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Will Crypto Leaders Polygon And Polkadot Be Surpassed By New Gaming Token Moshnake – Tekedia https://collincountynewsonline.com/will-crypto-leaders-polygon-and-polkadot-be-surpassed-by-new-gaming-token-moshnake-tekedia/ In recent weeks, the upcoming BNB Smart Chain (BNB) based asset, Moshnake Token (MSH), has become the subject of interest within the cryptocurrency industry. Moshnake Token (MSH) is the native cryptocurrency of Moshnake, a play-to-earn NFT crypto gaming platform inspired by the popular Nokia Snake game. The token is an integral part of the Moshnake ecosystem and is essential to achieving its goal of delivering a nostalgic gaming experience to the crypto gaming community with the added incentive of countless rewards. As a BNB Smart Chain (BNB) based asset, Moshnake Token (MSH) features low transaction fees and fast transaction speeds that make it ideal for interaction within the cryptocurrency industry. All indications suggest that the token can become a valuable asset in the current climate. It certainly is one of the most anticipated cryptocurrencies this year. The excitement and anticipation surrounding the Moshnake Token (MSH) have seen it garner comparisons to industry-leading altcoins, such as Polygon (MATIC) and Polkadot (DOT). In this piece, we examine whether Moshnake Token (MSH) has what it takes to surpass Polygon (MATIC) and Polkadot (DOT). Polkadot (DOT) Polkadot (DOT) is a notable open-source, sharded multichain protocol within the cryptocurrency industry that connects and secures a network of specialized blockchain networks. Polkadot (DOT) enables blockchain networks to achieve interoperability and facilitates the cross-chain transfer of any data or asset types, not just tokens. It is a blockchain-based platform that can connect public and private chains, permissionless networks, oracles and future technologies. This manner of operation allows Polkadot (DOT) to become a platform that helps independent blockchains to share information and transactions. Its native cryptocurrency, DOT, facilitates several operations such as staking for operations and security, network governance and interaction between parachains. It is a highly sought-after token available on several crypto platforms, such as Binance, Huobi Global, Coinbase, Kucoin and OKEx. Polygon (MATIC) Polygon (MATIC) is a well-structured, easy-to-use platform for Ethereum (ETH) scaling and infrastructure development. It is a platform that effectively transforms Ethereum (ETH) into a full-fledged multi-chain system or Internet of Blockchains. Polygon (MATIC) possesses the capability to complete up to 65,000 transactions per second (tps) on a single side chain, with a good block confirmation time of fewer than two seconds. Its native cryptocurrency, MATIC, is an integral part of its ecosystem and incentivizes the network. MATIC facilitates several operations on Polygon, such as network governance, payment fees, etc. It is a top 20 cryptocurrency available on several crypto platforms, such as Binance, FTX, Coinbase Pro, Huobi Global and Kucoin. Moshnake Token (MSH) Moshnake Token (MSH) is an upcoming gaming coin that promises fast transaction speeds, low transaction fees, a massive supply, an exciting roadmap and more. The token plays an integral role in a project that seeks to deliver a nostalgic experience to the crypto gaming community. On Moshnake, players will be able to access exclusive features, such as rewards, participation in platform governance, in-game items and much more with the Moshnake Token (MSH). Additionally, the token’s use cases and real-life applications make it an ideal choice for long-term cryptocurrency investments in the current climate. With its presale fast approaching, Moshnake Token (MSH) is attracting a lot of interest from various factions within the industry. The token looks promising and could yield massive returns in the current climate. For more information on the Moshnake token, stay tuned to this space. If you are interested in joining Moshnake, Click Below: Website: https://moshnake.io Telegram: https://t.me/MoshnakeOfficial Twitter: https://twitter.com/moshnakeToken

Faces Of Fall: Sept. 25, 2022 | Sports | News-Gazette.com – News-Gazette https://collincountynewsonline.com/faces-of-fall-sept-25-2022-sports-news-gazette-com-news-gazette/ MABRY BRUHN Monticello girls’ cross-country ➜ Her favorite athlete is … Tara Davis. ➜ Her favorite team is … the St. Louis Cardinals. ➜ If she could attend any one sporting event in person, it would be … the Summer Olympics. ➜ Her favorite sport besides cross-country is … track and field. AARON HENDRON Centennial boys’ cross-country ➜ His favorite athlete is … Ramiz Imtiaz. ➜ His favorite team is … Illinois basketball. ➜ If he could attend any one sporting event in person, it would be … an NCAA basketball final. ➜ His favorite sport besides cross-country is … basketball. ADIN PORTWOOD Milford boys’ golf ➜ His favorite athlete is … Kevin Durant. ➜ His favorite team is … the Chicago Cubs. ➜ If he could attend any one sporting event in person, it would be … the NBA Finals. ➜ His favorite sport besides golf is … basketball. FRANCIE WILLIAMSON St. Thomas More girls’ cross-country ➜ Her favorite athlete is … Allyson Felix. ➜ Her favorite team is … Illinois basketball. ➜ If she could attend any one sporting event in person, it would be … the Olympics. ➜ Her favorite sport besides cross-country is … rowing.

Why Epic Games Partnered With This Metaverse Startup – Bitcoinist https://collincountynewsonline.com/why-epic-games-partnered-with-this-metaverse-startup-bitcoinist/ Per a report from TechEu, a Metaverse startup called Hadean has partnered with gaming giant Epic Games. The London-based company has recently completed a Series A funding round, and it’s ready to expand its operations. Hadean was successfully able to raise $30 million in its round, led by Molten Ventures, and additional support from 2050 Capital, Alumni Ventures, Aster Capital, Entrepreneur First, and others. Epic Games contributed to the round. Epic Games And Hadean Will Push Metaverse To The Next Level In addition, the company will work with Hadean to aid them in the process of growing their metaverse capabilities, with scalable and interoperable features. The startup was founded over 7 years ago with the objective of revolutionizing distributed computing, and the metaverse. The funds obtained via its Series A will be used to create and provide developers and creators with the tools to customize and design unique projects and experiences. Craig Beddis, Hadean Co-Founder and CEO said the following on their objectives and their recent Series A round: We want to bridge physical and virtual worlds – to help us make better decisions and ultimately improve the quality of our lives in the physical world. According to Beddis, the virtual world is limited with low scalability and security. Epic Games, Microsoft, and Meta (formerly Facebook) are investing billions in the Metaverse. Big tech seems to believe that people will conduct most of their daily activities in the virtual world. The Hadean Co-Founder agrees with this idea, but believes companies should provide developers with the tools to create their own projects: The true success and mass adoption of the metaverse will rely on the ease by which creators will be able to build their own experiences at scale, leveraging open and robust metaverse-as-a-service technologies. ETH’s price trends to the downside on the 4-hour chart. Source: ETHUSDT Tradingview Epic Games Invests Billions In The Metaverse Epic Games has been highly supported by digital assets, innovation, and new trends. The company behind hits like Fortnite has raised over $2 billion to “advance” its vision of the Metaverse. The video game company raised the funds via a special round with participation from Sony Group Corporation, and KIRKBI, the company that created the LEGO Group. The companies joined efforts to boost the digital sector, create new forms of social entertainment, and a bridge between the physical and digital worlds. The recent partnership with Hadean and Epic seems to be another step in that direction. At the time of the $2 billion funding announcement, the CEO and Founder of Epic Games, Tim Sweeney said: This investment will accelerate our work to build the metaverse and create spaces where players can have fun with friends, brands can build creative and immersive experiences and creators can build a community and thrive.

Logitech Litra Beam LED Streaming Key Light Improves Your Content With TrueSoft Technology – Gadget Flow https://collincountynewsonline.com/logitech-litra-beam-led-streaming-key-light-improves-your-content-with-truesoft-technology-gadget-flow/ Product Specifications Color Temperature Range 2700–6500K Color Rendering Index 93 CRI Take your content-creating abilities up a notch with the Logitech Litra Beam LED streaming key light. Delivering pro-level quality, it offers TrueSoft technology. This allows you to direct and shape the light, providing pro-quality effects. Overall, it lets you control how your content looks and feels to those watching it. Its beam design, along with its 3-way adjustable desktop stand, lets you create just the right glow by changing the tilt, height, and rotation. Create the mood you want, and you can even pair multiple Litra Beams together depending on the end result you wish to achieve. Whether you want to adjust your lighting before you begin streaming or mid-content-creation, you can do so with this gadget. Rear buttons provide access to 5 brightness and 5 color temperature settings from warm candlelight to cool blue. Moreover, you can enjoy continuous, stepless adjustment through the entire range of 2,700–6.500K. Logitech Litra Beam LED streaming key light improves your content with TrueSoft technology Share it Gadget Flow Rating 9.0/10 Discovered on Sep 25, 2022, 7:00 am EDT Editor’s Quote Use the Logitech G HUB desktop app to adjust brightness, color temperature, and other settings. What is Gadget Flow? Gadget Flow is the original product discovery platform that keeps you up to date with the latest tech, gear, and most incredible crowdfunding campaigns. Reaching over 31 million people per month, we also have iOS and Android apps that support AR and VR for next-level product exploration. Why Use Gadget Flow? We keep you updated with the latest tech product announcements for everything from the newest drones to obscure gaming gadgets. Our team discovers unique products and covers the latest crowdfunding campaigns. Save gadgets to your private or public wish lists, check out our team’s expert reviews, and purchase products directly from trusted sellers. Meet the Team Gadget Flow is headquartered in New York City, and most of our team works remotely from the US and Europe. We are tech enthusiasts who love to learn about new technologies and the latest innovations. Talented individuals who are passionate about the future, we work tirelessly and love to excite you and teach you about advancements in our field. Join Gadget Flow Today Explore the world of Gadget Flow so you know when any new tech launches—anywhere. Create your account using your email or any of our supported third-party logins, such as Google, Apple, and Facebook. 1 Create Wish Lists Sign up to create private and public wish lists that you can share with family and friends. It’s also easy to organize your favorite gadgets into different collections, like gift guides, smart home products you love, and more. 2 Get Product Notifications What do you do when you find a product that you love but aren’t ready to buy? Simply create a notification! Click the three little dots by the buy now button and select Add Reminder to get notified. Receive a reminder when it’s discounted, Black Friday, the next season, or any date you choose. 3 Discover with Watch Now you can discover new products through our video feed. With Gadget Flow Watch, browse through your favorite categories and create playlists. Our endless selection of videos will have you discovering gadgets for hours. See all of our features: Collections Create public or private collections My Feed Create your custom product feed AR/VR/3D Discover our products in VR, AR, and 3D Exlusive Deals New Discounts and deals, daily Watch Find new products through video Brand Pages Follow your favorite brands Notify Me Product reminders or sale reminders Multiple Currencies Browse using your local currency Tech News Stay updated with the latest tech news Our Mission: Help You Find the Best Gadgets We simplify product discovery. This means you can find all the greatest gadgets in record time. As a technology company, our mission since 2012 has been to make it easy for you to discover quality products and stay updated with the latest trends. What Is a Gadget? It’s the gear you can’t live without: the smartphone you constantly check, the camera that goes on every vacation, and the TV for binge-watching and gaming. All the coolest gadgets owe their existence to a new technology that changed it all. What Are the Types of Gadgets? Gadgets include everything from phones like iPhone and VR headsets like Oculus to gaming consoles like PlayStation 5 and robots like Roomba. What Gadgets Are Trending Today? What Are the Top New Tech Trends? Technology evolves every day, and some of the most popular tech trends include AI, robotic process automation, edge computing, quantum computing, virtual reality, blockchain, IoT, 5G, augmented reality, self-driving, big data, machine learning, and voice search.

