The $50 GameStation Gamepad. My Arcade The $50 GameStation Gamepad. My Arcade The $70 GameStation Arcade Stick. My Arcade The $70 GameStation Arcade Stick. My Arcade The $250 GameStation Mega. My Arcade The $250 GameStation Mega. My Arcade The $70 GameStation Arcade Stick. My Arcade The $250 GameStation Mega. My Arcade This year, My Arcade seems ready to go all in on the Atari GameStation branding. Beyond the GameStation Go, the company announced a $50 wireless GameStation Gamepad, a $70 GameStation Arcade Stick, and a $250 GameStation Mega tabletop arcade cabinet (with a 10.1-inch display). All four GameStation products feature a trackball, spinner, and number pad for maximum control authenticity, as well as helpful accent lighting that highlights which controls are active on a per-game basishandy for younger gamers who might be overwhelmed by all the different control options.In a hands-on video from CES, YouTuber GenXGrownUp shows off a preliminary GameStation Go game list, including the usual mix of well over 100 Atari 2600/5200/7800 and classic Atari arcade games you might expect from this kind of retro product (though it's almost criminal not to see Marble Madness listed among the trackball-supported games). And despite the Atari name, the game selection on hand also includes many licensed NES and Super NES era titles from Jaleco: Bases Loaded, modern retro-styled titles from Piko Interactive, themed virtual pinball tables from Atari's Balls of Steel line, and even Namco's Pac-Man (why not?).Atari's modernized Centipede Recharged is also included in the game lineup, and GenXGrownUp reports that more Recharged games will be included with downloadable firmware updates after launch (which he says is "more than six months away"). Players will also seemingly be able to update the firmware through an SD card slot atop the GameStation Go, though it's unclear whether you'll be able to load your own ROMs in the same way (at least officially).Despite including a numpad like the Intellivision controller, the GameStation Go doesn't currently include any games from Atari's recently purchased Intellivision library. But GenXGrownUp says including those titlesalongside Atari Lynx and Jaguar gamesis not "off the table yet" for the final release.We can only hope that the Gamestation line will show a pent-up demand for these esoteric retro control options, leading to similar modular options for the Nintendo Switch or its coming successor. How about it, Nintendo?

ramming speed New $120 16GB Raspberry Pi 5 is for the people who use it like an everyday PC But at $120, the new board has to compete with a wider universe of mini PCs. Andrew Cunningham Jan 9, 2025 12:24 pm | 22 Credit: Raspberry Pi Foundation Credit: Raspberry Pi Foundation Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreThe Raspberry Pi foundation has spent the last year filling out the Pi 5 lineupin August, we got a cheaper $50 version with 2GB of RAM, and in December, we got the Pi 500, a Pi-inside-a-keyboard intended specifically for general-purpose desktop use. Today, the Pi 5 board achieves what may be its final form: a version with 16GB of RAM, available for $120.The 16GB version of the Pi 5 includes the revised "d0" stepping of the Pi 5's BCM2712 processor. For the Pi's purposes, this chip is functionally identical to the original version but uses slightly less power and runs slightly cooler because it cuts out silicon used for features that the Pi 5 didn't take advantage of.Raspberry Pi CEO Eben Upton writes that the 16GB version of the Pi 5 is possible because of other tweaks made to the d0 stepping of the Pi 5's processor, plus an updated LPDDR4X chip from Micron that could fit eight 16 Gbit RAM dies inside a single package that could fit on the Pi 5's board.Most Raspberry Pi hobby projectswhether you want a retro emulation box, a VPN server, an ad blocker, a smart home server, or some combination of functionsdon't require more than a couple of gigabytes of RAM to work well. For the vast majority of users, the sweet spot for the Pi will still be the 4GB or 8GB model, and there's no need to overspend on the 16GB version for extra peace of mind or future-proofing.But if you're attempting to use a Pi as a general-purpose PC, more RAM means more apps and more browser tabs with less virtual memory use, which ought to help the whole system stay responsive. It could also be helpful if you're trying to run multiple VMs or Docker containers on the same Pi. Upton also cites large language models and computational fluid dynamics as workloads that benefit from extra memory. The main issue is that these RAM-hungry workloads also often benefit from more CPU and GPU power than the Pi can provide.At a cost of $120 before you add storage, a power brick, or a case, the 16GB version of the Pi 5 also has to compete with a wide universe of cheap x86-based mini PCs. Starting at around $160, these PCs give you a decent quad-core Intel processor, 16GB of memory, and 500GB of NVMe-attached storage, as well as the option to run Windows if you want to (not to mention a Windows license). The Pi 5 benefits from a wide accessory ecosystem and purpose-built operating system images, and it will be easier to troubleshoot and find support if you're having a specific hardware problem. But as everyday desktops, the tiny Intel boxes have advantages, too.The 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB versions of the Pi 5 will cost you $50, $60, $80, or $120, respectively. Those wanting a Pi board for the original $35 will need to stick with the 1GB version of the previous-generation Raspberry Pi 4.Andrew CunninghamSenior Technology ReporterAndrew CunninghamSenior Technology Reporter Andrew is a Senior Technology Reporter at Ars Technica, with a focus on consumer tech including computer hardware and in-depth reviews of operating systems like Windows and macOS. Andrew lives in Philadelphia and co-hosts a weekly book podcast called Overdue. 22 Comments

Metallic Resonance Linux Foundation bands together Chromium browser makers in a neutral space Open source group aims to better organize and fund development of browser. Kevin Purdy Jan 9, 2025 12:15 pm | 21 Credit: Chromium Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreSupporters of Chromium-Based Browsers sounds like a very niche local meetup, one with hats and T-shirts that barely fit the name. But it's really a "neutral space" for funding and support, corralling together some big names with a stake in the future of Chrome's open source roots, Chromium.The Linux Foundation, a nonprofit started in 2000 that has grown to support a broader range of open source projects, spurred the initiative. In a press release, the Foundation states that the project will allow "industry leaders, academia, developers, and the broader open source community" to work on Chromium, with "much-needed funding and development support for open development of projects."A few names you don't often see together are already on board: Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Opera. Krystian Kolondra, executive vice president of browsers at Opera, stated in a release that "as one of the major browsers contributing to the Chromium project," Opera would "look forward to collaborating with members of the project to foster this growth and keep building innovative and compelling products for all users."How will this work? Kind of how Chromium has been working already. The group will have an open governance model, according to the Foundation, based on other Foundation initiatives based on "transparency, inclusivity, and community-driven development." The Linux Foundation's structure supports Kubernetes, Node.js, RISC-V, ONAP, and, of course, Linux, in