News The White Lotus Just Teased a Closer Connection to Season 1Belinda may have been hoping for a fresh start, but Greg's appearance has brought up more than a few ghosts from her past.By Brynna Arens | March 3, 2025 | | Photo: Fabio Lovino | HBOThis article contains spoilers for episode 3 of The White Lotus.The White Lotus season 3 keeps revealing more and more connections to the first season. From the beginning, weve known that Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) was set to return just as Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge) did in season 2. However, the first episode of season 3 revealed that Belinda isnt the only returning character Greg (John Gries), who now calls himself Gary, has found himself a new name, a new girl, and a new White Lotus to spend his days at. Now that Belinda has recognized him from his time in Maui, it may only be a matter of time before she discovers what happened to Tanya.Earlier in the episode, Belinda confides in her colleague Pornchai (Dom Hetrakul) about Armonds death and how Tanya had promised to fund her plan to start her own spa, but ended up not following through after running off with Greg. She decides to go confront Gary at dinner, but he denies ever being married to Tanya or recognizing Belinda at all. This isnt surprising, its not like hes going to admit hes a con man in front of people hes trying to fool. But even though she leaves the table cordially, Belinda cant shake the fact that she recognizes him.Greg clearly wasnt expecting to find anyone in Thailand that could recognize him, and yet once again he and Belinda find themselves at the same White Lotus resort. When Belinda goes back to her room that night, she hears some creaking nearby, which could very well be Greg trying to spy on her sneakily. It also could just be some monkeys, which the resort seems to have an abundance of.Regardless, Belinda doesnt seem like the type of person to let this go. Greg is the reason that Tanya flaked on helping her. Since Greg is there with Chloe, who is obviously not Tanya, Belinda might try to reach out or look into where Tanya could be. It doesnt seem like she knows that Tanya died the way Greg talked about her death previously, it seems like hes gone to great lengths to cover it up. The White Lotus Sicily has likely done the same, not wanting another mysterious death to tarnish the White Lotus brand.This season of The White Lotus is starting to become even more intertwined with the others than we thought it would be thanks to Greg and Belinda. As much as Belinda may try to move on and focus on learning, Greg is a connection to Maui she wasnt expecting to find here. Seeing him has clearly brought her memories of that time to the surface, and itll be interesting to watch how they both move forward after this encounter.We know how dangerous Greg can be. He literally tried to have Tanya killed. Hopefully Belinda will stay safe and find a way to stop Greg before he can hurt anyone else. The dynamic between Belinda, Tanya, and Greg is now a form of connective tissue across the three seasons. While season 1 didnt really give us a resolution to Belindas side of things aside from her being left to work at the place her friend and coworker died, season 3 just might.

In recent years, design enthusiasts have found themselves somewhat divided over the ubiquitous phrase modern farmhouse. Largely popularized by shows like Fixer Upper, mass retailers, and, yes, design magazines such as this one, its an aesthetic that can elicit eye rolls from designers who are getting a bit tired of receiving the same roster of requestsshiplap! barn doors!from clients on repeat. (The New York Times referred to the modern farmhouse aesthetic as this generations McMansion. Rude!)Heres the thing: The internet tends to hate on anything with widespread appeal. And while Zillows Home Trends Expert Amanda Pendleton acknowledges that features such as shiplap and barn doors are not quite as coveted as they used to be, the modern farmhouse aesthetic can still serve up a really nice balance of the new and the old. But what is that aesthetic, exactly? Generally speaking, the modern farmhouse look celebrates the staples of a historic country farmhouseopen shelving, apron front sinks, wide-plank hardwood floorswhile incorporating modern-day elements that lend the look a more contemporary I'm-not-actually-a-farmer edge. (Think steel-frame windows, clean-lined light fixtures, and contemporary art.) Monica Buck, styling by Raina Kattelson for Country LivingWhimsical wallcovering and antique beds keep a farmhouse bedroom (designed by Jersey Ice Cream Co.) from feeling same-old, same-old.Youll also find that the modern farmhouse look tends to favor neutrals (white paint, pine finishes, nubby linens) which allows for more rustic architectural accents like reclaimed mantels and exposed beams to stand