Leading Cannabis Testing Facility In The U.S. Hops On The Metaverse Train Finbold Finance In Bold
Leading Cannabis Testing Facility In The U.S. Hops On The Metaverse Train – Finbold – Finance In Bold https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/leading-cannabis-testing-facility-in-the-u-s-hops-on-the-metaverse-train-finbold-finance-in-bold/
As the cryptocurrency sector expands, giving rise to the popularity of the metaverse with it, companies have recognized potential opportunities that the virtual space can offer to their business and customers, including some in the cannabis industry.
One of the companies hopping on the metaverse train is ACS Laboratory, the largest hemp and cannabis testing facility in the eastern United States, which is planning to enter the metaverse in Decentraland (MANA), the company said in a press release shared with Finbold on September 28.
Indeed, ACS Laboratory is joining the decentralized virtual reality platform’s ‘Automatic Slims Metaverse Marketplace’ powered by the blockchain company Blockcity and consisting of four floors “of dynamic experiences merging retail, education, and entertainment.”
Host of educational and fun activities
As the company further explained:
“Visitors will find ACS Laboratory on the first floor, where they can leisurely explore the 3D lab or take ACS Laboratory’s Cannabis Quest to learn about the industry and redeem real-world prizes.”
In the lab, visitors will be able to learn what is included in creating unique cannabis strains. In contrast, the Cannabis Quest will offer activities such as pop quizzes and winning virtual prizes.
On the second floor, visitors will witness cultivation, extraction, and edibles processing stations, complete quizzes for more points, as well as purchase cannabis brands’ non-fungible token (NFT) collections.
According to the company, other activities will include “treasure hunts, influencer podcasts, live-streaming music events, health and wellness company interactions, and digital brand activations.”
Commenting on the development, ACS Laboratory’s President and CEO Roger Brown said:
“The metaverse is a new and exciting medium for cannabis users to learn more about products, how they affect their body and how finished goods are made. We are proud to be part of the cannabis metaverse community and look forward to harnessing this medium for cannabis compliance.”
Hemp in the cryptoverse
Cannabis in the metaverse is not a new concept. In mid-June, the American rapper Snoop Dogg filed an application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), covering aspects such as virtual cannabis, pre-rolled hemp cigarettes, and other smoking goods.
Meanwhile, legal cannabis production is also one of the industries onboarded by the collaborative blockchain platform run by the crypto project VeChain (VET) and Canadian software-as-a-service (SaaS) company TruTrace, the others being food, apparel, and pharmaceuticals.
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Ana Nicenko has a plethora of knowledge and experience as a journalist covering the cryptocurrency and blockchain industries, having written for a variety of projects and organizations. Additionally, Ana has a master’s degree in English Language and Literature. At Finbold, she reports news on the digital assets sector.
5 Reasons Why Shopping From Roposo Was Such A Pleasant Experience ScoopWhoop
5 Reasons Why Shopping From Roposo Was Such A Pleasant Experience – ScoopWhoop https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/5-reasons-why-shopping-from-roposo-was-such-a-pleasant-experience-scoopwhoop/
In association with Roposo
First things first, retail therapy is real. Sometimes just pampering yourself with something nice and new could feel so good. And it’s okay to invest in pieces for your wardrobe every once in a while. However, there are a bunch of issues that come with online shopping like tricky delivery dates and irrelevant products. Amidst all of this, I had been hearing about Roposo and wanted to try it out. It’s not easy to find so many unique collections under one roof, but Roposo took care of it.
And honestly, it was such a great experience. Here are 5 reasons why:
1. All the latest trends in one place? YES.
Roposo has a lot of different quirky Indian brands like Darzi and Oxolloxo. They have a great collection of clothes and accessories. Darzi has been doing a great job with bringing the right touch of western outfits in the Indian climate, especially with their bodycon dresses and peasant-sleeved outfits, I mean look at this dress!
2. The interface was pretty fun to use!
I didn’t have to endlessly scroll through hundreds of products to find the one that I like, it’s literally so boring. But not on Roposo. The best part about it was the product-tagged videos where you can shop the look across brands and categories like shoes, dresses, menswear, ethnic, etc. Unlike some other shopping sites where the clothes are all out of fashion and irrelevant in the current scenario, Roposo really kicked it up a notch by also having very cool influencer clothes that you can spot on their socials.
3. Versatility for the win.
And lastly, the collection is very versatile. No matter what aesthetic, body type, occasion, or style you are looking for, you will find it on Roposo. It caters to all types of fashion items you can think of. From floral dresses, to cool unisex t-shirts and pretty handmade necklaces, they have EVERYTHING. Check out this lovely necklace I had my heart set on. You also find a bunch of other collections like gym wear, gadgets, and cool accessories.
4. And the hassle-free exchanges!
I saw none of those threatening ‘no-return/exchange’ policies. I absolutely cannot shop from stores that don’t issue refunds or exchanges even if they send wrong or faulty items. Here you can also use the COD option, unlike most shopping sites these days. So it’s pretty safe to shop on Roposo. Also, a major perk is free shipping! The hefty shipping charges after you’ve already splurged make your wallet cry, and Roposo has taken care of that. Hence, free shipping!
5. It catered to my broke-ness.
As satisfying as retail therapy can get, it’s also an expensive affair. But here, I found pretty good deals. The clothes were affordable and also had great discounts. Roposo also has a bunch of great home decor stuff which are listed at great prices. So you might wanna check that out too. Some of the pieces (like this one) were a total steal. Win-win.
In all, I would recommend checking out the app if you like shopping and want a better all-round experience. Shop all the cool stuff here!
First Mover Asia: Bitcoin Holds Strong Over $19K; Why Is The Dollar Dominating? CoinDesk
First Mover Asia: Bitcoin Holds Strong Over $19K; Why Is The Dollar Dominating? – CoinDesk https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/first-mover-asia-bitcoin-holds-strong-over-19k-why-is-the-dollar-dominating-coindesk/
James Rubin is CoinDesk’s U.S. news editor based on the West Coast.
Good morning. Here’s what’s happening:
Prices: Bitcoin, ether and other major altcoins surge.
Insights: The dollar’s recent strength in the face of the U.S.’s steep inflation seems illogical, but is it? (CoinDesk columnist David Z. Morris)
Catch the latest episodes of CoinDesk TV for insightful interviews with crypto industry leaders and analysis. And sign up for First Mover, our daily newsletter putting the latest moves in crypto markets in context.
● Bitcoin (BTC): $19,417 +4.4%
● Ether (ETH): $1,338 +4.8%
● CoinDesk Market Index (CMI): $960 +2.5%
● S&P 500 daily close: 3,719.04 +2.0%
● Gold: $1,662 per troy ounce +2.4%
● Ten-year Treasury yield daily close: 3.71% −0.3
Bitcoin, ether and gold prices are taken at approximately 4pm New York time. Bitcoin is the CoinDesk Bitcoin Price Index (XBX); Ether is the CoinDesk Ether Price Index (ETX); Gold is the COMEX spot price. Information about CoinDesk Indices can be found at coindesk.com/indices.
Bitcoin Remains Resilient Amid Macroeconomic Uncertainty
Say this for bitcoin: It’s resilient.
Three weeks ago, before the U.S. central bank raised interest rates a hawkish 75 basis points, before bond yields rose to 15-year highs and the British pound tanked, before the Dow Jones Industrial Average sank into bear market territory, Russia escalated its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and the prospects of a severe global recession increased exponentially, the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization was trading above $19,000.
On Wednesday, BTC was still trading comfortably above $19,000, up more than 4% over the past 24 hours and seemingly impervious to the increasingly volatile macroeconomic environment. How long bitcoin holds above this threshold remains uncertain as is its previously considered role as an inflation hedge.
“There are a few things that we don’t know,” Defiance ETFs co-founder and CEO Sylvia Jablonski told CoinDesk TV’s First Mover program. “We thought crypto would be this great inflation hedge. It would be the new gold and that didn’t play out. It turned out crypto was highly correlated with equities, particularly with high growth stocks, Nasdaq.”
Ether showed similar toughness as it hovered near $1,340, up nearly 5% from a day earlier. Other major cryptos spent the day solidly in the green with BNB and XRP recently up close to 5% and 4%, respectively, although the CoinDesk Market Index (CMI), a broad-based market index that measures performance across a basket of cryptocurrencies, was roughly flat.
Still, crypto price gains tracked equity indexes yet again with the tech-heavy Nasdaq, S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) all closing up about 2%. The S&P and DJIA had plummeted the previous six days with the latter falling into bear market territory, meaning that it is down at least 20% from its previous peak. Asian indexes were largely up in early Thursday trading with the Hang Seng recently rising about 1.8%.
Investors seemed buoyed by the Bank of England (BOE) announcement that would it would purchase U.K. government bonds to address a liquidity crunch in the market. The move also spurred hopes that other central banks might soon abandon their current aggressive monetary policies through which they hope to tame inflation.
Early in the day, BOE Deputy Governor Jon Cunliffe told an audience at the Operations, Post Trade, Technology and Innovation Conference in London that financial regulations should be extended to crypto before the industry becomes large enough to potentially threaten broader financial stability. Cunliffe has previously said that regulators should accelerate efforts to establish clear rules for crypto.
And in the ongoing saga of Terraform Labs co-founder Do Kwon, the company said South Korean prosecutors overextended their authority in seeking a warrant for his arrest, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal, citing a statement sent by Terraform.
Defiance ETFs’ Jablonski said that cryptos current pricing may offer a buying opportunity, albeit long-term. “I’m definitely feeling the headwinds in my face every time I turn on the news on a daily basis, but…crypto has been oversold since August.”
She added: “It’s not a buying opportunity if you’re looking for returns in the next two months. But if you have a holding period of 12, 18 months out, I’m more than happy to dip in here. I’m going to be very happy in a couple of years, and I’m going to feel a lot of pain if I look at it on a daily basis.”
Biggest Gainers
Biggest Losers
Why Is the Dollar Crushing Global Currencies if Inflation Is so Bad?
While the declining domestic buying power of a dollar dominates headlines in the United States, American inflation is having a surprising impact around the globe: Nearly every major currency has fallen dramatically against the dollar over the past six months. That seems like a challenge to the relentless focus on monetary supply that is widespread among cryptocurrency adherents.
China’s yuan has lost 12% against the dollar since April, and traditionally stronger currencies including the euro and yen have seen similar drops. Controversial financial decisions by new U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss have driven the British pound down even more sharply in recent days, for a cumulative 18% drop since April.
This article is excerpted from The Node, CoinDesk’s daily roundup of the most pivotal stories in blockchain and crypto news. You can subscribe to get the full newsletter here.
These moves may be particularly surprising for those whose financial thinking has been shaped by discussions in cryptocurrency circles. You might argue the tail has wagged the dog on crypto’s understanding of inflation: Bitcoin’s fixed supply has been aggressively marketed as a long-term inflation hedge, leading to an emphasis on so-called monetary inflation. Monetary inflation occurs when more monetary units compete for the same amount of real-world goods, driving prices up. Or, as a coronavirus pandemic-era meme elegantly simplified it, “money printer go brrrrr.”
But if the money supply were the beginning and end of the American inflation story, the dollar should be losing value against world currencies. The U.S., after all, had the second-largest fiscal response to the COVID-19 crisis of any industrialized nation, much of it debt financed. But if America has been borrowing and printing more money than Japan or China, shouldn’t the yen and yuan be gaining relative value on global markets?….
Smartcon Web3 Chainlink Conference (New York)
In case you missed it, here is the most recent episode of “First Mover” on CoinDesk TV:
Bitcoin has tumbled back down to around $19,000 again after crossing $20,000 yesterday. “First Mover” discussed the crypto markets with Defiance ETFs CEO Sylvia Jablonski. Education Week continued with guest Alex Dwek of Nas Company. Plus, CoinDesk’s Nikhilesh De explained the unusual case of the CFTC serving papers to a DAO via an online members forum.
Steve Cohen-Backed Firm Invests $10M in Web3 Game Marketplace AQUA: The hedge fund billionaire has invested in crypto projects since 2018.
FTX Ventures, Jump Crypto Lead $20M Fundraise for Executable NFT Wallet: The wallet, a forthcoming project from Solana developer Coral, will give users ownership of application code.
India’s Enforcement Directorate Freezes $1.5M in Bitcoin in Gaming App E-nuggets Case: The agency has been conducting several search operations related to an “illegal loan apps” scam with China links.
Crypto VC Pantera Capital Looks to Raise $1.25B for Second Blockchain Fund: Report: Founder Dan Morehead said at a conference in Singapore that the fund will invest in digital tokens and equity
Sign up for First Mover, our daily newsletter putting the latest moves in crypto markets in context.
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James Rubin is CoinDesk’s U.S. news editor based on the West Coast.
James Rubin is CoinDesk’s U.S. news editor based on the West Coast.
Breakfast In Shopping Out: Tourists To The U.S. Hit By Soaring Dollar Reuters.com
Breakfast In, Shopping Out: Tourists To The U.S. Hit By Soaring Dollar – Reuters.com https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/breakfast-in-shopping-out-tourists-to-the-u-s-hit-by-soaring-dollar-reuters-com/
SAN FRANCISCO/NEW YORK/LONDON, Sept 29 (Reuters) – In the weeks before heading to San Francisco for their vacation this month, Jeff Skipper and his wife Valerie, from the United Kingdom, watched helplessly as the U.S. dollar continued its meteoric rise against the British pound.
The sterling/dollar exchange rate – which slumped to a record low this week – has reduced the affordability of the already pricey Golden Gate City for the couple, forcing them to economize on some holiday luxuries.
“The exchange rate has been the biggest topic of conversation since we got here,” said Jeff Skipper, 50, an electrician.
Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com
“Everything is pretty expensive for us,” said Valerie, a 47-year old university administrator.
“We’ve been buying food from grocery stores rather than having sit-down meals because when you change it to the British amount, it doesn’t seem worth it. It’s really a lot of money.”
