Palestinian developer Rasheed Abueideh has raised (just over) $240,000 to begin production on Dreams on a Pillow, a video game about the 1948 Nakba.The project raised precisely $240,502 through crowdfunding platform LaunchGood, surpassing its target of $194,800 after receiving backing from over 3,300 people.The title will take the form a "pseudo-3D stealth adventure" inspired by a Palestinian folk tale set during the Nakba. The United Nations explains Nakba means "catastrophe" in Arabic and refers to the "mass displacement and dispossession of Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war."In a post on Bluesky, Abueideh thanked backers for their support and explained production on the game will commence imminently.Abueideh said he hopes to "make history" in the game industry by bringing Dreams on a Pillow to market after initially struggling to secure funding via more traditional means.As noted on the project page, Abueideh previously worked on a title called Liyla & The Shadows of War that sought to shine a light on the "harsh realities of living under invasion, apartheid, and occupation" in Gaza.However he says he was met with setback after setback with both publishers and platform holders reportedly rejecting the title and even banning it in some instances.Despite those challenges, he successfully launched Liyla but has struggled to make a living in the game industry ever since. Abueideh says publishers and investors feel supporting a Palestinian is "too risky" or "controversial," but is determined to find a way to turn Dreams on a Pillow into a reality."Dreams on a Pillow holds the ambition and dreams of a Palestinian who was denied the right to make games like the rest of the world could, but persists regardless. It cannot be made with traditional games funding, because such funding cannot be accessed by a Palestinian," reads the project page."It cannot be made with traditional crowdfunding, because most popular crowdfunding platforms do not recognize Palestine. To tell this story, to fulfil this impossible dream, to bring together a team of veteran game developers and incredible local creators."Abueideh estimates he will need roughly $495,000 to realize his vision for Dreams on a Pillow. The cash raised through LaunchGood will be used to move into a production state and create "a few core levels" while plotting out and prototyping the entire experience."This will ensure the mechanics and narrative work together to tell this powerful and sensitive story. Prototypes and 'vertical slices' will have ensured all pipelines have been tested, all required talent is on-board, and few (if any) risks remain to the production process," adds an explainer."At that point, Rasheed and his team will endeavour to raise additional funding with a far more advanced version of the game in handa much more viable prospect."You can learn more about Dreams on a Pillow on LaunchGood.

President Biden issued an executive order today aimed at speeding the development of AI data centers in the US. It directs theDepartment of Defense (DOD) and Department of Energy (DOE) to lease federal sites to private companies building gigawatt-scale AI data centers and clean power facilities. It also tells federal agencies to prioritize and speed up permitting of AI infrastructure. The measure could create categorial exclusions to speed environmental review under the National Environmental Protection Act.Developing new AI tools is an increasingly energy-hungry endeavor. Nevertheless, the Biden administration seems to think its worth the risk of further derailing US climate goals and putting additional pressure on already stressed power grids. Developing new AI tools is an increasingly energy-hungry endeavorWe will not let America be out-built when it comes to the technology that will define the future, Joe Biden said in a statement today.Prior to the announcement today in response to reports that the White House was considering measures to fast track data center development environmental and consumer advocacy groups as well as Democratic lawmakers had urged the White House to avoid exempting AI from typical permitting procedures andenvironmental standards.We urge you to reconsider any potential executive action that could lead to increased pollution and costs for consumers, says a letter sent by senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Edward Markey (D-MA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), and Peter Welch (D-VT) to the Biden administration on December 17th. We are the United States of America; there is no doubt that we can win the AI race while accelerating our decarbonization efforts, it reads. Electricity demand from data centers has tripled over the past decade, according to estimates published by theLawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) on December 20th. Its likely to double or triple again by 2028, according to the report. Data centers used about 4.4 percent of US electricity in 2023, which could rise to as much as 12 percent by 2028.RelatedThat rise in demand is the result of the tremendous compute power needed to train AI models. Utilities are already extending the lives of polluting coal and gas infrastructure to try to meet skyrocketing electricity demand. Customers also face rising electricity bills as a result.Developers building new AI data centers on federal land will be requiredto pay all costs of building and operating AI infrastructure so that this development does not raise electricity prices for consumers, according to the White House. That includes constructing the data center itself, as well as power facilities and transmission lines. Companies will be responsible for sourcing electricity that data centers use from new sources of clean electricity. Theyll also have to assess the security implications of AI models developed at federal sites and purchase an appropriate share of American-made semiconductors. In the race to dominate AI, we cant lose sight of the very real race to stop the pollution thats warming our planet and harming our health, Johanna Neumann, a senior director at the Environment America Research & Policy Center, said in a December 19th statement. Neumann arguedThe government already leases federal lands for energy production, including fossil fuel exploration and renewable energy projects. Under the executive order, by February 28th, the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Energy are supposed to find at least three sites each to host new AI data centers on land that their departments manage.

