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BENGALURU: To hasten the announcement of results, the education department will start evaluation in a select few centres on May 21. Sources in the department said the plan is to complete evaluation of other papers before the Board conducts the English examination on June 18, although there is no official deadline. Supervisors appointed by the Department of Pre-University Education (DPUE), along with evaluation centre-in-charge officials, reported to duty at centres in Hubballi, Davanagere, Belagavi, Mangaluru, Mysuru and Bengaluru, last Saturday.Sources said the amount of time finally taken for evaluation depends on the number of answer scripts, and availability of evaluators to share the burden. As a rule, teachers are allowed to evaluate not more than 24 papers a day.The department is also decentralising the examination centres. “Previously, teachers were expected to go to a particular district to correct their subject papers. For instance, if Mysuru was the centre for evaluating the Economics paper, lecturers from Chamarajanagar, Mandya and Hassan were expected to travel and stay in Mysuru during the course of evaluation. However, this time, teachers are allowed to evaluate in their home districts.”An official will cross-check the marks and upload them on the system from the evaluation centre, the source added.The department has prepared a set of health guidelines for the safety of those involved in evaluation. Officials and staff are expected to get their own masks and sanitiser in transparent bottles, and sanitise their hands regularly. Exemptions are given as per the Covid-19 advisory by the government, and officials and personnel have to inform their higher ups if they live in containment areas. Those under home quarantine or having family members in quarantine, will also be exempted.Transfer PU lecturers now, not mid-year: Forum to govtThe Karnataka State Pre University Lecturers’ Association has written to S Suresh Kumar asking the government to transfer PU college lecturers before the end of May. In the letter, the members laid emphasis on the kin of lecturers, as in most cases, the transferred lecturers’ children find it difficult to join new educational institutions in the middle of the year.‘SSLC test of your efficiency too’Minister for primary and secondary education S Suresh Kumar has written to deputy directors of public instruction (DDPI), urging them to ensure that the exams are conducted with health measures in place. “Make students feel like they are writing the examination in a safe environment. SSLC is a test of your efficiency too,” he said. During his interaction, N S Shraddha Wodeyarapura, a student, said she could not watch DD Chandana as did not have a TV. The minister said he called up the Block Education Officer and asked him to make the necessary arrangements.

Today you are at your best as you might feel happy and at mental peace. You are likely to have a happening day with your friends and family. Bonding with the spouse is likely to increase, which may maintain harmony. Innovations may help your business to grow.VirgoToday you are going to begin your day with positive thoughts. You will be in the winning positions from your opponents and hidden enemies. Your work may be praised by your seniors and might get some new responsibilities in terms of promotions.LibraToday you are going to have a busy day in your personal life. To gain some profit you might explore your extra sources of income. Today you are going to find yourself interested in artefacts, movies, glamour which may improve your creativity. Students may now go ahead towards their aim in terms of career.ScorpioToday you are going to find yourself confused as you may have many options. You might plan to visit your elders for consulting them, before making any important decision. Today you should be careful about your parents' health.SagittariusToday your business plans might get successful and that too with the support of your subordinates. You may have short travels in terms of business and this will give you benefits in near future. You might get involved in social and family get-togethers, which might increase your social network.CapricornToday you may make good plans to get good gain from your investments. You may likely save money by avoiding spending on unnecessary stuff and this will boost your savings.AquariusToday you re going to find stuck at home solving issues related to your siblings or relatives. In the professional front, you may expect some support at work, which may run your work smoothly. Your network will help you in completing your task successfully. With the help of siblings and network, you may plan to start some new venture.PiscesToday you are going to feel low and this might affect your health.You might have a bad day at the professional front. From the late evening, disappointments may convert into happiness. You are advised to avoid rash driving or adventure tours.Posted By: Niharika Sanjeeiv

