Categories
Technology

Tower of Fantasy worldwide launch times

Tower of Fantasy worldwide launch times

Open-world exploration game Tower of Fantasy is launching soon, and bringing with it a healthy dose of anime, gacha collectables, and fantastic bosses to fight through. While often compared to Genshin Impact, Tower of Fantasy eschews magical fantasy for a mixture of sci-fi and magic instead. Enemies will often be a mixture of man and machine, and future technology will be everywhere as you try to solve the riddles of your past.

Tower of Fantasy will be launching at a specific time worldwide. Below you will find the launch times for Australia:

• Australia: Thursday, August 11 at 9am ACT.

On launch, all players will earn the following rewards as part of the pre-registration campaign rewards:

• 10 Black Cores

• 20 Gold Cores

• 10 Red Cores

• 500 Dark Crystal

• 14,000 Gold

• Limited title and avatar frame

• Limited Jet pack skin

•Limited Costume

•Limited Vehicle

• Several pieces of food

Players will be able to use these resources to recruit Simulacrum, which are the rare gacha units that grant players unique abilities to use in the game. In addition, players will also receive additional bonuses for log-in and new player campaigns, granting all players several chances to get a rare Simulacrum.

Tower of Fantasy follows a young character who suffers from amnesia as they try to discover who they were and what their place in the world is. Along the way, they will meet up with several survivors in the post-apocalyptic wasteland, explore an alien world full of strange flora and fauna, and fight a whole assortment of difficult, larger-than-life bosses.

Tower of Fantasy will launch on mobile devices (iOS and Android) and PC (Epic Games Store and Steam).

Written by Junior Miyai on behalf of GLHF.

.

Categories
Sports

Pies secure huge signature as gun forward signs on

Pies secure huge signature as gun forward signs on

Collingwood has secured a three-year contract extension for Jamie Elliott to essentially make him a Magpie for life.

The 29-year-old was due to come out of contract at the end of the season as a free agent but has recommitted to the club until the end of 2025.

He has played his 150th game in Friday night’s win over Melbourne and has kicked 21 goals in 14 games in 2022.

Collingwood head of footy Graham Wright said Elliott has become “invaluable” to the club.

“We’re pleased to extend Jamie for another three years, and to hopefully see him play out his career at the Club,” Wright said.

“Jamie is an instrumental figure in our program. Across 11 seasons he has a wealth of football smarts which is invaluable to the youth of our group.

“The likes of Ash Johnson, Jack Ginnivan, Beau McCreery and Ollie Henry are products of great improvement credit to Elliott’s influence in the forward line.

“In addition to this, Jamie is a player who stands up in the moments that matter, inspiring all members of our program.

“We respected the fact Jamie was a free agent at the end of this year, and we are glad to come to terms that see him at the Club until the end of 2025.”

Elliott kicked the game-winning goal in Round 19 against Essendon and has kicked 11 majors across his last five games.





.

Categories
Australia

Average income in Australia’s highest-earning postcode cracks $300,000

Average income in Australia's highest-earning postcode cracks $300,000

Seven other Sydney postcodes were in the top 10 for average incomes, including those of Bellevue Hill ($195,204), Dover Heights ($186,025) and Mosman ($177,645). Last year’s best-paid suburb, Double Bay, suffered a $32,500 drop in average income to $170,051.

loading

The only Melbourne suburb to reach the list in 2019-20 was Toorak at almost $185,000, down $16,000 on 2018-19.

Across the country, the average taxable income for all Australians increased by 2.1 per cent to $63,882. The median taxable income increased by a similar rate to $48,381.

The average incomes of women increased by 2.8 per cent to a record high of $52,798 while for men it lifted by 1.8 per cent to $74,559.

Australians, on average, paid $19,790 in income taxes in 2019-20, at $446 or 2.3 per cent increase over 2018-19.

The statistics also show the burden of the tax system is increasingly falling on middle-income earners.

There were 545,000 people who earned more than $190,000 through the year. Their average tax bill was $130,421 while the median tax paid was $81,554.

