Collin County News Online

55 TikTok Products That Are Worth All The Hype – BuzzFeed https://collincountynewsonline.com/55-tiktok-products-that-are-worth-all-the-hype-buzzfeed/ Plus, it’s so easy to make! Just add 6 tablespoons of your favorite coffee in the filter, fill it with water, and let it sit in your fridge for 24 hours. Then just take the filter out of the pitcher and enjoy your coffee! Promising review: “I LOVE this product so much! I drink iced coffee on the daily, but the system I had just wasn’t cutting it for me. I didn’t know how to brew cold coffee at home (all we have is a Keurig, and there’s no cold brew option), so I would go buy iced coffee from Dunkin Donuts every morning. Now don’t get me wrong, I love my Dunkin Donuts, but I wanted to find a way to be able to make that same iced coffee at HOME. I think my wallet and gas tank wanted me to figure that out too. I found out about this product through TikTok, and it is a GAME CHANGER. All you have to do is put coffee grounds in the filter, fill up the main compartment three-quarters full with water (I use water from my fridge), screw the filter into the lid, screw the lid shut, shake it a little to put the coffee grounds to work, and let it do its magic for 12–24 hours! This is probably the best investment i’ve ever made. You need this!!” —Carmen E Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in two sizes and three colors). And to learn more, read the full Takeya cold brew coffee maker review.

Crypto Market Integrity Coalition Inducts 8 New Members, Plans Training – Cointelegraph https://collincountynewsonline.com/crypto-market-integrity-coalition-inducts-8-new-members-plans-training-cointelegraph/ The self-regulatory organization backed by Solidus Labs is known for its integrity pledge; BitGo, Bittrex and Merkle Science are among the new members. 1271 Total views 11 Total shares The Crypto Market Integrity Coalition (CMIC) announced the induction of eight new members, the organization announced on Sept. 29. The organization, which now has 38 members who have all taken a pledge to uphold market integrity and efficiency, describes itself as such: “CMIC […] gives a unified voice to the crypto industry’s commitment to continually improving market integrity and collaboration with regulators.” According to its statement, CMIC is also developing market integrity training for digital asset markets to help compliance professionals counter manipulation. The new CMIC members are digital asset trust and security company BitGo, crypto exchange Bittrex, blockchain analytics platform Crystal Blockchain, fintech firms FinClusive and Oasis Pro Markets, Web3 risk mitigation platform Merkle Science, digital assets platform Tokenomy and forensic services provider VAF Compliance. .@FinClusiveCap is proud to join the Crypto Market Integrity Coalition (CMIC). Looking forward to working together to elevate standards and enable safe and regulated crypto growth. Go to https://t.co/2suE9kovi1 to join the effort #CryptoMarketIntegrity — Amit Sharma (@ASharma_VT) September 29, 2022 CMIC is the brainchild of market surveillance firm Solidus Labs. Solidus cofounder and CEO Asaf Meir said, “Now more than ever before, it is clear that crypto’s potential depends on the ability to mitigate its new risks and provide demonstrable market integrity.” Related: BitGo sues Galaxy Digital for acquisition breach, seeks $100M in damages The organization was founded in February with 17 members that included such names as Coinbase, Circle, Huobi Tech and CryptoUK. A second cohort of 13 members joined CMIC in April. Solidus Labs chief operating officer Chen Arad told Cointelegraph, “CMIC does not define itself as an aspiring self-regulatory organization and rather works closely with, and has among its signatories, some of the leading industry membership associations like cryptoUK, the Chamber of Digital Commerce and the Global Blockchain Business Council.” The CMIC pledge reads, in part: “We support and seek to participate in digital asset markets that demonstrate Market Integrity. […] Digital assets and digital asset market structure may present novel forms of market activity and market manipulation. We agree to continually educate ourselves as to these unique challenges and how to address them.”

Lebanon Receives U.S. Mediator Proposals For Maritime Border With Israel – Reuters.com https://collincountynewsonline.com/lebanon-receives-u-s-mediator-proposals-for-maritime-border-with-israel-reuters-com/ Oct 1 (Reuters) – Lebanese President Michel Aoun has received a letter from U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein regarding proposals for the demarcation of a maritime border with Israel, the presidency said on Saturday on Twitter. A deal could defuse a potential source of conflict between Israel and the heavily armed, Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah, which has warned against any Israeli exploration and extraction in the disputed waters. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Enas Alashray; Editing by Gareth Jones Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

The Tech Weekender | Top News From The World Of Technology This Week – Moneycontrol https://collincountynewsonline.com/the-tech-weekender-top-news-from-the-world-of-technology-this-week-moneycontrol-3/ India gets 5G, we tell you why the OnePlus Nord 2T is worth your time, Intel unveils new 13th Gen Raptor Lake processors, ICCR collaborates with Google to promote Sanskrit, our take on the Sony SRS-XE200 and Apple may take a new route to announce new iPads and Macs October 01, 2022 / 01:29 PM IST Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 1 inaugurated 5G services in India. The next generation of airwaves will be launched in select cities first and it will progressively cover the entire country over the next couple of years. The cumulative economic impact of 5G on India is estimated to reach $450 billion by 2035. The Nord 2T has everything that you need in a mid-range smartphone. The entire approach with the Nord 2T seems minimalist as you are left with a reliable chipset, versatile cameras, a vibrant display, superb battery life backed by extremely fast charging and clean software. Read the full review . Intel has announced the launch of the 13th Generation Intel Core “Raptor Lake” desktop CPUs. So far, the company has unveiled 6 unlocked desktop processors with up to 24 Cores and clock speeds of up to 5.8GHz. Overall, Intel will release 22 processors in the line-up and they will be compatible with Intel’s 600 or the newly announced 700 chipset motherboards. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has announced a collaboration with Google to promote Sanskrit. ICCR and Google had earlier signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to advance the tech giant’s artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) language technology for translating Sanskrit literature to many other languages and vice-versa. The Sony XE200 is a versatile Bluetooth speaker with good audio quality. The sound quality on the XE200 could be better but the speaker is excellent for your routine weekend chilling session with a couple of friends. Check out the full review for more. Apple usually holds an event in October to announce updates on the iPad and MacBook but it looks like the Cupertino-based technology giant has something different planned this year. According to a report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple may not hold an event for the new iPad, iPad Pros and MacBook laptops. It will simply announce them via a press release “updates to its website and briefings with select members of the press”.

Booming Celina Lands A New Costco Store – The Dallas Morning News https://collincountynewsonline.com/booming-celina-lands-a-new-costco-store-the-dallas-morning-news/ By Steve Brown 3:38 PM on Sep 30, 2022 CDT — Updated at 4:31 PM on Sep 30, 2022 CDT Fast-growing Celina has landed one of the country’s top retailers. Wholesale club store Costco has purchased a store site at the southwest corner of Preston Road and Ownsby Parkway. “After years of record-breaking housing starts and sales, a major big box retailer is finally headed to Celina,” said Rex Glendenning of Rex Real Estate, which worked on the property sale. “It’s certainly exciting to see a project such as this land in our city.” The Costco store site is part of a larger mixed-use development planned at the intersection by The Seitz Group. Glendenning said the land Costco acquired has been owned by the Ownsby family since 1880. “The Ownsbys were the first owners of the land since the Texas Land Grants,” he said. “Rex Real Estate has represented the family for years. “This Costco sale will be the first phase of a Costco-anchored shopping center in an overall 105-acre development, which will also include land at the southeast corner of this intersection,” Glendenning said. “We have seen and been a part of the mixed-use developments in the Frisco-Prosper markets, and now we have finally landed one of our own in Celina.” When fully developed, the project will include more than 200,000 square feet of retail and restaurants and 800 luxury urban residential units, he said. “The development is estimated to create between 1,000 to 1,400 jobs once fully built, resulting in the largest commercial development in the history of Celina,” Glendenning said. Matthew Kiran with Rex Real Estate represented developer Seitz Group on the project, working with the city on economic incentives and infrastructure improvements. Costco currently has more than a dozen stores in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The Celina location will be the popular wholesale club’s farthest north local store. Major retailers have followed new home rooftops going up in Collin and Denton counties. Celina’s population has almost quadrupled since 2010 to almost 24,000 residents. More than 2,500 single-family homes have been started in Celina during the last year.

15 Ways The Middle Class Affords A Trip To Disney World – Yahoo Finance https://collincountynewsonline.com/15-ways-the-middle-class-affords-a-trip-to-disney-world-yahoo-finance/ The family trip to Disney World is a rite of passage for many American kids, especially those in the middle class. That said, the pilgrimage to the happiest place on earth is not cheap. There are plane tickets, park passes, hotel accommodations, and more to consider. If you’re headed to Disney World, here are a few ways you can save money without missing out on any of the fun. Grow your travel fund with these 11 legit ways to make extra money. 1. Save up for your trip This may seem rather obvious, but saving money over a few years for your Disney trip is a super savvy way to prepare for the expenses. You can do this with a savings account, though you may get a better return on your investment by working with a financial advisor. 2. Use a credit card You can finance your Disney trip with a travel credit card, ideally one without a high APR or annual fee. Maximize this tactic by using an option that has travel rewards, such as discounted hotel rooms and deals on rental cars. Or, get a credit card with Disney rewards — yes, it’s a thing. 3. Plan your visit beforehand If you’re going to be at Disney World for three or more days, you’ll save on park passes by buying them ahead of time. The price drops even lower once you hit five days or more. Another reason not to wait until the last minute is that you never know when Disney will raise the price of admission. Again. 4. Avoid the add-ons You may be tempted to opt-in on the bells and whistles that can be added to your park passes, but don’t do it. For instance, why buy a photo package when you have a smartphone that takes amazing shots? And while it may seem wrong to skip the waterparks, that’s what your hotel pool is for. You get the idea. 5. Hunt for discounts It’s worth spending some time online to hunt for discounted Disney World vacation packages. For one, the park itself often offers specials, as do a variety of travel agents. Just be savvy and make sure your vendor isn’t scamming you. A travel rewards credit card or discounted gift card can help offset the costs of your trip, too. 6. Visit during the offseason Most families visit Disney World when their kids are off from school. However, this is usually during the summer when the weather in Orlando is sweltering. A better option is to visit during another time of year when the climate is better. Hotels tend to be cheaper off-season, making it worth pulling the kids out of school for a few days. 7. Plan for the weather It’s HOT in Florida. Okay, you probably knew that, but Disney is super hot and humid from about June through October. Even when dangerous storms aren’t hitting Florida, it can rain for short bursts every day in the summer. So, bring your own rain gear and sunblock so you don’t have to buy them at marked-up park prices. 8. Stay at a cheaper hotel While staying on-site at Disney World is fun, you can save a lot of money by instead making an off-site hotel your home base during your trip. You might also fare well looking for an option on Airbnb or Vrbo. These places often have kitchens so you can cook meals instead of eating out. Pro tip: You can also pile up bonuses and rewards by booking your trip with one of the best hotel credit cards. 9. Stay on the property Not to contradict ourselves, but there are some cases in which staying on-site at Disney could save you cash. You’ll have access to the complimentary shuttle, for one, which means no car rental or Uber costs. It’s also cheaper to visit the park during the park’s Magic Hours. Just be sure to pick budget-friendly accommodations. 10. Stay for a short time While park passes get cheaper the longer you stay, that doesn’t mean you have to spend a full week or more at Disney World. Booking only four or five nights could save you hundreds on hotel and food costs and still let you squeeze in all the rides and attractions you want. You might enjoy your trip more, too. 11. Focus on one or two parks If you’ve never been to Disney World, you might not realize how large it is, with lots of places to spend lots of money. To that end, if you only focus on two parks — like Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, for example — you’ll have fewer temptations to spend money. 12. Don’t forget the free stuff Of course, the main reason people go to Disney World is for all of the cool rides and attractions, as well as the food. But don’t sleep on the free options, like window shopping in Disney Springs, a stop at The Lego Store, and strolling around the Animal Kingdom Lodge. 13. Dine smart Speaking of the food at Disney World — which is plentiful and drool-worthy — you can save a lot by dining smart. Disney even lets you bring food into the parks, so plan for a picnic lunch here and there. The parks also offer lockers so you don’t have to lug your food along with you all day. Pro tip: When you do eat out, pay for your meal using a credit card with dining rewards and cash in on your rewards when you get back home. 14. Be smart about souvenirs If you buy every souvenir at Disney World, you’ll go broke in a matter of hours. Do yourself a favor and buy Mickey Mouse ears and other souvenirs ahead of time online. Not only will they be cheaper than inside the parks, but you can also make a game of leaving them for your kids to find during your trip. 15. Bring a water bottle Disney World lets you bring reusable water bottles into its parks and refill them at the many water stations you’ll find. Not only will you save a dollar here and a dollar there — which can add up fast — but you’ll also stay hydrated in the hot Florida sun. Bottom line Going to Disney World is a dream come true for kids and adults alike, though it can be quite the expenditure. That’s why it’s smart to do your research about cost-cutting measures ahead of time. You may also enjoy the experience more, and reduce your stress about spending while on vacation. Instead, you can just relax and enjoy the magic. More from FinanceBuzz: 6 genius hacks Costco shoppers should know Paying more for groceries? 6 ways to fight inflation Can you retire early? Take this quiz and find out. This article 15 Ways the Middle Class Affords a Trip to Disney World originally appeared on FinanceBuzz.