one could accuse Audi of scrimping on choice when it comes to the A3. Hatchback, saloon or cabriolet; petrol or diesel; plug-in hybrid with 201bhp or 242bhp; five trim levels; hot RS or warmed-over S… Save for a dog-friendly Avant in fuschia, there is literally something for everyone.The most recent to launch is this 40 TFSIe Sportback and the clue as to how this is partly powered lies in the ‘e’: electricity. Yes, this is a plug-in hybrid and has a 1.4-litre petrol engine producing 148bhp and an electric motor adding an additional 107bhp and 243lb ft. All in, it’s good for 201bhp and 258lb ft, the latter from a usefully low 1550rpm.The 0-62mph sprint takes 7.6sec, so not quite up there with the Mercedes-Benz A250e, but then the Merc does have more muscle, at 258bhp. A truer Audi rival to the Stuttgart car will arrive next year in the form of the 45 TFSIe.The Audi’s electric motor remains where it was on the last plug-in A3, integrated into the six-speed dual-clutch gearbox housing. Powering the front axle, either solely or in conjunction with the petrol engine, the electric motor on its own is good for an 87mph top speed and a range of up to 40 miles (our S line trim should manage 37 miles).The 13kWh battery is located under the back seat, but don’t go thinking that means the boot floor is at a normal height. The fuel tank has been shoved back there, so the boot remains an adequate but not cavernous 280 litres. For reference, the regular diesel A3 has 380 litres, thanks to a fuel-tank-free boot - quite the difference.Elsewhere inside, it’s the clichéd Audi design and build quality. There’s a touchscreen… obviously… but there is a physical button down by the stubby gearlever that lets you control volume, skip forward/back and mute. If I’m honest, I never used it. The steering wheel controls are far easier. Maybe the dashboard one is just for passengers.The heater is also controlled with buttons and the way they’ve crafted the screen, climate control buttons, vents and dials together is lovely. It’s a harmonious place to spend time and you can tell designers have obsessed over the little details. Even the door handles look crafted. The car starts automatically in electric mode. Although the claimed range is 37 miles, ours read only a theoretical 25 with a full battery. Maybe blame the time of year and the cold weather. However, in reality, we managed to eke out a couple of extra miles of electric only, so it wasn’t all bad news.AdvertisementFind an Autocar reviewLatest DrivesAudi A3 TFSIe 2020 UK first drive review - hero frontAudi A3 Sportback 40 TFSIe 2020 UK reviewMercedes S-Class S500 2020 (LHD) UK first drive review - hero frontMercedes-Benz S-Class S500 4Matic L 2020 UK reviewNissan GT-R Nismo 2020 UK first drive review - hero frontNissan GT-R Nismo 2020 UK reviewBMW 5 Series M550i 2020 UK first drive - hero frontBMW 5 Series M550i 2020 UK reviewDacia Sandero TCE 90 2021 UK first drive review - hero frontDacia Sandero 1.0 TCE 90 2020 UK reviewView all latest drivesBack to topThe electric motor is as you’d expect - smooth, full of torque and perfectly happy to live with other traffic up to the national speed limit. The regen braking is strong, but not so much that you can one-pedal this A3. You will need to touch the brakes.It’ll stay in EV mode under all but the hardest acceleration and, when the petrol engine is running, it does a really good job of filling in the torque gaps. This is not a slow car and feels faster than the 201bhp would suggest.When the battery does eventually run out, the petrol engine kicks in incredibly smoothly, to the point that you have to check whether the green EV dash light has gone out. So far, so good.Here’s the but. The smoothness of that electric motor does throw up a few issues. The first one is road noise. The A3’s tyres aren’t massive (225/40 R18) but the chunter you hear as the car passes over the UK’s broken Tarmac is in stark contrast to the whisper-quiet motor.The same criticism can be levelled at the ride quality. It’s not uncomfortable, per se, but the suspension bobbles away over sharp bumps. And we all know how many of those we’ve got on UK roads.In isolation, none of these is a huge issue. But combined, and given how smooth the powertrain is, it leaves the car feeling a bit confused as to what it really wants to be. So much is right with this A3. The design of the interior is spot on (leaving aside any gripes around a touchscreen) and the quality is as good as ever. Quite how Audi keeps turning out interiors like this is beyond comprehension.The way the plug-in hybrid integrates with the petrol engine is largely flawless as well, adding a useful element to an already impressive line-up of A3s. If only the ride and road noise could be improved: they’re too harsh for what is otherwise a relaxing car.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered Edition (Android, iOS, PS4 [reviewed], Switch) Developer: Square Enix Publisher: Square Enix Released: August 27, 2020 MSRP: $29.99 Previously, on this review of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered Edition, my Clavat caravaner completed his fourth year of travels, meeting some new friends and enemies along the way. And while his caravan is capable of holding three other adventurers, he completed his journeys alone. But riding solo on the road can get lonely, so for the second half of his quest to rid the world of miasma, he wanted to find a friend he could travel with.Oh, if only it were that simple.Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered Edition My one goal for the second half of this Crystal Chronicles Remastered review was to team up with one or more players and tackle a few of these dungeons. I've read in other reviews the online co-op system is less than desirable, featuring several critical issues that negatively impact the experience. I wanted to see for myself if it really was this bad or if these reviewers were making a mountain out of a molehill.So at the first dungeon in my fifth year, I tried to team up with other players. A message popped up telling me this feature wasn't available. This was on Friday, August 28. I logged out of the game and jumped on Fall Guys to make sure it wasn't an issue with my internet. Having no problems connecting there, I jumped back onto Crystal Chronicles and tried to take it online again, and again the game told me the feature wasn't available. Rather than wait until it came back on, I decided to keep going with the game and try to connect with other players before going into each dungeon.So Friday night, I completed five dungeons without being able to connect. On Saturday, every time I tried to take my game online, I was greeted by the same message about the feature not being available. I logged on Twitter to see if it was undergoing maintenance, but there was no messaging about it. So once again, I was left to explore these dungeons solo. Finally, on Sunday, I accidentally beat the game. Seriously, I accidentally beat the game. I didn't even know the final dungeon was the final dungeon until some young girl started spouting some gibberish about memories like she fell out of the first draft of a Kingdom Hearts script. I had no intention of seeing those credits roll until I had a chance to try out co-op, but it just didn't happen. For three solid days, every time I attempted to connect, I was told the feature wasn't available. So I can't tell you what the online is like or confirm if it's as problematic as others say it is.What I can tell you is, as a solo adventure, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered Edition is tedious. The fun I found in the first half of the game dissipated in the second half as enemies started soaking up damage when I returned to a dungeon for a third or fourth visit. Or, I'd find my way to a location I hadn't yet raided and absolutely decimate any monsters that opposed me. I was at once too strong and too weak to find an entertaining middle-ground.So, I beat the game by myself, never once able to connect with another player, making do with a control scheme envisioned for an entirely different input device, and I started to ask why this game was remastered rather than undergoing a full-fledged remake. Because this is a lousy choice for a remaster. Any other game in the Crystal Chronicles sub-series is a better candidate than this one as they don't have nearly the amount of baggage the original carries with it. Very few titles made the most out of the GameCube-Game Boy Advance link cable back in the early aughts. Besides The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventure and Pac-Man Vs., most games used the cable to unlock content, or gave access to mini-games or rudimentary two-player modes. Crystal Chronicles, in its original iteration, was designed around the link cable. It wasn't an afterthought; it was the only thought. Square -- rather, The Game Designers Studio -- created a title where groups of players would travel from their hometown together as a caravan, a party system with real people. As an action RPG with a more-cumbersome-than-it-should-be menu system, having the Game Boy Advance act as your controller was vital to keep the action moving on the screen.When you remove that unique control setup, you're left with a game that really doesn't work without some massive changes. Playing solo and being able to pause the action whenever you go into your bag is a fine band-aid, but it's a non-starter for local co-op. The last thing you'd want is for everyone to stop playing while you fetch a striped apple out of your bag. The developers could have aimed for a split-screen option or reworked the controls so players wouldn't have to worry about diving into their bags so much, or I don't know, let us play with bots. But they didn't. Instead, local co-op was dropped, and there are no wireless co-op or LAN options, leaving players with an online mode that, from my experience, isn't available.I imagine Square Enix will get the online working consistently in due time, negating a huge chunk of this review. But even if it does someday become consistently available, I worry it won't greatly improve on the final product. Too much of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered Edition is tied to an experience that is no longer available. The moment in time that made the GameCube original possible has long passed, and trying to capture that nostalgia with so many missing pieces, is a fool's errand.[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.] CPU: Info CPU SPEED: Dual Core CPU RAM: 4 GB OS: Microsoft Windows 7.1/8/8.1/10 VIDEO CARD: Graphics card with DX10 (shader model 4.0) capabilities PIXEL SHADER: 4.0 VERTEX SHADER: 4.0 FREE DISK SPACE: 3 GB

If the latest and last Opinion Poll is any indication, Labour Party will form a government in coalition with the Greens when counting ends on Saturday, October 17, 2020.Poll ResultsThe Colmar-Brunton Poll, conducted for TV One News, released at 6 pm, found Labour in a commanding position at 46%, although down by 1%. The Green Party has moved up (by 2%) to 8%, to secure 11 seats in the next Parliament.National Party, the main Opposition, dropped by 1% to 31%, securing 40 seats. Its main ally, ACT Party, remained steady at 8%, equating to 10 seats.New Zealand First edged up 1% to reach 3%, while New Conservative moved up by 1% to reach 2%.The Opportunities Party dropped to 1% (down 1%), Maori Party is at 1% and Advance New Zealand remains at 1%.The Poll was conducted between October 10 and 14, 2020. The Survey had 1005 eligible voters polled by landline (403) or mobile phone (602). The maximum sampling error is approximately ±3.1%-points at the 95% confidence level. For Party Support, percentages were rounded up or down to whole numbers. The data has been weighted to align with Stats New Zealand po[CENSORED]tion counts for age, gender, region, ethnic identification and mobile or landline access. The Poll saw the biggest rise of the Green Party since 2017. Earlier this year, the Party was below the threshold of 5%. With tonight’s results, the Greens will be strong contenders to be Labour Party’s Coalition Partner in the next government.The Green Party has risen to its highest level since just before the last election. It comes after the party had earlier this year fallen below the 5% threshold line needed to get into Parliament. The result would mean the Greens would bring in 11 MPs into Parliament.The Party’s Co-Leader Marama Davidson said that the Poll was encouraging.It could bring in new MPs such as activist Teanau Tuiono, Dr Elizabeth Kerekere, Auckland Action Against Poverty’s Ricardo Menéndez March and Greenpeace Campaigner Steve Abel.“It speaks to people understanding our plans and our vision. The stronger our party vote, is the bigger the chance of getting across a version of the six priority plans that we have put up,” she said. Ms Arden is the most preferred Prime Minister, with her rating rising to 55% (an increase of 5%), while Ms Collins fell to 20% (down by 3%) since the past week.TV One News said that Labour and National dipped slightly in the Poll, meaning that Jacinda Ardern’s Labour Party must rely on the Greens to form a government.“Labour still has a strong lead of 15% over National. More than 1.5 million people have already cast their ballot but the Parties are scrambling to pick up votes before the booths close on Saturday night,” the TV Channel said.The results were released just an hour before the final TVNZ Leaders’ Debate between Ms Ardern and Ms Collins tonight (at 7 pm) on TV One.Party Leaders’ commentsMs Ardern said that she was pleased with the steady support that her Party was received.Commenting on the rise of the Green Party, she said that she “would not read too much into those numbers of the minor Parties.”Ms Collins dismissed the Poll saying that the only Poll that matters is the one on election night.“But people have been saying to me, ‘I want to help National, which way should I vote?’ Easy, just two ticks blue. I bank on undecided voters giving their votes to National. We just keep going and we keep being positive and we have an absolute chance,” she said.NZ First leader Winston Peters said that there was “a surge on” with the Party’s result increasing.“There is a whole lot of undecided voters. People need insurance so that the stability that we have had in the last three years, we will get for the next three years,” he said.ACT Leader David Seymour said that his Party was the best Party for holding them all accountable.“We have been the most principled opposition for the last three years,” he said.Details of the previous TV One News Colmar-Brunton Poll can be read here.

