Collin County News Online

Week 4 Takeaways From All 11 Area High School Football Games – Denton Record Chronicle https://collincountynewsonline.com/week-4-takeaways-from-all-11-area-high-school-football-games-denton-record-chronicle/ All 11 teams within the Denton Record-Chronicle’s coverage area have now completed nondistrict play after their Week 4 contests. Ryan is already two games into its district slate while Braswell and Guyer began theirs last week and the other eight schools play their district openers this week. The 11 area teams went a combined 7-4 in their Week 4 matchups with four undefeated teams remaining as Argyle, Lake Dallas and Sanger joined the Wildcats at 4-0. Guyer running back Trey Joyner (3) runs through Prosper defenders for a long gain on Friday at C.H. Collins Athletic Complex. Al Key/DRC Coco Brown (1) scores one of his four touchdowns against Gainesville High School on Friday in Gainesville. Courtesy photo/Kyle Biggerstaff Sanger quarterback Logan Lewis (18) and wide receiver Austin Shackelford (12) celebrate after scoring a touchdown during Friday’s home game against Mineral Wells. Courtesy photo/Sanger ISD JOHN FIELDS can be reached at 940-566-6869 and via Twitter at @JohnFields0.

Rejuvenate At These 10 Unique California Spa & Wellness Resorts – TheTravel https://collincountynewsonline.com/rejuvenate-at-these-10-unique-california-spa-wellness-resorts-thetravel/ Relax in Napa Valley Wine Country or rejuvenate by the California coast. Travelers seeking a spa retreat in California should check these out! Shutterstock The sunny state of California is a perfect vacation destination, as it’s filled with tons of beaches, gorgeous landscapes, and entertainment venues. Besides attractions like Yosemite National Park and Disneyland, this west coast state also includes an array of unique accommodations, specifically spa and wellness resorts. Need to catch a break from the everyday while in California? Relax and indulge in the Golden State while staying at these incredible spa and wellness resorts! 10 Malibu Beach Inn Get a gorgeous view of the California coast while staying at Malibu Beach Inn! Comfortably sitting along the Pacific Coast Highway, this luxury resort includes a private beach area for guests. Rejuvenate the senses and get pampered at Malibu’s spa, which offers a variety of skin care treatments and therapies. Get a full body massage or partake in a gentle facial. Alternatively, guests can leave all their stress behind while enjoying cocktails at the resort’s private beach or within the comfortable confines of their inn suite. Accommodation: Malibu Beach Inn More Amenities: Private beach, room service, on-site fitness center, complimentary Wi-Fi, valet parking Address: 22878 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265 9 Montage Laguna Beach Enjoy a relaxing stay at the Montage Laguna Beach, a beachfront sanctuary overlooking the California Coast. With over 30 acres of property, guests can also take advantage of the resort’s spa, which is over 20,000 square feet! Choose from various spa treatments and Spa Montage, from a romantic couples massage to a revitalizing solo treatment. Moreover, the resort also hosts excursions to nearby attractions, such as a visit to the local tide pools on Sundays! Accommodation: Montage Laguna Beach More Amenities: Beachfront property, outdoor pool, complimentary Wi-Fi Address: 30801 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 8 Calistoga Spa Hot Springs In Napa Valley Wine Country lies the Calistoga Spa Hot Springs, perfect for a quiet getaway. This LGBTQ-friendly destination combines a boutique resort and an authentic hot springs spa. The pools at Calistoga are mineral-rich thanks to the nutrient-rich Napa Valley soils. Simultaneously, select spa treatments at the resort also include mud baths using local volcanic ash! Accommodation: Calistoga Spa Hot Springs More Amenities: Kitchenette (with refrigerator), air-conditioned rooms Address: 1006 Washington Street, Calistoga, CA 94515 7 Rancho Valencia Resort And Spa The Rancho Valencia Resort And Spa combines a luxurious atmosphere with the nostalgia of a Spanish Hacienda. Located in Rancho Santa Fe, this award-winning resort was recognized for its impeccable spa facility. The Spa at Rancho Valencia sits among the property’s lush foliage and includes a spa pool, fitness center, and salon. At Rancho Valencia, guests can enjoy a peaceful stay, whether lounging inside their room’s private balcony or taking a dip in the soothing pool waters. Accommodation: Rancho Valencia Resort And Spa More Amenities: Bicycle rental, room service, on-site fitness center, outdoor pool, sports’ facilities Address: 5921 Valencia Circle, Rancho Sante Fe, CA 92067 6 Lodge At Torrey Pines The Lodge At Torrey Pines marries luxury with comfort. This posh, 5-star hotel is located in La Jolla and offers exquisite dining options, a spacious championship-level golf course, and a pampering spa facility. Situated on cliffs overlooking the California coast, the Spa at Torrey Pines offers an array of spa treatments, including body wraps, facials, exfoliating body treatments, and much more. Plus, guests can also enjoy their on-site sauna room and whirlpool! Accommodation: Lodge At Torrey Pines More Amenities: Outdoor pool, complimentary Wi-Fi, golf course, room service Address: 11480 North Torrey Pines Road, San Diego, CA 92037 5 Meadowood Napa Valley Stay at Meadowood Napa Valley for a 5-star experience! This resort lies on a family-owned estate within the heart of Napa Valley. With over 250 acres of property, guests don’t have to worry about rowdy guests or rambunctious crowds. Instead, travelers seeking comfort and peace will love a vacation at the Meadowood Napa Valley resort. Moreover, the resort’s award-winning spa includes a variety of treatment packages and wellness therapies, using aromatic ingredients and revitalizing herbs. For instance, enjoy a foot scrub made with rosemary or relax with a body treatment using seasonal essential oils! Accommodation: Meadowood Napa Valley More Amenities: Complimentary toiletries, room service, complimentary Wi-Fi, on-site fitness center Address: 900 Meadowood Lane, Saint Helena, CA 94574 4 L’Horizon Resort And Spa Take a break from the kids and relax at the L’Horizon Resort And Spa. This adults-only resort lies in Palm Springs, complete with 25 private bungalows overlooking Santa Rosa and the San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. This luxury resort emanates vintage Hollywood vibes! Besides chilling in the pool’s cabanas or grabbing a bite to eat at the SOPA Restaurant, indulge in a spa treatment at L’Horizon. Whether it’s a deep tissue massage or a lemongrass mimosa body scrub, pampering is mandatory at this California resort! Accommodation: L’Horizon Resort And Spa More Amenities: Infinity pool, adults-only resort, room service, complimentary Wi-Fi Address: 1050 East Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92264 3 Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort Looking for a little peace in California? Then rejuvenate the senses at the Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort. Overlooking Avila Bay, this luxury resort is a premium destination to revive the senses and rejuvenate the body. With only 72 rooms, each accommodation includes a private balcony with a mineral spring hot tube. Moreover, The Spa at Sycamore is recognized for its premium treatments, including a 30-minute mineral spring soak! The resort also includes various wellness activities, from outdoor biking to yoga classes. Accommodation: Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort More Amenities: Airport shuttle, 24-hour front desk, hot tub, express check-out Address: 1215 Avila Beach Drive, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 2 Terranea Resort For the ultimate relaxing vacation, book a stay at the Terranea Resort. This 5-star resort overlooks the Palos Verdes Peninsula, offering an unparalleled view of the Pacific Ocean. If the oceanfront views fail to impress visitors, perhaps their beautifully crafted bungalows or the resort’s extensive dining options will! Moreover, the Spa at Terranea is bound to turn heads; spanning 50,000 square feet, guests can enjoy an exhaustive list of spa treatments while soaking in the sights of the California coast. Accommodation: Terranea Resort More Amenities: Outdoor pool, snorkeling, complimentary Wi-Fi Address: 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275 1 Park Hyatt Aviara Resort Combine glam, glitz, and wellness by visiting the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort! Situated in Carlsbad, this San Diego resort comes complete with a golf course and an on-site spa facility. Enjoy views of the Batiquitos Lagoon while enjoying a treatment at the Aviara Spa. This 15,000-square-foot wellness facility provides treatments that will surely pamper any guests, whether they partake in the aromatic steam room or a relaxing couples massage. Accommodation: Park Hyatt Aviara Resort More Amenities: Outdoor pool (with water slide!), sports facilities, room service Address: 7100 Aviara Resort Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92011

Opulus Financial Continues Expansion With Largest Acquisition To Date – Scottish Business News https://collincountynewsonline.com/opulus-financial-continues-expansion-with-largest-acquisition-to-date-scottish-business-news/ OPULUS Financial (Opulus) has completed its acquisition of the award-winning Glasgow-based accountancy firm, Nicolson Accountancy, representing the largest acquisition since launching as a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Solutions business at the end of last year.   Founded by Angus and Sue Nicolson over 20 years ago, Nicolson Accountancy has offices in Glasgow, Kilmarnock and Stornoway and provides leading accountancy, tax and payroll services in addition to specialist Norwegian tax and payroll support.  The acquisition, funded by previous investment made by N4 Investments and start-up support from Virgin Money, allows Opulus to significantly expand its footprint as the business continues to expand its unique CFO Solutions offering throughout the country.  The acquisition of Nicolson Accountancy is the business’ fourth deal since inception, joining the smaller acquisitions of John Kerr & Co in Saltcoats, Alexander Marshall in Motherwell and Craig Cleland in East Kilbride.   Angus and Sue Nicolson will continue working with Matthew Garstang (CEO) and the wider Opulus team, to help strengthen the accountancy, tax and payroll element of the CFO Solutions business. Matthew Garstang, CEO at Opulus, commented: “This is a pivotal acquisition in the growth of Opulus Financial.  Nicolson Accountancy is a highly regarded practice in the industry and both Angus and Sue bring a wealth of accountancy and tax experience. Their knowledge will be invaluable to the business going forward as we look to further expand our presence across Scotland.” Angus and Sue Nicolson added: “We are excited to be working with Matthew to expand the services offered to our clients and help build the wider practice.”

PT Kalbe Farma Tbk : KLIKDOKTER COLLABORATED WITH GI VITA, INCREASING THE AI-BASED HEALTH SERVICE – Marketscreener.com https://collincountynewsonline.com/pt-kalbe-farma-tbk-klikdokter-collaborated-with-gi-vita-increasing-the-ai-based-health-service-marketscreener-com/ PRESS RELEASE No. 064/KFCP-DIR/PR/IX/22 Jakarta, September 19th, 2022 – PT Kalbe Farma Tbk or Kalbe, through its subsidiary KlikDokter, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GI VITA, a technology company for health datas. This collaboration in the digital health service business is aiming for the Indonesian market. “KlikDokter will increase its service quality through an AI solution by GI Vita, which will be the basis of service expansion through lifelog datas,” as stated by the CEO of KlikDokter, Hendra Tjong. Kilyeon Lee, the CEOofGI VITA, also agreed with Hendra Tjong, stating that the collaboration would maximize the function of the smart device and the development of algorhytm for lifelog datas. According to Kilyeon Lee, “This partnership is significant because of the recognitio of expertise in the connection between smart devices and the development of algorhytm for lifelog datas. Therefore, we will accelarate the development of markets abroad.” GI VITA has perfectedKlikDokter with the AI solution to gather lifelog datas by using smart watches and scales, as well as analyzing gathered datas from devices and applications.GI VITA also believed on the possibility of lifelog datas for telemedicine through KlikDokter.Furthermore, this collaboration with Kalbe Farma Groupwill provide an opportunity to enter the markets of Southeast Asian andIndonesia. KlikDokter is a digital health platform in Indonesia and is a subsidiary of PT Kalbe Farma Tbk. Since its foundation, KlikDokterupholds the spirit of CIE (Communication, Information, andEducation),with the purpose of improving the health of all Indonesian people. KlikDokter provides health information that emphasizes on accuracy and updates from reliable sources. It also has several features of health services, including 24-hour online consultations, health tools, hospital directories, online medication recommendations, medication deliveries, a booking online real time feature, and other health features, which can be accessed in both its website and application. On the other hand, GI VITA is a company that provides an AI-based health application called Rothy, which can assist the users in managing their own health independently. Rothy can gather and manage real time lifelog datas. It also provides an AI-based Healthy Living Guideline developed by data professionals. Kalbeat a Glance Founded in 1966, PT Kalbe Farma Tbk (Kalbe) is one of the largest open pharmaceutical companies in Southeast Asia. The company has four main divisions that engage in a portfolio of reliable and diversed brands, such as the prescription medicine division, the health product division which handles free medicines, multivitamins, and ready-to-drink supplement beverages, and the distribution and logistics divisions. Kalbe has also developed a digital service ecosystem for the society, both in B2B with EMOS and in B2C with KlikDokter. EMOS is an order management application system that facilitates the distribution channels in commencing stock management or supply chain, while KlikDokter is a digital platform for health services, specifically telemedicine, which provides necessary health consultations and products for the society. Now, Kalbe has more than 40 subsidiaries and 15 production facilities with international standards, employing around 16.000 employees who are being stationed in 76 branches all around Indonesia. Kalbe’s shares has been recorded in the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) since 1991 (IDX:KLBF).

