Image by Getty / FuturismDevelopmentsSmoking cigarettes is extremely deadly; each year, the habit is estimated to kill around 480,000 Americans. But it makes you feel good near-instantly, washing you over with a calming buzz that nothing else quite matches. It also looks cool at least in the movies.Soon, though, the "cool" factor may be the only thing going for it. The Food and Drug Administration has proposed slashing the levels of nicotine the drug that actually makes you feel good in cigarettes so drastically that they'd no longer be able to get you hooked."By reducing the nicotine level of cigarettes and certain other combusted tobacco products to a level low enough to no longer create or sustain addiction, the cycle of exposure to these toxic chemicals can be broken," Brian King, director of the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products, said during a press briefing, per NBC News.Today, cigarettes contain around 11.9 to 14.5 milligrams of nicotine on average, depending on the brand. The FDA's plan is to reduce that to just 0.7 milligrams. Basically, as is The Atlantic'stake, it'd ban cigarettes in all but name.The substance on its own may not be responsible for most of smoking's harmful effects that comes from burning tobacco but it's incredibly addictive. It's why smoking is so easy to pick up, and so hard to quit."It's the tar and everything around the nicotine that poses the greatest risk to people's health," former acting CDC director Richard Besser told NBC. "But nicotine is what hooks you."By curbing addiction, the FDA argues in its proposal, you curb deaths. According to the agency's estimates, capping nicotine levels at 0.7 milligrams per gram of tobacco the amount that each cigarette contains would prevent 1.8 million tobacco-related deaths by 2060, and 4.3 million by the end of the century.The cap would also apply to other products including cigarette tobacco, roll-your-own tobacco, most cigars, and pipe tobacco, the FDA said.It would not, however, affect vapes, nicotine pouches like the increasingly popular Zyns non-combusted cigarettes, waterpipe tobacco for hookahs and the like, smokeless tobacco products like snus and dip, and "premium cigars."There's no guarantee, though, that the proposal will be passed into law, in its current form or at all. It'll be down to the incoming Trump administration to make the decision in September.Considering that the FDA first announced its intent for the proposal during Trump's first term in office, the president-elect's campaign promise to "Make America Healthy Again" (however sincere, as there's also talk of gutting the FDA) there's at least an outside chance of it happening."If there's a goal to make America healthy again, I can't imagine anything more important to get done than this," said FDA commissioner Robert Califf, per NBC,We're sure that in the meantime, though, the tobacco industry will do everything to make these plans go up in smoke.More on nicotine: Teens Who Vape Show Higher Levels of Uranium and Lead, Scientists FindShare This Article

When ChatGPT commercially launched in 2022, governments, industry sectors, regulators and consumer advocacy groups began to discuss the need to regulate AI, as well as to use it, and it is likely that new regulatory requirements will emerge for AI in the coming months.The quandary for CIOs is that no one really knows what these new requirements will be. However, two things are clear: It makes sense to do some of your own thinking about what your companys internal guardrails should be for AI; and there is too much at stake for organizations to ignore thinking about AI risk.The annals of AI deployments are rife with examples of AI gone wrong, resulting in damage to corporate images and revenues. No CIO wants to be on the receiving end of such a gaffe.Thats why PWC says, Businesses should also ask specific questions about what data will be used to design a particular piece of technology, what data the tech will consume, how it will be maintained and what impact this technology will have on others It is important to consider not just the users, but also anyone else who could potentially be impacted by the technology. Can we determine how individuals, communities and environments might be negatively affected? What metrics can be tracked? Related:Identify a Short List of AI RisksAs AI grows and individuals and organizations of all stripes begin using it, new risks will develop, but these are the current AI risks that companies should consider as they embark on AI development and deployment:Un-vetted data.Companies arent likely to obtain all of the data for their AI projects from internal sources. They will need to source data from third parties.A molecular design research team in Europe used AI to scan and digest all of the worldwide information available from sources such as research papers, articles, and experiments on that molecule. A healthcare institution wanted to use an AI system for cancer diagnosis, so it went out to procure data on a wide range of patients from many different countries.In both cases, data needed to be vetted.In the first case, the research team narrowed the lens of the data it was choosing to admit into its molecular data repository, opting to use only information that directly referred to the molecule they were studying. In the second case, the healthcare institution made sure that any data it procured from third parties was properly anonymized so that the privacy of individual patients was protected.By properly