to diversify the risk of infection. With remote working available as an option, sick employees can stay home to protect their co-workers. While the former TCS employee quoted agrees with Kavita, she believes that a long-term choice to work from home would leave an employee worse off in terms of physical and psychological health. “The prolonged, sedentary style of working during the pandemic affected many of us. We struggled with back aches and other orthopaedic issues due to lack of mobility,” she said. With remote working available as an option, sick employees can stay home to protect their co-workers. Kavita Kurup, Global Head of HR, UST Distractions versus productivity The natural question any firm would first consider while considering the mode of working is how distracted an employee can be when he/she works remotely. According to a study by the Economist, loss of focus due to distractions translates to an estimated annual salary cost of $34,448 per person in lost productivity in the United States. Despite all the possible positives associated with the hybrid work culture, some are sceptic about keeping the productivity level up. “It is true that we have moved on to a hybrid system. This is reflected in the new offices we have opened post-pandemic. We are moving closer to the hometowns of our employees in tier II and tier III cities,” says a senior IT professional of a leading MNC service provider in India, on condition of anonymity as he is not authorised to talk to the media. “But we face challenges in getting our employees motivated and not lose focus. There have been instances of moonlighting that affect our overall productivity. To avoid that we ask out team members to come to the office on different days of the week,” he says. “We have found that human errors have increased and productivity has suffered post-pandemic. Managers have an additional workload of keeping our subordinates in check as well as delivering the products as per the clients’ demand,” he says. But 36 per cent of employees feel more focused working from home as opposed to their office, compared to 28 per cent who feel less focused. Lengthy periods of deep focus are not common at workplaces, chiefly due to face-to-face interruptions (while in the office) and regular email checks, and so forth. However, nearly 30 per cent of respondents identify the temptation to relax as the dominant distraction while working from home. Feeling disconnected from colleagues also ranked highly as an impediment to engaging in productive tasks. Representational image. File photo: Manorama According to an Oslash survey quoted by Bloomberg, employees from Gen X were more likely to spend their workday running errands than other generations, and Gen Z (79%) were more likely to juggle multiple jobs while working. Almost half of the millennials admitted being distracted by their children (42%), while Gen Z employees were almost equally distracted by their pets (41%). “A home environment is a distracting environment if you have a kid around. The team also helps you focus on your work. Lesser face-to-face interaction poses a major issue,” says Revathy adding that a hybrid environment is preferred from an economical perspective. Hybrid models to an extent allow to minimise distractions and therefore, improve productivity. According to the Colliers survey, about one-third of the offices surveyed revealed that their productivity increased by 5-10 per cent with hybrid working. “A hybrid model allows our workforce to work asynchronously. We have found a hybrid way of working to maximize productivity, efficiency, and output,” says Kavita. Challenges galore A 2021 McKinsey survey says that leading companies have reimagined their entire hiring process to include a hybrid model. Now, 65 per cent of high-growth organisations have flexible workforce models as opposed to only 21 per cent in negative or no-growth companies, according to Accenture. Firms face challenges in mobilizing teams outside of traditional roles and operating models, and nurturing a cohesive culture amid periods of high uncertainty. As companies compete for talent and adapt to new ways of working, the technology they use has become the dominant feature of the employee experience. Firms opting to stay in the hybrid workplace spectrum must focus on providing the necessary devices and technology for working remotely. Firms need to be upgraded software to ensure seamless communication with employees without compromising privacy. A “Now Hiring” sign sits in the window of Tatte Bakery and Cafe in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., February 11, 2019. Reuters The hiring challenge Forty-two per cent of current remote workers say if their current company does not continue to offer remote work options long term, they will look for a job at a company that does, a Pulse of the American Worker survey says. The New York Times protest is a case in point. “Employees have discovered how flexible work arrangements lowered their stress levels, and employers, discovered that not only do hybrid remote workforces perform just as well as on-site teams, they also surpassed on-site teams in productivity,” says Kavita. After the pandemic, employees are not just looking for great salaries, they are also interested in the benefits on offer and the impact on their quality of life. Many of the IT professionals Onmanorama spoke to are planning to migrate to foreign countries despite being paid a salary above industry standards as working extended hours has taken a toll on their personal time and overall quality of life. Companies have to reinvent their working style to accommodate remote working if they need to hire and retain good professionals. (Research and additional inputs: Kannan V.)

