The days of yore: A quarter century ago, Dark Souls creator FromSoftware released a toolkit with King's Field so fans could try their hand at modding and level making. It's hard to believe those tools are still around and cranking out modern classics that will take you back to the late 90s. In 2023, a little-known indie developer released Lunacid a retro dungeon crawler that paid homage to FromSoftware games, King's Field and Shadow Tower the progenitors of the Elden Ring series. The studio, Kira LLC, just posted a new Steam page confirming it is ready to release a follow-up called Lunacid: Tears of the Moon.What is interesting about both of these releases is that they were created using FromSoftware's 25-year-old RPG maker Sword of Moonlight. The developer released the toolkit bundled with King's Field in 2000, but only in Japan. Purchasing the game granted buyers an unlimited license to use King's field assets to make homebrewed games with Sword of Moonlight. Creators could even sell their games for profit.The game maker has since found its way onto the internet in open-source form. Downloads and documentation are easy to find, and a relatively substantial community of enthusiasts exists. However, it is unclear if FromSoftware is entirely okay with this. It didn't bother Kira when it released Lunacid two years ago, but that game may have slipped under the radar.The sequel Tears of the Moon is slated for release on April 12, and with increased media focus, we may or may not see FromSoftware take action. We'll just have to wait and see. The developer is likely aware of the widespread use of its ancient tools (albeit now updated via open-source efforts), so there probably won't be any issues.Fans of old-school 3D dungeon crawlers might want to give Lunacid (above) a spin while waiting for its sequel. It's only about $11 on Steam and has earned rave reviews from critics and players. With over 7,500 reviews, the game is ranked "Very Positive" on Steam. One player review said:"Lunacid isn't a game. It's a revelation. A blessing for those attuned to the forbidden frequencies of old-school dungeon crawlers and analog horror. If someone told me this was a lost artifact from 1998, banned because kids who played it went missing, I'd believe them. I'd also still play it."Critics praised the game for its gloomy atmosphere, nostalgic feel, and spooky soundtrack (available as a separate purchase on Steam). Rock Paper Shotgun called it "lo-fi first-person dungeon skulking done right."Similarly, PC Gamer said, "[Lunacid] is a perfect example of how to do PS1 nostalgia right ... Lunacid quickly recalibrated my rather spoiled ideas of what it means for something to look impressive or beautiful."

Showcased at CES 2025 earlier this year, the 27-inch Mobile Pixels Mini-LED 2K QHD gaming monitor has a $50 discount at StackSocial. You just need to input the code GAMING50 upon checkout of the item, and the amount youll have to pay will drop from $400 to $350. Were not sure how long this offer will remain available though, so if you need a new screen to pair with your purchase from gaming PC deals, dont hesitate to take advantage of this bargain.The 27-inch Mobile Pixels Mini-LED 2K QHD gaming monitor will give you a memorable experience with the best PC games at a relatively affordable price. With 2K QHD resolution, youll enjoy sharp details and brilliant images, and with HDR1000 support, colors will be brighter and more realistic. The monitor is also equipped with mini-LED technology, which not only further boosts picture quality but also reduces energy consumption.As you can read in our computer monitor buying guide, the refresh rate is how often the images on the screen are updated, while the response time is how quickly the display shows image transitions. With a 180Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time, the 27-inch Mobile Pixels Mini-LED 2K QHD gaming monitor is perfect for laying video games as motion blur will be reduced, even when youre engaged in fast-paced gameplay. Additionally, with the two HDMI 2.1 ports and two DisplayPort 1.4 ports, youll be able to connect multiple source devices to this monitor simultaneously and easily switch between them.RelatedYou dont need to spend several hundreds of dollars on monitor deals to get a display with a nice package of specifications and features, as youve got options like the 27-inch Mobile Pixels Mini-LED 2K QHD gaming monitor with a $50 discount from StackSocial. Just input the code GAMING50 upon checkout, and it will be yours for $350 instead of its original price of $400. Theres no telling until when the code will work though, so if you want to make sure that you secure the savings, we highly recommend pushing through with your purchase for the 27-inch Mobile Pixels Mini-LED 2K QHD gaming monitor immediately.Editors Recommendations

