-_-Moltres-_-

Pakistan’s military has confirmed that at least 10 soldiers were killed in an attack on a security checkpost in the southwest province of Balochistan earlier this week, according to a statement. The attack took place on Tuesday night in the Kech area, located near the country’s western border with Iran and roughly 600km (373 miles) south of provincial capital Quetta, Pakistan’s military said in a statement released late on Thursday. “During intense exchange of fire, one terrorist was killed and several injured,” said the statement. “While repulsing terrorists’ fire raid, 10 soldiers embraced martyrdom.” The Pakistani military’s press wing said that a “follow-up clearance operation” was ongoing and that three suspects had been apprehended since the attack. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but Pakistan’s military has been battling an armed ethnic Baloch separatist movement in the region for more than 10 years. Attacks against Pakistani security forces in southern Balochistan have been on the rise, with Tuesday’s checkpost attack the second such attack in a month. On December 24, at least two soldiers were killed when unidentified gunmen attacked a security forces checkpost in Kech, according to a military statement. That attack came 10 days after a soldier was killed in an attack on a border post along the nearby Pakistan-Iran border. Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest but least po[CENSORED]ted province, with vast swathes of uninhabited arid mountainous land. The province regularly scores near the bottom of national human development indicator rankings.

Boris Johnson authorised the evacuation of animals from Afghanistan during the fall of Kabul, according to emails leaked by a whistleblower. The PM has previously dismissed as "nonsense" claims he intervened in the evacuation of the Nowzad charity, run by former Royal Marine Pen Farthing. But an email from an official in minister Zac Goldsmith's office suggests he was personally involved. It is one of a number of emails released by a select committee. The August 2021 message to another official in the Foreign Office says: "Charity Nowzad, run by an ex-Royal Marine, has received a lot of publicity and the PM has just authorised their staff and animals to be evacuated." When asked in December if he had prioritised animals over the Afghan people in the evacuation of Kabul, Mr Johnson said: "That is complete nonsense." The prime minister's official spokesman said: "It remains the case that the PM didn't instruct officials to take any particular course of action." And Lord Goldsmith tweeted: "I did not authorise and do not support anything that would have put animals' lives ahead of peoples'. He added that he had never discussed the Nowzad charity "or their efforts to evacuate animals" with the prime minister. Nowzad operated an animal clinic, dog and cat shelter and donkey sanctuary in Afghanistan, training and employing Afghans. When the Taliban took control of Kabul, its supporters launched a campaign for evacuation, saying staff were in danger due to their work with foreign organisations and the animals were at risk. About 15,000 people were airlifted out of the country in August, including Mr Farthing and 150 animals. His staff were left behind, but later made it safely to Pakistan. The plane evacuating the animals was paid for by donations. The UK government sponsored clearance for it, leading to allegations that animals had been prioritised over people in the rescue effort. Raphael Marshall, who worked for the Foreign Office at the time, told the Foreign Affairs Committee that the animals were evacuated following a direct instruction from Mr Johnson. An ally of Mr Farthing, animal rights activist Dominic Dyer, told the BBC he had contacted Mr Johnson's wife Carrie to ask the PM to speak to Defence Secretary Ben Wallace about ensuring Mr Farthing and his animals were evacuated. Mr Wallace has denied being contacted by the prime minister over the case. He told the BBC the evacuation of Kabul was "run under my authority and carried out by the UK military through the joint chief of operations". He added: "At no point were he or I directed by the prime minister to evacuate Pen Farthing, his workforce or his pets. "As I made clear at the time, we were not going to put pets before people and as the actions showed, Pen Farthing left last and his workforce had to leave after the evacuation was concluded via other means." He said the suggestion that Lord Goldsmith, who he described as a "Defra minister", would have had "any authority or responsibility in the running of the evacuation is ludicrous". Lord Goldsmith has been a joint Defra and Foreign Office minister since February 2020. By Paul Adams, BBC diplomatic correspondent This story has plagued the government ever since last summer. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace sounds exasperated. He resented being hounded by Pen Farthing's supporters over his perceived reluctance to help evacuate Nowzad's animals. He also resents the suggestion that he was instructed by the prime minister to put pets before people. And there's no evidence that he did. When Mr Wallace tweeted, early on 25 August that "if he [Mr Farthing] arrives with his animals we will seek a slot for his plane," he was not offering any British resources. In his own submission to the foreign affairs committee, Mr Farthing says: "Let me make this abundantly clear; NO HMG capacity was used to transport any animals. None." Mr Farthing says he and his animals did not enter Kabul airport through the gate controlled by British soldiers. He also says it was American, not British soldiers, who helped load animals onto a flight that he himself had chartered. But a mystery remains. Why did an official in the Foreign Office, on 25 August, think that Boris Johnson had "authorised" the evacuation of Nowzad's staff and animals? It's a question that won't go away. The evidence published by the Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday shows Lord Goldsmith's official in the Foreign Office emailed colleagues working on the "special cases team Bronze", saying: "[animal charity - name redacted] are a [details redacted] animal charity operating in Kabul and seeking to evacuation their [details redacted] members of staff (no animals). "Equivalent charity Nowzad, run by an ex-Royal Marine, has received a lot of publicity and the PM has just authorised their staff and animals to be evacuated, [animal charity - name redacted] are hoping to be treated in the same capacity." In a written statement to the committee, Mr Farthing denied any UK government involvement in the evacuation. He said: "The tremendous teamwork shown by many volunteers to facilitate the evacuation of the Nowzad staff and their families, myself and the animals should be applauded not used as a deflection for failings across the board in Afghanistan." But Labour's shadow defence secretary John Healey said the leaked emails proved the prime minister had made misleading statements. "Once again, the prime minister has been caught out lying about what he has been doing and deciding. He should never have given priority to flying animals out of Afghanistan while Afghans who worked for our armed forces were left behind. "Boris Johnson is unable to make the serious decisions that are needed, at home and for our allies abroad."

The next generation of Ford Mustang is already hitting the road near Ford's US headquarters. She is still well camouflaged but reveals her first secrets. Still well hidden under thick tarpaulins, the seventh-generation Ford Mustang is already preparing its arrival. The future “pony-car” is scheduled for 2023 in the United States and a little later for Europe. The first spy shots taken near Ford's headquarters in Dearborn show that the American coupe should be an evolution of the current generation rather than a completely new model. Even with its camouflage and a few extra appendages to hide its shapes, the Mustang is recognizable at first glance. Long bonnet, set back cabin and short rear, surmounted by a slight spoiler… The coupé retains almost the same shape, and its mythical “fastback” line , which several sedans and SUVs are now adopting on their own to attract customers. We notice on this copy of tests that the black rims are those of the current Mustang GT, while the steering wheel is that of a Bullitt version. These two elements are not final, and are used for the moment to drive the car before it receives the real wheels and the right steering wheel. Ditto for the exhausts, which are currently two large pipes placed on either side of the rear diffuser. A hybrid heart? Finally, the most important changes could be under the hood. Some rumors claim that the next Mustang will be entitled to a hybrid version for the first time. The American would not give up her mythical V8 5.0 of 460 ch for as much. Indeed, a video taken at the same time as the photos suggests the hoarse sound of this purring engine. Thus, the Ford Mustang could offer several engines including a new hybrid, of which we do not know much for the moment. Perhaps it will be based on the EcoBoost, which has now disappeared from the French catalog. Enough to partly avoid a big penalty... As a reminder, this exceeds €25,000 in 2022.

