Heads up: a recent Xbox Insider Program update pushed to Alpha and Alpha Skip-Ahead tiers seems to be removing user profiles from Xbox systems, forcing users to re-add their profiles as if the system was brand new.As reported by VGC and affirmed by number of insiders and users across social media, the update in question was added to systems as an optional download yesterday, but became mandatory late last night in the United States. It's being pushed to Alpha and Alpha Skip-Ahead tier users of the Xbox Insider Program, so if you're not a part of that, you have nothing to worry about and this won't affect you.PlayFor those in that program, the update is mostly harmless, though it is annoying. It's supposed to just be an update that fixes a minor user profile issue as well as an error impacting certain TV models. But instead, it's effectively factory resetting people's Xboxes.Essentially, once the update is downloaded, it reverts the system back to its initial set-up protocol, which requires users to sign into their Xbox accounts again and go through various other settings menus as if they've just purchased the console for the first time. Once logged on, your games and other purchases should still be there. However, custom settings such as home screen wallpaper and quick resume data are unfortunately being wiped. Think of it like a factory reset.Unfortunately, some users seem to be reporting that their consoles are stuck in an update loop where their consoles say there's an update, but once it's downloaded, the download fails and the console resets. This continues indefinitely. A few users are saying they eventually got the update to work after multiple failed attempts, but others still appear to be stuck.So far no word from Xbox on how this happened, or when it might be fixed. If you're in either of these programs, it's probably best to just leave your Xbox alone for the time being. IGN has reached out to Xbox for comment.Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

Toy Fair 2025, the largest and most iconic toy trade show in the Western Hemisphere kicked off its 119th event this past weekend in New York City. From March 1-4, tens of thousands of global play professionals walked the showfloor of the Javits Center to preview thousands of the hottest new and unique toys, games, and youth entertainment products making their debut at the annual North American International Toy Fair in New York.Produced by The Toy Association, the industry-and media-only trade show offers direct access to the marketplace for toy manufacturers, retailers, licensors, inventors, wholesalers, and distributors. Nearly 850 exhibiting toy companies showed off the latest dolls and plush, STEM toys, outdoor playthings, action figures, arts & crafts, specialty toys, retro, nostalgic, and innovative games, toy vehicles, collectibles, licensed toys, and more many of which will launch later this year just in time for the holiday season.We got a first look at upcoming products from Bandai, Tamagotchi, Super7, Funko, McFarlane Toys and more!BandaiBandai Namco, the master toy licensee of some of the most popular brands in childrens toys showcased all the exciting new releases from their toys, collectibles and premium lines. The new offerings displayed loads of new products from Dragon Ball Super, Tamagotchi, Anime Heroes, Godzilla, Ultraman, Gashapon Blind Packs, and much more. Bandai showed us some incredible new toys and products from their popular Anime Heroes lines, Godzilla Movie Monster Series and Tamagotchi.The Godzilla Movie Monster Series is one of the most extensive and popular offerings with a great variety of Godzilla brands, different size formats and different monsters available. The high quality, very articulated figures feature great details like skins, texture, teeth, and red eyes highly detailed with a true likeness to the character with a wide range of articulation.2025 will see a bunch of Godzilla characters from their respective films that span the franchise such as its own fire breath effects specific to that character from Godzilla 91 up to 2003.Bandai Namco Godzilla Godzilla 1991, 6 Action Figure Set $24.99MSRP:Release Date: March 25, 2025.Tamagotchi NanoSince launching in Japan in 1996, the portable nurturing toys have expanded overseas, selling more than 83 million units worldwide. The Tamagotchi Nano series has been developed in Japan in collaboration with some of the most popular fandoms, resonating with people of all ages, consistently reinventing itself to appeal to todays kids and bringing new experiences to fans hands.Tamagotchi showed us several anime IPs with a selection of characters from series like Jujutsu Kaisen, Demon Slayer, Spy Family, and One Piece where fans can nurture and care for characters from within that universe, such as Chopper (One Piece) and others from their respective franchises. Fans can engage with their favorite characters by feeding them when they are hungry, giving them snacks when they are in a bad mood, and playing mini-games.In addition to their Disney-related Tamagotchi Nanos R2D2 and Grogu released two years ago fans can now follow Anakin Skywalker on his journey to the dark side as he becomes Darth Vader. Caring for Anakin Skywalker, fans can play five different mini-games, engage in 12 scenes from different Star Wars films and can run into different SW characters. Discover how the dark side is revealed with Vader available this month.Tamagotchi Nano x Star Wars Darth Vader with Silicon Case Set (AGE: 8+) US$29.99MSRP:Release Date: March 11, 2025Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!Also available are the latest Original Tamagotchi releases with four stunning new shell designs including Pink Treasure Jewel, Tama Smile, Angel Sky, and Angel Party! Each device offers a fresh twist on the classic virtual pet, with colorful and unique designs that are sure to brighten up your collection.Original Tamagotchi (AGE: 8+)US$19.99MSRP: Release Date: Available now.Super7Super7 displayed loads of new offerings across many different fandoms including new Universal Monsters Reaction Plus with Dracula, Wolfman, and Creature announced; SuperSize Astronaut Snoopy and Sesame Street SuperSize Vinyl Big Bird; new all-clear Krang (TMNT); new fun-fun line Godzilla; new G.I. Joe waves, new hip-hop ReAction figures, and the just-introduced Edgar Allan Poe to the Super7 ReAction Figure line!Reaction Music displayed some new Wave 4 drops for hip hop fans with their brand new Biggie Jersey ReAction Figure and Brand new Dirty straight from the Grammys as the Music- ReAction Figures provide the soundtrack of our lives.It was all a dream Biggie Smalls aka Notorious B.I.G. hailed as one of, if not the, greatest rapper of all time is back with a brand new figure inspired by the legendary music video for his debut hit single, Juicy. Taking you back to where it all began with the new 3.75 scale Notorious B.I.G. the Super 7 figure features Biggie in his iconic yellow jersey and includes a microphone and removable chain accessories. It also comes packaged on a gold-foil blistered cardback adorned with a glitter pendant design.Notorious B.I.G. ReAction Figures Wave 4 (Yellow Jersey) $20.00MSRP:Release Date: Available NowShimmy Shimmy Ya Super 7 has Wu-Tang fans covered with the exciting assortment of Wu figure. Now theres a new must-have Ol Dirty Bastard figure to add to your Wu-collection! Marketed as the most unpredictable man in hip-hop history ODB didnt just make musiche made moments, and ReAction captures Ol Dirty Bastards red carpet style which was just as iconic as his rhymes! Packed on a full-color blistered cardback, this articulated, 3.75 scale is inspired by one of ODBs most iconic red carpet looks and includes a microphone accessoryperfect for recreating iconic moments on both the concert, and award show stage.Ol Dirty Bastard ReAction Figures Wave 4 ODB (For The Children) $20.00MSRP:Release Date: Available NowFrom one of their bigger and more expensive collectible lines, comes the new poseable Sesame Street SuperSize Vinyl figure of Big Bird! Made of premium soft vinyl and standing at a whopping 19.5 tall, the iconic bird includes a soft goods collar and necktie that he wears on very special occasions. The vinyl comes packaged in full-color premium packaging, making it perfect for display or play.Sesame Street SuperSize Vinyl Big Bird $295.00MSRP:Release Date: Available NowGoliathGoliath, one of largest global family-owned games manufacturers, takes innovative toys and game collections to brand new heights. The home to some of the industrys top selling and family favorite games