Epson SureColor P900MSRP$1,349.00 Score Details Epson's SureColor P900 is a professional tool meant for photographers that want on-demand, large fine art prints with lab-quality results.ProsExceptional photo quality10-color ink systemIncludes half a liter of inkPrints last 200 to 400 yearsTwo paper traysAccepts up to 17 x 22-inch paperHandles cardstock up to 1.5 mmConsToo expensive for casual useFront media tray is finickyRequires a lot of spaceTable of ContentsTable of ContentsSpecsDesignPrinting performanceSpecial featuresSoftware and compatibilityPriceIs the SureColor P900 right for you?I dabble in photography and find large, high-quality prints are the best ways to enjoy a great photo. While full-page borderless looks good, a poster-size print can be a showpiece worth framing.Recommended VideosTo immortalize a moment as artwork, I want lab-quality prints that require the best photo printers available. Thats where the Epson SureColor P900 shines. Its a wide-format printer that features a professional 10-color ink system for exceptional dynamic range and precision color.If youre a photographer or photo enthusiast, youll want to learn more about this printers capabilities, quality, and media handling to help decide if theres enough value to justify the expense.NameDimensions24.2 x 35.6 x 20.5 inchesWeight35.3 poundsPrint speed1.5 minutes (8.5 x 11-inch photo), 2.4 minutes (13 x 19-inch photo)Print resolution5760 x 1440 dpiPortsHi-Speed USB, 100Base-T EthernetPaper capacity120 sheets (main tray); supports up to 17 x 22-inch paperWi-FiWi-Fi 802.11b/g/n/ac, dual-bandThe Epson SureColor P900 is a wide-format printer that requires significant desk space. Photo by Tracey Truly / Digital TrendsEpson gave the SureColor P900 a premium, black finish. It looks great but collects dust rapidly and scratches easily. I kept a micro-fiber cloth nearby for frequent cleaning of the surface panels.The SureColor P900 is a printer large enough to accept poster-size paper up to 17 by 22 inches and an output bin that can hold such a large print. That means you need a sizable space to use this printer.While the unopened footprint is just 24.2 by 14.5 inches, the output bin expands the length to as long as 35.6 inches for printing long sheets. Epson recommends 16 inches of clearance at the back when using the front feed. The SureColor P900 stands just 7.8 inches high when the main rear paper tray is closed. When its open for large prints, the height increases to 20 inches.However, the benefits could be worth the space requirement. The manual front media tray can accept paper up to 1.5 mm thick. That means you can print on specialty papers heavier than most cardstock.To manage this versatile printer, Epson added an adjustable 4.3-inch color touchscreen that tilts up from horizontal 50 degrees for easy viewing while seated or standing.The Epson SureColor P900 prints in photo lab quality on fine art paper of various sizes. Photo by Tracey Truly / Digital TrendsThis is a photographers printer, designed for lab-quality prints in the convenience of your own home or office. It can print on a variety of media ranging from popular small photo sizes like 3.5 x 5, 4 x 6, 5 x7, and 8 x 10, to borderless 8.5 x 11 and 11 x 14 standard paper, all the way up to poster-size sheets at 11 x 17, 13 x 19, 16 x 20, and 17 x 22 inches.The quality is phenomenal. Epsons UltraChrome Pro10 pigment ink system goes fast beyond the standard four colors used by most inkjet printers. With cyan, light cyan, vivid magenta, vivid light magenta, yellow, gray, light gray, violet, photo black, and matte black, the SureColor P900 has a much more expressive palette of colors to choose from to faithfully recreate your favorite moments.Skin tones, yellows, and purples are notoriously challenging for printers, but the SureColor P900 handles difficult tones and shades with ease. True black and subtle shadows can also be hard for many printers but Epson includes two blacks and two grays to expand the range.Everything I printed with the SureColor P900 came out with impressive range and accurate colors. Photo by Tracey Truly / Digital TrendsFine detail and color fidelity arent as important if you rely on an inexpensive phone or compact camera for photography. Epsons six-ink EcoTank ET-8500 might be all you need for casual home use, but youll be limited to letter-size prints and lose some of the sharpness and wide dynamic range that the SureColor P900 provides.I was impressed with the results and pleasantly surprised by the speed. The SureColor P900 can output a full-page photographic print in about a minute and a half. A 13 x 19 photo takes less than two and a half minutes.Draft and standard quality are very good, losing only a bit of fine detail. The best quality mode takes longer but makes a difference when printing the sharpest, high-resolution photos. Color fidelity isnt affected by the resolution and standard prints were good enough for most pictures.While the SureColor P900 is designed for photos, it can also print crisp color documents. Photo by Tracey Truly / Digital TrendsWhile pictures are the SureColor P900s specialty, color document prints are also superb. Gradations are smooth, text is crisp, and graphics are sharp. The best office printers are optimized for productivity and are better suited to text-heavy workloads, but this wide-format Epson printer accepts media that an all-in-one cant.The Epson SureColor P900s operation was quite reliable when using the main rear paper tray. I tried a variety of paper types and sizes, yet prints consistently rolled through with great quality and surprising speed.The