-Sn!PeR-

Dungeons of Aether is a fun story-driven dungeon crawler where we use a unique "dice drafting" gameplay mechanic to win a series of one-on-one battles against numerous deadly enemies. Playing as a motley crew of four colorful characters trying to save a troubled town from a greedy mining corporation and a powerful ancient evil, we explore lots of pre-designed dungeons to fight enemies, collect loot, solve light puzzles, and uncover bits of lore. The turn-based battles span multiple rounds. Each round, we roll six dice of different colors and then take turns drafting them with our opponent to increase our Attack, Defense, Speed, and Accuracy stats. Accuracy defines the number of moves we can choose from. The offensive moves deal damage only if our Attack value surpasses the enemy’s Defense, while support moves let us stack the odds for the next rounds. Speed defines the turn order, and we can set up clever traps and ruses if we manage to move first. For example, making the opponent's otherwise perfect attack fail because we suddenly have increased defense. Unfortunately, the enemies’ movements are so predictable that some attacks work better than others - up to the point where mindlessly spamming the same move in every fight works wonders. Fortunately, we still often end up in situations that require strategic thinking and clever use of our equipment and consumable items. Dungeons of Aether is a $4.99 premium game without ads or iAPs. The game offers a memorable journey full of funny character interactions, great humor, drama, intrigue, unexpected plot twists, and all the other attributes of a great tale. And a separate mode with randomly generated dungeons ensures great replayability after finishing the main story. https://minireview.io/role-playing/dungeons-of-aether

When Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice was released in 2017 it quickly became one of my favorite games of all time. I beat it in one sitting and remember feeling thankful that I had played it in a room dark enough to conceal how much I wept as the credits rolled. As a young woman who had endured abuse and was desperately wrangling with her own mental health and attachment issues, Senua's journey resonated and comforted me in a way no other game ever had. So it might surprise you then, that when I heard Ninja Theory was working on a sequel, I was extremely hesitant. My biggest concern--particularly after Microsoft purchased Ninja Theory--was that the next entry in the Hellblade series would aim to be one of the massive, AAA experiences that are taking over the games industry, complete with a cluttered mini-map, crafting, side quests, and more. That's not to say these features are inherently bad of course--they do have their place--but to me, this felt at odds with what Hellblade did so well. I didn't want breadth, I wanted the series to maintain its depth; I wanted emotion, art, storytelling, introspection, mythos, terror, and magic. In fact, I was so concerned that the studio would trade in its depth for breadth, I didn't foresee what actually happened. Rather than expanding its systems and scope, or weaving a story equal parts intimate and mystical, Senua's Sage: Hellblade 2 focuses on vastly improving what its predecessor already did so well: visuals and sound. Hellblade 2 is a marvel to look at. It's gorgeous, cinematic, and hyper-realistic, yet still eerie and ethereal. Its music remains extraordinary, and its sound design is primed to make your skin crawl. And yet, I cannot help but be disappointed by how pared down and shallow its story and gameplay are. While Hellblade 2 might be a sight to behold, its minimal gameplay and muddled narrative prevent it from being a game that has any meaningful impact on me. Senua's Saga picks up not long after Senua's Sacrifice, and follows our heroine as she sets off to confront the Northmen who keep raiding her lands and enslaving her people. She sees this not solely as a chance to do what's right, but as a way to atone for the sins she is still convinced she committed--a way to wash off the blood that she can't help but see on her hands. However, Senua soon discovers that vengeance is not so simple, and a decision that condemns and brutalizes one group could mean safety and survival to another. It's a simple plot that is ultimately executed in a way that lacks richness. Yet there are certain themes here that carry it a bit further. First and foremost--and as every therapist will tell you--progress is not linear. Exploring Senua's reintegration into society and how her mental illness impacts that process is an interesting concept. Despite her being in a better place by the end of the first game, she is not miraculously cured of her trauma or the inner voices that manifested as a result of it. In fact, she is still largely fearful of herself and plagued by the guilt her father instilled in her. I appreciate that this comes through in her newest journey, too. Additionally, Hellblade 2 hones in on compassion in a way that is not novel, but tender nevertheless. Between Senua's companions assuring her that her empathy and unique way of seeing the world is a gift, to the game's overall emphasis on trying to understand the "man behind the monster" in order to heal them and stop cycles of violence, there are some calls for kindness here that are always worth hearing. I appreciated the game presenting conflicting ideas on morality and reformation, and while it did frequently delve into the old saying "hurt people hurt people," it also made clear that people always have a choice and that pain is not an excuse for cruelty. And yet, the themes fall a bit flat. I suspect it's largely due to the game's dialogue, narration, and Senua's voices, which never reach the same level of poeticism or introspection as they do in the first game. The voices in particular often come across as a distracting novelty. And sure, it can be argued that anxiety and trauma is distracting, but if that was the artistic choice Ninja Theory was going for, that sense of turbulence doesn't cut through. Instead, I was left frustrated that Senua's internal monologue became this simplistic bit of noise that only truly offered up either affirmations or self-flagellating remarks--some of which seemed to counteract all her previous lessons learned in a way that felt less like nonlinear progress and more like a lack of narrative cohesion. But while the voices felt too simple, the game's narration felt overly obtuse, featuring legions of words said all to convey very simple messages that are then repeated dramatically time and time again. All this comes on top of the fact that this game adds a cast of supporting characters who talk over and under these other voices, leading to writing coming across as muddled and tedious, and ultimately lacks the same sense of artistry exhibited in the Hellblade 2's audio and visuals. I also suspect that some of this would have been easier to forgive if the game's story beats were bolder, more intimate, less repetitive, and less predictable, but Senua's Saga ultimately commits to being an aesthetic and cinematic spectacle at the expense of telling a profound story that takes both Senua and the player to new heights. This is a problem that rears its head again when examining Hellblade 2's gameplay, which is substantially more frustrating than its storytelling. While playing through Senua's Saga, you will primarily do three things: walk, solve puzzles, and fight. In theory, that should be enough to make a player feel like they are playing a game--I mean heck, strip down Zelda and it's basically the same thing, right? Yet Hellblade 2 reached points where it felt more like I was watching a slightly interactive movie. The majority of my time felt spent crawling through caves or walking along beaches, and infrequent puzzles and simplistic combat kept me from feeling any sense of relief, connection, or satisfaction with the game. And sure, I've heard it argued that the original Hellblade's puzzles and combat were nothing extraordinary--I'd say that's fair, as the game primarily focused on deep, introspective storytelling. But considering Hellblade 2 doesn't have that, I had some hope new and improved mechanics might lie in store for us. Instead, things have been pared back. Just about every battle is the same: you face off against an enemy, parry their attack, press a button to kill them, then engage with the next one. Whereas in the previous game you had to navigate the field, manage multiple enemies, and could kick and fight a bit more dynamically, all of that has been cut in favor of circling around a single enemy until you can get in a parry. It's clear that the reason for this new combat system is to make battles more scripted and cinematic, as it's easy to incorporate tense moments, rolls, combos, dramatic deaths, and more when the player is limited to hitting a couple buttons against a single opponent in a very small space. But the big problem here--well, other than the combat itself--is that several games have proven that fights can feel choreographed and cinematic while allowing players to engage with enemies in more meaningful ways. Combat in Hellblade 2 feels not just like an afterthought, but virtually non-existent. In fact, I'd argue that the end result feels similar to a quick-time event, yet more tedious. Solving puzzles is just as simple a process, and mainly consists of finding ways to distort reality in order to gain access to new areas and vantage points. From there, you will find hidden runes that aid your progress. It's slightly less tedious, but none of the puzzles scattered throughout the game are particularly engaging or difficult, meaning you never feel challenged or particularly satisfied with yourself. This isn't to say Hellblade 2 is devoid of any remarkable features. In fact, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more visually striking first-party Xbox title. From its lighting and framing to the hyper-realism of its characters and locations, every bit of Hellblade 2 feels cinematic and spectacular. Whereas its story and systems could use some love, it is abundantly clear that these environments--from the animal skulls that adorn dilapidated houses to the towering mountains and vast oceans that extend past where the eye can see--were completely adored by the team. Similarly, the game's motion capture and performances are next-level, with each of the game's main cast bringing a level of melodrama and tension to the game that elevates a script that is otherwise a bit flat and predictable. The game's sound design and music are perhaps even more notable. Though the most obvious praise is leveled at the game's binaural audio, there are so many other elements that come together alongside this choice that elevate it. The deep groans of rotting buildings and shrieks of villagers in pain are so realistic they feel palpable. Senua's up-close and breathy panic inspires instant tension, while far off, guttural singing strikes fear. Though the combat itself might be subpar, the music that plays while Senua faces off against the draugr is intense and riveting. But while few games can rival Hellblade 2's sound, graphic fidelity, and talent for rendering stunning vistas and characters so expressive you can tell when they're tensing their jaws, I couldn't help thinking how gorgeous the game would be if what was depicted was more varied. There are a few memorable set pieces I won't spoil, but even compared to its predecessor--which led players through tombs, razed towns, haunted woods, chamber halls, and let them face off against giants, a rotting boar, towering stag-headed monsters, and the god of illusions--there is surprisingly little variation in Hellblade 2's settings and monsters. Though the caves Senua crawled through succeeded in inducing the claustrophobia the game warns you about at its start, large chunks of the game taking place surrounded by stone isn't entirely appealing. It's yet another substance problem in a game that is regrettably full of them. Based on its new naming convention, the use of "saga" in Hellblade 2's title, and Microsoft's acquisition of developer Ninja Theory following the success of Senua's Sacrifice, it seems as if Hellblade is slated to be a series as well as a staple in Xbox's first-party lineup. That said, at this point, I don't exactly understand where the series is headed, if not to the box office. There are plenty of games that prove games can be art, but as some studios lean harder into proving that in one specific way that cribs from Hollywood, we're seeing some games that feel afraid of being games. With too much focus on cinematics and too little on creating an experience that is engaging, Senua's Saga fails to reach the same highs as its predecessor--even if it does look stunning whilst trying. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/senuas-saga-hellblade-2-review-hell-and-high-water/1900-6418229/