Foam Rolling: What It Is And The Benefits – Monitor https://collincountynewsonline.com/foam-rolling-what-it-is-and-the-benefits-monitor/ When experiencing muscle tightness, chances are you will not want to work out at all. However, you do not have to lie in bed hoping that the muscles will get better. You can engage in foam rolling which is generally safe, more so if you work out regularly.  Augustine Kasujja, a fitness trainer, however, advises against rolling if you have a muscle tear.  “When your muscle is torn or broken, foam rolling will aggravate the pain. You must check in with the physiotherapist first. It is also important to avoid rolling over small joints. These include ankles, knees and elbows as rolling on them will cause harm. Rather, when rolling your hands, roll out the elbows first then the triceps and arms, steering clear of the elbows,” he advises. Monica Nakyejwe, a fitness coach adds that pregnant women can foam roll but must first check in with their gynaecologist.  Choosing a foam roller There are various foam rollers, in different firmness, shapes, sizes and foam density. However, all are cylindrical. Nakyejwe share some of the foam rollers available: When picking a foam roller, it may take some trying before you get one that suits your needs as each targets different needs. ● It could be a smooth roller which works well for beginners and the foam intensity in mild. It is also pocket friendly compared to the rest. ● Foam massage balls target particular muscles, mainly undoing muscle knots. ● Textured rollers bear knobs and ridges and help perform deep muscle massaging thus dealing away with tension and knob. ● Foam covered massage sticks work well for the upper back and legs performing deep muscle massage. ● Grid foam rollers are used by those accustomed to the workout with a textured surface thus able to deal with kinks and knots. ● Vibrating foam roller works well for deep tissue massage and has vibration technology. It does two things at the same time; relaxing tight muscles and minimises pain which shortens recovery than other rollers.  “However, you should never use a foam roller to the point of creating lasting pain. That way, it loses its purpose,” Nakyejwe says.   Additionally, consider the size and shape because the shorter the roller, the more effective it is for smaller body parts such arm and calves. “They are also portable, making working out anywhere possible,” she says. Benefits of foam rolling Apart from helping to release tight muscles and the pain therein, foam rolling is beneficial in many ways and these include: Relieve back pain: With the right foam roller, back pain is relived. In case one has lower back pain, Kasujja says they should work with their roller in a vertical manner.  “Then slowly, roll on the foam roller from side to side. As you roll, ensure that the foam roller is in line with your backbone. However, when used in a horizontal manner, the back will get strained,” he says. Better motion range: The foam roller relieves body stiffness.  “When foam rolling, the parasympathetic nervous system is signalled to allow relaxation. The parasympathetic nervous system is group of nerves that allows the body to relax after stressful moments such as fright. With relaxation, fibres easily elongate making it possible which betters how far the joints can move,” Nakyejwe says.  Reduce the brunt of fibromyalgia: According to a study: Benefits of a self-myofascial release programme on health-related quality of life in people with fibromyalgia: A randomised controlled trial, people who foam rolled felt better. After foam rolling, the depression, stiffness and pain that the fibromyalgia had caused to them reduced. Improves blood circulation: According to Kasujja, the muscles that will greatly benefit from foam rolling are those around tendons and ligaments.  “These, even in normal circumstance, have minimal blood flow. Blood carries oxygen, glucose which these muscles need to grow, repair and heal thus bettering functionality,” he says. Prepares you for workout: As one rolls up, there is friction between the body and the foam roller which creates heat.  “That allows for the muscles to warm up as well which prepares you for your workout. Adding foam rolling to your pre-exercise activities will help you reduce injuries. That is very crucial when coming out of a sedentary state,” Nakyejwe says.

The Return Of Blanc, The Transformation Of Verstappen, CR700: The Sports News Set For Monday, October 10, 2022 – US Sports – US Sports – https://collincountynewsonline.com/the-return-of-blanc-the-transformation-of-verstappen-cr700-the-sports-news-set-for-monday-october-10-2022-us-sports-us-sports/ What you may have missed between last night and this morning 1. Football – Ligue 1: Lens falls in the derby So the series had to end in a derby. Undefeated since the start of the season, Lens ended up falling against Lille (1-0), on a penalty converted by Jonathan David. The Artésiens fell on a sensational Lucas Chevalier in the Lille goal to allow LOSC to sign a victory that the Mastiffs hope will be founding. They go back to 7th place in the standings. The Lensois remain at the foot of the podium. Omnisport PSG, Djokovic, Paris-Tours, Euro 2024: The set of the day YESTERDAY AT 06:08 2. Rugby – Top 14: The LOU is replacing It was, however, off to a good start. But thanks to an excellent second half, the LOU overthrew Bordeaux in the closing match of the 6th day, with three tries, including two in the last ten minutes of the match (36-21). A success that allows the Lyonnais to get back to 6th place in the standings before a delicate trip to the champions, Montpellier, next weekend. UBB remains struggling in 12th place. 3. Football – Premier League: A 700th goal and Ronaldo revives United Again, he didn’t start. But it was Cristiano Ronaldo who revived Manchester United after the humiliation suffered in the derby against City last week (6-3). Entered during the first period after the injury of Anthony Martial, CR7 offered the victory to the Red Devils against Everton on a bright pass from his former teammate at Real Madrid, Casemiro (1-2). A historic goal, since it is the 700th in club for the Portuguese star. MU is 5th in the standings. We have also selected for you Golf – Shriners Children’s Open : The South Korean Kim Joo-hyung won, becoming at 20 the second youngest player in history to win more than one title on the American PGA Tour. Football – Serie A : Samuel Umtiti played again, for the first time since December 2021. He even signed an assist, but his Lecce team lost to Roma (2-1). To see, read and listen to on Eurosport We start with tennis with the 90th career coronation of Novak Djokovic on Sunday in Astana. The Serb has just won