Epson SureColor P900 works with a variety of media up to 1.5 mm thick. Alan Truly / Digital TrendsThe Epson SureColor P900 is quite versatile in terms of the media it supports. I didnt test the optional $250 roll adapter but it holds 17-inch rolls with two- or three-inch cores up to 10 feet long. That means long banners are possible with this adapter.The printers front media tray accepts very thick paper with a direct path that prevents curling. The front media tray pulls paper through the printer and out of the back in a manual process that proved to be finicky and error-prone.The big color touchscreen guided me somewhat but it was still confusing. I pulled the front feeder out until it moved down and locked. Then I carefully aligned the paper with an etched line on the media tray.The SureColor P900 instructed me to push the feeder back in, and this is where I first ran into problems. At the first click, the screen gives me instructions to proceed. When I did, the last inch didnt feed correctly, leaving an overprint followed by an unprinted border.Make sure the SureColor P900s front feeder tray is fully engaged before printing, Photo by Tracey Truly / Digital TrendsIm usually very tech-savvy and detail-oriented but I didnt notice that the media tray should be flush with the front of the printer before proceeding with printing.With that mystery solved, the overprint and border were no longer a problem.I also had to change printer settings to thick paper before using cardstock. When printing on expensive paper, its a good idea to triple-check settings to ensure everything works as expected.When the paper successfully loads, the media tray is the best option for thick paper, accepting cardstock up to 1.5 mm thick while keeping it flat and smooth during the print.Epson includes half a liter of ink with the SureColor P900. Photo by Tracey Truly / Digital TrendsFor such a large, complex printer, setting up the Epson SureColor P900 was simple. The printer comes well-packed with plenty of padding, tape, and cling sheets to secure the parts and protect the shiny black surfaces.The big color touchscreen guided me to install the 10 included ink cartridges, alerted me to the 15-minute ink priming time, and helped me connect to Wi-Fi with no issues.Epsons mobile Print Layout app found the printer quickly and I was ready for my first print in less than half an hour. I started with a full-page borderless photo, but the mobile app works with many paper sizes and types.The SureColor P900 was ready to print after just half an hour of set up. Photo by Tracey Truly / Digital TrendsI loaded a 17 x 22 sheet and tried a poster print that came out great. I used an iPad, iPhone, and Android phone with no issues. Epsons desktop software works with Windows and macOS to provide even more controls and custom media types.At $1,349, the Epson SureColor P900 is expensive enough that it might only appeal to photography enthusiasts or businesses that need large format prints. Epson offers a $200 rebate, effectively lowering the price to $1,149.Each ink cartridge costs $44, so a complete set is a $440 investment. The good news is the ink supply lasts a long time. While many inkjet printer cartridges hold 10 ml of ink or less, UltraChrome Pro10 cartridges hold 50 ml of ink. The SureColor P900 comes with 10 full cartridges supplying half a liter (about a quart) of ink.I was impressed by how many photos I could print. After priming the ink, the cartridges showed about a third of the total capacity left. I expected to see low ink warnings after a few 17 x 22-inch prints. However, I printed the equivalent of 44 letter-size pages with 100% coverage before light gray was noticeably low, reaching 7%. Standard gray dropped to 10%. The six colors and two blacks barely moved, showing 25% to 30% remaining.Since cartridges can be purchased individually, I only need to replenish whats low, so ink costs arent the biggest concern. Fine art paper in large sheets can cost several dollars per sheet.The SureColor P900 uses durable UltraChrome Pro10 ink that Epson estimates to last for hundreds of years in ideal conditions. Color prints are rated at up to 200 years while black-and-white can last for as long as 400 years in accelerated aging tests.As a unique professional tool that makes photos into showpieces, the Epson SureColor P900 offers great value for photographers. I cant overstate how important on-demand prints are without waiting days for a print shop or photo lab to see the results. If theres an error, the print job is delayed again.There are other photo printers with great quality, including Epsons more affordable SureColor P700 that can print on media up to 13 inches wide. While the six-color ink system of the Epson EcoTank Photo ET-8500 isnt as refined and it only handles 8.5 x 11-inch paper, its a more affordable alternative for budding photographers.For casual, enthusiast use, its harder to justify the expense and space requirements. Still, theres great value in getting such stunning quality on art paper in poster-size prints within minutes.If you want more than a standard inkjet printer can deliver, Epsons Expression Photo XP-8800 is an inexpensive six-color photo printer that makes sense for a home user.