vetting internal and external data that AI would be using, both organizations significantly reduced the risk of admitting bad data into their AI data repositories.Related:Imperfect algorithms.Humans are imperfect, and so are the products they produce. The faulty Amazon recruitment tool, powered by AI and outputting results that favored males over females in recruitment efforts, is an oft-cited example -- but its not the only one.Imperfect algorithms pose risks because they tend to produce imperfect results that can lead businesses down the wrong strategic paths. Thats why its imperative to have a diverse AI team working on algorithm and query development. This staff diversity should be defined by a diverse set of business areas (along with IT and data scientists) working on the algorithmic premises that will drive the data. An equal amount of diversity should be used as it applies to the demographics of age, gender and ethnic background. To the degree that a full range of diverse perspectives are incorporated into algorithmic development and data collection, organizations lower their risk, because fewer stones are left unturned. Poor user and business process training.AI system users, as well as AI data and algorithms, should be vetted during AI development and deployment. For example, a radiologist or a cancer specialist might have the chops to use an AI system designed specifically for cancer diagnosis, but a podiatrist might not.Related:Equally important is ensuring that users of a new AI system understand where and how the system is to be used in their daily business processes. For instance, a loan underwriter in a bank might take a loan application, interview the applicant, and make an initial determination as to the kind of loan the applicant could qualify for, but the next step might be to run the application through an AI-powered loan decisioning system to see if the system agrees. If there is disagreement, the next step might be to take the application to the lending manager for review.The keys here, from both the AI development and deployment perspectives, are that the AI system must be easy to use, and that the users know how and when to use it.Accuracy over time.AI systems are initially developed and tested until they acquire a degree of accuracy that meets or exceeds the accuracy of subject matter experts (SMEs). The gold standard for AI system accuracy is that the system is 95% accurate when compared against the conclusions of SMEs. However, over time, business conditions can change, or the machine learning that the system does on its own might begin to produce results that yield reduced levels of accuracy when compared to what is transpiring in the real world. Inaccuracy creates risk.The solution is to establish a metric for accuracy (e.g., 95%), and to measure this metric on a regular basis. As soon as AI results begin losing accuracy, data and algorithms should be reviewed, tuned and tested until accuracy is restored.Intellectual property risk.Earlier, we discussed how AI users should be vetted for their skill levels and job needs before using an AI system. An additional level of vetting should be applied to those individuals who use the companys AI to develop proprietary intellectual property for the company.If you are an aerospace company, you dont want your chief engineer walking out the door with the AI-driven research for a new jet propulsion system.Intellectual property risks like this are usually handled by the legal staff and HR. Non-compete and non-disclosure agreements prerequisite to employment are agreed to. However, if an AI system is being deployed for intellectual property purposes, it should be a bulleted check point on the project list that everyone authorized to use the new system has the necessary clearance.

Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today's Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.I'm getting a huge kick out of Connections these days. It lends itself to more creative thinking than Wordle, which I also enjoy. But today was a tough one for me. Read on for today's Connections hints and answers.The Times now has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. And players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.Read more:Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every TimeHints for today's Connections groupsHere are four hints for the groupings in today's Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest, yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.Yellow group hint: Think money.Green group hint: Order in the court.Blue group hint: Natural wonders.Purple group hint: It's a first name, and a sea creature.Answers for today's Connections groupsYellow group: Fund.Green group: Court filing.Blue group: Landforms.Purple group: They have rays.Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English WordsWhat are today's Connections answers? The completed NYT Connections puzzle for Jan. 19, 2025. NYT/Screenshot by CNETThe yellow words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is fund. The four answers are kitty, pool, pot and purse.The green words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is court filing. The four answers are action, case, claim and suit.The blue words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is landforms. The four answers are basin, bluff, cape and plain.The purple words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is they have rays. The four answers are aquarium, geometry, sun and Tampa Bay.

