African penguins in captivity are living longer than their wild counterparts, prompting caretakers to reconsider their habitat as they age. New England AquariumLike humans, African penguins tend to slow down as they age. They might suffer from arthritis and other age-related conditions, and theyll spend more of their time resting.Now, the geriatric birds at the New England Aquarium can live out their golden years in peace and comfort on a new, secluded island created specifically for their unique needs.The nonprofit aquarium in Boston unveiled its new penguin retirement retreat in mid-March. So far, eight of the aquariums dapper black-and-white seabirds are settling into the new habitat.We think of this island like assisted living, where were helping the birds be more comfortable in a calmer environment, says Diana Major, penguin manager for the New England Aquarium, in a statement. Being relaxed is key, and we think the new retirement home will ultimately lead to happier and healthier penguins.In the wild, African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) typically live to be between 10 and 15 years oldif they make it that far. The seabirds are critically endangered, grappling with issues like pollution and climate change in the coastal waters of South Africa and Namibia.Predatory gulls and ibises eat up to 40 percent of the birds eggs, and they continue to prey on chicks after they hatch. Adults are also hunted by caracals, leopards, mongooses, fur seals and sharks. As the penguins age, they do a lot more resting. New England AquariumOverfishing presents another problem. As humans harvest more fish, there is less fish for them to eat, which means theyre having to swim farther and farther out to find food, says Jen Kottyan, bird curator at the Maryland Zoo, which has an African penguin program, to the Daily Free Press Lauren Albano. They have less food to feed their young, because theyre burning off all those calories that they need swimming back and forth.Scientists say the birds could become extinct in the wild by 2035. But the New England Aquarium and other zoos are trying to help restore the wild population under efforts coordinated by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.In captivity, African penguins dont have to deal with the same challenges as their wild peers, and they benefit from around-the-clock care from a dedicated team of keepers and veterinarians. The New England Aquarium offers them amenities, including physical therapy, eye drops, foot ointment, acupuncture and special fish that have been injected with extra water to promote kidney functioning. The birds are also regularly screened for conditions like arthritis and cataracts. The senior birds can still see and hear their younger peers, they just get to enjoy a calmer, more peaceful environment. New England AquariumAs a result, several of the African penguins at the New England Aquarium are now in their 30s, and more than half of the colony has met or surpassed the wild birds life expectancy.In the wild, they would never reach this age, says Major in another statement. A lot of the time, we see physical issues that we normally wouldnt see in the wild, because in the wild, if you slow down, you get eaten by a shark.Caretakers decided to create a separate area for them to relax and co-exist in peace, without having to compete with younger birds for food or deal with as much territorial behavior. The smaller number of residents means caretakers can keep a closer eye on the aging penguins via in-person monitoring and a video feed. Moving forward, caretakers also hope to add additional accessibility features, like sloping ramps and more flat areas with mats. The geriatric island is separated from the other three African penguin islands by a mesh gate in the water. New England AquariumThe geriatric birds can still see and hear their younger counterpartsthe retirement island is cordoned off from the aquariums three other islands by a mesh gate in the water. But they have a space to spread out and call their own.They all get a good opportunity to eat and take their time and not feel rushed, not get pushed off the island by another animal thats anxious to eat, says Kristen McMahon, the aquariums curator of pinnipeds and penguins, to the New York Times Amanda Holpuch. The birds are definitely quieter, theres less territoriality Theres a little bit more laying down and resting.The residents of what McMahon describes as a country club for older animals include 32-year-old Harlequin and 31-year-old Durban, a mated pair of penguins who have been together since 2000 and raised eight chicks. Then theres Lambert, a 32-year-old male, with a 14-year-old mate named Dyer. Boulders, 34, and Isis, 29, are two females without mates.After the initial six birds got settled in, the aquarium added its oldest African penguin, 35-year-old Good Hope, and his 23-year-old mate, St. Croix, to the mix, per Axios Mike Deehan and Steph Solis.Each bird has its own distinct personality. Some, for example, really like to have their neck scratched or their back scratched, says Melissa Joblon, the aquariums director of animal health, to Nil Kksal of CBC Radios As It Happens.Its very cute, she adds. They are quite intelligent and theyre very personable.Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.Filed Under: Aging, Animals, Biology, Birds, Penguins, Sea Birds, Wildlife, Zoology

