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In this week's episode of The Game Informer Show, the crew discusses their time playing the biggest game of 2023, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Join Kyle Hilliard and Brian Shea, alongside hosts Alex Van Aken and Marcus Stewart, for a deep dive into our latest Zelda review. We are returning to the world we fell in love with in 2017's Breath of the Wild, but nothing is the same, resulting in a fresh and unique experience that rewards imagination. For folks interested in other games, later in the show we discuss Darkest Dungeon II, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, and a disaster involving The Last Case of Benedict Fox. Watch the video version of our weekly gaming podcast right here: The Game Informer Show is a weekly gaming podcast covering the latest video game news, industry topics, exclusive reveals, and reviews. Join host Alex Van Aken every Thursday for a chat about your favorite games – past and present – with Game Informer staff, developers, and special guests from around the industry. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. https://www.gameinformer.com/video-podcast/2023/05/11/the-legend-of-zelda-tears-of-the-kingdom-is-incredible-gi-show
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Archosaur Games has officially launched Life Makeover, the studio's stunning dress-up and social simulation game on iOS and Android. As expected from the developers of Dragon Raja, the game features deep customisation options that let players handcraft their own avatars and personalise them to suit their tastes best. And, as of today, you can download it now to claim free outfits and items. In Life Makeover, players can look forward to dressing up their characters with a wide variety of outfits, making jealous any Fashion Week enthusiast. The game’s meticulous personalisation feature makes it possible to choose from skin tones to various body shapes, making it a very inclusive experience, as well as a myriad of options when it comes to outfit materials, styles, patterns and so much more. And that’s not all. You can also build your own dream home and socialise with friends. With more than 4 million sign-ups garnered throughout its pre-registration period, the game boasts gorgeous visuals that ramp up the cosmetic appeal of the social sim. Additionally, there are tons of pre-registration rewards up for grabs thanks to the epic milestones reached during the pre-launch period, with more than 15 million followers from across the globe. Likewise, you have complete freedom to create any type of home you like, from a luxury penthouse to a humble farmhouse. You’re in total control from the foundations and layout all the way up to the furniture and final decorative touches.If you're eager to give it a go yourself, you can head on over to the official website, download Life Makeover on iOS and Android, or join the community of followers on Facebook to stay updated on all the latest developments and have chance to win an iPhone 14 Pro, CHANEL lipsticks and other surprises. https://www.pocketgamer.com/life-makeover/out-now-on-ios-android/
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AMC Networks has released a new trailer for the upcoming series The Walking Dead: Dead City. The show, which stars Lauren Cohan and Jeffrey Dean Morgan, will premiere on June 18 at 10 PM ET on AMC and AMC+, and subsequent episodes airing at 9 PM ET. The Walking Dead: Dead City features Maggie (Cohan) and Negan (Morgan) as they "journey into a post-apocalyptic Manhattan that has long been cut off from the mainland. The city is teeming with the undead and the inhabitants who have made it their own world, filled with chaos, danger, beauty, and terror." Check out the new trailer below. The show also features Gaius Charles and Željko Ivanek, among others. Eli Jorné, who has worked as a writer and co-executive producer on The Walking Dead for multiple seasons, is the showrunner and executive producer of the series, which is overseen by Scott M. Gimple, the chief content officer of The Walking Dead Universe. Cohan and Morgan also serve as executive producers, along with Brian Bockrath. Elsewhere in the franchise, in February it was announced that the Daryl Dixon spinoff added five new members to The World Of The Walking Dead. In addition to the ongoing Fear The Walking Dead (which will premiere its final season on May 14), the 2022 anthology series Tales of the Walking Dead is getting a follow-up called More Tales of the Walking Dead. The seventh installment in the franchise, The Walking Dead: Rick & Michonne--featuring Andrew Lincoln, Danai Gurira, and Polyanna McIntosh reprising their roles from the original series--is scheduled to premiere in 2024. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-big-apple-bites-back-in-new-the-walking-dead-dead-city-trailer/1100-6514073/