It was the lowest average tax paid by the nation’s highest income earners since 2012-13 and the lowest median on record.

By contrast, the 2.5 million people earning between $90,000 and $180,000 paid, on average, $33,655 in tax or a combined $83 billion.

It was the highest average tax bill for middle-income earners on record and an 8.2 per cent increase over the collective tax they paid in 2018-19.

loading

Lower-income earners also paid more tax in total and on average. The largest group of taxpayers, the 6.2 million people who earned between $37,000 and $90,000, paid a combined $67.2 billion in tax at an average of $10,818 each.

The legislated stage three tax cuts, which the federal government has committed to keeping despite their substantial cost to the budget, will deliver their largest benefits to middle and high-income earners. They begin from the middle of 2024.

Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis from Jacqueline Maley. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter here.

Categories
US

5 things to know for August 8: Senate vote, Air travel, Immigration, Uvalde, Gaza

Senator reacts to passage of landmark Inflation Reduction Act

Here’s what you need to know to Get Up to Speed ​​and On with Your Day.

(You can get “5 Things You Need to Know Today” delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here.)

1. Senate vote

The Senate on Sunday afternoon passed Democrats’ $750 billion health care, tax and climate bill, in a significant victory for President Joe Biden and his party. The final, party-line vote was 51-50, with Vice President Kamala Harris breaking the tie. The Democrat-controlled House, which is expected to take up the legislation on Friday, must approve the bill before Biden can sign it into law. The measure includes a handful of important but narrow provisions to lower prescription drug prices and extend enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies for three years. The bill would also be the biggest climate investment in US history, slashing US greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s office said. To increase revenue, the legislation would impose a 15% minimum tax on the income large corporations report to shareholders, raising $258 billion over a decade. While the deal is far smaller than the slimmed-down $1.75 trillion version the House passed in October, Democrats and the White House say the bill could still have a massive impact on many Americans.

2.Air Travel

Another wave of airline cancellations and delays was felt across the US over the weekend. More than 7,700 flights were delayed and 950 flights were canceled across the country on Sunday, according to the flight tracking website, FlightAware. This comes as global travelers are returning to the skies in droves after a pandemic-enforced pause. However, airlines and airports across the world are grappling to meet the demand. Some flight attendants say the lack of staffing, along with unpredictable schedules, is wreaking havoc on their mental and physical well-being. Plus, with fewer pilots available, some aviation experts predict these disruptions could persist for a decade as reductions in schedules and routes cause prices to rise.

3. Immigration

At least 68 migrants arrived in New York City over the weekend on buses sent by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. According to New York Mayor Eric Adams, some of the migrants are being “forced” on buses from Texas. However, Abbott’s office says migrants are volunteering to be bused out of his state. Abbott has designated New York as a “drop-off location for the busing strategy as part of (his) response to the Biden administration’s open border policies overwhelming Texas communities,” the governor’s office said in a statement on Friday. A fierce critic of the Biden administration’s immigration policies, Abbott began sending hundreds of migrants on buses to Washington, DC, earlier this year. More than 5,100 migrants have since arrived in Washington from Texas on more than 135 buses.

4. Uvalde

The school district in Uvalde, Texas, the site of a school massacre in May, is looking for an interim police chief as Pete Arredondo awaits his termination hearing, according to a report. Arredondo was placed on unpaid leave following his highly-criticized handling of the shooting at Robb Elementary School on May 24, in which 19 children and two teachers were killed. Officials have said Arredondo was the on-scene commander during the shooting, but the chief has disputed that, saying he did not believe he was in charge. Separately, the community’s school board president confirmed the district has zeroed in on a property to replace Robb Elementary. The community’s superintendent also reaffirmed students will not return to the campus because many are still traumatized by the violence.

5. Strip

A ceasefire between Israel and the Islamic Jihad militant group in Gaza is holding today after a weekend of violence left dozens of Palestinians dead. The truth, announced on Sunday evening by both sides, came about 50 hours after the escalation began, when Israel launched what it called preemptive strikes on Islamic Jihad targets in Gaza. At least 44 Palestinians, including 15 children, were killed in the violence, according to Palestinian officials. Israel maintains most of those killed in its air strikes were militants. The escalation was the most serious in nearly 15 months, when the Israeli military and Hamas fought an 11-day war in May 2021.