Moore Threads claims to be making great strides in its AI GPU development, with its latest S4000 AI GPU accelerator being exponentially faster than its predecessor. As reported by cnBeta, a training regimen of a new Kua'e Qianka Intelligent Computing Cluster sporting S4000 GPUs ranked third fastest in AI testing, outperforming several counterparts consisting of Nvidia AI GPU clusters. The benchmark run was taken from a stability test of the Kua'e Qianka Intelligent Computing Cluster. Training took a total of 13.2 days and supposedly ran perfectly with no faults or interruptions for the duration of the run. The AI model used to benchmark the new computing cluster was the MT-infini-3B large language model. The new computer cluster reportedly ranks among the top AI GPU clusters of the same scale (using the same number of GPUs, presumably). However, the above table is decidedly lacking in details. The MTT S4000 cluster was compared to unspecified Nvidia GPUs, for example — we don't know if those are A100, H100, or H200 GPUs, but we suspect A100 to be most likely. The workloads are also not the same. Training MT-infini-3B could be quite different from training Llama3-3B for example. Sprinkle liberally with salt, in other words. Even without being apples-to-apples, however, training LLMs on the Moore Threads GPUs represents an important step in China's domestic GPU roadmap. The Kua'e Qianka computing cluster at least suggests the MTT S4000 AI GPUs are competitive with Nvidia's prior-generation A100 architecture. This is backed up by the S4000's raw performance numbers, which not only significantly outperform Moore Thread's S3000 and S2000 AI GPU predecessors but also outperform Nvidia's Turing-based AI accelerators. The S4000 doesn't match Nvidia's A100 AI GPU accelerators, but perhaps it's not far away from Ampere performance levels. For Moore Threads, the Kua'e Qianka's performance capability is a huge win regardless of what Nvidia GPUs or LLMs were tested. It demonstrates that Moore Threads is now capable of building AI GPUs that can perform similar work as AI GPU competitors from Nvidia, AMD, and Intel. It might not perform better, but it's an important stepping stone on the path to faster and more capable supercomputers and AI clusters. It's an impressive feat for a GPU manufacturer that was founded less than five years ago. If Moore Threads can keep delivering significant generational performance improvements, it could have an AI GPU accelerator that can go toe-to-toe with its Western counterparts in the next few years. That's a big "if" of course, and we know from historical precedent that GPU development doesn't always go as planned. We'll also be interested to see if Moore Threads can put its seemingly good AI performance capabilities into its gaming graphics cards. To date, the MTT GPUs have suffered badly in gaming tests, thanks in part to immature drivers/optimizations. While AI needs lots of computational power, it's different from real-time computer graphics, so expertise in one area doesn't imply similar capabilities in the other. https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/gpus/china-made-moore-threads-ai-gpus-used-for-three-billion-parameter-llm-training-mtt-s4000-appears-competitive-against-unspecified-nvidia-solutions

Microsoft is gearing up to roll out a pretty substantial update for Windows 11, 24H2, with the update currently making its way through the final stages of testing. According to recent reports, it will see the end of several long-standing Microsoft products, including Cortana and WordPad, along with a few of Windows 11’s other old features. There is a provisional list of Windows features that are in the process of being deprecated on the official Microsoft Learn blog, although not all of them have a confirmed date. However, Swedish tech news site Sweclocker has shared that the first 24H2 release candidate version is now available via the Windows Insider Program. The final version that will roll out to all Windows 11 users is expected to be released in September or October. We wrote about the announcements of WordPad’s and Cortana’s deprecation a while back, with Cortana giving way to Microsoft’s new all-purpose digital AI assistant, Copilot. Tips is another app that’s going to be absent in this build, along with Step Recorder. Steps Recorder is a built-in Windows assistance tool that has the ability to record user actions and analyze them to help troubleshoot their device. These are just some of the apps and features being sent to the Microsoft Graveyard, but the preview release candidate build also brings new features, as detailed in an official Windows Blogs post. This includes HDR background support, the ability to create 7-zip and TAR archives directly in File Explorer, and improvements to Bluetooth connectivity for certain devices. Copilot is also getting a ramp-up in this update, with the dedicated app rolling out to all Windows 11 users. It will also grant users the ability to move, resize, and snap the Copilot window. Reflecting on bygones and Windows 11's future Cortana wasn’t the biggest hit with Windows users and I doubt many will miss it, but there was a pretty vocal response from users who lamented the news that WordPad was on its way out. WordPad is a basic text editor that’s been a default application on Windows devices since the 90s, and many people have grown fond of it, especially as an increasing number of familiar apps have become more complex and been injected with often-unwanted AI features. If enough people continue to voice their thoughts and positive sentiments about WordPad, we might see it return as an optional download from the Microsoft Store - like what happened with the Paint app that’s since gone on to have a second life. PCGamer speculates that for most of these apps and features, with the exception of Cortana, perhaps Microsoft doesn’t feel like continuing the upkeep of these apps and would prefer to dedicate those resources elsewhere - a move that might see more users take up Microsoft 365 subscriptions. Some of these features and apps, like Steps Recorder, won’t be especially missed by me, but I do personally hope that Microsoft reconsiders giving WordPad a permanent chop. It would be an easy win that would remind users that Microsoft doesn’t completely plug its ears when it comes to users’ opinions and that it’s still willing to leave things that aren’t broken - even if they’re not the biggest money makers. https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/windows-11-cleans-house-as-long-standing-apps-like-wordpad-and-cortana-get-the-axe-in-new-preview-build

