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It's nearly here! The 2022 Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series has been teased officially for the first time, confirming a reveal date for the hotly-anticipated four-wheel drive: 10 June 2021. A short video posted to Toyota's Middle Eastern social media channels confirms the wraps will be lifted off the new LandCruiser 300 Series on 10 June 2021, at 3:30am AEST (1:30am WA time, 3am SA time), as part of a livestream event on YouTube (click here) and Facebook. The clip also provides our first official glimpse at the 300 Series' styling – though a plethora of leaks and undisguised spy photos over the last month have already shown off the new 4WD's upright, bold design in full. While you can click the links at the bottom of this story for a deep-dive to read everything we know about the new LandCruiser, here's a summary of the key information collated from rumours, images and, crucially, a leaked dealer bulletin published in May: The 200 Series' 4.5-litre twin-turbo diesel V8 is all but confirmed to be replaced by a new 3.3-litre twin-turbocharged diesel V6, developing 225kW and 700Nm – increases of 25kW and 50Nm over the old bent-eight. A 305kW/650Nm 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 is set to be offered in other markets, with hybrid options set to arrive later down the road. Both engines at launch are said to be paired to 10-speed automatic transmission. A new TNGA-F body-on-frame platform is said to feature under the skin, featuring an electronic version of Toyota's Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (E-KDSS), and off-road angles similar to the current 200 Series. Towing capacity is slated to be rated at 3500kg for both petrol and diesel engines, with gross vehicle masses (GVM) of 3230kg. Available comfort and technology features will include a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, 7.0-inch digital driver's display, four-zone climate control, 360-degree camera, a 14-speaker JBL sound system, and dual 11.6-inch rear-seat screens. Off-road highlights include locking differentials (or a rear limited-slip differential, depending on model), Multi-Terrain Select modes, and more. Available safety features are slated to include autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, traffic-sign recognition and more. Two flagship grades will be offered: the off-road-focused GR-S tuned by Toyota's Gazoo Racing performance arm (with 18-inch wheels, off-road bumpers, and E-KDSS suspension), and the luxury-focused ZX (with 20-inch wheels and illuminated side steps). Source

Toyota and Lexus models are now eligible for up to 10 years'/100,000 miles' warranty cover when serviced within the main dealer network. Replacing the current five years/100,000 miles warranty for Toyota cars and LCVs as well as the three years/60,000 miles cover on Lexus cars, the new scheme, called Relax, activates a year or 10,000 miles over each time a vehicle is serviced within the main dealer network. The service-activated warranty can continue until the vehicle reaches 10 years or has covered 100,000 miles. All Toyota and Lexus models qualify as long the age and mileage criteria are met, and can have been serviced outside the main dealer network previously. It could mean that fleet operators who use servicing providers outside the main dealer network, could in future see the value of full manufacturer warranty cover included in a resale value uplift if a three-year-old vehicle receives its final service before defleeting at a main dealer. Rob Giles, Toyota customer services director, said: "This is a game-changing proposition that redefines the manufacturer warranty, giving our customers the reassurance and value of cover for up to a decade of motoring. "There are compelling business benefits to be gained as well, with Relax connecting us with more owners, building loyalty and giving our network partners the opportunity to maximise value chain opportunities in both sales and after sales activities." Ewan Shepherd, director of Lexus in the UK, commented: "The foundation for this exceptional level of protection is the essential quality, durability and reliability of our vehicles and our commitment to delivering customer-first service. "As well as rewarding existing Toyota and Lexus owners, our Relax programme will also strengthen the appeal of our vehicles to new customers, equally whether they are considering a new car or a used model." Source

