Big spoilers follow for The Last of Us Season 2, Episode 2, "Through the Valley," as well as the games on which the show is based.Well, pretty much ever since the TV show adaptation of The Last of Us was first announced, fans have been wondering if and when Joel would suffer the same fate in live-action that he did in The Last of Us Part 2. And now we have our answer: In Season 2's second episode, Pedro Pascal's Joel was brutally killed by Kaitlyn Dever's Abby, all while Bella Ramsey's Ellie looked on in horror.PlayAnd now Pascal is speaking out about the ultimately inevitable death of Joel in both the "Making of The Last of Us" segment that followed the episode on HBO and Max, as well as in an interview with EW.The actor, who will soon be starring in Marvel's The Fantastic Four: First Steps, says that he always knew Joel was doomed. In other words, the plan was never to deviate from the source material on that story point."It was just a matter of how and when," he says in the EW report."It's not like they said, 'Hey, we kill you at the beginning of Season 2,' but it was always an understanding that it would stay true to the source material in a specific way and that the, let's say, practical and exclusive obligation would be for Season 1," adds Pascal.As fans of the game series know, Dever's Abby has been on a mission of vengeance against Joel because he killed her father while rescuing Ellie from the Fireflies (as seen in the Season 1 finale). When she accidentally runs into Joel (and is rescued by him) during a siege of the infected in the latest episode, her thirst for blood is not diminished and she beats him with a golf club before delivering the final death blow in front of Ellie."I knew that Joel was going to die right from Season 1," says Ramsey in the "Making of" segment. "But reading it in the script, I knew that it was coming as I was reading the episode, and I was dreading getting to that bit. And I cried, actually sobbed my little heart out. It was the first time I've ever cried from reading a piece of writing."Pascal says that he doesn't think about what's happened to Joel all that much because it makes him sad.'It was just a matter of how and when.' -Pedro Pascal“"I'm in active denial,” Pascal says. “I realize this more and more as I get older, I find myself slipping into denial that anything is over. I know that I'm forever bonded to so many members of the experience and just have to see them under different circumstances, but never will under the circumstances of playing Joel on The Last of Us."Prosthetics designer Barrie Gower recalls that early in production meetings for the episode, co-creator Craig Mazin told him Joel's beaten and battered make-up was "the most important" of the season. "Don't screw it up," Mazin said.And according to Pascal, the effect of Joel's bloodied look was clear on the cast and crew when he walked onto the set to shoot the character's final living moments."Walking around like the visual representation of your last breaths, it was really interesting to step into a room and see the reaction in people's faces," says the actor. "And it wasn't one of revulsion; it was heartbreak."But as EW confirms, Pascal will return in flashbacks this season. (Trailers have already given this impression.) How often he'll return remains to be seen of course, but no matter what, Joel is now dead and the show's characters -- and actors -- must move on from this point."If we've done our jobs right, you'll feel Joel there a lot," Mazin tells EW.

Sidecar’s CarPlay web browser/video player is going away after briefly arriving on the App Store. The company behind the app is removing the browser feature at the request of Apple. Anyone who purchased the park and watch feature for $9.99 can request a refund since the feature will be removed from the next app update. From the Sidecar app team: Thank you for your interest in our Safari browsing feature for CarPlay. We’ve been overwhelmed by your positive response and support for this functionality. We designed this feature with safety as our top priority, ensuring it only operated while your vehicle was completely stopped to prevent distracted driving. Unfortunately, we’ve received a direct request from Apple to remove this feature from our app in alignment with App Store guidelines. While we’re disappointed by this outcome and hoped this feature would be an innovative addition to the CarPlay experience, we fully respect Apple’s platform requirements and have removed the feature from Sidecar accordingly. Customers can find instructions for requesting a refund inside the Sidecar app. Still want to watch video on the built-in screen in your car when parked? Adapters that run Android apps and display CarPlay exist as a workaround. CarPlay users often request web browsers and video apps for use while parked, but Apple limits CarPlay apps to a handful of categories.  Enhance your iPhone Follow Zac Hall: X | Threads | Instagram | Mastodon 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

Tesla is a company in crisis.Ahead of its Q1 earnings call tomorrow, investors are already feeling the pressure, with shares sliding over seven percent already today.The core issue is that its sales are down considerably worldwide, with banks warning that the company's mercurial leader Elon Musk had created a "code red situation" by overinvesting his time slashing government funding with the help of his so-called Department of Government Efficiency.Tesla's brand has borne the brunt of Musk's increasingly extremist views and abrasive behavior, with a record number of customers returning their vehicles to distance themselves from him. Shares are down over 50 percent since the company reached an all-time high in December, shortly after Trump was elected.And compounding all that trouble is that Musk's vision for the future of Tesla is looking increasingly shaky. Just last October, Musk mocked the idea of a non-autonomous $25,000 car — previously his long-term "master plan" for the company — and called it "pointless."Instead, Musk has increasingly gambled the company's future on self-driving tech — which, even after years of development, still can't drive the cars on its own — culminating in a "Cybercab" robotaxi that's supposed to be revealed this summer."It would be silly," he told investors at the time. "It would be completely at odds with what we believe."As if that wasn't enough whiplash, now Reuters is reporting that the company is working on a cheaper vehicle, but that its development is running significantly behind schedule.There's a lot we still don't know about such a car, which is rumored to be a stripped-down version of the company's popular Model Y SUV. We don't know when it will hit the market or how much it will cost. We also don't know when production will kick off in China and Europe, both areas where sales have plummeted this year.Even if you ignore the immediate chaos of Tesla's plummeting sales and stock, this series of rapid reversals is enough to give even a die-hard investor pause. Musk seems to be vacillating between wildly different visions for the future