To consider a detail and its larger context at one and the same time is fundamental to a designers work and is critical to working with architects on a daily basis, Lau explained of her design approach in Expressive Modern, published just a year after she was awarded an honorary doctorate degree in fine arts from the New York School of Interior Design. Founding each project around a clients personal treasures, interests, or lifestyle needs while also considering the surrounding natural environment, she created specifically tailored spaces that feel both reminiscent of great rooms of history and wholly rooted in the present.With Robins, Lau collaborated particularly closely, cofounding the first edition of Design Miami in 2005 alongside the now London-based consultant Ambra Medda. The fair began with Laus co-curation of 15 galleries, and a design prize to the late architect Zaha Hadid. Lau later would become the first designer invited to exhibit at New Yorks annual Salon Art + Design fair, where she showed a richly decorated living room of objects, from ceramics to showpiece minerals, in homage to the 120-year influence of Art Nouveau, in 2017.With this background in mind, Laus design mantra of curating rather than merely decorating spaces was a natural conclusion. In September 2024, the designer debuted a truly curated space of her ownan inaugural eponymous gallery on the eighth floor of the New York Design Center. It showcases her expert selection of contemporary and vintage ceramic, glass, and metal works alongside textiles and furniture. Lau previously designed commercial projects with bravado for institutions like Baccarat, Elie Tahari, and the Museum of Arts and Design, and product collections for Doris Leslie Blau, Heath Ceramics, Kohler, Kyle Bunting, Maya Romanoff, and S.Harris.Despite Laus formal training and sophisticated experience in the decorative arts, her projects have no hint of arrogance. Instead, there is a perpetual joyfulness in their designs, one that can only come from someone whose creativity is firmly rooted in the earth and inspired by its spectacular spectrum. As Lau herself once wrote: I see nature as a friend and teacher, a mentor who shaped my imagination early on and continues to inform my interior design work.

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With a TikTok ban looming in the United States, Perplexity AI is the latest bidder hoping to give the video app a new corporate home.CNBC first reported on Perplexitys interest. A source with knowledge of the offer confirmed to TechCrunch that Perplexity (whose CEO Aravind Srinivas is pictured above) has submitted a bid to merge with TikTok US.The source also confirmed other details about the bid that it would create a new entity combining Perplexity, TikTok US, and new equity partners; that most investors in TikToks parent company ByteDance would be able to retain their equity; and that by merging, Perplexity hopes to bring more video to its AI search engine.A law requiring ByteDance to either sell TikTok or see it banned in the US is set to take effect on Sunday, January 19. That will be President Joe Bidens last day in office, and officials from his administration have said that it will leave the actual implementation of the ban to the next Administration.Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump, who will be inaugurated on Monday, said he would most likely give TikTok a 90-day extension, and TikToks CEO posted a video thanking Trump for his efforts.However, TikTok said that without more explicit assurances of non-enforcement from the Biden administration, it will be forced to go dark on Sunday.Despite a number of buyers expressing interest in TikTok, ByteDance has said repeatedly that it does not intend to sell. (The company described a report that the Chinese government is open to an acquisition by Elon Musk as pure fiction.) CNBC reports that Perplexity is hoping it can overcome those reservations by proposing a merger rather than a sale.TechCrunch has reached out to TikTok and Perplexity AI for comment.

BlackJack3D/Getty ImagesVirtual private networks are no longer just for tech enthusiasts and privacy buffs -- they've become an essential tool for navigating a more restricted internet. VPNs offer a lifeline to digital freedom and security, from bypassing censorship to securing data from prying eyes. In the US, legislation in several states has blocked adult websites orplacedthem behind strict age gates. Regional policies limit access to various types of content, including streaming services and political materials. As more sites and services become geographically restricted, more individuals are using VPNs to bypass these blocks, protect their digital freedoms, and safeguard their data. Beyond unblocking adult websites or region-locked media, many users worry about government surveillance, data retention laws, and the sale of personal browsing data by ISPs. A VPN addresses these privacy risks by encrypting your traffic and masking your IP address. However, a VPN alone may not provide a comprehensive solution for network security or privacy concerns. To truly safeguard your data and enhance network privacy, combining a VPN with robust protocols like WireGuard and integrating them into advanced hardware setups (such as Firewalla and others mentioned below) can make a significant