See how the artist created these miniature representations of myths and legends.

It takes two to tango, but this vibrating cock ring will happily satisfy both parties without feeling like a third wheel.

As part of its latest livestream event, Bungie premiered a cinematic short film for Marathon, marking a fresh reintroduction to the rebooted franchise ahead of its September launch. The film, directed by Alberto Mielgo, the Oscar-winning talent behind The Windshield Wiper and a key artist on Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, serves as both an artistic showcase and a grim portrait of the game’s dystopian setting. The short delivers a visceral montage of Marathon’s high-stakes world. Runners being torn apart in the field and stylized imagery that captures the existential risk of every mission. While cinematic shorts are often used to drum up excitement, Mielgo’s work offers more than flash, it’s world-building with teeth. The animation style, audio design, and tone all hint at the deep, unsettling world Bungie is crafting. Marathon is not free-to-play, Bungie confirmed, and will launch as a premium title, but not at full price. Pricing details are still under wraps, but the studio has already spoken about seasonal storytelling, ranked play, and community events as part of the game’s live-service roadmap. Marathon will be a premium title. Marathon will not be a ‘full-priced’ title. We’ll announce details this Summer. https://t.co/mbK1vfFLKo— Marathon (@MarathonTheGame) April 12, 2025

Live from TED2025 An epic day 5 of TED2025 Posted by: Brian Greene, Maria Ladias and Oliver Friedman April 11, 2025 at 3:00 pm EDT TED’s Chris Anderson and Helen Walters host Session 11 of TED 2025: Humanity Reimagined on April 11, 2025, in Vancouver, BC. (Photo: Gilberto Tadday / TED) As the curtain falls on TED2025: Humanity Reimagined, a week spent at the intersection of innovation and introspection comes into focus. This year’s conference wove together themes reflecting our complex, rapidly evolving world — from the awe-inspiring potential and sobering risks of artificial intelligence to nature-inspired solutions for the world’s most challenging problems. More than eighty speakers and performers challenged us to reimagine established systems, harness the power of community and navigate the delicate balance between technological progress and ethical responsibility. One final session on day 5 revealed how our collective wisdom and action have never been more crucial in shaping the future we want to see. Below, a few highlights: Head of TED Chris Anderson and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman speak at Session 11 of TED 2025: Humanity Reimagined on April 711, 2025, in Vancouver, BC. (Photo: Gilberto Tadday / TED) The AI revolution is here to stay, says Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI. In a probing conversation with head of TED Chris Anderson — now available to watch in full on TED’s YouTube channel — Altman discusses the astonishing growth of AI and shows how models like ChatGPT could eventually, over the course of our lifetimes, become extensions of ourselves. He also touches on the prospect of AGI — which won’t arrive in a singular moment, he says, but rather through a gradual evolution — and explores the rise of agentic AI, stressing the importance of designing guardrails to mitigate potential risk. He also addresses questions of safety, power and moral authority, reflecting on the world he envisions, where AI will almost certainly outpace human intelligence. Dan Taberski speaks at Session 11 of TED 2025: Humanity Reimagined on April 711, 2025, in Vancouver, BC. (Photo: Jason Redmond / TED) The unconscious ways we influence each other. Documentary podcaster Dan Taberski investigates a case from 2011, when a group of high school girls in LeRoy, New York, suddenly developed tics like those present with Tourette syndrome. As panic spread, so did the symptoms, leading experts to diagnose it as a case of mass psychogenic illness. Taberski explores what this disorder reveals about the power of stress and trauma, showing that mass hysteria isn’t just a historical phenomenon — it still happens today. Xiye Bastida speaks at Session 11 of TED 2025: Humanity Reimagined on April 11, 2025, in Vancouver, BC. (Photo: Jason Redmond / TED) Hope isn’t just a feeling — it’s a tool for action. Climate activist Xiye Bastida shares how learning from nature’s resilience, trusting Indigenous knowledge and using imagination to build a better future can ignite meaningful change. By keeping the fire in our hearts strong and embracing the leadership of those who’ve protected the planet for generations, Bastida shows how to turn fear and despair into momentum. Pico Iyer speaks at Session 11 of TED 2025: Humanity Reimagined on April 11, 2025, in Vancouver, BC. (Photo: Gilberto Tadday / TED) Our universal medicine: silence. In a moving, personal talk to close the conference, author Pico Iyer reflects on the death of his father and how, in the midst of overwhelming grief and responsibility, he found clarity and strength in a few hours of deep silence by the ocean. In a noisy world, Iyer says, silence is a powerful, living presence that any of us can tap into to reconnect with ourselves and those around us. Attendees gather in the TED Theater before Session 11 of TED 2025: Humanity Reimagined on April 11, 2025, in Vancouver, BC. (Photo: Gilberto Tadday / TED) Attendees at Session 11 of TED 2025: Humanity Reimagined on April 11, 2025, in Vancouver, BC. (Photo: Gilberto Tadday / TED) Attendees at Session 11 of TED 2025: Humanity Reimagined on April 11, 2025, in Vancouver, BC. (Photo: Gilberto Tadday / TED) The Town Hall before Session 11 of TED 2025: Humanity Reimagined on April 11, 2025, in Vancouver, BC. (Photo: Jason Redmond / TED)