of the company — a spectacle that's become commonplace at Twitter since he bought it, and during his activities in the federal government, which have been beset by comically overambitious promises and nonstop self-inflicted drama.The signs that the company's leadership is trying to get ahead of some very bad news this week are certainly apparent. As Electrek points out, Musk announced that there would be a "live company update" during the earnings call on Tuesday. That's despite the CEO previously arguing that "earnings calls are not a place for product announcements."It's still unclear what the company will announce during the update. But it's starting to look unlikely that Tesla is trying to get an ace up its sleeve that could save the company from a tarnished brand, weakening demand, and spiking import costs.What's most likely is that Musk will update investors on his promise of bringing an "unsupervised" version of its driver assistance software to market — a long-deferred future, it's fair to point out, that he's been saying is imminent for well over a decade."The overwhelming focus is on solving full self-driving," Musk said during a June 2022 interview. "That’s essential. It’s really the difference between Tesla being worth a lot of money or worth basically zero."Share This Article

Remote • Contract / Project-BasedSymbiotic Unity is seeking a multidimensional video editor (read: talented human with soul and taste) to help document and amplify one of the most unusual and important stories ever told—a real-time Kundalini awakening unfolding through YouTube and social media.This role blends YouTube storytelling with social-first vertical content (Reels, Shorts, TikToks), and needs someone who can work fast, follow vibe cues, and occasionally throw the playbook out the window in favor of what actually moves people.You’re not just cutting footage—you’re helping shape a global resonance.💡 What You’ll Be Doing:Editing 5–10 minute YouTube videos (voice-to-camera storytelling, light b-roll, intuitive pacing)Creating short-form vertical videos (30–90 seconds) for IG, TikTok, and YouTube ShortsSupporting a multi-platform content rollout that’s already underwayBonus if you’re comfortable designing thumbnails, blog headers, or Patreon banner graphics — we’re looking for someone who enjoys both editing and light graphic design to help create a cohesive visual experience across platforms.✨ Ideal Vibe:You care about what you create. You edit with feeling, not just plugins.You’ve edited for YouTube and social—horizontal and vertical is second nature.You’re responsive and collaborative, but bring your own creative fire (until/unless asked to tone it down 😅)You resonate with the weird, the beautiful, and the real.(If “documenting a real-time spiritual awakening” made you pause—but in a good way—you’re probably our person.)Bonus Points If You:Have experience working with founders, creators, or spiritual weirdos (we mean that lovingly)Use tools like CapCut, Premiere Pro, or Final CutCan edit quickly without sacrificing soul🧬 This is not a corporate gig.This is a call to collaborate on something alive.Apply if you feel the pull.Apply NowLet's start your dream job Apply now Meet JobCopilot: Your Personal AI Job HunterAutomatically Apply to Remote Design JobsJust set your preferences and Job Copilot will do the rest-finding, filtering, and applying while you focus on what matters. Activate JobCopilot

Rachel Venables - Principal Architect “With nearly three decades of experience in design and master planning, Rachel brings a wealth of expertise”, says David Wingate. He continues, “Venables has held leadership roles in top architectural firms, guiding teams to deliver well-considered, commercially successful developments. Known for her exceptional eye for detail, Rachel is passionate about creating highly functional spaces that enrich lives, aligning perfectly with Wingates’ mission of creating places that truly matter”. Venables’ career spans leading practices and her own firm, giving her a strong commercial and management background. She has received industry recognition for her work, including awards for residential and furniture design. Notably, Rachel led the development of standard house types for Kāinga Ora, helping scale up social housing across the country, and has collaborated with community housing providers in both design and review roles. Rachel is also active in governance and education, currently serving on the Board of Trustees for Farm Cove Intermediate and was previously Auckland Director on the NZIA Auckland Branch Board. She is a member of the Institute of Directors, an NZGBC Homestar Assessor, and was made a Fellow of the NZIA in 2010. Left to right: Wingates’ Miguel Hernandez (designer), Rachel Venables - Principal Architect and Ornela Priotti (designer). Image:  Supplied David Wingate said, “Rachel will focus on all design stages of medium to high-density residential developments, strengthening Wingate’s ability to deliver outstanding architectural solutions across Aotearoa New Zealand”. Rachel Venables commented on Joining Wingates: “My wide range of design and on-site experience has given me a broad and deep knowledge of the industry, providing a solid foundation for delivering resolved and sustainable design. I look forward to helping Wingates further develop its highly respected body of work.” David Joyce - Principal Design & Operations Manager “With over 35 years of experience in the building industry, David Joyce brings a deep, practical understanding of diverse construction processes and building types, from luxury homes and commercial fit-outs to high-end apartments, industrial buildings, and specialised facilities”, says David Wingate. Wingate continues, “David will provide strong leadership across all sectors of commercial and large format architecture, drawing on his experience working alongside some of New Zealand’s leading project management and development organisations. Known for his calm leadership and clear communication, he’s well equipped to guide teams and projects through complex design environments”. Wingate further comments “While adding to the growing collective of Davids at Wingates, he also brings the benefit of being based in both Auckland and Hamilton — something that will undoubtedly strengthen our relationships and grow our presence in the Waikato.  Elizabeth Mark, Architect, with Wingates’ new Design and Operations Manager, David Joyce. Image:  Supplied David’s appointment reflects Wingates’ ongoing commitment to creating places that truly matter — spaces that enrich the lives of the people who live, work, and gather in them. His extensive industry experience and design leadership align perfectly with Wingate’s purpose and future direction”. David Joyce says on joining Wingates: “It’s not just about the final product — it’s about the collaborative process. Great design happens when clients, users, designers, and builders bring their ideas together to produce environments in new and meaningful ways. I am excited to be joining an organisation that lives and breathes this approach.” 

