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The search for Cinnamon the capybara, missing from a zoo since Friday, has been halted over fears she could move to a dangerous area. She escaped from her enclosure at Hoo Zoo in Telford, Shropshire, and was last seen on Wednesday night along with fresh tracks and droppings, keepers said. Searches for Cinnamon will resume this Friday night amid concerns that continued disturbances in the area could make her relocate. Her current location is near a Ministry of Defence site and the zoo said they were concerned if she moved there, they might not be able to recapture her. The capybara has been spotted for two nights in a row in a field about 200m (650ft) away from her home. The zoo thanked people for their support and added Cinnamon "has captured the hearts of so many people from all around the world".Cinnamon was born at the zoo alongside brother Churro and is now around one year old. The zoo posted on Facebook: “Last night our keepers were again working through the night to try and recapture Cinnamon. “She was spotted again by a thermal drone within 5m of the same location from Tuesday night. “Unfortunately this area is extremely dense with almost impenetrable undergrowth that Cinnamon can easily move under but we cannot.”They said it looked as if Cinnamon was happy where she was. “At present she is comfortable, content, not short on food and not at risk to predators so it's better that we take our time and recapture Cinnamon with the least amount of stress possible,” they added. The zoo said there were several live traps in the area and these would still be checked throughout the day while the search operation was paused. Mass searches would resume on Friday night unless things changed in the meantime, they added. Are capybaras an endangered species? Capybara are not an endangered species, according to The International Union for Conservation of Nature They are sometimes referred to as the giant guinea pig and they are the world’s largest rodent species Capybaras are native to South America and can grow to more than 1m (3ft) in length They are highly social animals and are usually found living in small herds on grassland, in tropical rainforest, as well as in wetlands across the continent They eat grass and aquatic plants and often eat their own droppings as digesting their food a second time helps to absorb nutrients Capybaras have webbed feet and their eyes, ears and nostrils are on top of their heads, allowing them to stay mostly submerged in water for long periods of time https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr5468p7eymo

Over 1,000 participants from 34 countries competed in four sports on the Brazilian sand as the first-ever 'FISU Beach Sports World University Champions' took place in Rio de Janeiro from 3 to 8 September. Beach Handball was included alongside Beach Volleyball, Beach Soccer and Beach Wrestling on the famous Botafogo beach with the host nation taking both the men's and women's Beach Handball titles. The women's competition featured five teams and 14 games, including Brazil (BRA), Poland (POL), Uruguay (URU), Argentina (ARG) and Chile (CHI), while the men's competition featured four of the same teams, with the exception of Poland, played across 10 games. After three days of preliminary round action, the top four in each group went through to semi-final action after a rest day. At the end of the women's preliminary round, Brazil topped the group, followed by Poland, Uruguay and Argentina, while Chile finished fifth and missed out on a semi-final spot. The men's competition saw the same order of teams after the preliminary round - with the exception of Poland - as Brazil finished in first place, followed by Uruguay, Argentina and Chile. On their way to winning gold, Brazil's women won all six of their games 2-0 without dropping a set, including a 2-0 (24:18, 16:14) semi-final victory over Argentina and 2-0 (23:14, 22:15) gold medal win over the sole European side, Poland. The Polish team had overcome Uruguay via shoot-out in the semi-final 2-1 (16:18, 13:10, SO 7:4), but the South American side overcame their disappointment to defeat Uruguay 6:5 in a shoot-out after Argentina's fifth strike was deemed to be a single-point. Brazil's men also won all their games on the way to gold, but they were sent to a shoot-out twice in their five matches. Firstly, against Uruguay in the preliminary round, which saw them win an epic contest 2-1 after a 16:14 shoot-out, and then in the final, against the Uruguayans again, this time the shoot-out was secured 9:6. Chile, who Brazil had beaten in the semi-final, came back against Argentina in the bronze medal match to win 2-0 after a tight second set victory (25:24). 2024 FISU World University Championship Beach Sports Beach Handball - Rankings Men's Competition 1. Brazil 2. Uruguay 3. Chile 4. Argentina Women's Competition 1. Brazil 2. Poland 3. Uruguay 4. Argentina 5. Chile Beach Handball - Results Women's Competition Preliminary Round POL-CHI 2-0 (28:4, 22:16) URU-ARG 2-0 (16:14, 12:8) CHI-BRA 0-2 (9:24, 10:28) ARG-POL 0-2 (18:28, 16:18) BRA-URU 2-0 (13:12, 15:12) ARG-CHI 2-0 (20:14, 18:12) URU-POL 0-2 (8:20, 14:20) BRA-ARG 2-0(20:12, 26:10) CHI-URU 0-2 (18:20, 10:14) POL-BRA 0-2 (14:20, 10:26) Semi-Finals BRA vs ARG 2-0 (24:18, 16:14) POL vs URU 2-1 (16:18, 13:10, SO 7:4) Bronze ARG vs URU 1-2 (12:22, 14:8, SO 5:6) Gold/Final BRA vs POL 2-0 (23:14, 22:15) Men's Competition Preliminary Round BRA-CHI 2-0 (17:12, 22:18) ARG-URU 0-2 (14:15, 22:24) URU-BRA 1-2 (12:16, 16:14, SO 14:16) CHI-ARG 0-2 (26:28, 12:17) BRA-ARG 2-0 (15:14, 22:16) URU-CHI 2-1 (24:26, 19:18, SO 7:6) Semi-Finals BRA vs CHI 2-0 (22:14, 16:12) URU vs ARG 2-0 (28:15, 19:18) Bronze CHI vs ARG 2-0 (24:16, 25:24) Gold/Final BRA vs URU 2-1 (19:14, 10:15, SO 9:6) The FISU (Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire, or 'International University Sports Federation') was founded in 1949 and aims to '.expand the role and reach of university sport around the world', according to its website. https://www.ihf.info/media-center/news/beach-handball-hit-debut-fisu-world-university-championship-beach-sports

UEFA is proud to announce the launch of the second edition of its Champions Innovate programme, designed to address meaningful contemporary challenges faced in the world today, fostering innovation to create a genuine legacy. Originally conceived by the UEFA innovation hub Champions Innovate is a collaborative partnership between UEFA, the City of Munich, the German Football Association (DFB) and UEFA Champions League commercial partners Mastercard and adidas which aims to leave a lasting impact on Munich, the 2025 UEFA Champions League final host city. Together with the City of Munich, UEFA has agreed upon the key strategic policy of promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles, with startup companies in those fields invited to propose ideas to meet specific challenges identified by Mastercard and adidas. Mastercard will implement its vision of using the power of football to connect, inspire and serve as a force for good by supporting and inspiring the citizens of Munich with a purposeful digital innovation that makes sport – especially football – more inclusive and accessible for everyone. Its aim is to remove the obstacles which prevent participation in organised sport. Meanwhile, adidas is seeking to harness the excitement generated by the UEFA Champions League final to make more fans, especially from the younger generation, fall in love with practising sport, and football in particular – encouraging them away from screens and to become more active, creating beneficial lifelong habits. The programme, open to startups worldwide, will run from this autumn, and UEFA’s partners will mentor the selected startups throughout the process, holding workshops in winter and spring before the pilot projects are presented and celebrated at a final showcase event in Munich two days ahead of the UEFA Champions League final, which will serve as the launchpad for continued collaboration. https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/0291-1be42fbba9c2-bf7af423d62f-1000--uefa-promotes-healthy-and-active-lifestyle-through-lates/

