Blackfire

At 225 x 111 x 29.8mm, the GPD G1 External Graphics Dock is arguably only pocket-sized if you have extremely large pockets. But I'm willing to make oversized cargo shorts my entire look if it means I can easily supercharge my compact 13-inch 2-in-1 laptop and have it turn it into something resembling a gaming laptop with this eGPU plugged in. This compact external GPU is powered by AMD's Radeon RX 7600M XT. That's the best mobile chip out of AMD's 7000-series generation so far, delivering 21.4 TFLOPs of compute performance. As for how that equates to gaming performance, Notebook Check reviewed the slightly slower RX 7600S and found it's on par with Nvidia's RTX 3060 mobile chip. On the product page for the GPD Win Max 2, which is being sold with the GPD G1, GPD says the eGPU will exceed the performance of an RTX 3070, but it's not an apples-to-apples comparison. the very least we can expect pretty RTX 3060 or better performance out of the 7600M XT, if it's not too constrained by the G1 dock's compact shell. The G1's finish does give me hope for pretty decent temperatures, though it will need to disperse 75–120W for the 7600M XT. Included with the G1 is a 240W GaN power supply, so no issues there. It's possible the G1 may pull that GPU back a bit to keep it from throttling too badly, but as GPD notes this dock is a joint development with AMD so ideally they're getting the most out of it. The size of the dock shouldn't pose too much of a problem for that mainstream GPU, as the competing and only slightly larger ROG XG Mobile comes with pick of two chunkier cards, the RX 6850M XT or RTX 4090M. We have an AMD-powered XG Mobile to hand right now and it measures 215 x 165 x 33mm. So it's shorter than the G1, but wider and thicker. It also comes with an ethernet port where the G1 surprisingly does not. The G1 is rammed with I/O: there are two DisplayPort 1.4a ports, an SD card reader, a single HDMI 2.1 port, three USB 3.2 Type A ports, an OCuLink port, and USB4. Alongside a power connection and on/off switch. That OCuLink port is not something you see every day. Despite having the worst formatting of a brand name ever known to man it's what will allow this eGPU to hook into laptops with the female OCuLink port. OCuLink was created by PCI-SIG as an alternative to Thunderbolt many years ago, as a way to extend PCIe connectivity outside of a device, but we haven't seen much of it since. GPD is touting up to 63 Gbps connection via OCuLink, which is higher than I was expecting, but makes sense if the port is able to deliver four PCIe 4.0 lanes. The obvious issue here, beyond the formatting of OCuLink, is that there aren't many laptops on the market that support OCuLink. In fact, the GPD Win Max 2 is the only one I can think of with such a connector. You can actually buy adapters for M.2 slots that turn them into OCuLink connectors, but that's pretty niche and not a great help for a laptop. It's definitely going to be pretty limited in use on the G1. The alternative on the G1 is to use the USB4 connection, which shares a great deal with Thunderbolt, as this can deliver between 20–40 Gbps. Not only is this pretty common on modern laptops, but with the USB4 connection you can use all of the USB A ports and the SD card reader on the G1, whereas over OCuLink you cannot. GPD has confirmed you can connect up any laptop with a compatible USB4 port to the dock, so this will likely be the connection of choice for most. GPD has confirmed it will be selling the G1 separately in the neat future, but like all things GPD it will be via an Indiegogo campaign. As with crowdfunding, there's a certain risk there, but GPD has released most of its products this way. You can also order a G1 today alongside the Win 2 Max laptop if you want the whole package. [https://www.pcgamer.com/the-worlds-smallest-external-gpu-would-make-for-a-super-portable-gaming-power-up-alongside-a-pair-of-generous-cargo-shorts/]

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has suggested he will only pay his £75,000 Football Association fine if the money goes to "a good cause". The German said he would "like to know" and "if it does, I'm happy to pay it. If it doesn't, we need to talk again". Klopp received the fine and a two-match ban for comments about referee Paul Tierney after a 4-3 win over Tottenham. But he said a ban for Saturday's match against Aston Villa will make "not a lot" of difference to him. Klopp will be sitting in the stands for his side's final home match of the season, will work with coach Vitor Matos and assistant Pep Lijnders to ensure the players get the right instructions. "I'm really in contact with Vito, he will have to phone with the headset," Klopp said. "We can talk everything, substitutions these kind of things. Pep is an incredible coach and he will be out there," he said. Klopp served a one-match ban at Anfield in November against Southampton after receiving a red card in a match against Manchester City. "It's one game, it's like the Southampton game, it will be the same process. I can watch the game from a better position and be in contact with my coaches," he said. "I have said from a watching point of view, it's a much better position. In the Southampton game, it was super helpful. I will sit next to our analysts; they get a bit of support from me." But Klopp joked that his voice could still reach his players from the stand if necessary. "Nobody will shout like me if they don't track back in the 70th minute and these kind of things," he said. "I sit far away but if the game is not good, I could make it happen. My voice is all right at least." Klopp was shown a yellow card for celebrating Liverpool's 94th-minute winner in front of the fourth official during their 4-3 Premier League victory over Spurs on 30 April. He later claimed what Tierney said to him was "not OK" and that the official had "something against" the Reds. Klopp apologised for the comments made but was handed the fine and a two-match ban. But the second game of that game is suspended until the end of the 2023-24 season, providing Klopp does not reoffend, meaning he will not miss the final game of this campaign against Southampton. Latest Liverpool news, analysis and fan views Get Liverpool news notifications Listen to the latest The Red Kop podcast 'Liverpool legends' to be honoured at Anfield Following Liverpool's last home match of the season, fans will be able to say goodbye to James Milner, Roberto Firmino, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita, who the club announced this week will be leaving Anfield. Despite his ban, Klopp will be allowed on to the pitch after the match to take part in the tributes. "This game is difficult for different reasons," Klopp said. "We spoke with the boys this week about it. It's super important for us and super emotional. We really say goodbye to, in my point of view, four Liverpool legends." All four were all part of the side that won the Champions League in 2019 and Premier League in 2019-20. "Two of them were here when I arrived, Milly and Bobby - nothing good in the last few years would have happened without them," said Klopp "All four won pretty much each available trophy and we love them, but it's professional football and nothing is forever."It means one chapter will be closed and we can start writing a new one. That's good for them and for us. I will be forever thankful to them." [https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65650176]