Minor refresh 2025 iPad Air hands-on: Why mess with a good thing? Apples annual refresh is a minor one, but not much needed to change anyway. Samuel Axon Mar 14, 2025 6:14 pm | 2 The 2025 13-inch iPad Air. Credit: Samuel Axon The 2025 13-inch iPad Air. Credit: Samuel Axon Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreTheres not much new in Apples latest refresh of the iPad Air, so theres not much to say about it, but its worth taking a brief look regardless.In almost every way, this is identical to the previous generation. There are only two differences to go over: the bump from the M2 chip to the slightly faster M3, and a redesign of the Magic Keyboard peripheral.If you want more details about this tablet, refer to our M2 iPad Air review from last year. Everything we said then applies now.From M2 to M3The M3 chip has an 8-core CPU with four performance cores and four efficiency cores. On the GPU side, there are nine cores. Theres also a 16-core Neural Engine, which is what Apple calls its NPU.Weve seen the M3 in other devices before, and it performs comparably here in the iPad Air in Geekbench benchmarks. Those coming from the M1 or older A-series chips will see some big gains, but its a subtle step up over the M2 in last years iPad Air.That will be a noticeable boost primarily for a handful of particularly demanding 3D games (the likes of Assassins Creed Mirage, Resident Evil Village, Infinity Nikki, and Genshin Impact) and some heavy-duty applications only a few people use, like CAD or video editing programs.Most of the iPad Airs target audience would never know the difference, though, and the main benefit here isnt necessarily real-world performance. Rather, the upside of this upgrade is the addition of a few specific features, namely hardware-accelerated ray tracing and hardware-accelerated AV1 video codec support.This isnt new, but this chip supports Apple Intelligence, the much-ballyhooed suite of generative AI features Apple recently introduced. At this point there arent many devices left in Apples lineup that dont support Apple Intelligence (its basically just the cheapest, entry-level iPad that doesn't have it) and thats good news for Apple, as it helps the company simplify its marketing messaging around the features.As weve written previously, Apple Intelligence very much feels like a work-in-progress, but the companys overall approach to where its chosen to apply generative AI is sound, and some of the features are likely to become useful as models improve over the next year or two. Its not a must-have, but it might be later. The well-balanced LCD screen is the iPad Air's star feature. Samuel Axon The well-balanced LCD screen is the iPad Air's star feature. Samuel Axon On the back, you just see the Apple logo and the small camera lens. Samuel Axon On the back, you just see the Apple logo and the small camera lens. Samuel Axon The well-balanced LCD screen is the iPad Air's star feature. Samuel Axon On the back, you just see the Apple logo and the small camera lens. Samuel Axon Look, its always nice to see more performance, but the M3 didnt offer anything drastically different compared to last years iPad Air, so you shouldnt bother upgrading so quickly on that basis alone.If youre coming in from an older iPad or almost any Android tablet, though, youll be impressedjust like you wouldve been if youd made the same jump last year.A slightly more magical-ish Magic KeyboardThe new Magic Keyboard is a little lighter, and theres a new row of function keys that allows you to quickly adjust the volume or brightness, skip around in media playback, and so on. We loved seeing that addition in the Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro recently, so we also love seeing it in the Airs version.The iPad Airs new Magic Keyboard sits on a middle ground between the old design and the one we see over on the Pro. Yeah, we get the function keys, but the Pros keyboard is backlit and has haptics that arent found here.The good news is that this keyboard is a little cheaper than its predecessor, at $269 (compared to $299). Thats not a huge gap, and its still awfully expensive compared to non-Apple solutions, but well take it. The keyboard layout. Credit: Samuel Axon Apple opted to continue to support the old Magic Keyboard, so those upgrading from a recent prior Air wont have to spend a big chunk of cash replacing their existing keyboards unless they find these updates worth the price. (I doubt it, but theyre nice to see.)I found the typing experience to be quite good compared to other options for the tablet, though it of course cant match a really nice laptop keyboard, and it obviously has nothing to offer the sort of folks who insist on a mechanical keyboard.The trackpad is slightly bigger too, and every little bit helps on that front. The new Magic Keyboard offers some welcome refinements on the old design, and a little bit of price relief going along with that is great to see.Its still really expensive, but hey, you get what you pay for, for the most part.The best option for most heavy tablet usersBy not changing much in a market that is also not moving very quickly, the modestly tweaked new iPad Air (pricing starts at $599 for the 11-inch version and $799 for the 13-inch) remains the best option for most people who plan to use a tablet regularly.It offers way more performance than almost anyone needs, it has a good screen for an