One of the many perils of urban lifestyle is insomnia or lack of adequate sleep that can make one feel tired and lethargic. While it is important to seek proper medical care if diagnosed with the condition, certain lifestyle tweaks, including in diet and fitness, can help. As such, yoga trainer Mansi Gandhi suggested a simple yoga asana flow that can be done at night before hitting the bed to have a good night’s sleep. “Insomnia seems to be a silent malady affecting many. You may suffer from it in bouts or it may be a part and parcel of your life. Whatever it may be, this simple practice that can be done in bed or just before you sleep, will calm you down like a nice cup of chamomile tea,” she said. 🧘Sit on your legs and bend forward. 🧘Then bring your hands near to your feet and rise up to stretch your upper body. 🧘Now sit in the butterfly pose without flapping your legs. 🧘Then lie down straight on the bed with the hands to your sides. 🧘Twist on each side 🧘Conclude with the bridge pose or raising your upper body while lying down and keeping your hands close to your feet. She suggested doing the flow: *Slowly with awareness *On both sides taking three breaths on each side. *In a calm environment. “Give yourself time to do the practice. You will most likely need around 20 minutes,” she said. Contra-indications Lack of sleep can lead to several physical and mental health issues. “So please do take it seriously and get it checked if it’s long standing. This is only to help and shouldn’t be used as a cure,” she asserted. Previously, Mansi also shared how gyan mudra can also help in treating insomnia. “Hand gestures help stimulate various glands and systems to correct imbalances and strengthen ourselves,” said Gandhi. 🧘Bring the tip of the thumb and the index finger to touch each other. 🧘This mudra works best when practiced for 30 minutes each day. 🧘You can break it up into 15 minute blocks but is most effective when done continually. Benefits of gyan mudra: *Livens up the spirit, lifts your mood. *Increases blood flow to the brain. *Helps relax the body, taking the focus inwards. *It is good to treat insomnia, diabetes, and headaches.

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington has set out a “serious diplomatic path” for Moscow to resolve the tensions over Ukraine in a letter to the Russian government. But he said that the letter made no concessions to Russia’s main demands, such as guarantees that Ukraine will never be admitted to NATO. “We made clear that there are core principles that we are committed to uphold and defend, including Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and the right of states to choose their own security arrangements and alliances,” Blinken said. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s foreign minister has said Moscow’s buildup of troops near its border is “insufficient for a full-scale offensive”, a day after the embattled country’s president called for calm over the crisis. Washington and its allies warn the Kremlin may be readying an imminent incursion, but Moscow has repeatedly stated it has no plans to attack its neighbour. The live blog is now closed; thank you for joining us. Here are the updates for January 26: Two prominent anti-war US lawmakers have expressed concerns over the possible “significant” deployment of American troops, while voicing support for President Joe Biden’s efforts to resolve the crisis with Russia diplomatically. Democratic congresswomen Pramila Jayapal and Barbara Lee also called on their colleagues to allow Biden to find a peaceful solution to the impasse, in an apparent message to lawmakers pressuring the president to be more hawkish. “We continue to watch Russia’s threatening behavior towards Ukraine with alarm,” Lee and Jayapal said in a joint statement. “There is no military solution out of this crisis – diplomacy needs to be the focus. We support the Biden Administration’s efforts to extend and deepen the dialogue, allowing for robust negotiations and compromise.” Canada is extending its military training mission in support of Ukrainian security forces by three years and pledging an additional $268m ($340m Canadian) to the programme, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced.

Several names are considered to baptize the 7-seater version of the Renault Austral. Among them, Espace, despite the abandonment of the minivan profile Future Renault Espace (2023) – The Renault Espace is (soon) dead. Long live the Renault Espace! Because, if the minivan architecture will definitely be shelved , in the coming months, its name could survive it under the guise of a 7-seater SUV entering direct competition with the Peugeot 5008 Nothing is official yet, but the rumor is pressing as to the return of the Renault Espace, during 2023. However, Luca de Meo, since his arrival at the head of the Losange, in 2020, has not hidden his desire to turn back to the ugly ducklings of the range. Thus, the Kadjar will only have lived for a generation before giving way to the Austral, in the coming months, when its big brother Koleos could also be scrapped. Conversely, despite the poor sales of current models, Scenic and Espace are about to be drafted for the needs of new SUV categories. The waltz of appellations This is the whole paradox of the principle of attribution of designations which is currently exercised at Renault. On the one hand, we will not have given a second chance to the Kadjar, despite honest sales figures. But the comparison with the insolent success of the Peugeot 3008 will have been fatal to it. On the other hand, we seem convinced internally, if the information were to be verified, that future customers would have no problem becoming owners of an SUV using the name of a minivan, a category of cars has become totally obsolete nowadays. Identity crisis? In the same way, we are entitled to wonder if Renault made the right choice to renew the name Mégane, intimately linked to the world of thermal vehicles for 25 years in the collective imagination, for its new 100% electric model. . By way of comparison, Volkswagen did not risk referring to the Golf or the Tiguan to identify its recent virtuous range (ID.3, ID.4, ID.5). Finally, by 2024/2025, the Renault 5 will orchestrate its big comeback , in the form of a 100% electric city car. If the magic is sure to operate on its national market, what is the real international influence of the R5, which disappeared from the catalog for more than 30 years? Is not the Fiat 500 who wants! Finally the right horse To return to the future Space, or at least the 7-seater version of the Austral , it will be based on a platform close to the new Nissan X-Trail, expected next summer. It should take over some micro-hybrid engines , but will rely above all on the new classic hybrid block of 200 hp , soon to be inducted by the Austral, before a rechargeable technology, strong of 280 hp , does not appear in the longer term. . State-of-the-art multimedia environment, on board In terms of style, it will take up most of the silhouette of the Renault Austral , via an elongated template of around twenty centimeters to evolve around 4.70 m long. On board, we should also find the dashboard of his little brother, itself extrapolated from the electric Mégane. 4k quality screens are likely to be fitted in the cockpit, around a digital environment developed in partnership with Google. Renault Espace future price Launched in 2023, the future Renault Espace or Grand Austral will be assembled in Spain. Its entry-level price should approach €34,000, according to our estimates. If Renault may fear a miss as to the name of its new 7-seater SUV, the manufacturer can on the other hand be certain of having bet on the right positioning, facing the Peugeot 5008 and Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace , after having missed the mark with a Koleos with a similar size, but limited to 5 places.

