This comprehensive guide walks you through the essential GitHub operations of cloning, forking, and merging repositories. Whether youre new to version control or looking to solidify your understanding of GitHub workflows, this tutorial will equip you with the fundamental skills needed to collaborate effectively on coding projects.Understanding GitHub RepositoriesGitHub repositories serve as central storage locations for projects, containing all files, folders, and the complete history of changes. Before diving into specific operations, its important to understand the difference between remote repositories (hosted on GitHub) and local repositories (on your computer). Working with GitHub typically involves creating a local copy of a repository through cloning or forking, making changes, and then integrating those changes through merging.Remote vs. Local RepositoriesRepositories on GitHub are remote repositories. To work with them on your computer, you need to create local copies, which you can do by cloning or forking1. The main differences are:Remote repositories: Hosted on GitHubs servers and accessible to collaboratorsLocal repositories: Exist on your computer, allowing you to work offline and test changes before sharingCloning RepositoriesCloning creates a local copy of a repository on your computer. This is the most direct way to start working with an existing project.What is Cloning?When you clone a repository, you download a complete copy of the repository, including all files and commit history. This creates a connection to the original repository, allowing you to push changes back if you have write permissions.How to Clone Using HTTPSFind the Repository to CloneNavigate to the GitHub repository you want to cloneClick the green Code button above the files listSelect the HTTPS option to get the repository URLClone the Repository Using GitOpen your terminal or command promptNavigate to the directory where you want to store the repositoryType the following command:Press Enter to begin cloningAuthenticate if NecessaryFor private repositories, youll need to authenticateGitHub no longer accepts password authentication for HTTPSUse a Personal Access Token (PAT) instead, which you can generate in GitHub Settings Developer settings Personal access tokensStart Working with the Cloned RepositoryNavigate to the cloned repository directory using:Now you can view, edit, and work with the filesCloning Using GitHub DesktopIf you prefer a graphical interface:In GitHub Desktop, click File Clone RepositorySelect the repository source:Choose from your GitHub repositoriesEnter a URL for any repositoryBrowse for a local repositoryChoose the local path where you want to store the repositoryClick Clone to finalize the processForking RepositoriesForking is creating a personal copy of someone elses repository in your GitHub account, which allows you to freely experiment with changes without affecting the original project.You should fork a repository when:You dont have write access to the original repositoryYou want to contribute to an open-source projectYou want to use someones project as a starting point for your own workThe Complete Forking WorkflowFork the RepositoryNavigate to the repository you want to forkClick the Fork button in the top-right cornerWait a few seconds for GitHub to create the fork in your accountClone Your Forked RepositoryAfter forking, clone the repository to your local machine using the methods described earlierThis creates a local copy of your fork, not the original repositoryMake Changes and Push to Your ForkMake the desired changes to the local copyCommit your changesPush the changes to your forked repositoryCreate a Pull Request (Optional)If you want to contribute back to the original project, create a pull requestThis proposes your changes to the original repositorys ownerUnderstanding the RelationshipWhen you fork a repository:The original repository is called the upstream repositoryYour copy is the forked repositoryThese repositories are separate, allowing independent developmentYou can sync changes from the upstream repository when neededWorking with Your RepositoriesAfter cloning or forking a repository, youll need to make changes, commit them, and push them back to GitHub.Basic Git Commands for Daily WorkCheck Repository StatusCreate a New Branch for Your ChangesAdd Your Changed FilesOr add all changes:Commit Your ChangesPush Your Changes to GitHubMerging Repositories and BranchesMerging is Gits way of integrating changes from one branch or repository into another.Understanding Git MergeGit merge combines multiple sequences of commits into one unified history. In typical scenarios, merging is used to combine two branches. When merging:Git finds a common base commit between the branchesIt creates a new merge commit that combines the changesThis merge commit has two parent commits (unlike regular commits)How to Merge BranchesCheckout the Target BranchEnsure Your Branch is Up-to-DateMerge the Source BranchHandle Any Merge ConflictsIf Git encounters conflicting changes, it will mark them in the affected filesEdit these files to resolve the conflictsAfter resolving, add the files and commit the mergeCreating and Managing Pull RequestsPull requests are the primary way to contribute changes from a fork back to the original repository.Creating a Pull RequestPush Your Changes to Your ForkNavigate to the Original Repository on GitHubClick Pull Requests and then New Pull RequestSelect the Base Repository/Branch and Your Fork/BranchReview Your Changes and Create the Pull RequestAdd a title and descriptionExplain what changes youve made and whyMerging a Pull RequestIf you own the repository or have write access:Review the Pull RequestCheck the code changesRun tests if applicableConsider feedback from other collaboratorsMerge the Pull RequestOn GitHub, navigate to the pull requestClick Merge pull request if everything looks goodFor repositories with merge queues, you can click Merge when readyBest Practices and TipsWorkflow RecommendationsAlways Create Branches for New FeaturesKeep the main branch clean and stableCreate feature branches for new developmentPull Before You PushAlways pull the latest changes before pushing your ownThis reduces merge conflictsWrite Clear