For my money, theres no better site forfilm lovers than Letterboxd, the app and social media hub where users can log everything they watch, keep tabs on their friends viewing habits, create lists, and rank hundreds of thousands of films on a zero to five star scale.You can also see the results of those rankings, and here at ScreenCrush, we already have pieces where you can browse through Letterboxds best and worst movies at a glance. But there are millions of users on Letterboxd, and they dont always agree on whatconstitutes the best and whatconstitutes the worst, and that brings us to the topic of todays piece.These are the movies that drew the most disparatereactions from Letterboxd voters, the ones that drew half-star reviews (the lowest-possible score) and five-star reviews (the top score) in equal measure. Are they brilliant or horrible? Ingenious or maddening? You know what they say about how one mans trash is another mans treasure. Whether you call these movies controversial or polarizing or divisive, they are the ones that some Letterboxd users had the widest range of responses.The 25 movies below are drawn from a Most ControversialFilms on Letterboxdlist by user thisisdrew with any and all short films, television series, and documentaries stripped out. (That last one especially seems like a subject worthy of its own list at some point down the line.) When youfilter out all those other things, here are the most controversial films you are left with, ranked in ascending order...The Most Polarizing Movies Ever, According to LetterboxdThese are the movies with the widest variance in their star ratings from zero to five on the movie website Letterboxd.READ MORE: 25 Movies With Surprising Letterboxd ScoresGet our free mobile appFive-Star Raves For Horrible Movies on LetterboxdYou (and most people) might hate these movies, but not these fans on Letterboxd, who gave these films five star raves.Filed Under: Letterboxd, Neil Breen, The Room, Tommy Wiseau

***PLEASE NOTE: This is a 100% remote, hourly contract role. At this time, we are placing a preference on nearshore candidates who can work at least 7 hours overlapping with the US Pacific timezone during normal business hours.***Bitovi is looking for a DevOps Engineer with experience in Golang to join us as we transform technology delivery.We're looking to connect with qualified candidates interested in creating exceptional applications for our clients, and who have ideas for making technology delivery more collaborative, validation-driven, and swift.WHO YOU AREYoure an experienced DevOps Engineer with a thorough understanding of the full CI/CD pipeline and experience with Go development. You thrive in an environment when tasked with taking an abstract goal from idea to reality, with minimal guidance from others, including research, architectural planning, proof-of-concept implementation, and full-scale implementation.Youre an autonomous person who can efficiently manage multiple, simultaneous initiatives with detail and clarity. In your career so far, youve achieved:5+ years experience in a professional cloud computing roleThorough understanding of the full CI/CD pipelineExpertise in at least two CI tools and two CD toolsExperience creating complex cloud infrastructure using Infrastructure As Code (IAC)Experience with Ansible and TerraformExperience deploying and maintaining multiple production-ready Kubernetes clustersExperience deploying and maintaining enterprise applications to a Kubernetes clusterExperience in writing Helm chartsExperience in writing and publishing Docker containersExperience using and building GitOps workflowsExperience in writing Bash scripts, Golang applications, and at least one other programming languageExperience improving system reliability through implementing metrics, logs, tracing, and APM systemsWHO WE ARE Bitovi partners with companies to build outcome-focused apps. Our collaborative approach is driven by validation to deliver the swiftest route to the most valuable solution.We design and build various high-profile applications with tests, full docs, and a deployment process. We discuss and design architectures, review code, and research new technologies. We talk to our clients, guiding them through the process, identifying potential problems and unknowns, and tackling challenges. Our fully remote team is comprised of about 70 Bitovians.You can learn more about us with this short read: Hello Potential Bitovian.WHAT YOULL DO AT BITOVIBuild and Configure. Migrating applications from on-prem to the cloudManaging configuration for infrastructure and application deploymentsImplementing and managing CI/CD pipelinesArchitecting best-fit cloud provider, application, and tool stacks for clientsConsult. You'll play a crucial role in guiding clients along their DevOps journeys, and youll meet with clients regularly to learn about their needs and update them on the progress of their projects. WHAT WE OFFERThis is a contract-to-hire opportunity. It will start as an hourly contract focused on one client project with the Bitovi team. There is potential to move to a longer-term, full-time contractor rolYoull work alongside a thoughtful and talented Bitovi team that supports and challenges one another to do their most exceptional work. In addition, we offer;Competitive hourly payRemote work with flexible hours (pending 7-hour minimum overlap with PT) HOW TO APPLYPlease share a resume and answer the additional questions. Yes, we read through all the answers!

