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If you rely on screen recording tools, Apple’s macOS Sequoia 15.1 update could have some good news for you: fewer permission pop-ups. One of Apple’s key goals with Sequoia was to strengthen security and privacy for its users. Unfortunately, these protective measures felt a little too like an overbearing, over-worrying parent. Early Sequoia beta testers were effectively being made to reauthorize screen recording apps on a weekly basis, which quickly became irritating for many users. Just before the launch of Sequoia, Apple addressed this by making the requests monthly instead. Now, Apple is reportedly taking it down a further notch. The reminders serve an important role: ensuring users are aware of the real risks of screen recording – if an app can directly see your screen it can see all sorts of sensitive data. There’s no doubt about the importance of such measures, but when you’ve granted permission to the app already and use it daily, those frequent reminders are a nightmare.Previously, the Amnesia app was developed to disable the monthly reminders on an app-by-app basis. Fortunately, Apple now seems to have found a balance between security and convenience. In the latest beta release notes, Apple explains there’s been a change in how macOS handles older content capture tech, which means that trusted apps will trigger fewer interruptions. Mind you, this doesn’t mean the prompts will disappear altogether – privacy is still Apple’s top priority – they just won’t be as obnoxious for frequent users of the apps. If you screen-record daily, you can be slightly less grumpy now, though some users may still want to reserve judgment until they see the update in action when it’s released on October 28. https://www.techradar.com/computing/mac-os/apple-claims-to-have-found-a-balance-between-user-privacy-and-convenience-with-a-tweak-in-macos-sequoia-fewer-permission-alerts-for-screen-recording

Another MacBook Pro M4 unboxing video has been released today. This time po[CENSORED]r Russian TechTuber Romancev768 shows off the illicit goods. Simultaneously, there are also reports of hundreds of MacBook Pro M4 units being up for sale via private social media groups. After enjoying years of enviable leak-resistant product launches, the barn doors seem to have well and truly been blasted off at Apple. Yesterday we reported on the Russian YouTube channel Wylsacom scooping the Apple MacBook Pro M4 launch event, with an unboxing, hands-on, and even running a handful of benchmarks. Today another multi-million subscriber Russia-based tech channel has uploaded a similar video. This time Romancev768 unboxes, inspects, and gives this sleek laptop a quick road test. Some of the extra info revealed in the latest video includes a clear view of the rear of the packaging where many specs are confirmed. The M4 chip, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage are highlighted on the box. But we can see more if we look closely, so details like the 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU are listed here, as are the screen specs, ports, size, and weight of the device, and more. Further into the video we see the ‘About This Mac’ screen of the MacBook Pro M4. Romancev768’s focus on this dialog shows the device is identified by the OS as a “November 2024” model. That date coincides with the Nov 1 launch date put forward by Bloomberg a few days ago. The story is that Apple will officially unveil these MacBook Pro M4 laptops and a few other products at an event on October 21-22. That would mean a gap of around 10 days between reveal and availability. The scale of this leak is quite shocking for Apple. It casts a big shadow on the well-known Apple iPhone 4 leak, based on a device left behind in a California bar in 2010. This time there could be hundreds of these MacBooks available in the public domain. I saw some seller said they have 200 units of M4 Macbook Pro in stock. This is probably the biggest warehouse leakage I’ve ever seen.October 7, 2024 According to Apple-centric Twitter/X user ShrimpApplePro, there are around 200 units available for sale to interested parties via a private Facebook group. They add “This is probably the biggest warehouse leakage I’ve ever seen.” It is fascinating to see the scale of this Apple leak unfolding, and that we have some user-testing going on weeks ahead of a purported official launch. However, please be mindful that there is a possibility that these leaks are fake, however elaborate and convincing they might be. https://www.tomshardware.com/laptops/apple-macbook-pro-m4-leakage-gets-serious-with-200-units-reportedly-up-for-sale-on-social-media

Zoo keepers are celebrating the arrival of a litter of bush dog pups. The four pups, who have yet to be named, were born at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in July to proud parents Belle and Gaston. The youngsters initially remained in their den, but staff at the park near Doncaster said they had now bonded with the rest of their pack and were busy exploring the enclosure. Bush dogs, which are native to South America, are listed as "near threatened", so the wildlife park hailed the birth as a "conservation landmark". Belle, five, and Gaston, two, were introduced at Yorkshire Wildlife Park last November and "quickly bonded". "On 5 July, rangers reported that Belle had given birth to a litter of puppies overnight,” said Dr Charlotte McDonald, animal director at the park."The pups stayed safely tucked away in the den for weeks and Gaston and Belle have done an amazing job of caring for them. "Belle spent most of her time in the den, while Gaston could be seen guarding the entrance." Now, the two male and two female pups are exploring their surroundings and interacting with others. "They are becoming bolder and bolder – much to the delight of visitors," Dr McDonald added.Bush dogs live in family groups of up to 12 and build strong bonds, according to staff. They sleep close to each other, hunt together and feed without squabbling. But their numbers are "rapidly dwindling", despite not yet being endangered. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czj91m2m98do

There were times on the first day of the first Test against Pakistan that England must have hoped for help from the patron saint of taking wickets. An inexperienced attack, the most docile pitch, sun burning hot enough to make statues sweat and a Pakistan captain determined to make up for 10 consecutive winless home matches. This was as tough as it gets. Still, England stood up. Despite skipper Shan Masood plundering 151, supported by Abdullah Shafique’s 102, the tourists stuck at it. As the light faded and the second new ball shone, the gift of Babar Azam plonking his pad in front of the stumps was nothing more than England deserved. At 328-4, Pakistan had the better of the day, but England’s smiles and high fives as they made their way to the dressing room showed they have taken something from it. A good start to day two and they will be right in the match. There was a temptation to think that England could simply pick up where they left off here two years ago, when a 3-0 series win was perhaps the greatest ever in a foreign country not called Australia or India. It was certainly the peak of the Bazball era to date. But there is plenty different to 2022. Despite their wretched run, Pakistan look stronger on paper than they did then. A subtle change is the time the series is being played. December then to October now doesn’t sound much, but the elevation in temperature is uncomfortable. The biggest difference is the make-up of England’s pace attack. Gone are the retired James Anderson (more on him later), the injured Mark Wood and Ollie Robinson has been sent to Coventry. In their place have come the notoriously travel-sick Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, a summer revelation but untried away from home, and Brydon Carse, untried anywhere and only just off completing a ban for historic gambling offences. It was the seamers who were key to England’s previous success here. Whereas in 2022 the spinners largely matched each other – England’s took 33 wickets at an average of 37.3, Pakistan’s 35 wickets at 36.2 – the touring seamers comfortably out-bowled the hosts. England claimed 26 victims at 23.3, Pakistan just 11 at a whopping 62.7. Some help from the toss would have been appreciated, but Ollie Pope has now lost four out of four standing-in for injured England skipper Ben Stokes. If England were looking for assistance from the pitch, they were left disappointed. Pre-match talk of grass was dashed by a mower on Monday morning. A penny for the thoughts of Saim Ayub, who somehow tickled Atkinson’s 10th ball in an away Test down the leg side to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith. He had to watch Shafique and Masood plunder runs from the fourth over of the day until well after tea. According to data analysts Cricviz, the Multan pitch was the second-flattest for day one of a Test anywhere in the world since they started collecting such information in 2007. Across the three sessions, the 0.47 degrees of swing was the least amount of movement in the air for day one in Pakistan since the beginning of 2022. If there was nothing to encourage the seamers, the spinners got little more. The 2.64 degrees of turn was the second-lowest for the opening day in this country over the same time period. Shoaib Bashir struggled – only once in his short Test career has he bowled more overs without taking a wicket - but Jack Leach impressed in his first Test since January. Despite all of the disadvantages, England hung in. The fielding was never anything but wholehearted, the only error being Pope’s miss at the stumps when Shafique should have been run out on 34. Aside from that, Pope did a fine job at recreating the creativity of Stokes that was crucial to England’s win in 2022. Bowlers were shuffled, fields tinkered. Shafique’s eyeline was flooded with catchers in front of the bat and he eventually popped Atkinson to cover. Left-armer Leach toyed with his angles to come round the wicket to left-hander Masood and was rewarded with a return catch. The only mild criticism was an over-eagerness to bowl bouncers, a favourite tactic of England. Carse, who touched 90mph, was asked to go to the short ball as early as the 15th over of the match. Overall, 40% of the deliveries Carse sent down were bouncers, 61% short of a good length. It is a plan England often revert to for bowlers with extra pace. Jamie Overton bowled 34% bouncers in his only Test against New Zealand in 2022 and Olly Stone 33% in his two Tests against Sri Lanka earlier this year. Wood, albeit faster and more skilful than the other three, is not used as such a blunt instrument. Perhaps the biggest boost for England was the late impact of Woakes. Quiet for most of the day, he grabbed the second new ball to produce a nip-backer that removed Pakistan’s best player in Babar. The UK is on its fifth different prime minister since Woakes’ previous Asian Test wicket in 2016. It was a delivery worthy of Anderson, the absence of whom was made much of in the build-up to the Test. England’s bowling consultant has been playing golf at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. When Anderson does arrive in time for day two, he will join a team that can be optimistic following their first-day showing. In truth, unless England were going to ask Anderson to take the new ball, there seems little he could have passed on to the bowlers that would have made their job any easier. In the City of Saints, England did just fine without Saint Jimmy. https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/articles/cd6qw1w8vqdo

