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Metaverse In Entertainment Market 2026, Rising Consumer Spending Across Virtual Concerts, Events, And Others To Boost Growth – Technavio – Yahoo Finance https://collincountynewsonline.com/metaverse-in-entertainment-market-2026-rising-consumer-spending-across-virtual-concerts-events-and-others-to-boost-growth-technavio-yahoo-finance/ , /PRNewswire/ — The Metaverse in Entertainment Market size is expected to grow by USD 28.92 billion during 2021- 2026, at a CAGR of 8.55% during the forecast period, according to Technavio. The market is concentrated, and the degree of concentration will accelerate during the forecast period. Aomen City, Epic Games Inc., Hungama Digital Media Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., Meta Platforms Inc., Niantic Inc., OverActive Media Corp., Qualcomm Inc., Queppelin, Roblox Corp, Tencent Holdings Ltd., and Tetavi Ltd. are some of the major market participants. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Metaverse in Entertainment Market 2022-2026 The rising consumer spending across virtual concerts, events, and others, the emergence of VR gaming on metaverse, improved experience of 3D and 4D cinemas will offer immense growth opportunities. However, privacy and security concerns over the metaverse, legal challenges associated with the rights of digital collectibles, and the high cost of AR and VR devices will challenge the growth of the market participants. Request Free Sample Report. To make the most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments. Metaverse in Entertainment Market Segmentation End-user Geography Metaverse in Entertainment Market Scope Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Our metaverse in entertainment market report covers the following areas: Metaverse in Entertainment Market size Metaverse in Entertainment Market trends Metaverse in Entertainment Market industry analysis This study identifies the rising consumer adoption of online gaming as one of the prime reasons driving the metaverse in the entertainment market growth during the next few years. Buy Sample Report. Metaverse in Entertainment Market Vendor Analysis We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the Metaverse in Entertainment Market, including some of the vendors such as vendors Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the Metaverse in Entertainment Market are designed to provide entry support, customer profile and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support. Aomen City Epic Games Inc. Hungama Digital Media Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. Meta Platforms Inc. Niantic Inc. OverActive Media Corp. Qualcomm Inc. Queppelin Roblox Corp Tencent Holdings Ltd. Tetavi Ltd. Find additional highlights on the growth strategies adopted by vendors and their product offerings, Download Free Sample Report. Metaverse in Entertainment Market Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period Detailed information on factors that will assist metaverse in entertainment market growth during the next five years Estimation of the metaverse in entertainment market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the metaverse in the entertainment market Analysis of the market’s competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of metaverse in entertainment market vendors Related Reports: Mobile Phone Accessories Market by Product and Geography – Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026 Enterprise AI Market by End-user, Deployment, and Geography – Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026 Metaverse In Entertainment Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 8.55% Market growth 2022-2026 $28.92 billion Market structure Concentrated YoY growth (%) 7.41 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 33% Key consumer countries US, Canada, China, UK, and Germany Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Aomen City, Epic Games Inc., Hungama Digital Media Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., Meta Platforms Inc., Niantic Inc., OverActive Media Corp., Qualcomm Inc., Queppelin, Roblox Corp, Tencent Holdings Ltd., and Tetavi Ltd. Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and future consumer dynamics, and market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. Table Of Contents : 1 Executive Summary 1.1 Market overview 2 Market Landscape 2.1 Market ecosystem 3 Market Sizing 3.1 Market definition 3.2 Market segment analysis 3.3 Market size 2021 3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2021-2026 4 Five Forces Analysis 4.1 Five forces summary 4.2 Bargaining power of buyers 4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers 4.4 Threat of new entrants 4.5 Threat of substitutes 4.6 Threat of rivalry 4.7 Market condition 5 Market Segmentation by End-user 5.1 Market segments 5.2 Comparison by End-user 5.3 Film production – Market size and forecast 2021-2026 5.4 Music labels – Market size and forecast 2021-2026 5.5 OTT platforms – Market size and forecast 2021-2026 5.6 Television broadcasters – Market size and forecast 2021-2026 5.7 Others – Market size and forecast 2021-2026 5.8 Market opportunity by End-user 6 Customer Landscape 6.1 Customer landscape overview 7 Geographic Landscape 7.1 Geographic segmentation 7.2 Geographic comparison 7.3 North America – Market size and forecast 2021-2026 7.4 Europe – Market size and forecast 2021-2026 7.5 APAC – Market size and forecast 2021-2026 7.6 South America – Market size and forecast 2021-2026 7.7 Middle East and Africa – Market size and forecast 2021-2026 7.8 US – Market size and forecast 2021-2026 7.9 UK – Market size and forecast 2021-2026 7.10 China – Market size and forecast 2021-2026 7.11 Canada – Market size and forecast 2021-2026 7.12 Germany – Market size and forecast 2021-2026 7.13 Market opportunity by geography 8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 8.1 Market drivers 8.2 Market challenges 8.3 Impact of drivers and challenges 8.4 Market trends 9 Vendor Landscape 9.1 Overview 9.2 Vendor landscape 9.3 Landscape disruption 9.4 Industry risks 10 Vendor Analysis 10.1 Vendors covered 10.2 Market positioning of vendors 10.3 Aomen City 10.4 Epic Games Inc. 10.5 Hungama Digital Media Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. 10.6 Meta Platforms Inc. 10.7 Niantic Inc. 10.8 OverActive Media Corp. 10.9 Qualcomm Inc. 10.10 Queppelin 10.11 Roblox Corp 10.12 Tetavi Ltd. 11 Appendix 11.1 Scope of the report 11.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist 11.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ 11.4 Research methodology 11.5 List of abbreviations demand for infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS): The ongoing migration from on-premise infrastructure to cloud-based services is having an impact on the revenues of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of servers, albeit the adverse impact on them is slightly milder than the effect on storage equipment. The emergence of IaaS has had a strong impact on the IT hardware market. The biggest advantage of IaaS is that it allows enterprises to scale operations or introduce innovations in the workflow without the need to make substantial investments in storage and servers for the traditional on-premise hardware environment. At the same time, cloud-focused infrastructure spending is expected to increase in terms of server, disk storage, and networking hardware. About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio’s report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio’s comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ (PRNewsfoto/Infiniti Research, Inc.) Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/metaverse-in-entertainment-market-2026-rising-consumer-spending-across-virtual-concerts-events-and-others-to-boost-growth—technavio-301634047.html SOURCE Technavio

The A-List: Top And Trending Gadgets To Buy In September – Man’s World India https://collincountynewsonline.com/the-a-list-top-and-trending-gadgets-to-buy-in-september-mans-world-india/ Your monthly ‘how to spend it’ guide to all the cool new gadgets. One For The Den OnePlus TV 50 Y1S Pro The OnePlus TV 50 Y1S Pro is elegantly designed with vibrant colours on its 4K UHD display. OnePlus claims that you can witness over a billion colours in every frame thanks to the 10-bit colour depth feature. It also offers HDR10+, HDR10, as well as HLG format support for a superior viewing experience. It’s not just the picture quality, the dual speakers (with a total output of 24W) also keep up. This 50-incher is powered by the Android TV 10.0 platform and allows you to lean on Google Assistant for easy controls. Price: Rs 32,999 The Foldable To Beat Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip3 isn’t just our favourite foldable to date, it was also the fastest-selling foldable smartphone of 2021. The Samsung Z Flip 4 might look similar to its 2021 sibling, but it comes with a whole bunch of improvements. Aside from the annual processor upgrade (this one’s powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1), it also features a more robust 3700 mAh battery under the hood. Samsung has also added fast charging: 0 to 50 per cent in 30 minutes, to the mix. But it’s the new FlexCam with new selfie previews that might be the Z Flip 4’s biggest party trick. Price: Rs. 89,999 onwards A Hi-Fi Speaker In Your Pocket OPPO has pitched the OPPO Enco X2 TWS Earbuds as the equivalent of a HiFi speaker bundled into a pair of TWS earbuds. It’s a clever ploy to play up the brand’s partnership with iconic speaker brand Dynaudio to develop the soundstage for these buds. They’re packed in a pebble-shaped case with a glossy finish. Noise cancellation is impressive and there are other useful touches like wireless charging and an IP54 certification for dust and water resistance but it’s the acoustics that is the highlight. Price: Rs. 10,999 A Stellar Debut The Nothing phone (1), the first smartphone from the Nothing stable, makes a big impression. It sticks to the same transparent design of its first TWS earbuds, and it has the same wow effect. At its heart is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 778+processor and comes in a choice of two hardware variants: 8GB/128GB and 12GB/256GB. The rear cam combines two 50MP lenses (wide and ultra-wide). Colours are vibrant and blacks are deep in the 6.55-inch OLED display (2400 x 1800 pixels / 402 PPI / 1200 nits peak brightness) with a 120Hz refresh rate. Price: Rs. 33,999 onwards Take The Movies Outdoors At 2.3 kg, the BenQ GS50 is one of the most portable 1080p Full HD projectors you can buy. There’s a streaming stick that runs Android TV other than the multiple ports, including a convenient Type-C port, that allows you to connect your smartphone. You can take comfort in the IPX2 splashproof factor that protects the projector from an unexpected drizzle. It’s also drop-proof (up to 2.3 feet). BenQ promises about 2.5 hours of battery life on Eco mode. More than the picture quality, it’s the sound quality that is the wow element of this projector. The built-in 2.1 channel audio features dual 5W midrange tweeters with a powerful 10W woofer. Price: Rs 82,618 Sound No Bar Samsung has positioned its newest soundbar as the world’s first built-in wireless Samsung Smart TV-to-soundbar Dolby Atmos connection. The Samsung Soundbar 330W 3.1.2ch S801B: boasts of an ultra-slim design featuring a 39.9mm profile, and also includes a compact subwoofer. You get an immersive audio experience with three channels, one subwoofer channel, and two up-firing channels. We dig the Adaptive Sound feature; the soundbar analyses the sound signal to automatically deliver an optimised sound based on each scene. This cool feature also picks dialogues on low volumes. You can also control your soundbar with Alexa or stream music straight off your smartphone or tab, thanks to Apple AirPlay 2 support. Price: Rs 44,990 (Featured Image: The Nothing Phone and Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip3)

Crypto Billionaire Bankman-Fried Eyeing Bid For Celsius Assets – Bloomberg https://collincountynewsonline.com/crypto-billionaire-bankman-fried-eyeing-bid-for-celsius-assets-bloomberg/ We’ve detected unusual activity from your computer network To continue, please click the box below to let us know you’re not a robot.