The Stratford venue, designed by ODonnell + Tuomey, seeks to create a new hub for dance as part of the East Bank cultural and education quarterSource: Peter CookSource: Peter MolloySource: Peter MolloySource: Peter Cook1/4show captionThe first images have been released of Sadlers Wells East, designed by ODonnell + Tuomey, which is set to open its doors in February.Located within Stratfords East Bank development, the building aims to serve as a major centre for dance creation, performance, and education. It features a 550-seat flexible theatre, six studios, and facilities for the Rose Choreographic School and the Academy Breakin Convention, the UKs first free diploma in Hip Hop Theatre performance and production.The venue is intended to complement Sadlers Wells existing locations the Islington theatre, Lilian Baylis Studio, and Peacock Theatre while establishing a new base for artists and audiences in East London.Sheila ODonnell said: Its been a privilege to work with Sadlers Wells, working together to accommodate dance in all its forms. We had designed theatres before, but not for dance.The fixed shapes of stage and studios determine the dimensions of everything else. The built form is inspired by dance notation, a static diagram of movement expressed in rhythmic composition. This is a straightforward building, designed to be open, welcoming and ready for work.The buildings design is intended to reflect the industrial heritage of the site. Its exterior combines hand-laid purple-hued brickwork and clay shingle tiles. The structure includes a prominent flytower with illuminated Sadlers Wells signage and a saw-tooth roofline that brings natural light into the top-floor studios.AuditoriumSource: Peter CookDance studioSource: Peter CookDance studioSource: Peter CookStudioSource: Peter CookFoyerSource: Peter Cook1/5show captionInside, the auditorium occupies almost half of the building and was designed in consultation with Charcoalblue. It replicates the stage dimensions of Sadlers Wells Theatre in Islington, enabling the seamless transfer of productions between venues.The public-facing foyer includes a caf, bar, and a performance space called The Dance Floor. Designed to be open and welcoming, it connects Stratford Walk with the public realm and features amphitheatre-style seating outside. The foyer includes a new tapestry from artist Eva Rothschild and lighting designed by Aideen Malone.Sadlers Wells executive director and co-CEO Britannia Morton described the building as designed inside out, with the needs of dance put first.Sadlers Wells East joins other East Bank developments, including Allies and Morrisons London College of Fashion andODonnell + Tuomeys V&A East Museum, as part of Stratfords growing cultural quarter.> Also read:London College of Fashion strikes a pose with new campus by Allies & Morrison

Whether you have vision problems or spend your days staring at a computer screen, everyone should pay attention to their eyes. The top vitamins foreye health are essential to keeping them healthy and your vision clear.Eating a balanced diet is the best way to stay healthy, but sometimes, you need a little help to meet your nutritional needs. That's where supplements come in. Remember, before taking anything, you should speak with your doctor. Your eye doctor can also provide insight into your eye health during your regular exam.These are the best vitamins and supplements for healthy eyes and where you can find them in food. Plus, learn about whichbad habits for your eyesyou should avoid.The best vitamins and supplements for eye health Getty Images Upgrade your inbox Get cnet insider From talking fridges to iPhones, our experts are here to help make the world a little less complicated. In addition to a balanced diet, here are the best vitamins and supplements for your eyes. Luckily, you can get most of these added supplements for less than $10.Vitamin AVitamin A supports your vision,immune system, heart, lungs and overall growth and development. Specifically, vitamin A helps you see a full spectrum of light, as the vitamin produces pigments in the retina. It can also keep your eyes from drying out. You can find vitamin A in foods such as salmon, broccoli, eggs, carrots and fortified breakfast cereals.You have probably heard of the magic of carrots. Yes, it's true: Carrots are great for your eyes. Carrots (and other vividly colored fruits and vegetables) are high in beta-carotene, which is a compound that your body uses to make vitamin A. Beta-carotene is also available in a supplement form, although it isn't as common as vitamin A and is often more expensive.Foods with vitamin A- Salmon- Broccoli- Carrots- Eggs- Fortified breakfast cereals$8 at AmazonVitamin CVitamin C is like sunscreen for your eyes: It helps protect them from UV damage. The more time you spend outside and under the sun, the greater the risk for damage. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, too long in the sun can cause irreversible damage. Vitamin C can also lower your risk of cataracts, a disease that causes the lens of your eyes to become cloudy.While a recent study found that vitamin C supplementation was effective in patients who were already vitamin C deficient, more studies are needed to truly understand the relationship between vitamin C and a lower risk of cataracts. In addition to getting enough vitamin C, avoid tanning beds, and if you are outside, wear sunglasses and a hat to protect your eyes.Foods with vitamin C- Kale- Broccoli- Oranges- Lemons- Strawberries- Brussels sprouts$11 at AmazonOmega-3sOptometrists regularly recommend their patients consumeomega-3s, and if a patient isn't getting enough of these fatty acids in their diet, try a supplement. Omega-3s are mainly found in fatty fish such as tuna, salmon, mackerel or herring and some nuts and seeds.The American Optometric Association points to omega-3s as a nutrient that can slow the progress of age-related macular degeneration. Studies have also found that they can help prevent dry eye disease. These nutrients are great for both conditions due to their anti-inflammatory effects.Foods with omega-3s- Tuna- Salmon- Herring- Mackerel- Chia seeds- Flaxseed- Walnuts$9 at AmazonRead more: Best MultivitaminsVitamin EAnother powerful antioxidant, vitamin E is vital to all our cells and cell functions. It helps to protect our bodies from cancer-causing free radicals and plays an important role in vision.Studies have shown that vitamin E can help protect the retinas from free radicals that can cause eye disease.Vitamin C, another antioxidant, has more properties that help regeneration. Vitamin E can only help to protect the cells already there. But vitamin E can slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration. The American Optometric Association recommends 400 IU of vitamin E a day.Foods with vitamin E- Sunflower seeds- Almonds- Peanuts- Collared greens- Red bell peppers- Mangoes- Avocados$27 at AmazonZincZinc is found in almost all multivitaminsbecause it is such an essential nutrient to the body. It is used to boost the immune system and help the body heal from wounds quickly. Zinc also aids in eye health.Zinc helps vitamin A create melanin (a pigment that protects the eyes) and may shield the eyes from age-related macular degeneration. The American Optometric Association recommends 40 to 80 mg a day to slow the progression.Foods with zinc- Meat- Shellfish- Chickpeas- Lentils- Pumpkin seeds- Cashews- Almonds- Eggs- Cheese- Milk$11 at AmazonRead more: Best Zinc SupplementsLutein and zeaxanthinLutein and zeaxanthin are known to be important to our eyes. Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids found in red and yellowish fruits and vegetables, as these compounds give the produce their vibrant colors. Carotenoids, also powerful antioxidants, are vital to eye health. They protect the eyes from free radicals that can cause damage. Lutein and zeaxanthin, specifically, have been found to prevent damage to retinas.These carotenoids can also slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration. The American Optometric Association recommends a daily amount of 10 mg of lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin. While you can find lutein and zeaxanthin in supplement form, one bottle is on the pricier side. You may find it better, easier and more affordable to just eat more fruits and vegetables.Foods with lutein and zeaxanthin- Kale- Spinach- Peas- Broccoli- Orange juice- Red peppers- Honeydew melons- Grapes$66 at AmazonVitamins and supplements found in foods Vitamin/Supplement FoodsVitamin A salmon, broccoli, eggs, carrots and fortified breakfast cerealsVitamin C kale, broccoli, oranges, lemons, strawberries, and Brussels sproutsOmega-3s tuna, salmon, herring, mackerel, chia seeds, flaxseed and walnutsVitamin E sunflower seeds, almonds, peanuts, collared greens, red bell peppers, mangoes and avocadosZinc meat, shellfish, chickpeas, lentils, pumpkin seeds, cashews, almonds, eggs, cheese and milkLutein and zeaxanthin kale, spinach, peas, broccoli, orange juice, red peppers, honeydew melons and grapes What to considerMost vitamins and supplements are generally considered safe for people to take, as they're nutrients your body naturally requires. You should always talk to your doctor before starting any supplements. Some vitamins and supplements can interact with various medications. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new vitamins or supplements in conjunction with certain medications. Especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult a medical provider first. Your doctor should be able to safely guide you to the best vitamins and supplements for eye health, as well as proper dosages.Eye health tipsIn addition to the best vitamins and supplements for eye health, there are other ways you can protect your eyes and preserve your vision health:Wear sunglasses:Sunglasses block harmful UV light, decreasing your risk of cataracts, eye cancer and sunburn.Screen breaks: The American Optometric Association recommends the 20-20-20 rule, which states that every 20 minutes, you look away from your screen at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.Physical activity: The American