This article contains Arcane season 2 spoilers.Fans of Arcane who have never played League of Legends are legion, but that doesnt mean viewers dont like a little lore in the wake of the massive three-episode chapters the show doles out. This first triptych of season 2 packed a heck of a wallop, and after waiting years for the return of the award-winning animated series, the audience is hungry for every little morsel.With that in mind, lets take a look at what insight the game lore has to offer and examine some of the wise divergences the show has taken to add richness to the story. If youre glad, for example, that Jayce has more layers in Arcane than his arrogant blowhard analogue in League of Legends, then this article is for you.What is the Kiramman Key?Upon the death of her mother, Caitlyn receives a key that unlocks much of the familys secret history, including a long forgotten effort to help the Undercity by installing a ventilation system to combat the noxious fumes known as the Grey. Rather than embracing the Kiramman legacy of helping the less fortunate citizens of Piltover, Caitlyn exploits this knowledge in pursuit of Jinx, an ethically questionable strategy to say the least.In League of Legends lore, Caitlyn was definitely motivated by the misfortune of her parents, but never would the game character have dreamed of taking up the mantle of leadership her mother left behind. However, theres no denying that Arcane has built brilliantly upon the unlikely team-up of Caitlyn and Vi in the game lore, and their tragic parting of ways at the end of this chapter sets the character on a new path that League of Legends never explored.Who is Janna?Dont you remember the Janna bedtime stories Vander used to tell us? Jinx asks before confronting her sister and Caitlyn in the climactic battle scene. She speaks of trapped miners being rescued by some wispy wind woman, and a goddess-like figure is depicted on the chamber walls. This is Janna, a spirit that acts as a protector of Zaun in League of Legends.Arcane is definitely evolving from its more steampunk origins to more of a fantasy environment with the wild runes entering the picture, so Janna would be quite at home in the new order of things, but this is likely more of a one-time nod to a cultural aspect of the game that provided a nuanced backdrop to the fight that ensued at the conclusion of chapter 1. Just a nice Easter egg!What Is the Black Rose?Looking up the lore of the Black Rose on LoL wikis could put Arcane viewers deep into spoiler territory, but it may already be apparent that this secret organization is a cabal within Noxian aristocracy that is now making its appearance in Piltover to exercise influence over Ambessas plans. The supernatural nature of the shadowy group differs in the game, having more of a vampire vibe, but the blood red manifestations in the Netflix series are definitely in the spirit of the groups history in League of Legends.Whats Up with Viktor?Viktors been on his own path in Arcane from the very start, building on the schoolmate relationship that he and Jayce have in League of Legends lore, but interestingly, the divergent path he has taken also seems to be leading him back to one of his primary motivations in the game: using technology to remove unnecessary suffering.In the games backstory, Viktor is a technology wizard, but he has much more agency in his destiny than his Arcane counterpart. Game Viktor augments his own body with steel and science and seeks to do the same for others, whereas in the series, he is augmented by the modified hexcore, and his power to help others is more magical than cybernetic. However, his estrangement from Jayce and ensuing crusade are very much in line with his game characters storyline.Other game-inspired content is waiting in the wings as well. Each Arcane episode so far has given us glimpses of Singes awakening of Warwick, and other League of Legends characters are rumored to be making appearance in future season 2 chapters. However, the Netflix series continues to take its own direction. Ekko and Heimerdinger, for example, are forging a path far removed from their game counterparts, and the whole wild rune story is unique to the Netflix series.But thats the beauty of Arcane as a video game adaptation. Its able to pick the juiciest aspects of the League of Legends world-building and use them to its advantage, allowing the show to feel deeply rooted. Yet it somehow neither alienates players of the game nor loses those unfamiliar with the source material. Viewers need not know any of the existing lore to enjoy the series, but its there for anyone wanting to dig deeper and add to their appreciation of the story.Arcane is streaming now on Netflix.