Honor Earbuds X7 have been unveiled in China. The true wireless earphones come with 10mm dynamic drivers, a call noise reduction feature, and a Golden Ear Certification by the China Electronics Industry Association that is claimed to ensure good quality sound. They are also equipped with HiFi 5 DSP, EQ sound effects, and the company's AI-backed voice assistant Yoyo. The charging case has a pebble-like round design. The earphones are claimed to offer a total battery life of up to 40 hours. Honor Earbuds X7 price, availability The Honor Earbuds X7 are priced in China at CNY 299 (roughly Rs. 3,400), but currently offered at a discounted pre-sale price of CNY 249 (roughly Rs. 2,800) via the Honor China e-store. The earphones will go on sale from May 31. They are offered in two colour options - Moon Shadow White and Sky Blue (translated from Chinese). Honor Earbuds X7 specifications, features Honor Earbuds X7 sport 10mm dynamic drivers and come with a Golden Ear Certification, which is said to offer users a better sound experience than older generation of earphones. They also have HiFi 5 DSP for improved sound quality and noise-reduction features for better call quality. The newly launched Honor earphones have Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity and come with an IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance. Additional features include EQ sound effects, low latency gaming, headphone search, and a pop-up window for close detection. The last of these is only supported on Honor smartphones/tablets running Honor Magic UI 4.0 or above. Honor has packed a 41mAh battery in each earphone and a 510mAh battery in the charging case. The Earbuds X7 are claimed to offer a playback time of around 9 hours on a single charge, and a battery life of up to 40 hours with the charging case. With 10 minutes of fast charging, the earphones are said to get up to 60 minutes of playback time. Each earbud weighs 3.8g, while the case separately weighs 33.9g. https://www.gadgets360.com/audio/news/honor-earbuds-x7-price-availability-specifications-features-launch-china-5755382#pfrom=topstory

Name of the game: CaseCracker Price: $9.99 - $4.99 Link Store: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1723260/CaseCracker/ Offer ends up after X hours: DAILY DEAL! Offer ends 2 June Requirements:

Since Mehrez isn't participating, and the other use's last seen was about 4 months ago, this battle is canceled. @Horror_Professional If you wanna start a battle, start it between yourself and an opponent, do not mention people and make them battle. Also, mention active users who have a knowledge about design, not random people. Canceled. T/C.

Happy birthday brother, wishing a year full of success and joy!

Removing @MF™Maviea for his lack of activity / interest. Downgrading @King_of_dark for his lack of activity for a co-leader & skipping his daily tasks!

Battle canceled. T/C.

Name of the game: Farming Simulator 22 Price: $29.99 - FREE Link Store: https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/farming-simulator-22 Offer ends up after X hours: Sale ends 5/30/2024 at 4:00 PM Requirements:

