In his 1423 painting, the Italian artist depicts magnificently dressed contemporary Florentines participating in this sacred event, their finery showcasing the talents of local weavers.

Mysterious paintings at Monya Rowe Gallery and rustic Americana at Kerry Schuss Gallery prove that the pull of autodidacts remains strong.

House lawmakers voted to avoid a federal government shutdown.Senators are expected to vote soon, given that the deadline is just hours away.The vote caps a week full of drama on Capitol Hill.House lawmakers voted on Friday to avoid a government shutdown, passing a government funding bill with just hours to spare before the midnight deadline.The final vote was 366 to 34, with one Democratic lawmaker voting present. House Democrats provided significant cover for House Speaker Mike Johnson, who lost 34 RepublicansWhile federal agencies have already begun shutdown planning, there is some wiggle room if funding lapses for only a few hours. Anything longer and everything from pay to servicemembers to holiday travel could be affected.Trump downplayed the stakes of a shutdown, but it likely would have affected the transition of power and some planning for his inauguration. If the bill is signed into law, government funding will run through March 14, giving President-elect Donald Trump a little breathing room once he retakes office next month.Republicans denied Trump's request to suspend or even eliminate the debt ceiling, which would have resolved a thorny political issue in advance of a likely GOP effort to extend Trump's 2017 tax law. According to Punchbowl News, Johnson said Republicans have agreed to address the nation's borrowing limit next year when the GOP will retake entire control over Washington.House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and his fellow Democrats ultimately backed a deal stripped of many of the incentives initially included to garner more support among his party.Elon Musk and other conservative activists rose in opposition to the initial bipartisan bill earlier this week, effectively killing it. Trump then urged Republicans to pass a pared-down funding bill and an extension of the debt ceiling. On Thursday night, 38 House Republicans and nearly every House Democrat voted against that plan, raising the stakes as a shutdown approached."The last 72 hours highlighted the positive impact that DOGE can have, but it also laid bare the massive lift ahead next year," Vivek Ramaswamy, who will co-lead Trump's "Department of Government Efficiency" with Musk wrote on X, "We're Ready for It."Musk also announced his support of the legislation before its passage. Johnson told reporters he had a brief conversation with him."The Speaker did a good job here, given the circumstances," Musk wrote on X. "It went from a bill that weighed pounds to a bill that weighed ounces. Ball should now be in the Dem court."The episode illustrated that significant divisions remain among Republican lawmakers that even Trump can struggle to paper over. Trump has ambitious plans for his second term, including the potential of using a special procedural power known as reconciliation to ram through tax extensions and border security measures. He'll only be successful if the GOP can remain almost entirely united.

"Beast Games" is the Amazon Prime Video game show from the YouTuber MrBeast.The show is family-friendly, but its message about the concept of money makes me uncomfortable.I'd say to enjoy the show but remind your kids that money doesn't work this way in real life."Beast Games," the game show on Amazon Prime Video from MrBeast, debuted Thursday, and I watched along with my elementary-aged son. As an adult, I enjoyed the spectacle and found the show highly watchable. But as a parent, I'm not sure I liked the message about money it was imparting to my young ward.Elementary-school-aged kids, whether or not they're allowed to watch YouTube, all know who MrBeast is. He's a superstar to Gen Alpha. His candy bars are on grocery-store shelves, and his specter hangs over playgrounds and lunchrooms.(My colleague reports that his teenage son says MrBeast isn't quite as cool in high schools anymore, perhaps because he's seen as being for little kids.)Like most parents, I want to teach my kids the value of a dollar: that money comes from hard work and that saving and budgeting are important."Beast Games" flies in the face of all that. Money is tossed around as this strange easy-come, easy-go object. It opens with MrBeast standing on a pyramid of cash (allegedly the full $5 million prize in stacks of bills). We are repeatedly told this is the largest cash prize ever in a game show.The show's premise is that a group of contestants will compete in challenges to win that big prize a season-long version of some of his popular YouTube videos.Later in the season there will be physical challenges (we see preview clips of people pulling a monster truck), but in this first episode the games are almost all psychological tests.This first series of minigames aims to winnow the contestant pool to 500 people from 1,000. The games are variations on the prisoner's dilemma, pitting what's good for an individual against what's good for the group.In the first game, MrBeast makes this offer: Anyone who quits the game immediately can share a pot of money but the pot gets smaller as more people choose to take the early out. In another game, each team of about 100 people must have one person sacrifice themselves and leave the game with no prize money at all or else the whole team is eliminated. People are sobbing, yelling at each other to be the ones to quit.I worry about the message 'Beast Games' sendsIt's a fascinating challenge to watch as an adult. But I'm not sure a kid can really understand what's going on the wrenching pain of people losing what they thought could be a chance to pay off loans or buy a home.In the game, money is an object to build into pyramids or toss around in bags it's funny money; it doesn't feel real.Representatives for MrBeast declined to comment for this story.Other game shows have cash prizes,even kid-friendly ones like "Is It Cake?" or even the old "Double Dare" on Nickelodeon. But on other shows, the prize is an exciting treat at the end it isn't the whole point of the show.In "Beast Games," money is the point and even the games themselves are about money. I'm not sure I like what subtle message that's sending to young minds not old enough to earn a real paycheck.Update: December 20, 2024 MrBeast representatives declined to comment when contacted by BI; the story has been updated reflecting that.