Islamabad: The Riphah Institute of Lifestyle Medicine, in collaboration with the Pakistan Association of Lifestyle Medicine (PALM), hosted the 5th International Conference on Lifestyle Medicine Retreat from October 4 to 6. Held at the serene Highland Country Club, this first-of-its-kind retreat-style conference in Pakistan offered participants a unique opportunity to explore the latest advancements in lifestyle medicine within a peaceful and rejuvenating environment. Over the course of three days, attendees engaged in workshops, scientific sessions, and insightful discussions, all while enjoying wellness activities such as early morning meditation and nature walks to enhance their well-being. The event featured remarks by Hassan Muhammad Khan, Chancellor of Riphah International University (RIU), who emphasised the importance of the Lifestyle Medicine Conference . Distinguished speakers included Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Anis Ahmed, Dr. Zia Abbas, President of PALM, Dr. Shagufta Feroz, Director of the Riphah Institute of Lifestyle Medicine, Dr. Beth Frates, President of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Dr. Munira Abbasi, Vice President of PALM, along with other esteemed national and international experts. Themed ‘Health Revolution: Lifestyle Medicine as Your First Choice for Health,’ the conference highlighted how lifestyle interventions can be integrated into the healthcare system to prevent, treat, and reverse cardiometabolic conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes. Participants left the retreat feeling inspired and invigorated, having had the chance to connect with global experts, share knowledge, ability to make meaningful connections and contribute to the growing movement of lifestyle medicine, all while surrounded by the beauty of nature. https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1237834-lifestyle-medicine-conference-hosted

Tens of thousands of people have rallied around the world, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon as Israel’s genocide against Palestinians completes a year. Protesters gathered in dozens of cities on Monday to mark the first anniversary of the Hamas-led attack on Israel, as Israeli forces continue their operations in Gaza and Lebanon, raising fears of a wider regional war. In New Zealand, pro-Palestinian demonstrators, who gathered on Monday outside Auckland’s TVNZ public television demanding a ceasefire, clashed with followers of a far-right fundamentalist Christian group, Destiny Church. According to The New Zealand Herald, 35 police officers were at the scene to separate the rival groups. One protester was pepper-sprayed as police attempted to break the commotion that spilled over onto the road near TVNZ, according to the report. Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said New Zealand will continue to call for a ceasefire, restraint and de-escalation, “not for retaliation and reprisal”. In Australia, crowds gathered outside the country’s largest mosque in Lakemba, a suburb of Sydney, before an afternoon rally. Participants were seen waving Palestinian flags and standing on the footpath and the street which was blocked off for the event, according to The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper. People in Pakistani cities also held rallies and demonstrations to express solidarity with Palestinians on the first anniversary of Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. Different political and religious groups organised a string of events in the commercial capital, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Faisalabad, Multan, Sargodha, Hyderabad, and other cities. Thousands of citizens, including students, women and children, came out of their homes, offices and schools to participate in the demonstrations. A memorial event was also held in the Indian capital, New Delhi, as dozens of participants sang songs and raised slogans against the war in Gaza. Other vigils, ceremonies and protests are planned later on Monday after a weekend of similar events across the world. In the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, more than 1,000 pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the US Embassy on Sunday, demanding that Washington stop sending weapons to Israel. In Morocco, tens of thousands of protesters gathered in the capital, Rabat, waving Palestinian flags and calling to break off diplomatic ties with Israel, which the kingdom normalised in 2020. Thousands also marched in support of Gaza and Lebanon in cities across Turkey, including Istanbul and Ankara. At the Vatican, Pope Francis called for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza and Lebanon, warning of the risk of an “even larger war”. Thousands also marched through New York’s Times Square on Saturday, some carrying pictures of people killed in Israel’s military offensive in Gaza. In Washington, DC, a man set himself on fire as more than 1,000 people demonstrated outside the White House, demanding an end to US military aid to Israel. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/10/7/calls-for-ceasefire-in-gaza-lebanon-as-world-marks-october-7-anniversary

