With the holiday season fast approaching, it wont be long until were all thrust back into the annual free-for-all that is buying gifts. However, for all the gift-givers with a Star Wars mega fan in their life, were here to make your festive shopping a lot easier.Weve assembled a list of some of the best Star Wars gifts weve found online, from books and Blu-rays to video games, shirts, and LEGO sets. So, without further ado, here are some of the best ways to bring a galaxy far, far away to your loved ones homes this holiday season.Some of the best Star Wars gift ideas right now:LEGO LEGO Star Wars Imperial Star DestroyerSee it at AmazonTruff Dark Side Hot SauceSee it at IGN StoreStar Wars Millennium Falcon Cutting BoardSee it at WalmartR2D2 Hawaiian Button-Down ShirtSee it at IGN StoreMusic BoxSee it at Amazon4 Large Stemless GlassesSee it at AmazonStar Wars Bestiary, Vol. 1: Creatures of the GalaxySee it at AmazonStar Wars OutlawsSee it at AmazonMillennium Falcon Star Wars 3D Night Light LampSee it at WalmartSee more from IGN Store Star Wars CollectionSee it at IGN StoreStar Wars Gifts for GamersStar Wars OutlawsSee it at AmazonTheres an absolute ton of great Star Wars video games available right now on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch and PC, whether thats Star Wars Jedi Survivor or LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. But if youre looking to get a friend or family member the most recent major Star Wars game on the market, youll want to look into Ubisofts Star Wars Outlaws. Offering a sprawling open-world adventure with hours of content, Its a gift thats sure to give any Star Wars fan plenty to do over the holiday break.Star Wars Jedi: SurvivorSee it at Best BuyLEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker SagaSee it at Best BuyStar Wars: Heritage PackSee it at AmazonStar Wars: Jedi Fallen OrderSee it at Best BuyStar Wars OutlawsSee it at AmazonStar Wars Gifts for Fans of the BooksStar Wars: The High Republic: Light of the Jedi YA Trilogy Paperback Box SetSee it at AmazonWhen it comes to Star Wars novels, there are plenty of great choices out there, both from the current canon continuity and the non-canon Star Wars Legends books timeline. If youre buying for a current fan wanting to keep up with the latest Star Wars lore though, theres no better place to look than the High Republic series, which has been a key focus for Disney as they establish the latest new notch on the franchises timeline. If youre gifting for a reader whos new to the High Republic era, check out the High Republic: Light of the Jedi trilogy boxed set, which contains all three novels from the first phase of the series.The Thrawn Trilogy Boxed SetSee it at AmazonDarth Plagueis: Star Wars LegendsSee it at AmazonStar Wars Encyclopedia: The Comprehensive Guide to the Star Wars GalaxySee it at AmazonStar Wars Bestiary, Vol. 1: Creatures of the GalaxySee it at AmazonStar Wars The Rise and Fall of the Galactic EmpireSee it at AmazonThe Mandalorian and Child (Star Wars)See it at AmazonStar Wars: The High Republic: Light of the Jedi YA Trilogy Paperback Box SetSee it at AmazonFor Comic Book FansClassic recommendations for Star Wars comics include the following (as found in our best Star Wars comics shopping list).Star Wars Gifts for Fans of the MoviesStar Wars: The Skywalker Saga Complete Box Set (Blu-ray)See it at AmazonWant to grab the cinephiles in your life a shiny new Star Wars collection? There are a lot of good options out there, with the most premium of the bunch being the Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Complete Collection. This absolute unit of a boxset comes with all nine movies in Blu-ray format as well as 26 hours of bonus content and special features. In short, it's the collection to end all collections, and a great pick-up for any diehard fans of the Star Wars movies.The Mandalorian: Season 3 - 4K UHD + Steelbook Collector's EditionSee it at AmazonAhsoka: Season 1 - 4K UHD + Steelbook Collector's EditionSee it at AmazonAndor : Season 1 Steelbook Limited Edition (4K UHD)See it at AmazonStar Wars: The Skywalker Saga Complete Box Set (Blu-ray)See it at AmazonStar Wars Gifts for LEGO FansLEGO Star Wars Imperial Star DestroyerSee it at AmazonWhen it comes to buying a Star Wars LEGO set, youre absolutely spoilt for choice, with this year alone bringing us incredibly popular builds like Jabbas Barge and the TIE Interceptor. However, if youre looking for a fun set to pick up without breaking into the much pricier line of UCS builds that LEGO dropped this year, a great option is the Imperial Star Destroyer play set. Retailing at $159.99, it offers a full star destroyer with a buildable interior, as well as the very first official Cal Kestis mini-figure, making it a great choice for young and veteran LEGO fans alike.LEGO Star Wars AT-AT WalkerSee it at AmazonLEGO