The Famine Early Warning Systems Network is one of USAIDs most data-driven programs, but its work has been stalled by the Trump administration.

WIRED tests the benefits and limitations of using generative AI, specifically ChatGPTs Advanced Voice Mode, as a language tutor for travelers.

The presidents company, Trump Media & Technology Group, represents a clear mingling of his official duties and his business interests.

Apples new iPhone 16e combines three innovations in one $599 package: an A18 chip, Apples fast smartphone processor; Apple Intelligence, the companys private-by-design take on artificial intelligence; and the C1, Apples first-ever 5G radio. The announcement confirmsall of the speculation made about the device.In terms of performance-per-watt, Apples iPhones and the iPads and Macs that also use Apple silicon chips are at the top of their leagues.The 6-core CPU in this new smartphone is up to 80% faster than the A13 Bionic chip in the iPhone 11, Apple said, once again showing how the move to Apple silicon has been a huge success for the company. A 4-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine completes the set. But for many industry watchers, the real story will be the new C1 modem.Apple downplays a 7-year storyApple has been workingto build its own 5G modemfor iPhones for years and hasspent billions on the challenge. The Apple C1 is the first mass-market public trial of what Apples engineers created. That means a lot of people will put the modem through a variety of tests in real-world situations, which means Apple must be confident in what it has introduced. It might also be why the company hasnt said much about what could be seen as a huge achievement, something that has taken the company seven long years to make.The C1 will likely appear in a range of other Apple products down the road and the lower cost of that component also gives Apple a lot more flexibility when it comes to future product prices. As trade wars and tariffs intensify, that flexibility could make a big difference to Apples business moving forward, enabling it to maintain price competitiveness others might be unable to match.Apple didnt discuss any of that, of course, but did point out that the C1 is a low-power component that, when combined with the low energy demands of the A18 chip and the advanced power management of iOS 18, make for significant battery life.Apple boasted that the smartphone offers the best battery life of any 6.1-in. iPhone, in part due to the low power demands of Apples modem.All the expectations were correctWith the new device, Apple confirmed all the pre-launch speculation. For example, we had expected an Action button and Apple came through with that. This button can be customized in Settings and used in numerous ways, to switch between Ring and Silent modes, to turn on the flashlight, recognize music and more. You can also customize it for particular apps, so it offers different functions depending on which app you use.The Action button also introduces a new visual intelligence experience that uses Apple Intelligence to help users learn about objects and places. This can summarize and copy text, translate text between languages, detect phone numbers or email addresses with the option to add to contacts, identify an animal or plant, and more.What else should we know?The device boasts a 6.1-in.Super Retina XDR display with OLED technology.It supports FaceID rather than Touch ID used in the iPhone SE.It offers the best battery life of any 6.1-in. iPhone, in part due to the low power demands of the C1 modem.Its splash, water, and dust resistant, with a rating of IP68.Satellite communication is supported, so you can use Apples existing services Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, Messages, and Find My via satellite when away from conventional 5G or Wi-Fi networks. Access to these features is provided free for two years after purchase.Apples progress toward circular manufacturing is also clear; the device uses over 30% recycled materials overall, including 100% recycled cobalt and 95% recycled lithium in the battery, 85% recycled aluminum in the enclosure, and more. Apple will remove plastic from all its packaging by the end of this year.And yes, of course, the 16e uses USB-C.The iPhone 16e starts at $599 and will be available for pre-order on Feb. 21 in white and black with 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage capacities. It willbe in stores on Feb. 28. In the current environment, price is a big deal, and while its up a few dollars from the iPhone SE, Apples iPhone 16e hits the market at a good price for a superb mid-range smartphone.What Apple saidiPhone 16e packs in the features our users love about the iPhone 16 lineup, including breakthrough battery life, fast performance powered by the latest-generation A18 chip, an innovative 2-in-1 camera system, and Apple Intelligence, said Kaiann Drance, Apples vice president of worldwide iPhone product marketing. Were so excited for iPhone 16e to complete the lineup as a powerful, more affordable option to bring the iPhone experience to even more people.You can follow me on social media! Join me onBlueSky, LinkedIn,Mastodon, andMeWe.

