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Best bicycle for women are not just a means of transportation, but one of the ideal way to feel free and stay fit. Just imagine the feeling of strolling on the city streets early morning or mid-afternoon while you are cycling on the busy city streets and the wind is blowing your hair. Whether it's commuting to work, running errands, or simply enjoying a leisurely ride through the neighbourhood, bicycles provide a versatile mode of transportation that promotes health, sustainability, and community engagement. These top 7 bicycle for women gives you the freedom to stroll on the busy streets.(Pexels) While, there are still women who feel empowered while driving a car, the truth is that bicycling not only provides a sense of freedom, it also helps them to cut down on their calorie count as well. As more women embrace cycling, they not only contribute to a more inclusive and equitable society but also inspire future generations of female cyclistIf you are looking for a unisex bicycle that can be ridden by both you and your partner, then trust the Lifelong MTB 26T Gear Cycle. It is a versatile and durable bicycle suitable for both men and women. Featuring a sturdy steel frame, this bike provides excellent stability and support during rides on various terrains. Equipped with 18-speed gears, it offers smooth and efficient gear shifting, allowing riders to tackle uphill climbs and downhill descents with ease. The front and rear disc brakes ensure reliable stopping power, enhancing safety on the road. With comfortable padded seats and adjustable handlebars, this cycle provides a customized fit for riders of different sizes. Whether you're commuting to work or exploring scenic trails, the Lifelong MTB 26T Gear Cycle offers a comfortable and enjoyable riding experience for cyclists of all levels. https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/best-bicycle-for-women-give-yourself-a-break-from-your-busy-life-and-wander-on-these-7-picks-101713171081773.html

An Australian magpie has been returned to a Queensland couple after an intense debate that gripped the nation. Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen were granted a special licence to care for the magpie, dubbed Molly, who was held by wildlife authorities for six weeks. Molly shot to fame via the couple's Instagram account, which documented its relationship with their pet dog, Peggy. The licence comes with strict conditions barring the couple from profiting from the bird. In their first Instagram post since Molly's return, Ms Wells and Mr Mortensen said they were "overwhelmed with emotion". There was, they say, a "little cry of happiness" from the magpie when it was released. Ms Wells and Mr Mortensen rescued Molly when it was a chick in 2020. The couple amassed more than 800,000 followers with an Instagram page, which features whimsical pictures and videos of the magpie interacting with their Staffordshire terrier. But questions were raised about the ethics of keeping an Australian magpie as a domestic pet. Earlier this year, the Department for Environment, Science and Innovation (Desi) said the magpie had been "taken from the wild unlawfully with no permit, licence or authority". In an emotional video, the couple announced they had "surrendered" Molly to the authorities on 1 March, because of a "small group of people constantly complaining" about the animal being in their care. "We are asking why a wild magpie can't decide for himself where he wants to live and who he wants to spend his time with?" the couple said in a post online. This turn of events sparked mass public outcry in Australia, with more than 150,000 people signing a petition to secure Molly's return. The uproar led Queensland premier Steven Miles to intervene. He said returning Molly to the couple would be a victory for "common sense" and urged the authorities to grant the appropriate licence. After seeking expert veterinary advice, Desi found that Molly was "highly habituated", meaning the bird could never be returned to the wild. The department says it returned Molly to the couple's care following "extensive legal advice". "I know how strongly people have felt about this - thank you again to everyone who has been in touch about it." Though Molly is back at home, Ms Wells and Mr Mortensen must adhere to strict conditions in order to keep their wildlife carers' licence. Those conditions require the couple to undertake training, provide evidence of Molly's well-being and make "no ongoing commercial gain" from the magpie. This last point might prove the trickiest. Ms Wells has already released a book about Peggy and Molly via Penguin Books Australia, and the couple have sold calendars and T-shirts featuring images of the duo. A post promoting the book - Peggy & Molly: Be Kind, Be Humble, Be Happy - remains pinned at the top of the duo's Instagram page. Before Molly's return, Ms Wells and Mr Mortensen told Australia's ABC News that they had profited from Molly, though they suggested they had not made very much. "My intention was not to make money," Ms Wells said. "It's not about that." "We can't make a living on the money that's been made - definitely not," Mr Mortensen added. Prof Gisela Kaplan of the University of New England told ABC News people should not raise birds without specialist knowledge, and that she hopes Peggy and Molly's situation is a "one-off". Australian magpies - which can live up to 30 years - are a protected native species and are considered vital to the nation's ecosystem. They are named after their resemblance to the Eurasian magpie, to which they are not actually closely related. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-68816253