White House’s Deese Says Strong Dollar Reflects Strength Of U.S. Economy – Reuters.com https://collincountynewsonline.com/white-houses-deese-says-strong-dollar-reflects-strength-of-u-s-economy-reuters-com/ WASHINGTON, Sept 27 (Reuters) – Now more than ever, the strength of the U.S. dollar reflects the relative strength of the U.S. economy, White House economic adviser Brian Deese told reporters on Tuesday. “In a highly uncertain global environment … what we’re seeing is reinforcing the unique position of strength that the United States economy is in, notwithstanding all the complexity of our recovery,” Deese told reporters after an event hosted by the Economic Club of Washington, D.C.. Asked if he was concerned about the spillover effects of weaker economies elsewhere on the United States, Deese mentioned Europe, Britain and China, and said the Biden administration was paying “a lot of attention” to pockets of “particular weakness” in the global growth trajectory. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Seattle DJC.com Local Business News And Data – Technology – Battery Airplane Takes First Flight – Seattle Daily Journal Of Commerce https://collincountynewsonline.com/seattle-djc-com-local-business-news-and-data-technology-battery-airplane-takes-first-flight-seattle-daily-journal-of-commerce/ MOSES LAKE, Grant County (AP) — A prototype, all-electric airplane took its first flight Tuesday morning in central Washington state. The Seattle Times reports that if the Federal Aviation Administration eventually certifies the small airplane to carry passengers, it could become the first all-electric commercial airplane.   . . .

A Game About Sheep Is Going Viral In China Even As Gaming Regulation Remains Tight – CNBC https://collincountynewsonline.com/a-game-about-sheep-is-going-viral-in-china-even-as-gaming-regulation-remains-tight-cnbc/ A young Beijing company’s game called “Sheep a Sheep” went viral in China in September 2022. Evelyn Cheng | CNBC BEIJING — A new game that’s gone viral in China hit people’s screens with surprising speed at a time when gaming giants such as NetEase have waited months for approval to launch games. That’s because the new game, called Sheep a Sheep, sits inside ByteDance’s Douyin and Tencent’s messaging app WeChat as a mini-program. Users can play the game within the apps. “WeChat and ByteDance don’t currently require a game license to publish their HTML5 games on their platforms,” said Rich Bishop, CEO of AppInChina, which publishes international software in China. “But this is likely to change over the next few months as enforcement of existing regulations intensifies,” he said. HTML5 games are built with coding tools similar to those used for websites and can be easily distributed across platforms. WeChat and ByteDance did not respond to a CNBC request for comment. Sheep a Sheep just went viral these past few days. Very fresh to everyone, especially regulators. Brian Tycangco analyst, Stansberry Research Approvals for gaming software Sheep a Sheep’s developer, Beijing Jianyou Technology, was founded in January 2021. The company registered the game’s software in late July this year, according to business database Tianyancha. Weeks later in early September, Jianyou had launched the sheep game, according to posts on its official Weibo, a Twitter-like social media platform in China. In contrast, NetEase’s first game approval in more than a year came 10 months after the company registered the software, according to Tianyancha data. Beijing’s heightened scrutiny of the gaming industry meant the National Administration of Press and Publication stopped approving publishers’ new games between July 2021 and April 2022. A search for “sheep” on the approval list only yielded results for other games from the year 2018 or older. The administration and Jianyou did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Money from ads But it’s less clear what the rules are for games like Sheep a Sheep that are free to play and supported by advertisements. A surge in social media attention around a long weekend in mid-September helped attract players —reportedly in the tens of millions — who were eager to win the game as soon as possible, even if they had to watch what in aggregate ended up to be hours of ads. The impact isn’t that clear yet … People might lose interest in it just as fast as they were attracted. Brian Tycangco analyst, Stansberry Research The game is “completely free” to play, said Xiaofeng Wang, senior analyst at Forrester. “The only trick is you have to spend 30 seconds to watch a commercial.” “For a developer it’s very cost-effective and I think they are generating revenue already,” she said. “Even [if] the popularity cannot last for a long time, it’s still a good thing, nothing to lose for them. They already gained a lot of out of this.” WeChat mini-program games are not new. Piqued curiosity Part of Sheep a Sheep’s allure is a sense of challenge — a puzzle the developer claims has a 0.1% success rate — and competition. The game requires players to eliminate tiles of the same category in groups of three. People who succeed win a cartoon sheep that then joins a virtual herd based on the player’s region, thereby boosting the ranking of the player’s province. “Many people have never [had] such game experience before,” Wang said. “From very, very easy to very, very difficult, they heard different people on social media talking about that, that generated a lot of curiosity, ‘Why is this so hard?’ That’s why it’s so unique.” Anecdotally, the number of this reporter’s WeChat contacts who’d tried the mini-program game roughly tripled over one September weekend to nearly 300. The following weekend, two of six people on a bench in a Beijing subway car were seen playing the game. “Sheep a Sheep just went viral these past few days. Very fresh to everyone, especially regulators,” Brian Tycangco, analyst at Stansberry Research, said in email last week. “So the impact isn’t that clear yet,” he said. “People might lose interest in it just as fast as they were attracted.”

Friday Night Lights…Bonham And Commerce Halftime Photos: Part 3 – North Texas E-News https://collincountynewsonline.com/friday-night-lights-bonham-and-commerce-halftime-photos-part-3-north-texas-e-news/ Friday night lights…Bonham and Commerce halftime photos: part 3  North Texas e-News

California Coronavirus Updates: California Teachers More Pessimistic Since The Start Of The Pandemic, Survey Finds – Capital Public Radio News https://collincountynewsonline.com/california-coronavirus-updates-california-teachers-more-pessimistic-since-the-start-of-the-pandemic-survey-finds-capital-public-radio-news/ Find an updated count of COVID-19 cases in California and by county on our tracker here. Latest Updates California teachers more pessimistic since the start of the pandemic, survey finds  Over 4 million Americans have received new omicron-targeted booster Pfizer plans to roll out updated COVID-19 booster shots for children ages 5 to 11 Canada to soon drop vaccine mandate at US-Canada border Flu season could be headed to the U.S. early COVID-19 By The Numbers Tuesday, September 27 2:48 p.m.: California teachers more pessimistic since the start of the pandemic, survey finds  Many teachers in California have considered leaving the profession and more have a negative outlook on the job following the onset of the pandemic, according to a new survey. The study, published by the California Teachers Association and UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools, found that around 40% of current TK-12 teachers have thought about leaving their job either to continue schooling or leave teaching entirely. The outlook of teachers has also become more negative since the start of the pandemic. Around 77% of teachers say that things are changing for the worse now, up from 45% pre-pandemic. Still, many teachers remain committed to the profession with 57% saying they are unlikely to leave teaching in the next three years, and 39% saying they are highly satisfied with their job. 12:48 p.m.: Over 4 million Americans have received new omicron-targeted booster More than 4 million Americans have rolled up their sleeves for the new omicron-specific booster shots. According to the Associated Press, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted the count on Thursday. The new shots target the most common omicron strains of the coronavirus. The U.S. has ordered 171 million doses of the new boosters for the fall. The first hint of public demand for the new boosters comes as health experts lamented President Joe Biden’s recent remark on 60 Minutes that “the pandemic is over.” The president later clarified his comment after facing heat from health experts, who worry the message might slow prevention efforts. Monday, September 26 11:58 a.m.: Pfizer plans to roll out updated COVID-19 booster shots for children ages 5 to 11 Pfizer is asking the Food and Drug Administration to expand the use of its updated COVID-19 booster shot to children ages 5 to 11. As reported by the Associated Press, some 4.4 million Americans have already received one of the updated boosters since they rolled out earlier this month for anyone 12 and older. Just like with Pfizer’s original vaccine, elementary school-aged children would get a third of the dose of the updated booster. The FDA is expected to decide soon. Pfizer and its partner BioNTech also announced that they have begun a study of the updated booster in children younger than 5. 11:02 a.m.: Canada to soon drop vaccine mandate at US-Canada border An official familiar with the matter says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has signed off on Canada dropping the vaccine requirement for people who enter Canada at the end of September. Canada, like the United States, requires foreign nationals to be vaccinated when entering the country. According to the Associated Press, no change in the mandate is expected in the U.S. in the near term. Unvaccinated foreign travelers who are allowed to enter Canada are currently subjected to mandatory arrival tests and a 14-day quarantine. The officials say Trudeau has agreed to let a cabinet order enforcing mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirements at the border expire Sept. 30. Saturday, September 24 12:30 p.m.: Flu season could be headed to the U.S. early After virtually disappearing for two years as the COVID-19 pandemic raged, influenza seems to be poised to stage a comeback this year in the U.S., NPR reports. And while COVID-19 is notoriously unpredictable and many restrictions have been lifted, there’s a good chance COVID cases will rise again this winter. During this year’s Southern Hemisphere winter, the flu returned to some countries like Australia, where it started ramping up months earlier than usual and caused one of the worst flu seasons in recent years. The combination of flu and coronavirus cases could seriously strain the health system, according to Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease professor at Vanderbilt University. The flu causes between an estimated 140,00 and 710,000 hospitalizations annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC is reporting that the flu is already starting to spread in parts of the south like Texas, and experts caution that very young kids who have not been exposed to flu for two years may be especially vulnerable. But experts doubt COVID and flu will hit the country at the same time because of something known as “viral interference,” a phenomenon that occurs when infection with one virus reduces the risk of catching another. “These two viruses may still both occur during the same season, but my gut feeling is they’re going to happen sequentially rather than both at the same time,” said Dr. Richard Webby, an infectious disease specialist at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “So I’m less concerned about the twindemic.” But Webby and others are still urging people to make sure everyone in their family gets a flu shot as soon as possible, especially if flu season arrives early. Friday, September 23 11:12 a.m.: California is easing mask-wearing recommendations California’s Department of Public Health released updated guidance for the use of face masks, dropping the recommendation for universal mask wearing in indoor public spaces. Moving forward, the CDPH will follow the CDC’s Community Level Tracker in making mask-wearing recommendations. The state plans to only strongly recommend mask wearing in crowded indoor settings for all residents when the community level is high. It’ll also allow certain congregate settings — including correctional facilities, homeless and emergency shelters and cooling centers — to be mask optional. This new guidance only applies when COVID-19 levels are low. As of Friday, Sacramento county is in a low community spread level. You can check your county with the CDC Community Level Tracker. Masking changes will take effect this Friday, Sept. 23, and don’t apply to health care and long-term care settings. “This shift in masking is consistent with California’s SMARTER Plan and gives Californians the information they should consider when deciding when to wear a mask, including the rate of spread in the community and personal risk,” said CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer Tomás Aragón in a statement. Here’s the CDPH’s masking recommendations, according to a deparment press release: When community COVID-19 levels are low, those at a lower risk for severe illness can choose to skip masking. Those at higher risk should consider wearing masks in crowded indoor public places. When community levels are media, those at a lower risk for severe illness to consider wearing masks in crowded indoor places. It’s recommended to wear a mask in crowded indoor spaces for those at higher risk. When community levels are high, it is recommended that everyone wears a mask indoors. Californians at higher risk for severe illness, including people who are unvaccinated, immunocompromised, have certain disabilities or underlying health conditions should take extra COVID-19 precautions. Thursday, September 22 11:16 a.m.: DOJ charges 48 people in COVID-19 pandemic funds scheme The Department of Justice has charged 48 people in what prosecutors have called a scheme to take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to fraud the U.S. government of $250 million. According to the Associated Press, prosecutors say the defendants obtained government funds under the guise of providing food to underprivileged children. But just a tiny fraction of the money went toward feeding kids, and the rest was instead laundered through shell companies and spent on property, luxury cars and travel. Prosecutors say it is the largest fraud case to date that deals with the misuse of government funds during the pandemic. 10:49 a.m.: Florida man pleads guilty to $7.2 million COVID-19 relief fraud A Florida man who fled the U.S. and was eventually arrested in Croatia has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $7.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds. As reported by the Associated Press, court records show that 46-year-old Don Cisternino pleaded guilty Tuesday in Orlando federal court to wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and illegal money transaction. He faces up to 32 years in federal prison at a scheduled hearing for Jan 5. According to the plea agreement, Cisternino submitted a fraudulent loan application for a Paycheck Protection Program loan in May 2020. He claimed his company had 441 employees and monthly payroll expenses in 2019 of more than $2.8 million. The company actually had no employees other than Cisternino. Wednesday, September 21 12:28 p.m.: FDA concedes delays in response to baby formula shortages U.S. health regulators say their response to the ongoing infant formula shortage was slowed by delays in processing a whistleblower complaint and test samples from the nation’s largest formula factory. According to the Associated Press, the Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday published its first formal report detailing the factors that led to the shortage, which forced the U.S. government to import formula from overseas. The report highlights several key problems at the regulatory agency. Those include unclear procedures for vett...

