President Donald Trump signed a new executive order that will limit federal hiring.The order says that federal agencies can only hire one employee for every four employees that leave.Agency heads will have to work with Elon Musk's DOGE to reduce their staff, the order added.President Donald Trump moved ahead with his goal of reducing the size of the government on Tuesday when he signed a new executive order to limit federal hiring.The order said that each federal agency can "hire no more than one employee for every four employees that depart."The restriction will not apply to positions related to public safety, immigration enforcement, or law enforcement. It will take effect upon the expiration of the 90-day hiring freeze that Trump imposed on the federal workforce when he took office on January 20.The order also said that agency heads will have to work with Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, to reduce the size of the federal workforce."There are too many federal employees. Excluding active-duty military and Postal Service employees, the federal workforce exceeds 2.4 million," the White House said in a fact sheet about the order that was published on Tuesday.Speaking alongside Trump at the Oval Office, Musk said DOGE's cuts were "just common sense.""The people voted for major government reform and that's what people are going to get," Musk said on Tuesday.Representatives for the White House and DOGE did not respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.Trump has been stepping up on his efforts to shrink the federal workforce since the start of his second term.Last month, the Trump administration gave federal employees from January 28 to February 6 to accept a buyout offer. The offer was given to all federal employees except those working in military, postal, immigration, and national security roles.Last week, US District Judge George O'Toole Jr. extended the buyout deadline till Monday. O'Toole Jr. said during a court hearing on Monday that he will continue to pause Trump's buyout plan until he rules on its legality.A spokesperson for the Office of Personnel Management said on Monday that over 65,000 employees have accepted the offer. The OPM oversees the federal workforce.

Anthony Mackie makes his standalone solo film debut with Sam Wilson taking up the mantle in Captain America: Brave New World and the consensus on this outing is in. Was Harrison Fords Red Hulk versus Cap everything its been built up to be? Are we ready for what the Serpent Society has in store? Heres what critics and pop culture commentators had to say about the Marvel Studios picture, ahead of the films release this Valentines Day. The answer is well, decidedly mixed. Some people seem to be very much into the performances of Anthony Mackie and Harrison Ford as Sam Wilson and Thaddeus Ross, respectively, but a lot of people seem to think that Marvels misguised era post-Endgame continues here. Heres our very own Germain Lussiers take: And heres a sampling of the reactions so far. Publi par @connor_webber View on Threads Publi par @thejonathansim View on Threads Publi par @gothamgeekgirl View on Threads Publi par @nickspake View on Threads Publi par @lee_travis_ View on Threads Captain America: Brave New World opens this Friday February 14. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

By Margherita Bassi Published February 12, 2025 | Comments (0) | Examples of "society's archive." Both images by Gaceu et al., 2024. Meteorology has never been as precise as it is todaybut how can scientists learn about past weather events? In addition to environmental evidence such as ice cores and sediments, historical records provide unique insights into forgotten climate events and how they shaped society, as new research attests. Researchers in Romania have analyzed historical records to reconstruct 16th-century weather patterns and their effects on society in Transylvania. The textsknown as societys archiveincluded official documents as well as personal writings like chronicles and diaries. As detailed in a study published today in Frontiers in Climate, the 16th-century documents paint a bleak picture of extreme weather events and their consequences prior to the onset of the infamous Little Ice Age. We show that the climate was marked by significant variability, including prolonged periods of drought, heatwaves, and episodes of intense rainfall and flooding, Tudor Caciora of the University of Oradea in Romania, who participated in the study, said in a Frontiers statement. The study illustrates the complex interplay between heat waves, droughts, floods, and their cascading impacts on agriculture, public health, and societal stability, emphasizing the significant role of climate in shaping human history. The historical sources report that the first half of the sixteenth century was unusually hot and dry in Transylvania. One compelling passage comes from a historical document describing the summer of 1540, Caciora explained. The springs dried up, and the rivers dwindled to mere trickles. Livestock fell in the fields, and the air was thick with despair as the people gathered in processions, praying for rain, he quoted the document. This vivid account underscores the emotional and spiritual dimensions of living through climatic extremes.In comparison, frequent rainfall in the second half of the century brought about many floods, especially in the 1590s. The researchers noted that these intense meteorological swings were frequently followed, either directly or indirectly, by disasters, including 30 years of plague, 23 years of famine, and nine years of locust invasions. Towns might have adopted flood-resistant infrastructure or migrated to more favorable areas, said Caciora, emphasizing how the extreme climate events may have impacted Transylvanian communities. The challenges might also have spurred technological innovations, such as improved irrigation systems or storage facilities.Overall, however, the documents testified to more frequent hot weather than cold weather throughout the 16th century. This was despite the infamous Little Ice Age, a global cooling period that intensified around 1560 and caused the average annual temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere to drop by 1.1 degrees Fahrenheit (0.6 degrees Celsius). This makes us believe that the Little Ice Age could have manifested itself later in this part of Europe, added Caciora. His teams hypothesis of the delayed cooling period is bolstered by later testimonies of decreasing temperatures. The researchers did, however, note some limitations to their approach. For example, because of a lack of records and occasional conflicting testimonies, they were unable to reconstruct meteorological patterns for 15 years of the studied century. They also highlighted that the historical texts soley represent the literate population of 16th-century Transylvania, which was a minority. Furthermore, first-hand reports only testify to local experiences and could be subjective to the author.Nevertheless, studying climate records from the societys archive is as crucial as analyzing natural proxies, Caciora concluded. In meteorology, natural proxies are elements that can be used to reconstruct past weather phenomena when direct measurements are not available. It provides a human-centric perspective on past climatic events. Studying how past climate events impacted human history could also provide insight into how future weather phenomenons might shape future communities.Daily NewsletterYou May Also Like By Isaac Schultz Published February 11, 2025 By Margherita Bassi Published January 29, 2025 By Matthew Gault Published January 21, 2025 By Passant Rabie Published January 21, 2025 By Isaac Schultz Published January 15, 2025 By Margherita Bassi Published January 9, 2025

