Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, the Xbox App on Windows PC, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Lets jump in!Quilts and Cats of CalicoMonster CouchGet it nowQuilts and Cats of Calico February 11Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryA cozy board game in which the players main task is to make a quilt from patterned fabric scraps. By smartly combining the colors and patterns of the scraps, the player can not only score points for the completed design but also sew on buttons and attract adorable cats, who have their own preferences for bedding patterns.Sid Meier's Civilization VII2K52$69.99Pre-orderSid Meiers Civilization VII February 11Optimized for Xbox Series X|SThe award-winning strategy game franchise returns with a revolutionary new chapter. Sid Meiers Civilization VII empowers you to build the greatest empire the world has ever known! In Civilization VII, your strategic decisions shape the unique cultural lineage of your evolving empire. Rule as one of many legendary leaders from throughout history and steer the course of your story by choosing a new civilization to represent your empire in each Age of human advancement. You can start playing today by picking up either the Civilization VII Deluxe or Civilization VII Founders Edition on the Microsoft Store for Xbox .UNDYINGSkystone Games$19.99Pre-orderUndying February 11Optimized for Xbox Series X|SCaught amid the zombie apocalypse and with time running out, Anling will stop at nothing to ensure her son, Cody, gets to safety. Enduring countless perils, including the zombie infection thats beginning to take over her body, not to mention teaching Cody how to survive their harsh new reality.Alpacapaca Dash 2Synnergy Circle GamesGet it nowAlpacapaca Dash 2 February 12Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryAfter saving the Alpaca Goddess and vanquishing the eternal darkness, you now have to save the Alpaca World again! Fragments of darkness started appearing and its your job to destroy them and ensure peace will remain into the colorful Alpaca World.Camping Simulator: The SquadCubeCube Sports LTD.Get it nowCamping Simulator: The Squad February 12Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryImmerse yourself in the beauty and challenges of the great outdoors with Camping Simulator. Whether youre looking for a peaceful escape or a test of survival skills, this game offers a dynamic camping experience tailored to your style.Fall AsleepXitilonGet it nowFall Asleep February 12Optimized for Xbox Series X|SAssist Marsi in awakening from her deep slumber by gathering five-star shards in this engaging platformer. Navigate through five distinct locations, each presenting unique adversaries and challenges. Traverse the Enchanted Forest, the depths of the Volcano, Sandy Island, Snowy Peaks, and the Darkest Dungeon. Acquire new abilities with every star fragment collected.Penguin FlightAfil GamesGet it nowPenguin Flight February 12Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryGet ready to flap, dash, and soar in Penguin Flight, a delightful 2D pixel art platformer that blends charm, challenge, and creativity! Join a little penguin with big dreams as he embarks on a journey to touch the skies, navigating through 40 meticulously designed levels brimming with fun mechanics, vibrant visuals, and heartwarming adventures.Pyramids and Aliens: Escape Roommc2games$12.99$11.69Pre-orderPyramids and Aliens: Escape Room February 12Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryYour former mentor has disappeared inside an ancient Egyptian pyramid. Will you be able to find him? Pyramids and Aliens is an escape room game that will test your skills as an archaeologist. Solve puzzles, find clues, and reveal the secrets of the pyramid. Spoiler: it was not built by humans!Super Forklift 3000 (Xbox Series)Marcos Game DevGet it nowSuper Forklift 3000 February 12Optimized for Xbox Series X|SSuper Forklift 3000 is an arcade space shooter with a twist: you drive a forklift that carries and shoots up to three boxes, each with unique effects. Defeat enemies and bosses while managing your different box types. Be careful not to run out of ammo!Super Jagger Bomb 2: Go EastEastasiasoft LimitedGet it nowSuper Jagger Bomb 2: Go East February 12Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play AnywhereRun, jump, fly and dash your way across dozens of unique stages in 2.5D style as you dodge enemies and collect bombs as fast as you can. Complete levels without dying to gain extra lives and use bonus rounds to multiply your score. Collect coins, practice, earn flight licenses and even unlock new playable heroes!Avowed Premium EditionXbox Game Studios$89.99Pre-orderAvowed (Premium Edition Early Access) February 13Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play AnywhereWelcome to the Living Lands, a mysterious island filled with adventure and danger. Set in the fictional world of Eora that was first introduced to players in the Pillars of Eternity franchise, Avowed is a first-person fantasy RPG from the award-winning team at Obsidian Entertainment. Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members can purchase the Avowed Premium Upgrade Addon to receive up to 5 days early access, two sets of premium skins, and access to the Avowed Digital Artbook & Original Soundtrack. Standard edition launches on February 18.Recall: Empty WishesDANGEN Entertainment$14.99$13.49Pre-orderRecall: Empty Wishes February 13Recall: Empty Wishes is a psychological thriller set in Taiwan during the 2010s. Follow Yonny, a sister determined to uncover the truth behind the mysterious disappearance of her brother, Tommy. As she delves deeper, she confronts unsettling secrets, blurring the lines between reality and illusion.METAL SUITS: Counter-attackEggtart IncGet it nowMetal Suits: Counter-Attack February 13Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryA side-scrolling run-and-gun action game set in the future. The main character, Kevin, who lost everything and was reborn as a