While AT&T Fiber is our top ISP recommendation, you can consider the following options as well.

OpinionApril 17, 20254 min readScience Organizations Should Protest Loudly against Trump CutsSimilar to other professions, science has organizations that represent scientists and the research they do. Too many are staying silent as Trump dismantles researchBy Angel Algarin U.S. President Donald Trump holds up an executive order on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC Anna Moneymaker/Getty ImagesWhen the tide goes out, everyone can see who’s swimming naked. In the Trump era’s tsunami against science, we’re learning that among those pretenders—long mouthing support for vulnerable people but then standing silent when it matters—are too many scientific societies, the professional or special interest groups that are supposed to advocate for their researcher members. Scientific organizations must act—not just to defend research, but to defend the lives and communities that depend on their work.Since January the Trump administration has slashed federal funding for research projects centered on equity, health disparities and marginalized communities. Some scientific organizations, like the American Public Health Association, have taken a stand and joined an ACLU lawsuit filed on April 2 to protect these essential projects, and just two days later 16 state attorneys general followed suit.Yet no other scientific societies have taken steps to join legal challenges, despite the vocal resistance of individual scientists.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.I experienced this passivity firsthand in late March, while attending the Society of Behavioral Medicine conference in San Francisco, where 1,900 researchers came to discuss medical advances in today’s changing health care environment. As a public health researcher and professor whose work focuses on HIV, stigma and health equity, I’ve spent my career trying to ensure groups that have been historically overlooked or excluded are not erased from research agendas. So witnessing my own professional society choose silence in this moment hit differently.At the meeting, grassroots scientists circulated a petition asking SBM’s leadership to join the ACLU’s lawsuit. Sparked by the tireless work of social psychologist Laramie R. Smith, whose research has illuminated how stigma drives HIV’s unequal distribution both in the U.S. and globally, we asked our discipline to join in halting politically motivated grant cancellations, under the hashtag #TerminatedScience.In less than 24 hours on March 27, the petition had over 300 signatures. It now has more than 400.Beyond the numbers, the comments from signatories were powerful—and damning. Researchers voiced deep concern about the erosion of academic freedom and scientific integrity. Many described the Trump administration’s cancellations as a direct attack on science and research rooted in facts, warning that political interference is not just stalling progress but actively endangering public health.They also highlighted the human effects. Many terminated projects centered on advancing health equity—addressing disparities faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, BIPOC communities, women, immigrants and rural populations. These aimed at improving lives, preventing illness and responding to unmet needs. Defunding this work is not just a blow to science—it’s a betrayal of the communities that science is supposed to serve.“These projects weren’t just data points on a spreadsheet. These were projects designed to reach people who have long been excluded from health care and research,” said Smith. “Canceling these projects isn’t just bad policy; it’s harmful to the health of real people in our community.”Early-career scientists in particular spoke to the devastating toll: careers interrupted, research halted midstream, trainees left without mentorship or direction. There was a palpable sense of destabilization—of demoralization. One signatory warned that the scientific pipeline for young scientists is being dismantled before our eyes.Nevertheless, the SBM board voted against joining the lawsuit. Their follow-up communication, sent to the membership listserv, stated that they had “given serious and lengthy consideration” and ultimately decided that, with the board’s fiduciary duties in mind, “it is not in the best interest of the Society to become a co-plaintiff.” No further explanation was provided—no criteria for future action, no timeline, and no invitation for open dialogue. For a society grounded in behavioral and social science, this lack of transparency and community engagement was stunning.While this experience served as a master class in grassroots scientific advocacy, it also left me with a more unsettling realization—one I hadn't fully questioned until now: Are the scientific organizations we belong to actually willing to defend science when it is under attack? While APHA has stepped up, will other organizations like the American Psychological Association, National Academy of Sciences, and American Association for the Advancement of Science, also do so? The APA has 173,000 members. AAAS has more than 120,000 members. No one could have a more powerful voice than these organizations that represent so many scientists and researchers.Scientists should be asking this question of their professional societies—and demanding real answers. These organizations represent us, our values, and our work. If they are unwilling to take a stand now—when science is being politicized, targeted and punished—what message does that send about their commitment to our collective mission?And it’s not just scientists who deserve answers. So do the taxpayers who have supported this work for decades, in the belief that science truly serves the public—especially the most vulnerable. When institutions choose silence over advocacy, it raises serious questions about whose interests they are really protecting.It’s not just HIV research that’s under threat. Projects focused on LGBTQ+ health, reproductive justice, youth mental health and racial equity have all come under fire—signaling that no area of socially conscious science is safe from political interference. This isn’t a moment for professional societies to be cautious. It’s a moment for them to be bold.Even if your area of research isn’t currently in the crosshairs, it may be next. The pattern is clear, and the list of terminations is growing. This isn’t limited to research focused on racial justice or LGBTQ+ equity; recently terminated grants have included work on biobanking infrastructure, Alzheimer’s risk and memory mechanisms, and global food safety regulation. Will you wait until they’re knocking on your door to cancel your funding before you speak up?I urge you to ask this simple but critical question: What is my professional society actively doing to protect science right now?And if the answer is “nothing,” perhaps it’s time to rethink your membership.Because silence isn't neutrality. It’s complicity. And science deserves better.This is an opinion and analysis article, and the views expressed by the author or authors are not necessarily those of their institution or Scientific American.

