The eleventh annual Winter Stations competition has revealed its selection of participants for 2025 as chosen by jury members Adam Barrett, Lily Jeon, Jon Jeronimus, Aaron Knight, and Alana Mercury.They outlined this year's theme of 'Dawn' as the "beginning of a new era" for the competition and a "fresh chapter in its creative journey", adding: "Just as the first light of morning breaks through the darkness, the exhibition will explore the moments of profound change that redefine and shape our existence, highlighting the delicate process of shedding old layers to emerge as something new."Furthermore, they say, "Dawnrepresents the shift from night to day, and this year, designers are invited to explore how Winter Stations can evolve, and to consider the future of the exhibition and its relationship with the public and the environment. Through this lens, Dawn challenges designers to explore how Winter Stations can adapt, grow, and metamorphose in the coming years, shaping the urban l...

Microsofts annual Xbox Developer_Direct presentaton is scheduled for next week. When it arrives, it will be bringing news onDOOM: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight,andClair Obscur: Expedition 33,not to mention the reveal of a mystery fourth title. Interestingly enough, however, that might not be the extent of the shows surprise announcements.The very same has been suggested by journalist Jez Corden, who claimed in a recent tweet that the upcoming presentation could maybe include more than one surprise, before doubling down on the maybe in a follow-up tweet.Both previous Xbox Developer_Direct showcases so far have featured five games apiece, so it wouldnt surprise us to see Microsoft sticking to that pattern. The question, of course, is what that hypothetical fifth game might be. The fourth mystery game is allegedly a new entry in a legendary Japanese franchise, so that, combined with the presence ofExpedition 33, suggests it doesnt necessarily have to be a first-party title.Xbox Developer_Direct 2025 is set for January 23, so well have our answers soon enough. Stay tuned for more details.maybe more than one surprise too Jez (@JezCorden) January 16, 2025pic.twitter.com/ircTOA772B Jez (@JezCorden) January 16, 2025

The exhibition includes a recreation of Mount Vesuvius' eruption in 79 C.E. National Museum of AustraliaToday, Pompeii is famous for being the site of a natural disasterthe deadly 79 C.E. eruption of Mount Vesuvius, which left the ancient city frozen in time.But before the volcano unleashed its torrent of rock, ash and toxic gases, Pompeii was just another Roman town on the coast of the Mediterranean. What was daily life like for the residents of Pompeii before the eruption? Where did they live, what objects did they use, and what sights did they see as they walked down the street?An immersive new exhibition at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra aims to answer these and other questions. Called Pompeii, the multi-sensory experience uses digital projections and sounds to recreate the ancient city, with a goal of whisking visitors back in time to the moments before Mount Vesuvius eruption.It features more than 90 artifacts, such as statues, sculptures, frescoes, cookware, funerary objects and jewelry. Visitors will also be able to see replicas of casts of some of Mount Vesuvius victims.The exhibition is focused on the real, lived human experience in Pompeii in an effort to help modern museumgoers connect with the people of the past, says Lily Withycombe, the museums lead coordinating curator, to theAustralian Broadcasting Corporations Emmy Groves. Visitors can see replicas of casts of some of Mount Vesuvius' victims. National Museum of AustraliaWe wanted to display objects that people will recognize and relate tofrom cooking wear to tweezers to bowls, glass bottlesbut then also have these items that really astonish people and allow them to think about artistic innovation and some of the extraordinary artworks that have come out of Pompeii, Withycombe adds.The show is divided into four Roman domus (houses). Museumgoers will also be able to stroll down a roughly 115-foot-long corso (a main avenue) that ends at a 20-foot-tall, floor-to-ceiling replica of Mount Vesuvius.While much of the exhibition focuses on life in Pompeii before the eruption wiped out the city, it also includes a dramatic recreation of the disaster itself.It starts with a low rumble, then an explosion and a deafening roar, writes theGuardians Kelly Burke. A pyroclastic flow bursts from the volcano and hurtles towards us at a frightening speed. Showers of ash appear to pummel the space around us. More than 90 artifacts are included in the multi-sensory experience. National Museum of AustraliaThe exhibitiondebuted at the Grand Palais in Paris in 2020, after being delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, Pompeii is making its first appearance in the Southern Hemisphere. Its being offered through a partnership between the National Museum of Australia, Grand Palais and GEDEON Experiences in France and thePompeii Archaeological Park in Italy.Gabriel Zuchtriegel, an archaeologist who serves as the director of the archaeological park, hopes the exhibition will offer a taste of Pompeii thats akin to what one might encounter when visiting the excavations at Pompeii today, he says in astatement.The exhibition comes amidnew daily visitor limits at Pompeii Archaeological Park, which has been grappling with record-breaking crowds and occasional incidents ofvandalism.Archaeologists continue to excavate the preserved city, unveiling new discoveries all the time. In recent years, theyve unearthed ashrine with blue walls,childrens graffiti, apregnant tortoise, a painting of aflatbread resembling a pizza and theremains of more Mount Vesuvius victims. Outside the park, scientists are alsousing DNA to learn more about some of the estimated 2,000 Pompeiians who perished in the disaster.Pompeii is on view at the National Museum of Australia through May 4, 2025.Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.Filed Under: Ancient Rome, Archaeology, Australia, European History, Exhibitions, Exhibits, History, Museums, Natural Disasters, Pompeii, Volcanoes