Digital Transformation Series – Project And Practice Management Software – Business News Wales https://collincountynewsonline.com/digital-transformation-series-project-and-practice-management-software-business-news-wales/ To support businesses in Wales, Superfast Business Wales have created a new digital toolkit designed to help businesses improve efficiency, streamline operations, boost security and often reduce costs. Listing over 100 cloud-based solutions, the digital tool kit directory will help you find software and services you can rely on. All products listed are presented for information and research only, and any recommendations are not designed to be comprehensive or act as a specific endorsement from Superfast Business Wales. DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THE DIRECTORY HERE In the first part of this series, we look at project and practice management tools Project management software is a tool to help you plan, allocate resources and manage scheduling for projects. By helping to plan scope and organise resources, you can gain greater control over costs and timings, all while improving collaboration. Properly implemented, project management software lets you achieve more and improve results, lowering costs and increasing transparency Practice management software helps you to run professional, client facing offices and consequently there are specific tools aimed at law practices, medical practices, accountants, dental practices, veterinarian surgeries, architectural companies, opticians and many more. Typically, software products in this area can help manage records, billing, scheduling and appointments. Getting tasks completed on time, on budget, and with the most efficient use of available resources is key to running a successful business and project management and practice management software are the tools that can lighten the load. Project management products differ across sectors, so it’s important to choose the software that works best for your type of business. Key things to look for include the right level of reporting for your organisation, plus features to help you plan your resource allocation and usage (human or otherwise), plus provide the flexibility to keep up with planned/unplanned business changes. To ensure that your teams can communicate effectively, take time to examine the collaboration aspects of any software you choose. Also, consider the interaction with other digital tools you might use, from spreadsheets to corporate instant messaging. Will everything work together? Practice management software tends to be more specialised, but the project management advice above still holds true. Look out for a product specifically designed for your type of business, whether you’re a lawyer, accountant or a doctor. For both types of software, it’s important to examine the total cost of any solution. This should include per-user costs, plus any fees for converting data from old sources and any setup charges you might incur. By fully pricing out a potential software choice, you can make an accurate long-term prediction about the overall cost of ownership, enabling you to more accurately compare competing products against your current systems

The Latest Watches From Huawei Are Focused On Your Health – Women Love Tech https://collincountynewsonline.com/the-latest-watches-from-huawei-are-focused-on-your-health-women-love-tech/ Recently, Australians’ behaviour towards their health has shifted with 4 in 10 people saying they’re prioritising their health now more than they did before COVID-19. In response to this trend, Huawei has three watches out now which have some health-tracking benefits. With summer nearly here, it’s the perfect time to kickstart your health journey with these wearables with some helpful features such as blood pressure monitoring. The first of these watches from Huawei is WATCH D which measures your blood pressure with cutting-edge technology. The accuracy of the blood pressure measurement is often affected by the tightness of the watch and where exactly it’s worn on the wrist, but the WATCH D has a high-resolution pressure sensor, feedback pressure control circuit and low-flow airway which allows the precise pressure measurement system to maintain a pressure measurement error within ±3mmHg4, allowing users to measuring blood pressure accurately anywhere. (NB This blood pressure feature is intended for general wellness and fitness purpose only. This watch isn’t a medical device and should not be used for medical diagnosis or used as treatment, monitoring, or prevention.) In addition to this feature, the WATCH D supports heart rate measurement, scientific sleep monitoring and stress monitoring. The watch has 70 workout modes and a battery life of seven days. Huawei’s WATCH D can measure your blood pressure to a high degree of accuracy. The GT 3 Pro helps you look good, feel better The GT3 Pro comes in a titanium (46mm) or ceramic body with asapphire watch dial (43mm). With a long 14-days of battery life, this watch also has electrode technology for accurate health measurements. It can access over 100 personalised workouts – from golf to cross-country skiing to free training. The GT3 Pro is has IP68 and 5 ATM ratings for water resistance so you can wear it in the ocean as deep as 30 metres with the Free Diving Mode6. As well, the GT3 Pro has all-day heart rate and SpO2 monitoring. It has loads of customisation options so you can personalise it to your taste. The WATCH FIT 2: Made to fit your lifestyle The WATCH FIT 2 has a lightweight feel and clean design. You can transfer files by tapping your smart devices together, push calls from your phone to your wrist, or play music directly to your watch. The WATCH FIT 2 comes with 97 workout modes so if you want a personal trainer, but you haven’t got round to getting one – you can try out the built-in animated fitness coach which supports seven different workout modes, with audio instructions and demonstrations. The Huawei WATCH FIT 2 lets you transfer files from other devices and push calls from your phone to your wrist. The watch also a wellness plan for you including step tracking, water intake, and workouts. As more Aussies want to keep healthy, these daily reminders give some positive feedback so you can stay motivated. And if you are a runner, Huawei’s Running Ability Index (RAI) will analyse your height, age, weight, fitness and running experience to create a professional-level training plan. The WATCH FIT 2 has a 10-day battery life (7 days of intensive use) so you can use it every day. It comes in Midnight Black, Sakura Pink and Isle Blue. The BAND 7: Thin and light This new smart band is very light and thin so you could even forget you’re wearing it. This watch has 24/7 active health management so it will support your health journey. It can monitor your sleep, stress, your menstrual cycle and heart health. From this information, BAND 7’s Healthy Living Shamrock provides you personalised health management so you can set daily health goals. The watch has 14 days of battery life and 96 workout modes including running and roller skating, music controls, stopwatch, alarm clock and find my phone. About Huawei: Huawei’s products and services are available in over 170 countries. Huawei’s global network is built on almost 30 years of expertise in the telecom industry and is dedicated to delivering the latest technological advances to consumers around the world. For more info, you can visit here. For more from Women Love Tech on the latest smart watches, visit here.