What Abbott, O’Rourke’s Stances Are On Property Tax Reform – Houston Chronicle https://collincountynewsonline.com/what-abbott-orourkes-stances-are-on-property-tax-reform-houston-chronicle/ After a decade of skyrocketing property taxes in much of Texas, both Gov. Greg Abbott and Democrat Beto O’Rourke are making big promises to cut tax bills if they win in November. Abbott said with projections that Texas is going to have a $27 billion surplus next year, he’s going to use half of that money for property tax relief. That could mean refund checks or buying down local property taxes with state funding to reduce future tax bills. IN-DEPTH: Texans shocked as appraised home values skyrocket “Because this is your money, I want to return at least half of that money to you with the largest property tax cut ever in the history of Texas,” Abbott told a couple of hundred supporters during a speech in Collin County in the Dallas suburbs earlier this month.  But O’Rourke said during a speech in Del Rio just days later that the property tax increases over the last 7 years are rooted in bad budget decisions on schools and health care made by Abbott and Republicans in the Legislature. He said they are responsible for higher property taxes in part because they have short-changed public education by not putting enough state money into schools, which levy the bulk of the property taxes in Texas. That has left school districts having to raise property taxes to fund operations and growing expenses such as teacher pay increases, O’Rourke says. “When I’m governor, the state government will pay what it owes our families in school funding, meaning lower property taxes for all of us,” O’Rourke said. Q&A: Do both spouses need to be 65 to file for a property tax exemption? Here’s what to know. The former El Paso Congressman said he’ll also push to expand Medicaid, which would help pay for the cost of people without insurance who show up to emergency rooms for care. Now, counties and hospital districts pass those costs onto property tax payers in the form of higher rates. He has also said legalizing and taxing marijuana and allowing an expansion of casino gambling in Texas could also generate revenue for the state to lower the pressure on property taxes. The promises are all coming with less than 30 days until the start of in-person early voting on Oct. 24. Election Day is Nov. 8. Voters have heard promises of tax cuts before. For decades, state officials have promised property tax cuts, but have come up short, with measures that provide some relief but not enough to offset the yearly increases homeowners see on their bills.   Meanwhile, the state’s red-hot real estate market keeps pushing home values up, and local agencies trying to cope with the state’s population boom keep raising their property tax collections. Dale Craymer, president of the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association based in Austin, said the state just doesn’t have the kind of influence over local property taxes to assure changes in the system will result in lower tax bills. He compared it to a football game. “The state is not the player on the field,” he said. “The state is the referee. It’s the players that determine the scores.” The players in this case are local governments that set tax rates.  Data from Craymer’s group shows the difficulty homeowners and business owners have faced in Texas. In 2011, statewide Texans paid just over $40 billion in property taxes. By 2015, that grew to over $50 billion and in 2021 it hit a record $73 billion. In 2019, Abbott signed a pair of measures that are supposed to cut school property taxes and also rein in city and county taxes. House Bill 3 essentially limits school tax growth to 2.5 percent, while Senate Bill 2 required cities and counties to limit overall tax growth to 3.5 percent unless they put it to a vote of the people. The state has also increased the size of the homestead exemptions for homeowners, adding another layer of protection from higher tax bills. Craymer said while all the state’s efforts to cut property taxes have provided significant relief, it doesn’t mean everyone is going to see some big tax cut compared to last year’s bill. Without the 2019 legislation, Craymer said property tax collections could have been another $6 billion to $7 billion higher. But the 2019 tax relief that doesn’t help renters much. Non-homesteaded properties and commercial rental units are seeing property tax increases climb even higher than homestead properties. That expense is often passed on through higher rents. Taxes, and blame Abbott, 64, was first elected governor in 2014 and before that was the Texas Attorney general from 2012 to 2014. When asked about property tax increases of 30 to 40 percent in some areas of Texas since he took office, he blames local government. “The state of Texas doesn’t have the authority to levy property taxes,” Abbott said in an interview in Midland. “It’s because local governments have been increasing tax rates.”  But he said it is important for people to remember that the increase in property taxes ultimately means Texans are seeing the values of their homes climb because the state is such a desirable place to live. He called it the “largest form of wealth generation in the history of our state,” since he took office. In past decades, home values stayed relatively flat in Texas with modest gains. But in the last 10 years, the rising property values mean better returns for Texans when it comes time to sell or securing loans against the property. Abbott, a Wichita Falls native, said he knows there is more work to do on taxes and thinks he can lower them even further if voters give him a third 4-year term in office. He said there are two ways he’s looking at using that budget surplus to cut taxes: Rebate checks and another buydown of local taxes, as the Legislature did in 2019.  He said a big priority will be to make sure it’s not just a one-year reduction that results in higher taxes down the road to cover the cuts. Abbott said voters shouldn’t trust O’Rourke on property taxes because of his tenure when he was a city council member in El Paso more than a decade ago. O’Rourke voted for budgets that included higher property taxes at least twice. “He’s the property tax increaser,” Abbott said. “I’m the property tax cutter.” O’Rourke’s campaign says that attack is laughable, given the increases were often tied to state mandates for local governments to raise pay and funding for police and fire services.  In 2007, one of those tax increases was required because the city manager of El Paso at the time warned the city council that without it they would have to slash $10 million from their budget, and wouldn’t have money for raises for police and firefighters. In 2010, another tax increase was largely due to the city trying to cover a shortfall in the public safety pension fund, O’Rourke’s campaign said. O’Rourke, who turns 50 next week, served on the El Paso City Council from 2005 to 2011 before winning a congressional seat in 2012. He served in Congress until 2018 when he ran for the U.S. Senate. Despite Abbott’s promises, O’Rourke says there is no hiding from the fact that property tax bills just keep going up in Texas on Abbott’s watch and he deserves the wrath of voters. He said even worse, Abbott’s failure to protect the electric grid has resulted in higher electricity bills for Texans as utility companies pass on the costs of the deadly 2021 winter storm onto ratepayers. “Abbott isn’t looking out for Texas families,” O’Rourke said. O’Rourke said if he’s governor, one of the first things he’ll do is sign on to help Texas Reps. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, and Hugh Shine, R-Temple, pass legislation to create a constitutional amendment requiring the state to always cover at least 50 percent of maintenance and operation costs for public schools.  But if he’s elected, O’Rourke could be facing a bigger challenge getting measures through the Legislature, which is likely to still be run by Republican majorities in the Texas House and Texas Senate.  For years, proposals to expand Medicaid or legalize marijuana have gotten zero traction in the Texas Senate. Still, O’Rourke told voters in Del Rio that he’s convinced there are Republicans in the Legislature that will help get both done. And he frequently reminds voters that when he was in Congress, Democrats were in the minority, yet he was able to get legislation signed into law by then President Donald Trump. jeremy.wallace@chron.com

A September Soiree: Your Guide To South Africa In The Spring – Times Of India https://collincountynewsonline.com/a-september-soiree-your-guide-to-south-africa-in-the-spring-times-of-india/ Photo courtesy: South Africa Tourism 01 A September soiree: Your guide to South Africa in the spring With blissful weather, September is considered to be one of the best months to visit South Africa. Minimal rain and blue skies make for ideal conditions to explore the length and breadth of the nation. You can go sightseeing, sunbathing, enjoy delicious South African cuisine and participate in over 3000+ adventure activities. The holiday crowd usually dies down during this month and makes for the perfect South African vacation, especially if you want to avoid the rush and enjoy some downtime. Wildlife starts emerging from their winter hideaways and flora begins to flourish with the start of spring season. Besides being the best month to experience world-class wildlife safaris, September also brings with it a plethora of fun cultural events, festivals and above all, spectacular natural phenomena. Take a look at activities and events in South Africa that are best enjoyed in September. Photo courtesy: South Africa Tourism 02 Experience the Namaqualand Flower Bloom One of the most beautiful flower routes in the world, the Namaqualand flower bloom creates a rainbow of spring flowers that fill the South African desert. Every year in September, millions of wildflowers bloom along the coastal desert and arid zones along South Africa’s western coast. This bloom also has a special festival dedicated to it, that takes place during the first week of September – the Namaqualand Flower Festival. The festival gives visitors a chance to camp under the stars, dance in the moonlight, venture on beautiful bush walks, explore nature and soak in the culture of the land. Photo courtesy: South Africa Tourism 03 Swim or snorkel with the sharks Great White Shark spotting is one of the biggest draws to South Africa. No trip to Rainbow Nation can be complete without attempting the hair-raising shark-cage dive! September is the last peak season to get a chance to swim with the sharks as cooler waters draw them closer to the shore. Dare to dive with these majestic inhabitants at KwaZulu-Natal, which is often credited as a hub for shark-cage diving, with shark cage-diving outfits operating out of Durban and from the stunning coral reef – Aliwal Shoal. You could also explore options at Simon’s Town, Mossel Bay, Dyer Island, Seal Island, and Port Elizabeth, among other places. Photo courtesy: South Africa Tourism 04 Commemorate Heritage Month with Inanda Heritage Tour Celebrate the magnificent historic legacy of the Rainbow Nation by taking the Inanda Heritage Tour. The tour takes place in Inanda valley in Durban. Two of the world’s greatest leaders – Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi fought for peace and justice from this valley. Inanda is also known as South Africa’s ‘Cradle of Democracy’. During the tour, not only will you witness South Africa’s revolutionary past but also get a glimpse of India’s history. Some historical sites located in the valley are – Phoenix Settlement, Ohlange Institute, Inanda Seminary, and the Mziyanthi Falls. Photo courtesy: South Africa Tourism 05 Surf in style September is the best time to enjoy surfing in South Africa, as the Roaring Forties provide the best swells during this month. The waves are perfect for surfers to glide! While on an average the waves range from 6-15 feet, you can encounter much bigger waves at certain spots. Overall, the surfing conditions are suitable and desirable. Jeffrey’s Bay, Wild Coast, Dungeons, Victoria Bay, Muizenberg, Stilbaai, Durban and Big Bay are some of the best surfing spots in South Africa. Muizenberg is one of the most famous surfing spots for beginners. It has a large number of surfing schools for those who want to learn. Photo courtesy: South Africa Tourism 06 Whale Watching in Hermanus Whale Festival Hermanus Whale Festival is a must visit festival for all nature enthusiasts. It is the most prestigious annual Eco-Art festival of South Africa. Hermanus is one of the very few places in the world where plenty of Southern Right Whales can be seen so closely. This fabulous event lights up the whole town of Hermanus with its weekend long festivities. This year, the event will officially take place from 30th September to 2nd October. Thousands of whale watchers from all over the world flock to the spectacular coastline. The Hermanus Whale Festival is one of the oldest and largest celebrations in the country. You can enjoy whale watching up close by taking boat trips, sea kayaking or helicopter rides over the ocean. Pack your bags now!

German Leader Continues Gulf Tour With Stops In UAE, Qatar – 69News WFMZ-TV https://collincountynewsonline.com/german-leader-continues-gulf-tour-with-stops-in-uae-qatar-69news-wfmz-tv/ If you know of local business openings or closings, please notify us here. PREVIOUS OPENINGS AND CLOSINGS – All-you-can-eat Korean barbecue is on its way, with 88 K-Pot opening perhaps in December near the Wine & Spirits store in the Bethlehem Square shopping center.  – Air Products’ joint venture in Saudi Arabia has acquired an industrial-gas business for an undisclosed price. The Abdullah Hashim Industrial Gases & Equipment venture acquired Khafrah Industrial Gases from Paris-based Air Liquide S.A. – Anatolian Kitchen is still closed for renovations, according to a sign at the Taylor Court, Bethlehem, business.  – After 36 years, the owners of Cavaluzzo’s Pasta, Steaks & Subs in Emmaus are retiring, and the restaurant will close. – The high-tech conglomerate formerly known as II-VI (pronounced “two-six”) has taken on the name of a company it acquired, Coherent Corp.  – Palmer Township’s board of supervisors approved a conditional-use application for four industrial buildings know as “First Park 33” on Tatamy Road, between Newlins Mill and Corriere roads. – The Florida-based chain Fyzical Therapy & Balance Centers plans to open three physical-therapy clinics within two years in the Lehigh Valley. – Radish Republic, a specialty grocery store on North Seventh Street in Allentown, is closing after three years. – The Palmer Township Zoning Hearing Board made the decision to keep a cease-and-desist order against The Reserve at Palmer Pointe apartments, which township officials say were built contrary to designs submitted six years ago. – The Allentown-Based payment-processing company Shift4Payments Inc. introduced SkyTab POS, a point-of-sale system for restaurants.  – The Bethlehem Planning Commission approved three separate “mixed-use” buildings for South Bethlehem, on East Fourth Street, South New Street and West Fourth Street. – Transform Rehabilitation’s physical-therapy clinics in Allentown, New Tripoli and Whitehall are now part of Upstream, which owns or manages more than 1,200 locations in the U.S. – The Lehigh Valley’s newest Wawa opened on the east side of Nazareth Pike/Route 191, just south of the Borough of Nazareth.  – DoubleTree Hotel has expanded its catering to private jets that take off from Reading Regional Airport. – The not-for-profit Kutztown Community Partnership has discussed buying the shuttered Strand Theatre to continue its tradition, but KCP would need grants and donations to keep it going. – A man police say was drunk drove into Budd Lake Bagel & Deli II in Hackettstown, New Jersey, on Sunday night, causing the shop to close indefinitely.

