Denton County News Online

New Projects In North Texas For Sept. 26 – Dallas Business Journal – The Business Journals https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/new-projects-in-north-texas-for-sept-26-dallas-business-journal-the-business-journals/ New projects in North Texas for Sept. 26 – Dallas Business Journal  The Business Journals

Best Beaches In America For Families, Relaxing, Snorkeling And More. – USA TODAY https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/best-beaches-in-america-for-families-relaxing-snorkeling-and-more-usa-today/ The quintessential American summer is not complete without a trip to the beach. In 2019, the U.S. Lifesaving Association recorded over 400 million visits to American beaches. There is no shortage of beach in the United States. The nation has 95,471 miles of shoreline, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — but not every mile is created equal. Whether you’re looking for a wild beach, a party beach, a beach with a developed boardwalk or an underwater paradise to explore with a snorkel or scuba gear, we’ve got lots of recommendations for you. What are the best beaches in America? To answer this question, we’ve broken down U.S. beaches into a few categories — boardwalk beaches, undeveloped beaches, family beaches, party beaches and beaches for snorkeling. Here are the highlights of each category. Best Beaches with a Boardwalk If you’re looking for a beach with more than just a nice view, a beach with a boardwalk might be the best choice for your trip. With food options, souvenir shops and even built-in amusement parks, boardwalks can add great variety to your experience. Some of the best boardwalks in the United States, according to Attractions of America: Atlantic City Boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey Coney Island Boardwalk in Brooklyn, New York Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in Santa Cruz, California Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Ocean City Boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware Virginia Beach Boardwalk in Virginia Beach, Virginia  Kemah Boardwalk in Kemah, Texas Mission Beach Boardwalk in San Diego, California Best Uncrowded Beaches If you’re looking for a more tranquil trip, it might be best to find a less-developed beach area to get rest and relaxation while avoiding crowds. According to The Culture Trip, here are some of the best uncrowded beaches in the U.S.: Sandbridge Beach in Virginia Cumberland Island in Georgia Carova Beach in North Carolina Enderts Beach in California Montaña de Oro State Park in California Wildcat Beach in California Dry Tortugas in Florida St. Joseph Peninsula State Park in Florida Awahua Beach in Hawaii Kauapea Beach in Hawaii Fall foliage family fun: Skip the highway and jump on any of these 10 best fall train rides Family flying: How to sit together on the plane (and get the best seats) Best Family Beaches According to U.S. News & World Report, some factors to consider when planning a family trip are “kid-friendly attractions, dining options, spacious accommodations and multigenerational appeal.” According to these criteria, they ranked these destinations as the best in the nation for families: Outer Banks, North Carolina Destin, Florida Sanibel Island, Florida Maui, Hawaii Amelia Island, Florida Hilton Head, South Carolina Honolulu, Hawaii Cape May, New Jersey Kennebunkport, Maine Myrtle Beach, South Carolina St. Augustine, Florida Laguna Beach, California Bald Head Island, North Carolina Monterey, California Nantucket, Massachusetts Best Party Beaches If you are of drinking age and looking for a good time, here are some beaches for those looking to party, according to Complex: Venice Beach in Los Angeles, California Santa Catalina Island, California South Beach in Miami, Florida South Padre Island in Cameron County, Texas Virginia Beach, Virginia Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York Seaside Heights in Ocean County, New Jersey Panama City Beach in Bay County, Florida Daytona Beach in Volusia County, Florida Santa Monica Beach in Santa Monica, California Just curious?: We’re here to answer your everyday questions. Comparable: Where’d you spend your summer vacation? How does it measure to presidents’ favorite spots? Best Beaches for Snorkeling If you’re looking to see beautiful sights and diverse wildlife underwater, here are the beaches Tripadvisor recommends for snorkeling: Key West, Florida Crystal River, Florida Lahaina, Hawaii St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands Honolulu, Hawaii Big Pine Key, Florida Catalina Island, California Poipu, Hawaii Key Largo, Florida Kapolei, Hawaii Hatteras Island, North Carolina Captain Cook, Hawaii La Jolla, California Panama City Beach, Florida South Padre Island, Texas

Live News Updates: France Keen To Push Through Nuclear Reactor Plans – Financial Times https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/live-news-updates-france-keen-to-push-through-nuclear-reactor-plans-financial-times/ Choose your subscription Trial Try full digital access and see why over 1 million readers subscribe to the FT For 4 weeks receive unlimited Premium digital access to the FT’s trusted, award-winning business news Digital Be informed with the essential news and opinion MyFT – track the topics most important to you FT Weekend – full access to the weekend content Mobile & Tablet Apps – download to read on the go Gift Article – share up to 10 articles a month with family, friends and colleagues Print FT print edition delivered Monday – Saturday along with ePaper access Delivery to your home or office Monday to Saturday FT Weekend paper – a stimulating blend of news and lifestyle features ePaper access – the digital replica of the printed newspaper Team or Enterprise Premium FT.com access for multiple users, with integrations & admin tools Group Subscription Premium Digital access, plus: Convenient access for groups of users Integration with third party platforms and CRM systems Usage based pricing and volume discounts for multiple users Subscription management tools and usage reporting SAML-based single sign-on (SSO) Dedicated account and customer success teams Or, if you are already a subscriber Sign in Are you a student or a professor? Check if your university has an FT membership to read for free. Check my access

Food Insecurity In The US: An Explainer And Research Roundup – Journalist’s Resource https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/food-insecurity-in-the-us-an-explainer-and-research-roundup-journalists-resource/ On Sept. 28, the White House is hosting a conference on hunger, nutrition and health and plans to announce a national strategy to address issues such as food insecurity in the United States. The Biden-Harris administration’s goal is to end hunger and increase healthy eating and physical activity by 2030 in order to reduce the rates of chronic diseases like diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure. “Lack of access to healthy, safe, and affordable food, and to safe outdoor spaces, contributes to hunger, diet-related diseases, and health disparities,” according to the conference’s website. “The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these challenges further. It’s been more than 50 years since the White House has held such a conference. The first and only White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, and Health was held in 1969 during the Nixon Administration and it led to the launch of programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — or SNAP — the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children — known as WIC — and changes to food labels. When the first conference was held, one of the main concerns was that families and children were not getting enough calories. In the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s conditions like rickets and night blindness were common as a result of vitamin deficiencies, explained Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, a renowned expert on food systems and cardiologist, in a Sept. 22 video conversation about the White House conference, hosted by “Conversations on Health Care,” which regularly features discussions on health policy and innovation with industry experts. “We have addressed those, but what we have now is kind of a mess of a situation where more Americans are sick than healthy from diet-related diseases like obesity, diabetes and hypertension,” said Mozaffarian, Jean Mayer Professor at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. “And at the same time, we have people who are food insecure.” Mozaffarian is one of the co-chairs of an initiative that has been informing the White House conference on hunger and has produced a report with 30 policy recommendations. They include strengthening the existing federal nutrition programs such as WIC, accelerating access to “Food Is Medicine” services to prevent and treat diet-related diseases and establishing a new structure and authority within the federal government to coordinate various hunger, nutrition and health efforts across agencies. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic has not only disrupted access to food for some, including children who relied on school lunches, it also has highlighted the link between diet-related diseases such as obesity and worse outcomes from a COVID-19 infection. Although average income and employment numbers have improved since 2020, “some U.S. households continue to face difficulties obtaining adequate food, particularly in the face of increasing food prices,” according to a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Nearly 30% of the world population — or 2.3 billion people — were food insecure in 2021, according to the United Nation’s report on the state of food security and nutrition, published in July 2022. That’s 350 million more people compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic began. In the U.S., 10.2% of households were food insecure in 2021, which was not significantly different from 10.5% in 2020, according to the latest USDA data. Food insecurity The USDA defines food security as “access by all people at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life.” Food insecurity occurs when people have limited or uncertain access to healthy, affordable food because of a lack of money and other resources, according to the USDA. Food insecurity may be influenced by factors such as income, employment, race and ethnicity, and disability. Food insecurity is considered one of the social determinants of health. It has been associated with higher rates of obesity, chronic diseases and developmental problems in children. Food insecurity can also affect mental health, studies show. “Although having a chronic physical and/or mental health condition can be a precursor to food insecurity, research also shows that food insecurity itself causes considerable stress and anxiety, which can exacerbate pre-existing mental illnesses,” according to a June 2022 study from the United Kingdom, published in BJPsych Advances. Food insecurity disproportionately impacts communities of color, people living in rural areas, people with disabilities, older adults, LGBTQ+ individuals, military families and veterans, said the U.S. Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Rachel L. Levine in a public video conference on Friday, Sept. 23, previewing the upcoming White House conference on hunger. “No one should wonder where their next meal is coming from, or if they will have a safe opportunity to be physically active,” she said. In 2006, the USDA introduced new terminology to describe American households’ access to food, ranging from “high” and “marginal” to “low” and “very low” food security. The low and very low food security levels are also described as “food insecurity.” Food security levels are typically measured at the household level. The USDA monitors levels of food insecurity through an annual survey of U.S. households. The agency’s 2021 survey, which included 30,343 households, finds 10.2%, or 13.5 million, U.S. households were food insecure and had difficulty at some points during the year providing enough food for everyone in the household due to lack of resources. The rate was 10.5% in 2020 and 2019. In total, 33.8 million people lived in food-insecure households in 2021. The reports also provide state-by-state data. Rates of food insecurity were higher among certain groups, including single women with children, Black and Hispanic individuals, and households with income below the federal poverty line, which was $27,479 annually for a family of four in 2021. Food security levels also vary by state, ranging from a low of 5.4% in New Hampshire to a high of 15.3% in Mississippi, according to the 2021 USDA report. In the U.S., food assistance programs such as SNAP, WIC and the National School Lunch Program may help reduce food insecurity, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The U.S. rate of food insecurity is comparable to rates in other developed nations, although it is higher than some, including France, Germany, Austria and the United Kingdom, according to an analysis of 2019 data by Our World in Data, an organization that published research and data about world’s largest problems. Some of the highest rates of food insecurity are seen in parts of Africa, South America and the Middle East. Food deserts The term “food desert” was coined in the early 1990s by the Scottish Nutrition Task Force. Food deserts are defined as geographic areas where there’s a dearth of supermarkets, food retailers or other sources of healthy and affordable food. In many instances, these areas are low-income communities. In its Food Access Research Atlas, the USDA maps food access indicators — mainly distance from supermarkets — in relation to poverty. Distance to food stores is measured in half-mile and 1-mile increments in urban areas and 10- and 20-mile increments in rural areas. For instance, a low income, low access area is where at least 500 people, or 33% of the population, lives more than one mile in an urban area or more than 10 miles in a rural area from the nearest supermarket, supercenter or large grocery store, according to the agency. The agency also has a Food Environment Atlas, which examines how factors such as store or restaurant proximity, food prices, food and nutrition assistance programs, and community characteristics interact to influence food choices and diet quality.  Lack of access to healthy food options is associated with poorer health outcomes, studies have shown. “A consequence of poor supermarket access is that residents have increased exposure to energy-dense food (’empty calorie’ food) readily available at convenience stores and fast-food restaurants,” according to the 2010 study “Disparities and Access to Healthy Food in the United States: A Review of Food Deserts Literature.” “It is documented that a diet filled with processed foods, frequently containing high contents of fat, sugar and sodium, often leading to poorer health outcomes compared to a diet high in complex carbohydrates and fiber,” the authors write. Maintaining a healthy diet may be difficult for low-income people for several reasons. They may not be able to afford healthier options or lack transportation to a supermarket outside of their neighborhood. “I think there are some people that make it seem like poor people are ignorant” about what healthy food choices are, said Dan Glickman, the former Secretary of Agriculture, in the video conversation including Mozaffarian and hosted by “Conversations on Health Care.” “And that’s just not true at all. There are certainly economic disincentives for them to be able to purchase, in many cases, fresh produce in the same capacities for the higher-income people.” There have been efforts to bring healthy food options to underserved areas. In 2010, former First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” campaign announced the goal of eradicating food deserts by 2017, according to “Food Deserts: Myth or Reality?” published in the Annual Review of Resource Economics in October 2021. In 2011, the Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) was established at the Department of the Treasury and HHS. The 2014 Farm Bill – or the Agricultural Act of 2014 — officially established HFFI at the USDA. The program provides grants to comm...