Cadets Headed To OVAC Championship | News, Sports, Jobs – Wheeling Intelligencer https://collincountynewsonline.com/cadets-headed-to-ovac-championship-news-sports-jobs-wheeling-intelligencer/ Photo by Kim North Linsly’s Stefan Mihajlovic, left, dribbles the ball up field Tuesday as Magnolia’s Tyler Rose (2) defends during an OVAC Class 1A/3A boys soccer tournament semifinal match on the outdoor surface at The Highlands Sports Complex. Magnolia’s goalkeeper Aleksandr Lazarev, right, comes out to challenge the play. WHEELING — It’s nice when a game plan comes together. It’s even better when that strategy works early and often. Top-seeded Linsly went into Tuesday night’s OVAC Class 1A/3A tournament boys soccer tournament semifinal match wanting to take control early. Mission accomplished … and then some. The multi-talented Cadets (13-0-1) found the net six times on their first 15 shots in taking command in the first 16 minutes of the match. They led 9-0 at the half en route to a 12-0 blanking of No. 4 Magnolia (6-4-1) on the cloudy and chill-filled outdoor artificial surface at The Highlands Sports Complex. With the lop-sided victory, Linsly will seek its 11th championship since 1998-99 and first since the 2018-19 season on Saturday at noon on the artificial turf at Wheeling Island Stadium when it meets the winner of the other semifinal between No. 2 Trinity and No. 3 Wood County Christian. “We wanted to come in and take care of the game in the first 10 minutes … as early as possible,” Linsly head coach Greg Martin explained. “All season our team has done a great job of possessing the ball and dictating the play. We just wanted to do that tonight.” Junior Agustin Liu got the scorefest underway when he banged home his own rebound in the second minute of play. Senior Stefan Mihajlovic, who assisted on Liu’s net-finder, recorded a natural hat trick as he scored on the Cadets’ fourth, eighth and 10th shots against Magnolia goalkeeper Aleksandr Lazarev, who deserved a better fate as he turned in numerous highlight reel saves. He finished with 21 saves. Liu and classmates Wes Palmer and Jaime Alonso charted assists on Mihajlovic’s goals. “This is a talented group of kids that enjoy playing the game,” Martin added. “They have a passion for the game.” Jack Scouvart made it 5-0 in the 14th minute with an unassisted goal, while also making it 6-0 as he headed in a rebound after Lazarev denied Mihajlovic seconds before. It became 7-0 in the 26th minute when Mihajlovic got his fourth goal off a nifty cross from Agustin Fonseca. Hernan Bayona got the first of his two net-finders that upped the count to 8-0. It came off an assist from Palmer. Quinn McKenzie scored unassisted in the 32nd minute for a 9-0 reading at the break. Alejandro Thomas, Cameron Neighoff and Bayona all scored goals in the second half, which was played under a running clock due to the WVSSAC 7-goal mercy rule. Palmer and Liu recorded assists. Starting Linsly goalkeeper junior Andrew Skadra wasn’t tested in the first half at all, as the Cadets dominated in time of possession and shots on goal. Senior Arturo Ruiz was only called upon to make one save in the second half, which he easily scooped up in the 54th minute. Ten different Cadets logged at least one point, with half-a-dozen recording multiple points. Mihajlovic led the way with four goals and a pair of helpers, while Scouvart and Bayona evenly divided four goals. Liu added a goal and two assists, and Neighoff had a goal and an assist. Palmer chipped in two helpers. “We shared the ball really well today,” Martin said as his team logged eight assists. “The kids played well.” Magnolia head coach Ryan Yost graciously declined comment. “I really don’t have anything to say.” Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox

Dubai Metaverse Assembly: Live Updates From Museum Of The Future – The National https://collincountynewsonline.com/dubai-metaverse-assembly-live-updates-from-museum-of-the-future-the-national/ The event takes place on September 28-29 with more than 300 global experts in attendance Dubai’s Museum of the Future will embody the forward-thinking spirit of the UAE’s founding fathers, a senior Emirati minister said. Photo: UAE Government Media Office Beta V.1.0 – Powered by automated translation The Dubai Metaverse Assembly will have technology experts and people from the metaverse community as well as major companies convene to discuss opportunities and ways that its potential can be unlocked. Dubai has already announced its metaverse strategy, which aims to create 40,000 jobs and add $4 billion to the emirate’s economy. This is the first event of its kind since the announcement in July. The National will be bringing you all of the latest updates from the event: Live Updates Loading … Updated: September 28, 2022, 3:00 AM

Realme Phones That Are Under Rs 10,000 – The Tech Outlook https://collincountynewsonline.com/realme-phones-that-are-under-rs-10000-the-tech-outlook/ Smartphones have become something that people can’t afford to lose. It houses sensitive information to access the world. But with this dependence comes a problem that your major part of your money gets consumed by phones. Now you can finally grab a phone with cool features and that’s too under Rs 10,000. Realme got so popular because of its premium phones with flagship features. But it also has phones that are under Rs 10,000 which gives competition to big tech giants in the market. Let’s have a look at a few phones that are under Rs 10,000.  Realme Narzo 50i ( 4GB RAM, 64 GB Storage) Looking for a phone with good battery backup and powerful features this can be the best pick for you. A sleek and stylish design. Its color option makes it the most stunning of all. With all comes a spacious storage feature that places it second to none. This allows you to store your data in one place without any worry.  Specifications Brand: Realme Model Name: narzo 50i Colour: Carbon Black RAM capacity: 4GB ROM storage space: 64 GB Operating System: Android 11 Screen Size: 6.5 Inches Weight: 195 grams Realme C31 3GB RAM, 32 GB Storage Classy and beautiful phone with great battery backup. Realme C31 has all the features in one place making it the best among the best. It has a long-lasting battery that can be used for a longer period of time. So if you have been looking for a decent phone that is too under Rs 10,000 this phone is for none other than you.  Specifications Brand: Realme Model Name: C31 Weight: 197 Grams RAM Capacity: 3GB ROM Storage: 32GB Colour: Light Silver OS: Android 11 Realme C11 2021 (4GB RAM, 64 GB Storage) 64GB of storage makes it a decent phone which can be used for a longer duration of the phone hassle-free. Even the look is quite impressive which makes it different from other phones of this range. It also has a good camera which can be used for clicking some amazing pictures. Specifications Brand: Realme Model Name: C11 2021 Colour: Cool Blue Weight: 190 Grams RAM Capacity: 4GB ROM Storage: 64 GB Screen Size: 6.52 Inches Operating System: Android 11

UFC Fighter El Ninja To Become First Argentinian Athlete Paid In Crypto – Cointelegraph https://collincountynewsonline.com/ufc-fighter-el-ninja-to-become-first-argentinian-athlete-paid-in-crypto-cointelegraph/ Beyond the Octagon, Guido Cannetti fights Argentina’s 78% inflation rate with USDC stablecoin. 825 Total views 34 Total shares Guido Cannetti, an Argentinian Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter, is now the first martial arts athlete in the country to receive 100% of his salary in stablecoins, amid rising inflation and Argentina’s economic deteriorating, announced the crypto payroll company Bitwage on Monday. Dubbed El Ninja, he returns to the Octagon on October 1st in the United States to face the local fighter Randy Costa. According to Bitwage, Guido will receive his payment in USDC stablecoin via the Stellar Network on Vibrant, a wallet application developed by the Stellar team specifically for Argentines experiencing inflation. As per official government figures’, inflation in the 12 months through August was 78.5% in the country, whereas prices in the first eight months of the year were up 56.4%. Argentina’s central bank predicted a 95% inflation rate for the year, while some private analysts forecasted a 100% inflation rate in 2022. “I am getting paid in USDC because it is safer for my future,” said Cannetti in a statement released by Bitwage, noting that stablecoins will spare him from the volatility and devaluation of local currency. Among Argentine consumers surveyed by Americas Market Intelligence in April, 51% purchased crypto and 27% regularly bought cryptocurrencies, up from 12% adoption at the end of 2021. Inflation protection is the primary reason for 67% of respondents’ purchases of cryptocurrencies. US dollar-pegged stablecoin prices surged in July following Martin Guzman’s abrupt resignation as Economy Minister. His fiscal policies aimed at reducing budget deficits and tightening monetary policy divided opinions in Argentina’s government. In the country’s black-market, the exchange rate was at 287 pesos per dollar at press time, according to the website DolarHoy.

US Sees Increase In Respiratory Infections That Can Lead To Paralysis In Children, CDC Data Shows – CNN https://collincountynewsonline.com/us-sees-increase-in-respiratory-infections-that-can-lead-to-paralysis-in-children-cdc-data-shows-cnn/ 02:57 – Source: CNN Survivor of rare polio-like illness shares her story CNN  —  Doctors should prepare for a possible increase in young patients with enterovirus D68, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Tuesday, and that may be linked to more cases of the rare, paralyzing condition acute flaccid myelitis. There was an increase in acute respiratory illnesses and emergency department visits driven by rhinovirus and enterovirus in children and adolescents this summer, new CDC data shows. The rise might be more specifically attributed to enterovirus D68, which, in rare cases, can lead to acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM. “Health care facilities should be prepared for possible increases in pediatric health care use associated with severe EV-D68-associated respiratory illness,” the CDC said Tuesday in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. “Past increases in EV-D68 circulation were also associated with increased reports of AFM.” AFM causes weakness and paralysis of the arms and legs. The CDC has detected increases in enterovirus D68 every two years or so, and this month, the agency warned doctors to be on the lookout for infections. The virus tends to peak in the late summer and early fall. The data shows that positive test results for rhinovirus/enterovirus “appears to be increasing at a rate comparable to that in past EV-D68 outbreak years,” doubling in a period of a few weeks through early September, the CDC said. “In 2014, a widespread EV-D68 outbreak in the United States caused similar increases in medically attended severe respiratory illnesses and asthma exacerbations and was associated with an increase in AFM cases,” the report says. In addition to testing for AFM, health care providers are urged to test for poliovirus in people suspected of having AFM because of the similarity in symptoms. Enterovirus D68 causes symptoms that mirror those of common colds, with cough, shortness of breath, wheezing and sometimes fever. It requires doctors to take extra steps to diagnose.

