Apple will be the largest customer at TSMC's new Arizona chip fab, which the Taiwanese company says is 'dang near back' on schedule. Here's an inside look.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has issued a "settlement demand" to Elon Musk, the tech billionaire revealed in a social media post on Thursday.

Life is full of beginnings and endings.As we wind down 2024, the end of the year still has some special moments in store for us. Be sure to look up at the night sky this weekend to catch the final full moon of the year, which is also dubbed the cold moon by the Old Farmers Almanac. This majestic celestial display is 18.6 years in the making as the moon is at its extreme points in orbit. Lets break it all down and look at the peak viewing time:Why is the December full moon cold?Historically, the phases of the moon were used to track the seasons. The names of the full moons were first recorded in the Maine Farmers Almanac in the 1930s. The monikers were partly inspired by the Native American and colonial-American cultures.Each moon has multiple names. Decembers full moon is best known as the cold moon. As NASA points out, this Mohawk name helps describe the chilly temperature of winter. It also goes by frost moon or the winter moon. Old European names include the Moon before Yule and the oak moon.What makes this full moon so special?The cold moon coincides with a major lunar standstill. This means that when the satellite rises in the east and sets in the west, it will be at its most northerly or southerly positions. Both the moons orbit and the Earths axis of rotation are titled, making this possible.Over an 18.6-year cycle, the moons orbit wobbles, which shifts the rise and setting points across the horizon. During the last three years of this movement, the moon appears to pause, creating the standstill.What is the best way to see the December cold moon?According to the Old Farmers Almanac, the cold moon will shine brightest on Sunday, December 15, at 4:02 a.m. ET. That doesnt mean you have to get out of bed in the wee hours of the morning: To the naked eye, the moon will appear full from Saturday, December 14, through Monday, December 16.If youd like to witness the major lunar standstill, this handy tool from Time and Date can help you find the exact moonrise and moonset times for your location.This full moon presents an exciting opportunity for archaeologists who are hoping to use the natural phenomenon to better understand prehistoric monuments. English Heritage, the organization that manages Stonehenge, has been researching the lunar standstill, for example. You can also watch a previous standstill at Calanais, another standing-stone monument in Scotland, and live out your Outlander dreams.

Kaja Veilleux has been hunting New England attic treasures for more than 50 years. He once found a copy of the Declaration of Independence sitting on a pile of trash, and he made headlines this year when he stumbled upon a million-dollar portrait gathering dust in an old farmhouse in Maine that may have been painted by the Dutch master Rembrandt.Then there was the time, Veilleux said, he was shown a $50,000 gold coin kicking around in a tool draweronly to have the well-meaning owner destroy much of its value before he could auction it by using a scouring pad to clean itand scratch it.Its like a treasure hunt every day, Veilleux said with a chuckle.Many people dream of cashing in on some dusty, old heirloom. In October, three sisters from Ohiosold a rare dimefor more than half a million dollars. Two years ago, a case ofold hockey cardsfound in a Canadian home sold for more than $3.7 million.Veilleux, 73, helps people sort gems from junk when he appraises furniture, antiques and art by using his knowledge of what similar items have sold for in the past. But art auctions can be fickle. Who could have guessed abanana duct-taped to a wallcould sell for more than $6 million?A fake provided an early lessonVeilleux started collecting coins at age 8 and soon found he had a good memory for visual objects. His training for a career in antique dealing has all been on the job, he said, including a lesson he learned early when he spent most of the money he had at the time on bidding for a beautiful miniature painting.When he got home from the auction and looked at the artwork under a magnifying glass, he realized it was a print, with dabs of paint added to make it look genuine.I paid $350 for a $35 object, which always taught me to look at things very carefully, Veilleux said.In the late 1990s, he was at a house call in South Freeport, Maine. It was a hoarders house, he said, where piles of trash were awaiting their trip to an already-full dumpster. Atop one pile, Veilleux spotted what was later confirmed to be a 1776 copy of the Declaration of Independence.He auctioned it for $99,000 but the state of Maine sued to take possession of the document, and won. That meant both the buyer and seller ended up missing out.A possible Rembrandt is found in MaineThis years artwork find was his most valuable yet. Veilleux said he and an assistant were on a house call in Camden, Maine.We start going through the house and there were rare little things and big things everywhere, Veilleux said. Finally, we are on the third floor near the