The Flemish government has chosen Christ & Gantenbein and Bovenbouw Architectuur to design a new museum of contemporary art in Antwerp, Belgium. The Swiss and Belgian offices respectively won a competition backed by the Flemish Ministry of Culture which gathered entries from high profile firms around the world. The Flemish Ministry of Culture shortlisted six teams in the competition last year to redesign theMuseum of Contemporary Art Antwerp (M HKA): Bovenbouw Architectuur and Christ & Gantenbein; DRDH Architects and Jamie Fobert Architects; noAarchitecten, EM2N Architekten, and Sergison Bates Architects; OFFICE Kersten Geers David Van Severen and SO IL; Robbrecht en Daem architecten, Dierendonckblancke architecten, and Laura Muyldermans; Studio Nauta, and Feilden Fowles Architects.The building will be faced with a corrugated metal material. ( Filippo Bolognese)Bovenbouw Architectuur and Christ & Gantenbein ultimately came out on top. The architects described their winning preliminary design as a tower volume with a stepped arrangement of distinct yet clearly recognizable parts. Renderings show a facade made of a corrugated metal with geometric apertures that puncture the volume in various locations. M HKA is written in bold, white letters across the top of the building, much like the oversized branding that wraps the exterior of its current location.Like other iconic towers in the city, the team added, this layered structure fosters interconnectivity and complexity. It aims to foster community engagement and encourage visitors to embrace the space as their own adding value to the urban context and broader social framework. While marking a fresh chapter, the new building remains rooted in M HKAs evolving institutional identity.Volumes will cantilever out over the street. ( Filippo Bolognese)M HKA is currently located at a complex in Antwerps Leuvenstraat that was renovated from a grain storage facility into a museum by Michel Grandsard in the 1980s. Recent assessments have determined the existing M HKA complex falls short of museum standard requirements, posing significant operational challenges, thus necessitating a new purpose-built home. The future M HKA will be located atop the current site of a court building in Antwerps Waalsekaai Street, a prominent arts area. It will be a key link between the Scheldt quays and Zuidpark, and anchor the burgeoning cultural district of Het Zuid.M HKAs new purpose-built home will be almost 200,000 square feet and rise up several stories. It will have extensive exhibition and multi-purpose spaces with stunning views of the Scheldt River and Zuidpark. The architects prioritized adaptability and multifunctionality in the design.A sequence of highly adaptable ultra-flexible exhibition spaces will seamlessly integrate exhibitions, performances, education, and artistic production. ( Filippo Bolognese)Visitors will enter the new M HKA through a porous open lobby, Bovenbouw Architectuur and Christ & Gantenbein said. The ground floor will have a cafe and social areas, and connect guests to a cinema and auditorium. There will also be generous public terraces interspersed throughout the building.Bart De Baere, M HKA director, said the team hopes to complete the project by 2031.