Intel, Samsung Display Showcase Slidable PC During Intel’s Innovation Keynote – The Indian Express https://collincountynewsonline.com/intel-samsung-display-showcase-slidable-pc-during-intels-innovation-keynote-the-indian-express/ During Intel’s Innovation keynote today, Intel and Samsung Display showed us what slidable PCs could look like in the future. Samsung Display CEO JS Choi appeared on the stage with a 13-inch tablet and converted it into a 17-inch display by simply sliding the screen. “We’re announcing the world’s first 17-inch slidable display for PCs. This device will satisfy various needs for a larger screen and portability as well”, said Choi during the keynote. It looks like Samsung will be opting for a sliding mechanism and ditch the concept of foldable PCs, at least for now. Before Microsoft dropped its support for Windows 10X on foldable devices, Intel had been working on and experimenting with various form factors like dual-screen and foldable PCs. While these form factors might seem appealing, they are not useful if the software support isn’t good enough. It is interesting to note that the recently revealed 13-inch display features a flexible display in addition to a sliding mechanism. Intel also announced a new software called Unison, which might help connect Intel-powered PCs to smartphones and said it is compatible with Android as well as iOS. Unison will enable users to make and answer calls, share files and photos, send and receive messages and get notifications on the phone. In case the software is not running, the notifications will be diverted to the Windows notification center. Coming back to slidable PCs, it looks like the device itself is just a concept for now. Moreover, there is no word from either Samsung Display or Intel if the PC will be available for general consumers.

Klaytn Launches Gaming Gas Fee Rebate Program, Paving The Way For Wider Web3 Adoption – PR Newswire https://collincountynewsonline.com/klaytn-launches-gaming-gas-fee-rebate-program-paving-the-way-for-wider-web3-adoption-pr-newswire/ , /PRNewswire/ — Open-source Korean blockchain Klaytn is launching a gas fee rebate program to allow gaming companies to offset gas fees from existing blockchain games built on Klaytn. With the aim of removing barriers to broader web3 adoption, Klaytn’s gas fee rebate program will offset both user gas fees shouldered by gaming companies via Klaytn’s gas fee delegation feature, as well as gas fees incurred from gaming companies’ own Externally Owned Accounts or Contract Accounts. Klaytn Launches Gaming Gas Fee Rebate Program, Paving the Way for Wider Web3 Adoption. Currently, Klaytn has a gas fee delegation feature that allows companies or projects to pay for their users’ gas fees. This feature addresses a crucial pain point for blockchain games in onboarding new users: one of the biggest user deterrents being the need to acquire cryptocurrency to foot gas fees before being able to play. Given how gas costs can significantly accumulate with a sizeable user base, Klaytn designed its gas fee rebate program to enable gaming companies to focus on growing their ecosystems. Selected game companies will be eligible for a 100% offset of their gas fees incurred from January 2022 onwards, up to USD100,000 worth of KLAY per month per grantee. Paid in Klaytn’s native token KLAY, the grant is derived from the Klaytn Growth Fund, which aims to grow the ecosystem of companies built on Klaytn. With this initiative, Klaytn is tackling a long-standing issue preventing the wider adoption of Web3. Financial transactions in Web2 commerce tend to have their own “gas fees”. However, such fees are paid by the merchant and effectively embedded in the price, leading many users to think that such transactions are free. With Klaytn’s gas fee delegation feature, and now the gas fee rebate program, Klaytn games can offer nearly the same user experience as traditional games. This makes it easier to onboard gamers new to web3, expanding the potential reach of the blockchain gaming ecosystem. A report by crypto.com highlights that the GameFi market remains comparatively small — with just over 1 million gamers and $1 billion in transactional volume. By 2025, this number is expected to grow 50-fold, but to do so it needs to expand to the untapped market of Web2 gamers, for whom the concept of gas fees may pose considerable friction. David Shin, Head of Global Group, Klaytn Foundation, said ” With our vision to enable an open metaverse for all, Klaytn aims to build a dynamic gaming ecosystem that allows players to truly own their in-game assets. Through our gas fee rebate program, we hope to provide more players with opportunities to explore the wonders of Web3 gaming.” About Klaytn Klaytn is a public blockchain focused on the metaverse, gamefi, and the creator economy. Officially launched in June 2019, it is the dominant blockchain platform in South Korea and is now undergoing global business expansion from its international base in Singapore, led by the Klaytn Foundation. These business expansion activities are supported by the Klaytn Growth Fund, which aims to grow the ecosystem of companies built on Klaytn. The fund is managed and disbursed by Klaytn Foundation, a non-profit organization to accelerate global adoption and ecosystem maturity on Klaytn. Since unveiling its metaverse roadmap in early 2022, the Ethereum-equivalent L1 chain has seen many well-known companies come on board its metaverse—including game developer and publishing powerhouses: Netmarble, and Neowiz. It recently ramped up efforts to lay the foundation for the metaverse and to expand use cases. Find out more at https://klaytn.foundation/ To apply for Klaytn’s gas fee rebate program, apply here. SOURCE Klaytn Foundation

‘I Would Be Fair, But It Would Be Difficult’: Jury Selection Starts In Oath Keepers Jan. 6 Seditious Conspiracy Trial – Law & Crime https://collincountynewsonline.com/i-would-be-fair-but-it-would-be-difficult-jury-selection-starts-in-oath-keepers-jan-6-seditious-conspiracy-trial-law-crime/ Left-Right: Stewart Rhodes, Jessica Watkins, Thomas Caldwell, Kenneth Harrelson, Kelly Meggs. (Image of Rhodes via the Collin County, Texas Jail; other images via FBI court filings.) Jury selection in the trial of five people charged with plotting to block the peaceful transition of presidential power on Jan. 6, 2021, began Tuesday, with some jurors expressing outright bias both against and in favor of the defendants. Stewart Rhodes, Jessica Watkins, Kenneth Harrelson, Thomas Caldwell, and Kelly Meggs had the chance to face the people who will ultimately decide their case, as U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta brought 29 potential jurors in for questioning Tuesday. The five defendants are the first group to be tried for seditious conspiracy in connection with the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, when Donald Trump supporters angry over the incumbent’s loss to Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election forced their way inside the building and temporarily forced a halt to Congress’ certification of the electoral votes. Four co-defendants — Roberto Minuta, Joseph Hackett, David Moerschel, and Edward Vallejo — are scheduled to go to trial in November. On Tuesday, Mehta started making his way through individual questioning of 121 potential jurors. Over the course of the day, the judge, prosecutors, and defense counsel had the chance to vet 29 people; Mehta would ultimately dismiss 12 of them. To the extent that defense lawyers — who have repeatedly asserted that a D.C. jury wouldn’t be fair — anticipated a cavalcade of Washington residents hostile to their clients on Tuesday, some jurors didn’t disappoint. “There weren’t many protests I didn’t attend in Washington, D.C. during the Trump administration, inauguration day,” the first would-be juror explained when asked to expand upon his affirmative response to a question about whether he had attended any rallies or protests in the past five years. The juror also said that he felt fear for the country as he watched the chaos unfold that day and compared it to the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington. Mehta dismissed him from the jury pool. “I strongly believe [Jan. 6] was an insurrection led by right-wingers to reverse a free and fair election,” another potential juror said, before telling Mehta she did not believe she’d be able to put her personal beliefs aside. She was also dismissed from the jury pool. “I live in Washington, D.C., and this is my home, and I feel like they invaded my home,” another juror said before Mehta dismissed him. “I would be fair, but it would be difficult,” one would-be juror who had attended rallies in support of upholding abortion rights established in Roe v. Wade said when asked if she felt she could be impartial in judging people who may have different political views from her. “I believe some political parties are unfair. I tend to think that they are racist, and I am a Black woman.” Moments later, she made her views even clearer, using the phrase “neo Nazis” to describe people who attend Trump rallies. Despite expressing a fondness for criminal defense attorneys — her father is one — none of the defendants’ lawyers objected when Mehta said he would dismiss her from the jury pool. Whoever gets selected for the jury, they will not likely hear allegations that the Oath Keepers is an organization that espouses white supremacist views.  After Caldwell attorney David Fischer raised concerns about a potential juror — a woman of Asian-American descent who told Mehta that her family had at one point been targeted with “racially-charged incidents” — Mehta emphatically said that no evidence of the Oath Keepers being a white supremacist organization would be allowed at trial “unless a reason I cannot think of” arises. One juror, however, indicated that he was inclined to favor the defendants. Early on during his questioning, the man — who said he is a lawyer himself — complained that those accused with crimes in connection with Jan. 6 were facing significantly harsher sentences than people who, according to him, were “destroying buildings” and tearing down statues during protests following the 2020 death of George Floyd Jr.  He complained that the FBI has “rounded up 800 people” in its expansive prosecution of those allegedly involved in Jan. 6 and signaled that he didn’t want to be a part of it. “If you see there’s going to be a travesty and you’re going to be a part of it and say [prosecutors] proved the predicated elements of the case . . . it wouldn’t assuage my conscience,” the man said. Mehta dismissed him from the jury pool. Neither the prosecutors nor defense attorneys objected. Other indicia of support for Jan. 6 defendants could be seen in the courtroom Tuesday:  Nicole Reffitt — the wife of Guy Reffitt, a member of the Three Percenter militia group who was the first Jan. 6 defendant to be convicted by a jury — made a brief appearance, while another person in the courtroom was seen wearing a t-shirt that appeared to express support for Timothy Hale-Cusanelli, a Nazi sympathizer who was sentenced Tuesday to four years behind bars for his role in the Jan. 6 siege. Rhodes, whose recent efforts to delay his trial date have been thwarted by Mehta, has compared his trial to those in notoriously oppressive regimes. “It’d be like being tried in Putin’s Russia right now, or in China,” Stewart told right-wing online host Joe Oltmann on Monday, adding that he believes that the jury pool in Washington is “hostile” to him and his co-defendants. Oltmann, a Colorado-based conservative activist and businessman, was accused in a defamation lawsuit brought by the head of security for Dominion Voting Systems in connection with baseless claims of vote tampering in the 2020 presidential election. Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance Announces Travel Guide Preparations – FingerLakes1.com https://collincountynewsonline.com/finger-lakes-tourism-alliance-announces-travel-guide-preparations-fingerlakes1-com/ For 72 years, the narrative of what makes the Finger Lakes region a top-tier vacation destination has been carefully crafted by Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance – One of America’s longest-continually operating destination marketing organizations. Since 1951, the Finger Lakes Regional Travel Guide has helped travelers from across the globe find themselves in the Finger Lakes by featuring partner destinations that include lodging, dining, attractions, local services, shopping and seasonal activities. Now, the organization is gearing up to publish its 72nd consecutive annual edition, and encourages any tourism-reliant or hospitality-based business to reach out and be highlighted. “It’s an honor and a pleasure to be on the front lines of informing and welcoming visitors to the region with the most representative information available and to continue the legacy of ensuring that future generations find a reason to fall in love with the Finger Lakes,” said FLTA President Cindy Kimble. This year, the public can participate in helping FLTA showcase the best the region has to offer by sending in pictures of their own Finger Lakes adventures to be considered for the cover of the publication. Just email photos to jasonj@fingerlakes.org before Oct. 10, 2022, or share them via our Instagram and Facebook pages. In 2022, 100,000 copies of the travel guide reached visitors in the United States and Canada and online copies received over 10,000 views from visitors on every continent except Antarctica. New copies will begin reaching prospective visitors in by February 2023. Businesses interested in being featured should contact our office at 315-536-7488, or by emailing hopeb@fingerlakes.org – Copy must be received by Nov. 1, 2022 to publish. Get the latest headlines delivered to your inbox each morning. Sign up for our Morning Edition to start your day. FL1 on the Go! Download the free FingerLakes1.com App for Android (All Android Devices) or iOS (iPhone, iPad). FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to news@fingerlakes1.com.

