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The founder and CEO of Slack has reiterated his ambition to replace email as the de facto medium of communication in the workplace. Speaking during the keynote session at Slack Frontiers in London, Stewart Butterfield highlighted the limitations of the email format, which he says is bound by nature to create opportunities for misunderstanding and miscommunication. “With email, we each have our own partial, fragmented, incomplete view of what’s going on,” he told the audience. “But if you take all of those email messages and put them inside of channels, now you have somewhere for everything that’s important inside your company.” Modern collaboration The drop-off in the value of email has coincided, Butterfield says, with the decline in the significance of physical business headquarters, which have been superseded by what Slack calls the “digital HQ”. “By digital HQ, we mean the digital infrastructure that supports collaboration; that set of systems and tools and processes that has allowed organizations to continue to work and thrive during the pandemic,” he explained. “A digital HQ isn’t a nice-to-have, nor even a must-have, but rather something that every organization already has, but could be doing a whole lot more with.” The importance of optimizing communication and collaboration over digital platforms is borne out clearly in the data, says Slack. According to a survey conducted by the firm, even the employees spending the least time on communication-based tasks are using a third of their day to send messages and emails, attend video meetings and the like. “With the realization that most of our work is powered by the digital HQ, which is much easier to ‘renovate’ than the physical HQ, we could all be doing more. The message is that we should be continually pushing the boundaries and experimenting, because there are real opportunities for improvement,” added Butterfield. In an effort to lean into the strengths of its collaboration platform, versus email-based communication, Slack has rolled out a number of new features since the start of the pandemic. Most recently, the company lifted the lid on Slack Canvas, a tool that gives users a new way to collect, organize and share data across persistent and highly customizable information panels. These so-called “canvases” are attached by default to every channel and can be created manually for one-off projects or events. Slack also announced last month that it will be bringing video to its impromptu meeting feature, Huddles, the purpose of which is to help cut down on needlessly lengthy meetings by giving customers a lightweight means of checking in with colleagues. The hope, explained Butterfield, is that features like these will help customers make the most of their digital HQ and put them in a stronger position to take advantage of a period of great opportunity. “I don’t think the window is closing quite yet, but against the backdrop of so much change, people are willing to tolerate more. So this is a great moment to [experiment and innovate],” he said. Source.

Intel has today released drivers for its new Arc Alchemist(opens in new tab) discrete graphics boards, including the rather midrange A770 and the A750 (a card that can go toe-to-toe with Nvidia's 3060). The driver also brings improvements for those running older Intel integrated GPUs on its 11th and 12th-gen processors. The drivers support both Windows 10 and 11, and offer fixes for games such as Marvel’s Spider-Man, Overwatch 2, and Deathloop. The driver package also brings with it the latest version of Arc Control, along with XeSS AI-enhanced upscaling to those with GPUs that support it. The download acts as the launch driver for Arc A770 and A750(opens in new tab) boards, and owners of the A770 Limited Edition(opens in new tab) can also use the Arc RGB Controller to control the LEDs in their graphics card. Fixes include Marvel’s Spider-Man no longer crashing when asked to do ray-tracing, no more color corruption in Total Warhammer III, an end to stuttering in Overwatch 2, while crashing issues in Battlefield 2042 multiplayer matches have also been rectified. It does bring a few issues of its own, however. Set Marvel’s Spider-Man to use HBAO+ under DirectX 12 and you may get scene corruption, while Adobe Premiere Pro users may not be able to use the GPU for playback acceleration. Similarly, A380(opens in new tab) owners lack hardware acceleration in Adobe Lightroom, and there's a crash bug in Affinity Photo. Arc Control has problems scaling between 1080p and 4K resolutions, may cause application windows to be blank when using CMAA anti-aliasing, and may fail to update itself correctly. It’s still early days for Intel’s discrete GPUs, and these are just the sort of issues we should expect. The driver supports DirectX 12, Vulkan 1.3, OpenGL 4.6, and OpenCL 3.0, as well as version 1.7 of Intel’s oneAPI Level Zero, and 2.7 of the oneAPI video processing library. The file, version number 31.0.101.3490, is available as either a self-installing .exe file or as a .zip from the Intel website, while the release notes can be read as a PDF here. Source.

Name of the game: Monument Valley: Panoramic Edition Price: $7.99 - $6.39 Link Store: Here. Offer ends up after X hours: DAILY DEAL! Offer ends 18 October. Requirements:

Landlords in England will be banned from evicting tenants without giving a reason, Prime Minister Liz Truss has confirmed. On Tuesday, the government said no decisions had been made on ending no-fault evictions, despite a promise to do so at the 2019 general election. But asked at Prime Minister's Questions whether she could reassure private renters that the ban would go ahead, Ms Truss said: "I can." The ban is due to become law next year. Reports that the government was rethinking its 2019 manifesto commitment to end Section 21 no-fault evictions were met with dismay by housing charities, who warned that it would lead to a surge in homelessness. At PMQs, Labour MP Graham Stringer said: "Spooking the markets and increasing the cost of borrowing and increasing the cost of mortgages was almost certainly an act of gross incompetence rather than malevolence. "But going back on the commitment to end no-fault evictions is an act of extreme callousness. "Can the prime minister reassure the 11 million private renters in this country that she will carry out her commitment to get rid of no-fault evictions?" Ms Truss replied that she could, without offering any further detail. Paymaster General Edward Argar denied her two word statement amounted to another U-turn, telling BBC Politics Live that reports that the ban might be scrapped were just "press speculation". On Tuesday, the PM's official spokesman was asked whether Ms Truss thought it was right to scrap no fault evictions, following reports in the Times that this was under consideration. "No decisions have been made," the spokesman said. "This is something the secretary of state is considering in terms of how to improve the rental market. "Clearly, ensuring a fair deal for renters will always remain a priority for this government." The Conservatives first pledged to scrap no-fault evictions in their 2019 general election manifesto. In May, the Queen's Speech confirmed that no-fault evictions would be abolished in a new Renters Reform Bill. The much-delayed bill, which is currently expected to become law next year, will also introduce an ombudsman to manage disputes and extend the Decent Homes Standard to privately renting households. Source.

Gray wolves are being fatally poisoned in the remote northeast corner of Washington state, according to state wildlife officials, who said Monday that six have been found dead. Two carcasses were discovered recently and four were found in February, the state Fish and Wildlife Department reported. "Toxicology results revealed all six wolves died from ingesting poison," the department said. Fish and Wildlife police have been investigating since last year. Gray wolves are listed by the state as endangered, and they're federally endangered in the western two-thirds of the state. Killing animals that belong to an endangered species in the state is a misdemeanor, and defendants face the possibility of a year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000. Nonprofit groups have contributed to a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible in the wolves' deaths. It was at $51,400 Monday. Defenders of Wildlife said it contributed $2,500 to the collection. Zoë Hanley, the group's wolf biologist, said the deaths were "a tragic, unnecessary loss." "This cowardly act flies in the face of committed efforts from biologists, policymakers and ranchers working to recover and coexist with wolves in Washington," she said in a statement. In 2020, the Fish and Wildlife Department reauthorized staffers to kill one to two wolves in the region after a series of fatal attacks on cattle created conflicts with ranchers. The wolves, part of the Wedge pack, roam the northeast part of the state in Stevens County. Fish and Wildlife officials said there were 206 known wolves in 33 packs in Washington at the end of 2021. Source.

“The beginning of a new Alfa Romeo era,” the Tonale’s official website states, which is interesting, as we all thought that’s what the Giulia represented when it was launched in 2016. Sales of that model and the related Stelvio haven’t been stellar, however, so here we are in 2022 with Alfa once again relaunching itself, this time with a compact SUV it says will cover more of the UK car market on its own than the Stelvio and Giulia combined. The rear-wheel drive Giorgio platform in which Alfa Romeo invested heavily is absent here. Underneath the Tonale is the vehicle architecture of the five-year-old Jeep Compass, itself a derivative of the Fiat Small Platform that underpinned the Grande Punto of 2005, and - as it happens - the Alfa Romeo MiTo. On paper, it feels like a backward step. Not that you’d know it from the outside. The Tonale is a great-looking thing that adds welcome spice to a segment not exactly known for design flair. It references various Alfas from the past, from the SZ in its triple-element light clusters, the original and newer 8C in its window line, and (although this one is perhaps a bit of a stretch) the sixties GT’s silhouette. The interior is fairly minimalist and doesn’t rely quite so heavily on scratchy piano black plastics as German rivals. The stylish space is enhanced with various elements lifted from the Giulia and Stelvio, including the steering wheel and - in the case of the range-topping Veloce - large metal gear shift paddles mounted to the steering column. There are some cheaper-feeling bits of trim here and there, though - it falls short of the premium offerings Alfa is targeting with this car. The 10.25-inch touchscreen meanwhile has an easy-to-navigate layout and is as responsive as it should be, but a lot of the shortcut icons around its edges are small and not easy to use on the move. To its right is a slick 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, complete with three different looks - modern and sporty dials, a more retro set-up, and a pared-back option that’ll be easy on the eyes at night. We had the opportunity to drive UK-spec versions of both main trim levels - Ti and Veloce (pictured), although there is also an Edizione Speciale launch edition - in the UK for the first time. In either model, the one thing that makes itself immediately clear is the speed of the steering. Like a Giulia or Stelvio, the steering is light and fast. With a ratio of 13.6:1, it’s the quickest in class; an Audi Q3, for comparison, is 14.8:1.. The front end can just about keep up with the brisk steering inputs this arrangement allows, as Alfa (thankfully) hasn’t just left the Jeep Compass underpinnings as is. The Tonale gets a bespoke set-up with frequency-selective dampers co-developed by Koni, with the Veloce adopting adaptive suspension. The latter can be controlled independently of the drive modes via a button in the middle of the ‘DNA’ rotary selector, so if you’re in the Dynamic setting, you can soften the ride noticeably. This is a good thing, as the harder suspension mode is too firm for the average British B-road. The going can get a little crashy on more broken-up surfaces, robbing the driver of confidence. Even set softer, it’s not like the Tonale rolls to a significant degree when cornering quickly. That said, the body control can get a little floaty at times, even though the ride is quite stiff regardless of suspension settings. The passive dampers on the Ti version give a better ride/handling balance that’s more satisfying on a twisty road, yet comfortable enough when cruising. The use of 18-inch wheels instead of the (admittedly very good-looking) 19s on the Veloce meanwhile help take the edge off. Both wheel/tyre sizes generate quite a bit of road noise, which along with the wind noise, the Tonale could be better at filtering out. While the chassis is mostly a success, especially considering the less-than-ideal starting point Alfa’s engineers were handed, the powertrain is far less impressive. The 1.5-litre inline-four powertrain is billed as a ‘mild-hybrid’, which uses an 0.8kWh battery. Combustion and electric power sources combine to produce 158bhp and a less than spectacular 0-62mph time of 8.8 seconds. It’s not the modest performance that’s an issue, though, because the Tonale feels brisk enough in most situations. It’s the delivery that frustrates. There’s a noticeable delay between a throttle application and the car actually doing something about it. It doesn’t just suck the enjoyment out of country roads, it’s a pain during more regular driving, too - you’ll need to wait for bigger gaps when joining a roundabout, for instance. The brakes are effective enough, but even a moderate amount of pressure on the pedal sees the hazard lights flashing wildly as though you’re doing an emergency stop. In terms of practicality, the Tonale 500-litre boot is just ahead of the 495 litres you get from the Mercedes GLA. Rear headroom is okay, although it’s a little gloomy back there with that retro-inspired window line resulting in fat C-pillars that also hamper rear visibility. Pricing is best described as ‘punchy’. A Ti starts at £39,995 or £399 a month on an Alfa Romeo PCP deal with a four-year term and £8,499 deposit. It comes with LED headlights, a rear parking camera, a powered boot lid, keyless entry and the infotainment/instrument cluster screens. Veloce adds the bigger wheels, Alcantara interior trim, adaptive dampers, aluminium shift paddles and various fancier bits of trim. It’s £42,495, and it’s possible to inflate that figure further with even larger 20-inch wheels (we’d definitely swerve those), paint options (only Alfa Red is free) and various packs including one for £2,150 that includes heated/cooled electric seats and a Harman Kardon audio system. Source.