difference. Also: How AI will transform cybersecurity in 2025 - and supercharge cybercrimeThis guide outlines how to pair the open-source WireGuard protocol with Proton VPN, a Swiss-based provider celebrated for its strong privacy policies, and to integrate them into router-based setups for entire-network coverage. I'll also explore advanced techniques like policy-based routing, IP passthrough, zero-trust segmentation, and even building your firewall router on Linux or FreeBSD. Understanding VPN protocols and WireGuard Many commercial VPNs (ExpressVPN, NordVPN, etc.) rely on proprietary protocols that often lock users into specific apps. For example, NordVPN'sNordLynx protocol is based on WireGuard but deviates from the standard implementation. It does not use standard WireGuard .conf files for direct use on routers. Instead, NordVPN (and ExpressVPN) employs the older OpenVPN protocol for router configurations, which is less performant and more complex to set up. In contrast, WireGuard provides a refreshing alternative with an open-source design, a tight codebase (4,000 lines total), and notably high performance. Its modern cryptographic methods and lean architecture result in lower latency and faster speeds than legacy protocols like OpenVPN or IPSec, making it an excellent fit for bypassing region locks, streaming content, or engaging in latency-sensitive tasks like gaming. Example of a simple WireGuard configuration (.conf) file created by Proton VPN's download portal. Screenshot by Jason Perlow/ZDNETWireGuard's key management is also straightforward and highly efficient. Each peer -- whether a router, laptop, or smartphone -- is assigned a public/private key pair, eliminating the need to manage complex certificates. This simplified design reduces the overall attack surface and eases auditing, as fewer lines of code typically mean fewer potential vulnerabilities. Notably, you can install WireGuard on a router (rather than on each device in your network), allowing all network traffic to pass through the secure tunnel without managing separate VPN clients or profiles on individual computers or mobile devices. This router-based approach is especially valuable for environments where multiple devices -- from personal laptops to IoT gadgets -- must be secured, as it centralizes the VPN configuration and simplifies network-wide encryption. Legal and ethical disclaimer Using VPNs to bypass regional blocks or consume restricted content may be unlawful in certain jurisdictions. VPNs bolster privacy but do not guarantee total anonymity. If you evade local laws concerning adult content, abortion information, or other regulated material, understand there may be legal consequences. Always research your VPN provider's logging policies -- some free solutions log user data or inject malware, compromising rather than enhancing user privacy. WireGuard VPN providers Although this article primarily showcases Proton VPN for its transparent WireGuard .conf files (no proprietary lock-in), strong no-log policy, and free vs. paid plan structure, many other reputable VPN providers offer WireGuard configuration files for router-based setups. These include: Mullvad An independent, Swedish-based VPN service run by Mullvad VPN AB. Mullvad is praised for its no-email registration, strict no-logs policy, and the option to pay anonymously in cash or cryptocurrency.CyberGhost Part of Kape Technologies, which owns ExpressVPN, Private Internet Access (PIA), and ZenMate. CyberGhost is known for specialized servers (streaming, torrenting) and user-friendly apps.Private Internet Access (PIA) Another Kape Technologies brand, recognized for its large server network, advanced configurations like split tunneling, and its built-in ad/malware blocker ("PIA MACE").Surfshark Now under the Nord Security umbrella (following a 2022 merger), Surfshark is popular for unlimited device connections, ad/malware blocking ("CleanWeb"), and relatively budget-friendly pricing.Many of these services let you select a server in their portal or app and generate a .conf file for WireGuard, which you can then import into your router. The basic steps -- choosing a region, downloading the configuration, and applying it -- are similar to those we'll follow with Proton VPN below. Why Proton VPN? Proton VPN was founded in 2017 by the team behind Proton Mail, the world's largest secure email service. Operated under the Swiss-based, non-profitProton Foundation, Proton VPN prioritizes user privacy over profit-driven motives, similar to theSignalmessaging service. Its structure ensures that no shareholders or external investors influence its mission, maintaining a focus on privacy and security.Proton generates revenue through paid subscription plans to sustain its services, but it remains a not-for-profit organization governed by the Proton Foundation. This unique approach allows Proton to regularly publish transparency reports, invest in independent security research, and avoid corporate ownership by large VPN conglomerates. Proton VPN is a compelling choice for users seeking privacy-first, router-friendly configurations. Even on the free tier, Proton VPN delivers reliable and fast connections. Its focus on privacy extends to its router-friendly WireGuard configurations, which are transparent and free of proprietary lock-in. Proton VPN's tiered Free and Paid