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WhatsApp has responded to the Indian Government's call to send notice to the Meta's messaging platform regarding an increase in international scam calls. Promising to safeguard user's privacy and security, WhatsApp says it provides options like 'Block' and 'Report' for users to avoid any unwanted calls or messages. It also ensured to have ramped up its AI and ML system, which is expected to bring down the current calling rate by at least 50 percent. "Our users are at the heart of everything we do and we are fully aligned with the Government's goal of keeping users safe. WhatsApp is a leader among end-to-end encrypted services in protecting user safety," stated WhatsApp spokesperson in response to report regarding IT Ministry's decision to send a notice. "We have quickly ramped up our AI & ML systems to bring down such incidents significantly. Our new enforcement will reduce the current calling rate by at least 50 percent and we expect to be able to control the current incidence effectively," the statement added. Earlier in the day, Minister of State for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that the IT Ministry will send a notice to WhatsApp on the issue of spam calls from unknown international numbers, in order to ensure privacy of users on digital platforms. He added that all the digital platforms are responsible and accountable for ensuring the safety of 'digital nagriks'. Alleged misuse or alleged breach of users' privacy on any such platform will receive appropriate response from the. government. The incidence has come to light as WhatsApp users in India have reported to have received incoming international spam calls over the past few days. Users took it to Twitter to complain that these spam calls had country codes belonging to Indonesia (+62), Vietnam (+84), Malaysia (+60), Kenya (+254) and Ethiopia (+251). Smartphone companies have launched many compelling devices over the first quarter of 2023. What are some of the best phones launched in 2023 you can buy today? We discuss this on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.gadgets360.com/apps/news/whatsapp-responds-it-ministry-notice-call-spam-international-calls-4026809
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Wix(opens in new tab) has decided to take its website building services a step further by opening its backend to work outside the Wix platform, with the launch of a new offering designed for developers. Wix Headless hopes to revolutionize the way developers use composable application programming interfaces (APIs) and software development kits (SDK). The reportedly never-been-done-before offering allows developers to implement Wix’s business solutions with any tech stack across different platforms and devices. Wix Headless marks the first time the company is opening the backend to work outside the Wix platform. Website builder for developers Developers can use a variety of Wix Business Solutions that can all be accessed from the SDK and managed from within Wix’s management platform. The APIs can be used out of the box with Wix's additional solutions such as contacts and checkout. This means that web developers can create custom solutions that integrate with Wix even if their delivery layer, website or app is not on Wix. Other features of Wix Headless include multiple lines of business from one dashboard, the ability to connect additional sites or apps to existing projects on Wix, and the opportunity to take advantage of a global payments infrastructure. Through Wix’s providers platform, developers can also connect to payment providers located in South America, North America, and Europe, without integrating multiple payment gateways. "Wix Headless enables developers to use Wix in ways that weren't previously possible, from scaling their online presences to managing multiple complex projects in one place,“ said Shahar Talmi, GM Developer Platform at Wix. “We’re constantly advancing our business solutions on Wix, and by providing developers access to these APIs, with the ability to incorporate them into projects built on other platforms, we’re accelerating the endless possibilities presented in the web development industry.” Interestingly, the tool also lets web developers maximize the ways customers can interact with a business by connecting multiple clients to a single Wix back-end. For example, multiple websites, a mobile app, and a smartwatch app can all offer services on behalf of the same Wix backend business. Wix Headless opens the door for using Wix Business Solutions with web frameworks, including React, Vue, Svelte, Qwik, amongst others. The most efficient way to create a site is to use the best website builder service coupled with the best web hosting(opens in new tab) provider https://www.techradar.com/news/wix-is-opening-up-its-services-to-boost-websites-everywhere
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Sabrent normally sells the Rocket 2230 1TB for $159.99. However, for a limited time, this small and fast SSD can be yours for just $109.99(opens in new tab), saving you a nice $50 off the regular price. Thus far, the discount only applies to purchases from Sabrent’s online store. Admittedly, there aren’t many M.2 2230 SSD options on the current market. Although the SSDs are used inside po[CENSORED]r devices, such as the ultrabooks or the Steam Deck, manufacturers haven’t given the form factor much attention. That doesn’t take away the fact that the Rocket 2230 is one of the best SSDs even if there’s little to no competition in the category. The Rocket 2230 1TB is the flagship SKU of Sabrent’s M.2 2230 lineup. Sadly, the vendor doesn’t offer a 2TB option, which would have been great since modern games are only getting bigger. The Rocket 2230 is a PCIe 4.0 SSD and delivers performance that does justice to its credentials. The tiny SSD offers sequential read and write speeds up to 4,750 MB/s and 4,300 