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

Switzerland Is Going Vegetarian Today In Order To Encourage Sustainable Living – Outlook India https://collincountynewsonline.com/switzerland-is-going-vegetarian-today-in-order-to-encourage-sustainable-living-outlook-india/ If everyone in Switzerland ate vegetarian food for just one day a week, it would save the equivalent of 3.7 billion kilometers worth of car emissions in just one year: Swiss study In order to do its bit to encourage people to follow a healthy lifestyle and help save the planet, Switzerland will be going vegetarian for a day on the Swisstainable Veggie Day on October 1. Over 1,200 local restaurants and businesses including SWISS, Edelweiss, and McDonalds will be offering a vegetarian-only menu.   And they are callint it ‘Swisstainable Veggie Day’. The eateries dong this includes all the restaurants of the McDonald’s chain (173) and the 14 restaurants of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ).  Major nutrition and environmental-research studies conducted over the years have concluded that a vegetarian diet is key to furthering the sustainability of our planet. It has been proven that vegetarian dishes generate less CO2, therefore, the more companies participate, the greater the impact. In fact, according to a study by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, if everyone in Switzerland ate vegetarian food for just one day a week, we could save the equivalent of 3.7 billion kilometres worth of car emissions in just one year – that’s 90,000 times around the earth. In 2020, the Swiss population bought 52% more plant-based meat substitutes than in the previous year and this number is set to keep increasing each year. This growing global need for more vegetarian menu options provides Swiss culinary experts with a great opportunity to reinvent their menus making Switzerland an even more attractive tourist destination for global travellers. Did you know that the restaurant Hiltl, founded in 1898 in Zurich, is the oldest vegetarian restaurant in the world? On October 1, tourists and locals alike, are invited to celebrate World Vegetarian Day and enjoy a creatively put-together scrumptious vegetarian feast. On Swisstainable Veggie Day, goes without saying that the vegetables will be the star of the show. All participating restaurants and hotels across Switzerland will be developing a special vegetarian menu to showcase the most versatile and diverse range of vegetables grown and sourced locally. All you need to remember is that every time you eat a vegetarian meal, you are contributing towards a more sustainable world. All Tags Here to there Explore Directions(Routes) and more… to Go

SPORTS BRIEFING – The Review https://collincountynewsonline.com/sports-briefing-the-review/ Lisbon falls to Clippers LISBON — The Lisbon volleyball team fell to Columbiana, 25-23, 25-20, 13-25, 25-20, Thursday. The Blue Devils are 4-11 overall and 2-9 in the EOAC. Leaders were Stefanee Stacey with 17 points, 22 assists and 12 digs , Eliza Baker 14 points and 32 digs, Izzy Lannon eight kills and 20 digs and Morgan Lively four kills and five blocks . Lisbon also dropped the junior varsity match, 26-24, 25-21. Brooklyn Cousins and Chloe Dowd each had seven points for the Blue Devils. Lisbon will play at Wellsville on Monday. Garrett says crash is a wake-up call BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Myles Garrett knows he’s lucky. His life could be very different or even over. Speaking to reporters for the first time since losing control and flipping his Porsche after practice on Monday, the Browns’ star defensive end promised to change his behavior after surviving a crash he caused by driving too fast. “Definitely grateful to be here,” Garrett said Friday after the Browns practiced without him. Garrett sustained a sprained shoulder, strained biceps and cuts along with a ruptured blood vessel in his left eye during the single-car wreck on a rural road near his home following practice. “This will be definitely a wake-up call for me, just try to be smart overall with driving,” said the 26-year-old, who has been ticketed numerous times for speeding in the past few years. “Don’t take anything for granted. Be grateful that I’m still able to be here and just take my time.” If not for wearing seatbelts, Garrett said, both he and a female passenger probably would not have walked away from the crash. “With what I saw, the pictures (of his car), I think it was a hell of an event and just grateful that not only am I alive, I was able to have so much of my family and the support system that was around me and just keep me locked in and keep me focused on taking it day by day,” he said. Despite his injuries, and not practicing for the past three days, Garrett is being listed by the Browns (2-1) as questionable for Sunday’s road game against the Atlanta Falcons (1-2). Coach Kevin Stefanski said the Browns’ medical staff will see how Garrett responds to rest and treatment over the next two days before deciding on whether he’ll play. The Browns leave for Georgia on Saturday. Garrett cleared concussion protocol following the accident. He’s still a little sore,but feeling better and said he’d like to face the Falcons. “That’s up to the training staff and the coaches,” he said. “If it were up to me, I would love to go. That’s just my competitive spirit and my nature. Physically we have to assess that going up to the game, today, tomorrow and on Sunday. “But that’s just a decision we’ll make closer to game time.” The Ohio State Highway Patrol said the 26-year-old Garrett was traveling at an “unsafe speed” when his 2021 Porsche Turbo S went off the road, veered into a ditch and hit a fire hydrant before rolling several times. The 23-year-old female with Garrett also suffered minor injuries and was treated at a hospital. “That was a big sigh of relief for me because I was the one who put us in danger,” Garrett said. “So it was very calming for me to know that they were OK.” Garrett told officers he thought was going 65 mph in a 45 mph zone before going off the hilly road near his home in Wadsworth, Ohio. Drugs and alcohol are not suspected, the highway patrol said in its post-crash report. The accident destroyed Garrett’s car and left him along with many of his teammates shaken. “I think emotionally I’m pretty grounded with everything, I’ve put it behind me,” Garrett said. “Physically I’m still dealing with some of the injuries that came along with it, but it’s really just a blur, it all happened pretty fast. “Sometimes, the last couple nights I’ve sat and thought about some of the different situations, scenarios, how it played out, but knowing that I can’t change the past, just got to keep moving forward and glad everyone’s all right.” Garrett said that in the moments after the crash, his focus was on everything but his playing career. “I thought about my family. I thought about them worrying,” he said. “I thought about my passenger and making sure that they were OK and that their life was going to remain the same. It was not on football because at that point, everything that had just happened was much bigger than football, and it really involved our lives just moving forward.” The No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft has been ticketed numerous times for speeding. He was cited on successive days last year for going 120 mph and paying a fine for an amended 99 mph violation in a 70 mph zone. Garrett said the crash will change the way he drives. “I don’t think it takes something as drastic as this to tell me that I need to slow down,” he said. “It’s about listening to my love ones, hearing them out and understanding that it is serious every time you get into the car.” Garrett has a team-high three sacks in three games. He needs just one one to pass Clay Matthews (62) for the franchise career record. NOTES: Browns DE Jadeveon Clowney (ankle) is also questionable for Sunday. He missed last week’s game against Pittsburgh with the injury. … If Garrett and Clowney don’t play, rookie Alex Wright and Isaac Rochell will start. … DT Taven Bryan (hamstring) was ruled out and will be replaced in the starting lineuo by Tommy Togiai. Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox

The Opportunity For Banks In The Metaverse – Times Of India https://collincountynewsonline.com/the-opportunity-for-banks-in-the-metaverse-times-of-india/ Blockchain needs no introduction. The technology that was nothing more than a concept a little over a decade ago is now the backbone of the $1 Trillion crypto market with an estimated 300+ Million users or owners. It’s a remarkable feat given that it is built on the premise of decentralization and doesn’t warrant involvement of intermediaries. This itself, is perhaps a testament of its potential and is further evidenced by the transformative impact it has had across multiple industries, be it increased transparency in global supply chains or improved efficiency of governments.  Given its promise of disintermediation, inherent trust, and immutability it was easy to see why Blockchain might have appeared as a threat to the Banking and Financial Services industry. However, once the initial skepticism and apprehensions subsided, the BFS industry eventually warmed up to Blockchain. Several financial Institutions emerged as trailblazers and leveraged the technology in the areas of payments, trade settlements and custody services to name a few. And not long after that, governments and central banks got involved and those of many countries are now actively working on developing their respective Central Bank Digital Currencies aka CBDC.  But Metaverse, opens up a new chapter for Blockchain and before we go further, it might be worth talking about a bit about it. The Metaverse can broadly be defined as an ever evolving and expanding virtual world that offers collaborative, immersive, and interactive experiences for users. While the user experience is being revolutionized by a new breed of AR/VR devices, holographic and haptic technology, the underlying infrastructure for driving commerce and economy is being built by leveraging Blockchain technology. If some of the recent analyst predictions, supported by massive investments being poured into this space, is anything to go by, it looks like we would soon be spending a lot of our time in these virtual worlds, interacting with each other as our avatars, spending on virtual goods, and perhaps operating out of our virtual homes built on virtual parcels of land. While Media & Entertainment, Retail and Gaming industries are at the forefront of the adoption curve, Banks too have a tremendous opportunity here.  For starters, Banks can setup virtual branches in the Metaverse and provide engagement touchpoints for their customers, for eg. the ability to interact with a financial advisor’s avatar in a secure environment without having to visit the branch. As a matter of fact, many Banks have begun doing so, knowing well that their customers of tomorrow are already spending their time in the Metaverse. And as we continue to work remotely, the other obvious applications would be around employee training and onboarding, hosting of collaboration and engagement sessions, even town-halls and investor presentations, all within the Metaverse. At the same time, these virtual worlds are driving an immense amount of commerce on these platforms which would need a reliable and resilient infrastructure to support related transactions. Much of the value exchange on the decentralized Metaverses such as Decentraland and Sandbox leverages Blockchain. Users need to convert fiat currency to cryptocurrencies native to these platforms and use these for executing transactions. Their ownership of both digital and real-world assets can be represented as Non Fungible Tokens aka NFTs, which provide a means of authenticating ownership as recorded on the underlying Blockchain ledgers. The rise in adoption of these virtual worlds will lead to accelerated usage of crypto.  Some Banks and financial institutions are already leading the charge by offering crypto wallets and custodial services, access to crypto markets for trading and investment, and advisory services to Wealth Management clients. While NFTs are seen as speculative assets by many, Banks can work with regulators and position these as mainstream asset classes. Taking it one step further, Banks and financial institutions can perhaps also offer lending against collateral such as virtual land or digital art and even provide insurance against losses arising from cyber-attacks. As the user experiences for these virtual worlds are being built, the time is ripe for Banks to ensure that they are a part of that journey. For instance, Banks can use NFTs to not only validate their clients but also represent pre-authorization loans, the clients in turn can use these NFTs to conclude purchase of digital and real-world assets, eliminating a bunch of paperwork and making the whole process seamless.  Agreed that Metaverse might still be in its infancy, but Blockchain presents itself as a cornerstone for the development of this new realm by facilitating payments, recording asset ownership, and powering new forms of economies and commerce. Banks can partake in the development of this new realm while ensuring that they understand the evolving needs to their customers and adjust their models that might have worked in the past but would now need to undergo a paradigm shift. Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author’s own. END OF ARTICLE