The pair are among droves of visitors to the United States feeling the pinch of the mighty greenback, which scaled two-decade highs this month driven partly by Federal Reserve interest rate hikes. read more
For British tourists in the United States, the pain of the rampant dollar has been amplified by the collapse of the pound, which entered a near free fall on Monday after the British government announced unfunded tax cuts that sent investors fleeing. read more
Sterling hit a record low of $1.0327 on Monday, having plummeted 20% against the dollar this year. It was trading just above that on Wednesday at $1.0888.
“Now it’s one dollar to the pound…It’s really hit us,” said Colin Taylor, a retired telecoms engineer from the United Kingdom who was also visiting San Francisco with his wife.
“We have breakfast and it’s cost us 50 quid, 50 pounds, you know. And if this were at home it would be 20 or 25 pounds. So it’s a big, big jump for us.”
‘TOO HIGH’
While the pound has experienced some of the most violent gyrations in recent days, currency markets across the board have seen huge swings amid increased geopolitical tensions and central bank rate hikes to tame soaring inflation.
The relative strength of the U.S. economy has allowed the Fed to raise rates more aggressively than its peers, however, pushing the dollar up against the British pound, the euro and Japanese yen, as well as a slew of smaller currencies.
The dollar index, which measures the greenback against a currency basket, hit a fresh 20-year high of 114.78 on Wednesday. read more
“The dollar is too high. So we are spending, but not the way we would like,” said Jose Alvado, a 48-year old public accountant from Argentina who was visiting New York with his wife and two daughters.
“We are going to cheaper restaurants … We go to the Disney store and we don’t pick everything. We just take a look and then we go.”
Still, with COVID-19 travel restrictions lifted, international inbound U.S. leisure travel spending – adjusted for inflation – is forecast to reach $87 billion this year compared with $33 billion in 2020 and 2021, and $145 billion in 2019, the U.S. Travel Association said in June.
And some tourists say they will not let the dollar’s strength spoil their fun.
“I have to enjoy New York,” said Gilles Nolorgues, 48, an app designer from Paris.
‘MONOPOLY MONEY’
For travelers outside the United States with dollars in their pocket, the spending is easy.
With the dollar and the euro reaching parity for the first time in 20 years in July, American tourists have been splurging on luxury goods in Paris as well as enjoying cheaper treats in London’s West End, Reuters has reported. read more read more
Americans are spending 11% more on domestic and overseas travel in 2022 compared with 2019, according to consumer survey data gathered by the American Society of Travel Advisors, a trade organization.
“It feels like we’re spending Monopoly money,” said Ike Armstrong, 26, from California, speaking near London’s Trafalgar Square.
In Bali, Indonesia, 39-year old Johnny Follin from Los Angeles, California, said the strong dollar had allowed him to indulge more on good food, drinks and massages than he would have otherwise. The U.S. dollar has risen about 7% on the Indonesian rupiah this year.
“(For) bringing U.S. dollars here, it’s the best time in ages,” said Paul Spight from behind the counter of his currency exchange in Wollongong, south of Sydney, Australia.
The U.S. dollar is up about 10% on the Aussie this year. “That really helps the spending power coming in,” Spight added.
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Reporting by Noel Randewich in San Francisco, John McCrank in New York, Alun John in London, Ananda Teresia in Jakarta and Tom Westbrook in Sydney; writing and additional reporting by Michelle Price; editing by Deepa Babington
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Redmi Pad To Launch On October 4; Leaked Specifications Details The Indian Express
Redmi Pad To Launch On October 4; Leaked Specifications, Details – The Indian Express https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/redmi-pad-to-launch-on-october-4-leaked-specifications-details-the-indian-express/
According to leaks, the Redmi Pad could come in three colour variants: Graphite Gray, Moonlight Silver, and Mint Green. (Image credit: Redmi)
The Redmi Pad will launch at 4 PM on October 4, 2022, according to Redmi India. This will be the second tablet from Xiaomi’s brand overall. The company launched the Xiaomi Pad 5 earlier this year in India. But given the new tablet will come under the Redmi brand, it will likely be more affordable.
While the company has not revealed the specifications and features of the tablet, there have been some leaks that can give us insights into the device.
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝑪𝒉𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆 for Entertainment, Gaming, E-learning, and Browsing is here. The #RedmiPad is launching on the 4th of October, 12 PM!
Stay tuned: https://t.co/3wa6eQk0Um
Tell us in the comments below what you would use the #RedmiPad for! pic.twitter.com/Z5sgR48sZy
— Redmi India (@RedmiIndia) September 29, 2022
According to GSMArena, leaks indicate that the Redmi Pad will be powered by a Helio G99 chipset built on a 6nm architecture and that it will come with 4GB of RAM and up to 128 GB of storage. The Helio G99 comes with two ARM Cortex-A76 chipsets with a maximum clock speed of 2.2 GHz and six energy-efficient ARM Cortex-A55 cores with a 2 GHz maximum clock speed.
The tablet is expected to come with an Android 12-based MIUI interface out of the box. It will come with a 10.61-inch 90Hz LCD display with a 2000×1200-pixel resolution. The display could have a 10-bit colour depth and 400 nits of peak brightness.
Winfuture reports that the Redmi Pad will come with an 8-megapixel camera with autofocus at its back and another 8-megapixel camera with a 105-degree field of view at its front. The tablet is expected to pack an 8,000 mAh battery and it could come in three colour variants: Graphite Gray, Moonlight Silver, and Mint Green.
First published on: 29-09-2022 at 01:24:27 pm
MARTIN: Fall Music Festival Comes To Town; Local Shows Herald Zeitung
MARTIN: Fall Music Festival Comes To Town; Local Shows – Herald Zeitung https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/martin-fall-music-festival-comes-to-town-local-shows-herald-zeitung/
As fall approaches, even though it may not feel like it outside, so does one of my favorite festivals. The 36th Annual Gruene Music & Wine Fest will kick off next Thursday Oct. 6 with activities starting at 4 p.m. in the Grapevine Garden.
The Josh Abbott Band will provide the music at Gruene Hall starting with an opening set by Braedon Barnhill at 8 p.m. Josh and his band will take the stage at 9 p.m. The two Pat Green shows on Friday night are sold-out so hopefully you have tickets already. He does an acoustic and full band show with a guitar auction in between the two shows.
On Saturday there’s more wine tasting events in the Grapevine Garden followed by a performance by Lost Gonzo Band at 9 p.m. inside Gruene Hall. The festival ends with the Sunday Songwriter Shindig starting at 2 p.m.
The featured artists are Bruce Robison, William Beckmann, Jamie Lin Wilson, Kaitlin Butts, John Baumann, Bri Bagwell, Austin Meade, Kevin Galloway, and the Topo Chico Cowboys (Josh Grider & Drew Kennedy).
As always, proceeds benefit the United Way of Comal County. It’s one of our best festivals with great music and drinks plus it benefits a fantastic organization.
Mile 0 Fest announces lineup for 2023
The Mile 0 Fest in Key West is quickly becoming the premier Americana Festival in America. While the Steamboat Music Festival has been around longer, Mile 0 Fest has amazing weather, crystal clear water and miles of sandy beaches. What’s not to love about that?
The festival takes place next year from Jan. 24 through 28, 2023 and tickets are on-sale now. The beauty of this festival is they never over sell the tickets, keeping attendance to a manageable size each year.
The lineup so far includes a long list of amazing Americana artists including American Aquarium, Cody Canada, Drew Kennedy, Jack Ingram, Jamie Lin Wilson, Josh Grider, Kevin Fowler, Midnight River Choir, Mike & the Moonpies, Morgan Wade, Pat Green, Randy Rogers, Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers, Shane Smith & the Saints, Great Divide, Wade Bowen, Willy Braun, Walt and Tina Wilkins and many more. Find out more about this popular festival at Mile0Fest.com.
Quebe Sisters return to the Brauntex Theatre
Even though I have attended a lot of concerts over the years, there are always a few that stand out. One happened on May 3, 2019, at the Brauntex Theatre when the Quebe Sisters were performing. Grace, Sophia and Hulda Quebe (pronounced kway-bee) are a western swing, country band from Dallas.
They studied classical violin in the late 90s but switched to fiddle after seeing fiddle champions Joey and Sherrie McKenzie at the State Fair in Denton. Soon they were taking lessons from Joey and he even joined their band for a while.
Over the years, all three sisters held the Texas State Fiddle Championship individually since 1999. They have four albums in their catalog along with many collaborations with other country artists, including Willie Nelson and Kacey Musgraves.
What made their 2019 concert at the Brauntex so memorable? They played the first half of their show while a major thunderstorm raged outside. Just as they took the stage after a short intermission, lightning struck a transformer downtown and killed the power of an entire city block.
The sisters had just started their first song after intermission when the theatre went dark. They never missed a beat; they kept singing in the dark with no microphones or amplifiers. Within a few minutes, the audience turned on their cell phone flashlights and held them up to light up the room.
The girls played the next 45 minutes totally unplugged as the crowd remained vigilant with lit cellphones. After the show, the girls made their way to a dark lobby and met their fans under the dim light of flashlights and cellphones. Many fans, myself included, considered this one of the best shows they have seen.
Tomorrow night the Quebe Sisters return to the Brauntex stage and there are no thunderstorms in the forecast. Get your tickets for their triumphant return at Brauntex.org.
The Great Divide play Freiheit Country Store
The Americana Red Dirt music scene can be traced back to the early 1990s in Stillwater, Oklahoma. One of the first groups to be called Red Dirt was The Great Divide, a Stillwater band that formed in 1992.
The original lineup consisted of singer and primary songwriter Mike McClure, bassist Kelley Green, rhythm guitarist Scott Lester and his brother J.J. on drums. They released their first album, Going For Broke, in 1995. A follow-up album, Break in the Storm, came out in 1998. They formed their own record label, publishing company and operating company.
They signed with Atlantic Records and re-released Break in the Storm on that label. McClure left to pursue a solo career in 2003 but returned to the group in 2011. In Aug. 26 they released a new album titled Providence along with a new single, Good Side.
On Friday they will make a tour stop at Freiheit Country Store to promote the new album. McClure is one of the best singers in the business so be sure to catch their show if you are in the area. Tickets are available at FreiheitCountryStore.net.
Random notes from the music scene
Gruene Hall just announced four new shows by Kody West, Wade Bowen, Stoney LaRue and Casey Donahew. Tickets for all shows go on-sale Friday at 10 a.m. at GrueneHall.com.
Pop singer Rihanna has announced that she will play the Super Bowl halftime show in February. It will be a good excuse for me to take Buddy for a walk during the halftime show.
Heavy metal band Judas Priest are headed back to San Antonio for two shows on Nov. 22 & 23. Rock band Queensryche will open both shows.
Country superstar Shania Twain just signed a new record deal with Republic Nashville and released her first single titled Waking Up Dreaming.
Matt Hillyer, former lead singer of 1100 Springs, will play at Riley’s Tavern on Friday.
Tonight, Monte Good & Jukebox Deluxe will be at Krause’s Café.
Tom Gillam & Kosmic Messenger will be at Gruene Hall at noon on Sunday. Bryan Feltner will join them on keyboard since regular keyboardist Howard Yeargen has a gig out of town with Slim Bawb.
Walt Wilkins, Betty Soo and Kelley Mickwee will be serenading the folks at Luckenbach on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Social media is buzzing with news that Americana singer Charlie Robison will play his first show in four years on Nov. 25 at the Red Rooster Icehouse in Hawkins, TX. Robison retired from singing in 2018 after a surgical procedure left him unable to sing. Just as I was finishing this column, another Charlie Robison show was announced for Nov. 23 at the Backyard in Seguin.
Breakfast In Shopping Out: Tourists To The U.S. Hit By Soaring Dollar U.S News & World Report Money
Breakfast In, Shopping Out: Tourists To The U.S. Hit By Soaring Dollar – U.S News & World Report Money https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/breakfast-in-shopping-out-tourists-to-the-u-s-hit-by-soaring-dollar-u-s-news-world-report-money/
FILE PHOTO: A picture illustration shows U.S. 100-dollar bank notes taken in Tokyo August 2, 2011. REUTERS/Yuriko NakaoReuters
By Noel Randewich, John McCrank and Alun John
SAN FRANCISCO/NEW YORK/LONDON (Reuters) – In the weeks before heading to San Francisco for their vacation this month, Jeff Skipper and his wife Valerie, from the United Kingdom, watched helplessly as the U.S. dollar continued its meteoric rise against the British pound.
The sterling/dollar exchange rate – which slumped to a record low this week – has reduced the affordability of the already pricey Golden Gate City for the couple, forcing them to economize on some holiday luxuries.
“The exchange rate has been the biggest topic of conversation since we got here,” said Jeff Skipper, 50, an electrician.
“Everything is pretty expensive for us,” said Valerie, a 47-year old university administrator.
“We’ve been buying food from grocery stores rather than having sit-down meals because when you change it to the British amount, it doesn’t seem worth it. It’s really a lot of money.”
The pair are among droves of visitors to the United States feeling the pinch of the mighty greenback, which scaled two-decade highs this month driven partly by Federal Reserve interest rate hikes.
For British tourists in the United States, the pain of the rampant dollar has been amplified by the collapse of the pound, which entered a near free fall on Monday after the British government announced unfunded tax cuts that sent investors fleeing.
Sterling hit a record low of $1.0327 on Monday, having plummeted 20% against the dollar this year. It was trading just above that on Wednesday at $1.0888.
“Now it’s one dollar to the pound…It’s really hit us,” said Colin Taylor, a retired telecoms engineer from the United Kingdom who was also visiting San Francisco with his wife.
“We have breakfast and it’s cost us 50 quid, 50 pounds, you know. And if this were at home it would be 20 or 25 pounds. So it’s a big, big jump for us.”
‘TOO HIGH’
While the pound has experienced some of the most violent gyrations in recent days, currency markets across the board have seen huge swings amid increased geopolitical tensions and central bank rate hikes to tame soaring inflation.
The relative strength of the U.S. economy has allowed the Fed to raise rates more aggressively than its peers, however, pushing the dollar up against the British pound, the euro and Japanese yen, as well as a slew of smaller currencies.
