Blackfire

Following the stink raised by competing collaboration tool Slack to the European Union in 2020, Microsoft has agreed to stop automatically bundling Teams with its office software. Per the Financial Times(opens in new tab) (paywall), the move is an attempt to escape what would be the company’s first antitrust investigation in over a decade. However, Slack, now owned by CRM software provider Salesforce, is pushing for even further action, and a ruling that Microsoft Teams and Office must be sold separately. not surprising then that Slack feels like it’s missing its share of the pie, but this already protracted legal battle with the EU’s executive arm, the European Commission (EC), is set to continue, with a statement from Microsoft sent to the FT claiming that talks are still in progress. “We are mindful of our responsibilities in the EU as a major technology company,” said a representative for the tech giant. “We continue to engage cooperatively with the commission in its investigation and are open to pragmatic solutions that address its concerns and serve customers well.” Microsoft has seen trouble like this before when, in 2008, it bundled its Internet Explorer browser with Windows. Under scrutiny, it began offering a choice of browsers to users, but was fined €561 million by the EU for going back on its word. So, history may just be about to repeat itself. [https://www.techradar.com/news/Microsoft-Teams-is-about-to-become-optional-for-Office-users]

The Asus ROG Ally has an official launch date of May 11. That's a lot sooner than many of us expected to see the new Steam Deck(opens in new tab) rival, a wee PC that Asus is promising will "redefine handheld gaming." The company has been seeding us with some solid data ready for its upcoming launch event, including the super-bright 120Hz 7-inch screen's response time, and the machine's confirmed pair of AMD Ryzen Z1-series chips. After teasing the Ally on April Fools(opens in new tab), then waiting days to reveal that it wasn't actually a joke, Asus Steam Deck rival wasn't off to the greatest of starts in the eyes of some jaded tech journalists. Asus is happy with how it all went, however, with Asus' global marketing director, Galip Fu, telling us: "We took an unconventional approach to showcase our unconventional device, and we're pleased with the results Not long after the initial announcement the company needled us with yet another teaser that the Ally's launch date may be "sooner than you expect"(opens in new tab), and with that coming in just a couple of weeks from now, Asus clearly wasn't messing around. This time. Previous reports from YouTuber Dave2D(opens in new tab) placed the ROG Ally's processor as a custom AMD SoC built on TSMC's 4nm process node. Asus has now confirmed the Zen 4 CPU and an RDNA 3 GPU the Ally will be running on as a semi-custom, 6-core, 12-thread SoC known as the Ryzen Z1. It's essentially a cut down version of AMD's recent Ryzen 7 7840U mobile APU, perhaps closer to the Ryzen 5 7640U, and comes sporting a Radeon 780M GPU, just as recent leaks had hinted. There's no word on frequency clocks, but if the recent benchmarks of the 780M iGPU(opens in new tab) are anything to go by, we're in the money. Whether the "anti-gravity heat pipes" and dual fans the ROG Ally employs will be able to keep it cool with all that power is going to be a challenge, but it looks like a big focus has been figuring out ways to improve thermals. Asus also confirmed there is an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip—the "ultimate processor for modern handheld gaming"—which comes with eight cores and 16 threads. It also comes with three times the number of RDNA 3 compute units than the standard Z1 chip. That means you get 12 CUs as opposed to just four, and that makes a huge difference when it comes to gaming performance. If you want to talk raw GPU performance, the Z1 Extreme can manage up to 8.6 TFLOPS, which is roughly equivalent to a desktop RX 6600 GPU. The standard Z1 chip, however, is only capable of a maximum 2.8 TFLOPS, less than an RX 6400. Though that is still considerably more than the Steam Deck's 1.6 TFLOPS from its Aerith APU. Those original 780M benchmarks came from a 12CU iGPU, so that will be the expected power of the top Z1 Extreme APU, which will surely form the basis of a second, more premium priced ROG Ally. Though might also be a bit more aggressive on the ol' battery as well as on the wallet. While we knew the Ally would come with a 7-inch 1080p screen, running at 120Hz, we're now being promised a healthy 7ms response time and AMD FreeSync compatibility, along with a 500 nits peak brightness. It's also sporting Corning Gorilla Glass to keep it safe and comes with DX anti-glare coating. We're also looking at HDMI 2.0 compatibility, a swappable SSD on the PCIe 4.0 x 4 interface, and a fingerprint sensor on the wake button for a quick login. All this comes in a relatively lightweight 608g package, which Asus managed to slice down from the pre-production model's 680g thanks to new, slimmer fans and a hollowed out top case. The Steam Deck is some 669g, which puts the Ally in a slightly lighter category. One thing that we're still curious to see in action is just how well it works with Windows 11—an OS not historically known for being easy to use on either a touchscreen or a smol screen. Asus, however, is touting it as the easy solution to giving gamers access to "all of their publisher libraries and game streaming services on a single device." As previously hinted, Asus is going to be adding its own game launcher to the Armoury Crate software used across the entire ROG ecosystem. The Armoury Crate SE version of the app in side the Ally is slightly different and will scan your machine for installed games and bring them all together under one unified UI. That's one way the company hopes to tackle the UI issues associated with a navigating handheld. Asus is also promising three months of Game Pass Ultimate with each purchase, "giving users instant access to hundreds of AAA and indie titles the moment they boot their Ally." That's a pretty neat way to get people up and running quickly, and to get around the potential limitations of handheld hardware, noise, and battery life. There has been no admission on what sort of battery life we should be able to expect out of the ROG Ally, however, and also no real hints at the final price. The closest we got was an Asus representative assuring us that, while the retail price was being held back for a reveal at the May 11 launch event (and will undoubtedly be leaked well ahead of that), "I can tell you for sure that the price will be below $1,000. 200% it will be below $1,000." That's not 200% below $1,000 because that would mean Asus giving every customer $1,000 to take an Ally off their hands. Commercial suicide. Still, at least it seems Asus is keen to ensure the price of the ROG Ally is roughly analogous to the mid-tier cost of a Steam Deck. Though I guess it could just end up being $999, of course. That pricing is likely just for the base six-core edition of the Ally, however, as there is surely going to be a second, more expensive version sporting that Ryzen Z1 Extreme eight-core processor. How much more we won't know until the May 11 unveiling in a couple of weeks. But you can definitely colour us intrigued by what we've seen and heard so far. [https://www.pcgamer.com/asus-rog-ally-launch-may-11/]

