Bitcoin slumped on Tuesday as a spike in Treasury yields weighed on risk assets broadly.

ARM, directed by Jithin Laal, is a visual feast that blends the art of storytelling with visual effects that are truly path-breaking. Kishal Sukumaran, VFX concept artist, played a key role in creating the films breathtaking visuals, in collaboration with VFX supervisors Jithin Laal, Aniruddha Mukherjee, and Saalim Lahir. The incredible VFX was handled by leading studios Envision VFX, Visual Birds Studio, and Mindstein Studios, while Tiltlabs delivered exceptional previsualization. Jomon T. John ISCs cinematography has captured all the visuals; the music score of Dhibu Ninan Thomas is the heartthrob, adding layers to the film.ARM is a magic creation of Listin Stephen and Dr Zachariah Thomas under the Magic Frames banner. The meticulous editing done by Shameer Muhammed and Gokuldass intricate production design made the film itself very creative. Bycreative direction from Dipil Dev, the story unfolds visually. This talented association of producers and studios redefines the new standards of Indian films of creative filmmakers.The post ARM Concept Art and VFX Breakdown appeared first on Vfxexpress.

President-Elect Donald Trump is weighing an executive order that seeks to protect gas-powered appliances including stoves and heaters from federal and local regulators who want to phase them out of homes and businesses, two sources familiar with the plans said.Republicans, including Trump, have spent the last few years attacking local Democratic efforts to limit gas-powered appliances in new construction projects amid environmental and health concerns.The U.S. consumer regulator said in 2023 it was reviewing gas appliances and links with respiratory conditions such as asthma, but noted that any regulation would be a lengthy process.Details of the executive order are still under discussion but are likely to mirror Congressional efforts to limit federal dollars for state and local initiatives that restrict gas-powered appliances or impose regulations that would increase their cost, the sources said.Trumps transition team did not respond to requests for comment.Gas-powered stoves, favored by cooks who like fast, high heat, have joined plastic straws in recent years as fodder in the U.S. culture wars between liberals trying to curb climate change by convincing Americans to rethink lifelong habits, and Republicans like Trump and business groups.It speaks volumes when an order from the White House is needed to stop our own government from banning natural gas furnaces and water heaters, Karen Harbert, president of the American Gas Association, an industry trade group, said in a statement. Despite the illegal efforts to ban access and use of natural gas, our industry is hard at work to keep life essential energy affordable and reliable especially during the extreme cold we are experiencing right now.Over 75 million U.S. households use natural gas for at least one appliance, mostly for home or water heat, according to the most recent residential energy consumption survey published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration in 2020.The survey found that more Americans are also turning to natural gas to cook and dry clothes. Some 47 million households used natural gas for cooking in 2020, up from 39 million in 2015, the survey found.Roughly two out of every five American homes have a gas stove, the survey found.Premature deathsWhile gas appliances first came under fire for their impact on climate change, over the last few years several studies have shown that gas stoves emit nitrogen oxides that are harmful to human health along with other planet-warming gases.A study last year by researchers at Jaume I University in Castell de la Plana, Spain, found that exposure to gas stove pollutants was responsible for about 40,000 premature deaths annually in the European Union and Britain.Dozens of Democratic-controlled cities, including San Francisco and Berkeley, California, have sought to restrict new buildings from using gas stoves as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve indoor air quality. New York state approved a law last month banning natural gas stoves and furnaces in most new buildings.Those policies have faced legal challenges. Berkeley, the first city to enact such a ban, was barred from enforcing its policy by a U.S. appeals court ruling in 2023. It repealed the rule last year.In response to those policies, legislators in more than 20 Republican-led states have passed laws that prohibit local governments from restricting gas in buildings, according to S&P Global.The Energy Department, under President Joe Biden, proposed a rule requiring both gas and electric stoves and cooktops to use more efficient designs and technologies, but they scaled back the plan amid Republican and industry criticism.Jarrett Renshaw and Nichola Groom, Reuters

