Group pushes hike in climate finance share for farmers
Blizzard is releasing the HD remasters of the first two parts to mark the 30th anniversary of the Warcraft series. The strategy game classics have been technically modernized, while Warcraft III: Reforged is receiving a major update. The new editions are available now. Stiven_SRB / via X Blizzard Entertainment has released the first two parts of the Warcraft series as HD remasters without prior notice, but after various leaks. The new editions will be released just in time for the 30th anniversary of the real-time strategy games. At the same time, Warcraft III: Reforged is receiving an update to version 2.0. The Warcraft I and II remasters feature completely remastered HD graphics while retaining the original game mechanics and soundtrack. The developers have modernized the user interface and adapted the controls to current standards. What’s new is the ability to move units using the right mouse button. Warcraft Remastered Battle Chest Launch Trailer Warcraft III: Reforged, which was released in 2020 and was negatively received by fans and critics at the time, is getting a revision with Update 2.0. The new version contains improved environmental graphics, a revised interface and various technical optimizations. Players can now switch between the classic and remastered looks. The original version of Warcraft III: Reforged was so heavily criticized that Blizzard introduced an unlimited refund option. The new update addresses many of the criticisms raised at the time. Infographic Warcraft, Diablo & Co.: The history of Activision Blizzard The remasters are available individually or bundled in the new Warcraft Battle Chest. The package includes both the revised and original versions. Warcraft I: Remastered costs 10 euros, Warcraft II: Remastered costs 15 euros. The Battle Chest with all three titles is available for 40 euros. The Battle Chest also contains a digital gallery with previously unpublished concept art and development documents from the series’ 30-year history. You also get additional content for other Blizzard games, such as Warcraft III skins, a meat truck mount for World of Warcraft and smaller goodies for Diablo 3, Starcraft 2. As part of the Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct stream, Blizzard announced further innovations: The mobile game Warcraft Rumble will also be released for PC in December. The card game Hearthstone will receive a StarCraft expansion in January 2025. A new dungeon has been announced for World of Warcraft. World of Warcraft will receive player housing in the next few years. WoW Classic is getting a faithful version of the Mists of Pandaria expansion from 2012. Research Snipers is currently covering all technology news including Google, Apple, Android, Xiaomi, Huawei, Samsung News, and More. Research Snipers has decade of experience in breaking technology news, covering latest trends in tech news, and recent developments.Pamela Franco surprises Christian Cueva by stealing a tremendous kiss in publicVirginia has a green light from the administration of President Joe Biden to use $1.48 billion in federal infrastructure funding to extend high-speed internet access to more than 133,000 unserved locations, most of them in the rural Southside and Shenandoah Valley. Gov. Glenn Youngkin has announced that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration approved Virginia's list of unserved locations for extending access to broadband telecommunications networks that will allow homes, businesses and community institutions to tap into high-speed internet services that proved essential for education and business during the COVID-19 pandemic. Expanding access to high-speed internet has been a priority for three successive governors — Youngkin, a Republican, and two Democrats, Terry McAuliffe and Ralph Northam — since 2017, with Virginia committing almost $1 billion in state and federal aid to extend broadband to more than 400,000 locations in 82 cities and counties. Gov. Ralph Northam (left), standing by Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin, spoke to the media outside the Executive Mansion on Nov. 4, 2021. But the federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program is providing the state with federal infrastructure money aimed at making high-speed internet universal and affordable in Virginia. "Virginia remains firmly committed to bridging the digital divide across the commonwealth so all Virginians can thrive in our digital world," Youngkin said in an announcement late Friday. "Coupling this historic investment with the state's ongoing broadband efforts, we are confident that will connect all Virginians that are currently unserved to high-speed, affordable internet, therefore solidifying Virginia's place as the best state to live, work and raise a family." However, a sweeping new report by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission — the General Assembly's watchdog agency for state government — makes clear that achieving that goal won't be easy, based on a number of hurdles that have delayed completion of projects and driven up the cost. The report warns that Virginia might not meet its goal of providing universal access in 2028, with the target date slipping until 2030 or later. The state originally sought to achieve universal access in 2024, which is about to end. Currently about 87% of the state has access to high-speed internet service, but JLARC estimates that about 392,000 locations remain unserved. Most of those locations are in rural areas of Southside