Commit MessagesUse descriptive messages that explain why changes were madeFollow the convention of a short title and longer description if neededCommon Pitfalls to AvoidWorking Directly on the Main BranchThis can cause conflicts and confusionAlways create feature branches for new workNot Updating Your Fork RegularlyYour fork can become outdated if the original repository changesLearn how to sync your fork with the upstream repositoryPushing Large Binary Files to GitGit is not optimized for binary filesConsider Git LFS (Large File Storage) for large binary filesConclusionIn this guide, we covered cloning, forking, and merging repositories on GitHub, essential for collaboration and version control. Cloning creates a local copy, forking allows independent development, and merging integrates changes efficiently. Pull requests facilitate structured contributions. Best practices include using feature branches, keeping repositories updated, and writing clear commit messages. By following these workflows, developers can collaborate effectively, reduce conflicts, and manage code efficiently, ensuring smooth project development and contribution to open-source or team-based projects. NikhilNikhil is an intern consultant at Marktechpost. He is pursuing an integrated dual degree in Materials at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. Nikhil is an AI/ML enthusiast who is always researching applications in fields like biomaterials and biomedical science. With a strong background in Material Science, he is exploring new advancements and creating opportunities to contribute.Nikhilhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/nikhil0980/This AI Paper Introduces a Latent Token Approach: Enhancing LLM Reasoning Efficiency with VQ-VAE CompressionNikhilhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/nikhil0980/This AI Paper Introduces R1-Onevision: A Cross-Modal Formalization Model for Advancing Multimodal Reasoning and Structured Visual InterpretationNikhilhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/nikhil0980/This AI Paper from Columbia University Introduces Manify: A Python Library for Non-Euclidean Representation LearningNikhilhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/nikhil0980/This AI Paper Introduces FoundationStereo: A Zero-Shot Stereo Matching Model for Robust Depth Estimation

Snow White opens in theaters Friday, March 21.While its technically the latest in Disneys never-ending string of live-action remakes, Snow White is more adaptation than mere nostalgic mimicry. Director Marc Webb doesnt just re-create (to varying degrees of success) the basic outline and designs of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs he also gives that landmark 1937 release a fresh, Broadway-like spin. In the process, the new Snow White fleshes out both its story and its main character, a more well-defined Disney heroine played by a remarkable Rachel Zegler. During an original opening song highlighting the cast of characters and storybook setting, we meet a young version of the princess accompanying her regal parents as they spread food and joy across their kingdom. This is a Snow White who cherishes kindness above all else, an outlook thats challenged following her mothers death and her fathers marriage to the otherwise unnamed Evil Queen (Gal Gadot). The monarchs magic-mirror-aided obsession with being the fairest one of all takes on a different meaning here, pivoting from solely a question of physical beauty to one of compassion and charity as well.For a while, the Queens unforgiving form of justice gets her the answer she wants, until Snow Whites generosity toward a hungry, handsome bandit leader named Jonathan (Andrew Burnap) causes the magic mirror to change its tune. Most of us know where the story goes from there: The Queen sends her Huntsman (Ansu Kabia) to kill Snow White, Snow White flees into the woods, and takes shelter with Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Bashful, Sneezy, Dopey, and Doc. Whats new are the goings on back at the castle, where the Queen enacts an iron-fisted rule over her subjects. Chief among those impacted is the cynical, Robin Hood-like Jonathan: No flimsily written prince, he gives Snow White the opportunity to have a real romantic dynamic with the man destined to save her.It all makes for a more fully realized tale that can justify a 109-minute runtime. Additional musical numbers help even the pacing, too, as do the rearranging and lengthening of songs first written for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It allows Snow White to feel more like an ensemble piece, though the results can feel awkward at times. The expanded Heigh-Ho makes room for individual introductions to the Dwarfs but only about half of them. Another downside of this augmented songbook: Not one, but two Evil Queen solos for Gadot to belt in the flat, monotone register that haunted social-media timelines at the beginning of COVID-19 lockdown. Snow White GalleryAt least the Wonder Woman actress manages to bring an appropriate flamboyance to the Queens body language and movements. Gadot makes her feel like an imposing, gleefully sinister figure, even if her singing and dialogue never measure up to the characters operatic sensibilities. Zegler, on the other hand, digs great, soulful depths, crafting a version of Snow White who retains the graceful motions of her animated counterpart, but with a renewed sense of bravery. Few of Disneys live-action remakes have been worthwhile, but by centering the fight for kindness in the face of adversity, Snow White channels the very best of them: Kenneth Branaghs 2015 take on Cinderella.Too bad so much of it is an eyesore. While theres some cartoonish charm to the CGI animals, the preemptively derided Dwarfs never climb their way out of the uncanny valley, and the human characters are saddled with costumes that would look cheap and tacky parading down the thoroughfare of the Magic Kingdom. A general drabness hurts the distinctions Webb draws between the Queens reign and what came before it: Her theft of the throne from Snow Whites father brings dark clouds and a gloomier atmosphere, but it doesnt look all that different from the marginally brighter, earlier scenes. On the