his second title in a row and seems set for a good end to the season. But he is not the only one in the spotlight in our Game, Set and Maths issue, where it is also a question of the remarkable entry of the American Taylor Fritz into the Top 10. A square of aces up his sleeve: the Djoker has the game to surprise you again We continue with F1 and the coronation of Max Verstappen, world champion for the second consecutive time on Sunday in Japan. The Red Bull driver has completed an almost perfect season. She especially illustrated the change in dimension of the Dutchman, who turned into a real boss of the paddock. A look back at the five Grands Prix that illustrated this transformation. READ: These five Grands Prix that showed the new Verstappen stature We finish with judo. This Monday could smile at the Tricolores on the Worlds of Tashkent with in particular the entries in the running of Marie-Eve Gahié, European champion in title, and Margaux Pinot in the -70kg. To follow live on Eurosport, this morning for the qualifications, and this afternoon (2 p.m.) for the finals. By the way, do you know why the judo belt is black? The answer here. The question of the day: will Laurent Blanc put OL right side up? It’s the great return of the President! Lyon formalized Sunday evening the arrival of Laurent Blanc to succeed Peter Bosz, sacked from his post as coach. The passage of the Dutch technician on the Gones bench will therefore have been a failure. Will the French be able to revive a club in great difficulty after five matches without a win in the league? That’s the big question. Because the 1998 world champion has not trained in Europe since leaving PSG six years ago. Its beginnings will be particularly observed. And as a wink of fate, they will take place next weekend against Rennes, the team led by a certain Bruno Genesio that the Lyonnais know so well… Omnisport Gasly at Alpine, Bosz on the hot seat, 40-5, Alaf: the set of the day 08/10/2022 At 06:00 Omnisport Wembanyama without mercy, Bosz without excuse, Paris without trembling: the set of the day 07/10/2022 At 04:40

University Debuts Hong Kong’s First Metaverse Postgraduate Degree – South China Morning Post https://collincountynewsonline.com/university-debuts-hong-kongs-first-metaverse-postgraduate-degree-south-china-morning-post/ Published: 5:00pm, 10 Oct, 2022 Updated: 5:00pm, 10 Oct, 2022

Four Gadgets And Appliances That Stop You From Turning On The Heating Yet And Save You Money… – The Sun https://collincountynewsonline.com/four-gadgets-and-appliances-that-stop-you-from-turning-on-the-heating-yet-and-save-you-money-the-sun/ If you click on a link in this article, we may earn affiliate revenue IT may be tempting to turn on the heating as the temperature drops, but there are plenty of ways to stay warm without. In fact, gadgets and appliances such as electric blankets may save you cash as energy bills soar. 5 There are ways to stay warm without turning on the heating just yet On October 1, the average household bill rose from £1,971 a year to £2,500 under the government’s energy price guarantee. The support caps the cost per unit households pay, so your actual bill could be more or less than £2,500. How much you pay will depend on how much energy you use. If you’re struggling to go without heating, we’ve rounded up the items to reach for first, assuming you’ve already layered up. It could come in handy as reducing the thermostat by just one degree can save you £100 a year on your bill. Before you buy any, make sure to factor in the cost of the items. You should always shop around in case you can find a better deal elsewhere. You’ll also need to factor in any delivery costs if you order online. 1. Hot water bottles – from £3.50 5 These hot water bottles are available at The Range for just £3.50 eachCredit: The Range Hot water bottles are pretty self-explanatory, but for those who are unfamiliar, you simply fill the rubber bottle with warm water and hold it. Plenty of retailers sell them, and you don’t need to spend a lot either. For example, The Range is selling a double-ribbed version for just £3.49, while Dunelm charges £6 for one with a fleece cover. It’s not advisable to put boiling water into a hot water bottle, as this can corrode the rubber and cause leaks. However, you can put nearly boiling water in there – so simply fill the kettle up and leave it to cool slightly before transferring the liquid. As of October, it costs 9p to run your kettle for five minutes. If you do that once a day for your hot water bottle, for the four coldest months of the year, that’s just 81.9p in total. 2. Electric blankets – from £22 5 You may want to consider warming up your bed before you get into it with an electric blanketCredit: Dunelm If a hot water bottle doesn’t cut it, you may want to consider snapping up an electric blanket instead. Most people use them under their sheets to heat their bed before they get in it. Dunelm is selling one version starting at £22 for a single, while Studio charges £28 for a Silentnight version. Based on the new price cap on October 1, it now typically costs 24p to run an electric blanket for one hour a day for seven days. If you use it for an hour per night for the coldest four months of the year, that’s 91 nights and a total cost of £3.13. 3. Other heated wearables – from £6 5 Amazon is selling reusable hand warmers for just £6 per two-packCredit: Amazon There is plenty of other wearable tech to help you stay warm this winter. For example, you can get an oversized heated hoodie for £27 at the Onlinehomeshop, or for £29.99 on Amazon. If you struggle with blood circulation in your hands or feet, Boots is selling USB-powered foot warmers for £20, while Amazon shoppers can get two reusable hand warmers for £5.99. Using reusable hand warmers will cost you less than 1p per hour to run, according to MoneySavingExpert. 4. Heaters – from £23 5 An electric heater can help you heat up individual roomsCredit: Screwfix Last but not least, you may want to consider buying an electric heater. An electric heater is a plug-in device that works as electricity is passed through a resistor and converted into heat. You can get fairly cheap options, such as one at Screwfix for just £22.99 or a two-in-one cooler and heater for £32.99 at Currys. However, it’s important to note that these will typically cost you more – both to buy and the running costs – than the above gadgets. Based on the energy price cap from October 1, an electric heater will typically cost £1.08 to run per hour. If you leave it on for four hours a day, every day of the week, that’s £30.24 a week. Of course, this is the maximum you would pay per kilowatt of energy, and you’re unlikely to use an electric heater all throughout the year.