The themes of the Final Fantasy franchise often include fighting against destiny and gods. Because of this, both the heroes and villains tend to have tragic backgrounds. Of course, there are a handful of deaths that are often discussed as tragic moments in the series. But for some characters, their death is a mercy compared to what they had to live through.These are the most tragic characters of Final Fantasy, based on the events of their lives and not the circumstances of their deaths, if they died during the game.7. Cloud Loses His Identity (Final Fantasy VII)Final Fantasy 7 is a fan favorite game in this series, and one certain death receives a lot of attention as a tragedy. However, from the start of the game, Clouds life is rather heartbreaking as its slowly revealed that he doesnt know who he is anymore. For his sake, his childhood friend, Tifa, refrains from mentioning how hes changed, having been present during the Nibelheim incident herself and knowing that it was an awful experience for everybody involved.The truth is that Cloud, after Sephiroth went berserk, was captured and experimented on by Shinra along with Zack Fair. During this period, Cloud suffered from severe Mako poisoning, and it left him confused, believing that Zacks life had been his own. Zack did tell Cloud he was his legacy as he died, and that burden mightve been a bit too heavy for Cloud to handle in his poisoned state.6. Yuna Takes a Journey That Ends With Death (Final Fantasy X)As a summoner, Yuna is able to go on a pilgrimage with the ultimate goal of stopping Sin, which in normal cases, provides a temporary period of peace. However, the final summoning that stops Sin results in the summoners death. So, Yuna sets off on this journey knowing that shes supposed to die at the end, and her friends who take the role of her guardians are knowingly escorting her to her death (with the exception of Tidus).During her journey, she starts to have feelings for Tidus, and they all find another way to defeat Sin, turning against the Yevon faith. While she gets to live, Tidus fades away, being a figment of Dream Zanarkand. In the sequel, Yuna learns to accept Tidus death, depending on which ending the player gets, but her journey in the base game is not only tragic, its filled with sorrow and the shadow of death.5. Caius Watches Yeul Die Repeatedly (Final Fantasy XIII-2)Although Final Fantasy 13 receives mixed feelings from players, Caius from its sequel has a fate where death is a mercy when compared to continuing to live in his current circumstances. Caius has the Heart of Chaos, which puts him in the role of guardian for the Seeress, a girl named Yeul. As a Seeress, Yeul sees visions of the future. However, every vision shortens her lifespan, meaning that she rarely survives to adulthood.Caius seems to view Yeul like a daughter, so having to watch her die over and over wears him down and leads to him hating Etro, the goddess of the games universe. But every time Yeul dies, shes reborn, starting the cycle over again. On the other hand, Caius cant die without passing the Heart of Chaos to somebody else, with Noel being the primary candidate, which means that hes trapped watching a girl he views as his daughter die because of her connection to a goddess.4. Emet-Selch Longs for the Return of His Friends (Final Fantasy XIV)One of several villains in Final Fantasy 14, Emet-Selch seems like a typical Ascian when hes first introduced. However, as the Scions and the Warrior of Light learn more about him, his background becomes increasingly tragic. Hydaelyn sundered the planet to seal away Zodiark, but Emet-Selch remembers the planet before that happened, and he longs to make the world whole again through the rejoinings.It doesnt help that Emet-Selch has the ability to see the color of souls, so he recognizes the fractured pieces of people he used to know when the world was whole. Additionally, the Warrior of Light is a fragment of one of Emet-Selchs closest friends. By the end of Emet-Selchs arc, its tough to see him as a villain.3. Clive Was Unfortunate From Birth (Final Fantasy XVI)First, Clive is hated by his own mother because he wasnt born as the Dominant of Phoenix. Then, his mom betrays the kingdom and leads to Clives dad being killed and his younger brother appearing to die in a violent way, which Clive believes hes responsible for once he realizes that hes the Eikon of Ifrit.After enduring these events, Clive is tattooed with a mark that denotes him as somebody able to use magic without the help of crystals, which essentially makes him less than human in this world of Final Fantasy 16. On top of that, Clives world seems like its on the verge of dying with the Mothercrystals losing their power. But even with everything working against him, Clive does his best to do what he believes is right.2. Terra Lives Without Choices (Final Fantasy VI)One of the main characters of Final Fantasy 6, Terra was raised to be a weapon of the Empire. In this world, the existence of magic has become myth, but Terras unique heritage allows her to use magic, as shes half-Esper. When shes small, her human parent is killed, her Esper parent becomes an experiment, and the Empire raises Terra to use magic for their own ends.While Terra didnt have choices growing up, the Empire makes sure that she remains loyal by putting a slave crown on her, which forces her to obey their commands. To test its effectiveness, shes forced to burn dozens of soldiers to death with her magic. Then, when she gets the crown removed, she doesnt have her memories or knowledge about the world, so she essentially becomes a tool for the Returners instead. Its not until much later that she starts to have any chances to actually make her own decisions.1. Ovelia Wanted To Avoid Bloodshed (Final Fantasy Tactics)Final Fantasy Tactics is often overlooked, but it has one of the best stories in the FF franchise. Ovelia is a main character in this title, and she was adopted by the king, being his half-sibling. However, once the king had his own son, Ovelia was sent to a monastery to keep her from trying to take the throne, which she had no interest in anyway. But that didnt stop other groups from wanting to use her as a tool to claim power.Then, shes interrogated and told that shes not the real Ovelia, and that the real princess died as a baby. Its not revealed if this is true or not, but Ovelia continues to be used by Delita through the game, and later becomes resentful towards him after their marriage. She ends up stabbing him on her birthday, which results in him stabbing her in retaliation with her own dagger.

Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Lets jump in!Farming Simulator 25GIANTS Software GmbH$59.99Pre-orderFarming Simulator 25 November 12Farming Simulator 25 invites you to join the rewarding farm life. Whether you build your legacy single-handedly or cooperatively in multiplayer you decide. New features include maps in North America, East Asia, and Central Europe; crops like rice, spinach, peas, and green beans; and new animals like goats, water buffalo, baby animals, and more.The Rise of the Golden IdolPlaystack LtdGet it nowThe Rise of the Golden Idol November 12Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryThe Rise of the Golden Idol follows a tenacious relic hunter on a quest to unearth the powerful artefact that if legend is true can reshape the world. Uncover the truth behind 15 strange cases of crime, death and depravity in the 1970s.Songs of ConquestCoffee Stain Publishing ABGet it nowSongs of Conquest November 12Optimized for Xbox Series X|SA turn-based strategy game inspired by 90s classics. Lead powerful magicians called Wielders and venture to lands unknown. Wage battles against armies that dare oppose you, hunt for powerful artifacts and expand your territory. The world is ripe for the taking seize it!Tetris ForeverDigital Eclipse$34.99$29.74Pre-orderTetris Forever November 12Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryUnrivaled after four decades, Tetris Forever celebrates the original, genre-inspiring puzzle game that escaped from behind the Iron Curtain, onto the world stage, and into our cultural consciousness. Celebrate 40 years of Tetris with 15+ games, a new game, and documentary videos.Beautiful Sakura: Running ClubCropwareGet it nowBeautiful Sakura: Running Club November 13Beautiful Sakure: Running Club is a continuation of Kaitos journey, where he embarks on a new hobby. This visual novel delves into themes of love, friendship, and self-discovery. Kaitos new passion for running leads him to join a local running club, where he reunites with familiar faces from his past and meets intriguing new characters.Food BoyShort N SweetGet it nowFood Boy November 13Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryInspired by the classic Paperboy, Food Boy gets players to deliver pizzas in urban environments in an exciting arcade format. Make perfect deliveries and knock out furious customers to get the highest scores and unlock new cities and challenges!Harmony Chronicles: Chaos Realms Collector's EditionOcean MediaGet it nowHarmony Chronicles: Chaos Realms Collectors Edition November 13Join Mona on her quest and experience the ultimate adventure! Venturing through portals, Mona will encounter werewolves, mermaids, dragons, and other fantastical beings on her way to face off against an unseen malevolent menace! With stunning visuals, captivating storytelling, humorous dialogues, and challenging puzzles, The Harmony Chronicles promises endless hours of immersive gameplay.Nephise: AscensionCatness Game StudiosGet it nowNephise: Ascension November 13Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryStep into the mystical, atmospheric world of Nephise: Ascension, where danger lurks beneath breathtaking beauty. As Nephise embarks on her most perilous journey yet, youll find yourself lost in the stunning landscapes of Dragons Valley, where ancient secrets await and survival hangs by a thread.Off The Grid (Game Preview)Gunzilla Games1Get it nowOff The Grid November 13Optimized for Xbox Series X|SGet ready to dive into the ultimate extraction royale where PvP and PvE collide in an all-out battle for survival! Teardrop Island once full of promise, now a dystopian warzone needs a hero. Too bad its getting you. This isnt just another shooter. This is the next evolution of cyberpunk warfare, imagined by visionary director Neill Blomkamp (District 9, Elysium), and its about to turn the genre upside down.Songs of SilenceChimera EntertainmentGet it nowSongs of Silence November 13Optimized for Xbox Series X|SSongs of Silence is a fantasy strategy title which marries deep, tactical gameplay with fast-paced auto battles and an engaging, compelling narrative. Presented in a unique graphical style derived from the Art Nouveau movement, its a beautiful example of the evolution of a classic genre. The game features an extensive singleplayer, narrative-driven campaign, plus multiple competitive and cooperative multiplayer modes for endless replay value.Bullet RunnerBonus Stage PublishingGet it nowXbox One X EnhancedBullet Runner November 14Xbox One X EnhancedTop-down bullet hell shooter where you stop the clone army from taking over the world by one way: kill. them. all. Fight your way through hordes of powerful enemies, execute combat strategies with quick reflexes to take on the biggest of the baddies.Doors: ParadoxSnapbreak GamesGet it nowDoors: Paradox November 14A relaxing puzzle escape game where you make your way through a variety of hand-crafted 3D dioramas, look for useful objects, find hidden clues and solve fun puzzles! Unravel this mysterious adventure about chaos, order and the surreal.Dorfs: Hammers For HirePurple Play LLCGet it nowDorfs: Hammers for Hire November 14Forge, run, and fight as a team! In this frantic co-op game, youll have to work alongside your friends to craft legendary weapons and prepare the heroes for an epic battle. Coordinate, manage resources, and keep things under control as chaos unfolds!DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D RemakeSQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.