An increase of over 10% in the prevalence of hearing loss in the English over 50s may not be age-related, a new study by University of Manchester researchers has shown.Instead the study, published in BMC Geriatrics, found hearing loss could be linked to social and lifestyle differences in the north and south of the country.The 74,699 people with hearing loss interviewed in 8 waves of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing from 2002–2017, analysed by the team had similar age profiles over time.The number of people with hearing loss increased by 10% over 15 years, however, the mean age of the people analysed stayed the same.However, over the same period, the samples had markedly different hearing outcomes in terms of where respondents lived. Deprivation and alcohol misuse related to hearing loss were much more prevalent in the north, suggesting a possible hearing north south divide.Dalia Tsimpida, who led the study, said a socio spatial approach is crucial for planning sustainable models of hearing care based on actual need, and for reducing hearing health inequalities.Local estimates of hearing loss prevalence in England are currently based on projected po[CENSORED]tion age demographics and audiological data solely collected from Nottingham and Southampton in the 1980s.However the study is the first to investigate geographical patterns and trends of hearing loss based on a representative cohort of older adults and not through po[CENSORED]tion age projections.“This study shows for the first time that the increasing trend in hearing loss prevalence is not related to the ageing of the po[CENSORED]tion, as widely believed, but potentially to social and lifestyle changesDailia TsimpidaMs Tsimpida, Research Associate in the Centre for Primary Care and Health Services Research said: “Hearing loss has been labelled as something which is more likely to affect the elderly. However, this study shows for the first time that the increasing trend in hearing loss prevalence is not related to the ageing of the po[CENSORED]tion, as widely believed, but potentially to social and lifestyle changes.“We don’t know why that might be – and this study does not and cannot imply a biological causality.“But nevertheless, this is a significant milestone in hearing research and a breakthrough that gives us considerable insight into what is actually happening.“The survey is representative of the English older po[CENSORED]tion; the findings provide a good representation for England as a whole.”Ms Tsimpida’s study is co-authored by her supervisors Dr Maria Panagioti, Professor Evangelos Kontopantelis and Professor Darren Ashcroft.The Research Associate in the Centre for Primary Care and Health Services Research added: “These findings have important implications for health policy and planning for health services in England based on actual needs and not on the age of the po[CENSORED]tions through projections.“People need to receive the full range of quality healthcare services that meet their needs; the current focus on age profiles alone is not suitable for planning sustainable models of hearing care.“The Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) who are currently responsible for the NHS audiology services in England should take into consideration socioeconomic factors and modifiable lifestyle behaviours for hearing loss, along with their spatial patterning in England.“More informed modelling may have influenced North Staffordshire CCG’s 2015 decision to cease the free provision of hearing aids for people with mild or moderate hearing loss: an area where hearing loss burden is now one of the greatest in England”.A copy of the paper Regional Patterns and Trends of Hearing Loss in England: Evidence from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) and Implications for Health Policy is

2021 will surely be an action-packed year for the Indian automobile industry. While several new car launches have already been planned, there are arrival rumours of some much-anticipated models. Aiming to the strengthen its market, Ford India is reported to bring in four new products including the Ranger Raptor double-cab performance pick-up, Foucs maxi hatchback, Focus ST hot hatch and new-generation Figo hatchback. One must note there is no official word on the same.The Ford Ranger Raptor pickup is one of the most capable off-roading models in the company’s global product lineup. Built on the ladder frame chassis, the performance-oriented pickup will be offered with a 2.0L, 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine that’s good enough for 213bhp and 500Nm. It will be matched to a 10-speed automatic gearbox, a Terrain Management system with 6 modes and 4WD drivetrian system. It’s likely to hit Indian roads in the second half of 2021. The American carmaker might also introduce the Focus and Focus ST in India sometime next year. In international markets, the Focus is being offered with multiple EcoBoost petrol and EcoBlue diesel engines. Here, the model might come with the 125PS, 1.0L, 3-cylinder EcoBoost petrol and 160PS, 2.0L turbo petrol engine options. Powering the Ford Focus ST will be a 2.3L turbo petrol unit that can be had with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed automatic gearbox. The motor has been tuned for making power worth 280PS and 420Nm of torque.The new-generation Ford Figo will arrive by the end of next year. If reports are to be believed, the hatchback might receive Mahindra’s new 1.2L mStallion turbocharged petrol engine with direct injected technology. The new gasoline unit delivers a peak power of 129bhp and 20Nm of torque. This will make it the most powerful petrol hatchback in the country. Significant changes will also be made inside and outside of the hatchback.

A security breach of Proctortrack, the software Western University uses to monitor student exams remotely, is adding new fuel to a debate raging on campus over privacy concerns about the program.Proctortrack allows students to be monitored to prevent cheating while they take exams at home using their own computers. The program is in widespread use at Western with most in-person exams all but impossible due to COVID-19 restrictions.To use the program, students set up an account and their identity is verified moments before they take the exam using face-recognition technology. The software uses the computer's camera to monitor the exam-taker and flag any behaviour that might be cheating, such as opening a web browser to research answers or get help from someone inside the room.On Thursday morning, students at Western's Ivey Business School received an email notifying them of a "data breach" at Proctortrack. The email said Western is seeking more details from the company, but "at this time, they have said there is no impact to Ivey students."Rahul Siddharth is CEO of Verificient technologies, the New York-based company that developed and licenses Proctortrack. He said the incident wasn't a "data breach" but a "security breach."He said on Wednesday one of the company's servers in Europe was accessed by a "prankster" who attained access by masquerading as a Verificient employee. The hacker contacted some Proctortrack clients and sent communications to them. Siddharth said the breach was caught within a few hours and the servers were quickly frozen."Our logs show there has been no data breach on the servers," said Siddharth in an interview with CBC News. "Student data has never left Canada. It's still on their servers. We just froze that data. Canadian students don't need to worry."In a statement emailed to students Thursday night, Western said Verificient told the university the company will suspend service for seven to 10 days while it reviews the breach."Western takes the data protection and privacy of its students very seriously and will not be proceeding with the use of Proctortrack until we are confident that it is safe to do so," Western's statement says.Student refuses to install software on computerCole Davison is one of the students in the Ivey program who received the email alert on Thursday. However, the data breach didn't affect him because he'd refused to download the software on his computer due to privacy concerns."It's disappointing that this happened," said Davison. "I want to know what data was leaked and how we can be impacted."He also said the company hasn't been upfront about the incident.A statement posted on Verificent's website announced a security breach, but didn't say which clients were affected."I don't think there's been enough transparency here," said Davison.Even if student data wasn't taken, the security breach will create headaches for Western in what has already been a topsy-turvy year trying to continue normal operations amid the pandemic.University of Regina students worried anti-cheating software will invade privacyConcerns over privacy and data collectionThe incident comes as some critics raise privacy concerns about the software. Some have expressed concern about allowing Proctortrack to access their computer's camera. They also wonder what happens to the data the company collects.Siddharth said data used to verify a user's identity before an exam is typically not kept more than 60 days afterward.Meanwhile, a petition continues to circulate calling on Western to stop using Proctortrack, something Davison supports.However, Siddharth said the software has allowed institutions like Western to maintain the integrity of their programs and keep them running during the pandemic."Without this kind of software, you'd have lives on hold," he said.