Arsenal revelled in a scene of high anticipation when they walked out to face Aston Villa but were left looking at a sea of empty red seats 90 minutes later as the Premier League title race took a potentially pivotal twist. Liverpool stumbled first in a shock home defeat by Crystal Palace before Arsenal's supporters, well at least those of them left, departed Emirates Stadium as stunned as their Anfield counterparts after Mikel Arteta's side slumped to a 2-0 loss. The title pursuit is nowhere near over with only two points separating the top three, but there is an ominously familiar feel to Manchester City's presence at the top of the table when the pressure valve is tightened. What will be so frustrating for Arsenal and Liverpool is they were both architects of their own downfalls with desperately poor performances just when they needed victory most. When the heat was on they were both found wanting. 'You can hear panic set in' - Shearer on how pressure is affecting the title race Premier League title: Will Arsenal, Liverpool or Manchester City win? The big question now is can Arsenal and Liverpool hit back from such savage blows or has the title momentum shifted decisively in Manchester City's favour? It was all so different before Sunday's late kick-off, with the Gunners having been handed a huge opportunity to re-assert their authority at the top. Arsenal's supporters trooped in to the Emirates buoyed by the favour Palace had bestowed on them by completing a dismal week for Liverpool after the draw at Manchester United and heavy Europa League quarter-final beating by Atalanta at Anfield. Liverpool looked leggy and stripped of their usual intensity in the 1-0 defeat by Palace, showing all the signsof running out of gas after energy expended in a chase - for a time at least - of four trophies. However, the hope engendered by Liverpool's loss actually seemed counter-productive for Arsenal, with nerves sweeping around the Emirates in double-quick time when an early breakthrough did not materialise. The noise at times smacked of desperation, of fear that old failings might come back for a side who were chased down so ruthlessly by City last season. They did. City are the experts at applying pressure, as we have seen in previous campaigns, but even they could not have expected both their rivals to struggle in home games on the same day. Pep Guardiola and his City players will have enjoyed the ideal Sunday as they sat back with their feet up - having beaten Luton 5-1 a day earlier - before watching Arsenal and Liverpool implode on their own turf. Liverpool finally paid the price for standing on the precipice too often this season. Late Villa goals dent Arsenal's title challenge Liverpool's title hopes hit by loss to Palace My players like pressure - Guardiola on title race Eberechi Eze's goal was the 14th time they have conceded first in the Premier League this season, including four occasions in their past five league matches at home. They were pushing their luck to think they could come back every time. Eventually they would not get away with it and this proved to be the day. It means the Kop's dream of a title-winning farewell for Jurgen Klopp has receded - although there is still time for another twist in the tale - in what has been a dreadful week for Liverpool. The added worry for Klopp is a team counting potency among its greatest threats has suddenly looked blunt at the worst possible time, with just two goals scored in their past three matches. Can Klopp galvanise and inspire one last time for a glorious flourish? It is a mighty challenge in his final days at Anfield. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68814043

Police have recovered two dead bodies in rural Texas after two mothers went missing in the nearby state of Oklahoma. The mothers, Veronica Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39, from Hugoton, Kansas, vanished on March 30. Police said their car was later found abandoned in rural Oklahoma, near the Kansas border. Coroners have yet to identify the bodies, but officials said they believe the two women have been killed. Four people have since been arrested in connection to their disappearances. The recovery of the bodies was announced Sunday by police, who said they have since been transported to the Office of the Oklahoma Chief Medical Examiner for identification and to determine the cause of death. At a press conference on Monday, officials said they believe the mothers were murdered. "You have two people who are dead and four people that committed an absolutely brutal crime," said Hunter McKee, the public information manager with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations (OSBI). Oklahoma police announced the arrest of four people on Saturday. Each was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of kidnapping, and one count of conspiracy to commit murder in the first degree. The names of those arrested are: Tad Bert Cullum, 43, Tifany Machel Adams, 54, Cole Earl Twombly, 50, and Cora Twombly, 44. Authorities said they were arrested without incident in both Texas and Cimarron counties in Oklahoma. Police did not say whether the suspects knew the two missing mothers, and did not share possible motivations or details of evidence that led to the arrests. Evidence found in the women's abandoned vehicle, plus information gathered from witnesses, as well as family and friends of the victims, pointed officials toward the suspects, Mr McKee said. He added authorities received multiple tips and used them "throughout the 14-day process" since the mothers disappeared. Authorities said they do not believe the public is in danger, or that more arrests will be made. "This wasn't random," said Matt Boley, a sheriff with the Texas County Sheriff's Office. "With some of the information coming, (it appeared to be) more targeted." Ms Butler and Ms Kelley were last seen in a vehicle before they disappeared, according to a missing persons alert issued by the Texas County Sheriff's Department. They had been driving through Oklahoma to pick up Ms Butler's children, and authorities said that neither "made it to the pick up location". BBC's US news partner CBS News reported that Ms Butler had been involved in a custody battle, but it is unclear if it was related to the case. Police on Monday declined to comment on the matter. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68819579

First, I was not deleted. Second, I took a leave and I want to come back. No more. You are the only one who spoke like this because you do not look at the list of absences. Everyone knows that I took a leave, not the deletion. Thank you.