Visible, the budget wireless brand owned by Verizon, is offering a new premium plan that looks like a heck of a deal compared to its parent companys offerings.The new Visible Plus Pro plan (I didnt say the name was good) costs $45 per month. For that price you get unlimited 5G Ultrawideband (UW) data, which is an awfully good deal when you consider that Verizons own entry-level unlimited plan, Unlimited Welcome, starts at $65 per month and doesnt include 5G UW.This new Plus Pro plan also comes without throttling. Many lower-cost carrier plans and MVNOs tend to offer a certain allotment of premium data. Once you exceed your allowance, you might see slowdowns at times when the network is busy. But Visibles fine print states that both its Plus and Plus Pro plan are not subject to any data prioritization limitations. So that rules.It gets better: the Plus Pro plan includes unlimited hotspot usage at up to 15 Mbps. Verizons basic plan doesnt include any hotspot data, just the option to add it for an extra $10 per month. Theres also 4K video streaming and service for one cellular smartwatch included. You can probably guess what Im going to say next, but just to reiterate, Verizons basic unlimited plan doesnt include any of that.This would all be less of a good deal if Verizon puts Visible traffic on a lower network tier than its own postpaid customers. Network operators commonly put different kinds of customers on certain service tiers called Quality of Service Class Indicators, or QCIs. This helps with overall traffic prioritization when theres congestion, usually putting first responders on the fastest tier.Verizon didnt immediately respond to my question about Visible Plus Pros QCI, but Android Authoritys comprehensive comparison between Visible and Verizon suggests that Visibles premium plan is actually assigned a higher-priority QCI than Verizons Unlimited Welcome at least, thats been the case in the past. Well update this article if Verizon responds to our request.Its all too rare to read about an ISPs new plan and think Huh, that sounds like a good deal, actually. But thats the case here, even after going through the fine print.See More:

U.S. National Security Adviser Michael Waltz in the White House Oval Office on March 13, 2025. | Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images<br>Last week, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz inadvertently invited a journalist to a Signal chat discussing a planned military strike. Today, a new Washington Post report says that he has also discussed sensitive military positions and powerful weapons systems relating to an ongoing conflict, using his personal Gmail account.Waltz, along with other members of the National Security Council, used Gmail for highly technical conversations with colleagues at other government agencies, according to emails the Post saw, with headers showing that others on the emails used their government-issued accounts. Waltz also had less sensitive, but potentially exploitable information sent to his Gmail, like his schedule and other work documents, some unnamed government officials told the outlet. The Post quotes National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes saying, Waltz didnt and wouldnt send classified information on an open account, and that Hughes says hes seen no evidence of Waltz using his personal email as described.The Posts report puts the advisers communications practices back in the spotlight after Waltz invited The Atlantic editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, to a Signal chat about a military strike in Yemen that took place later that day. Attorney General Pam Bondi indicated that the incident probably wont be criminally investigated in response to questions at a press conference Sunday night, while suggesting that people should be discussing what was in Hillary Clintons home, seemingly referring to the personal email server scandal that cropped up late in her last Presidential campaign.Since then, a Wired report detailed how his public Venmo account had revealed the names of hundreds of his associates, including journalists and military officers. And like most of us, personal online account info for Waltz and other Trump administration officials has been found in online database leaks, including several passwords for Waltzs email address, writes Spiegel International.

