The Faith Museum by Nall McLaughlin Architects in Bishop Auckland, UK, combines the godly with the profaneJacqueline Stephen of Nall McLaughlin Architects is shortlisted for the MJ Long Prize for Excellence in Practice 2024. Find out more about the W Awards hereFound at the confluence of theRiver Wear and the River Gaunless, Bishop Auckland, in County Durham in the north of England, has a rich but unsung history as ameeting point of the sacred and the civic. Since the 11th century, the bishops of Durham have been central to the towns legacy. Centuries of conquest and religious ceremony laid further layers of history; industrial revolution and decline shaped the Victorian character and grain ofthe town centre. Auckland Palace the home ofthe bishops of Durham until 2012 hassimilarly been subjected to many transformations since it was built in the 12th century. The bishop of Durhams private chapel on the site, built in 1665, isconstructed from stones reclaimed fromthe 12thcentury mansion, which hadthemselves been salvaged from demolished buildings.Click to download drawingsIn 2012, the palace and its contents were purchased by the Auckland Project, aregeneration charity founded by Jonathan Ruffer, a financier and philanthropist; as acollector of religious Spanish art, Ruffer had a particular interest in the palaces collection of Francisco de Zurbarn paintings. By 2020, Ruffer had invested more than a third of his considerable wealth into the area in a bid to establish Bishop Auckland as a mustvisit cultural destination. An ambitious 25year plan was undertaken to transform Bishop Auckland into a centre of art, history and culture, where the lines between spiritual and secular are readily blurred.From the upper floor of the palace, evidence of an everexpanding cultural offering can be surveyed, alongside the significant archaeological excavations taking place within the site and the surrounding square mile. In 2014, NallMcLaughlin Architects (NMA), incollaboration with Purcell, won the competition to transform the Grade Ilisted Auckland Palace and its grounds into a national museum of religion and religious art. The 35mtall Auckland Tower at the tipof the towns high street opened in 2018;reminiscent of a medieval siege tower, the structure offers a viewing platform overlooking the castle, town and parkland beyond. A twostorey, monopitched building at the towers base houses an information centre, ticketing office and theAuckland Project offices. As part of thewider Bishop Auckland development, neighbouring farmhouses were carefully repaired and now contain galleries, arestaurant, a hotel and facilities for thegroundskeepers and gardeners. And inOctober 2023, almost a decade after its inception, the Faith Museum opened its doors to the public an extension to Auckland Palace housing a permanent exhibition showcasing 6,000 years of Britishfaith.References range from tithe barns to the exquisite detail of reliquary boxesEchoing adjacent activities, the architects designs for the museum began with an archaeological study, uncovering the presence of a building that formed acourtyard garden with the palace. This discovery, confirmed by archival drawings, dictated the location of the new museum and the proposed Faith Garden. The palace grounds and Faith Museum lie beyond Robinsons Arch, a squat stone entrance that is partcrenellated castle wall, parttriumphal arch and partclocktower. Once through the arch, the layers of history unfold. Two walls, parallel to the path, stitch together the varied typologies anderas found within the palace curtilage. Tothe south, a 17thcentury walled garden sharply falls away; its beds and orchards provide food for the palaces caf. To thenorth, a stone wall is intermittently interrupted by elevations of adjacent buildings an agricultural yard, timber loadingbay doors, the Faith Museum proudly stepping forward, the palaces grand entrance and finally disappears from view towards woodland.The size and sharpness of the Faith Museum silhouette are imposing, but its simple form, deft details and singularity lend a quietly assured presence. We wanted a bold piece of contemporary architecture from the start, explains ClareBaron, head of exhibitions at the Auckland Project. We wanted to signal that there is a renewed future for the site, through the creation of a destination for art, culture and faith. The monolithic museums design considers themes of monumental and ordinary, secular and sacred, contemporary and historic, says NMA associate Jacqueline Stephen, who led the project between 2016 and 2023. Acombination of the monumental and theordinary informs the references used by the architects, ranging from utilitarian tithe barns used by medieval farmers for their church offerings, to the exquisite detail of reliquary boxes containers forsacred relics. The building is secular inits function as a museum, but because of the nature of its contents and the religious associations of the site, we sought to give ita heightened sense of the sacred, byelevating certain details.Click to download drawingsThis elevation is discernible at every scale, across every surface, from the locally crafted finials at the roofs apex, to the stonelined drains where the museum meets the ground. Locally quarried CopCrag sandstone is used to create amonolith full of depth and interest, in Stephens words. The material specification balances consistency and variety, allowing the assorted tones to neither cluster nor create a clear rhythm. The stone was cut bylocal masons in different ways: at ground level, splitfaced to bring out its richness and depth; cut into largeformat smooth ashlar for the firstfloor walls, which expresses the variation and