The London Assembly, whose role is to hold the mayor to account, said Khan should allocate more funds to these schemes and pressure central government to hand over more cash. Assembly members also argued in a report released on Thursday (3 April) that Khan and the Greater London Authority (GLA) should work to remove barriers and ensure more black, global majority and working-class Londoners are involved in community-led trusts (CLTs) and housing co-operatives. CLTs are initiatives set up by local groups to build housing and other types of buildings that they then manage. They are usually non-profits and aim to keep rents and costs low so local people can remain living in their own neighbourhood, despite rising house prices and rents elsewhere.Advertisement The London Assembly estimates there are just 15 CLTs in the capital, representing a tiny part of the capital’s housing mix. But they are growing in number, up from just one in 2010. Some 548 operate across the country, according to the Community Land Trust Network. The main problem for CLTs is money – both to build homes and to work their way through the paperwork required to set up as providers. It is difficult to get bank loans as they don’t have a development track record to point to. This tends to make them reliant on government grant funding. Ministers gave Khan and the GLA £38 million in 2018 for a Community Housing Fund. This would enable 500 homes to be built by CLTs and housing co-operatives. It initially had a deadline of 2023 to hand out the money, although this timeframe was later removed. Seven years on, £24 million of the £30 million dedicated to capital funding has been allocated, while all of the revenue funding has been handed out. Despite 80 per cent of capital funds being disbursed, just 117 homes funded by this scheme have been started over the past four years, with 93 completed – less than a fifth of the target.Advertisement ‘This shows that, even with this dedicated source of funding, it is hard for the community-led sector to develop housing,’ the London Assembly said. ‘The removal of the deadline for delivery poses a real risk of drift and weakens the incentive for the GLA to progress completion of these 500 homes.’ CLTs and housing co-operatives can also apply for a separate, much larger source of government funding: the £4 billion Affordable Homes Programme. But getting hold of this money is harder – projects need to already have planning permission, for which they need cash. Furthermore, the Affordable Homes Programme is only for capital funding, not revenue. The London Assembly said that the GLA should continue to lobby the government for more funding for the Community Housing Fund, and to allow Affordable Homes Programme money to be allocated to revenue as well as capital spending. It also said that the GLA should give more money to the Community Led-Housing London, an organisation that helps CLTs and housing co-operatives progress their projects. Sanya Polescuk, an architect who founded NW3 CLT, a CLT in Hampstead, said the hub had been of huge importance to her project. NW3 CLT has permission to build 14 flats, eight of which are designated ‘affordable’ and will remain as such forever. Polescuk said that thanks to funding and mentorship from the hub and GLA, NW3 CLT and project architect Mole should be able to start building this year. ‘It is only with the increased funding, support and advice through Community-Led Housing London that we and community groups like ours stand a chance in the highly competitive and market-driven housing environment we live in London,’ she told the AJ. Report authors also recommended that the GLA require CLTs and co-operatives that receive its funding to record the ethnicity and income of people who live in the homes they build. They claimed that this would shed light on the perception that people from ethnic minorities were missing out on these kinds of homes, and help the GLA work out how to tackle the problem if it exists. Other recommendations included releasing authority land to CLTs and co-operatives for building, and helping these groups buy new homes in GLA housing schemes. Comment: Sem Moema, chair of the GLA Housing Committee London is in an acute housing crisis, and fixing it will require many different approaches. Expanding London’s housing co-operative and community land trust sector can be one part of the solution. By being rooted in the needs of local people and communities, these projects deliver housing while building community power and encouraging a sense of belonging. They demonstrate how housing not built around profit can succeed – all while strengthening a sense of local place. More can be done to facilitate partnership working. Our report shows how many co-operatives and community land trusts are filled with hard-working people, and there is a clear role for local authorities in facilitating connections and encouraging projects to move quickly and get built. A holistic view is also important, particularly in how the sector can help combat health and other inequalities. However, the sector has its problems. It is currently too small, partly because there are so many barriers to projects succeeding. It can move very slowly, with developing a single project often taking up to 15 years. ‘Bureaucracy should  be removed’ Much more needs to be done to allow projects to get off the ground quickly, and our report makes suggestions as to how this can be encouraged. Bureaucracy should  be removed, and creativity, partnerships and joined-up thinking encouraged between local government, co-operative housing and community land trusts, and other stakeholders to ensure projects progress. Availability of land to co-operatives and community land trusts is also an issue. Both the GLA and local authorities have been reluctant to release land, making it hard for community groups to get projects off the ground. Similarly, while a number of the co-operatives and community land trusts who we heard from through the course of this inquiry have successfully accessed upfront grant funding for feasibility studies, far too many struggle and fall at this first hurdle. More land needs to be released to community groups so more projects can be developed, and the sector expanded.