U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday will create two new national monuments in California, solidifying his legacy as the U.S. leader who has conserved more lands and waters than any of his predecessors.The designation of the Chuckwalla National Monument in the southern California desert and the Sattitla Highlands National Monument near the states northern border comes a day after Biden protected nearly every U.S. coastline from offshore oil and gas development.The moves are aligned with his goal of conserving at least 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030.Under federal law, presidents have the authority to create or alter national monuments in recognition of a sites cultural, historical, or scientific importance, but a designation can be rescinded by a future president.In 2021, Biden restored the boundaries of three national monuments that had been reduced in size by President-elect Donald Trump during his first term in the White House, following their original designations as monuments by former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.By contrast, national parks are created by acts of Congress, largely to protect outstanding scenic features or natural phenomena, giving them a much higher level of protection.According to a White House statement, the Chuckwalla National Monument preserves more than 624,000 acres just south of Joshua Tree National Park. The area holds cultural and historical significance for tribes including the Cahuilla, Chemehuevi, Mojave, Quechan, and Serrano. The monument will protect habitats for species including the desert tortoise, bighorn sheep and the Chuckwalla lizard, for which it is named, and will provide outdoor recreation opportunities for nearby poor communities.The monuments creation seeks to strike a balance between conservation and clean energy development, another Biden priority. The White House said the Chuckwalla monument will allow the construction and expansion of electric transmission lines to transport clean energy to population centers in the West. Renewable energy projects will be able to be developed near or adjacent to the monument.The establishment of Chuckwalla National Monument demonstrates that we can balance conservation and drive toward a clean energy future that serves everyone, Laura Daniel-Davis, the Interior Departments acting deputy secretary, said in a statement.The Chuckwalla monument will be managed by Interiors Bureau of Land Management. Its establishment creates a 600-mile corridor of protected lands from southwestern Utah to Chuckwalla, the White House said.The Sattitla Highlands National Monument in northern California will preserve 224,000 acres across three national forests. The area is sacred to the Pit River and Modoc tribes.A dormant volcano, known as Medicine Lake, creates a dramatic landscape of craters and lava tubes. Rainfall in the area is filtered through the volcanic rock, filling underground aquifers for Northern California communities.Brandy McDaniels, a Pit River tribe member who has advocated for the creation of the monument, said her people have fought geothermal energy development in the area for decades, and welcomed lasting protection.As tribal people that are socio-economically suppressed, we are constantly faced with corporations that have endless resources to come and exploit and degrade our water resources and our land, McDaniels said.The Sattitla monument will be managed by the U.S. Forest Service, a division of the Department of Agriculture.Nichola Groom, Reuters

On Tuesday, Mark Zuckerberg announced that Metathe company behind Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsAppwill be forswearing its traditional approach to content moderation. In its place, Meta will rely on X-style Community Notes, where rank-and-file users can attach comments to individual posts to provide corrections or clarifications, going forward.The decision was part of a wider one to redress issues with Metas content moderation, Zuckerberg said in a video published on his personal Facebook page. Its time to get back to our roots around free expression, Zuckerberg said, claiming that Metas current rules around discussion of immigration and gender were out of touch with mainstream discourse.The decision came as a shock to many as Meta had long been seen as one of the best among a relatively bad bunch of tech companies when it comes tocontent moderation efforts thanks in large part to a 40,000-person moderation staff (although those efforts have yielded mixed results).Its also the latest indication that Zuckerberg is trying to buddy up to incoming president Donald Trump, and is in that respect becoming more like Trumps current right-hand man in tech: Elon Musk.Zuckerberg said in his video on Tuesday he would be working with Trump, to whose inauguration fund he donated $1 million, to push back against foreign governments going after American companies to censor more. The content moderation announcement comes days after he replaced his centrist global affairs chief Nick Clegg with Republican Joel Kaplan, and installed Trump acolyte Dana White to Metas board.Zuckerberg is clearly concerned that his position as the most important and influential social media tech bro has been weakened in recent years, says Steven Buckley, a U.S. politics and social media researcher at City, University of London. Elon Musk has clearly taken that mantle ever since his relationship with Trump blossomed late last year.Given Musks tight relationship with Trump, it seems prudent for Zuckerberg to try and cozy