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US President Joe Biden has tripped and fallen while handing out diplomas at a graduation ceremony for the US Air Force Academy in Colorado. Mr Biden, who is the nation's oldest serving president at 80, was helped back up to his feet and appeared to be unhurt. The president had been standing for about an hour and a half to shake hands with each of the 921 graduating cadets. The White House communications director said earlier "he's fine". "There was a sandbag on stage while he was shaking hands," Ben LaBolt wrote on Twitter after Thursday's fall. "I got sandbagged," the smiling president joked to reporters as he arrived back at the White House that evening. A White House press pool report earlier said Mr Biden had tripped on a black sandbag while moving on stage. Footage of the incident shows Mr Biden appearing to point at one of two sandbags used to prop up his teleprompter as he was helped up by an Air Force official and two members of his Secret Service detail. He was seen walking back to his seat unassisted and later jogging back to his motorcade when the ceremony ended shortly after the accident The pool reporter added that the president did not take questions when he returned to his plane. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Mr Biden was feeling "totally fine" and had boarded the plane flashing "a big smile". Critics have said Mr Biden is too old to run for a second term as president. Recent polls suggest a majority of US voters are concerned about his advanced age. He would be 82 at the start of a second term if he wins. This fall, in addition to previous stumbles from his bicycle and on the way up the Air Force One stairs, could add to those concerns. Former President Donald Trump, the Republican frontrunner to face Mr Biden in the 2024 White House election, reacted to the incident from a campaign event in Iowa, saying "the whole thing is crazy". "I hope he wasn't hurt," said Mr Trump, 76, who has often poked fun at Mr Biden's age. "That's not inspiring." "You got to be careful about that because you don't - you don't want that. Even if you have to tip toe down the ramp," added Mr Trump, apparently referring to his own careful walk off a stage that made headlines in 2020. He said at the time that the ramp at the US Military Academy in West Point, New York, was slippery, and brushed aside the ensuing media questions about his own health as fake news. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, another 2024 contender for the Republican nomination, also reacted to the fall during a campaign event in New Hampshire: "We hope and wish Joe Biden a swift recovery from any injuries he may have sustained. "But we also wish the United States of America a swift recovery from the injuries it has sustained because of Joe Biden and his policies." Mr Biden's last physical examination took place in February. White House physician Dr Kevin O'Connor wrote at the time: "The President remains fit for duty, and fully executes all of his responsibilities without any exemptions or accommodations." Dr O'Connor added that Mr Biden walks with a "stiffened gait", largely caused by wear and tear on his spine and nerve damage in his feet, but that his condition was unchanged from a previous physical in November 2021. Mr Biden is hardly the first commander-in-chief to lose his footing in front of the cameras. President Barack Obama tripped walking up stairs at a 2012 event, while President Gerald Ford fell down the stairs of Air Force One in 1975. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65783589 .

Tommy Williams, Konami's head of communications for the Americas, has confirmed to The Verge that the Metal Gear Solid 3 remake will reuse the original game's voice lines without any changes whatsoever. Just what Konami's plans were for the game's voice acting have been a little hard to pin down since the game was announced—after months of rumours—at last week's PlayStation Showcase. At the time, Konami said that the game would "star the original voice characters" from MGS3, which you could interpret as either the company getting the cast for the game back together or simply reusing the already-recorded material. A later tweet in which Konami said "The story and character voices in Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater remain the same from the original game" certainly seemed to suggest that the company was just gonna yank the original's audio to use in the remake, but it still had some room for interpretation and/or hope. But alas, Konami has now confirmed that we should prepare for a lot of sonic deja vu.To be fair, several members of MGS3's Japanese voice cast have died between that game's release and now, which would have given Konami the undesirable job of locating suitable replacements, so it's understandable that the company chose the path of least resistance. I'd also imagine that for fans who don't really trust Konami to handle MGS without Kojima's involvement, its lack of creative input on the remake's voice cast will come as good news. To be honest, I share their mistrust—I'm probably more excited about the original game coming to PC than I am about the remake—but I always struggle to see the point of remakes that adhere religiously to the format of the original. If the first MGS3 is going to be on PC anyway, I always figure it's better to swing for the fences and try something new with a remake than it is to deliver fans an experience they've had before in glossy 4K. But unless Konami is pulling an MGS2-style fast one and Naked Snake suddenly gets replaced by Kiefer Sutherland (not as a voice, as a character, ideally still voiced by David Hayter) after the Virtuous Mission, I suppose it's not to be https://www.pcgamer.com/konami-is-officially-doing-the-most-boring-thing-possible-with-the-mgs3-remakes-voice-acting/

Nothing Phone 2 is confirmed to launch globally in July. It will launch as the successor to the Nothing Phone 1 that was released in July 2022. Nothing CEO and former OnePlus Co-Founder Car Pei had previously confirmed a few key specifications of the handset. The upcoming smartphone will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC and will be backed by a 4,700mAh battery. The design of the Phone 2 is speculated to be similar to that of the first one. Now, the company has also revealed the display size of the phone, and a few other details. In a Twitter thread, Nothing shared that the display of the Nothing Phone 2 will be 0.15-inch bigger than that of Nothing Phone 1. The first generation smartphone from the company sports a 6.55-inch full-HD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels) display. Therefore, the Phone 2 will feature a 6.7-inch screen. Previously, alongside confirming the phone's July launch, Pei said that the Nothing Phone 2 will come with a 4,700mAh battery, which is 200mAh bigger than that of the 4,500mAh battery of the Phone 1. Today, the company said that these changes will "boost overall performance" of the upcoming handset, all while maintaining a carbon footprint of 53.45 kilograms, over 5 kilograms lower than the Phone 1Earlier this month Pei confirmed that the Nothing Phone 2 will be powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC, a considerable upgrade from Phone 1's Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+. Initial tests of the phone claimed that the Nothing Phone 2 is twice as fast compared to Phone 1. It is said to be about 80 percent more productive than its predecessor. The company also announced today that it will offer 3 years of Android updates and 4 years of security updates for the Nothing Phone 2.. Sold in a plastic-free packaging, the Nothing Phone 2 is claimed to have three times more recycled or bio-based parts as opposed to the Phone 1. The upcoming model uses 100 percent recycled tin on 9 circuit boards, 100 percent recycled copper foil on the main circuit board, over 90 percent recycled steel on all 28 steel stamping parts, and 80 percent of plastic parts are sustainably sourced, the company stated in a series of tweets. Alongside claiming that the Nothing Phone 2 uses 100 percent recycled aluminium made with 100 percent renewable energy for the handset's mid-frame, Nothing claims that the final assembly plants of the smartphone are also powered by 100 percent renewable energy. https://www.gadgets360.com/mobiles/news/nothing-phone-2-launch-july-display-size-confirm-specifications-expected-features-4082687

The Apple Music Classical app has come to Android devices – several months after the service landed on iPhone, but before either iPad or MacBook devices have received an official app (via 9to5Mac). Apple Music Classical is a distinct app from Apple Music, focusing exclusively on (you guessed it) classical music, instead of the broader offering found in the primary Apple Music app. The app first launched on iPhone back in March 2023, with Apple calling it “a brand-new standalone music streaming app designed to deliver the listening experience classical music lovers deserve”.That means you get access to a massive classical music catalogue, with over five million tracks, advanced search, Spatial Audio capability (provided you have the right AirPods), and 700+ curated playlists to better experience the greatest classical works. The interface itself is designed around the particular metadata that’s useful when engaging with classical music – such as orchestra and conductor – while enabling you to easily assemble playlists of particular composers, and sift through the innumerable recordings of classical works in an intuitive way. There are also thousands of exclusive tracks you won’t find on any other streaming service (given classical isn’t always prioritized on an app where Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran reign supreme). Apple giveth, and Apple taketh away Android users may well have been missing a dedicated classical music app, given that the Primephonic music streaming service was pulled from Android after Apple acquired it in 2021 – allowing the tech giant to repackage the app as an Apple service before releasing it back onto a competing operating system. However, what matters now is that Apple Music Classical is available on Android – meaning you can start creating those Beethoven and Debussy playlists today. You will, of course, need a subscription to Apple Music to gain access, and that can be either the Individual, Student, Family, or Apple One plan. We should also mention the Android version is not available in China, Japan, Korea, Russia, and Taiwan, just like on iOS. People there will have to make do with the standard Apple Music platform. Other online reports claim devices must be running Android 9 or later in order to support the app. If this is true, it means Apple Music Classical won't be exclusive to people running the latest patch, and it can be downloaded on phones running nearly five-year-old software, greatly increasing its availability. When will there be an official, optimized app for iPad and Mac users, though? We've asked Apple for comment, and will update if we receive a response. If we had to guess, though, they're likely to be announced at WWDC 2023, as part of the latest macOS and iPadOS operating systems. https://www.techradar.com/news/apple-music-classical-launches-on-android-before-getting-a-real-ipad-or-mac-version

