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Birdlike dinosaur "was not a picky eater," as evidenced by a rodent's foot found in its fossilized remains. Around 120 million years ago, a crow-size raptor gobbled up a mammal for its last meal. Researchers came across the last supper of the Microraptor, a birdlike carnivorous dinosaur with four wings, while examining its fossilized remains at an undisclosed museum in China, a new study reveals. The well-preserved fossil of the Microraptor zhaoianus included the 0.39-inch-long (1 centimeter) foot of a small mammal, likely a rodent, resting inside the small theropod's rib cage, according to a statement(opens in new tab). The discovery marks the earliest known case of a dinosaur gobbling up a mammal, the researchers wrote in the study, published on Dec. 20 in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology(opens in new tab). , director of the Redpath Museum and a vertebrate paleontologist at McGill University in Montreal, said in the statement. "These finds are the only solid evidence we have about the food consumption of these long extinct animals — and they are exceptionally rare." Related: Ancestors of 'veggie' dinosaurs actually feasted on meat Prior to this finding, there were only 20 known cases of fossilized remains that contained a carnivorous dinosaur's last meal, according to the statement. That included the skeleton of Daurlong wangi, a species of raptor also found in China, whose gut contained "a large, bluish layer in the abdomen." Among the 20 cases, scientists have only four published examples (not including this one) of stomach contents from Microraptor itself. The new discovery is also only the second piece of direct evidence that theropods — a group of bipedal, mostly meat-eating dinosaurs that includes Tyrannosaurus rex — gobbled up mammals, the researchers wrote in the study. This Microraptor, whose name means "tiny plunderer," was found in Liaoning province in northeastern China's Jiufotang Formation. Although the exact dates of Jiufotang are unknown, it contains fossils from the early Cretaceous period (145 million to 100.5 million years ago), a 2000 study that originally described the fossil in the journal Nature(opens in new tab) found. "We already know of Microraptor specimens preserved with parts of fish, a bird and a lizard in their bellies," Larsson said. "This new find adds a small mammal to their diet, suggesting these dinosaurs were opportunistic and not picky eaters." He added, "Knowing they were not specialized to any particular food is a big deal" since this could be the first evidence of a generalist carnivore that was part of the Cretaceous ecosystem. It could have served as a "stabilizer in the ecosystem" much like modern-day foxes and crows, according to the statement. "Knowing that Microraptor was a generalist carnivore puts a new perspective on how ancient ecosystems may have worked," Larsson said, "and a possible insight into the success of these small, feathered dinosaurs." link: https://www.livescience.com/microraptor-rodent-foot-meal-china

Our look back at the peaks and valleys of the past year’s automotive news. There are more valleys than peaks because, well, it was that kind of year. Again. Winner: Scot Burner They say genius is 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration. In the case of Scot Burner’s new Guinness World Record, we’d say it’s 99 percent inspiration. He earned the certificate for fastest mile driven in reverse, averaging 48 mph lapping his C7 Corvette around the National Corvette Museum Motorsports Park racetrack in Kentucky. We did something similar in 2011 with rental cars, which got four of our staffers banned from Avis for life. Turns out loss prevention has no sense of humor. If Burner’s feat inspires you to make a run for a record, find a Lincoln Town Car. As our decade-old story can tell you, it’ll do a terrifying 63 mph in reverse, 9 mph faster than the highest speed Burner saw. Hertz may still have a few in service. Loser: Maserati Naming its MC20 the Cielo might not seem like much of an L for Maserati on the surface. After all, the roof is removable, and cielo is Italian for sky. But back in 1999, Buick introduced its own Cielo, a really lame concept car based on the Regal sedan. The Goldleaf Chromaflair—a metallic orange—concept lacked a roof and had a look that may have been inspired by a plastic grocery bag. We’ll just lay it out here: This sort of design and thinking led to things like the Pontiac Aztek. Maserati’s Cielo is gorgeous, but when we hear Cielo, all we can see is that Buick. link: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/g42254822/2022-in-review-winners-and-losers/