such a manner.A Technical Advisory Committee will ensure the work done in the group "meets the needs of the wider Chromium community." Otherwise, the Chromium projects will keep to their existing governance structures.Not quite outside Google, but maybe getting thereChromium is named for the base metal that allows the application of chrome plating, and it's a good fit. Google's Chrome is a freeware release with deeper ties to Google's ecosystem, while Chromium, released at the same time as Chrome in 2008, is open source. Google has slowly loosened its de facto control of the project, particularly since 2020, allowing outside developers into its leadership, softening its stance on non-Google-derived features and opening up its "Goma" development scheme for Chromium, as detailed by CNET in 2020.Stephen Shankland's report from 2020 notes a number of people suggesting that Chromium as a whole could be moved out of Google entirely and into an independent foundation, such as the Linux Foundation. That's not what is happening now, but it's another step toward larger organization outside of the web's dominant browser and advertising provider (though Google is still one of the supporters).As a result of offering up a viable version of Chrome, many firms have jumped in. Nearly 30 browsers are listed on Wikipedia's Chromium page, including Microsoft's Edge, Vivaldi, and Brave. Electron desktop apps, the Chromium Embedded Framework, and a likely uncountable number of embedded browsers make Chromium even more widespread.You can see who committed to which repository in Chromium with Arthur Sonzogni's very cool visualization tool, Chromium Commit Tracker.Kevin PurdySenior Technology ReporterKevin PurdySenior Technology Reporter Kevin is a senior technology reporter at Ars Technica, covering open-source software, PC gaming, home automation, repairability, e-bikes, and tech history. He has previously worked at Lifehacker, Wirecutter, iFixit, and Carbon Switch. 21 Comments

The skull of a saber-toothed tiger (Smilodon)Steve MortonPredators have evolved sabre teeth many times during the history of life and we now have a better idea why these teeth develop as they do.Sabre teeth have very specific characteristics: they are exceptionally long, sharp canines that tend to be slightly flattened and curved, rather than rounded. Such teeth have independently evolved in different groups of mammals at least five times, and fossils of sabre-tooth predators have been found in North and South America, Europe and Asia. AdvertisementThe teeth are first known to have appeared some 270 million years ago, in mammal-like reptiles called gorgonopsids. Another example is Thylacosmilus, which died out about 2.5 million years ago and was most closely related to marsupials. Sabre teeth were last seen in Smilodon, often called sabre-toothed tigers, which existed until about 10,000 years ago.To investigate why these teeth kept re-evolving, Tahlia Pollock at the University of Bristol, UK, and her colleagues looked at the canines of 95 carnivorous mammal species, including 25 sabre-toothed ones.First, the researchers measured the shapes of the teeth to categorise and model them. Then they 3D-printed smaller versions of each tooth in metal and tested their performance in puncture tests, in which the teeth were mechanically pushed into gelatine blocks designed to mimic the density of animal tissue. The latest science news delivered to your inbox, every day.Sign up to newsletterThis showed that the sabre teeth were able to puncture the block with up to 50 per cent less force than the other teeth could, says Pollock.The researchers then assessed the tooth shape and puncture performance data using a measure called the Pareto rank ratio, which judged how optimal the teeth were for strength or puncturing.A carnivores teeth have to be sharp and slender enough to allow the animal to pierce the flesh of their prey, but they also need to be blunt and robust enough to not break while an animals biting, says Pollock.Animals like Smilodon had extremely long sabre teeth. These teeth were probably popping up again and again because they represent an optimal design for puncture, says Pollock. Theyre really good at puncturing, but that also means that theyre a little bit fragile. For instance, the La Brea Tar Pits in California have lots of fossils of Smilodon, some with broken teeth.Other sabre-toothed animals also had teeth that were the ideal shape for a slightly different job. The cat Dinofelis had squatter sabre teeth that balanced puncturing and strength more equally, says Pollock.The teeth of other sabre-toothed species sat between these optimal shapes, which might be why some of them didnt last too long. These kinds of things trade off, says Pollock. The aspects of shape that make a tooth good at one thing make it bad at the other.One of the main hypotheses for why sabre-tooth species went extinct is that ecosystems were changing and the huge prey they are thought to have targeted, such as mammoths, were disappearing.The teams puncture findings back this up. The giant teeth wouldnt have been as effective for catching prey that were more like the size of a rabbit, and the risk of tooth breakage here may have increased, so the sabre-toothed animals would have been outcompeted by predators that are more effective at hunting such prey, like cats with smaller teeth, says Pollock.As soon as the ecological or environmental conditions change, the highly specialised sabre-tooth predators were unable to adapt quickly enough and became extinct, says Stephan Lautenschlager at the University of Birmingham, UK.I think thats part of the reason why this sabre-tooth morphology hasnt evolved again in the present we dont have the megafauna, says Julie Meachen at Des Moines University in Iowa. The prey is not there.Journal reference:Current Biology DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.11.059Topics:

An artists impression of the space junk orbiting EarthMark Garlick/Science Photo Library/AlamyThe rising threat of space junk should be tackled by a new global agreement to safeguard Earths orbit, say a group of researchers who are calling for the United Nations to make the protection of space a key international goal.Although there are existing guidelines to tackle space debris, such as the UN Outer Space Treaty of 1967, the researchers, writing in the journal One Earth, call for further action to increase awareness about the use of orbital resources and the growing risks of orbital pollution, whilst sending a strong message that Earths orbit is not disconnected with Earth. AdvertisementSpecifically, the team proposes that the protection of space be added to the UNs existing sustainable development goals (SDGs), which are 17 broad objectives set for member states to achieve by 2030. These include eradicating poverty, promoting quality education and gender equality, ensuring access to affordable and clean energy, and tackling climate change They were set up to provide a sustainable future, says team member Heather Koldewey at the Zoological Society of London. But there is nothing for space.To rectify that, the researchers want to add an 18th SDG, with pledges that include ensuring satellites and rockets are removed from orbit at the end of their useful life to prevent collisions and the creation of new debris, and the introduction of fines and legislation to ensure accountability. We know from the oceans that removing debris once its there is extremely challenging, says Koldewey. We want to avoid the same thing happening in space.The number of active satellites in orbit has rocketed in recent years, from fewer than 3000 in 2020 to more than 10,000 today. The bulk of that increase is