Donald Trump took aim atThe United States will not sabotage our own industries while China pollutes with impunity, Trump said during a ceremony at Capitol One Arena, where he signed a raft of executive orders before a roaring crowd.One of those orders revokes 78 Biden-era actions, including a 2021 executive order aimed at making half of all new vehicles sold in 2030 electric.That target was not binding. It also won support from top automakers.These clean car rollbacks will burden Americans with a Trumpfecta of higher prices, more pollution and weaker competitiveness, said Dan Becker, director of the safe climate transport campaign at the environmental non-profit Center for Biological Diversity. Our kids and everyone with lungs will pay the price for these politically motivated rollbacks of protections for our air and the climate.Trumps order is part of a promised push to repeal environmental protections introduced by Biden and to support US makers of gas-powered cars. He has also promised to roll back auto pollution standards finalized by Bidens administration last spring a rule Trump calls an EV mandate, though it did not directly require the production of electric vehicles.Read more of the Guardians Trump coverageFactchecking Trumps speechElon Musk appears to make back-to-back fascist salutesActivists ask: is there any point in mass protest?

submitted by /u/HellYeahDamnWrite [link] [comments]

Nora-t Good NewsUnannounced Horizon MMO from NCSoft reportedly cancelled, possibly leaving us with only one other multiplayer Horizon thing in the worksThe Horizon multiplayer thing Guerilla itself's been working on is seemingly still coming at some point.Image credit: Guerilla Games News by Mark Warren Senior Staff Writer Updated on Jan. 21, 2025 An unannounced MMO based on PlayStation's Horizon series has reportedly been cancelled, with this being one that was in the works at South Korean publisher NCSoft.This MMO - which is seemingly separate from the Horizon multiplayer game that's reportedly in the works at Guerilla itself - was first reported to be a thing back in 2022, with the studio behind games like Guild Wars and Throne and Liberty working on it as part of a partnership with Sony.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Now, however, South Korean publication MTN - which was also the source of that 2022 report - is seemingly reporting that NCSoft's Horizon MMO has been cancelled, assuming a translation that comes via ResetEra is accurate.The report cites a "feasibility review" at NCSoft having been followed by the canning of this game - codenamed Project H - as well as some others, with H and a project codenamed J being cited as having "already disappeared from the company's organisational chart".VG247 has reached out to PlayStation for comment."The decision to stop development of 'Pantera,' 'H,' and 'J' was made at the end of last year, and at the beginning of the year, the development team members were reportedly notified to prepare for internal transfers," the report's translation adds, "In the case of 'H', it is reported that the team will be transferred to Lineage's IP headquarters after the development office is disbanded."This news would come not long after Sony cancelled live service games in the works at Bend Games and Bluepoint Games, the latter of which was reportedly a God of War live service thing. That was just the latest bit of bad news for the live service push PlayStation embarked on a couple of years ago, which has so far produced Helldivers 2, and not much else in terms of big successes, with many titles being cancelled before they're even released.

He's Got The LookThe live-action How To Train Your Dragon's latest teaser trailer doesn't look much better than the first, but it does have a bunch of semi-realistic dragons that will make you question why Toothless looks like thatMaybe this one should have stuck to being animated.Image credit: Universal Pictures News by Oisin Kuhnke Contributor Published on Jan. 21, 2025 There's a new teaser trailer for the live-action adaptation of How To Train Your Dragon, and it has some slightly too realistic looking winged lizards if you ask me.Last year, Universal Pictures released the first trailer for the live-action How To Train Your Dragon which led me to one simple question: why? This weekend saw it release the second teaser, and to be honest, I'm still asking that same question. To be honest, it doesn't show all that much more off than the first one, but there are a whole lot more dragons this time around, which has led me to another question: why does Toothless look like that? The live-action version of everyone's favourite dragon looks exactly the same as he does in the animated version, albeit a bit more realistically textured. All these other dragons though? They look mighty realistic.Watch on YouTubeDragons aren't real (sorry to break this to you), so you know, there's only so realistic they can look, and you can spot a few designs that are ever so slightly cartoonish in nature, but for the most part you could put them in a more serious film about dragons and not bat an eyelid. Toothless, in turn, just looks a bit silly, sillier than he normally does. It feels particularly odd considering the original film has a whole bunch of different designs for the dragons, all of which are just as if not occasionally more cartoonish than Toothless. To see this content please enable targeting cookies. There's not much to be done about it now though! At the very least, the director of the animated original Dean DeBlois is back for this one, and Gerard Butler is reprising his role as Stoick the Vast, so there should at least be some amount of consistency, even if the dragons look a bit off. You'll have to wait a little while longer to find out how it actually is though, as it's not due out until June 13, later this year.