Volvo UK has confirmed it will switch to the ‘agency’ sales model – in which it will sell cars directly to buyers at fixed prices, rather than wholesale to dealers – from June. As previously reported by Autocar, the UK is the first market in which the brand will operate the sales model. Sweden is the next market earmarked for the switch, with other European countries following later. The move will not result in the closure of the Volvo Cars retailers, the brand said in a statement. Volvo UK managing director Kristian Elvefors said: “Evolving consumer needs are the driving force behind this change.. The Italian behind all manner of icons - from the Mk1 Volkswagen Golf to the Lancia Delta and the DeLorean DMC - recently teamed up with Hyundai to recreate the long-lost 1974 Pony Coupé concept, a two-door reworking of the hatchback that established the Korean brand as a volume manufacturer. https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/business-dealers/volvo-uk-confirms-switch-agency-sales-model-june

nglers have been asked to humanely kill an invasive species of salmon they might catch in Scottish rivers. Pink salmon, also known as humpback salmon, originate in the Pacific and have been seen increasingly numbers in Scotland since 2017. Scottish government directorate, Marine Scotland, said 169 were recorded in 2021 - the highest number to date. In advice to anglers, Marine Scotland said any pink salmon caught should not be released back into a river. It has appealed for any sightings or catches to be reported to the local fishery board and Pink Salmon in Scotland. Anglers on alert for invasive salmon species Concern about humpback salmon 'Grizzly favourite' found in River Ness There are concerns the salmon could out-compete native fish species for food and habitat. The Ness and Helmsdale in the Highlands have been among rivers where pink salmon have been found previously. The species has a two-year lifecycle and usually appear in Scottish waters in odd numbered years. Pink salmon first appeared in low numbers in the 1960s following their introduction to Russian rivers, from where they then spread to parts of northern Europe. High numbers were seen in 2017 - 139 - but 20 in 2019 before the record high in 2021, according to Marine Scotland. Marine Scotland said: "We are closely monitoring this species to gain a clearer understanding of which rivers might be affected. "Information on the presence of pink salmon gathered in 2023, will help to inform what actions may be appropriate in future years." [https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-65645793]

The US says it will support providing advanced fighter jets including US-made F-16s to Ukraine and also back training Ukrainian pilots to fly them. A senior White House official said President Biden had told G7 leaders in Japan of the decision. President Volodomyr Zelensky, who has requested fighter jets for months, said the decision would "greatly enhance our army in the sky". US approval for the scheme means other nations can export their F-16s. This is because the US legally has to approve the re-export of equipment purchased by allies. The US would "support a joint effort with our allies and partners to train Ukrainian pilots on fourth-generation fighter aircraft, including F-16s, to further strengthen and improve the capabilities of the Ukrainian Air Force", the official said. "As the training takes place over the coming months, our coalition of countries participating in this effort will decide when to actually provide jets, how many we will provide, and who will provide them." Ukraine has repeatedly lobbied its Western allies to provide jets to help in its fight against Russia and Mr Zelensky welcomed what he described as a "historic decision", adding that he looked forward to "discussing the practical implementation" of the plan at the G7 summit in Hiroshima, where he is expected to appear. "This will greatly enhance our army in the sky," he tweeted. The US had been sceptical about providing Ukraine with modern fighter jets - at least in the near term. Its focus has instead been on providing military support on land. Senior US military officials who've spoken to the BBC in the past have questioned whether Western-supplied fighter jets will dramatically alter the conflict, with Russia's large air force still struggling to gain air superiority and the high density of air defence systems on the ground. So this change in US policy is significant. However, training pilots to fly F-16 jets will take time. Ukraine does have more trained fighter pilots than aircraft at present. But even training experienced fighter pilots on a new plane could take up to four months for an already experienced pilot. And then nations will need to agree to supply the jets. The F-16 is widely used by a number of European and Middle East nations as well as the US, which still manufactures the aircraft. Who is willing to supply the jets is the next key question. The UK, Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark also welcomed the US move. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tweeted: "The UK will work together with the USA and the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark to get Ukraine the combat air capability it needs." The UK does not have any F-16s in its air force itself. Denmark has announced it too will now be able to support the training of pilots, but did not confirm whether it would send any jets to Ukraine. Denmark's air force has 40 F-16s, around 30 of which are operational. Earlier this week, Mr Sunak and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said they would build an "international coalition" to provide fighter jet support for Ukraine. [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65649471]

Protesters held banners saying "you are not welcome" at Tbilisi airport in Georgia, as the first direct flight for almost four years arrived from Russia. Scuffles broke out as police barred them from standing outside the airport arrivals hall. The Azimuth Airlines plane arrived at 13:20 local time (09:20 BST), days after getting the green light from Georgia's civil aviation authority. Georgia's government has welcomed the return of direct flights from Russia. "The beneficiaries are our citizens who have to take a detour at triple the cost," said Irakli Kobakhidze, the chairman of the governing Georgian Dream party. The government argues a million ethnic Georgian citizens living in Russia stand to benefit, although Russian figures suggest the number is closer to 114,000. But most Georgians oppose the government's move to allow flights and more than 100 Georgian organisations says it is a "direct sabotage" of their country's aspirations to join the EU. Georgia is hoping for Brussels to approve its bid to become a candidate later this year. On board the first flight was a delegation of pro-Russian Georgian NGOs and businesses, according to Russia's state news agency. Georgian Airways is also planning daily flights to Moscow. The apparent thaw in relations comes after President Vladimir Putin signed a decree ending Moscow's unilateral ban on direct flights imposed in response to mass anti-Russia protests in Tbilisi in 2019. Russia has also lifted 20-year-old entry restrictions on Georgian citizens, allowing them to visit for up to 90 days without a visa. And yet the two countries do not have diplomatic relations. Russia and Georgia fought a war in 2008 and 20% of Georgia's internationally recognised territory remains under Russian occupation. Georgia's pro-European President Salome Zurabishvili denounced "another Russian provocation". And both the EU and the US have expressed disappointment at the latest developments. US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan questioned the decision to accept "a gift" from what she called an aggressor country. "I think the important question is why, why now? Why is Putin now making these concessions, these offers to Georgia. What is the price that Georgia is going to have to pay? "We all know that Putin does not give anything without extracting a price," she said. The EU's spokesperson for foreign affairs, Peter Stano, said earlier this week that the decision raised doubts about Georgia's commitment to align itself with the 27-member union. "We and our partners do not allow flights from Russia, flights to Russia and flights over Russia," he pointed out. Georgia's opposition has roundly condemned the return of direct flights as a "reward" to the ruling Georgian Dream for "good behaviour" towards Russia since its invasion of Ukraine. Georgia did not impose sanctions against Russia and has allowed tens of thousands of Russian citizens to relocate here, many of them escaping mobilisation. Levan Khabeishvili, who leads the largest opposition party United National Movement, said that President Putin was trying to turn Georgia into a "Russian province". But he added that "the will of the Georgian people is unshakeable! We choose Europe, not Russia!". [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65645527]

