Angel of Death

Vivo launched two new smartphones in China on Friday. They include the Vivo X Fold 2 and the Vivo X Flip, adding to the company's foldable range. In a year that has seen multiple foldables launch within the first few months, the Vivo foldables were highly anticipated. Reports and leaks about the phones did the rounds in the weeks leading up to their launch. The phones each debuted in two storage configuration options and three colour variants each. They will be available for sale in China soon. Offered in Shadow Black, China Red and Azure Blue colour options, the 12GB RAM + 256GB starage variant of the Vivo X Fold 2 is priced at CNY 8,999 (roughly Rs. 1,07,500), while the 12GB RAM + 512GB storage model is marked at CNY 9,999 (roughly Rs. 1,19,400). The 12GB RAM + 256GB storage option of the Vivo X Flip is available at CNY 5,999 (roughly Rs. 71,600), and the 12GB RAM + 512GB variant is priced at CNY 6,699 (roughly Rs. 80,000). The X Flip is available in Diamond Black, Ling Purple and Silk Gold colour options.Both Vivo X Fold 2 and Vivo X Flip will be available for purchase in China starting April 28. Vivo has not made any confirmations about the models' Indian or global release. Featuring an 8.03-inch E6 AMOLED LTPO inner display, the Vivo X Fold 2 has a resolution of 2,160 x 1,916 pixels, with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, and a peak brightness of up to 1,800 nits. This inner display panel also supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision. The outer screen of the Vivo X Fold 2 features a 6.53-inch AMOLED panel with a resolution of 2,520 × 1,080 pixels, with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz and a peak brightness of up to 1,600 nits. This outer display comes with a SCHOTT UTG glass cover. https://www.gadgets360.com/mobiles/news/vivo-x-fold-2-flip-cny-8999-5999-launch-sale-date-april-28-specifications-features-3967152#pfrom=desktop-lhs-trending

Several users have reported this bug to Microsoft, which affects one of the optional protections related to kernel isolation. Windows 11 has proven to be a very complete operating system for playing, although it has not been free of problems and bugs (in reality, no system is) that have been solved through updates that also add new content or plug security holes. However, the latest system update comes with an error under the arm that our reader Javier García has informed us about and that several people are complaining through the official Microsoft forums because it causes one of the Windows Defender protections, the antivirus that Windows itself includes. Specifically, this failure causes the local authority (LSA) protection to be deactivated, one of the optional protections that are included within the kernel's isolation security features and that, explained in a simple way, helps us protect the credentials that we have them saved in the operating system in a more secure way, preventing drivers and other elements without a secure signature from being loaded into the system. This protection, to begin with, is deactivated by default in Windows 11 but those who wanted to maximize their security and have it activated have found that it has been automatically deactivated and, when trying to activate it, they have encountered erratic operation like that of a user called Setacraft which after activating it, found that "the option was still activated, but it still asked me to restart, so I restarted again, and despite the restart, it kept telling me to restart for it to activate, so I tried disabling it the option, restart again, and activate the option and restart again... and it keeps telling me to restart even though the option is activated. At the moment Microsoft has not commented on this bug and at Vandal Ware we are going to contact them to see if they are preparing some type of update to correct the bug or if they have any temporary solution beyond not updating Windows 11 if you want to have it activated (or go back to the previous version if you have already updated the operating system). In the future LSA will be activated by default Just this week we learned that Microsoft plans for Windows 11 to activate this LSA protection by default, something that they have already applied in the beta versions of the operating system and that they will implement in the "public" version in the future. Precisely, preparing the system for this change may be generating this conflict. As for the problem, if you are dedicated to playing, Microsoft itself recommends deactivating the core isolation protections to gain performance (and reactivating them when you finish playing, which is very tedious) so it is something that in principle does not always affect us too much. and when we tread carefully on the internet (something we should always do, on the other hand). https://vandal.elespanol.com/w5980/la-ultima-actualizacion-de-windows-11-viene-con-un-error-que-afecta-a-la-proteccion-lsa