Everything announced during Mario Kart World Direct, including where Rainbow Road is hiding Prism break. Image credit: Nintendo/Eurogamer News by Victoria Kennedy News Reporter Published on April 17, 2025 Nintendo has essentially confirmed in all but name that Rainbow Road will indeed be part of Mario Kart World on the game's release this summer. However, while Rainbow Road is a part of the upcoming Mario Kart title, it isn't going to be available to zip around from the off. Rather, players will need to "conquer" all Grand Prix cups. Then, so says Nintendo, "rumour has it a certain colourful course will appear". So, yep, that'll be Rainbow Road, with Nintendo's Mario Kart World Direct this afternoon showing a colourful beam leading up to the sky above. Mario Kart World Gameplay: A Full Race of Knockout Tour. Watch on YouTube Other courses confirmed for Mario Kart World include the all new icy Starview Peak and the spoooooky Boo Cinema, as well as returning series entries like Toad's Factory, Peach Beach and Wario's Galleon. Here are the Mario Kart World courses confirmed this afternoon: Mario Bros. Circuit Crown City Salty Salty Speedway Starview Peak Boo Cinema Toad's Factory Peach Beach Wario's Galleon On the characters side of things, we will of course be able to play as Mario - this is his series after all - as well as new racers like Cow, Spike and Goomba (Ed and I want to know how he drives without arms. And, while we are on it, I still have questions about King Boo's driving abilities). These drivers will be able to use new items, such as Kamek. Yes, Kamek is an item, and his magic will "transform" your racing rivals into, at least as far as today's Direct has shown us, Chargin' Chucks - those large burly Koopas in football gear. "What other mysterious effects will happen," Nintendo teased in today's showcase. I don't know Nintendo, I don't know! Here are some of the Items confirmed for Mario Kart World, with some returning favourites as well as some newbies: Coin Shell (makes coins appear) Ice Flower (freeze your rivals and send them spinning) Hammer (embrace your inner Hammer Bro) Mega Mushroom (Go big or go home) Feather (handy for avoiding attacks) Kamek (see above) Bullet Bill (Blast through the ranks) Lightning (Zap your racing rivals) Next up, we have Mario Kart World's support features, handy for those new to the series or for those who, like my god children, are too small to actually be able to control what's going on but still want to be part of the fun. These features include Smart Steering (often needed when small humans are involved), Auto-Accelerate and Auto-Use Item. There are also Tilt Controls, which are compatible with the Switch 2's Joy-Con wheel. Image credit: Nintendo There's more! Here are the various modes and battles coming to Mario Kart World: Time Trials VS Race Teams Balloon Battle Coin Runners "Battle Mode is back and more hectic than ever! Burst your rivals’ balloons with items in Balloon Battle or secure the gold by collecting the most coins in Coin Runners," reads the Battle Mode's official blurb from Nintendo. "And this time around, if you pop all of your rival’s balloons, they are out!" Mario Kart World will also have new tricks. There's Charge Jump, which can be used while holding the drift button while driving straight ahead. These jumps can enable racers to jump over obstacles such as an oncoming vehicle, "grind along powerlines", and move out of the way of an oncoming rival attack such as a green shell. This jump will also allow the jumper to wall ride for a bit should they jump towards a wall (obviously). Another new trick arriving with Mario Kart World is Rewind, which does exactly as it says on the tin. Racers can rewind the action, but - and this is important - only for them. Other racers will still be charging ahead as normal. This is important - a dolphin on a dolphin bike. | Image credit: Nintendo Meanwhile, if hunger strikes when playing Mario Kart World, there is the option to "make a pit stop" for some grub. Dash Food, as this is known, is some to-go orders that will give players "a speed boost and sometimes also unlock outfits that can be donned from the character selection screen". Nintendo promises a large selection of dishes and outfits to discover on the game's release. Our Tom has already taken the upcoming game for a whirl, calling Mario Kart World "undoubtedly Switch 2's killer app" and one he can't wait to play more of. "Mario Kart World's reinvention of the series may be a gamble, but it's absolutely one I think will pay off. With a web of possible routes and hours of time likely to be spent exploring every corner of its highways, deserts and mountains - or racing to stay ahead of the competition in Knockout Tour - it's just as well the game's a Switch 2 launch title," he wrote in Eurogamer's Mario Kart World preview. More to come...

