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JD Gaming’s Lethal Teamfighting Completes NA’s Misery On The First Day Of Groups At Worlds 2022 – Dot Esports https://collincountynewsonline.com/jd-gamings-lethal-teamfighting-completes-nas-misery-on-the-first-day-of-groups-at-worlds-2022-dot-esports/ This League of Legends Worlds 2022 coverage is brought to you by EsportsBet.IO, the official betting partner of Dot Esports. Visit EsportsBet.IO for the best betting odds and in-depth match analytics. Be gamble aware! To round out a brutal day for North American fans, Evil Geniuses might have done the one thing that made an 0-3 day hurt even more: give its fans hope. For 25 minutes, North America’s third seed fought with the full head of steam they came out of Play-Ins with, fearlessly throwing themselves at one of the best teams in the world in JD Gaming. Two late-game teamfights later, the previously-hidden gulf in class showed as the Chinese squad, led by jungler Kanavi’s Viego and mid-laner Yagao’s Azir, threw EG aside in under 30 minutes to open their group stage play. The entirety of JD Gaming, but specifically Kanavi and Yagao, came into 2022 with something to prove after a down year last year left fans disappointed coming off a blistering 2020. A tumultuous but ultimately rewarding run through the LPL playoffs gave its fans hope that this could be the year. Many others certainly think so. On first glance at the two teams’ drafts, you could be forgiven for thinking the sides were flipped. EG jungler Inspired opted for Graves, which, along with Bel’Veth, has become the new hotness as far as carry junglers are concerned. The latter was banned by EG, leaving Kanavi to take Viego, and show that he’s just as capable of a carry threat with a 12-kill, 87.5 percent kill participation performance on the Ruined King. Screengrab via Esportsbet.io EG didn’t make it easy, though. The bottom lane play, especially from stand-in AD carry Kaori on a lane bully like Varus, was exactly what the doctor ordered to keep them in the game. Off the back of superior Drake control, they stayed on even footing with their opponents, and took the same kinds of scattered teamfights that JDG did later in the game for the same reasons: decisiveness. In a group B that’s being labeled the “Group of Death,” former world champions DWG KIA and European stalwarts G2 Esports round out a selection of teams that all have an argument as to why they could be the ones to make a deep run into Worlds. EG showed they belonged, maybe not in the same breath, but certainly in the Group Stage. JD Gaming will look to make it a 2-0 start to the Group Stage when they take on DWG KIA at 9pm CT on Saturday night, while EG will try to regroup against rivals G2 Esports at 5pm.

McKinney Officially Calls Alcohol Sales Vote: Here’s What To Know – Star Local Media https://collincountynewsonline.com/mckinney-officially-calls-alcohol-sales-vote-heres-what-to-know-star-local-media/ Allen American Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every morning so you don’t miss out on updates. Allen American e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Allen American Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! Carrollton Leader Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. Carrollton Leader e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Carrollton Leader Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! Celina Record Daily Headlines Daily Headlines from Celina Record Celina Record e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Celina Record Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! Coppell Gazette Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. Coppell Gazette e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Coppell Gazette Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! Flower Mound Leader Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. Flower Mound Leader e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Flower Mound Leader Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! Frisco Enterprise Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. Frisco Enterprise e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Frisco Enterprise Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! Lake Cities Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. Lake Cities e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Lake Cities Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! Lewisville Leader Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. Lewisville Leader e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Lewisville Leader Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! Little Elm Journal Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. Little Elm Journal e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Little Elm Journal Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! McKinney Courier Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. McKinney Courier e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. McKinney Courier Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! Mesquite News Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. Mesquite News e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Mesquite News Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! Plano Star Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. Plano Star e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Plano Star Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! Rowlett Lakeshore Times Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. Rowlett Lakeshore Times e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Rowlett Lakeshore Times Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! The Colony-Courier Leader Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. The Colony-Courier Leader e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. The Colony-Courier Leader Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports!

What You Should Know Before Cruising On The Discovery Princess – TravelPulse https://collincountynewsonline.com/what-you-should-know-before-cruising-on-the-discovery-princess-travelpulse/ Princess Cruises is known for offering elegant ships with state-of-the-art technology, as well as an upscale cruising experience that appeals to audiences of all ages. However, the cruise line’s mastery of the perfect cruise vacation has never been more on display than it is on the brand’s new cruise ship, the Discovery Princess. Delivered during an official handover at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy in January of 2022, the Discovery Princess has many of the popular features of other Princess Cruises ships. For example, traveling on the Discovery Princess gives you the chance to book one of the brand’s famous Sky Suites, as well as access to an on-board casino and a generous central corridor that features a coffee shop, plenty of bars and seating and an endless array of live entertainment.  Still, there are lots of added features to love about this ship, from its onboard mini golf course to its self-service laundry rooms and huge thermal suite. If you’re considering a cruise on the Discover Princess in the next few years, you should learn about the ship’s exciting features and everything else you should expect.

Business Highlights: Online Gambling, Fed Rate Hikes – The Associated Press – En Español https://collincountynewsonline.com/business-highlights-online-gambling-fed-rate-hikes-the-associated-press-en-espanol/ ___ North Dakota tribes want exclusive rights on online gambling BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s five American Indian tribes want exclusive rights to host internet gambling and sports betting throughout the state utilizing servers located on their reservations. The tribes are turning to Republican Gov. Doug Burgum to approve the idea, under tribal-state agreements known as a compacts. The current compacts expire at the end of this year and only Burgum can approve them. The governor wouldn’t comment on the proposal because negotiations are ongoing. Tribes argue the provision is needed because of the explosion of electronic pull tab machines across the state that have hurt their casinos, which are central to many tribes’ economies. ___ Another month of solid US hiring suggests more big Fed hikes WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s employers slowed their hiring in September but still added 263,000 jobs, a solid figure that will likely keep the Federal Reserve on pace to keep raising interest rates aggressively to fight persistently high inflation. Hiring fell from 315,000 in August to the weakest monthly gain since April 2021. The unemployment rate fell from 3.7% to 3.5%, matching a half-century low. The Fed is hoping that a slower pace of hiring would eventually mean less pressure on employers to raise pay and pass those costs on to their customers through price increases — a recipe for high inflation. But September’s job growth was likely too robust to satisfy the central bank’s inflation fighters. ___ To buy Twitter, Musk has to keep banks, investors on board If the squabbling ever stops over Elon Musk’s renewed bid to buy Twitter, experts say he still faces a huge obstacle to closing the $44 billion deal: Keeping his financing in place. Earlier this week Musk reversed course and said he’d go through with acquiring the social media company under the same terms he agreed to in April. But after months of tweetstorms and legal barbs, there are scars and suspicions on both sides. Both sides are now fighting over whether Twitter’s lawsuit against Musk should be dropped. For the deal to go through, Musk has to hold together a group of banks and investors that will help him pay for the purchase. ___ Drought takes toll on country’s largest cotton producer LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Drought and extreme heat have severely damaged much of the cotton harvest in the U.S., which produces roughly 35% of the world’s crop. Nowhere is this more apparent than the Texas High Plains, the windswept region that grows most of the crop in the nation’s top cotton-producing state. Forecasters and agricultural economists say that Texas cotton farmers could abandon nearly 70% of what they planted in the spring, making it the worst harvest in more than a decade. Losses could cost the region $1.2 billion, despite the federal insurance payments that farmers rely on during bad harvest years. ___ No summit breakthrough, EU struggles with gas price cap plan PRAGUE (AP) — European Union leaders are struggling to bridge significant differences over a natural gas price cap as winter approaches and Russia’s war on Ukraine fuels an energy crisis. It’s hoped that a price cap will contain a crisis that is driving up prices for consumers and businesses. Russia has tightened the gas taps as European governments support Ukraine with weapons and money. Yet an EU leaders summit in Prague on Friday didn’t produce a breakthrough on the gas cap. Standing in the way of an agreement was the simple fact that each EU member country depends on different energy sources and suppliers. The leaders hope to make more progress when they meet again on Oct. 20-21. ___ Hurricane Ian floods leave mess, insurance questions behind NORTH PORT, Fla. (AP) — Christine Barrett and her family had to climb on top of their kitchen cabinets because of flooding that surged into their house during Hurricane Ian. They put water wings on their 1-year-old, and were rescued by boat the next day. Their community of North Port is about 5 miles inland. And the Barretts — like many neighbors — live in areas where flood insurance isn’t required. And therefore they don’t have it. Now many wonder how they’ll afford much-needed repairs. There are concerns that not enough people nationally have flood insurance at a time when climate change is believed to be making storms wetter. The Insurance Information Institute says only about 4% of homeowners nationwide have flood insurance although 90% of catastrophes in the U.S. involve flooding. ___ Commerce tightens export controls on high end chips to China The Commerce Department is tightening export controls to limit China’s ability to get advanced computing chips, develop and maintain supercomputers, and make advanced semiconductors. The department said Friday that its updated export controls are focusing on these areas because China can use the chips, supercomputers and semiconductors to create advanced military systems including weapons of mass destruction; commit human rights abuses and improve the speed and accuracy of its military decision making, planning, and logistics. ___ Binance crypto exchange hit by latest digital currency hack Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, may have lost more than $100 million following a hack of its Binance Smart Chain blockchain network. A reddit post by Binance discussing the incident said that the company temporarily suspended its BNB smart chain after detecting an exploit between two blockchains. “The issue is contained now. Your funds are safe. We apologize for the inconvenience and will provide further updates accordingly,” CEO Changpeng Zhao said in a tweet. The post estimated that $100 million to $110 million in funds were taken, but that approximately $7 million was able to be frozen. ___ The S&P 500 fell 104.86 points, or 2.8%, to 3,639.66. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 630.15 points, or 2.1%, to 29,296.79. The Nasdaq fell 420.91 points, or 3.8%, to 10,652.40. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies fell 50.36 points, or 2.9%, to 1,702.15.

DA’s Office, Family Justice Center To Host Mid-October Health Fair – Vacaville Reporter https://collincountynewsonline.com/das-office-family-justice-center-to-host-mid-october-health-fair-vacaville-reporter/ A free family event to promote healthy living in Solano County will be held in the coming days in Fairfield. The Solano County District Attorney’s Office, which is teaming up with the Family Justice Center and Victims Empowerment Support Team (VEST), will host the Lori Frank Memorial Health Fair on Oct. 15. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the annex law, at 604 Empire St., and will include more than 60 local vendors. The fair will feature a wide variety of activities for people of all ages. They include free flu shots, health screenings, tasty treats, music, K-9 demonstrations, pumpkin decorating, arts and crafts, local nonprofit service providers, health and wellness business vendors, public safety vehicle demonstrations, food trucks and much, much more, said Monica Martinez, a spokeswoman for the DA’s Office. “We hope that you join us again this year as we celebrate our great community partnerships and healthy living throughout Solano County,” District Attorney Krishna Abrams said in a press statement. “With so many family-friendly activities to choose from, there will be something for everyone.” For more information, call the Solano Family Justice Center, telephonecall 784-7635.