plus side, Webb peps things up with a dizzying depiction of the Queens plans coming to fruition and the expressionistic psychedelia of Snow Whites flight into the woods.Zegler digs great, soulful depths as Snow White.As much as the Dwarfs take getting used to, they become a meaningful and integral part of Snow Whites story, even if things start to feel crowded when Jonathans troupe of bandits enters the fray. The supporting cast essentially doubles without enough time to devote to any one of them as they plan to oppose the Queen. The presence of a human character with dwarfism, the bandit Quigg (George Appleby), seemingly addresses criticisms lodged against Snow White, though the dual existence of fantasy Dwarfs and real people with dwarfism is more than a little odd.Fortunately, Zeglers Snow White is rich and well-rounded enough to keep things afloat. She embodies the characters gentleness with sincerity, maintaining an awareness of why each act of kindness matters, and where it will take the story. As the world around her grows increasingly grim, the thoughtfulness and self-reflection of her performance becomes more important it shows that this is Snow White reacting to her situation, not a default setting. Even the climax rests on Snow Whites appeals to peoples better selves.PlayFor all the things it can't quite get right, the movie never does wrong by its Snow White. She remains the focal point of a simple, straightforward story for kids, while also demonstrating a refreshing lack of worry about staying faithful to the original movie. The result is a fairytale that feels more thematically and musically liberated than Disneys other live-action experiments.

Thanks in no small part to his role in Marvel Rivals, it's safe to say Jeff the Land Shark is one of Marvel's most popular new characters to come along in recent years. If you're the type of collector with a Jeff-shaped hole in your Marvel figure lineup, Diamond Select Toys has you covered with the Marvel Animated-Style Jeff the Land Shark Resin Statue.Check out the slideshow gallery below for an exclusive look at this adorable new collectible:Marvel Animated-Style Jeff the Land Shark Resin Statue Image GalleryFirst revealed at New York Toy Fair earlier this month, this Jeff statue is the latest addition to DST's long-running Marvel Animated line of statues. But whereas most of these pieces have been based on the artwork of Skottie Young, Jeff is instead inspired by the work of the Japanese artistic duo Gurihiru (specifically, the cover to It's Jeff #1). This Jeff statue is cast in resin and measures about 3 inches tall. It was sculpted by Casen Barnard. The statue is priced at $59.99 and is limited to 3000 pieces worldwide. The statue is slated for release during the Holiday 2025 period. Preorders will open on the Diamond Select Toys website and other retailers on Friday, March 21.PlayFor more Diamond Select collectibles, have a look at their epic Spider-Man 2 diorama and their stylish Phoenix Legendary Scale Bust.Also, be sure to check out the many Marvel collectibles available on the IGN Store. Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket byfollowing @jschedeen on BlueSky.

The film that Disneys Snow White remake is, and the one it so clearly wants to be, are on simultaneous display in the scene where the title character first reveals her trademark colors. Upon a sunset-drenched hill far afield from the palace, Rachel Zegler is at last encased in the red, blue, and white ruffles which looked so charming nearly a century ago on the hand-sketched page. Beside her a huntsman completes the tableau. Its a live-action recreation of an exquisite composition from the first animated feature Walt Disney ever produced.If you squint, some of the aspirations that director Marc Webb had for this redo are also apparent. Certain close-ups harken back to the oversaturated glory of a 1930s technicolor picture long faded on a VHS pan and scan tape. One wonders how much that reference point matters to a 2025 family films target audience, but such concerns are ultimately immaterial since these echoes are fleeting.Whatever the noble creative intentions there are in this Snow Whiteand be sure that the casting of West Side Storys megawatt-talented Rachel Zegler in the title role is one of the big creative pluses in the thingthey fall by the wayside of what is actually before us: a theme park pageant overeager to ingratiate and be all things to all people. Its the cinematic equivalent of a princess meet-and-greet at Disneyland. What was once beguiling on celluloid now curdles on a digital screen that seems self-reflexively apologetic for its appearance. Indeed, the much maligned graywash of so many modern Disney films is purposely obscured by a golden filter in this scene. Nevertheless, the film remains washed out, only now the typical Marvel aesthetic of wet concrete has been traded in for tarnished gold. It looks like a Trump Tower bathroom thats never polished.But at least Snow Whites singing voice is heavenly.That voice is also on frequent display in songs old and new, as Snow White (2025) seeks to both evoke intense corporate nostalgia for a film made in a very different time and place while also infusing the material with a bit of that modern Broadway formula and sound, which has been a winner in more recent Disney animated films like Frozen and Moana. The studio even enlisted the slick songwriters of Dear Evan Hansen and The Greatest Showman, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, to provide the new tunes while beefing up what was a fairly rudimentary story in the 1937 original.Thus in the new Snow White, we are introduced not only to Snow White as a child (here named after the blizzard she was born in), but also her loving mother and father who raise Snow to be kind. Its Disney idyllic until her mother passes away due to some unexplained illness, paving the way for papa to be dazzled by an enchantress from a foreign land who soon enough becomes his Evil Queen (Gal Gadot). Quickly the familiar mechanics and copyrighted iconography fall into place. The good king is disposed of and the Evil Queen condemns Snow White to servitude while obsessing over her mirror, mirror on the wall. She demands to know