I finally got the racing car set I’d always wanted when I went to university. But it didn’t work out quite as I imagined As a child, I always wanted a Scalextric set for Christmas or my birthday, but I never got one. That’s not to say I wasn’t inundated with toys. Had my mum not later donated my entire Star Wars collection to the church jumble sale (thanks, Mum!), or had my dog not chewed up my original 1977 double-telescoping Darth Vader (thanks, Jasper!), I’d now be a millionaire. But, for some reason, the Formula One slot car racing game eluded me. So, in my final year at university, when my parents asked what they could get the student who seemingly had everything, I asked for a Scalextric set. I could picture the scene perfectly: I’d have it set up in my student bedroom as a way of enticing the ladies back for a quick “circuit” or two. Or, better yet, we would set it up in the living room, figure-of-eighting around the back of the sofa, where we would host epic Scalextric tournaments as we watched TFI Friday on our rented (yes, rented) TV, to decide who would do the washing-up or take out the bins. Or, when we felt really lazy, we could use the cars to deliver cups of tea between fellow housemates. “Pass the TV remote control, you say? No, but I’ll happily Scalextric it to you …” So, Christmas came, and I finally got my dream present although, spoilsportingly, my parents requested that I didn’t set it up immediately, and asked if I couldn’t at least help peel the sprouts or set the table, as it had been nearly midday by the time I’d got out of bed to open my presents, and everyone would be here any minute. So it sat in its box until I could take it back to university to enjoy it with my – less demanding – housemates. Obviously, being students, we didn’t put it up straight away, because that would have involved doing something productive as a collective, which was far too much effort when Dawson’s Creek was on Channel 4. But eventually we cleared the living room, opened the box, and set to what was considered work: laying the track, plugging in the controllers and placing the cars. And it was crap. The complete track wouldn’t nearly fit in the living room. No one wanted the bother of moving the sofa, which would have affected the position of our individual TV-watching spots. It didn’t even include a loop-the-loop, so we put most of the track together in a boring oval in the middle of the room. Even though, between us, we were doing degrees in chemistry, politics, history and economics, none of us could work out how hard you needed to squeeze the handle to avoid the cars flying off the track at almost every corner. Once a car had flown off, you really expected me to leave my comfy sofa to put it back on the track? And (one for the Scalextric aficionados), there are only so many times you can flatten those two little metallic tab things on the underside of the cars so they fit the groove of the track before you entirely lose patience with the universe. After about five minutes of entertainment, the set lay unused in the middle of the living room floor, gradually gathering dust and getting kicked apart, rogue cars and plastic controllers ready to trip up anyone who walked into the living room after a few drinks – everyone, almost every night. No one bothered to move the track or take it apart until our final summer term came to an end and we all left university. After that, the boxed Scalextric lived in my parents’ attic for more than a decade until my dad eventually took it to the tip. And there we have it. Never give up on your childhood dreams, unless your childhood dream is owning a Scalextric, in which case, yes, you should give up. This Christmas, I’m asking for a Super Nintendo instead … link: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/dec/24/we-planned-epic-scalextric-tournaments-as-we-watched-tfi-friday-the-christmas-present-ill-never-forget

Vladimir Putin believes Russia is not to blame for the war in Ukraine, adding both countries are "sharing a tragedy". During a televised address with senior military officials, the Russian president said he continued to see Ukraine as a "brotherly nation". In February, President Putin sent up to 200,000 troops into Ukraine sparking a war which has led to tens of thousands of deaths. He argued the conflict was "the result of the policy of third countries". The theory, which implies Western expansion is the cause, has been repeatedly dismissed outside Russia. During his address President Putin said the West had "brainwashed" post-Soviet republics, starting with Ukraine. He said: "For years, we tried to build good-neighbourly relations with Ukraine, offering loans and cheap energy, but it did not work." President Putin's longstanding concerns appear to stem from Nato's growth since the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. Nato's original goal was to challenge Russian expansion after World War Two, but the Kremlin has long argued Nato's acceptance of former Soviet allies as members threatens its security. Tensions between the Kremlin and the West increased after the overthrow of pro-Kremlin Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych in 2014, following months of street protests. In his address President Putin continued: "There's nothing to accuse us of. We've always seen Ukrainians as a brotherly people and I still think so. "What's happening now is a tragedy, but it's not our fault." Russia has launched more than 1,000 missiles and Iranian-made attack drones in a wave of strikes on Ukraine's power infrastructure which began on 10 October. The attacks have plunged millions into darkness. Military officials vowed to continue the "special military operation" into 2023. When Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February, President Putin promised only professional soldiers would take part. But by September that had all changed as he announced a "partial mobilisation", potentially drafting hundreds of thousands of Russian citizens into the armed forces. Now, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has proposed raising the age range for mandatory Russian military service. Under the current law, Russians aged 18-27 can be called up for mandatory military service - Mr Shoigu is now proposing this covers citizens aged 21-30. Mr Shoigu also announced plans to establish bases in two port cities - Berdyansk and Mariupol - seized during the Russian offensive. But, in recent months Ukrainian forces have made a series of major advances, including retaking Kherson - the only regional capital captured by Russian forces since the invasion. The address came as Ukrainian leader Volodmyr Zelensky arrived in Washington for his first visit outside of Ukraine since Russia invaded 10 months ago. link: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64055018