Star Wars Jabba's Sail BargeSee it at LEGO StoreLEGO Star Wars The Dark FalconSee it at AmazonLEGO Darth Vader HelmetLEGO Star Wars TIE BomberSee it at AmazonLEGO Star Wars Clone Trooper & Battle DroidSee it at AmazonLEGO Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series TIE InterceptorSee it at AmazonLEGO Star Wars Imperial Star DestroyerSee it at AmazonStar Wars Gifts For Board Game FansStar Wars: Outer RimSee it at AmazonFor those on the hunt for a fun Star Wars board game, you cant go wrong with Star Wars: Outer Rim. Casting you and three other players as intergalactic outlaws, your mission is to venture across the galaxy and strategically build your reputation by smuggling cargo, hunting bounties and meeting various iconic Star Wars characters. If you reckon your friends or family would jump at the chance to become a legendary scoundrel, Outer Rim is a safe bet. But its far from the only option on offer, with other great board games like Star Wars Rebellion and Star Wars Imperial Assault sure to bring hours of intergalactic entertainment. For more ideas, see IGN's board game gifts list.Star Wars RebellionSee it at AmazonStar Wars LegionSee it at AmazonStar Wars Villainous: Power of The Dark SideSee it at AmazonStar Wars Imperial AssaultSee it at AmazonStar Wars: Outer RimSee it at AmazonStar Wars Apparel and Accessory Gifts R2D2 Hawaiian Button-Down ShirtSee it at IGN StoreIf youre looking for clothing-related gifts, Star Wars has a nigh-on endless range of wearable merch that make for great presents. Whether youre searching for Star-Wars-inspired Hawaiian shirts, tees sporting iconic poster graphics or a funny festive jumper that will stand out from the crowd, here are some of our favorites.Boba Fett High-Top Unisex ShoesSee it at WalmartThe Mandalorian Unisex Child Interactive Smart WatchSee it at WalmartStar Wars Darth Vader Ugly Christmas SweaterSee it at AmazonRing (Size 9 or 10)See it at WalmartR2D2 Hawaiian Button-Down ShirtSee it at IGN StoreRockLove Millennium Falcon NecklaceSee it at IGN StoreMajor Dad VibesJedi House Slippers/MoccasinsSee it at WalmartStar Wars Vintage Cast Poster Disney+ T-ShirtSee it at AmazonStar Wars 2-Pack Black and Orange BeaniesSee it at WalmartRockLove Sabine Wren Helmet RingSee it at IGN StoreStar Wars Silicone Apple Watch BandSee it at WalmartMen's Sizes 7-10 Available OnlyStar Wars SandalsSee it at WalmartStar Wars Classic Vintage Movie Poster Disney+ T-ShirtSee it at AmazonRockLove Grogu Crystal RingSee it at IGN StoreStar Wars The Child Starry Night T-ShirtSee it at AmazonGrogu Children's BackpackSee it at WalmartNeon Hawaiian Button-Down ShirtSee it at AmazonStar Wars Gifts For The HomeSTAR WARS R2-D2 Artoo 3D Top Motion LampSee it at AmazonMuch like with shirts, Star Wars has plenty of novelty homeware that make for great gifts. Whether youre on the hunt for a Darth Vader Waffle Maker or an R2-D2 lava lamp, weve assembled some fun kitchenware, lights, mugs, and other homeware that are sure to put a smile on any Star Wars fans face.Star Wars Darth Vader Waffle MakerSee it at AmazonStar Wars Lightsaber Electric Salt and Pepper Mill Grinder (Pack of 2)See it at AmazonStar Wars Death Star 3-Inch Ceramic Planter with Artificial SucculentSee it at AmazonBoba Fetts Helmet with Battle Scars MugSee it at WalmartStar Wars Millennium Falcon Cutting BoardSee it at AmazonPrincess Leia Christmas OrnamentSee it at AmazonStar Wars: A New Hope PosterSee it at WalmartPaladone Millennium Falcon Posable Desk LightSee it at WalmartWhiskey Decanter SetSee it at AmazonDarth Vader 25 Inch Rolling LuggageSee it at WalmartUnique Gift IdeaMusic BoxSee it at AmazonStar Wars Mos Eisley Cantina Series 3-Ounce Mini MugletsSee it at AmazonMandalorian Helmet Water BottleSee it at IGN StoreiPhone Case and WalletSee it at Amazon4 Large Stemless GlassesSee it at AmazonHallmark Set of 12 Christmas OrnamentsSee itMillennium Falcon Star Wars 3D Night Light LampSee it at WalmartThrow BlanketSee it at WalmartStar Wars Sticky Note Ball See it at AmazonSTAR WARS R2-D2 Artoo 3D Top Motion LampSee it at AmazonAlso See LEGO Sets on Sale for Black FridayLEGO Black Friday deals have already started across retailers including Amazon, Walmart, Target and LEGO.com itself. See the top trending LEGO deals so far, including a few Star Wars favorites which don't cost a fortune! LEGO Star Wars Luke Skywalker's Landspeeder 75341LEGO Star Wars Invisible Hand 75377See it at TargetLEGO City Space Science Lab 60439See it at TargetFor more gift ideas this holiday season, see IGN's holiday gift guides below:Callum Williams is an IGN freelancer covering features and guides. When he's away from his desk, you can usually find him obsessing over the lore of the latest obscure indie horror game or bashing his head against a boss in the newest soulslike. You can catch him over on Twitter at @CaIIumWilliams.