up to the president-elect. Doing so could help insulate Meta from any decisions that could negatively impact the company during Trumps second termsay, by imposing strong antitrust action or lodging complaints about what Meta chooses to prioritize on its large platforms. Its difficult to determine if Zuckerberg actually supports Trump and his tech policies or if this is a purely cynical move by him in order to get close to power and have some say over the direction of policy in the coming administration, says Buckley.Thats particularly important given Zuckerberg and Musk are competitors across a number of sectors, most notably social media and AI. Zuckerberg clearly feels worried that if he is not in the room where decisions about policy around AI are being made, then he and Meta will be left behind, says Buckley. His warm rhetoric and financial donations are simply ways of him trying to curry favour with the new administration and also to subdue any future criticism he may receive from members of the Republican party.But because of Metas sizeit has 3.3 billion daily users across its suite of apps, according to its latest public filingany decision that Zuckerberg takes to try and improve his standing in the political discourse can have an outsized impact on social media, and on society more generally. (Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment.)This is a huge risk for the company, says Liam McLoughlin, a content moderation researcher at Liverpool University. If Facebook and Instagram goes the way of X, we will see a devaluation of the utility of the platform from the perspective of users as people will see an increase in spam, and egregious content. And McLoughlin cautions that users wont have endless patience with Zuckerbergs new approach: They wont forgive their feed becoming a sea of political slop or an increase in shocking contenteven if this content comes with a flag.

US studio Jones Haydu and Dominican studio JMF Arquitectos have created a baseball complex with a winged concrete form for the Miami Marlins Major League Baseball team in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic.The academy is separated into two primary buildings: a 24,795-square foot (2,300-square metre) athletic and administration building and a 42,139-square foot (3,915-square metre) dormitory and classroom building, separated by the playing fields.Jones Haydu and JMF Arquitectos have completed a baseball complex for the Miami MarlinsAll 30 Major League Baseball (MLB) teams have a player academy in the Dominican Republic, due to the country's status as the largest contributor of non-US-born players to the league. The academies train players between the ages of 16 and 20, who compete in the Dominican Summer Leagues.As the closest MLB city to the Dominican Republic, the Miami Marlins purchased a property in Boca Chica and contacted San Francisco-based Jones Haydu and Santo Domingo-based JMF Arquitectos to develop an 83,118-square-foot (7,720-square-metre) academy complex that feels like a campus for student-athlete life.The facade of the complex draws inspiration from Miami's grand hospitality structuresSharing a similar climate as Miami, the Dominican Republic facility was "inspired by the lines of the art deco movement in some of the oldest neighborhoods of Miami," the team said."The entry sequence of the facility, from the curved gate and main facade, echoes many of the grand hospitality structures of Miami, like the Fontainebleau, which often utilize a very solid facade wall which opens to a grand lobby."The academy consists of two main buildingsThe buildings are set opposite of each other, divided by two baseball fields that accommodate the two teams that the Marlins field and a central lawn.The centre of the residential building is a large, partially covered courtyard with a Spanish-stair amphitheatre and gathering space, shaded with open rises, that allow for the island breeze to flow through.Read: HOK and Snow Kreilich raise thin canopy above St Louis soccer stadiumThe courtyard is flanked by a large dining hall, recreation rooms, classrooms, a computer lab, and a chapel set into two stories divided by a deep concrete floor plate that extends outside the building's perimeter to form a covered walkway and deck that wraps around the building."The clean lines and slight layering of the roof echo the art Ddco style while allowing for light and ventilation deep inside the buildings."The centre of the residential building features a courtyard with a Spanish stair amphitheatreThe learning and recreation spaces are lined with floor-to-ceiling windows in black metal frames and white walls, contrasting the Marlins' teal blue paint that coats the ceilings and soffits.The wings of the T-shaped plan consist of two floors of residential dormitories the players and coaches live on the top floor, whereas on-site and visiting staff live on the ground floor.On the other side of the complex, the athletic and administration building is designed for state-of-the-art training.The wings of the T-shaped layout house two floors of residential dormitoriesThe centre of the plan holds a double-height gymnasium, a training room, hydrotherapy, physical therapy spaces, offices and a large