Every other Tuesday we get anUnreal EngineFab marketplace giveaway and this Tuesday is no exception. You can get three free game development assets during the next two weeks, all of the assets work in Unreal natively (there are no Unity specific assets this week). If you are using a different game engine or tool we have guides below that instruct you on how to export from Unreal Engine to other engines such as Godot, Blender or Unity for example.This Months free assets include:Vista Modern House EnvironmentParry Attack SystemModular Bakery ShopYou can see all of these assets in action in thevideobelow. If you are interested in getting these assets into other game engines, check out our various guides available here:

Following Uncharteds 2022 cinematic outing and The Last of Us hit HBO show, it was only a matter of time until Sony announced that Horizon was coming to the silver screen. PlayStation Studios and Columbia Pictures recently formally confirmed that a movie adaptation of Horizon Zero Dawn is in the works, which will bring to life both Aloys origin story and the video games vibrant, machine-filled world. And while development of the movie is only in the early stages, Im already pretty confident that it could be Sonys first major video game win at the box office if it stays true to the games. The last few years have seen several video game success stories grace both the small and big screens. The Super Mario Brothers and Sonic films, both skewed for family audiences, are the gold standard in terms of both critical reception and box office numbers. On TV, Sonys own The Last of Us show sits alongside the likes of Netflixs Arcane and Amazon Primes Fallout as fan favourites. And even adaptations that have had more middling reviews from fans and critics have been able to come out on top at the box office; the Tom Holland-led Uncharted movie grossed more than $400 million. But while its true that the days of the video game curse are mostly long gone, there are still issues that persist in this field. Uncharted may have found its audience, but it is not the faithful adaptation of the original games fans were hoping for. More recently, we have seen poor critical and box office performance for the likes of last years Borderlands film and Amazons Like a Dragon: Yakuza series. Both seemed completely uninterested in staying faithful to the storylines, lore, or even simply the tone of the games they were built upon. They simply did not accurately depict the world of the games that fans fell in love with. Horizon's unique robotic ecosystems would be incredible to witness on the big screen.While such failures can occur in video game adaptations, they are part of a wider issue with adaptations in general. Netflix's The Witcher has taken considerable liberties with its source material, significantly changing the original books events and characters, plus shifting the overall tone. While adaptations often need to make changes to fit their new medium, these examples feel like they have become different things entirely. And for fans of the original texts the pre-baked audience that should be the first in line to watch a new adaptation this can be not just incredibly disappointing, but also signal the projects eventual downfall. That brings us back to Horizon. The recently announced movie isnt actually the first attempt at bringing Horizon to screens. Back in 2022 Netflix announced it was developing a series based on the game, and rumours began to circulate about a Horizon 2074 project that was to be set during the pre-apocalypse period, perhaps trying to fill in some of the backstory the games touch upon and skirt around. This direction, while ultimately never confirmed by Netflix, certainly proved polarising for the game's fanbase, who are clamouring for a story that is faithful to the one that made the original game such a resounding success. Plus, of course, they want to see huge robot animals, which a pre-apocalypse setting would naturally not feature. However, such fans need not worry: whatever the plans were for that show, the project is no longer in development at Netflix and Horizon is now being reworked into a cinema release. Given the heavy CGI effects that any Horizon adaptation would need to realise its iconic visuals, this is a smart move, as the increased budget of a Hollywood movie is one of the keys to realising the story and worlds potential and make them shine on the big screen.If Horizon is given the same kind of treatment afforded to The Last of Us on the small screen, there is no reason it cant be PlayStations first big cinema win. But theres much more to Horizon than its incredible robotic creatures. Consider the success of Fallout, Arcane and The Last of Us in the past few years. These adaptations were praised for being worthy extensions of their source material and for their faithfulness to not just the visuals, but also the tone and stories of their original game franchises. Gamers care about adaptations having an authentic story. The Last of Us did, of course, craft new storylines that deviated from its source material, but most of the show stayed true to the narrative structure of the games. The result was a show that sailed on the proven strength of the game, which resonated with both fans and newcomers. And so if Horizon is given the same kind of treatment afforded to The Last of Us, Arcane and Fallout on the small screen, there is no reason it cant be PlayStations first big cinema win. Remaining faithful to the original game isnt something to do just for the sake of fan expectation, though. Horizon Zero Dawn received the Best Narrative award at the The Game Awards in 2017, as well as the Outstanding Achievement in Story award at the 2018 DICE awards, which shows how highly regarded the games story is. It is a tale worth staying faithful to. Set in 31st century North America, it follows Aloy, a member of the Nora Tribe, as she explores the mystery surrounding her origins and how they link to an old-world scientist, Elisabet Sobeck, who is Aloys perfect doppelganger. These characters and the world they exist in are captivating: Aloy in particular is a