BREAKFAST BROWSE

Jewelry heist caught on security camera

This intense footage shows a group of masked men stealing more than $2 million in diamond jewelry. Watch the video here.

Casper is hiring professional nappers with ‘exceptional sleeping ability’

The mattress brand is hiring people to sleep for a living. And yes, the dress code is pajamas.

Seattle crowd celebrates Sue Bird’s final regular season gameand

Sunday’s Seattle Storm game was the last for WNBA superstar Sue Bird. Watch some highlights from her touching send-off here.

The only pan every cook needs

It doesn’t matter if you’re an amateur foodie or a culinary genius… this piece of cookware should always be in your kitchen.

Photographer retakes model portraits decades later

Like fine wine, these models got even better with time. Check out the stunning before and after photos taken years apart.

IN MEMORY

Actor Roger E Mosley, best known for his role as the helicopter pilot Theodore “TC” Calvin on the 1980s hit show “Magnum, PI,” died Sunday, his daughter announced. He was 83. Mosley was injured in a car crash last week that had left him paralyzed from the shoulders down and in critical condition. Mosley starred in more than 150 episodes of “Magnum, PI” alongside Tom Selleck in the crime-adventure series, which aired for eight seasons from 1980 until 1988.

TODAY’S NUMBER

9,320 thousand

That’s the length of Google Equiano, an underwater internet cable designed to deliver high-speed broadband along the west coast of Africa. Running for thousands of miles along the bottom of the sea from Portugal to South Africa, sources say the cable could increase internet speeds more than fivefold in some countries beginning in early 2023. The project, financed by Google, intends to help close the digital divide across the continent where internet access remains highly uneven.

TODAY’S QUOTE

“She’s lucky to be alive. She has severe burns and has a long recovery ahead.”

— A source close to Anne Heche, telling CNN on Saturday that the actress is recovering after the car she was driving crashed into a Los Angeles home on Friday and became engulfed in flames. A representative for Heche said her Sunday she is in stable condition. She first rose to fame for her role as Ella in the soap opera “Another World.” She was also thrust into the media spotlight for her romantic relationship with Ellen DeGeneres in the late ’90s.

TODAY’S WEATHER

Check your local forecast here>>>

AND FINALLY

Happy International Cat Day

In honor of the feline holiday, watch these cats take part in an extreme cup challenge. And remember, your day is only as pawsitive as you make it. Have a great one! (Click here to view)

.

Categories
Technology

Google Sues Sonos (Again) for Infringing on Speaker-Related Patents

Google Sues Sonos (Again) for Infringing on Speaker-Related Patents

Google is suing Sonos for allegedly infringing on patents covering smart speaker and voice-control technology.

The firms have been locked in a two-year legal dispute over wireless speaker patents, which started when a partnership between the two firms sourced and Sonos accused Google of stealing its IP to build Google-branded devices with Sonos tech.

This week’s suits, filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, claim theft of seven more features—including hotword detection, wireless charging, and how a group of speakers determines which should respond to voice input, The Verge reports.

According to a Google spokesperson, the latest litigation aims to “defend our technology and challenge Sonos’ clear, continued infringement of our patents.” Sonos “started an aggressive and misleading campaign against our products, at the expense of our shared customers,” José Castañeda told The Verge. The tech giant plans to file similar lawsuits with the US International Trade Commission (ITC) in hopes of banning imports of certain Sonos items.

The litigious spat began in 2020, when Sonos sued Google over multi-room speaker technology. Google quickly countered, claiming the consumer electronics maker also plagiarized some of its own patents. Sonos reciprocated with even more legal proceedings.

In January 2022, the ITC ruled in favor of Sonos, placing an import ban on Google Home/Nest speakers, Chromecast devices, and Pixel handsets. Google altered its products, changing their setup and Speaker Group functionality.