Out of all the modern consoles available on the market, Nintendo Switch easily has the most diverse lineup of games available on the system. Nintendo itself has published over 130 games on the platform since it first launched, with thousands from third-party developers also available. Depending on whether or not you buy games physically or digitally, it can be challenging to search for where to overall best place to buy Nintendo Switch games is at any given time.If you're new to the console and don't know where to find games, we've put together the ultimate guide on everything you need to know regarding where to buy Switch games online or in stores. And if you're wondering whether your Switch games will work on the Switch 2: The new console's official announcement confirmed it will be "mostly" backward-compatible and continue to support both physical and digital games. Take a look below and add something new to your collection!Where to Buy Switch Games OnlineThere are multiple ways to purchase Nintendo Switch games for your console. Purchasing them online tends to be the easiest way to buy any of the most popular Nintendo Switch games, as you can purchase digital or physical versions. Since you don't need to drive to pick up a game, you can either ship a physical copy to your home or purchase a digital key to start playing immediately. Take a look below to discover the best way to score deals on Nintendo Switch games. Best Places to Buy Digital Switch Games OnlineNintendo eShopSee it at NintendoBy far, the best place to purchase digital Switch games is the Nintendo eShop. This is directly accessible from any Nintendo Switch console. The entire library of Nintendo Switch can be bought from the eShop, with many games exclusive to the platform. Since some games are digital-only, you won't be able to buy physical or digital copies from retailers.Speaking of, you can also buy certain digital games from online storefronts such as Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and more. These retailers will offer digital codes that you can purchase, which are sent directly to your email inbox upon payment. Overall, it's important to pay attention to prices on both the Nintendo eShop and across retailers. The eShop tends to have many more sales throughout the year, but outlets like Amazon and Best Buy will offer discounted digital games for certain sales events that may be better than the eShop discounts.Best Places to Buy Physical Switch Games OnlineTop RetailersNintendo Switch GamesThe best places to buy Nintendo Switch games online right now.As the best place to buy physical Switch games, we recommend Amazon. With a Prime membership, it's incredibly easy to purchase a physical Switch game and receive lighting fast shipping. Most of the time, you can get in stock Switch games within 24 hours. Plus, Amazon doesn't charge your card for pre-orders of upcoming Switch games, as the company waits until the item is in stock.There's also other solid options like Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. Though, for the latter, you'll want to be careful when purchasing, as sometimes Walmart has listings for European Switch games. These will work on your system fine, but some players do prefer to own North Amercian, ESRB-rated copies.Beyond these picks, you can also find rare or limited Nintendo Switch physical copies at retailers like Limited Run Games and Video Games Plus. Since these games are either reprints or limited print runs, you won't be able to find these at retailers like Amazon or Best Buy.Beyond traditional retailers, you can even buy physical Switch games directly from Nintendo! Nintendo's store has almost every Switch game published by the company available, and often, you'll find discounted titles throughout random periods of the year.Where Can You Still Find Switch Games in StoresWith the physical market slowly shrinking over the last few years, sometimes it can be difficult to find Switch games in store. Luckily, there are still dozens of stores that carry all sorts of Nintendo Switch games on their shelves. Although the company removed its collection of Blu-rays, Best Buy still offers plenty of Nintendo Switch games. It's easy to walk into any store and browse the collection of 50+ physical games available, with most of Nintendo's first-party offerings available.Additionally, GameStop is a solid option. While we don't necessarily recommend purchasing online from the retailer, it's still easy to walk into any GameStop storefront and find a wide variety of Switch games available. In addition, other major retailers like Target and Walmart still offer physical games, but the offerings can vary depending on the store.When Is the Best Time to Find Discounts on Switch GamesCollecting and purchasing Nintendo Switch games is not a cheap hobby, but you can offset some of that by buying when games are the cheapest during the year. There are many great times to buy video games, but we recommend holding off for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. By far, this is usually the best time to score discounts on Nintendo Switch games, both physically and digitally. Nintendo will discount many of its own titles, and you can score on hundreds of third party releases from major publishers. While the best options for physical games are limited, it's another story with digital games. The Nintendo eShop hosts countless sales events throughout the year, and it's easy to find great deals. Our advice is to pay close attention to the news posts on the Nintendo Switch home page, as those will mention any new eShop sales on the horizon. Noah Hunter is a freelance writer and reviewer with a passion for games and technology. He co-founded Final Weapon, an outlet focused on nonsense-free Japanese gaming (in 2019) and has contributed to various publishers writing about the medium.