Have you ever imagined a phone that is powered by robust RAM, a bright display, and a massive battery with a super-fast charging speed? Well, if you're looking to buy a smartphone with all these amazing features while being accessible to you at a pocket-friendly price then you've landed on the right spot. The all-new POVA 6 Pro 5G by TECNO helps you stay ahead with its powerful performance, unique design, and unmatched features in its segment. Let's take a look at what really makes the Pova 6 Pro 5G better, faster, and stronger Stand apart with the enhanced arc interface When it comes to design, the POVA 6 Pro 5G wins hands down in its segment. The updated Arc Interface offers an enhanced feel with its motherboard-inspired design made up of a photolithography process. It offers over 100 custom settings and is supported by 210 mini LED beads. The design looks absolutely stunning, bringing the rear of the phone alive in various modes. It's pretty cool yet functional, and an absolute head-turner of a feature. Powerful performance unlike any other TECNO POVA 6 Pro 5G features Memory Fusion 2.2 that lets you access up to 24GB of RAM on your smartphone. This makes multitasking easier and more efficient, thanks to the expandable RAM feature. The 256GB ROM enables you to store a large number of photos, videos, and apps. Everything from playing games to capturing photos and videos with the phone feels super smooth. A large battery with fast-charging support TECNO POVA 6 Pro packs India's first 6,000mAh-sized battery with a powerful 70W Ultra Charge fast charger. The combination lets you charge the phone up to 50 percent in just 19 minutes, and a full 100 percent in just 50 minutes. That's phenomenal! This means you can get more done while you're on the move, without having to worry about losing battery power or charging quickly. Incredibly slim The all-new TECNO POVA 6 Pro 5G comes packed with a large 6,000mAh battery. You're probably assuming that the phone would be quite thick because of that. Don't worry, the POVA 6 Pro 5G is India's slimmest smartphone with a 6,000mAh battery. At just 7.9mm, the POVA 6 Pro 5G is not just slim but also weighs just 195g. How incredible is that? A vibrant Pro display For endless scrolling and an immersive gaming experience, the TECNO POVA 6 Pro 5G brings a 6.78-inch FHD+ 120Hz AMOLED display that's a visual treat. Now that's something that's difficult to find in this segment. Scrolling through content on the apps feels super smooth and playing games is even more fun. Dynamic Port 2.0 makes full use of this gorgeous display, offering a very useful way to stay on top of things throughout the day. A Pro camera setup TECNO POVA 6 Pro 5G packs a triple rear camera setup with a 108-megapixel primary camera sensor, supported by a 2-megapixel portrait camera, and an AI camera. For your selfies, there's a 32-megapixel AI selfie camera with dual-tone flash on both front and back. You can shoot stunning photos in both day and light using the POVA 6 Pro 5G. The TECNO POVA 6 Pro is available in Comet Green and Meteorite Grey colour options. The phone runs Android 14-based HiOS 14 which offers a slick user interface, making it easier to get anything done without a lag. The phone is proudly made in India and you can now buy it at a special launch price of just Rs. 17,999* (including Rs. 2,000 off) starting April 4. As a part of the special launch offer, you will also complimentary free goodies worth Rs. 4,999. So what are you waiting for? Buy now on Amazon.in and from the nearest retail store. Affiliate links may be automatically generated - see our ethics statement for details. Comments For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. https://www.gadgets360.com/mobiles/sponsored/6-reasons-why-pova-6-pro-5g-is-better-faster-stronger-than-any-other-smartphone-5373594#pfrom=brandStories_featured

Si hablamos de portátil con Linux tenemos que hablar de Slimbook, una empresa española con sede en Valencia que forma parte del grupo Odín. Slimbook nació con el objetivo de crear ordenadores perfectos para ejecutar GNU/Linux manteniendo la compatibilidad con Windows en todo momento. Este fabricante, en colaboración con KDE, acaba de presentar el KDE Slimbook, un portátil perfecto para los usuarios que buscan un portátil diseñado para ejecutar cualquier distribución Linux. Estamos hablando del KDE Slimbook, un portátil que mantiene la filosofía de este fabricante y que está gestionado por KDE Neon con escritorio Plasma 6, basado en Ubuntu LTS, versión que estará disponible de forma pública a partir del 28 de febrero. KDE Slimbook En el interior de este portátil, se encuentra la APU AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS, un procesador con 8 núcleos y 16 hilos y la gráfica Radeon 780M, por lo que no solo podemos utilizarla para trabajar, sino también para jugar. En cuanto a las opciones de configuración de memoria RAM y almacenamiento, el KDE Slimbook permite añadir hasta 64 GB de memoria DDR5-5600 (memoria no soldada por lo que podemos ampliarla cuando queramos) y hasta 8 TB de almacenamiento NVMe PCIe 4.0 a través de las dos ranuras disponibles. La pantalla del KDE Slimbook es tipo IPS de 10 bits antirreflejos, alcanza las 16 pulgadas con formato 16:10 y una resolución de 2560 x 1600 píxeles con una tasa de refresco de hasta 165 Hz. Tiene un brillo máximo de 400 nits y cubre el 100% del espacio de color sRGB. En la parte superior de la pantalla, se encuentra una webcam con una resolución de 720p que incluye un interruptor físico para desconectarla del hardware del equipo. Si hablamos de opciones de conectividad, tenemos que hablar de tres puertos USB-A 3.2, dos puertos USB-C que nos permiten cargar el dispositivo y enviar la señal un monitor externo, un puerto HDMI y conectividad Wi-Fi 6 y Bluetooth 5.2. La batería, uno de los aspectos muy importantes en cualquier portátil si no tenemos previsto trabajar pegados a un enchufe, tiene 68 Wh con hasta 11 horas de autonomía haciendo un uso normal del dispositivo. El exterior de KDE Slimbook está fabricado en aluminio, tiene unas dimensiones de 356,6 x 248,5 x 20,3 cm con un peso de 1,86 kg. El equipo llega de fábrica con KDE Neon, que se encentra preinstalado en el equipo, incluye desde programas de diseño como Krita, hasta la aplicación de correo KMail, pasando por el entorno de desarrollo KDevelop y el programa de edición de vídeo Kdenlive entre muchos otros. Precio y disponibilidad El KDE Slimbook, tiene un precio base de 999 euros, lo que supone un descuento de 200 euros antes su llegada al mercado en el abril. La versión base cuenta con 16 GB de memoria, 256 GB de almacenamiento NVMe sin disco secundario, incluye un cargador USB-C de 100W y tiene distribución del teclado en español. Desde este enlace, podemos configurar el modelo que necesitemos en base a nuestras necesidades. El modelo más completo, con 64 GB de memoria y 8 TB de almacenamiento en dos unidades de 4 TB Samsung 990 Pro sube hasta los 2082 euros, contando con los 200 euros de descuento que tiene actualmente antes de su llegada al mercado. El precio incluye en 21% de IVA https://hardzone.es/noticias/equipos/portatil-procesador-amd-linux-slimbook/