How To Watch NC State Vs. Florida State: NCAA Football Live Stream Info, TV Channel, Time, Game Odds – CBS Sports https://collincountynewsonline.com/how-to-watch-nc-state-vs-florida-state-ncaa-football-live-stream-info-tv-channel-time-game-odds-cbs-sports/ Who’s Playing Florida State @ No. 14 NC State Current Records: Florida State 4-1; NC State 4-1 What to Know The Florida State Seminoles have enjoyed the comforts of home their last two games, but now they must head out on the road. FSU and the NC State Wolfpack will face off in an ACC battle at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium. Given that both teams suffered a loss in their last game, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this contest. The Seminoles might have drawn first blood against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons last week, but it was Wake Forest who got the last laugh. FSU fell to Wake Forest 31-21. Despite the loss, FSU had strong showings from WR Mycah Pittman, who caught five passes for two TDs and 85 yards, and QB Jordan Travis, who passed for three TDs and 281 yards on 35 attempts. FSU’s defense was a presence as well, as it got past the Demon Deacons’ offensive line to sack QB Sam Hartman four times for a total loss of 31 yards. It was a group effort with four guys contributing. Meanwhile, NC State came up short against the Clemson Tigers last week, falling 30-20. No one had a standout game offensively for NC State, but QB Devin Leary led the way with two touchdowns. FSU is expected to lose this next one by 3. Those burned by picking them against the spread last week might want to keep in mind that the team has not yet dropped back-to-back games against the spread this season. The losses bumped both teams down to an identical 4-1. A couple stats to keep an eye on: FSU enters the matchup with 481.6 yards per game on average, good for 17th best in the nation. But the Wolfpack rank 16th in the nation when it comes to yards allowed per game, with only 280 on average. We’ll see which of these strengths — offense or defense — will win out. How To Watch When: Saturday at 8 p.m. ET Where: Carter-Finley Stadium — Raleigh, North Carolina TV: ACC Network Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.) Follow: CBS Sports App Odds The Wolfpack are a 3-point favorite against the Seminoles, according to the latest college football odds. Over/Under: -110 See college football picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now. Series History NC State have won four out of their last seven games against Florida State. Nov 06, 2021 – NC State 28 vs. Florida State 14 Nov 14, 2020 – NC State 38 vs. Florida State 22 Sep 28, 2019 – Florida State 31 vs. NC State 13 Nov 03, 2018 – NC State 47 vs. Florida State 28 Sep 23, 2017 – NC State 27 vs. Florida State 21 Nov 05, 2016 – Florida State 24 vs. NC State 20 Nov 14, 2015 – Florida State 34 vs. NC State 17

Two Weeks Into Its Metaverse Debut, Walmart Sets Up Shop In Roblox’s Livetopia – Adweek https://collincountynewsonline.com/two-weeks-into-its-metaverse-debut-walmart-sets-up-shop-in-robloxs-livetopia-adweek/ Which social media strategies are winning long-term loyalty and how can your brand build memorable and shoppable moments in the space? Find out at Social Media Week Europe, 7–9 Nov. in London. Virtual passes also available. Sign up today. You’re a brand that has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars and hours of labor building an activation in the metaverse. But how do you make sure people show up in a space that exists outside of the traditional realms of marketing? Enjoying your content? You Have 1 Free Article Left. Register to continue reading!

40 Gag Gifts – National Today https://collincountynewsonline.com/40-gag-gifts-national-today/ Gag gifts are some of the most fun purchases to make when you’re at a loss as to what would be appropriate for someone on your holiday shopping list. While there are plenty of practical and funny gifts out there (like WineRack), sometimes you just need to go over the top with the best gag gift ideas. Check out this list of weird and wacky products that are sure to put a smile on your face. From old classic gag gifts to the weirdest things you never knew existed, we’ve got something perfect for anyone in your life, not just your brother. Our Top 3 Picks Best The Banana Bluetooth Phone Take your banana humor to the next level. Buy it! Also Great Fish-Flops Slippers These fish flops will have you shouting “REELIT!” Buy it! Good on a Budget Old School But Still Cool Snake in the Can The classic prank that never gets old. Buy it! Gag Gifts for Men Toilet Motion Sensor Night Light If your loved one is a frequent bathroom-goer at night, then equip them with this motion-activated light for their trips to the bathroom. This allows them to make their way to the throne without turning on bright overhead lights. Get it on Amazon Hilarious “Deez-nuts” LOL candle Have jokesters in your life? This candle is for them. Light up the room, and a few laughs, with these hilarious candles. They come in 2 different scents with 40 hours burning time. Deez Nutz candle by The Candle Daddy, makes a great gift for anyone who has a sense of humor. Get it on Amazon Senior Moment’s Survival Chain Bring a smile to your face, and start your party with a humorous touch. This old-age survival chain is adorned with plastic beaded chain that’s adorned with funny gadgets, letting them know they’re never too old to be young. Whether it’s a retirement gift or “over the hill” birthday party favor, this item will bring laughs while reminding your guests that life goes on and you don’t become old by age. Get it on Amazon Waving Inflatable Wacky Tube (18 inch) Get a laugh with this tiny Wacky Waving Inflatable Tube Guy. Make your office a little more hilarious with this Wacky Waving Inflatable Tube Guy. A mini version of the classic yellow inflatable guy, it will provide laughs in any home or office. Perfect for your desk, this novelty gift is a humorous way to make people smile. Get it on Amazon Affirmators!! 50 Helpy-Ness Affirmation Collection We all want to do our best and put our best foot forward at work. These cards are a great way to step out of the office, even if they’re only a few steps away. Each card has a positive message that will boost your spirit and encourage you to keep working towards your goals. Get it on Amazon For Men Dr. Squatch Bar Soap Collection With a 5-pack of soaps for men, you’ll be able to take your shower game to a whole new level. The scents are bold and different from anything else out there. Plus, they leave your skin feeling awesome! Also makes a great gift for the manliest man in your life. Get it on Amazon ‘Forking Good”, The Unofficial Cookbook  Whether you’re a Michael and Janet stan, or still trying to get over the loss of The Good Place, this cookbook will fill that pineapple-sized hole in your heart by presenting recipes for every food item and activity that appeared on the show. This unofficial cookbook salutes both this extraordinary show, and Eleanor’s never-ending hunger for more food. Get it on Amazon The Strongest “Death Wish Coffee. Co” Intense Coffee Be Bold. Be Intense. Be Powerful. We’re not going to sugarcoat it . An amazon Top seller coffee product, Death Wish coffee. All of the beans are freshly roasted with no preservatives or additives. This medium roast is as close as you’ll get to a French roast, with rich and full flavor – perfect for any time of day. If you can’t get enough, we promise that your first bag will be unforgettable Get it on Amazon Gag Gifts for Women Purr-Fect Cat Jogger Pants PURRFECT – This pair of jogger pants are so soft you’ll never want to take them off. With a comfortable elastic waistband and drawstring, they make the perfect gift for anyone with an affinity for cats of all shapes and sizes. Get it on Amazon Le Tiny Violin  The world’s tiniest violin! Playing it won’t make you feel any better, but at least you don’t have to hear their complaints. This tiny violin is perfect for the person in your life who is constantly complaining. It may not lift their spirits, but it’s small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and fun to play with. Get it on Amazon Extra Comfy Le Baguette Slippers Slippers are a very popular home garment, but sometimes we all get bored of them. It is the time when you need to add some humor and funniness in your life. Here comes the Funny Slippers which will not only make you feel good, but also make others around you happy. Now you can show off your fancy baguette loaves everywhere with these funny yet comfy slippers. Get it on Amazon Iconic Funny Fox Coffee Mug Do you love fox? We all love mugs, they’re the perfect thing to have during your daily morning cereals or hot cup of coffee. This Fox Coffee mug is a design that is perfect for any animal lover! It will make you feel happy and inspired every time you pour in a hot drink!! Get it on Amazon Relatable Sentiment Taco Dish Towel A relaxing and enjoyable way to keep your kitchen sink a little less messy, this dish towel is the perfect gift for anyone who loves a good joke. Whether you’re a taco lover, or just appreciate the saying, this dish towel is sure to bring a smile to your face every time you use it. Get it on Amazon Kitten Lover Cat Tarot Cats have seen worlds that are older than our oldest stories, and beyond those wonders they have a sense of humor. Cat Tarot combines the wisdom of these animals with imagery and symbols from their mythology to create a deck that will help you read your own destiny and understand the people around you. Whether you’re just starting out or feel like you’re ready for something special, you’ll want this deck in your collection! Get it on Amazon Pink Strawberry Cute Night Light This is a cute and lovely silicone strawberry! It will brighten up any place, and make your room become more warm and romantic. The soft light of the strawberry night lamp is so sweet, you don’t want to fall asleep. The touch switch design makes it convenient to use. When the light is on it will work 3 hours continuously and then automatically be in sleep mode until next use.  Get it on Amazon Iconic Schitt’s Creek Cuff Bracelet  Featuring Alexis’ most iconic line, this Schitt’s Creek bangle is for the diehard fans of the show. Fans that can look at this piece and know exactly why it’s so funny will find it to be absolutely hysterical, while people who have never seen the show might just think of it as an optimistic statement . . . but either way, they’ll still know that you’re watching a pretty damn good TV show. Get it on Amazon Gag Gifts for Siblings 3D Printed Hot Belly Waist Bag  Have you ever seen a Waist bag like this? Surprise your friends and family why gifting them this 3D Belly waist bag. This super hot waist bag changes the definition of a beer belly because a can of beer can fit inside it. Unlike the classic belt bags, this hot belly waist bag has a high-quality zipper and a compartment that can hold all important gadgets. Plus, this waist bag is super comfy too!  Get it on Amazon Unisex Rechargeable LED Headlamp Beanie Hat Gift it to your sibling. Light up a life with this unisex rechargeable LED beanie hat. Adjustable brightness settings let you choose between 3 levels of power to suit your needs. The soft, warm polyester fabric hat is machine washable and warm enough to wear indoors or out. Plus, the lightweight battery pack gives you hours of hands-free light while protecting your eyes from glare. Get it on Amazon Microfiber Home-Friendly Mop Slipper by Terry Towel Microfibre cleaning mop slippers are perfect for cleaning. Even though you might find yourself doing some cleaning dancing around the house, these slippers help pick up dust and leaves on the floor. This will keep your floor clean and won’t cause any damage to it. The slippers are made from high-quality microfiber that is soft and easy to clean with soap, but also has a strong material which makes them durable. Get it on Amazon Tote Bag Wine Dispenser This wine bag is suitable for all age wine lovers. It is an ideal gift for your friends and a perfect companion to your outdoor activities. The canvas surface fabric makes this bag easy to clean and keep colorful; while the sturdy handle helps you carry it around. The internal spacious space and extra pocket facilitate you to store beach towels, purses and so on. The sleek look with a covert pocket will be hand-poured for your favorite wine bottle. Get it on Amazon Wearable Soft Sherpa ‘Mermaid Tail’ Blanket by Blankie Tails Blankie Tails mermaid tail blanket is made with premium quality fabric and will last for years to come. This cute colorful, sparkly Blankie Tail will keep you warm and snuggly while adding a touch of magic to any mermaid or unicorn loving child’s nighttime routine. The Blankie Tails Mermaid Tail Blanket is perfect as a gift, playtime blanket, and snuggle sleep blanket. Get it on Amazon F.L. FLower’s ‘50 Shades of Chicken’ Book Your recipient will be instantly addicted to Fifty Shades of Chicken: A Parody in a Cookbook with these delicious recipes that feature juicy double-fried chicken, baked chicken tenders, or perfectly-roasted chicken breasts.With 50 recipes in this sexy cookbook, you’ll never run out of ideas to keep your friends, family and food wary. Get it on Amazon Hilarious Spider Prank Box by FunFamz Are you looking for a gift for your friends and family? Get revenge on your friends and family, especially on those annoying relatives. Use this box as ...