This article contains spoilers for Arcane through Season 2. When League of Legends animated series Arcane first hit screens in 2021 it quickly became a runaway hit, building a massive fanbase that reached far outside the already immense following of the popular multiplayer online battle arena game. With the second and final season of the smash show now in the rearview, showrunner Christian Linke tells IGN that he's still reckoning with the final episodes and the response to them. A recent screenshot Linke posted on X sums up the headspace he's in after the release which has divided some segments of the show's fandom. "There were two messages and one was like, 'Thank you for the show. I absolutely love it.' The next one's like, 'you suck.' So I'm honestly still processing, still listening, still kind of taking it all in." Arcane Season 2 Act III Gallery"At the end of the day, we made something that is for the League audience and we tried to really kind of capture the truth of the champions, the characters they've fallen in love with," he says. "It's important that we do get it. But overall the reactions were really, really amazing. So I'm just trying to focus on also learning the right things and taking away the right learnings." The three-part final act introduced audiences to an alt-universe where Hextech was never created and Powder (Mia Sinclair Jenness) never became Jinx, instead getting to help a more enlightened and peaceful version of Zaun thrive. It also set up a vital relationship between Ekko and Powder that would go on to set up a game-changing team-up in the final episode. We were always inspired by this version of Powder and we were always thinking 'who would she have been?' While the time jump/multiverse combo took some viewers by surprise and became one of the show's most acclaimed episodes it was a story that the creators were desperate to see come to life. "We were always inspired by this version of Powder and we were always thinking 'who would she have been?' Because she's this reflection of what Zaun would be like if fully enabled! So I think that's really fun, and I think that it was a selfish thing because we just wanted to see this, you know?" While that unexpected diversion may have taken the heroes to a new world, the final three episodes also brought in recognizable in-game lore like the invention of Ekko's Zero-Drive, Viktor's famed "Glorious Evolution" line, and even a three-eyed raven that hints at the existence of fan favorite character Swain, teasing his potential inclusion in future League TV projects. PlayBut for Linke and the creative team, the most important thing was bringing the feel of the experience of playing as each of the champions to the screen. "Like how nimble Ekko is. How tough Vi is. How Jinx needs to keep her distance but if you get close to her she's toast." Linke explains. "We tried to figure out how it feels, the emotion of it, to play the game, so that was definitely a big focus for us." Those emotional beats were vital to the finale not just for the big action set pieces but also for the many characters who didn't survive the series. While audiences were heartbroken at the loss of Champions like Heimerdinger and Jayce, for Linke it was a matter of story. "It really was supposed to be part of their arc. How are they changing? What are the choices they make? And whatever the ending there is for a character it is the consequences of their actions." With that said, there was one death that fans at the premiere and on the internet loudly celebrated, that of Junior Officer Maddie Nolan (Katy Townsend), the Enforcer who wormed her way into Caitlin's (Katie Leung) bed only to betray her to the Noxian general Ambessa (Ellen Thomas). "That got a reaction that was very strong, I'll never forget that." One of the big reveals was that the series' big bad was the Hex-tech upgraded version of Viktor (Harry Lloyd) and it was up to a grizzled-version of Jayce (Kevin Alejandro) to save the day by sacrificing himself along with Viktor, with the pair seemingly disappearing into the Arcane. While Linke was tight-lipped on whether the pair survived or died, he did share his passion for their friendship. "That relationship really is special and complex and there's this common belief that they've gone astray over time and I dunno, I really care about their relationship," Linke explains.Much fuss has been made about the immense budget of Arcane, including a viral article at Variety, that revealed the fact that the series is the most expensive animated project ever made. While it sparked heated conversations online and off about the cost of streaming to Linke it was money well spent and another lesson learned. "That's what I think has been surprising for us, is that in animation everything just goes to the talent. So, us spending money I think is good for everyone that works in animation. So it's something that I personally am really happy about, but because we're investing in art." PlayIt doesn't seem like the high-cost is impacting any future projects as when it comes to what's next for Linke and the possibility of more adaptations one of which he recently revealed during a Twitch stream was already deep into production in the world of League of Legends, he reassures fans that he's already looking forward. "It's really just developing the next products and the next stories and continuing what we started. We worked on this for nine years, but this is the first time we did something like this. We wanna just learn from this and grow as creators, creatives, and people and yeah, tell more stories in the League IP."