Academy of Ophthalmology reported on a study that found a correlation between exercise and eye damage prevention, though more studies are needed.Avoid smoking: Smoking cigarettes can lead to eye diseases that result in vision loss and blindness, according to the Food and Drug Administration.Get regular eye exams: Even if you have perfect vision, it is important to regularly get an eye exam to catch potential issues early. How often you should get an eye exam depends on your age. For instance, people ages 20 to 39 should get an eye exam every five years, while those ages 65 and up should get an eye exam every one to two years.Remove your makeup: Before bed, always remove your makeup to prevent eye irritation and inflammation.Best vitamins for eyes FAQs What is the best vitamin for the eyes? Vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, omega-3s, zinc and lutein and zeaxanthin are all important vitamins for the eyes. If you are curious as to which vitamins you need more of, consult your doctor. What vitamin is lacking for your eyes? This can vary from person to person, but the best way to find out what vitamin is lacking for your eyes is to consult your doctor. Your doctor can schedule tests to help determine whether you are lacking a certain vitamin that could be beneficial for your eye health. Does vitamin B12 improve eyesight? According to Eye MD Monterey, vitamins B12 and B6 can improve eye health, support the optic nerve, reduce your chances of having blind spots and reduce the chances of having age-related macular degeneration, which causes blurred vision. Do vitamins for the eyes really work? Vitamins for your eyes are especially helpful when you are deficient in any essential vitamins for vision. These include vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, omega-3s, zinc and lutein and zeaxanthin. Studies have found that these vitamins and nutrients can help protect your eyes and even slow the process of age-related eye diseases. While these supplements are not a cure, they support eye health. What supplements can I take to improve my eyesight? You can take vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, omega-3s, zinc and lutein and zeaxanthin. While all are available in supplement form at various prices, you can naturally obtain these vitamins and nutrients in a balanced diet.

There's a huge ecosystem of MagSafe iPhone accessories of all shapes and sizes, but some of our favorites are wireless chargers. You magnetically attach them to the back of your iPhone and they work their magic, perfect for using when you need to top your battery up away from an AC outlet. Belkin is known for making some of the best iPhone accessories and now you can pick up its BoostCharge Pro wireless power bank for just $80at Amazon -- a 20% savings over the original $100 price. (Some CNET staff, when logged into Prime, also see an additional 15% coupon, good for a further $12 off, but your mileage may vary here.)See at AmazonIt's worth noting that this deal is only available on the white version, so you'll pay the normal price if you really must have the black one. They're identical beyond the color though, so we'd suggest just going for the cheapest one and doing it soon because we don't know for sure how long this price will last.Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.In terms of features, this wireless charger will work with iPhone 12 or newer and offers MagSafe and Qi2 support for faster speeds. Both specs support 15 watts of fast-charging power. The whole thing is surprisingly thin and light, so it won't add too much bulk to your bag. The 10,000-mAh capacity can provide up to 35 extra hours of charge for your phone and you can use passthrough charging to turn it into a charging stand for your device while also refilling the battery pack.Alongside the charging capabilities, this accessory also has a built-in kickstand so you can prop your iPhone up and catch the latest must-watch show while your battery is topped off, ideal for those long train or plane journeys.Still rocking an older iPhone that doesn't support MagSafe? Our list of the best iPhone deals we've found will have you upgraded and ready to go in no time at all. Top deals available today, according to CNET's shopping experts Curated discounts worth shopping while they last Apple AirTag, 4-pack: $70 (save $29)Costco 1-year Gold Star membership + $20 gift card: $65 (save $20)Anker 20-watt USB-C charger, 2-pack: $12 (save $7)Levoit LVAC-200 cordless vacuum: $160 (save $40)Peloton Bike: $1,145 (save $300) Why this deal mattersNo matter how great the batteries in our phones get there will still be times when we need to add a little extra juice throughout the day. There is no shortage of options when it comes to portable power packs, but Belkin is a brand that's been around for a long time and is trusted by iPhone users everywhere. They aren't the cheapest around, but this discount sure does help make this charger more affordable. At this price, the 10,000-mAh model is the same price as the 8,000-mAh model so you're getting more of a charge at no extra cost.