Artist with Green Palette (2024), canvas, acrylic, pencil, and jade adhesive on panel, 44 x 34 inches. All images Ruby Sky Stiler, courtesy of the artist and alexander Gray Associates, New York, shared with permissionRuby Sky Stiler Reassesses Womens Role in Art History in Geometric PortraitsFebruary 27, 2025ArtKate MothesUp close, the irregularly gridded, geometric backgrounds of Ruby Sky Stilers paintings evoke patchwork or the patterns of agricultural landscapes seen aerially. Intricate patterns intersect in each rectangle, hinting at floral or decorative motifs that, when viewed from further away, appear almost topographical. Merging with this groundwork are boldly delineated women who often directly return the viewers gaze.Reassessing the history of Western art, Stiler positions women in what she has previously described as the empowered role as The Artist. Rather than muses or objectified subjects, she imbues her figures with qualities of control, liberty, and leisure.Woman with Children in Blue (2024), canvas, acrylic, pencil, and jade adhesive on panel, 44 x 50 inchesRecently on view at Frieze LA with Alexander Gray Associates, Stilers paintings continue to reenvision 20th-century abstraction, especially the predominantly male Cubist movement that burgeoned around 1907 and 1908. She turns the tables on the historically gendered dichotomy in fine art, transferring the role of women as subjects of paintings to that of creator.In works like Women with Children in Blue, Stiler portrays nude figures in repose or with children, emphasizing another potent definition of women as creators and caregivers. Through mosaic-like compositions, she challenges art historical tropes and reasserts more inclusive, contemporary definitions of gender roles in art.Stiler employs a meticulous graphite transfer process to apply patterned outlines to her pieces, nodding to textile designa craft tradition also historically trivialized in the art world as womens work. Pastel acrylic hues fill out bodies and backgrounds, while bold outlines evocative of minimalist Bauhaus design clarify bodies and objects.Stiler is currently preparing a solo exhibition with Alexander Gray Associates scheduled for November. Explore more on her website and Instagram.Two Women in Sienna and Umber, with Red Outline (2024), canvas, acrylic, pencil, and jade adhesive on panel, 44 x 50 inchesBlue Woman (2024), canvas, acrylic, pencil, and jade adhesive on wood panel, 18 x 15 1/2 inchesSeated Blue Figure (with turquoise and red outline) (2024), canvas, acrylic, graphite, and jade adhesive on panel, 44 x 34 inchesThe artist transfers graphite patterns onto canvasStiler displays preparatory sketches in her studioSwatches are labeled for use in a paintingNext article

The law firm representing 100 former subpostmasters who suffered the life-changing effects of being blamed for unexplained shortfalls on the computer system used in their branches before the Post Office rolled out the Horizon IT system, said there have been "positive steps" towards fair redress.Former users of the Post Office's Capture software, like those that had the controversial Horizon system, were blamed for losses, made to pay them back and even prosecuted by the Post Office.In the latest meeting between the Department of Business and Trade and former Capture users - held as part of the governments plan to offer financial redress - there were positive signs, according to lawyer Neil Hudgell, of Hudgell Solicitors.Obviously, everything needs ministerial sign-off and approval, but, quite rightly, there is a clear willingness to do right by those who have suffered at the hands of the Post Office in relation to Capture, he said.He added that there was also progress on having convictions reviewed by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC). Weve spoken with the CCRC today and those cases are moving forward, though of course there is a lot of work to be done in terms of securing further information required, said Hudgell.The controversy over the Capture system emerged in January last year after the ITV drama Mr Bates vs the Post Office told the stories of subpostmasters that had suffered at the hands of the Horizon system.It was the same month that Kevan Jones, an MP at the time who now sits in the House of Lords, highlighted evidence of injusticescaused by the Capture computer system used in Post Office branches prior to the