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As the auto industry scrambles to produce more affordable electric vehicles, whose most expensive components are the batteries, lithium iron phosphate is gaining traction as the EV battery material of choice. The po[CENSORED]rity of the chemical compound known as LFP is due partly to environmental and geopolitical concerns. But technological advances have also reduced the performance gap with more widely used materials such as nickel and cobalt. LFP, embraced by EV industry leader Tesla two years ago, has sparked new interest especially in the US, where a clutch of domestic and overseas manufacturers has pledged more than $11 billion (nearly Rs. 90,200 crore) in new production facilities. Overseas, two of the world's largest automakers, Toyota Motor and Hyundai Motor, have both announced plans in the past week to equip their future vehicles with LFP batteries, but have not disclosed plans for the US. PlayUnmute Fullscreen “LFP is less expensive than cobalt and nickel, and all the minerals can be obtained here in North America (which means) much lower transportation costs and a more secure supply chain,” said Stanley Whittingham, professor at Binghamton University in New York and a 2019 Nobel laureate for his work on lithium ion batteries. The addition of manganese, a staple ingredient in rival nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) battery cells, has enabled lithium iron phosphate cells to hold more energy than previously, providing EVs with more range — up to 450 miles (724 km) on a single charge, Toyota said recently. Michigan-based Our Next Energy, which is building a $1.6 billion (nearly Rs. 13,100 crore) battery manufacturing complex in Van Buren Township, is a proponent of LFP, according to founder and chief executive Mujeeb Ijaz, because “the materials are more abundant and sustainable, with far less risk” of fire. “We've also demonstrated that you can match the range of cobalt cells with no compromise,” he said. Tesla is among the automakers leading the quest in markets outside of China to provide lower-priced EVs — in Tesla's case, targeting a base price of around $25,000 (nearly Rs. 20 lakh). The use of LFP batteries should help Tesla and rivals to achieve that goal, experts say. Ford Motor aims to open a $3.5 billion (nearly Rs. 28,700 crore) LFP cell manufacturing plant in western Michigan, leveraging technology licensed from China's CATL, the world's largest EV battery maker. The goal, Ford CEO Jim Farley said in February, is to lower the automaker's cell costs to less than $70 (nearly Rs. 5,800 crore) a kilowatt-hour, from more than $100 (nearly Rs. 8,000)/kWh for current NCM cells. More than 90 percent of LFP materials and components still come from China, said battery expert Shirley Meng, a University of Chicago professor and head of Argonne National Laboratory's Collaborative Center for Energy Storage Science. The rapidly increasing adoption of LFP by EV manufacturers including Tesla and Hyundai suggests those companies “are not ready to decouple from China," Meng said. 'Attractive proposition' Battery expert Lukasz Bednarski, author of the 2021 book “Lithium: The Global Race for Battery Dominance and the New Energy Revolution,” believes automakers' interest in building lower-priced EVs could be one of the drivers behind LFP's rising po[CENSORED]rity. “LFP provides good enough performance at a lower cost, which makes it an attractive proposition for EVs for the middle class,” he said. Bednarski added that the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provides incentives “for the development of the whole battery chain (with no) preference for LFP chemistry.” Rising investment in LFP manufacturing facilities in the United States is coming not just from domestic companies like Ford and ONE. Battery makers from Norway, Israel, South Korea and even China have committed to building US facilities to produce LFP materials, components and batteries, some of which will be used not in vehicles, but in large energy storage systems. “LFP was invented in the US and first commercialised here,” said Whittingham. He said this happened before Chinese companies such as BYD and CATL “moved fast” to improve and deploy the technology, mainly in EVs. Now, given its continued cost advantage over NCM, he added, LFP “should be used in all grid storage systems and lower-cost cars.” https://www.gadgets360.com/auto/news/ev-batteries-tesla-general-ford-toyota-lithium-iron-phosphate-material-choice-4148156

South Korean memory maker SK Hynix has announced its intention to enter the portable consumer SSD market. Its first such product, the Beetle X31, is said to be ready to meet the growing demand for potable SSDs, and to offer a compelling mix of “performance, convenient portability, and stylish design.” SK Hynix’s palm-sized Beetle X31 connects to other devices via USB and offers transfers of up to 1,050 MB/s. As far as consumers go, we are sure that SK Hynix’s entry will be welcomed. The firm has a good reputation for competitive memory and storage components, and more competition should be good to keep rivals like Samsung and WD / SanDisk on their toes. Image 1 of 2 SK Hynix Beetle X31 (Image credit: SK Hynix) SK Hynix Beetle X31 (Image credit: SK Hynix) Considering the design first, the Beetle X31 is pleasingly compact and described by SK Hynix as ‘palm-sized.’ The packaging shows a scarab beetle nestled in a sand dune, but the SK Hynix design is much more like a slightly worn bar of soap in its shape. A gold-colored model is showcased, and the maker says the case is made from aluminum. The metal chassis is suitable for strength and heat dissipation, and SK Hynix considers this design aspect a distinct advantage over competitor product. The transfer performance of the Beetle X31 precisely matches our current best-pick SanDisk Pro-G40 SSD, at least on paper. However, we note the SK Hynix device is much smaller and less than half the weight of the SanDisk. SK Hynix also asserts its device has excellent sustained performance. For example, it says that the Beetle X31, with its ample heatsink and DRAM cache, can transfer 500 GB of files at an average rate of over 900 MB/s. RECOMMENDED VIDEOS FOR YOU... SK Hynix hints that the Beetle X31 is already available on its home turf. The portable SSD will become available in worldwide markets, starting with the US later this month. We don’t have pricing for the 512 GB or 1 TB models at the time of writing. Those of you interested in an external storage device are advised to take a peek at our Best External SSDs and Hard Drives of 2023 feature. Hopefully, we can get a Beetle X31 sample and find out if it is worth joining our shortlist. https://www.tomshardware.com/news/sk-hynix-beetle-x31-ssd

New Delhi: The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has withdrawn a draft Live-stock and Live-stock Products (Importation and Exportation) Bill after it got representations expressing concerns involving sensitivity and emotions related to animal welfare. The ministry had circulated a draft of the bill on June 7, 2023, and sought public comments/suggestions on the draft bill that seeks to regulate the export of live animals from India. On Tuesday, it issued an office memorandum withdrawing the draft bill amid concerns raised by animal rights activists and other groups. "The Live-stock Importation Act, 1898, being the pre-constitutional/pre-independence Central Act, a need has been felt to align it with the contemporary requirements and prevailing circumstances related to sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and its extant Allocation of Business Rules, 1961," the memorandum said. The role of the department of animal husbandry and dairying primarily pertains to support by having upgraded livestock health facilities, hygiene etc., including animal welfare aspects for overall development of the animal husbandry sector, it added. "However, during the consultation, it has been viewed that enough time is required to understand the proposed draft and to make further comments/suggestions. Further, the representations have been made expressing concerns on the proposed draft involving sensitivity and emotions with animal welfare and related aspects, and, hence, would need wider consultation," the memorandum said. Considering these views and with the approval of the competent authority, the proposed draft Bill stands withdrawn, the ministry said. Promoted Listen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.com The memorandum has been issued by GN Singh, Joint Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying. https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/amid-criticism-centre-withdraws-draft-bill-on-export-of-live-animals-4141084

Bronco, Integra, Supra—reviving a po[CENSORED]r yet long-dead nameplate is nothing new in the automotive industry. But Toyota isn't giving the Land Cruiser name much time to languish. The legendary SUV was only just discontinued in the U.S. following the 2021 model year, and now the automaker has already confirmed that the Land Cruiser will once again grace our amber waves of grain. However, it's becoming apparent that the upcoming model set to arrive soon won't share a whole lot with the last version that was sold on our shores. So far, the only official news is that Toyota will bring the Land Cruiser name back to the U.S. market. It's unlikely, though, that we'll receive the 300-series LC that other markets get. Instead, the role of "giant luxury off-roader" will probably stay with the Lexus LX, which shares its body-on-frame TNGA-F platform with the 300-series Land Cruiser, as well as the latest versions of the Tundra and Sequoia. Because the Sequoia already exists as a bulky three-row Toyota SUV with available off-road-friendly bits, adding the similarly sized Land Cruiser to the mix wouldn't make a ton of sense. 1982 toyota land cruiser fj Land Cruiser Raised from the Dead, Returns to U.S. toyota land cruiser 300series New Land Cruiser Debuts with 3.4L Twin-Turbo V-6 2024 lexus gx 2024 Lexus GX Leans In to Its Off-Road Nature Instead, we have our eyes fixated on the 2024 Lexus GX to form the basis for the revived Land Cruiser. That would make the U.S.-spec Land Cruiser a little smaller than before, which would certainly aid its ability to navigate tricky terrain. In previous generations, the Lexus GX was the fancier sibling of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, a smaller LC variant that never made it Stateside—at least not as a Toyota. According to an Automotive News report, Toyota may simply ditch the Prado part of the badge and bring the resulting vehicle here as simply the Land Cruiser. ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW 2024 lexus gxVIEW PHOTOS 2024 LEXUS GX LEXUS Our illustration (top) leans into the Prado report, borrowing a hefty amount of styling from the new GX while adopting a front-end style similar to that of the Compact Cruiser EV concept, which was unveiled in 2021 and bears more than a passing similarity to the 300-series Land Cruiser. (We're also in love with the idea of a new FJ-style compact off-roader, but one thing at a time here.) Toyota-fying the GX will likely involve a bit of decontenting, as the Land Cruiser's lower trim levels would logically have less equipment than the Lexus. This could also mean a lower base price, one would hope. But the off-road extras found in the GX's Overtrail trim, such as its chunky tires and locking differentials, would surely be part of a Land Cruiser TRD Pro trim level. If the new Land Cruiser Prado does cross over to our shores, it's also likely to share powertrains with the GX. That would mean a twin-turbo 3.4-liter V-6, perhaps making the same 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque as the Lexus, with a hybrid model to follow later. The new Tacoma's turbocharged 2.4-liter inline-four will probably be reserved for a forthcoming 4Runner replacement. 2024 toyota tacoma limitedVIEW PHOTOS 2024 TOYOTA TACOMA TOYOTA Speaking of 4Runner, the repositioning of the Land Cruiser could have interesting implications for that mid-size model. If the forthcoming Land Cruiser shrinks its footprint to become analogous to the GX, we could see the 4Runner morph into something better targeted at the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler. The GX—and possibly the new Land Cruiser—will be offered with a third row of seats, and we wouldn't be surprised to see the next-generation 4Runner get a bit smaller too and drop its optional third row. There's still plenty of time for speculation. According to AN's report, the Land Cruiser Prado's makeover won't debut until 2024, and it's unlikely Toyota would jump the gun and reveal a U.S.-specific variant of it first. Nevertheless, there are some big changes for the Land Cruiser just over the horizon, and they could very well have ramifications for other vehicles in Toyota's lineup, too. https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a44304303/2025-toyota-land-cruiser-preview/