Rishi Sunak has announced an election will take place on 4 July, which means Parliament has shut up shop. It also means the government had just two day to decide whether to try and rush through their remaining bills or simply abandon them. This period is known as "the wash-up". What was ditched? Tobacco and Vapes Bill This would have implemented one of the prime minister's flagship policies. At his party's conference in September, Mr Sunak announced that he wanted to create a smoke-free generation. This bill would have banned anyone born after 2009 from buying cigarettes. However, the bill had not even completed its passage through the House of Commons, let alone the House of Lords. It had also alarmed some Conservatives who felt it was an attack on personal choice. Both these factors made it a difficult bill to whizz through Parliament. Labour - who backed the proposals - could reintroduce the bill, if it wins the election. Renters (Reform) Bill In their 2019 election manifesto, the Conservatives promised to ban no-fault evictions. However, passing a bill to implement that pledge has proved tricky - with several of the government's own backbenchers wanting greater protections for landlords. Despite hoping for changes, Labour sources have indicated the party would have let the bill go through. But a government source suggested amendments from crossbench, or independent, peers in the House of Lords meant there was not enough time to pass the legislation. Football Governance Bill Following the collapse of Bury Football Club and a doomed bid to set up a European Super League, the government a set up a review of the governance of the game. One of the key recommendations was to establish an independent regulator who would have the power to sanction clubs who break financial rules. This bill would have set up the new regulator, but has now been dropped. Criminal Justice Bill This was a wide-ranging piece of legislation covering everything from giving police powers to move rough sleepers, creating an offence of causing death by dangerous cycling and banning sex offenders from changing their names. However, it had not even completed its passage through the Commons and with 130 pages of amendments left to debate, it would have been tricky to get the bill passed in the limited time available. Other bills that fell include: Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill to ensure licences for oil and gas projects in the North Sea would be awarded annually Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, which would have replaced the EU data protection regime inherited after Brexit Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill that sought to ban public bodies from boycotting Israel Arbitration Bill, which would have provided new rules for individuals and businesses to resolve disputes without going to court Sentencing Bill, which would have required whole-life sentences for the worst murders Which new laws were passed? Leasehold and Freehold Bill This new law aims to make it cheaper and easier for more people to extend their lease, buy their freehold and take over management of their building. However plans to remove ground rent - a charge leaseholders pay on top of their mortgage - or cap it at £250 have been dropped. The bill was one of the last to get through, passing at 18:30 BST on Friday evening. Several Conservative peers expressed their concern that a "complex and difficult" piece of law was being rushed through. Another peer who backed it said the bill was "suboptimal" and "not the revolution" hoped for but added: "It's the only game in town." Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill This quashes the convictions of sub-postmasters convicted in the Horizon scandal in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Those who have been convicted will be eligible for compensation. It was introduced after the ITV drama, Mr Bates vs the Post Office, triggered wide-spread public anger over the treatment of wrongfully-convicted sub-postmasters. Some in the legal profession expressed concern about Parliament interfering in the judicial process. However, the government argued the scale and circumstances of the cases were exceptional and the bill would not set a precedent. Victims and Prisoners Bill This legislation establishes a compensation body for victims of the infected blood scandal, which saw 30,000 people infected with HIV and hepatitis C. The total cost of compensation could be in the region of £10bn. In his report into the scandal, Sir Brian Langstaff said the NHS and successive governments had "repeatedly" failed the victims. Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill The bill, announced in the King's Speech, aims to strengthen consumer rights online and tackle fake reviews. It bans the practice of "drip pricing" in online shopping where additional fees are only added to an item once a customer has reached the checkout process. The new law also introduces a ban on foreign governments owning UK newspapers - a rule added after concerns the Daily Telegraph could be purchased by a UAE-backed investment firm. Other bills that passed include: Finance Bill, which implements the measures announced in the spring Budget Media Bill, which scraps a never-enacted rule forcing media companies to pay the legal bills of people who sue them, even if they win Pet Abduction Bill, which introduces higher jail sentences for people stealing cats and dogs Paternity Leave (Bereavement) Bill, which closes a loophole to ensure working fathers who lose their partner in childbirth will be given the right to "day one" paternity leave British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Bill, which makes it easier for Irish nationals to register for British citizenship A controversial bill to build a Holocaust memorial and learning centre in Westminster will be 'carried over' to the next Parliament. This option is only possible because it is a hybrid bill and therefore governed by different rules. And finally, the government made a tweak to an existing law making it easier for pubs to stay open later if England or Scotland reach the semi-finals or finals of the Euros. Making the change, Conservative minister Lord Sharpe of Epsom, told the Lords: "So much of the business at the Home Offices is difficult, so it gives me particular pleasure that my last outing basically enables people to get properly on the lash." https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd11d37rpw9o

Three men have been arrested after police raided a traveller site in Lincolnshire as part of an investigation into cockfighting. More than 50 officers carried out warrants at the site in Beckingham, near Newark, on Friday in a joint operation with the RSPCA. The men, aged 33, 45 and 52, were arrested on suspicion of being involved in, or attending, organised animal fights, Lincolnshire Police said. They remain in custody. A number of items were also seized, including cockerels, dogs, a suspected stolen caravan, two vans and a quad bike. 'Cruel blood sport' "The execution of the warrants, which allow for areas of the site to be searched, is part of a wider investigation into the illegal activity of cockerel fighting," a police spokesperson said. "[It] is a cruel blood sport that in some areas continues almost 200 years after it was made illegal," they added. According to the RSPCA, cockerels used for fighting are bred specifically for the purpose, and trained using practice birds, with muffs used to cover their sharp claws, or spurs. Those involved often fight birds to the death and a winning bird can become a "champion" after just a few victories. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-69059125

