This is today's edition ofThe Download,our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what's going on in the world of technology. Will we ever trust robots? The world might seem to be on the brink of a humanoid-robot heyday. New breakthroughs in artificial intelligence promise the type of capable, general-purpose robots previously seen only in science fictionrobots that can do things like assemble cars, care for patients, or tidy our homes, all without being given specialized instructions. Its an idea that has attracted an enormous amount of attention, capital, and optimism. Yet recent progress has arguably been more about style than substance. Advancements in AI have undoubtedly made robots easier to train, but they have yet to enable them to truly sense their surroundings, think of what to do next, and carry out those decisions in the way some viral videos might imply.But on the road to helping humanoid robots win our trust, one question looms larger than any other: How much will they be able to do on his own? And how much will they still rely on humans? Read the full story.James ODonnell This story is from the forthcoming magazine edition of MIT Technology Review, set to go live on January 6its all about the exciting breakthroughs happening in the world right now. If you dont already, subscribe to receive future copies. If youre interested in the future of robots, why not check out: + A skeptics guide to humanoid-robot videos. The right video can land a startup millions in investment and a devoted public following. But what do these videos really show? + Is robotics about to have its own ChatGPT moment? Read the full story.+ To be more useful, robots need to become lazier. Smarter data processing could make machines more helpful and energy-efficient in the real world. A good way to test this principle is robot soccer.The must-reads Ive combed the internet to find you todays most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology. 1 Anduril is in talks to join forces with OpenAI and SpaceX The proposed consortium will bid for US government defense contracts in an attempt to disrupt the stranglehold of traditional suppliers. (FT $)+ Elon Musks DOGE project could encourage similar partnerships. (Reuters)+ We saw a demo of the new AI system powering Andurils vision for war. (MIT Technology Review)2 Robotaxi passengers are targets of a new kind of harassment Riders feeling unsafe are left without a human driver to intervene. (WP $)+ Whats next for robotaxis. (MIT Technology Review)3 This covid season is the most unpredictable yetDeaths are down. But that doesnt mean we should fully relax. (The Atlantic $)4 WhatsApp has won its legal case against NSO Group The messaging app claims its spyware exploited a bug to surveil users. (Reuters)+ The case has been five years in the making. (WP $)+ NSO Group argued it wasnt liable as its software was used to investigate crimes. (The Verge)5 Why Elon Musk is turning his attention to right-wing UK politics Hes looking beyond the White House to the more extreme end of British mainstream political parties. (The Guardian)+ How seriously should we take Elon Musk? (New Yorker $)+ Donald Trump reminded activists that hes President-elect, not Musk. (NBC News)+ But how useful Musk will continue to be for Trump remains to be seen. (The Atlantic $)6 YouTube is finally cracking down on egregious clickbaitThe platform has long rewarded the creators behind misleading videos. (NY Mag $) + Hated that video? YouTubes algorithm might push you another just like it. (MIT Technology Review)7 What happens when AI collides with crypto In the wake of the NFT boom, something even scammier is stirring. (The Information $)+ What happens to bitcoin now that skeptics have become believers? (The Atlantic $)+ Its still not clear how AI will affect the economy. (Bloomberg $)+ How to fine-tune AI for prosperity. (MIT Technology Review)8 Beware of AI scams over the holidaysFrom fraudulent text messages to sneakily targeted ads. (WSJ $) + Five ways criminals are using AI. (MIT Technology Review)9 The highs and lows of 2024s viral moments I wont be holding space for them. (The Guardian) 10 NASAs fastest probe is heading for the suns atmosphere Itll endure temperatures of over 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit on Christmas Eve. (Wired $)+ Itll be the closest any probe has ever come to the sun. (Engadget)Quote of the day "I don't hate these people. I just hate being in their stupid group." Jess, a participant in a group chat for aspiring musicians, tells Insider why leaving the group before the new year is a top priority. The big story How Indian health-care workers use WhatsApp to save pregnant women February 2023 Across India, an all-women cadre of 1 million community health-care workers are responsible for making public health care accessible to people from remote areas and marginalized communities. These workers counsel pregnant women and ensure they receive proper science-backed health care. Many are turning to WhatsApp as a means to combat the medical misinformation that is rampant across the country and to navigate sensitive medical situations, particularly regarding pregnancy. Their approach has surprisingly good results. Read the full story. Sanket Jain We can still have nice things A place for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line or tweet 'em at me.) + Back in 2009, Rage Against the Machine reached Christmas number one in the UK music charts. Heres what happened when they were asked to censor their lyrics live on the BBC.+ Ever wished more films were like Home Alone? Youre in luck.+ How to make the perfect latke.+ No one has ever seen a flying reindeer. But that doesnt mean its a theoretical impossibility.