Voted

Name of the game: EA SPORTS™ FIFA 23 Price: 20.99$ Link Store:Here Offer ends up after X hours:Offer ends 29 May Requirements: MINIMUM: Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system OS: Windows 10 64-bit Processor: Intel Core i5 6600k or AMD Ryzen 5 1600 Memory: 8 GB RAM Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 570 DirectX: Version 12 Network: Broadband Internet connection Storage: 100 GB available space RECOMMENDED: Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system OS: Windows 10 64-bit Processor: Intel Core i7 6700 or AMD Ryzen 7 2700X Memory: 12 GB RAM Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 or AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT DirectX: Version 12 Network: Broadband Internet connection Storage: 100 GB available space

WhatsApp is currently rolling out a new Chat Lock feature that will ensure your private conversations stay that way. The Chat Lock update takes chat threads and places them behind their own locked folder which can only be accessed via your device’s own password or biometrics. Additionally, the content of those conversations will be hidden in your notifications so nosy people can't see what you're talking about. Meta states in the announcement post(opens in new tab) that Chat Lock is ideal for people who share an unlocked smartphone with family, or, as shown in the official trailer, have their device stolen by their annoying, little brother. To enable the protection, all you have to do is tap the name of the chat and select the locking option. To reveal those chats, “pull down on your inbox” then enter your password or biometric in order to unlock them. Pretty simple stuff. There are plans to expand Chat Lock options “over the next few months”. Meta states it’ll be possible to lock your conversations on companion devices. Plus, users will soon be able to create custom passwords for the chat that differ from the ones on their smartphones. As for the launch, the post doesn’t say whether or not this is a global rollout nor does it mention anything about being able to use Face ID to unlock chats. We reached out to Meta for clarification. This story will be updated if we hear back. [https://www.techradar.com/news/whatsapps-new-chat-lock-feature-will-keep-your-private-conversations-safe]

As one of PC Gamer's hardware writers and reviewers, I handle a lot of different PC parts. But there's one part in particular that manages to irk me every time I use one. I'm referring to M.2 SSDs. In fact, I hate them. They have so many unnecessary drawbacks. I'll admit the form factor is well suited to laptops, but for a desktop PC? Nope. What's really frustrating is that there's a ready-made alternative with all of M.2's advantages, and essentially none of its drawbacks. It's called U.2 (With U.3 waiting in the wings). Sadly, despite fleeting inclusions on some boards a couple of generations ago, U.2 never caught on in the consumer space. And I want it back. When the first SSDs launched, it became apparent that the aging SATA and mSATA interfaces were insufficient to handle the increasing speeds of these flashy new flash drives. A new standard was required. NVM Express was developed specifically for non-volatile memory (NVM), but NVMe isn't a connector, it's a specification or protocol. NVMe devices come in a variety of form factors with different connections. These include PCI Express add-in cards or they have SATA Express, M.2, or U.2 connectors. SATA Express never caught on. Some high-end Intel Z97 and X99 motherboards came with SATA Express ports but I never tested one and all support disappeared after a short time. U.2—my champion—briefly made appearances on some high-end consumer motherboards a few years ago, but it's always been more of an enterprise-oriented solution. It lives on, and many workstation motherboards still include U.2 ports. M.2's elevation For some bono-headed reason, somebody decided that attaching an SSD directly to the motherboard was the best path forward. M.2 rapidly became the most widely adopted connection and to this day, almost every performance-based consumer SSD is a 2280 form factor NVMe M.2 drive. , why do I think M.2 SSDs suck? Where do I begin? A typical 2280 size drive is too small, both physically and capacity wise. They run hot and are prone to throttling. They often sit right next to (if not directly underneath) a heat dumping graphics card. Coincidentally, this week I reviewed a Teamgroup Siren Duo360 AIO cooler(opens in new tab) which also comes with an integrated SSD water block. Sadly, it highlights a growing problem with SSDs. The fact that PCIe 5.0 SSDs require chunky motherboard mounted heatsinks, let alone water cooling, is a pretty sad state of affairs. PCIe 4.0 and particularly PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots add complexity to motherboards making them more expensive. They take up a lot of PCB space. They're difficult and fiddly to install, sometimes requiring the removal of the GPU and the removal of a half dozen tiny screws—which I too often drop and lose to the seventh circle of case hell. Then you've got to put it all back together, and hope that a weak, flimsy, or crumbling thermal pad aligns and the drive is actually securely fitted in the M.2 slot. There's a handful of reasons to start with ) U.2 drives eliminate all of these problems while keeping all of the benefits. A U.2 drive can more or less be considered a modernized 2.5-inch SATA drive with support for an NVMe PCIe connection. In my opinion, they are superior to M.2 drives in basically every way. Here’s why: A U.2 drive can be isolated from other heat generating components, particularly the graphics card. A physically separate drive is easier to cool. Most PC cases retain 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch drive bays, and plonking three or four U.2 drives into a space cooled by a 120mm intake fan will keep them cool at all times. That'll prevent them from throttling, leading to a longer life and hence keep your data safer. The latter point can often be overlooked. A 2.5-inch form factor drive can easily incorporate a sizable heatsink, either internally or form part of the drive's housing (as seen in example above). On top of that, SSD manufacturers aren't restricted by the M.2 2280 form factor PCB. That means there's more PCB space available for more dies and larger capacities, or physically larger controllers with improved heat dissipation properties. They could even use cheaper manufacturing nodes. [ https://www.pcgamer.com/you-know-m2-ssds-suck-right/]