Kia has been on an EV tear lately, and it’s not stopping with the EV6 or the EV9. It was only a matter of time before the latter’s blocky, attractive design language proliferated elsewhere in the lineup, and next up is the upcoming Kia EV3. Not only that, Kia also just announced the subcompact SUV will indeed make it to the United States market. For a market relatively starved for affordable EVs, this is a big deal! During a preview event held during April’s Milan Design Week in Italy, we got up close and personal with base and GT-Line EV3 models. They weren’t quite production-ready, but they were very close. And to set immediate expectations, this opportunity was design-focused, with very few technical specifications to share. But what few specs Kia did share are impressive, and historically, the automaker has stayed true with its concept-to-production claims. Should the EV3 deliver on these promises, U.S. buyers will have a very attractive option. Design As soon as the EV9 made its debut, you must have known its looks were too good not to share. Unsurprisingly, they translate well to the far smaller EV3. With a surprisingly long wheelbase and short overhangs, the spunky new Kia is sized between a subcompact and a compact SUV. Practically speaking, it occupies roughly the footprint as a Ford Bronco Sport, just shorter in height. Kia’s head of global design, Karim Habib, said the EV3 is a crossover in concept, but he and his team wanted to do something more geometric. As such, there are a lot of upright lines that provide visual bulk, and the vertical light fixtures typically seen on much bigger vehicles are applied here. It all works and results in a fun little package that visually presents bigger than it is, which is the reverse effect of the Hyundai Ioniq 5. The ground clearance isn’t as high as, say, a Subaru Crosstrek, but Kia says this is to improve aerodynamic flow and therefore efficiency. The base and GT-Line models we saw don’t look super different from each other, but an easy way to tell—apart from the badging—are the wheels and that the GT-Line has high-gloss body cladding. The Base also has a metal garnish running along the bottoms of its doors, whereas the GT-Line's panel is body-color. We think the Base looks better in this regard (what happened to no piano black?) and will probably be easier to keep clean. We're also not super sold on the floating roof design, as it feels like a trend from 2015, but, overall, the EV3 is indeed a very modern and cool take on the subcompact segment. It’s especially striking when viewed in profile, because then you can really see how close to the corners designers pushed the wheels and how long the doors truly are. Interior As its boxy exterior suggests, the EV3’s cabin is spacious and offers abundant headroom. The flat floors mean you have more freedom to spread out, despite Kia saying it raised passenger floor height to accommodate battery and electronics packaging. The 30-inch driver information cluster and infotainment screen combination from the EV9 appears in the EV3, as do physical buttons and knobs for volume and climate controls. It’s all driven by the same ccNC operating system, with its ChatGTP-based AI voice assistant. The functional front center console includes an armrest, a little table that slides out, and a cubby beneath for bulkier objects. It offers a very intuitive flow. Kia also claims Vehicle to Load, or V2L, capabilities that will power small electrical appliances like “a coffee machine or hairdryer” when the car is parked. There is an optional 12.0-inch head-up display on certain trims, but no leather will be found in any EV3—a nod to the company’s sustainability aims. For those who need further validation of their choice, a hidden QR code on the passenger-side dashboard takes you to Kia’s sustainability site where you can learn about the sugar-cane-based dashboard, recycled PET in the carpet and headliners, and exterior panels made from recycled Kia parts. Storage options include a tiny front trunk and a reasonably sized rear cargo space that has a two-step floor that can be repositioned for extra room or to hide items below. This feature—while not revolutionary to car design—is not widely implemented but is always handy. That said, final specs and finishes may vary from market to market, so it remains to be seen what will make it to the U.S. The Specs We Do Have Riding on the versatile Hyundai/Kia E-GMP EV platform, the EV3 has an 81.4-kWh battery, up from the typical 77.4-kWh battery found in related models. We’re told to expect an EPA range of around 300 miles. The EV3 will also be the first production car to use Kia’s new i-Pedal 3.0 tech that lets you change the aggressiveness of the regenerative braking during one-pedal driving. At this precise moment, the EV3 will compete with the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra, but this comparison already feels wack: The Toyota and Subaru are fine cars but less-than-stellar EVs, and Kia already has a reputation of building stellar EVs. There’s also a parallel to the Volkswagen ID4, which is solid, but the Kia will benefit from newer technology and its more stylish design. Kia has announced a target price range in the U.S. of between $35,000 and $50,000—the latter likely covering an eventual dual-motor GT model, with the GT-Line falling in between. The EV3 launches in Korea this July, in Europe in late 2024, and in the U.S. “after ’25.” The goal is to sell up to 80,000 units in the U.S. alongside the Niro, with that model transitioning to mostly hybrid variants. The timing is likely related to sourcing production in North America to maximize affordability by qualifying for the full $7,500 tax incentive. There are already too many too-expensive EVs but not enough small and affordable ones, so it’s a segment that definitely needs broadening. Kia was the first to bring a non-luxury three-row EV to market with the EV9. It's on track to perform a similar trick with the EV3. https://www.motortrend.com/news/2026-kia-ev3-first-look-review/