Con el paso de los meses, el fin del soporte oficial para Windows 10, un sistema operativo querido por muchos, cada vez está más cerca. De ahí que la penetración de mercado de Windows 11 cada vez sea mayor y el número de usuarios que migran vaya en aumento. El problema es que muchos aseguran que, tras instalar este nuevo SO, el PC empieza a funcionar más lento. Esto no se debe al propio sistema operativo como tal, sino que suele tener que ver con todo tipo de funciones y programas innecesarios que, poco a poco, van gastando más y más recursos del ordenador. Tal y como nos indica el propio gigante del software, aquí nos encontramos con un software moderno, muy funcional y seguro para nuestro ordenador. Hay que tener en cuenta que esta última versión de Windows incluye una enorme cantidad de características y funcionalidades para cubrir las necesidades de la mayoría de los usuarios. Pero también es verdad que muchas de ellas al final se convierten más en una molestia que en una utilidad. De ahí precisamente que tengamos la posibilidad de desactivar ciertas funciones de Windows 11 para mejorar el funcionamiento y rendimiento del sistema. A continuación os vamos a hablar de algunas de estas herramientas incluidas de las que podéis prescindir en la mayoría de los casos para que dejen de ser una molestia al trabajar en el día a día con el PC. Funciones prescindibles para desactivar en Windows 11 De hecho, además de deshacernos de una molestia, tendremos la oportunidad de mejorar el rendimiento general del sistema operativo y, por tanto, de nuestro ordenador. Veamos algunos ejemplos de funciones que puedes desactivar en Windows 11. El cuadro de búsqueda de la barra de tareas. Esta es una sección que nos ofrece un acceso más rápido a la función de búsqueda de Windows, pero que en muchas ocasiones no usamos nunca. Tenemos la posibilidad de desactivar esta función para despejar la barra de tareas y dejar espacio para otras aplicaciones. Esto lo logramos desde la aplicación de Configuración / Personalización, y en el apartado de Barra de tareas ya tendremos la oportunidad de ocultar esta función de Buscar. Las notificaciones del menú Inicio. El sistema de notificaciones que nos ofrece Windows por defecto para muchos es muy útil, mientras que para otros es una total molestia. Windows 11 nos manda mensajes relacionados con nuestra cuenta, la aplicación de OneDrive, las copias de seguridad y más. Estas notificaciones están activadas por defecto, pero podemos desactivarlas. Esto es algo que de nuevo logramos a través de la aplicación de Configuración / Personalización, donde podemos desactivar estas notificaciones para que dejen de molestarnos. * Quitar las noticias de los Widgets. El tablero de los Widgets en Windows 11 es útil para acceder rápidamente a todo tipo de información. Por defecto, Microsoft muestra su feed de noticias de MSN, que no suele ser demasiado útil para la mayoría. Ahora ya podemos desactivar esta información inútil abriendo el tablero de widgets y ocultando todos esos datos desde su configuración. Si queremos, podemos incluso desactivar el panel por completo, lo cual ahorrará unos pocos más de recursos en el PC. Aligerar el inicio de Windows 11. De forma predeterminada, el sistema operativo carga una serie de aplicaciones junto al arranque del propio equipo para que así las tengamos a nuestra disposición desde el primer momento. Sin embargo, para muchos esto es un serio un problema, ya que eso es por ahora más consumen recursos del PC y además ralentizan su arranque. De nuevo, desde la aplicación de Configuración, en concreto desde el apartado Aplicaciones, podremos eliminar aquellos programas que no deseamos que se inicien en el arranque del equipo. Deshazte de los datos de diagnóstico. Seguro que muchos de vosotros ya sabéis de primera mano que Microsoft recopila grandes cantidades de datos de vuestro ordenador y su uso. Todo para ver cómo utilizamos el sistema operativo y sus aplicaciones con el fin de mejorar la experiencia con el tiempo. Pero podemos limitar la cantidad de información que se envía a la compañía desde Configuración / Privacidad y seguridad. En la ventana que aparece en pantalla ya podremos desactivar la opción de datos de diagnóstico opcionales. https://www.softzone.es/noticias/windows/funciones-windows-11-desactivar-mejorar-pc/