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) overwhelmingly adopted a resolution calling for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories within a year and the imposition of sanctions for non-compliance. UN member states passed the nonbinding resolution on Wednesday, with 124 votes in favour, 14 against and 43 abstentions, the Palestinian delegation heralding the adoption as “historic”. The measure isolates Israel days before world leaders travel to New York for the UNGA, with six days of speeches from world leaders kicking off on September 24. Here are some of the reactions to the vote from countries and international organisations: Palestine’s ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour called the vote a turning point “in our struggle for freedom and justice”. “It sends a clear message that Israel’s occupation must end as soon as possible and that the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination must be realised,” he said. Israel’s ambassador to the UN Danny Danon slammed the vote as “a shameful decision that backs the Palestinian Authority’s diplomatic terrorism”. “Instead of marking the anniversary of the October 7 massacre by condemning Hamas and calling for the release of all 101 of the remaining hostages, the General Assembly continues to dance to the music of the Palestinian Authority, which backs the Hamas murderers,” he said. Palestinian Authority PA President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the resolution and urged countries across the world to take steps to pressure Israel to adhere to it. “The international consensus over this resolution renews the hopes of our Palestinian people – who are facing a comprehensive aggression and genocide in Gaza and the West Bank, including Jerusalem – to achieve its aspirations of freedom and independence and establish a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital,” he said. Oren Marmorstein, spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on X that the resolution was “a distorted decision that is disconnected from reality, encourages terrorism and harms the chances for peace”. United States The US mission to the UN called the resolution “one-sided”, pointing to its failure to recognise that Hamas, “a terrorist organization”, still exerts power in Gaza and that Israel has a right to defend itself. “This resolution will not bring about tangible progress for Palestinians,” the US said. “In fact, it could both complicate efforts to end the conflict in Gaza and impede reinvigorating steps toward a two-state solution, while ignoring Israel’s very real security concerns.” Qatar The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that the adoption of the resolution by a majority of 124 countries clearly reflected the justice of the Palestinian cause, representing broad international recognition of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination as a natural, legal and historical right. The ministry voiced hopes that all countries would comply with their obligations under international law and implement the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination. Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed al-Budaiwi, the secretary-general of the GCC – which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates – welcomed the UNGA’s call on Israel to end its occupation of Palestine. He said it confirmed “the right of the Palestinian people to reclaim their occupied lands” and showed that Israel’s actions, including the expansion of settlements, lack recognition at regional and international levels. Organization of Islamic Cooperation The OIC, which comprises 57 mostly Muslim-majority states, said the decision by the UNGA “expresses the international consensus” on the Palestinian right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent and sovereign state, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa. It also called on the global community to “take individual and collective measures” to ensure that Israel complies with its obligations under international law. European Union European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement: “The UN General Assembly has forcefully reaffirmed its commitment to the realisation of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, including its right to an independent and sovereign State, living side by side in peace and security with Israel, in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly.” Amnesty International Secretary-General Agnes Callamard said the resolution “makes crystal clear” that Israel’s 57-year occupation “cannot be allowed to continue any longer”. “For decades Israel’s unlawful occupation has brought injustice, bloodshed and suffering to Palestinians on a mass scale. Over the past 11 months, the systematic human rights violations that are a hallmark of Israel’s brutal occupation and system of apartheid have drastically intensified,” she said, adding that Israel should comply with the resolution immediately by withdrawing its forces from the occupied West Bank and Gaza and removing its settlers from the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Human Rights Watch Louis Charbonneau, UN director at the international human rights group, said: “Israel should immediately heed the demand of an overwhelming majority of UN member states.” https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/19/world-reacts-to-un-vote-calling-on-israel-to-end-palestinian-occupation

Back in the 2010s, the world of gaming was not so obsessed with live service business models as it is now, but publishers were already starting to see online features as a weapon in their war against the used game trade. The result was that, for a short window of time, primarily singleplayer games would often have a multiplayer mode bolted on to try and give them greater longevity—whether it made any sense or not. For the most part, these modes were bad, clearly rushed into being by overworked developers for games that had no business having them. Almost all of them were short-lived—if not undone by their own flaws, then quickly out-competed by Call of Duty at the height of its powers. But a few still surprised us with unexpected strokes of brilliance, and sometimes their throwaway nature would allow for bold, interesting experiments that you'd probably never see in a major multiplayer game today. So here's an ode to my favourite unnecessary multiplayer modes—remembered fondly by the few who haven't already forgotten them. Why it was cool: There weren't exactly high hopes for Assassin's Creed multiplayer, but Ubisoft really pulled it off. Dropped into a map full of NPCs, each player was assigned another player to find and eliminate, creating a wonderfully tense game of cat and mouse where you'd often be both hunter and hunted—or competing with other players for the same target. To avoid detection, you had to learn to move and act like an NPC, steadily sliding through the crowds towards your target. Points were awarded not just for volume of kills, but how difficult and stylish your method was. Pricking a target's neck with poison and walking away silently before they even realised they were dying was an absolute rush. As you climbed the ranks, you'd find the best players had become experts in increasingly sinister mind games with both their targets and their pursuers. Fatal flaw: It was a very niche multiplayer experience bolted on to a mainstream open world game, and Ubisoft's attempts to cater to everyone undermined it. Too often there'd be someone in your match electing to parkour around without any subtlety or deception at all. It was understandable that people would assume they could just act like they did in the singleplayer, but while the chaos they caused would make them unlikely to win, they'd also ruin the game for everyone trying to play it seriously by disrupting carefully planned kills. That problem was made worse by Ubisoft's attempts to cater to all playstyles by including abilities such as the hidden gun, a weapon that could kill instantly at range. It earned few points and made plenty of noise, but those downsides didn't stop it sucking the fun out of matches and encouraging poor play.The mode did last several games—after Brotherhood it was in Revelations, Assassin's Creed 3, and Black Flag, though bear in mind this was a time when the series was annualised and even more iterative than it is now. But it felt less focused each time it came back and never seemed to gain significant traction, and eventually Ubisoft gave up on it completely. Why it was cool: Some would say an unnecessary multiplayer mode for an unnecessary sequel, but like the game's surprisingly good singleplayer campaign, BioShock 2's PvP mode was much better than it had any right to be. The atmospheric setting of Rapture made for an excellent backdrop for chaotic FPS battles, with plasmids giving players all sorts of fun tricks to play on each other. Its most interesting twist was an appropriately in-depth narrative layer. Between matches you'd return to your character's apartment, full of little details and hints about their life. As you levelled up, you'd unlock new tidbits of story in the form of messages from Sinclair Solutions—and your character themselves would change, growing more mutated and grotesque from plasmid abuse. Fatal flaw: Unfortunately the 2010s was also the era of Games for Windows Live, a platform whose buggy and temperamental implementation ruined many a multiplayer experience. I don't know if all of BioShock 2's server lag and connectivity issues were the fault of GfWL, but what I do know is I spent more time reading error messages than I did actually playing. Such problems soon killed any momentum this multiplayer mode might have gained. When BioShock 2 was remastered in 2016—only six years on—they didn't even bother including it. Why it was cool: By the time BioWare got to Mass Effect 3, the developer knew how to make cool third-person shooter combat, and the multiplayer took advantage of that by transplanting it into tense, four-player co-op missions. Specialised roles added greater tactical depth to the battles against geth, Cerberus, and the collectors, forcing strong teamwork in order to get past enemy defences. But they also gave us the chance to play as the setting's various alien races—a thrill after being stuck as the human Shepherd for the rest of the trilogy. Fatal flaw: Over the course of Mass Effect 3's singleplayer campaign, one of your major goals was to accumulate 'War Assets' in various ways, with the best ending gated behind reaching the maximum level. Multiplayer matches contributed to that too, which was a fun idea in principle. The problem was, at launch it was only possible to reach maximum War Assets if you did grind out a fair bit of multiplayer, and those who weren't interested felt punished for sticking to singleplayer. In a game already embroiled in controversy over its story choices and ending, it only added more fuel to the fire. It cast a pall over the entire mode, even though it was broadly speaking well-liked (and the game was later patched to make War Assets requirements less stringent). Again, this is one that was deliberately left by the wayside—when the entire trilogy was re-released as Mass Effect Legendary Edition, the multiplayer was simply dropped. Why it was cool: This quirky FPS felt like a bit of a throwback even back in 2010, but its time mani[CENSORED]tion gimmicks—your "TMD" gauntlet allowing you to move objects through time, age enemies to death, and… er, mani[CENSORED]te gravity, for some reason—helped it stand out. The multiplayer similarly was memorable for its novelty, allowing you to play on the side of the TMD-equipped soldiers, or as one of the mutated monsters they're attempting to exterminate. Playing as a phasing, explosive barrel-chucking ghoul, or a wall-crawling, explosive insect was great fun—though even as a soldier you could do things like phasing through walls or going invisible. It was the kind of chaotic, weird, asymmetric fun that's exceedingly rare in our current era of balance-obsessed game design. Fatal flaw: Honestly, I'm not sure Singularity itself was ever po[CENSORED]r enough for this one to have a chance of getting off the ground. For those that did play, the problem was that gameplay based on novelty soon wears out its welcome—once you'd gotten to play as all the different monsters, there wasn't a ton of reason left to stick around, especially as neither mutants nor soldiers had as broad and interesting an array of abilities as the singleplayer campaign's protagonist. The Spies vs Mercs mode technically isn't allowed on this list (it started in 2004, and while it did get its final outing in the 2010s, that's only because that's the last time we got a Splinter Cell game), but its asymmetric hijinks are too fondly remembered not to at least get a mention. Batman: Arkham Origins Speaking of Spies vs Mercs, this rare Batman multiplayer mode was riffing on a similar asymmetrical-with-stealth idea, but with two gangs of henchmen warring against each other while Batman and Robin snuck around trying to take down both. Max Payne 3 Though I wasn't a fan of Rockstar's take on the series (I'm a Remedy die-hard), I have to give Max Payne 3's multiplayer props for its cinematic feel and clever implementation of bullet time, which slowed time only for anyone who stayed in line of sight of the user. Dead Space 2 Similar to Singularity, Dead Space 2's multiplayer pitted humans against Necromorph monsters. It was particularly short-lived—the next game ditched it for an attempt at co-op instead. Tomb Raider The 2013 reboot's combat mechanics did not translate especially well to a 4v4 mode that saw one team trying to scavenge for supplies while the other hunted them. Spec Ops: The Line A lot of these bolted-on multiplayer modes were probably developed under some amount of duress, but I'm not sure any were so obvious about it as Spec Ops: The Line. Its boilerplate military deathmatches ran completely counter to the dark, anti-war narrative of the singleplayer, and its one interesting riff on the formula was the presence of disruptive sandstorms. Once he found out I was writing this list, our staff writer Morgan Park insisted on adding this bonus entry: Red Faction Guerrilla The freeform destruction of the open world singleplayer story translated beautifully to a class-based competitive multiplayer mode. It mixed things up by giving everyone backpacks with unique special abilities, like the power to ram through buildings, heal allies, or leap into the air. Way better than it had any right to be, but unsurprisingly it was hard to get a lobby together not long after launch. https://www.pcgamer.com/games/11-totally-unnecessary-multiplayer-modes-of-the-2010s-that-you-ve-almost-certainly-forgotten-existed/