One of the great things about trade shows like Computex 2023, is that you'll sometimes see a product on display that hasn't been fully and officially announced yet. Case in point: MSI's next version of its Prestige 16 Studio laptop, which was on display at the company's demo suite with Intel's upcoming 14th Gen, Meteor Lake processor inside. MSI had announced a Prestige 16 earlier this year at CES 2023, but that unit leverages a 13th Generation Core i7 Raptor Lake chip. The one at Computex 2023 seemingly taps into Intel's upcoming Meteor Lake parts but its specs card says it has the "Latest Intel Core i7 processor." The Prestige 16 arrives with a mysterious Intel Core i7 processor with 22 threads. Given the thread count, the processor is likely a Meteor Lake part with six P-cores, eight E-cores, and two E-cores inside the SoC tile. Only the P-cores feature Hyper-Threading, so the processor rocks a 16-core, 22-thread configuration. In addition, Device Manager confirms that the chip has a Movidius VPU onboard, a feature that's characteristic of Meteor Lake. The 16-core chip features a clock speed of 3.1 GHz, but it's uncertain if it's the final specification. The Prestige 16 is a lightweight laptop weighing 3.3 pounds (1.5 kilograms) and sports a magnesium-aluminum alloy body. The previous iteration was 4.6 pounds (2.1 kilograms) heavy, so the Meteor Lake-based variant has lost around 29% of its body weight. The 16-inch display outputs at a resolution of 2560x1600, providing an IPS-level viewing experience. The specifications of the panel are identical to the prior version. However, MSI didn't confirm whether the newer model still has a 165 Hz refresh rate. Nonetheless, the panel is certified for 100% DCI-P3 color space, an essential aspect for video and photography professionals. Consumers can choose from two versions of the Prestige 16. The Evo version is the standard model with Intel Evo certification, or in other words, Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics. Meanwhile, the Studio version binds Intel's Meteor Lake processor with Nvidia's GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU with Nvidia Studio-validated drivers. It's a significant upgrade over the Raptor Lake version, for sure, which was on a GeForce RTX 2050 Laptop GPU restricted to a 45W power target. MSI claims the Prestige 16 has an excellent battery life, targeting around 24 hours. However, the vendor didn't explain how it tested the battery life. The laptop supports USB PD Revision 3.1 for charging up to 140W. Connectivity on the Prestige 16 includes one HDMI port, two USB Type-C ports, and one USB Type-A port. The laptop also provides an integrated SD card reader and Ethernet port. In addition, unlike previous Prestige 16 models, the new addition has the fingerprint sensor merged into the power button instead of having it on the touchpad. According to MSI, the Prestige 16 Studio/Evo will land in the fourth quarter of this year. The time frame aligns with Intel's plans to launch Meteor Lake in the summer. https://www.tomshardware.com/news/msi-shows-meteor-lake-laptop

The Kingston Humane Society says it is overwhelmed with dogs and cats and the situation is so dire that it will stop accepting animal surrenders from the public for a week while they figure out what to do next. Right now, it has 248 animals in its care, far more than the 144 for which it has capacity. Nine dogs have been brought to the shelter in the last two weeks alone. Operations manager Sandra Scouten says the humane society is being forced to close its doors to the public for a few days to stem the tide. "Truly alarming to have this many animals in our care, more than we can house," she says. "If our foster families went away, it would be a problem." Scouten says the closure is about giving staff more time to find homes for the animals that are already in their care. But it also means they won't be able to take any more surrenders from the public during that time. "We want to make sure that they are able to follow up on applications, to process them, do reference checks," Scouten says. "It's really important that we do our due diligence to help find that right fit for that furry family member." Diamond, a happy and healthy boxer, is one of more than 50 dogs in the care of the Kingston Humane Society right now. Executive Director Gord Hunter says she's patiently waiting for her forever home. "She's kinda quiet," he explains. "I've never heard her bark, she's a sweetheart." Diamond came to the humane society from a veterinary clinic because her vet bills were so high after she lost a leg to cancer that her owners were forced to give her up. "We're seeing that more and more," he says. "We're getting calls from local clinics where people are bringing their animals in for care and when they recognize that it's going to be $1,000 or $2,000 for that particular animal to get properly treated, they can't afford that." Hunter says the surge in pets at the humane society is caused by an "imperfect storm" of factors. "We're not the only ones in this boat; every animal welfare organization in Ontario, and probably across Canada, are experiencing something similar," he says. "They've had more animals than they've ever had. They're trying to get animals into homes, and they have spiraling costs they have to deal with. They have owners that can't afford care or, if they got a pandemic animal, they didn't really consider what life would be like once they returned to – quote, unquote - normal life. So all those situations have combined." The closure is expected to last until Saturday at least. Hunter says during the closure they will be available for drop-offs of strays by the municipal pound services. Now happy, healthy, and cancer-free, dogs like Diamond are hoping to find that forever home in that time. "Hopefully by the end of the week we're able to move those animals out and make some more room," Hunter said. https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/kingston-ont-humane-society-so-overwhelmed-with-pets-it-can-t-accept-any-more-1.6419916

The premium midsize SUV beat the Toyota Corolla for the title with 267,171 Model Ys sold in the first quarter. SAN FRANCISCO -- China was the biggest market for Tesla's Model Y, helping it become the world's top selling vehicle in the first quarter of this year, according to data from market researcher JATO shared with Reuters. Tesla sold 267,171 Model Ys in the first quarter of this year, of which 94,469 were sold in China, higher than 83,664 in the United States and 71,114 in Europe, according the data. Based on overall sales, the United States was the biggest market for Tesla, which does not provide regional breakdown of its global volumes. With more than 40,000 units sold in March, the Model Y was Europe’s best-seller in the first quarter, marking the first time a Tesla model achieved that milestone, according to market researcher Dataforce. Elon Musk on Tuesday visited China for the first time in three years, highlighting the importance of the world's biggest electric car market. Model Y ranked first in global sales, followed by the Toyota Corolla, Toyota Hilux, Toyota RAV4 and Toyota Camry, according to the data. The Model Y is the only full-electric car in the list. Musk recently told CNBC that growing tensions between China and the U.S. "should be a concern for everyone." Tesla also recently held talks with Indian officials about building a new factory in India. JATO Senior Analyst Felipe Munoz expects the Model Y will be the world’s top-seller by the year-end in 2023 because of price cuts that enable the the premium midsize SUV to access the benefits of public incentives for EVs. More production from Tesla's new plants in Texas and near Berlin and easing supply chain issues, as well as increasing EV demand in the developed economies, should also buoy Model Y sales, he said. Barclays analyst Dan Levy said there are concerns about Tesla being too reliant on just two models, Model Y and Model 3, adding Tesla may need more models and variants to expand its market. Tesla this year aggressively cut prices, underscoring intense competition especially in the SUV segment, where Tesla's aging Model Y faces a range of newer rivals, Ford CEO Jim Farley said. https://europe.autonews.com/automakers/tesla-model-y-was-best-selling-car-world-q1