Nick: XAVI Real name: Ferhat kada How old are you?: 25 Which Games you play? and for how long?(each of them): cs 1.6 pubg mobail Where are you from?(country and city): Algeria - Dejlfa Describe yourself(at least 50 words): Well , i am a friendly man with a nice behavior , I love when someone need the help even in the bad times , and my Favorite team in football are Real Madrid and FC Barcelona and of course i like video games,Wathing TV Walking in the Garden etc ..., my favorite color are : Cyan , and one of the best season i love is Summer & and the one who i hate is who give me his back and finally I love the moments when my friends tell me this is the day who we are wating for . Note some of your qualities: I am Serious , Happy , sometimes Tell us some of your defects: I hate when someone who don't belive most of the time , and the worst thnig i hate is Set up Had you before any kind of responsabilities(describe it): Moderator On which category/categories have you been active lately?(describe your activity): the most of my activity is in VGR , Journalists Which category/project you want to care off?: VGame Reviewers , Journalists , Guardians Of Gaming . How well you speak english?(and other languages): (and other languages): English 9/10 , Arabic 10/10 , and also frensh 7/10 Do you use TS3? Do you have an active microphone?: For now i have problem on my ts3 , after i solve the problem i will join the ts3 . For how long can you be active after you get accepted?(days, weeks, months, years): .First . Contact methods: FB . instgram Last request: i am absent i will back and thx

Music title: Sheryl Crow Shares Her Thoughts Signer: N\A Release date: 13‏/04‏/2024 Official YouTube link:

Nick movie: Jason Statham Is THE SAVIOUR Time:82min Netflix / Amazon / HBO: Netflix Duratio

A locked door at the back of a welcoming house opens and a long line of people, spanning the yard, move forward, each person showing a small ticket as they enter. This is the Home House of Erie, a food pantry that gives out food three mornings a week in a neighbourhood on the edge of Erie, Pennsylvania. At the back of the queue, Megan pushes her 18 month-old daughter in a pram while trying to wrangle her three-year-old twins, who are still in their pyjamas. Her five other children are at school. "I come almost every time they're open," says 31-year-old Megan, who is unemployed and single. "It's a lot of good nutritious food in here." Inside the house, which is laid out like a supermarket, she will pick up fruit, vegetables, meat, bread and other staples. While she receives food stamps and Medicaid health insurance, getting free food is a "godsend... it would be a bigger struggle if they weren't here," she says. Her circumstances will resonate with many Americans hit by a cost of living crisis and stubborn inflation. But here in Erie, there is extra reason for both presidential candidates to take heed. President Joe Biden will spend half of next week in the state. Erie meanwhile is a key swing county that acts as a bellwether for the rest of Pennsylvania. And it is in Erie, where one in eight people are considered food insecure, that inflation is a priority election issue. Unemployment is only 4% here, close to the national average, and homelessness is relatively low, according to the mayor's office for the city of Erie. But the food poverty is because of the price of groceries, says Kevin Nelson, the program director at Home House of Erie. Prices in Pennsylvania are rising faster than in any other state, according to Datasembly Consumer Price Index - up 8.2% in the last year and nearly 25% over the last four years. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68803926