Manchester City delivered a relentless performance laced with outstanding quality to overpower holders Real Madrid and reach the Champions League final against Inter Milan in Istanbul. City have lost two previous semi-finals to Real but they made no mistake here at a joyous Etihad Stadium to now stand one step away from claiming the trophy that has always stayed tantalisingly out of reach for Pep Guardiola's team. And their display in a magical first half, in particular, will live long in the memory as the masters of this tournament were left bewildered by City's brilliance. It maintained a seemingly unstoppable march towards a treble of Champions League, Premier League - which can be won with victory at home to Chelsea on Sunday - and the FA Cup, where they play Manchester United in the final at Wembley. Real keeper Thibaut Courtois performed heroics to save two Erling Haaland headers early in the first half but he was powerless to stop Bernardo Silva's close-range finish after 23 minutes, the Portugal midfielder scoring a looping header for the second eight minutes before half-time. City faced the occasional threats from Real after the break, Ederson saving well from David Alaba and Karim Benzema, but they were no match and when Manuel Akanji's header deflected in off Eder Militao 14 minutes from time the celebrations started. Substitute Julian Alvarez then wrapped up the dominant win with a late strike after latching onto a brilliant Phil Foden pass. City will play Inter on 10 June as they look to win the Champions League for the first time. City have put themselves in a magnificent position to become only the second English club to win the Treble first claimed by Manchester United in 1999. City look to have finally broken Arsenal in the Premier League title race and will be overwhelming favourites to beat Inter Milan, although the desire to keep this feat for themselves will provide fuel and inspiration for United in the FA Cup final at Wembley. Guardiola's side have somehow found ways to miss out on the Champions League in the past but the addition of Haaland's sheer menace as well as more defensive steel makes it difficult to see how they will not find a way past surprise finalists Inter. City made a Real side full of experience and quality look several classes beneath them in a first half that will be among the finest this stadium has seen, the dazzling interplay, fierce intensity and pace giving them a two-goal advantage that would have been far more but for the excellence of Courtois. This night had a special atmosphere even before kick-off and victory will taste even sweeter after the pain of last season's loss at the same stage, when City were almost in the final only to concede two stoppage-time goals and eventually go out. The Champions League has inflicted various levels of anguish on City despite their domestic dominance but if they perform anything like this in Istanbul it is hard to see an efficient but unspectacular Inter side having enough to trouble them. Real should never be written off with their history of success but there was an end-of-an-era feel about the manner of this defeat. The side who put Liverpool and Chelsea out of the Champions League with the minimum of fuss looked its age here as City ran the holders ragged. Luka Modric was taken off and replaced by Antonio Rudiger just after the hour, the 37-year-old's future at the Bernabeu uncertain, while even Karim Benzema, 35, was unable to pose his usual threat. Real will refuse to stand still and the way they were outclassed here may only speed up the rate of change, with England's teenage sensation Jude Bellingham looking set to arrive to supplement the next generation midfielders alongside Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni. Whether the great Carlo Ancelotti remains in charge will also be a point of debate with change often in the air if Real go a season without winning either La Liga or the Champions League. Whatever the outcome, the Italian manager keeps his place in history as the only coach to win this tournament four times. [https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65611315]

The ID 3 hasn't had the most auspicious start in life. Volkswagen's first dedicated electric model was delayed at launch due to problems with its software and lack of over-the-air (OTA) update capability, it has been roundly criticised for its lacklustre interior quality and charging niggles, and it has come under fire from a number of cheaper but better-equipped rivals. But now, three-and-a-half years after its introduction, the rear-wheel-drive MPV-style hatchback has received a new lease of life with a mid-term facelift that aims to rectify its e Among the changes is a light reworking of the exterior. It arguably gives the ID 3 a more cohesive appearance without many of the black plastic elements of the original model. It's inside, though, where the model gains even more important updates. They include a new-look dashboard with a synthetic leather covering on the Pro S model, driven here, as well as higher-grade plastics and upholstery in other places. There's now a standard 12.0in infotainment display in place of the previous 10.0in unit. It receives the latest software package and with it a new digital menu structure, higher resolution, faster response and more seamless operation. However, to our dismay, Volkswagen hasn’t added illumination to the sliders used to control the volume and climate. result is a more pleasing driving environment with higher perceived quality and, despite apparent similarities with the earlier ID 3, more intuitive and easier-to-command controls than before. The front seats are rather flat and lack side support. However, the high seating position makes for excellent vision. A flat floor also provides above-class-average accommodation, most notably rear seat leg room. Boot capacity remains at a Golf-beating 385 litres, although the ID 3 has a much high loading lip and floor than its combustion-engined stablemate. Power comes from the same rear-mounted electric motor as before. It continues to develop 204bhp and 228lb ft in both the ID 3 Pro and Pro S, which receive 58.0kWh and 77.0kWh lithium ion batteries respectively. Step-off response is urgent, making the ID 3 feel agreeably nippy around town, where the facelifted Volkswagen model feels most at home. Open-road performance is also satisfying thanks to the flexible nature of the drivetrain and impressive refinement. The drivetrain is hushed, there are relatively low levels of tyre roar and wind noise at higher speeds is only moderate. The facelifted ID 3 Pro S steers with lightness but precision, although there is little in the way of actual feedback. A well-damped chassis provides it with impressive body control over more challenging roads. There's also a good deal of front-end grip, which enables predictable and dependable handling. In the end, though, its cornering ability is limited by its 1933kg kerb weight. There's a firmness to the ride, which can make the ID 3 feel somewhat unsettled over high-frequency bumps at lower speeds. However, its ability to cope with potholes and the like improves with speed – to the point where the new 2024 model feels well controlled and quite mature, with excellent isolation of road shock out on the open road by class standards. [https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/volkswagen/id3/first-drives/volkswagen-id-3-2023-first-drive]

May 2023 Scottish scientists have been using mobile testing equipment to measure greenhouse gas emissions from sheep. Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) said it was the first time the New Zealand-designed portable accumulation chambers (Pacs) had been used in the UK. The equipment helps scientists visit farms and analyse methane concentrations from sheep to identify which of their genetics and feed produce the highest emission levels. SRUC's Dr Nicola Lambe said there was an urgent need to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from sheep. 'Carbon-zero sheep' The scientist said there were an estimated 1.2 billion sheep in the world producing about seven million tonnes of methane into the atmosphere. Edinburgh-based SRUC's research could help find solutions to reducing the animals' carbon footprint. Dr Lambe said: “Despite the fact resource efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions are global priorities, there are few examples around the world of research to implement breeding strategies to directly tackle these issues in sheep. “This is largely due to the difficulty in recording feed consumption and greenhouse gas emissions on an individual animal basis, especially in grass-based systems." Rob Hodgkins, who farms 2,500 in Hertfordshire, was involved in the first use of the trailer-mounted Pacs. He said: "It will only be a matter of time before consumers will be able to look at labels on packets of meat that shows what they’re buying has come from, for example, a carbon-zero sheep.” Carbon-zero sheep' The scientist said there were an estimated 1.2 billion sheep in the world producing about seven million tonnes of methane into the atmosphere. Edinburgh-based SRUC's research could help find solutions to reducing the animals' carbon footprint. Dr Lambe said: “Despite the fact resource efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions are global priorities, there are few examples around the world of research to implement breeding strategies to directly tackle these issues in sheep. “This is largely due to the difficulty in recording feed consumption and greenhouse gas emissions on an individual animal basis, especially in grass-based systems." Rob Hodgkins, who farms 2,500 in Hertfordshire, was involved in the first use of the trailer-mounted Pacs. He said: "It will only be a matter of time before consumers will be able to look at labels on packets of meat that shows what they’re buying has come from, for example, a carbon-zero sheep.” WWW.KEVINMILNERCOUNTRYSIDE.CO.UK Image caption, A sheep inside the mobile testing chamber The UK government announced plans last month which could see cattle being given special products to help limit the amount of methane they produce. The announcement formed part of wider UK proposals on how to meet climate targets. Earlier this year, billionaire and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates invested in an Australian climate technology start-up trying to reduce the methane emissions of cow burps. Methane is the most common greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide (CO2). Livestock such as cows, sheep and deer produce methane when their stomachs are breaking down hard fibres like grass for digestion. This fermentation process creates methane gas which is then mostly belched out again.