Lengthening delays to new vehicle deliveries are set to place increasing importance on fleet maintenance, according to software firm Fleetcheck. It said that due to the effects of the global semiconductor shortage, as well as Covid-19 and Brexit, manufacturers were quoting delivery times of up to a year on some models. Managing director Peter Golding that while the situation was highly variable across different manufacturers and models, it was probably the worst new vehicle supply crisis that the fleet industry had ever experienced. He said: "This creates a variety of issues but probably the most significant is that it means that businesses will have to keep operating vehicles that were planned for replacement for longer - and sometimes much longer. "The biggest impact of this will be on maintenance. Fleets need to ensure that they have plans in place that will keep these vehicles operating in a safe and efficient manner." However, Golding said that car fleets should find the issue easier to deal with than those running commercial vehicles, many of which had seen heavy usage over the past year. He said: "If you have a three-year-old car that has spent much of the last year being used much less than planned because of the rise of remote meetings during the coronavirus crisis, then extending its replacement to four years requires some intervention but is relatively simple." Source

ourism constitutes the backbone of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy. Due to the second wave of the pandemic and the ensuing lockdown, tourism in the state has been hit harshly. Jammu’s prominent tourist spots are witnessing zero footfalls. As a result, thousands of people linked with toursim are incurring heavy losses. The Bahu Fort area holds great significance for the people of Jammu. The fort houses a temple devoted to goddess Kali. The goddess, also known as Bawe Wali Mata, is the reigning deity of Jammu with devotees from around the country paying regular visits. Although the temple is open these days, no tourists are visiting Jammu and Kashmir due to lockdown. Hence, those with their livelihoods dependent on tourism at the fort are facing immense financial losses. “We are facing very difficult times. Our shops are shut because of the lockdown. During normal times, we used to earn well. But now, we are unable to earn anything. The government must announce some welfare measures for us,” said Shamsher Bahadur, running a dhaba. The famous Bagh-e-Bahu gardens, located near the fort, are closed for visitors these days. The gardens are very popular among youngsters witnessing great footfall daily. But now, the entire area wears an empty look. Source

A new in-patient mental health service will open at Waratah Private Hospital, Hurstville, in July. Construction has begun on Re-centre, a purpose-built 31-bed mental health facility that will offer day programs and inpatient accommodation to address the growing need for mental health services in St George and Sutherland Shire. It is the only facility of its kind in southern Sydney. Re-centre's team of specialist psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, occupational therapists and qualified mental health nurses will diagnose and treat a range of mental health issues. Specialties include anxiety and panic disorders, depression and mood disorders, addictive behaviour and substance use, eating disorders, adult ADHD, phobias and post traumatic stress disorder, bipolar and borderline personality disorder. The multidisciplinary service will offer one-on-one therapy and group programs, which will be offered as either day programs or overnight accommodation. Programs will be built around addressing clinical disorders with best practice and proven techniques. Patients can be referred to Re-centre by a GP, therapist, or psychiatrist. Self-referrals will also be available. All referrals will be triaged by a mental health nurse and admissions allocated based on individual need. Re-centre will be recognised by the majority of Australian health funds. "As a purpose-built environment, Re-centre will deliver an unrivalled and holistic offering where people can thrive with the latest mental health innovations in psychotherapies and treatment, backed by a leading mental health team," said Waratah Private Hospital's general manager Jason Penberthy. "We're holding true to our commitment to create a positive impact in our community and in doing so, we utilise our existing world-class facilities, including supportive specialties, allied health, gymnasium and hydrotherapy pool, right down to nutritious menus, ease of transport and on-site secure parking." Source