LCD, and the new Magic Keyboard introduces several welcome tweaks while slightly lowering the price.The cheaper, base iPad ($349) is still a better option for buying a tablet for your kid, point of sale uses, and various other light applications. Meanwhile, the iPad Pro ($999 for the 11-inch, $1,299 for the 13-inch) is much more robust than most people need, but the nicer screen goes a long way.While there are still some things Id like to see change in the iPads software, theres not much change in this years refresh because there doesnt need to be. Its a good tablet in a mature market, even if its a bit pricey.Samuel AxonSenior EditorSamuel AxonSenior Editor Samuel Axon is a senior editor at Ars Technica. He covers Apple, software development, gaming, AI, entertainment, and mixed reality. He has been writing about gaming and technology for nearly two decades at Engadget, PC World, Mashable, Vice, Polygon, Wired, and others. He previously ran a marketing and PR agency in the gaming industry, led editorial for the TV network CBS, and worked on social media marketing strategy for Samsung Mobile at the creative agency SPCSHP. He also is an independent software and game developer for iOS, Windows, and other platforms, and heis a graduate of DePaul University, where he studied interactive media and software development. 2 Comments

Backsliding US measles cases reach 5-year high; 15 states report cases, Texas outbreak grows Since 2000, when measles was eliminated from US, only three years had higher cases. Beth Mole Mar 14, 2025 5:43 pm | 8 Vials of measles vaccine at the Orange County Health Department on May 6, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. Credit: Paul Hennessy/NurPhoto via Getty Images Vials of measles vaccine at the Orange County Health Department on May 6, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. Credit: Paul Hennessy/NurPhoto via Getty Images Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreThe US has now recorded over 300 measles cases just three months into 2025, exceeding the yearly case counts for all years after 2019. The bulk of this year's cases are from an outbreak that erupted in an undervaccinated county in West Texas in late January, which has since spread to New Mexico and Oklahoma.As of the afternoon of March 14, Texas reports 259 cases across 11 counties, 34 hospitalizations, and one death, which occurred in an unvaccinated 6-year-old girl. New Mexico reports 35 cases across two counties, two hospitalizations, and one death. That death occurred in an unvaccinated adult who did not seek medical treatment and tested positive for the virus posthumously. The cause of death is still under investigation. Oklahoma reports two probable cases linked to the outbreak.In addition to Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, 12 other states have reported at least one confirmed measles case since the start of the year: Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this year has seen three measles outbreaks, defined as three or more related cases.As of March 13, the CDC reported 301 confirmed cases, which do not include 36 new cases reported today in Texas and two in New Mexico.Measles is backSince 2000, when health officials victoriously declared measles eliminated from the US thanks to concerted vaccination campaigns, only three other years have had higher tallies of measles cases. In 2014, the country saw 667 measles cases. In 2018, there were 381 cases. And in 2019when the country was on the verge of losing its elimination statusthere was a startling 1,274 cases, largely driven by massive outbreaks in New York. Measles is considered eliminated if there is no continuous spread in the country over the course of at least 12 months. (This is not to be confused with "eradication," which is defined as "permanent reduction to zero of the worldwide incidence" of an infectious disease. Smallpox and rinderpest are the only pathogens humans have eradicated.)While measles transmission dramatically declined amid the pandemic, health officials fear that the country will once again face the potential of losing our elimination status as the virus bounces back. Since 2019, vaccination rates among kindergartners have only fallenfrom the protective target of 95 percent to 92.7 percent. Last year, the US reported 285 cases, while the case tally in 2023 was 59.What's more, measles is rising globally, creating more opportunities for unvaccinated Americans to travel abroad and bring the virus home with themthe most common spark for measles outbreaks in the US.On Thursday, the World Health Organization and UNICEF reported that the agency's European Region (which comprises 53 countries in Europe and Central Asia, including Russia) saw 127,350 measles cases in 2024, double the number seen in 2023 and the highest tally since 1997.A resurgence of measles cases was seen in the region in 2018 and 2019, which was exacerbated by backsliding vaccine coverage amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccination rates have not recovered to pre-pandemic levels and cases have risen since 2023. The highest number of cases was reported in Romania, with 30,692 cases, followed by Kazakhstan with 28,147 cases."Measles is back, and its a wake-up call. Without high vaccination rates, there is no health security," Hans Kluge, WHO's regional director for Europe, warned in a statement. "As we shape our new regional health strategy for Europe and Central Asia, we cannot afford to lose ground. Every country must step up efforts to reach under-vaccinated communities. The measles virus never restsand neither can we."Beth MoleSenior Health ReporterBeth MoleSenior Health Reporter Beth is Ars Technicas Senior Health Reporter. Beth has a Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and attended the Science Communication program at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She specializes in covering infectious diseases, public health, and microbes. 8 Comments