Reacting to continuing stock market woes and perhaps tech industry lobbyin, Trump backed off on tariffs for electronics late last night.Read More

The Ghost in the Shell is coming in 2026. A new teaser trailer for Science Saru’s The Ghost in the Shell anime series has been announced on the official Ghost in the Shell website in a post spotted by Anime News Network. The post also revealed some of the staff heading up the series, which includes people who’ve worked on other shows from the animation studio, including Scott Pilgrim Takes Off and Dandadan, both of which have made their way to the US via Netflix. The trailer cycles through hand-drawn storyboards and key animation reminiscent of the original manga — that’s not a big surprise after the first teaser Science Saru put out, which was itself mostly a collection of images from the manga. It’s also good news for anyone burned by the look of the 2017 live-action Scarlett Johansson-starring Ghost in the Shell movie or the CG-animated Netflix series. The Ghost in the Shell is being directed by Moko-chan (Dandadan), with other staff including scriptwriter EnJoe Toh (Godzilla Singular Point) and character designer / animation director Shuhei Handa (Scott Pilgrim Takes Off), who illustrated the poster above. It’s due out in 2026, but the announcement doesn’t mention whether that includes a US Netflix re … Read the full story at The Verge.

As one HBO primetime show ends (farewell, The White Lotus), another must rise to take its spot. Two years after The Last of Us first aired on Max, the video game adaptation starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey is returning for a second season.The Last of Us game and the first season of the show both end with a cliffhanger that has... consequences. Anyone who’s already played The Last of Us Part 2, myself included, is probably feeling as much terror as excitement at the thought of witnessing what comes next on screen. In IGN’s review of Season 2, Simon Cardy acknowledges that it was “always going to be a challenge to adapt The Last of Us Part 2’s sprawling, twisting story into a television show," so it makes sense that the story will continue over a third season. If you’re planning to tune in for the premiere of The Last of Us Season 2 or still need to catch up on Season 1, check out the details below. PlayHow to Watch The Last of Us Season 2 The Last of UsSee it at MaxThe Last of Us Season 2 premieres on Max on Sunday, April 13, 2025. Standalone Max subscriptions start at $9.99 and can be bundled with Hulu and Disney+.Season 2 Episode Release Dates The Last of Us Season 2 will run for seven episodes total, two fewer episodes than Season 1. New episodes will be released on Max every Sunday at 9pm EST/6pm CST. Here’s the full release schedule: Episode 1: "Future Days" - April 13Episode 2: TBA - April 20Episode 3: TBA - April 27Episode 4: TBA - May 4Episode 5: TBA - May 11Episode 6: TBA - May 18Episode 7: TBA - May 25Catch Up on the First Season The entire first season of The Last of Us is streaming on Max, with individual episodes available to rent or purchase through Prime Video. HBO also released a limited edition 4K steelbook of Season 1:The Last of Us: The Complete First Season (4K UHD)Limited-edition collectible steelbook.The Last of Us Season 3 Has Already Been ConfirmedSony and HBO have already confirmed that The Last of Us has been renewed for Season 3. There’s no official word on a release date, but production on the next season kicks off this summer. The studio has also reminded viewers that this does NOT mean there will be a third Last of Us game. As far as we know, Naughty Dog is wholly focused on its next project, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Adapting The Last of Us: Part 2The Last of Us Part 2 RemasteredThe first season of The Last of Us show adapted the entirety of the first game with some creative liberties. Season 2 brings us to the storylines of The Last of Us sequel, which will be split up across the next two seasons. From IGN’s 10/10 Review of The Last of Us Part 2: "The Last of Us Part 2 is a masterpiece worthy of its predecessor. Taking strides forward in nearly every way, Ellie steps into the spotlight and carries the sequel in a manner that feels like the culmination of everything that’s made Naughty Dog’s blockbuster storytelling so memorable since the original Uncharted on the PlayStation 3."Both Naughty Dog games have been remastered, with new edition of The Last of Us Part 2 arriving on PC just last week. This is Naughty Dog, so a new "Complete" edition of both games has also been announced, with a physical release arriving this summer. Aside from the games themselves, Sony also released a special edition DualSense controller to celebrate the series. The Last of Us Season 2 Cast and Crew The Last of Us Season 2 is led by the original game’s creator, Neil Druckmann, and Craig Mazin (Chernobyl), both of whom feature as writers alongside Haley Gross, who co-wrote The Last of Us Part 2 game. Each individual episode has its own director, with the full list including Mark Mylod (Succession, The Menu, Game of Thrones), Peter Hoar (It's a Sin, Daredevil, Doctor Who), and Stephen Williams (Lost). Here’s the main cast starring in the new season of The Last of Us: Pedro Pascal as Joel MillerBella Ramsey as EllieGabriel Luna as TommyRutina Wesley as MariaKaitlyn Dever as AbbyYoung Mazino as JesseIsabela Merced as DinaDanny Ramirez as MannyAriela Barer as MelTati Gabrielle as NoraSpencer Lord as OwenCatherine O'Hara as GailJeffrey Wright as Isaac DixonJoe Pantoliano as EugeneAlanna Ubach as HanrahanBen Ahlers as BurtonHettienne Park as Elise ParkRobert John Burke as SethNoah Lamanna as KatDon't be surprised if you don't recognize some of these names; several original characters are being introduced in the new season. You can check out our full breakdown of which characters are new or returning for more details.