What We Do in the Shadows season 6 episode 8 P.I. Undercover: New York deals with our Staten Island vampire friends discovering the magic of procedural cop dramas. In the process, however, the show also pays homage to another beloved TV moment that has now been forever canonized as an internet meme.The installment picks up with Nandor the Relentless (Kayvan Novak) discovering that the street outside his crumbling mansion has been shut down to film the popular TV series P.I. Undercover: New York. A police procedural in its fourth season, P.I. Undercover is described as winsomely compelling copaganda by online poster CR69 a.k.a. Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch). But, of course, all Nandor really needs to know about the show is that something is shooting right outside his home and he wants to be involved. With Colin Robinson and Nadja (Natasia Demetriou) sidelined by a B-plot trip to Colins old work buddy and his sexually-repressed wife, Nandor is joined in his mission by Laszlo (Matt Berry) and P.I. Undercover superfan Guillermo (Harvey Guilln).Upon arriving on set, Nandor and Laszlos first stop is to ingratiate themselves with actor Cal Bodian (Kevin Pollak), who plays lead detective Jack Mancuso. Laszlo floats in behind Cal, gestures to food on a catering table and says Ahhh good evening, sir. Can I interest you in a meal? A succulent Chinese meal?For the uninitiated (i.e. the the innocents who havent had their brain rotted from years of internet exposure), Laszlo referencing a succulent Chinese meal just sounds like Exhibit #9,018,203,193 of Matt Berry pulling off an incredible line read (see also: Neeeewue Yaaallk Cittttaaay). For the rest of us sickos, however, it means something more. Berry even teased the reference well ahead of time, revealing back during San Diego Comic-Con that he snuck a succulent Chinese meal into the shows sixth and final season. Now that moment is finally here and it doesnt disappoint.But what, exactly, is the significance of all this succulent Chinese meal nonsense? The phrase comes from a viral video that is filled with enduring earworms such as Gentlemen, this is democracy manifest, Get your hand off my penis!, and of course: What is the charge? Eating a meal a succulent Chinese meal?Though this footage first aired on Australian television in 1991, it eventually made its way online in 2009 and quickly found fame due to the detained mans flowery vocabulary and measured, impassioned diction regarding what appears to be a minor incident with police. The clip went so viral, in fact, that it earned the rare honor of becoming a meme with its own proper Wikipedia entry under the name Democracy Manifest.The Democracy Manifest video is already notable enough for being whimsical, good fun. It also, interestingly, was the subject of much online debate and sleuthing. For many years, amateur investigators tried to identify the man being arrested in the clip. Many believed him to be Paul Charles Dozsa, a Hungarian chess player and a notorious dine-and-dasher. In fact, youll see Dozsas name in the title of the YouTube video above.It was uncovered by ABC Australia in 2022, however, that the man in the video was named Jack Peter Karlson. Born Cecil George Edwards in 1942, Karlson was a well-known petty criminal and was being arrested in the video for attempting to pay for his succulent Chinese meal with a stolen credit card. Karlson was never charged with the crime and by all accounts came to embrace his unusual online infamy.Karlson died from prostate cancer on August 7, 2024, well after Matt Berry was able to smuggle one of his iconic lines into the filming of What We Do in the Shadows final season. Now Laszlos offer of a succulent Chinese meals serves as both a winking reference and an accidental tribute to an internet trailblazer.New episodes of What We Do in the Shadows season 6 premiere Mondays at 10 p.m. ET on FX, culminating with the series finale on December 16.