Yes, You Should Put An Alexa Device In Every Room Of Your Home. Here’s Why – CNET https://collincountynewsonline.com/yes-you-should-put-an-alexa-device-in-every-room-of-your-home-heres-why-cnet/ This story is part of Home Tips, CNET’s collection of practical advice for getting the most out of your home, inside and out. Did that headline make you do a double-take? I mean, what kind of strange person has an Amazon device in every room? Well, call me strange — but don’t judge before you hear me out, because there are so many neat tricks you can do with that unused Echo Dot stuffed in a forgotten drawer or that Amazon Echo speaker that’s slowly getting dusty in the corner of your living room — or, soon, with one of Amazon’s new Echo Dot speakers, announced alongside a bunch of other Alexa devices on Sept. 28. I had two Echo Dots — both white third-gen models that I’d since replaced with the better-sounding fourth-gen “orbs.” But those old hockey pucks still rock, especially when paired with my black Echo Show 8, so I dug them out and found homes for both of them. One third-gen Dot went in my half-bath, the other in my upstairs hallway — bringing my menagerie of Alexa devices up to a whopping 11 smart speakers and smart displays. That means I now have one Alexa speaker or display every few feet throughout my home.  Is that overkill? Yeah, you could say that. Should you still put an Alexa device in your bedroom and bathroom and garage (you get the gist!) anyway? Well, absolutely. Once you do, you’ll wonder why you never did it before. That’s because there are some unique advantages to keeping a houseful of Alexa devices.  Here’s all of the neat tricks you can implement with those Amazon gadgets you already have lying around, plus some tips on how to keep everything in order. And if you’re itching to purchase some new Echo devices, Amazon is hosting an event next week to unveil new products and services. (You could always check out the best Alexa devices, the best cheap Alexa devices and the best smart displays already on the market, too).  Read more: The Real Cost of Setting Up an Amazon Smart Home Why so many Alexa devices? Because more is better Some Alexa features just work better the more Amazon Echo speakers and displays you have set up in your home. For example, if you’ve never experienced whole-house audio before, it’s a surprisingly dazzling experience — even if most of your speakers are Echo Dots (and even if you don’t have an Amazon Echo Subwoofer). On days when you’re moving a lot from room to room — cleaning the house, say, or hosting a get-together — it’s remarkable how neat it is to have music playing everywhere you go. Those old third-gen hockey puck Echo Dots make perfect speakers for your garage, hallway or other less frequently used spaces. Ry Crist/CNET But there are other nifty ways to use a houseful of Alexas, too. Besides multiroom music, here are some of my other faves: Announcements: Say, “Alexa, announce dinner is ready,” or, “announce that it’s bedtime,” and check out what happens (Alexa adds some audio “color” to the message). Drop In: You can have an intercomlike conversation with someone in a specific room — “Alexa, drop in on the kitchen” — or with the whole house at once — “drop in everywhere.” Multiroom audio (but in the same room): You may only be able to pair identical speakers together in stereo, but you can put any two or three or more speakers together in the same room, even though the feature is called “Multi-room.” But before you get started on any of this, the first thing you’ll want to rein in is all those Echo devices that could mistakenly respond to you (up next). The second-gen Amazon Echo is still a formidable smart speaker, so don’t shove yours in a drawer and forget about it. Tyler Lizenby/CNET Assign wake words other than ‘Alexa’ If you’re like me and have multiple Echo devices in the same area, then you already know how annoying it can be to yell, “Alexa!” and have every device compete for your attention. If you have two or more devices in the same vicinity, then it’s best to give each one its own wake word.  For example, I have an Echo Show in my kitchen and an Echo Dot in the living room just a few feet away. I use the Dot mostly to play music, not necessarily to listen for commands. I gave that speaker (and other speakers I just use for audio) a wake word other than “Alexa.” While Amazon’s traditional options for calling up your voice assistant are Alexa, Computer, Amazon and Echo, there are several newer wake word additions you can use like Ziggy and Hey, Disney. Unfortunately, you can’t give it a name other than these, so you’ll have to hold off calling your device “Buddy” or something else unique.  Here’s how to change the wake word on individual devices: 1. Open the Alexa app, navigate to Devices.  2. Tap Echo & Alexa from the top row of icons. 3. Tap the name of the device with the wake word you want to change. You’ll have to change each device’s wake word separately. 4. Select the Settings icon in the top right-hand corner then scroll down and tap Wake Word. 5. Pick a wake word other than Alexa (see above for your options). 6. Tap OK when a pop-up lets you know it might take a few minutes to change over, then either back out of that menu or close the app. You can also change the wake word with voice commands, too. Simply say, “Alexa, change your wake word.” Alexa will prompt you to pick from the list of offered wake words. Then select whichever word you want.  Now you’re all set! And you can always go back and change the wake word at any point.  Read more: All Amazon Echo Wake Words That Aren’t Alexa — and What They Do When setting up a stereo pair, the Echo with Clock, Echo Kids and Echo Dot are all interchangeable.  Julie Snyder/CNET Pair Alexas for stereo and multiroom audio groups If you’ve got two identical devices (or functionally identical — the same-generation Echo Dot, Echo Dot with Clock and Echo Kids are all interchangeable in this  sense) you can pair them so that audio is divided into left and right channels, like a bona fide stereo system. That pair will then appear as a single speaker in the Alexa app when directing audio in a routine or creating an even bigger set of speakers (more on that shortly). Before you set this up, make sure both speakers are in the same virtual “room” in your Alexa app and that both are on the same network. Then, do this: 1. Open the Alexa app, tap Devices on the bottom menu bar, then tap the plus sign (+) in the upper right corner. 2. Tap Combine speakers, then tap Stereo pair / subwoofer. Tap one of the speakers you want to use, then the app will highlight compatible speaker options — tap one, then tap Next. 3. The app will assign the right channel to one and the left channel to the other, but you can tap Swap Speakers to toggle the options, then tap Next. 4. Name your new stereo pair (I usually stick with the name of the room, such as “Master Bedroom”). Now playing: Watch this: Alexa gets new features to make it a better listener 7:02 Multiroom audio works similarly, but without the stereo separation. Also, you can combine unalike speakers, and previously paired stereo pairs, as many of them as you wish. And, again, the speakers don’t have to be in different rooms. Here’s how to do it: 1. Open the Alexa app, tap Devices on the bottom menu bar, then tap the plus sign (+) in the upper right corner. 2. Tap Combine speakers, then tap Multi-room music. Tap all of the speakers you want to include in the group, then tap Next. 3. The app will assign the right channel to one and the left channel to the other, but you can tap Swap Speakers to toggle the options, then tap Next. 4. Either choose a name from the list or type your own custom name at the bottom, then tap Save. Protect your Amazon Echo privacy  With all of these Echo devices scattered around your home, you’re probably wondering: Is Alexa always listening? It’s a good question considering no one wants Alexa to be privy to our confidential conversations.  Echo devices have raised plenty of privacy concerns. Even though they’re only recording and transmitting audio to Amazon’s cloud when the blue light activates, it’s widely known that Echo devices can be activated without you knowing it if one of them hears something similar to its wake word (for instance, if you say something like “election” or “I’d like some” instead of “Alexa”). It’s also worth understanding that Amazon employees can listen to your Alexa conversations if you don’t take certain precautions.  Luckily, there are settings and other hacks to keep Amazon out of your business.  For one, you can unplug the device or turn the mic off by pressing the microphone’s mute button to make sure Alexa isn’t always listening. You can also update the settings to delete your Amazon voice transcripts immediately so they can’t be reviewed by Amazon employees. You can read our full rundown of privacy tips here.  For more cool Alexa tricks, take a look at six useful Amazon Echo tips you’ll want to use every day, some funny things you can ask Alexa and a few more commands you can try tonight.  More tips for Alexa Alexa Settings You’ll Want to Change ASAP Can Alexa Devices Make Calls? Yep, and Here’s How It Works Customize Alexa So You Love Your Amazon Echo Device Even More Is Your Amazon Echo in 1 of These 4 Places? Move It Now Protect Your Amazon Echo Privacy While Working From Home: 7 Simple Tricks 5 Creative Uses for Your Amazon Echo That You Need to Try Roundup of Every Alexa Command You Can Give Your Echo Right Now

US Lawmakers Introduce Bill Allowing Crypto Investments In 401(K) Retirement Plans – Regulation Bitcoin News – Bitcoin News https://collincountynewsonline.com/us-lawmakers-introduce-bill-allowing-crypto-investments-in-401k-retirement-plans-regulation-bitcoin-news-bitcoin-news/ Several U.S. lawmakers have introduced the Retirement Savings Modernization Act to provide 401(k) retirement savers access to a wide range of investments, including crypto assets. “With inflation at record highs, a stock market downturn, and a potential recession on the horizon, many Americans are rightfully concerned about their financial future,” said U.S. Senator Pat Toomey. Retirement Savings Modernization Act Introduced The U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs announced Thursday that Senators Pat Toomey (R-PA) and Tim Scott (R-SC) and Representative Peter Meijer (R-MI) have introduced a bill called the Retirement Savings Modernization Act. The bill aims “to bolster Americans’ retirement savings by allowing workers to diversify assets included in defined contribution plans, such as 401(k) plans,” the announcement details. “This legislation will amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to clarify that private sector retirement plan sponsors may offer plans, including both pensions and 401(k)s, that are prudently diversified across the full range of asset classes.” Senator Toomey opined, “With inflation at record highs, a stock market downturn, and a potential recession on the horizon, many Americans are rightfully concerned about their financial future,” elaborating: By providing 401(k) savers with access to the same asset classes as pension plans, my legislation will open the door to a more secure retirement for millions of Americans. While pension plans and 401(k) plans are covered by the same law, the former have incorporated asset classes outside of the public markets since 1982. Meanwhile, the latter “almost never incorporate exposure to alternative assets due to fiduciaries’ anticipated litigation risk,” the announcement explains. The bill lists “digital assets” as a “covered investment.” Senator Scott described: “Inflation has eroded and devalued the savings many Americans spent their lives accumulating. This bill would modernize retirement plans to ensure they can provide diverse investments with higher returns. American workers and their families deserve to go about their lives with peace of mind, knowing their hard-earned money will be secure when they choose to retire.” Until the 1970s, most Americans working in the private sector relied on pension plans for retirement. Today, the vast majority of private sector workers rely on 401(k) plans. “However, pension plans have consistently outperformed 401(k) plans because they diversify across the full range of asset classes, putting one of every five dollars in alternative asset classes like private equity,” the lawmakers noted. Representative Meijer stressed: Americans deserve flexibility with their retirement options, especially in times of fiscal uncertainty. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a notice in March warning about crypto investments in 401(k) plans. “The department has serious concerns about the prudence of a fiduciary’s decision to expose a 401(k) plan’s participants to direct investments in cryptocurrencies, or other products whose value is tied to cryptocurrencies,” the DOL wrote. “These investments present significant risks and challenges to participants’ retirement accounts, including significant risks of fraud, theft, and loss.” Despite the warning by the Labor Department, Fidelity, a major 401(k) plan administrator, announced in April that it will allow bitcoin as an investment option in its new 401(k) products. The financial giant’s decision caused concerns for the Labor Department. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) is also worried, demanding answers from Fidelity regarding its decision to allow bitcoin in 401(k) plans. In May, a U.S. senator introduced a bill prohibiting the Labor Department from interfering with investments in retirement accounts. In June, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that crypto is “very risky,” emphasizing that it is unsuitable for most retirement savers. Do you think all retirement savers should be able to invest in anything including cryptocurrencies? Let us know in the comments section below. Kevin Helms A student of Austrian Economics, Kevin found Bitcoin in 2011 and has been an evangelist ever since. His interests lie in Bitcoin security, open-source systems, network effects and the intersection between economics and cryptography. Image Credits: Shutterstock, Pixabay, Wiki Commons Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a direct offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation or endorsement of any products, services, or companies. Bitcoin.com does not provide investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Neither the company nor the author is responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in this article.