The Google Pixel line has seen its fair share of discounts so far in 2025. Amazon and Best Buy have been dropping prices on the standard Pixel 9, Pro, and XL versions of this phone pretty much every month so far this year. Now Target has decided to get in on the action by dropping the price of the Pixel 9 Pro down to just $699. The last discount we saw on this phone was at Amazon back in February, so this is a great deal to take advantage of if you've been looking to upgrade.I purchased a Pixel 8 during Prime Day last year when it went on sale and have loved the phone so far. It's a great alternative to the iPhone with an excellent camera and a pretty good battery life. The Pixel 9 series is the latest in the Pixel phone line, so it's the newest model you can buy.The Best Google Pixel 9 Pro Deal Today128GBGoogle Pixel 9 ProOnly comes in Obsidian.This deal is only available at Target right now and only for the Obsidian and Porcelain color options. The discounted price doesn't show up unless you add it to your cart, so if you don't initially see the price, that's why. It's also worth noting that only the 128GB version of the phone is available at this price, so you'll need to look elsewhere if you want increased storage.If you're on the fence about the Pixel 9 Pro, you can check out our guide to the best overall smartphones for 2025. We've featured the Pixel 9 Pro as the best camera phone on the market. This is thanks to multiple excellent front and back cameras as well as AI-powered photo editing features that make it really easy to edit photos after you take them.See more popular Android phonesNew ReleaseSamsung Galaxy S25 UltraSee it at AmazonBest FoldableSamsung Galaxy Z Fold 6See it at AmazonBest Budget OptionXiaomi Poco X5 5GSee it at AmazonBest Gaming PhoneRedMagic 10 ProSee it at AmazonWhat We Said in Our ReviewMobile expert Mark Knapp reviewed the Pixel 9 Pro when it first came out last year. Here's a quick synopsis of what he thought of the phone:"The Pixel 9 Pro is simply a great camera phone. Its combination of sensors and extra Pro controls make it a powerful tool for both casual and intentional photography. Beyond that, its a solid smartphone, with ample performance for both everyday use and even some more demanding gaming. It might not keep up with something like the OnePlus 12 or Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra in terms of raw performance, but it may be some time before we see any of the three phones really brought to their knees in typical operation. It would be great if Googles AI features were more thoroughly baked and played a more obvious role on the Pixel 9 Pros hardware, as they currently seem artificially restricted to the phone, but Googles stumbles on software dont stand in the way of the Pixel 9 Pro being a great phone in general as much as they keep it from going above and beyond. Its great hardware, slick design, and tame size make it an especially exciting treat for those looking for a small phone without much compromise."When Is the Next Line of Pixel Phones Coming Out?If you are hoping to wait for the next generation of Pixel phones to arrive before you make a purchase, you will still need to wait quite a while. We expect Google to launch the Pixel 10 line sometime in August or early September. The new phones will usually come out a month or two before the new iPhones tend to release. There is also the Google Pixel 9A, which is set to come out on April 10. This should be Google's answer to the budget iPhone 16e.

