In BriefPosted:11:39 AM PST December 23, 2024Image Credits:Jagmeet Singh / TechCrunchAn investigation finds that Google Maps fails users in the West BankA Wired investigation found that Google Maps can be near impossible to use in the West Bank, especially since the start of the war. Users told the publication that the navigation app would direct them into walls, fail to account for time-consuming checkpoints, or steer them onto restricted roads leading to Israeli settlements, which can be dangerous for Palestinian users to drive on.Part of the issue is inevitable in war: In conflict, theres an increase of road checkpoints that can be difficult for any navigation service to keep up with. Additionally, a Google spokesperson told Wired that the company does not distinguish between Israeli and Palestinian roads since that would require knowing the citizenship status of residents. The spokesperson also said that the company is constantly working to improve its West Bank services.However, dozens of employees have reportedly told Google leaders to further improve the map services for Palestinians, and, as a current Google employee told Wired, many people in the West Bank have stopped using Google Maps entirely.Topics

Venture funding into Europe is heading for a flat year, but this may obfuscate the fact that European AI startups are thriving.According to VC firm Balderton Capital and Dealroom, 25% of VC funding into the region approximately $13.7 billion went to AI startups this year, compared to 15% four years ago, resulting in several new unicorns, such as Poolside and Wayve.For Balderton Capital general partner James Wise, the most important takeaway is that you can raise hundreds million euros, even billions euros, as a very early-stage AI company if youve got a breakthrough technology in Europe, just as you can in the U.S.This counters what he sees as a relatively negative narrative around Europe: Collectively, European AI companies have doubled in value in just four years, reaching $508 billion. Per these new figures, this category now represents nearly 15% of the entire tech sector in value, up from 12% three years ago.This means theres funding available to AI startups, whether at early or at later stages, although it may not always come from Europe itself. In addition, American AI companies also see Europe as a talent pool to tap into.Were still probably a derivative of the U.S. market, were still reliant on it, but its not like nothings happening here. Its actually a really buoyant ecosystem, Wise told TechCrunch.This may not be news to TechCrunch readers already familiar with European AI rising stars such as Mistral AI and Photoroom, but also newcomers like Dottxt. Whats less expected, however, is Dealrooms finding that 349,000 people were employed by AI companies in Europe this year, a 168% increase since 2020.This may sound surprising, as many AI teams are on the smaller side; but for Wise, this is in line with the thesis of his recent book, Start-up Century: Why were all becoming entrepreneurs and how to make it work for everyone. Says Wise: Youre going to see a rise in hundreds of small, very productive companies, rather than one large, medium productive company.Theres also a snowball effect, as AI companies make others more productive.In our CTO survey, 93% of the companies we work with have said that generative AI tools have significantly changed their workflow in the last year, Wise said. Among these, some said their engineering teams are now twice as productive, while others see an impact on other functions averaging out to 20% savings in operating costs.All of this leads Wise to think that the adoption of AI will continue to increase. Will this be good news for Europes AI sector? Perhaps, although Wise and his colleagues now think that theres no longer an AI sector. This would potentially make similar data pointless next year.TechCrunch has an AI-focused newsletter!Sign up hereto get it in your inbox every Wednesday.