and the Valley, but they also include pockets in more unlikely places, such as Loudoun County and tidal Virginia localities on the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. JLARC said state and federal funding already has been awarded to extend service to about two-thirds of those unserved locations, and the BEAD program aims to reach the remainder. Horn Bryan Horn, director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, said the state will meet the 2026 deadline for committing the federal funding or returning it. "We do not foresee having to return any money at this time," he told the commission on Dec. 9. JLARC Associate Director Tracey Smith said the state agency "has done really a commendable job in spearheading the state effort to close the digital divide." "In many ways, Virginia has been and remains a leader in broadband deployment," Smith said. JLARC staff cited a delay in accessing the federal BEAD funds and problems on the ground as local governments, internet service providers and electric utilities sometimes face barriers in attaching fiber-optic cables to utility poles and extending them along state highway rights-of-way and across railroad tracks. In some cases, internet providers failed to reach many unserved homes and businesses as promised, missed their deadlines and exceeded the estimated costs of the projects, putting them in jeopardy. Hanover County close to finalizing internet access to 95% of homes Virginia was the first state to submit a request — in July 2023 — for federal funds provided by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that Biden signed into law three years ago. The Biden administration approved the grant in July, but permission to proceed with a list of unserved locations was delayed in part by Hurricane Helene, which devastated parts of Southwest Virginia that the program plans to serve, as it did in western North Carolina. Feinman "It changed the facts on the ground," said Evan Feinman, director of the national BEAD program and former broadband adviser to Northam, who dedicated a half-billion dollars in federal emergency relief funds to the Virginia Telecommunications Initiative during the pandemic. Feinman said Virginia has no reason to fall behind in its goal of achieving universal broadband access by 2028. "States can move as quickly or as slowly as they want to move," he said. "Virginia should have more than enough resources to solve the problem." Sen. Ryan McDougle, R-Hanover, a member of JLARC who has pushed to extend broadband in his district, said the federal government has not moved as fast as it had promised, but he said, "We're seeing in parts of eastern Hanover that a lot of work is going on the ground right now." McDougle "One of the challenges out there is there are a significant number of projects going on, not only in Virginia abut nationally," McDougle said. "The more projects you have, the more challenging it is to get people to do the work." U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, is a former telecommunications executive has made broadband expansion a priority as governor and in his three terms in the Senate. He played a pivotal role in passage of the bipartisan infrastructure act, as well as the American Rescue Plan Act, both of which have helped finance the initiative in Virginia. "It won't be lack of capital — it will be lack of execution if we don't get there," Warner said Monday in a telephone interview from London. He called the federal greenlight for BEAD funding "great news," especially for rural areas that lack access. "With broadband, in rural areas kids have a choice of whether they're going to stay," he said. "Without broadband, there is no choice." Michael Martz (804) 649-6964 mmartz@timesdispatch.com The background : Three Virginia governors have worked since 2017 to extend access to high-speed internet across the state. What's new? The federal government approved Virgin's use of nearly $1.5 billion in infrastructure funding to extend service to unserved areas, most in Southside and the Shenandoah Valley. What's next? While 87% of the state has access to high-speed internet, a state watchdog agency says Virginia might miss its goal of achieving universal access in 2028. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
'We are on it': US official seeks to allay drone sighting concernsWASHINGTON — Sen. Bernie Sanders announced he’d be bringing his brand of populism to the powerful Senate Finance Committee next year, with a wide remit over tax, trade, Social Security, social safety net programs and health care policy. But no final decisions have been made, despite the Vermont independent’s assertion late Friday that he’ll be joining Finance in the new Congress. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Newly-appointed members of the Bichkunda agriculture market committee (AMC) took oath on Sunday. Committee chairman Dodla Kavitha, vice chairman Kongala Shankar and directors took charge in the presence of Zaheerabad MP Suresh Shetkar, Jukkal MLA Thota Laxmikanth Rao. Speaking on the occasion, MLA Thota Laxmikanth Rao said development programmes have been taken up in backward Jukkal Assembly constituency. Sanction of an integrated residential school and an advanced technology centre will boost development in the constituency, he said. A sports school and a nursing college will be brought to Jukkal segment, he said, adding proposals for construction of a highway from Gulla village to Sircilla were sent to the government. Funds for Madnoor-Bodhan NH works will be started soon, he said.