As the scorching June heat reaches its peak, our skin begins to resemble the arid region of the Sahara desert with each passing day. It becomes crucial to prioritise hydration during such times. In addition to drinking ample water, there are alternative ways to keep your skin hydrated, such as consuming water-rich cucumbers and kakadee, also known as snake cucumber. As the name suggests, snake cucumbers might look weirdly contorted like a snake’s body but this creeping plant of the gourd family has an “insane amount of health benefits,” according to Dr Rinky Kapoor, Consultant Cosmetic Dermatologist and Dermato-Surgeon at The Esthetic Clinics. Also known as Chinese Slangen, snake cucumbers are a Dutch cultivar of an old cucumber variety with aromatic compounds. Just like the regular cucumber, snake cucumbers can be made a part of your skincare routine to amplify hydration, getting you a step closer to achieving glass skin. According to Dr Kapoor, snake cucumbers can help manage mild sunburn. “It is loaded with antioxidants and can assist protect the skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun,” she said. For managing mild sunburn, cucumber juice can be applied to the face by grinding it in a mixer or crushing it with your fingers. Kapoor added that snake cucumbers are also a great option when it comes to toning the skin as “it can help to shrink the pores.” For this, you will need to extract the juice of the cucumber, which can then simply be applied to the skin using a cotton swab. You can leave it on for 15-20 minutes till it dries off and then you can wash it off. Due to their soothing effect, snake cucumbers can also help manage dryness and irritation during summer. You can make it a habit to keep slices of snake cucumbers on your skin, at least once a day, to fight against the constant dryness that accompanies this pre-monsoon season. According to the dermatologist, you can also apply crushed cucumber juice together with curd by forming a paste that will provide nourishment to the skin. “It helps brighten the skin and make it look fresh,” she said. https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/life-style/snake-cucumbers-skin-benefits-summer-8667296/

The head of Russia's Wagner mercenary group has vowed to "go all the way" to topple Russia's military leadership, hours after the Kremlin accused him of "armed rebellion". Yevgeny Prigozhin said his Wagner fighters had crossed the border from Ukraine into Russia, entering the city of Rostov-on-Don. Mr Prigozhin said his men would destroy anyone who stood in their way. The local governor urged citizens there to keep calm and stay indoors. Mr Prigozhin claimed that his forces had shot down a Russian military helicopter that "opened fire on a civilian convoy". He did not give a location and the assertion could not be immediately verified. The Wagner Group is a private army of mercenaries that has been fighting alongside the regular Russian army in Ukraine. Tension has been growing between them over how the war has been fought, with Mr Prigozhin launching vocal criticisms of Russia's military leadership in recent months. On Friday, the 62-year-old mercenary leader accused the military of launching a deadly missile strike on his troops and vowed to punish them. He did not provide evidence. Authorities have denied the strike and demanded he halt his "illegal actions". Follow live updates What is Russia's Wagner Group of mercenaries? Mr Prigozhin said the "evil" in Russia's military leadership must be stopped and vowed to "march for justice". "Those who killed our lads, and tens of thousands of lives of Russian soldiers [in the war in Ukraine] will be punished," he said in an audio message posted to the social media platform Telegram. "I ask you not to resist. Anyone who does will be considered a threat and destroyed. That goes for any checkpoints and aviation on our way. "Presidential power, the government, the police and Russian guard will work as usual. "This is not a military coup, but a march of justice. Our actions do not interfere with the troops in any way." Russia's President Vladimir Putin is receiving round-the-clock updates on the situation, his spokesman said. Security in Moscow was stepped up on Friday night at prime locations in Moscow, including government buildings and transport facilities, Russia's state-owned news agency TASS said. The governor of Russia's Lipetsk region is also asking residents not to travel south. Lipetsk is around 280km (175 miles) north-east of the nearest Ukrainian border, and more than 500km north of Rostov. Writing on Telegram, Igor Artamonov said security measures in the region are being tightened, with a particular focus on protecting critical infrastructure facilities. In a tweet late on Friday, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence said simply: "We are watching." The White House said it was monitoring the situation and would consult with US allies. Gen Sergei Surovikin, the deputy head of the Russian forces in Ukraine, whose leadership Mr Prigozhin has praised in the past, called on him to "stop the convoys and return them to their bases". "We are of one blood, we are warriors," he said in a video. "You mustn't play into the enemy's hands at a time that is difficult for our country." Another senior commander, Lt Gen Vladimir Alekseyev, described the Wagner chief's actions as "a stab in the back of the country and the president". Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu IMAGE SOURCE,EPA Image caption, Mr Prigozhin has been openly critical of Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu Russian state media reported that the FSB, Russia's security service, has opened a criminal case against Mr Prigozhin, accusing him of "calling for an armed rebellion" and attempting to start armed civil conflict in Russia. The FSB also reportedly called on Wagner fighters to disobey his orders and to take steps to apprehend him. Russia's defence ministry said in a statement that "all reports by Prigozhin spread on social media" of Russian strikes on Wagner camps were "not true and are an information provocation". It comes after a video message in May in which Mr Prigozhin stood surrounded by the bodies of his troops and berated Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu - as well as Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov - for not providing them with enough ammunition. On Friday, he declared that the war in Ukraine had been started "so that Shoigu could become a Marshal". "The Ministry of Defence is trying to deceive the public, deceive the president and tell a story that there was some crazy aggression by Ukraine, that - together with the whole Nato bloc - Ukraine was planning to attack us," he said. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66005256

Any videogame chimeras that try to splice Crusader Kings with something else immediately get my attention—Paradox's grand strategy RPG has been keeping me embroiled in intrigue and war for a long-ass time, but it's always exciting to see what spin another developer puts on the dynastic soap opera. In Norland, the concepts of Crusader Kings share the spotlight with RimWorld's colony-building survival sandbox, and it's a marriage made in Heaven. This is in stark contrast to the marriages between my aristocrats. Starting a new game in the Steam Next Fest demo, I created a trio of nobles to directly control, but as soon as I arrived in my settlement I found one of them was missing—the queen. Bandits had kidnapped her. Instead of the couple being able to forge lasting bonds, my queen was dealing with literal bonds, shackled as she was in a bandit camp. Citizens enjoying the tavern in Norland Before I could put together a wee army to rescue her, planning and infrastructure were required. Unlike RimWorld, where you start with a few colonists, Norland gives you a burgeoning village straight away, complete with hard-working peasants. Unlike your noble dynasty, the denizens of your settlement, which include slaves and warriors as well as peasants, aren't controlled directly. Instead, nobles have to be assigned to buildings as managers, shaking their little fists at their workers. Sponsored Links This Cheap Drone Might Be The Best Selling Gift In Pakistan Drone X Pro Hands-on boss It's a very generous interpretation of how lords and ladies run their holdings. Sure, you'll see them chugging goblets of booze or strumming a few notes on a lute, but in Norland they generally work as hard as everyone else. And because you only start with two nobles (at least until you rescue the third) they have to manage a lot of buildings. Thankfully they don't have to stand there being the big boss all day. They follow a schedule, where they move from building to building, assigning tasks and then letting the citizens get on with things. Peasants can be made to serve in an army, but they aren't very good at warfare, so for my rescue attempt I hired some mercenaries. While I waited for them I built a new dormitory, since migrants were already appearing, an altar, a lumberjack's hut, a library and some fields, and very quickly had a self-sustaining settlement. Construction isn't nearly as big a job as it is in RimWorld, since you're plonking down premade structures instead of laying everything out manually and customising the interiors. Pop down a house and everything is already set up for the new residents. A battle in Norland In the time it would have taken me to erect just a couple of buildings in RimWorld, I already had a bustling village in Norland. There's a downside to this, however, because there just isn't much flexibility. Take a lord's house, for instance: every noble requires their own home, even if they are married, because they only contain a single bed. This includes children, too. This makes housing your aristos a real resource and space hog. It's not entirely inflexible, though. Every building can be upgraded, allowing more people to use it at the same time, and that includes homes. Unfortunately, upgrading a lord's house necessitates some research, and I never got access to the specific book required for that project. In the time it would have taken me to erect just a couple of buildings in RimWorld, I already had a bustling village in Norland. After keeping myself busy for an in-game day, my mercs had arrived, so I created a squad with the king as commander, armed them and sent them off to the bandit camp. A few seconds later, exhausted from numerous management tasks, my king decided to lie down on the grass, where he stayed for the rest of the day, until a kindly soul carried him to bed. The next day, he woke up, greeted a new citizen, and then beat the absolute shit out of him. That's just how we say "hello" in this neck of the woods. Clearly he was itching for violence, so I sent him off to the bandit camp once more. Nobles, messengers and armies can travel across the map for all sorts of reasons—not just daring rescues. You might need to collect tithes from other settlements in your realm, trade with other kingdoms, eradicate threats or propose marriage. Characters from other realms will also visit you, allowing you to conduct diplomacy without having to traipse across the world. Norland's map Since you start in a somewhat vulnerable position, it's a good idea to keep your neighbours happy, or even agree to become a more powerful kingdom's vassal. Probably don't do what I did, when I got so angry with another king for trying to blackmail me that I decided to capture him. Three kingdoms declared war straight away, and then a few minutes later the king simply ran away because I'm a total idiot and didn't construct a building to hold prisoners. Bandits and booze My squad of hired heroes performed admirably, cutting down the bandits and rescuing the queen. They even managed to get their hands on some loot. My king did get a bit banged up, though, but quickly cheered up when he got back home to find a new brewery and tavern had been erected. He wasn't the only one who was stoked about the booze. Everyone partied far too hard, and the next morning was an unmitigated disaster. There were a lot of green faces, and while all of my diligent villagers showed up for work, they also brought with them plenty of stomach bile, which they promptly vomited up all over the place. The fields became a swamp of foul-smelling ichor. It was awful. The kingdom's primary boozehound turned out to be the wife of the king's brother. She was the daughter of a neighbouring monarch and her stats suggested she'd be a real boon to the dynasty. And she was very effective, until she got some drink in her. There were snide remarks, fights, and at one point she burst into the library where her husband and brother-in-law were researching new farming techniques, shouted at them and then spewed up all over them. Then she left. People getting vomited on in Norland At the same time, the queen was being bribed by another monarch, reducing her loyalty to the throne. Bribery, blackmail, kidnapping, murder—all the classic Crusader Kings activities are here. It's enough to make you question the concept of marriage, but just like Crusader Kings, heirs are one of the most important resources in the game, so you just have to put up with the risk of betrayal so you can spawn some little goblins to carry on the dynasty. Speaking of which, I felt very embarrassed when I spotted the king and queen getting up to some pixelated hanky panky one evening, complete with Sims-like censoring. I couldn't look them in the eye the next morning. Bribery, blackmail, kidnapping, murder—all the classic Crusader Kings activities are here. Throughout all of this, I was getting news from abroad. A new cult was creating problems, and an army dedicated to evil was marauding through the realms. Larger threats exist to inspire teamwork, where you set aside your grudges and work together with other rulers to take out existential threats. My kingdom never faced a full invasion, but one of my neighbours got completely wiped out, making the threat feel very real. An intimate moment in Norland After 15 in-game days, my time was unfortunately up. I managed to achieve a fair amount in that short space of time, though, and my settlement generated a truly vast amount of vomit. I'm gonna call it a success. I'm itching to see more of Norland. There's a huge amount I still want to dig into, like full-blown wars, peasant revolts and the relationship between kingdoms and the church, which exerts a great deal of control over the world. My own kingdom got its very own bishop near the end of the demo, and he didn't seem to get along with anyone, so I expect that relationship to generate lots of lovely drama—and like Crusader Kings and RimWorld, drama is at the very heart of Norland. It is primarily an emergent storytelling device, and from what I've seen so far, it's shaping up to be a very good one. https://www.pcgamer.com/in-this-mashup-of-crusader-kings-and-rimworld-i-spent-a-huge-amount-of-time-watching-people-vomiting-on-each-other/