If you're a big cat lover, I advise you to tread with caution with Copycat. But you should also immediately play it because it's an excellent game. It'll just make you never let your cat out of sight again. I'm allergic to cats, so rather than clutching my four-pawed pal once I finished and sobbing quietly, I had to dwell in the emotional turmoil Copycat had put me through. This is probably why I want to project it onto as many people as I possibly can so I feel less alone in all this. At the start of the game, you take on the role of Olive, an elderly lady who is visiting her local animal shelter to adopt a cat. The dialogue between Olive and the shelter worker implies that it is Olive's first visit to adopt a cat, but the worker comments that she visited a few months ago, a fact that will make a lot more sense later on. As you pick out your cat, you're told about how they ended up in the shelter and what sort of attitude they have, which I thought was a nice touch rather than leaving you in silence as you stare at the selection. I took this decision seriously, as you play as the cat once you leave the shelter rather than staying as Olive. I opted for a ginger cat that has a striking resemblance to my friend's cat, Soup (which was a terrible idea given how emotional the story gets), and headed home. Fortunately, I wasn't burdened with naming the cat, which is huge a plus for anyone like me who gets far too attached to anything they name. Olive branded me as Dawn, which is nice enough I suppose, and took me home. From the second I arrived, I wasn't exactly pleasant to Olive. My options as she stuck her hand into the cat carrier were to either bite or scratch her, and as soon as I stepped out of the carrier I wanted to run away from her. Lucky for me, Olive has the patience of a saint and left me on my own to adjust to the new home. Before long, Olive explained she used to have a cat that looked exactly like me, but something happened to cause her to run away and never come back. But regardless of how much time and patience Olive was prepared to give me, I had only one thing on my mind—and that's escaping. This temptation is the only direction you have at the start of the game, and it becomes overwhelming at points. No matter how hard I tried to stay put, my hand was forced into leaving. But I guess if I could just stay with Olive and continue scratching up her furniture and stealing her dinner, I'd just be playing a cat simulator and Copycat would never have the opportunity to showcase its emotional story, which begins after Olive is involved in an accident and rushed to hospital, leaving me behind. The illusion of choice plays a big part in Copycat, with it seeming like you have control over what will happen when in reality you don't. For example, when I was let into the garden for the first time, there was a hole in the hedge from which I could easily escape. But when I tried, something would forcibly distract me and I wouldn't be able to leave just yet. This gave me just enough time to feel settled in Olive's house before being thrust into another entirely new environment once I finally could escape, but I wish control wasn't wrenched from me to achieve this. Despite the urge to escape that overpowers every action at the start of the game, when Olive is taken to hospital this feeling is completely stripped away. All you can do is sit and wait for Olive to come back, which she does a few days later, but it's not the same. Her daughter is with her and was furious that I had trashed the place in Olive's absence. She kicked me out of the house and onto the streets, telling me not to come back like last time because Olive is too vulnerable to look after a pet. It's then that I realised this is what happened to the last Dawn, and probably the one before that too. When I was on the streets I felt free. Freedom gets boring after a while, though, so I decided to return to Olive's with my tail quite literally between my legs, ready to meow at the door until her nasty daughter let me in, but it wasn't that straightforward. When I got home, I was already replaced by another cat who looked exactly like me, also called Dawn. The relationship we'd built before I left was reduced to nothing, and all I could think about was the shelter worker saying he knew Olive from somewhere. It's because she was constantly replacing the cats she adopted with identical replicas and pretending that they had never run away. At times, Copycat feels like a horror game, contrasting with the wholesome yet heartbreaking experience I knew I was signing up for. After all, the life of a shelter cat is far from easy. When I finally took control of Dawn, I very quickly felt nervous about running around corners or exploring new parts of the house, mostly because I didn't want to encounter Olive. She's a nice enough character, but the way she constantly towers over you in the house at the start is haunting. Moreso when you realise she's just been replacing her cats with replicas when they run away. But that's the point, Copycat is supposed to instill this anxiety within you to simulate the feeling of feeling minuscule in a daunting new environment, and it's something it achieves perfectly. Even though I went into Copycat knowing that I'd be in for quite a heartbreaking journey I didn't realise it would be this rough. There were moments when it felt impossible for me return home, especially after Olive looked at me on the porch and told me that I looked exactly like her cat and told me to be on my way. It takes a lot to make me cry unless an animal is involved, so as you can imagine Copycat became a bit of a tear-jerker. But it has made me want to go to whichever animal shelter is closest and bring home every single cat regardless of my allergies, which is probably the most positivity you can get from a game so sad. https://pcgamer.com/games/adventure/copycat-is-an-emotional-adventure-about-a-cat-facing-its-greatest-adversary-an-extremely-forgetful-old-woman/

iPhone 16 series with a dedicated camera control button landed a few weeks ago but we are already seeing numerous iPhone 17 leaks on the Web. Apple is expected to discontinue the Plus model in its iPhone 17 lineup to make way for a new iPhone 17 Air. A recent rumour suggests that the upcoming iPhone 17 Slim will feature an upgraded thinner display. Apple is likely to use Novatek's display technology for the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air. As per a report by Digitimes, Taiwan's leading display driver IC (DDI) manufacturer, Novatek, has announced plans to start mass production of its OLED TDDI technology display in the second quarter of next year. Apple is believed to be one of the early adopters of this display technology. "While industry insiders remain tight-lipped about potential end customers, speculation suggests that Novatek's proposed shipping schedule could align with the next-generation iPhone displays in 2025" says the report. Neither Apple nor Novatek has confirmed anything about the adoption of new display technology on the iPhone 17 model. However, the alignment with the expected launch timeline of the iPhone 17 Air and component shipment schedules indicates that the Cupertino giant may use it for the rumoured iPhone 17 Air. With OLED TDDI technology, the same chip handles both output and touch input allowing for thinner and more efficient screens. There have been many speculations about the iPhone 17 Slim/Air for quite some time now. Earlier reports claimed that it will come with a radically slim design which will set it apart from the rest of the iPhone 17 models. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously claimed that it will feature a titanium middle frame and a single 48-megapixel rear camera.The iPhone 17 Slim could come with a 6.6-inch display with a 1,260x2,740 pixels resolution and dynamic island. It is likely to run on the Apple A19 chipset, whereas the iPhone 17 Pro and the iPhone 17 Pro Max could sport the A19 Pro SoC. https://gadgets360.com/mobiles/news/iphone-17-air-novatek-display-oled-tddi-apple-report-6734857

Meta's impressive demo of its Orion AR glasses has got us interested in augmented reality specs again, and a small tidbit of rumored information has come our way that suggests Apple could have its own device in this category by 2026 – with microLED tech included. This comes from tipster @Jukanlosreve (via Wccftech), who has a decent record for leaks (though that was under a different username). The source says Apple "has not given up" on microLED tech, which it's been exploring for several years now. The tech combines the brightness of microLED with the deep blacks of OLED, making it superior to both existing display technologies. It's also very difficult and expensive to manufacture, which is why we haven't seen it on smaller gadgets to date. As our feature on microLED TVs will tell you, this is an innovation that has shown potential for years – but again the problem is in getting the prices down to a point where people are actually going to be available to afford these devices.Specs appeal Apple has not given up on Micro LED technology.1. They are preparing Micro LED for AR glasses, with mass production expected in 2026.2. The plan to include Micro LED in the Apple Watch Ultra is also still in place, with a target launch in 2026.October 5, 2024 The Apple Watch Ultra should also get a microLED display, according to this tipster. Somewhat surprisingly, we didn't get an Apple Watch Ultra 3 this year, so we're not sure what number Apple might be up to in a couple of years. When it comes to the Apple Glasses, we've had several waves of rumors around these AR specs in recent years. The previous estimate for a launch window was 2027 – so it's possible that Apple has accelerated development on this new device. Last year there was word that Apple's AR glasses had been delayed indefinitely, with focus switching to a cheaper VR headset. It's possible that Meta's success with the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses have shifted Apple's thinking in this respect.There's also the Apple Vision Pro of course: the mixed reality headset is very powerful and very expensive, and hasn't sold in huge numbers, and perhaps Apple wants to get something smaller and more affordable out of the door next. https://www.techradar.com/computing/virtual-reality-augmented-reality/apples-smart-ar-glasses-are-rumored-to-be-arriving-in-2026-with-microled-tech