for over 40 years, Goliath offers a range of games for all ages including kids games, family games, party games, chilling ADULT/CRIME, along with the recent distribution of Funko Games opening up exciting play to older fans.Fans of the Party games line may already be familiar with Funko Games Scream, but now they have decided to introduce the upcoming Chucky The Game. The card game challenges players to be the first person to stab Chucky twice before he chases you. The immersive board game comes equipped with a custom creepy Chucky figure and playable fear cards and empty cards. Players push the button to provoke Chucky, but beware you want to find the knife card before he jumps and attacks. The game is for 1-5 players and provides spooky fans with actual jump-scare!Chucky The Game Ages 13+$19.99MSRP: Release Date: August 2025 on Amazon and Calendar ClubIn other exciting news, Goliath also recently announced their partnership with The Sims to launch the first-ever board game for the iconic franchise! One of the most beloved and best-selling video game franchises of all time, The Sims celebrates its 25th birthday in 2025! The new board game will bring The Sims into homes around the world with an entirely new way to play.Slated for release in Fall 2025, The Sims board game promises to capture the spirit of creativity, self- expression, and gameplay that has made the video game a global, pop culture phenomenon. Since its launch, The Sims has seen more than 500 million lifetime players across all of our games and is the number one brand in the life simulation category. Not much else has been released to the public yet, but stay tuned for more updates.JazwaresJazwares, a Berkshire Hathaway imprint and leading toy company, brought the heat with a massive new lineup from its popular portfolio of hit brands and toys. Jazwares gave us a first-hand look at whats new with highlights from Squishmallows, Pokmon, Hello Kitty and Friends, Star Wars Micro Galaxy Squadron, Jazwares new construction system BLDR, and much, much more! Jazwares showcased licenses for sci-fi & coveted toys & collectibles from IPs such as Stranger Things, Five Nights at Freddys, Star Wars Micro Galaxy Squadron, Total Anime, AEW, Fortnite, Halo, and Jazwares Vault.Jazwares showcases their popular brands Squishmallows, Hello Kitty and Friends, and BLDR at New York Toy Fair, Saturday, March 1, 2025 in New York. (Jason DeCrow/AP Content Services for Jazwares, LLC.)The latest product launched from their Construction line which includes Pets, Hello Kitty and Friends, and Squishmallows, comes the Anime BLDR. The BLDR Chainsaw Man Buildable Action Figure Construction Set comes with 311 pieces and stands 12-inches tall when fully assembled. It features 19 points of articulation and can be posed to recreate your favorite battle scenes. It also includes special features like opening jaws and unique chainsaw pieces in addition to printed elements and authentic details from the anime.The officially licensed Chainsaw Man product comes with easy-to-follow building instructions to help you create your favorite sets. Equipped with the Quik Brik piece, builders can construct an exceptionally sturdy and posable base model quickly and easily. BLDR bricks are compatible with all major construction brands, ensuring endless creativity.BLDR Chainsaw Man Buildable Action Figure Age: 8+$19.99MSRP: Release Date: Available NowJazwares also offers multiple brands of detailed AEW (All Elite Wrestling) professional wrestling collectibles. Jazwares AEW Unrivaled, Unmatched & Wrestling Buddies feature your favorite superstars from both promotions. AEW Unmatched wrestling figures feature 25+ points of articulation, collector packaging, real 3D scanned likenesses, plus authentic ring attire and accessories as seen weekly on AEW Dynamite, AEW Rampage and AEW pay-per-views.Unmatched Figure Series 11 Chase Switchblade Jay White Age 8+ $19.99MSRP:Release Date: Available NowUnmatched Figure Series 11 Skye Blue Age 8+$19.99MSRP: Release Date: Available NowFunkoFunko encompasses all three brands Funko, Mondo, and Loungefly offering something for everyone, no matter what your fandom is with high-end collectibles and accessories so you can also wear your fandom.Mondo is not only known for its exclusive fan-focused vinyls and metallic posters but its attention to detail on its collectible figures and creative packaging. Mondo Monster has some spooky finds with M3gan and its latest Nightmare Vessels an experiential component when it comes to their collectibles with vinyls and collectible containers. Halloween 2 (The boogieman) is back as part of Mondos new Nightmare Vessel line, featuring articulated soft vinyl figures that arrive inside pumpkin sculpted collectible containers. The pumpkin packagings back of the box is a comic about nightmare vessels, and inside the pumpkin it replicates pumpkin guts with a toy figure and additional accessories inside. There is also a spectral Glow-In-The-Dark Variant. American Werewolf in London, and more are coming soon.Nightmare Vessels An American Werewolf in London Demons Soft Vinyl 2-Pack$125MSRP: Release Date: Available NowFunko just announced Bitty City a new way to display your Bitty POPs! shrunken down versions of Funko POPs! that are truly customizable with roads and accessories like mailboxes, lamp posts, trees, and holiday offerings like ghosts, Christmas trees etc. Your teensy tiny displays of Bitty City Towns, scenery and rides are all interchangeable, build a world of mini wonders and expand your collection, even in small spaces, with individual Bitty Pop!, sets, displays, and more.Funko showed us a giant display of 3D renderings of upcoming plans for the future including a stadium, stage, ferris wheel, more houses, a pirate ship, and the Funko headquarters.The Bittyverse also offers accessories like rides such as the Batmobile and display cases of different fandoms. The Bitty arcades, which is like your mini Funko is playing classic games, will be available at Wondercon which is the first to market. The Bitty boxes look like standard Funko boxes are a fun way to display your Bittys like Strange Things in the Upside Down!We also got a sneak peek of the upcoming Funko POP! collectible brand-new vinyl figures of the live-action How to Train your Dragon.McFarlane ToysOne of the biggest announcements comes from industry leader and innovator global toy company McFarlane Toys. Founded over 30 years ago by Todd McFarlane, the Grammy-and Emmy-winning producer/director and the creator of Spawn, blessed us with loads of reveals.McFarlane Toys has signed new licensing deals to create new products based on TMNT comics and Mortal Kombat Klassics which are still in prototype! Other reveals included New 1/10 scale Marvel reveals of Black Panther, Storm, Carnage, Cyclops, The Thing, Beast, 1/6 scale Deadpool, Iron Man & Venom, Brzrkr, The Killing Joke, and a Page Puncher new Supergirl.The comic book collector favorite McFarlane Toys Page Punchers, which offer fans the ultimate action pack of an iconic comic book paired with a 3-inch or 7-inch action figure, is also getting new entries. Packaged with a single-issue comic, the fully articulated figures are expertly detailed and faithfully channel the character designs from 2D illustration into 3D figural form bringing the page to life.Straight from the Infinite Frontier run of Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow by Tom King, comes the stunning Page Puncher Supergirl figure that has every feature downpack from her curls to her facial expression.Mortal Kombat Klassic CollaborationWe were some of the first to see in person the work-in-progress prototypes of the upcoming Mortal Kombat Klassic figures. McFarlane Toys proudly announces an exciting new collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products to bring the iconic Mortal Kombat Klassic brand to McFarlane Toys growing video game collectible category. Early renderings were first revealed during the IGN FanFest live stream on February 28th, teasing the release of fan favorite characters such as Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Liu Kang, Kitana and Mileena, with many more to come.The upcoming series will feature highly detailed 7-inch action figures, each crafted with meticulous attention to detail, designed to capture the Klassic designs of the original Mortal Kombat characters. These figures are fully articulated and will include additional accessories, sold in both solo and multipacks. The highly anticipated collection is set to launch in Summer 2025 and will be available online and through select retailers.