Samsung Galaxy M55s will be launched in India soon, according to the company. The South Korean firm's upcoming Galaxy M series smartphone will be available in two colour options and feature a 6.7-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The handset will be equipped with a 50-megapixel primary rear camera along with a selfie camera with the same resolution. The Samsung Galaxy M55 (Review) that was launched earlier this year was equipped with a Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset paired with up to 256GB of storage.Samsung Galaxy M55s will be launched in India on September 23, the company announced on Wednesday. The next midrange smartphone from the company will be sold in Coral Green and Thunder Black colourways in India. Samsung is yet to announce RAM and storage configurations for the upcoming Galaxy M55s handset. A microsite on Amazon has revealed some of the specifications of the Samsung Galaxy M55s, ahead of its debut. The smartphone is confirmed to sport a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 1,000nits peak brightness. Samsung says that the phone has a thickness of 7.8mm, which is identical to the Galaxy M55 model that was launched in India in April. Samsung is also touting the camera specifications of the Galaxy M55s, ahead of the smartphone's debut. It is confirmed to feature a 50-megapixel rear camera with optical image stabilisation (OIS), along with an 8-megapixel ultrawide camera and a 2-megapixel macro camera. It will support both Samsung's 'Nightography' low light camera features and No Shake Cam mode.According to the company, the Samsung Galaxy M55s will also be equipped with a 50-megapixel selfie camera. The handset will let users capture images and video simultaneous using the front and rear cameras. Other details related to the Galaxy M55s are likely to be revealed in the days leading up to its debut. https://www.gadgets360.com/mobiles/news/samsung-m55s-india-launch-date-specifications-expected-galaxy-6595495

September is shaping up to be one helluva month for virtual reality. We got the mid-range Pico 4 Ultra a couple of weeks ago – alongside its impressive motion trackers for bringing accurate foot tracking into compatible software – and in a week’s time, Meta Connect 2024 will kick off – which is where the much-leaked budget Meta Quest 3S will probably get shown off. And right now we’ve been introduced to a brand-new high-end headset from HTC with the Vive Focus Vision. Preorders are live as you’re reading this for $999 / £999 / AU$1,899, and with this XR headset, Vive is promising some impressive hardware. We’re talking dual 2448 x 2448 pixel per eye displays with support for up to 90Hz (or 120Hz when used for DisplayPort mode), an FOV up to 120 degrees, 12GB of RAM, a Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset for standalone VR experiences, dual 16MP color cameras for mixed reality passthrough, and eye-tracking to top it all off. Two features I’m particularly excited for however are 1) the easy-to-clean PU leather trim for the padding – fabric padding needs to be a thing of the past, and silicon or synthetic leather accessories certainly not a paid add-on *cough* Meta *cough* Pico – and (the bigger of the two) 2) DisplayPort mode.I mentioned it briefly above, but for people after a PCVR setup, the presence of this feature should instantly raise the profile of the HTC Vive Focus Vision for you. When it launches later this year DisplayPort allows you to connect your headset directly to your computer’s graphics card for a lossless visual experience – allowing you to put the Vive Focus Vision’s displays to great use. It was rumored to appear on the next Pico headset, but didn’t materialize with the recent Ultra – something which left a lot of us a little disappointed. Unfortunately, I haven’t yet had the chance to try out the new Vive headset, but based on what I’ve heard I’m desperate to see if it’s the standalone-PCVR-hybrid headset that plenty of users have been waiting for. If that includes you one advantage for getting a preorder in while you can is it’ll include the VIVE Wired Streaming Kit for DisplayPort mode for free – usually it’d cost you £159 (US and Australia prices to come). You’ll also get one of three free bundles of games called the PC VR Wild Pack, PC VR Epic Pack, or MR Fun Pack. At the time of writing, it's not clear what games these packs include though they should each contain around four titles based on the details of the promotion. https://www.techradar.com/computing/virtual-reality-augmented-reality/new-vive-focus-vision-is-perfect-for-pcvr-thanks-to-one-feature-the-meta-quest-3-lacks

This morning, Fractal Design released the Fractal Design Era 2, a successor to the Fractal Design Era we reviewed in 2020. The Era featured flexible layout options and aesthetics, but the airflow and noise levels were notably abysmal. While we don't yet have this new unit on hand to test, it seems to be built explicitly to address prior critiques of airflow and cooling performance, refining the previous design to a more performant chassis. The Era 2 is a compact mini-ITX case with a footprint of 366 x 165 x 314 mm. It can house GPUs with a thickness between 48 and 63mm and a maximum length of 326mm. The case is ready for Nvidia's GeForce gaming graphics cards, which conform to the chipmaker's SFF guidelines. Regarding the power supply, Era 2 supports SFX and SFX-L units. Meanwhile, CPU air coolers under 70mm will also fit inside the Era 2. If you're a fan of liquid cooling, a 280mm radiator can fit up top. Four 120mm fan mounts provide adequate cooling and airflow inside the case. The two top mounts support 120mm and 140mm fans, whereas the two bottom mounts are limited to 120mm fans. Besides the above-listed specifications, it's worth noting that the Era 2 comes in one of three color configurations: Era 2 Silver, Era 2 Charcoal Gray, and Era 2 Midnight Blue. The Charcoal Gray version is highlighted in the main press release and pictured above. It's undoubtedly a fashionable-looking chassis and seems to be a good performer for Mini ITX, but the asking price of $199.99 might be a little high for some of our readers, justifiably. Fractal Design has a good reputation as a case manufacturer. Usually, it prices these things reasonably, though $199 may still push it a little too hard for an SFF PC case, in this humble writer's opinion. According to its official product page, the mini-ITX Fractal Design Era 2 is now available for $199 through B&H Photo and Video or Newegg. https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/pc-cases/fractal-design-has-a-new-mini-itx-case-for-dollar199-era-2-is-the-follow-up-with-improved-airflow-over-the-original-era

A fox has been freed after getting its head trapped in a plastic container. Staff at animal rescue centre Secret World in Bridgwater, Somerset, were called out after the animal was found in a garden. Volunteers arrived and put the fox in a cage, but could not remove the container by themselves. Vets at Green Pastures, in Weston-super-Mare, took the fox in, sedated him and were then able to remove the container.Charlotte Wroe, from Secret World, said: "We brought him back to the centre so we could monitor him after his ordeal and sedation. "He was really tuckered out and slept most of the day snuggled into his blanket." The fox was later released back into the wild. Secret World said people should be more mindful of leaving rubbish out that could endanger animals. "This is a good reminder to always put your rubbish in the bin because it maybe a danger to wildlife," they said on their social media channels. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c79nze3y9g1o