Crypto Exchange Huobi Global To Be Acquired By About Capital – CoinDesk https://collincountynewsonline.com/crypto-exchange-huobi-global-to-be-acquired-by-about-capital-coindesk/ Danny is CoinDesk’s deputy business editor. He owns BTC, ETH and SOL. Crypto exchange Huobi Global, one of the biggest token trading outposts in the Asia markets, said late Friday that it has agreed to be purchased by Hong Kong-based investment company About Capital Management’s M&A fund. In a blog post, Huobi Global, a top-10 exchange by trading volume, said About will “control the majority stake” of Huobi once the deal closes; it said the ownership transfer will have no impact on trading operations. The news comes after months of speculation and reports that founder Leon Li was seeking a buyer for his nearly 60% stake in Huobi, and was asking for at least $1 billion. The terms of the deal with About Capital were not disclosed. Under new ownership, the exchange is plotting an international expansion and will receive an “injection of sufficient capital in margin and risk provision fund,” the blog post said. In a statement, Li, who founded Huobi in China in 2013, said the exchange’s late 2021 departure from the Chinese mainland kicked off a globalization push that will now accelerate under About Capital. Huobi’s native token HT rose sharply on the news. UPDATE (OCT 8, 23:32 UTC): Adds information and context throughout. Sign up for The Node, our daily newsletter bringing you the biggest crypto news and ideas. By signing up, you will receive emails about CoinDesk product updates, events and marketing and you agree to our terms of services and privacy policy. DISCLOSURE Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated . The leader in news and information on cryptocurrency, digital assets and the future of money, CoinDesk is a media outlet that strives for the highest journalistic standards and abides by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk is an independent operating subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, which invests in cryptocurrencies and blockchain startups. As part of their compensation, certain CoinDesk employees, including editorial employees, may receive exposure to DCG equity in the form of stock appreciation rights, which vest over a multi-year period. CoinDesk journalists are not allowed to purchase stock outright in DCG . Danny is CoinDesk’s deputy business editor. He owns BTC, ETH and SOL. Danny is CoinDesk’s deputy business editor. He owns BTC, ETH and SOL.

U.S. Job Growth Eases, But Is Too Strong To Suit Investors – The New York Times https://collincountynewsonline.com/u-s-job-growth-eases-but-is-too-strong-to-suit-investors-the-new-york-times/ Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker

M|MBR Systems Unveils U.S. Membrane Bioreactor Technology Hub – Business Wire https://collincountynewsonline.com/mmbr-systems-unveils-u-s-membrane-bioreactor-technology-hub-business-wire/ AUSTIN, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Membrane bioreactor (MBR) services leader M|MBR Systems today announced the creation of the Austin-based MBR Technology Hub (MBR Hub) to make MBR parts, solutions and modular systems readily accessible to protect lakes, rivers, aquifers, and streams from damaging pollution. The mission of the Hub is to drive innovation, rapidly deploy modular MBR solutions, and provide compatible replacement parts for all MBR plants in service today. Historically, the ability of stakeholders to access MBR solutions has been limited by antiquated delivery methods, siloed proprietary designs and, most recently, global supply chain shortages. Through collaborations with Texas businesses and global partners like MANN+HUMMEL, Toray Membrane USA, BluBox by Sciens, WTA Technologies, and Hi-Line Industries, M|MBR has created a more efficient conduit between MBR technology providers and end users. From the Hub, M|MBR can now rapidly design and ship membrane solutions in days or weeks. In contrast, traditional delivery methods, often segmented and dependent on overseas shipments, can take 6 months to a year or more. “Owners and operators can’t afford to wait a year for MBR parts, they can’t be limited to one source for help, and they shouldn’t be stuck with less efficient, older products,” said Dennis Livingston, technical services director and co-founder of M|MBR Systems. “The MBR Technology Hub brings together global product leaders, system integrators and application experts, under one roof, to make this critical MBR technology more accessible through collaboration. We’re connecting global technology leaders to small businesses in Texas to do big things when it comes to protecting one of our most valuable resources: clean water.” MBR Industry Distribution Center Consolidates Innovations and Speeds Delivery Leveraging two decades of experience, M|MBR has expanded its partnership with Hi-Line Industries to create the Hub as a universal resource center for MBR services, parts and modular solutions in Brenham, TX. For larger decentralized, or point-of-use applications, M|MBR, BluBox, Hi-Line and Hyperion designed the BluBox Modular MBR System. Each BluBox unit can treat up to 130,000 gallons per day (gpd). The units are fully integrated, pre-built and pre-tested at Hi-Line using Hub services and components. There are usually several systems in some stage of production or in inventory. Customers can also go directly to BluBox, a subsidiary of Sciens Capital, to lease, rent or purchase equipment that is built and stored at Hi-Line. A BluBox can typically be delivered in 14 to 20 weeks. Many existing MBR plants equipped with flat-plate technologies now have an option for membrane parts through the MBR Hub. For owners that want to increase membrane filtration area or address persistent performance challenges, M|MBR can select replacement equipment from Hub inventory that will fit seamlessly into existing infrastructure. M|MBR and Hub partners can deliver and install drop-in, upgrade solutions to increase filtration capacity from 30 to 300 percent depending on the existing product type and site constraints. History of Innovation, Integration and Partner Collaboration The MBR Hub is built on M|MBR Systems’ history in pioneering MBR technology. At the Hub, technology partners rely on M|MBR to guide end users to select the right solution based on customer preferences, project requirements and product specifications. Some of the MBR innovations available from the Hub include: MANN+HUMMEL BIO-CEL® Membrane Modules are M|MBR’s primary ultrafiltration (UF) solution. The L-2 is 15 to 39 times more durable in key areas than its predecessors and is clogging resistant. The next-generation BIO-CEL M+ has a stackable, modular design and utilizes a higher-capacity PVDF membrane. The L-2 and M+ modules are compatible with select Ovivo and Microdyn Nadir systems. WTA MYTEX Membrane Modules are M|MBR’s microfiltration (MF) solution. MYTEX module configurations are highly customizable, flexible and durable. MYTEX modules from the MBR Hub are built using US-manufactured, stainless-steel frames and locally made diffusers. MYTEX modules have a transmembrane pressure limit that is 2 to 4 times higher than similar products. Toray MBR Membrane Modules are directly compatible with selected systems by Enviroquip, Ovivo, and Kubota that use rigid plates. Most Toray modules delivered from the Hub are built using US-manufactured, stainless-steel frames and locally made diffusers. In some cases, Hub modules can be used to double the filtration area of a legacy MBR system. STREAMETRIC Remote Monitoring is M|MBR’s standard platform for remote performance tracking and plant diagnostics. M|MBR helped develop STREAMETRIC’s powerful, easy-to-use monitoring platform. Data insights and automated reports are used to optimize MBR operations. Additional Resources Go to the MBR Hub web page to register for product information, facility tours and demos. Watch the MBR Hub video. Read what industry leaders are saying about MBR. Read the blog for more information. Attendees of WEFTEC22 in New Orleans can meet M|MBR product experts at booths hosted by MANN+HUMMEL (#2052), STREAMETRIC (#2054), WTA (#1853), and Toray (#1316) What Industry Leaders Are Saying About MBR Technologies Rick Barrett, CEO, BluBox: “Traditional wastewater treatment plants can take years to design, construct and commission. With help from our partner M|MBR, we can deliver a made-in-America BluBox modular MBR system in about 14 weeks. Membrane modules are pulled from inventory at the MBR Hub for our BluBox Units so that we can put wastewater treatment solutions into the hands of municipalities and developers fast.” Matthew Rutherford, Technical Service Engineering Manager, MANN+HUMMEL: “A common challenge with older MBR systems is called clogging. The MANN+HUMMEL BIO-CEL® L-2 module is one of the most clogging-resistant products available. It’s also one of our most durable products. Our new product called the BIO-CEL M+ builds on nearly two decades of industry experience and is equipped with high capacity membrane material. Customers looking to replace legacy products should reach out to M|MBR for quick delivery.” Kevin Stock, CEO, STREAMETRIC: “Many remote monitoring tools are complicated to set up and to use. Operators need easy access to online data and insightful reports to help them run MBR systems. Jointly developed with M|MBR, STREAMETRIC reports put customizable, actionable data into the hands of decision makers fast. Using this cloud-based tool, customers can proactively prevent problems and maximize the return on their MBR investments.” Sean Carter, Sales Director, Toray Membrane USA: “In the wake of worldwide supply chain issues, equipment lead times have dramatically increased. But from the Tech Hub, M|MBR can deliver Toray-based modules from USA stocking locations that can be dropped onto a competitor’s diffuser in a matter of hours and in some cases nearly double filtration capacity. The Tech Hub makes it easier for customers to benefit from Toray’s innovative membranes combined with M|MBR’s trusted service from some of the industry’s top experts. Carsten Bachert, Managing Director, WTA Technologies: “Owners looking to retrofit existing wastewater treatment systems, need right-sized membrane equipment. One size doesn’t fit all. WTA’s MYTEX module specifications can be tailored to match project requirements and customer preferences. We can do this faster, and better, by working together with M|MBR. Customized modules, built at the MBR Tech Hub, can drop into place and maximize treatment capacity.” About M|MBR Systems M|MBR Systems is dedicated to the delivery, service and optimization of membrane bioreactor (MBR) projects for wastewater treatment. The company’s history includes the first rigid flat plate and flexible flat sheet MBR systems in the U.S., nearly 325 complete systems, and numerous MBR-related innovations. Leveraging two decades of MBR experience, strategic partnerships, and powerful web-based analytics, the M|MBR team specializes in system optimization and the rapid delivery of modular MBR solutions. From its Austin-based MBR Technology Hub, M|MBR can ship replacement membrane equipment for most major brands in days and can quickly deploy completely integrated, pre-assembled MBR systems in weeks.