@PtM @ErigenJapan's worker protection is much better then what you would find in the US, but lags behind most of the UK and the EU, and can't hold a candle to places like Germany and Norway.Like most countries, they have The Labor Standards Act that sets the foundation for working conditions while regulating wages and working hours, and they have the Labor Union Act to protect the right to organize and bargain collectively. About 17% of people are in a union, which is high ... but not top tier.With that said, no law or no union I am aware of offers protection to people who have committed sexual assault. You can fire people for doing crimes, especially contracted workers who will have standards of behavior worked into their contract. Idols, for example, get fired all the dang time for dating, which is often forbidding in their contract.The complication here is that he settled, so the accusations where never proven in court. That's why he wasn't flat out fired.People are upset with Fuji TV because the socially accepted "correct" thing to do would have been to:1) Immediately disclose the accusation.2) Start a private investigation into the accusations,.3) Publicly disclose the results of that investigation4) Take appropriate action based on the findings.5) Disclose that he settled out of court, and the settlement was unfavorable for him.Instead they went with don't tell anyone, hide the whole thing and hope no one ever finds out. That's the problem. It's not really that this guy might have done a crime, it's that Fuji TV covered it up and betrayed the public trust.

Payments and financial solutions are two-a-penny at this point, but mostly for online e-commerce. What about physical stores? In 2023 Qomodo, a Milan-based all-in-one payment methods aggregator for physical merchants, came out with a 34.5 million ($36.9 million) pre-seed round (mostly debt), which we covered, to expand the BNPL model into other categories.Its now raised 13.5 million ($13.9 million) in a Series A funding. The round was co-led by RTP Global and LMDV Capital, with participation from Proximity Capital, Primo Capital as well as other notable investors including the founders of FACEIT, Fiscozen and Freetrade (the latter through Lumen Ventures). That means its now raised 48 million in total ($49.6 million so, 18 million of equity, 30 million of credit facility).Founded in 2023 by entrepreneurs Gianluca Cocco and Gaetano de Maio, Qomodo claims to now serve 2,500 physical merchants, mostly in Italy.The idea is that Qomodo lets small businesses improve their cash flow and increase revenue with a BNPL solution which lets consumers make flexible, interest-free installments on items purchased in-store.This means retailers are more likely to make sales, while at the same time reducing the credit risk from customers.Speaking to TechCrunch Gianluca Cocco, CEO and Co-Founder of Qomodo, said: Our software basically simplifies the merchant transaction to help them reduce payment fees and streamline their operation. You can say that we are digitizing SMBs that have been left behind by FinTech in the physical world.Its a sort of 360 degrees approach, he added. We have a BNPL and POS solution but we are also going to launch other banking products like cards and bank accounts.He said they are in a space where FinTech is not that present, or not at all: Because this is about physical merchants. Usually, financial institutions provide personal loans and traditional lending products, or banking products. So those are our actual main competitors.Louis Dussart, VP, Europe, RTP Global, commented in a statement: Italy has been waiting for a B2B fintech champion and thats why we are delighted to back Qomodo. Theres a huge opportunity, given Italys significant domestic market and standing as the nation of SMBs, to revolutionize and enhance in-store shopping experiences for both retailers and consumers.Qomodo has already partnered with retailers such as Decathlon, Calzedonia, Moschino, Samsonite, Nike, and Pandora.