] Glasgow is to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games after a deal was backed by the Scottish government. A scaled-down version of the event, featuring fewer sports and athletes, will return to the city 12 years after it last hosted the Games. The Australian state of Victoria was originally chosen to stage the multi-sport event but withdrew as host due to rising costs. Australian authorities have promised "a multi-million pound investment" to help finalise the deal. Health and Sport Minister Neil Gray held talks with Commonwealth Games Australia on Monday to discuss funding, and received the assurances the Scottish government were looking for. It has now written to the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) to officially back a "a scaled back, but high-quality" event which will see see 10 sports take place across four venues in the city. The compulsory sports of Athletics and Swimming will be held at Scotstoun Stadium and Tollcross International Swimming Centre but the additional venues, as well as the dates for the event, have not yet been confirmed.Gray said the fact that the city was asked to step in and host the games was a "testament to Glasgow and Scotland’s fantastic reputation for hosting international events". He said: "In 2026 all eyes will once again be on Glasgow, and I have every confidence that Scotland’s largest city will provide a fitting platform for some of the world’s top athletes.” The minister added that CGS would be responsible for the budget and delivery of the event. He told BBC Scotland News: "If there is a situation where we go beyond a very substantial contingency, CGS will need to look at the way then Games are being delivered rather than calling on either the UK or Scottish government for resource." He added that he hoped a more "sustainable offering" would allow for a more "diverse mix of countries to host the games in the future". Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said this was a "positive outcome" for both Glasgow and the Commonwealth Games. He said: "There are still a few hoops to jump through but I'm very much looking forward to an incredible celebration of sport and seeing Scottish athletes in action in front of a home crowd."CGF president Chris Jenkins said it would work closely with Commonwealth Games Scotland to formally announce Glasgow as the host city as soon a possible. He said: "We believe Glasgow 2026 will be an important first step in our commitment to reset and reframe the Commonwealth Games as a co-created, sustainable model that minimises costs, inspires athletes, and excites hosts and International federations." He confirmed that Commonwealth Games Australia had contributed £2.3m to "enhance the event". Ian Reid, chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS), said he was "delighted" at the confirmation. He said: “We have been clear from the outset that our Games concept for Glasgow 2026 aligns with the CGF's strategy to make the Games more accessible for future hosts, whilst ensuring that public funds are not required.Mr Reid added: "Glasgow is one of the few cities in the Commonwealth that can deliver on time given its world-class facilities, experienced workforce and strong supply chain. “This is a really exciting opportunity and we will be working hard over the coming days to bring the final pieces of the puzzle together." A final decision was taken at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning. Organisers have stated the Games will come at no cost to the public purse, with funding coming from compensation paid to the CGF after the Australians pulled out. The UK government will provide financial support in the event of any increased security threat but had refused to completely underwrite the Games. Gray previously insisted that there was "a reputation risk as well as financial risk" for Scotland in taking on hosting duties again, and that no public funds could be used. The total budget for the Games is expected to be about £114m. Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar said: “Glasgow is a great city, but it is in need of economic investment and renewal. “By hosting the games, we can showcase Glasgow and Scotland on the international stage and bring investment and tourism here. “This is our chance to complete the legacy of the 2014 games, show global leadership and deliver the change that Glasgow needs."Sandesh Gulhane, Scottish Conservatives' health spokesman, welcomed the "fantastic news" that is set to be delivered at "no cost to hard-pressed taxpayers". “This will put Glasgow on the map around the world and is an ideal chance to promote everything that is great about it," he said. "However, I hope by then that the state of our city is much improved compared to how it looks now." Glasgow last hosted the Games in 2014 at a cost of £543m, with 17 sports taking place in an event praised by organisers as the best ever. The 2026 version will be a more modest affair, but it it is not yet clear which sports will be cut. There will be no athlete’s village and any opening and closing ceremonies are expected to be scaled back. Former Team Scotland athlete and swimmer, Hannah Miley told BBC Scotland News the Commonwealth Games was a "special event" for athletes. She said: “There were so many great memories from 2014 so to have it again in 2026, I think will be a great opportunity. “Being able to compete in front of a home nation is something not many athletes get to do. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” The retired swimmer added that while it was amazing that Glasgow would be hosting the Games again, she had “mixed emotions” that some sports would not be included. In 2021, the CGF agreed that athletics and swimming would be made compulsory sports, while events such as Archery and Boxing would be made core sports. It is not yet clear which sports will be excluded from the 2026 Games.The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has struggled to find hosts for the event in recent years. Durban was supposed to be the first city in Africa to stage the Games in 2022, but were stripped of hosting rights in 2017 after running into money troubles. Birmingham and the British government intervened to save the event, stumping up a combined $1bn for what became the best attended Games on record. Victoria then dropped out in July 2023 after the projected cost for the event became "well and truly too much" for the state to bear, while other possible hosts such as Malaysia and Singapore declined to step in. The 12-day competition was expected to cost more than A$6 bn (£3.13bn; $4.09bn).Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken said she believed Glasgow could help to make the new Commonwealth Games model a “success”. Addressing concerns about the condition of Glasgow’s city centre, she told BBC Radio Scotland’s Drivetime programme: “This narrative was in play before the 2014 commonwealth games as well and every single time we have delivered a highly successful event which has had the organisers and the spectators going away delighted and indeed coming back for more.” Aitken said that significant investment into the city centre, including projects at George Square would not be postponed because of the event. She added that the CGF would include some investment into Glasgow’s sporting facilities and the council would negotiate for “a bit of an extra boost” to help support cleansing services for the city. Leon Thompson, executive director of UK Hospitality Scotland, said: "The Games will deliver an economic boost to Glasgow, as well as creating opportunities to promote the city’s attractions over the next few years as it prepares to welcome visitors from across the world." He added that hospitality businesses would benefit from increased footfall but called on Glasgow City Council to ensure "economic and reputational benefits" were maximised. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce8ddeeklxko

Despite residing in a stunning Tribeca penthouse, Mariah Carey's finances reveal a more complex situation. The music superstar has accumulated $18.6 million in mortgages on the Manhattan property, primarily through cash-out loans. While Carey earns substantial royalties from her iconic holiday hit All I Want For Christmas Is You, her lavish spending habits appear to require additional funding. Known for her extravagant lifestyle, Carey reportedly spends around $1 million monthly on high-end clothes, extravagant gifts, and costly luxuries. Insiders speculate that her 2016 breakup with billionaire James Packer may have been driven, in part, by her desire for wealth. Carey's expenses include: - $45,000 spa treatments for her pets - $100,000 monthly on exotic flowers - $10,000 per session for hair and makeup Carey purchased her Tribeca penthouse for $9 million in 1999 and has refinanced the property multiple times, borrowing millions against its value. Her borrowing history includes: - $8 million loan in 2009 - $2.6 million loan in 2015 - $17.6 million refinance in 2016, netting nearly $10 million - Further increase to $18.6 million in 2018 Despite an estimated $350 million net worth, Carey has been offloading assets, including selling her Atlanta mansion at a significant loss of $1.73 million. Financial experts suggest her cash flow may be inconsistent, with most of her income being seasonal. However, Carey still holds significant equity in her Tribeca property, valued between $30 and $35 million, allowing her to continue leveraging the asset through loans. https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1231465-mariah-careys-extravagant-lifestyle-fueled-by-cash-out-loans

A supermoon has lit up the sky across the world coinciding with a rare partial lunar eclipse. The Moon could be seen to appear brighter and bigger on Tuesday night. Supermoons happen when the Moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit. A rare partial lunar eclipse - when the Earth's shadow covers part of the Moon - also happened with about 4% of the Moon's disc covered in darkness. Overnight from Tuesday into Wednesday, the partial lunar eclipse was visible in the UK, Europe, North and South America and the whole of Africa. In the UK it occurred between 01:40 BST and 05:47, reaching its peak at 03:44. For those in the US, the eclipse is visible between 20:41 EST and 00:47 - or 22:44 at its maximum. This month's full moon - known as the Harvest moon - is the second of four "supermoons" this year. There will be two total lunar eclipses visible from the UK next year - on 14 March and 7 September. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz7jwprepl9o

It only took two days for modder Siegfre to crack open Baldur's Gate 3's official mod tools, unlocking a level editor that could let fans create their own custom modules or even full campaigns. A week later, and that's already started to bear fruit, with some modders sharing images and videos of playable custom levels. The most impressive creations I've seen so far come from a channel simply called S on YouTube, with the standout being a work in progress take on Avernus, the top layer of the Forgotten Realms' Nine Hells and a significant part of Baldur's Gate 3's backstory⁠—we also briefly glimpse it in-game through the Nautiloid tutorial and House of Hope endgame dungeon. S seems to have used a combination of assets from the Shadow Cursed Lands, as well as from the Avernus bits in the final game (like that really distinctive skybox with a floating fortress) to produce the area, which somewhat resembles Caelid from Elden Ring.The Avernus mockup is particularly exciting because it looks very different from the base game's areas despite being made from repurposed stock assets. Also, crucially, we've got environmental storytelling skeletons here—that's how you know it's real. Elsewhere on their channel, S has a prototype level consisting of a lighthouse on a rocky outcrop, though its in-editor working name implies it might have been intended to be an Underdark location that just hasn't had the proper skybox implemented yet. Another modder, Lotrich, has produced a small wilderness area that resembles the original party camp of the base game. Crucible Gaming, meanwhile, has a tutorial on creating new maps, as well as ones for implementing dialogue and scripting. Going off S' video descriptions, some of these modders are organizing a Discord server to collaborate and share findings related to the level editor. Most of these demos are shown running in debug mode within the editor itself, but Crucible Gaming does show how to export a map into Baldur's Gate 3 proper. These are exclusively proof-of-concept works, and I haven't yet seen any available for download, but this is still some impressive progress for how little time we've had access to the level editor, which wasn't even meant for public use in the first place. I'm hoping this will result in a long tail of fanmade mod projects like we saw with Skyrim, Half-Life, or Neverwinter Nights. https://www.pcgamer.com/games/baldurs-gate/baldur-s-gate-3-modders-are-already-using-its-jailbroken-level-editor-to-make-the-game-s-first-custom-maps-including-a-proof-of-concept-level-in-hell/