down to around 7000 satellites that make up SpaceXs Starlink space internet mega constellation. Many thousands more are planned by other companies and countries, including Amazon and China, as they create their own large constellations. On top of this, there are thousands of empty rockets orbiting Earth and millions of pieces of space junk. Voyage across the galaxy and beyond with our space newsletter every month.Sign up to newsletterIncluding space debris in an 18th SDG could raise the profile of the issue, says Christopher Newman, a space lawyer at Northumbria University, UK. Anything that raises awareness of space debris has got to be a good thing, he says. However, he says that getting countries to take action is more difficult. If we get an 18th SDG, whats next? he says. All international agreements and treaties are creatures of compromise.Hugh Lewis, a space debris expert at the University of Southampton, UK, says that creating an SDG focused on space would be a worthwhile endeavour. However, he adds that there are already ongoing mechanisms to tackle space debris, like the UNs long-term sustainability goals for outer space activity and more localised action, such as in the US, where the Federal Communications Commission has introduced a five-year rule to remove dead satellites from orbit. Its difficult to argue that its not already on the UN agenda, says Lewis.There is also the issue of whether SDGs achieve their goals. Last year, the UN reported that less than a fifth of the targets set out in the 17 existing SDGs were on track.Besides that, the elephant in the room is that nothing meaningful can happen without the agreement of SpaceX and its owner, Elon Musk. You cannot talk about space governance without talking about them now, says Newman. We cant just look at member states any more.Journal reference:One Earth DOI: 10.1016/j.oneear.2024.12.004Topics:

Crosswords may be mathematically uniqueDchadwick/Getty ImagesAs you fill out a crossword, it can abruptly shift from fiendishly difficult to extremely simple. This is similar to the way some physical systems undergo a phase transition but compared to them, these puzzles may be mathematically unique.While solving a crossword one day, Alexander Hartmann at the University of Oldenburg in Germany came up with a personal challenge: he wanted to find enough words to create one large, connected island of letters. Then he realised that he had unintentionally stumbled upon a type of percolation problem, which was familiar to

The Optimum Nutrition micronized creatine powder could be good for fitness fanatics.I may add the Optimum Nutrition micronized creatine powder to my daily routine. Veronica Thatcher I think the Optimum Nutrition micronized creatine powder could be a great addition to your routine, especially if you're hitting the gym.According to its packaging, this powder can support muscle building and performance when used daily, over time, alongside an exercise routine. To use it, mix a rounded teaspoon of the unflavored powder into a shake or glass of water.The Optimum Nutrition creatine powder is $20 at my location. The Pressedwellness smoothies are one of my favorite recent purchases.Each pack of the Pressed wellness smoothies comes with eight bottles. Veronica Thatcher Each box of the Pressed wellness smoothies contains 10-ounce bottles in acai-berry, strawberry-orange-mango, tropical, and greens flavors. The smoothies contain 100% juice and three to four grams of dietary fiber.At my location, an eight-count package costs $16.90, which comes out to less than $2.20 per bottle. Prepare for spring and summer activities with the Macsports XL folding wagon.The Macsports XL folding wagon with brakes could be useful during the warmer weather. Veronica Thatcher As Costco starts bringing in springtime items, I think the Macsports XL folding wagon will be a hot seller.This collapsible wagon has brakes for easy stopping, an inside zipper pocket, and an adjustable handle. The wagon can also hold up to 350 pounds and has durable, all-terrain wheels.The Macsports wagon is $90 at my Costco. The Cat Cube lithium four-in-one portable jump starter could come in handy.I think vehicle owners should have a tool like the Cat Cube lithium four-in-one portable jump starter. Veronica Thatcher If you ask me, everyone should have the Cat Cube lithium portable jump starter in their garage or car.This four-in-one tool has a few features, including a lithium jump starter and an air compressor.The Cat Cube lithium portable jump starter costs $130 at my location. You can add the Turbotax 2024 federal e-file and state download to your cart this month.There are three Turbotax 2024 federal e-file and state download packages to choose from. Veronica Thatcher I recently added the Turbotax 2024 federal e-file and state download to my shopping list.These downloads are available in deluxe, home-and-business, and premier packages, so there's something for almost everyone's tax needs. Each package also comes with a $10 in-product credit that can be used for services like live tax advice or state e-file fees.At my store, the Turbotax download packages run from $56 to $96. Keep extra food cool in the Midea convertible chest freezer.The Midea convertible chest freezer with an interior LED light also functions as a refrigerator. Veronica Thatcher If you're running out of freezer space, I recommend heading to Costco to check out this Midea product.This freezer chest has two removable wire storage baskets, a front-mount temperature control, and an interior LED light. Best of all, it can turn into a refrigerator with the flip of a switch.The Midea convertible chest freezer is $200 at my location. The Del Real cheese-and-green-chile tamales could be a delicious lunch or dinner.The Del Real cheese-and-green-chile tamales are super easy to heat and eat. Veronica Thatcher If you're a fan of Mexican-style dishes, these Del Real tamales are a great find.The tamales come with a cheese-and-green-chile filling don't worry, they aren't spicy and take less than three minutes to heat in the microwave. I also like that each serving contains 13 grams of protein.At my store, a 15-count pack of the Del Real tamales can be found in the deli section for $18.80. The Thomasville Wills oversize chair and storage ottoman are comfy and functional.The Thomasville Wills oversize chair and storage ottoman are comfortable and chic. Veronica Thatcher The Thomasville Wills oversize chair and storage ottoman both have ultra-soft furry corduroy fabric that's comfortable and chic. The chair, which measures 64 inches long and 35 inches high, has an extra-wide seat and two large pillows.At my store, this set is $500. Upgrade your skincare routine with the Hero Mighty Patches.I think the Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patches are a great deal at Costco. Veronica Thatcher Acne products can be expensive, so I was happy to see the Hero Mighty Patches available at Costco.Each package contains 54 original patches for nighttime use and 27 invisible patches that can be worn during the day. These patches can extract pus and visibly shrink whiteheads.The Hero Mighty Patches are $23 at my Costco. Get a workout in with the King Smith WalkingPad Pro folding treadmill.The King Smith WalkingPad Pro folding treadmill comes fully assembled. Veronica Thatcher If you have a busy lifestyle, the King Smith treadmill could be a good way to accomplish your workout goals at home.This product comes fully assembled and has a USB charging port, a 250-pound weight capacity, and a brushless motor (so the walking pad runs smoothly and quietly). It's also foldable, making it easy to store in small spaces.The King Smith walking pad is $500 at my store.