It’s hard to tell from his serious demeanor, but Akky International Corp. Chief Executive Hideyuki Abe can barely contain his excitement. Foreign tourists are coming back, those big-spending visitors from abroad who used to flock into his colorful store in Tokyo’s Akihabara electronics district, its colorful shelves filled with watches and souvenirs like samurai swords and toy cats with bobbing heads. Individual travelers will be able to visit Japan without visas beginning on Tuesday, just like in pre-COVID-19 times, and electronics stores, airlines and various tourists spots have big hopes for a revival of their businesses. Japan kept its borders closed to most foreign travelers during much of the pandemic. Only packaged tours have been allowed since June. Meanwhile, the yen has weakened sharply against the dollar, giving some visitors much heftier buying power and making Japan nearly irresistible to bargain hunters. Abe employs about 50 people and had resorted to layoffs after the pandemic struck in 2020. Some Akihabara shops have closed down since then, but he bided his time. “Hanging on is where power lies,” Abe said. “Now, I am a bit worried about a shortage of workers.” Retailers in Akihabara and other businesses in Japan that relied heavily on visitors from all over have had a tough couple years. Major retail chain Laox shuttered its Akihabara store, keeping only its outlets at Narita airport and in the ancient capital of Kyoto open. The city of Nara, famous for its temples, shrines and sake breweries, is banking on the return of tourists from other parts of Japan along with those from abroad. A pastoral getaway with deer roaming free in parks and glorious autumn foliage, it’s a destination recommended for people worried about risks of visiting crowded destinations, said Katsunori Tsuji of Nara Prefecture’s tourism promotion division. “There are aspects of life that Japanese have preserved over the years in Nara that you can truly sense and enjoy, that spiritual element,” he said. About 10 years ago, Chinese tourists, visiting in huge groups to snag European luxury brands and even high-tech toilet seats, bought so much their purchases were known as “baku-gai,” combining the Japanese words for “explosive” and “purchase.” Some 32 million foreign tourists visited Japan in 2019, before the pandemic. The travel and tourism sector then contributed more than 7% to Japan’s economy, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. Japan’s major carriers All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines are increasing flights in response to expected higher demand. Both sharply reduced flights during the pandemic. “The impact incoming visitors have on the Japanese economy is said to be some 5 trillion yen ($35 billion), so we have great hopes about what we can expect,” ANA Chief Executive Shinichi Inoue recently told reporters. Flights resuming in the months ahead include routes to and from places like Honolulu, Frankfurt, New York, Seoul and Paris. They are meant to appeal not only to incoming tourists but also to Japanese planning dream vacations over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. To cater to shoppers from various countries, including places like Vietnam, Europe and the Americas, the staff in Abe’s three stores speak more than a dozen languages among them. He has endured various crises, including the nuclear disaster in Fukushima in March 2011, at a time when the yen was stronger against the dollar, making Japan an ultra-expensive destination. In 2011, the U.S. dollar cost about 80 yen. Last year, the dollar cost about 111 yen. Now, it’s at a nearly three-decade high of about 145 yen, and the pandemic restrictions are waning. The tourists will be back. “This time, it’s a perfect opportunity,” Abe said. Source.

The atmosphere is quite tense and yet it is exciting. People are hopeful this time and we hope that a real change is just around the corner. I don't think people are willing to give up this time. Now, we are seeing women in the street who are not wearing a hijab. They are walking past and people are quite supportive. Drivers in the street honk whenever they see a woman is not covered up. They don't cover up their heads. Usually, the protests start in the evening, in the afternoon. And they are in different locations in a city, so people do not just gather round in one specific area. If you just go out, you can hear cars honking. In some parts, people are out in the street. They are protesting against the security forces. And at night, the people who do not want to leave their houses are shouting slogans like "down with the dictator" out of their windows. You can hear some sort of protest everywhere, almost every night. That feels good, that feels really good. Nick Robinson: What sort of people are joining the protests? Everyone. The prominent figures in this are actually the women. They are to some extent leading this. Their rights are part of human rights. That is why some people might call it a feminist movement. But what is setting this apart is the inclusion of minorities and the women at the front. And it's widespread. It is not just in big cities. It is in smaller cities. NR: When you confront the security forces, how are they reacting? When you take to the streets you should expect anything. Deep down, you know that you might never come back. You might get arrested, detained for days, months or even years, as we have seen before. So far, I have been lucky. I have been beaten with a baton [by security forces], I have been kicked. But I have seen worse. The situation is quite stressful, but it is quite hopeful as well. It is stressful because you never know whether the person standing next to you is a member of the security forces. And yet it is hopeful because you can see that your voice is finally being heard, especially this time on an international level, despite all the [internet] filtering that is going on in Iran. NR: You go out on the streets knowing, in your words, that "you might never come back". This is something you are prepared to die for? Yes. NR: Why? Somewhere, at one time, for this to end we need to do something. We should accept the challenges and the facts as well. If we want to say something, we know that we are going to give something for it as well, sometimes with our lives. NR: For you, is this a protest about whether women wear the hijab? Or is it something much bigger than that? It is about something much bigger than that. If you look at the slogans at the protests, what people are saying on the streets, it has never been - even at the beginning - about the hijab. The hijab was just the spark. It has always been about basic human rights. We've always wanted more. We've wanted what you might take for granted as a normal life. We want life, liberty, justice, accountability, freedom of choice and assembly, a free press. We want access to our basic human rights and an inclusive government that is actually elected by the people through a proper election and that works for the people. NR: We are not using your real name for this interview. Are you taking a risk speaking to the BBC? Yes, it's a great risk because it is considered a crime in Iran if you speak to foreign news broadcasts. You might easily get arrested, punished, imprisoned. The consequences are severe. NR: Do you have hope that the change that you so desperately want might happen this time? Hope is all we have and I am willing to stick to it. I hope at least our voices will be heard. That's all I can say about this. Source.

The next time you ride on a rollercoaster you might want to leave your iPhone 14 behind, as users are reporting that their device’s crash detection is being set off by the rapid movement. Crash detection is one of the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, and Apple Watch 8’s best new safety features. Using internal gyroscopes and other sensors, these Apple devices can detect if you’ve been involved in a car crash and alert emergency services or your emergency contacts automatically. It’s not perfect, but Apple also gives users the ability to cancel the alert manually within 10 seconds if their iPhone erroneously detected a crash. However, when you’re strapped into a rollercoaster you can’t easily cancel this alert, and as some users have discovered (via The Wall Street Journal(opens in new tab)) it means that emergency services and contacts are alerted to a crash that never happened. We’ve reached out to Apple about the situation and to find out if it has any solutions for the issue, if we hear back we’ll update this piece with what they say. Analysis: the iPhone that cried wolf If the feature has to be imperfect we’d much prefer the iPhone 14’s crash detection to be too sensitive than not sensitive enough. But if it keeps frightening emergency contacts and services with false positives, then Apple’s crash detection software could soon follow the parable of 'the boy who cried wolf'. So what can you do? Well if you are going on a rollercoaster, or taking part in another activity that could set off crash detection, then you might want to turn off crash detection on your iPhone or Apple Watch. To do this on an Apple Watch 8, Apple Watch SE 2, and Apple Watch Ultra you’ll first need to access the Watch app on your paired iPhone. In the My Watch tab, tap on Emergency SOS and go to the Crash Detection section. Here you should see a toggle for Call After Serious Crash which you can set to Off and then confirm. On your iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, or iPhone 14 Pro Max you need to head into your phone’s Settings app and then into Emergency SOS. Once again you need to toggle off Call After Severe Crash and then hit confirm. In both cases, you’re not really turning off Crash Detection, just the alerts. This will make the service much less annoying if you find it’s picking up a load of non-existent crashes. That said, turning off crash detection could be an issue if you then forget to switch it back on. Instead, we’d much prefer a quick Do Not DIsturb style setting, perhaps called Amusement Park Mode, in which you’d be able to disable Crash Detection alerts for a set period of time, with your iPhone reminding you the feature is switched off via an icon at the top of the screen. Alternatively, it could send you regular updates to remind you that Amusement Park Mode is on so that you eventually remember to switch it off. We’ll have to wait and see if Apple comes up with a solution soon, otherwise their latest safety feature could wind up being its most annoying one instead. Looking for more ways to use your iPhone? Check out our picks for the best iPhone apps. Source.