MB/s, respectively. With performance figures like that, the Rocket 2230 is faster than the default drives in the Steam Deck and some of the OEM drives on the market. Performance isn’t the Rocket 2230’s only selling point. The SSD has been demonstrated to be extraordinarily power efficient in our tests. It’s an important aspect when choosing an M.2 2230 SSD since its primary target is mobile devices, like ultra-thin notebooks and handheld gaming consoles. The Rocket 2230 also has a generous warranty, which is another point in its favor. True, there are cheaper OEM options out there but those don’t typically come with a warranty. It’s a tremendous risk since the OEM can fail in a few weeks or months. Maybe you’ll get lucky, and it lasts for a few years. But it’s a lottery. The Rocket 2230, on the other hand, comes with a five-year warranty with registration. Valve doesn’t plan to release a Steam Deck 2 “for a few years”. But when the company does and if the new device retains the same form factor SSD, you’re already set with the Rocket 2230 1TB. https://www.tomshardware.com/news/get-dollar50-off-this-m2-2230-1tb-ssd-for-your-steam-deck
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A few days before the opening of the World Hard Enduro season, Husqvarna presented the first images of the 2021 world champion's mount. A 300 TEi which foreshadows the future 2024 two-stroke enduro models. Shall we go around? New frame, swingarm, trim, tank, seat, everything is new. But always this sober and classic touch in the decor. Simple, effective... Obviously Billy Bolt's motorcycle receives WP Pro suspensions, specific triple trees, a seat cover, numerous protections (front disc, reinforced chain guide, etc.) which will not be on chain-extracted motorcycles. © HVA As with the 2023 cross two-strokes, the injection system behind the carbon cover should be the TBI, with injectors fixed in the Keihin injection body. And no longer in the cylinder. © HVA Dressing and tank kept a familiar line. But we are clearly on the 2024 pre-series, with series machines that will soon be presented to the press and in dealerships before the summer. © HVA After an empty season last year due to an injury, the Englishman Billy Bolt is going back to attacking the Hard Enduro world championship as the ultra favourite. © HVA Billy Bolt:“The 2023 season is going well for me so far. I ended the SuperEnduro season with another win, and even if that doesn't translate directly to hardenduro, it's still good to start the year dominating like that. I'm super excited to get back on the hard enduro scene now and show what I can do. I won the world title in 2021 and to be honest that was the last time I did the full championship. My 2022 season was cut short by injury so if anything it just gives me more motivation to get the win in 2023. I think when you've won a title in the past if you come into that championship with another objective than to win, then there is definitely something wrong. The bike for 2023 looks amazing and really suits my style. As soon as I jumped on it I felt comfortable and it's really good for my confidence ahead of the 2023 Hard Enduro World Championship. I also couldn't do what I do without such a strong team. around me. Every championship I've won is the result of a huge team effort. It's helped me get to where I am and even though there's a lot of hard work ahead this year, I think together we can get there and finish the season on top. » Every championship I've won is the result of a huge team effort. It's helped me get to where I am and even though there's a lot of hard work ahead this year, I think together we can get there and finish the season on top. » Every championship I've won is the result of a huge team effort. It's helped me get to where I am and even though there's a lot of hard work ahead this year, I think together we can get there and finish the season on top. » ays as radical in his driving, Bolt should give Manuel Lettenbichler and Mario Roman a hard time in 2023. Start of the season on May 18-20 with the Xross in Serbia. https://moto-station.com/moto-verte/actu/lhusqvarna-300-tei-de-billy-bolt-devoilee/640317
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When Sen. Joe Manchin upbraided EPA on Wednesday for requiring power plants to reduce their carbon emissions, he didn’t mention that the agency’s rules could threaten his personal income. The West Virginia Democrat vowed to oppose President Joe Biden’s EPA nominees because the agency’s rules being proposed Thursday could push coal- and gas-fired power plants “out of existence,” he said. The risk to one plant, in particular, could jeapordize a lucrative source of money for Manchin. His family business Enersystems Inc. delivers waste coal to the Grant Town power plant, a financially struggling coal facility near Manchin’s hometown that he has spent much of his political career protecting. The Grant Town plant has repeatedly threatened to shut down. Now, with the release of EPA rules that are expected to push many power plants into installing expensive technology to capture their carbon emissions before the pollution escapes into the sky, the plant faces an increasingly troubled future. Many coal plants might shut down rather than comply with the stringent new climate rules. “This is going to make it harder for them to stay around. You won’t find written anywhere in the rule that this is supposed to be