Breakdown & ShowreelsInvisible: VFX Breakdown by El RanchitoBy Vincent Frei - 21/01/2025 Experience the magic of Invisible on Disney+, brought to life by the really cool visual effects work crafted by El Ranchito. Their standout creation? A magnificent dragon thats as realistic as it is mesmerizing!WANT TO KNOW MORE?El Ranchito: Dedicated page about Invisible on El Ranchito website. Vincent Frei The Art of VFX 2025

Metal 3D printer manufacturer Velo3D has completed the strategic review process it initiated in December 2023. The California-based company has now finalized a series of corporate actions that it claims will position the company forsustainable growth starting in 2025.These updates include a debt-for-equity exchange which saw Arrayed Notes Acquisition Corp. acquire 95% of Velo3Ds issued and outstanding common shares. Through the transaction, the Arrayed Additive subsidiary canceled approximately $22.4 million, or 81.7% in principal amount, of its outstanding senior secured notes and 369,000 USD of accrued interest in exchange for 185,151,333 newly issued shares of Velo3Ds common stock.Following this, Brad Kreger was replaced as Velo3D CEO in December 2024 by Arun Jeldi, CEO of Arrayed Additive, who also joined the companys Board of Directors. Concurrently, six incumbent board members tendered their resignations.Moving forward under the ownership of Arrayed Additive, Velo3D will work to grow its position in the metal additive manufacturing market, targeting applications in defense, aerospace, and space. The company has also launched a new go-to-market strategy, which seeks to identify and maximize multiple revenue streams. It will also increase focus on delivering a total solutions-based approach, incorporating both system and parts sales.The new-look company believes these actions will improve its operational and financial performance, improve its competitive position, and ultimately enable long-term sustainable and profitable growth.Completing the strategic review is a significant milestone for Velo3D and I am pleased to be leading Velo3D in the new era of growth, commented Jeldi. Our focus remains on providing customers with our industry-leading, large-format metal 3D printing solutions and look forward to working with all of our stakeholders to make the company successful.Velo3D-3D printed turbine engine blade disk. Photo by 3D Printing Industry.New-look Velo3D targets growth following Strategic ReviewVelo3Ds strategic review was initiated back in December 2023. This move saw then-CEO Benny Buller resign at the request of the Board, who named Kreger as his replacement.The large-format metal 3D printing specialist also announced plans to raise $18 million through a registered direct offering, selling 36 million shares and warrants at $0.50 each, exercisable at $0.565. It entered into securities purchase agreements with an existing lender and new investors to enhance working capital, capital expenditures, and corporate goals.Additionally, Velo3D announced a cash payment of $25 million to noteholders, repaying approximately $20.8 million of Secured Notes principal and accrued interest. To further strengthen its financial position, it amended the Secured Notes, removing certain redemption requirements and cash maintenance obligations.Despite these initiatives, the metal AM company continued to face financial challenges. In July 2024, the firm received a noncompliance notice from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) after Velo3Ds total market capitalization and stockholders equity fell below $50 million over a consecutive 30-day period. The following month, it announced the registration of up to 1,650,000 shares of its common stock. This was linked to July 2024 Warrants, connected to an amendment of the companys senior secured notes due in 2026.Now, the new-look Velo3D hopes strategic restructuring will bolster its financial position. We have taken a number of steps