The Apple M1 iMac, originally released in May 2021, may have a design flaw that is only now becoming apparent. A flood of users have noted that their Apple Silicon desktop All-in-Ones are suffering from a series of display failures causing dark horizontal lines to persist on their screens. A thread on the Apple Community site discussing this specific issue in detail began in October 2023 and has since garnered 17 pages of responses from disgruntled users. However, Apple has yet to recognize it as a manufacturing defect or flaw, with no official announcements from the company regarding a fix for this issue. Many affected users assert that Apple’s service centers describe this screen issue as an irreparable malfunction, and that the only viable solution is to replace it. However, since the problem only typically appears after two years, most devices are already out of warranty, meaning those affected have to pay around $600 to $700 for a screen replacement. At that price, you could buy a brand-new base-model M2 Mac Mini, for example According to an investigation by one of the affected users, the Apple iMac screen uses a flex cable that must sustain a voltage of around 50 volts when the screen is set to high or maximum brightness. This causes the connector to burn out over time, it was theorized, resulting in short circuits that cause the black lines to appear on the screen. Thus, you could spend the money on a screen replacement, only for the issue to return in a year or two. The user theorized that there are three possible reasons why this is happening: a design flaw, a manufacturing defect, or a supplier delivering parts that didn’t meet Apple’s standards. We were interested to see another user reporting that their M3 iMac, which they bought in May 2024, was suffering from a similar problem. If Apple did not change the flex cable design from the previous generation iMac, then it is conceivable the defect could occur again in newer generation iMacs. However, we must remember that even tens or a few hundred users complaining about this issue account for a very small percentage of iMacs sold. Unless you have an active AppleCare+ plan, repairing this issue would be prohibitively expensive, unless Apple decides to do a recall. At the moment, if you don’t want to spend money on the screen repair and are hoping that Apple will someday repair it for free, your only choice is to attach an external monitor and use the system that way. One user did get a free repair authorized by a senior Apple representative, but this seems to be an exception rather than the norm. And if Apple still uses the same flex cable design that is purportedly causing the issue, with the same thirst for power, then the same screen issues may proliferate across generations. https://www.tomshardware.com/software/macos/apple-silicon-imacs-appear-to-suffer-from-screen-deterioration-after-two-years-flood-of-user-complaints-hit-apple-community-forums

Paralysed dogs at a rescue home have received new equipment to improve their wellbeing after an urgent fundraiser. Flori's Friends Rescue near Canterbury in Kent, which offers end-of-life care and a rehoming service, said it had raised £4,500. The cash has gone towards a prosthetic leg for a Romanian rescue dog which was hit by an HGV, and a leg brace for a border collie receiving end-of-life care after being abused. Natalia George, the charity's founder, said: "People think we're the heroes... but it's actually the people who donate who save these dogs." Elle was hit by an HGV and left on the side of a motorway for six days before being rescued at just 10-months-old, said Ms George. While she had previously been fitted with a prosthetic leg, the now three-year-old dog had outgrown it. Ms George, 34, said there a was a huge "difference in how happy" Elle was while going out for walks. "It really makes a difference to their wellbeing," she added.Fern, an 18-month-old border collie, was rescued from within the UK after being abused a puppy. Due to debilitating paralysis and double-elbow dysplasia, she is receiving end-of-life care which involves pain management and physiotherapy. "The brace will extend her life by nine months," said Ms George. "Her pain levels have come right down and there's not so much stress on that joint".Flori's Friends, which has also rescued dogs from Oman, China, Greece and Gaza, is currently looking after 29 dogs and 60 cats. Ms George said those who had been paralysed came with huge care costs - averaging at about £5,500 from the point of rescue to the point of being able to be rehomed. She said the charity was still in need of donations and was currently having to turn away "four dogs a day". "We're just asking for website donations of even just £1... we couldn't even be here without people giving us just £1." https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp8lz1499r1o

Coach Brendon McCullum said England are “realistic” about the challenge in Pakistan, despite their recent success here and the hosts’ awful run of form. England won 3-0 in Pakistan in 2022, the first time any visiting side had achieved such a clean sweep in this country. That series forms part of Pakistan’s 10-match winless run on home soil. The tourists are without injured captain Ben Stokes for the first Test in Multan, beginning on Monday (06:00 BST), and only one of their trio of pace bowlers – Chris Woakes – has played a Test in Asia before. As has become the norm for England, they have not played a warm-up game, with the home summer only finishing last weekend at the conclusion of the white-ball series against Australia. “We go in with high hopes,” McCullum told BBC Sport. “There will be no excuses whatsoever if we don’t get where we need to get. “We’re also realistic this is going to be a tough series, because Pakistan in their own conditions, as history would suggest, it’s a tough ask.” Either side of a 10-year hiatus from playing on home soil following an attack by gunmen on the Sri Lanka team in 2009, Pakistan lost only two out of 13 home series. But a 1-0 defeat by Australia in early 2022 began their winless run, the second-longest they have ever gone without a win in a home Test. England can expect different conditions to their last trip, when the weather was cooler and the pitches flat. Now, temperatures in Multan for the first two matches in the three-Test series are around 36 degrees and the pitch is expected to be slightly green. A key part of England’s win here two years ago was the performance of their seamers, but of the three that took part, James Anderson has since retired, Ollie Robinson has been dropped and Mark Wood is injured. Now they have Woakes, who has not played an overseas Test in more than two years, Gus Atkinson, who not played an overseas Test at all, and Brydon Carse on debut. Anderson has been acting as England's fast-bowling consultant since he ended his playing career in July, but is not arriving in Pakistan until day two of the first Test after playing in the Dunhill Links pro-am golf tournament. And McCullum is "not worried" to initially be without the experience of England's all-time leading wicket-taker. "Jimmy has been a great resource for us," said the New Zealander. "But prior to that we didn’t have a pace-bowling coach as such. "In the world we live in, communication is easy. Jimmy is in constant communication with the guys. I don’t think it’s a big issue." England also continue to be without Stokes, who will miss a fourth consecutive Test since injuring his hamstring in early August. Asked on Saturday if he will be fit for the second Test, starting in nine days, the all-rounder said he was “not sure”. Ollie Pope will again deputise for Stokes and said he is “mentally ready” should he need to lead on the rest of the tour. And Pope suggested that once Stokes is fit to play, it will be as an all-rounder, available to bowl. “With those hamstring injuries it’s a bit more about setting off – the biggest risk comes with batting, when you set off for a quick single, or turn and go for two,” said Pope. “His bowling will be fine when he does come back. Whenever he is fit to play, I’m sure he’ll be fit to bowl as well.” Pakistan, coached by former Australia bowler Jason Gillespie, have included Aamer Jamal in their XI after the all-rounder recovered from a back injury. He will form a three-pronged pace attack with Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah. Shan Masood has lost all five Tests since he was appointed captain last November, including a 2-0 series defeat at home by Bangladesh in August. “There is a lot of hurt within the players,” said Masood. “This year, 2024, has not been a good year for Pakistan cricket all over and we like to see our fans happy. “The answer is to be positive. We let the past go. We have tried to maintain consistency in selection. We haven’t had any chopping and changing because we have lost a few games. “We believe in this set of players and with Jason Gillespie we wanted to create a squad mentality. The players are being backed to turn things around.” https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/articles/cy5y9r37pkro

World Habitat Day was first observed in 1985 when the United Nations General Assembly announced the celebration on the first Monday in October. This day serves as a powerful reminder that everyone is entitled to a decent and safe place to live. On World Habitat Day, the governments, communities, and individuals are urged to strive toward improving housing conditions, fostering secure settings, and making neighbourhoods safer. Here are some inspiring quotes, this year's theme, and an overview of the rich history and significance of World Habitat Day.World Habitat Day 2024: Theme "Engaging youth to create a better urban future" is the 2024 theme, and it centres on the opportunities and challenges associated with rapid urban growth. Encouraging the younger generation to participate in the planning of their current and future surroundings is the aim. Habitat Day: History In order to remind everyone of their shared duties to enhance cities and towns for the future, World Habitat Day was created in 1985. Since its first celebration in 1986, the day has centered on improving urban living conditions. Numerous events have been held in various places across the globe to increase awareness of the day. The Habitat Scroll of Honor award, which was first given out in 1989, is another way that the UN honors the donors. World Habitat Day 2024: Importance To raise awareness of the basic right to shelter, World Habitat Day is observed annually on the first Monday in October. This day serves as a reminder that everyone is entitled to a comfortable and secure home. It also contributes to increasing awareness of the significance of environmental preservation in the face of growing urbanization. Happy World Habitat Day: Quotes • “Do not despair, my friend. Today is theirs, but the future is ours.” – Rodman Philbrick • “Whether or not it has fully dawned on society, the reality is that Gen Y will soon have to assume the responsibility for a world crafted by previous generations.” – Charlie Caruso • “Housing is a human right. There can be no fairness or justice in a society in which some live in homelessness, or in the shadow of that risk, while others cannot even imagine it.” – Jordan Flaherty. • “A healthy, sane and sustainable society is where the state is responsible to support the people, but not to such an extent that the people become reliant on the state, and where the people are capable of taking care of themselves with minimum support from the state.” – Abhijit Naskar. https://business-standard.com/lifestyle/world-habitat-day-2024-theme-history-significance-quotes-and-more-124100700225_1.html