This article appears in the new issue ofhere.Jenna Ortega has a confession to make: she likes blood. The more of it, the better. Already shes been covered in buckets of the substance throughout her career, which includes a bounty of genre darlings running the gamut from Scream VI to Ti Wests X. And never once in all those chillers has she tired of the red-dyed corn syrup.Maybe if its cold outside and its like four in the morning, Ortega begins while considering the downsides of cinematic gore. But the thought exercise just wont stick. No, I cant really even say that. I always like it whenever they bring the blood. Its like youre getting into the good stuff.In which case, Ortega and audiences are about to be swimming in good stuff, and rest assured that with the stars latest movie, it is of a vintage never seen before. In Alex Scharfmans Death of a Unicorn, not only does the blood flow plentifully, but it is also opalescent, shimmering, and imbued with restorative properties. Or: its magic purple goo that twinkles in the sunlight, and by the end of the movie everyones dying for it.To Ortega, this is part and parcel of making a distinctly A24 genre mashup that plays toward her own eccentric sensibilities. Shes done horror; shes done comedy; but its a one-of-a-kind experience to be hiding in the grass beneath a car on a warm Hungarian night and see out of the corner of your eye a practical unicorn horn stalking around the vehicle. Its just so funny to me, Ortega says. It looks like the shark fin from Jaws. Theres something that is so strange and funny about that, and also still scary that image made me very happy.It even makes up for the practicalities of the aforementioned purple blood, which the actress later acknowledges has got a bit more sparkle to it. The unicorn blood had some glitter. So its harder getting off.Such must be the perils, though, of making the first movie where these magical creatures are absolutely, and quite literally, Old Testament terrifying.Divine MonstersThe filmmaker who dreamed up Death of a Unicorn recognizes when we catch up with him that its kind of funny he was never a unicorn guy. Like almost anyone around the world, Alex Scharfman grew up aware of the majestic beasts of yoreor, more commonly these days, gentle family fantasies like My Little Pony. As a New York City kid, young Scharfman went repeatedly to the Met Cloisters in Washington Heights where the famed Hunt of the Unicorn tapestries from the Middle Ages reside. The white steed with a luminescent antler was omnipresent in his life, if never at the top of mind. Yet, somehow, the beast was still able to pierce through the subconscious.It started like a lot of my ideas often do, Scharfman tells Den of Geek. Its a scene or an image, a kernel of something, and it kept sticking in my brain. There would be a father and a daughter standing somewhere, as well as an impossible thing bleeding out in front of them. I had the idea nearly a decade ago and it was always just a family driving, and in the midst of having a relatively banal or grounded conversation, they accidentally kill a unicorn with their car.Nearly 10 years later, its a dream turned reality, not to mention Scharfmans first feature as director. When we sit down with the helmer, the movie is barely two weeks away from its premiere as a SXSW headliner, and the last touches are still being woven in. In fact, Scharfman has ducked out of his sound mix stage to chat with us in a nearby room. He seems both visibly proud and wary of congratulations, apparently not wishing to jinx things until the film is locked.Nevertheless, it already stands as a culmination of what, in the hands of others, could have simply been a sketch gag or a one-off bit in a conventional comedy. Even Scharfman admits he originally imagined it to be a short film. Yet the more he toyed with the concept (sometimes substituting the unicorn with other magical creatures to see if it might play differently), the more he realized he had a truly killer opening for a larger story. Seriously, who doesntJoin our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!When I first saw this script in my inbox, I thought, Im probably going to want to do this one, Ortega laughs about how she learned of the concept. Even better, the story gets right to it with Ortegas character Ridley and her father, Paul Rudds mild-mannered Elliot, delivering the coup de grce by page 10. I love it when a script doesnt waste time. Its nice to just get into it. Like we want to see the unicorn.But the unicorn Rudd and Ortegas characters see is not the beatific wonder doted on by Ridley Scott or Rankin/Bass. It has heavy clawed hooves, long cruel fangs, and hair that darkens with its mood. As one character surmises on the real unicorns of antiquity, they were supposed to be divine monsters. Which is true.The first recorded unicorn story goes back to like 400 B.C., Scharfman explains. And it used to be a much more wild kind of monstrous creature that you have for most of their history. The writer-directors excitement is infectious as he rattles off facts and speculations. Roman historians might have misunderstood reports of Indian rhinoceroses when repeating tales of unicorns, and in the Old Testament, the word used for unicorn, when you translate it back, is reem, which actually meant aurochs so [they were] more of a wild bull.What also became clear the more Scharfman researched the creature is they could be something that appealed to his heightened storytelling instincts. These were beings to be feared, respected, and in absolutely no uncertain terms, fucked with. Old World gods, as the filmmaker sums up.He even found his way back to those Hunt of the Unicorn tapestries he saw as a child: I became interested in the specific medieval unicorn mythology, and then [those tapestries] quickly came to the fore, Scharfman explains. Somewhere in the outlining stages, it became this idea of turning the movie into an adaptation of the tapestries.Believed to have been produced sometime around the turn of the 16th century in the Netherlands, this Gothic masterpiece is composed of seven murals depicting the men who seek to kill and extract a unicorns healing abilities and the creatures refusal to stay down.We referenced them all the time, says Ortega. I mean, theyre kind of a dead giveaway if you have any knowledge of them for what the film really is Its like a cheat sheet.As her director muses, All the violence of the second half of the movie and a lot of the creature feature fun is brought into that more formal language of the Middle Ages, and the tapestries themselves. It was an ancient way to speak about the world of here and now.Fathers and DaughtersWhen we meet Rudds Elliot and Ortegas Ridley, neither resembles a character from fantasy or crumbling texts. Theyre an everyday father and daughter, moments away from discovering the last extraordinary thing in the world after it falls beneath the wheels of their car. The scenario is preposterous, but the characterization of a family still grieving the loss of Elliots wife and Ridleys mother is not.I dont think weve properly dealt with [the loss], either one of us but particularly me, in the healthiest of ways, Rudd tells us of the schism in the relationship between his and Ortegas characters. Theres a lot of love between us, but it does feel as if were just a little bit off track.Ortega would agree, suggesting that until the characters can acknowledge aloud their continued sense of loss, there is no ability to heal. The implications this has for two folks about to discover the curative powers of a unicorn are obvious, but its even stronger when considering where the two are headed in a nigh-deserted nature preserve: the summer home of the Leopold family, a billionaire pharmaceutical dynasty and Elliots new prospective clients.Pauls playing someone who is grappling with a lot of very real conflicts of conscience as an adult in the 21st century, says Scharfman. Hes trying to make a living, provide for a family, and all of the moral relativism that comes with that when you choose to be an attorney for a pharmaceutical company.Its also created a