Latest news with #GDC
NZ Herald
a day ago
- General
- NZ Herald
Natural Heritage Fund applications open for 2026 projects
A new $100,000 round of funding is available for environmental projects that enhance native biodiversity on private land and whenua Māori. Gisborne District Council (GDC) began inviting applications from landowners and community groups for the 2026 Natural Heritage Fund (NHF) on Tuesday. In a statement, the council's senior regional biodiversity
Digital Trends
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
Our favorite video games of 2025 so far: Clair Obscur, Blue Prince, and more
June is coming to a close which means that we're officially halfway through 2025. Where did all that time go? Outside of all the hours lost to anxiety spirals as the world deteriorates, much of the past six months has gone to video games. We've killed demons as a medieval Doom Slayer, walked around Japan in an iconic samurai's shoes, and lost countless lives to Nightlords. That has left us with a long list of memorable games that are already on our year-end shortlist. While the back half of 2025 still has plenty of big releases in store (Ghost of Yotei, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and The Outer Worlds 2 just to name a few), these 10 games we've picked out the 10 games that have stuck with us most so far this year. Some will come as no surprise, but we're sure that a few may catch you off guard. That fact speaks to how wide and diverse world of video games is, where no two game of the year lists will ever look the same. Recommended Videos Blue Prince For most gamers, I imagine that Blue Prince came out of nowhere when it launched in April to critical praise. I wasn't shocked, but that's only because I was fortunate enough to demo it one year earlier at GDC, checking it out on a sheer whim. I knew it would be special from the moment I laid down my first room, getting instantly sucked into the mysterious roguelike manor-builder. That's the kind of game Blue Prince is. It sucks players in instantly with a tactile puzzle hook, but keeps them coming back with layer upon layer of secrets. After 100 hours, I still feel like I've seen next to nothing. That's the way I like it, because it means I'll always have an excuse to jump back in for another run. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 There are few success stories in gaming quite like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Getting a totally original series off the ground is one challenge, but doing it as a brand new studio is a different beast entirely. It's easy to see why the French RPG has broken the mold, though. Emotional storytelling, an active turn-based battle system, and memorable characters make for an inventive exploration of grief that never goes exactly where you're expecting. It can be messy at times, especially its divisive third act, but Sandfall Interactive created a special debut here that deserves the buzz its receiving (even if we could stand to see the breathless hype dialed down just a notch). Avowed Avowed feels destined to become an underrated classic in a few year's time. The RPG was met with some mixed reactions at the time, as players seemed a little disappointed that it wasn't as giant as a new Elder Scrolls game. Accept Avowed for what it actually is, though, and you'll find one of Obsidian's best games to date. Aside from some pleasantly streamlined systems that cut out a lot of unnecessary cruft, Avowed excels at telling a nuanced story about all the ways that a crisis can become politicized. It's a work of art clearly birthed from the Covid-19 pandemic and may just be the best commentary about the pandemic released to date. If you bounced off it initially because it didn't live up to a certain scope, I recommend jumping back in and meeting it where it is instead. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 If you do desire an all-encompassing mega-RPG that gives you the freedom to do anything you want, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 will likely be more your speed. The medieval sequel is a staggering accomplishment, with loads of detail put into every interaction. Even something as simple as getting a new sword becomes an involved blacksmithing minigame that you could turn into a whole digital career. With excellent quest design propelling its main story forward, this is the kind of game that you could get lost in for a full year. Even if it's not your bag, it's hard not to respect its commitment. Despelote Only one game released this year has received a rare five star review from Digital Trends. It's not Split Fiction or Monster Hunter Wilds, but rather an Ecuadorian coming of age story that's no longer than two hours. Despelote is a remarkable game that draws a parallel between a child's growth to Ecuador's World Cup run in 2002. That's delivered in an experimental narrative adventure that has players casually exploring a city and eavesdropping on loose conversations while kicking a soccer ball around with friends. Few games capture the memory of childhood quite like this, and even fewer so sharply tie it into the broader culture that shapes those experiences. If nothing else, Despelote will help you understand why soccer is more than a sport for so many people around the world. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach When the first Death Stranding released in 2019, we weren't quite sure what to make of it. We praised its social innovations, but weren't entirely sold on its oddball walking hook. We came around on it just in time for its strong sequel, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. While its not as subversive as you may expect from a Hideo Kojima game, Death Stranding 2 refines just about everything about its predecessor while delivering a meaty story about the long-term danger of mass connection. It's a self-reflexive adventure that tries to weigh its utopic vision of a united world with the knowledge that those with power can manipulate that positivity in the name of expansionism. It's a thought-provoking sequel that begs to be dissected once the end credits roll even more than played. The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy No game this year has a pitch quite as eye-popping as The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy. The latest game from the creators of Danganronpa and the Zero Escape series created a sprawling visual novel with 100 endings. I'm not talking joke endings either; I really mean 100 full-fledged endings. It's daunting, but Last Defense Academy earns the time it takes to see it through thanks to an engrossing story full of cliffhangers, twists, and some challenging, turn-based tactics in between. It plays out like multiple seasons of a TV show, constantly ratcheting up the tension and revealing more layers to its dystopian universe. You may not have the time to see it all, but I'd at least recommend clearing out enough to see its two mainline endings through. Mario Kart World Nintendo's best Switch 2 exclusives are likely still to come later this year, but Mario Kart World is one heck of a way to kick off a new console's life. The latest installment of Nintendo's storied racing series builds on Mario Kart 8's success with a careful balance