The prime minister has refused to explicitly commit to a Conservative promise to get net migration levels below where they were four years ago. The Tory manifesto before the general election in 2019 promised that "overall numbers will come down". Net migration - the number of people moving to the UK minus the number who leave - was 226,000 in the year to March 2019. In the year to June 2022, net migration hit an all-time high of 504,000. The latest number, for the year to December 2022, will be published next week - and is widely expected to be higher still. Vocal Tory right give Sunak a headache Sunak pledges to stop asylum seekers crossing the Channel Train fruit pickers to cut migration - Braverman Chris Mason: Ministers weigh up tricky options on immigration Speaking to reporters en route to the G7 Summit in Japan, Rishi Sunak said: "I've inherited some numbers, I want to bring the numbers down." As the numbers climb, he is maintaining a desire that they fall, but not explicitly below the level they were at when the initial promise was made. "When it comes to legal migration, the key thing for people to know is we're in control of why people are here, the circumstances and the terms on which they are here, making sure they contribute, to public services like the NHS for example," Mr Sunak said. "Those are all now part of our migration system and they weren't before," he added, in reference to Brexit - which means immigration policy is now decided solely at Westminster. There is some evidence that the importance attached to cutting immigration has fallen for some people since the UK left the European Union, suggesting control over it, as well as how much of it there is, does really matter to some. As I have written about here, there is quite a discussion going on within government about how to respond to next week's new net migration figure. am told the prime minister has not yet looked at it in detail. But he is likely to in the coming days, ahead of a government announcement which is expected to include a restriction on the dependents some foreign students can bring with them when they come to the UK to study. Strikingly, when pressed on his instincts on legal migration, the prime minister repeatedly changed the subject to talk about illegal immigration instead - small boat crossings. "I do think most people's number one priority when it comes to migration is illegal migration, that is crystal clear to me," Mr Sunak said. "That's why one of my five priorities is to stop the boats, that's why recently we have moved to a Covid-style committee structure where I am meeting twice a week with ministers to drive the implementation of the new bill," he added, referring to the Illegal Migration Bill. He also pointed out what he believes is a significant breakthrough in helping to limit the number of small boats crossing the Channel. At a meeting of the Council of Europe in Iceland on Tuesday, the European Union agreed to begin conversations about the UK having a cooperation agreement with Frontex, the European Border and Coastguard Agency. There has been no such agreement since Brexit. Such an agreement, Mr Sunak said, was "of practical value to us in stopping illegal migration - sharing intelligence, operational cooperation will make a difference to our ability to stop the boats." [https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-65627148]

Albanian authorities have confirmed that most of its citizens forcibly sent back home from the UK this year were convicted of crimes there. The BBC has spoken to those men sent home, and learnt that some prisoners were offered £1,500 to leave - and some plan to come back. Each week, a small crowd gathers at the razor-wire fence tucked around the back of Albania's Tirana airport. The narrow runway beyond it, pinched between jagged black mountains and the high grey walls of the border police unit, is where UK deportation flights land - closely watched by the families waiting at the fence. It takes hours for the deportees to appear, trickling slowly through the gate to be met with hugs, shy smiles and tears. Deportation flights to Albania have increased since the country signed a joint co-operation agreement with the UK last December, to "deter and disrupt illegal migration". The UK government's Home Office says more than 1,000 people have been returned since then: around half of them voluntary, the rest a combination of failed asylum seekers and foreign offenders. The BBC spoke to dozens of people on several of these deportation flights last month, and found that most came from UK prisons. Some had been offered money in return for agreeing to deportation, and were released from prison before serving their minimum sentence, under an existing scheme used for foreign offenders. Albanian police confirmed that a majority of those forcibly returned this year were convicted of crimes in the UK. One cheerful 30-year-old man said he had been serving a six-year sentence for drug offences, and was released for deportation after serving just two of them - a year before he would have been eligible for parole. He asked us to hide his identity, so we're calling him Mark. The immigration officer came to see us," he said. "They ask if you want to go back [to Albania] or stay in UK. They explained that if you go back, they take one year off from your sentence." Mark was also offered £1,500 in financial support to return home, under a separate programme called the Facilitated Return Scheme (FRS). A UK government document clearly states that the scheme is "a financial incentive" offered to foreign prisoners "on the proviso that they co-operate with deportation and waive their right to appeal against it". Other prisoners we spoke to on the deportation flights last month had been given the same amount. Mark was deported under the UK's Early Release Scheme (ERS), used for foreign prisoners of all nationalities. ERS does not require the consent of prisoners, but several Albanian deportees we spoke to, including Mark, said their deportation and sentence reduction were presented as voluntary. "It was my choice to come back," Mark told me. "Nobody forced me. They offered it to me. They said, 'You decide if you want to go or want to stay'." We asked the Home Office to confirm how many Albanians had been deported under the ERS since the start of last year, and how many had received financial incentives to co-operate, but it said it did not publish these statistics. A spokesperson said in a statement: "The UK and Albanian governments work together to take every opportunity to intercept the work of people smugglers and speed up the removal of Albanians with no legal right to be in the UK." Last year, the government's Nationality and Borders Act extended the early release period allowed under the ERS from nine months to a year. One of the aims of that change, according to a Home Office brief, was to increase the number of removals. The same Act also abolished the expiry date for unserved sentences, meaning that prisoners who return to the UK illegally will have to serve the rest of their sentence, no matter how much time has passed - increasing the deterrent for people like Mark. "I'm not going back there again," he said. "I'm not going to prison. Now I'm going to look for work, I'm going to be a good guy." But several of those on the deportation flights last month said they were planning to return to the UK within weeks or even days, despite what many described as a new hard-line approach by police there. "They're rounding up Albanians now," one man said. "It's very difficult for Albanians to stay in the UK because police stop you in the road. They don't want us now." He said he had been sent back to Albania after police stopped the car he was in and found he was undocumented. He is still planning to return. Another man said he had already been back and forth to the UK three times. "It's not a problem for me," he said. "I'll go back whenever I want." For many of those we spoke to, it was economic opportunities that drew them to the UK. Not for Azem, though - a slight man in his late twenties, who seemed lost inside his clothes. [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65533198]