Unsurprisingly, Saucy is all about sauce. The Saucy sauces come in containers with colorful labels. Terri Peters The stars of the menu at Saucy are the chicken tenders and the 11 dipping sauces. The number of sauces is a nod to the 11 herbs and spices in KFC's original fried-chicken recipe.Saucy sauces include: chimichurri ranch, peri-peri ranch, jalapeo-pesto ranch, smoky bacon ranch, Thai sweet and spicy, Sweet 'N Saucy BBQ, Saucy's Sauce, spicy mango chutney, Saucy ranch, Creole honey mustard, and sweet teriyaki.Otherwise, the menu is fairly short and simple, with a slew of non-alcoholic beverages, a few chicken sandwiches, two desserts, and sides like toasted Hawaiian rolls and coleslaw. We decided to eat inside the restaurant.Saucy's dining spot adds a whole new level to the KFC experience. Terri Peters Although Saucy has a drive-thru, we chose to dine in. I'm glad we did: Saucy feels like a 100% modern twist on its Kentucky-fried roots.I loved its funky decor, which was bright with shades of pink and hints of red that seemed to pay homage to KFC.With its futuristic light pendants and cool sculptures resembling dripping sauce, Saucy had a vibe all its own and felt very different from the KFC dining rooms of my youth. The ordering process was automated and simple.Saucy had several ordering kiosks. Terri Peters Ordering at Saucy was easy and contactless.We used one of several touchscreens to order, paid at the kiosk, and then waited for our name to be called so we could collect our food. We got a lot of food for under $40.We got more food than the two of us could eat for under $40. Terri Peters My husband and I were able to try everything we wanted to at Saucy for under $40.We ordered a six-tender box combo ($16) that came with two sauces, fries, coleslaw, and a toasted Hawaiian roll; a Key-lime-cake dessert ($4); an extra coleslaw ($2); two tropical black teas ($4); a spicy-queso-crunch sandwich ($5); and nine additional sauces (49 cents each). The tenders were delicious.Saucy's most popular item is probably its chicken-tender basket. Terri Peters We got our tenders with crinkle-cut fries and a toasted Hawaiian roll, though we could've also chosen coleslaw as a side.Saucy's tenders are apparently made using the same recipe as KFC's. Still, I thought the tenders I got at Saucy seemed plumper, moister, and crispier than any I remember getting on past KFC runs. We were impressed by many of Saucy's menu items, including all 11 dipping sauces.We enjoyed every sauce we tried at Saucy. Terri Peters Our meal at Saucy was nothing short of incredible truly the kind of fast food that tasted like it could've been from a sit-down restaurant.Nothing we had was overly greasy, and the tasty sauces made our dining experience even more enjoyable. I liked that there seemed to be one for everyone, from several ranch-based dips and classics like barbecue sauce to even Asian-inspired delights.Although we had some clear favorite sauces, there wasn't a single one we didn't enjoy. The sandwich we ordered was great but not necessary.Our chicken sandwich from Saucy was tasty. Terri Peters My husband also got the spicy-queso-crunch chicken sandwich ($5).We liked the crunchy, battered chicken tender topped with queso sauce and spicy peppers on a buttery Hawaiian roll. Still, we'd probably skip it next time. The tenders and many dipping sauces were the clear stars of our meal. The dessert in a can was easy to share.We got Saucy's Key-lime cake. Terri Peters Saucy had both a chocolate and Key-lime cake available for dessert, and both were served in a plastic can.We chose the latter, which cost $4. It was the perfect size, especially considering how full we were from our meal.I liked the citrusy icing and cake layers and felt this was a wonderful sweet ending to our meal. Plus, the spoonable cake was easy to share. My top five sauces came home with my leftovers.I took three different Saucy ranches home with me. Terri Peters When we'd dipped and nibbled until we had no room left in our stomachs, it was time to pack up our leftovers to take home.Our to-go container had room for just five sauces, so we kept our favorites: jalapeo-pesto ranch and per-peri ranch, two spicy and flavorful dips we really loved; smoky bacon ranch, our favorite of the ranch-based dips; and sweet teriyaki and Thai sweet and spicy, which were packed with tons of flavor and sweet twists. I can't wait to go back to Saucy for more chicken-dipping fun.I really enjoyed my meal at Saucy. Terri Peters As a lover of chicken tenders, I was smitten with Saucy. The food was really good, and dipping delicious fried chicken tenders in all of those sauces was tons of fun.Our meal also felt surprisingly affordable, especially since we got far more food than the two of us could finish and next time, we'd order less.Based on my finger-lickin'-good experience, I'd definitely go back to Saucy, even if its only location is a 90-minute drive from me.If you're visiting Orlando, I suggest treating yourself to a little culinary sauce journey at Saucy. Hopefully, though, more locations will open soon.

