Nothing is of its own explanation, Adrien Brodys Lzl Tth muses in The Brutalist when asked why he became an architect. Its a cryptic comment, but Tth gives a slightly fuller context when he adds, Is there a better description of a cube than that of its construction? There was a war on, and yet it is my understanding that many of [my buildings] remain there, still in the city my buildings were devised to endure such erosion.It is safe to say director and co-writer Brady Corbet feels some affinity with Tth given the monumental nature of The Brutalist, a film that relies very much on the old ways of film constructionbe it with VistaVision cinematography or a roadshow-like storytelling format, complete with an intermission. And yet, it is the newest tool Corbet utilized which is putting the movie in a spot of controversy on the eve of Oscar voting particularly in an industry where artificial intelligence has become a dirty word.After The Brutalists editor Dvid Jancs revealed AI was used to enhance certain elements of the performances of Brody and co-star Felicity Jones during post-production, Corbet (and presumably The Brutalists studio A24) felt the need to release a statement clarifying how an artificial voice generator app called Respeecher was discreetly employed.Adrien and Felicitys performances are completely their own, Corbet said in a statement to the press. They worked for months with dialect coach Tanera Marshall to perfect their accents. Innovative Respeecher technology was used in Hungarian language dialogue editing only, specifically to refine certain vowels and letters for accuracy. No English language was changed. This was a manual process, done by our sound team and Respeecher in post-production. The aim was to preserve the authenticity of Adrien and Felicitys performances in another language, not to replace or alter them and done with the utmost respect for the craft.The press statement feels like a clarification on Jancss previous comments to Red Shark News, where the Hungarian editor praised Brody and Jones performances and accents, but added they wanted to perfect [the dialogue in Hungarian] so that not even locals will spot any difference. The statement also feels like swift damage control as the Oscar race appears poised to enter its homestretch, and The Brutalist is widely seen as a frontrunner, including by us, for a host of Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor.Indeed, The Brutalist has been declared the best film of the year by a number of critics groups and voting organizations, including the Golden Globe Foundation, which awarded the movie Best Picture Drama. However, with the nominating ballots in, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is poised to finally announce the nominees on Thursday morning. In other words, this is a fairly inopportune moment for a narrative to emerge that could stumble a perceived frontrunner.Already social media is lit up with cinephiles and movie buffs who all seem to have a strong opinion, one way or the other, about whether the revelation about The Brutalist should be disqualifying, as one user with 14,000 likes on X put it. Another called it a disgrace when it was also revealed in Red Shark NewsThe Brutalist because the filmmakers didnt have the money or the time to shoot them. That tweet was also seen by over 400,000 users.It remains to be seen whether actual Academy voters and veterans of the industry will share the umbrage that social media does over even the slightest hint of AI, but there is no denying the controversy reveals a new battlefield in awards season. Just how much AI-enhancement is acceptable in either a performance or a film when evaluating artistic achievement? That the question is mostly being posed around The Brutalist also adds a layer of irony unto itself since one of its biggest Oscar rivals, Emilia Prez, has also been revealed to have used AI tool Respeecher in order to enhance the singing of Karla Sofia Gascn, whose eponymous character belted notes outside of Gascns natural vocal range in the musical.In terms of The Brutalist, however, the arising debate acts as a snapshot for an industry at an obvious crossroads in terms of technologies and values. To date, critics have celebrated The Brutalist for its old-fashioned aesthetics and ambitionswith the film running at a dizzying 214 minutesas well as its ability to achieve that level of craft and sprawling scope on a budget of $10 million. Of course as even the films editor has conceded, with such limited resources new technologies like AI became useful in making ends meet.Even so, artificial intelligence remains a third rail in an industry that came to a halt for about six months in 2023 after actors and writers went on strike partially to extract guarantees from studios and streaming services that their work would not be replaced by AI. While compromises were made, AI remains an economic tool of the future. But how much creatives who view it as an existential threat might be willing to see it that wayparticularly creatives within the industryis yet to be determined.The Brutalist was not the first film of 2024 to use AI in the margins of post-production. An even lower-budgeted indie, Late Night with the Devil, utilized AI to create some of the title cards seen on the fictional late night TV show at the center of that film. Meanwhile venerated auteur George Miller much more remarkably used the technology to blend the facial features of stars Anya Taylor-Joy and Alyla Browne when the latter played Taylor-Joy as a child. Do the enchantments take away from Brownes impressive performance or the power of the movie?Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!We imagine these debates will continue to be negotiated in the industry for years to come, and The Brutalists Oscar campaign might become one of the most visible flashpoints for that discussion, if for no other reason than the film is perhaps more vulnerable than previous Oscar frontrunners like Oppenheimer and Everything Everywhere All at Once.The Screen Actors Guild shockingly snubbed The Brutalist a nomination in their equivalent of the Best Picture category, the Outstanding Performance by a Cast award. It would seem the film is vulnerable with some types of voters, including actors who if the striking SAG rank and file are any indication, might be reticent about awarding what they perceive to be an acceptance of AI in the larger industry.With that said, we still would peg The Brutalist as the frontrunner in Picture and Director, and Brody the frontrunner for Best Actor. And whether they win or lose, we suspect Corbet has an eye on the films longevity lasting past Oscar night. Like Lzls buildings, this is a work meant to withstand the erosion of humanitys cyclical upheavals and conflicts. That includes awards season PR hit jobs.

For many, the 1980s was a golden age of entertainment, music, and most of all movies, with its cultural impacts reverberating to this day. In 1982, Conan the Barbarian hit the big screen and was destined to become a classic. It was one of those movies where the story, character, and choice of actor all complemented one another perfectly.The original story of Conan dates back decades prior to the film, and in many ways pioneered the fantasy genre and inspired countless future sword and sorcery heroes. Conan lived in a barbaric age where his village, including his mother and father, were massacred by a cult leader and his army of raiders. This led Conan on the path to become a powerful warrior, a barbarian set on a quest for adventure and vengeance.Developing guest fighters for Mortal Kombat 1 is an honor, and one of the more enjoyable aspects is the opportunity to revisit a characters lore and look for ways to weave in their most memorable moments into a gameplay experience. It should be no surprise that Conans fighting style was developed around his mastery with a sword, but also some of his more colorful barbaric behaviors.For instance, we designed a special move around a notable exchange the character had with a camel in the Conan the Destroyer (1984) film. In one scene, Conan is walking through town drunk when he punches a camel in the face for no real reason. As it turns out, this particular camel has a good memory, so when it sees Conan again riding through town, the camel takes revenge and spits all over him. This leads to the camel getting bopped on the head yet again and the moment itself finding a special place among other attacks in Conans arsenal in Mortal Kombat 1.Drawing references from the films was a general theme throughout the design and development process. Part of that equation was looking at the most compelling and memorable sequences for opportunities to incorporate those references in meaningful ways. Often certain actions stick in our heads and ultimately get translated into the gameplay experience. Notably, there is a scene with a massive cauldron of boiling body parts that we gravitated towards as we planned his Fatality.Conan the Barbarian in Mortal Kombat 1 is designed around an arsenal of heavy sword attacks, along with his physique being a focal point, so it was important for us to visually convey his strength and power in ways that set him apart from other characters. This meant we needed to account for the sheer size of his muscles, while adding complexity to the way his body moves and flexes as he attacks.In true barbarian fashion, Conan has rush down playstyle and excels at shutting down his opponents options. He has several special moves that allow him to rush in and utilize a range of sword strikes. Instead of a traditional projectile option like most characters, Conan being the barbarian that he is, hurls his Kameo teammate across the screen as a projectile, potentially also destroying an opponents incoming projectile. Additionally, I think one of the more exciting special moves he has in his arsenal is the ability to resurrect after being killed. Reminiscent from the film, Conan can come back to life in the final round and regain a small amount of health effectively acting as a second wind.We know Crom would be pleased with the addition of Conan the Barbarian to the Mortal Kombat 1 roster. The opportunity to crush your enemies and see them driven before you is at hand and we couldnt be happier. Conan the Barbarian is available now as part of the early access period for Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns Expansion owners on Xbox Series X|S, followed by wide availability for purchase on January 28.Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns KollectionWarner Bros. Games411$89.99Get it nowNew to Mortal Kombat 1? Get started with the Kollection Edition! Mortal Kombat 1 ushers in a New Era of the iconic franchise with a New fighting system, game modes, and fatalities. Includes instant access to the Base Game, Kombat Pack, and Dragon Krystals. Gain access to the upcoming Story Expansion, Kombat Pack 2 and more!Khaos Reigns Story ExpansionKombat Pack 2*Khaos Reigns Fighters Available At Launch:Noob SaibotCyraxSektorGuest Fighters Available Post-Launch (includes 1 week early access)Ghostface (Scream Franchise)T-1000 (Terminator 2)Conan the BarbarianKombat Pack (Available Now):Omni-Man (Invincible)Quan ChiPeacemaker (DCs Peacemaker)ErmacHomelander (The Boys)Takeda TakahashiKameo Fighters (Available Now):TremorKhameleonJanet CageMavadoFerraJean-Claude Van Damme Skin for Johnny Cage (Available Now)1250 Dragon Krystals (Available Now)*Separate Kombat Pack 2 character bundle not available

My extravagance is my garden, It's the first thing I look at every morning when I wake up Ina Garten told Vanity Fair in 2010. In todays fast-paced, screen-obsessed world, carving out a dedicated outdoor living space has become more than just a luxuryit's a necessity. Whether it's a small balcony, an urban rooftop garden, or a sprawling country landscape, having a personal retreat outdoors allows for moments of reconnection with nature and social gatherings. What, then, does 2025 hold for our outdoor spaces? With summer just around the corner, outdoor living spaces are becoming more than just an extension of the homethey're a true reflection of our lifestyle and design sensibilities. This year, were looking to other cultures for cues on how to live graciously, which means were swapping out our hot tubs for cold plunge pools and going all in on our outdoor kitchen game. Were also considering climate in our builds, reimagining the wicker aesthetic, and embracing rooftop living in more sustainable ways (read: green roofs). "We value time with family and friends, living in our landscapesdining alfresco, cooking together, strolling through meadows, watching butterflies collecting nectar with our kids," says landscape architect Ed Hollander. "All of this provides the magic that makes life better."Whether you're revamping your backyard or simply looking for inspiration, here are six outdoor living trends that will define porches and patios everywhere this year. Get ready to elevate your outdoor space to a whole new level of easy living. Wicker 2.0Bjorn WallanderOn the porch of this spectacular beach house, a wicker bench is given a paint refresh, alongside a similarly vibrant potted bougainvillea. The wicker furniture trend is booming at the moment, and its not hard to see why. Wicker and rattan have always had a place in the halls of outdoor patio moments (great-grandma had a floral-upholstered rattan chair before Serena & Lily had its first sale). This classic design item, however, is being reinterpreted in new ways that are catching peoples eyes. Blond wickers in outdoor furniture are lightening and freshening where things were mostly dark grey tones or brown, making it more interchangeable with old fashioned blond indoor wicker and rattans, ELLE DECOR A-List designer Celerie Kemble says. Also, shapes are softer, playing into the curved sofa trend, and often flaunt soft waves and scallops."My clients expect their outdoor furniture to have character and to be as comfortable as their indoor furniture."Kemble says shes excited to see new outdoor furniture pieces that are going beyond the standard design plays. Pieces that play with the positive and negative elements of trellises but in shapes that are less straight geometry and more interesting, she adds. Take, for instance, her Tracery collection from LaneVenture, a delightfully interesting feast for the eyes. Now my clients expect their outdoor furniture to have character and to be as comfortable as their indoor furniture, Kemble says. No more hard flat teak or soggy thin cushions and simple right angles. Cold Plunge Pools Yoshihiro MakinoThis home in Montecito, California features a pool configuration similar to many cold plunge pools, with a small cold plunge pool just off the larger pool. Historically, all one needed to unwind was a relaxing hot bubble bathor, if youre lucky, a dip in the backyard hot tub or pool. Today, however, backyard enthusiasts are taking cues from European wellness traditions, building cold plunge pools and saunas. Fueled by social media and celebrity endorsements touting these invigorating amenities as a way to improve circulation and reduce inflammation (were looking at you, Harry Styles, Lady Gaga, and David Beckham), cold plunge tubs will be a fixture of many backyards in 2025. The share of listings on Zillow that feature an at-home cold plunge pool is up 130% compared to last year, according to Zillows 2025 trend report. Zillow data found that these icy tubs are showing up most frequently in markets like Stamford, Connecticut; Las Vegas; and Los Angeles. Most often, they are a part of homes listed as luxury properties (a cold plunge pool with wiring and plumbing fixtures can cost around $30,000 to install), but there are portable cold tub options that DIY-ers are making their own in smart and budget-friendly ways. Who needs to go to Iceland anymore?The Outdoor Kitchen 2.0Undine PrhlIn this house on Mexicos Pacific Coast, an outdoor kitchen features open shelves and backsplash clad in Portuguese tiles, an Allia sink from Rohl, and handmade Mexican glassware. Next to the kitchen island, a butcher block sits on a volcanic stone base.In 2025, no longer are we content with a simple grill set up. Homeowners of today are looking for backyard kitchen setups that rival their indoor kitchens, complete with luxury appliances like pizza ovens, steam ovens, and sleek stainless steel grilling setups. Zillow research in 2023 found that listings touting chef-friendly amenities, such as steam ovens, pizza ovens and professional-grade appliances, can sell for as much as 5.3% more than similar homes without them. The trend for having your own pizza oven is hot, with pizza ovens are still blowing up, ranging from portable ovens like the Ooni Koda 16 Pizza Oven to restaurant-worthy appliances like the Dome oven. Americans are also spending thousands of dollars to create luxury grilling-and-chilling setups that facilitate this unique cooking technique that involves slow-cooking meat over a wood fire, which creates a deliciously smoky flavor and tender meat. Argentinian grills are being requested more and more in residential projects, says Nick Fobes, partner at Chicago L.A., and Kansas City-based landscape architecture firm Hoerr Schaudt. "Outdoor cooking and entertaining have taken center stage, with as much attention on the backyard as the kitchen," he explains. "These grills elevate the experience, combining high functionality with a dramatic flair thats hard to resist."Green RoofsJoshua McHughThis dreamy rooftop terrace, designed by Hollander Design, incorporates evergreen elements that will keep the colorful garden fresh year-round.Urbanites, consider this. While green roofs are very widespread in Europe, they are becoming increasingly popular in modern home extensions in the U.S. The green roof market in the states, valued at $1.9 billion in 2023 is poised to grow from $2.21 billion in 2024 to $7.32 billion by 2032, eCommerce marketing agency Skyquest found in a report. Major cities in North America, such as Chicago, Portland, Toronto, and Washington, D.C., have added a large number of green roofs in recent years, Kendall Elfstrum writes in a brief for the Princeton Student Climate Initiative. Sustainability experts everywhere are rejoicing, as these rooftop additions are known to improve air quality, help lower heating and cooling costs, absorb rainwater, and provide a habitat for wildlife, among other benefits. In fact, the broader benefits are so great that some cities are offering tax incentives for homeowners with green roofs. Of course, the aesthetic benefits provide their own reasons to implement this trending home addition. Having a rooftop garden is a luxury for urban dwellers who have less access to green space and just might possibly be losing their minds some days (this editor is speaking from experience). Where we can, and its possible, we believe that enlivening our interiors through access to nature is always beneficial, says ELLE DECOR A-List designer Leyden Lewis. Even if that means vertical escapes. Climate-Resilient Features Yoshihiro MakinoDesigner Jamie Bush designed a fire-resistant home in Montecito, California.With climate-related disasters becoming more frequentand in the wake of a catastrophic wave of fires in Los Angeles, which have scorched more than 12,000 structureshome sellers are highlighting features that offer some degree of protection, and buyers are seeking them out. Zillow research finds that 86% of recent home buyers say its very important that a home have at least one climate-resilient feature. The report found that the share of for-sale listings on Zillow that mention flood barriers is up 22% compared to last year, seismic retrofitting is up 20%, and references to water catchment systems are up 19%. Drought-resistant turf yards are showing up 14% more often compared to a year ago. With all the environmental concerns in the world today, outdoor spaces are indeed being focused on in new ways, Lewis says. They never really went away, just reprioritized.Wherever you live and whatever natural disasters your forever home is prone to, security, it seems, is fast becoming the ultimate luxury. Rachel SilvaAssociate Digital EditorRachel Silva is the associate digital editor at ELLE DECOR, where she covers all things design, architecture, and lifestyle. She also oversees the publications feature article coverage, and is, at any moment, knee-deep in an investigation on everything from the best spa gifts to the best faux florals on the internet right now. She has more than 16 years of experience in editorial, working as a photo assignment editor at Time and acting as the president of Women in Media in NYC. She went to Columbia Journalism School, and her work has been nominated for awards from ASME, the Society of Publication Designers, and World Press Photo.

iOS 18.3 is launching soon, as todays RC beta confirms. Alongside updates to notification summaries, the release will also automatically enable Apple Intelligence for iPhone users, and the Mac and iPad will follow suit.Apple Intelligence becomes opt-out in iOS 18.3Up until now, Apple Intelligence has been an opt-in set of features for users.When installing iOS 18.1 or 18.2, users would be asked if they wanted to enable the AI upgrades, and only after confirming would the features become available.But in iOS 18.3, thats going to change.Per Apples just-published beta release notes, iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and macOS 15.3 will all automatically enable Apple Intelligence upon installation.Here are the official details on the change:For users new or upgrading to iOS 18.3, Apple Intelligence will be enabled automatically during iPhone onboarding. Users will have access to Apple Intelligence features after setting up their devices. To disable Apple Intelligence, users will need to navigate to the Apple Intelligence & Siri Settings pane and turn off the Apple Intelligence toggle. This will disable Apple Intelligence features on their device.Similar notes are included for the iPadOS and macOS updates.Change follows months of public Apple Intelligence availabilityFor users with a supported AI device, the vast majority have likely already enabled Apple Intelligence.However, for those who havent yet, Apple is going to flip the switch on those AI features when the update arrives.Whats unclear is what will happen for users who at one point enabled Apple Intelligence, then later decided to disable it in Settings.Hopefully, iOS 18.3 and its companion updates wont re-enable the features, but well have to wait and see what happens after the public release arrives.iOS 18.3 is overall a feature-light release, but notably it does include several changes to AI notification summariesthe most controversial AI feature so far.It seems that Apple feels like, with those changes, and a couple months with Apple Intelligence available publicly, now is the right time to activate its AI features by default.What do you think about this change? Is it surprising at all? Let us know in the comments.Best iPhone accessoriesAdd 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

Apple released the RC (release candidate) beta for macOS Sequoia 15.3 earlier today. As such, we now have access to the full release notes for the update.macOS Sequoia 15.3: Apples full release notesThis update introduces Genmoji, powered by Apple Intelligence, and also includes other enhancements, bug fixes, and security updates for your Mac.Genmoji creation in Messages and other appsCalculator repeats the last mathematical operation when you click the equals sign againEasily manage settings for notification summaries from the Lock Screen (Mac with Apple silicon)Updated style for summarized notifications better distinguishes them from other notifications by using italicized text as well as the glyph (Mac with Apple silicon)Notification summaries for News & Entertainment apps are temporarily unavailable, and users who opt-in will see them again when the feature becomes available (Mac with Apple silicon)Some features may not be available for all regions, or on all Apple devices.When to expect macOS 15.3s launchNow that macOS 15.3 has received its RC beta, the full public launch will likely take place within about a week.Its always possible Apple will ship a new RC later this week with additional bug fixes and improvements. However, we should still see the public launch of 15.3 happen around the start of next weekperhaps Monday, January 27.Its one of the smaller macOS updates of late, but still brings some nice improvements, especially with Genmoji now arriving on the Mac.Are you looking forward to using macOS 15.3? Let us know in the comments.Best Mac accessoriesAdd 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

Mere hours after being sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on Monday, returning President Donald Trump got to work signing dozens and counting of executive orders, which range from commands for the US to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement and the World Health Organization to ordering an end to birthright citizenship and renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America."But while the executive actions range in scope, legal experts have called attention to some curious common threads: bizarre typos, formatting errors and oddities, and stilted language familiar artifacts that have led to speculation that those who penned them might have turned to AI for help."Lots of reporting suggested that, this time around, Trump and his lawyers would avoid the sloppy legal work that plagued his first administration so they'd fare better in the courts," Slatejournalist and legal expert Mark Joseph Stern remarked last night in a Bluesky post. "I see no evidence of that in this round of executive orders.""This is poor, slipshod work," he added, before alleging that the actions were "obviously assisted by AI."In another post, Stern pointed to a deeplyquestionable section of an executive action titled "Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential," which details how the US will take advantage of the state's "untapped supply of natural resources," in part by drilling for fossil fuels in regions of previously-protected natural land.In that section, the order includes a numbered list of several distinct Public Land Orders to be reinstated. Each land order, however, is listed next to the number one an apparent slip-up, we should point out, that we've noticed on seemingly AI-generated content in the past.Stern wasn't the only legal expert to question whether AI was used to help churn out executive actions.In another post to Bluesky yesterday, the Houston-based appellate lawyer Raffi Melkonian called attention to a section of another new executive order titled "Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness" that declares a rebrand of the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.Though the section isn't smattered with grammatical or formatting errors, its formulaic language does invoke a certain grade school-level "Answer Sandwich" sensibility that generative AI-powered chatbots are known for."The Gulf is also home to vibrant American fisheries teeming with snapper, shrimp, grouper, stone crab, and other species, and it is recognized as one of the most productive fisheries in the world, with the second largest volume of commercial fishing landings by region in the Nation, contributing millions of dollars to local American economies," reads the order. "The Gulf is also a favorite destination for American tourism and recreation activities.""The Gulf of America part," Melkonian, for his part, alleged in his post, "was absolutely written by AI.""I struggle to believe," agreed Stern, responding to Melkonian, "that a human, let alone a lawyer, wrote this 7th-grade book report-style description of the Gulf." (Indeed, when we asked ChatGPT for a "description of the importance of the Gulf of Mexico," it hit almost all the same notes.)Other orders feature questionable errors and structural choices. The order to withdraw America from the WHO, for instance, includes some inexplicably bolded punctuation, while others, like one effectively withdrawing the US from a global corporate tax deal, fail to maintain uniform formatting standards throughout. And as Stern pointed out, certain grammatical or formatting errors the latter perhaps worsened by poor copy-paste jobs could lead to trouble down the line for the Trump Administration's attempts at enforcement."The weird typos and formatting errors could lead to confusion down the road," Stern wrote of the bungled numbered list. "If the Secretary of the Interior invoked his authority under Section XV(1) of this order, which of the 6 different subsections labeled 1 would[he] mean? And which number controls when a subsection has two different ones?"Needless to say, this is all speculation. But it is based on experts' understandings of what normal executive orders should look like from a legal perspective. We reached out to the White House to inquire about the possible use of AI to draft executive actions, but haven't heard back.Do you know anything about the White House's use of AI? Email us at tips@futurism.comAs New York Magazine's John Herrman observed last year, the question of whether a piece of content let alone legal directives might be AI-produced is increasingly a question of quality. In a murky digital world, it's often hard to tell: is what I'm looking at AI-generated? Or is just poorly executed human work?"In the tech world, for now, AI's brand could not be stronger: It's associated with opportunity, potential, growth, and excitement," wrote Herrman. "For everyone else, its becoming interchangeable with things that sort of suck."To that end, is it possible that the Trump administration's newly-signed executive orders were all crafted by humans, sans AI? Sure. Either way, though, the initial expert reviews of the executive actions are in and according to those, they're weird and sloppy. And even if they're not AI, they feellike AI. For a forthcoming presidential administration, that's not a great place to be.More on Trump's past few days: The Vast Majority of Trump's Net Worth Is Now in His Meme CoinShare This Article