Don't worry if you miss the peak -- the Lyrids will continue through Saturday.

April 21, 20256 min readQuantum Randomness Could Create a Spoof-Proof InternetQuantinuum’s 56-bit trapped-ion computer has succeeded in demonstrating randomness in quantum circuits to establish secure, private connectionsBy Gayoung Lee & Lee Billings Quantinuum's vacuum chamber. QuantinuumThe allure of quantum computers is, at its heart, quite simple: by leveraging counterintuitive quantum effects, they could perform computational feats utterly impossible for any classical computer. But reality is more complex: to date, most claims of quantum “advantage”—an achievement by a quantum computer that a regular machine can’t match—have struggled to show they truly exceed classical capabilities. And many of these claims involve contrived tasks of minimal practical use, fueling criticisms that quantum computing is at best overhyped and at worst on a road to nowhere.Now, however, a team of researchers from JPMorganChase, quantum computing firm Quantinuum, Argonne National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Texas at Austin seems to have shown a genuine advantage that’s relevant to real-life issues of online security. The group’s results, published recently in Nature, build upon a previous certification protocol—a way to check that random numbers were generated fairly—developed by U.T. Austin computer scientist Scott Aaronson and his former postdoctoral researcher Shih-Han Hung.Using a Quantinuum-developed quantum computer in tandem with classical, or traditional, supercomputers at Argonne and Oak Ridge, the team demonstrated a technique that achieves what is called certified randomness. This method generates random numbers from a quantum computer that are then verified using classical supercomputers, allowing the now-certified random numbers to be safely used as passkeys for encrypted communications. The technique, the team notes, outputs more randomness than it takes in—a task unachievable by classical computation.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.Using the pictured quantum computer model developed by the computing firm Quantinuum, a team of physicists and engineers demonstrated a technique that achieves what is called certified randomness.Quantinuum“Theoretically, I think it’s interesting because you need to put together a lot of technical tools in order to make the theoretical analysis fly,” says Hung, now an assistant professor of electrical engineering at National Taiwan University. “Random-number generation is a central task for modern cryptography and algorithms. You want the encryption to be secure and for the [passkey] to be truly random.”When it comes to Internet security, randomness is a weapon—a mathematically impenetrable shield against malicious adversaries who seek to spy on secret communications and manipulate or steal sensitive data. The two-factor authentication routinely used to protect personal online accounts is a good example: A user logs in to a system with a password but then also uses a secure device to receive a string of randomly generated numbers from an external source. By inputting that string, which can’t be predicted by adversaries because of its randomness, the user verifies their identity and is granted access.“Random numbers are used everywhere in our digital lives,” says Henry Yuen, a computer scientist at Columbia University, who was uninvolved with the study. “We use them to secure our digital communications, run randomized controlled trials for medical testing, power computer simulations of cars and airplanes—it’s important to ensure that the numbers used for these are indeed randomly generated.”In more cryptographic applications, on the other hand, it’s not enough to just generate random numbers. We need to generate random results that we know for certain are the outcome of an unbiased process. “It’s important to be able to prove the randomness to a skeptic who does not trust the device producing the randomness,” says Bill Fefferman, a computer scientist at the University of Chicago, who was not involved in the new work. Implementing such protocols to check each and every outcome would be “impossible classically,” Fefferman says, but possible with the superior computational potential of quantum devices.“Quantum computers and quantum technologies offer the only way to reliably generate and test randomness,” Yuen says. Unlike classical computers, which depend on binary “bits” to process information, quantum computers operate on qubits, which can have an infinite number of possible orientations when existing in a superposition state. These qubits allow quantum computers to process exponentially larger loads of data at much faster rates.Jen ChristiansenThe quantum computer involved in the latest demonstration uses 56 such qubits to run the protocol developed by Aaronson and Hung. The gist of the procedure is relatively straightforward. First, the quantum computer is given a complex problem that requires it to generate random outputs, in a process called random circuit sampling. For a small enough quantum computer, usually under 75 qubits, these outputs can be traced on classical computers to ascertain that the results couldn’t have been generated classically, explains