brilliant anchor, and her allies Erend and Varl are easy to root for thanks to relationships that are massively fleshed out across Horizon Zero Dawn and its sequel, Forbidden West. Further depth is added through the examination of how attempts were made to save Earths climate, with a rogue AI expanding to create the creatures that now populate so much of the Earth. Complimenting this is the mysterious Sylens, a constant presence and an enigma we want to get to the root of. The unique cultures of Horizon's world could prove as compelling as Avatar's Na'vi tribes.The intricacy of each community and settlement Aloy uncovers along her journey makes for an expansive, immersive world that feels completely unique. This worldbuilding is fuel for a compelling film franchise. Much like how James Camerons Avatar series has explored the culture and traditions of Navi tribes, a Horizon film could dig into the ways tribes like the Nora protect themselves from Earths robotic hunters. The unique combat encounters are a highlight of both Horizon games, and with the likes of the saber tooth tiger-like Sawtooths, the towering Tallnecks, and sky-bound Stormbirds, theres the potential to litter the landscapes with impressive visuals. Alongside rival tribes and those loyal to the rogue AI Hades, these creatures ensure the games are full of action and suspense. Those same elements would provide interesting challenges for Aloy and her allies in a movie adaptation, too. All combined, Horizon is a rich source of creative and visually-rich storytelling that needs very few changes to suit the current cinematic landscape. Horizons story is compelling from the offset, and if followed faithfully, I believe its film adaptation could be, too. What makes Horizon stand out from other would-be franchises is the diligence in its story, crafting a world that is unique, timely, and fresh with an aesthetic that feels distinctly cinematic. There are so many nuances to the world and the storytelling that it is easy to imagine a Horizon adaptation being a resounding success both critically and at the box office. And with the more expansive story of Forbidden West, there is a huge canvas for the franchise as a whole to work with if adapted carefully, this could be a long-term proposition for Sony. There is a huge opportunity to make a film franchise that can match the success of its source material, which has proven to be tremendous success across the last two generations of PlayStation consoles, captivating gamers worldwide. If the film can take the ingredients that have made the game such a success and keep them intact, then the basics are in place for a compelling adaptation. And with more Sony titles set to become film and TV franchises, such as Ghost of Tsushima and Helldivers 2, such an approach would set PlayStation up for success in an entirely new medium. But forgetting what made Horizon great in the first place or, even worse, purposefully diverging away from it could put Sony not only in the firing line of negative fan feedback, but also the same kind of financial difficulties suffered by Borderlands. Bad adaptations have been overwhelmingly rejected by fans, and as a result often audiences as a whole. Lets hope that Sony (plus the writers and directors it chooses) recognise what they have on their hands and do right by Horizon. Chris Connor is a coffee and whisky driven culture wordsmith, with work published at NME, Radio Times, Yahoo, and others.

Happy new year!33 Immortals is back for Xbox Insiders with a third playtest starting January 28. The playtest will be available for 10 days and end on February 6. Thunder Lotus Games incorporated more updates and is excited for Xbox Insiders to try them and to get your feedback. Limited space is available so be ready to join on January 28 to experience this co-op action-roguelike for 33 players.About the Game:Play a damned soul, and rebel against Gods final judgment. Dive straight into epic 33-player co-op battles with instant pick-up and raid matchmaking. Cooperate with your allies to survive against hordes of monsters and massive, challenging bosses. Expand your arsenal and equip powerful new relics to permanently upgrade your soul. Face the Wrath of God in a fight for your eternal life.If you want to learn more, please sign up on the 33 Immortals Website!Updates and Fixes:First Time User experience:New cutscene has been added to welcome players to the game.Dialogue has been streamlined.New dialogue added.New compendium entries have been added with updated UI.Other:Relics can now be rerolled in the Relic Inventory.Meta currencies (Eternal Shards, Paragons, Stardust) totals will now appear when collected during a run.Reduced the speed of a player being revived while in soul form.Players will now be healed for a % of HP instead of a flat number when using Bone Shrines.Adjusted the difficulty of Inferno Wrath of God phases to allow them to scale in difficulty in later maps.For a full list of updates, please see our patch notes.Playtest Times:Start: Tuesday, January 28, 7:00 AM PT (10:00 AM ET / 2:00 PM GMT)End: Friday, February 7, 7:00 AM PT (10:00 AM ET / 2:00 PM GMT)How to Participate:On January 28, sign-in on your Xbox Series X|S console or Windows PC andlaunch the Xbox Insider Hubapp (or install the Xbox Insider Hub from the Store first if necessary)Navigate toPreviews > 33 ImmortalsSelectJoinWait for the registration to complete and be directed to the Store and install 33 Immortals BetaNOTE:Limited space is available and offered first-come first-served.NOTE:This playtest is available on Xbox Series X|S consoles and Windows PC.How to Provide Feedback:If you experience any issues while playing 33 Immortals Beta, dont forget to use Report a problem so we can investigate:Hold down the home button on your Xbox controller.SelectReport a problem.Select theGamescategory and33 Immortals Beta subcategory.Fill out the form with the appropriate details to help our investigation.Other resources:For more information: follow us on X/Twitter at@XboxInsiderand this blog for announcements and more. And feel free to interact with the community on theXbox Insider SubReddit.