John Portmans General Motors Renaissance Center has cast shadows over Downtown Detroit for decades. Since 1976, the five towers, replete with quintessential Portmanian atria, stacked atop a gargantuan base have enticed praise, debate, and criticism in Michigans largest city. The full spectrum of public opinion about the complex, and Renaissance Centers design merits more broadly, were well captured in Charles Rices Interior Urbanism: Architecture, John Portman, and Downtown America, but also Jordan Hicks in The Avery Review.A new plan by Genslers Detroit office and Field Operations would tear down two of Renaissance Centers original towers and replace them with three new smaller ones filled with a mix of hospitality and housing, the developers said in a statement. The tear downs would open up large amounts of space on the ground plane for pedestrian-centered uses.Field Operations is revamping 27 acres of waterfront space. (Courtesy Bedrock and Gensler)The two existing 39-story towers would be replaced with housing and an entertainment district designed by Gensler, leaving three existing Renaissance Center towers standing. Field Operations will redesign 27 acres of Downtown Detroits waterfront as part of the comprehensive master plan. The project backers, General Motors and Bedrock, said that removing Tower 500 and Tower 600 will help right size the Renaissance Centers footprint in our post-pandemic economy, where demand for office space has plummeted. Renaissance Centers low-rise base would also be removed, further reducing the amount of office space at the complex.Renderings show the base replaced with a glass curtain wall structure thats much smaller than the original. Meanwhile, the master plan by Field Operations would deliver a new pedestrian promenade that better connects Downtown Detroit to the waterfront, stocked with new signature public spaces.A new promenade designed by Field Operations would expand retail and recreational opportunities near the waterfront. (Courtesy Bedrock and Gensler)Access from downtown to the riverfront will be improved under the master plan. (Courtesy Bedrock and Gensler)The total price tag adds up to $1.6 billion. General Motors has pledged $250 million for the project, and Bedrock will cough up $1 billion. At least $350 million will come from public coffers, however, according to reporting in the Wall Street Journal. Usingpublic tax money for the project by Daniel Gilbert, billionaire developer, has been the source of contentious debate in Detroit. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said the public-private partnership model to deliver the project will be like how Michigan Central Station and American Motors Corporation Headquarters got refurbished. The cost burden for tax payers however has been cause for concern.GM has been headquartered at Renaissance Center since the 1990s. After this master plans completion, the automotive company will move its headquarters to a different, undisclosed location.

All images courtesy of Margot Samel, shared with permissionA Changing Community and Lived Experiences Converge in Leroy Johnsons Mixed-Media HousesDecember 23, 2024ArtKate MothesFrom collaged and painted found materials merged with elements of photography and ceramics, Leroy Johnson (1937-2022) created an eclectic vision of life in his hometown of Philadelphia. Through layered, multi-dimensional portraits of houses, the artist represents loci of family life and community in conceptual assemblages that also confront racism, poverty, and gentrification.In the first exhibition of his work in New York City, Margot Samel presents Leroy Johnson, a collection of the artists house sculptures made with a documentarians eye but a poets gaze, says a gallery statement. His pieces capture a city in transition, peering into its past to underscore the myriad experiences of its present.Spirit House (c. 20052010) mixed media, found object, and collage, 19 1/4 x 20 x 13 1/2 inchesThrough his occupations as a social worker, teacher of disabled youth, rehab counselor, and school administrator, Johnson surveyed the pleasures, hardships, and contradictions within the Philadelphia neighborhoods where he spent his life, Margot Samel says, and he pierced the fabric of collective human experience more deeply than most.Johnsons abstract, mixed-media houses often feature photographs of people and gatherings, graffiti and text, and swishes of paint or residual imagery from found objects. The gallery adds, As an African American artist who witnessed the civil rights movement and the impact of racist policies on communities he loved, Johnson took particular pleasure in depicting the richness of Black life.Leroy Johnson runs from January 10 to February 9 in New York. Learn more and plan your visit on the gallerys website.You Been Had (c. 20002005), mixed media, found object, and collage, 17 x 16 1/2 x 8 inchesHeart of Darkness (c. 19952000), mixed media, found object, and collage, 13 x 11 x 6 inchesNext article