Severe droughts and wildfires this year have put the threat of ecological threats in the spotlight. Rabat - Morocco is expanding its partnership with the World Bank (WB) to improve the resilience of its cities in the face of climate change and extreme weather events, a recent report from the international financial organization said. The Urban Resilience Handbook for Moroccan Cities, put together by the World Bank, is aimed at decision-makers and technical staff to understand the necessary resources and steps to develop more resilient cities, the report detailed. City officials from across the country also took part in an October workshop to learn how to tailor resilience plans to their cities, the organization claimed. The effects of extreme weather events and climate change are estimated to cost Morocco over $575 million a year, the WB claims, stressing the importance of risk management to protect Morocco’s cities, which contribute a massive chunk to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). The partnership manifested in 2018, when Morocco’s Ministry of Interior requested technical assistance from the World Bank to support resilience strategies, choosing Fez and Mohammedia as the two pilot cities to improve the country's response to emerging climate challenges. Fez is particularly vulnerable to flooding and earthquakes, says the report, while Mohammedia has an increased risk factor for coastal flooding and sea level rise. Over the next few years, Morocco’s government and the World Bank are reportedly planning to expand the pilot projects in Fez and Mohammedia to the rest of the country, and introduce a national fund dedicated to supporting those projects. Morocco witnessed this year severe wildfires engulf the country during the summer, burning down thousands of hectares of land. A severe drought that significantly harmed the country’s agricultural output combined with this to drive home the importance of tackling climate change as a threat in the future. link: https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2022/12/353205/morocco-improves-cities-resilience-in-face-of-environmental-challenges

Nick Movie: Oppenheimer Time: July 21, 2023 Netflix / Amazon / HBO?: ? Duration of the movie: 2h 30m Trailer:

Live Performance Title: ACA LUKAS - KONCERT ZA KOMSIJE LIVE@TERASA (TOXIC TV) Signer Name: ACA LUKAS Live Performance Location: = Official YouTube Link: Your Opinion About the Track (Music Video): 10/10

Music Title: CLUB MUSIC 2022 🔥 Mashups & Remixes Of Po[CENSORED]r Songs 🔥 DJ Party Remix Music Dance Mix 2022 Signer: - Release Date: 24/12/2022 Official Youtube Link: Informations About The Signer: - Your Opinion About The Track (Music Video): 10/7

I think he should be given a chance

Several users have shared screenshots of their Google Calendar app filled with spam all-day long events. Google Calendar users have reportedly experienced a bug that is causing the application to create random events based on emails received in the user's Gmail inbox. Several users seem to have reported the issue on the Google Calendar app for Android and iOS mobile devices. The bug has been reported by various users on Twitter as well, who took to the social media platform to share screenshots of their Calendar apps filled with random events. According to a report by 9to5Google, Google Calendar has been displaying random created events that have been triggered by messages in their Gmail inbox that do not necessarily track back to any actual event. The events created incorrectly mostly seem to be all-day events which have been caused by a bug in the Gmail mobile application on some Android and iOS devices. However, it isn't clear what particular bug has caused this to happen, added the report. Several users were seen taking to Twitter to post screenshots of their Google Calendar apps filled with all-day events that do not lead to any real event concerning the user. Google May Make Android's Root Store Updatable Via Play Services: Report Google Calendar users who wish to avoid clutter in their Google Calendar may evade the bug by heading to Settings > Events > Turn Off 'Automatically add events from Gmail to my calendar'. However, doing so will stop Google Calendar's ability to track actual events from your Gmail inbox and provide users with notifications for the same as a reminder. It is important to note that Google hasn't officially acknowledged, addressed, or offered a remedy to the bug that has been reported. Last year, the Alphabet-owned search giant had introduced a 'Focus time' entries feature that allowed users to set a timeslot in which all meeting requests will be automatically declined. Google Challenges CCI Order on Android Mobile Device Market Google Said to Challenge CCI's Order on Unfair Business Practices in Android Are the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro the best in their segment? We discuss this on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts. Affiliate links may be automatically generated - see our ethics statement for details. COMMENTS For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on Twitter, Facebook, and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. link: https://www.gadgets360.com/apps/news/google-calendar-bug-reported-to-create-incorrect-events-3635621