Have Your Say On Health And Wellbeing Strategy For Uttlesford – Dunmow Broadcast https://collincountynewsonline.com/have-your-say-on-health-and-wellbeing-strategy-for-uttlesford-dunmow-broadcast/ Published: 12:00 PM September 25, 2022 People living in Uttlesford are invited to comment on plans to reduce health inequalities and improve the health of those who live and work in the district. The Uttlesford Health and Wellbeing Board has developed a draft five-year strategy to tackle inequalities. The five priorities proposed by the strategy are to improve = mental wellbeing, to enable people to live healthy lifestyles, to build healthy communities, to alleviate pressures from increased living costs and to improve access to services. Residents can read the draft strategy online at www.uttlesford.gov.uk/draft-health-and-wellbeing-strategy-2023-2028 or request a paper copy by calling 01799 510510. Comments can be sent in by email to fmarriage@uttlesford.gov.uk or in writing to: Faye Marriage, Senior Health Improvement Officer, Uttlesford District Council, London Road, Saffron Walden CB11 4ER. The consultation runs until Friday, October 7.

Crypto Market Volatile; Terra Classic Lunc Leads The Laggards, Bitcoin Above $19k | Mint – Mint https://collincountynewsonline.com/crypto-market-volatile-terra-classic-lunc-leads-the-laggards-bitcoin-above-19k-mint-mint/ Sign In Subscribe Search My Reads e-paper New Notifications Newsletters IFSC Code Finder New MintGenie For You Top Sections News Companies News Start-ups Company Results People Technology Gadgets Tech Reviews App News Foldable Smartphones 5G Tech Markets Stock Markets Commodities Mark To Market IPO Live Blog Money Personal Finance Q&A Opinion Photos Mutual Funds Mint 50 – Top Mutual Funds News Insurance Lounge Opinion Views Columns Blogs Budget 2022 Budget News Budget Expectations Budget Videos Opinion Auto News Sports Industry Banking Infotech Infrastructure Agriculture Manufacturing Energy Retail Videos India Investment Summit Annual Banking Conclave Mint Explainers Market Analysis Why Not Mint Money Business of Entertainment Long Story Capsule Mint Views Start-Up Diaries Money With Monika Mint Insight Digital Gurus Brand Masters Politics Education Impact Feature Brand Stories Podcast Explore Mint About Us Mint Authors New Contact Us SITEMAP Terms of Use Subscriber – Terms of Use Cookie Policy Print Subscription Privacy Policy Disclaimer Mint Code Code of ethics Mint Apps Copyright © HT Digital Streams Limited All rights reserved. Home / Markets / Cryptocurrency /  Crypto market volatile; Terra Classic Lunc leads the laggards, Bitcoin above $19k Premium Both Bitcoin and Ethereum have dipped by nearly 5% and 9% respectively in the last seven trading sessions. (REUTERS) 3 min read . Updated: 25 Sep 2022, 02:08 PM IST Livemint The American currency scaled past the 111 level against a basket of currencies — making cryptocurrencies against the greenback vulnerable as well. Currently, there is a steep plunge in trading volumes of cryptocurrencies. Cryptocurrencies are trading volatile tracking feeble global equities after recession fears in major economies like the US and Europe sparked. The US Fed’s aggressive approach to tame inflation at the cost of economic growth further dampened the mood. Fed has hiked the rate by another 75 basis points. Wall Street and European stocks slipped sharply last week, while energy prices settled lower and bond yields climbed to multiyear highs. The American currency scaled past the 111 level against a basket of currencies — making cryptocurrencies against the greenback vulnerable as well. Currently, there is a steep plunge in trading volumes of cryptocurrencies. On CoinMarketCap, at the time of writing, the global crypto market is at $939.57 billion up by 0.28% over the last day. However, total crypto market volume dropped nearly 37% over the last 24 hours and is at $49.82 billion. Meanwhile, the total volume in DeFi is currently at $3.11 billion — 6.25% of the total crypto market 24-hour volume. The volume of all stablecoins is now $45.65 billion which is 91.63% of the total crypto market 24-hour volume. Ethereum is the top trending cryptocurrency today followed by PancakeSwap and XRP. The crypto leader Bitcoin is trading at a little over 19,000 mark at $19,090 up by 0.5%. Its market cap is nearly $366 billion. The digital coin’s dominance is currently up by 0.12% over the day at 38.95%. Meanwhile, the second largest cryptocurrency Ethereum is performing near $1,331 and is up by 0.75%. Its market cap is around $163.3 billion. Recently, Ethereum launched the most-awaited Merge which led to a transition of proof-of-stake consensus, officially deprecating proof-of-work and reducing energy consumption by ~99.95%. Data from Coinglass showed that Ethereum has liquidated more than $759 million since September 15. However, both Bitcoin and Ethereum have dipped by nearly 5% and 9% respectively in the last seven trading sessions. Among top-performing cryptocurrencies in the last 24 hours are — Reserve Rights climbing by 9.5% followed by Chainlink up 5.5%. Algorand, Chiliz, and eCash surged by 4-5.5%. On the other hand, Terra Classic Lunc took lead in the laggards list by plunging more than 7%, followed by XDC Network shedding nearly 5%, Stellar and DogeCoin tumbling more than 3% each. Axie Infinity, Helium, Nexo, Celsius, and Synthetix dived between 2-3%. Terra tokens are under pressure as currently, Terraform Labs CEO Do Kwon is facing multiple jurisdictions. An arrest warrant has been issued by the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors Office against Kwon who is the forefather of TerraUSD algorithmic stablecoin and sister token Luna that wiped out reportedly $60 billion in the cryptocurrency market. Kwon’s whereabouts are unknown, although, the co-founder of Terra tokens denied rumours of being on the ‘run’ from government agencies. Last week, US Fed in its latest policy statement said, “the Committee is highly attentive to inflation risks.” FOMC further said, in support of these goals, the Committee decided to raise the target range for the federal funds rate to 3 to 3-1/4 percent and anticipates that ongoing increases in the target range will be appropriate. In addition, the Committee will continue reducing its holdings of Treasury securities and agency debt, and agency mortgage-backed securities, as described in the Plans for Reducing the Size of the Federal Reserve’s Balance Sheet that was issued in May. FOMC is committed to returning inflation to its 2% objective. Catch all the Business News, Market News, Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates. More Less Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Post your comment Wait for it… Log in to our website to save your bookmarks. It’ll just take a moment. Yes, Continue You are just one step away from creating your watchlist! Login Now Wait for it… Oops! Looks like you have exceeded the limit to bookmark the image. Remove some to bookmark this image. ×

U.S. Ambassador Congratulates 74 Young Malagasy Leaders – US Embassy In Madagascar https://collincountynewsonline.com/u-s-ambassador-congratulates-74-young-malagasy-leaders-us-embassy-in-madagascar/ ANTANANARIVO – Speaking to 74 Malagasy participants in the U.S. government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), U.S. Ambassador Claire Pierangelo called upon the young leaders to serve as mentors and role models to aspiring youth in their communities and to work together to solve the pressing challenges facing Madagascar and the world at a ceremony in Antananarivo on Friday. Ambassador Pierangelo made the U.S. government’s commitment to the next generation of Malagasy leaders clear: “The United States believes in you and we stand with you.” Climate and women’s rights activist Marie Christina Kolo also received special recognition as the 2022 YALI Leadership Impact Award recipient. Kolo, an alumna of the 2017 YALI Mandela Washington Fellowship, was selected out of nearly 5,100 eligible YALI alumni worldwide for her achievements as a changemaker and servant leader in Madagascar’s environment and gender sectors. This group of emerging leaders included 60 participants in YALI Regional Leadership Center workshops, 11 recently returned YALI Mandela WashingtonFellows, and three YALI Alumni Enrichment Institute graduates. During the YALI Mandela Washington Fellowship, young African leaders in government, civil society, and business travel to the United States for six weeks of leadership training and academic coursework at U.S. universities. The YALI Alumni Enrichment Institutes offer opportunities for Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni to return to the United States to collaborate with their U.S. counterparts and build upon the skills they developed during their fellowships. The YALI Regional Leadership Center program provides in-person and online training in business and entrepreneurship, civic leadership, and public management from centers in Senegal and South Africa. The Young African Leaders Initiative is the U.S. government’s signature effort to invest in the next generation of African leaders. For more information about YALI, visit https://yali.state.gov/

Lotus Technology Valued At $4.5 Billion – CarBuzz https://collincountynewsonline.com/lotus-technology-valued-at-4-5-billion-carbuzz/ If that’s just the tech side, what’s the entire group worth? A year ago, Group Lotus announced the creation of Lotus Technology, which is an entirely new division dedicated to the fields of batteries and energy management, electric motors, electronic control systems, intelligent driving, and intelligent manufacturing. The original consensus was that Group Lotus would take Lotus Technology public, and initial estimates put its value at $7 to $8 billion. It later emerged that Group Lotus would not take this division public, and as a result, the estimated value dropped to between $5 to $6 billion. This week Lotus Technology announced via Reuters that it had completed its fundraising mission, resulting in a $4.5 billion valuation. The original aim was to raise $400 to $500 million from investors to get to the original estimated value. Lotus Technology did not reveal who invested and what they invested, but it obviously failed to meet that target. We don’t think it’s cause for concern, as the influx should be enough to help fund the first stage of Lotus’ new facility in Wuhan, China. Lotus Technology’s all-new factory will be completed in 2024, but the first phase is nearing completion. Lotus’ factory in Hethel (England) will be responsible for building the Emira and Evija, while China will built the Eletre EV SUV. Many scoff at the idea of a Lotus EV SUV as it goes against everything Colin Chapman wanted for his cars. Still, naysayers might want to take a closer look at the Eletre, which Lotus says will weigh less than 2,000 kilograms (4,400 pounds). To put that in perspective, the all-new Mercedes-AMG C63 with its turbocharged four-pot hybrid setup weighs more. One of the leading technologies Lotus Technology is working on is intelligent drive. It wants to develop something called “track level intelligence” within ten years. “The new technology’s aim is to assist drivers to perform as well as an F1 driver on track, while increasing driver safety and improving performance on the road through advanced software and hardware. The result is a more rewarding and reassuring experience in any environment,” said Lotus Technology. Lotus Lotus Group Lotus will continue to do what it had always done, even before Geely and Etika Automotive jointly purchased it. Lotus has been doing suspension development for years, not just for its own cars. Lesser-known brands like Proton are happy to boast about having a Lotus-tuned suspension, while manufacturers like Aston Martin have good reason to keep it on the down low. It’s not just sports cars either. Lotus had a hand in developing the suspension setup of the Hyundai Genesis. Lotus’ history with electrification dates back to 2011 when it provided the power pack for the Rolls-Royce 102EX, the spiritual predecessor of the upcoming all-electric Spectre. It’s unclear why Lotus Technology has not gone public yet, but we suspect it has something to do with the launch of the Eletre. Production is set to start at the end of this year, while deliveries will begin in 2023. The most likely scenario is that Lotus Technology wants to show what it’s capable of before going public, which might net it a healthier influx of cash than initially expected.