Toulouse's Thomas Ramos kicked three extra-time penalties to help edge out Leinster in a pulsating Investec Champions Cup final at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Wing Matthis Lebel scored the first try in extra time for the French side, before team-mate Richie Arnold was sent off for a dangerous clearout at a ruck. Leinster took advantage and scored through Josh van der Flier, but replacement Ramos sealed Toulouse's sixth European Cup crown with two penalties in the second half of extra time. Ciaran Frawley, also on as a replacement, could have won the game for the Irish province in normal time, but dragged a last-minute drop-goal wide. The result means Leinster have now lost three Champions Cup finals in a row, after back-to-back defeats by La Rochelle. Victory means Toulouse are now two titles clear of Leinster as the most successful club in European rugby. Toulouse beat Leinster to win sixth European Cup - as it happened Leinster come up short again Last year's final felt like the perfect chance for Leinster to bring home that fifth European star, racing into a 17-point lead at home in Dublin before Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle mounted a tremendous comeback. A beautiful day in London exploded into a similar frantic opening period, even without the mad scoring to show for it. Toulouse thought they had struck first when Antoine Dupont produced a spectacular offload, but his opposite number Jamison Gibson-Park managed to force the mercurial captain into touch. The Top 14 side, who last won the competition in 2021, took the lead through two well-struck Blair Kinghorn penalties from distance, before Ross Byrne got Leinster on the board. It was a bold selection call to start the Scotland full-back over the high-percentage goal-kicking of Ramos. But Kinghorn was picked for his well-rounded game and his chase back to prevent Dan Sheehan getting over showed just that - preventing what looked a certain try as Dupont won the subsequent penalty. For the neutral last year, an Ireland v France World Cup final was what many wanted, for the atmosphere and quality that would have been on display. With 14 French internationals and 20 Irish on display in London there was proper Test-match intensity, with both defences putting in monstrous hits and only another penalty apiece kicked before the break. Cool Ramos kicks Toulouse to glory Leo Cullen's side have knocked out the French giants convincingly at the semi-final stage in Dublin over the past two seasons. But finals are different. The Irish province won the Champions Cup in 2018 against Racing 92 without scoring a try, and when Byrne levelled the game that looked the likely way to victory again. Double World Cup-winning coach Jacques Nienaber was brought in by Cullen to help bring South Africa’s mentality of closing out finals. However, with nothing between the teams heading into extra time, it was instead Ugo Mola's side who showed the temperament required to win Europe's biggest prize. After James Lowe was yellow carded, Lebel raced down the wing and produced a smile of someone who had just scored the winning try in a Champions Cup final. Dupont, named player of the match, may have sacrificed the 2024 Six Nations in hope of playing sevens at a home Olympics, however, when it came to Toulouse and Europe he made it clear he was not going to miss any big games. But it was the cool head of Ramos, who was also on the bench for Toulouse's semi-final victory over Harlequins, that delivered the crushing blows to Leinster. The Top 14 side scored a bucketload of tries throughout the competition to secure top seeds - and avoid another trip to Dublin - heading into the knockout stages. This neutral venue in London proved vital as Dupont's side proved why they are the ultimate kings of Europe. Line-ups Leinster: Keenan; Larmour, Henshaw, Osborne, Lowe; R Byrne, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong, McCarthy, Jenkins, Baird, Connors, Doris (capt). Replacements: Kelleher, Healy, Ala'alatoa, Ryan, Conan, McGrath, Frawley, Van der Flier. Sin-bin: Lowe (81) Toulouse: Kinghorn; Mallia, Costes, Ahki, Lebel; Ntamack, Dupont (capt); Baille, Mauvaka, Aldegheri, Flament, Meafou, Willis, Cros, Roumat. https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/articles/cn00l357zpjo