United StatesChildren in the US leave milk and cookies for Santa. rangizzz/Shutterstock In the US, many children leave out a glass of milk and a plate of cookies for Santa.Some families also leave carrots and celery for Santa's reindeer.AustraliaIn Australia, children leave Santa beer. Reshetnikov_art/Shutterstock Although Australians leave cookies for Santa to snack on, they replace the glass of milk with a cold glass of beer. December is actually summer for Australia, so the beer might be just what Santa needs in the hot weather. IrelandSome children in Ireland leave a pint of Guinness. Frantisekf/Shutterstock Some families in Ireland leave a pint of Guinness for Santa on Christmas Eve.According to Culture Trip, children usually place the cold beer near the tree to offer Saint Nick a quick pick-me-up for the long night ahead. UKChildren in England leave Father Christmas mince pies and sherry. Marbury/Shutterstock Like in Australia and Ireland, children in the UK also leave Santa alcohol.Families believe Father Christmas needs some sherry to warm up on Christmas night. It's also tradition to pair the sherry with a mince pie. The NetherlandsSome children in the Netherlands leave carrots in their shoes. Milos Ruzicka/Shutterstock In the Netherlands, children often leave carrots and hay to helpenergize Sinterklaas's horses yes, horses on their trip around the world.In some parts of Europe, like Denmark, Belgium, and the Netherlands, children don't believe Santa's sleigh is pulled by reindeer. Instead, they think he is being pulled by horses, so children leave food for them on Christmas Eve,and sometimes this food is left in their shoes. ArgentinaChildren in Argentina leave hay and water out ahead of Three Kings Day. ben bryant/Shutterstock Rather than leave snacks for Santa, children in Argentina leave out hay and water for the Three Kings' horses. They also leave out their shoes, so their gifts can be placed in them, Ecela Spanish reported.Children in Argentina usually receive their presents on January 6, Three Kings Day, which honors the day the Three Kings delivered their presents to baby Jesus. DenmarkChildren in Denmark leave their nisse rice pudding. Gaus Alex/Shutterstock Kids in Denmark don't leave anything for Julemanden the Danish term for Santa to eat, but they do leave out treats for their nisse, or house elf.According to Atlas Obscura, the Danish tradition calls for families to leave a bowl of risengrd (rice pudding or sweet porridge) out on Christmas Eve for the house elf. SwedenChildren in Sweden also leave out rice porridge. dimbar76/Shutterstock In 2017, then-press officer of the Swedish Embassy in Washington, DC, Kate Reuterswrd told NPR that her family would leave a bowl of risgrynsgrt (rice porridge) outside their door."The rice porridge is thickened with milk and flavored with cinnamon and a little salt. Some families add almonds, butter, jam, or molasses, but the traditional version doesn't have to be sweetend," she said.Some families in Sweden may also leave Jultomte a cup of coffee. IcelandIn Iceland, families leave the Yule Lads laufabrau. Elisa Hanssen/Shutterstock Rather than Santa Claus, children in Iceland await the arrival of the 13 Yule Lads, who, beginning on December 12, each bring them a small present, Nordic Visitor reported. In return, families leave out laufabrau, which translates to leaf bread and tastes like acrispy wafer.FranceSome children in France leave Pre Nol wine. New Africa/Shutterstock In France, children leave Pre Nol wine and leave Gui, his donkey, treats like carrotsor hay, which is left in their shoes, History.com reported. GermanyIn Germany, some children leave handwritten letters. Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images Germans have a Christmas angel, the "Christkind," instead of Santa Claus, and they don't leave any snacks.Instead, they write the angel letters. Some families mail the letters ahead of the holiday, while others leave them out on Christmas Eve, History.com reported.ChilePan de pascua is a traditional Chilean fruitcake. Ildi Papp/Shutterstock In Chile, children leave pan de pascua, a traditional fruitcake, for Viejito Pascuero, "Old Man Christmas." Some of the fruitcake's key ingredients are dulce de leche, rum, candided fruits, and nuts.

Trump said the US should take control of Greenland, reigniting an old position of his.This came shortly after he also suggested the US could take over the Panama Canal.In 2019, Trump said the US should buy Greenland, an idea swiftly rejected by the island and Denmark.President-elect Donald Trump has resurfaced an old position of his, that the US should take over Greenland, just hours after also threatening to take over the Panama Canal.Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday that "for purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity."He made the comments in a post announcing PayPal cofounder Ken Howery as his choice for US Ambassador to Denmark.Greenland, the world's largest island, is an autonomous dependent territory of Denmark, which is a US ally and NATO member. The town of Kulusuk, east Greenland. Bob Strong/Reuters Trump's pronouncementcame just hours afterhe threatened to take control of the Panama Canal, the manmade waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday that "the fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama by the US."He added: "This complete 'rip-off' of our Country will immediately stop."In a separate post, Trump wrote: "If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question.""To the Officials of Panama, please be guided accordingly!" he added.The US transferred control of the canal to the Panama Canal Authority in 1999, under a treaty signed in 1977 under President Jimmy Carter.Panama charges fees for each vessel going through the canal, making it an important economic driver for the country.Greenland, too, has strategic value. In addition to its own natural resources, it has proximity to the Arctic, where countries like Russia are vying to gain resources and control.Trump expressed an interest in the US buying Greenland in 2019,during his first term in office. Greenland's government quickly rejected the idea, saying that it wasn't for sale.