The dollar index, which measures the greenback against a currency basket, hit a fresh 20-year high of 114.78 on Wednesday.
“The dollar is too high. So we are spending, but not the way we would like,” said Jose Alvado, a 48-year old public accountant from Argentina who was visiting New York with his wife and two daughters.
“We are going to cheaper restaurants … We go to the Disney store and we don’t pick everything. We just take a look and then we go.”
Still, with COVID-19 travel restrictions lifted, international inbound U.S. leisure travel spending – adjusted for inflation – is forecast to reach $87 billion this year compared with $33 billion in 2020 and 2021, and $145 billion in 2019, the U.S. Travel Association said in June.
And some tourists say they will not let the dollar’s strength spoil their fun.
“I have to enjoy New York,” said Gilles Nolorgues, 48, an app designer from Paris.
‘MONOPOLY MONEY’
For travelers outside the United States with dollars in their pocket, the spending is easy.
With the dollar and the euro reaching parity for the first time in 20 years in July, American tourists have been splurging on luxury goods in Paris as well as enjoying cheaper treats in London’s West End, Reuters has reported. [L1N30X1E5]
Americans are spending 11% more on domestic and overseas travel in 2022 compared with 2019, according to consumer survey data gathered by the American Society of Travel Advisors, a trade organization.
“It feels like we’re spending Monopoly money,” said Ike Armstrong, 26, from California, speaking near London’s Trafalgar Square.
In Bali, Indonesia, 39-year old Johnny Follin from Los Angeles, California, said the strong dollar had allowed him to indulge more on good food, drinks and massages than he would have otherwise. The U.S. dollar has risen about 7% on the Indonesian rupiah this year.
“(For) bringing U.S. dollars here, it’s the best time in ages,” said Paul Spight from behind the counter of his currency exchange in Wollongong, south of Sydney, Australia.
The U.S. dollar is up about 10% on the Aussie this year. “That really helps the spending power coming in,” Spight added.
(Reporting by Noel Randewich in San Francisco, John McCrank in New York, Alun John in London, Ananda Teresia in Jakarta and Tom Westbrook in Sydney; writing and additional reporting by Michelle Price; editing by Deepa Babington)
Copyright 2022 Thomson Reuters.
AP Top Business News At 12:28 A.m. EDT – WTMJ https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/ap-top-business-news-at-1228-a-m-edt-wtmj/
AP Top Business News at 12:28 a.m. EDT WTMJ
Health Network To Offer Range Of Free Workshops During October Kennebec Journal And Morning Sentinel
Health Network To Offer Range Of Free Workshops During October – Kennebec Journal And Morning Sentinel https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/health-network-to-offer-range-of-free-workshops-during-october-kennebec-journal-and-morning-sentinel/
The Healthy Living for ME network plans to host free workshops scheduled to start up across the state in October.
Topics addressed by the workshops include managing chronic conditions and chronic pain, improving fitness and balance, and managing diabetes.
Healthy Living for ME welcomes referrals from healthcare providers. The network’s evidence-based programming can help patients manage and prevent conditions before they become more serious or result in emergency situations.
“Our October workshops include a few being offered by two new partners in the network, Catholic Charities of Maine and Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital. We’re so pleased to be able to continue to expand our network and provide more access to free and low-cost resources that help Mainers improve their health and wellness,” said Maija Dyke, business manager of Healthy Living for ME, in a news release.
The workshops starting in October:
A Matter of Balance emphasizes practical strategies to reduce fear of falling and increase activity levels. Participants learn to view falls and fear of falling as controllable, set realistic goals to increase activity, change their environment to reduce fall risk factors, and exercise to increase strength and balance.
This workshop is being offered in person in Presque Isle by network partner Aroostook Agency on Aging. The workshop begins on Monday, Oct. 3, and will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays through Oct. 31.
Living Well for Better Health helps participants deal with ongoing conditions such as diabetes, COPD, arthritis, and high blood pressure. Topics covered include handling frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation; appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility, and endurance; appropriate use of medications; communicating effectively with family, friends, and health professionals; nutrition; and evaluating new treatments.
There are two in person sessions and one online session that will be offered by network partners.
Cary Medical Center is offering this workshop in person in Caribou. The workshop begins on Monday, Oct. 3, and will be held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mondays through Nov. 14.
Catholic Charities of Maine is offering this workshop in person at 66 Western Ave. in Fairfield. The workshop begins on Thursday, Oct. 6, and will be held from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Thursdays through Nov. 10.
Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital is offering this workshop online. The workshop begins on Thursday, Oct. 6, and will be held from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Thursdays through Nov. 10.
Bingocize combines a bingo-like game with exercise and health education with the goal of increasing older adults’ functional fitness, health knowledge, and social engagement.
This workshop is being offered online by network partner Aroostook Agency on Aging. The workshop begins Monday, Oct. 3, and will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays through Dec. 12.
Better Health Now with Pain is designed for those who experience long-term pain; their friends, family, and/or caregivers are also welcome to join. Participants in this workshop receive a toolkit in the mail and work with a leader either by themselves or in small groups. Topics covered include pacing and planning, medication management, and the Moving Easy Program.
This workshop is being offered over the phone by network partner Spectrum Generations. The workshop begins Thursday, Oct. 6, and will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursdays through Nov. 10.
Living Well with Chronic Pain is designed for people who are dealing with persistent pain such as back pain, post-surgical pain, headaches, and other ongoing pain. Topics covered include: dealing with frustration, fatigue, isolation, and poor sleep; appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength; appropriate use of medications; communicating effectively with family, friends, and health professionals; nutrition; pacing activity and rest; and evaluating new treatments.
This workshop is being offered online by network partner Aroostook Agency on Aging. The workshop begins on Tuesday, Oct. 11, and will be held from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Nov. 15.
Better Health Now is designed to help those living with chronic conditions, including heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, or other conditions. Participants in this workshop receive a toolkit in the mail and work with a leader either by themselves or in small groups. Topics covered during the workshop include: techniques to deal with frustration, fatigue, pain, and isolation; appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility, and endurance; appropriate use of medications, communicating effectively with family, friends, and health professionals; nutrition; and how to evaluate new treatments.
This workshop is being offered by phone by network partner MaineGeneral’s Peter Alfond Prevention and Healthy Living Center. The workshop begins on Wednesday, Oct. 12, and will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Nov. 16.
Living Well with Diabetes is designed to help people with type 2 diabetes learn how to live well. Topics include: techniques to deal with the symptoms of diabetes, fatigue, pain, hyper/hypoglycemia, stress, depression, anger, fear and frustration; appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength and endurance; healthy eating, appropriate use of medication; and working with healthcare providers.
This workshop is being offered in person in Augusta by network partner MaineGeneral’s Peter Alfond Prevention and Healthy Living Center, 35 Medical Center Parkway. The workshop begins Monday, Oct. 17 and will be held from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Mondays through Nov. 21.
Though the workshops are free for participants, registration is required. Family, friends, caregivers, and supports of participants are also welcome to register and participate. For more information, locations, addresses and to register, contact Healthy Living for ME at 800-620-6036 or [email protected].
To find a workshop near you, visit healthylivingforme.org/programs-workshops.
Check out other upcoming area events!
Hershey Stymies Huskies | News Sports Jobs The Sentinel Lewistown Sentinel
Hershey Stymies Huskies | News, Sports, Jobs – The Sentinel – Lewistown Sentinel https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/hershey-stymies-huskies-news-sports-jobs-the-sentinel-lewistown-sentinel/
Local Sports
Sep 29, 2022
Josh Yoder
Sports reporter
jyoder@lewistownsentinel.com
LEWISTOWN — Mifflin County struggled against Hershey and suffered a 5-0 defeat on senior night in a Mid-Penn girls tennis match, Wednesday.
“Well it happened like we thought it would. This team has a great deal of experience and we do not, but our kids played hard and they did the best that they can do,” Huskies coach Glenn Kyle said.
One of the things that Kyle was proud of during the match was his players made the Trojans earn every point for each of their respective matches throughout the day.
“They always have done that and that’s the positive thing that we always bring from our matches,” Kyle said. “And that is they don’t stop playing, they keep playing and that’s very commendable to them and their families.”
The Huskies were celebrating their four seniors afterwards in Aija Binder, Ella Knepp, Mackenna Yoder and Lindsay Wolfley, who were playing their final season in a Mifflin County uniform. Coach Kyle is appreciative for everything that they have done for the program and wishes them nothing but the best in their future endeavors.
“Well I’m hoping that they had a good time while they were here,” Kyle said. “Two of them, this is the first year they’ve ever played so, I’m hoping they had a good time. And the ones that have been here for three years I’m hoping they feel like they’ve invested in a good time with us.”
Binder competed against Hershey’s Angelina Berg in the first singles matchup. Throughout the match, both Berg and Binder were trading shot after shot with one another having numerous volleys going on where one mistake could make all the difference.
But in the end, it was Berg who capitalized on her opportunities to score and managed to come out on top in both sets with the final of 6-1 in each of them.
“I feel like I did pretty good compared to the opponent I had today from Hershey, she was pretty good and really experienced,” Binder said.
With it being her final season at Mifflin County, Binder looks back on her time and is extremely proud of her accomplishments with her tennis career having started from the bottom and eventually found herself at the number one singles spot.
“I say I improved,” Binder said. “I went from being the fourteenth girl to the top player here and seeing my progression throughout the years is pretty impressive I think.”
Mifflin County will be back in action on Friday as the Huskies will travel to Chambersburg.
Hershey 5, Mifflin County 0
SINGLES
Angelina Berg (HER) def. Aija Binder 6-1, 6-1
Claire Tion (HER) def. Ella Knepp 6-1, 6-0
Emme Corcoran (HER) def. Kate Riden 6-1, 6-1
DOUBLES
Alicia Xie/Sydney Bogush (HER) def. Mackenna Yoder/Lindsay Wolfley 6-0, 6-0
Emily Bryant/Meredith Jones (HER) def. Lilly Breon/Ava Kelly 6-1, 6-0
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How The Covid-19 Pandemic Lifted Designer Vivienne Tam Into The Metaverse Forbes
How The Covid-19 Pandemic Lifted Designer Vivienne Tam Into The Metaverse – Forbes https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/how-the-covid-19-pandemic-lifted-designer-vivienne-tam-into-the-metaverse-forbes/
VIvienne Tam
The metaverse has captured imaginations worldwide with its portrayal of new vistas. The title of a new best-selling book this year summarizes the buzz: “The Metaverse” promises to explain “How It Will Revolutionize Everything.”
One enthusiast from the fashion world: Vivienne Tam. Tam’s life is rooted in Hong Kong, where she moved at age three from the mainland China city of Guangzhou. Yet she has expanded her influence and bridged cultures around the world over the years. Tam, a naturalized American citizen, struck it big in New York in the 1990s, launching her own fashion lines and collections that today are part of the permanent collection at the Metropolitan Museum in New York and the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburg. Her gowns have been worn by the likes of Lady Gaga, Gong Li, Jessica Alba, Paris Hilton and Jill Biden.
Since 2020, the pandemic has been a catalyst for new thinking. Stores closed, upending the way people shop for fashion wares. “What is the future of my business?” Tam wondered aloud in an interview in New York this month. Lifestyles have changed, she said.
And so has technology. NFTs, once viewed skeptically, have become more popular, in part because they allow for consumers to lock in personalized items. “We all laughed at NFTs,” said Jenny Johnson, president of Franklin Templeton at the Forbes Global CEO Conference in Singapore this week. “But if you take intellectual property and validate its usage, think about what that opens up,” she said. “I think it could be very interesting going forward.”
For her part, Tam was back in New York this month for the New York Fashion Week, the city’s big twice-a-year fashion gathering that in September featured more than 100 designers. More than 200 people attended Tam’s event last Wednesday.
Vivienne Tam
What they largely saw from Tam were more prominent figures from NFT collections that she incorporated into her cuts and accessories. Characters came from the Yuga Labs groups such as Bored Ape Yacht Club and CryptoPunks, along with others from CyberKongz and Awkward Astronauts. Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT sales have reported exceeded $1 billion globally and attracted celebrity buyers including Jimmy Fallon and Snoop Dog.
Tam believes the newly emerging group of figures has wide appeal across age groups and gender. “There are endless possibilities in the digital world that in the physical world I cannot do,” Tam said.
“The stories and communities inspire me so much in what they do and how they can come up with all these individual concepts,” she said. “I have many friends that bought them, and then they tell me the story of why they buy them.”
The reason, she said, is “related to personality. It’s quite interesting. So I thought, ‘Why don’t I bring all these beautiful images to the physical world?’ People can enjoy even more expression of their concepts in another dimension. Buyers choose images that reflect their own personality, just as in the physical world, but in a more flexible digital format.”
The motivation to buy digitally can be the same as in the physical world, she said. “Maybe I want to use my atavar to dress for a boyfriend or girlfriend,” Tam said. “I want to encourage that customization.”
Times and technology change, but the wish to feel good about life doesn’t, Tam said. “Everybody wants something special and to feel good about it.” The metaverse, she believes, will open more vistas for that pleasure.
See related posts:
Fashion Icon Vivienne Tam Raises Money To Help Fight Cancer After Partner’s Death
World Will Have Nearly 40% More Millionaires By 2026: Credit Suisse
China Business Risks Will Continue To Rise After Party Congress, Scholar Says
@rflannerychina
Beginner Tips For Watch Dogs 2 – TheGamer https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/beginner-tips-for-watch-dogs-2-thegamer/
With a brighter and more vibrant lick of paint, Watch Dogs 2 leaves Watch Dog’s Chicago behind and sees the likable Marcus Holloway join the underground hacking group DedSec in California’s Golden Gate City.
It’s a great representation of the Bay Area and is chocked full of side activities, gang hideouts and all the Easter eggs you would expect out of an Ubisoft open-world game. With roughly 20-30 hours of hacking-based activism to get stuck into, it can be difficult to know where to start to get the ball rolling. Here are some handy tips that will likely help you take your first steps in Watch Dogs 2’s sunny San Francisco.