Matthew Ball, CEO of Epyllion and author of The Metaverse book, dropped 220 slides in a deck this week that explained what happened in gaming.Read More

CBS considers caving on Trump censorship lawsuit to save Paramount mergerCBS considers caving on Trump censorship lawsuit to save Paramount merger / Trumps incoming FCC chairman Brendan Carr reportedly warned Paramount execs about Trumps dissatisfaction with CBS News in regards to their Skydance merger.By Richard Lawler, a senior editor following news across tech, culture, policy, and entertainment. He joined The Verge in 2021 after several years covering news at Engadget. Jan 18, 2025, 1:31 AM UTCShare this story Image: ParamountA law professor cited by CBS News called Donald Trumps $10 billion lawsuit over the editing of a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris ...so ill grounded that it comes close to being sanctionable as frivolous. But now, the The Wall Street Journal reports that executives at CBS parent company, Paramount Global, have discussed settling the suit while gaming out options to reduce friction with the incoming administration ahead of a government review of its merger with Skydance. The paper reports that incoming FCC chairman and censor-in-chief Brendan Carr warned execs last year that presidential dissatisfaction with CBS News will make a review tougher. Hes also publicly displayed that view, saying during a Fox News interview in November, ...CBS has a transaction before the FCC. Im pretty confident that news distortion complaint over the CBS 60 Minutes transcript is something that is likely to arise in the context of the FCCs review of that transaction. RelatedThe lawsuit claims that in airing two differently edited versions of Harris response to a question about the war in Gaza, CBS used its national platform on 60 Minutes to cross the line from the exercise of judgment in reporting to deceitful, deceptive manipulation of news. But instead of mounting a defense of free speech against a lawsuit and Trumps accusations that the network said were false and completely without merit, Paramount is considering following the example of Disney and tech oligarchs who will line up at the inauguration like Mark Zuckerberg. The ABC News owner agreed to pay $15 million to Trumps presidential foundation and museum to settle a defamation lawsuit in December. Zuckerberg sharply redirected Metas policies to the right while meeting with Trump, reportedly in part to mediate a lawsuit Trump brought against Facebook and Zuckerberg in 2021 over the platforms suspension of Trumps account after the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Most PopularMost Popular

CrewAI is an innovative platform that transforms how AI agents collaborate to solve complex problems. As an orchestration framework, it empowers users to assemble and manage teams of specialized AI agents, each tailored to perform specific tasks within an organized workflow. Just as a well-run organization delegates roles and responsibilities among its departments, CrewAI assigns defined roles to its agents, ensuring seamless collaboration toward achieving a shared objective.Core Principles of CrewAICrewAI is built on creating a synergistic AI ecosystem where agents function as specialists within a larger operational structure. This system mirrors real-world organizational dynamics by assigning agents specific roles, equipping them with specialized tools, and designing workflows that allow them to operate autonomously yet cohesively.Role-Based Agents: CrewAI agents are designed with distinct roles, such as researchers, analysts, writers, and more. Each agent operates autonomously within its defined scope, utilizing advanced tools and APIs to interact with external data sources. These agents are the building blocks of the CrewAI system, each contributing unique expertise to the overall mission.Flexible Workflows: CrewAI facilitates the design of intricate workflows that guide agent collaboration. These workflows can be sequential or parallel, allowing tasks to progress efficiently while maintaining clear dependencies and logical task progression.Task-Centric Architecture: Tasks are the fundamental units of action within CrewAI. Each task has a clear objective, specific tools, and a defined output. Tasks are delegated to agents depending on their roles, ensuring a precise and efficient approach to problem-solving.How CrewAI FunctionsCrewAI organizes agents into crews and assigns them to specialized tasks. The process is managed through several interconnected components:Crews: Crews are CrewAIs highest-level organizational unit. They oversee the collective efforts of multiple agents and are responsible for coordinating workflows, managing resources, and ensuring the timely completion of objectives.Agents: Each agent within the system is a specialized unit capable of autonomous decision-making and task execution. Agents can collaborate, share insights, and delegate subtasks, mimicking the dynamics of human teamwork.Processes and Flows: The workflow management system ensures smooth interactions between agents. Processes define collaboration patterns, manage task assignments, and control inter-agent communication to maintain efficiency and coherence.Guide for Installing and Setting up CrewAI1. Check Python CompatibilityEnsure your system has a compatible Python version (3.10 or 3.12). To verify:# bashpython3 --versionIf you need an update, download the latest Python version.2. Install CrewAI and ToolsInstall the framework and its tools using pip:# bashpip install crewai crewai-toolsFor a comprehensive installation, including all optional tools, run:# bashpip install 'crewai[tools]'3. Verify the InstallationConfirm CrewAI and its dependencies are installed correctly:# bashpip freeze | grep crewaiExpected output:crewai==X.X.Xcrewai-tools==X.X.X4. Create a New CrewAI ProjectInitialize a new project with the following command:# bashcrewai create crew my_projectThis creates a project directory with the following structure:# cssmy_project/ .gitignore pyproject.toml README.md .env src/ my_project/ __init__.py main.py crew.py tools/ custom_tool.py __init__.py config/ agents.yaml tasks.yaml5. Configure Your ProjectDefine Agents: Open agents.yaml to specify your agents and their roles:# yaml researcher: role: Researcher goal: > Conduct cutting-edge research on {topic} backstory: > An experienced researcher, skilled at finding actionable insights.Set Up Tasks: Edit tasks.yaml to outline tasks for the agents:# yaml research_task: description: > Explore the latest developments on {topic}. expected_output: > A detailed report summarizing key findings. agent: researcher6. Run the ProjectSet up environment variables like API keys in the .env file:# envOPENAI_API_KEY=your_openai_api_keySERPER_API_KEY=your_serper_api_keyThen, navigate to your project directory and execute:# bashcd my_projectcrewai installcrewai run7. Upgrade Existing InstallationsIf CrewAI is already installed, update it to the latest version:# bashpip install --upgrade crewai crewai-tools8. Example Code for Crew OrchestrationHeres a Python example (crew.py) to define and manage agents and tasks:# pythonfrom crewai import Agent, Crew, Taskfrom crewai.project import CrewBase, agent, task, crew@CrewBaseclass MyCrew: @agent def researcher(self) -> Agent: return Agent( config=self.agents_config['researcher'], verbose=True, ) @task def research_task(self) -> Task: return Task( config=self.tasks_config['research_task'], output_file='output/research.md', ) @crew def crew(self) -> Crew: return Crew( agents=self.agents, tasks=self.tasks, process="sequential", )Execute the project by running:# bashpython3 src/my_project/main.pyThis guide will create a fully functional CrewAI environment ready to orchestrate collaborative AI agents efficiently. For advanced setups or troubleshooting, refer to the CrewAI Documentation.In conclusion, CrewAI is an intelligent framework that enables AI agents to collaborate seamlessly, share insights, and autonomously execute tasks with minimal oversight. Its extensible and scalable design effortlessly integrates new tools and roles, supporting efficient task management through sequential and parallel workflows. This adaptability makes CrewAI ideal for diverse applications, including data analysis, content creation, customer service, financial risk assessment, process automation, and marketing analytics.Sources Asif RazzaqAsif Razzaq is the CEO of Marktechpost Media Inc.. As a visionary entrepreneur and engineer, Asif is committed to harnessing the potential of Artificial Intelligence for social good. His most recent endeavor is the launch of an Artificial Intelligence Media Platform, Marktechpost, which stands out for its in-depth coverage of machine learning and deep learning news that is both technically sound and easily understandable by a wide audience. The platform boasts of over 2 million monthly views, illustrating its popularity among audiences. Meet 'Height':The only autonomous project management tool (Sponsored)

