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If you've ever wondered why some dogs seem eager to make eye contact with people and others don't, a new study offers some clues. Dogs that are snub-nosed, young or playful, and those that have been bred to respond to visual cues, such as shepherd breeds, are the most likely to look directly into the human eye, researchers have found. And it's that loving eye contact with a dog that can help build a close bond with humans. "Eye contact is a very important signal for us humans," said the study's lead author, Zsófia Bognár, a Ph.D. student in the department of ethology and a research member of the Senior Family Dog Project at Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary. "It can enhance communication, cooperation and the relationship between dog and owner." The study was published Thursday in the Nature journal Scientific Reports. While some dogs might naturally seek eye contact, that doesn't mean others can't learn, Bognár said in an email. "Although dog-human eye contact can be affected by at least four independent traits on the dogs' side, it does not mean that these are the only things which determine your relationship with your dog." Other studies have shown that humans and dogs benefit from locking eyes: Levels of oxytocin, the bonding hormone, rise for both species when they make and hold eye contact. To explore what factors might make eye contact more likely, Bognár and her colleagues rounded up 125 family dogs for the behavior experiment. All the dogs were run through a battery of tests, which started with the dogs' meeting an unfamiliar experimenter. In a later part of the series, the dogs were invited to play with the experimenter. The 10th test evaluated the dogs' willingness to make eye contact with their new human friends. A person stood in the middle of a room in the lab with a food pouch attached to her belt, called the dog to her and threw a piece of sausage on the ground when the dog arrived. The experimenter then stood still and waited until the dog made eye contact with her and then rewarded the dog with another bit of sausage. The researchers counted up how many times each dog made eye contact within five minutes. Shorter-headed dogs, such as boxers, bulldogs, French bulldogs, Boston terriers and pugs, have that earnest gaze because their eyes are structured differently from those of other dogs; they have more retinal ganglion cells, which are responsible for initial processing visual information in the center of their visual fields, the researchers said. That means they can more easily focus on what's in front of them, such as human owners. Dogs with long snouts have eyes more geared to peripheral vision; that is, seeing what is beside them, rather than what is in front of them, Bognár said.

Quickshifters are standard kit among a growing number of new models, giving a taste of the track by easing clutchless changes. The tech is relatively simple, with load sensors in the linkage that tell the system you’re changing gear, in turn briefly cutting the ignition on upshifts and – on more sophisticated kit – telling the ride-by-wire throttle to auto-blip on downshifts. The only problem is that while quickshifters often work fantastically well when you’re really on it, using plenty of revs and big throttle openings, they can lead to jerky progress if you try to use them at more pedestrian speeds. Of course, there’s an easy solution – just use the clutch – but Kawasaki are developing a setup to automate that process, adding an actuator to engage or disengage the clutch alongside a conventional quickshifter, and software to allow the bike to decide when to rely on the quickshifter alone and when to use the clutch. Details are revealed in a new patent application, and it’s a logical step forward. It’s simpler than trying to create a DCT-style semi-automatic or fully-auto transmission but gives most of the same benefits in terms of ease of use. While Kawasaki’s new patent illustrates the system fitted to a Ninja 1000SX, the text of the document also describes how the automated clutch could be allied to a hybrid bike; a telling detail, as Kawasaki are working hard on a hybrid at the moment, combining electric power with a conventional engine and transmission. An automated clutch would help blur the line between periods that the hybrid is operating in all-electric mode with those when it’s using the combustion engine or both powertrains simultaneously. The patent makes no specific mention of whether the automated clutch would also be used for starting and stopping – eliminating the need to use your left hand at all – but it’s worth noting that the illustrations in the document show no conventional clutch lever. In a hybrid application it’s likely that the complex job of juggling clutch and throttle from a standstill will become a moot point, as the torquey electric motor could be used alone to get the bike off the line before the combustion engine is brought into play. Although a patent alone is no guarantee that an idea will reach production, Kawasaki’s design is a means to create a hybrid that keeps a conventional gearshift but ditches the manual clutch. © 1955-2021 Bauer Media Group

Labour, Harold Wilson once said, owes more to Methodism than Marx. Its founder, Keir Hardie – after whom its present leader is named – was a lay preacher. Its early leaders were devout men; Ramsay Macdonald, its first prime minister, had once been a unitarian preacher, and George Lansbury, who led the party in the early 1930s, saw Christianity as the bedrock of his socialism. Until 2010, most Labour leaders were at least nominally Christians, though there were exceptions. Clem Attlee, Labour’s 1945 prime minister, said in his terse way: “Agree with the ethics. Can’t believe in the mumbo jumbo.” And I have seen a painful letter Neil Kinnock wrote to a Scottish minister in which he apologised for not being able to find God. But after Kinnock, the party found God again. John Smith and Gordon Brown were good sons of the Manse, and Tony Blair was a closet Catholic who “came out” after he left Downing Street. So how come the party suddenly has a problem with Christians? And how much does it matter? A new book, Religion and Euroscepticism in Brexit Britain, suggests it matters a great deal. Labour, it says, is hemorrhaging Christian votes to the Conservatives. The Tories are hoovering up Christian working class support in what used to be Labour strongholds, and Labour has become a party for young professionals and university graduates. All the unfocused resentment that made Brexit is now un-making Labour. This will have Labour’s pollsters and spin doctors working overtime. Along with the so-called 'red wall' – the traditionally Labour northern seats that went Conservative in 2019 – it will be seen as proof that the party has lost touch with its roots. 2021 © Archant Community Media Ltd