Apple has long offered a refurbished store on its website, where it sells recent generation products at a pretty sizable discount. Unlike other refurbished offerings, Apple guarantees a replaced outer shell, battery, and glass – ensuring no wear and tear. You also get a 1 year Apple warranty and the ability to add AppleCare if you’d like. That sounds great, but is it actually a good deal? Well, it depends. We’ll be delving into Apple refurbished listings, and comparing it to other offerings on the market. Apple Refurbished One great thing about Apple Refurbished is that a lot of the time, you can buy current-generation products. For example, the M4 MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini are all available on the store. Apple is pretty great about putting new Macs on the store pretty quickly. iPads and iPhones, on the other hand, aren’t the same. You can’t buy an M4 iPad Pro or M2 iPad Air on the refurbished store yet, despite those products being a year old. The most recent iPads on the refurbished store are 2022’s iPad 10th generation and M2 iPad Pro. When it comes to iPhones, you can only buy iPhone 14 models. That said, a lot of people (including myself) love Apple Refurbished, mainly because you can effectively purchase products in new condition, just with some less fancy packaging. Instead of a traditional Apple box, you get a plain white box with the text “MacBook Pro” instead of a printed image. It’s also covered with a 1 year Apple warranty, so even if something goes wrong, you’re covered. Amazon Renewed Premium While there are a number of ways to buy refurbished Apple products out there, I think Amazon Renewed Premium is the best comparison. Why? Amazon offers a 1 year return window, allowing you to get your money back if any issues crop up. Yes, that’s a full 365 day return window. Amazon promises 90% battery health as well. Amazon’s Renewed Premium program likely is the closest thing to Apple’s refurbished program. To be clear, there’s also a the standard “Amazon Renewed” program, which only offers a 90 day return window. However, that won’t be used in this price comparison. Price comparison Now, to answer the ultimate question: Is Apple refurbished worth it? We’ll be comparing prices across a number of products. These prices will vary, and are accurate at the time of writing. iPhone 14 Plus: $619 (128GB) on Apple Refurb, $519 (256GB) on Amazon Renewed Premium iPhone 13: $699 (512GB) on Apple Refurb, $453 (512GB) on Amazon Renewed Premium iPad Air (M1): $379 (64GB) on Apple Refurb, $435 (64GB) on Amazon Renewed Premium iPad 10: $339 (256GB) on Apple Refurb, $359 (256GB) on Amazon Renewed Premium MacBook Air (M2): $799 (512GB) on Apple Refurb, $752 (512GB) on Amazon Renewed Premium iMac (M1): $1009 (256GB) on Apple Refurb, $649 (256GB) on Amazon Renewed Premium In short, Apple Refurbished can be a good deal depending on what you’re shopping for. iPhones are almost always a bad deal on Apple Refurbished. Amazon has better deals than what Apple offers, and also offers devices that Apple doesn’t yet. For example, Amazon has a renewed premium iPhone 15 Pro for $738, something that Apple just can’t compete with. Amazon’s 1 year return window with Renewed Premium is also undoubtedly a good offering, in case you end up changing your mind or realizing a product isn’t the right fit for you. That said, when it comes to the latest products, its hard to beat Apple Refurbished. Apple offers the latest M4 MacBook Pro for $1359, whereas Amazon can only offer