Key Takeaways Today's top CDs earn up to 4.65% APY.Your APY is fixed when you open a CD.Opening one of these CDs now can protect your earnings from anticipated rate drops. If you've been thinking of opening a certificate of deposit, now's the time to do it. CD rates are still attractive, but they're on the way down, so the sooner you open an account, the better the rate you're likely to get.Today's best CDs offer up to 4.65% annual percentage yield. Since your APY is locked in when you open a CD, your earnings won't go down if rates drop after that -- which experts expect they will.Here are some of the highest CD rates right now and how much you could earn by depositing $5,000.Today's best CD rates Term Highest APY*BankEstimated earnings6 months 4.65%CommunityWide Federal Credit Union$114.931 year 4.45%CommunityWide Federal Credit Union$222.503 years 4.15%America First Credit Union$648.695 years 4.25%America First Credit Union$1,156.73 Experts recommend comparing rates before opening a CD account to get the best APY possible. Enter your information below to get CNET's partners' best rate for your area.Opening a CD now can boost your earningsCD rates have been falling for months in response to a series of Federal Reserve rate cuts. The Fed doesn't directly set CD rates, but its federal fund rate determines how much it costs banks to borrow and lend money to each other. When the Fed raises this rate, banks tend to raise APYs on CDs and savings accounts to attract new customers and boost their cash flow. When it cuts this rate, banks drop these APYs.The Fed hiked rates to combat COVID-era inflation, and CD rates soared, reaching 5.65% APY for the banks we track at CNET. They've come down considerably since then, especially in recent months as cooling inflation caused the Fed to cut rates at its last three meetings. But the top APY -- 4.65% -- is still more than double the national average for some terms.With experts expecting more Fed rate cuts in 2025, locking in one of today's APYs can protect your earnings from additional drops. If you've been thinking of stashing your funds in a CD, doing so ASAP can help you boost your earning potential."While some banks may still offer competitive rates to attract deposits, the general trend will probably be lower rates for now, especially if the Fed stays on its current course of managing inflation while avoiding further economic slowdown," said Taylor Kovar, CFP, founder and CEO of 11 Financial.How CD rates have changed in the last week Term Last week's CNET average APYThis week's CNET average APY**Weekly change***6 months 4.09%4.09%No change1 year 4.03%4.03%No change3 years 3.50%3.50%No change5 years 3.45%3.45%No change Things to look at when comparing CDsA competitive APY is important, but it's not the only thing you should consider. To find the right CD for you, weigh these factors, too:When you'll need your money: Early withdrawal penalties can eat into your interest earnings. So be sure to choose a term that fits your savings timeline. Alternatively, you can select a no-penalty CD, although the APY may not be as high as you'd get with a traditional CD of the same term.Minimum deposit requirement: Some CDs require a minimum amount to open an account -- typically, $500 to $1,000. Others do not. How much money you have to set aside can help you narrow your options.Fees: Maintenance and other fees can eat into your earnings. Many online banks don't charge fees because they have lower overhead costs than banks with physical branches. Still, read the fine print for any account you're evaluating.Federal deposit insurance: Make sure any bank or credit union you're considering is an FDIC or NCUA member so your money is protected if the bank fails.Customer ratings and reviews: Visit sites like Trustpilot to see what customers are saying about the bank. You want a bank that's responsive, professional and easy to work with.MethodologyCNET reviews CD rates based on the latest APY information from issuer websites. We evaluated CD rates from more than 50 banks, credit unions and financial companies. We evaluate CDs based on APYs, product offerings, accessibility and customer service.The current banks included in CNET's weekly CD averages include Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, American Express National Bank, Barclays, Bask Bank, Bread Savings, Capital One, CFG Bank, CIT, Fulbright, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, MYSB Direct, Quontic, Rising Bank, Synchrony, EverBank, Popular Bank, First Internet Bank of Indiana, America First Federal Credit Union, CommunityWide Federal Credit Union, Discover, Bethpage, BMO Alto, Limelight Bank, First National Bank of America and Connexus Credit Union.*APYs as of Jan. 9, 2025, based on the banks we track at CNET. Earnings are based on APYs and assume interest is compounded annually.**Weekly percentage increase/decrease from Dec. 30, 2024, to Jan. 6, 2025.More on CDs