A flood of new AM5 B650 motherboard listings has appeared on Newegg, from Asus, MSI, Gigabyte, and ASRock, including board prices. But these boards are anything but cheap. The cheapest motherboard in AMD's B650 lineup starts at $169.99, with no boards coming close to AMD's official starting MSRP of $125. At their peak, B650E flagship boards sell at a whopping $450+. These incredible price hikes represent a considerable change in purpose for AMD's entire chipset lineup. All of AMD's chipset models compete with each other now, with prices overlapping between B650, B650E, X670, and even X670E chipset boards. As a result, shoppers now need to pivot and start looking at motherboard model names first to find a good value. As a result, looking at the chipset name exclusively is almost pointless. It means all motherboard models ranging from B series to X series boards will probably have nearly identical feature sets, despite the chipset name differences. The main difference between the chipset names now comes from connectivity, and that is it. Starting at the low end, ASRock's B650M PG Riptide is the cheapest B650 motherboard, starting at $169.99. Stepping up to the mid-range boards, all these boards sit in the $199-$300 price bracket. They include models such as the Asus Prime series, Asus TUF series, Gigabyte Aorus Elite boards, ASRock Riptide (ATX versions), and MSI Mortar, Tomahawk, and Edge variants. All range from ATX, microATX, and mini-ITX models. To be precise, these board versions include both B650 and B650E chipsets. These mid-range boards will probably be your best all-rounders, for best-bang-for-buck on the AM5 platform; these boards all come with good USB connectivity, Wi-Fi 6E support, several M.2 slots available to the user, and in general, have good quality power delivery systems, adequate for general overclocking use. Once you go beyond $300, you get into the ridiculous category of B650/E motherboards. The amount of USB connectivity you get becomes very extreme, and borderline overkill for anything but the highest-end power user. The same goes for everything else, including, audio, M.2 storage, and more. The only exception is for overclockers, where you get some of the best power delivery systems AMD's AIB partners can offer. A good example is ASRock's B650E Taichi which provides the same 24+2+1 power delivery system as the X670E variant. So overlockers can opt for AMD's flagship B650E offerings and probably get the same overclocking experience as on flagship $1,000 X670E versions unless you're chasing world records. X670 prices start to overlap at $250, which is where X670 prices start and end at $450, where the B650E flagship boards top out. In this $250 to $450 price bracket, shoppers will need to judge whether or not they want extra PCIe connectivity over additional features B650 might offer. For the most part, X670/E equivalent boards with the same branding name, feature a $50-$80 price hike over their B650/E equivalents. But, beyond or below this price bracket, is where the chipset names will make an actual difference. Below $250, you'll only find B series motherboards, and above $450, you'll only find top-tier X670/X670E motherboards. With some going as high as $1,000. Source.

Having created the entire hunting genre from scratch, there hasn't been a single game yet that could challenge the Monster Hunter series in terms of po[CENSORED]rity. This, however, did not prevent other developers from trying their hand at the genre, with Koei Tecmo and Omega Force creating the Toukiden series, which is among the very few series that managed to offer a monster hunting experience that was tweaked enough from that of Monster Hunter to set itself apart from the series that started the genre. The Toukiden series has been left dormant for a good while now, suggesting that Koei Tecmo and Omega Force were done with the hunting genre, but that wasn't the case, as the two Japanese companies have been working together with Electronic Arts on Wild Hearts, a game that has a serious shot at becoming as po[CENSORED]r as the latest entries in the Monster Hunter series, thanks to a more accessible action-oriented experience and some exciting gameplay mechanics. Wild Hearts' basics are not that different from those of the Monster Hunter series. Traversing some luscious locations, such as the Hanagasumi Hills hunting ground, players take control of their fully-customizable character in search of the powerful Kemono, mysterious beasts who have the power to mani[CENSORED]te nature. Smaller Kemonos are no threat to humans, but larger ones are, and it is up to the player to restore balance by taking them down. First appearances, however, can be deceiving, as the game starts feeling very different as soon as the player obtains the power to use the ancient Karakuri technology, which allows for building a lot of different contraptions. Karakuri plays an extremely important role in the Wild Hearts experience even before a hunt begins. Thanks to it, it is possible to build extremely important facilities, such as a campfire where to cook food and initiate online play, a tent that serves as a checkpoint, and a forge useful to craft new weapons and armor (which all come with unique skills) and switch equipment. Among the most interesting facilities that can be built are the Hunting Tower, used to locate target Kemonos, and the Flying Vine, which creates a zipline network to speed up traversal. The most interesting thing about these crafting mechanics is that these facilities can be built pretty much anywhere on the map, allowing players to set up a camp wherever they wish, something that makes quite a lot of sense in a game such as Wild Hearts, considering the good level of verticality shown by the only hunting ground available in the test build, the aforementioned Hanagasumi Hills. In case it is not possible to build Flying Vines or Crates, players can use their own strength to climb up rock walls and the like, with a stamina system that is very reminiscent of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Where the Karakuri mechanics really shine, however, are in combat. At the start of the game, players can only build Crates, which can be climbed upon not only to reach greater heights but also to attack Kemono from the air and damage weak points that would not be accessible otherwise. As the Wild Hearts campaign progresses, it becomes possible to craft other contraptions such as Springs, which can be used to perform a quick leap that works as a great evasive maneuver. The best thing about the crafting mechanics is that they are very quick to use and feel nicely incorporated into the moveset of each of the weapons available in the preview build. Players can start off a basic weapon combo and quickly get out of the way in case the Kemono is about to strike using a Spring crafted on the fly. Or a player may be striking a Kemono during an opening and knock it down, then quickly craft a Crate to unleash a powerful jumping attack before the monster can get back up on its feet. These maneuvers are quite easy to pull off, highlighting how Wild Hearts is way more accessible than the Monster Hunter games, also thanks to a more action-oriented experience that feels easier to get into. Karakuri mechanics are set to become more intricate with the campaign's progression, thanks to the fusion Karakuri mechanics, which allow players to build a sturdy wall using multiple crates that can block the charge of big Kemonos. Better accessibility, however, doesn't mean Wild Hearts will not present its own challenges. While the basic Karakuri Katana is easy to pick up and use decently, a few other weapon types are not, like the huge Nodachi, which limits player mobility in the vein of the Monster Hunter series' Greatsword, requiring good knowledge of a Kemono's moveset and good positioning to be effective. Some of the weapons are surprisingly creative, like the bow with the two types of shots that play off each other well and the Battle Bladed Wagasa, which offers a parry as well as a versatile and aerial moveset at the cost of high complexity. Not all of the eight weapon types were available in the preview build, but those that were all had their distinctive movesets and quirks, so it will be very interesting to see what Omega Force has come up with and how they will interact with the amazing crafting mechanics. All of this wouldn't matter much if the Kemonos weren't well-designed and fun to take down, but thankfully it seems like this won't be the case, judging from the ones available in the preview build I tried. Visually and mechanically, Kemono all have their unique identity, and learning their patterns to find openings is extremely fun. Difficulty also seems to be on point, offering players a decent challenge without feeling overwhelming, although the first few hunts require a few adjustments coming from the Monster Hunter series, mostly due to the tracking of some attacks which require players to use the Spring rather than the regular dodge or the sliding dodge. The up to three players multiplayer also works rather well, with the systems in place easily allowing those who are having trouble with a hunt to request assistance. It should be said that the performance in this preview build leaves quite a bit to be desired, as you can see from the captured gameplay footage below. Still, the three hours or so I spent with Wild Hearts literally flew by and left me hungering for more. Even in this very early stage, the game developed by Omega Force shows incredible promise, and I can't wait to see which crazy contraptions I will be able to build to hunt down Kemono when the game releases on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on February 12th, 2023. Source. Wild Hearts Preview 4K PC Gameplay.

In po[CENSORED]ted areas, you could argue that cars take up more space than people, which is why motorcycles are a prime choice for weaving through traffic. There's a whole culture surrounding these vehicles, including one filled with action, adrenaline, and chaos. This can be found in Road Redemption by EQ Games and Pixeldash Studios, which has become available as Road Redemption Mobile. Take to the wild open roads filled with a surprising number of cars, but dominated by the roving biker gangs of the region. Only by being fast and tough can you hope to reach the end of the road safely. WHY SEEK ROAD REDEMPTION? Stories about biker gangs are frequently depicted in regions that are barren so they can be more believably lawless. This is exactly the setting for Road Redemption, and makes for a sensible backdrop based on what happens. It's a period where there is no peace among biker gangs, and news reaches all of them that an unknown assassin has killed the leader of one of the biggest cartels. In response, the cartel has placed a huge bounty on the assassin's head, and now, each gang is racing to claim it. As a member of the Jackal gang, it falls on you to get there first. DRIVING FAST ON ROAD REDEMPTION It's never easy to translate a larger game to a smaller platform, which is why it takes some creative thinking. In the case of Road Redemption, it also takes some creative driving, which it pulls off well. This is a fast-paced roguelite that feels good to try over and over again. It essentially comes down to skill and speed, something you can control with and without upgrades. There are risks in being very aggressive as well as being too passive. It's all about finding the balance that works best for you and then reaping the rewards of your actions. Even if you get sent back to the start, the race back to where you left off is exciting. The mobile version has managed to bring all the trademark elements of the original, making for a very full experience. There are several types of weapons you can use, each having perfect situations or delivering some devastating overkill. The feeling of clashing with other bikers has a definite impact which adds to the engagement. It ramps up when you fight more than one, but you soon look forward to these scenarios for greater action and loot. The number of bikes you can choose, the different riders, the upgrades between levels, and the skill tree are all icing on the motorcycle-shaped cake. DANGEROUS CURVES ON ROAD REDEMPTION The need for speed is a powerful thing, but it also leads to a ton of accidents. Road Redemption can't avoid some of the problems it crashes into during gameplay. The biggest is the control scheme. The main menu flashes a very noticeable recommendation for a gamepad and it is not without reason. However, if you don't have one, then you have to make do with the onscreen controls. They just simply aren't responsive enough with both the slide controls and analog stick feeling loose at best, which is not great considering how many sharp turns you'll need to make. In terms of technical elements, it's a very demanding game. If you don't have the latest model phone, you'll need to run on the lowest graphical setting to minimize lag. This makes it look like you're controlling a discontinued action figure through waves of fake cars made of crate paper. There's also a chance the textures won't load properly and you'll be left to gaze at the bright and garish multi-coloured hills. ON THE ROAD REDEMPTION AGAIN Road Redemption Mobile is a 3D motorcycle roguelite mobile game about taking down bikers as you race to collect a bounty. It offers plenty of excitement and action, and makes up for repeated runs with its speed and variety. You'll still need a gamepad and a strong phone to play it properly, though. Barring that, you can load it up on BlueStacks to seek some much-needed redemption on the road. Source.