patterns; and assembled into an openjointed rainscreen on the steeply pitching roof. Ageing is part of the composition, as the different stone formats weather in different ways; an elegant concealed gutter subtly highlights the contrast between the pristine facade and the roof that has developed into adeeper shade.At first, the museum appears to be a standalone building; however, the extension is in fact accessed from Auckland Palace via the 16thcentury Scotland Wing. The lower level is partially sunken and the enfilade of galleries are artificially and dimly lit to protect the works on display. On the floor above, however, the main gallery is radiant and weightless. Delicately formed steel trusses carry the faintly stippled acoustic ceiling above; the soaring pitched ceiling engenders an ecclesiastical feel. As elsewhere, everyday details are elevated: floor vents necessitated by the strict environmental conditions needed todisplay such fragile objects reinforce thecadence of patterned parquet floors, popping out to reveal services below. Otherwise, none of the innumerable security and environmental controls are apparent. Sliding timber screens conceal goods lifts with effortless grace. Wooden finishes and parchmentcoloured walls givethe gallery warmth. Walls are intermittently broken by deep arrowslit openings, with predictably perfect reveals.Click to download drawingsNMA made for fitting collaborators. TheLondonbased practices portfolio is typified by its expressive and exquisitely crafted architecture in challenging contexts often steeped in history. From its mending of a listed west London monastery in the early 1990s, to their more recent student halls, auditoriums, sports pavilions and libraries for Oxford and Cambridge universities, the practice often blurs the line between divinity and the everyday intheir work. Toplit, lofty volumes pair with humble materials, and revered finishes fuse with quiet, familiar details.Stephen shares that she has a particular interest in the technical and construction stages of projects and notes the scarcity offemale voices among contractors. We wanted the project to have an inherent simplicity, but knew its success would hinge on the detailing and delivery. This required working closely with the main contractor and specialist subcontractors to ensure the execution matched the projects aspirations, even when that meant having difficult conversations. With a scheme so seemingly simple, there is nowhere to hide. From concept to completion, Stephen has guided the process with an extraordinary level of care. Despite its significant scale and tight tolerances, the finished Faith Museum does not feel weighed down by anyof its constraints. Instead, it is light: sacrosanct.

All images courtesy of Stan Squirewell and Claire Oliver Gallery, shared with permissionIn Vivid Reliquaries, Stan Squirewell Layers Anonymous Portraits and Patterned TextilesMarch 28, 2025ArtPhotographyGrace EbertThrough intimate, mixed-media collages, Stan Squirewell excavates the stories of those who might otherwise be lost in anonymity. The artist gathers images from the Smithsonians archives and from friends and family that he then reinterprets with vibrant prints and patterns. Layering unknown pasts with present-day additions, Squirewell explores how everyday traditions and rituals remain through generations.His new body of work, Robitussin, Hotcombs & Grease, invokes ubiquitous items like the over-the-counter decongestant and hair care. Growing up, I was shaped by elders around me, and everyday objects like Robitussin, hotcombs, and grease became vessels for the rituals that anchored me to my heritage, the artist says. These items transcend their mundane uses: they embody traditions passed down through generations, grounding me in a collective identity.Girls on Saturn (2025)Squirewell cuts and collages images and fabrics from his collection before photographing the composition, which then undergoes a digital editing process. An elaborate frame complements each piece with charred shou sugi ban edgesa Japanese burning techniqueand hand-carved details. The sides bear various inscriptions connecting past and present, including lines from Langston Hughes poems and glyphs from ancestral African languages that have fallen out of use.Because the identities and histories of many of the subjects are unknown, Squirewells work adds a new relevance to their images. How have daily, domestic practices and the legacies of previous generations informed the present? And how do these traditions create a broader collective experience? Rooted in these questions, the dignified works become reliquaries that honor whats been passed down and how that continues to inform life today.Robitussin, Hotcombs & Grease is on view through May 24 at Claire Oliver Gallery in Harlem. Find more from Squirewell on Instagram.Teddy (2024), artist-printed photos collaged with paint and glitter in a hand-carved shou sugi ban frame, 43 x 35 x 3 inchesTeddys Lil Sisters (2024), artist-printed photos collaged with paint and glitter in a hand-carved shou sugi ban frame, 29 x 24 x 2 inchesGirls on Saturn (2025)Next article