Ensuring high quality levels in the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries is critical to preventing underperformance and even safety risks. Benjamin Sternkopf, Ian Greory and David Prince of PI Berlin examine the prerequisites for finding the 'sweet spot' between a battery's cost, performance and lifetime.The proliferation of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in a wide range of applications has moved the technology clearly into the public eye. Debate about various battery types, their properties, cost and performance have become po[CENSORED]r topics in private and professional discussions.However, most of these discussions tend to put an excessive emphasis on the chemistry of the cells in the batteries. For example, whether a lithium iron phosphate battery is safer than a lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt battery. In truth, battery performance is affected by not just one, but up to five primary factors: cell chemistry, cell geometry, manufacturing quality, matching technology to application, and system integration.Cell chemistry is considered to be the “tip of the iceberg”. It is the most visible characteristic, but the actual performance of battery systems in real-world applications seldom depends to a large degree on the cell chemistry. More often it is one of the other five factors.Manufacturing quality is one of the most critical factors, but also least discussed. The cause for this is likely that cell chemistry and geometry can easily be discussed based on the multitude of information available in the public domain. Matching of the most suitable battery chemistry to the application is a topic that can be simulated and discussed with modern computing tools. Manufacturing and manufacturing quality, however, is typically an in-house secret of each manufacturer – and often exposes clear differences between manufacturers even when using the same chemistries. There is little incentive for manufacturers to have details about their manufacturing processes published in any form.What is a “battery energy storage system”?The term BESS, or battery energy storage system, refers to a system that is more than just a battery. For a battery to function efficiently it needs additional components. A BESS typically includes a power conversion system, otherwise known as an inverter, which includes bi-directional power electronics used to charge and discharge the battery simultaneously. A power control system informs the inverter when to charge and discharge batteries. Additional cooling and fire-fighting systems are installed to prevent and contain any thermal related events. And finally, auxiliary power supplies as well as a storage container are needed to support and house the overall system.Due to the complexity of a complete BESS, this article focuses on the batteries and their manufacturing only. For real-world projects, it is advised to keep in mind that the battery is only one part of the overall system. The other components and the interactions between them need to be evaluated with the same care to achieve high levels of BESS performance and safety. Before examining how battery cells are manufactured, it is good to understand how a battery rack is organised. Battery cells are similar in design to cell phone or laptop computer batteries, except that they are much larger. Cells are combined into a cell block using either a serial or parallel connection. Cell blocks are assembled into modules with communication ports to measure temperature and voltage. These modules are then connected within a rack, which provides the serial connection for battery modules. The battery rack will also include an upstream control system known as switchgear, which provides current sensors and communication protocols. It is important to note that this arrangement is based on IEC standard terminology and some may use different terminology.Design of a battery cellThe purpose of a battery is to move electrons from the anode to the cathode while discharging the battery. This is accomplished by having lithium-ions, positively charged particles, moving through a microporous separator that is filled with an electrolyte, which prevents the passage of electrons. This process is sandwiched between a negatively charged copper collector and a positively charged aluminum collector. It is important to have homogenous surfaces to allow the lithium-ions to pass through easily.Manufacturing of a batteryAt first glance, a battery has cells, modules and strings – which makes it similar to a PV panel. However, major differences become obvious when comparing the individual cells. A PV cell operates according to the quantum photovoltaic effect; a battery cell relies on chemical reactions. The operating principle of a battery is more like a chemical process engineering plant, and as a result the manufacturing processes differ significantly.Unlike PV cells, lithium-ion battery cells need to be monitored individually for voltage, current and temperature for safety and performance reasons. The quality and accuracy of the battery management system plays an equally important role in the performance and safety of the overall battery system. That means all processes related to the manufacturing of the corresponding electronics need to be managed similarly to the production of a PV inverter.Making a high performance, safe battery system is not rocket science, but it does require extensive diligence. The main challenge is in creating a three-dimensional structure (a round or prismatic cell) out of a largely two-dimensional structure (layers of foil).As an example, a common 50MWh BESS will have a surface area in the magnitude of 500,000 square meters (i.e. approximately 5,000,000 square feet) of electrode pairs. That’s equivalent to the area of 70 soccer fields. If the BESS were coupled to a 50MWp PV power plant, the surface area of the battery cells would be larger than the surface area of the PV panels charging them.To manufacture these cells, it is critical to create this surface with extreme precision. A common benchmark is that the maximum deviation of surface thickness should not exceed 1% to 2%. If a manufacturer exceeds this, the battery runs a higher risk of becoming a safety hazard and suffering accelerated performance degradation.The manufacturing of a battery can generally be separated into four major steps:1. Initial quality control and electrode production2. Cell stack assembly3. Drying, electrolyte filling, formatting, ageing, and sorting4. Assembling cells into a batteryCover Image: The manufacturing quality of lithium-ion batteries is a key determinant of lifetime performance. Image: PI Berlin.This is the opening extract of an article which appears in full in the latest edition of our quarterly technical journal, PV Tech Power (Vol.24), in 'Storage & Smart Power', the dedicated section contributed by the team at Energy-Storage.news. The full article looks at each of the different manufacturing steps in detail, as well as discussing other critical factors in decision-making such as warranties and testing. To download the entire article as an individual paper, or to subscribe to or download the entire 108-page book