$59.99Pre-orderDragon Quest III HD-2D Remake November 14A stunning reimagining of the beloved masterpiece and narrative beginning to The Erdrick Trilogy. Years ago, the great hero Ortega bid farewell to his wife and child as he set off on a quest to defeat the villainous Archfiend, Baramos he failed. Now, Ortegas only child is summoned by the king of Aliahan and entrusted with a mission of the highest import: to take on Ortegas quest, vanquish Baramos, and save the world.Heretic's ForkRavenage Games$9.99Pre-orderHeretics Fork November 14Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryIn Heretics Fork, your role will involve not only managing the current population of Hell but also implement innovative strategies to help streamline its operations, tasked with punishing sinners by using a state-of-the-art computer system developed by DeusVult Inc.Irem Collection Volume 2ININ GamesGet it nowIrem Collection Volume 2 November 14Brace yourselves ININ is coming in guns blazin for the 2nd volume of Irem arcade classics! With iconic titles Air Duel, GunForce, and GunForce II, this is one action-packed collection you cant miss.Little Big Adventure Twinsen's QuestMicroidsGet it nowLittle Big Adventure: Twinsens Quest November 14Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryTwinsen is back in this remake featuring a new stylish makeover and modernised gameplay. Faithful to the original game, Little Big Adventure Twinsens Quest takes you on an epic journey on a small planet harbouring both magic and technology.Rage Of The Dragons NEOQUByte Interactive & Bleem!Get it nowRage of the Dragons NEO November 14Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryAn updated version of Rage of the Dragons, originally released in 2002 for arcades. It was a unique and innovative game, mainly due to its highly praised visuals and technical aspects at the time. With beautiful scenery and animations, incredible moves and an acclaimed soundtrack, its a must-have for any fighting game lover.Smoothcade2Awesome PartnersGet it nowSmoothcade November 14Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryA cute clear the screen modern arcade game that features co-op gameplay for up to four players. Recover the missing golden blender through 100 platform-jumping, puzzle-solving levels in story mode consisting of handcrafted levels and a ton of fruity critters!Tell Me Your StoryRedDeer.GamesGet it nowTell Me Your Story November 14A story-driven cozy puzzle game, which might remind you of the warm times spent with your grandparents or loved ones on getting to know the many, sometimes unexpected stories from their lives.VEDFulqrum PublishingGet it nowVED November 14Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play AnywhereA story-driven RPG featuring stunning hand-drawn art and animation combined with a unique teleporting system, turn-based combat mechanics and rogue-lite elements. Immerse yourself in a fantastical world with a rich storytelling experience, dozens of irreversible consequences and alternative endings, and gameplay thats easy to learn but difficult to master!Access Denied: EscapeRatalaika Games S.L.Get it nowAccess Denied: Escape November 15Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryA 3D device-hacking puzzle game in a cyberpunk setting. In the future, people no longer trust computer networks and prefer to use physical devices to store important information. You are a professional hacker of such Data Vaults. Use your wits and powers of observation to discover the secret hidden within the walls of this laboratory.Check and SlashAfil GamesGet it nowCheck and Slash November 15Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryAn action-packed roguelite where chess meets fast-paced combat. You play as the Black King, wielding a sword to fight your way through waves of White enemies in a single epic level, all while seeking to free your army from the enemys grasp.Great God GroveFellow TravellerGet it nowGreat God Grove November 15Optimized for Xbox Series X|SOnce in a generation, the gods come together to postpone the apocalypse. But this time, the god of communication started a bunch of heavenly fights and then went AWOL. With the sky splitting and the gods in disarray, whos gonna join the Bizzyboys to help save the world?Laws of MachineBadri BebuaGet it nowLaws of Machine November 15A 2.5D platformer with logical puzzles that you should to solve. In the game, you control the robot DR12 that must get to the professor to save him from the evil robot who wants to escape from the lab. To get to the professors room, you need to solve logical puzzles.LiberteUltimate Games S.A.Get it nowLiberte November 15Optimized for Xbox Series X|SA thrilling action roguelike mixed with a deck-builder set in an alternate-history Paris, where political unrest collides with cosmic terror. Take control of Ren, a Parisian caught in a deadly struggle among four factions while being manipulated by the mysterious Lady Bliss, an interdimensional being with her dark motives.Repit17Studio LLC$9.99Pre-orderRepit November 15Madness is the repetition of the same action repeatedly, in the hope of a change. The challenge that Repit throws at your nerves is not everyone is ready to accept and only a few will be able to reach the endSlam and RollKaleidoGames$12.49$9.99Pre-orderSlam and Roll November 15Earths monuments are under attack, conventional human arsenal is ineffective against the extraterrestrial invaders. Fortunately, the sports club, armed with enhanced sports equipment, is ready to defend our planet alongside the ingenious Dr. McLabby!