Mercedes-Benz has unwrapped its sixth-generation E-Class, revealing a significantly more contemporary take on the traditional luxury saloon that is planned to go on sale in September at a price tipped to start at over £50,000. The new four-door, one of the German car maker’s last dedicated internal combustion engine models before it goes electric only, grows in size over the previous model offering a larger interior. As part of its focus on premium comfort, the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class gets Level 4 autonomous tech as part of a driverless valet parking function – previously only available on the Mercedes S-Class – as an option in markets where laws allow, such as its home country of Germany. The Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series rival also offers a revised range of drivetrains, including overhauled petrol-electric plug-in hybrid systems with a greater electric range of up to 69 miles (WLTP) thanks to a 10.6kWh larger 24.1kWh battery. As well as the two hybrid options, the new E-Class will initially be sold with a choice of four four- and six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, offering a power range from 194bhp to 375bhp. All are mated to a standard nine-speed automatic gearbox. Design-wise, the new E-Class adopts a lineage similar to the smaller Mercedes-Benz C-Class and larger S-Class, giving the traditional trio of Mercedes-Benz saloons the most cohesive appearance in over three decades. More conservatively styled than the electric-powered and similarly sized Mercedes-Benz EQE saloon, it retains a traditional classic saloon layout together with a larger grille (and optional illuminated surround), more shapely headlamps, and a longer bonnet. Together with the standard styling package, Mercedes-Benz has also developed Avantgarde and AMG-line trims, both of which are expected to feature prominently in the UK. Sitting on an updated version of Mercedes-Benz’s Modular Rear Architecture (MRA) platform, structural changes claim to provide the lightweight steel and aluminium platform with added rigidity compared to that used by the outgoing fifth-generation E-Class. Together with the initial saloon model revealed here, Mercedes-Benz is also readying a successor model to the E-Class Estate for a UK launch in December. The new luxury load hauler also forms the basis of a follow-up to the E-Class All Terrain, which is planned to head into local showrooms during the first quarter of 2024. With Mercedes-Benz combining the next-generation C-Class and E-Class coupe and cabriolet into a newly-created CLE model line-up, the long-running E-Class coupe and cabriolet are set to be phased out. Inside, the new E-Class receives a comprehensive reworking, with a new look cabin featuring more contemporary digital functionality, improved comfort and higher quality materials - all part of a concerted push by Mercedes-Benz to see the traditional saloon reflect a more luxury-led image and a higher positioning. As revealed back in February, the standard dashboard receives a free-standing 12.3-in instrument display and 14.4- in portrait-style infotainment display. Buyers will also be able to option the new model with Mercedes-Benz’s new Superscreen. The new E-Class will initially be sold with a choice of four longitudinally-mounted four- and six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, all featuring 48-volt mild-hybrid properties, with a gearbox-mounted integrated starter motor providing added power and torque as well as coasting properties for improved efficiency and fuel savings. The majority of new E-Class models receive a standard steel spring suspension, with upper-end models set to receive a reworked version of Mercedes-Benz AirMatic air suspension. Production of the E-Class saloon takes place at Mercedes- Benz’s Sindelfingen plant in Germany. A long-wheelbase version of the new model will also be produced at a joint venture factory operated by Mercedes-Benz and Chinese state-owned car maker BAIC in Beijing, China. [https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/new-mercedes-e-class-brings-69-mile-phev-and-375bhp]