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here Contents hide Marvel Rivals Season 2, with its most recent patch on April 17, added a dazzling array of additions to NetEase Games’ hero shooter, including the highly anticipated costume customization system. Customize: Costume Colors is a new feature that allows players to change the color palettes of chosen high-rarity skins, adding a new level of personalization to heroes such as Luna Snow, Magik, Winter Soldier, and Psylocke. At first glance, it appears to be a vivid addition to a game already well-known for its comic-inspired graphics and frenetic gameplay. The prospect of personalizing classic Marvel characters to own preferences is obviously appealing, particularly in the Hellfire Gala-themed Season 2, where design reigns supreme. However, beneath the glossy veneer sits a thorny issue: the game’s monetization. Players have expressed their anger with the requirement for a new currency, Unstable Molecules, to enable these color changes, on top of the already high prices for luxury skins. While Marvel Rivals has established a reputation for generosity through free skins and events, this decision appears to be a step toward predatory microtransactions, alienating free-to-play players, and raising concerns about the game’s long-term accessibility. New Marvel Rivals custom skin color feature feels like a cash grab The costume customization feature in Marvel Rivals falls short due to its limited and expensive implementation. Players must first purchase luxury skins, which are often priced around 2200 Lattice (approximately $20-25), and then spend an extra 600 Unstable Molecules, equivalent to $6, for a single color palette. Unstable Molecules can be exchanged 1:1 with Lattice to unlock custom colors. Image by VideoGamer. This layered barrier diminishes the feature’s allure by tying personalization to additional purchases rather than increasing the value of existing cosmetics. Unlike games like Fortnite, where skins frequently feature free secondary style variations, Marvel Rivals’ approach is exploitative, especially given that just a few legendary skins now support customization. The addition of Unstable Molecules as a new currency confuses the game’s already complex economy, which includes Lattice, Units, and Chrono Tokens. Players have already slammed the feature, with some calling it “insanely expensive” and condemning NetEase for turning recolors, a low-effort tool, into a premium offering. For a game that prides itself on accessibility, with all heroes free to unlock, this decision risks alienating its free-to-play audience, making customization appear like a luxury for big spenders rather than a universal benefit. Marvel Rivals players want free costume customizations for expensive skins Upon the release of this feature, several players on social media have voiced their opinions on why adding another currency in the game adds to the confusion and thus declared Unstable Molecules unnecessary. One such player wrote, “Why another currency? Why couldn’t it just be challenges or something? At this point, we’ll have dabloons and smackaroos by season 5.” Another chimed in, “It’s weird how we can buy the actual costume for units, yet the recolor needs paid currency.” To those unaware, Unstable Molecules are exactly what the costumes of Fantastic Four members are made of. Looks like Reed is charging everyone for a glow-up to their costume using his molecules. Doom would’ve done that for free for everyone, but that’s something we’ll see in the future, as NetEase has expressed interest in bringing more ways to earn this currency, even for free. Marvel Rivals Platform(s): macOS, PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X Genre(s): Fighting, Shooter Related Topics Marvel Rivals Subscribe to our newsletters! By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime. Share