Even with modifications, Google’s merchandise “will still infringe many dozens of Sonos patents, its wrongdoing will persist, and the damages owed Sonos will continue to accrue,” Sonos said early this year. “Alternatively, Google can—as other companies have already done—pay a fair royalty for the technologies it has misappropriated.”

.

Categories
Sports

F1 2022: Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer shreds Oscar Piastri for lack of loyalty in brutal spray, Daniel Ricciardo

F1 2022: Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer shreds Oscar Piastri for lack of loyalty in brutal spray, Daniel Ricciardo

Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer has blasted Aussie Oscar Piastri following his shock defection from the team.

Piastri sent the F1 world into a spin last week when he rejected Alpine’s seat vacated by Fernando Alonso, amid shock reports he is replacing Daniel Ricciardo at McLaren.

Watch Every Practice, Qualifying & Race of the 2022 FIA Formula One World Championship™ Live on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

It was a bold move for a man who is yet to drive in F1 and clearly didn’t sit well with Szafnauer, who slammed Piastri for bailing out on the team that had invested so much in him.

“I expected more loyalty from Oscar than he is showing,” the Alpine team principal told Spanish publication The confidential.

“I started in 1989 in Formula 1 and I’ve never seen anything like this. And it’s not about Formula 1, it’s about integrity as a human being.

“It could happen in ice hockey or soccer, it doesn’t matter. But you don’t do that. He signed a piece of paper, a document, saying he would do something different.

“For me, the way I grew up, I don’t need to sign a piece of paper and then have someone say, ‘You’re lying, because you signed this.’ For me, if you say, ‘Hey, help me, I’ll help you tomorrow,’ there’s no way I would go back on my word. No way.”

Piastri had been part of Alpine’s development program for several years and won three consecutive titles across a stellar junior career, culminating in last year’s Formula 2 triumph.

He has driven Alpine’s F1 car on numerous occasions on different circuits this year as part of the team’s testing program.

As Alpine’s reserve driver, filling the seat left by Alonso seemed like the logical move, but Piastri’s snub doesn’t sit well with Szafnauer.

“He should (drive with the) team that has taken care of him, that has taken him to the world championship and, above all, that during the last year has put him in a Formula 1 car so that he would be ready, so that he would know the circuits,” he said.

“You did everything I asked you to do (from Alpine to Piastri) and now I promise you that if you do this, I will do this. I don’t need a piece of paper where it says, ‘With a clause, I can get out of here’.

“There should be some loyalty to the fact that we have invested literally millions and millions of euros to prepare him. So I don’t understand it either, you should ask him.”

Despite reports F1’s Contract Recognition Board has already validated Piastri’s agreement with McLaren, Szafnauer said Alpine will play hardball in a bid to hold on to the 21-year-old.

“We have a contract with Piastri, which he signed in November, we have spoken to our lawyers and they have told us that this is a binding contract, so part of that contract allows us to put Oscar in one of our cars in 2023, which is the reason we issued the press release,” he said.

“There is also an option for 2024 and the possibility for us to ‘loan’ the driver to another team. We wanted Fernando with us for one more year and then a ‘loan’ of Oscar for 2023.

“I have always said in all my press conferences that Piastri would be in Formula 1 in 2023 and it is because I knew he could be in our car or in another car, on loan, if Fernando had stayed.

“But Alonso, for whatever reason – and I think I know the reasons, although you should ask him – he goes to Aston Martin. So, we started to finalize the agreement with Piastri, and instead of giving him away, we decided to put him in our car. Hence, the statement.”

As for Ricciardo, Alpine is open to the 33-year-old returning to the team, formerly known as Renault, where he spent too many seasons in 2019 and 2020.

And if that doesn’t eventuate, there are a few other teams where he could end up, while a mega $21 million payout beckons if McLaren does indeed cut Ricciardo loose.

.