Spanning Victorians to Edwardians, designer Anthony DArgenzio has made a career of restoring neglected old-world gems, either peeling back layers to reveal the original structure or adding back character thats been stripped away. But when he and his wife, Hillary, began looking for their own countryside getaway during the pandemic, they met an unlikely matcha dark and dated 1970s log cabin in Upstate New York. This era and aesthetic is not my go-to, Anthony says. But we just fell in love with the openness of the house and were drawn to all the wood and texture. Gathering inspiration from various rural countrysides such as Upstate New York, the U.K., and Southern France, their dream was to carve out a lighter, airier living space for hosting visitors and hanging out with their daughter, Havana. Each region has different qualities in how they use materials suited to their environments, says Anthony.ZIO AND SONSHomeowners Anthony and Hillary DArgenzio with their daughter, HavanaThe couple spent months romancing some of the cabins more rugged features: widening windows to let in more light, whitewashing the heavy log walls with a half-water, half-paint (All White by Farrow & Ball) formula, and adding texture with a mixture of matte and shiny tile, reclaimed marble, and timeworn antiques. I love a mix and match of elements and wanted to add a little bit of soul that you cant get when everything is all new, says Anthony. Their work wrapped up in November 2021, just in time to light the first fire and welcome family for Thanksgiving. This cabin has surpassed our expectations of being cozy and comfortable, Anthony says. Its our rustic Upstate fantasy.See Inside More Cozy Cabins:Charred Wood Style ZIO AND SONSZIO AND SONSThe cabins warm welcome begins with a 4-foot-wide hickory Dutch door. We went bigger with the door because we wanted it to feel heavy and like a statement piece, says Anthony. The dark-stained exterior gives the cabin the look of shou sugi ban (a Japanese charred wood technique) and punctuates the door and cedar-trimmed windows. We tested more than 10 different blacks, and this was our favorite because it didnt have a shine to it, says Anthony. We wanted it to look contemporary, but didnt want it to feel too trendy.Get the Look:Exterior Paint: Black Arborcoat, Semi Solid Finish by Benjamin MooreStreamlined FurnishingsZIO AND SONSIn what had been the cabins heavy trophy room, the couple created a light-filled family room by adding small windows. A round iron chandelier accents the rooms vaulted and beamed ceiling. The comfy sectional, paired with a handmade oak stump side table and wood-and-iron coffee table, makes this a favorite spot to curl up and read or watch TV.Get the Look:Round Iron Chandelier: Kendra by MitziSectional Sofa: Relaxed Saguaro Sectional by AnthropologieDetails with CharacterZIO AND SONSAmong the cabins charming quirks are the floorboards, which vary in width from 6 to 12 inches. For a lighter Scandinavian feel, Anthony sanded away their original sealant, then used a water-based clear-coat finish. Here, straight-back hickory chairs surround a Shaker-style table in the dining area. RELATED: 85+ Best Dining Room Ideas to Make Your Entertaining Space More Inviting Cozy SurroundingsZIO AND SONSIn the early evenings, the cast-iron stove sends out a glow from its slate and fieldstone perch. I liked the idea of a cream colored stove that gives the space a lighter, brighter country look, says Anthony. A pair of modern striped cushion wingback chairs adds a playful twist on tradition. Anthony began collecting stoneware crocks years ago; many were made in the Hudson Valley area.Get the Look: Chairs: Rodger Accent Chair from Layla GrayceCast-Iron Stove: For similar, Country Living Freestanding Electric Fireplace by Hearth BrandsRELATED: The Best Cabin Decorating Ideas Thatll Turn Your Home Into a Cozy, Collected EscapeAged SurfacesZIO AND SONS In the powder room, Anthony gave a nondescript space some character by adding a ledge that bumps out from the wall and accenting it with zellige tile. Here, the couple sanded the cabins logs and left them natural to contrast with the tile. A chippy cabinet protected by a clear-coat sealant was transformed into a vanity topped with a simple porcelain sink. Unlacquered taps and brass pulls give the small room some sparkle. Get the Look:Wall Tile: Weathered White Octagon and Sea Salt Bouchon zellige tile by Zio & Sons x Cl TileTone-on-Tone Texture ZIO AND SONSZIO AND SONSBlush tile of Anthonys own design adds a dusting of light color in the kitchen, where exposed piping and rustic antiques bring primitive country elements together. Who would ever think pink tile in a log cabin? But its a subtle pink and it added that little bit of color in a wood space, Anthony says. Wide one-inch grout lines connect the thin brick floor tiles, a design idea Anthony derived from a cottage mudroom he saw in the United Kingdom countryside. Topped with reclaimed marble, a drawer-filled, circa-1910 printers table serves as a storage-friendly island. We wanted it to feel like something you would see in a candy shop or European caf, says Anthony. On the right, the bottom half of an old hutch finishes out the kitchen cabinetry on one side of the stove. The cupboard stores larger pots and pans and serving dishes. Half of the kitchen has new custom millwork, but I wanted to work in antiques and add a little bit of soul, he