conference facility under a large concrete roof, wrapped in glazing.The wings of the building house locker rooms for players and coaches which have tall ceilings and clerestory windows to help dissipate the heat and moisture of the showers coaches' conference facility and equipment storage.The locker rooms feature tall ceilings and clerestory windowsThe complex also features a third practice field, 10,140 square feet (940 square metres) of batting cages, 2,110 square feet (196 square metres) of grandstands and 3,935 square feet (365 square metres) of accessory space.Other projects recently completed in the Dominican Republic include a yellow elementary school interior centred around a playful tree structure and a temporary rattan tunnel constructed for the Bacanalia music festival.The photography is by Matthew Millman.Project credits:Design Architect: jones | haydu, Hulett Jones, Paul Haydu, Aaron Goldman, Kate Sistek, Kyle EdmisterArchitect of Record: JMF ArquitectosContractor: Hermida y AsociadosStructural Engineer: Guillen Rosa & AsociadosElectrical Engineer: Cadelec, S.R.L.Plumbing Engineer: CoydisaGlazing system: VantaExterior Sconces: Marca MordenCarpeting: Shaw ContractTile: MerkavenMetal Roofing: AluzincGrandstand seating: Daplast CR4Vinyl Composition Tile: Armstrong ExcelonAcoustic Ceiling Tile: ArmstrongOperable Partitions: ModercoSanitary Fixtures: Helvex, American Standard, TotoAir Conditioning Equipment: YorkThe post Miami art deco informs design of Dominican Republic baseball academy appeared first on Dezeen.

The cuckoo clock is a truly bizarre combination of engineering and artistry. Their origin story is murky and difficult to swallow:The accepted lore is that they were invented and produced by farmers in the Black Forest region of Germany in the 1800s. Farmers, the tale goes, turned to producing these in their winter months to make money. I say hard to swallow, because this means: The farmers not only knew how to farm, but had enough engineering skills to build clocks; had the skills to construct the miniature bellows-and-pipes mechanism that imitated a cuckoo call; and had the woodworking skills to pull it all together, hand-carving each wooden gear with mechanical precision, as well as the elaborate fascia, which required more artistry.In any case, a modern-day craftsperson in Turkiye is selling these cuckoo clocks that look like they're from the 1970s. "The cuckoo bird comes out, chirps, flaps its wings and make the cuckoo sound every hour than goes back inside. Cuckoo count changes regarding time. (For example when it is 11 AM the cuckoo sound counts 11 times.)The clock is silent between 10 PM to 5 AM. (Last cuckoo at 9 PM and First cuckoo at 6 AM.)The clocks are powered by three C batteries (not included). Multiple color options are offered:If you want to hear what the cuckoo sounds like, there's an (unembeddable) video here.These start at $485.

Sony is now taking reservations for the Afeela 1, a blandly-styled sedan they've been developing with Honda. An all-wheel-drive EV with a 300-mile range, the car is laden with over 40 sensors to support semi-autonomous driving; the vehicle's abilities will be between Level 2 and Level 3 autonomy, meaning it can control steering and braking while utilizing adaptive cruise control, offers hands-free driving on highways and can change lanes. Perhaps the biggest surprise is that Sony, a brand that brought affordable electronics to the masses, is targeting (sigh) the luxury market. The Afeela 1 will start at $90K. And the semi-autonomous features will be offered for free for the first three years and, annoyingly, after that revert to a subscription model. As far as features, the car features a panoramic dashboard screen, and a strange nose-mounted exterior screen that apparently flashes benevolent messages to anyone who happens to be staring at the nose of the car. The rear seat armrest features a wireless charging pad, and there's an under-seat standard 120V power outlet as well as an accessory socket. If you pony up for the $103K Signature model, you get side mirrors that have cameras, two large screens for the rear seat passengers, and an in-cabin camera system that watches you to make sure you're not drowsing off. Those who have ever taken a taxi in Japan will recognize the following feature: As you approach the vehicle (assuming the key fob is on you), the driver's door automatically opens. Once you enter the car, you step on the brake, and the door automatically closes. The driver's seat and steering wheel then move themselves from their ingress/egress position into your preferred driving position.Here's the car's pitch video:It's striking to see how different car commercials have become in just ten or twenty years. Previously they were about driving, but now they're about anything but: Ordering coffee, finding a place to eat, talking to people on the phone, listening to music, watching movies.In a calculated move, Sony has made reservations available only to people who live in California. Presumably they hope to generate buzz and build some momentum with that state's EV-hungry population before they go wide.The Afeela 1 Signature is expected to roll out next year, with the Origin base model coming out in 2027.