Name of the game: This War of Mine Price: $19.99 - $3.99 Link Store: Here. Offer ends up after X hours: DAILY DEAL! Offer ends 16 October. Requirements:

Liz Truss will hold a series of meetings with Tory MPs this week, as she tries to quell backbench unrest over her fledgling premiership. Unease over the government's direction burst into the open at last week's party conference, which was blighted by internal division. Cabinet ministers have been calling for backbenchers to unite behind the PM. In a bid to repair relations, she has given a government post to a backer of her ex-leadership rival Rishi Sunak. Greg Hands has been appointed trade minister, replacing Conor Burns who was sacked last week after a misconduct complaint. And the chancellor has given the date when he further outlines his economic plan as 31 October. Ms Truss entered No 10 last month after defeating Mr Sunak in a bruising leadership contest, and already faces potential rebellions on multiple fronts. Last week she was forced to abandon her plans to scrap the top rate of income tax, after a number of her MPs criticised the move as unfair. She also faces the task of assuring them of her economic credibility, after her tax-cutting mini-budget sparked turmoil in the financial markets. There is also unease in the party over the idea she could decide to raise working-age benefits in line with earnings rather than inflation, a real-terms cut that would save the government around £5bn. Former chancellor Sajid Javid has become the latest Tory MP to demand an increase in line with inflation, saying people were going through "incredibly challenging times". The PM's spokesman said a decision had not yet been made, adding: "We want to get the latest information as regards things like inflation." Asked if Ms Truss was "open-minded" in listening to Conservative MPs on the topic, the spokesman answered: "Yes". Speaking in Derbyshire, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer told reporters he would work with Tories who "want to do the right thing" and fight any real-terms cut to benefit payments. With Parliament due to return on Tuesday, the prime minister will inaugurate a series of policy lunches with MPs from each region of the country this week. She is also due to meet Tory MPs when she addresses the backbench 1922 committee this week. The meetings come ahead of a busy few weeks for the government, as it unveils a series of measures designed to boost economic growth. The changes to planning, immigration and childcare rules, among other areas, could prove an early test of Ms Truss's parliamentary support. In a bid to further reassure restive financial markets, the government has brought forward the date for its plan for balancing the public finances to 31 October. The blueprint was originally scheduled for 23 November, but Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng had been under pressure to give more details of his plan to bring down debt, following the bad market reaction to the mini-budget. After arriving in Downing Street, Ms Truss removed Sunak supporters including Dominic Raab, Grant Shapps and George Eustice from their cabinet positions. She later appointed some supporters of her defeated rival to positions in her junior team. Conor Burns was dismissed from his ministerial post on Friday after a complaint of serious misconduct. He denies any wrongdoing and says he looks forward to clearing his name. Mr Burns, who was also suspended as a Tory MP, was seen by eyewitnesses touching a young man's thigh at a hotel bar during the party's conference, the BBC has been told. Source.

In the summer of 2020, scientists in Pennsylvania caught sight of something no one had ever seen before: a bird that looked like a rose-breasted grosbeak but sang like a scarlet tanager. Upon closer analysis, the animal was later determined to be a hybrid, the offspring of a mating event between two separate species. “When I saw it, I said, ‘Oh my god!’” remembers Bob Mulvihill, ornithologist for the National Aviary in Pittsburgh. Mulvihill caught the bird and extracted a blood sample to study the hybrid animal’s genes. While some animal hybrids are well known, like the mule, this case was more unusual due to the different colors of each bird species. Rose-breasted grosbeaks are black and white with a red patch on their chest, while scarlet tanagers are brilliant orange and black. (Read more about never-before-seen colorful bird hybrid.) The birds aren’t exactly cousins, or even close relatives. Mulvihill suspects the species may be separated by more than 10 million years of divergent evolution. Even stranger is the fact that these species coexist across much of their North American ranges, leading researchers to wonder why no one had ever seen evidence of cross-breeding before. “Was this just a case of Romeo and Juliet?” he laughs. In the modern era of gene sequencing and genetic analysis, hybrid animals have new relevance and may hold clues that clarify the mysteries of evolution. What are hybrid animals? Genetically, a hybrid animal is the result of interbreeding between divergent lineages, says Erica Larson, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Denver. Most non-scientists would take that to mean breeding between two different species, but it can also include subspecies or even po[CENSORED]tions within a species that are distinguishable from one another based on certain traits or characteristics. “They might breed at different times of the year, or they might have behavioral differences that make them less likely to mate,” Larson says. “But then if they do mate, they might make hybrids that are totally fine.” One instance of this may be the spotted skunk, which scientists recently divided into seven species, some of which look almost identical and live in the same areas, but mate and give birth months apart. “Another great example is coral,” says Larson. “A lot of corals release their gametes at a very particular time. So all of these species are physically in the same place, and maybe they could form a hybrid,” but they miss the chance by spawning hours or days apart. In captivity or a lab, however, those sorts of natural barriers are less of an obstacle to successful hybridization. What animals can hybridize? One of the most well-known examples of hybridization is the so-called liger, a cross between a male lion and a female tiger. Ligers were elevated to pop culture fame after a reference in the 2004 film Napoleon Dynamite, but fewer people have heard of the tigon, the offspring of a female lion and a male tiger. Both pairings are extremely unlikely to happen in the wild because lion and tiger ranges almost never overlap. The same is true for the cama, a llama and dromedary camel cross, that live on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean, but have been bred by researchers. Equids can be especially prone to hybridize. Donkeys and horses can breed to create mules, while zebras and horses make zorses or other combinations. In 2019, scientists proved for the first time that narwhals sometimes hybridize with belugas, resulting in a narluga. There are also at least 20 reports of various species of dolphins and whales producing hybrids in both the wild and captivity. And it’s not just mammals. There are also documented cases of hybridization between timber rattlesnakes and western diamondback rattlesnakes, Cuban and American crocodiles, Russian sturgeon and American paddlefish, cutthroat trout and rainbow trout, as well as in various insects, such as ants, bees, wasps, and termites. Plants are especially capable at hybridizing and are thought to do so at even higher rates than animals. One of the most populous hybrid species on Earth may be modern humans, which carry genetic signs of hybridization with other, ancient hominins, such as the Neanderthals and Denisovans. (Read how you may have more Neanderthal DNA than you think.) Are animal hybrids rare? While hybrids seem unusual, it’s likely that many are quite common. For instance, Mulvihill says it’s probably no coincidence that hybridization is well documented in birds, where a whopping 10 percent of the more than 10,000 known species are known to hybridize. The reason why may be there’s a voluminous number of birders snapping photos of interesting sightings and then posting them to forums, birding association pages, or smartphone apps such as iNaturalist. “Certainly, hybridization is pretty well known in butterflies, too,” says Mulvihill. But unlike birders, few casual observers of butterflies can easily detect signs of hybridization in the insects. Some scientists also believe that certain hybrids may become more common in the future. For instance, as climate change shrinks Arctic sea ice, polar bears are expected to spend more time on land, where they may encounter brown bears expanding northward. If they mate, they can create hybrids known as pizzlies or grolar bears. (Read why scientists expect more hybrids as the Arctic warms.) Are animal hybrids good or bad? Hybridizing doesn’t always spell genetic doom. But it may not produce stronger species, either. For example, ligers are prone to health problems, such as rapid growth and heart problems. (Learn more about ligers and other big cat hybrids.) Also, the parent species may sport incompatible genetic differences, such as different numbers of chromosomes. This is one reason hybrids are often sterile, and a non-reproducing offspring can limit a parent’s success extending its gene pool. “They have one less chance to pass on their genes to a future generation,” says Larson. Hybridization can be troublesome if one or both parent species is in danger of extinction. This is because when a species’ genetics becomes rare, the hybrid’s new combination of genetics can threaten its existence by replacing it. This is called genetic swamping, and it’s why hybridization with coyotes is one of the many threats currently afflicting red wolves in the southeastern United States. However, hybridization can also introduce beneficial genes, such as pesticide resistance, says Larson. If those genes help the hybrid survive and reproduce, such benefits can become widespread in a po[CENSORED]tion. This is what scientists call adaptive introgression. “But I think most of the time, it’s probably not beneficial or detrimental,” says Larson. “Most of the time, it probably doesn’t do anything.” With advances in genetic tools, scientists can now look at a hybrid’s genome and easily identify interloping genes that may have originated somewhere else. And this means every hybrid is a window into how evolution creates new species. “When you have two species whose genomes have undergone independent evolution for hundreds of thousands of years, and then you bring them back together, and you mix up those genomes in the form of a hybrid,” says Larson, “you get to understand what works and what doesn't.” Source.