Microsoft Office is one of the most po[CENSORED]r productivity suites of all time, able to beat the competition and become the package of choice for many years, Office 2021 has been released, there are many places to buy MS Office, and there are even some free software packages. Install it, but it is very likely that your computer will be infected with viruses and your personal information and data will be stolen. Many users may wonder where to buy genuine and cheap Microsoft Office. In Godeal24's Christmas Sale you can get a huge deal, you can always own the latest version of Office 2021 Pro for as low as $24.25, and you no longer need to worry about any problems with the software, it can improve your productivity . If you need to buy more than one, Office 2021 Pro costs only $13.05/PC! After completing the purchase, you need to download Office on Microsoft's official website, and then use the purchased license activation code to use the genuine Office suite! Genuine MS Office 2021 from $13.05 Microsoft Office 2021 Pro Plus Key - 1 PC - $24.25 2 Office 2021 Pro Plus Keys Pack - $39.25 only($19.62/Key) 3 Office 2021 Pro Plus Keys Pack - $56.25 only($18.75/Key) MS Office 2021 Pro Plus / 5 PCs - $65.25 only($13.05/PC) MS Office 2019 Professional Plus (1 PC ) - $22.25 Microsoft Office 2016 Pro Plus / 1 PC - $19.25 Limited Time Sale: Genuine Windows 10 Pro from $6.12! Windows 10 Professional Key (32/64 Bit) - $7.25 MS Windows 10 Professional (32/64 Bit) (2 PC) - $12.25 only($6.12/PC) Microsoft Windows 10 Professional - 3 Keys - $21.57 only($7.19/Key) Windows 10 Professional- 5 Keys - $33.99 only($6.79/Key) MS Windows 10 Home CD-KEY (32/64 Bit) - $7.15 MS Windows 11 Pro CD-KEY – $25 Microsoft Windows 11 Professional - 2 Keys - $20.25 only($10.12/Key) Windows 11 Home (1 PC) - $9.98 MS Office for MAC MS Office 2021 Home and Business for Mac - $59.96 MS Office 2019 Home and Business for Mac - $54.96 MS Office 2016 Home and Business for Mac - $52.96 62% off on Bundles and more MS Office (coupon code "SGO62") Windows 11 Pro + Office 2021 Pro Plus - Bundle - $32.99 Windows 11 Pro + Office 2019 Pro Plus - Bundle - $30.99 Windows 10 Pro + Office 2021 Pro Plus - Bundle - $29.70 Windows 10 Pro + Office 2019 Pro Plus - Bundle - $27.66 >>> Get More Up to 50% off on More Windows! (coupon code " SGO50") Windows 10 Enterprise 2021 LTSC - 1 PC -$12.81 Windows Server 2022 Standard - $26.13 Windows Server 2022 Datacenter - $30.75 >>> Get More More Computer Tools: Best Price, Best Products! Ashampoo PDF Pro 3 at $25.61 Advanced SystemCare 16 Pro - 1 PC (Permanent Subscription) at $20.49 IObit Driver Booster 10 Pro at $16.39 Ashampoo Photo Commander 17 at $10.21 Internet Download Manager - 1 PC / Lifetime at $19.99 Get More Tools>>> Tools for MAC MacBooster 8 Lifetime Subscription at $10.24 Adguard for Windows/Mac/Android/iOS - 1 Device at $10.24 CleanMyMac X at $45.70 Get More Tools>>> How to pay using PayPal or Credit Card? You can pay using PayPal by the following method: Go to the checkout screen and continue as a guest (or make an account). You will only get the Cwalletco option by default in the "Payment Information" tab - click continue. Go to "Order Review" in the checkout screen and click "Place Order" Click on "Choose Payment Method" and then click on "Process Order" You will be shown a screen with various payment options, you can now use Paypal or CreditCard (also through Paypal) Keys may take up to 24 business hours to be delivered. The reliability of Godeal24 is fully reflected in the good online reputation it enjoys and in the many positive reviews on TrustPilot, where the company is rated "excellent and great" in 98% of reviews. This is due to the quality of the shopping experience and the many advantages offered by the store: in addition to the ability to choose from many original products at discounts of up to 90%, the digital delivery will allow you to receive your software directly on your email address within seconds of purchase. It is a very convenient delivery method for the purchaser. Godeal24 promises that they offer 24/7 professional technical support and lifetime after-sales service and that you can use the product without problems! link: https://wccftech.com/where-and-how-to-buy-genuine-windows-os-and-lifetime-office-2021-godeal24s-christmas-offers-you-big-discounts/

