As part of its master parks plan for The Village, Oklahomaa city of less than 10,000 peoplelandscape architecture firm LAUD Studio rehabilitated six residential parks. But demolishing a dilapidated apartment complex between the library and city hall created an opportunity to build a connector between them as well as a new plaza in collaboration with local design firm Common Works. Its called Village Park. The city just never had the classic town square, said LAUD Studio founder Brent Wall. The park is an attempt to create a hub in the heart of the city.Common Works Architects designed two rectangular cedar-clad, pale green pavilions around a concrete stage. (Leonid Furmansky)Common Works Architects designed two rectangular cedar-clad, pale green pavilions around a concrete stage for programming on the plaza. We wanted consistency along the whole park and to maintain that traditional park feel, designer Chandler Brown said. The choice of cedar versus concrete or steel and softer colors lends warmth and references a more traditional park setting that is also more approachable. A U-shaped pavilion envelopes an outdoor gym. (Leonid Furmansky)While only a few hundred feet apart, each pavilion is tailored to its specific location. One, at 60 feet long and 20 feet wide, is narrower and airier, with open seating under four shed-shaped structures with 14-foot roofs. The other pavilion measures 100 by 20 feet, offering more space for picnic tables and a public bathroom under pitched steel roofs complete with hanging lights and ceiling fans.There is ample space for play and family outdoor recreation. (Leonid Furmansky)The citys goal to promote physical and mental health also shaped the design for a final white pavilion. Set farther back from the main plaza, a U-shaped structure envelopes an outdoor gym and play area serving children, young adults, and family outdoor recreation. For Brown, a big concern was creating visual privacy during the day while still connecting to the landscape. As a solution, metal fins serve as a buffer between the visitor and the street, allowing kids to play and adults to exercise without prying eyes.James Russell is a freelance writer in Fort Worth, Texas, who writes about art, the built environment, and politics for multiple outlets, including Arts and Culture Texas, Texas Architect, and Landscape Architecture Magazine.Project SpecificationsDesign architect: Common Works ArchitectsArchitect of record: LAUD StudioLandscape architect: LAUD StudioStructural engineering: 360 EngineeringElectrical engineering: CECCivil engineering: Johnson & AssociatesLighting design: HessPlay equipment: Greenfields Outdoor Fitness, Lappset, PoligonWater fountains: Most Dependable Fountains, Delta FountainsOutdoor furniture: Fermob, Kim, 3Form, Forever Lawn, Landscape Forms, Santa & Cole, Belson Outdoors, Vestre, mmcit

A new bill that does away with broker fees for renters in New York passed today. The Fairness in Apartment Rentals (FARE) Act, shepherded by City Councillor Chi Oss of Brooklyn, was approved by the New York City Council this afternoon. It goes into effect in 180 days. New Yorkers regularly pay brokers on average 15 percent of the annual rent on an apartment for simply turning a key, detractors of the system often say. And when you add last months rent and a security deposit to the equation, a new flat might cost you upward of $10,000 before you can even set up your mattress frame.The FARE Act changes this. Now, property owners looking to rent out their units will have to shoulder the broker fees, not the tenants. (But tenants who hire brokers will still have to pay for those services.) Landlords will also be required to disclose all upfront fees to prospective tenants. The legislation had 32 sponsors from New York City Council, which has 51 seats. On November 13, FARE Act earned a veto-proof majority. It stands to free up thousands of dollars in cash for millions of renters.Mayor Eric Adams, who was once a real estate broker, didnt support the measure. Previously, Mayor Adams argued that the bill would drive up rents because, in his view, landlords will make their money back by charging more on every flat; a critique thats similar to what Elon Musk said about Kamala Harriss plan to build 3 million new homes. The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) also fought against the bill. In a statement issued before todays approval, REBNY said: Wednesdays vote is yet another instance of prioritizing ideology over economic and practical reality when it comes to the citys rental housing stock.The FARE Act will make it harder for tenants to find housing, raise rents, and make the hard work of real estate agents even more difficult, the Real Estate Board of New York continued. REBNY will continue to pursue all options to fight against this harmful legislation on behalf of our members and the renters they serve.The FARE Act was approved one day after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a challenge from the real estate lobbyto a rent stabilization law from 2019, marking another big win for the citys rentier class, which constitutes about 5.8 million people, or 69 percent of the populace.