New Delhi, May 31 (IANS): Tobacco consumption has long been associated with lung disease, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. But, a recent guidance by the World Health Organization (WHO) states that smokers face a 40-50 per cent higher risk of developing severe disease and death from Covid-19. Health experts have urged smokers to quit as it is necessary now more than ever. World No-Tobacco Day is observed on May 31 every year. This year's theme is 'Commit to Quit'. "Given the correlation between the severity of Covid-19 and tobacco, the need to create awareness about ending tobacco use has never been more critical. World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) is an opportunity to raise awareness on the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure, and to discourage the use of tobacco in any form," said Dr. Roderico H Ofrin, WHO Representative to India, in a statement. "This year's theme for WNTD 'Commit to Quit' aims to support 100 million people worldwide in their attempts to give up tobacco through various initiatives. We all must help create healthier environments that are conducive to quitting tobacco use," Ofrin added. According to WHO, the act of smoking means that fingers (and possibly contaminated cigarettes) are in contact with lips which increases the possibility of transmission of the virus from hand to mouth. Smokeless tobacco users may spread the disease through spitting. "There is growing evidence that smokers have a higher mortality rate with respect to coronavirus infection compared to non-smokers. Especially the smokers who already have certain health conditions like COPD or other heart diseases are at a greater risk of succumbing to death if they get infected with the virus," Dr Vikas Maurya, Director and Head of Department, Pulmonology, Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh. Aligning with the theme, the WHO has launched a national mass media campaign to encourage tobacco users to quit, along with global health organisation Vital Strategies. The campaign, "When You Quit" explains how smoking cigarettes or bidi can cause heart attack and may also increase the risk of severe Covid-19. The WHO is supporting the "When You Quit" campaign developed in multiple Indian languages and to be aired across 15 states covering 169 districts with high burden of tobacco use through All India Radio, MY FM & Radio City. Additionally, Vital Strategies will augment the amplification of the message through major online streaming platforms - Facebook, Hotstar, Voot, Zee5, SonyLiv and MX Player. According to health experts, the Covid-19 pandemic has also led to a strengthening of resolve among tobacco users in their commitment to quit (tobacco). This could also be because the majority of people were more at home due to Covid-induced lockdowns and they were worried about exposing their children to tobacco smoking, said Dr. Pratima Murthy, Professor of Psychiatry and Head of the Department at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS) Bengaluru. "As many as three fourth of all who called to quit said they had given up and nearly about 40 per cent had quit in one month. This is the double of what we would see in the pre-Covid times," Murthy said. Source

New Delhi, May 31 (IANS): Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday wrote to Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, urging him to reconsider the decision regarding holding the CBSE Class XII board exams due to the Covid pandemic. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is yet to take a final call on conducting the Class XII board exams. The Centre is expected to take a final decision on the matter soon. Priyanka Gandhi said the three-page letter has been written after taking feedback from the students and parents on the issue of holding the Class XII board "I once again urge you to reconsider holding the CBSE 12th board exams and to consider the suggestions made by them (students and parents) very, very seriously. It will be a great injustice if they are pushed into circumstances that endanger their lives when it is completely unnecessary and it will be a great pity if we let them down at this trying time in their lives," the Congress leader wrote. "These children are the future generation of Indians. They have already coped with immense pressure in the last year of their schooling. For much of the year, their schools remained closed, normal interactions with friends that children thrive on have been practically absent. Many contracted Covid-19 themselves and many have lost people they love, family members and friends in this year of tragedy and turmoil," she added. Noting that the second wave of the pandemic has been even more devastating and traumatic than the first one, Priyanka Gandhi said, "The unimaginable pain we have suffered collectively as a nation in these last few months will probably be imprinted on the individual and collective psyches of our children for the rest of their lives. "How can we expect them to set aside all that they are witnessing and focus on their board exams? How can we, as the guardians of their future, refuse to hear their cries of help and turn away from their requests to be heard? In fact, how can we willingly put them in a situation that is potentially dangerous and life threatening for them?" The Congress leader also said that no lesson has been learnt from events like the panchayat elections in Uttar Pradesh, where the state government had promised that all Covid guidelines would be put in place only to subject the teachers and election officials to crowded spaces where all caution was thrown to the wind. "Over 1,600 teachers lost their lives for the very same reason that we are now imposing on students of the 12th standard -- because they were given no choice but to show up in a situation that endangered their lives," Priyanka Gandhi wrote in the letter. She also compiled the suggestions made by the teachers, students and parents, which pointed out that like in other countries, internal assessment should be the basis of grading a student amid the pandemic. The Congress leader said the very real fear and psychological trauma of the raging pandemic, coupled with prolonged and intense pressure of board exams, can lead to severe mental health issues like depression, anxiety and PTSD. Source