attic, and we find a stack of paintings, and in it is this beautiful portrait of a young woman by Rembrandt.The painting of a teenage girl in a black dress with a white ruffled collar was sold as after Rembrandt, meaning it was in the style of the 17th-century master but wasnt proven to be by him. The artwork sold for $1.4 million, including auction fees, indicating the buyer was willing to take a significant gamble the painting was a Rembrandtalthough it would have likely sold for many times that price with a proven provenance.People seek to value their heirloomsEach Tuesday, people bring in their heirlooms and collectors items to Veilleuxs office in Thomaston, Maine, to see what they might fetch at auction. The appraisal is free but Veilleux gets a commission if they end up selling the pieces at his Thomaston Place Auction Galleries.Erika Taylor stopped by on a recent Tuesday with two artworks her father had collected in China in the 1940s, when he was living there after escaping from Nazi Germany. One depicted a blooming peony and the other a grasshopper.She said Veilleux had given her an initial estimate of up to $30,000 for each of the artworks, based on the photographs shed shown him. But she was in for bad news.When Veilleux inspected the artworks closely, he declared they were prints, because paint would have permeated the paper.Its disappointing, Taylor said. But he has a lot of experience.Still, Taylor wasnt totally convinced and said she might seek a second opinion.Another seller, Jean Koenig, got better news. She brought in a large aquamarine ring. She said her father found the gem in a Brazilian mine and her grandmother had fashioned it into a ring, adding rubies and diamonds.Koenig ended up agreeing to auction the ring, with an estimated sales price of between $10,000 and $15,000. She plans to split the proceeds with her seven siblings.Its just been sitting in a box for years, she said. We decided it was time.By Nick Perry, Associated Press

This week on Dezeen, we looked back at the highlights of 2024 as the year comes to an end, including the top 10 gadgets of the year.Among the projects featured in the gadget highlights were a pair ofhiking trousers that give the wearer a boost as they walk and a stretchable digital screen that can expand up to 50 per cent.We also unveiled our picks for the top 10 UK architecture projects of the year, the top 10 home interiors of the year and the top 10 cabins of the year.The proposed Legends Tower would be the tallest skyscraper in the USThe proposed tallest skyscraper in the US, Legends Tower, was back in the news this week after local airport director Jeff Mulder expressed concern about its height and safety.In a complaint to the Federal Aircraft Administration (FAA), he claimed Legends Tower's 581-metre (1,907 feet) height would create safety issues and delays for air travel.However, the tower's architect California-based studio AO has since stated it is "collaborating" with the FAA to resolve the issue.Herzog & de Meuron's design for Vancouver Art Gallery will no longer go aheadIn other North American news, Vancouver Art Gallery has abandoned its plans for a new building by Swiss architecture studioHerzog & de Meuron after almost a decade.The institution cited financial concerns as the reason for the decision. Herzog & de Meuron's renders of the project showed copper-clad stacked volumes protruding from a mass-timber structure.A new luxury hotel is set to be erected on the site of the Nakagin Capsule Tower, picturedIn Japan, renders were released of the luxury Pullman Tokyo Ginza hotel, which is set to be built on the site of the Nakagin Capsule Tower an iconic example of the metabolism architecture style.Readers' opinions were divided on the decision to erect what some called an "uninspired and generic" hotel on the site of the building, which was demolished in 2022.Pantone's colour of the year was discussed in an opinion piece this weekIn an opinion piece this week, Michelle Ogundehin discussed the Pantone colour of the year for 2025, an "unremarkable mid-brown called Mocha Mousse."The colour, which was unveiled last week, "reflects the triumph of manipulative marketing for greed over need," she said. "I believe this may be a classic exemplar of enshittification, in both story and hue."Healthcare facilities will be placed under a canopy at Jawaher Boston Medical DistrictDesigns for the Jawaher Boston Medical District in Sharjah, UAE, by Renzo Piano Building Workshop were also unveiled this week.The renders show healthcare facilities located inside a large tree-filled park, which will measure 1,000 metres by 500 metres and have a canopy at its centre.White Arkitekter has completed a sculptural water tower in SwedenPopular projects featured on Dezeen this week included a sculptural water tower in Sweden by White Arkitekter, an "architecturally unique" London home and a So Paulo penthouse designed by Philippe Starck.This week's lookbook featured interiors with gold and silver accents to ring in the festive season.This week on DezeenThis week on Dezeenis our regular roundup of the week's top news stories.Subscribe to our newslettersto be sure you don't miss anything.The post This week we picked the architecture and design highlights of 2024 appeared first on Dezeen.

