In BriefPosted:4:53 PM PST January 20, 2025Image Credits:Michael M. Santiago / Getty ImagesPresident Trump repeals Bidens AI executive orderDuring his first day in office, President Donald Trump revoked a 2023 executive order signed by former President Joe Biden that sought to reduce the potential risks AI poses to consumers, workers, and national security.Bidens executive order directed the Commerce Departments National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to author guidance that helps companies identify and correct for flaws in models, includingbiases. The executive order also required developers of AI systems to share the results of safety tests with the U.S. government before they were released to the public. Critics allied with Trump argued that the executive orders reporting requirements were onerous and effectively forced companies to disclose their trade secrets. During his campaign, Trump promised policies that would support AI development rooted in free speech and human flourishing but declined to go into detail.Topics

Hey everyone! Ive always wanted to participate in one of these, and since I recently finished my portfolio feels like the perfect time. Although like I only really have around a week, I wont put too much pressure on myself and Ill do my best!I started thinking about ideas a few days ago and Im thinking something like ice punch from Pokemon with an asset like Iceborn gauntlet from League of Legends? Anyways for now heres a concept I quickly sketched out yesterday and Ill post more tomorrow so stay tuned!

Asylum seekers residing in a Greek refugee camp funded by the European Union (EU) are subjected to invasive phone confiscations and legally dubious monitoring by artificial intelligence (AI)-driven surveillance systems, a report has revealed.Published by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) I Have Rights (IHR) and the Border Violence Monitoring Network (BVMN), the findings detail privacy violations and questionable data practices that underscore growing concerns over the role of technology in migration management.As the EU increases its reliance on technology for migration management, Greeces refugee camps have become experimentation sites for AI-driven solutions. But the findings which centre on the Samos Closed Controlled Access Centre (CCAC), Greeces flagship EU-funded refugee camp raise critical questions about the cost to fundamental rights and privacy in the name of border control.This scrutiny follows a 175,000 fine issued last year to Greeces Ministry of Migration and Asylum by the Greek Data Protection Authority (DPA) for violations of data protection laws, adding further weight to concerns over the legality of the countrys surveillance practices.According to the report, 88% of asylum seekers interviewed said their mobile phones were confiscated upon arrival in Samos. Devices were taken without explanation, with many individuals coerced into unlocking them or providing passcodes. Upon return, some phones showed evidence of tampering, such as accessed applications, deleted photos, or altered battery levels.The legal basis for these actions remains unclear. While Greek authorities deny the practice, Frontex, the EU border agency, confirmed in correspondence with IHR that phone removal is included in confidential operational plans. Legal experts argue that such practices likely violate EU data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).You could not say no [to the police], one asylum seeker told researchers. When they arrived, they were screaming and giving orders, as if we were arrested.Another said: I felt like a prisoner, I was thinking this is the punishment for having come illegally.Computer Weekly has independently gathered testimonies from asylum seekers who report that their mobile phones were confiscated upon arrival on Samos, as well as other Greek islands and the mainland.It remains unclear whether data is extracted from mobile devices and how officials use it. Still, the possibility has raised concerns about its potential impact on asylum procedures.Frontex spokesperson Chris Borowski told Computer Weekly via email that the agency operates strictly within the boundaries of EU law and fundamental rights are at the core of all our activities.He added: Frontex does not have the authority to confiscate personal devices or access private data. These are matters handled by national authorities, and we expect any such actions to comply fully with national and EU laws.The Greek police did not respond to Computer Weeklys request for comment by the publication deadline.The report also highlights the deployment of Centaur and Hyperion, two EU-funded surveillance systems that rely on artificial intelligence and biometric data. Centaur uses CCTV cameras, drones and AI-based motion analytics to automatically flag threats in the camp and its vicinity, with data monitored remotely by the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum in Athens and officials on several islands. Hyperion, meanwhile, relies on biometric data to control access to the facility.The pervasive surveillance has turned the Samos CCAC into what many describe as a high-tech prison-like structure. The NGO report highlights evidence that cameras appear to have been placed in areas where privacy would be expected, such as inside corridors and containers where people sleep.At any moment, you are being watched, one respondent told researchers.The vast majority (92%) of Samos CCAC residents interviewed reported not being informed by authorities about CCTV monitoring, with 85% stating they had not seen any signs indicating camera usage.Likewise, all camp workers interviewed confirmed they had received no information from authorities about the cameras and could not recall seeing any signage indicating the facility was under