From the December 1995 issue of Car and Driver. Seriously fast cars are a staple of life around here, but when we have 915 horsepower on hand divided among just three cars, a comparison test begs us to come out and play. No one has to ask us twice. The faces are probably somewhat familiar to you. We tested an early Firebird Formula WS6 in August, the Chevrolet Camaro Z28 SS in October, and the Ford Mustang Cobra in September. All three cars compete for the same enthusiast dollars and, not surprisingly, with the same horsepower. The Cobra, fitted with a DOHC all-aluminum 4.6-liter V-8, kicks out 305 ponies through a five-speed stick. Both General Motors products have been massaged by aftermarket powerhouse SLP, which now does work as a factory supplier. The results are the ram-air Formula WS6 and Z28 SS also boasting 305 hp apiece, channeled through six-speed manual transmissions. Rather than reinvent the road-test wheel, we thought we'd compare these guys in a triathlon where we let the wild horses roam. Owners of these limited-edition steeds, we reasoned, would likely seek driving challenges of greater import than mere stoplight races. We wondered: How would these high-energy lightning bolts fare on a real drag strip? Which one can get through a serpentine SCCA SOLO II course the fastest? Whose lap times would be the quickest on a real road-racing circuit? We asked a few of our friends to help us find out. Local hero Scott Kalitta (yes, that Kalitta—his father is drag-racing pioneer Connie) joined us for the drag strip component. The 33-year-old NHRA champion has 42 quarter-mile runs above 300 mph (the best being 308.96 mph in 4.726 seconds), and he's the current points leader in the NHRA Top Fuel category. Diminutive fireball Al Chan is a GE plastics engineer who last year won the SCCA Central Division SOLO II Super Stock championship in a Corvette. He showed us the finer points of the cone course. Finally, SCCA veteran Neil Hannemann brought his 14 years of experience and two driver's championships to the two-mile road-racing circuit of Grattan Raceway in central Michigan. Our goal: to see which of these triathletes has the muscle to be the best all-around choice for street or combat. Go Fast or Go Home The original pony cars, of which these three are the current and lineal descendants, offered a lot of horsepressure for very little money. They were meant to go fast in a straight line. It's true that today's pony cars can corner without scraping their door handles on the curb from excessive body roll, and are probably better road-racers than drag cars. But for straight-line, tire-smoking accelerative thrills, the big-cube, high-horsepower V-8s still rule the street and the strip. The strip we chose was Milan Dragway, not far from our Hogback Road command center. Properly launching a car down a drag strip is a lot more difficult than doing it in the street. Rpm, clutch engagement, shift technique, and timing all play crucial roles, though waiting on a stoplight is not unlike waiting on the Chrondek "Christmas tree" lights. In pro drags, there is no girlfriend or boy-Friday riding shotgun. Come to think of it, neither of those passengers showed up for our testing, either. Who did show up was Scott Kalitta, the reigning points leader in NHRA Top Fuel dragster competition. Kalitta lined up at the starting lights against our technical director, Frank Markus. Frank has performance-tested roughly 250 cars over the last four years, which has given him plenty of practice in the standing-start drag. https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparison-test/a15142463/1996-ford-mustang-cobra-vs-chevrolet-camaro-z28-ss-pontiac-firebird-formula-ws6-comparison-test/

Shilpa Shetty's love for the six yards is no secret. The actor's wardrobe is full of sarees for every occasion, from silk numbers to embroidered designer drapes to couture-worthy looks. Shilpa's latest photoshoot in a beautiful statement saree backs our statement. The actor took to Instagram to share pictures of herself dressed in an experimental saree that adds a fresh twist to ethnic festive outfits. Scroll through to see the ensemble. (Instagram) Shilpa Shetty posted the pictures with the caption, "Cherry Blossom [flower emojis] #LookOfTheDay #OOTD #SareeNotSorry." She wore a cherry blossom-coloured saree for the shoot. The ensemble is from ace designer Tarun Tahiliani's eponymous label. Celebrity stylist Sukrit Grover styled Shilpa in the ethnic yet modern look. (Instagram) https://www.hindustantimes.com/photos/lifestyle/shilpa-shetty-experimental-tarun-tahiliani-saree-adds-a-fresh-twist-to-festive-outfits-all-pics-101713070586370-2.html

Two broods of cicadas are due to emerge from the ground this April at the same time for the first time in 200 years. It's going to be loud, messy and very interesting. The last time an event like this happened, Thomas Jefferson was President of the United States – and it's going to be deafening. Trillions of periodical cicadas are due to make an appearance across the Midwest and Southeast of America this spring, after spending more than a decade burrowed underground. This year, two broods of flying cicadas will emerge at the same time, and it will be the first time they have emerged simultaneously since 1803. Periodical cicadas have an incredibly long life cycle, unlike their non-periodical brethren which mature each summer. After hatching, the immature periodical cicadas, called nymphs, spend either 13 or 17 years underground, feeding on roots, before squirming their way above ground and transforming into adult cicadas. The 17-year Brood XIII is due to emerge in Northern Illinois, and the 13-year Brood XIX will emerge in parts of the southeastern US. Both events are due to begin in late April. And for those in the right spot, there is a small area where the broods may potentially overlap. According to researchers at the University of Connecticut, the greatest likelihood of contact between the two broods is in small patches of woodland around Springfield, Illinois. "This is not a common event," says Gene Kritsky, a cicada expert and professor emeritus of biology at Mount St Joseph University in Ohio. His love of these insects began 50 years ago when he first learned about periodical cicadas, and realised there was much to discover by using historical data to create maps of their distribution patterns. He describes himself as a "frustrated historian who is also an entomologist". And it is not just Kritsky who is fascinated by these musical insects, which belong to the stink bug family, and have species names ranging from "common cactus dodger" and "scissor grinder" to "masked devil" and "whiskey drinker". His passion has inspired other Americans to document cicadas – half a million videos and photographs have been uploaded to Kritsky's citizen science app Cicada Safari, which he launched in 2019. The assorted species of Magicicada have earned themselves a "worldwide following", observed one paper on the ecology of periodical cicadas, due to their "recklessly theatrical" emergences in tremendous numbers. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240125-cicadas-what-to-expect-from-this-years-rare-dual-brood-emergence