The crash occurred in Montour County’s Valley Township when a pickup towing a trailer with the primates turned in front of an oncoming truck and was hit. The trailer separated from the truck and three monkeys escaped, according to the crash report. Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Andrea Pelachick said Friday that the vehicle was carrying "a hundred monkeys." Temperatures in Montour County plunged into the single digits Friday night as authorities searched for the monkeys. Early Saturday, troopers said one monkey was still unaccounted for. All had been found by Saturday evening. Authorities had been instructed to secure the area for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Pelachick said. The shipment of monkeys was en route to a CDC-approved quarantine facility after arriving Friday morning at New York’s Kennedy Airport from Mauritius, the agency said. The truck had been on its way to a lab, Pelachick told The Daily Item newspaper of Sunbury. The location of the lab and the type of research for which the monkeys were destined weren’t clear. Asked if the missing monkeys had any health issues, the trooper said it wasn't clear. Monkeys have been known to transmit diseases, including monkeypox, and the herpes B virus, which was reported to have killed its first human in China last year. “We’re asking everyone to stay to stay away from the monkeys,” Pelachick said. “If they see one, call 911 immediately and get away from the monkey.” The multi-vehicle crash closed Route 54 near Interstate 80 for about three hours, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. One person involved in the pickup that was hit was taken to the hospital with a minor injury, the crash report said.

Whether an important presentation or a crucial interview, we all tend to get nervous and skittish ahead of it. Developing cold feet before an event could make us falter and lose out on opportunities. Actor Neha Sharma recently shared a guide to building confidence that you must keep handy for days when you get anxious. In a video shared by Tweak India, the actor opened up about things to keep in mind when we are nervous. Take a look On being asked what she does when she is in a room full of seniors, Neha, who has worked with several senior actors in the past, said, “There is no other way to work with people who have been here so long that you have so much respect for them. As actors, you would have to disconnect the two things. When I enter a room, I think I’m unique and I think that only comes from that feeling of self-worth which we all need to have. We all need to realise that there is no one else like you.” It’s quite natural to not feel or look your best on an important day. That can dampen your confidence to a great extent. How to handle that? “It’s okay. It’s not the end of the world if your hair’s not okay or the outfit is not perfect. You have to realise it’s a day and it’s going to get over. Tomorrow will be a new day and tomorrow will be a good day. So, I think that belief kind of helps you to get through the day,” Neha said. Speaking in front of a large audience can be unnerving, to say the least. To ace that situation, the actor has a perfect hack for you. “I feel the only way out of it is, don’t look at them. Believe that they really are not there. Focus on one thing that you are supposed to focus on and just go for it because it is your moment to shine and they are all there for you. So, take that moment to pat yourself on the back and think that you are doing well and that’s it. The moment just goes by and once you got that confidence in you, you got the flow.” While travelling solo is exciting, it also requires meticulous planning and preparation. “You have to be very well-organised so that you got everything that you need. If you got everything you need, one big step is done. Two, of course, there’s some kind of excitement in new places like the excitement of the unknown. So if you take it as a thrill, you are going to enjoy it. If you might have the fear of the unknown, it might not be such an enjoyable trip,” Neha suggested. Beneath the most confident exteriors, there’s always a lurking voice of self-doubt. To tame that, she suggested to “realise it’s someone else talking in your head so it’s very important to talk to that person and reassure that what they are saying is wrong and what you are saying is right.” “You have done very well, you’ve come so far and you have made it. It’s a big achievement on its own,” she suggested to reassure yourself with such positive thoughts and pat yourself on the back. In the constant scrutiny of today’s world, it’s easy to lose track of one’s own voice and confidence. Neha agreed and said, “We are living in a world of social media where you read stuff even if you don’t want to read or you hear voices that you don’t want to hear.” “They are just voices otherwise they wouldn’t be hiding behind random names and trolling you. So I would say, ignore them. It’s easier said than done. You know what is good for you. You know what you are capable of and no one else will until you prove it to them. They are all going to be the naysayers until you prove to them that you are good enough. So, hang in there,” she added. It’s crucial to protect one’s voice amidst opposing views. However, it can be a daunting task. How does Neha handle such a situation? She spilled the beans. “I have always seen it as — there is no point wrestling with pigs because they will bring you down and they will get you dirty. So I feel in this case, I will have to be quiet. I know that I know what is right and they know what is right. So if they still want to argue, let them. It’s pointless because you are just going to waste your energy doing it and they won’t get it,” she said. On being asked about things she learnt as an actor, she said, “One very important thing that I learnt is that no two days are the same. There are highs, there are lows. Don’t let the highs get to you, don’t let the lows get to you. Same with everybody in life.”

Watford have announced the appointment of Roy Hodgson as their new manager. The former England boss, 74, will be joined at Vicarage Road by assistant Ray Lewington, who managed the Hornets from 2002 until 2005. Claudio Ranieri was sacked by the Premier League strugglers on Monday after only 16 weeks in charge, following a nine-game run without a win. Hodgson is the Hornets’ 15th permanent manager in the past 10 years and their third this season after the dismissal of Xisco Munoz in October. He inherits a team threatened with relegation, sitting 19th in the table, two points from safety ahead of a trip to bottom side Burnley on February 5. Hodgson returns to management having left Crystal Palace at the end of last season. Ranieri, 70, was shown the door after Friday night’s 3-0 home defeat by fellow relegation candidates Norwich, which left the Italian with a record of 11 defeats from his 14 games in charge. Hodgson previously worked for the Pozzo family, owners of Watford, during a short stint as Udinese boss in 2001. Watford Football Club welcomed Hodgson's appointment on Twitter: "We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Roy Hodgson as the club's manager. Welcome to Watford, Roy!" The Hornets are the sixth Premier League club he has managed after spells with Blackburn, Fulham, West Brom, Liverpool and boyhood club Palace. Hodgson previously managed England at European Championships in 2012 and 2016, and at the 2014 World Cup. He also managed the UAE team for two years before being dismissed.