Traveling is one of my favorite activities, but organizing a good trip can be quite complicated especially when it comes to a new destination. Thankfully, theres a new app called MagicMiles that helps you create entire travel itineraries using AI.Plan your next trip with MagicMilesMagicMiles was launched a few months ago, but Ive been using it now to plan my next trip. While there are already apps that help you organize your trip, MagicMiles main idea is a bit different: it uses artificial intelligence to create a travel itinerary based on your interests.Using the app is quite simple and intuitive. First, you enter your travel destination. Then MagicMiles will ask you a few questions about your trip. For example, you need to enter things like whether youre traveling alone, with friends, family, or on a date. Then choose some activities that interest you, such as visiting museums, shopping, or enjoying the nightlife.The app also has three different budget options: Economy, Normal and Luxury. Choose the option that best fits your plans.Once youre done, MagicMiles will use AI to create the best itinerary based on your answers and how many days youll be spending there. Tap on each activity to see more details about it, including a map with directions, phone number, website, opening hours and a graph showing the busiest times. You can also replace a specific activity or mark it as completed. More activities can be added manually.For a three-day trip to Rome, the app suggested I visit iconic places like the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Trevi Fountain on the first day. Then, for the other days, it chose galleries, museums and other tourist sights. For a single day trip to Madrid, the app suggested starting with the Royal Palace, then visiting other places such as the Museo del Prado, Retiro Park, and Gran Via.Ive also created an itinerary for Tbilisi, Georgia (a place Ive visited many times) and the apps recommendations are very much in line with the best places to visit in the city. Try it nowMagicMiles also includes push notifications to keep you updated on any changes and works offline. Itineraries are synchronized between devices and the app has no data tracking or advertising. The developer told 9to5Mac that he plans to add more features such as an option to add flights and hotels to the itinerary in the future.You can try MagicMiles for free for three days. The app requires a monthly or annual subscription. The best part is that the app is available on the App Store for iPhone, iPad and Mac, as well as on Google Play for Android.Despite the lack of some features that will be coming in the future, MagicMiles is one of the must-have apps for those who love planning trips. I definitely recommend at least trying it out during the free trial period. You can find more details about the app on its official website.Read also:Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Apples next generation of CarPlay keeps showing signs of life. Not long ago, we saw new CarPlay icons debut in a recent iOS 18.2 beta, and now some fresh next-gen CarPlay assets have turned up in a public online database.New assets focus on Audi CarPlay instrumentsApple has long said that the first vehicles with its next generation of CarPlay are arriving this year, though we still dont know what they will be. However, one hint may be in a recent filing with the European Union Intellectual Property Office. As reported by MacRumors per contributor Aaron Perris, the offices online database has just published an Apple submission for what looks like Audi-specific next generation CarPlay assets.The new assets were first submitted to the EUIPO on November 8, 2024 and were published exactly one week later on November 15.They dont show anything particularly new or unique that hasnt been seen in Apples design concepts before. We also already knew that Audi would be a next-gen CarPlay partner, so thats not a surprise.But the assets at least provide more new evidence that the next generation of CarPlay is still very much happening, and hopefully soon.Do you think the first next-gen CarPlay vehicles will release this year? Let us know in the comments.Best CarPlay accessoriesAdd 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

"There is a lot of concern, and there's a lot of panic."Pretty PleaseAs Donald Trump's second presidential transition hurtles forward, his plan to mass-deport undocumented immigrants is causing farmers to panic and,tellingly, to beg for exemptions.AsReuters reports, farming groups and their GOP allies are urging the president-elect to make exemptions for undocumented agricultural workers in his mass deportation campaign promise.While former acting ICE director and current "border czar" pick Tim Homan has made no indications of any groups being targeted besides undocumented immigrants with criminal records, farmers are still worried. Given their financial incentives to keep employing people who lack legal status, it's not hard to see why.Nearly half of the United States' two million farm workers are, per the Agriculture Department, lacking in legal work authorization. Farmers hire them because undocumented workers are cheaper to employ a see-no-evil situation in which consumers also benefit because cheap labor keeps food prices down.With undocumented farmworkers potentially being targeted in the vague incoming immigration raids, lobbying groupsare proposing expanded legal pathways to help undocumented agricultural workers attain visas."We need the certainty, reliability, and affordability of a workforce program and programs that are going to allow us to continue to deliver food from the farm to the table," John Hollay of the International Fresh Produce Association toldReuters.Ice Ice