surveillance. Almost all respondents reported they did not recall consenting to their data being processed.The IHR report combined multiple methods, including analysing publicly available documents and freedom of information requests. It is based on interviews with 59 camp residents, seven workers, and nine experts between December 2023 and December 2024.Additionally, researchers collaborated with residents affected by the technology to file data subject access requests (DSARs), a legal tool that lets individuals access personal data held by companies, organisations, or government agencies. This effort represents the first publicly known success in investigating these systems through DSARs.The resulting report offers the most detailed and comprehensive account to date of the phone extraction practices at the Samos CCAC and the impact of other tech-driven practices on asylum seekers.The Centaur and Hyperion systems have been developed with the participation of both Greek and Israeli technology companies. According to the report, two Israeli firms, Viisights and Octopus, play key roles in the surveillance infrastructure.Viisights specialises in behavioural recognition video analytics and has provided AI software advertised as capable of detecting threats. The report noted that video footage from the Samos CCAC obtained via DSARs was watermarked with Viisights branding, confirming its involvement.Computer Weekly has learned that Viisights is undergoing insolvency proceedings, casting uncertainty over its future involvement in Greek camp operations.Octopus, another Israeli firm, supplies security solutions that integrate data from multiple surveillance technologies, such as cameras and drones, into a centralised control system, as seen at the Athens control room. The Octopus platform is also used by Israels Ministry of Defence and the private company Coca-Cola, according to the companys website.Some consider the involvement of Israeli firms in refugee camps controversial, with critics accusing them of using marginalised populations to trial surveillance technologies that could later be applied in militarised settings.Neither Viisights nor Octopus responded to Computer Weeklys request for comment by the publication deadline.At least three Greek companies are also involved in the Centaur and Hyperion projects. They include ESA Security Solutions, Space Hellas and ADAPTIT.The Greek DPAs investigation into the surveillance systems, which concluded last year, uncovered significant shortcomings in the implementation of the Centaur and Hyperion systems, including incomplete and inadequate data protection impact assessments (DPIAs).A Computer Weekly investigation last year revealed that Greek authorities appeared to retroactively attempt GDPR compliance only after implementing the systems, a violation of data protection laws. This investigation also highlighted several issues later cited in the DPAs decision.Alongside the record fine, the Greek Ministry of Migration was instructed to align the security programmes with GDPR requirements. However, it remains unclear whether any corrective actions have been taken.Computer Weekly contacted the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum for comment but did not receive a response.The Samos CCAC is part of a broader EU initiative to modernise migration management. However, critics warn that the facilitys high-tech infrastructure may serve as a model for replicating invasive surveillance across Europe under the new EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. The EU and Greek authorities promised that the CCAC would be a model, humane facility. Yet reports both from people on the move and workers attest to the inhumanity of the structure and its panoptic surveillance architecture Ella Dodd, I Have RightsElla Dodd, advocacy and strategy coordinator at IHR on Samos, said: People seeking safety on our island are not criminals. The EU and Greek authorities promised that the CCAC would be a model, humane facility. Yet reports both from people on the move and workers attest to the inhumanity of the structure and its panoptic surveillance architecture.Report correspondents identified phone removal as the most invasive and distressing use of technology in the camp. Still, most of the asylum seekers interviewed placed more importance on immediate concerns such as overcrowding, poor living conditions, inadequate medical care and the stress of navigating asylum applications over the camps surveillance systems and phone seizure practices.Some even expressed indifference or resignation toward these technologies and their use, viewing them as less pressing than other hardships.The NGO report urges immediate action, including halting phone removals, replacing biometric systems with less invasive alternatives and ensuring transparency in the deployment of surveillance technologies.The Greek migration ministry did not respond to a request for comment regarding the reports findings.Read more about technology and migrationInterview: Petra Molnar, author of The walls have eyes: Refugee lawyer and author Petra Molnar speaks to Computer Weekly about the extreme violence people on the move face at borders across the world, and how increasingly hostile anti-immigrant politics is being enabled and reinforced by a lucrative panopticon of surveillance technologies.Starmer announces tech-enabled crackdown on people smuggling: The UK government has announced a further 75m of funding for its Border Security Command, meaning it will now have 150m over two years to spend on new technologies and staff.English Channel surveillance used to deter and punish migrants: Instead of opening safe and legal routes to the UK, the countrys border control ecosystem is deploying surveillance technologies in the English Channel to deter migrant crossings, it is claimed.