Categories
US

Senate passes Inflation Reduction Act, Democrats’ climate, health and tax bill, delivering win for Biden

Senate passes Democrats' sweeping climate, health and tax bill, delivering win for Biden

Washington— The Senate on Sunday passed Democrats’ sweeping economy package designed to combat climate change, address health care costs and raise taxes on large corporations, marking a crucial achievement for President Biden and his party as they look to maintain their hold on Congress in the November midterm elections.

The plan, called the Inflation Reduction Act, cleared the upper chamber by a vote of 51 to 50 along party lines, with Vice President Kamala Harris providing the tie-breaking vote in the evenly divided Senate. Democrats used a fast-track legislative process known as reconciliation to pass the measure in the face of unanimous opposition from Republicans.

“It’s been a long, tough and winding road but at last, at last, we have arrived,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in remarks on the Senate floor as members prepared to vote for final passage. “Today, after more than a year of hard work, the Senate is making history. I am confident the Inflation Reduction Act will endure as one of the defining legislative feats of the 21st century.”

The vote came after a marathon session that lasted through the night and into Sunday afternoon, with Democrats breaking into applause as members cast their final votes. In a process known as a “vote-a-rama,” Republicans offered a slew of amendments that Democrats successfully swatted down over nearly 16 hours of debate.

GOP senators did manage to block a provision that would have capped the price of insulin at $35 a month for those covered under private health care plans. Democrats needed 60 votes to waive reconciliation rules and keep that part of the bill, but it failed 57 to 43, with seven Republicans joining Democrats in support of the measure.

House Democratic leaders announced last week the lower chamber will return from its month-long recess on Friday to take up the legislation, which is expected to pass.

Mr. Biden praised Senate Democrats for passing the plan and acknowledged it required “many compromises.” He urged the House to swiftly approve the bill.

“Today, Senate Democrats sided with American families over special interests, voting to lower the cost of prescription drugs, health insurance, and everyday energy costs and reduce the deficit, while making the wealthiest corporations finally pay their fair share,” the president said in to statement. “I ran for president promising to make government work for working families again, and that is what this bill does — period.”

The package is the culmination of months of negotiations over Mr. Biden’s domestic policy agenda, which at times appeared to be on life support but was revived late last month with the surprise announcement of an agreement between Schumer and Sen. Joe Manchin, a moderate Democrat from West Virginia.

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 6: Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) chats wit
Sen. Joe Manchin chats with his staffers on Capitol Hill in Washington on Aug. 6, 2022.

Shuran Huang for The Washington Post via Getty Images


While the legislation is much more narrow than the sprawling $3.5 trillion proposal put forth by Mr. Biden last year, the tailored package had the backing of Manchin and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, a Democrat from Arizona whose support was crucial.

Still, Democrats praise the plan as their answer to addressing rising consumer prices and for its nearly $400 billion investment in fighting climate change, the largest ever. The package allows Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices, a key Democratic priority that is expected to save hundreds of billions of dollars over the next 10 years. It also extends enhanced health insurance subsidies that were set to expire at the end of the year, and imposes a 15% minimum tax on most corporations that make more than $1 billion each year.

The corporate tax provision emerged as a point of contention as senators neared a final vote on Sunday. Seven Democratic senators — Sinema, Jon Ossoff, Raphael Warnock, Catherine Cortez Masto, Maggie Hassan, Mark Kelly and Jacky Rosen — joined Republicans in backing an amendment put forward by GOP Sen. John Thune of South Dakota exempts some firms with private equity backing from the 15% minimum corporate tax rate. That amendment passed 57 to 43.

To boost clean energy, the measure includes tax credits for buying electric vehicles and manufacturing solar panels and wind turbines. It also provides rebates for consumers who buy energy efficient appliances and provides $4 billion for drought relief.

Schumer lauded the bill as the “boldest climate package” in US history, and called it a “game-changer” and “turning point.”

“It’s been a long time coming,” he said.