It isn't just Indian actors who are willing to try the longer format with TV series. The trend has been popular in the West too. Many Hollywood actors have been exploring TV shows as well. Perhaps TV series is where the best-written roles for women are - no wonder we're seeing many A-listers flock to the small screens. Male Hollywood stars are also finding meatier roles in television. The longevity of a TV series gives actors and actresses more time to explore the evolution of a character, which is now enticing for many. Here are some Hollywood female actors who have proved that they dazzle with their acting, whether it's the big screen or the small one. Kate Winslet in 'Mare of Easttown' As her life crumbles around her, a small-town Pennsylvania detective Mare Sheehan (Kate Winslet) investigates a local murder. Winslet is unabashed as she plays a detective investigating the murder of a teenage girl in a fictional working-class town in Delaware County. Mare of Easttown is streaming on Disney+ Hostar. Elizabeth Olsen in 'WandaVision' Defined by tragedy since her Marvel debut, Wanda aka the Scarlet Witch has telekinetic powers. When not saving the world, she spends most of her time onscreen grieving the deaths of her parents, twin brother, or lover. In WandaVision (streaming on Disney+ Hotstar), Wanda Maximoff and Vision, two beings with super powers, live an idealised suburban life until they begin to suspect that everything is not as it seems. Julia Roberts in 'Homecoming' In the first season of the Amazon Prime Video series Homecoming, Julia Roberts plays the role of Heidi Bergman, a former social worker who begins unraveling the mysteries of her previous job at the cryptic Homecoming facility, which claims to be helping soldiers transition back to civilian life. Nicole Kidman in 'The Undoing' Starring Nicole Kidman, Hugh Grant, Donald Sutherland, Noah Jupe, Lily Rabe and Matilda De Angelis among others, The Undoing is a six-episode series that starts with a murder and unfolds like a crime thriller. The Undoing follows the Frasers, who reside on the wealthy side of New York City and live quite a privileged life. Their world turns upside down when a murder takes place. The Undoing is streaming on Disney+Hotstar. Reese Witherspoon in 'Big Little Lies' & 'Little Fires Everywhere' Big Little Lies on Disney+Hotstar is an American drama television series based on the 2014 novel of the same name by Liane Moriarty. The series stars Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern, and Zoë Kravitz as five women in Monterey, California who become involved in a murder investigation. Reese Witherspoon has also been seen in another critically-acclaimed show, Little Fires Everywhere, a television miniseries based on the 2017 novel of the same name by Celeste Ng. Naomi Watts in 'Gypsy' Gypsy is an American psychological thriller streaming television series created by Lisa Rubin for Netflix. Naomi Watts plays Jean Holloway, a psychologist who secretly infiltrates the private lives of her patients. Within six weeks of its premiere, however, Netflix cancelled the show. The reasons were not mentioned. Source

Thanks to A Quiet Place Part II, it looks like movie theaters are no longer quiet places. Since the film’s release on May 28, the Paramount Pictures film has earned an astounding $48 million domestically, exceeding all expectations and breaking Godzilla Vs. Kong‘s record for the biggest three-day gross of the pandemic era. The film is currently playing in over 3,700 theaters and is expected to generate upwards of $58 million by Monday. “This is an outstanding opening,” said Franchise Entertainment Research head David A. Gross. “[It’s] well above average for a horror sequel. This movie is going to make a lot of money and bring enormous value to streaming.” A Quiet Place Part II is the sequel to John Krasinski‘s 2018 horror film which he starred in alongside Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds and Noah Jupe. They play a family forced to live in near silence due to an apocalypse caused by terrifying monsters with ultra-sensitive hearing. The first film exploded in popularity upon its release, with many praising the tense theatrical experience. It’s not surprising, then, that the sequel would do so well. What is surprising is that A Quiet Place Part II is doing so well during the ongoing pandemic, which was what originally caused the film to be delayed from its original release date of March 2020. “A Quiet Place Part II is the first domestic release this year to cross the threshold from ‘great opening weekend given the pandemic’ to ‘great opening weekend, period’ — offering undeniable proof that the domestic box office is back,” said Imax CEO Rich Gelfod. “The film’s stellar results give the box office a strong jolt of momentum heading into the summer, and the many blockbusters that held out for an exclusive theatrical release stand to benefit.” Source