Ripple Says XRP Owners Have No Rights Or Contract So Token Is Not A Security – Cryptonews https://collincountynewsonline.com/ripple-says-xrp-owners-have-no-rights-or-contract-so-token-is-not-a-security-cryptonews/                                                   Source: AdobeStock / MigrenArt   As US blockchain company Ripple continues its legal battle against the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the fintech intends to build its legal strategy on a claim that its token, Ripple (XRP), cannot be considered a security without contracts as there is no “investment contract” that would grant rights to investors.  The American regulator’s case against the business is centered on the accusation that XRP is an unregistered security, a claim that Ripple rejects. In another installment of the courtroom saga, the blockchain company filed a motion seeking dismissal of the suit before trial in a federal court in Manhattan, Bloomberg reported. While the move could prove to be efficient from a legal viewpoint, some XRP investors could find it concerning that Ripple considers those who purchase its token are deprived of the rights that are normally given to investors. Earlier this month, both entities asked for a swift judgment in the agency’s case against the company, raising hopes among XRP investors that Ripple’s legal woes could be resolved relatively soon, potentially boosting its native token’s price. As indicated by court documents submitted on Sept. 18, the two parties are seeking a so-called summary judgment, indicating that neither the plaintiff nor the defendant want the legal action to evolve into a full trial. “Today’s filings make it clear the SEC isn’t interested in applying the law. They want to remake it all in an impermissible effort to expand their jurisdiction far beyond the authority granted to them by Congress,” Brad Garlinghouse, Ripple’s CEO, tweeted on the day when the documents where filed. Stuart Alderoty, the company’s general counsel, added that, in his opinion, “after two years of litigation, the SEC is unable to identify any contract for investment (that’s what the statute requires).”

Artist Karla Garcia’s Latest Exhibit Reaches Across U.S.-Mexico Boundaries – NPR https://collincountynewsonline.com/artist-karla-garcias-latest-exhibit-reaches-across-u-s-mexico-boundaries-npr/ Artist Karla Garcia’s latest exhibit reaches across U.S.-Mexico boundaries Artist Karla Garcia’s latest exhibition is taking place in El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico simultaneously. The two halves of the collection are separated by thirty miles and one border wall. September 20, 20225:10 AM ET Artist Karla Garcia’s latest exhibit reaches across U.S.-Mexico boundaries Audio will be available later today. Artist Karla Garcia’s latest exhibition is taking place in El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico simultaneously. The two halves of the collection are separated by thirty miles and one border wall.

Almanac | News, Sports, Jobs – Escanaba Daily Press https://collincountynewsonline.com/almanac-news-sports-jobs-escanaba-daily-press/ By The Associated Press Today in History Today is Tuesday, Sept. 20, the 263rd day of 2022. There are 102 days left in the year. Todayís Highlight in History: On Sept. 20, 1973, in their so-called ìbattle of the sexes,î tennis star Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3, at the Houston Astrodome. On this date: In 1519, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan and his crew set out from Spain on five ships to find a western passage to the Spice Islands. (Magellan was killed enroute, but one of his ships eventually circled the world.) In 1881, Chester A. Arthur was sworn in as the 21st president of the United States, succeeding the assassinated James A. Garfield. In 1946, the first Cannes Film Festival, lasting 16 days, opened in France. In 1962, James Meredith, a Black student, was blocked from enrolling at the University of Mississippi by Democratic Gov. Ross R. Barnett. (Meredith was later admitted.) In 1964, The Beatles concluded their first full-fledged U.S. tour by performing in a charity concert at the Paramount Theater in New York. In 1967, the Cunard liner RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 was christened by Britainís Queen Elizabeth II in Clydebank, Scotland. In 1973, singer-songwriter Jim Croce died in a plane crash near Natchitoches, Louisiana; he was 30. In 1995, in a move that stunned Wall Street, AT&T Corporation announced it was splitting into three companies. In 2000, Independent Counsel Robert Ray announced the end of the Whitewater investigation, saying there was insufficient evidence to warrant charges against President and Mrs. Clinton. In 2001, during an address to a joint session of Congress, President George W. Bush announced a new Cabinet-level office to fortify homeland security and named Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge its director. In 2011, repeal of the U.S. militaryís 18-year-old ìdonít ask, donít tellî compromise took effect, allowing gay and lesbian service members to serve openly. In 2019, Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania, the 1979 site of the nationís worst commercial nuclear power accident, was shut down by its owner after producing electricity for 45 years. Ten years ago: On a day when thousands of angry Pakistanis tried to make their way to the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, the embassy aired an ad on Pakistani TV showing President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton denouncing an anti-Islamic video produced in the United States. Space shuttle Endeavour, riding atop a Boeing 747, landed at Edwards Air Force Base in California en route to its eventual retirement home, the California Science Center in Los Angeles. Five years ago: Hurricane Maria, the strongest hurricane to hit Puerto Rico in more than 80 years, struck the island, wiping out as much as 75 percent of the power distribution lines and causing an island-wide blackout. Rescuers worked furiously at a collapsed school in Mexico City where a girl was believed trapped under debris in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake; it was later determined that no children were still trapped in the debris. One year ago: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau won his third straight election, but failed to get the majority in Parliament that he wanted; Trudeau had voiced the concerns of Canadians who were increasingly upset with those who refused to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Pfizer announced that its COVID-19 vaccine was effective for children ages 5 to 11; the vaccine was already available to anyone 12 and older. (U.S. health officials would approve the vaccine for children as young as 5 in November 2021.) In a major easing of pandemic travel restrictions, the White House said it would allow foreigners to fly into the country starting in November if they had vaccination proof and a negative COVID-19 test. U.S. officials said more than 6,000 Haitians and other migrants had been removed from an encampment at a Texas border town; the officials defended a response that included immediately expelling the migrants to their impoverished Caribbean country. Todayís Birthdays: Actor Sophia Loren is 88. Rock musician Chuck Panozzo is 74. Actor Tony Denison is 73. Actor Debbi Morgan is 71. Jazz musician Peter White is 68. Actor Betsy Brantley is 67. Actor Gary Cole is 66. TV news correspondent Deborah Roberts is 62. Country-rock musician Joseph Shreve (Flynnville Train) is 61. Rock musician Randy Bradbury (Pennywise) is 58. Actor Kristen Johnston is 55. Rock singers Gunnar and Matthew Nelson are 55. Rock musician Ben Shepherd is 54. Actor Enuka Okuma is 50. Actor-model Moon Bloodgood is 47. Actor Jon Bernthal is 46. Singer The-Dream is 45. Actor Charlie Weber is 44. Rock musician Rick Woolstenhulme (WOOLí-sten-hyoolm) (Lifehouse) is 43. Rapper Yung Joc is 42. Actor Crystle Stewart is 41. Actor Aldis Hodge is 36. Rock drummer Jack Lawless is 35. Actor Malachi (MALí-ah-ky) Kirby is 33. Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox

Ep. 23 Stepping Into The Metaverse – WABE – WABE 90.1 FM https://collincountynewsonline.com/ep-23-stepping-into-the-metaverse-wabe-wabe-90-1-fm/ Tech Cast September 20, 2022 Companies in Atlanta are beginning to experiment in the metaverse. From building digital twins of city landmarks to creating virtual apparel, the possibilities are limitless. In this week’s episode of WABE Tech Cast, Emil Moffatt explores some ways the metaverse is being used IRL.

G Chance The Raffle Is Back! Enjoy 917 #ExtraGDayEveryday With Bigger, More Exciting Prizes | BMPlus – BusinessMirror https://collincountynewsonline.com/g-chance-the-raffle-is-back-enjoy-917-extragdayeveryday-with-bigger-more-exciting-prizes-bmplus-businessmirror/ Do you want that cool gadget?  A trip with your barkada?  Or do you dream of becoming a millionaire? This 917 #ExtraGDayEveryday, that wish might just be granted. Globe has lined up programs and activities for the entire month of September to give back to its loyal customers. This is part of the annual 917 GDay or September 17 celebration, representing Globe’s iconic “0917” mobile number prefix. To turn your days extraordinarily good, a very special treat was prepared by Globe through G Chance The Raffle.  Get to win weekly prizes of shopping vouchers and gadgets, an all-expense paid trip with your family or friends, and cash prizes of up to P1 million! Weekly prizes include: ●        P10,000 Zalora Vouchers ●        P10,000 ShopeePay Vouchers ●        P10,000 GrabGifts  ●        P10,000 Shell Partner Card ●        HUAWEI P50 ●        HUAWEI MateBook 14s ●        UNIQLO Shopping Spree ●        4D3N Barkada Getaway to Coron, Palawan ●        P100,000 Cash For the Grand Prizes, at stake are P200,000 and P1 million in cash via GCash or bank transfer. “Many people still feel the long-term effects of the pandemic on their finances and emotional well-being. Taking to heart our desire to offer real care, we’re using 917 as a platform to provide our customers with rewarding experiences.  Through G Chance the Raffle, we hope to uplift, enable, and bring delight and excitement to their daily lives,” said Pia Gonzalez-Colby, Globe Chief Marketing Officer. To join, download and register to the New GlobeOne app, use your Globe Rewards points to redeem raffle entries, or pay with points at ECPay partner sari sari stores. Aside from the raffle, 917 GDay hopes to enable Filipinos to regain the extraordinary things lost during the global health crisis. Globe will also match rewards points redeemed for raffle entries with a donation to the Hapag Movement, a Globe-led initiative in partnership with other renowned institutions that aims to address involuntary hunger. Globe has lined up bigger, better, and more extra activities, deals you never saw coming, thrilling surprises for gamers, explosive and unexpected performances, and so much more. Find out more about how to make your day extraordinary this 917 by visiting  glbe.co/ExtraGDay. Author Being business-savvy should be fun, attainable and A+. BMPlus is BusinessMirror’s digital arm with practical tips & success stories for aspiring and thriving millennial entrepreneurs.

NAVEE TECH Launches The Electric Scooter S65/N65/N40 In The Spanish Market – Business Wire https://collincountynewsonline.com/navee-tech-launches-the-electric-scooter-s65-n65-n40-in-the-spanish-market-business-wire/ MADRID–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Recently NAVEE TECH launched NAVEE S65, N65 and N40 E-scooters. People are head over heels about these unique city commuters. The S65 E-scooter launched on Indiegogo, a crowdfunding platform, in May and the goal was 100% funded in less than 5 minutes. Key Features of the NAVEE S65 E-scooter Include: A 500w geared motor that can reach a peak power of up to 1000W and allows a fast speed with powerful 28% slope-climbing capacity. A massive 46.8V 12.75Ah lithium-ion battery capacity allows users to ride up to 65km of range on a single charge. The front and rear suspension prevent excessive shocks on one side, which reduces the overall impact and improves ride comfort. The option to adjust different riding modes freely: Eco, Standard and Sport. Track riding statistics in real-time via the smart app. A battery management system that ensures a high-power supply and closely monitors battery status with multiple protection mechanisms to ensure battery safety and inform users about battery alerts when needed. 500W geared motor Dual suspension system 65KM range 10 inch self-sealing tubeless tires Build-in clear LED display Hill grade 28% IPX5 waterproof Smart APP The NAVEE N65 electric scooter has a great specification with good performance. 65KM Ultra-long Range: Travelling up to 65 km on a single charge, the N65 can make the charging frequency from one time per day to one time per week for the customers with short distance commuting within 10km. 10 Inch Big Tires: In order to deliver extremely comfortable and smooth riding experience for riders, the N65 is equipped 10-inch big off-road pneumatic tires. Rated Power 500watt Brushless Motor: It improves the climbing performance up to 25%, and supports three different speed level (1st level to 15km/h, 2nd level to 20km/h, 3rd level to 25km/h). Double Rotation Folding System: With innovative design of folding neck and handlebar, the N65 makes the pre-assembling and folding more convenient. Features: Ultra-long range up to 65 km Innovative design of double rotation folding system 25% superb uphill climbing ability 10 inch off-road pneumatic tires Rated power 500 watt brushless motor Max loading weight 120kg 17cm wide magnesium alloy deck Front E-ABS brake with rear disc brake Separated big HMI Three speed levels Support cruise control and energy recovery with APP Ultra-bright front light The highlighted features of N40 are as below: The N40 comes equipped with high-capacity batteries providing impressive range capabilities which can run for nearly 40km without a charge. The 10-inch pneumatic tires, with superior shock absorption, make your ride smoother and more stable even on bumpy terrain or rough surfaces. With 350 watt brushless motor, N40’s output helping you conquer up to a 20% grade slope, and supports three different speed level. The maximum speed of N40 can reach 25 km/h. The Smart Battery Management system ensures battery safety and to notify you of any battery alerts when needed. The carefully tuned Dual Braking System utilize the advantage of disc braking and electric brake. With the quick folding system, the N40 can be easily folded almost in 3 seconds to store in the trunk. Long range up to 40 km 20% superb uphill climbing ability 10 inch pneumatic tires Rated power 350 watt brushless motor Max loading weight 100kg 15cm wide deck Front E-ABS brake with rear disc brake Three speed levels Support cruise control & energy recovery Ultra-bright front light At the end of September, NAVEE S65/65/N40 e-scooters will be available on MediaMarkt España. About NAVEE TECH NAVEE TECH, founded in 2020, is an innovative company specializing in the R&D, production, and distribution of e-scooters and e-bikes. NAVEE is committed to providing vehicles featuring the latest innovations & technology to global customers, and to making micro-mobility more smart, enjoyable, and convenient. For more information, please visit http://naveetech.com