AirTag, Apples item tracking device, was announced almost four years ago. Although the company has introduced new software features for AirTag owners since then, the accessory has never had a hardware upgrade since its launch. But according to the latest rumors, an AirTag 2 is on the way and heres everything we know about it so far.Latest rumors on AirTag 2For those unfamiliar, AirTag is a small accessory that can be used to track items such as keys, backpacks, suitcases and even vehicles. It works through Apples Find My network, which sends the location of the accessory to the owner via other Apple devices nearby, so AirTag doesnt need to be connected to the internet to work.But what about the rumored AirTag 2? According to multiple sources, Apple has been working on the second generation of its item tracker with plans to launch it sometime this year.A Bloomberg report last year revealed exactly what to expect from the AirTag 2 in terms of hardware specifications. According to people familiar with the matter, one of Apples main goals is to extend the range of the Precision Finding feature. Presumably, Apple will use the same UWB chip added to the latest iPhone and Apple Watch models.Currently, an AirTag can be tracked with Precision Finding at a range of 10 to 15 meters thanks to Apples Ultra Wideband U1 chip. However, the latest generation of Apples UWB chip introduced with iPhone 15 and Apple Watch Series 9 has an extended range of up to 60 meters. This makes it easier to find these devices at a greater distance.Other reports also suggest that Apple is working on new anti-stalking measures. For instance, some people have found a way to modify AirTags to disable their internal speaker. Apple wants to find a way to make this modification impossible.Unfortunately, there are no rumors about any changes to the AirTag form-factor. Although the current version is already small enough, its not exactly ideal for things like a wallet. There are third-party item trackers that are almost as thin as a card, but they dont have Precision Finding which is exclusive to AirTag.As for the release date, leaker Kosutami recently suggested that AirTag 2 will be released in May or June, so perhaps well see the new accessory in time for WWDC 2025.What would you like to see in the next generation AirTag? Let us know in the comments section below.Another city is giving out free AirTags to combat car theftsGadgets I recommend:Add 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

Close to one in five shoppers have already made a purchase ahead of possible tariff-related price hikes.

April 1, 20254 min readNIH Director Removes Four Main Scientists amid Massive Staff PurgeThe Trump Administration has fired four leaders and thousands of employees at the National Institutes of Health in "one of the darkest days"By Max Kozlov & Nature magazine Jay Bhattacharya took office as director of the US National Institutes of Health on April 1, 2025. Andrew Harnik/Getty ImagesOn health economist Jay Bhattacharyas first day as head of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), the chiefs of four of the 27 institutes and centres that make up his agencyincluding the countrys top infectious-diseases officialwere removed from their posts. The unprecedented move comes amid massive cuts to research at the NIH.The directors of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) and the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) were informed late on 31 March that they were being placed on administrative leave. Together, these leaders were in charge of US$9 billion in funding at the NIH.At least some directors were offered reassignments to the Indian Health Service, a division of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that provides medical care to Indigenous people living in the United States. (The HHS is the parent agency of the NIH.) HHS proposes to reassign you as part of a broader effort to strengthen the Department and more effectively promote the health of the American people, reads an e-mail to the directors that Nature has obtained. This underserved community deserves the highest quality of service, and HHS needs individuals like you to deliver that service, it says, offering reassignment to locations such as Alaska, Montana and Oklahoma.