out.What we love most is the fact that the farmhouse aesthetic is rooted in practicality, and that never goes out of style. If youre tempted to join the modern farmhouse family, or looking to tone down the trendiness of the one you already have, let us point you in the right direction.1. Skip the One-Size-Fits-All Exterior.Most backlash associated with this look tends to be a response to the architectural samenessparticularly when perfectly pretty old homes are remodeled or torn down in the name of strikingly similar side-to-sides that feel spit out of a conveyor belt. A few of the designers and architects we spoke with are a bit tired of the black window sashes. Others cited scale as an issue: Huge expanses of interrupted glass can undermine the innate humble nature of a farmhouse, says Cristiana Pledger, an architect in Birmingham, Alabama. But there are plenty of examples of modern farmhouses that beautifully break the mold. Stephen Karlisch for Country LivingThis new build feels like its been sittin pretty for decades thanks, in part, to its simple warm white exterior that is as timeless as it gets. For similar, try White Dove by Benjamin Moore.Annie Schlechter for Country LivingEnergy-efficient and fully recyclable, a metal roof can last 60-plus years compared to the 12-year average of asphalt.Jean Allsopp for Country LivingA charcoal black paint is a sophisticated and less expected choice for a modern farmhouse exterior. For similar, try Peppercorn by Sherwin-Williams.2. Prioritize Real Patina.For me, its all about authenticity, says Emily Doerfler, a designer in Bend, Oregon. Too often I see faux vintage or overly distressed and cheap materials being used in modern farmhouses. The key to achieving the look is using authentic materials. There is no substitute for real patina, so skip the repro sign or uniformly distressed dresser at the big box store and proceed straight to the antiques shops for the real deal. (That goes for wood beams, too.)Lincoln BarbourAn antique cabinet lends soul and substance to this all-white bathroom by Nashville designer Julie Couch.David TsayReclaimed beams and antique light fixtures bring ample old soul to a new-build kitchen in Bellville, Texas.Lincoln BarbourWeathered beams and an antique rug help the room feel layered and lived-in.3. Incorporate a Little Color. If you gravitate toward neutrals, you do you! But if Instagram has made you feel as if the only way to do modern farmhouse is with an overwhelmingly white palette, were here to set the record straight. Generally speaking, nature-inspired tonesrich greens, warm pinks, sky bluesfeel right at home in a farmhouse. Your homes surroundingswhat your land looks like, whether youre by the water versus surrounded by a lot of greeneryprovide good directional cues to inspire your color palette, says Nicole Gibbons, founder of paint company Clare. If you want to up the modern quotient, go bolder with a high-contrast pop of red or bright yellow. Annie SchlechterBright yellow bedding sets a cheerful tone in a modern farmhouse bunk room.Stephen KarlischMoss green paneling and an antique rug lend color to a modern farmhouse bathroom.4. Use Lighting as a Lever.The modern farmhouse look is all about balance, and light fixtures go a long way toward achieving that equilibrium. In a room thats already rich with patina, you may want to consider a modern-leaning light fixture. In a space that feels overwhelmingly new construction, a crusty salvaged lantern may be just what you need. On the fence? An iron pendant or chandelier can often bridge the gap.Lincoln BarbourBlack-and-brass orb pendant lights offset more traditional elements in this light and airy Nashville kitchen.A bold pop of pattern can also give a farmhouse a modern feel. A good rule of thumb: The more traditionally country the motifthink pastorals, florals, toiles, plaids, checks, and quilt motifsthe bolder you can dare to go with the colorway. A few editor favorites include Gable by Farrow and Ball, Klverblad by Josef Frank, Big Gingham by Max Humphrey for Chasing Paper, Pinwheel Quilt by Chris Benz for Wallshoppe, and Red Pink Quilt by Sara Fitz.Annie SchlechterTastemaker Holly Audrey Williams updated her Kentucky kitchen with a metallic floral wallcovering.RELATED: Beautiful Ways to Decorate Your Kitchen With Wallpaper6. Look to the Shakers.The Shaker religious sects guiding principles of honesty, unity, and simplicity informed not only how they lived, but also the artful pieces they designed. These days, the Shaker aesthetic, with its simple lines and lack of adornment, can feel downright modern, which is why its a great reference point for modern farmhouse design. (And cmon, who doesn't love a pegrail?)John GruenSo simple. So pretty.John GruenYou cant pinpoint this kitchen to any specific era, and thats precisely the point.ERIN FRANCOISA pretty pegrail-lined entry in a room designed