Shakti Anand is seen essaying the role of Karan Luthra in Ekta Kapoor's hit show Kundali Bhagya opposite Shraddha Arya. He replaced Shakti Arora. World No Tobacco Day is observed on May 31 to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco usage on health. Several organisations come together to launch campaigns in which many celebrities take part. Celebs are often seen as role models and they inspire the common mass to a great extent. To mark this occasion, Telly actor Shakti Anand shares his thoughts with Pinkvilla on how this day can bring about a positive change. Shakti Anand, who essays the role of Karan Luthra in one of the most po[CENSORED]r shows, Kundali Bhagya shared, “Throughout my career as an actor, I have had the privilege of witnessing the profound impact that positive choices can have on our lives. On this significant No Tobacco Day, I implore each and every one of you to unite with me in a resolute stance against tobacco. It is time for us to wholeheartedly embrace a smoke-free lifestyle, not only for our own benefit but also for the well-being of our loved ones and the generations yet to come." The actor further added, "Together, we possess the power to ignite a spark of inspiration within others, empowering them to liberate themselves from the clutches of tobacco addiction. Let's make this day count and ignite the flames of transformation within our hearts. Believe in yourself, make the change, and never look back. You've got this!”Shakti Anand replaced actor Shakti Arora to essay the character of Karan Luthra in Kundali Bhagya. The role was initially essayed by Dheeraj Dhoopar, who was a part of the show since its inception. After a 20-year leap, Shakti Arora is no longer a part of Kundali Bhagya. Shakti Anand is seen opposite Shraddha Arya, who essays the role of Preeta. Kundali Bhagya premiered on 12 July 2017 and airs Monday to Friday at 9:30 pm on Zee TV. https://www.pinkvilla.com/tv/news/exclusive-kundali-bhagyas-shakti-anand-urges-everyone-to-embrace-smoke-free-lifestyle-on-no-tobacco-day-1223622

On Sunday, Turkish voters demonstrated the strength of Turkish democracy and voiced their support for President Erdogan’s vision for global peace and stability. Against the backdrop of an increasingly complex global political landscape, last Sunday’s presidential run-off in Türkiye marked a pivotal moment, both for its people and the wider world. In a triumph for democracy, the election was fair, free, and it boasted an impressively high voter turnout. The results reaffirm the vibrancy of Türkiye’s political landscape and the faith Turkish people have in their democracy. That Turkish voters trusted President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to lead the nation for another five years bodes exceptionally well for regional stability and global peace. The campaign season was as colourful and dynamic as Türkiye’s diverse political culture, reflecting the best qualities of its vibrant, resilient and inclusive democracy. Amid this rich tapestry and despite all the expected tensions that come with an election, Turkish citizens used their ballots to reiterate their trust in and support for President Erdogan’s policies and vision for the country. KEEP READING list of 4 items list 1 of 4 Biden congratulates Erdogan, talks F-16s and Sweden’s NATO bid list 2 of 4 World leaders congratulate Turkey’s Erdogan on election win list 3 of 4 Turkey’s Erdogan celebrates presidential election run-off win list 4 of 4 Turkey election results updates: Erdogan declared run-off winner end of list After yet another landmark election victory, the undefeated president humbly and graciously embraced the entire nation. As a leader who recognises the need to earn political support through delivering tangible results, he promised to continue to serve everyone regardless of their support for him and his party in this election. He reaffirmed that his achievements will belong not only to his supporters but to all Turkish citizens. In this election, President Erdogan defeated not only the opposition candidate but the xenophobic and anti-refugee elements on the fringes of Turkish society whose support he relied on. By once again choosing President Erdogan, Turkish people clearly stated that they too believe refugees currently residing in Türkiye should return to their home countries only when it is safe to do so. In this context, this victory was a testament to Erdogan’s approach to the refugee issue – an approach that marries practicality with compassion and sees Türkiye providing refuge to all those in need while working towards establishing peace in their homelands. Building on this ethos, the new Erdogan administration will continue to spread a message of fairness and justice across the globe while persistently advocating for reform within international organisations. As Erdogan’s famous “the world is bigger than five” motto – where “five” refers to the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council – communicates, the new Erdogan administration will continue working towards amplifying marginalised voices and redistributing power within global governing bodies to achieve equity within the international system. Erdogan’s vision extends beyond Türkiye’s borders and includes resolving international conflicts and alleviating global suffering. While these goals are undoubtedly ambitious, they are achievable as they are underpinned by a steadfast commitment to diplomacy and negotiation as well as a deep-rooted belief in the importance of mutual respect. Under the leadership of Erdogan, Türkiye will continue to work collaboratively with any willing nation to resolve pressing bilateral, regional and global challenges. Erdogan’s re-election also demonstrates the Turkish people’s support for and appreciation of their country’s resolute stance against terrorism. Following this momentous electoral victory, the Erdogan administration will continue its battle against this global menace with full force. It will fight terrorism in all its forms and encourage other nations to adopt a similar approach in international forums. After this election, the Erdogan administration will continue its relentless efforts to address global challenges such as climate change, food shortages, irregular migration and economic crises as well. Under President Erdogan’s leadership, Türkiye is ready to step forward, contribute to solutions, and encourage global cooperation. The Turkish nation placed its trust in President Erdogan once again, sending a clear message to the world: we are ready to work with you based on principles of mutual respect and common interests. The election has not only reaffirmed the strength of Turkish democracy but also demonstrated the Turkish people’s unyielding resolve to be led by a leader with a vision for peace, equality, and justice. Erdogan’s re-election is not just a victory for Türkiye; it is a beacon of hope for a world that seeks unity in times of division, compassion in the face of fear, and resolution amid conflict.As we mark the centennial of our republic, Turkish people have reaffirmed their readiness to march forward, guided by President Erdogan’s vision for the future. Charting that future starts with working ever more energetically to turn “Türkiye’s Century” into a force for good in the world. President Erdogan’s can-do attitude and positivity in the face of seemingly insurmountable difficulties is a crucial asset the international community should utilise in its effort to confront the international challenges of our time. As instability and conflict continue to test our world, the need for unity and cooperation in fostering and preserving peace for future generations becomes ever more crucial. President Erdogan has dedicated his life to building peace at home and abroad. Now that the Turkish nation has once again voiced its support for Erdogan’s vision, the world must join him in his quest for sustainable peace and global stability. https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2023/5/31/erdogans-re-election-is-good-news-for-turkiye-and-the-world