Crypto Price Today: Bitcoin Breaches $20k; XRP, Polygon & Polkadot Gain Up To 4% – Economic Times https://collincountynewsonline.com/crypto-price-today-bitcoin-breaches-20k-xrp-polygon-polkadot-gain-up-to-4-economic-times/ Synopsis Bitcoin slipped below the $20,000 mark, whereas Ethereum was slightly above $1,300. Investors across the globe will be keenly looking at the inflation data and the US Fed minutes of the meeting scheduled this week. Reuters New Delhi: Following a muted trade on the weekend, crypto tokens were back in the green during the early hours of Asian trade on Monday. However, the gains were limited considering inflation fears across the globe. Bitcoin slipped below the$20,000 mark, whereas Ethereum was slightly above $1,300. Investors across the globe will be keenly looking at the inflation data and the US Fed minutes of themeeting scheduled this week. All the crypto tokens were trading higher on Monday, but the gains were capped. XRP jumped as much as 4 per cent, whereas Polkadot and Polygon gained 3 per cent each. Solana was up 2 per cent. The global cryptocurrency market cap was trading marginally higher at $944.94 billion, rising about a per cent in the last 24 hours. However, the total trading volume gained as much as 2 per cent to $33.20 billion. What’s cooking in India The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday released its concept note for central bank digital currency (CBDC), which was announced by Finance Minister Nirmal Sitharaman in Parliament during her budget speech in February. The RBI clarified that the concept note aims to create awareness about CBDC and features of the digital rupee (e₹). It explains the objectives, choices, benefits, risks of CBDCs in India. Expert take Shivam Thakral, CEO, BuyUcoin said that the overall crypto market cap is hovering around $945 billion, a marginal jump of less than a per cent in the last 24 hours. Bitcoin was sitting at the $20,000 level but later lost it. “The ongoing economic pressure, geopolitical uncertainty, and hawkish stance of central banks worldwide will keep investors on their toes in the coming weeks,” he added. Global Updates Crypto mining companies have struggled extremely in 2022 so far. One shred of evidence came from Barclays, which initiated equity research coverage on Core Scientific last week, issuing an ‘overweight’ rating. Crypto exchange Huobi Global, one of the biggest token trading outposts in the Asia markets, said that it has agreed to be purchased by Hong Kong-based investment company About Capital Management’s M&A fund. Ziya Sadr, an Iranian Bitcoin advocate, was arrested by Iranian security forces last month, according to multiple sources. The arrest came amid widespread anti-government protests over the state killing of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. Tech View by Proasstez Exchange Bitcoin is still holding a strong support level of $19,000 and key support level of $17,000. Currently, a small momentum is building up to reach $20,400. If it crosses $22,000 it can touch the levels of $25,000. Agencies (Views and recommendations given in this section are the analysts’ own and do not represent those of ETMarkets.com. Please consult your financial adviser before taking any position in the asset/s mentioned.) (What’s moving Sensex and Nifty Track latest market news, stock tips and expert advice on ETMarkets. Also, ETMarkets.com is now on Telegram. For fastest news alerts on financial markets, investment strategies and stocks alerts, subscribe to our Telegram feeds.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News. …moreless Pick the best stocks for yourself Powered by

Mental Health Day: US Capitalism Is Bad For Your Mind – Al Jazeera English https://collincountynewsonline.com/mental-health-day-us-capitalism-is-bad-for-your-mind-al-jazeera-english/ When I was in high school in Texas in the late 1990s, running myself ragged with academic and extracurricular activities, I began suffering from acute panic attacks. The first round lasted for six months, during which I experienced continuous shortness of breath, a berserk heart rate and the feeling that I had been wrenched out of reality and placed in a parallel and terrifying universe, where I was entirely alone and where no one would help me. Having been raised in the ruthless system known as United States capitalism — in which the need for individual success had been hardwired into my brain — my terror was exacerbated by the assumption that I was dying or otherwise failing miserably at existence. When the panic attacks resurfaced a few years later in college in New York, where hyperventilating in the bathroom quickly proved incompatible with attendance at lectures, I underwent a professional psychological evaluation. The doctor needed just 90 seconds before prescribing heavy-duty anxiety medication. So it was that I briefly joined the ranks of Americans medicated to deal with mental health issues caused by, well, the US. Although I couldn’t articulate at the time why it was that my own country creeped me out so much, my post-college abandonment of the US in favour of international wandering taught me that the world didn’t have to be such a hostile and alienating place. Whether I was being given a ride while hitchhiking in Lebanon or a place to sleep by peasant farmers in Colombia, an invigorating sense of human community came to supplant the toxic culture of competition and soul-crushing consumerism that passes for life in the US. I ditched the anxiety meds. Obviously, other countries have issues, too, and most people don’t have the massive privilege of sorting themselves out psychologically by gallivanting around the globe. But as we mark World Mental Health Day on October 10, it’s worth reflecting on the mental health dangers posed by the US’s increasingly globalised brand of neoliberal capitalism. According to a White House fact sheet released in March 2022, the country faces an “unprecedented mental health crisis among people of all ages”, with two out of every five adults reporting symptoms of depression or anxiety. The national mental health landscape has deteriorated considerably on account of the coronavirus pandemic, although the pre-pandemic situation was already bad enough. In 2019, for example, one out of three high school students and a full 50 percent of female students reported experiencing “persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness”. The fact sheet noted that “Black and Brown communities are disproportionately undertreated” even as their rates of mental illnesses rise — which pretty much sounds like business as usual in the supposedly egalitarian “land of the free”. To be sure, institutionalised discrimination and mass racial incarceration aren’t exactly great for mental health either. Regarding the pernicious mental effects of social media, meanwhile, the White House stressed that online platforms should “be required to prioritise and ensure the health, safety and well-being of children and young people above profit and revenue”. Which brings us to the following conundrum: The capitalist system to which the US government is inextricably wedded not only prioritises profit over human health and wellbeing, it actively thrives on the extraction of corporate revenue from human malaise and torment. Just ask the pharmaceutical industry. The formula is simple. Neoliberalism breeds psychological distress by working to obliterate solidarity, the very essence of humanity, while converting the right to physical and mental health care into an exclusive and costly endeavour — an arrangement that only aggravates mental health stressors for those of lesser socioeconomic means. This is not to say that rich people don’t struggle with psychiatric disorders. Various studies have found that CEOs are disproportionately likely to be psychopaths. And while depression, anxiety and despair are completely rational reactions to an inhuman environment — and a world that capitalism is rapidly propelling towards ecological annihilation — US drug companies have pushed pathologising psychological turmoil as an individual defect rather than a result of societal context. Relatedly, the arms industry, another pillar of US capitalism, perpetuates its own vicious cycle of lucrative catastrophe, devastating communities at home and abroad as it wages war on human empathy. In a 2021 peer-reviewed research paper, Baltimore-based psychiatrist Anna Zeira wrote about the disturbing mental health repercussions of neoliberal capitalism in the US, characterised by severe inequality and the “disempowerment of workers”. She noted that recent years have witnessed “dramatic rises” in suicides as well as deaths from alcoholism and drug overdoses. Indeed, between 1991 and 2017, there was a 73 percent increase in suicide attempts among Black adolescents. Zeira recalled how Black men demanding racial justice during the Civil Rights era were described by certain American doctors as “delusional and paranoid”. Her point: People upset by the “status quo” are often “labeled as mentally ill”. This October 10, as capitalism proceeds to wreak havoc on mental health across the US and beyond, it’s critical to acknowledge that the status quo is not only abnormal, it’s downright sick. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance.