Apple's update to the iPhone SE adds a new design and Apple Intelligence, as well as a new name: iPhone 16e. Here's how it compares to yesterday's budget option the iPhone 16.iPhone 16e [left], iPhone 16 [right]Arriving just shy of three years after the third-generation iPhone SE, the newly-rebranded iPhone 16e has arrived as the new entry-level model for consumers. This is a major modernization effort, with a new design and a considerable specifications bump to match modern smartphones.With the introduction of a new low-cost smartphone on Apple's roster, this leaves consumers wondering if they should get it instead of the slightly more expensive iPhone 16. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Google has announced that it's bringing a new feature to iPhone that enables users to quickly search while browsing the web or watching videos.Circle to Search comes to iOSScreen Search is, effectively, the iOS version of Circle to Search, which was released to select premium Android smartphones over a year ago.The feature is designed to give users a much more convenient way to search content they're actively engaging with. Instead of switching screens to open up a search engine, users can simply circle the thing they're interested in to launch a Google search. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

New London Architecturehas named the overall 'Home of the Year' winner and six other superlative projects at the culmination of the annualDont Move, Improve!competition, which is celebrating its 16th edition this year.The winners were selected from the jury's 14-entry shortlist. Federico Ortiz, the Head of Programme at NLA, said: "The architects have skilfully hollowed out theexisting structure, creating unexpected volumes and flows that seamlessly integrate with thehouses original heritage. The inversion of the stairs, the removal of the garage, and the subtlemanipulation of sections are all brilliant yet restrained moves. The use of recycled materials hascreated an environmentally conscious space that is both functional and homely. Its aprofoundly intelligent approach that remains grounded, never showysimply exemplary."

The latest AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) for January has recorded a slightly slowing decline to 45.6. For the month, inquiries for new projects continued to rise at a steady, slow pace, while the value of newly signed design contracts dropped for the eleventh month in a row. This is the third consecutive ABI to record a decline. Any score below 50.0 indicates decreasing business conditions.Billings were shown to be soft across all regions and specializations. Firms with a commercial/industrial focus reported the most significant decline in business conditions, but weakness was observed across all sectors. Business conditions remained weakest in the Northeast, continuing a trend from recent months."Stubborn inflation, persistently high interest rates, and labor concerns continue to weigh on the willingness of owners and developers to move ahead with construction projects," said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker. "Architecture firms have been moving to right-size their...

Supergiant Games has released its second major content update for Hades 2. It adds the final battle on Mount Olympus, which players are invited to discover, and Ares, who brings several new Boons. Check out The Warsong trailer below.Aress Boons are seemingly focused on inflicting Wounds, though you can also conjure falling blades with casts and dashes. The rest of the Pantheon also has some new Boons, while others have been improved or revamped. Over 2,000 new voice lines, new events, and a brand new Familiar who provides a powerful benefit have also been added.Other changes include a reworked Altar of Ashes (complete with new Arcana Card art), no longer having to prioritize Gathering Tools, and balance changes to the Nocturnal Arms. You can also hang out at different places in the Crossroads and share a duet with Artemis.Hades 2 is available for PC via early access. Check out our review of the base version here. A release date for Version 1.0 hasnt been shared but stay tuned for updates.

While it has been well known that League of Legends and Valorant developer Riot Games is working on an MMORPG based on its MOBAs world, the studio has been incredibly quiet about the titles status. Speaking with Game Files Stephen Totilo, Riot Games chief product officer and co-founder Marc Merrill indicated that development is still underway, and is going well.Oh yeah, said Merrill when asked whether an MMORPG was still worthwhile for Riot. And its probably the project I personally spend the most time on as well.Merrill went on to talk about the difficulties with making an MMORPG, especially since the market is largely dominated by juggernauts like World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy 14. He describes Riot as the company best suited to take on the challenging task.Riots exactly the type of company that should go after those types of opportunities if were trying to make it better for the player, said Merrill, mentioning that the world of Runeterra as envisioned in the several League of Legends spin-off titles, as well as hit Netflix series Arcane, was still a fan-favourite.The last time we heard about Riot Games MMORPG was back in 2021 when the company had confirmed that it was recruiting more developers for the project. The company has maintained radio silence on the subject since then.In the meantime, Riot Games is preparing to launch its fighting game based on the world of Runeterra. Dubbed 2XKO, the game will be free-to-play, and is in development for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. The roster includes Champions like Jinx, Braum and Illaoi.