Late ‘60s and ‘70s pop singer B.J. Thomas has passed away in his home in Arlington, Texas at 78. He had been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in March, according to Stereogum. Thomas is survived by his wife Gloria, his daughters Paige Thomas, Erin Moore and Nora Cloud, and four grandchildren. The news of his death had been announced on his official Twitter page with the statement “It is with profound sadness we confirm the passing of BJ Thomas.” He has won five Grammys and sold over 70 million records, but is best known for Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid’s “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head,” his first number 1 hit, and the original version of “Hooked On A Feeling.” Recordings of both can be found below. Thomas has worked both solo and with others, having released music from a number of music genres including pop, country and even gospel. He had been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and scored eight No. 1 hits and 26 Top 10 singles over the course of his 50+ year career. Other popular songs from the musician included “I Just Can’t Help Believing,” “Don’t Worry Baby,” “New Looks From An Old Lover,” “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” and “Whatever Happened To Old Fashioned Love.” His single “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song” with ABC Records is the longest titled No. 1 hit ever on Billboard’s Hot 100 to this day. In-memoriam donations are currently being accepted by Mission Arlington, Tarrant Area Food Bank and the SPCA of Texas. Source

Shock rocker Marilyn Manson is facing another lawsuit, this time from an unnamed former girlfriend whom he dated back in 2011. The woman, who filed the lawsuit as Jane Doe, is claiming that Manson allegedly raped and threatened to kill her, according to TMZ. The lawsuit also alleges that Manson showed the woman a home video titled “Groupie” that allegedly depicts him tying a young fan to a chair, forcing her to drink a glass of a band member’s urine, and proceeding to threaten her with a gun. The footage allegedly also included sex acts and humiliation. The plaintiff claimed to have been left fearful for her own life after viewing the video. A member of Manson’s team responded to the original TMZ article, claiming that the video was a “scripted short film shot by a crew and a famous photographer/videographer who frequently collaborated with Manson.” He also stated that the actress in the film was an adult who had made an appearance in one of Manson’s previous music videos, “The Long Hard Road Out of Hell,” and that the short film, though never released, had been intended as an extra video feature for an upcoming album. The lawsuit seeks damages against Manson and a public declaration of Manson’s alleged actions broke the law. Currently, Manson is also being sued for alleged sexual assault, battery and harassment by his former assistant Ashley Walters, and in April, Game of Thrones actress Esmé Bianco sued Manson for alleged sexual assault and battery. In Bianco’s claim, Manson allegedly raped her, chased her with an ax and cut her with a knife during intercourse without consent. In February, actress Evan Rachel Wood named Manson as her alleged abuser, and since then at least sixteen women have come forward with accusations against Manson. The musician has denied all accusations. Manson is currently wanted in New Hampshire on two counts of Class A misdemeanor Simple Assault after allegedly spitting on a concert videographer at one of his concerts in 2019. Source