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ZDNETIn 2023, Ireviewed Ultramarine Linux, which was based on Fedora 39, calling it the "desktop of the year." Since then, the developers have released a new version based on Fedora 40 (which is one release behind the official Fedora distribution). This new release vastly improves the documentation experience, fixes numerous bugs, and polishes the distribution to a gleaming, sparkling shine.As with my original review, I opted for the Flagship version, which uses the Budgie desktop. Out of the box, the layout looks and feels instantly familiar and defaults to a dark theme (a practice that has become quite common with many Linux distributions).When I review a Linux distribution (or even an app) that defaults to a dark theme, the first thing I do is configure it for the lighter side of things -- because dark themes and my eyes do not get along well.Installer changes comingBefore I get into this, I want to point out that the developers are preparing to ditch Fedora's Anaconda installer and go with their in-house-built Readymade. As of now, Readymade is not ready for prime time, so you won't see it in Ultramarine 40. Hopefully, we'll see this new installer in version 41 of the OS.Ultramarine WikiAlso, the developers have really upped their game with the documentation found in theUltramarine Wiki, where you'll find information about installing and using the distribution. The Wiki contains some pretty valuable information on things like installing codecs, NVIDIA drivers, and setting up backups.But what you're really here for is to find out about the Ultramarine Linux distribution itself. Let's dive in.Out of the boxAs I mentioned, Ultramarine opts for a dark theme out of the box, which is done quite well (if you're a fan of dark themes). Personally, I prefer light themes, which are easier on my eyes. Since I don't usually view the desktop at night, it makes sense for me to go the lighter route.The default Budgie layout is fairly straightforward: a panel, start menu, system tray, and desktop icons. It's standard and works well for users of any skill level. However, Budgie is all about customizations, and it took me very little time to configure the desktop to my liking. All I had to do was right-click the desktop, select Budgie Desktop Settings, go to Style, and configure as needed. I also customized the Bottom Dock (switching the panel to Dock Mode) and Desktop (disabling desktop icons). My tweaked Ultramarine Linux desktop. Jack Wallen/ZDNETAfter that, it was just a matter of adding apps to the Dock by right-clicking an open app's icon and clicking the Star button to add it to the Favorites.Windows Shuffler and HotcornersWith Ultramarine's Flagship edition (Budgie), there's a tiling feature enabled by default, as well as the Hotcorners option. The tiling feature (found in Menu > Accessories > Window Shuffler Control) allows you to enable or disable the Shuffler drag-and-drop edge tiling feature and lists the quarter and half tiling keyboard shortcuts (such as Top-left - Ctrl + Alt + 7). You can have both hot corners and tiling working at once. Jack Wallen/ZDNETThe Hotcorners feature is disabled by default. To enable it, open the Budgie Hotcorners Settings app and click the On/Off slider until it's in the On position. Next, click on the hotcorner you want to configure, toggle its associated On/Off slider to the On position, and then select what you want that hotcorner to do when used.Pre-installed appsAs far as pre-installed apps, you get the usual collection: Firefox, LibreOffice, Gedit (text editor), and the Rhythmbox Music Player. You'll also find the Wallstreet wallpaper manager and GNOME Software for installing and managing applications. GNOME Software makes it easy to install the apps you need.Because Ultramarine Linux is based on Fedora, you can bet it includes the Flatpak universal package manager. The developers have also baked Flatpak support into GNOME Files, so you'll find tons of software to install (even proprietary apps like Spotify and Slack). From within GNOME Software, you can upgrade from Ultramarine Linux 40 to 41. Jack Wallen/ZDNETUltramarine Linux includes all the codecs you'll need to play nearly any type of multimedia, which is a departure from Fedora, where those codecs must be installed by the user due to licensing restrictions in the US.UpgradesWhen I opened GNOME Software, the first thing that caught my eye was the update to Ultramarine Linux 41. This was a surprise, as the most recent download was for version 40. Nevertheless, I clicked Download as prompted and waited for it to complete.My only issue with Fedora (and many Fedora-based distributions) is that an update often requires a restart. Unlike many distributions that only require a restart if the kernel is updated, Fedora-based distributions run the update during a restart. So, after the download was completed, I had to click Restart & Update to apply everything. Since this was a distribution upgrade, it took a bit longer than a standard update.Keep in mind, however, that this is Linux, so you don't have to worry about an upgrade requiring a restart going south or taking hours (as Windows upgrades sometimes can). All told, the upgrade from Ultramarine Linux 40 to 41 took roughly 20 