AP Top Business News At 10:24 P.m. EDT – WTMJ https://collincountynewsonline.com/ap-top-business-news-at-1024-p-m-edt-wtmj/ AP Top Business News at 10:24 p.m. EDT  WTMJ

Community Briefs: SRVHS Homecoming Parade | Durga Puja Celebration | Tony Lindsay Performing In San Ramon | ‘A Cannabis Affair’ – Danvillesanramon.com https://collincountynewsonline.com/community-briefs-srvhs-homecoming-parade-durga-puja-celebration-tony-lindsay-performing-in-san-ramon-a-cannabis-affair-danvillesanramon-com/ Durga Puja A weekend of festivities are scheduled in San Ramon this weekend in honor of the Indian holiday Durga Puja. The local cultural program and celebration, hosted by the nonprofit Agomoni, is set for Friday through Sunday (Sept. 30 to Oct. 2) at Central Park in San Ramon, with a weekend full of dance, music and cultural insight. The program gets underway at 7 p.m. on Friday. More information is available here. Tony Lindsay performance The next installment of the San Ramon Library Foundation Jazz Series is set to feature Tony Lindsay — best known as the lead singer for Santana for the past decade — and friends for an evening concert at San Ramon’s Main Library. The 11-time Grammy winner is set to take the stage for a jazz, soul and blues performance at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday (Oct. 1). More information and tickets are available here. ‘A Cannabis Affair’ The local chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) is joining forces with the Rossmoor Compassion Society for an event focused on cannabis and healthy living. “A Cannabis Affair” is aimed at providing education about incorporating marijuana into well-being practices with assorted wellness activities including massage and yoga along with art, music, and marijuana vendors In addition, the event will offer attendees information about how to get marijuana convictions expunged as well as the presentation of the group’s Cannabis Justice Award to Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton for her office’s efforts to automatically expunging 3,264 prior cannabis convictions. “Almost 282,000 CoCo voters — that’s 61% — marked their 2016 ballots for cannabis legalization,” said Nate Landau, executive director of the Contra Costa NORML chapter. “Yet, there is not a single storefront dispensary in Walnut Creek, Orinda, Moraga or Lafayette, where every single precinct voted yes. I’m most excited about the noon political roundtable, which will be a spark for change. This community is going to build a vibrant cannabis culture here with diverse small businesses and social spaces,” said Nate Landau, executive director of the CoCo NORML chapter. The free event on Saturday (Oct. 1) is open to those age 21 years old or older, and is hosted at the Rossmoor Senior Community in Walnut Creek. More information is available here.

Sports Planner For Wednesday – The Republic https://collincountynewsonline.com/sports-planner-for-wednesday-the-republic-2/ COMING UP Indianapolis Colts Sunday vs. Titans, 1 p.m. (FOX) Oct. 6 at Broncos, 8:15 p.m. (Prime Video) Oct. 16 vs. Jaguars, 1 p.m. (CBS) Indiana University football Saturday at Nebraska, 7:30 p.m. (BTN) Oct. 8 vs. Michigan, Noon (TBA) Oct. 15 vs. Maryland, (TBA) Purdue football Saturday at Minnesota, Noon (ESPN2) Oct. 8 at Maryland, Noon (TBA) Oct. 15 vs. Nebraska, Noon (TBA) Notre Dame football Oct. 8 at BYU, 7:30 p.m. (NBC/Peacock) Oct. 15 vs. Stanford, 7:30 p.m. (NBC/Peacock) Oct. 22 vs. UNLV, 2:30 p.m. (Peacock) Cincinnati Reds Today at Pirates, 12:35 p.m. (Bally Sports Indiana/MLB) Friday at Cubs, 2:20 p.m. (Bally Sports Indiana) Saturday at Cubs, 2:20 p.m. (Bally Sports Indiana) Indianapolis Indians Today at Columbus, 6:15 p.m. Indy Eleven Today at Atlanta United FC2, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN+) Saturday vs. FC Tulsa, 7 p.m. (ESPN+/WNDY) Oct. 8 vs. Charleston Battery, 7 p.m. (ESPN+/WNDY) NASCAR Sunday at Talladega, Ala., 2 p.m. (NBC) Oct. 9 at Charlotte, N.C., 2 p.m. (NBC) Oct. 16 at Las Vegas, 2:30 p.m. (NBC) HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS TODAY Volleyball Whiteland at Edinburgh in Johnson County Tournament, 6:45 p.m. Greensburg at Hauser, 7:30 p.m. Boys soccer Hauser at Henryville, 5:30 p.m. Girls soccer Madison at Jennings County, 5:30 p.m. Boys tennis Columbus East vs. Edinburgh in Columbus North Sectional, 4:30 p.m. Jennings County vs. Madison in Jennings Sectional, 5 p.m. SPORTS ON TV TODAY Women’s college volleyball Iowa at Indiana, 7 p.m. (BTN) South Carolina at Georgia, 7 p.m. (ESPNU) Ohio State at Michigan, 7 p.m. (FS1) Pittsburgh at Virginia, 8 p.m. (ACC) Mississippi State at Auburn, 8 p.m. (SEC) Northwestern at Minnesota, 9 p.m. (BTN) Baylor at Iowa State, 9 p.m. (ESPN2) FIBA women’s basketball World Cup: U.S. vs. Serbia, Quarterfinal, 10 p.m. (ESPNU) Horse racing NYRA: America’s Day at the Races, 12:30 p.m. (FS2) MLB Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, 12:30 p.m. (Bally Sports Indiana/MLB) Yankees at Blue Jays or Braves at Nationals, 7 p.m. (MLB) NHL Preseason: Capitols at Flyers, 7 p.m. (NHL) Preseason: Avalanche at Golden Knights, 10 p.m. (NHL) Tennis Seoul-ATP, Tel Aviv-ATP, Sofia-ATP, Parma-WTA, Tallinn-WTA Early Rounds, 6 a.m. (Tennis) Seoul-ATP, Tel Aviv-ATP, Sofia-ATP, Tallinn-WTA Early Rounds; Parma-WTA Quarterfinals, 11 p.m. today and 6 a.m. Thursday (Tennis)

Navigating The New ECommerce Landscape – September 2022 – PYMNTS.com https://collincountynewsonline.com/navigating-the-new-ecommerce-landscape-september-2022-pymnts-com/ Navigating The New eCommerce Landscape: Modernizing Payments For Marketplaces, Gaming, The Metaverse And Beyond For Marketplaces and Metaverses, Smooth Payments Mandatory Managing cross-border payments is critical for businesses in the metaverse — and that starts with choosing the right tools in the real world. “Navigating The New eCommerce Landscape: Modernizing Payments For Marketplaces, Gaming, The Metaverse And Beyond” explores the difficulties impacting companies’ global payments management and how the right solutions can catapult growth. Inside the September Playbook Digital Agility: Businesses need agile consumer payment tools to stay competitive in the metaverse Virtually Necessary: The new eCommerce landscape requires seamless payments in every virtual environment Microtransactions: Access to a powerful banking infrastructure is key to adapting payments strategies to the metaverse