At CES 2025, Beatbot unveiled the Amphibious RoboTurtle and Shore Self-Docking and Charging Station, two groundbreaking innovations that revolutionize pool care while setting a bold new standard for sustainable robotics. With their innovative designs, these technologies bridge the gap between ecological responsibility and practical application. The attention to detail in form and functionality reflects Beatbots focus on creating smarter, greener solutions.Designer: BeatbotThe Amphibious RoboTurtle: Inspired by Nature, Driven by InnovationThe RoboTurtles design harmoniously blends biomimicry and cutting-edge robotics. Its smooth, shell-like exterior mimics the natural form of a turtle, enabling it to integrate seamlessly into aquatic environments. This aesthetic choice is visually striking, while its streamlined design reduces water resistance, enabling the robot to move with precision and agility. The bionic multi-jointed limbs replicate a turtles movements, ensuring that its presence in fragile ecosystems is non-disruptive. Each movement reflects meticulous engineering, balancing strength and subtlety.Underneath its elegant exterior, the RoboTurtle is equipped with advanced technologies. The adaptive buoyancy system enables smooth transitions between land and water, allowing the robot to navigate challenging terrains and dynamic aquatic conditions. AI-powered cameras provide researchers with real-time data, capturing everything from biometric details of marine life to environmental hazards such as oil spills. High-efficiency solar panels embedded in its shell further enhance its functionality, offering sustainable, uninterrupted operation in remote locations.This combination of design and technology makes the RoboTurtle a versatile tool for conservationists, emergency responders, and researchers. Whether tracking endangered species, analyzing water quality, or responding to environmental crises, the RoboTurtles capabilities position it as an essential partner in ecological preservation.The Shore Self-Docking and Charging Station: Where Function Meets SimplicityThe Shore Self-Docking and Charging Station complements the RoboTurtle with an equally thoughtful design. At first glance, the stations minimalist aesthetic belies its sophisticated functionality. The clean lines and compact form factor make it an unobtrusive addition to any poolside setting. The motorized ramp, crafted for smooth transitions, ensures that the robotic cleaner moves effortlessly from water to dock without human intervention.This docking station distinguishes itself with its use of wireless magnetic charging. This system eliminates the need for exposed ports, reducing the risk of water damage and ensuring consistent, reliable performance. The advanced multi-sensor fusion technology allows the robotic cleaner to navigate accurately back to the dock, even in complex pool environments. By charging the robot outside the pool, the design prioritizes both safety and efficiency, enabling quicker maintenance cycles and minimizing downtime.The Shore Stations energy-efficient approach perfectly aligns with modern sustainability goals. It streamlines the maintenance process and reduces waste, making it indispensable for homeowners who value convenience and eco-conscious living.A Unified Vision for Smart Aquatic SolutionsTogether, the Amphibious RoboTurtle and the Shore Self-Docking and Charging Station represent a significant leap forward in smart aquatic technology. Beatbot has taken a holistic approach, ensuring that each product complements the other while addressing distinct challenges. The RoboTurtle brings ecological responsibility to the forefront with its versatile capabilities, while the Shore Station simplifies daily maintenance for pool owners without compromising on sustainability.These innovations show how Beatbot blends technology with nature in practical and meaningful ways. As showcased at CES 2025, Booth 52368, the RoboTurtle, and Shore Station are technological marvels designed to create a smarter, greener future. By focusing on design, functionality, and environmental impact, Beatbot sets a new benchmark for what robotics can achieve in aquatic environments.The post Beatbots RoboTurtle and Shore Self-Dock Turn Heads at CES 2025 with Game-Changing Aquatic Tech first appeared on Yanko Design.

