At a White House dinner, Trump megadonor and government hatchet man Elon Musk displayed a baffling lack of gravitas when he showed off a structure he made of flatware to a disinterested employee.In videos of the incident that appears to have originated with X user @DaoKwoDo, a blockchain bro who also goes by the name "Books," Musk appears both detached and childlike when holding up a seeming DIY sculpture he'd made with a fork and two spoons.Seated next to him at the dinner was Neuralink executive and four-time Musk babymama Shivon Zilis. Like the apparent Secret Service agent behind the pair, Zilis looked disinterested in her boss-slash-father-of-her-children's antics. As some of the clips show, a person behind the camera can be heard saying "Elon, what the hell are you doing?" multiple times as he shows off his creation all while president Donald Trump is literally an arm's reach away.Between the vacant look on Musk's face and the seemingly languid duration of the spectacle, folks online have suggested that the multi-hyphenate businessman may have been under the influence of ketamine, his drug of choice that's said to have stymied his efforts to get a higher security clearance.In one hilarious X post, for instance, a user joked that Musk's weird performance is "showing how you can build a spaceship with cutlery if you take enough ketamine.""Im really excited that people are going to just have to keep doing the 'his brain is working at speeds we cant comprehend' thing," another user quipped, "as Elon continues to demonstrate that he is one of the stupidest men alive, who is also on ketamine."While some suggest that Musk is "high as a kite," others said that overall, it's hard to tell if the cringey display was a result of the horse tranquilizer or simply "Elon being Elon."Regardless of any substances the billionaire may or may not be on, it's a bizarre thing to be caught on camera and indicative of the kind of nonserious spectacles the world's richest man is indulging in while he claims to be taking a chainsaw to the entire federal government.Share This Article

Mar 25, 2025Ravie LakshmananThreat Intelligence / MalwareA new investigation has unearthed nearly 200 unique command-and-control (C2) domains associated with a malware called Raspberry Robin."Raspberry Robin (also known as Roshtyak or Storm-0856) is a complex and evolving threat actor that provides initial access broker (IAB) services to numerous criminal groups, many of which have connections to Russia," Silent Push said in a report shared with The Hacker News.Since its emergence in 2019, the malware has become a conduit for various malicious strains like SocGholish, Dridex, LockBit, IcedID, BumbleBee, and TrueBot. It's also referred to as a QNAP worm owing to the use of compromised QNAP devices to retrieve the payload.Over the years, Raspberry Robin attack chains have added a new distribution method that involves downloading it via archives and Windows Script Files sent as attachments using the messaging service Discord, not to mention acquiring one-day exploits to achieve local privilege escalation before they were publicly disclosed.There is also some evidence to suggest that the malware is offered to other actors as a pay-per-install (PPI) botnet to deliver next-stage malware.Furthermore, Raspberry Robin infections have incorporated a USB-based propagation mechanism that involves using a compromised USB drive containing a Windows shortcut (LNK) file disguised as a folder to activate the deployment of the malware.The U.S. government has since revealed that the Russian nation-state threat actor tracked as Cadet Blizzard may have used Raspberry Robin as an initial access facilitator.Silent Push, in its latest analysis undertaken along with Team Cymru, found one IP address that was being used as a data relay to connect all compromised QNAP devices, ultimately leading to the discovery of over 180 unique C2 domains."The singular IP address was connected through Tor relays, which is likely how network operators issued new commands and interacted with compromised devices," the company said. "The IP used for this relay was based in an E.U. country."A deeper investigation of the infrastructure has revealed that the Raspberry Robin C2 domains are short e.g., q2[.]rs, m0[.]wf, h0[.]wf, and 2i[.]pm and that they are rapidly rotated between compromised devices and through IPs using a technique called fast flux in an effort to make it challenging to take them down.Some of the top Raspberry Robin top-level domains (TLDs) are .wf, .pm, .re, .nz, .eu, .gy, .tw, and .cx, with domains registered using niche registrars like Sarek Oy, 1API GmbH, NETIM, Epag[.]de, CentralNic Ltd, and Open SRS. A majority of the identified C2 domains have name servers on a Bulgarian company named ClouDNS."Raspberry Robin's use by Russian government threat actors aligns with its history of working with countless other serious threat actors, many of whom have connections to Russia," the company said. "These include LockBit, Dridex, SocGholish, DEV-0206, Evil Corp (DEV-0243), Fauppod, FIN11, Clop Gang, and Lace Tempest (TA505)." Found this article interesting? Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post.SHARE