Floral allusions now bud and blossom across the department store’s two levels, though there’s nothing garden-variety about Gonzalez’s interventions. Graphic tiles, carpeting, curtains, and upholstery all riff on Art Nouveau motifs at Printemps’s original location. Frescoes summon idyllic landscapes. And recycled materials genuflect to the earth. In the landmark Red Room lobby, freestanding flowerlike pedestals, with petals as displays for shoes, create a botanical tour de force without impacting Hildreth Meière’s restored 1920s mosaics on the walls and ceiling.In the salon, a freestanding cage encloses a shopping vignette. “Our idea here was to do our own forest,” recalls Gonzalez, who conceived new tile work underfoot, its rippling outline guiding shoppers to the neighboring bar. (“It’s like a river,” she says.) There, a winding pink marble staircase leads to the so-called Boudoir—home to evening wear— and other retail wonders beyond. It’s one of several ways you might wind your way through Printemps New York, a circuitous warren of 10 distinct shopping environments and five dining and beverage concepts, the latter helmed by culinary director Gregory Gourdet.The Salon Vert Bar.

Goodbye, Direct File AP: Trump admin to kill IRS free tax-filing service that Intuit lobbied against Amid IRS staff cuts, employees were told to stop working on Direct File. Jon Brodkin – Apr 16, 2025 5:01 pm | 41 Credit: Getty Images | Richard Stephen Credit: Getty Images | Richard Stephen Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only   Learn more The Trump administration plans to kill the free tax filing program operated by the Internal Revenue Service, the Associated Press reported today, citing two anonymous sources. The IRS launched Direct File in a pilot for the 2024 tax filing season. It was available to taxpayers in 12 states last year, and was available in 25 states this year. The program's website says the filing tool will be open until October 15 for people who obtained deadline extensions, but it hasn't been updated to account for the plan to end Direct File. "The program had been in limbo since the start of the Trump administration as Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency have slashed their way through the federal government," the AP article said. "Musk posted in February on his social media site, X, that he had 'deleted' 18F, a government agency that worked on technology projects such as Direct File." The AP wrote that "two people familiar with the decision to end Direct File said its future became clear when the IRS staff assigned to the program were told in mid-March to stop working on its development for the 2026 tax filing season." The IRS will lose about a third of its staff this year through layoffs and employees accepting resignation offers, The New York Times reported yesterday. TurboTax maker Intuit repeatedly criticized the Direct File program created during the Biden administration. Intuit has said that "Direct File is not free tax preparation, but rather a thinly veiled scheme where billions of dollars of taxpayer money will be unnecessarily used to pay for something already completely free of charge." The IRS last year said the pilot cost $31.8 million and estimated 2025 costs of $75 million. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) criticized Intuit's lobbying against Direct File and told the AP that Trump and Musk "are going after Direct File because it stops giant tax prep companies from ripping taxpayers off for services that should be free. Americans want a free and easy way to file their taxes—Trump and Musk want to take that away." Intuit's TurboTax offers free filing for simple returns, but has faced lawsuits alleging that its ads misled consumers who had to pay. In 2022, Intuit agreed to pay $141 million in restitution to millions of consumers and stop a specific ad campaign that promised free filing. The Federal Trade Commission ruled last year that Intuit violated US law with deceptive advertising and ordered the company to stop telling consumers that TurboTax is free without more obvious disclaimers. Intuit responded by suing the FTC in a case that is still pending at the US Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit. The free IRS filing program is also limited to simple returns, but there was hope of expanding its usefulness. The program accepted returns from 140,803 taxpayers in the 12-state 2024 pilot, which was followed by a May 2024 announcement that Direct File would become "a permanent option for filing federal tax returns starting in the 2025 tax season." The IRS said in the 2024 announcement that it was looking for ways to cover more complicated tax returns. "Over the coming years, the agency's goal is to expand Direct File to support most common tax situations, with a particular focus on those situations that impact working families," the IRS said at the time. The Treasury Department estimated that over 30 million taxpayers were eligible for Direct File this year, but hasn't said yet how many people used it. House Republicans urged Trump to act even more quickly to kill the program, saying in a December 2024 letter that he should issue "a day-one executive order to end the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) unauthorized and wasteful Direct File pilot program." Jon Brodkin Senior IT Reporter Jon Brodkin Senior IT Reporter Jon is a Senior IT Reporter for Ars Technica. He covers the telecom industry, Federal Communications Commission rulemakings, broadband consumer affairs, court cases, and government regulation of the tech industry. 41 Comments