Amazon's $1.7 billion (roughly Rs. 13,500 crore) acquisition of robot vacuum cleaner maker iRobot faces a full-scale EU antitrust investigation, people familiar with the matter said, weeks after the US online retail giant won UK approval for the deal. Amazon announced the takeover in August last year to expand its portfolio of smart devices, which include the Alexa voice assistant, smart thermostats, security devices and wall-mounted smart displays. IRobot made its first Roomba robot vacuum in 2002. IRobot shares fell about 10 percent, their largest percentage drop since February last year, while Amazon shares trimmed gains after the Reuters story was published. Amazon Pay Now Lets Indian Customers Exchange Rs. 2,000 Note: Details The European Commission is scheduled to launch a four-month investigation following the end of its preliminary review of the deal on July 6, the people said. PlayUnmute Fullscreen Amazon is unlikely to offer remedies during this initial phase, one of the people said. It has a final shot in the next few days at convincing the EU competition watchdog that the deal is pro-competitive, although the odds against it are high. The Commission and Amazon declined to comment. Amazon has previously said the vacuum cleaner market is very competitive, with lots of Chinese players. Amazon Fire TV Is Getting Generative AI This Year The UK competition agency in its decision last week backed the argument and said it did not see Amazon using its market power to disadvantage rival robot vacuum cleaner makers. It blocked Microsoft's Activision deal while the Commission cleared the deal conditional on Microsoft's licensing deals with rival streaming platforms. Antitrust enforcers worldwide have become more wary of Big Tech acquiring smaller rivals, concerned about the accumulation of troves of data by a few companies, and big companies leveraging their dominance into newer markets. © Thomson Reuters 2023 Apple unveiled its first mixed reality headset, the Apple Vision Pro, at its annual developer conference, along with new Mac models and upcoming software updates. We discuss all the most important announcements made by the company at WWDC 2023 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/internet/news/amazon-irobot-takeover-eu-antitrust-investigation-sources-4145413

Windows 11 and Windows 10 users might be faced with a rather odd-seeming full-screen pop-up after they’ve upgraded, pertaining to Windows Hello logins using facial recognition or a fingerprint. Neowin spotted a Microsoft support document explaining that after June 13 – the day the most recent cumulative update was released for Windows 11 (and 10) – you might see the aforementioned pop-up panel if you’ve recently updated to a later version of Windows. And it can also appear if you haven’t signed into your Windows device using Windows Hello in over a year, and you’ve just installed an update. Sponsored Links The Rise of AI in Fashion: runway-rhythms The prompt reads, “Choose if you want to keep signing in with your face or fingerprint,” then poses the question: “Do you want to keep storing your face or fingerprint data on this PC?” If you choose ‘yes’ then nothing more needs to be done. If you decide you don’t want to use these biometric login methods any longer, when you click ‘no’ Windows will take you to the Settings app, where you can change your sign-in method. Analysis: Permission to be confused, Captain This is a strange one because we’re not told why Microsoft has decided this prompt is necessary. Has the software giant just spontaneously decided to check if users still want to continue with Windows Hello? Well, if they haven’t used their biometric login for over a year, that seems like a fair enough helpful check to implement. However, that’s clearly not the full story, as folks who’ve used Windows Hello recently and regularly are seeing this panel too, if they’ve recently upgraded to a newer version of Windows 11 or 10. So why quiz them on the matter? We’re not told, and that’s a bit confusing – it’d be nice to be given a reason. Could it be something to do with issues around login data permissions? Well, we’re just guessing here. Whatever the case, it would really make sense to clarify the reason on the actual pop-up screen in Windows, or at least provide a link to that clarification for the curious. Just so people aren’t potentially confused about why they’re seeing the prompt on their PC. Granted, plenty of folks may not care, and in the bigger picture, this is a very minor inconvenience, but still, the whole episode just seems a bit odd to us – the support document is all well and good, but doesn’t tell the full story. https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/new-windows-11-users-might-be-confused-by-this-full-screen-pop-up

Nvidia has published official benchmark results of its upcoming GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card just a week ahead of its launch on June 29. The new $299 Ada Lovelace-based graphics card is shown to be across-the-board faster than its predecessor based on the Ampere architecture, but there is catch: the newcomer shows its most significant advantages with AI frame generation enabled. Without it, it is merely 20% faster, according to Nvidia. Nvidia Nvidia's GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card is based on the AD106 GPU with 3072 CUDA cores enabled that has peak FP32 compute throughput of 15 TFLOPS, which is just 15% higher compared to GeForce RTX 3060 with its 13 FP32 TFLOPS. But the AD106 has noticeable advantages over GA106 in the form of massively improved ray tracing performance (+40%) and Tensor compute throughput (+137%). The latter can be used for AI, advanced DLSS 3 upscaling, and AI image generation workloads. We'll see if that's enough to make it one of the best graphics cards. Sponsored Links Farmer Finds Strange Eggs In His Harvest - When He Sees Them Hatch, He Bursts Into Tears Student Sea Nvidia We can make guesses why Nvidia decided to balance its Ada Lovelace microarchitecture the way it balanced it, but it is obvious that the company will use benefits — DLSS 3 and AI image generation — that is has to outshine predecessors and competitors in games. That said, it is not particularly surprising that Nvidia demonstrated its GeForce RTX 4060 with DLSS 3 and image generation enabled in as many games as possible, showing rather dramatic performance gains compared to its GeForce RTX 3060. This is indeed a major improvement of the new GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card as it can enable high framerates with all the eye candy enabled in the latest games, something the GeForce RTX 3060 just cannot do. Nvidia The company admits that far not all games support AI frame generation and this is where its GeForce RTX 4060 is only 20% faster than its predecessor. A 20% improvement is still not bad, only it is just not something one would expect from a new generation product based on the all-new architecture. Nvidia considers lower power consumption of its GeForce RTX 4060 as another advantage of its new board as it will allow to save some money. Yet, this advantage is less obvious than performance gains. Nvidia Leading graphics cards manufacturers like Asus, Colorful, Gainward, Galax, Gigabyte, Inno3D, KFA2, MSI, Palit, PNY, and Zotac will be releasing the GeForce RTX 4060 graphics cards starting June 29. Nvidia's recommended price for GeForce RTX 4060 boards is $299, but expect products that will carry different price tags as well. https://www.tomshardware.com/news/nvidia-shares-geforce-rtx-4060-performance-numbers

KARACHI: Amid increasing incidents of theft and snatching of sacrificial animals in the city, two young software engineers have developed a unique application which will enable registration and identification of pets and sacrificial animals. The app — Animal Passport — developed by Syed Umaid Ahmed and Mohammad Hasan Khan, the two engineers doing research at FAST National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences, will be helpful in keeping sacrificial animals safe, especially during Eidul Azha. Speaking to Dawn, Umaid and Hasan said that with the app it would be easy to find lost or stolen animals through a biometric system based on the physical attributes of an animal. Hasan, a master’s researcher, said the app they developed was easy to use. “The first step is registration and then verification. For registration of an animal, its owner has to take a photograph of an animal’s muzzle and upload it to the app.” Just like the fingerprint of humans, every animal’s muzzle has special and different features, he added. He said the image was registered in the app with details of its owner and in case the animal was stolen and being sold somewhere and an unsuspecting buyer could find it out in the app and verify its image with the app, upon which complete details of its original owner would appear on his mobile screen. Umaid, a PhD candidate, said he got the idea of the app after his own animal had got stolen, after which their professor further guided them on its development. They have tested almost 5,000 animal muzzle prints with their application and the results are 99.9 per cent accurate, they claimed. Umaid also mentioned the insurance claim feature of the app, which would help find and identify any dead animal registered with the app. He said that the app works through an artificial intelligence algorithm. It took the two students 11 months to develop the app in which seven months were spent in its testing. He said with the help of verification, an owner could claim their animal, if they were found to be stolen or lost. A lost or stolen complaint is to be registered with the app. Umaid said that this application would soon be available on Play Store. And it will be free of charge for the people of Pakistan until Eidul Azha.