AYANEO 2 And GEEK Ryzen 7 6800U Gaming Consoles To Launch In December, Pricing From $949 To $1549 – VideoCardz.com https://collincountynewsonline.com/ayaneo-2-and-geek-ryzen-7-6800u-gaming-consoles-to-launch-in-december-pricing-from-949-to-1549-videocardz-com/ AYANEO consoles are coming, but they are not cheap Chinese handheld gaming console maker confirms pricing for its Ryzen 7 6800U devices. AYANEO 2, Source: AYANEO AYANEO took the market by surprise by releasing the first Ryzen-based consoles before ‘it was cool’ and the idea was later picked up by other vendors. Now, with the market full of with AYN, OneXplayer, GPD and Steam’s Deck consoles, one might find a broad range of different consoles at different price points. What most of them have in common is AMD Ryzen APU. The company is now confirming their latest models called AYANEO 2 and AYANEO GEEK powered by Ryzen 7 6800U 8-core Zen3+/RDNA2 processor will launch in December. The retail pricing is not low, unfortunately, and starts at 949 USD for Geek and 1099 USD for AYANEO2. In their typical fashion, the company also shares ‘early bird’ prices for their crowdfunding campaigns, but these are limited in number. For those who would rather see a review of the console before committing nearly a thousand dollars, official retail pricing is more likely to apply. The Geek console, which is considered more cost effective, but still powered by the same Ryzen 7 6800U APU, two models are to be offered, either the Fantasy Black with 800p screen or Crystal Purple with 1200p screen. The latter comes with higher storage and memory options. AYANEO GEEK pricing, Source: AYANEO The prices of AYANEO2 which is a more premium device according to company’s marketing, will be available in as many as four model, each featuring a different color and slightly different spec options. AYANEO 2 pricing, Source: AYANEO In case you are wondering about the differences between both consoles, AYANEO provided an easy-to-read chart demonstrating the differences. Those concerned about the product and battery sizes, both product lines are the same size and offer the same battery capacity. AYANEO 2/GEEK specs, Source: AYANEO AYANEO 2/GEEK specs, Source: AYANEO Source: AYANEO

What Time Is Cris Cyborg Vs. Simone Silva Today? Schedule, Main Card Start Time For Cyborg’s Boxing Debut – Sporting News https://collincountynewsonline.com/what-time-is-cris-cyborg-vs-simone-silva-today-schedule-main-card-start-time-for-cyborgs-boxing-debut-sporting-news/ MMA fighter Cris Cyborg will enter a different environment when she makes her boxing debut on Sunday. Cyborg faces Simone Silva inside Arena da Baixada in Curitiba, Brazil. Cyborg has won featherweight gold with Strikeforce, Invicta FC, the UFC and Bellator. She is on a six-fight win streak, having won the Bellator featherweight title in 2020 against Julia Budd.  Cyborg has defended the Bellator title four times. Her last bout was a unanimous decision win in April over Arlene Blencowe. Silva (17-21) made her pro debut in 2013. An MMA and boxing star, she has lost eight boxing fights in a row (11 total losses in a row), including a bout against Amanda Serrano. Silva lost her last bout in August against Jessica Camara via knockout. MORE: The case for 2- vs. 3-minute rounds in women’s boxing The Sporting News has you covered with all the information needed to watch Cyborg vs. Silva, including start time, live stream information and PPV cost. What time does Cris Cyborg vs. Simone Silva start today?  Date: Sunday, Sept. 25 Start time: 1 p.m. ET  Main event: 5:15 p.m. ET (approximately) Cyborg vs. Silva takes place on Sept. 25. The event will start at 1 p.m. ET. Cyborg and Silva should make their way the ring around 5:15 p.m. ET, depending on how long the undercard fights last.  How to watch Cris Cyborg vs. Simone Silva FITE.tv Fight Music Show website Fans in the United States can watch Cyborg vs. Silva on FITE.tv.  For those in South America, the fight will be available via the Fight Music Show website. MORE: Boxing schedule 2022: Date, division, location for upcoming fights Cris Cyborg vs. Simone Silva price: How much does the card cost?  $13.99 To watch Cyborg vs. Silva, fans will need to pay $13.99.  Cris Cyborg vs. Simone Silva fight card Boxing card Cris Cyborg vs. Simone Silva Acelino Popo Freitas vs. Pele Landy Christian Figueiredo vs. Dynho Alves Felipe Sertanejo vs. Miltinho Vieira Sergio Bertoluci vs. Chico Salgado MMA card John Allan vs. Diego Dias William Patolino vs. Luan Miau Jackson Tortora vs. Willian Malvadeza Edivan Pe de Sapo vs. Alisson Vicente Patricia Alujas vs. Andressa Romero Thor Silva vs. Gabriel Bonfim

E-Commerce Giant, Flipkart To Enter Metaverse This Diwali – YourStory https://collincountynewsonline.com/e-commerce-giant-flipkart-to-enter-metaverse-this-diwali-yourstory/ Read about this week’s developments, news, and trends in the Web3 ecosystem. Flipkart to soon enter the metaverse The Decrypting Story reported earlier this week that Flipkart is soon launching Flipverse, an interactive, metaverse-themed virtual shopping destination, in India.  Sources close to the development confirmed that the ecommerce player has teamed up with social media platform Meta and Ethereum scaling solution Polygon for the project. Flipkart is expected to make an official announcement of its Flipverse during Flipkart’s Big Billion Day sale. What is the Flipverse? The Flipverse shopping experience is expected to transform ecommerce from 2D static product catalogs into real-time experiences that enable users to ‘walk’ around a store, enjoying 3D-rendered store displays.  Flipverse will host games, contests, drops, NFTs, brand activations, product launches, and mystery boxes. It will also reportedly be accessible through any phone device or browser.  Metaverse as a Service Noting an opportunity to help brands build a presence in the metaverse, Anshul Agarwal and and Shrey Mishra co-founded XR Central, an interactive technology studio, in 2020, during the pandemic.  The Gurgaon-based startup offers ‘metaverse as a service’ by ideating, offering consultation, and preparing storyboards for companies to reach out to customers or connect with employees. How it works: The startup has launched MetaQube—a DIY no-code SaaS platform, where creators and enterprises can choose from a library of 3D templates, drag and drop them, upload their branding, add interactivity, and create a metaverse experience within minutes.  XR Central has already partnered with 25 brands, including SpiceJet, Mercedes Benz, Accenture, HCL, Siemens, Axalta, CESC, Forevermark, RP Goenka group, Lucknow SuperGiants, India Art Fair, and De Beers.  FTX in talks to raise $1B Crypto exchange FTX is reportedly in discussions with investors to raise $1 billion fresh capital in the next funding round at a valuation of $32 billion. As per media reports, the additional funds would be used to sign financial acquisitions during the bear market. Investors including Singapore’s Temasek, SoftBank’s Vision Fund 2 and Tiger Global have been backing the firm. Previous fundraises: In January, the crypto exchange raised $400 million in a Series C round and was valued at $32 billion. In October 2021, it raised $420.69 million in a Series B-1 round at a valuation of $25 billion. Prior to that, FTX announced a $900 million Series B raise in July 2021 that was later revised to $1 billion, with a valuation of $18 billion. Expert-built strategies for crypto investing  Founded in 2022 by Archit Nanda and Rachit Bansal, CoinMint helps users invest in curated cryptocurrency strategies put together by experts. CoinMint offers investors—amateur and seasoned alike—the option to let experts handle cryptocurrency investments on their behalf via curated portfolios. Investors can review these expert-curated portfolios and pick strategies that fit their risk profiles best. How it works: Accessible via a mobile app, CoinMint has a user-facing platform, as well as an expert-facing platform. Cryptocurrency experts and influencers use the strategy-builder platform to publish strategies, as well as rebalance their strategies from time to time, while the user-facing app helps people invest.  The platform will launch as early as next month. Crypto tax reporting app Binocs raises $4M Crypto taxation and Web3 portfolio tracking platform Binocs has raised $4 million in a Seed round led by BEENEXT. Firms such as Arkam Ventures, Accel, Saison Capital, Premji Invest, Blume Ventures, and Better Capital too participated in the round. Binocs intends to use the capital raised to expand its product, engineering, growth, and marketing teams. What does it do? Tonmoy Shingal and Pankaj Garg co-founded Binocs in July 2022 to simplify taxations and compliance for crypto investors. The firm helps crypto investors to simplify their accounting and aggregates various Web3-based investments such as NFTs, DeFi protocols, and smart contracts.

Gamers And Creators Can’t Afford To Lose This Chance Of Buying A 4K Monitor With Super Cool Features – The Tech Outlook https://collincountynewsonline.com/gamers-and-creators-cant-afford-to-lose-this-chance-of-buying-a-4k-monitor-with-super-cool-features-the-tech-outlook/ Are you bored of using your conventional laptop or desktop screen for editing and gaming? If you answered yes you are at the right place where you will get a lot to know about 4K screen monitors. Though some people may like to go with 8K video footage for now we can go with the norm of 4K. Ultra HD (UHD), or 4K, means a resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 pixels, which is four times as many pixels as full HD (FHD). And this increased pixel density means a cleaner, more detailed, and textured image.  We have good news and bad news. The good news is that 4K monitors have come down a lot in price as more have become available. But with this comes the confusion where a buyer finds himself confused between all present options in the market. So we would help you to find the best choice for you.  Dell Ultrasharp U3219Q SPECIFICATIONS Screen size: 32-inch Resolution: 3840 x 2160 Refresh rate: 60HzPanel tech:  IPSInputs: 1x HDMI, 1x Displayport USB: 4 x USB 3.0, 1x USB Type C Why buy  Thin 6mm bezel Great color accuracy… Why not   but not quite 100% AdobeRGB Only two display inputs Dell S3221QS 4K Curved Monitor SPECIFICATIONS Screen size: 31.5-inch Resolution: 3840 x 2160 Refresh rate: 60Hz Panel tech: IPS Inputs: 2x HDMI 2.0 ports, 1xDisplayPort 1.2 USB: USB 3.0: 2x downstream, 1x upstream Why buy  Great value Great display Multitasking features such as PiP Why not  No USB-C BenQ SW321C PhotoVue SPECIFICATION Screen size: 31.5-inch Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 Refresh rate: 60Hz Panel technology: IPS with white LED backlighting Inputs: 2x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC card reader USB: 1x USB-C, 1x upstream USB, 2x downstream USB Why Buy  Great color coverage, uniformity, and accuracy Specific features for photo editing Hardware calibration with 16-bit LUT precision Why not  The stand could be more stable

Russia Starts Developing Mechanism For International Crypto Payments – Finance Bitcoin News – Bitcoin News https://collincountynewsonline.com/russia-starts-developing-mechanism-for-international-crypto-payments-finance-bitcoin-news-bitcoin-news/ Financial authorities in Russia have begun work on a mechanism to facilitate the employment of cryptocurrencies for settlements with other nations amid sanctions. The country’s central bank and finance ministry have already agreed on a draft law regulating cross-border crypto payments. Regulators in Russia Move Toward Legalizing Use of Cryptocurrency in Foreign Trade Russian authorities intend to regulate the issuance, circulation, and various operations with digital assets, including international crypto payments, by the end of 2022. The Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Russia, and the Rosfinmonitoring agency, have taken on the task, the financial watchdog told the daily Izvestia. “The activities of organizations that will carry out exchange operations with digital currency, its transfer and storage, and providers of virtual asset services should be subject to regulation, including registration or licensing of such persons and their supervision,” Rosfinmonitoring explained and added that their responsibilities should also include combating money laundering. The current version of the bill “On Digital Currency,” put forward by the finance ministry earlier this year and revised with input from other authorities, provides for the establishment of domestic infrastructure for crypto asset trading. Now, Russian regulators have turned their attention to the settlement mechanism for cryptocurrency payments in foreign trade. Finance Ministry and Central Bank Agree on Law Allowing Cross-Border Crypto Settlements This week, Deputy Minister of Finance Alexey Moiseev unveiled that his department and the Bank of Russia have reached an in-principle agreement on new legislation authorizing international payments in cryptocurrency. Earlier in September, the two institutions concluded that Russia “can’t do without cross-border crypto payments” in the face of mounting sanctions. Quoted by the RIA Novosti news agency and the business daily Kommersant, the government official said: Now we have a bill already agreed with the central bank. It generally describes how to acquire cryptocurrency, what can be done with it, and how it can or cannot be used, in the first place in cross-border settlements. At the same time, according to a report by RBC Crypto, Moiseev admitted that the issue with “entry and exit to fiat” remains to be resolved. Then, experts will have to determine the minimum infrastructure that Russia needs to create in order to be able to implement such cryptocurrency payments. The finance ministry and the monetary authority have also agreed on a draft law concerning crypto mining that will legally define the activity. The deputy minister noted that the question of whether miners should credit the minted digital coins to wallets in the Russian Federation or abroad has so far been decided in favor of the second option. Tags in this story agency, bill, Central Bank, cross-border payments, Crypto, crypto payments, Cryptocurrencies, Cryptocurrency, Cryptocurrency Payments, draft law, finance ministry, Law, legalization, Legislation, mechanism, Payments, Regulation, Rosfinmonitoring, Russia, russian, Sanctions, settlement mechanism, Settlements Do you think Russia will legalize and regulate cross-border crypto payments by the end of the year? Tell us 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.