Voted

Name of the game: Forza Horizon 5 Price: 32.99 $ Link Store:Here Offer ends up after X hours: Offer ends in 19:50:00 Requirements: MINIMUM: Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system OS: Windows 10 version 15063.0 or higher Processor: Intel i5-4460 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 Memory: 8 GB RAM Graphics: NVidia GTX 970 OR AMD RX 470 DirectX: Version 12 Network: Broadband Internet connection Storage: 110 GB available space RECOMMENDED: Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system OS: Windows 10 version 15063.0 or higher Processor: Intel i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 1500X Memory: 16 GB RAM Graphics: NVidia GTX 1070 OR AMD RX 590 DirectX: Version 12 Network: Broadband Internet connection Storage: 110 GB available space

haven’t upgraded to the latest version of the operating system (22H2) will soon have to do so. That’s because Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10 21H2 on June 13, and has issued a reminder to that effect (as Neowin(opens in new tab) reports). In other words, the June 2023 security update will be the final one for those on 21H2. After that, there’ll be no more updates at all, feature-wise, or security fixes. If you want further updates, you’ll need to be running Windows 10 22H2. Microsoft notes(opens in new tab): “As always, we recommend that you update your devices to the latest version of Windows 10, or upgrade eligible devices to Windows 11.” Analysis: Final call for Windows 10 upgrades Naturally, Microsoft couldn’t let go of an opportunity to get a quick plug in for upgrading to Windows 11. Of course, if your PC doesn’t meet the system requirements for Windows 11, then you can’t switch over to the latest OS. Furthermore, you might not want to anyway, due to some of the decisions Microsoft has made, particularly on the interface front with Windows 11. At any rate, this forced upgrade for Windows 10 users will be the last one. There won’t be a newer version than 22H2 to upgrade to, as Microsoft recently announced that this is the last feature update for the older operating system. There’ll be no 23H2 or anything else – only monthly security updates from now on, which will continue to be provided for Windows 10 until the OS itself goes out of support (which will be in October 2025, so still a relatively long way off). All of which is very much angling to get folks to upgrade to Windows 11, with adoption not being everything Microsoft would’ve hoped for at this stage. Certainly not compared to how things went with Windows 10, which had racked up far more users than Windows 11 at the same point in its lifespan. [https://www.techradar.com/news/not-upgraded-to-windows-10-22h2-yet-youll-soon-be-forced-to-or-switch-to-windows-11]

Isn't it great to see capable graphics cards available at prices that won't make you keel over in shock? Okay, they're not exactly cheap, but given the ludicrous GPU market of a couple of years back, GeForce RTX 4070s starting at around $600 / £600 / AU$999 are a dead set bargain. While you can't call a $600 GPU an affordable one, it's good to see the latest generation cards hitting price points that are more attractive than we've seen in a long time. Do check out our man James' RTX 4070 Founders Edition review(opens in new tab). Dave goes into some of the more technical details and concludes the RTX 4070 delivers RTX 3080 performance, while running cooler, quieter, and more efficiently than the last-gen hero. Most importantly, the RTX 4070 comes in at a lower price point. You also get the frame generation wizardry of DLSS 3.0. If you add all those things together, it's fairly easy to make a case for the RTX 4070. On the flipside, the RTX 4070 really should compare favorably to the RTX 3080. It'd be a turkey if an xx70 card couldn't beat out the previous generations' xx80. And today, here for review I have MSI's RTX 4070 flavor, specifically the MSI GeForce RTX 4070 Gaming X Trio(opens in new tab). The Gaming X series often impresses me, usually delivering a near perfect balance of temperatures and low noise levels that allow the card to hold high boost clocks without much compromise. But given the RTX 4070 is a highly efficient GPU, is the big triple fan Gaming X Trio cooler really necessary? The MSI RTX 4070 Gaming X Trio, like all RTX 4070s, is based on the 5nm AD104 GPU, albeit a heavily cut down version of the one found in the RTX 4070 Ti(opens in new tab). It comes with 5,888 CUDA cores, 46 RT cores, and 184 Tensor cores. This compares to the 7,680 CUDA cores, 60 RT cores and 240 Tensor cores of the RTX 4070 Ti. Thankfully, Nvidia didn’t gut the memory subsystem. Both the 4070 and the 4070 Ti come with the same 12GB of 21Gbps memory over a 192-bit memory bus. However, no matter how much GDDR memory speeds improve, the idea of a card with a 192-bit bus costing $600 still irritates me. The MSI Gaming X Trio comes with a factory overclock at 2,610MHz, a decent 135MHz increase over the 2,475MHz reference speed. The TDP of the card is a very respectable 215W, a modest 15W increase over the TDP of the 4070 Founders Edition and over 100W less than the RTX 3080. The MSI Gaming X Trio includes the now common 16-pin 12VHPWR power connector, but MSI ships a 2x 8-pin power adapter for use with older power supplies. For its part, MSI recommends a minimum 650W power supply. Like most RTX 4070s, and indeed most RTX 40-series cards as a whole, the MSI includes three DP 1.4 ports plus one HDMI 2.1 port. DP 2.0 would be nice, but given the RTX 4070 isn’t really a high FPS 4K card, let alone an 8K capable one, its omission is not that important The card is a big one, as is usually the case with triple fan cards. It measures 338 x 141 x 52 mm, requiring three slots, though it doesn't need the full three slots, giving it some welcome breathing room if used with an adjacent expansion card. In all honesty, there's no need for the card to be this big. The PCB only takes up half the length of the card, leaving a large cutout at the rear of the card. But still, it's better to over deliver on the cooling capacity than under deliver. It is something to note if you’re after a RTX 4070 for a small form factor build though, which is something the regular versions are ideal for. The card doesn't have the bulk and weight of the more powerful RTX 4070 Gaming X Trio's, but it's still a premium design, with attractive RGB elements, a backplate and a tastefully designed shroud. Even if it is overkill, the cooler is excellent. The small 295mm² AD104 die is cooled by six heatpipes, with pads for the VRM circuitry and memory chips too. It's one of the quietest cards I've ever tested, and with a peak 3DMark Speedway temperature of just 57°C after 10 minutes of running, its absolute proof that a RTX 4070 can get away with a smaller dual fan, dual slot cooler. The MSI RTX 4070 Gaming X Trio comes with a compact and capable PCB that includes 9+2 phase VRM with 55A stages. A 295mm² die with a 192-bit bus and a relatively basic PCB shouldn’t have a huge bill of materials. I hope Nvidia drops the price of RTX 4070 cards in the months ahead as I'm sure there's plenty of margin to do so. [https://www.pcgamer.com/msi-geforce-rtx-4070-gaming-x-trio/]