Sports Illustrated Expands Golf Coverage, Acquires Morning Read – Sports Illustrated https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/sports-illustrated-expands-golf-coverage-acquires-morning-read-sports-illustrated/ A new chapter in Sports Illustrated’s golf coverage is about to begin. Today The Arena Group, which publishes Sports Illustrated, announced the formal acquisition of Morning Read, which was owned by Buffalo Groupe. As a reader, you may have been aware that SI.com and Morning Read have been working together as editorial partners for more than a year. That partnership turned out to be a win for both companies, but most importantly, it was a boon for readers, because together SI and MR reached farther and deeper with coverage and created a must-read daily destination for golf enthusiasts. So, now what? To put it simply: Sports Illustrated’s golf coverage is about to go to another level. Here is what this new chapter means for you. First, subscribers to Morning Read newsletters will continue to receive them in inboxes six days a week, with travel- and equipment-focused editions on Tuesdays and Fridays. (And if you aren’t signed up for those free newsletters, what are you waiting for?) SI’s golf homepage address remains the same and has a new look, and expect it to look and feel more dynamic as SI Golf evolves. Next, a brief reminder: some of the greatest sportswriters ever to wield a notepad have graced SI’s pages while covering this game, from Grantland Rice, Herbert Warren Wind and Dan Jenkins, to Frank Deford, Rick Reilly, Alan Shipnuck and Michael Bamberger. The SI.com Vault is a treasure trove of some of the greatest game stories, features and profiles ever written about golf. A fan can get lost in it for a long time. Frankly, there are worse ways to spend a weekend. Now we’re ready to add to that storied history with more news, features and analysis every day. Count on SI.com’s golf coverage to be an industry leader for original reporting. (For recent examples, see our news about LIV Golf’s 2023 schedule, or our interview with Phil Mickelson.) Our top reporters in the field, Bob Harig and Alex Miceli, are industry stalwarts who combined may have the entire PGA, LPGA, European and LIV Golf tours in their respective rolodexes. They, along with Senior Editor John Schwarb, will join SI Senior Writers Michael Rosenberg and Stephanie Apstein to give us quite possibly the most robust golf news team in the business. And we aren’t stopping there: we’re also hiring a new reporter to join our crew as we continue to grow. Our evolution will expand beyond tour news – we plan to bolster our coverage for other topics that interest golf fans, including equipment, travel destinations, and gaming and gambling. Look for more new features coming soon in those areas, plus many more. It’s an exciting time on the golf beat, and we wouldn’t be here without you. Here’s to all that’s ahead at SI Golf, ready for liftoff. Jeff Ritter Managing Director Here’s the full release announcing the Sports Illustrated/Morning Read acquisition: NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Arena Group (NYSE American: AREN) (the “Company” or “The Arena Group”), the tech-powered media company operating more than 240 brands, including Sports Illustrated, TheStreet and Parade, today finalized its purchase of golf publisher Morning Read from Buffalo Groupe, LLC. The acquisition continues the expansion of The Arena Group’s sports vertical, focusing on in-depth coverage of the golf world – from breaking news and championship coverage to podcasts, video travel, and interview series at SI.com/golf. With the acquisition, the Company will rebrand its golf coverage to SI Golf. The addition of Morning Read’s industry-leading and trusted editorial team, highly engaged newsletter subscriber base, and strong e-commerce business will accelerate revenue and audience growth across The Arena Group’s sports media vertical. According to Google Analytics, Sports Illustrated Media Group reported 174% year-over-year growth in average monthly page views in the second quarter. Across all verticals, the Company reached 1.5 billion visitors last quarter and has established an avid golf audience of 40 million monthly digital visitors (according to Liveramp and Google Analytics). “This is another step in growing quality storytelling and experiences for consumers, further expanding our footprint in one of the most valuable categories in all of sports,” said Ross Levinsohn, CEO of The Arena Group and Sports Illustrated. “The evolution of our year-long relationship with Morning Read created an exceptional opportunity for our sports arena to expand SI’s illustrious golf coverage with a talented in-house editorial team,” said Chris Pirrone, SVP & General Manager of Sports Illustrated Media Group. “We are excited to add depth and expertise on professional and amateur golfers, influencers, culture, equipment, travel and much more, for the high household income visitors who frequent our sports, finance, and lifestyle brands.” Morning Read first became an editorial partner with The Arena Group in 2021, providing compelling coverage around the PGA Tour, the LPGA Tour, and the newly formed LIV Golf Tour, plus original videos and podcasts. Morning Read’s editorial team joins The Arena Group alongside Sports Illustrated journalists and award-winning editorial staff to deliver print and digital content across all platforms. The team will report to Managing Director of SI Golf, Jeff Ritter, with the recent addition of Billy Condon from Golfweek to lead the golf revenue strategy. “Morning Read was created for golf enthusiasts to start their day with the most comprehensive original golf content and partnering with Sports Illustrated has not only expanded our audience, but created the ultimate golf destination,” said Kyle Ragsdale, CEO of Buffalo Groupe, LLC which operates Morning Read. “We are extremely proud of Morning Read’s evolution which is directly attributed to the editorial and leadership team of Buffalo Media Network and look forward to seeing continued growth.” About The Arena Group The Arena Group creates robust digital destinations that delight consumers with powerful journalism, news about the things they love – their favorite sports teams, advice on investing, the inside scoop on personal finance, and the latest on lifestyle essentials. With powerful technology, editorial expertise, data management and marketing savvy, the transformative company enables brands like Sports Illustrated, TheStreet and Parade to deliver highly relevant content and experiences that consumers love. To learn more, visit www.thearenagroup.net. About Sports Illustrated Sports Illustrated (SI) is an unparalleled and influential leader recognized for shaping modern culture and uniting athletes, teams and fans worldwide. SI’s award-winning media enterprise brings powerful storytelling to life across platforms ranging from Emmy-winning video to the monthly print magazine with a 67-year heritage. Get in-depth features, probing profiles, and iconic and beloved photography from the best writers and photojournalists in the game at SI.com. About Buffalo Groupe, LLC Buffalo Groupe, LLC is a collection of agencies, events and media properties that authentically serve the escape industries of golf, outdoor recreation, travel, lifestyle, real estate and active sport. The collection is comprised of industry leading companies including Buffalo Agency, BGRM, 54 Brands, Longitudes Group, The First Call and Moments Live. Guided by our core principles of kindness, clarity and courage, our people adhere to a Groupe-wide foundational philosophy to connect brands and lifestyle audiences through content. Buffalo Groupe is headquartered in Charleston, SC with company offices in Washington, DC, Charlotte, Charleston, Portland and LA. For more information visit www.buffalogroupe.com.

2 Monster Metaverse Stocks To Buy For The Long Haul – The Motley Fool https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/2-monster-metaverse-stocks-to-buy-for-the-long-haul-the-motley-fool/ Several tech giants are betting that the metaverse could turn out to be the next hot trend in technology. The metaverse is widely believed to be the next evolution of the internet, allowing people to experience the internet in 3D. Not surprisingly, the metaverse is expected to touch several sectors ranging from online education to gaming to social interactions to commerce. This explains why Goldman Sachs sees the metaverse generating an $8 trillion revenue opportunity in the long run for its participants. Amazon (AMZN 1.20%) and Nvidia (NVDA -2.30%) are two tech giants that could win big from this massive opportunity. Let’s see how. 1. Amazon The e-commerce market is expected to be one of the key beneficiaries of the metaverse. TechNavio estimates that metaverse in the e-commerce market could grow at an annual pace of 36% through 2026, adding $60 billion in incremental revenue during the forecast period. North America is expected to occupy a 38% share of the metaverse-powered e-commerce market by 2026. The proliferation of the metaverse in e-commerce could add another dimension to Amazon’s growth given the company’s position in the North American and global e-commerce markets. For instance, Amazon captured 56% of the U.S. e-commerce market in 2021. Its global share stood at 13% back in 2020. Amazon has been setting itself up to take advantage of this opportunity even before the metaverse became a thing. In 2017, the e-commerce and cloud computing giant launched an augmented reality (AR)-enabled iOS app called AR View. The app allowed consumers to visualize how items such as furniture would look in a room. The company updated that app in 2020 and gave consumers the power to place multiple items in a room with the Room Decorator tool. This year, the company gave its AR tool another upgrade with the launch of Amazon View. Consumers can now get a 3D layout of their house on their smartphones and customize it with accurate measurements of the furniture items they may want to purchase. Also, customers looking for interior design inspiration can get a quick assessment with the help of Amazon View. Of course, this technology has been around for some time, but Amazon’s focus on refining it and its solid share of the e-commerce market position the company in a nice position to take advantage of the metaverse. This, however, is just one way in which Amazon is on track to win in the metaverse. The cloud computing market could be another beneficiary of metaverse adoption. That’s because hosting the 3D virtual worlds that will form the base of the metaverse will require a lot of computing power so that multiple users can be served in real time. Other cloud services, such as analytics, machine learning, and storage should also see a bump in demand. With Amazon controlling 34% of the cloud infrastructure market in the second quarter of 2022 and occupying a bigger share than the next two providers combined, the demand for its cloud services should ideally boom as metaverse adoption gains momentum. All this indicates that Amazon could turn out to be a top metaverse pick in the long run, with the emerging tech trend complementing the solid growth it is witnessing in other niches. As such, don’t be surprised to see Amazon’s earnings grow at a faster rate in the next five years as compared to analysts’ estimate of 33% annual growth. 2. Nvidia Nvidia’s expertise in graphics cards positions it to tap into the metaverse opportunity. The company started taking advantage of this opening with its Omniverse platform, supporting 3D designs, virtual avatars, and digital twins, which are 3D virtual representations of physical objects in the real world. On its August earnings conference call, Nvidia CFO Colette Kress pointed out that the chipmaker has “announced advancements to several foundational technologies of the metaverse, defined as the 3D version of the Internet.” The company’s “Omniverse Avatar Cloud Engine will enable businesses to create and deploy assistants and avatars, transforming interactions across a range of industries.” Nvidia has also released solutions that will “help automate the creation of virtual worlds” with the help of artificial intelligence and graphics cards. It is worth noting that Nvidia’s metaverse-specific solutions are already gaining traction among customers. Siemens and Nvidia announced a partnership in June 2022 to accelerate the adoption of digital twins in the industrial niche. PepsiCo is another company that tapped Nvidia’s Omniverse digital twins to improve the efficiency of its operations. Partnerships like these put Nvidia on track to benefit from a fast-growing opportunity. The demand for digital twins is increasing rapidly as they help deliver productivity and process improvements and play an important role in the industrial Internet of Things. Mordor Intelligence estimates the digital twin market could clock 34% annual growth through 2027. Nvidia’s Omniverse ecosystem continues to expand with the addition of third-party developers in various industries such as robotics, 3D designs, and industrial automation. It won’t be surprising to see the company become a major player in this rapidly growing market. On the other hand, Nvidia’s graphics cards are also powering supercomputers that are supposed to enable the metaverse. So, the semiconductor giant is on its way to taking advantage of both the hardware and the software side of the metaverse. The massive opportunity present in this market means that it could become a monster metaverse play in the long run. John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Harsh Chauhan has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Goldman Sachs, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Andor Doesn’t Look Or Feel Like Star Wars—and That’s A Good Thing – The A.V. Club https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/andor-doesnt-look-or-feel-like-star-wars-and-thats-a-good-thing-the-a-v-club/ Diego Luna as Cassian Andor Image: Lucasfilm Here’s a hypothetical question: if someone who had never heard of Star Wars jumped into the first episode of Andor, would they be able to follow it as well as a fan with comprehensive knowledge of the lore? If such a person existed, they probably could. Andor doesn’t have a baby Yoda or Boba Fett or Obi-Wan Kenobi to connect it to the older films. It’s not interested in cashing in on that kind of nostalgia. And while it is built around a character who first appeared in Rogue One, you don’t need to have seen that film to get what Cassian Andor is about as a character. Everything you need to know about him is provided in the first three episodes, and beyond. In fact, you might actually enjoy the show more if you didn’t know his ultimate fate. The series thrusts Diego Luna’s Cassian Andor into the middle of the conflict between a totalitarian regime and the underground resistance fighting to bring it down. That may sound vaguely familiar to Star Wars fans, but it does a lot more with this premise than we’ve seen before. Cassian is no hero. A more grounded take on Star Wars He’s not a rogue, either. He’s just a regular guy trying to get by in a world where one misstep can put you on the wrong side of the authorities and completely ruin your life. It’s a more nuanced and mature take on the gray area between good and evil. This isn’t new to Star Wars, it’s just addressed here in a new way. There’s a grounded, human element to it that feels really modern. G/O Media may get a commission Perhaps the most obvious departure is in the visual design. Andor leaves behind the rural outposts we’ve spent so much time in lately for industrial streets, factories, alleyways, and scrapyards. It’s not always pretty, but at least we don’t have to go back to Tatooine yet again. This is the first Disney+ Star Wars series that doesn’t make use of The Volume, an immersive LED soundstage that projects digital environments. While previous shows used the innovative new technology to great effect, filming in actual locations in the U.K. gives Andor a sense of scope and scale no soundstage could hope to match. The hardware in the show—ships, guns, droids, gadgets, and such—has a weathered quality that shares its spiritual origins with the rest of the Star Wars universe, yet could easily stand on its own outside of it. The tech is there for practical reasons, the designs driven by a carefully calibrated blend of form and function. Andor stars Adria Arjona, Kyle Soller, and Denise Gough on joining the Star Wars universe Of brothels and blasters Andor doesn’t just look different, though: it represents a major tonal shift for the franchise. The show heads confidently down the path originally laid out in Rogue One—away from a sci-fi story for kids of all ages and towards more mature and complex modes of storytelling—and goes even further. The first scene is set in a brothel. Not long after that, the main character shoots someone point blank with a blaster (try retconning that, George). Characters have sex and use actual swear words. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise from creator Tony Gilroy, who wrote the screenplay for Rogue One. He’s also known for writing thrillers like the Bourne films and Michael Clayton. His version of Star Wars may not be as recognizable as, say, The Mandalorian, but it’s ultimately cool. You couldn’t accuse this show of giving us the same old thing. Besides the virtue of originality in and of itself, anyone who’s paid any attention to the fan discourse lately can understand that nostalgia is a trap (if you’re hearing Admiral Ackbar in your head right now, you’ve just fallen into it). People want more Star Wars, and Lucasfilm is ever eager to meet that demand. But since no new film or series could possibly replicate the emotional impact of the original—which many adult fans first experienced as kids—anything that tries is bound to fall short of expectations. Worse, when the creators of these projects shift the narratives to center marginalized groups, the individuals whose point of view was always centered before react as though something has been taken away from them. Better to wipe the slate clean and start from a place that’s fresh and unexplored. Rather than relying on a connection to something old, Andor dares to give us something new. Whether you like the show or not, you’ve got to give them credit for the effort.