plans cater to a broad range of needs.PlanFreePaidServer Locations 35 countries (limited) 110 countries (city-level selection) Speed Decent, not guaranteed Often near max ISP speeds, priority servers Advanced Features Basic NetShield (ad block) Full NetShield, multi-hop, Secure Core Devices 1 device 10+ devices (tier-dependent) Performance ~5070% of ISP bandwidth Potentially close to full ISP bandwidth Step-by-Step: Using WireGuard on Proton VPN Step 1: Create a Proton VPN account Visit ProtonVPN.com and click Get Proton VPN Free.Choose a Free or Paid plan, depending on your needs.Verify your account via email.Log in to your Proton VPN dashboard once your account is confirmed. Proton VPN's download portal. Jason Perlow/ZDNET Step 2: Generate your WireGuard configuration Go to Downloads (or the WireGuard Configuration section) in your Proton VPN dashboard.Enter a descriptive name for your configuration in the "Device/certificate name" field, such as "ZDNET Test Router."Choose Router (or whichever platform you're setting up).Configure NetShield (ad/malware blocker) by selecting the desired filter level, or leave it off if you prefer.(Optional) Enable NAT/PMP (for port forwarding) or Moderate NAT based on your networking needs.(Optional) Check "VPN Accelerator" to improve speeds, if supported.Pick a standard server or region. Proton VPN may also auto-select the best server based on load.Click Create (or "Download") to generate and save the .conf file. Many WireGuard-compatible routers, such as the Firewalla Purple and Gold series, allow direct import of WireGuard .conf files generated by services such as Proton VPN. Screenshot by Jason Perlow/ZDNET Step 3: Configure your router Log in to your router's admin interface (commonly accessed via 192.168.x.x).Navigate to the VPN / WireGuard settings section.Import or Paste the Proton VPN .conf file you downloaded. Some routers let you upload the file directly; others might require copying the keys, peer settings, and endpoint details manually.Save your changes and enable the WireGuard interface or tunnel. Step 4: Enable IP Passthrough or Bridge Mode (if needed) If your ISP modem also acts as a router (e.g., AT&T BGW-320, Arris, etc.), you risk double NAT (Network Address Translation) unless you enable "Bridge Mode" or "IP Passthrough." This configuration ensures your custom router (Firewalla, OpenWRT, or another) receives a public IP directly, managing NAT independently. Access the ISP gateway's admin interface (often 192.168.1.254 or 192.168.0.1).Locate Bridge Mode or IP Passthrough in the advanced settings.Assign the MAC address of your router as the passthrough device.Save and reboot both devices. Step 5: Verify your connection Check your public IP at ipinfo.io. It should show Proton VPN's server location. Speedtest.net will also display your IP configuration.(Optional) Run a ping or traceroute to confirm stable routing.All traffic on your network should now traverse the WireGuard tunnel. Which routers support WireGuard? Many router manufacturers are adding native WireGuard support to their devices. Asus, Netgear, and Linksys regularly include WireGuard in their firmware updates, especially for mid-to-high-end models. Open-source firmware platforms like OpenWRT also offer extensive support, making them an excellent choice for advanced users. Other router options GL.iNet OpenWRT-based routers come pre-loaded with WireGuard, making them ideal travel VPN routers. OpenWRT One, developed by the Software Freedom Conservancy and Banana Pi, is a $89 dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router (available from Amazon fully assembled for US and EU power supplies) with full OpenWRT firmware. It features a 2.5GbE PoE WAN port, an M.2 slot for hardware add-ons, and a hardware switch to prevent bricking by toggling between NOR and NAND memory. Because it's standard OpenWRT, you can access thousands of packages (including WireGuard) and frequent security updates. Firewalla Purple and Gold series devices are widely praised for their simple configuration, high performance, and mobile app. Its newAP7 Wi-Fi 7 access pointallows zero-trust segmentation, meaning you can isolate IoT gadgets on separate networks to minimize the impact if one device is compromised. Firewalla routers also offer multiple VPN profiles, letting you fine-tune which devices or users tunnel through WireGuard. If you have enterprise-level or advanced requirements, consider a Firewalla Gold Pro, Ubiquiti Dream Machine, Mikrotik, OPNSense, or Netgate device for robust VLAN configurations, advanced QoS, and large-scale LAN deployments. Troubleshooting and FAQ Even with WireGuard's simplicity, a few issues may arise: Handshake failure: Check that your public/private keys match Proton VPN's settings. Ensure the router's clock is accurate, as major time differences break WireGuard's cryptographic handshake.DNS leaks: Your real location is exposed if DNS requests still go to your ISP. Update your router's DNS to Proton VPN's resolvers and validate at dnsleaktest.com.Policy-based routing: If you want to use the VPN only for specific devices or domains (e.g. streaming boxes that need local region access), explore split tunneling or "policy-based routing" in your router firmware (Firewalla, OpenWRT, OPNsense, etc.).Wi-Fi performance: Upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 