Colin Jost and Scarlett JohanssonColin Jost and Scarlett Johansson got married in 2020. Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Staff/Getty Images Jost and Johansson were first spotted together in May 2017, and have had a low-key relationship ever since, minus the occasional "SNL" joke and red-carpet appearance.They got engaged in May 2019, but the ring wasn't revealed until two months later.Representatives for Rare Carat, a diamond search engine, told Business Insider in July 2019 that Johansson's diamond is an old cut that has great clarity, especially for a light-brown diamond, and estimated the ring would cost $450,000.Jost and Johansson tied the knot in October 2020, and they welcomed their son in August 2021. Prince Harry and Meghan MarklePrince Harry and Meghan Markle have been married since 2018. DANIEL LEAL/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their engagement to the world on November 27, 2017, with Markle debuting a three-stone diamond ring designed by Prince Harry and jeweler Cleave & Company.People magazine reported that the ring features a 3-carat, cushion-cut center stone sourced from Botswana a location of special significance to the couple while the side stones are two round diamonds from Princess Diana's jewelry collection. Experts estimated it cost $350,000.The couple married the following May and now reside in California with their two children. Prince William and Kate MiddletonPrince William and Kate Middleton have been married since 2011. Mark Large-Pool/Getty Images Kate Middleton's unique 12-carat sapphire surrounded by diamonds, no less popped perfectly with her navy dress when the royal couple announced their engagement in 2010.The $500,000 heirloom might not be the most expensive ring on the list, but its sentimental value is worth much more. Princess Diana famously wore this ring while she was engaged to Prince Charles.The pair wed in April 2011 and have since welcomed three children. Blake Shelton and Gwen StefaniGwen Stefani and Blake Shelton have been married since 2021. Christopher Polk/Contributor/Variety via Getty Images Shelton and Stefani got engaged in October 2020 after five years of dating, and they announced the happy news with matching posts on Instagram.But the "Hollaback Girl" singer didn't give fans a closer look at her ring until a few weeks later on her Instagram story."We're looking at a gorgeous 8-carat, radiant-shape diamond with trapezoid sides an Art Deco look," Rare Carat founder and CEO Ajay Anand told BI in November 2020. "We're talking $500,000 in all, as the center stone is an icy white D-to-F color diamond." Lady Gaga and Taylor KinneyLady Gaga and Taylor Kinney ended their engagement in July 2016. John Shearer/Contributor/Getty Images Lady Gaga never ended up saying "I do" to "Chicago Fire" star Taylor Kinney, who proposed in 2015 on Valentine's Day with a 6-carat, heart-shaped diamond ring by Lorraine Schwartz.The $500,000 ring had a micro-pav platinum band and was engraved with "T S," which stands for Gaga's birth name, Stefani Germanotta.The couple split in summer 2016, but seemingly remained friendly, with Kinney telling Entertainment Tonight in 2019 that "the sky is the limit" for Gaga after her success with "A Star Is Born." Christian McCaffrey and Olivia CulpoCulpo and McCaffrey got married in 2024. Gotham/Contributor/WireImage/Getty Images The San Francisco 49ers running back proposed to the model and former Miss Universe winner in April 2023 after almost four years of dating with a three-stone ring designed by Ring Concierge.Nicole Wegman, Ring Concierge's founder and CEO, told People, "We worked with Christian to thoughtfully design a ring that encompassed Olivia's trendsetting style while still remaining timeless a beautifully cut Oval flanked with Epaulette side stones in a handcrafted gold and platinum setting." It's estimated that the ring is worth $600,000.The pair tied the knot in June 2024 in a lavish Rhode Island ceremony. George and Amal ClooneyGeorge and Amal Clooney have been married since 2014. Clemens Bilan/Stringer/Getty Images Actor George Clooney proposed to British international human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin (now Clooney) with a 7-carat, emerald-cut diamond.The solitaire ring, which features side baguettes set in platinum, is worth an estimated $750,000.The couple publicly revealed their engagement in April 2014, and by September of that year, they had tied the knot. They later welcomed twins in 2017. Hilary Duff and Mike ComrieHilary Duff and Mike Comrie were married from 2010 to 2016. Noel Vasquez/Contributor/Getty Images In February 2010, professional hockey player Mike Comrie proposed to Hilary Duff while the pair were on vacation in Maui.E! News reported, per Forbes, at the time that Duff's 14-carat, princess-cut ring cost $1 million.The couple kept their engagement short, marrying in August of that year. They later welcomed their son in 2012 before announcing their separation in 2014. The couple's divorce was finalized in February 2016.Duff has since gone on to marry musician Matthew Koma, with whom she shares three daughters. Gucci Mane and Keyshia Ka'oir DavisGucci Mane and Keyshia Ka'oir Davis have been married since 2017. Paras Griffin/Contributor/Getty Images In 2016, Gucci Mane proposed to entrepreneur Keyshia Ka'oir during an Atlanta Hawks game with a 25-carat, cushion-cut diamond ring.And three years later, the rapper decided to up the ante with a whopping $1 million, 60-carat round-cut diamond creation by Pristine Jewelers Ben Shimon and Avi Davidov, BET reported.The outlet added that it took the jewelers 45 days to complete the ring.The couple wed in October 2017 and have since welcomed two children.Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-JonesMichael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones have been married since 2000. Marc Piasecki/Contributor/FilmMagic/Getty Images Michael Douglas did pretty well choosing a $1 million antique Fred Leighton 10-carat engagement ring for Catherine Zeta-Jones, and their relationship isn't so bad either the actors have been together for more than 20 years and have two children. Kourtney Kardashian Barker and Travis BarkerKourtney Kardashian Barker and Travis Barker have been married since 2022. Jeff Bottari/Contributor/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker proposed to Poosh founder Kourtney Kardashian in October 2021 with an engagement ring designed by Lorraine Schwartz."It's a flawless, beautifully cut diamond stone," Schwartz told People.Kathryn Money, SVP of Merchandising and Retail at Brilliant Earth, told Brides that the center stone an elongated oval solitaire diamond is likely 10 to 12 carats with an estimated cost between $500,000 and $1 million.The pair went on to host three weddings in Las Vegas, Santa Barbara, and Portofino, Italy throughout 2022. They welcomed