2025-03-14T22:26:30Z Read in app Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican, led the passage of a GOP-backed plan to avert a government shutdown. Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Senate Republicans led the passage of legislation that will avert a government shutdown.Nine Democrats voted to avoid a filibuster, despite strong objections from others in the party.Republicans can now focus on their sweeping border and tax cut legislation.Senators voted on Friday to avert a government shutdown just hours before it would occur, sending President Donald Trump legislation that would slash non-defense spending and boost the Pentagon's budget.The final vote was 54 to 46. Only one Democratic lawmaker, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, joined almost all Republicans in passing the bill. Sen. Angus King, an independent from Maine who caucuses with Democrats, also voted for the bill. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, a Republican, voted against the funding legislation. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced Thursday night that he would support allowing the bill to progress, breaking a filibuster and its 60-vote threshold. Nine Democrats and King joined nearly every Republican to advance the bill to its final simple-majority vote.Likely in exchange for the Democratic votes moving the bill forward, Senate Majority Leader John Thune allowed Democrats to vote on three different amendments to the funding bill. All of them failed to pass, including a measure by Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, a Democrat, which would have effectively shut down the White House DOGE office, which is effectively led by Elon Musk.After passing the government funding bill, senators are expected to pass a bipartisan fix to a provision in the funding bill that would have required Washington, DC, to cut $1 billion out of its budget. The House would need to pass that legislation when they return.A shutdown would have begun in the early hours of Saturday morning if Congress failed to pass new funding.This is a major victory for Trump, who is expected to sign the legislation shortly, and House Speaker Mike Johnson. Johnson essentially jammed Senate Democrats by passing the bill through the House on a near-party line vote. He then sent lawmakers home, daring Schumer and Democrats to vote down the legislation and cause a government shutdown."Congratulations to Chuck Schumer for doing the right thing Took 'guts' and courage!" Trump wrote on Truth Social on Friday morning before the vote. "The big Tax Cuts, L.A. fire fix, Debt Ceiling Bill, and so much more, is coming."Dissent among DemocratsIn contrast, many Democrats are furious with Schumer for pushing to advance the bill. They view the legislation as a green light to the DOGE office and Musk."Donald Trump and Republicans are crashing the economy. They plan to take a chainsaw to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, veterans benefits and public schools all in order to give massive tax cuts to their billionaire donors and wealthy corporations," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies and his two top deputies said in a joint statement. "House Democrats will not be complicit."Schumer said that he feared a shutdown would further empower Musk and Trump, warning that there was no clear way out of a potential weekslong standoff.The legislation includes a $6 billion increase in defense spending compared to fiscal year 2024. The bill increases funding for nutrition assistance for women, infants, and children (WIC) by $500 million. At the same time, the bill cuts overall non-defense spending by $13 billion compared to the last fiscal year. Notably, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has warned of a $1 billion cut to the budget of the nation's capitol.Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and other progressives had urged Democrats to kill the House GOP-led funding bill citing concerns over its failure to rein in the DOGE office. Some top Senate Democrats, including Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, refused to go along with Schumer's move.Republicans still have tough votes aheadThe bill extends government funding through September 30. Its passage means Trump and Republicans won't have to worry about a potential shutdown as they enter the thick of negotiations for their massive border security and tax bill. Johnson has pledged to send Trump legislation by Easter, an ambitious timeline requiring both houses to reach an agreement soon. The House and Senate are still negotiating whether the legislation will include Trump's tax cuts or if they punt that issue to another time.This isn't the final fiscal deadline looming. Congress still has to raise the debt limit in the months ahead, possibly as early as this spring.