The Portland Retro Gaming Expo—And Its Tetris Competition—Returns – Portland Monthly https://collincountynewsonline.com/the-portland-retro-gaming-expo-and-its-tetris-competition-returns-portland-monthly/ For the world of modern video games, 2020 ushered in an unprecedented era of paradoxes. People stuck at home meant more gamers gaming than ever, but COVID delays ground new releases to a halt. Industry giants Sony and Microsoft saw record sales with the release of their flashy ninth-generation consoles, but supply shortages made them impossible to find for most consumers. New and returning gamers were entering the market in droves … at a time when its future felt anything but certain. For retro gamers, it was a similar story. We dragged out our childhood Nintendo 64s and Segas to pass the time at home, while the Ms. Pacmans and Medieval Madnesses lining the walls of Portland’s beloved (b)arcades collected dust. It was the in-person element of classic games—going against friends for high scores, beers in hand, against a cacophony of 8-bit beeps and shouts of victory or defeat—that kept so many of us playing into the 21st century. Would it ever come back? To find your answer, look no further than the Portland Retro Gaming Expo. After a two-year hiatus, the event will make its return from October 14–16 at the Oregon Convention Center, where thousands will flood the halls to cosplay, shop collections of old-school consoles and cartridges, attend panels, and get their hands on classic games in a massive free-to-play arcade. PRGE, which has become one of the largest events of its kind, comes from humble beginnings. It started in the ’90s with the “Northwest Classic Games Enthusiasts,” a small group of like-minded, Seattle-based collectors who would gather once a year to sell, trade, and show off retro game relics. Over time, they started adding to the show—a few arcade games to play here, a guest speaker there. Since relocating to Portland in 2006, it’s only continued to grow. “The show just kept getting bigger and bigger,” says PRGE Vice President Toby Wickwire. “It’s gone from this thing in a church basement to 20,000 people at the Convention Center in the last 15 years.” This year’s expo will feature a slew of new vendors and booths. Chief among them? The last Blockbuster on earth—which, in case you haven’t heard, is still thriving in Bend—is setting up a replica of the iconic store on the convention floor, complete with shelves stocked with ’80s and ’90s VHS tapes (not available to rent, sadly) and plenty of merch for sale. Store manager and star of Netflix’s The Last Blockbuster Sandi Harding will also be giving a panel on keeping the traditional video rental experience alive in 2022. “We haven’t done anything like this yet,” says Harding. “It’s exciting to know there’s still interest in us that will help keep the store going.” In addition to generating video store nostalgia, the booth will host the Blockbuster World Video Game Championship 3, a revival of Sega and Nintendo tournaments that took place in Blockbuster stores throughout the country in the ’90s. It’s free to enter, and first place scores a $1,000 exhibitor hall shopping spree. To win, you’ll need to come out on top of a first round of Saturn Bomberman and follow it up with a high score on Downfall OG Plus. These easy-to-learn, family-friendly retro games were selected by event organizer Gerald Levinzon for a reason. “We want this tournament to be as inclusive as possible,” says Levinzon. “I want families to want to play, and feel like they may even have a chance to win.” However, not every PRGE tournament is inclusive to players of any skill level. Just down the hall at the Classic Tetris World Championship, a longtime mainstay of the expo, there is no stiffer competition on the planet. “It’s the Super Bowl of Tetris,” says CTWC commentator Chris Tang. In recent years, the world of competitive Tetris has gone through a series of big changes. Front and center is the untimely passing of Tetris champion Jonas Neubauer in early 2021: from the inception of the event in 2010 to 2017, Neubauer won seven out of eight championships, and beyond his nigh unbeatable prowess behind an NES controller, he was revered as a pillar in the community. “It was a shock,” says Vince Clemente, tournament organizer and producer of Ecstasy of Order. “He set a precedent of a good, humble champion, willing take photos, talk to everyone, give his time… He was just a great ambassador for the game. It’s not the same without him.” Beyond the loss of a beloved figurehead, the competitive scene has been shaken up—if not downright revolutionized—by a new wave of Tetris players who are fundamentally changing the way the game is played, and dominating the leaderboards as a result. Rather than simply holding down “left” or “right” on the D-Pad to move falling geometric shapes, these players have discovered new ways of handling the controller entirely, including vibrating a finger above the buttons (known as “hypertapping”), or rolling all five fingers across the bottom of the controller into their pointer above (called “rolling”). These new strategies have pushed the blistering speeds and high scores of competitive Tetris into once-unfathomable territory. The kicker? Most of the members of this new wave are young enough to be the veteran players’ kids. It started with Joseph Saelee, an early hypertapper and then-high schooler who took the world championship crown in 2018 and 2019. The field only got fiercer—and younger—when COVID hit and the championship was moved online, with 13-year-old Michael Artiaga placing first in 2020 and defending his title the following year. For some CTWC competitors, 2022 will be their first time competing in-person—at least at the scale of PRGE, where the Championship is a spectacle of cheering fans, live commentators, and a huge gameplay display in the heart of the convention. “This year’s going to be crazy,” says Clemente. “The pressure is on for you to perform in a place that’s not your living room, or bedroom, or wherever you play. You don’t get the chair you usually sit in … you get the hard plastic convention chair.” This new generation of players discovering, and ultimately dominating, a game as iconically retro as Tetris might seem unlikely. It could be chalked up to a lot of factors: the advent of YouTube and Twitch, extra free time during the pandemic, viral Tetris memes. But none of it would have happened without the first few young players who burst onto the scene and encouraged others to follow suit. “Joseph Saelee inspired a new generation of players,” says Wang, “and I think that stems from Jonas Neubauer inspiring a lot of other players, too…. It’s not something that anybody said was cool. It’s that it was cool, because people were doing it, and they were serious about it, and they loved it.” For Gerald Levinzon, it’s this timeless coolness of a game like Tetris that gets to the heart of what makes retro games so great overall. “Video games are some of the highest form of art,” says Levinzon. “If you have a quality game—even if it’s on the Game Boy in four different shades of green, but the gameplay is there…. Why wouldn’t that appeal to kids?”

Collin County Residents Get A Look At Voting Machines – CBS DFW https://collincountynewsonline.com/collin-county-residents-get-a-look-at-voting-machines-cbs-dfw/ COLLIN COUNTY, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) — Call it an open house of sorts. On Friday, Collin County’s elections office invited the public to see how they test voting machines for accuracy. Carol Sewell and Nancy Robertson, both Republicans, were among the three-dozen people who showed up. Robertson said, “We want things to work, and we want our Collin County elections to be secure, but if you don’t question, you don’t know.” Sewell said, I wanted to understand the system better. People are no longer trusting the system, they’re not trusting a lot of anything in our society anymore.” Tom Adair, Chair of the Voting Rights Committee of the Collin County Democratic Party said when he came to the county’s public test before the November 2020 election, it was a lot less crowded. “I was the only person here, so this is a very different scene and situation this time.” Collin County’s Elections Administrator Bruce Sherbet said each of the state’s 254 counties must test all voting machines for accuracy before and after every election. It’s been this way for 30 years. Sherbet said, “You test it by running through test ballots, testing every variable on the ballot, every office on the ballot, every proposition on the ballot. You test against over-votes and under-votes to see the equipment is counting and accumulating results accurately.” But because some members of the public have questioned the process after the 2020 election, some counties including Collin are demonstrating the process publicly. Tarrant County held a similar event last month. Sherbet said, “We know that people have some concerns about the process and the best way we can help them feel better is to be transparent, bring people in.” In addition to the accuracy test of voting machines, Collin County also allowed residents to vote a sample ballot and watch them tabulate the results. Afterwards, teams of elections workers then hand-counted the results to verify the machine counts, and Sherbet said they all matched. Some people have expressed concerns voting machines could be hacked, but Sherbet said that’s not possible in Texas because the machines aren’t connected to the internet. “There’s no connection, modems, internal, external into voting equipment and by law, by state law, you can’t have that.” Adair praised Sherbet and how his office operates. “I think we need to have confidence in the results of our election.” As a precinct chair for the Collin County GOP, Nancy Robertson said she does all she can to make sure people vote. “But if you do all that work and it’s all for naught, if this isn’t secure, it’s a total waste of time, total waste of time and that is why this is important.” In: Texas Politics Politics Collin County Jack Fink Jack Fink covers politics for KTVT-TV CBS 11 and has been with the station since September 2003.

Tourists Ride Holiday High With Short Trips – Chinadaily.com.cn – China Daily https://collincountynewsonline.com/tourists-ride-holiday-high-with-short-trips-chinadaily-com-cn-china-daily/ Visitors walk through an attraction in a park in Zaozhuang, Shandong province, on Oct 8, 2022. [PhOTO by HONG XIAODONG/FOR CHINA DAILY] More travelers turn to self-driving, camping options for major vacation Travelers across China are showing a growing preference for camping and self-driving tours on the back of the increasing popularity of short-distance trips, with many of those made over the just-concluded National Day holiday, according to the latest industry figures. About 65 percent of Trip.com users traveled to places near their work areas and homes during the seven-day holiday — from Oct 1 to Friday — with expenditures on related tours rising by 30 percent from the same period last year, according to figures from the online travel group. Camping remained popular among travelers during the holiday, with orders for camping-related tour packages via its platform growing tenfold year-on-year, according to the group. Nearly 80 percent of the camping tour destinations were near users’ workplaces or homes, while about 15 percent involved travel to neighboring cities or suburban areas, the group said. Average expenditure on camping was about 650 yuan ($91.30), up 30 percent from spending during the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday in September, it said. Travelers aged 30 to 39 favored camping tours organized via its platform, especially families with children. About 83 percent of these travelers stayed overnight at campsites and enjoyed leisure activities such as fruit picking offered by local farms, according to the group. Chen Yi, 31, spent two days and one night at a farm in suburban Beijing with her family this National Day holiday. She said it was a relaxing trip. “We were concerned about COVID-19 control measures that may cause some uncertainty in work-related matters after the holiday, so we decided to spend the break in Beijing rather than visit other places,” she said. “It was my husband’s idea to go camping. He is a fan of such niche activities.” Chen said that their camping site was within farmland about two hours’ drive from downtown. “The air is quite fresh there and the owner of the farmland is also friendly and generous. We made quite good memories there.” Deng Ning, vice-dean of the School of Tourism Sciences at Beijing International Studies University, said that people showed more preference for short-distance tours during the seven-day break mainly in consideration of any sporadic COVID-19 outbreak. They also favored self-driving tours and some niche destinations as their main concern was to avoid crowds. A number of destinations became top draws during the recent national holiday, such as Nan’ao Island in Shantou, Guangdong province and Meizhou Island in Putian, Fujian province, attracting travelers with breathtaking coastal views, figures from travel agencies showed. Prices of hotel accommodation also rose briskly over the recent vacation period, with expenditure on hotels for short-distance tours increasing 10 percent over the break, according to Trip.com figures. Wu Ruoshan, a visiting researcher at the Tourism Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that travelers are changing their travel options and consumption preferences, focusing more on safety amid epidemic control work. It is necessary for travel agencies and companies to be aware of travelers’ safety considerations on top of their tourism offerings, he said.

Newsom To Call Special Legislative Session Over Gas Prices – 69News WFMZ-TV https://collincountynewsonline.com/newsom-to-call-special-legislative-session-over-gas-prices-69news-wfmz-tv/ SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Friday he will call a special session of the state Legislature in December to pass a new tax on oil companies as punishment for what he calls “rank price gouging.” Newsom told reporters on Friday that the special session will begin Dec. 5 after all the votes have been counted from the November elections and newly elected lawmakers are sworn in. Gas prices soared across the nation this year because of high inflation, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and ongoing disruptions in the global supply chain. But while gas prices have recovered somewhat nationwide, they have continued to spike in California, hitting an average of $6.39 per gallon on Friday — $2.58 higher than the national average. “This is just rank price gouging,” Newsom told reporters on Friday. “It’s time to get serious. I’m sick of this.” Kevin Slagle, vice president for the Western States Petroleum Association, said “a better use of the special session would be to take a hard look at decades of California energy policy and what they mean to consumers and our economy.” “If this was anything other than a political stunt, the Governor wouldn’t wait two months and would call the special session now, before the election,” Slagle said. “This industry is ready right now to work on real solutions to energy costs and reliability if that is what the Governor is truly interested in.” Several states chose to suspend their gas taxes during the price surge, including Maryland, New York and Georgia. Newsom and his fellow Democrats that control the state Legislature refused to do that, opting instead to send $9.5 billion in rebates to taxpayers — which began showing up in bank accounts this week. It’s unclear how the tax Newsom is proposing would work. Newsom said he is still working out the details with legislative leaders, but on Friday said he wants the money to be “returned to taxpayers,” possibly by using money from the tax to pay for more rebates. “We’re going to get the money back that (oil companies) have been gouging and taking back from hard working Californians,” Newsom said. “There are many different ways of doing this.” The state Legislature briefly considered a proposal earlier this year that would have imposed a “windfall profits tax” on oil companies’ gross receipts when the price of a gallon of gasoline was “abnormally high compared to the price of a barrel of oil.” That proposal would have required state regulators to determine the tax rate, making sure it recovered any oil companies’ profit margins that exceeded 30 cents per gallon. The money from the tax would then have been returned to taxpayers via rebates. Newsom did not comment on that proposal when it was introduced in March, and lawmakers quickly shelved it. It could, however, act as a blueprint for the new proposal being negotiated between Newsom and legislative leaders. The Legislature’s top two leaders — Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon — said in a joint statement that lawmakers “will continue to examine all other options to help consumers.” “A solution that takes excessive profits out of the hands of oil corporations and puts money back into the hands of consumers deserves strong consideration by the Legislature,” they said. “We look forward to examining the Governor’s detailed proposal when we receive it.” California Republicans — who do not control enough seats to influence policy decisions in the Legislature — have called the tax “foolhardy.” “Who here thinks that another tax is going to bring down your gas prices? Is going to bring down any costs in this state? It’s not going to happen,” Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher told reporters on Wednesday. The California Legislature usually meets between January and August, where they consider bills on a variety of topics. The governor has the power to call a special legislative session at any time by issuing a proclamation. When convened in a special session, lawmakers can only consider the issues mentioned in that proclamation. The last time a California governor called a special legislative session was in 2015 when then-Gov. Jerry Brown asked lawmakers to pass a bill to pay for repairs to state roads and highways. Lawmakers ultimately took no action. The California Energy Commission wrote a Sept. 30 letter to five oil refiners demanding an explanation for why gas prices jumped dramatically and why inventory fell during refinery maintenance that was planned in advance. Gas prices jumped 84 cents over a 10-day period, an unprecedented spike, the commission wrote. It noted the price increase came as oil prices fell. The oil industry had “not provided an adequate and transparent explanation for this price spike, which is causing real economic hardship to millions of Californians,” the commission wrote. The companies who received the letter were Chevron, Marathon Petroleum, PBF Energy, Phillips 66 and Valero. As of Friday, only PBF Energy had responded. Paul Davis, the company’s senior vice president, said antitrust law barred it from responding to the questions in detail. But he broadly said state policies designed to limit oil production in California are squeezing the industry. “It is important that there be a full understanding of what the implications will be in the short-, medium- and long-term on the availability of gasoline supplies for consumers and businesses,” Davis wrote. PBF does not operate any gas stations in California. Associated Press reporter Kathleen Ronayne contributed reporting. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Court Rejects Request To Rehear Gender Dysphoria Case – National Post https://collincountynewsonline.com/court-rejects-request-to-rehear-gender-dysphoria-case-national-post/ Author of the article: RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A federal appeals court on Friday denied a request to rehear a case that found that gender dysphoria is a condition covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act. In August, a three-judge panel of the Richmond-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals became the first federal appellate court in the country to find that the landmark federal law protects people with gender dysphoria, a condition that causes anguish and other symptoms as a result of a disparity between a person’s gender identity and their assigned sex at birth. Advertisement 2 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. NP Posted Sign up to receive the daily top stories from the National Post, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300 The decision came in the case of Kesha Williams, a transgender woman who sued the Fairfax County sheriff in Virginia for housing her in a jail with men under a policy that inmates must be classified according to their genitals. In her lawsuit, Williams said that she was harassed and that her prescribed hormone medication was repeatedly delayed or skipped, violating the Americans with Disabilities Act. A federal judge granted a motion by the sheriff’s office to dismiss the lawsuit, but the 4th Circuit panel reversed that ruling, finding there is a distinction between gender identity disorder and gender dysphoria. The modern diagnosis of gender dysphoria “affirms that a transgender person’s medical needs are just as deserving of treatment and protection as anyone else’s,” Judge Diana Gribbon Motz wrote in the opinion. On Friday, the 4th Circuit rejected a request from the sheriff’s office for the full court of 15 judges to rehear the case. The sheriff’s office did not immediately respond to a phone message seeking comment, and attorneys for the sheriff’s office did not respond to an email. For more health news and content around diseases, conditions, wellness, healthy living, drugs, treatments and more, head to Healthing.ca – a member of the Postmedia Network.