divide between a father and daughter that seems ever pertinent.When theyre young and idealistic, kids say, You cant do morally corrupt things to earn money, Rudd considers, and sometimes as you get older, you can somehow talk yourself into certain things because you need to pay your rent. Death of a Unicorn is thus touching on the age divide in this current moment. However, its also about disparate generations coming togetheron and off the screen.Whether its someone playing my parent or somebody playing a love interest, I try to connect with people through music, Ortega explains of her process of building a rapport with co-stars. I think thats the easiest way just to get a better understanding of somebody. So she and Rudd broke ice and bread by exchanging playlists, often by way of the younger thespian introducing the older to new sounds.Im blown away by her depth of musical knowledge; she was playing me stuff that Id never heard, from all different decades, that was just so good, Rudd beams. I didnt know about the Amazing Blondel, but I listen to the Amazing Blondel so much now, and thats all from Jenna.In a certain sense, the film is about the eternal divide between fathers and daughters. In another, it is derived from the extreme present.Eat the RichWhen Elliot and Ridley show up at the Leopold estate, still splattered in liquid lavender, the father thinks he is there to find a client. Instead, it is a modern-day liege lord that awaits. Odell Leopold (Richard E. Grant) and his family might greet Elliot as a new amigo and legal partner, but in actuality they yearn for a miracle cure for Odells late-stage tumors. Played with freakish flair by an ensemble that also includes Ta Leoni as the patriarchs polished wife Belinda and Will Poulter as a callow son who will put almost anythingI was trying to think about the movie writ large, says Scharfman. To update a medieval story to the 21st century, a captain of industry, an oligarch, is essentially a feudal lord. They do have their fiefdom, and his fiefdom is the pharmaceutical industry its just not a geographical fiefdom; now its an industrial one, its a corporate one.If it were a tapestry, Elliot would be here to bend the kneeand avert his gaze from the weirdos of the realm. As Rudd muses, The thing about Alex is hes got an economy with language, and he writes so descriptively about these kinds of upper-crust people who are horrible.One doesnt need to squint to see the modern parallels of the current moment when this family discovers unicorns are real and begins dreaming of selling their lifeforce to any friends in Davos whove had a public health scare. Rudd even cracks he could find a corrupt pharmaceutical familys latest scandal by simply scrolling through todays headlines.Still, all involved seem a little shocked at how prescient this movies turned out in a Luigi Mangione sense, as Scharfman acknowledges.I didnt see that coming specifically, he adds, but I do think theres a rising tide that people have seen coming for a while, though I dont know how high that tide will get. And despite not necessarily being a fan of so-called eat the rich movies, the filmmaker admits theres something in the zeitgeist; after all, Death of a Unicorn is the only one of these movies where some of the rich are literally eaten.Creatures FeaturedAs perceptive as the subtext of Death of a Unicorn becomes, the text ultimately remains the films star attraction, and by movies end, its in bold capital letters as the thing turns into a throwback to the creature features of yesteryear. Theres a monster outside the house, and it wants in.It was cool because we actually used puppets, Ortega says of the films many practical moments where she came eyeball-to-eyeball with a unicorn. So you just kind of have to ignore the people huffing and puffing and doing backbends to hide their bodies off-camera.No stranger to visual effects either, Rudd took a special pleasure in the retro charm of it all, revealing his phone is chock-full of photos of malevolent unicorns captured in mid-construction.I remember the first day when we were all on the soundstage for filming and saw some of the unicorns being built, and how they worked with the puppeteers, and how they made the hooves move, Rudd says. I thought the craftsmanship that went into making them was incredible, and every detail, just from the eyes to the hair on the puppets, you couldnt believe you werent looking at the real thing.This includes shots where it might just be a guy holding a unicorns head on a stick in front of Rudd. Its ridiculous in the moment but effective onscreen. It also deliberately evokes some of Stan Winstons velociraptor tricks in the original Jurassic Park.Smiles Scharfman, I started realizing the creatures were about the same size as the raptors in proportion to the humans. This led to oh, they can get inside the house! which you dont get with a lot of creature movies. So that became a fun reference point.Raptors, xenomorphs, and George Romero zombies were all namechecked among the influences in the filmas were intriguingly the Coen Brothers and Bong Joon-ho. As it turns out, not every creature element is meant to terrorize. Some, in fact, are transcendent, such as the first time Ortega touches the fabled horn and communes with the beast in a kaleidoscopic symphony of imagery and harp music.Its this otherworldly supernatural attachment to this creature, Ortega says of her kinship with the beast. It takes her on this celestial journey into the unknown. Its everything that we think the afterlife would be, and its like all of these realms existing at once, and its the most beautiful thing youve ever seen in your life, and its the most terrifying thing youve ever seen.It also hints that there is more at play with these steeds intelligence than just an appetite. Says Ortega, I think in a way theyre almost trying to enlighten Ridley. Its this understanding that they need to protect one another, that they are one, which I guess makes sense coming from a unicorn whos endangered. You might want to form some sympathy!The Maiden FairDeath of a Unicorn can be a strange beast. Its funny. Its scary. It wants to be, as its director says, someones favorite movie, provided that fave is silly, highly rewatchable, but never junk food. It is perhaps a film meant for someone like the character of Ridleya vaper who would appreciate that shes inspired by art history.I was trying to think of what is a pure-hearted maiden in 2025, Scharfman says about the final major influence from medieval mythology: a young womanwho can enchant a unicorn. And thats probably an idealist empath whos on a college campus somewhere protesting right now.Says Ortega, I mean down to even that big red jacket that I wear, it was inspired by the cloak the maiden is wearing in the tapestries.The movie toys with generational and class differences, and has at least one elite consumed la carte by stallions, but it is reaching toward something the director hopes is finally aspirational.With my generation, its a blessing and a curse to have the internet because we have the world at our fingertips, and we can educate ourselves as much as we want to, or we can fall down rabbit holes as much as we want to, Ortega considers. But the general feeling, and what kind of gives me hope for my generation, is that for the most part, we are doing our best to be open and empathetic and supportive of so many different walks of life.That can include the unicorns they meet along the way. Sure, the ones in this movie are ferocious, ravenous, and sometimes prone to wholesale slaughter, but theyre also inspired by real-life animals. Even that glittery purple blood carries meaning.Theres something interesting in creating a fictional creature that somehow lives between warm and cold-blooded, Scharfman says. Obviously, red plus blue equals purple. But he also notes that throughout the movie, Rudds Elliot is coded in blue while Ortegas Ridley is in red.As the movie progresses, theyre moving toward each other, the director adds. Which gives you purple. The good stuff.Death of a Unicorn premieres at SXSW on March 8 and opens nationwide on March 28.