Mar 25, 2025Ravie LakshmananCyber Espionage / Network SecurityA major telecommunications company located in Asia was allegedly breached by Chinese state-sponsored hackers who spent over four years inside its systems, according to a new report from incident response firm Sygnia.The cybersecurity company is tracking the activity under the name Weaver Ant, describing the threat actor as stealthy and highly persistent. The name of the telecom provider was not disclosed."Using web shells and tunneling, the attackers maintained persistence and facilitated cyber espionage," Sygnia said. "The group behind this intrusion [...] aimed to gain and maintain continuous access to telecommunication providers and facilitate cyber espionage by collecting sensitive information."The attack chain is said to have involved the exploitation of a public-facing application to drop two different web shells, an encrypted variant of China Chopper and a previously undocumented malicious tool dubbed INMemory. It's worth noting that China Chopper has been put to use by multiple Chinese hacking groups in the past.INMemory, as the name implies, is designed to decode a Base64-encoded string and execute it entirely in memory without writing it to disk, thereby leaving no forensic trail."The 'INMemory' web shell executed the C# code contained within a portable executable (PE) named 'eval.dll,' which ultimately runs the payload delivered via an HTTP request," Sygnia said.The web shells have been found to act as a stepping stone to deliver next-stage payloads, the most notable being a recursive HTTP tunnel tool that is utilized to facilitate lateral movement over SMB, a tactic previously adopted by other threat actors like Elephant Beetle.What's more, the encrypted traffic passing through the web shell tunnel serves as a conduit to perform a series of post-exploitation actions, including -Patching Event Tracing for Windows (ETW) and Antimalware Scan Interface (AMSI) to bypass detectionUsing System.Management.Automation.dll to execute PowerShell commands without initiating PowerShell.exe, andExecuting reconnaissance commands against the compromised Active Directory environment to identify high-privilege accounts and critical serversSygnia said Weaver Ant exhibits hallmarks typically associated with a China-nexus cyber espionage group owing to the targeting patterns and the "well-defined" goals of the campaign.This link is also evidenced by the presence of the China Chopper web shell, the use of an Operational Relay Box (ORB) network comprising Zyxel routers to proxy traffic and obscure their infrastructure, the working hours of the hackers, and the deployment of an Outlook-based backdoor formerly attributed to Emissary Panda."Throughout this period, Weaver Ant adapted their TTPs to the evolving network environment, employing innovative methods to regain access and sustain their foothold," the company said. "The modus operandi of Chinese-nexus intrusion sets typically involves the sharing of tools, infrastructure, and occasionally manpowersuch as through shared contractors."China Identifies 4 Taiwanese Hackers Allegedly Behind EspionageThe disclosure comes days after China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) accused four individuals purportedly linked to Taiwan's military of conducting cyber attacks against the mainland. Taiwan has refuted the allegations.The MSS said the four individuals are members of Taiwan's Information, Communications, and Electronic Force Command (ICEFCOM), and that the entity engages in phishing attacks, propaganda emails targeting government and military agencies, and disinformation campaigns using social media aliases.The intrusions are also alleged to have involved the extensive use of open-source tools like the AntSword web shell, IceScorpion, Metasploit, and Quasar RAT."The 'Information, Communications and Electronic Force Command' has specifically hired hackers and cybersecurity companies as external support to execute the cyber warfare directives issued by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities," it said. "Their activities include espionage, sabotage, and propaganda."Coinciding with the MSS statement, Chinese cybersecurity firms QiAnXin and Antiy have detailed spear-phishing attacks orchestrated by a Taiwanese threat actor codenamed APT-Q-20 (aka APT-C-01, GreenSpot, Poison Cloud Vine, and White Dolphin) that lead to the delivery of a C++ trojan and command-and-control (C2) frameworks like Cobalt Strike and Sliver.Other initial access methods entails the exploitation of N-day security vulnerabilities and weak passwords in Internet of Things devices such as routers, cameras, and firewalls, QiAnXin added, characterizing the threat actor's activities as "not particularly clever."Found this article interesting? Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post.SHARE

Nathan Eddy, Freelance WriterMarch 25, 20255 Min ReadMohd Izzuan Roslan via Alamy StockFinance and IT leaders are shifting their approach to retaining top technology talent as traditional methods of salary increases and financial incentives alone are proving insufficient.This is prompting companies to focus on career development, workplace culture, and employee engagement.Meanwhile, demand for tech talent remains strong as companies across industries continue to prioritize hiring, according to CompTIAs latest analysis of US Bureau of Labor Statistics data.With demand outpacing supply in key areas like AI and cybersecurity, businesses are competing for top talent while also increasing job postings to meet future workforce needs and tech professionals are expecting meaningful growth opportunities.Chief financial officers and HR leaders must work together to implement strategies that prioritize professional development, mentorship, and internal mobility.Professional Growth Prioritized Over Pay One of the most effective ways to retain IT professionals is by offering clear career development pathways.According to TEKsystems State of Digital Transformation Report, 82% of digital leaders are poised to reskill or upskill their workforce.Cosmin Pitigoi, CFO at Flywire, emphasizes that employees are more engaged when they have continuous opportunities to strengthen their skills and expand their experiences. One of the best ways to keep top talent engaged is to have a clear professional development pathway and provide them opportunities to keep strengthening their skills and rounding out their career experiences, he says in an email interview.Related:Leslie Deutsch, vice president of people strategy at TEKsystems, says upskilling has become a major priority. Offering continuous learning and upskilling programs helps employees feel valued and invested in, she explains via email.Mentorship also plays