India’s WinZO Sues Google To Stop New Gaming Policy, Calls It Discriminatory – Reuters https://collincountynewsonline.com/indias-winzo-sues-google-to-stop-new-gaming-policy-calls-it-discriminatory-reuters/ FILE PHOTO: The logo for Google LLC is seen at the Google Store Chelsea in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., November 17, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo/File Photo Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com NEW DELHI, Sept 20 (Reuters) – Indian online gaming platform WinZO has sued Google (GOOGL.O) to stop the tech giant from allowing real-money games for fantasy sports and rummy on its platform, saying that Google’s doing so is discriminatory, a legal filing seen by Reuters showed. WinZO’sapp offers real-money games in those categories but also in many others that Google still will not accept, such as carrom, puzzles and car racing, and will therefore not be eligible to benefit from the newly adopted Google policy. For years, Alphabet Inc unit Google allowed no games involving real money in India, but this month said such games for fantasy sports and rummy could join its Play Store marketplace in the country as part of a year-long pilot program. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Google said in a policy update that those two categories comprised games in which contestants used their knowledge of athletic events and athletes, strategised or memorized the fall of playing cards. It did not mention other game formats and their treatment. In its lawsuit filed at the Delhi High Court, WinZO said it had contacted Google on Sept. 10 to contest the updated policy, saying it was “unfair”. WinZO had got no response, forcing it to seek court relief, stated the company’s filing, which described Google’s decision as one that “amounts to unfair trade practice.” It further argued that “all games of skill enjoy constitutional protection.” A source with direct knowledge said the lawsuit had been filed Monday and would be heard in coming weeks. Google declined to comment on the lawsuit. The company has previously said that through its pilot program it was “taking a measured approach that will help us collate learnings”. WinZO, which is backed by U.S.-based venture firm Griffin Gaming Partners, has a valuation of more than $350 million. Its legal challenge comes as an Indian government panel has sought creation of a regulatory body to classify online games as based on either skill or chance, to introduce rules to block prohibited formats and to take a stricter stance on gambling websites. read more Foreign investors, such as Tiger Global and Sequoia Capital have backed gaming startups Dream11 and Mobile Premier League (MPL), both hugely popular for playing fantasy cricket. WinZO has about 85 million users in India, it says, adding that, on average, they each spend an hour on its platform daily. The lawsuit shows WinZO recorded annual revenue of about $13 million in 2020-21. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Aditya Kalra and Munsif Vengattil in New Delhi; Editing by Bradley Perrett Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Kapitus Announces Small Business Finalists In Competition For $250000 In Cash Awards – Longview News-Journal https://collincountynewsonline.com/kapitus-announces-small-business-finalists-in-competition-for-250000-in-cash-awards-longview-news-journal/ Finalists selected based on creativity, enthusiasm, and passion – now look to the public to help determine winners. , /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Kapitus, a leading provider of financing for small and medium sized businesses, today announced the finalists in its inaugural Building Resilient Businesses (BRB) Contest that will award $250,000 in cash prizes to small business owners across the U.S. A total of seven prizes will be awarded – one 1st place prize of $100,000, one 2nd place prize of $50,000 and five 3rd place prizes of $20,000. In the first step of the competition, each small business that entered submitted a video sharing their small business story and how $100,000 would help them to continue writing that story. A total of 15 finalists have been selected from hundreds of small business video entries, coming from 37 states across the U.S. Finalists were chosen based on scores received in the initial judging round that were based on the storytelling, creativity, enthusiasm, and passion portrayed in their video submissions. In the next phase of the competition, Kapitus is asking the public to help choose the winners by viewing the video entries and voting for their favorite small business. Voting opens on Monday, September 19, 2022, at 1:00 pm EDT and runs through Monday, October 10, 2022, at 11:59 pm PDT. The finalists of Kapitus’ Building Resilient Businesses Contest include (in alphabetical order): 1. Black People Will Swim – Long Island, NY – Smashing the stereotype that Black people don’t swim, Black People Will Swim is based on four foundational pillars encouraging people to F.A.C.E. (Fun. Awareness. Community. Education) their fears. 2. Brash Brownies – Winston-Salem, NC – A mobile, Black woman-owned, bakery with small batch desserts based on old family recipes and innovative imagination. Brash Brownies is bringing Louisiana culture to North Carolina. 3. Courtside ATL – Lithonia GA – Creating VIP basketball experiences where anyone can participate, by deconstructing the game into: Shoot, Dribble & Pass. We employ tech features to transform, gamify and transfer content for elevated experiences. 4. Fat Lady Cake’s – Amherst, NY – Fat Lady’s Cakes and Pies specializes in the creation of gourmet desserts made from all natural ingredients. From classics to new innovations, we offer a full range of flavorful treats. 5. Frères Branchiaux Candle Co – Indian Head, MD – Frères Branchiaux Candle Co. is a mission-based company that creates vegan fragrance products. Founders Collin, Ryan, and Austin Gill have donated $40K to homeless shelters through sales of their products. 6. Kai’s Kookies – Houston, TX – Specialty bakery offering low-carb gluten-free treats with no added sugar. Inspired by a father and daughter who recreated their baking style due to allergies and a commitment to improving health. 7. Monolith Games – Siloam Springs, AR – A small husband- and wife-owned board and card game shop. We have created a safe space where people can hang out, play games, and above all – be themselves. 8. Play Pits – Atlanta, GA – 100% all-natural deodorant, free of aluminum, parabens, synthetic fragrances, and harsh chemicals. Play Pits is a mother’s solution to providing a kid-friendly, all-natural hygiene option for youth with active lifestyles. 9. Postal Petals – West Hollywood, CA – A new way for people to enjoy the beauty of flowers through the experience of arranging them. Fresh cut flowers are shipped nationwide for customers to create their own DIY floral arrangements. 10. Stir it Up – Fairbanks, AK – Inspired by a little boy with allergies and a town lacking options, Stir It Up provides options for your dietary lifestyle, guaranteed. A women-owned company specializing in gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian and low-carb options. 11. Strands of Faith – Pearl, MS – SOF is a conscious beauty brand curated and formulated with cruelty free rich ingredients to nourish, restore and refresh textured strands while increasing moisture-length retention and overall healthy hair. 12. Superfit Hero – Los Angeles, CA – Superfit Hero is the world’s most inclusive line of premium plus size activewear for women, with sizes L-7XL. Fitness is for Every Body. 13. TFTI Experience – Houston, TX – Houston’s original photo experience. 15+ creative installations for jaw-dropping photos including Infinity Mirrors, LOVE Letters, Upside Down room, DJ Confetti Room and more. TFTI has something fun for everyone. 14. the Enchanted Rose Emporium – Vancouver, WA – Providing a unique collection of vintage style gifts and craft supplies emphasizing sustainability and teaching classes in the handcrafting skills of yesterday to children and adults – preserving these art forms. 15. The Tree Yoga Cooperative – South Los Angeles, CA – Black and Latina-Owned hub of holistic wellness and community support. We provide accessible, inclusive, trauma-informed and culturally centered yoga classes and training to all body types, abilities and ages. The official winners of the Building Resilient Businesses Contest will be announced by Friday, October 28, 2022. In addition to cash prizes, all winners will receive an eight-hour advisory session – valued at $800 – to help them grow their businesses. Winners will be able to choose a session in one of the following areas: digital marketing, finance management, or data analytics. The contest marks the official kick-off of Kapitus’ larger Building Resilient Businesses Initiative, a program dedicated to giving back to the small business community through programs and initiatives that offer the financial help, educational resources, and products and services they need to grow their business and remain resilient. To vote for your favorite finalist visit: https://kapitus.com/brb-vote/ About Kapitus Founded in 2006, Kapitus is one of the most experienced and trusted names in small business financing. As both a direct lender and a marketplace with an expansive network of financing partners offering a variety of products, Kapitus has provided over $4 billion in growth capital to over 50,000 small businesses. Kapitus, either directly or through trusted partners, offers products tailored to the need of every small business including term loans, sales-based financing, SBA loans, equipment leases, and revolving lines of credit. Media Contact Jackie Quintana, Pitch PR, 1 480-606-8180, Jackie@PitchPublicRelations.com SOURCE Kapitus

How To Take And Share Photos Responsibly On Your Next Holiday – New Zealand Herald https://collincountynewsonline.com/how-to-take-and-share-photos-responsibly-on-your-next-holiday-new-zealand-herald/ By Jessica Wynne Lockhart 20 Sep, 2022 06:08 AM 5 mins to read When it comes to capturing your travels, make sure you’re considering the ethics of the photos you’re taking. Photo / Getty Images Jessica Wynne Lockhart gives advice on how to take and share photos responsibly on your next holiday. It’s not just about asking permission — it’s also about determining what it is that you want to say. For better or for worse, social media has had a profound effect on where and how we travel. Even as the era of travel influencers seems like it might be drawing to a close (thanks to changing social media algorithms), destinations are still trying to tap into a trend that’s been around long before Instagram: The quest to get that perfect vacation shot. Social media didn’t start it. Neither did selfie sticks. Since the dawn of personal photography, we’ve been lining up to prop up the Tower of Pisa, pinching the top of the Taj Mahal, and walking across the Abbey Road pedestrian crossing. So, we’re not exactly new here. Yet, travel photography continues to be fraught with countless examples of bad behaviour, from flying drones where it’s prohibited to taking smiling selfies at Holocaust memorials. It’s reached the point where some hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions are beginning to limit photography, and in some cases, outright ban it. So, how exactly can you take “responsible” photos on your next holiday — and why does it even matter? The first ethical dilemma many travellers face is whether to request permission from their subjects. Ask and risk losing the moment. Don’t ask and you might risk violating someone’s boundaries. For award-winning Kiwi photographer and adventurer Mark Watson, it’s not even a question: consent is a must. He suggests making eye contact with your subject and gesturing your intent by lifting your camera. And, as a bonus, the act of asking for permission may result in a cross-cultural exchange you might not otherwise have had. “As a photographer, you’ll often have an emotional response to something that you’ve seen,” he says. “But it’s important to check yourself and respect the local people.” But for Tracey Scott, who was named New Zealand Travel Photographer of the Year in 2021 and 2022 by New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography (NZIPP), it’s a bit more nuanced than that. “Everyone has their own moral compass,” says Scott, who describes her shooting style as “organic”. However, she agrees there are situations when requesting permission is non-negotiable. “In Ethiopia, I always asked permission, as it’s believed that when you photograph someone, you’re taking part of them,” she explains. Being respectful shouldn’t just apply to people though — it should also apply to the environments you’re travelling through. While Watson does include geotags of the remote locations he’s visited on social media posts (a controversial practice, as critics suggest it can lead to over-tourism), he adheres to Leave No Trace principles. “It’s good to slow down and think, ‘Okay, this is pristine desert. Am I making footprints that are going to be here for 20 years?'” he says, noting the problem isn’t the number of people lining up to take photos in a fragile environment — the problem is how they act once they’re there. “It’s about respecting the environment, respecting local people, and thinking about the bigger picture,” he says. Finally, what you do with your photos once you get home is just as critical as the act of taking them. Regardless of whether you’re just sharing your photos on social media or in a family album, it’s important to consider the story you’re telling. Did you post only pictures of people in traditional costumes — but not in modern clothing? Did you only share pictures of children with flies on their faces, but not those same children attending a well-furnished school? You could be guilty of both perpetuating stereotypes and creating poverty porn. “There’s a fine line between a genuine interest in others’ cultures and exoticising people for your own benefit,” says Nicola Bailey, an Australian photographer and the photo editor for Adventure.com. “As a Westerner, there’s the risk that you’re setting people — often in developing countries — apart as ‘different,’ rather than highlighting similarities that you may share. You’re not only reinforcing stereotypes but also reaffirming the notion that the customs of the West are right and that others are, in some way, more backward.” Captions matter, too. In a former life, I worked for a volunteer-sending organisation, where part of my job was to monitor volunteers’ social media channels. Hands-down, the expression that still makes me cringe is “#TIA”, which stands for “This is Africa” — as though the world’s second-largest continent could be neatly summarised in a three-character hashtag. (My second-least favourite caption? “The people had nothing, but were so happy and generous.”) If what you’re sharing seems over-simplified and one-dimensional, it probably is. “Photography generally shapes how people see the world and so when we share photos, we are influencing how others perceive the world too,” says Bailey. “When sharing a photo and communicating about it, the rule of thumb is quite simply to represent all people with dignity and respect.”

Rise In Business Insolvencies “reflects Challenges Ahead” | North West Business News – Insider Media https://collincountynewsonline.com/rise-in-business-insolvencies-reflects-challenges-ahead-north-west-business-news-insider-media/ A rise in the number of business insolvencies reflects the continued toll that economic turbulence is taking on businesses, according to insolvency and restructuring trade body R3.  The latest insolvency statistics show there were 1,933 corporate insolvencies in August – 43 per cent higher than in August last year and 42 per cent more than in August 2019. The figure was also 5.5 per cent up from July this year. Allan Cadman, who is North West chair of the insolvency and restructuring trade body R3, said the increase had mainly been caused by an rise in the number of Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidations, a process in which directors close their company voluntarily.  “The figures suggest that directors remain concerned about their ability to continue to trade in the current climate, and are choosing to close their businesses before that choice is taken away from them,” he said. “These figures will be a sobering reminder to government of the scale of the challenge facing the UK economy as we head into the winter months, and reflect the continued toll the sustained economic turbulence is taking on businesses.” He added: “Companies are facing enormous running cost hikes just as household spending is facing its biggest squeeze in several decades which delivers yet another blow to business owners who were hoping to bounce back to normal trading levels post-pandemic. “Many directors and managers are worried about the rise in prices and energy costs and the effect these will have on their margins and profits, and this is set to continue to be a concern.”