10 Start With The Trickster Skill Tree First
The Ghost, Aggressor and the Trickster are the three main play styles in Watch Dogs 2 that each bring their own unique mechanics to the table. While Aggressors and Ghosts cover your destructive gunplay and stealth needs, the Trickster is where you’ll want to pay particular attention, as it will give you the best of both worlds.
Following the Trickster path will unleash your inner hacker by giving you the option of controlling various gadgets and drones to do all the dirty work for you. It’s the best all-rounder for those unsure where to dump their points into first and gives you access to some really helpful skills early on.
9 Prioritise These Skills
There are many skills to experiment with in the game, but there are a select few that you should prioritise. At least a few points should be put into Botnet upgrades, as this will allow you to perform a greater number of hacks at any given time. For more exploration options, the Environmental RC skill is very useful, as it allows you to activate lifts that will give you access to previously blocked-off areas. This just might give you an edge in combat, or lead you to a hidden collectable.
The Vehicle Hacking skill can is an essential tool that can let you control vehicles from a distance, and is particularly good for solving puzzles in the open world. Hijacking gives you the ability to hack into any car remotely without having their alarms go off, which is pretty essential due to the overwhelming amount of vehicles you will be stealing.
8 Unlock And Upgrade The Quadcopter As Soon As You Can
The Quadcopter is one of the first items you’ll be able to access at DeadSec’s 3D printing station. It’s a nifty little drone that you can use to scout out enemy bases in the air and hack into various cameras dotted around the city.
It really is a great tool for getting a lay of the land before heading in for the attack. Upgrading it will improve it even further by lowering its cooldown, so you can use it more frequently – definitely something you’ll want to do. We recommend not spending your hard-earned cash until you’ve unlocked it, as it comes in at a pricey $67,000 to craft.
7 Hack Literally Everyone – Stealing Without Risk
All those cool gadgets and upgrades aren’t cheap, and it will likely take a while before you get to try them all out. Luckily, you are part of an elite underground hacking squad that can delve into the personal bank accounts of everyone you come across, all in the name of activism.
You have the ability to hack any civilian at any time to skim a little of their income, with absolutely no repercussions. Although it doesn’t make the most logical sense to hack oncoming traffic whilst zooming down the Golden Gate Bridge, we’ll just assume Marcus is exceptionally good at multitasking.
6 Use The Cameras
In Watch Dogs, surveillance cameras will always be a hacker’s best friend. Every single CCTV camera within sight can be hacked into, allowing Marcus to get a birds-eye view to solve puzzles and scout out gang hideouts.
You can tag any enemies that are in your line of sight, and it’s a great way to plan a route through a gang-infested warehouse. More than just allowing you to scout an area, you can also hack objects through the cameras themselves, setting traps for enemies and watching them explode from multiple angles from a safe distance.
5 Focus On Playing Stealthily
Despite being able to play the game in a variety of different ways, it’s clear that it was designed with stealth in mind. This favours a more tactical and non-lethal play style, where you can plan the best way to attack ahead of time.
Taking a quieter approach allows you to take a step back and experiment with all the gadgets and tech you have at your disposal. It feels great to hop around an enemy base with your RC Jumper, and using your Quadcopter to drop some well-placed explosives on your foes is a blast. If you like, you barely have to engage with your enemies in any real physical capacity, as you can distract and trick them into doing your bidding before they realise what happened.
4 You Can Create Your Own Music Playlists
One of the most important features of any open-world GTA clone is its in-game music, and thankfully, Watch Dogs 2’s soundtrack does not disappoint. What’s more, you have the ability to create your own playlists, giving you greater freedom in what tunes to listen to when hacking and stun-gunning your way through the city.
Sort of like Ubisoft’s version of Shazam, the SongSneak app on your phone allows you to add any nearby music you hear in the world to a self-curated playlist you can rock out to at any given time. It’s a small but much-appreciated feature that often gets overlooked in the hustle and bustle of the world around you.
3 Use Your Phone To Download Apps
More than just a simple GPS or a way to communicate with other DeadSec members, Marcus’ smartphone contains a lot of helpful applications that offer a surprising amount of gameplay options.
You can order any vehicle to your location with Car On Demand, which will be handy when taking on the role of a glorified Uber driver after downloading the Driver SF ride-share app to your phone. Scout X rewards you for taking pictures of tourist locations, encouraging you to explore the world as much as you can. Each will help DeadSec by significantly increasing their followers, which is needed in order to progress through the game.
2 Turn Off Hacker Invasions For A Smoother Single-Player Experience
When you’re out and about minding your own business cruising around San Francisco, you will occasionally receive a notification that a real-life player is attempting to hack into your network and steal some of your precious data.
As fun as it is to engage in a chase of hacking-related cat and mouse, sometimes you just want to be left alone to roam around at your own pace. Thankfully, you have the option to turn off any unwanted invasions in your game by heading into your phone’s options menu and toggling the multiplayer preferences.
1 Multiplayer Can Be Very Rewarding
If playing with others is more your thing, there are plenty of multiplayer options available in Watch Dogs 2. This time around co-op has been revamped, allowing you to tackle a bunch of randomly generated missions with a partner. If causing aimless acts of chaos around the city is more your bag, you can free-roam with a buddy to complete activities and pick up collectables as you go.
If you’re feeling up to it, you can engage in the game’s interesting bounty system, where naughty DedSec members from other game worlds have racked up enough notoriety to be targeted and hunted down. Eliminating your real-player targets will net you a nice reward, which will help you purchase and upgrade the various gear, gadgets and weapons in the game.
Next: Best Games Set In California
French Central Banker Warns Complex Crypto Regulations Could Create Uneven Playing Field Regulation Bitcoin News Bitcoin News
French Central Banker Warns Complex Crypto Regulations Could Create ‘Uneven Playing Field’ – Regulation Bitcoin News – Bitcoin News https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/french-central-banker-warns-complex-crypto-regulations-could-create-uneven-playing-field-regulation-bitcoin-news-bitcoin-news/
The governor of France’s central bank, François Villeroy de Galhau, has urged EU regulators to “avoid adopting diverging or contradictory regulations, or regulating too late.” He warned that “To do so would be to create an uneven playing field, risking arbitrage and cherry picking.”
French Central Bank Governor Warns About Adopting ‘Unduly Complex’ Crypto Regulations
Banque de France Governor François Villeroy de Galhau talked about cryptocurrency regulation at a conference on digital finance in Paris Tuesday. The French central banker stressed:
We should be extremely mindful to avoid adopting diverging or contradictory regulations, or regulating too late. To do so would be to create an uneven playing field, risking arbitrage and cherry picking.
Villeroy de Galhau added that “unduly complex” crypto regulations could fall short of investor protection and money laundering prevention.
The European Commission introduced the Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation (MiCA) bill in September 2020 as part of its digital finance strategy to bring crypto assets, issuers, and service providers across the EU under one regulatory framework. The European Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement on the MiCA bill on June 30, but MiCA is not expected to be implemented until 2024.
The European Central Bank (ECB) outlined in August its plan to harmonize the regulatory framework governing crypto activities and services in the EU. “There is currently no harmonized regulatory framework governing crypto-asset activities and services in the EU,” the regulator explained, adding that banks are increasingly considering whether to offer crypto products and services, and it is the ECB’s role to “ensure they do so safely and soundly.”
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU’s top securities markets regulator, warned in May that soaring inflation may drive retail investors into cryptocurrencies. ECB Vice President Luis de Guindos said Monday that eurozone inflation is becoming increasingly broad while growth is weakening. “We are seeing that in the third and fourth quarters there is a significant slowdown and we may find ourselves with growth rates close to zero,” he detailed.
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What do you think about the comments by Banque de France Governor François Villeroy de Galhau? 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.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a direct offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation or endorsement of any products, services, or companies. Bitcoin.com does not provide investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Neither the company nor the author is responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in this article.
Analysis: Goodbye TINA: Higher Yields Muddy Outlook For Struggling U.S. Stocks Reuters
Analysis: Goodbye, TINA: Higher Yields Muddy Outlook For Struggling U.S. Stocks – Reuters https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/analysis-goodbye-tina-higher-yields-muddy-outlook-for-struggling-u-s-stocks-reuters/
NEW YORK, Sept 29 (Reuters) – Soaring interest rates are providing investors with attractive alternatives to stocks, complicating the picture for equities in an already-vicious year.
For years, investors could easily justify a preference for stocks because other assets offered paltry returns as the Federal Reserve kept rates at historic lows, giving rise to the acronym “TINA,” or “there is no alternative.”
The years when TINA held sway were good ones for the U.S. stock market. The S&P 500 (.SPX) gained some 600% from its financial crisis bottom in March 2009 through the end of last year, handily beating a plethora of other investments.
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That calculus has drastically changed as the Fed hikes interest rates to stave off the worst inflation in decades, bolstering yields on everything from Treasuries to money markets. That is more bad news for U.S. stocks, as they struggle to regain their footing after a drubbing that has included a 22% S&P 500 drop so far this year.
“As interest rates continue to rise, there is a greater number of choices to capture total return or income without taking on stock market volatility,” said Michael Arone, chief investment strategist at State Street Global Advisors. “That will continue to put some downward pressure on stocks.”
Bond yields have soared this year, with the yield on the two-year Treasury bond jumping to over 4.3% earlier this week from 0.73% at the end of 2021. Short-term Treasuries frequently yielded well below 1% for the last 15 years.
The yields on many Treasuries – which are considered virtually risk-free if held to maturity – now dwarf the S&P 500’s dividend yield, which recently stood at about 1.8%, according to Refinitiv Datastream.
“The concept that there is no alternative to stocks is not true anymore,” said Walter Todd, chief investment officer at Greenwood Capital.
Reuters Graphics
There are plenty of signs that yields are drawing investors. State Street’s SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF (BIL.P), which measures an index of one to three month Treasury bills, as of Friday had taken in net inflows of nearly $9 billion so far this year, more than any other State Street ETF.
Money market funds took in $30 billion in the latest week, according to Refinitiv Lipper, while equity funds, taxable fixed income funds, and tax-exempt bond funds all had net redemptions. Assets in money market funds stood at $4.44 trillion as of the end of August, not far from the all-time high of $4.67 trillion reached in May 2020, according to Lipper.
As bond yields have climbed, stock valuations have weakened. The S&P 500 trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of about 16 times, compared to nearly 22 times at the start of the year, according to Refinitiv Datastream.
“There was a lot of stimulus around that helped companies when times got tough and when times were good, the low interest rate environment drove pretty high valuations,” said James Ragan, director of wealth management research at D.A. Davidson. “We are definitely getting a resizing of that now.”
Reuters Graphics
Of course, the alternatives to stocks are far from risk free. Bonds, whose prices move inversely to yields, have endured a brutal 2022, with the ICE BofA U.S. Treasury Index (.MERG0Q0) on track for its worst annual performance on record.
Many investors believe bond prices are unlikely to stabilize until there is evidence of ebbing inflation and a pivot in the Fed’s tightening policy.
Investors sitting in cash, meanwhile, could be late to an eventual turnaround in the equity market.
Still, the robust yields are likely to continue presenting a challenge to stocks, investors said.
Fiduciary Trust Company has increased its recommended cash allocation in most of its portfolios to 12% from 2% at the start of the year, said Hans Olsen, Fiduciary’s chief investment officer.
“You can do some things now where you can actually get paid a reasonable sum of money in order to wait,” said Olsen. “I think it’s a big deal. It’s been a while since we have seen something like this and markets are going to have to reprice this.”
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Reporting by Lewis Krauskopf in New York; Editing by Ira Iosebashvili and Josie Kao
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
This Surveillance Artist Knows How You Got That Perfect Instagram Photo The Indian Express
This Surveillance Artist Knows How You Got That Perfect Instagram Photo – The Indian Express https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/this-surveillance-artist-knows-how-you-got-that-perfect-instagram-photo-the-indian-express/
The artist Dries Depoorter in Ghent, Belgium, on Sept. 20, 2022. Depoorter unearthed video footage of people working hard to capture the perfect shot for Instagram. It is a lesson in the artifice of social media and the ubiquity of surveillance. (Lauren Fleishman/The New York Times)
David Welly Sombra Rodrigues, a 35-year-old French teacher, loves to travel. After the pandemic forced him to offer his language lessons virtually, he seized the moment, moving from Brazil to Europe, where he could hop on trains to new cities to his heart’s delight, all of which he documented on Instagram.
This month, a photo he took in Ireland for his more than 7,000 Instagram followers went viral. But he didn’t realise it until a friend messaged him, pointing him to a news article about “The Follower,” a digital art project that showed just how much can be captured by webcams broadcasting from public spaces — and how surprising it can be for those who are unwittingly filmed by them.
The artist had paired Instagram photos with video footage that showed the process of taking them. The artist had not included the Instagram users’ names or handles, but Rodrigues’ friends recognized him.
In Rodrigues’ case, a webcam operated by a company called EarthCam caught the effort that had gone into a seemingly casual photo of him leaning against the distinctive bright-red entryway of the Temple Bar in Dublin.
He tried a few different angles and poses, did a minor outfit change and eventually added a prop — a pint of pricey beer from the famous pub. Articles about the project incorrectly described the subjects of the piece, including Rodrigues, who goes by @avecdavidwelly on Instagram, as influencers with hundreds of thousands of followers. But most of them were just typical social media users, with far smaller audiences.
The artist Dries Depoorter at his studio in Ghent, Belgium, on Sept. 20, 2022. Depoorter unearthed video footage of people working hard to capture the perfect shot for Instagram. It is a lesson in the artifice of social media and the ubiquity of surveillance. (Lauren Fleishman/The New York Times)
“I was completely shocked,” Rodrigues said in a Zoom interview. “I wasn’t expecting that someone was recording me.”
The artist behind “The Follower,” Dries Depoorter, said his project demonstrates both the artifice of images on social media and the dangers of increasingly automated forms of surveillance.