Benchmarks of the Intel Core i5-13500 CPU continue to leak as the chip is already available for purchase at various retail outlets around the globe. Intel Core i5-13500 CPU Might Become The Best Budget CPU At Launch As Early Benchmarks Reveal There has been no shortage of Intel Core i5-13500 CPU benchmarks over the last couple of weeks. We have seen benchmarks here and here but the latest one comes from renowned overclocker & also tech enthusiast, Alva Jonathan aka Lucky_n00b. The CPU is already available for sale within the Indonesian PC market place so it wasn't that hard for Alva to acquire the chip. He did put the CPU through various tests and the results are very interesting. Intel's Core i5-13500 CPU will be part of the 13th Gen Non-K CPU lineup but will utilize the Alder Lake C0 die since its cache structure is similar to that rather than Raptor Lake chips. The Core i5-13500 comes with 6 Performance Cores & 8 Efficiency cores for a total of 14 cores and 20 threads. That's the same amount of threads as the Intel Core i7-12700K but that has a higher number of Performance Cores. There's also 24 MB of L3 cache and 11.5 MB of L2 cache on board the chip. The Intel Core i5-13500 CPU was tested on an MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4 motherboard and it comes with a maximum 1-core clock speed of 4.8 GHz (P-Core) and a sustained all-core clock speed that ranges between 2.8-2.9 GHz for the P-Cores and 2.9 GHz for the E-Core under the 65W PL1 mode. With the maximum PL1 mode, this frequency jumps to 4.5 GHz across all P-Cores and 3.5 GHz on the E-Cores. Intel Core i5-13500 CPU Clock Frequencies & Power Limits (Image Credits: Alva Jonathan): At stock, the Intel Core i5-13500 CPU has a 65W PL1 and a max PL2 rating of 154W. During tests, the CPU can hit up to 130W All-core package power bursts while 65W is sustained in the majority of multi-core tests. Users can also select the Unlimited Power mode on certain motherboards which will allow the CPU to utilize up to 150W+ power in all-core workloads but doing so will result in a lot of heat so you'll need a better cooler. Alva was using the stock air cooler so a high-end heatsink or liquid cooling is recommended if you want to push the chip this hard. When it comes to benchmarks, the Intel Core i5-13500 scored 1834 points (PL1 - 65W) and 1885 points (PL1 - Unlimited) in the Cinebench R23 single-threaded test. In multi-threaded, the Core i5-13500 scored 17104 points (PL1 - 65W) and 21103 points (PL1 - Unlimited). While the single-core score doesn't get a huge performance boost, the multi-threaded score gets a 23% boost with the unlimited power profile. Even at the stock 65W profile, the CPU is on par with the Core i5-12600K but with the Unlimited Power profile, the CPU ends up close to the Core i7-12700K which is very impressive for a chip that will cost just slightly above $200 US. Intel Core i5-13500 CPU Cinebench R23 Benchmarks (Image Credits: Alva Jonathan): Alva also provides a few notes on his experience with the Intel Core i5-13500 CPU: Quick Pretest Core i5-13500 notes: - Run on MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4 (1.90 BIOS), and GSkill TridentZ RGB DDR4-3600 2x16GB - Judging from the L2 Cache, seems like an Alder Lake C0 die with 2 less P-Core? - Default detected power config is 65W PL1/154W PL2 - Increasing PL1 from default 65W to Max/Unlimited mode will give massive clock boost - Max Clock 1-Core 4.8Ghz (P-Core) - Sustained All-core Clock on default 65W Mode 2.9-3Ghz P-Core, 2.9Ghz E-Core - Sustained All-core Clock on Max/unlimited PL1 4.5Ghz P-Core, 3.5Ghz E-Core - Default 65W Mode might be feasible for Stock Heatsink (Temp might be higher just for the initial Burst to 130W ish) - Unlimited/Max PL1 Power IS NOT RECOMMENDED for Stock Heatsink (will easily hit TjMax) - 65W Multi-Core Performance almost match an i5-12600K on Cinebench R23 - Max/Unlimited Power Multi-Core Performance slightly below i7-12700K! - Single-Core close to i5-12600K. Quick Summary: - Pretty Decent overall performance - Might be run on cheap/value H610 board, but PLEASE make sure power is 65W, not maxxed out - Recommended to pair with midrange B660 and Decent 120mm Tower HSF (like Thermalright TA120 EX or ID-Cooling SE-224XT), max out all power limit on the board to get optimal multi-core performance Now I'm not sure if i5-13600K is my best CPU of the year, this i5-13500 CPU might have better multi-core performance-per-dollar 😀 *PS : CPU is bought at retail shop, not an engineering sample, all run with publically available BIOS 😉 Also, I need sleep We have previously reported in our exclusive that the Intel B760 motherboards and Non-K 13th Gen CPUs will be launching at CES 2023 on the 3rd of January so stay tuned for more information. The Intel 13th Gen Non-K CPUs will be compatible with B760 & cheaper B660 motherboards which are plentiful in the new and user market plus being available in DDR5 & DDR4 flavors gives Intel a massive advantage over AMD's Ryzen 7000 Non-X CPUs which are going to launch in January too. link: https://wccftech.com/intel-core-i5-13500-cpu-benchmarked-faster-than-the-i5-12600k-at-a-lower-price/

Nickname: @BirSaNN Video author: Malajski Tapir Name of the game: Fifa 23 Link video: Rate this video 1-10: 10/10