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for April 8.

Nintendo charging for Switch 2's tutorial game because of the "amount of care and work" put into it Welcome Tour will cost $10 USD. Image credit: Nintendo News by Matt Wales News Reporter Published on April 7, 2025 Last week's Switch 2 reveal might have had its exciting bits but it brought its share of controversy too. There was the cost of the console itself, the cost of its games, or the perhaps surprising decision to charge owners for Switch 2's Welcome Tour tutorial game instead of including it for free - a decision Nintendo of America's Bill Trinen has now addressed, saying the newly confirmed $10 USD price reflects the "amount of care and work" put into it. Welcome Tour was unveiled during last week's Switch 2 reveal, and is described as an "interactive exhibit" offering "lots of insights about the console" through "tech demos, minigames and other interactions". As presented during Nintendo's showcase, however, it looked very much a tutorial, walking players through the fundamental features of their new console purchase - so it came as something as a surprise when Nintendo revealed it wasn't a free pack-in (unlike, say, PS5's similar Astro's Playroom) but a paid digital purchase. Now, speaking to IGN, Nintendo of America's vice president of product and player experience, Bill Trinen, has confirmed exactly how much Welcome Tour will cost, saying its newly announced $9.99 USD price tag "is not an exorbitant" one. As to why Nintendo has opted to charge Switch 2 owners extra to learn how to use their £396 console, Trinen described Welcome Tour as an "interesting product" that's more than a "quick intro" to Switch 2. A more in-depth look at Switch 2 Welcome Tour, from Nintendo Treehouse: Live.Watch on YouTube "It's a pretty robust piece of software. There's a lot of great detail in there," he explained. "I think there are people who are particularly interested in the tech and the specs of the system and things like that, for them I think it's going to be a great product. It's really for people that want more information about the system rather than necessarily a quick intro to everything it does. And for that reason, and just the amount of care and work that the team put into it, I think it was decided that, 'Yeah, this feels like $9.99 is not an exorbitant price. It feels like a good value for what you're getting out of the product.'" Value has been on everyone's mind following Nintendo's Switch 2 reveal, with the console's £396/$450 price tag having already seen pushback from fans. There've been similar cost concerns around the $80 USD price of Mario Kart World - which Nintendo of American boss Doug Bowser has since insisted reflects the "breadth and depth of the gameplay" - even the price of its paid Switch 2 Edition upgrades. That doesn't appear to have dissuaded punters from pre-ordering the console, however, with Switch 2 already sold out at many retailers. Nintendo's official pre-order scheme launches this week for most of the world - apart from in the US, where pre-orders have been delayed indefinitely due to last week's Trump tariffs. As for Switch 2 itself, Eurogamer's Tom Phillips went hands-on last week, calling it a "proper generational upgrade", and describing Mario Kart World as its "killer app". For more on the console, here's everything we know about Switch 2.

