I was hesitant to invite my in-laws on family vacations but I don't regret it.My children get to see a can-do, adventurous attitude modeled by their grandparents.Traveling together has many benefits, including shared memories and built-in babysitting.Several years ago, my husband and I invited his parents to take an eight-day trip to Montana and Wyoming with us and our two children. I worried eight days could be too long to spend together in confinedWe went for it anyway.My in-laws jumped at the opportunity to spend extended time with their grandkids. The trip had only minor hiccups whining and little meltdowns from the children but it went so smoothly that we've invited my in-laws on every family vacation since.This year marked our 10th trip with the abuelitos (grandparents). Here's what we've learned.Spending time together strengthens our bondRiding for five- to 10-hour stints in an SUV has promoted heart-to-heart conversations with my mother-in-law about her family and childhood that I'm not sure we would have heard otherwise. Thanks to these long, uninterrupted hours, we know she grew up in a one-bedroom house in Mesa, Arizona, with five of her nine siblings, a backyard garden, and the chickens they raised to eat.These trips have also revealed another side of my father-in-law. He's quiet by nature but my husband and I discovered he loves meeting new people. In a jacuzzi in Jackson Hole, we listened to him crack jokes and engage in small talk with other retirees. Outside of Mexico City, he befriended a man who grew up in the same region of Mexico as he did. The two shared tales of a Quinta (large estate) that housed exotic animals and the area's best watering holes.Traveling together has forged a deeper understanding of each other and our roots. And although it's fun to reflect on the past, these trips also provide opportunities to create new narratives.Our children build memories with their grandparents"Remember that time we" begins many of our conversations. It's one of the best parts of taking vacations together.I'm glad we invited my in-laws on trips when the kids were young, even if whining and tantrums happened. If we'd waited for our kids to be a more "ideal age," my in-laws would have been older and some of those trips to far-off places may not have happened had we waited.Sometimes my children pull out our travel albums and point to photos with their grandparents in front of a geyser or a historical site. These memories are priceless.My husband and I enjoy introducing his parents to places and activities outside their comfort zone.My husband and I have encouraged my in-laws to hike or crawl into caves with us. We've so often pushed them past their boundaries that my mother-in-law admits they start a walking regimen months before our trips to prepare for whatever nonsense I plan.I love that they can count on us for an adventure, and I'm always impressed at their willing attitude.My father-in-law's favorite part of our trip to Yellowstone was the 1.5-mile out-and-back hike to the Grand Prismatic Spring. With a gradual 105-foot climb, he huffed and puffed up that trail and nearly gave up until a couple older than passed him on the path, calling out, "You've got this!"He said their words bolstered him and the Prismatic Spring view was worth the effort. Similarly, at the Teotihicuan Pyramids outside Mexico City, my mother-in-law found the steep, narrow climb nearly impossible. But she said the experience of standing on ancient stones and overlooking the plaza was unforgettable.Unconsciously, but powerfully, my children's abuelitos are modeling a "can-do attitude" to them and that it's never too late to try new things and embrace adventure.Besides the inward gains of traveling together, there are also practical benefits.Traveling in a group is more economicalWe always look for Airbnbs or hotels that accommodate a party of seven. We rent vans or SUVs, allowing us to split the cost of a rental vehicle, making one of the most expensive items on a travel budget more economical.Admittedly, this works more in our favor than theirs, but I appreciate it when they also offer to split a meal with us or add one of the kid's meals to their tab. Meals out are expensive and their willingness to share some of that cost means our family can better afford travel.Another practical aspect of traveling that benefits us is the free babysitting my husband and I receive.Grandparents can be the best built-in babysittersTraveling with three kids has its challenges.On our last trip, my husband and I were so worn out from two long adventure days that we needed a reset."We'll take the kids this morning," my mother-in-law volunteered. "Go, have fun. Don't come back for five hours!"Finally, my husband and I could relax and reconnect.Family dynamics can differ for some, traveling together may be unwise. But if you have extended family willing to adventure with you and you with them, invite them along. These trips might reward you with a trove of stories and photo albums while also deepening priceless ties with each other.

The recent finale for Star Wars: Skeleton CrewJod Na Nawood. Growing up as a poor kid, he was taken in by a Jedi and trained in the ways of the Force. Hes been on the run ever since he watched her die, and it turns out we wouldve met her during the sequence. On Instagram, actor Yasmine Al Massri (who youve heard as Morana on Castlevania) posted photos of herself as Jods master, Jedi robes and doing some brief lightsaber training that wouldve presumably been her putting up a fight before her death. According to her, it was the shortest active job Ive done, but impactful nonetheless: after her single scene wrapped production, she recalled telling the Skeleton Crew team they just created the first Arab female Jedi.To Massris dismay, the scene wasnt part of theSkeleton Crewfinale, but shes taking it in stride. These things happen, she continued. It was the most meaningful [job] to the child in me. [] I cant not share my experience and feelings. Now that Jods officially confirmed to have been a Jedi-in-training and had a master at one point in his life, it raises some questions. Who between them was the Order 66 survivor, or could they both have escaped the Jedi Purge? Additionally, who is sheneither Skeleton Crews finale or Massris post name the character, and it feels like she should have one. If the show gets another season, maybe well learn more about her and Jods relationship, and how he grew from Jedi survivor to pirate with a lot of false identities. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

Path Art Studio and Personalized Residence / Dishna Thilanka ArchitectsSave this picture! Ganidu BalasuriyaHousesBoralesgamuwa, Sri LankaArchitects: Dishna Thilanka ArchitectsAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:3149 ftYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2024 PhotographsPhotographs:Ganidu Balasuriya Lead Architects: Dishna Thilanka More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. Nestled amidst the lush greenery of Maharagama's urban fringe, this project embodies a harmonious blend of art, nature, and architecture. Conceived as a residence and art studio for a renowned metal sculptor, the design captures the essence of the artist's creativity while respecting the natural surroundings. Balancing built form and unbuilt space, the project is a testament to thoughtful design that nurtures artistic expression and tranquility.Save this picture!From its inception, the primary goal was to create a passive-cooled structure seamlessly integrated into the existing environment. Preserving the site's mature trees and green cover played a pivotal role in the design strategy. The structure weaves through the foliage, offering a minimal ecological footprint while maintaining an ideal microclimate. Solar orientation guided the building's placement, ensuring optimal natural light and mitigating excessive heat through careful alignment with the solar axis. This integration fosters a cooling environment while promoting energy efficiency.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The material palette draws heavily from natural and earthy finishes, employing granite, textured cement, natural wood, and metal. These materials celebrate the rugged, expressive nature of the artist's sculptures. The ground floor's stone-clad walls merge into the surrounding landscape, complemented by water features that enhance cooling and create a serene atmosphere. These water bodies, along with strategic fenestration, facilitate cross-ventilation and natural cooling, contributing to the overall comfort of the interior spaces.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The structure adopts a simple geometric language of intersecting linear planes and cubes, articulating a design that reflects clarity and functionality. The pavilion-style open layout fosters an uninterrupted connection with the environment, enabling the artist to draw inspiration directly from nature. The interplay of light and shadow enhances the experience of the space, while concealed services maintain a clean, minimalistic aesthetic. The roof design accommodates solar panels, emphasizing sustainability without compromising the form. Beyond aesthetics, the project addressed broader environmental and societal goals. By minimizing the building's footprint, it aimed to counteract the loss of vegetation and the urban heat island effect prevalent in urbanized regions. The preserved landscape benefits the local microclimate, positively impacting neighboring properties and setting an example for sustainable urban living.Save this picture!The design achieves a balance of robustness and elegance, drawing parallels to the client's artistic philosophy. The earthy materials and openness to the outdoors create an ambiance conducive to creativity and relaxation. It serves as both a sanctuary and a workspace for the sculptor, blending functionality with artistry. The preserved green surroundings inspire a deep connection to nature, enhancing the artist's ability to craft evocative works that reflect his themes of human anatomy, nature, and abstract forms.Save this picture!Ultimately, this project embodies a sensitive response to its natural and social context, balancing sustainability, artistry, and livability. It illustrates how architecture can elevate an artist's journey, offering a canvas for their creativity while inspiring a community to adopt environmentally responsible practices. The residence and studio stand as a tribute to the client's vibrant personality and profound artistic vision, encapsulated in a thoughtfully crafted architectural narrative.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessAbout this officePublished on January 19, 2025Cite: "Path Art Studio and Personalized Residence / Dishna Thilanka Architects" 18 Jan 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1025785/path-art-studio-and-personalized-residence-dishna-thilanka-architects&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Nature, Published online: 15 January 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08609-8Pathogenesis of bovine H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b infection in Macaques

There is never a shortage of things to do in Infinity Nikki, which has helped keep players engaged in Nikki's journey across Miraland since the game's launch in December 2024. While fashion keeps upcoming stylist Nikki quite busy, there are still plenty of other activities to check out in Florawish and beyond. These are not only fun to take part in, but also yield some very tempting rewards.