Optimising Returns Through Big Data Insights – 365 Retail https://collincountynewsonline.com/optimising-returns-through-big-data-insights-365-retail/ As we approach peak season sales, optimising the returns process is crucial if retailers are to save the sale and keep items circulating in the marketplace. Big data insights into returns can provide crucial insights that manage the handling of items throughout the warehouse, sales and delivery process, as well as fixing customer experience issues and identifying ‘toxic products’. Data insights can be invaluable to retailers, especially during peak season where sales are high, warehouses and suppliers are stretched and logistically there’s a lot to manage. There are so many things that technology can tell us. For example, it can enable retailers to allocate resources appropriately based on forecasts and trends. With resources in the right place, retailers can process returns more quickly making products ready for resale quickly. Retailers can also route stock to different locations depending on where an item sells best, including charity donations or repair shops for damaged goods. This can reduce a retailer’s airmiles and impact on their carbon footprint. It also allows for the consolidation of returns, rather than the moving of individual returns. Data can also identify ‘toxic products’ far more easily than manual and, lets face it, outdated processes of identification. These are items that have an excessively high rate of return and come at a greater cost to retailers. If retailers know what and when a product is being returned, proactive decisions can be made to minimise cost. An integrated system can also impact customer behaviour at the point of return, such as offering a live exchange rather than a refund or perhaps an incentivised refund to gift card for faster refunds. If a customer chooses this option, the retailer can refund an item on first carrier scan rather than waiting for the item to arrive back at the distribution centre. Essentially, to reduce both the volume and the impact of returns and maximise the resale value of returns, retailers need to be embracing technology and the significant big data insights it can provide. At the end of the day it can minimise unnecessary cost, reduce wastage across the board and even encourage customer loyalty.

Adesso Launches Platform Collaboration With Fennica Gaming – European Gaming Industry News – European Gaming Industry News https://collincountynewsonline.com/adesso-launches-platform-collaboration-with-fennica-gaming-european-gaming-industry-news-european-gaming-industry-news/ Reading Time: 2 minutes The European Casino Association has awarded scholarships to two deserving candidates for this year’s ECA Diversity Scholarship, sponsored by AGEM, Clarion and the UNLV International Gaming Institute. Now in its fifth year, the Diversity Scholarship is open to all ECA member employees, enabling successful candidates to participate in-person at the renowned Executive Development Programme, held at Lake Tahoe, US. The EDP is a pre-eminent gaming leadership course, the brainchild of a partnership between the UNLV International Gaming Institute and the University of Nevada, Reno College of Business and Extended Studies. The ECA Diversity Scholarship covers the full cost of the programme, which this year returns to the week-long in-person event staged at Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Over three decades, the EDP has become a reference point for gaming executives seeking to take their careers to the next level, aiming to build leadership and management skills and develop strategic thinking. It is a unique occasion to learn and share best practices with peers from around the world. The jury from the sponsoring organisations (Clarion, AGEM, UNLV and the ECA) has examined all the applications and awarded two ambitious colleagues from the European land-based casino industry aspiring to a leadership position and hoping to broaden their professional education. “Now in its fifth year, the ECA scholarship programme has grown in renown among European casino executives who recognise the wider learnings offered by the Executive Development Programme to the daily roles of our hard-working employees. The ECA has awarded two outstanding candidates from Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer and Veikkaus to take part in the programme to promote the individual growth of gaming professionals who, through their actions, have supported and enhanced diversity and inclusion within the industry,” said ECA Chairman Per Jaldung. The ECA’s Diversity Scholarships for 2022 have been awarded to the following candidates: Kirsi Karola Lagus, Veikkaus, Finland “I feel passionate about continuously developing myself and the organisations I work with. Growth mindset, sincerity in interactions and braveness to face reality with a positive approach are the things that I cherish.” Celine Alberola, Casino de Monte-Carlo, Monaco “I hope to inspire the members of my team by sharing my experience and thus instil in them a new impetus, a source of cohesion and personal development.” ECA General Secretary Hermann Pamminger said: “The land-based casino sector is, by definition, an in-person industry, and so the return of the Executive Development Programme to the picturesque surroundings of Lake Tahoe is a significant moment for the casino sector. It is with great satisfaction that the ECA has awarded two diversity scholarships in 2022, at a value of €12,000 each, as a reward for the dedication and career-orientated focus of two casino professionals who will gain unique knowledge and insights from the EDP to utilise in their everyday roles. We look forward to charting the progress of Kirsi and Celine and wish them both every success in the future.”

Automotivated For Kids Returns After Two-Year Hiatus – Plano Magazine https://collincountynewsonline.com/automotivated-for-kids-returns-after-two-year-hiatus-plano-magazine/ The Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County will host its third Automotivated for Kids car, truck and motorcycle show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center in Allen. The annual event, which is hosted by Time Machine Car Shows, raises money and awareness for abused and neglected Collin County Children. It returns after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Photo courtesy Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County This is the 30th anniversary of the Advocacy Center. Its mission continues to be providing vital services to abused children throughout the county. This year’s show promises to feature both classic and exotic cars, in addition to trucks and motorcycles of all varieties. Spectator admission is free. There is a $20 registration fee to participate in the show. It will be held rain or shine.