Top 5 Cryptocurrency Courses You Can Take To Learn About Crypto – Cryptonews https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/top-5-cryptocurrency-courses-you-can-take-to-learn-about-crypto-cryptonews/ Online courses have become one of the most popular ways to learn about a new area of interest or a specific topic. Naturally, you can also find cryptocurrency online courses that teach students about Bitcoin, crypto, blockchain, web3, and more.  Read on to discover five high-quality crypto courses you could sign up for today.  Introduction to Digital Currencies by the University of Nicosia (UNIC) Introduction to Digital Currencies is a course that’s offered by the University of Nicosia (UNIC) and is taught by Andreas Antonopoulos, Antonis Polemitis, and George Giaglis. Antonopoulos is a well-known Bitcoin advocate, tech entrepreneur, podcast host, and teaching fellow. Some of the books he has (co-)authored include Mastering Bitcoin, Mastering Ethereum, and The Internet of Money. Besides being a free online course, Introduction to Digital Currencies is also the first course in the MSc in Digital Currency offered by UNIC. The e-learning course is available to anyone around the world who is interested in learning the basics of cryptocurrencies in a paced and resource-rich environment under the guidance of real experts. It covers both a technical overview of decentralized digital currencies, such as bitcoin (BTC), and their broader economic, financial, and legal context.  The course does not require you to have prerequisite knowledge of cryptocurrencies to register. Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies Offered by Princeton University Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies is a free cryptocurrency course that’s offered by Princeton University on the Coursera learning platform. The course is taught by Arvind Narayanan, an assistant professor of computer science at Princeton who focuses on the security and stability of Bitcoin. The course will introduce you to basic cryptography concepts and link them to the basics of Bitcoin. Through videos, Narayanan describes how Bitcoin mining works, how decentralization is executed in practice, and how Bitcoin gets securely stored. He also gives a short explanation of altcoins and their potential future. Although no certificate is issued after the course completion, the course provides an in-depth introduction to Bitcoin and other crypto assets, making this course an excellent educational resource where you can learn about crypto. EdX Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies by UC Berkeley Another course you can take to learn about cryptocurrencies is the Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies course that’s offered by UC Berkeley university. The six-week course was created by Blockchain at Berkeley and faculty from UC Berkeley’s premier Computer Science department.  The e-learning course presents Bitcoin, other digital currencies, and blockchain, all while offering a thorough and extensive overview of the fundamental concepts of the cryptocurrency sector with a key interest in Bitcoin. The course will help you learn about the basic properties of Bitcoin, the mechanics behind it as well as its origins in the Cypherpunk movement and Libertarian ideals. Learners will also get to learn the practical applications of Bitcoin, such as mining, wallets, and how to destroy Bitcoin. Additionally, the course also takes a transient look at Ethereum and how blockchain technology can be utilized outside of cryptocurrencies. The course is open to anyone, regardless of their background. Moreover, the course is free but will cost you $99 should you want to get a digital certificate of completion. Blockchain Essentials by developerWorks Blockchain Essentials is a blockchain online course that’s offered by two IBM developers, namely Ant Cole and Dave Gorman.  Offered as a video course, this e-learning course was created in partnership with IBM and covers the basics of blockchain and how it can be used to solve business problems. As a student, you will get to understand how blockchain technology can help improve the banking, supply chain, plus other transaction networks, all while creating new opportunities for people and businesses to innovate. Certified Cryptocurrency Expert (CCE) by Blockchain Council Certified Cryptocurrency Expert (CCE) is an online advanced-level cryptocurrency course that is offered by Blockchain Council. By taking the course, you will become certified in the blockchain discipline of distributed ledger technology from a vendor-neutral perspective. The course, which takes only four hours, covers a wide array of topics, from the basics of crypto trading, an introduction to blockchain, an introduction to crypto exchanges and trading processes, and strategies for making optimal trading decisions, among others. Simply put, this advanced level course offers training on not just cryptocurrencies but digital assets as well. This CCE course is among some of the best online cryptocurrency courses that you can take, as it gives you the flexibility to complete the course at your own schedule and pace, and comes with a certification from a blockchain institute.   There are numerous online cryptocurrency courses for you to choose from. Most of these courses can range from basic explainers of what Bitcoin is to a more technical overview of blockchain technology. This is because there is a lot of information on digital currencies that are all designed to help learners understand the crypto market and its technicalities. If you are looking for a cryptocurrency course online, the courses mentioned above will give you a good start on what crypto is and whether they are a good investment.

Analysis | The U.S. Lags On Happiness, Health, But It Tops The List For Cyber Power – The Washington Post https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/analysis-the-u-s-lags-on-happiness-health-but-it-tops-the-list-for-cyber-power-the-washington-post/ Welcome to The Cybersecurity 202! Noooooooo. Please don’t combine one of my favorite things, the octopus, with one of my least favorite things, robots doing things I don’t want them to do. Below: Ukraine warns about forthcoming Russian cyberattacks, while the Biden administration and TikTok approach a possible security-related deal. But first: Ranking the top players in cyberspace, both the usual suspects and unexpected ones The United States ranks 16th on the World Happiness list, last place on health-care systems among 11 high-income countries and 129th on the Global Peace Index. But there’s one area where it’s still No. 1: cyber power. That’s according to the second edition of the National Cyber Power Index out today, part of the Cyber Project within the Harvard Kennedy School Belfer Center. The index makes its return after its inaugural edition in 2020. While No. 1 and No. 2 are the same as before — the United States and China — Russia has moved into the top three, and several nations have rocketed up the list, like Iran, Ukraine, Vietnam and South Korea. The list ranks 30 nations across a range of factors, including offense and defense. It seeks to measure capabilities in eight objectives, like foreign intelligence collection or ability to destroy rivals’ infrastructure. Those that rank highly on the list demonstrate both capabilities with cyber power and the willingness to use it. “Trying to apply outside data and indicators to parse this out, I think is an important endeavor,” Lauren Zabierek, executive director of the Cyber Project, told me. “Because how else do you even start the conversation and try to develop that understanding?” One goal of the list is to look beyond the nations that most commonly emerge in conversations about cyber: the United States, China, Russia, Iran and North Korea. North Korea doesn’t even crack the index’s top 10, which is populated by a fair number of “not the usual suspects,” like France or the Netherlands. That full top 10 is, in order: the United States, China, Russia, United Kingdom, Australia, Netherlands, South Korea, Vietnam, France and Iran. The biggest climbers include Iran (to 10th from 22nd), Ukraine (to 12th from 29th), South Korea (to 7th from 16th) and Vietnam (to 8th from 20th). Ukraine has demonstrated its defensive capabilities since the Russian war, for instance, and Iran has gotten more aggressive about using cyber for financial purposes. While North Korea ranks only 14th, it’s well above other countries in that financial category. The United States, meanwhile, ranks highly in almost every category, especially its destructive capabilities and in using cyber to gather intelligence. The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) assembled its own cyber power rankings last year, using a different method and system, but still concluding that in cyberspace, the United States is in a tier of its own. Both ranking systems have drawn questions about their methodologies, but some have even asked whether they provide any value at all. “The rankings themselves raise questions as to their value regardless of the methodology used, as trying to assess cyber power quantitatively and qualitatively is purely a subjective exercise,” Emilio Iasiello, a cyber pro and former Defense Intelligence Agency intel officer, wrote last year about the IISS list. “Quantifying amorphous issue-areas like cyber dependence and empowerment, global influence in governance (no headway has been made by anyone), the existence of a strategy and more importantly, military doctrine (often not publicly available), is more art than science.”   The authors of today’s report — Julia Voo, Irfan Hemani and Daniel Cassidy — acknowledge some limitations of the exercise. “Due to the sensitivities of some aspects of cyber power, particularly destructive, defensive and espionage capabilities and their reliance on domestic national security structures, states may deliberately be shielding their intent and capabilities from public knowledge for strategic purposes,” they write. But “just because something is hard doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try,” Zabierek said. “We know the shortcomings of the index … but we stand by that this is better than nothing,” she said. “We know that we’re only starting to witness these important conversations on cyber power, and we know they will spark debate, which we are proud of.”  As more states create election integrity units, Arizona is a cautionary tale Citing the specter of widespread voter fraud, Republicans across the country are embracing an aggressive tactic to bulk up state agencies’ power and resources to investigate election crimes ahead of the midterms this November, our colleagues Beth Reinhard and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez report.  But a Washington Post examination of an earlier endeavor in Arizona to sniff out fraud found it has prosecuted just 20 cases in the last three years, despite having received thousands of election-related complaints.  Rather than reassure citizens about the strength of the local voting systems, The Post’s review found that the state’s election crimes unit fueled more bogus theories and distrust while sapping valuable government resources — an example of the dangerous consequences that can emerge when public officials use their power to reinforce false claims that voter fraud is a significant issue in American elections. Ukraine raises alarms about a new wave of ‘massive cyberattacks’ coming from Russia The Ukrainian military intelligence service is warning that Russia is planning “massive cyberattacks” targeting the critical infrastructure of Ukraine and its closest allies, specifically Poland and the Baltic state, Cyberscoop’s AJ Vicens reports.  Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence agency expects the incoming wave of cyberattacks to be focused initially on the country’s energy sector, with the goal of blunting the Ukrainian army’s ongoing offensive and increasing the destructive effects of missile strikes against the country’s energy supply facilities, the agency said in a statement posted to a government website. “The experience of cyberattacks on Ukraine’s energy systems in 2015 and 2016 will be used when conducting operations,” the advisory warned, alluding to two infamous Kremlin-backed assaults on the country’s power grid that left Ukrainians without heat or electricity in the middle of winter. The announcement comes as researchers from Google have begun raising alarm bells about a growing body of evidence that suggests pro-Russian hackers and online activists are coordinating with the country’s military intelligence agency, the Wall Street Journal’s Robert McMillan and Dustin Volz reported recently.  U.S., TikTok approach a possible security-related deal The Biden administration and TikTok are hammering out the details of a preliminary agreement that would let the video-sharing platform continue operating in the United States without requiring its owner, the Chinese internet giant ByteDance, to sell it, told the New York Times. The deal is still in flux, but people familiar with the foundations of the agreement said it would require the company to take action in three key areas: Shifting its storage of Americans’ data to servers solely operating in the United States, instead of its own in Singapore and Virginia. Bringing in Oracle to monitor the app’s powerful algorithms, which determine what content TikTok recommends for its users. Creating a board of security experts to oversee its U.S. operations, which would report to the federal government. Next steps: High-ranking officials from the Justice Department, which is leading negotiations with the company, and the Treasury Department have criticized the current draft as not tough enough on China or doing enough to address the administration’s national security concerns. That, coupled with the impending midterm elections, could force changes to the terms and prolong a final resolution to the issue for months.  The Times story arrived the same day that the United Kingdom raised the prospect of a $29 million fine for a possible breach of a data protection law. Movement on battling spam texts The Federal Communications Commission voted 4-0 Friday to approve a proposal to limit spam texts, Margaret Harden McGill reports for Axios. “The American people are fed up with scam texts, and we need to use every tool we have to do something about it,” said chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. This is just one step in the life of the regulations. The approved proposal, awaiting a vote for nearly a year, seeks comment from cell phone companies about the idea of requiring them to block spam texts from known illegal and fraudulent numbers. It’s a process that could add even more months to the timetable. And Congress is unlikely to take action to update the pertinent 1991 law, which doesn’t reflect today’s technology. “Politicians themselves want to be able to send these texts without fear of being sued,” Margot Saunders, senior counsel to the National Consumer Law Center, told Axios. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee holds a markup of several cybersecurity bills, including the Securing Open Source Software Act of 2022, on Wednesday at 11 a.m. The Center for Democracy and Technology holds an event, “The Big Lie’s Long Tail: Election Denialism in the Midterms and Beyond,” on Wednesday at 3 p.m. The only people now afraid of the Russian military are Russian men of military age. — Darth Putin (@DarthPutinKGB) September 26, 2022 Thanks for reading. See you tomorrow.

Genpact Study Reveals Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Front Runners Harness Technology For Deeper Insights On Culture – PR Newswire https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/genpact-study-reveals-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-front-runners-harness-technology-for-deeper-insights-on-culture-pr-newswire/ Data and analytics key to unlocking meaningful impact on DEI progress but not all organizations take full advantage of opportunities , /PRNewswire/ — Companies miss a huge opportunity for consequential progress toward increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) if they neglect to use data-led analytics that generate deep insights into their organizational cultures, according to a study released today by Genpact ( NYSE: G), a global professional services firm focused on delivering digital transformation. Genpact study reveals data and analytics key to unlocking meaningful impact on DEI progress The research, Tech for Progress 360: Taking diversity, equity, and inclusion from ambition to reality, gathers insights from 510 senior executives from large global enterprises across industries. The study finds that the senior executives whose companies have embedded diversity, equity, and inclusion into their business – the inclusion front runners – are better positioned to take advantage of their companies’ recent technology investments and changing workplace models. Over the past couple of years, the pandemic and racial protests have focused organizations’ attention on DEI. Nearly all executives surveyed (95%) say that their companies accelerated their digital technology rollout in response to the pandemic. In a similar vein, the pandemic forced companies to embrace remote working, which respondents say had a net-positive impact on progressing their companies’ DEI goals. While remote work also increased the responsibilities and the possibility of burnout for women in particular, companies have an opportunity to build on the positive elements as they settle into a hybrid-work environment. Despite the advantages from technology and new working models, many companies still struggle to make progress on DEI but can learn from those that are further ahead. Genpact’s study finds that inclusion front runners use their capabilities with data and insights to get to the bottom of the complex cultural elements that are core to fully embedding DEI across all activities, decisions, and objectives. These organizations are: Evolving company culture: Half of inclusion frontrunners use data-led insights to understand their company cultures and find opportunities to evolve them, compared to only 28% of other respondents. Without this cultural insight, DEI initiatives will not deliver profound change within an organization. Nurturing networks: Inclusion front runners also understand that the makeup of people’s networks is a key indicator of how diverse or inclusive their organization is. These executives are much more interested in assessing the strength of employees’ professional networks – the people employees connect with regularly and infrequently – 51% of leaders analyze these insights vs. 35% of other respondents.     The report underscores the power that technology can have to provide transparency and insights on issues critical to DEI. At the same time, the study sounds a striking alarm if companies fail to harness their data and analytics, and identifies how many businesses still struggle on actionable steps to: Recruit and retain: When looking at the career life cycle of people from underrepresented communities, only 40% of all executives say their companies use data and insights to improve their ability to recruit and retain these groups – and a mere 25% do so to promote and train them. Reduce bias: Technology and data are strong tools to reduce bias in decision making but only 40% of all respondents say their companies use technology this way. These findings suggest that more businesses would benefit from using data-led insights to embed DEI at all levels of their organizations, and to look beyond the surface layer of diversity-related data, like reporting on the number of employees from underserved communities. For example, by measuring employee behavior — people’s interactions and other forms of communication — and organizational metrics, like promotion and turnover rates, companies can gain a deeper, more realistic picture of their DEI achievements and where they need to act to make a material difference. For example, they can go from simply tracking new hires to gaining insight on who’s involved in projects, who’s making decisions, and which groups are represented in meetings. Analyzing relevant data from an enterprise’s vast volumes of emails, instant messaging, and meeting invitations, etc. can demonstrate where representation has become a reality at each level of the firm. When organizations can also trace employees’ career journeys to compare experiences and how access to the company’s leaders and networking opportunities varies, they can make decisions based on a realistic view of the company culture and progress toward building a truly diverse, equitable, and inclusive business. “Access to the learning, mentorship, networks, and training that help people grow should be distributed equally, but often it’s not,” said Heather White, chief legal officer and global leader of DEI, Genpact. “Some groups still find it more challenging than others. Combining a change in mindset with analytics and digital solutions can unlock greater equity.” Conducted in partnership with FORTUNE Brand Studio, the report is the final in a three-part series, Tech for Progress 360, analyzing how companies are using technology to drive impact beyond the bottom line. The research examines how businesses are working toward three distinct objectives: enhancing the employee experience; delivering environmental sustainability; and achieving diversity, equity, and inclusion. For more information, see https://www.genpact.com/tech-for-progress/diversity-equity-and-inclusion. About the Research Genpact and FORTUNE Brand Studio conducted an online survey of 510 senior executives across the U.S, U.K, Germany, Australia, Japan, and Canada in the fall of 2021 to study how companies are using technology beyond the bottom line by examining progress toward three distinct objectives: enhancing the employee experience; strengthening communities through diversity, equity, and inclusion; and protecting the environment About 30% of respondents hold C-level positions and the remainder are director-level or above. Respondents represent the finance, IT/technology, supply chain/procurement, operations/ production, compliance/risk, general management, digital innovation, business transformation, sales, marketing, and HR sectors. All respondents report annual company revenue of $1 billion or higher. About Genpact Genpact ( NYSE: G) is a global professional services firm that makes business transformation real. Led by our purpose – the relentless pursuit of a world that works better for people – we drive digital-led innovation and digitally enabled intelligent operations for our clients. Guided by our experience reinventing and running thousands of processes for hundreds of clients, many of them Global Fortune 500 companies, we drive real-world transformation at scale. We think with design, dream in digital, and solve problems with data and analytics. Combining our expertise in end-to-end operations and our AI-based platform, Genpact Cora, we focus on the details – all 100,000+ of us. From New York to New Delhi, and more than 30 countries in between, we connect every dot, reimagine every process, and reinvent the ways companies work. We know that reimagining each step from start to finish creates better business outcomes. Whatever it is, we’ll be there with you – accelerating digital transformation to create bold, lasting results – because transformation happens here. Get to know us at Genpact.com and on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook. Media Contacts: Americas:  Danielle D’Angelo [email protected], +1 914-336-7951 Australia: Neha Chopra [email protected], , +61 466-626-580 Europe/UK: Judith Schunke,  [email protected], +44 (0)7887 661155 India: Roopanki Kalra [email protected], +91 9971634388 Japan: Satoko Hashiba [email protected], +81 80 4944 3907 SOURCE Genpact