This corporate dress code is all about working it. Trousers, blazers, button-ups, pantsuits and vests are flourishing beyond sterile, fluorescent-lighted offices. The long-mandated business casual professional attire has gotten a new, high-fashion take, dubbed “corpcore,” and celebrity style savants like Zendaya are on board. “What people are finding is going back to classics has longer lasting effects,” New York City stylist and model Bernadett Vajda told The Post, adding that she’s noticed her clients longing for a wardrobe refresh post-pandemic. She added: “I mean, it’s true for me, too, personally. I just want clean, tailored clothes.” New data from Pinterest revealed a 950% surge in searches for “corporate chic,” while users show more interest in “geek chic,” pinstripe pants, skirts, vests and blazers. Now, the social networking platform is predicting “corpcore” will become one of the dominating aesthetics this summer. A slightly more modest cousin to the sultry “office siren,” the tailored trend is the latest iteration of the age-old cubicle classic — an uncharacteristic choice for Gen Z who have traditionally opted for sneakers, jeans and shorts in the workplace. “A shirt and tie wouldn’t have been considered subversive 10, 15 years ago,” Laura Reilly, the founder and editor of Magasin, told Coveteur. “But with the last of the corporate workforce largely freed of their dress codes since remote work became at least partially the norm post-COVID, the building blocks of ‘business formal’ can take on new meaning.” But, after all, Zoomers are obsessed with ’90s vintage — considered anything more than 20 years old — so it’s no wonder that turn-of-the-century business casual is coming back en vogue. Some have mused that “corpcore” — alternately known as “corp-core” — is merely a second coming of “quiet luxury,” the minimalist yet chic style encapsulated by The Row and Jil Sanders during an era of the Aritzia-fueled “clean girl” aesthetic. But as designers go back to the drawing board to reimagine corporate couture, there’s more edge than the long-reigning minimalists have gravitated towards, this time with a bit more skin and sharp silhouettes. “Trendy young professionals who are in the office for the first time want to dress work-appropriate without compromising style, so we’re seeing more of our office-ready pieces jump off the site,” Caroline Maguire, the fashion director for Shopbop, told Coveteur. Victoria Beckham, for one, launched a collection in collaboration with Mango last month, offering luxury items at a fraction of the cost: sleek blazers with camouflaged buttons, Oxfords with cut-outs, vests with jutted shoulders and wool trousers with an exaggerated flare. Prada, and its subsidiary Miu Miu, have become a kingpin of corporate chic, and the label, helmed by Miuccia Prada and co-creative director Raf Simons, also debuted a collection of 9-to-5 ready-to-wear for fall/winter 2024 at Milan Fashion Week, during which viewers were seated in office chairs. Meanwhile, A-list trendsetters have also been sporting the upgraded 9-to-5 uniform. At Gucci’s Cruise 2025 show in London, Lila Moss, the daughter of Kate Moss, wore a buttoned-up, butter-yellow blazer and matching hot shorts. And, in recent months, both Hailey Bieber and Naomi Campbell have donned pinstripe suits, Zendaya appeared on Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show wearing a gray mini dress in the silhouette of a blazer and Kendall Jenner opted for a green power suit for an appearance. On the first weekend of Coachella, up-and-coming pop sensation Chappell Roan walked onto stage fashioned in a plaid pantsuit, toting a bejeweled briefcase. And most recently, Tyra Banks celebrated being a Sports Illustrated Swim legend for the magazine’s anniversary edition by vamping up a power suit. Most notably, the humble blazer has become a wardrobe centerpiece, worn alone as a dress, with jeans or paired with matching trousers as a set. Unlike the 2010s day-to-night blazers of yore — which only millennials will remember wearing to the club — today’s sport coats are getting a facelift with a defined structure akin to the ’80s fanfare over shoulder pads and cinched waists. Vajda likened the statement jackets to the design of an Alexander McQueen blazer, the “epitome of structural, feminine, strong.” Partaking in “corpcore” with a bold blazer, then, “makes you stand out by owning one piece or jacket.” “When you have that, it sets you apart from the oversized, from the person who’s not tailoring their clothes. It just sets you apart when you make those little adjustments,” Vajda said. “So when you’re buying something with a shoulder pad — it’s like inching your way into defining your personal style a little bit more than other people’s.” https://nypost.com/2024/05/24/lifestyle/corpcore-takes-9-to-5-chic-to-the-streets-how-business-formal-became-hot-again/

A pilot has died after a Spitfire crashed in a field close to an RAF station in Lincolnshire, officials said. Emergency services were called to the field off Langrick Road, Coningsby shortly before 13:20 BST on Saturday. The iconic aircraft belonged to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight based at nearby RAF Coningsby, the RAF said. It added a "comprehensive investigation" will be completed and it will not speculate on the cause of the crash. The RAF statement reads: "It is with great sadness that we must confirm the death of an RAF pilot in a tragic accident near RAF Coningsby today. "The pilot's family have been informed and we ask that their privacy is respected at this difficult time." Earlier, Lincolnshire Police said the aircraft came down in a field off Langrick Road, which runs alongside the perimeter of the RAF station. Road closures are in place around Dogdyke Road and Sandy Bank, with motorists asked to avoid the area. RAF Coningsby is the home of the RAF's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF). According to its website, BBMF operates six Spitfires, two Hurricanes, a Lancaster, a C47 Dakota, and two Chipmunk aircraft used for training. The aircraft are flown by regular RAF aircrew. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-69056052

Voted #12

Voted #7