minutes, and I'm perfectly OK with that.PerformanceGiven how incredible Fedora's performance is, it should come as no surprise that Ultramarine Linux performs like a champ -- it's quite fast. Apps open immediately and run smoothly. Then again, I've found that just about any distribution based on Fedora performs quite well, and Ultramarine Linux is no exception.My overall takeJust like when I reviewed this Linux distribution the first time around, Ultramarine 40 (and then 41) was an absolute delight. I will also add that, upon updating to version 41, I found the desktop as a whole included even more refinement and eked out a bit more performance than version 40. The difference was subtle, but it was there. Considering I ran Ultramarine Linux in a virtual machine with only 3GB of RAM and 2 CPU cores, I found the performance even more impressive.If you like the idea of having a Fedora-based distribution that ships with "sane defaults," so the out-of-box experience is brilliant from the start, Ultramarine Linux does not disappoint. Of course, the Budgie desktop is certainly a thing to behold.For anyone looking to distro hop to a Fedora-based distribution that's ready to go out of the box, you can't go wrong with Ultramarine Linux.Open Source

Artwork of a pair of tyrannosaur dinosaurs surveying a volcanic landscape.gettyAbout 66 million years ago, a meteorite hit Earth near what today is the Yucatn peninsula, causing widespread destruction and death. But almost simultaneously, intense volcanism covered a vast area of the Indian subcontinent with over 2 kilometers thick lava flows. Scientists have long debated if the impact or the volcanic supereruption was behind the extinction of 75 percent of all species living at the time, including non-avian dinosaurs, or a combination of both.Based on a new study, scientists from Utrecht University and the University of Manchester show that while the volcanism caused a temporary climate change, the effects had already worn off thousands of years before the meteorite impacted and most species survived this first cold snap. The scientists therefore conclude that the meteorite impact was the ultimate cause of the mass extinction event at the end of the Cretaceous period.A meteorite impact can result in a thick layer of dust and soot blocking the sun and cooling the surface. Volcanic eruptions release vast amounts of carbon-dioxide, dust, and sulfur, thereby significantly altering the chemistry of the atmosphere and changing Earth's climatebut in different ways and on different timescales to a meteorite impact.By analyzing fossil molecules in sediments deposited around 65 to 66 million years ago in the interior of the North American continent, the scientific team reconstructed air temperatures for the entire time period.The analyzed sediments contain specific molecules produced by bacteria. The structure of these molecules changes depending on the temperature of the environment the bacteria once lived in. By analyzing the composition of these molecules in the sediment layers deposited every year, the scientists were able to reconstruct a climate curve covering both the timing of the volcanic eruptions and the meteorite impact.MORE FOR YOUThe study show that a major volcanic pulse occurred about 30,000 years before the impact, coinciding with at least a 5 degrees cooling of the climate. They also conclude that this cooling was likely the result of volcanic sulfur emissions."These volcanic eruptions and associated carbon-dioxide and sulfur release would have had drastic consequences for life on Earth. But these events happened millennia before the meteorite impact and probably played only a small part in the extinction of dinosaurs," explains study author Lauren O'Connor, a geochemist at Utrecht University.The scientists also discovered that by around 20,000 years before the impact, temperatures on Earth had already stabilized and had climbed back to similar temperatures before the volcanic eruptions started. This fast recovery was likely aided by volcanic emissions acting like greenhouse gases rapidly warming the planet.Graph showing how Earth's mean annual air temperatures (MAAT) dropped during a phase of intense ... [+] volcanism in India but returned normal shortly after the eruption peak. The end-Cretaceous meteorite impact happened 30,000 years after this peak.O Connor et al. 2024/Science AdvancesWith the effects of volcanism practically ruled out, this would leave the Yucatn meteorite impact as the primary cause of the later mass extinction."By comparison, the impact from the asteroid unleashed a chain of disasters, including wildfires, earthquakes, tsunamis, and an 'impact winter' that blocked sunlight and devastated ecosystems. We believe the asteroid that ultimately delivered the fatal blow," concludes Rhodri Jerrett, geologist at the University of Manchester.The study, "Terrestrial evidence for volcanogenic sulfate-driven cooling event ~30 ka before the CretaceousPaleogene mass extinction," was published in the journal Science Advances and can be found online here.Additional material and interviews provided by Utrecht University.