Optoma GT2160HDR 4K UHD Short Throw Gaming Projector Has Super-Ultra-Wide 32:9 Aspect Ratio – Notebookcheck.net https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/optoma-gt2160hdr-4k-uhd-short-throw-gaming-projector-has-super-ultra-wide-329-aspect-ratio-notebookcheck-net/ Reviews, News, CPU, GPU, Articles, Columns, Other Not Set Default Review Flagship Review Short Review Review Update Ultra Short Review Live Default Review Live Flagship Review First Impression Review Other Review Smartwatch / eBike / Camera Comp. Accessory Review Game Benchmark Review 3D Printer Review Analysis Default News Major Launch News (NDA) Sponsored News Special Topic News Advertorial Article Magazine Article List Article Column “or” search relation. 3D Printing, 5G, Accessory, AI, Alder Lake, AMD, Android, Apple, Arc, ARM, Audio, Benchmark, Biotech, Business, Camera, Cannon Lake, Cezanne (Zen 3), Charts, Chinese Tech, Chromebook, Console, Convertible / 2-in-1, Cryptocurrency, Cyberlaw, Deal, Desktop, DIY, E-Mobility, Education, Exclusive, Fail, Foldable, Gadget, Galaxy S, Gamecheck, Gaming, Geforce, Google Pixel, GPU, How To, Ice Lake, Intel, Intel Evo, Internet of Things (IoT), iOS, iPad, iPad Pro, iPhone, Jasper Lake, Lakefield, Laptop, Launch, Leaks / Rumors, Linux / Unix, List, Lucienne (Zen 2), MacBook, Mini PC, Monitor, MSI, OnePlus, Opinion, Phablet, Radeon, Raptor Lake, Renoir, Review Snippet, RISC-V, Rocket Lake, Ryzen (Zen), Science, Security, Single-Board Computer (SBC), Smart Home, Smartphone, Smartwatch, Software, Storage, Tablet, ThinkPad, Thunderbolt, Tiger Lake, Touchscreen, Ultrabook, Virtual Reality (VR) / Augmented Reality (AR), Wearable, Wi-Fi 7, Windows, Workstation, XPS, Zen 3 (Vermeer), Zen 4 Ticker

Ghost Trees: Fall Webworms Infest Dallas-Fort Worth Ahead Of Halloween – CandysDirt.com – Candy’s Dirt https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/ghost-trees-fall-webworms-infest-dallas-fort-worth-ahead-of-halloween-candysdirt-com-candys-dirt/ September 27, 2022 | Joanna England | | Landscaping A mystery fall webworm has been infesting and defoliating hackberry trees throughout Dallas-Fort Worth. (Photo: Joanna England) My AirPods were blasting Depeche Mode on a recent morning run with my two dogs when all of a sudden I had a faceful of fine, silky thread. I hadn’t even noticed that my neighbor’s tree had seemingly transformed overnight from a healthy hackberry into something you might see in the Addams family’s yard. The tree’s canopy was covered in so much web it looked like it could be Spiderman’s practice range, with several strings reaching toward the ground, some of which still sported the caterpillar responsible for the infestation. Though infestations of fall webworms are nothing new, one so widespread is leaving homeowners scratching their heads and pulling web off their homes, cars, and faces. Fall Webworms There are two types of caterpillars responsible for webs in trees. Hyphantria cunea is your typical fall webworm. According to Neil Sperry, a North Texas garden expert, there are usually at least two generations per year, one in the spring and one about now. For this particular worm, not much can be done for the pecans, walnuts, persimmons, and many other Texas trees they attack. Damage wrought by Hypatria cunea, the fall webworm. (Photo: Neil Sperry) “I have been volunteering at the Dallas Arboretum for over 15 years, and I can recall maybe 10 years ago when there was another webworm outbreak, they had ‘cherry picker’ trucks with buckets that were raised so the infected pecan tree limbs could be cut off,” said Rick Williams, who operates the Dallas Master Gardener help desk. “Just another indication that insecticides don’t work, so mechanical removal was used. I used to have a Mulberry tree in my backyard, and web worms seem to enjoy those leaves as well.” Normally, these particular worms don’t do a whole lot of damage. As Sperry says, the webworms are infesting trees in the fall, which is after the tree has finished most of its growth cycle. However, they’re hideous, creating bags of worms from which the caterpillars eventually drop. Once the fall webworms have had their fill, they come out of their metamorphosis is complete when they transform into a lovely white, fuzzy moth. Photo: Blake Layton, Mississippi State Extension Service “It’s actually a lovely little creature,” Sperry notes, “but as with humans, its kids make quite a mess.” The Other Fall Webworm However, this fall we’re getting a double dose of sticky string in trees with a different species of webworm. This particular defoliating caterpillar is somewhat of a mystery, attacking hackberry trees all across Dallas-Fort Worth. “I was not familiar with the hackberry tree caterpillar until multiple questions came into the [Dallas County Master Gardeners] Help Desk recently,” Williams said. “Some research shows that in 2015, the exact ID was a challenge even for experts. The perpetrator of these messy webbed canopies was thought to be Sciota celtidella, which is known to attack hackberry trees and has been spotted in the Grapevine and Flower Mound areas of Tarrant and Denton counties. However, when the adults emerged, they were found to be a mixture of webworm species — Sciota rubrisparsella and a moth of the Pococera genus.” That said, there are ways to help support your hackberry or sugarberry trees should they be infested and quickly defoliated by these webworms: – Supplemental deep watering around the base of trees can help a tree through late summer stress if your soil is very dry – Most shade trees do not need special fertilization, however you can apply compost and mulch around the base of the tree to help in foot feeding – For trees in lawns with compacted soil, aeration of the lawn can help the tree better absorb water and nutrients The City of Euless The upside to this fall’s massive webworm infestations? Halloween decorating just got a lot easier.

How To Find Travel Insurance For Severe Weather – Forbes https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/how-to-find-travel-insurance-for-severe-weather-forbes/ Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations. When severe weather strikes, even the best-laid vacation plans can fall apart. A hurricane might disrupt your cruise route or a blizzard could shut down your destination airport. If you buy a comprehensive travel insurance plan well in advance of your trip, you will be better prepared to take severe weather in stride. The right travel insurance plan can compensate you for weather-related travel woes, but it’s important to know what your policy covers—and what it doesn’t. Compare & Buy Travel Insurance Does Travel Insurance Cover Severe Weather? The best travel insurance plans package together several types of coverage that can protect you financially if severe weather causes travel delays, interruptions or cancellations. The key is to make sure the travel insurance plan you buy includes the types of coverage you need and lists severe or inclement weather as a reason you can file a claim for reimbursement. What qualifies as severe weather will be defined by your policy, but often includes: Windstorms Hurricanes Tornadoes Fog Rainstorms Hailstorms Snow storms Ice storms Be sure to shop for a travel insurance policy that specifically addresses your severe weather concerns. Plans from these companies offer good hurricane and severe weather coverage: GoReady John Hancock Insurance Agency Seven Corners Tin Leg The types of insurance coverage you should look for in a travel insurance plan for severe weather include: Trip cancellation Trip delay Trip interruption Also, look for additional coverage options, such as: Missed connection. WorldTrips offers additional benefits if severe weather causes you to miss a connecting flight. Travel inconvenience. AIG’s Travel Guard Deluxe plan has coverage for certain travel inconveniences, such as arriving in the mountains to ski and finding the resort closed because of inclement weather. Trip Cancellation Insurance and Severe Weather If you need to cancel your trip to the Bahamas because a hurricane caused the Nassau airport to shut down, you can turn to your trip cancellation insurance. This coverage will reimburse 100% of your insured trip cost, as long as you are canceling because of a problem—such as severe weather—listed in the policy. There is an exception. In order to file a successful trip cancellation claim, you need to have purchased your travel insurance plan before the severe weather becomes a “known event.” So, if a hurricane near your vacation destination has already been named, it’s too late to buy travel insurance for hurricane coverage. Also, check for specific timelines for trip cancellation due to a hurricane at your destination. For example, to make an insurance claim your destination may have to be under a hurricane watch issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration within three days of your scheduled departure date, and you may have to cancel at least 14 days after your policy’s effective date. It’s important to note that your destination usually must be inaccessible or uninhabitable due to severe weather for trip cancellation benefits to kick in. Sometimes severe weather strikes at home, too. If your primary residence is uninhabitable after a named hurricane hits, you can be eligible to file a trip cancellation claim, as long as you bought the policy before the storm was named. You can also make a trip cancellation claim if your house is uninhabitable due to damage from a natural disaster listed in your policy. That way you can stay home to take care of the damage but still recoup your trip costs with an insurance claim. “Cancel for any reason” travel insurance upgrade If you want maximum flexibility for scrapping your trip, add “cancel for any reason” travel insurance (CFAR) to your travel insurance plan when you buy it. This will typically increase the cost of your policy by 50% but will allow you to cancel no matter your reason. There are some CFAR caveats to keep in mind: You typically need to buy CFAR coverage within 14 days of making your first trip deposit. In order to file a successful CFAR claim, you need to cancel your trip at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure (so, not at the last minute). CFAR generally reimburses 50% or 75% of your insured trip cost, depending on your policy. Trip Delay Insurance and Severe Weather Say you’re waiting at the airport and your flight is delayed due to a blizzard at your destination. This is where trip delay insurance can be used. Trip delay coverage can reimburse you for the loss of any pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses if you experience a delay that’s longer than the waiting period listed in your policy. For example, the specified waiting time can be six hours or 12 hours. So if that blizzard causes you to miss a day of skiing that you paid for in advance, you can file a claim for this loss, as long as severe weather is listed as an acceptable reason in your policy. Trip delay insurance can also help pay for a hotel room and meals you buy during a layover due to severe weather. There is typically a daily maximum and overall maximum limit per person for trip delay benefits. Trip Interruption Travel Insurance and Inclement Weather Travel insurance usually doesn’t cover minor weather frustrations such as rain that puts a damper on your beach vacation. But if unexpected severe weather causes you to end your trip early, trip interruption insurance can help. For example, if a tornado strikes at your destination preventing access to the area or making the region uninhabitable, you can file a trip interruption claim. If a tornado blows through your neighborhood back home while you’re away and makes your house uninhabitable, you’re also eligible for trip interruption benefits. Most travel insurance companies have complimentary 24/7 helplines for policyholders. If you need to return early due to inclement weather, representatives can help you book a new flight home. Trip interruption insurance covers the extra expense of that last-minute ticket and reimburses you for pre-paid, non-refundable costs you lose by leaving early. But again, only if you’re flying home early because of a problem listed in your policy. “Interruption for any reason” travel insurance upgrade For more freedom to end your trip early for any reason, some travel insurance companies offer an “interruption for any reason” travel insurance. This premium upgrade reimburses you for up to 75% of your trip cost, provided you insure the entire value of your trip. It kicks in after a certain waiting period, generally 48 hours or 72 hours into your trip. Like CFAR, you usually need to buy “interruption for any reason” coverage within 14 days of booking your trip. When Is Severe Weather Not Covered by Travel Insurance? Travel insurance generally excludes coverage of “known events.” Once a natural disaster is a known threat (and no longer “unforeseen”), it likely won’t be covered if you buy new a travel insurance plan. For example, if you’re scheduled to leave for a cruise in a week and a new hurricane is named, you can’t quickly buy travel insurance to cover hurricane-related delays or trip interruptions. This is the best argument for buying travel insurance early, says Jeff Rolander, director of claims at Faye Travel Insurance. “It’s best to buy travel insurance as soon as possible after booking your trip (such as your flights or accommodation). That way, you’ll be protected against unexpected events that might cause you to delay or cancel.” Many travel insurance companies offer a “free look” period after you buy a policy. Take this time to read the fine print of the travel insurance plan and decide if the policy meets your needs. If not, cancel it for a refund. Compare & Buy Travel Insurance

Restaurant Owner Convicted Of Torching Business For Insurance – Mid Hudson News Website https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/restaurant-owner-convicted-of-torching-business-for-insurance-mid-hudson-news-website/ GOSHEN – An Orange County Court jury Monday convicted a Newburgh man of arson, conspiracy, reckless endangerment, insurance fraud and tax fraud for torching his Town of Newburgh restaurant. Zef Gjurashaj, 60, faces 25 years to life in prison on the arson conviction when sentenced in December in connection with the fire that destroyed Andiamo’s Restaurant at 5025 Route 9W in September 2017. Prior to the trial, Gjurashaj’s co-defendant, Marina Gjurashaj, 38, of Yonkers, the wife of his nephew, pled guilty to arson and conspiracy for her role in setting the fire. As part of her plea agreement, she testified against Zef Gjurashaj at trial. Prosecutors argued that knowing the business was in steep financial decline, Gjurashaj instructed his niece by marriage how to start the fire by removing a plug from a propane line in the kitchen and spraying an ignitable liquid on the floor, then opening the propane line and lighting the liquid. The fire was so intense that it put the firefighters, and Gjurashaj’s wife, who was present at the time of the fire, at grave risk of death. After the fire, Gjurashaj presented to his insurance company fraudulent proof of loss seeking payment for damage caused by the fire and testified under oath about the fire. The investigation also revealed he underreported cash income from the restaurant as part of his state tax filings. “Arson for profit is, by nature, an incredibly challenging crime to prosecute because of the complexity of the evidence as well as because, as in this case, the perpetrator often intentionally attempts to destroy any link between themselves and the crime,” said District Attorney David Hoovler. “This fire, which was set solely for financial gain of the defendant, created an extremely dangerous situation for first responders who valiantly fought the fire. The utter disregard for human life and property exhibited in this case is appalling.”