The Queen has said that “continued peace” in Northern Ireland is a “credit to its people”, in a message to the country to mark its centenary. She also spoke of the “treasured” memories she shared of Northern Ireland with the Duke of Edinburgh, who died, aged 99, last month. In a statement issued from Windsor Castle, the Queen said: “A century ago, the Government of Ireland Act came into effect, and today marks a significant centenary for both the United Kingdom and Ireland. This anniversary reminds us of our complex history, and provides an opportunity to reflect on our togetherness and our diversity. “In Northern Ireland today, there is, perhaps, more than ever, a rich mix of identities, backgrounds and aspirations, and an outward-looking and optimistic mindset. The political progress in Northern Ireland and the peace process is rightly credited to a generation of leaders who had the vision and courage to put reconciliation before division. But above all, the continued peace is a credit to its people, upon whose shoulders the future rests. “It is clear that reconciliation, equality and mutual understanding cannot be taken for granted, and will require sustained fortitude and commitment. During my many visits to Northern Ireland, I have seen these qualities in abundance, and look forward to seeing them again on future occasions. “I also wish to recognise the important contribution made by our friends and closest neighbours towards the success of Northern Ireland. I look back with fondness on the visit Prince Philip and I paid to Ireland, 10 years ago this month. I treasure my many memories, and the spirit of goodwill I saw at first hand. “Across generations, the people of Northern Ireland are choosing to build an inclusive, prosperous, and hopeful society, strengthened by the gains of the peace process. May this be our guiding thread in coming years. “I send my warmest good wishes to the people of Northern Ireland. Elizabeth R.” Boris Johnson said the UK government would continue to showcase “all the brilliant things” Northern Ireland contributes to the rest of the UK. The prime minister said on Twitter: “This is a very significant national anniversary, marking the 100th year since the Government of Ireland Act came into effect and the formation of the United Kingdom as we know it today. “Throughout 2021, in its centenary year, the Government will continue to showcase all the brilliant things Northern Ireland contributes to the rest of the UK and the world, from its world-class fintech industry and research capabilities, to its inspiring young people, and its vibrant culture of arts and sport. “It is also important that we pause to reflect on the complex history of the last 100 years. People from all parts of Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom and across the globe, will approach this anniversary in different ways, with differing perspectives. “While this is a moment of shared reflection, it is also an important opportunity to come together to celebrate Northern Ireland and build towards a better and even brighter future for all its people.” There are no large-scale celebrations or ceremonies planned for the anniversary; the pandemic has caused huge disruption to plans by unionist parties to mark the centenary. The government’s plans to mark the centenary of the state’s foundation include a major business showcase in London, a £1m Shared History Fund, a futuristic programme for young people, tree-planting projects, academic and historic events and an international church service for all denominations. Northern Ireland was created on 3 May 1921 when the Government of Ireland Act came into effect and partitioned the island of Ireland into two separate entities. The effect of the Government of Ireland Act split the 32 counties of Ireland into two, leaving Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh and Tyrone to form Northern Ireland. © 2021 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. (modern)

Name of the game: Legend of Keepers: Career of a Dungeon Manager Price: 17.99$ Link Store: Steam Offer ends up after X hours: 6 May Requirements: MINIMUM: OS: Windows 7 Processor: Core i3 or equivalent Memory: 2 GB RAM Graphics: DirectX 11 and/or OpenGL 3.3 compatible video card Storage: 1 GB available space Sound Card: Any RECOMMENDED: OS: Windows 10 Processor: Core i5 or equivalent Memory: 4 GB RAM Graphics: DirectX 11 and/or OpenGL 3.3 compatible video card Storage: 1 GB available space Sound Card: Any

Game Information: Initial release date: 3 Nov, 2017. Software Developer: Sledgehammer Games, Raven Software. Publisher: Activision. Platform: PlayStation 4, Windows Microsoft. Each Call of Duty since Modern Warfare 2 has put the player in higher positions of power. Whether you’re the unspoken, do-it-all heroes of Modern Warfare 2 or the literal commander participating in all of Infinite Warfare’s combat, feelings of helplessness and limitations have been de-emphasized. This also extends to the series’ adoption of wall-running, boosting, leaning, and superhuman abilities. Sledgehammer Games’ Advanced Warfare heavily contributed to this by ushering in a frenetic era where movement became as much of a necessary skill as gunplay prowess. Infinite Warfare took this to a controversial extreme, so it’s only appropriate that Sledgehammer would helm another drastic leap forward – or backwards, we should say – with a back-to-basics approach for Call of Duty: WWII, which is a solid if unremarkable return to form that hits the mark well enough. This focus on stripping down the series to its core mechanics comes through in the opening level, which puts you in the blood-soaked boots of Private Daniels. You can’t slide or boost your way across the chaotic beaches of Normandy, but are restricted to running and diving to cover. You can’t even regenerate health or pickup ammo, with the former not being seen since Call of Duty 2 and the latter being a franchise first. As you make your way into the trenches past the Nazis’ machine gun nests, you’re forced to adopt a slower pace to switch weapons and look for health packs. You truly feel more vulnerable and grounded, but these changes don’t chalk up to simply dumbing down the formula, especially since there are fitting, new features to offset this. One of the most radical changes involves your band of brothers having unique abilities. For example, your best pal Zussman can toss you health packs, whereas your platoon leader Pierson can call out enemies that temporarily highlights them in white. They’re your source for supplies and support that act much like Elizabeth in BioShock Infinite, but the idea doesn’t pan out as widely as we would’ve liked. Half of the characters seem there as excuses to put faces to abilities, so your comrades are more like filler with minimal stakes in the story. With the small handful of characters that do get attention, they’re typical archetypes and forgettable. The most interesting ones – like Rousseau Crowley in the French Resistance – are dropped after two missions. The same goes for Heroic Actions, which give you carpe diem moments to pull downed soldiers behind cover or save others caught in hand-to-hand combat. While your actions have impact on some dialogue, it would’ve been truly interesting to see this further impact level progression and more main characters. After all, the game is centred around the visceral, unforgiving drama of its conflict, which it visually captures with aplomb. However, it doesn’t let this theme personally touch you with gameplay or most of the main characters in ways that grip you, so you and your squad end up feeling a bit immune to the war’s devastating effects, especially with its ending. This doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong or distasteful about the level design of the missions, but besides a neat infiltration sequence involving the French Resistance, all of them feel safe and cookie-cutter; you’ll feel like you’ve played a lot of these levels before and they simply fail to stand out despite being all-around solid. It doesn’t help that we finished the campaign in less than seven hours on the Veteran difficulty. Call of Duty campaigns are short, but even we were a bit surprised by the rushed pacing near the end that caps everything off with 11 missions. Regardless, we can definitely say this is one of the best-looking and sounding titles yet in the series with impeccable sound effects, motion capture (even in-game), and a gorgeous, gritty presentation with its environments. As for the multiplayer, it’s similar to the campaign in adding and removing big stuff. The create-a-class system forgoes the customizability of the “Pick 10" system by limiting players to more traditional loadouts. Indeed, the introduction of Divisions reworks how to approach additional attachments and perks. For example, the Expeditionary Division exclusively contains benefits geared toward shotgun loadouts with incendiary shells and perks like being immune to tactical equipment, taking less explosive damage, and extra ammo. You can only have one extra perk in the new Basic Training category, but if you want to have something like being immune to radar detection with a submachine gun, you have to use the Mountain Division that’s geared toward snipers. It encourages players to stick to specific roles, especially since you can gain more abilities by sticking with certain Divisions. There’s also a social hub called the Headquarters akin to Destiny’s Tower, where you can shoot down a range and challenge friends to beat your scores, play Atari games in the R&R camp, and test out scorestreaks. However, it's not exactly an engaging social space. Only friends in your party po[CENSORED]te the small area currently, which is weird when you’re playing alone. Even when the developer patches in the fix to make it public, the main reason you’ll be returning to this space is just to accept timed challenges to gain Armory Credits, which can be used to unlock outfits, calling cards, emotes, and camos. These are mainly acquired through lootboxes, and while the idea of these “supply drops” is troubling, all of these are merely cosmetic with the exception of some camos that grant negligible XP boosts. We’re happy to report that WWII feels more like traditional Call of Duty multiplayer overall. Scorestreaks and movement have much less sway, further emphasizing that gunplay is the key to combat effectiveness. Older fans will feel at home here, and everyone will appreciate the innovative mode War. It combines a hodgepodge of objectives in uniquely-designed maps. Operation Neptune is a superb example with a Normandy-style map that tasks one team with taking out two machine gun nests and the other team with defending them. Should the offensive team succeed, the mode transitions to destroying (or defending) 10 pieces of comms equipment deeper into the map. These matches emphasize teamwork and can come to the wire with exhilarating results. However, this is definitely one of the strangest Call of Duty titles in that it has notably mediocre maps. Pointe du Hoc and USS Texas are exceptions, but the rest suffer from being biased against sniping and having poor flow, spawning, and too many intersecting pathways that leave you feeling constantly exposed. In addition, WWII feels great to play, but glaring hitscan issues and jarring stuttering are still present from the beta, which impacts our performance in and enjoyment with matches more than we’d like. If anything caught our interest before the game’s release, it would be Sledgehammer’s take on the Zombies mode. Without a doubt, the zombies’ designs and level of detail in the Final Reich map are unparalleled in horror. The greater diversity of enemies is much appreciated to keep players on their toes, but if you enjoy a stationary, camping approach like in Treyarch’s older maps, you’re going to have mixed feelings toward this iteration’s objective-based approach. You’ll be moving constantly and complete different tasks as you climb through the rounds, which can be fun as you go from defending areas to flipping switches across the map. It may feel like busywork to some that detracts from the purer goal of simply surviving, but we’d say the Final Reich’s many secrets and depth will entice you to return, even if it doesn’t succeed at inducing scares and horror through gameplay as we’d hoped. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system OS: Windows 7 64-Bit or later Processor: CPU: Intel® Core™ i3 3225 3.3 GHz or AMD Ryzen™ 5 1400 Memory: 8 GB RAM Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 660 @ 2 GB / GTX 1050 or ATI® Radeon™ HD 7850 @ 2GB / AMD RX 550 DirectX: Version 11 Network: Broadband Internet connection Storage: 90 GB available space Sound Card: DirectX Compatible