Dezeen School Shows: an AI-powered companion gadget for people with dementia is included in Dezeen's latest school show by students at University of New South Wales Sydney.Also included is a project exploring possibilities of 3D printing and another aiming to increase the ecological health of a river.University of New South Wales SydneyInstitution: UNSW SydneySchool: School of the Built EnvironmentCourses: Master Landscape Architecture, Bachelor Landscape Architecture (Honours), Bachelor of Design (Computational Design) and Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours)Tutors: Dr Sara Padgett Kjaersgaard, Dr Nicole Gardner, Associate Professor Mariano Ramirez, Associate Professor Bernadette Hardy, Linden Crane, Dr Andrew Mackenzie, Simon Lloyd, Dr Melissa Cate Christ, Dr Mike Harris, Patrick Franklyn, Professor M Hank Haeusler, Charlotte Firth, Hareem Nadeem, Stephen Goddard, Dr Cristina Ramos Jaime, Professor Oya Demirbilek, Danielah Martinez, Dr Christian Tietz and Gonzalo PortasSchool statement:"At UNSW Built Environment we focus on architecture and design at every scale, from industrial-designed products to the architectural design of buildings and landscapes, up to urban and regional planning and policy."We place emphasis on sustainable design approaches that embrace circular thinking and adaptive reuse to achieve resilient and low carbon outcomes. Our social-impact design ethos seeks to meet the diverse needs of different groups, creating landscapes, buildings and products that are healthy and inclusive. We also equip students to use advanced digital tools and data, allowing them to make evidence-based decisions and develop smart ways of analysing and designing our world."Many of our student projects engage with 'Country', which Associate Professor Bernadette (B) Hardy, a traditional owner of Dharug and Gamilaraay descent, redefines for First Nations people as a profound union of the physical and spiritual, deeply connected to the world's oldest living culture."Studio design in the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture shown below is co-led by Associate Professor Hardy and Country as teacher (Dharug, Bidgigal, Gadigal, Wangal). Students and staff have been entrusted with Aboriginal knowledge and culture (referred to as Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property and Cultural Law/Lore) and permission is required for its reproduction."Overall, at UNSW Built Environment we aim to develop skilled and enquiring graduates who can positively engage, adapt and shape our cities for the benefit of all people and life on earth."AMIKO: A caring companion for dementia byZihan Eleanor Tang"AMIKO is an AI-powered companion designed to support older adults with dementia, offering emotional recognition, safety monitoring and seamless connectivity."By detecting emotions and delivering empathetic feedback, AMIKO fosters meaningful connections through warm interactions and lighting cues."This conceptual ecosystem includes AMIKI satellite units for safety reminders and the AMIKON app, enabling caregivers to receive real-time updates and stay connected."Built with durability and medical compliance in mind, AMIKO redefines dementia care by transforming daily routines into moments of comfort and connection."Student: Zihan Eleanor TangCourse: Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours)Email: zihantang.29[at]gmail.comTutors: Oya Demirbilek and Christian TietzNeuroEase: Non-invasive migraine relief byNitish Ramesh"NeuroEase offers a non-medicinal, non-invasive solution for managing migraines using advanced Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) technology."This wearable concept provides fast, effective relief, empowering users to treat migraines anytime, anywhere without relying on pharmaceuticals."Designed as a complete treatment package, NeuroEase includes a charging dock, electrode gel and tissues for cleaning, making it a portable and user-friendly system."Its sleek, empathetic design combines comfort, functionality and adjustable settings to ensure a tailored experience."Student: Nitish RameshCourse: Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours)Email: nitish.ramesh2003[at]gmail.comTutors: Gonzalo Portas, Danielah Martinez and Christian