2025-03-14T22:15:50Z Read in app Jimmy Donaldson, known online as MrBeast, is looking for contestants for the next season of his competition show. Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Prime Video This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? MrBeast has opened casting for season two of 'Beast Games.'Season one recently wrapped with a $10 million prize.'Beast Games' was Amazon's second-biggest series debut of 2024.There's a chance for you to compete in the next season of "Beast Games."The physical competition show, hosted by YouTube star Jimmy Donaldson, better known online as MrBeast, just opened casting for season two.The show recently wrapped up its first 10-episode season on Amazon Prime Video,and thewinner was awarded $10 million.The show's original pitch was a physical competition series in which contestants competed for a $5 million prize (Donaldson doubled the prize toward the end of the season.)To apply for the chance to compete in season two, contestants must fit a list of conditions, like an age limit of at least 18 and owning a valid passport through January 2026, according to a casting call.The application asks for a one-minute horizontal video in which applicants answer a set of questions, such as name and age.Then, they must answer "at least two or three" of the following questions, per the casting call:"What kind of competitor are you?"'"What was your favorite challenge from BEAST GAMES Season 1, and why?""Who was your favorite contestant from Season 1, and what made them stand out to you?""What makes YOU an unforgettable competitor?""What would you do with $5,000,000?"What contestants agreed to in 'Beast Games' season 1In an interview with the "The Iced Coffee Hour" podcast, Jeffrey Allen, the winner of the first season of "Beast Games," said he spoke with investment advisors and tax experts after MrBeast wired Allen the $10 million prize.The show was less lucrative for Donaldson, who said on an episode of Steven Bartlett's "Diary Of A CEO" podcast that he lost "tens of millions of dollars" making the series.In December, Business Insider revealed the terms that contestants of the preliminary roundof "Beast Games" were asked to agree to. This round was related to the Las Vegas taping, which decided who would make the show's official production round.The documents included a contestant questionnaire form, the show's official rules and protocols, and agreements, like giving up consent to the use of hidden cameras and recording devices.The contestants were asked to agree to a set of terms, including how the show portrays them, which may be "disparaging, defamatory, embarrassing, or of an otherwise unfavorable nature" and could expose them to "public ridicule, humiliation, or condemnation."Contestants also agreed to participate for no money, and the prizes were the only form of compensation.In recent months, "Beast Games" has led to an uptick in streamers searching for the next big influencer-led show. Agents, producers, and creator-side execs told BI they are on the hunt for creator content.The show was Amazon's second-biggest series debut of 2024, behind "Fallout," with 50 million viewers in its first 25 days.Amazon and MrBeast did not respond to BI's request for comment.

This story appeared in The Logoff, a daily newsletter that helps you stay informed about the Trump administration without letting political news take over your life. Subscribe here.Whats the latest? After canceling $400 million in federal grants for Columbia University last week, Trump officials sent a letter demanding the school make sweeping changes to its policies and governance or risk losing the rest of its federal money. What are the demands? Broadly, to punish protesters of Israels war in Gaza severely, with expulsions or years-long suspensions.The letter, from Trumps Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, also demands Columbia put the college presidents office directly in charge of discipline, make a plan to hold student groups accountable, write new rules to prevent disruption of campus life by protests, take the Middle Eastern Studies department away from its current leadership, and completely overhaul its admissions process.Is this legal? No, according to Cornell law professor Michael Dorf. The federal government can cut off funding to punish civil rights violations, but only after a lengthy process. So far, though, Columbia hasnt challenged this in court, hoping instead to seek a compromise and perhaps fearing a lawsuit would trigger even worse retribution.Why is this happening? Secretary of Education Linda McMahon has claimed that, since the protests began, Jewish students at Columbia have faced relentless violence, intimidation, and anti-Semitic harassment on their campuses and that university officials purported inaction in protecting them amounts to a violation of civil rights law. Critics argue, though, that this is a blatant effort to use federal power to chill criticism of Israel. This is also part of a larger Trump administration strategy of using federal funds as leverage against universities they view as incubators of woke progressivism. Back in 2021, Senate candidate JD Vance said it was time to honestly and aggressively attack the universities in this country. More recently, activist Christopher Rufo called for using the cut-off of federal funds to put universities into an existential terror and