I'm looking over the specs and features of the new Asus ROG Swift PG32UQX, billed as the "world's first mini LED gaming monitor," and I'm seeing how Asus also arrived at declaring this the "4K endgame." Well, except for one little thing—it sticks with HDMI 2.0 (and DisplayPort 1.4) instead of HDMI 2.1. That's a shame, because HDMI 2.1 is a big upgrade over HDMI 2.0, serving up 48Gbps of uncompressed bandwidth (up from 18Gbps) and 128Gbps with compression. It also supports some nifty features, like an auto low latency mode and dynamic HDR, the latter of which adjusts the image on a scene-by-scene or even frame-by-frame basis. So it's not truly the endgame (incidentally, Asus is also set to release the first HDMI 2.1 gaming monitor next month). Even so, it brings a robust spec sheet to the table, starting with its mini LED makeup. Mini LED is exactly as it sounds—it uses tinier LEDs compared to an LCD screen with regular LED backlighting. Unlike with OLED, pixels in an LCD screen need a separate light source to illuminate. Mini LED does a better job than regular LED, offering up potentially more lighting zones, better contrast, and a higher brightness level. In this case, Asus says the PG32UQX can hit a scorching bright 1,400 nits with HDR content and 500 nits for SDR content. It's also one of only two monitors to meet VESA's DisplayHDR 1400 certification, the highest tier available (until if and when a DisplayHDR 2000 tier is added). In case you were wondering, the other is also an Asus monitor, the ProArt PA32UCG. It's a mini LED display as well, but it's aimed at creators and professionals, rather than gamers. The PG32UQX offers up full-array local dimming (FALD) with 1,152 independent LED zones, instead of edge lighting. FALD is the more desirable of the two, as it allows for deeper black levels and better uniformity, though still not on par with OLED. It's still susceptible to the halo effect, or blooming (micro LED can't arrive fast enough), whereby light on an object in a scene leaks to its surroundings. This is mostly noticeable with white objects on a black background. I'll be interested to see how susceptible the PG32UQX is to blooming. This is a 4K resolution monitor with a relatively fast 144Hz refresh rate. It's also a G-Sync Ultimate display, to keep the refresh rate in sync with your GeForce GPU to avoid screen tearing. The PG32UQX leverages quantum dot technology and according to Asus, it offers up 98 percent coverage of the DCI-P3 color space, and 160 percent coverage of the sRGB color space. This suggests it would be suitable for prosumer workloads, like digital photography and video editing. We have not reviewed this monitor, though, so we'll have to wait and see.

Dell has announced the sale of its Boomi Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) outfit. The $4bn deal, announced late on Sunday US time, sees Dell offload the business unit to Francisco Partners and TPG Capital. Dell’s canned statement about the deal is full of kind words about how well Boomi has done under Dell’s wing, since its acquisition for an undisclosed sum in 2010, and what a bright future it has under its new owners. But perhaps the most important part of the statement comes from Jeff Clarke, vice chairman and chief operating officer at Dell Technologies, so said the company is now “focused on fuelling growth by continuing to modernize our core infrastructure and PC businesses and expanding in high-priority areas including hybrid and private cloud, edge, telecom and [ITaaS offering] APEX.” To offer some context around Dell’s focus, here’s a potted history of Dell’s software acquisitions and divestments. Quest Software – Acquired in 2012 for $2.4bn, re-branded as “Dell Software” and then sold in 2016; RSA – sold for $2.075bn, acquired along with EMC in 2016. SonicWall – acquired in 2012 for an undisclosed sum, folded into Quest Software and offloaded in 2016; VMware - Acquired along with EMC in 2016, asked to perform financial gymnastics to help Dell go public in 2018 and to be spun out in late 2021 Pivotal – Acquired along with EMC in 2016, spun out in a 2018 IPO, then acquired by VMware in 2020, now destined to be double-spun as VMware leaves the nest; SecureWorks - Acquired in 2011 for over $600, endured an underwhelming IPO in 2016 and is still majority-owned by Dell. IaaS-for-legacy-systems outfit Virtustream continues to operate as a Dell company. Despite all the above divestments, Dell is far from done with software. The company remains committed to co-development with VMware and can’t help but cut code to drive its storage arrays. But with Boomi’s binning, the company appears to be done as a software vendor. The sale is due to close by the end of 2021. Dell hasn’t said how it will use the $4bn in cash heading its way, but the company has consistently said it likes the idea of quickly paying down debt. ®

BERLIN — With an eye on rapidly rising demand from Germany's electric vehicle industry, power and mining companies alike are striving to bring to the surface lithium trapped in underground springs of boiling hot water thousands of meters below the Rhine river. Straddling an area 300 kilometers (186.41 miles) long and up to 40 kilometers wide, the Upper-Rhine Valley in the Black Forest area of southwestern Germany holds enough lithium for more than 400 million electric cars, geologists have estimated, making it one of the world's biggest deposits. It could reduce the reliance of the German car industry, also located in southwestern Germany, on imported lithium and early-stage talks are under way with the auto manufacturers. But skeptics question the economics and are also troubled by possible local opposition, which can be more vociferous in densely-po[CENSORED]ted Europe than in remote Australia or the deserts of South America that have been the source of lithium supplies to date. Undeterred, German-Australian start-up Vulcan Energy Resources says it can deliver carbon-neutral lithium, based on extraction using geothermal energy harnessed by up to five power stations it plans to construct. German utility EnBW already has geothermal power stations and is exploring whether lithium can be a profitable by-product. "The lithium deposit we're talking about here is gigantic and its properties are ideal for our goal of producing high-quality lithium on a large industrial scale in Germany," Vulcan Energy Resources co-founder Horst Kreuter told Reuters. The company plans to invest 1.7 billion euros ($2 billion), of which it has so far raised about 75 million euros, to build geothermal power stations and facilities to extract the lithium. It says it could be extracting 15,000 tons of lithium hydroxide per year at two sites by 2024 and then, in a second phase from 2025 onwards, it targets an output of 40,000 tons per year at up to three additional sites. Kreuter says he is already in talks with cathode and battery manufacturers, as well as the car industry. He has powerful backing from Hancock Prospecting, led by Executive Chairman Gina Rinehart, one of Australia's leading investors. In an emailed statement, Hancock Prospecting said it was focusing on lithium projects with "the potential to produce a high-quality product at a competitive cost" and was supporting Vulcan in its development of a pilot plant.

Backed by a dance-pop sound, the new record explores the damaging stigmas surrounding mental health. The track starts with a mesmerizing guitar riff that immediately sets an energetic tone. As the song progresses the lead singer, Cristal Ramirez, begins to deliver powerful lyrics and show-stopping vocals that will leave music listeners in awe. Don’t Freak is a song that beautifully navigates the struggles of having anxiety while also instilling a sense of hope. Ramirez opened up about the inspiration behind the new track in a statement. “I’ve struggled with severe anxiety for my entire life, and this year started having intense panic attacks. When you struggle with your mental health, you start to realize very quickly just how little space is held for you in society, ” Ramirez said. “You quickly feel like a burden to those around you and end up thinking, ‘why can’t I just get my shit together’ constantly. In a time where all you need is patience and understanding, you’re made to feel alienated and inadequate, which in turn makes your mental state so much worse. “That’s how ‘Don’t Freak’ came to life. We wanted to put this very real story into our music. Mental health issues are something everyone goes through, and not only do we need to be talking more about it, but we need to be holding space for it.” The Aces are showing no signs of slowing down, and are set to appear in the forthcoming episode of the TV series Exposure. The fierce foursome will be giving a special performance of Don’t Freak and their hit single Daydream. Listen to Don’t Freak here and watch The Ace’s release party for the single below.

A New Jersey high school teacher was suspended with pay for making profanity-laced comments to students about George Floyd. A recording aired by WNBC-TV showed Howard Zlotkin, a Dickinson high school science teacher, talking about Floyd and Black Lives Matter during what was supposed to be a climate change discussion in a Zoom class on landscape and design. In the footage, Zlotkin, who is white, is heard to say people are “whining and crying about Black Lives Matter”. He then refers to Floyd with a profanity as a “criminal” who “got arrested and he got killed because he wouldn’t comply”. Another profanity is heard as he says Floyd is being treated as a “hero”. Floyd, 46, was killed during an arrest over a counterfeit banknote in Minneapolis in May last year. Former police officer Derek Chauvin, who knelt on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes, was found guilty of murder last month. The video of Slotkin’s remarks and another taken the next day also included a profanity directed at a student and a vulgar gesture, WNBC reported. The student said Zlotkin grew irate when she and three other students challenged him, and the four were told to write an essay on “Why Black lives should matter” – an assignment not given to other students. Superintendent Franklin Walker told NJ.com the language used was “unacceptable”. He said the district was investigating and police had been notified “because some of it could be at the same level as a hate crime”. “The comments that were made were very biased and he shouldn’t be having that kind of discussion with the children – that had nothing to do with the subject matter in the classroom,” Walker said. “The position that he put the children in certainly was a very uncomfortable one by doing and saying those kinds of things.” The teachers’ union declined comment until it had more information, the union president, Ron Greco, said. Jersey City Public Schools said the school had been taking statements from students “before proceeding with disciplinary actions”, until video from the second day’s class surfaced.

Name of the game: Ultra Street Fighter® IV Price: 3.74$ Link Store: Steam Offer ends up after X hours: 6 May Requirements: SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS MINIMUM OS: Windows Vista Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0 GHz or better Memory: 1 GB RAM Hard Disk Space: 12 GB free hard drive space Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 6600 or better (except NVIDIA GeForce 7300) DirectX®: 9.0c or greater Sound: DirectSound, DirectX9.0c Compatible Audio RECOMMENDED OS: Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad 2.66 GHz or better Memory: 2 GB RAM Hard Disk Space: 12 GB free hard drive space Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 or better DirectX®: 9.0c or greater Sound: DirectSound, DirectX9.0c Compatible Audio

Game Information: Initial release date: 7 Aug, 2014. Software Developer: Capcom. Publisher: Capcom. Platform: PlayStation 4, Windows Microsoft. While the eyes of truly dedicated Street Fighter fans will undoubtedly be fixed on the forthcoming fifth main iteration in the po[CENSORED]r series – exclusive to the PlayStation 4, no less – Capcom has seen fit to do a bit of preliminary groundwork by bringing the previous entry to Sony's new-gen system. Ultra Street Fighter IV on PS4 makes a lot of sense on some levels; it's the most advanced version of the game which resurrected the world's interest in one-on-one fighting titles and twinned with more powerful hardware, promises to be the best. However, in just as many ways it's an odd release; porting duties have been handled by Other Ocean Interactive – a company with a less-than-stellar reputation – and Capcom's actual involvement has been minimal, with Sony's Third-Party Productions Group doing most of the heavy-lifting. Loading up the game for the first time makes you realise why this is the case; while Ultra Street Fighter IV on the PS4 should, in theory, be the best edition of the game to date, what we have in reality is a compromised mess of a release which feels more like an apology than the definitive article. In fact, this "update" is comfortably trumped by its last-gen equivalents, with the noteworthy Xbox 360 version remaining the best way to experience this seminal brawler. Street Fighter is one of those series which surely needs no introduction, but here goes anyway. You select a World Warrior and face off against a series of opponents in one-on-one battles via best-of-three bouts. Special moves and combination attacks are key to success here; each fighter offers a dazzling range of attack options and mastering each one is an endeavour which takes months rather than days. Thankfully, the roster is packed with characters which have been staples in the gaming industry for decades, so even if you're a little rusty there's an excellent chance you'll be able to recall Ryu's fireball move or Chun-Li's Spinning Bird Kick – and learning their new moves is all part of the fun. Once you're comfortable with fighters you know, you can branch out into the less familiar combatants – of which there are plenty. Learning all of the ropes in this game – tactics for each fighter, combo trees, special exploits, and so on – is a lifetime's work. Keeping in mind that this is a port of a pre-existing title, we'll move on from listing its various features and facets and instead look at how this PS4 edition compares to its siblings. Serious fans will almost instantly notice something is amiss; the menu screens suffer from atrocious framerate issues, lag, and general responsiveness problems, despite the fact that there's little actually happening on them. There were several times when it took multiple presses of the X button to process past a particular screen, something which gives the impression that the game is downright broken. What's even more surprising is the menus are, by and large, low-resolution and lacking in detail. Mercifully, in the game this is much less of a problem, although it has to be said that the PS4's additional power hasn't been put to much noticeable use; aside from the bump to 1080p, it's difficult to see how this has been improved over the last-gen versions. In fact, there are some notable issues which make this less appealing than its older relatives. The apparent lack of anti-aliasing and anisotropic filtering means that some of the visuals look grainy or blurry – impact effects are especially poor here. Newcomers might wonder what all the fuss is about, but those of you who have already invested a considerable amount of time in Street Fighter IV's other iterations may find more reason to grumble – especially if you, like most other reasonably-minded individuals, were expecting this to be a vast improvement in purely visual terms. Dig deeper into the core mechanics of the game and more worrying problems appear. Other Ocean has apparently tinkered with some of the moves in the game – tinkering which, on the surface, appears minor but has been deemed serious enough for Capcom to drop the title from high-level tournament play. This could be seen as particularly embarrassing for Sony, as this exclusive new-gen version was pitched as the definitive release for competitive players. Input lag also hasn't been improved over the PlayStation 3 version – which already trailed the Xbox 360 edition in this regard – and this is an even greater shame, because lag was one of the areas which Sony was adamant would be improved in this release. Of course, the fact that the game isn't suitable for use in tournaments will impact a microscopic percentage of potential players; to less demanding users these quibbles will make very little difference. Online play is a truly mixed bag at present. The current lack of cross-region play means you're limited to playing PAL gamers, but even when duking it out against a fellow Brit, we noticed stutter and pauses, despite our fast broadband connection. While it's impossible to say how the netcode will fare when the barriers drop and global fights are on the cards, we got a taster during the review period as we were matched against players from Australia. The result wasn't pretty; crippling lag was present, making the battle impossible to enjoy. Hopefully this is an area that Other Ocean can work on, because in its present state, Ultra Street Fighter IV is less-than-impressive online. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: MINIMUM: OS: Windows Vista Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0 GHz or better Memory: 1 GB RAM Hard Disk Space: 12 GB free hard drive space Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 6600 or better (except NVIDIA GeForce 7300) DirectX®: 9.0c or greater Sound: DirectSound, DirectX9.0c Compatible Audio RECOMMENDED: OS: Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad 2.66 GHz or better Memory: 2 GB RAM Hard Disk Space: 12 GB free hard drive space Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 or better DirectX®: 9.0c or greater Sound: DirectSound, DirectX9.0c Compatible Audio

A massive visual overhaul is headed to Metro Exodus with the upcoming Enhanced Edition release, and it needs some serious hardware to run—nothing less than a GeForce RTX 2060. Hardware is just part of the equation, though. In preparation for the game's release, Nvidia's latest 'Game Ready' GPU driver (version 466.27) is optimized to take full advantage of the game's "fully ray-traced lighting pipeline" and DLSS 2.0 support. Nvidia points out that Metro Exodus was one of the first games to employ real-time ray tracing. It was also one of the first to leverage the original version of DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), which taps into the Tensor cores found on GeForce RTX graphics cards for better visuals with a minimal performance hit. The original version was not without its flaws—it sacrificed too much visual fidelity—but DLSS 2.0 is a big improvement, and worth turning on. "Experience new, advanced ray-traced reflections, improved ray-traced global illumination lighting that’s applied to every light throughout the game, and the introduction of ray-traced emissive lighting, previously seen exclusively in The Two Colonels DLC," Nvidia says of Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition, which releases on May 6. The newest driver release also brings Game Ready optimizations to a couple of other upcoming games, including Resident Evil Village (releases May 7) and Mass Effect Legendary Edition (comes out on May 14).

The Lambda School, an online coding bootcamp based in San Francisco, on Thursday said it will lay off 65 employees, about a third of the workforce. The staff cuts follow a settlement announced earlier this week with the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation that requires the school to remove deceptive language from its student contracts. The department argued that the school's contract with students violated the California Consumer Financial Protection Law, which took effect at the beginning of the year and was enacted in response to predatory financial practices following from the COVID-19 pandemic. Lambda School offers students the option to finance tuition by deferring payment until after they graduate and get a job, whereupon they're contractually obligated to repay the cost of their education from their salary. The school's Income Share Agreement (ISA) with students falsely stated that the amount owed constituted a "qualified student loan" that would persist as an obligation even if the student declared bankruptcy. That's not the case and Lambda School has agreed to have its financing contracts reviewed for legal compliance and to correct misleading marketing claims. ISAs have become a po[CENSORED]r repayment scheme in recent years and are offered by several dozen colleges and bootcamps. But unlike loans, where the law recognizes specific rights for borrowers and creditors, ISAs have no legal definition beyond the fact that they're contracts. "ISAs are financial products, drafted by lawyers, often structured to provide an attractive return on the investment of funders or private investors," wrote Senator Elizabeth Warren and Congressional Reps. Ayanna Pressley and Katie Porter in a June, 2019 letter [PDF] to then Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. "They carry many common pitfalls of traditional private student loans – with the added danger of deceptive rhetoric and marketing that obscure their true nature." The lawmakers expressed concern that ISAs contain exploitative terms, like mandatory arbitration agreements and class-action lawsuit bans, and they're not subject to oversight by financial regulators. One month later that year, a bipartisan group of US Senators proposed a bill titled "ISA Student Protection Act of 2019" to better define the legal parameters of ISAs. It contained impoverishment safeguard provisions like a minimal income level below which ISA payees would no longer be obligated to pay a percentage of their salaries. But the legislation never received a vote.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe is stepping into the Jeep world just like any other Wrangler would, with a boatload of Jeep-backed accessories you can tack onto it. That’s the beauty of the 4xe. You get the convenience of a useful 21 miles running on electric power, but it’s still a Wrangler, so you get the benefits that come with it. Jeep’s big news to share with us today is in the form of a lift kit. There’s a new Jeep Performance Parts lift kit out that is specifically designed for the 4xe. It raises the Wrangler's ride height by 2 inches — Jeep markets it as the first lift kit for a PHEV. Subaru could make a claim for the Crosstrek Hybrid being the first with the factory-backed Crawford Performance lift, though it’s a rather pointless claim. The Jeep kit includes FOX shocks, new springs, new front lower control arms, specific front and rear stabilizer links, new front and rear bump stops, all the fasteners you need plus a JPP badge. It’s a hell of a package for just a 2-inch lift, plus it all arrives in a fancy JPP-branded wood crate. All of the above will cost you $1,495. Jeep specifies that all of the parts are specifically tuned and designed for the 4xe — we assume that means they’ve revised some specs to better handle the 4xe’s extra weight from the electric components. In addition to the lift kit, Jeep also announced the availability and price of a Mopar- and Jeep-branded 240-volt at-home charger. You can choose between a “plug-in” version or a “hardwired” version. Both will add electric range to your 4xe at the rate of about 14.5 miles per hour on the charger. You can snag one of them at the Mopar eStore. The plug-in one costs $621.50, and the hardwired charger is $647.90. Beyond these parts, the JPP catalog is wide open to this Wrangler, just as it is with every other. Both the lift kit and chargers are available now, though, so you can already get to customizing and spending more money on your new plug-in hybrid Jeep. ©2021 Verizon Media. All rights reserved.

A former government minister and current MP in Finland has formally been charged over a tweet she posted about homosexuality. Päivi Räsänen is accused of inciting hate towards a group of people. Back in 2019 she posted a picture of her Bible open at Romans 1: 24-27 which describes homosexuality as 'shameful'. In the post she questioned the decision of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Finland, of which she was a member, to support a local gay pride event. Following complaints, she was questioned by police and an investigation was launched into her actions. The results of that action have led to her being charged over the tweet as well as comments she made on TV in 2018 and a pamphlet about marriage which she wrote in 2004. All charges are linked to 'hate speech'. In a statement, Finland's prosecutor general claimed the MP's actions were derogatory and discriminatory while her statements had violated the equality and dignity of gay people. Vowing to fight the charges, Ms Räsänen said: "I will go to the court with a peaceful and brave mind, trusting that Finland is a constitutional state where the freedoms of speech and religion, which both are guaranteed in international agreements and in our constitution, are respected. "A conviction based on the Christian faith is more than [a superficial] opinion. The early Christians did not renounce their faith in lions' caves, why should I then renounce my faith in a court room. "I will not step back from my conviction nor from my writings. I do not apologise for the writings of the Apostle Paul either. I am ready to defend freedom of speech and religion as far as is necessary." The politicians is being supported by religious freedom organisation ADF International. Raising concern over the charges, executive director Paul Coleman said: "Freedom of speech is one of the cornerstones of democracy. "The Finnish Prosecutor General's decision to bring these charges against Dr Räsänen creates a culture of fear and censorship. It is sobering that such cases are becoming all too common throughout Europe. If committed civil servants like Päivi Räsänen are criminally charged for voicing their deeply held beliefs, it creates a chilling effect for everyone's right to speak freely." Päivi Räsänen trained as a doctor before becoming an MP in 1995. From 2011 to 2015 she served as minister of the interior, serving within the Finnish government.

Germany is to become the first country to hand back the Benin bronzes looted by British soldiers in the late 19th century, after the culture minister, Monika Grütters, announced it would start returning a “substantial” part of the artefacts held in its museums to Nigeria from next year. “We face up to our historic and moral responsibility to shine a light and work on Germany’s historic past,” Grütters said after museum experts and political leaders struck an agreement at a summit on Thursday. “The treatment of the Benin bronzes is a touchstone [of this process]”. Germany will present a binding roadmap for the legal and logistical aspects of the restitution process by the end of June, with the first objects to be handed over in 2022, said the minister, a member of Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU). The bronzes, which were looted by British soldiers and sailors on a punitive expedition to Benin City in 1897, were subsequently sold to museums in Europe and North America. The single largest collection of Benin bronzes is held by the British Museum, but about 1,100 artefacts have ended up in German museums in Hamburg, Cologne, Stuttgart, Leipzig and Dresden. At least 440 are kept within the collection of Berlin’s Ethnological Museum, and were due to go display this autumn at the Humboldt Forum, a newly opened museum of non-European art in the city centre. However, last month, Hartmut Dorgerloh, the director of the Humboldt Forum, let slip in an interview that the museum was considering displaying only replicas or leaving symbolic empty spaces, with the originals returning to Nigeria instead. Officials in Berlin had declined to confirm concrete plans for restituting the works, saying negotiations with the Nigerian side were ongoing – until this week. The decision was pushed along by some German federal states announcing they would go their own way if there was no joint agreement, as well as a jostle between the chancellory and the foreign ministry – headed by CDU and Social Democrat politicians whose parties could be left out of power after elections in September. A decision on the restitution was also facilitated by the fact that the Benin bronzes can be returned to a politically neutral body, the newly founded Legacy Restoration Trust. Both the Nigerian government and the royal family of Benin have in the past laid claim to the artefacts. The Benin bronzes could in the future be held at the Edo Museum of West African Art, a new museum in Benin City designed by the Ghanaian-British architect David Adjaye. Germany says it will help fund a pavilion to hold some restituted artefacts until the museum is completed in 2025. “Germany’s bold decision to return looted classic arts from the kingdom of Benin to their rightful owners is definitely applauded and goes in the right direction,” said Victor Ehikhamenor, a Nigerian artist and trustee of the Legacy Restoration Trust. “This is a huge step towards righting what is wrong, especially coming from a country that was a superpower in colonisation. Germany has chartered a path for other western countries struggling to find the right way to handle restitution cases.” Jürgen Zimmerer, a historian of colonialism at Hamburg University, was more critical, saying the government’s announcement amounted to a face-saving exercise rather than an emphatic gesture appropriate to the historic context. “Instead of unconditionally committing itself to returning all looted art, there is only vague talk of a substantial part”, said Zimmerer. “How this part is determined, and by whom, is left unsaid.” © 2021 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. (modern)

Name of the game: The Isle Price: 14.99$ Link Store: Steam Offer ends up after X hours: 3 may Requirements: MINIMUM: Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system OS: Windows 7 64-bit or later (64 Bit ONLY) Processor: Quad-core Intel or AMD processor, 3.0 GHz or faster. Memory: 8 GB RAM Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 or AMD Radeon R9 280X series card or higher. DirectX: Version 11 Network: Broadband Internet connection Storage: 25 GB available space Additional Notes: This game needs a dedicated graphics card to run. Integrated graphics cards will not work. RECOMMENDED: Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system OS: Windows 10 64-bit or later (64 Bit ONLY) Processor: Quad-core Intel or AMD processor, 3.4 GHz or faster. Memory: 16 GB RAM Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 DirectX: Version 11 Network: Broadband Internet connection Storage: 25 GB available space

Game Information: Initial release date: 30 Apr, 2021. Software Developer: Granzella Inc. Publisher: NIS America, Inc. Platform: PlayStation 4, Windows Microsoft. When you’re taking time to consider the true greats of the shmup genre, a few names tend to crop up with alarming regularity. Darius. Gradius. Space Invaders, if you’re feeling particularly bookish. However, few shooters have had the same degree of impact that R-Type achieved when it hit arcades way back in 1987. The savvy combination of often grotesque visuals with the iconic Wave Cannon and Force Pod made for a shmup that played and felt totally different to any other – and over the years, a host of sequels have built on that reputation, right the way up to R-Type Final on the PS2, the supposed swansong for the entire franchise (not counting the turn-based R-Type Tactics / Command games on PSP, of course). The recently-crowdfunded R-Type Final 2 proves that its PS2 predecessor wasn’t quite as final as Irem made out, and serves as the perfect companion piece to its 2003 forerunner. It’s a slow and often methodical affair, with rote memorisation as important as lightning-fast reflexes. The screen is rarely filled with bullets but you’re tasked with using the Force Pod as effectively as possible to shield yourself from incoming threats, while the Wave Cannon should be deployed carefully to ensure you’re never left vulnerable during its multi-stage charge-up time. To complicate matters, you’ll also need to use the speed setting feature (controlled by the left-hand shoulder triggers) to ensure you can navigate the often claustrophobic levels safely. While the Unreal Engine visuals do look a little basic at times (this game’s take on R-Type’s signature ‘huge battleship’ level looks almost comically simplistic) and the music alternates from epic to slightly embarrassing (the ending theme continues the trend of amazing Japanese-made games having utterly terrible songs playing over their credits), R-Type Final 2 still manages to tick all of the boxes fans will want. It’s tough as old boots and requires many, many playthroughs before it clicks – and thankfully, there are so many ship variants to unlock that you’ll be coming back for weeks and weeks. These ships are ‘developed’ using materials gained from playing the game over and over, and while it’s disappointing that some are locked away as rewards for Kickstarter backers, the act of unlocking a new ship and then taking it out for a spin never loses its appeal. Ultimately, R-Type Final 2 is exactly what you’d expect a sequel to R-Type Final to be like. It certainly doesn’t attempt to reinvent the wheel, and some may be a little underwhelmed by the fact that it lacks any massive gameplay changes from previous instalments in the franchise. Still, that’s rather missing the point; games like this aren’t as common as they once were and getting a shmup of such quality in 2021 is truly something to celebrate. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: MINIMUM: OS: Windows 7 64bit or later Processor: Dual core AMD or Intel processor @ 3.0 GHz or faster Memory: 4 GB RAM Graphics: GTX 950, AMD R9 280 or newer DirectX: Version 11 Storage: 10 GB available space RECOMMENDED: OS: Windows 7 64bit or later Processor: Quad core AMD or Intel processor @ 2.8 GHz or faster Memory: 8 GB RAM Graphics: GTX 1060, AMD RX 580 or newer DirectX: Version 11 Storage: 10 GB available space

A single line in the patch notes for the latest GeForce driver (via Sweclockers) confirms that the rumoured new cards will land mid-May and feature Nvidia's hash rate-limiting technology. The same line goes on to link to Nvidia's blog post from back in February that reaffirms that its GeForce graphics cards are for gamers, not miners. This driver updates the hash limiter for the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB and is required for product shipped starting mid-May. Refer to the NVIDIA Blog for details: Link. In case you've been avoiding the ongoing nightmare that is the graphics card market, demand for the latest GPUs is frustratingly high rate now, and not just among gamers. A resurgence in cryptocurrency mining alongside ongoing supply problems caused by the pandemic has meant that new graphics cards are sold out mere seconds after launch. Nvidia's two-pronged solution to this problem is firstly to release CMP cards that are built specifically for cryptocurrency mining, while also limiting the mining capabilities of cards aimed at gamers. That's the idea, but the first card to get the hash rate limiter, the GeForce RTX 3060, was undone by Nvidia's own hand, when it accidentally released a developer driver that allowed miners to bypass the limiter. The rumour is Nvidia will be rolling out its hash rate limiter across more cards very soon, with new PCI Device IDs suggesting that several cards will incorporate its new limiter and that it won't just be new cards being launched from now on, but all freshly minted GeForce GPUs. That single line in the patch notes for the WHQL Game Ready 466.27 driver appears to confirm these rumours, and also gives us a mid-May timeframe to focus on. This driver also has support for Metro Exodus PC Enhanced Edition, Resident Evil Village, and Mass Effect Legendary Edition.

Google is warning developers it won’t allow misleading or hyperbolic app descriptions by year-end, in an attempt to make the world’s biggest app bazaar feel less like the feedback section of an eBay profile. Per the new guidelines, Google will limit app names to just 30 characters, with developers banned from using ALL-CAPS, multiple sequential special characters (“!!!), and emojis to promote their wares. Among the soon-to-be-verboten practices, Google said it will no longer allow developers to imply performance or po[CENSORED]rity through the app’s metadata. Software houses will be prohibited from describing themselves as “#1” or “top,” according to examples given by the Chocolate factory. As part of its spring cleaning, Google also said it plans to ban developers from indicating pricing through the app’s metadata (such as by describing the app as “free” or ad-free in the title, or with elements in the app’s icon). Additionally, the crackdown has seen Google take a firm line on apps that mislead users to obtain downloads, such as by including a call to action in the name (such as “download now”) or through visual touches in the app icon. JavaScript developers left in the dark after DroidScript software shut down by Google over ad fraud allegations Spotlight on Apple, Google app stores: What happened to Tile, Spotify, Match – and that proposed law in Arizona Google halves Android app fee to 15% for lower-earning devs... who aren't responsible for majority of revenue anyway Oops: Google admits failing to wipe all Android apps with location-selling X-Mode SDK from its Play Store Google has promised to boot apps that fail to meet these standards from the Play Store, although it hasn’t offered any detail on when this policy change will take effect, or how it will enforce the rules in practice. And the company is taking a firmer line on preview assets (pictures, videos, and screenshots that aren’t part of the metadata, but are nonetheless used to promote the app), and plans to take action against apps that use misleading content to entice punters. This addresses an issue that’s proven endemic within the free-to-play gaming sphere. Developers of microtransaction-hungry titles will often use promotional materials that ultimately bear no resemblance to the staid, rapacious experience the game offers. Because let’s face it, if you’re the type of moral vacuum that would create a free-to-play game in the first place, you’re unlikely to draw the line at using deceptive marketing tactics. In this case, Google has to take action. By announcing the new rules in advance, Google said it hopes developers will start complying ahead of time. It plans to start enforcing these rules in the second half of this year. While it doesn’t plan to boot titles that fail to comply, it said it may refuse to promote or recommend them. The Register notes that Google launched the Play Store 13 years ago, when it was called the Android Market. Still, it's never too late to grow up, eh gang? ®

The number of electric vehicles on the road around the world is expected to rise to 145m by 2030 after a strong growth of 41% in car registrations in 2020. In its annual Global EV Outlook report, the International Energy Agency identified the recent most important developments in electric mobility across the globe. Existing policies around the world suggest healthy growth over this decade: according to the stated policies, the EV stock across all modes (except two/three-wheelers) would reach 145m in 2030, accounting for 7% of the road vehicle fleet. EV markets could be significantly larger if governments accelerate their efforts to reach climate goals, the rich world's energy watchdog said in the report. In a sustainable development scenario, the global EV fleet would reach 230m vehicles in 2030 (excluding two/three-wheelers), for a share of 12% of the total stock. There were 10.0m electric cars on the world’s roads at the end of 2020, following a decade of rapid growth. Around 3.0m electric cars were sold globally (a 4.6% sales share), and Europe overtook the People’s Republic of China (“China”) as the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) market for the first time. Consumer spending on electric car purchases meanwhile increased to $120bn in 2020. In parallel, governments across the world spent $14bn to support electric car sales, up 25% from 2019, mostly as a result of stronger incentives in Europe.

A mosque in Wembley whose temporary planning permission expired more than 30 years ago has been allowed to continue to operate due to a lack of “challenge or complaint”. Formerly a residential property, Wembley Masjid and Islamic Centre, in Stanley Avenue, was given formal permission by Brent Council to act as a mosque and educational centre from December 1988 to December 1990. Following a change of ownership last year, the mosque’s trustees noticed the expiration date among the paperwork and said the previous management was under the impression the permission was “for life”. Subsequently, a new planning application has been submitted to the council in a bid for legal recognition that it can operate as a mosque with additional teaching rooms and space for imams. When asked why the council did not follow up on the expired permission, a spokeswoman explained there had not been any objections to its continued use as a mosque. She said: “During 2020 we were approached by the trustees of the mosque wishing to regularise the use of the building. “Upon investigation, we identified that the premises was granted permission for use as a mosque on a temporary basis that expired in 1990. “Our records show that there has been no further interaction with the council on planning issues involving this property since that time. “The use appears to have continued without challenge or complaint, which is why the council has not investigated and intervened during the past 30 years.” Despite this lack of concern since the mosque first officially opened in 1988, the new planning application has been met with dozens of objections on the council’s planning portal and hundreds of emails to the council. Many objectors suggested the mosque contributes to increased traffic and noise issues as worshippers travel to and from the site "in the middle of a congested row of terraced houses". Others argued the nearby Wembley Central Mosque, in Ealing Road, which is around a ten-minute walk away from Stanley Avenue, would be a more suitable alternative. Mohammad Khawaja, who has applied for the certificate of lawfulness, said many people “rely” on this mosque and suggested it “adds to part of the local culture and social cohesion”.

At least one person has died and 18 others were wounded after clashes erupted between the military forces of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan at a disputed section of the central Asian nations’ border. Kyrgyzstan’s health ministry said in a statement that there were 17 casualties in the clashes on Thursday, including “one fatality”. Tajikistan’s security committee said two of its citizens had been injured, with one in a serious condition. The fighting followed a reported conflict over water infrastructure at the frontier between the two countries, which have had a series of border disputes since gaining independence when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. More than a third of the border is disputed, with the area surrounding the de-facto Tajik exclave of Vorukh, where Thursday’s conflict erupted, a regular clash point over territory and access to water. Kyrgyzstan’s national security committee said that the Tajik side “deliberately provoked a conflict” at the border. “Shooting has begun between the military units of the [two countries]. According to preliminary information, the Tajik side is setting up positions for mortar fire,” the committee said. Tajikistan’s security committee accused Kyrgyz servicemen of “opening fire on Tajik troops at the site of the Golovnaya water distribution point, located in the upper reaches of the Isfara River”. Its national security committee said two people had been admitted to hospital with gunshot wounds, one of whom was in a serious condition. It said Kyrgyz and Tajik civilians had on Wednesday become embroiled in a conflict over river infrastructure. Seven Tajik nationals were injured after Kyrgyz threw stones at them, it said. Disagreements between the three countries that share the fertile Fergana Valley – Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan – have their roots in border demarcations during the Soviet Union. The knotting, twisting frontiers left several communities with restricted access to their home countries.