The average American expects to spend over $2,000 on holiday costs this season, one survey found.Some respondents predicted they would be paying off the debts they accrue into May next year.Personal finance guru Dave Ramsey advised saving before the holidays and setting a strict budget.The most wonderful time of the year often comes with a hefty price tag and many people expect to be paying for it into next summer.People's debt balloons "because they don't plan for Christmas, like it sneaks up on them, like they move it or something," personal finance guru Dave Ramsey told "Fox & Friends" last week.Ramsey's comments were in response to a survey showing that the average American will spend over $2,000 on holiday-related expenses this season, including travel, gifts, food, and clothes. The survey of 2,000 people was conducted in early November by Talker Research and commissioned by Achieve. A fifth of respondents said they likely wouldn't recover financially until May 2025 or later.The personal finance guru and host of "The Ramsey Show" described the $2,000 figure as "mindblowing," adding that it was a large sum to spend "all in the name of happiness comes from stuff and it doesn't."People can stay out of money trouble by socking away funds each month in preparation for the winter splurge, Ramsey said. They can also avoid overspending by drawing up a budget for gifts and other costs and sticking to it, he added."The problem with Christmas is not that we enjoy buying gifts for someone else that's a wonderful thing," the radio personality said."The problem is we impulse our butts off, and we double up what we spend," he continued, pointing the finger at retailers who are "great at putting stuff in front of us that we hadn't planned to buy."The typical US adult expects to spend $1,012 on gifts alone this holiday season, up from an estimated $975 last year, according to a Gallup survey of at least 1,000 people conducted in November.Pinched by pricesHousehold budgets could be squeezed this holiday season. Inflation surged to a 40-year high of over 9% in the summer of 2022 as the cost of food, fuel, housing, and other essentials jumped, and remained above the Federal Reserve's target rate of 2% in November.The central bank rushed to curb price growth by hiking interest rates from nearly zero to north of 5% within 18 months, sending people's monthly payments for their credit cards, car loans, and other debts skyward. Fed officials have cut rates to roughly 4% since September, but recently indicated they only expect to make two further cuts next year.The upshot is Americans are likely to face a combination of elevated inflation and steeper rates for a while yet, setting the stage for a costly Christmas.

When Kays two best friends a married couple she met at work told her they werent voting for Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, she believed them. After all, Kay and her friends shared similar values; they all supported issues like reproductive rights and protections for LGBTQ people. But while she was scrolling on social media in July, she saw they had posted the same image to Instagram: the viral photograph of Trump raising his fist in defiance after the assassination attempt on his life, blood trickling down his face, American flag billowing in the background.Kay, 27, sent her friends a message asking about it. Her friends admitted then that they were voting for Trump, because they thought he would better the economy. Kay was shocked: She decided she needed space to reevaluate the relationship and stopped speaking to them. Theyre gay, she says, but they were voting for what they think was best because of the media they consume.Over time, Kay, who declined to share her last name in order to speak about her friendships, grew to miss the couple. It was hard to avoid them: Not only did they all work together, but they were neighbors, too. They were the first best friends Kay made as an adult in their small California town. Although Kay says she cut other Trump supporters out of her life in the past, she ultimately didnt want to sacrifice this relationship. Losing people like that, its hard.The trio agreed to avoid discussing politics in order to maintain the friendship and theyve since reconciled, Kay says. She was willing to overlook what she considers a misguided decision in order to remain close to people with whom she otherwise agrees. Distancing herself based on their voting record seemed too painful, too shortsighted, she says.When its your family or your really close friends or your coworkers, its not that easy to just cut them off, Kay says. You have to think about how that impacts you emotionally. Losing people like that, its hard.Over the last eight years, many Americans have distanced themselves from their Trump-supporting loved ones. The Harris Poll recently surveyed a representative sample of Americans and found that 42 percent of adults said politics was the largest cause of estrangement in families. Ahead of the upcoming holiday season, 38 percent of respondents in an American Psychological Association survey said they planned to avoid family members they disagree with politically. The underlying motivation for these estrangements seems to be self-protective: Many come to believe that a loved one who votes for a candidate who supports policies that endanger their and others rights is not someone worth keeping around. Some cant reconcile the fact that relatives they thought they knew agree with such divisive rhetoric. For others, a vote for Trump was the final straw in an already fraying relationship. While these estrangements are still happening and with good reason in the wake of the 2024 presidential election, some are taking an alternative approach. Amid an epidemic of loneliness, some may not have the luxury to cut off valuable connections. Others recognize they cant change their loved ones opinions from afar. More still have wisened to the reality that avoiding varying viewpoints only fuels polarization. Although we dont know for sure yet whether more people are reconciling with their Trump-supporting friends and family, therapist Chanel Dokun has observed this shift among her clients. In 2016, Trumps victory felt like a shocking anomaly, which made people believe they could be more dismissive of those on the alternate end of the political spectrum. Now, those shes counseled are compelled to engage with these supporters head-on. Its not something where I can simply distance myself or cut people off, she says of client sentiment, because now Im looking at a much larger percentage of the population is in favor of this candidate than I thought of before.In her practice, psychologist Vanessa Scaringi sees many of her clients primarily women in their 30s and 40s being more reluctant to turn away from aging relatives. Young women who originally disconnected from relatives in 2016 might have children