Spectacular Beaches In Kerala For An Ideal Vacation – Times Of India https://collincountynewsonline.com/spectacular-beaches-in-kerala-for-an-ideal-vacation-times-of-india/

LIVE: ED Moves Supreme Court Against The Grant Of Bail To Anil Deshmukh – Hindustan Times https://collincountynewsonline.com/live-ed-moves-supreme-court-against-the-grant-of-bail-to-anil-deshmukh-hindustan-times/ Live Updated on Oct 10, 2022 11:29 AM IST Breaking news October 10, 2022, live updates: Get latest news, breaking news, latest updates, live news, top headlines, breaking business news and top news of the hour. Get latest news, breaking news, latest updates, live news, top headlines, breaking business news and top news of the hour. Welcome to hindustantimes.com updates platform where you can find breaking news from India and across the world. Find fast updates about the latest news as it breaks. Follow all the updates here: Oct 10, 2022 11:29 AM IST Yogi announces three-day state mourning over death of former UP CM Mulayam Singh Yadav Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday declared a three-day state mourning over the death of Samajwadi Party patriarch, Mulayam Singh Yadav. “Full state honours will be accorded to his final rites,” said Yogi. Oct 10, 2022 10:47 AM IST ED moves Supreme Court against the grant of bail to Anil Deshmukh ED moves Supreme Court against the grant of bail to NCP leader Anil Deshmukh in a money laundering case. Oct 10, 2022 10:40 AM IST SC agrees to hear Satyendar Jain’s plea tomorrow Supreme Court agrees to hear tomorrow AAP minister Satyendar Jain’s plea against the transfer of a money laundering case against him to a new trial judge. On October 1, Delhi HC had affirmed the decision to move the case to a new trial judge on ED’s request. Oct 10, 2022 10:06 AM IST PM Modi condoles Mulayam Singh Yadav’s death PM Modi condoles Mulayam Singh Yadav’s death , remembers him as ‘key soldier of democracy during Emergency’. “Mulayam Singh Yadav Ji distinguished himself in UP and national politics. He was a key soldier for democracy during the Emergency. As Defence Minister, he worked for a stronger India. His Parliamentary interventions were insightful and emphasised on furthering national interest,” he wrote. Oct 10, 2022 09:43 AM IST Mulayam Singh Yadav passes away at 82 Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav dies at 82 due to mutiple organ failure. Oct 10, 2022 09:13 AM IST India records 2,424 new Covid infections in 24 hours 2,424 new Covid infections in 24 hours in India, active caseload stands at 28,079. Oct 10, 2022 08:22 AM IST PM Modi to inaugurate various development programs in Bharuch and Jamnagar Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of various development programs in Bharuch and Jamnagar today. In Ahmedabad, PM Modi will inaugurate Modi Shaikshanik Sankul. Oct 10, 2022 08:08 AM IST Suvendu Adhikari writes to Amit shah over Mominpur violence LoP West Bengal Suvendu Adhikari writes to Union Home Minister Amit Shah requesting “urgent deployment of Central forces in the wake of Mominpur violence and ransacking of Ekbalpur police station to contain law & order situation”. Oct 10, 2022 08:01 AM IST ‘Re-shaping Indo-Pacific region is in interest of both countries,’ says Austrialian Foreign Minister in a dialogue with India’s EAM Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong stated that it is in the interests of both countries to work on reshaping the Indo-Pacific region during a joint press conference with India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Oct 10, 2022 07:07 AM IST 2 more rescued after building collapses in Delhi’s Lahori Gate Two more persons were taken out of the debris after a two-storey building which was in a “dilapidated condition” collapsed near Delhi’s Lahori Gate on Sunday evening. Oct 10, 2022 06:36 AM IST North Korea says recent missile tests were ‘tactical nuclear’ drills North Korea’s recent missile tests were “tactical nuclear” drills personally overseen by leader Kim Jong Un, state media said Monday, adding the launches were a response to US-led joint military exercises in the region. Subscribe to our best newsletters Mulayam Singh Yadav’s death ‘irreparable loss’, says Yogi; 3-day mourning in UP Published on Oct 10, 2022 10:52 AM IST The office of Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, his son, announced that the last rites will be held at Saifai, Mulayam Singh Yadav’s ancestral village in Uttar Pradesh. File photo of Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Melas to be held today Published on Oct 10, 2022 09:52 AM IST The skill development and entrepreneurship ministry is organising the melas at 280 locations across the country Morning brief: Big move by Railways to prevent accidents Updated on Oct 10, 2022 09:05 AM IST Here are today’s top news, analysis, and opinion. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times. Rainfall to continue in northwest India Published on Oct 10, 2022 08:36 AM IST IMD said a western disturbance was affecting the Western Himalayan region while a cyclonic circulation was over northeast Rajasthan and the neighbourhood Autopsy of ‘man-eating’ tiger killed in Bihar’s West Champaran conducted Published on Oct 10, 2022 08:25 AM IST A team of sharpshooters and police shot dead the tiger in Bihar’s West Champaran district hours after it allegedly mauled a woman and her son near the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) Story Saved New Delhi 0C Monday, October 10, 2022

Why The ‘jaw-Dropping’ Poverty Health Gap Is About To Get Worse – The Telegraph https://collincountynewsonline.com/why-the-jaw-dropping-poverty-health-gap-is-about-to-get-worse-the-telegraph/ Prof Sir Michael Marmot, a globally lauded public health expert for the past half-century, chooses his words with precision – to avoid, he tells me, straying from the scientific evidence into politics. “It is important to stop at the limit of your expertise.” Yet, while he is unabashed in his praise of the NHS (“a brilliant system”), he believes that right now “it is in desperate, desperate straits”. Passionate words for one who generally prefers to avoid them, but justified, he would say, when 6.8 million are currently on NHS waiting lists and a survey last week (by Engage Britain) revealed that one in 10 of us goes private because of the delays in treatment or lack of access to them. And this is all before we go into a winter where fuel poverty and a cost of living crisis will reportedly see families forced to choose heating or eating. In a report published at the start of this month, coauthored with a respiratory consultant, Sir Michael cautioned that unheated homes will cause a wave of disease in young lungs, as well as damaging brain development in a way that could amount to “a significant humanitarian crisis”. That, too, was a chilling warning. We are meeting in a noisy café in a north London park where he often brings his grandchildren. With Liz Truss and her ally Thérèse Coffey still finding their feet as Prime Minister and Health Secretary, could the NHS crisis Sir Michael is describing be a make-or-break issue? “I’m not the person to ask,” the 77-year-old replies, falling back to his insistence on evidence. There is the faintest twinge of an Australian accent detectable in his calm, measured, slightly husky voice. His family moved from London to Down Under when he was a small child. He completed a good part of his education there before returning to the UK to begin his illustrious career. What he is keener to dwell on is his belief that the fate of the NHS is intricately bound up with the subject that he has made his own in a series of influential reports that bear his surname over the past 20 years: the relationship between health inequality and social injustice. “No one at present has got a clear answer as to what proportion of health inequalities between different social groups are due to lack of access to high-quality health care in the NHS,” he reports, “but there is a suggestion that it may be 20 per cent.” In other words, the failings of the NHS in its current depleted form may be particularly failing the bottom fifth of the population who already suffer the worst health outcomes of any group in the population, with life expectancies of 17 years less than those in the top percentage.  