a key role in this strategy, with Pitigoi stressing the importance of both formal and informal mentoring relationships to provide long-term career guidance.Ive benefited from a doors always open philosophy in my career and pay that forward in my current role, he says.He says when IT professionals feel they have support and guidance, they are more likely to stay engaged with their employer.Collaboration Between IT, Finance LeadersBalancing cost control with investments in professional development requires close collaboration between IT and finance teams.Both Deutsch and Pitigoi emphasize that talent retention should be viewed as a strategic investment rather than an expense.Related:Organizations should be leveraging data and analytics to understand how development is impacting productivity and have that inform any investment, Pitigoi says.Deutsch highlights the importance of forming cross-functional teams that include IT, finance, and HR stakeholders.These collaborations ensure that professional development investments align with both financial and operational goals, maximizing their impact on workforce retention.Another key aspect is fostering an owner mindset among employees, where individuals take responsibility for improving efficiency and identifying new ways to work smarter.Flexible Work, Internal Mobility, and Employee RetentionBeyond professional development, flexibility in work arrangements continues to be a crucial factor in IT retention.Remote work and hybrid models are now expected benefits rather than perks; IT professionals, in particular, value autonomy and flexibility in managing their workloads.Implementing hybrid work models that allow employees to balance in-office and remote work is essential, Deutsch says.Internal mobility also plays a significant role in keeping employees engaged.Deutsch and Pitigoi both stress that organizations must create clear pathways for employees to move into new roles and take on greater responsibilities.Related:As part of this, organizations should encourage leaders to allow their best talent to move on to other roles, which is hard to do, but best for allowing talent to develop through diverse opportunities, Pitigoi says.This approach not only keeps employees engaged but also reduces the need for costly external recruitment.Deutsch adds that companies should structure internal mobility programs with well-defined career pathways and transparent role expectations.Creating clear pathways for career advancement within the organization encourages employees to take on new roles and responsibilities, she says.CFOs, CIOs, and HR Leaders Shape Talent RetentionRetaining IT professionals requires collaboration across multiple leadership roles.According to Deutsch, CIOs, CFOs, and HR leaders each play a unique part in crafting effective retention strategies. CIOs drive technological advancements and provide necessary tools, CFOs align financial resources with retention strategies, and HR leaders create a positive workplace culture, she says.Pitigoi says he agrees, adding that product and data analytics leaders also contribute by identifying innovation opportunities and ensuring that investments align with business needs.A few key factors of success are having a clear collaboration framework between departments, making data-driven decisions together, and having clear role accountability with implementation, he says.Consistent communication among these stakeholders ensures that employee experience remains a top priority.Overcoming the Challenges of a Culture-Driven Retention ModelHowever, shifting from a pay-driven retention model to one focused on engagement and culture comes with challenges.Employees accustomed to salary increases as a primary motivator may take time to adjust to a new approach that prioritizes career development and well-being.Prioritizing engagement and well-being over financial incentives requires open communication and transparency, Deutsch says.Organizations must build trust by explaining why they are making these changes and how employees will benefit in the long run.Recognition and rewards programs are also effective in reinforcing engagement; while salary growth may be slowing, companies can still show appreciation through meaningful recognition initiatives.Implementing systems that recognize and reward employee contributions in meaningful ways fosters a sense of appreciation and belonging, Deutsch says.Pitigoi emphasizes the importance of enabling employees to focus on high-value work. Employees who feel they are making an impact are more likely to stay with their organization.Investing in systems, automation, and tools helps your best talent focus on doing work they enjoy rather than more mundane tasks, he says.Measuring the Success of New Retention StrategiesFor companies transitioning to culture-driven retention strategies, measuring success is critical.Deutsch suggests using employee engagement surveys, tracking professional development participation, and analyzing internal mobility rates. HR leaders can deploy surveys to measure how happy and productive employees feel at the office, she says.If employees are using professional development resources and moving into new roles, it indicates that the strategy is working.Pitigoi notes that financial metrics also play a role: Organizations should assess how investments in career development impact recruitment and retention costs. If done right, investments in flexible work, upskilling, and internal mobility can have a direct impact on lowering external recruitment costs, he says.About the AuthorNathan EddyFreelance WriterNathan Eddy is a freelance writer for InformationWeek. He has written for Popular Mechanics, Sales & Marketing Management Magazine, FierceMarkets, and CRN, among others. In 2012 he made his first documentary film, The Absent Column. He currently lives in Berlin.See more from Nathan EddyReportsMore ReportsNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also Like