Every Overwatch 2 player will receive a free collection of 15 Pride flag icons and 24 name cards to use on their account profiles—a first for not only Overwatch, but Blizzard, too. Much like Overwatch's other events, Pride will come with an alternate version of the Midtown, New York map, set just after a parade with flags and confetti lining the streets. Blizzard is also dropping a canon short story that confirms Pharah as a lesbian and Baptiste as bisexual. Fans have spent Overwatch's six-year history speculating on each hero's identity, but the narrative side of the shooter went stagnant as work started on the sequel. With the addition of hundreds of new voice lines in Overwatch 2, particularly those from the newest pansexual support character, Lifeweaver, Blizzard has started to finally move the pieces forward.In a blog post about the Pride event, Blizzard says it "realized how much more we can do in exploring our character identities and relationships," outside of the recently downscaled PvE side of the game. "This is just the beginning of Pride in Overwatch 2," it says. "Over the coming seasons and years, we’ll have more to share as the deeper lore of the Overwatch universe unfolds."Speaking in a group interview with PC Gamer, game director Aaron Keller described Overwatch's previous events, like Halloween Terror and Winter Wonderlands, as reflections of what happens in the real world at the same time. "We thought it was important to try to carry this forward for Pride as well so that people all around the world, people in the community, people outside the community, would be able to see this celebration happening in Overwatch as a celebration is happening in the real world." Overwatch's queer heroes rarely, if ever, express that aspect of their identities during matches. That's going to change, according to senior narrative designer Jen Stacy: "We're going to see more of that stuff in the game; that's important to the narrative team." Characters might not announce it out loud, but their identities will be visible in some form, according to Stacy and senior game producer (and chair of Blizzard's LGBTQIA+ network) Brandy Stiles. "We've had a bit of a shift in the team and how we approach representation for queer communities and wanting to have that in game, so it's absolutely very important to us," Stacy said. "I don't think we want any doubt about these heroes. We want people to play this character, maybe hear a voice line where they talk about who they are and know who they are. There's no point in hiding it. It doesn't serve us. We're here to be authentic to these characters and true to them for Pride." Last year, EA announced that it wouldn't release The Sims 4's My Wedding Stories expansion, which focuses on same-sex couples, in Russia due to its anti-gay law that bans promotion of "non-traditional sexual relationships," in media. Blizzard said Overwatch 2's Pride event will abide by similar laws by preventing players in affected regions from using the cosmetics. The developer didn't elaborate on how that works for players who might travel between countries, nor did it provide a list of the countries the event will be banned from"I can't talk for all Blizzard," Aaron Keller said. "I'm the game director of Overwatch right now. But we do strive to follow the laws in different countries and my personal value is that it's better to be able to engage where you can than to not be able to engage with people at all." Overwatch 2's first Pride event starts this Thursday. https://www.pcgamer.com/overwatch-2-is-having-an-in-game-pride-event-for-the-first-time-were-here-to-be-authentic-to-these-characters-and-true-to-them-for-pride/

Global leaders should be working to reduce "the risk of extinction" from artificial intelligence technology, a group of industry chiefs and experts warned on Tuesday. A one-line statement signed by dozens of specialists, including Sam Altman whose firm OpenAI created the ChatGPT bot, said tackling the risks from AI should be "a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks such as pandemics and nuclear war". ChatGPT burst into the spotlight late last year, demonstrating an ability to generate essays, poems and conversations from the briefest of prompts.The program's wild success sparked a gold rush with billions of dollars of investment into the field, but critics and insiders have raised the alarm. Common worries include the possibility that chatbots could flood the web with disinformation, that biased algorithms will churn out racist material, or that AI-powered automation could lay waste to entire industries. Superintelligent machines The latest statement, housed on the website of US-based non-profit Center for AI Safety, gave no detail of the potential existential threat posed by AI.The center said the "succinct statement" was meant to open up a discussion on the dangers of the technology. Several of the signatories, including Geoffrey Hinton, who created some of the technology underlying AI systems and is known as one of the godfathers of the industry, have made similar warnings in the past. Their biggest worry has been the rise of so-called artificial general intelligence (AGI) -- a loosely defined concept for a moment when machines become capable of performing wide-ranging functions and can develop their own programming. The fear is that humans would no longer have control over superintelligent machines, which experts have warned could have disastrous consequences for the species and the planet. Dozens of academics and specialists from companies including Google and Microsoft -- both leaders in the AI field -- signed the statement. It comes two months after Tesla boss Elon Musk and hundreds of others issued an open letter calling for a pause in the development of such technology until it could be shown to be safe. However, Musk's letter sparked widespread criticism that dire warnings of societal collapse were hugely exaggerated and often reflected the talking points of AI boosters. US academic Emily Bender, who co-wrote an influential papers criticising AI, said the March letter, signed by hundreds of notable figures, was "dripping with AI hype". 'Surprisingly non-biased' Bender and other critics have slammed AI firms for refusing to publish the sources of their data or reveal how it is processed -- the so-called "black box" problem. Among the criticism is that the algorithms could be trained on racist, sexist or politically biased material. Altman, who is currently touring the world in a bid to help shape the global conversation around AI, has hinted several times at the global threat posed by the technology his firm is developing. "If something goes wrong with AI, no gas mask is going to help you," he told a small group of journalists in Paris last Friday. But he defended his firm's refusal to publish the source data, saying critics really just wanted to know if the models were biased. "How it does on a racial bias test is what matters there," he said, adding that the latest model was "surprisingly non-biased". https://www.gadgets360.com/internet/news/ai-poses-extinction-risk-say-experts-openai-sam-altman-chatgpt-4079612?_gl=1*1leoxgd*_ga*S0xUWmtNSWlzODZfY2d5Z0gwMENPU2dRN2MwNGluV1AzV3RiTTNyUWFiYmtHdXJDcjNWSkcwcDBmQjlPYi1nbg..

Microsoft’s latest feature update for Windows 11 is now rolling out and is full of big changes. Dubbed “Moment 3”, the release brings long-requested features and quality-of-life improvements that make it an update worth installing straight away. Seeing as Moment 2 was released late in February, it’s quite a pleasant surprise to see how quickly the next release has arrived. These Moment updates are part of Microsoft’s approach to improving Windows 11 - instead of dropping a huge update every year, the company has shifted to putting out new features as part of more frequent cumulative updates. So, without further ado, here’s our pick of the five coolest features coming our way with Moment 3. 1. Taskbar and Notification Improvements Windows veterans will be happy to find a few improvements to the taskbar, like a network icon that will indicate an active VPN connection with a small lock icon - helpful if you’re one of those people who often forget whether or not you’ve got your VPN turned on. Keep in mind, though, that the icon will only appear when you use ‘native’ VPN connections set up in the settings app, and won’t pop up if you’re using third-party VPN applications. So that’s a bit of a bummer. Most people might find the updated taskbar clock to be the best change in the Moment 3 update, as the clock can now display seconds! It’s about time (pun intended). The most helpful change to notifications is the ability to copy two-factor authentication codes from desktop push notifications with one click. This feature is already present on Android and iOS, so it’s good to see Microsoft finally bringing it to the desktop operating system - so no more opening emails just to copy a few numbers! 2. An improved widget board The updates to Windows Widgets in Moment 3 are a little sparse, but what we do is get a redesigned widget picker so you can preview a widget before pinning it to the board. This is a bonus for those of us who are a little particular about how our widget boards look, so at least now you can properly plan the layout of your board instead of finding out after the widget is in place that it messes up your widget feng shui. Again, it’s not a huge update, but it does give you a little more creative freedom when laying out your space, and could possibly leave room for bigger changes to Windows Widgets in the future as more updates roll out. 3. This new Task Manager feature Task manager will now support live kernel memory dump, a feature for gathering data to troubleshoot issues in the background while the operating system keeps running. This may not mean a lot to the average user, but if you’re a developer that needs to investigate unresponsive applications or weed out the source of other issues, it’s a pretty useful addition. Once you have the update installed, you can create a live kernel memory dump by heading to the Task Manager and right-clicking the System Process, where you’ll find the ‘create live kernel memory dump file’ option. 4. A better Settings menu There are quite a few changes and improvements to Windows Settings with Moment 3, but we’ll just go into the more interesting ones for now. Tab hoarders and multitaskers rejoice, Snap Assist has now been bulked up to help with your numerous open tabs! Normally you can press Alt + Tab or trigger Snap Assist by dragging your window to the top of the screen, and you can split the screen into a maximum of four tabs. But with Moment 3, you can now head over to a new section of the Settings menu and choose between three, five, and 20 tabs. You have been heard, and your many tabs are valid. The Settings app also has a dedicated new section for all of your OneDrive subscriptions and a better breakdown of the stored content on each one. This will no doubt come in handy for cloud storage users when keeping tabs on your files, helping you get a proper breakdown of what exactly is eating up your cloud capacity. 5. Bonus Wallpapers! Of course, we can’t talk about the Moment 3 update without mentioning the snazzy new wallpapers! The iconic Windows 11, uh… swirly pattern now comes in wonderful shades of pink, magenta, and purple, which stand out even more in the darker versions of the new wallpaper. Hopefully, these new wallpapers signify a fresh new era for Windows 11 that’ll be packed with more aesthetic positives. The cheerful wallpaper tones really are the cherry on top of a solid, well-thought-out feature update. https://www.techradar.com/news/windows-11-moment-3-update-is-packed-with-cool-features-here-are-5