Hi there, Xbox Wire readers do you have what it takes to become a hero? Today, we at Whitethorn Games are here to help you do just that in 3D action-adventure Slime Heroes available now on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One!In Slime Heroes youll take on the role of a slime, the unlikely hero who must save the world from a mysterious corruption. Youll embark on a journey to explore the expansive 3D world alone or with a friend where youll encounter ferocious enemies, challenging but approachable puzzles, and uncover lost treasures. As you battle your way through the many obstacles in your path, youll gain magical skills that you can dynamically combine to create unique and powerful magic attacks that can take down even the most corrupt minions and bosses. Youll discover a touching story of overcoming expectations, friendship, and forgiveness as you progress because even slimes can be heroes!Now, this is quite the challenge for a small slime, so were here with a quick start guide to help your slime become the hero they were meant to be.Explore a Stunning Open WorldDive into an open world that features six distinct regions filled with hidden secrets that will help you through your journey. As you explore off the beaten path, the world will open up, revealing hidden areas and barriers to unlock that will allow you to return to previously explored areas more easily.Youll also discover secret puzzle and challenge rooms, and challenging boss dungeons. While the rooms are completely optional to visit, by entering them and completing their challenges, youll gain some very helpful items to help you on your quest to save the world.And be sure to search areas thoroughly, as there are many hidden items to be found throughout the world. From hats that give your slime powerful buffs to potent magical skills to big deposits of shards to help level up your slime, youll never know what youll find high up on a slightly out-of-view ledge or a crumbled-looking wall! Returning to previously-explored areas can fetch you some great items too, as the new powers you gain will help you reach even more secret areas.Take Your Slime to The Next LevelVery early on, youll meet Orion, who will need a little help from you! They will provide you with a place where you can save your progress and recover your health. Theyll also help you level up your slime for a price. As you defeat enemies, youll collect shards that you can exchange there to boost your slimes health, strength, magic, and speed. Be sure to return frequently to Orions spot to cash in your shards and gain that extra bit of power.Now, what about increasing your health bar? Thats where those puzzle and battle rooms come in! The archaeologist, Pazmut, waiting outside is also eager to help you save the world. By defeating these rooms and returning tomes to them, you can earn extra hearts to increase your health bar.Orion can also help you figure out your best build. Visit them to check out the practice arena, where you can test out new weapons and hat combinations, as well as different skill combinations so that you can perfect the build that fits your playstyle perfectly.Become the Ultimate Magic UserThe world of Slime Heroes is full of magic, and even a small slime can become a powerful mage. As you defeat enemies, youll collect special skills associated with that enemys attack: powerful projectiles, twirling tornados, and more with a total of 18 skills to find. Take full advantage of these skills by combining them in your primary and secondary skill slots to create new, powerful skills. Placing two of the same skill in each slot makes that skill more powerful but consumes more MP. Combining two skills will create a new power, while swapping the skill into different slots will create a new power.You can also find elemental skills to add to your basic skill combinations that will provide an added punch to your magic attacks. As well, earn powerful ultimate skills by defeating boss dungeons, and equip them in your ultimate skill slot. With ten elemental attacks and seven ultimate attacks to collect and combine with your skills youll be able to magically defeat any enemy.Skills can be changed up on the fly at any time, allowing you to adapt to any challenge with ease. There are thousands of skill combinations you can make, so keep mixing and matching until you find the ones that best suit your play style.Gear up with Weapons and EquipmentSlime Heroes has a variety of weapons and equipment earned by defeating bosses as you progress in the game. Each weapon comes with its own set of stats, so experiment a bit in the practice arena to figure out which ones best suit your play style and combat situation.As for equipment, what works better for a slime than a jaunty hat? Like weapons, each hat comes with its own set of stats, from stat bonuses to bonus skills. And like skills and weapons, you can change them up at any time even during battle so you never have to sacrifice fashion over function.Call in a FriendWhile you can play Slime Heroes alone, saving the world is a big job for a little slime. Its always more fun to play with a friend! Invite a friend to play at any time. With both couch co-op and online multiplayer, you can team up and tackle it together to take down the vicious enemy in no time flat!A Game for AnyoneMaking sure games can be played by anyone, regardless of ability, skill, or experience with the genre is a value shared by Whitethorn Games and Pancake Games. Because of this, the team has put a lot of effort into making Slime Heroes as accessible as possible. You can explore them in the settings menu once you start your game. Some of these include multiple difficulty settings including sliders to increase or decrease enemy, world, or player damage, and puzzle timing, visual accessibility features to adjust cursor size and colour, character outline and a guiding arrow, button remapping, disabling flash effects, and more.We hope these tips will help you on your journey to save the world in Slime Heroes. Dont forget to pick up your copy on Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One today to discover even more as you save the Guardians and save the world!Slime HeroesWhitethorn Games1$29.99Get it nowJourney with your fellow slimes to save the ancient guardians from a mysterious corruption taking over the land. Explore a whimsical world filled with secret passageways, challenging puzzle dungeons, and forgotten treasures. Consume special gems and dynamically combine them to create unique magical skills. Level up and fight back against the corrupted minions to restore the land.Dynamic Abilities-Collect an arsenal of skill gems consumed from defeated corrupted creatures.-Dynamically mix skill gems to craft unique skill sets at any time.-Discover all the different types of enemies to complete your gem collection.Co-Op-Jump into your friends' game at any time and drop right into the action.-The entire game can be played with a friend.-All loot is shared; no fighting over that one pretty gem.-Create different magical abilities that complement each other when playing with a friend.Expansive World-Discover secret passageways and challenging puzzle dungeons in a whimsical open world.-Find the six gods of the realm and defeat the corrupted version of each. Once freed they will aid you on your quest!

If youve been craving the warm, laid-back feel of an English kitchen, youre not alone. Maybe its the fact that many of us have been binge-watching series filmed in old Britannia (please hurry up, Bridgerton season 4!) or that these trying times call for a comforting cup of tea. The English-style kitchen oozes conviviality and relaxation, with sleeping dogs and warmed by range cookers, says Patrick ODonnell, international brand ambassador at beloved British paint brand Farrow & Ball. English expat designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard adds: A British country kitchen vibe is filled with nostalgia, practicality, and great personal style. Even if youre not planning a full kitchen remodel, heres 12 ways to give your own kitchen an English accent:For More Kitchen Inspiration: Start with a Saturated Color PaletteCourtesy of Plain English KitchensDusty and deeply saturated, this blue pantry is a perfect example of the quintessential British color palette.Chalk it up to all that misty weather, but moody tones reign in English cook spaces. Deep, dark paint shades that lend some gravitaslike a deep blue-black or green-blackare currently fashionable, notes Ben Kendrick, homes and style director of Country Living UK. The key is to get a dullness to the color so it doesnt shout bold or brash but warm and rich and soft, says Helen Parker, creative director of deVOL Kitchens. The paint finish matters, too. We believe in a hand-painted finish, as brush strokes are part of the appeal, says Imogen Pritchard, U.S. design manager for Plain English. For More on Paint Colors:Focus on PatinaGleaming finishes and glossy metal fixtures are as unappetizing to these cook spaces as a cup of tepid