The Poland Springs Bottling Plant and Spring House contribute to the rich history of what was once a major American spa resort. In as early as 1797, Jabez Ricker founded a hostelry at the springs on his property in Poland, Maine, and later claimed that drinking the water saved him from a serious illness, a claim that was expanded by other members of his family for generations. In 1876, Hiram Ricker, Jabezs grandson, opened the Poland Spring House, a watering place or spa, acclaimed for its health-giving environment. While the grand hotel burned in 1975, the bottling plant and spring house designed and built in 1907, still remains on the grounds. In 1903 Hiram Rickers son, Edward P. Ricker, wrote to architect Harry C. Wilkinson, a native of Poland, Maine, to solicit a design for his proposed bottling plant and Spring House to allow visitors to drink the natural spring water. His idea of bottling the spring waters for transport and sale, which would eventually be the main catalyst for Poland Spring water today! The extravagant Italian Renaissance Revival style buildings sit side-by-side and are of a high-style despite the relatively utilitarian purpose of the facility. Both structures are very well-preserved and are operated as museums, to learn more about the history of the spring water and resort here.

Curiosity Box. All images Laura Kramer, shared with permissionLaura Kramers Glass Sculptures Intersect Aesthetics and ArchaeologyNovember 13, 2024ArtNatureJackie AndresMaterial culture is an important aspect of understanding past and present histories. Used in anthropology and archaeology, the concept refers to the the cultural significance an object may hold. Whether it be tools, religious articles, clothing, or even art, physical items have always been a reflection of the societies that wield them. Glass artist Laura Kramer is driven by this phenomenon.Into her work, Kramer carries personal experiences from studying anthropology and archaeology and participating in excavationsor digs in St. Eustatius, an island in the Caribbean. I am interested in the connection of the imbued spirit within the object, she explains. My work is deeply influenced by the cabinet of curiositiesodd objects that may not be easily categorized.CinnabarFrom her studio in Rhode Island, Kramer sculpts organic forms encrusted in ornate textures that mimic the natural formation of crystals. Sometimes using found objects like wasp nests, the artist creates peculiar sculptures that defy generally accepted systems of classification. Challenging the typical boundary between the manmade and natural, her sculptures land in a liminal space when examined from an anthropological point of view.See more from Kramer on Instagram.MarieMemento MoriAzuriteMaryCrystal BowlNext article

Zhai-Liza (Angel). All images courtesy of Hans Op De Beeck and Templon, shared with permissionImagination and Introspection Suffuse Hans Op de Beecks Immersive Whispered TalesNovember 13, 2024ArtKate MothesIn his characteristically gray, monochrome palette, Hans Op de Beecks current solo exhibition Whispered Tales at Templon fashions enigmatic narratives from lifelike silhouettes. The immersive, sprawling presentation brings together a mix of new and previous work, inviting viewers into an atmospheric, introspective space.People and dioramas appear frozen in time in Op de Beecks sculptures, as if plucked from a memory or dream. Zhai-Lia (Angel), for example, portrays a young girl wearing fairy wings and a holding a wand, seated pensively in front of a swathe of bamboo. In Zhai-Lia (mothers shoes), she wears a tutu and oversized high heels.Installation view of Zhai-Lia (mothers shoes) in Whispered Tales at Templon, New YorkThe artist often depicts children who interact with the adult world yet remain innocent to concerns beyond their own, channeling the engrossing otherworldliness of youthful imagination and play. The invariable flatness of the gray palette makes the figures appear removed from reality, while lending a universal feel to their presence.Time also finds purchase in works like Danse Macabre, in which a miniature carousel is raised to eye level on a pole and a skeleton stands amid celestial objects in Victorian-era garments. Along with a sculpture titled Vanitas Table in which a classic still life setting features a human skull, Op de Beeck taps into the tradition of memento mori, the reminder that life inevitably ends.The way the artist plays with the perception of scale and atmosphere sparks a disconnect, a feeling of strangeness when confronted with scenes lifted out of the ordinary, says a gallery statement. Each work offers us the seed of yet another possible story [and] transforms the prosaic into an almost magical experience where simplicity gives birth to the unexpected.Whispered Tales continues through December 21 in New York. Find more on the artists website and Instagram.Danse MacabreDetail of Danse MacabreDetail of MauriceInstallation view of Whispered Tales at Templon, New YorkInstallation view of Whispered Tales at Templon, New YorkInstallation view of Zhai-Liza (Angel) in Whispered Tales at Templon, New YorkMy Uncles Country HouseInstallation view of Whispered Tales at Templon, New YorkPrevious articleNext article