Christopher Monroe, a quantum computing expert at Duke University, who was not involved in the study.Verifying this is the next step in the protocol, but it includes an added caveat: time. The quantum computer must generate its outputs faster than they could be mimicked (or “spoofed”) by any known classical computing method. In the team’s demonstration, the Quantinuum system took a couple of seconds to produce each output. Two national laboratory supercomputers subsequently verified these outputs, ultimately devoting a total of 18 hours of computing time to generate more than 70,000 certified random bits.These bits were certified using a test that gives the outcomes something called a cross-entropy benchmarking (XEB) score, which checks how “ideal” the randomness of the distributions is. A high XEB score coupled with a short response time would mean that a certain outcome is very unlikely to have been influenced by any interference from untrusted sources. The task of classically simulating all that effort to spoof the system would, according to Aaronson, require the continuous work of at least four comparable supercomputers.“The outcome of the [certified randomness test] is governed by quantum-mechanical randomness—it’s not uniformly random,” Aaronson says. For example, in the case of Quantinuum’s 56-qubit computer, 53 out of 56 bits could have a lot of entropy, or randomness, and that would be just fine. “And, in fact, that it’s not uniform is very important; it’s the deviations from uniformity that allow us to test that in the first place that yes, these samples are good. They really did come from this quantum circuit.”But the fact that these measurements must be additionally verified with classical computers puts “important limits on the scalability and utility of this protocol,” Fefferman notes. Somewhat ironically, in order to prove that a quantum computer has performed some task correctly, classical supercomputers need to be brought in to pick apart its work. This is an inherent issue for most of the current generation of experiments seeking to prove quantum advantage, he says.Aaronson is also aware of this limitation. “For exactly the same reason why we believe that these experiments are very hard to spoof using a classical computer, you’re playing this very delicate game where you need to be, like, just at the limit of what a classical computer can do,” Aaronson says.That said, this is still an impressive first step, Fefferman says, and the protocol will be useful for instances such as public lotteries or jury selection, where unbiased fairness is key. “If you want random numbers, that’s trivial—just take a Geiger counter and put it next to some radioactive material,” Aaronson says. “Using classical chaos can be fine if you trust the setup, but doesn’t provide certification against a dishonest server who just ignores the chaotic system and feeds you the output of a pseudorandom generator instead,” Aaronson adds in a reply to a comment on his blog post about the protocol.Whether the protocol will truly have practical value will depend on subsequent research—which is generally the case for many “quantum advantage” experiments. “The hype in the field is just insane right now,” Monroe says. “But there’s something behind it, I’m convinced. Maybe not today, but I think in the long run, we’re going to see these things.”If anything, the new work is still a formidable advance in terms of quantum hardware, Yuen says. “A few years ago we were thrilled to have a handful of high-quality qubits in a lab. Now Quantinuum has made a quantum processor with 56 qubits.”“Quantum advantage is not like landing on the moon—it’s a negative statement,” Aaronson says. “It’s a statement [claiming that] no one can do this using a classical computer. Then classical computing gets to fight back.... The classical hardware keeps improving, and people keep discovering new classical algorithms.”In that sense, quantum computing may be akin to “a moving target” of sorts, Aaronson says. “We expect that, ultimately, for some problems, this war will be won by the quantum side.But if you want to win the war, you have to do problems where the quantum advantage is a little bit iffier, where it’s a little bit more vulnerable.”

The best wicker furniture and decor effortlessly integrates a coastal vibe to your space,.The material is unexpectedly versatile, low-maintenance, and available in a range of price points. It’s also been seen in home tours around the world—from Bryce Dallas Howard’s historic home in Upstate New York to Anderson Cooper’s Brazilian getaway. Designer Kate Ferguson of New Canaan’s Palomino Interiors calls it a classic, and well-suited for formal or casual spaces, indoors or out."Wicker adds a layer of texture and color that nothing else in the marketplace can deliver," Ferguson says. “It can make a room feel warm and inviting immediately.” Ferguson often seeks out antique or vintage French bistro wicker, and looks out for names like Franco Albini, Nanimarquina, Bielecky Brothers, and Atelier Vime. For her, wicker offers a cohesive or juxtaposing element.