puppy is recovering after falling from a clifftop and landing on ledge 60ft (18m) up, suffering a broken leg. A volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew from Ilfracombe, Devon, was called when 11-month-old cockapoo Betty slipped and was trapped on the ledge. Betty's owner, Karen Porter, raised the alarm for her pet who was stuck in the remote cove for six hours. Crew member Matt Parr said: "It was a massive relief when we could see the dog on the beach and she looked OK." He said after "a bit of difficulty calming her down", Betty was put into the rescue boat and "relaxed a bit". Betty's owner said she was "amazed" her puppy survived the fall in March. "It was terrifying having her stuck down there, but everyone was amazing. I can't thank the RNLI and the coastguards enough - they were wonderful," she said. "The vet is amazed at how well she's healing so far. She's been making a remarkable recovery. "We go back in a couple of weeks for X-rays and then she can start exercising again." [https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-devon-65381095#more-menu-button]

Sequels are rarely as good as the original. We can all think of a few movie follow ups that should never have been made. American voters may have similar misgivings about the next US presidential election which looks increasingly likely to be a rerun of the 2020 contest, with the same characters in the leading roles. Joe Biden has now confirmed he's signed up to star for the Democrats, while Donald Trump remains the clear frontrunner for the Republican nomination. It's a story we have seen before and only very few people seem eager to watch again. A recent poll found that only 5% of Americans want both President Biden and former President Trump to run again and 38% want neither to run. One of the reasons Mr Biden is so determined to try to retain the White House is because he is convinced he is the only one who can beat Mr Trump. We will see. What is true is that he is the only one who has beaten him. LIVE: Latest reaction and analysis Elections which feature an incumbent president are often seen as a referendum on the last four years. The Biden administration does have policy achievements it can point to, and its campaign slogan will be "let's finish the Watch: Biden's new campaign launch video explained But it was striking that his official launch instead attempted to frame the election as a choice - a choice between moderate and extreme, between competent and crazy. The same "battle for the soul of the nation" that was central to Mr Biden's pitch last time. Donald Trump does not feature in the campaign video, but we do see scenes from the January 6th riots at the Capitol as Mr Biden warns of MAGA (Make America Great Again) extremism and the threat he says it poses to American democracy. Over the past two years, we have heard Mr Trump's false claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him. If he becomes the Republican nominee in 2024, he will keep banging that drum. Yet, repeating lies about election fraud was clearly not a winning formula last year. Most of the high-profile election-denying candidates whom Trump backed in the 2022 midterm elections fared pretty badly. In contrast, the Democrats enjoyed much better than expected results in those Congressional elections - even keeping control of the US Senate. That performance helped to guarantee that President Biden won't face a major challenge from within his own party. REACTION: What Democratic voters think of Biden NEWS: Biden vows to 'finish the job' if re-elected PROFILE: The woman in charge of Biden's campaign The biggest issue that played in the Democrats' favour was abortion. There has been a major voter backlash against the overturning of the constitutional right to terminate a pregnancy. Two-thirds of Americans consistently tell pollsters that they think abortion care should be legal and accessible. President Biden will return to it again and again in the 18 months before election day. In the launch video, Mr Biden accused Republican extremists of "dictating what healthcare decisions women can make" over footage of an abortion rights protestor outside the Supreme Court. Republicans look like the dog that finally caught up with the car it's been chasing. After decades when they could advance anti-abortion positions without having to offer too much detail, now candidates backing abortion bans are seeing that it could hurt them electorally. Republican-controlled state legislatures are pushing ahead with restrictive laws, but party strategists are worried about the impact at the national level. But President Biden remains vulnerable. His approval numbers remain historically low - 42% approve of his performance, while 52 % disapprove. The only other president since Ronald Reagan to be as unpo[CENSORED]r at this point in his first term was Donald Trump. Whichever Republican ends up challenging Mr Biden, it's obvious they will portray the 80-year-old president as a doddery old man (even if Mr Trump is only four years younger). They will hope that a strenuous cross-country campaign leaves the president looking exhausted. He will not be able to campaign from his basement in Delaware as he did through the Covid election of 2020. Today's video features plenty of shots of the president looking deliberately vital and energetic - even running in one shot. But he cannot keep that up until polling day. His opponents will also point to inflation (even if it is falling, that still means prices are rising) and to record numbers of migrants crossing the US's southern border. Two issues guaranteed to get the Republican base riled up. The president does not excite Democrats in the way Mr Trump - and his main rival, Florida governor Ron DeSantis - fire up the Republican base. But they have largely accepted that Mr Biden may be their best bet in 2024. And the Biden campaign seems to think that the prospect of Donald Trump returning to the White House is still the most effective way to drive up turnout among Democrats and independents. After all, it worked last time, and they will hope the result in a potential sequel is the same. [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65389136]