Verdict The Austral doesn’t move the game on for family SUVs, despite a brand-new powertrain and impressive levels of technology. It’s competent enough from behind the wheel, but never exciting. Where Renault has clearly worked hard is with perceived cabin quality and the practicality on offer. But with so many rivals to choose from, pricing will be key for Renault’s new car. Renault says it wants to take back the family SUV after it quietly stopped production of its Kadjar earlier this year. The French firm is hoping the car to achieve this mission is the new Austral - or the “Australe” if the boot badge is anything to go by. The blue ‘e’ on the end acts as a nod towards the electrification of the Austral’s powertrain. It’s not a fully electric car though, as Renault’s new SUV will only be sold here in the UK as a full-hybrid model. Other markets will receive mild-hybrid versions and a lower-powered full-hybrid, but our choice is limited to the top of the range E-TECH Full Hybrid 200 auto. As well as its renewed attack on the mid-size SUV segment, Renault has been talking up its “Renaulution” plan. A significant part of this is to draw “on the Alliance’s technological expertise to boost efficiency” - the Alliance in question is the one with Nissan. Underpinning the new Austral is the same third-generation CMF-C platform used by the latest Nissan Qashqai. The architecture has been designed with electrictrified power in mind from the start, so the impact on practicality as a result of adding a battery is minimal. With the Austral, Renault has somewhat gone against its principle of looking to the Alliance for technological expertise. Rather than using the e-Power powertrain from the Qashqai, which uses a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder unit to charge a battery that then feeds an electric motor, under the Austral’s bonnet there’s a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine mated to a 68bhp electric motor - powered by a 2kWh battery. Renault has taken an individual stance on developing its own powertrain, saying it wants to maintain its own DNA. Representatives from the brand also told us the unit is more focused on efficiency than performance, which is backed up on paper. Renault’s full-hybrid system actually produces more power than Nissan’s e-Power set-up, at 196bhp compared with 187bhp, but torque is down to 255Nm compared with the Qashqai e-Power’s 330Nm. As a result, the Austral is slightly slower from 0-62mph, taking half a second longer than the Nissan, at 8.4 seconds. Efficiency is stronger though. Renault claims a 61.1mpg for the full-hybrid Austral. We struggled to match that, although our route involved plenty of motorway driving, which is not ideally suited to maximise the powertrain’s efficiency. At speeds of up to 62mph the Austral will run purely on electric power. If you’re a little keen with the throttle the petrol unit will make itself known with a faint drone, but most of the time the engine is barely audible. Tyre roar is also well suppressed, with the most noticeable wind noise coming from the pair of large wing mirrors. There are four driving modes to pick from, adjusting the steering weight, engine responsiveness and powertrain noise piped into the cabin. Eco places more emphasis on the battery and electric motor, Comfort focuses on giving the smoothest powertrain response, in Sport the Austral is keener to offer both the petrol engine and electric motor’s power and Perso allows you to tweak these features individually. The Austral doesn’t come with adaptive suspension, but the passive set-up is comfortable enough. The modes don’t seem hugely distinguishable while driving, although the new automatic clutchless multi-modal transmission (which can offer 15 separated gear ratio combinations) is best suited to relaxed, smooth driving. In Sport mode in particular, there’s a pause before a surge in revs and a hit of power, giving the tech an almost CVT-like feel. Brake regeneration features on the Austral, with four different settings which can be adjusted with paddles being the wheel. It’s one of the best systems we’ve come across. The highest mode is quite a lot more aggressive than the others, but it’s nice to have the choices available easily. Our car featured optional four-wheel steering in the form of Renault’s ‘4CONTROL’. It helps to give the Austral a 10.1-metre turning circle (it’s 11.2 metres without the system), which is handy for manoeuvring in tight spots. In its most aggressive setting you can definitely feel the 4Control system working the rear axle and working to give you a tighter turning radius. The four-wheel steering system will point the rear wheels in the same direction as the fronts in higher speed corners for stability, and this is matched by relatively well restrained body roll. The Esprit Alpine trim level we tried features Alcantara seats and suede door trims, 20-inch wheels, blacked-out badging and plenty of Alpine logos inside and out. There was also a full-length optional panoramic roof, which added a decent amount of light into what could have potentially been quite a dark interior. Inside, the Austral’s cabin is several steps on from the Kadjar. Up front there’s Renault’s new OpenR infotainment system comprising a 12-inch driver’s display and a 12.3-inch central screen. The system is intuitive and the main display is clear and responsive, while the optional head-up display is informative but not intrusive; the driver display can also be configured to place more emphasis on the 3D car surrounds, powertrain readout or sat-nav map. The centre console looks like it features a huge gear lever, but it’s actually a moveable pad to rest your wrist on. Because the screen is portrait in orientation you do still have to raise your arm to use it, but the physical switches at its base for the climate control are a nice touch. You’d do well to fill up all the storage bins in the Austral, in fact there’s plenty of room all around. Even the tallest passengers won’t be complaining for space in the rear and the sliding rear bench seat means boot space can be expanded to an impressive 555 litres. The boot itself has a lip which unfortunately can’t be avoided because the boot floor can’t be raised. Renault hasn’t said how much the Austral will cost when it comes to the UK, or indeed when it’ll come. It has hinted sales will commence in spring 2023 and with the Nissan Qashqai e-Power acting as the obvious target rival, we’d expect a similar £38,000 price tag for the Austral. Source.

In Ayurvedic texts, “ahara,” meaning food, is one of the most important aspects of life and the most important of its three pillars. The three pillars are “ahara” (food), “nidra” (sleep), and “Brahmacharya” (abstinence). These three pillars promote growth, strength, development and the enhancement of “Ojas” or the vigour of the body. Some of the major diseases manifest in the body resulting from psychological and lifestyle disorders caused by wrong food. While wholesome food nourishes your body and mind, unwholesome food has the opposite effect. This is why a properly ingested diet, as per ayurvedic principles, is vital to keep your body, mind and sensory organs healthy. The principles of dietetics and nutrition in the ayurvedic system of medicine include different classes of eating and drinking, information on wholesome and unwholesome diets, learning the discipline of eating and so on. This is called “Ahara Vidhi Visheshayatana” or the eight principles of food. Of these, three particularly address the Ayurvedic rationale for spacing out meal timings, the right time to eat, and the portion sizes. They are as follows: Raashi (Quantity Of Food) To understand this principle, you need to know how digestion happens in the body. If you continue to eat after your stomach is full, there is no space left for digestion, and digestion will not occur as it usually does. So, what is the right quantity to eat? Ayurveda divides the stomach into four quadrants. We should ideally eat to fill half our stomach, another one-fourth of the capacity should be kept for water, and the last quarter should be kept empty. Unfortunately, nowadays, with the number of distractions around, our mind is not aware of the amount of food we eat. During a meal, we are preoccupied with the television or our mobile phones, and we are not mindful of whether our stomach is full or not. So, it’s important to maintain a good connection with the food as we consume it. Upayoga Samstha (Rules For Taking Food) Upayoga Samstha denotes the rules for diet. Food should be eaten only when the last meal has been digested properly, and one must feel hungry and enthusiastic about eating. Our body exhibits hunger when it needs food. Snacking without hunger, especially if it is done at night, will definitely cause indigestion. Activities like laughing, talking, and watching television while eating should be avoided. It is not a good idea to eat when we are anxious, worried, deep in thought, angry, or sad. Or in other words, eating when one is emotionally compromised must be avoided. Food should not be consumed in a hurry or too slowly either. In addition, the quality of food must also be taken into consideration. For example, food should be warm, tasty, easily digestible, of good quality, of the right quantity according to the Agni of a person, and should contain all the six rasas. In Ayurveda, there are six tastes or rasas: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, spicy, and astringent. Ayurveda recommends including each of the tastes in every meal. Too much of any one of the six rasas should also be avoided. Ayurveda further emphasises a fixed meal time for proper digestion and assimilation of food. It is not just about maintaining a fixed time for meals; how the food is prepared is also important. For example, jumping out of bed at 7 am and having a quick bite is not the right way. We need to wake up early, engage in light exercises like yoga and meditation and complete our morning ablutions. It is then that our body enzymes start working for digestion. Ayurveda believes in customised food patterns according to one’s doshas. But generally, we can have a light and warm breakfast like porridge, millet rotis or chapatis, warm oatmeal, rice pudding, egg, steamed fruit and so on by 7 am. Lunch must be the heartiest meal and should be taken between 12:30 and 2 pm. We can have some fruit in between breakfast and lunch if hunger strikes. But this should be taken before 11 am. Post lunch, at 4 pm, one can have fruit juices. Dinner should be consumed at least two hours before bed. That means, it can be taken between 6:30 and 8 pm and not after. A relaxing walk post-dinner is a good practice after which one should go to bed by 10 pm. Upayokta Samstha (The One Who Consumes The Food) This principle covers mindful eating. You should be aware of how the food is being made, focus on the taste as you eat it, feel the consistency, enjoy the meal, understand the benefits you are getting as you consume it, and more. With an understanding of these principles, you will be able to maximise the benefits you get from your food and reduce the risk of developing diseases. Source.

Beijing and Taipei have spoken out after Tesla chief executive Elon Musk said Taiwan should become a special administrative zone of China. The world's richest man said in a Financial Times interview he believed the two governments could reach a "reasonably palatable" arrangement. China's ambassador to the US praised Musk but his Taiwanese counterpart said freedom is "not for sale". Taiwan rules itself but Beijing claims it as part of its territory. Last week, Mr Musk also drew criticism for posting a Twitter poll with his suggestions for ending the war between Russia and Ukraine, including Kyiv giving up territory to Moscow. Mr Musk's comments come as the electric car maker hit a monthly record for sales in China. He weighed in on heightened China-Taiwan tensions in a wide-ranging interview with the UK business newspaper the Financial Times, which was published on Friday. "My recommendation... would be to figure out a special administrative zone for Taiwan that is reasonably palatable, probably won't make everyone happy," he said. "And it's possible, and I think probably, in fact, that they could have an arrangement that's more lenient than Hong Kong." On Saturday, China's ambassador to the US Qin Gang welcomed Mr Musk's suggestion to establish Taiwan as a special administrative zone. He said on Twitter that "peaceful reunification" and the "one country two systems" model used in governing Hong Kong were China's "basic principles for resolving the Taiwan question". "Provided that China's sovereignty, security and development interests are guaranteed, after reunification Taiwan will enjoy a high degree of autonomy as a special administrative region, and a vast space for development," he added. In response, Hsiao Bi-khim, Taiwan's de facto ambassador to Washington said on Twitter: "Taiwan sells many products, but our freedom and democracy are not for sale." "Any lasting proposal for our future must be determined peacefully, free from coercion, and respectful of the democratic wishes of the people of Taiwan," Ms Hsiao added. Shihoko Goto, director for geoeconomics and Indo-Pacific enterprise at the Wilson Center in Washington DC, told the BBC that Mr Musk's suggestions could hurt his business interests. "Let's bear in mind that Elon Musk is supposedly on the brink of purchasing Twitter. Of course, Twitter is banned in China because free speech is not allowed in China," Ms Goto said. "So if he is investing in Twitter, his company will probably not be able to operate in a Taiwan that is going to be under pressure or under the thumb of China. That would be a suicidal act on the part of Elon Musk," she added. China sees self-ruled Taiwan as a breakaway province that will eventually be under Beijing's control. Meanwhile, Tesla delivered 83,135 China-made electric vehicles in September, according to a report released on Sunday by the China Passenger Car Association. That broke the previous record set by the company in June and marked a milestone for Tesla's factory in Shanghai which has been trying to boost production. China and Taiwan: The basics Why do China and Taiwan have poor relations? China sees the self-ruled island as a part of its territory and insists it should be unified with the mainland, by force if necessary How is Taiwan governed? The island has its own constitution, democratically elected leaders, and about 300,000 active troops in its armed forces Who recognises Taiwan? Only a few countries recognise Taiwan. Most recognise the Chinese government in Beijing instead. The US has no official ties with Taiwan but does have a law which requires it to provide the island with the means to defend itself Source.