Elizabeth Olsen has insisted she is not involved in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.The 36-year-old actress appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch from 2015 Avengers: Age of Ultron until Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness in 2022, though has now stressed she will not be returning to the superhero franchise for the next two Avengers movies due to her busy schedule.When The Hollywood Reporter asked Olsen if shed be working on Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, she said: No, Im back [in the US].I just finished [Panic Carefully]. Im moving on to filming a pilot for FX [called Seven Sisters].Reflecting on her apparent exit from Marvel, Olsen, who can currently be seen in the indie sci-fi movie The Assessment, said she was glad to return to smaller films.She explained: You end up having fewer people on the crew, and because The Assessment also had a smaller cast, theres such a community that you build to intimately create these [smaller-scale movies].Youre also on set more. Youre physically having to do more pages every day, and the rhythm of how you shoot, no time is wasted. I cant stand wasted time on set. I have a lot of patience, generally speaking, but when there is time where nothing is happening, I really dont understand it ... Its not like that happens a lot, but it does happen sometimes when you have the funds to tinker slowly. So I love the energy of having to get through so much in a day.MarvelMarvelloading...READ MORE: Every MCU Movie, Ranked From Worst to BestThe Love and Death star added working in blockbuster franchises like the MCU takes up so much physical time and space in the world, and stressed it was "really important for [her] to make choices outside of Marvel that reflect [her] own taste.She said: Your taste does create the artist that you are, and that wasnt something I was thinking about when I first started working. I was just grateful to be a working actor. I wanted to stretch myself into different roles, and I wasnt really thinking about my taste.The Assessment, which was directed by Fleur Fortune, is set in a dystopian future where population control is strictly enforced, and follows a couple (Olsen and Himesh Patel) who undergo a tense week-long evaluation to gain permission to have a child.12 Pairs of Actors and Directors With Famous FeudsYou won't see these great actors and directors working together again.Gallery Credit: Emma Stefansky

There are eightrock artists you probably forgot worked on animated Disney movie soundtracks.Whether Disney movies were a huge part of your childhood or you're a full-blown Disney adult, its hard to deny how great the soundtracks for some of these films truly were. Are there a lot of rock songs in Disney movies? No, but some of the most legendary figures from the rock scene contributed to the soundtracks in one way or another.Keep reading to learn about rock artists ties to Disney and how they were recruited to work on music for some of the most legendary animated films of all time.Elton Johnelton johnLeon Neal, Getty Imagesloading...While all of the scoring in 1994s The Lion Kingwas done by Hans Zimmer,Sir Elton John composed all of the songs that are sung throughout the filmwith the help of lyricist Tim Rice.It was Rice who suggested John to Disney, but the company didn't think the Rocketman would be available for the job. Rice called John, and the rest is history.I got to see the script, I got to see the little animation boards and then I got to see as it came together. I have Tim to thank for the whole experience ofThe Lion King.That one phone call he made to me ... that changed my life and my career, John reflected during an interview a few years ago.Thus, Circle of Life, I Just Can't Wait to Be King, Be Prepared, Hakuna Matata and Can You Feel the Love Tonight were all written by John.Unless youre really familiar with the culture ofThe Lion King,you may not have realized that he wrote all of the songs, especially because the versions of the tracks that he sang only play during the film's credits.Another rocker on this list actually contributed some vocals to one of the songs that playsduringthe movie, so keep reading to learn more about it.Elton John, Can You Feel the Love TonightFallOut Boyfall out boy at big hero 6 premiereAlberto E. Rodriguez, Getty Images for Disneyloading...Fall Out Boy were asked to contribute an original song to the soundtrack for 2014sBig Hero 6,and so they came up with Immortals. According to the LA Times, it wasnt the first time they were approached about a movie soundtrack, but it was the first time a film collaboration was successful for them.Disney asked us to come in a talk to the directors so we did that ... and we discussed the scene and what our song would attempt to do. Then we went home and wrote and sent it to them it was a back and forth from there,Pete Wentz wrote in a blog post about the experience.It was interesting to be a part of because our song was just a small part of a bigger thing and the challenge to just be a part of the fabric. It was a really cool experience.Fall Out Boy, ImmortalsPhil Collinsphil collins singing onstageGustavo Caballero, Getty Imagesloading...Phil Collinsinvolvement intheTarzan(1999) soundtrack is so iconic that it's become a meme.The songs Collins wrote and composed for the film are so epic that he won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, a Grammy and several other awards for them. Its one of the best soundtracks not only in the Disney universe, but in the entire film universe.So while you may not have forgotten about Strangers Like Me and Youll Be in My Heart, did you know that Collins also did the soundtrack for 2003sBrother Bear? He didnt just write and compose the songs for it either, he scored it alongside Mark Mancina, who also did the scoring forTarzan.They asked me if I would be interested in scoring a film, and Id never done it before. I couldnt have done it without Mark Mancino, Collins