Join Fox News for access to this content You have reached your maximum number of articles. Log in or create an account FREE of charge to continue reading. By entering your email and pushing continue, you are agreeing to Fox News' Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive. Please enter a valid email address. The FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) said that People's Republic of China (PRC) hackers breached commercial telecommunication service providers in the U.S.The breached entities have been warned, and the agencies are proactively alerting other potential targets of elevated cyber activity."The U.S. government's continued investigation into thePeople's Republic of China (PRC) targeting ofcommercial telecommunications infrastructure has revealed a broad and significant cyber espionage campaign," the agencies said Wednesday in a joint release.CHINESE HACKERS ATTEMPTED TO BREACH TRUMP AND HARRIS CAMPAIGNS' CELLPHONE DATA The FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) say Chinese hackers breached commercial telecommunication service providers in the U.S. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)The agencies said that PRC-affiliated actors have compromised networks at multiple telecommunications companies to enable the theft of customer call record data, as well as private communications of a "limited number of individuals who are primarily involved in government or political activity."The joint statement said that the PRC actors also copied "certain information that was subject to U.S. law enforcement requests pursuant to court orders.""We expect our understanding of these compromises to grow as the investigation continues," the agencies noted. The U.S. government is investigating China for targeting commercial telecommunications infrastructure in America. (CISA)The agencies said that they are working to "strengthen cyber defenses," and encouraged organizations that believe they were impacted to contact their local FBI field office or CISA."The FBI and the CISA continue to render technical assistance, rapidly share information to assist other potential victims, and work to strengthen cyber defenses across the commercial communications sector," the agencies said. "We encourage any organization that believes it might be a victim to engage its local FBI Field Office or CISA." The reports of continued Chinese interference in the U.S. come after hackers targeted the Trump and Harris presidential campaigns. (Paul Yeung/Bloomberg via Getty Images)The reports of continued Chinese interference in the U.S. come after hackers targeted President-elect Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris' campaigns during the thick of the race for the White House."After the FBI identified specific malicious activity targeting the sector, the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) immediately notified affected companies, rendered technical assistance, and rapidly shared information to assist other potential victims," the FBI and CISA previously told Fox News Digital in a joint statement.Fox News Digital has reached out to the FBI for comment.

Join Fox News for access to this content You have reached your maximum number of articles. Log in or create an account FREE of charge to continue reading. By entering your email and pushing continue, you are agreeing to Fox News' Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive. Please enter a valid email address. Welcome to Fox News Artificial Intelligence newsletter with the latest AI technology advancements.IN TODAYS NEWSLETTER:- AI developers discover 'Donald Trump neuron', expert says- Petition calls for Trump admin to appoint Musk as AI advisor- OpenAI touts AI infrastructure blueprint to outcompete China, bolster economy under incoming Trump admin. (Omar Marques/SOPA Images/LightRocket/CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP)'DONALD TRUMP NEURON': Artificial intelligence recognizes images and the name of President-elect Donald Trump so much that the phenomenon is referred to as a "Donald Trump neuron," expert Chris Olah says.MUSK PETITION: Anartificial intelligence (AI) advocacy group is urging President-elect Trump to make billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk a special adviser to the White House focused on AI. INDIA - 2024/05/17: In this photo illustration, the OpenAI logo is seen displayed on a mobile phone screen with ChatGPT logo in the background. (Photo Illustration by Idrees Abbas/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) (Idrees Abbas/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)HELP FROM SILICON VALLEY: OpenAI has assembled a "blueprint" for artificial intelligence infrastructure that the company hopes will be considered by the incoming Trump administration and Congress suggesting that the plan will help the United States maintain its lead in the field over competitors like China.WHOS RECORDING YOU: Remember when recording a phone call on your iPhone felt like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube blindfolded? Well, those days are officially over. With the release of iOS 18.1, Apple has introduced a native call recording feature as part of Apple Intelligence. Native call recording feature on iPhone (Apple)FOLLOW FOX NEWS ON SOCIAL MEDIASIGN UP FOR OUR OTHER NEWSLETTERSDOWNLOAD OUR APPSWATCH FOX NEWS ONLINEFox News GoSTREAM FOX NATIONFox NationStay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future with Fox Newshere.