Spending On Food And Lifestyle For Preventive Wellness Is Better Than Spending On Medicines And Treatment  – The Financial Express https://collincountynewsonline.com/spending-on-food-and-lifestyle-for-preventive-wellness-is-better-than-spending-on-medicines-and-treatment-%ef%bf%bc-the-financial-express/ Preventive wellness is not just health care to treat illness, but healthcare to prevent disease onset in the first place. By Luke Coutinho,  Lifestyle Medicine or Lifelong Medicine – Choose Wisely? More often than not, when the topic of preventive healthcare arises, it is uncommon for an individual to say, “But I am a healthy individual.”. Why should we invest in preventive wellness? Spending money on tests when I am asymptomatic makes no sense! It is like wasting resources in preparation for calamities yet to occur!” My advice to them is to sit back, relax, take a trip down memory lane, and remember the age-old maxim that our school taught us – “Prevention is better than cure”. Spending on health and wellness in a way that adds value to your living is not a cost, it is an investment. Preventive wellness is not just health care to treat illness, but healthcare to prevent disease onset in the first place. Does this only involve regular screenings? Not at all. Holistic approaches include diagnosing lifestyle diseases, treating them, and making sustainable lifestyle changes. Also read| This festive season, give your home a spiffy makeover with these home décor ideas It is much easier for us to recover faster when we treat every organ in our body with great care. Also, it is crucial to consider the quality of the daily products or groceries. Your lifestyle changes are also heavily influenced by this. Through Integrative and Lifestyle Medicine and Holistic Nutrition, food and lifestyle are powerful tools for alleviating pain in people suffering from severe illnesses and lifestyle diseases. Unfortunately, the quality of products available today is highly questionable. Choosing chemical-free, ethically sourced, organic, sustainably produced products from an honest market is of the utmost importance. Also read| Healing touch: Innovation and investment are taking traditional systems of medicine to next level A conventional farming method involves using harmful chemicals, GMOs, synthetic pesticides, and fertilizers. In contrast, organic foods are grown without synthetic pesticides or artificial fertilizers. While these chemicals are safe to use in conventional farming and are present in food at low levels, they have been found to have adverse health effects. Imagine how pesticides would affect humans if they were used to kill pests. However, organic is commonly thought to mean pesticide-free. In some cases, it is true but not always. Foods that are organic do not contain genetically modified organisms. While organic pesticides come from natural sources and are not processed, they also contain certain chemicals found in non-organic pesticides. The benefits of organic and chemical-free meat are also numerous. No antibiotics or synthetic hormones are present in organic meat. Animals raised conventionally can be fed antibiotics to prevent illness, making it easier for farmers to breed them under crowded or unsanitary conditions. There is evidence that these residues contribute to widespread antibiotic resistance, the onset of early puberty, growth of tumors, heightened cancer risk, risk of autoimmune conditions, and genetic problems. Organic meat, produced without antibiotics, is intrinsically safer in this respect. Organic or ethically sourced foods have higher antioxidants, high levels of vitamins, minerals, and lower saturated fat than their conventional counterparts. It also helps preserve our ecosystem and also prevents us from deadly diseases. Choosing organic or ethically sourced products should be done with complete and correct knowledge. When buying organic food, go local to avoid possible pesticides. Though organic foods and chemical-free products might cost more, it is always better to invest in preventative wellness than in medicines. The environment and we deserve a healthier, more sustainable food system for a better overall lifestyle. (The author is Co-Founder of youcarelifestyle.com. Views expressed are personal and do not reflect the official position or policy of the FinancialExpress.com.)

Crypto News Flash: Polygon, STEPN, Tamadoge, And Big Eyes Coin Are Making Huge Impacts On The Metaverse | – Bitcoinist https://collincountynewsonline.com/crypto-news-flash-polygon-stepn-tamadoge-and-big-eyes-coin-are-making-huge-impacts-on-the-metaverse-bitcoinist/ Mckinsey reported that over $120 billion had been invested into the Metaverse in the first five months of 2022. They also expect the industry to be worth $5 trillion by 2030. These investments signal the huge potentials the industry holds. As a savvy crypto investor, it is best to tap into this market before a massive explosion. You can start by investing in the major components of the Metaverse ecosystem, which are tokens—crypto tokens and NFTs. Crypto tokens facilitate virtual transactions, while NFTs are the objects used in the Metaverse. In this regard, this piece would reveal top projects playing a huge role in the Metaverse. These tokens are Polygon(MATIC), StepN(GMT), Tamadoge(TAMA), and Big Eyes Coin (BIG). Polygon(MATIC) Frequent users of the Ethereum network can attest to the congestion, slow transaction speed, and costly gas fees. Polygon(MATIC) was created to tackle these issues on the Ethereum network. Synonymous to its geometric name, Polygon(MATIC) is a network with multiple chains all acting on Ethereum to facilitate speedier transactions on an interconnected network. Inherently, it is a layer-2 solution. With Polygon(MATIC), developers can build Ethereum-compatible applications connected to the main network. Hence, Polygon(MATIC) is similar to protocols like Avalanche, Cosmos, and Polkadot. Like many other protocols, Polygon(MATIC) has a native token known as MATIC. This token can validate transactions, earn passive rewards, and vote changes. Let’s not forget its ability to serve as a means of payment. StepN(GMT) StepN(GMT) is the first move-to-earn solution on the Metaverse. To utilize StepN(GMT), users will purchase NFT sneakers which will then be used to partake in fitness activities such as walks, jogging, and running outdoors. The time you can spend on daily activities depends on the sneaker’s energy level. There are different forms of sneakers in the marketplace, with varying specifics and energy levels. So, users can purchase their desired sneakers and start earning. On the StepN(GMT) platform, there are two major crypto tokens—Green Satoshi Token(GST) and Green Metaverse Token(GMT). GST is the utility token, while GMT is the governance token. Plus, GMT is paid to users whose sneakers have hit the Level 30 stage. Those optimistic about the future of StepN(GMT) should consider holding GMT as it has a limited supply and has performed significantly better than GST. Tamadoge(TAMA) Like real pets, your purchase, train, and breed them into adult pets. Tamadoge(TAMA) works similarly. Tamadoge(TAMA) is an NFT pet in the Tamaverse—Tamadoge(TAMA) metaverse world. As the owner of one or a group of Tamadoge(TAMA) pets, proper breeding is crucial to how much you can earn. A well-fed and trained pet can compete in arcades and win price points for its owners. With the Tamadoge(TAMA) pets as Metaverse NFTs, they’d feel as much as a real pet. When logged into virtual reality, these pets look real. The Tamadoge(TAMA) team is taking it further by collaborating with other Metaverse worlds. With these, Tamadoge(TAMA) owners can play with their pets in any virtual world. Big Eyes Coin (BIG) Big Eyes Coin (BIG) is a community-centric meme token planning to contribute greatly to DeFi and the Meta. As we all know, many meme coins are attributed to Dogs and Apes, but Big Eyes Coin (BIG) took a different aesthetic. The cat. Big Eyes Coin (BIG) is not just a cat but an aesthetically appealing cat. With its look, Big Eyes Coin (BIG) should win the NFT beauty contest and the most popular meme coin. The hype has played a crucial role in the growth of crypto coins and NFTs—sometimes, unreal hype. Big Eyes Coin (BIG) intends to be the talk and do the project. It will be creating a series of events and contents that will help people navigate the DeFi space. Plus, the token will also be greatly influenced by the community. As a genuine decentralized and community meme coin, we expect Big Eyes Coin(BIG) to grow significantly. Investors can partake in the presales of Big Eyes Coin (BIG) to tap into potential returns. Disclaimer: This is a paid release. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily represent those of Bitcoinist. Bitcoinist does not guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of information available in such content. Do your research and invest at your own risk.

Pacific Islands A Key U.S. Military Buffer To China’s Ambitions – Report – Reuters https://collincountynewsonline.com/pacific-islands-a-key-u-s-military-buffer-to-chinas-ambitions-report-reuters/ U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s plane makes its landing approach on Pohnpei International Airport in Kolonia, Federated States of Micronesia August 5, 2019. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com SYDNEY, Sept 20 (Reuters) – China sees the Pacific islands as an area of significant strategic interest and the United States should strengthen its commitment to north Pacific island states, now in talks to renew a defence compact, to maintain a vital military buffer, a report released Tuesday by a U.S. Congress-funded think tank said. China had made progress in the Pacific on geostrategic goals it has been unable to achieve elsewhere, said the report for the United States Institute for Peace, whose co-authors include former senior military officials. This was cause for concern but not alarm, the report added, saying the U.S. should bolster support for island states in the north Pacific where it had the strongest historical ties. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com The report comes ahead of a meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and a dozen Pacific island leaders next week, as Washington seeks to compete for influence with Beijing. read more The Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and Palau are sovereign nations known as Freely Associated States (FAS), after signing compacts in the late 1980s that give the U.S. defence responsibility and the right to military bases. The compacts, which expire in 2023 and 2024, are being renegotiated, and the report warned that these states could look to China for funding if negotiations fail. “The vast FAS territorial seas, which span much of the northern Pacific, are an important strategic buffer between U.S. defense assets in Guam and Hawaii and East Asian littoral waters,” said the report, whose authors include Philip Davidson, a former commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and David Stilwell, a former U.S. assistant secretary of state. If Beijing were to succeed in bringing one of these states into its sphere, “it would imperil U.S. military capabilities in a strategically vital geographic command area and open the door to a broader reordering of regional architecture with implications well beyond the Pacific region,” it said. A U.S. missile defence test range in the Marshall Islands is critical to U.S. space and missile-defense capabilities, it added. Across the Pacific region, China is seeking to enhance its access to ports and Exclusive Economic Zones, frustrate efforts by the United States to project military power, increase intelligence gathering and surveillance capabilities, reduce Taiwan’s diplomatic partners, and promote the Chinese model of political and economic development, the report said. “China views the Pacific Islands as an area of significant strategic interest,” it said. Washington needs to provide an alternative to Chinese economic assistance to “counter Beijing’s efforts to capitalize on regional perceptions of neglect and abandonment”. More resources were needed to monitor China’s increasing activity in the FAS, where Chinese research vessels with “military utility” have been spotted without permission. The Federated States of Micronesia recently agreed to develop new U.S. military facilities, and Palau requested the U.S. build airstrips, ports and bases, which “Washington should consider seriously to the extent that it aligns with defense needs,” the report said. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Kirsty Needham; Editing by Edmund Klamann Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Area Police | News, Sports, Jobs – Evening Observer https://collincountynewsonline.com/area-police-news-sports-jobs-evening-observer-2/ CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE ¯ ELLERY — William R. Mitchell, 42, of Ellery, was charged with second-degree harassment and endangering the welfare of a child. Deputies responded at 9 p.m. Sunday for an harassment complaint in the town of Ellery. An investigation found that Mitchell allegedly harassed another person under the age of 17 earlier that evening. Mitchell is scheduled to appear in Ellery Town Court later. ¯ POMFRET — Cammeron M. Scott, 31, of Buffalo, was charged with driving while intoxicated and DWI per se. Deputies and Fredonia officers responded at 11:12 p.m. Saturday to the Burger King on Bennett Road in the town of Pomfret to check the well-being of an individual in a vehicle. An investigation found that Scott was allegedly driving while intoxicated. He is scheduled to appear in Pomfret Town Court later. NEW YORK STATE POLICE ¯ RANDOLPH — Mark Hamilton, 49, of Jamestown, was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated. Hamilton was stopped Sunday on Interstate 86 in Randolph for a traffic violation. He was taken into custody after allegedly failing several field sobriety tests. Hamilton later provided a breath sample of 0.19%. He was processed and released with a ticket to appear in Randolph Town Court later. Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox

How Asia’s Idols Became A Gateway To The Metaverse – Jing Daily https://collincountynewsonline.com/how-asias-idols-became-a-gateway-to-the-metaverse-jing-daily/ Asia’s idol economy has long been a market fueled by toxicity and hysteria, yet its explosive purchasing power remains unparalleled. With the metaverse rapidly settling into its title as a billion-dollar industry, the two have, unsurprisingly, become a match made in revenue-generating heaven. Now, the continent’s most prominent entertainment stars want in on the growing landscape.  Despite its turbulent reputation, celebrities across the landmass are beginning to recognize how Web3 could become a driving force behind the bolstering of their digital presence and leverage idol-to-fan dynamics. It’s a burgeoning affair, but one that delivers a lot of potential to expand to new heights — only recently did girl group Blackpink take the win for Best Metaverse Performance at the MTV Music awards after their “The Virtual” concert via PUBG Mobile, with BTS’ Minecraft production coming up a close second.   With numerous big names investing heavily in their own virtual futures, many are turning to marketing campaigns such as digital collectibles and cross-dimensional experiences to tap into the growing Web3 market, as well as elevating their online communities by inviting fans along with them in the process. According to a report published by iResearch Consulting Group in 2020, the market value related to the fan economy in China was estimated to be more than $619.2 billion (4 trillion RMB) in 2019, and was projected to surpass $861.7 billion (6 trillion RMB) in 2023. Meanwhile, South Korea’s K-pop industry has seen fans spending more on concerts, merchandise, and products related to their musical icons.  K-pop girl group Blackpink took home the prize of “Best Metaverse Performance” at this year’s VMA Awards. Photo: PUBG Mobile But Operation Qinglang, a program launched by the Cyberspace Administration of China last year which saw the tightening of policies within the entertainment industry, dealt a huge blow to the idol market. The crackdown prevented fan pages that had proliferated millions of followers, as well as limiting the number of times a celebrity or their associated products could appear on web pages. While many netizens demonstrated support for the decision, it also meant that many VIPs across the nation could no longer capitalize on their online fan groups to the same degree. Which is where Web3 comes in. Although still somewhat in its infancy, the newfound digital space could aid in leveraging China’s idol economy. The transition to virtual could also see a surge of Gen-Z audiences following these stars and onboarding onto the space, sending the mainland’s online market value on a promising upwards trajectory, despite ongoing legislations regarding the metaverse across the country.  Across Asia, Web3 also opens up a new world of prospects. The landscape acts as a melting pot of possibilities in which idols can take on celebrity ambassadorships, global-scale concerts, meet-and-greets, and more. Cyrus Lu, co-founder of NFT-native luxury brand Luxeto, believes that the metaverse is a way for personalities to cut through the noise of the oversaturated entertainment industry: “It’s novel and exciting and gets the attention of the fan bases among today’s overstimulating environment.” Mandopop star Jay Chou was one of the early adopters in the idol industry. The Tawainese music icon shot into the spotlight after releasing digitally-rendered versions of his “Phanta Bears” that he sold as NFTs. The launch set a new precedent for the global crypto art market, after amassing over $10 million (69 million RMB) and breaking the record for the fastest-selling NFT in the world in terms of quantity and price.  Following this success, Chou recently demonstrated his ambitions to expand his metaversal presence by turning five of his songs’ demos into digital collectibles via platform Bohe. The collectibles can be used as keys that unlock access to an exclusive virtual space, where fans can navigate as avatars and listen to the demos. While the release gained a lot of traction on Chinese social media, fans seemed hesitant to invest, with the 10,000 keys failing to sell out.  Lu speculates that the mainland’s wavering response to collectibles could be due to its non-existent resale sector for such assets. “The feedback from the market [China] has been somewhat lukewarm, partially because there’s no established secondary market for trading like OpenSea.” Beijing’s stringent bans on such platforms make it difficult for these products to increase in value or be sold on, causing them to ultimately lose appeal from the get-go. Jay Chou’s “Phantabear” NFT drop made history after selling out in 40 minutes, bringing in $53 million (371.6 million RMB). Photo: OpenSea Meanwhile, South Korean girl group Lightsum has also tapped the space after collaborating with French designer Victor Weinsanto and Web3-first agency Brand New Vision on digital clothing collection M3TALOVE. The NFT series consists of eight exclusive wearables, each designed to represent the individuality of the group’s members. Whether the collectibles prove successful remains uncertain, but the project demonstrates how Asia’s idols are striving for more exposure in the metaverse through creative endeavors like this.  Richard Hobbs, CEO of Brand New Vision, believes that K-culture in the metaverse is not only expediting, but it’s here to stay. “There have always been youth-driven trends at the intersection of fashion, music, and sport,” he observes. “In the last 10 years these have been joined by social media and other Web2 digital experiences. Now we are ready for Web3, real-time virtual events, and completely new ways of dressing and displaying identity.” Developments across the landscape are signaling this sentiment to be true. Over the past year, an increasing number of K-pop acts have used the metaverse to create a virtual hub where they can build stronger connections with their fans. Girl group Billlie turned to SK Telecom’s Web3 service Ifland to host a meet and greet event with their fans, as part of their “K-Pop Guest House Land” after the band announced that it would be expanding its presence in the virtual space.  Parisian fashion designer Victor Weinsanto’s latest project involves a series of NFT wearables in collaboration with girl group Lightsum and Brand New Vision. Photo: Weinsanto “Korea, in particular in Asia, is very pro-metaverse, so we see a lot of interest in how that can manifest itself in multiple ways that lead to wider engagement of both existing fans and taking K-culture to a wider global audience,” Hobbs notes. Similarly, South Korean girl group NMIXX also created a fandom space earlier this month on Zepeto, where visitors can practice dance moves and take selfies with the members using their own avatars. In the first six days, around 1 million users visited the virtual space and created more than 600,000 pieces of content on the platform. Moreover, earlier this year, Gusto Collective and One Cool Group brought Asia’s first blockbuster piece of crypto art to life as an extension of movie star Louis Koo’s “Warriors of Future” release. Ten thousand unique avatar NFTs were launched via OneCoolGroup’s dedicated website, which have now sold out. “Through owning an NFT from the film project, fans are directly supporting the artists or IPs they believe in. They can directly interact with the actor Louis Koo and the production team and of course, with other members of the community,” Aaron Lau, founder and CEO of Gusto Collective, explains. “Through NFT blockchain ledger technologies, creators will continue to receive royalty fees from subsequent transactions. Web3 technology is a game-changer in generating greater value through content and experiences for all stakeholders.” Not only can tokens open up new pathways for audiences to immerse themselves in, but there’s also the rewards for the artists themselves — it’s a two-way advantage for everyone involved. To celebrate the release of blockbuster “Warriors of Future,” film star Louis Koo released a series of NFTs in partnership with Gusto Collective and One Cool Group. Photo: Gusto Collective In short, there’s huge scope for VIPs to engage with their communities in meaningful ways online, and evidence suggests that the appetite from fans is already there. KLKTN, a curated NFT platform which aims to elevate fandom experiences through Web3, is witnessing this reshaping of fan culture in real time. The platform’s popularity boils down to the level of added value it offers to fanbases, which can’t be replicated in the offline space. While musicians and artists are able to share their behind-the-scenes content and creative processes, they’re also able to enrich engagement with their fans by allowing them to select, purchase, and own authentic virtual “Special Edition” collectibles and digitally tokenized “Moments.”  But the metaverse remains an exceedingly challenging space to get to grips with. The mass proliferation of the online terrain opens up new corners of the internet that have yet to be regulated. This increased possibility of scams and frauds poses risks to both audiences and celebs. Moreover, a rise in virtual idols across the space means personalities risk losing their cultural relevance to these new competitors who are, as a result of their widespread popularity, being swept up by labels across Asia for brand deals, ambassadorships, and promotional campaigns.  “The tight grip on the Chinese celebrity community these days has to some extent contributed to the rise of virtual idols, think Ayayi or Ling,” Lu says. “The virtual idol by nature does not come with the personal risks an IRL celebrity imposes. This might mitigate the risk brands might face when signing celebrities or brand ambassadors.” For companies, t...

40 Wine Gifts – National Today https://collincountynewsonline.com/40-wine-gifts-national-today/ You know who the wine lovers in your life are. They’re the ones who always show up to the party sporting a bottle of their best wine. They can never do without it. How about when they offer you a tour of their well-stocked selection of expensive wines? Clearly, wine is a part of their love language, so it only makes sense to get them something that you know they are guaranteed to love. While another bottle of wine would do the trick, take a more creative and get them something unique this time. Here is a list of must-have gadgets, housewares, gags, and other wine-themed picks that’d make great gifts. Our Top 3 Picks Best Bar Cart With Storage You could always use more storage space. Buy it! Also Great Insulated Wine Carrier Tote Carry your favorite bottles in style. Buy it! Good on a Budget Minute Mimosa Sugar Cube Trio When you want to sip on something sweeter than a basic glass of bubbly. Buy it! Birthday Wine Gifts Wine Freeze Cooling Cups Your wine enthusiast would never settle for a glass of lukewarm wine. Instead, keep a glass of their favorite white or rose cool with one of these freezable glasses. That way, they can always enjoy a perfectly chilled glass of wine that’s just waiting for them. Get one on Amazon. Minute Mimosa Sugar Cube Trio On the days when they want a sip of something sweeter than your typical glass of bubbly, they can take one of these and drop it into their drink. It’ll give the drink a burst of fruity flavor, tangy citrus, or sweet berries.  Get one at Uncommon Goods. Wine Pairing Towels The next time they pop open a bottle, they can turn this into a tea towel to piece together the ideal food pairing to go with their wine. Wrap the towel around a gift of their favorite bottle of red or white to make it a nice well-rounded gift. Get one at Uncommon Goods. Recycled Wine Bottle Platter with Spreader Wine and cheese go well together like, well wine and cheese. Your wine enthusiast can use this platter made out of a recycled wine bottle at her next dinner party or get together to hold cheese, crackers, and other appetizers. Get one at Uncommon Goods. Christmas Wine Gifts Etched Skyline Wine Glass Each of these glasses is etched with a stunning-looking panoramic view of one of 30 major US cities, making it a subtle, but sweet way to show off their hometown with pride.  Get one at Uncommon Goods. Uncorked Candles These candles are handmade out of soy and available in five popular wine varieties. They come set in vintage wine bottles, so they can give their home a nice vintage wine or vineyard aroma.  Get one at Uncommon Goods. Wine Socks A note to everyone in their life that’s found themselves in the position of having their feet up, but nothing to drink. It happens more often than you’d think. This will let them know the wine should be flowing. Better yet, pair them with your favorite bottle of red or white so the relaxations can begin, ASAP. Get one on Amazon. On Cloud White: Adult Coloring Book Sometimes when life gets stressful, there isn’t always a bottle of wine to reach for. When that happens, they can unwind with one of these instead. A coloring book with more than 50 wine-themed pages.  Get one on Amazon. Unique Wine Gifts Wine Cork States Put their hard wine collecting work on display with a state-shaped wall display. Each state, no matter how small, can hold 30 corks at one time. This will keep them busy for the better part of the year. Get one on Uncommon Goods. Wine Lover’s Bucket List Your wine lover won’t just settle for anything average, and that means, they might want to go on an adventure to track down the best bottle of wine they’ve ever had. While they flip through this book, they’ll learn a lot about at least 1,000 wineries, vineyards, and wine festivals around the world. In other words, future vacation destinations. Get one on Amazon. Wine Bottle Wind Chime There’s nothing better than sitting on the front porch of your home with a glass of your favorite wine on hand. However, we have something to make it even better. Now your wine lover can savor the experience of the peaceful sounds with these glass bottle wind chimes, available in several colors.  Get one on Etsy. Bottle Stopper Garden Kit Drinking wine is only half the fun. Once you’re done with the bottle, you can fill it with water, plug it with one of these soil-packed stoppers, and wait for herbs or edible flowers to grow in the coming weeks.  Get one at Uncommon Goods. Red Wine Gifts Hakuna Moscato Disney fans are going to get a kick out of these. A pun-worthy wine glass to end all wine glasses. Timon and Pumba would think so too. Get one on Amazon. Marble Wine Chiller Bucket Not only does this marble wine cooler keep your bottle chilled, but it also adds style while you do it. You can take it with you for picnics and other outdoor events. Enjoy a nice, cool, refreshing drink no matter where you are. Eliminates the need for an ice box. Get one on Amazon. Portable Folding Wine Picnic Table Once picnic season comes around again, you’ll be lucky to have one of these portable tables out there with you. It’s got retractable legs making it easy to store and set up when you’re on the move.  Get one on Amazon. City Wine Tote Their secret is safe with us. This cute-looking purse has an insulated compartment with a 1.5-liter bag that can hold their favorite bottle of wine. An exterior flap sits on the outside, hiding a spout for pouring wine when they’re ready to get the party rolling.  Get one on Amazon. Wine Gifts for Wine Lovers Portable Cup Holder Sure, they could balance their wine glass on the tub ledge, place it carefully on the seat’s armrest, or just hold it the entire time, provided they’ve got the determination. However, this portable cup holder will make her feel so much fancier. As a bonus, it works for beers too. Get one on Amazon. Wine Saver Sometimes finishing up a whole bottle just feels too ambitious and you’re just not up to it, you can use Vacu Vin to create an airtight seal on your bottle. It’ll help keep the wine fresh for at least a week.    Get one on Amazon. Wine Bottle Glass We all know how nasty drinking directly from the bottle can be. Also, let’s be honest, we’ve all been there. In comes the Guzzle Buddy. It’ll screw right on top of the wine bottle. That way, you can sip as much as you want, from the glass instead.  Get one on Amazon. Wine Coasters The statements on these coasters are wine-fueled and likely to peak your interest. The funny part is, any wine lover is likely to have said one of these at one point or another. As a wine lover, it’d be a shame to pass them up. Get one on Amazon. Wine Gifts for Her “May Contain Wine” Shirt We can already picture it now. She’s wearing this shirt and holding a big glass of her favorite wine. Suddenly, this shirt makes a lot of sense. Get one on Amazon. Insulated Wine Carrier Tote She’ll get to her next party with this over-the-shoulder tote bag. It can carry two bottles of wine and keep both of them cool.  Get one on Amazon. Best Friends Print On her best days, she has her best friends with her to share the good times with. Her partner in wine (you) and a bottle of her favorite wine. Get her this as a symbol of your friendship. You can frame and customize it, modifying the hair colors and wine preferences to come up with some special for just the two of you. Get one on Etsy. Vintage Merlot Wine Soap For something more practical, this bar of soap might be just the thing. This bar of soap is actually made with real merlot to give you an all-natural look and smell.  Get one on Amazon. Wine Accessories Gifts Electric Wine Opener We can all agree that sometimes opening a bottle of wine just takes more effort than necessary. Well, this automatic wine opener is going to change that. All you need to do is place it on top of the wine bottle, press a button, and presto, the bottle is open and ready to serve. Get one on Amazon. Birthstone Wine Bottle Stopper If they like to keep their opened wine bottles on display, help turn them into some interesting statement pieces with these hand-blown glass bottle stoppers. To make things more exciting, choose the bottle stopper that matches your birth month, or simply pick the color that works best for your space.  Get one at Uncommon Goods. Pocket Wine Aerator With the push of a button, this pocket aerator adds oxygen to your wine glass in as little as 15 seconds. Why add oxygen you ask? It helps enhance the flavor, making it easier for you to finish off the glass.  Get one on Amazon. This Might Be Wine Mug Even when they are drinking their morning coffee, give them something to help them look forward to their next nightcap. This relatable mug will also give them a laugh. Get one on Amazon. Wine Simple: A Guide From A World-Class Sommelier Even if they consider themselves professionals when it comes to wine, there’s always something to learn, and this helpful guide has plenty to teach. In it are breakdowns for 29 different wine types along with smart tips about how to navigate the wine list and find the perfect bottle for them. Get one on Amazon. Insulated Champagne Flute If they prefer to keep their drinks bubbly and fizzy, get them one of these stainless steel champagne flutes. They’ll keep the Prosecco or any other wines cold until the very last drop. Just stick them in the freezer an hour before deciding to pop them open. Get one on Amazon. Wine Lips Scrub Encourage her to freshen up between glasses with this natural lip scrub made from beeswax, cocoa butter, coconut oil, sunflower oil, granulated sugar, and alkanet root, which adds some nice color to the mix.  Get one on Etsy. Set of Markers Forget the wine glass charms and pick a more creative route with this set of five washable wine markers. Each pa...