Quorum Cybers recently released Global Cyber Risk Outlook Report 2025 outlines how nation-state cyber activities, particularly from China, are evolving. According to the report, Chinas cyber espionage operations will likely increase in 2025, with attacks targeting Western critical national infrastructure (CNI), intellectual property, and sensitive corporate data. The report also highlights that AI-powered cyber capabilities are being leveraged by China-state-sponsored, and other, threat actors to conduct advanced campaigns and evade detection more effectively.Chinas alleged involvement in data theft through services like DeepSeek raises significant concerns for cyber security leaders. Reports indicate that DeepSeeks privacy policies allow user data to be stored on servers within China, making it potentially accessible to the Chinese government under local cyber security laws. Cyber security researchers have also found that DeepSeek embeds technology capable of transmitting user data to China Mobile, a state-owned entity, further heightening fears of surveillance and data exploitation. These risks are so severe that US government entities have moved swiftly towards banning its personnel from using DeepSeek, citing security concerns over data interception, including keystrokes and IP addresses. For chief information security officers (CISOs), this serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by foreign adversaries.To mitigate the risks of nation-state cyber threats, security leaders must take a strategic, multi-layered approach. Below are key measures that should be considered:1. Adopt a zero-trust Security ModelZero-trust assumes that every request for access whether internal or external must be verified. Implementing zero trust involves addressing the following core principles:Verify connectivity explicitly through strong authentication, for example multi-factor authentication (MFA)Authenticate and authorise identities, devices, infrastructure, services and applications based on strong conditional access policiesEnforce privileged access through tactics such as just-in-time (JIT) and just-enough-access (JEA)Implement data protection controls based on defined classification policiesTake an assume breach stance, operating under the assumption that connecting entities have been exposed to threats.In partnership with many top cyber security solution providers, the NIST National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE) has drafted Special Publication (SP) 1800-35 Implementing a Zero Trust Architecture. The practice guide is designed to provide implementation examples and technical details on how security leaders can ultimately achieve zero trust to safeguard modern digital enterprises.2. Strengthen supply chain securityThreat actors often exploit supply chains to gain access to larger targets. Organisations should:Conduct rigorous third-party risk assessments, ensuring additional rigour is applied to connected and critical third partiesImplement contractual security obligations for vendors, ensuring key clauses such as the maintenance of strong cyber security programmes and audit rights are consideredContinuously monitor supplier network connections and other forms of access for suspicious activity.3. Enhance threat intelligence, monitoring and responseThreat management programmes must evolve to counter espionage threats. Organisations should:Maintain cyber threat intelligence (CTI) services to track state-sponsored threat actorsConduct ongoing vulnerability detection and mitigation activities, ensuring programmes monitor the full digital estateQuickly detect and respond to threats with 24x7 detection and response and threat hunting servicesIncreasingly leverage automation, including emerging artificial intelligence (AI) services, to streamline and accelerate cyber security programme processes.4. AI and data governance practicesAs AI becomes an integral part of enterprise environments, organisations must implement governance practices to manage AI solutions securely and protect corporate data. Security teams should:Define policies and supporting controls for the secure use of AI and data within business operationsEnsure AI models used internally are developed and deployed with strict security controlsMonitor third-party AI tools for compliance with security and data protection requirementsDefine and deploy strong AI and data protection controls to prevent unauthorised data exfiltration or manipulation.The Security Think Tank on nation-state espionageMike Gillespie and Ellie Hurst, Advent IM: Will DeepSeek force us to take application security seriously?Elisabeth Mackay, PA Consulting:How CISOs can counter the threat of nation state espionage.5. Educate end-users on AI risksThe rapid adoption of AI-driven tools within the workplace increases the risk of accidental exposure or misuse of sensitive data. Organisations should:Conduct regular security awareness training for employees on the risks associated with AI toolsEstablish guidelines on the appropriate use of AI applications in corporate environmentsImplement policies that prevent employees from sharing sensitive corporate data into public AI models7. Test and improve incident response readinessGiven the sophistication of nation-state actors, organisations must ensure their response strategies are up to par. Best practices include:Conducting regular tabletop exercises simulating attack scenarios, including state-sponsored eventsRunning red team/blue team exercises to test security defencesEstablishing and updating clear escalation protocols and contact lists, including the relevant authorities, in case of detected espionage attempts.As CISOs and security leaders navigate this new AI augmented era of cyber threats, leveraging strategic frameworks, advanced security tools, and frequently tested, highly operationalised processes will be essential in countering nation-state industrial espionage. By staying ahead of emerging risks, organisations can ensure the resilience of their operations in an increasingly hostile digital landscape.Andrew Hodges is vice president of product and technology at Quorum Cyber.

If you've been looking to snag a great entry-level Roomba, this Amazon Big Spring deal is for you.