Xabi Alonso says "the feeling is incredible" after Bayer Leverkusen won their first Bundesliga title with five games to spare thanks to a 5-0 victory over Werder Bremen. Bayern Munich beat Cologne on Saturday to keep Leverkusen's title celebrations on hold for at least a day. But there were scenes of jubilation for Alonso's team when the final whistle blew at BayArena on Sunday. "We have to enjoy and celebrate today with our families, friends and fans," said Alonso, who was showered with beer after the victory in a German tradition. "This was my first [full] season as a coach, the feeling is incredible." Victor Boniface's 25th-minute penalty set Leverkusen on their way before Granit Xhaka and Florian Wirtz scored stunning goals in quick succession. Supporters stormed on to the pitch in mid-match when star man Wirtz added a fourth in the 82nd minute, and again when he completed a hat-trick soon afterwards. Xhaka and Wirtz added the achievement had not sunk in yet. "Obviously, at the start of the season we couldn't have imagined this," said Xhaka, who joined Leverkusen from Arsenal last July. Wirtz added: "I personally can still not realise this has happened. I will need a few moments in the changing room to understand what we have achieved." Leverkusen's landmark achievement ends an era of dominance for Bayern, who had won the past 11 Bundesliga titles. Unbeaten in all competitions this season, Leverkusen remain on course for a remarkable treble in Alonso's first full season in charge, with the German Cup and Europa League still in their sights. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68812732

An adult film star. Alleged secret payments. A turncoat lawyer. And a candidate for president of the United States. Donald Trump's very first criminal trial - and the first of a former US president - involves charges of white-collar crime, but it features some of the most eye-catching details in any of the four criminal cases against him. The case revolves around a $130,000 (£104,000) hush money payment from Mr Trump's lawyer to adult-film actress Stormy Daniels, who claims she had an affair with Trump in 2006. But that payment was not actually illegal. Instead, the blockbuster case bringing 34 felony charges is based on allegations the former president falsified business records to cover up the payment - made just before the 2016 election - to avoid an embarrassing sex scandal which he denies. The trial, which starts in New York on Monday, has legal experts divided on the strength of the case. Some debate whether Manhattan's District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, should have even brought the case and whether it is strong enough. Ambrosio Rodriguez, a former prosecutor who says he is no fan of the former president, believes the case legitimises Mr Trump's ongoing argument that he is being prosecuted unfairly because of who he is. Mr Rodriguez argues that the case relies on old allegations, noting that federal prosecutors had investigated and declined to bring charges. "This is a waste of time and a bad idea, and not good for the country," he told the BBC. "This seems just a political need and want to get Trump no matter what the costs are." Others disagree. Nick Akerman, who worked on the Watergate prosecution, says it's a serious case. "This is about an effort to defraud the American voters in 2016 to keep them from learning material information that would have affected their vote," he told the BBC, referring to Mr Trump's alleged efforts to hide payments reimbursing his then lawyer, Michael Cohen. A novel legal approach The case also has come under scrutiny because it's seemingly built on an untested legal theory. Mr Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. New York prosecutors say Mr Cohen paid off Ms Daniels, and accuse Mr Trump of trying to disguise the money he paid him back as legal fees. Ordinarily, falsifying business records is considered a misdemeanour - or low-level offence - in New York. But when it is done to conceal a crime, it can be elevated to a more serious felony charge. It is not unusual for the Manhattan District Attorney's Office to do that, but Mr Bragg's approach is a particularly novel one. He says Trump Organization records were falsified to conceal or aid criminal activity. But even though the trial begins on Monday, he has not specified the exact crime allegedly hidden. He has however given clues. In court filings and interviews, Mr Bragg has said Mr Trump violated both state and federal election laws, and state tax laws. "The District Attorney's office is not precluded from presenting to the jury a variety of alternative theories on sort of why the records were falsified," says Shane T. Stansbury, a former assistant United States Attorney in New York's southern district. But he adds that it is unclear if a state prosecutor can invoke a federal election crime, as it appears Mr Bragg intends to do. He says Trump Organization records were falsified to conceal or aid criminal activity. But even though the trial begins on Monday, he has not specified the exact crime allegedly hidden. He has however given clues. In court filings and interviews, Mr Bragg has said Mr Trump violated both state and federal election laws, and state tax laws. "The District Attorney's office is not precluded from presenting to the jury a variety of alternative theories on sort of why the records were falsified," says Shane T. Stansbury, a former assistant United States Attorney in New York's southern district. But he adds that it is unclear if a state prosecutor can invoke a federal election crime, as it appears Mr Bragg intends to do. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68737723