Point Nepean House / Pandolfini ArchitectsSave this picture! Tasha TyleeArchitects: Pandolfini ArchitectsYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2024 PhotographsPhotographs:Tasha TyleeMore SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. Carved into a steep undulating landscape on the shores of a man-made lake and overlooking Sorrento Golf Course, the Point Nepean House is an ambitious yet sensitive intervention to its environment. The bold eccentric form commands its presence, but its delicate timber skin, flowing parallel to the tranquil body of water is gracious. The home, with its extensive program, is a place that provides refuge and privacy, whilst simultaneously focusing on its surroundings.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Compositionally, the home consists of four fundamental elements; the sweeping perimeter wall, the clove-shaped form with its curvaceous timber-clad skin, the primary internal dividing walls, and a series of amenity pods within each zone. The monolithic perimeter wall cuts into the sloping site, a single gesture that encapsulates the organic form and provides a protective layer from its surrounding neighbors. Behind this unambiguous outer wall, the contrasting wavy timber-clad form unfolds upon arrival; its dynamic presence a reflection of the soft meandering edges of the adjoining lake. The timber-clad form, although ambitious in scale, sits harmoniously amongst the treescape, reflecting the warming tones of the mature trunks nearby. Internally, the clover-shaped floor plan is split into three zones by the straight primary walls. Contained within each zone, a series of irregular pods are arranged to confine the amenities of the home.Save this picture!The home allows inhabitants to pause and absorb serene moments internally and externally. To enhance the occupant's relationship with its surroundings, a series of windows puncture the timber-clad skin to create framed views. Pool barrier requirements were strategically navigated to provide undisturbed views over the infinity edge and beyond. The placement of the internal private garden provides the opportunity for all bedrooms and living spaces to focus on nature. Close coordination with Eckersley Garden Architecture to curate a landscape that was integrated with the home and its surrounding environment was vital. Subsequently, the extensive art collection allows inhabitants to decelerate and create tranquil moments inwards as they navigate the home.Save this picture!The notion of contradiction is present on arrival at the home. Upon ascending the grand staircase of staggered concrete blocks and absorbing the tonal skin of the timber-clad facade, the inhabitants enter through a small passage into a dark confined circular lobby, a vast difference from the moments prior. A glimpse of natural sunlight penetrates the space from the conical skylight above to create a sense of drama, before transitioning back to the light-filled living space.Save this picture!The meandering curves of the faade and associated glazing are a response to the orientation, strategically undulating to create a deep eave over the North and West facing windows. This 3.7m high expanse of glazing provides passive solar gain for the winter months, whilst the substantial eave minimizes the harsh summer sunlight. The internal courtyard provides natural light to the deep clove-shaped plan and excellent cross ventilation across the house. A reductive external material palette of concrete, timber cladding, and natural zinc has been used to accentuate the forms and provide hard-wearing materials which will age gracefully and require low maintenance.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessAbout this officePublished on February 12, 2025Cite: "Point Nepean House / Pandolfini Architects" 12 Feb 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1026736/point-nepean-house-pandolfini-architects&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