Leading brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
British mother dies at ayahuasca retreat in BoliviaMars (yes, the planet) has its own Grand Canyon SCOTT SIMON, HOST: Scientists are now using some of the newest technology on Earth to unravel the most ancient secrets about the planet Mars. Member station KUNC's Rae Solomon has the story about how artificial intelligence is uncovering surprising links between the two planets. (SOUNDBITE OF FILM, "FLIGHT TO MARS") UNIDENTIFIED NARRATOR: For centuries, science has studied Mars, the only planet where life may exist. RAE SOLOMON, BYLINE: Maybe it's the intriguing red color, but us earthlings have always been drawn to the planet Mars. Hydrologist Lin Ji is no exception. The University of Arizona researcher and freshly minted Ph.D. usually studies the Lower Colorado River Basin, solidly on Earth. But a few years ago, she grew fascinated by satellite images of the red planet. That's why she noticed something interesting looking down at Arizona's Santa Cruz River out her airplane window. LIN JI: I thought, oh, this Santa Cruz River system looked exactly the same to the Martian valleys. They both have, like, a tree-like branching river systems. So I realized that there could have be a connection between the Earth's river system and of the Mars valley network. SOLOMON: A connection that spans 140 million miles through the cold, dark vacuum of... Eric Whitney
ATLANTA (AP) — Robert Braswell's 19 points helped Charlotte defeat Georgia State 77-63 on Saturday. Braswell also contributed three steals for the 49ers (5-4). Nik Graves scored 15 points while shooting 5 of 7 from the field and 5 for 9 from the line. Jaehshon Thomas totaled 13 points and seven rebounds. Zarigue Nutter led the Panthers (4-6) with 19 points. Nicholas McMullen and Toneari Lane both finished with 13 points and six rebounds. Charlotte took the lead with 8:06 remaining in the first half and never looked back. The score was 32-25 at halftime, with Braswell racking up seven points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
Embracing AI: beyond the fear of automationIran Eases Internet Restrictions: WhatsApp and Google Play UnblockedPARIS — Hell hath no fury like a driver scorned. Take the traffic-choked French capital as an example, where an attempt to reduce vehicle collisions, gridlock, emissions and noise on a highway encircling Paris has provoked a head-on political crash. The long-simmering dispute over what many see as Paris’s crusade against cars has come to a boil over a controversial decision to slash speed limits on a 35-kilometre highway known as . In some ways, it is the European equivalent of the fight between Toronto, , and the car-friendly Ontario government, which wants to and to ease gridlock. In one lane is Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo. In a measure intended to cut noise, pollution, traffic jams and accidents on the Paris ring road she recently ordered speed limits reduced to 50 km/h from 70 km/h. It’s one step along the path to a more extreme transformation that reimagines the cars-and-concrete highway as a boulevard shared by buses, bikes and bipeds. In the opposite lane is a convoy of irate suburban commuters, motorcyclists, professional drivers like cabbies and truckers, and opposition politicians. They are now charting lawsuits, legislation and political campaigns, arguing that Hidalgo’s anti-car policies have now swerved recklessly across the median line. “What is very different with the 50 km/h (speed limit) compared to the other anti-car measures in Paris is that this affects many more people who did not vote for her, who did not choose her as their representative and who are deeply opposed,” said Alexandra Legendre, a spokesperson with the Drivers’ Defence League, a group that lobbies for the interests of motorists in France. The Paris ring road was built on the site of fortifications erected around the French capital in 1844 and torn down in 1919 at the end of the First World War. More than three decades later, work began on the circular highway intended to liberate drivers from the evils of traffic jams, letting them reach their destinations without having to negotiate the hustle and bustle of central Paris. “In a few days, getting around Paris without meeting a single red light will no longer be a dream,” ahead of the completion of the final section of the loop in 1973. Yet the work had barely been completed when began. Other, more serious problems soon appeared. Noise from the fast-moving cars has long been a nuisance for the 500,000 residents who live next to the highway and is believed to be linked to health problems, such as sleep loss, cardiovascular problems and stress, . And the 1.3 million cars that use it each day are , according to , an agency that tracks air quality in the greater Paris region. Naturally, there are also accidents, albeit very few fatalities, perhaps owing to the highway’s congestion, which keeps daytime speeds to a little over 30 km/h. To tackle these issues, officials have, over the years, installed sound barriers to cut the noise levels. In 2014, reduced the maximum speed on the highway to 70 km/h from 80 — a measure that had positive effects on emissions entering the atmosphere as well as the fluidity of traffic. This was the same year that Hidalgo, a member of France’s Socialist Party, was chosen as mayor and launched what her opponents say has been a frontal attack against cars and drivers. Over a decade in power, she has shut down express lanes on the banks of the Seine River, reduced the number of downtown parking spaces, converted car lanes