The first flight evacuating UK nationals has left Sudan, Downing Street says, with two more planned overnight It comes as the Foreign Office urged British nationals in the country to head to an airfield north of Khartoum It marks a change of advice from this morning when the Foreign Office told people not to head to the airbase until they were contacted It follows criticism from Brits stuck in Sudan who say they feel abandoned while other foreign nationals and embassy staff were flown out So far the EU has airlifted more than 1,000 of its citizens out, mainly on French and German rescue missions Many African countries have also got citizens out, but Kenyan students stuck in Khartoum tell the BBC they are desperate for help Rival military factions have been fighting for 10 days. A shaky ceasefire appears to be holding, although there have been reports of new gunfire and shelling Separately, the World Health Organization is warning of a "high risk of biological hazard" after a laboratory storing pathogens was seized Flight carrying everyone eligible who made it to airfield, Sunak says More from the interview with Rishi Sunak now, who says the first flight taking British citizens out of Sudan was carrying everyone who had travelled to the Khartoum airfield and was eligible for evacuation. Asked whether a lack of clarity in the UK's response could lead to empty seats on planes, the prime minister says: "It's exactly because we want to make sure that our evacuations are happening in an effective and safe manner that we decide how best to call people forward." He says this "evolves depending on the situation on the ground" and people are being contacted both directly and through a general call. Sunak also says he is not able to guarantee the long-term safety of the air route being used, given the volatility of the ceasefire. But he did tell broadcasters that other options were being considered. Sunak also says the government is working with allies to try to secure a more "sustained ceasefire" and restore civilian government in Sudan, which he says is the "best solution to avoid more humanitarian impact". Sunak defends UK approach and says many more flights to come Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has defended the UK government's approach to getting British citizens out of Sudan, following criticism that the Foreign Office is failing those stuck in Khartoum. Speaking to broadcasters a little while ago, he also says there will be "many more" flights out of Sudan this evening and into tomorrow. Asked about the accusations of failing to help UK citizens, the prime minister says he is "pleased that we were actually one of the first countries to safely evacuate our diplomats and our families". He adds it is right that diplomats and their relatives were prioritised "because they were being targeted". Quote Message: The security situation on the ground in Sudan is complicated, it is volatile and we wanted to make sure we could put in place processes that are going to work for people, that are going to be safe and effective." from Rishi Sunak UK Prime Minister The security situation on the ground in Sudan is complicated, it is volatile and we wanted to make sure we could put in place processes that are going to work for people, that are going to be safe and effective." Rishi Sunak UK Prime Minister Confirming the UK has more than 100 people on the ground in Sudan as it stands, Sunak says there will be "more flights this evening and we'll have many more into tomorrow". He says more than 1,000 people have been contacted and many are making their way to the airfield [https://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-65371585]

Removing @RevoFrom Team, Reason : Retirement Thank you for your support and assistance in our project. I wish you all the best and much success in your future endeavors

I find this request to be a joke because you just joined a few days ago and have no activity. How can you be willing to become a moderator without first participating in at least one project? Without this prerequisite, your requests for moderator will continue to be rejected indefinitely. #CONTRA