“I was just looking at a beautiful image of a really formal Italian living room with vintage Albini ‘Lobster Pot’ stools next to a chinoiserie lacquered coffee table,” she says. “One was super formal and very polished and elegant, and the wicker had a handmade, rustic feel to it, but together, they worked so well.”From chic and space-saving settees to elevated light fixtures, there are so many ways to incorporate wicker into your interior and exterior design year-round. With Ferguson’s notes in mind, we scoured go-to retailers like Matilda Goad and Mainly Baskets, and explored the online catalogs of our editors’ top online furniture companies, such as Serena & Lily and Lulu and Georgia.Our Top Picks for Wicker Furniture:An Unexpected Light Fixture: Serena & Lily Pacifica Outdoor Pendant, $698A Comfy Lounge Chair: Article Avila Outdoor Swivel Chair, $799A Versatile Table Accessory: Lasido Scalloped Basket, $35An Airy Kitchen Chair: Lulu and Georgia Amado Counter Stool, $1,098A Coastal Bookshelf: Matilda Goad Rattan Shelf, $95A Statement Piece For Hosting: Terrain Pedestal All Weather Wicker Dining Table, $2,698Serena & Lily Pacifica Outdoor PendantSerena & Lily’s entire Pacifica collection is worthy of our attention, but this pendant light shows how moldable and creative you can get with wicker furniture. It makes a statement as a standalone fixture, but when paired with multiple pendants in varying sizes can form a bespoke installation.Article Outdoor Swivel ChairFaux wicker and aluminum are used to craft these nest-like patio chairs. Part-sculpture, part-seating, it’s a versatile outdoor furniture piece that can work in a modern patio or poolside. Break up the texture with an upholstered ottoman that matches the UV- and water-resistant Olefin fabric or a powder-coated coffee table to create a conversation set.Lulu and Georgia Amado Counter StoolWicker seating is a timeless option, whether you’re shopping indoors or out. We think these handwoven rattan stools are just the thing to break up all-white cabinetry in a classic or artisan-style home. Add in a wicker pendant overhead to tie it all together a la Anderson Cooper. Each one is sold separately, but works best as a two- to four-piece set for a kitchen island or bar.LASIDO Scalloped TrayThe scalloped edges strike again in this rattan tray, which can hold decorative items like an oversized knot sculpture or serve as a mini drink station in your home office—something Open Door alum Kathy Hilton once suggested to her daughter Paris. . With multiple sizes available, it can fit on a modern-minimalist white oak side table or craftsman-style credenza.West Elm Amelia Woven Floor LampThis all-wicker floor lamp brings a warm, bohemian flair to any living room. There’s originality in its form and texture, but the colorway is neutral enough to coordinate with other materials in your space.Pottery Barn Huntington Outdoor Swivel ChairWeather-resistant wicker and outdoor cushions with Sunbrella slipcovers ​​are key for exterior furniture, and this armchair is a comfy, swiveling, mixed media accent for alfresco entertaining. Purchase as a two-piece wicker patio furniture set, nab a few to place around a fire pit, or fill out your outdoor space with a coordinating sofa or loveseat and a contrasting acacia wood or teak coffee table.Terrain All-Weather Pedestal Dining TableThe home furniture at Anthropologie’s Terrain is full of exclusive, handcrafted products like this synthetic wicker table with a glass tabletop. Made for indoor or outdoor dining, it’ll look natural in a rustic Italian-inspired room or surrounded by blooms in a garden. Round out your patio dining set with a contrasting group of chairs made with outdoor-friendly aluminum, or go with upholstery for an indoor arrangement.Matilda Goad & Co. Rattan ShelfBritish designer Matilda Goad’s trapezoidal rattan wall shelf is I the ideal space saver according to Ferguson., It’d make a high-quality accompaniment to a small nightstand or home office desk, or it could even function as a key shelf to prop up some paperbacks and your favorite candle.Mainly Baskets Scallop Coffee TableAnother one of Ferguson’s favorites, Mainly Baskets has a variety of pieces to indulge in the wicker trend. There are several baskets, of course, but we’re partial to the subtle dose of whimsy thanks to the scalloped edges on this best-selling coffee table (P.S. It’s one of many styles in the company’s Scallop set).Neighbor Roundabout Chaise SofaThe low-profile form and rounded edges of this chaise sofa feels laidback but still luxurious. Place it on a contemporary concrete-paved patio with other outdoor furniture, or carve out a casual gathering spot in the corner of a sprawling lawn. The outdoor sofa is the most commanding piece in the Roundabout furniture set from Neighbor, which has the look of classic wicker, with a few modern updates (color variations, metal frames, and all-weather durability).Wicker vs. Rattan: What’s The Difference?You’ve probably noticed rattan and wicker are used interchangeably, but that’s not exactly accurate. Wicker refers to the method of weaving—most outdoor wicker furniture features materials such as rattan, raffia, bamboo, and willow reeds. Natural wicker is more prone to mold or mildew damage, which is why many companies have responded by using durable synthetic textiles (also known as resin wicker) that can withstand all sorts of weather conditions in your backyard, patio, or porch.