says.Get the Look:Vent Surround Tiles: Moroccan Vintage Rose and Sea Salt Bouchon zellige tile by Zio and Sons x Cl TileFloor Tiles:Foundry Flats brick in Sand Cast by Cl TileCurved LinesZIO AND SONSThe curves of the iron bed, vintage frame above, and the gold 1840s mirror (a find from one of Anthonys favorite Hudson, New York, shops, Red Chair on Warren) contrast with the bedrooms angled ceiling and rough-hewn wood beams. To add depth and warmth, Anthony covered the walls of the bed nook with wallpaper that resembles the look of aged Venetian plaster.Get the Look: Wallpaper:Artisan Plaster by Zio and Sons for A-Street PrintsShimmering Modern Accents ZIO AND SONSZIO AND SONSSet against marble trim and matte marbleized terra-cotta floors, the zellige tile adds shimmer to the primary bath. Bronze accents on the bridge faucets, lighting, and mirrors contrast with the lighter colors, while the tub filler adds instant age to the modern freestanding tub. An antique French light fixture floats above the tub.Tour More Cozy Cabins:

Seemingly, for the first time in forever, Apple will be updating every single Mac with an M4 chip, presuming rumors hold correct. There have been a number of times where this has been close, but it hasnt happened anytime in the past decade, at least.Last week, Apple introduced the first Macs with M4: MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini. There were a number of noteworthy upgrades, including more (and faster) Thunderbolt ports, nano-texture display options, and Center Stage camera upgrades.These refreshes covered a large chunk of the Mac lineup, only leaving MacBook Air, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro. According to Bloombergs Mark Gurman, MacBook Air will receive M4 in the spring, whereas Mac Studio and Mac Pro will receive it by the middle of 2025. So, presuming that holds up, every Mac in the lineup will be up to date.Historical Mac refreshesThere havent been many times where every Mac in the lineup has stayed up to date. We were pretty close with M1, where almost every Mac received that over the course of around 18 months except for the Mac Pro. In fact, since the Mac Pro is refreshed so infrequently, we have to use that as our key indicator.The last Mac Pro refresh was in 2023, receiving M2 Ultra. Most Macs received the M2 family of chips, with MacBook Air and 13 MacBook Pro kicking it off at WWDC22, Mac mini and MacBook Pro following up in January 2023, and Mac Studio & Mac Pro finishing off at WWDC23. However, there was no iMac refresh with M2, creating an imperfect cycle.Going back even further, 2019 when we got our first look at the current Mac Pro design. That was also another year where Apple refreshed most Macs, with the iMac (both sizes) kicking it off early in the year, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro joining mid year, and the all-new 16 MacBook Pro and subsequent Mac Pro towards the end of the year.However, there was no iMac Pro or Mac mini refresh, once again making 2019 an imperfect cycle. Even if you counted the Mac mini for that year, since it was pretty late in 2018, the lack of iMac Pro refresh would invalidate it.I could continue to go in detail, but Ill keep it brief. The last time every Mac was updated in a rolling 12 month period wouldve been 2013, when Apple introduced the trashcan Mac Pro, and also updated the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini within a year.Wrap upSo, assuming rumors hold up, the M4 will be the first time in over a decade where Apple has refreshed every single Mac. MacBook Air seems like a lock, and so does Mac Studio and Mac Pro. Lets just hope Apple doesnt change any plans, and we should be golden.What do you think of Apples M4 Mac lineup? Let us know in the comments.Follow Michael:X/Twitter,Threads,InstagramAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Welcome toIndie App Spotlight. This is a weekly 9to5Mac series where we showcase the latest apps in the indie app world. If youre a developer and would like your app featured, getin contact.Currency is a completely free currency conversion app for iPhone and Mac, with no ads, a clean design, and offline functionality. It has support for over 160 currencies, making it an easy to use tool for any international travel.Top featuresWith Currency, you can convert between dozens of currencies, all at a quick glance. With its easy to understand interface, you can simply add your desired currencies to a list, type in your desired amount with your default currency, and itll automatically convert to all of the listed currencies at the latest market rate.Currency has support for over 160 currencies, and sources from 15 different exchange rate providers, keeping the data as accurate as possible. It also fetches rates every hour, allowing the app to work accurately, even while offline.The app also supports iCloud Sync, allowing you to keep your currency list consistent between your iPhone and your Mac.As mentioned earlier, Currency is completely free. Theres no ads, no subscriptions, or no in app purchases. What you see is what you get, and everything is available as soon as you download it.The developer also put a lot of thought into the design, making it feel as native as possible. Smaller details like the country flags listed next to the currency icons have also been redrawn to fit into a squircle shape, similar to an app icon on your home screen.It also has a really nice feeling (and fast) Mac app.Currency is available completely for free on the App Store for iPhones and Macs running iOS 17 / macOS Sonoma and later. Unfortunately, theres no native iPad or Apple Vision apps quite yet, but hopefully the developer will get around to it.Follow Michael:X/Twitter,Threads,InstagramAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