daily who is the fairest of them all. When the answer eventually displeases her, a stepdaughter is sentenced to death, yet ends up instead living with seven magical dwarfs (though that term is never used): the eerily digital Doc, Happy, Grumpy, Dopey, etc.There are fresh elements as well. For instance, instead of being rescued by a prince she never seriously met, this Snow White has a flirtation with a vaguely roguish captain in rebellion against the Evil Queen, Jonathan (Andrew Burlap). John and his merry band of men and women also serve as the source for many of the new songs in a movie which works overtime to introduce audiences to a more proactive princesseven as she still must be contractually saved by a kiss.Its a story as old as time, and in spite of its Germanic roots its as entrenched in American culture as apple pie and Mickey Mouse. Which might be one reason, among many, that the more hideous corners of online life in the U.S. have turned the Snow White remake into a culture war football. Ever since Zegler was cast as the princess several years ago, the same exploiters of perpetual online misery that made Star Wars fandom exhausting, and YouTube film criticism drenched in an endless loop of hate and misogyny, have set their clickbaiting sights on this film.Its proven an easy target, but not for the reasons they might insist on. With a magnetic screen presence and magnificent soprano, Zegler already proved shes a star in the making by anchoring along with Ariana DeBose the best film musical of the last decade, and similarly serenading into respectability what on paper seemed a dubious Hunger Games prequel via her Appalachian lilt.She can quite easily do justice to Frank Churchill and Larry Moreys simple but angelic songs from 37, as well as Pasek and Pauls more forgettable additions. At times, Zegler seems to even channel a little of that 30s starlet spunk in the old standards, injecting a touch of Ginger Rogers tap to Whistle While You Work. So yes, she handles the ingenue role just fine, but in a film like this thats a semi-thankless task. This is real Broadway level talent being asked to do little better than greet theme park guests at home via their Disney+ subscriptions.Its a needed anchor though, considering the films actual problems, including perhaps why she was cast: This is a studio committee film determined to please all prospective ticket-buyers, including those who undoubtedly have noticed that as visually amazing as the first Disney animators work was, the O.G. Snow White is narratively simplistic and antiquated to the point of being (gasp) dated. So Snow White (2025) makes cursory gestures toward addressing these critiques, but the efforts are uneven and at odds with themselves. In trying to be both a modernization of a classic story and a worshipful ode to it, the movie clashes with itself like that red and blue dress in live, 4K definition.Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!The song Someday My Prince Will Come is gone, as is the love interest being an honest to Walt prince (Jonathan is more in the Robin Hood/Flynn Ryder vein, albeit without the mischievous edge), but the film still yearns to appeal to Disney adults who declare umbrage that someone might find offense at the concept of magical dwarfs. So the half-hearted compromise is a movie that simply refuses to use the word and replaces them with horrifying CGI creations which strive for 30s pop art, but fall into the bleak uncanny valley of Robert Zemeckis many ghastly 2000s motion-capture films (an eyesore Disney ironically made fun of in the actually savvy Chip n Dale: Rescue Rangers).The Dwarfs are CG nightmares, but only slightly more so than the digital bunnies, squirrels and birds that un-persuasively insist on enchantment as they bounce around the screen. Yet whether trying to awkwardly resuscitate ancient animation in live-action or to update it with cynically produced new songs, real magic remains elusive.The one musical addition that really works, perhaps unsurprisingly, is when Zegler is given a modern musical I Want Song, Waiting on a Wish. Still, another that might earn points for its audacity is All Is Fair, Gal Gadots big number that reveals a much autotuned singing voice. The song, like everything else about her performance, is a big swing. But despite a game desire to vamp and camp it up, Gadot has yet to find another director like Patty Jenkins who can turn her innate onscreen blankness into an asset instead of a liability. The Evil Queen is ultimately a nonentity, and Gadots flat, vacant presence only complementing the movie insomuch as it matches the cosplay aesthetic of her gowns and scenes opposite a dark ride mirror special effect.The blandness of this ostensibly bad queen captures in miniature everything wrong with Snow White (2025). Here is a movie that likely would have been made a lot sooner had Universal Pictures not so adroitly stolen Disneys thunder during the beginning of the live-action fairy tale craze about 15 years ago with Snow White and the Huntsman. That 2012 film is also not particularly good, but by virtue of not needing to slavishly service the past, it could do weird things like let Charlize Theron devour the screen as a milk-bathing, soul-feasting Evil Queen succubus. It stood out as its own thing, even if that thing was little more than a feature-length My Chemical Romance music video.Snow White (2025) has one enchanting asset in its lead casting, which Disneys caution and inclination toward consumer-testing has done everything in its power to obfuscate (including by apparently throwing its star under the bus for a media narrative the company originally courted). As it stands, is the movie good, bad, or indifferent? Its not a disaster like the worst live-action Disney remakesthink Pinocchio or the soulless The Lion King redo. But it doesnt stand alongside the handful worth actually seeingCruella, The Jungle Book, maybe Cinderella.Its in that vague middle-ground where a committee room decides to break for lunch. Children will undoubtedly enjoy it, lest their parents have been completely poisoned by the brain rot of social media algorithms. Adults will muddle through. A product will be consumed.Snow White opens on Friday, March 21.