Some of the primary source documents in this new study include travel notes, diaries, and parish or monastery records. Gaceu et al., 2024ShareWith centuries old primary source documents, a team of researchers in Romania are exploring how a region best known for vampire legends was drastically altered by the effects of the Little Ice Age. This period of colder than usual temperatures from the early 14th century CE to the mid-19th is known for major social upheaval, famine, and plague. According to these first person accounts, geographical regions of the continent also appear to have experienced major weather changes at different times and humanity responded. The findings are detailed in a study published February 12 in the journal Frontiers in Climate. Get the Popular Science newsletter Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.What was the Little Ice Age?The Little Ice Age was a period of global cooling that began during around 1300 CE and lasted until about 1850. Average temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere dropped by about 1.1 degrees Fahrenheit.Scientists are still not certain what phenomenon caused the Little Ice Age. Reduced solar output, changes in the circulation of the atmosphere, and increased volcanism on Earth may have played a role.Mountain glaciers expanded in several locations across Europe, North and South America, and Oceania. Famine was widespread, as crops failed due to the cold. Social uprisingsand even witch trailsincreased in response to the weather-induced devastation.Natures archive vs. societys archiveTo piece together Earths history from this time, scientists can use ice cores, sediment samples, and pollen. This natural archive can tell us a fair amount about sea levels, temperature history, storms, glacier positioning, and more.Societys archivewritten reports and observations about local climates or chiseled warnings like hunger stonescan help corroborate what natures archive says.In this new study, a team used documents from people who lived in present day Transylvania during the 16th century CE.The societys archive contains reports and observations about local climates in bygone centuries. CREDIT: Gaceu et al., 2024. We show that the climate was marked by significant variability, including prolonged periods of drought, heatwaves, and episodes of intense rainfall and flooding, Tudor Caciora, a study co-author and geographer at the University of Oradea in Romania, said in a statement. The study illustrates the complex interplay between heat waves, droughts, floods, and their cascading impacts on agriculture, public health, and societal stability, emphasizing the significant role of climate in shaping human history.From the documents, it appears that the first half of the 16th century was particularly hot and dry. A passage describing the summer of 1540 reads: The springs dried up, and the rivers dwindled to mere trickles. Livestock fell in the fields, and the air was thick with despair as the people gathered in processions, praying for rain.This vivid account underscores the emotional and spiritual dimensions of living through climatic extremes, said Caciora.The second half of the 16th century saw heavy rainfall and flooding, particularly during the 1590s. Other parts of Europe were still cooling significantly when the Little Ice Ages effects began to intensify and temperatures dropped. However, hot weather was recorded much more frequently than colder weather in 16th century Transylvania.This makes us believe that the Little Ice Age could have manifested itself later in this part of Europe, said Caciora.Additionally, some later writings describing severe winters and cold waves support this thesis.Through human eyesThese weather variations often resulted in major catastrophes including the Black Death, numerous famines, and locust invasions that were directly and indirectly related to climate.The team believes that these weather extremes and the resulting upheaval could have driven changes in settlement patterns.Chronicles and diaries revealed how people perceived, responded to, and were impacted by severe weather events. CREDIT: Gaceu et al., 2024. Towns might have adopted flood-resistant infrastructure or migrated to more favorable areas. The challenges might also have spurred technological innovations, such as improved irrigation systems or storage facilities, said Caciora.While the diaries do reveal how people understood and responded to these impactful events, there are several limitations with this study. Not many people at this time could read or write, records can be fragmented, and reports are often subjective and on a local scale so we are not getting a very holistic view of the time.[ Related: Shifting ancient climates shaped human evolution. ]These writings still provide scientists with a glimpse of the socio-economic consequences of extreme weather events and how they have constantly shaped human history.Studying climate records from the societys archive is as crucial as analyzing natural proxies, said Caciora. It provides a human-centric perspective on past climatic events.

Dear diary, it was freezing outside today If someone today wrote that in their journal, it might seem like an innocuous enough line, perhaps never to be carefully considered again. But what if, 500 years from now, scientists used that entry about the weather to answer climate mysteries?Researchers looking to the past have done just that, combing through diaries and other old documents to reconstruct the climate of 16th century Transylvania, part of modern-day Romania. What they found offers a glimpse at how a cooling period called the Little Ice Age may have affected people in the region, the team reports February 12 in Frontiers in Climate.Previous studies of pollen, sediments and other materials have been used to reconstruct past climate change. But what we wanted to do is to focus on how people at the time felt the climate, says Tudor Caciora, a climatologist at the University of Oradea in Romania.The Little Ice Age was a centuries-long climatic event that led to cooler temperatures from the 14th to the mid-19th century, with studies suggesting that average temperatures in Europe dropped by 0.5 degrees Celsius after 1560. Several studies have traced the effects of the phenomenon in Western Europe, but researchers have struggled to collect information about the event in Eastern Europe.So the breadth of records kept by people living in 16th century Transylvania presented an opportunity. Caciora and his colleagues combed through diaries, chronicles and other records from the 1500s to search for local climate clues.Documents were handwritten in different languages, including Hungarian, Turkish and Latin. Searching for keywords like hot weather was not an option, since the team found that people often wrote about the weather in distinct ways. A passage describing the effects of heavy rains during a siege, for example, read a large river flowed through the city, which swelled every day and did not allow passage even for several hours. The researchers had to read documents in their entirety, even if there were sparse mentions of the weather within them.The documents paint a picture of a 16th century Transylvania that was marked by heat and droughts in the first half of the century, followed by a period of increased rainfall. The researchers also came across vivid written accounts that indicate how the climate may have affected people by influencing calamities like famine, locusts and disease.One describes a famine in the summer of 1534 caused by an intense drought. People were losing their minds because of hunger, resorting to eating herbs, tree bark and carrion. Skeletal corpses were described as having the remains of grass in their mouths.Warm weather recorded throughout the century led the team to suggest that the Little Ice Age may have been delayed in the region compared with Western Europe.Beyond providing a better understanding of how the Little Ice Age may have affected people in the past, research like Cacioras may foreshadow how extreme events could impact people experiencing climate change in the future.Imagine what happens when we have a similar event in a climate thats already warmer by 2 degrees on average, says Ulrich Foelsche, a climate scientist at the University of Graz in Austria who was not involved in the study. These studies of past climates are especially important to understand the variability of climate and extremes, to better know what could be coming up in the future.