It's that time of year again when racing teams from across the world throw their combined experience at circle tracks, road courses, rally stages, and drift stadiums into a mixing bowl to attempt one of the riskiest forms of motorsports left: the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC). Situated near Colorado Springs, Colorado, Pikes Peak Mountain is a scenic toll road turned paved battleground for one day a year. This year, 66 drivers will attempt the 101st PPIHC. On Sunday, June 25, divided among six classes, drivers of various motorsports practices will get one chance at conquering 156 turns that span 12.4 miles. One at a time, each driver takes one stab at reaching the summit for a delicious donut at 14,115 feet above sea level. The quickest time ever recorded was set by Frenchman Romain Dumas in 2018, who has returned this year, in an all-electric Ford minivan of all things, after a previous factory effort from Volkswagen in the electric I.D. R. Last year's winner, Robin Schute, set the quickest time ever recorded in the rain (and doing it through some dangerously thick fog) at 10:09.525 in a 2018 Wolf TSC-FS Italian-built prototype. For context, it typically takes tourists 50 minutes to safely travel from the front gate to the summit. Since 1916, the PPIHC has been home to some pretty spectacularly insane builds that seek the best balance of weight, downforce, horsepower, grip, and some rather important hairpin braking. We've put together a brief list of a few standout vehicles and drivers for this year's event. We reached out to drivers and asked if they could compare the thrill of racing up America's Mountain to a particular song, and what they typically eat before launching from the starting line at 9390 feet above sea level. Some answered, some didn't, so we suggested answers for a few. The first car is scheduled for take-off at 7:30 a.m. MDT (9:30 a.m. EDT) on Sunday, June 25. To watch the 101st PPIHC, visit Official Mobil 1 for live coverage. You can also listen via FM radio to Colorado Springs's own news station, KRDO. To keep up on live results and action, we suggest giving the PPIHC official Twitter and Instagram pages a follow. They don't call him Mad Mike because he's yelled at people, but because his steed for this year's hill-climb is among the craziest ever. Not only has this Mazda 3 hatchback been converted from front- to rear-wheel drive, but it's also been given a twin-turbo four-rotor engine. The Red Bull–backed Mazda has a claimed weight of 2755 pounds and was originally built for Formula Drift spec, but it will attempt the mountain tuned for as much grip as possible. Mad Mike, who has turned burning tires into a booming career, has also competed as a driver in Stadium Super Trucks and is a championship-winning Formula Drift Japan driver. We chose Whiddett's Pikes Peak anthem: "Love Machine" by the Miracles. We chose Whiddett's Breakfast of Champions: Toyo Tires. Tanner Foust's Radford Type 62-2 | Exhibition 2023 pikes peak international hill climbANDREW MITERKO Based on the Lotus Exige, this Radford 62-2 is a custom-built carbon-fiber overdose built by the coachbuilders at Radford. It's said to have a 700-hp supercharged 3.5-liter V-6 from Toyota. All its carbon-fiber aero lets the 62-2 enjoy a rather insane 1942-pound claimed curb weight. Tanner Foust, who last attempted the hill-climb in 2021 in a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport, is ready to do battle with this year's greatest in the nearly lawless exhibition class. Foust told us his Pikes Peak anthem: "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns N' Roses. Foust told us his Breakfast of Champions: Breakfast burritos from the pits. Cole Powelson's Nissan Powerstroke GT-R | Unlimited 2023 pikes peak international hill climbANDREW MITERKO|CAR AND DRIVER That puff of smoke is only a hint. Under the bonnet of this Nissan GT-R Pikes Peak racer is the heart of a pickup truck. Ready to roll coal this year is Cole Powelson's record attempt. The current diesel record is held by an F1 Pickup with help from a 6.7-liter Cummins. Powelson's GT-R uses similar diesel smoke on the mountain's dangerous curves. A 6.9-liter turbodiesel V-8 Powerstroke from a 2004 Ford F-series is at the heart of this thing. The dude's already joined the sub-10-minute club, and this year he's brought a diesel car to a truck fight. Powelson told us his Pikes Peak anthem: "Kickstart My Heart" by Mötley Crüe. Powelson told us his Breakfast of Champions: A doughnut after reaching the summit. Daijiro Yoshihara's Honda S2000 | Pikes Peak Open 2023 pikes peak international hill climbEVASIVE MOTORSPORTS Dai Yoshihara has a dream job: he's a professional drifter who competes in motorsports spanning from Global Time Attack and just wrapped up a big finish in TC America at his first racing visit to Virginia International Raceway. This is his fifth attempt at Pikes Peak. The Japan-born racing driver was the 2011 Formula Drift champion and was the quickest EV competitor last year behind the wheel of Evasive Motorsport's Model 3, finishing 9th overall. The 2004 Honda S2000 he's piloting this year is the same car used during his 2022 Time Attack season. Evasive says the S2000 weighs 2400 pounds and Honda's high-revving 2.0-liter four-cylinder makes 650 horsepower. Go get 'em, Dai! Yoshihara told us his Pikes Peak anthem: "Danger Zone" by Kenny Loggins. Yoshihara told us his Breakfast of Champions: Rice ball especially prepared by Mrs. Yoshihara. Romain Dumas's Ford Performance SuperVan 4.2 | Pikes Peak Open 2023 pikes peak international hill climbANDREW MITERKO|CAR AND DRIVER Vans rock. The all-wheel-drive Ford Performance SuperVan is 1400 horsepower worth of evidence. This especially Pikes Peak–tuned E-Transit SuperVan has been given additional aero and a different tune to brave the mountain's tricky conditions. Piloted by the current all-time record holder, Romain Dumas, the Performance SuperVan is sure to raise eyebrows when it attempts what minivan vans do every day: kick a lot of ass. We chose Dumas's Pikes Peak anthem: "Je Ne Regrette Rien" by Edith Piaf. We chose Dumas's Breakfast of Champions: A croissant, obviously. Rhys Millen's BMW M8 | Exhibition 2023 pikes peak international hill climbANDREW MITERKO|CAR AND DRIVER Rhys Millen, son of five-time Pikes Peak winner Rod Millen, is a hill-climb celebrity in his own right. He's been here 26 times and has won King of the Mountain twice of those attempts. This BMW M8 shares a similar livery to his father's legendary Toyota Tacoma that won the climb twice. Millen told us his Pikes Peak anthem: "Machinehead" by Bush. Millen told us his Breakfast of Champions: A banana and coffee from Loaf n Jug in Colorado Springs. Raphael Astier's Renault Alpine A110 GT4 Evo | Pikes Peak Open 2023 pikes peak international hill climbANDREW MITERKO|CAR AND DRIVER French driver Raphael Astier brought a 2009 Porsche 911 GT3 RS to his first Pikes Peak hill-climb in 2016 and won Rookie of the Year. He achieved a 10:06.006 on his first try, earning him a second-place finish in the Time Attack 1 category that year. After that helluva first impression, Astier has been back, and this is his fifth attempt, behind the wheel of the Alpine A110 GT4 Evo. Alpine says the A110 GT4 Evo has nearly 500 horsepower and weighs just 2094 pounds, or roughly 400 pounds lighter than the roadgoing A1110 it's based on. We chose Astier's Pikes Peak anthem: "Lovers on the Sun" by David Guetta. We chose Astier's Breakfast of Champions: Double espresso. Lucy Block's Sierra Echo | Unlimited 2023 pikes peak international hill climbANDREW MITERKO|CAR AND DRIVER Lucy Block is marked on the sheet as a rookie as it's her first attempt at the mountain, but she's more than familiar with the bravery needed to volunteer for such antics. Her drive is to celebrate the life of her husband, Ken Block, who died tragically earlier this year, and to raise awareness for 43 Institute, a nonprofit to help widen opportunity for those looking to pursue a driving career. The Sierra Cars Echo is an all-electric single-seat buggy. There are seven Block Edition 300-hp Echo EVs for sale, with a portion of those sales going to 43 Institute. Lucy is joined by her daughter, Lia Block, who is making a tribute pass up the mountain in honor of Ken in the 1400-hp all-wheel-drive Hoonipigasus Porsche 911 he drove at the 100th PPIHC, last year. The two just finished competing in the Southern Ohio Forest Rally. We chose Block's Pikes Peak anthem: "Sure Shot" by Beastie Boys. We chose Block's Breakfast of Champions: Breakfast burrito. Gardner Nichols's Rivian R1T | Exhibition 2023 pikes peak international hill climbCOURTESY OF MATT WATTS/CODY FRANSSEN An electric vehicle holds the record for quickest time up the mountain, a feat accomplished in 2018 with the factory-backed Volkswagen I.D. R. California's own Rivian knows a thing or two about records and electric vehicles, having taken the crown as the quickest pickup truck we've ever tested with the R1T's launch to 60 mph in just 3.0 seconds. At this year's hill-climb, Gardner Nichols and his team are going for the quickest pickup truck record. The R1T they're racing is caged and carpet-free. We chose Nichols's Pikes Peak anthem: "Tom's Diner" by Suzanne Vega. We chose Nichols's Breakfast of Champions: Dino Chicken Nuggies. Loni Unser's Acura Integra Type S | Exhibition 2024 acura integra type s pikes peak race car frontACURA Loni Unser is back at Pikes Peak this year, switching from a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport to the cockpit of the Acura Integra Type S. This is a gutted and caged ITS that's been built by Honda Performance Developing (HPD), complete with a Borla exhaust and 19-inch wheels wrapped in Yokohama's Advan A005 race tire. The Unser family has been competing in the hill-climb from as early as 1926, with Loni being the fourth generation to compete on the mountain. We chose Unser's Pikes Peak anthem: "Running up That Hill" by Kate Bush. We chose Unser's Breakfast of Champions: Oreo cookies. Matt Mullins's BMW XM Label Red | Exhibition 2023 pikes peak international hill climbANDREW MITERKO|CAR AND DRIVER When Matt Mullins isn't saddled to a 6000-pound BMW, he's riding shotgun in other BMWs for the Performance Driving School. His racing number, 735, matches the XM Red Label's total output. Despite the XM's distractingly odd looks, the most powerful BMW production vehicle ever can only go up from here. We chose Mullins's Pikes Peak anthem: "Juice" by Lizzo. We chose Mullins's Breakfast of Champions: Mountain Dew Voltage. Cam Ingram's E-Motion Porsche GT3R | Pikes Peak Open 2023 pikes peak international hill climbANDREW MITERKO|CAR AND DRIVER Cam Ingram is the CEO of Road Scholars, a vintage Porsche sales and restoration biz, but he's not letting the dust collect on the E-Motion Porsche 911 GT3 R. It's wearing new a new outfit this year, but it's mostly the same car Rhys Millen drove last year to the tune of 10:52.664, which was sixth overall. Now it's Ingram's turn, as he sets off to beat his time from last year set in a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport. Ingram described his Pikes Peak soundtrack: "The bottom section is like 'Kick It' by A Tribe Called Quest, the middle is like a symphony orchestra, and the top is pure 'Reign in Blood' by Slayer." Ingram told us his Breakfast of Champions: a Kind granola bar and a banana. https://www.caranddriver.com/news/g44266504/101st-pikes-peak-hill-climb-competitors-details-watch/