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — A new round of airstrikes hit Beirut suburbs late Sunday as Israel intensified its bombardment of northern Gaza and southern Lebanon in a widening war with Iran-allied militant groups across the region. Palestinian officials said a strike on a mosque killed at least 19 people. A year after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, Israel has opened a new front in Lebanon against Hezbollah, which has traded fire with Israel since the war in Gaza began. Israel’s military confirmed a Hezbollah attack on the northern city of Haifa, though it was not immediately clear whether shrapnel from “fallen projectiles” was from rockets or interceptors. Hezbollah said it tried to hit a nearby naval base. The Magen David Adom ambulance service said it treated 10 people, most of them hurt by shrapnel. Israel also has vowed to strike Iran after a ballistic missile attack on Israel last week. The widening conflict risks further drawing in the United States, which has provided crucial military and diplomatic support to Israel. Iran-allied militant groups in Syria, Iraq and Yemen have joined in with long-distance strikes on Israel. Israel is on high alert ahead of memorial events for the Oct. 7 attack, while rallies continue around the world marking the anniversary. Israel bombards southern Beirut Beirut’s skyline lit up again late Sunday with new airstrikes, a day after Israel’s heaviest bombardment of the southern suburbs known as the Dahiyeh since it escalated its air campaign on Sept. 23. It was not immediately clear if there were casualties. Israel confirmed the strikes and says it targets Hezbollah. The militant group, the strongest armed force in Lebanon, has called its months of firing rockets into Israel a show of support for the Palestinians. A separate Israeli strike earlier Sunday in the town of Qamatiyeh southeast of Beirut killed six people, including three children, Lebanon’s Health Ministry said. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported more than 30 strikes overnight into Sunday, while Israel’s military said about 130 projectiles had crossed from Lebanon into Israeli territory. “It was very difficult. All of us in Beirut could hear everything,” resident Haytham Al-Darazi said. Another resident, Maxime Jawad, called it “a night of terror.” One strike killed three sisters and their aunt in the coastal village of Jiyyeh. “This is a civilian home, and the biggest evidence is those martyred are four women,” said a neighbor, Ali Al Hajj. Last week, Israel launched what it called a limited ground operation into southern Lebanon after a series of attacks killed longtime Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and most of his top commanders. The fighting is the worst since Israel and Hezbollah fought a month-long war in 2006. At least 1,400 Lebanese, including civilians, medics and Hezbollah fighters, have been killed and 1.2 million driven from their homes. Israel says it aims to drive the militant group from its border so tens of thousands of Israeli citizens can return home. The Israeli military is now setting up a forward operating base close to a U.N. peacekeeping mission on the border in southern Lebanon, a U.N. official told The Associated Press. The base puts peacekeepers at risk, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation. UNIFIL, created to oversee the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon after Israel’s 1978 invasion, refused the Israeli military’s request to vacate some of its positions ahead of the ground incursion. New evacuation orders in northern Gaza An Israeli strike hit a mosque where displaced people sheltered near the main hospital in the central Gaza town of Deir al-Balah. Another four were killed in a strike on a school-turned-shelter near the town. The military said both strikes targeted militants. An Associated Press journalist counted the bodies at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital morgue. Israel’s military announced a new air and ground offensive in Jabaliya in northern Gaza, home to a refugee camp dating to the 1948 war surrounding Israel’s creation. Israel has carried out several operations there only to see militants regroup. The military said three soldiers were severely wounded in Sunday’s fighting in northern Gaza. Israel reiterated its call for the complete evacuation of heavily destroyed northern Gaza, where up to 300,000 people are estimated to have remained “We are in a new phase of the war,” the military said in leaflets dropped over the area. “These areas are considered dangerous combat zones.” A later statement said three projectiles were identified crossing from northern Gaza into Israeli territory, with no injuries reported. Frantic residents fled again. “Since Oct. 7 to the present day, this is the 12th time that I and my children, eight individuals, have been homeless and thrown into the streets and do not know where to go,” said one, Samia Khader. The Civil Defense — first responders operating under the Hamas-run government — said it recovered three bodies, including a woman and a child, after a strike hit a home in the Shati refugee camp. Residents mourned. Imad Alarabid said on Facebook an airstrike on his Jabaliya home killed a dozen family members, including his parents. Hassan Hamd, a freelance TV journalist whose footage had aired on Al Jazeera, was killed in shelling on his home in Jabaliya. Al Jazeera reporter Anas al-Sharif confirmed his death. Nearly 42,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the war began, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. It does not say how many were fighters, but says a little over half were women and children. Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 people in the Oct. 7 attack and took another 250 hostage. They still hold around 100 captives, a third of whom are believed to be dead. U.K. advises against travel while France seeks partial arms embargo on Israel The United Kingdom on Sunday advised its citizens against non-essential travel to Israel due to the violent clashes in the Mideast. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office also advised against all travel in parts of northern and southern Israel, most of the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. Last week the UK advised its citizens against all travel to Lebanon. French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday reiterated his call for a partial arms embargo on Israel, which had prompted an angry response from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu had described such calls by Macron as a “disgrace.” Macron’s office insisted that “France is Israel’s unfailing friend” and called Netanyahu’s remarks “excessive.” Later on Sunday, Netanyahu’s office said the two leaders had spoken and agreed to promote “a dialogue” on the matter. Macron’s office called the discussion “frank” and said both leaders “accepted their divergence of views.” https://apnews.com/article/mideast-wars-lebanon-hezbollah-hamas-6-october-2024-0210e9d539a899e21ee89b52807b6af7

Fortnite in 2024 is a battle royale shooter, an arena shooter, a racing game, a rhythm game, a survival game, and later this year, it's gonna be a first-person shooter. Epic has officially opened up testing for a "First Person Camera Mode" in Fortnite, now usable in Fortnite creative mode and UEFN (Unreal Editor for Fortnite). As regular Fortnite players know, creators are already using camera trickery to "fake" janky first-person views to often good effect, but this official implementation goes further. "Workarounds, begone", Epic's blog post on the feature begins. "The new First Person Camera Mode device enables you to create polished first-person experiences rendered from the player character’s viewpoint!" Epic hopes Fortnite creators will use the tool to make modes in "po[CENSORED]r genres like first-person, team-based or tactical shooter games, or add new levels of immersion into horror and cinematic adventure games." The first-person module is currently "experimental," so folks aren't allowed to publish anything that uses it yet. I can see why after messing with it this week: first-person Fortnite is promising, but it's very early. As Epic warns, most guns don't have first-person reload animations yet, so your arms just disappear off-screen during the process. The first-person animations that do exist look pretty good, and the shooting isn't bad either. You can sprint, jump, and aim-down-sights like you'd expect. You can see where Epic is probably going with this: Once the feature is ready for prime time, I imagine "First-person Battle Royale" will be an official Fortnite playlist right next to Zero Build and standard BR, and if it proves po[CENSORED]r, it'll be there to stay. But I wonder what constitutes po[CENSORED]r enough to support first-person mode indefinitely. It's clear from Epic's blog post that supporting first-person is a manual process—new animations have to be made for new guns and tools going forward. I wonder if that's a task the studio wants to hoist on itself, like how it's now dedicated to creating Lego and Fall Guys versions of regular Fortnite skins. I do know that if this new way of playing Fortnite is gonna catch on, it'll need more TLC. Even with custom animations, first-person Fortnite still feels more like a mod than a full-fledged FPS. Gun skins and character arms don't look great close up (since they weren't designed for that), the forced FOV is a little claustrophobic, and the scale of Fortnite's environments looks strange from a different viewpoint.The first-person Fortnite module is available now to try in private islands and UEFN. Players will be able to publish levels in first-person when the module enters beta later this year. https://www.pcgamer.com/games/battle-royale/fortnite-is-coming-for-the-fps/