cyborg, begins to take revenge on Golida, an alien who took everything from him.SnezhinkaPLAYISMGet it nowSnezhinka February 13Sequel to Marfusha, the second entry in the series of high-tempo shooting games with simple controls. Play as Snezhinka, an employee of a private military company in a dystopian world depicted in beautiful 2.5D pixel art. Go to various different battlefields and defend your objectives from the enemys onslaught.Afterlove EPFellow TravellerGet it nowAfterlove EP February 14Optimized for Xbox Series X|STaking place in the vibrant city of Jakarta, capital of Indonesia, Afterlove EP is a blend of visual novel, narrative adventure and rhythm game from the creator of Coffee Talk and What Comes After.Blood HuntingHolcomb Entertainment LLC$24.99Pre-orderBlood Hunting February 14Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryChase Jones lost his family at a young age and must piece together what happened to them. As he uncovers the truth, he realizes what actions he must take and those responsible for his familys fate have started hunting him. Now he must survive long enough to discover the truth and locate the responsible party before they find him.Bumblebee Search for HappinessEpiXR Games$9.99Pre-orderBumblebee Search for Happiness February 14A story-driven 3D flight exploration game where you guide a small bee on its quest to find a new home. As the bee embarks on this journey, it discovers distant landscapes, encounters friendly and serene animals, and explores breathtaking yet mysterious habitats.Chibi Ninja Shino-kun Treasure of Demon TowerRatalaika Games S.L.Get it nowChibi Ninja Shino-kun Treasure of Demon Tower February 14Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryA game inspired by Japanese ninja games from the 80s and 90s. Chibi Ninja Shino-kun: Treasure of Demon Tower is a fast and smooth retro platformer in which you climb a giant tower while dodging enemies, traps and other obstacles. Use your wall jump, hookshot and ceiling running abilities to make it past the various enemies and discover the legendary treasure of Demon Tower!Dead DragonsKEMCO$14.99Pre-orderDead Dragons February 14Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery100 years ago, humans triumphed over dragons, bringing peace to the world. But whispers of their return ignite a thrilling tale! Take on the role of a brave protagonist, uncover the mystery behind a young girl tied to the dragons, and decide the fate of an entire world.Deep, In the ForestChiliDog Interactive$6.99Pre-orderDeep, In the Forest February 14Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryWelcome to a world of strategic card-based RPG, where you must liberate the forest kingdom from the Mad Kings tyranny. You, once close to the royal family, are falsely accused of the princesss disappearance. To clear your name and restore order, journey through a perilous forest to reach the royal castle. Along the way, collect powerful items and cards, and encounter unique forest inhabitants, some of whom are misled or coerced into hunting you.Doggy Up!Axyos Games$6.99Pre-orderDoggy Up! February 14Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryA platformer game where you play as a German Shepherd named Ollie, trapped in his own dreams. Can you pass the main challenge and free Ollie from captivity? The game will delight you with pleasant graphics, diverse locations, the ability to improve character characteristics, and dynamic events in locations that will help you not to get bored.Hole Theory Series X|SWebnetic s. r. o.Get it nowHole Theory February 14Optimized for Xbox Series X|SDive into the addictive and satisfying world of Hole Theory! Control a growing black hole and consume everything in your path to clear each level. Strategically maneuver around obstacles, avoiding dangerous colored blocks that can end your run instantly.REPLAY BOYSSplit Narrative Inc.Get it nowReplay Boys February 14Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play AnywherePlay as Hannah, video editor for up-and-coming boy band The Replay Boys. When their manager calls in sick right before their first big concert, Hannah is the only one who can fill in and save the day. Help the band through their arguments and uncover their fears and anxieties, while dealing with crazy fans, a cult, and time loops!Stickman OdysseyGametry LLCGet it nowStickman Odyssey February 14Embark on an epic journey with the nimble and fearless stickman in Stickman Odyssey! This fast-paced action platformer takes you through stunning, otherworldly landscapes filled with perilous traps, towering platforms, and menacing foes.Tomb Raider IV-VI RemasteredAspyr$26.99Pre-orderTomb Raider IV VI Remastered February 14Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryHer legacy lives on! Play the next series of Tomb Raider adventures in this remastered collection of the Darkness Trilogy with Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation, Tomb Raider: Chronicles, and Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness.Unsolved Case: Above the Law CE XboxLegacy GamesGet it nowUnsolved Case: Above the Law CE Xbox February 14Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryA powerful villain has no fear of the law. After the high-profile murder of the mayor, it becomes clear that anyone could be a target. Do not let him escape justice! There are tons of new cases to tackle in this installment of the Unsolved Case series. Track down evidence, speak to suspects, crack complex puzzles, and make choices that determine the outcomes for better or for worse!Witch of the Meta LoopHappy Player$14.99$11.99Pre-orderWitch of the Meta Loop February 14Optimized for Xbox Series X|SStep through the magic mirror, break the fourth wall, and uncover the real you! Explore the entire island with your trusted companions, crossing golden wheat fields and snowy plains, visiting the library, and climbing the magical tower. Join the islands charming inhabitants to uncover the secrets of the isolated land and reveal the truth behind the Demon King!