“If one person can do this, what can a government do?” Depoorter, 31, said.
Live From Times Square
Depoorter, who is based in Ghent, Belgium, came up with the idea for “The Follower” over a month ago, while researching privately installed cameras in public places that he might use for a different art project. While watching a live online feed from Times Square, he saw a woman taking pictures of herself for “a long time.” Thinking she might be an influencer, he tried to find the product of her extended shoot among Instagram photos recently geo-tagged to Times Square.
He came up empty but that got him thinking.
The 24/7 broadcast that Depoorter watched — titled “Live From NYC’s Times Square!” — was provided by EarthCam, a New Jersey company that specializes in real-time camera feeds. EarthCam built its network of livestreaming webcams “to transport people to interesting and unique locations around the world that may be difficult or impossible to experience in person,” according to its website. Founded in 1996, EarthCam monetizes the cameras through advertising and licensing of the footage.
Depoorter realized that he could come up with an automated way to combine these publicly available cameras with the photos that people had posted on Instagram. So, over a two-week period, he collected EarthCam footage broadcast online from Times Square in New York, Wrigley Field in Chicago and the Temple Bar in Dublin.
Rand Hammoud, a campaigner against surveillance at the global human rights organization Access Now, said the project illustrated how often people are unknowingly being filmed by surveillance cameras, and how easy it has become to stitch those movements together using automated biometric-scanning technologies.
“It’s a dystopian reality that a lot of people don’t realize is now present,” Hammoud said.
Hammoud, who is based in Brussels, was troubled most by the broadcasting of people’s activity in public spaces without their knowledge. Hammoud said EarthCam should reconsider the risks of its livestreaming given the power of publicly available surveillance technologies.
“These cameras no longer serve the purpose that they used to years ago,” Hammoud said. “People can be tracked.”
EarthCam declined to answer questions about its cameras and the risks they might pose to the privacy of the individuals who are filmed by them in an age of more powerful biometric-tracking technologies. The company’s marketing director, Simon Kerr, said only that Depoorter had “used EarthCam imagery and video without authorization and such usage is in violation of our copyright.”
Depoorter said his project is not about the specific companies that enabled it. “It’s not only EarthCam,” he said. “There are many unprotected cameras all over the world.”
Violating Someone’s Privacy
While recording the feeds from EarthCam, Depoorter simultaneously downloaded public photos from Instagram that users were tagging to those locations.
Instagram discourages collecting photos en masse from its platform. “Collecting information in an automated way” is a violation of the company’s terms of use and can get a user banned.
“We’ve reached out to the artist to learn more about this piece and understand his process,” said Thomas Richards, a spokesman for Meta, the company that owns Instagram. “Privacy is a top priority for us, as is protecting people’s information when they share content on our platforms.”
After the data collection from EarthCam and Instagram came the difficult part: finding the right people to needle in the digital haystack.
Depoorter had previously done art projects on the surprising gaze of public cameras that had required him to write software to sort through lots of video footage. Last year, he built “Flemish scrollers,” which tagged Belgian politicians on social media when they looked down at their phones during parliamentary sessions that were broadcast live on YouTube. Before that, he had used open surveillance cameras to spot jaywalkers who ignored red lights — stills of which he sold online for the cost of the fines the miscreants would have incurred if caught.
To search the faces from the Instagram photos in the footage from EarthCam, Depoorter relied on open-source facial recognition software, code for which can be found on sites like GitHub.
“It’s not perfect,” he said. He had to do an extensive manual review of the suggested matches to find ones that were accurate. As for the handful of people he chose to include in “The Follower,” he wanted a diverse group, including a couple taking a photo kissing in Dublin, two friends strolling through Times Square and a woman with hundreds of thousands of Instagram followers. Depoorter did not reach out to them in advance and said he has not heard from any of them.
Suresh Venkatasubramanian, a former White House tech adviser and professor at Brown University, said he found the project intriguingly “subversive,” in displaying the casual privacy invasions that are possible with modern technology. But he said Depoorter’s deployment of the surveillance on “random people” was unsettling.
“You don’t break into someone’s house to show them you can break into their house,” Venkatasubramanian said. “You shouldn’t do it unless they ask you to.”
Depoorter compiled the Instagram photos and accompanying surveillance footage into a YouTube video, which attracted over 100,000 views before YouTube took it down.
The privacy intrusion wasn’t the cause. EarthCam claimed ownership over the footage from its cameras, saying the YouTube video violated the company’s copyright.
Depoorter is trying to figure out how to get the video back up. Lawyers have advised him that his transformation of the surveillance footage, putting AI-powered bounding boxes around people in the short clips and showing the footage in juxtaposition with the Instagram portraits, is a fair use that is legally protected.
A Willing Subject
Depoorter is based in the European Union, which has robust privacy rules, called the General Data Protection Regulation, to protect citizens’ personal data, including their photos and biometric information. Omer Tene and Gabe Maldoff, privacy lawyers at the law firm Goodwin, said that there are exemptions in the law for artistic expression, but that artists need to be attentive to how the work will affect their subjects.
“I don’t think ‘art’ gives you a free pass,” Maldoff said.
Depoorter did not include the names or Instagram handles of the people he included in his project because, he said, he did not want them “to get a lot of messages.”
He declined to identify them for The New York Times, with the exception of Rodrigues on the condition that the Times not write about the Brazilian French teacher without his explicit permission.
Rodrigues said he did not mind the attention. “I love taking pictures,” he said. “I love recording videos. I’m not low profile.”
Rodrigues has had his Instagram account for a decade. He uses it to advertise his business, showing potential customers the experiences that a new language might open to them. He said he didn’t mind being included in Depoorter’s project, that he was happy for the increased exposure and even posted about it on Instagram, as a “story” that expired after 24 hours.
He was apprehensive about being spied on without his knowle...
Blue Star Helium Flows 6.5% Helium To Surface At Galactica/Pegasus Proactive Investors USA
Blue Star Helium Flows 6.5% Helium To Surface At Galactica/Pegasus – Proactive Investors USA https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/blue-star-helium-flows-6-5-helium-to-surface-at-galactica-pegasus-proactive-investors-usa/
Blue Star Helium Ltd (ASX:BNL, OTC:BSNLF) has flowed helium to the surface at its JXSN#4 exploration well, part of the Galactica/Pegasus prospect in Las Animas County, Colorado.
The energy stock drilled the well to a final depth of 1,043 feet this week, encountering both the upper and lower Lyons sands in order to bring gas to the surface.
While it’s still early days, a preliminary gas composition analysis has returned a 6.5% helium reading. To get a clearer picture, Blue Star plans to send additional samples to a second lab, with results anticipated within a fortnight.
JXSN#4 is the fourth exploration well to be drilled this year at Galactica/Pegasus and the previous three wells have discovered helium-bearing columns measuring up to 230 feet and containing up to 3.14% helium.
Key results from recent Galactica/Pegasus wells.
These wells also proved the company’s previous interpretations of gas on logs at the Denton B #1 and Colorado #B-1 historical wells, which are also on the Galactica/Pegasus structure.
Reconfirming Galactica/Pegasus’ potential
Commenting on the development, Blue Star managing director and CEO Trent Spry said exploration at Galactica/Pegasus continued to deliver.
“We are delighted to have returned high-concentration helium from a fourth consecutive exploration well in this area,” he explained.
“The result reconfirms Galactica/Pegasus as one of our high-priority development areas in Las Animas. This dynamic is reflected in our current development well scheduling for this field.
“The results of this well will be integrated into current resource update process for Galactica/Pegasus, which is expected to culminate in the declaration of contingent resources for this field.”
Why Some Prefer To Holiday Overseas Instead Of Staying Local MalaysiaNow
Why Some Prefer To Holiday Overseas Instead Of Staying Local – MalaysiaNow https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/why-some-prefer-to-holiday-overseas-instead-of-staying-local-malaysianow/
Fadzil Faez and his family spent the long weekend in conjunction with Malaysia Day enjoying a much anticipated break from the hustle and bustle of work – but, despite the national nature of the holiday, nowhere within the country itself.
Instead, he and his wife took their two young children across the border to Hatyai in Thailand where they spent three days shopping and sampling the food.
It was the first time they had left the country since the reopening of the borders, and Fadzil said they enjoyed themselves tremendously.
“The buffet is cheaper there,” he said, recalling the vacation.
“A steamboat buffet is only 300 baht per head while children below 90cm in height can eat for free.”
And at tourist hotspots in the country, he said, they were even allowed to enter free of charge.
Speaking to MalaysiaNow, Fadzil said he had decided to go to Thailand as he did not want to get stuck in Malaysia’s infamous traffic.
He added that getting to popular tourist spots in the country was not as easy as it used to be.
“In Langkawi, for instance, there are fewer ferry trips now,” he said.
“Sometimes we buy tickets there but we can’t get any to come back.”
The prices at local tourist destinations were also enough to make him think twice.
“A trip on the Langkawi cable car costs RM50,” he said. “And if you want to go on the Skybridge, you have to pay an additional fee.”
For Fadzil, the trip to Thailand was still worth it even though the ringgit exchange rate was not as strong as it used to be.
He said it was also easy to avoid the crowds at the border by entering at a point other than Bukit Kayu Hitam.
The trend of travelling to Thailand recently made waves with some expressing annoyance about the ringgit value which they said had been affected by such decisions.
Norain Othman from Universiti Teknologi Mara’s hotel and tourism management faculty said Thailand was more diverse in terms of tourist attractions.
“And in terms of hospitality services, they are more customer friendly, from the taxi drivers to the vendors, right down to the hotel workers,” she said.
In any case, she added, Thai food had always been a hit with Malaysians.
“Prices there are cheap, and the food is very fresh, especially the seafood,” she said.
Further south, Indonesia has also been working to advertise its secondary provinces and develop unique local attractions that reflect its identity as a country, putting out tourism campaigns for seasons and festivals.
From the domestic tourism point of view, Norain said, even Thai travellers were once mostly unaware of efforts to promote high-end tourism in their country.
She said it took campaigns such as the “Thais travel in Thailand” push to increase their awareness and perception of domestic vacations.
“The Thai government also recently implemented tax incentives to boost domestic tourism, and this has shown positive results,” she said.
Referring to the local tourism sector, Norain said there appeared to be a lack of high-end theme park operators as well as facilities that cater to those with special needs.
“Tourists are also averse to unfriendly vendors and they don’t like the lack of high-end products,” she said.
The local tourism industry has also been struggling with issues such as expensive transportation fees and room prices, in addition to poor customer service and high service tax.
Norain said the attitude of travellers also differed according to generation.
She said the baby boomers preferred popular spots and sites of religious importance, as well as agro-tourism products.
Travellers from the so-called Generation X meanwhile appeared to have stronger local tastes and the desire to experience nature and the culture within their own country.
“They will choose places that are worth the price, and locations with good food and beverages,” she said.
“Gen Y is more focused on escapism, cultural diversity and historical places,” she said.
“They will visit national parks and wildlife refuges, and shop for branded products.”
As for Gen Z, she said, their attitude to travel tends towards social status, new experiences and shopping.
“They focus on challenging places, health treatment and sports activities,” she said.
LIVE: Russias Annexation Of Four Ukrainian Regions Expected Within Days Hindustan Times
LIVE: Russia’s Annexation Of Four Ukrainian Regions Expected Within Days – Hindustan Times https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/live-russias-annexation-of-four-ukrainian-regions-expected-within-days-hindustan-times/
Live
Updated on Sep 29, 2022 08:49 AM IST
Breaking news September 29, 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.
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Sep 29, 2022 08:49 AM IST
Can Lalu Yadav say he’s a PFI member? BJP on call for RSS ban
Reacting to the demand for a similar ban on RSS as that has been imposed on the Popular Front of India, BJP leaders said the difference is that they can call themselves ‘proud RSS workers’.
But can the opposition leaders who are raising the demand to ban RSS say that they are PFI members, the BJP leaders asked. Read more
Sep 29, 2022 07:24 AM IST
Jaishankar on ties with China: ‘Continue to strive for relationship built on…’
Foreign minister S Jaishankar has said India will maintain a relationship with China that is based on “mutual” sensitivity, respect, and interest. His remarks came during a media briefing on Wednesday as he responded to a question on the relationship between the two countries. Also read
Sep 29, 2022 05:44 AM IST
New CDS a border expert, collector of masks, keen golfer
The country’s new chief of defence staff (CDS), Lieutenant General Anil Chauhan (retd), is known to be an authority on border-related issues, has one of the best collections of masks from around the world in the armed forces, and has a solid golf swing, according to people who have known him from his younger days. Read more
Sep 29, 2022 05:42 AM IST
Russia’s annexation of four Ukrainian regions expected within days
Moscow was poised on Wednesday to annex a swath of Ukraine, releasing what it called vote tallies showing support in four partially occupied provinces to join Russia, after what Kyiv and the West denounced as illegal sham referendums held at gunpoint. Read more
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IAS officer in tears after seeing child injured in bus accident: ‘He can’t move’
Published on Sep 29, 2022 08:35 AM IST
Lakhimpur Kheri bus accident: Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Roshan Jacob can be heard asking the authorities whether a doctor can be called in there instead of referring the patient since the family cannot afford the cost.
Screengrab of video of an IAS officer inspecting a hospital where injured were receiving treatment following the accident in Lakhimpur Kheri.(ANI)
Can Lalu Yadav say he’s a PFI member? BJP on call for RSS ban
Published on Sep 29, 2022 07:34 AM IST
BJP’s Giriraj Singh said he can openly say that he is a proud RSS worker, but can Lalu Prasad Yadav say that he is a PFI member, the BJP leader asked. Madhya Pradesh home minister Narottam Singh threw the same challenge to Congress’s Digvijaya Singh
LIVE: Russia’s annexation of four Ukrainian regions expected within days
Updated on Sep 29, 2022 08:49 AM IST
Breaking news September 29, 2022: Get latest news, breaking news, latest updates, live news, top headlines, breaking business news and top news of the hour.