tea. Britons favor simplicity in their rural cottages; its the countryside, after all, and it should look like it. So go for surfaces that look like theyve been around a while. Paint your cabinetry by hand with an actual brush, as opposed to opting for a sprayed factory finish, for instant authenticity, and consider studding your ceiling with a few exposed beams that look like they were felled with an axe a few hundred years ago. For faucets and drawer pulls, go for unlacquered metals and hand-brushed finishes that glow with age-old artistry your grannies would recognize. We adore aged fittings, says Helen, adding that brass and bronze work beautifully because they soften the look. Another storied metal: wrought iron, which adds a simple, practical element to a room. Dont feel like splurging on new hardware? Pick up burnished copper pots and pans from a local junk shop and hang them overhead.Unlaquered Brass Ball Cabinet Knob$16 at RejuvenationCredit: Courtesy of RetailerForge Hardware Studio Unlacquered Brass Bin Pull$25 at WayfairCredit: Courtesy of RetailerUnlacquered Brass Drawer Pull$33 at RejuvenationCredit: Courtesy of RetailerUnlacquered Brass Cupboard Latch$33 at RejuvenationCredit: Courtesy of RetailerChoose a Workhorse TableDylan ThomasA wonderfully worn farmhouse table completes designer Rita Konigs country house kitchen.No British cook worth their Maldon sea salt would abide by a teensy workspace, which is why so many English country kitchens have an oversize wood worktable (a holdover from the downstairs lairs of manor houses) thats been lugged into the middle of the room. The lack of uniformity is a must, says expat designer Kathryn Ireland. No islands for the British! A wonderful oak farmhouse table is a given. Plus, swapping your built-in kitchen islands for a standalone table is totally on trend for 2025. Install a LarderCourtesy of deVOLMuch like a pantry, the larder is the perfect place to store dried goods.Imagine a wood refrigerator that requires no electricity yet keeps things cool, not cold, and in a slightly removed spot from the kitchen, and youve got yourself a larder. Preferably a larder cupboard is a separate room or created to feel like one, says designer Cath Kidston, who lives in a 17th-century manor house in Gloucester, England. Apart from storage, it keeps all the clutter away from the kitchen space. Called a larder since its early days in France, when it was where cooks preserved meats as long as possible, its now the place Britons keep their potatoes, onions, breads, and spices tucked away in cool air. Martyn notes they sometimes feature quaint cutouts in their cabinet doors to allow for air flow but not lighta genius move that smacks of old-world invention.For More on Pantries:Go for Low-Luster CountersNo glossy quartz in sight here. British kitchens give new meaning to the term au naturel. Matte and muted is a way to instantly achieve a more lived-in look, says Helen. The warmth of a wood butcher-block island is often juxtaposed with thick, honed white marble countertops, says Martyn. Using honed marble for countertops is like driving a pickup truck with hints of rust on the paint job: It says you appreciate beauty with flaws.FOR MORE ON COUNTERTOPS:Choose Classic CookersCourtesy of deVOLInvented by a Nobel prize-winning Swedish physicist, Aga ranges have been manufactured in England since 1957.Love a cast-iron skillet? Meet the cast-iron range. The Aga [cooker] is the ultimate jewel in the kitchen, says Martyn of the radiant-heated gems. Heat-plus-food has a primal allure, and its not lost its appeal in the 21st century (though earlier versions remained on 24-7, newer models are indeed controllable). They may not be the only source of heat nowadays, but the look isnt the same with fitted appliances, says Helen of the charming clunkers. Other tried-and-true classically designed stoves include Rangemaster, Falcon, (both of which are sold stateside through Aga), and Everhot. The British have always tended to live in the kitchen, says Kathryn. Everyone likes to stand around the Aga and warm their bottoms. Pick Butlers-Style SinksCourtesy of deVOLThe smaller cousin to beloved farmhouse sinks, Butlers sinks are a favorite amongst British designers.Everything in an English kitchen is hard-working, even the sinks. A commonly used one: butlers-style sinks, which are large-basined numbers that echo the farmhouse sink style popular in the U.S. Theyre extra roomy on purpose. Butlers of yore used them to do everything from wash clothes to scour vegetables in water they hauled in from nearby streams. Ceramic sinks in a butlers style reminiscent of an old-fashioned pantry are still popular, says Ben. Shaws of Darwen has an attractive fluted front finish, and Rangemasters shallower fireclay versions can come as a double sink with a slatted, wooden-topped draining section. Founded on Valentines Day in 1897, Shaws sinks are still handcrafted by a guild of master craftspeople in Darwen, England. The underbelly of each sink is impressed with the name of the person who made it by hand. Install Layers of LightingA bare bulb and/or lackluster pendant might give American kitchens a case of the blues, but the opposite is true in the British countryside, where kitchen light fixtures have the aura of history. If the sconce and pendant look like theyve been there since electricity was invented, all the better. Im not a fan of too much overhead lighting, so I have one circuit for spots over the cooker and countertops where needed, and I have them on dimmers, says Cath. I then have a second circuit for table lamps, as they give a much warmer light to the room.Fluted Pendant Light$42 at AmazonCredit: Courtesy of Retailer Colorful Ceramic Sconce$179 at schoolhouse.comCredit: Courtesy of RetailerPair of Ruffled Sconces$106 at AmazonCredit: Courtesy of RetailerMarble Pendant LightNow 20% Off$88 $70 at LumensCredit: Courtesy of Retailer Fill Your Space with Freestanding FurnitureCourtesy of deVOLFreestanding furniture such as this pantry is a staple of unfitted British kitchens.Gasp! Some English kitchens have no cabinetry at all, using freestanding furniture for storage and work spaces instead. A classic English country kitchen has few built-ins, if any, says Kathryn. Period furniture (a hutch for all the cookery, an armoire for a pantry), a butlers pantry, and a scullery make a British kitchen unique. And no big, flashy fridges that make ice cream! If adapting to todays living, fridge drawers can be easily concealed. Pieces to hunt for at your favorite flea market: Georgian or Shaker-inspired china cabinets, exposed shelving, and hutches with a nick or two.FOR MORE:Trot Out the Dish RacksEons before dishwashers had a dry setting, Britons had figured out another way: letting dripping china air out on the humble dish rack. The best ones let your tableware sit exposed to the room, a nice (and graphic) way to add a dose of needed visual clutter in a space that can easily read as too simplealmost spartan, says Helen. Facing china into the space on wooden plate rails, too, is a common sight, she says, alongside a mass of copper pans and pots, vintage creamware and huge platters, and tables piled high with produce and accoutrements.Choose Clean-Lined CabinetryCourtesy of deVOLShaker-style cabinetry is a mist in any English kitchen. Simplicity is an absolute, says Helen. The bones of the room must be simple, or you lose the authenticity of the look. Thats one reason youll find fuss-free paneled cabinetry that looks like it was crafted by the Shakers themselves (the religion was born in 1747 in Manchester, England). Martyn adds that long open shelving is another historic detail, dating from the days when pots and pans would be stored on numbered shelving to correlate to specific dinners and dates.Select Stylish English Sundry AccentsEric Ray DavidsonDesigner Kathryn Irelands kitchen is full of collected charm. Dont have the pounds (or patience) for a kitchen overhaul? Consider dotting your cook space with classic English accessories, as Kathryn did in her own kitchen. Mixing in antiques and collectibles, from copper pots on a pot rack to antique plates mounted on the wall, all add to the eclectic beauty of the spaces, says Martyn. And lets not forget the obligatory tea pot and kettle, not only quintessential, but also a necessary part of British lifewherever in the world it may be being lived!Copper Tea Kettle$330 at Williams SonomaCredit: Courtesy of Retailer Mason Cash Mixing Bowl$50 at Sur la TableCredit: Courtesy of RetailerCornishware Crock$70 at cornishware.co.ukCredit: Courtesy of RetailersGingham Butter Dish$87 at RevolveCredit: Courtesy of RetailerFOR MORE KITCHEN INSPIRATION:Anna LoganSenior Homes & Style EditorAnna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she covers design and decorating trends, home features, and gift guides. She also produces home features and styles content for the print magazine. When she isnt working, can often be found digging around antique shops for the perfect find. Follow her adventures on Instagram!