introduction of Horizon.Jones had visited a subpostmaster who he thought may be a victim of Horizon, but when he realised the dates involved, it became clear another system could be at fault.Since the drama put the scandal at the centre of national debate, successive governments have been forced to act. In May 2024, the former Conservative government introduced legislation to exonerateabout 900 former Horizon users who were convicted based on evidence from Fujitsus faulty system.Now the CCRC is reviewing 21 cases of potential wrongful conviction put forward by Hudgells, where Capture could be a factor. This is an increase from 17 just weeks ago and from five in November last year.Capture was a PC-based applicationdeveloped by the Post Officeand uploaded onto a personal computer to carry out branch accounts. The software was a standalone system, unlike Horizon, which is a complex, networked system connected to centralised services.One of the subpostmasters who came forward after the ITV dramatisation was Steve Marston. He had a branch in Bury, Lancashire, and was prosecuted in 1996 for theft and false accounting following an unexplained shortfall of nearly 80,000. Marston said he never had any problems using the paper-based accounting system until his branch, which he ran from 1973, began using Capture.After an audit revealed a loss which he couldnt fully cover out of his own pocket, he was advised to plead guilty of theft and fraud to avoid jail. The judge took into account two bravery awards Marston had received for standing up to armed robbers, saving him a jail sentence. He received a 12-month suspended sentence, lost his home and business, and went bankrupt.Another life-destroying case is that of Steve Lewis from South Wales, who had worked for the Post Office since 1983, originally as a counter clerk, and was a Post Office auditor for a number of years.When he suffered unexplained losses, he was told by the Post Office that he was an isolated case. He lost his business, had to sell his home and suffered mental health issues, with related relationship troubles.Thousands of subpostmasters used Capture and more and more cases with glaring similarities to those related to Horizon are coming to light.A Kent subpostmistress who was convicted of theft from her branch in the 1990s is one of a new wave whose families are fighting to clear their names.Patricia Owen was convicted in 1998 of theft from her Post Office branch in Canterbury, over a shortfall of 6,000. Hers is one of the 21 cases Hudgell Solicitors have put forward to the CCRC.Owen, who died in 2003, denied the charges against her but was found guilty on five counts of theft. She received a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.Owens daughter Juliet said: I remember them sitting us down and telling us that mum was being prosecuted and that they had to go to court. We managed to get an independent computer expert to look over everything and he said there were malfunctions with the software, so we were hopeful ahead of the court case. The expert didnt turn up on the day, and we never found out why.Peter Lloyd-Holt, who died aged 75 in 2021, was sacked in 1994 from his role as a subpostmaster in Bolton after accounts at his branch showed unexplained shortfalls.His wife Agnes, who worked as an investigator for the Department of Work and Pensions at the time he was sacked, said life was never the same. That was the beginning of the end, she said.He was interviewed under caution without representation. I was contacted but not allowed to attend. He was eventually told in March 1995 that he wasnt going to be prosecuted, but he was still held responsible for the shortfalls and we were made to pay back a considerable sum.I had to work overtime to pay the mortgage and to pay back what the Post Office alleged we owed them, and that meant we suffered financial hardship as there had to be cut backs, she added.Lloyd-Holt's son, Paul, said: What happened to my father destroyed him. When my dad was interviewed he submitted all his documentation and evidence to clear his name, ledgers and dockets and spreadsheets, but they were never returned, so there is little evidence available to us to clear his name.Any evidence like bank statements have been lost over time, so we need the support of the solicitors to do this. He never could move on though, it always cast a shadow over his life, and our lives as a family. Now, were in a position where we only have our own memories, and we are having to contact many organisations and bodies to see what extra evidence we can uncover.The Post Office Horizon scandal wasfirst exposed by Computer Weekly in 2009, revealing the stories of seven subpostmasters and the problems they suffered due to accounting software.Timeline of how Capture controversy has unravelled since Horizon scandal dramatization

Social media companies have defended their content moderation practices to a Parliamentary committee investigating online misinformation, arguing that they already have effective processes and systems in place to deal with the spread of false information on their platforms.On 25 February 2025, the Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee (SITC) grilled tech giants X, TikTokand Meta as part of its inquiry into online misinformation and harmful algorithms.Opening the session, committee chair Chi Onwurah said the topic has unusually strong public interest for a technology-related issue, and that the committee is concerned about misinformation being disseminated at industrial scale. She added that this particular session would primarily focus in on the spread of disinformation during the Southport Riots in 2024.In the wake of the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport on 29 July 2024, social media became awash with unsubstantiated rumours that the perpetrator was an asylum seeker of Muslim faith.While this was later confirmed to be completely false, Islamophobic far-right rioting broke out in more than a dozen English towns and cities over the next few days, specifically targeting mosques, hotels housing asylum seekers, immigration centres and random people of colour.Responding to MPs questions about social media firms response to the unrest, Chris Yiu, director of public policy for Northern Europe at Meta, said the organisations trust and safety teams took down around 24,000 posts for breaking its policies on violence and incitement, and a further 2,700 for breaking its rules on dangerous organisations.One thing that I think is challenging in these fast-moving incidents is that it can be difficult to establish the facts on the grounds in real time, he said. I think that is something which we will need to have a reflection on and understand how we could do that.Alistair Law, director of public policy and government affairs for the UK and Ireland at TikTok, added that while the vast majority of content on the platform during the unrest was either documentary or bystander footage, tens of thousands of posts containing violent comments were removed by the company for violating its community guidelines.Echoing Yiu, Law also said it can be difficult to establish the veracity of potential claims in fast-moving events, adding that there needs to be collaboration throughout the wider value chain of information sharing, which includes broadcast media, as news coverage and social media content can create negative feedback loops around misinformation.Wilfredo Fernndez, senior director for government affairs at X, said the company has very clear protocols in place on how to deal with this content and the challenges that arise in the aftermath of an attack like this.He added that Xs community notes model was able to provide useful context to users, and that prominent far-right figures like Tommy Robinson and Andrew Tate received such notes in relation to their posts about the Southport attacks. X has no power to place or remove a note, said Fernndez. Its completely powered by people.In response to MPs highlighting instances of blue-tick X accounts making posts about the location of immigrants and encouraging rioters to go there (and which did not receive community notes), Fernndez said the company did take various actions on tens of thousands of posts. To sit here and say we get the right call every time, that would be wrong, he said.Read more about social media platformsYouth activists protest Meta over mental health impacts: Protest outside Metas London offices marks launch of Mad Youth Campaign, an effort by activists to challenge the ways in which corporate power negatively shapes the conditions young people live under.Misinformation runs deeper than social media: While social media may contribute to the increasing rapid spread and reach of misinformation, the root causes of the problem go much deeper than the role of a particular company or way of using technology to communicate.Kenyan workers win High Court appeal to take Meta to trial: Despite the company arguing that Kenyan courts have no jurisdiction over an American company, the Nairobi High Court has ruled that Meta must face more than 180 content moderators and data labellers in court over allegedly poor working conditions, negative mental health impacts, and loss of pay.Labour MP Emily Darlington also challenged Fernndez over extreme messages she had personally received on the X platform in November 2024, in which she was described as a traitor to the British people and threatened with hanging after sharing a petition to save her local Post Office.Darlington said she reported the post as harmful and violent speech, in violation of Xs rules that state expressing desire for violence is not allowed, and listed other violent or racist comments made by the same account.Asked by Darlington whether this was acceptable, Fernndez said the comments were abhorrent, but that while he would have content moderation teams review the account for terms of service violations, he could not make any assurances that it would be removed.Meta was also criticised for its removal of third-party fact-checking in favour of an X-style community notes approach, which MPs argued would allow racist misinformation to spread after citing numerous examples of Meta users posting racist, antisemitic or transphobic comments on the platform.We have received feedback that some areas of debates were being suppressed too much on our platform and that some conversations, whilst challenging, should have a space to be discussed, said Yiu.Both Onwurah and Darlington pushed back, arguing that some things such as statements denying the existence of trans people or deriding immigrants should be not be characterised as up for debate.The representatives from Meta and TikTok said that while the scale of social media use presents clear content moderation problems, each firm takes down upwards of 98% of violent content.Responding to questions about whether the Online Safety Act (OSA) being in force at the time of the riots would have changed their approach at all, every company said they already have processes and systems in place to deal with misinformation crises.In the wake of the riots, Ofcom warned that social media firms will be obliged by the OSA to deal with disinformation and content that is hateful or provokes violence, noting that it will put new duties on tech firms to protect their users from illegal content, which under the Act can include content involving hatred, disorder, provoking violence or certain instances of disinformation.The online harms regulator added that when the act comes into force in late 2024, tech firms will then have three months to assess the risk of illegal content on their platforms. They will then be required to take appropriate steps to stop it appearing, and act quickly to remove it when they become aware of it.The largest tech firms will in due course need to go even further by consistently applying their terms of service, which often include banning things like hate speech, inciting violence and harmful disinformation, said Ofcom, adding that it will have a broad range of enforcement powers at its disposal to deal with non-compliant firms.These include the power to impose significant financial penalties for breaches of the safety duties, it said. The regime focuses on platforms systems and processes rather than the content itself that is on their platforms.However, while a number of theOnline Safety Acts criminal offenceswere already in force at the time of the unrest including those related to threatening communications, false communications and tech companies non-compliance with information notices some said at the time it was unclear if any of these would be applicable to those using social media to organise racist riots.Instead, the police are likely to have to rely on offences under the Public Order Act 1986, which is the main piece of legislation which penalises the use of violence and/or intimidation by individuals or groups, said Mark Jones, a partner at Payne Hicks Beach. Whilst the home secretary may have said if its a crime offline, its a crime online, and whilst that may be correct, the Online Safety Act provides no additional support to the pre-existing criminal law covering incidents of incitement of violence.