Nova Diamond Foundation Kicks Off Pink Health Fair – Businessday https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/nova-diamond-foundation-kicks-off-pink-health-fair-businessday/ Nova Diamond Foundation, a community-focused non-governmental organisation with a vision to build self-sufficient families among low-income earners in Nigeria, said it will be hosting a wellness fair in Lagos to commemorate this year’s “Breast Cancer Awareness” month in October. The Foundation said in a statement that the initiative will bring a variety of free health care services to the doorsteps of low-income earners within the community. “The fair will also feature awareness campaigns (walk and cycling), free screening, free medical consultations and prescriptions, free medications, free vaccinations, free medical incentives, fundraising for the treatment of breast cancer patients, and other fun and health-rewarding activities. It is projected to impact about 2000 people,” the statement reads. Read also: Union Bank’s Acquisition: Titan Trust Bank aims for market dominance, targets tier 1 According to the foundation, the Pink Health Fair is aimed at ensuring healthy living and promoting well-being for all ages through increased health awareness, free screening, and preventive health measures among people of the targeted demographic group. “To achieve the UN SDG by 2030, we are starting by promoting and protecting our health and the health of those around us by making well-informed choices,” the foundation stated that disseminating adequate information would continue to be key in driving wellness among Nigerians. “We are raising awareness in our community about the importance of good health, healthy lifestyles, and people’s right to quality health care services, especially for the most vulnerable, such as women and children.”

Scottish Premiership And Scottish Women’s Premier League Live On Sky Sports In ‘historic’ SPFL Deal – Sky Sports https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/scottish-premiership-and-scottish-womens-premier-league-live-on-sky-sports-in-historic-spfl-deal-sky-sports/ Sky Sports will broadcast more Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) matches than ever before and for the first time, the Scottish Women’s Premier League. From the 2024/25 season, a new four-year extension to the current deal will mean up to 60 cinch Premiership matches per season will be shown exclusively live until the 2029 campaign, with scope to increase this over the term of the deal. The agreement with the SPFL also means from 2024 Sky Sports will broadcast live from each Premiership ground on up to five occasions every season, one more than the current deal. Scottish Premiership table | Results | Fixtures Scottish Premiership live on Sky Additionally, all top-flight clubs will be able to sell Pay Per View streams within the UK and Ireland of up to five league home games per season, with immediate effect, subject to certain conditions including no matches during blocked hours. ‘A historic moment for the SWPL’ Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player SWPL managing director Fiona McIntyre says the deal which will see Sky Sports broadcast the SWPL from this season onwards is For the first time, Sky Sports will show live Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL) action from this season and become the title sponsor of the SWPL League Cup for the next seven campaigns. A minimum of five SWPL or League Cup matches will be broadcast exclusively live every season from 2022/23, with the option of an additional five possible. Defending champions Rangers – who ended Glasgow City’s 14-year reign – currently top the SWPL 1 from Celtic and Glasgow City on goal difference after six matches. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Rangers ended Glasgow City’s 14-year grip on the Scottish Women’s Premier League by clinching their first SWPL 1 title with a game to spare Get Sky Sports | Download the Sky Sports App SWPL managing director Fiona McIntyre said: “This is a historic moment for the SWPL and an enormous step forward for the women’s game in Scotland. “This deal brings significant financial investment to the new leagues and enhances the visibility of the SWPL at this crucial time for the game. “I’m delighted that Sky Sports recognise the value and potential of the SWPL and will be a key partner for us as we enter into this new era. “Our clubs have invested considerable resources and we can now see the rewards of that work, with increasing commercial interest. This deal will allow clubs to invest further and will put the SWPL on the map as one of the most progressive women’s leagues in the world.” ‘Reaching an even wider audience’ Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player SPFL CEO Neil Doncaster discusses the record-breaking deal which will see Sky Sports broadcast more matches than ever before and the Scottish Women’s Premier League. Scottish Professional Football League CEO Neil Doncaster said: “This is a very significant financial and promotional deal for the SPFL and I’m delighted our clubs have overwhelmingly supported deepening their relationship with the UK’s leading sports broadcaster. “Today’s announcement represents a major financial boost for our 42 member clubs at a time when the UK economy is facing significant headwinds, and will increase the exposure of Europe’s most exciting and passionate league. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player A look at some of the best goals scored in the opening month of the Scottish Premiership season “We have much work to do to achieve our target of paying fees to member clubs of £50million per season – but this is an important and significant first step towards that target. “Sky has an unparalleled track record of capturing the spectacle and passion of our sport and this partnership will bring Scottish football’s action-packed drama to an even wider audience.” Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player A look at some of the best goals scored in the Scottish Premiership throughout September Stephen van Rooyen, Sky’s EVP and CEO UK and Europe said: “Every time we extend our partnership with the Scottish Professional Football League, more football fans are watching. With this latest extension of our long-running partnership, Sky Sports customers will continue to be treated to the biggest games and even more live matches. “For the first time, they will also have access to Scottish Women’s Premier League matches as well, as we look to continue to bring the best football to an even wider audience.” Scottish Premiership & SWPL on Sky Sports Image: Celtic are defending Premiership champions while Rangers won the SWPL 1 title last season Sky Sports – This season up to 48 cinch Premiership games will be available across Sky Sports’ flagship channels, including Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event, plus at least five SWPL matches. From 2024/25, up to 60 cinch Premiership will be live on Sky Sports, in addition to the SWPL. Sky Sports News – Running 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Scottish football fans can enjoy Sky Sports News’ (channel 409) rolling editorial coverage of the cinch Premiership and SWPL throughout the season. Sky Sports Digital – Follow all the latest from Scottish football across SkySports.com and app, including exclusive features and interviews, plus dedicated live blog coverage, in-game clips from matches live on Sky Sports and free highlights. Sky Sports Social – Alongside coverage and visibility for the league across all Sky Sports’ main social media channels, the bespoke Twitter channel @ScotlandSky will continue to be the home of all Scottish football content on Sky Sports. Highlights show – Tune in for a dedicated round-up from the cinch Premiership every week on Sky Sports Football. To download the Sky Sports app click here, to visit Sky Sports website click here. Sky Sports is the home of domestic football in the UK and Ireland, with more than 400 games per season across the SPFL, SWPL, Premier League, WSL, and EFL.

Trade Marks In The Metaverse – Lexology https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/trade-marks-in-the-metaverse-lexology/ Australia September 27 2022 The lines between physical and virtual reality are getting set for an overhaul as the Metaverse continues its gradual entry into our everyday lives. Whilst the Metaverse is still only in its infancy, leading developers in the space have already made it possible for users to work, learn, socialise, play and do business in this exciting, albeit slightly mystifying, new digital world. Whether or not you have plans to blend your business activities with NFTs and/or the Metaverse, there is value in awareness of the threats and opportunities facing brand promotion and protection that arrive with the evolving digital arena. Trade Mark Protection in the Metaverse You may have heard when Nike Inc recently applied to register a number of trade marks globally, which included claims in class 9 for “downloadable virtual goods”, and in class 35 for “retail store services featuring virtual goods”. Since then, Nike Inc has become far less lonely in their exploration of NFTs (non-fungible tokens) and the opportunities that exist in the Metaverse, with many other well-known companies having shown interest in joining the evolving digital arena. A recent and exciting addition to this category of companies is McDonalds, as early reports indicate McDonalds could open ‘virtual restaurants’, as well as develop NFTs and sell virtual goods. In the midst of this growing trend, it’s worth asking the question of whether the strategies and procedures for protecting brands from misuse will also need to adapt to the new marketplace. The answer, of course, will vary. For trade marks being used in connection with virtual goods or services, protection can begin with filing for registration of the mark in class 9 (computer and scientific apparatus and software), class 35 (retail, business and advertising services), class 41 (entertainment services) and/or class 42 (scientific and technological services). However, traders of goods and services only in the physical world might also consider filing in these classes. In theory, anyone can make a virtual product, which stresses the need to be ready for intervention upon discovery that someone else is making virtual copies of your goods, or applying your trade mark to digital material without your permission. If you provide services such as entertainment, education, business or legal services, there may be less of a need to adapt your claims to specify that they are also provided virtually, however, this could depend on the exact nature of your services. In Australia, a trade mark offers protection against similar or identical trade marks claimed on the same or similar goods or services. Typically, virtual goods would not be considered similar to physical goods such as clothing or jewellery. The classification system in Australia has not yet comprehensively adapted to the changing consumer landscape and there is currently no clear timeframe for when this will take place. Whilst awaiting clarification, many brand owners have adopted the strategy of including protection over virtual renditions of their goods, as is evidenced by the large number of pending or recently registered Australian trade marks which include claims for “digital materials” or “downloadable virtual goods”. A possible showcase of the value of this approach has arisen out of the ongoing dispute between the luxury goods company Hermès and Mason Rothschild, who recently created and sold 100 “MetaBirkin” handbags in the form of NFTs. Whilst Hermes owns registrations in the United States for BIRKIN covering physical bags, the registrations do not cover virtual goods or the design of the bag. Hermès is now taking action against Mason Rothschild, alleging that the NFT handbags created and sold by Mason Rothschild using the name “MetaBirkin” infringe the BIRKIN trade mark. The merits of the allegations have not yet been assessed, however the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York denied Mason Rothschild’s motion to dismiss the suit, which is a promising outcome for Hermès. A similar dispute has arisen between Nike Inc and StockX LLC, an online shoe retailer, on the basis that StockX has minted NFTs utilising the Nike trade mark, without permission. In defence of their actions, StockX has asserted that its NFTS are, in essence, a “key” to access a stored physical item rather than “virtual products” themselves. These disputes have so far offered valuable take-aways for trade mark owners. Firstly, and more obviously, is that registering your trade mark also in respect of virtual goods might reduce the complexity of the dispute and/or the strength of any allegations of trade mark infringement. Secondly, is that alleging intellectual property infringement against the maker of an NFT may not be straight-forward, because an NFT is merely a digital token that conveys ownership of a digital asset. It can be thought of as a receipt proving ownership of an asset (e.g. digital artwork) rather than the asset itself. Further clarification from law-makers on the effect of this distinction is no doubt welcome. Territoriality and the Metaverse Another key issue facing trade mark protection in the Metaverse is that trade mark registration grants protection only in the territory where the mark has been registered. Conversely, the Metaverse worlds may not have similar regard for the territorial boundaries we recognise in the physical world. Therefore, it will not always be clear which laws and within what jurisdiction disputes which arise in the Metaverse should be considered. Until a clear regulatory framework is introduced to resolve this issue, trade mark owners will have to be particularly vigilant when it comes to detecting infringements and enforcing their rights against other parties. As a possible safeguard, it may be worthwhile at this stage to register trade marks in multiple jurisdictions. In summary, there will be plenty of uncertainty for trade mark owners in the years ahead as the Metaverse and utility of NFTs continues to expand. To manage this uncertainty, you may consider: Registering your trade mark in classes 9, 35, 41 and/or 42 to cover digital renditions of your goods and services or specifying that your services are also provided in virtual mediums or relate to virtual products. Broadening the scope of your territorial coverage to ensure all major markets are captured. The metaverse phenomenon is said to be a new version of the internet, enhanced by immersive online engagement through VR technology and augmented reality. But how does intellectual property operate in this emerging online world?