or adding multiple access points can alleviate coverage gaps. However, your overall VPN speed also depends on your router's CPU speed for WireGuard encryption.General security tips: Stick to reputable VPNs like Proton VPN, avoid free apps, and keep firmware updated. Router-based VPN setups typically offer better consistency than phone-based VPN apps. Show more Advanced tips and security best practices Key rotation: Change your WireGuard keys periodically to reduce the chance of compromised credentials over time. Proton issues profiles that are valid for one year until a new profile import is required.Hardware constraints: Lower-power routers (~700 MHz single-core) might cap out at ~100 Mbps for WireGuard, while dual-core ARM or x86 at 1.4+ GHz CPUs on these devices can handle hundreds of Mbps or more. (Firewalla Gold Pro can handle 2Gbps WireGuard connections.)Kill switch/fail-closed: In advanced firewall OSes (pfSense, OPNsense), you can configure firewall rules that drop all traffic if the VPN goes down, preventing accidental leaks.Zero-trust segmentation: Isolate IoT or guest devices on separate SSIDs/VLANs. If a device is breached, attackers can't easily pivot across the rest of your network. Building your WireGuard-compatible firewall router on Linux or FreeBSD For advanced users, building a WireGuard-compatible firewall router using open-source platforms like Linux or FreeBSD offers near-limitless customization. Solutions such as OPNsense and pfSense (FreeBSD-based) or OpenWRT and IPFire (Linux-based) provide robust options for integrating WireGuard at the OS level. These platforms allow for refined firewall rules, VLAN management, bandwidth shaping, and multi-WAN failover. While setup requires more technical expertise and hardware compatibility considerations, the payoff is unmatched control over advanced routing and security features. Next steps After you've set up WireGuard on a router via Proton VPN: Explore multi-hop/secure core: Proton VPN's paid plans offer layered routing for heightened privacy.Check WAN failover: If your router supports dual WAN or cellular backup, set up automatic failover so your VPN reconnects if one link drops.Refine policy-based routing: Split tunneling allows selective encryption, perfect for devices that need local content or minimal latency (e.g. gaming consoles).Self-host WireGuard: Platforms like AWS Lightsail, Linode, or DigitalOcean let you build your own VPN server, cutting out third-party operators entirely.Intrusion detection: Tools like Suricata or Snort on OPNsense or pfSense can monitor and block suspicious traffic in real time. The increasing need for router-based VPNs Growing geoblocks, censorship laws, and privacy concerns have made VPNs indispensable for many users. WireGuard stands out with its speed, simplicity, and open-source ethos. Proton VPN offers a robust, privacy-centric VPN that's straightforward to deploy on a wide range of routers, including Firewalla's Gold Series/AP7 for zero-trust segmentation or OpenWRT One for budget-friendly Wi-Fi 6 performance. Also:How we test VPNs in 2025With proper planning, you can maintain the freedom to access geo-blocked content and the security to navigate the modern web safely. Security

What makes the dream work, as management ranks are thinning. gettyManagement has decided to eliminate management, it seems. A new trend is emerging, as bureaucracies are flattened - and teams need to move forward inside a new structure. With recent trends in white collar layoffs, the future of work is being built on self-directed teams. Cutbacks are driving the change. Yahoo!News has declared that the six-figure job market faces a white collar recession. Bloomberg Intelligence says that Global banks will cut as many as 200,000 jobs in the next three to five years.Meta, Bayer, GE and 3M, the movement away from management is a step towards new requirements for workers. How can you prepare for the new new normal, where management means something different than it ever has before?Self-Leadership is the New ManagementAuthor and leadership expert Steve Denning has done research into new management structures. He notes that many high-performance teams are not manager-led. Top results emerge when management steps back, allowing the team to self-organize. What generates the energy and passion of self-organizing teams, and their eventual high productivity, is that the members enjoy the opportunity to organize their own work and contribute their full human potential to the collective, he shares.Management layers are reduced in the pursuit of profitability, efficiency - and greater empowerment for employees. But moving to a self-led structure isnt as easy as writing a prompt for ChatGPT. Workers want to know who is in charge, when the managers are being let go. Who referees between budget allocations, product launch dates, legal approvals? Who will have the authority to sign off on your next vacation request? The answer depends on the organization, but greater autonomy is emerging as the path forward. In a world without managers, opportunity appears. An opportunity for you to step up - and step into - self-leadership. These three vital self-leadership skills will help you to prepare for the future of work - and future-proof your career.As Management Departs, the Self-Governing Workforce ArrivesIn self-governing