Russian Timber Bypasses U.S. Sanctions Through Vietnam And China – The Washington Post https://collincountynewsonline.com/russian-timber-bypasses-u-s-sanctions-through-vietnam-and-china-the-washington-post/ HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam — Russian birch wood has continued to flow to American consumers, disguised as Asian products, despite U.S. economic sanctions imposed on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, a new report says. The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), a nonprofit watchdog group based in Britain, has found that most birch products currently being exported from Vietnam to the United States originate in Russia. According to Vietnam customs data, roughly 40,000 cubic meters of birch wood is transported every month from Russia and China into Vietnam, where it’s assembled into furniture and plywood. These chairs and bed frames end up on the shelves of major American retailers, the EIA said in a report, which was shared exclusively with The Washington Post. The group’s investigators spoke to five Chinese companies accounting for 60 percent of China’s birch veneer exports to Vietnam and concluded that over 90 percent of their birch is sourced from Russia. One Chinese wood factory owner told the group that all of the birch their company uses comes from Russia but is repackaged in China and re-exported to Vietnam with China listed as the country of origin. “They [American importers] don’t track sources of original materials,” the manager told the EIA. “We have been doing this all the time.” In June, Russia’s Federal Forest Management Agency asserted that the country’s timber industry has not been significantly affected by sanctions. “The Russian forestry industry complex has already been oriented toward friendly markets and, where the restrictions emerged, it has already partially realigned,” Pavel Chashchin, head of the agency, told Tass, a state-owned news outlet. “The process of establishing new export channels will continue.” In construction, birch harvested from Russia’s vast forests has long been considered the best source of plywood — a material used in floors, ceilings and partitions, as well as for decorative purposes on items such as doors and cabinets. Before the invasion of Ukraine, the United States imported hundreds of thousands of cubic meters of birch plywood from Russia annually, trade data shows. Driven by strong demand, these imports surged in the early months of 2022 before changing course in April, when the Biden administration raised tariffs on Russian birch from 10 percent to 50 percent. From March to April, even as direct U.S. imports of Russian birch plunged, birch plywood imports from Vietnam grew by 206 percent, said the Decorative Hardwoods Association, which represents American hardwood industries. Ngo Sy Hoai, vice president of the Vietnam Timber and Forest Product Association, a nongovernmental trade organization in Vietnam, did not respond to questions on where companies are sourcing their birch, saying only that “Vietnamese plywood producers may import certain volumes of birch wood from various sources for plywood surfacing.” Phuc Xuan To, a senior policy analyst at Forest Trends who has studied Vietnam’s wood industry for years, confirmed the EIA’s findings. Sawed birch timber imports from China to Vietnam increased in the first half of this year, and it’s highly likely that birch originated in Russia, To said. Russian birch is also appearing under deceptive labels in markets outside the United States, according to advocacy groups. Companies in Britain have recently received more offers of birch “from the Far East,” said Timber Development UK, which represents companies throughout the timber supply chain in Britain. “Given that birch forests are concentrated in Northern Russia and Eurasia; it is almost certain the birch contained in the plywood being offered has in fact originated in Russia,” the trade association said in a statement warning members against running afoul of British sanctions. While China also exports birch, the EIA said the world’s biggest traders widely preferred Russian birch, which is seen as being more consistent and durable. In March, Earthsight, another watchdog group from Britain, reported that some of Russia’s largest forestry companies are owned by oligarchs with close ties to President Vladimir Putin. Mining tycoon Alexei Mordashov, who was blacklisted by the European Union in March, holds major assets in Sveza, one of Russia’s biggest exporters of birch plywood, Earthsight said. While Sveza’s direct exports to Europe have declined since the start of the year, company leaders recently told reporters that it has been actively redirecting supply to Asia and Africa. “I have absolutely nothing to do with the emergence of the current geopolitical tension,” Mordashov said in a statement in April. Telecommunications billionaire Vladimir Yevtushenkov’s family controls Sistema, parent company of Segezha, a logging firm that exports to the European Union and the United States. In April, after being sanctioned by Britain, Yevtushenkov gave up shareholder control over the Sistema conglomerate by transferring 10 percent worth of assets to his son. The Segezha group released a statement around the same time declaring that it did not consider itself affected by British sanctions. “Segezha Group continues its business as usual,” the statement said. Vietnam has strong political, defense and economic ties with Russia dating to Soviet times. At the U.N. General Assembly in September, Vietnam was among 35 countries that abstained from the vote condemning Russia for its attack on Ukraine. The abrupt increase of exports from Vietnam at a time of plunging Russian supply caught the attention of the EIA, which has been monitoring the relocation of Chinese manufacturers to Vietnam in recent years, said Alex Bloom, an analyst with the agency. “We were well aware from previous investigations that enormous amounts of Russian timber, particularly birch, are used in Chinese factories for exported plywood,” she said. “After American anti-dumping tariffs went into effect on Chinese hardwood plywood [in 2017], a lot of those Chinese factories migrated to Vietnam to avoid those tariffs.” Thomas Chung, an advocate at the EIA who focuses on Vietnam, said the repacking of birch described by Chinese companies not only violates U.S. trade rules and legislation but could also be considered illegal under Vietnam’s timber legality assurance system. “There is the requirement to know the origin of a wood product as part of a due-diligence process when importing timber or wood products into Vietnam,” he said. “This means that even when intermediary markets are used, the origin should be known. Any rebranding should be considered illegal.”

News Live: India Not A Mere Consumer Of Technology, Will Help In Its Development, Says PM – Deccan Herald https://collincountynewsonline.com/news-live-india-not-a-mere-consumer-of-technology-will-help-in-its-development-says-pm-deccan-herald/ 12:29 Our government has been focusing on how to increase ease of living in India The cost of data in India has remained very low due to the efforts of our government. It is a different matter that we did not make a fuss about it, did not give big advertisements. We focused on how to increase the convenience of the people of the country, increase the ease of living 12:29 Whether it is farmers or small shopkeepers, we have given them a way to meet their daily needs through the app; PM Modi 12:26 Digital India has given a platform, a market to everyone: PM Modi Today, whether we have small traders, small entrepreneurs, local artists and artisans, Digital India has given a platform, a market to everyone. Today you go to a local market or vegetable market and see, even a small street vendor will tell you that do not have cash and you should go ahead and do UPI payment 12:23 From 2 mobile manufacturing units in India in 2014, country now has over 200 mobile factories, says PM Modi 12:20 I have always had faith in the understanding of the common man of India: PM Modi There was a time when a handful of elite class people doubted the potential of poor people. He suspected that poor people would not even understand the meaning of digital. But I have always had faith in the understanding of the common man of the country. 12:19 Our government is now working on the goal of Internet for all: PM Modi Like the government started a campaign to deliver electricity from door to door, like worked on the mission of providing clean water to everyone through Har Ghar Jal Abhiyan, like, through the Ujjwala scheme, the gas cylinder was delivered to the poorest of the poor, our government is nowworking on the goal of Internet for all 12:14 From exporting zero mobile phones in 2014, today we have become a mobile phone exporting country: PM Modi We focused on 4 Pillars, in four directions at once. * First, the price of the device * Second, digital connectivity * Third, the cost of data Fourth * Fourth and most important, the idea of ‘digital first’ From exporting zero mobile phones in 2014, today we have become a mobile phone exporting country worth thousands of crores. Naturally, all these efforts have had an impact on the cost of the device. Now we have started getting more features at a lower cost. 12:13 The goal of this vison is to take that technology to the common people: PM Modi Talking about Digital India, some people think that this is just a government scheme. But Digital India is not just a name, it is a big vision for the development of the country. The goal of this vison is to take that technology to the common people, which works for the people, works with the people 12:11 With 5G, India has created a new history: PM Modi At the time of 2G, 3G, 4G, India was dependent on other countries for technology. But with 5G, India has created a new history. With 5G, India is setting a global standard in telecom technology for the first time 12:10 India will play an active role in development and implementation of technology: PM New India will not remain a mere consumer of technology, but India will play an active role in the development and implementation of that technology. India will play a big role in designing the future wireless technology, manufacturing related to it 12:06 5G is just start of a set of brand new opportunities that India is going to get in the upcoming days 5G is just start of a set of brand new opportunities that india is going to get in the upcoming days. I am very happy that 5G will benefit students of government schools, villages, labourers.Today, on behalf of the country, on behalf of the country’s telecom industry, 130 crore Indians are getting a wonderful gift in the form of 5G. 5G is the knock of a new era at the door of the country. 5G is the beginning of an infinite sky of opportunities. I congratulate every Indian for this very much 12:05 PM Modi addresses India Mobile Congress after launching 5G 11:57 Airtel demonstrates 5G’s uses to induce an immersive education experience In theAirteldemo, a girl from Uttar Pradesh witnesseda lively and immersive education experience to learn about the solar system with the help of virtual reality and augmented reality. The girl shared her experience of learning with the Prime Minister by appearing on the dias through a hologram. 11:49 Vodafone Idea demonstrates their test case to PM Modi TheVodafoneIdea test case demonstrates the safety of workers in an under-construction tunnel of Delhi Metro through the creation of a ‘digital twin’ of the tunnel on the dias. The digital twin will help give safety alerts to workers in real-time from a remote location. 11:45 PM Modi interacts with students digitally. He asks the children about how technology will help them in class even with the absence of teachers 11:40 Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches 5G, declares India Mobile Congress 2022 open 11:32 5G will set the stage for the economy of India to become a 5 trillion dollar economy: Kumar Mangalam Birla 11:29 Today 5G will be made available in 5 cities via Airtel: Sunil Mittal 11:25 We are very lucky to have a leader like you: Sunil Bharti Mittal While every leader talks about technology and its importance, nobody understands technology like our PM Modi. When pandemic started, our work at the digital front did not stop for even a minute to make sure that the country is functional. With the introduction of 5G, there will be several more startups and entrepreneurs in the country. 11:20 5G is like a digital ‘Kamdhenu’ a digital cow that delivers everything that we desire 5G is like a digital ‘Kamdhenu’ a digital cow that delivers everything that we desire. With 5G India will take a long strive to ‘Sabka digital saath and sabka digital vikas.’ I want to reiterate Jio’s goal of delivering 5G to every area in the country by December of 2023. Before I conclude I would lik to express a deep seated emotion of pride. India and Indians can’t settle for anything us. 11:15 We are now ready to take leadership and now the Indian mobile congress should become Asian Mobile Congress and Global Mobile Congress: Mukesh Ambani 11:08 Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw extends gratitude to PM Modi for offering help and direction that helped overcome all hurdles to launch 5G Today’s day will mak an important event in the history that this country will make. PM Modi has directed us all and because of the 5G rollout, there will several new changes that the country will see in the forseeable future. It is a proud moment for India that with the help of PM Modi’s leadership, India is able to launch 5G. 11:05 Minister of State for Telecom Devusinh Chauhan welcomes PM Modi to 5G launch 11:03 PM Modi on the dais to launch 5G in India 10:35 PM Modi experiences 5G services 10:31 PM Modi heads to Ericsson’s smart manufacturing facility stall 10:28 PM Modi heads to healthcare stall which shows the use of 5G in upgrading village healthcare system PM Modi heads to the healthcare stall. The goal is for the villages will be provided with critical healthcare services using 5G. A demo van has been created to show the PM how a single van will have a hospital control room in the smallest of villages in the country. 10:24 Smart farming: Airtel presents solutions concerned with agriculture in India Airtel presents solutions concerned with agriculture in India. The agri solutions offer a huge relief to farmers by introducing ‘smart farming’. If the farmers are involved in plantation, they can conduct the practice through a central system which will enable maximum yeilds while only requiring basic involvement by the farmers. 10:21 More that 100 start-ups present at the event. PM Modi spends significant time at the CDoT stall to understand technological advancements 10:18 Various use cases demonstrated in front of Prime Minister Narendra Modi The various use casesdemonstrated in front of the Prime Minister in the exhibition include precision drone-based farming; high-security routers and AI-based cyber threat detection platforms; automated guided vehicles; smart ambulances; augmented reality/virtual reality /mix reality in education and skill development; sewage monitoring system; smart-agri programme and health diagnostics, among others. 10:11 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inspects an exhibition at Pragati Maidan Delhi | Prime Minister Narendra Modi inspects an exhibition at Pragati Maidan. He will inaugurate the sixth edition of the Indian Mobile Congress (IMC) and launch 5G services shortly. pic.twitter.com/5WKmlPIu5K — ANI (@ANI) October 1, 2022 10:07 First phase of 5G roll out will take place in 13 cities According to an official release, 5G will be launched by the Prime Minister in select cities and it will progressively cover the entire country over the next couple of years. The first phase of launch comprises 13 cities namely: Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gurugram, Hyderabad, Jamnagar, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune and Lucknow. 09:58 Three major telecom operators of the country will demonstrate one use case each in front of the Prime Minister to show the potential of 5G technology in India 09:56 Cumulative economic impact of 5G on India is estimated to reach $450 billion by 2035 Capable of supporting ultra-high-speed internet, the fifth generation or5Gservice is expected to unleash new economic opportunities and societal benefits, serving as a transformational force for Indian society. 08:46 The price of a commercial LPG cylinder in Delhi reduced by Rs 25.5 with effect from today 08:43 Fire breaks out at Gurugram’s Global Foyer mall 08:41 PM Narendra Mod...

McKinney Names Bond Committee Members: Appointees Include Community Members, Local Mayors And County Judge – Star Local Media https://collincountynewsonline.com/mckinney-names-bond-committee-members-appointees-include-community-members-local-mayors-and-county-judge-star-local-media/ Allen American Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every morning so you don’t miss out on updates. Allen American e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Allen American Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! Carrollton Leader Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. Carrollton Leader e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Carrollton Leader Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! Celina Record Daily Headlines Daily Headlines from Celina Record Celina Record e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Celina Record Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! Coppell Gazette Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. Coppell Gazette e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Coppell Gazette Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! Flower Mound Leader Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. Flower Mound Leader e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Flower Mound Leader Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! Frisco Enterprise Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. Frisco Enterprise e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Frisco Enterprise Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! Lake Cities Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. Lake Cities e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Lake Cities Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! Lewisville Leader Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. Lewisville Leader e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Lewisville Leader Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! Little Elm Journal Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. Little Elm Journal e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Little Elm Journal Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! McKinney Courier Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. McKinney Courier e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. McKinney Courier Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! Mesquite News Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. Mesquite News e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Mesquite News Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! Plano Star Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. Plano Star e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Plano Star Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! Rowlett Lakeshore Times Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. Rowlett Lakeshore Times e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. Rowlett Lakeshore Times Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports! The Colony-Courier Leader Daily Headlines Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don’t miss out on updates. The Colony-Courier Leader e-Edition Receive our newspaper electronically with the e-Edition email. The Colony-Courier Leader Local Sports Get the latest headlines on local sports!