now, Scaringi says, and theyd like conservative family members to be a part of their lives. I do think generally the sense of time being lost is a motivator to maintain those relationships, she says. Sometimes, those relatives are already an integral part of their lives and even provide child care, she says.Mental health professionals stress the importance of safety within relationships and encourage people to set boundaries or create distance with loved ones who say hurtful things or espouse upsetting rhetoric. You do not need to maintain a relationship with someone who condones hate and bigotry. There are thorny moral and ethical questions at play here; the choice of with whom to maintain a relationship and under what conditions is an entirely personal one. But tolerating discomfort can help build resiliency, Scaringi notes, and estrangement as a default sidesteps this opportunity for growth and healthy conflict.If you do decide to maintain a relationship with someone with whom you dont see eye to eye and political talk does arise, avoid the impulse to try to change their mind. The goal of conflict isnt to solve a problem, Dokun says, but to have empathy for the other side in spite of your differences. To help personalize what can be broad concepts, Dokun suggests sharing how you or people close to you were personally affected or would be impacted by specific policies or viewpoints. When you speak to those more vulnerable places, using language around especially your emotions, that tends to de-escalate those conversations, she says. Family members also are able to see you in a new light and thats much less of an argumentative space.In group settings, having a sympathetic ally to whom you can subtly share snide remarks or roll your eyes also helps eliminate tension, Scaringi says. For Bryan, a 29-year-old who lives in Florida, that family member is his mom, Donna, 64. (Both are using pseudonyms in order to speak about their family.) Their tight-knit extended family is largely conservative, and over the last eight years, political divisions have strained relationships. Before Trump, I didnt care who you voted for, it wasnt a topic in our home, Donna says. But since Trump, watching my two siblings fall in love with this man to a point where my sister says, I love him like an uncle and I would have him at my Thanksgiving table hurts my soul, because everything about him is not me.Donna and Bryan find it hard to reconcile their familys beliefs with the realities of their experiences: Bryan is trans and his sister hopes to soon have a baby in a state with a near ban on abortion. Before Bryan came out in 2022, he feared his family wouldnt accept him based on their conservative views. While his aunt and cousins have been supportive in using his name and pronouns even going as far to assure him that theyd find a way to source hormones if he was unable to receive gender-affirming care Bryan says these same family members still express anti-trans views in front of him. When you speak to those more vulnerable places, using language around especially your emotions, that tends to de-escalate those conversations.Despite everything, Donna and Bryan dont intend on cutting out their family for now. Bryan doesnt expect his relatives to change their mind, but he believes offering a trans perspective may give them an opportunity to learn. I said to myself, Bryan says, that if something happens where my health care is taken away, whether its because Im on an Affordable Care Act plan or because the Affordable Care Act stops providing gender-affirming care, and if something actually does happen thats a direct result of Trump being elected, then I will definitely reconsider cutting these people off forever.Consistently exposing a loved one to alternative points of view can help to slowly shift their perspective, Dokun says, while estrangement may only push them further into their ideological silos. However, try not to exhaust yourself while championing your side. This might look like setting explicit boundaries like not watching the news together or limiting conversation to certain topics. I work with a lot of folks who can berate themselves for not being enough of a social justice advocate, Scaringi says. I really work with them on trying to just plant seeds with their family.For others, there are no minds to change, simply resignation toward whats already happened. While a few people close to him voted for Trump, New Jersey resident Morgan, 32, who declined to share his last name to speak about his relationships, believes they did so for economic and global policy reasons. He doesnt agree with these motivations, he says, but its worth hearing them out.Now that hes no longer a fluke, a glitch, some sort of national aberration that we can excuse away, he says, I hope the sides can talk more as Trumps second administration wears on. Because what on Earth is the alternative?Youve read 1 article in the last monthHere at Vox, we're unwavering in our commitment to covering the issues that matter most to you threats to democracy, immigration, reproductive rights, the environment, and the rising polarization across this country.Our mission is to provide clear, accessible journalism that empowers you to stay informed and engaged in shaping our world. By becoming a Vox Member, you directly strengthen our ability to deliver in-depth, independent reporting that drives meaningful change.We rely on readers like you join us.Swati SharmaVox Editor-in-ChiefSee More:

2024 is on track to become the hottest year since humans have been keeping track, beating out 2023. The extraordinary back-to-back record-breakers amplified disasters like heat waves, hurricanes, and torrential downpours around the world, claiming thousands of lives and causing billions in damages. Few countries have emerged completely unscathed over the past two years, but one place known for its welcoming climate, was especially wounded. In 2023, Spain experienced a searing early-season heat wave with temperatures topping 101 degrees Fahrenheit in Crdoba in the south of the country, followed up by more severe heat across the country in July and August. It led to more than 8,000 heat-related deaths, the second-highest toll in Europe behind Italy. The high temperatures worsened an ongoing drought, depleting water supplies and causing its economically vital olive oil production to fall in half. Intense wildfires ignited across the country, including the Canary Island of Tenerife and on the mainland in Gandia. The Asturias region in northern Spain suffered the single-largest wildfire in its history, torching more than 24,000 acres. Record rainfall in Toledo triggered flash floods that killed at least three people.Dangerous heat, fire, and drought continued to rage this year. But in October, Spain experienced a disaster that still managed to shock the climate change-wracked country.The Valencia region