their son in November 2023. Justin Theroux and Jennifer AnistonJustin Theroux and Jennifer Aniston divorced in 2018. Steve Granitz/Contributor/WireImage/Getty Images In August 2012, Justin Theroux asked for Jennifer Aniston's hand with a $1 million 10-carat diamond ring designed by her friend Jennifer Meyer, E! Online reported.The couple announced their divorce in February 2018, but remain close friends. Demi Lovato and Max EhrichDemi Lovato was engaged to Max Ehrich for two months in 2020. Christopher Polk/Contributor/E! Entertainment/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images In July 2020, Demi Lovato announced her engagement to actor Max Ehrich on Instagram.Rare Carat CEO Ajay Anand told BI that the ring appeared "to feature a 10-carat, emerald-cut stone" and estimated that it "would sell for no less than $1 million."But Lovato and Ehrich's engagement was short lived they split just two months later in September 2020."I think I rushed into something that I thought I was supposed to do," Lovato said in her 2021 documentary "Dancing with the Devil," adding, "I realized as time went on that I didn't actually know the person I was engaged to."Lovato is now engaged to musician Jordan 'Jutes' Lutes. Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle UnionDwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union have been married since 2014. Daniele Venturelli/Contributor/Getty Images Gabrielle Union said yes to former NBA star Dwyane Wade and the $1 million 8.5-carat, cushion-cut diamond he chose for her.The couple married in 2014 and welcomed a daughter via surrogate in 2018. Union is also stepmother to Wade's three children. Lady Gaga and Michael PolanskyLady Gaga and Michael Polansky have been engaged since April 2024. Samir Hussein/Contributor/WireImage/Getty Images Lady Gaga has her mother to thank for her fianc, businessman and philanthropist Michael Polansky.Gaga told Vogue in September 2024, "My mom met him and she said to me, 'I think I just met your husband,' and I said, 'I'm not ready to meet my husband!'"The pair officially met in December 2019 and got engaged in April 2024, the outlet reported. For the occasion, Polansky chose a large oval-cut diamond set on a pav band.Zack Stone, CEO of UK-based jewelry retailer Steven Stone, told InStyle in December 2024 that the ring appears to be 15 carats and estimated that it was worth around $1.25 million. Justin and Hailey BieberJustin and Hailey Bieber wed in 2018. Gotham/Contributor/GC Images/Getty Images Justin originally proposed to Hailey in July 2018 with an 18-carat Solow & Co engagement ring, Vogue reported.However, six years later, the "Peaches" singer decided to upgrade the Rhode founder's ring, this time selecting a piece by Lorraine Schwartz that she debuted on her Instagram in May 2024.After tabloid speculation about the new ring's size, Hailey Bieber told W Magazine in July 2024 that her new bauble "is only one carat bigger" than her original ring. "It's just elongated," she said. It's estimated that the upgraded ring cost $1.5 million.The couple have been married since September 2018 and welcomed their first child in August 2024. Justin Verlander and Kate UptonJustin Verlander and Kate Upton have been married since 2017. Mary DeCicco/Stringer/MLB Photos via Getty Images In 2016, model Kate Upton said yes to MLB pitcher Justin Verlander and a one-of-a-kind ring by Anita Ko, featuring an 8-carat, round-cut diamond in a unique six-prong setting that was estimated to cost $1.5 million.The couple have been married since 2017 and they share one daughter. Katie Holmes and Tom CruiseKatie Holmes and Tom Cruise were married from 2006 to 2012. MJ Kim/Staff/Getty Images Tom Cruise proposed to Katie Holmes with a 5-carat rock in 2005.The center oval-cut diamond was surrounded by another 6 carats of diamonds and has been estimated to cost as much as $1.5 million, per Who What Wear.They welcomed their daughter in 2006 before splitting in 2012. Kris Humphries and Kim KardashianKris Humphries and Kim Kardashian's divorce was finalized in June 2013. Kevin Winter/Contributor/NBCUniversal/Getty Images Kim Kardashian's marriage to Kris Humphries only lasted 72 days, and the best thing to come out of it was the 16-carat center diamond designed by Lorraine Schwartz.While the ring was initially reported to be worth nearly $2 million, in 2013, when Humphries auctioned it off at a charity event, it went for $749,000. Paris Hilton and Carter ReumParis Hilton and Carter Reum got married in 2021. Todd Williamson/Contributor/Peacock/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images Paris Hilton and M13 Ventures founder Carter Reum got engaged in February 2021.The following month, Hilton shared on "On Air with Ryan Seacrest" that Reum designed the ring with Jean Dousset, the great-great-grandson of Louis Cartier."It is a three-stone ring design with an emerald-cut center stone, featuring baguette-cut and trapezoid accent diamonds," Dousset said in a 2021 interview with The Knot.He added, "The design of the ring derives from a combination of classical and Art Nouveau era influences. The geometric shapes of this ring are befitting to resemble the structure of the Grand Palais in Paris." It's estimated that the ring cost $2 million.The pair wed in November 2021 and share two children. Paris Hilton and Chris ZylkaParis Hilton and Chris Zylka ended their engagement in November 2018. George Pimentel/Contributor/Getty Images Before Reum, Hilton was engaged to actor Chris Zylka from January to November 2018.Hilton kept the $2 million 20-carat pear-shaped diamond after their split, telling "The Jenny McCarthy Show" in December 2018, "The person who we got it from got millions and millions of dollars of free publicity, so I love how social media has basically become a new form of money. It's pretty sick.""Diamonds are a girl's best friend," she added. Ciara and Russell WilsonCiara and Russell Wilson have been married since 2016. Ricky Vigil M/Contributor/GC Images/Getty Images When NFL quarterback Russell Wilson put a ring on it, he made sure no one could miss the news by gifting Ciara a 16-carat round, brilliant-cut center diamond.And that's not all the center stone is flanked by a trapezoid-shaped and pear-shaped diamond on each side, bringing the ring's total estimated value to about $2 million, per The Knot.They married in July 2016. They have three children together and also parent Ciara's son whom she had in her previous relationship. Nick Cannon and Mariah CareyNick Cannon and Mariah Carey divorced in 2016. Steve Granitz/Contributor/WireImage/Getty Images Mariah Carey got engaged to Nick Cannon in 2008, who proposed with a 17-carat, emerald-cut pink diamond by Jacob & Co."I wanted to do something extremely special, something that Mariah would really appreciate," Cannon told People magazine at the time, adding, "We got the pinkest stone