BabyDuring his last turn at the head of ICE, Homan became infamous for defending the first Trump administration's cruel family separation policy. In light of his second incoming stint with the president-elect, some farmer advocates are using that rhetoric against the proposed policy.In an interview withNewsweek, dairy farmer Jennifer Tilton Flood of the Flood Brothers Farm in Maine said that because her family's facilities are located close to the United States' border with Canada, it's "within the control" of Customs and Border Patrol. As such, that department could potentially act "without due diligence" to deport the people who work there."There is a great chance for families to be broken apart," Flood said. "A lot of my team are raising Americans at home.""There is a lot of concern," the farmer continued, "and there's a lot of panic."Despite this outcry, Trump's soon-to-be border czar is making no promises for exemptions."We've got a lot on our plate," Homan toldReuters.More on cruel Trump policies: Trump's Health Guy Linked to Measles Outbreak That Killed Dozens of ChildrenShare This Article

Image by Valerie Plesch for The Washington Post via GettyDevelopmentsBird flu has just been detected in cartons of raw milk sold in California, the state's health agency said Sunday, deepening concerns about the spread of the virus especially amidst a growing trend in consuming unpasteurized dairy products.A strain of the avian virus known as H5N1 was discovered in a single batch of "cream top, whole raw milk" sold by Raw Farm, a dairy operation based in Fresno, that had a "best by" data of November 27, 2024, the California Department of Public Health said in a statement.A voluntary recall has been issued by Raw Farm, and stores have been instructed to pull the milk product from their shelves. At this time, no illnesses have been linked with the bad batch though it may simply be too soon to tell.The H5N1 avian virus was once thought to only infect birds, which was bad enough on its own. An outbreak that began in 2022 has affected over 110 million chickens in the US so far, which either die from the disease or are culled to stop the spread.But this year, the bird flu has repeatedly broken the species barrier, infecting cats, cows, and humans. There are 55 human cases of H5 bird flu in the US so far, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with the first detection occurring in April.The bird flu's encroachment on the food supply has been alarming. H5N1 was first detected in dairy cows in March. In the month following, the Food and Drug Administration found signs that, for the first time, bird flu was being passed into cow's milk. (Most human cases have been with workers who are in prolonged contact with infected birds and cattle.)Genetic evidence of bird flu was even detected in commercial brands of pasteurized milk, but it has since been proven that pasteurization successfully neutralizes the virus, meaning dairy products treated this way are still safe to consume.But increasingly, many consumers are becoming adamant about drinking milk that hasn't been treated at all. This is dangerous in general, since raw milk can transmit a host of ailments, ranging from E. coli to salmonella. Now we can apparently add bird flu to that list.Despite the health risks, raw milk advocacy has taken an unusual hold in American right wing circles. No longer is it just a questionable nugget of bro-science wisdom it's now a feature of the broader culture war landscape. The push has been so successful that sales of raw milk have spiked compared to previous years, and some states have passed laws to ensure easier access to these products.Among its most high-profile advocates is noted health nut Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been nominated by president-elect Donald Trump to head the Department of Health and Human Services. It goes beyond mere personal preference for RFK: he has lambasted the FDA over its "aggressive suppression" of raw milk as part of his hostile stance against government regulation.More on food: One Dead and Dozens Sick as McDonald's Burgers Spread Deadly DiseaseShare This Article

Nov 26, 2024Ravie LakshmananVulnerability / Network SecurityThe U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) on Monday added a now-patched critical security flaw impacting Array Networks AG and vxAG secure access gateways to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog following reports of active exploitation in the wild.The vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2023-28461 (CVSS score: 9.8), concerns a case of missing authentication that could be exploited to achieve arbitrary code execution remotely. Fixes (version 9.4.0.484) for the security shortcoming were released by the network hardware vendor in March 2023. "Array AG/vxAG remote code execution vulnerability is a web security vulnerability that allows an attacker to browse the filesystem or execute remote code on the SSL VPN gateway using flags attribute in HTTP header without authentication," Array Networks said. "The product can be exploited through a vulnerable URL."The inclusion to KEV catalog comes shortly after cybersecurity company Trend Micro revealed that a China-linked cyber espionage group dubbed Earth Kasha (aka MirrorFace) has been exploiting security flaws in public-facing enterprise products, such as Array AG (CVE-2023-28461), Proself (CVE-2023-45727), and Fortinet FortiOS/FortiProxy (CVE-2023-27997), for initial access.Earth Kasha is known for its extensive targeting of Japanese entities, although, in recent years, it has also been observed attacking Taiwan, India, and Europe.Earlier this month, ESET also disclosed an Earth Kasha campaign that targeted an unnamed diplomatic entity