WhatsApp is giving users a chance to hold onto Disappearing Messages just a bit longer with the new Keep in Chat tool. The way it works is pretty simple. First, select the text with the important piece of information. Then tap the bookmark icon in the app’s top bar to save said message. The feature works with plain text as well as voice notes, according to a post on WhatsApp(opens in new tab). Saved messages will sport the bookmark icon so you don't forget. You can also check the Kept Messages folder in the Settings menu which organizes everything by chat. However, there’s a catch: you must have the consent of the person who sent the message in the first place. When you attempt to save something, the sender will get a notification informing them the recipient in the chat wants to keep the message. WhatsApp states the sender has final say. If they veto your request, there’s nothing you can do. The message will then “be deleted when the timer expires You may think this update is rather strange as it appears to undermine the very concept of Disappearing Messages. Meta has been tweaking the feature to have texts last longer in chats since its launch back in 2021. The maximum amount of time before deletion is 90 days. Meta states in the announcement that Keep in Chat offers better “flexibility to keep the messages [people] need.” Of course, you can always screenshot the messages to keep them permanently, but maybe your on-device folder is a rat’s nest of random images making finding the right image a real chore. This update can help you organize things Speaking of texts, files discovered in a WhatsApp iOS beta from late March revealed Meta is working on finally allowing users a way to edit messages. So someday iPhone owners may be able to undo those embarrassing typos. It’s unknown exactly when the editing tool will launch since the feature is apparently still in development, but it is something to look forward to if it happens. Android owners, on the other hand, do have a beta readily available to them adding a new way to edit their contacts list. It’s available for download via the Google Play Store. Be sure to check out TechRadar’s recently updated list of the best smartphone deals for April 2023 if you’re looking for something new on which to run the latest version of WhatsApp. [https://www.techradar.com/news/WhatsApp-update-lets-you-keep-disappearing-messages-with-permission]

The Endgame Gear XM2we is pitched as a budget wireless gaming mouse: a no-frills pointer for humble gamers who just want to pull off their super-wicked 360° no scopes without a flashing braindance of RGB disco lights intruding into their peripheral vision. It’s a strange one to review. Although it’s at the lower end of the cost spectrum for wireless mice, its $80 price is pushing towards mid-range, and makes it $40 more expensive than the wired Logitech G203 Lightsync(opens in new tab), our favourite budget gaming mouse. Sure, it’s far cheaper than the likes of the Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro(opens in new tab), but that’s not offered up as a budget option. Yet, despite the odd price point, there's really something to like about the humble XM2we. It's a solid mouse that does a great job on the down-low, for those who aren’t looking for anything fancy. It never really breaks out and offers anything particularly exciting, but perhaps you don’t need it to do that. Endgame never explicitly says so, but the XM2we feels comfier with a palm grip than a fingertip pose, as the scroll wheel is small and placed far forward on the body. If you prefer a fingertip grip with your digits further back, you might find yourself stretching for the scroll wheel. There are five buttons on the top: left and right, a clickable scroll wheel, and two thumb buttons on the left-hand side. On the bottom is a button to cycle through four CPI presets. It would be better if this was on the top so you can adjust on the fly, but you’ll have to make do without. Endgame has installed Kailh optical switches under the five buttons on the top surface. They’re firm and satisfyingly clicky, if a little stiff at first. Compared to my current mouse (the wired Razer Basilisk) Endgame’s buttons almost feel like they’re making a point—you’re really clicking when you click with this mouse, how do you like said clicking? They're loud, too, so everyone else in the office will also know you’re clicking. Click. But you know what? There’s something pleasing about getting that kind of loud, tactile feedback every time you click an enemy’s head and it explodes in a flash of gore and bone (or in my case, miss hopelessly). It’s solid, reliable, and there’s little-to-no chance of accidental double clicks. I’m here for it. Speaking of gory explosions, let’s talk about the XM2we’s gaming performance. This is something of a mixed bag: flashes of excellence mingled in with frustrating shortcomings. Endgame’s buttons almost feel like they’re making a point. The mouse’s buoyant 63g weight and large underside skates help it slide seamlessly along your mousepad or desk, and it really feels beautifully smooth in use. Whether you’re flying around the screen in a frenzy of RTS micromanagement or ponderously renewing contracts for your squad of egotistical divas in Football Manager, you’re going to love doing it with this mouse (well, maybe not the contracts bit). Yet at the same time, that smoothness extends in unwanted directions. There’s no grippy surface on the XM2we, and it’s noticeable. While it never flew out of my hand—even during particularly frantic battles—it never felt like I had as solid a grip as I would have liked, especially compared to the dimpled Razer Basilisk. Endgame says the mouse’s matte surface “offers a perfect grip even with sweaty hands”, but it didn’t seem that way for me. And with no ergonomic, thumb-hugging ridges to latch onto, the loose grip is exacerbated There’s a companion app to record mouse macros, create profiles and check battery life, but it lacks a bit of polish. The first time you open it, for example, you’re asked if you want it to load every time you start Windows. Well, I hope you’re decisive, because once you’ve made your choice, you’ll never find that option ever again. It just vanishes into the ether. Thankfully, routine tasks like creating macros and tweaking your CPI are easy enough. What’s less of an issue is the mouse’s battery life. My review unit started at 70% and lasted just under 33 hours across five days before dying. Extrapolating from my numbers, I would expect about 48 hours if going from 100%. It’s nothing on the (now often $32) Logitech G305 Lightspeed(opens in new tab)’s 250 hours, but Endgame says you’ll get a week of usage out of it, which is about right. Just note that the mouse’s software is hardly reliable in keeping track—one day I turned the mouse on to be told the XM2we had 25% juice remaining when it apparently had just 10% at the end of the previous night. Even when the mouse died, the app insisted it still had 5% battery left. Endgame is going for the low-key budget look, and that means no fancy extras. But consider the Razer Basilisk V3 X HyperSpeed wireless mouse. It has a more ergonomic shape, a grippier surface, and nice bonuses like a configurable trigger button, all for $10 less(opens in new tab) than the XM2we. Sure, it’s probably not as smooth or as clicky as the XM2we, and that alone might be enough to hand Endgame the victory. But it shows the kind of competition Endgame faces for similar (and often lower) prices, especially as old-but-good mice just keep getting cheaper. And that’s the main problem with Endgame’s offering. Taken in isolation, it’s a solid device with some gratifying clickiness and excellent build quality that has plenty to offer. But when it costs $80, it’s probably not an automatic pick. If you’re desperate to avoid any frills and can handle the grip-averse coating, this mouse shines. But you might find you’ll get more for your money elsewhere. [https://www.pcgamer.com/endgame-gear-xm2we-review/]