In response to a federal policy that discourages the use of government aid, District 4 Councilmember Nancy Navarro and four Maryland legislatures hosted a family resource fair at the Wheaton Recreation Center on Dec. 7.The fair provided information to families about how to take advantage of the government, small business and nonprofit services in the county. It offered a food pantry, flu shots and medical screenings for attendees.Navarro joined with State Delegates Jared Solomon, Emily Shetty and Al Carr and District 18 state Sen. Jeff Waldstreicher to hold the fair in Wheaton. For her, the fair was an opportunity to show the value and purpose of the co-located library and recreation center, which opened in September.“Wheaton really is a microcosm of the world,” said Navarro. “We do have the highest percentage of the Latino po[CENSORED]tion in this area, and so it is so important to be able to bring information and resources to the community.”In 2017, the county executive office cited Wheaton as one of the six most food insecure areas in the county. Solomon was inspired to hold the fair to address the food insecurity in his district as the federal government raises restrictions on the resources it is willing to provide.“It started out making sure that people had the resources they needed to be able to get food on their tables for their kids and their families,” Solomon said, “families who may have a little bit of difficulty getting everything they need for the holidays.”On Dec. 4, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a proposal to mandate work requirements for able-bodied adults under the age of 50 without dependents to qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program.The department predicts about 750,000 people will lose SNAP benefits as a result. It is expected to go into effect in April 2020.Amanda Nesher, food security program manager for the Montgomery County Food Council, hosted a table that offered a list of more than 70 food assistance providers such as the Manna Food Center or small churches that regularly give out free food.The fair included a pop-up food pantry, where attendees could pick up vegetables and canned goods. Jennifer Renkema, the director of the food pantry at Silver Spring Christian Reformed Church, suggested the pantry after learning about Solomon’s plans to hold the fair.“If they’re going to do a resource fair, they ought to have a food pantry,” Renkema said.The pantry partnered with Manna Food Center and the Capital Area Food Bank to carry food for at least 144 households at the fair.As a choice pantry, the pop-up allowed attendees to take whatever they like, however much they want. Choice pantries, Renkema said, reduce waste and provide dignity to families as they are allowed to choose what fits their own diets.“If you’re really struggling to make ends meet, don’t spend your money on food that you can get for free, and you can save that money for your electricity or your medicine,” Nesher said.The need for resources, Nesher said, comes from a number of reasons, such as limited English proficiency, a lack of transportation or immigration status, all of which make it challenging to get the help families in need to find food and housing.Nesher said that families also often do not believe they need food assistance programs. But if you’re skipping meals or exclusively eating fast food because it’s cheaper, that’s food insecurity.Along with SNAP, the Trump administration has also increased restrictions on green cards and zeroed in on undocumented immigration, discouraging immigrant communities from using government resources.“With all the hateful things coming out of Washington and all the scare tactics about the resources that are available,” Solomon said, “we wanted people to know that the resources are here, that they shouldn’t be afraid to use them.”Haja Cande, an attendee at the fair, hoped to talk to someone at the fair regarding housing, as being a homeowner was a “big goal” for her and her family. The fair’s resources did not disappoint.“I’m very much impressed,” Cande said. “Everyone has been just so amazingly wonderful, kind and open. This is something I’ll definitely come to again.”Solomon also encouraged families to register to vote and take census forms home to fill out, both of which were available at the fair.“The only way that we get the resources that we need for our community is by having a full and complete census, and making sure that people understand how important that is.”

GUANGZHOU, China, Oct. 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The 128th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair), also its second virtual showcase, kicks off on October 15. 26,000 exhibitors from 50 exhibition sections have brought more than 2.358 million products across 16 categories to the 10-day event, of which 691,500 products are making their debuts. Xu Bing, Spokesperson of the Canton Fair and Deputy Director General of China Foreign Trade Centre, said that against the backdrop of massive changes in economic development and pandemic control both domestically and internationally, Canton Fair will play its role as an open platform for businesses to access international markets and to facilitate the stability of foreign trade supply and industrial chain.Register at https://fbuyer.cantonfair.org.cn/en/account/new-buyer/registerfor more opportunities.This year's Canton Fair digital platform includes 60,000 booths showcasing cutting-edge products and future living scenarios enabled by innovative ideas and technologies. This e-platform also features exhibits, business match-making, virtual exhibition halls, live streams, news & events, services, cross-border e-commerce zone, to enable 24-hour visits and business negotiation.The Fair will introduce 120 live streams from over 100 leading Chinese companies, presenting the latest quality products that are the result of their constant commitment to innovation targeting to create a brighter future for all.In the kitchen appliance exhibition section, built-in, multi-functional household and kitchen appliances have adopted cutting-edge technologies to provide consumers with a friendly kitchen experience. At the same time, premium new products such as furniture, ceramics and carpets feature upgrades in functionality, materials, craftsmanship and style. These products can create a more comfortable, customizable and smarter lifestyle for global consumers.Sustainable development is another highlight of this year's Canton Fair. Companies in the textile exhibition section have applied advanced technology to use environmental-friendly recycled raw materials in their new fashion products, displaying their commitment to environmental protection.To help business find trading partners and target products without having to leave their home, Canton Fair will utilize its digital platform to connect suppliers and buyers with supporting services that cover product design and trade supporting, financial, logistics, inspection, certification and customs. By working together with its partners, Canton Fair will help global businesses do business just at their fingertips amid the current economic challenges.SOURCE Canton Fair

Port of Spain, June 25, 2020The National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago has been strangely silent on the rowdy and relentless campaign to remove the historical statue of Christopher Columbus in the capital city of Port of Spain.I was the Vice Chairman of the Trust from 2013 to 2015.The Trust seems to place its current Afro-centric agenda above and beyond the public and national interest.On Labour Day (June 19, 2020), the Trust chose to highlight only trade unionist Tubal Uriah ‘Buzz’ Butler on its Facebook page.There was a mere one-word reference, and no photo of Rienzi (Krishna Deonarine, 1905 -1972) who founded the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) and the All Trinidad Sugar Estates and Factory Workers’ Union (ATSEFWU), and was the first President General of the former. The Trust is genetically connected to the Citizens for Conservation of Trinidad & Tobago (CFC) with some members having footholds in both organisations at the executive level.CFC has a long a long history of fighting to protect the natural and man-made heritage in the twin-island republic. Just before the Covid-19 pandemic, the Trust and the CFC were jointly hosting exhibitions, tours and lectures to better educate people to appreciate and protect heritage sites and statues, monuments, churches, plantation houses and cemeteries.The Statue of ColumbusColumbus’s life-sized bronze statue is located in Columbus Square in Port of Spain on the corner of Independence Square and Duncan Street, just east of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.The site is on the Heritage Asset Register of the National Trust which designates the square and the statue as “worthy of notation and preservation.”Despite the horrendous history of Columbus, his statue represents a tangible historical link to the Europe, Africa and Asia since 1498. It is one of the few statues of Columbus in the Caribbean and is a destination site for local and foreign tourists.As part of the Black-Lives-Matter protest, activists defaced the bronze statue a few nights ago.They wrapped it with red “Danger” caution tape.They covered the bust with a black garbage bag and hung a sign with the word “Murderer” on it.National MonumentThe Columbus statue is a national monument defined by the National Trust Act (1991, last amended in 2015) as “any building, structure or other work of man or nature, whether above or below the surface of the land or the floor of the sea, of national architectural, aesthetic or historic interest.”Section 27 of the Act states that any person who (a) “alters, damages, injures or defaces any listed property” or (b) “demolishes or destroys or causes to be demolished or destroyed” such property is liable on summary conviction to a fine, and the Court may, in addition, “order him to pay to the Trust by way of compensation such sum as the Court thinks fit for the purpose of repairing or restoring the property.”Mahatma Gandhi statue nextThe leading figure behind the fascist, extremist and warring campaign to remove the Columbus statue in Port of Spain is Shabaka Kambon. His father, Kafra Kambon, was one of the leaders of the Black Power Movement. On February 26, 1970, many people stormed the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Port of Spain and draped black cloth on the sacred statues.In a letter entitled “Is the Black Power protests repeating itself?”, Imaam Iqubal Hydal wrote: “The statue of Columbus was defaced in a similar manner as the statues in the church were blackened during the march of the Black Power movement … If such a protest should get out of hand, next would be the church itself and animosity to names such as Chacon, Christopher, Martinez et al. (Newsday 20/6/20, Express 18/6/20, Guardian 16/6/20).Kambon is being aided and abetted by retired history Professor Dr Brinsley Samaroo who claims that he was one of the leaders of the 1970 Black Power revolt.It would not be surprising if Samaroo supports Kambon in his next move, which is to remove all Mahatma Gandhi statues in public places in Trinidad, particularly the one in Kew Place, Gandhi Square, Port of Spain.In 2018, African lecturers at the University of Ghana relocated a statue of Gandhi because they claim that he was “racist.”Campaign for name changeSamaroo is expected to also support Kambon in campaigning to change the name of the soon-to-be-opened Mahatma Gandhi Institute cultural complex in Mt Hope, located near the Arthur Lok Jack campus. This imminent protest by Samaroo and Kambon may again stall the progress of this project, started 21 years ago when then Prime Ministers Basdeo Panday and Atal Bihari Vajpayee turned the sod at Mt Hope.The solution to this Columbus crisis is a compromise. The monument should be left alone but the inscription in the plaque can change.Samaroo, Kambo and the Warao Queen can be free to write “Monster and Murderer” permanently in bronze at the bottom of the explorer’s statue.