by Leanne Ford. 7. Try a Little Lacquer.High-gloss paint finishes are yet another way to infuse a modern feel into a farmhouseand, unlike architectural elements, paint is an easy thing to swap out should you tire of the treatment. A high-gloss finishon furniture, on floorsbrings that unexpected hint of edge, says Country Living Senior Homes & Style Editor Anna Logan. I also love using a high-shine finish on a traditionally country silhouette, such as a Windsor chair. The combo creates a wonderfully playful push-pull.John GruenBlack lacquered Windsor chairs give this dining area a contemporary feel.Buff StricklandAn antique bookcase painted in a high-gloss finish (Tricorn Black by Sherwin-Williams) creates a pretty contrast with the pine.8. Mix and Match Eras.Your aged items neednt all date to the same period. In fact, plucking pieces from different decades, or centuries, helps a home feel as if its evolved over time. Plus: a clean-lined mid-century chair or sofa goes a long way toward giving a room a little edge. Annie SchlechterMid-century chairs give this Oklahoma living space a fresh point of view.ALI HARPERWho wouldnt want to tackle a crossword puzzle in this groovy little corner?Robert PetersonArtwork from assorted eras makes for a lively display in this room designed by Brian Patrick Flynn.9. Make It Personal.At the end of the day, a home should reflect you and the things you love. In the age of social media, tastemakers wield a lot of influence (they are called influencers, after all), but the best spaces are the ones that feel like a personal scrapbook, not a carbon copy. By infusing your home with quirky collections and sentimental heirlooms, youll be creating a far-from-cookie-cutter space that tells your story.Stephen KarlischVintage elements (artwork, stoneware, a wooden crate) give this new kitchen a sense of warmth.ALI HARPERGreek and Roman-themed bottle openers from the mid-1900s outfit the walls of this Alabama bathroom.Eric PiaseckiA collection of dog artwork brings personality to the room designed by Katie Ridder.For More Modern Farmhouse Ideas:Rachel Hardage BarrettRachel Barrett is the Editor-in-Chief of Country Living. She can't pass up a vintage seascape, drives an '89 Woody Wagoneer (that is, when it'll start), and hopes to buy you a lemonade at a future Country Living Fair.

Todays iOS 18.4 beta 2 offers the first major hints in Apples software of the upcoming big Siri upgrades. Apple has added a bunch of new Shortcuts app actions for Apple apps, with super fine-grained controls available for building shortcuts that change apps settings in various ways.iOS 18.4 Shortcuts actions provide glimpse into Siri powers coming soonApples Shortcuts app hasnt received as many noteworthy updates recently as it once did. But that appears set to change soon.Shortcuts App Intents system is the foundation of Apples upcoming Siri upgrades that enable the assistant to perform hundreds of new in-app and cross-app actions.Originally these changes were expected to ship in iOS 18.4, but now iOS 18.5 looks more likely instead.However, iOS 18.4 users are still benefiting thanks to the variety of new Shortcuts app actions available in todays new beta.Inside the updated Shortcuts app, youll find new actions to change settings for various Apple apps. And within each action theres an extremely granular deeper layer of actions you can perform.For example, Safaris shortcut for changing Safari settings lets you update the following:AutoFill Use Contact InfoAutoFill Use Credit CardsBlock Pop-UpsClose TabsLandscape Tab BarOpen LinksPrivate Search EngineSafari SuggestionsSearch EngineSearch Engine SuggestionsTab Bar ConfigurationTab LayoutAll of this clearly isnt here just to benefit the Shortcuts app.Rather, these more fine-grained actions lay the groundwork for new powers Siri will gain in a future update.Are you interested in using the new Shortcuts actions in iOS 18.4? Discover anything else new? 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 Maps EV routing is one of the most compelling CarPlay features, giving drivers a way to plan a route that automatically includes charging stops. Now, it looks like iOS 18.4 will address one of the biggest limitations of Apple Maps EV routingIve written about this limitation a few times over the past year. Apple Maps EV routing is supported on three the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the Ford F-150 Lightning, and the Porsche Taycan. Last year, Ford began shipping adapters that allow Mach-E and Lightning drivers to charge at Tesla Superchargers, which use the NACS connector. Apple Maps, however, hasnt been updated with knowledge of this change. This means Apple Maps EV routing will only route Mach-E and Lightning drivers to CCS charging stations, completely unaware of the fact that they can also charge at NACS stations. In January, Ford addressed this limitation