Design team (and married couple) Heather and Matt French never thought they would leave the home they had built from the ground up. But when their only child, Isla, switched schools and the commute ballooned to nearly an hour each way, the Frenches knew they needed new place. What they found was a house that was well over their budget and "very 1950s, but not in a good way." It was, however, only three minutes from school. The couple's lowball offer was swiftly declinedand then, three weeks later, accepted, giving them a budget for a remodel. "We were like, 'Oh shit, we've got to figure this out,'" Heather says. Jenna PeffleyHeather French collects flowers with Birdie, her two-year-old Bernedoodle.With Matt's construction expertise and Heather's joyful design instincts, the duo set out to reconfigure the house as a comfortable space for their family, where they could also entertain their "Friday night crew" of friends. "For the first time in our lives, we were able to do everything we wanted for our familyand to play with color and pattern without limitations," Heather says.The Frenches started demoing without a plan, removing nearly every wall downstairs and relocating a whopping 26 plumbing fixtures to create a blank slate. "We did all the things we tell our clients not to do," Heather says. They kept the home's original eight-foot-high ceilings, preserved the kitchen as a separate space (though otherwise overhauled its design), and left intact the step-down living room with its cavernous 16-foot ceiling. Once Matt was done putting the walls back up, Heather brought her signature style to the reconfigured rooms.We really wanted to put the soul back into this home.In the formal dining area, the couple carved out space for a large three-sided banquette wrapped in an espresso floral tapestry, with mustard-colored mohair cushions. The space is complemented by a beautiful arched entry and is now "where the adults hang out," Heather says. Their daughter's favorite spot is the Red Room, the entry and library lovingly named for its striking built-ins. The ceiling is covered in a rich, Venetian-inspired marbleized paper and it has become the homework-to-hangout zone. "I feel like houses have souls, and its important to honor that," Heather says. "This home felt dead before, but now its taken care of."GatewayJenna PeffleyFramed by potted flowers and mature greenery, a custom gate designed by the Frenches welcomes guests to their midcentury, Territorial Revivalstyle home.The EntryJenna Peffley"I love a red library, and I wanted drama when you enter our home," Heather says. "We spread out at the table: I research design books, and Isla studies." Wallcovering: Centered by Design x Isidore Leroy (ceiling). Dining chairs: Coley Home. Paint: Carriage Red (built-ins), Benjamin Moore. Rug: Pelican House. Mirror: Cooper Classics.Jenna PeffleyA view to past the dining area and into the living room.Living RoomJenna PeffleyHeather used 80 yards of fabric for the drapes, placing the valances and blinds below the beams to bring down the scale of the lofty space. "It makes it cozier and quieter," she says. Pendant: Visual Comfort & Co. Chairs: Hickory Chair.The DenJenna PeffleyBathed in blues, this room is the gathering spot for family time and informal TV-watching dinners. Roman shade fabric: Soane Britain. Wallpaper: Elizabeth Eakins (ceiling). Paint: Admiral Blue, Benjamin Moore. Art: Slim Aarons.KitchenJenna Peffley"I wanted an eat-in kitchen, but it wasn't until we made the call to delete a window and put the range on that wall that everything fell into place," Heather says. Island: vintage, with Soane Britain skirt fabric. Hardware: Modern Matter. Flush mounts: Visual Comfort & Co. Rails: Devol. Wallpaper: Sister Parish (ceiling).Dining RoomJenna Peffley"For me, this room is all about togetherness and showing that you're making an effort. I always try to make it pretty," Heather says. "If we order takeout, I still put it on our nice china." Pendants: Beata Heuman. Banquette fabric: Schumacher (back, skirt) and Clarence House (cushions). Chairs: Hickory Chair.Powder RoomJenna PeffleyA not-so-petite privy is wrapped in a whimsical blush-colored mural from Kravet. Sink: Etsy. Faucet: Waterworks. Mirror: Cooper Classics. Wallcovering: Elizabeth Eakins (stairwell). Pendant: Visual Comfort & Co.Primary SuiteJenna PeffleyA Coley Home bed is tucked into a nook between custom closets. The diamond cutouts use leftover drapery from a client. I stapled it in myself, Heather says. Bed pillow fabric: Soane Britain (throw) and Schumacher (lumbar). Drapery fabric: Beata Heuman.Daughter's RoomJenna Peffley"Isla wanted it to feel like a sunset and a sunrise," Heather says. Her daughter created a Pinterest board of florals, peaches, and yellows, and a muralist painted a ceiling border based on Isla's sketches. Bed: vintage. Drapery fabric: Schumacher and Pierre Frey (valance). Lamp: Arteriors. Nightstand: Ralph Lauren.Guest BedroomJenna PeffleySubdued yellow and sky blue are a soothing palette for guests. When unoccupied, the space doubles as Isla's sewing room. Wallpaper: Galbraith & Paul. Paint: Lemon Freeze, Benjamin Moore.Primary BathroomJenna PeffleyJenna Peffley"I love checks and stripes mixed with florals, so I just went for it," Heather says. Tile: Country Floors. Wallpaper: Soane Britain. Paint: Nantucket Gray, Benjamin Moore (cabinetry). Hardware: Modern Matter.Daughter's BathroomJenna PeffleyThe ceiling mural and the star-studded tile on her bathroom floor echo her bedroom's sunrise/sunset celestial theme.The GardenJenna PeffleySurrounded by a year-round vegetable patch, this relaxed, grassy dining area is where everyone gathers when the party is outdoors. Plates and vases: Mrs. Alice. Tablecloth: Sister Parish.Chairs: vintage, Chairish.PatioJenna PeffleyThe brick-floored outdoor area off the kitchen and great room was original to the home. Today "it's kind of like the hub of the house" says Heather. "When it's really, really hot in the summer, that's where a lot of people will hang out."Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.

Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is availableon iTunes and Apples Podcasts app,Stitcher,TuneIn,Google Play, or through ourdedicated RSS feedfor Overcast and other podcast players.Sponsored by CardPointers: The best way to maximize your credit card rewards. 9to5Mac Daily listeners can exclusively save 30% and get a $100 Savings Card.New episodes of 9to5Mac Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as theyre available.Stories discussed in this episode:Listen & Subscribe:Subscribe to support Chance directly with 9to5Mac Daily Plus and unlock:Ad-free versions of every episodeBonus contentCatch up on 9to5Mac Daily episodes!Dont miss out on our other daily podcasts:Share your thoughts!Drop us a line at happyhour@9to5mac.com. You can also rate us in Apple Podcasts or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show.Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Google's AI-powered search tool was caught recommending that parents use a popular vibrator on children for behavioral therapy purposes the latest blunder in a seemingly neverending string of strange, unfortunate, or potentially harmful outputs by the controversial search tool.As first reported by 404 Media, the alarming recommendation by Google's "AI Overview" the AI-generated summary of results that now often appears at the top of Google search pages was caught last week by a Redditor who had searched the term "magic wand pregnancy." In response, according to a post by the Reddit user and confirmed by 404, Google's search AI returned a nonsensical and inappropriate summary suggesting that parents consider deploying Hitachi's popular "Magic Wand" sex toy as a means of identifying "behavioral changes" in their child."The Magic Wand tool is a creative way for parents to identify behavioral changes they want to make, including those related to pregnancy," read the summary. "It can be used to make assessment fun and engaging, especially for long-time WIC clients."(The acronym WIC refers to the US Department of Agriculture's "Women, Infants, and Children" program.)"Here's how the Magic Wand tool works: Parents describe what parenting challenges they would change by 'waving a magic wand,'" it added. "The responses of both parents and older children can be used to start discussions. The Magic Wand tool can be purchased online or at a local store."Affixed to the bizarre AI-generated summary is an image of the brand Hitachi's iconic Magic Wand vibrator.As 404 explains, the AI's confusion appears to stem from a wildly random document published by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, which recommends a somewhat obscure and sex-toy-free "Magic Wand" technique to therapistsworking with parents.Basically, according to the document, a therapist in this situation would ask stressed or concerned parents what changes they might make in their life or child's life if they had access to a mystical, Glinda-esque magical tool; this exercise, the paper adds, "allows parents to step out of their daily realities and experience the illusion of immediate power," thus allowing them to momentarily "alter the challenges they face as parents of picky toddlers, or even pregnancy challenges."Google's less-than-nuanced AI, meanwhile, seems to have picked up on some key terms used in the document the mentions of both a magic wand and pregnancy and fused the health department's advice with the vast reserves of online information about the Hitachi-made vibrator. The result? The horrifying proposition that parents should use a sex toy on kids for therapy reasons.Google,which didn't respond to 404's questions,appears to have issued a manual fix for the unsightly AI summary after the attention; when we searched the query ourselves, we were greeted by a disclaimer noting that "an AI Overview is not available for this search."The search AI's latest slip-up, though, once again raises the question: why would Google release a product this dysfunctional to the masses?After all, on the long list of things that a tech company wouldn't want its product to do, recommending that adults use a sex toy on or with children has gotta be right near the top. And if the AI search tool is issuing summaries this bad, what elsemight this thing be churning out? (That in mind: the list of Really Bad AI Overview Suggestions so far includes recommendations that Google users eat rocks, mix Elmer's Glue into pizza sauce, and smear human feces on balloons, among other responses.)As it stands, the answer to the question of why appears to be industry pressure. Google is in the throes of an industry race against competitors like OpenAI and its benefactor, Microsoft, which have infused AI into search products of their own. And as the market writ large continues to double down on AI search, it's unlikely we'll see it go away anytime soon, even if AI search results pollute and distort information in a delicate digital world while putting environmentally destructive demands for energy on the physical one.More on Google's Search AI: Google Is Failing to Meet Important Climate Targets so Its AI Can Tell You to Put Glue on PizzaShare This Article