Amazon's revamped assistant is getting a slew of AI features, but here's one that will save me from making so many requests.

Every social media service wants a chunk of TikTok's US customers. Meta - the Chinese-owned service's biggest rival - is fighting that battle on several fronts.

Photo credit gettyLinkedIn recently announced its expanded suite of video tools designed to support your personal branding efforts. These features are all about helping you reach and engage with your network using the most powerful communications medium out there video. Sure, being there in person is the best way to connect deeply with others. But when thats not an option, video is the next best thing, allowing you to deliver a complete communication so you can connect with stakeholders in deeper, more meaningful ways.Why Video Matters On LinkedInVideo isnt just another type of contentits the most dynamic way to showcase your personality, knowledge, and passion. Videos allow you to:Build trust by letting people see and hear you.Showcase your expertise through tutorials, thought leadership, or behind-the-scenes looks.Humanize your brand by sharing stories and insights in your authentic voice.LinkedIn is betting big on video, and its time for you to enhance your video presence. Lets dive into some of LinkedIns new video features that can help you stand out on a crowded digital platform.New LinkedIn Video Features To Level Up Your Personal BrandLinkedIn has been making video a more prominent part of its platform, rolling out a suite of new features to make video content more engaging and easier to find. Although LinkedIn recently retired the popular Cover Story feature (the ability to add a brief video that played in your headshot which was one of my favorite video features), theyve committed to rolling out new features and improvements to enhance their rich media capabilities, including:Full-Screen Vertical Video on Desktop. LinkedIn has expanded its full-screen vertical video experience from mobile to desktop. Now, you can select any video in your feed or the Videos for You section, then swipe or click through to discover more video content. This immersive feature makes your content stand out on any device.Updated Design for Vertical Videoa in Feed. LinkedIn is giving vertical videos in the feed a visual upgrade, making your content pop with an improved full-screen player. Think of it as making your video content more eye-catching and impossible to scroll past.Improved Profile Discovery Tools Within Full-Screen Video. While LinkedIn members are watching your full-screen video, they can now see a snapshot of your profile and explore your other recent video uploads without leaving the video experience. This makes it easier for people to connect with you and engage with your content.Enhanced Video Search Functionality. LinkedIn is working on making video more discoverable through searchsimilar to Googles Universal Search, where video and rich media content are featured alongside text-based results. Get ready to see more video content popping up in search results.Video Follow Enhancements. The full-screen video player now includes a more prominent Follow button, giving viewers an easy path to stay updated on your latest content. If someone loves what they see, they can instantly follow you without leaving the video. This is a powerful way to grow your network with people who connect with your content and point of view.New Video Analytics Average Watch Time. As with all social media, data is key. LinkedIn now allows you to track average watch time for your videos. This means you can see whats resonating with your audience, double down on what works, and drop the content that falls flat.Why You Should Be Using Video On LinkedInWith these new features, LinkedIn is clearly signaling that video is going to be a big part of the platforms future. But why should you jump on board?Boost Your Visibility: Video posts tend to get more visibility than static posts. The algorithm loves it, and so do people.Show Your Authentic Self: People connect with people. Video gives you a chance to let your personality shine and build a more authentic connection with your audience.Simplify Complex Ideas: Use video to explain ideas, demonstrate concepts, or tell stories in a way thats easier for your audience to digest and remember.Engage Your Audience: Video encourages higher engagement, and viewers are more likely to comment, like, and share videos than other types of posts.Amp Up Your Video Success With LinkedIns Nano-Learning CoursesTo help you make the most of video on LinkedIn, the platform has rolled out a series of nano-learning courses. These quick, bite-sized courses are designed to help you:Learn how to create impactful video contentOptimize your videos for maximum visibilityEngage your audience with storytelling techniquesTips For Creating Impactful Videos On LinkedInHere are some quick tips to make your LinkedIn video truly stand out:Keep it Short and Sweet: Aim for 1-2 minute videos that deliver value quickly. Attention spans are short, so make every second count.Focus on Storytelling: Use a simple structureproblem, solution, impactto tell a compelling story.Be Yourself: Authenticity wins. Speak naturally, show your true personality and express your unique point of view.Include a Call to Action: Whether its Follow me for more insights or Drop your thoughts in the comments, or Check out this related video, guide your audience on what to do next. This creates the opportunity for and ongoing conversation.Ready, Set, Record. Commit To Using Video On LinkedInWith LinkedIn going all in on video, nows the time to embrace this powerful medium and make it part of your personal branding strategy. So grab your camera, hit record, and start sharing your insights, stories, and expertise with the world. Video is your opportunity to make a lasting impression and forge deeper connections.As a pioneer in personal branding and expert in virtual communication, William Arruda empowers professionals to shine online. Get his free Guide: 9 Fun and Easy Ways to Rev Up Your Online Meetings and Presentations.