Pregnant women have many restrictions on their diet owing to several reasons. As such, are they allowed to have mangoes considering they may cause heat-related issues in the body or may heighten the chances of gestational diabetes? Gynecologist and fetal medicine expert Dr Deepthi Jammi took to Instagram to share that pregnant women can have mangoes provided they do not overeat. “Mangoes are rich in vitamin C. A cup of mango slices fulfils your daily recommended dose of vitamin C. Vitamin C is essential for tissue repair, immunity boost, and the development of a baby’s bones and teeth. Mangoes are packed with vitamin A. A deficiency in vitamin A at birth lowers an infant’s immunity and increases several complications, such as respiratory infections or diarrhea,” said Dr Jammi. What else? According to Dr Jammi, mangoes are an excellent source of antioxidants, nutrients, and energy. Stressing that the health benefits of eating mango during pregnancy are countless, Dr Jammi shared that they help prevents anaemia, promote fetal development, packed with antioxidants, help in the development of bones and teeth, maintain fluid balance, and prevent preeclampsia. “Only if you overeat mangoes, you may have to face dehydration and diarrhea, develop a higher risk of gestational diabetes, excessive weight gain, and can have allergic reactions,” remarked Dr Jammi. mangoes Should pregnant women have mangoes? (Source: Pixabay) According to Dr Jammi, mango is a nutrient-packed fruit that ensures the healthy development of the baby. “What else a mother needs other than a healthy baby? So, keep enjoying your mangoes, but, in moderation,” said Dr Jammi. Also Read | Is regular consumption of mangoes associated with improved health? Here’s what experts say Dr Jyoti Kala, consultant – Obstetrics And Gynecology, Manipal Hospital Sarjapur too agreed that mangoes can definitely be eaten during pregnancy as they are a rich source of antioxidants and vital nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B6, iron, potassium, and folic acid which are essential for the growth and development of your baby. “Mangoes are also rich in fibre which aids in digestion and reduces constipation in pregnancy,” said Dr Kala. But it’s best to avoid consuming mangoes in large portions, especially in cases of gestational diabetes, urged Dr Kala. “This is because mangoes contain higher levels of natural sugars which might bring about a spike in sugar levels, especially if sugars are poorly controlled in cases of gestational diabetes. Hence, in moderate quantities, mangoes can be enjoyed as a seasonal fruit in all stages of pregnancy, even in cases of pregnancies with well-controlled gestational diabetes,” said Dr Kala. What else to keep in mind? Calcium carbide that is used to artificially ripen mangoes are one of the reasons why there is skepticism about the fruit. “The use of this substance was outlawed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2016. As a result, you must make sure the mangoes you buy are organic and naturally ripened. Before eating it, properly wash it,” said Dr Shobha Gupta Medical Director and IVF Specialist from Mother’s Lap IVF Centre New Delhi and Vrindavan. gs rather than at dinner time. “Mangoes should only be consumed if your doctor advises you to increase your calorie intake. Avoid combining mangoes with ice cream or sugar because pregnancy causes a lot of desires and might lead to an unbalanced calorie intake. For people with diabetes or obese mothers, mangoes are not recommended,” said Dr Gupta. https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/myth-or-fact-mangoes-eat-pregnancy-8669496/

The US Coast Guard says that a debris field located in the North Atlantic suggests that a submersible missing since Sunday, with five passengers on board, suffered a "catastrophic implosion". The vessel, which had limited oxygen supplies, went missing deep under the ocean on Sunday after setting off to explore the wreck of the Titanic. It prompted a massive five-day search and rescue operation led by US, Canadian and French agencies. On Thursday evening, the Coast Guard said it had located five major pieces of the Titan amid debris around the Titanic site, which it said was "consistent with catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber". The agency offered its condolences to the families of the victims and said it could not confirm if their bodies would ever be recovered. The search is being wound down over the next 24 hours, although remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) will remain on site. Ahead of its press conference, OceanGate - the company that operates the tours - released a statement saying it believed all five passengers on board "have sadly been lost". "Our hearts are with these five souls and every member of their families during this tragic time," the company said. "We grieve the loss of life and joy they brought to everyone they knew." Follow live for latest updates Map showing location of the Titanic wreck site in relation to Newfoundland and St John's and some of the ships being used in the search On Thursday morning local time, two deep-water remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) arrived at the search site. A submersible attached to the Canadian vessel Horizon Arctic reached the sea floor. The Victor 6000, which is operated from the French research vessel Atalante, was also deployed. It had a robot that could reach the seabed 3,800m (12,500ft) down, and would have had the capacity to lift the Titan sub to the surface. The vehicles designed for navy submarine rescues can't get anywhere near as deep as would be needed. You can read more about the equipment being used in our visual guide. Authorities said earlier that the search area had been expanded to approximately twice the size of the US state of Connecticut, and a sub-surface search area of around 2.5 miles (4km) deep. Earlier in the search, on Tuesday and Wednesday, hopes were raised when a Canadian plane picked up underwater noises, but the US Coast Guard was unable to confirm they were from the sub. On Wednesday the agency said that ROV operations had been relocated "in an attempt to explore the origin of the noises", but "yielded negative results". Who was on board? Suleman Dawood and Shahzada Dawood IMAGE SOURCE,DAWOOD FAMILY Image caption, Suleman Dawood, 19, and father Shahzada Dawood, 48 The five people on board were: Hamish Harding, a 58-year-old British businessman and explorer Shahzada Dawood, 48-also a British businessman -and his son, Suleman Dawood, 19 Paul-Henry Nargeolet, a 77-year-old French explorer nicknamed "Mr Titanic" Stockton Rush, 61, is the chief executive of OceanGate, the firm behind the dive You can read more about them all here. When did it go missing? The Polar Prince first arrived near the Titanic wreck on Sunday morning and the Titan was launched at 08:00 local time - it was expected to resurface at 15:00. Contact was lost one hour and 45 minutes into its descent, at about 09:45. The Coast Guard said they were notified of the problem at about 17:45 - eight hours later. The agency's command centre in Boston then began coordinating search efforts. The Titanic wreck site is approximately 600km (370 miles) off the coast of Newfoundland. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65934887