Apple is expected to announce its new iPhone SE next week, and the feature list looks compelling. But like previous SE models, almost all of the new iPhones tech has been seen before. Except for one new featureand its likely to fly under the radar. Heres why.iPhone SE 4 will show Apples dedication to controlling the full tech stackApple has a reputation for wanting to control its full technology stack.The company builds hardware, software, and services so the three can together create a seamless experience.And for hardware specifically, Apple designs its own chips rather than farming them out. This has long been the practice for iPhones and iPads, but only started with the Mac in 2020and Macs have benefited tremendously.For years, theres another piece of hardware Apple has sought to bring in-house: cellular modems.Right now, Qualcomm makes all of Apples 5G modems for iPhones and iPads.But starting with the new iPhone SE 4, the years-long project to build an Apple-designed modem will finally see the light of day.The new iPhone SE will be the first Apple device to feature an in-house 5G chip.But despite finally reaching the finish line of a lengthy project, Apple isnt likely to draw much attention to the new feature.Why the new 5G modem will fly under the radarCellular connectivity is an essential attribute of any iPhone.So while on one hand, Apple will no doubt celebrate its big achievement of replacing Qualcomm in its latest iPhonethis is also just the first step down a new path.Mark Gurman has reported that Apple actually has three in-house cellular chips in the works:for 2025, this first 5G modem wont support mmWave, has reduced download speeds compared to Qualcomms and four-carrier aggregation rather than sixin 2026, however, a second modem should offer feature parity with Qualcommsand in 2027, Apple expects to actually top Qualcomms performanceApple will almost certainly mention its in-house modem in the iPhone SE 4 announcement. But if its more than just a passing nod, Ill be very surprised.Why?Because the new modem will technically be inferior to whats available in the iPhone 16 flagships.But even if Apple is able to offset those drawbacks with special optimizations of its own, theres still another good reason not to draw too much attention to that.That reason? This falls iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will not have Apples new modem, but instead are sticking with Qualcomm.Apple wont upstage its flagship iPhone 17 Pro with the budget iPhone SEIf Apple puts a big spotlight on its new in-house modems debut, and spends much time highlighting its strengths, it could make for an awkward iPhone 17 launch in September when the most expensive models dont include this cutting-edge tech.For these reasons and more, I expect Apple to acknowledge the new 5G modem in the iPhone SE 4, but not take its victory lap just yet.Next year, when the second-generation modem debuts and is included in all new iPhones, and with more advanced featuresthen, and only then, do I expect Apple to tell us all the reasons why its modem is so great.Do you think Apple will give much attention to its new modem in the iPhone SE 4? Why or why not? 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

A Metropolitan Police crackdown on phone snatching in London has seen 230 people arrested and more than 1,000 phones recovered in the space of just one week.The police service also reported that a gang found guilty of handling more than 5,000 stolen phones have been sentenced to a total of 18 years in prison London police crackdown on phone snatchingBBC News reports that the police used a mix of phone tracking and deployment of plain-clothes officers in known crime-spots to catch the thieves.A clampdown on the industrial-scale crime of mobile phone-snatching across London has resulted in 230 people being arrested by the Metropolitan Police in the past week. In its battle against the scourge of mobile phone crime, the force said it had also seized more than 1,000 handsets.It said its work had been ramped up to deal with the 50m-a-year trade in stolen phones across the capital, with those responsible for thefts, handling, and onward criminal supply all being targeted.The most common tactic employed by smartphone thieves is to ride stolen scooters and ebikes looking for people using their phones on the street. They then ride onto sidewalks, coming up behind victims in order to snatch the devices.Early on, safety concerns had led police to discontinue pursuits of scooter riders when the risks to the riders were deemed too high. However, after complaints from the public about this, the policy was changed, allowing officers to continue pursuit and use tactical contact to knock them off the vehicles.You can enjoy a few examples of this here:Apples introduction of Activation Lock way back in 2013 led to dramatic reductions in iPhone thefts in some cities, though the impact was variable as they could still be stolen for parts.The later launch of parts pairing offered further deterrent, though the practice proved extremely controversial due to issues with DIY repairs. Apple later provided a solution to this through a process of blessing replacement parts.Image: Metropolitan PoliceAdd 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

"She doubled her money in just three weeks."To The Moon!The Pelosi household comprised of powerful California Congresswoman Nancy and her husband Paul, a wealthy investor has made a number of shrewd financial moves lately, cashing in to the tune of a few million dollars worth of appreciated stock since December.And the luck just doesn't seem to run out. The 6th richest member of the House made a well-timed investment last month of $100,000 in Tempus AI, a health and medical company that says it's powered by artificial intelligence.That turned out to be the right bet, because Tempus AI stocks have skyrocketed by over 113 percent since Pelosi bought her shares.The value pump started almost immediately after Pelosi's buy, and continued after Tempus acquired Ambry Genetics, a genetic testing lab firm valued at over $300 million. As most American companies are required to disclose transactions and mergers over $101 million to the government, it's very likely that at least some federal employees in the FTC and Department of Justice had advanced knowledge of the move, which is seen as a very healthy merger.Pelosi's move likewise comes as investors start to grow impatient with AI startups. Some financiers are exercising caution when it comes to AI medical ventures, as a deluge of embarrassing disasters plague the sector like a medical record startup's AI making up patient info, or an AI-powered eating disorder helpline that flipped the script, encouraging disordered eating.Like A PelosiThat context makes the timing of Pelosi's money moves all the more canny.Nancy Pelosi Stock Tracker a million-follower X-formerly-Twitter account that follows the Pelosis' financial health with intimate precision highlighted her investment savvy in a post yesterday."Pelosi really is the GOAT," the post read. "Back on [January 14], she bought ~100K of Tempus AI...She doubled her money in just three weeks."The account is part accountability watchdog calling out officials like Representative Markwayne Mullin for investment conflicts of interest but also part investment scheme. Its owner, Christopher Joseph, encourages worker drones to "invest like a politician" on his stock platform, Autopilot.It's a daring strategy seemingly built on the frustration of watching Republicans and Democrats alike rake in on a stock market that, in theory, they're directly in charge of regulating.And the worst part? It seems to be a smart move.So while we wait for literally anyone to hold our elected officials accountable for profiting off the stock market, at least there's comfort in knowing we can carve out our own, smaller piece of the pie.Share This Article