of casual chaos and traversal tools that open the door for high-skill play. I've been playing it much more than I expected to after finishing up my initial review, zoning out in its open-world and enjoying some thrilling rounds of Knockout Tour online. It already feels like an essential multiplayer game for a console that will no doubt have its fair share of them in a few years time. Lost Records: Bloom and Rage I imagine that it might be a little surprising to see Lost Records: Bloom and Rage on this list when so many other heavy hitters are absent. Call us a sucker for 90s nostalgia, but Don't Nod's spiritual follow-up to Life is Strange is a tender narrative adventure about the transformative power of punk rock. It follows a group of budding riot grrrls as they come of age during a crucial summer, one that takes a dark twist. While its supernatural twist is its initial draw, Lost Records' true strength lies in its grounded story that explores just how many things shape us into what we are, from tragedy to music. Rematch Unlike just about everything on this list, there's nothing too flashy about Rematch. It's an arcade sports game that boils soccer down to its essence. It has only a few modes, a simple battle pass structure, and no fancy cross-promotions yet. So how in the world has it made our list? Because it just feels flat out fantastic. The act of kicking a ball or blocking a goal has never felt this satisfying. Developer Sloclap really honed in on its fundamentals here to create an elegant multiplayer game that carries the torch for long dormant genre legends like NFL Blitz. Even with some kinks to work out long-term, it's a terrific game that has been eating up just as much of my casual playtime as Mario Kart World. Honorable mentions: The Alters, Battle Train, Bionic Bay, Blade Chimera, Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist, Expelled!, The Midnight Walk, Monster Hunter Wilds, Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo, Promise Mascot Agency, Rift of the NecroDancer, The Roottrees are Dead, South of Midnight, Squeakross: Home Squeak Home, While Waiting
Korea Herald
6 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
Vinamilk Showcases Science-Driven Innovation and Wins Prestigious Awards at Global Dairy Congress 2025
AMSTERDAM, June 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Vinamilk, Vietnam's leading dairy company, presented its science-driven innovation strategy at the Global Dairy Congress (GDC) 2025 and was honoured with two prestigious accolades at the 2025 World Dairy Innovation Awards. A Highlight of Science-Based Nutrition at GDC-18 Held in Amsterdam, Netherlands, 18th Global Dairy Congress brought together nearly 200 industry leaders to explore emerging trends and the future of the global dairy sector. Under the theme "Dairy for All Ages", the event focused on inclusive nutrition, innovation, and sustainable solutions to serve consumers at every life stage. As the sole representative from Southeast Asia to deliver a presentation, Vinamilk marked its fifth appearance at the event, highlighting how advanced technology and scientific applications unlock and enhance nature's gifts, reinforcing its commitment to industry excellence. At GDC 2025, a premier global platform for the dairy industry, Vinamilk showcased cutting-edge dairy products under the theme "Born by Nature, Perfected by Science", demonstrating its innovation strategy to preserve and enhance the natural value of dairy while meeting diverse health and nutrition needs. Highlighted products included the Green Farm's product line, Vinamilk Optimum, and Plant-Based Milk. Green Farm was featured as a case study in harnessing nature's potential through advanced dairy technology. Its proprietary air-sealed technology reduces free oxygen radicals in milk by up to 50%, preserving freshness, floral aroma, and natural taste. Using European ultra-filtration technology, Green Farm High Protein Milk offers a smart, additive-free nutritional solution: high protein, rich calcium, low fat, and lactose-free meeting the rising demand for personalized nutrition. Meanwhile, Green Farm Drinking Yogurt is the first and only product in Vietnam to include six European probiotic strains, delivering 720 million live cultures that boost flavor and digestive health. A key scientific breakthrough was also emphasized with Vinamilk Optimum, an exclusive infant formula inspired by breast milk. For the first time in Vietnam, it incorporates six Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs), representing 58% of the total HMO content found in breast milk, the highest concentration available in the market. Furthermore, Vinamilk also became Southeast Asia's first dairy producer to adopt Tetra Pak's wholesome soy grinding technology, enhancing soy nutrition, and reducing waste in line with its sustainability goals. Building on Vinamilk's science-led approach that unites nature and technology, Dr. Richard Hall, Chairman and Founder of the Global Dairy Congress, remarked: "Dairy has long been a cornerstone of nutrition, but it must keep evolving to meet human needs. We cannot consume hundreds of products at once—we have to choose what's 'best for me.' Now more than ever, technology is empowering the dairy industry to go further and last longer." From Emerging Market to Global Player At this year's congress, Vinamilk was honored with two distinguished awards at the 2025 World Dairy Innovation Awards. Its Green Farm High-Protein Greek Yogurt was named Best Yogurt, while the Plant-Based Vinamilk Yogurt received the award for Best Packaging Design. These achievements underscore Vinamilk's unwavering commitment to innovation and creativity in the global dairy industry. Although relatively young, Vietnam's dairy industry has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past five decades with Vinamilk at the forefront of modernizing production and advancing science-based nutrition. "By honoring the essence of nature and enriching it with cutting-edge science, we remain committed to delivering nutritious products that stay true to their natural origins—in both taste and nourishment. Our journey of relentless innovation, guided by our mission 'Care to make it real,' is devoted to consumer health and to shaping a sustainable, world-class dairy industry for Vietnam," said Nguyen Quang Tri, Chief Marketing Officer of Vinamilk. In 2024 alone, Vinamilk introduced 125 new products—about one every two working days—reflecting both its responsiveness to personalized nutrition trends and its commitment to global standards. As a result, this innovation has earned international acclaim, including the Monde Selection (EU), Superior Taste Award (EU), and Clean Label Project Certification (USA), placing Vietnamese dairy on par with global quality benchmarks. With a strong global network of partners, 17 factories, and 15 internationally certified farms, Vinamilk integrates advanced technology across its entire supply chain to preserve nutrition, ensure safety, and elevate product quality. Established in 1976, Vinamilk is not only Vietnam's No.1 dairy brand, but also exports to over 65 countries, ranks among the Top 36 global dairy companies by revenue, and is recognized as the 6th most valuable dairy brand in the world.