Hardcore-turned-indie band Turnstile has announced their tour dates for later this summer, according to The PRP. The tour will include three concerts in California followed by four separate festival appearances. The three California concerts will feature NYC avant hardcore band Show Me The Body and musical group Never Ending Game as support. In the past, the Firefly Music Festival in Delaware has featured such artists as T-Pain, The Weeknd, Weezer, Twenty One Pilots, Mumford & Sons, Blink-182, Florence + The Machine, The Chainsmokers, Hozier, Foo Fighters, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Vampire Weekend and more. This year, Billie EIlish, The Killers, Tame Impala and Lizzo are set to headline the festival. Having featured Rob Zombie, Guns N’ Roses and Slipknot in the past, this year’s Louder Than Life rock festival will feature major acts such as Nine Inch Nails, Korn, Jane’s addiction and more. Knotfest Iowa, also set to host an inaugural festival in Brazil in December, has announced that their lineup this year will feature artists such as Slipknot, Faith No More, Megadeth, Lamb of God, Fever 333, Gatecreeper and others. Primavera Sound will hold their 20th anniversary show in June of 2022 due to COVID-19 restrictions, and will feature artists such as Massive Attack, Tame Impala, The Strokes, Gorillaz, Tyler, The Creator, Dua Lipa, Lorde and Megan Thee Stallion. Turnstile tour dates: 08/28/21 – Garden Grove, CA – Garden Amp* 08/29/21 – Ventura, CA – The Tavern* 08/30/21 – Santa Cruz, CA – Santa Cruz Vets Hall* 09/23/21 – Dover, DE – Firefly Music Festival 09/24/21 – Louisville, KY – Louder Than Life 09/25/21 – Indianola, IA – Knotfest Iowa 06/05/22 – Sant Adria de Besos, SPA – Primavera Sound * w/ Show Me The Body and Never Ending Game Source

Jay-Z’s Made In America festival will be returning this September 4 and 5, in honor of its 10th anniversary in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This year’s event will support the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) chapter in Pennsylvania, with some proceeds additionally going toward the REFORM Alliance. Since the inauguration of Made In Americs back in 2012, the event has raised an estimated $135 million in revenue for the city of Philadelphia. The event also works with the community through the philanthropic endeavor Cause Village, which supports causes such as criminal justice reform, female empowerment, youth development, LGBTQ+ rights, financial literacy, gun violence prevention. According to a statement from its founder, Jay-Z, the charitable foundation will be expanding its reach to support even more philanthropic endeavors. “We are thrilled to announce Made in America 2021 on the legendary Benjamin Franklin Parkway. This year will be like no other, as Made In America celebrates 10 years of music history making moments,” Jay-Z explained in a press release. “The artists’ performances will be even bigger and Cause Village will host a wider range of amazing philanthropic organizations. We look forward to sharing incredible memories with our festival attendees and the city of Philadelphia.” Made In America has historically contained a diverse lineup, with acts such as Edward Sharpe, Jamie xx, Rihanna, Coldplay and Modest Mouse appearing in previous events. Jay-Z headlined the fest alongside The Chainsmokers and J. Cole back in 2017, while the 2018 lineup featured Nicki Minaj, Kendrick Lamar, Post Malone, Gunna, Fat Joe, 6LACK and Lil Skies. Source

Squirrel Flower has released a new music video for “Flames and Flat Tires,” a single from their upcoming studio album, Planet (i), out June 25 via Polyvinyl. This latest music video was directed by Lua Borges, a Brazillian filmmaker who has worked with Beach Bunny. “Flames and Flat Tires” hosts a somber, piano-driven instrumental that is guided by frontwoman Ella Williams’ strong voice. The track was written during the pandemic as Williams spent time in Bristol, which is echoed perfectly throughout the music video, as it portrays images of decay. Scenes of broken electronics, and old, abandoned factories also gives the video an environmentalist message, as the Earth’s decay mirrors the experiences of the song’s narrator. “I wrote ‘Flames & Flat Tires’ on my second day of quarantine in Bristol, England ahead of recording,” Williams explained in a press release. “It was late August, hot, I was staying in a place that opened onto a party street, and every night I stayed up listening to the sounds of the revelers and the birds squawking and screaming until 6am, then all day watched people hanging laundry in their backyards through my kitchen window. This was one of those tunes that just falls out.” “Flames and Flat Tire,” along with the rest of Planet (i), were recorded at the Bristol recording studio The Playpen, owned by Ali Chant. Bristol drummer Matt Brown and Portishead’s Adrian Utley took part in the recording sessions for the album, as did several members of Williams’ friends and family. Source