Area Resident’s Classic Album Review: Pink Floyd | Ummagumma – Tinnitist https://collincountynewsonline.com/area-residents-classic-album-review-pink-floyd-ummagumma-tinnitist/ When you have a favourite band, sometimes you have records of theirs which you rarely play and don’t enjoy thoroughly enough to spin. I’ve had a love affair with Pink Floyd since 1985 or so. I have all the albums, but there are a few which rarely get played anymore. Still, not only would I never part with them — I’d even consider buying a special edition. It’s an illness. 1969’s Ummagumma is one such album. This was Pink Floyd’s fourth release — a two-record set with both a live album and a studio album. Their previous release was the spotty soundtrack from the film More. Their next project — Atom Heart Mother — would be their first gold record. Ummagumma has gone gold, technically, but that didn’t happen until 1974 and was the direct result of Dark Side Of The Moon’s success. The first thing to notice is the excellent live album begins with the same version of Astronomy Domine as on 1973’s A Nice Pair — a repackaging of the first two albums. Curious. I have no idea why this was done. There could be three reasons: They messed up; they didn’t want to pay former bandleader and principal songwriter Syd Barrett performance royalties; or they preferred this version. No question about it, the live version is incredible. The Ummagumma and A Nice Pair version features the group, but primarily David Gilmour singing the atypical Barrett masterpiece. The live tracks were recorded April 27, 1969 (my father’s 42nd birthday) at Mothers Club in Birmingham. Mothers was a second-floor venue above a pair of shops. Formerly a furniture store and then the Carlton Ballroom, it closed in March 1971. Filling out the rest of Side 1 on Ummagumma is the moody and explosive concert staple Careful With That Axe, Eugene. The song, which was the flipside of single Point Me At The Sky, was never on a studio album. It was issued on the 1971 compilation Relics. Originally called Beset By Creatures Of The Deep, Floyd re-performed the song as Come In Number 51, Your Time Is Up for the Zabriskie Point soundtrack in 1970. There’s quite a good live rendition of it in the 1972 French film Pink Floyd at Pompeii. The Ummagumma version is the best one — brooding, gloomy and chill until midway, when the title phrase is spoken by Roger Waters. “Careful, careful… careful with that axe, Eugene,” he says, followed by one of his inimitable long screams, signalling a big drum fill and an extended, explosive jam. It rounds out an absolutely unimpeachable first side of the album. Side 2 begins with another concert staple — one which Waters still performs. Truthfully, as much as teenaged me loved playing the main bass riff, Set The Controls For The Heart of The Sun is boring. Originally released on Floyd’s sophomore album A Saucerful Of Secrets, it lumbers along with the type of tiresome, whispered lyrics found in abundance on the More soundtrack. The song would be more effective at twice the speed, or covered by Portishead. But fans love it. I don’t smoke weed, so what do I know? Next (and last) on the live album is the epic Saucerful Of Secrets. Originally titled The Massed Gadgets Of Hercules, the song is broken down into four main sections: Something Else, Syncopated Pandemonium, Storm Signal and Celestial Voices. I’ll break it down for you — it means four minutes of moody malleted cymbals and chimes, followed by a quick, cool drum pattern with squealing guitar and percussion for three minutes, then it chills out for a minute and a half before the final section, which is the best part — a gorgeous Rick Wright organ and Mellotron progression with Gilmour singing the wordless melody overtop. For me, it’s a bit much. Epic, self-indulgent and not musical enough until the final four minutes. The Ummagumma version is just shy of 13 minutes. Seeing it performed is better than hearing it. You can do that, once again, via Pink Floyd At Pompeii. So, the live album is 50/50 for me. Side 1 is amazing. But even though the two tracks on Side 2 are bona fide classic psychedelic Floyd, I don’t ever need to hear them again. On to the studio album … goddamnit. Speaking of self-indulgence, the idea here was for each of the four members to conceive and lead something of their own. The results are mostly awful. It begins with Wright’s epic and boring Sysyphus. Curious spelling. The main melody is an ominous, dark death march which mercifully dissolves into a rather pleasant instrumental piano piece before the playing gets erratic and avant-garde. This is where I typically lift the stylus. The next section is similar, sounding like randomly plucked piano strings in time with kindergarten percussion. It’s annoying. Next there’s a Mellotron and organ bit which starts off quiet and gloomy and gets louder & louder before finally, mercifully, returning to the opening death-march theme. It’s bullshit. The next two tracks are Waters’ contributions. First is the lovely Grantchester Meadows, named after a green space in their hometown of Cambridge. It’s the best song on the studio album. It’s followed by an insane show-and-tell track, the wonderfully named Several Species Of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together In A Cave And Grooving With A Pict. The “song” has two parts — the beginning is a bunch of simulated rodent and animal sounds, microphone tapping and clicking accompanied by a sort of psychedelic beat-boxing — all performed by Waters. If that wasn’t bonkers enough, it devolves into the final bit — Waters shouting in an exaggerated Scottish burr. I can’t help but wonder what producer Norman Smith made of all this. It’s well-known that while he was The Beatles’ engineer, John Lennon used to call him Normal Smith. So of course when Smith wrote an autobiography he called it John Lennon Called Me Normal. Sigh. This was the last album he produced for the Floyd, for whom he actually has one performance credit — drums on Remember A Day, from Saucerful Of Secrets. Just as producer Jimmy Miller did on The Rolling Stones’ You Can’t Always Get What You Want, Smith stepped in to help a frustrated Nick Mason. Speaking of Mason, Side 4 of Ummagumma features his heinous songwriting contribution to the album — the pretentious, three-part Grand Vizier’s Garden Party. A Vizier, in case you’re wondering, was the highest-ranking political advisor to the Pharaoh in ancient Egypt. The song, which closes out the album, begins with a flute introduction before we are subjected to several minutes of amateur timpani playing. Or, what seems like timpani playing — tuning up and down of some sort of drum — accompanied by cymbal crashes and other toms, the playful tapping of a wood block and lord knows what else — absolutely drenched in reverb to sound like it was performed in a concrete silo. Eat your hearts out, Great Lake Swimmers. It descends into a raucous overdubbing of drum fills before returning to the flutes for the outro. The last side begins with Gilmour’s contribution, the frustrating The Narrow Way. And, of course, it has three parts. I actually really like this piece. It opens with a cool backward effect before jumping right into a soundtrack-sounding multi-tracked acoustic guitar piece with slide overdubs, once again sopping with reverb. Part 2 is a villain-sounding instrumental electric guitar riff set to a jungle beat. This again could be in a soundtrack, perhaps for a monster movie aimed at kids. A giant lizard perhaps. This eventually devolves into noise before Part 3 begins: The only song on the record which sounds like Pink Floyd. Well, 69-72 era soundtrack Floyd. It features an excellent lead vocal by Gilmour and some wonderfully sloppy and loud drum fills. It would have benefitted from a soaring Gilmour guitar solo, but he wasn’t really doing those yet. Nonetheless, this is how the album should have closed. The live album is 4/5 stars, the studio album is 2/5 — so, 3/5 altogether.

Russian Exchanges Ready To Launch International Crypto Payments, Lawmaker Reveals – Exchanges Bitcoin News – Bitcoin News https://collincountynewsonline.com/russian-exchanges-ready-to-launch-international-crypto-payments-lawmaker-reveals-exchanges-bitcoin-news-bitcoin-news/ The largest exchanges in Russia are ready to begin operating with cryptocurrencies right after authorities legalize cross-border settlements in crypto, according to a leading member of the Russian parliament. The stock and commodity trading platforms in Moscow and St. Petersburg are working to develop this market, the high-ranking official added. Russia’s Top Exchanges Waiting for Moscow’s Green Light on Cryptocurrency Payments Major Russian exchanges are prepared to start working with cryptocurrencies as soon as government institutions create the legal conditions for crypto settlements, the head of the Financial Market Committee at the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, has announced. Moscow Exchange, St. Petersburg Exchange, and the St. Petersburg International Commodity Exchange are actively working to develop the market and are ready to immediately get involved in the process, since the infrastructure is already there, Anatoly Aksakov said in an interview with Parlamentskaya Gazeta, the official newspaper of the Federal Assembly. Also quoted by the crypto news outlets Bits.media and RBC Crypto, the Russian deputy pointed out that legislation designed to regulate the matter is currently being discussed. The necessary bills can be adopted as early as November, the lawmaker indicated. Russia turned its attention to cryptocurrencies as a way to circumvent financial restrictions imposed by the West over its military invasion of Ukraine. The Russian government now views them as a tool that can ensure uninterrupted cross-border payments. In mid-September, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin ordered the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Russia to elaborate by December a joint position on the federal legislation needed to regulate the issuance and circulation of digital coins, including their mining and use in international settlements. Last week, news came out that the two regulators have already reached a general agreement on a bill authorizing the employment of cryptocurrency in foreign trade deals. Russian media reports also unveiled that financial authorities in Moscow are already developing a mechanism to facilitate such crypto payments. Tags in this story commodity exchange, cross-border payments, cross-border settlements, Crypto, crypto payments, Cryptocurrencies, Cryptocurrency, Exchanges, international settlements, moex, moscow exchange, Payments, Russia, russian, Settlements, stock exchanges Do you expect Russia to quickly adopt laws allowing the use of cryptocurrencies in cross-border settlements? Share your thoughts on the subject in the comments section below. Lubomir Tassev Lubomir Tassev is a journalist from tech-savvy Eastern Europe who likes Hitchens’s quote: “Being a writer is what I am, rather than what I do.” Besides crypto, blockchain and fintech, international politics and economics are two other sources of inspiration. Image Credits: Shutterstock, Pixabay, Wiki Commons Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a direct offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation or endorsement of any products, services, or companies. Bitcoin.com does not provide investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Neither the company nor the author is responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in this article.

U.S. VP Harris To Push Against China’s Taiwan Policy In Japan Speech – Reuters https://collincountynewsonline.com/u-s-vp-harris-to-push-against-chinas-taiwan-policy-in-japan-speech-reuters/ TOKYO, Sept 28 (Reuters) – U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to take aim at China’s actions toward Taiwan during a speech on Wednesday to American sailors serving in Japan. Harris’ trip to Asia comes days after Chinese officials were roiled by U.S. President Joe Biden’s explicit pledge to defend the Chinese-claimed island. “She will get into threats to the international rules-based order and how she sees them,” including recent provocations across the Taiwan Strait, said a senior administration official, who declined to be identified, previewing Harris’ remarks. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com “She will speak about that and what we are doing to push back against those efforts and stand up for the international rules and norms that have guided this region.” Harris will speak during a visit to the largest overseas U.S. Naval installation in the world at Yokosuka, outside of Tokyo. The base is home to 24,000 military and civilian workers, as well as the USS Ronald Reagan, an aircraft carrier currently in South Korea to participate in joint drills meant to deter North Korea. Harris will visit the demilitarized zone separating the Koreas on Thursday. China says democratically ruled Taiwan is one of its provinces. Beijing has long vowed to bring Taiwan under its control and has not ruled out the use of force to do so. Taiwan’s government strongly objects to China’s sovereignty claims and says only the island’s 23 million people can decide its future. In the wake of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in August, China carried out its largest-ever military exercises around the island. Aides said Harris would work on a unified approach to that challenge within the region, where leaders have warily watched rising tensions between Washington and Beijing. Biden is expected to hold his first face-to-face meeting as president with China’s Xi Jinping during November’s Group of 20 meeting in Indonesia. Harris was in Japan, Washington’s closest regional ally, to lead Biden’s bipartisan U.S. delegation to the state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who nudged the country away from the pacifist doctrine it adopted after being defeated in World War Two. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt in Tokyo; Editing by Mary Milliken and Josie Kao Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Apple Drops IPhone Production Increase Plans As Demand Falters – Bloomberg News – Devdiscourse https://collincountynewsonline.com/apple-drops-iphone-production-increase-plans-as-demand-falters-bloomberg-news-devdiscourse/ Reuters | Updated: 28-09-2022 07:08 IST | Created: 28-09-2022 07:08 IST Apple Inc is dropping plans to increase the production of its new iPhones this year after an anticipated surge in demand failed to materialize, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday. Apple did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for a comment. (This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) READ MORE ON: Apple Inc iPhones