Nina Raemont/ZDNET$249 at Amazon The Oura Ring Gen 3 remains one of our favorite smart rings on the market and our pick for one of thebest smart ringsyou can buy. While this space got more attention when the new Samsung Galaxy Ringlaunched last year, Oura has plugged away at the smart ring space, and the brand released a new generation smart ring, the Oura Ring 4, last fall. You know what that means: its third-generation smart ring is finally on sale at Amazon, even ahead of the retailer's Big Spring Sale.Also: The best Amazon Spring Sale deals live nowWith this sale, you can save anywhere from $50 to $100, depending on your choice of style and finish. For example, the gold Horizon ring is selling for 22% off, and the silver Heritage ring is only $200 right now. ZD recommends If you're deciding between buying the newer Oura Ring 4 or getting the discounted Oura Ring 3, there are a few factors to consider before making a purchase. The Oura Ring 4 upgraded its battery life one more day, so you'd get an eight-day battery life in the fourth-generation ring, compared to a seven-day battery life in the third. The Oura Ring 4 has receded sensors that don't protrude around your finger, unlike the Ring 3's sensors that does. But in both smart rings you're getting the same software that will tell you information about your sleep, activity, recovery, and stress. The Ring 4 might record more accurate or continuous data than the Ring 3, but only by a margin. If that doesn't matter to you, I'd buy the Ring 3 over the Ring 4.As someone who has tested both, I like that the Ring 4 has sensors that don't irritate my finger after prolonged wear, but I like the Ring 3's affordability.Also:I've tested dozens of smartwatches, but the Oura Ring 4 was first to show me I'm sickBoth the circular Horizon and flat-topped Heritage styles are on sale, but note some colorways may not be available in all sizes. This is one tech product that rarely goes on sale. Since the Ring Gen 3 is now an older model, it's a great time to swipe up savings on a solid wearable.I own the Horizon Oura Ring, and I can't recommend it enough for sleep, activity, and holistic wellness tracking. It offers around five days of battery life, is compatible with both iOS and Android devices (unlike the new Galaxy Ring), and is made with a titanium lightweight build. I can see my stress levels throughout the day, understand why my sleep was good or bad, and motivate myself to exercise thanks to the data the smart ring presents.Every morning I get a readiness score and a sleep score based on yesterday's sleep, stress, activity, and more. It monitors my heart rate, heart rate variability, blood oxygen, and body temperature -- and takes all that data to offer actionable insights into my daily health regimen, such as when to take breaks during the day, stretch my legs, or wind down at night.Also:I tested this new smart ring with no subscription, and it could replace my OuraThere are many competitive features included in the Oura Ring, such as how many apps you can sync Oura with, including Strava, Natural Cycles, and more. The company has also unveiled, within the past few months, several new features that give you more insights into your overall health. There's a new heart health feature where you can learn your cardiovascular age, a new feature for menstrual cycle and pregnancy insights, and a new AI health advisor feature, where you can get fitness and wellness advice from an AI coach.Also: The best smart rings of 2025: Expert tested and reviewedSome of my colleagues also love and use the Oura Ring. ZDNET's Allison Murray complimented Oura's customer service after her ring's battery kept faltering. Oura sent her a brand new smart ring, no questions asked.Oura is trying to clear out its Oura Ring 3 inventory, so this product won't be around forever -- and neither will its substantial discount.Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites withZDNET Recommends.How I rated this dealThe Oura Ring 3 deal is a deal I rated a 3/5 Editor's deal rating, since some finishes and sizes are discounted by up to 22%. Oura is a notable and reliable brand with a track record of delivering insightful health data to its users.Plus, the ring is up to $100 off on Amazon right now, ahead of Amazon's Big Spring Sale that takes place Tuesday, March 25 through Monday, March 31. Certain ring finishes and sizes will have greater discounts than others, but you can expect to get at least $50 and at most $100 off the third-generation smart ring, and we may even see larger discounts next week. When will this deal expire? While many sales events feature deals for a specific length of time, deals are on a limited-time basis, making them subject to expire anytime. ZDNET remains committed to finding, sharing, and updating the best offers to help you maximize your savings so you can feel as confident in your purchases as we feel in our recommendations. Our ZDNET team of experts constantly monitors the deals we feature to keep our stories up-to-date. If you missed out on this deal, don't worry -- we're always sourcing new savings opportunities atZDNET.com. Show more How do we rate deals at ZDNET? We aim to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter. ZDNET offers 33 years of experience, 30 hands-on product reviewers, and 10,000 square feet of lab space to ensure we bring you the best of tech.In 2025, we refined our approach to deals, developing a measurable system for sharing savings with readers like you. Our editor's deal rating badges are affixed to most of our deal content, making it easy to interpret our expertise to help you make the best purchase decision.At the core of this approach is a percentage-off-based system to classify savings offered on top-tech products, combined with a sliding-scale system based on our team members' expertise and several factors like frequency, brand or product recognition, and more. The result? Hand-crafted deals chosen specifically for ZDNET readers like you, fully backed by our experts.Here's some insight into how we rate deals.1-9% off: 1 / 5 Editor's deal rating10-19% off: 2 / 5 Editor's deal rating20-29% off: 3 / 5 Editor's deal rating30-39% off: 4 / 5 Editor's deal rating40-50% (or more) off: 5 / 5 Editor's deal ratingWe factor the numerical deal percentage with other important context, like the brand of the product. For rare brand deals, like a discount on a fan favorite Apple product, we might add a point on a 20% discount, taking the rating from a 3/5 to a 4/5 if it's a product that never goes on sale. Show more Amazon Spring Sale 2025