New York City and Nevadas Black Rock City share very few things in common, given that one is a bustling metropolis marked by towering skyscrapers and the other a barren desert except, perhaps, for that one week a year when Burning Man turns the sandy expanse into a similarly bustling city of artistic self-expression. There is, however, one sky-high Manhattan pied--terre that serves as a colorful reflection of the homeowners imaginative, yet refined, Burner aesthetic thanks to help from fellow Burner and interior designer Peti Lau. [The festival] is about celebrating life, adventure and creativity, and thats how I began thinking about the finishes and materials for the project, shares Lau, whose eponymous firm is based in Los Angeles. It also sparked my return to Burning Man after not going for 22 years! And her clientan entrepreneur, educator and avid traveler with homes in New Zealand and The Bahamascould not have been more aligned with Laus design vision. Brittany AmbridgeThe pair of Karl Springer Coffee Tables were sourced through Todd Merrill Studio. Lau chose a jewel-toned velvet Harlequin Amazilia fabric for the sofa she custom designed with Master Craftsman. At each end of the sofa are vintage Japanese Lucite side tables from The Gilded Owl in Los Angeles which, according to the shops owner Andy Goldsborough, were owned and designed by Tom Ford for his office.When we met to do a walk-through of the apartment, it wasnt her at allit was a very contemporary early 2000s white box that she hadnt touched since purchasing it in 2012, and the only colors inside were grey, white and silver, she says, recalling the moment inspiration struck. But laying around amongst all her things were all these big, beautiful feathered headdresses. Brittany AmbridgePeti Lau poses in the primary bedroom.So, there on Columbus Circle, like a perch high up in the stratosphere on the 67thfloorwith sweeping views of the city and Central Parkis a vivid 1,830-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom nest thats the ultimate design expression of its free-spirited resident. Shes literally my unicorn client, says Lau. Her only requirements were that the sofas had to be really comfortable and that I incorporated jewel tones into the color palette. Having spent the better part of the last decade using the apartment as layover spot every few months between trips, Laus client made do with the furnishings that came with the place. It had been newly renovated to be extremely modern and was filled with all this awkwardly curvy J. Robert Scott furniture; it was very high-end but didnt work at all. Shes so creative, curious and bright, and now its a home that resembles her.After emptying the apartment of its dated decor, the designer was left with white marble floors (which she kept) and stark white walls and columns (that she immediately plastered over in Roman clay). Then, during a trip to the New York Design Center with her client, Lau selected three items that would set the tone for the project: A Paradise chandelier from Lindsey Adelman and a pair of unusual Wendell Castle desk chairs. Shes very creative and loves costume parties, and I felt the chain-link and handblown glass chandelier was like an elegant piece of Burner jewelry shed wear. And those chairsdesigned [around 1975] for the Gannett Company in Rochesterwere just so unusual. Peek Inside This Singular SkyscraperFrom there, all the other furnishings and design elements began to fall into place with relative easeincluding in the primary bedroom where Lau completely plumed the walls in homage to her original inspiration. This was the most expensive wallpaper I have every installed in my career, she says with a laugh about the organic fan-shaped iridescent peacock-feathered wallcovering from Koket that completely envelops the space. There was absolutely no room for screwups because each panel was perfectly pre-cut. In the endgiven the designer and her client were birds of a featherthe result was flawless. Shes so creative, curious and bright, and now its a home that resembles her.