Shortcuts App on iOS devices was first introduced with iOS 12 and ever since its introduction, people have been using it to get their work done quickly. Shortcuts allow you to automate your tasks on iOS and get the work done with a single tap. For example, if you want to play your favorite playlist on Apple Music you’ll have to run Apple Music first and then navigate to the playlist before you can play it. However, with the help of Shortcuts, the same work can be done with a single tap and in addition to that, you’ll be saving your time.Shortcuts App on iOS allows you to create your own shortcuts or choose directly from the Gallery. The Gallery on the Shortcuts App allows you to directly add prebuilt shortcuts that are based on your everyday iPhone or iPad use. You can also browse through the Featured shortcuts that offer you some additional features without any App Installations.Now as you know how the Shortcuts App works like, let’s get started with the guide and see how you can play around with the shortcuts and get things done. While the Shortcuts Gallery offers you a lot of prebuilt shortcuts, it may not have the Shortcuts that you actually need. Hence it is important to learn how you can manually create shortcuts and get your work done in a single tap. Looking at the app, It may look like creating shortcuts manually is a tough job but trust me it’s easier then you think. Just follow the steps given below and you’ll be ready to go.Step 1: Bring up the Shortcuts App on your iPhone or iPad and tap on “New Shortcut”.Step 2: Once you are in the New Shortcut section tap on “Add Action”. Doing this brings up an all-new screen that allows you to choose from Apps and Tasks for which users can create shortcuts. Have a look at the image below to see how it looks like. Select the action that you want to perform with the shortcut. In our case, we are creating a shortcut for playing music but you can choose whatever you like.Step 4: Tap Next and give your shortcut a name. The shortcut name you give can also be used to control Siri. For example, if you say “Hey Siri, Play My Favourite Song” Siri will play the song that you’ve selected while creating the shortcut.Step 5: Once you’ve given a name for your Shortcut simply press “Done” from the top right corner and your new shortcut will be ready.Have a look at the image below to see how it’s done. From Meeting Notes to Reminders the Shortcut Gallery offers you hundreds of useful shortcuts that you can use in your day to day life. As these are prebuilt shortcuts users can save their time and add them with a single tap. Have a look at the step by step instructions given below to see how you can add shortcuts from the Shortcuts Gallery.Step 1: Open the Shortcuts App on your iPhone and head to the Gallery section.Step 2: Search for the shortcut that you want to add and tap “+” to add it to your shortcuts.Step 3: Go to My Shortcuts and run the shortcut you’ve added. That’s all for this guide folks. For more updates on the latest smartphones and tech, follow us on our social media profiles.

13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim (PlayStation 4) Developer: Vanillaware Publisher: Atlus Released: September 22, 2020 MSRP: $59.99 Back in August, I wrote up a preview of Vanillaware's 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim that focused on the prologue to the full adventure. In my post, I said I'd written down several notes to keep track of everyone in the game and the respective years they traveled from to reach Japan circa 1985.Turns out, most of those notes were useless. They were a waste of paper really, because no matter how close I paid attention in that prologue, how much I studied the review guide I was sent by Atlus, nothing could prepare me for what this game had in store. 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is a game that loves to keep the player guessing. It wants people to keep asking questions as it slowly peels away its layers and blindsides you with pressing new mysteries. This is a dense piece of soft science fiction, with multiple character motivations and relationships to explore throughout a range of eras that include World War II, the 1980s, and the future's future.The bulk of the game takes place in 1985 and follows a group of high-school-age teenagers, most of whom attend Sakura High School. In the prologue, you actually start the campaign near its end. Giant kaiju are attacking the city and it's up to these 13 heroes to band together in their sentinels to destroy the monsters and save the city. You meet all of the central characters in these opening hours and discover their initial motivations. Before any of that though, each story section begins with a quick fight in the game's battle mode that introduces you to the ins-and-outs of its unique system.Once you get past the prologue, 13 Sentinels splits into two distinct experiences. There is Remembrance, which is the narrative-focused adventure mode where you'll spend the bulk of your time. Then there is Destruction, which contains the various battles you fight against the kaiju invasion. Both of these split sections feed into one another as the further you advance in one, the more you'll unlock in the other. Wanting to get the most of that sweet Vanillaware art direction, I dove headfirst into Remembrance, bouncing around from character to character, slowing unraveling the plot. Do not be surprised if you find yourself lost in the opening hours of the narrative. Not only are there several characters to play as -- you don't unlock all 13 until later in the game -- but their storylines don't necessarily run even with one another. You might witness a scene with one character early in the game, only to see it again from another character's point of view hours later. Not only that, but some characters have multiple names, and there are dream sequences that might prophesize events in the future or even the past.If it were told linearly, the story for 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim would easily be one of the best science-fiction stories gaming has given us. But by breaking it up in a non-linear fashion, there is a greater reward for those players who pay close attention to the dialogue and actions of these characters. Mixing its pieces around adds an element of surprise and allows the writers to offer up twists that might not have otherwise been possible if this story were a straight line. This is a seriously gripping narrative, a stay-up-until-2:00 am-reading-subtitles-because-you're-so-damn-hooked caliber of storytelling. It may be intentionally complex, but it's that complexity that enriches the overall experience in ways few other games can manage.It also has a beauty few other games can match. That signature Vanillaware art direction has reached new levels of detail in its elegant recreation '80s Japan. The settings are magnificent, and its use of light and color enriches what would otherwise be drab, gray buildings. Certain areas are soaked in the pinks of sunset or glowing in neon greens, and so many points found around this city simply take my breath away. This is the best art Vanillaware has ever done, though if you're really into the fan service of the developer's past titles, know that there's very little of that in the game. Some of that art direction carries over to Destruction, though it's very minimal. The kaiju each have a more detailed illustration you'll see when they're introduced for the first time, and each attack you can equip to your sentinels has a tasty little animation that illustrates what it looks like. Unfortunately, you don't get any of that in the heat of battle. The sentinels and kaiju are both represented by simple block graphics that, while not visually stunning, are very representative of the types of arcade games that would not be uncommon when this game is set.Destruction is divided up into different areas of the city, each requiring the completion of multiple battles. You'll have access to all 13 characters when you get through the prologue, but you can only take up to six into battle at once. The remaining sentinels guard the aegis, which is the ultimate goal for each battle: protect the aegis or it's game over. Before each fight, you'll pick the characters you want to take into combat, and there are four different generations of sentinels to consider. First-generation sentinels are ground-based, heavily armored, and deal out massive damage. Second- and third-generation sentinels are also limited to the ground, but have attacks and support skills that are useful against a wide variety of enemies. Fourth-generation sentinels can fly and are ideal for taking down massive swarms of flying kaiju, but have far less HP than your other options.At the end of each battle, you'll earn a ranking based on how you did in protecting the city, the aegis, and your sentinels. You'll also see how exhausted each character is from battle, which forces you to routinely rotate your line-up. Each successful battle will net you Meta Chips, as does completing story sections in Remembrance. These chips are used to enhance your sentinels with new and stronger attacks, and your terminal, which gives you access to effects that can change the course of a battle. Your characters also level up separately of the Meta Chips, unlocking new abilities that can encourage you to experiment with your team builds. Each battle also has a set of unique challenges associated with it that, if completed, earns you extra rewards.Whereas the narrative isn't afraid to throw players for a loop, the battles of Destruction are extremely straightforward. Kaiju attack and you kill them. While there are different types of kaiju to contend with, each with their own weaknesses, strengths, and functions, it's not too difficult to have a team that's perfect for every situation. These battles play out similar to a real-time strategy game, but combat pauses each time one of your sentinels can perform an action. This gives you a chance to properly analyze the battlefield, check where the next group of kaiju is going to drop, and make any shifts in your strategy that are warranted. Honestly, I didn't need much time for strategizing until I reached the last section of battles. On normal, these fights are fast-paced, intense, and pretty enjoyable, but they don't offer much of a challenge or a steady difficulty curve. There is a harder difficulty available for those who really want it, but you can also make it easier if you just want to focus on the story.And honestly, I don't blame anyone who sets these battles to easy so they can cruise through them and get back to Remembrance. It's easily the strongest half of this package, and if I have any complaint about 13 Sentinels, it's that the structure Vanillaware chose for this game, separating the story from the action, lacks cohesion. Pre- and post-battle dialogues do reference some of the revelations made in the narrative -- as well as occasionally spoil future plot points -- but because these battles are not sewn directly into the storyline, they often feel like an unwanted diversion from the far superior and simply enthralling Remembrance.Had Vanillaware crafted a title where the story and the action wove into one another flawlessly, we'd be looking at the greatest game the developer has ever made, without question. Unfortunately, that's not what this game is, and while what is here is great, it's crushing to see just how close 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim came to perfection.[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.] CPU: Info CPU SPEED: Dual Core CPU RAM: 4 GB OS: Microsoft Windows 7.1/8/8.1/10 VIDEO CARD: Graphics card with DX10 (shader model 4.0) capabilities PIXEL SHADER: 4.0 VERTEX SHADER: 4.0 FREE DISK SPACE: 3 GB