Tomb good to be true Two Tomb Raider games that were scheduled for a 2022 release on the Nintendo Switch have slipped into 2023. Although we already know a new Tomb Raider title is in the works, series spinoffs Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris and Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, which had been announced to launch on the Nintendo Switch in 2022, now won’t be out until later. As part of an Ask-Me-Anything thread on the Feral Interactive Twitter(opens in new tab) page, the game devs have admitted that the games’ launches have both slipped to 2023. This last-minute delay means you’ll have to cancel plans to play either title over the holidays (on Switch at least; both games are available on other platforms). Final push Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light was first released in 2010 for Xbox, PS3, and PC platforms, as well as iOS devices like the iPod, iPad, and Apple computers. Unlike other Tomb Raider games, you control Lara in an isometric view, treating her more like link in the old 2D Zelda games, than the dungeon invader we first met on the original PlayStation. Another change up in Guardian of Light was that it turned Lara’s adventures into a co-op game, with the option to control either Lara or a 2,000 year old Mayan warrior named Totec. You could also play it as a single-player campaign without him, meaning no pesky AI-controlled Totec getting in the way. Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris is the 2014 sequel, released on the Xbox One, PS4, Stadia, and PC platforms respectively. It possessed similar stylings to its predecessor, again featuring multiplayer elements – this time, for up to four players, each with different weapons and abilities to allow you to choose the character that best fits your desired gameplay. Back in 2021, both games were announced for a Switch release, with the original release intended for 2022. With just a few days left in the year, Feral Interactive announced the delay on Twitter, saying that it “look forward to sharing more in the new year,” but a concrete release date has not yet been given. link: https://www.techradar.com/news/two-tomb-raider-games-just-got-last-minute-delays-into-2023

Eevee and all of its Eeveelutions are feeling the holiday spirit. The Pokemon Go Winter Holiday event is in full swing, with Part 1 giving players the chance to catch special holiday-themed Pokemon and face off against new Ice-type Mega Pokemon. Part 2 is coming in just a few days, and the pool of holiday-themed Pokemon is about to feel an Eeveelution. The Winter Holiday Event Part 2 officially kicks off December 23 at 10 AM local time, and it will run until December 31 at 8 PM local time. Eevee and all of its evolved forms--Jolteon, Vaporeon, Flareon, Espeon, Umbreon, Leafeon, Glaceon, and Sylveon--will see new holiday forms added to the game, though the only way to see an evolved form in a festive hat is to evolve an Eevee wearing said hat. All of the Pokemon available during Part 1 will remain in the game for Part 2, including Mega Glalie in Mega Raids and the special Winter Carnival Pikachu variant in one-star raids. A special Event Research ticket will also be available for $5, which will give players access to special quests that will focus on event-themed Pokemon encounters, as well as extra rewards for completing them. The Winter Holiday Event Part 2 will encompass the special Winter Wonderland event, which is scheduled to take place from December 24 at 10 AM local time to December 25 at 8 PM local time. A special raid featuring Hisuian Avalugg from Pokemon Legends: Arceus will also be available on December 24 from 2 PM local time to 5 PM local time. Pokemon Go is available to download now for free on both iOS and Android devices. link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/pokemon-go-winter-holiday-event-part-2-adds-more-pokemon-in-festive-holiday-hats/1100-6510203/