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here After years of leaks, Nintendo has properly unveiled the Nintendo Switch 2 with heaps of specs and new games as well as features such as the Discord-like GameChat. While seeing a slew of games for the new Nintendo console was fantastic, what’s more interesting is what actual developers think of the new hardware. While the original Switch was praised for being easy to develop for, it’s lack of power made it a hard system for new AAA games to release on. While games like DOOM Eternal and Wolfenstein 2 would release on the system in the form of so-called miracle ports, they were always substantially worse experiences than on another console. With games like the next-gen only Star Wars Outlaws, Cyberpunk 2077 and the true version of Hogwarts Legacy coming to the handheld, it’s clear that the Switch 2 is a powerhouse handheld. But how easy is it to work with the new system? Nintendo Switch 2 is “easy” to work with Speaking to veteran games journalist Stephen Totillo at Game File (paywalled), numerous Nintendo Switch 2 developers explained that it’s incredibly easy to work with the new system. Just like the original Switch, the tools that Nintendo has developed for the new system are powerful, efficient and easy to work with. Civilization 7 executive producer Dennis Shirk explained that the new handheld is “like a mid-tier PC” in a miniscule form factor with the producer saying “it’s got enough power” for modern games. As for actually creating games for the system, Shirk explained that Nintendo has been a great company to work with. “They made it easy,” the developer said. “Their [software development kit] is great, the customer support, their developer support, developer relations is great.” This sentiment was echoed by Hogwarts Legacy head of technology Rob Nelson. While the current Switch has a version of the game, it’s heavily compromised with large loading zones and massive visual cutbacks, the new Switch 2 version is the same as PS5 and Xbox Series albeit on the go and quite attractive looking. “In Hogsmeade we had a hard load before,” the developer said. “Now we’re able to remove that hard load. You get in and out of shops quickly… I would say it was comparable to working on the Switch. It wasn’t overly challenging. Nintendo collaborated with us. It was always forward momentum. We had a good development cycle.” As someone who has attempted to play Star Wars Outlaws on Steam Deck, this Switch 2 footage looks like a miracle occuring in front of me As a new device in the handheld space, the Nintendo Switch 2 has been frequently compared to the Steam Deck as of late. While Valve’s awesome little handheld can play games such as Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the new Switch is more powerful, smaller, lighter and has a higher resolution screen with a faster refresh rate. Hades II developer Greg Kasavin also touched on the new device, revealing that the new version of the game runs “at a target 60fps” on both Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch 2. While the Nintendo Switch 2 may end up proving to be a better experience due to its higher resolution, it’s clear that developers will still be targeting Steam Deck for some releases. As expected, the Nintendo Switch 2 is powerful, very much so. As Nintendo’s only platform going forward, it’s obvious that the Japanese console giant has gone all out on cramming as much power into the handheld as it possibly can. Nintendo Switch 2 is easily running games that bring the Steam Deck to its knees with ports like Cyberpunk 2077 looking far and above the Deck versions just seven weeks into development. With the system able to utilise DLSS image reconstruction instead of FSR as well as add in ray-tracing, it’s going to be a very interesting generation. Subscribe to our newsletters! By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime. Share

The French have the right idea when it comes to enjoying sunny weather: claiming one of the bistro sets at a sidewalk café, posting up with a glass of vino and a book, or sipping coffee and people-watching through late morning. The rattan and checkered woven seats are a design staple in Europe, occupying cafés, parks, and balconies all over the place. If you’re into the same idea for your very own backyard or patio, we’re also partial to these dining sets as a space-saving method of squeezing in seating in a cramped area. The tables’ traditionally petite design offers a slimmed-down solution to make the most of minimal space. Who says bigger is always better?Bring a little slice of Parisian paradise to your backyards and balconies with any of the patio bistro sets below.Our Top