Infinix Zero Flip will be launched in India soon. The company's first clamshell-style foldable phone was introduced in global markets last month, and will make its debut in the country by mid-October, the Transsion-owned company has confirmed. The Infinix Zero Flip is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8020 chipset and sports a 6.9-inch inner screen along with a 3.64-inch cover display. It also features a 50-megapixel dual outer camera setup, while a third 50-megapixel camera is located in a hole-punch cutout on the inner screen. Infinix Zero Flip India Launch Date Announced According to a microsite on the company's website, the Infinix Zero Flip will be launched in India on October 17. The handset was launched globally in Blossom Glow and Rock Black colourways, but the site only gives us a look at the latter. Other details, such as pricing and availability are likely to be revealed in the days leading up to its debut in the country.Infinix Zero Flip Specifications (Expected) The Infinix Zero Flip is expected to arrive with the same specifications as the model launched in global markets last month. This means it is likely to be powered by a Dimensity 8020 chipset from MediaTek, paired with up to 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB of inbuilt storage. It is expected to run on XOS 14 which is based on Android 14. On the inside, the Infinix Zero Flip sports a 6.9-inch full-HD+ AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, while the 3.64-inch AMOLED cover display also refreshes at 120Hz, according to the company. For photos and videos, the Zero Flip has a 50-megapixel primary camera with optical image stabilisation (OIS) along with a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera — these are located on the cover display. There's a 50-megapixel camera on the inner display, and you can record 4K videos using the inner and outer cameras. The handset also offers GoPro integration, according to the company.The Infinix Zero Flip features dual stereo speakers tuned by JBL. The company says it will receive two OS upgrades (up to Android 16). It packs a 4,720mAh battery that can be charged at 70W using the included charging adapter. https://www.gadgets360.com/mobiles/news/infinix-zero-flip-india-launch-date-specifications-expected-6723690

AI tools usually require cloud computing access to have enough power to run, but your future AI usage may end up not needing more than is available on your device if Qualcomm has its way. The tech giant has unveiled a new system called the Qualcomm AI Orchestrator aimed at integrating AI tools and experiences and keeping the process on your devices. Qualcomm AI Orchestrator incorporates all of your AI usage, including what you do on your computer, mobile device, and even in your car. The orchestrator takes personal preferences and the surrounding context into account when running to make the best use of what various accessible AI apps and services can provide. It's the individual adaptation aspect that stands out as the biggest appeal of the AI Orchestrator. The AI uses information on your device about your contacts, where you travel regularly, what you do in a day, and even your go-to apps to personalize the experience and make a personal knowledge graph. For instance, if you have an app that you rely on to reserve seats at a restaurant, the AI Orchestrator will use that app when recommending places to go and reserve a time if you ask. It's a more proactive approach than the standard query and response system you might be familiar with when doing text or voice searches. The whole process is faster and safer because the AI is run on the device. That means you can store personal information without worrying about it being stolen or shared from a cloud server by malicious actors. It also makes the AI faster in its responses to you, even when taking up more power for multimodal interactions with voice and visuals. “Imagine a scenario where you start your day with a bunch of notifications on your phone,” Qualcomm described in a blog post. “You don’t have time to read them until your lunch break, so instead of reading all the notifications yourself, your generative AI assistant automatically creates a notification summary and can pick out important ones.” The Qualcomm AI Orchestrator is essentially the conductor of the ‘orchestrator’ of AI instruments, not only within a device but across multiple interfaces. So, the AI using your phone to set up your dinner reservation is also linked to your car navigation and your calendar on your home computer so that you can get to the restaurant and have an alert up that you’re not responding to emails at that time. In some ways, this sounds a lot like the personal intelligence and contextual relevance Apple Intelligence is set to bring to Siri in the coming months. The difference is that Apple Intelligence is only supporting certain iPhones, Macs, and iPads. Qualcomm AI Orchestrator could end up on all sorts of devices running the latest Qualcomm chips.Qualcomm hopes to further expand the orchestrator as AI tools continue to evolve. It may end up helping run your smart home devices and even take over the phone calls with customer service agents you don’t want to make. Even if Qualcomm’s dream of redefining the way you interact with AI is unlikely to happen any time soon, the concept of interconnected but on-device AI processing could prove po[CENSORED]r enough that others take a cue from Qualcomm in their next line of AI products. https://www.techradar.com/computing/artificial-intelligence/will-this-ai-conductor-harmonize-your-busy-schedule

Newegg offers excellent discounts on Intel's 14th Generation Raptor Lake Refresh processors. You can save up to $25 more when using the FTT3255 promotional code at checkout. Every dollar saved is money earned, which you can invest in other components. Which CPU to choose largely depends on your requirements and budget. The Core i9-14900K and Core i9-14700K are among the best CPUs for gaming and work. If you're looking for a more budget option, the Core i5-14600K is also on sale. If you don't care for integrated graphics and plan on using a discrete graphics card, there are discounts on the KF counterparts as well. Nonetheless, it is always good to have integrated graphics, at the very least, for diagnostic purposes. Newegg's probably getting rid of Raptor Lake Refresh stock to make way for Intel's looming Core Ultra 200 (codenamed Arrow Lake) processors. Raptor Lake Refresh is the last generation of CPUs on the LGA1700 platform. So, it may not make sense to pull the trigger on a Raptor Lake Refresh chip now unless you don't plan to jump on the Arrow Lake train or need a significant upgrade for an already-owned LGA1700 platform. Raptor Lake Refresh CPUs previously suffered crashing and instability due to a bug. Still, Intel has since released a microcode update with guidance on which settings to use to solve the issues. Hence, updating your motherboard's BIOS to the latest version is highly recommended. Additionally, Intel is offering two years above the three-year default warranty on these CPUs, so there shouldn't be anything to worry about for now. With the crashing fiasco aside, Raptor Lake Refresh CPUs remain a strong option for consumers and gamers. https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/cpus/save-big-on-intel-14th-gen-cpus-at-newegg

An endangered red panda has become the newest addition to a Hampshire zoo. The seven-year-old female named Cherry was transferred from Manor Wildlife Park in Wales to Marwell Zoo, near Winchester, last week. She will share the zoo's red panda habitat with Tashi, a male who arrived in Hampshire last year. There are thought to be fewer than 10,000 red pandas remaining in the wild, where they can be found living in the trees of the Himalayas.Carrie Arnold, Carnivores Team Leader, said: “We’re excited to welcome Cherry to Marwell where she will share our red panda habitat with Tashi. “Red pandas are endangered in the wild where they have been hunted for meat, medicine and fur as well as being sold into the pet market." The animals prefer to live near water, where bamboo, which is the bulk of their diet, is plentiful. They have sharp teeth and what is known as a “false thumb” which is an enlargement of one of the bones in their wrist, that allows them to grab and hold onto things. The species is classified as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, with po[CENSORED]tions continuing to decline. It is thought that in the last 18 years, red panda po[CENSORED]tions have decreased by 50%. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g5wnjg54no