"I knew it was a prank, but to see that so early after the election I was shook."Harmful PrankAcross the United States, Black Americans are getting horrible text messages telling them that they're going to be enslaved under Donald Trump's second presidency.As CBS News reports, people in states as politically and demographically diverse as New York, Ohio, California, Alabama, and Pennsylvania have reported these horrible anonymous texts to authorities. As a result, the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Federal Communications Commission, and at least one state attorney general, are investigating the matter.The nature of the texts vary slightly according to location, but all seem to adhere to a specific script telling Black recipients that they had been "selected for cotton picking" and should pack up their things to head to "the plantation." Though not all texts include references to the president-elect, many seem to.In its investigation, CBS found that area codes from 25 different states had been used to send these vile missives sent to people as young as middle school age. When contacted, many of the numbers had been disconnected, while others went to voicemail boxes saying they'd been created using TextNow, an app that allows people to create phone numbers for free.After learning its service had been used to send these messages, TextNow said in a statement to CBS that it had shut down the offending accounts and would be working with authorities to make sure they don't sign up again in the future.Fear and LoathingIn an interview with the broadcaster, a 29-year-old Atlanta woman said that both she and a friend in North Carolina had received similar messages earlier this week."I knew it was a prank, but to see that so early after the election I was shook," the woman said. "Just made me be more cautious of my surroundings and where I go."Reporters at CBS also managed to get in touch with one person who'd sent a version of the messages as well. That individual said that they'd sent the texts as a prank before abruptly ending the call and rejecting all other attempts at contact.That exchange seems very much to indicate the mindset behind these disgusting dispatches, showcasing not just the cowardice of hiding behind an anonymously-created phone number, but also an unwillingness to discuss outright the hatred that's clearly bubbled back up to the surface.More on bigotry: Elon Musk's Mother Attacks Reporter for Being VietnameseShare This Article

Where have we heard this one before?Jim BeamChina's military is working on an experimental weapon system that converges multiple streams of microwaves into a powerful energy beam, the South China Morning Post reports.In other words, it's not entirely unlike the Death Star from the "Star Wars" franchise, albeit on a much smaller scale.According to the report, scientists claim they've "completed experimental trials on its potential military use."However, whether their efforts will ever culminate in a weapon capable enough to destroy a planet like in "Star Wars," let alone destroy much smaller targets, remains to be seen.Shooting at Alderaan PlacesFor one, accumulating sufficient electromagnetic waves in the same location remains incredibly difficult. According to the SCMP, scientists calculated that they needed to achieve a positional accuracy of mere millimeters, and time synchronization of 170 trillionths of a second more precise than an atomic clock.Nonenthless, scientists claim to have achieved this level of accuracy during recent experiments. While it won't be blowing up adversary targets, the researchers found that it could jam signals of US-owned GPS satellites, "achieving multiple goals such as teaching and training, new technology verification, and military exercises."The scientists say that combining streams of microwaves could end up with a higher output than the sum of the individual beams.Unsurprisingly, the researchers remain vague about the future potential uses of the tech.Meanwhile, the United States has long dabbled in similar tech. For instance, the Air Force has developed a high-power microwave directed energy weapon system called the Tactical High-power Operational Responder, designed to counter drones.Whether any of these efforts will culminate in a practical weapon is still hazy, though. For now, military powers will have to contend themselves with directed energy weapons that can disrupt electronics and disable communications signals to gain an edge on the battlefield.More on energy weapons: US Navy Uses Laser Weapon to Destroy "Floating Target"Share This Article