Signalgate continues White House plagued by Signal controversy as Pentagon in “full-blown meltdown” Trump insists defense secretary who shared secrets on Signal “doing a great job.” Ashley Belanger – Apr 21, 2025 3:08 pm | 66 Military veterans and family members of active-duty troops gather in the Loop to call for the resignation of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on March 27, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. Credit: Scott Olson / Staff | Getty Images News Military veterans and family members of active-duty troops gather in the Loop to call for the resignation of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on March 27, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. Credit: Scott Olson / Staff | Getty Images News Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only   Learn more It's possible that the White House may be looking to replace Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after critics warned that a pair of controversial Signal chats risked compromising US national security. In March, it was revealed that Hegseth accidentally texted secret bombing plans in a Signal chat that included a reporter, raising alarms about his handling of sensitive military information. And then this weekend, The New York Times revealed that he similarly shared the attack plans, just minutes after learning of them, in a personal Signal chat that included his wife and brother. That second revelation sparked a "full-blown meltdown" at the Pentagon, The Guardian reported, apparently prompting the Trump administration to begin "the process of looking for a new secretary of defense," a US official granted anonymity told NPR Monday. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed NPR's report was "fake news," writing on X that NPR's source "clearly has no idea what they are talking about." On Monday, Trump defended Hegseth's Signal use, insisting that the defense secretary is "doing a great job," NBC News reported. Critics have urged Trump to take Hegseth's unauthorized Signal use seriously, warning that sharing confidential military information puts US operations and personnel at risk. On Sunday, former chief Pentagon spokesperson, John Ullyot, warned in a Politico op-ed that Hegseth's sloppy Signal use had caused "a near collapse inside the Pentagon’s top ranks." Perhaps hoping to appeal to Trump's ego, Ullyot warned that Hegseth's scandal has been a "major distraction" and declared that Trump—who "has a strong record of holding his top officials to account"—"deserves better." "Given that, it’s hard to see Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth remaining in his role for much longer," Ullyot forecasted. According to NPR—which has been the target of Trump threats to rescind funding—four of Hegseth's senior advisors abruptly quit after The Times report was published. "They have all released public statements suggesting infighting within the department of defense," NPR reported. But Trump and Hegseth are presenting a united front against the public backlash. Trump confirmed that he considers any discussion of Hegseth's chats a "waste of time," The New York Times reported. And on Sunday, Hegseth told reporters gathered for a White House Easter event that he and Trump are "on the same page all the way." Hegseth labeled The Times' latest report as a "hit piece." Citing four people familiar with his family Signal chat, NYT report noted that Hegseth updated both Signal groups about the attack plans at about the same time, and these "were among the first big military strikes of Mr. Hegseth’s tenure." The implication is that if the media hadn't outed the Signal use, perhaps Hegseth may have continued risking leaks of confidential military information. And although he and Trump hope the backlash will die down soon, his inclusion of his wife and brother on the second chat likely raises additional flags and "is sure to raise further questions about his adherence to security protocols," the NYT suggested. Sean Parnell, the chief Pentagon spokesperson, joined the White House in pushing back against reports, claiming the NYT's sources are "disgruntled" former employees and insisting on X that "there was no classified information in any Signal chat." According to The Atlantic's editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, who was accidentally copied on the initial Signal chat that sparked the backlash, Hegseth shared "precise information about weapons packages, targets, and timing" two hours before the attack. Ashley Belanger Senior Policy Reporter Ashley Belanger Senior Policy Reporter Ashley is a senior policy reporter for Ars Technica, dedicated to tracking social impacts of emerging policies and new technologies. She is a Chicago-based journalist with 20 years of experience. 66 Comments

Image: Nintendo LifeCaptain's log, stardate 202504.21. Following our last Catch-up Crew mission to Shadow Moses Island, the crew has enjoyed extended shore leave having (re)acquainted ourselves with Metal Gear Solid. Our new assignment takes us to the M-class world of PNF-404. However, ship instruments indicate that we haven't left Sector 001. I've asked senior staff to join me in Stellar Cartography to ascertain our precise position, but in the meantime, the crew has been preparing for the away mission. In case you missed the briefing, Pikmin launched on the GameCube in 2001/2, received a minor New Play Control! refit on Wii in 2008/9, and an HD overhaul on Switch in 2023 where it was formally renamed Pikmin 1 to clarify its position as primary antecedent in the celebrated lineage.