Tourists crowd Trevi Fountain in Rome. Elsewhere in Italy, cities and landmarks like Venice and ... [+] Pompeii tighten their restrictions.gettyEurope remains a dream destination for U.S. travelers, drawing over 20 million Americans in the first 11 months of 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration.Despite this impressive number, North American tourists represent just 7% of all international visitors to the European Union. Intra-European travel dominates at 85%, exerting significant pressure on the region's most iconic destinations.In 2025, European countries continue to prioritize tourist taxes, visitor caps and short-term rental bans as key measures to address overtourism. Still, these actions underscore a united effort to safeguard cultural heritage and support local communities amid rising travel demand.Amsterdam's Sustainability Reset Amid A Milestone AnniversaryCanal tour in Amsterdam, Holland an area which soon will be an emission-free zone. gettyAmsterdam is celebrating its 750th anniversary in 2025 with a packed calendar of events, but the city's bold sustainability initiatives are stealing the spotlight.MORE FOR YOUIn 2024, the Dutch capital already implemented one of Europe's highest tourist tax, levying 12.5% on accommodation costs. Other measures include banning buses over 7.5 tons from the city center, increasing cruise passenger taxes to 14.50 per person and freezing permits for new hotels and bed-and-breakfasts in key districts.Aiming for a greener future, Amsterdam introduced emission-free zones as of January 1, 2025, prohibiting scooters, mopeds and snorkels within urban areas.By April, the city's inland waterways will also transition to emission-free passenger and pleasure boating. While these changes may raise prices in the short term if canal tour operators pass the cost of this transition onto their customers, they align with Amsterdam's long-term sustainability goals.Venice Doubles Down On Tourism RegulationsThousands of people are gathering along the Grand Canal to celebrate the Venetian Carnival, but what ... [+] will the new regulations bring in 2025LightRocket via Getty ImagesVenice is not backing down. After introducing a 5 access tax for day-trippers in 2024, the city is increasing the number of taxed days to 54 in 2025, 19 of which fall on weekends. Visitors who fail to pay the tax at least four days before arrival will face a double fee of 10.The initiativecriticized for not reducing overcrowding but praised for generating 2.2 million in revenuesignals Venice's commitment to balancing tourism with local needs.The city has also tightened regulations for short-term rentals. Hosts can now rent their properties for only 120 days annually unless they meet stricter requirements, such as using labeled garbage bags to track waste and greeting guests personally instead of relying on key boxes. These measures aim to address housing shortages and ensure better management of tourist accommodations.Pompeii Caps Visitors To Manage Millions Of TouristsVisitors at the Pompeii Archaeological Park, near Naples, Italy will now counted towards a daily ... [+] cap.AFP via Getty ImagesPompeii is another Italian landmark stepping up efforts to combat overtourism, prompted partly by the influx of 4 million visitors in 2024.On November 15, 2024, the Pompeii Archaeological Park announced a daily cap of 20,000 visitors, with further restrictions during peak season. From April 1 to October 31, 2025, the Park will limit morning entries to 15,000 and afternoon entries to 5,000.The Park now requires tickets to be purchased online in advance, linked to specific time slots and visitors' names.This strategy mirrors similar efforts at other European heritage sites like the Acropolis Museum in Athens and the Louvre in Paris, which have long implemented visitor caps to protect their cultural and historical integrity.Greece Takes A Multi-Pronged Approach To OvertourismTourists in Mykonos island during the magic hour of the sunset. Will the new measures for cruise ... [+] ships help with overtourism?NurPhoto via Getty ImagesGreece has introduced sweeping measures to address overtourism and climate resilience. Starting in 2025, the Climate Resilience Tax will range from 1.50 for 1-star hotels to 15 for 5-star accommodations during peak season, a significant jump from the 4 cap for 5-star hotels in 2023. Off-season rates will remain lower to encourage year-round tourism.Additionally, Greece will impose a 20 levy on cruise passengers visiting Mykonos and Santorini during peak summer months. Mykonos alone hosted 768 cruise arrivals in 2024, bringing 1.29 million passengers to an island with only 10,000 permanent residents.To ease overcrowding, the Hellenic Port Authority shared a statement from Athanasios Kousathanas-Mega, President of the Port Fund of Mykonos, in which he emphasized the efforts made in 2024 to extend the 2025 cruise season from February to Decemberbeyond the traditional summer months. It aims to distribute the numbers and thus mitigating the pressure on the island.In Athens, a ban on new short-term rental licenses took effect on January 1, 2025, targeting three central districts. The move, announced by Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni, aims to address housing shortages and mitigate the strain on local infrastructure. The ban may be extended