Getting your home ready to sell is a tricky process. There are a few home additions you can add to increase your homes value, from sunrooms to finished basements. But those enhancements take time and money! Before you go knocking down walls, remember small details can make a big difference. To that end, we suggest focusing your energies on the room that really makes the difference. But don't take our word for it! Christina Haack said it best: kitchens sell homes.It makes perfect sense that this is the most appealing room in the house. The kitchen is the heart of the home, not to mention a gathering place for parties and family dinners. Plus, theres a major return on investment with an updated kitchen. Research suggests a kitchen reno can recoup up to 60 percent of the money spent on the upgrade. When youre trying to sell a property, how do you make your kitchen as appealing as possible? We spoke to three professional home stagers to get their insider tips. Read on for their go-to changes, from the simple to the heavy-duty.Related StoryRuthless Decluttering The first thing you need to do when preparing your kitchen for potential buyers? Declutter. Jason Saft, founder of Staged to Sell Home, suggests going cabinet by cabinet, emptying everything, and going through it all. This way, you can dispose of expired goods, or donate anything that doesnt need to follow you to your next home. A pared-down look gives a clean slate for anyone visiting to project onto. Home buyers want to see an abundance of storage space, says Saft. And keep in mind, paring down now means less to pack and move later."Shannon Dupre DDRepsThe "before" stage of one of Safts decluttering projects.Shannon Dupre DDRepsThe "after" stage of Safts decluttering project.While you're decluttering, make sure to take any non-necessary items off of countertops. Terry Mainord, award-winning home stager and interior designer recommends focusing on appliances. Rice cookers, toaster ovens, and knife racks all take up valuable surface area. Make the space feel more open by tucking these away. Dont forget about the refrigerator, either, Mainord warns. Clear that magnet collection, plus any cleaning supplies from the top of the fridge. Related StoryBe careful, though: its easy to fall into the trap that decluttering means a completely empty space. Celebrity interior designer Cheryl Eisen, founder of Interior Marketing Group, suggests a balance between purpose and restraint. Minimalism doesnt mean starkit means thoughtfully curated, Eisen says. Keep counters mostly clear, allowing the high-end finishes to take center stage. A single, neutral-toned linen tea towel draped over the oven handle or a discreet ceramic bowl adds softness while maintaining the homes polished aesthetic.Interior Marketing GroupArrange the Kitchen Like a Movie SetAs you decide which objects to leave on display, take some inspiration from Hollywood. A careful arrangement can create a narrative, and make the kitchen feel like a warm gathering place. A Nancy Meyers-style kitchen is one of Safts favorite looks. I like to layer in everything from pots and pans, cookbooks, pottery, artwork and other items that draw buyers in and keep them engaged, Saft says. The kitchen is where people always gather at events; the same is true at open houses and showings.Hayley Ellen Day DDrepsJasonSafts NancyMeyers-style kitchen has a careful arrangement of shelf decor.Hayley Ellen Day DDrepsThe bright orange backsplash in this Saft-staged kitchen draws in potential buyers.Related StoryAs for the kinds of items you should leave out in the kitchen: think everyday luxury. On Mainords list: real or high-quality faux plants, an interesting cutting board, and a couple of attractive bottles of oil and vinegar. These touches can help the space feel both organized and inviting. Eisen loves to opt for a bowl of fresh lemons, limes or deep-hued pears to add vibrancy. Pair it with a high-end cookbook on a sleek lucite stand, opened to a visually stunning page, she recommends. These simple yet intentional touches subtly communicate refined taste and effortless elegance.Allyson LubowMainords staging of this kitchen included striking plants and a cutting board, two of her go-to countertop items.Focus on the Cabinets and CountertopsThe condition of the cabinets is one of the first things Mainord pays attention to when staging a kitchen. If those are in good shape, more heavy-duty fixes, like painting cabinets, updating cabinet pulls, and adding a backsplash, can work wonders when staging a kitchen. Related StoryBuyers seeing peeling paint on kitchen cabinets sends the message that a renovation is in order, Saft says. We often repaint kitchen cabinets to save our sellers thousands of dollars on unnecessary upgrades. This is also a great trick for older kitchen cabinets. Swapping out the hardware also instantly upgrades a dated cabinet.Francisco Rosario DDRepsThe "before" stage of Jason Safts kitchen staging.Francisco Rosario DDRepsThe "after" stage of Jason Safts kitchen staging, including re-painted cabinets. In high-end kitchens, Eisen suggests hiding something you might not consider: the electrical outlets. Allow the luxury details of your kitchen to shine, rather than having outlets break up a curated look. A beautiful wooden cutting board can be strategically placed to hide distracting plugs, keeping the focus on the pristine marble countertops, she says. Opt for a sculptural board with natural grain, making it both functional and stylish.Interior Marketing GroupThe wooden cutting board on this countertop is one of Eisens favorite ways to hide outlets from buyers.Related StoriesFollow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.