and confirmed that Tesla Supercharger locations would be coming to Apple Maps EV routing. Apple released iOS 18.4 beta two for developers today. Inside that beta, Aaron Perris has discovered evidence that Apple is addressing this problem. According to code found in iOS 18.4, Apple Maps EV routing will have knowledge of the fact that certain cars can charge at Tesla NACS stations. When planning a route, Apple Maps will show you messages like: You need to use a charging adapter on this route and Tesla NACS Adapter Required. The feature isnt turned on yet, but its expected to be enabled in a future iOS 18.4 beta. Presumably, there will be a way for drivers to tell Apple Maps they have an adapter for route planning purposes. Well have to wait for the feature to officially launch to know for sure. iOS 18.4 will be released to everyone in April. As we previously reported, iOS 18.4 also updates the CarPlay layout to include an extra row of apps on the home screen for select cars.As a refresher, the Apple Maps EV routing feature assists in planning trips by automatically incorporating essential charging stops along your route. It monitors your cars charge level and considers various factors to determine the optimal time and duration for charging. These factors include the availability and speed of chargers, elevation changes, your driving speed, and more.If youre an electric vehicle owner, charge up your car at home with rooftop solar panels. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing on solar,check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, its free to use and you wont get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and youll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way.Get started here.Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

From the very first frames, you can tell there's something off about Netflix's version of "A Different World," a "Cosby Show" spin-off that aired on NBC from 1987 to 1993.As spotted by developer and blogger Scott Hanselman, the streamer or whatever rightsholder licensed the show to it seriously bungled its efforts to upscale the decades-old footage, which was originally shot on film and made available on DVD since then.The show was added earlier this month and is currently listed as being "HD." But onscreen artifacts quickly make it clear that an algorithm is being used to increase the sharpness of pixelated frames, with sometimes comically awful results.The intro credits already raise alarm bells, with mangled hands, misaligned facial features, bungled logos, and overall smeary lines that don't meet up.In other words, it's all the hallmarks of sloppy AI except that instead of screwing up a single scene, as was the case with the AI-generated posters appearing in a 2024 episode of HBO's "True Detective" those shortcomings are apparent throughout the show.And that's just the first few seconds. The rest of the show's pilot doesn't fare much better, with weird-looking faces and other details throughout. Particularly glaring is background text, which in the source material was clearly too pixelated to be coherent, resulting in the AI filling in a garbled script that looks like an alien language.In short, it's an egregious example of how AI slop is infiltrating almost every aspect of the entertainment industry and our daily lives. Even shows that stopped airing over 30 years ago aren't safe.Did we really need a smeared reimaging of a beloved 90s sitcom? "A Different World" is now besmirched by its association with Bill Cosby, but it was culturally important when it came out, confronting social issues like the HIV crisis in a mainstream way. It's clearly important enough to put on Netflix; why isn't it important enough to present viewers with a good viewing experience?At the end of the way, what does Netflix think viewers prefer: the original blur of an analog show from decades ago, or a version that looks crisp at a quick glance but that's insulting their intelligence and mangling television history?The results can be downright horrific. Check out this, which is apparently supposed to be a family photo, except that everyone's face has been replaced by a geometric mash.The show in its original format "was blurry but it didn't really matter, cause you watched it far away on a CRT," said Hanselman, who works on AI at Microsoft, in a recent TikTok video, referring to cathode-ray tube TVs that predated flat panel screens. "Absolutely iconic show, and you can upscale it, you can make one blurry pixel into four pixels or four pixels into 16 pixels.""But you gotta have that information come from somewhere," Hanselman explained. While there are different kinds of upscaling, "there still isn't enough information here to make [main characters] Dwayne and Whitley look correct."Despite looking "amazing" in 4K and HDR, Hanselman noted that there's obviously "something's