Six cattle died mysteriously in Texas, with their tongues removed, the hide around one side of their mouths gone and no blood spilled, authorities said this week. The cause of death for the six animals was unknown, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement Wednesday. As of Friday, there had been no updates in the case, a dispatcher said. The cattle were found along Texas State Highway in three counties — Madison, Brazos and Robertson — with each animal part of a different herd and in a different pasture, the sheriff’s office said. Five of the animals were adults, the sheriff’s office said. One was a yearling. It wasn't immediately clear when they died. The sex of the animals wasn’t disclosed. In two cases, the animals’ genitalia and anuses had been removed with a circular cut that the sheriff’s office said had been made with the “same precision as the cuts noted around the jaw lines of each cow.” Investigators with the Madison County Sheriff's Office discovered five of the deaths after ranchers alerted authorities to a dead 6-year-old longhorn-cross cow, the statement said. The grass around the bodies of all six animals was undisturbed, with no signs of struggle and no footprints or tire tracks found, the sheriff’s office said. Ranchers also reported that no predators or birds would scavenge the remains of the cow, leaving it to decay untouched for several weeks,” the sheriff’s office said. The sheriff's office noted that similar incidents have been reported across the United States and it was coordinating with other law enforcement agencies. In 2019, authorities in Oregon found five dead bulls that had their sex organs and tongues removed, The Associated Press reported. The deaths prompted theories that included everything from carrion bugs to spaceships and cult killings, according to the AP. It wasn't clear if the deaths were solved. An FBI agent who investigated an earlier wave of mysterious cattle deaths on tribal lands told The Associated Press that there was no indication that anything other than common predators were behind the deaths. [https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/six-cattle-died-mysteriously-texas-tongues-removed-authorities-say-rcna80957]

More than 3,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in the Russian city of Belgorod after an undetonated explosive was found. It comes two days after Russia accidentally dropped a bomb on the same city, damaging houses and injuring several people. It's not known if the bomb discovered on Saturday came from the same aircraft - a Russian Sukhoi-34 fighter-jet. The city is located about 40km (25 miles) from the border with Ukraine. The local governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, confirmed on Telegram that 17 apartment buildings had to be cordoned off "within a radius of 200 metres", affecting 3,000 residents. He later said people were starting to return to their homes after a "shell" had been removed. The undetonated device was found in the same area as the bomb that was accidentally dropped on Thursday evening, leaving a huge crater about 20 metres (60 ft) wide close to the city centre. The explosion was so large it blew a car on to the roof of a nearby shop. After that incident, the Russian defence ministry admitted that one of its Su-34 jets had "accidentally discharged aircraft ordnance" over the city. Dramatic CCTV footage of Thursday's blast shows an object landing near a crossroads with passing cars, and detonating about 18 seconds later. t's not the first such incident - last October a Sukhoi fighter-jet - again, an Su-34 - crashed in the Russian city of Yeysk killing at least 13 people. Russian jets regularly fly over Belgorod, a city of 370,000, on their way to Ukraine. It lies just north of Ukraine's second city, Kharkiv, and has come under periodic Ukrainian attack since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine last year. [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65358070]