in eastern Spain suffered an unprecedented downpour, receiving a years worth of rain in just a few hours. It triggered flash floods across a vast expanse and killed at least 224 people, making it the deadliest flood on the continent since 1967. And warming clearly played a role: Climate research groups reported that these storms were stronger and more likely to occur due to warming caused by humans. It was mostly a surprise. We started seeing it in the news, huge floods, cars floating, said Marcos Masa, 19, a university student in Valencia region. The first reports were about 10 deaths. It was already too much. We never expected to get to 200 [deaths].In the aftermath, locals directed their outrage at local officials and the national government, which they blamed for what they saw as delayed, inadequate warnings and a botched response. Spains military mounted one of its largest peacetime operations in its history to assist with the recovery effort, but it came days after the rainfall had stopped. Tens of thousands of Valencia residents joined protests and called for Carlos Mazn, the regional leader for Valencia, to resign. When Spains king, queen, and prime minister visited one of the flooded towns, locals threw mud at them. Spains 47 million residents and 95 million annual tourists have long savored Spains ordinarily nice weather, but the disasters over the past two years illustrate that its not something anyone can take for granted. The recent catastrophes didnt just claim lives and destroy homes; they shook the countrys political system and for some Spaniards, rattled their sense of home. The climate you were born in no longer exists, said Andreu Escriv, an environmental scientist and author. Spain is no longer that paradise where you could spend a very mild winter and a very nice summer.Spain stands out for having so much happen in one relatively small country about the size of Texas over a short period. But its ahead of the curve on a global trend: Around the world this year, warming has exacerbated disasters, which in some cases in turn triggered protests. Spain didnt necessarily reach the highest temperatures, suffer the biggest fires, or suffer the most intense rain in the world; it was the failures of preparation and response that worsened the destruction these events caused and fueled the ensuing anger.This is all happening at a moment when global climate politics are set to become more tumultuous. The US is the worlds second-largest greenhouse gas emitter and President-elect Donald Trump is likely to pull the US back from its international climate commitments. He also wants to impose stiff tariffs on goods from European Union countries unless they buy more US oil and gas. That could hamper Spains ambitions to expand its clean energy footprint in the US with solar and wind technologies. Global politics are only getting more complicated, and climate change will add to ongoing political tensions and destabilize governments in unexpected ways. 2024 raised temperatures and tensions around the worldWhile the planet has been warming on average, the past two years were hotter by a wider margin than some scientists expected. The soaring temperatures were a result of natural variability building on top of warming induced by humanitys relentless combustion of fossil fuels. On top of that, the Pacific Oceans temperature cycle, known as the El Nio Southern Oscillation, was in its warm phase. Thats when hotter water along the equator in the Pacific Ocean sloshes eastward, altering weather patterns and generally heating up the globe. The 2023 El Nio was one of the strongest on record. Although it began to weaken earlier this year, some of its effects still played out over the summer and into the fall. In particular, the worlds oceans remained at record-high temperatures, one of the key ingredients for severe rainfall and tropical storms. The Atlantic Ocean in particular saw record-high temperatures and underwater heat waves that devastated marine life. Cars carried by floodwaters during the Valencia floods piled up in intersections. Lucas Vallecillos/VWPics/Universal Images Group via Getty ImagesAerosols, tiny airborne bits of soot and dust, played a role in the recent warm weather as well. In the atmosphere, they can block enough sunlight to cool the area below, but weather conditions like weaker winds over Africa suppressed natural aerosol sources like dust from the Sahara desert. A law to limit pollution also had an ironic twist: Because of a new international shipping regulation to limit sulphur pollution, there were less aerosols over the oceans and more warming. Policies to limit air pollution in countries like China contributed to warmer waters too. Right now, the El Nio Southern Oscillation is in its neutral phase. The Pacific Ocean is forecasted to tip into its cool phase, known as La Nia, early next year. Its likely global average temperatures will come down in 2025 compared to this year. That shift brings its own weather consequences, like creating more favorable conditions for hurricanes. However, if people keep pumping out greenhouse gases, years as warm as 2024 will become more common in the decades ahead and we can expect even hotter years to come. Why Spain was in the bullseye for disastersFor Spain, there were a few more factors that put it in the crosshairs of extreme weather. Escriv, the environmental scientist, noted that Spain has a diverse range of climates. Some regions are hot and dry while others are cool and humid across mountains and low-lying coasts. The country has historically experienced periodic extreme weather as well. Valencia saw a major deadly flood back in 1957. In 1982, heavy rain led to a dam failure that flooded the region in up to six feet of water. Still, Spain does have a deserved reputation for pleasant weather. Look at a map and you can see that New York City is roughly at the same latitude as Madrid, yet Madrid tends to have a warmer, drier climate. (And no one is eager to winter in New York.) The climate gives Spain its famous products like oranges, olives, wine, and dusty landscapes that have served as the backdrop of classic spaghetti Westerns. The fact that Spain is situated on a peninsula has blessed the country with a historically temperate climate. The surrounding ocean acts as a temperature buffer and keeps conditions from swinging between extremes too often. In addition to its geographical good fortune, Spains climate benefits from the Gulf Stream. This ocean current transports warm water from the Gulf of Mexico and sends it north along the US East Coast before turning east to cross the Atlantic, where it becomes the North Atlantic Current. Warm water heats up and introduces moisture into the air above it. Across Europe, this pattern moderates searing temperatures in the summer and cushions the bitter cold of winter. In Western Europe, air temperatures are about 18 