beyond its initial one-year term.The U.K. Introduces Pre-Arrival Tourist Tax With ETAPassengers queue to check-in at terminal 1 of Heathrow Airport. Will ETA streamline travel in 2025?Getty ImagesThe United Kingdom is modernizing its borders with the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme. Starting January 8, 2025, eligible non-European travelers will need an ETA, while eligible Europeans will follow suit on April 2, 2025.The 10 fee, linked digitally to passports, permits multiple entries for up to six months over two years, effectively functioning as a tourist tax. This initiative enhances security while streamlining travel for millions of visitors annually.Complementing the ETA, the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024 empowers local Scottish councils to set tourist tax rates. While none have implemented it yet, the City of Edinburgh Council and the Highland Council have proposed a 5% levy. However, its enforcement remains uncertain for 2025.Meanwhile, Wales is also considering a visitor levy, with a bill under review by the Senedd in 2025.Portugal's Growing Tourism CostsTourists wait in line to enter a tram at Camoes square in Lisbon, Portugal. Will this change since ... [+] the tourist tax will double in 2025?AFP via Getty ImagesPortugal is following suit with higher visitor levies. According to the Portuguese News Agency (LUSA), 40 of Portugal's 308 municipalities now levy a tourist tax.Lisbon doubled its Overnight Tourist Tax to 4 per person for hotel guests as of January 1, 2025, while maintaining its 2 Maritime Arrival Tax for cruise passengers.Meanwhile, Porto also raised its tourist tax to 3 per person.Recent additions include six municipalities in the Azores (Ponta Delgada, Ribeira Grande, Lagoa, Vila Franca do Campo, Povoao and Nordeste) and three in Madeira (Cmara de Lobos, So Vicente and Porto Santo), highlighting the country's growing reliance on these levies to manage tourism and support local development.The Question RemainsOvertourism forces Europe to confront pressing questions like: Can global travel continue to expand without compromising heritage and local quality of life? Will tourist taxes, visitor caps and short-term rental bans be enough to manage the negative side effects of an increasingly crowded world? What else can be done to ensure European hot spots succeed in balancing economic growth with cultural preservation?

The U.S. tech giants fourth-quarter iPhone sales fell 18% in the worlds largest smartphone market.

Ruth Goldberg Jaskow is 101 and does fitness classes every day.She shared her tips for staying happy and healthy into your 100s with Business Insider.These include staying active and eating what you like.101-year-old Ruth Goldberg Jaskow has an unusual fitness goal: she wants to live to 103 to "beat" her husband.Goldberg Jaskow, who lives in New York City and worked as a teacher, has always been determined when she was younger, her family gave her the nickname "Wouldn't Budge."She was married to Lou Jaskow, a sailor who served in World War II, from 1943 until he died in 2023.Although she believes that "age is just a number," Goldberg Jaskow now wants to stay fit to live longer than her husband.Centenarians' longevity is partly determined by genetics and luck, but lifestyle factors also play a role. Goldberg Jaskow shared the things she does that she thinks are helping her stay active at 101.Keep movingGoldberg Jaskow has always been active. She studied under Martha Graham, an influential modern dancer and choreographer, and played tennis when she was younger.Now, at 101, she still does a workout class every day. She has tried every class available at the upscale New York senior living community where she lives, Atria Rye Brook. Options there include yoga, Zumba, and tai chi.Her advice to younger people is: "you just need to keep moving."Exercising is great for longevity one 2022 study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that of the 99,713 participants aged between 55 to 74, those who did regular aerobic exercise and strength training were 41% less likely to die from any cause in the 7-10 years after. Goldberg Jaskow said younger people need to keep moving if they want to live as long as her. Atria Rye Brook Eat what you wantGoldberg Jaskow has no special diet and eats everything she wants because she loves food. While this approach works for her, dietitians recommend the "80/20" method for people wanting to start eating healthily. This involves eating nutritious food 80% of the time and allow yourself to eat what you like the other 20%.Nichola Ludlam-Raine previously told Business Insider that the 80/20 rule can make it easier to stick to a healthy diet because it doesn't involve any restrictions.Jennifer Aniston uses it, as well as Tom Brady.Enjoy your lifeGoldberg Jaskow also recommended that people try to enjoy life if they want to prolong it. She sees her family every week and makes jewelry, which makes her happy.According to a small 2023 study of 19 people aged between 100 and 107 published in the Journal of Happiness Studies, common traits among centenarians included looking for silver linings, nurturing relationships, and being grateful for the positives in their lives.106-year-old Katie MacRae previously told BI that her biggest advice for longevity is "just smile, be happy, and enjoy life."