we could find, surrounded by other diamonds."People reported that the center diamond was surrounded by 58 smaller pink diamonds and two half-moon diamonds, leading it to cost an estimated $2.5 million.The two married in 2008 and had twins, but they got divorced in 2014. Cannon now has 12 children. Blake Lively and Ryan ReynoldsBlake Lively and Ryan Reynolds have been married since 2012. Jamie McCarthy/Staff/Getty Images Blake Lively's trendy 12-carat, oval-cut diamond set in 18-carat rose gold was made by celebrity favorite Lorraine Schwartz and reportedly cost her husband, Ryan Reynolds, $2.5 million.The two wed in 2012 and have four children. Jackie Kennedy Onassis and Aristotle OnassisJackie Kennedy wed Aristotle Onassis in 1968. Bettmann/Contributor/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images The former first lady wed Aristotle Onassis, a Greek shipping magnate, in 1968.He proposed with the Lesotho III diamond, a 40.42-carat, marquise-cut diamond.The ring sold for $2.6 million at auction in 1996. Serena Williams and Alexis OhanianSerena Williams and Alexis Ohanian have been married since 2017. Mike Coppola/Staff/Getty Images Reddit cofounder Alexis Ohanian proposed to 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams with a $3 million 17-carat, emerald-cut engagement ring in December 2016, The New York Post reported.The pair wed the following November in New Orleans and now share two daughters. Donald and Melania TrumpDonald and Melania Trump have been married since 2005. Timothy A. CLARY/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images Current President-elect Donald Trump proposed to wife Melania in 2005 with an emerald-cut diamond from Graff Diamonds that weighed more than 10 carats.At the time of their engagement, he told The New York Times he got a $1 million discount on the ring however, according to Forbes' reporting in 2018, Trump paid the full price of $1.5 million.Regardless, he upgraded Melania's ring in 2015 for their 10th wedding anniversary, selecting another Graff Diamonds piece that weighed 25 carats and cost $3 million. Alexa Dell and Harrison RefouaHarrison Refoua and Alexa Dell got engaged in December 2017. Stefanie Keenan/Contributor/WireImage/Getty Images In December 2017, tech heiress Alexa Dell got engaged to real-estate investor Harrison Refoua at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai.The Daily Mail estimated that the 12-carat diamond ring is valued between $2 million and $3 million. Kobe and Vanessa BryantKobe and Vanessa Bryant were married from 2001 to 2020. Frank Micelotta/Staff/Getty Images Kobe Bryant upgraded his wife Vanessa Bryant's ring in 2003 to "an eight-carat, emerald-cut purple diamond worth $4 million," Brides reported.Kobe and their daughter Gianna died in a helicopter crash in January 2020. Kanye West and Kim KardashianKanye West and Kim Kardashian finalized their divorce in November 2022. ANGELA WEISS/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images In October 2013, Kanye West (who now goes by Ye) proposed to Kim Kardashian with a 15-carat, cushion-cut diamond ring designed by Lorraine Schwartz that was estimated to cost upward of $3 million, per E! News.And almost three years later, West surprised his wife with another Lorraine Schwartz ring, this time weighing 20 carats.However, Kardashian was robbed of the ring just weeks later while on a trip to Paris in October 2016; lawyers and police officials estimated that it was worth about $4.5 million.The couple finalized their divorce in 2022 after six years of marriage. They have four children. Marc Anthony and Jennifer LopezMarc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez were married from 2004 to 2014. Kevin Mazur/Contributor/WireImage for Samsung/Getty Images Jennifer Lopez said "I do" to Marc Anthony in 2004 after he proposed with an 8.5-carat blue diamond ring by Harry Winston worth an estimated $4 million, according to E! News.The pair welcomed twins in 2008 and were married for 10 years before divorcing. Prince Rainier III of Monaco and Grace KellyPrince Rainier III of Monaco married Grace Kelly in 1956. Frank Hurley/Contributor/New York Daily News Archive via Getty Images When Prince Rainier III of Monaco proposed to Grace Kelly in 1955, he pulled out a 10.47-carat, emerald-cut diamond ring by Cartier then worth about $4 million.The couple married the following year, and remained so until Kelly's death in 1982. They had three children. Jennifer Lopez and Alex RodriguezJennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez ended their engagement in April 2021. Jackson Lee/Contributor/GC Images/Getty Images Lopez was engaged to the former New York Yankee from 2019 to 2021.At the time of their engagement, experts from James Allen estimated to BI that the emerald-cut diamond ring was 15 carats and worth at least $1 million, while gemologists at Rare Carat estimated the ring was 20 carats and worth around $4.5 million. Paris Kassidokostas-Latsis and Paris HiltonParis Hilton and Paris Kassidokostas-Latsis were engaged for four months in 2005. Niki Nikolova/Contributor/FilmMagic/Getty Images

A Vox reader asks: Why is factory farming still around?Factory farming the intensive confinement of chickens, pigs, and cows on a massive scale developed in the second half of the 20th century to feed a growing, and increasingly prosperous, post-World War II America. It was made possible by a set of economic, genetic, chemical, and pharmaceutical innovations as my colleague Marina Bolotnikova has written. Those innovations include technologies that enabled meat companies and farmers to breed bigger, faster-growing animals; antibiotics to keep those animals alive in overcrowded farms; chemical fertilizers and pesticides to produce abundant, cheap livestock feed; higher-tech tractors to harvest that feed; and a host of federal subsidies and loan programs to help farmers finance it all. Advancements in refrigeration and shipping helped too.Its put an astonishing amount of meat on our plates some 265 pounds annually per American in 2021, a 55 percent increase compared to the early 1900s.Sign up for the Explain It to Me newsletterThe newsletter is part of Voxs Explain It to Me. Each week, we tackle a question from our audience and deliver a digestible explainer from one of our journalists. Have a question you want us to answer? Ask us here.But as factory farming became Americas dominant form of livestock production, awareness about its problems grew. Starting in the 1990s, undercover investigations by animal rights activists exposed egg-laying hens stuffed into tiny cages and piglets crammed into dark warehouses, shocking an animal-loving public. In 2006, the United Nations identified animal agriculture as a top driver of climate change and deforestation. Public interest groups increasingly railed against factory farms social ills, like concentrated