Testing videogames is a challenging job, and it's only becoming more challenging as games get bigger and more complex. What would make the job even trickier, however, is covering for the work of three other testers⁠ while pretending you have a full team to the developer that contracted the work. That's the kind of thing a number of QA developers say they were directed to do while testing major games at a large third-party testing house. Two current and eight former workers at prolific Romanian quality assurance outsourcer Quantic Lab spoke to PC Gamer about their jobs on the condition of anonymity, alleging that management not only pressures its testers above and beyond the norm for this vital but too often under-resourced subset of game development, but also misleads clients about the size and competency of its QA teams⁠—and directs employees to keep up the charade. You're likely unfamiliar with Quantic Lab, which is based in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, but you will know the games this Embracer Group subsidiary worked on: Cyberpunk 2077, The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine, Divinity: Original Sin 2, Necromunda Hired Gun, Cities Skylines, and more were all tested by Quantic employees. Testers had access to development builds of these games, scrutinizing them for glitches and potential blocks to progress in a similar way to how speedrunners attempt to "break" a game following release. In June, a series of videos from gaming YouTube channel Upper Echelon Gamers(opens in new tab) drew attention to Quantic's alleged mismanagement and duplicitous business practices. UEG focused on the testimony of former members of Quantic's Cyberpunk 2077 QA team, the distress management caused those workers, and the negative impact this had on Cyberpunk's development. Doru Șupeală, a Romanian tech journalist, published several accounts from former Quantic employees alleging malpractice on the part of management to his substack, Hacking Work(opens in new tab). Șupeală offered invaluable assistance in researching this story. Quantic was also investigated by the Romanian outlet, Libertatea(opens in new tab), which has published similar findings. The employees I spoke to describe an environment where Quantic was constantly operating beyond its means⁠, accepting more projects than it had the capacity for, and stretching its staff too thinly between them. They indicated that these issues hit a crescendo when the company took on contracts to test Cyberpunk 2077 and NBA 2K21. Cyberpunk has been a bit of a lightning rod for Quantic, but the company does not seem to be officially credited in 2K21⁠, a practice that one of the currently active employees touched on. "Unfortunately, many Quantic Lab testers were not credited in all games that they tested," they said. "In some cases, publishers' criteria for crediting a person was if they worked more than five months on that game. If someone worked only four months and two weeks on that game, they wouldn't be credited." Night City Blues A number of the employees we spoke to were intimately involved in Quantic's testing of Cyberpunk 2077. They allege that Cyberpunk 2077 and NBA 2K were a gravity well at the company, pulling talent from other divisions and leaving other projects short-staffed even as the Cyberpunk project in particular floundered. All the employees we spoke to indicated that these two marquee projects were fully staffed, but not with the experienced testers promised to the clients. "From a team of 30 people [initially assigned to Cyberpunk 2077], I think only 10 of them had experience on QA," a source who worked on Cyberpunk for Quantic told us. Of those 10, they said that "none of the 'experienced' testers had more than a year." Several of the employees we spoke to mentioned being told by management to avoid talking about how many years they'd worked in the industry when communicating with CD Projekt employees, and they agreed that the Polish developer was not getting the level of experience it paid for with its QA team at Quantic. They said that CDPR contacted Quantic several times about the team's underwhelming performance. The Cyberpunk team at Quantic would be doubled partway through development, but lack of experience, the onset of Covid-19, and directives from Quantic management that clashed with CD Projekt's development priorities all led to Quantic underperforming in comparison to the other QA teams CDPR had working on the project. Workers familiar with the project told us that one such issue was testers filing many low-impact bug reports in order to match daily quotas set by Quantic management. Developers at CDPR would receive numerous reports of low-priority graphical glitches, and testers at Quantic had their attention diverted from ferreting out higher-priority issues like the progress-blocking main quest glitches that made it to the final release. Multiple former workers on the project indicated that Quantic's contract with CDPR was open to extension through Cyberpunk's updates and expansions, but wasn't renewed when it expired in 2021. Quantic was one of several quality assurance teams to work on Cyberpunk 2077, including QLOC S.A. and CDPR's in-house team, but the fact remains that Quantic's mismanagement left a third of Cyberpunk's gameplay QA workforce struggling to fulfill its basic obligations. "I wouldn't blame Cyberpunk on [Quantic], CDPR still released the damn thing," one of the former Quantic employees who worked on the game told us, "but the fact that the game was in the state that it was, [Quantic] contributed." The same employee posited that a better-managed team in the same position could have bought CD Projekt valuable time on the project. Spread thin Alongside Cyberpunk, the company's regular work on other smaller projects continued, but with exacerbated staffing issues. A former senior Quantic employee who was hired in 2019 says it was "standard practice" to misrepresent the "size and experience" of the company's QA teams to clients. These smaller projects would run understaffed, according to multiple sources, while management pressured employees to create the appearance of full teams. "On smaller projects, you were lucky to have at least half the testers," claims one former employee. The degree of understaffing on any given project was not a static situation. Games would undergo rounds of testing, and the teams handling them would be at various capacities at different stages. At one point in development, a project may be at or close to capacity, then return for another round but this time handled by a skeleton crew. "It was common to see entire projects handled by one person, which actually needed a team of one to three testers [in addition to the lead tester]," a former lead told us. "Some lead testers handled two to three projects at a time, with probably fewer than needed testers assigned to each one." Our sources told us that "lead testers" at Quantic often only have around one to three years' experience in the industry due to Quantic's targeting of recent graduates and a high turnover rate at the company. For context, a source with experience at an AAA QA department told us that a lead was promoted "quickly" if they reached that point from entry level in two and a half years, while some of the Quantic employees we spoke to faced that level of professional pressure, at a lower level of pay, in less than a year. According to the employees, these lead testers are often put in the position of keeping up the fiction of a team's size and competency in communication with clients, on top of the regular pressures of testing a game. "I was a lead tester in contact with clients and I had to do that [lie about their team's size]," a former lead told us. "I have done that dozens of [CENSORED] times." They found the experience distasteful, but say they did it due to a lack of other career prospects, especially at the height of the pandemic. Several of our sources attested to misleading clients in the way they logged work. Testers at Quantic typically use a database called Jira to log bugs for clients. Typically, an individual tester will have their own Jira account which they use to report issues, but the workers I spoke to alleged that testers at Quantic would often be encouraged to log into accounts of testers who quit, were out sick, assigned to other projects between rounds of testing, or even never once touched the game in question in order to avoid activity discrepancies that might raise questions about team size. Low pay, low morale Compounding these dishonest practices, employees who spoke to us said they worked in a toxic environment for low pay. A former senior employee said that managers insulted and berated lead testers, with that stress trickling down to the wider teams. Multiple employees told us that management would directly state that testing games was unskilled work, with that stance perhaps helping to explain the high turnover or employees who were treated as expendable. We were told that in recent years, during the time of Cyberpunk 2077's development, junior testers earned close to minimum wage (1,450 Romanian lei, or about €300 a month), with no bonuses. A full lead tester could expect to earn around €680/month, which the former employees we spoke to indicated was still extremely difficult to live on in Cluj. Like many workplaces, the onset of Covid-19 negatively impacted Quantic Lab, and the workers we spoke to were highly critical of Quantic's response. They told us that work-from-home privileges were unevenly granted and largely reserved for upper management, despite remote work being widely adopted in the games industry in response to the pandemic. Testers were arranged close together, shoulder-to-shoulder, with multiple employees attesting to an infamous meeting where an HR employee stated that six feet of social distancing was only required when individuals were face-to-face, and that it was safe to be closer as long as this was not the case. Ultimately, the employees we spoke to felt worn down by the low-pay, high-stress environment, the lack of support, and the petty indignities that come with working a supposedly "low skill" job, especially during the height of the pandemic. "At this point, [Quantic] should pay for my therapy," said one. Most of the former employees we spoke to went on to other jobs in tech and gaming, and conceded that they'd at least gotten something to put on a resume. Another wouldn't even give the company that: "Quantic made me hate games and gaming. I never tried working in game development again, even though it was my passion at first." Quantic Lab did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication. Quantic Lab's specific issues aside, quality assurance is already a particularly underpaid and underappreciated aspect of game development. QA workers are often external contractors, either on a company-scale, like Quantic, or at the individual level, with the pay, benefits, and job security disparities with salaried employees that entails. The success of Game Workers United's QA union at Raven Software presents a potential way forward, but unionization, especially in an industry relatively new to labor action and at a company with high turnover, is inherently challenging. The employees we spoke to were pessimistic about Quantic's prospects of changing for the better as a result of current negative attention. One suggested it would require a top-down overhaul of management originating from its corporate owners at the Embracer Group, which acquired the company in November 2020. Source.