to accelerate our path to profitability and execute on a sustainable, long-term business model, added Jeldi. While I am very happy with what the Company has accomplished to date, I am much more excited about the future of Velo3D as we embark on our next chapter of growth.Former Velo3D CEO Benny Buller. Photo via Benny Buller, Linkedin. Velo3D announces Q3 2024 resultsThroughout 2024, Velo3Ds P&L performance remained unsteady. In Q1, it reported revenue of $9.8 million, down 63.3% Y/Y from $26.8M in Q1 2023. The gross loss came to -$2.8M, a significant drop from a gross profit of $2.5M reported the year prior.The following quarter saw a similar downward trajectory, as revenue fell 58.8% YoY from $25.1M to $10.3M. While gross loss continued to underperform at -$2.9M, operating loss showed some signs of recovery. This figure came to -$20.5M, a 20.2% improvement from -$25.7M in Q223. At the time, the 3D printer manufacturer announced a number of cost-cutting measures, including an approximately 30% reduction in headcount, as quarterly expenses were reduced by 37% YoY.Despite this, Velo3Ds latest financial figures for Q3 show little sign of improvement. Revenue came in at $8.2 million, down 65.7% YoY from $24.1M in Q323, with a gross margin of 49.4%. The companys -$22.9 million net loss continued to rise, increasing 33.3% YoY from -$17.1M in the previous year.Velo3D reported a non-cash gain of $9.2 million on the change in the fair value of warrants and contingent earnout liabilities. However, this was offset by a $10.9 million interest expense and $6.7 million in bad debt expenses. Overall, operating expenses for Q3 2024 were $22.8 million, up 14.6% from $26.7M YoY.Velo3D Sapphire XC larger format 3D printer. Image via Velo3D.3D printing firms target strategic changesVelo3D is the latest additive manufacturing firm to enact strategic changes to achieve financial and market growth. Earlier this month, German 3D printing materials company Forward AM altered its strategic strategy in North America. It has partnered with distributor and service provider RP America to ensure ongoing product availability and on-site support for US, Canada, and Mexico customers, bridging gaps left by BASFs market exit. This collaboration integrates Forward AMs materials portfolio with on-site engineering assistance and training to strengthen local additive manufacturing capabilities.Elsewhere, Israeli electronics 3D printer manufacturer Nano Dimension underwent a boardroom reshuffle, which saw Yoav Stern replaced as CEO amid the growing influence of activist shareholder Murchinson Ltd. The decision was made during the companys Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM), which also saw Michael X. Garrett removed from the Board of Directors. Simultaneously, Ofir Baharav and Robert Pons, nominated by Murchinson, were elected as Directors. Following this, six of Nano Dimensions incumbent directors, Dr. Yoav Nissan-Cohen, Eitan Ben-Eliahu, Oded Gera, Roni Kleinfeld, Chris Moran, and Georgette Mosbacher, resigned.This new-look boardroom could see a move away from Sterns stringent mergers and acquisition efforts, which included a $183 million deal for Desktop Metal and a $115 million agreement for Markforged. Previously, Murchinson published a letter calling these acquisition efforts overpriced and misguided. The investment management firm has now outlined an opportunity for the new board to carefully and critically examine the merits and success of past and present acquisitions.Who won the 2024 3D Printing Industry Awards?All the news from Formnext 2024.Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter to keep up with the latest 3D printing news.You can also follow us on X, like our Facebook page, and subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry Youtube channel to access more exclusive content.Featured image shows a Velo3D-3D printed turbine engine blade disk. Photo by 3D Printing Industry.