Samsung announced on Tuesday that it is opening up pre-reservations ahead of the launch of its upcoming flagship Galaxy tablets in India. Prospective buyers can pre-book the tablets at a nominal cost and take advantage of early access benefits, in addition to being the first ones to get it post-launch. This development comes amidst rumours that the Galaxy Tab S10 series could make its debut soon, with its renders and specifications already having surfaced online. Samsung Galaxy Tablets Pre-Reserve In a press release, Samsung announced that pre-reservations for its upcoming flagship Galaxy tablets has now begun. Buyers can make the pre-reservation at a price of Rs. 1,000. Alongside receiving the tablet in the initial days after launch, they will also be able to enjoy benefits worth Rs. 3,499. The pre-reserve is available on Samsung website, Samsung India Smart Cafés, e-commerce platforms including Amazon and Flipkart, and Samsung's authorised retail stores across India. While the technology conglomerate did not delve into the details about its upcoming tablets, the teaser suggests they will be powered by Galaxy AI – the company's suite of artificial intelligence (AI) features. It is speculated to be the Galaxy Tab S10 series that have been rumoured to debut this year comprising two models: Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ and Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra. Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Series Specifications (Expected) Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ and Galaxy S10 Ultra are reported to feature 12.3-inch and 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays. The Galaxy Tab S10+ is tipped to come with up to 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra may have 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. For optics, the Galaxy Tab S10+ is speculated to be equipped with a single 12-megapixel front camera, whereas the Ultra model may sport dual 12-megapixel selfie cameras. At the back, both tablets are reported to feature a dual rear camera unit comprising a 13-megapixel primary camera and an 8-megapixel ultrawide sensor.Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ may be backed by a 10,090mAh battery, whereas the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra could have an 11,200mAh battery. https://www.gadgets360.com/tablets/news/samsung-galaxy-tab-s10-launch-in-india-pre-reserve-offers-6586748

Microsoft’s latest update for Windows 11 arrived last week, and the patch for September 2024 delivers some nice boosts for PC gaming on some machines with AMD Ryzen processors - but it has emerged there are some catches reportedly present in the form of bugs. The September patch (KB5043076) comes packing the full release of the branch prediction code improvements that benefit Ryzen 7000 or newer CPUs that we saw in last month’s optional update. We’re talking about frame rate boosts to the tune of 10% or more in some cases, which will doubtless delight gamers. (These improvements were actually witnessed in Windows 11 24H2 first, but were backported to the current 23H2 version). Because of this major stride for gaming on modern Ryzen processors, more folks have rushed to download the latest cumulative update for Windows 11 - and they’ve encountered some nasty problems. If you install update KB5043076 and face issues, you're not alone Unfortunately, Windows Latest reports that some users have found update KB5043076 fails to install, or they’ve hit other problems like File Explorer crashing when trying to open it from the taskbar. A similar problem with File Explorer was observed in August’s optional update, so it seems that this bug has carried over into the September update. Another problem you might bump into after installing this update is that your device’s Phishing Protection in Windows Security (which is important for keeping you safe from online scams) might be switched off after restarting or shutting down your PC. Furthermore, one user has taken to Microsoft’s Feedback Hub to report issues with specific Windows system files that affect certain key features like User Account Control. Other issues that have been observed are Windows 11’s search feature taking longer than usual to load, certain apps failing to run, issues with internet connectivity, and the PC’s restart and shutdown functions not working. How you can deal with these problems (for now) KB5043076, the update for September 2024, is a mandatory patch, meaning it will automatically be delivered to your Windows 23H2 (or 22H 2) PC. If these reported problems make you nervous, you could pause your updates - although only for up to a month on Windows 11 Home installations. Remember, though, that without the September update, you will be lacking some vital security fixes that are inevitably part of these patches. Those experiencing problems already having installed the September patch could remove it. To do so, simply go to Windows Update (in Settings) and then Update History, where you’ll find the option to Uninstall Updates - here, you can find the patch which is KB5043076 as we’ve mentioned, and elect to uninstall it. After that, you can pause updates (for a month, as noted). Microsoft has yet to comment on these reported issues with the September 2024 update, but we’ll let you know if we hear from the company, or anything about fixes being implemented. We are waiting for the full rollout of Windows 11 version 24H2, which should be coming pretty soon, and patches like this one don’t give me the greatest confidence in Microsoft, it has to be said. https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/latest-windows-11-update-gives-some-pcs-a-real-speed-boost-for-gaming-if-you-dont-run-into-some-reportedly-nasty-bugs

Stealth aircraft, such as the F-22 and F-35, are designed to evade conventional radar systems located on the ground, but they are detectable from space. Chinese scientists have successfully used Starlink satellite signals to detect a stealth target during a radar experiment in the South China Sea. This new method could be applied to future military technology and stealth aircraft detection, reports the South China Morning Post. In the experiment, a DJI Phantom 4 Pro drone, roughly the size of a bird, was used to simulate a stealth aircraft. The radar cross-section of the drone was similar to that of actual stealth fighters. But instead of relying on traditional ground-based radar emissions, the drone was detected by analyzing electromagnetic signals from a Starlink satellite passing over the Philippines. The detection method relies on forward scatter, where an object like a plane or drone disrupts electromagnetic waves from a satellite, causing small signal disturbances, which are captured and analyzed to determine the object's location. This technique does not require the radar to emit signals, making it harder for adversaries to detect or jam. The experiment detected fine details of the drone, including rotor movements, despite challenges like the small antenna and low altitude. The researchers used an undisclosed algorithm and an unspecified high-performance processor to process the captured signals. While the method is still in development and not ready for military use, the technology shows potential for detecting drones and stealth aircraft. With over 6,000 satellites in orbit, Starlink's satellite network is vast, emitting high-frequency signals to provide extensive coverage. Although these signals are encrypted and not available to customers in China, the research team managed to build a receiver using commercially available components to capture and process the data. Traditional stealth aircraft are designed to evade radar detection using special materials and shapes to reduce electromagnetic wave reflections. Meanwhile, drones are usually too small for conventional radar to detect them. However, the Chinese experiment showed that using third-party satellite signals like those from Starlink can bypass these stealth features, making it possible to detect such aircraft regardless of their design. This experiment is part of China's efforts to enhance its anti-stealth capabilities. Other approaches include using large satellite constellations, over-the-horizon radars, and advanced anti-stealth radar systems on warships, all aimed at countering any U.S. military presence in the region.

A three-legged cat from Kent which offers therapy for its owner has been named a finalist in an annual cat awards. William saw off hundreds of rival moggies to secure a place in the final of the Family Cats category in the Cats Protection National Cat Awards 2024. Owner Amber Jackson, 11, who has sensory processing disorder, says petting the two-year-old rescue cat gives her "emotional therapy". Amber's mum Sarah Jackson said: “Amber and William are a team – they have similar personalities."Both are extremely clever and sporty and don’t like me telling them what to do." Ms Jackson also said both William and Amber are "scared of loud noises and comfort each other" when they are unsettled.Ms Jackson said the feline, who she described as a "real explorer", had taught her daughter a lesson in resilience, after his right back leg was amputated because of an injury. "For the six weeks of his convalescence, he stared mournfully out of the window and, as soon as I let him out, he was over the fence and away. "He walks with a wobble but runs like a panther. He’s so brave and completes our little family.” William, who lives in Deal, faces one other contender for the prize, and the winner will be announced on Wednesday. https://bbc.com/news/articles/c1d55gpr1e0o

LAHORE:Kinnaird College for Women hosted a seminar on Monday, focusing on the different aspects of empowering women in sports. The event, organised by the Sports Department was a landmark occasion that addressed critical areas such as mental health, nutrition, and career guidance in sports. Dr Samara Afzal, an advocate for women's empowerment, was the keynote speaker. Her insightful address highlighted the importance of integrating mental health support, nutritional strategies, and career guidance into the development of female athletes. Dr Afzal emphasised that creating a supportive environment that addresses these areas holistically is essential for maximising performance and ensuring long-term success for women in sports. The talk was attended by Prof Dr Masha Asad Khan (Dean Social Sciences), coaching staff, international women cricketers, including former Captain Bismah Maroof, Ayesha Zafar, Kaynat Hafeez, Fareeha Mehmood as well as student athletes of Kinnaird College. Dr Ammara Rubab, Head Sports, Kinnaird College also emphasised on the institution's dedication to fostering an environment that supports the holistic development of its students. The seminar concluded with a Question and Answer session, where attendees engaged with Dr Afzal on various aspects of her presentation, further enriching the discussion. https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1231200-session-on-women-s-empowerment-in-sports