Angkor Grace Residence / Bloom ArchitectureSave this picture! Oki HiroyukiHousingKrong Siem Reap, CambodiaArchitects: Bloom ArchitectureAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:50000 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2022 PhotographsPhotographs:Oki Hiroyuki Lead Architects: Antoine Meinnel, Bloom Architecture More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. The half-finished housing development is emblematic of Cambodia's aspirational economy. These iconic gated communities, known locally as 'boreys,' map out the expanding cities with the footprint of progress. Since the 2008 financial crisis stalled its initial iteration, Angkor Grace Residence and Wellness Resort is a prime example of how a borey development can evolve in a dynamic and challenging environment.Save this picture!Our five-year journey with the project had several stages. The initial challenge was to complete the borey as a family-centered residential property with integrated service facilities. The structures and masonry were essentially complete and our mission was to bring it to life through its facades and shared spaces.Save this picture!Our concept centered around nature, given the project was just a few minutes from Siem Reap's ancient temple park. In the existing spaces designated for vehicle access roads between the blocks, we saw the opportunity to create landscaped green corridors, inspired by the way the Siem Reap river flows through the city. These walkable strips, along with the creation of additional pedestrian access through the blocks themselves, better connected the communal spaces while encouraging activity amongst nature. To achieve the ecological maturity necessary, it was essential that we began tree planting early. Working with a local supplier, we designed a landscaping program that would grow as the renovations progressed.Save this picture!Slow growth became the tempo of the project when the Covid-19 pandemic forced another hiatus. By this time, we had already partially completed many of the shared facilities, including two pools, a restaurant, a function room, and a cafe.Save this picture!In the challenging post-pandemic economic environment, the borey began its pivot to a health and wellbeing resort. With a new concept and business model in play, its architectural evolution centered on converting the front-facing blocks from residential apartments to premium health facilities. These blocks had the potential to set an impressive identity on arrival. After stripping the internal structures and enclosed stairwells that interrupted the external balconies, we were left with a streamlined form onto which we could install a new unifying facade.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The strong, systematic metal lines of the facade were architecturally impressive, however, this look was never intended to be its final realization. As we told the client; they are like lines on a music staff, onto which a tropical symphony of plant life will gradually be composed. The lush green facade now articulates Angkor Grace's core philosophy of wellness amidst nature, setting the tone for the nature corridors that continue within.Save this picture!Save this picture!The materials we chose to integrate throughout the resort further augment the natural theme. For example, locally-made clay bricks and breezeblocks featuring traditional Khmer patterns have been installed innovatively throughout the resort. They provide an earthy texture while serving as permeable elements of privacy and decoration.Save this picture!The restaurant courtyard, along with the sweeping staircase to the function center, is constructed with pigmented concrete, mimicking the iconic red soil of Siem Reap. This color scheme finds its way into the metalwork features throughout the resort. Together, the materials and plant life integrate the resort into its locale, reflecting the infamous blend of nature and architecture in the nearby temples.Save this picture!Angkor Grace's evolution from borey to wellness resort is a vignette of how a project changes over time. By embracing a constant state of transformation in our design, we have helped to shepherd it through a challenging period and equipped it for resilience and adaptability into the future.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessProject locationAddress:Krong Siem Reap, CambodiaLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officeBloom ArchitectureOfficePublished on January 21, 2025Cite: "Angkor Grace Residence / Bloom Architecture" 21 Jan 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1025889/angkor-grace-residence-bloom-architecture&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Nature, Published online: 20 January 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00071-wAndrew Robinson reviews five of the best science picks.

This scene was pretty intense, over 30 million tris submitted by /u/Choice-Function-8515 [link] [comments]

Who needs the metaverse when theres VRChat already? Here is another nice addition to the virtual world in the form of an interactive water simulation set up by iyFale Edvifin in their swimming pool environment.You can see how the waves move around the avatar in the demonstration shown by a player known as Fuji on X/Twitter.If you are tired of looking at flat static water THE Swimming Pool brings you interactive 3D water to swim make splash and wave, iyFale Edvifin described the world. Also included changing room public shower video player pen Billiards and Beer PongIf youre interested in VRChat cosmetics, check out these awesome boots, beautiful volumetric opal material,jewel eyes,dragon tails, and abird avatar made for the game.Also, join our80 Level Talent platformand ournew Discord server, follow us onInstagram,Twitter,LinkedIn,Telegram,TikTok, andThreads,where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.Source link The post Cool Interactive Water Simulation Made for VRChat appeared first on CG SHARES.