Arsenal's fading title hopes were dealt a devastating blow after losing to Brighton to leave leaders Manchester City one win from a fifth Premier League title in six seasons. The Gunners needed to respond after City's 3-0 win over Everton earlier on Sunday left Mikel Arteta's side trailing by four points in the race for the title. On a deeply frustrating day for Arsenal, Leandro Trossard hit the bar against his former club while Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka both went close before Julio Enciso's close-range header put Brighton ahead. Substitute Deniz Undav doubled the lead after lobbing Aaron Ramsdale in the 86th minute before Pervis Estupinan added to Arsenal's misery with Brighton's third in the 96th minute. City will win the Premier League title next Sunday in front of their own fans if they beat Chelsea at home (16:00 BST), even if Arsenal defeat Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday (17:30). However, City will be confirmed champions without playing on Saturday if the Gunners lose at Forest. In a game littered with niggly challenges, Arsenal lost Brazil forward Gabriel Martinelli to injury in the first half after a foul by Brighton's Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo, who the Gunners tried to sign in January. Brighton, who are chasing a place in Europe for the first time, had gone close through Enciso before the 19-year-old Paraguay forward stunned the Emirates with his 51st-minute goal. The win lifted the Seagulls above both Aston Villa and Tottenham into sixth on 58 points, four behind fifth-placed Liverpool with one game in hand. The maximum number of points Arsenal can score is 87, while City have 85 with matches against Chelsea (home), Brighton (away) and Brentford (away) to come. Reaction from Arsenal-Brighton, plus how Sunday's Premier League action unfolded Go straight to all the best Arsenal content Visit our Brighton & Hove Albion page Arsenal's title challenge runs out of steam Arsenal's players sank to their knees after the full-time whistle, the realisation quickly sinking in that their title dream was all but over after being picked off by Brighton. The Gunners deserve enormous credit for the way they have pushed Manchester City in the title race. They were eight points clear of City at the top after 18 games but their pursuit is running out of steam after a highly damaging defeat at the business end of the season. Manchester City's comfortable win at Everton earlier on Sunday opened up a four-point gap at the top but this time Arsenal were unable to respond to the pressure heaped on them by Pep Guardiola's Treble-chasing team. There was still almost 40 minutes left when Enciso opened the scoring and Arteta sent on Eddie Nketiah and Emile Smith Rowe to try and salvage a point. But the Arsenal boss, who was shown a yellow card by referee Andy Madley, saw his side concede two further goals while the home side failed to score for the first time since 4 February on their way to a comprehensive defeat. We knew the challenge we had, it was very different to the one we had at Newcastle," Arteta told Match of the Day, referencing a 2-0 win. "I was stood here and very proud of what we did last week but today we have to apologise to our people. We have to move on very quickly and not keep that feeling for a long time." Brighton's incredible season far from over This was another statement win in what looks like being a history-defining season for Brighton, who bounced back from a crushing 5-1 home defeat by Everton to produce one of their best performances of the season. They were at their clinical best as Arsenal were beaten at the Emirates for only the second time in the league. Roberto De Zerbi has called on his players to "write club history" by qualifying for Europe for the first time. "It's not enough to qualify for the Europa League," said De Zerbi. "We have four games and they're all tough games. We have 58 points and that's not enough. We have to win other games and the first game will be in Newcastle [on Thursday]. "I enjoy working with the players. I am very lucky to be their coach and I am happy they enjoy working with me. "That's a great satisfaction for me, but I prefer to speak about everything at the end of the season because we want to achieve something historic for the fans and for the club." Two wins from the last four games - Newcastle (away), Southampton (home), Manchester City (home), Aston Villa (away) - will be enough to see the Seagulls confirm their place in next season's Europa League. Against Arsenal, Brighton were at their attacking best, registering six chances on target and scoring from half of them. "The manager showed us a Michael Jordan video, to show us how he motivated himself for each game," goalscorer Undav told Sky Sports. "It was the right choice to show us the video and we showed today how mentally strong we are." As Arsenal's players looked desolate at the final whistle, Brighton's triumphantly marched over to where their travelling fans were gathered to show their appreciation. This incredible season for the Seagulls, which has included an FA Cup semi-final and league doubles over Manchester United and Chelsea, is far from over. [https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65515864]

Boasting the latest in-car technology, a cosseting premium tech-packed interior and eye-catching design, the Audi Q4 e-tron and Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron are the beating hearts of Audi’s fast-growing range of all-electric e-tron models. But, to truly get to the core of what makes these all-electric SUVs so compelling, you need to talk to real owners who know the car best. That’s why we turned to Alan and Michael – two passionate drivers who have already put thousands of miles on their Audi Q4 e-trons, finding small moments of magic every time they get in. Focusing on five key areas that matter to all-electric SUV owners – that’s styling, in-car tech, range, and charging, driving feel and practicality – they talked us through their personal highlights The future-facing technology in Audi’s Q4 Sportback e-tron is designed with safety, convenience and ease of use in mind – providing owners with a familiar, intuitive experience. “I think the tech in my Audi Q4 e-tron is fantastic,” says Michael. “Nothing about the tech ever feels like it's an afterthought. It feels like it has all been part of the seamless design of the car – from the looks to the actual driver experience.” “A lot of people would say Audi’s MMI (multimedia interface) is ‘easy to use’, but I'd use the word ‘intuitive’. You just know where everything is. I didn't have to read the manual when I first got the car, I just got in and everything was labelled and worked exactly how it should. I especially love the phone integration, which is wireless now.” “The main screen is crisp and responsive, and I absolutely love Audi’s Virtual Cockpit. I can change all the different clusters to suit the mode I’m in: like bigger dials when I’m in Sport mode. I can also change it to see more of the map and less of the dials or see my journey efficiency and the map at the same time.” “The head-up display is another standout feature. I don't have to look around at the other screens; I don't have to look down at the dash, because it's all there at my eye level. And unlike other new cars where the temperature controls are all digital, and you have to go into sub-menus to change anything, my Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron has physical buttons! It’s tangible and tactile which makes adjusting settings easy.” [https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/advertising-promotions-promoted-by-audi/audi-q4-e-tron-big-reasons-why-real-owners-love-it]

A pet iguana had to be rescued from a tree after it escaped its home through a cat flap while chasing another pet. Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service said its crews were surprised to find their last job in Horncastle on Wednesday involved Einstein the iguana. He had been missing for 24 hours before being spotted up a neighbour's tree on Queen Street, the RSPCA said. The reptile was rescued with the help of a tree surgeon using chimney rods, salvage sheets and rope equipment. Firefighters from Horncastle and Louth were called to the scene by the RSPCA shortly before 18:00 BST. Einstein's owner, Stuart Hoyle, a retired detective, said he had forgotten to reset the cat flap, which used microchip technology, and that was how the five-year-old juvenile had disappeared. "Einstein considers himself the head of the household and he's always up to something. He's sometimes very clever and sometimes quite daft. "He doesn't live in an enclosure, he's free roaming in the house and he has his area, which is elevated, and has all of his needs. "But he's free to go anywhere, and he actually has his toilet, which he uses most of the time. "He's a very good climber. He has lots of climbing opportunities in the house and he does make use of them." Mr Hoyle, who also has two cats, thanked all those who helped rescue his green iguana, who was back to "his usual self" since returning home. "He went to his usual favourite spot in the back of the sofa to observe the cats in the garden, and I gave him a bowl of dandelions, which he loves, up in his climate area." Mr Hoyle said he had been a herpetologist, a zoologist who studies reptiles and amphibians, since the 1970s and had cared for "a large number of reptiles". "Einstein is hilarious. He is incredibly clumsy and will pretend nothing happens when he makes a mistake. "He will come and inspect all our meals and sometimes steal from our plates." Posting on Facebook after the reptile rescue, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "A busy day for Horncastle crew today, and then we finished off with a small animal rescue, but to our surprise not what we were expecting. "We got to meet the lovely Einstein the Iguana who got himself stuck up a very large tree. Thanks to Louth Fire Station and our amazing local tree surgeon for some assistance we managed to safely get him back down." [https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-65558803]