in the European Union to deliver a backdoor known as ANEL by using it as a lure as the upcoming World Expo 2025 that's scheduled to take place in Osaka, Japan, starting April 2025.In light of active exploitation, Federal Civilian Executive Branch (FCEB) agencies are recommended to apply the patches by December 16, 2024, to secure their networks.The disclosure comes as 15 different Chinese hacking groups out of a total of 60 named threat actors have been linked to the abuse of at least one of the top 15 routinely exploited vulnerabilities in 2023, according to VulnCheck.The cybersecurity company said it has identified over 440,000 internet-exposed hosts that are potentially susceptible to attacks."Organizations should evaluate their exposure to these technologies, enhance visibility into potential risks, leverage robust threat intelligence, maintain strong patch management practices, and implement mitigating controls, such as minimizing internet-facing exposure of these devices wherever possible," VulnCheck's Patrick Garrity said.Found this article interesting? Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post.SHARE

Nov 25, 2024Ravie LakshmananCloud Security / Supply Chain AttackCybersecurity researchers have disclosed two new attack techniques against infrastructure-as-code (IaC) and policy-as-code (PaC) tools like HashiCorp's Terraform and Open Policy Agent (OPA) that leverage dedicated, domain-specific languages (DSLs) to breach cloud platforms and exfiltrate data."Since these are hardened languages with limited capabilities, they're supposed to be more secure than standard programming languages and indeed they are," Tenable senior security researcher Shelly Raban said in a technical report published last week. "However, more secure does not mean bulletproof."OPA is a popular, open-source policy engine that allows organizations to enforce policies across cloud-native environments, such as microservices, CI/CD pipelines, and Kubernetes. Policies are defined using a native query language called Rego which is then evaluated by OPA to return a decision.The attack method devised by Tenable targets the supply chain, wherein an attacker gains unauthorized access through a compromised access key to insert a malicious Rego policy to an OPA server, which is subsequently used during the policy decision phase to allow malicious actions like credential exfiltration using a built-in function known as "http.send."Even in instances where an OPA deployment restricts the use of http.send, the cybersecurity firm found that it's possible to utilize another function named "net.lookup_ip_addr" to smuggle the data using DNS lookups via a technique referred to as DNS tunneling."So, the net.lookup_ip_addr function is another function you might consider restricting or at least looking out for in policies, since it also introduces the risk of data exfiltration from your OPA deployment," Raban said.Terraform, similar to OPA, aims to simplify the process of setting up, deploying, and managing cloud resources through code-based definitions. These configurations can be set up using another declarative DSL called HashiCorp Configuration Language (HCL).An attacker could target the open-source IaC platform by taking advantage of its "terraform plan" command, which are typically triggered as part of GitHub "pull_request" workflows, to execute unreviewed changes containing a malicious data source during the CI/CD process."This poses a risk, as an external attacker in a public repository or a malicious insider (or an external attacker with a foothold) in a private repository could exploit a pull request for their malicious objectives," Tenable noted. "Data sources run during 'terraform plan,' which significantly lowers the entry point for attackers."These data sources, in turn, could be a rogue external data source, a Terraform module, or a DNS data source, necessitating that only third-party components from trusted sources be used. Some of the other recommendations to mitigate such risks include -Implement a granular role-based access control (RBAC) and follow the principle of least privilegeSet up application-level and cloud-level logging for monitoring and analysisLimit the network and data access of the applications and the underlying machinesPrevent automatic execution of unreviewed and potentially malicious code in CI/CD pipelinesFurthermore, organizations can use IaC scanning tools and solutions like Terrascan and Checkov to preemptively identify misconfigurations and compliance issues prior to deployment.Found this article interesting? Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post.SHARE

Submitted by WA Contentsa01 Architects and Kiasma complete Priyam Residence in India India Architecture News - Nov 25, 2024 - 13:17 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"a01 Architects and Kiasma have completed a residence that blends timeless elegance with modern minimalism in Hyderabad, India.Named Priyam Residence, the project is an impressive example of how careful design can cut across geographic and stylistic boundaries, created by landscape architect Sowmya Lakhamraju of Kiasma Studio, international architectural firm a01 Architects, and interior designer Aamir Sharma of Aamir and Hameeda.The Priyam Residence stands out as an example of minimalist design and thoughtful spatial planning in the middle of a busy urban environment where space is limited and every square foot is desired.This home, which started construction in 2011 and survived the pandemic's disruptions, exemplifies the smooth blending of form and function, with the landscape acting not just as a background but as a crucial part of the house's character.Conceptual Approach: Minimalism Meets FunctionalityThe design concept