Learning English would now be easier for people with impaired speech and hearing as a group of scholars of Punjabi University, Patiala, has developed a software that will translate English text into video interactive animation in Indian Sign Language (ISL).Talking to The Tribune, Deepali Goyal, a PHD scholar in computer science at the research centre for technology development for differently-abled persons, Department of Computer Science, Punjabi University, who developed the software with other scholars said: "Our team has worked really hard to introduce this software that will help deaf and dumb learn English through animated videos in Indian Sign Language. Learners can simply insert the text in English in the software and click on a button to watch animated interactive videos explaining its meaning in sign language. The software will also help them learn even complex and compound sentences in a hassle-free manner."Goyal, who originally hails from Bathinda, said: "The project was guided by centre coordinator Dr Vishal Goyal and his research mate Dr Lalit Goyal. Scholars Amandeep Kaur, Gurdeep Kaur and ISL interpreter Karishma were part of the team."Though the software was officially launched on World Disability Day on December 3, as per the developing team members they would continue to work to improve the effectiveness of the software.

English-language viewers now have a new option for viewing an international news and lifestyle channel, this time from an Asian perspective.NHK World-Japan announced today (December 😎 that Vancouver-based Telus has added the 24-hour English-language international TV channel to its lineup.Telus is the first Canadian operator to carry the Japan-based broadcaster. Telus will provide NHK World-Japan to viewers in Western Canada for free for three months. and the channel will be included in the international news package on Telus’ Optik TV.Japan International Broadcasting president and CEO Shiromoto Masaru called it “an important milestone” for NHK World-Japan, in a news release from Tokyo.NHK-World Japan is the only public broadcaster in Japan and is the largest domestic and international TV network in Japan.It offers hourly live international news from Japan and overseas, and programs on current affairs, lifestyle, culture, food, travel, sports, technology, science, and history.

They look nothing alike, they weren’t manufactured under the same roof and they’re aimed at a completely different target audience. Finding the answer requires peeling off the body: Both are made on the same basic architecture. You can also find it by peeking under a third-generation Ford Mondeo, among other models.Platform-sharing is common in the automotive industry. Companies offset the increasingly high cost of developing a car by spreading their investment across several brands, including some they don’t own or normally do business with. Join us for a look at the surprising cars that were

PixelJunk Eden 2 (Nintendo Switch) Developer: Q-Games Publisher: Q-Games Released: December 10, 2020 MSRP: $14.99 It delights me to see Q-Games add more entries to the PixelJunk series, especially a sequel to Eden.It's arguably not the best of the bunch, but Eden – a minimalistic platformer about catching plumes of pollen to reinvigorate garden landscapes – has long been a favorite of mine. It's a hypnotic experience.Whether you missed PixelJunk Eden on PS3 and Steam or you simply miss it, period, this is such a great way to close out the chaotic year. Turn on your Switch, pump up the volume, and melt into your chair. PixelJunk Eden 2 is a simple but effective game, one I see myself coming back to again and again. Playing alone or with a local co-op partner, you'll hop and swing around abstract levels infused with the audio-visual essence of Baiyon. The techno music and visualizer-like backgrounds put a spell on me.While some of the finer details are different for the sequel, in general, this is largely the same soothing experience as the original game. In each garden level – all of which have their own aesthetic and song – your goal is to collide with floating Pollen Prowlers to pop them open, catch the sinking remnants to grow nearby seeds, and use towering plants as platforms to ultimately reach a Spectra collectible.Missile-firing and gravity-shifting foes appear in some situations, but largely speaking, PixelJunk Eden 2 doesn't push back all that much. You don't "die." There is a time limit in the main story mode (which you'll refill by flinging yourself into physical checkpoints), but it's rarely an issue if you aren't going for 100% seed completion, and there's a timer-less mode that's intended for more meticulous play.I primarily played Eden 2 in co-op, and I think that's the way to go if you can manage it (although playing solo does have its meditative merits). With two players, you'll collect pollen quicker, and it's a little easier to pull off risky maneuvers and leaps of faith. If someone falls too far off-screen, they'll reset at the other player's safe location. If both players plummet, there's just a short respawn to sit through. PixelJunk Eden 2 feels subtlety snappier, faster, and more alive than Eden 1, but the sequel's biggest change is the way levels are doled out and how the Grimp protagonists vary from one to the next.Each Grimp comes with its own set of levels and its own particular gameplay-affecting ability or trait, which you can further alter with one-time-use Spice items. The basic flow goes a little something like this: hop into a garden, explore to find the far-off Spectra, and rinse and repeat until you've cleared them all. Some Grimps come with a couple of levels, while others have a set of several to complete.Aside from grabbing pollen to grow plants and reach new heights, you'll also want to collect crystals to unlock Spices. They're just temporary optional items (you can bring up to three of them into an individual level attempt), but they're useful. They have benefits like extending the length or duration of your swing-inducing silk string, diminishing the effects of gravity, or adding more time on the clock. My go-to Spices helped me find the Spectra more easily and expanded my pollen-collecting range.When you finish a set of levels, you'll get another Grimp to play as but not necessarily a "brand new" area – just a different batch of levels. (There are 10 total gardens.) As such, you can expect to see a lot of repeating stages, albeit with several alternate Spectra locations to mix things up a bit. I wasn't thrilled with this format – it started to feel repetitive toward the end – but it mostly works.There are 20-plus characters to unlock in the main mode, and they all have a gameplay-modifying twist (some good, some decidedly less good) to help them stand out. One of the Grimps has unlimited jumps, but makes it so Pollen Prowlers are less plentiful. Another Grimp is heavy enough to "bend tall plants by swinging or landing." One of my favorites can only equip one Spice perk but won't "consume" the item. This isn't a short game, and for some – particularly players who try to power through it in the span of a few evenings – it might outstay its welcome, but I didn't quite reach that point. Part of that is on the Switch itself (handheld play is perfect for Eden 2), part of that is on the relaxing gameplay style, and part of that is on Baiyon's talent as a game director, composer, and visual artist. He's a triple threat.I spent close to a dozen hours with the main progression path in PixelJunk Eden 2, and I've hardly dug into the unlimited-time "choose your garden and Grimp" free-play mode. Whenever I feel the gotta-catch-'em-all collectathon itch, I'll be sure to head there first since that mode has its own achievements. You can't tell me the total number of seeds in each level and not expect me to hunt them down.PixelJunk Eden 2 is one of 2020's few pleasant surprises, and I'm so thankful it exists.[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.] CPU: Info CPU SPEED: Dual Core CPU RAM: 4 GB OS: Microsoft Windows 7.1/8/8.1/10 VIDEO CARD: Graphics card with DX10 (shader model 4.0) capabilities PIXEL SHADER: 4.0 VERTEX SHADER: 4.0 FREE DISK SPACE: 3 GB

DELHI: As many as nine states have completed One Nation One Ration Card reform following which the central government has allowed them to raise an additional Rs 23,523 crore, said an official release on Wednesday.The states which have successfully completed the Public Distribution System (PDS) reforms are Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, Tripura and Uttar Pradesh.Uttar Pradesh is the biggest beneficiary with an additional borrowing window of Rs 4,851 crore, followed by Karnataka Rs 4,509 crore and Gujarat Rs 4,352 crore.Department of Food and Public Distribution in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution is the Nodal Department to certify that a State has met the conditions sti[CENSORED]ted for this reform, the Finance Ministry statement said.Further, to become eligible for additional borrowing, the States have to complete the reforms by December 31, 2020, it said, adding, it is expected that many more states will complete this reform before the sti[CENSORED]ted date.In addition to the One Nation One Ration Card, it said, other reforms specified as a precondition to avail additional borrowing are : ease of doing business reform, urban local body/utility reforms and power sector reforms.In view of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic for mobilisation of financial resources, the Indian government has strengthened the hands of the States through multiple measures including grant of additional borrowing permission of 2 per cent of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) during 2020-21.This has enabled the States to mobilise additional financial resources to fight the pandemic and maintain the standards of service delivery to the public, it said.However, it said, to ensure long-term debt sustainability and prevent any adverse impact on future, a part of the additional borrowing was linked to the States carrying out reforms in the sectors critical for service delivery to the citizens.One of the sectors identified for reforms is the Public Distribution System, it said, adding, out of the additional borrowing limit of 2 per cent of GSDP, 0.25 per cent is linked to implementation of "One Nation One Ration Card system".This was aimed to ensure that the beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and other welfare schemes, especially the migrant workers and their families, get ration from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) across the country.Other aims of the intended reform were to better target beneficiaries, elimination of bogus/duplicate/ ineligible ration cards and thus enhance welfare and reduce leakage, it said.For this, it said, the reform conditions sti[CENSORED]ted Aadhar Seeding of all Ration Cards, biometric authentification of beneficiaries and automation of all the Fair Price Shops (FPS) in the State.

I recall a Christmas morning when I was just 5. Under the tree, I saw it — the blue tea cup set with a pattern of white florets surrounding the trim that had been on my list for Santa. The red and green gift tag read: "To Susan from Santa." It wasn’t china, simply a plastic toy replica of the English-style Waterford china, but I loved it as if it were the real thing. And, knowing how much Daddy loved his coffee, I wanted the tea set so I could have coffee with Dad. I always wanted to be near my Dad. He was a special Dad, Gerard Fischetti, a handsome gentleman who sang to me, always there to protect me.That Christmas morning I thought I would surprise him by serving him a cup of coffee from my new tea cup set. With tea cups in hand for Dad and me, I dash off to the kitchen, smelling the Savarin brand ground coffee brewing. Dad only drank the Savarin coffee brand. Back when we grew up in the 1960s, I remember how my sisters and I all called Dad the "El Exigente," connoisseur of coffee, the demanding one for Savarin ground coffee, our take on mimicking the po[CENSORED]r television commercial.As I enter the kitchen, I break the rules to reach for the coffee pot. At the age of 5, I wasn’t allowed to touch anything hot on the stove. I carefully poured the coffee, then added a bit of milk and sugar — the way Daddy liked it. I poured myself a drop of coffee (I was told I was too young to drink coffee) with a lot of milk, so Daddy and I could have a "tea party," although it was with coffee because Dad didn’t drink tea.Sprinting cautiously, carrying the tray with our tea cups and saucers to the living room, I find Dad relaxing in his favorite soft brown chair smoking a cigarette. I proudly serve him his coffee "Daddy your coffee is served…," I announce, thinking I sound just like an English butler.Dad glances up at his little daughter holding a tray with plastic tea cups. Always the gentleman, Dad thanks me: "How nice, young lady. Thank you," and reaches for his coffee tea cup.I notice the tea cup seems too small for my Dad’s grip — though it was just the right size for me — as I joined him for our tea party.I drank my milk with coffee as Dad sipped his coffee.

Remember the hydrogen sipping cousin of the Toyota Prius? Well, it went from being an ugly duckling to a beautiful swan. The new 2022 Toyota Mirai looks virtually identical to the stunning concept Toyota showed off in 2019. Gone are the stout body and awkward proportions, the new model is a skeel & sophisticated sedan you would actually want in your driveway. Things also look nice on the inside, with a panoramic sunroof and wood and leather upholstery giving it a premium the first generation deserved. For power, Toyota has bumped Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles' powertrain output by around 30 HP, meaning the new car makes around 182 HP and 247 lb-ft of torque. The range also got a similar 30% upgrade, with Japan's JC08 test cycle giving it a range up to 850 km. Does this car have what it takes to challenge the BEV market? We don't know, but we would love to see it try.From a car that turns hydrogen to water to one that turns petroleum into glorious engine note, the Jaguar F-Pace SVR got its 2021 refresh. The 5.0-liter supercharged V8 still makes around 550 HP but the torque output has been increased from 502 to 516 lb-ft. The extra torque allows the bulky SUV to shave a chunk of its 0-100 time, which went 4.1 seconds to just 3.8. The top speed also got a slight bump, with Jaguar added 4 more km to is 283 kph top speed. Jaguar also took the opportunity to tweak the car's styling a bit, with the newer model featuring slightly thinner headling and a reworked front fascia. On the inside, a new 11.4-inch infotainment replaces the old 10-inch one while the old gear lever has been swapped for a stumpy one. To somewhat make up for this, the driver now gets zinc-alloy paddles shifters and a 12.3-inch digital instrument screen. Smashing!