Mary Randolph Carter, who goes by Carter, is a lifelong collector, so it should come as no surprise that she has amassed her share of titles over the years. In addition to more formal designations (Creative Director at Ralph Lauren, Country Living Contributor), Carter has been informally called everything from the queen of junk to the original Annie Hall.She is also a prolific author on the subject of stuff, and that talent is on display in her latest book, Live with the Things You Love. Filled with the interiors of tastemakers from across the country, including those of shop owner Joan Osofsky and country style icon Mary Emmerling, the pages are a testament to how a home is truly a canvas for self-expression, not to mention in keeping with the current rise of maximalism and cluttercore. Carter BergAt a time when social media has led to a homogenized approach to interiors, Carters outlook on design is refreshingly one-of-a-kind. The Richmond, Virginia, natives gravitation toward objectseverything from Underwood typewriters to folk art turkeys to Elvis memorabilia (she was the president of her local fan club)may have something to do with the fact that two fires uprooted her family at the very impressionable ages of ten and sixteen. Its no wonder shes inclined to hold on to things.Live with the things you love, and youll live happily ever after. Live With the Things You Love: And You'll Live Happily Ever AfterNow 18% OffI once read that every single object has a god inside, and thats why we cherish them, says Carter. I believe that. And I would add that each object in our homespassed on, gifted, or collectedalso has a story that reveals not only how it came to be and how it came to us, but how it shares who we are and where weve been. Taken together these collections of things create the memory and personality of the places we call home.For Carter, home includes both a New York City apartment as well as Elm Glen Farm, the colorfully collected country house in upstate New York shes owned for 40+ years. She shares both with Howard, her husband of 53 years, whodespite the four-decade influxis still keenly aware of new additions. Howard loves to walk through and count the paintings on the walls. Aha! hell yell to me from another room, I just counted 165, and thats just downstairs.Thomas Jefferson once wrote, That which we elect to surround ourselves with becomes the museum of our souls and the archive of our experiences, says Carter. I doubt my plastic chicken, paint-by-numbers poodle, wooden daisy handbag, or hand-knitted dolls would have been the objects he might have elected to surround himself with, and yet these are some of the things that are the museum of my soul that I couldnt live without.MORE FROM CARTER:Take a tour through the rooms of Carters storied Elm Glen Farm:EntryCarter BergCarter BergJust inside the front door of Carters country house, you can store your walking stick in what was once a concrete pipe, now romanced with painted swallows, and tip your hat hello to elk and a handmade flat decoy of a long-necked Canadian Goose.Elsewhere, what was once a barnacol-covered corner shelf holds Carters collection of shell-encrusted vessels. A trio of wildlife paintings hang above a primitive hickory chair. Gallery WallCarter BergCarters granddog, Cora, holds court on a sofa bedecked with vintage handmade American flags. Above it hangs a wall of assorted artwork. Paintings are my passion, says Carter. I think of each painting as an original masterpiece. No posters or prints for me. Id rather hang a landscape or a portrait found in an art school trash bin than a poster of the Mona Lisa. This is a perfect example of how I love to mix them all.RELATED: KitchenCarter BergWith its Fiestaware-yellow floor and cheerful checks, the country kitchen is a happy way to greet the day. First thing in the morning we plunk ourselves down at the island and sip big mugs of coffee, says Carter. From there I can admire all the things that brighten this big, white space and recall their stories and why I hold them so dear. Among them are polka dot pitchers, colorful plates by artist Nathalie Lt, and more original paintings, including a special commission by her brother Jimmie that was inspired by Le Caf by Pierre Bonnard. The wingback chairaka Howards thronewas rescued out of a barn decades ago. It later fell victim to a kitchen flood, but Carter revived it with a vintage serape. The picket-painted flag was a gift from her son, Sam. What makes life astounding, I think, is not the things weve collected and lived with, she says, but the people and the memories we associate with them. Everything I love is connected to someone special in my life.RELATED:Living RoomCarter BergOne of Carters first purchases for her farmhouse was this metal garden table she snagged for only $10 at a yard sale. Four decades later, she and her family still enjoy sitting around it for dinner on wintry nights. Every so often I dip a kitchen sponge in some blue paint and smear it over flaking paint and candle wax, she says. When not in use for dining, she keeps it full with books, pottery, a candelabra, and a statue of a little girl made of clay. The painting on the wall, called Round Top, reminds Carter of the views around her and remains her favorite. Music RoomCarter Berg While Carter removed the home's existing wallpaper in favor of all white walls, she took a bolder approach with other surfaces. In the music roomso named with the addition of Howards mothers baby grand pianoshe painted the floors a vibrant yellow, and gave the mantel a unique faux finish. Looking at the mantel in the music room, you would think thats exactly how I found it. Unfortunately, I didnt find anything worth saving underneath, so I decided to create what I had hoped to find using splatters of green and black paint. Elsewhere in the room, music-themed artwork mingles with colorful folk art. My favorite piece might be the little green table between the chairs signed by, or created for, someone name MOE! she says.Everything I love is connected to someone special in my life.Screened-In PorchCarter BergAfter extending the porch to make room for outdoor dining, Carter furnished the space with a collection of wicker from an antiques shop in Hudson, New York. When were not sharing a meal, you might find Howard and me competing at his vintage checkerboard, she says. The fold-up wire chandelier was a gift from her mother.RELATED:Porch CupboardCarter BergCarter took an old cupboard, painted it white, and hung it on the wall of the porch to house things shes hunted down from yard sales and flea markets over the yearsfrom ceramic pineapples to patriotic goblets and handmade toy boats.IMAGES & BOOK COPYRIGHT: Live with the Things you Love: And Youll Live Happily Ever After, by Mary Randolph Carter, Rizzoli, 2025; images Carter Berg.MORE ON COLLECTING: 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.

Europes space launch industry is set to reopen for business today. Arianespaces heavy rocket Ariane 6 is scheduled to blast off at 16:24 GMT (17:24 CET) from Europes spaceport in French Guiana.Originally scheduled for December, the Ariane 6 mission was delayed first to February 26 and subsequently to March 3 due to issues in transporting the satellite to the launchpad. However, just minutes before Mondays launch, engineers identified an anomaly in one of the refueling pipes, postponing the launch further.If todays attempt is successful, it will mark Ariane 6s first-ever commercial launch. The heavy-lift rocket made its maiden flight in July last year restoring sovereign access to space for Europe.Ariane 6 will be carrying CSO-3, a French military spy satellite capable of taking high resolution images of Earth. The probe is the final piece of a three-satellite system designed to improve Frances ability to monitor global activities from space. The first two probes were launched aboard Russian Soyuz rockets in 2018 and 2020.Since Moscows full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022, Europe has been unable to access Soyuz rockets. Meanwhile, the retirement of the Ariane 5 in 2023 and delays to the new Vega-C small-launch vehicle left the continent without independent access to space. Europe was forced to rely on Elon Musks SpaceX for over a year.The of EU techThe latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!The Ariane 6 missionIn 2023, Europe completed only three successful orbital launches its lowest total since 2004. The US, meanwhile, had 109 the most a single country has ever made.However, with Ariane 6 now up-and-running and Vega-C having launched in December, things are looking up for Europes space capabilities. And its not just publicly-funded missions that are on track.German startup Isar Aerospace is ready to blast Europes first privately-funded rocket in orbit from Andya Spaceport in Norway, pending regulatory signoff. Isar is one of several startups like PLD Space and Rocket Factory Augsburg looking to provide a local alternative to SpaceX. Both of those companies are also set to launch for the first time this year.The progress of European rocket startups and veterans like Arianespace and Avio (the company behind Vega-C) couldnt come at a better time. European states have long sought to strengthen their security autonomy, a priority that has gained renewed urgency following the Trump administrations thawing relations with Russia.However, Europe might not be able to replace SpaceX altogether. Ariane 6, unlike SpaceX rockets, is not reusable. And while Europe is fostering private companies with reusable, light-lift rockets, it likely wont have a reusable heavy-lift option until the 2030s, when a successor to Ariane 6 may emerge.Nevertheless, while not a panacea for Europes autonomy in space, the boost in local capabilities is still good news for the regions broader space tech sector. The increased access [to space] will no doubt accelerate the pace of innovation and deployment of new space technologies in Europe, Mark Boggett, the CEO of investment firm Seraphim Space, previously told TNW.The progress could also yield immense financial rewards. McKinsey and the World Economic Forum expect the global space economy to rise from $630 billion in value in 2023 to $1.8 trillion by 2035. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