Several countries have evacuated diplomats and citizens from Sudan's capital as fierce fighting continues to rage in Khartoum. The US and UK announced on Sunday they had flown diplomats out of the country. France, Germany and Italy are among other countries also organising evacuations, starting on Sunday. A vicious power struggle between the regular army and a powerful paramilitary force has led to violence across the country. US authorities said they had airlifted fewer than 100 people with three Chinook helicopters on Sunday morning in a "fast and clean" operation. The US embassy in Khartoum is now closed, and a tweet on its official feed says it is not safe enough for the government to evacuate private US citizens. The UK government managed to airlift British diplomats and their families out of the country in what was described as a "complex and rapid" operation. Foreign Minister James Cleverly said options to evacuate the remaining British nationals in Sudan were "severely limited". Several other countries were conducting evacuation operations on Sunday: France has evacuated around 100 people by air, according to French media. Some were nationals of other countries including the UK and Germany A handful of Dutch citizens left Khartoum on the French plane, and the Netherlands hopes to airlift more citizens out on Sunday evening Germany is in the process of evacuating its nationals, with its first military plane landing in Khartoum on Sunday afternoon Italy's evacuation operation has also begun, according to local media Other countries successfully evacuated people on Saturday. More than 150 people, mostly citizens of Gulf countries, as well as Egypt, Pakistan and Canada were evacuated by sea to the Saudi Arabian port of Jeddah. Meanwhile, there are reports that internet connectivity has almost totally collapsed in Sudan, which could seriously hinder the coordination of help for those trapped in Khartoum and other cities. The power struggle has seen heavy bombardment in the capital city, with hundreds killed and thousands more injured. There have been desperate calls for help from many foreign students - from Africa, Asia and the Middle East - who are also stuck in Khartoum, a city of some six million people. MAPS: Khartoum violence mapped as civilians flee UNSUNG HEROES: How food and medicines are being delivered ANALYSIS: The two generals fighting over Sudan's future SIMPLE GUIDE: What is going on in Sudan? The near-constant shooting and bombing in Khartoum and elsewhere has cut electricity and safe access to food and water for much of the po[CENSORED]tion. Several ceasefires that had seemingly been agreed by both sides were ignored, including a three-day pause to mark the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which started on Friday. The World Health Organization says the fighting has killed more than 400 people and injured thousands. But the death toll is believed to be much higher as people are struggling to get healthcare, as most of the city's hospitals have been forced to close by the fighting. Along with Khartoum, the western region of Darfur, where the RSF first emerged, has also been badly affected by the fighting. The UN has warned that up to 20,000 people - mostly women and children - have fled Sudan to seek safety in Chad, across the border from Darfur. [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-65363586]

Name of the game: Aliens: Fireteam Elite Price: 11.99 Link Store:Here Offer ends up after X hours: Offer ends 1 May Requirements: MINIMUM: OS: Windows 10 Processor: AMD Athlon X4 950 / Intel i5-2500K Memory: 8 GB RAM Graphics: AMD R9 285 4GB / Nvidia GTX 760 4GB DirectX: Version 11 Network: Broadband Internet connection Storage: 30 GB available space Sound Card: Integrated or dedicated Direct X 11 compatible soundcard Additional Notes: Minimum graphics settings, 1920x1080 screen resolution, 30FPS average RECOMMENDED: OS: Windows 10 Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 1600AF / Intel i5-7400 Memory: 16 GB RAM Graphics: AMD RX 480 8GB / Nvidia GTX 1060 6GB DirectX: Version 11 Network: Broadband Internet connection Storage: 30 GB available space Sound Card: Integrated or dedicated Direct X 11 compatible soundcard Additional Notes: High graphics settings, 1920x1080 screen resolution, 60FPS average

