The article discusses the recovery of vegetation in central Portugal following the devastating wildfires of 2017. It specifically focuses on the regrowth of eucalyptus plantations, which have become lush and tall, covering much of the mountainous landscape. The eucalyptus, also known as blue gum, is not yet ready for harvest for the pulp industry, but there is significant human activity in the area. The article likely goes on to discuss the implications of this rapid growth and the potential risks associated with eucalyptus plantations in the context of wildfires.

Controlled fires and grazing, known as 'pyric herbivory', are being reintroduced in southern Europe to manage landscapes and prevent large wildfires. The COMPAS project and other initiatives aim to educate and create roles like 'fuel manager' to handle forest mass and reduce fire risks. Despite the challenges of convincing private forest owners and a shortage of shepherds, the benefits include increased biodiversity and lower maintenance costs compared to mechanical interventions. The historical context of fire management practices, including those by Aboriginals in Australia and ancient Romans, is also discussed.

Luigi Matacchioni, a young karate athlete from San Felice Circeo, Italy, won a silver medal at the Karate 1-Youth League in La Coruña, Spain. Competing in the Shotokan style, he performed three katas, advancing to the finals where he was defeated by the reigning European champion, Ivan Martin Montenegro. Matacchioni, who is also the vice European team champion of 2023, is coached by world champion Sara Battaglia and attends the Rita Levi Montalcini Scientific High School with a sports curriculum in Sabaudia.

In the Lega Pro's Group C, eight teams are competing for three remaining playoff spots, with the teams clustered within three points of each other. Latina and Giugliano, both with 46 points, along with Taranto, Potenza, Virtus Francavilla, Juve Stabia, Avellino, and Turris, are in contention. Latina has control over its destiny and can secure a playoff spot by defeating Fidelis Andria. The final matches of the season will determine the playoff positions, with no direct confrontations between the contenders and various scenarios possible depending on the outcomes of the games.

Road 96 Mile 0 is a prequel to the narrative adventure game Road 96 by Digixart, exploring the political landscape of the fictional nation Petria and the backstory of the character Zoe. The game combines traditional narrative adventure mechanics with music-driven gameplay inspired by Sayonara Wild Hearts. The article discusses the political themes in video games and the success of Road 96's storytelling, highlighting the creative approach of game director Yoan Fanise and the anticipation for the new title.

Marvel has released the new trailer for Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania, featuring Paul Rudd as Scott Lang, which is set to hit theaters on February 15, including in 3D.

IGN Italia previews 'Dragon Quest Treasures', a spin-off of 'Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age', set to release on Nintendo Switch on December 9. The game features characters Erik and Mia from the eleventh installment, exploring their childhood adventures. The preview highlights the game's colorful design by Toriyama, action-oriented JRPG mechanics, and treasure-hunting gameplay. Special abilities of allied monsters play a crucial role in combat and exploration. The game's core revolves around finding the legendary Seven Dragon Gems across five islands in Draconia.

At Gamescom in Cologne, the author experienced Sonic Frontiers through two demos and found technical issues and design choices that hindered a fully positive impression. Despite moments of speed and excitement, the game's open zone structure, pop-in of game elements, chaotic level design, and graphical inconsistencies raised concerns. The game's new abilities and classic linear level structures showed potential, but overall, the technical aspects were lacking, leaving the iconic blue hedgehog feeling lost on the frontier.

Floodland is a post-apocalyptic city builder game developed by Vile Monarch, featuring a world partially submerged due to climate change. Players lead survivors to establish new settlements, with gameplay combining RTS, 4X, and narrative elements reminiscent of This War of Mine and Frostpunk. The game emphasizes population management and offers sandbox campaign sections. The map is procedurally generated, requiring strategic resource gathering and development. Floodland also explores ethical and political dilemmas, allowing players to shape society and address issues from the old world. The game aims to provoke discussion on contemporary challenges posed by climate change, drawing inspiration from films like Children of Men and The Last of Us.

F1 22 is recognized for its broad appeal to both hardcore fans and newcomers, offering true-to-life vehicle performance and a blend of depth and accessibility. Despite the overfamiliarity and lack of transformative change, the game introduces new car designs, circuits, and updated team rosters. The VR implementation and minor gameplay improvements are noted, although some criticize the addition of supercars and the absence of an interactive story mode. The game is described as the best simulation experience of Formula 1 races to date, with updated gameplay physics, handling, and tyre models, as well as new track layouts and the Miami circuit.

FIFA 23 introduces a significant update by merging the progression systems of Pro Club and VOLTA Football into a unified path, enhancing the seasonal rewards and development of the Virtual Pro character. The game now features training mini-games, a unified character usable in both modes, and a level cap increase to 100. Gameplay changes include shorter default match times, the elimination of draws in favor of a Golden Goal rule, and augmented reality replays with HyperMotion2 technology. VOLTA Football sees larger fields, wider goals, higher walls, and a new distinctive ability for super jumps. EA Sports aims to improve the multiplayer experience and community engagement throughout the year.

Venba is an intimate narrative game by Visai Games, depicting the life of an Indian family that immigrated to Canada in the 1980s, told through traditional recipes and associated memories. The game, which is to be released on PC, combines cooking with storytelling, allowing players to experience the family's journey and cultural heritage. The preview describes the game's mechanics, its emotional storytelling, and the cultural significance of food as a narrative device.