One piece of Democrats’ drug-pricing plan — imposing penalties on drug manufacturers that raised prices beyond inflation on private insurers — was removed after it was reviewed by Senate parliamentarian Elizbeth MacDonough. Her approval of the rest of the package, however, cleared the way for the upper chamber to move forward with its consideration of the bill.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates the legislation will cut the deficit by $102 billion over the next 10 years. Republicans, though, argued the plan will have little impact on inflation and instead raise taxes while leading to job losses.

in an interview with “Face the Nation” on Sunday, Sen. Rick Scott, a Republican from Florida, claimed Democrats’ drug pricing plan will harm seniors, while the tax component will increase taxes on Americans.

“Why would you be increasing the cost of government? We’re increasing taxes,” he said.

.

Categories
Technology

Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Review

Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Review

Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG DN Art

(From Sigma lens literature) Outstanding optical quality and a range of invaluable features – The ultimate astrophotography lens from the 20mm F1.4 pioneer.

The F1.4 series represents the SIGMA Art line, which pursues the highest optical performance and rich expression. The full-frame SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art is a mirrorless version of the SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art; the one and only lens* with its unique specification of maximum aperture of 1.4 and an ultra-wide angle of 20mm. This lens offers overwhelming optical performance and unlimited potential for ultra wide-angle creativity at a compact physical size. The exceptional F1.4 brightness and the breathtaking sharpness across the entire image even at maximum aperture make this lens the ultimate choice for astrophotography. In nightly darkness and focused to infinity, the 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art captures stars in the sky as clear, precise pinpoints of light. State-of-the-art optical design and the large, high-precision double-sided aspheric glass front element made it possible to add a front filter thread without any compromises regarding optical performance or size. The addition of other invaluable features such as a rear filter holder and a variety of useful switches further increases the creative possibilities and easy usability of the lens. Its incredible sharpness and very bright aperture, coupled with the compact body and thoughtful features, make the SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art the ultimate lens for astrophotography and an ideal companion for any photographically demanding situation.

* As an AF interchangeable lens for mirrorless cameras that covers 35mm full-frame (as of August 2022, by SIGMA)

[Key features]

  • Highest optical performance on a new level

The SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art delivers exceptionally detailed results that easily satisfy the high demands of professional photography and other high-end applications. With 17 glass elements arranged in 15 groups, including two SLD, three aspherical glass elements and the largest class double-sided aspherical glass element in SIGMA’s history, the 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art rigorously suppresses various optical aberrations such as sagittal coma flare or image distortion to produce highly-detailed images with exceptional sharpness and accuracy from the center to the furthest corners, allowing photographers to make use of the entire field of view afforded by its ultra-wide viewing angle. This ultimate astrophotography lens is the culmination of the unparalleled manufacturing technology of SIGMA’s sole production base in Aizu, Japan, as well as the company’s know-how and experience with large-aperture wide-angle lenses, such as the SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art, the SIGMA 14mm F1.8 DG HSM | Art and the SIGMA 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN | Art.

  • Designed for perfect results even in the most demanding conditions

SIGMA’s outstanding design and high-precision manufacturing capabilities made it possible to equip the SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art with a front filter thread despite its very large F1.4 aperture and 20mm ultra-wide viewing angle. The lens also comes with a rear filter holder, allowing photographers the freedom to combine multiple filters to suit a huge variety of shooting situations for near-unlimited creative potential at an ultra-wide viewing angle — for example, using a front filter to reduce light pollution and a softening filter on the rear to take impressive photographs of nightly landscapes with star-filled skies. The new MFL (Manual Focus Lock) switch to turn off the focus ring makes it easier to concentrate on the shoot without worrying about accidentally changing the focusing distance. Further, the lens also equips a lens heater retainer, meaning that lens heaters used to prevent internal condensation as the temperature drops on longer night shoots will stay securely attached to the barrel without protruding into the image and causing unsightly vignetting. With its brilliant optical power and its full range of useful features despite its compact and lightweight body, the SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art is the ultimate choice when photographing the night sky.