Genshin Impact publisher Hoyoverse has agreed to a settlement with the United States Federal Trade Commission where it agrees to pay a $20 million fine, and be banned from sellling lootboxes to teenagers under the age of 16.In press release by the FTC, the agency announced that the makers of Genshin Impact "has agreed to pay $20 million and to block children under 16 from making in-game purchases without parental consent," as part of a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission.The FTC Director of of the Bureau of Consumer Protection, Samuel Levine, says that Genshin Impact "deceived children, teens, and other players into spending hundreds of dollars on prizes they stood little chance of winning." Levine adds that companies that utilize "these dark-pattern tactics will be held accountable" if they decieve players, especially young children and teens.The main charges against Hoyoverse by the FTC is that they allege the developer violated the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule by marketing Genshin Impact to children and collected their personal information, as well as deceive players about the odds of winning "five-star" loot box prizes, and how much it would cost to open a loot box int he first place. The FTC claims the virtual currency system in Genshin Impact were confusing and unfair, and ultimately the system obscures the fact that players will ultimately spend large amounts of money to obtain "five-star prizes" and that children have spent hundreds to thousands of dollars to win them.Alongside the fine and the ban, Hoyoverse will be required to disclose loot box odds and exchange rates for its virtual currency, delete personal information collected from children under the age of 13, and comply with COPPA rules going forward.Matt Kim is IGN's Senior Features Editor.

SummaryCapture monsters and level them up.Use their abilities to find secrets.Explore the open ocean and take down bosses.In Synth Beasts, you take on the role of a failed experiment a Synth who escapes from its creators lab on a mysterious island. While exploring the surrounding archipelago, you encounter other Synths. However, these are far from friendly, and you are forced to defeat them in battle. Upon victory, you unlock them as playable characters, gaining access to their unique abilities for both combat and world exploration.Using your Synths in combat earns them experience points, allowing them to level up. Each Synth has five levels of progression, with unique bonuses that set them apart. As your Synths level increases, it becomes more challenging to earn additional experience, so make sure to frequently swap between them to maximize your teams potential and unlock more abilities!For example, the Psitek Synth can light torches right from the start. Then, once it reaches level three, it gains the ability to destroy projectiles with its fire slash an invaluable skill for certain dungeons. However, beyond that, most of its level-up bonuses focus on enhancing combat. Because of this, it might be better to switch to another Synth in order to unlock new abilities without needing as many experience points!Early in the game, youll gain access to a boat once used by the scientists and its yours for the taking! The Genesis Archipelago is teeming with small islands to explore hiding bonuses like extra hearts, stat-boosting items, and currency to spend in shops. If youre not the type to comb through every corner of the map, you can skip ahead to the main islands and confront the scientists directly to take down their sketchy operations.While the main islands feature boss Synths, many optional islands also be their home. Capturing all 40-plus Synths will be no small feat, but each and every corner of the Genesis Archipelago holds valuable rewards for those who seek them!Explore the Genesis Archipelago, liberate the Synth Beasts, and put an end to the scientists sinister experiments! Synth Beasts launches in 2025 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and the Microsoft Store.