M3 MacBook Pro models under its renewed premium program. Apple Refurbished can also be more expensive than new offerings sometimes. For example, Apple offers refurbished AirPods Pro 2 for $209, something that you can often buy brand new for cheaper. Amazon is currently selling new AirPods Pro 2 for $199, for example. Ultimately, the conclusion here is that if you’re looking for a high-quality purchasing experience with refurbished tech, Apple refurbished can be a great option. It just isn’t the only one, and you should always cross-shop before making a purchase. My favorite Apple accessories on Amazon: Follow Michael: X/Twitter, Bluesky, Instagram Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re 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. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Now well into his second term, it's no secret that Donald Trump wields his emergency powers like Elon Musk uses slurs.That is to say, he does it a lot. So far, Trump's declared national emergencies to classify drug smugglers as terrorists, the migrant crisis as an invasion, and the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu as infringing "upon the sovereignty of the United States" — not to mention skirting around some annoying procedures which would have delayed his notorious trade tariffs, a move that plunged the global markets into chaos.Now, Trump's pulling another emergency out of his hat, declaring huge rollbacks to regulation meant to protect the country'sLate last week, Trump's Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, issued an "Emergency Situation Determination" affecting over 112 million acres, or 59 percent, of the National Forestry Service (NFS) land. The memo declares that the Trump administration will increase timber production by 25 percent, and contains long-term plans to evade regulations protecting national land.The memo cites a national forest crisis due to "severe wildfires, insect and disease outbreaks, invasive species, and other stressors," which, hey — fair enough!Unfortunately for the trees, Rollins' putative fix for all that is to "remove National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) processes, reduce implementation and contracting burdens, and to work directly with states, local government, and forest product producers to ensure that the Forest Service delivers a reliable and consistent supply of timber."That NEPA bit is important. Since 1969, the NEPA statute has stood as a line of defense against corporations who would prefer to cut first and ask later, allowing citizens, activists, and researchers to weigh in on decisions affecting federal land. The Keystone XL pipeline, for example, was successfully shut down after a judge ruled that the US Department of State failed to share its findings on environmental impacts, violating NEPA.If NEPA goes away, logging companies could begin chopping down federal forests without ever having to account for their actions, before or after. Along with the "25 percent" hike in logging, the memo is pretty vague about how this will tackle wildfire risk or insect outbreaks.Considering Trump and Musk's drastic cuts to forestry workers in critical areas, in other words, and this emergency declaration reads less as a good-faith attempt to "save the trees" — and more like a generous handout to a logging industry that has a long history of decimating America's natural resources.Share This Article

Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle No. 406 for April 13.