Australia Seeks Expedited Defence Capability In US-Built Nuclear Subs – The Epoch Times https://collincountynewsonline.com/australia-seeks-expedited-defence-capability-in-us-built-nuclear-subs-the-epoch-times/ Australia is in discussions with the United States to speed up its acquisition of nuclear submarines in a bid to sooner have the defense vessels on hand amid the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP’s) increasing military aggression in the Indo-Pacific. “It’s important to get the capability as soon as we can,” a spokesperson for Defence Minister Richard Marles said. “We are still doing the consultations to set out the optimal pathway for Australia to acquire the capability.” Marles told Sky News on Sunday that Australia was facing military capability gap given that the original timeline for receiving the submarines is in the 2040s. “What we’ve sought from the process that’s underway with AUKUS right now is not simply to answer the question as to what platform we run with … but how soon we can get it,” he said. The move could see Australia’s first nuclear-powered submarines built in America to fill in a major capability gap while plans continue for increased on-shore production in the long run, according to a Wall Street Journal report. It comes one year after Australia, the UK, and the United States formed a trilateral security partnership called AUKUS with a stated aim to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific, and more broadly “an international system that respects human rights, the rule of law, and the peaceful resolution of disputes free from coercion.” “Over the last 12 months, we have made significant progress towards Australia acquiring conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines,” leaders of the three nations said in a joint statement on Sept. 24. “We are steadfast in our commitment to Australia acquiring this capability at the earliest possible date. “As leaders, we remain committed to ensuring the highest level of nuclear safety, security, and stewardship in this endevour.” The statement highlighted that Australia “does not seek and will not acquire nuclear weapons.” According to the WSJ, U.S. officials were looking to equip Australia with its first few nuclear-powered submarines by the mid-2030s—a proposal that would require an investment of billions of dollars. A final decision on how to proceed is expected in March next year. Compared to conventional submarines, U.S. nuclear-powered submarines have greater performance advantages such as being larger in size, operating underwater at higher speeds for longer, and having long interval between refuelings. Control of the Pacific Many China experts have been supporting the idea of providing Australia with nuclear-powered submarines as Beijing is flexing its military expansion in the Indo-Pacific. Previously, former Chinese navy colonel and military expert Cheng Yao told The Epoch Times that AUKUS was a strategic move that would help form a military stronghold, with Australia, Japan, and Guam facing the aggression in the region from the CCP. He noted that Australia’s geographic location makes it vulnerable if Beijing is successful in breaking through the first island chain and reaching the Pacific Ocean. Australia, Guam and Japan, which are forming a military stronghold against Beijing’s maritime ambition to reach the Pacific Ocean, taken on Sept. 23, 2021. (Screenshot via Google maps) Cheng Xiaonong, scholar of China’s politics and economy, agreed, saying providing Australia with nuclear-powered fleets capable of traveling long distances would “effectively” block the Chinese regime’s “planned invasion of the South Pacific.” Cheng Xiaonong warned of the CCP’s ambition to build a city or naval base near Australia, in an attempt to “control the vast waters of the South Pacific, to isolate Australia, and to threaten the United States.” “Australia may not yet understand the reason why the CCP has been building bases in island countries in the southern hemisphere, such as Samoa, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, which are geographically not too close to Australia,” he wrote in a column to The Epoch Times in October 2021. “By the time the CCP reaches the gateway to it, however, Australia will realize the true intentions of this communist regime.” AAP contributed to this report. Follow Nina Nguyen is a reporter based in Sydney. She covers Australian news with a focus on social, cultural, and identity issues. She is fluent in Vietnamese. Contact her at nina.nguyen@epochtimes.com.au.

Stick It On! Turn Yourself Into A WhatsApp Sticker – HT Tech https://collincountynewsonline.com/stick-it-on-turn-yourself-into-a-whatsapp-sticker-ht-tech/ WhatsApp is working on an exciting new feature that will make your chats more personalised and interesting. WhatsApp avatar has been part of several leaks and rumours over the last couple of months. The WhatsApp’s updates tracker WabetaInfo had signaled the arrival of these emoji-inspired animated Avatars on WhatsApp earlier. In the past, Avatars have been reported to be an important part of a Meta-owned messaging app to represent yourself in a certain way in the future. It was also said to be used as a mask during video calls in the very distant future. Now, in the latest development, WabetaInfo suggested that the Avatar feature is under development to make it a sticker in the near future. For those who are unaware of this exciting new feature, Meta has already introduced 3D Avatars for Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram, which allows you to create and customize an avatar that resembles you. Now, these 3D virtual images of yourself will soon make their appearance on your messaging app. You will get the option to customize the hair, skin colour, eyes, outfits, accessories, and more to create a perfect digital avatar of yourself. Moreover, the WABetaInfo report suggests that WhatsApp will enable a feature that will turn your 3D virtual creatures into stickers. WabetaInfo report shared a glimpse that suggests that “WhatsApp will automatically create your own sticker pack based on the configured avatar within WhatsApp Settings so you can finally share your personalized stickers that express who you are with your chats and groups.” The screenshot illustrates that the avatar-based stickers will be available under a single set sticker pack in different poses. Additionally, you will be able to set your avatar as a profile picture too in the future. When are animated Avatars on WhatsApp coming? Sadly, it is still unknown! The report confirms that the ability to create an avatar is under development, hence there is no exact release date, however, it will be released in the near future rather than some distant time.

10 Best Puzzle Games – DualShockers https://collincountynewsonline.com/10-best-puzzle-games-dualshockers/ Puzzle video games are able to challenge players in ways in which they never imagined that they can be challenged. This is done by creating unique mechanics for players to use to solve puzzles or simple mechanics that are intricately placed throughout a game. Some puzzle games are mysterious in every aspect, even their story, while others provide a much more straightforward story while maintaining difficulty in the puzzles that they present. All of these games take on the puzzle game genre in completely different ways. These games manage to challenge players enough to make them want to push forward through all the obstacles that are thrown at them. 10 Braid Braid has platforming mechanics that at first seem very similar to other 2-dimensional (2D) platformers, but what it does with these mechanics is very different. It takes the mechanics and adds the ability for players to turn back the time at any point in the game which makes for some interesting puzzle-solving moments. Each of the new chapters that the game introduces also adds new mechanics to the game that work in relation to time. The story is also interestingly told as its entirety is told backward. The player doesn’t ever really know what’s happening until the end of the game when a lot of the mystery is revealed. 9 Fez Fez tells the story of the main character named Gomez trying to fix the world after a hexahedron tears his 2D plane of existence and reveals a 3D plane. The mechanics are unlike anything most players will have ever seen as the game makes it so that players are able to rotate the 2D plane of existence they’re on. Using the plane changes and being able to understand how to transcribe the different Tetris codes placed in the game will allow players to move on through levels and experience the delightful story. 8 Portal 2 Portal 2 takes all the elements that Portal had provided and added some new mechanics to change things up yet not hinder the game’s initial concept. The different lab rooms where players must use portals to navigate their way to the exit are still involved along with figuring out how to take out turrets and not die. The game adds different mechanics by introducing Gels that can change how high a player bounces, fast they are, or where they can place Portals. The story also remains a hilarious adventurous time worth playing through. 7 The Witness The Witness takes maze puzzles and makes them the primary means of a player exploring the map. The game never holds the player’s hand but isn’t a frustrating challenge either. They have a lot of freedom when it comes to how they end up exploring the island. Everything about the witness feels like a puzzle even the way in which its intricate story is presented. The Witness heavily pushes players to be able to learn on their own as it will offer hints to other puzzles through puzzles that have been previously solved. 6 The Talos Principle The Talos Principle talks deeply about what it means to be a human being. This is an interesting take that is further pushed by the fact that the player is a robot. The puzzles in the game will have players using different objects including hexahedrons, laser connectors, and so much more to navigate across some maze-like areas. Players must figure out the puzzles to be able to unlock each level’s Tetromino to progress the story of the game. The game also introduces different forms of hazards like bombs and turrets making for a dangerous puzzle experience. It’s a game that rewards patience and those willing to read through dense material. 5 Limbo Limbo is a game that has no words yet tells a story through its gameplay skillfully. Players must be able to navigate through Limbo’s horrific world while figuring out the different mechanics that the game tosses at the player. There are a lot of really tense moments where players must learn by error. Players will be dying a lot to try to figure out what they need to do to make progress to the next area. The puzzles will have players figuring out how to navigate past giant spiders and buzz saws that will instantly horrifically kill the main character. It’s well worth the short play time that it provides. 4 Catherine Catherine deals with a lot of characters that don’t necessarily make the best choices in life. It’s a slice of life that deals with ethical questions about relationships making some of its gameplay feel a lot like a really well-polished dating simulator. The game also has some great block-pushing puzzle mechanics involved in the main character, Vincent Brooks’ dream world. Players have to create platforms to reach the top of towers while avoiding different traps located around the giant towers. Different blocks have different properties and there are some really cool bosses sprinkled throughout the game to add to its intrigue. 3 The Tetris Effect The Tetris Effect is the perfect refinement of Tetris as it brings back the iconic block-dropping puzzle a lot of people love. The game also adds a lot of artistic flair to itself as each of the different areas that the game presents have unique boards with scenery and block styles that are specific to them. As players progress through the game there will be unique occurrences that take place in the game like being able to create the bass to a song with the dropping of each block. It’s a beautiful reimagining of the original. 2 It Takes Two It Takes Two is riddled with puzzles that differ in every single level and depending on which character a player chooses to play the game through. There will be puzzles where players can mess with sound and others where they are able to play with gravity. The variety in the different levels is astounding. As players unlock more of the game they also get to encounter a story that deals heavily with the concept of reconnecting. The story and the respective puzzles are intertwined in the protagonist’s personal growth. 1 Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker takes a lot of notes from Super Mario and strips th e mobility off of it to make it into more of a puzzle game than a platforming game as the character isn’t even able to jump. Players try to collect different gems and stars by exploring the maps that are presented. Each of the levels has different obstacles that players must figure out to try and get around them and not end up dying. The way that the levels are designed is beautiful as some will have players splitting into two toads and figuring out puzzles like that or traversing areas where goo is rising that’ll kill the player if they’re not quick enough. There was a lot of time that went into creating these wonderfully put-together puzzles. NEXT: Best Nintendo Wii Games Ever Made, Officially Ranked

Donald Patrick Host (1941-2022) – Hays Free Press https://collincountynewsonline.com/donald-patrick-host-1941-2022-hays-free-press/ Donald Patrick Host Donald (Don) Patrick Host, 81, of Manchaca, TX passed away on September 14 at his home. Don was born in Pontiac, MI to Ralph (Bink) and Maysel Host on April 7, 1941. Pat, as he was called in his youth, began high school at Evart High School, but graduated from Delhigh (LA) High School in 1959. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Education from Southwest Texas State University. He taught in the Austin Independent School District for over 30 years, winning numerous awards and recognitions for his work as a middle school science and math teacher. An avid bowler and fisherman, he was also a supporter of the sports programs at UT and his alma mater. He also participated in Operation Christmas Child with his wife, Aline. Don is survived by his bride, Aline Host, of Manchaca, TX. As well, his sister, Ginger Parson of Richmond, VA, son, Tim Host and his wife, Kimberly of League City, his son Tony Host of Georgetown, grandchildren Ali Host of Colorado Springs, Cameron, Camille, and Collin Host of League City, Ryan and Brooke Host of Cameron, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents. Memorial service will be held at Manchaca Baptist Church on Thursday, September 22nd at 2:00PM with Pastor Kevin Goldsmith of MBC officiating. There will be a short reception following the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Samaritan’s Purse/Operation Christmas Child at https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/ideas-group-resources.

Facing Uncertainty: How Technology Can Help You Travel With Confidence – Hamilton County Reporter – Hamilton County Reporter https://collincountynewsonline.com/facing-uncertainty-how-technology-can-help-you-travel-with-confidence-hamilton-county-reporter-hamilton-county-reporter/ By RYAN BRUBAKER Guest Columnist There is one major constant within the travel industry. No matter the generation, destination or span of a trip, the consumer wants to be able to travel with confidence. This has never been more relevant than in the present day. As many of us approach planning and taking part in travel, we can’t help but feel the weight of uncertainty. There is a fluctuating list of reasons for why consumers face these uncomfortable feelings – i.e., the potential of contracting an illness/disease, other health issues, travel costs, international tension, regional conflicts, extreme weather, risk of natural disasters, etc. Along with the fears that are often shared by a number of travelers, there are also a wide range of factors that could be causing individuals to experience their own unique form of travel anxiety. Perhaps you’ve previously had a negative experience while traveling or this is the first time that you’ve traveled alone. In any case, it is widely common for travelers in 2022 to crave a sense of safety and protection. With all this being said, I argue that in many ways, we are more prepared than ever before to travel safely. From a technological standpoint, this is 100 percent the case. While our parents and grandparents were tasked with traveling with the guidance from a travel agent and guidebooks, we have the ability to use resources such as Google Maps, Airbnb, blogs from other travelers, and so much more to get the most out of our trip. As a leader with Seven Corners, I am in a position to advocate for consumers to use insurance to protect the financial investment they have put into travel. I also have a platform to show consumers how technology can be a guide. Whether you’re traveling across the state, country or world, here are my top three tips that can help you travel with greater confidence. Certainty is created through research Just as you wouldn’t attend a job interview without properly researching the company and opportunity, you also wouldn’t want to find yourself in a new destination without any prior knowledge of its top attractions, dining options and available transportation. Two great resources that are sometimes overlooked include the city’s tourism website and its Chamber of Commerce site. Both typically outline information on local establishments, upcoming events, places to stay and parking availability. These platforms can also help you determine what activities are available and age appropriate for those traveling with you. Another way to learn more about your potential destination is through YouTube videos and TikTok as these showcase other individuals’ previous travel experiences in a given area and usually highlight their biggest takeaways from their trip. Your mobile device should be a close companion We often see consumers looking for travel opportunities when they need to unplug from the technology they use in their everyday lives. This is completely understandable; however, it is not the most realistic choice, particularly when traveling long distances or to new destinations. With a few clicks on our phone, we can share our new arrival time with loved ones, present our tickets for a flight, and take part in contactless check-in at a hotel. The industry itself has started to rely on technology more than ever before, partially due to the pandemic. In fact, data.ai reports from summer 2021 showed a 20 percent surge in travel/navigation app usage compared to previous months and times of year. Travel apps are available, and it is wise to take advantage of them. If you’re not sure where to begin, Apple’s App Store and the Google Play Store have excellent lists of the top free and paid travel apps being used today. Use technologies that promote your safety Right now, there are a number of technologies that you can be using to help ensure your own or your group’s safety while traveling. Companies like Seven Corners offer 24/7 communication through multiple channels such as a mobile app, text message, WhatsApp and much more. This is a growing trend across the industry with numerous insurance, airline, residential booking and rideshare companies prioritizing round the clock communication with their customers. Apps like “Find My” allow you to share your location for a range of times with select individuals, helping you to monitor the whereabouts and stay connected with every member of your party. Resources like Sherpa are available to help you navigate the changing travel requirements and restrictions across the world. Finally, monitoring local news coming out of your destination’s area is a tried-and-true way to stay in the loop and safe while on vacation. A trip with your family to Disney World is filled with a completely different energy than a ski trip with your friends, a conference with colleagues or your student’s study abroad semester in Europe. In all these scenarios, safety should be your top priority, and technology is here to support you every step of the way. Ryan Brubaker serves as the Chief Information Officer and Executive Vice President of Operations for Seven Corners, a travel insurance company based in Carmel.

Businesses Urged To Turn On Same-Day Delivery Before November Online Sales Peak – Tech Business News https://collincountynewsonline.com/businesses-urged-to-turn-on-same-day-delivery-before-november-online-sales-peak-tech-business-news/ Australia’s online shopping industry is reportedly now worth more than $47 billion. According to a recently released study, the market size has grown by 8.9 per cent in 2022, proving that the Australian appetite for online shopping continues to soar. The November online sales days – Click Frenzy (8-10 November 2022), Black Friday (25 November 2022) and Cyber Monday (28 November 2022) – are now considered a huge retail opportunity for businesses of all sizes – not just major retailers. Especially following the Covid-19 pandemic – when online shopping skyrocketed to unprecedented levels – Australians today have clearly embraced the convenience of online shopping, with same-day delivery services in large part responsible for what is now considered a permanent change in Australian shopping habits. Sherpa – an Australian start-up founded in 2014 – is the country’s largest same-day delivery provider by volume of deliveries. Essentially a technology platform that connects independent courier professionals with businesses, Sherpa specialises in same-day delivery and the CEO of Sherpa, Duncan Brett, says the company is gearing-up for another spike in demand this November online sales period. “Same day delivery is here to stay and businesses that aren’t embracing the benefits of e-commerce and same-day delivery are simply missing out on lucrative opportunities,” says Mr Brett. According to Statista, 62 per cent of Gen Z consumers intended to shop on the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, while almost half of Gen Y, more than a quarter of Gen Z and nine per cent of Baby Boomers planned to check out online. “We’re forecasting big demand for the end-of-year online sales period this year in particular, before we again see a boom in same-day delivery demand in the lead-up to Christmas. “Consumers today generally have a mentality that they “want it now”. Because Sherpa is synonymous with same-day delivery and we have set the timeframe bar so high, we are delivering a lot more during key retail periods, working with a lot more businesses and covering a much wider area of the country than ever before. “Sherpa now has more than 70,000 Australian business customers – from big retailers such as Woolworths, Dan Murphy’s and Chemist Warehouse, to SMEs trading across a spectrum of categories. We’ve completed more than seven-million same day deliveries, we have a national fleet of more than 11,000 drivers, and we operate across 21 Australian cities… and that has all happened in less than a decade!” adds Mr Brett. According to KPMG, 80 per cent of retail CEOs say customer expectations are increasing around delivery; they want more delivery options and online delivery speed.  Additionally, according to Invespcro, 80 per cent of shoppers want same-day shipping, while 61 per cent want their packages even faster — within 1-3 hours of placing an order. While only a few retailers were able to offer ultra-fast delivery in the past, that has all changed as a result of the gig economy and platform business model adopted by companies such as Sherpa. Sherpa’s suggested seven starter considerations for businesses that aren’t offering same-day delivery are: Make the call sooner rather than later! Your Go/No decision point on whether to enable same day delivery for this year’s November online sales period is on the verge of crunch time. Whether it’s to launch with a bang or just to dip your toe in the water by shoring up carrier redundancy during the peak online sales, you still have options available but don’t leave it too long to make the call. Assess whether your order management system supports a same-day delivery service. Click & Collect is the litmus test here – if you already have it in place, you are halfway there in terms of the internal processes required. Consider how you can can best fulfil the service. Do you have the space and staff bandwidth to deliver from your store network or perhaps an alternative arrangement such as directly from your distribution centre is more fitting to your business? Determine how you will manifest the delivery orders. Your budget for technology will likely steer your decision. It could be by manually uploading onto a web portal, or via a middleware platform or through API (Application Programming Interface). Set your service radius – How far from your store or distribution centre will your same day delivery service cover? If you want to on-demand deliver within a couple of hours, this will be a shorter distance by necessity than if you deliver up to 9pm and have most of the day for the delivery driver to travel further afield. Determine how much to charge your customers. Same-day delivery is a premium option, above your traditional standard and express services and thus, should be charged as such; potentially up to 25 per cent more than express. Your free delivery shopping basket threshold should be higher too. Plan your means of promoting the service. Will it be shouted about on your homepage and across your social media channels or simply kept to the ‘Shipping & Delivery’ section of your website to start? Should you consider advertising or PR activities to promote the service? Austech Media Austech Media is Australian press release distribution and publishing organisation dedicated to the technology industry. Incorporating distribution of technology news and events

Schools In England Warn Of Crisis Of ‘heartbreaking’ Rise In Hungry Children – The Guardian https://collincountynewsonline.com/schools-in-england-warn-of-crisis-of-heartbreaking-rise-in-hungry-children-the-guardian/ Children are so hungry that they are eating rubbers or hiding in the playground because they can’t afford lunch, according to reports from headteachers across England. The headteachers say the government is leaving schools to deal with a mounting crisis – a message amplified by a new survey on food poverty in schools, due to be published next month by Chefs in Schools, a healthy eating charity which trains chefs for school kitchens. It reveals that many schools in England are already seeing a “heartbreaking” increase in hungry children, even before winter and big energy bills force more families to choose between switching on the heating and buying food. One school in Lewisham, south-east London, told the charity about a child who was “pretending to eat out of an empty lunchbox” because they did not qualify for free school meals and did not want their friends to know there was no food at home. Community food aid groups also told the Observer this week that they are struggling to cope with new demand from families unable to feed their children. “We are hearing about kids who are so hungry they are eating rubbers in school,” said Naomi Duncan, chief executive of Chefs in Schools. “Kids are coming in having not eaten anything since lunch the day before. The government has to do something.” In England, all infant schoolchildren are entitled to free school meals from reception to year two. But beyond that, only children whose parents earn less than £7,400 a year are eligible, and 800,000 children living in poverty are missing out, according to the Child Poverty Action Group. Many of the schools Duncan’s charity works with are raiding already over-stretched budgets to feed hungry children who don’t qualify for free school meals. She wants all children from families on universal credit to qualify, a position also taken by teachers’ unions. “It’s absolutely heartbreaking for our chefs. They are actively going out and finding the kids who are hiding in the playground because they don’t think they can get a meal, and feeding them,” she said. Duncan said the survey reveals that teachers are buying toasters so that they can dish out breakfast to children who are too hungry to concentrate. One school in Streatham, south London, had a hardship fund that used to support 50 children but is now supporting 100. Paul Gosling, president of the National Association of Headteachers union, said: “The government knows that when kids turn up in the morning hungry and cold, schools will step in and help. But it’s not right that it’s being left to us with no extra support.” He said that with huge energy bills and an unfunded teacher pay rise, supporting desperate families would push hundreds of schools into deficit. Headteachers welcomed the government’s announcement last week that electricity and gas in schools would be capped at a lower “government-supported price”, knocking off £4,000 for a school paying £10,000 a month for energy. But they expressed anxiety that the cap is only being offered for six months, and warned that many schools will still be left with much higher bills than they budgeted for. Will Teece, headteacher at Brookvale Groby Learning Campus, a secondary academy school in Leicester, said parents had been ringing, asking whether the school would be offering free breakfast clubs or after-school clubs with food included. He warned: “At a time when there is much greater need for support for our families, we are in a much weaker position to be able to provide it.” Oxford Mutual Aid, a community group which delivers emergency food parcels, has had to cut its delivery days because its hundreds of volunteer packers, drivers and organisers cannot cope with the increase in requests for help, which include regular referrals from primary schools. Coordinator Muireann Meehan Speed said: “We are struggling to keep up with the demand. Every day I hear the level of distress people are in. Every day I talk to scared families who don’t know where to turn. But we can’t do more than we are already doing.” The group is hearing daily from local people who have never been unable to afford food before. “They aren’t choosing whether to heat or eat: they can’t afford to do either,” she said. Craig Johnson, founder of Launch Foods, a charity in Glasgow providing free lunches for 300 schoolchildren a day, said: “People are talking about an approaching crisis. There is already a crisis.” The charity, which drives silver trucks into primary schools and feeds everyone “with no stigma” using surplus food, has had to take its phone number off its website because it was receiving daily calls from people in places including Newcastle, Liverpool and London, asking if they could help feed children in their area. “I am getting so frustrated, telling people we can’t help them,” Johnson said. “There shouldn’t be a kid in England, Wales, Scotland or Ireland going hungry. It’s just wrong.” Michelle Dornelly, founder of Children with Voices, a charity that is feeding families on three estates in Hackney, east London, said they are struggling to cope with “a different level of need”. As well as children regularly going to bed hungry, she is worried about their growing anxiety levels. “I’m concerned about children going to school with no pens, no deodorant, no toothbrushes. All that affects self-esteem, and their self-confidence is really flagging.” Dornelly, who is on universal credit herself, says her charity doesn’t have enough storage space or freezers, and she worries about how much her women volunteers are taking on. “I love what I do, but I feel angry that we are left to do this without help from the government,” she said. “MPs should come and walk the streets of Hackney and find out what is going on.”

What Channel Is Patriots Vs. Ravens On Today? Time, TV Schedule For NFL Week 3 Game – Sporting News https://collincountynewsonline.com/what-channel-is-patriots-vs-ravens-on-today-time-tv-schedule-for-nfl-week-3-game-sporting-news/ The Patriots and Ravens have something in common: If it weren’t for the Miami Dolphins, they’d be 2-0. Both teams have a win and a loss so far this season, with the losses coming to a shared foe in the Dolphins. The Patriots fell to Miami on the road in Week 1, while the Ravens were stunned at home in Week 2. New England’s loss was less eventful than Baltimore’s. They were never able to get anything going on offense in their season-opener, being held scoreless in the first half before ultimately losing 20-7.  However, the Patriots bounced back with a win in Week 2 in Pittsburgh. It was scrappy and certainly not pretty, but they held the Steelers’ offense in check throughout the day and made enough plays on offense to come away with a 17-14 victory. The highlight of the game was undoubtedly Nelson Agholor’s wild touchdown grab to give them the lead in the second quarter.  MORE: TV coverage, channels, scores for every NFL Week 3 game today Meanwhile, the Ravens are looking to bounce back after being shell-shocked by an outrageous Dolphins comeback last time out. Baltimore led 35-14 heading into the 4th quarter, with ESPN giving them a 98.7% win probability. Then, suddenly, the wheels came off. Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa exploded for four touchdowns in the final 13 minutes of the game to lead his team to a miraculous 38-35 win.  The collapse overshadowed another great day for Lamar Jackson, who had four touchdowns of his own (three passing, one rushing). Jackson was also stellar in the Ravens’ Week 1 win over the Jets, in which he found the end zone three times through the air. The 2019 MVP clearly isn’t slowing down, which can only be good news for Baltimore.  Now, the two AFC rivals clash once again with both teams looking to improve to 2-1 on the year. Will the Patriots get a win in front of their home fans, or can the Ravens show the rest of the league they’re still a force to be reckoned with? Here’s everything you need to know to watch Patriots vs. Ravens this Sunday, including kickoff time and TV channels. MORE: Watch live NFL games all year with fuboTV (free trial) What channel is Patriots vs. Ravens on today? TV channel (national): FOX TV channel (Boston): WFXT TV channel (Baltimore): WBFF Live stream: Bally Sports app, fuboTV (US) | DAZN (Canada)  Patriots vs. Ravens will be broadcast regionally on local FOX affiliate channels. Joe Davis and Daryl Johnston will be on the call from Foxborough.  You can find the Ravens’ away broadcast on SiriusXM channel 388, while the Patriots’ home broadcast will air on channel 230. Viewers in the United States can stream Patriots vs. Ravens on fuboTV, which offers a free trial. In Canada, viewers can watch Browns vs. Panthers with a subscription to DAZN, which includes every NFL game. Patriots vs. Ravens start time Date: Sunday, Sept. 25 Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET Patriots vs. Ravens is scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. ET from Gillette Stadium. New England Patriots schedule Week Date Opponent Kickoff time TV channel 1 Sept. 11 at Dolphins 1 p.m. ET CBS 2 Sept. 18 at Steelers 1 p.m. ET CBS 3 Sept. 25 vs. Ravens 1 p.m. ET Fox 4 Oct. 2 at Packers 4:25 p.m. ET CBS 5 Oct. 9 vs. Lions 1 p.m. ET Fox 6 Oct. 16 at Browns 1 p.m. ET CBS 7 Oct. 24 (MNF) vs. Bears 8:15 p.m. ET ESPN 8 Oct. 30 at Jets 1 p.m. ET CBS 9 Nov. 6 vs. Colts 1 p.m. ET CBS 10 BYE       11 Nov. 20 vs. Jets 1 p.m. ET CBS 12 Nov. 24 (TNF) at Vikings 8:20 p.m. ET NBC 13 Dec. 1 (TNF) vs. Bills 8:20 p.m. ET Prime Video 14 Dec. 12 (MNF) at Cardinals 8:15 p.m. ET ESPN 15 Dec. 18 at Raiders  8:20 p.m. ET NBC 16 Dec. 24 vs. Bengals 1 p.m. ET CBS 17 Jan. 1 vs. Dolphins 1 p.m. ET CBS 18 Jan. 7 or 8 at Bills TBD TBD Baltimore Ravens schedule Week Date Opponent Kickoff time TV channel 1 Sept. 11 at Jets 1 p.m. ET CBS 2 Sept. 18 vs. Dolphins 1 p.m. ET CBS 3 Sept. 25 at Patriots 1 p.m. ET Fox 4 Oct. 2 vs. Bills 1 p.m. ET CBS 5 Oct. 9 vs. Bengals 8:20 p.m. ET NBC 6 Oct. 16 at Giants 1 p.m. ET CBS 7 Oct. 23 vs. Browns 1 p.m. ET CBS 8 Oct. 27 at Buccaneers (Thursday) 8:15 p.m. ET Amazon Prime Video 9 Nov. 7 at Saints (Monday) 8:15 p.m. ET ESPN 10 BYE       11 Nov. 20 vs. Panthers 1 p.m. ET Fox 12 Nov. 27 vs. Jaguars 1 p.m. ET CBS 13 Dec. 4 vs. Broncos 1 p.m. ET CBS 14 Dec. 11 at Steelers 1 p.m. ET CBS 15 Dec. 17/18 at Browns TBD TBD 16 Dec. 24 vs. Falcons (Saturday) 1 p.m. ET Fox 17 Jan. 1 vs. Steelers 1 p.m. ET CBS 18 Jan. 7/8 at Bengals TBD TBD

Calls Grow For Legal Measures To Protect Minors From Metaverse Sex Crimes – The Korea Herald https://collincountynewsonline.com/calls-grow-for-legal-measures-to-protect-minors-from-metaverse-sex-crimes-the-korea-herald/ (123rf) Calls for measures to counter sex crimes in the metaverse are rising with an increasing number of predators targeting teenagers. Huh Kyung-mi, a professor of police administration at Keimyung University, said that legal measures are essential to respond to sexual exploitation in the metaverse in a paper published on Sunday. According to Huh, 70 percent of metaverse service users are teenagers, and criminal attempts on the metaverse platform, especially those that target youthful avatars, has been increasing. Perpetrators lure minors with virtual items and gradually lead the minors into having inappropriate conversations or filming and sending sexual content. Some cases are not even considered illegal under the current law, such as sexual harassment against virtual avatars. In some cases, crimes within the metaverse evolve into crimes in the real world. A man in his 30s who forced 11 minors he met through Zepeto – Asia’s largest metaverse platform operated by Naver Z – to film and send sexually explicit content of themselves for about a year since April 2021 was sentenced to four years in prison on Sept. 11. Amid continuing challenges, both the industry and the government are having difficulties in getting a detailed picture of the situation, as there is no efficient system for receiving reports about such crimes. The Korea Communications Commission and the Ministry of Justice have been trying to analyze metaverse crime issues since early this year. The KCC is conducting a survey to specify the scope of actions that can be interpreted as a crime. The digital sex crime committee under the Justice Ministry commented on the limit of the current law in January, recommending that criminal acts against virtual avatars and personal accounts should be considered no less than criminal acts against real human users. Professor Huh pointed out that the core of the controversy comes from the unfamiliar concept of the metaverse. “In order to curb sex crimes in the metaverse, social consensus on the nature of the metaverse should be made first — whether it is an extension of the real world or not. Discussion on a new legal structure to restrain the metaverse should follow,” said Huh said. By Lee Jung-Youn (jy@heraldcorp.com)

A Comparison Between Nokia G60 And Nokia X30 – The Tech Outlook https://collincountynewsonline.com/a-comparison-between-nokia-g60-and-nokia-x30-the-tech-outlook/ In this article, we would be talking about the Nokia G60 vs Nokia X30 comparison by specification, camera, battery, and price. Let’s start with the expected date of launch. Nokia G60 It comes with a Snapdragon 695 processor and 4 GB RAM. 6.58 inches of display that gives you an awesome experience while using it. If we talk about the rear camera of this phone it has a combination of three rear cameras. A 50MP + 5MP + 2MP. The front camera of 8MP. If We talk about the battery, it has a 4500mAh battery backup. Internal expandable storage is 128 GB which can be expanded up to 1 TB. Its display is powered by an IPS LCD.  This was an overview of all the functions and specifications you will get to see in the Nokia G60. Let’s talk about the Nokia X30 model.  Nokia X30  It has the same processor, the Snapdragon 695, and also the same display size. These features somehow make it similar to the earlier one but there are also some features like its RAM that is 6GB and display powered by AMOLED. The front camera has 16MP and a battery of 4200 mAh. The rear side has only two cameras, unlike the Nokia G60 which had three rear cameras. The camera is 50MP+13MP. It has 128 GB of non-expandable internal memory.  Overall it can be said that the Nokia X30 can be the best choice if you are looking for a phone that has smooth functioning for a long period. Though if you want to have a three-camera setup descent looking phone Nokia G60

Southeast Asia’s Largest Bank DBS Launches Self-Directed Crypto Trading Amid Institutional Demand – Exchanges Bitcoin News – Bitcoin News https://collincountynewsonline.com/southeast-asias-largest-bank-dbs-launches-self-directed-crypto-trading-amid-institutional-demand-exchanges-bitcoin-news-bitcoin-news/ The largest bank in Southeast Asia, DBS, has launched self-directed cryptocurrency trading via its app. More customers are now qualified to access the bank’s digital asset exchange and trade cryptocurrencies, including bitcoin and ether. DBS Launches Self-Directed Crypto Trading DBS, the largest bank in Southeast Asia, announced Friday that it “has rolled out self-directed crypto trading via DBS digibank.” The announcement details: Eligible clients can now trade cryptocurrencies on DBS Digital Exchange (Ddex) through DBS digibank at their convenience. The DBS digital asset exchange currently supports the trading of four cryptocurrencies — bitcoin, bitcoin cash, ether, and XRP. Previously, crypto trading on the exchange was limited to corporate and institutional investors, family offices, and the bank’s private wealth management clients. With Friday’s launch, DBS explained: For a start, an estimated 100,000 investors in Singapore meet this criteria, and are eligible to access the services offered by DBS’ digital assets ecosystem. Sim S. Lim, an executive in the bank’s Consumer Banking and Wealth Management, opined: “Broadening access to Ddex is yet another step in our efforts to provide sophisticated investors looking to dip their toes in cryptocurrencies with a seamless and secure way to do so.” In August, DBS said that the trading volume on its digital asset exchange soared. “Investors who believe in the long-term prospects of digital assets are gravitating towards trusted and regulated platforms to access the digital asset market,” the bank said. The bank also recently entered the metaverse by partnering with The Sandbox. DBS Bank Group CEO Piyush Gupta said in March that he does not think cryptocurrency will become money but noted that “it can be an alternative to gold and its value.” Tags in this story DBS, DBS bank, DBS crypto exchange, dbs digital asset exchange, DBS self-directed crypto trading, dbs singapore, DBS Southeast Asia, self-directed crypto trading, self-directed cryptocurrency trading, Southeast Asia Bank, Southeast Asian largest bank What do you think about DBS launching self-directed crypto trading via its app? Let us know in the comments section below. Kevin Helms A student of Austrian Economics, Kevin found Bitcoin in 2011 and has been an evangelist ever since. His interests lie in Bitcoin security, open-source systems, network effects and the intersection between economics and cryptography. 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.

Analysis | Larry Page’s Flying Car Failure Is A Lesson For Us All – The Washington Post https://collincountynewsonline.com/analysis-larry-pages-flying-car-failure-is-a-lesson-for-us-all-the-washington-post/ For a project so ambitious, the announcement about the end of flying-car startup Kitty Hawk Corp. was surprisingly terse. A single post on the company’s LinkedIn page on Wednesday stated: “We have made the decision to wind down Kittyhawk. We’re still working on the details of what’s next.”   The news was greeted with surprise by rival companies. Founded in 2010, Kittyhawk figured out early that it needed to make an aircraft as nimble as a car, rather than bolt some wings on an automobile. It helped pioneer a new type of aircraft called eVTOL, or electric vertical takeoff and landing — essentially a cross between a drone and a light aircraft — and hopes ran high when the deep-pocketed Google co-founder Larry Page came on board.  The dream wasn’t to be. Details on what went wrong for Kittyhawk have not been made public, but there are at least three sobering lessons to glean from its closure. Technology isn’t moving in the direction that we expect. The billionaire tech investor Peter Thiel highlighted the banality of tech’s evolution when he said in 2013 that, “We wanted flying cars, and got 140 characters instead,” referring to the then-character limit for tweets.  In the 20th century, people viewed the future through the exciting lens of science fiction: robot housekeepers from the Jetsons; or glass-domed houses and “meal pills” from the 1950s comic strip, “Closer Than We Think;” or flying cars from Back To The Future II. But predicting the path of technology is hard when our only reference point is the present, hence why Marty McFly used a fax machine in the film’s future world, and why Arthur Radebaugh’s 1950s comics featured items like paper and pens for writing “electronic Christmas cards.” Back then, the concept of digital information was impossible to fathom. Digital, networked information ended up becoming the biggest technological leap forward for the 21st century, an invisible force that put small, addictive computers in everyone’s pockets and re-wrote the dynamics of democracy itself. Trying to predict which technology will be as impactful next is still just as hard to fathom. It could be decentralized crypto networks that gives everyone a piece of web3, or a radically different kind of personal computing device, like smart contact lenses that project digital images onto our eyeballs. Silicon Valley thrives on chasing the bold ideas of eccentric entrepreneurs, but the fact is, the biggest ambitions are often too hard to make real. Moonshots usually fail. There’s a well-known trope among Google employees that’s deeply embedded in the company’s culture: Failure is good. The head of Alphabet Inc.’s X division, the company’s skunkworks R&D lab for churning out radical technological ideas, said in 2016 that the unit had killed about 100 projects in one year and celebrated “fast failing.” When a team ended a project, they’d get applause from their peers, X’s Chief Executive Officer Astro Teller said. “Hugs and high fives from their manager,” he added. “They get promoted for it.” (They could also get away with it thanks to Google’s $200 billion ad machine.) That is the natural process of turning a revolutionary idea into a blockbuster hit. But there have been few hits at X, and hyped-up projects like Google’s augmented reality glasses, smart contact lens for diabetics, or balloons that could beam Internet access to the developing world have been shut down. It’s easy to get lured by the thrill and promise of projects like flying cars — not least when breathless stock pickers insist their success is just around the corner — but they are called moonshots for a reason. When technology is hard to build, it’s much less likely to succeed. Big-name backers don’t necessarily solve big engineering challenges.   Though it’s unclear what precisely went wrong at Kittyhawk, the company likely couldn’t solve some fundamental engineering puzzles. One of its models, for instance, suffered a series of fires because engineers had cut out the protective shielding used in lithium-ion battery cells for cars, and bundled the cells together with tape, according to a 2019 investigative report in Forbes, increasing the risk of the battery igniting.  Engineers who brought up safety concerns were also brushed off by management who were eager to bring the company’s aircraft to market, according to Forbes. Kitty Hawk declined to comment in the Forbes report. Kitty Hawk had raised $75 million from investors including Page, according to Pitchbook, a market intelligence firm. But Page’s wealth and Google connections weren’t enough to keep the company alive. Neither was the cachet of being named after the North Carolina town where the Wright brothers’ held their first flying experiments. But someone will make eVTOL’s a reality, most likely as a kind of flying taxi operated by an airline or ride-share firm. Boeing and Airbus are building them, as is Uber and a raft of smaller companies, who are just as likely to crack the puzzle. As much as a billionaire backer inspires confidence, it doesn’t make a highly ambitious project any more feasible. Page’s Kitty Hawk project has made that all too clear. This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Parmy Olson is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering technology. A former reporter for the Wall Street Journal and Forbes, she is author of “We Are Anonymous.” More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion ©2022 Bloomberg L.P.

Reimagined Trail Cameras Capture Tiny Creatures To Boost Scientific Research – Daily Inter Lake https://collincountynewsonline.com/reimagined-trail-cameras-capture-tiny-creatures-to-boost-scientific-research-daily-inter-lake/ Traditional trail cameras revolutionized field research for wildlife by providing continuous unobtrusive monitoring — but while they work for studying large animals, the technology doesn’t apply as well when scientists are looking to examine smaller creatures. A technology startup in Essex is looking to change that by further developing a reimagined trail camera. The device utilizes new technology allowing cameras to detect animals that do not trigger commercially available cameras. “We’re looking to bridge the gap between technology and science,” Doug Bonham, a co-founder of the startup, says. “Wildlife tech is interesting in that a lot of people who go into the natural sciences very often want to get away from technology so they are not thrilled about technology. But then the technology people don’t know field biology well enough to know what is needed.” Bonham, along with partners Connie Woodman and Christopher Evelyn, who also make up the team behind the technology company Field Data Technologies, all have science backgrounds coupled with an interest in making technology work better for scientific study. Bonham, who lives in Essex, has a technology background having worked for Microsoft as an electronics engineer and has a degree in wildlife from the University of Montana. Woodman, based at Texas A&M University, is a bird enthusiast and Evelyn is a herpetologist focusing on amphibians and reptiles at the University of California, Santa Barbara. The company this year got a large boost in moving the trail cameras forward with three business grants totaling $344,200 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the state of Montana. The grants are critical in the next steps for the company as it looks to refine the technology behind its new trail camera and prepare for production. The trio connected over a mutual interest in improving technology for studying cold-blooded reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects and birds — those that don’t work well with traditional trail cameras. “If you have a little tiny bird and a big trail camera it moves quickly past the camera,” Woodman said. “And there’s all these important creatures like a salmon or a trout that you’re not going to detect on an infrared trail camera.” Traditional trail cameras that rely on passive infrared technology are designed for hunting big game animals and rely on the animal to be at a different temperature than the background as a way to detect motion. “Deer and elk against a snowy Montana background work fabulous, but endangered salamanders in a stream, salmon swimming up a spawning stream and insect pollinators are critically important species that trail cameras don’t work on,” Bonham said. THE COMPANY has been awarded two Small Business Innovation Research Program grants, which they say is one of the most coveted ways to launch a technology startup company, in the field of conservation technology. The first grant, from the USDA, is for new technology to monitor pollinators. The second, from NOAA, is to monitor migrating salmon in spawning streams. Additional funding came through Montana matching the federal grants. Bonham said the grants are key. Decades of hard work have led to this point, he said. “The fields of conservation and ecology are blessed with many aspiring and hard-working students but provide few viable opportunities to make meaningful contributions,” he said. “These grants give us the chance to make an important contribution.” The grants focus on studying species — pollinators and salmon — that are both ecologically and economically important. One out of every three bites of food in the United States depends on honey bees and other pollinators, according to the USDA. Honey bees pollinate $15 billion worth of crops each year, including more than 130 fruits and vegetables. Pollinators play a critical role in crop production and once a crop has failed it’s too late to intervene, but improvements in studying insects could change that, Woodman says. “There’s not a good way to monitor what’s happening live and having a trail camera that can adapt to these tiniest of animals — bees and flies — that is groundbreaking because it can help a lot of people but it can also help the animals through conservation that protects those native pollinators,” she said. In studying salmon, a fish that are anadromous, meaning they migrate from the ocean to freshwater to spawn, Woodman says it’s important to determine if any of the habitat along that journey is compromised because it can mean a loss of the species. Commercial and recreational fisheries as a whole in the United States in 2019 resulted in $255 billion in sales and had a value of $117 billion, according to a study by NOAA Fisheries. “So we’re focusing on animals that have both a real important role in the ecosystem and also an important role in agriculture and business so that we can show that when you save animals you save the business and when you protect the environment, you protect people and communities that interact with that environment,” she said. THE REIMAGINED trail cameras leverage a remote sensing method that uses light pulses on a computer chip to detect moving objects and measure distances with millimeter accuracy. The chips enable the new trail cameras to trigger on small animals by providing a new way for computers to perceive their environment. In addition to the new trigger technology, the reimagined trail cameras can generate spreadsheets of weather data, have free long-distance wireless connections and interchangeable lenses. “It’s all these features that scientists need that are not part of big game hunting trail cameras,” Bonham said. For some creatures, humans can provide monitoring, but as Bonham points out that’s disruptive to animals, expensive and time-consuming. Basically technology makes the process better and more efficient. Not only do the trail cameras allow for the study of small creatures, they also employ artificial intelligence to assist in organizing and analyzing that data. The camera can pick out what kind of lizard a scientist is looking for, or be set to only take pictures of butterflies. “That decreases the amount of data,” Woodman said. “If you have a dumb camera and you’re trying to capture that butterfly by taking a picture once every minute for a month and you have a large number of cameras you could be easily looking at millions of images.” Then the scientist is left with an amount of data that becomes overwhelming to try to sift through. The new chips also allow the cameras to operate using much less battery power which is critical in remote areas and those that may not be able to rely on solar power. “It can be hard to [find] existing tools for this kind of science because it’s not built for that and we’re trying to build precisely for the needs of wildlife management — those needs are the same whether you’re a property owner with a business background or you’re a botanist or an ecologist, your needs are very similar.” THE NEW cameras are as complex as a laptop so challenges still lie ahead in further development as they work to fine-tune the technology and prepare for production. “The scale-up production of a complex piece of hardware is a far more challenging thing,” Bonham said. “The concept is good and we’ve got a passionate team so we’ll get there.” While both Bonham and Woodman began improving trail cameras because of a mutual interest in studying birds, they say by making the cameras work to study the most challenging creatures — insects and fish — it will make the cameras viable for studying any smaller creature. “This is an excuse to push technology,” Woodman said. “We could have used our earlier models of the camera for birds, but we want our newer model to blow that out of the water.” They see the impact of the cameras as far-reaching by making them available for large-scale studies that can provide reams of scientific data in a small, affordable way. The cameras could also be used in schools and by citizen scientists as a way to broaden the reach even further. “We’re at a tipping point for managing a lot of species and environments and the sooner we get the data and sooner we make those decisions the more likely we are to protect the industry and the people and the communities that depend on the ecosystems, the animals and the crops,” Woodman said. Features Editor Heidi Desch may be reached at 758-4421 or hdesch@dailyinterlake.com. Christopher Evelyn, Connie Woodman and Doug Bonham, with technology startup Field Data Technologies, perform field tests of new wildlife monitoring technologies in Texas. (Courtesy photo)

Apple Arcade’s Garden Tales: The Gaming That Helps You Relax And De-Stress Pipa News – PiPa News https://collincountynewsonline.com/apple-arcades-garden-tales-the-gaming-that-helps-you-relax-and-de-stress-pipa-news-pipa-news/ “When we developed the game, the aim was to give players a very relaxing and peaceful experience.” This is probably not what you expect to hear from a game designer. But Sandra Honigman, game designer and game lead for Garden Tales: Match & Grow, had exactly that in mind when working on the new match-3 puzzle game. In Garden Tales, the player is a gardener who helps restore an abandoned garden and the ultimate goal is to fill it with cute animals. As soon as you finish restoring a garden, you move on to the next level. Garden Tales stays away from the school of thought that games have to be competitive in order to be interesting. Instead, it helps you escape from daily stress, which helps you relax and infuse some positivity. “If you want to cool off after a stressful day with something simple and easy to consume, Garden Tales is for you,” explains Sandra indianexpress.com In a video interview. Sandra drew much inspiration from visiting gardens and parks in New York City with her team. Eventually, it helped shape the game and introduced the idea of ​​peace and relaxation, which is inherent in gardens, especially in an urban environment. Work on Garden Tales began in late 2018, well before Sandra came on board. Initially, a small team worked on the prototype and the game was in the development phase for a long time. “From the beginning of development, we realized that the game was all about relaxing and gardening. It changed a bit once we started adding animals and saw that creating those animal characters became the central focus,” Sandra said. “We went from something with a story around these animals to something that was storyless,” Sandra said. ICYMI: Garden Tales: Match & Grow is now available! Keep up your garden with cool match-3 puzzles and make friends with happy animals. Grow: https://t.co/zMjFQbb37C pic.twitter.com/zmFwT6tG1v — Apple Arcade (@AppleArcade) September 18, 2022 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Each garden in Garden Tales is unique and the animal characters change from one garden to another but there is a central character who always walks with you and keeps you in their own world. Once you upgrade the garden and complete matching puzzles, you earn seeds and in-game coins that you use to unlock the story. “There’s no hard message, but it’s like a story of watching one’s struggle, and then overcoming that, with the garden as a central place of struggle,” she said. Available exclusively on Apple’s arcade game subscription service, Garden Tales is a free game with no ads and no in-app purchases. Pay Apple a monthly fee and it promises access to a hundred titles that won’t be available on any other platform, plus cross-platform play lets you pick up and play games on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Garden Tales is a match-3 puzzle game aimed at casual gamers with friendly gameplay. Despite attracting millions of casual users, match-3 games don’t get as much attention as battle royale games like PUBG. “We think the market is, of course, huge because any type of player can always sit back and engage with the game that is within that casual puzzle space,” she said. Playdots company photo (includes the team that worked on Garden Tales; Sandra is in the middle with blue hair). Image credit: Zynga) It’s only been a week since Garden Tales made its debut on Apple Arcade, with the developer already planning to roll out a slew of updates over the coming months that include new gardens, new characters, new stories, new levels and a few new ones. Fun features included. Garden Tales is developed by PlayDots, developer of the mobile games Dots, Two Dots and Dots & Co. In 2020, Take-Two – the gaming behemoth known for publishing major franchises such as BioShock, and through its Rockstar Games subsidiary, Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption bought mobile game developer Playdots. PayDots is now a part of the FarmVille mobile developer, following Zynga’s acquisition of Take-Two for $12.7 billion earlier this year.