January 8, 20255 min readNASAs Mars Sample Return Program Faces Stark ChoicesNASA sees two paths for saving its beleaguered plan to retrieve materials from the Red Planet but wont choose between them until 2026By Lee Billings edited by Dean VisserNASAs Perseverance Mars rover appears in this selfie it snapped in January 2023 alongside several sample tubes scattered about the landscape of Jezero Crater. The space agency is developing a new plan to retrieve most of Perseverances samples for study on Earth in the 2030s. NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSSNASAs troubled Mars Sample Return program is stuck at a crossroadsand is likely to remain in limbo until at least 2026agency officials said at a press briefing on Tuesday.Colloquially called MSR, the joint effort between NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) has been decades in the making. It is widely seen as a linchpin for the U.S.s and Europes near-future interplanetary science and explorationand as a first step toward more ambitious there-and-back-again human missions to Mars. Its opening phase is already well underway: NASAs Mars rover Perseverance has spent much of the past four years trundling around a sprawling ancient lake bed and river delta within the Red Planets Jezero Crater, where it has stuffed samples into some of the 43 cigar-sized titanium tubes that are carried onboard. Analyzing these materials, scientists say, would at minimum transform our understanding of the solar systems early history, when Mars was warmer, wetter and presumably more habitable. And in principle, the samples could even deliver the first-ever discovery of extraterrestrial life.To bring this precious cargo to Earth in the early to mid-2030s, as desired, NASAs original MSR plan envisioned launching a new lander circa 20272028; it would meet Perseverance on the Red Planet and transfer the samples to a canister within a Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV). The MAV would blast off from Mars to rendezvous in space with an ESA-provided Earth Return Orbiter, which would then ferry the sample canister back for a final, parachute-slowed plunge to our planets surface.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.But this complex choreography ran into heavy political and fiscal headwinds in September 2023 when a formal reappraisal revealed that MSRs estimated cost had grown from about $4 billion to as much as a budget-busting $11 billionall to only bring the precious samples back to Earth no earlier than 2040. U.S. lawmakers threatened outright cancellation, and NASA administrator Bill Nelson put MSR on hold, triggering layoffs and exacerbating anxiety at the space agencys Jet Propulsion Laboratory, or JPL, which leads the MSR program. Meanwhile NASA began soliciting proposals for new plans from within, as well as from external commercial companies. Last October the space agency formed an independent strategic review team to assess 11 accepted proposals and plot a way forward.Tuesdays briefing revealed the results of that independent assessment, giving two potential options for a speedier, cheaper MSR. Both seek to save costs by delivering less mass to Mars. They also share certain corresponding features, such as outfitting the sample-retrieval lander with a simpler spare robotic arm left over from Perseverances development and redesigning the MAV to use a compact radioisotope power source rather than more finicky solar panels. The first option for getting a sample-retrieval lander on Mars would employ a beefed-up version of a tried-and-true technology: the JPL-developed, hovering sky crane platform that landed the Curiosity and Perseverance rovers. The second would instead bring the sample-retriever lander to Marss surface via an as-yet-unspecified, commercial heavy-lift vehiclemost likely some variant of the massive rockets that are being developed by companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin. Either of these two options are creating a much more simplified, faster and less expensive version than the original plan, Nelson said during the briefing. The sky crane approach, he said, would cost between $6.6 billion and $7.7 billion, while the commercial heavy-lift option would range from $5.8 billion to $7.1 billion. ESAs cargo-ferrying orbiter could launch from Earth in 2030, followed in 2031 by NASAs sample-snatching lander. And the return to Earth could occur as early as 2035 or as late as 2039.But, citing the need for more detailed engineering studiesplus budgetary uncertainties and a deference to the incoming administration of U.S. President-elect Donald TrumpNelson said NASA wont choose between the two options until mid-2026. And to keep the program on-track, he added, congressional appropriators would still need to allocate at least $300 million to MSR in the current fiscal yearan amount that would need to be sustained every year [of the program] going forward.I think it was a responsible thing to do, not to hand the new administration just one alternative, Nelson said, if they [even] want to have a Mars sample returnwhich I cant imagine that they dont.Nicola Fox, associate administrator for NASAs Science Mission Directorate, expressed optimism for the new plan during the briefing. Im excited about both paths, she said. I think we can really do this if we work together with our partnerswith our international partners, with our commercial partners, with all our amazing NASA expertise. The Perseverance rover, she noted, is very healthy and stable on Mars and has already filled 28 of its titanium tubes with carefully curated samples of Martian rocks, sediments and air. Ten of those tubes have been cached on the planets surface as a backup in the event Perseverance breaks down and cant travel to a retrieval lander. The new plan calls for abandoning them in favor of bringing back a significantly heftier haul: 30 tubes that will be stashed inside Perseverance, which hopefully will still be fully operational in the 2030s. Meanwhile, Fox said, there are 13 tantalizing tubes still left to be filled.... We are very confident we can return all 30 samples before 2040and for less than ... $11 billion.That push for a larger number of samples sounds exciting to MSRs chief scientist Meenakshi Wadhwa, a Mars expert at Arizona State University. Im especially pleased that the goal is to bring back as many as 30 sample tubes as early as 2035, she says. Those samples will address fundamental questions for us as humans and revolutionize our understanding of planet-building processes in our and other solar systems.Harry McSween, a longtime Mars sample return proponent and a professor emeritus at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, also emphasizes the importance of retrieving as much material as possible. The scientific payoff from MSR requires carefully selected samples collected from a site thoughtfully chosen to address critical questionsnot just grabbing samples from anywhere on Mars, he says. This is in pointed contrast with what may be the most potent motivator for MSRs ongoing political support: a competing sample-return effort by China, which appears to involve a far simpler grab and go mission to retrieve some number of samples from a single, easily accessible spot on Mars. This could push China first over the finish line in a notional race to return Martian materials to Earthbut at considerable scientific cost.Others are less certain that Tuesdays announcement is something to celebrate. Im happy to see MSR not cancelled, but we need to make a decision and move forward sooner rather than later, says Casey Dreier, chief of space policy at the Planetary Society. Im worried that MSR has remained in limbo for so long.... The path forward they promised us is merely further studies. NASA needs to commit to a mission or not and decide where to go from there.To Dreier and others, the choice appears to be between a presumably JPL-led sky cranea go with what you know approachand a more uncertain and fraught reliance on innovations from commercial companies. For the latter, obviously [NASA is] talking about SpaceX, which is the only feasible company that would take on this capabilityvia Starship, SpaceXs in-development, fully reusable heavy-lift vehicle, Dreier says. That does require Starship to be working, however, and [to reach] Mars. Utilizing Starship could make a stronger case for MSR serving as an uncrewed demonstration mission for a future crewed Mars campaign, Dreier adds. That could potentially unify this high-priority NASA science mission with the space agencys broader goals in human spaceflight.I think theres a path there, Dreier concludes. But that still assumes many unknowns.