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) warmer than the global average for its latitude. The Gulf Stream channels warm water toward Europe. NOAABut Spains climate stabilizers have started to destabilize. The Mediterranean Sea has warmed more than one degree Celsius in the last 30 years, Escriv said. And thats kind of a big energy battery for the weather system. If you have an enormous mass of very, very hot water, its going to dissipate this energy. Its going to explode somehow. Warmer air also holds onto more moisture, leading to more severe rainfall events. Additionally, the Gulf Stream is warming up faster than the rest of the ocean and changing its course. The Valencia floods were driven by a phenomenon called a high-altitude isolated depression. In Spanish, it goes by the acronym DANA or gota fra, meaning cold drop. This occurs when cold air at high altitudes moves over the warm Mediterranean waters. The warm moist air below quickly bubbles up and forms dense rain clouds that can stay parked over a region for a long time, leading to intense rainfall below. The October gota fra was one of the most severe storms to hit the Valencia region this century. For Spaniards, the recent weather has been so jarring that theyre starting to reshape how they think of their climate. We are experiencing extraordinary events in an ordinary way, Escriv said. It wasnt just the water that made Valencias floods so devastatingOf course, political unrest and anger toward politicians after a disaster isnt unique to Spain. Storms like Hurricane Beryl and Hurricane Helene in the US sparked outrage at local and federal officials for inadequate planning and agonizingly slow recovery efforts. 2024 is the deadliest year for hurricanes in the US since 2005. Viktoria Jansesberger, a researcher studying climate change and politics at the University of Konstanz in Germany, explained there are several variables that determine whether people see a natural disaster as just a force of nature versus a human-caused problem. Generally, people do tend to extend grace to their leaders when they experience a catastrophe, up to a point. When it comes to extreme weather events and disasters, it takes a lot of very visible mismanagement for people to really blame the government, Jansesberger said. Frustrations mount when there are unmet promises for aid, a long-lasting loss of services like electricity, and a sense of neglect when leaders dont show up in time. Disasters can also expose long-simmering unhappiness around problems like corruption and underinvestment in a community. But filling the streets with protesters requires coordination. Discontent is not sufficient; it needs organization, Jansesberger said. This is something one can observe super nicely in the Spanish protests.Many of the rallies in Valencia were led by public sector labor unions who were already mobilized by campaigns over the past year for fewer working hours and better job conditions. There were also major public demonstrations across the country for affordable housing and against amnesty for Catalan separatists. The Spanish people were primed to protest. The tipping point in Valencia came when residents were caught off guard during the floods. AEMET, Spains meteorological agency, issued alerts that a major storm was brewing, but many people didnt get warnings on their phones until the flooding had already begun (AEMET did not respond to requests for comment). We all received the very late warning the day of the disaster, said Franc Casanova Ferrer, a bioinformatics researcher living in Sueca in the Valencia community. People are aware that flash floods can happen here but its the lack of warning that feels like a betrayal. Those warnings were desperately needed because some of the most severe flooding wasnt in the places that had the most rainfall, but in places downstream of the downpours. Low and dry riverbeds quickly turned into chutes channeling water into downtown areas where many Valencians lived. After the floodwaters receded, it took time to get power restored and roads cleared. We didnt have the tap water for around three weeks after the disaster, Casanova Ferrer said. Americans watching from afar may see a familiar story. The aftermath of Hurricane Helene raised many of the same concerns about inadequate warnings, confusion about leadership, and a complicated ad hoc recovery effort, which in turn opened fissures along existing political fault lines. As global average temperatures rise and populations grow, more people and property will find themselves in the path of an onslaught worsened by climate change. Its not just lives and homes that are vulnerable, but whole governments. Youve read 1 article in the last monthHere at Vox, we're unwavering in our commitment to covering the issues that matter most to you threats to democracy, immigration, reproductive rights, the environment, and the rising polarization across this country.Our mission is to provide clear, accessible journalism that empowers you to stay informed and engaged in shaping our world. By becoming a Vox Member, you directly strengthen our ability to deliver in-depth, independent reporting that drives meaningful change.We rely on readers like you join us.Swati SharmaVox Editor-in-ChiefSee More:

James Gunn discusses why David Corenswets Superman wears his costume. A24 has nabbed Margaret Qualleys new Victorian horror. Russell T. Davies teases a scary new episode ofDoctor Who. Plus, whats coming on Invincible Fight Girl. Tis the season to be spoiling! Superman During a recent interview with Screen Rant, James Gunn revealed David Corenswets Superman purposefully dresses like a professional wrestler to appeal to childrens sensibilities. One of the things David said is that Superman wants kids to not be afraid of him. Hes an alien. Hes got these incredible powers. He shoots beams out of his eyes, can blow a truck over. Hes this incredibly powerful, could be considered a scary individual, and he wants people to like him. He wants to be a symbol of hope and positivity. So he dresses like a professional wrestler, he dresses in a way that makes people unafraid of him, that shows that positivity. That really clicked in for me. Hurry Up Tomorrow Bloody-Disgusting reports Hurry Up Tomorrow, the upcoming horror movie starring The Weeknd, Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan, is now scheduled for a May 16, 2025 release date. The Running Man/Vicious According to Deadline, Paramount has moved Edgar Wrights remake of The Running Man forward a couple weeks and is now scheduled for a Nov. 7, 2025 release date. Meanwhile, Vicious, the horror film starring Dakota Fanning previously scheduled for a February 28, 2025 release, has been removed from the companys schedule entirely. Victorian Psycho Deadline also reports A24 has acquired the rights to Victorian Psycho starring Margaret Qualley and Thomasin McKenzie. Grafted A high schooler begins tooling with her fathers experimental skin procedure in order to become popular in the trailer for Grafted, coming to Shudder this January 24. Cobra Kai Co-showrunner Jon Hurwitz confirmed hes actively working on a Cobra Kai spinoff series in a new Twitter post. Doctor Who Speaking with GamesRadar+, Russell T. Davies stated an upcoming episode of Doctor Who guest-starring Rose Ayling-Ellis could be the series scariest episode yet. Weve got a story with Rose Ayling-Ellis in the lead. Shes the lead in one episode which is stunning, I think its our scariest episode, its absolutely terrifying, shes magnificent in it to see Ncuti with her. Relatedly, Ncuti Gatwa promises his Doctor will wear a kilt again in a new Q&A ahead of this years Christmas special. Invincible Fight Girl Finally, Toonami has released a trailer for next weeks episode of Invincible Fight Girl. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