  • Superb build quality and usability, uncompromising attention to detail

Its dust- and splash-resistant structure*1 and the water- and oil-repellent coating on the front glass element make the SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art safe to use during longer outdoor shoots, especially during the night. Thoughtful features such as a focus mode switch, a customizable AFL*2 button, and an aperture ring lock switch enhance the lens usability. An aperture ring click switch can be used to turn the aperture ring click on and off, allowing photographers to enjoy the sound and feel of the click, as well as smooth aperture operation during video recording. The robust body is built from a combination of aluminum and Thermally Stable Composite (TSC), giving it a sleek finish, and the included petal-shaped lens hood is equipped with a lock mechanism to keep the hood securely fastened to the lens, and the rubberized grip area makes attaching and removing the hood a quick and easy process. Manufactured in Japan with an uncompromising approach towards every single detail, the SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art offers photographers an exceptional experience with high-end results even in the most difficult conditions, thanks to its outstanding optical performance, exceptional build quality perfect for professional use, brilliant and precise ergonomics, and a range of useful features.

*1 Although this construction allows the lens to be used in light rain, it is not the same as being waterproof.
*2 Only on compatible cameras. Available functions may vary depending on the camera used.

[Additional features]

  1. Lens construction: 17 elements in 15 groups, with 2 SLD and 3 aspherical lens elements
  2. Inner focus system
  3. Compatible with high-speed autofocus
  4. stepper motor
  5. Front filter thread (82mm)
  6. Compatible with Lens Aberration Correction
  • Function available on supported cameras only. Available corrections and auto correction functionality may vary depending on the camera model.
  • On cameras where lens aberration correction is controlled with “ON” or “OFF” in the camera menu, please set all aberration correction functions to “ON” (AUTO).
  • Support for DMF and AF+MF
  • Compatible with AF assist (Sony E-mount only)
  • Super Multi-Layer Coating
  • Water- and oil-repellent coating
  • opening ring
  • Aperture ring click switch
  • Aperture ring lock switch
  • AFL button
    • Programmable function only on compatible cameras. Available functions may vary depending on the camera used.
  • Manual Focus Lock (MFL) switch
  • Rear filter holder
  • Lens heater retainer
  • Focus mode switch
  • Support for switching between linear and non-linear focus ring settings (L-Mount only)
  • Petal-type lens hood with lock (LH878-04)
  • Dust- and splash-resistant structure
  • Compatible with SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 (sold separately, L-Mount only)
  • Designed to minimize flare and ghosting
  • Every single lens is evaluated with SIGMA’s proprietary MTF measuring system
  • 11-blade rounded diaphragm
  • High-precision, durable brass bayonet mount
  • “Made in Japan” craftsmanship

    • To learn more about SIGMA’s craftsmanship, please visit SIGMA website at:
    https://www.sigma-global.com/en/about/craftsmanship/

    Notes:
    The L-Mount Trademark is a registered Trademark of Leica Camera AG.
    Appearance and specifications are subject to change without notice.

    Pricing & Availability

    The new SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art lens will be available for both Sony E mount and L-Mount systems in the US at SIGMA Authorized Dealers for a retail price of $899 in late August 2022.

    Sigma
    20mm f/1.4 DG DN Art

    Your purchases support this site

    Buy the Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG DN Art

    Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG DN Art User Reviews

    The Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG DN Art doesn’t have any user reviews yet!

    Categories
    Sports

    Ricky Stuart banned penalty for Jaeman Salmon weak-dog outburst, video press conference

    The NRL will likely deal Raiders coach Ricky Stuart a two-match ban for his extraordinary spray at young Panther Jaeman Salmon, Nine’s Danny Weidler reports.

    Stuart labeled Salmon a “weak-gutted dog person” in an explosive press conference following Penrith’s win over Canberra on Saturday.

    The Raiders mentor made the stunning comments when asked about an incident involving Salmon in the Panthers-Raiders clash, in which the playmaker kicked Tom Starling in the groin region.

    READMORE: ‘Emotional’ Kyrgios ends three-year title drought

    READMORE: NRL has final say on ‘robbed’ Tigers fiasco

    READMORE: Aussies claim cricket gold despite positive COVID-19 test

    It was later revealed Stuart and Salmon had a run-in during a junior rugby league game in 2010, when Salmon and Stuart’s son were playing in an under 12s match.