Each year NordVPN seems to find something new and exciting to add to its service. At this point, I find myself asking, what doesn’t NordVPN have? Not only do you get the VPN with an outstanding server network and lightning fast speeds, but you also have access to a whole slew of top-notch privacy and security extras. Its “Threat Protection” service gives you ad- and tracker-blocking, anti-malware download protection, and a malicious URL link-checker. Then there is an active Dark Web monitoring service and built-in file transfer feature called Meshnet. The list goes on and on. No other VPN is as rich in features as NordVPN, making it an easy top pick this year. — Sam Singleton https://www.pcworld.com/article/2515928/the-best-pc-hardware-and-software-of-2024-2025.html

Today, Orbifold Studios has released a new Half-Life 2 RTX trailer to celebrate the coming twentieth anniversary since Valve launched the masterpiece sci-fi first-person shooter sequel. As you probably already know if you've read our previous coverage of Half-Life 2 RTX, this is a remastering project that leverages the technologies of NVIDIA's RTX Remix and has the blessing of the original developer, Valve. Orbifold Studios, a team of experienced modders, was founded specifically to bring this project to fruition. In this video, Project Lead Wormslayer says: Half-Life 2 is my favorite game. It's something I've been playing for over 20 years now. It was unlike any other game I'd played before. the whole game is packed with memorable experiences: stepping off the train for the first time and walking up that platform and seeing Dr Breen appear on the giant screen above you. The gameplay and the storytelling still stand up incredibly well, but we just wanted to recapture that sense of awe that we all had 20 years ago playing it for the first time. RTX remix is the core of our remastering process. The original engine has very hard limits. In Half-Life 2 RTX, we have fully ray traced reflections and refractions on water and glass and volumetric fog with cool lighting and shadows. We actually have full 3D detail in there, and it's all self-shadowing and reflecting, and it looks pretty stunning. Unfortunately, the video isn't meant to share any kind of estimate on when we'll actually be able to play the remaster. As the developers point out, there are lots of assets to remaster, and despite the presence of over a hundred contributors, the team is still recruiting. If you think you can help bring Half-Life 2 RTX to life, fill out the form available on the official website. https://wccftech.com/half-life-2-rtx-gets-stunning-new-video-to-celebrate-the-games-20th-anniversary/

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Yes @BMW e63 ?

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Concerts and festivals such as Glastonbury are worth up to £900 million to the wider West economy, creating two million visits to the area. Umbrella arts organisation UK Music said the industry employed almost nine thousand people to work at shows in the West in 2023. The total number of music tourists attending live music events across the UK in 2023 was 19.2 million - an increase of 33% on 2022 when the figure was 14.4 million. But despite the growth in music tourism, independent events and grassroots music venues say they are still struggling. Glastonbury is one of the biggest, most famous music festivals in the world. Around 200,000 people attended in 2023 and broadcast regulator Ofcom reports that approximately 210,000 people attended in 2024. UK Music, a British umbrella organisation which represents the UK music industry, said music tourism is a growing part of the music industry. It added that the South West has seen an an 86% increase in music tourism, rising from one million in 2022 to two million in 2023. Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz9d893r586o

A former model said sharing a bed with a baby meerkat and taking it to the pub was "not a strange thing" to do. Jodie Marsh, 45, claimed her actions were "standard practice" in animal rehabilitation work. It followed a council rejecting her licence application to keep eight ring-tailed lemurs at her rescue centre in Lindsell near Great Dunmow, Essex. Uttlesford District Council said "it was not appropriate to grant the licence" during a licensing and environmental health committee on Monday. The meeting was called after Ms Marsh applied to keep the lemurs under a dangerous wild animal licence. However, concerns were raised by the panel about the applicant taking a baby meerkat she had been hand-rearing to a pub. Link:https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c51yqqyqj5yo

Mercedes-Benz is all set to increase the price range of its entire fleet in India by up to 3 percent. According to the details shared by the brand, the new price range will start reflecting on the model range from 1st January 2025. The comapny says the decision has been taken after witnessing the increased commodity cost and higher logistics expenses, which resulted in higher operational costs for the company. It has been revealed by the brand that the hot-selling model GLC will feature a new price tag, which will be hiked Rs 2 lakh. The Maybach S 680 will also become expensive by Rs 9 lakh. To note, the revised price range will not apply to the vehicles that are already in stock. Even nothing will change for the existing and future bookings until 31st December 2024. https://www.news18.com/auto/mercedes-benz-cars-to-become-expensive-in-india-by-3-percent-starting-from-jan-1-2025-9122355.html

Jack Grealish says being left out of England's Euro 2024 squad was the "most difficult thing I have had to deal with in my career". The Manchester City forward, 28, said he was "heartbroken" but is determined to use the experience as motivation going forward. Grealish came on as a substitute in England's 3-0 warm-up win against Bosnia-Herzegovina at St James' Park just over a week before the tournament started, but was not included in Gareth Southgate's final 26-man squad. England would go on to reach the final, which they lost 2-1 to Spain. "When you are on your holidays, every time you turn on the phone or the TV you just see it [the tournament], so it was hard not to see," added the former Aston Villa player, who has 36 England caps. "I'll be honest, football-wise it was the most difficult thing I've ever had to deal with in terms of my own career. "I was absolutely heartbroken. For myself now moving forward, I have to just try and use that as motivation going into this season." Grealish cost City a British record £100m when he joined City from Villa in August 2021, one month after featuring for England in the Euro 2020 finalagainst Italy. "I felt I should have been in the [England] squad," added Grealish, who was speaking on City's pre-season tour of the United States. "I feel like I offer something different to players in the England squad. "But it is what it is. "As I said, it was the hardest moment for me as a footballer. I've had a lot of ups and downs in my career." Link: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/crgk3r46007o

The number of people diagnosed with skin cancer in Guernsey has hit the highest level in five years. A Freedom of Information request to the Committee for Health & Social Care revealed there were 767 cases of skin cancers detected on the island in 2023. That is an increase of 71 cases from 2022, and 12 fewer than in 2019 when there were 779. Guernsey's Public Health said lifestyle factors and a higher strength of UV rays put islanders at greater risk than residents in other parts of the British Isles. Di Matthews, Guernsey's public health strategic screening lead said: "We do tend to have higher rates of skin cancer than the rest of the UK. "That is down to our high UV, plus we have a lifestyle were we are able to finish work and head to the beach so we are more likely to have those hours in the sun where we are having skin damage." Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can damage the DNA in skin cells and cause skin cancer. A charity which provides free sunscreen to islanders says prevention is key, as it tries to encourage more people to protect themselves from the sun. Mike Richards, of Male Uprising Guernsey (MUG) is calling on more employers to supply sunscreen to outdoor workers. He said: "You can't force people to use it, but if its being slightly pressed upon there's more chance you will use it." The Committee for Health & Social Care noted the cancer numbers vary depending on how many screening programmes are in place to actively find cases, and other factors. The skin cancers detected were divided into malignant melanomas and non-melanocytic types. Melanomas are a serious type of skin cancer that can spread to other parts of the body. There are also non-melanoma skin cancers, which are generally more common and usually less serious. Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c6p2elq7l5no

Israeli forces fired at UNIFIL headquarters in southern Lebanon, injuring two Indonesian peacekeepers. UNIFIL – the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon – said on Thursday that two peacekeepers were injured when an Israeli tank fired at a watchtower at the force’s headquarters in the border area town of Naqoura, causing them to fall. Any attack on peacekeepers is a “grave violation of international humanitarian law”, UNIFIL said in a statement. On Friday, Lebanon’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Israeli army hit a watchtower of a Sri Lankan battalion in Naqoura, part of UNIFIL, in the second such attack in as many days. The peacekeeping organisation, which consists of about 10,000 peacekeepers from 50 countries and was established in 1978, said Israeli forces had “deliberately” fired at its positions along the border.Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN undersecretary general for peace operations, told the UN Security Council that the “safety and security” of UN peacekeepers in Lebanon is “increasingly in jeopardy”. He said that operational activities had virtually come to a halt since September 23, when Israel launched a wave of strikes against Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon. “Peacekeepers have been confined to their bases with significant periods of time in shelter,” he said, adding that UNIFIL was ready to support all efforts towards a diplomatic solution. “UNIFIL is mandated to support the implementation of resolution 1701, but we must insist that it is for the parties themselves to implement the provisions of this resolution,” he told an emergency meeting of the 15-member council. UN Security Council resolution 1701 gives UNIFIL a mandate to help the Lebanese army keep its southern border area with Israel free of weapons or armed personnel other than those of the Lebanese state. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti told Al Jazeera that the attack was a “very serious” development. Tenenti explained that Israel had previously asked the peacekeepers to move from “certain positions” near the border, but “we decided to stay because it’s important for the UN flag to fly in [the] south of Lebanon”. “If the situation becomes impossible for the mission to operate in the south of Lebanon … it will be up to the Security Council to decide how to move forward,” he said. “At the moment, we are staying, we are trying to do whatever we can to monitor [and] to provide assistance,” Tenenti added. Indonesia Minister for Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi confirmed on Friday that two Indonesian peacekeepers had been injured in the assault and are in hospital for further observation. “Indonesia strongly condemns the attack,” she said. “Attacking UN personnel and property is a major violation of International Humanitarian Law.” Indonesia, a staunch critic of Israel and supporter of Palestine, has about 1,232 personnel currently deployed with UNIFIL in Lebanon. Israel Israel’s military said its troops opened fire near a UNIFIL base after instructing UN forces in the area to remain in protected spaces. It said in a statement that Hezbollah fighters operate from within and near civilian areas in southern Lebanon, including areas near UNIFIL posts. The military said it “is operating in southern Lebanon and maintains routine communication with UNIFIL”. Israel’s UN ambassador, Danny Danon, said he recommended that the peacekeeping force relocate five kilometres (3.1 milies) north “while the situation along the Blue Line remains volatile as a result of Hezbollah aggression”, referring to the demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel. The White House is “deeply concerned” by reports Israel fired on UN peacekeeper headquarters in south Lebanon, a National Security Council spokesperson said. “We understand Israel is conducting targeted operations near the Blue Line to destroy Hezbollah infrastructure that could be used to threaten Israeli citizens,” the spokesperson said. “While they undertake these operations, it is critical that they not threaten UN peacekeepers’ safety and security.” Italy Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto called the attack on the UNIFIL bases “totally unacceptable”. “This was not a mistake and not an accident,” Crosetto told a news conference. “It could constitute a war crime and represented a very serious violation of international military law,” he said. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/10/10/world-reacts-to-alleged-israeli-attack-on-un-peacekeepers-in-lebanon

Google gadgets have revolutionized the tech landscape, offering cutting-edge solutions for everyday needs. From best Google gadgets to innovative Google devices, these top tech gadgets combine functionality with sleek design. With Google products 2025, the future of technology looks brighter than ever, making them essential tools for any tech enthusiast. The Google Pixel 9: The Best Smartphone Available The Pixel 9 builds on the Google Pixel series’ legacy of high performance and minimalist design. Set to launch by 2025, the Pixel 9 aims to further exemplify Google's commitment to innovation. https://www.analyticsinsight.net/gadgets/top-5-google-gadgets-to-buy-in-2025

ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2025 maintains consistency with previous versions in terms of workflow and usefulness, with a handful of improvements and new features in this latest version. Overall, it’s the image management and Raw processing aspects of the software that are most effective. Plus, this software is available with both a subscription and a perpetual license, so you can choose the one that suits you best. Photo editing software is a necessity for photographers, whether beginners, enthusiasts, or professionals. And while Adobe dominates the market by a long shot, there are many alternatives available, quite often, for a much lower cost and with unique features. ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2025 is an all-in-one photo editing software with a similar workflow to Lightroom and Photoshop, but all within a single streamlined interface. The interface itself is made up of five ‘Modes’ which allow you to perform different tasks and generally keep the editing workflow simple. This is, however, Windows-only software, but it’s updated annually with new features and performance upgrades like most other photo editing programs and is available with two licensing options. ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2025 is available with subscription plans or a perpetual license, so you can choose the option that best suits you and your budget. The monthly subscription costs $8.90 while the annual gives you two months for free at $89 per year. This includes free updates for the duration of the subscription, free tech support, up to five device installs, recording and video editing software, 200GB of cloud storage, and exclusive tutorials. The lifetime license costs $150. This includes continuous free updates for the duration of the subscription, free tech support, up to five device installs, recording and video editing software, 200GB of cloud storage, and exclusive tutorials. You can also download a free trial to test the software before committing. Pricing is in USD and the overall cost of the software is less expensive than the Adobe Photography Plan but more expensive than Serif Affinity Photo 2. https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/reviews/acdsee-photo-studio-ultimate-2025-review