The Michigan grindcore outfit Cloud Rat has released a brutal eight-minute long track “Mother Tongue ~ Glitter Belly” via the Adult Swim Singles series. The song was the fourth entry into the series’ latest release, which also features songs from Iceage, Loraine James and Alex Frankel. “Mother Tongue ~ Glitter Belly” is split between two different styles, with the first part representing brutal grindcore, as aggressive, shouted vocals, intense drums and pounding riffs lead this portion of the instrumental. After a couple of minutes, the instrumental transitions into an ambient instrumental, with long, drawn out tones slowly transitioning into experimental drone. The instrumental then begins to glitch out, as eerie vocal overlays and syncopated drum beats fade out the song. According to a press release, this recording was the first time the band had reunited since February of 2020, one month before the COVID-19 pandemic would shut down the entire United States and most of the world. The duality of the track was inspired by the pandemic, as it attempts to capture the chaos and conflicted emotions of many people across the globe. “The flow of the track, unintentionally, feels like it mirrors the past year and a half and all of the waves of emotions that we’ve all collectively gone through,” the band explained in a press release. “Maybe that’s pretentious, but really there does feel like some kind of narrative is in there.” Cloud Rat’s latest studio album release Pollinator came out in 2019 and contained 14 tracks. Their previous single “Faster” came out last June. Source

For the past decade or so, free game giveaways have been huge across both PC gaming and home consoles. Programs like PlayStation Plus and Xbox free Games with Gold have made it the norm for users to expect free games on a semi-regular basis, to the point where pretty much every major gaming platform has some kind of "free" game promotion going on at any given time. Sometimes these free games are bundled with subscriptions that include other services, but other times that are truly free and require nothing from the consumer beyond a claim. At the time of this writing, there are free games available for the Epic Games Store and Steam on PC, as well as a variety of games available for "free" through the PlayStation Plus and Games with Gold programs. Sometimes these games are available for a week and other times they are available for up to a month at a time, but anyone looking for something to play without actually buying has plenty of options at the moment. Source

Warhammer: Age of Sigmar will be getting its own launch box with the release of its third edition set of rules later this year. Games Workshop revealed the contents of its upcoming Warhammer: Age of Sigmar: Dominion box, which will help to launch the game's Third Edition later this year. The "Dominion" box will contain 60 miniatures and corresponding rulebooks, providing players with everything they need to jump into a full game of Age of Sigmar. The box will have 21 Stormcast Eternal miniatures and 39 Kruleboyz Orruks miniatures, the latter of which is a brand new faction to the game. Also included is an exclusive launch edition rulebook, 14 warscroll cards, and 2 allegiance abilities cards. Games Workshop will also release additional miniatures for both the Stormcast or Kruleboyz armies after the release of Dominion, including ranged and mounted units. As part of the Third Edition's launch, Games Workshop also revealed a new cinematic trailer for the game, showing a group of Stormcast Eternal charging into the fray against the Orruks. You can check out the full trailer up above. Age of Sigmar is Games Workshop's primary fantasy-themed miniatures game, providing a less "grimdark" setting in contrast to its more popular Warhammer 40,000 game line. While Warhammer 40,000 is set in a world where even the agents of order commit unspeakable acts to continue their endless war, Warhammer: Age of Sigmar still has more traditional heroes and forces aligned with "good." One other key differences is that Age of Sigmar has a continuous narrative storyline, which keeps the world of the game feeling fresh and spontaneous as new factions emerge and old factions adapt to major world changes. Games Workshop claims that Age of Sigmar's Third Edition will be its best ruleset ever, with new gameplay tweaks focused on balance and clarity. Fans are excited that Third Edition will at least somewhat focus on the struggle between the forces of Order (led by Sigmar's Stormcast Eternals) and the forces of Destruction. The narrative of the game will move to the Realm of Beasts, although other factions will surely get new releases and new storylines as the game continues. Pre-orders for Warhammer: Age of Sigmar's Dominion box will be available in June. The box is expected to sell out fast, so be sure to keep an eye out for when pre-orders officially go live. Source