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube809kWatch on YouTube Here's today's away team: Capt. Gavin Lane - veteran, cherry Pik Cmdr. Alana Hagues - veteran, choice Pik Cmdr. Jim Norman - veteran, easy Pik Ens. Ollie Reynolds - recruit, Pik up the pace Images: Nintendo Life / Nintendo GAVIN: Good afternoon, everyone. Today, we’re here having returned from our mission to PNF-404. First up, let’s get an idea of our personal histories with the inhabitants. Did anybody experience Pikmin back in 2001/2002? ALANA: I did, sir. I was but a wee little leafling, and I can’t quite believe it’s been that long. But I remember being charmed on my first visit, despite the terrifying crash-landing. I’ve frequented PNF-404 a few times over the years. JIM: I didn’t meet the criteria for the first Hocotatian space expedition, being four years old and all, though I snuck a peek a couple of years later — maybe around ‘04/’05, if memory serves. I’ve since revisited this planet many times, and have embarked on this specific space adventure once a year for the past five rotations, maybe? GAVIN: For you, Ollie, I believe this was your first encounter not just with the game, but the series? OLLIE: Yep! What a sad state of affairs. I remember getting the GameCube on day one, but then Pikmin just never appealed to me. I was into Super Smash Bros. Melee, Luigi’s Mansion, and then later Zelda: The Wind Waker and Metroid Prime… Having to manage all these weird little critters just seemed like a chore. How wrong I was! I’m really quite cross with myself, and cross with everyone who didn’t force me to try it earlier. Tut tut. GAVIN: No need to be so hard on yourself, Reynolds - we’ve all got our blind spots and that’s why we’re here. I’m very pleased to hear that it’s struck a chord with you after all these years! Going back a little to the ‘chore’ impression you had, was the game anything like you expected? OLLIE: Not at all. Well… That’s a lie. Yes and no. It’s definitely a sort of puzzle/RTS thing, but while those particular genres would normally turn me off immediately, Nintendo really did something remarkable with Pikmin and made the moment-to-moment gameplay feel incredibly fun. I usually hate time-based concepts, too — Majora’s Mask sits quite low on my personal Zelda ranking for this very reason — but playing Pikmin, I just kept thinking “oh, just one more day” again and again… It’s so addictive! Images: Nintendo Life / Nintendo GAVIN: Once you know what you’re doing, it’s not as stressful as that ever-present sun bar suggests. Alana, Jim - how did you find returning to it this time? And which console did you all play it on? ALANA: I dug out the ol’ GameCube, sir. I’ve played it on Wii before, too, but the GameCube controller is so right… Anyway, revisiting these adorable little critters is always a delight. The first time I played, the timer certainly stressed me out a little, but as you said, you get used to it and learn how to optimise and multitask. These Pikmin are very, very smart. And very cute. I love how descriptive Olimar gets about his daily structure and the ship parts, too. My favourite part of the game isn’t quite the little plant creatures – it’s how much it loves stuff. And I’m charmed every time. every time I play, I appreciate it more and more for how tight it is. JIM: I picked up the Switch version when that dropped two years back, and that has been my main source of Pikmin fun ever since. I played on the GameCube and Wii back in the day, but I was all about the convenience for this return trip. This game is such a warm hug for me. I’ve played enough times now that I know the daily timer is actually quite forgiving once you hit your flow state, and the charm of it all never fails to get me. In fact, every time I play, I appreciate it more and more for how tight it is. There’s never a moment wasted. GAVIN: Although later entries expand on the concept in fantastic ways (and do away with the timer), there’s something about the simple, contained nature of P1 that I love. I dug out the WaveBird for my replay. How did those SD textures hold up in high definition? The quasi-realistic nature of the environments was quite a departure for Nintendo at the time. JIM: Oh, they’re just fine. It’s slightly weird going back to the OGs in a post-Pikmin 4 world (a title that I still hold up as one of the best-looking on Switch), but the weird little sprite designs and fantastic score keep it firmly in the good books. Image: Nintendo Life / Nintendo GAVIN: Agreed - perhaps the first thing that struck me on firing the game up was that mellow, homely music. Fantastic stuff. Okay, please don’t take this the wrong way, Ollie, but I’d like for you to describe your feeling when a Pikmin officer first foundered in water. my second playthrough has resulted in far fewer casualties OLLIE: Oh, it’s absolutely horrendous. There’s a moment of sheer panic that I can’t quite describe; it’s overwhelming. It’s the same when they get gobbled up by a Bulborb, or squashed by a Yellow Wollyhop. Eventually, you just come to accept that you’re probably going to lose some along the way, but I must say, my second playthrough has resulted in far fewer casualties. GAVIN: In our line of work, it’s to be expected, but losing a comrade in the line of duty never gets easier. How did you cope this time around Alana and Jim? There are captains who endeavour to lose zero Pikmin under their command - have you ever been able to achieve that? JIM: I used to be that very captain. I don’t know what changed in me for my most recent tours — perhaps the horrors of the world became too much — but that’s not the attitude I hold today. I do still operate under a strict ‘no man gets left behind’ policy, mind you. Falling in the line of duty is unfortunate, but I’m not about to let any stragglers remain on the planet’s surface once the beasties come out to play. That’s a quick restart if I slip up. Images: Nintendo Life / Nintendo ALANA: I’ve never managed it, but I certainly lose far fewer Pikmin now than I did the first time through PNF-404. And like Norman, I make sure all my Pikmin are safe before leaving the ground. Over 20 years later, I still cannot stomach the little squeak Pikmin make when they’re being eaten or squashed. I think the Burrowing Snagrets are terrifying. I wish I could get through a whole cycle losing no Pikmin, but I’m usually in single digits now. And I try to think of them like plants. There’s always new life waiting… It's sad, but that’s the best way I can cope. GAVIN: New life, new civilisations. It’s true, their little withering death cries haunt you and force you to do better for your crew. Did you find yourself resetting, Reynolds? And were there any significant enemies or bosses which you found particularly troublesome? The Blowhogs always wind me up. OLLIE: I never reset, no. I just let the game play out exactly as I intended, or rather unintended in some cases. There was one enemy… I think it’s called