Delivery workers continued to picket Amazon facilities in New York City, Illinois, California, and Atlanta after launching a strike on Thursday, following the companys refusal to engage in bargaining for a labor contract. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has been organizing the workers, though Amazon does not recognize those efforts and claims that the workers are not Amazon employees. (A stance federal labor watchdog the National Labor Review Board, or NLRB, disagrees with.) The striking workers, who are primarily delivery drivers, are agitating for a contract that offers better pay and working conditions. The Teamsters gave Amazon until December 15 to start contract negotiations. Those did not transpire, leading to a strike timed for the week before Christmas as part of a push to bring the company to the bargaining table. Its one of the biggest strikes in Amazons history, and its not clear how long it will last. And its already having legal consequences; an Amazon delivery driver and a Teamsters organizer were arrested at a Queens facility Thursday allegedly for disrupting traffic. If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can blame Amazons insatiable greed, Teamsters president Sean OBrien said in a Thursday statement. We gave Amazon a clear deadline to come to the table and do right by our members. They ignored it.The delivery workers strike is part of a larger effort to unionize the workers, including delivery drivers and warehouse employees, who perform Amazons shipping and fulfillment services. The unionization battle has been ongoing for years. In 2022, labor organizers had their first major victory, when an Amazon warehouse in Staten Island voted to unionize and formed the Amazon Labor Union. Since then, the Amazon Labor Union joined the Teamsters, which bills itself as the largest labor union in North America and represents workers from a variety of industries, including transportation and health care. The Teamsters say the union represents 10,000 Amazon workers.There is little indication this weeks strike will result in the type of win the Staten Island workers saw in 2022; Amazon has argued the strike wont hurt its operations, and dismissed its validity. And while workers trying to organize at Amazon have notched some victories in cases before the NLRB, that body is expected to undergo major, pro-business changes in the incoming Donald Trump administration. All that puts the success of the striking workers, and how the federal government will treat labor in the years to come, in doubt. Workers are striking to make a statementIts not clear how many workers are striking, but they represent only a fraction of the approximately 800,000 people who make up Amazons delivery workforce. Amazon warehouse workers poor working conditions, including injuries and insufficient access to medical care, have been well-documented, including in a new Senate report. Thats what inspired the first unionization effort at the Staten Island warehouse.Drivers and delivery workers say they struggle, too. The pay needs to be better. The health insurance needs to be better, Thomas Hickman, a Georgia-based delivery worker, told CNN. We need better working conditions. If we do have 400-plus packages, we need someone to be a helper with us, to ride with us.This strike isnt focused on working conditions or pay and benefits exactly, although thats part of it; it is whats called an unfair labor practices strike, because Amazon refused to bargain with the workers by the deadline the Teamsters gave Amazon management. The workers are striking to get the company to negotiate a labor contract that sets out acceptable working conditions, pay, benefits, and more. The workers hope to get their rights and benefits enshrined so they cant be arbitrarily removed by the company. The Teamsters maintain that the company is violating labor law by refusing to negotiate a contract. In some ways, this isnt so unique, Eric Blanc, professor of labor relations at Rutgers Universitys school of management and labor relations, told Vox. In many cases, employers will ignore labor laws and refuse to bargain. Sometimes, striking is the way to get them to the table.Amazon, however, maintains that the striking workers arent even Amazon employees. There are a lot of nuances here but I want to be clear, the Teamsters dont represent any Amazon employees despite their claims to the contrary, Kelly Nantel, a spokesperson for Amazon, told CNN. This entire narrative is a PR play and the Teamsters conduct this past year, and this week is illegal. Vox reached out to Nantel to clarify which actions Amazon believes to be illegal but did not receive a response by publication time. According to Amazon, these drivers and delivery workers work for a third-party contractor what they call a delivery service partner (DSP). But Amazon doesnt name the DSPs and advertises for those delivery jobs on Amazon websites. Delivery workers drive Amazon-branded vans and wear Amazon uniforms; they deliver Amazon packages, and Amazon completely dictates the way the third-party company operates, Rebecca Givan, professor of labor relations at Rutgers Universitys school of management and labor relations, told Vox. Amazon sets the terms.The Teamsters filed unfair labor practice charges against Amazon and one of its California DSPs, Battle Tested Strategies, in 2023, saying that Amazon and the DSP are joint employers of dozens of delivery workers the Teamsters had organized there. In August of this year, the NLRB ruled that Amazon and Battle Tested Strategies were joint employers, and in September, an NLRB regional director lodged a formal complaint against Amazon. Amazon is not likely to back down any time soon and the stakes are highAmazon has made it very clear that they have no intention of bargaining with the workers, Seth Harris, senior fellow at the Burnes Center for Social Change and former top labor policy advisor to the Biden administration, told Vox.First of all, Amazons business model depends on low-cost labor and that is easily replaced during periods of high turnover, according to all of the labor experts Vox spoke to. Putting a contract in place that guarantees workers certain levels of pay, benefits, and workplace safety contradicts that model.Amazon hasnt recognized the original Amazon Labor Union, even though it is recognized by the NLRB. And they have also spent tens of millions of dollars over the years on illegal union-busting activities, Blanc said, including threatening employees wages and benefits if they unionized, removing information about union efforts from a digital message board, and firing workers for unionizing. There are federal laws governing how companies are meant to interact with unions and collective action efforts. But theres no real penalty for failing to negotiate with workers, Arthur Wheaton, director of labor studies at Cornell Universitys School of Industrial and Labor Relations, told Vox.The NLRB is tasked with adjudicating labor disputes, but Amazon (as well as Elon Musks SpaceX) have filed lawsuits claiming the NLRB and the current dispute resolution system is unconstitutional. If courts rule in favor of Amazon and SpaceX, that could significantly alter how the federal government handles labor disputes. Therefore, Amazon can just delay, delay, delay negotiating a contract with the striking workers, Wheaton said, hoping that they win their case, or that they will soon have a Trump administration that is much more antagonistic to labor, and an NLRB that is much more friendly to corporations. President-elect Donald Trump will get to fill at least two seats on the NRLB, and is expected to select pro-business candidates; his labor secretary pick, however, is viewed as more pro-labor than expected.Regardless of what stance the incoming administration takes, the unionization push at Amazon, which has only grown over a relatively short period of time, is likely to continue.This strike is a way of making it clear to the company and the public that [the push to unionize and negotiate a contract] is not going away, Blanc said. Youve read 1 article in the last monthHere at Vox, we're unwavering in our commitment to covering the issues that matter most to you threats to democracy, immigration, reproductive rights, the environment, and the rising polarization across this country.Our mission is to provide clear, accessible journalism that empowers you to stay informed and engaged in shaping our world. By becoming a Vox Member, you directly strengthen our ability to deliver in-depth, independent reporting that drives meaningful change.We rely on readers like you join us.Swati SharmaVox Editor-in-ChiefSee More:

io9 was invited to the Nosferatu Experience to immerse ourselves in the world of the upcoming Focus Features picture directed by Robert Eggers (The Lighthouse). The hauntingly vampiric walk-though was a limited engagement put on by Thirteenth Floor Entertainments Director of Immersive Jon Braver, who spearheaded the team behind interactive play series Delusion on the collaboration. Photo: Sabina Graves, io9/Gizmodo The evening event was held December 16-18 at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles. The Masonic Lodge was transformed into the manor of one Count Orlok (in Eggers movie, hes played by Bill Skarsgrd), who invites you on moody tour of his estate for some business dealings. Its transformation into the world of Nosferatu was furthered by an eerie soundscape from the films composer, Robin Carolan. A tour, you say? That seemed totally safewhat could really be the harm of checking out a collection of screen-used props and costumes, as well as occult objects and very intensely dark magic relics? However, it was more than just an exhibit; the space was brought to life by actors who leaned into the gothic tone of the film in engagingly haunted ways.For one thing they were very concerned about the contract drawn up by Orloks cavalier associateinsisting that I sign it, despite it being in a language that was not decipherable to my eye. And yes, I signed it, what can I say? Im a deeply curious person when it comes to vampires and I want that Nosferatu coffin real bad. So I definitely wasnt going to listen to any warnings not to from plague rat-infested loons and deeply pious pretty ladies. View this post on Instagram A post shared by io9 (@io9dotcom) This movie tie-in encounter was definitely a lite version of the Delusion teams annual interactive haunt plays that do not allow video recording. So if youve ever been curious about one of their productions, this was definitely a gateway taste of the West Coasts juggernauts immersive theater slate. At the Nosferatu Experience we were able to capture the creepy unease of the films tone on camera as the strange inhabitants led us through various corridors to see elements of the films plot without much context including mildly graphic black magic rituals and the sense of fear looming over certain artifacts like Orloks coffin and books of dark magic.Two women hovered in unhinged terror at the shadow of the vampire cast over the walls as if he were approaching and it drove the plague victims even madder. By then the ink was dry on my contract so it was too late, I had to approach my fate as I got closer to meeting the Count. What exactly transpired I can only vaguely remember but I sure do have two pointy marks on my neck and a strange aversion to the light. So Focus Features, when does my Nosferatu coffin bed arrive? Photo: Sabina Graves, io9/Gizmodo Nosferatu opens in theaters on December 25. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