The summer showcase season may be over, but I hope you've still got some room left in your brain to saturate with a metric ton of cool-ass games. The latest Steam Next Fest has landed, bringing hundreds of demos, gameplay livestreams and developer chats until June 26. It's a great time to dive in and discover something new, or maybe check something out that caught your eye during showcases like Wholesome Games, Day of the Devs or our own PC Gaming Show. With hundreds of demos all vying for your attention, it can be tough to know which games to give your attention and hard drive space to. Thankfully, the team at PC Gamer have delved into a whole bunch of 'em, and here are 16 of our favourites that we think you should check out. Laysara: Summit Kingdom Three separate towns span Laysara's mountain. A town sits on a lower grassy level, while two other towns sit higher up, separated by a river. (Image credit: Quite OK Games) Developer: Quite OK Games | Release date: 2023 | Steam page Sponsored Links Create AI Apps with Prompts www.getlazy.ai Mollie Taylor: Not enough city builders play around with verticality, but Laysara: Summit Kingdom has you creating entire settlements up various mountain landscapes. I've had my eye on this since we showed it off at our PC Gaming Show last year, and the demo doesn't disappoint. There's a lot to keep tabs on, but even from the demo's tutorial, I had a ton of fun strategising to ensure all my workers had plenty of food, activities and spiritual endeavours to keep them happy. Just watch out for the avalanches that threaten to descend on your meticulously built towns. RECOMMENDED VIDEOS FOR YOU... CLOSE Sticky Business A cardboard box with custom-selected purple paper and multicoloured shredded paper filling sits on a table. Custom-made stickers are selectable at the top of the screen, with an assortment of them placed inside the box in a pixel-art style. (Image credit: Spellgarden Games) Developer: Spellgarden Games | Release date: 2023| Steam page Mollie Taylor: I'm all too guilty of spending hours browsing through Etsy, wishing I was artsy enough to rock an awesome small business. Sticky Business finally lets me realise those dreams in all its cosy pixelated pastel glory. Frankenstein different shapes, images and text together to create stickers, do your best to shove as many as possible on a single sheet to maximise profit and then lovingly package each order with different paper and filling types. It's a low-pressure management sim bursting with creativity, the perfect game to unwind with after a long day. Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical Two dialogue options are presented for the player to choose for Grace. One says "Must it be an Idol?" while the other says "This feels pointless." A blonde man in the background looks forlorn. (Image credit: Summerfall Studios) Developer: Summerfall Studios | Release date: August 3, 2023| Steam page Mollie Taylor: What if Telltale games were musicals? Stray Gods is a narrative adventure where everyone sings their feelings, and you can change the course of the songs and story by choosing how the main character Grace croons her thoughts. Considering it's inspired by an episode of one of my favourite TV shows, it's no surprise I was already engrossed in its half-hour demo. With a gorgeous modern comic book style and a star-studded cast behind it, Stray Gods is hitting all the right notes. Astrea: Six-Sided Oracles A blue and purple tinged landscape of trees sit in the background of a deckbuilding game. (Image credit: Little Leo Games) Developer: Little Leo Games | Release date: 2023 | Steam page Robin Valentine: Astrea very much walks in the footsteps of Slay the Spire, but instead of gaining cards and building a deck, you're creating your own pool of dice. You collect and apply faces to make each dice your own, and then roll them in battle and use your results as your attacks. We've been keeping an eye on it since last year, and it's a really fascinating take on the genre, layering all sorts of interesting strategic decisions over its six-sided cubes. If you like the concept, check out the demo for Tamarak Trail too, which plays with the same idea with some interesting twists of its own. Viewfinder A first-person view of a pixelated, old-school videogame type screen in the middle of a strange green sky surrounded by stone and purple bushes. (Image credit: Sad Owl Studios) Developer: Sad Owl Studios | Release date: July 18, 2023 | Steam page Robin Valentine: This mind-bending puzzle game really has to be seen to be believed. Even if you're not normally a fan of brain-teasers, the Viewfinder demo is a must-play just to see its space-warping magic tricks in action. Armed with a magic camera, you're able to take photos, and then place those photos in the world to change the space around you. It's difficult to convey in words, so check out my extended look at the game, with plenty of gifs and screenshots, if you need convincing. SteamWorld Build An overview of the map in SteamWorld Build, with trees, a farm and other buildings dotted around the desert landscape. (Image credit: Thunderful Development) Developer: Thunderful Development| Release date: Coming soon | Steam page Robin Valentine: SteamWorld Build is a wonderfully layered experience—above ground, it's a city builder, but your mines take you down into a Dungeon Keeper-like experience below, and keep adding more and more depth as you burrow down through further levels. Managing it all simultaneously gives the game a great pace, avoiding the sluggishness that city builders can fall into. The demo gives you a good taste, but just know that even when you're done you've only scratched the surface—in my recent hands-on, I couldn't believe how much I uncovered. Gord An isometric view of a nighttime island splattered with blood in Gord. (Image credit: Covenant.dev) Developer: Covenant.dev | Release date: August 8, 2023 | Steam page Robin Valentine: You know those bleak, grubby little towns you visit in the Witcher games? The ones that are perpetually under siege by horrible monsters? Gord is basically a city builder about running one of those towns. My extended hands-on left me a little worried about both its micro-management and dodgy voice-acting, but it's got a lot of really interesting ideas and wonderfully grim visuals, and it's hard not to be intrigued by a game that asks you to make a child sacrifice to a monstrous swamp god before you're even out of the tutorial. Little Kitty, Big City A black cat sits atop a crate in a fruit and vegetable shop, surrounded by boxes of pineapples, kiwis, lettuce and other foods. An elderly woman is stood looking at the cat, her hands on her hips disapprovingly. (Image credit: Double Dagger Studio) Developer: Double Dagger Studio | Release date: 2024 | Steam page Lauren Aitken: Cat games are superior to every animal-based game in every way and I will die on that hill. In Little Kitty, Big City, you can get the zoomies, knock people over to steal their sandwiches and yell at them as you look to gather items for your fellow anthropomorphised pals. You can find little hats to put on the titular kitty and perform 2023's best in-game emotes like Big Stretch and Lie Down. I liked the froggy hat in particular, which is giving big pandemic Animal Crossing amphibian vibes. Philippa Warr, who you might remember used to work for PC Gamer, has worked on Little Kitty, Big City, but I like it because I am a cat enthusiast. Hammerwatch 2 A top-down view of three characters in a town. The paths are stony and lined with trees, with buildings either side that have their roofs missing so the player can peer inside them. (Image credit: Crackshell) Developer: Crackshell | Release date: August 15, 2023| Steam page Lauren Morton: I was jazzed when I heard Hammerwatch 2 was happening. Even more so when I realized it was going to be much bigger than the past two hack-and-slash dungeon crawlers, this time with an open world, quests, and extensive itemization. It's truly a full action RPG now. You get a taste for that in the demo, which dumps you onto an island beset by pirates holed up in a cave. Hammerwatch 2 isn't shy about chucking quests at you right off the bat, most for diving down into the first pirate hideout dungeon. I'm already enjoying the interplay of skills on my rogue (love a good grenade skill) and those awful beetles of the other Hammerwatch games are back to ruin my day. Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew Two purple beams of light shoot out from the player's character. They are directed towards skeletons emerging from a green portal inside a wooden shed, housed on a small desert island. (Image credit: Mimimi Games) Developer: Mimimi Games | Release date: August 17, 2023| Steam page Lauren Morton: I honestly cannot say enough good things about Mimimi's stealth tactics games. They just get it. Fraser's played their latest real-time stealth pirate romp and in his Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew preview he had a grand time playing the first act. As with Shadow Tactics and Desperados 3, Shadow Gambit's levels are a giant knot of overlapping view cones, restricted areas, and accidents waiting to happen for you to unpick with your crew and their individual murder talents. Moonstone Island Two pixelated chibi characters walk past each other in a wintry town. The one on the upper left has a speech bubble that says "Hey!" while a green-haired character on the right has one that says "What's up?" (Image credit: Studio Supersoft) Developer: Studio Supersoft | Release date: Q3 2023 | Steam page Lauren Morton: It's true that when it comes to farm and life sims I am partial to pixel art, and I think Moonstone Island is the demo to try among the several farmlifers I played this Next Fest. This is part Pokemon—collect spirits who you'll use to do turn-based deck battles with—part Minecraft with its crafting and procedurally generated world of islands, and part Stardew with its town of villagers to befriend and date. Moonstone's demo has a very smooth introduction to all of its systems and a really cute, cohesive visual style. I'm also just super weak to the invitation to explore for the perfect island to settle down on. The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood A witch wearing a large black hat called Fortuna sits cross-legged on the floor with a large book in her lap. Text of her talking to the player is on the right-hand screen, reading "Everything is intertwined, and in constant relation. A river in the middle of the jungle can put in context the nature of an office worker." (Image credit: Deconstructeam) Developer: Deconstructeam | Release date: 2023 | Steam page Harvey Randall: While I'm sure seeing into the future would make me much better at video games, The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood's demo is giving me second thoughts. I didn't know what to expect from Deconstructeam's newest narrative experience, but it's thoughtful, gorgeous, and fascinating. This game sees you—a banished witch—form a pact with a behemoth demon to forge a new tarot deck. You can customise your own bespoke cards, then use them to read the fortunes of your friends. The catch? You cannot reload a previous save, all choices are final. "After all," warns the game's save creation screen, "this is a game about fate." If you're into narrative games that are prepared to break your heart, this one's worth a try. Battle Shapers A Wind Magistrate locks onto the player who is in a first-person view. A lego-like armour adorns their left arm, while their right arm is a red gun. (Image credit: Metric Empire) Developer: Metric Empire | Release date: Q3 2023 | Steam page Morgan Park: Well would you look at that, an indie FPS with a legitimately unique hook. Battle Shapers is like playing Doomfist with a machinegun: your loadout revolves around the mechanical fist on your left arm, which lets you punch, dash, and ground pound across arenas while also laying waste with the guns in your right hand. The basic punch works like a Doom 2016 glory kill to finish off enemies and regain armor. Busting through robos with a single swing feels great, and the guns are no slouch either. Weapons and fist attacks change throughout a run by finding perks, guns, new abilities, and stage modifiers. That all sounds great for keeping things fresh my 12th time through a stage, but it's Battle Shapers' strong FPS fundamentals that'll get me in the door when it releases in early access later this year. Lies of P A character in a bunny mask gestures to their background, where two people lean against a coffin with the word "LIAR" painted in white and another bucket-wearing member rests a lance against their shoulder. (Image credit: NEOWIZ) Developer: NEOWIZ | Release date: September 19, 2023 | Steam page Harvey Randall: As an out-and-proud soulslike enjoyer, my expectations were tepid heading into Lies of P's demo. I wasn't expecting it to be bad, don't get me wrong, but there's a wide gulf between bad and good: A whole band of mediocrity that becomes especially concerning when a game borrows as heavily as Lies of P does. I was delighted to find out that Round8 Studio hadn't been telling fibs. Lies of P plays less like a discount Bloodborne and more like a slower-paced Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, with an emphasis on perfect guards and stance-breaking over dodge rolls. It borrows a swiss army knife of gadgets from From Software's catalogue, and even has a few surprises of its own. It's fast becoming an unexpected darling for 2023, which should keep us from going hollow during the eternal wait for a Bloodborne port. Home Safety Hotline An old-school computer window displays a picture of a mouse, along with a description, its danger and the solution. (Image credit: Nicholas Lives) Developer: Nicholas Lives | Release date: TBA | Steam page Joshua Wolens: What if you were a witcher, but instead of actually schlepping out to people's homes to battle monsters you just gave them advice about what to do over the phone and hoped for the best? Also, what if it was the 90s and you had to work using a garish CRT monitor attached to a charming but inefficient dial-up connection? These are the questions Home Safety Hotline dares to ask. This is a short demo—only about 20 minutes all told—but the vibes are impeccable. You sit at your desk and help callers navigate home-based problems like black mold and mice, eventually graduating to help them deal with lamp sprites, desk secretions, and stair slugs. And if someone asks for help with a problem you don't have on your list? Just tell them how to deal with moles and cross your fingers. Probably don't answer the phone if they ring back again, though. Thronefall A small army surround a structure in Thronefall, which sports a very minimalist art style. (Image credit: GrizzlyGames) Developer: GrizzlyGames | Release date: Q3 2023 | Steam page Sean Martin: I was really surprised by this smart little tower defense, which seems to take influence from two of my favourites: Kingdom Two Crowns and Bad North. But where Kingdom can often feel a bit bloated, as you ride across your realm tackling the titanic task of its maintenance, Thronefall benefits from a simpler gameplay loop. During the day, you spend your trickle of coins to build houses, recruit soldiers, and expand your homely little realm. At night, enemy armies attack, and you have to defend what you built. Where Thronefall distinguishes itself is in allowing you to ride out with your troops, command them, and even fight or bait enemies. When morning rolls around, buildings are repaired and soldiers replenished, so you can set about using that tithe of coins to expand your fledgling realm rather than simply rebuild what was lost. Since you control when the night begins, too, there's less time pressure around deciding how to spend your coin, which is a welcome feature in an often stressful genre. https://www.pcgamer.com/steam-next-fest-june-2023-best-demos/