putting coal plants out of business, but just do the math,” said Brian Murray, director of the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability at Duke University. Last year, Manchin earned $537,000 from Enersystems, according to financial disclosure records he filed with the Senate. He has been paid more than $5 million by the company since being elected to the Senate in 2010. The Grant Town plant is the main facility to receive coal from Manchin’s family business. Enersystems is now run by Manchin’s son, Joe Manchin IV. Spokespeople for Manchin and Grant Town did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Manchin, who faces a strong Republican challenger with deep connections to the coal industry in next year’s election, expressed outrage in a 221-word statement released Wednesday against the Biden administration’s “extreme ideology” for targeting fossil fuel carbon emissions. POLITICO’s Energy Summit on May 18 will discuss the new energy world order with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, White House national climate adviser Ali Zaidi, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, members of Congress and industry executives. Register here. “This Administration is determined to advance its radical climate agenda and has made it clear they are hellbent on doing everything in their power to regulate coal and gas-fueled power plants out of existence, no matter the cost to energy security and reliability,” Manchin said. The Grant Town plant generates 80 megawatts of power, making it one of the smaller plants in West Virginia and the only one that continues to burn waste coal, a mix of mud and minerals that is often found discarded near old mines. Waste coal is a high-carbon fuel. Environmental regulations have long threatened the Grant Town plant. In 2021, Richard Halloran, the president of the plant’s operator, Grant Town Holdings Corp., said in state testimony that he planned to use the facility to power cryptocurrency mining as a way to diversify its income stream. He noted that the plan, which he described as a financial lifeline for the struggling plant, carried inherent risks because of the freewheeling nature of cryptocurrency. “This will give us less protection against the anti fossil fuel (coal) sentiment and legislation and taxation, but we will try to fight this battle as hard as possible,” Halloran said. West Virginia, which still gets about 90 percent of its power from coal, is an outlier in the United States. Many states, including New York, have moved beyond coal entirely, replacing it with natural gas and renewables. A version of this report first ran in E&E News’ Climatewire. Get access to more comprehensive and in-depth reporting on the energy transition, natural resources, climate change and more in E&E News. https://www.politico.com/news/2023/05/11/manchin-epa-new-rules-biden-00096320
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Animal rights campaigners are calling on the UK government to ban testing ingredients used for make-up on animals. Testing cosmetic products and ingredients on animals remains banned in the UK, the government insists. But the Home Office has issued licenses that allow testing of ingredients that might affect worker safety. The High Court said that the government was acting legally after a case was brought by animal rights activists. Animal tests for makeup ingredients allowed Which animals are used in UK experiments? Nars boycotts over China animal testing Testing on animals in the UK had only been allowed if the benefits gained from the research outweighed any animal suffering, for example for medicines. However, in 2020 the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), an EU agency which oversees chemical regulation, ruled that companies needed to test some ingredients used in cosmetics on animals to ensure they were safe for workers manufacturing the ingredients. 'Regrettable' Last week it emerged that since 2019 the government has been issuing licences for animal testing of cosmetic ingredients in line with EU chemical rules, which it retained despite leaving the EU in 2020. It is not known how many such licences have been issued or to whom. The issuing of licences was revealed in a High Court case brought by animal rights campaigners. Mr Justice Linden ruled in favour of the government, saying that the licenses were not in conflict with the government's ban on cosmetics testing. But he said it was "regrettable" the public had not been informed about the change in policy. When asked if the government is restarting animal testing, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesperson said: "No absolutely not. The ban on using animals to test cosmetic products or ingredients for the consumer will remain completely in force and there are absolutely no plans to change that. "It also remains the case that it is unlawful for any business to sell cosmetic products or their ingredients that have been tested for the consumer on animals. "Any change in EU law on this will not impact our position and we will take the necessary steps to ensure this is the case. There will be no weakening on our position on animal testing." PM 'misinformed' In response, Campaign group Cruelty Free International said: "Unfortunately, the prime minister is misinformed about the government's position on animal testing for cosmetics. "A policy banning such tests was first