Daimler Trucks Shifts Battery Strategy To Avoid Competition With Cars – Automotive News Europe https://collincountynewsonline.com/daimler-trucks-shifts-battery-strategy-to-avoid-competition-with-cars-automotive-news-europe/ HANOVER, Germany — Daimler Trucks is migrating its battery chemistry to a formula that eliminates nickel and cobalt to improve durability and reduce competition with the passenger car business for scarce materials. Daimler will gradually move its vehicles to lithium iron phosphate batteries it has developed in partnership with China’s CATL. Iron and phosphate cost far less and are easier to mine than other battery materials. “They are both cheap and plentiful almost everywhere and will definitely help to reduce the pressure on the battery supply chain as adoption grows,” said Sam Abuelsamid, an analyst with Guidehouse Insights. Daimler, the German parent of Freightliner and Western Star truck brands, announced the strategy as it debuted a longer-haul electric truck for the European market at IAA Transportation 2022 on Monday. “My fear is if the entire passenger car market, not just Tesla or the high-end cars, moves to batteries, there will be a fight,” Martin Daum, Daimler Truck’s CEO, told Automotive News. “And a fight always means higher pricing.” Eliminating nickel and cobalt, the rarest elements going into vehicle batteries, reduces the cost, he said. Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells cost about 30 percent less than nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) cells, according to BloombergNEF. “The much lower cost, superior durability and safety make LFP a very appealing prospect for many use cases, especially commercial vehicles,” Abuelsamid said. Freightliner and other Daimler brands now use NMC chemistry that relies on lithium and manganese in addition to nickel and cobalt. Energy density a focal point Much of the passenger car industry will stick to NMC chemistry that uses nickel and cobalt because those batteries have greater energy density. That allows for greater range in a small vehicle, Daum said. Still, there is some movement even among passenger car makers to LFP batteries, Abuelsamid said, especially entry-level models. Tesla, for example, is starting to use LFP technology for some vehicles it manufactures in China. “We expect that LFP will probably account for at least one-third of the EV battery market in the second half of the decade as most manufacturers adopt for at least some applications,” Abuelsamid said. Besides Tesla, Volvo and Ford plan to incorporate LFP batteries into some of their vehicles. Daum said the technology makes good sense for large commercial vehicles like electric Freightliners. The trucks have enough space for larger batteries that compensate for the lower energy density of LFP chemistry. Technology advances may further narrow the gap. An expected shift in cell-to-pack architectures will eliminate the modular structure in batteries and help overcome the reduced energy density of LFP chemistry, Abuelsamid said. That’s because the new design doubles the amount of active energy-storing material in a battery pack to 70 percent to 80 percent, he explained. According to Daum, LFP also offers better longevity because it doesn’t suffer the same level of degradation after thousands of cycles. Many in the industry consider LFP batteries safer because they operate at a lower temperature and are less likely to catch fire. Strategies defined by segment Batteries are starting to divide along multiple technology pathways by vehicle segment, said Nathan Niese, an electrification expert and partner with Boston Consulting Group. Premium vehicles will offer the latest-generation high-nickel batteries that push boundaries on battery innovation, he said. Mid-level vehicles will use high-nickel or LFP chemistries that focus on fast recharging, while entry-level vehicles will come equipped with LFP or sodium-ion chemistries that value cost competitiveness over vehicle range. The massive scale of the passenger vehicle market and its advantage as the first mover create sourcing challenges for later entrants such as commercial vehicle manufacturers, Niese said. Daimler’s change in battery strategy comes as it unveils the Mercedes-Benz Trucks eActros Long Haul Class 8 truck. The truck will have the new LFP batteries when it goes into production in 2024. Daimler, which owns Mercedes-Benz Trucks, said it would have a range of about 483 km (300 miles). Although Daimler plans to sell the eActros in Europe, its batteries and other technology will appear in a future eCascadia model, Daum said. “We are looking for maximum commonality on all platforms,” he said.

Gaming Realms PLC Announces Interim Results – AccessWire https://collincountynewsonline.com/gaming-realms-plc-announces-interim-results-accesswire/ Content licensing revenue grows by 57% to £6.4m EBITDA[1] of £3.5m[2] with a 41% EBITDA margin LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2022 / Gaming Realms plc (the “Company” or the “Group”) (AIM:GMR), the developer and licensor of mobile focused gaming content, is pleased to announce its interim results for the six months to 30 June 2022 (the “Period” or “H1’22”). Financial highlights: H1 2022 H1 2021 Change £m £m % Revenue (Content licensing) 6.4 4.1 +57% Revenue (Brand licensing) * 0.3 1.7 -82% Revenue (Social) 1.8 1.9 -7% Total revenue 8.5 7.7 +10% EBITDA before share option and related charges 3.5 3.1 +12% EBITDA 3.3 2.7 +25% Profit before tax 1.3 0.8 +66% * Brand licensing revenue decreased due to a significant, non-recurring deal positively impacting revenues in H1 2021. Total revenue grew 10% from £7.7m in H1’21 to £8.5m in H1’22. Group EBITDA grew 12% to £3.5m2 (H1’21: £3.1m), representing a 41% EBITDA margin (H1’21: 40%). Excluding brand licensing, revenue grew 36% from £6.0m in H1’21 to £8.2m in H1’22 Total licensing revenues grew 15% to £6.7m (H1’21: £5.8m), with content licensing revenue up 57% to £6.4m (H1’21: £4.1m) Revenues from North America of £4.7m representing 55% of total revenue Social revenue decreased 7% to £1.8m (H1’21: £1.9m), but with a reduction in related expenses, this segment increased its EBITDA by 13% Profit before tax increased 66% to £1.3m (H1’21: £0.8m) Operational highlights: Granted Online Gaming Service Supplier License in Connecticut with launch expected in Q4’22 Granting of iGaming Supplier License in Ontario and subsequent launch with 8 operators Launched in additional regulated markets in Spain and Denmark Launched Slingo content with WLA member Loto-Quebec Launched games distribution business with 4ThePlayer in New Jersey Released 8 new games into the market, including Slingo Shark Week and Slingo DaVinci Diamonds. The Group now has 61 games in its portfolio (Dec’21: 53 games, Jun’21: 48 games) Post period-end: Licensing revenue increased 53% in the two months post period-end compared to the same period in 2021 Launched Betway and Pokerstars in Europe Released two new Slingo games: Slingo Stampede and Slingo Stinkin’ Rich Outlook for FY22: Gaming Realms has continued to progress during the first half of the year, with its core strategy of developing and licensing games globally to market-leading brands and operators delivering high margin revenues. This growth is expected to continue into the second half of the year as the Company matures in its key markets. In addition, the Group is aiming to launch in Connecticut, Portugal and Greece, as well as forecasting growth from the recently launched markets of Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ontario, Spain and the Netherlands. The European market continues to be the largest contributor to content licensing revenues and, with the launch of 8 games plus entry into new regulated markets, has grown 19% period on period. We have more direct integrations with partners, which improves margins and strengthens these relationships. Our revenues from North American content licensing have increased 160% period on period, with the region accounting for 45% of content licensing revenue. New Jersey continues to be our leading market, but Pennsylvania and Michigan are growing strongly as we launch more games with new partners. At 30 June 2022, we were live with 7 games in Pennsylvania across 6 partners and 17 games across 7 partners in Michigan. In total we have launched with 26 partners in H1 2022 (H1’21: 11). This growth is supported by the launch of premium games, including Slingo Shark Week and Slingo Da Vinci Diamonds. We are continuing to invest in our remote game server and in the period launched our aggregation business in New Jersey with 4ThePlayer. The Group is continuing to deliver on its clear strategy, expanding into new markets and launching content which is proving popular with players. It has a strong pipeline of deals and integrations and the Board expects trading for FY’22 to be in line with market expectations. Commenting on the first half performance, Michael Buckley, Executive Chairman, said: “The Group has delivered another period of strong growth supported by our ongoing expansion into newly regulated markets in North America and Europe, with content licensing revenue increasing by 57%. Whilst brand licensing declined in the period under review, as a result of the significant contract in last year’s comparative period, this was more than made up by increased income from our core content licensing. The growth in licensing income has continued into the second half of this year, with licensing revenues for July and August 2022 being 53% higher than the comparative months in 2021. “We have also continued to expand on our existing partnerships, adding new content through our direct integration agreements, as well as signing new licensing deals and launching a series of new games. “Whilst we are mindful of the impact of higher inflation throughout global markets, the outlook for the Group remains positive. The Group has a strong new business pipeline and will also see additional revenues coming from North America, as well as from the new market entries in Europe. As such we expect to deliver on market expectations for the full year.” An analyst briefing will be held virtually at 9:30am today. To attend, please contact Yellow Jersey on [email protected]. The Company also notes that it will be hosting an online presentation to retail investors on Friday 23rd September at 1pm. Those wishing to join the presentation are requested to register via the following link: Meeting Registration. Enquiries Gaming Realms plc 0845 123 3773 Michael Buckley, Executive Chairman Mark Segal, CFO Peel Hunt LLP – NOMAD and broker 020 7418 8900 George Sellar Andrew Clark Lalit Bose Yellow Jersey 07747 788 221 Charles Goodwin Annabelle Wills Business review The Group delivered overall revenue growth of 10% to £8.5m (H1’21: £7.7m), driven by the Group’s core content licensing business. Total expenses increased 2%, which resulted in a 25% increase in total EBITDA generated across the Group to £3.3m (H1’21: £2.7m). The Group recorded a profit before tax for the period of £1.3m, a 66% increase on the same period in 2021. Licensing Licensing segment revenues increased 15% to £6.7m (H1’21: £5.8m), which is broken down as: Content licensing revenue growth of 57% to £6.4m (H1’21: £4.1m); and Brand licensing revenue reduced 82% to £0.3m (H1’21: £1.7m). The segment delivered £3.6m EBITDA in the period, an 8% overall uplift over the £3.4m in H1’21. Content licensing The core focus of the Group remains delivering growth in the content licensing business. Continued growth in the games portfolio and increasing the distribution footprint to an increased number of operators in Europe and North America underpins the current period’s performance. During the period, the Group began operating with partners in three additional regulated markets, Ontario, Spain and Denmark. Outside of going live with partners in these newly entered markets, we also went live with a further 18 partners during the period in existing markets in Europe and North America. An additional 8 new Slingo games were released to the market during the period, bringing the Group’s games portfolio to 61 games at the period end (H1’21: 48 games). This all resulted in a 57% increase in content licensing revenues to £6.4m (H1’21: £4.1m). Brand licensing Revenues from the Group’s brand licensing activities, which are non-core, fell 82% to £0.3m (H1’21: £1.7m). This is a result of a significant brand deal completed in the comparative period which did not repeat in the period. Social Revenues in the Group’s social publishing business reduced 7% to £1.8m in the period (H1’21: £1.9m) as a result of a reduction in marketing during the period. However, with total segment expenses (excluding share option and related charges) reducing by 16% to £1.1m (H1’21: £1.3m), the segment actually delivered EBITDA growth of 13% to £0.7m (H1’21: £0.6m). The reduction in total segmental expenses comprises a 21% fall in operating costs, which are largely revenue driven, and a 99% reduction in marketing costs from the previous period. Cashflow and balance sheet The Group’s cash balance at 30 June 2022 was £4.0m, a reduction of £0.4m from the £4.4m reported at 31 December 2021. The current period fall in cash was largely driven by the £2.0m cash inflow from operations, offset by £2.1m development costs capitalised during the period and £0.2m acquisition of tangible and intangible assets. Subsequent to the period end, the cash balance increased to £4.6m at 31 August 2022, with negative working capital movements in the first half of the year reversing. The Group has a convertible loan of £3.0m owed to Gamesys Group plc (see Note 11), due for repayment in December 2022. Net assets totalled £16.1m (31 December 2021: £13.1m). Click on, or paste the following link into your web browser, to view the associated PDF document. http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/8137Z_1-2022-9-16.pdf This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact [email protected] or visit www.rns.com. SOURCE: Gaming Realms PLC

Some Prosper ISD Parents Held A Protest Demanding District Leaders To Step Down – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth https://collincountynewsonline.com/some-prosper-isd-parents-held-a-protest-demanding-district-leaders-to-step-down-nbc-5-dallas-fort-worth/ Parents and community members held signs and protested Monday afternoon outside a Prosper ISD elementary school demanding district administrators step down over the district’s handling of recent sexual abuse allegations surrounding a bus driver. “We have been to the board meetings in the past, we have raised our concerns, we have emailed the board meeting, we have emailed the school principal who was in charge when this happened, and have not gotten anywhere,” said Kandia Chastain, a parent of three kids in Prosper ISD. She helped organize the protest across from Rucker Elementary School hours before the district’s board meeting. People wore all blue, which is the symbol of child abuse awareness. Parents continue to express their outrage after they say the district did not notify them immediately about allegations surrounding a bus driver who was arrested in May, accused of sexually abusing two girls aged 5 and 7. Families said they’re concerned that there could be other victims and say those who had the same route as the bus driver were never notified. During a special board meeting last week, in a 5-2 vote, the trustees voted to hire another law firm to conduct a third-party investigation, but parents who participated in the protest on Monday are demanding more. “The superintendent, the school principal, anyone who knew this, we are asking them to step aside while the investigation is resolved,” said Chastain. Local The latest news from around North Texas. The bus driver, Frank Paniagua, died by suicide after jumping from the second floor inside the Collin County Jail. He was paralyzed and died days later, according to authorities.