Does Entrepreneurial Education Need Improvement? gettyA recent article ranks "Entrepreneurship" among the 20 most useless college degrees (https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/careersandeducation/20-college-degrees-that-are-now-considered-a-waste-of-time/ss-AA1yAe2f).Is this true? Is entrepreneurial education a waste of time? Does entrepreneurship belong in business schools? Are business schools failing the very students they aim to help?Here are three ways business schools may be hurting aspiring entrepreneurs.#1. A 4-Year Degree isnt Necessary for Small Business.Many business school entrepreneurship programs focus on small business management, but do aspiring entrepreneurs really need a four-year degree to start or manage a business? Especially when most business schools emphasize corporate skills over the specific disciplines that drive startup success, such as:Venture finance securing funding without a track record or pedigree.Venture marketing attracting customers and scaling without significant capital.Venture operations achieving efficiency and profitability without major assets.The skills needed for small business management can often be learned faster and more affordably outside of a traditional four-year program. Practical alternatives, such as Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), offer real-world training at a fraction of the cost and time of a traditional degree. These programs allow entrepreneurs to learn while building their business without accumulating unnecessary student debt.#2. Business Schools Push a VC-Centric Approach that helps FewWhile some business schools teach bootstrapping, most focus on innovation theories, product-market fit, and venture capital. This approach, modeled after Silicon Valleys VC-focused incubators and startup ecosystem, promotes pitching and angel investors. While this may sound promising to many aspiring entrepreneurs, the reality is sobering:VCs fund only about 20 out of every 100,000 ventures (The Truth about VC at www.dileeprao.com). So pitches and angels rarely lead to VC. And VCs want evidence of potential Aha! Entrepreneurs need to get there with the right unicorn skills and strategies.The biggest beneficiaries of VC funding have mostly been graduates of, or dropouts from, elite institutions like Stanford and Harvard. (https://www.forbes.com/sites/dileeprao/2024/10/23/how-harvard--stanford-stifle-unicorn-growth-beyond-silicon-valley/).The VC strategy helps a tiny fraction of entrepreneurs, leaving about 99.995% behind (https://www.forbes.com/sites/dileeprao/2025/03/12/5-ways-vc-bloat-is-slowing-startup-capital-what-founders-can-do-now/).In contrast, billion-dollar entrepreneurs rarely start with, or use, VC funding. A study of 87 billion-dollar entrepreneurs found that only ~1% followed the traditional VC path from the outset (https://www.forbes.com/sites/dileeprao/2023/03/14/the-1-secret-of-billion-dollar-entrepreneurs-94-took-off-without-vc/). Instead, they built their companies using strategic business skills and finance-smart strategies. This category includes entrepreneurs such as Sam Walton, Michael Dell, Joe Martin, and Gaston Taratuta who never got VC funding. Despite these clear examples, business schools continue to prioritize a VC-driven playbook that serves only a select few leaving most aspiring entrepreneurs unprepared for real-world success.#3. Business Schools are Primarily Corporate Focused.Most business schools are designed for corporate-minded students, with the MBA serving as a finishing program for those pursuing executive roles. Entrepreneurship often feels like an afterthought or worse, a cynical tool to raise funding from successful alumni rather than a serious discipline. This corporate bias is reflected in the curriculum, which prioritizes a focus on managing existing businesses that have capital rather than the reality of how billion-dollar entrepreneurs started new unicorns. The high cost of an MBA, paired with the uncertain return on investment from launching a venture, further reinforces this corporate focus.To remain relevant in growth entrepreneurship, business schools must rethink their approach for aspiring unicorn-entrepreneurs placing the skills and strategies of unicorn-entrepreneurs at the core of their programs and equipping students with the skills to build growth-focused ventures without VC. After takeoff, entrepreneurs will not need to pitch VCs will come to the entrepreneurs as they did with Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jan Koum (https://www.forbes.com/sites/dileeprao/2022/02/28/4-ways-to-make-vcs-come-to-you/).What B-Schools should Focus on?If business schools want to justify their cost and value for entrepreneurs, they must shift focus. A staggering 94% of billion-dollar entrepreneurs launched without VC, and 76% avoided it altogether. By doing so, they kept control of their companies, and captured more of the wealth they created ((https://www.forbes.com/sites/dileeprao/2024/08/07/4-key-reasons-why-unicorn-entrepreneurs-favor-sales-over-marketing/)). Yet many business schools still emphasize pitch competitions, incubators, and VC attraction strategies an approach that benefits only a small fraction of startups and mainly in Silicon Valley. Their students can benefit more by learning the skills that actually help entrepreneurs build and scale giant companies.MY TAKE: No wonder entrepreneurship ranks among the 20 worst majors. Business schools are mimicking Harvard and Stanford, pushing a VC-centric curriculum instead of teaching unicorn-entrepreneurshipthe skills to build billion-dollar businesses without VC. Most students will never raise VC, succeed with VC, or profit from VC. Shouldn't we prepare them for reality?

In this weeks edition of The Prototype, we look at more expansive research cuts planned by the Trump Administration, advancements in the world of nuclear fusion, creating transparent wood and more. You can sign up to get The Prototype in your inbox here.Getty ImagesHealth and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy plans to drastically reduce the size of his department by 10,000 jobs beyond the 10,000 eliminated by voluntary layoffs. The sackings will hit major scientific areas such as the National Institutes of Health and the Center for Disease Control. HHS has also begun terminating research grants related to Covid-19. Meanwhile, an email reviewed by Forbes indicates that NIH is terminating some awards under its All of Us program, which aims to ensure that underrepresented populations are included in medical researchsomething Kennedy claimed was of importance to him during his confirmation hearings.These cuts to medical research come on the heels of reports earlier this month that the Environmental Protection Agency may be eliminating its entire scientific research office and laying off some 1,000 employees. This office is responsible for developing the scientific foundation for rules protecting the health of humans and the environment.Also potentially on the chopping block: the team at the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology responsible for ensuring that atomic measurement data is maintained. While that sounds obscure, the teams work is foundational for advanced technological research in areas like computer chip manufacturing and medical diagnostic devices.The United States science loss may be Europes gain. Universities in France and other nations on that continent are establishing programs to recruit American scientists, reports The New York Times. Several European countries are responding to this and are going to attract international scientific talent, said Dutch minister of education, culture and science Eppo Bruins.Stay tuned.Fusion Power Projects Move FowardCommonwealth Fusion SystemsCommonwealth Fusion Systems, which has raised nearly $2 billion from investors like Bill Gates and George Soros, announced this week that its begun assembling its pilot fusion reactor, SPARC. The company is building a tokamak style reactor, a donut shaped container for high-energy particles that uses electromagnets to generate the nuclear fusion reaction that will eventually produce electricity. Commonwealths goal for SPARC is to generate more power from the reaction than it takes to create it, which could put it on track to have a working fusion power plant by the mid-2030s.Meanwhile in Canada, fusion power company General Fusion succeeded in creating a high-energy form of matter called plasmaa key step in the development of its prototype reactor. General Fusion is attempting to make fusion power using a process called magnetized target fusion, which uses magnetic fields to compress plasma to generate the heat needed for fusion. The company published the results of its effort this week in the peer-reviewed journal Nuclear Fusion.The fusion news kept coming on Thursday, when Tennessee based Type One Energy published a series of peer-reviewed papers outlining the fundamental physics of its fusion power plant approach in the Journal of Plasma Physics. This companys design is based on a stellerator concept first developed in the 1950s, which uses helical magnetic fields to confine the plasma needed to generate fusion. Abandoned as a practical fusion concept in the late-1960s, it came back into fashion a few years ago thanks to advances in technology. The company is building its first reactor at the site of a decommissioned coal power plant owned by the Tennessee Valley Authority.DISCOVERY OF THE WEEK: TRANSPARENT WOODResearchers at Georgias Kennesaw State University have developed a remarkable new material: biodegradable, transparent wood. The process starts by treating a piece of balsa with bleach and other chemicals to remove portions of the wood and leaving behind porous cellulose. Inspired by ancient Indian methods of making cement, the scientists then refilled the pores with a mixture of egg whites, rice extract and a curing agent. The result is a flexible, durable material that might potentially one day replace plastics or glass for certain applications. And while the team wasnt the first to make transparent wood, past methods have involved the use of non-biodegradable epoxies, making this teams version more environmentally sustainable.FINAL FRONTIER: SHOOTING ROCKETS AT THE NORTHERN LIGHTSEarlier this week, NASA launched two sounding rockets to study an aurora that had suddenly appeared over the skies in Alaska. One rocket measured changes to air pressure and magnetic effects, while the other fired vapor traces through it. The goal of the experiments is to better understand how aurorae affect the upper parts of the atmosphere and to gather data geared toward better predicting space weather.WHAT ELSE I WROTE THIS WEEKI wrote about how attacks on mRNA vaccines by state and federal governments could potentially cost the U.S. the lead in developing vaccines and treatments for new diseases using this powerful technology.In my other newsletter, InnovationRx, my colleague