SilverStone Technologies is best known for its (compact) PC cases, and has several new models on show at Computex 2023. However, the firm is increasingly confident in its development of PC cooling products, and this has precipitated the eye-catching SilverStone IceMyst AiO.At the time of writing SilverStone’s unusually formed IceMyst hasn’t arrived on its official product pages, but it is promised for a “grand reveal” at the current Computex show. We don’t have a lot of technical details to hand, but SilverStone says the IceMyst 360 is the beginning of a new series of AiOs. This new cooler is claimed to be a high-performance unit and SilverStone boasts that the new IceMyst offers “the ultimate cooling experience.” Furthermore, it targets high TDP processors.From the images we have of the IceMyst, it appears to have a set of three LED lit fans attached to the central heatsink column. SilverStone says that these are useful for cooling motherboard components, and we can see one angled so it is partially above the RAM, the others may bring strong airflow to toasty chipsets, VRMs or SSDs. We think the fans can be positioned by the user, to suit system / motherboard and component layouts. One last detail we have about the SilverStone IceMyst is that it is supposed to be “expandable,” so we might be able to add or remove fans as befits the PC system. Importantly, these fans aren’t replacing the AiO radiator - two liquid feed tubes extend out of shot so we don’t have a view of the radiator used for this design.Other new products at Computex featured by SilverStone include its Alta F2 premium super tower chassis. The design steps away from the norm by featuring a 90° rotated motherboard layout plus four rear-facing PCI slots at an 11.3° forward tilt. It is claimed this is good for large GPU installations and airflow efficiency. Further testament that this roomy case is ready for your largest ambitions is backed up by the fact that it is ready for multiple ATX PSU installations.For its compact PC fan base, SilverStone has the new Sugo 17. It isn’t the smallest SFF design, with its 23.5 liter capacity, but this allows the flexibility to use up to micro-ATX motherboards, ATX PSUs, and up to dual 360mm radiators. The Sugo 17 isn’t yet listed on the firm’s product pages, so we can’t compare it to he current Sugo 16.Lastly, SilverStone has some updated case designs which have updated layouts to accommodate motherboards with cabling connectors on the rear. If you are interested in following this route with your next build, look out for the ATX sized SilverStone C-541 and C-542, as well as the micro-ATX C-341. https://www.tomshardware.com/news/silverstone-icemyst

Giraffes will eat courgettes if they have to, but they really prefer carrots. A team of researchers from Spain and Germany recently took advantage of this preference to investigate whether the animals are capable of statistical reasoning. In the experiment, a giraffe was shown two transparent containers holding a mixture of carrot and courgette slices. One container held mostly carrots, the other mostly courgettes. A researcher then took one slice from each container and offered them to the giraffe with closed hands, so it couldn’t see which vegetable had been selected. In repeated trials, the four test giraffes reliably chose the hand that had reached into the container with more carrots, showing they understood that the more carrots were in the container, the more likely it was that a carrot had been picked. Monkeys have passed similar tests, and human babies can do it at 12 months old. But giraffes’ brains are much smaller than primates’ relative to body size, so it was notable to see how well they grasped the concept. Such discoveries are becoming less surprising every year, however, as a flood of new research overturns longstanding assumptions about what animal minds are and aren’t capable of. A recent wave of po[CENSORED]r books on animal cognition argue that skills long assumed to be humanity’s prerogative, from planning for the future to a sense of fairness, actually exist throughout the animal kingdom – and not just in primates or other mammals, but in birds, octopuses and beyond. In 2018, for instance, a team at the University of Buenos Aires found evidence that zebra finches, whose brains weigh half a gram, have dreams. Monitors attached to the birds’ throats found that when they were asleep, their muscles sometimes moved in exactly the same pattern as when they were singing out loud; in other words, they seemed to be dreaming about singing. In the 21st century, findings such as these are helping to drive a major shift in the way human beings think about animals – and about ourselves. Humanity has traditionally justified its supremacy over all other animals – the fact that we breed them and keep them in cages, rather than vice versa – by our intellectual superiority. According to Aristotle, humans are distinguished from other living things because only we possess a rational soul. We know our species as Homo sapiens, “wise man”. A flood of new research is overturning old assumptions about what animal minds are and aren’t capable of – and changing how we think about our own species by Adam Kirsch Tue 30 May 2023 06.00 BST Giraffes will eat courgettes if they have to, but they really prefer carrots. A team of researchers from Spain and Germany recently took advantage of this preference to investigate whether the animals are capable of statistical reasoning. In the experiment, a giraffe was shown two transparent containers holding a mixture of carrot and courgette slices. One container held mostly carrots, the other mostly courgettes. A researcher then took one slice from each container and offered them to the giraffe with closed hands, so it couldn’t see which vegetable had been selected. In repeated trials, the four test giraffes reliably chose the hand that had reached into the container with more carrots, showing they understood that the more carrots were in the container, the more likely it was that a carrot had been picked. Monkeys have passed similar tests, and human babies can do it at 12 months old. But giraffes’ brains are much smaller than primates’ relative to body size, so it was notable to see how well they grasped the concept. Such discoveries are becoming less surprising every year, however, as a flood of new research overturns longstanding assumptions about what animal minds are and aren’t capable of. A recent wave of po[CENSORED]r books on animal cognition argue that skills long assumed to be humanity’s prerogative, from planning for the future to a sense of fairness, actually exist throughout the animal kingdom – and not just in primates or other mammals, but in birds, octopuses and beyond. In 2018, for instance, a team at the University of Buenos Aires found evidence that zebra finches, whose brains weigh half a gram, have dreams. Monitors attached to the birds’ throats found that when they were asleep, their muscles sometimes moved in exactly the same pattern as when they were singing out loud; in other words, they seemed to be dreaming about singing. In the 21st century, findings such as these are helping to drive a major shift in the way human beings think about animals – and about ourselves. Humanity has traditionally justified its supremacy over all other animals – the fact that we breed them and keep them in cages, rather than vice versa – by our intellectual superiority. According to Aristotle, humans are distinguished from other living things because only we possess a rational soul. We know our species as Homo sapiens, “wise man”. Yet at a time when humanity’s self-image is largely shaped by fears of environmental devastation and nuclear war, combined with memories of historical atrocity, it is no longer so easy to say, with Hamlet, that man is “the paragon of animals” – the ideal that other creatures would imitate, if only they could. Nature may be “red in tooth and claw”, but creatures whose weapons are teeth and claws can only kill each other one at a time. Only humans commit atrocities such as war, genocide and slavery – and what allows us to conceive and carry out such crimes is the very power of reason that we boast about. In his 2022 book If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal, Justin Gregg, a specialist in dolphin communication, takes this mistrust of human reason to an extreme. The book’s title encapsulates Gregg’s argument: if Friedrich Nietzsche had been born a narwhal instead of a German philosopher, he would have been much better off, and given his intellectual influence on fascism, so would the world. By extension, the same is true of our whole species. “The planet does not love us as much as we love our intellect,” Gregg writes. “We have generated more death and destruction for life on this planet than any other animal, past and present. Our many intellectual accomplishments are currently on track to produce our own extinction.” https://www.theguardian.com/news/2023/may/30/can-humans-ever-understand-how-animals-think