Centre okays 4% hike in DA to its employees
Published on Sep 29, 2022 12:27 AM IST
Ahead of the Diwali, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday raised the dearness allowance (DA) by four percentage points to 38% for 4.77 million central government employees.
ByRajeev Jayaswal, New Delhi
When 425k cusecs of water in Musi river wreaked havoc in Hyderabad’s worst-ever flood
Updated on Sep 29, 2022 12:26 AM IST
The memorial meet on Wednesday was organised in front of the famous “tamarind tree” at the park on the premises of Osmania General Hospital, which was not built then.
Rahul pays tributes to leader on penultimate day of yatra in Kerala
Published on Sep 29, 2022 12:23 AM IST
Gandhi, also the MP from Wayanad, said that he misses Aryadan Mohammed as he was a “secular and generous leader” who “worked tirelessly” for his constituency and the state.
Sympathise with victims of PFI violence: Professor whose hand was chopped off
Updated on Sep 29, 2022 12:21 AM IST
Professor TJ Joseph’s right palm was chopped off by a group of PFI workers in 2010 for setting a question paper for an internal exam in Thodipuzha’s Newman College that the organisation claimed carried some blasphemous contents.
My sympathies with victims: Prof whose hand was chopped off
Published on Sep 29, 2022 12:17 AM IST
On July 4, 2010, Joseph was waylaid and attacked by a group of PFI workers while he, along with his family, was returning home after the Sunday mass. After the incident, sweets were distributed in certain PFI strongholds in Malappuram and Kozhikode districts
PFI offices empty, most websites brought down
Updated on Sep 29, 2022 12:18 AM IST
Offices of the PFI in Kerala and other parts of the country on Wednesday wore a deserted look as the Centre announced a ban on the outfit for five years under the stringent anti-terror law UAPA over “links” with global terror groups and attempts to spread communal hatred in the country.
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Thursday, September 29, 2022
Things To Do In Rochester NY – Democrat & Chronicle https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/things-to-do-in-rochester-ny-democrat-chronicle-2/
Local events and things to do in Rochester, NY. Find sporting events, conferences, attractions and more, or promote your own event.
Sports Planner For Thursday – The Republic https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/sports-planner-for-thursday-the-republic-2/
COMING UP
Indianapolis Colts
Sunday vs. Titans, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Oct. 6 at Broncos, 8:15 p.m. (Prime Video)
Oct. 16 vs. Jaguars, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Indiana University football
Saturday at Nebraska, 7:30 p.m. (BTN)
Oct. 8 vs. Michigan, Noon (TBA)
Oct. 15 vs. Maryland, (TBA)
Purdue football
Saturday at Minnesota, Noon (ESPN2)
Oct. 8 at Maryland, Noon (TBA)
Oct. 15 vs. Nebraska, Noon (TBA)
Notre Dame football
Oct. 8 at BYU, 7:30 p.m. (NBC/Peacock)
Oct. 15 vs. Stanford, 7:30 p.m. (NBC/Peacock)
Oct. 22 vs. UNLV, 2:30 p.m. (Peacock)
Cincinnati Reds
Friday at Cubs, 2:20 p.m. (Bally Sports Indiana)
Saturday at Cubs, 2:20 p.m. (Bally Sports Indiana)
Sunday at Cubs, 2:20 p.m. (Bally Sports Indiana)
Indy Eleven
Saturday 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
Calvary Christian at Columbus Christian, 6:15 p.m.
Columbus East at Columbus North, 6:45 p.m.
Rushville at Hauser, 7:15 p.m.
Scottsburg at Jennings County, 7:15 p.m.
Brown County at Southwestern (Shelby), 7:15 p.m.
South Decatur at Rising Sun, 7:15 p.m.
Trinity Lutheran at Providence, 7:15 p.m.
Boys soccer
Hauser at Irvington Prep, 5:30 p.m.
Indian Creek at Brown County, 5:30 p.m.
New Albany at Jennings County, 7 p.m.
Girls soccer
Jennings County at Oldenburg Academy, 5:30 p.m.
Brown County at Indian Creek, 5:30 p.m.
Trinity Lutheran at Indianapolis Lutheran, 6 p.m.
Columbus East at Seymour, 7:15 p.m.
Cross-country
Hauser, South Decatur at Greensburg Invitational, 5 p.m.
Boys tennis
Columbus North vs. Brown County in North Sectional, 4:30 p.m.
Columbus East vs. Hauser in Columbus North Sectional, 4:30 p.m.
Trinity Lutheran vs. Seymour in Seymour Sectional, 4:45 p.m.
Jennings County vs. Southwestern (Hanover) in Jennings Sectional final, 5 p.m.
SPORTS ON TV TODAY
College football
South Carolina State at South Carolina, 7 p.m. (SEC)
Utah State at BYU, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Women’s college soccer
Notre Dame at Boston College, 6 p.m. (ACC)
Nebraska at Purdue, 6 p.m. (BTN)
Texas A&M at Arkansas, 7 p.m. (ESPNU)
Butler at Providence, 7 p.m. (FS1)
NC State at Clemson, 8 p.m. (ACC)
Michigan at Minnesota, 8 p.m. (BTN)
FIBA women’s basketball
World Cup: Semifinal, 3 a.m. Friday (ESPN2)
Golf
DP World Tour: The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, 7 a.m. (Golf Channel)
LPGA Tour: The Volunteers Of America Classic, 12:30 p.m. (Golf Channel)
PGA Tour: The Sanderson Farms Championship, 3:30 p.m. (Golf Channel)
NYRA: America’s Day at the Races, 1 p.m. (FS2)
MLB
Phillies at Cubs, 2 p.m., or Royals at Tigers, 1:10 p.m. (MLB)
Rays at Guardians, 6 p.m., or Marlins at Brewers, 7:40 p.m. (MLB)
Dodgers at Padres or Rangers at Mariners, 9:30 p.m. (MLB)
NBA
Preseason: Warriors at Wizards, 6 a.m. Friday (NBA)
NFL
Dolphins at Bengals, 8:15 p.m. (PrimeVideo)
NHL
Preseason: Devils at Rangers, 7 p.m. (NHL)
Preseason: Kraken at Caunucks, 9:30 p.m. (NHL)
Tennis
Seoul-ATP, Tel Aviv-ATP, Sofia-ATP, Tallinn-WTA Early Rounds; Parma-WTA Quarterfinals, 6 a.m. (Tennis)
Seoul-ATP, Tel Aviv-ATP, Sofia-ATP, Tallinn-WTA Quarterfinals; Parma-WTA Semifinals, 8:30 p.m. today and 6 a.m. Friday (Tennis)
AXA Enters Metaverse With The Sandbox To Offer Interactive Space For Customers Marketing Interactive
AXA Enters Metaverse With The Sandbox To Offer Interactive Space For Customers – Marketing Interactive https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/axa-enters-metaverse-with-the-sandbox-to-offer-interactive-space-for-customers-marketing-interactive/
AXA has partnered with The Sandbox, a decentralised gaming virtual world and a subsidiary of Animoca Brands, to enter the metaverse. The insurer has acquired a 3×3 LAND where it will provide an innovative interactive space for its customers.
Through its LAND, AXA Hong Kong will endeavour to provide fresh digital experiences to its customers, partnering to co-create the future of insurance in the metaverse.
Gary Ho, chief technology officer, AXA Hong Kong and Macau, said: “I’m honoured to announce that AXA has partnered with The Sandbox to expand our digital presence by setting foot in the metaverse. This collaboration has reflected AXA’s vision and interest to create the insurance of the future by bringing immersive experiences around sustainability, wellness, healthcare, and so much more. Stepping into the metaverse, we are thrilled to discover more captivating capabilities and use cases for AXA’s customers and the communities.”
JH Tang, digital transformation & strategy director, AXA Asia, said: “We are proud to be the pioneer in the Hong Kong insurance industry to partner with The Sandbox. AXA Hong Kong is dedicated to connecting the world by unfolding all kinds of inventive digital experiences. Stepping into the metaverse opens the door for cultural synergy and creates unlimited opportunities for us to explore the unknowns. Through our partnership, we aim to revolutionise the wellness and healthcare experiences for our customers and our markets in the broader regions by continuously driving innovation and technological development.”
Sebastien Borget, COO and co-founder of The Sandbox, said: “AXA’s milestone as the first insurance company in Hong Kong1 to join The Sandbox is another step toward our vision of the open metaverse as a new digital economy where industries, brands, and cultures from around the world interact with players and creators for mutual benefit. We’re glad to support AXA’s commitment to being a force for good and look forward to creating shared value for our communities.”
AXA has joined over 400 partners who have entered The Sandbox, including Warner Music Group, Ubisoft, The Rabbids, Tony Hawk, Gucci Vault, The Walking Dead, Snoop Dogg, Adidas, Deadmau5, Steve Aoki, Richie Hawtin, The Smurfs, Care Bears, Atari, ZEPETO, and CryptoKitties, all following The Sandbox team’s vision of empowering players to create their own experiences using both original and well-known characters and worlds
Related articles:
AXA debunks health and wealth myths with new playful campaign
AXA brings me-time to sandwich generation in Asia
A Kitchen Torch Is The Tool You Deserve (But Probably Dont Need) Bon Appetit
A Kitchen Torch Is The Tool You Deserve (But Probably Don’t “Need”) – Bon Appetit https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/a-kitchen-torch-is-the-tool-you-deserve-but-probably-dont-need-bon-appetit/
I’m not here to tell you that you need a kitchen torch; if you’re like most home cooks, you probably don’t. A culinary torch is the kind of kitchen tool that is necessary in only very specific situations—caramelizing the sugar on a crème brûlée, for instance, or blast-browning a sous vide steak—and if those situations don’t apply to you, well, use that cupboard space for something else.
Let’s be real, though: There are plenty of kitchen tools you don’t need but covet anyway. And in my humble opinion, the best kitchen torch is a whole lot more awesome than, say, a purpose-built squash seed-scraper, or a WiFi-enabled spoon rest. Because playing with fire is fun. And so are you. This is me giving you permission to buy one of the most fun kitchen gadgets out there just for the hell of it, even if all you ever do is dig it out of the cabinet every once in a while and click it on a few times when no one is looking. And who’s to say a cooking torch is just for cooking? Scare/impress your guests by using it to light some candles or get really into shou sugi ban—a propane torch is a multipurpose tool. You don’t need it, but you do deserve it.
If this entreaty is speaking to you in any way, here are some of the best kitchen torches to consider.
For culinary butane torch newbies: Jo Chef Butane Kitchen Torch
This little refillable butane torch can reach flame temperatures of up to 2730°F and is what you want for toasting a baked Alaska or lemon meringue pie, melting cheese atop French onion soup, or browning the marshmallow topping on a s’mores-inspired situation you found on Pinterest. You’ve seen something like this on The Great British Bake-Off, I’ll bet, a show I hear is very charming. The Jo Chef kitchen torch is lightweight, doesn’t take up too much space, and comes with about as much butane fuel as you’ll probably use in 10 years. (And if the fuel gauge shows you’re running low, not to worry, you can purchase additional compatible butane canisters.)
This cutie is great for kitchen blow torch beginners because of its intuitive design, safety lock to guard against accidental ignition, and adjustable flame size. It’s ideal for desserts because it’s easy to wield in tighter spaces—a tight little tongue of concentrated flame that won’t accidentally set your tablecloth on fire when you’re trying to torch a dessert tableside. It is also great for lighting rows of birthday candles for your grandma without getting Lighter Thumb.
Jo Chef Butane Kitchen Torch
For the pyromaniac in all of us (…just me?): Bernzomatic TS8000 High Intensity Torch
Often sold in hardware stores, Bernzomatic offers a wide array of professional-grade torches for everything from soldering to woodworking, with varying fuel types and flame intensities. While this particular model, the Bernzomatic TS8000, sounds like a character from the Terminator movies, it’s basically a small flamethrower, with the angled nozzle producing a whooshing jet of intense flame that, in all honesty, is kind of scary, but in a cool and fun way. The trigger unit itself is small and easy to stash in a drawer, which is a plus, but it needs to be attached to one of those bulky green propane cylinders you use with a camping stove in order to work, which makes the whole thing fairly heavy and awkward.
Bitcoin Rebounds And Circle CEO Discusses What To Expect From Crypto Regulation CNBC
Bitcoin Rebounds, And Circle CEO Discusses What To Expect From Crypto Regulation – CNBC https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/bitcoin-rebounds-and-circle-ceo-discusses-what-to-expect-from-crypto-regulation-cnbc/
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CNBC Crypto World features the latest news and daily trading updates from the digital currency markets and provides viewers with a look at what’s ahead with high-profile interviews, explainers, and unique stories from the ever-changing crypto industry. On today’s show, Jeremy Allaire, the CEO of Circle, discusses his outlook for crypto regulation.
10:46
Wed, Sep 28 20223:14 PM EDT
U.S. VP Harris To Slam North Korea Missile Test Visit DMZ Reuters.com
U.S. VP Harris To Slam North Korea Missile Test, Visit DMZ – Reuters.com https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/u-s-vp-harris-to-slam-north-korea-missile-test-visit-dmz-reuters-com/
US Vice President Kamala Harris arrives at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek on September 29, 2022. Jung Yeon-je/Pool via REUTERS
SEOUL, Sept 29 (Reuters) – U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is set to condemn North Korea’s weapons tests in Seoul ahead of her first visit to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the Koreas on Thursday, just hours after the isolated country test-fired missiles.
Harris landed in the South Korean capital early on Thursday and will condemn North Korea’s latest missile launch during planned talks with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, a White House official said.
She will also discuss Seoul’s concerns over changes in U.S. electric vehicle subsidies, trilateral relations involving Japan, and China’s action in the Taiwan Strait, the official said.
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Aides said the visit to DMZ is intended to show unwavering U.S. commitment to South Korea’s security but took on new urgency after the two short-range ballistic missiles were shot off North Korea’s east coast on Wednesday.