    The Salmon family publicly called on the NRL to “take action” against Stuart for the press conference attack, while the Panthers are reportedly considering legal action on behalf of the 23-year-old against the veteran coach.

    Raiders chief executive Don Furner told Weidler on 9News that the club would cop whatever punishment the NRL handed down.

    “We’ve spoken to our board this morning and we’ve spoken to the NRL and said that we’ll accept their findings and we’ll move on,” Furner said.

    “While Rick’s very experienced, he’s done a lot of press conferences before, it still doesn’t stop the human emotion that can come out.

    “It shouldn’t have and it did, and he’s apologized for that. We all understand players or coaches that family comes first, but in his position you’ve got to learn to divorce yourself of that.”

    Furner also said he considered Salmon’s family in the ordeal.

    Freddy ‘in shock’ at Stuart comments

    “Absolutely. You mention family. He’s got a family, he’s got parents. I can imagine what they’re going through,” Furner said.

    “It’s difficult, and we apologize as a club.”

    The Raiders are willing to let Stuart take time off to reset.

    “In all workplaces like ours, people come under stress and no one more so than the head coach,” Furner said.

    “We had that discussion last night. Our support will be there for him and if he needs time away we’ll certainly allow him to take that time.”

    Stuart, a Raiders legend who won grand finals with Canberra in 1989, 1990 and 1994, had his coaching contract extended in July.

    Ricky apologizes for Salmon outburst

    He took on the coaching gig ahead of the 2014 season and is contracted until the end of 2025.

    When Weidler asked Furner if the club still believed in Stuart as a person and coach, the club boss was unequivocal.

    “Absolutely. We extended his contract, he’s the heart and soul of this club, everybody knows what he’s like and that’s what we love about him,” Furner said.

    “It doesn’t mean he doesn’t make mistakes. We all do.”

    For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!

    The backstories and controversies that have ignited feuds involving athletes

    Categories
    US

    Senate Republicans block $35 cap on price of insulin from Inflation Reduction Act

    Senate Republicans block $35 cap on price of insulin from Inflation Reduction Act

    Washington— Senate Republicans on Sunday blocked a $35 monthly cap on the cost of insulin in the private market from being included in Democrats’ economic tax and spending package, voting down an amendment to the measure during a marathon session leading up to what Democrats hope will be final passage of the bill.

    The Senate on Saturday night began consideration of more than 30 amendments to the Inflation Reduction Act, Democrats’ $700 billion legislation that aims to combat climate change, raise taxes on large corporations and address rising health care costs.

    Amid the proposed changes to the plan was to set the $35 per month cap on insulin, the price medication needed to treat diabetes. Seven Republican senators voted with all 50 Democrats to keep the price ceiling in the legislation: Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Josh Hawley of Missouri, Cindy Hyde Smith of Mississippi, John Kennedy of Louisiana, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Dan Sullivan of Alaska.

    Still, with a vote of 57 to 43, the provision failed to garner the 60 votes needed to waive special budgetary rules and include it in the bill. The House passed a similar cap on the price of insulin in April.

    Democrats are hoping to clear their overall legislative package on Sunday, setting the House up to briefly return to Washington this week to approve it. Its passage would notch President Biden and congressional Democrats a key win before the midterm elections, when they are working to maintain control of Congress.

    The legislation is the culmination of months of negotiations over Mr. Biden’s domestic policy plan, which at times appeared dead but was revived late last month with the surprise announcement of an agreement between Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Joe Manchin, a moderate Democrat from West Virginia.

    Democrats praise the plan as their answer to addressing inflation and its nearly $400 billion investment in fighting climate change. The package allows Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices, extends enhanced health insurance subsidies that were set to expire at the end of the year and imposes a 15% minimum tax on corporations that make more than $1 billion each year.

    To boost clean energy, the measure includes tax credits for buying electric vehicles and manufacturing solar panels and wind turbines. It also provides rebates for consumers who buy energy efficient appliances and provides $4 billion for drought relief.