Picks for Bistro Sets:The Best Outdoor Bistro Set: Castlery Bistro Table & Como Chairs, $559 $479The Classic Bistro Set: Anthropologie Al Fresco Dining Table & Chairs, from $1,798The Modern Bistro Set: Santa Cruz Stacking Chairs & Sydney Outdoor Bistro Table, from $399The Vintage-Inspired Bistro Set: Fleur de Lis Living Mosaic Bistro Set, $300 $254The Elevated Bistro Set: McGee & Co Pomeroy Table & Chairs, from $1,298Castlery Bistro Foldable Table & Como ChairsThis cast aluminum bistro set is made for a shaded patio, a morning iced coffee, and a magazine. The combination of rattan with a steel frame feels modern without leaning too beachy—maintaining some of the classic bistro set influence in a blessedly rust-resistant package. We also love that this is a three-piece outdoor bistro set, which saves you the trouble of matching up a table with its perfect chairs.Business & Pleasure Co. The Al Fresco Dining ChairBusiness & Pleasure Co. The Al Fresco Dining TableFor bistro set traditionalists, this one should scratch the itch. Scalloped detailing and an ornate, swirling base makes a person reconsider the design potential of outdoor furniture. The steel frame also keeps this darling set weather-resistant, suitable for year-round outdoor use, and the 48-mm umbrella hole is compatible with any umbrella base, in case you don’t have any weeping willows in your backyard providing natural shade.West Elm Santa Cruz Outdoor Stacking Dining Chair (Set of 2)West Elm Sydney Outdoor Bistro TableAnother win for weather-resistant bistro furniture, this set brings the two-seater classic into the present day with sleek metal curves and elegant hairpin legs. Paired with the adjustable-height aluminum table, it’ll look tasteful no matter what color you choose for your outdoor space between neutral shades of green, ecru, and brown.Fleur De Lis Living Mosaic Bistro SetPining after the Italian Riviera? Wayfair suspected as much. This conversation set is made from durable, weather-resistant steel without sacrificing any aesthetic elements—the set still looks vintage, European, and artistic. It feels perfectly suited to a garden with a fountain, if you ask us, or poolside—especially if that pool is marbled, and in Sicily.McGee & Co. Pomeroy Outdoor Dining ChairMcGee & Co. Pomeroy Outdoor Bistro TableThis set, we confess, is not out until April 20 but we think it’s well worth the wait. A vision in black-and-white, the sleek white marble tabletop pairs with a steel frame for an outdoor patio set that we could see in the parterre of a Gatsby-esque mansion or a suburban backyard. The matching chair set with knife edge cushions is as classic as a New York bride—elegant and meticulously detailed, with a double-button-tufted back and a piped box cushion seat.Hay Palissade Café SetOur love for this modern, MoMA-worthy style from Hay continues. Note the arm rests that keep things ergonomic and the gently sloping base of the table that keeps it grounded no matter how much wind is in the forecast. In clean white or rusty red, it’s the kind of set that the Joneses next door will be admiring from over the fence.Joss & Main Farrah Bistro SetTwo Thonet-inspired café chairs and a sturdy square table complete this three-piece bistro set from Joss & Main. Should you plan to use it outside, the patio furniture set is made from lightweight marine-grade materials that won’t rust or fade.Terrain Striped Woven Bistro ChairsThe striped patterns put a Spanish-inflected spin on this otherwise traditional-leaning rattan bistro set. While it doesn’t come with a table, we like how it’s been styled with a long teak table, which is easy to find individually and maintains the overall charmingly beachy vibe.Serena & Lily Outdoor Riviera & Wainscott Bistro SetThis three-piece patio bistro set comes with a marble-topped tulip table that elevates the whole ensemble (and, okay, we’ll admit—helps to justify the price point). The traditional woven back gets an upgrade with some cheerful colorways and weather-resistant coating.Article Elanora Folding ChairArticle Elanora Folding Cafe TableIf you’re short on space, bistro sets that include a folding table will fit on just about any balcony or terrace—or even in your studio apartment. This one is made from teak-stained acacia wood, which is known for its mildew-resistant properties, should you plan to hoist it outside.Ikea Läckö Garden SetDesigned to look like traditional wrought-iron furniture, IKEA’s Läckö garden furniture table set is made from powder-coated steel that—unlike wrought iron—won’t rust if left out in the rain. The chairs’ backs are slightly curved for extra comfort, and the seats feature flower-shaped holes for drainage during unexpected storms.

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Luigi's Mansion was also recently confirmed for NSO.Following last week's GameCube announcement for the Switch 2 online service, Nintendo has now added the original version of Luigi's Mansion to its Nintendo Music mobile app.This album includes a whopping 73 tracks and has a runtime of 56 minutes. This includes the title screen, Professor E.Gadd's Lab, Training Room: Second Half, and much more. If you haven't played it before though, there might be a few story spoilers based on the songs included.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

In Brief Posted: 3:12 PM PDT · April 7, 2025 Image Credits:Jose Sarmento Matos/Bloomberg / Getty Images Google is allegedly paying some AI staff to do nothing for a year rather than join rivals Retaining top AI talent is tough amid cutthroat competition between Google, OpenAI, and other heavyweights. Google’s AI division, DeepMind, has resorted to using “aggressive” noncompete agreements for some AI staff in the U.K. that bar them from working for competitors for up to a year, Business Insider reports. Some are paid during this time, in what amounts to a lengthy stretch of PTO. But the practice can make researchers feel left out of the quick pace of AI progress, reported BI. In the U.S., the FTC banned most noncompetes last year, but that doesn’t apply to DeepMind’s London headquarters. Last month, the VP of AI at Microsoft posted on X about how DeepMind staff are reaching out to him “in despair” over the challenge of escaping their noncompete clauses: Google didn’t respond to a request for comment from TechCrunch but told BI it uses noncompetes “selectively.” Topics AI, Google, In Brief

Creative Leader Ryan Dunn has launched Dunwell, a multidisciplinary production studio delivering content across animation, live-action, VFX, and immersive media. Headquarteed in Chicago with an operational hub in New York City, the studio has launched with a team of directors and artists with expertise spanning commercials, TV, feature films, digital experiences, and brand storytelling across various mediums. Dunnwell is built on a foundation of collaboration and artistic integrity, seeking to put storytelling first and style second. Dunn honed his craft in design, motion graphics, and animation at studios like Blind and Digital Kitchen before moving to Nike as an Art Director in Brand Design. After years leading creatives at Vitamin Pictures, Ladies & Gentlemen, and Charlex, Dunn recognized the time was right to open his own operation. “It became clear that building my own studio was the best way to take my work, vision, and ambition to the next level,” said Dunn. “The industry is changing rapidly, and I want to be part of this new frontier and all the potential it holds for new ways of telling brand and character stories.” “Every job is unique in its needs,” continued Dunn. “We’re positioned like a team of ninjas who can deploy a full CG pipeline for one client and a live-action-meets-cel-animation production for the next. It takes strong direction and creative vision to move between mediums, but at Dunnwell, we put stories and ideas ahead of technique—so the further into any given collaboration we journey, the more confident we can be in delivering something great, regardless of the tools used.” Dunnwell’s team includes illustrator and character designer Bruno Mangyoku; high-end VFX artist Danil Krivoruchko (AKA Myshli); character designer Max Kostenko; creative director and graphic designer Sebastian Onufszak; CG director Paul McMahon (AKA The Rusted Pixel); five-quadrant and animation director Anne Calandre; and sculptor, fabricator, and stop-motion animator Taili Wu (AKA Monster Shaper). Explaining the studio’s approach, Dunn said, “When ‘storytelling’ is the word we pin to the wall as our organizing principle, it’s only natural to want to find as many ways to tell those stories as possible. Advertising is a story business; a product launch for a new laptop, basketball shoe, or cereal flavor seeks a memorable visual hook or metaphor that makes you want to buy it. Story is everywhere. Long-form storytelling—episodic television, films, short films, webisodes, title design, social media initiatives, video game promotion—all involve a narrative thread that pulls the audience in closer. We want to pursue storytelling in all its forms: short, long, whatever.” New projects across advertising, branded content, and original storytelling are already in development. Source: Dunnwell Journalist, antique shop owner, aspiring gemologist—L'Wren brings a diverse perspective to animation, where every frame reflects her varied passions.

Dutch 3D printing service provider Royal3D has introduced the ShearWater Aquatic Drone, a new prototype designed to tackle various challenges in maritime and heavy-duty applications.  Developed for maintenance and surveillance tasks, ShearWater brings together large format additive manufacturing (LFAM) and durable materials to deliver reliable performance even in demanding maritime environments. Made entirely from recycled and recyclable materials, the drone is intended to minimize environmental impact without compromising functionality. Its modular and parametric design allows companies to tailor the system to their specific needs, enhancing safety and productivity across various maritime environments. “What sets Royal3D apart is our ability to adapt advanced 3D printing technologies for industries like maritime and heavy-duty manufacturing, where the demands on strength and durability are unparalleled,” says Fulko Roos, Founder of Royal3D and maritime transportation company Royal Roos.  Additionally, the Rotterdam-based company is hosting an event for World Boating Day on May 24th and “we will be showing the drone printing to our participants.” The event is free of charge and interested readers can register or contact Royal3D. The ShearWater Aquatic Drone. Image via Royal3D. Precision-built for harsh maritime environments Built using specially developed thermoplastic polymers and PETG fiber-reinforced materials, the aquatic drone offers a combination of strength, stiffness, and impact resistance while remaining lightweight and watertight. Royal3D’s proprietary 3D printing process, which relies on InfraRed cameras to precisely control layer adhesion, is central to the drone’s structural integrity and performance. According to the company, the 3D printing process also integrates Royal3D’s IP knowledge, enhancing the drone’s durability and reliability. The ShearWater project, partially funded through the EU Crossroads initiative, combines AI-powered maritime solutions designed to improve safety and operational efficiency for people and wildlife during port inspections and other marine activities. Through participation in this project, Royal3D has been able to enhance its drone technology, specifically by boosting efficiency and using more sustainable materials. With more than a decade of experience in large-scale AM, Royal3D specializes in producing robust components such as transport cradles, structural elements, and customized industrial parts. Operating two of the largest 3D printers in Europe, the company continues to meet the demands of various sectors by delivering components suited to heavy-duty applications. Although “our expertise in urban design and architectural applications continues to deliver innovative solutions across diverse sectors,” Royal3D’s current focus on maritime and industrial manufacturing reflects broader efforts to enhance material efficiency and expand design capabilities. Meeting the increasing demand for reliable, customizable solutions within the maritime sector is a priority. The ShearWater Aquatic Drone (white). Image via Royal3D. 3D printed drones for maritime use As observed before, 3D printed drones have long been used for surveillance, vessel maintenance, and other potential maritime applications. Back in 2017, Sembcorp Marine (SM), in partnership with DNV GL, SIMTech, and NAMIC, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance maritime operations through drone-assisted inspections and digital twin technology.  DNV oversaw the deployment of drones programmed to assist surveyors with close-up inspections of ship structures, providing detailed data on vessel conditions and improving personnel safety in hazardous environments. Part of a broader effort to integrate drones with AM and digital twins, this initiative aimed to optimize ship designs and streamline maintenance processes at SM’s Tuas Boulevard Yard, supporting Singapore’s Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering strategy. A year before that, the British Royal Navy launched a 3D printed Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) called SULSA from the HMS Protector to aid ice patrol navigation in the Antarctic.  Built by the University of Southampton using laser sintering technology, SULSA provided aerial surveillance by relaying images from above, demonstrating effective maritime patrol capabilities with potential applications in weapon targeting and communication. This approach aligned with broader efforts to integrate 3D printed drones for various maritime operations, including inspection, maintenance, and data collection. What 3D printing trends should you watch out for in 2025? How is the future of 3D printing shaping up? To stay up to date with the latest 3D printing news, don’t forget to subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter or follow us on Twitter, or like our page on Facebook. While you’re here, why not subscribe to our Youtube channel? Featuring discussion, debriefs, video shorts, and webinar replays. Featured image shows the ShearWater Aquatic Drone. Image via Royal3D.