Sports Highlights: Atlantis Charter Soccer Comes Alive In Second Half – Fall River Herald News https://collincountynewsonline.com/sports-highlights-atlantis-charter-soccer-comes-alive-in-second-half-fall-river-herald-news/ Herald News Staff  |  The Herald News The fall sports season is underway in the Fall River area. Take a look at the highlights from Friday’s local high school action: Boys soccer: Atlantis Charter at South Shore Christian SCORE: Atlantis Charter 2, South Shore Christian Academy 0 LOCATION: South Shore Christian DATE: Oct. 7 RECORD: 5-3-1 HIGHLIGHTS: Goals were by André Coelho-Filho and assists were by Bradley Flores and Victor Oro. “It was good to get back in the win column. We had a slow start but came to life in the second half. André made the right decisions at the right time and it paid off,” said coach Nathan Mello. NEXT UP: Tuesday, Oct. 11, at Bishop Connolly at 3:30 p.m. Boys soccer: Somerset Berkley vs. Durfee SCORE: Somerset Berkley 4, Durfee 1 LOCATION: Somerset Berkley DATE: Oct. 7 RECORD: 5-3-2 (4-2-2) HIGHLIGHTS: Somerset Berkley’s goals were scored by: 3 by Cam Freitas with assists on 2 from Max Jeronimo and 1 from Ben Miller; 1 by Nicolas Scanlon. Durfee’s goal was scored by Lens Bourisquot. Evan Furtado made 2 saves for Somerset Berkley and Durfee’s Xavier Inacio made 4 saves. NEXT UP: Old Rochester Regional on Wednesday, Oct. 12. Field hockey: Westport vs. Fairhaven SCORE: Westport 5, Fairhaven 0 LOCATION: Westport DATE: Oct. 7 RECORD: 4-4-1 HIGHLIGHTS: “Full team effort in today’s win. Defense did a great job keeping the ball out of the circle,” said coach Jacquelyn Legendre. Goals were from Bella Babb, Avery Avila, Molly Bazinet, and two from 7th-grader Madeleine Melnyk. Hannah Abrams had 3 saves in the shutout. NEXT UP: At home vs. West Bridgewater. Girls volleyball: Diman vs. Bristol-Plymouth SCORE: Diman 3, B-P 0 (25-22, 25-7, 27-25) LOCATION: Diman DATE: Oct. 7 RECORD:  8-1 (league: 4-0) HIGHLIGHTS: Lindsey Moniz had 7 aces, 4 kills, and 10 digs; Sarah Moniz had 6 aces, 4 kills, and 4 digs; Hannah Martin had 4 aces, 7 digs, and 12 assists; Avery Rounds had 4 aces and 9 digs; Madison Pereira had 2 kills; Kacie Lynch had 2 kills and 4 digs; and Vitoria DeOliveira had 10 digs. NEXT UP: At Bridgewater-Raynham on Monday, Oct. 10 at 6 p.m. Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette sports editor Steven Sanchez can be reached at ssanchez@heraldnews.com. You can follow him on Twitter at @Chezsports. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News today.

Decentraland Welcomes The First On-Chain Casino In The Metaverse 10/10/2022 – MediaPost Communications https://collincountynewsonline.com/decentraland-welcomes-the-first-on-chain-casino-in-the-metaverse-10-10-2022-mediapost-communications/ by Colin Kirkland , 7 hours ago Metaskins — a one-stop-shop for metaverse and non-fungible token (NFT) needs, specifically avatars — has announced the first and only on-chain wager-based gaming ecosystem in the popular virtual-world platform known as Decentraland. The Holy Temple Casino aims to be a destination for gaming, parties, and entertainment in the metaverse. The project is a collaborative effort between Metaskins, global asset management corporation Atlas Corp., and Metaskins’ The Holy Ones, a gaming ecosystem and NFT collection of art featuring famed holy beings such as Jesus and Shiva.  Holy Ones NFT owners are called “Holy Owners” and are able to participate in a related decentralized autonomous community, or DAO, called the Holy DAO, which funds projects and games that grant royalties to members.  advertisement advertisement According to a recent statement, the Holy Temple Casino attempts to serve as the main hub in Decentraland. It features the Holy Ones’ latest release of their new gaming ecosystem including a metaverse lottery, a spin on the card-game War, and blackjack, as well as promotional events such as scavenger hunts that earn users tokens for games. The Holy Temple Casino, the statement adds, is the “only casino in the entire metaverse.” Players are able to bet against other players or against the house and all games are deployed on the Polygon blockchain, compatible with Web3 wallets such as Ethereum-based MetaMask. David Cummings, co-founder and CEO of Metaskins, says he is excited to finally have a “home for The Holy Ones.” The Holy Temple Casino’s official launch will take place on Decentraland on Friday October 7 between 7:30pm and 10:30pm and will feature music by metaverse musicians DJTRAX & Billyteacoin.

Spreading The Word About Brain Health | News | Telluridenews.com – The Daily Planet https://collincountynewsonline.com/spreading-the-word-about-brain-health-news-telluridenews-com-the-daily-planet/ Mental health matters to Debi Butler. As founder of the grassroots organization Brain Health Now, Butler works with school districts, hospitals and organizations to end the stigma “by changing language and reframing the way we talk about mental illness,” she explained. Starting in Dubuque, Iowa, five years ago, Brain Health Now has expanded its reach to Wisconsin and Illinois. Butler, who splits time between Iowa and Telluride, would now like to bring the program to the box canyon. She’ll be at the Telluride Middle/High School to share information about Brain Health Now’s events Friday. “We just kind of sat back and wanted to see how things would go with the (Dubuque, Iowa) community at large. And today, we are working with school districts, the hospitals, businesses, organizations, you name it, and we really have got our community really transformed into using the words ‘brain health,’ which is helping others feel less stigmatized to be able to go get help,” Butler said. “We have providers telling us at the hospitals that if they use the words ‘brain health’ versus ‘mental illness’ or ‘mental health,’ then people are more apt to talk and feel more comfortable. Our whole kind of campaign is based around that the brain is an organ, and it can get sick to just like any other part of your body. She explained that the idea for Brain Health Now really started with her brother, Steve, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia 36 years ago after serving in the military. “Through the past 36 years we’ve been trying to help normalize his life in a world and society that didn’t understand him. That basis really kind of made us grow to where we are today,” Butler said. Keeping in touch with local officials, including Paul Major, throughout the pandemic helped Butler connect with the school district. On Friday, Butler will provide information to those interested, as well as Brain Health Now swag, in an effort to spread the word. She explained that the organization has provided support for about 20,000 students over the past two years in the Dubuque school district, where Brain Health Retreat Rooms have also proved to be popular recently. “We decided to start a concept called Brain Health Retreat Rooms. We have a nutrition area. We have a place that kids can sit to meditate or just kind of deescalate from a stressor that they’re experiencing during the day. If they have any kind of issues, they can talk to the brain health liaison, who by the way, is a full-time licensed counselor that is in the room from the moment the door opens to the moment the door closes. And then we have just really cool gadgets and widgets and techniques on how to de-escalate and regulate your emotions during the day. “So it’s anywhere from the football player who lost the game who feels very upset to somebody who has some deeper issues that they want to talk about. And these rooms are devised for students to show up for 15 to 20 minutes a day, not for counseling or full-on sessions, it’s just kind of drop in, sit and get your thoughts together, then they can go back to the classroom. They’ve been extremely, extremely successful in our area. And now we’re putting some rooms in the Wisconsin area. There’s probably 65 kids a day going through one of these rooms. At our school district, we’re on our fifth room right now that we’ve opened up. The school district is overwhelmed about how it’s been helping kids to really gather their emotions in a very positive way.” While there are currently no plans to open such a room in the Telluride school district, Butler is optimistic about beginning the Brain Health Now conversation locally. She’s also been in touch with Tri-County Health Network about potentially teaming up. “We just like to start organically and get to know each other and see how the kids respond to all this really cool swag and the conversation. It takes a community and the teachers to drive this, too. But that (student) age group of really takes onto this concept. They’re more open to talking about problems and what’s going on with their emotions, and like anybody, they need help to understand how to do that. You’re not taught how to, maybe, take a deep breathe you’re your heart’s racing. Or you’re taking a test or just uncomfortable because somebody did something to you earlier, and you didn’t know how to react. So I just think it’s a really well thought out way to help kids understand their emotions, which we all need to be taught that I don’t care what age you are.” For more information about Brain Health Now, visit brainhealth-now.org.

Shiba Inu Price Prediction – Here’s Why SHIB Can Pump This Week – Cryptonews https://collincountynewsonline.com/shiba-inu-price-prediction-heres-why-shib-can-pump-this-week-cryptonews/ Disclaimer: The Industry Talk section features insights by crypto industry players and is not a part of the editorial content of Cryptonews.com.  Shiba Inu (SHIB) has been moving downward in line with the broader market in recent weeks. However, recent developments in the Shiba ecosystem could lead to a price pump. SHIB Price Action  Currently, Shiba Inu trades at $0.0000117. The digital asset’s price has decreased by 2.46% in the past 24 hours, a 0.5% increase in the past week.   The crypto asset is trading in line with the broader market, which has declined by 0.75% in the past 24 hours.  SHIB price dynamics indicate some weakened technicals. The crypto is trading below all its moving average (MA) indicators, especially the 10-day MA of $0.000012. SHIB’s negative moving average convergence divergence (MACD) also indicates a sell signal. SHIB’s relative strength index (RSI) of 50.11 shows that the coin remains underbought.   Buy SHIB Now on eToro Shiba Eternity Boosts SHIB’s Prospects A significant source of bullish momentum will be Shiba Eternity, the mobile game developed by Shiba Inu and PlaySide Studios. According to reports, the game was on the list of top 20 apps on the Apple App Store on its first release day.  Shiba Eternity is a free card strategy game. It is also a part of the SHIB burning strategy; transactions within the game are subject to token burns that help to reduce SHIB’s circulating supply.   With a reported 10,000 downloads on its first day, Shiba Eternity demonstrates impressive momentum. Continued adoption should spur the game even more, and reflect well on the price of SHIB as well.  IMPT: High-Value Crypto Investment  While SHIB looks to see some impressive gains, value-seeking investors can also consider IMPT, the widely-proclaimed greenest cryptocurrency, which allows individuals to join the war against climate change.  IMPT is the native token for the Impact Protocol, a blockchain project that seeks to use Blockchain technology in the fight against climate change. The protocol allows users to buy carbon credits, which can then be used to offset their carbon footprint. Its developers are looking to improve transparency and efficiency in the fight against rising global temperatures, meaning that IMPT could be the perfect coin for ESG-focused investors.  The crypto asset has already seen impressive investor demand, with a presale that raised over $500,000 on its first day. Investors can still buy IMPT tokens on presale on the IMPT website. Visit IMPT Now

U.S. Judge To Set Auction Calendar For Shares In Citgo Parent – Reuters https://collincountynewsonline.com/u-s-judge-to-set-auction-calendar-for-shares-in-citgo-parent-reuters/ PDVSA’s U.S. unit Citgo Petroleum refinery is pictured in Sulphur, Louisiana, U.S., June 12, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Bachman/File Photo HOUSTON, Oct 7 (Reuters) – A U.S. judge could rule as early as Friday on a final auction schedule that could force a breakup of Venezuela-owned Citgo Petroleum, the seventh-largest U.S. oil refiner, according to court filings. U.S. District Judge Leonard P. Stark last year approved the sale of shares in Citgo’s parent to pay Canadian miner Crystallex $970 million owed from an expropriation judgment for its assets in Venezuela. Citgo is the crown jewel of Venezuela’s overseas assets. The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has blocked thus far any transfer of ownership or control in Venezuelan assets in the United States and it is unclear whether an auction would go ahead with its acceptance. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com The judge has indicated he would provide for a period of up to six months for the special master overseeing the share sale to obtain consent from OFAC. The master could propose to move ahead even without OFAC approval. But the uncertainty would likely prevent some investors from considering a bid. The judge’s proposed marketing and sales process allows for a stalking-horse bid – a starting bid on the assets that acts as an effective reserve bid – and for the sale of some or all of the Citgo parent’s shares. The number of shares sold would be enough to cover the $970 million judgment. Citgo Petroleum was valued at about $10 billion in 2014. Many companies are owed money following a deep wave of expropriations and nationalizations under late President Hugo Chavez and are circling Citgo, Venezuela’s most valuable foreign asset. Holders of Venezuela’s 2020 bonds and lawyers for ConocoPhillips (COP.N), which has a $1.2 billion judgment against Venezuela, have been included in the court’s deliberations on the sale process. Stark has six times revised proposals establishing the sale and bidding process. On Sept. 29, he set Friday’s hearing, adding: “The Court anticipates signing an updated Proposed Sale Procedure Order on or about October 7.” If approved, the calendar could see formal bids due in seven months and a court hearing to accept the high bid within nine months after the court-set launch date, according to a court filing. The entire procedure includes marketing, bidding and notifications to parties. Stark had previously approved hiring investment banker Evercore Group to conduct the auction. A spokesperson for Crystallex did not have an immediate comment. Conoco declined to comment. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Marianna Parraga and Gary McWilliams Editing by Marguerita Choy Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. Marianna Parraga Thomson Reuters Focused on energy-related sanctions, corruption and money laundering with 20 years of experience covering Latin America’s oil and gas industries. Born in Venezuela and based in Houston, she is author of the book “Oro Rojo” about Venezuela’s troubled state-run company PDVSA and Mom to three boys.

Advent Technologies Celebrates National Hydrogen And Fuel Cell Day – Business Wire https://collincountynewsonline.com/advent-technologies-celebrates-national-hydrogen-and-fuel-cell-day-business-wire/ BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Advent Technologies Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADN) (“Advent” or the “Company”), an innovation-driven leader in the fuel cell and hydrogen technology sectors, is pleased to join the U.S.A. in celebrating the eighth annual National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day, taking place on October 8, 2022. This day marks the growth of the industry by raising the awareness of the benefits that hydrogen energy and fuel cell technologies provide in reducing emissions while driving economic growth. The National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day is observed on October 8 in recognition of the atomic mass of hydrogen – 1.008. As countries worldwide increasingly look to hydrogen as a critical tool to decarbonize, the U.S.A. is uniquely positioned to take a leadership role. Aiming to play an active role in decarbonizing the world quickly with green hydrogen and innovative fuel cell technology, Advent is on a mission to bring its proprietary high temperature-proton exchange membrane (“HT-PEM”) technology to the market by building world-class fuel cells and electrolysers that have a low total cost of ownership and high environmental impact. More information about Advent’s innovative technology can be found through Advent’s newly released video on YouTube, where the Company’s Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Emory De Castro, provides an overview of its unique competitive advantages. Since last year’s National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day, Advent has been selected as a key driver of large-scale decarbonization projects in Southeastern Europe and has accelerated its efforts by launching new innovative products and partnering with some of the world’s leading laboratories. At the same time, Advent has substantially increased its global workforce and has invested in the build-out of new facilities that will create numerous job opportunities in the global clean energy space. Some of these developments include: Development of next-generation Advent MEAs: On March 2022, Advent announced the availability of its next-generation MEAs (“Advent MEA”), which are currently being developed within the framework of L’Innovator, Advent’s joint development program with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Los Alamos National Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Advent’s Green HiPo IPCEI Project: On June 16, 2022, Advent announced that it had received notification from the Greek State for funding under the IPCEI Hydrogen – Technology. The notification from the Greek State was submitted to the European Union (“E.U.”) under the IPCEI framework and was subsequently ratified by the E.U. Green HiPo is expected to be based in the region of Western Macedonia, Greece, and will involve the construction of a state-of-the-art development and manufacturing facility to produce fuel cells and electrolyser systems. Advent intends to create up to 650 direct jobs for qualified scientific and technical personnel and 4,620 indirect jobs over a six-year period. Advent as a Key Partner to Co-Sign Multi-State Memorandum of Understanding for a U.S. Northeast Clean Hydrogen Hub: Advent has co-signed a MoU with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and more than 60 clean hydrogen ecosystem partners to collaborate on the development of a proposal that will enable the Northeastern United States to become one of at least four regional clean hydrogen hubs designated through the federal Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program. Progress towards the completion of Advent’s new Hood Park facility build-out: The new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Charlestown, Massachusetts, is expected to be operational in Autumn 2022 and will create numerous job opportunities by primarily focusing on the development and production of next generation fuel cell components. Rapid expansion of Advent’s innovative technologies and product offerings worldwide: Advent is now rolling out complete hydrogen fuel cell systems, and its global salesforce has expanded the Company’s reach across North America, Continental Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Launch of portable fuel cell system for use in off-grid field applications: The Company launched Honey Badger 50, a compact portable fuel cell system and quiet power supply for use in off-grid field applications, such as military and rescue operations. The launch of Advent’s portable power system coincided with the Company’s fulfillment of its first shipment order from the United States Department of Defense. New innovative fuel cell systems that can decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors: Advent’s new DIGI-TRONIC solution will be based on Advent’s next-generation MEAs and unique engineering architecture. This net-zero solution aims to redefine the future of mobility and solve the key problems of EVs, such as range, refill time, flexibility, payload, and cost per mile. DIGI-TRONIC is developed with an architecture that can be massively scaled from 50W to 1MW with the same basic design. The Road Map to a U.S. Hydrogen Economy report projects that continued investment in hydrogen will support more than 3 million jobs and $750 billion in revenue by 2050, meeting 14% of total energy demand and reducing total carbon dioxide emissions by 16%. In the transportation sector alone, hydrogen energy can provide 33% of fuel for heavy trucks and aviation globally and 60% of fuel for marine shipping, helping to reduce U.S. transportation system emissions by 30%. Dr. Vasilis Gregoriou, Chairman and CEO of Advent, commented on this celebration, “Advent Technologies is thrilled to celebrate the 8th Annual National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day at a time of significant momentum for America’s transition to clean energy technologies. I strongly believe in hydrogen’s future as a zero-carbon solution for many industries and a significant contributor to the energy mix. We have seen many positive developments and multilateral actions that have accelerated global decarbonization efforts. Hydrogen’s moment is here, right now; and all of us at Advent Technologies are thrilled to be contributors. We are filled with enthusiasm and ambition about the future and the potential for a cleaner world.” Dr. Emory De Castro, CTO of Advent, stated: “Decarbonization and cleaner air is a top priority for many governments and industries around the world. Advent is a clean energy pioneer making the engines of the future. Advent’s fuel cells are adaptable, durable, and extremely flexible when converting hydrogen and other fuels to electricity. We look forward to further accelerating the global move to net-zero by providing the clean power from hydrogen fuels needed to move away from polluting diesel generators and combustion engines, towards a brighter future.” For more information on the multiple benefits of Advent’s innovative Fuel Cell technology, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8qkwuIqK4A For more information on National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day, please visit: www.hydrogenandfuelcellday.org. About Advent Technologies Holdings, Inc. Advent Technologies Holdings, Inc. is a U.S. corporation that develops, manufactures, and assembles complete fuel cell systems as well as supplying customers with critical components for fuel cells in the renewable energy sector. Advent is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, with offices in California, Greece, Denmark, Germany, and the Philippines. With more than 150 patents issued, pending, and/or licensed for fuel cell technology, Advent holds the IP for next-generation HT-PEM that enables various fuels to function at high temperatures and under extreme conditions – offering a flexible fuel option for the automotive, aviation, defense, oil and gas, marine, and power generation sectors. For more information, visit www.advent.energy. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “plan,” “could,” “may,” “will,” “believe,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “goal,” “project,” and other words of similar meaning. Each forward-looking statement contained in this press release is subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statement. Applicable risks and uncertainties include, among others, the Company’s ability to maintain the listing of the Company’s common stock on Nasdaq; future financial performance; public securities’ potential liquidity and trading; impact from the outcome of any known and unknown litigation; ability to forecast and maintain an adequate rate of revenue growth and appropriately plan its expenses; expectations regarding future expenditures; future mix of revenue and effect on gross margins; attraction and retention of qualified directors, officers, employees and key personnel; ability to compete effectively in a competitive industry; ability to protect and enhance Advent’s corporate reputation and brand; expectations concerning its relationships and actions with technology partners and other third parties; impact from future regulatory, judicial and legislative changes to the industry; ability to locate and acquire complementary technologies or services and integrate those into the Company’s business; future arrangements with, or investments in, other entities or associations; and intense competition and competitive pressure from other companies worldwide in the industries in which the Company will operate; and the risks identified under the heading “Risk Factors” in Advent’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 31, 2022, as well as the other informatio...

Get An RTX 3080 Gaming Laptop For £1400 – Rock Paper Shotgun https://collincountynewsonline.com/get-an-rtx-3080-gaming-laptop-for-1400-rock-paper-shotgun/ If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. A great price on one of the fastest gaming laptops from MSI. It’s not every day that you see a top-end gaming laptop for £598 off, especially not when it’s a 15-in RTX 3080 model from MSI. This GP66 Leopard is one of the fastest gaming laptops on the market, with a Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD and a 144Hz screen – not to mention that flagship-grade graphics card. It normally retails for a cool £1998, but today Laptops Direct has discounted it to £1399.97, making it the cheapest RTX 3080 laptop we can find right now. Get the MSI GP66 Leopard w/ RTX 3080 for £1400 (was £2000) MSI’s laptops tend to offer a good mixture of slim designs and powerful internals, and the GP66 Leopard is no different. Reviews write of its excellent value, strong gaming performance and good keyboard, which make it a good everyday performer as well as a gaming champion. The 1080p 144Hz IPS display is also quite bright, with good colour accuracy and decent response times (laptop displays typically trail monitors in this regard). The combination of the Core i7 11800H CPU and RTX 3080 is particularly potent given the relatively modest 1080p screen resolution, with AAA games typically running at around 100fps even with maxed settings, and you could easily get away with hooking up this laptop to a 1440p or even 4K display if you preferred a higher-res image and were willing to drop quality settings slightly. Overall then, it’s a strong gaming laptop and certainly the cheapest to come with Nvidia’s flagship-grade RTX 3080 laptop graphics card. If you’re in the market for a strong gaming performer and you like the look of this one, then this £1400 price point can’t be beat.

U.S. Aims To Hobble China’s Chip Industry With Sweeping New Export Rules – Reuters https://collincountynewsonline.com/u-s-aims-to-hobble-chinas-chip-industry-with-sweeping-new-export-rules-reuters/ FILE PHOTO – Hi1710 BMC management chip is seen on a Kunpeng 920 chipset designed by Huawei’s Hisilicon subsidiary is on display at Huawei’s headquarters in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China May 29, 2019. Picture taken May 29, 2019. REUTERS/Jason Lee Oct 7 (Reuters) – The Biden administration on Friday published a sweeping set of export controls, including a measure to cut China off from certain semiconductor chips made anywhere in the world with U.S. equipment, vastly expanding its reach in its bid to slow Beijing’s technological and military advances. The rules, some of which go into effect immediately, build on restrictions sent in letters earlier this year to top toolmakers KLA Corp (KLAC.O), Lam Research Corp (LRCX.O) and Applied Materials Inc (AMAT.O), effectively requiring them to halt shipments of equipment to wholly Chinese-owned factories producing advanced logic chips. The raft of measures could amount to the biggest shift in U.S. policy toward shipping technology to China since the 1990s. If effective, they could hobble China’s chip manufacturing industry by forcing American and foreign companies that use U.S. technology to cut off support for some of China’s leading factories and chip designers. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com “This will set the Chinese back years,” said Jim Lewis, a technology and cybersecurity expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a Washington D.C.-based think tank, who said the policies harken back to the tough regulations of the height of the Cold War. “China isn’t going to give up on chipmaking … but this will really slow them (down).” In a briefing with reporters on Thursday previewing the rules, senior government officials said many of the measures were aimed at preventing foreign firms from selling advanced chips to China or supplying Chinese firms with tools to make their own advanced chips. They conceded, however, that they had not secured any promises that allied nations would implement similar measures and that discussions with those nations are ongoing. “We recognize that the unilateral controls we’re putting into place will lose effectiveness over time if other countries don’t join us,” one official said. “And we risk harming U.S. technology leadership if foreign competitors are not subject to similar controls.” The expansion of U.S. powers to control exports to China of chips made with U.S. tools is based on a broadening of the so-called foreign direct product rule. It was previously expanded to give the U.S. government authority to control exports of chips made overseas to Chinese telecoms giant Huawei Technologies Co Ltd (HWT.UL) and later to stop the flow of semiconductors to Russia after its invasion of Ukraine. On Friday, the Biden administration applied the expanded restrictions to China’s IFLYTEK, Dahua Technology, and Megvii Technology, companies added to the entity list in 2019 over allegations they aided Beijing in the suppression of its Uyghur minority group. The rules published on Friday also block shipments of a broad array of chips for use in Chinese supercomputing systems. The rules define a supercomputer as any system with more than 100 petaflops of computing power within a floor space of 6,400 square feet, a definition that two industry sources said could also hit some commercial data centers at Chinese tech giants. Eric Sayers, a defense policy expert at the American Enterprise Institute, said the move reflects a new bid by the Biden administration to contain China’s advances instead of simply seeking to level the playing field. “The scope of the rule and potential impacts are quite stunning but the devil will of course be in the details of implementation,” he added. Companies around the world began to wrestle with the latest U.S. action, with shares of semiconductor manufacturing equipment makers falling. The Semiconductor Industry Association, which represents chipmakers, said it was studying the regulations and urged the United States to “implement the rules in a targeted way – and in collaboration with international partners – to help level the playing field.” Earlier on Friday, the United States added China’s top memory chipmaker YMTC and 30 other Chinese entities to a list of companies that U.S. officials cannot inspect, ratcheting up tensions with Beijing and starting a 60 day-clock that could trigger much tougher penalties. read more Companies are added to the unverified list when U.S. authorities cannot complete on-site visits to determine if they can be trusted to receive sensitive U.S. technology, forcing U.S. suppliers to take greater care when shipping to them. Under a new policy announced on Friday, if a government prevents U.S. officials from conducting site checks at companies placed on the unverified list, U.S. authorities will start the process for adding them to the entity list after 60 days. Entity listing YMTC would escalate already-rising tensions with Beijing and force its U.S. suppliers to seek difficult-to-obtain licenses from the U.S. government before shipping them even the most low-tech items. The new regulations will also severely restrict export of U.S. equipment to Chinese memory chip makers and formalize letters sent to Nvidia Corp (NVDA.O) and Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD) (AMD.O) restricting shipments to China of chips used in supercomputing systems that nations around the world rely on to develop nuclear weapons and other military technologies. Reuters was first to report key details of the new restrictions on memory chip makers, including a reprieve for foreign companies operating in China and the moves to broaden restrictions on shipments to China of technologies from KLA, Lam, Applied Materials, Nvidia and AMD. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Stephen Nellis in San Francisco and Karen Freifeld in New York Additional reporting by David Shepardson in Washington Editing by Alexandra Alper, Chris Sanders, Matthew Lewis and Richard Chang Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

🌱 Texas Pumpkin Day + Second Murder Conviction – Patch https://collincountynewsonline.com/%f0%9f%8c%b1-texas-pumpkin-day-second-murder-conviction-patch/ Skip to main content Irving, TX Coppell, TX Plano, TX Arlington, TX McKinney-Frisco, TX Waco, TX Round Rock, TX Cedar Park-Leander, TX North Austin-Pflugerville, TX Shreveport, LA Texas Top National News See All Communities Good morning, neighbors! I’m back with your fresh copy of the Dallas Daily. Here are all the most important things to know about what’s happening in town. But first, today’s weather: Times of clouds and sun. High: 81 Low: 60. Find out what’s happening in Dallaswith free, real-time updates from Patch. I’m looking for business owners and marketers in Dallas who want to build awareness, connect with customers and increase sales. I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our Dallas Daily readers to local businesses they need to know about. If that’s you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now. Find out what’s happening in Dallaswith free, real-time updates from Patch. Here are the top three stories in Dallas today: The Dallas Farmers Market will be hosting Texas Pumpkin Day, today. The event will be at The Shed from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The market will be hosting kid-friendly crafts and activities throughout the day. The Choo Choo Train Express will operate between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. (WFAA.com) Advocates are working to save the White Rock Cemetery Garden of Memories in North Dallas. The three-acre cemetery is the resting site of prominent members of the early Freedmen’s settlements in Dallas County. The organization Remembering Black Dallas Inc. is seeking a historical designation from the Dallas Landmark Commission to guarantee that the cemetery will be spared from encroaching development. (Texas Standard) A Dallas County jury has convicted accused serial killer Billy Chemirmir with his second capital murder conviction. The jury determined that Chemirmir is responsible for the killing of Mary Brooks, 87 years old. He has been indicted for the killings of 22 women in Dallas and Collin counties. Chermirmir continues to deny killing anyone. (Subscription: The Dallas Morning News) Today in Dallas: State Fair of Texas At Dallas Fair Park (All Day) Texas Pumpkin Day At The Shed (9:00 AM) From my notebook: Are you in the market for a new best friend? Consider this list of adoption-ready pets in the Dallas area that are searching for a forever home. Click to view the complete list. (Dallas Patch) The Dallas Park and Recreation Department is searching for volunteers for its Branching Out tree planting event. Click to register to volunteer. (Dallas Park and Recreation Department via Facebook) Today is the last chance to view the “Into the Jungle” exhibit at the South Dallas Cultural Center. The exhibit features 20 original haute couture garments. Click to learn more. (City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture via Facebook) More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news! Featured businesses: Improovy Painters Plano — (Visit website) The Medlin Law Firm — (Visit Website) Add your business here Events: Attend a Free Speech About Criminal Law in Dallas, Texas (October 12) Hollydays Market of Plano (October 21) Add your event Now you’re in the loop and ready to start this Saturday. I’ll be back in your inbox tomorrow with your next update! — Nicole Fallon-Peek About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. The rules of replying: Be respectful. This is a space for friendly local discussions. No racist, discriminatory, vulgar or threatening language will be tolerated. Be transparent. Use your real name, and back up your claims. Keep it local and relevant. Make sure your replies stay on topic. Review the Patch Community Guidelines.

I Went On An 8-Day Cruise From Miami To The Caribbean & Here’s What’s Worth Doing – Narcity Canada https://collincountynewsonline.com/i-went-on-an-8-day-cruise-from-miami-to-the-caribbean-heres-whats-worth-doing-narcity-canada/ Associate Editor, Jenna Kelley, sitting on a dock in front of the cruise. Right: The inside of the cruise. This Opinion article is part of a Narcity Media series. The views expressed are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Narcity Media. One of the best ways to travel is by cruise, and, lucky for me, I live in the Miami area, which holds one of the biggest ports for cruise lines. So, when I didn’t want to take on the hefty task of planning each detail of my vacation, I went on a ship. Say goodbye to cooking and cleaning. Say hello to lovely service and all-around entertainment. I knew this would be the best way to end my Summer and begin Fall, so I went for eight days to the Western Caribbean. That entailed two and a half days at sea, three days docked at different islands, and 2 days back at sea, and you reluctantly get off the last day. I was an avid cruiser as a kid, but as I grew up, it was a whole different ball game, so I compiled a list of the most worth-it things to do. A Stateroom With A Window I was balling on a budget, therefore, I couldn’t afford a balcony room (though, if you can, it’s so worth it), so I opted for a room with a window that overlooked the main promenade of the ship. The rooms can sometimes feel like you’re cooped up if you don’t have a window at all, so it was nice to see life happening outside of the room. It also was a good indicator of when it was night or daytime! Go To The Solarium Pool The main pool is family-friendly and the majority of events are happening in that area. It’s a fun time, but it’s filled with kids who don’t really have any regard if they splash you… and, yes, that also applies to jacuzzi. We spent our days at the Solarium Pool a.k.a. the adults-only area, next to the bar, just after they had a belly flop competition and children were mimicking the winners in the small hot tub. At the Solarium, I also met a bunch of other fun travelers trying to get to know one another. Eat The Fine Dining Meals Associate Editor, Jenna Kelley, in front of the Sapphire Dining Room.Jenna Kelley | Narcity The buffet is great for breakfast and lunch, but it is so worth going to the fine dining hall for dinner. You get great service and a three-course meal, and you can try multiple items on the menu per course. Yes, the food is all included in your vacation package. Take Advantage Of The Gym At least one day, I advise waking up early and heading to the gym. They have state-of-the-art equipment and a complete window view of the ocean. There’s even a workout room, a separate hot tub, and a spa just for healing and self-care purposes. Go To The Shows The shows they provide on these cruises, you can tell the performers worked tirelessly on. Even those who don’t like watching big productions love the performances that they put on. On my cruise, there was an Argentinean group who danced all different styles, sang combinations of American pop songs and traditional Argentinean songs and they even acted a little bit to keep the show rolling. It was spectacular. Get Off The Ship When Docked Make sure you book some excursions and get off the ship when they dock. The Caribbean islands were gorgeous with crystal clear turquoise blues. The Explorer of the Seas docked in Bonaire. Right: The clear Bonaire waters.Jenna Kelley | Narcity Right when we got off the ship at one of the islands, we found a little dock where we could jump in the water. It was the most refreshing and beautiful experience I have had in a while. Head To The Casino The ship has a full-blown casino, from slot machines to the roulette table, and it’s a great way to familiarize yourself with how to play. The dealers on the ship can help teach you when you’re not busy, and who knows, maybe you’ll win the jackpot. I’m not a big gambler, however, it was interesting to see how everything works and to watch people win! If you’re looking to plan your next trip, you most definitely should look into a cruise. You don’t have to cook or clean and it’s the perfect way to be out in the deep blue sea, watch the sunsets and completely relax. I would definitely go on another one soon. Before you get going, check our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.

Local Business: Delhi Store Features Art Supplies, Classes – Oneonta Daily Star https://collincountynewsonline.com/local-business-delhi-store-features-art-supplies-classes-oneonta-daily-star/ Partners Kelli Cain and Brian Crabtree are adding some color to downtown Delhi. The pair launched Luck Dragon, an art supply store and workshop space at 100 Main St., in late August. Cain, 43, said Luck Dragon grew from their shared artistic backgrounds. “We’ve been in Delhi for 14 years; we bought a farm in Delhi and started there, and the business used to be on the farm in a barn,” she said. She said they make electronic music instruments for computer music, but wanted to do more. “We’ve done that for a long time, but Brian and I met in art school, where we studied music and experimental stop-motion animation (at) the California Institute of the Arts. “Since then, we’ve taken on many different practices and projects … and we both still make music and I do ceramics, so we’ve been in the arts for a while,” Cain continued. “We purchased this building and renovated it for four years. When Delhi Paint & Paper retired in March, we decided … we would move down into the space and move the synthesizer business, (Monome), but we always wanted a teaching, classroom space; just something to offer the community. Since we know about art supplies and art projects, we just picked some of our passions and decided to concentrate on that and have a store. Artware (in Oneonta) closed, and that left a huge gap, and we missed it. The town needs a retail space that people can enter — anyone can enter — and feel good.” Though specific Cain said, Luck Dragon’s inventory is varied. “We thought seeing art supplies and craft supplies and paint colors and books about color in person was … meaningful and worthwhile,” she said. “We’re really passionate about color, a great pen, really nice fabric. We carry a lot of really beautiful fabric for making clothes. We wanted to explore more and share with the community in a way that many people could benefit. “We carry a lot of mending items … and we have classes for that,” Cain continued, speaking of the popularity of Sashiko threads. “Our Mora Knil carving knives for whittling have become quite popular. The whole project is really based on, ‘let’s all have ways to use our hands and explore space and time (without) staring at a screen. We also carry the standards: Holbein oil paints, Holbein acrylics and watercolors and a lot of different kinds of paper. We have a wide selection of our favorite books about color, which is pretty exciting, and people are gravitating toward, and (inventory) will expand as we carry different classes.” Upcoming workshops include soldering, sewing, natural dying, block-printing, spoon carving, garden design, still life drawing and more. Cain said locals and visitors are exploring their creative sides. “Delhi has a little bit of tourism still happening because of the farmers’ market, so I’d say (patronage) is all over the place,” she said. “It’s very much Delhi and people from outside of Delhi. It’s a lot of locals, which is nice, and we’re hoping to draw more artists. The closest places are Arlene’s (Artist Materials) in Albany and Catskill Art Supply in Kingston, so we’d like to get more artists to buy their paint here. “There’s so many artists (locally),” Cain continued. “I’ve been shocked at how many people were at home working on things — painting or sewing or making clothes. It’s been really inspiring, and Delhi is a very creative community. I continue to be astounded.” Locals, Cain said, are especially happy to see the space revived. “I think people are really enthusiastic about the renovation,” she said. “It’s a very special building. The renovation feels really good in the space, and the workshop is really lovely. It’s a good space to teach classes and learn things; it’s very open and very inviting, and people have been very generous and kind with their words, so we’ve been really lucky in that way.” Cain said she and Crabtree hope to broaden Luck Dragon’s offerings. “We are slowly but surely increasing our inventory, so that feels really good, and we’re adding new things all the time and considering new classes,” she said. “We’re expanding slowly; we want to be good at it before everyone comes. This is our second month in and now we feel like we’re going to start to spread the word.” Luck Dragon is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, with classes happening during and outside of store hours. There are also, Cain said, open “hangout nights.” For a list of workshops and events, visit luckdragon.space.

Tiah Tomlin-Harris: For Black Women With Breast Cancer, Knowledge Is Power – Newswise https://collincountynewsonline.com/tiah-tomlin-harris-for-black-women-with-breast-cancer-knowledge-is-power-newswise/ When she was diagnosed in 2015 with triple-negative breast cancer in her 30s, Tiah Tomlin-Harris of Atlanta discovered there was a lot she didn’t know about the disease. By discovering Living Beyond Breast Cancer’s (LBBC) Young Advocate program and becoming active in the breast cancer community, she learned about her diagnosis and today manages LBBC’s popular Knowledge Is Power: The Black Breast Cancer Experience webinar series. In a world in which only 3% of oncologists are Black, the free panel series features African American health care providers, advocates, and women affected by breast cancer discussing key issues of concern: Oct 27: Understanding Your Treatment Path Nov 3: The Cost of Cancer: Work, Financial and Insurance Matters Nov 10: We Are Family: Navigating Relationships There is no cost to attend but Registration is required and now open. “The panelists will share their stories and empower Black women to get what they need, with the hope of having better outcomes,” says Tomlin-Harris. It’s a chance to hear how other Black women have navigated the diagnosis and dealt with financial and family issues, and to feel a sense of community and connection.” Tomlin-Harris is co-founder of My Style Matters, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides support, resources, education and healthy-living experiences to those who are disproportionately impacted by breast cancer. According to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Black women are 41% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women; and young Black women, who have a higher incidence of aggressive cancers, have a mortality rate twice that of young white women. Biological, environmental, and social factors all play a role, as Black women are disproportionately affected by more aggressive subtypes such as triple-negative breast cancer and inflammatory breast cancer but are also more likely to have complicating factors such as diabetes and heart disease as well as inadequate health care insurance and limited access to health care.  “We still need awareness — if you’re not aware, you can’t take action,” Tomlin-Harris says. “We want Black women to be aware of this disease, how it affects them, their risk, and if they’re diagnosed, what they can do to help themselves navigate through the journey and advocate for themselves. If or when they face biases, these programs offer strategies to help them get the care they deserve and need.”

No City Tax Hike, Attorney Moving On | News, Sports, Jobs – Evening Observer https://collincountynewsonline.com/no-city-tax-hike-attorney-moving-on-news-sports-jobs-evening-observer/ OBSERVER Photo by M.J. Stafford Dunkirk Mayor Wilfred Rosas presents his budget proposal for 2023 Friday at City Hall. Dunkirk Mayor Wilfred Rosas has proposed a 2023 budget with no property tax increase. At his Friday presentation, he also announced that city attorney Richard Morrisroe gave his notice, effective at the end of the year. Rosas said the city will be unable to attract a competent lawyer if it pays the previous attorney salary of $45,000. He suggested that even the $60,000 he budgeted for 2023 might not be enough, though he called it a “start in the right direction.” Rosas’ budget also calls for the addition of a human resources director. “When I came into office, one of the first things that I realized was we are in desperate need of an HR director,” he said. “We have many issues we deal with routinely. While we have a very competent personnel administrator, he is not qualified to take on the duties and responsibilities of an HR director. Those duties are very important and could cost city taxpayers a ton of money.” The total proposed budget is $26,376,325, a 6% increase from 2022. The mayor said the water and sewer rates will also be unchanged, in addition to the tax rate. Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox

Limoverse, Metasportech To Launch Sports Metaverse – Khaleej Times https://collincountynewsonline.com/limoverse-metasportech-to-launch-sports-metaverse-khaleej-times/ In UAE alone, the badminton fanbase is expected to be at 1.2 million. Published: Sat 8 Oct 2022, 12:30 AM Metaverse continues to disrupt every consumer-centric sector in the UAE and sports is no exception as two Dubai-based firms Limoverse and Metasportech jointly pledge to boost the sport metaverse in the nation. Limoverse — the first ever complete health and wellness metaverse — stands with the mission to empower people to take charge of their health and well-being. Founded by Dr Sajeev Nair, serial entrepreneur, peak performance coach, and biohacker, and Adityanarayan, a start up entrepreneur, Limoverse is creating a global wellness and fitness ecosystem on blockchain using Web 3 protocol. The platform connects health/wellness/fitness practitioners and institutions from around the world with wellness and fitness seekers. Limoverse provides an opportunity for its partner organisations to create B2C and B2B businesses through smart contracts supported by a BEP20 token called LIMO. Prajeeth, Dr Sajeev Nair, Dr Sathya Menon and George Jayesh. In addition, Limoverse is rolling out 5 different projects through which users are rewarded for various fitness-related activities. Limoverse app is available on playstore (waiting for approvals in iOS) and already has close to 75,000 downloads. The first project under Limovesre, called HealthFi is currently open to public, where one can earn LIMO tokens by walking, jogging, and running keeping the GPS active in the mobile app. One can enter this programme by purchasing a Sneaker NFT and the first drop of 500 NFTs got sold in 28 minutes. Limoverse is in the process of integrating more than a hundred wearable brands to measure various health parameters so as to reward people for staying healthy. On its mission to empower people to stay fit, Limoverse identified the potential of sports, which is driven by communities and fans and an ideal domain for the web 3 model, as a community is the fabric of Web 3.0 Nair said: “It’s imperative to understand the GenZ is a tech-savvy community and lifestyle as a segment has to keep up with consumer demand. We found a tremendous potential that can be unlocked through sports which have gained maximum traction post-Covid.” Limoverse recently joined hands with Metasportech, a DMCC registered metaverse company with having an exclusive interest in building a sports metaverse. The brand headed by CEO Dr Sathya Menon plans to create the world’s first ever exclusive Sports NFT marketplace and also a Sports Metaverse. Other founding partners of Metasportech are George Jayesh who is the CTO and Prajeeth, director of operations. Metasportech has already started the work of the first ever Badminton Metaverse, which is expected to commission by February 2023. Metasportech has signed an agreement through its group company, Beyond Boundaries LLC, a sports management company based out of Dubai, to create NFTs and also Metaverse for Badminton Asia Championships which is a BWF Super 1000 event. For the first time ever, Badminton Asia Championships will be conducted in Dubai for the next 5 years. Menon said: “Badminton has more than 900 million followers worldwide, out of which more than 700 million are from Asian countries. In UAE alone, the badminton fanbase is expected to be at 1.2 million. Metasportech through the Badminton metaverse is targeting this huge follower base for creating a large global badminton community. This community will be able to play badminton with legendary players in the metaverse. They can buy different NFTs and also get trained by world-class players in the badminton metaverse. Moreover, as this becomes a part of Limoverse, they will have access to various health and wellness services and products and also get rewarded by participating in various fitness activities.” The Badminton metaverse will be launched during the same time as the Badminton Asia Championships in Dubai, which is going to be the richest badminton tournament in the world. Over 900 million people involved in badminton across the world are expected to watch the forthcoming mega championship event in Dubai. —sandhya@khaleejtimes.com