As promised, Twitter Legacy Blue verification checks started quietly disappearing from user accounts Thursday afternoon. Now the only way to hold onto the coveted Blue Tick is by paying Twitter a $7.99 a month subscription fee. Elon Musk announced the final day to pay up last week and -- even as he juggled the first SpaceX StarShip(opens in new tab) launch (which ended with a spectacular mid-air explosion) -- Musk found time to set his draconian plan in motion. The change appears to have impacted many legacy verified accounts including those of The Pope, who goes by Pontifex(opens in new tab) on the platform, and actor Halle Berry(opens in new tab), who made it clear in a tweet that she would not be paying. Even Beyoncé(opens in new tab) and Lady Gaga lost their Blue Checks. As of this writing, basketball player Lebron James(opens in new tab) still had his Blue Check, which says he now subscribes to Twitter Blue. This despite the fact that James tweeted on March 31, "Welp guess my blue will be gone soon cause if you know me I ain’t paying the 5." Elon Musk later admitted(opens in new tab) on Twitter that he is paying for the accounts of James, actor William Shatner, and Stephen King. Who are you on Twitter? The good news is that those who are verified with a Blue Check are being asked for more than just a credit card. Now, when you click on a Blue Check, you see this message: "This account is verified because they are subscribed to Twitter Blue and verified their phone number." The phone number is to ensure that those seeking Twitter verification aren't impersonating someone. But is it useful? After all, it's still completely possible to have a phone number and claim you're Beyoncé even if you're not. There's also little to stop someone from changing their Twitter name (but not the "@" handle) to someone else's name. An issue Monica Lewinsky pointed out last month. As Journalist Ed Krassenstien (a paying Twitter Blue member) wrote on Twitter on Thursday, there could be an imposter problem for those who've put in the time growing a Twitter following. "Some people spent years building up accounts and building a presence on this platform. They did so without the assumption of having to eventually pay for it. Now, it is extremely difficult for their fans to differentiate their posts from imposters’ posts unless they pay." What does Blue get you Twitter Blue is not all about the Blue Tick. Subscription has its privileges, including massive 10,000-character tweets, fewer ads, the ability to post longer and higher-quality videos, and prioritized rankings. The last bit may prove frustrating for those previously verified, since it may soon be harder to get their Tweets noticed and found through search. Still, Musk's pay-to-play system may be necessary as the now-private Twitter struggles to become profitable. Musk's previous efforts have included massive staff cuts. He's also undermined his own efforts with tweets and actions that have so concerned advertisers that they fled the platform. There are some indications, though, that they are returning. Today is a new day for Twitter. If nothing else, it's a social media landscape where anyone can have a Blue Check, if they're willing to pay. It remains to be seen if this is the magic elixir Twitter needs to survive. Update 4-21-2023: Added new information about Musk personally paying for some celebrity accounts. [https://www.techradar.com/news/Twitter-removes-Legacy-Blue-Checks-and-sparks-anger-confusion-ennui]

There are reports of AMD's Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPUs burning up and killing the ASUS X670 series motherboard with it from the AMD subreddit. AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU & ASUS X670 Motherboard Dead After LGA Contact Pads Burn Up, Large Number of Reports Indicate ASUS's AM5 Boards Might Be The Culprit It's been less than a month since AMD launched its much anticipated Ryzen 7 7800X3D 3D V-Cache CPU. The CPU has been selling like hotcakes in the DIY segment but it looks like the first report of it dying has been reported in the AMD Subreddit. Reddit user, u/Speedrookie, posted about this AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU which stopped working. The system featured a ROG STRIX X670-E board by ASUS and was seen running in idle mode with fan speeds at full. The motherboard had 00 QCode on the DEBUG LED. Upon taking the system apart, the user noticed that the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU had a massive bulge on its contact pad, and the underlying LGA pins were also burnt out around the same spot. It can be seen that the burn marks cover around 10-12 gold contact pads on the chip's underside and it renders the chip unusable. The burn marks on the socket also mean that the board has died out. The user has not mentioned if there was any overclocking or overvoltages involved and it's hard to get to the root of the problem without more information but there is evidence that this problem may be related to ASUS's X670 series motherboards. A Russian channel that goes by the name of VIK-off also reported similar issues on ASUS's AM5 motherboards running a totally different Ryzen CPU (Ryzen 9 7950X3D). The user has not mentioned if there was any overclocking or overvoltages involved and it's hard to get to the root of the problem without more information but there is evidence that this problem may be related to ASUS's X670 series motherboards. A Russian channel that goes by the name of VIK-off also reported similar issues on ASUS's AM5 motherboards running a totally different Ryzen CPU (Ryzen 9 7950X3D). We should also mention that overclocker, Der8auer, recently published a video where he killed an AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D CPU by pushing the voltages too high. The motherboard in his case was also an ASUS AM5 product, the ROG X670E Crosshair Extreme. This motherboard also reported the "00" code after dying out. It was reported that the motherboard allowed for voltages beyond what AMD 3D V-Cache CPUs could handle and that led to the chip killing itself. [https://wccftech.com/amd-ryzen-7-7800x3d-cpu-burns-up-kills-itself-the-asus-x670-motherboard/]

Happy birthday 🎉🎂🎂.