For some basketball fans, being able to drive the same car as Michael Jordan is exceptional. Well it's possible here and yet no one seems to jump at the chance. Indeed, basketball's GOAT put his 1996 Mercedes-Benz S600 up for sale two years ago, in 2020. offers in the wind, not having the necessary funds to pay. The sedan therefore continues its sales process on the Beverly Hills Car Club website for the modest sum of $135,000, or just under €120,000. So yes, it may seem expensive for a 1996 Mercedes, but let's not forget that this car carried “his majesty” Michael Jordan for many years. A 400 hp V12 under the hood For its price, this Mercedes S600 still has some interesting features. Indeed, despite its 253,000 km on the clock , the sedan is still in very good condition and has some under the hood with an atmospheric 6.0-litre V12 capable of developing a whopping 400 horsepower. And a funny little detail, as explained by Alex Manos , manager of the dealership in charge of the sale: “The cool thing about the car is that when you turn on the car's phone, Jordan's name appears on the dashboard. ”. https://www.auto-moto.com/insolite/mercedes-s600-de-michael-jordan-a-vendre-peine-a-trouver-acheteur-314747.html

Many celebrities have, in the recent past, opened up about their relationship with drinking and what sobriety means to them — among them is Bella Hadid. The model and younger sister of Gigi Hadid has spoken about her mental health — especially dealing with anxiety — and has now shared her experience with drinking and why she has quit. In an interview with InStyle, the 25-year-old — while promoting a non-alcoholic beverage — revealed that she swapped her morning coffee with this drink so as to get the same energy boost, but without the anxiety. Additionally, it also helped her reduce her drinking. “I have done my fair share of drinking. I loved alcohol and it got to the point where even I started to, you know, cancel nights out that I felt like I wouldn’t be able to control myself,” she was quoted as saying. Bella added that once she saw the brain scans from her doctor of the effects of alcohol, it became “a lot harder to pick up the glass”. The model stated that she drinks this particular beverage — of which she is also a partner and co-founder — when she has “crippling anxiety”. “And I can’t leave my house or when I’m not going to drink alcohol but still want to loosen up and be able to speak to people and socialise,” she said. The model revealed that while this is her first ‘Dry January‘, she does not see herself going back to drinking. “I don’t feel the need because I know how it will affect me at 3 in the morning when I wake up with horrible anxiety thinking about that one thing I said five years ago when I graduated high school. There’s just this never-ending effect of, essentially, you know, pain and stress over those few drinks that didn’t really do much, you know?” Recently, model and cookbook author Chrissy Teigen also noted that she has “endless energy” after quitting alcohol. Sharing her journey of sobriety, she said: “Six months, no alcohol! Honestly kind of sucks saying it because even though I don’t ever crave it now, time has not exactly flown by. I probably won’t be excited till a larger milestone like at least five years, and sometimes I don’t even know if I necessarily won’t ever drink again? (sic)” She also shared that she now has “endless energy, way less anxiety” and is “happier” and “more present than ever”. “It’s pretty cool. I look forward to having my full body reset after 1 year, then re-evaluating to see my new hopes and wishes for the future!”

Europe’s busiest airport shut down in Istanbul while schools and vaccination centres closed in Athens as a rare snowstorm blanketed swathes of the eastern Mediterranean region, causing blackouts and traffic havoc. The closure of Istanbul Airport, where the roof of one of the cargo terminals collapsed under the heavy snow, causing no injuries, grounded flights stretching from the Middle East and Africa to Europe and Asia on Monday. Travel officials told AFP news agency it marked the gleaming glass-and-steel structure’s first shutdown since it replaced Istanbul’s old Ataturk Airport as the new hub for Turkish Airlines in 2019. “Due to adverse conditions, all flights at Istanbul Airport have been temporarily stopped for flight safety,” the airport said in a statement on Twitter. The shutdown dealt a major headache to the 16 million residents of Turkey’s largest city, where cars ploughed into each other skidding down steep, sleet-covered streets and highways turned into parking lots. The Istanbul governor’s office warned drivers they would not be able to enter the city from Thrace, a region stretching across the European part of Turkey to its western border with Bulgaria and Greece. Shopping malls closed early, food delivery services shut down and the city’s iconic “simit” bagel stalls stood empty because suppliers could not make their way through the snow. Traffic officials also closed major roads across large parts of central and southeastern Turkey, a mountainous region first hit by a snowstorm last week. Istanbul Airport serviced more than 37 million passengers last year, becoming one of the word’s most important air hubs. But critics of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had long questioned his decision to place the airport on a remote patch along the Black Sea coast that is often covered with fog in the winter. Turkish Airlines said it was suspending all Istanbul Airport flights until at least 4am (01:00 GMT) on Tuesday.

With the introduction of the Hike 100, Winnebago brings big outdoor camping to the small, towable trailer set. Seven feet wide, 16 feet long, and 10 feet tall, the Trailer is suitable for a couple or small family. Winnebago emphasizes the exterior with the Hike 100, offering a roof rack, rear hitch (for a bike rack or something similar), and two awnings that can provide up to 200 square feet of covered space. The induction stovetop can also be used outside the trailer. No MSRP was announced. Winnebago is showing off the Hike 100 on its new Winnebago Insider digital portal, which also highlights five other, larger campers. The rise in remote work possibilities and people just wanting to go somewhere where others aren't during a pandemic has resulted in an uptick in the #VanLife curious. Winnebago recently introduced six new RVs and trailers, including a small trailer called the Hike 100 that, dare we say it, brings a welcome dose of cute to the lineup. With a dry weight of just 2700 pounds and a seven-foot-nine-inch width, the Hike 100 will be towable by some small SUVs (note that the official GVWR is 4200 pounds). The trailer is almost 16 feet long and just over 10 feet tall. Despite the small size, Winnebago made sure to include as much practicality as possible. The rear of the trailer opens up to store outdoor gear you might not want in the trailer's main space. There is also a Thule-compatible roof-rack system for things such as kayaks or surfboards on top and a two-inch hitch on the back for a bike rack or similar accessory. A 190-watt solar panel is standard, and you can add on another for more off-grid power. A compact shower, toilet and sink—and a 31-gallon freshwater tank—let you conduct daily business without too much hassle. There are five different floor plan options for the Hike 100, and lots of customizable entertainment and cooking options, including an induction stovetop that can be used on the outside of the camper when the weather cooperates—or when it doesn't, thanks to a powered size awning over the door and what Winnebago calls a "bat wing" awning that extends over the rear and non-door side of the trailer for up to 200 square feet of covered space outside. Pricing for the Hike 100 was not announced Other new Winnebago models the company recently announced include the Micro Minnie FLX, a step up in size from the Hike 100 that the company said is the only towable camper on the market that "combines five new energy- and cost-efficient technologies that enable users to enjoy time off grid for up to five days." The new Winnebago Roam was designed to offer wheelchair users the chance to enjoy a purpose-built camper, while the new Class C coach camper, the new Ekko, was "strategically designed for increased livability in the footprint of a camper van. Winnebago calls the new Solis Pocket its "most affordable camper van," and it packs a lot of camping functionality onto a Ram ProMaster chassis. Finally, there are the new Class A coaches, the Vista and the Sunstar 33K, for campers who want a larger vehicle as refuge while in the great outdoors. Winnebago used these new models to highlight its just-launched customer portal, Winnebago Insider. This new digital platform is a place for the company to place virtual tours of Winnebago brand products and other approved marketing messages, like "expert commentary about models [and] user testimonials. Link:-https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a37919122/winnebago-new-campers-hike-100/