It's a big year for British marque Aston Martin. Not only is Fernando Alonso consistently putting the brand's logo at the pointy end of the Formula 1 grid, but the company is also celebrating its 110th anniversary. What better way to party, then, than to launch a new Aston Martin DB? Especially as the famed DB moniker is itself 75 years old this year. Meet the 2024 Aston Martin DB12, the first of eight new Astons scheduled to debut over the next 24 months. The DB12, says Aston Martin chief technology officer Roberto Fedeli, is a "statement car." And when you look at some of the headline numbers, it's hard to disagree: 671 horsepower, 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds, and a top speed of 202 mph, all from a car that replaces the DB11 V-8, Aston's outgoing entry-level grand tourer. But dig a little deeper and we can perhaps forgive the team at Aston HQ excitedly proclaiming: "This is the world's first super tourer. Grand is not enough." There's a lot to unpack in the DB12. At first glance the DB12 doesn't look all that different from the DB11, which is still one of the best-looking GTs in the business. There's a bigger grille and dramatic venting in the hood, plus new headlights, bumpers, and side sills. The rear end looks almost identical. But 80 percent of the car is new, insist Aston insiders. The DB12 delivers all the curbside Aston gorgeousness we expect. What's new is that the real money has this time been spent on performance and handling hardware, and on stuff that Aston Martin hasn't always done exceptionally well. Let's start with the chassis. The DB12 is based on the DB11, with fundamentally the same structural hardpoints and powertrain. However, the bonded-aluminum body structure is seven-percent stiffer overall, with the stiffness across the front strut towers increased by 140 percent to improve on-center feel from the electric steering system, which needs just 2.4 turns of the steering wheel to go from lock to lock. The suspension design and geometry are the same as that of the DB11, but the front track has been widened by 0.25-inch and the rear track pumped by 0.86-inch. The stiffer structure enables the new Bilstein DTX adaptive shocks, which have four times the operating range of the DB11's units, to better finesse wheel and body motions. The 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 under the hood is the same AMG-designed, AMG-sourced engine that served so well in the DB11, but modified cam profiles and bigger turbos combined with compression-ratio tweaks have boosted power to 671 horses at 6000 rpm and torque to 590 lb-ft between 2750 and 6000 rpm, increases of 34 percent and 18 percent, respectively. This is the only engine option; there won't be a V-12-powered DB12. Instead, the V-12 will power a successor to the DBS 770 Ultimate, a fast and brawny front-engine coupe that will be badged … Vanquish. The DB12 engine drives the rear wheels through the familiar ZF eight-speed automatic used across the current mainstream Aston Martin range, although the transmission's electronic brain has been reprogrammed to improve response and shorten shift times. The final drive has been shortened 13 percent to improve standing-start acceleration and in-gear rolling response, and for the first time on a DB Aston, an electronic differential is standard. The default brake setup includes drilled and slotted steel discs measuring 15.7 inches up front and 14.2 inches at the rear; carbon ceramic brakes, which save a total of 60 pounds, are available as an option. The standard wheels are 21 inches all round, and the DB12 marks the OEM debut of Michelin's new Pilot Sport S 5 tire. Sized 275/35 at the front and 315/30 at the rear, this version of the S has been built to Aston Martin's specification, and features a polyurethane foam insert in the carcass that is said to reduce transmitted road noise by 20 percent. The Software Tying all the new engine and chassis hardware together is new software, the most visible manifestation of which is a new stability control system that combines four intervention protocols—Wet, On, Track, and Off—with five overall drive modes—GT, Sport, Sport+, Individual, and Wet. The default GT mode has been calibrated to ensure good primary ride quality for long-distance cruising, a hallmark of the best Aston GTs, while Sport and Sport+ modes cinch down body motions and sharpen the DB12's reflexes. The new stability control system takes data from a multitude of sensors around the car, most notably a new six-axis inertial measurement unit that can build a real-time understanding of what the DB12 is doing and predict available grip levels. Because it allows more subtle powertrain and chassis adjustments to be made earlier in any given dynamic scenario, the instances of a driver feeling the stability control system pull the car back from the brink are reduced. "Less intervention, more anticipation," says Aston Martin's head of vehicle engineering, Simon Newton. A key benchmark car for the DB12's chassis development team was Ferrari's Roma. "We enjoy this niche between the Roma and the Bentley Continental GT," says Newton of Aston's traditional take on the classic front-engine grand tourer. As a result, one area the engineering team spent a lot of time on was honing the on-center steering feel. "It's hugely important for a fast road car," Newton says. "For this class of car, it has to be right on the road first." Rear-wheel steering was evaluated, but Newton's engineers decided it wasn't necessary. "This is a car that doesn't need a lot of dynamic modifiers," Newton says. While the DB12's exterior may look familiar, its interior is a revelation. "This is where the really big investment has been," says Aston design director Miles Nurnberger, and that's obvious the moment you open the door and settle into the driver's seat. The redesigned dash features a horizontal, full-width vent graphic that underpins two 10.3-inch high-resolution screens with ultra-black display technology, one for the instrument panel and one in the center of the car for the infotainment. You sit low between the shoulder line of the greenhouse and a center console whose flying buttresses extend between the front seats. "We have a reputation for beautiful exteriors, but our interiors were not as special," Nurnberger admits. The DB12's interior, awash with the rich tang of Bridge of Weir leather, is special. It's functional, too. The PRND array of buttons across the dash—an Aston feature since the early 2000s—has been banished in favor of a simple and more ergonomically sound toggle on the top of the center console, similar to the one in the current Porsche 911. Manual mode is actuated by a button adjacent to the toggle. Although the center touchscreen boasts ultra-responsive capacitive control, Aston has wisely resisted the temptation to cede every physical button to it. Instead, there are hard buttons for drive mode selection, all heating and ventilation functions, and to deactivate the lane control assist and park distance control functions, plus chassis, stability control, and sports exhaust settings. The DB12 also debuts a brand-new software architecture, developed entirely in-house, that's designed to deliver levels of functionality and connectivity never before seen in Aston Martins In addition to facilitating over-the-air updates and diagnostics and powering a new navigation system with dynamic routing as well as a suite of online functions, one of the features supported by the new architecture is the Aston Martin App, which can be downloaded to owners' smartphones with a unique Aston Martin Lagonda ID. Available for iOS and Android, the Aston Martin App will allow personalized content to be presented in screens that match the new user interface in the car. Customers can use the app to monitor and locate their vehicle, send navigation POIs, and share integrated media feeds with other Aston Martin owners. Work on the new software architecture, which will be rolled out across the refreshed Aston Martin lineup over the coming 24 months, began almost four years ago, before serious development had started on the DB12. It's a major investment in future-proofing Aston Martin, which has to date relied on outdated hand-me-down systems from suppliers such as Mercedes-Benz. "What ages a car quickest now is the HMI [human-machine interface]," acknowledges product and market strategy director Alex Long. We'll wait until we get behind the wheel before making a definitive judgment, of course, but at first acquaintance, the DB12 is perhaps the most important new Aston Martin grand tourer since the DB7. Just as the DB7, launched 30 years ago, abruptly yanked Aston Martin into the 1990s, the DB12 marks its entry into the modern digital age. It also signals that, despite recent flirtations with mid-engine cars, Aston is firmly wedded to the front-engine, rear-drive layout that has underpinned some of the most classically beautiful sports cars and grand tourers ever created. https://www.motortrend.com/news/aston-martin-db12-first-look-review

Campaigns such as “World No Tobacco Day” go a long way in increasing awareness among the public, especially the youth, against the ill effects of using tobacco, says Srinivas Balasubramanian, Head of Products, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance.In an interview with MintGenie, Balasubramanian said that in the life insurance context, individuals with a predisposition for health-related conditions should opt for additional critical illness coverage in their policy.Life insurance offers financial protection to the families of policyholders in case of an eventuality, such as death or critical illness. Whether one smokes or not, life insurance is a critical component of one’s overall financial plan, hence everyone needs to have adequate life insurance coverage. One’s insurance policy should ideally provide additional cover, specifically providing cover for those eventualities for which one may have a higher predisposition. For example, if a person has a higher predisposition for a certain health condition, it is advisable that he or she opts for insurance that provides coverage for that particular condition, even though insurers may charge a higher premium. In the life insurance context, individuals with a predisposition for health-related conditions should opt for additional critical illness coverage in their life insurance policy. At the time of policy purchase, customers are required to disclose all requested information, especially lifestyle habits including smoking, individual and family health history, etc. This will ensure that in the event of a claim, the insurer is able to process the claim smoothly.Owing to the higher predisposition of smokers to certain health conditions, insurers could possibly ask for more details or ask for more medical tests to be done at the time of the policy being purchased. In some instances, insurers may charge a higher premium to smokers depending on the extent of tobacco consumption. However, insurers don’t outright reject policies for smokers. We believe campaigns such as “World No Tobacco Day” go a long way in increasing awareness among the public, especially the youth, against the ill effects of using tobacco. https://mintgenie.livemint.com/news/personal-finance/5-factors-to-consider-before-applying-for-a-pre-owned-car-loan-151685446547221