TheMasters of the Universe movie has found someone for Nicholas Galitzine to beat up: the Hollywood Reporter has word that Jared Leto has signed up to play legendaryHe-Man baddie Skeletor in Travis Knights long-in-the-making take on the beloved animated series/toy advertisement. Leto joins a host of villainous casting announcements for the film to fill out not just Skeletor himself, but a veritable host of the dark sorcerers cronies, too. Alongside the previously announced Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn, Skeletors second-in-command, Sam C. Wilson will play Trap Jaw, the cyborg warrior with a fearsome bite; Hafthor Bjornsson will play Goat Man, a beastly subordinate of, well, Beast Man; and Kojo Attach will play Tri-Klops, the multi-eyed spymaster who uses his different visions to snoop on the Masters of the Universe for Skeletor. Its a major boost to the villainous side of Knights take on the world of Eternia, which has already setRiverdales Camilla Mendes and Idris Elba as two of Prince Adams closest allies, Teela and Man-at-Arms, respectively. But now were perhaps more intrigued about what absurd method approach Leto will bring to playing a guy with a skull for a head than anything else Masters of the Universe might throw at us before its June 5, 2026 release date. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

Xbox Elite Series 2 Controller $120 (was $180) See at Best Buy See at Amazon See at Walmart ($124) See at Target ($125) Xbox Elite Series 2 Core Controller (White) $98 (was $130) See at Best Buy See at Amazon See at Walmart See at Target Xbox Elite Series 2 Core Controller (Red) $95 (was $140) See at Best Buy See at Target ($96) See at Walmart ($98) See at Amazon Xbox Elite Series 2 Core Controller (Blue) $98 (was $140) See at Best Buy See at Amazon See at Walmart See at Target Earlier this month, the Xbox Elite Series 2 Wireless Controller dropped to its lowest price yet at a major retailer. Now, there's a new all-time low thanks to Best Buy's latest round of December Doorbuster deals. You can get the Xbox Elite Series 2 for only for $120 (was $180) at Best Buy or Amazon. While Amazon is the only retailer matching Best Buy's Doorbuster, Walmart and Target also have the controller for a steep discount. Amazon is matching Best Buy's price, but if either retailer sells out, Walmart and Target have the controller priced a few bucks higher.Even five years out from its release, the Xbox Elite Series 2 Controller is our pick for the best premium controller you can buy for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC in 2024.Xbox Elite Series 2 Controller Deals (December 20):Best Buy -- $120 ($180) | Arrives by Christmas | In-store pickup availableAmazon -- $120 ($180)Walmart -- $124 ($180) | In-store pickup availableTarget -- $125 ($180) | Arrives by Christmas Xbox Elite Series 2 Controller $120 (was $180) The Elite Series 2 connects wirelessly via Xbox's wireless frequency or Bluetooth on PC and mobile. It can also be hardwired with the included USB-C cable. As for the features you won't find on a regular Xbox Wireless Controller, the Elite Series 2 can store three customizable control profiles, is equipped with trigger locks with three stopping points, and has swappable sticks with adjustable tension, D-pads, and back paddles. It also has textured grips and is made with better materials. The difference in quality is immediately noticeable.Here's what you get with the Elite Series 2:6 swappable analog sticks - standard pair, "classic" (smaller) pair, one wide dome, one tall.4 removable back paddles2 D-pads - the one shown above and a standard cross designCharging dockBraided USB-C cableThumbstick tension adjustment toolHardshell carrying case with dedicated slots for all componentsDelivery Estimates: As of December 20, Best Buy and Target are the only major retailers offering delivery by Christmas. Both retailers list the delivery date as December 24 on our end, but this will vary based on your location. That said, you