I knew there was a point to my ludicrous hair. It’s this review. Because without my midlife crisis expressed through the medium of glossy tresses, I would not have been introduced to Fadiga. It describes itself as a “Ristorante Bolognese”, and occupies a tiny site on Berwick Street in London’s Soho. It’s located right next to where I go to be dealt with by the brilliant Filipe, a man who exudes quiet confidence in the face of great challenges. With immense forbearance he excavates something meaningful from the chaos of my endlessly explosive bouffant. While he does so, we talk: the usual stuff, which is to say the staggeringly intimate and profound subjects that any right-thinking person interrogates with their hairdresser. Regularly, he commiserates with me over brutally false allegations on social media that I’ve been dyeing my hair. For God’s sake people, look at my beard. Surely, I’d have dyed that, too, if I was trying to deceive. Once, with perfect mock solemnity, Filipe offered to issue an official statement confirming it was all model’s own. I still have him on standby for that. We also talk restaurants, which is why he mentioned the new place downstairs. It was odd. New restaurants need to hit the ground running to start making back the investment, so breathless news always pops up online. But of Fadiga, I had heard nothing. Once he’d done with me, and swept up enough from the floor to make a newly shorn sheep ache with jealousy, we went down to the street. We stood outside the narrow restaurant, side by side, and stared in through the big window at the cool, clean lines of the wood-floored 10-seater dining room, with its glass display case of freshly made pastas. Apparently, Filipe said, the chef was a bit “out there”. I found my way to the restaurant’s new-born Instagram account, which suggested this might well be so: here were images of candy-striped tortellini looking like humbugs and rhubarb and custard sweets. Here were ravioli in rainbow colours, or filled with blueberries or pear and goat’s cheese. It was both diverting and a touch worrying. Based on a lovely dinner there I can tell you this was all merely come-hither window dressing, though only of the electronic kind. The actual window dressing is courtesy of the ribbons of egg yolk-yellow tagliatelle they sometimes roll and cut on the wide marble sill hard against the real window. When we arrive for dinner, that marble slab is scattered with the promise of squid ink black tortellini. They are made, like all the pastas here, by Michela Pappi. The dishes are then cooked by her husband Enrico Fogli and served by their daughter Carlotta. In Bologna the family ran hotels, before coming to the UK four years ago to run a catering company. Now they have this restaurant, which carries the maiden name of Enrico’s late mother. Here’s what you need to know: that pasta, made daily, is bloody lovely, full of the requisite slipperiness and bite and tension. There are nine main dishes, all priced in the mid-teens, supplemented by a trio of specials. Despite the exuberance on display on Instagram (a lockdown project, Carlotta later tells me; her mum just got bored), it’s all comfortingly familiar. There is pappardelle with a wild mushroom sauce, or tagliolini with summer truffles. There are ricotta tortelli with tomato and basil, squid ink bucatini with seafood, and gnocchi in a butter and sage sauce. Portions are for those with ambitious appetites; if you ask, they will happily split a dish between two so you can try more. We have tagliatelle with their 12-hour ragu. It is everything the dish should be. The beef and pork in that meaty sauce have slumped down after all that languid time in each other’s company to become the richest and glossiest of stews, which cling to every ribbon of pasta. From the specials list there are those squid ink tortellini from the window, as black as an unlit night, as soft and silky as a duck down pillow, and filled with the bright white of filleted seabass. They come in a punchy mess of squid and mussels and the sweetest of cherry tomatoes just waiting to burst against the roof of your mouth. And then there is that classic: tortellini in brodo di cappone, the calming place where Italian mamas and Jewish mothers meet to realise their destiny as feeders. The clearest and most intense of chicken broths bobs with a generous serving of tiny curls of pasta filled with minced pork and parmesan. It is a steamy bowl you want to lean over and stare into; it is food as place of safety. I would be failing in my role as reporter if I left it there. Fadiga really is all about the fabulous pasta. There’s a very short list of starters and they are rugged, sturdy affairs. Alongside a plate of salami and ham, there’s an intensely northern Italian dish of crisp beef meatballs under a duvet of ham and cheese; there are scallops, grilled under thick drifts of buttery golden breadcrumbs. Both come with those cubed roasted potatoes to which the Italians cleave, slightly weirdly. Tonight there are just three desserts and one of those, a strawberry tiramisu, has run out. A new batch has just been made, we are told, but the cream hasn’t yet set. Instead, we have a mildly rigid coffee panna cotta and a zuppa inglese, that comedic take on the trifle, with layers of pink syrup-soaked sponge and cream and fruit. It is certainly pretty. At one point after the starters, we receive an apology for the lengthy wait and the offer of a drink on the house. I am baffled by the delay, given there are only four of us eating up here in this tiny dining room. It turns out that downstairs there is a large table of diners being taken through a pasta tasting menu. Oh, and the sous chef has gone missing. There is about it all the slightly nervy air of a new venture finding its feet, but in the sweetest and most beguiling of ways. Fadiga deserves all the love. Incidentally, it turns out that the shiny display case is not just for show. You can buy their pastas to take home. They cost from £1.50 per 100g for the simple ribbons, to £4.50 for the more luxuriously filled shapes. It means I can now get a masterful hair cut and sort out dinner at the same time. Result. Thank you, Filipe. Thank you, Fadiga. News bites Chef Simon Rogan of the Cumbrian restaurant L’Enclume has launched a set of ‘cook at home’ recipe boxes through the North of England supermarket chain Booths. The boxes, featuring ingredients from Booths suppliers, cost £20 each, serve two people and are available to order via the Booths website for collection in store. The first three boxes are Rogan’s salt baked celeriac, cod loin and roasted cauliflower and chicken breast with creamed kale. At booths.co.uk. The disaster relief charity Shelter Box has published a collaborative novel, Tamesis Street, shining a spotlight on the impact of climate change on global communities through a fictional account of the flooding of London in the near future. The writers include Bill Bryson, Joanne Harris, Sarah Waters, Mike Leigh and, er, me. It gets a mention here because my chapter contains an awful lot about biscuits. To get a free copy sign up to the Shelter Box book club. Also just published is The Female Chef, with words by Clare Finney and Photographs by Liz Seabrook. It features interviews with, recipes by and images of some of the leading women in the British food scene. They include Nokx Majozi of the Holborn Dining Rooms, vegetarian food writer Anna Jones and Andi Oliver of both Wadadli Kitchen and the BBC’s Great British Menu. Copies can be ordered via the Hoxton Mini Press. Link:-https://www.theguardian.com/food/2021/oct/10/jay-rayner-restaurant-revie-fadiga-london-the-pasta-is-bloody-lovely