Storage has quietly become the most important upgrade you can make to your computer, and Samsung just made it impossible to ignore. Their flagship 990 EVO SSD has dropped to a price point that makes traditional hard drives look like ancient history, while delivering speeds that make your current storage feel like its running in slow motion.See at AmazonAmazon has cut the Samsung 990 EVO 1TB SSD to $75, slashing the regular $150 price in half. Thats 50% off a drive that can transfer an entire 4K movie in seconds, load massive games before you can reach for your phone, and make your whole system feel like it got a brain transplant.A large amount of space for a small priceThis isnt just another storage drive its a PCIe 5.0-compatible speed demon that can hit read speeds up to 5,000 MB/s and write speeds up to 4,200 MB/s. To put that in perspective, its like replacing a country road with an autobahn. Everything from booting your system to loading applications happens so fast youll wonder if you imagined clicking the button. The difference is clear when it comes to SSDs, after all, and youll experience it as soon as you finish the install.What makes this deal particularly compelling is the timing. With game installations routinely breaking 100GB and 4K video editing becoming mainstream, fast storage isnt a luxury anymore its a necessity. The 990 EVO delivers this speed while actually using less power than its predecessor, thanks to Samsungs latest controller technology and smart thermal management.At $75, this 1TB drive hits the sweet spot of price, performance, and capacity. Whether youre building a new system, upgrading an aging computer, or just tired of waiting for things to load, this half-price deal makes premium NVMe storage accessible to almost everyone. Its the rare computer upgrade that youll actually feel every time you use your machine.So if youre looking to do some upgrading, dont just rely on an external hard drive to get the job done. Get an internal SSD that you can rely on. Youre going to end up being glad that you splurged when you can hold just about anything you need to on your computer, whether thats large files for work, movies, games, or family photos. Just make sure you dont miss out on it at this price. You likely wont find a better one until the next big sale and thats going to be a little ways off.See at Amazon

Sometimes you have to really look hard for a great deal thats sitting right in front of you. Those Amazon coupon boxes arent big and theyre not flashy, but theyre stackable with other sales and always worth clicking for even more savings. Check out the extra $29 coupon hiding in plain sight on the iPad 10th Gen page, which combines with the 20% off deal to bring the price of this brand-new tablet down to just $250.See at AmazonThis isnt a refurbished deal or a dent-and-scratch special. Its a brand-new 10.9-inch Apple iPad 10th gen with A14. Bionic chip, 64GB of storage, Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, front and rear 12MP cameras, and all of the other great features and perks that have made the iPad the standard-bearer among tablets.Liquid Retina BrillianceThe iPad 10th Gen comes with the Liquid Retina display armed with True Tone to adjust the display to the color temperature of the room and make viewing comfortable in any light. Its the perfect tablet for artistic and creative endeavors, especially when you pair it with the USB-C or 1st Gen Apple Pencil (sold separately). The A14 Bionic chip cuts out the lag and delay that can hamper those intricate and detailed art projects.With the 12MP front and rear cameras, including 4K video recording and the Landscape Ultra Wide feature with the front camera, built-in microphones, and landscape speakers you can shoot, edit, and post your works of art from one device. The Wi-Fi 6 connection ensures itll get posted without delay.Multitasking MasterpiecePair your iPad 10th Gen with the Magic Keyboard Folio (sold separately) and the tablet becomes a mini-laptop capable of great feats of multitasking and productivity. With up to 10 hours of battery life before needing to reconnect via USB-C (upgraded from Lightning to make for more-universal charging options), you can get in a solid day of work with just the iPad 10th Gen. Connect the Apple Pencil and you can do markups and notes on documents before sending them off.The 20% off deal on the iPad 10th Gen is strong all on its own, taking a $350 tablet down to a very competitive $279. But then theres that extra $29 coupon which puts you just a click away from boosting your savings to $100 off this powerful and versatile tablet that can create, work, play, and stream with the best of them. Its Amazons #1 best-seller in computer tablets for a very good reason grab one now and see for yourself.See at Amazon

Exploring Fluid Forms in Indian Architecture: A Cultural PerspectiveSave this picture!Vaazh House / Vy architecture studio. Image Syam SreesylamThis year marked another milestone for Indian architects in pushing the boundaries of contemporary practice nationwide. A noticeable trend among the projects featured on ArchDaily has been the embrace of fluid forms, a subtle homage to vernacular practices that parallels a gradual departure from India's legacy of modernist design rhetoric. Indian architecture praxis has evolved to reflect a deeper engagement with local contexts alongside a willingness to experiment with global influences. This approach is likely to subsist in the coming years, opening the door for new architectural expressions in the country.Where design moves beyond rigid geometries to celebrate fluidity, architects across the subcontinent reimagine spatial experiences with forms that flow, merge, and breathe. Challenging conventional architectural paradigms, these projects continue to draw inspiration and proliferate deeply rooted cultural narratives. In India's case, the embrace of fluidity in architecture reflects an interplay of themes: materiality, memory, craftsmanship, and the living context of space.Save this picture!Craftsmanship and Materiality Related Article The Merits of Greenwashing: Social Stigma around Natural Construction in India Craftsmanship and materiality have long been central to Indian architecture. The intricate detailing and skilled artistry of traditional structures reflect a deep understanding of materials - their properties and possibilities. In contemporary practice, this legacy continues to inspire creativity, evident in contemporary explorations of fluid forms. These designs celebrate craftsmanship by reinterpreting age-old techniques with modern sensibilities, pushing the boundaries of what is imaginable with local materials and construction methods.Into The Wild House / Earthscape StudioSave this picture!Save this picture!Into The Wild House is an exploration of material and craft through what the architects call "fold architecture". The self-sustaining 4 inch shell demonstrates incredible craftsmanship, using layers of "thappi" and mud plaster to create a structure without traditional beams or columns. The attention to material detail is exceptional - from customized built-in furniture to stone door handles carved on-site, to the use of scrap wood, every element speaks to a deep understanding of local materials and artisanal skill. The traditional lime plasters that flow across surfaces create not just a building, but a crafted landscape that responds dynamically to its environment.Center for Inclusive Growth & Competitiveness for Tapmi / The Purple Ink StudioSave this picture!Save this picture!Craftsmanship takes center stage through the project's inspiration from traditional "chhatris" - bamboo sunshades typical of Varanasi. The Purple Ink Studio collaborated directly with skilled craftsmen, creating a network of parasols that not only provide functional shelter but also preserve and celebrate local artisanal techniques. The interiors emphasize raw materiality and tactility, intentionally connecting past craft traditions with contemporary design. The project becomes a strong example of how traditional craftsmanship can be reimagined in modern academic spaces.Toy Storey Residence / WallmakersSave this picture!Save this picture!Wallmaker's project demonstrates craftsmanship through its creative use of discarded toys as structural elements. The team has transformed a potential waste material into a critical design feature, creating a cantilevered verandah supported by corbelled toys. The use of Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks (CSEB) made from site soil showcases a deep commitment to local materials and low-embodied energy construction. The traditional oxide flooring and the ferrocement shell roof further highlight a sophisticated approach to materiality, reducing reinforcement and embracing sustainable building techniques.Culture and ContextAnother theme emerges from architecture's deep conversation with culture and context. Fluidic forms are not merely abstract artistic statements. They are spatial journeys that support the layered and nuanced experiences of Indian life. Architectural spaces are conceived as vehicles that respond to environmental, social, and cultural rhythms. Designs flow like wateradapting, changing, creating seamless transitions between interior and exterior, between public and private, between historical memory and contemporary aspiration.Amoeba Office / Hiren Patel ArchitectsSave this picture!Save this picture!The Amoeba Office embodies cultural context through its fluid design that draws inspiration from traditional Indian architectural principles. The central veranda, reminiscent of typical Indian home layouts, creates a communal space that encourages informal interactions - a core aspect of Indian social culture. The design breaks down rigid corporate architectural boundaries, instead creating a fluid, adaptive space that reflects the nature of Surat's active commercial spirit.Vaazh House / Vy architecture studioSave this picture!Save this picture!Vaazh House beautifully recreates Tamil spatial traditions through fluid form. The curved wall that moves through the courtyard is more than an architectural element - it's a form that embodies the culture of belonging, connecting ground to roof in a three-dimensional experience that invites multiple interactions. The thinnai (traditional raised veranda) becomes a central element, negotiating boundaries between private and public spaces. The courtyard, with its invitation to birds, insects, and community, reflects a deeply rooted cultural understanding of home as a breathing entity that extends beyond human habitation. The fluid curve becomes a storytelling device, creating spaces for cloud-watching, rain-catching, and community gathering.Cocoon Pre-primary Extension at Bloomingdale International School / andblack design studioSave this picture!Save this picture!The school's design is a reinterpretation of educational spaces through fluid form. The undulating roof and blurred boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces create a learning environment that reflects a progressive cultural approach to education. By eliminating traditional classroom walls and creating interconnected, fluid spaces, the design speaks to a contemporary understanding of learning as an organic, dynamic process. The building itself becomes a landscape, with its curved form mimicking natural contours, symbolizing an educational philosophy that sees learning as a flowing experience rather than a rigid and compartmentalized process.Save this picture!By embracing fluidity, Indian architects in 2024 are choreographing new experiences. They are creating architectural languages that speak to India's complex contemporary identityat once ancient and hyper-modern, local and global. These fluidic forms become powerful visual reminders of transformation, inviting India to reimagine how spaces can tell stories that extend far beyond their physical boundaries.This article is part of an ArchDaily series titled India: Building for Billions, where wediscuss the effects of population rise, urbanization, and economic growth on India's built environment. Through the series, we explore local and international innovations responding to India's urban growth. We also talk to the architects, builders, and community, seeking to underline their personal experiences. As always, at ArchDaily, we highly appreciate the input of our readers. If you think we should feature a certain project, please submit your suggestions.Image gallerySee allShow lessAbout this authorAnkitha GattupalliAuthorCite: Ankitha Gattupalli. "Exploring Fluid Forms in Indian Architecture: A Cultural Perspective" 23 Dec 2024. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1024861/exploring-fluid-forms-in-indian-architecture-a-cultural-perspective&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream