AXA Enters Metaverse With The Sandbox To Offer Interactive Space For Customers Marketing Interactive
AXA Enters Metaverse With The Sandbox To Offer Interactive Space For Customers – Marketing Interactive https://collincountynewsonline.com/axa-enters-metaverse-with-the-sandbox-to-offer-interactive-space-for-customers-marketing-interactive/
AXA has partnered with The Sandbox, a decentralised gaming virtual world and a subsidiary of Animoca Brands, to enter the metaverse. The insurer has acquired a 3×3 LAND where it will provide an innovative interactive space for its customers.
Through its LAND, AXA Hong Kong will endeavour to provide fresh digital experiences to its customers, partnering to co-create the future of insurance in the metaverse.
Gary Ho, chief technology officer, AXA Hong Kong and Macau, said: “I’m honoured to announce that AXA has partnered with The Sandbox to expand our digital presence by setting foot in the metaverse. This collaboration has reflected AXA’s vision and interest to create the insurance of the future by bringing immersive experiences around sustainability, wellness, healthcare, and so much more. Stepping into the metaverse, we are thrilled to discover more captivating capabilities and use cases for AXA’s customers and the communities.”
JH Tang, digital transformation & strategy director, AXA Asia, said: “We are proud to be the pioneer in the Hong Kong insurance industry to partner with The Sandbox. AXA Hong Kong is dedicated to connecting the world by unfolding all kinds of inventive digital experiences. Stepping into the metaverse opens the door for cultural synergy and creates unlimited opportunities for us to explore the unknowns. Through our partnership, we aim to revolutionise the wellness and healthcare experiences for our customers and our markets in the broader regions by continuously driving innovation and technological development.”
Sebastien Borget, COO and co-founder of The Sandbox, said: “AXA’s milestone as the first insurance company in Hong Kong1 to join The Sandbox is another step toward our vision of the open metaverse as a new digital economy where industries, brands, and cultures from around the world interact with players and creators for mutual benefit. We’re glad to support AXA’s commitment to being a force for good and look forward to creating shared value for our communities.”
AXA has joined over 400 partners who have entered The Sandbox, including Warner Music Group, Ubisoft, The Rabbids, Tony Hawk, Gucci Vault, The Walking Dead, Snoop Dogg, Adidas, Deadmau5, Steve Aoki, Richie Hawtin, The Smurfs, Care Bears, Atari, ZEPETO, and CryptoKitties, all following The Sandbox team’s vision of empowering players to create their own experiences using both original and well-known characters and worlds
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A Kitchen Torch Is The Tool You Deserve (But Probably Dont Need) Bon Appetit
A Kitchen Torch Is The Tool You Deserve (But Probably Don’t “Need”) – Bon Appetit https://collincountynewsonline.com/a-kitchen-torch-is-the-tool-you-deserve-but-probably-dont-need-bon-appetit/
I’m not here to tell you that you need a kitchen torch; if you’re like most home cooks, you probably don’t. A culinary torch is the kind of kitchen tool that is necessary in only very specific situations—caramelizing the sugar on a crème brûlée, for instance, or blast-browning a sous vide steak—and if those situations don’t apply to you, well, use that cupboard space for something else.
Let’s be real, though: There are plenty of kitchen tools you don’t need but covet anyway. And in my humble opinion, the best kitchen torch is a whole lot more awesome than, say, a purpose-built squash seed-scraper, or a WiFi-enabled spoon rest. Because playing with fire is fun. And so are you. This is me giving you permission to buy one of the most fun kitchen gadgets out there just for the hell of it, even if all you ever do is dig it out of the cabinet every once in a while and click it on a few times when no one is looking. And who’s to say a cooking torch is just for cooking? Scare/impress your guests by using it to light some candles or get really into shou sugi ban—a propane torch is a multipurpose tool. You don’t need it, but you do deserve it.
If this entreaty is speaking to you in any way, here are some of the best kitchen torches to consider.
For culinary butane torch newbies: Jo Chef Butane Kitchen Torch
This little refillable butane torch can reach flame temperatures of up to 2730°F and is what you want for toasting a baked Alaska or lemon meringue pie, melting cheese atop French onion soup, or browning the marshmallow topping on a s’mores-inspired situation you found on Pinterest. You’ve seen something like this on The Great British Bake-Off, I’ll bet, a show I hear is very charming. The Jo Chef kitchen torch is lightweight, doesn’t take up too much space, and comes with about as much butane fuel as you’ll probably use in 10 years. (And if the fuel gauge shows you’re running low, not to worry, you can purchase additional compatible butane canisters.)
This cutie is great for kitchen blow torch beginners because of its intuitive design, safety lock to guard against accidental ignition, and adjustable flame size. It’s ideal for desserts because it’s easy to wield in tighter spaces—a tight little tongue of concentrated flame that won’t accidentally set your tablecloth on fire when you’re trying to torch a dessert tableside. It is also great for lighting rows of birthday candles for your grandma without getting Lighter Thumb.
Jo Chef Butane Kitchen Torch
For the pyromaniac in all of us (…just me?): Bernzomatic TS8000 High Intensity Torch
Often sold in hardware stores, Bernzomatic offers a wide array of professional-grade torches for everything from soldering to woodworking, with varying fuel types and flame intensities. While this particular model, the Bernzomatic TS8000, sounds like a character from the Terminator movies, it’s basically a small flamethrower, with the angled nozzle producing a whooshing jet of intense flame that, in all honesty, is kind of scary, but in a cool and fun way. The trigger unit itself is small and easy to stash in a drawer, which is a plus, but it needs to be attached to one of those bulky green propane cylinders you use with a camping stove in order to work, which makes the whole thing fairly heavy and awkward.
US Lawmakers Propose Amending Cybersecurity Bill To Include Crypto Firms Reporting Potential Threats Cointelegraph
US Lawmakers Propose Amending Cybersecurity Bill To Include Crypto Firms Reporting Potential Threats – Cointelegraph https://collincountynewsonline.com/us-lawmakers-propose-amending-cybersecurity-bill-to-include-crypto-firms-reporting-potential-threats-cointelegraph/
Under the proposed amendment, the 2015 legislation would be renamed the Cryptocurrency Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act.
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United States Senators Marsha Blackburn and Cynthia Lummis have introduced proposed changes to a 2015 bill that would allow “voluntary information sharing of cyber threat indicators among cryptocurrency companies.”
According to a draft bill on amending the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015, Blackburn and Lummis suggested U.S. lawmakers allow companies involved with distributed ledger technology or digital assets to report network damage, data breaches, ransomware attacks and related cybersecurity threats to government officials for possible assistance. Should the bill be signed into law, agencies including the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency would issue policies and procedures for crypto firms facing potential cybersecurity risks.
The original bill, which passed in the Senate in October 2015, essentially set up a framework for the U.S. government to coordinate cybersecurity reports from “private entities, nonfederal government agencies, state, tribal, and local governments, the public, and entities under threats” and recommend possible methods to prevent and protect against attacks. Under the proposed amendment, the legislation would be renamed the Cryptocurrency Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act.
Blackburn reportedly told TechCrunch that the amendments to the cybersecurity bill would provide a means for crypto firms to “report bad actors and protect cryptocurrency from dangerous practices,” given potential illegal uses. Lummis has also co-sponsored bills in the Senate aimed at providing regulatory clarity to the space by addressing the respective roles of the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission over digital assets.
Lummis-Gillibrand would empower the Securities and Exchange Commission to enact clear regulations that define which cryptocurrencies are securities. https://t.co/9oNd5FX89N
— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) September 8, 2022
Related: Blockchain and cybersecurity awareness on the rise — PolySwarm CEO
The original cybersecurity bill stated it would be in effect for 10 years starting on the date of its enactment. As of October 2015, Congress reported the bill was held at the desk of the House of Representatives.
Airlines Cancel 2000 U.S. Flights For Thursday Reuters.com
Airlines Cancel 2000 U.S. Flights For Thursday – Reuters.com https://collincountynewsonline.com/airlines-cancel-2000-u-s-flights-for-thursday-reuters-com/
Sept 28 (Reuters) – Airlines canceled almost 2,000 U.S. flights for Thursday after Hurricane Ian hit Florida’s Gulf Coast with catastrophic force in one of most powerful U.S. storms in recent years.
The hurricane is causing significant disruptions to U.S. air travel, especially in the southeast United States. Since Tuesday airlines have canceled more than 5,000 flights through Friday.
Airlines canceled 2,163 flights Wednesday as a number of Florida airports temporarily halted operations, including Tampa, Orlando, Sarasota-Bradenton, Melbourne, Daytona Beach, Naples and St Petersburg/Clearwater.
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Airline tracking website Flightaware said 1,935 flights for Thursday had been canceled and 738 Friday flights scrapped. Airlines canceled 403 flights Tuesday ahead of the storm.
The Orlando airport said it expects to resume commercial operations sometime on Friday. The Tampa airport said it will be closed through at least Thursday.
Walt Disney (DIS.N)said on Tuesday it would close its Orlando theme parks on Wednesday and Thursday.
Florida is a major part of U.S. aviation, and some carriers like JetBlue Airways (JBLU.O) and Southwest Airlines (LUV.N) typically expect 40% or more of their daily flights to touch a Florida airport.
Through Wednesday, JetBlue canceled 25% of its U.S. flights and 20% of Thursday flights, while Southwest canceled 13% of Wednesday flights and 9% for Thursday. Another 3,106 U.S. flights were delayed on Wednesday.
Airlines offered waivers for travelers impacted by the hurricane to rebook tickets without charge.
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Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Leslie Adler
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
6 Injured In Oakland School Shooting Police Say The New York Times
6 Injured In Oakland School Shooting, Police Say – The New York Times https://collincountynewsonline.com/6-injured-in-oakland-school-shooting-police-say-the-new-york-times/
Two of the victims were hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, the authorities said. The shooting occurred at a campus in the Bay Area that houses multiple schools.
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The authorities said that six adults had been shot at a campus that houses several schools in Oakland, Calif.CreditCredit…Peter Dasilva/EPA, via Shutterstock
Sept. 28, 2022Updated 9:36 p.m. ET
OAKLAND, Calif. — Six people were shot on Wednesday at a campus in Oakland that houses four different school programs, prompting lockdowns and evacuations as the police descended on the scene, the authorities said.
Two of the victims were hospitalized with life-threatening injuries on Wednesday afternoon; the other four were either released or soon to be released from hospitals, said Darren Allison, the assistant chief of the Oakland Police Department. All of the victims were adults who had “some affiliation with the school,” Chief Allison said, though he did not specify their ages or if they were students or workers.
The authorities were searching for one shooter on Wednesday, Chief Allison said, but he noted that there may be “other individuals involved” in the shooting, which began at about 12:45 p.m. He added that the Police Department was still investigating whether the shooting was targeted or random.
Libby Schaaf, the Oakland mayor, said Wednesday afternoon on Twitter that what occurred on the campus “shocks the soul — our schools are sanctuaries for our children.”
“The unbridled access to firearms in our country is inexcusable,” she added.
Chief Allison said that officers found “victims inside the school,” but he did not specify which one.
How we fight misinformation during a breaking news event. Because law enforcement officials control crime scenes, The Times initially relies on the information they provide. We work aggressively to verify it through interviews with witnesses and victims, and we report any discrepancies between what officials are saying and what we have found.
The Oakland Police Department asked parents to meet their children at a church close to the school complex. There, dozens of teachers mingled with law enforcement and reporters while waiting to return to campus after being evacuated.
Image
Tonyia Carter, right, comforts a city aide at St. Cuthbert’s Episcopal Church, where students and school staff gathered after a shooting at a campus in Oakland on Wednesday.Credit…Peter Dasilva/EPA, via Shutterstock
The shooting occurred at the King Estate complex, where four different school programs are. They include the headquarters for Sojourner Truth Independent Study; Bay Area Technology School, a charter program that serves students in grades 6 through 12; Rudsdale Continuation High School; and Rudsdale Newcomer High School.
John Sasaki, the spokesman for the Oakland Unified School District, said at a news conference that “what happened today was wrong. It was very traumatic. It was devastating to our school community.”
He added that counseling would be available for students.
Seth Feldman, the executive director at Bay Area Technology School, said of his teachers, “I cannot believe how quickly our folks jumped into action.”
In an interview, Mr. Feldman said the shooting occurred just minutes before school let out for the day, when the hallways would have been flooded with students. “Five minutes later,” he said, “and this would have been tragic.”
He added that the charter school’s campus security officer had been shot in the leg, and that one of his administrators, Ryan Hughes, had pressed on a student’s wound to try to stem the bleeding.
“He pressed,” Mr. Feldman said. “He put his hands on him to make sure that he could be OK.”
Matthew Benjamin, a high school teacher at Bay Area Technology School, said he was walking down a hallway when he heard what sounded like gunshots, one after another, right around the corner.
“It was a blur,” Mr. Benjamin said. “I just instinctively turned around. I jumped back into the classroom; I told everyone get down. Kids were starting to flip out, and I grabbed hold of the door.”
He said he yelled at students to “get down.” Mr. Benjamin’s class locked the windows and hunkered down for about an hour.
“You’re scared for the kids,” he said.
Across the hallway, Sherman Moore, a science teacher, heard what he thought were fireworks. But he told his students to stay quiet, just in case.
Then a voice came on the intercom that the school was being locked down.
The students pushed tables and chairs up against the doors and waited, hoping for the best. About an hour later, police officers knocked on the door and evacuated everyone.
“Once we started walking up the hallway, I knew it was really serious, because they had us do this,” Mr. Moore said, putting his hands above his head.
At about 4 p.m., teachers were allowed to return to their campus and collect their belongings and cars. There were hugs and tears as they reunited and swapped stories of evacuating.
UTA Teams Up To Grow Biotech Workforce News Center Uta.edu
UTA Teams Up To Grow Biotech Workforce – News Center – Uta.edu https://collincountynewsonline.com/uta-teams-up-to-grow-biotech-workforce-news-center-uta-edu/
Wednesday, Sep 28, 2022 • Neph Rivera : Contact
Gabriela Wilson (left) and Jon Weidanz
The University of Texas at Arlington is playing a key role in training the future of the biotech industry in North Texas.
Through an $8.8 million grant awarded to Dallas College by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, UTA will work with Collin College, Dallas College and Tarrant County College to create a new regional career training pathway in biotechnology, biomanufacturing and bioinformatics.
The partnership will create BioWorks for North Texas, an introductory “boot camp” to train 800 participants from historically underserved North Texas communities for entry-level biotech employment. UTA will recruit and train 100 of those participants while working with employers to develop biotech training and education programs.
“We are excited to be part of this very important project that will enhance UTA’s high visibility in biotechnology and health informatics,” said Gabriela Wilson, professor of kinesiology, co-director of UTA’s Multi-Interprofessional Center for Health Informatics (MICHI) and leader of UTA’s BioWorks efforts. “Through this industry-led project and our collaborative efforts, we will contribute to addressing systemic barriers to academic and workforce access and success by building targeted biotechnology training and employment opportunities in a growing industry sector in North Texas.”
UTA will also leverage the resources of its Career Development Center, providing participants access to job and internship opportunities, organizing employer panels and hosting students on-site to learn about workforce culture and gain hands-on experience.
“This grant demonstrates both UTA’s commitment to growing the biotech sector here in North Texas and its collaborative spirit and desire to work with other institutions in our region,” said Jon Weidanz, associate vice president of research, professor of kinesiology and bioengineering, and director of MICHI’s biotechnology and systems biology division. “The funding will, in part, provide resources for UTA and MICHI to develop biotech training programs and train a technically competent workforce.”
Seven major North Texas health care employers, including UT Southwestern Medical Center, Children’s Health Medical Center and McKesson, have already committed to hiring 1,100 entry-level biotech workers, providing living wages along with health care, retirement and other benefits.
Metaverse Stocks: How To Invest In The Top 5 Companies In Virtual Worlds BeInCrypto
Metaverse Stocks: How To Invest In The Top 5 Companies In Virtual Worlds – BeInCrypto https://collincountynewsonline.com/metaverse-stocks-how-to-invest-in-the-top-5-companies-in-virtual-worlds-beincrypto/
Metaverse stocks: The metaverse is fast becoming the most anticipated technological development of our generation. The emerging technology is still many years away from being a widespread mainstream success. Yet investors are already seeking opportunities to invest in this brave new interconnected digital landscape, says Rebecca Barnatt-Smith.
The sheer volume of computational power required to fuel the metaverse, and its reliance on virtual and augmented reality, has paved the way for many existing stocks to stand as key beneficiaries in a Web3 environment. But where can wise investments be made on Wall Street?
Top 5 Deep Dive
Let’s take a deeper look into five of the most exciting metaverse stocks available to invest in today, and how each company could grow:
Metaverse stocks #1: Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA)
Firstly, let’s explore a company that could play an essential role in powering the metaverse. Nvidia’s graphics cards and data center chips are best positioned to bring the metaverse to life by delivering the computational power required for individuals to interact with one another within a sprawling digital environment.
Crucially for investors, we’re already seeing Nvidia graphics cards powering Meta Platforms’ AI Research SuperCluster (RSC) supercomputer. The company hopes to create a framework for handling the metaverse’s processing requirements.
The stock itself has slipped following a blistering 2021. But NVDA’s strong rebound from its Q2 2022 bottom shows that investor confidence in the stock remains strong.
The company has a strong relationship with Meta, a company hell-bent on building into the metaverse. Nvidia’s strong hand comes from the scale of the task at hand in powering the new Web3 landscape in a way that can cater to all users. According to estimates from Intel, the successful rtttttt of the metaverse would require a 1,000x increase in the computing capacity commonly available today.
It’s this requirement for the introduction of more processing hardware that’s likely to provide Nvidia with a golden opportunity for strong growth as the development of the metaverse gathers pace.
Metaverse stocks #2: Unity Software (NYSE: U)
Much like Nvidia, Unity Software is set to be another key player when it comes to powering the metaverse. The company specializes in enabling game developers to create high-quality graphical content that can operate on a cross-platform basis. This can bring together users based on computers, smartphones, games consoles, and VR hardware.
Significantly, Unity had a 61% market share of the gaming market by the end of 2021. This makes the company’s stock performance throughout much of the year unsurprising. Unity has been impacted by the tech stock sell-offs of 2022. But the stock’s proximity to the gaming sector is likely to make it a trailblazer as Web3 develops.
It is thought that the company’s software has been incorporated into the development of more than 60% of the world’s 3D content to date. This can be significant for not only game designers but also metaverse development studios like BORN, which can use the technology to render vast 3D creations in the metaverse for its clients.
Today, Unity is working on a number of platforms like Insomniac Events in order to generate new metaverse worlds. With key industry figures like the Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella, claiming that the “metaverse is essentially creating games,” it’s likely that Unity will play a central role in the landscape’s development.
Metaverse stocks #3: Roblox (NYSE: RBLX)
Roblox has built a reputation as an early iteration of the metaverse. As a gaming company, social network, and content creation platform, the stock incorporates many of the foundations of the metaverse as we know it today. Furthermore, Roblox’s market cap of $41.9 billion at the time of its 2021 NYSE listing shows that the company is already a metaverse star in the eyes of Wall Street.
Significantly, Roblox has become a leading entertainment hub, with 3D concerts for leading artists like Lil Nas X, and David Guetta among many others. At the time of writing, Roblox has hosted more than 24 million 3D experiences for users to involve themselves in.
We can also see strong evidence of growth for Roblox. In Q4 2021, Roblox counted 49 million active daily users on average, representing a 33% increase from the same time last year. Should the platform build on its growth, it could become the world’s metaverse of choice in the future.
Metaverse stocks #4: Snap (NYSE: SNAP)
The artist formerly known as Snapchat may be acknowledged as a social media giant in its own right. But the company has been making waves in the field of augmented reality throughout recent years.
In fact, SNAP’s AR investments are generating healthy levels of growth within the platform. They could form an intricate bond with the metaverse as the technology leans further on the development of augmented reality.
Despite 2022 being a tough time for Snap’s stock market fortunes, 250 million of its users used the platform’s AR tools during Q1 2022. Accompanying Snap’s famous Lenses tool will soon be a fully-fledged pair of AR glasses which may become a precursor to metaverse compatible eyewear.
Metaverse stocks #5: Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT)
MSFT stock is performing exceptionally well, despite widespread tech sell-offs in comparison to some of its counterparts on this list. Whilst this may mean that there are fewer opportunities to pick up discounted stock, this blue-chip company has proven time and again that it can keep up with new innovations.
In early 2022, Microsoft announced the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, a leading gaming firm. The $70 billion deal provides access to Activision’s gaming titles like the wildly popular ‘Call of Duty.’ Furthermore, Microsoft will be capable of marketing to Activision’s seismic 390 million monthly users.
The company has made no secret of the fact that it views gaming as an intrinsic part of the development of the metaverse. In this acquisition, we can see a clear play by Microsoft to emerge as a leader in metaverse-based games.
Microsoft is also actively working to utilize its HoloLens as a means of creating mixed reality spaces for Teams. Microsoft has a rich history for innovation, and it seems certain that the company will be front and center of metaverse developments, if its recent market movements are anything to go by.
Tips for investors
For investors, it’s essential to continually research the metaverse companies that they are thinking to add to their portfolios. The space is still very much in its formative stages and things can change quickly.
With this in mind, no metaverse stock is certain for long-term growth. However, with the right level of metaverse exposure, investors are likely to benefit significantly from the space’s winners over time.
About the author
Rebecca Barnatt-Smith is a freelance journalist and multi-media marketing executive, interested in the future of the metaverse and what it could mean for investors. She covers tech-based topics, the future of crypto trading and NFT trends.
Got something to say about metaverse stocks or anything else? Write to us or join the discussion in our Telegram channel. You can also catch us on Tik Tok, Facebook, or Twitter.
Disclaimer
All the information contained on our website is published in good faith and for general information purposes only. Any action the reader takes upon the information found on our website is strictly at their own risk.
The Coolest James Bond Car Ever Just Sold For Over $3 Million DMARGE
The Coolest James Bond Car Ever Just Sold For Over $3 Million – DMARGE https://collincountynewsonline.com/the-coolest-james-bond-car-ever-just-sold-for-over-3-million-dmarge/
The James Bond series is famous for its cool cars, particularly the Aston Martin DB5… And now the coolest DB5 ever made has just sold – for a serious figure.
Famed British auction house Christie’s and EON Productions are currently an amazing auction event called Sixty Years of James Bond: an official two-part charity sale celebrating the 60th anniversary of the iconic spy film franchise that boasts 60 iconic lots spanning the 25 Bond films.
The 60 lots, split between an online and a live auction, include a treasure trove of Bond goodies, including Timothy Dalton’s tuxedo from License To Kill, a Casino Royale script signed by the actors, producers and screenwriters; and even one of the Day of the Dead skeletons from Spectre.
But the vast majority of items come from the most recent Bond film, No Time To Die – the 25th in the franchise and Daniel Craig’s last stint as the famous fictional British agent – including the Aston Martin DB5 stunt car from the thrilling opening scene, which we reckon might just be the coolest Bond car ever.
A car that’s been shaken, not stirred. Image: Christie’s
The DB5, of course, is a staple of the franchise and one of the most iconic movie cars of all time. This DB5 is a cut above the rest, however.
One of only eight built specifically for James Bond and, to date, the only DB5 stunt car to be released for public sale, this was exclusively engineered and handcrafted by Aston Martin’s Special Projects division for No Time To Die, Christie’s explains. All the DB5 stunt cars were modified in different ways, with this car being one of a few to include the bespoke No Time To Die gadgets and mocked-up side panel damage.
RELATED: Sebastian Vettel Takes James Bond’s Classic Aston Martin DB5 Drifting At Silverstone
What’s really cool is that this car is actually functional, as it was built specifically to perform dynamic stunts. Under the hood, it boasts a modern 3.2L inline-six petrol engine plus a manual gearbox. The body panels are all carbon fibre, as is much of the interior, and it boasts a beefed-up bespoke suspension and braking system uniquely engineered by Aston Martin Special Projects.
It’s not just some mocked-up shell: this is the real deal; as close as one can get to driving a functional Bond car. Cool, right?
What’s the catch? Well, you might technically be able to drive it, but it was sold as a ‘non-runner’ collector’s item and is not approved for use on any public roads or homologated. This is just a technicality – I mean, you’d probably be crazy to drive around something so rare on the streets anyway…
Very expensive donuts. Image: Christie’s
The DB5, part of the live portion of the auction, ended up selling for 2,922,000 of His Majesty’s finest pounds (~ 3,172,050 USD / 4,869,395 AUD), far surpassing Christie’s auction estimate of 1,500,000 – 2,000,000 GBP.
RELATED: ‘Most Expensive Ever’: $202 Million Mercedes-Benz Smashes Car Auction Records
This DB5 wasn’t the only cool car that went under the hammer, either. A bunch of vehicles from No Time To Die were up for grabs – most of which smashed their auction estimates – including Bond’s 1981 Aston Martin V8 (which went for 630,000 GBP), Nomi’s Aston Martin DBS Superleggera (403,200 GBP), the Triumph Scrambler motorbike from the Italy opening sequence (138,600 GBP) plus two of the villainous Land Rover Defenders from the Norway chase scene (which didn’t beat their estimates and sold for 163,800 and 189,000 GBP respectively).
Other cool lots at the
Sixty Years of James Bond live auction included the OMEGA Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition worn by Daniel Craig in the film (226,800 GBP) and a five-night stay at the luxurious Goldeneye estate in Jamaica where Ian Fleming wrote all fourteen Bond books (52,920 GBP).
While the live portion of the auction is over, the online portion is still running until October 5th, and contains goodies like signed posters and a bunch of outfits worn by Daniel Craig and others in the films.
WATCH our guide to James Bond’s best watches below.
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Where To Stream No Time To Die in Australia
OMEGA Dropped An ‘Australian’ Speedmaster… And It’s A Bloody Ripper, Too
Chinas Crypto Billionaire Stocks Up On Precious Metals Gems And Fine Art Kitco NEWS
China’s Crypto Billionaire Stocks Up On Precious Metals, Gems And Fine Art – Kitco NEWS https://collincountynewsonline.com/chinas-crypto-billionaire-stocks-up-on-precious-metals-gems-and-fine-art-kitco-news/
(Kitco News) Chinese crypto billionaire Jihan Wu is diversifying into physical assets, including precious metals, gems and fine art, with his recent purchase of what is dubbed Asia’s Fort Knox.
Bitdeer Technologies Holding Co., which Wu leads, paid $28.4 million to purchase Le Freeport, which is a state-of-the-art maximum security vault in Singapore designed and engineered by a team of Swiss architects and engineers. The news was reported by Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter.
Jihan Wu is an influential figure in the crypto space. He founded Bitmain Technologies Ltd, which is the largest Bitcoin mining-machine manufacturer, with a revenue of $5.6 billion in 2021. Wu left the company last year and is now heading up its Bitcoin-mining spinoff Bitdeer and crypto-finance company Matrixport.
The vault’s depository includes gold and silver bars, precious gems, and fine art from shareholders headed up by Swiss art dealer and founder Yves Bouvier, the media report said.
The transaction was private and happened in July. Prior to this, Bouvier had been unsuccessful in trying to sell Freeport, located in Singapore near Changi airport.
Freeport began operations more than a decade ago, intending to appeal to customers such as collectors, wealth managers, and major bullion traders.
“The facility offers integrated services to handle the shipping, storage, display and trade of these valuables … Maximum security and 24/7 security access. Stringent security provisions include electronic monitoring of staff, clients and valuables as well as armed guards,” described Freeport’s website.
According to the deal, Bitdeer is the sole shareholder of Straitdeer Pte., which now is the new owner of Asia Freeport Holdings Pte.
In another development, Wu is also forming a fund worth $250 million to buy up distressed assets from mining firms.
“We can buy the cheaper machines and run them in our existing facilities with stable and cost-effective power purchase agreements,” Bitdeer CEO Matt Kong told Bloomberg.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.
Report Urges Improvements In US Approach To Hostage Cases Marine Corps Times
Report Urges Improvements In US Approach To Hostage Cases – Marine Corps Times https://collincountynewsonline.com/report-urges-improvements-in-us-approach-to-hostage-cases-marine-corps-times/
The Biden administration should create an additional senior-level position at the White House National Security Council to focus on cases of Americans who are wrongfully detained in foreign countries, and fund an interagency office tasked with helping free hostages, according to a report Wednesday from a leading advocacy group.
The report from the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation also recommends that Congress authorize funding to pay for hostage families to visit Washington to meet with U.S. government officials, as well as to provide support — whether clothing, temporarily housing or medical care — for returning hostages.
The annual research report is based on interviews with 60 people, including former hostages and wrongful detainees and their relatives as well as former government officials.
It was released amid heightened public attention on the plight of American hostages and detainees, thanks in part to the continued imprisonment in Russia of WNBA star Brittney Griner on drug-related charges. The U.S. has been trying to bring home Griner another American jailed in Russia, Marine veteran Paul Whelan, but those efforts have so far not been successful.
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There have been some high-profile releases in the last six months, including an April prisoner swap with Russia that secured the release of Marine veteran Trevor Reed and a deal with the Taliban that freed an American contractor, Mark Frerichs, who had been abducted in Afghanistan more than two years ago. Two Americans, including an oil executive, were released from Venezuelan government custody in March, though Caracas is continuing to hold numerous other Americans.
In addition, family members of detainees have demonstrated in recent months outside the White House and in New York, and a mural unveiled this summer in Washington depicting faces of Americans jailed abroad added to the publicity.
Yet more than 60 Americans are still being held hostage or wrongfully detained, and the report’s authors say such cases appear tougher to resolve than they were a decade ago. Nearly half of the U.S. nationals who are still detained have been held for five years or longer, the report says.
The report also says the number of countries holding Americans captives has grown over the last decade, totaling 19 in 2022. Seventy-five percent of currently detained Americans are being held by China, Russia, Iran and Venezuela, the report says.
The Biden administration has said publicly that it regards the release of hostages as a top priority, though officials have also noted that such resolutions can involve difficult decisions — particularly in the case of prisoner swaps involving lawfully convicted felons in the U.S. — and that the U.S. is not the only country with a say in the matter.
In the case of Griner and Whelan, for instance, the administration says it has not received a productive response from Russia to a substantial offer it made several months ago for their release.
The report makes 10 recommendations, including empowering and funding the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell, a unit based at FBI headquarters but comprised of representatives from different agencies.
Because the interagency cell is led by the FBI, the report says, it creates the perception that the unit operates on the FBI’s behalf rather than the whole of government. It recommends that the cell be supervised by rotating leaders from across different agencies, “so it can remain neutral, impactful, and influential across the interagency,” and that the Biden administration consider relocating it away from the FBI and elevating the position of director to a more senior role.
The White House does already have senior administration officials dedicated to detainee and hostage cases, including a director for counterterrorism for hostage and detainee affairs.
But the report envisions the creation of a new, high-level position at the National Security Council under the title of deputy assistant to the president and special coordinator for detentions. The person would also engage with regional directorates within the NSC to make sure that hostage and detainee concerns are prioritized alongside other diplomatic considerations — interests that can sometimes be in conflict.
“In addition,” the report says, “having direct access to the president is critical to ensure that wrongful detainee issues are better prioritized and understood.”
The foundation was named after James Foley, a freelance journalist who was among a group of Westerners brutally murdered in Islamic State captivity in Syria in 2014. Two British IS militants, El Shafee Elsheikh and Alexanda Kotey have either pleaded guilty or been found guilty by a jury in connection with those deaths and are serving life sentences.
The murders of Foley and other Americans at the hands of IS operatives reshaped the U.S. government’s approach to hostage-taking, spurring the creation of the fusion cell as well as a new office within the State Department known as the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs.
Verizon And Razer Tease 5G Gaming Handheld – PCMag https://collincountynewsonline.com/verizon-and-razer-tease-5g-gaming-handheld-pcmag/
When you think of portable gaming devices, the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch are probably the first that comes to mind, but Verizon and Razer want you to think about the Razer Edge 5G, their new 5G gaming handheld. While the companies didn’t provide a ton of information, they did let just enough out to make us excited for what the future of portable gaming could look like.
Razer Edge 5G Handheld Gaming Device
The Razer Edge 5G comes from a partnership between Verizon, Qualcomm, and Razer. It’s built on the powerful Snapdragon G3X Gen 1 Gaming Platform and is “designed for high-performance gaming on the move,” the companies say.
It’s an Android device, which means you can download Android games and play them locally. However, it’ll also let you play games streamed from a console or accessed directly from the cloud through various services offered by companies like Microsoft and Sony.
The big thing that makes this stand out from the Steam Deck and the Switch is support for 5G. In fact, it has Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband, so you should be able to stream games with minimal latency. As far as the design goes, it looks a lot like the Razer Kishi, the company’s portable gaming controller. However, you won’t be placing your phone into this device, as it is its own self-contained gaming system.
Unfortunately, that’s about all we know. However, we won’t have to wait too long to find out more; Razer will reveal more information at RazerCon on Oct. 15. In the meantime, you can watch the teaser video(Opens in a new window) to get a better idea of the look and feel of the 5G gaming handheld.
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Verizon Router and Verizon Receiver
Verizon also teased a new device for its home internet users. In working with Qualcomm Technologies, Verizon is launching a new Verizon Router and waterproof Verizon Receiver. It features Qualcomm 5G Fixed Wireless Access Platform Gen 2 with support for mmWave, C-Band, and 4G LTE technologies.
The new devices feature a 100% increase in upload speeds, so anyone who felt they weren’t able to send files fast enough over Verizon’s 5G home internet will like the upgrade.
Recommended by Our Editors
The Receiver is a big upgrade, as it’s 60% smaller and lighter than the previous generation, and it is also completely waterproof, allowing you to install it outside if that’s preferable.
This was another device with minimal information revealed, so we’ll have to wait until Verizon is willing to say more about the price and release date.
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Stocks Rebound From 2022 Low Dow Closes Up More Than 500 Points And Snaps Six-Day Losing Streak CNBC
Stocks Rebound From 2022 Low, Dow Closes Up More Than 500 Points And Snaps Six-Day Losing Streak – CNBC https://collincountynewsonline.com/stocks-rebound-from-2022-low-dow-closes-up-more-than-500-points-and-snaps-six-day-losing-streak-cnbc/
Home Depot, Boeing lead Dow higher
All but one of the 30 Dow stocks are now in positive territory as the market average is up 600 points on the day.
Home Depot is the best performer in the Dow, up more than 5%. Construction stocks could be a beneficiary of national disasters, like the hurricane that hit Florida on Wednesday.
Other top performers include Boeing, up 4.8%, and Disney, up 3.8%.
The lone decliner is Apple, down 1.3%.
—Jesse Pound
Stocks making the biggest moves midday
These companies are making headlines in midday trading.
Apple — Apple shares fell 3.4% on Wednesday following a report that the company is ditching plans to boost new iPhone production. Instead of aiming to increase output by 6 million units in the second half of the year as it had planned, it will shoot for 90 million units, unchanged from the prior year, according to Bloomberg.
Biogen — Shares of the biopharmaceutical company soared 37% following upbeat results from its experimental Alzheimer’s drug study and a slew of upgrades from analysts. Biogen and its Japanese partner Eisai said the drug reduced cognitive decline by 27% and slowed the progression of the disease.
Broadridge — Spruce Point Capital Management issued report containing a strong sell opinion, saying it sees as much as 75% downside risk.
Check out more midday movers here.
— Tanaya Macheel
10-year Treasury yield drops the most since 2020
The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note dropped the most since 2020 on Wednesday, despite briefly topping 4% earlier in the session, after the Bank of England announced a bond-buying plan to stabilize the British pound.
The 10-year Treasury yield last dropped 23 basis points to 3.733%, or the most it’s dropped since 2020.
It hit a high of about 4.019%, a key level that was the highest since October 2008, earlier in the day before erasing those gains.
Yields and prices move in opposite directions. One basis point is equal to 0.01%.
— Sarah Min
Stocks hit session highs midday as British pound rises
Stocks hit session highs in midday trading, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up more than 400 basis points, as the British pound recovered.
The British pound reached a session high of $1.0875 against the dollar, up about 1%, around noontime Wednesday after falling to as much as $1.0541 earlier in the session.
Those moves come after the Bank of England said it would buy long-dated bonds as a temporary measure to stabilize the currency.
— Sarah Min
Investors should buy stocks now, not wait for market bottom, Rubenstein says
Investors shouldn’t be afraid of snapping up stocks trading at a discount now, even if the market may have a bit further to fall, David Rubenstein said during CNBC’s Delivering Alpha Investor Summit Wednesday.
That’s because stocks are much closer to the bottom than they are to the top, The Carlyle Group co-founder said.
“It’s a fools’ errand to find the bottom in the market or the top in the market,” he said. “Trying to wait to the absolute bottom is probably a mistake, in my view.”
Read more here.
—Carmen Reinicke
There are investing opportunities everywhere right now, says JPMorgan’s Erdoes
Staying invested in this turbulent market means finding the right opportunities.
“There is alpha everywhere,” Mary Callahan Erdoes, JPMorgan Asset & Wealth Management CEO, said at CNBC’s Delivering Alpha Investor Summit in New York City Wednesday. “It’s in stocks. It’s in bonds. It’s in currencies. It’s in real estate. It’s in private markets. It’s in public markets. It’s everywhere, because we are in such a state of change.”
Erdoes likes U.K. banks, saying they might be “the most interesting thing you can invest in.”
“Last week people said don’t invest in a single thing in the U.K. That is exactly when people like us, and people in the room, think, ‘Let’s go look right there,‴ she said.
To read more of her investing ideas from the Delivering Alpha Summit, as well as those of her fellow panelists, click here.
— Michelle Fox
Market can’t count on short-covering help, Strategas says
While the stock market attempts to rally after a dramatic sell-off, it is unlikely to get significant help from hedge funds covering their short positions, according to Strategas.
When stocks fall dramatically, there can sometimes be short-term relief as big funds that bet against the stock close out those positions, creating a short-term buying bump. But strategist Chris Verrone said in a note to clients on Wednesday that the market’s biggest stocks do not have much short interest, limiting the benefit of any short covering.
“We were asked by a client yesterday if a ‘short covering rally’ was likely from here – the market is certainly very short-term oversold, but there’s really not much short interest among the high profile names (MSFT 0.6% of float, AMZN 0.9%, PG 0.6%, HD 0.9%, MA 0.5%, etc.),” the Strategas note said.
Other notable stocks with short interest below 1% include Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, UnitedHealth Group, Exxon Mobil and Coca-Cola, according to Strategas.
— Jesse Pound, Michael Bloom
Eli Lilly notches all-time high, 33 S&P 500 stocks hit fresh lows
At least 33 stocks notched fresh lows in early morning trading on Wednesday while shares of Eli Lilly traded near all-time highs dating back to 1952.
Here are some of the names that hit fresh lows:
Paramount trading at lows not seen since May 2020
Warner Bros. Discovery trading at lows not seen since July 2009
Caesars Entertainment trading at lows not seen since August 2020
Domino’s Pizza trading at lows not seen since April 2020
Hasbro trading at lows not seen since May 2020
YUM Brands trading at lows not seen since March 2021
Church & Dwight trading at lows not seen since June 2020
Kraft Heinz trading at lows not seen since February 2021
Kimberly-Clark trading at lows not seen since March 2020
Mondelez trading at lows not seen since March 2021
McCormick trading at lows not seen since April 2020
Altria trading at lows not seen since February 2021
Tyson Foods trading at levels not seen since February 2021
Walgreens Boots Alliance trading at lows not seen since November 2012
Abbott Labs trading at lows not seen since July 2020
Organon trading at all-time lows back to its spin-off from Merck in June 2021
Intel Corporation trading at lows not seen since August 2015
MasterCard trading at lows not seen since October 2020
Qualcomm trading at lows not seen since October 2020
Digital Realty Trust trading at lows not seen since December 2016
Visa trading at lows not seen since May 2020
— Chris Hayes, Samantha Subin
Apple slump on iPhone news is a buying opportunity, Keybanc says
Shares of Apple are slipping Wednesday following a report that the company is pulling back production of its new iPhone as demand falters.
That could be an opportunity for investors to snap up shares, said Brandon Nispel of Keybanc.
“We view this as negative for AAPL today, however, believe it is neutral to consensus expectations and would take advantage by buying on the pullback,” he wrote in a Wednesday note.
Keybanc data suggests that hardware revenue for the iPhone is still strong, and that Apple’s market share is solid and possibly improving.
“Further, AAPL was hoping to ramp up iPhone 14 units, though if the higher level of demand never materialized, it likely represents no change to consensus expectations,” Nispel wrote. He added that Apple has done this before – last October, the company cut iPhone 13 production citing chip shortages.
Going forward, Nispel expects iPhone 14 mix to shift to higher end models, a positive in the longer-term.
“By no means is it surprising to us, or should be to investors, that iPhone 14 unit productions may get cut as wait times for the iPhone 14 have been effectively zero, as opposed to a couple week wait time for iPhone 14 Pro/Max,” he said. “The iPhone 14 just did not receive the same level of upgrades vs. the iPhone 13 as the iPhone 14 Pro/Max received vs. the iPhone 13 Pro/Max.”
—Carmen Reinicke
Stanley Druckenmiller says he sees ‘hard landing’ in 2023 with a possible deeper recession
Billionaire investor Stanley Druckenmiller believes the Federal Reserve’s aggressive tightening measures will tip the U.S. economy into a recession.
“Our central case is a hard landing by the end of ’23,” Druckenmiller said at CNBC’s Delivering Alpha Investor Summit in New York City Wednesday. “I will be stunned if we don’t have recession in ’23. I don’t know the timing but certainly by the end of ’23. I will not be surprised if it’s not larger than the so called average garden variety.”
And the legendary investor who has never had a down year in the markets fears it could be something even worse. “I don’t rule out something really bad,” he said.
Read the full story here.
— Yun Li
Short-seller Carson Block says some ESG companies are ‘money grabs’
Famed short-seller Carson Block told CNBC on Wednesday that many ESG-focused companies are “money grabs” taking advantage of the U.S. government and some investors.
“I would like to save the world,” he said during an interview with “Squawk Box” outside CNBC’s Delivering Alpha conference. “I believe that we do have problems. However, these companies that I’ve seen, are not the ones who are going to save us. Many of these are just money grabs, dressed up — clad in green.”
CNBC Pro subscribers can read the full story here.
— Samantha Subin
S&P 500 opens higher
The S&P 500 bounced slightly off the new 2022 low on Wednesday following the Bank of England’s bond-buying plan to stabilize the falling British pound.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 37 points, or about 0.13%. The S&P 500 rose 0.11%, and the Nasdaq Composite...
How To Plan The Perfect Adirondacks Vacation In Any Season Charming Towns And Gorgeous Hikes Included Travel Leisure
How To Plan The Perfect Adirondacks Vacation In Any Season — Charming Towns And Gorgeous Hikes Included – Travel + Leisure https://collincountynewsonline.com/how-to-plan-the-perfect-adirondacks-vacation-in-any-season-charming-towns-and-gorgeous-hikes-included-travel-leisure/
The Adirondacks. Even among New Yorkers, the word can bear confusion. Does it refer to the famous upstate New York wilderness, the mountains of the same name, or the region at large? Answer: all of the above. There’s Adirondack Park, the largest wilderness preserve in the lower 48, whose boundaries are essentially the same as those of the glacier-carved mountains called the Adirondacks. Both the park and the mountain group are considered New York’s Adirondacks region.
A special mix of public and private land, the park is a “forever wild” forest preserve created by the state in 1892. At six million acres, Adirondack Park is bigger than Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, and Yosemite national parks put together — and then some. Within its borders are rural small towns; thousands of miles of hiking trails, from simple walks in the woods to strenuous High Peaks circuits; and plenty of freshwater lakes, ponds, and rivers begging for a dip, a kayak or canoe trip, or a day of fishing. And it’s all free to explore — no national parks-style fees or passes required.
There are scores of sleepy hamlets, thriving villages, and gorgeous vacation areas to make your Adirondacks home base — here, we break down some of the most popular. Consider this guide a springboard for an awesome, nature-immersed Adirondacks getaway.
Lake Placid
Joseph Plotz/Getty Images
Lake Placid is one of the most famous lake destinations in the country, with not one but two Winter Olympics hosting gigs (1932 and 1980) under its belt. Bygone winter-sports glory may have put it on the map, but the lake town still very much shines on with luxury resorts, a lively village atmosphere, and a dizzying array of outdoor activities. During the summer, there’s boating, swimming, and walking around pristine Mirror Lake, while winter brings out the big dogs: skiing, snowshoeing, fat-tire biking, dog sledding, and ice skating (the open-air Olympic Oval rink looks largely the same as it did in 1932, and it’s simply magical).
Frank DeBonis/Getty Images
First-timers, take note: The village of Lake Placid is actually on Mirror Lake. The lake Lake Placid is a few miles to the north.
Where to Eat and Drink in Lake Placid
Courtesy of Salt of the Earth Bistro
Salt of the Earth is a regular presence on travelers’ best-of, must-visit lists. The tiny, women-run bistro serves dinner five nights a week, with menu highlights including venison Brunswick stew and grilled Faroe Islands salmon. Another fan favorite in town: Smoke Signals, a barbecue spot with great views of glassy Mirror Lake. Big Slide Brewery & Public House has mass appeal with award-winning ales, build-your-own flights, and a classic pub menu (ingredients are sourced from nearly a dozen Adirondacks farms and producers).
Where to Stay in Lake Placid
Courtesy of Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa
Grand lodges, design-centric boutique hotels, elegant inns — Lake Placid has it all. Each of the 131 rooms at the family-owned Mirror Lake Inn has a view of the lake and the surrounding mountains. After a day on your skis or snowboard, unwind by the giant stone fireplace or in the spa’s hot tub and sauna. The ever-popular High Peaks Resort and the midcentury gem Lake House also offer spectacular lake views.
For the hipster crowd, a 1950s motor inn on the Chubb River has been reborn as Eastwind Lake Placid. The dreamy boutique mountain retreat (and further north offshoot of the Catskills original) plays up chic Scandinavian style in its 26 rooms and eco-luxe cabins. There are also saunas, a pool, a spa, bike/skate rentals, and special events like yoga and live music.
Walter Bibikow/Getty Images
Back on Main Street, the Grand Adirondack Hotel (re)makes its debut this fall after a thorough overhaul. Its origin story goes all the way back to 1897, when it opened as the Northwoods Inn. The revamped hotel recalls the Adirondack Great Camps — the luxurious and rambling 19th-century compounds favored by the super rich.
Whiteface and High Peaks Region
Tetra Images/Getty Images
Quick geography lesson: the Whiteface region is just a hop, skip, and jump up from Lake Placid, only about 20 to 30 minutes by car. It’s anchored by none other than Whiteface Mountain, a favorite of Olympians for its vertical drop — the biggest this side of the Mississippi. In the summer, conquer the mountain via hiking trails or the Whiteface Veterans’ Memorial Highway. Once you reach the summit (a cool 4,867 feet), the awaiting panorama reaches as far as Canada. Whiteface is one of the Adirondacks’ High Peaks — mountains ranging from 3,820 to 5,344 feet.
Where to Eat and Drink in the Whiteface and High Peaks Regions
Courtesy of Forty Six
Breakfast and lunch basics are done well at Adirondack Mountain Coffee cafe (for example, the “woodcutters” breakfast platters, piled with eggs, steak, sausage, home fries, pancakes, and a slice of apple pie for good measure).
The Rivermede Farm Market is a can’t-miss stop for baked goods and produce from its 115-year-old farm. Grab sandwiches and baked goods for the trail at Cedar Run Bakery & Market or pull over for a quick burger and a scoop at darling Whitebrook Dairy Bar — a roadside spot little changed since the ’60s. If more of a sit-down affair is in order, try the Hungry Trout, a woodsy tavern at the base of Whiteface, or Forty Six, an upscale watering hole whose menu celebrates local bounty.
Diana Robinson Photography/Getty Images
Where to Stay in the Whiteface and High Peaks Regions
Local farm stays are the kind of places an Adirondack getaway is built around. Asgaard Farm & Dairy’s 1930s Emerson House (bookable on Vrbo or Airbnb) can sleep four soundly. With a screened-in porch and outdoor dining/grilling area, there are plenty of places for relaxing — and devouring a board of Asgaard’s creamy chèvre and cellar-aged tomme.
Sugar House Creamery’s farm stays include a charming private suite attached to the main farmhouse and a lofted carriage barn, complete with a private balcony overlooking mountain pastures (where the farm’s herd of Brown Swiss cows lazily graze) and the Sentinel Range Wilderness. Either way, you’ll want to stock up on cave-aged cheese and wood-fired fresh bread from Sugar House’s farm store.
Our friend the Hungry Trout restaurant is part of a traditional family-owned motor lodge of the same name. Set right on the banks of the Ausable River, Hungry Trout Resort gives guests step-outside-your-door access to trout fishing and riverside hiking. Gorgeous mountain cabins at Dartbrook Lodge, decked out with features like slate rain showers, gas wood stoves, and upscale Great Camp-style decor, give it their all to fully convert you to Adirondack life.
Saranac Lake
capecodphoto/Getty Images
Just about nine miles from Lake Placid (and less than an hour from the Whiteface region), Saranac Lake is a lovely alternative to its neighbor’s typical high prices and throngs of visitors. Instead of Olympic history, Saranac boasts literary, artistic, and medical fame: Hungarian composer Béla Bartók wrote two concertos in a small Saranac cabin, Sylvia Plath commemorated the area in “In the Mountains” and “The Bell Jar,” and Albert Einstein was a kindly presence around town (and on the lake) in the 1930s and 40s.
Saranac’s cold alpine air and low humidity are similar to Europe’s mountain climates, and in the late 19th century the town found world fame as a health resort for tuberculosis. (A fantastic rainy-day plan is the fascinating Saranac Laboratory Museum, the first lab in the country dedicated to tuberculosis research and care.) Scottish writer and adventurer Robert Louis Stevenson sought relief in Saranac; you can visit the cottage where the “Treasure Island” author resided one famously cold winter in the 1880s.
As for the great outdoors, there’s the usual buffet of Adirondack activities: cross-country skiing on the Jackrabbit Trail; mountain biking or downhill skiing Mount Pisgah; paddling around the Saint Regis Canoe Area, an 18,400-acre network of wilderness lakes, ponds, and canoe routes. Seasoned hikers can try the 6er hiking challenge — trekking the six Adirondack peaks that surround the lake.
Where to Eat and Drink in Saranac Lake
Courtesy of Fiddlehead Bistro
Start your day at Origin Coffee Co. with a breakfast burrito, fresh baked goods, and a morning brew. After you’ve had your fill of outdoor activities for the day, head to Left Bank Cafe, a local darling for French dishes like pan-seared salmon and beef bourguignon, or The Fiddlehead Bistro, an art-filled charmer with a daily changing menu (with any luck, it’ll list homemade gnocchi and pepper-crusted sirloin from nearby Donahue’s Livestock Farms the night you visit).
Where to Stay in Saranac Lake
Courtesy of Saranac Waterfront Lodge
Saranac Lake has a good mix of camping options, quaint inns, and cottage and cabin rentals. You’ll even find campsites on Saranac Lake’s islands, accessible only by boat and bookable through ReserveAmerica.com. For a more traditional stay, check out the LEED-certified Saranac Waterfront Lodge or the Hotel Saranac, a 1920s landmark with a cozy Great Hall bar below a wonderfully ornate ceiling that looks straight out of an Italian palazzo. Or, go big at The Point, a majestic property originally built in the early ’30s as Camp Wonundra — William Rockefeller Jr.’s Great Camp — and eventually the first Relais & Chateaux hotel in North America.
Lake George
Amy Sparwasser/Getty Images
It’s hard to resist the siren call of Lake George in the summertime — business magnate John D. Rockefeller and artist Georgia O’Keeffe flocked to this southern Adirondacks haven once upon a time. Fresh air and natural beau...
Sports World Reacts To LeBrons Big Investment News The Spun
Sports World Reacts To LeBron’s Big Investment News – The Spun https://collincountynewsonline.com/sports-world-reacts-to-lebrons-big-investment-news-the-spun/
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – MARCH 27: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers stands on the court prior to the start of an NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on March 27, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Sean Gardner/Getty Images
It seems like everyone is getting involved in the pickleball craze these days, even LeBron James.
James, along with fellow NBAers Kevin Love and Draymond Green, is part of an ownership group buying stake in a Major League Pickleball team. The location of the team has not been announced, but MLP recently expanded from 12 to 16 franchises.
James is apparently a believer in the future of the sport and is willing to invest his own money in this venture.
Today’s news has definitely gotten more people talking about pickleball.
Pickleball, which combines tennis, badminton and ping pong, is still a relatively young sport, having been invented in 1957.
Major League Pickleball was founded in Texas back in 2021 and has already attracted Drew Brees, Bucks owner Marc Lasry and entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk as owners.
Now, you can add King James to that list.
YGG Partners With The Kapital DAO Leading Provider Of Web3 Gaming Asset Management Tech To Superscale Operations PR Newswire
YGG Partners With The Kapital DAO, Leading Provider Of Web3 Gaming Asset Management Tech, To Superscale Operations – PR Newswire https://collincountynewsonline.com/ygg-partners-with-the-kapital-dao-leading-provider-of-web3-gaming-asset-management-tech-to-superscale-operations-pr-newswire/
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, /PRNewswire/ — Yield Guild Games (YGG), the largest play-to-earn gaming guild has partnered with the Kapital DAO, the leading provider of institutional web3 gaming asset management tooling, as its tech provider to streamline operations, enhance security, and broaden community access to available games. The Kapital DAO’s core platform enables seamless hierarchical delegation & management of gaming assets inside of any game on any chain with minimal technical lift required from the games themselves.
The Kapital DAO’s technology is currently live to the public and supporting YGG’s Axie Infinity and Crypto Unicorns scholarship operations. With its technology, YGG’s scholarship managers are already delegating assets painlessly to YGG community managers and members and are leveraging dashboards available on the app to enhance their decision making.
YGG will provide product co-development support to the team, along with advisory and an acquisition of Kapital DAO $KAP tokens. The Kapital DAO plans to release an SDK that will enable web3 games and builders to seamlessly integrate into the protocol, which will drive a further step-up in scaling speed. The Kapital DAO will be working with YGG to identify promising games to quickly onboard onto the protocol, so that such games can better leverage massive guild communities to drive higher player activity with less operational friction.
“YGG, as the first major gaming guild in web3, set the stage for what institutionalized web3 gaming means,” said Sam Peurifoy, founder of the Kapital DAO, “and with the Kapital DAO’s technology in hand, the ability to deploy that level of institutional involvement into games at will with minimal technical lift will be an absolute gamechanger for the entire web3 gaming space.”
“YGG shares the core mission of the Kapital DAO to onboard the next billion players into web3 gaming, and sees this set of core infrastructure tools as a necessary component of the evolution of this space. We’ll be working closely with the Kapital DAO to ensure the product meets the needs of continuously evolving web3 gaming communities.” said Gabby Dizon, co-founder of YGG.
The protocol is currently live with multiple major web3 games across different EVM-compatible networks, including Axie Infinity, among others. The Kapital DAO continues to list games inside of the protocol on a biweekly basis, and will be opening the protocol for public game listing contributions towards the end of the year with the release of their game SDK. Non-EVM networks will be live towards the end of 2022 and early 2023, with identical UX support to standardize the institutional experience.
The Kapital DAO also plans to launch its $KAP token soon, which is the currency used to pay for protocol services such as asset management transactions, in-app NFT placement promotions, and accelerated game listings. Additionally, the DAO may elect for the $KAP token to be used for community-focused initiatives such as liquidity staking, voting on partnerships or acquisitions, and social rewards.
For more information on the Kapital DAO, visit their website, whitepaper, Discord, Twitter, and Medium.
For more information on YGG, visit their Discord or follow them on Twitter for future updates.
SOURCE Kapital DAO
14 Top New York Ski Resorts U.S. News & World Report
14 Top New York Ski Resorts – U.S. News & World Report https://collincountynewsonline.com/14-top-new-york-ski-resorts-u-s-news-world-report/
You may be surprised to learn that New York state is home to more than 50 ski and snowboard areas – more than any other state in the U.S. Many of the larger resorts reside in the scenic Adirondacks, Catskill Mountains and Finger Lakes. Some of these destinations, such as Belleayre Mountain Ski Center, sit less than a three-hour drive from Manhattan, positioning them perfectly for a quick getaway from New York City.
Whether you’re planning on a day of hitting the slopes or a romantic weekend away, the Empire State’s ski resorts are sure to have something for every age and ability level. From bunny hills to double black diamonds and off-slope activities such as snowshoeing, snow tubing and cross-country skiing, New York state is a winter wonderland for skiing and more. Here are the state’s top ski resorts for your next ski vacation.
(Note: Some of the following ski resorts and locations may be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. New policies may be in place, including requirements for proof of vaccination, capacity restrictions, reservation requirements or mask mandates. Check with your chosen establishment and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention before your visit.)
HoliMont Ski Club: Ellicottville, Chautauqua-Allegheny
HoliMont is America’s largest private ski club. The mountain features seven chairlifts and 56 trails that cover 135 skiable acres, as well as a state-of-the-art snowmaking system. During the weekends in winter, the mountain is open for members only, which means far fewer skiers and snowboarders on the slopes. Previous visitors can’t say enough great things about the grooming of the runs and the lack of crowds. On-mountain amenities include gear rentals, a cafeteria and a mountain shop. You can enjoy cold weather activities like downhill skiing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at this New York ski resort.
Annual membership includes access to the lifts for skiing and mountain biking with no lines, exclusive perks and events, country club reciprocals, ski clinics taught by Olympic skiers, and more. HoliMont Ski Club also offers a ski school for beginners or those who want to take their skills to the next level. For students who need extra assistance, the resort’s adaptive ski and snowboard program caters to individuals with disabilities.
Belleayre Mountain Ski Center: Highmount, Catskills
(Courtesy of Belleayre Mountain)
Located in the heart of the Catskill Mountains, Belleayre Mountain Ski Center has 64 trails over 175 skiable acres. With more than half of the trails geared toward intermediate skiers and snowboarders, Belleayre is a good mountain for visitors who particularly enjoy blue square or black diamond runs. Trail coverage is typically good, with snowmaking that covers 96% of the mountain. A highlight for some visitors is the gondola, which they call fun for kids and a great way to stay warm while getting up to the top during cold weather. If you’re not into downhill skiing, you can enjoy nearly 6 miles of scenic cross-country trails.
The resort has plenty of on-site dining to keep you fueled throughout the day, including grab-and-go food, deli soups and sandwiches, pub food, and waffles. Prior to heading up, check the snow report or get a lay of the mountain by viewing the trail map on Belleayre’s website. You can also skip the ticket window and head straight to the slopes with a reloadable SKI3 Card that allows access through the RFID direct-to-lift gates.
At and around the resort, there are a variety of lodging options, from cabins and bed-and-breakfast inns to internationally acclaimed hotels and private home rentals. While making your way to or from the mountain, stop to explore the quaint villages and towns along the way.
Whiteface Mountain: Wilmington, Adirondacks
Located in the Adirondacks, Whiteface Mountain has a summit elevation of 4,867 feet with a massive vertical drop of 3,430 feet. So, if you prefer it steep, this ski resort is the place to go. Expert skiers will particularly love the narrow chutes known as The Slides. For those who like long downhill runs, the 2.1-mile Wilmington Trail is one of the longest intermediate runs in the Northeast. The mountain has 90 trails covering more than 22 miles with a variety of chairlifts and a gondola. Families in particular love taking little ones to the top on the scenic gondola, which is open year-round. The eight-seater Cloudsplitter Gondola whisks guests to the top of Little Whiteface in 15 minutes with dramatic views of the Adirondacks and Lake Placid. Even non-skiers can pack some snacks to enjoy at the top, where there’s a picnic area and observation deck.
This historic ski area is part of Lake Placid’s Legacy Sites, having been a venue for the Winter Olympics in 1932 and 1980. While in the area, the impressive Olympic Jumping Complex about 20 miles away is worth a visit to witness ski jumpers training. Thrill-seekers can also try out bobsledding at speeds of up to 50 mph at Mount Van Hoevenberg. With so much to do around Whiteface Mountain, the Lake Placid area makes a great weekend getaway destination. Spend a night or two at the rustic yet luxurious Whiteface Lodge to enjoy multiple on-site restaurants and the relaxing spa.
Gore Mountain: North Creek, Adirondacks
(Courtesy of Gore Mountain)
With the most skiable terrain in New York state, Gore Mountain is a popular ski and snowboard area that includes four peaks. Visitors appreciate the variety of runs to choose from for varying ability levels, ensuring the whole family can have fun on the mountain. In addition to downhill skiing, there are plenty of other activities at Gore Mountain, such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, terrain parks and glade skiing (skiing off-trail in the trees). And the fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down: Twilight skiing is offered at the Ski Bowl, where the slopes are lit up at night. In between runs, grab a casual, cafeteria-style lunch at the food court in the lodge. For nearby accommodation, The Alpine Lodge offers mountain-chic guest rooms and suites with amenities that range from fireplaces and hot tubs to full kitchens.
Bristol Mountain: Canandaigua, Finger Lakes
Come day or night to Bristol Mountain to ski or snowboard in the Finger Lakes region of New York. If you’re a first-time skier or snowboarder, take advantage of the resort’s group lesson packages for customized instruction in a small group with your lift ticket and rentals included; you can also opt for a private lesson or a multiweek program for either children or adults.
The mountain features 138 acres of skiable terrain – all covered by the snowmaking system – with 39 slopes and two high-speed quads to get you to the top with haste. The quick lifts and long runs were two highlights for recent travelers at Bristol Mountain. If you’re an advanced skier or snowboarder seeking a taste of racing, the Morning Star Race Park is free for nontimed open-gate runs. Cross-country skiers can explore almost 2 miles of Nordic trails. If you’ll be enjoying the mountain for multiple days, stay slopeside at one of North Star Village’s townhouses.
Holiday Valley: Ellicottville, Chautauqua-Allegheny
(Courtesy of Holiday Valley)
Located in Ellicottville, Holiday Valley offers downhill skiing (day and night), snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and tubing. This family-friendly ski resort is good for both beginners and experts, and lift tickets for children ages 6 or younger are free. Get a feel for the mountain through the interactive map online. Recent ski school participants praise the certified instructors for being patient, experienced and friendly. In addition to offering ski school for little ones (as well as adults), Holiday Valley can also provide day care for kids who aren’t ready to tackle the slopes. Other kid-friendly activities include searching the mountain for the Seneca Clan Rocks that represent the eight clans of Native American nations from western New York.
If cross-country skiing is your thing, there are free trails for varying ability levels. Beginners can stay near the bottom, around the golf course, while more advanced skiers can journey along the top ridgeline of Holiday Valley. Non-skiers can zip down the mountain on the popular two-person Sky Flyer Mountain Coaster, which is a thrilling ride through the snowy woods; go snow tubing; or enjoy some relaxation at the Ellicottville Oasis Spa at the Tamarack Club. For ski-in/ski-out accommodation via the Sunrise Chairlift, the Inn at Holiday Valley is a convenient option that offers spectacular views.
Kissing Bridge: Glenwood, Greater Niagara
With 700 skiable acres, there is a lot of terrain for all ability levels at Kissing Bridge. Downhillers can speed down the 39 slopes, while visitors who want a bit more of a workout can travel up the slopes with skins or snowshoes. The mountain offers rental equipment, lessons, children’s programs, terrain parks, on-mountain dining and nearby lodging. Families can save money with a Family Season Pass and take advantage of Kissing Bridge’s many activities, such as a guided group snowshoeing tour or the “Family Fun Adventure” package that includes a private ski or snowboard coach to work with your entire family. Visitors highly recommend this resort for its reasonable prices.
Hunter Mountain: Hunter, Catskills
Located in the Great Northern Catskills with a base elevation of 1,600 feet and 320 skiable acres, Hunter Mountain is known as the “Snowmaking Capital of the World” and says its snowmaking capabilities cover 100% of its runs. Take your skills to the next level at this ski resort: The mountain offers private and group skiing and snowboarding lessons for everyone from toddlers to senior citizens with a range of ability levels. Note, though, that some visitors said the wait in the lift lines...
Sportsbooks Scramble To Make Jan. 1 Ohio Sports Betting Launch Gaming Today
Sportsbooks Scramble To Make Jan. 1 Ohio Sports Betting Launch – Gaming Today https://collincountynewsonline.com/sportsbooks-scramble-to-make-jan-1-ohio-sports-betting-launch-gaming-today/
Ohio sports betting might be short a few mobile and retail sportsbooks when the Buckeye State goes live on Jan. 1.
Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) Director of Communications Jessica Franks told Gaming Today in a phone call Tuesday that companies hoping to launch on the state’s Jan. 1 universal start date are required to turn in documentation on their company ownership and holdings. “A number” of license applicants have yet to provide that information to the state, she said.
If the OCCC doesn’t get that information by Oct. 5, those companies won’t be allowed to launch on Jan. 1.
Franks did say it is possible for companies to launch later if the Jan. 1 target if missed.
“They have known about this requirement basically since the law passed, and they have known about it since the applications were made available to them. So we cannot issue licenses if we do not have the information regarding who has control of the applicant,” she told Gaming Today.
Some sportsbooks are scrambling like Bengals QB Joe Burrow to ready themselves for Ohio’s sports betting launch date (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Franks didn’t specify which companies have been slow to return their holding company forms and related information, but they could represent nearly any license type. Applicants for mobile, retail, and kiosk proprietor (owner) licenses, service provider (sportsbook) licenses, and suppliers licenses are all required to submit a holding company form under Ohio law.
Mobile and Retail Sportsbooks Still Waiting For Approval
To date, none of the 25 mobile sportsbooks that have submitted applications to operate in Ohio has been approved for a license. Caesars, BetMGM, PointsBet, DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics, Barstool, bet365, and Betfred are all on the list.
Retail sportsbooks (not including separately-licensed sports betting kiosks) applying for a license are also lagging in approval. Of 21 applicants for a retail service provider license, only one – betJack, partnered with JACK Thistledown Racino near Cleveland – has been conditionally approved to date.
It is not clear whether a lack of documentation is the reason for the hold-up in approval.
Mobile and Retail Sports Betting License Owners Forge Ahead
Considerably more progress has been made with licensing of mobile and retail sports betting license owners, or “proprietors,” under Ohio law.
Franks said the state has conditionally approved 18 mobile proprietors and 17 retail proprietors, with a total of 25 mobile proprietor licenses (Type A licenses) and 40 retail proprietor licenses (Type B licenses) allowed by law. The sports betting license owners are sports stadiums, casinos, racetracks, golf clubs, and other businesses that have partnered with retail and mobile sportsbooks ahead of Jan. 1.
Companies approved so far for a mobile license and their prospective sportsbook partners:
JACK Cleveland Casino (PlayUp Interactive and MaximBet)
JACK Thistledown Racino (WynnBet)
Cincinnati Bengals (Betfred Sports)
MGM Northfield Park (BetMGM)
Scioto Downs (Caesars)
Cleveland Browns (Bally’s)
Columbus Blue Jackets (Fanatics and Prophet Exchange)
Crew SC (Tipico Ohio)
Muirfield Village Golf Club (Parx Interactive)
Cincinnati Reds (Underdog Sports Wagering)
Cavaliers (Fubo)
Hollywood Casino Columbus (Barstool)
Cleveland Guardians (bet365)
Hollywood Dayton Raceway (BetRivers)
Belterra Park (FanDuel and Digital Gaming Corp.)
Hollywood Casino Toledo (DraftKings)
Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley – (PointsBet)
FC Cincinnati – (SuperBook)
Many of these mobile licensees will also hold retail licenses.
Because these licensees will rely on sportsbook partnerships to launch, sportsbook compliance with OCCC requirements remains key to making the Jan. 1 start date.
Sports Betting Kiosks Also Hit A Few Snags
Sports betting kiosks could also run into some launch delays.
Any business recommended for a license by the Ohio Lottery that has a liquor license, is a lottery retailer, and is a for-profit entity can qualify for a kiosk host license under Ohio law, said Franks. The OCCC has conditionally approved 811 kiosk host licenses so far, including about three dozen to the Kroger supermarket chain alone.
However, none of the host businesses will be able to take bets on Jan. 1 unless companies that will operate and service the kiosks — aka “Type C sports gaming proprietors” — are licensed.
So far, none of the seven companies that have applied for that job has been approved by the OCCC.
Additionally, only four sports betting suppliers have been approved by the OCCC to date. Those are companies that provide critical services to sportsbook operators, including betting equipment and geofencing technology that keeps betting legal and secure.
Like other sports betting hopefuls in Ohio, kiosk operators and sports betting suppliers that might be lagging on filing required documents still have some time to get in their paperwork.
Also read: Columbus, Cincinnati Top Ohio Cities for Sports Betting Kiosks
What’s Ahead For Ohio Sports Betting?
In addition to the Oct. 5 deadline, Franks said there is a Nov. 2 deadline for applicants to submit all “compliance documents,” including betting procedures, house rules, responsible gambling plans, security insurance, geolocation, and other requirements.
All betting equipment must comply by Dec. 2 for a licensee to launch by Jan.1, she said.
Right now, however, the OCCC is focused on Oct. 5.
“We’ll continue to issue licenses on a rolling basis, and then we will also continue working with those entities to make sure their compliance documents are submitted and approved. Those are probably the two big things we’ll be working on through the end of the year,” said Franks.
Ohio sports betting is expected to be a successful revenue stream for the Buckeye State and license holders once the market is up and running.
“I think the fiscal note from our (state) Legislative Service Commission assumes about a $1 billion market for FY 2023 moving to about $3 billion the following fiscal year,” said Franks.
Oil Prices Rise On Surprise Drop In U.S. Crude Fuel Stocks Reuters
Oil Prices Rise On Surprise Drop In U.S. Crude, Fuel Stocks – Reuters https://collincountynewsonline.com/oil-prices-rise-on-surprise-drop-in-u-s-crude-fuel-stocks-reuters/
NEW YORK, Sept 28 (Reuters) – Oil prices rose on Wednesday following unexpected drawdowns in U.S. crude and fuel stocks, outweighing downward pressure from the continued strength in the U.S. dollar.
Brent crude futures were up $1.69, or 2%, at $87.96 per barrel by 10:41 a.m. EST (1441 GMT), while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose $2.14, or 2.7%, to $80.64 a barrel.
U.S. crude stocks fell by 215,000 barrels in the most recent week, while gasoline and distillate inventories declined by 2.4 million and 2.9 million barrels respectively, as refining activity declined following several outages.
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In the Gulf of Mexico, about 190,000 barrels per day of oil production, or 11% of the Gulf’s total, was shut-in due to Hurricane Ian, according to U.S. government figures. Wholesale gasoline prices have been on the rise in the United States as well after refiners in the Midwest and West Coast shut.
Global equities pulled off two-year lows on Wednesday, after the Bank of England said it would step into the bond market to stem a damaging rise in borrowing costs, thereby dampening investor fears of contagion across the financial system.
The dollar hit a fresh two-decade peak against a basket of currencies on Wednesday as rising global interest rates fed recession concerns. A strong dollar reduces demand for oil by making it more expensive for buyers using other currencies.
Reuters Graphics
Goldman Sachs cut its 2023 oil price forecast on Tuesday, due to expectations of weaker demand and a stronger U.S. dollar but said global supply disappointments only reinforced its long-term bullish outlook.
Producer group OPEC+ meets on Oct. 5, where Russia is likely to propose an output cut of around 1 million barrels per day, a source familiar with Russian thinking said on Tuesday.
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Reporting by David Gaffen; Additional reporting by Shadia Nasralla in London; Editing by Lisa Shumaker
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
David Gaffen
Thomson Reuters
David Gaffen oversees a team writing and reporting on oil and gas throughout North America; he previously worked at The Wall Street Journal and TheStreet.com
Voice Assistants Could hinder Childrens Social And Cognitive Development The Guardian
Voice Assistants Could ‘hinder Children’s Social And Cognitive Development’ – The Guardian https://collincountynewsonline.com/voice-assistants-could-hinder-childrens-social-and-cognitive-development-the-guardian/
From reminding potty-training toddlers to go to the loo to telling bedtime stories and being used as a “conversation partner”, voice-activated smart devices are being used to help rear children almost from the day they are born.
But the rapid rise in voice assistants, including Google Home, Amazon Alexa and Apple’s Siri could, researchers suggest, have a long-term impact on children’s social and cognitive development, specifically their empathy, compassion and critical thinking skills.
“The multiple impacts on children include inappropriate responses, impeding social development and hindering learning opportunities,” said Anmol Arora, co-author of an article published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood.
A key concern is that children attribute human characteristics and behaviour to devices that are, said Arora, “essentially a list of trained words and sounds mashed together to make a sentence.”
The children anthropomorphise and then emulate the devices, copying their failure to alter their tone, volume, emphasis or intonation. Another issue is the machines’ lack of automatic expectation for children to say please or thank you.
Devices are also limited in the types of questions they can respond to. “As a result, children are going to be learning very narrow forms of questioning and always in the form of a demand,” said Arora, a researcher at the school of clinical medicine at Cambridge University.
There are also problems with recognising different accents. “If a child is particularly young, they might well not be able to pronounce particular words properly and then there’s a risk their words might be misinterpreted and they’re exposed to something inappropriate,” he said, citing an example where a 10-year-old girl was exposed to an online challenge where she was told to touch a live electric plug with a coin.
“These devices don’t understand what they’re saying,” he said. “All they’re doing is regurgitating some information in response to a narrow query, which it might have misunderstood anyway, without any real understanding of safety or who’s listening to it.”
Dr Ádám Miklósi, who recently published a study showing that use of smartphones and tablets are ‘rewiring’ children’s brains with long-term effects, called the research “important” and said more needed to be done to get companies to take the issue seriously.
“At the moment, these devices are very primitive because the people who develop them don’t care about human interaction or their impact on children’s development,” he said.
“They know how adults use these devices but the way children use them, and the impact they have on children, is very different,” he added. “We need a lot more research, as well as ethical guidelines for their use by children”
But Dr Caroline Fitzpatrick, the Canada Research Chair in Digital Media Use by Children and Its Implications for Promoting Togetherness: An Ecosystemic Approach, said she thought there was little cause for concern.
“It’s true that children need rich context and cues to learn and develop vocabulary which at present, they can’t get through interactions with technology because it only provides very minimal information and tools and context,” she said.
“A child who was already timid or who spent too much time on their device might develop lower quality social skills and social competence than their peers, as well as difficulty using basic politeness formulations and poor non-verbal communication skills – such as interrupting and not making eye contact,” she said. “Those children would have lower quality relationships with their peers, teachers and family members and increased social isolation.
“But as long as parents keep to the recommended limits for children, and they’re getting a healthy amount of interaction from their caregivers and peers, then I don’t think there should be cause for alarm,” she added.
Tiidal Gaming CEO Says Its Flash Markets Betting Product Will Revolutionize Esports And Create New Market Proactive Investors USA
Tiidal Gaming CEO Says Its ‘Flash Markets’ Betting Product Will Revolutionize Esports And Create New Market – Proactive Investors USA https://collincountynewsonline.com/tiidal-gaming-ceo-says-its-flash-markets-betting-product-will-revolutionize-esports-and-create-new-market-proactive-investors-usa/
Tiidal Gaming Group boss Tom Hearne said the “innovative product” is currently in the “testing cycle with four great esports brands, and we are getting positive feedback”
Tiidal Gaming Group Corp (CSE:TIDL) CEO Tom Hearne has told shareholders that the company’s ‘Flash Markets’ betting product will “revolutionize esports and create an entirely new addressable market segment.”
The new technology offering from Sportsflare, a wholly-owned division of Tiidal Gaming, enables bettors to make flash bets for popular esports titles, including League of Legends and Dota 2.
“Founded in a deep understanding of artificial intelligence (AI) and esports, they have been able to create market-leading technology that can make in-game predictions providing a unique offering that competitors are not able to make. The result of this is ‘Flash Markets’, a betting product that is the first-of-its-kind for esports,” Hearne said in a letter to shareholders.
READ: Tiidal Gaming Group reveals proposed rebrand to Sportsflare and C$500k private placement financing
“Flash Markets allow a gamer/bettor to watch a live League of Legends or Dota 2 board (and soon a CS:GO or FIFA match board), see the player positions, and be given the opportunity to make a selection of bets as to which player or team will get the next kill or which tower will fall next,” he added.
Hearne said the “innovative product” is currently in the “testing cycle with four great esports brands, and we are getting positive feedback.”
The company said it had the chance to showcase its product at the SBC Summit Barcelona event to the world’s best direct-to-consumer betting sites, as well as top business-to-business providers in the space.
“Everyone was excited to get a first-hand look at the product and wanted to know when and how they could get access to it,” added Hearne.
“Our goal, from this show, is to distribute the product via these two channels, enabling us to highlight our product with the best and leading sports betting sites in the world.”
Hearne noted that the company’s focus will be on fostering relationships with the prospects they meet and turning them into customers in the near future.
“You can expect us to be making more announcements about the Flash Markets product over Fall 2022,” he added. “This is what we have been waiting for – the opportunity to grow the business after ensuring we have the product set that we needed to succeed.”
Part of this was getting access to live data, according to the company. In July this year, it signed a deal with Bayes Esports and got access to live data for Riot and ESL League games.
“This is the only way to succeed at developing a robust live betting product,” noted Hearne. “Our competitors scrape data from other websites in order to try to achieve this, which we believe will lead to no success as it is an inferior method.”
Hearne told shareholders that the company’s deal with Bayes was two-fold. “Not only did we gain access to the best data available, we also obtained a new customer,” he said. “At SBC, Bayes announced that they were launching Bodex, the esports betting platform that will be the new esports base for Betradar customers. We are part of the pre-match and live odds offering in Bodex. This is the start of the growth of our revenue base and the demonstration of our product capabilities at the highest level.”
Meanwhile, Hearne pointed out that despite the technology sector facing a correction in the stock market and a lack of financing activity in the North American capital markets, Tiidal Gaming insiders, who collectively own over 50% of the company’s share capital, have continued to invest in the company through the current $0.10 unit financing by buying shares in the open market.
“I have invested approximately $200,000 since joining the company earlier this year,” said Hearne. “We are fortunate to have a core group that believes strongly in what we are doing and the substantial opportunity this market has over the next few years. Skill-based wagering, in-game betting, and esports represent a blue-sky opportunity.”
Contact the author Uttara Choudhury at uttara@proactiveinvestors.com
Follow her on Twitter: @UttaraProactive
Yanks Clinch AL East As Judge Stalls; Cards Claim NL Central The Killeen Daily Herald
Yanks Clinch AL East As Judge Stalls; Cards Claim NL Central – The Killeen Daily Herald https://collincountynewsonline.com/yanks-clinch-al-east-as-judge-stalls-cards-claim-nl-central-the-killeen-daily-herald/
TORONTO (AP) — Aaron Judge walked four times and stayed at 60 home runs, one shy of Roger Maris’ American League record, as the New York Yankees clinched the AL East title by beating the Toronto Blue Jays 5-2 Tuesday night.
The Yankees celebrated their 20th division championship, tied for second-most with the Dodgers behind Atlanta’s 21, but not home run history. New York (95-59) secured a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the Division Series.
Judge lined out in his first at-bat and then drew four straight walks in his seventh straight game without a home run. The Yankees have eight games left in the regular season for Judge to tie or break the AL mark set by Maris in 1961.
Despite the loss, Toronto (87-68) maintained its place atop the AL wild-card standings.
Gleyber Torres had three hits and drove in three runs to back Jameson Taillon (14-5), who pitched 7 1/3 sharp innings, allowing two runs and five hits. He’s 4-0 in five career starts in Toronto.
José Berríos (11-7) allowed five runs and nine hits in 5 1/3 innings, losing his second straight outing after a six-start unbeaten streak. His ERA rose to 5.37. Berríos reached 1,000 career strikeouts.
CARDINALS 6, BREWERS 2
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt and St. Louis clinched the NL Central title by beating Milwaukee behind six strong innings from Miles Mikolas.
Andrew Knizner hit a two-run homer and Goldschmidt added two RBIs as St. Louis sealed its first division crown since 2019 and fourth straight playoff berth by defeating the team that won last year’s NL Central championship.
The Cardinals (90-65) guaranteed themselves at least a tie with second-place Milwaukee (82-72), and they now own the tiebreaker because the victory Tuesday gave St. Louis an insurmountable 10-8 lead in the season series.
The Brewers remain 1 1/2 games behind Philadelphia for the final NL wild card. The Phillies won the season series with Milwaukee and would get the playoff bid if the two teams end up tied.
This clincher didn’t feature much suspense as St. Louis scored the first six runs. Mikolas (12-13) struck out nine and allowed only four hits and one walk. The Brewers’ lone run off him came in the sixth when Rowdy Tellez hit his 34th homer.
BRAVES 8, NATIONALS 2
WASHINGTON (AP) — Ronald Acuña Jr. hit a pair of solo home runs and Atlanta beat Washington, extending its winning streak to four games and moving into a first-place tie in the NL East with the New York Mets.
Orlando Arcia also homered and Michael Harris II had a two-run triple for the Braves, who caught the Mets when they lost 6-4 at home to Miami. Both teams have seven games remaining, including a head-to-head three-game series beginning Friday in Atlanta.
With the win, the Braves (97-58) are guaranteed the No. 2 playoff seed in the National League if they finish ahead of the Mets.
Victor Robles homered and Luke Voit had two doubles for the last-place Nationals (53-101).
Collin McHugh (3-2) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the win. Paolo Espino (0-8) retired the first 10 Braves batters before giving up four runs and five hits.
MARLINS 6, METS 4
NEW YORK (AP) — Carlos Carrasco had another short start, lasting just three innings as New York fell into a first-place tie in the NL East with a loss to Miami.
The Marlins closed out the Mets not long after Atlanta completed an 8-2 victory over Washington. The Mets and Braves are both 97-58 with seven games left. The teams are scheduled to play a three-game series this weekend in Atlanta, though the path of Hurricane Ian could force a postponement or relocation.
The Marlins scored twice against Carrasco (15-7) in the first, when Bryan De La Cruz delivered a sacrifice fly and Brian Anderson raced home on a wild pitch. They added two more in the third, when JJ Bleday hit a 339-foot homer just over the right-field wall.
Carrasco allowed six hits and walked one with two strikeouts while throwing four or fewer innings for the fourth time in his last six starts.
Pete Alonso’s three-run homer in the fourth — which made him the first Mets player with two 40-homer seasons — cut it to 4-3. But the Marlins answered in the fifth, when Jacob Stallings hit a two-run single off Trevor Williams.
RAYS 6, GUARDIANS 5, 11 INNINGS
CLEVELAND (AP) — Harold Ramírez’s two-run double with two outs in the 11th inning gave Tampa Bay a win over Cleveland, helping the Rays tighten the AL wild-card race and ending the Guardians’ seven-game winning streak.
The Rays closed within 1 1/2 games of Toronto for the wild-card lead.
Ramírez pulled a 1-2 pitch from Trevor Stephan (6-5) down the left-field line for his second double of the game to score Taylor Walls and Wander Franco. The clutch hit — Tampa Bay’s first since the fourth inning — allowed the Rays to open a nine-game road trip with a win over the AL Central champion Guardians.
Javy Guerra (2-0) pitched one inning for the win, and Calvin Faucher, Tampa Bay’s ninth pitcher, worked the 11th for his first career save.
Jose Siri hit a two-run homer for Rays.
Guardians reliever Enyel De Los Santos pitched the fourth immaculate inning — nine pitches, three strikeouts — and 112th in major league history in the seventh. The right-hander joined Zach Plesac (2020), Carlos Carrasco (2018) and Justin Masterson (2014) in the team’s record books.
PADRES 4, DODGERS 3, 10 INNINGS
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Jorge Alfaro drew a bases-loaded walk from Craig Kimbrel with two outs in the 10th inning and San Diego beat NL West champion Los Angeles to reduce its magic number for clinching a wild-card berth to four.
The Padres started the winning rally against Kimbrel (6-7) when Kim Ha-seong sacrificed automatic runner José Azocar to third. Juan Soto was intentionally walked, Manny Machado struck out and Brandon Drury walked to load the bases. Alfaro worked the count full before walking to bring in Azocar.
Pierce Johnson (1-1) pitched a perfect 10th, including striking out Mookie Betts for the third out.
The Dodgers remained at 106 wins, one shy of breaking the franchise record.
CUBS 2, PHILLIES 1
CHICAGO (AP) — Marcus Stroman pitched seven innings of four-hit ball, and Yan Gomes hit a tiebreaking double in the seventh inning, lifting Chicago over Philadelphia.
The Phillies’ magic number to clinch a National League playoff berth is stalled at eight after their third straight loss. The Cubs (68-86) won for the sixth time in seven games.
Stroman (5-7) struck out six and lowered his ERA to 2.50 over his last six starts. Rookie Christopher Morel homered in the third inning for Chicago.
Ian Happ led off the seventh with a single through the middle of the infield off Connor Brogdon (2-2). With two out, Gomes poked a double into the right field corner, scoring Happ.
Bryson Stott walked to start the sixth. After Kyle Schwarber and Rhys Hoskins struck out, Bryce Harper hit a deep drive that grazed off the outstretched glove of a diving Morel in left-center, scoring Stott for the Phillies’ only run.
RANGERS 5, MARINERS 0
SEATTLE (AP) — Top prospect Josh Jung hit two home runs and finished with five RBIs, and Seattle continued slumping in its quest for a postseason berth in a loss to Texas.
Despite the defeat, the Mariners inched closer to ending the longest playoff drought in baseball thanks to Boston’s victory over Baltimore. The loss by the Orioles kept them 3 1/2 games behind Seattle and reduced its magic number to five for clinching one of the three American League wild cards.
Jung hit a solo homer in the second inning, and his two-out RBI single in the sixth scored Marcus Semien. Then came the final blow in the eighth. Jung greeted reliever Diego Castillo with a three-run homer to center field for his first career multi-homer game.
Texas used Jesús Tinoco as an opener before Tyson Miller (1-1) took over. The pair allowed two hits in 5 2/3 innings with five strikeouts.
Ray (12-11) went 5 2/3 innings, allowing six hits. He struck out eight and walked two.
RED SOX 13, ORIOLES 9
BOSTON (AP) — Baltimore wasted four homers, including two more by Anthony Santander, in a loss to Triston Casas and Boston, hurting the Orioles’ chances of earning an AL wild card.
Adley Rutschman and Ramón Urías also went deep, but Baltimore (80-74) lost for the third time in four games. The Orioles were 3 1/2 back of Seattle for the third AL wild card heading into the day.
Casas hit a two-run homer for Boston, which had dropped six in a row. Tommy Pham had three RBIs, and Rafael Devers hit a two-run single.
The Red Sox scored six runs in the third and five more in the fourth, taking advantage of a series of blunders by the Orioles.
Two of the Boston runs scored on bases-loaded walks by Connor Wong and Xander Bogaerts, and another came home when Rob Refsnyder was hit by a pitch with the bases jammed. Second baseman Rougned Odor committed two errors in the fourth, right after the Orioles scored five in the top half to tie it at 8.
Matt Strahm (4-4), one of four Boston pitchers, earned the win. Joey Krehbiel (5-5), one of seven pitchers used by Baltimore, took the loss.
ASTROS 10, DIAMONDBACKS 2
HOUSTON (AP) — Jose Altuve hit two of Houston’s five home runs to lead the Astros over Arizona in a game in which Yordan Alvarez left with an ankle injury.
The AL West champion Astros moved within one win or one loss by the New York Yankees of securing home-field advantage through the AL playoffs.
Altuve made it 5-1 with his solo home run with two outs in the sixth off Ian Kennedy. David Hensley hit his first major league homer with a two-run shot later in the inning, and the Astros went back-to-back with Alex Bregman homering to left. Jeremy Peña added a two-run drive in the eighth.
Alvarez, who is tied for second in the American League with 37 homer...
Do Airline Membership Clubs Really Save You Money? How To Decide The Arizona Republic
Do Airline Membership Clubs Really Save You Money? How To Decide – The Arizona Republic https://collincountynewsonline.com/do-airline-membership-clubs-really-save-you-money-how-to-decide-the-arizona-republic/
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AP Top Business News At 6:27 A.m. EDT – WTMJ https://collincountynewsonline.com/ap-top-business-news-at-627-a-m-edt-wtmj/
AP Top Business News at 6:27 a.m. EDT WTMJ
Health Benefits Of Low-Carb Vegan Diet Are Same As Vegetarian Diet: Study Bel Marra Health
Health Benefits Of Low-Carb Vegan Diet Are Same As Vegetarian Diet: Study – Bel Marra Health https://collincountynewsonline.com/health-benefits-of-low-carb-vegan-diet-are-same-as-vegetarian-diet-study-bel-marra-health/
If you’re unsure of what type of diet may be best for you, a new study may be of interest. Researchers have found that the health benefits of a low-carb vegan diet are the same as a vegetarian diet.
So, if you’re looking for an animal-free way to reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions, going low-carb vegan and vegetarian are both excellent choices. Keep in mind that it’s important to ensure you’re getting enough protein and other essential nutrients on a vegetarian or low-carb vegan diet, so talk to your doctor or nutritionist about how to make sure you’re taking care of yourself.
The study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggested an important difference between the two diets. It was found that a low-carbohydrate vegan diet had a significantly lower potential carbon emission value than its high-carbohydrate vegetarian counterpart. It was also found that the lower the potential carbon emission value of the diet, the more significant the reduction in blood cholesterol.
Food Facts
For the study, researchers analyzed people who were on two different types of plant-based diets. The first one was a low-carbohydrate vegan diet with no meat, dairy or eggs, supplemented with canola-oil enriched bread and high-protein vegan meat alternatives.
The second diet was a vegetarian version of the DASH diet (a standard clinical diet for lowering blood pressure) which included egg whites and low-fat dairy but no meat.
The researchers used this information to compare the health benefits as well as the carbon emission potential of each diet. Greenhouse gas emission databases were used to obtain mean values for each food.
At the end of the three months, researchers found that the two diets were similar in their effects on weight loss and seemed to reduce blood cholesterol and blood pressure. Overall, participants on the vegan diet lost 5.9 kilos, and those on the vegetarian diet lost 5.2 kilos. Both groups also saw a reduction in hemoglobin A1c, a marker of glycemic control.
“We showed that you actually reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with a diet that is effective, and that the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is related to the fall in LDL cholesterol—often called the ‘bad’ cholesterol,” said lead author Dr. David Jenkins. “So, as you reduce the impact of your diet on the environment, you also benefit by lowering your cholesterol.”
A Complete Diet
To help ensure your diet is complete, 65+ Superfood Essentials is an excellent addition to a daily supplement regime. This breakthrough formula is a great way to support and promote cardiovascular and overall health.
It contains Capros®, a patented and clinically studied Indian gooseberry extract that has been found to absorb free radicals and provide cascading antioxidants. Acai berry (the powerful natural antioxidant known to support total health) and resveratrol, a premier anti-aging ingredient, are also found in this formulation that can help ensure proper nutrients and vitamins that are essential as you age.
Boys Soccer Top 10 (Sept. 28 2022) | Sports | News-Gazette.com News-Gazette
Boys’ Soccer Top 10 (Sept. 28, 2022) | Sports | News-Gazette.com – News-Gazette https://collincountynewsonline.com/boys-soccer-top-10-sept-28-2022-sports-news-gazette-com-news-gazette/
RK., SCHOOL REC. PREV. COMMENT
1. Champaign Central 13-1-2 2 Maroons saw a four-match win streak conclude via a draw with Peoria Notre Dame. They’ll visit Normal Community next.
2. Urbana 10-2-2 3 Tigers won on both Monday and Tuesday, dispatching non-league foe Mahomet-Seymour and Big 12 foe Bloomington.
3. Monticello 13-3 5 Sages controlled St. Thomas More on Tuesday for a meaningful Illini Prairie victory. Olympia comes to town on Thursday.
4. Mahomet-Seymour 11-3-2 4 Bulldogs have won six of their last eight matches overall ahead of Thursday’s Apollo Conference showdown with Charleston.
5. St. Thomas More 12-3 1 Sabers will need to recover from a setback versus Monticello in time for Thursday’s bout with Bloomington Central Catholic.
6. Oakwood/Salt Fork 15-3-2 6 Comets rumbled past Watseka and Hoopeston Area in Vermilion Valley action, visit Georgetown-Ridge Farm/Westville this week.
7. Uni High 6-5-4 7 Illineks shut out East Central Illinois opponent Judah Christian last time out, return to the pitch Thursday versus St. Teresa.
8. Fisher/GCMS 14-4-1 8 Bunnies have won three consecutive road matches, most recently at Hoopeston Area, and they visit Clifton Central soon.
9. St. Joseph-Ogden 10-4-1 9 Spartans were slowed by Bloomington CC but will stay busy through this week, facing Iroquois West, Rantoul and St. Anne.
10. Centennial 6-6-2 10 Chargers bounced back from a loss to Normal West by staving off Peoria Richwoods. They’re off until the month of October.
Colin Likas is the preps coordinator at The News-Gazette. He can be reached at clikas@news-gazette.com, or on Twitter at @clikasNG.
78% Of Business Professionals Are Ready For The Metaverse Business Wire
78% Of Business Professionals Are Ready For The Metaverse – Business Wire https://collincountynewsonline.com/78-of-business-professionals-are-ready-for-the-metaverse-business-wire/
HANOVER, Md.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–A new global study commissioned by Ciena (NYSE: CIEN) has uncovered just how ready business professionals are to collaborate in the virtual world. According to the findings, 96% of the 15,000 people surveyed across the globe see the value of virtual meetings, and more than three-quarters (78%) say they would participate in more immersive experiences like the metaverse versus current tools, such as video conferencing. Additionally, while appetites grow for the new digital world, unreliable network performance was cited (by 38% globally) as the top concern holding organizations back.
While the data reveals a significant push toward more digital and immersive platforms on a global scale, opinions about the metaverse vary across regions. Globally, 87% of respondents confirmed they would feel comfortable conducting HR meetings in a virtual space. At a country level, this was as high as 97% in India and 94% in the Philippines, and as low as 57% in Japan.
According to the findings, the top two benefits of virtual meetings are: improved collaboration and convenience. On a global level, when it comes to picking an avatar for the virtual world, 35% would choose an avatar that reflects their real-world self, 22% would choose an idealistic version and only 10% would pick a pop culture figure.
Additionally, 71% of professionals can see the metaverse becoming part of existing work practices, and 40% think their business will move away from traditional/static collaboration environments to more immersive and virtual reality-based platforms in the next two years.
Despite growing interest among working professionals, barriers to widespread adoption still exist. Survey participants cited network reliability as a key concern followed by the belief that immersive platforms are not yet widely available.
“Clearly, the business world is ready to move to the metaverse and start using more immersive virtual environments for collaboration and innovation,” commented Steve Alexander, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Ciena. “Network reliability may be seen as a barrier to making this possible today, but service providers know the demand is there and are already investing and testing to make networks faster, smarter and bring them closer to the user.”
Alexander added, “We will continue to hear talk around what the metaverse is or could be in the coming months and years, but none of the exciting use cases can be achieved without a robust underlying network, laced with the latest and greatest technologies that support the ultra-low latency and high bandwidth that enhanced reality demands.”
Notes to Editors:
The research surveyed a total of 15,000 business professionals, including 1,000 professionals within each of the following countries/regions: UK, Germany, Norway, Middle East, Australia, Denmark, Japan, Colombia, India, U.S., Philippines, Mexico, Brazil, Indonesia and Singapore. The study was conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Ciena in June 2022.
###
About Ciena
Ciena (NYSE: CIEN) is a networking systems, services and software company. We provide solutions that help our customers create the Adaptive NetworkTM in response to the constantly changing demands of their end-users. By delivering best-in-class networking technology through high-touch consultative relationships, we build the world’s most agile networks with automation, openness and scale. For updates on Ciena, follow us on Twitter @Ciena, LinkedIn, the Ciena Insights blog, or visit www.ciena.com.
Note to Ciena Investors
You are encouraged to review the Investors section of our website, where we routinely post press releases, SEC filings, recent news, financial results, and other announcements. From time to time we exclusively post material information to this website along with other disclosure channels that we use. This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that are based on our current expectations, forecasts, information and assumptions. These statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those stated or implied, because of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in our most recent annual and quarterly reports filed with the SEC. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies and can be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “should,” “will,” and “would” or similar words. Ciena assumes no obligation to update the information included in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Intel NUC 12 Pro Mini PC NUC12WSHi7 Unboxing And First Look Geeky Gadgets
Intel NUC 12 Pro Mini PC NUC12WSHi7 Unboxing And First Look – Geeky Gadgets https://collincountynewsonline.com/intel-nuc-12-pro-mini-pc-nuc12wshi7-unboxing-and-first-look-geeky-gadgets/
1:04 pm September 28, 2022 By Julian Horsey
If you are interested in learning more about the new Intel NUC 12 Pro mini PC reference NUC12WSHi7 which is available in both tall and short versions, with the short version unable to accept the 2.5 inch drives. You will be pleased to know that YouTuber ETA Prime has created a great 10 minute unboxing and first the latest Intel NUC 12 Pro mini PC powered by 12th Generation Intel Core processors and previously codenamed Wall Street Canyon.
The mini PC is capable of supporting a wide variety of different operating systems including Windows 11 Home, Windows 11 Pro, Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, Windows 10 Pro, Red Hat Linux and Ubuntu 20.04 LTS depending on your needs. Other features include 2 x 8GB DDR4-3200 SODIMMs and 500GB Gen 4 NVMe SSD.
The $1,299 version includes the hardware listed below, but other systems are available for $1,000 and $1,160 if preferred.
– i7-1260P 12 Cores 16 Threads 4.7GHz, Intel Iris Xe Graphics, Supports one 8K or four 4K displays
– WiFi 6E AX, BT 5.2, 2.5GB Ethernet, 3x USB 3.2 Type-A, 1x USB 2.0 Type-A, 2x USB 4 (Thunderbolt 4 type C)
– 2x HDMI 2.0b, 2x DP 1.4a and USB 4 via Thunderbolt , 3.5mm headphone/mic jack
– Installed 64GB RAM + 2TB NVMe, Windows 11 Pro
NUC 12 Pro mini PC
“In this video, we take a look at and test out the new Intel Nuc 12 Pro NUC12WSHi7 land this little PC is pretty amazing! Powered by a 12 Core 16 threads CPU and backed by up to 64 GB of ram, and yes it supports Thunderbolt 4, USB4 external GPUs! So by the end, we attach an RTX 3060 eGPU. We do an unboxing, run some benchmarks test out some PC games and emulation on this awesome Intel NUC 12 Pro”
“Streamline your embedded systems by integrating a serial port expansion panel to effortlessly operate within your industrial application and enjoy zero downtime with 24/7 and faulttolerant operation with DC transient voltage suppression.
Expand your networking capabilities with headless display and the additional LAN expansion to give your edge devices or embedded solutions network redundancy and security. Dual HDMI with persistent display functionality and dual Thunderbolt 4 ports can power four 4K displays simultaneously giving you superior video quality and flexibility to create immersive digital signage.”
Source : Intel
Filed Under: Hardware, Top News
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Celsius CEO Machinsky Resigns Amid Ongoing Bankruptcy Proceedings Cryptonews
Celsius CEO Machinsky Resigns Amid Ongoing Bankruptcy Proceedings – Cryptonews https://collincountynewsonline.com/celsius-ceo-machinsky-resigns-amid-ongoing-bankruptcy-proceedings-cryptonews/
Alex Mashinsky. Source: a video screenshot, Stoic Finance / YouTub
Alex Mashinksy has resigned from his role as the CEO of Celsius Network amid ongoing bankruptcy proceedings at the crypto lending company.
In a press release, Mashinksy who founded Celsius stated that his continued role as CEO has become an increasing distraction for the embattled company hence his decision to resign.
“Effective immediately, please accept my resignation as CEO of Celsius Network Ltd, as well as my directorships and other positions at each of its direct and indirect subsidiaries, with the exception of my director position at Celsius Network Ltd,” the text of the resignation letter submitted to the company’s board of directors read.
Despite his resignation, Mashinksy says he is willing to remain available to work with Celcius and its advisors to achieve a successful reorganization. He also admonished the Celsius community to stay united to achieve the best recovery outcome.
“I believe we all will get more if Celsians stay united and help the UCC with the best recovery plan. I remain willing and available to continue to work with the Company and their advisors to achieve a successful reorganization,” he said.
Mashinksy’s resignation is the latest development at Celsius which filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy back in July as it sought to voluntarily initiate restructuring to stabilize its business and maximize value for all its stakeholders.
In a filing with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, the Uncensored Creditors Committee (UCC) involved in the case welcomed his resignation and announced that Chris Ferraro, the company’s Chief Financial Officer would now serve as the Chief Restructuring Officer and Interim CEO.
“…today’s announcement is a positive step that will allow the Debtors, the Committee, and all other stakeholders to focus on moving these cases forward in a prompt and efficient manner,” the filing denoted.
The Celsius bankruptcy debacle
In the past few months, Mashinksy has been accused of having a significant role to play in the crash of the crypto company. CNBC reported that multiple employees and leaked internal documents of the company painted a picture of risk-taking, disorganization, and alleged market manipulation before the May collapse of the company following the onset of market turmoil.
The report alleges that Celsius was drawing in users with promises of high APYs, lending money to hedge funds willing to pay higher yields, and doing this without a very small compliance team and almost no risk management. As of May, Celsius was one of the largest players in the crypto lending space with more than $8 billion in loans to clients and almost $12 billion in assets under management.
Meanwhile, Celsius is not the only crypto firm that has been struggling. Others include crypto lenders BlockFi, and Voyager Digital, as well as crypto hedge fund 3AC to mention a few.