Conversations With Strangers On Trains – Sedalia Democrat https://collincountynewsonline.com/conversations-with-strangers-on-trains-sedalia-democrat/ By Jack Miller, Guest Columnist Posted 9/30/22 As anyone who has read my column through the years knows, I love trains. Not just the look of the heavy beasts but also the enjoyment of riding one.  It has been quite a few years since I … This item is available in full to subscribers. Attention subscribers We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription. If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you’ve not yet logged in to your account on this new site. If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account by clicking here. Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing. Please log in to continue Need an account? Print subscribers If you’re a print subscriber, but do not yet have an online account, click here to create one. Non-subscribers Click here to see your options for becoming a subscriber.

PM Modi To Launch 5G Services In India Shortly – Hindustan Times https://collincountynewsonline.com/pm-modi-to-launch-5g-services-in-india-shortly-hindustan-times/ Live Updated on Oct 01, 2022 10:29 AM IST Breaking news October 1, 2022: 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: Oct 01, 2022 10:15 AM IST PM Modi inaugurates 6th India Mobile Congress at Pragati Maidan Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the 6th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) at the Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. Oct 01, 2022 09:00 AM IST Fire breaks out at Global Foyer Mall in Gurgaon A fire broke out at Global Foyer Mall on Golf Course Road in Gurgaon. Several fire tenders have been rushed to the spot. Oct 01, 2022 08:19 AM IST PM Modi to launch 5G services at telecom event Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch 5G services in India today in select cities. The service is expected to progressively cover the entire country over the next couple of years. Oct 01, 2022 07:06 AM IST Russian consulate in New York vandalised with red paint The Russian Consulate in New York was vandalised with red spray paint on Saturday. The paint appeared hours before Russian President Vladimir Putin announced he was annexing four parts of Ukraine occupied by Moscow’s army, AFP reported. Oct 01, 2022 06:18 AM IST Russia vetoes UN resolution calling its referendums illegal Russia vetoed a UN resolution Friday that would have condemned its referendums in four Ukrainian regions as illegal, declared them invalid and urged all countries not to recognize any annexation of the territory claimed by Moscow. The vote in the 15-member Security Council was 10-1 with China, India, Brazil and Gabon abstaining. The resolution would also have demanded an immediate halt to Russia’s “full-scale unlawful invasion of Ukraine” and the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all its military forces from Ukraine. Subscribe to our best newsletters 14th Dalai Lama still undecided on his reincarnation Published on Oct 01, 2022 09:19 AM IST The Buddhists in Tibet, at large, still swear by the 14th Dalai Lama despite Xi Jinping regime’s attempt to impose Han culture on the territory occupied since 1950. The 14th Dalai Lama, who escaped to India from Chinese occupied Tibet in 1959. ‘Who is SP?’ BJP’s question on ‘leaked’ photo of Ashok Gehlot’s notes Published on Oct 01, 2022 07:09 AM IST The BJP targetted the Congress over the reportedly leaked photo of Ashok Gehlot’s secret notes and said Congress needs to be united first. PM Modi to launch 5G services in India shortly Updated on Oct 01, 2022 10:29 AM IST Breaking news October 1, 2022: Get latest news, breaking news, latest updates, live news, top headlines, breaking business news and top news of the hour. PM Modi ditches microphone, apologises at Rajasthan rally. Video goes viral Published on Oct 01, 2022 06:13 AM IST As PM Modi reached the rally after 10pm, he chose to follow the microphone rules and not address the rally. “My conscience says that I should follow the rules. I apologise before you,” he said. Kerala HC extends stay on appointment of Priya Varghese in Kannur varsity Published on Oct 01, 2022 12:22 AM IST Justice Devan Ramachandran extended the stay on the appointment of Priya Varghese, the wife of KK Ragesh who is the chief minister’s secretary, in the Malayalam department of the varsity till October 20. ByPress Trust of India, Kochi Satya Pal Malik: Have no plans to join active politics Updated on Oct 01, 2022 12:25 AM IST Meghalaya governor Satya Pal Malik , whose term as the governor of the northeastern state will end on Friday, however, said he would work for the welfare of farmers and support them KCR donates 1 kg gold to temple ahead of national party launch Published on Oct 01, 2022 12:21 AM IST Chief minister KCR offered 1 kg and 160 grams of gold to the deity towards gold plating of the “gopuram” over sanctum sanctorum of the temple. Kerala high court asks police to remove obstruction in front of Vizhinjam Port Published on Oct 01, 2022 12:19 AM IST Justice Anu Sivaraman asked the police to ensure there are no obstructions in front of the entrance for the vehicles to pass. ByPress Trust of India, Kochi Services will jointly deal with security challenges Published on Oct 01, 2022 12:18 AM IST General Anil Chauhan retired as the Eastern Army commander on May 31, 2021, and was the military adviser to the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) before being appointed to the top job Isha foundation infra project: Madras high court adjourns case for 3 more weeks Published on Oct 01, 2022 12:18 AM IST Isha foundation had challenged a notice by the Tamil Nadu government alleging the said buildings were constructed without obtaining environmental clearance between 2006 and 2014 as mandated by the central government’s environment impact assessment (EIA) notification, 2006. Telangana requests Supreme Court to vacate stay on Kaleshwaram project Published on Oct 01, 2022 12:17 AM IST In its petition, the irrigation department said it was proposed to draw an additional one tmc ft (thousand million cubic feet) of water from Godavari river, apart from the originally planned two tmc ft, only for optimising the utilisation of 240 tmc ft of water during the rainy season, which will be there for a short period. ED seeks Bengaluru court permit to quiz 5 accused in PSI scam Published on Oct 01, 2022 12:13 AM IST In August, the ED registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) after concluding from an examination of the FIRs and charge sheets that money laundering had taken place in the scam. Story Saved New Delhi 0C Saturday, October 01, 2022

High Sugar Levels Can Be Dangerous For The Gut! Know The Link Between Diabetes And Digestion – Health Shots https://collincountynewsonline.com/high-sugar-levels-can-be-dangerous-for-the-gut-know-the-link-between-diabetes-and-digestion-health-shots/ Diabetes is no joke! This is the most prevalent condition in the world. In fact, according to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 420 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes. And the number is steadily rising. Diabetes can impact quality of life and cause other health problems if it is not managed properly. Digestive problems can become more likely in people with diabetes. Though they are not directly related, diabetes and digestion have an impact on one another. HealthShots spoke to Dr Sandeep Kharb, Senior Consultant Endocrinology Asian hospital Faridabad, to find out the link between diabetes and gut health. How can diabetes affect the gut? If you have been living with diabetes for a long time or have recently been diagnosed with the condition, you are likely to be familiar with the complications like vision loss, kidney diseases and in extreme cases, amputations. But poorly controlled type 2 diabetes can affect other organ systems, including your digestive system. The longer you have been living with the condition, the more you are likely to suffer from digestive problems associated with diabetes. 3 digestive problems linked with type 2 diabetes, according to Dr Kharb Some of the common digestive problems brought about by advanced diabetes and poorly controlled blood sugar include: 1. Acid reflux (GERD) The stomach contains a high amount of hydrochloric acid and when it fails to empty the acids on a regular basis, your gastric juices fire back and cause damage to your esophagus resulting in acid reflux also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). High blood sugar can cause damage to the nerves along the digestive tract that interfere with this gastric emptying. Common symptoms of acid reflux include chest pain and difficulty swallowing. Digestion problems can lead to gas and acidity! Image courtesy: Shutterstock Treatment includes medication, lifestyle changes, like losing weight and quitting smoking, and potentially surgery as a last option. 2. Gastroparesis If your stomach fails to empty itself correctly, you may experience gastroparesis in your stomach besides acid reflux in your esophagus. Gastroparesis is a disease in which the stomach is not able to empty itself of food in a normal fashion resulting in symptoms of nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating and pain, weight loss, and acid reflux. This is a common condition in long-standing diabetes regardless of whether it is well controlled. Treatments for gastroparesis include changes in your diet like skipping high-fiber or high-fat foods, medication, and surgery. 3. Diabetes enteric neuropathy This condition results from damage to the nerves in your gut and can sometimes present with symptoms resembling irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), such as diarrhea and constipation. This is caused by excess levels of glucose in the blood which gets deposited onto the nerves and if that persists for a long time, the nerves can actually die off, and that damage to nerves in your gut can also cause other serious complications to diabetes, including kidney dysfunction and retinopathy, or damage to eyes. Treatment can include taking medication that speeds up the stomach’s emptying, decreasing fat and fiber consumption, etc. What can you do to prevent digestive issues caused by diabetes? Just because you have diabetes does not mean you need to give up on the digestive problems associated with it. Follow the tips given below by Dr Kharb to help keep your digestive system in working order while living with diabetes: 1. Keep your blood sugar under control If you are suffering from diabetes, it is important to keep your blood sugar under control at all times to stay away from the complications associated with the disease. Besides, also pay attention to your A1C – average level of glucose over the past two to three months within a healthy range. The level at which esophageal function and gastric function are impaired is directly proportional to A1C elevation. Keep your blood sugar levels in control! Image courtesy: Shutterstock 2. Choose a healthy diet A healthy diet high in fiber such as whole grains, beans and veggies like broccoli benefits people with diabetes. On the other hand, a diet high in refined sugar and carbs such as white bread, pasta, and rice can alter the gut microbiome. 3. Eat small, frequent meals Instead of eating a full meal at one go, consider eating small, frequent meals throughout the day to help with symptoms of acid reflux and gastroparesis. 4. Stay away from the urge to lie down after a meal Control your urge to lie down after eating. Staying upright, walking, or standing for a couple of hours after a meal will prevent stomach acid from backing up into your throat if you have acid reflux. 5. Pay attention to your GI symptoms Lastly, if you experience symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort, make sure to consult your healthcare provider before they get worse. At times, symptoms like acid reflux could be due to other causes like candida infection, so it is important to get yourself checked. Takeaway Keeping blood sugar under control is key to preventing gastrointestinal issues associated with diabetes. Make sure to reach out to your medical team if you are suffering from diabetes-related GI symptoms as these can lead to severe complications when left untreated.

Agency Opening Celebrated In City | News, Sports, Jobs – Evening Observer https://collincountynewsonline.com/agency-opening-celebrated-in-city-news-sports-jobs-evening-observer/ Pictured are staff members Steve Kilburn, Sean Jones, Lily League, Jenny Ibero, Michael Nordin, Steven Cobb, Ken Kendall along with First Ward Dunkirk Councilwoman Natalie Luczkowiak and Marcus Buchanan, school board member at the newly opened Peer Support Recovery Center at The Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County. The agency is located at the Grace Lutheran Church at Sixth and Eagle streets in the city. The Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County commits to radical acceptance, empowerment, and advocacy for our community members who struggle with mental health and substance use. Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox

BlackRock Digs Further Into Crypto With Metaverse ETF – FinanceFeeds https://collincountynewsonline.com/blackrock-digs-further-into-crypto-with-metaverse-etf-financefeeds/ BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager with almost $10 trillion in AUM, is set to launch a new metaverse ETF to help investors securely monetize on the booming immersive version of the internet. BlackRock’s iShares Future Metaverse Tech and Communications ETF will give investors exposure to metaverse-focused companies, as per the filing on Thursday. This may include companies with links to social media, virtual platforms, digital assets, gaming, augmented reality and much more. The metaverse, which combines technologies such as virtual reality and NFTs, has become a focal point for exchange-traded product issuers. Most recently, Switzerland-based crypto exchange-traded product issuer 21Shares and US rival ProShares have launched their own Metaverse ETFs. Despite a major slowdown in the Metaverse space, some industry surveys estimate that the total addressable market between $8-13 trillion by 2030. BlackRock has been increasing its exposure to the digital assets space throughout 2022. Just yesterday, the New York-based financial conglomerate announced the launch of its crypto ETF in Europe despite the regulatory concerns in the continent. The iShares Blockchain Technology UCITS ETF is listed on Euronext, made up of 35 global companies whose primary business is related to blockchain such as crypto miners and exchanges. Around 25% of the fund’s exposure goes to companies that support the technology such as semiconductor companies. The news comes barely a month after BlackRock had inked a partnership deal with the prime brokerage arm of US popular exchange, Coinbase. The collaboration is, however, limited to bitcoin and will allow BlackRock’s institutional clients to have access to crypto trading, custody, prime brokerage, and reporting via Coinbase Prime. The clients will also be able to manage their bitcoin and conduct risk analysis using BlackRock’s software suite Aladdin. Back in April, BlackRock had participated in $400 million funding round for Boston-based fintech startup Circle. In addition to its investment and role as a primary asset manager of USDC cash reserves, BlackRock has entered into a partnership with Circle to explore capital market applications for its stablecoin. BlackRock made headlines last year when it added bitcoin futures to derivatives products that two of its funds can invest in. The development came shortly after CEO of BlackRock, Larry Fink, provided a somewhat bullish take on the world’s first cryptocurrency. In a relatively rare endorsement, Fink said Bitcoin has ‘caught the attention’ and could largely replace gold but warned of its growing popularity that has a real impact on the US dollar. Back then, Fink, who has grown BlackRock into the world’s largest money-management corporation, dismissed bitcoin as nothing more than a vehicle for speculation and money laundering. The world’s largest asset manager launched a blockchain-focused ETF in April that provides investors with exposure to the crypto and blockchain industry. The company added the Blockchain and Tech ETF (IBLC) to its iShares product line.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk Showcases Humanoid Robot At Event – Malay Mail https://collincountynewsonline.com/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-showcases-humanoid-robot-at-event-malay-mail/ A humanoid robot developed by Tesla, known as Tesla Bot or Optimus, is shown in a frame grab from the live video of Tesla’s AI Day streamed on August 20, 2022. ― Tesla/Handout via Reuters Follow us on Instagram, subscribe to our Telegram channel and browser alerts for the latest news you need to know. Saturday, 01 Oct 2022 10:04 AM MYT SAN FRANCISCO, Oct 1 ― Tesla CEO Elon Musk showcased his much-touted humanoid robot ‘Optimus’ at the electric vehicle maker’s “AI Day” event yesterday. The billionaire has said a robot business will be worth more than its cars, hoping to expand beyond self-driving cars that have not yet become a reality despite his repeated promises. A prototype of the robot walked on stage and waved to the seated audience. A video of the robot carrying a box, watering plants and moving metal bars in the automaker’s factory was shown. “Our goal is to make a useful humanoid robot as quickly as possible,” Musk said at the event being held at a Tesla office in Palo Alto, California. “There’s still a lot of work to be done to refine Optimus and prove it.” Musk said currently humanoid robots are “missing a brain,” saying they don’t have the intelligence to navigate the world by themselves, and they are also very expensive and made in low volume. By contrast, he said, the Optimus will be an “extremely capable robot,” to be made in very high volume, probably, ultimately millions of units and is expected to cost much less than a car, at under US$20,000. Musk is also expected to discuss Tesla’s long-delayed self-driving technology. In May, Musk said that the world’s most valuable car maker would be “worth basically zero” without achieving full self-driving capability, and it faces growing regulatory probes, as well as technological hurdles. “There will be lots of technical detail & cool hardware demos,” Musk wrote on Twitter late on Wednesday, adding the event was aimed at recruiting engineers. Tesla’s live demonstration record is mixed. Launches typically draw cheers, but in 2019 when Musk had an employee hurl a steel ball at the armored window of a new electric pickup truck, the glass cracked. The key test for the robot is whether it can handle unexpected situations. Musk announced Tesla’s plan for humanoid robots at its AI day in August last year and delayed this year’s event from August to have its robot prototype working, with a plan to start production possibly next year. Tesla teased the unveiling of the bot on social media with an image of metallic robotic hands making a heart shape. But building human-like, versatile hands that can manipulate different objects is extremely challenging, said Heni Ben Amor, a robotics professor at Arizona State University. Initially, Optimus, an allusion to the powerful and benevolent leader of the Autobots in the Transformers media franchise, would perform boring or dangerous jobs, including moving parts around Tesla factories or attaching a bolt to a car with a wrench, according to Musk. “There’s so much about what people can do dexterously that’s very, very hard for robots. And that’s not going to change whether the robot is a robot arm or whether it’s in the shape of a humanoid,” Jonathan Hurst, chief technology officer at Agility Robotics, a humanoid robot firm, told Reuters. Musk has said that in the future robots could be used in homes, making dinners, mowing the lawn and caring for the elderly, and even becoming a “buddy” for humans or a sex partner. He is due at Friday’s event to give updates on Tesla’s much-delayed plan to launch self-driving cars, and on its high-speed computer, Dojo, which was unveiled last year and the company has said is integral to its development of self-driving technology. Musk has said he expects Tesla will achieve full self-driving this year and mass produce a robotaxi with no steering wheel or pedal by 2024. At an “Autonomy” event in 2019, Musk promised 1 million robotaxis by 2020 but has yet to deliver such a car. ― Reuters

Binance Officially Launches Crypto Exchange In New Zealand Following Regulatory Approval – Bitcoin News – Bitcoin News https://collincountynewsonline.com/binance-officially-launches-crypto-exchange-in-new-zealand-following-regulatory-approval-bitcoin-news-bitcoin-news/ Binance has officially launched a cryptocurrency exchange in New Zealand after successfully registering with the country’s financial regulator. “We see significant value in having a serious New Zealand presence,” said Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ). Binance Launches Crypto Trading Platform in New Zealand Global crypto exchange Binance announced Friday that it has successfully registered as a financial service provider with the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). The crypto exchange also announced the official launch of Binance New Zealand (Binance NZ). Noting that the registration was actually effective on Sept. 10, the company detailed: This registration allows Binance NZ to offer a range of financial services, including spot trading, staking, NFTs and more. Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) commented: “A lot of major tech firms are slow to open a New Zealand office. I guess for some, it’s easy to overlook as it’s a smaller market but we see significant value in having a serious New Zealand presence.” The executive continued: The history of fintech innovation in New Zealand is very well known, with one of the earliest and most rapid uptakes of digital transactions in the world. “We see New Zealand as a bit of a pioneer, so from that perspective, I think there’s a lot to be learned here with our local team working with Kiwis to envisage the future of currency, transactions and the web,” Zhao further opined. Binance has been expanding globally, including in Dubai, Kazakhstan, Romania, Spain, Brazil, Italy, and France. The company is also reportedly trying to reenter the Japanese crypto market after exiting it four years ago. Meanwhile, the crypto exchange is seeing a record increase in the number of Indian users after the government started imposing a new crypto tax. The company has made regulatory compliance one of its top priorities. Last week, Binance created a global advisory board to tackle regulatory challenges. What do you think about Binance launching a crypto trading platform in New Zealand? Let us know in the comments section below. Kevin Helms A student of Austrian Economics, Kevin found Bitcoin in 2011 and has been an evangelist ever since. His interests lie in Bitcoin security, open-source systems, network effects and the intersection between economics and cryptography. Image Credits: Shutterstock, Pixabay, Wiki Commons Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a direct offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation or endorsement of any products, services, or companies. Bitcoin.com does not provide investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Neither the company nor the author is responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in this article.

S.Korea, U.S. Agree To Implement Liquidity Measures If Needed – Reuters.com https://collincountynewsonline.com/s-korea-u-s-agree-to-implement-liquidity-measures-if-needed-reuters-com/ U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and South Korean Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choo Kyung-ho meet at Lotte Hotel, in Seoul, South Korea July 19, 2022. Chung Sung-Jun/Pool via REUTERS SEOUL, Oct 1 (Reuters) – The United States and South Korea agreed on Saturday to implement liquidity facilities to stabilise financial markets if needed, Korea’s finance ministry said after a teleconference between finance chiefs of the two countries. The won is near its lowest level since March 2009, and has weakened 17% against the surging U.S. dollar so far in 2022, amid a broad sell-off in emerging market currencies as the Federal Reserve aggressively raises interest rates. “The two countries are ready to work closely together to implement liquidity facilities when necessary, such as when financial instability is aggravated by the spread of (a) liquidity crunch in major economies, including Korea,” the ministry said in a statement after the call between the U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and South Korea finance minister Choo Kyung-ho. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com The agreement reached on Saturday repeats the U.S. statement made when Yellen last visited Seoul in July, amid growing calls for the Bank of Korea to arrange a currency swap with the Federal Reserve to stabilise the dollar-won market. However, the statement released on Saturday did not elaborate on whether the facilities that may be deployed referred to a currency swap and South Korea’s finance ministry did not give further details. A $60-billion currency swap pact set up in March 2020 between the central banks of the two countries as an emergency step to stabilise markets expired at the end of last year. Such a swap would allow South Korea to borrow a certain amount of U.S. dollars for a pre-set period and rate, in exchange for won, so as to resolve difficulties in dollar liquidity. To help protect one of the world’s worst performing currencies, South Korean authorities has recently arranged a $10 billion currency swap program with the country’s state-run pension fund, a tool that allows the fund to finance its overseas investment with the central bank’s FX reserves, instead of buying dollars in the spot market. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Cynthia Kim; Editing by Kim Coghill Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

AP Top Technology News At 12:30 A.m. EDT – Federal News Network https://collincountynewsonline.com/ap-top-technology-news-at-1230-a-m-edt-federal-news-network/ TikTok politics: Candidates turn to it ‘for better or worse’ In Ian’s wake, worried families crowdsource rescue efforts EXPLAINER: A deep dive into risks for undersea cables, pipes Launch aborted on Firefly’s 2nd attempt with Alpha rocket Tesla robot walks, waves, but doesn’t show off complex tasks Hack puts Latin American security agencies on edge Digital minister aims to wrest Japan out of analog doldrums House approves antitrust… READ MORE TikTok politics: Candidates turn to it ‘for better or worse’ In Ian’s wake, worried families crowdsource rescue efforts EXPLAINER: A deep dive into risks for undersea cables, pipes Launch aborted on Firefly’s 2nd attempt with Alpha rocket Tesla robot walks, waves, but doesn’t show off complex tasks Hack puts Latin American security agencies on edge Digital minister aims to wrest Japan out of analog doldrums House approves antitrust bill targeting Big Tech dominance Musk and Twitter CEO Agrawal were briefly pals, texts show Japan to pay up to $320M for US company’s chip production Copyright © 2022 . All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

Anderson, 2012 Katy Football Team Highlights Katy ISD Class Of 2022 Hall Of Honor – Katy Times https://collincountynewsonline.com/anderson-2012-katy-football-team-highlights-katy-isd-class-of-2022-hall-of-honor-katy-times/ By Tyler Tyre, Sports Editor Katy ISD announced it’s Class of 2022 Athletic Hall of Honor on Friday, with a number of former athletes and coaches making the list. Rodney Anderson headlined the group, the former Katy Tiger owns the rushing record at the school, having ran for 6,746 yards over his high school career before going on to star at the University of Oklahoma. Katy’s state championship team from 2012 also was named to the Hall of Honor along with 21 total individuals. The Class of 2022 will be recognized during halftime of the varsity football games the weekend of Nov. 3 and Nov. 4. The Katy ISD Athletic Hall of Honor serves the purpose of honoring inductees and individuals who contribute to athletics in Katy ISD, recognizing select sports teams who excelled in their particular athletic fields in Katy ISD and stimulating continued interest in sports participation and activities in Katy ISD. Individuals Rodney Anderson Quinn Atwood Isaiah Brown Briana Gilbreath Butler Nico Carlson Matt Dimon Aex Fisher Angela Froboese Kyle Fulks Cody Gessler Stefanie Gilbreath Charles Griffin Matt hall Danielle Hunter Collin Mooney Coach Christie Patterson Shanan Powell Phillips Shane Ros Coach Joe Sheffy Adam Taylor Scott Whiddon Teams 2012 Katy High School Football 5A State Champions