teams, according to Dennings research, what to do is often harder than actually doing the work. The ability to identify choices, and challenges, is central the team. That objective emphasizes the importance of persuasive communication. That way, others can enroll in a proposed course of action - but discussion and discourse are part of the new new normal. To thrive in this evolving environment, employees should focus on developing the following self-leadership strategies:Decisiveness: Are you good at making decisions? Structure can reduce or even eliminate the need to make decisions. However, removing the hierarchy of management means everyone needs to make decisions. Responsibility is shared, not dictated. Your success relies on your cognitive skills, not management oversight. The future of work requires employees that can see the rules (guardrails) and innovate in between them - seeing new possibilities not just old regulations. Abdicating responsibility wont work any more - ownership is whats required, at every level. The navigation involves critical thinking, assessing available information (including that suspicious output from ChatGPT) and taking responsibility for outcomes. Decision-making will shift to the individual, based on the needs of the team, when moving to self-directed workforce. Heres how the Project Management Institute explains the difference: Manager-led teams are defined and led by someone from the outside. A manager appoints a project manager, and the project manager becomes the boss of a team. The team does whatever the manager tells it to do. In the self-directed team, you are the CEO of a Brand Called You. Your choices define your success, based on the impact you create for your team. What decisions do you need to make, to enable that impact?Collaboration and Cooperation: Success in self-directed teams hinges on effective collaboration. Building strong interpersonal relationships and fostering open communication are essential for achieving collective goals. So, how do you do that? Turns out, collaboration and cooperation both leverage the oldest tool in business: the conversation. In self-directed teams, notice that self isnt really what matters most. Ambition takes a back seat, when nobody needs or wants to be in the manager. Advancement comes from advancing projects. Evaluation is based on performance. Surprisingly, self-directed teams emphasize selfless service, not selfishness. The project or task is what matters - not office politics, promotion or positioning. Collaboration is critical to the success of self-directed teams. Where will self-directed teams fail? Inside toxic cultures. Cutthroat companies cant compete in the new order. If you arent finding collaboration and cooperation, look at your culture - and get ready to change.Self-Reliance and Initiative: Projects need to follow SMART objectives: goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-boxed (urgent). Teams must organize around objectives, and involving others in creating those objectives is the key. In manager-led teams, expectations determine behavior. In self-directed teams, agreement drives behavior. Moving from expectations to agreement is an exercise in self-reliance and initiative, so that you can share your ideas in a way that is compelling - and resistant to criticism. In my consulting work with companies undergoing digital transformation, creating a culture of agreement (not expectation) is key. After all, in the self-directed team theres an egalitarianism of ideas (everyone has an opportunity to contribute - versus just listening to the boss for guidance). This emerging democratization of the workforce means you have to own your voice, and your ideas - sharing them with initiative and confidence, in your communication.What Leaders Can Learn From Established Management Systems of Self-Directed TeamsSophie Thatcher from Yellowjackets.Getty Images for Paramount +MORE FOR YOUThe concept of self-governing groups isn't entirely new. For instance, boarding schools provide a parallel, where students live away from parental oversight. Unlike that flashback from an episode of Yellowjackets, a natural discipline and leadership emerges for young adults in prep school. At St. Johns Northwestern Academies, a boarding school in Delafield, Wisconsin, students learn and demonstrate personal accountability. Boarding school life requires students to step outside their comfort zones and become more self-reliant. The same can be said for the self-directed workforce. And maybe for the characters on Yellowjackets? Ill leave that for you to decide.Despite initial concerns about potential disorder, students often develop unspoken systems of collaboration and cooperation, establishing a natural order among themselves. As adults, we have an even greater capacity for creativity and collaboration, inside self-directed teams. Concerns about disorder need to be replaced with a deeper understanding of human nature. We are wired to collaborate. Our ability to communicate, not the organizational hierarchy, is what built the world around us. This phenomenon illustrates the human capacity to self-organize and adapt, which has been around since long before Henry Ford built the first assembly line. Management is evolving to bring us back to what we do best, when ownership, empowerment and self-leadership take charge.