Trifox Release Date Confirmed With Latest Trailer – Bleeding Cool News https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/trifox-release-date-confirmed-with-latest-trailer-bleeding-cool-news/ | Big Sugar, along with indie developer Glowfish Interactive, confirmed the release date for Trifox with a brand new trailer. This action-adventure title features a fox who is trying to get back his stolen TV remote, and to do so, he will employ a number of tactics and weapons to fight through hordes of enemies. The game will be released at different points as it will come out on the Nintendo Switch first on October 13th, followed by XB and PC platforms (Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG) on October 14th. PlayStation will be coming out before year’s end but an exact date hasn’t been set yet. For now, enjoy the latest trailer down at the bottom. Credit: Big Sugar Trifox is a colourful and cartoonish action-adventure featuring a phenomenal fox with a multitude of talents! After his home is attacked and his TV remote stolen, Trifox sets out in pursuit of the mysterious looters in an action-packed adventure. Use magic, might, and marvelous gadgets to outfox foes across four danger-filled worlds as you fight your way to a final showdown at Villain HQ! A multi-talented mammal, Trifox can use the skills of three different character types – Warrior, Mage, and Engineer. Each has its own unique set of class-based abilities which can be mixed-and-matched, allowing players to create a wily protagonist with a tailor-made moveset. Three different classes: Wield a giant hammer as a Warrior! Master magic and mystery as a Mage! Use a backpack full of gadgets as an Engineer! Mix-and-match styles: Customise your Trifox by combining different class-based abilities! Want to cast spells and fire a Gatling Gun? No problem! 30 abilities to unlock: Collect and spend coins to gain new skills, such as Spike Slam, Shield Bubble, Guided Missile, and many more! Four worlds to beat: Fight hordes of enemies, traverse platforming pitfalls, overcome environmental puzzles, and battle big angry bosses! A modern retro adventure: A new and fresh experience designed to evoke the spirit of classic 3D platformers! Enjoyed this? Please share on social media! About Gavin Sheehan Gavin is the current Games Editor for Bleeding Cool. He has been a lifelong geek who can chat with you about comics, television, video games, and even pro wrestling. He can also teach you how to play Star Trek chess, be your Mercy on Overwatch, recommend random cool music, and goes rogue in D&D. He also enjoys hundreds of other geeky things that can’t be covered in a single paragraph. Follow @TheGavinSheehan on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Vero, for random pictures and musings. Latest by Gavin Sheehan Jagex has officially launched a new aspect to RuneScape and Old School RuneScape as Fresh New Worlds has begun in the game. During their presentation last week, Logitech G revealed a new Pro Racing Wheel and Pedals for the enhanced racing experience. Com2uS has revealed that their latest entry into the Summoners War series, Summoners War: Chronicles, is coming out in November. Untold Tales has partnered with German developer DreamWorlds to release Splatter Zombiecalypse Now for the Nintendo Switch. Kabam has released a brand new update into Disney Mirrorverse as players have two new characters and Rift Raids to play. Logitech G revealed multiple new products last week, including a new addition from Astro Gaming with the A30 Wireless Gaming Headset. Latest in Games Big Sugar, along with indie developer Glowfish Interactive, confirmed the release date for Trifox with a brand new trailer. Jagex has officially launched a new aspect to RuneScape and Old School RuneScape as Fresh New Worlds has begun in the game. During their presentation last week, Logitech G revealed a new Pro Racing Wheel and Pedals for the enhanced racing experience. Com2uS has revealed that their latest entry into the Summoners War series, Summoners War: Chronicles, is coming out in November. Untold Tales has partnered with German developer DreamWorlds to release Splatter Zombiecalypse Now for the Nintendo Switch. Kabam has released a brand new update into Disney Mirrorverse as players have two new characters and Rift Raids to play.

Crypto Lender NEXO Faces Cease-And-Desist Order From California – Cryptonews https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/crypto-lender-nexo-faces-cease-and-desist-order-from-california-cryptonews/ Source: AdobeStock / AndriiKoval All-in-one cryptocurrency platform Nexo has received a cease-and-desist order in the U.S. state of California.  The desist-and-refrain order which was filed by California’s Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) alleges that Nexo has offered and sold “unqualified securities” through the program in violation of California’s Çooperation Code.  The DFPI estimated in the document that as of July 2022, over 18,000 California residents have accounts in the program and hold investments of at least $174.8 million. However, Nexo has not registered with the state regulator to offer these investment services to Californians.  “The Commissioner has issued no permit or other form of qualification authorizing Nexo, Nexo Inc., or Nexo Capital Inc. to offer or sell securities, including Earn Interest Product accounts, in California. Nor are the offers and sales of these securities excepted, exempt, or otherwise not subject to qualification,” the document said.  Securities regulators in seven other states including New York, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Washington, and Vermont all simultaneously filed their own administrative actions against Nexo.  In a statement, the Attorney General of New York, Letita James said that her office was suing the lender for failing to register as a securities and commodities broker despite warnings, and also misrepresenting to investors that they are a licensed and registered platform. James intends to compel Nexo to also forfeit all revenue it earned from operating in the state.   “Instead of misleading New Yorkers about its compliance with the law, crypto platforms must register to operate just like other investment platforms,” she added in a tweet.  Nexo says it has consistently tried to comply with regulations  According to a CNBC report, Nexo has said in a statement in response to the allegations that it has been working with U.S. federal and state regulators and understands their concern especially in the face of multiple bankruptcies in the crypto market. However, Nexo is very different from other earn interest product providers as its performance in recent months have shown it reassured.  “As the recent months have clearly underlined, Nexo is a very different provider of earn interest products, as showcased by the fact that it did not engage in uncollateralized loans, had no exposure to LUNA/UST, did not have to be bailed out, or needed to resort to any withdrawal restrictions,” the statement read.  Back in February, Nexo restricted new U.S. customers from signing up for its interest bearing products. Meanwhile, in similar regulatory actions, crypto lending platform BlockFi was ordered to pay a $100 million settlement to the SEC and 32 state regulators.

Dementia In Prison Is Turning Into An Epidemic: The U.S. Penal System Is Badly Unprepared – Scientific American https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/dementia-in-prison-is-turning-into-an-epidemic-the-u-s-penal-system-is-badly-unprepared-scientific-american/ Northwestern University Law Review, Carter, along with Drexel University associate professor of law Rachel López, argue that the current sentencing structure all too often locks people up and throws away the key. A former commissioner on Pennsylvania’s sentencing board, López is especially concerned with the number of elderly people who are incarcerated. “It’s all part of the legacy of the ‘tough on crime’ era,” she says. A survey by the Pew Charitable Trusts found that the number of inmates age 55 or older increased by 280 percent from 1999 to 2016. Three-strikes laws and mandatory life sentences without the possibility of parole expanded during the 1980s and 1990s, and many of these laws are still on the books today. As the number of aging prisoners balloons, so, too, do instances of dementia. An article López authored in the June 2020 issue of Federal Sentencing Reporter projected that between 70,341 and 211,020 of the estimated 400,000 incarcerated elderly in 2030 will develop dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common diagnosis, but dementias that involve Lewy bodies, the vascular system and Parkinson’s disease are also on the list. Prison may also accelerate aging and the possibility of developing the disease, according to a January 2022 article published in the journal Health & Justice. Study author Bryce Stoliker, a researcher at the University of Saskatchewan, says that the high risk is because of challenges faced in prison life—and inmates’ experiences before incarceration. Prisoners are often marginalized members of society with less access to health care, poorer diet, issues with alcohol or drug misuse, mental health problems and potential traumatic brain injuries—all factors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition. “Once behind bars, a lack of stimulation and an overall poor quality of life magnifies the problem,” Stoliker says. Prisoners with dementia are also vulnerable to abuse. Their erratic behavior and inability to follow directions is aggravating to other prisoners and to the staff in an already tense and sometimes violent environment, says Tina Maschi, co-author of the book Aging Behind Prison Walls: Studies in Trauma and Resilience. A 2012 study she authored in the Gerontologist found that those with dementia are increasingly vulnerable to “victimization.” If they become aggressive toward staff or can’t stay in line, they’re more likely to be reprimanded. “They’re no longer in touch with the prison rules, and as a result, it appears to staff, who often aren’t trained in dealing with dementia patients, that they’re acting out,” Maschi says. Additionally, according to the study, they can become victims of sexual assault by other prisoners because they can’t defend themselves. With strict sentencing practices still in place, the problem could get worse. The American Civil Liberties Union projects that in a decade, prisoners age 55 and older will make up will make up one third of the U.S. incarcerated population. And prisons, López says, don’t have the resources to tend to this highly vulnerable population. Still, there may be some relatively available short-term solutions. Older prisoners are often housed together, but senior structured living programs that include daily stimulation such as puzzles, knitting and cognitive exercises may help to reduce the risk of elderly prisoners who get dementia later on. True Grit, a program at Northern Nevada Correctional Center, is described in a review published in the December 2019 issue of Health & Justice. It teaches inmates older than age 55 skills such as latch rug making, crocheting, painting, jigsaw puzzle making and beading, as well as emphasizing the importance of physical exercise. The program has been shown to increase inmate quality of life, reduce medication use and behavioral problems, and enhance overall health and well-being. Compassionate release is another tool that is largely underutilized, according to experts. Also called “geriatric parole,” it’s currently used once patients get to the end of their life. But for the program to reduce the elderly burden on the prison system, it would have to be used before inmates are so ill that they can no longer be integrated back into society. Once prisoners are too far gone, says Ronald Aday, author of the book Aging Prisoners: Crisis in American Corrections, it’s much harder for them to find “a place to land” outside of prison, and nursing homes are unlikely to admit a felon. Still, a 2018 report from Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) found that the program is rarely used and that, in many states, it presents aging inmates with a troubling “number of barriers” to getting out. When inmates do develop dementia, prison workers, at a minimum, need to be provided with basic training to deal with the disease. “Correctional staff and those in direct daily contact with older prisoners need to understand both their vulnerability to other inmates and their inability to understand orders,” Aday says. Looking ahead, dementia wards in prison may be needed to house prisoners with cognitive problems. One such memory ward opened in 2019 at Federal Medical Center Devens in Massachusetts. The facility staff is specially trained to take care of those with dementia. But building dementia wards in prisons shines a spotlight on a larger issue: prisons are not properly equipped to house these patients because this was never their purpose in the first place. “The original intent of prison was to rehabilitate,” Aday says. “Correctional institutes were meant to ‘correct people’ so they could go back out and work.” Somewhere along the way, he adds, we’ve lost our purpose, and as a result, 10-year sentences have tripled, and life in prison without the possibility of parole is all too common. If we don’t get ahold of our out-of-balance sentencing structure, Aday says, we’ll never be able to really address the issue. Carter, now age 53, feels lucky that he made it out “by the skin of his teeth.” After graduating from Villanova University and spending years taking care of elderly inmates, he was able to commute his sentence to life with parole for a robbery that he says went terribly wrong when he was 22 years old. Last July he was released after spending three decades in maximum-security prison. Still, Carter is haunted by those he left behind, especially in the hospice ward. He says by the end of their life, most of them don’t even realize where they are, let alone what got them there. “You gotta wonder what kind of punishment it is if you don’t even know you’re in prison,” Carter says. ABOUT THE AUTHOR(S) Sara Novak is a science writer based on Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina. Her work has appeared in Discover, Sierra Magazine, Popular Science, New Scientist, and more. Follow her on Twitter@sarafnovak

Quantum Technology Reaches Unprecedented Control Over Captured Light – Mirage News https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/quantum-technology-reaches-unprecedented-control-over-captured-light-mirage-news/ ​Researchers in quantum technology at Chalmers University of Technology have succeeded in developing a technique to control quantum states of light in a three-dimensional cavity. In addition to creating previously known states, the researchers are the first ever to demonstrate the long-sought cubic phase state. The breakthrough is an important step towards efficient error correction in quantum computers. ​”We have shown that our technology is on par with the best in the world,” says Simone Gasparinetti, who is head of a research group in experimental quantum physics at Chalmers and one of the study’s senior authors. Just as a conventional computer is based on bits that can take the value 0 or 1, the most common method of building a quantum computer uses a similar approach. Quantum mechanical systems with two different quantum states, known as quantum bits (qubits), are used as building blocks. One of the quantum states is assigned the value 0 and the other the value 1. However, on account of the quantum mechanical state of superposition, qubits can assume both states 0 and 1 simultaneously, allowing a quantum computer to process huge volumes of data with the possibility of solving problems far beyond the reach of today’s supercomputers. First time ever for cubic phase state A major obstacle towards the realisation of a practically useful quantum computer is that the quantum systems used to encode the information are prone to noise and interference, which causes errors. Correcting these errors is a key challenge in the development of quantum computers. A promising approach is to replace qubits with resonators – quantum systems which, instead of having just two defined states, have a very large number of them. These states may be compared to a guitar string, which can vibrate in many different ways. The method is called continuous-variable quantum computing and makes it possible to encode the values 1 and 0 in several quantum mechanical states of a resonator. However, controlling the states of a resonator is a challenge with which quantum researchers all over the world are grappling. And the results from Chalmers provide a way of doing so. The technique developed at Chalmers allows researchers to generate virtually all previously demonstrated quantum states of light, such as for example Schrödinger’s cat or Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill (GKP)states, and the cubic phase state, a state previously described only in theory. “The cubic phase state is something that many quantum researchers have been trying to create in practice for twenty years. The fact that we have now managed to do this for the first time is a demonstration of how well our technique works, but the most important advance is that there are so many states of varying complexity and we have found a technique that can create any of them,” says Marina Kudra, a doctoral student at the Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience and the study’s lead author. Improvement in gate speed The resonator is a three-dimensional superconducting cavity made of aluminium. Complex superpositions of photons trapped inside the resonator are generated by interaction with a secondary superconducting circuit. The quantum mechanical properties of the photons are controlled by applying a set of electromagnetic pulses called gates. The researchers first succeeded in using an algorithm to optimise a specific sequence of simple displacement gates and complex SNAP-gates to generate the state of the photons. When the complex gates proved to be too long, the researchers found a way of making them shorter using optimum control methods to optimise the electromagnetic pulses. “The drastic improvement in the speed of our SNAP gates allowed us to mitigate the effects of decoherence in our quantum controller, pushing this technology one step forward. We have shown that we have full control over our quantum mechanical system,” says Simone Gasparinetti. Or, to put it more poetically: “I captured light in a place where it thrives and shaped it in some truly beautiful forms,” says Marina Kudra. Achieving this result was also dependent on the high quality of the physical system (the aluminium resonator itself and the superconducting circuit.) Marina Kudra has previously shown how the aluminium cavity is created by first milling it, and then making it extremely clean by methods including heating it to 500 degrees Centigrade and washing it with acid and solvent. The electronics that apply the electromagnetic gates to the cavity were developed in collaboration with the Swedish company Intermodulation Products. Research part of WACQT research programme The research was conducted at Chalmers within the framework of the Wallenberg Centre for Quantum Technology (WACQT), a comprehensive research programme, the aim of which is to make Swedish research and industry leaders in quantum technology. The initiative is led by Professor Per Delsing and a main goal is to develop a quantum computer. “At Chalmers we have the full stack for building a quantum computer, from theory to experiment, all under one roof. Solving the challenge of error correction is a major bottleneck in the development of large-scale quantum computers, and our results are proof for our culture and ways of working,” says Per Delsing. The article “Robust Preparation of Wigner-Negative States with Optimized SNAP-Displacement Sequences” was published in the journal PRX Quantum and was written by Marina Kudra, Mikael Kervinen, Ingrid Strandberg, Shahnawaz Ahmed, Marco Scigliuzzo, Amr Osman, Daniel Pérez Lozano, Mats O. Tholén, Riccardo Borgani, David B. Haviland, Giulia Ferrini, Jonas Bylander, Anton Frisk Kockum, Fernando Quijandría, Per Delsing, and Simone Gasparinetti. /University Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) may be of a point-in-time nature, edited for clarity, style and length. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s).View in full here.