Jan 14, 2025Ravie LakshmananSurveillance / MalwareRussia-linked threat actors have been attributed to an ongoing cyber espionage campaign targeting Kazakhstan as part of the Kremlin's efforts to gather economic and political intelligence in Central Asia.The campaign has been assessed to be the work of an intrusion set dubbed UAC-0063, which likely shares overlap with APT28, a nation-state group affiliated with Russia's General Staff Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU). It's also known as Blue Athena, BlueDelta, Fancy Bear, Fighting Ursa, Forest Blizzard, FROZENLAKE, Iron Twilight, ITG05, Pawn Storm, Sednit, Sofacy, and TA422.UAC-0063 was first documented by the Computer Emergency Response Team of Ukraine (CERT-UA) in early 2023, detailing its attacks on government entities using malware families tracked as HATVIBE, CHERRYSPY, and STILLARCH (aka DownEx). It's worth pointing out that the use of these malware strains has been exclusive to this group.Subsequent campaigns have been observed setting their sights on organizations in Central Asia, East Asia, and Europe, according to Recorded Future's Insikt Group, which assigned the activity cluster the name TAG-110."UAC-0063 targeting suggests a focus on intelligence collection in sectors such as government, including diplomacy, NGOs, academia, energy, and defence, with a geographic focus on Ukraine, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe," French cybersecurity company Sekoia said in a new analysis.The latest set of attacks involves using legitimate Microsoft Office documents originating from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan as spear-phishing lures to activate a multi-stage infection chain dubbed Double-Tap that drops the HATVIBE malware. It's currently not known how these documents were procured, although it's possible they were exfiltrated in a prior campaign.Specifically, the documents are laced with a malicious macro that, when run by the victims, is engineered to create a second blank document in the "C:\Users\[USER]\AppData\Local\Temp\" location."This second document is automatically opened in a hidden Word instance by the initial macro, to drop and execute a malicious HTA (HTML Application) file embedding a VBS [Visual Basic Script] backdoor nicknamed 'HATVIBE,'" Sekoia researchers said.HATVIBE operates as a loader, receiving next-stage VBS modules for execution from a remote server, which ultimately paves the way for a sophisticated Python backdoor named CHERRYSPY. The HTA file containing HATVIBE is designed to run for four minutes by launching mshta.exe."What makes this Double-Tap infection chain quite unique is that it employs many tricks to bypass security solutions such as storing the real malicious macro code in the settings.xml file and creating a scheduled task without spawning schtasks.exe for the second document or using, for the first document, an anti-emulation trick aimed to see if the execution time has not been altered, otherwise the macro is stopped," the researchers said.Sekoia said the HATVIBE attack sequence demonstrates targeting and technical overlaps with APT28-related Zebrocy campaigns, allowing it to attribute the UAC-0063 cluster to the Russian hacking group with medium confidence."The theme of spear-phishing weaponized documents indicates a cyber espionage campaign focused on collecting strategic intelligence on diplomatic relations between Central Asia states, especially on Kazakhstan's foreign relations, by Russian intelligence," the company added.Russia's SORM platform Sold in Central Asia and Latin AmericaThe development comes as Recorded Future revealed that several countries in Central Asia and Latin America have purchased the System for Operative Investigative Activities (SORM) wiretapping technology from at least eight Russian providers such as Citadel, Norsi-Trans, and Protei, potentially allowing Russian intelligence agencies to intercept communications.Russia's SORM is an electronic surveillance apparatus capable of intercepting a wide range of internet and telecommunications traffic by authorities without the knowledge of the service providers themselves. It enables the monitoring of landline and mobile communications, as well as internet traffic, Wi-Fi, and social media, all of which can be stored in a searchable database.It's been assessed that the former Soviet territories of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, and the Latin American nations of Cuba and Nicaragua, have very likely acquired the technology to wiretap citizens."While these systems have legitimate security applications, the governments [...] have a history of misusing surveillance capabilities, including repression of political opposition, journalists, and activists, without effective or independent oversight," Insikt Group said."More broadly, the export of Russian surveillance technologies will likely continue to offer Moscow opportunities to expand its influence, particularly in areas it deems to be under its traditional sphere of the "near abroad."Found this article interesting? 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Lisa Morgan, Freelance WriterJanuary 14, 20257 Min ReadAleksandr Davydov via Alamy StockIts a tough time for organizations trying to hire and retain tech talent. Big Tech is poaching smaller company IT workers, and a lot of organizations cant compete with the compensation packages. However, what they can do is prioritize employee experience, so candidates are more willing to say, yes, and employees are more likely to stay. Employee experience is particularly important to younger generations.While organizations have long placed varying degrees of importance on employee experience, it is now re-emerging as a differentiator for many, Nikita McClain, founder of management firm for HR and organizational development strategies Hayes Street Consulting, says in an email interview. The pandemic fundamentally shifted workplace expectations with employees increasingly prioritizing flexibility, values alignment, and work-life balance. Additionally, skills gaps and talent shortages in critical sectors have given trained workers more leverage in demanding better experiences.Organizations focused on designing positive employee experiences can follow a 4-step process: commit through strategy, communicate through feedback loops, connect through analysis, and improve continuously.Making employee experience a strategic initiative ensures it can receive ongoing leadership evaluation and support needed to design, adapt, and sustain initiatives that resonate highly with employees, says McClain. Implementing accessible, real-time feedback channels can help proactively identify what matters most to employees. Organizations can promote ongoing feedback by demonstrating responsiveness and transparency in acting upon and communicating changes that result from received feedback.Related:Nikita McClain, Hayes Street ConsultingTo evaluate what does and does not work, organizations should identify KPIs that connect employees sentiments about experience to overall business outcomes. This becomes the business case for employee experience that validates its value amidst competing organizational priorities and budget constraints. Using insights from employee feedback and data analysis can help organizations refine employee experience over time, keeping it relevant.Finally, continuous improvement enables organizations to evolve with the times.One challenge for organizations embarking to improve employee experience is elevating it from a function of HR to a strategic initiative that defines the organizations employee value proposition, says McClain. Efforts to strengthen communication and accountability between HR and executive leadership may be needed to ensure all are working toward the same goal.Related:Middle managers play a vital role in employee perceptions of the workplace. Organizations should engage and educate middle management on how to effectively address matters, such as when employee and operational needs do not align. Notably, not all employees prioritize and value the same things. Among differing work styles, generations, and life stages it can be difficult to identify one-size-fits-all initiatives that work well for everyone.When possible, be flexible and consider how employee experience can be tailored to account for diversity of need among employees, says McClain. Above all, recognize that employee experience is a journey. The most effective initiatives are those that remain flexible and responsive to changing workforce needs while maintaining clear alignment with organizational goals and values.The Talent Shortage Is a Major FactorOne big deal breaker is a return to office (RTO) policy. Organizations that are clinging to pre-pandemic business as usual are finding that some candidates wont compromise and employees will complain, if not quit outright. The talent shortage just exacerbates the problem.Younger generations have many options and choose workplaces that meet their needs for pay, growth and flexibility. The current dissatisfaction with RTO policies is revealing, says Justina Raskauskiene, human resource team lead at omnichannel marketing platform Omnisend, in an email interview. At Omnisend, we see the value of in-person collaboration for creativity and teamwork but also recognize that flexibility is now non-negotiable for many employees. If RTO is implemented, the focus should be on making people want to come to the office by emphasizing the benefits of in-person interaction.Related:Justina Raskauskiene, OmnisendTo ensure a great employee experience, she says her company makes a point of listening to employees and acting on their feedback. The company also holds regular one-on-one meetings, so employees have a mechanism to share concerns.The biggest challenge for organizations, I think, is overcoming resistance to change. Many companies operate on a this is how weve always done it mindset, which makes implementing flexibility look