California Coronavirus Updates: California Extends State’s COVID-19 Supplemental Sick Leave – Capital Public Radio News https://collincountynewsonline.com/california-coronavirus-updates-california-extends-states-covid-19-supplemental-sick-leave-capital-public-radio-news/ Find an updated count of COVID-19 cases in California and by county on our tracker here. Latest Updates California extends state’s COVID-19 supplemental sick leave States are spending billions of federal pandemic relief funds on infrastructure projects World Cup spectators will need to test negative for COVID-19 upon entering host country, Qatar Some hospitals pocket high profits while many patients collect debt California teachers more pessimistic since the start of the pandemic, survey finds COVID-19 By The Numbers Friday, September 30 12:41 p.m.: California extends state’s COVID-19 supplemental sick leave California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill Friday that will extend the state’s COVID-19 sick leave policy which was set to expire. Lawmakers recently approved an extension to the state’s COVID-19 supplemental sick leave to the end of the year. Initially, the paid leave was expected to expire on Sept. 30. Workers can use the sick leave if they are infected with COVID-19 to care for a sick family member or to receive a vaccination. The bill will also allocate an additional $70 million — on top of the $250 million approved earlier this year — to aid small businesses in paying for the sick leave. Newsom has a deadline of Friday at midnight to sign or veto bills passed during the most recent legislative session. Thursday, September 29 12:01 p.m.: States are spending billions of federal pandemic relief funds on infrastructure projects States are spending billions of dollars of federal pandemic relief funds on infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges and public buildings, as reported by the Associated Press. Last year, President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan law that provided $350 billion to states and local governments to respond to the coronavirus and shore up their economies. An Associated Press review of reports submitted by states shows they are spending more on infrastructure projects than on public health purposes. States are taking advantage of U.S. Treasury Department rules that grant broad flexibility to spend money on almost any government services as an offset to reduced revenue growth. 11:50 a.m.: World Cup spectators will need to test negative for COVID-19 upon entering host country, Qatar Fans going to the World Cup in Qatar must show a negative COVID-19 test when they arrive as part of the host nation’s rules to combat COVID-19, organizers said Thursday. According to the Associated Press, all visitors aged 18 and over must also download a government-run phone application tracking people’s movements and health status, called Ehteraz. Visitors must be able to show a negative result from a PCR test taken in the 48 hours before arriving or from an official rapid test taken within 24 hours. The COVID-19 testing policy for visitors aged 6 and over is “regardless of the individual’s vaccination status,” the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy said in a statement. The decisions extend throughout the World Cup the public health policies that have been in place since Sept. 4 for all travelers arriving in Qatar. Vaccination is not mandatory for the 1.2 million expected visitors for the Nov. 20 – Dec. 18 tournament. In June 2021, Qatar’s government had suggested there would be a vaccine mandate for fans at the World Cup. Wednesday, September 28 11:57 a.m.: Some hospitals pocket high profits while many patients collect debt Nationwide, many hospitals have grown wealthy, with a roughly 5% operating margin, on average. But that doesn’t show the whole picture — hospitals have been spending lavishly on advertising, team sponsorships, and even spas, while patients are squeezed by skyrocketing medical prices and rising deductibles. A KHN review of hospital finances in the country’s 306 hospital markets found that several of the most profitable markets also have some of the highest levels of patient debt. Overall, about a third of the 100 million adults in the U.S. with health care debt owe money for a hospitalization. Close to half of those owe at least $5,000. About a quarter owe $10,000 or more. Many are pursued by collectors when they can’t pay their bills or hospitals sell the debt. “The fact is, if you walk into a hospital today, chances are you are going to walk out with debt, even if you have insurance,” said Allison Sesso, chief executive of RIP Medical Debt, a nonprofit that buys debt from hospitals and debt collectors so patients won’t have to pay it. Tuesday, September 27 2:48 p.m.: California teachers more pessimistic since the start of the pandemic, survey finds  Many teachers in California have considered leaving the profession and more have a negative outlook on the job following the onset of the pandemic, according to a new survey. The study, published by the California Teachers Association and UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools, found that around 40% of current TK-12 teachers have thought about leaving their job either to continue schooling or leave teaching entirely. The outlook of teachers has also become more negative since the start of the pandemic. Around 77% of teachers say that things are changing for the worse now, up from 45% pre-pandemic. Still, many teachers remain committed to the profession with 57% saying they are unlikely to leave teaching in the next three years, and 39% saying they are highly satisfied with their job. 12:48 p.m.: Over 4 million Americans have received new omicron-targeted booster More than 4 million Americans have rolled up their sleeves for the new omicron-specific booster shots. According to the Associated Press, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted the count on Thursday. The new shots target the most common omicron strains of the coronavirus. The U.S. has ordered 171 million doses of the new boosters for the fall. The first hint of public demand for the new boosters comes as health experts lamented President Joe Biden’s recent remark on 60 Minutes that “the pandemic is over.” The president later clarified his comment after facing heat from health experts, who worry the message might slow prevention efforts. Monday, September 26 11:58 a.m.: Pfizer plans to roll out updated COVID-19 booster shots for children ages 5 to 11 Pfizer is asking the Food and Drug Administration to expand the use of its updated COVID-19 booster shot to children ages 5 to 11. As reported by the Associated Press, some 4.4 million Americans have already received one of the updated boosters since they rolled out earlier this month for anyone 12 and older. Just like with Pfizer’s original vaccine, elementary school-aged children would get a third of the dose of the updated booster. The FDA is expected to decide soon. Pfizer and its partner BioNTech also announced that they have begun a study of the updated booster in children younger than 5. 11:02 a.m.: Canada to soon drop vaccine mandate at US-Canada border An official familiar with the matter says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has signed off on Canada dropping the vaccine requirement for people who enter Canada at the end of September. Canada, like the United States, requires foreign nationals to be vaccinated when entering the country. According to the Associated Press, no change in the mandate is expected in the U.S. in the near term. Unvaccinated foreign travelers who are allowed to enter Canada are currently subjected to mandatory arrival tests and a 14-day quarantine. The officials say Trudeau has agreed to let a cabinet order enforcing mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirements at the border expire Sept. 30. Saturday, September 24 12:30 p.m.: Flu season could be headed to the U.S. early After virtually disappearing for two years as the COVID-19 pandemic raged, influenza seems to be poised to stage a comeback this year in the U.S., NPR reports. And while COVID-19 is notoriously unpredictable and many restrictions have been lifted, there’s a good chance COVID cases will rise again this winter. During this year’s Southern Hemisphere winter, the flu returned to some countries like Australia, where it started ramping up months earlier than usual and caused one of the worst flu seasons in recent years. The combination of flu and coronavirus cases could seriously strain the health system, according to Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease professor at Vanderbilt University. The flu causes between an estimated 140,00 and 710,000 hospitalizations annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC is reporting that the flu is already starting to spread in parts of the south like Texas, and experts caution that very young kids who have not been exposed to flu for two years may be especially vulnerable. But experts doubt COVID and flu will hit the country at the same time because of something known as “viral interference,” a phenomenon that occurs when infection with one virus reduces the risk of catching another. “These two viruses may still both occur during the same season, but my gut feeling is they’re going to happen sequentially rather than both at the same time,” said Dr. Richard Webby, an infectious disease specialist at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “So I’m less concerned about the twindemic.” But Webby and others are still urging people to make sure everyone in their family gets a flu shot as soon as possible, especially if flu season arrives early. Friday, September 23 11:12 a.m.: California is easing mask-wearing recommendations California’s Department of Public Health released updated guidance for the use of face masks, dropping the recommendation for universal mask wearing in indoor public spaces. ...

Montana Site Fouled By Copper Smelter To Get Final Cleanup – 69News WFMZ-TV https://collincountynewsonline.com/montana-site-fouled-by-copper-smelter-to-get-final-cleanup-69news-wfmz-tv/ BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A subsidiary of London-based oil giant BP agreed to finish its cleanup of a 300-square mile (776-square kilometer) site in Montana that’s contaminated with arsenic and other pollutants from decades of copper smelting, and to repay the U.S. government $48 million in response costs. Under a legal decree filed Friday in U.S. District Court, the Atlantic Richfield Company committed to finishing cleanup work in residential yards in the towns of Anaconda and Opportunity. It also will clean up soils in the surrounding hills and address the remaining piles of contaminated waste at the site. Arsenic and toxic metals spewed from a 585-foot-tall smokestack in Anaconda for nearly a century and the pollution settled into the ground for miles around. It’s the toxic legacy of southwestern Montana’s mining days, when copper ore processed in Anaconda was used to electrify the United States. Opportunity resident and former smelter worker Serge Myers, 77, said any additional cleanup work done under Friday’s agreement would be beneficial. But he remained disappointed the remediation plan being used won’t clean residential yards unless they contain more than 250 parts per million of arsenic — a level that Myers and other residents have said is arbitrary and still unsafe. “There’s hot spots in some areas. Everybody knows that. I wish things had turned out differently where we really had more cleanup work than we had done,” said Myers, who worked at the smelter for 17 years. The “Copper King” Marcus Daly and the Anaconda Copper Mining Co. began smelting copper ore from Butte in 1884. In 1977, ARCO purchased the Anaconda Co. and inherited vast lands polluted with arsenic, lead, copper, cadmium and zinc from ore-processing operations and stack emissions. Later, under the federal Superfund law, ARCO became retroactively liable for that contamination. Three years after Atlantic Richfield shut down the Anaconda smelter in 1980, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency designated it as a Superfund site because of the risk to human health and the environment. The major concern was high concentrations of arsenic in the soil and water, a contaminant that can cause cancer and a range of other diseases. Myers and others worried about health problems from the pollution had long complained that the EPA had botched the cleanup. A tentative deal to finish the work was first announced more than four years ago. In 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked an effort by homeowners near the smelter to do cleanup work without permission from the EPA. The homeowners wanted to force Atlantic Richfield to pay for the removal of more arsenic-tainted soil beyond what the EPA had ordered. Atlantic Richfield previously said it had spent $470 million to clean the site under multiple federal orders. The remaining work is estimated to cost $83.1 million. Montana U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich, who was born in Anaconda, said the towering smokestack at the site remains a symbol both of the hard work that built the community and contamination that lingered too long. “Our water will be cleaner, our soils will be purer, our slag will be covered, and our future will be brighter because of this historic agreement,” Laslovich said in a statement. The smokestack is now a state park that nobody can visit because of the pollution. In 2021, Atlantic Richfield quietly settled a civil lawsuit filed in 2008 by 98 people in Opportunity and the community of Crackerville. They wanted restoration damages to pay for a more thorough cleanup than what was planned by ARCO under the federal Superfund law. Details of that agreement were not disclosed. Friday’s agreement must be approved by a federal judge and also is subject to a 30-day public comment period. It was signed by representatives of Atlantic Richfield, the EPA, the U.S. Justice Department and Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte. John Davis, a lawyer who has represented ARCO, did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the agreement, nor did representatives of BP. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Brentwood-Based Hope Force International Responds To Hurricane Ian Aftermath – News Channel 5 Nashville https://collincountynewsonline.com/brentwood-based-hope-force-international-responds-to-hurricane-ian-aftermath-news-channel-5-nashville/ BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (WTVF) — Volunteers from a disaster relief organization based in Brentwood are on the front lines in Florida helping people who lost everything when Hurricane Ian moved through. Hope Force International has a team on the ground in Fort Myers, Florida, and more volunteers are expected to join the effort in the coming weeks. The first volunteers arrived on Thursday afternoon. Volunteers are primarily working on putting tarps on roofs, and clearing water out of flood-damaged homes while dodging downed trees and powerlines. Many of the homes were flooded with more than three feet of water. “You have to realize that floodwater is not like rainwater,” said Alan Weisenberger, a reservist with Hope Force International. “It contains every kind of contaminant you can imagine, and there is no such thing as letting it dry out and having a healthy living space.” Weisenberger has responded to around a dozen disasters and has learned the best way to help during a crisis is with compassion. “Just sitting with someone and listening and letting them tell their story, and bringing a little hope, that’s what we are all about at Hope Force,” said Weisenberger. He added that the team also looks for storm victims in areas that may be overlooked to make sure they are getting the help they need. “It is pretty hard to imagine if you haven’t been through something like this, just how devastating it is,” said Weisenberger. While the days can be long and challenging for volunteers, they are prepared to support Floridians as they begin the process of rebuilding. “As long as we have reservists to do the work, and funding, we will keep working,” said Weisenberger. For more information on how to volunteer with Hope Force International, or to make a donation visit: https://www.hopeforce.org/ Get NewsChannel 5 Now, wherever, whenever, always free. Watch the live stream below, and download our apps on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and more. Click here to learn more. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Sports Planner For Saturday – The Republic https://collincountynewsonline.com/sports-planner-for-saturday-the-republic-2/ COMING UP Indianapolis Colts Sunday vs. Titans, 1 p.m. (FOX) Thursday at Broncos, 8:15 p.m. (Prime Video) Oct. 16 vs. Jaguars, 1 p.m. (CBS) Indiana University football Today at Nebraska, 7:30 p.m. (BTN) Oct. 8 vs. Michigan, Noon (FOX) Oct. 15 vs. Maryland, Noon (TBA) Purdue football Today at Minnesota, Noon (ESPN2) Oct. 8 at Maryland, Noon (BTN) Oct. 15 vs. Nebraska, Noon (TBA) Notre Dame football Oct. 8 at BYU, 7:30 p.m. (NBC/Peacock) Oct. 15 vs. Stanford, 7:30 p.m. (NBC/Peacock) Oct. 22 vs. UNLV, 2:30 p.m. (Peacock) Cincinnati Reds Today at Cubs, 2:20 p.m. (Bally Sports Indiana) Sunday at Cubs, 2:20 p.m. (Bally Sports Indiana) Monday vs. Cubs, 6:40 p.m. (Bally Sports Indiana) Indy Eleven Today vs. FC Tulsa, 7 p.m. (ESPN+/WNDY) Oct. 8 vs. Charleston Battery, 7 p.m. (ESPN+/WNDY) Oct. 15 at Birmingham Legion FC, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN+) NASCAR Sunday at Talladega, Ala., 2 p.m. (NBC) Oct. 9 at Charlotte, N.C., 2 p.m. (NBC) Oct. 16 at Las Vegas, 2:30 p.m. (NBC) HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS TODAY Volleyball Jennings County at Shawe Memorial, 10 a.m. North Putnam at Brown County, 12:30 p.m. Boys soccer Providence Cristo Rey at Hauser, noon Columbus East at Jeffersonville, 1:30 p.m. Girls soccer Herron at Trinity Lutheran, 11 a.m. Cross-country Columbus East, Jennings County in Hoosier Hills Conference Meet at Seymour, 9 a.m. Edinburgh in Johnson County Meet at Franklin, 9 a.m. Columbus North, Brown County in Nike Valley Twilight at LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course (Terre Haute), 6 p.m. SPORTS ON TV TODAY Auto racing IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship: The Petit Le Mans, Noon (NBC) NASCAR Camping World Truck Series: The Chevy Silverado 250, Playoffs-Round of 8, 12:30 p.m. (FS1) NASCAR Xfinity Series: The Sparks 300, Playoffs-Round of 12, 4 p.m. (USA) IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship: The Petit Le Mans, 7 p.m. (USA) W Series: Round 6, Marina Bay Street Circuit, 4:40 a.m. Sunday(ESPN2) College football 12 p.m. Oklahoma at TCU, Noon (ABC) Louisville at Boston College, Noon (ACC) Illinois at Wisconsin, Noon (BTN) Navy at Air Force, Noon (CBS) Georgia State at Army, Noon (CBSSN) Kentucky at Mississippi, Noon (ESPN) Purdue at Minnesota, Noon (ESPN2) Temple at Memphis, Noon (ESPNU) Michigan at Iowa, Noon (FOX) Kentucky at Mississippi, Noon (SEC) Wake Forest at Florida State, 3:30 p.m. (ABC) Virginia Tech at North Carolina, 3:30 p.m. (ACC) Rutgers at Ohio State, 3:30 p.m. (BTN) Alabama at Arkansas, 3:30 p.m. (CBS) Fresno State at UConn, 3:30 p.m. (CBSSN) Northwestern at Penn State, 3:30 p.m. (ESPN) Iowa State at Kansas, 3:30 p.m. (ESPN2) Miami (Ohio) at Buffalo, 3:30 p.m. (ESPNU) Oklahoma State at Baylor, 3:30 p.m. (FOX) Michigan State at Maryland, 3:30 p.m. (FS1) Central Michigan at Toledo, 3:30 p.m. (NFL) Texas A&M at Mississippi State, 4 p.m. (SEC) LSU at Auburn, 7 p.m. (ESPN) Cincinnati at Tulsa, 7 p.m. (ESPNU) NC State at Clemson, 7:30 p.m. (ABC) Indiana at Nebraska, 7:30 p.m. (BTN) San Jose State at Wyoming, 7:30 p.m. (CBSSN) NC State at Clemson (CFB with The Pat McAfee Show), 7:30 p.m. (ESPN2) West Virginia at Texas, 7:30 p.m. (FS1) Georgia at Missouri, 7:30 p.m. (SEC) Georgia Tech at Pittsburgh, 8 p.m. (ACC) UC Davis at Montana State, 10:15 p.m. (ESPNU) Arizona State at Southern Cal, 10:30 p.m. (ESPN) Stanford at Oregon, 11 p.m. (FS1) Fishing Bassmaster Elite Series: The 2022 Bassmaster College Classic Bracket, 8 a.m. (FS1) Golf DP World Tour: The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, 7 a.m. (Golf Channel) LPGA Tour: The Volunteers Of America Classic, 1 p.m. (Golf Channel) PGA Tour: The Sanderson Farms Championship, 4 p.m. (Golf Channel) DP World Tour: The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, 6:30 a.m. Sunday (Golf Channel) Horse racing NYRA: America’s Day at the Races, 12:30 p.m. (FS2) Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: The Champagne Stakes and Miss Grillo Stakes, 4 p.m. (NBC) NYRA: America’s Day at the Races, 6 p.m. (FS2) Mixed Martial Arts Bellator 286: Patricio Pitbull vs. Adam Borics (Featherweights), 10 p.m. (SHO) MLB Orioles at Yankees, 1 p.m., or Red Sox at Blue Jays, 3 p.m. (MLB) Reds at Cubs, 2 p.m. (Bally Sports Indiana) Athletics at Mariners, 4 p.m., or Red Sox at Blue Jays, 3 p.m. (MLB) Mets at Braves or Rays at Astros, 7 p.m. (FOX) Rockies at Dodgers or White Sox at Padres (joined in progress), 10 p.m. (MLB) NBA Preseason: Grizzlies at Bucks, 8 p.m. (NBA) Preseason: Wizards at Warriors, 1 a.m. Sunday (NBA) NHL Preseason: Penguins at Sabres, 1 p.m. (NHL) Preseason: Red Wings at Blackhawks, 8:30 p.m. (NHL) Men’s rugby NRL: Penrith vs. Parramatta, Grand Final, 4:25 a.m. Sunday (FS2) Women’s rugby NRL: Newcastle vs. Parramatta, Grand Final, 12:50 a.m. Sunday (FS2) Men’s soccer Premier League: Tottenham Hotspur at Arsenal, 7:30 a.m. (USA) Serie A: Torino at Napoli, 9 a.m. (CBSSN) Premier League: Chelsea at Crystal Palace, 10 a.m. (USA) Premier League: Wolverhampton at West Ham United, 12:30 p.m. (USA) Tennis Tallinn-WTA Semifinal, 6 a.m. (Tennis) Tel Aviv-ATP, Sofia-ATP, Tallinn-WTA Semifinals, 9 a.m. (Tennis) Seoul-ATP Singles Final, 6 a.m. Sunday (Tennis)