Ukraine has no plans to hit targets in Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said in Germany, where Kyiv secured a big new defence aid package. "We are not attacking Russian territory," he said after talks in Berlin with Chancellor Olaf Scholz. "We are preparing a counterattack to de-occupy the illegitimately conquered territories," Mr Zelensky added. Mr Scholz vowed to back Ukraine "for as long as it is necessary", promising €2.7bn (£2.4bn) worth of weapons. This includes advanced German Leopard tanks and more anti-aircraft systems to defend Ukraine from almost daily deadly Russian missile and drone attacks. President Zelensky described the new tranche as "the largest since the beginning of the full-scale aggression" by Russia in February 2022. The war has transformed Germany's attitude towards Ukraine, moving from being a reluctant supplier of military hardware to virtually doubling its contribution overnight, the BBC's Jenny Hill in Berlin says. Russia accuses Ukraine of repeatedly hitting targets inside Russia, including a reported drone attack on Moscow's Kremlin earlier this month. Ukraine denies the accusations, while also stressing that it has a legitimate right to use force and other means to fully de-occupy its territories currently under Russian control. These include four regions in the south and east, as well as the Crimea peninsula, annexed by Moscow in 2014. Later on Sunday, President Zelensky travelled to the western city of Aachen to receive the prestigious Charlemagne Prize awarded this year to him and the Ukrainian people. The honour is given for efforts to foster European unity. "Ukraine incarnates everything the European idea is living for: the courage of convictions, the fight for values and freedom, the commitment to peace and unity," EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at the award ceremony. Previous winners include Winston Churchill, Pope Francis and Bill Clinton. In other developments on Sunday: Ukraine's air force says it destroyed 25 drones and three cruise missiles launched by Russia in yet another massive overnight attack Six people were killed and another 16 injured in the past 24 hours in Russian shelling of Ukraine-held areas in the eastern Donetsk region, local officials said One person was killed in Sunday's Russian artillery attack on the southern Kherson region Mobile internet is temporarily suspended in the Russian-seized areas of the eastern Luhansk region because of increased shelling by Ukrainian troops, Moscow-installed officials said President Zelensky flew to Germany from Italy overnight, his plane escorted by two German Air Force fighter jets. In Rome, the Ukrainian leader met Italian President Sergio President Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. He also had a private audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican. The Argentine pontiff said he was constantly praying for peace in Ukraine. The Pope also stressed the urgent need to help "the most fragile people, innocent victims" of the Russian invasion. Meanwhile, Ms Meloni assured Mr Zelensky of Rome's support for united Ukraine. Later on Sunday, the Ukrainian leader arrived in Paris, where he went to the Élysée Palace for a working dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65588111

A powerful cyclone has hit the coastlines of Bangladesh and Myanmar after intensifying into the equivalent of a category-five storm. Cyclone Mocha brought with it heavy rain and strong winds, leaving residents in low-lying coastal areas fearful they may lose their homes. More than 1,300 bamboo shelters in Cox's Bazar, the world's largest refugee camp, have been destroyed. Landslides and floods are also hitting the area. As the storm approached, police patrolled the coastline in the town of Cox's Bazar carrying loudspeakers, urging people to stay indoors. The streets emptied as the cyclone intensified - the skies darkened, the winds picked up pace and the rains pounded down. Hundreds of people crammed into a school in the city which had been turned into a temporary cyclone shelter. Mothers with babies, young children, the elderly and the frail packed into any available space in the classrooms, sleeping on desks and sitting under them. Authorities here say more than 500,000 people were evacuated from their homes in this south-eastern stretch of Bangladesh. As many arrived at the shelter in rickshaws and on foot, they brought their livestock - cattle, chickens, goats - as well as mats to sleep on. They had come from fishing and coastal villages, as many as two hours away, making a difficult choice. "I didn't want to leave my house," said Sumi Akter, who lives on a riverbank. Sumi and others we met here say they have lived through other cyclones in recent years and are resigned to the regular pattern of leaving their homes to the mercy of nature. Storm surges of up to four metres could swamp villages in low-lying areas, Sumi and others here are fearful their homes may be submerged. "I wish the homes we lived in were built more strongly," she said. Jannat, aged 17, who we had met the day before in the same shelter, said she too was terrified of what state her home, on the riverbank, would be in once she went back. Last year, another cyclone, Sitrang, destroyed her house, forcing her to spend what little money she had on repairing it. "How can I live if this keeps happening? I can't afford to rebuild it - we are very poor," she said. Nature was also punishing the poor in the world's largest refugee camp nearby. Bangladesh's government does not allow Rohingya refugees to leave the camps, nor to build permanent structures. As the cyclone hit, they hunkered down in flimsy bamboo shelters with tarpaulin roofs. Some were moved to community shelters within the camps, which offered little more protection. Authorities told the BBC that more than 1,300 shelters were damaged by the wind, as were 16 mosques and learning centres. Trees had fallen in the camps, while two landslides also caused some damage. The tarpaulin that covered Mohammed Ayub's shelter was torn off by the winds. Now he and his family of eight are living in the open, in wet and miserable weather. Having spent the days before terrified of what Cyclone Mocha could bring, Mohammed was relieved the camps didn't take a direct hit from the storm. Mizanur Rahman, from the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner said that as far as he was aware, there were no casualties in the camps as a result of the cyclone. Forecasters warned Cyclone Mocha could be the most powerful storm seen in Bangladesh in nearly two decades. It also hit neighbouring Myanmar with great force. Heavy rain and driving winds battered the region as the storm system moved to the coast, with reports of increasing disruption near the city of Sittwe, in Myanmar, from about 13:00 (07:00 GMT). Electricity and wi-fi connections were disrupted across much of the Sittwe area, where videos showed the tide rising dramatically and carrying debris down flooded streets. A telecom tower was brought down by the high winds as the cyclone approached. Videos shared on social media also showed roofs being blown off houses and billboards flying off buildings in Yangon amid teeming rain. Images from the city of Mrauk U showed palm trees bending in the wind, metal roofing sheets being swept into the street and a few people still hurrying to take cover in storm shelters. Local media reported that a 14-year-old boy was killed by a falling tree in Myanmar's Rakhine State, while there were reports of damaged and collapsed buildings in various parts of Myanmar. [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-65587321]