A Conservative MP has appeared to back a candidate from a rival party, Reform UK, at the next general election. Former Tory deputy chairman, Ashfield MP Lee Anderson, defected to Reform last month after losing the Tory whip. In a post on X, Don Valley MP Nick Fletcher said he hoped Ashfield would "appreciate what he has done for his home town and his country". Mr Anderson has said he will not campaign against four Tory MPs who are friends, including Mr Fletcher. Under party rules, Tory members are required to "sustain and promote the objects and values of the Conservative Party". Endorsing rival candidates can be grounds for a disciplinary investigation and potential expulsion. Failing to act would "show the British people you have given up on governing and are determined to put the interests of holding your fragile party together over the interests of the country." she said. Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper urged Rishi Sunak to kick Mr Fletcher out of the Conservative Party, adding that not doing so would show the prime minister was "too weak" to control his MPs. "Voters are sick to the back teeth of this never-ending circus of infighting. Rishi Sunak needs to find his backbone," she added. Asked whether Mr Fletcher would face any further disciplinary action, a Tory spokesperson said: "Nick has made clear he wants to see as many Conservatives as possible elected. A vote for Reform is a vote to let Keir Starmer into No 10." In his original X post, Mr Fletcher said: "I so wish @LeeAndersonMP had remained with the Conservatives." This means the local party would have had to choose someone else to contest Ashfield in the general election expected later this year, unless the whip was restored to Mr Anderson. In a post on Facebook. Reform's first MP described Mr Fletcher and three other Tory MPs - Ben Bradley (Mansfield) , Brendan Clarke-Smith (Bassetlaw) and Marco Longhi (Dudley North) - as "my friends" who had "reached out to me last month". "They will always be my friends and because of this I will not campaign against them in their Parliamentary seats. "Friendship means more to me. Every other seat is fair game." Reform UK said it respected Mr Anderson's personal decision, but the party would continue campaigning in these constituencies. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-68787921

Off-roading in a Lamborghini Huracán isn't anything new to us. We've mowed the lawn at triple-digit speeds through Virginia International Raceway's daunting uphill esses. On another occasion, we ended up behind the guardrail and in the woods of VIR's Patriot Course. Don't ask. Those excursions occurred involuntarily. The thought of willingly exiting the tarmac and throwing a Huracán into the dirt is insane. But nothing about the dual-purpose Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato is rational. What Makes the Huracán Sterrato Special Just look at the thing's bulging fenders, the rally-inspired light pods grafted onto its angular nose, the roof-mounted snorkel and optional luggage rack, and the oddest-looking tires to be fitted to a Huracán. It's clear this is not a typical supercar. The Sterrato is part Bruce Wayne, but mostly Max Rockatansky. A little touch of class but all badass, this is the first Lamborghini since the LM002 to wear dirt well. The Sterrato isn't a byproduct of Porsche transforming the 911 into an off-road buggy with the Dakar. Lamborghini's concept dates back to 2017, when the engineering team, hot on the heels of working on the Urus, realized there was more left in the LP610-4 all-wheel-drive platform. Why not fit it with longer electronically controlled dampers and softer springs to provide 1.7 inches more ground clearance than the Evo and softer anti-roll bars to enable more articulation? If you build it, they will come. And they came in droves. The Sterrato became instantly po[CENSORED]r before anyone had driven one. The number that Lamborghini would produce increased again and again, finally reaching 1499, all quickly spoken for despite a $278,972 sticker. It was the end of the Huracán's journey.As in all Huracáns that came before it, the heart and soul of the Sterrato remains the enthralling 5.2-liter V-10, which has a furious soundtrack as 10 pistons pump and 40 titanium valves suck and blow air. In the Sterrato, the V-10 generates 602 horsepower, down 29 horses from the same engine in the previous STO and Tecnica variants. Until now, Huracáns have drawn air into the intakes from openings ahead of the rear wheels. To no surprise, when you're kicking up dust and dirt, low air intakes are a terrible idea. Lamborghini's fix is the rooftop snorkel, previously used on the STO to move air through the engine bay and here serving as the Sterrato's windpipe. Its flow path is more restrictive, resulting in the reduction of horsepower. Sure, the Sterrato has enhanced approach, breakover, and departure angles, but none of that matters much at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway. The off-road wedge obliterates the front straight. Stand on the firm, if a bit sensitive, brake pedal that modulates the standard carbon-ceramic brakes, and the Sterrato, fitted with Bridgestone all-terrain tires (more on those later), twerks its way into Turn 1. The tires beg for mercy under load exiting Turn 3, and Sport mode allows a copious amount of sideways playfulness. On this day, we'll ignore turning down into Turn 4 and instead flip the steering-wheel toggle to Rally mode and drive off into the sun-baked desert. https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a43973296/2024-lamborghini-huracan-sterrato-drive/

Stunning artworks have been uncovered in a new excavation at Pompeii, the ancient Roman city buried in an eruption from Mount Vesuvius in AD79. Archaeologists say the frescos are among the finest to be found in the ruins of the ancient site. Mythical Greek figures such as Helen of Troy are depicted on the high black walls of a large banqueting hall. The room's near-complete mosaic floor incorporates more than a million individual white tiles. A third of the lost city has still to be cleared of volcanic debris. The current dig, the biggest in a generation, is underlining Pompeii's position as the world's premier window on the people and culture of the Roman empire. Park director Dr Gabriel Zuchtriegel presented the "black room" exclusively to the BBC on Thursday. It was likely the walls' stark colour was chosen to hide the smoke deposits from lamps used during entertaining after sunset. "In the shimmering light, the paintings would have almost come to life," he said https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-68777741.