U.S. President Joe Biden’s aides have been shoring up alliances to manage China in the region, including over Taiwan. But South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol told CNN in an interview aired on Sunday that in a conflict over Taiwan, North Korea would be more likely to stage a provocation and that the alliance should focus on that concern first.
The missile test is the second since Sunday and comes two days after South Korea and U.S. forces conducted a military drill in waters off South Korea’s east coast involving an aircraft carrier.
North Korea’s Kim Jong Un has said it is developing nuclear weapons and missiles to defend against U.S. threats.
Following a stop at a military base in Japan, Harris called recent missile launches part of an “illicit weapons programme which threatens regional stability and violates multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions.”
Harris’ visit to the DMZ is the first by a senior Biden administration official and is expected to follow a meeting with Yoon.
Several former U.S. presidents, and Biden himself before he became president, have visited the DMZ, but former President Donald Trump became the first to have met a North Korean leader there when he held a third meeting with Kim Jong Un in 2019 as part of his unsuccessful effort to persuade Kim to give up his nuclear and missile programs.
The DMZ is often described as the world’s last Cold War frontier and has existed since the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a armistice rather than a peace treaty.
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Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Josie Kao and Stephen Coates
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Aussie Crickets $2m Problem Finally Fixed News.com.au
Aussie Cricket’s $2m Problem Finally Fixed – News.com.au https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/aussie-crickets-2m-problem-finally-fixed-news-com-au/
After years of begging and pleading, Australian cricket fans finally got their wish.
Cricket Australia has confirmed that DRS technology will be available for every Big Bash League match this summer, along with 24 games in the women’s competition.
Each team will receive one unsuccessful review per innings during the popular T20 competition, with the fielding captain or batter allocated 15 seconds to call for a review.
Ultra Edge, commonly referred to as Snicko, and ball-tracking will be available to the third umpire, but not Hotspot technology.
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Meanwhile, the Bash Boost point and X-Factor substitution rules, which divided cricket fans after their introduction in 2020, have been scrapped.
The Power Surge innovation, where batting sides can take a two-over Powerplay after the 10th over, has been retained and make its debut in the Women’s Big Bash League this season.
Also, fielding teams in the men’s competition will now be put on a countdown clock to ensure they start the final over of the innings within 79 minutes.
If they fail to do so, only four fielders will be permitted outside the inner ring for the remainder of the innings.
“Implementing DRS has been a challenging task for the BBL, which is the most logistically complex T20 league in the world,” Big Bash boss Alistair Dobson said in a statement.
“That, plus the impact of the pandemic on travel and movement, have meant the technology has not been possible to introduce until this season.
“Additionally, the League is pleased with the outcomes of the wider Playing Conditions review process, with the introduction of the Power Surge to WBBL and the BBL innings clock both major wins for fans.
“We retain a clear desire to innovate and drive our Leagues forward but are also willing to review decisions that have not realised the intended positive impact, such as the Bash Boost point and X-Factor substitution.”
Due to logistical and financial complications, partly caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, CA has been reluctant to introduce the DRS, which has become commonplace in international cricket and overseas tournaments such as the Indian Premier League and The Hundred.
The BBL will be played across 14 venues this season, and ensuring the review system is available for all 61 matches is a huge logistical challenge to CA — transporting equipment and operators from state to state was practically impossible last summer due to border restrictions.
Taking the full suite of technologies to regional venues is particularly costly — it’s estimated that having Snicko and ball-tracking available for the entire competition could cost up to $2 million.
“This game is moving forward quicker than a lot of people realise,” England batter Laurie Evans, who was retained by the Perth Scorchers at the Big Bash League Draft, told reporters last month.
“There’s a lot on the line for a lot of people … just an individual decision can change a career.
“A competition of this magnitude needs to have everything available to it, and be played at the highest possible level.
“DRS is one of those things we’re getting used to now as players around the T20 circuit, so it’s a great decision to have it.”
The late Shane Warne was also an outspoken advocate for DRS technology in the Big Bash, telling Fox Cricket in 2020: “Enough is enough. If we want to take this competition seriously, we’ve got to have DRS.
“Cricket Australia just have to pay for it. We can’t have these decisions.”
The 12th edition of the Big Bash League gets underway on Tuesday, December 13, while the women’s competition kicks off on Thursday, October 13.
PREP PREVIEW: Walker Valley Hopes For Turn-Around Against Rhea Co. The Chattanoogan
PREP PREVIEW: Walker Valley Hopes For Turn-Around Against Rhea Co. – The Chattanoogan https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/prep-preview-walker-valley-hopes-for-turn-around-against-rhea-co-the-chattanoogan/
CLEVELAND, Tenn. – So far the three-game losing streak Walker Valley is striving to work through hasn’t had an affect on the postseason outcome. All that will change this week, however, when the Mustangs play their first region game since early September Friday against Rhea County in Evensville.
It will be imperative for the Mustangs to clean up the myriad of mistakes made against Cleveland last week in a 34-3 loss.
“Obviously, we made some mistakes offensively where we had some open guys.
We seemed to not all be clicking at the same time,” Mustangs head coach Drew Akins. “If we were blocking well up front, we don’t make the the throw. If we make the throw sometimes we don’t catch it.”
The mistakes can be traced to a lack of experience at key positions according to Akins.
“When you go back to not having a lot of returning starters and you don’t have a lot of Friday night inexperience, you’re going to have bumps in the road. (Last) Friday night was a glaring example of that,” Akins said. “When you look at our talent we’re still very talented on offense We’ve just got to find a way to put it all together.”
The Mustangs will definitely need to put it all together quickly as hosting a postseason playoff game will likely hinge on their performance against the Golden Eagles in the Region 5-4A battle. Currently, the Mustangs are 1-0 in region play behind 2-0 McMinn County and ahead of 1-1 Rhea.
“I fully believe (quarterback) Evan (Schwarzl) is the guy. He’s one of the best quarterbacks that will ever come through here. He’s just going to have to gain experience and the more experience you gain the better you get,” stated the coach.
Schwarzl has enjoys a solid receiving corps featuring Tucker Ownby who has catches so far with more than 400 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. The bad news is Ownby is now drawing double and triple coverage leaving Schwarzl to look for open options.
Defensively, Akins feels the Mustangs did well even in a 31-point loss to the Blue Raiders.
“I think we had four, three-and-outs and a fourth-down stop. That’s five possessions they got us the ball right back. At the end they just got tired,” the coach admitted. “Zeke Garrison has really stepped up for us. He had eight tackles and an assist as a sophomore.”
Akins acknowledged his Herd is frustrated with the outcome the last three weeks, but said he knows Walker Valley wants to win a region championship and host a playoff game. He and his staff have worked hard to get the team to put frustrations in the past and look forward to what is still possible.
“There is something we can do about the region championship, it’s here in front of us. There is something we can do about hosting a playoff game, it’s here in front of us. That’s the conversations were having,” he said. “Our leadership understands that the games that matter are the region games. If we are able to fight through these next two games and find ways to win, we have a chance to host playoff games here. The biggest thing is, we can’t keep doing the same things and expect different results.”
One of the keys for the Mustangs is physically correcting mistakes made on the field to match the continued positive mental attitude Akins said they continue to hold tightly to.
The Mustangs’ wrangler said he and staff are working to get back to what proves to be successful in the early going and that is the running game.
“We’ve kind of neglected the run game. When Evan has had his best games he’s throwing the ball 15 to 20 times a game. When he’s had his worst games he’s throwing 15 to 30 times a game,” Akins emphasized. “We’ve got to do a better job of running the football, managing the clock and limiting possessions. We’ve put more on Evan’ shoulders and really that’s not fair to that kid.”
If the Mustangs are able to put up a running game against the Eagles no doubt the defense will benefit by being able to rest between possessions.
“We’ve got to get back and trust our run game. We’ve proven we can do it,” Akins said. “We’ve got to work that better in practice and trust in on Friday nights.”
The time is now for Akins and the Mustangs. Every game so far has mattered, but it didn’t matter in the long run. But, now every game really matters. Three of the final four regular season matchups come with postseason implications.
“I think our guys came back (from last week) with a great mentality. Their moral is really high. They are still doing what we ask them to do. They are still trying in practice and they are still giving us great effort. We still have their attention. We’re not fighting our own team. Our kids are willing to do whatever it takes to go win a ballgame, we’ve just go to make sure we are asking the right things as a coaching staff. Our leadership has been outstanding.”
Akins praised Jackson Gibson, Eli Denton — who leads the state in tackles with 72 solo stops and 38 assists — Tucker Ownby and Bradly Montgomery, who have, according to the coach, “have been awesome.”
“You can’t talk about hard times and then when you get in hard times you decide to quit. These kids aren’t quitting. They are giving great effort every single day,” Akins said. “We have to make sure as coaches we are asking them to give the effort in the right direction. I think we’ve done a good job building a plan this week that puts that effort in the right direction.”
Though the night wasn’t a successful on on the football field for the Mustangs, the team and community took pride in pregame ceremonies to bring focus to children and families battling childhood cancer.
“I was so proud of the “Go Gold” night we did last week. It was a really special night. I think the pregame of bringing the families out on the field was really cool. It was a special night for our community. Friday is the last day of September and it’s the last day of Pediatric Cancer Month. It was a cool night for our community to be able to recognize the importance of Pediatric Cancer awareness.”
As Adventure Travel Explodes Guides Say Goodbye To The Dirtbag Life Backpacker Backpacker Magazine
As Adventure Travel Explodes, Guides Say Goodbye To The Dirtbag Life – Backpacker – Backpacker Magazine https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/as-adventure-travel-explodes-guides-say-goodbye-to-the-dirtbag-life-backpacker-backpacker-magazine/
“], “filter”: { “nextExceptions”: “img, blockquote, div”, “nextContainsExceptions”: “img, blockquote”} }”
Mike Kmit didn’t always have his sights set on becoming a full-time outdoor guide. Fresh out of business school in 2017, he was juggling two part-time jobs as a night camp instructor at the Phoenix Zoo and as a footwear specialist at the REI store in Tempe, Arizona
“I had a coworker at REI who worked as a guide and he always had exciting tales about the gig,” said Kmit. His interest piqued, he signed up for a wilderness first responder class with NOLS and soon landed a job leading day hiking, biking, and rafting trips out of Scottsdale for local outfitter Arizona Outback Adventure (AOA), ”
“I was hired, largely, to smile and point out waterfalls while the senior guides handled most of the real guiding,” he said. “I didn’t know it at the time, but my training would be short and went like this: Come along as a guest for two training trips, learn all you can, and then fly, little birdie!”
Five years later, guiding is Kmit’s day to day. He now leads backpacking and camping adventures as a full-time multi-day interpretive guide with REI Experiences.
In 2020, 160.7 million Americans ages six and over participated in at least one outdoor activity—a total of 7.1 million more participants than in 2019, according to the Outdoor Industry Association. As more and more novices venture outside, guiding them has become big business. REI in particular saw a more than 60 percent increase over the last 12 months for its REI Experiences offerings, a growing roster of 124 multiday adventure travel trips led by professional local guides around the U.S.
As the business has grown, so have opportunities for guides. After REI acquired AOA in 2019 to grow its guide and trip capacity, Kmit says his life as a guide completely changed. Up until that point, he scrambled for consistent hours, scraped by on entry-level pay, and played it safe on backcountry adventures because of his limited health insurance coverage.
Post-acquisition, REI changed its pay format from a daily rate to an hourly rate to gain a competitive edge in a tight job market. Kmit’s upgraded gig guaranteed a 16-hour workday and overtime, which adds up quickly. To boot, guides received health insurance with an HSA option and they became eligible for paid vacation and sick time, a 401k plan, annual bonuses, and even sabbaticals—all the benefits of a quality, well-balanced occupation. He was no longer living the dirtbag lifestyle.
Mike Kmit at Utah’s Delicate Arch
“[Before guiding with REI], I remember feeling like it was a privilege to be doing the work I do,” said Kmit. “But that’s not to say you shouldn’t be making a decent living—especially when you’re responsible for keeping people safe in the backcountry and in potentially life-threatening situations.”
Kmit’s story mirrors many US-based guides’ paths into the industry—a journey that demands grueling hours of work, technical know-how, and life-saving wilderness skills (built over many tireless years in the field). Colby Brokvist, an expedition leader, guide, trainer, and author of The Professional Guide’s Handbook, says leveling up to full-time work, or even leading global expeditions, requires an additional tier of experience, leadership, and professionalism in the guiding world.
“It’s easy to go out there and lead a river rafting trip or a top-rope climb for a day—but it’s not until [the guides] have long-term wilderness experience that they reach the heart of guiding: The real-life leadership, team, and risk management, and operations and logistics execution,” said Brokvist. “These sorts of things require operating at a higher level and come with more experience, training, and bigger knowledge base.”
Both Kmit and Brokvist also attest to the fact that guiding is a job of many jobs.
Not only are they providing an entertaining and awe-inspiring experience in the wilderness; They also take on the job of leader, role model, coach, environmental teacher, and literal lifesavers.
“Every guide has different skills, stories, and passions they bring with them to work every day,” said Kmit. “If [travelers] want to hone their backpacking or camping skills, or learn more about flora, fauna, geology, indigenous cultures, and other elements of the natural world—guides will be able to speak to those things. You walk away from a trip not just loving a place, but feeling a depth of connection you wouldn’t get by merely showing up and reading a few signs.”
In his book, Brokvist describes one of many roles that guides must play as “The Interpreter.” This role requires guides to develop curiosity among travelers by helping people think more deeply about the places that they’re in.
“Being the Interpreter means guides can provide insight and commentary along trips that focus on things like responsible visitation and conservation, social empowerment, and amplifying local voices. Guides can help connect the guests with local stories—whether they be ecological, cultural, social, economic—to build deeper connections with the people and the places and the wildlife that they’re visiting with.”
The market for guides may only be growing, too. In addition to multiday adventure trips, REI also continues to host day trips and educational programming in 14 cities to teach and help people sharpen their outdoor skill sets for activities like camping, cycling, paddling, and climbing.