Nov 09, 2024Ravie LakshmananVulnerability / Network SecurityPalo Alto Networks on Friday issued an informational advisory urging customers to ensure that access to the PAN-OS management interface is secured because of a potential remote code execution vulnerability."Palo Alto Networks is aware of a claim of a remote code execution vulnerability via the PAN-OS management interface," the company said. "At this time, we do not know the specifics of the claimed vulnerability. We are actively monitoring for signs of any exploitation."In the interim, the network security vendor has recommended that users correctly configure the management interface in line with the best practices, and make sure that access to it is possible only via trusted internal IPs to limit the attack surface.It goes without saying that the management interface should not be exposed to the Internet. Some of the other guidelines to reduce exposure are listed below -Isolate the management interface on a dedicated management VLANUse jump servers to access the management IPLimit inbound IP addresses to the management interface to approved management devicesOnly permit secured communication such as SSH, HTTPSOnly allow PING for testing connectivity to the interfaceThe development comes a day after the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added a now-patched critical security flaw impacting Palo Alto Networks Expedition to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, citing evidence of active exploitation.The vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2024-5910 (CVSS score: 9.3), relates to a case of missing authentication in the Expedition migration tool that could lead to an admin account takeover, and possibly gain access to sensitive data.While it's currently not known how it's being exploited in the wild, federal agencies have been advised to apply the necessary fixes by November 28, 2024, to secure their networks against the threat.Found this article interesting? Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post.SHARE

Nov 09, 2024Ravie LakshmananCryptocurrency / CybercrimeThe 36-year-old founder of the Bitcoin Fog cryptocurrency mixer has been sentenced to 12 years and six months in prison for facilitating money laundering activities between 2011 and 2021.Roman Sterlingov, a dual Russian-Swedish national, pleaded guilty to charges of money laundering and operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business earlier this March.The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) described Bitcoin Fog as the darknet's longest-running cryptocurrency mixer, allowing cybercriminals to conceal the source of their cryptocurrency proceeds."Over the course of its decade-long operation, Bitcoin Fog gained notoriety as a go-to money laundering service for criminals seeking to hide their illicit proceeds from law enforcement and processed transactions involving over 1.2 million bitcoin, valued at approximately $400 million at the time the transactions occurred," the DoJ said."The bulk of this cryptocurrency came from darknet marketplaces and was tied to illegal narcotics, computer crimes, identity theft, and child sexual abuse material."In addition to the jail term, Sterlingov has been sentenced to forfeit $395.56 million, as well as seized cryptocurrencies and monetary assets valued at approximately $1.76 million. He has also been ordered to forfeit his interest in the Bitcoin Fog wallet, which currently holds 1,345 bitcoin ($103 million)."Roman Sterlingov laundered over $400 million in criminal proceeds through Bitcoin Fog, his cryptocurrency 'mixing' service that was open for business to criminals looking to hide dirty money," said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the DoJ's Criminal Division."Through his illicit money laundering operation, Sterlingov helped criminals launder proceeds of drug trafficking, computer crime, identity theft, and the sexual exploitation of children."The development comes a day after the DoJ also sentenced a Nigerian national, a 33-year-old Babatunde Francis Ayeni, to ten years in federal prison for his role in a massive cyber fraud conspiracy that claimed over 400 victims in the U.S., leading to a cumulative loss of nearly $20 million.Ayeni and other conspirators were "involved in a sophisticated business email compromise scheme targeting real estate transactions in the United States," it said."Over 400 people across the United States were victims of the conspiracy. Of these, 231 victims were unable to reverse the wire transactions in time and lost their entire transaction. The collective loss of these 231 victims was $19,599,969.46."Last week, the DoJ also sentenced Kolade Akinwale Ojelade, a 34-year-old Nigerian man, to more than 26 years in prison for deceiving prospective homeowners and others out of down payments using an adversary-in-the-middle (AitM) email phishing and spoofing attack that caused money transfers to be routed to bank accounts under his control. The fraudulent operation is estimated to have resulted in losses totaling approximately $12 million. "Mr. Ojelade sent phishing emails to real estate businesses, gained unauthorized access to many of their accounts, and monitored their email traffic to determine when large transactions were about to take place," the DoJ said."He then intercepted wire payment instructions, changed the information, and resent the emails via spoofed email addresses that mimicked the original senders addresses."The sentencing also follows the arrest of 130 suspects comprising 113 foreign nationals, mainly of Chinese and Malaysian origin, and 17 Nigerian collaborators by the Nigeria Police Force for their "alleged involvement in high-level cybercrimes, hacking, and activities that threaten national security."Found this article interesting? Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post.SHARE