Asus ROG Ally will be launched in India on July 12, the company announced on Wednesday. The Taiwanese firm's first Windows-powered handheld gaming console will go on sale during a flash sale on Flipkart for one day on July 7, according to Asus. Last week, Asus teased the arrival of the ROG Ally via a Twitter post. The gaming console sports a 7-inch full-HD display with a 120Hz refresh rate and is powered by AMD's recently introduced Z1 Extreme APU, paired with 16GB of RAM. Asus ROG Ally price in India, availability Asus ROG Ally will be priced at Rs. 69,990 in India. The device will be launched in India on July 12, and will go on sale for one day on July 7 as part of a flash sale on Flipkart. The device will be available for purchase in India via the Asus e-shop and Flipkart, as well as Asus Exclusive Stores and ROG Stores in the country The company has also announced that the first 200 customers to purchase the Asus ROG Ally, after registering for a promotion on the company's website, will receive a complimentary ROG Ally case worth Rs. 2,000. Asus ROG Ally With AMD Z1 Series Chip Will Go on Sale in India on This Date Asus ROG Ally specifications, features (expected) The Asus ROG Ally that was recently introduced in the US and global markets runs on Windows 11. It is powered with AMD's Z1 and Z1 Extreme chips with AMD RDNA3 graphics paired with 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM. To store your games, you get 512GB of NVMe storage. Video Player is loading. PlayUnmute Fullscreen This handheld gaming console sports a 7-inch full-HD (1,920x1080 pixels) IPS display with a 120Hz refresh rate, 7ms response time, and up to 500 nits of peak brightness. The Asus ROG Ally is equipped with ABXY buttons, thumbsticks, a D-pad, bumpers, and analogue triggers. On the connectivity front, the Asus ROG Ally supports Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, and a USB Type-C port. It has a dual speaker setup with Dolby Atmos and an array microphone with AI noise cancellation technology. The console runs on a 40Whr battery with support for 65W wired charging, according to the company. https://www.gadgets360.com/games/news/asus-rog-ally-price-in-india-rs-69990-india-launch-date-july-12-sale-flipkart-4140771

Windows 11 has an ‘emergency restart’ feature that’s tucked away, and you’ve likely never seen it, but the function could come in handy if your PC freezes up. Indeed, this option has been hidden deep in the restart machinery of Microsoft’s OS since Windows Vista, apparently (so yes, it’s in Windows 10 as well as 11, and all the other outdated incarnations of Windows going back to the big ‘V’). What exactly does this feature do? It reboots your PC when all has gone awry, with the warning: “Click OK to immediately restart. Any unsaved data will be lost. Use this only as a last resort.” Can’t you just reboot your PC anyway, using the Start menu (Power button)? Indeed you can, and that’s the way to go normally, but the emergency restart option is for situations where the interface has partly fallen over when your system has frozen, and the Start menu is unresponsive (or a crashed app is interfering with the reboot process, stalling it). RECOMMENDED VIDEOS FOR YOU... In such cases, as Betanews discovered, you can press CTRL+ALT+DELETE together, and here’s the clever bit, hold down the CTRL key and click on the Power button at the bottom-right of the screen (the icon that’s a little circle with a line at 12 o’clock). That will put you into the Emergency Restart screen, with the message mentioned above, so you can then click OK and an emergency reboot will be performed. Analysis: A useful extra escape route – but not without risks This is a pretty cool ability to have, because if you can’t action a normal reboot (via the Start menu) for whatever reason – including a crashed application messing that option up, as mentioned – you can (hopefully) access this emergency restart. Now, Microsoft only advises it as a last resort (and this is maybe why the feature isn’t documented, too) because it’s a short and sharp reboot that doesn’t bother with any of the pleasantries that a normal restart executes. Meaning all that housekeeping stuff that really should be done before shutting down the system. It quickly kills everything and turns off the system without safeguards, but that comes with some risks (data corruption is the most obvious potential peril that springs to mind). However, and this is the key bit, it’s still a (somewhat) safer option than physically powering off your PC when it has locked up (by pressing the reset button, if your computer has one, or holding down the power button – or simply yanking out the plug, which is the real last resort). So, if you can’t reboot any other way, this is a useful last-ditch method to know about. Of course, if your PC has frozen to the extent that even CTRL+ALT+DELETE doesn’t do anything, then you’ll have no choice but to turn to the power switch (or plug). While we’re on the subject of cool Windows 11 shortcuts you might not know about, here’s another one we were reminded of on Twitter this morning. As Jen Gentlemen, Senior Program Manager at Microsoft, points out, any time you want live captions to appear in a game or when watching a video (if the source content doesn’t have its own captions), just press the Windows key + CTRL + L together to swiftly turn them on. https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/windows-11-has-a-hidden-emergency-restart-feature-you-probably-dont-know-about

Intel today announced it has agreed to sell an approximately 20% stake in IMS Nanofabrication to Bain Capital, a private equity firm, valuing IMS at approximately $4.3 billion. Intel first invested in IMS in 2019 and acquired the Vienna, Austria-based business in 2015. IMS makes important chip-making tools, and works specifically on multi-beam mask writing, which has been helpful for leading-edge semiconductor nodes using extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV). IMS will continue to be led by chief executive officer Dr. Elmar Platzgummer and will operate as a standalone subsidiary. "The advancement of lithography is critical to driving continued progress in the semiconductor industry, and mask writing plays a central role in the industry’s transition to new patterning technologies, such as high-NA EUV," said Matt Poirier, senior vice president of corporate development at Intel in a press release. "Bain Capital’s investment and partnership will provide IMS with increased independence and bring strategic perspective to help accelerate the next phase of lithography technology innovation, ultimately benefitting the ecosystem as a whole." Intel suggests that the "increased independence" will help fast-track more innovation in lithography and that it will ultimately help the "ecosystem as a whole" by fostering collaboration across the industry. Intel's sale of the minority stake is expected to close in the third quarter of 2023. This year, IMS is expected to launch MBMW-301, a fourth-generation multi-beam mask writer. Later today, Intel is expected to provide updates on its internal foundry plans. It's unclear if this announcement was dropped because it will have an effect on this news. Intel's stock was down slightly in morning trading. https://www.tomshardware.com/news/intel-to-sell-minority-stake-in-austrian-chip-firm

Rights groups advocate an end to the slaughter and say the mammals are also under serious threat from climate change. Iceland’s government said it was suspending this year’s whale hunt until August 31 due to animal welfare concerns, likely bringing the controversial practice to a historic end. A recent monitoring report by the country’s Food and Veterinary Authority on the fin whale hunt found that the killing of the animals took too long based on the main objectives of the Animal Welfare Act. KEEP READING list of 3 items list 1 of 3 Iceland to end whaling as demand dwindles list 2 of 3 Ships must slow down to save endangered whales, US gov’t says list 3 of 3 Photos: Volcano near Iceland’s main airport erupts end of list The veterinary authority broadcast shocking video clips that showed a whale’s agony as it was hunted for five hours. “If the government and licensees cannot guarantee welfare requirements, these activities do not have a future,” said Svandis Svavarsdottir, the minister of food, agriculture and fisheries, in a statement on Tuesday, as she announced the suspension of “all whaling operations”. Animal rights groups and environmentalists hailed the decision, with the Humane Society International calling it “a major milestone in compassionate whale conservation”. Svavarsdottir said she would seek the opinions of experts and whale-hunting licence holders to explore further limitations on whaling in the future, the government said. Iceland has only one remaining whaling company, Hvalur, and its licence to hunt fin whales expires in 2023. Another company hung up its harpoons for good in 2020, saying it was no longer profitable. Iceland’s whaling season runs from mid-June to mid-September, and it is doubtful Hvalur would head out to sea that late in the season. The hunting of fin whales, which can reach lengths of more than 20 metres (65.6 feet), was resumed in Iceland in 2006 following a 1986 moratorium. Annual quotas authorise the killing of 209 fin whales – the second-longest marine mammal after the blue whale – and 217 minke whales, one of the smallest species. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/20/iceland-suspends-whale-hunt-on-animal-rights-concerns

Caterham will reveal a new electric model on July 12, with Autocar last month reporting it will be a two-seat sports car. According to the report, the new sports car is completely unrelated to the Seven, though it will share a lot of the same characteristics. The car is being designed by Anthony Jannarelly, a designer best known for the W Motors Lykan HyperSport. UPDATE 6/21/23: This story has been updated with the official reveal date of the new Caterham model, with the company announcing the upcoming EV will debut on July 12. Caterham also released a short video that provides a glimpse of the new car. Caterham has announced it will reveal a new electric model on July 12. The company also posted a teaser video on social media, giving a glimpse of the upcoming car. Along with the reveal date, the 22-second clip shows a shrouded view of the new Caterham's front end. This content is imported from twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Last month, Autocar spoke with Caterham's lead designer, Anthony Jannarelly, who is best known for the his work on the W Motors Lykan HyperSport. The project has advanced quickly, with Autocar reporting that it was "just an idea in people’s heads" in September and that now a design reveal is imminent. Now we have a Switching from a front-mounted internal combustion engine to an electric powertrain opens the door for Caterham to evolve, something Jannarelly emphasized to Autocar. As he put it, the intent is to "please the existing Caterham fans while also trying to reach another type of audience." "The principle is always lightness," Jannarelly explained. "And the driving pleasure is a consequence of this lightness. The key words are always simplicity, lightness, and driving joy." caterham super seven 2000 CATERHAM Expect a Fresh Look According to Autocar, Caterham CEO Bob Laishley previously confirmed the new EV will hit the manufacturer's ideological pillars but will also distinguish itself from the Seven. That means that besides the cars sharing the basic two-seat design and simple cabin, we shouldn't expect too many other similarities. ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW Switching to an EV powertrain will allow for new styling cues, and possibly a more compact structure. One thing we do know for sure (because Jannarelly confirmed it to Autocar) is that the unnamed future car will not feature the same elongated hood design that the Seven uses, and it could take on a more traditional sports-car shape. Laishley also got into a bit more detail on the construction of the new car, even hinting at a potential roof. “Like the Seven, it will have a steel spaceframe—but a different one—because they're easy to modify in production if you need to," he said to Autocar. It will have a six-panel enveloping body in aluminium or carbon fiber: two sills, two doors, plus clamshell openings front and rear. It will be prettier and more modern than a Seven—those will be big points of distinction—and maybe it will have a roof. We're designing it as a pure EV from the start, with rear drive only." With the reveal less than a month away, a production version could come as soon as 2026. Caterham generally doesn't list its prices online, but we feel confident in saying that the EV will run a premium over the Seven lineup. https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a43793998/electric-caterham-announced-report/