pollution in rural communities, meat monopolies that killed the independent farm, and the dangers of slaughterhouse work. Today, almost three-quarters of Americans report discomfort with factory farming and consider it one of the most pressing social issues. So, why do these facilities still exist, why are they getting bigger and bigger, and why has factory farming spread around the world? Numerous books have been written to answer this question, but Ive boiled it down to four big reasons.1) Its efficient by some measuresFor all of factory farmings problems, it can claim superiority on a few key metrics when compared to more traditional farming, where slower-growing animals are given ample space and outdoor access. In factory farms, the animals are packed indoors or on feedlots, so they require less land, and breeding them to grow bigger and faster on less food has brought down meats carbon footprint on a per-pound basis. These aspects combined with the other ways the industry cuts corners on animal welfare, and sustainability and labor protections have made meat cheaper. And price is often priority number one for consumers: Look at recent discourse over inflation and the cost of eggs, or the 1910 and 1973 nationwide meat boycotts over rising prices.But for all the efficiency gains the meat industry has made in recent decades, they have been partly squandered by Americans eating a lot more meat and dairy than previous generations. Its whats called the Jevons paradox: Increased efficiency can lead to increased consumption.And this takes a narrow view of efficiency. Plant-based protein, such as lentils, tofu, beans, and plant-based meat, typically require less land and have much smaller carbon footprints than animal-based protein. Factory farming has also created a new set of problems what you could call inefficiencies that Americans, and animals, ultimately pay for. 2) Agriculture plays by its own set of rulesPacking thousands or millions of animals together in one facility creates concentrated air and water pollution that harms rural Americans health and fouls US waterways. Slaughterhouse workers risk losing a finger or limb every day they go to work. The millions of pounds of antibiotics used to keep factory-farmed animals alive puts us all in danger by making these lifesaving drugs less effective. Certain practices, such as locking animals in cages for years or slicing off their body parts without anesthesia or even painkillers, are considered standard animal husbandry when done to farmed animals, but torture when done to pet dogs or cats. The livestock industry gets away with all of this because of a concept called agricultural exceptionalism: the idea that because food is essential, the agriculture sector should be exempt from the laws that other industries must follow.Factory farms often store their manure outdoors and spread some it onto nearby crop fields, which can result in manure leaching into groundwater and surface water, polluting aquatic habitats and contaminating human drinking water. Here, a North Carolina hog farms manure pit overflowed after Hurricane Florence in 2018. Alex Wroblewski/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesFarm pollution is largely exempt from the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act, while farmed animals are exempt from the Animal Welfare Act and most state anti-cruelty laws. The few federal laws that do provide some (meager) protections for farmed animals exempt chickens and turkeys, who account for almost 99 percent of the countrys livestock.Take these exemptions away, and factory farming is suddenly not so efficient nor affordable. In this way, factory farmings advantages are somewhat of an illusion, as the system relies on the American public, the environment, and farmed animals to absorb its inefficiencies.Efforts to remove these exemptions and pass major industry reforms have largely failed because the meat and dairy sectors have amassed enormous political power on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures to block them.3) Animals dont have rightsSocial progress starts with a problems victims sharing their stories and calling for change. But in the case of factory farms, its most immediate victims chickens, pigs, cows, and fish obviously cant do so. While some fight back in their final minutes at the slaughterhouse, and a lucky few even manage to escape, farmed animals cant lobby Congress, write op-eds, or organize demonstrations to protest their abuse to gain even the most basic rights. In this sense, animals are perhaps the most politically disenfranchised group, which gets at the core of why factory farming is still around: In our legal system, you can do pretty much whatever you want to an animal so long as theyre raised for food. Chickens en route to slaughter. Chris Boswell/Getty Images/iStockphotoDairy cows at a large dairy in Californias San Joaquin Valley. Ed Young/Design Pics Editorial/Universal Images Group via Getty ImagesAnimals rely on a tiny, underfunded movement to push for change. Its efforts to institute common sense reforms, like banning cages, mutilations, low-welfare breeding practices, and overcrowding and requiring things like more space, outdoor access, and enrichment face strong pushback from industry.4) The meat paradoxConsumers also bear some responsibility. Many Americans, and people in other high-income countries, are avowed animal lovers and say they oppose factory farming yet continue to eat meat virtually all of it from factory farms anyway. This seeming contradiction can be explained by the meat paradox. A group of Australian psychologists coined the term in 2010, defining it as the psychological conflict between peoples dietary preference for meat and their moral response to animal suffering. As I wrote a few years ago in a story about the meat paradox:When faced with that dissonance, we try to resolve it in a number of ways. We downplay animals sentience or make light of their slaughter we misreport our eating habits (or dismiss personal responsibility altogether), or we judge others behavior so as to claim the moral high groundOn top of all this, consumers face a sea of mis- and disinformation, from meat companies lying about how they treat animals, to Elon Musk falsely stating that agriculture doesnt contribute to climate change, to industry-funded front groups slandering their competitors plant-based meat companies in the court of public opinion. Deriving nearly all of our meat, dairy, and eggs from factory farms wasnt inevitable, but rather the end result of thousands of choices made by thousands of policymakers, farmers, and corporate leaders and millions of choices made by consumers over the last century. Better choices can undo it, and there are glimmers of hope that over the next century, factory farming could come to an end.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: