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This has already been a huge summer of British sport, with more still to come. There’s the ongoing Women’s World Cup, for starters, with England among the contenders. There has already been Wimbledon, The Open has just finished and the Ashes’ fifth Test is now underway. But amid all this, there’s a world championship to be won right in the heart of London: the final races of season nine in Formula E, the all-electric motor racing series which culminates at the end of July. Ahead of a milestone campaign next year, the championship is still in growth mode, attracting fans and redefining itself in terms of on-track action, with alterations made across the board in terms of the racing on show, the coverage across the season and, importantly, the visibility in the lead-up to the showpiece event. This week, that means much of the capital city has been exposed to events and takeovers featuring electric cars, racing drivers and brands all associated with the teams and championships itself, raising awareness, interest and – hopefully – longer-term following of a credible, exciting championship. Achieving such awareness on a weekend where so much is happening elsewhere in sport – not least of all the Belgian Grand Prix in F1, the established powerhouse of motor racing – might not seem the easiest task, but FE has its own loyal following already and regularly sells out its races around the world. Back in January at the season opener, 40,000 packed into Mexico City’s famed Autodromo and, across Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 this weekend, the same number will visit ExCel London to watch the team and driver titles handed out – the latter quite possibly to a British driver on home soil, with Jake Dennis leading the standings. This year, Formula E has brought a brand new third-generation (Gen3) EV to the track, added another new city in Tokyo for next season and broken speed records on a consistent basis, while the profile of the 11 teams involved is impressive even to those with a casual knowledge of car manufacturers: they include Porsche, Maserati, Jaguar, NIO and Nissan, the latter of which staged a midweek takeover of Covent Garden, one of central London’s most well-known and busy locations. As Nissan’s driver Sacha Fenestraz told The Independent, the racing-specific alterations have made it a much more exciting affair for spectators, with the cars hitting speeds of up to 275km/h this season. “It’s a huge change. We’re up to 350kw [of energy], before it was 250 so you were quite limited. The championship is growing a lot, the car is more tricky to drive, it’s lighter and quicker and we have more power. It’s a big step forward in terms of racing which is a lot more interesting, a lot more fights on track. It’s been a great step to Gen3,” he said. In terms of his own year on-track, the Annecy-born rookie has been impressive in spells, particularly in qualifying, notching up his own milestones including his first points, pole position and top-five finishes. A decent showing in London could yet see him finish in the top ten for the campaign, though one of his drivers he’ll need to overtake to do so is his own Nissan teammate, Norman Nato. An enjoyable year overall comes down to two days and two races, while the impression left by one of the series’ biggest and boldest events has also left an impression. “It’s been a good season, up and down, we’ve been strong in qualifying and a couple of poles. It took me a bit of time to get used to energy management and racing strategy that is so different to normal combustion engines,” Fenestraz continued. “The race results have been a struggle but it’s the last race of the season and we’re looking forward to scoring points. “What’s been organised in central London is amazing, I was here as a reserve last year and it was like ‘wow’ - I was really surprised at the event. I wanted to be here racing and here I am. We’re enjoying it a lot and now it’s all about getting a good result.” In Covent Garden, fans had the chance not just to meet Fenestraz and take photos with a replica racecar, but also experience a few laps in a simulator and take each other on quite literally head-to-head on a racing game: a brainwave-powered headset which measures a person’s focus to produce on-track speed. Dismally - but perhaps not unexpectedly - after extracting a promise from a laughing Fenestraz to take his place at the ExCel on Saturday if this reporter could beat him, the French-Argentine won by almost a full lap. Mabye next year. Elsewhere, Formula E staged their own event on Carnaby Street, taking Dennis and fellow Brit Dan Ticktum to push the overarching message of sustainability, while Maserati and their partners hosted a panel on LGBTQ+ awareness and activisim. The entire week and weekend will see more of the same, with Formula E very much a sporting championship which pushes social improvement programmes away from the competition itself, be it climate, diversity or equality related. While the championship’s new CEO labels F1 “predictable” and “processional”, FE is showing itself as a far more exciting and changeable series. The finale weekend could show that again. And all the while, it continues to position itself as a bigger force for change too, from mobility electrification to social progress on multiple fronts. It’s a double hit of attractiveness to a younger, wider potential fanbase. Work yet remains to turn a growing series into a truly major one, but the interest and intent is certainly there if consistency can be maintained. And, just maybe, a British world champion celebrating on Sunday will help push that message a little wider. Read More How London provides ‘unique’ setting for Formula E’s enthralling finale Porsche extend Formula E deal - just in time for title fight finale British driver Jake Dennis closes in on Formula E world title with victory in Rome How London provides ‘unique’ setting for Formula E’s enthralling finale Porsche extend Formula E deal - just in time for title fight finale British driver Jake Dennis closes in on Formula E world title with victory in Rome