Sonnet just announced its new Echo 13 Thunderbolt 5 SSD Dock, the first dock of its kind to ship. The Echo 13 includes four Thunderbolt 5 ports along with a host of other I/O. If you own a M4 Pro Mac mini, or an M4 Pro or M4 Max MacBook Pro, youll be able to take advantage of the extra bandwidth provided by Thunderbolt 5. But even if youre using an older Mac with Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4, the Echo 13 will be fully compatible.Sonnets newest dock features an M.2 SSD with up to 6,100 MB/s data transfer support via 1TB, 2TB, or 4TB NVMe SSD options sourced from Kingston. Also included is a 2.5Gb Ethernetconnection, and up to 140W of power delivery to laptop computers like the MacBook Pro.Heres a breakdown of all of the I/O included with the Echo 13:Four Thunderbolt 5 ports 1 upstream and 3 downstreamFour USB 3.2 Type-A ports2.5Gb Ethernet (RJ45) port3.5mm headset jackSD and microSD card slotsEcho 13 Thunderbolt 5 compatibilityThe Echo 13s standout feature is, of course, its Thunderbolt 5 compatibility, and Sonnet is providing four physical ports. Thunderbolt 5 is a significant upgrade over its predecessor, as it provides double the bandwidth, a full 80Gbps of bi-directional data, which will allow more ports to simultaneously provide increased performance. Thunderbolt 5 also provides bandwidth boost technology for displays, lending more bandwidth in a single direction, up to 120Gbps. Sonnets dock fully supports bandwidth boost, which should mean it will play nice with upcoming high-end display solutions, like the recently-teased LG UltraFine 6K Display.Speaking of displays, the Echo 13 supports up to two 8K displays, two 6K displays, or three 4K displays. Of course, much of this will depend on the host computers capabilities.If you dont own a Thunderbolt 5-enabled Mac, fret not. Each port supports Thunderbolt 5, 4, and 3 for connecting accessories and peripherals. The same ports also support USB 4 V2, USB4, and USB3 devices along with USB displays. Sonnet notes that two of the Echo 13s downstream Thunderbolt ports, located on the rear of the unit, provide up to 15W each for charging and bus-powered devices. The third downstream port, sharing a front-location with the 140W upstream port, lends up to 60W of power for fast-charging the latest tablets and phones.Not to be forgotten are the Echo 13s four USB 3.2 Type-A Ports, three of which support 10Gbps and 7.5W of power, even when the computer is powered down. Sonnet Echo 13 AvailabilitySonnet plans to ship the Echo 13 Thunderbolt 5 SSD Dockwith 4TB SSD in limitedquantities this month, and in increased quantities in mid-March 2025. It will arrive at resellerpartners with an MSRP of$669.99. If you dont require as much storage, the 1TB and 2TB options will ship mid-March with an MSRP of $399.99 and $499.99 respectively.Ive been a big fan of Sonnets past hardware, especially their docks. I still regularly use its 20-port SuperDock (review), which is built like a tank and provides an insane amount of I/O. Needless to say, I cant wait to put the Echo 13 to the test with a Thunderbolt 5 Mac. What do you think? Sound off in the comments below.Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

"They're posting Luigi like he's Beyonc."Pitch PerfectOn China's RedNote social network, alleged CEO killer Luigi Mangione has struck a chord.As folks on X-formerly-Twitter have documented, the so-called "TikTok refugees"preemptively rushing to Chinese social media ahead of the slated banning of the video app in the states are discovering that their China-based counterparts are super into the suspected killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.Affectionately referred to as "Lulu" on the app, Mangione has seemingly become as much of a thirsted-after folk hero in China as he has in the US and though it's an immense topic with a lot to unpack, the Chinese healthcare system is itself a bit of a mess, where wealth and class transparently buy better care.As a fascinating side note: the app, which is called Xiaohongshu in Chinese and is sometimes referred to as "Little Red Book," was co-created by a Stanford-educated tycoon named Charlwin Mao. Nominative determinism strikes again even if the Mao in question worked at Bain Capital.Sino SympathyStill, messages of commiseration are resonating. In a video posted to RedNote that was later shared on X, a user who claims to have lived in the US for five years before returning to China explained why his countrymen "are touched by the story of Luigi.""It seems American's health system is becoming a tool for those giant companies to [strip] Americans," the user said. "Now in China, the government bears large shares of the medical expenses for us, and we only need to pay around, like, 100 US dollars per month but you guys are paying, like, a giant part of your monthly income.""I can't even imagine how anxious you guys are when you get sick, and that's not right," he continued. "You should have to feel safe and secure when you are the most vulnerable... and [that's] the basic responsibility for those healthcare insurance companies to bear as human beings.""I really feel for you guys," the user declared. "Yes, you have every right to fight for yourself at the end."For the stateside users flocking to RedNote and other Chinese apps, that solidarity seems welcome though it's anybody's guess if those apps won't get banned alongside TikTok.Share This Article