In the run-up to every International Womens Day (IWD), new data is released on gender inequity in tech. Frequently, the findings are disheartening.This week, one report estimated that female founders in Europe secured just 12% of last years total VC funding. Another calculated that overlooking women-leddeep tech firms over the past decade cost the economy 198.8bn.Yet there are also reasons for optimism. One is that the investment landscape is showing signs of progress. According to the Female Innovation Index, last year saw a 7% increase in round size and a 15% rise in M&A activity for tech firms founded by women.Another source of hope is the transformative technologies emerging from their companies. As IWD approaches, we spoke to four women propelling powerful innovations in TNWs home country, the Netherlands, about their work and why the tech sector must do more for gender equity.Anne Berends, co-founder and CTO at SunLED Life ScienceThe of EU techThe latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!Anne Berends has a rare blend of academic expertise and business nous. As a materials scientist and program director at Dutch LED pioneer Seaborough, she substantiated a compelling hypothesis: near-infrared light can improve our health and well-being.Under her watch, the idea grew into anew spin-off company: SunLED Life Science.As the co-founder and CTO, Berends shapes the technological and strategic direction of the business.She makes a clear case for supporting women in tech.Half of the population is female, and girls consistently outperform boys in school, she says. The reality is that while there are countless women with brilliant, entrepreneurial ideas, they remain underrepresented in the startup world. This isnt just a diversity issue; its a missed opportunity. When female founders are rare, valuable innovation and economic potential are left untapped.To unlock this talent, she continues, fundingaccess must improve.Its time for VCs and [private equity] firms to recognise this and actively invest in the next generation of women-led venture because the talent is there, waiting to be unlocked.Kiki Lauwers, CEO at ThorizonLike Berends, Kiki Lauwers has a glittering resume of business and scientific credentials. She holds a Masters degree in Aerospace Engineering from Delft University of Technology and an MBA from INSEAD.After working at McKinsey, online retailer bol.com, and audiovisual businessKinly, she joined deep tech scaleup Thorizon as CEO in 2023. The company is developing a nuclear reactor with an unusual power source: molten salt. The approach could realise the dream ofsustainable, and green nuclear energy.Lauwers sees two sides to her position as a woman leader in tech.Being different has its advantages people remember you, and with all-male panels fading out, I get more opportunities to speak. But I also have to fight bias.Im not here because Im a woman; Im here despite it, she says.Every day, I push against biases that Im less technical, smart, persistent, or experienced. In a recent interview I was quoted as the Belgian woman, and my peer was quoted as the engineer from Delft. I am an engineer with an MBA degree, a former strategy consultant with a lot of management experience, but sometimes, I do wonder if securing funding would be easier if my name were Peter.Beyond the ethical issues, Lauwers emphasises the business argument for greater equality.Europes deep tech sector needs all the talent it can get, which means encouraging more women to pursue STEM and highlighting engineering role models, she says. Im proud that Thorizon has over 30% female employees.Esther Bisschop, co-founder of Th3rdEsther Bisschop is an entrepreneur with a flair for storytelling. She deployed these skills to turn her startup Th3rd into a global leader in 3D scanning software.Th3rds digital models were a hit with clothing brands. Social media giants also recognised the techs value. In 2022, Snap acquired the Amsterdam-based business as part of a drive to embed AR into e-commerce.Bisschop points to the societal benefits of diversity in tech.The worlds most pressing challenges wont be solved by a select few, they require all of us.To build a better future, we need founders of different genders, backgrounds, ages, and cultures to drive innovation, she says.Investing in women founders isnt just about fairness, its about unlocking the full potential of entrepreneurship.Lea Milovich, CEO and co-founder at FlowBeamsLea Milovich has over 15 years of experience as a senior business development manager, team leader, and startup coach. In 2021, she added founder to her extensive list of professional achievements.The company she built FlowBeams began with the idea of applying tattoos without needles. The concept evolved into a non-invasive injection system for cosmetic and pharmaceutical treatments.Milovich highlights the benefits of being a woman leader.Being a female founder means navigating uncharted waters with hidden and declared biases. However, for me it has brought a unique perspective where resilience drives innovation much stronger, she says.I truly believe that, to unlock the potential of the tech ecosystem, we must actively invest in brave and brilliant women that are willing to risk their time and reputation, not as a gesture, but as a strategic imperative.This years TNW Conference features aWomen in Tech ticket. The pass provides 50% off access to the event, which takes place on June 19-20 in Amsterdam.TNW is also hosting a Female Founders Brunch on March 15. You can register here to attend. Story by Thomas Macaulay Managing editor Thomas is the managing editor of TNW. He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers. Away from work, he e (show all) Thomas is the managing editor of TNW. He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers. Away from work, he enjoys playing chess (badly) and the guitar (even worse). Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

Benjamin and Chance recap the newly announced lineup of iPads and Macs. The new iPad Air and base iPad offer even better value for money, while Apple pushes the performance edge with the surprising launch of the M3 Ultra in the Mac Studio, and makes the best MacBook yet with the new M4 MacBook Air. Also, iOS 18.4 beta 2 brings even more new features to discuss.And in Happy Hour Plus, Apple takes a swing at a home run with a trio of baseball content announcements. Subscribe at9to5mac.com/join.Sponsored by Oracle: Learn how to cut your cloud bill in half atoracle.com/HAPPYHOUR.Sponsored by Stash: With Stash, theres no more confusing, frustrating gatekeeping to keep you from investing. Go toget.stash.com/HAPPYHOURto see how you can receive $25 towards your first stock purchase and to view important disclosures.Sponsored by ChargeASAP:Check out the Flash Pro Ultra, featuring a new 275W power bank with an OLED screen that can charge up to 6 devices simultaneously, including your MacBook, phone, smartwatch, and more!Sponsored by Indeed: Get a $75 sponsored job credit and give your jobs more visibility atindeed.com/9to5mac.HostsChance Miller Benjamin MayoSubscribe, Rate, and Review9to5Mac Happy Hour PlusSubscribe to 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus! Support Benjamin and Chance directly with Happy Hour Plus! 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus includes:Ad-free versions of every episodePre- and post-show contentBonus episodesJoin for $5 per month or $50 a year at9to5mac.com/join.Feedback Submit #Ask9to5Mac questions on Twitter, Mastodon, or ThreadsEmail us feedback and questions to happyhour@9to5mac.com LinksAdd 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

Apples new M4 MacBook Air just launched, and Ive made no secret of the fact that Im a fan. If youve already ordered or plan to buy the M4 MacBook Air, here are my recommendations for the best accessories to accompany your new laptop.On the go M4 MacBook Air protectionOne of the Airs best featuresits right in the nameis how lightweight and portable it is.When carrying it on the go, I have two recommendations for protective cases.tomtocs MacBook sleeve is water-resistant, durable, and offers solid protection. You can get it in black, gray, or navy blue fabrics. Whats especially nice about tomtocs option is that it comes with a bonus accessory pouch to match the sleeve, all at a solid price.MOSISOs leather MacBook case is my alternative recommendation. It gets you the more premium feel of leather while still offering a nice, cushy interior for your MacBook Air to stay unscathed.Desk use at home or in the officeWherever your main desk setup resides, whether at home or away, here are some desk accessories that will make your MacBook Air fit right in.HumanCentrics vertical stand laptop holder is a great way to prop up your MacBook Air when its not in use, freeing up desk real estate and helping set a minimalist feel.This wood variant of the vertical stand is another great option that could fit better into your existing desk aesthetic.If for ergonomic or multi-display reasons you need to prop up your MacBook Air, Twelve Souths aluminum laptop stand will raise it to eye level while offering a sleek, minimalist look.As for displays, Samsungs ViewFinity S8 is my recommendation when youre on a budget. Its a 4K display at a low price that has all kinds of useful built-in features, including support for a vertical orientation. Heres my full hands-on.Apples 5K Retina Studio Display is of course my recommendation if youre willing to spend more. Its currently $300 off on Amazon, which makes the premium price tag a little easier to swallow.Finally, this applies to basically any Apple product, but AirPods Pro 2 are my go-to accessory for whatever device Im using. Theyre currently discounted to just $199 on Amazon and I can hardly imagine using the MacBook Air or any other Apple product without them.The M4 MacBook Air offers support for fast charging, but youll first need a bigger charging brick than what comes with the machine.Ankers 100W USB-C power brick is far more affordable than Apples first-party options and provides performance thats just as reliable.Longer charging cables can give you more flexibility in a variety of different environments. There are plenty of great options, but I like this 10ft USB-C cable from Baseus as a low-cost way to get extra charging reach.The MacBook Air only comes with two Thunderbolt/USB-C ports plus MagSafe. For more versatility, I recommend Ankers USB-C 8-in-1 hub with Ethernet, HDMI, SD, and more. Its small enough to be easy to throw in a bag for travel, but powerful enough to be your full-time desk USB-C dock too.What are your go-to accessories for the M4 MacBook Air? Let us know in the comments.More Apple accessories to try outAdd 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