Feb 07, 2025Ravie LakshmananMobile Security / Artificial IntelligenceA new audit of DeepSeek's mobile app for the Apple iOS operating system has found glaring security issues, the foremost being that it sends sensitive data over the internet sans any encryption, exposing it to interception and manipulation attacks.The assessment comes from NowSecure, which also found that the app fails to adhere to best security practices and that it collects extensive user and device data."The DeepSeek iOS app sends some mobile app registration and device data over the Internet without encryption," the company said. "This exposes any data in the internet traffic to both passive and active attacks."The teardown also revealed several implementation weaknesses when it comes to applying encryption on user data. This includes the use of an insecure symmetric encryption algorithm (3DES), a hard-coded encryption key, and the reuse of initialization vectors.What's more, the data is sent to servers that are managed by a cloud compute and storage platform named Volcano Engine, which is owned by ByteDance, the Chinese company that also operates TikTok."The DeepSeek iOS app globally disables App Transport Security (ATS) which is an iOS platform level protection that prevents sensitive data from being sent over unencrypted channels," NowSecure said. "Since this protection is disabled, the app can (and does) send unencrypted data over the internet."The findings add to a growing list of concerns that have been raised around the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot service, even as it skyrocketed to the top of the app store charts on both Android and iOS in several markets across the world.Cybersecurity company Check Point said that it observed instances of threat actors leveraging AI engines from DeepSeek, alongside Alibaba Qwen and OpenAI ChatGPT, to develop information stealers, generate uncensored or unrestricted content, and optimize scripts for mass spam distribution."As threat actors utilize advanced techniques like jailbreaking to bypass protective measures and develop info stealers, financial theft, and spam distribution, the urgency for organizations to implement proactive defenses against these evolving threats ensures robust defenses against potential misuse of AI technologies," the company said.Earlier this week, the Associated Press revealed that DeepSeek's website is configured to send user login information to China Mobile, a state-owned telecommunications company that has been banned from operating in the United States.The app's Chinese links, much like TikTok, have prompted U.S. lawmakers to push for a nation-wide ban on DeepSeek from government devices over risks that it could provide user information to Beijing.It's worth noting that several countries, including Australia, Italy, the Netherlands, Taiwan, and South Korea, and government agencies in India and the United States, such as the Congress, NASA, Navy, Pentagon, and Texas, have instituted bans on DeepSeek from government devices.DeepSeek's explosion in popularity has also led to it battling malicious attacks, with Chinese cybersecurity firm XLab telling Global Times that the service has been subjected to sustained distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks originating from Mirai botnets hailBot and RapperBot late last month.Meanwhile, cybercriminals are wasting no time to capitalize on the frenzy surrounding DeepSeek to set up lookalike pages that propagate malware, fake investment scams, and fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes.Found this article interesting? Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post.SHARE

If youre still holding out hope for a fourthBack to the Futuremovie ... you can probably just let that go.A fourth movie is not coming, at least not while the franchises creators are alive and actively involved in the series. Appearing at the Saturn Awards recently,Back to the Futureco-creator Bob Gale said(viaThe Hollywood Reporter) that he loves the work he is doing onBack to the Future: The Musical, and that is there for fans who want something new in theBack to the Future universe. As for a trueBack to the Future 4, well...People always say, well, When are you guys going to doBack to the Future 4? And we say, F you, you quote me on that!Well okay then.UniversalUniversalloading...READ MORE: The Best Sequels Made From Bad MoviesWe made three terrific movies and people kept asking for moreBack to the Future, Gale added. So we madeBack to the Future: The Musical... Were taking it around the world.After a long development process (and a delay because of Covid), theBack to the Future musical premiered in London in 2022. It opened on Broadway in the summer of 2023. Gale wrote the book for the show(based on his own screenplay for the firstBack to the Future co-written with film director Robert Zemeckis).It faithfully adapts the first film in the franchise with acouple minor changes. (There are no terrorists in this version, for example; Docs death in the opening scenes is instead the result of radiation poisoning.) It features songs from the film like The Power of Love and Johnny B. Goode, along with originals written byBack to the Futurecomposer Alan Silvestri with lyrics by Glen Ballard.Back to the Future: The Musicalclosed on Broadway in January, but a national tour is now underway. Upcoming stops include Dallas,Texas, Tampa, Florida, and Providence, Rhode Island. You can get tickets and more information at the shows official website. I saw the show on Broadway; it was a lot of fun. (The DeLorean effects were especially cool.) If you like the film, youll almost certainly enjoy the show too.Get our free mobile appBlockbuster Flops That Ended Their Future FranchisesThese movies were supposed to start massive cinematic universes... and then they came out.Gallery Credit: Emma Stefansky