Businessman hand touching digital healthcare icon.gettyGlobal cost pressures and a fast-changing political and regulatory landscape indicate that the pharmaceutical industry is at an inflection point as we head into 2025, as we outline in our recently published Numerof & Associates 2025 Global Pharma Outlook.To navigate this increasingly complex environment, manufacturers must fundamentally rethink their models, focusing on long-term value, evidence-based decision-making and strategic collaboration.At a macro level, the single biggest factor in the current landscape is continuing pressure from both government and private payers to reduce the cost and ensure the value of drugs. Across the globe, government payers are raising the bar for market entry. This takes the form of increasing evidentiary requirements and growing complexity in rules that govern reimbursement.This is further amplified in the U.S. market by the consolidation of healthcare delivery into fewer, more complex and powerful healthcare systems. Not only do these healthcare corporations bring substantial market clout to the negotiating table, but they are increasing their centralized control over the drugs, devices and tests used across the sprawling inpatient and outpatient facilities they control.And while they dont have as much influence as global corporations or national governments, pressure to lower drug prices is also driven by consumers who are struggling financially, burdened by many factors, for whom the cost of drugs is a proxy for the spiraling cost of healthcare.MORE FOR YOUMore than ever, this years challenge for pharmaceutical manufacturers will be about responding to this pressure in constructive ways that illustrate the immense value that pharmaceuticals bring to everyday Americans.The passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in the U.S. shattered managements complacency regarding the political landscape. This policy surprise set off a profound reassessment of budgets, pipelines, and staffing from which many companies are still recovering.Similar actions have moved forward in the EU as well, with direct pricing agreements, price controls, reference and risk-based pricing increasingly being adopted. The IRA and similar actions being taken in the EU have put a spotlight on cost management and heightened attention to processes like evidence development, launch sequencing, and portfolio pricing.Given the evolving pressures in the pharmaceutical industry, manufacturers must take a proactive approach to navigating the challenges ahead. First and foremost, they should reevaluate their investments and R&D priorities to ensure they align with emerging trends and public policy shifts. This includes crafting evidence-based economic and clinical value narratives that resonate with key stakeholders, while addressing growing concerns about health equity.Redesigning commercial models and refining launch sequencing will also be crucial in maintaining competitive advantage, as will aligning R&D, Medical Affairs, and Commercial functions to ensure seamless execution across the value chain.In addition, pharmaceutical companies should focus on elevating business acumen, diagnostic capabilities, and influence skills within their teams. Strengthening strategic collaborations with providers and payers will be key to adapting to a more complex and regulated landscape.Finally, manufacturers must develop portfolio investment and pricing strategies that reflect the lifetime value of their products, ensuring long-term sustainability in a market under increasing pressure to deliver both value and innovation. These steps will enable companies to not only survive but thrive as they navigate the complex environment shaping the future of global healthcare.As we look ahead to 2025, pharmaceutical manufacturers must recognize that the current landscape is not just about navigating regulatory hurdles or market pressures, but about fundamentally rethinking how they deliver value in a rapidly evolving healthcare system.Success will hinge on the ability to adapt not only to cost constraints but to a growing demand for transparency, evidence-based decision-making and strategic collaboration across the healthcare ecosystem. The companies that rise to this challenge will be those that focus on long-term value, harness innovation and align their commercial strategies with the realities of a complex, cost-conscious world.

With Christmas nearly here, were guessing theres at least a handful of shoppers running around stores, scouring aisles for TV deals. And while most of the smaller TVs are at astronomically low prices, the larger, more advanced sets are often still expensive. This is why its a great idea to take a look at markdowns on slightly older TVs that are still sold brand-new, like this fantastic LG offer:For a limited time, when you purchase the LG 77-inch C3 Series OLED through Best Buy, youll only pay $1,900. Mind you, this TV once cost $2,300 at full price. We reviewed the LG C3 Series back in 2023, and editor at large Caleb Denison called it a stellar TV.Why you should buy the LG C3 Series OLEDFor those unaware, OLED stands for Organic Light Emitting Diode, which is how the C3 Series produces picture. Instead of relying on LED backlighting, self-emissive pixels power on and off individually. This is how OLEDs are able to achieve some impressive black levels and contrast ratios. You can expect just that from the 77-inch C3 Series, along with a wide color gamut and excellent HDR support (sans HDR10+).RelatedGamers will love the fact that this hulking TV is also optimized for console and PC hookups, thanks to HDMI 2.1 connectivity, VRR and ALLM support, as well as a Game Mode setting for reduced input lag and increased response time. As for apps, LGs webOS 23 platform gives you access to popular services like Netflix and Disney+, as well as AirPlay 2 capabilities.Its hard to say how long this markdown is going to last, but considering its a Best Buy Friday doorbuster, the stock may be depleted rather quickly. So, if a new, huge OLED sounds good to you and yours, we recommend buying now! Take $400 off the LG 77-inch C3 Series OLED today, and be sure to take a look at our roundups of the best LG TV deals and best OLED TV deals for even more last-minute savings!Editors Recommendations