wrong" with Whitley's mouth and teeth in the Netflix version.Text gets jumbled badly "because the AI can't read," Hanselman explained. "Rather than guessing the phrase or guessing the words, [the AI] just upscales that. It looks like hieroglyphics.""The problem is AI upscaling image technology isn't quite there yet," he concluded. "So what you end up with is an uncanny valley."In a followup video, Hanselman clarified that there are plenty of ways to faithfully upscale TV shows, which tend to be far more resource-intensive than simply having an AI churn through every frame.The use of generative AI in television has reached a fever pitch. Earlier this year, for instance, Amazon Prime Video came under fire for adorning the iconic 1922 horror film "Nosferatu" with a slapdash poster that was obviously AI-generated.Netflix has previously leaned into the controversy. Last year, viewers spotted fake, garbled AI images in the Netflix true crime documentarycalled "What Jennifer Did."The streaming service also came under fire earlier this month for using generative AI to reproduce the voice of Gabby Petito, the 22-year-old social media influencer who, according to the FBI, was murdered by her fianc in 2021.As generative AI continues to infiltrate almost every aspect of our daily lives, the tech has sparked a major debate within the entertainment industry. In 2023, Hollywood actors went on strike, decrying the use of AI to replicate their likenesses.Futurism has reached out to Netflix for comment.More on generative AI: Microsoft Is Suing People Who Did Bad Things With Its AIShare This Article

It's not just search engines and chatbots getting AI makeovers these days. Web browsers want in on the revolution.Opera, the company behind the web browser, unveiled a new update, Browser Operator, at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on Monday that automates tasks for users. In what's believed to be the first agentic AI web browser, the company said in a tweet it is "previewing a browser AI agent that gets shit done for you.""Browser Operator takes AI out of the chatbot and integrates it directly into the browsing flow," the company said in a blog post. "This aligns with the broader role of the browser: it's there to make you more powerful while you're online, browsing the web, and to give you the tools to use your time more effectively."With Browser Operator, users can explain what they need it to do in natural language. For example, they can ask it to buy a 10-pack of size 12 white tennis socks from Nike, and it will handle the transaction.Agentic AI is in the spotlightIt's part of a greater effort among tech companies to push forward with agentic AI, a buzzy term that refers to AI systems capable of autonomously executing complicated and multi-step tasks.Opera said its AI agent differs from other agentic browsing experiments because it uses native solutions and eliminates the need for screenshots or video capture of browsing sessions. The company said the approach prioritizes privacy by keeping user data stored locally on the device.The browser is available as a preview release but will launch soon as part of its AI feature drop program. While this may be a first for browsers, companies continue to roll out agentic AI. Announced in early February and expanded to more users last week, OpenAI's Deep Researchtool is an AI agent that leverages reasoning-based capabilities to analyze vast amounts of information and tackle complex tasks. The company said it can accomplish in minutes what would take a human several hours.Meanwhile, Microsoft last week introduced Magma, a new artificial intelligence model designed to help robots understand and act more intelligently. Unlike traditional AI models, Magma processes different types of data simultaneously, an effort Microsoft called a major leap toward agentic AI, where robots can plan and execute tasks on a user's behalf.'Major innovation for browsers'Reece Hayden, an analyst at tech intelligence firm ABI Research, said agentic AI is widely viewed as the next step in generative AI, particularly as search engines like Google start to integrate large-language models into their processes. But he sees the integration of agentic AI browsers like Opera as a factor that will revolutionize the user experience and drive traction in the long run."This will be seen as a major innovation for browsers as consumers will be able to book holidays autonomously or perform other use cases," Hayden said. "Another reason this is significant is that it offers smartphones new use cases that justify on-device AI, which may support shipment growth."Although Hayden said he expects more search engines and browsers to test similar options, "enormous risks" around data privacy, accuracy and control still exist, he noted. "All players need to be careful given the [potential for] reputational damage," he said.