Yoga Dojo | French + TyeThe Yoga Dojo is a standalone pavilion designed for meditation and relaxation in a private garden in Greater London. It is an extension of the home, positioned at the end of a planted walkway. The project follows householder-permitted development rights, integrating with the surrounding landscape. The structure provides a quiet space separate from daily activities, emphasizing a connection with its natural setting.Yoga Dojo Technical InformationArchitects1-2: MW ArchitectsLocation: Greater London, England, United KingdomArea: 60 m2 | 645 Sq. Ft.Project Year: 2019Photographs: French + TyeKeen to be honest in its construction, the engineering bricks used are exposed internally and externally and are set in whole brick dimensions. The structure of the roof is an exposed metalwork grid open to the main space. MW ArchitectsYoga Dojo PhotographsAeria View | French + TyeAerial View | French + TyeFacade | French + TyeNight View | French + TyeInterior | French + TyeInterior | French + TyeInterior | French + Tye French + Tye French + Tye French + TyeYoga Dojo Design and Spatial CompositionThe clients request for a dedicated retreat space informed the pavilions design. It functions as a place of withdrawal while maintaining visual and physical links to the garden. The design focuses on functionality and simplicity, creating a space conducive to quiet activities.The pavilion is approached via a planted walkway, creating a transition from the main house. The structure is divided into three primary spaces: a main meditation and yoga area, a glazed courtyard with an external hot tub, and a separate WC. The layout ensures each space remains distinct while maintaining a visual and material connection.Material selection plays a key role in the design. Exposed engineering bricks are used both internally and externally, maintaining consistency. The timber elements, charred on-site, contribute to the overall aesthetic and conceal mechanical systems. The roof structure consists of an exposed metalwork grid, reinforcing the straightforward construction approach.Structural and Material ConsiderationsThe pavilion emphasizes precision in detailing. The roof has an ultra-thin edge, contributing to its lightweight appearance. A sedum roof was incorporated, improving insulation and blending the structure with its surroundings.Material selection balances durability and simplicity. The exposed brickwork provides texture, while the glazing creates a connection with the garden. The courtyard, which includes an external hot tub, introduces a transitional space between the interior and exterior, reinforcing the relationship between built elements and nature.Architectural Context and ImpactThe Yoga Dojo demonstrates the role of small-scale architecture in residential settings. It reinterprets the traditional garden pavilion, focusing on material clarity and spatial efficiency. The project uses exposed materials and a restrained palette to maintain a straightforward construction approach.Beyond its structural aspects, the pavilion incorporates sustainable elements such as a sedum roof, which supports biodiversity and enhances insulation. The simple layout and material honesty contribute to a functional and adaptable space.The Yoga Dojo is an example of compact architecture that integrates construction precision with its environment. It provides a dedicated space for meditation and relaxation, balancing structural clarity with its setting.Yoga Dojo PlansFloor Plan | MW ArchitectsSection | MW ArchitectsYoga Dojo Image GalleryAbout MW ArchitectsMatthew Benjamin Wood is a UK-based architect known for his precision-driven design approach and seamless integration of architecture with nature. With a keen emphasis on material honesty and refined detailing, his work often explores the intersection of craftsmanship, engineering, and spatial serenity. His designs, such as the Yoga Dojo, reflect a sensitivity to the built and natural environments, creating immersive spaces that foster mindfulness and well-being. Woods architectural philosophy prioritizes clean lines, structural clarity, and sustainable design elements, ensuring each project resonates with aesthetic and functional intent.Credits and Additional NotesArchitect: Matthew Benjamin WoodClient: Private Residential OwnerConstruction Materials: Engineering bricks, charred timber, metalwork grid, generous glazing, sedum roofSustainability Features: Sedum green roof for biodiversity and thermal performance

Rough and ReadyOffice JDY exposes masonry, wood, concrete, and stucco for VEJAs Williamsburg storeByKelly Pau January 21, 2025East, Interiors (Eric Petschek)SHAREA hodgepodge of masonry, wood, concrete, and stucco materials can often be found in old New York City buildings that have swapped owners (and thus designs) over time, and the Brooklyn locale for French sneaker brand VEJA is no different. Rather than concealing this idiosyncrasy,Office JDYrepaired and remediated the amalgamation while revealing it as the concept for the stores new interior. The mixed materials are paired with white surfacesthe only new finishes in the storemade with a custom lime-plaster mix developed with local craftspeople. This forms a textured wall and display of boxes to highlight products.Read more about the store on aninteriormag.com.