html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"The second phase of Habitat Qinhuangdao, a high-density residential complex situated 200 miles east of Beijing, China, on the Bohai Sea coast, has been completed, by Safdie Architects and Kerry Properties.The original development, which opened in 2016, was more than quadrupled in size during this phase, creating a thriving community of more than 1,800 houses with access to more than 40 acres (16 hectares) of elegant public gardens, terraces, and outdoor and indoor recreational areas.This is Safdie Architects' largest residential project to date, fulfilling the promise of Habitat 67's revolutionary vision for high-density, humane urban dwelling.The concepts and ideals established in Habitat '67, Moshe Safdie's ground-breaking urban housing project designed for the 1967 World Exposition in Montreal, are incorporated into the design of Habitat Qinhuangdao. Over half a century later, Habitat Qinhuangdao reiterates that the idea is "highly scalable and widely transferable."Habitat Qinhuangdao offers a lively coastal neighborhood that promotes community and develops a connection to environment by prioritizing sunshine, natural ventilation, views, and outdoor green spaceconditions that deliver quality of life that are rarely accomplished in large-scale, high-density development."The demand for quality multi-family housing in Chinas growing cities has allowed us to apply the principles that informed Habitat 67 at a greater density," said Moshe Safdie, Founding Partner."By breaking down the mega- scale, Habitat Qinhuangdao is a model for high- density housing where the amenities surpass that of the typical high-rise complex without sacrificing the structures efficiency or humanity," Safdie added.In order to create Habitat Qinhuangdao, Safdie Architects arranged the dwellings in a sequence of 16-story stacked residential blocks that are connected by skybridges at the 18th and 33rd floors and offset by gardens at the base.The stepped and staggered shapes of the buildings contain enormous "urban windows"view passages between the city and the seaand produce private terraces, balconies, and solariums, humanizing the scale and tying the development to its surroundings. In order to get sunlight, the buildings' long elevations face south, west, and east.Light from the wide cityscape windows is filtered into the interiors facing north. The development feels light, spacious, and open as a result."In Kerry Properties we had an ambitious client who saw how our design philosophy would resonate with the local culture and context," said Sean Scensor, Senior Partner and project lead."When you stagger and offset units from one another, stepping the buildings away from the sea, you create beautiful terraces that make each unit feel like a penthouse. The project is simultaneously visually intriguing and inherently rational," Scensor added.A number of densely planted parks that honor Qinhuangdao's natural setting and encourage both passive and active recreation encircle the structures.With their varying topography, various flora, and interesting elements like adventure playgrounds, a manicured amphitheater, planted promenades, and water features, each park provides its occupants a unique experience.The skybridges connecting the houses are used for additional community gardens and pool areas, offering fresh outdoor activities amid views of the sky, city, and sea.Across typologies, geographies, scales, and decades, Safdie Architects' design approach is driven by Habitat '67's animating principle, "For Everyone a Garden," a beautifully simple idea that views architecture as a selfless act of connecting us to nature and creating meaningful spaces of community that act as catalysts for vibrant public life.The concept was evaluated at various dimensions, densities, climates, and cultural settings as part of a year-long research fellowship called Habitat of the Future, which was conducted by Safdie Architects in 2010.The design of Habitat Qinhuangdao and the other recent Habitat urban housing projects by Safdie Architects, including Sky Habitat in Singapore in 2016, Altair in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 2021, and Qorner in Quito, Ecuador in 2022, are based on the findings of this study.Although every iteration presents a different reaction to site, environment, and culture, the design team's overarching objective remains the same: to build thriving, livable communities.The largest built example of these ideals to date is Habitat Qinhuangdao, according to Safdie Architects.Project factsProject name: Habitat QinhuangdaoDesign Architect: Safdie ArchitectsClient: Kerry Properties LimitedPartners: Moshe Safdie, Charu Kokate, Sean Scensor, Chris Mulvey, Warren MathisonDesign team: David Orens (Project Director), Benjy Lee, Carrie Yoon, Daniel Cho, David Brooks, Fred Kim, Lusha Wainford, Michael Guran, Nan Xiang, Paige Mader, Shiyun Qian, Ye Yang.Local Design Institute: China Shanghai Architectural Design & Research Institute Co. Ltd, ShanghaiGeneral Contractor: China Railway Group LimitedFaade Consultant: Phase I - Konstruct Partners, Hong Kong - Phase II AECOMFaade Design Institute: Zhe Jiang Zhong Nan Construction Group Co. LtdInterior Designers:Phase I - BC&A International Ltd., Hong Kong; YASHA Decoration Co., Ltd.Phase II QUAD (Lobby Interiors); Yang and Associates Group, Shenzhen (Unit Interiors)Landscape Design Architect: Phase I SWA Group, Laguna Beach, CA - Phase II WAA+ Landscape Architects, ShanghaiLandscape Design Institutes: Ager Group, Beijing DQLand, BeijingLighting Design: LAM Partners, Cambridge, MA, Brandston Partnership Inc., Shanghai / New YorkSignage: Square Peg DesignPhase 1: 152,450m2Phase 2: 244,000m2Sales Building: 5,500m2All images Shao Feng, courtesy of Safdie Architects.> via Safdie Architects

Submitted by WA ContentsSyn Architects to represent Saudi Arabia at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025 Saudi Arabia Architecture News - Feb 07, 2025 - 14:25 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Saudi Arabia has announced its participation at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition Venice Architecture Biennale 2025 with Syn Architects (Sara Alissa and Nojoud Alsudairi) with the National Pavilion.For its fourth participation in the Venice Architecture Biennale, Saudi Arabia will be represented by Riyadh-based architectural practice Syn Architects (Sara Alissa and Nojoud Alsudairi) with the exhibition of "The Um Slaim School: An Architecture of Connection".The exhibition, curated by Beatrice Leanza with help from Sara Almutlaq, launched an alternative pedagogical platform that expands on the work of the Um Slaim Collective and the Riyadh-based practice Syn Architects by staging a living archive and interactive website.In order to examine the displacement of Najdi architecture in central Riyadh, Sara Alissa and Nojoud Alsudairi formed the Riyadh-based Syn Architects, which in turn launched the Um Slaim Collective in 2021.Curator: Beatrice Leanza. Image Diana TinocoIn order to express new ways of reading and imagining the built environment that are consistent with the spatial lessons of the past, The Um Slaim School: An Architecture of Connection combines experimental, visual, and oral documentation that probes the complex relationships and stories woven throughout the city.By doing this, it hopes to develop a new ecosystem for architectural education in Saudi Arabia and promote cross-border communication with generational experiences that are equally interested in practice-led pedagogies and research-centered methodologies to tackle issues including resource management, climate change, and the social aspect of the city.The Um Slaim School: An Architecture of Connection explores Riyadh's architectural legacy in relation to identity, ecology, and urban-making by promoting the ways in which regional educational institutions and knowledge hubs can respond to the demands of a world that is changing quickly, both within and outside of Saudi Arabia.Under the direction of curator Beatrice Leanza and with assistance from Maryam AlNoaimi, a generative program of public and laboratorial sessions will advance spatial and urban thinking in the area and foster international cooperation to inform the future school. Alongside the program, a magazine will be created to compile the results for use after Biennale Architettura 2025.Anywhere can be a place of worship by Syn Architects at the 2023 Islamic Arts Biennale. Image Laurian Ghinitoiu"The Um Slaim School is a foundation for an alternative approach to architectural re-imagining through spatial narratives and materiality. This pavilion will invite a collective retelling of our effect on the environments we inhabit and our urban histories," said Sara Alissa and Nojoud Alsudairi, Syn Architects partners."Our interest lies in that symbiosis, how our values and ideas shape our world, and how the parameters of our landscapes influence that shaping," Alissa and Alsudairi added."Our participation at the Biennale Architettura 2025 embraces the emergence of generational voices in Saudi Arabia that are reshaping spatial practices. The Um Slaim School reflects a critical shift towards participatory frameworks for urban futures and eco-social imaginaries of resilience and renewal," said Beatrice Leanza, the curator."It endeavors to create an alternative pedagogical initiative that remains rooted in vernacular knowledge while striving to suggest new pathways for architectures role and purpose in todays world," Leanza added.The Um Slaim School: An Architecture of Connection will be on display at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025 from May 10 to November 23, 2025, at the National Pavilion of Saudi Arabia. This will be the eighth time Saudi Arabia has participated in the La Biennale di Venezia's International Architecture and Art Exhibitions.The Kingdom's best creative talent from all throughout its regions may be found at the Saudi Pavilion, which is housed in the Arsenale. The pavilion will serve as a gathering place for cultural practitioners to study, investigate, and work together in the domains of architecture and art.The commission for Saudi Arabia's National Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale is the Architecture and Design Commission. In order to foster talent and innovative thinking that reflects the Kingdom's unique culture, the Commission promotes Saudi Arabian architects and designers through educational programs and initiatives.The top image: Participants: Syn Architects, Nojoud Alsudairi (left) and Sara Alissa (right). Image Nora Alissa.> via Syn Architects

As the NFL and fans gear up forSuper Bowl 2025, the Kendrick Lamar halftime showand all the snacks, companies are rolling out game day ad campaigns. Not only are there some AI-themed spots, but there's a variety of commercials for food, services, beer, tech and a PSA for the bathroom.From nostalgic throwbacks like the Muppets gang, to golden-age women going on joyrides, to fans-turned-ad-stars, the ad parade has begun (and a few celebrities show up wearing and doing goofy stuff, too). We can't yet confirm which movie trailers will drop on Sunday, but check out these commercials to warm up for the big game.Read more: Fox Sports Will Stream the Super Bowl in 4K for Free on TubiInstacart: Brand icons on a sprintIn a Super Bowl first for the company, Instacart is airing its We're Here ad that marches out a cast of grocery brand celebrities like Chester Cheetah, Jolly Green Giant and Old Spice Guy.Disney Plus: No joy really sucksDisney's 60-second ad explores what it's like without joy using clever wordplay. The streamer asks what if Bart never did Sey-mour Butts? And what if murders didn't happen in that building? A shorter version of this ad will run on game day, but check out this cut. WeatherTech: Born to be wildNo need to imagine what could happen when four flirty senior women hit the road in a '63 Lincoln convertible. There's breakdancing, catcalling, mugshots and bingo -- and WeatherTech gets through it all.Coors Light: Beat the Monday bluesCoors Light offers a relatable representation of that post-game sluggishness you may feel on Monday. Gather 'round for these slow-moving sloths and a case of beer.Uber Eats: It's Super Bowl L-I-C-K-SAccording to Matthew McConaughey, football was created to get us to buy food -- wings, Caesar salads, apple, steaks -- you name it. The conspiracy theory unfurls in this spot that features appearances from Sean Evans, Kevin Bacon, Charlie XCX, Martha Stewart and Greta Gerwig.Google Pixel: Gemini's mock interviewIn this Pixel 9 ad, Google's Gemini AI feature helps a dad prepare to land his "dream job," but the conversation tugs at the heartstrings and makes you wonder if he's already doing the job he loves most.Dunkin': Suit up for a big-game revealBen Affleck is back in his DunKings tracksuit and wants to get the band back together. In a sequel to the 2024 Super Bowl ad, Affleck has brought his younger brother Casey along for the ride. Succession alum and notorious method actor Jeremy Strong is a newcomer to the group -- and by the looks of things in this teaser, he's taking this job seriously.DoorDash: Girl mathThis DoorDash spot is tapping in for the viral girl math trend and shows Nate Bargatze calculating how much he saves with DashPass. He's using that extra cash for important stuff!Bosch: Putting muscle into home appliancesAntonio Banderas and "Macho Man" team up for a Bosch home appliance spot that involves might, know-how and dancing? And in case you were wondering: Yes, the company received consent from "Macho Man" Randy Savage's estate to create the ad. Stay tuned for the full spot in the coming days.Taco Bell: Fans get slightly famousIn this teaser for the fast food joint's big game ad, Doja Cat photobombs Taco Bell customers and gets scolded by an employee. The final version will apparently include people who took photos at one of the chain's "drive-thru cams."Angel Soft: Take a bathroom breakThe going rate for Super Bowl ad spots has reportedly hit upward of $8 million, which makes this Angel Soft commercial super interesting. Instead of delving deep into a narrative piece, the toilet paper company is putting our needs above its own by using its ad time to give viewers an excuse to take a bathroom break. Well played.Dodge Ram: Goldilocks up to old tricksTwisters star Glenn Powell -- who drove a Dodge Ram in the movie -- yucking it up as Goldilocks in a zany Dodge Ram Super Bowl ads. Add a majestic blonde wig and Van Halen's Panama and you've got yourself a winning combination.Mountain Dew: Seal's lime kiss from a roseMountain Dew's original teaser ad showed a quartet of seals warming up their voices as singer Becky G and the "Mountain Dude" float on a boat nearby. Things get weird with the full ad, which stars Seal's head (the person) on the body of a seal (the animal). The slippery fella belts out a new version of his song Kiss From a Rose. Watch it now, and again when the mammalian monstrosity shows up in your nightmares.Squarespace: Barry Keoghan deliversFans of the 2022 film The Banshees of Inisherin will enjoy this Ireland-set ad, which stars Barry Keoghan and a donkey (it's not the mule from the movie, though). In the spot, Keoghan tosses laptops with pre-made Squarespace websites like newspapers before appearing to walk on air with his animal buddy.GoDaddy: Get into AIGoDaddy tapped Walton Goggins to help get the word out about its new suite of AI tools, GoDaddy Airo. The actor is also the owner of Walton Goggins Goggle Glasses -- which, well, is pretty self-explanatory. He showcases GoDaddy's tools to help small businesses get the word out about their products. While we're talking about these Goggle Glasses, I suddenly want a pair.Reese's: Fans risk it allReese's is going big for its Chocolate Lava Big Cups. In the new Super Bowl spot, the lava is indeed flowing... from a massive volcano. Fans of the peanut butter-chocolate treat are so mesmerized by the deliciousness of it all that, in a sheer collective act of madness, a mob is found running toward a flow of piping hot magma.Ray-Ban Meta glasses: It's Chris, Chris and KrisChris Hemsworth and Chris Pratt get into a little bit of expensive trouble using Ray-Ban's AI-powered Meta glasses.Doritos: Alien abductionDoritos let the fans get in on the delicious action by letting them submit and vote on self-made ads. Aliens want to know all about Doritos in this winning bit from Dylan Bradshaw and Nate Norell.NerdWallet: Genius belugaNerdWallet released an extended cut for its ad, and it features a talking beluga whale that sounds a lot like Emmy winner Kieran Culkin. He's helpful but not afraid to toss out a couple insults.Rocket: Wants to take you homeThe mortgage lender teases a longer game-day ad that includes children and parents with them of bringing "Americans home."Booking.com: Muppets ruleThe Muppets are back on TV. Even in the form of a Booking.com commercial, this is a win. They deliver all the hits: Kermit plays the banjo, Animal goes nuts in the sand, Miss Piggy is fabulous as ever, Statler and Waldorf continue to hate everything and The Great Gonzo zooms in on a jetpack to put a nice button on the end.Bud Light: Beer cannons in the cul-de-sacPost Malone, Shane Gillis and Peyton Manning want to have a good time partying with their neighbors, and send express invitations by launching beer cans onto their doorsteps.STK Cold Brew: Channing Tatum as coachChanning Tatum steps up (wink, wink) as a special coach to whip the Wrexham AFC team into shape with the right moves, but are they right for the field? Maybe it's all the STK Cold Brew that has him breaking and popping out his Magic Mike dance choreo.Pringles: Mustaches on the moveWhat do Nick Offerman, James Harden and Andy Reid all have in common? They're mustachioed men who find their iconic facial hair taking flight after Adam Brody finds the snack table is all out of Pringles. To "Stache Up," Brody blows (honks) into the can and sparks a whiskery call to arms.Hellmann's: When Harry Met SallyThree and a half decades after Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan changed the rom-com game with When Harry Met Sally, the duo have reunited to celebrate Hellmann's mayonnaise. This spot re-creates that one scene from the movie -- you know the one.Google Workspace: Spotlight small businessesGoogle's new 50 States, 50 Stories ad highlights small businesses around the country and how they're using its Gemini AI to grow their endeavors.Nerds: Candy with ShaboozeyA Bar Song (Tipsy) singer Shaboozey covers What a Wonderful World and runs into a load of candy characters in this commercial for Nerds Gummy Clusters.Homes.com: Not an adSchitt's Creek star Dan Levy tees up a Super Bowl Sunday ad that is possibly not an ad for Homes.com.Little Caesars Pizza: Eyebrow-raisingEugene Levy is also in a Super Bowl ad for Little Caesars Crazy Puffs that sees his eyebrows fly off his face. Should we be worried?Michelob Ultra: Pickleball hustlersWillem Dafoe and Catherine O'Hara are an intimidating pickleball duo looking to hustle free Michelob Ultra out of unsuspecting competitors. Watching them defeat one opponent after another nails home how formidable they are. NFL legend Randy Moss, Olympic gold medalist Ryan Crouser and WNBA superstar Sabrina Ionescu are no match for them.Stella Artois: Twinning formulaSoccer legend David Beckham discovers he has a twin brother, aptly named Other David, in this quirky Stella Artois ad. Matt Damon plays his long-lost sibling. The on-screen chemistry between the two is delightful. Ben Affleck should be nervous.Budweiser: Bring on the ClydesdalesThe Clydesdales are back! And with a little foal is the star of the show. It doesn't matter that this spot reminds me of the Chef Boyardee commercial where the ravioli can rolls home.Tubi: A new birthTubi is teasing a new arrival on Feb. 9, complete with an ultrasound image that signals a new character is on the way. If you're streaming the Super Bowl here for free, no doubt you'll be watching this ad.Hagen-Dazs: Not so fast or furiousFast and Furious stars Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez and Ludacris rev up their engines for the ice cream brand but switch things up for a "slow life."Busch Light: Going in circlesIn the spirit of the great outdoors, Busch Light wants to make sure you're not going in circles if you're out in the woods. While Busch aims to guide, Nascar driver Ross Chastain has something to say about that.Spruce: It's okay to let the dogs outBunny the "talking" dog deejays a set for a pup party where it's fine to run on the grass. Why? Procter & Gamble says its Spruce weed killer is safe for doggies and humans. Let the dogs out!

Key takeaways You can earn up to 4.65% APY with today's best CDs.Your rate is fixed when you open a CD.The Fed is expected to cut rates later this year, making now a wise time to lock in your APY and maximize your earning potential. When it comes to certificates of deposit, choosing the right account can make a big difference in how much you earn. The top CDs we track at CNET offer annual percentage yields, or APYs, up to 4.65%, but the national average is less than half that for many CD terms.Timing also matters. CD rates have been falling for months, but the Federal Reserve's rate pause in January means they're largely holding steady -- for now. Opening a CD today allows you to lock in your APY and enjoy elevated earnings even after the Fed starts cutting rates later this year.Here's where you can find some of the highest CD rates and how much you could earn by depositing $5,000.Today's best CD rates Term Highest APY*BankEstimated earnings6 months 4.65%CommunityWide Federal Credit Union$114.931 year 4.45%CommunityWide Federal Credit Union$222.503 years 4.15%America First Credit Union$648.695 years 4.25%America First Credit Union$1,156.73 Experts recommend comparing rates before opening a CD account to get the best APY possible. Enter your information below to get CNET's partners' best rate for your area.How opening a CD today can boost your earningsAPYs on CDs and savings accounts have been falling since the Fed cut interest rates three times at the end of 2024. But with inflation inching back up, the Fed chose to hold rates steady at its January meeting, and experts believe it will keep rates paused for a while. As a result, banks are hedging their bets by keeping CD rates relatively flat too, particularly given the uncertainty around the new administration's policies."The Fed's goal is to bring inflation down further, and if tariffs come into play, they could have an inflationary effect," said Chad Olivier, certified financial planner and CEO of The Olivier Group. "Because of this uncertainty, I believe the Fed will take more of a wait-and-see approach before making any moves."By securing a high APY now, you can maximize your earning potential. Your APY is locked in when you open a CD, which means your rate of return will stay the same even when the Fed begins cutting the benchmark rate again.You can earn up to 5% APY on the best high-yield savings accounts. Check out today's rates.Average CD rates from week to week Term Last week's CNET average APYThis week's CNET average APYWeekly change**6 months 4.10%4.10%No change1 year 4.06%4.07%+0.25%3 years 3.54%3.55%+0.29%5 years 3.55%3.56%+0.28% Choosing a CD: What to look forA competitive APY is important, but it's not the only thing you should consider. To find the right CD for you, weigh these things, too:When you'll need your money: Early withdrawal penalties on CDs can eat into your interest earnings if you need your money before the term ends, so choose a timeline that makes sense. Alternatively, you can select a no-penalty CD, although the APY may not be as high as you'd get with a traditional CD of the same term.Minimum deposit requirement: Some CDs require a minimum deposit to open an account, typically $500 to $1,000. Knowing how much money you have to set aside can help you narrow your options.Fees: Maintenance and other fees can cut into your savings. Many online banks don't charge fees because they have lower overhead costs than banks with physical branches. Read the fine print for any account you're evaluating.Safety and security: Make sure the bank or credit union you're considering is an FDIC or NCUA member so your money is protected if the bank fails.Customer ratings and reviews: Visit sites like Trustpilot to see what customers are saying about the bank. You want a bank that's responsive, professional and easy to work with.MethodologyCNET reviews CD rates based on the latest APY information from issuer websites. We evaluated CD rates from more than 50 banks, credit unions and financial companies. We evaluate CDs based on APYs, product offerings, accessibility and customer service.The current banks included in CNET's weekly CD averages include Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, American Express National Bank, Barclays, Bask Bank, Bread Savings, Capital One, CFG Bank, CIT, Fulbright, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, MYSB Direct, Quontic, Rising Bank, Synchrony, EverBank, Popular Bank, First Internet Bank of Indiana, America First Federal Credit Union, CommunityWide Federal Credit Union, Discover, Bethpage, BMO Alto, Limelight Bank, First National Bank of America and Connexus Credit Union.*APYs as of Feb. 7, 2025, based on the banks we track at CNET. Earnings are based on APYs and assume interest is compounded annually.**Weekly percentage increase/decrease from Jan. 27, 2025, to Feb. 3, 2025.More on CDs