Karolina Muchova ended second-ranked Aryna Sabalenka's 15-match winning streak with a 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-4 victory in the China Open quarterfinals on Friday. The 49th-ranked Muchova saved set points in the first set and came from 4-2 down in the third to win in 2 hours, 46 minutes. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp It was the third consecutive time that Muchova, a U.S. Open semifinalist last month, has won against the three-time major winner and the Czech player now leads their head-to-head series 3-1. Sabalenka's streak had started with a title at Cincinnati in August and continued with a run to the championship at the U.S. Open last month. She also won the Australian Open earlier in the year. She also had a previous career-best streak of 15 wins across the 2020-21 seasons. Muchova will meet Paris Olympics gold medalist Zheng Qinwen in the semifinals after the 21-year-old rallied to beat Mirra Andreeva of Russia and keep alive her bid to become Beijing's first home-grown champion. The fifth-seeded Zheng had to fight back from a break down in the final set to win 5-7, 6-0, 6-4 and became the first Chinese semifinalist in Beijing since Wang Qiang in 2018. Shanghai MastersDaniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and American duo Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul all eased through their second-round matches with straight-sets victories at the Shanghai Masters. However, there was a surprise as 91st-ranked Aleksandar Vukic stunned the eighth-seeded Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4 for the biggest victory of his career. I'm very proud of myself, very happy, Vukic said. I played a very good match. It was very clean. The fifth-ranked Medvedev fought back from a break down in both sets to earn a 7-5, 7-5 victory over Thiago Seyboth Wild, who upset the Russian in the first round of the French Open last year. Medvedev next meets Matteo Arnaldi and could face Tsitsipas in the fourth round. The 12th-ranked Tsitsipas, who lost in the first round at the Japan Open last week, had a stern test against Kei Nishikori but prevailed 7-6 (6), 6-4 in 105 minutes to avenge his defeat to the Japanese at the Montreal Masters in August. Tsitsipas will play Alexandre Muller of France in the third round. Muller beat 18th-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-2, with the Canadian having now lost the opening match at four of his last five tour-level tournaments. The 16th-ranked Shelton, who made the quarterfinals in Shanghai last year, hit 11 aces as he advanced past Denis Shapavalov of Canada 6-3, 7-5. Compatriot Tommy Paul, seeded 11th, needed barely an hour to rout Fabio Fognini of Italy 6-1, 6-3. Paul will play 19th-seeded Alejandro Tabilo in the third round. Another American, Alex Michelson, beat rising Chinese star Bu Yunchaokete 6-3, 6-4 in a first-round match which had been pushed back because of Bu's semifinal run at the China Open. The 32 seeded players received a first-round bye, including top-ranked Jannik Sinner and second-ranked Carlos Alcaraz, who met in the the China Open final on Wednesday. Sinner starts against Taro Daniel of Japan, and Alcaraz faces Shang Juncheng of China. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) https://www.business-standard.com/sports/other-sports-news/muchova-ends-sabalenka-s-15-match-winning-streak-in-china-open-quarters-124100401328_1.html

Recent trends in breast cancer statistics reveal a complex picture. While breast cancer mortality has significantly decreased by 44 per cent over the last three decades, there's a concerning rise in early-onset breast cancer cases, particularly among women under 50. This information comes from the American Cancer Society's update, which also highlights persistent racial disparities in breast cancer outcomes. Black women, particularly, face higher risks of aggressive triple-negative breast cancers and have lower survival rates across most breast cancer subtypes and stages. The increase in breast cancer rates, especially among younger women, is attributed to various factors of modern life. Dr. Marisa C. Weiss, founder of Breastcancer.org, explains that the breast is particularly vulnerable to cancer. Factors contributing to the rise She points out that aspects of contemporary living contribute to the rising breast cancer rates. - Delayed childbearing - Reduced breastfeeding - Increased alcohol consumption - Obesity and lack of exercise - Poor diet - Extended use of hormonal medications Research indicates that nearly half of all cancer cases in the U.S. are linked to modifiable risk factors, with breast cancer being significantly affected. After lung cancer, breast cancer in women is most closely associated with modifiable risk factors. Alcohol consumption has been linked to higher risks for several cancer types, including breast cancer. Measures to reduce it To reduce breast cancer risk, experts recommend a multi-faceted approach: - Maintaining a healthy weight - Exercising regularly - Adopting a mostly plant-based diet (such as the Mediterranean diet) - Limiting or avoiding alcohol - Reducing exposure to environmental pollutants - Considering non-hormonal birth control methods -Quitting smoking -Ensuring good sleep - Socialising - Considering genetic testing for those at high risk Dietary recommendations for breast cancer prevention include choosing organic produce, when possible, especially for items on the Environmental Working Group's 'Dirty Dozen' list. Eating lower on the food chain is advised, as larger fish tend to accumulate more environmental toxins. Dr. Weiss suggests making fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, and grains the focus of meals, with meat and fish as side dishes. For those unable to afford organic options, a Mediterranean or vegetarian diet is still considered highly beneficial for breast cancer prevention. Simple strategies like removing chicken skin and avoiding the fatty parts of fish can also help reduce exposure to harmful substances. To conclude, while early-onset breast cancer cases are increasing, and racial disparities persist, there are numerous steps individuals can take to reduce their risk. These include lifestyle modifications, dietary changes, and regular medical check-ups. For those with additional risk factors such as dense breasts or a family history of breast cancer, consultation with a doctor about genetic testing and personalized risk management is recommended. https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-lifestyle-changes-that-may-help-in-lowering-the-chances-of-breast-cancer-764806

ABS said the Requirements for Nuclear Power Systems for Marine and Offshore Applications has been developed "for classification requirements specific to design, construction, and survey of vessels fitted with nuclear power systems whose generated power is transferred or distributed to onboard industrial or adjacent facilities. Nuclear power service vessels are intended to operate nuclear power plant systems while temporarily or permanently stationed. This document is not applicable where nuclear power is used for propulsion or auxiliary services on self-propelled vessels". "Uniquely, the requirements allow designers to consider any type of reactor technology and propose a framework for nuclear regulators to collaborate with flag administrations (the national authority with whom the vessel is registered) and ABS for complete regulatory oversight and license," ABS said. ABS noted that it is the responsibility of nuclear regulators to license the reactor and applicable nuclear safety structures, systems and components. "These requirements and any use thereof does not replace the review, certification, licence, or other approval of Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) technology by a nuclear regulator." The classification requirements were launched during a forum held at ABS's world headquarters in Texas for nuclear industry leaders held jointly by ABS and Idaho National Laboratory (INL). The event saw presentations on the latest reactor technologies from leading companies and publication of a detailed study from ABS and Herbert Engineering modelling the design, operation and emissions of a floating nuclear power plant. It was followed by workshops with offshore industry leaders to explore their requirements and understand operational challenges floating nuclear power plant technology will have to overcome. "We demonstrated today that nuclear's potential in the maritime domain is so much more than a reactor on a ship," said ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher Wiernicki. "Nuclear energy can link energy demands across the electric, industrial and shipping transportation sectors to optimise energy generation and use, maintain grid reliability and support decarbonisation of shipping and industry. Not to mention its vast potential for the production of clean fuels such as e-ammonia and e-hydrogen. "It is clear that nuclear energy has the potential to be a disruptor for the maritime industry. This is why we are proud to produce the first comprehensive rule set for the industry as an important step forward for the adoption of the technology." Brad Tomer, COO of the National Reactor Innovation Center headquartered at INL, added: "This is an exciting time for nuclear energy. Idaho National Laboratory is growing and working with industry partners like ABS to test and demonstrate advanced reactor technologies. Collaboration and discussions like these will be critical as we move forward in delivering the low-carbon, affordable and reliable power that nuclear energy provides." ABS is a maritime classification society: an organisation responsible for establishing the minimum technical standards and requirements for maritime safety and environmental protection and ensuring their consistent application. Established in 1862, the organisation describes itself as a global leader in providing classification services for marine and offshore assets, with a mission to serve the public interest as well as its members and clients by promoting the security of life and property and preserving the natural environment. The organisation's history with maritime nuclear energy sources dates back to 1959, when the NS Savannah - the first merchant ship powered by a nuclear reactor - was approved under ABS Rules. ABS said it is "playing a leading role in helping government and industry work towards the adoption of advanced nuclear technology in commercial maritime, including key research with the US Department of Energy (DOE) and multiple new technology qualification and approval-in-principle projects with industry." The DOE has awarded ABS a contract to research barriers to the adoption of advanced nuclear propulsion on commercial vessels. The DOE has also contracted ABS to support research into thermal-electric integration of a nuclear propulsion system on a commercial vessel being carried out by the University of Texas. https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/abs-sets-requirements-for-floating-nuclear-power-plants