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.These large-scale reassignments are unheard of for the NIH, the worlds largest public funder of biomedical research: although the director of the NIH and the director of one of its institutes, the National Cancer Institute, are political appointees chosen by the US president, the other 26 directors of the NIHs institutes and centres are not typically replaced when presidential administrations change. (NIMHD director Eliseo Prez-Stable, for example, had been in his role for nearly 10 years, under three different US presidents.) But US President Donald Trump, who took office in January, has not been following the norms of past administrations during his second presidency.This will go down as one of the darkest days in modern scientific history in my 50 years in the business, says Michael Osterholm, an infectious-diseases epidemiologist at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. These are going to be huge losses to the research community.When asked for a response, the NIH directed Nature to the HHS for comment. The NIHs top communications officer, Renate Myles, was also placed on administrative leave, according to an agency staff member, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak with the press. The HHS did not respond to Natures queries by publication time.A consolidation of powerThe removal of the directors follows an announcement last week by HHS chief Robert F. Kennedy Jr that his agency, which includes the NIH, would be reducing its workforce by 20,000 employees, or about one-quarter of its staff members. Layoffs have largely been targeted at administrative staff, but many scientists, including those that run HIV prevention programmes and research have also been affected.The layoffs will challenge the longstanding status that the NIHs institutes and centres have had within the agencyas semi-autonomous entities. Legislative, communications, IT and other administrative workers within each institute received termination notices early on 1 April, a move designed to consolidate power under the NIH director. NIH will cease to function after the RIFs [reductions in force]; it will take months to get things back online administratively, says another NIH official, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak with the press.In his first e-mail to agency staff members on 1 April, which was obtained by Nature, Bhattacharya wrote: These reductions in the workforce will have a profound impact on key NIH administrative functions ... and will require an entirely new approach to how we carry them out.Bhattacharya also wrote that he wanted the NIH to focus on reproducibility and rigour, transparency and academic freedom, even as the agency on 28 March scrapped its scientific integrity policy aimed at prohibiting political influence on government science.Meanwhile, in the past month, the NIH has terminated more than 700 research grants funding studies of an ever-growing list of topics: projects on transgender populations; gender identity; diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the scientific workforce; COVID-19; vaccine hesitancy; and environmental justice.Of these grant cancellations, a disproportionate number come from research funded at the NIAID, the NICHD, the NIMHD and the NINR. These institutes fund many projects that clash with Trumps political ideology, a possible explanation for why these directors were targeted.The NIAIDwhich was being led by infectious-disease physician Jeanne Marrazzo and, before her, by Anthony Faucihas been especially scrutinized by Trump and other Republican politicians for its alleged deficiencies in the oversight of grants funding research on risky pathogens and the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Conservative policymakers introduced a bill in February that proposes dismantling the NIAID and splitting it into three separate institutes.The treatment of these directors is frankly unconscionable, says Monica Bertagnolli, former NIH director under Trumps predecessor, Joe Biden, a Democrat. These are all outstanding leaders, who were let go without accounting for the harm that could be done with the loss of research productivity and the loss of programmes delivering life-saving treatments.This article is reproduced with permission and was first published on April 1, 2025.