Pope Francis has launched what some describe as the most ambitious attempt at Catholic reform for 60 years. A two-year process to consult every Catholic parish around the world on the future direction of the Church began at the Vatican this weekend. Some Catholics hope it will lead to change on issues such as women's ordination, married priests and same-sex relationships. Others fear it will undermine the principles of the Church. They say a focus on reform could also distract from issues facing the Church, such as corruption and dwindling attendance levels. Pope puzzled about vaccine hesitancy in the Church Pope backs women's roles in Catholic services Pope Francis urged Catholics not to "remain barricaded in our certainties" but to "listen to one another" as he launched the process at Mass in St Peter's Basilica. "Are we prepared for the adventure of this journey? Or are we fearful of the unknown, preferring to take refuge in the usual excuses: 'It's useless' or 'We've always done it this way'?" he asked. The consultation process, called "For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission", will work in three stages: In the "listening phase", people in parishes and dioceses will be able to discuss a wide range of issues. Pope Francis said it was important to hear from those who were often on the fringes of local Church life such as women, pastoral workers and members of consultative bodies The "continental phase" will see bishops gather to discuss and formalise their findings. The "universal phase" will see a month-long gathering of the bishops a the Vatican in October 2023 The Pope is expected then to write an apostolic exhortation, giving his views and decisions on the issues discussed. Discussing his hopes for the Synod, Pope Francis warned against the process becoming an intellectual exercise that failed to address the real-world issues faced by Catholics and the "temptation to complacency" when it comes to considering change. The initiative has been praised by the progressive US-based National Catholic Reporter newspaper, which said that while the process might not be perfect "the Church is more likely to address the needs of the people of God with it than without it". However, theologian George Weigel wrote, in the conservative US Catholic journal First Things, it was unclear how "two years of self-referential Catholic chatter" would address other problems the Church such as those who are "drifting away from the faith in droves". Much of the reporting of this two-year consultation has focused on some of the issues that often appear to dominate reporting on the Catholic Church: the role of women for example, and whether they will ever be ordained as priests (the Pope says "no"). While those topics are often of concern to some Catholics, other areas which traditionally dominate Catholic social teaching, such as alleviating poverty, and increasingly, climate change, will likely play a greater part, as will how the Church is run. In reality, any issue can be raised. Don't expect any sudden changes to Church rules though. It's true that some Catholics do want to see a different kind of institution, but for Pope Francis, allowing ordinary worshippers to have their concerns (eventually) raised at the Vatican - even if their bishops disagree with them - is a huge step change for this 2000 year-old religion. Link:-https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-58862935

In a move which will surprise nobody at all, Apple has filed a notice of appeal in the antitrust trial against Epic, makers of Unreal engine and Fortnite. Though it won nine of the ten charges against it, Apple's single loss was a pretty severe one. Enough that we called it a big win for Epic, though Apple says it was their win. Apple's loss is that it was ordered to allow mobile apps to point consumers at outside payment methods. That would let apps avoid the 15-30% share of their earnings that they have to give to Apple right now. Apple's appeal includes a request for a stay on the injunction that lets developers add in-app links to payment websites outside Apple's ecosystem. That means Apple wants to wait until all the appeals are concluded before being forced to comply with the court's ruling—potentially adding years to the time before that order takes effect. As of now, the injunction would begin on December 9th. "“The requested stay will allow Apple to protect consumers and safeguard its platform while the company works through the complex and rapidly evolving legal, technological, and economic issues that any revisions to this Guideline would implicate," said Apple. Epic has already appealed the ruling as well, looking for more than a single victory (and pondering the meaning of the word button. Jon Bolding is a games writer and critic with an extensive background in strategy games. When he's not on his PC, he can be found playing every tabletop game under the sun

The tech giant announced the upcoming changes Thursday to Google Assistant and Android Auto driving modes and a new automaker, Honda, will have Google technology installed in its vehicles. Google said that drivers using Google Assistant on Android phones will soon see a new dashboard they say will reduce "the need to fiddle with your phone while also making sure you stay focused on the road." Instead of scrolling while driving, Google said drivers could tap to see who just called or sent a text and have access to several apps to listen to music with the new dashboard. The dashboard will also include a new messaging update where drivers can say, "Hey Google, turn on auto-read," to hear their new messages read aloud when they come in and respond by voice. These new changes for drivers are apparently part of what Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and parent company Alphabet, said in a blog earlier this year to make its technologies "universally accessible and useful." For example, users of Android Auto, Google's smartphone app for vehicles, via their Android phones will now be able to see music, news, and podcast recommendations from Google Assistant and they can set which app launches whenever Android Auto starts. Those Android Auto users will soon be able to play games appearing on the vehicle's display with a new feature called GameSnacks while they're waiting or parking. Additionally, Android Auto and Android phone users can make contactless payments for gas using Google Pay. This feature is available at more than 32,000 gas stations across the U.S., including ExxonMobil, Conoco, 76 stations and Phillips 66. On Thursday, Google announced that Japanese automaker Honda will be the latest to have Google built-in technology in its vehicles beginning in 2022. Honda, which announced in April it's aiming to sell only electric vehicles in North America by 2040, will join the likes of Ford, General Motors, Polestar, Renault and Volvo that will have its future vehicles released with default Android operating systems. The Polestar 2 and Volvo XC40 Recharge are among the current models with Google's built-in tech.