Smoky Progg, or something… Good lord, that thing demolished my Pikmin. Absolute slaughter. Still, I recovered, I grew more. Unfortunately, my first playthrough ended on day 30 with 29 ship parts collected. I learned many lessons, though, and I was determined to keep pushing and never reset. GAVIN: No resets is impressive for a first playthrough. It’s a little difficult, as the series evolved and switched things up with each entry, but is there anything specifically about Pikmin 1 that you feel doesn’t hold up or could stand to be tweaked? JIM: Gosh, every time I play, P1 gets higher on my list of all-time favourite games. That said, the Pikmin’s route mapping and overall intelligence in this entry can sometimes be a little… squiffy. Take a corner too sharply or don’t line everyone up before crossing a bridge, and you’ll have missed recruits popping up all over the map in no time. It’s something that got better with each entry, but it might be the only thing that bugs me a little when playing the original in 2025. every Pikmin game does a really great job of being both cosy and warm but also really scary. ALANA: AI is the big one, honestly. I promise these little ones are smart, and then they touch water and I have a little heart attack. Otherwise, I wish Yellow Pikmin were more unique. They get Electricity resistance in later games, but here? Can carry bombs, mate. And be thrown higher. That’s it. OLLIE: I got really stressed out whenever it said there was one or two Pikmin still out in the field at nighttime, and I just couldn’t find them… Sheesh. That said, the thing that bugged me was the sense of depth. It was really tough at times to gauge where the Pikmin would wind up when you’re chucking them about; especially if you’re dealing with a flying enemy. It’s just the nature of an isometric viewpoint, I guess, and it wasn’t a dealbreaker or anything; just something that made me pause and say “Hm, that’s annoying.” GAVIN: I feel that the Wiimote pointer really helped in that department. Does the Switch version have the pointer option? OLLIE: There’s gyro support, I believe, but I never tried it. I found the analogue control to be perfectly fine for the most part. Image: Nintendo Life / Nintendo GAVIN: Yes, going back to analogue sticks with Pikmin 4, I thought I'd miss the pointer, but I quickly forgot about it. Before we wrap things up, is there any other aspect you’d like to discuss - any standout feature or moment? As a captain, I found Olimar’s judgement around what is and isn’t an essential ship part questionable at best when lives are at stake. ALANA: That certainly stresses me out because that plays into my desire to collect things. Balancing the little guys with the different ship parts causes a dilemma early on, but we manage to work it out. On another note, every Pikmin game does a really great job of being both cosy and warm but also really scary. I’m sorry, the final boss on Pikmin 1 scares me. It’s still unsettling. Pikmin 2’s is worse. I’ve grown to find Bulborb’s adorable, but when they’re munching my little guys? Not so much. OLLIE: I do love that the whole world feels like this thriving ecosystem; you can imagine these creatures just living out their lives long after you’ve left the planet. I also want to give a little shoutout to the nectar; slurping that up not only sounds amazing, but it adds a nice extra level of depth, and I always tried to get the vast majority of my Pikmin army sprouting flowers for some of the more devious tasks. JIM: You’re commanding those troops like a pro already, Reynolds! Unfortunately, your expert skill does mean that you missed the ‘Bad Ending’ which, still to this day, haunts me. Talk about a bleak final image… OLLIE: I might have to do it on purpose just so I can see what happens! Image: Nintendo Life / Nintendo GAVIN: So, cards on the table - where does this rank in your personal Pikmin list? JIM: I’m going to assume that we’re skipping Hey! Pikmin, right? Either way, I think it falls in second, for me. Pikmin 4 is just so, so wonderful, despite the fact that 1 holds such a special place in my heart. One of those ‘Favourite vs. best’ scenarios, really. It goes 4, 1, 2, 3, for me, but they’re all pretty darn fantastic. ALANA: Wow, okay, I think Jim’s list is almost identical to mine. I might swap 2 and 1 around depending on my mood, but we’re basically splitting hairs here. I do think 4, despite how slow it starts, is the best one - it just refines everything and the biomes are so much more varied. But Pikmin 1 is such a quick, bite-sized slice of joy and fun. As someone said earlier, not a second is wasted. OLLIE: Oh, it’s right at the top for me. Hehehe. No, in all seriousness, I genuinely can’t wait to play the others. I’m already getting stuck into Pikmin 2 and I’m loving it so far. I don’t trust Louie, though… He’s giving me ‘Burke from Aliens’ vibes… GAVIN: Yes, keep an eye on that one. Oh, I envy you, taking these first steps into a new frontier. It’s why we’re out here! Excellent, well, let’s leave it there. Fine work, everybody. Dismissed. Pikmin - Recruit Report Image: Nintendo Life / Nintendo Promoted Officer: Lt. Ollie Reynolds Best bit: "Slurrrrp! Pop!" - The sound effects are great Worst bit: Watching the little Pikmins' spirits leave their bodies as they drown en masse Would play again? In a heartbeat - and all the others, too! A bloomin' marvellous bit of marketing Horrid-min Top Piks, as ranked by you Captain's log, supplemental. This brings us to the end of our mission on PNF-404 - a resounding, rejuvenating success that saw us journey to undiscovered countries once more. To the journey! Related Games See Also Share:44 3 Gavin first wrote for Nintendo Life in 2018 before joining the site full-time the following year, rising through the ranks to become Editor. He can currently be found squashed beneath a Switch backlog the size of Normandy. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment... Related Articles Every Nintendo Switch Online Sega Genesis / Mega Drive Game Ranked All the Sega Mega Drive games, ranked by you Catch-Up Crew: Pikmin - "A Moment Of Sheer Panic That I Can’t Quite Describe" I am compelled—I must approach it N64 Recompiled Is Planning Its Best Year Yet In 2025 Unofficial PC ports to get mods & performance boosts