"I feel very emotional and elated when I find a missing family. It also gives me a sense of accomplishment," Shamshu Deen says. For the past 25 years, Mr Deen, 76, a resident of Trinidad and Tobago, has been helping families in the Caribbean find long-lost relatives in India. He says he's helped over 300 people so far. The ancestors of these people arrived in the Caribbean - a former British colony - as indentured labourers in the 1800s and early 1900s, but lost touch with their families back home over time. Mr Deen - a geography teacher turned genealogist - is now helping the descendants of Indian indentured labourers in the Caribbean trace and reconnect with their loved ones. During British rule in India, known as the British Raj, slavery had been abolished. But indentured labourers were used as "cheap labour" across the British Empire in response to a so-called labour shortage. Many Indians travelled from their country to British colonies like the Caribbean, South Africa, Mauritius, and Fiji to work on sugar plantations between 1838 and 1917. Even though most labourers went willingly - possibly because they were not fully aware of the conditions they would face or signed agreements when they were illiterate - others were forcibly taken abroad. Some historians even described the system of indentured labour as the "new slave trade". Mr Deen became curious about this system and the impact it had on families after he learnt that his grandfather's grandfather - Munradin - had travelled to the Caribbean as an indentured labourer. He was in school when he learnt that the land his house was built on had been purchased by Munradin. "No-one in the family could tell us any more about him," Mr Deen says. In 1972, Mr Deen went to the Red House in Trinidad - which subsequently became the ministry of legal affairs - and sifted through piles of documents searching for the mystery man. After about four hours, he found his name on the last page of a moth-eaten book. He learnt that Munradin had left Calcutta (now Kolkata) on 5 January 1858 and reached Trinidad on 10 April the same year. "We know he was educated and spoke English. Munradin worked on sugar plantations. Later, he started doing translation work. After finishing his indentured contract, Munradin went on to become a teacher and finally opened two shops. He had two wives and five children. The house he lived in was inherited by his children but was destroyed in a fire." Mr Deen eventually also found family members from his mother's ancestry and could reconnect with relatives of the last person in his family to travel to the Caribbean, Bhongee. She arrived in Trinidad in 1872 at the age of seven, accompanied by her parents and three siblings. "I have only one photo of Bhongee, who died in 1949 when I was three years old. She lived to see her great-great-grandchildren," Mr Deen says. Mr Deen went on to become a geography teacher but his success in finding lost relatives caught the eye of the Indian High Commission in Trinidad. It gave him a scholarship to trace the relatives of 10 Hindu and 10 Muslim families. He would later make this his career, becoming a genealogist and getting paid to do the work with the help of research teams in both Trinidad and India. Some of the family reunions he has helped facilitate include that of two former prime ministers of Trinidad and Tobago, Basdeo Panday and Kamla Persad Bissessar. Mr Deen also helped Trinidad-based David Lakhan, 65, find out more about his great-grandfather, who travelled from India to Trinidad in 1888 when he was 22. "He just gave one name in a document - Lakhan. But I wanted to discover the strength and resilience behind his decision to travel such a long distance," Mr Lakhan tells the BBC. From the national archives, Mr Deen was able to dig up emigration documents which had the name of Mr Lakhan's great-grandfather's brother, father, caste and his village. He then used his contacts in India to trace Mr Lakhan's relatives, paving the way for a family reunion in India in 2020. "We didn't expect the whole village to come out and greet us. They garlanded us," says Mr Lakhan's wife, Geeta. The family has since kept in touch with many of their Indian relatives, using translation tools to overcome language barriers. Ms Lakhan said she finds many similarities with them because of the cultural knowledge passed on by their common ancestors. They are now feeding the curiosity of their 7-year-old grandson by telling him about their trip to India, in the hope that he will take an interest in his heritage. Mr Deen says that tracing people today is a bit easier than it was at the beginning of his career due to digital maps and better access to historical records, but challenges remain. He estimates that he has about an 80% success rate in every case. "I can't get everyone's ancestry. In some cases, wrong information was given in the documents," he explains. Also, some indentured workers died while making their journey to Trinidad. Those who managed to reach often lived in dire conditions, their lives never being documented in any official way. But many workers also voluntarily stayed back in Trinidad after the end of their contract and were able to live as free people, he says. Mr Deen says he doesn't want to give up his work even though he has retired. In fact, just after he retired, he went to India for six months in 1996, and tracked down 14 more families. He says the work he does still gives him "happiness and health". "Every case is a puzzle. No two cases are the same," Mr Deen says. "Like all humankind, we are all migrants. But the thread of Indian heritage is sewn deeply in us." https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-65693512

Crabby bodies are so evolutionarily favorable, they've evolved at least five different times. So why does this process, known as carcinization, keep happening? A flat, rounded shell. A tail that's folded under the body. This is what a crab looks like, and apparently what peak performance might look like — at least according to evolution. A crab-like body plan has evolved at least five separate times among decapod crustaceans, a group that includes crabs, lobsters and shrimp. In fact, it's happened so often that there's a name for it: carcinization. So why do animals keep evolving into crab-like forms? Scientists don't know for sure, but they have lots of ideas. Carcinization is an example of a phenomenon called convergent evolution, which is when different groups independently evolve the same traits. It's the same reason both bats and birds have wings. But intriguingly, the crab-like body plan has emerged many times among very closely related animals. The fact that it's happening at such a fine scale "means that evolution is flexible and dynamic," Javier Luque, a senior research associate in the Department of Zoology at the University of Cambridge, told Live Science. Related: Does evolution ever go backward? Crustaceans have repeatedly gone from having a cylindrical body plan with a big tail — characteristic of a shrimp or a lobster — to a flatter, rounder, crabbier look, with a much less prominent tail. The result is that many crustaceans that resemble crabs, like the tasty king crab that's coveted as a seafood delicacy, aren't even technically "true crabs." They've adopted a crab-like body plan, but actually belong to a closely related group of crustaceans called "false crabs." When a trait appears in an animal and sticks around through generations, it's a sign that the trait is advantageous for the species — that's the basic principle of natural selection. Animals with crabby forms come in many sizes and thrive in a wide array of habitats, from mountains to the deep sea. Their diversity makes it tricky to pin down a single common benefit for their body plan, said Joanna Wolfe, a research associate in organismic and evolutionary biology at Harvard University. Wolfe and colleagues laid out a few possibilities in a 2021 paper in the journal BioEssays. For example, crabs' tucked-in tail, versus the lobster's much more prominent one, could reduce the amount of vulnerable flesh that's accessible to predators. And the flat, rounded shell could help a crab scuttle sideways more effectively than a cylindrical lobster body would allow. But more research is needed to test those hypotheses, Wolfe said. She is also trying to use genetic data to better understand the relationships among different decapod crustaceans, to more accurately pinpoint when various "crabby" lineages evolved, and pick apart the factors driving carcinization. There's another possible explanation: "It's possible that having a crab body isn't necessarily advantageous, and maybe it's a consequence of something else in the organism," Wolfe said. For example, the crab body plan might be so successful not because of the shell or tail shape itself, but because of the possibilities that this shape opens up for other parts of the body, said Luque, who is a co-author of the 2021 paper with Wolfe. For example, a lobster's giant tail can propel the animal through the water and help it crush prey. But it can also get in the way and constrain other features, Luque said. The crab body shape might leave more flexibility for animals to evolve specialized roles for their legs beyond walking, allowing crabs to easily adapt to new habitats. Some crabs have adapted their legs for digging under sediment or paddling through water. "We think that the crab body plan has evolved so many times independently because of the versatility that the animals have," Luque said. "That allows them to go places that no other crustaceans have been able to go." The crab-like body plan also has been lost multiple times over evolutionary time — a process known as decarcinization. "Crabs are flexible and versatile," Luque explained. "They can do a lot of things back and forth." Wolfe thinks of crabs and other crustaceans like Lego creations: They have many different components that can be swapped out without dramatically changing other features. So it's relatively straightforward for a cylindrical body to flatten out, or vice versa. But for better or worse, humans won't be turning into crabs anytime soon. "Our body isn't modular like that," Wolfe said. "[Crustaceans] already have the right building blocks." https://www.livescience.com/animals/crustaceans/why-do-animals-keep-evolving-into-crabs