I'm making a quick rpg game where you select random battle and then you are thrust into a 2v2 game (player vs computer). Each player has 2 random creatures like Pokemon XD and you must defeat the other 2 creatures to win. Each creature has 4 moves, a health bar, and you can select your target when attacking. There are elemental strengths and weaknesses, as well as critical hits. The theme is Greek inspired with many cute cartoony creatures based on animals and mythology. Is anyone here able

If you can't seem to figure out how to turn off noise cancellation on your AirPods Pro or AirPods 4 with ANC, you are not alone. After the iOS 18 update, many users across Reddit noticed that the button to turn Noise Cancellation "Off" simply didn't show up for them anymore. Not in Control Center, and not in Settings.As reported by Spencer Dailey on his Key Discussions blog, users facing this issue could still see controls for the Active Noise Cancellation mode, the Transparency Mode, and the new Adaptive Audio mode that blends the two aforementioned modes to control noise levels based on your environment. But the "Off" button was missing, as I confirmed myself while taking the screenshot below. Those affected can't even turn noise canceling or transparency mode off by pressing and holding the stems of their AirPods (instead just switching between the two). Credit: Khamosh Pathak That's a big problem. While transparency mode and noise cancelling are certainly useful, either for staying aware of or shutting out your environment, they also drain battery life. But not all is lost for those looking to eke every minute out of their earbuds. There is an easy way to bring back the Off button, and in typical Apple fashion, it's buried in the Settings app.How to bring back the Off button for Noise Cancellation on the AirPods ProFirst connect your AirPods Pro or AirPods 4 with ANC to your iPhone. Then, tap on your AirPods from the top of the Settings app, scroll all the way down, and enable the "Off Listening Mode" feature. You'll now see a Loud Sound Reduction confirmation box. Here, Apple suggests that you use one of the Noise Cancellation modes to help reduce exposure to loud sounds. Simply tap the "OK" button. Credit: Khamosh Pathak Now, when you scroll up to the top of the AirPods settings page, you'll see four modes again, including an Off button. The Off button should also now be available in both the Press and Hold AirPods menu as well as Control Center. Credit: Khamosh Pathak But if you're using iOS 18.1 or beyond, that might not be the end of the story for you. Even with your new Off button, Apple might keep switching to Transparency as the default mode, instead of turning off Noise Cancellation, every time you put in your AirPods. This is because of the new hearing protection features that Apple introduced with the iOS 18.1 update.Here, again, there is an obscure settings item to disable the Loud Noise Protection feature. After connecting your AirPods, go to Settings > Accessibility > AirPods and Beats and tap the Turn off Loud Sound Reduction option. Credit: Khamosh Pathak Now, when you set your AirPods Noise Cancellation mode to "Off", it will stay "Off" no matter what. Although, the tradeoff is that your AirPods won't automatically block out loud sounds anymore. Still, According to Apple, the AirPods Pro last 4.5 hours with Noise Cancellation enabled, but they can last 5 hours if you don't use Noise Cancellation or Transparency features. That tradeoff might just be worth it.

Kids and younger teens might soon be unable to play Genshin Impact'sgachas. The developer behind the game has agreed to block players under 16 years old from making in-game purchases without parental consent in order to settle a complaint from the Federal Trade Commission. It has also agreed to pay a $20 million penalty. Samuel Levine, the director of FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, said "Genshin Impact deceived children, teens, and other players into spending hundreds of dollars on prizes they stood little chance of winning."The developer's marketing actively targeted children, the commission said in its complaint, and the company also violated COPPA by collecting personal info from kids under 13. HoYoverse, the developer's US entity, allegedly deceives players "about the odds of winning" its rarer loot box prizes and uses a confusing virtual currency system that's unfair to kids and younger teens. The FTC says this misleads players on how much they actually have to spend to be able to get rarer prizes. Genshin Impact uses a gacha system instead of a traditional loot box mechanic, wherein players can "pull" on banners to win a random item or character.Under the FTC's proposed order, it wants to prohibit Genshin Impact from selling loot boxes using virtual currency unless it also provides an option to purchase them directly with real money. It wants to prohibit the developer from misrepresenting loot box odds and processes, and it wants to require the company to disclose gachas' odds and the virtual currency exchange rate. The commission wants to order HoYoverse to delete personal information collected from kids until 13 unless it was obtained with parental consent, as well. A federal judge still has to approve the proposed order with all these requirements, though, so they won't be enforced immediately.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/ftc-orders-genshin-impacts-developer-to-block-young-teens-from-making-in-game-purchases-221532729.html?src=rss

Looking for NYT Strands answers and hints? Here's all you need to know to solve today's game, including the spangram.

From airlines to air traffic controllers and airplane manufacturers, 2024 was a year when the labor landscape was remade across a wide swath of the aviation industry. Change is still in the air, but workers, employers, and passengers hope the New Year brings a fresh start.In my role at Canadas largest airport, I have a close-up view of the changes washing across our industry, affecting millions of customers, workers, passengers, students, and family members, plus their companies, organizations, and communities. These are the four groups of workers who will feel the impact of the top labor issues I see reshaping North American aviation as we enter 2025.Tradespeople Technicians, engineers, welders machinists, plumbers, carpenters, electricians, and other skilled tradespeople have been in high demand globally for several years. This acute level contributes to delays, supply chain shortages, and a giant game of talent whack-a-mole. How does this game play out? First, worker shortages affect aircraft manufacturers like Airbus and Boeing, which are already struggling to fill demand for new planes. Many airlines cope by keeping their existing fleets in service longer, which, in turn, puts strain on the maintenance labor force. The U.S. aviation industry alone is reportedly short by hundreds of thousands of maintenance workers. Even the Air Force is struggling to hit its targets. In July, a short strike by WestJet mechanics disrupted travel on the Canada Day holiday, resulting in a 15.5% raise for union members, but not until after hundreds of flight cancellations affected 100,000 passengers. These shortages are likely to continue contributing to flight delays and cost increases.PilotsAir Canada recently headed off a pilots strike by offering a 42% raise over four years, becoming the latest North American airline after United, American, Southwest, Alaska, Jetblue, Spirit, and Delta to provide big increases for the people who fly the planes. The fallout from a strike at Canadas flagship airline would have been enormous and the United States would have felt it, too. The airlines Toronto hub hosts the worlds top U.S. preclearance facility, making it a critical gateway for Canadians and connections from international destinations. The story behind every airlines pilot negotiations is a global shortage predating COVID-19, and the gaps are getting wider. Management consultants at Oliver Wyman believe global aviation will be short 80,000 pilots by 2032, with North America particularly challenged.The shortages will almost certainly put upward pressure on labor costs and fares. They have also been connected to other post-pandemic disruptions, including the regional connectivity crisis in the United States and Canada, where airlines have been choosing to fly fewer narrow-body flights to smaller airports to save their pilots for larger planes and more profitable routes. Theyve also been tied to the struggles of budget airlines, which are simultaneously blamed for exacerbating the shortages while struggling to minimize costs as their business models require.Entry-level workersGround handling and retail workers were among those hardest hit by the pandemic layoffs, and they tended to move on to other jobs quickly. Unfortunately, our industry found it tough to entice them back. In 2022, service workers rallied across the United States to draw attention to their pay and working conditions, calling for legislation to raise minimum wages for aviation work. Here in Canada, airport authorities are more likely to be living-wage employers but have no legislative power to mandate better salaries for workers at the companies and agencies that use the airport as a place of business, many of which warn about passing higher labor costs on to consumers. What airports can do is get creative about how we encourage these partners to invest in their workforces. For example, Toronto Pearson recently instituted the Pearson Standard, which outlines high service expectations for partners and can incent better conditions for their workers, such as increased training, more competitive pay, and more attention paid to health and safety. We have also built a cross-employer platform, Pearson Works, to promote job opportunities and help workers advance their careers.Air traffic controllersLike pilots, air traffic controllers were laid off in large numbers in the pandemics early days. In jobs where safety is paramount, it takes time for authorities to train and evaluate replacements. Despite a surge of post-pandemic hiring, the U.S. Federal Airport Administration remains 3,000 controllers or 20% short of its staffing targets, causing U.S. flight delays and staff burnout. Britains ATC provider, Nats, recently had to implement flight restrictions on a peak travel day at Gatwick and Heathrow airports (with chaotic repercussions) because it was unable to properly staff its towers. Nav Canada has acknowledged similar issues, with the province of British Columbia particularly affected. In Australia, an overworked air traffic controller was recently found asleep on the job after a string of overnight shifts, raising obvious and unacceptable safety concerns. Until resolved, such staffing shortages have the potential to cause delays across the network, especially during peak hours.These arent the only talent issues in our industry, but they are some of the most consequential. From cockpit to hangar and from terminal to tower, aviations labor landscape continues to be remade.