As the UKs Online Safety Act (OSA) approaches its first birthday, parents and teachers insist more must be done to protect young people and children from the various risks they are facing online.In particular, they cite the need for tighter measures around smartphone and social media use in schools, which led two parents to create the Smartphone Free Childhood (SFC) group in February 2024.Since then, the group which characterises itself as a grassroots movement on a mission to challenge Big Techs colonisation of childhood has expanded massively, with 150,000 parent members across the UK at the time of publication.Their concerns cover a range of areas, including the increasing rates of depression, anxiety and suicide among children since smartphones were introduced, the pervasive effects of cyber bullying, the risk of children being exposed to harmful content via algorithms and messaging apps, and the intentionally addictive design choices of tech companies that are intended to harvest ever-increasing amounts of data for profit.While the UK is one of the first countries to attempt to regulate global social media platforms such as Meta, X, TikTok and YouTube which from the start of 2025 can be prosecuted by online harms regulator Ofcom for failing to address illegal content, which includes the possibility of million-pound fines and criminal sanctions against high-ranking social media platform employees parents and teachers say there is mounting evidence that, despite any good intentions, the online world continues to have a range of harmful effects on young people.An international study across 44 countries published last month, for example, revealed a growing rate of problematic internet use in children, revealing the dire need for safer platforms for young people. In the US, legal action against the biggest social media platforms is unfolding over their inaction on harmful content and failure to protect children. In 2023, 42 attorney generals sued Meta, alleging addictive features that target children. Although the Online Safety Act is an important first step, it will only partly address the harms currently being inflicted on children through smartphones and social media Clare Fernyhough, Smartphone Free ChildhoodAlthough the Online Safety Act is an important first step, it will only partly address the harms currently being inflicted on children through smartphones and social media, says Clare Fernyhough, co-founder of SFC. Its not clear the act will address the addictive by design nature of both smartphones and social media platforms, meaning tech companies will continue to make billions from keeping our children constantly online. With some children spending as much as nine hours a day on their phones, the opportunity cost these devices carry is enormous.Given the ongoing concerns over the spread of online harms, and the role of smartphones in particular, the inception of SFC has prompted many schools to attempt going smartphone-free.In May 2024, for example, 20 primary schools across St Albans announced plans to ditch smartphones, and in September, Ormiston academies announced the decision to go smartphone-free across its 44 state schools.We had a phone switched off and in your bag policy for years. It was completely ineffective, says Damien McBeath, head teacher at John Wallis Academy, which launched its own smartphone-free policy in January, shortly before the formation of SFC. Since Covid, we have seen a real decline in socially acceptable behaviour lots of TikTok trends, pupils bundling into toilet cubicles, incidents of online predators sapping pupils attention.In his 25 years as a head teacher, McBeath adds smartphones have been a tidal wave of issues and disruption.In October 2024, SFC also launched a formal Smartphone Free Schools campaign, which has already inspired a number of other schools to attempt the policy. SFC says the concerns McBeath has are echoed by other teachers, who have reached out to the group for guidance and support.We have been inundated with stories from teachers grappling with the effects of smartphones, from distraction in lessons to cyber bullying and sharing of inappropriate content. This is an urgent situation that needs immediate government support, says Fernyhough.Will