I Watched A Metaverse Concert And This Is What It Was Like – TODAY https://collincountynewsonline.com/i-watched-a-metaverse-concert-and-this-is-what-it-was-like-today/ SINGAPORE — There was a “DJ” on a large, illuminated stage playing a remix of Coldplay’s hit A Sky Full of Stars, and there were dozens of “people” dancing to the beat.  The famed Supertrees from Gardens by the Bay appeared to tower over the venue, and they were pulsating with pink neon lights. The ground, too, was emanating light, and a building that looked like Marina Bay Sands stood in the distance.  This concert would have cost organisers and arm and a leg to host, taking up virtually the entirety of the Gardens by the Bay venue.  But the truth was, the organisers had not spent a single cent on renting out the space, or on any physical props, for that matter.  In fact, “I” was attending this concert, not in my own 28-year-old male self, but in pixels, as a young female avatar wearing hot shorts and a hoodie.  In other words, I was attending a concert in the metaverse.  A metaverse is a three-dimensional virtual world where people socialise, work and play, and in this case, the metaverse was akin to a gaming world, where I had a specific character that could walk around and interact with the 3D environment.  The idea of the metaverse puzzled me, being someone who hardly plays computer games. So, when I heard that telecommunications company M1 was teaming up with Gardens by the Bay and e-gaming firm Electronic Sports Private Limited (ESPL) on Tuesday (Sept 27) to showcase a demo of a metaverse concert, I joined in on the fun. GROWTH IN POPULARITY OF THE METAVERSE It seemed like a concept for the distant future, up till I noticed that just last month, a couple had actually gotten married in the metaverse, which they said was the first marriage of its kind.  In fact, the metaverse has been a buzzword for over a year, ever since Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg renamed his Facebook company to Meta in October last year, signalling its big push into the metaverse.  Since then, various companies, both local and global, have delved into this concept.  For instance, DBS Bank last month collaborated with The Sandbox, a decentralised virtual gaming world, to acquire a unit of virtual real estate in The Sandbox metaverse.  Even governments have been delving into the metaverse. English language daily the Khaleej Times reported last month that the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Economy would have a new headquarters located in the metaverse, where anyone can visit.  Whether the popularity of the metaverse will continue to expand will depend on an “ecosystem” of different stakeholders, said Professor Lim Sun Sun, head of humanities, arts and social sciences at the Singapore University of Technology and Design. For instance, technology such as 5G networks, the accessibility of immersive devices such as virtual reality (VR) headsets, and the variety of metaverse events have to develop at the same pace to sustain the growth of the concept. “It speaks to the broader ecosystem, whether or not the metaverse environments are appealing, whether they are welcoming, whether the hardware becomes more comfortable, whether that sort of physiological experience of interacting with others (in the metaverse) becomes more palatable over time, and so on,” said Prof Lim.  BOTH A LIVE PERFORMANCE AND A VIDEO GAME For the metaverse concert demo, members of the media were invited to Floral Fantasy, an indoor garden at Gardens by the Bay, where we could use several smartphones on display, which was to be our window to the metaverse. This didn’t seem very special at first, as I initially thought that having a VR headset would make for a more immersive experience, by granting users a 360-degree view of the metaverse. However, I understood that not everyone would have a VR headset, so a smartphone could actually be the primary mode the metaverse is accessed in the future.  According to M1 and Gardens by the Bay, having the metaverse experience on a smartphone was a remarkable achievement in itself.  Deputy chief executive officer of Gardens by the Bay Lee Kok Fatt said that it is only with a 5G network that the metaverse can be experienced from the typical mobile devices. “The content (of the metaverse) is very rich and heavy, so before the advent of 5G, it required users to download a very big file to access the user experience,” he said.  He added that Gardens by the Bay, M1 and ESPL will be working together to provide 5G connectivity at Gardens by the Bay’s indoor venues and this will make such metaverse events more accessible there.  What I found special about the metaverse was that it was a mashup between both a live performance and a video game.  The “live performance” came in the form of an actual DJ, Jasmine H Nera, who goes by the stage name DJ Red, playing at this demo event. Her physical self, however, was at another location within Gardens by the Bay, while her avatar was on the metaverse stage that I could see from the phone, behind a DJ console. There was a “live chat” function, where I could type messages or questions to Ms Nera. I typed: “How will the metaverse benefit you?”  Ms Nera’s own physical face popped up on a large screen in the back of the metaverse stage and she was able to reply me, live.  “The convenience is there because it allows me to just stream from wherever I am… that provides me a great way to talk to my fans, especially the international fans, because they are not going to be able to fly in just for my show,” she said.  I found this function particularly distinct from a typical live performance, where performers would scarcely be able to respond to specific fans amid the chorus of screams. It added an intimate touch to the event.  And with the performance being viewed on a smartphone, it was a largely two-dimensional experience, with the sound quality itself the same as when watching a YouTube video. This paled in comparison to being at a live concert, as the feeling of jostling with the crowd and having live music blast out of large speakers could not be replicated.  On the other hand, the entire experience also felt like I was playing a video game, with my avatar’s movements around the metaverse space, from running around to jumping, controlled by me.  This was in theory supposed to give my avatar some degree of freedom in the concert venue. Sure enough, I could just weave between other partygoers and easily find myself at the front of the stage. For now, there was also no way for me to change my avatar from a woman to a man, let alone customise the avatar’s appearance and clothing, but this was an option that will be added in later, the developers told me.  Other burning questions which I had were also addressed, namely, whether there was any safeguard against harassment or abusive behaviour in the metaverse. For instance, could an avatar run on stage and disrupt the show, or hurl vulgarities at other audience members?  Project Chair of ESPL Roland Ong said that while there is nothing to stop users from posting what they want, there is the possibility of having moderators on the platform, to ensure that anyone deemed to be abusive or disruptive to the performance can be booted out of the metaverse.  “Secondly, we can use software to catch words that are undesirable, so that they are censored right away,” he added.  Overall, it was an extremely novel experience, one that I would not mind doing again when the operating system is more refined and updated. It presents an opportunity for me to “attend” a performance without committing a lot of time and money, yet also allows for some degree of interaction that an online video cannot provide.  However, I can safely say that I would not want the metaverse to replace actual live performances, as there is a certain tangibility about them that is difficult to emulate.  THE AIM IS NOT TO REPLACE LIVE PERFORMANCES: M1, GARDENS BY THE BAY My concerns that we were heading for an entirely virtual world bereft of “traditional” live performances were quickly assuaged, because the aim of testing out the metaverse was never to fully replace the real life concert experience.  Mr Ong from ESPL said that the metaverse will allow tourists the chance to “explore” Gardens by the Bay without flying down.  However, the end goal is still to attract people to visit the physical venue itself.  “(Gardens by the Bay’s) status as a global icon, we can use it to host local artists and showcase them to the world, that is another one of our objectives,” Mr Lee said.  Chief corporate sales and solutions officer from M1, Mr Willis Sim, said that other than cutting the costs of renting out large spaces, the metaverse provides concert organisers the opportunity expand their reach, by either holding an event entirely on the metaverse, or have hybrid events, where some of the audience is live, and another group is in attendance online.  “This will increase the revenue for the artists, the concert and the event organiser,” he said.  Members of the public, too, can hold their own metaverse events at Gardens by the Bay.  “If you book a wedding package, you can discuss with us right away, if you want an option to also make it available on the metaverse,” said Mr Ong.