VG Insights, a games industry data and analysis firm, has published an insightful report on the state of video game engines in 2024, highlighting how the use cases of different engines have evolved over the years and revealing which software is currently trending and which is rapidly declining in popularity.Having analyzed over 13,000 games with 1,000 or more sales released on Steam last year, VGI has found that despite recent turmoil and layoffs plaguing Unity over the past couple of years, it remains the most popular and widely used game engine, with 51% of shipped games being Unity-powered.The second most used engine is Unreal Engine at 28%, followed by Godot with 5%, GameMaker with 4%, and RenPy with 2%. The remaining 10% consists of various other engines, including proprietary software such as Bethesdas Creation Engine, EAs Frostbite, and Rockstars RAGE, meaning custom-made engines accounted for less than one-tenth of all games released on Steam in 2024.In terms of actual sales, however, the landscape looks quite different. Games running on proprietary engines continue to dominate, accounting for around 42% of total units sold. Meanwhile, Unity has dropped from the second to the third place, holding a 26% share down 1% from its 2023 result.The real star of the show here is Unreal Engine, which jumped from 19% last year to 31% of units sold, with the growth attributed to some of the biggest 2024 games, such as Palworld and Black Myth: Wukong, being powered by UE5. As projected by VGI, big studios will continue replacing custom engines with Unreal, while Godot and GameMaker will attract more indie developers. Unity, the firm estimates, will likely maintain its 26-28% position by capturing market share from custom game engines.Additionally, VGI has discovered that the choice of the engine varies widely depending on the games genre, with Unreal Engine being favored for soulslikes, action-RPGs, and FPS games, Unity preferred for roguelikes and turn-based strategies, and JRPGs being mostly powered by proprietary software.Its also worth noting that VGIs findings showing a 10% drop in the share of proprietary engine-based game sales over the past year seem to correlate with Steams own statistics released in December, which point out that gamers spent only 15% of their total playtime on brand-new games released last year. Given that most custom-built engines are owned by AAA studios, and considering the AAA gaming industrys lackluster performance in 2024, the connection becomes clear, suggesting that unless major studios rethink their approach to game development, VGIs projection of proprietary software holding a 27% market share in 2030 could be overly optimistic.Read the full report here and dont forget to 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 Less Than 10% of Games Released on Steam in 2024 Were Made With Proprierary Engines appeared first on CG SHARES.

The earlier rumor that the first State of Play conference of 2025 would be coming soon proves to be true, as Sony just officially announced that its coming soon on February 12.The show celebrates a creative and unique selection of exciting games from studios around the world, reads the announcement. The more than 40-minute time could be a feast of brand-new trailers to treat our eyes, complete with key announcements for upcoming PlayStation games.There are no details about the games that will appear at the State of Play, but speculations are here and there. Many would expect to hear news on Death Stranding 2, the sequel to the 2019 Death Stranding game from legendary Hideo Kojima, which will be released this year exclusively on PS5; also Ghost of Yotei, the sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, which was announced last September by developer Sucker Punch and will also debut this year. And Konamis Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater could very possibly be an honored guest, as its release date, along with a new trailer, showed up briefly on the games PlayStation Store page last week.Aside from these titles that are in hot discussion, there is a chance to hear about games from other platforms joining PlayStation, like a remaster of Halo: Combat Evolved, which has reportedly been in development since last June or earlier and which Microsoft might be considering releasing on PlayStation besides Xbox.The event will be live-streamed on PlayStation YouTube and Twitch channels in English and Japanese starting on February 12 at 2 pm PT / 5 pm ET.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 PlayStation State of Play Is Coming Very Soon appeared first on CG SHARES.