TL;DR: Recent advancements in lithium-sulfur battery technology have been reported by two independent research teams, each tackling key challenges in commercializing these energy storage devices. One team concentrated on enhancing the cathode material, while the other developed an innovative solid electrolyte. In the first study, a team led by Professor Jong-sung Yu at the DGIST Department of Energy Science and Engineering developed a nitrogen-doped porous carbon material to enhance the charging speed of lithium-sulfur batteries. This material, synthesized using a magnesium-assisted thermal reduction method, acts as a sulfur host in the battery cathode. The resulting battery exhibited remarkable performance, achieving a high capacity of 705 mAh g even when fully charged in just 12 minutes.The carbon structure, formed by the reaction of magnesium with nitrogen in ZIF-8 at high temperatures, enabled higher sulfur loading and improved electrolyte contact. This advancement resulted in a 1.6-fold increase in capacity compared to conventional batteries under rapid charging conditions. Furthermore, the nitrogen doping effectively suppressed lithium polysulfide migration, allowing the battery to retain 82 percent of its capacity after 1,000 charge-discharge cycles.Collaboration with Argonne National Laboratory revealed that lithium sulfide formed in a specific orientation within the carbon material's layered structures. This finding confirmed the benefits of nitrogen doping and the porous carbon structure in boosting sulfur loading and accelerating reaction speed.A separate study by Chinese and German researchers introduced a solid electrolyte designed to address the slow chemical reaction between lithium ions and elemental sulfur. This innovative electrolyte is a glass-like material composed of boron, sulfur, lithium, phosphorus, and iodine.The standout feature of this study is the inclusion of iodine in the electrolyte. Thanks to its rapid electron exchange capabilities, iodine acts as an intermediate in electron transfer to sulfur, dramatically accelerating electrode reactions. Researchers propose that iodine's mobility within the electrolyte may allow it to function as an electron shuttle. // Related StoriesThe performance results were equally impressive. When charged at an extremely fast rate achieving a full charge in just over a minute the battery retained half the capacity of one charged 25 times more slowly. At an intermediate charging rate, the battery retained over 80 percent of its initial capacity after more than 25,000 charge-discharge cycles. This level of durability far exceeds that of conventional lithium-ion batteries, which typically experience similar capacity degradation after only about 1,000 cycles.Together, these advancements bring lithium-sulfur batteries closer to practical implementation. The DGIST team's work demonstrates the promise of advanced cathode materials in rapid-charging scenarios, while the Chinese-German collaboration highlights the transformative potential of solid electrolytes in improving battery longevity and charging speed.

Table of ContentsTable of Contents5. Stranger Things (TBD)4. Yellowjackets (Feb. 14)3. The White Lotus (Feb. 16)2. Andor (Apr. 22)1. The Last of Us (April)2025 has arrived, and its bringing a lot of interesting new and returning TV with it. Severance season 2was the years first major return, but since it already debuted, it will not be on this list.Looking toward the rest of the year, weve sussed out the dramas that were most looking forward to in 2025. All of these shows are returning in 2025 because so many were caught up in delays around the writers and actors strikes. That does mean there will be an abundance of riches to choose from in 2025. Without further ado, these are the drama shows were looking forward to most in the year ahead.Recommended VideosStranger Things 5 | Title Tease | NetflixThe roller coaster ride of Stranger ThingsRelatedNow, though, Eleven and the boys know the threat theyre facing, and theyre ready to face it head-on. Season 5 looks epic and long, but given the shows enormous popularity, itll also be eagerly anticipated.You can watchStranger Thingson Netflix.Yellowjackets Season 3 First Look ?As one of the more surprising small-scale TV phenomenons in recent memory, Yellowjacketswill return for its third season with a mixture of apprehension and anticipation. The series follows the aftermath of a plane crash in the Canadian wilderness and the survivors of that crash who are still haunted by it decades later.Yellowjackets continued to unspool mysteries around what was happening in that wilderness and what the women who survived are hiding decades later. The shows second season was not quite as universally beloved as the first, but theres still plenty of room for optimism heading into season 3.You can watchYellowjacketson Paramout+.The White Lotus Season 3 | Official Teaser | MaxEvery time The White LotusThe ensemble cast that has been assembled for this new season includes Carrie Coon,Michelle Monaghan, Walton Goggins, and Jason Isaacs, among others. While we dont know how this new season will unfold, mostWhite Lotusseasons involve a dead body, and this one probably wont be any different.You can watchThe White Lotuson Max.Star Wars television has not, on the whole, been all that good. Thats why the first season of Andorwas such a major surprise. The show, a prequel to Rogue One, tells the story of Cassian Andor as he transforms from a thief into a genuine diehard rebel.Along the way, though, it becomes a meditation on what its like to live under fascism and how much easier it is to keep your head down than it would be to openly rebel. Andors second season will be eagerly anticipated because the first season exceeded expectations. Hopefully, it doesnt disappoint.You can watchAndoron Disney+.The Last Of Us Season 2 | April 2025 | MaxWhen its first season debuted in 2023, many were amazed at how well The Last of Us avoided many of the crutches plaguing most video game adaptations. Set 20 years after a fungal virus has turned most of humanity into flesh-eating zombies, The Last of Usfollows a man and a young girl as they travel across the country together after discovering that the girl is immune to the infection.The second season will be adapted from the hugely acclaimed and somewhat controversial The Last of Us Part II, which features a time jump and several other surprises but is just as dark and thrilling as the first installment.You can watch The Last of Us on Max.Editors Recommendations