The causes are complex, he explains, but often arise because of the socio-economic circumstances in which those at the foot of the ladder live their lives, compared to those with more money and time to spend on essentials such as food and accommodation. Other alarming signs include the number of people with sufficient resources now choosing to pay for an appointment with a private GP because they have given up hope of ever seeing someone in person at their NHS surgery. “I really am fearful of what is happening,” says the man who in 2010 published a landmark government-commissioned review “Fair Society: Healthy Lives” that set six priorities (“The Marmot Six”). They included goals for early child development, education and working conditions for the reduction of health inequalities between rich and poor in this country.  “I believe that if one person opts out of the public health system, that affects everybody,” he says. “There are consequences when you abandon universality. Take the Finnish education system. There is no private education so everyone has a stake in having a public education system that is as good as it can be. In one of my reports, I wrote that just as an education system for the poor is a poor education system, so too a health system for the poor is a poor health system.” Prof Marmot trained as a doctor in Sydney. “I qualified and did various houseman posts. I was working in chest medicine when I saw the light about prevention.” As a junior doctor, he has said, he learnt “most of the things doctors treat could be seen as failed prevention. If you did not smoke, you would not get lung cancer. If you ate a healthy diet, you avoid a third of cancers”. It is a lesson he still follows in his private life. “I have a healthy diet, mostly vegetables and fish, but I am not ideological and eat some meat. My only vice is doing the sudoku in The New York Times on a daily basis.” It is in the public domain, however, that his early switch from treatment to prevention has had the most significant impact on the rest of us. He has chaired World Health Organisation commissions and served as president of the British Medical Association (2010-11) and the World Medical Association (2015-16).  In all these roles – including now as director of University College London’s Institute of Health Equity – he has explored the link between social injustice and poor health outcomes. Way back in 1978 he published his first paper on the “social gradient” in health.  “It showed that the lower the grade of employment, the lower the life expectancy,” he says. “People near the top have shorter life expectancy than those at the very top, and that runs all the way from top to bottom. People in the middle have about eight-and-a-half years shorter healthy life expectancy than those at the top.” How to close the gap has been the focus of his work. “Some people say, ‘there is nothing wrong with inequality, all societies have inequalities because the world rewards hard work’. My reply is: ‘Let’s get the set of social arrangements in place such that whole groups of people are not suffering ill health through no fault of their own.’” It is not always a demand that has won favour with the succession of health secretaries and public health ministers he has worked closely with since 1997 up to 2019. “Then it stopped,” he explains. “No minister has approached me since then.” In the days when he was a regular in Whitehall, he reports cabinet ministers telling him: “Oh, the poor have got nobody to blame but themselves. They don’t know how to eat properly. They don’t know how to cook. I could eat perfectly well on 50p a day.” His response to such remarks is best summed up, he says, by evidence quoted in a 2020 follow-up “progress report” he did on his original 2010 findings. “They came from the Food Foundation and showed that, for people to follow the healthy eating guidance from the NHS, those in the bottom 10 per cent of household income would have to spend 74 per cent of their income on food, and that’s before rent and heating. So don’t blame people’s ignorance. Blame their poverty.” If No 10 called him for advice on tackling the 60 per cent of the population who are, according to some estimates, facing fuel poverty and all the negative health consequences that will follow, what would he tell them to do? “Put equity of health and well-being at the heart of all policy,” he replies without hesitation. “I wouldn’t want to prioritise a particular level of taxation. That’s a downstream discussion, it seems to me.” When it comes to government financial support to protect the health and well-being of society during the current crisis, would he use universal measures such as the price freeze that has been announced, or something more targeted for those at the lower end of his social gradient? “Well, if we take the 60 per cent facing fuel poverty, we don’t necessarily want to give support to the top 40 per cent. Means-testing is a very important debate. On one side, why give benefits to people who don’t need them? On the other – and I look at all this from the impact-on-health point of view, not ideology – given the social gradient, if you target only the worst off, you risk missing those above the threshold. The argument is for more universality.” In the midst of what some are already describing as the worst crisis since the Second World War, why prioritise health and well-being rather than, say, growing the economy? “Because it builds a better society. Health equity has stopped improving here. For 100 years, life expectancy was going up by about one extra year every four years. In 2010-11 the curve flattened. Health inequalities increased and, for the poorest people, it has gone down by a year, a year and half in the north west of England. In a rich, civilised country, that is jaw-dropping.” The pandemic, he believes, was not a case of “all in it together” but instead exposed those underlying inequalities in society. “It amplified them. We saw that the social gradient in Covid deaths looked very similar to the social gradient in all mortality, but slightly steeper.” Now the economic crisis threatens to do the same. Yet he remains hopeful. He was recently in Luton, which has just become a “Marmot Town”, which means the local authority and other agencies have adopted the “Marmot Six” principles. Coventry, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire, Cumbria and Gateshead have already done something similar. “The more who share my hope, the greater chance we have of improvement.”