Whether you're resolving to stay ahead of the curve, broaden your perspective, or simply fuel your curiosity, we've compiled a list of books, podcasts, newsletters, and stories to inspire and guide you.The Innovator's GuideUnsplashNEWSLETTER: One Useful Thing by Professor Ethan MollickEthan Mollick, a New York Times best-selling author, researcher, and professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, is widely recognized as a leading voice in artificial intelligence. Named one of TIME Magazines Most Influential People in AI, Mollick advises startups, tech companies, and government agencies on the implications of AI.His newsletter, One Useful Thing, democratizes access to AI insights. With over 215,000 subscribers, it delves into topics such as AIs ethical considerations, its everyday applications, and success stories like OpenAI. Mollicks thoughtful analysis provides readers with a valuable playbook for navigating the technology that is transforming innovation and capturing investor attention.BOOK: Burn Book: A Tech Love Story by Kara SwisherKara Swisher, hailed as the queen of all media, has spent decades chronicling the rise of Silicon Valley and its most influential figures. From her beginnings at The Washington Post to her work with The Wall Street Journal and her role as a tech conference pioneer, Swisher offers an unparalleled view of the tech worlds evolution.In Burn Book: A Tech Love Story, Swisher reflects on her years covering tech titans, uncovering both the triumphs and the societal costs of relentless innovation. Her insights offer a call to action for thoughtful progress, especially as AI becomes a powerful force shaping the future.ARTICLE: VC Firms and Tech Startups Face Growing Pressure for Liquidity. Enter Private Equity. by Steven Rosenbush (The Wall Street Journal)The sluggish IPO and M&A markets have created mounting challenges for venture capital firms and maturing startups. Steven Rosenbush, The Wall Street Journals Enterprise Technology Bureau Chief, explores how private equity is stepping in to fill the gap.Citing PitchBook data, Rosenbush highlights private equitys growing focus on tech, with deal value rising to 28.3% of the market in Q3 2024, up from 18.7% in the second quarter. He examines how these firms prioritize software companies with stable, recurring revenues and AI-enabling infrastructure. Through interviews with industry leaders like Ropes & Gray partner Kate Withers, Rosenbush offers actionable insights for companies navigating liquidity challenges.PODCAST: Possible by Reid Hoffman and Aria FingerReid Hoffman, LinkedIn co-founder, and entrepreneur Aria Finger host Possible, a podcast exploring societys brightest potential futures. Each week, they interview industry leaders like Bill Gates and Kara Swisher, tackling topics from climate change to AIs societal impact.The podcast also features Reid Riffs, where Hoffman and Finger discuss actionable solutions to the worlds biggest challenges. For optimists and forward-thinkers, Possible is a source of inspiration and hope.BOOK: The Money Trap: Lost Illusions Inside the Tech Bubble by Alok SamaAlok Sama, a former Morgan Stanley banker, provides a candid insiders account of his tenure with SoftBanks enigmatic founder, Masayoshi Son. In The Money Trap, Sama recounts high-stakes negotiations, global deal-making, and the moral dilemmas of high finance.With self-deprecating wit and unflinching honesty, Sama pulls back the curtain on the tech bubbles excesses and lessons. For anyone curious about the inner workings of top firms and the human side of venture investing, this book is a must-read.NEWSLETTER: The Generalist by Mario GabrieleMario Gabriele, a Columbia graduate turned venture capitalist, has crafted The Generalist, a newsletter that explores the intersection of tech, startups, and strategy. With over 120,000 subscribers, the publication offers in-depth analysis of leading companies, technologies, and executives.The Generalist delivers a mix of deep-dive essays and weekly tech news roundups, making it essential reading for industry enthusiasts and professionals alike. For founders and investors seeking even more, Gabriele offers a premium subscription featuring curated startup databases and actionable insights.BOOK: The Singularity Is Nearer by Ray KurzweilRay Kurzweils sequel to his 2005 bestseller The Singularity Is Near brings fresh perspectives on AI and exponential technological growth. In The Singularity Is Nearer, Kurzweil explores innovations like renewable energy, nanotechnology, and AI-driven breakthroughs, challenging readers to contemplate the implications of AI surpassing human intelligence.Kurzweils optimism and decades of research make this a compelling read for those envisioning a future shaped by rapid innovation and disruption.PODCAST: Diggnation (rebooted), Hosted by Kevin Rose and Alex AlbrechtAfter a 15-year hiatus, tech personalities Kevin Rose and Alex Albrecht have revived their beloved podcast Diggnation. Twice a month, they bring humor and insight to techs hottest headlines, from flying taxis to Bitcoin to AI-generated video games.With guests hailing from a variety of walks of life, from Jimmy Fallon to Tony Hawk to Rachel Maddow, Diggnation offers a lighthearted yet informative look at the tech trends shaping the future. Video versions of each episode are also available at Diggnations YouTube channel.