I was late to the party on Hell is Others(opens in new tab), in part because I had no idea what to make of it. When I finally got around to giving it a go, not long after it launched in October, I still wasn't sure what to think: It's a top-down extraction shooter about a hard-bitten tough guy living in a ramshackle 1950s city, but the city is infested by vaguely insectoid monsters from another dimension, and there's a yawning chasm in your bathroom wall dispensing advice and prophetic caution. Not your usual noir yarn, to say the least. It's definitely weird, and a tough nut to crack, too. There's very little in the way of gentle onboarding: You're mostly just thrown into the world and left to figure it out. That plays well to the game's deliberately obtuse fiction, but unfortunately much of that "figuring out" time is spent in the company of other players—many of whom, as the saying goes, do not wish you well. Developer Strelka Games dropped an update in November that, among other things, made changes to matchmaking to queue newbies and veterans separately, and that helped smooth things out—it's a lot easier to finish up the entry-level quests when you're not being mercilessly hunted by people already well-versed in the art of murder, after all. You play Hell is Others as Adam Smithson, a "fixer" who lives in the eternal nighttime of Century City. The people of the city—the banker, the baker, the pharmacist, the gunsmith, and so on—need your help to complete particular tasks (mostly fetch quests) in exchange for useful rewards and the opportunity to trade with them in the future, for things like medical supplies and better weapons. Mechanically, it's pretty straightforward stuff: You descend to the city streets from your tiny apartment, search mostly-abandoned shops and buildings for equipment and loot, complete the jobs given to you, and call an elevator for a ride back up—easy peasy. But the streets are crawling with otherdimensional creatures of all shapes and sizes, none of them friendly; worse, and far more dangerous, are the other Fixers in the streets with you. Those are the other players, and as the title suggests, they can make your in-game life miserable. Some want to be left alone to go about their business, but others are brutal killers, and when you meet up in the streets you've got just a split-second to decode each other's intentions: Usually, that means at least a few bullets are going to fly. Matches in Hell is Others are brief. After descending to the city streets, you have 10 minutes to conduct your business and get back to an elevator that can return you home. If you miss your deadline, you're stuck—which means you're dead. But only a few elevators are running, scattered at random locations throughout the city, and they have to be called when they're switched on. Doing so makes a hell of a racket, alerting everyone nearby that someone is looking to get out, and as is the way with extraction shooters, that's when things can get really hairy. Summoning an elevator doesn't make it yours: Whoever gets inside and pushes the button when the door opens gets the ride up, and one of the most rewarding stunts you can pull—not in any gameplay terms, but just for the absolute rush—is to bull into the room at the last second, swipe someone's ride up, and leave 'em hanging. (Another rewarding stunt: Calling an elevator and, instead of taking it up, leaving a landmine inside of it. Unless you happen to be the one who steps on the mine, of course, in which case it's less rewarding and more enraging, and yes that is also coming from experience.) The top-down perspective of excursions into the streets gives Hell is Others a bit more of a tactical feeling than an FPS would. But it's still incredibly tense. You can hear (technically smell, but that's hard to convey in a videogame) other players when they're close, but are they simply passing by, or are you being stalked? Some powerups will temporarily mask your presence, enabling you to get closer to your prey without being detected (or more effectively hide, if that's how you roll), but others will enhance your senses, and so maybe you're not being quite as sneaky as you think. Choice of weaponry is also vital: Right now I have an assault rifle that'll light up anyone who comes near me, but the damn thing also takes 10 seconds to reload—which, speaking from unpleasant experience, is more than enough time for an enemy with a sword to carve me up into little tiny pieces. There are occasionally times when you need to hunt your fellow fixers, or at least will be rewarded for doing so, but one of my favorite things about Hell is Others is that for the most part, PvP combat is not essential: Bloodshed is always possible but very rarely necessary, and in fact I've only got one Fixer kill under my belt so far. And that works just fine for me, because it's not the action I enjoy nearly as much as the exploration and strangeness of Century City. And it is deliciously strange. Hell is Others begins with a bonsai tree left at your door, and a note asking that you take care of it for 10 days in exchange for an unnamed reward. It has to be watered every day, but not with water—with blood. The bonsai that drinks blood turns out to be one of the least-strange things in Hell is Others. That toothy abyss in your bathroom wall warns of a dark path ahead. The building superintendent, a rabbit, engages you in endless word games. You need to speak to management, but the elevator operator refuses to grant passage until your credit rating is high enough. Bullets are grown like plants. There are monsters living next door, and you might be one of them. Altogether, it comes off as vaguely Lovecraftian, but it's really more Cronenberg than Cthulhu, in about a 50-50 mix with Raymond Chandler. I still have no idea what's going on, and it's quite possible that all of this dark, gloomy narrative might just be superficial window dressing—a Halloween Potemkin village that will fall apart the moment I look too closely behind the facade. But the more I play, the more I feel like I'm progressing toward something, and it's a lot of fun chasing that mystery. The one big knock against Hell is Others right now is that very few people are playing it. A recent peak concurrent player count was just 21; its all-time high was 937. That's tough to turn around, especially for a multiplayer-focused game that relies on a healthy player base. It's still easy to get in and play, but encounters with other players feel much more rare than they were even a month ago. It's definitely less stressful, but the stress is kind of the point, isn't it? Hell is others, after all, and—just like in the real world—in spite of what a pain in the ass they are, it's a better place with them than without. link: https://www.pcgamer.com/i-cant-stop-arguing-with-my-bathroom-wall-in-hell-is-others-a-bizarre-top-down-extraction-shooter/

• Name: @BirSaNN • Time & Date: 01:37 / 24/12/2022 • Screenshot:https://imgur.com/a/8RilWRS