Orr-Ewing, schools engagement lead for the Smartphone Free Schools campaign, adds: The average child gets hundreds of notifications on their phone throughout the school day a constant call on their attention, which leads them to check their phone whenever they are out of a teachers eyeline, especially in bathrooms and breaktimes. The average child gets hundreds of notifications on their phone throughout the school day a constant call on their attention Will Orr-Ewing, Smartphone Free Schools campaignThat is why we recommend that schools devise ways to take the phone off the childs person for the full seven hours of the school day either by use of pouches or lockers, or by prohibiting children from bringing in a smartphone at all, and recommending brick phones for travel instead.Since adopting the smartphone-free policy, John Wallis Academy claims it has seen immense benefits both for pupils and staff, including a 40% reduction in the number of detentions, an 80% reduction in the rate of in-school truancy, and a reduction in staff turnover from 30% to 17%.Campaigners and teachers believe broader support from the government could lead to nationwide change. Currently, just 11% of UK schools have effective smartphone restrictions in place. In an open letter to the Department for Education in October, head teachers, governing bodies and local councils urged the government to commit funding to support schools that aim to go smartphone-free.Aside from parents and teachers, the proposed implementation of the UKs Online Safety Act has also been met with discontent from civil society groups, which have argued during the acts ongoing consultation that there is a need for tougher laws around online safety.Digital safety charity 5Rights, for example, claims: Ofcoms proposals as currently drafted are light-touch and incomplete, and fail to meet the needs of children and the expectations of parliamentarians, civil society, parents and teachers.Digital secretary Peter Kyle similarly told the BBCs Laura Kuenssberg that he was going to close loopholes in the Conservative government-led Online Safety Act, adding that the tech sector is the only sector ... that can release products into society without proving theyre safe before release.Support for more stringent legislation is also echoed by the public. Recent polling from the Molly Rose Foundation, for example, revealed overwhelming public and parental support for a new Online Safety Act, with 84% of parents and 80% of adults backing a new act to strengthen online safety measures.Labour MP Josh MacAlister has also recently launched a Private Members Bill, which could potentially lead to providing statutory guidance on smartphone use in schools, and increasing the age of internet adulthood from 13 to 16. The MP and former teacher was vocal on the importance of this policy for disadvantaged children in particular.The bill also aims to strengthen regulator Ofcoms powers so that it can enforce a code of conduct to tackle the addictive-by-design nature of social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok.Concerns around addictive design models were echoed in a joint agreement on online safety from the UK and US governments, stating: Both countries acknowledge that risk-based and safety, privacy and inclusivity-by-design approaches throughout design, development and deployment are fundamental to childrens safety and well-being online, alongside increased transparency and accountability from online platforms.Read more about online harmsOfcom issues online safety warning to firms in wake of UK riots: Ofcom has issued a warning reminding social media firms of their upcoming online safety obligations, after misinformation about the Southport stabbings sparked racist riots throughout the UK.UK and US pledge closer working on childrens online safety: In their first agreement on the subject of childrens online safety, the UK and US governments have said they will create a new working group to boost cooperation.Misinformation runs deeper than social media: While social media may contribute to the increasing rapid spread and reach of misinformation, the root causes of the problem go much deeper than the role of a particular company or way of using technology to communicate.