Casino CFOs Optimistic, Gaming Supplier Stocks Look Interesting – Casino.Org News https://collincountynewsonline.com/casino-cfos-optimistic-gaming-supplier-stocks-look-interesting-casino-org-news/ Posted on: September 27, 2022, 09:00h.  Last updated on: September 27, 2022, 09:00h. Casino industry chief financial officers (CFOs) are mostly optimistic, but a strong dollar could be a drag on other gaming companies, says a sell-side analyst. PlayAGS slot machines. An analyst is bullish on some gaming supplier stocks. (Image: PlayAGS) In a report to clients today, Roth Capital analyst Edward Engel noted recent conversations with financial bosses of casino operators were constructive and could augur well for capital return plans in 2023. Not only are gaming dividends/buy-backs at decade highs, but based on our conversations operators are pressing on with CapEx initiatives,” wrote the analyst. “We believe this creates a supportive backdrop for 2023 slot sales/placements, as well as casino floor investments like cashless gaming and tech that better captures player data/analytics.” Share repurchase programs are the capital return effort of choice in the industry as only a scant amount of casino operators restored and grew dividends following the start of the coronavirus pandemic. As for demand trends, those remain sturdy, particularly on the Las Vegas Strip. Engel added North American gross gaming revenue (GGR) in August likely tracked 1% to 2% ahead of the year earlier period. Supplier Recovery Is Notable Among the lessons learned by casino operators amid multi-month shutdowns in 2020 is that efficiencies and margins matter. An obvious result of that is a renewed emphasis on higher margin gaming offerings – namely slot machines. Now, a potentially lengthy slot upgrade cycle is underway with possible benefits in store for suppliers such as Everi (NYSE:EVRI), Inspired Entertainment (NASDAQ:INSE) and PlayAGS (NYSE:AGS). Engel has “buy” ratings on that trio as well as Bragg Gaming Group (NASDAQ:BRAG). “Gaming suppliers have largely recovered to pre-COVID levels, where industry unit sales and installed bases have either recovered or exceeded 2019. In 2Q22, industry unit sales reached 95% of 2Q19 levels, vs a 90% recovery in 1Q22,” said the analyst. “Meanwhile, the North American installed base is +2% on a two-year basis, as new casino openings and a reacclerating replacement cycle grow the market. With CFOs remaining confident ahead of a strong pipeline of upcoming new openings/expansions, we expect further growth for gaming suppliers in 2023.” Last month, Inspired Entertainment offered $10 a share in cash for AGS, valuing the target at $370 million. Those discussions ultimately fell apart. Strong Dollar Headwinds Thanks to five interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve with more on the way, the US dollar is clobbering other major currencies this year and that’s a drag on companies that convert sales in greenbacks back to the currencies of their home countries. As Engel points Bragg (euro) and Inspired (British pound) are among the gaming companies contending with exchange rate hurdles. He lowered his price target on Inspired to $16 from $19. “Global iGaming operators reported mixed 2Q22 results; however, B2B suppliers grew alongside newly regulated markets like the U.S. Specifically, companies like BRAG and INSE delivered double-digit iGaming growth as they chip away market share from industry leaders. That said, FX headwinds in Europe offset some growth in 2H22 and 2023,” concluded the analyst.

Could You Easily Survive A Spine Tingling Stay In Turkey Texas? – Mix941kmxj.com https://collincountynewsonline.com/could-you-easily-survive-a-spine-tingling-stay-in-turkey-texas-mix941kmxj-com/ It’s unassuming on the outside. Hotel Turkey looks like any other old hotel you would find in a small rural community. Some believe that Hotel Turkey has a lot more to it than what meets the eye. Think you could easily survive a spine tingling stay in Turkey, Texas? The Haunted Hotel In Turkey, Texas Turkey is a pretty small town. Like many small rural towns, it is full of charm that hearkens back to a time that has long since passed. I grew up in a town a lot like that. Old buildings were never torn down or changed. It kept the history alive. Apparently, the history is very much alive…so to speak…at Hotel Turkey. According to legend, it’s got a lot of history still roaming around. Disembodied Voices And A Lady In The Hall There are all kinds of stories out there if you go digging. There’s everything from doors opening and closing on their own, to a shadowy woman lurking the halls. If you’re lucky, or unlucky depending on how you feel about it, you’ll notice her just out of the corner of your eye. But that’s not where the real action is. Check Out Room Number 7 Supposedly this is the room where the most action is. A lot of people claim to have heard things or have had lights flicker while in Room 7. It seems to be the hot spot in Hotel Turkey. With all of the stories coming out of Hotel Turkey, it makes you wonder what’s going on. As old as it is, it isn’t hard to imagine that there might be a bit of history roaming the halls or hanging out in Room 7. Digging through videos and comment threads, the one thing people mention the most is the breakfast. At least from what I’ve seen. Maybe the ghosts aren’t that problematic. The Legendary Stories Behind These Six Weird Texas Town Names It’s no secret that Texas is home to some pretty strange town names. While the names of these places are strange enough on their own, sometimes the story behind the name is even stranger. Teeny Tiny Towns of the Texas Panhandle Don’t blink! You just might miss these TINY towns that are dotted around the Texas Panhandle. Some of these are unincorporated communities and some of these are just plain ol’ small! Either way, these teensy weensy tiny towns and their populations will make you say “wow” (and maybe even squint and say “that’s all!?”). Check them out: Check Out These Photos Of Ghost Towns On The High Plains Ghost towns dot the landscape of the Texas panhandle, Western Oklahoma, and the Oklahoma panhandle. The best part? They’re all within driving distance. Go take a look for yourself.

A Lifetime Of Moments, Part Two – Warwick Beacon https://collincountynewsonline.com/a-lifetime-of-moments-part-two-warwick-beacon/ For my obituary, I want to be remembered for the small moments which have accumulated to form my life’s mosaic.  Hubby and I married when we were young, and, characteristically, got married over the October holiday so we would have the extra Monday off for our honeymoon in the cape before returning to our jobs.  Later that year, while visiting a friend who lived in Hollywood, California, I was chosen to be on the game show “All Star Secrets”, with Bob Eubanks as the host.  The premise included a panel of four “stars” and a disclosed secret.  The panelists, including me wearing a bright yellow shirt and broad grin, would have to guess which star the secret was about.  Having watched the show, I knew that the secret always belonged to the least likely candidate. The winning question was something like “This star always felt awkward as a child and did not socialize well.” The anti-answer was staring me in the face, Jed Allen, a star of the soap opera “The Days of our Lives” who appeared to be very sociable and graceful.  Of course, everyone was amazed that a man of his stature had ever felt awkward, and I won the show, which included a fifteen-day trip to five islands of Hawaii and $2600 in cash. It was this trip which Hubby and I used as our honeymoon, and we enjoyed every ocean wave, waterfall, luau, and volcanic tour made available to us.  Traveling the country, which was done as a child, morphed into international travel with my mother after my father passed away.  To him, traveling meant driving the Volkswagen van on the small, windy roads across America.  To my mother, it meant being on foreign soil truly experiencing a different culture, and I was glad to help her spend her money to do so.  (It appears that my father’s cheapness his whole life resulted in a hefty sum left over in their bank account once he passed away.)  On our first trip to Guatemala, we stayed in a village inn in Chichicastenango.  Although there was no electricity, we were provided a “manservant” who stood outside our door to light the candles and provide heated bath water.  My mother and I giggled at the thought of such a thing but did feel safe from the marauders who may have been cavorting outside our windows.  On a later trip to Costa Rica, where we stayed at a non-commercialized resort, we had great fun trying to fit in with the locals who had come to the area for a vacation.  Without either of us speaking a word of Spanish, we pointed to the foods we wanted in the Costa Rican buffet, boiled rabbit, gallo pinto (white rice and black beans sauteed in oil with diced onions, sweet peppers, and coriander,) fried plantains, and arroz con pollo, (sauteed rice with shredded chicken and diced vegetables.) On that trip, we went white water rafting, with my mom fully clothed in long pants, socks, sweatshirt, and jacket which became drenched in river. (I have a picture of her looking like a wet rat.) On a trip to England to get son, Francis settled at Cambridge University, my mother and I stood outside Buckingham Palace, in the rain, and she poked me in the eye with her umbrella, all caught by the camera. This confirmed my previously irrational fear that an umbrella could poke me in the eye.  (Fortunately, contrary to my phobia, I did NOT lose an eye.) I got to travel to Belize with my mom and family, and we almost lost son Steven to the alligators behind the ill-fitting fence meant to contain them at the “zoo”.  On a hike up to a shrine in Nicaragua the tour guide warned of impending possible mountain lion attacks.  Exhausted on the uphill trail, my mother lamented, “I hope one attacks me just so I can lay down”. Global travel with my mom defined my adulthood. These enriching, always enjoyable journeys into other countries taught me about the sanctity of life. Seeing that many of the residents we encountered were dirt poor, yet happy and sociable, confirmed that it is not the quantity and quality of possessions that makes one happy.