Cleartrip Is Set To Make People’s Travel Dreams A Reality With The Big Billion Days 2022 – Devdiscourse https://collincountynewsonline.com/cleartrip-is-set-to-make-peoples-travel-dreams-a-reality-with-the-big-billion-days-2022-devdiscourse/ Bengaluru, Karnataka, India – Business Wire India • As a first in the OTA category, Cleartrip will enable access to attractive offers on domestic & international flights and domestic hotels. • Hundreds of partners from the travel and hospitality industry have been onboarded to provide access to customers with industry-first differentiated offers across flight and hotels. Cleartrip, one of India’s fastest-growing online travel portals bets big on the upcoming festive season by announcing one of India’s biggest travel festivals as part of ‘The Big Billion Days’. In line with Flipkart’s flagship event, this festival will be nothing short of a travel shopping spree on the Cleartrip website and app as well. Starting 22 September 2022, Cleartrip users can access attractive offers on international and domestic flights with fares starting from as low as INR 6999/- and INR 999/-. With attractive prices such as INR 199/- on domestic hotels, Cleartrip is all set to give access to various unique offerings in the travel industry, on the brink of this festive season. Cleartrip has also partnered with ICICI & Axis Bank to offer amazing deals like up to 20% and 35% on international and domestic flights. That’s not all – there are Buy One Get One (BOGO) offers up for grabs on domestic hotels as well! As one of the pioneers in the OTA category, Cleartrip has brought together hundreds of partners from the travel and hospitality industry to provide access to a bouquet of offerings that will enable people to get out of their confined spaces and take that much-needed vacation at attractive prices. Here is a sneak peek of the deals which can be accessed via the Cleartrip platform – 1. Domestic Flights start at INR 999* and International Flights start at INR 6999* 2. Child/infant travels free* 3. Up to 35% off on Domestic Flights with ICICI & Axis Bank Cards* 4. Up to 20% off on International Flights with ICICI & Axis Bank Cards* 5. Flat 40% Off on Hotels with ICICI & Axis Bank Cards (First 2 days)* 6. Flat 35% Off on Hotels with ICICI & Axis Bank Cards (24-30 Sep)* 7. 3 Star hotels starting at INR 199* 8. Domestic hotels at 20 – 70% off* 9. Buy 1, Get 1 on Premium Stays 10. Daily attractive sales with 40% off on hotels* 11. 4 and 5 Star stay starting at INR 1499/-​ And more such exciting offers. Talking about how Cleartrip is celebrating ‘The Big Billion Days’, Ayyappan. R, CEO of Cleartrip, said, “The festive season is all about vacationing and coming together with family. With this unique proposition, our vision is to give both customers and the travel industry a similar experience to that of a massive shopping festival, but with a different perspective. People who have never thought about planning a vacation in a 4 or 5-star property can now go ahead and book it for attractive deals offered by the Vendors/Sellers. Similarly, the deals that we offer access to on flights are unmatchable in the industry! Our teams have worked round the clock to ensure a seamless experience across our platforms. With offerings such as the ability to modify or cancel flight bookings at a nominal fee, and getting the refunds processed in 24 hours, Cleartrip is enabling everybody to travel seamlessly.” As part of its promotional efforts, Cleartrip has partnered with Bollywood’s celebrity couple, Vicky Kaushal & Katrina Kaif who have come together in their first-ever joint collaboration in its journey towards making people travel more. Here’s what they have to say about this partnership. “We couldn’t be more excited to team up with Cleartrip! In its latest avatar, Cleartrip is a fresh, young, and optimistic brand – which really vibed with us and resonated with who we are – not just a couple that loves to travel, but one that wants to take bold steps in our domains. We loved Cleartrip’s fresh outlook and plan to revolutionize the travel industry.” The offers are valid for sale from 22 September 22 till 30th September 22 available on Cleartrip Website and Mobile app. Visit – https://www.cleartrip.com to start booking! *Subject to terms and conditions Mr. C.K. Baljee, CMD ROHL (Royal Orchid Hotels Limited) said, “The Big Billion Days is an excellent opportunity to tap into the growing travel segment. The Flipkart-Cleartrip deal comes at an opportune time for the industry, especially in the coming festive months. In a post-pandemic world, travel has been disrupted. Today’s traveler is all about value for money and experiences. We are confident that The Big Billion Days will allow ROHL to showcase our wide range of properties from leisure, spiritual, and weddings to heritage, wildlife, and bleisure.” Mr. Kushal Ranjan, Associate Vice President- Revenue, Pride Hotels Ltd. said, “With the combined scale and reach of Cleartrip and Pride Hotels and Resorts, we believe this collaboration will significantly increase footfalls at all our properties nationally. It is our endeavor to promote India as a safe and viable destination for tourism and we have curated selective promotions and value-added offers that will delight our customers.” GOFIRST Spokesperson said, ”We are excited to partner with Cleartrip’s Big Billion Days to drive seamless travel and exceptional experiences for consumers. As the festive season approaches, travelers have already begun planning their next trip, be it for leisure travel with friends or back home to visit family. The aviation sector is also witnessing a massive upward trend and increase in air traffic. Together, we look forward to exploring a host of opportunities that aim to be a one-stop solution for all travel needs of passengers.” Mr. Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales, Indigo 6E said, “IndiGo is pleased to partner with Cleartrip / Flipkart on their unique initiatives! The Big Billion Days is one such creative step at the onset of the festive season and we wish them all the best.” About Cleartrip Launched in July 2006, Cleartrip Pvt Ltd. (Cleartrip) has emerged as India’s fastest-growing online travel technology company. In April 2021, Flipkart acquired 100% of Cleartrip’s shareholding, and subsequently, Adani Enterprises acquired a significant minority stake in Cleartrip in October 2021. Cleartrip is on its way to building a differentiated value proposition for its customers looking for end-to-end travel solutions. With industry-first offerings such as ‘EzCancel, Flexifly, and TravelSafe’, Cleartrip has a clear vision to disrupt the OTA segment. Combining intuitive products with a customer-centric approach and a wide selection of flights and hotels, Cleartrip brings a unique selling point to the market, offering convenience, choice, competitive prices, and content to its customers. (This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

LIVE- CBI Arrests North Bengal University VC In Teacher Recruitment Scam – Hindustan Times https://collincountynewsonline.com/live-cbi-arrests-north-bengal-university-vc-in-teacher-recruitment-scam-hindustan-times/ Live Updated on Sep 20, 2022 11:20 AM IST Breaking news September 20, 2022 LIVE: Get latest news, breaking news, latest updates, live news, top headlines, breaking business news and top news of the hour. Get latest news, breaking news, latest updates, live news, top headlines, breaking business news and top news of the hour. Welcome to hindustantimes.com updates platform where you can find breaking news from India and across the world. Find fast updates about the latest news as it breaks. Follow all the updates here: Sep 20, 2022 11:20 AM IST CM Yogi expresses grief over the loss of lives due to an incident of a wall collapse in Noida Sector 21 Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath expresses grief over the loss of lives due to an incident of a wall collapse in Noida Sector 21. He has directed senior officials to reach the spot immediately and continue rescue operations on war footing. Sep 20, 2022 11:15 AM IST 4 people dead, 9 people rescued after a wall collapse in Sector 21 of Noida In a tragic incident, four people died while nine were rescued after a boundary wall of a residential township in Sector 21, Noida collapsed on Tuesday morning. Read more Sep 20, 2022 10:33 AM IST PM Modi to address a conference of BJP Mayors Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address a conference of BJP Mayors across the country via video conferencing shortly. Sep 20, 2022 10:26 AM IST CBI arrests North Bengal University VC in teacher recruitment scam The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested North Bengal University Vice-Chancellor Subires Bhattacharyya in connection with an assistant teachers’ recruitment scam in West Bengal in 2016, reports news agency ANI. Sep 20, 2022 10:24 AM IST Delhi records minimum temperature of 24.6 degrees Celsius Delhi records minimum temperature of 24.6 degrees Celsius, light rain likely during day: India Meteorological Department | reported by news agency PTI Sep 20, 2022 09:54 AM IST West Bengal SSC recruitment scam | ED files chargesheet West Bengal SSC recruitment scam | Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed chargesheet against 6 companies and 2 people (Partha Chatterjee and his close aide Arpita Mukherjee). 14000-page documents submitted along with the chargesheet, news agency ANI reported. Sep 20, 2022 09:45 AM IST Sundar Pichai meets Indian ambassador in the US, discusses Google’s commitment to India Google CEO Sunder Pichai has held discussions with the Indian envoy in the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, about the technology giant’s activities in India, particularly its aggressive push towards digitisation, as he became the first top Indian-American tech business leader to visit the country’s embassy here. Sep 20, 2022 09:36 AM IST UN chief warns global leaders: The world is in ‘great peril’ Warning that the world is in “great peril,” the head of the United Nations says leaders meeting in person for the first time in three years must tackle conflicts and climate catastrophes, increasing poverty and inequality — and address divisions among major powers that have gotten worse since Russia invaded Ukraine. Sep 20, 2022 08:59 AM IST India’s daily Covid case tally drops with 4,043 infections in last 24 hours India’s daily Covid case tally drops with 4,043 infections in last 24 hours; active caseload above 47K. Sep 20, 2022 08:37 AM IST Kejriwal on Gujarat visit today, to hold town hall meet in Vadodara Aam Aadmi Party’s national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will be on a day-long visit to Gujarat on Tuesday and will address a town hall meeting in Vadodara. Sep 20, 2022 08:04 AM IST Hong Kong Wants to Relax Covid Curbs for Travelers, Lee Says Hong Kong wants to relax the Covid mitigation measures that have made travel to and from the city difficult for nearly three years, Chief Executive John Lee said Tuesday. While the number of infections in the Asian financial hub has been falling, it remains important to keep the outbreak under control while minimizing disruptions, he told reporters at a briefing. Officials at various departments of the government are working on measures to safely reduce the restrictions, he said. Sep 20, 2022 07:40 AM IST President Droupadi Murmu departs London after attending Queen’s funeral President Droupadi Murmu had left for London on Saturday to attend the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and to offer condolences on behalf of the Indian government. Sep 20, 2022 07:35 AM IST Thiruvananthapuram Corporation demolishes ‘controversial’ bus shelter in Chavadimukku Thiruvananthapuram Corporation demolished the controversial bus shelter near the engineering college, Chavadimukku for constructing a gender-neutral bus shelter. Sep 20, 2022 06:56 AM IST Day 13 of ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ begins Kerala | Congress MP Rahul Gandhi along with party leaders & workers resumes ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ on its 13th day in Cherthala, Alappuzha. Sep 20, 2022 06:34 AM IST Directors for 8 IITs appointed: Ministry of Education President Droupadi Murmu approved the appointment of Directors for 8 IITs including Palakkad, Tirupati, Dharwad, Bhilai, Gandhinagar, Bhubaneswar, Goa & Jammu: Ministry of Education Sep 20, 2022 06:33 AM IST Election Commissioner writes to law minister over donations to political parties Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Rajiv Kumar writes a letter to law ministry to cap the cash donations to political parties. In his letter written to Union law Minister Kiren Rijiju, CEC proposed to cap cash donation at 20 percent or at ₹20 crore whichever is lower. Donations of over ₹2,000 to parties can’t be anonymous: Election Commission Sep 20, 2022 06:27 AM IST NASA’s InSight lander detects space rocks as they slam into Mars Now we can know what a meteoroid – or a space rock – striking Mars sounds like. Thanks to the findings of NASA’s Insight lander. A seismometer was brought to the Red Planet to measure ‘Marsquakes’.  Read more Sep 20, 2022 05:44 AM IST Jaishankar participates in India-UAE-France trilateral Ministerial meet; exchanges ideas s part of his diplomatic meetings in the US, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar participated in a trilateral Ministerial meeting of India-UAE-France with his counterparts and exchanged ideas between the strategic partners. In a tweet, Jaishankar wrote, “A productive first trilateral Ministerial meeting of India-UAE-France. Active exchange of ideas between strategic partners and UNSC members. Thank UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan for hosting France Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna and me.” Subscribe to our best newsletters ‘We are staying’: Honda Cars quells rumour on leaving India Published on Sep 20, 2022 10:57 AM IST On the contrary, Honda Cars India plans to expand its fleet next year by introducing a new mid-size SUV that will take on the segment leaders like Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos. Honda Cars India currently offers models like City, Amaze, WR-V and Jazz for customers in India. The Japanese carmaker will add a new mid-size SUV in its lineup next year. Cong prez polls: Tharoor v Gehlot to replace Sonia Gandhi? Rahul a dark horse? Updated on Sep 20, 2022 11:03 AM IST Congress president elections: Race for top post in GOP – and to possibly replace Sonia Gandhi – appears set to be between Shashi Tharoor and Ashok Gehlot 216 manned level crossings eliminated by Indian Railways in fiscal year 2022-23 Published on Sep 20, 2022 09:55 AM IST The closure of manned level crossings during 2014-22 was 676 per year as against 199 during the 2009-14 period Heavy rain in northwestern Telangana; Odisha on ‘orange’ alert: Weather updates Updated on Sep 20, 2022 09:48 AM IST IMD further informed that due to anti-cyclonic circulation over Northwest India at lower troposphere level, west Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi are likely to remain dry during the next five days. GTA Council seeks fresh Centre-state talks for Gorkhaland Published on Sep 20, 2022 09:32 AM IST Binoy Tamang, the former chairman of the GTA Board of Administrators and a GTA member, said the resolution should be honoured Supreme Court stays dismissal of officer who probed Ishrat Jahan case Published on Sep 20, 2022 09:18 AM IST Satish Chandra Verma challenged the dismissal in the top court after the Delhi high court upheld the Centre’s action on September 7 but deferred its implementation till Monday CBI arrests key suspect in TMC leader’s murder Published on Sep 20, 2022 08:17 AM IST Ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) panchayat leader Bhadu Sheikh’s murder triggered the March 21 massacre at Bogtui village in West Bengal’s Birbhum district LIVE- CBI arrests North Bengal University VC in teacher recruitment scam Updated on Sep 20, 2022 11:15 AM IST Breaking news September 20, 2022 LIVE: Get latest news, breaking news, latest updates, live news, top headlines, breaking business news and top news of the hour. Govt to pool wind energy bids to diversify projects Published on Sep 20, 2022 12:19 AM IST : The central government is working on a plan to pool wind power bids to diversify projects across states that have the scope for it, power minister RK Singh said, adding that his ministry is targeting bids of at least 8 GW per year of wind energy to boost the sector Story Saved New Delhi 0C Tuesday, September 20, 2022