Image: Nintendo Life As detailed during Nintendo's Mario Kart World Direct, the Switch 2-exclusive racer will allow its players to unlock a literal smorgasbord of costumes inspired by a menu made up of "dash foods" from around the world. During the show, we got a look at some Free-Roam-style portions of Mario Kart World, which are populated by Yoshi restaurants. The restaurants serve food themed on the region you are currently visiting and, by gobbling some up, you'll give yourself the chance to unlock a costume to suit the food style - as well as giving yourself a handy speed boost! Images: Nintendo Life As Nintendo details: "Drive-Thru and Roll-Out: Make a pit stop at Yoshi’s for a local delight: Dash Food! These to-go orders will give you a speed boost and sometimes also unlock outfits that can be donned from the character selection screen. There are plenty of dishes and outfits to find, so drive through when making your way around Mario Kart World." We got a look at some spinning sushi and the resulting Japanese-inspired threads Peach, in the short Direct today, as well as some natty robes for a waterborne Wario. Now we can't wait to see just how many outfits and food styles are available once the full game drops! Images: Nintendo Life What did you think of the new details that dropped with the Mario Kart World Direct? Let us know in the comments!

In Meta’s antitrust trial on Wednesday, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified that TikTok’s success was a risk to Meta’s business, saying the short-form video app was a “top priority” and a “highly urgent” competitive threat when it arrived in 2018, according to Bloomberg and other outlets. The reports come from a packed first week of testimony in the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s trial against the social networking giant. If the FTC’s lawyers prevail, the trial could potentially require Meta to spin out Instagram or WhatsApp as separate companies. Notably, Zuckerberg admitted on Wednesday that TikTok’s arrival had directly impacted Meta, saying his company had observed that its “growth slowed down dramatically” when the TikTok became popular. He also said the ByteDance-owned app has continued to be a focus of Meta’s competitive efforts for several years. ByteDance purchased Musical.ly in 2017, and merged it with TikTok the following year. Around the same time, Meta (then known as Facebook) stopped reporting Facebook’s user numbers in its quarterly reports, shifting to a new “family of apps” metric that encompassed Instagram and WhatsApp. The change was designed to hide the fact that Meta’s flagship app was seeing slowing growth. Zuckerberg made another interesting comment during the trial in response to a question about social media platforms’ “network effects.” He said it’s become less important for social media apps to leverage connections between friends and family to grow. “The apps now serve primarily as discovery engines,” Zuckerberg told the court. “People can take that content to messaging engines.” At the same time, however, Facebook is trying to return to its “OG roots” by turning once again to those network effects. The company recently released new features designed to make it easier to connect with friends, including a revamped Friends tab that highlights friend requests and activity. In January, Zuckerberg told investors that a “return to OG Facebook” was a key goal for 2025.

UE5 Blueprints 201 – Ep.00: Building The Base Project by Christopher Kopic 17.04.2025 comment 0 Part of: UE5 Blueprints 201 Premium Course, UE5 Blueprints 201 Yup! Two course launches in a week! Ain’t that something! One of the other very requested topics by you guys was a continuation of our short and sweet Blueprints 101 course, that the amazing Matthias Winckelmann created for us back in 2020 – tackling the Houdini-ish part of Unreal Engine. And since Chris got quite comfortable in Unreal last year, this is what we’re starting again now! As per usual you’ll get a first preview of this course here for free. If you like what you see, follow the link below to support us on Patreon and get access to the next episode launching May 1st. Liked it? Take a second to support Christopher Kopic on Patreon!

What if you could take a flat 2D image—and turn it into a 3D model in Blender, in just a few clicks? That’s exactly what we’re doing today, using the AI-powered True Depth add-on (affiliate link). Links: True Depth on SuperHive (Blender Market) True Depth Installation Tutorial + Demo by Lewis Martin Demo images Anton Dmitriev on Artstation While True Depth isn’t the only solution for converting 2d to 3d using ai-driven algorithms, it’s seamlessly integrated into Blender. For an alternative ai-driven method, check this tutorial:Generate Depth Maps and Displace Super-detailed Bas-reliefs The post Turn 2D Images into 3D in a Few Clicks — True Depth Add-on for Blender appeared first on Creative Shrimp.