Wear OS 3.5 is the biggest update for Wear OS smartwatches yet. In partnership with Samsung, it offers faster app load times, fitness tracking powered by Fitbit's technology, a redesigned interface, and more. Its debut was announced alongside the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro at Google's event in October 2022, where the Pixel Watch was showcased. It’s an important upgrade that could breathe new life into the operating system – if consumers and smartwatch makers embrace it. Below you’ll find full details of everything Wear OS 3.5 offers, along with information on when, where, and how you can get it. Cut to the chase What is it? The latest version of Google's smartwatch operating system When is it out? Now - first for the Pixel Watch, and then other wearables How much does it cost? It's free Wear OS 3 release date Wear OS 3 was announced at Google's I/O developer conference in May 2021, and first became available in August 2021. At Google's event in October 2022, Wear OS 3.5 was announced alongside the Pixel Watch, showcasing features from Fit Bit that enables far more fitness features than previously offered. Wear OS 3 compatibility Despite being available since 2021, there are currently very few smartwatches that actually run Wear OS 3. In fact, at the time of writing you can only get it on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, and the – very expensive – Montblanc Summit 3. No previously available smartwatches have yet received a software update to Wear OS 3, but some will do; with the Fossil Gen 6, Michael Kors Gen 6, Skagen Falster Gen 6, Razer X Fossil Gen 6, TicWatch Pro 3, TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra, and TicWatch E3 all theoretically getting updated before the end of 2022. Some of the current crop of the best smartwatches may well get updated as well, but no other devices have been confirmed yet. We’re also expecting new smartwatches to launch running Wear OS 3 before too long, including the Google Pixel Watch and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 line. Note that to use a Wear OS 3 watch you also need a compatible operating system on your phone. In theory it works with both iOS and Android, but at the time of writing only the Montblanc Summit 3 includes iOS support – the Galaxy Watch 4 line doesn’t, and neither the Pixel Watch nor the Galaxy Watch 5 line are expected to. Wear OS 3 features There’s plenty to see in Wear OS 3.5, but it’s worth noting that not every feature will be available on every watch. Notably, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 line runs One UI Watch on top of Wear OS, which changes the look and some aspects of the user interface. Below, you’ll find a rundown of stock Wear OS 3.5 features – functionality you can expect to find on the Pixel Watch, and any other Wear OS 3.5 wearable that hasn’t been extensively customized, like Samsung's current Galaxy Watch series, where you can expect to find more variation. Faster and longer lasting Google first partnered with Samsung to build Wear OS 3.5(opens in new tab), and the result is a combination of Wear OS 2 and Samsung’s Tizen-based wearable operating system; with some new features dropped in for good measure. Key improvements that have come from this collaboration include app load times that are up to 30% faster (than Wear OS 2) and improved battery life. That latter improvement makes it more viable to do things like run the heart rate monitor all day or track your sleep without needing a charge first thing in the morning, every morning. An upgraded interface Wear OS 3 also brings about interface changes, with Google focusing on making it quicker and easier to operate your wearable. Nobody wants to spend ages swiping through menus on a watch's relatively small display, so there’s a focus on shortcuts and gesture controls; along with the ability to use Tiles (basically, mini widgets) to customize your watch’s home screen carousel in more ways than before. You’ll also have quick access to smart home controls in Google Home and be able to quickly switch between in-use apps with a new task switcher. A customized overlay Just as Android smartphone manufacturers can add a custom interface on top of stock Android, smartwatch makers can now pull a similar trick with Wear OS, so the platform won’t necessarily look or behave identically on every smartwatch. This should give buyers more choice and more opportunity to find an interface and features that they really love. One UI Watch, found on the Galaxy Watch 4 line, is an early example of this; it offers a number of Samsung apps and services in addition to Google’s, and draws more parallels with the design of Samsung’s smartphone interface. New and improved Google apps Google took this opportunity to redesign and improve Google Assistant and Google Maps, as well as adding support for more countries in Google Pay (soon to be replaced by the return of Google Wallet) and bringing YouTube Music to your wrist. Fitness powered by Fitbit Since Google now owns Fitbit it’s no surprise that some of the latter company’s expertise has made it into Wear OS 3. This includes features like on-wrist goal celebrations and various tools for tracking your health progress throughout the day. Exact fitness tracking capabilities will depend on the hardware your smartwatch offers – most but not all include GPS and heart rate monitors, for example – and then there are less common feature,s like ECGs and blood oxygen monitors. Better third-party apps Google is also pushing for better third-party app support in a few ways. For one, the company is making it easier for developers to build great apps in the first place; with tools like a new Tiles API and a watch face design editor. On top of that, Google is also aiming to reward developers for high-quality apps – and penalize low-effort ones – by adjusting their search ranking in the Play Store. Google has guidelines for what good Wear OS apps should do, such as making sure they’re formatted for both square and circular screens, having clear and easy to read text, and making the app function without a smartphone or tablet. All the core smartwatch stuff you'd expect Above, we’ve detailed ways in which Wear OS 3.5 deviates from and improves on Wear OS 2 but it also retains all the core functionality of that previous platform, such as notifications, timers, alarms, and more. Source.

An unknown individual has purportedly leaked the source code for Intel's Alder Lake BIOS onto 4chan, and a duplicate copy now appears to be posted to GitHub. The files are contained in a 2.8 GB zip file that expands to 5.86 GB after decompression, but we haven't been able to verify if the contents therein are genuine and actually contain sensitive source code. News of the purported leak comes via Twitter postings from @glowingfreak and @vxunderground. We have reached out to Intel for comment. The file appears to contain a plethora of files and tools geared for building a BIOS/UEFI for Intel's Alder Lake platform and chipsets. It is unclear where the leaker obtained the files, but one of the documents does refer to "Lenovo Feature Tag Test Information." A few other clues have also emerged via the git log. Even if the files are proven to include sensitive material, it's unclear if they could be used to develop exploits — especially if it was obtained from a source external to Intel. It's easy to imagine that most motherboard vendors and OEMs would have similar tools and information available to build firmware for Intel platforms, and Intel would likely scrub any overly-sensitive material before releasing it to external vendors. That said, any sensitive material in the hands of nefarious actors is never good, and small bits of information can lead to big vulnerabilities. Especially if it pertains to security features like the TPM (Trusted Platform Module). While we don't know how the files were obtained, recent hacks have targeted outside vendors to steal information from semiconductor manufacturers indirectly, thus enabling ransom attempts. The spate of recent attacks includes an attempt by RansomHouse to extort AMD after it obtained 56GB of data. AMD partner Gigabyte also had 112 GB of sensitive data stolen in the infamous 'Gigabyte Hack,' but AMD refused to pay the ransom for the latter hack. As a result, information about AMD's forthcoming Zen 4 processors was divulged before launch, which later proved genuine. Nvidia also suffered a recent attack that resulted in the theft of 1TB of its data, but the GPU-making giant retaliated with its own operations to render the stolen data useless. We don't know further details about the purported Intel leak, but we're working on learning more from the company. We'll update as necessary. Source.

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The government has decided not to launch a public information campaign on reducing energy use this winter after the prime minister's office raised objections, the BBC has been told. A source said there was a "reasonably well-developed plan" to encourage household energy-saving. But Climate Minister Graham Stuart denied a Times report that a campaign had been blocked by Downing Street. He said UK energy was secure despite a National Grid warning of blackouts. Its message about possible power cuts was based on a worst-case scenario of gas shortages if the energy crisis in Europe escalates. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) was considering plans to encourage households to switch off their appliances and heating to conserve energy whenever possible during winter. However, the BBC was told the department was stopped from taking the plan forward because of objections from the prime minister's office and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). DHSC sources said they did not believe they had played any specific role in any decision, but indicated there might be broad "concern about the elderly being afraid to turn on their heating". The Times newspaper reported that Downing Street's intervention came on Thursday when National Grid issued its warning. The UK is heavily reliant on gas to produce electricity, with gas-fired power stations generating more than 40% of the country's electricity. In the "unlikely" event that gas supplies ran extremely low, homes and businesses in the UK could face three-hour planned blackouts, National Grid said. The government says National Grid has drawn up plans to launch a voluntary service to reward users who reduce demand at peak times. Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Mr Stuart said he was "confident the government has done everything in its power" to make sure energy rationing would not be necessary this winter. But he added: "We make plans for all scenarios." During the Conservative leadership campaign, Prime Minister Liz Truss pledged there would be no energy rationing this winter. On Thursday, when asked if she could guarantee there would be no blackouts, Ms Truss said: "We do have a good supply of energy in the UK." In a statement, BEIS said: "There are no plans for the government to tell the public to reduce usage for the sake of our energy supplies. "The UK has a secure and diverse energy system and we are confident that the steps we are taking will protect security of electricity and gas supplies." When asked to comment, Mr Stuart indicated there had been discussions within BEIS, but confirmed there would not be a government-led effort to get people to reduce usage, saying "it has been decided that there will not be a campaign". Mr Stuart also denied that a well-developed campaign had been prepared and then blocked by the prime minister's team. Source.