Nvidia CEO would be "delighted" to meet president-elect Trump but hasn't been invitedAnd said AI will "reinvigorate" the video game industry.Image credit: Nvidia / YouTube News by Ed Nightingale Deputy News Editor Published on Jan. 9, 2025 Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said he would be "delighted" to visit president-elect Donald Trump and "do everything we can" to help his administration succeed.Huang was interviewed by Bloomberg following Nvidia's presentation at CES earlier this week, in which he discussed the company's AI technology and how AI will "reinvigorate" the gaming industry.However, he's yet to receive an invite from Trump to Mar-a-Lago. "I'd be delighted to go see him," said Huang, "and congratulate him and do everything we can to help this administration succeed."Nvidia CEO Huang New Chips, AI, Musk, Meeting TrumpWatch on YouTubeHuang is the latest tech boss to pay obeisance to Trump's regime, following Apple CEO Tim Cook, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, who have all donated to Trump's inauguration fund.In all likelihood, Huang would have made similar comments had Kamala Harris won the presidency instead, considering he's CEO of not only one of the biggest tech companies in the US but - for a brief time last year - the most valuable company in the world.It's perhaps Huang's flattery of Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk that's pertinent. Huang described Musk as "very optimistic" about the future of AI and is working on "some of the most important AI areas". Tesla is in fact a customer of Nvidia, with its AI tech included in vehicles.AI has formed a major part of Nvidia's latest tech reveals, including its new GeForce RTX 5080 graphics card.Indeed, Huang told Bloomberg: "At the limit, artificial intelligence is the single most important technology force of our time and we're at the beginning of that."Further, he specified AI will "reinvigorate" the video game industry."On the one hand, for developers, it's going to reduce the cost of creating the content," he said. "On the other hand, all of the characters that are in the games are going to be smart characters in the future, so every time you interact with them they're going to be interacting with you in a much more intelligent way."And so the games are going to be more interesting, characters are going to be more interesting, the content development cost is going to decline, and that's going to be really great for the industry. I think the future's really bright for video games and these virtual worlds, and artificial intelligence is going to reinvigorate it."Huang's comments on AI are a continuation of last year: "We can't do computer graphics anymore without artificial intelligence," he said at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology conference.Still, not everyone shares his view on AI. While Google works on new AI tools and EA's CEO stated AI is "the very core of our business", PlayStation boss Hermen Hulst was more tentative stating it won't replace the "human touch", and Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa said the company would instead rely on "decades of know-how".Just this week, PUBG maker Krafton unveiled its new AI companions, while voice actor Jennifer Hale has discussed with Eurogamer the dangers of AI to performers and why it's holding up SAG-AFTRA strike negotiations.

Following a festive bout of generosity with December's free PowerWash Simulator update, developer FutureLab has announced the squirt 'em up's next blast of paid DLC, this time themed around Lancashire's premier Wensleydale gobblers, Wallace & Gromit. Read more

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games hereIts no secret that the Fantastic Four have struggled to stay relevant as pop culture evolved. From the early 2000s movies to the horrendous Fant4stic, the famous family have even struggled to stay relevant in comics. However, with the arrival of Marvel Rivals Season 1, Eternal Night, the Fantastic Four are not only popular, but record-breaking again.Fantastic Four break Marvel Rivals peakWhile Marvel Rivals was already popular, the arrival of Season 1 has somehow managed to crack its already high peak concurrent player numbers. Via Steam Charts, the arrival of the Season 1 update brought NetEases free-to-play game to its highest ever player count on Steam.On release of the new update, Rivals concurrent player count managed to rise to a massive 445,159 players all fighting at the same time. Prior to the updates release, Rivals previous all-time peak was 437,531 players.With Season 1 offering double the content of regular seasons, NetEase Games has certainly gone hard on the games first post-launch update. Based wholly on the games Steam data, the game is bigger than ever before, proving that Marvel Rivals does have long legs.Since release, Marvel Rivals has not only managed to maintain its rather massive fanbase, but continue to grow. With rival hero shooters like Overwatch suffering and live-service games like Destiny 2 seeing plummeting player counts, its nice to see a new game succeed in such a brutal market. After all, we all remember what happened to Concord.As NetEase plan new events with ways to earn free skins and unban players on Steam Deck and MacOS, its clear that the game has a solid content plan for the future.For more news on Marvel Rivals, read about how the games most popular hero is also its biggest loser, or check out the latest buffs and nerfs.Subscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share