introduced in 1998. However, in a letter to Cruelty Free International in August 2021, the Home Office admitted that the policy had 'changed' (i.e. been abandoned), to bring the UK into line with an EU ruling in a case called Symrise. "When Cruelty Free International challenged the new approach in a recent judicial review, the Home Office disclosed that it had been secretly granting licences to test for cosmetics since February 2019. "A High Court judge ruled that legally it was entitled to, based on his interpretation of EU general chemicals legislation known as REACH and its relationship with the EU Cosmetics Regulation." The campaign group added: "The government also said separately that the policy applied to worker safety testing. The prime minister's statement refers to tests 'for the consumer'. "Whether labelled as consumer or worker safety, the animal tests are identical. The government is now unquestionably once more allowing cosmetics testing on animals for the benefit of consumers." 'Horrified' The Body Shop, a global beauty company, has said they share the concerns of Cruelty Free International that the ban was effectively lifted. They are also calling on the government to reinstate the ban immediately. Dr Penny Hawkins, head of the RSPCA's animals in science department, said: "We've long been concerned about the UK government's decision to allow animal testing to satisfy chemical safety legislation even when a substance may go on to be used exclusively in a cosmetics product. "This is in conflict with the ban on the use of animals to test cosmetic products or their ingredients. It also flies in the face of deeply-held and legitimate concerns about this use of animals, held by the RSPCA and the public - many of whom will be horrified that cosmetic ingredients could again be tested on animals. "The RSPCA wants to see a global commitment to replacing the use of animals in science, with an immediate end to the use of animal testing for consumer products." A new chemicals strategy is expected to be published this year outlining the government's position on the use and testing of chemicals in the UK - which may include further guidance to cosmetic companies. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-65562354
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Inter Milan logically dominated AC Milan at the San Siro stadium (0-2) on Wednesday. The Nerazzuri smothered the Rossoneri in the first half, before AC Milan tried to come back in the second half – but were unsuccessful. The Interistes take an option for qualification for the Champions League final before the return match next week. It was a European derby that promised to be boiling at the San Siro stadium on Wednesday May 10. For this semi-final first leg of the Champions League , Inter Milan dominated AC Milan (0-2) and took a serious option for qualification in the final before the second leg. At the start of the match, the Rossoneri of Stefano Pioli evolve in 4-2-3-1 with Olivier Giroud at the forefront. Rafael Leao, doubtful due to a strained right thigh last weekend, is out. Simone Inzaghi's Nerazzuri start the match in 3-5-2. Up front, Lautaro Martinez pairs with Edin Dzeko, and Romelu Lukaku starts on the bench. There is a lot of commitment from the start of the match, like this sole of Theo Hernandez on Dumfries in midfield (1st). Both teams are in place and no one leaves space for the opponent... until Inter lights the first fuse: after a distant free kick from Dimarco deflects for a corner, Calhanoglu fires the kick set foot beautifully volleyed by Dzeko who gives the advantage to his team (0-1, 8th). AC Milan did not have time to recover from their match as Inter doubled the lead. On a loss of the ball in midfield, Dimarco off center sends a pass in the axis at the entrance to the surface on Mkhitaryan who adjusts Maignan at close range (0-2, 11th). Inter pull off the perfect start to the game. The Nerazzuri are also not far from tripling the lead a few minutes later: Calhanoglu's shot finally crashes into the post. In the aftermath, Maignan works to repel a new attempt by Mkhitaryan (16th). The Rossoneri are suffocated by their opponent's tactical system and fail to create chances... Conversely, the few interist incursions constantly create danger and have already hit the mark twice. Inter maintains the same pressure on his opponent, who fails to get his head above water. AC Milan even fails to sink when Martinez gets a penalty on a foul from Kjaer (31st). But the referee, after having recourse to the VAR, reconsiders his decision and cancels the set piece. In the process, Martinez again appears at the entrance to the surface of AC Milan and arms a sudden rebound shot. Maignan is surprised and does not move, but the ball barely escapes the frame (34th). AC Milan tries a reaction at the end of the first period, but its attempts lack precision like this discount on Giroud which does not alert Onana (45th + 2). After four minutes of added time, it's half-time in this one-sided European derby. Inter Milan logically dominates AC Milan, he even had opportunities to make the mark worse. The Rossoneri will have to change things to exist in the second half. AC Milan try to get back in the game but Inter control their subject The second half resumes. AC Milan did not make any player changes at half-time, but seem to be coming back from the locker room with better intentions like this action (49th): Diaz recovers the ball and pierces the interist axis before arm a curling shot that grazes Onana's post. This is the first clear chance for the Rossoneri. In the process, Tonali brilliantly shifts Messias who arms an off-center shot to deceive Onana, but his ball escapes the target (51st). AC Milan seems to be recovering, but Inter are still playing. On a new occasion, Dzeko finds himself alone in the Milan area, but he fails to score a double because of a solid save from Maignan (53rd). The Milan goalkeeper keeps his teammates in the game. AC Milan seems to suffer less from the match than in the first period, but struggles to create danger in the opposing area. The Rossoneri may need more freshness to return to this European derby. Thiaw replaces Kjaer and Origi replaces Saelemekers (59th). Origi, just entered, is illustrated quickly and creates a gap which leads Tonali to strike in the axis of a strike from the outside... Outgoing post, Onana was deceived (63rd). AC Milan finally rebalances the match, but it is Inter who lead the scoreboard. The Interistes are also a little in the management – without losing quality – like the two changes of Dzeko and Dimarco (70th), two strong men of the evening replaced by Lukaku and De Vrij. Then Simone Inzaghi brings out two other artisans of the good interist match: Calhanoglu and Martinez, replaced by Gagliardini and Correa (78th). Inter, which no longer has control over the match as in the first act, remains despite everything well in place and on the lookout for the slightest counter. Failing to stifle their opponents now, the Nerazzuri temporize the inclinations of the Rossoneri, who no longer manage to create danger. Messias still tries a shot, but it is deflected by an interist defender, then Onana grabs it without difficulty on the ground (81st). Inter then waste an opportunity that could have ended better at the feet of Gaglardini (83rd). AC Milan also lacks precision, like this free kick from Theo Hernandez which passes well above Onana's cage (85th). Onana is also put to use on a strike without great danger (90th + 1). Whether in attack or defense, Inter is ultimately the big winner of this first European derby. See you in a week for the rematch. https://www.france24.com/fr/sports/20230510-ligue-des-champions-l-inter-remporte-la-première-manche-du-derby-face-à-l-ac-milan
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Re “A moment that changed me” (10 May), Alison Hitchcock’s letters to her friend Brian after he’d been diagnosed with cancer mirror my own experience. In 2016, I wrote to my cousin Shirley, 82, an English graduate who was in hospital, hoping that her daughter would read my letter out to her. Shirley recovered and began to reply. I continued to write fortnightly and am now approaching letter number 195. This correspondence has given us both a great deal of pleasure – and has certainly improved my grammar. Tom Whitehead Kendal, Cumbria The “feudal” system of leaseholds is not to be abolished, announces Downing Street (Report, 10 May) – five days after the coronation of a major landlord. Coincidence, obviously. David Duell Durham Re pet names (Letters, 10 May), my parents had friends whose cat was named Caldybus. Odd to hear them calling this name when the bus to Caldy, a village along the road from where we lived in the Wirral peninsula, would sail past hourly. Alison Leighton Stony Stratford, Buckinghamshire Letterboxes are positioned near the floor (Letters, 10 May) so that even the tiniest pooch can join in the exciting game of waiting in silence, ready to leap forward in snarling fury as unsuspecting fingers attempt to push a pamphlet through the opening. Peter Waterson Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire Breakfast pie (Letters, 10 May) has been sold by Gay’s Creamery in Dawlish for at least 25 years. Brian Hirst Exeter Have an opinion on anything you’ve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section. The free press is under attack from multiple forces. Media outlets are closing their doors, victims to a broken business model. In much of the world, journalism is morphing into propaganda, as governments dictate what can and can’t be printed. In the last year alone, hundreds of reporters have been killed or imprisoned for doing their jobs. The UN reports that 85% of the world’s po[CENSORED]tion experienced a decline in press freedom in their country in recent years. Last week marked the 30th annual World Press Freedom Day, a day for everyone to reflect on the importance of free expression as fundamental for all other rights. It is also an opportunity to pledge support for independent media – because without a robust and free press, a healthy democracy is impossible. As you’re joining us today from Algeria, we hope you will consider marking this day by supporting the Guardian. Despite the financial challenges plaguing the media industry, we’ve decided to keep our journalism paywall-free, because we deeply believe everyone has the right to access high-quality, fact-checked reporting. And we maintain our independence thanks to generosity from readers all over the world, who understand that supporting the free press is an investment in an informed and empowered public. Unlike many others, we have no billionaire owner – this helps us maintain the freedom to fearlessly chase the truth and report it with integrity. Your support will allow us to continue to work with trademark determination and passion to bring you journalism that’s always free from commercial or political interference. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/may/11/for-the-pleasure-of-writing-to-a-friend