Wanted: A Few Good Mentors | News, Sports, Jobs – Fort Dodge Messenger https://collincountynewsonline.com/wanted-a-few-good-mentors-news-sports-jobs-fort-dodge-messenger/ -Submitted photo Mentor Ann McBride smiles after spending time with middle school student Ashlee Behrens. McBride was a mentor to Behrens at Cooper Elementary School and then followed her to Fort Dodge Middle School. Corey Moody is looking for a few good men. And, of course, a few good women as well. Moody, the Fort Dodge Community School District mentoring coordinator, is looking to recruit new mentors to the program, which began in 1994. As with a lot of things, COVID has taken its toll on the number of mentors within the program. Moody said the program lost a lot of older mentors during the pandemic and he’s struggled to bring people back into the program, which was placed on hiatus for a couple years. “We have some good numbers in the high school and the middle school,” he said. “Those people started with students when they were younger and are sticking with them. We’ve got a lot of students who need to be paired with a mentor in the elementary schools.” Students are referred to Moody by their teachers, school counselors, principals and parents. The students range from elementary school all the way through high school. There’s never a shortage of students in need of a mentor, Moody said. Each mentor is paired with a student and spends time with that student on a weekly basis. The goal, said Moody, is for students to have a positive, healthy, one-on-one relationship with an adult role model. “They can do a variety of things,” said Moody. “They might have lunch together, or help with school work or just talk. We try to make sure they are a good match for each other.” The mentoring program is part of the BRIDGES student services program at the school district. The BRIDGES program provides a wide range of support services for students who may need it. New mentors are usually assigned to an elementary school student and then the pair stays together as students progress through the grade levels. Moody said most of the mentors at the high school and middle school are back with students they first met in elementary school. He said his biggest need is mentors to start the program with current elementary students. “My list there has just dwindled,” he said. Moody said he’s had some current high school students reach out to him about mentoring elementary aged students. He said he plans to pair them with Cooper Elementary School students since the two buildings are so close together. Moody said in the past when he’s needed help with mentors, the community has answered the call. He said he hopes that’s the case again this year. “One year, I said I needed 25 mentors and the next week we had all 25 spots filled. The community of Fort Dodge has been fantastic,” he said. Anyone is welcome to become a mentor. Moody said he’s had students from Iowa Central Community College, retired community members and even law enforcement members serve as mentors. To volunteer as a mentor, those interested just need to fill out a mentoring application and go through a simple background check. Once approved, Moody will work with them to find a good match with a student and do a short training with the mentor before they go into the school. The time commitment is just 45 minutes to an hour a week. Most mentors just visit their students at school during the school day, sometimes even just over a lunch break. They’ll chat, help them with their homework, play games, read to them — whatever works best for the pairings. “It’s not so much what you do,” Moody said. “It’s taking that time to do it.” In the 28 years of BRIDGES, the impact of the program is pretty clear, according to Moody. “I’ve had a couple of former students that had a mentor when they were little and have now become a mentor,” he said. Anyone interested in becoming a mentor can reach out to Moody at the high school. His number is 515-574-5469 or email him at cmoody@fdschools.org. Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox

Over And Above Innovation: PandaMR Launches Its Metaverse – Newswire https://collincountynewsonline.com/over-and-above-innovation-pandamr-launches-its-metaverse-newswire-2/ New Metaverse platform starts its journey. Press Release – Oct 9, 2022 21:00 EDT DUBAI, Arab Emirates, October 9, 2022 (Newswire.com) – PandaMR launches its Metaverse, a next-generation platform filled with features to help users get started in the new era of the Internet. It is available in the most user-friendly interface and will be open for any individual or company to establish their presence in the new digital realm. The concept of a metaverse has been relevant since the early 90s as a universal platform for all kinds of activity transferred into the virtual realm. Today’s metaverses could possibly be the level-up of the Internet with features that we need but don’t realize yet.  PandaMR’s metaverse is a web- and mobile-based platform. Right now, there are four main directions that the company is concentrating on: Business, Art, Education and Entertainment. The goal is to provide an adequate environment for each of these industries and develop tools that are necessary for these industries to stay in the Metaverse for a long time.  PandaMR positions itself as the “guide” for businesses to navigate through the Metaverse.   In the dedicated “Business Bay,” companies can organize onboarding and hiring processes, have internal meetings, plan corporate gatherings, hold conferences, and more. Thus, companies can stay one step ahead of the competition with little effort thanks to their future-proof investment in the metaverse experience. The “Education Hub” enables educational entities to establish virtual learning environments for engaging sessions.  For creative people, in just a few easy steps, the Art District provides artists with every chance to display their works.  “Many companies and individuals have heard about Metaverse, nevertheless most of them need additional guidance to make their first steps into the digital realm. We do the hard work of educating businesses and communities on how to get value from using metaverse solutions, and we do this with great enthusiasm and creativity,” said Vahe Khachatryan, Commercial Director at PandaMR. One may find an abundance of complex currencies which could be overwhelming. The NFT market and cryptocurrency sectors will be an option for PandaMR, with a lot of emphasis on diversifying payment methods and smoothing user experience. PandaMR extends a warm welcome to all newcomers and asks partners and metaverse aficionados to join efforts to build a Metaverse community that will be the driving engine for developing virtual solutions. Source: PandaMR, Inc.