If you're holding out hope for more affordable student loan payments or even forgiveness, the future may look bleak.Following the Feb. 18 appeals court ruling against SAVE, experts have encouraged SAVE borrowers to explore other income-driven repayment (IDR) plans. However, the Department of Education recently closed applications for IDR plans, leaving SAVE borrowers and anyone else hoping to sign up for an income-driven repayment in limbo. TAX SOFTWARE DEALS OF THE WEEK H&R Block Free Simple Tax Returns eFile: $0 (save $0) TurboTax Deluxe 2024 (Federal and State, PC/Mac Download): $56 (save $24) TurboTax Premier 2024 (Federal and State, PC/Mac Download): $83 (save $32) TaxSlayer Classic Plan: $28 (save $10) Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article."It's unclear how long IDR applications will remain unavailable," said Elaine Rubin, a student loan policy expert, CNET expert review board member and advisor for Edvisors. "Unfortunately, borrowers looking to enroll in a repayment plan to better manage their monthly payments won't be able to complete an application until they are back."This latest setback comes on the heels of a flurry of federal changes from President Donald Trump's administration, including layoffs across the Department of Education and a proposal to close this federal agency altogether.What does all of this mean for your student loans and repayment options? We talked to experts to find out.What's happening with SAVE?If you're panicked about the end of SAVE, it's understandable. Although SAVE has not yet been officially cancelled, it's likely just a matter of time.Anyone enrolled in SAVE has had their loans placed in an administrative forbearance for the past eight months. You won't have to worry about resuming payments until this forbearance has ended. The forbearance period for SAVE borrowers was expected to end at the close of 2025, but it seems likely that payments will resume sooner."Those enrolled in the SAVE plan should be paying careful attention to what's going to happen in the next few months, because at some point their loans will enter repayment," Rubin said.What should SAVE borrowers do next?Experts encourage SAVE borrowers to explore repayment options through other income-driven repayment plans. While IDR applications are down, you can still check your eligibility and expected monthly payment options using the loan simulator at StudentAid.gov. Other IDR plans currently offer monthly payments that are higher than SAVE, but likely lower than the standard repayment plan.You may find you don't qualify for another IDR plan, however, even if you qualified for SAVE. CNET contributor Dana Miranda recently wrote about exploring her student loan repayment options. Without SAVE, she now expects her monthly student loan payment to jump from $0 to $488.While your payments are paused, Rubin suggests taking steps to prepare. This might mean adjusting your budget or working with a financial counselor to assess your options."You might be at a standstill, but there are other actions you can take to put yourself in a better financial position," Rubin said. "We've seen people who are putting their expected monthly payment amounts in a high-yield savings account, and others are paying off credit cards and car debts while they can contribute more money to those debts."If you're facing financial difficulties, talk to your student loan servicer about deferment or forbearance options.Should borrowers on other IDRs be worried?Since other income-driven repayment plans like Pay As You Earn (PAYE) and income-contingent repayment (ICR) have been written into the law, Rubin says they're less likely to be dismantled, though they could be adjusted. For now, Rubin says borrowers should continue making on-time payments.What's less clear is how forgiveness through existing IDRs will shake out.Right now, income-driven repayment plans like PAYE and ICR both offer forgiveness for borrowers after they make 20 to 25 years of qualifying payments."Concerns have been raised about what happens at the end of the repayment terms for ICR and PAYE plans now that forgiveness has been blocked," Rubin said. "After 20 or 25 years of payments, there remains uncertainty about how the remaining balance will be managed in the long term."If you're enrolled in any income-driven repayment plan and reach the end of your repayment term, Rubin said you'll be placed in an interest-free