Military personnel covering public sector strikes over the Christmas period are to be paid daily bonuses of £20. The Ministry of Defence said the payments were for those asked to step in from 19 December to 2 January. Around 625 personnel are filling in for Border Force staff striking at UK airports this week. On Wednesday, around 750 were drafted in to help during walkouts from ambulance staff in England and Wales. Members of the armed forces do not have the right to strike, and can be called upon to guarantee emergency services during industrial action. But Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin recently cautioned against seeing the military as an "ultimate backstop" during walkouts. Military to cover ambulance and border strikes Airport strikes could go on for months, warns union Plan to cut reliance on armed forces in emergencies The MoD said the £20 payments would come out of the department's budget, and be made for each day of cover or training beforehand. The payments are after tax and would be paid to military staff as part of their monthly salary, the department added. Military staff covered ambulance strikes earlier this week during action by the Unison, Unite and the GMB unions striking over pay. Ministers said they would help get people to A&E more quickly, but would not be allowed to drive ambulances under blue lights, go through red lights or break the speed limit. Military staff have also been asked to cover striking Border Force officials from the PCS union at six airports and the Port of Newhaven in Sussex. Military payments review Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said he was "incredibly grateful" that the armed forces were going "above and beyond" at short notice to keep services going. He blamed unions for the industrial action, accusing them of holding "our public services to ransom". Shadow defence secretary John Healey said the government's "small gesture is better than nothing" but forces were "once again having to bail out Conservative ministers who are grinding our country to a halt". The MoD also said the current rules under which it charges for the use of military staff would be reviewed early next year. The procedure, under which the MoD bills other government departments for using the armed forces, has been used increasingly in recent years because of their role in the response to the Covid pandemic. The government has set out a long-term ambition to reduce its reliance on the regular armed forces during emergency situations. In a strategy document published earlier this week, it said using military staff should be a "last resort" and in future it wanted to make greater use of reservists. Last week, the top civil servant at the MoD told MPs it was charging other parts of government £4,000 per week per staff member to ensure they were being used as a "last resort" during industrial action. link: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-64079476

Glassfrogs can render themselves nearly invisible while they sleep with a unique trick; they pack nearly 90% of their red blood into one of their organs. When a glassfrog falls asleep, it vanishes. Nestled atop a lush leaf, the frog's bright green back blends right in, while its underbelly's reddish hue quickly grows transparent. Now, a new study in the journal Science(opens in new tab) reveals that the northern glassfrog (Hyalinobatrachium fleischmanni) pulls off this feat by removing almost 90% of its red blood cells from circulation and packing them into its liver. The findings reveal how one of the only transparent land animals hides its blood. "If you really want to be transparent, you need to hide your red blood cells," study co-author Sönke Johnsen(opens in new tab), a professor of biology at Duke University in North Carolina, told Live Science. "These glassfrogs are — by some process; we don't know the details — filtering red blood cells out of their blood and cramming them into their livers so tightly that it should create a clot. But it doesn't." Understanding why these clots never form could have implications for human diseases, the researchers said. Northern glassfrogs seldom grow larger than 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) in length, and spend most of their adulthood perched on leaves in Central and South American forest canopies, high above the rapidly flowing streams where they lay their eggs. Their underbellies are translucent even when the frogs are awake, allowing an observer to easily see their hearts pumping red blood throughout their bodies. But scientists have long been fascinated by the way the frogs' bellies turn transparent when they fall asleep, rendering them all but invisible to predators. To better understand this phenomenon, Johnsen and colleagues tracked the red blood cells circulating throughout glassfrogs' bodies. One of these methods, known as photoacoustic microscopy, is not unlike ringing a bell with a laser beam — scientists shine a bright light onto the frog's body and capture the sound waves produced whenever the light strikes hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen and gives blood its distinctive color. "Even with a transparent animal, seeing exactly what is going on inside can be difficult," Johnsen said. "We used sound, because it travels through tissue much better than light." Once they had developed this technique, studying how glassfrogs turn transparent was a simple matter of repeatedly agitating the hapless amphibians. "We'd let the frog rest, then poke it a few times, and let it fall asleep again." Johnsen said. Following the hemoglobin revealed that glassfrogs pull 89% of their red blood cells from circulation and stash them in their livers. Since their skin reflects very little light and their blood, sans hemoglobin, does not absorb it, they become almost entirely transparent. Johnsen and colleagues hope that further study of this phenomenon will shed light on human clotting disorders and inform research into anticoagulants. "The human body is always at this sharp edge between clotting too little and too much, whether we're talking about the big clots in strokes, which cause terrible damage, or little micro-clots at the periphery, which cause so much misery," Johnsen said. "The clotting process for frogs is not so different from that of humans, so whatever we learn from the frogs could end up being relevant to human clotting." But so much about this process, including how they survive with so little hemoglobin circulating while they sleep, remains unclear. So before glassfrogs can inform clinical research, Johnsen and colleagues will need to figure out just how the amphibians are mani[CENSORED]ting their blood. "What these frogs are doing is the equivalent of a human taking all their blood and stuffing it into a lunch bag inside their body," Johnsen said. "How are glassfrogs doing that? The cool thing is that we just don't know." link: https://www.livescience.com/glassfrogs-hide-blood-in-liver