HP has once again listed unreleased and next-generation hardware such as the AMD Ryzen 7000 CPU series for its All-In-One Desktop PCs. Previously, HP listed down NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 30 SUPER series graphics cards for its high-end 34 Inch AIO Desktop PCs. Now, the company has confirmed that it will be launching its 24 and 27-Inch AIO PC lineup in both AMD Ryzen 7000 and Intel 12th Gen Alder Lake CPU flavors. This is also the first time that we have seen the AMD Ryzen 7000 CPU lineup listed which means that AMD might be skipping the Ryzen 6000 CPU nomenclature altogether and go two steps ahead with the Ryzen 7000 branding. As stated above, the HP 24 & 27-inch AIO Desktop PCs come in Intel 12th Gen Alder Lake or AMD Ryzen 7000 CPU flavors, feature up to 1 TB PCIe SSD and 2 TB HDD, a full-HD display, a camera & dual speakers. The AIO PC will come in White and Black colors and rock the Windows 11 operating system. The AMD Ryzen 7000 series listed for the HP 24 and 27 inch AIO Desktop PCs might be Rembrandt CPUs instead of Zen 4 chips because 'Raphael' is almost a year away from launch. If AMD goes with the Ryzen 7000 series for both its next-gen Ryzen CPU and APU lineup, that would include the AMD Ryzen 7000G APU 'Rembrandt' and Ryzen 7000 'Vermeer 3DX' chips. It is unlikely to see these All-In-One PCs rocking a desktop chip so a mobility chip like the next-gen Rembrandt APUs is more likely. The two key technologies that will power Rembrandt will be a new Zen 3+ CPU & RDNA 2 GPU architecture. The Rembrandt APUs are said to be fabricated on the TSMC 6nm process node which is an optimized version of the N7 process. Other prominent features of the Rembrandt Ryzen APUs from AMD will include support for PCIe Gen 4 and LPDDR5/DDR5 memory support. The Rembrandt APUs will feature up to DDR5-5200 memory support, 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, and two USB 4 (40 Gbps) ports. As per the roadmap, the Rembrandt APUs will feature support on the FP7 platform. AMD is expected to announce its Rembrandt APU lineup (Ryzen 7000H, Ryzen 7000U) during CES 2022 and will go up against Intel's Alder Lake-P and Alder Lake-M chips which are expected to be unveiled later this year with solutions arriving early next year. We will keep you updated as soon as we hear more on AMD's Ryzen 7000 CPU and APU lineup.

There's a big white whale swimming off the coast of Seattle, and no one knows why. Over the past week, people in the greater Seattle area have spotted the white whale swimming around Puget Sound. The wayward cetacean — a beluga — is normally found in Arctic and subarctic waters. "The closest beluga po[CENSORED]tion is Cook Inlet, Alaska," which is about 1,500 miles (2,400 kilometers) away from Seattle, Howard Garrett, co-founder of Orca Network, a nonprofit that raises awareness about whales in Puget Sound, told Live Science. "I haven't checked the water temperatures there, but I'm sure they're a bit colder up there than here." Related: Photos: Meet 'Finding Dory' real-life counterparts One of the first reported sightings occurred on Sunday (Oct. 3), when Jason Rogers, of Bonney Lake, Washington, filmed the white whale swimming in Commencement Bay near Tacoma, about 30 miles (50 km) south of Seattle. "It was a surreal experience, to be sure," Rogers told Live Science in an email. "Sailing in Commencement Bay was the last place we thought we would see a whale, much less a beluga! There it was, swimming along peacefully, although it really felt out of place." Other people spotted the beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) around Puget Sound, even swimming by three different shipyards. "I don't understand the attraction of a shipyard to a beluga," Garrett said. "I don't know if that's a clue, if that means it had been held captive at a shipyard somewhere at a busy port, but we have no documents, no idea of where that would be, certainly in North America." In 2019, a beluga whale wearing a harness that read "Equipment of St. Petersburg" and spotted in Norwegian waters was suspected of being a Russian spy, Live Science previously reported. That beluga, nicknamed Hvaldimir, is still swimming in Scandinavian waters; animal welfare activists are worried it may not be able to hunt by itself and avoid humans, according to the BBC. Like many other Arctic and subarctic animals, beluga adults are white, which helps them stay camouflaged in a world of snow and sea ice, according to the Georgia Aquarium. Belugas are also known for their unique "melons," the round bumps on their heads that the whales use for communication and echolocation. In fact, belugas are social animals that live in pods of as many as 100 individuals, Garrett said, which makes this lone whale's journey all the more mysterious. So, why did this whale venture out on its own? "Until we have some indication, my default theory is that this whale just decided to go out walking, go explore," Garrett said. "It wanted to travel. It's highly unusual, but every now and then it happens with different [beluga] po[CENSORED]tions. So, it's not totally unprecedented, but definitely very rare." The last documented sighting of a beluga whale in Puget Sound was in 1940, Garrett said. There was also a report of a beluga in Puget Sound in 2010, but only one person reported seeing it, and they weren't able to get any photographic evidence of it, he noted. Related: Photos: Response teams try to save starving killer whale In 2020, a beluga whale washed up dead in Baja California Sur, Mexico, according to The Mercury News. It's still a mystery why that whale swam to such warm waters. "I don't know why a beluga would do that," Garrett said. That said, the Puget Sound beluga appears to be in good health, at least according to sightings of it so far. Belugas eat squid, small fish and crabs, "and there's plenty of that in Puget Sound," he said. Puget Sound is also home to other whales, including transient and resident orcas and migrating gray whales, humpback whales and minke whales, Garret said. Local whale and other animal groups are aware of the wayward beluga, including the local branch of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which hopes to safely approach the whale to get images of it. Such images could be compared with photos of other known beluga whales, and might help scientists identify where the Puget Sound visitor came from, Garrett said. To report a sighting of the beluga, call the Whale Sighting Network at (360) 331-3543 or toll-free at (866) ORCANET (672-2638); or you can email info@orcanetwork.org. But don't get too close to the cetacean; they're protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which requires that watercraft stay at least 100 yards (91 meters) away, although a greater distance is recommended, according to Whale Wise. Link:-https://www.livescience.com/lost-beluga-whale-seattle

Mercedes-Benz's battery powered EQS450+ (above) and EQS580 have an EPA range of 350 or 340 miles of range, besting their German competition by more than 100 miles. Tesla and Lucid easily beat the new Benz's range with the Model S Long Range coming in at 405 miles and the Lucid Air Dream R AWD covering 520 miles per charge. The EQS450+ boasts the lowest drag coefficient (Cd) or any car for sale and will start at $103,360. The premium-electric-car segment is mostly about two numbers: horsepower and range. Earlier this year, Mercedes-Benz announced that its new dual-motor EQS580 would have 516 horsepower and that the single-motor EQS450+ would come in at 329 horsepower, but now we've learned the official EPA-rated range. According to the EPA, the 107.8-kWh-equipped 580 will travel 340 miles while the single-motor 450+ with the same battery will make it 350 miles on a charge. Mercedes credits its aggressive regeneration strategy, large battery, and the EQS's incredibly low 0.20 drag coefficient for the range number. But while the EV Benz's range compares favorably with the German competition, it falls behind the range of startups like Tesla and Lucid. The best a Porsche Taycan can do is 227 miles—Taycan 4S Performance Battery Plus—and the farthest an Audi e-tron GT can go on a charge is 238 miles. Yet the Benz can't touch the Tesla Model S Long Range's impressive 405-mile number; nor can it come close to the Lucid Air Dream R AWD's 520 miles of EPA range. An important element of any car, electric or otherwise, is the price. The EQS450+ will start at $103,360, moving up to the Exclusive Level costs $3400, and the appropriately named Pinnacle Level comes in at $109,560. Pricing for the more powerful EQS580 opens at $120,160, requires an additional $3400 for the Exclusive trim, and, for those who want it all, the Pinnacle will wear a $126,360 window sticker. Link:-https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a37888423/mercedes-benz-eqs-range-specs/