by Kiasma Studio is firmly based in minimalism, but it skillfully handles the difficulty of producing useful outdoor areas. The client's request was straightforward: keep the plot's expansive feel while maintaining a minimalist look in a neighborhood with a high population density. This requirement presented two challenges: making sure the outdoor areas could support social events without detracting from the minimalist aesthetic. By emphasizing the site's natural features rather than enforcing extra structures, the landscape design strikes this balance. Because of the high density, careful consideration of space utilization was required, which resulted in the development of adaptable outdoor spaces with several uses.Within a framework that honors the site's natural limitations, the design incorporates areas for socializing and relaxation, such as spaces for yoga, brunches, and casual get-togethers.Harmonising with NatureThe incorporation of outdoor seating beneath 100-year-old trees is one of Priyam's most notable landscape elements. In addition to offering a canopy of shade, these large trees also serve as landscape zoning guidelines.In order to avoid the need for extra structures like pergolas, the design team decided to let the existing trees determine the layout. This choice is in line with the clients' love of the outdoors and their wish to maintain the open areas.These trees are complemented by a tidy, multipurpose deck that provides a versatile space for social events, family get-togethers, and yoga sessions.The functionality of the deck is improved by a specially designed service counter, which makes serving food at parties simple. This design strategy is an excellent example of how functionality and nature can coexist in a minimalist setting to create a space that is both useful and beautiful.One of the most notable elements of the project's landscape is the handcrafted stone bench, which is intended to reflect the sky.Kiasma Studio's love of making reflective sculptures that give outdoor areas depth and dimension gave rise to this distinctive feature. The surface of the bench creates a dynamic and constantly shifting visual element by reflecting and capturing the surrounding landscape, including the sky and trees.This reflective feature not only improves the bench's visual appeal but also makes being outside more enjoyable. Visitors engage with a living piece of art as they move through the area, which changes according to the weather and light, resulting in a dynamic experience with nature.Another creative feature of Priyam's landscape design is the incorporation of invisible metal screens as privacy barriers. Conventional privacy screens, such as walls or thick vegetation, would have interfered with the room's open feel and minimalist design. Kiasma Studio chose to use a subdued metal screen instead, which is nearly undetectable from specific perspectives.In addition to providing the required seclusion between the garden and the parking lot, this design decision keeps the space feeling spacious and open.The screen's ethereal quality complements the overall design's timeless and unobtrusive elements while also serving as a conversation starter and visual delight.One of the best examples of how design can accentuate the natural beauty of its surroundings is the courtyard area beneath the 80-year-old cannonball tree. This space not only draws attention to the tree's remarkable structure but also fosters a calm atmosphere that is ideal for reflection and rest.The tree's distinctive features, such as its aromatic blossoms and rough bark, give the room more sensory depth. The courtyard is intended to serve as a multipurpose space where locals can read a book, have a cup of coffee in the morning, or just take in the scent of the cannonball tree. The courtyard functions as a peaceful haven thanks to the careful blending of the natural elements, which also smoothly blends the indoor and outdoor spaces.Adapting to the Pandemic: Challenges and SolutionsThe pandemic created disruptions and limitations that made Priyam's design and implementation extremely difficult. The project was started in 2011 and continued during the pandemic, necessitating changes to construction methods and the sourcing of materials.In order to address supply chain concerns, Kiasma Studio responded by utilizing locally sourced materials and utilizing pre-existing palettes.This uncertain time highlighted the value of adaptability and creativity in design. In addition to ensuring the project's continuation, the team's flexibility and use of local resources demonstrated their dedication to sustainability and resilience.Sustainability and ComplementarityOne of the fundamental principles of Priyam's landscape design is sustainability. A dedication to environmental responsibility is demonstrated by the preservation of existing trees and the use of locally sourced materials. A larger concept of minimal intervention and maximum impact is upheld by Kiasma Studio by incorporating these components into the design.The property's overall experience is improved by the landscape, which harmonizes with the architecture of the house. Wide open areas and carefully chosen foliage are emphasized in the design to offer privacy while preserving the feeling of openness and scale.This inward-looking strategy guarantees that the landscape provides a calm and private sanctuary within the urban setting, acting as a retreat and a complement to the architectural form.Project factsProject name:Priyam ResidenceLocation:Priyam, HyderabadLandscape architect:Kiasma Studio- Sowmya LakhamrajuArchitects: a01 ArchitectsInterior Designer: Aamir Sharma of Aamir and HameedaLandscape area:1 acreClient:Mr. PrasadAll images Vivek Eadara.> via Kiasma Studio