Inner Thighs Need Extra Care During Monsoons, Dermatologist Dr. Kiran Sethi Explains Why – NDTV Doctor https://collincountynewsonline.com/inner-thighs-need-extra-care-during-monsoons-dermatologist-dr-kiran-sethi-explains-why-ndtv-doctor/ Home »  Skin »  Inner Thighs Need Extra Care During Monsoons, Dermatologist Dr. Kiran Sethi Explains Why Dermatologist Dr. Kiran Sethi highlights three fungal conditions people might face in the inner thighs during monsoons   By: DoctorNDTV    Edited By:  NDTV Health Desk Updated: Sep 20, 2022 10:55 IST 4-Min Read Skincare: Use talcum powder to keep the area dry The enchanting beauty of the Monsoon brings in various skin infections handy. The humid, wet, and damp conditions during the rainy season make it perfect for the growth and multiplication of various fungi. So, fungal infection woes are common during monsoons. Most skin problems are not life-threatening but the unwillingness to visit a dermatologist will only increase the risk and severity of the condition. In an Instagram video, dermatologist Dr. Kiran Sethi highlights three fungal conditions people might face in the inner thighs during the monsoon season. She also shares tips to prevent and treat them. 1. Frictional rash The dermatologist explains that it looks a bit darker when the skin is infected with a frictional rash. This rash isn’t itchy and is not caused by a fungus, but it often gets mistaken for fungus. She suggests keeping the area dry and preventing sweat from accumulating around the inner thighs. 2. Intertrigo This inflammatory skin condition is caused by skin-to-skin friction, which only gets intensified by heat and moisture during the monsoons. Yeasts like candida are formed which makes the skin appear red and itchy. Expert advises using an anti-fungal cream, twice a day to treat this fungal infection. 3. Tinea Corporis According to Dr. Kiran Sethi, Tinea Corporis is a proper fungal infection, which appears as round rashes, has a sharp border, and is really itchy. She says that anti-fungal cream, twice a day, is recommended for its treatment, and sometimes tablets too. In case of rashes or discolouration in the inner thighs, Dr. Kiran Sethi advises people to consult a doctor for appropriate treatment. She also pens down quick tips for preventing such fungal infections: 1. Keep the area dry 2. Reduce friction 3. Wear sweat-wicking fabrics 4. Make sure you change after you sweat 5. Use talc-free powder to keep the area dry and healthy. Do let us know if these tips were helpful. Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information. DoctorNDTV is the one stop site for all your health needs providing the most credible health information, health news and tips with expert advice on healthy living, diet plans, informative videos etc. You can get the most relevant and accurate info you need about health problems like diabetes, cancer, pregnancy, HIV and AIDS, weight loss and many other lifestyle diseases. We have a panel of over 350 experts who help us develop content by giving their valuable inputs and bringing to us the latest in the world of healthcare.

Top Cryptocurrency News On September 20: The Biggest Moves In Crypto Market, NFTs And More – Moneycontrol https://collincountynewsonline.com/top-cryptocurrency-news-on-september-20-the-biggest-moves-in-crypto-market-nfts-and-more-moneycontrol/ Last Updated : September 20, 2022 / 11:19 AM IST Top cryptocurrency news on September 20: The biggest moves in crypto market, NFTs and more A daily round-up of the most interesting articles on cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum and Tether to help jump-start the day Market Buzz Bitcoin at Rs 16.61 lakh Major cryptocurrencies were trading in the green early on September 20 as the global crypto market cap rose 2.56 percent to $934.23 billion from the previous day. The total crypto market volume increased 2.88 percent to $74.30 billion over the last 24 hours. The total volume in DeFi was $4.72 billion, 6.35 percent of the total crypto market 24-hour volume. The volume of all stable coins was $68.67 billion, which is 92.42 percent of the total crypto market 24-hour volume. The price of bitcoin hovered around Rs 16 lakh, with a dominance of 39.59 percent. This was a 0.04 percent decrease over the previous day, according to data from CoinMarketCap. Read full here Big Story Crypto downslide leads to over $430 million in liquidation, Bitcoin leverage traders worst-hit The current spell of downslide in the cryptocurrency market, stoked by soaring inflation and the consequent hike in interest rates, has led to nearly half a billion dollar in liquidations. The turmoil has led to total liquidations of $431.51 million, according to data shared by Coinglass on September 19. Bitcoin leverage traders were the worst hit, as they have lost $44.5 million. The traders of Ether, the second largest cryptocurrency, followed with a total liquidation of $8.39 million, as per the data. Read details here Ethereum Merge All you need to know about Ethereum Merge A major event in the crypto industry which was long awaited has finally happened: Ethereum’s Merge. This Ethereum upgrade or Merge, as it’s being referred to, changed how new crypto transactions take place on the blockchain. The Ethereum network has shifted from Proof-of-Work (PoW) to Proof-of-Stake (PoS) model. This will change how new transactions are verified and added to the blockchain. Take a look NFT Buzz NFT ‘fractionalism’ will make fine art popular among millennials, say experts Fractional non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which have the crypto community all agog, have the potential to make fine art popular among youngsters. To be clear, fractional ownership of fine art doesn’t allow anyone to hang an entire painting in their home. NFTs have popularised works of art through fractionalism, whereby a collective can own a piece of art by dividing the cost. It thus allows each member of the collective to own a piece of the artwork, unlike earlier, when they had no other option but to watch someone else take it if they didn’t have the money to buy it outright. Read more here

Liz Truss Says Talks With US On Free Trade Deal Will Not Resume For Years – Bloomberg https://collincountynewsonline.com/liz-truss-says-talks-with-us-on-free-trade-deal-will-not-resume-for-years-bloomberg/ We’ve detected unusual activity from your computer network To continue, please click the box below to let us know you’re not a robot.

One-Time Tigers Win Scotch Valley | News, Sports, Jobs – Altoona Mirror https://collincountynewsonline.com/one-time-tigers-win-scotch-valley-news-sports-jobs-altoona-mirror/ From Mirror reports HOLLIDAYSBURG — Former Hollidaysburg High School teammates Anthony DeGol & Sean Brannan partnered together for the first time in more than a decade to capture the 2022 Scotch Valley Invitational, the area’s last best-ball tournament of the season. This tournament is played in match-play format, and DeGol & Brannan advanced to Sunday afternoon’s final match by defeating the strong team of Artie Fink Jr & Todd Homan during the day’s morning matches (Fink & Homan are five-time winners of this event). While heavy fog caused a slight delay to the Sunday morning matches, warm and sunny weather were in store for the rest of the day’s play. In the afternoon’s championship finale, DeGol & Brannan had to withstand a strong start by their opponents. “Chris and Mike started out hot,” DeGol said. “They were three-under after five holes, so we were just trying to stay close.” The match did remain close, with the teams all-even after the front-nine. On the 11th, Macionsky put his team one-up with a 30-foot birdie putt, but the match quickly returned to all-square when he and Perry both dropped a shot on the par-3, 12th. From there, the match remained even until the 18th hole. With darkness nearing, Macionsky faced a par putt on the last hole to extend play to extra holes, but when his putt stopped fractions from the hole, DeGol & Brannan had captured this year’s trophy (the duo also won in 2009, the last time they competed together). “It was a great weekend,” Brannan said. “I live in northern Virginia now, so I’m able to get back and play in a few events each summer. It was particularly great to play with Anthony this weekend.” The feelings were mutual for DeGol as Sunday’s championship match seemed somewhat like reunion. Three golfers in the final foursome (Brannan, DeGol and Macionsky) were members a Hollidaysburg’s 2007 PIAA state championship golf team. “We’re all close friends,” DeGol said. “And Chris and Mike are such good players. Sean and I were fortunate to come out on top today.” RESULTS Championship Flight: 1. Anthony DeGol & Sean Brannan. 2. Chris Perry & Mike Macionsky. 3. Andrew Ferguson & Greg Ferguson. First Flight: 1. Ryan Good & Tyler Brown. 2. Keith Saleme & Terry Burd. 3. Derek Fink & Brett Wiebley. Second Flight: 1. Grant Delozier & Danny Stubbs. 2. Ryan DelBaggio & Jesse Jones. 3. Nate Hockenos & Lee Natchman. Third Flight: 1. Brad Maier & Alex Elliot. 2. Jeff Wolfe & Justin Ohler. 3. Randy Jarrat & Mike Farrell. Fourth Flight: 1. Dave DeGol Sr & John Zack. 2. Tyler Jarrat & Braden Jarrat. 3. Terry Funcheon & Francis Pirozzola. Fifth Flight: 1. Jeff Bickel & Joe Piotti. 2. Dan Green Jr & Dave Elliot. 3. Bob Sutton & Don Beerbower. Sixth Flight: 1. John Sisto & Ted Kroll. 2. Tom Haught & Jim Foreman. 3. Bob Strawser & Matt Phillips. Seventh Flight: 1. Andy Harpster & Luke Rhoades. 2. Eric Irwin & Matt Baker. 3. Cliff Lawson & Steve Meade. HCC HUNTINGDON — The team of Phil Thompson and Jim Lakso captured the 2022 Big Orange Golf League title at the Huntingdon Country Club. The format was a low ball and total two points-a-hole format. They defeated the team of Larry Newton and Ed Gargula. Those two held a 3-point lead after nine holes before Thompson and Lakso’s comeback on the back nine. The match ended on No. 18 when Thompson rolled in an 18-foot birdie putt. He was also the medalist with a round of one-under par 70. Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox

Facebook, Beware: The Metaverse Is Flat – The Washington Post https://collincountynewsonline.com/facebook-beware-the-metaverse-is-flat-the-washington-post/ In a few weeks’ time, Mark Zuckerberg will announce a new virtual reality headset from Meta Platforms Inc. Embarrassingly, we already know what it will look like. A video of the purported device has been doing the rounds online after someone found one in a hotel room. Yet none of that should matter because whizzy VR headsets are becoming too much of a distraction, and aren’t that integral to the early growth of the so-called metaverse, a 3D version of the internet that many see as its next chapter. It turns out flat screens are doing the job just fine.  While Facebook has sold about 14 million VR headsets to date, millions more have visited the metaverse through regular 2D screens like the one you’re looking at right now, via apps like Roblox and Epic Games Inc.’s Fortnite. The trend is likely to continue for several years yet as VR headsets take time to slim down in size and price. That puts Zuckerberg in an awkward position. He wants you to buy Meta’s headset, known as the Quest, because that gives him greater control over whatever metaverse marketplace he builds down the line. And the reason is clear: For years he’s been beholden to the rules of app gatekeepers Alphabet Inc.’s Google and Apple Inc., paying their fees and following edicts such as the App Tracking Transparency prompt that will knock about $14 million off Facebook’s ad sales this year. It would be a painful, almost unthinkable step for Facebook to make its metaverse platform Horizon Worlds available on app stores. But perhaps there is another way. Facebook could allow people to visit the platform via a simple browser. Google’s Stadia uses a service called cloud-streaming that lets people play large video games via Chrome. It’s an expensive process, requiring powerful servers, but it could help Facebook circumvent Apple and Google while drumming up a flood of curious new users. Meta’s technology chief Andrew Bosworth hinted on Twitter earlier this year that a web-based version was in the cards, but a company spokeswoman declined to provide further details. “It’d be a 3D version of Facebook that looks like a game, but you’d browse it from your desktop,” said Sam Huber, CEO of metaverse property startup LandVault. “It could become the most popular game in the world.” Even modest popularity would reassure investors who are likely to balk at how slowly the company’s headset customers are growing: A mere 300,000 people have visited Horizon Worlds since it launched last October. You can only access the platform via a Quest 2 headset. “Facebook seems to be operating from a sunk cost fallacy,” said Wagner James Au, an author and blogger who has covered the metaverse for more than a decade. “There’s no data to support VR headsets as being the mass market device.”   In fact, flat versions of the metaverse are far more popular than 3D ones. About three-quarters of Roblox’s 52 million daily visitors are on a phone, while the vast majority of people using Microsoft Corp.’s Minecraft or Fortnite are on a desktop computer or mobile. Several metaverse companies have also pivoted to flat. Decentraland, for instance, a virtual world for trading crypto assets, was marketed as a “virtual reality platform” when it launched its initial coin offering in 2017. Yet all its users have since been visiting via a desktop or browser, the company says. VRChat, a platform for socializing with other avatars, was first released as an app for Oculus headsets in 2014. Three years later it produced a desktop version, and was able to attract millions more users. “The issue is price,” said Artur Sychov, the founder of metaverse startup Somnium Space, whose users mostly visit on a browser. Meta’s Quest 2 costs about $400, while other rival headsets can exceed $800. Going into a virtual world on a screen is actually a decent proxy for “real” VR and certainly more engaging than a regular video call, as I discovered when Sychov took me on a tour of the Somnium universe during our Zoom meeting. Since I wasn’t technically with him as an avatar, Sychov held a virtual tablet in front of him with a “camera” that let me follow his movements around the space. Watching him point to art in a virtual gallery and moving through colorful forests, even on my laptop screen, was enough to help me imagine myself being there. Until now, Meta’s marketing has focused on the immersive benefits of VR headsets, creating the feeling that you’re really with work colleagues or inside a fitness class. But that misses the true selling point of the metaverse — incentives to create new experiences — and you don’t need a VR headset for that. To lure more people into its virtual platforms, Meta needs to focus less on building cutting-edge headsets, and more on emulating metaverse pioneers like Roblox, Fortnite and Minecraft. Almost a quarter of Roblox’s own users have created millions of games for the platform, producing a marketplace for commerce as well as fun. Nearly all its content is user-generated, just like TikTok or YouTube, and that is a big part of its attraction. Zuckerberg similarly must turn his metaverse into a place where creators can thrive. Facebook’s current push to test tools for creators feels late, given how far ahead the other pioneers are. Concentrating too much on immersive tech is putting the cart before the horse. Meta needs to make its metaverse both accessible and an attractive place for creators. Going “flat” would be a good start. More From Bloomberg Opinion: • Squid Hit Shows Nintendo’s More Than Nostalgia: Reidy & Culpan • Can Apple Be a Privacy Hero and an Ad Giant?: Parmy Olson • Don’t Expect Drones to Air-Drop Your Packages: Thomas Black 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.