Automaker and car retail experts will participate in a 'New distribution models in Europe' panel at the Automotive News Europe Congress in Paris on June 13-14. On June 13 and 14 in Paris, the 2023 Automotive News Europe Congress will host a series of top-level presentations, speakers and panel discussions on the theme of Making Sustainability Profitable. Speakers will include experts and executives from Renault Group, Toyota, Stellantis, Polestar, Ford, Hyundai and more. Join us in Paris to be part of the discussion about key issues driving the industry’s growth and success during this transformative time. Disrupted vehicle distribution Europe's auto retailers are bracing for big changes as manufacturers turn toward the agency direct-sales model and subscription plans that give them more control over the relation with customers. As part of the ANE Congress on June 13-14 in Paris, a panel of experts will discuss the pros and cons of the changes and provide an overview of what steps are being taken to make Europe's car distribution landscape more sustainable. The "New distribution models in Europe" panel will include Mathias Holst, who is Chief Financial Officer at Lynk & CO, which relies heavily on car subscriptions in Europe; Lars Himmer, who is executive vice president at Semler Gruppen, which accounts for one in four new car sales in Denmark; and Steve Young, who is managing director of auto retail consultancy ICDP. https://europe.autonews.com/automakers/car-retail-future-be-debated-2023-automotive-news-europe-congress

Your morning meal is one of the most crucial as it breaks the night-long fast and sets the tone for the rest of your day. As such, it’s crucial to pay special attention to what you eat on an empty stomach as it can significantly impact your health. While some keep it heavy, others prefer their first meal to be light. But, what should (and should not) be eaten in the morning? Putting all your questions to rest is Neha Sahaya, a nutrition and wellness consultant, who recently took to Instagram to share four things you should never consume on an empty stomach. Honey in lemon water: Honey mixed in lemon water is a common drink that many people consume in the morning as they believe it helps to burn fat. However, Sahaya advised against doing so. “Honey has more calories and is higher in glycemic index than sugar. Pure honey without any additives is difficult to find and most consume sugar and rice syrup in the name of honey. It raises your blood sugar levels as a result of more food cravings throughout the day,” she said.But, functional nutritionist Mugdha Pradhan, CEO and Founder, iThrive disagreed and said this is completely false. “Raw, well-sourced honey is one of the healthiest natural sweeteners and a great source of healthy carbohydrates that is rich in nutrients and other immune system-boosting compounds,” she explained, adding that honey has actually been shown to improve metabolic health in several studies. Tea and coffee: Sahaya further shared that consuming tea or coffee on an empty stomach triggers stomach acids, which could upset your tummy and create digestive issues. Agreeing, Pradhan said, “Tea, coffee, and other forms of caffeine on an empty stomach early in the morning are definitely not recommended as your cortisol (stress hormone) levels are already high when you wake up in the morning and caffeine can elevate it further and cause excess stress.” She suggested waiting for at least an hour or two after waking up before getting your caffeine fix and advised having it with some food. Fruits: According to Sahaya, fruits digest very quickly as compared to other food items. “This will make us hungry within an hour. Certain citrus fruits eaten on an empty stomach can also lead to acidity,” she said.Sweet breakfast: Finally, the expert advised consuming a savoury breakfast over a sweet breakfast to maintain the blood sugar levels. “It’s perfect for those who wish to keep tabs on their fitness. A morning meal based on proteins and fat helps reduce appetite throughout the day and you won’t be starving at lunchtime. Sweet breakfast will raise your blood sugar levels and crash it even quickly keeping you more hungry, especially craving for carbs and low on energy,” she said.Further, she advised starting your day with fat (nuts, avocado, ghee, seeds, etc) followed by a protein-rich breakfast. “This maintains your blood sugar levels and reduces food cravings throughout the day.” To this, Pradhan said that while it is true that a protein and fat-heavy meal in the morning helps stabilise blood sugar, whether or not you should worry about actively stabilising your blood sugar this way is highly bio-individual. “Individuals who are non-diabetic, metabolically healthy, and have no insulin resistance can definitely enjoy some healthy carbs like honey and fruits for breakfast if they wish to. Personal preferences should be taken into account too — we should try to enjoy our food and listen to our bodies. Some people with cortisol and stress issues may actually benefit from some healthy carbs that help relieve stress in the morning.” At the same time, the nutritionist highlighted that excessive sugar and carbohydrate consumption is not a good idea even if you are currently metabolically healthy as it could deteriorate your health in the long term. “You want to always have adequate protein and fat in your diet which keeps you satiated and regulates your blood sugar. Often, you harbour a sugar addiction or resort to ’emotional eating’ which makes you crave sugar constantly, so listening to your body with no regard to what your health markers are showing is not a good idea either,” she said. https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/food-items-empty-stomach-dos-donts-8630390/

Russian missiles have hit Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, following two nights of heavy drone strikes. They were all reportedly shot down and there are no reports of casualties. Flaming debris from the intercepted missiles landed in residential areas in central Kyiv. Russia has launched 16 air attacks on the Ukrainian capital this month. The latest, however, was unusual because it took place during the day - and seemed to be targeted at the city centre. All other air assaults on the capital so far in May have taken place at night and appeared to be directed at critical national infrastructure and air defences on the outskirts. Air Force spokesman Yuri Ihnat said that Iskander ballistic missiles were used in the latest attack and that it was possible S-300 and S-400 missiles had also been fired. According to reports, only one person was injured and all missiles were destroyed by Ukrainian air defences. Russian authorities claimed all their targets had been hit. Air raid sirens reportedly also rang out across several other Ukrainian regions. Local military commanders in Kyiv accused Russia of changing its tactics and deliberately targeting the civilian po[CENSORED]tion. It certainly appears that Moscow wants to step up its pressure on Ukraine even further ahead of any counter-offensive. Oleksandr Scherba, ambassador-at-large at Ukraine's ministry of foreign affairs, told the BBC that the last few days had been very difficult for Kyiv residents. "Almost every night, the skies look and sound like another Star Wars episode, but we don't feel much of Russian rockets hitting their targets here within the city area. And this is all thanks to the decent countries, decent people of the world who gave us this air defence," he said. Living in the capital was anything but normal at the moment, Mr Scherba said, adding that the drone attacks and sleepless nights had become "part of our routine". On Sunday, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky praised his country's air defence forces after Kyiv sustained the largest drone attack since the war began. "You are heroes," said Mr Zelensky, after military commanders said most of the drones launched by Russia were brought down. In its recent attacks, Russia - which launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022 - has been using kamikaze drones as well as a range of cruise and ballistic missiles. Analysts say Moscow is seeking to deplete and damage Ukraine's air defences ahead of its long-expected counter-offensive. 'We’re ready to begin counter-offensive' - Ukraine Ukraine has been planning a counter-offensive for months. But it has wanted as much time as possible to train troops and to receive military equipment from Western allies. On Monday, in Russian region of Belgorod, the governor said that several frontier settlements were being shelled simultaneously by Ukrainian forces. In the meantime, Russian forces have been preparing their defences in the seized regions of south-eastern Ukraine. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65740839