Best Gaming Gifts For Holiday Season 2022 – CNET https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/best-gaming-gifts-for-holiday-season-2022-cnet/ This story is part of Gift Guide, our year-round collection of the best gift ideas. Game consoles, gaming hardware and new games and accessories are an easy holiday win. Finding exactly what you want, however, can be harder. Yes, the PS5 from Sony is easier to buy than at any point in its two-year lifespan, but you still have to hunt around a bit. The Xbox Series X and Series S are generally easy to buy now, as is the OLED Nintendo Switch. If you’re looking for the absolute best gaming gift, any one of these consoles is a sure hit.  Going a little further afield, Meta’s Quest 2 is still the VR headset to beat, even though Meta/Facebook recently raised the price. Newer VR headsets like the PSVR 2 (for PS5) aren’t coming until next year, and Meta’s upcoming new VR headset is going to be a much more expensive, pro-level device, rather than a casual gaming system.  Handheld gaming is experiencing a renaissance in 2022, with the Nintendo Switch joined by the Analogue Pocket and Panic Playdate — two retro-feeling mini-consoles that will give you classic GameBoy vibes. On the other end of the spectrum, the Steam Deck from Valve (also still hard to find) is a full-featured mini gaming PC.  For an overall favorite, the $499 PlayStation 5 is for gamers who want high-profile, Sony-exclusive games like God of War or Horizon: Forbidden West. The $499 Xbox Series X is great for gamers who want a whole ecosystem of Xbox Game Pass games that work across Xbox, PC and even tablets and phones (via cloud gaming).  Out best budget pick for a game console is the Xbox Series S, which does almost everything the bigger Series X does, but for $299. Another budget idea: For $49, you can pick up a Microsoft Xbox controller, in a variety of colors — it’s a great gift because it works across Xbox, gaming PCs, iPads and iPhones, even Apple TV.  n “,”topic”:””,”ttag”:””,”searchDim”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”variant”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”viewguid”:””,”event”:”listicle|image|1″,”correlationId”:””,”_destCat”:”https://www.amazon.com/Xbox-X/dp/B08H75RTZ8″,”productName”:”Xbox Series X”,”formatType”:”IMAGE”,”location”:”LIST”,”position”:1,”sku”:””,”dwLinkTag”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”selector”:”#article-body #listicle-9cde6a97-ae15-435a-ab98-55dcffa32344 .itemImage”}}” data-omitnoreferrer=”http://www.cnet.com/” href=”https://assoc-redirect.amazon.com/g/r/https://www.amazon.com/Xbox-X/dp/B08H75RTZ8?tag=cnet-buy-button-20&ascsubtag=___COM_CLICK_ID___%7C___VIEW_GUID___%7Cdtp” rel=”noopener nofollow” target=”_blank” Oliver Padilla/CNET The Xbox Series X is a powerful 4K gaming machine that works best with a similarly advanced 4K TV.  The platform offers exclusives like Halo and Forza, as well as for games from Microsoft-owned Bethesda, including the Fallout and Elder Scrolls games, and the upcoming Starfield.  The Xbox’s biggest advantage is the excellent Xbox Game Pass subscription service, which includes many of the biggest new games, for $15/month, and also includes PC and cloud gaming.  Read our Xbox Series X review. n “,”topic”:””,”ttag”:””,”searchDim”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”variant”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”viewguid”:””,”event”:”listicle|image|3″,”correlationId”:””,”_destCat”:”https://www.bestbuy.com/site/microsoft-xbox-series-s-512-gb-all-digital-console-disc-free-gaming-white/6430277.p?skuId=6430277″,”productName”:”Microsoft Xbox Series S”,”formatType”:”IMAGE”,”location”:”LIST”,”position”:3,”sku”:”IS_XBOX_S_US”,”dwLinkTag”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”selector”:”#article-body #listicle-67fce1c1-30a7-470c-a71c-24f3c5de89fc .itemImage”}}” data-omitnoreferrer=”http://www.cnet.com/” href=”https://shop-links.co/link/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Fmicrosoft-xbox-series-s-512-gb-all-digital-console-disc-free-gaming-white%2F6430277.p%3FskuId%3D6430277&publisher_slug=cnet&article_name=best%20gaming%20gifts%20for%20holiday%20season%202022&article_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnet.com%2Fnews%2Fbest-gaming-gifts-for-holiday-season-2022%2F&exclusive=1&u1=cn-___COM_CLICK_ID___-dtp___OPTOUT___” rel=”noopener nofollow” target=”_blank” Dan Ackerman/CNET The smaller, cheaper Series S version of the new Xbox plays all the same games, but outputs them at 1440 resolution, which lies somewhere between traditional HD and 4K. More importantly, it’s great for downloading and playing the huge catalog of Xbox Game Pass games, or for free-to-play online games like Fortnite.  Read our Xbox Series S review. You’re receiving price alerts for Microsoft Xbox Series S n “,”topic”:”Gaming Controllers”,”ttag”:”other”,”searchDim”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”variant”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”viewguid”:””,”event”:”listicle|image|4″,”correlationId”:””,”assettitle”:””,”campaign”:”other”,”cval”:36,”leadCpc”:0.36,”leadProdPrice”:47.99,”manufacturer”:”Microsoft”,”productName”:”Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller – gamepad – wireless – Bluetooth”,”seriesGuid”:””,”sku”:”QAS-00001″,”reviewId”:””,”formatType”:”IMAGE”,”location”:”LIST”,”position”:4,”dwLinkTag”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”selector”:”#article-body #listicle-9c4200c8-e461-4c69-ba38-7ad45de505d1 .itemImage”}}” data-omitnoreferrer=”http://www.cnet.com/” href=”https://shop-links.co/link/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgoto.target.com%2Fc%2F376373%2F1036126%2F2092%3Fprodsku%3D80744785%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.target.com%252Fp%252Fxbox-series-x-s-wireless-controller-robot-white%252F-%252FA-80744785%26intsrc%3DCATF_8031&publisher_slug=cnet&article_name=best%20gaming%20gifts%20for%20holiday%20season%202022&article_url=__ARTICLE_URL__&exclusive=1&u1=cn-___COM_CLICK_ID___-dtp___OPTOUT___” rel=”noopener nofollow” target=”_blank” Dan Ackerman/CNET The Xbox controller has become the unofficial industry standard. It connects via Bluetooth, so it works on not only Xbox consoles, but also your PC or Mac, iPhone, Android phone or iPad, and even the Apple TV.  Since nearly every PC game, and many iOS games, are already mapped to work with this controller, so it’s as close to pick-up-and-play as a gaming accessory can get.  You’re receiving price alerts for Xbox Core Wireless Controller n “,”topic”:””,”ttag”:””,”searchDim”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”variant”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”viewguid”:””,”event”:”listicle|image|5″,”correlationId”:””,”_destCat”:”https://www.amazon.com/HyperX-Cloud-Stinger-Swivel-Mute/dp/B0B8PGDMWK/”,”productName”:”HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 Gaming Headset”,”formatType”:”IMAGE”,”location”:”LIST”,”position”:5,”sku”:””,”dwLinkTag”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”selector”:”#article-body #listicle-16da720d-6d81-409e-b674-5fcaa6ce85ea .itemImage”}}” data-omitnoreferrer=”http://www.cnet.com/” href=”https://assoc-redirect.amazon.com/g/r/https://www.amazon.com/HyperX-Cloud-Stinger-Swivel-Mute/dp/B0B8PGDMWK/?tag=cnet-buy-button-20&ascsubtag=___COM_CLICK_ID___%7C___VIEW_GUID___%7Cdtp” rel=”noopener nofollow” target=”_blank” Lori Grunin/CNET For the budget-friendly price of $50 this remains one of the most comfortable gaming headsets under $100 you’ll ever clamp over your ears. Among the updates from the previous version, the Cloud Stinger 2 now has an expanded frequency response on both ends, an updated headband with rotating earcups, a bendier boom for the mic and a better on-ear volume dial.  n “,”topic”:””,”ttag”:””,”searchDim”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”variant”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”viewguid”:””,”event”:”listicle|image|6″,”correlationId”:””,”_destCat”:”https://www.bestbuy.com/site/nintendo-of-america-nintendo-switch-oled-model-w-white-joy-con-white/6470923.p?skuId=6470923″,”productName”:”Nintendo Switch OLED (Red/Blue)”,”formatType”:”IMAGE”,”location”:”LIST”,”position”:6,”sku”:”HEGSKABAA”,”dwLinkTag”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”selector”:”#article-body #listicle-5a1a7d6a-a22d-40ca-ae21-ce496bbd73bf .itemImage”}}” data-omitnoreferrer=”http://www.cnet.com/” href=”https://shop-links.co/link/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Fnintendo-of-america-nintendo-switch-oled-model-w-white-joy-con-white%2F6470923.p%3FskuId%3D6470923&publisher_slug=cnet&article_name=best%20gaming%20gifts%20for%20holiday%20season%202022&article_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnet.com%2Fnews%2Fbest-gaming-gifts-for-holiday-season-2022%2F&exclusive=1&u1=cn-___COM_CLICK_ID___-dtp___OPTOUT___” rel=”noopener nofollow” target=”_blank” Dan Ackerman/CNET This fourth iteration of Nintendo’s Switch hybrid handheld adds a bigger, better built-in display (now an OLED screen), plus a redesigned kickstand and TV dock. For anyone looking to jump into Switch or add a second unit for household multiplayer, this is the default model to consider.  But if you’re looking for the next Zelda game, that’s not coming until May, 2023.  Read the OLED Nintendo Switch review.  You’re receiving price alerts for Nintendo Switch OLED (Red/Blue) n “,”topic”:””,”ttag”:””,”searchDim”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”variant”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”viewguid”:””,”event”:”listicle|image|7″,”correlationId”:””,”_destCat”:”https://store.steampowered.com/steamdeck/”,”productName”:”Steam Deck”,”formatType”:”IMAGE”,”location”:”LIST”,”position”:7,”sku”:””,”dwLinkTag”:”article-body|listicle|image”,”selector”:”#article-body #listicle-5f36e4cc-5163-4f5c-8e64-5ef7db85f8f5 .itemImage”}}” data-omitnoreferrer=”http://www.cnet.com/” href=”https://store.steampowered.com/steamdeck/” rel=”noopener” target=”_blank” Dan Ackerman/CNET Taking the openness, flexibility and scale of PC gaming and putting it into handheld form has long been a holy grail for a devoted subset of WASD gamers. The Steam Deck comes closer than anything I’ve seen to nailing that formula.  The Steam Deck is made by Valve, the company behind the hugely successful Steam online game store/platform, but you should know what you’re doing before committing to the device. It’s a handheld AMD-powered PC running Linu...

Local News: Flo Bennett (9/27/22) – Daily Dunklin Democrat https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/local-news-flo-bennett-9-27-22-daily-dunklin-democrat/ Tuesday, September 27, 2022 Trina Bell tbell@dddnews.com A volunteer, the noun definition is described as a person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task. The verb definition is the act of freely offering to do something.

Amazing Gifts For People Who Are Passionate About Travel – Travel Daily News International https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/amazing-gifts-for-people-who-are-passionate-about-travel-travel-daily-news-international/ Daily travel & tourism news portal for the international travel trade market since 1999

WION Business News | World Bank: Economic Growth To Pick Up In 2023 – WION https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/wion-business-news-world-bank-economic-growth-to-pick-up-in-2023-wion/ Economic growth in East Asia and the Pacific will weaken sharply in 2022 due to China’s slowdown, but the pace of expansion will pick up next year, the World Bank stated on Tuesday.

Health Tech Platform Hav. Partners With BOUNZ Rewards To Reward Healthier Living – Gulf News https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/health-tech-platform-hav-partners-with-bounz-rewards-to-reward-healthier-living-gulf-news/ (Left) Aldrin Kenneth, VP – Middle East and Africa at hav. and (Right) Sridhar Krishnamurthy, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of BOUNZ. Image Credit: Supplied Dubai: New age health tech platform, hav. announced its entry into a game-changing partnership with BOUNZ Rewards, where driving healthy living is the goal, with rewards for users and health enthusiasts. This brand partnership by BOUNZ Rewards with hav. aims to keep brand engagement positive and customer-friendly with a fun element where health goals are met, and the BOUNZ rewards keep pouring in. Specific to this brand partnership, hav. will track the number of steps and other health-related activities users take and, in return, get rewarded with BOUNZ Rewards. This collaboration aims to reward users for every step they take in a seamless integration with BOUNZ. These activities will come in the form of daily, weekly, and seasonal events to boost and track health and wellness and earn BOUNZ Rewards, which can be redeemed at any of the BOUNZ online and offline partners, including Choithrams, Emirates Draw, Joyalukkas, Al Jaber Optical, GULF NEWS, and Gates Hospitality. The added bonus is harnessing the power of a community by sharing and motivating the wellness journey with friends and family. BOUNZ Rewards is a free-to-join loyalty program app for UAE residents and tourists, available on the App Store and Google Play Store. The hav. -BOUNZ partnership, which kickstarts in September, is a game-changing collaboration where loyal customers can participate in wellness challenges, achieve health goals, win, and redeem BOUNZ rewards across the UAE. Addressing the partnership between hav. and BOUNZ, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of BOUNZ, Sridhar Krishnamurthy said, “As a fitness enthusiast and an avid mountaineer I firmly believe in the saying ‘health is the greatest wealth’ and in keeping with the vision of BOUNZ , I am very excited to give back to the community in a positive way and, what better way than having our loyal users and subscribers invest in their health, set health goals, and get rewarded for the same by using hav application?” Aldrin Kenneth, VP – Middle East and Africa at hav. stated, “BOUNZ Rewards was the first and only logical partner in the UAE we ever thought of partnering given their loyal user base, wide partners across various sectors and we look forward to bringing more wellness programs to the market”. About hav. hav. is a rewards-based health platform built for the holistic well-being of people. They aim to create a healthy community by motivating people to follow a healthy lifestyle through a gamified model of wellness where users get meaningful discounts from the brands they love. You can download the hav. app from the Google Play Store. About BOUNZ Founded in 2021, BOUNZ Rewards is a free-to-join innovative rewards program app. It was created to offer generous value back to residents and tourists of the United Arab Emirates for engaging with its partners across different sectors united under one app – BOUNZ Rewards. Being the first of its kind, members are rewarded for their first interactions by checking into a partner’s store and a partner’s website without having to purchase anything, which means members can start collecting BOUNZ before purchasing anything on the app or from a partner. You can download the BOUNZ Rewards app from the Apple App Store, Huawei AppGallery, and Google Play store.