In October 2023, three of the top five most wishlisted games on Steam were all city builders—pretty conclusive evidence that city builders aren't a niche genre but a mainstream sensation. Exactly one year later, those big three city builders have all come out: Cities: Skylines 2 launched in late 2023, Manor Lords arrived in April (in early access), and Frostpunk 2 released just last month. I guess the question is: what's next? With those three heavy hitters now released, are there any games about the mundane thrills of urban planning and precision hedgerow placement left to look forward to? I've been playing these games since SimCity, and I can't believe how many are hitting Steam every year now—last year alone I played 20 of them. There are still a ton of interesting city builders on the horizon, and several of them are set to arrive before the end of 2024. Here are six city builders due out before the end of this year you should have on your radar, and a few more coming in 2025 and beyond.Can you build a city so great it will please the gods? That's not a rhetorical question: in strategy city builder Citadelum the gods will visit your city in person, helping you out if they're happy and smashing the place up if they're not. There are gods in Nova Roma, too, and your city might get struck by lightning or flooded if you anger the wrong Roman deity. Manage complexities like supply chains and waterways while constructing colorful colosseums and basilicas in this beautiful builder.Not every city builder takes place on earth, or even a planet. In Beyond These Stars you're constructing a civilization on the back of a giant space whale traveling the cosmos. You can explore planets and set up colonies during your journey, as well as manage your relationship with the whale you're riding, which has its own interests and agendas.As a futuristic AI in city building card game Technotopia, your job is to build the perfect city. Draw cards, place buildings, and try to maintain a balance between the different factions vying for power. You'll have to deal with disasters, hackers, and gangs while maintaining order and expanding your city. https://www.pcgamer.com/games/city-builder/city-builders-2024/

Vivo Y28s 5G was launched in India in July this year alongside the Vivo Y28e 5G. The company has announced that the price of the Vivo Y28s 5G has been reduced by Rs. 500. The handset is currently available in three RAM and storage configurations. It is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset paired with up to 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM. The smartphone is equipped with a 50-megapixel main camera and an 8-megapixel selfie shooter. It comes with a 6.56-inch HD+ LCD screen and an IP64-rated build. Vivo Y28s 5G New Price in India, Availability Vivo Y28s 5G price now starts in India at Rs. 13,499 for the 4GB option, while the 6GB and 8GB variants are listed at Rs. 14,999 and Rs, 16,499, respectively. The phone comes with 128GB of built-in storage. It is offered in Vintage Red and Twinkling Purple shades and is available via Flipkart and the Vivo India e-store. At launch, the 4GB option of the Vivo Y28s 5G was priced at Rs. 13,999, while the 6GB and 8GB versions were respectively priced at Rs. 15,499 and Rs. 16,999. Vivo Y28s 5G Specifications, Features The Vivo Y28s 5G sports a 6.56-inch HD+ (720 x 1,612 pixels) LCD screen with a 90Hz refresh rate and 840 nits of high brightness level. The handset is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 SoC paired with up to 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB of eMMC 5.1 onboard storage. It ships with Android 14-based Funtouch OS 14. In the camera department, the Vivo Y28s 5G comes with a dual rear camera unit, including a 50-megapixel primary sensor and a 0.08-megapixel secondary sensor. The smartphone carries an 8-megapixel front camera sensor. The Vivo Y28s 5G is backed by a 5,000mAh battery with 15W wired charging support via a USB Type-C port. Connectivity options include 5G, Bluetooth 5.4, GPS, and Wi-Fi. For security, the handset has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. It comes with an IP64 rating for dust and splash resistance. https://www.gadgets360.com/mobiles/news/vivo-y28s-5g-price-india-availability-features-specifications-6714378

Nvidia has updated its new Nvidia App, currently in beta, introducing much-needed features, including G-Sync controls, RTX HDR multi-monitor support, driver rollback, and other user-requested tweaks. Nvidia has been working on the new app since February 2024, aiming to incorporate features of its separate Nvidia Control Panel and GeForce Experience apps into a seamless and simplified one-stop shop for all Nvidia driver updates and game settings. Nvidia claims the app will be exiting its beta testing phase by the end of the year, with a definite plan to phase out the older ones. “Your feedback matters,” Andrew Burnes writes in Nvidia’s announcement post, “and we appreciate your continued support. In future updates, we’ll continue to add the remaining Nvidia Control Panel options, with the goal of unifying the Nvidia Control Panel and GeForce Experience’s key features in one app. “Additionally, we intend to migrate all remaining GeForce Experience users to the new Nvidia app when it exits beta before the end of the year.” Building a better app Previous updates to the app have allowed users to alter their monitor refresh rate, resolution and orientation, which are essential features that have been part of the Nvidia Control Panel app for years. If Nvidia really wants its new app to replace its existing ones, then making sure it offers all of the features its users rely on. The new update adds G-SYNC controls, and, most-interestingly, RTX HDR multi-monitor support. RTX HDR is a filter that uses AI to bring High Dynamic Range to games that weren’t designed for it, which can have a big impact on visual quality. Using it in a game is seamless; it can be activated just by typing ALT+Z, and its potential is huge: out of Nvidia’s 50 most-played GeForce games, only 12 offer HDR support. Games running on Vulkan, DirectX 9, 11, and 12 will benefit from the enhanced experience on multiple HDR-capable monitors at once. The app also contains updates introduced based on user feedback. Now you can view system stats and latency info in game and on your desktop, and frame rates from the “heads up display” settings tab. You can also adjust how and which stats are shown, and sort and filter your games and apps, hide programs and remove manually-added programs. The app update was released on October 1 , 2024. Users will have to install the new app beta update and GeForce Game Ready Driver 565.90 WHQL driver to take advantage of these new features. User feedback has certainly appeared to have had a positive influence on the app’s development. Nvidia encourages users to continue sending feedback, which they can do via a button at the top right of the app. Meanwhile, features still to come include custom resolutions, surround options and multi-monitor setup. It’s good to see big companies like Nvidia listening to their customers – as sometimes it can feel like they can forget about us and putting their financial interests first. This is especially important when making big changes to apps many of us use every day. Other companies *cough* Microsoft *cough* would do well to remember this. https://www.techradar.com/computing/software/nvidias-new-app-gets-a-major-upgrade-and-proves-the-company-is-finally-listening-to-gamers