In a recent article published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, researchers present Japanese longevity and the factors that influence it. Background The economic expansion in Japan has resulted in a higher life expectancy and a longer-lived po[CENSORED]tion. Government-led measures like cost-effective health insurance, health checks, and a 1956 law to combat non-communicable illnesses have helped to increase lifespan. Japan has also benefited from changing lifestyle choices, like Washoku (eating until 80% stomach full) and a plant-based diet. The attentive culture and hara-hachi-bu, a Confucian calorie restriction practice, have helped to ensure longevity in Japan. In 2002, the country’s government demanded that residents recognize the value of good living practices and make efforts toward enhancing well-being throughout their lifespan. Japan must confront a shrinking po[CENSORED]tion and the fastest-aging po[CENSORED]tion in the world to ensure its future. About the article The present article discusses the historical context, evolution, and characteristics of Japanese lifestyle medical practices that enhance longevity. Lifestyle medicine development in Japan Yojokun, the first complete lifestyle medicine monograph in Japan, was published in 1713 by Ekiken Kaibara and emphasized the necessity of lifestyle adjustments such as eating less meat, exercising after meals, and working hard. It also stressed the concept of mind-body-environment-nature oneness and positive psychology and moderation. In the nineteenth century, Japan replaced white rice with bread as the primary food for Tsukuba sailors, resulting in no deaths from beriberi. In 1879, Christian Eijkman found that rice bran, which contains vitamin B, can treat peripheral neuritis in birds. In 1928, the establishment of Radio Taiso accelerated the path toward lifestyle medicine in Japan. The program provided exercise guidelines to promote health and protect individuals from tuberculosis. Over time, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, and cancer became the leading causes of mortality in Japan. The government identified primary areas for improvement to prevent lifestyle-related diseases. They included healthy diets, increased physical activity, mental health promotion, smoking cessation, alcohol consumption targets, dental health, and prevention of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Health screenings to detect lifestyle-related disorders became accessible in April 2008. Lifestyle medicine elements that increase longevity Lifestyle medicine began in Japan in 1956 due to worries about the possible rise in the prevalence of non-communicable illnesses. The country's history and natural environment uniquely shaped the subject. Longevity in Japan is associated with economic success, health insurance systems, strong governments, academic evidence-backed campaigns to avoid lifestyle-related illness, and the natural development of Japanese lifestyle patterns with time. The Japanese diet promotes lifespan through the lifetime interplay of specific nutrients, metabolically active chemicals, and the interrelationship of food consumption with its plant-origin diet. The typical Japanese meal pattern comprises single portions of rice and soup with three additional dishes inspired by the country's forest and ocean landscape. Japanese diets contain low-fat fish, seafood, seasonal vegetables, and polyphenol-rich green tea, which has several health advantages. Lifelong employment is another aspect that influences the Japanese lifespan. The socio-centric culture of the country instills a feeling of responsibility for family members and social communities, known as ikigai (purpose of life), which is an optimistic psychological aspect driving the lifestyle of Japanese individuals. Japanese individuals have a unique bond with nature, underpinning the shogyo mujo concept of Buddhism, which states that nothing lasts forever. This perspective on transitory cyclicality helps the Japanese adapt to any situation and develop virtues of calmness, persistence, and tolerance. Promoting longevity and protecting the future Japan is dealing with a growing aging po[CENSORED]tion, deflation, and the necessity to sustain the largest aging society in the world. To address these issues, the government established a local-level system for comprehensive care in 2006, emphasizing self-respect and quality living among elders. The system comprises several caregivers and home visits for elders to provide seamless medical, nursing, rehabilitative, and palliative care. The Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW) and the Nippon Kenko Kaigi organization support advanced preventative and health activities in Japan. The Japan Medical Association (JMA), the Federation of Economic Organizations, the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), local governments, corporations, and medical insurers work together to promote wellness. By 2100, Japan must stabilize its po[CENSORED]tion to 80 million to maintain economic growth, a private group stated in 2024. New measures like hiring overseas workers and establishing new firms are required. Based on the observations, Japanese longevity results from government measures like low-cost health insurance, health screenings, and mindful eating practices. However, the country faces challenges from a dwindling po[CENSORED]tion and requires increased preventative medicine. Japanese policies can serve as a model for other countries aiming to achieve longevity and eliminate non-communicable illnesses. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240916/Exploring-Japanese-medicine-Longevity-lifestyle-and-emerging-health-priorities.aspx

Seventy years after he first fronted a wildlife programme, Sir David Attenborough is keenly aware of the impact they can have. "The world would be in a far, far worse situation now had there been no broadcasting of natural history," he said. "People have found it a source of fascination and beauty and interest, and this has become key to looking after the world." In September 2024, the BBC is marking 90 years of broadcasting from Bristol. We spoke exclusively to Sir David, who has presented many of the programmes made at BBC Bristol's Natural History Unit. When Sir David's broadcasting career began in 1954, just 3.2 million people had television licences in the UK. The goal of programmes like Zoo Quest was to capture wild animals for zoo collections, the accepted practice at the time. Now, Sir David's programmes all carry a strong message - that the natural world is at risk more than ever before. "People are aware of the problems of conservation in a way which could not exist without broadcasting," he said. "The perilous state that the natural world is in at the moment, these things are apparent to people all around the world. "You don't watch a natural history programme, I hope, because you think it's going to be good for the natural world; you do so because it is rivetingly interesting, and complicated, and beautiful. "The awareness of people around the world about ecological damage, that is due to natural history," he added. Bristol's association with wildlife programming goes back to the mid 1940s, when The Naturalist was produced on the Home Service by Desmond Hawkins from the city. "Desmond was the king of natural history broadcasting and an accomplished naturalist," said Sir David. Ten years later, in 1955, wildlife programme Look, presented by Peter Scott, featured pioneering German filmmaker, Heinz Sielmann, the first person to film inside a woodpecker's nest. "This was sensational, everyone in Britain was blown away by this, and because there was only one television network, it was all you talked about at the bus stop when you were going into work," recalls Sir David. The switchboard at the Lime Grove studios was jammed with viewers ringing in to find out more, and it gave the BBC the nudge to set up the Natural History Unit in Bristol in 1957. 'Shows on green slime' In 1979, Sir David presented Life on Earth, a landmark television programme made in Bristol, which attracted around 15 million viewers. "Bristol led the world to be truthful," he said. "It started this with radio, and when television came along, Peter Scott and Desmond Hawkins continued that tradition. "The other big mega power in broadcasting was the United States, and in the 1970s, viewers there thought natural history was just lions attacking antelopes. "Bristol's programmes taught them that termites could be just as interesting. "When we first started trying to get the subscriptions to finance the plans I had, I remember making the mistake in pitching this to an American network controller. "I waxed very eloquently about how the programme would be the history of life from the microscopic beginning, and the executive turned to me and said 'you mean it's going to be about green slime?' "I replied 'more or less,' but we managed to flog it in the end."Sir David's programmes have gone from being shot on 16mm film stock with clockwork cameras in 1954 to ultra high definition 4k in the present day. When he was making Zoo Quest, cameras would only film for 40 seconds before the clockwork motor ran out. Today, filmmakers gather hundreds of hours of video just to capture one special moment which may only last for seconds. "When we started, the film people in London were very derisory about 16mm, they called it 'bootlace'. "We couldn't film on 35mm because we couldn't drag around those enormous great big cameras. "Almost every year, we had better facilities. The film became smaller, the recording apparatus became more sensitive. "I've tried to film Orangutan, and they do absolutely nothing - they just sit in the trees, and they're very difficult to see. "Now along comes a drone, and you can film things that you couldn't possibly ever see from the ground," Sir David said.Sir David was awarded Freedom of the City of Bristol in 2013, to mark his connections with the programmes made there. He almost became a Bristolian, but family life and work pressures intervened. "In 1955, I was told I was to be made head of the Natural History Unit in Bristol, and I said I would prefer not to do so because I had just bought a house in London, my son and daughter were fixed in schools. "I also had responsibility for Prime Ministerial broadcasts with Anthony Eden, which I wasn't all that interested in, but nonetheless I had the responsibilities. "Had it happened three years earlier I probably would have been there. "It is always a joy to visit Bristol, the city has a regional personality. "If you're a broadcaster, particularly a natural history broadcaster, there is nowhere else like Bristol in the world." In his 98th year, Sir David's next programme is a seven-part series called Asia, which will premiere later in 2024. But despite the global acclaim his career has earned him, he remains very modest about his role in the shows he presents. "I'm given huge credit for things that have nothing to do with me, because I speak the words and that's the easiest business part of the entire outfit," he said. "A lot of people think that I'm there recording the programme, working the camera, working out the travel and putting in the expertise, whereas all of these things are part of the team. "People are aware of the problems of conservation in a way that could not exist without broadcasting, and the BBC can claim that we're leading that," he added. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c05j3q07p3yo