Services Pending | News, Sports, Jobs – Warren Tribune Chronicle https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/services-pending-news-sports-jobs-warren-tribune-chronicle/ LEONARD DeSANTIS, 59, of Warren, died Saturday, Sept. 25, 2022, at Trumbull Regional Medical Center. (Carl W. Hall) TRACY HARRISON, 57, of Youngsown, died Saturday, Sept. 27, 2022, at St. Joseph Warren Hospital. (Staton-Borowski) BARBARA A. MELANSON, 80, of Warren, died Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022. (Higgins-Reardon) JOANNE P. STREETS, 61, of Newton Falls, died Monday, Sept. 26, 2022, at Canfield Healthcare Center. (James)

Walmart Enters The Metaverse To Bring Shopping To Young Roblox Gamers – SiliconRepublic.com https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/walmart-enters-the-metaverse-to-bring-shopping-to-young-roblox-gamers-siliconrepublic-com/ Walmart Land. Image: Walmart The company has brought interactive content, games and competitions to Roblox, to bring its shopping isles to life digitally. Retail giant Walmart is taking its service to the metaverse, with two experiences on the gaming platform Roblox. With interactive content and games, Walmart said its two offerings are designed to bring its shopping isles to life for the virtual world. Roblox is estimated to have around 52m daily users and is popular among younger players. The first experience, Walmart Land, features live music, fashion competitions, Netflix trivia games and “verch”, which is Walmart’s merchandise in the virtual world. Walmart said its second location called Universe of Play is the “ultimate toy destination”, with games that offer tokens for players to earn virtual goods. Walmart US chief marketing officer William White said the company is showing up on the gaming platform “in a big way”. “Roblox is one of the fastest growing and largest platforms in the metaverse, and we know our customers are spending loads of time there,” White said. “So, we’re focusing on creating new and innovative experiences that excite them, something we’re already doing in the communities where they live, and now, the virtual worlds where they play.” This marks Walmart’s first entry into the metaverse as it seeks new ways to engage with its shoppers. The retail giant made plans at the end of 2021 to join the digital world by filing several trademarks, CNBC reports. These trademarks suggest Walmart is also planning to create its own cryptocurrency in the future, along with NFTs. White told CNBC that Roblox will serve as a testing ground for the company as it considers further moves in the metaverse. Walmart also made a venture into a potential e-commerce frontier earlier this year, when it partnered with streaming player Roku. The retail giant began a pilot programme to let people buy products directly from adverts they see on their TV. 10 things you need to know direct to your inbox every weekday. Sign up for the Daily Brief, Silicon Republic’s digest of essential sci-tech news.

Bluesound Serves Up New Wireless Audio Gear, Sonos Killer? – Audioholics https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/bluesound-serves-up-new-wireless-audio-gear-sonos-killer-audioholics/ Like Sonos… but better. I think it’s fair to say that this was the goal that the Lenbrook Group — parent company to NAD and PSB —  set for itself when launching Bluesound back in 2013. (In fact, Lenbrook even served as the Canadian distributor for Sonos in the mid 2000s.) But beating Sonos at its own game is no easy task. As I mentioned in my recent article about the company’s first automotive audio system, Sonos is easily one of the most successful new audio brands of the last two decades. Like Apple, it succeeds in part because its hardware and software are so deeply interconnected. Sonos also has the best user interface this side of Roon. With a lineup including the likes of PSB’s Paul Barton, Lenbrook’s engineering talent could run rings around the audio boffins at Sonos, or at any tech-focused consumer audio company. But Bluesound would need more than just good-sounding speakers and electronics in order to succeed. Taking on Sonos isn’t about building a product; it’s about designing a whole ecosystem. Plenty of other audio companies have tried to build their own wireless multi-room audio platforms, including heavy-hitters like Denon, Yamaha, and Bose. At the high-end of the market, companies like KEF, Bowers & Wilkins, and Devialet, have made their mark, but the high prices of those products naturally limit their customer base. Tech companies like Google, Apple, and Amazon have changed the game with their smart speakers, but most focus on the futuristic user experience, and not on sound quality. Bluesound came out of the gate with high-res music support, allowing its customers to enjoy 24bit/192kHz downloads in every room of the house. Now that high-res streaming is becoming more commonplace (hello, Apple Music), it’s surprising that Sonos speakers — not to mention Apple’s own HomePods — still haven’t caught up. For the Tidal crowd, Bluesound also handles MQA — a feature that looks increasingly unlikely to find its way into a Sonos speaker near you. With solid audio engineering, real-world prices, an excellent control app, and a better-than-Sonos feature set, Bluesound has come the closest to de-throning the king of multi-room wireless audio. Now the company has introduced three updated products for 2022, including the Node streamer/dac ($549), the Powernode streaming amp ($899), and the Pulse Soundbar+ ($899 or $999, depending on finish).   All three of these new products feature a powerful ARM Cortex A53 Quad-Core processor, which Bluesound says is 8 times faster than the chipsets found in previous generations of Bluesound architecture. The new processor may seem like overkill, but that’s kind of the point. According to Bluesound, all that extra power and speed make these products “ready for whatever technologies the future may hold.” In addition to the significant spec bump in the number-crunching department, the new Node and Powernode boast new DAC designs, improved functionality (more on this later), and fancy new touch-panel controls with proximity sensors. The Powernode also gets a big boost in power over the previous version. Meanwhile, the new Pulse Soundbar+ welcomes Dolby Atmos to the party. Since the beginning, Bluesound has set out to provide a modern hi-res multi-room streaming experience for customers who care about audio quality. We have seen the NODE and POWERNODE quickly become the go-to streaming components for discerning music lovers, because of our focus on high quality listening and on the software features that make the products – all the way back to our first generation – even better over time. This latest generation, once again, sets the bar for performance and value in their respective categories. — Matt Simmonds, Bluesound Product Manager   The new Node is a follow-up to the Node 2i from 2018, which represented a major sonic upgrade over the Node 2 that it replaced. This 4th iteration of Bluesound’s core streaming gadget seems mostly to be a refresh of the unit’s computational smarts and its input/output complement, so owners of the Node 2i needn’t rush to trade up. But the new unit does have an updated “audiophile-grade” DAC section based on the highly-capable-on-paper PCM5242 chip from Texas Instruments. While the Node looks virtually identical to its predecessor from the front, around back you’ll see one of its best new features: an HDMI eARC input. Bluesound wants the Node to be flexible and future-friendly, and “as comfortable in a two-channel TV system… as it is in an audiophile’s dedicated listening room… (providing) a hi-res experience no matter where it’s used.” Mated to a nice pair of powered speakers, the Node can be both a music-listening hub and a sound-bar replacement for movies, TV, and gaming. Of course, the Node also has an array of other digital and analog inputs and outputs, as did its predecessors. But one big upgrade would be easy to miss at first glance. While earlier Nodes included a USB input for connecting hard drives loaded with music files, an upcoming firmware update will allow the new Node to send digital data out via that same USB port to an outboard DAC. Until now, optical and coax were the only digital outputs available. Some DACs simply perform better via their USB inputs, and many require the use of USB to unlock certain features (such as MQA decoding and/or rendering). Having a high-quality digital output makes the Node easily upgradable. The user can start with the Node’s internal DAC and analog outputs, and then upgrade its performance by adding a better DAC down the road. But for many, the Node’s feature set will be even more important than its potential for end-game sound quality. Happily, the Node has an exhaustive list of features, including Apple AirPlay 2, voice control (via Siri, Amazon Alexa, or Google Assistant), and 2-way aptX HD Bluetooth, meaning you can stream from your phone to the Node, or from the Node to your wireless headphones. It’s also Roon Ready, and handles both Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect. The subwoofer output can be optimized for your setup, thanks to customizable crossover settings. Basically, if you were to say, “But does it do___?” The answer is yes, it does. Despite all of this flexibility, the BluOS control app is one of the more user-friendly on the market. Basic functions like play/pause, skipping tracks, and adjusting volume are also available as touch controls via a new, larger touch panel located on top of the unit. And thanks to a proximity sensor, the touch panel fades to black when it’s not being used, and lights up again when your hand moves toward it. Very cool.   The new Powernode does everything that the Node does, and also has an 80-watt integrated amp built in. There’s not too much else to say about it, really. The Powernode uses NAD’s HybridDigital amplifier platform, and its 80-watt power rating (into 8 ohms) is a substantial upgrade over the 60 watts produced by the Powernode 2i from 2018. Like the Node, the Powernode can connect wirelessly to Bluesound’s Pulse Sub+ subwoofer ($749), or via RCA to any subwoofer of your choice. One cool feature is the Powernode’s ability to transform a standard 2-channel rig into a 4.1-channel home theater. Just add a sub and a pair of Bluesound’s Pulse Flex 2i wireless speakers ($299 each) as rear channel additions, and the Powernode can deliver a wireless Dolby surround-sound home theater experience. How many stereo integrated amps can do that? In 2016, Bluesound launched the world’s first Hi-Res soundbar, setting the bar for audio excellence in the category that continues to this day. With the PULSE SOUNDBAR+, we continue to innovate and refine, making good on our commitment to bring hi-res, HiFi listening to everyday life, even in product categories that traditionally overlook the importance of audio quality. — Matt Simmonds, Bluesound Product Manager   Finally, the new $899 Pulse Soundbar+ is designed to be “the ultimate audiophile-grade soundbar that will satisfy any home entertainment need,” according to Bluesound. It represents a “full audio-chain redesign,” with advanced DSP processing made possible by that new ARM Cortex A53 Quad-Core chipset under the hood. The big new feature is Dolby Atmos support, served up via 8 audiophile-quality transducers driven by 120 watts of total power. Bluesound says the new amplification “packs a punch, allowing you to play loud and dig deep, with tight, musical control.” Acoustic design and speaker voicing were performed at Canada’s National Research Council. Like the Node and Powernode, the Pulse Soundbar+ is packed with features, including HDMI eARC, Apple AirPlay 2, and 2-way aptX HD Bluetooth. It can be paired wirelessly with the Pulse Sub+, or to the subwoofer of your choice via a wired connection. Again, a pair of Pulse Flex 2i wireless speakers can serve rear-channel duty, delivering a more immersive surround sound experience. The Pulse Soundbar+ features 2 onboard WiFi chips to prevent network latency, delivering “rock solid and zero-lag audio performance, even for demanding gaming applications.” The front panel sports new touch controls for quick access to basic functions. For ease of installation, the Pulse Soundbar+ comes supplied with a wall-mount bracket and a pair of “kickstand” feet. The optional white finish raises the price from $899 to $999.   Bluesound vs Sonos I would be interested in a comparison between the Pulse Soundbar+ and the $799 Sonos Arc soundbar, which has scored highly with reviewers, and is certainly a direct competitor. Of course, I don’t know how well these new Bluesound products will sell compared to their Sonos-branded counterparts, which enjoy both a huge amount of mainstream name recognition and a healthy advertising budget. But from an audio performance standpoint, I don’t think an...

Bitcoin Surges 7% To Top $20,000, Its Highest Level In More Than A Week, Even As Stocks Hit 2022 Lows – CNBC https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/bitcoin-surges-7-to-top-20000-its-highest-level-in-more-than-a-week-even-as-stocks-hit-2022-lows-cnbc/ Bitcoin continues to trade in a tight range of $18,000 to $25,000 mark, keeping investors on edge about where the price is going next. The crytpo market has been plagued with a number of issues from collapsed projects to bankruptcies. Nurphoto | Getty Images Bitcoin topped $20,000 on Tuesday, hitting its highest level in the more than a week, but is still struggling to break out of its tight trading range. The world’s largest cryptocurrency was more than 7% higher at $20,265.95 at around 3:30 a.m. ET, according to data from CoinDesk. Bitcoin’s rally lifted the broader cryptocurrency market. Ether was up around 7% at $1,389.75. Still, bitcoin has struggled for direction, trading between $18,000 and $25,000 since mid-June after a crash saw nearly $2 trillion wiped off the entire crypto market since its peak in November. That market decline was driven by interest rate rises from central banks aimed a controlling rampant inflation as well as a wave of bankruptcies and insolvency issues that filtered through the crypto industry. Crypto investors have been watching monetary policy because digital currencies have been closely correlated to U.S. stock markets this year. Higher interest rates have put pressure on the S&P 500 and tech-heavy Nasdaq, which has filtered through other risky assets including cryptocurrencies. The U.S. Federal Reserve’s 0.75 percentage point rate hike last week marked a “major event” for crypto markets, according to Vijay Ayyar, vice president of corporate development and international at crypto exchange Luno. “This was broadly in line with market expectations and hence, we’ve seen a lot of that sentiment priced in,” Ayyar said. Interestingly, bitcoin’s rally, which began on Monday, happened despite a fall in U.S. stocks with the S&P 500 closing at its lowest level of 2022. Stock futures rose on Tuesday. So, there are signs that perhaps the correlation between crypto and stocks could be weakening. Meanwhile, investors are watching the U.S. dollar closely. The dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of currencies, is up more than 18% this year. Bitcoin moves inversely to the dollar, so a strong greenback is negative for bitcoin. However, Ayyar said that the dollar index could be nearing its top which would mark a potential bottom for bitcoin. That could be a reason behind bitcoin’s surge. “Traders hence might also be positioning themselves accordingly,” Ayyar said.