ESA has released the first major batch of data from its dark universe telescope Euclid. Whats inside could change our understanding of dark matter and the expansion of the Universe.The data comprises just one weeks worth of deep field images from three points in space. They represent just 0.4% of the total area that Euclid is expected to image, which scientists say will be the biggest-ever 3D map of the sky.With one scan of each region so far, Euclid has already spotted 26 million galaxies, each potentially containing millions of stars and billions of planets. The furthest of these galaxies are 10.5 billion light years away from Earth, meaning the images you see are almost as old as the universe itself.The Euclid map of the starsThe Cats Eye Nebula, one of the most complex planetary nebulae ever seen in space, as captured by Euclid. Credit: ESAHiding amongst all those millions of galaxies are rare phenomena called gravitational lenses or Einstein rings, named as such because they prove Albert Einsteins prediction that gravity warps spacetime, causing light to bend as it travels through. Gravitational lensing occurs when a massive object, like a galaxy or black hole, bends the light from a galaxy behind it forming visible distortions or arcs around the galaxys nucleus.Get TicketsIn this new batch of data, Euclid has more than doubled the number of gravitational lenses that have been captured from space. ESA estimates that Euclid will capture 100,000 strong gravitational lenses by the end of its six-year mission, around 100 times more than currently known. Todays data has also revealed an even rarer phenomenon: double gravitational lensing, also called double source plane lensing. This happens when light from two distant galaxies passes through the same galaxy, causing a double lensing effect.Double gravitational lensesA collage of gravitational lenses from Euclids first major data drop, released today. Credit: ESALook at the image above and go to the fourth column, third from the bottom. The image is faint but you can make out two outer arcs and then two inner arcs close to the centre of the galaxy nucleus. Thats a double gravitational lens.Double gravitational lensing could help scientists better understand dark energy and the expansion of the universe, because, in theory, an expanding universe will determine the angle of the arcs.Double-source plane lenses are so rare that only a few have ever been found, said Euclid Consortium scientist Mike Walmsley at a press briefing. But we think weve found four good candidates already from just a weeks worth of data covering a fraction of the night sky. Were confident that Euclid will quickly capture enough of them to allow scientists to start measuring their effects.To find such rare phenomena hiding amidst Euclids images, the European Space Agency (ESA) enlisted the help of thousands of volunteers and AI algorithms.The AI-powered galaxy finderLaunched in 2023, Euclid has observed about 14% of its total survey area so far. By the time its mission is complete, the telescope is expected to capture images of more than 1.5 billion galaxies, sending back around 100GB of data every day.These images provide scientists with unprecedented opportunities and huge problems when it comes to finding, categorising, and analysing all the objects within them.To speed up the process, the Euclid consortium has developed an AI-powered galaxy spotter called Zoobot. The algorithm was trained on decades worth of citizen science work, from volunteers who scan through images and identify each object.From todays data drop, Zoobot put together a detailed catalogue of 360,000 galaxies. Thousands of volunteers from the Space Warps citizen science project then sorted through the most promising candidates. Thats how the gravitational lenses were identified.A collage of deep field south, a portion of the night sky never captured in such detail. Credit: ESAWere at a pivotal moment in terms of how we tackle large-scale surveys in astronomy. AI is a fundamental and necessary part of our process in order to fully exploit Euclids vast dataset, said Walmsley, who has worked onbeen heavily involved in astronomical deep learning algorithms for the last decade.The dark universe explorerEuclid launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral in Florida on 1 July, 2023. It returned its first images in August of that year, and in May last year released its first scientific data.Euclids mission is to shed light on two of the universes most perplexing mysteries: dark energy and dark matter , thought to make up 95% of the cosmos. Scientists theorise that dark energy is responsible for accelerating the universes expansion and that dark matter acts as cosmic glue that holds the galaxies together. Yet the nature of these components is still unknown.To build its 3D map of the night sky, the telescope is deploying two high-tech cameras: VIS, which captures the cosmos in visible light, and NISP, which measures the distances to galaxies and the expansion speed of the universe.Euclid is set to provide us with an unprecedented chronology of the history of the cosmos and help us unravel the mysteries of the universe and our own existence.The three deep field previews can now be explored in the ESASky app. Euclid Deep Field South here, Euclid Deep Field Fornax here, Euclid Deep Field North here. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.