can order online from Best Buy or Walmart for in-store pickup today.Just keep in mind that prices are slightly different depending on where you shop. Amazon is the only retailer matching Best Buy's $120 Doorbuster deal. The Elite Series 2 is $124 at Walmart and $125 at Target. See at Best Buy See at Amazon See at Walmart ($124) Xbox Elite Series 2 Core Controller (White) $98 (was $130) The difference between the Core and the standard model is that the Core only comes with the controller. It's the same premium controller with textured grips, trigger locks, and the ability to swap components. It doesn't include the four back paddles, four extra sticks, second D-pad, adjustment tool, charging dock, or carrying case.If you decide you want extra components down the line, there are plenty of third-party accessories for cheap. Our recommendation for back paddles is Scuf's Elite Series 2 Paddles for $20--though they are often on sale for $15. You can even find full accessory kits that are actually pretty good for as low as $18.Delivery Estimates: The only retailers offering delivery before Christmas (as of December 20) are Best Buy and Target. If your local Walmart or Best Buy has the controller in stock, you can order online for in-store pickup today. Online orders shipped to your doorstep won't arrive until after Christmas from Amazon and Walmart. See at Best Buy See at Amazon See at Walmart Xbox Elite Series 2 Core Controller (Red) $95 (was $140) The Elite Series 2 Core Controller in red is available for under $100 at three major retailers, but all of them have slightly different prices. Best Buy has the lowest price at $95, while Target and Walmart have the controller for $96 and $98, respectively. Amazon is sold out of this model. The red Elite Series 2 Core has a $140 MSRP, so you're saving a maximum of $45.Delivery Estimates: As of December 20, Best Buy and Target are offering delivery before Christmas, while Walmart's deal won't arrive in time. That said, you can order the controller online at Best Buy or Walmart and pick it up at your local store. See at Best Buy See at Target ($96) See at Walmart ($98) Xbox Elite Series 2 Core Controller (Blue) $98 (was $140) The blue Elite Series 2 Core Controller is $98 at Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and Target. Just like the red model, the blue carries a $140 retail price, so it's a "better" deal than the white edition.Delivery Estimates: As of December 20, Best Buy and Target state the controller will arrive before Christmas. You can also order online at Walmart or Best Buy and pick it up at your local store today. See at Best Buy See at Amazon See at Walmart The Xbox Elite Series 2 released back in 2019, but it still feels like the standard in the pro-style controller market. The Elite Series 2's superb weighting, incredibly solid build and high-quality components make it feel like a controller that's worth its $180 asking price. It's an absolute steal at $120. Numerous third-party brands have tried to outshine the Elite Series 2 in recent years, and although there have been a few controllers that have come close, all of the solid wireless alternatives cost either the same price or higher. And that's when the Elite Series 2 is at full price.Continue Reading at GameSpot

If The Crew 2 players want pure speed, there is nothing better than a hypercar. These fantastic cars are the best at what they do and give the driver the most thrilling experience. The fact that these tools are fast and on the cutting edge also means they have many different kinds of technology. The game's hypercars utilize gasoline engines, sophisticated plug-in hybrids, and high-power electric automobiles to drive quickly.

Mariah Carey provides all players could want in Fortnite Winterfest by joining both the Battle Royale map as an avid supporter of everyone trying to get a dub, and by joining the Item Shop for players who want to crank 90s, earn some Victory Royales, or enjoy singing some tunes as their favorite singer.