daunting, says Raskauskiene. As flexibility varies for everyone, companies may struggle balancing individual needs and team goals. Equally important, employee experience isnt just about perks, its about ensuring the work itself is meaningful and engaging.Times Have ChangedIn the past, a good employee experience was synonymous with ping pong tables, and free snacks and drinks -- a stark departure from button-down Corporate America of yesteryear. Later, the pandemic reshaped expectations, challenging employees to seek work-life balance, joy and purpose.Katie Roland, chief human resources officer at KCSA Strategic Communications, says her company is trying to enable work-life balance with tailored PTO programs and wealth-building opportunities. However, along the way, it became clear that a one-size-fits-all benefits approach no longer worked.The pandemic brought into hyperfocus, that each employee was faced with different personal challenges at home. To address diverse employee needs, we adopted Overalls LifeConcierge, a service offering expert assistance with time-consuming personal tasks like finding healthcare specialists, navigating Medicare for aging parents, or scheduling home repairs, says Roland in an email interview. Overalls isnt just a perk, its a game-changing solution for helping employees achieve true work-life balance. Organizations should provide meaningful, flexible support that addresses the whole employee.Toward that end, KCSA focuses on initiatives that reduce stress, save time and address individuals needs. They include flexible work schedules, mental health days, a wide choice of benefits through a professional employer organization and partnering with providers.They arent just workers, theyre parents, caregivers, partners and more. Companies that acknowledge this and take steps to help employees succeed in every aspect of their lives will stand out in todays competitive talent market, says Roland. Creating a great employee experience starts with listening through surveys and conversations and responding with meaningful support to build trust. At KCSA, insights from employees led to initiatives like Overalls LifeConcierge and No Zoom Fridays, addressing both personal and professional needs.Apparently, KCSAs approach is working. In 2024, Newsweek ranked the company #34 on its Most Loved Places to Work list.The Tricky PartOne challenge is to balance employer and employee interests in a way that benefits both. For example, most workers view RTO as beneficial for the company and management, but not necessarily the employee.The best benefits are those that directly address employee pain points. Transparency and education also matter. Communicate why youre offering certain programs and how they support your teams overall well-being. When real life issues come up that a benefit you offer can assist with, make sure to help the employee utilize it. Authenticity builds trust, and trust builds loyalty, says Roland. Weve seen how investing in innovative, practical benefits fosters a culture of care and empowerment. When employees feel supported, theyre not only more engaged, theyre also more likely to stay and thrive. In todays workplace, thats not just an advantage, its a necessity.A Job Versus an ExperienceJohn Jackson, founder at click fraud protection platformHitprobe, says todays workers are not just looking for a job to pay the rent, they are looking for an experience.This particularly applies to the younger generations and their way of looking at the world is influencing their older colleagues, says Jackson in an email interview. While this change was already happening, it has been sped up by the Great Resignation and the ongoing debates around hybrid working and organizations changing policies on this post-COVID. I believe that the key to creating a great employee experience centers around authenticity and adaptability. Implementing trendy perks is easy, but to make yourself the employer of choice you [must] genuinely understand what your team needs and respond to it.Hitprobe implements anonymous feedback on a regular basisto find out what employees want. However, what they want often differs from initial assumptions.Also important is a commitment to act on the feedback. If the workforce knows we will listen, they will continue to talk to us and stay with us. Flexibility is key, says Jackson. What works for one team member may not work for another, and diverse teams have varying needs and expectations. Open communication channels, transparency, public acknowledgement and recognition, and providing clear growth opportunities all go a long way towards building a team that is committed and productive.About the AuthorLisa MorganFreelance WriterLisa Morgan is a freelance writer who covers business and IT strategy and emergingtechnology for InformationWeek. She has contributed articles, reports, and other types of content to many technology, business, and mainstream publications and sites including tech pubs, The Washington Post and The Economist Intelligence Unit. Frequent areas of coverage include AI, analytics, cloud, cybersecurity, mobility, software development, and emerging cultural issues affecting the C-suite.See more from Lisa MorganNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also LikeWebinarsMore WebinarsReportsMore Reports