forbearance period until the court offers a final ruling on student loan forgiveness.Is Public Service Loan Forgiveness still available?The government's Public Service Loan Forgiveness plan a program that can help teachers, nurses and other public servants get their loan balances forgiven after 10 years of payments is still in effect.For those currently enrolled in PSLF, the plan appears safe for now. During her confirmation hearing for education secretary last month, Linda McMahon told senators that the Department of Education would honor the Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program because it was created by Congress.However, for borrowers enrolled in SAVE who are working toward PSLF, debt relief could take longer. While your loans remain on hold during the administrative forbearance period, you won't receive on-time payment credit toward PSLF. This could stretch out your repayment timeline.There's another wrinkle for federal employees: As the newly-created Department of Government Efficiency takes aim at shrinking the size of the federal workforce, public workers who have been laid off may no longer qualify for PSLF. The plan does allow for participants to resume PSLF if they get another public service job. Expert tip If you have federal loans that are eligible for PSLF and you've worked in public service for 10 years or more, you may be eligible for forgiveness sooner through the PSLF buy-back program.Here's how it works. Should you think about refinancing to a private plan?If you're thinking about refinancing your federal student loans with a private lender, experts say to proceed with a high degree of caution.When you refinance your federal student loans with a private lender, you forfeit any perks federal loans offer, including forgiveness, debt relief, income-driven repayment options and administrative forbearances, like the current SAVE payment pause."It's very rarely recommended," Rubin said. "If you're struggling in the federal market, the private market is likely going to present even more challenges. Just because you see low, appealing rates advertised, it doesn't mean you'll get that rate. We have seen buyers with good to excellent credit not get the kind of rates they expected." Related articles

8-bit classic Head Over Heels is back with chickens, enhanced visuals, and a brand-new worldComing to Switch and PC.Image credit: Rusty Pixels/Ogre Games Ltd News by Matt Wales News Reporter Published on March 3, 2025 Beloved 8-bit isometric puzzle-platformer Head Over Heels is back and (not for the first time) getting the remake treatment, bringing "colourful modern visuals" and "refined gameplay" when it comes to PC and Switch later this year.The original Head Over Heels was developed by Ocean Software and released for various platforms, including the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64, in 1987. It cast players as Head and Heels, two interstellar spies on a mission to liberate planets from an evil Emperor.All this unfolded across 300 isometric rooms, with players needing to utilise Head and Heels' slightly different abilities in order to overcome obstacles - including, famously, a dalek with the head of (then) Prince Charles - and mount their escape from Castle Blacktooth.Head Over Heels: Deluxe trailer.Watch on YouTubeHead Over Heels is beloved enough that it's already had one remake; this initial 2003 update brought substantially overhauled visuals in a version that would later come to PC and Switch. Now though, it's set to get a more faithful remake in the form of Head Over Heels: Deluxe.Head Over Heels: Deluxe's most obvious difference is its art style, which adheres far more closely to the pixel art visuals of the 1987 original. It also features a brand-new soundtrack composed by Space Fractal, "re-engineered controls that feel snappy and precise", multiple save points, three difficulty levels, hints, and selectable play speeds.On top of that, there's a new world to explore - complete with new enemies and objects (including chickens!) - bringing the total number of "majestic" locations up to 500. And for those hoping for something a bit more traditional, it's possible to switch to "classic mode" graphics and sounds closer to the 8-bit original.Head Over Heels: Deluxe is developed by Rusty Pixels and Ogre Games Ltd and releases on Steam this Thursday, 6th March. A Switch version is due to arrive later this year.