Mark Seidl, REI Experiences divisional vice president, says the company has big goals for meeting and driving demand for multiday adventure travel trips, tours, and rentals; the goal, he says, is to get 3 million people outside every year. The company also recognizes that the quality and output of its team of thousands of guides remain a major reason for their success.
“We believe the guide is the product and they are the most important part of the customer experience. REI is committed to ensuring we attract and retain the best guides in the industry—whether they are seasoned or just starting their career—and our benefits and pay reflect this intention.”
As interest in guided outdoor adventures continues to explode, outfitters like REI have their work cut out for them to continue attracting and hiring high-quality guides fit for leading groups into the wilderness.
“What used to be a dirtbag summer hustle has evolved into a year-round respectable gig with long-term desirability in pay, benefits, and quality of life,” said Kmit. “There’s now an opportunity to view guiding in a professional light.”
ISEEK Has Acquired South Australian Data Centre YourDC Tech Business News
ISEEK Has Acquired South Australian Data Centre, YourDC – Tech Business News https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/iseek-has-acquired-south-australian-data-centre-yourdc-tech-business-news/
Leading Australian digital infrastructure operator iseek has expanded its national footprint, acquiring South Australia’s premier data centre, YourDC
The acquisition broadens iseek’s co-location, cloud, and connectivity offering to seven data centres across Brisbane, Northern Queensland, Sydney, and Adelaide.
YourDC operates South Australia’s biggest ecosystem of data centres, clouds, and managed services, and two of those are in Adelaide andprovides data centre co-location and connectivity services to government, defence, and enterprise customers.
YourDC’s highly experienced management team, led by co-founder and CEO Scott Hicks, will continue to operate, and remain invested in the business.
Queensland-headquartered iseek has been providing critical digital infrastructure and connectivity services to government and national enterprises for more than two decades.
iseek founder and CEO Jason Gomersall said, “Our acquisition of YourDC is game-changing for our growth trajectory.”
“It provides us a large footprint in South Australia, strengthens our national offering, and increases our exposure within the defence and education sectors.”
“The complementary businesses are market leaders in their respective states with proven track records of delivering secure and reliable critical infrastructure to large-scale government and enterprise customers.”
“Importantly, YourDC’s customer-centric culture aligns with ours and we are retaining its high-performing team and valuable long-term customer relationships.” says Gomersall
YourDC founder and CEO Scott Hicks said, “Our acquisition by iseek will facilitate our next growth phase, expanding our data centre capacity to capitalise on significant market demand and growth opportunities.”
“As founder-led businesses, YourDC and iseek have multiple synergies with the acquisition enabling us to offer additional digital and co-location services.” said Hicks
“As the largest data centre provider in South Australia, YourDC is already increasing its IT load capacity to cater to the state’s growing digital infrastructure requirements with future facility expansion opportunities available at its existing sites.” added Gomersall
The acquisition also enables YourDC to leverage iseek’s platform to cross-sell additional digital infrastructure solutions to its customers.”
Amber Infrastructure, a specialist infrastructure investor and manager, acquired a majority stake in iseek last year to grow the business’ footprint and service offering.
Amber Infrastructure Investment Director, Tristan Evans said, “We see strong growth opportunities for iseek, supported by the industry shift towards outsourced digital infrastructure.
“This shift is being driven by increased demand for data storage, greater data sovereignty, and the need for data protection in regions,” said Evans.
YourDC operates two data centres north and south of Adelaide, which are connected by a dedicated fibre ring. These include:
ADL1 Hawthorn has 580 square metres (6,250 square feet) of technical space across two data halls with capacity for 220 racks
ADL2 Edinburgh Parks was opened in 2016 and offers 2,280 metres (24,550 feet) of technical space in up to 20 rooms capable of accommodating up to 800 racks.
Brisbane-based iseek has been offering cloud and connectivity services from five data centres in Brisbane, Northern Queensland, and Sydney since 2000.
Earlier this month iseek was also awarded the Queensland State Government’s core network data centre as-a-service (DCaaS) contract after a competitive procurement process undertaken by CITEC.
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Cooking Class To Help Reduce Risk Of Gynecological Cancers At Northern Westchester Hospitals Center For Healthy Living TAPinto.net
Cooking Class To Help Reduce Risk Of Gynecological Cancers At Northern Westchester Hospital’s Center For Healthy Living – TAPinto.net https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/cooking-class-to-help-reduce-risk-of-gynecological-cancers-at-northern-westchester-hospitals-center-for-healthy-living-tapinto-net/
Cooking class to help reduce risk of gynecological cancers at Northern Westchester Hospital’s Center for Healthy Living TAPinto.net
NFL Week 4 Injuries: Tua Tagovailoa Jaylen Waddle Questionable; Christian McCaffrey Misses Practice CBS Sports
NFL Week 4 Injuries: Tua Tagovailoa, Jaylen Waddle Questionable; Christian McCaffrey Misses Practice – CBS Sports https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/nfl-week-4-injuries-tua-tagovailoa-jaylen-waddle-questionable-christian-mccaffrey-misses-practice-cbs-sports/
Another week, another list of notable NFL players whose health statuses are the topic of major conversation. Dak Prescott kicked things off earlier in the week when he did not rule out playing this Sunday after having the stitches removed from his surgically repaired thumb. Prescott is itching to get back on the field after watching teammate and backup Cooper Rush lead the Cowboys to a pair of wins over the past two weeks.
Prescott isn’t the only notable player who is dealing with an injury. Christian McCaffrey sat out Panthers practice nursing a thigh injury. Tua Tagovailoa’s status for Miami’s Thursday night game in Cincinnati remains in question after he was injured during this past Sunday’s dramatic win over Buffalo. Keenan Allen is hoping to play for the first time since injuring his hamstring in the Chargers’ season-opener. Jets fans are hoping that Zach Wilson get make his season debut this Sunday in Pittsburgh, where Steelers fans are keeping their fingers crossed that Minkah Fitzpatrick can play after entering the concussion protocol.
Here’s a look at each of those injuries as well as every other significant injury entering the NFL‘s fourth week of the regular season.
Dolphins at Bengals (Thursday night)
Dolphins: TE Cethan Carter (concussion), TE Hunter Long (ankle) OUT; OT Terron Armstead (toe), CB Xavien Howard (groin/glute), S Brandon Jones (chest), QB Tua Tagovailoa (back/ankle), WR Jaylen Waddle (groin), DT Raekwon Davis (knee), WR Ced Wilson (ribs/toe) QUESTIONABLE
Bengals: DT D.J. Reader (knee), TE Drew Sample (knee) OUT; OT La’el Collins (back), LB Germaine Pratt (knee) QUESTIONABLE
The Dolphins have a myriad of injuries this week to be wary of. Their left tackle, Armstead, is questionable with a toe injury, and two wide receivers, Waddle and Wilson, are questionable as well. Both were limited participants Tuesday and Wednesday, which bodes well for their statuses tomorrow night. The headline of course is Tagovailoa, who is dealing with back and ankle issues. While he’s officially listed as questionable, he did say Wednesday that he plans to play, and he was limited in the final two practice sessions. The star cornerback, Howard, was limited Tuesday and Wednesday as well with groin and glute issues.
Reader and Sample did not practice at all this week for the Bengals, so them being ruled out for Thursday night is not surprising. Cincy will certainly want its right tackle, Collins, in the starting lineup. He sat out of practice Monday and Tuesday but returned as a full participant Wednesday — which bodes well for his status. As for Pratt, he was a full participant in the final two practice sessions after being limited Monday.
Vikings at Saints (London)
Vikings: Cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. (quad), running back Dalvin Cook (shoulder), fullback C.J. Ham (foot) and pass-rusher Za’Darius Smith (knee) did not practice Wednesday for the Vikings. Linebacker Eric Kendricks (toe) and safety Harrison Smith (concussion) were also listed on the injury report, but they were full participants.
Saints: QB Jameis Winston did not practice Wednesday, as he has been dealing with back and ankle injuries, but he is expected to practice on Thursday. Receivers Michael Thomas (toe) and Jarvis Landry (ankle) did not practice along with offensive guard Andrus Peat (concussion), while running back Alvin Kamara (rib) was limited. Cornerback Paulson Adebo (ankle), defensive end Marcus Davenport (shoulder), defensive back J.T. Gray (shoulder), wide receiver Deonte Harty (foot), wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith (concussion), tight end Taysom Hill (rib) and safety Marcus Maye (rib) were limited participants.
Browns at Falcons
Browns: Myles Garrett did not practice Wednesday as he continues to recover from Monday’s single-car accident. Garrett, who suffered minor injuries during the crash, has not been ruled out for Sunday’s game. Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (biceps), defensive tackle Taven Bryan (hamstring), defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (ankle), offensive tackle Joe Haeg (concussion), linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (groin) and cornerback Denzel Ward (back/ribs) did not practice Wednesday, either. Offensive tackle Jack Conklin was limited with a knee injury.
Falcons: Cordarrelle Patterson was the only Falcons player who did not practice Wednesday. Atlanta’s dual threat was given the day off to rest his injured knee.
Bills at Ravens
Bills: For the Bills, defensive tackle Jordan Phillips (hamstring), offensive guard Ryan Bates (concussion) cornerback Christian Benford (hand), offensive tackle Dion Dawkins (illness) and wide receiver Jake Kumerow (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. Defensive tackle Ed Oliver (ankle), tight end Dawson Knox (back/hip), safety Jordan Poyer (foot), wide receiver Gabe Davis (ankle), cornerback Dane Jackson (neck), cornerback Cam Lewis (forearm/knee), center Mitch Morse (elbow) and offensive tackle Justin Murray (foot) were limited participants. No doubt about it, the Bills are banged-up.
Ravens: The Ravens that missed Wednesday’s practice session for medical reasons were pass-rusher Justin Houston (groin), offensive tackle Patrick Mekari (ankle) and nose tackle Michael Pierce (biceps). Running back J.K. Dobbins was limited with a chest injury. Maybe the headline of Baltimore’s injury report Wednesday was that offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley was a full participant with his ankle injury.
Commanders at Cowboys
Commanders: Four Washington offensive linemen either didn’t practice or practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday. Tackle Charles Leno (shoulder) and center Wes Schweitzer (concussion) did not practice, while Saahdiq Charles (shoulder) and Sam Cosmi (knee) were limited.
Cowboys: Star quarterback Dak Prescott again did not practice due to his right thumb injury. Safety Jayron Kearse (knee), defensive lineman DeMarcus Lawrence (foot), offensive lineman Connor McGovern (ankle) and tight end Dalton Schultz (knee) were limited participants on Wednesday. If you were wondering about wide receiver Michael Gallup, he was a full participant with his ACL injury. He is nearing his season debut.
Seahawks at Lions
Seahawks: Analysis to come.
Lions: The Lions were missing many players at practice on Wednesday. Among them were linebacker Chris Board (knee), defensive end John Cominsky (wrist), tight end T.J. Hockenson (foot), offensive guard Jonah Jackson (finger), wide receiver Josh Reynolds (ankle), kicker Austin Seibert (right groin), wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) and running back D’Andre Swift (ankle/shoulder). Wide receiver D.J. Chark was limited with an ankle injury.
Chargers at Texans
Chargers: Chargers coach Brandon Staley announced Wednesday that pass rusher Joey Bosa will be placed on injured reserve as he is dealing with a groin injury. Bosa, who will undergo surgery, is expected to return at some point this season. Wide receiver Keenan Allen (hamstring), quarterback Justin Herbert (ribs), cornerback J.C. Jackson (ankle), center Corey Linsley (knee) and tight end Donald Parham (hamstring) were limited participants on Wednesday.
Texans: For Houston, defensive tackle Maliek Collins (knee), offensive tackle Austin Deculus (ankle), defensive lineman Kurt Hinish (foot), tight end Brevin Jordan (ankle) and linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (back) did not practice on Wednesday. Linebacker Blake Cashman (hip), running back Dameon Pierce (hip), cornerback M.J. Stewart (hip) and cornerback Isaac Yiadom (thigh) were limited participants.
Titans at Colts
Titans: The Titans had several starters miss practice on Wednesday, as wide receiver Treylon Burks (illness), linebacker Zach Cunningham (elbow), safety Amani Hooker (concussion) and tight end Austin Hooper (neck) sat out. Pass-rusher Ola Adeniyi (neck), cornerback Kristian Fulton (knee) and wide receiver Kyle Phillips (shoulder) were limited.
Colts: The Colts have some injuries worth keeping an eye on this week. Star running back Jonathan Taylor missed his first-ever NFL practice with a toe issue. Joining him as inactive on Wednesday were safety Julian Blackmon (ankle), defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (elbow), cornerback Stephon Gilmore (hamstring), center Ryan Kelly (knee) and defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (back). Offensive tackle Bernhard Raimann was limited with an ankle injury as well, but what was really good news for the Colts was that Shaquille Leonard was a full participant with his back issue.
Bears at Giants
Bears: Bears running back David Montgomery did not practice on Wednesday due to ankle/knee injuries, and how he progresses through the week will be something to watch. Linebacker Matthew Adams (hamstring), safety Dane Cruikshank (hamstring) and cornerback Jaylon Johnson (quad) also did not practice. Tight end Ryan Griffin (Achilles), wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (hamstring) and linebacker Roquan Smith (quad) were limited participants.
Giants: Sterling Shepard (knee) did not practice, which was expected as he is slated to go on injured reserve after tearing his ACL in Monday’s loss to the Cowboys. Fellow wideout Wan’Dale Robinson also did not practice on Wednesday as he is dealing with a hamstring injury. Defensive lineman Leonard Williams (knee), linebacker Jihad Ward (knee), wide receiver Kadarius Toney (hamstring) cornerback Nick McCloud (hamstring) and cornerback Cordale Flott (calf) also did not practice on Wednesday. Cornerback Justin Layne (concussion) and Aaron Robinson (appendix) were limited participants.
Jaguars at Eagles
Jaguars: The Jaguars had just a couple of names on their Wednesday injury report, as offensive guard Cole Van Lanen did not practice with a hamstring injury, and cornerback Shaquill Griffi...