For anyone whos ever decorated a space large or small, you know that multipurpose furniture can be a designers best friend. Decorating a living space with the best ottomans, poufs, or footstools not only adds an intentional element to your home decor, but provides extra seating too. These days these double-duty wonders come in all shapes, sizes, textures, and price points.In search of the best ottomansthose that balance your drinks and your feet, serve as a workstation, act as hidden storage, or just add some visual interest to your living roomwe found options in genuine leather, jute, boucl, as well as hexagonal, round, and square shapes. Read on for a few of our favorite tiny but mighty furniture pieces.Our Top Picks for Best Ottomans:The Real Stunner: Schoolhouse x Clare V. Marc Striped Ottoman, $1,999Best Jute Ottoman: Arhaus Laos Jute Pouf, $240Best Outdoor Ottoman: Anthropologie Moroccan Sherbert Clive Ottoman, $1,298 $800Best Transitional Ottoman: Guest Ottoman by Jake Arnold, $299Best Storage Ottoman: Article Maribo Leather Storage Ottoman, $299Schoolhouse x Clare V. Marc Striped OttomanFew ottomans are totally unforgettable, but this collaboration from Schoolhouse and Clare V is so striking, it could easily be filed in that category. The broad stripes in black and beige make for a surprisingly flexible decor piece: Its palette is neutral enough that this doesnt have to be a proper statement piece and can segue between modern maximalism and more traditional interior design schemes. Any way you style it, this piece will be the star of the show.Arhaus Laos Jute PoufThis handwoven option can serve as an indoor or outdoor ottoman thanks to the durable jute fiber. Top it with a textured throw to add softness, or a wooden tray if youd like to turn it into a side table.Anthropologie Moroccan Sherbert Clive Indoor/Outdoor OttomanHeres living, breathing proof that outdoor ottomans dont have to be plastic, or ugly. This round ottoman has gorgeous Moroccan-inspired upholstery that brings a welcome dose of personality to your backyard setup. Imagine lounging on this cocktail ottoman poolside, frozen rum drink in hand, sunnies on, sweaty forehead, and cracking a 400-page beach read. Its almost too much to handle.Guest Ottoman by Jake ArnoldWe loved this Jake Arnold collaboration so much we wrote an article on it, referencing its 40s and 50s French style. This small ottoman supplements bulkier chairs in any living space that might be short of seating, but it works as an accent piece or a vanity stool too.Article Maribo Leather Storage OttomanOne of our favorite affordable midcentury retailers is serving up us a square storage ottoman with ample space for hiding blankets, books, toys, etc. We love a piece of furniture with dual functionality, and the rawhide tan (100% top grainno faux leather here) makes it fashionable to boot.West Elm Auburn OttomanAn upholstered ottoman need not be pulling out all the stopssometimes a small, simple detail will set it apart. This best seller from West Elm is versatile, well-crafted, and comes in two super accessible variations: alabaster boucl and the dark green velvet. Theyve styled it with a bohemian rug, a big armchair, and a book, exactly as it should be.Arhaus Cow Hide PoufThis cube ottoman from Arhaus is exactly the sort of detail that ties the room together. Made from real hide, sewn with considerable craftsmanship and attention to detail, and as stylish as it gets, this single piece does the work of a thousand other tchotchkes.West Elm x Pierce & Ward Hexagon OttomanFrom West Elms new collection with Pierce & Ward comes this hexagonal ottoman in too many fabric options to count. Choose from linen, basket weave, chenille, or this striking jacquard print to level up the elegant, vintage look of your home decor.Kelly Clarkson Home Velvet Round Pouf OttomanThe burnt orange color, the ribbing, and the velvet finish come together to create a fun pouf package with this firm option from Kelly Clarkson Home.Serena & Lily Harrison Skirted StoolIt doesnt get more provincial than this round ottoman from Serena & Lily. For lovers of the French countryside, or those with a soft spot for precious home decor, this piece complements any rustic or countryside aesthetic, but it would also look darling in a childrens room or tucked under a mahogany vanity.Santa Monica Ottoman by Brigette RomanekOkay, so we also wrote about the Brigette Romanek collab with Crate and Barrelsorry, its gorgeous. This velvet, pleated ottoman stands out for its unique color and shape, and the peeking wood detail at its foot. Luxury met its match with this one.Soho Home Lyla FootstoolAnother hexagonal optionsomething in the water?from Soho House features a sophisticated stripe with boucl upholstery. A million bucks ($795, actually) says this will take your space from eh to amazing.Sarah Ellison Chromeo OttomanIf youre up for a splurge, Sarah Ellisons chrome-and-velvet ottoman is a real statement piece. Put it at the foot of an accent chair or let it stand on its own; its geometric, bolstered construction and rich chocolate color will catch everyones eye.

Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube801kWatch on YouTube Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered made its debut on the Switch late last year and since then it's got some additional updates.Patch 2 has now officially arrived and included are a bunch of fixes for both games, some bonus materials and various other improvements. We've also included the previous update here, which was release back in January.Here are the full patch notes via Aspyr's official support page:Patch 2 (2nd April 2025)Patch 2 for Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered is here!Below is a list of resolved issues and various updates.Full Changelist:Bonus MaterialsAdded "The Dead Shall Rise Kickstarter Backers list to the Credits section.Added the E3 1998 Demo to the Bonus Material section.Updated Nosgoth Lore with new locations and improved descriptions.Corrected Lore Reader locations for accuracy.Fixed a crash when switching to the "Corrupted" tab in the Lore menu while using Russian language settings.Soul ReaverFixed a bug where Raziel could start floating after shifting into the Material Realm while in water and jumping immediately after.Improved visuals for enemy corpses in HD mode to better match the original version.Fixed a crash caused by saving behind geometry and attempting to reload.Ariel's scream during a vision sequence now plays only once, as intended.Fixed an issue with Dumahs eyes not displaying correctly.Restored missing sound effects before and after visions, similar to the original PS1 version.Fixed a crash when using telekinesis in a specific area of the Human Citadel.Health capacity activity now correctly displays 100% completion.Fixed a crash when repeatedly viewing Chronoplast Visions.Soul Reaver 2Fixed an issue where the Thrall NPCs lower body would disappear in mirror light effects in HD mode.Adjusted timing so that subtitles during Raziels monologue no longer disappear too early.Fixed subtitles disappearing too early during a dialogue scene with Ariel.Improved distant texture rendering in underwater areas.Resolved an issue where textures displayed as "noise" instead of proper visuals in HD mode.LocalizationsThe "Hold to Skip" prompt now displays correctly in all languages.The "Exit to Launcher" text now displays correctly in all languages.Added Portuguese language support.GeneralCompleted activity progress now properly carries over when starting a new game.Fixed an issue where stacked cubes could become stuck together when pushed.Patch 1 (31st January 2025)Patch 1 for Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered is here!Below is a list of resolved issues and various updates.Full Changelist:[SR1] The lighthouses beam is no longer missing (after being activated to obtain the Glyph).[SR1] An additional prompt has been added to the Underworld tutorial in SR1 for accessing the Glyph menu.[SR1] A toggle has been added to enable/disable the Day/Night cycle.[SR1] The Bell in the Silenced Cathedral is no longer cut off after being hit.[SR1] Fixed an occasional crash issue triggered when Raziel was killed by a flamethrower hunter.[SR1] Fixed an issue that caused the environment to de-spawn.[SR1] Fixed the Great Old One Achievement in SR1.[SR1] Fixed the backward hand in SR1 for the vampire hunter.[SR2] Fixed an issue where Raziel could occasionally become stuck in a room with a T-pose Moebius after skipping a cutscene.[SR2] Black cubes are no longer present on the Air Forge mummies.[SR2] When playing through the Oracle Caves, Cubes will no longer get stuck in each other.[SR2] The display no longer squishes horizontally to fit the screen instead of cropping the sides when the aspect ratio is narrower than 16:9 on PC Steam and Steam Deck.[All] After disconnecting the controller, the game will automatically open the pause menu in either title.[All] A visual effect is now present when accessing and leaving the visions in the Chronoplast.[All] The Split trophy / achievement no longer progresses when killing a Sorcerer Thrall.[All] Directional inputs can now be bound to the arrow keys.You can now press pause while watching the Bonus Materials movies.Certain tutorial prompts no longer display the incorrect button prompt in non-English languages.In our review here on Nintendo Life, we gave Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 a "great" eight out of ten stars - calling it a faithful remaster and as enjoyable and atmospheric as it was two decades ago. Soul survivorPre-orders are now liveHave you tried out this game on the Switch? How are you finding it so far? Let us know in the comments.[source support.aspyr.com]Related GamesSee AlsoShare:00 Liam is a news writer and reviewer for Nintendo Life and Pure Xbox. He's been writing about games for more than 15 years and is a lifelong fan of Mario and Master Chief. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesNintendo Direct Confirmed For Today, 27th March 202530 minutes of news for OG Switch gamesMetroid Prime 4: Beyond's Official Switch Box Art Is Absolutely StunningAhhhh we want itRound Up: Everything From Japan's Nintendo Direct Broadcast (March 2025)More games are on the way!Pokmon Scarlet & Violet: Mystery Gift Codes ListAll the current Pokmon Scarlet and Violet Mystery Gift codesWatch: Nintendo Direct March 2025 - Live!The Switch's final bow... we think