Sony Corp. this week is holding the Days of Play Sale for the PlayStation 5 and the PlayStation 4 at the PlayStation Network and participating retailers. Discounted titles include Demon’s Souls, Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Sackboy: A Big Adventure, The Nioh Collection, Death Stranding, Ghosts of Tsushima, and The Last of Us Part II. The sale will conclude June 9. Source

Easy listening = popular music that is tuneful and undemanding. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easy_listening Rap = a type of popular music of US black origin in which words are recited rapidly and rhythmically over an instrumental backing. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapping Please be more careful in posting

Let’s say you’ve grown tired of the run-of-the-mill supercar, and you want to trounce your neighbor’s Ferrari. If you have enough coin and were fast enough on the draw, you might have been one of the five lucky owners of the Bussink GT R Speedlegends made. It uses the already spectacular Mercedes-AMG GT R Roadster as its base, removes the roof and windshield, and adds a structural “Speedbow” for rigidity and effect, as well as boosts the horsepower from a not-so-humble 577 all the way to an insane 850. Designer Ronald A. Bussink dreamt it up, and the team at HWA AMG (responsible for crafting parts and cars for Mercedes-AMG) built the thing. Replete with carbon fiber, a specially-trimmed interior, and a body-color-matched helmet (required to drive it), the Speedlegend should prove to be frighteningly quick, as well as serious attention-getter. Only five have been made at an undisclosed price, and they’re all gone. Source

It's safe to say the automotive industry is currently undergoing the greatest shift since its very inception, with electrification and autonomy widely agreed to form the basis of the future of the new-car market. It can seem almost daily that a major car maker unveils a new electric vehicle, or announces plans to go all-electric in the coming years and decades – so often so that it can be a challenge to keep track of and stay on top of every brand's plans. It's for that reason we've compiled this breakdown of everything you need to know about the car industry's electric future, from each manufacturer's current and future electric vehicle range, what percentages of their line-ups will comprise all-electric cars, and when they plan to phase out the combustion engine as we know it. While we've tried to be as comprehensive as possible, we've opted to keep each brand's section to a concise summary of what's here and what's coming, rather than divulging every detail we know about each new model. Brands considered ultra-niche or not sold in Australia have been omitted, too. GLOSSARY Before we start, let's identify a number of terms and electric vehicle-specific words we'll be using throughout this story. Electric vehicle (EV): any vehicle that relies solely on electricity to power its wheels. Electrified vehicle: any vehicle that uses electricity to power its wheels in some capacity, either as a mild-hybrid system providing assistance to the existing petrol or diesel engine, a petrol-electric hybrid that could use electricity to exclusively power the wheels, or a fully-electric car. Hybrid vs plug-in hybrid (PHEV): all hybrid vehicles use an engine and an electric motor for power. However, 'conventional' hybrids (also known as self-charging, or parallel) don't need to be recharged via a plug, whereas plug-in hybrids do (as the name suggests). source

It came as something of a surprise that the Ford Ranger is the best-selling ute in Europe, a market not well known for its pick-up truck culture. So when Ford of Europe recently released the Ford Ranger Raptor Special Edition, it was only fitting it did so with ‘bad-ass’ advertising campaign. Dubbed The Good, The Bad and Bad-RSE, (and rated 'B' for 'Bad-Ass'), the campaign features a Ranger Raptor Special Edition in a Spaghetti Western-inspired action film. In the 3-minute 32-second sequence, the Raptor is chased by a horde of bad guys on motorbikes and trucks and in effecting its escape does plenty of skidding and sliding, something that has long been banned in Australia where a vehicle breaking traction in advertising is a big no-no. Under current Australian guidelines, vehicle advertisements are bound by a voluntary code of practice, which was drafted by the car industry's lobby group, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI). Cars cannot be shown breaking any road rules, including breaking traction, and can also not be shown to be driven at excessive speeds. Toyota Australia recently fell foul of the guidelines, its ad was pulled from the air after a high-performance GR Yaris was seen to slide ever so slightly. One can only imagine what the Australian Advertising Standards Board would make of Ford of Europe’s latest Ranger Raptor commercial, which you can watch in all its glory below. source