Katy Perry poses with an award alongside Gayle King during Variety's Power of Women Presented by Lifetime at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, California on Sept. 30, 2021.Stefanie Keenan / Getty ImagesBy MARCIA DUNN / APFebruary 27, 2025 11:26 AM ESTCAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. Katy Perry and Gayle King are headed to space with Jeff Bezos fiancee Lauren Sanchez and three other women.Bezos rocket company Blue Origin announced the all-female celebrity crew on Thursday.Sanchez, a helicopter pilot and former TV journalist, picked the crew who will join her on a 10-minute spaceflight from West Texas, the company said. They will blast off sometime this spring aboard a New Shepard rocket. No launch date was given.Blue Origin has flown tourists on short hops to space since 2021. Some passengers have gotten free rides, while others have paid a hefty sum to experience weightlessness. It was not immediately known who's footing the bill for this upcoming flight.Sanchez invited singer Perry and TV journalist King, as well as a former NASA rocket scientist who now heads an engineering firm Aisha Bowe, research scientist Amanda Nguyen and movie producer Kerianne Flynn.This will be Blue Origin's 11th human spaceflight. Bezos climbed aboard with his brother for the inaugural flight.More Must-Reads from TIMEInside Elon Musks War on WashingtonMeet the 2025 Women of the YearThe Harsh Truth About Disability InclusionWhy Do More Young Adults Have Cancer?Colman Domingo Leads With Radical LoveHow to Get Better at Doing Things AloneCecily Strong on Goober the ClownColumn: The Rise of Americas BroligarchyContact us at letters@time.com

Key TakeawaysApple and Indonesia recently negotiated the terms of their deals to uplift the 5-month-long ban on the sale of iPhone 16.In October 2024, Indonesias Ministry of Industry banned the sale of iPhone 16 and a few other Apple products citing Apples failure to meet investment conditions.As per the new terms of the deal, Apple will have to invest a total of $1 billion alongside training the locals in component manufacturing.The months-long struggle between Indonesia and Apple is finally coming to an end as the two parties have decided on terms to lift the ban on the sale of iPhone 16.In October last year, Indonesia decided to ban the sale and use of the iPhone 16 along with a few other Apple products such as the Watch 10 series. The ban extended to new devices as well as those that have already been sold. This means anyone within the borders of Indonesia, including tourists, could no longer use their iPhone 16 phones.Note: The ban was only on the latest iPhone 16 model. If you had an earlier model, you could continue to use it.The reason behind this ban was Apples failure to meet local guidelines. As per Indonesian law, it is mandatory for all domestically sold devices to have at least 40% of their components locally sourced. This is done to boost the local economy and employment.If a company doesnt want to source components locally, it can bypass this mandate by investing in the country.Apple took the second route and initially promised to invest $1 billion in building local development and research units. These units would develop the components used in Apple devices. However, the company failed to deliver on its promises which resulted in the ban.Given the gravity of the situation, Apple renewed the offer to invest $1 billion in the country which President Prabowo Subianto asked his ministers to accept. But last month, they suddenly backed out of the deal, hoping to negotiate for better terms.So now, on top of the $1 billion investment, Apple will also have to train local Indonesian companies in research and development to be able to manufacture similar components.This is a better deal for Apple, which was initially being forced to manufacture iPhones locally. However, Indonesia has been known to retreat from its promise, so until things are set in stone, theres still a chance for the deal to fall through.Apple was already struggling to gain traction in the Indonesian market. As of last year, its not one of the top 5 smartphones sold in the country. The biggest reasons behind this are the price of iPhones and the purchasing power of the locals. A lot of them cannot even afford the latest models such as the iPhone 16 and often resort to buying second-hand models.Regardless of that, the countrys 280 million population is too good an opportunity to let go. Now that the initial legal hurdles are out of the way, Apple might find a way to expand its market share in the country which, as of January 2025, is merely 7.3%.Add Techreport to Your Google News Feed Get the latest updates, trends, and insights delivered straight to your fingertips. Subscribe now! Subscribe now Alpa is a senior editor with a wealth of experience in alternative finance, fintech, cryptocurrency, app security software, and the medical industry. She's currently an in-house managing editor with the Techreport team.Alpa is passionate about breaking down complex topics and sharing informative content that provides value. View all articles by Alpa Somaiya Our editorial processThe Tech Reporteditorial policyis centered on providing helpful, accurate content that offers real value to our readers. We only work with experienced writers who have specific knowledge in the topics they cover, including latest developments in technology, online privacy, cryptocurrencies, software, and more. Our editorial policy ensures that each topic is researched and curated by our in-house editors. We maintain rigorous journalistic standards, and every article is 100% written byreal authors.