Welcome 😊

Years before Baldur's Gate came along, the CRPGS made in the Gold Box engine, including Curse of the Azure Bonds, were my introduction to the Forgotten Realms. Which is why I'll always associate it with women in impractical armour and names that can't be taken seriously. In Curse that's the priest Gharri of Gond and the villainous Fzoul Chembryl, though a few years later Forgotten Realms: Unlimited Adventures would introduce the unforgettable Lunit Bdufe, a name that makes Drizzt Do'Urden seem downright mundane. The Gold Box games also introduced me to factions like the Zhentarim and the Red Wizards of Thay, two of the organisations in Curse of the Azure Bonds trying to control you via the magic tattoos of the title. Nothing can ever be just "blue" in a fantasy novel when it could be azure or sapphire or cerulean, right? I think Hoodoo of the Blue Tattoo would have been an even better name myself. Curse kicks off when you wake up with magic tattoos and a month of missing memories. When those tattoos compel you to attack a local royal, you learn they're a medium for mind control and set out to get them removed. The assassination attempt leads to a jail break and chase through the sewers where you encounter monsters made of garbage called otyughs. The sewer section is a highlight—not a sentence you get to write about videogames often—and one reason is that you can talk to the monsters. Some of the otyughs are jealous of their otyugh neighbours, so you can befriend them by stealing the superior piles of excrement next door. There are a handful of moments like this scattered across Curse, where you can cut a deal with a dark elf (but she'll only talk to you if there's a woman in your party), or avoid a fight with salamanders (but only if you choose the correct conversational tone out of a selection including haughty, nice, and meek). The other reason this sewer chase stands out is how much story's jammed into it. There's a conflict between the thieves guild who helped bust you out of prison and a rival gang of criminals called the Fire Knives, both fighting over the prime thief real estate of the sewers. The Fire Knives were one of the parties involved in giving you the tattoos, and you stumble across the remains of their previous experiments as you rush through their base, following the trail of two other adventurers separately on the loose in the sewers. Gharri of Ghond is here to rescue a princess like he's playing a different videogame, and Olive Ruskettle—a halfling from the novel this game is based on—is one step ahead of you in the tunnels as well. This is Curse of the Azure Bonds at its peak. CRPGs at the time rarely had this much narrative going on, with exceptions like the Ultima games. You were much more likely to be playing a dungeon dice-and-slice than something with actual mystery and plot. It helps that it's based on a book, just called Azure Bonds, which was nothing special but still more readable than 90% of the D&D novels—not that you need to read it to play the videogame. I hadn't the first time I played Curse but still appreciated when an NPC from the book would show up because they'd suddenly have more backstory and personality than everyone around them just by dint of not having been created for a videogame.The Steam release of the Gold Box games comes with an app called the Gold Box Companion, which can be downloaded separately for other versions. It bolts an automap onto the right side of the game window so you don't have to bust out graph paper, and adds a status bar to the top that transforms into a menu of quality-of-life improvements when you mouse over it.The Steam release of the Gold Box games comes with an app called the Gold Box Companion, which can be downloaded separately for other versions. It bolts an automap onto the right side of the game window so you don't have to bust out graph paper, and adds a status bar to the top that transforms into a menu of quality-of-life improvements when you mouse over it. They include the ability to read journal entries as you find them rather than having to open up a pdf, because this is a game from the days when developers would save disk space by putting half the story in a book with numbered paragraphs you'd consult as you played. If you lost the thing, or your second-hand copy didn't have one, you'd never find out what Gorgax told you in paragraph 33. An undersung hero of the Gold Box Companion is the ability to store your current list of memorised spells and then restore them at the press of a button instead of having to go through after each fight re-memorising every stinking cloud and fireball you cast. But the most indispensable thing about it is that it lets you ignore racial level limits. Curse of the Azure Bonds is based on the rules of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st Edition, which are a real ball-ache for many reasons, not least that they hate non-humans. Some classes are only available to humans, like paladin and ranger, and those that aren't are often restricted. Your cleric can be a half-elf if you like, but you'll never be allowed to go higher than level 5—and that's the level Curse starts at. D&D's co-creator Gary Gygax thought of D&D as a work of sword and sorcery like Conan or the stories of Fritz Leiber and Jack Vance, which are amoral and human-centric. Surprisingly, he wasn't a fan of high fantasy like The Lord of the Rings, a deeply moral story about people from different backgrounds coming together to save the world, and while he put elves and dwarves in his game because players asked for them he made playing one an absolute pain in the dickhole. Fortunately later editions of D&D ditched all that nonsense and now everyone's party is a mix of elves, tieflings, and dragonborn, but back in the day D&D wanted you to eat your vegetables and be a boring human. While some of the rules were annoying, sticking to them meant Curse of the Azure Bonds really did feel like playing D&D. In a time when it was much harder to find a group than it is today, Curse was the methadone that would cover your need for a fix. That similarity was most obvious in the combat. My preference for turn-based tactical combat probably goes back to Curse of the Azure Bonds, where thieves would only get bonus backstab damage on enemies who had been attacked from the front earlier that round and timing was everything. Some actions took longer than others, splitting your turn over multiple initiative counts. When an enemy priest started praying the next character in the turn order would get a chance to interrupt with something fast like an arrow or a magic missile, breaking his concentration so he'd lose that hold person spell. Enemies would do the same trick, and the number of fireballs I lost because my wizard took chip damage from a random dark elf is infuriating. Area-denial spells like stinking cloud were the order of the day, and lightning bolt would rebound off walls, potentially bouncing back to strike twice. After playing a few games with this level of tactical possibility, the messy realtime-with-pause combat of Baldur's Gate felt like a betrayal—not how D&D was supposed to work. The Gold Box Companion makes replaying Curse of the Azure Bonds more convenient than trying to finish it was when I was a kid. Back then, I never made it to the end. Now, armed with a walkthrough so I don't have to suffer through quite so many random encounters as I wander the wilderness trying to figure out where the plot picks up, I finally get to see what the back half of the game is like. Turns out, not great. There are a lot less chatty otyughs and a lot more dungeon crawling. The enemies are clearly chosen for their level-appropriateness rather than to match the theme—a Red Wizard who is obsessed with dragons has an undead one as a pet, which makes sense, but most of his horde is made up of dark elves and efreets for no reason other than providing a balanced challenge for your current experience total. The final boss, a spirit capable of possessing anyone, has taken over a storm giant for no particular reason except his stat block. His minions are margoyles, a slightly tougher version of gargoyles, again for no narrative reason. Defeat them and there's a rushed epilogue, some pixel fireworks, and an opportunity to save your party so you can take them into the next game. Which I did, after going back to my final save to remove each character one by one because that's apparently how it works. Dragging the same party into the sequel, Secret of the Silver Blades, isn't really doing it for me. Much as I loved Curse of the Azure Bonds as a 12-year-old who only owned a handful of games and didn't have any friends who played D&D, now if I want that experience in videogame form I've got Baldur's Gate 3, Solasta: Crown of the Magister, and a couple of Pathfinder games to replay. Even better, I've got a real D&D game on the go and the players have just hit level 5. Maybe for old time's sake I'll introduce some Red Wizards and Zhentarim into my campaign. Though probably not the impractical armour and unpronounceable names. https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/revisiting-the-dandd-games-of-my-youth-really-makes-me-appreciate-how-much-better-things-are-today/

At its recent iPhone 16 launch event, Apple also announced the new Watch Series 10 models along with a new colour option for the Watch Ultra 2, which also got a new Milanese loop band made from titanium. What we did not see was a new Apple Watch SE model (the brand's affordable series), which has not been updated since 2022. According to a previous report, Apple's new Watch SE model with a plastic body is still under development. It is said to be more affordable than the existing 2022 model and will reportedly launch next year. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is still working on the plastic Watch SE model as pointed out in an earlier edition of his PowerOn newsletter. While the earlier report merely exposed the existence of such a model, this one gives us more details about why it exists with subtle hints about its target audience. Gurman in his latest PowerOn newsletter states that a new Apple Watch SE model with a plastic body (or case) is still in development. It isn't clear whether this will be the only model to see the light of day or whether Apple will launch a standard metal-bodied version of the watch alongside it. What the source is certain about is that this plastic model will have “bold colours” reminiscent of the iPhone 5c from 2013, which took a similar approach at delivering an affordable iPhone. However, times are changing and Gurman states that Apple could be looking at a much younger audience with its colourful new Apple Watch SE model. An affordable watch could also be a good idea in US schools which have started banning smartphones during school hours. Hence, an affordable Apple Watch (with cellular connectivity of course) could turn out to be a very attractive option for school kids. While the plastic Watch SE model is still in development, things are moving forward and the source states that it will see a potential launch next year. The shift to plastic has also posed some problems related to quality, but all of this is expected to move at a faster pace once Apple completes the transition to titanium for its premium models. Gurman states that the plastic Watch SE will also include a “processor jump” although it is unclear which processor the new model will use. The current Apple Watch SE (2022) was launched with a dual-core Apple S8 SiP. The Apple Watch Series 8 models also packed the same processor, but with a larger display/case options (with Always-on), sapphire crystal glass, and the ability to record Electrocardiogram (ECG) readings. https://www.gadgets360.com/wearables/news/apple-watch-se-plastic-body-design-kids-report-6576858