Singapore police seized S$125 million ($92 million) from a suspected money launderer’s accounts with Bank Julius Baer and

Hundreds of people who identify as dogs have met up in Berlin city centre but not all is as it seems. The group communicated by barking and howling at each other. Around 1,000 trans-species activists met up at the Berlin Potsdamer Platz railway station in the German capital. The group said they do not identify as human beings and instead wish to be recognised as pooches. One local said: “Just abandon them in the Siberian tundra and let them survive with their canine instincts.” Wilson commented: “I don't see anyone smelling the tail of others.” Jose wrote: “Can you imagine when they all have to defecate?” Eduardo remarked: “Call animal control and give them their rabies doses.” Ivan said: “But if they identify as dogs, why do they put on masks?” However, a community note on the now viral post suggested that it was something altogether different. The note wrote: "This gathering occurred during Folsom Europe, which is a gathering of gay men who are into various fetishes. This particular fetish is called pup play, and these individuals, mostly young, are cosplaying. Most do not believe they are dogs but are wearing a fetish costume." The note also provides a link to SDLGBTN which offers an explainer on pup play. In 2019, British man Tom Peters hit the headlines when he identified as a Dalmatian. Trans-species people do not feel or identify as human beings, but instead as specific animals or mythological beings. The most common creatures are dogs, cats, horses, birds, unicorns, dragons, elves, and even angels. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult sit down with Mashable entertainment reporter Belen Edwards to describe

Taylor Swift has used fashion as a way of once again hinting at her rumoured relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. On Thursday 12 October, the Grammy winner showed up to Arrowhead Stadium to watch the Chiefs play against the Denver Broncos. To show her support for the team, Swift showed up wearing a jacket with the team’s signature red and white team colours. The windbreaker that she was wearing at the game is part of Fox sports commentator Erin Andrews’ clothing line. Andrews and fellow commentator, Charissa Thompson, have been credited with helping both Swift and Kelce get together. In an episode of their podcast Calm Down with Erin and Charissa, Andrews said: “Taylor, I don’t know what you’re doing in your life right now besides rocking the world.” “Please, try our friend Travis. He is fantastic. I know we’re not the best of friends, we’re not even friends, but I consider you one. Take us up on this. Go on a date with this guy,” she continued. “Do it for yourself, do it for us,” Thompson agreed. “And do it for the people. Because there is no one who would give you a better time than this guy.” Thompson took to Instagram on 2 October to post the clip of their podcast conversation from two months ago. “Just saying … @erinandrews & I recorded this episode back on August 3rd,” her caption read. Kelce acknowledged their influence with a comment on her post. “You two are something else!! I owe you big time,” he remarked. This isn’t the first time the singer has used fashion to fuel the rumours that she and Kelce are dating. On Tuesday 3 October, she was seen in New York City wearing a vintage-inspired DaydreamerT-shirt with a photo of fellow singer Shania Twain and her 1995 song title, “Any Man of Mine”, printed on the bottom. In the country song, Twain sings about her ideal man and specific traits he must have, such as embracing her indecisiveness. The lyrics for the Twain track read: “Any man of mine better be proud of me/ Even when I’m ugly, he still better love me,” and, “And I can be late for a date that’s fine/ But he better be on time.” Fans of the 33-year-old musician saw her outfit choice as a warning for Kelce, and how he should treat her if the two are indeed in a relationship. However, others speculated that Swift was only paying homage to one of her favourite singers, as she had previously invited Twain to the Eras Tour earlier this year. On 8 September, Swift was seen wearing a teardrop-shaped pendant set with an opal, which just happens to be Kelce’s birthstone. The Foundrae’s Forever & Always a Pair Pendant is said to “represent love”, per the company’s website. “Each pair comes at a time in our lives when something just feels right,” the necklace description reads. “These pairs of pears, we absorb them, fuse them into our own hearts, and our heart grows as a result. It’s those pairs we choose to keep; friends, lovers, family, chosen family, a part of our heart forever. Forever and always, perpetually, and unceasingly bound.” Read More Taylor Swift wears Shania Twain shirt leading fans to think it’s a message for Travis Kelce Travis Kelce reveals the two people who helped him woo Taylor Swift Travis Kelce wears ‘1989’ inspired suit as he leaves Chiefs game with Taylor Swift Taylor Swift celebrates with Patrick Mahomes’ wife as she watches Kelce and Chiefs Taylor Swift charms Travis Kelce’s parents during Kansas City Chiefs game Was Taylor Swift at Travis Kelce’s game a PR move?