Otago Daily Times
24-06-2025
- Climate
- Otago Daily Times
Swift action on algae bloom praised
The Gore wastewater treatment plant was affected by an algae bloom in early March. PHOTOS: AME MCSPORRAN/GDC Decisive action by Gore District Council staff turned a potentially disastrous algae bloom into a cause for celebration. Although algae blooms are a normal occurrence, the extreme expansion at the water treatment ponds in Gore was anything but. In the council report, Three Waters operational manager Aaron Green described the bloom which broke out on February 21-22 and how the discharge to the Mataura River was disconnected. Levels took off far quicker than anyone could predict, he said. Blooms could be a pesky situation to deal with, releasing toxins into the water, and causing environmental changes which could lead to noncompliance with resource consent law, the report said. Council staff moved quickly to engage shareholders in the treatment plant, and the decision was made to use Earthtec, a water treatment chemical. Earthtec was the most expensive option for products, but meant less was used overall, and was a success. Both ponds were treated, with pond one showing a 48% reduction in total suspended solids (TTS), with pond two requiring another dose to dip to acceptable levels. Quick action led to it being mainly clear a month later. In addition to this, the use of Earthtec did not increase the concentration of toxins in the pool which can be released if algae die, as they simply sunk to the bottom inert. A presentation detailing the event and the steps taken was delivered to the council's audit and risk committee meeting in Gore yesterday. Councillors and staff in attendance were appreciative of the work of Mr Green and his team. Mayor Ben Bell said the incident was quickly handled by the team, before a potential crisis emerged. "I'm always a fan of issues that come to me as non-issues since they are dealt with so well." The ponds will be monitored regularly to catch aberrant blooms before they hit, although it is unknown exactly why this one was so severe. Temperature was thought to be the main condition for algae growth, but climate research has shown outbreaks can occur at 10°C. Suspended solids in water, pH levels, water, temperature, all can contribute to an outbreak.
The Print
19-06-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Want Jammu to evolve as hub of tourism, particularly religious tourism: CM Omar
'I will not consider my mission fulfilled until the day students from outside J-K come here to pursue their education,' he said. 'We want the Jammu region to evolve into a hub for tourism, especially religious tourism, which will transform the lives of local communities,' Abdullah said after inauguration of the newly constructed college complex of Government Degree College (GDC) Purmandal in Samba district. Samba/Jammu, Jun 19 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah batted strongly for evolving Jammu as the hub of tourism, particularly religious tourism. Today, many of our students are compelled to study outside the state, and during global crises, they face great difficulties, the CM added. Abdullah expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for facilitating the safe return of students from J-K who were studying in Iran, and assured parents of continued efforts to ensure student safety abroad. He also assured that demands related to road development in the area would be prioritised. In his address, CM Abdullah described the occasion as a proud and fortunate moment, marking a significant milestone for higher education in the region. Responding to the memorandum of demands presented by the students, the CM assured appropriate action, especially regarding the introduction of new academic courses. He emphasised the critical importance of health and higher education in the sustained development of any society. He further committed to upgrading government schools in Jammu and Kashmir to improved standards, underlining the government's dedication to strengthening the education sector. 'Government jobs alone cannot eliminate unemployment. Real change will come when our students are trained in world-class skills and we will not stop until our goals for the youth are fully implemented,' he asserted. The CM also expressed hope that on his next visit, the college will offer more streams and will rank among the top educational institutions of Jammu and Kashmir. On the occasion, CM Abdullah also handed over keys of five buses, donated by J&K Bank under its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative to five Government Degree Colleges in Jammu division. PTI AB NB NB This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