Something bizarre was going on with Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk during Donald Trump's inaugural festivities and we're not just talking about that apparent Sieg Heil that earned him recriminations from across the world.In videos posted on X-formerly-Twitter and Bluesky, Musk was seen from multiple angles rolling his neck hypnotically and twitching his eyes during Trump's swearing-in ceremony, which took place hours before his now-infamous hand motion in the midst of his own speech later in the evening. It's worth a quick watch; something just seems off, especially given Musk's activities later in the evening.Though supporters of Musk and Trump were quick to claim the clip had been edited with AI,Futurism foundarchivalBBC footage of the swearing-in ceremony the online player is glitchy, but find the 17:52 mark in the broadcast to see it for yourself showing that the peculiar mannerisms were entirely real.In fact, thatBBC footage shows the moment going on for much longer than the short clips that initially made their way onto social media suggested.Naturally, Musk's fans had new excuses for the strange motion: that he has to stretch periodically due to a neck injury, was experiencing autistic light sensitivity, or was simply self-regulating his anxiety.To be fair, any of these things could be true. And were it almost anyone else, we wouldn't bother pointing out such behavior.But Musk's ascendant political profile as a close confidante of Trump means that he now holds incredible power over the regulation, operation and spending of the federal government. And as evidenced by his Nazi hand gesture later in the evening, there are profound questions about his character and judgment. If there's something neurological underlying his strange behavior, it's imperative that the American public know an argument, it's worth remembering, that was deployed against Trump's predecessor Joe Biden to great effect.It's also worth noting that Musk was seen struggling through sentences during an appearance the night before.(Though it's important to be considerate of people who aren't neurotypical, Musk hasn't shown the same grace to others, showing a growing penchant for calling people "r*tards" during online disputes yet another lapse in judgment that raises questions about his cognitive acuity.)There's also the question of drug use. It's long been reported that Musk has a soft spot for illegal substances including ketamine, and as anyone who's been to a dance clublate at night can attest, Musk's strange movements look a lot like those of people on higher doses of the drug: spaced out, wobbly, but ultimately in control of at least some degree of their bodily faculties.Musk has admitted that he takes the drug, which is most commonly associated with its farm animal use, to help with his depression. During an interview last May with Don Lemon, he even suggested that "Special K" is aiding Tesla's success."From an investor standpoint," he told the former CNN anchor, "if there is something Im taking, we should keep taking it."The government has long disagreed, placing Musk's rumored and professed drug use alongside his chats with Russian president Vladimir Putin as one of the key reasons he couldn't be granted a higher security clearance.Obviously, nobody can say with certainty what was going on with the multi-hyphenate billionaire during an inauguration that was broadcast on national television.But given that Musk went on hours later to give what he insists was not a Nazi salute not once but twice in front of an audience of thousands of people and cameras, we're confident that scrutiny of Musk's behavior is only going to grow.More on Musk: Donald Trump Dispatching Elon Musk's Old Buddy to Go Buy GreenlandShare This Article

February is the shortest month, obviously, so maybe that accounts for the light batch of new offerings on Max. The headliner is the return of the award-winning seriesThe White Lotus, debuting its third season with a cast that includes Leslie Bibb, Carrie Coon, and Walton Goggins.There will also be new episodes ofLast Week Tonight With John Oliver starting on February 16, and a new documentary about the team of college basketball stars who were the practice opponentsfor the 1992 USA Basketball Dream Team and then shocked them by beating them in a scrimmage. The recent romantic dramaWe Live in Time with Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield also premieres, along with a film version of BroadwaysWaitress: The Musical.Heres the full list of whats coming to Max in February 2025:February 142 (2013)Accidentally Brave (2023)Bad Boys (1995)Bad Boys II (2003)Brian Banks (2019)Cabin in the Sky (1949)Cleats & Convos with Deebo Samuel, Episode 114 (B/R)Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)Deepwater Horizon (2016)Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1932)Dredd (2012)Duplicity (2009)Entertainment (2015)Experimenter (2015)Final Destination (2000)Final Destination 2 (2003)Final Destination 3 (2006)Final Destination 5 (2011)Ivanhoe (1952)Warner Bros. PicturesWarner Bros. Picturesloading...Jackie (2016)Jezebel (1938)Jupiter's Darling (1955)Just Mercy (2020)King Solomon's Mines (1950)Kitty Foyle (1940)Kusama: Infinity (2018)Lady Be Good (1941)Lassie Come Home (1943)Life Partners (2014)Lili (1953)Little Women (1949)Love & Basketball (2000)Mad Money (2008)Malcolm X (1992)Mary of Scotland (1936)Massacre (1934)CBS FilmsCBS Filmsloading...Mechanic: Resurrection (2016)Mildred Pierce (1945)Mister Roberts (1955)Mr. Church (2016)Mrs. Miniver (1942)Neptune's Daughter (1949)Noma: My Perfect Storm (2015)One Way Passage (1932)Safe in Hell (1931)Shadow on the Wall (1950)Skate Kitchen (2018)Skiptrace (2016)Sleepwalking (2008)Speed (1994)Story of Louis Pasteur (1936)Support the Girls (2018)Take Out (2004)Taxi Driver (1976)The Bank Job (2008)The Color Purple (1985)The Conjuring (2013)The Guilty (2018)The Harvey Girls (1946)The Host (2007)The Last Circus (2011)The Last Days on Mars (2013)The Last Time I Saw Paris (1954)The Life of Emile Zola (1937)The Lost Patrol (1934)New Line CinemaNew Line Cinemaloading...The Notebook (2004)The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945)The Search (1948)The Tall Target (1951)The Wave (2016)The Window (1949)The Woman in Red (1935)They Were Expendable (1945)Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo (1944)Traitor (2008)Unknown (2011)Vacation from Marriage (1945)Waitress (2007)Watch on the Rhine (1943)We Are the Best! (2014)February 2The Edge with Micah Parsons, Episode 122 (B/R)We Baby Bears, Season 2C (Cartoon Network)February 390 Day Fianc Pillow Talk: Before the 90 Days, Season 7 (TLC)Common Side Effects, Season 1 (Adult Swim)Dog Detectives, Season 1 (Animal Planet)Very Scary Lovers (ID)February 4Celebrity IOU, Season 9 (HGTV)The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper, Season 3 (CNN Originals)February 6Destinations of the Damned with Zak Bagans, Season 1B (Discovery)Izzy Does It, Season 1 (HGTV)The Takedown: American Aryans (Max Original)We Live In TimeA24loading...February 7Lu & The Bally Bunch, Season 1AHow I Left the Opus Dei (Max Original)We Live in Time (A24) (2024)February 8Luther Vandross: Never Too Much (CNN Films)February 9Puppy Bowl XXI Kickoff (Animal Planet)Puppy Bowl XXI (Animal Planet)February 11Central Intelligence (2016)Central Intelligence: Extended Edition (2016)Father Stu (2022)February 12Guy's Grocery Games, Season 37 (Food Network)February 13Home Sweet Rome, Season 1B (Max Original)February 14Silly Sundays, Season 1AWaitress: The Musical (2023)February 16Have I Got News for You, Season 2 (CNN Originals)Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Season 12 (HBO Original)Love & Marriage: Huntsville, Season 9 (OWN)Pearl: The X-Traordinary Origin Story (2022)The White Lotus, Season 3 (HBO Original)February 1790 Day Fiance, Season 11 (TLC)Evil Lives Here, Season 17 (ID)Tournament of Champions: The Qualifiers (Food Network)Watchmen: Chapter II (2025)February 18We Beat The Dream Team (TNT & HBO Original)February 19Exposed: Naked Crimes, Season 3 (ID)Moonshiners: Master Distiller, Season 7A (Discovery)Renovation Aloha, Season 2 (HGTV)February 20Bea's Block, Season 1B (Max Original)February 21Elevation (2024)February 22House Hunters Renovation, Season 18 (HGTV)Box Office End of WatchOpen Road Filmsloading...February 24End of Watch (2012)Homestead Rescue, Season 12 (Discovery)February 25Eyes on the Prize III: We Who Believe in Freedom Cannot Rest (HBO Original)Wipeout, Season 2B (TBS)February 27Cyotl: Hero and Beast, Season 1 (Max Original)February 28Christina on the Coast, Season 6B (HGTV)Morbius (2022)Toad and Friends, Season 1AGet our free mobile app25 Movies Turning 50 in 20251975 was a big year for movies all of which are now 50 years old.

Starting with next week's Season 2 update, console players of the popular Call of Duty games Black Ops 6 and Warzone 2 won't have to test their mettle against PC opponents unless they want to.In a Call of Duty blog post, the developers of the games said they're testing out a cross-play toggle for Ranked Play matches and will introduce the feature sometime during or after next week's launch of a new season."We've heard the feedback from players about wanting the choice to toggle cross-play in Ranked Play since its launch earlier this season, and in the spirit of improving the gameplay experience, we're returning to the way we've traditionally handled cross-play," the post says. "In Season 02, we are enabling the ability to disable cross-play for console players who want to compete only against other console players."The feature is currently being tested and will go live for Black Ops 6 and Warzone "during S02.""We'll be monitoring closely and will consider further changes to prioritize the integrity of the ecosystem, and we'll have more details to share as we get closer to the launch of this feature," the post says.Season 2 of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone is scheduled to launch on Jan. 28 at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET for PlayStation and Xbox consoles and for PC on Steam and Battle.net.While cross-play gaming allows PC and console players to team up or compete against each other in online games, not everyone loves the feature. Some consider PC gamers to have a competitive advantage, especially in shooter games, due to the precision that keyboards and mice allow. On the other hand, console players typically have an aim-assist feature available in action games that can correct for that discrepancy, which PC players may claim gives console players an unfair leg up.In addition to the cross-play toggle feature and new maps, modes and rewards, the new season of the Call of Duty games will also bring refinements to anti-cheating features, playlist changes, bug fixes and what the blog post details as quality-of-life improvements, according to the blog post.

A diet balanced with a variety of vitamins and minerals isn't just essential for overall health -- it's also important for aging well. This is particularly true because older adults are at a higher risk for low vitamin consumption, according to a paper published in Clinical Interventions in Aging.While your diet typically provides most of thevitamins and minerals you need, your doctor may recommend supplements to help with any deficiencies due to certain health conditions, medications or dietary restrictions. With that in mind, you should always consult your doctor before taking any supplement to ensure you are getting the nutrients your body needs.To learn more about the best vitamins and minerals for aging, we consulted experts to get their professional takes.1. Magnesium Upgrade your inbox Get cnet insider From talking fridges to iPhones, our experts are here to help make the world a little less complicated. Magnesium is a mineral that provides several key functions in the body. It keeps your muscles strong, regulates blood sugar levels and contributes to heart health. Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, a board-certified internist in integrative medicine, told us that "magnesium is critical for well over 300 reactions in the body." He said an unprocessed diet has about 600 mg of magnesium daily, but the average American diet has less than 250 mg of magnesium after processing. For reference, the daily recommended amount of magnesium is 400 to 420 mg per day for adult men and 310 to 320 mg for women, but more is needed for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.Dr. Teitelbaum warned that the effects of low magnesium may include an increased risk of metabolic syndrome. This can lead to heart attacks, strokes and dementia. You may also feel exhausted or experience widespread muscle pain if you're not getting enough magnesium.You can find magnesium in a wide range of ingredients. Dr. Peter Brukner, a specialist sports and exercise physician, said you can find magnesium in nuts, seeds, whole grains and leafy green vegetables like spinach. In extra yummy news, you can also get magnesium from dark chocolate."Some older adults or those who take specific medicines (such as diuretics or drugs for acid reflux) may not receive enough magnesium from their diet and might need a supplement," he said. "However, too much magnesium can cause stomach issues, so be careful."2. B vitamins Laurie Ambrose/Getty ImagesYou also need a range of B Vitamins, including B12 and folate (also called folic acid), to maintain your health as you age. Vitamin B-12 works with folate to help your body make new cells, including blood cells and nerve cells. While you don't usually require more B12 as you age, your body cannot absorb it as well when you get older. Dr. Brukner said this is because "stomachs make less acid, and this acid is necessary to take the vitamin from food into the body."Dr. Teitelbaum said B vitamins are critical for energy production, and suboptimal levels can affect your health. He warns that B vitamin deficiency has been associated with "a marked increase of dementia(especially folic acid) and increased risk of heart attack and stroke (especially in those with elevated homocysteine levels)." Symptoms of B12 deficiency include weakness or poor balance, loss of appetite and numbness and tingling in the hands and feet.B12 is found in animal proteins like meat, fish and eggs. Dr. Brukner said that if you don't eat these foods, you may want to turn to foods like cereals and nutritional yeast with added B12. "Older people, especially those having certain stomach issues or taking medicine that lowers stomach acid, might need to take a B12 vitamin supplement," he explained.Amelia Ti, a registered dietitian and diabetes educator in New York City, who is also part of CNET's medical review board, adds that people taking medicine that blocks B12 absorption, like omeprazole or metformin, may also need a vitamin B12 supplement.3. CalciumThe National Institute on Aging says that calcium is especially important for older people at risk for bone loss. The Institute recommends 1,000 mg each day for men between the ages of 51 and 70, and 1,200 mg per day for men 71 and older. Women aged 51 and up are recommended to take 1,200 mg each day."Calcium is well-known for making bones strong, but it is also crucial for muscles to work right," Dr. Brukner said. "As people become older, their bodies take in less calcium from food, which can cause bones to become weaker." You can get calcium naturally from sources like milk, yogurt and cheese. The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health notes that calcium is also available in kale, salmon, tofu, almonds and spinach.As for supplements, Dr. Brukner said, "If you are at risk for bone troubles or don't get enough calcium in your food, taking supplements might be useful. But too much calcium can cause other issues like kidney stones, so talk with your doctor first."4. Vitamin D Malorny/Getty ImagesVitamin D is often called the sunshine vitamin because you typically absorb it through the skin just by being outside. However, during winter months, if you live in a cloudy climate or avoid natural sunlight as you age, you may not get enough. Your body needs vitamin D to properly absorb calcium, making it an important nutrient for bone health.Dr. Brukner says that in addition to sunshine, you can get vitamin D from fatty fish like salmon and mackerel, fortified milk and cereals. Your doctor may also recommend a supplement if you're experiencing bone loss or at risk of osteoporosis.In addition to bone health, Dr. Teitelbaum said vitamin D can help you fight off disease. He said, "Suboptimal vitamin D is associated with increased autoimmunity, higher risk of severe infectious diseases (Dr. Fauci noted that he took vitamin D during the COVID [pandemic]) and increased cancer risk."5. Omega-3 fatty acidsOmega-3 fatty acids are essential to many of your body's functions. They play a role in both heart and brain health. However, as Cleveland Clinic points out, your body isn't able to produce enough omega-3s on its own. This means you need to get more from the foods you eat or supplements you take."Omega-3 fatty acids are very good for heart health and can help lessen swelling, which is important for older people," Dr. Brukner explained. "They are also beneficial for brain well-being and might help guard against memory loss and diseases such as Alzheimer's." Ti adds that omega-3s help lessen swelling by reducing inflammation.Fatty fish like salmon are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. Dr. Brukner said you can also turn to flaxseeds, chia seeds and walnuts but added a warning: "These give a different type of omega-3 that the body does not use so easily." Fish oil and algae oil can serve as supplements, too.6. ZincA 2015 paper, published in Pathobiology of Aging and Age-related Diseases, calls zinc an "essential micronutrient for human health in general, and particularly for the elderly." The authors say zinc plays "an important role in the aging process" and that zinc deficiency may be connected to several age-related chronic illnesses, which include hardening of the arteries, degenerative diseases of the nervous system, age-related changes to the immune system and cancer."When we get older, our immune system becomes weaker, and if we don't have enough zinc, this can make it even worse," Dr. Brukner explained.You can find zinc in shellfish, red meat, poultry, beans, nuts and seeds. Dr. Brukner said oysters are particularly zinc-rich. He added, "Some older people might find zinc supplements helpful, especially if they often get sick or do not eat enough foods high in zinc. But taking too much zinc can cause problems with other minerals in the body, so it's important to follow advised amounts."The bottom lineEating well can help boost your bones, immune system and more as you age. Along with exercise and other good habits, getting the right minerals and vitamins may improve your health. Try to get enough magnesium, B vitamins, calcium, vitamin D, omega-3s and zinc in your diet each day. Talk to your doctor before you take any supplements to find out how they may interact with your existing medications and health conditions.