In early 2022, a total of 10 red wolves were released from captivity into wildlife refuges in eastern North Carolina, part of a court-mandated acceleration of the Fish and Wildlife Service’s long-standing recovery program aimed at restoring these critically endangered animals. It took place after months of careful planning and collaboration between zoos, wildlife sanctuaries, and biologists managing red wolf recovery. In all, three breeding pairs and a family pack of five red wolves were released into the Alligator River and Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuges, after first spending weeks in secluded acclimation pens in the area. One of the pairs was a wild female placed with a captive-born male in hopes they might bond as mates. The releases nearly doubled the number of known red wolves on the landscape to around 20. Their first tentative steps into the wild were captured on trail cameras for the world to see—and were hailed by conservation groups as a “new start” for the beleaguered Red Wolf Recovery Program, which after decades of steady growth had experienced a decline in recent years. A litter of six red wolf pups, born in the Alligator River Refuge soon after—the first born in the wild in three years—offered another sign of hope. The pups appear to be growing and thriving, and have been spotted frolicking in the refuge’s forests and fields and howling alongside their parents. But trying to recover a species from the brink of extinction is not without hardship, as those involved in the process know too well—indeed, dramatic highs and lows have marked the past decade as “America’s wolf” struggles to regain a foothold in a region where it once roamed free. Of the 10 captive-born wolves released this year, six are dead, and three have been returned to captivity—an unfortunate blow to the program. It’s a reminder that “conservation is incredibly challenging,” says Regina Mossotti, who helps lead the Association of Zoos and Aquariums red wolf conservation program. Rough road to recovery September 13 marked the 35th anniversary of the initial reintroduction of red wolves, in which eight captive-born canids were released into North Carolina as a first-of-its-kind experiment in the “rewilding” of a native predator officially declared extinct. After a bumpy start, as field biologists learned more about the red wolves’ behavior in the wild and developed innovative strategies for managing their recovery, the po[CENSORED]tion grew, peaking in 2012 at over 100 animals in numerous packs and remaining steady for several more years. But the encroachment of coyotes in the region led to increasing gunshot deaths—juvenile red wolves can closely resemble coyotes in size and coloring, and numerous juveniles roamed the landscape during deer hunting season. Ensuing restrictions, resulting backlash from locals, a rising death toll, and forced scaling back of successful management strategies all contributed to the red wolf po[CENSORED]tion plummeting. (Learn more: How to save the red wolf from going extinct—for a second time.) Three of the 10 red wolves released this year were killed by gunshots—the leading cause of death for red wolves. These incidents are currently being investigated by law enforcement. There have been no prosecutions for red wolf poaching in over 20 years, despite hundreds of shootings. (Red wolves are federally protected animals and killing one could be punishable by steep fines.) The reasons for this are complex, and frustrating for some conservationists who believe more robust law enforcement could deter poachers and help the species come back. At least two died of suspected vehicle strikes, and another from unknown causes. Three others were returned to captivity after behaving in a way that led to “doubts about their potential to survive in the wild” including “close proximity to people and development…despite repeated efforts to deter.” The final wolf’s whereabouts are unknown, as its GPS tracking collar is no longer functioning, and is feared dead. Crawling forward “While the release of captive red wolves over the past couple of years has not had the level of success we are striving for, positive steps toward increasing the wild po[CENSORED]tion have occurred through management actions,” says Joe Madison, the Fish and Wildlife Service biologist who manages red wolves in North Carolina, in an emailed statement. “These serve as building blocks as we incorporate lessons learned and work toward actions that will increase the likelihood of success and increase the number of red wolf breeding pairs in the po[CENSORED]tion.” Mossotti agrees. The red wolf program, she says, was the first reintroduction of its kind, of a large carnivore that had become extinct in the wild. “Even though it was challenging at first, the wolves eventually did what they needed to: They stayed away from people, they hunted, they had pups and raised families in family packs, and the po[CENSORED]tion grew,” Mossotti says. (Related: These rare wolves are unique species. Here’s why that matters.) The fact that this happened before, in the face of myriad challenges, suggests it can happen again—something to note as the recovery program in essence starts over, with so few wild wolves remaining on the landscape that it has no choice but to reintroduce captive-born animals to rebuild the po[CENSORED]tion. Advocates call this a chance to “re-set” and rectify past mistakes, while critics claim the small number of red wolves currently found on the landscape—regardless of the complex reasons for their precipitous decline, including the halting of successful pup-fostering and coyote sterilization practices—proves that their recovery is unlikely to happen using current techniques. Motivated perhaps by recent court rulings as well as a renewed spirit of collaboration with state and non-governmental agencies, the Fish and Wildlife Service is working to improve public outreach in the recovery area since pandemic restrictions lifted—recommitting to protecting the species in consultation with the surrounding community. Such initiatives include the “Prey for the Pack” incentive program, which assists people with habitat improvement projects “that benefit the landowner and wildlife”; a red wolf hotline; and public informational meetings. Moveable traffic signs placed in areas where the wolves are known to be active encourage drivers to slow down, and also increase general awareness of the red wolves, which even some locals say they didn’t know existed here. A new Red Wolf Recovery Team, formed in 2021, includes scientists, federal and state agencies, Tribal representatives, local landowners, zoos and nature centers, and NGOs, in hopes that including stakeholders from more diverse backgrounds will lead to better discussions and ideas about how humans and red wolves can coexist. Wes Seegars, longtime Wildlife Resources Commissioner for the State of North Carolina who owns a farm and hunting lands in the red wolf recovery area, is a member of the Recovery Team, and he sees the influx of coyotes to the region as perhaps the wolf’s greatest obstacle. “To have just purebred red wolves on the landscape, I don't care how much money you put in, I think that's a physical impossibility at this point,” he says, given the thousands of coyotes in the region, and the fact that red wolves hybridize with them when they have a dearth of other mates. As the Team approaches a February 2023 deadline for updating the Red Wolf Recovery Plan last revised in 1990, they just released a draft plan for public comment. Two areas are of particular strategic focus: first, finding additional reintroduction sites in the red wolves’ historic range to expand distribution of the species. Second, maintaining long-term genetic diversity via the 240 red wolves living in captivity. Substantial red wolf DNA has also been found in hybrid coyotes in Texas, a potential source of genetic restoration. The ongoing saga of the red wolf—its dramatic comeback from extinction, subsequent spiral back toward the brink, and ongoing fight for survival—illustrates not only the complex relationships humans have with apex predators, but also the difficult work of conservation. In this Anthropocene age of extinctions, one can hope it will someday be told as a success story, rather than an account of another species being wiped off the face of the earth. Source.

Verdict We've long loved Skodas for their family-friendly usability, and we’ve little doubt the Vision 7S will wrap up everything that’s great about cars like the Kodiaq – in a practical, iV-inspired, pure-electric body. Just give us seven proper seats for the production car, please. There are very few secrets at Skoda. New or updated versions of the Octavia, Kodiaq and Superb have all been confirmed, and the company has publicly committed to launching three new electric cars by 2026; a small car, a sub-Enyaq compact SUV, and a production version of this: the Vision 7S. Designed to preview a zero-emission, seven-seat flagship for the brand, the Vision 7S will take Skoda’s family-friendly SUVs into new territory. The concept was first revealed in August but now we’ve been given a chance to drive it, and speak to the people responsible for its inception. As always, an opportunity like this isn’t so much about driving impressions; the car, despite its appearance, isn’t capable of more than about 20mph – and it absolutely can’t get wet. Thankfully, the uncharacteristic October weather is on our side, allowing us a few laps around a deserted car park in Peterborough. The electronic power steering is twitchy and the brakes almost wooden in their feel. The one-off panels and interior trim creak as we hit bumps in the tarmac, too – quite unlike the quiet and refined Enyaq iV that we’re told currently commands a six-month waiting list. Visually, there is definitely a resemblance between the Vision 7S and Skoda’s existing range of SUVs, but in the metal the former feels far fresher. Dare we say it, there’s a whiff of Range Rover to the concept car’s tail, especially when the lights are switched off. The overwhelming feeling, both driving and sitting inside the Vision 7S, is one of space. Beneath the fancy bodywork sits the familiar MEB platform that underpins everything from the aforementioned Enyaq – the maker’s only current production EV – to the Volkswagen ID.4 and Cupra Born. But the 7S is bigger; it measures 5,016mm long, with a 3,075mm wheelbase. It’s likely to be the last Volkswagen Group car to sit on this architecture. Visibility is good – there’s acres of glass on all four sides, with only the high beltline and chunky headrests limiting your view out of this Tesla Model Y-rivalling family SUV. That length does make the rear screen feel a long way back, but a plethora of cameras would surely help when parking or manoeuvring the production car. The 7S’s dashboard is dominated by a huge 14.6-inch portrait touchscreen, though at the flick of a switch it can rotate 90 degrees – perfect for watching films or surfing the web while you wait for the car to charge. Underneath the main screen there is a row of physical climate controls and other shortcut buttons. Thanks to the tall centre console and ergonomic armrest, they fall perfectly to hand. That central display is something of a party piece, but one unlikely to make production – as Skoda’s Senior Designer for User Interface, Daniel Hajek tells us: “It is a hi-tech feature. If you want something reliable, maybe not. But we want to keep the vertical layout, and the ergonomics.” That’s less of a consequence when you consider the Vision 7S – as well as the future production car – will charge at speeds of up to 200kW, even without the fancy 800-volt tech found in a Kia EV6 or Hyundai Ioniq 5. This, matched to the Vision 7S’s projected 370-mile range, spacious cabin and user-focused layout, should make this SUV Skoda’s most practical EV to date. Usability has always been a Skoda strong point, and features like the magnets on the back of the seats for phones and tablets, plus removable rucksacks, show the maker isn’t willing to trade outright style over substance just yet. Skoda is calling its concept a seven-seater, in reality it’s more of a 6+1, with the middle seat in the second row materialising as little more than a rear-facing child seat. In short, it’s nonsense, and something lead designer Franck Le Gall ultimately agrees with: “It is not for production, it is only for the concept. It will be a normal three-row SUV. Also the suicide doors – it is just for the story.” With the production-ready 7S still a couple of years off, it’s impossible to pin down prices or exact specs at this time. But using the Kodiaq and Enyaq iV as a guide, it’s more than likely that the car you see here will ultimately morph into Skoda’s biggest and most expensive model to date. A starting figure of around £50,000 is likely, with top-spec variants commanding much, much more. Q&A with Franck Le Gall, Lead Designer Skoda Vision 7S Q: What does the Vision 7S mean for the Skoda brand? A: “Skoda is a family brand. We put the child seat in the middle of the car and then put the family around it – this is the safest place. The guys that are driving this car during the week to go to work, at the weekend they like to use their car to do activities like cycling. We call this the ‘contemporary explorer’.” Q: How will you tie together Skoda’s three new electric cars? Any defining features? A: “The exterior [of Vision 7S] is an expression of our ‘Modern Solid’ design language. The face, and the T-shape lights; this is something we will put into production. We will keep it as a distinctive signature for Skoda. But we don’t want the same design on every car. We will develop a strategy – the small car will look different to the bigger car.” Q: Sustainability is a big thing for the Vision 7S. Will we see this in production? A: “We are really pushing to put this into production. These sustainable materials, we are really looking at these fabrics and elements.” Source.