Apple has been running a variety of ads over the past year pushing Safari as the privacy-friendly browser choice for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users. But in iOS 18.4 beta 1, theres a new Safari feature that may accidentally undercut that messagedespite offering solid utility.Update 3/19/25: Added information about a change in iOS 18.4 beta 4 below.iOS 18.4 beta 1 shows recent searches when opening a new tabThe first iOS 18.4 beta is packed with a variety of big and small feature changes.One update Ive enjoyedbut that also makes me a bit uneasyinvolves Apples browser, Safari.Whenever you open a new Safari tab and tap into the address bar, iOS 18.4 automatically displays your recent search history on screen.I definitely see how this can be a useful feature, offering easy ways to re-visit prior searches and quickly submit them again.But it might also make some iPhone users feel uneasy seeing their recent searches featured so prominently in the app.Particularly if you ever hand your device to someone elsewhich many of us do. In situations like this, iOS 18.4s new Safari feature could prove a big problem for some users.Having recent searches shown when you start a new search: nice feature.Having your searches shown when someone else starts a new search: not so great.This seems like a great convenience / quality of life improvement, and Apple already has private browsing mode for those particularly sensitive searches that you might not want other people seeing. View all commentsIts very possible this feature could be removed in future iOS 18.4 betas before the public launch. For now though, its a potential privacy issue to be aware of.iOS 18.4 also, for now at least, doesnt seem to offer a way to turn it off. While you can always clear your recent search history with a quick tap, Ive yet to find any options in the Settings app to permanently disable the feature. Update 3/19/25: iOS 18.4 beta 4 has added an option in Safaris settings to now disable this feature. Theres a Show Recent Searches toggle thats on by default, but you can turn off.What do you think of this Safari change in iOS 18.4? Let us know in the comments.Best iPhone accessoriesAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Apples upcoming iPhone 17 Air has a lot going for it. But it will also have at least one notable shortcoming: only a single rear camera. In our first look at a case for the iPhone 17 Air, however, its clear that Apple plans to give that camera its own unique emphasis through a bold design choice.Camera bar is focal point of iPhone 17 Air case leakLeaker Sonny Dickson, after recently sharing dummy models for the full iPhone 17 lineup, today returns with our first look at a case for the iPhone 17 Air.In a new post on X, Dickson shared the following image of a case that highlights the iPhone 17 Airs camera bar design.You can see by looking closely at the sides that the case accounts for standard volume buttons, plus the Action Button, Side Button, as well as Camera Control on the iPhone 17 Air.Otherwise, the only standout feature is the massive camera bar cutout at the top.Its currently unclear why Apple plans to give the 17 Air this camera bar design despite only offering a single rear camera.The iPhone 16e, for example, keeps things simple by placing its single camera in the upper corner like most iPhones.Based on what weve seen from dummy models, the 17 Airs flash will be on the right side of the camera bar with the actual camera sensor on the left. But it will be interesting to learn this fall whether there are other functional benefits of Apples bold design choice.What do you think of the iPhone 17 Air case, and why do you think Apple chose a camera bar design? Let us know in the comments.Best iPhone accessoriesAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Veterans shafted by cuts from Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are speaking out and they don't have much nice to say to the unelected billionaire-in-chief.Released within a few days of each other, new campaigns from VoteVets, a progressive political action committee, and the 93-year-old charity Disabled American Veterans (DAV) take Musk and his Republican boosters to task for firing tons of vets in pursuit of seemingly endless austerity.AsMilitary.com reports, the DAV's "Protect Veterans" campaign has published videos from irked veterans whose roles were eliminated under Musk's DOGE hatchet job. Many were blindsided by their abrupt terminations, which sound very much like the way the billionaire laid people off at Twitter when he first bought it back in 2022.Army veteran and federal emergency management worker Katherine Hathaway, for instance, said in her video statement that she had just been deployed to the US border with Mexico when she found out she was being fired.Her fellow DAV member Andrea Bell, who was fired from the General Services Administration earlier this year, made a plea directly to Musk and president Donald Trump."I hope that whoever is doing it the president, DOGE, Elon Musk or whoever I hope they really sit down and [are] like, 'Hey, we are really affecting these veterans here,'" he said. "You know, financial-wise and mental health-wise."While the DAV's campaign hasn't proposed any specific calls to action beyond raising awareness, VoteVets is, asThe Bulwark reports, taking a much more direct approach by working to unseat insecure GOP Congress members who have aligned with Musk."It feels like veterans are being personally attacked by Elon Musk," said one of the fired veterans, who was not identified, during a filmed roundtable discussion for a VoteVets ad seeking to lobby Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA). "I did not put my life on the line for some tech bro billionaire from South Africa to come in here and try to destroy our country."AsThe Bulwark notes, Kiggans and the four other GOP Congress members targeted by VoteVets won their districts by single-digit margins during the last elections, making them prime targets for unseating. Along with encouraging like-minded viewers to call their representatives, the organization is also planning to put up stationary and mobile billboards in the districts that those five Republicans represent.Though these two groups likely have ideological differences, both are dedicated to supporting and advocating for vets a group that the GOP has historically courted (and counted on) as a key voter bloc."Hearing from those who sustained illnesses and injuries in honorable service to our nation, only to later be arbitrarily fired via email by the same federal government theyve devoted their lives to serve, is a gut punch," said Daniel Contreras, DAV's national commander, in a press release. "Our nations disabled veterans and their families deserve better."More on Musk and the military: Elon Musk Defends Hitler, Mao and StalinShare This Article