TietzRipple Rails byOlivia Xiao"Ripple Rails is an urban technology design project that explores creative uses for smart technologies by leveraging the affordances of physical computing and engaging with principles of interaction design to create safer commuting conditions for school age pedestrians and cyclists."The site-specific design uses sensors to collect data about commuting behaviour and to drive real-time responsive actuation including movement and LED lighting to help manage the safe flow of commuters through a spatially constrained site."Student: Olivia XiaoCourse: Bachelor of Design (Computational Design)Email: o.xiao[at]student.unsw.edu.auTutors: M Hank Haeusler and Hareem NadeemThe Need for Speed byLouis Lamont"The Need for Speed: An investigation into parametric velocity control to enable variable extrusion rate on large-scale pellet-based robotic printing is a computational design research project that investigates workflows to enhance accuracy and achieve uniform layer thicker for multi-planar robotic printing."Student: Louis LamontCourse: Bachelor of Design (Computational Design)Email: louis.lamont[at]student.unsw.edu.auTutors: Nicole Gardner, Stephen Goddard and Cristina Ramos JaimeTimeless: How can we weave stories of Moore Park that connect diverse users to the landscape? byHamnah Maqsood"A deeper understanding of indigenous knowledge systems and their profound connection with country is essential in fostering place-based relationships with landscapes."The research proposal explores the ongoing storied process of indigenous origins, Moore Park's history and future users, with the aim of being woven into the green fabric, to address issues of biodiversity loss for migratory bird habitats and the absence of place-based connections."The design of organic structures and pathways engage students, locals and indigenous people in programmes that elevate sensory connections and celebrate indigenous practices of weaving."Student: Hamnah MaqsoodCourse: Master Landscape ArchitectureEmail: hamnah2001[at]hotmail.comTutors: Linden Crane, Andrew Mackenzie, Simon Lloyd and Melissa Cate ChristSymbiosis and Co-living byShuwen Li"The Goolay'yari (Cooks) River, has a rich, continuing history with the Dharug People of the Sydney area."Once populated with an expansive array of more-than-human-kin, such as the Wurridjal (mullet), the river has been facing challenges since the middle of the 20th century."Conflicts between engineered concrete embankments for flood mitigation and its natural swampy, mangrove rich edges, alongside significant industrial pollution and runoff, have drastically reduced the amount of habitat that sustains aquatic life."The project seeks to establish a series of adaptive nature-based solutions to return the keystone fish habitat of the mullet to its original state and subsequently enhance the rivers resilience to future seasonal flooding events under projected sea-level rises."Reuse of the existing concrete block river edge also ensues a net positive climate outcome."Student: Shuwen LiCourse: Bachelor Landscape Architecture (Honours)Email: catherinerrr520[at]gmail.comTutors: Mike Harris, Linden Crane and Patrick FranklynWhispers of the River byKang Zheng"The Cooks River, known as Goolay'yari by the Traditional Custodians of the land, winds its way through the heart of Canterbury, carrying with it a rich tapestry of history, culture and ecological significance."Once a thriving tidal waterway teeming with biodiversity, the river has been shaped by urbanisation, resulting in degraded habitats, water pollution and diminished community connection."This project centres on the riverfront spaces of the Cooks River, envisioning them as catalysts for reimagining the river's identity as both a natural system and a communal landscape."Rooted in a layered history of reclamation, urbanisation and ongoing restoration, the river's complexity demands innovative, climate-conscious design strategies."By harmonising human activity with the river's natural processes, this project aims to restore its ecological health, enhance its cultural significance and ensure its accessibility and vitality for future generations."Student: Kang ZhengCourse: Bachelor Landscape Architecture (Honours)Email: zhengkang.au[at]gmail.comTutors: Mike Harris, Linden Crane and Patrick FranklynSign of the Tides byElla Short"On matriarchal Dharug land, the Goolay'yari (Cooks River) is the most polluted urban river in Australia."With the heavy urbanisation of the river, its natural ecosystem services are almost lost, but there are signs of the river fighting back."This project will give the land back to the river with deep consideration of what was and what will become."Tides are a contingent, abiding event pushed and pulled by the moon (yanada in Dharug). These ebb and flow cycles of science, spirituality and celebration have been deeply considered."Sign of the Tides has created spaces that encourage the ecological and social fluctuations that occur with water and lunar cycles."Student: Ella ShortCourse: Bachelor Landscape Architecture (Honours)Email: ellanshort[at]gmail.comTutors: Mike Harris, Linden Crane and Patrick FranklynOasis: Transforming sleep with light and sound by Yingqi Amy Feng"Oasis is a bedside sleep therapy system that reimagines the moment of switching off, transitioning seamlessly between ambient light and sound therapy."Inspired by the ritual of turning off the lights, its tactile pivot mechanism dims a warm 2500K light while activating customisable soundscapes grounded in cognitive behavioural therapy."Rhythmic breathing guides, white noise, and adaptive soundscapes relax the mind and promote deep sleep."Oasis is designed for longevity and has a replaceable magnetic front cover and a durable aluminium structure."Student: Yingqi Amy FengCourse: Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours)Email: amyfengdesign[at]gmail.comTutors: Danielah Martinez and Christian TietzRobotic Computing byRachel Deeb"This project adopts an iterative design approach to optimise design and fabrication processes using Python scripting in Grasshopper for Rhinoceros."A series of physical prototypes were fabricated using a 3-axis 3D printer to test tool path techniques, including changes to feed and extrusion rates and to create diverse surface patterns and woven textures."Student: Rachel DeebCourse: Bachelor of Design (Computational Design)Email: r.deeb[at]student.unsw.edu.auTutor: Charlotte FirthPartnership contentThis school show is a partnership between Dezeen and the University of New South Wales Sydney. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.The post University of New South Wales Sydney presents ten architecture and design projects appeared first on Dezeen.

Mercedes-Benz typically makes fast, powerful cars. However, they've just unveiled this one-off EV designed "for the special purpose of slow journeys at public appearances." Introducing the all-new Popemobile, a zero-emissions vehicle based on the G580.The vehicle took about a year to produce, due to the extensive modifications:"In the rear, the bench seat was replaced by a centrally positioned and height-adjustable single seat. This swivelling main seat makes it possible to move around flexibly and address an audience from different angles. Behind the single seat, two single seats have been integrated on the left and right for additional passengers." "The roof was removed at the B-pillar, and the B-pillar itself was harmoniously transitioned into the side wall to create an unmistakable side profile. In case of rain or bad weather conditions, a separate hardtop offers protection for the occupants. The left rear door was removed and rebuilt by the specialists in traditional coachbuilding style from a single piece and seamlessly welded into the bodyshell. On the right-hand side, the hinges of the rear door were relocated to the opposite side." "Like the previous Popemobiles, the vehicle is painted in classic pearl white on the outside."Mercedes has been in the Popemobile business for nearly a century. Notably, the switch to electric was reportedly requested by the key passenger himself: "We are overjoyed to be able to fulfil. the Holy Father's wish for an electric Popemobile," says Mercedes board member Britta Seger, "and are particularly proud to be able to build the vehicle according to his requirements. This cooperation at eye level honours us deeply and is a valuable symbol of sustainable change together."The vehicle will make its debut at the 2025 Jubilee in Rome.