better discipline them.And with that, its time to log offThings on Earth may be messy, but have you seen the news that astronomers have discovered more than 100 new moons around Saturn? That means Saturn now has 274 moons, putting it well ahead of Jupiter (95) in our solar systems moon power ranking. Youve read 1 article in the last monthHere at Vox, we're unwavering in our commitment to covering the issues that matter most to you threats to democracy, immigration, reproductive rights, the environment, and the rising polarization across this country.Our mission is to provide clear, accessible journalism that empowers you to stay informed and engaged in shaping our world. By becoming a Vox Member, you directly strengthen our ability to deliver in-depth, independent reporting that drives meaningful change.We rely on readers like you join us.Swati SharmaVox Editor-in-ChiefSee More:

Fans have turned on the GTA 5 Enhanced Edition ahead of GTA 6 news, with the game now receiving a whole host of negative reviews on Steam here's all we know about the shiftTech22:00, 14 Mar 2025Even the less populated areas of Los Santos will look better(Image: Rockstar Games)Grand Theft Auto 6 will launch in 2025 (just ask Josef Fares of Split Fiction) but before then, we've been sinking our teeth into the GTA 5 Enhanced Edition.The updated version of the 2013 classic brings improved visuals, new content, and the GTA+ membership, but fans haven't been best pleased with the overhaul.Article continues belowAside from originally launching on PS5 and Xbox Series X and S a few years ago, the new version has been hit with a wave of disgruntled reviews over the last few weeks since it launched. In fact, it's been hit with such disappointment that it now holds a 'Mixed' review score on Steam, marking the lowest score of any Rockstar Game when it comes to user reviews.GTA 5's Enhanced Edition only launched this month(Image: Rockstar Games)"Better graphics and less bugs, technically awesome. However, Rockstar removed chat, in ONLINE game. All mission and lobbies feel so dead now.""I'm scared how heists with randoms looks like now when you can't even tell your strategy or give advice," one review reads, taking aim at Rockstar's removal of chat, particularly with the context of the game's coordination-focused heists."Worst thing ever they did," it adds."'The GTA Online profile associated with this Rockstar Games account is not eligible for migration at this time.' If you think I'm throwing away nearly 700 hours of gameplay on one character so that you can make a few more bucks off me, then you can lick my orifice clean," another says, pointing out how Rockstar's migration from the original version of GTA 5 on PC appears to be having some issues.Even some of the more positive reviews have slammed Rockstar's removal of chat functionality, although fans are still pleased with the visual upgrades although they're torn on performance. Some have praised the high frame rates, while others have said performance is worse than the original version, now dubbed GTA 5 Legacy.Compounding the issue, Rockstar has delisted the original version of the game unless players buy the Enhanced bundle.Article continues below"Notice: At the request of the publisher, Grand Theft Auto V Legacy is unlisted on the Steam store and will not appear in search," a box on the Steam page reads.For more on GTA 6, check out why the Xbox may get a big boost from its launch, as well as everything we know about the game so far.For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.

First things first: do we really need a new take on Starship Troopers? Paul Verhoevens 1997 adaptation of Robert Heinleins classic 1959 novel has become a classic in its own right, satirizing ideas about fascism and the military-industrial complex with a uniquely potent cheekiness. It also gave us Neil Patrick Harris as a psychic who talks to alien bugs, Denise Richards as a kick-ass starship pilot, and Michael Ironside as a grizzled yet fierce squad leaderplus squishy violence, weird sports, and quotable lines galore. With 1997s Starship Troopers creeping back into pop-culture consciousness last year thanks to Helldivers 2, it makes sense that Hollywood would want to capitalize with a new film version. As the Hollywood Reporter has revealed, Columbia has tapped Neill Blomkamp (District 9, Elysium, Chappie) to write and direct. Sci-fi is certainly an arena Blomkamp is well familiar with, though his last two features were outside the genre: 2021 horror film Demonic and 2023 sports drama Gran Turismo. But since his breakthrough with 2009s District 9, hes also been associated with a few high-profile projects that didnt end up getting off the ground, including entries in the Alien and RoboCop franchises. (RoboCop, which was also directed by Paul Verhoeven, is now slated to become a Prime Video streaming series.) However, the past is the past, and Blomkamp may yet find his next sci-fi success in the far-future setting of Starship Troopers. And it sounds like for all the fans of the 1997 movie, this new project will represent a fresh spin on Heinleins story; as THR notes, Blomkamps take is not a remake of the Verhoeven movie, and sources say the goal is to go back to the source material. What do you think about a new Starship Troopers? Add your own Would you like to know more? joke here, if you must. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.