said during a 2004 interview. I lifted my game, and you know I love to have some challenge thrown down at me to see if I could do it.Phil Collins, On My WayStingJohn Parra, Getty ImagesJohn Parra, Getty Imagesloading...Disney didn't just approach one musicians to contribute to the soundtrack for 2000'sThe Emperors New Groove,they recruited artists from a variety of different genres, one of which was Sting.The former Police frontman was initially approached by Disney to do songs for a movie titled Kingdom of the Sun,and after producing around seven tracks, they scrapped the movie.They later asked him to be a part of the soundtrack forThe Emperors New Groove,and he agreed, but according to The Daily Record,the musicianwasn't thrilled when he realized what the film was about. Regardless, he accomplished something that a few of his contemporaries had as well.Ive grown up with Disney...and I thought, Okay, if you're going to have a legacy into the future, what better way than to write for one of these films that people are going to watch in 30 years' time?And I have six children. I thought my stock would rise if they saw their dad doing a Disney film, the rocker explained.I enjoyed it, I enjoyed the challenge. Two of my close friends, Elton John and Phil Collins, had worked with Disney and they encouraged me to do it. I was flattered that Disney came to me and wanted me to do something that was so successful for those two.Sting is credited on several songs on the movie soundtrack, but the one he actually sang for the movie is My Funny Friend and Me.Sting, My Funny Friend and MeBilly JoelBilly Joel - Las Vegas, NVEthan Miller, Getty Imagesloading...Billy Joel had a major role in the 1988 filmOliver & Company,playing the voice of a New York City mutt named Dodger. The Piano Man had the perfect New York accent for the role, but he also performed a song for the film, Why Should I Worry?A piano even made a cameo in the scene, which Dodger played with his tail while wearing sunglasses.READ MORE:3 Rockers You Forgot Voiced Characters in Animated Disney MoviesJoel was reportedly asked to write a song for the film, but declined as he was in the middle of writing his own album at the time.I was in the middle of writing my own album, over the last year and a half, Joel recalled [via Moving Picture Show]. And it was hard for me to just jump in, to write a song for the character ... I said, Yeah, Ill sing this song. Ill work as just a singer for once. I dont remember the last time I did that. Actually, I dont think I ever did it.Billy Joel, WhyShould I Worry?Demi LovatoAstrid Stawiarz, Getty Images for The American Heart Association's Go Red for Women Red Dress ColAstrid Stawiarz, Getty Images for The American Heart Association's Go Red for Women Red Dress Colloading...Pop star-turned-rocker Demi Lovato recorded a version of the track Let It Go for the 2013 filmFrozen,althoughactress Idina Menzels rendition was the one that was actually used in the film as she voiced the character (Elsa) who sang it.The song was written by married couple Robert and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, whove written songs for several films. They selected Lovato as the singer they wanted to perform the song because she is so damn talented, according to an interview with Studio System News.The Disney family thing was very convenient, but honestly, she wouldve been at the top of the list if she hadnt been in the Disney family, Anderson-Lopez said. Not everyone can sing Let It Go. Its not easy. She has the kind of voice that can.Demi Lovato, Let It GoJoseph Williamstoto singer joseph williamsFrazer Harrison, Getty Imagesloading...Joseph Williams served as the lead singer of Toto from 1986 to 1988, and became their frontman again in 2010. In the mid-90s, though, he was asked to sing all of the main characters parts in the movieAladdin.After recording all of the parts, the composer decided to keep the original actor's vocals for the songs in the filminstead. But out of those recordings came another opportunity for Williams The Lion King.The musician recorded severaldemos for the movie, according to an interview he did a few years back with Rock History Music.A few months later, he was asked to sing Can You Feel the Love Tonight at Hans Zimmer's studio.[They said] we want you to do the singing for when Simba becomes an adult inThe Lion King,He also sang as adult Simba in Hakuna Matata.The Lion King, Hakuna MatataMiley CyrusDick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2021 - Hollywood Party PerformancesAlberto E. Rodriguez, Getty Imagesloading...Miley Cyrus launched her career as Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel show of the same name, but that wasnt her only connection to the brand. She actually did a duet with actor John Travolta on the song I Thought I Lost You, which was featured in the 2008 movieBolt.Both Cyrus and Travolta voiced characters in the film as well.The makers of the film asked Cyrus to write a track for her to sing with her co-star, and thus she wrote I Thought I Lost You with country singer/songwriter Jeffrey Steele.Well, it was something great. I mean, those lyrics, the melody, those choruses are A-plus stuff, you know?Travolta told MTV News of working with Cyrus.Shes really gifted at writing, and she really wanted to write something good for me as the character Bolt, so she went out of her way with her writing partner to come up with something good, and I really think they pulled it off. I know something about music, and I'm telling ya, I was blown away.Miley Cyrus + John Travolta, I Thought I LostYouGet our free mobile app12 Surprising Character Cameos In Disney Movies You Might Have MissedThese iconic Disney characters showed up in other Disney movies did you spot them?Gallery Credit: Claire EptingFiled Under: DisneyCategories: Lists, Movie News, Original Features

This is today's edition ofThe Download,our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what's going on in the world of technology. Ethically sourced spare human bodies could revolutionize medicine Many challenges in medicine stem, in large part, from a common root cause: a severe shortage of ethically-sourced human bodies. There might be a way to get out of this moral and scientific deadlock. Recent advances in biotechnology now provide a pathway to producing living human bodies without the neural components that allow us to think, be aware, or feel pain.Many will find this possibility disturbing, but if researchers and policymakers can find a way to pull these technologies together, we may one day be able to create spare bodies, both human and nonhuman. These could revolutionize medical research and drug development, greatly reducing the need for animal testing, rescuing many people from organ transplant lists, and allowing us to produce more effective drugs and treatments. All without crossing most peoples ethical lines. Read the full story.Why the world is looking to ditch US AI models Eileen Guo A few weeks ago, when I was at the digital rights conference RightsCon in Taiwan, I watched in real time as civil society organizations from around the world, including the US, grappled with the loss of one of the biggest funders of global digital rights work: the United States government. Some policymakers and business leadersin Europe, in particularare reconsidering their reliance on US-based tech and asking whether they can quickly spin up better, homegrown alternatives. This is particularly true for AI. Read the full story. This story originally appeared in The Algorithm, our weekly newsletter on AI. To get stories like this in your inbox first, sign up here. How to delete your 23andMe data Consumer DNA testing company 23andMe has filed for bankruptcy protection, following months of speculation around CEO Anne Wojcickis plans to take the firm private. The news means that 23andMeand the genetic data of millions of its customerscould soon be put up for sale. But although customers worried about the security of their DNA data can request its deletion, truly scrubbing your information from the companys archives is easier said than done. Read the full story.Rhiannon Williams The must-reads Ive combed the internet to find you todays most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology. 1 US security leaders accidentally added a journalist to a secret Signal chat The group used the unapproved platform to discuss classified military strikes in Yemen. (The Atlantic $)+ It raises questions over how the US government is handling sensitive information. (Vox)+ The Trump administration has embraced the encrypted messaging app. (WP $) 2 Donald Trumps H-1B visa crackdown could seriously harm US tech firmsAmazon is likely to be hit particularly hard. (Rest of World) + US visa and green-card holders are being detained and deported. (NY Mag $)+ Tariffs, DOGE and scams are weighing heavily on the tech industry. (Insider $)+ America relies heavily on skilled overseas workers. (The Conversation)3 DeepSeeks runaway success is shaking up Chinas AI startups Theyre overhauling their business models in an effort to keep up. (FT $)+ The AI development gap between China and the US is narrowing. (Reuters)+ How DeepSeek ripped up the AI playbookand why everyones going to follow its lead. (MIT Technology Review)4 AI companies dont want to be regulated anymore Emboldened by the Trump administration, the industrys biggest firms are lobbying for fewer rules. (NYT $)5 Colorado is experimenting with psychedelic mushroomsIt plans to administer them in healing centers across the state. (Undark) + Job titles of the future: Pharmaceutical-grade mushroom grower. (MIT Technology Review)6 Tesla sales are plummeting in EuropeAs customers turn to its Chinese rival BYD. (The Guardian) + Elon Musks companies are under increasing pressure from their rivals. (Economist $)+ BYD was one of our 2024 Climate Tech Companies to Watch. (MIT Technology Review)7 This Indian city relies on the wind to stay coolPalava City is a living testbed of technological innovation. (WP $) + No power, no fans, no AC: The villagers fighting to survive Indias deadly heatwaves. (MIT Technology Review)8 Filming your online routine is not for the faint of heart Absurd clips are doing the rounds on social media yet again. (NY Mag $)9 Floating wood could help to refreeze the Arctic By helping to seed the formation of new ice. (New Scientist $)+ Inside a new quest to save the doomsday glacier. (MIT Technology Review) 10 Silicon Valley workers are ditching dating apps Instead, theyre attending carefully vetted dating meetups IRL. (Wired $)Quote of the day The path to saving TikTok should run through Capitol Hill. Three Democratic senators urge Donald Trump to work with Congress to save TikTok from shutting down in the US, the Verge reports. The big story How AI is changing gymnastics judging January 2024 The 2023 World Championships last October marked the first time an AI judging system was used on every apparatus in a gymnastics competition. There are obvious upsides to using this kind of technology: AI could help take the guesswork out of the judging technicalities. It could even help to eliminate biases, making the sport both more fair and more transparent. At the same time, others fear AI judging will take away something that makes gymnastics special. Gymnastics is a subjective sport, like diving or dressage, and technology could eliminate the judges role in crafting a narrative. For better or worse, AI has officially infiltrated the world of gymnastics. The question now is whether it really makes it fairer. Read the full story. Jessica Taylor Price We can still have nice things A place for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line or skeet 'em at me.) + These plants are quite possibly math geniuses.+ Inside the weird and wonderful world of animal art.+ Get me on a (sustainable) trip to the Cook Islands immediately.+ Its officially cherry blossom season around the world!

html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"The "Handrail on a Cliff" competition was conceived with the aim of reimagining an architectural elementthe handrailby exploring its functional and expressive value. It is not merely a physical support but a feature capable of mediating between protection and freedom, between stability and openness to the surrounding context. In this competition, participants are invited to reflect on the meaning of an everyday object that is often taken for granted. A handrail can serve as both a barrier and a point of connection, a tangible sign that interacts with the landscape and those who use it. Set on a cliffside, in a location of striking natural impact, the competition poses a fundamental question: how can safety be reconciled with integration into the environment? The handrail thus becomes a design opportunity to express our relationship with space, movement, and the sense of protection in a constantly evolving world.CompetitionWe invite you to participate in the "Handrail on a Cliff" competition, set in an extraordi - nary environment: The Black Angel Cliff, located in Greenland above the waters of the Uummannaq Fjord. This 1,200-meter rock face has been a historical landmark for the Inuit and today stands as a symbol of isolation and the raw power of nature. Its impos - ing formation and extreme climate make it a site of direct confrontation between humans and the environment. In this setting, where the landscape is as captivating as it is unforgiving, the design of the handrail takes on a profound meaning. More than just a support, it becomes a sign that balances protection, freedom, and control. It must meet safety requirements with - out becoming an invasive barrierserving as a guiding element while leaving room for interaction with the environment. Participants are challenged to rethink the handrail in relation to form, function, and context, exploring materials and innovative solutions capable of withstanding extreme climatic conditions while allowing unrestricted creativity. The competition encourages a conceptual approach, open to multiple interpretations: the handrail can be a functional device or a symbolic element, representing the bound - ary between safety and risk, between guidance and autonomy. There are no stylistic or technological constraints, offering participants the freedom to experiment and propose original visions. The goal is to transform the handrail into an element that expresses our relationship with space and safety, without reducing it to a mere technical accessory. Each proposal will be an opportunity to explore new perspectives on the concepts of protection and control in an extreme environment.Competition SiteThe Black Angel Cliff (71.128916, -51.243258) rises 1,200 meters above the Uummannaq Fjord in Greenland. A remote and inhospitable place, where Danish miners in the 1970s braved the freezing cold and sheer verticality, suspended on fragile cableways. We have chosen this cliff as the setting for the competition, but without technical constraints: the goal is to freely explore the concept of the handrail, not only as a physical element but as a poetic and conceptual mark in the dialogue between humans and the extreme landscape.A brief historical overview of the locationThe Black Angel Cliff, in Greenland, rises 1,200 meters above the waters of the Uummannaq Fjord, distinguished by its dark silhouette, which gave it its name. A long-standing landmark for the Inuit, it has drawn attention for its sheer scale and isolation. In the 1920s, Danish miners began extracting marble from the area, but it wasnt until 1936 that a rare stoneoriginating from the cliff itselfwas discovered on the opposite shore. To exploit this resource, a small port and a system of cableways were built in the 1970s, the only means of transporting workers and materials. However, the harsh Arctic climate made operations extremely challenging: when the wind was too strong, the cableways would stop, leaving miners stranded on the cliff with limited supplies. Today, the Black Angel Cliff remains an extreme and awe-inspiring place, serving as the inspiration for our architectural competition. Its verticality, history of hardship and adaptation, and the relationship between humans and a hostile environment call for a project that engages with the landscape while respecting its visual and narrative balance.Registration Fees:Early Registration (10 march - 10 april): 40 EuroAdvance Registration (11 april - 11 may): 60 EuroLast Minute Registration (12 may - 12 june): 90 EuroPrizes (Total Prize Pool: 5,000):First Prize: 1,500Second Prize: 1,000Third Prize: 500Jury Members:Nicole Six and Paul Petritsch - University of Applied Arts ViennaLok Eyers - Jaspers Eyers ArchitectsAleksandre Andghuladze - Head of 3XN Visual Gala aki ArtisBranko Belacevic - Cook Belacevic Haffner PartnersIvane Katamashvili - Architecture Photographer & FilmmakerDeadlines & Timeline:Registration Deadline: June 12, 2025 Project Submission Deadline: June 25, 2025Winners Announcement: July 31, 2025To learn more details, visit the competition website.The top image in the article courtesy of Archcontest.> via Archcontestarchitecture competition

CGI showing a large split-level terrace on the 27th floor of the buildingView of the proposed 'linear park' along Camomile StreetDrawing showing how planting would stretch up the first six storeys of the tower above the proposed Camomile ParkThe surviving fragment of the Roman Wall would be displayed in a recess built into the side of the towerCGI showing the Roman Wall display in the top corner1/10show captionWork on Fletcher Priests 46-storey tower in the City of London could start in early 2027 if the scheme is approved, according to the project team.Construction of the 63 St Mary Axe scheme, designed for multinational investor Axa IM Alts, is expected to take around five years and complete in the first quarter of 2032 under the developers current timeline.Plans for the tower, the latest in a string of high-rise office schemes proposed for the Citys main tall building cluster in the Bishopsgate area, were first revealed by Building Design last year.A full planning application was submitted last month, revealing further details about the schemes timeline and its project team.Demolition of the two 1980s buildings on the site, which sits between Foggo Associates Can of Ham building and KPFs Heron Tower, is scheduled to start in the first quarter of 2027 and take around nine months.Construction of the new tower would then take around four years and three months, amounting to a total construction time of 60 months.View of the proposed linear park along Camomile StreetT&T Alinea is on the team as cost consultant, with CBRE acting as project manager, AKT II as structural and civil engineer, Arup as fire engineer, Velocity as transport consultant and Gustafson Porter & Bowman as landscape architect.Other members of the team include mechanical engineer Hilson Moran, facade engineer FMDC, daylight consultant GIA and planning consultant DP9.The building would contain around 85,000 sq m of grade A office space, 4,000 sq m of cultural and community space and outdoor gardens on all occupied levels, including a large terrace on the 27th storey split across two levels.At street level, Fletcher Priest has proposed a six-storey linear park stretching along Camomile street, with images included in planning documents showing planting and public balconies reaching up the side of the buildings lower levels.Called Camomile Park, it would also include a public display area for a surviving section of Londons Roman Wall, which runs beneath the site. The 1,800-year old structure, which is currently hidden from public view, would be displayed in a double-height recess built into the side of the tower and surrounded by a glass barrier.The surviving fragment of the Roman Wall would be displayed in a recess built into the side of the towerThe City is expected to make a planning decision on the scheme later this year, following the local elections in May which will see the election of a new planning committee.Fletcher Priest is also working on two other tower proposals in the cluster, the 24-storey 55 Old Broad Street for Landsec and the 32-storey 55 Gracechurch Street for Tenacity.Axa IM Alts is a subsidiary of investment management firm Axa IM, which is itself a subsidiary of French multinational insurance firm Axa.Another division, Axa IM Real Assets, developed PLPs 22 Bishopsgate in partnership with Lipton Rogers.

Sheppard Robson-designed scheme replaces former plans rejected in 2022The scheme will include buildings up to 15 storeys in heightcvcvcv1/7show captionPlans for 1,000 homes on a site surrounding a former civic centre in north London have been submitted by a joint venture between Harrow council and Wates Residential.A hybrid application for the Poets Corner scheme was lodged with the London Borough of Harrow earlier this month with a detailed component containing more than 500 homes.A further 500 homes would be built in a second phase under the reserved matters part of the application, with the scheme totalling 1,064 homes and 1,000 sq m of commercial space.Sheppard Robson is lead architect on the scheme, with the project team also including landscape architect BDP, planning consultant Stantec, environmental consultant CBRE, building services consultant WSP and Wates Residential on costs.Building heights would range between three and 15 storeys with homes consisting of a mix of tenures from council-owned townhouses to build-to-rent apartments. The scheme will include 100 affordable homes.Harrow Civic Centre will be demolished under the plansAll buildings on the site, including Harrow Civic Centre, a brutalist 1970s building which served as Harrow councils headquarters until 2023, will be demolished to make way for the development.The plans replace an earlier application for a taller scheme rising to a maximum of 17 storeys and including a primary school which was rejected by Harrow council in 2022.Wates said the new proposals had increased the amount of open space for residents and reduced the height of the tallest building by two storeys while removing the school, which was no longer required.