Michael on Dom What were you hoping for? A face out of Caravaggio’s sketchbooks? A body cut from the Parthenon friezes? Hopes should outpace expectations. First impressions? Good. With cocktails on order when I arrived, Dom was clearly on the same page as me. What did you talk about? Our talk was extravagantly digressive. Here’s some of it: feeling at home in other countries, Rome in winter, Catholic families, coming out, that it has become un-chic to like Timothée Chalamet, peaches, the professor-student relationship. Any awkward moments? When his knowledge of Australiana outstripped mine. Being Australian is my whole shtick. Take that away and what am I? Good table manners? Faultless. Best thing about Dom? He manages to be unstoppably funny without sacrificing sincerity. He has an inner warmth. Would you introduce him to your friends? In a heartbeat. He’d charm them all. Describe Dom in three words Dalston’s hottest ticket. What do you think he made of you? Earnest. In need of direction. Did you go on somewhere? He offered to walk me to the station. (Notice how I didn’t answer the question?) And … did you kiss? The better question is how we kissed. If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be? I wouldn’t change a thing. Even the rain added something. He lent me his jacket. Marks out of 10? 10. Would you meet again? Dom on Michael What were you hoping for? Either a free pint or a proposal – nothing in between. First impressions? Tall, good-looking, dressed like an extra in Call Me by Your Name. What did you talk about? Lots: Catholicism, Desert Island Discs, death row meals, whether “Australiana” music is a thing. Any awkward moments? In hindsight, I think my outrage at him (an Australian) not knowing who Holly Valance was might have been a bit much. Good table manners? Impeccable. Best thing about Michael? He’s an engaging and engaged conversationalist. Would you introduce him to your friends? If they promised to be nicer to him than they are to me. Describe Michael in three words Intelligent, articulate, charming. What do you think he made of you? A laugh, I hope? Did you go on somewhere? No comment. And … did you kiss? He came all the way from Cambridge – it would have been rude not to. If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be? Nada. Marks out of 10? A solid 9. Would you meet again? Michael is lovely, but Cambridge is a long way away. … we have a small favour to ask. Millions are turning to the Guardian for open, independent, quality news every day, and readers in 180 countries around the world now support us financially. We believe everyone deserves access to information that’s grounded in science and truth, and analysis rooted in authority and integrity. That’s why we made a different choice: to keep our reporting open for all readers, regardless of where they live or what they can afford to pay. This means more people can be better informed, united, and inspired to take meaningful action. Link:-https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/oct/09/blind-date-michael-dom

Most of the world's nations have signed up to a historic deal to ensure big companies pay a fairer share of tax. Some 136 countries agreed to enforce a corporate tax rate of at least 15%, as well a fairer system of taxing profits where they are earned. It follows concern that multinational companies are re-routing their profits through low tax jurisdictions to cut their bills. Yet critics say a 15% rate is too low, and firms will get around the rules. UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the deal would "upgrade the global tax system for the modern age". "We now have a clear path to a fairer tax system, where large global players pay their fair share wherever they do business," he said. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), an intergovernmental organisation, has led talks on a minimum rate for a decade. It said the deal could bring in an extra $150bn (£108bn) of tax a year, bolstering economies as they recover from Covid Yet it also said it did not seek to "eliminate" tax competition between countries, only to limit it. The floor under corporate tax will come in from 2023. Countries will also have more scope to tax multinational companies operating within their borders, even if they don't have a physical presence there. The move - which is expected to hit digital giants like Amazon and Facebook - will affect firms with global sales above 20 billion euros (£17bn) and profit margins above 10%. A quarter of any profits they make above the 10% threshold will be reallocated to the countries where they were earned and taxed there. "[This] is a far-reaching agreement which ensures our international tax system is fit for purpose in a digitalised and globalised world economy," said OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann. "We must now work swiftly and diligently to ensure the effective implementation of this major reform." This deal marks a sweeping change in approach when it comes to taxing big global companies. In the past, countries would frequently compete with one another to offer an attractive deal to multinationals. It made sense when those companies might come in, set up a factory and create jobs. They were, you could say, giving something back. But the new digital era giants have become adept at simply moving profits around, from the regions where they do business to those where they will pay the lowest taxes. Good news for tax havens, bad news for everyone else. The new system is meant to minimise opportunities for profit shifting, and ensure that the largest businesses pay at least some of their taxes where they do business, rather than where they choose to have their headquarters. Some 136 countries have signed up - an achievement in itself. But inevitably there will be losers as well as winners. 'Race to the bottom' More than 100 countries supported the initial OECD proposals when they were announced in July. Ireland, Hungary and Estonia - all of which have corporate tax rates below 15% - at first resisted but are now on board. However, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have not yet joined the agreement. The pact also resolves a spat between the US and countries such as the UK and France, which had threatened a digital tax on big mainly American tech firms. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said: "As of this morning, virtually the entire global economy has decided to end the race to the bottom on corporate taxation. "Rather than competing on our ability to offer low corporate rates, America will now compete on the skills of our workers and our capacity to innovate, which is a race we can win." Oxfam has said a 15% tax rate is too low and would do "little or nothing to end harmful tax competition". It believes firms should pay at least 25% wherever they are based. In July, its international executive director Gabriela Bucher said: "[The 15% rate] is already being seen by some in Australia and Denmark as an excuse to lower domestic corporate tax rates, risking a new race to the bottom." Link:-https://www.bbc.com/news/business-58847328

CD Projekt has dropped a series of short Twitter videos showcasing The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt running on a Steam Deck. The videos give us a glimpse of one of the best games of all time running on the hardware, and for all intents and purposes, it looks about as good as you'd hope for a handheld. It's difficult to tell what resolution Witcher 3 is running at (Twitter video compression doesn't help) but the framerate certainly looks consistent enough. It's at least a modest 30 fps (the official target for most games on Steam Deck), and doesn't appear to trip up when entering graphically demanding areas like cities or swamps. It's probably safe to say that it'll look better than the also-impressive Nintendo Switch Witcher 3 port. The first video shows Geralt riding Roach through the streets of Novigrad. The third video shows Geralt approaching the swamp homestead of the Crones, the disgusting and murderous witches who play a central role in the Bloody Baron quest. If you're eagerly awaiting your chance to take your Steam library on the run, check out everything we know about the Steam Deck, including release date, tech specs, and more. Valve also showed us how to take apart a Steam Deck in a recent video. If you want more small screen Witcher adventures, check out everything we know about Netflix's The Witcher season 2.