Frogwares, the Ukranian studio best known for its long-running series of Sherlock Holmes deduction adventures, is launching a Kickstarter campaign this Thursday, 6th March, to crowdfund development of its Lovecraft-inspired survival horror sequel, The Sinking City 2. Read more

Though the broadcast itself was last night, for Basil Walter and Will Cooper, Oscar season starts in the summer. Thats when the designers for the Vanity Fair Oscar party begin planning their creative direction for the exclusive soire at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, where, as Cooper puts it, the crme de la crme of culture rub shoulders after the Academy Awards ceremony comes to a close. As a beginning, I thought about what was happening culturally, Cooper, who returned for his second year designing the event, tells AD. I posed a question to everyone, which was, Is this the dawning of the age of Aquarius?The conversation pit-style lounge area.Photo: Justin M. WeinerThe former creative director of Ashan Aquarius himselfwas thinking about the musical Hair and its certified platinum song, Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In, which dominated the charts in the spring of 1969. He couldnt help but compare that period with our current era. We were coming out of a depressive moment with the Vietnam War, Cooper says, and people were tapping into the hedonism of existence, of being human beings again. Perhaps we arent quite out of our current slumpthere is an inherent what the hell is happening in the world kind of depression [happening now], Walter saysbut couldnt we fast forward to the good part, if only for a night? And so a heavy dose of escapism straight from the 70s was in order. On the mood board: Biba, Studio 54, and Soul Train.Danielle Brooks lounges on a zebra-print sectional at the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, hosted by Radhika Jones.Photo: Dave Benett/VF25/WireImage for Vanity Fair/Getty ImagesThe nights best actor and actress winners, Adrien Brody (The Brutalist) and Mikey Madison (Anora), as well as an assortment of celebrities of all stripes, including John Waters, Kim Kardashian, Keke Palmer, Mick Jagger, Nancy Pelosi, Monica Lewinsky, and Serena Williams, passed through an unassuming corrugated metal faade with a storefront-esque Vanity Fair awning to enter the event space. We were looking at discotheques from the 70s and 80s [that] existed in these weird back-alley places or in warehouses outside of town, Cooper explains. Last year, if you recall, it was like walking into a grand hotel. This year, it was [like] walking into this speakeasy, nondescript thing that you just stumble into on the street.Once inside, guests walked the silver-and-gold-striped carpet and traversed mirrored passageways that pulled inspiration from Carlo Mollinos Teatro Regio and Sir John Soanes Museum in London before emerging into an entrance lounge. At its heart, a conversation pit was furnished with modular seating upholstered in sunset-hued velvet. A ginormous disco ball crowned the space, adding spatial exuberance, as Walter, who has designed for the A-list gathering since 1998, says.Chrissy Teigen and John Legend at the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.Photo: by Kevin Mazur/VF25/WireImage for Vanity Fair/Getty ImagesBasil Walter (left) and Will Cooper at the lounges swanky barPhoto: Justin M. WeinerThe ceiling heightened in the next room, which was swathed in 25-foot-tall yellow curtains and centered a massive freestanding bar, before dropping down again in the adjacent dining room. So the heartbeat lives in the middle, and then you have these sexy moments on both sides, Cooper explains. The dining room, which transformed into a dance floor after dinner, was lined with curvy banquettes clad in a Pierre Frey zebra print and (of course) topped with another generously sized disco ball. Weve pulled in all of the hallmarks of that time period architecturallywith the mirror and the curvilinear shapes and the sunken living room and the disco ballswithout being too on the nose, the designer says.The ultimate goal was for the space to become a playground upon which the guestsor the characters of this evening, as Cooper calls themget to explore, creating iconic cultural moments in the process. Theres always a little bit of an unknown, Walter tells AD. We plan as much as we can, but how are people actually going to feel in the space? Is it going to make them feel relaxed and want to jump up and down and dance and talk to their friends? I think thats the measure of success, because until the moment happens, we just dont really know. In other words, you cant force the moment, like Bianca Jagger riding a white horse at Studio 54, or Flavor Flav gifting Billie Eilish a Barbie-themed clock, which happened at last years party. We cant design for it, but it just naturally happens based off of the environment, Cooper says.The dining area, complete with zebra-print seat cushions.Photo: Justin M. WeinerTall yellow drapes wrapped the partys central bar area.Photo: Justin M. WeinerThis years hedonistic direction marked a departure; last year, the partys 30th anniversary, got the classic red carpet treatment, aesthetically. It feels very primal, whereas last year it felt glamorous, Cooper says. The difference in levels, and compressions, and all this does make it feel, I dont know, naughty.