Amy Feldman and I looked at how proposed Medicaid cuts could reverse the trend of fewer fatal drug overdoses, 23andMes bankruptcy, the new nominee to head the CDC and more.SCIENCE AND TECH TIDBITS Waymo will begin offering its self-driving vehicle service in Washington, D.C., next year as the leading U.S. robotaxi company pushes to grow its business.A lupus-related antibody appears to trigger the immune system into attacking aggressive tumors, which might prove to be a way to fight hard-to-treat cancers.A team of roboticists figured out a way to 3D-print robots that can walk without any electronic componentsthey just need a compressed gas cartridge.An AI-powered therapy chatbot improved mental health symptoms in patients enrolled in a randomized, controlled clinical trial of the software.Researchers developed a nuclear battery that could potentially power devices for decades. It uses carbon-14, which emits very low-levels of radiation thats easily shielded by aluminum.PRO SCIENCE TIP: GET A BETTER MIC FOR YOUR ZOOM CALLSVideo calls have become a fact of life in the modern-day office, and while most of us have gotten used to looking good for the camera (and picking the right virtual background so people dont see how messy our desks are), we may not be paying as much attention to how we sound. That could be a mistake, according to research published this week, which found that the tinny sound in a cheap microphone actually impacts peoples impressions of you, lowering listeners' judgements of your credibility and intelligence. So if youre doing a lot of video callsor have a remote job interview coming upit might be wise to invest in a better microphone.WHATS ENTERTAINING ME THIS WEEKIve been listening a lot lately to Almost Home, the new album from Ghost Hounds. Im a fan of their other albums but this one might be their best. Over the course of its tracks, the seven-piece band effortlessly travels across blues, rock and country. Lead singer Savnts voice has incredible range over the course of the album and pairs well with guest vocalists Lainey Wilson and Patty Griffin. My favorite song on the album is Broken Roses, which sounds like a long-lost Rolling Stones track. Its fantastic.MORE FROM FORBES

In a nutshell: President Donald Trump recently announced an additional 25 percent tariff on imported vehicles and parts, raising concerns about its potential impact on the US automotive sector. While supporters argue that the policy will spur growth, attract investment, and create jobs domestically, critics warn that it will lead to significantly higher prices for shoppers. The new tariff on imported cars will take effect on April 2, while the import duty on car parts will go into effect on May 3. The components subject to the new policy include engines and engine parts, transmissions and powertrain components, and electrical systems.The tariff will be applied under the USMCA trade agreement, which was ratified during the first Trump administration. Under the plan, imported vehicles will be taxed only on their non-US content. For example, a car with 20 percent US-made components under USMCA will face a 25 percent tariff on the remaining 80 percent of its price.According to Commerce Department data, Mexico is the largest automobile exporter to the US, followed by Japan, South Korea, Canada, and Germany. The biggest exporters of components include Mexico, China, Japan, and South Korea. Unsurprisingly, most foreign automakers and auto parts manufacturers have criticized the new tariffs, arguing that they will negatively impact both manufacturers and consumers.The United Auto Workers union, however, praised the proposed tariffs, claiming they could create more jobs in the US. In a statement, the organization described the move as a victory for auto workers and expressed hope that it would be part of a broader "Made in America renaissance." The union added that it believes the tariffs will encourage US automakers such as GM, Ford, and Stellantis to bring much of their production back to the U.S. after decades of offshoring.Not everyone is convinced, though. According to some industry analysts, the new tariffs could increase the price of an average new car or truck by at least $6,000, as nearly half of all vehicles sold in the US. are imported. They further argue that the policy is a blatant violation of the USMCA, the trade deal Trump himself signed during his first term. // Related Stories

In brief: Ubisoft has announced the formation of a new dedicated subsidiary that will take the reins of development on some of its most lucrative franchises. This separate entity will be focused solely on Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six. The goal is to transform these series into truly "evergreen, multi-platform" ecosystems built for the long haul. Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot framed it as a "foundational step" toward an "agile and ambitious" new operating model for the company's future.The deal, unveiled this week, includes a $1.25 billion investment from Tencent for a 25% minority stake in the new subsidiary. The subsidiary will also have its own board of directors and a "dedicated leadership team," though Ubisoft will maintain overall control.Guillemot stated that the deal will "crystallize the value" of Ubisoft's biggest assets and put them on solid footing for long-term growth. He added that the new structure will allow the company to make "swift, high-impact decisions" across development, marketing, and distribution.The subsidiary will absorb developers from Ubisoft studios in Montreal, Barcelona, Sofia, and other cities currently working on Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six titles. Exactly how many will transfer isn't yet clear, nor is the fate of those not making the cut.For Tencent, doubling down on major Ubisoft franchises represents a renewed vote of confidence after more than a decade as a partner. The company's president, Martin Lau, highlighted the "immense potential" to evolve these series into sustainable gaming platforms. // Related StoriesMeanwhile, Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Nathan Naidu believes that "Tencent's influence will be a positive one." This stems from their existing collaboration in mobile gaming dating back to 2018 when Tencent took a stake to fend off a Vivendi takeover attempt. However, the gaming industry's skyrocketing development costs, fickle consumers, and proliferation of platforms continue to pose a challenge.If the deal pays off, Tencent's injection of over a billion dollars provides Ubisoft with the runway to double down on its biggest hits. The transaction now awaits regulatory approval, which Ubisoft expects to attain by the year's end. More details are promised in the coming months.

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsHow to apply for a job in InzoiHow to go to workOne of the easiest ways to make money in Inzoi is to get a job. Although there are some side hustles like selling paintings you've made or resorting to crime that can earn you Meows, this life simulator's currency, starting a career is the preferred way.Recommended VideosDifficultyEasyDuration5 minutesIf you're planning for your Zois to raise a baby, buy a car, or eventually care for pets, you'll need enough money to do so. Inzoi has both jobs that you can leave your Zoi responsible for and jobs that you can help work at. There are also an array of unique career paths to go down, so here's how you can get a job and be successful with it.Applying for the job is the easy part, and it only takes a few clicks.Step 1: Go to your Zoi's Smartphone by clicking the phone button or pressing the P key on your keyboard. From there, You'll want to select the career app on the bottom row between School and Messages.Inzoi StudioStep 2: At the top, you can select between full-time and part-time jobs. Also, only a few of the options available will be interactable and not rabbit-holes, meaning you can actually go to the job with your Zoi and help them while they work.Inzoi StudioRelatedStep 3: The only way to tell that you're applying for a job you can follow your Zoi to is to select the job, the position, and then see if there's a location. If there's a location, you will have the option to follow your Zoi to work. If not, they will disappear and you'll just have to wait for them to come back home from work everyday.Inzoi StudioStep 4: Otherwise, once you've picked the job you'd like for your Zoi, click the Apply button. It should then give a pop-up asking if you'd like to apply to the job, and sometimes it'll let you know that there's an opening available. If there's not, it should give you the option of kicking another Zoi out from that job to take it for yourself. Select the Apply option again to take the job.Inzoi StudioNow that you have the job, it's important to know what to do when your shift comes up and your Zoi has to clock in.Step 1: To check when your Zoi's work schedule is, select the list icon when you're under the My Career option in the Career app. This will highlight which days of the week your Zoi will work, as well as which hours. Another way to check is by looking at your entire schedule, which is available through the map or by clicking the Schedule button to the bottom right of your Zoi's icon.Inzoi StudioStep 2: When it's time for work, no matter if it's an interactable job or not, the scheduled job will appear as a pop-up and your Zoi will automatically start heading to their job. If they don't seem to be making their way to work, just tell them to go to the scheduled event from the pop-up or from the Schedule menu.Inzoi StudioStep 3: If you can join your Zoi at their workplace, you'll notice a list of tasks appear in the top left-hand corner of your screen. These are tasks that your Zoi should perform while at work so they can keep their job and even get promoted. It'll tell you how much time is left to perform that task, as well as how long it'll take for them to do it.If you're confused as to where your Zoi is supposed to perform this task, in brackets the task will tell you the location. For example, my Zoi can do the "Handle Complaints" task at a computer. If you're working at the convenience store, you may have to interact with the shelves of items to organize them. If it's a full-time job, they will have both morning and afternoon tasks that are separated to give you a chance to breathe and let your Zoi take a break to handle their own needs.Inzoi StudioEditors Recommendations