Nickelodeon India partnered with the Ayush Ministry of India to educate and inspire young minds about the numerous benefits of yoga under its flagship campaign - #YogaSeHiHoga – marking the fourth consecutive year of collaboration. As part of the campaign, renowned duo Motu-Patlu, magic toon Rudra, and the latest alien in town Abhimanyu were seen spreading the message of a healthy lifestyle at the biggest yoga event in the country in Jabalpur. The toons were seen performing yoga Aasans with the Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar, Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and other dignitaries. Dog Stares Down In The Storm Drain Every Day - Firefighters Speechless When They See Why Bakeinto A Marine rushes home to greet his wife, but is surprised when he sees her. Tips and Tricks Kavita Garg, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush said, “The Ayush Ministry has always supported and encouraged innovative initiatives that promote the practice of yoga. The longstanding association between Nickelodeon and the Ayush Ministry exemplifies the power of entertainment and education coming together to create a positive impact on children's lives and inculcate in them healthy habits. #YogaSeHiHoga initiative aims to introduce yoga as a regular part of children's lives, capturing their attention from a young age through beloved characters like Motu & Patlu, and we eagerly anticipate further endeavors to engage our future generation." Nicktoons Seen performing alongside 150,000 people at the grand event at Garrison Ground, Nicktoons, with their infectious energy and playful spirit, made the practice of yoga fun and engaging for the kids present. International Yoga Day: Bollywood fitness queens Malaika Arora and Shilpa Shetty share asana videos Nicktoons The event also witnessed Prime Minister Narendra Modi giving a special video message addressing the participants about the importance and values of practising yoga. Together, the Nicktoons not only spread the joy of yoga but also instilled a sense of mindfulness and self-awareness in the hearts of those who attended. https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-toons-celebrate-international-yoga-day-with-yogasehihoga-campaign-606943

US President Joe Biden has called Chinese President Xi Jinping a dictator at a fundraising event in California. His remarks came a day after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Mr Xi for talks in Beijing, which were aimed at easing tensions between the two superpowers. Mr Biden also said Mr Xi was embarrassed after an alleged Chinese spy balloon was shot down by the US. China said it "firmly opposes" Mr Biden's comments. "The reason why Xi Jinping got very upset, in terms of when I shot that balloon down with two box cars full of spy equipment in it, was he didn't know it was there," Mr Biden said at the event on Tuesday. "That's a great embarrassment for dictators. When they didn't know what happened," he added. The balloon, which China says was monitoring weather, drifted across the continental US before being destroyed by American military aircraft in February. Washington later said it was part of a sprawling Chinese intelligence collection programme. Mr Blinken, who was meant to visit Beijing at the time, postponed the trip in the wake of the incident. Anxious neighbours sigh in relief as US and China talk War with US would be unbearable disaster - China The paradise islands caught in the US-China crosshairs China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning called Mr Biden's remarks "extremely absurd and irresponsible". Speaking at a regularly scheduled press conference on Wednesday, she said that the comments were "an open political provocation" that violated diplomatic etiquette. Mr Blinken's visit over the weekend, the first by a US secretary of state in almost five years, restarted high-level communications between the two countries. Mr Xi said some progress had been made in Beijing, while Mr Blinken indicated both sides were open to more talks. Major differences, however, remain between the two countries. Relations have plummeted in the wake of a Trump-era trade war, Beijing's assertive claims over Taiwan and the shooting down of the alleged spy balloon. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65969802

The Steam subreddit has long been one of my go-to checks of a morning, for the simple reason that the crowd there really, really care about what's going on with Valve's omnipresent PC gaming platform. As one should, of course! It's a community that pores over small changes and is constantly coming up with potential improvements, complaints, and Gabe Newell memes, and honestly I kinda admire anyone who thinks this much about a gaming client. Check out the Steam subreddit today, however, and you will find no detailed arguments about how achievements are displayed or chart discussions. Instead you will find a whole bunch of enthusiasm for and posts about steam. You know, a substance containing water in the gas phase that has a million different applications, the harnessing of which is one of the most important technological revolutions in history. The community is leaning into the whole Valve/Steam versus valve/steam misunderstanding because of Reddit's ongoing battle with large parts of its own userbase and third-party developers: who for many years have been able to use the site's API for free in creating third-party applications (which a lot of people use, because reddit's official app didn't exist for ages and when it arrived was rubbish). The large-scale protest saw over 7,000 subreddits going dark, though the Steam subreddit is one of many joining in the protest in its own way. Sponsored Links This Cheap Drone Might Be The Best Selling Gift In Pakistan Drone X Pro "As ya'll likely know, we've been dark to support the blackout against reddit's antagonistic behavior towards its own userbase," said a post from the moderators. "The admins sent us a message saying we must open or get removed, so here we are". It ends by pointing users towards the Steam discord which remains active but, honestly, please don't all move to Discord: It's an awful replacement for forums. https://www.pcgamer.com/the-steam-subreddit-has-suddenly-become-all-about-actual-steam-and-steam-trains/

60 series will be equipped with ample storage for users who click a lot of images with their smartphone, and more details will be revealed in the coming days, as per the landing page on the company's website. According to the new landing page for the Realme Narzo 60 series on the company's website, the upcoming handset is confirmed to launch in India soon. The teaser also asks readers to guess the maximum storage capacity of the Realme Narzo 60 series, while stating that it can store over "250,000 photos", which suggests the figure could be close to 1TB. However, without knowing the resolution of the smartphone's camera and the resulting size of the photos it captures, it is difficult to estimate the storage capacity of the handset. Similarly, it is unclear whether the teased storage capacity is for the inbuilt storage, or whether it the total amount of storage available via a microSD card slot. Customers will have to wait until Realme reveals additional details of the handset closer to its debut. Why Realme Is Facing a Probe Into Claims of Data Collection on Its Phones realme narzo 60 series teaser realme inline realme narzo 60 The teaser for the storage capacity of the Realme Narzo 60 series Photo Credit: Realme The microsite also states that Realme will reveal more details about the handset's specifications on July 22 and July 26, which means the launch of the handset could take place towards the end of the month. However, the launch date, price, availability and other details of the handset are currently under wraps. Realme 11 Pro+ vs Motorola Edge 40: Price in India, Specifications Compared The Realme Narzo 60 5G was previously spotted on Geekbench, and the listing for the handset suggested it would be equipped with MediaTek's Dimensity 6020 SoC paired with up to 6GB of RAM. The handset is also tipped to run on Android 13 with the company's customised Realme UI 4.0 skin on top. An older report suggests that the handset will launch in India as a rebranded version of the Realme 11 5G, which sports a 6.43-inch Super AMOLED display, with a 90Hz refresh rate. That smartphone is also equipped with a 64-megapixel dual rear camera setup and an 8-megapixel sensor selfies and video chats. https://www.gadgets360.com/mobiles/news/realme-narzo-60-5g-series-launch-india-teaser-specifications-expected-4137272

The Apple Vision Pro rocked the VR world when it was announced at WWDC 2023, with Apple CEO Tim Cook revealing that it’ll boast some mightily impressive specs, a quirky design, and (disappointingly) a sky-high price. While many who have tested the device have highlighted their love of it – TechRadar's Lance Ulanoff declared that he “wore the future” in our hands-on Vision Pro review – one element of the design has been mocked and derided by many: the external battery pack. It's a smartphone-sized block that Apple says can be slipped into a trouser pocket. However, it's not clear how you'd wear the battery if you don't have a suitable pocket – there's no belt loop for example – and the wire running from the battery to the headset isn't the most elegant solution. The battery life is also rather short at two hours. At first glance, it’s very much an un-Apple aspect of the design, and it certainly has some downsides. But I think it might be the best feature Apple has introduced, and I hope other VR headsets follow suit. Flow: Best Sidebar for ChatGΡT chrome.google.com A Vision of VR’s future Two of the biggest problems standalone headsets face – weight and usage time – are (at least in part) due to their battery. Because these kinds of headsets have to function independently, rather than being tethered to a computer or console. you need to cram a lot of parts into them, which increases the weight and impacts comfort and accessibility. Batteries make up a good chunk of this weight, and if you want a headset that’ll last for a while it needs a big heavy battery. RECOMMENDED VIDEOS FOR YOU... CLOSE The Meta Quest Pro I love the Quest Pro, but don't wear it for eight hours a day (Image credit: Future) As VR headsets transition from something you might only want to wear for an hour, to something you might need to wear for most of the day (for work, play, and social reasons) they need to be light, comfortable, and last for a while. I tried wearing the Meta Quest Pro every day for work for a whole week, and the strain on my neck made it an experience I don’t want to repeat. The Vision Pro’s external battery pack could help it and other headsets hit the sweet spot for comfort and performance, and might convince me to give working in VR another go. The obvious advantage is the battery’s weight is no longer carried by your head; it’s in your pocket instead. Apple hasn’t revealed how heavy its headset is, but those who have tried it say it feels lighter than other commercially available headsets like the Meta Quest Pro and Oculus Quest 2. So it should be more comfortable to wear for extended periods of time than rival devices. The other upside is that, while Apple’s included battery pack can only deliver two hours of use on a single charge, an upgraded battery from Apple (or a third party) could keep you immersed for much longer without adding any weight to the headset. It’s not entirely clear if the battery pack is removable, but it looks like it might be. Having the option to use a different battery to the one that's included could also explain why Apple said the Vision Pro “starts” at $3,499 (around £2,800 / AU$5,300). I can see more expensive Vision Pro options coming with extra battery packs – so you can charge one while using the other then swap them over when the first runs dry – or larger batteries to make them a worthwhile upgrade over the base model. In defense of internal batteries Having the battery in the main headset can have its benefits. VR headsets are traditionally front-heavy – with displays, processors, cameras, and everything else housed in a box that sits on the wearer’s face over their eyes. Newer headsets with slimmer 'pancake' lens designs have helped to alleviate this issue, but another way to combat this design problem is by putting the battery at the back of the headset’s strap. The Meta Quest Pro uses this design, and its strap-bound battery serves as a counterweight to the other components. As a result, while it’s heavier than the Quest 2, it can feel like the Quest Pro is lighter and easier to wear. The Apple Vision Pro headset at WWDC 2023 The Apple Vision Pro should inspire other headsets (Image credit: Future) What's more, while the battery pack cable isn’t going to be as annoying or restrictive as the one used by headsets tethered to a stationary console or PC – which can be easy to trip on or wrap yourself up in if you aren’t careful – it may sill cause distractions. You could catch your arm on it, or even just brush past it, and in those moments you may be ejected from your immersion and remember that you’re in your living room rather than some faraway place. However, given the weight savings and battery life gains that could be had, these are compromises I’d be willing to make. We’ll have to wait and see if other headset makers follow suit, but some companies have already shown the advantages of stripping out the battery from their headsets – it was one of the positives I found in my HTC Vive XR Elite review, though the execution wasn’t perfect – and I hope others follow the Vision Pro’s lead. https://www.techradar.com/computing/virtual-reality-augmented-reality/why-i-love-this-much-mocked-apple-vision-pro-design-feature