to bike lanes and pedestrianized city streets. Just recently, her administration designated the central core of downtown a limited traffic zone — barring through traffic by drivers seeking to quickly cut from one end of the city to the other. without an express purpose such as a medical appointment, tickets to a show, or getting to work. Residents have long grumbled about the inconveniences caused by Hidalgo’s car wars. However, when dissipated and she announced that the city would be moving forward with a long-planned cut to the speed limit on the city’s ring road, many saw it as a step too far. This photograph taken on November 11, 2024 shows a sign near the Louvre museum, indicating the limited traffic zone (ZTL), an aera in the central core of the French capital banning vehicles from transiting through it, in Paris. “They’ve put in place a policy where cars are excluded, but there has been nothing to compensate for the absence of cars,” said Séverine Manna, a Paris lawyer . She said city officials haven’t done the necessary studies to back up the new limits. She added that the restrictions have not been accompanied by a more robust public transport system to give people alternative ways to get to and from Paris in a timely manner. “They’re telling people: ‘There are no more cars — get used to it,’ ” Manna said. “We are all ecologists in our souls but there are times when there are realities that are not being heard.” Others have complained that Paris failed to consult with neighbouring municipalities before taking a decision that has a great impact on commuters from the suburbs. A regional elected official, Valérie Pécresse, has deemed the new speed limits “anti-social and ineffective” and urged Hidalgo to instead install sound barriers along the ring road or turn over responsibility for the road to the region. In addition to the war of words, a statistical battle has broken out. The city has started releasing a weekly bulletin showing drops in nighttime noise, traffic jams and accidents — though no significant reduction in emissions. In response, Pécresse ordered her own officials to begin tracking noise, pollution and traffic indicators along the route. The show reductions in every category, including pollution. Paris is hardly alone in wanting to transform its infrastructure to make it safer, greener or more amenable to the people who live and work in its vicinity. New York, Barcelona, Helsinki, Vancouver and many other cities around the world have all questioned the sustainability and uses of highways built for an era when the car was king and the environment was an afterthought. Before opting to the Gardiner Expressway Toronto, too, flirted with the idea of dismantling or burying its main east-to-west highway as a way to reconnect the city with its waterfront. The evangelists of highway transformation see no alternatives. “The question is: can we imagine that our highways remain as they are? We’re in a very deep climate crisis,” said Paul Lecroart, a senior urban planner for the Paris Metropolitan Region. “The question is how can we do things faster.” Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo swims in the Seine, in Paris on July 17, 2024, to demonstrate the river’s cleanliness in advance of hosting Olympic swimming events later that month. Lecroart acknowledges that fear and the inconvenience of adopting new habits plays a big role in the public resistance to such large-scale change. The key to success is to provide ready-made alternatives and demonstrate their benefits. The main one, in Lecroart’s estimation, is “traffic evaporation.” “People give up on movements that are less useful,” he said. The shining example is South Korea, where 80 per cent of automobile traffic disappeared after the mayor of Seoul decided to demolish the six-kilometre , reclaiming and rehabilitating the stream that ran beneath the highway as a public space. In other cities, Lecroart said, traffic dropped between 20 and 25 per cent due to people opting instead for public transport. “They are never forced. We’re in a liberal system where everyone can do what they want. People can take their car downtown, but either we encourage it, (or) we discourage it,” he said. Paris hasn’t completely laid out its long-term vision for , perhaps for fear of raising the ire of its four-wheeled adversaries. But the French capital also has like-minded allies too. In the eastern suburbs, officials have drawn up a rather extreme that ushers motorists into and out of central Paris. It’s a slow-motion transformation that starts with the installation of dedicated public-transit lanes in 2026, continues with lowered speed limits in 2032 and cutting the space for cars by half in 2040. The project concludes in 2050 with a road — one lane moving at 30 km/h in either direction — in something resembling a nature park, surrounded by reclaimed and reforested land, bike paths, and picnic tables. Gaylord Le Chequer, a city councillor in Montreuil, said the initial reaction of residents was surprise and, for some, hostility — the sense that they were being deprived of something or punished. “For us, it’s important not to be seen as punishing people but to demonstrate, going step by step, that the transformations are useful — notably from an environmental perspective — and that they are possible,” he said. “Whether you are right or left ... there is a movement that is growing to say on behalf of the residents who live in proximity to this infrastructure, that we have real problems and so it’s time to act.”
Inside the Gaetz ethics report, a trove of new details alleging payments for sex and drug use