At CES 2025, Lenovo unveiled a lineup of AI-powered devices designed to explore the forefront of modern technology. These forward-looking concepts showcased Lenovos commitment to designing intelligent systems that adapt seamlessly to user needs, setting a benchmark for intuitive, proactive computing.Designer: LenovoAI Display: A Smarter Workspace CompanionThe AI Display demonstrates Lenovos mission to develop technology that aligns with human behavior. This prototype dynamically adjusts to user movements, tilting, rotating, or lifting to accommodate changing postures. With embedded sensors, the AI Display monitors physical activity and offers gentle reminders to prevent prolonged sittinga thoughtful nod to workplace ergonomics.Voice control enhances the AI Displays hands-free functionality, allowing users to make adjustments without interrupting workflow. Meanwhile, built-in security features take privacy to the next level by blurring the screen when the user steps away, ensuring sensitive information remains confidential. Lenovo positions the AI Display as an all-encompassing solution for health, ergonomics, and data security in professional settings.AI Travel Set: Your On-the-Go AI CompanionDesigned for modern travelers, the AI Travel Set merges practicality with cutting-edge AI. This wearable duoa wristband and a pendantcollects comprehensive daily data, including steps, sleep patterns, and posture changes. The data is securely stored in an on-device AI module, which transforms it into actionable insights for improving lifestyle habits or optimizing schedules.A key feature of the pendant is itslive language translation, which empowers users to communicate effortlessly in different languages. This feature makes the Travel Set invaluable for globetrotters who are navigating unfamiliar cultures. By blending health monitoring with practical travel tools, Lenovos AI Travel Set redefines the concept of wearables.Lenovo AI PendantLenovo AI Travel SetLenovo Action Assistant: Redefining Task AutomationTheLenovo Action Assistant, powered by a large action model (LAM), pushes the boundaries of task automation. This concept translates natural language instructions into executable workflows, handling complex, multi-step tasks across apps or platforms. Imagine instructing your system to organize upcoming meetings, cancel conflicting ones, and draft an email summary and having it do it instantlythis is the promise of the Action Assistant.While businesses might use it to automate repetitive tasks like scheduling or batch editing, its potential extends to creative industries and individual productivity. By focusing on context-aware, multi-layered automation, Lenovos Action Assistant underscores a shift toward smarter, less intrusive AI integrations.Lenovo AI Headphones Proof-of-ConceptA Unified Vision for Intelligent DesignBeyond the devices, Lenovos CES showcase highlighted its vision for creating adaptive and unobtrusive technology. Sensors, posture recognition, and natural language processing converge to illustrate a future where machines proactively respond to human needs rather than waiting for explicit commands.Lenovo views these innovations as integral components of a broader ecosystem where AI and design intersect. By embedding intelligence into everyday tools, Lenovo aims to provide solutions that are equally practical and groundbreaking.Lenovo AI Storage Proof-of-ConceptExpanding the Ecosystem: Real-World InnovationsIn addition to concept devices, Lenovo showcased a comprehensive range of AI-enhanced products:ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition: This series incorporatesLenovo AI Nowand enhances workflows with features like Smart Modesfor privacy, collaboration, and wellness, making it ideal for hybrid work environments.ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable AI PC: Itsrollable display givesusers up to 50% more screen real estate, perfect for multitasking on the go.Lenovo AI-Integrated Accessories: Innovations like the Self-Charging Bluetooth Keyboard, powered by ambient light, and the AdaptX Mouse, which doubles as a travel hub and emergency power bank, further underline Lenovos focus on blending functionality with innovation.Lenovo AdaptX Mouse Proof-of-ConceptLenovos Vision for AI-Driven ComputingLenovos concept devices and AI-powered innovations reflect its strategy to empower users through intelligent design. From improving ergonomics and efficiency to enhancing security and personalization, these advancements are designed to make technology work seamlessly with the user. While these concepts remain in development, they highlight a clear trajectory: a future where devices actively adapt to our lives.By showcasing these ideas alongside market-ready products, Lenovo positions itself as a leader in creating intelligent ecosystems that prioritize user experience without compromising on innovation.The post Lenovos AI Concept Devices: Pioneering the Future of Adaptable Technology first appeared on Yanko Design.