beebright - stock.adobe.comNewsChinas Volt Typhoon rebuilds botnet in wake of takedownNine months after its malicious botnet comprising legacy routers was disrupted by the Americans, Chinese APT Volt Typhoon is rebuilding and presents as persistent a threat as everByAlex Scroxton,Security EditorPublished: 13 Nov 2024 16:06 The Chinese state threat actor most famously known as Volt Typhoon is staging a significant comeback after its botnet infrastructure was disrupted in a US-led takedown at the beginning of February 2024.Volt Typhoons malicious botnet comprised hundreds of Cisco and Netgear small and home office (SOHO) routers that had reached end-of-life (EOL) status and thus were no longer receiving security updates.The threat actor infected these devices with KV Botnet malware and used them to obfuscate the origins of follow-on hacks targeting critical national infrastructure (CNI) operations in the US and elsewhere.Now, nine months on, threat analysts from SecurityScorecard say that they have observed signs that Volt Typhoon is not only back in business, but is more sophisticated and determined than ever.SecurityScorecards Strike team has been poring over millions of data points collected from the organisations wider risk management infrastructure, and has determined that it is now adapting and digging in after licking its wounds in the wake of the takedown.The Strike Teams discoveries highlight the expanding threat posed by Volt Typhoon. As the botnet spreads and its tactics deepen, governments and corporations must urgently address weaknesses in legacy systems, public cloud infrastructures, and third-party networks, said SecurityScorecard senior vice-president of threat research and intelligence, Ryan Sherstobitoff.Volt Typhoon is both a resilient botnet and a warning. Without decisive action, this silent threat could trigger a critical infrastructure crisis driven by vulnerabilities left unresolved.In recent months Volt Typhoon has stood up new command servers using hosting services such as Digital Ocean, Quadranet and Vultr, and registered fresh SSL certificates to evade the authorities.The group has continued to exploit legacy vulnerabilities in Cisco RV320/325 and Netgear ProSafe routers. Sherstobitoff revealed that the operation was able to compromise 30% of the worlds visible Cisco RV320/325s in the space of just one month.The Strike Teams deep investigation has exposed Volt Typhoons complex network built on compromised SOHO and EOL devices. This group has weaponised outdated routers on a global scale, weaving layers of obfuscation that mask their presence and make detection exceptionally difficult, said Sherstobitoff.These compromised routers act as digital chameleons, facilitating the covert movement of data while mimicking normal network traffic. Analysts have identified MIPS-based malware on these devices, similar to Mirai, engineered to establish covert connections and communicate via port forwarding over 8443. This method keeps Volt Typhoons command operations off the radar, even for seasoned cyber security teams.Webshells, such as fy.sh, are strategically implanted in routers, allowing Volt Typhoon to maintain persistent access and secure remote control. The attack doesnt just hide it integrates seamlessly into routine network operations. The result? A resilient foothold, particularly within governmental and critical infrastructure sectors, that camouflages malicious activities and complicates any clean-up efforts, he said.As of September 2024, its new botnet cluster was observed routing traffic worldwide, much of it transiting through a compromised virtual private network (VPN) device which is acting as a silent bridge between Asia-Pacific and the US.This device is determined to be located somewhere in New Caledonia, a French island in the South Pacific Ocean, about 750 miles northwest of Queensland, Australia. By placing its hub in a location considered to be part of France though New Caledonias legal status as a sui generis overseas territory is both complex and controversial Volt Typhoon may be able to avoid additional scrutiny and extend the reach of its botnet even further.Sherstobitoff warned that CNI operators still presented an attractive target for Chinese state-sponsored attackers thanks to their essential role in economic stability, while the sectors lingering dependence on legacy technology is creating a perfect storm for disruption.He added that many third-party tech suppliers themselves lack robust defences, offering advanced persistent threat (APT) actors such as Volt Typhoon easy entry points.Read more about Volt TyphoonLumen Technologies researchers have observed Volt Typhoon exploitation of CVE-2024-39717 against four US organisations in the ISP, MSP and IT sectors.A panel of experts at RSA Conference 2024 discussed Volt Typhoon and warned the Chinese nation-state threat group is still targeting and compromising organisations.GCHQ director Anne Keast-Butler uses her first major public speech to warn that China poses a significant cyber security threat to the UK.In The Current Issue:Interview: Niall Robinson, head of product innovation, Met OfficeIAM: Enterprises face a long, hard road to improveDownload Current IssueHow enterprises can improve ROI on AI investments Data MattersHow To "Vawlt" Superclouds Networks GenerationView All Blogs

The highly-anticipated refresh to Apple's popular video-editing software is finally here. These are the biggest updates that you should start familiarizing yourself with.