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The US envoy to South Africa has accused the country of supplying weapons to Russia despite its professed neutrality in the war in Ukraine. Ambassador Reuben Brigety told local media he was "confident" that a Russian ship was loaded with ammunition and weapons in Cape Town last December. South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa said his government was looking into the claims. The country has maintained claims of neutrality in the invasion of Ukraine. Mr Brigety said at a media briefing in Pretoria on Thursday that Washington had concerns about the country's stated non-aligned stance on the conflict. He referred to the docking of a cargo ship in the Simon's Town naval base between 6 and 8 December last year which he was "confident" uploaded weapons and ammunition "as it made its way back to Russia". The presence of the ship, the Lady R, had seemed curious at the time and raised questions from some local politicians. "The arming of the Russians is extremely serious, and we do not consider this issue to be resolved," Mr Brigety said, in a damning accusation that seems to have caught South Africa's officials off guard. In the wake of the allegations, the South African government announced the establishment of an independent inquiry led by a retired judge, a spokesman for the president's office said. The US has been critical for months about South Africa's continued cosy relationship with Russia. It also expressed concerns about South Africa's participation in military exercises with Russia and China during the anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine. The naval exercises took place over 10 days in February and were criticised by opposition figures as an endorsement of the Russian invasion. The South African authorities denied the war games were provocatively timed to coincide with the one-year anniversary and said the country routinely hosts similar drills with other nations, including France and the US. South Africa previously abstained from a UN vote condemning the invasion. It also refused to join the US and Europe in imposing sanctions on Russia. In response to a question raised by the leader of the opposition John Steenhuisen, Mr Ramaphosa told parliament on Thursday that the comments made by the US ambassador would be looked into. The president asked opposition parties to allow for the process to be completed, adding that "in time we will be able to speak about it". The US State Department has not yet commented on the claims. If they are true, they not only weaken South Africa's claim of neutrality, but some may even go as far as saying the country is complicit in the ongoing aggression of Russia in Ukraine. "If South African bullets are found on Ukraine bodies, that is not a position we would want to be in," one expert in international relations said. The details around the arms cache are still thin. It is not clear if the weapons would have been acquired from a state-owned arms company, or a weapons company based in South Africa. But either way, this does not bode well for South Africa's international ties, especially with the US, one of its largest trade allies. At the heart of the issue for South Africa now, off the back of these claims, will be the impression this could create that the country is not only non-aligned but has in fact chosen to be a "soft ally" to Russia, at a time when some Western countries see Russia as an aggressor guilty of human rights violations. Why Russia's invasion of Ukraine still divides Africa South Africa has modern-day ties with Russia because they are members of the Brics alliance, a group which represents some of the world's leading emerging economies, including China, Brazil and India. The country's governing African National Congress (ANC) also has long-standing ties with Russia. South Africa was faced with a diplomatic dilemma in March after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin. He is accused of being responsible for war crimes in Ukraine, including the unlawful deportation of children. Mr Putin was due to attend an upcoming Brics summit in South Africa in August but the warrant meant that Pretoria would have to detain him on arrival. In response, last month Mr Ramaphosa said the ANC had decided that South Africa should quit the ICC, before backtracking hours later citing what his office called a communications "error". Historically, South Africa had a thriving arms industry, selling weapons to countries across the continent. The scale of that arms power to date is currently not known. South Africa's authorities have been less than pleased with the accusation from the US ambassador, saying the matter should have been handled through proper diplomatic channels. It is not enough for the envoy to simply claim the existence of the intelligence and there will be an expectation from many in South Africa for the US to provide evidence of its claim. This is a hang-up of claims once made by the US of weapons of mass destruction, which led to the invasion of Iraq some years ago. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-65563027
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