When Apples M4 Mac Mini made its debut, it was like watching a masterclass in minimalism meet maximum performance. But for all its streamlined brilliance, the base models 256 GB SSD feels a bit like a tiny closet in a stylish apartmentits there, it works, but youll outgrow it before you know it. And if youve peeked at Apples upgrade pricing, you know adding more space feels like almost buying an entire new device rather than paying for an upgrade.Enter the ORICO MiniMate, a nifty external SSD that doesnt just sit alongside your Mac Miniit practically becomes part of it. However, rather than merely being an enclosure you hide behind your monitor or CPU, the MiniMate sits on your M4 Mac Mini like a crown jewel. The MiniMate is a perfect 127 x 127 mm square, with a svelte 25 mm thickness, so it stacks absolutely perfectly on the Mac Mini. That brushed aluminum finish in matching silver? It almost looks like Apple designed it.Designer: ORICOBeyond aesthetics, the MiniMate caters to those with serious storage appetites. Whether youre a creative professional juggling terabytes of video files or someone who just cant part with your decades-old MP3 collection, the MiniMate covers all bases. With options starting at 512 GB and going all the way up to a whopping 8 TB, its like opening the floodgates to storage heaven. And for those whove ever scrambled to free up space mid-project, having that extra headroom feels less like a luxury and more like a necessity.To match the Mac Minis M4 performance, the MiniMate boasts pretty top-notch performance. The USB-C interface supports blistering 40 Gbps transfer speeds. Translation? If youre a video editor moving massive 4K files or a gamer itching to load textures at warp speed, this drive will keep up with your pace. Even mundane tasks like backups or transferring family vacation photos become a blink-and-youll-miss-it operation. Its hard to go back to sluggish transfer rates once youve tasted speed like this. Performance like that tends to crank up the temperature, but the MiniMates aluminum body doubles as a heatsink, while a 5-layer cooling structure with multiple air ducts keeps your SSD breezy.But heres where the MiniMate shines beyond just technical specs: its seamless user experience. Installation is delightfully straightforwardno complex setup processes or additional software to fiddle with. You stack it, plug it in, and youre good to go. Its almost as if Apple themselves had designed it, which makes sense given how neatly it integrates with the Mac Minis form and function. And for those of us who value tidy workspaces, that single-stack design eliminates the usual cable clutter dance.While the ORICO MiniMate is tailored with the Mac Mini in mind, its not exclusive. Itll happily work with other devices too, making it a versatile addition to any tech setup. But lets be real: if youve got a Mac Mini, this pairing feels like peanut butter meeting jellyit just makes sense.Whats the catch, you ask? Well, ORICO has priced the MiniMate competitively, offering a premium product without Apples premium markup. Depending on the capacity you choose, prices vary, ranging from $139.99 for the 512GB variant going up all the way to a mind-bending 8TB for $999. You can also expand the internal storage as needed, rather than being locked into a one-time decision at purchase.For Mac Mini users craving more space without sacrificing style, the ORICO MiniMate isnt just an accessory; its a game-changer. Whether youre editing a short film, booting up your favorite games, or just need room for every photo youve ever taken, this drive delivers both performance and polish. And honestly, isnt it nice to have a tech upgrade thats practical, beautiful, and doesnt require an Apple Store appointment?The post The MiniMate SSD fits perfectly on your M4 Mac Mini, giving you High Speed Storage on a Budget first appeared on Yanko Design.

Lou Tiny House makes custom homes, and they are one of the few companies to do so. Each home is unique and is a direct representation of its owners and their personal style and taste. The homes do share compact sizes and showcase artisanal woodwork made using local resources. However, each home is unlike the other, demonstrating a unique theme that perfectly echos the residents and their lifestyles. They created a tiny home for Axel, and it features an unusual exterior marked by a recessed roof with single and double slopes.Designer: Lou Tiny HouseThe home features a unique gable that functions as the focal point of the house. It is made from glass, and framed by the side walls and the roof, resembling a private little terrace. The section behind the gables functions as an indoor/outdoor lounge, allowing residents to embrace the outdoors. The tiny house perfectly blends rustic components with modern design elements, creating a living space that perfectly embodies both.The home occupies 140 square feet, and it is amped with custom modular furniture and strategic storage solutions. It includes a spacious living room with a glazed gable, that transitions into the kitchen/dining area. This space contains a furniture design that serves as a versatile snack bar, storage cabinet, and office. This includes two separate folding tables, which can be used together or separately. A custom staircase also occupies most of the space it connects the main floor to the loft bedroom.The staircase is pretty space-efficient, equipped with ample storage in its built-in open cubbies. There is some additional storage in the second tread as well. The kitchen is simple and basic, hosting a two-burner stove, a range hood, and a mini fridge under the countertop. The bathroom is also quite simple, equipped with the essential amenities. It contains a comfortable shower cabin, custom-made shelves, and a window for ventilation.The tiny home features a loft floor with a hammock section that extends the floor. This hammock space can be used to relax and unwind, or for storage purposes if needed. Axels House on Wheels is a cozy and airy living space that feels warm and inviting. It perfectly balances a modern aesthetic with the feel of an adorable French cottage.The post Cozy Custom-Built Tiny Home Incorporates A Fully-Glazed Gable For A Luxurious Upgrade first appeared on Yanko Design.

These are mesmerising but also a bit disturbing.