The Pico 4 Ultra VR headset is finally here, and it’s ready to take on the Meta Quest 3 in the mid-range standalone VR headset space. I’ve tested both headsets extensively, and in this guide I’ll tell you if you should go with the tried and tested Quest model, or choose Pico’s potential usurper of the VR throne. At a glance the Pico 4 Ultra offers better specs at only a marginally higher cost, but Meta’s Quest 3 is backed up by plenty of heavy-hitting VR software exclusives. It’s a close fight, but there can only be one winner – and we’ll let you know which headset comes out on top for value, performance, the mixed-reality experience, software, and features, as well as overall. For more details on either headset we’d recommend reading our in-depth Meta Quest 3 review and Pico 4 Ultra review – though if you care about spoilers don’t look at their scores as they’ll give the result away.Meta Quest 3 is cheaper and more widely available Pico 4 Ultra has better specs to justify a higher cost Value verdict: Tie The Meta Quest 3’s cheapest model costs $499.99 / £479.99 / AU$799.99, while the one and only Pico 4 Ultra model will set you back £529 (around $695 / AU$1,025). As you can see from the specs table below, that additional £50 from Pico nets you 4GB of extra RAM, 128GB of storage and, as you’ll see below, some exclusive tools like cameras for capturing spatial images and video. So bang for your buck hardware-wise, the devices feel very even, though availability is in the Quest 3’s favor. That’s due to the Pico 4 Ultra only having launched in parts of Europe, including the UK, and Asia, while the Quest 3 is available in more regions – most importantly for our readers the US and Australia. If you’re in those countries you could theoretically buy the Pico 4 Ultra as an import, though that’ll likely cost you extra and can be a hassle. Pico 4 Ultra has equally good or better specs No major apps seriously justify the performance boost yet Specs and performance verdict: Pico 4 Ultra Going by the above specs table, and as mentioned in the Price section, the Pico 4 Ultra edges ahead of the Meta Quest 3 if we look at the base model of the Quest 3 (the Ultra only has one option). Pico’s new VR headset will net you 12GB of RAM versus 8GB for the Quest 3; 256GB of storage versus 128GB; and two 2,160 x 2,160 pixels per eye LCD screens versus 2,064 x 2,208 pixels per eye, though the Meta’s Quest 3’s screens can hit a refresh rate up to 120Hz rather than 90Hz. Both headsets boast the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset, which is the current-gen standard for mid-range VR headsets. Though they rely on different operating systems running on those chipsets; Meta has HorizonOS while Pico has Pico OS, and while they both are based on Android HorizonOS tends to be a cleaner and more well optimized experience. When it comes to performance the differences seem less stark when actually using the headsets. For me, the two things helping to keep the Quest 3 feeling on a par here are Meta’s excellent HorizonOS optimizations which allow the Meta Quest 3 to efficiently squeeze out every bit of juice from its components to maximize performance – and the fact that the Pico 4 Ultra lacks meaningful exclusives that can fully leverage its superior specs. That’s not to say the Pico’s extra RAM and storage won’t help (especially with multitasking, which allow sup to 8 windows to be open at once compared to Quest 3's 6), but the Quest 3 equally doesn’t struggle to run any of the VR or MR experiences I’ve tried. So, until the Pico 4 Ultra launches apps that prove otherwise, there’s a part of me that feels the extra RAM is there more for its bark than its bite. Very close in quality Neither offers true to life mixed reality Mixed reality verdict: Pico 4 Ultra Switching back and forth between the two headsets, and testing their passthrough performance in various settings and under different lighting conditions, I can report that there’s no standout winner here. The Pico 4 Ultra does just push itself ahead with passthrough that’s a little more vibrant, though it does have more noticeable (yet still fairly inconsequential) distortion at the fringes of the screen. The Meta Quest 3’s passthrough is a little grainier too, though when you’re playing a mixed-reality game the differences aren’t super obvious. Neither experience comes close to looking like real life either. Recent HorizonOS updates have delivered substantial improvements to the Quest 3’s mixed reality quality, and I suspect that if Pico brought the same levels of optimizations to its hardware the differences between the two models would be a lot more stark, with the Pico 4 Ultra more clearly in first place. It still takes the win, but I expected more from its dual 32MP sensor setup. Meta Quest 3 exclusives aren't matched Pico 4 Ultra software is better than base model was at launch Software verdict: Meta Quest 3 So far the headsets have been neck-and-neck, with the Pico 4 Ultra edging out the Meta Quest 3 in a few areas. When it comes to software, however, the Meta Quest 3 is clearly the best option for people who want the most complete catalog of games and apps. The Pico 4 Ultra does boast many of the best cross-platform VR and MR titles inits collection, however, Meta has a lot of Quest-exclusives, and there are also some non-Quest-exclusive hits (as they’re on other platforms like Steam or PSVR) that aren’t currently on Pico’s platform for one reason or another. And the Quest exclusives are mega-hits. We’re talking Beat Saber, Resident Evil 4 VR, Assassin's Creed Nexus, Asgard’s Wrath 2, Batman: Arkham Shadow, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Just Dance VR. Pico’s only noteworthy exclusive is TikTok. I know lots of people hate exclusives, but like them or not their presence here means that if you’re looking to play the best VR games you’ll miss out on several if you go for a Pico 4 Ultra and not a Meta Quest 3. Pico can do everything Meta promises and more Motion trackers are a game changer Feature verdict: Pico 4 Ultra The Pico 4 Ultra and Meta Quest 3 offer generally similar features, though Pico wins out here with two exclusive tools. The more consequential are its Motion Trackers, which track your feet for significantly more accurate full-body tracking. They’re a lot of fun, and Meta doesn’t have its own alternative. The only downside is that, unless you pick up a pair as part of the preorder bundle (or a similar deal in the future) the Motion Trackers will cost you £79 (for two). Pico says they’re supported by “20+” standalone experiences, which isn’t nothing but is only a small subsection of its catalog. The other unique feature is the Pico 4 Ultra’s camera for taking spatial photos and spatial videos. The image is the same quality as the passthrough (read: not great) and it’s just generally clunky to use. It’s a novelty, sure, but realistically it’s not something anyone will use regularly to capture stereoscopic content. The Pico 4 Ultra is too big, and the feature not conveniently accessible enough, to warrant carrying the headset around to capture impromptu moments in 3D. The battle between the Meta Quest 3 and Pico 4 Ultra is close in most areas, with the two headsets either tying or the Pico 4 pulling slightly ahead in a few categories. However, the Meta Quest 3 not only wins the software category, it demolishes its rival in this respect – and this is why it’s the one to get. Yes the Pico 4 Ultra has marginally more power and exclusive motion trackers, but it has nothing that truly takes advantage of that extra performance, and few experiences that leverage its unique features – and that power and those features come at a price premium over the Quest 3. Meta’s Quest 3, on the other hand, has a huge library of excellent exclusive VR and MR games and apps that Pico simply doesn’t have an answer for. It’s also the more widely available device. So when weighing up which headset you’ll enjoy using more, I’m confident that for the vast majority of people it’ll be the Meta Quest 3. I’m not saying you should automatically dismiss the Pico 4 Ultra, but if you’re on the fence between the two I’d recommend that you go for Meta’s device for now. https://www.techradar.com/computing/virtual-reality-augmented-reality/pico-4-ultra-vs-meta-quest-3-the-battle-of-the-best-mid-range-vr-headsets

The U.S. has granted permission for G42, a datacenter AI company from the UAE, to procure advanced Nvidia AI processors, such as the H100 and H200, Semafor reports. This approval is a significant step forward for G42 in particular, which already collaborates with Cerebrus on various markets, and the UAE in general, which strides to diversify its economy into new markets, which happen to be AI. G42 has been working for quite a long time to secure Nvidia's H100 processors, which are now beginning to be deployed. The UAE has made substantial investments in its AI infrastructure, focusing on data security as it attempts to become a major player in the global AI market. However, given the dominance of Nvidia in the AI sector generally due to the versatility of the CUDA technology, it is close to impossible to build a competitive infrastructure without Nvidia's GPUs. To gain approval for the Nvidia processors, G42 took significant measures to meet U.S. security standards. As part of its general strategy, G42 ceased its business ties with Chinese firms in late 2023, effectively betting on its relationship with the U.S. for future technological growth and a way to move beyond oil dependency. This divestment from China was crucial in addressing concerns within the Biden administration about the UAE’s partnerships with Chinese companies, particularly in the AI space. The company ensured its datacenters were built with hardware from Western suppliers, excluding Chinese components. Next up, G42's datacenters use military-grade encryption and have isolated compute systems from other components like security cameras and cooling systems. This separation reduces the risk of hackers accessing servers through vulnerabilities in other hardware. Older datacenters were purged of any Chinese parts, even if they were unused to prevent any potential backdoor access by foreign powers. There is a catch though and that catch is Microsoft. This company played a key role in G42 by investing $1.5 billion in the company. This investment strengthens the collaboration between the two companies and allows Microsoft to expand its Azure cloud business in emerging markets. When it comes to compliance with regulations, Microsoft is a company that knows the game of being compliant with regulators. https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/artificial-intelligence/advanced-nvidia-ai-gpus-get-uae-g42-green-light-from-us-authorities-says-new-report