Nearly half the team regulating self-driving cars was fired in the layoff of federal workers last month.One terminated NHTSA employee said the firings would slow down companies trying to deploy robotaxis, including Tesla.Tesla CEO Elon Musk is leading efforts to slash the federal workforce with DOGE.Job cuts imposed by Elon Musk's DOGE will slow down the deployment of self-driving vehicles on US roads, a terminated federal worker told Business Insider. The Office of Automation Safety, which develops regulations for autonomous vehicles, lost three of its seven employees during a Valentine's Day cull of government workers, a person with knowledge of the cuts said.The office is part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which regulates vehicle safety and lost about 4% of its workers in the February 14 layoffs."There was a massive push in the government over the past year to hire people from the actual autonomous vehicle industry to assist in regulating and understanding it. Since the government fired all recently hired employees, almost all of that private sector knowledge is now gone," the terminated worker said.They said the cuts had left the office "extremely understaffed" with less specialized knowledge about the autonomous vehicle sector.BI has viewed the person's termination letter. They did not want to be named for fear of affecting their future employment prospects.The Washington Post previously reported on the firings. They were part of a wider push that saw thousands of probationary federal workers lose their jobs. They had typically been in their roles for less than two years.It comes as DOGE moves forward with its efforts to cut the size of the government, despite legal opposition and concern that Musk's efficiency efforts are targeting agencies that regulate Tesla, SpaceX, and his other companies.Robotaxi roadblockCompanies building autonomous vehicles face a daunting patchwork of state and federal regulations.Those wanting to deploy fully driverless vehicles that lack traditional controls such as steering wheels or pedals, such as Tesla's Cybercab or the now-scrapped Cruise Origin vehicle, need to apply for an exemption to federal regulations.The exemption process, which is handled by the Office of Automation Safety, can be lengthy. Cruise waited two years for permission to deploy the Origin before ultimately scrapping it.Musk has called for an overhaul of federal autonomous vehicle regulations, telling investors last October he would "try to help make that happen" through his role at DOGE.In November, Bloomberg reported that easing rules around self-driving cars was a major priority for the incoming Trump administration.Tesla is gearing up to deploy fully driverless vehicles for the first time in June with a robotaxi service in Austin.Musk's automaker is also facing NHTSA investigations into its Full Self-Driving and Autopilot assisted driving tech, although those investigations are handled by a separate department to the Office of Automation Safety.The job losses risk ceding the initiative on robotaxis to China, which is also heavily invested in developing autonomous vehicles, the terminated NHTSA employee said."When they do stuff like this, where they claim that it's a regulatory goal to further the deployment of autonomous vehicles, but then they fire the team that's responsible for that that's just going to let China get further ahead," the individual said.An NHTSA spokesperson said despite the layoffs, the agency's workforce remained "considerably" larger than it was at the start of the Biden administration."We have retained positions critical to the mission of saving lives, preventing injuries, and reducing economic costs due to road traffic crashes. We will continue to enforce the law on all manufacturers of motor vehicles and equipment, in accordance with the Vehicle Safety Act and our data-driven, risk-based investigative process," they told BI.Have a tip? Contact this reporter via email at tcarter@businessinsider.com or Signal at tcarter.41. Use a personal email address and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.

Xbox Network, once known as Xbox Live, is reportedly down as hundreds of users complain they can't get online or play video games that they already own on their console

GTA 6 is slated for this year, but Vertpaint, which is formed of ex-Rockstar and TT Games talent, is going a very different direction and Ritual Tides looks absolutely chillingTech10:00, 03 Mar 2025Ritual Tides looks gorgeousTake-Two Interactive recently confirmed that GTA 6 is launching in Fall 2025, but Vertpaint Games, which is formed of former Rockstar and TT Games staffers, is coming this year with a very different vibe.The studio's game, Ritual Tides, was teased in October 2024, and now it's getting a much deeper look as part of a fresh video interview with CEO James Macleod which showcases what some have called "Lovecraftian Jurassic Park" or "Silent Hill meets rural British setting".The game takes place on an island which has been taken over by a cult called the Fallow Parish, and the team has revealed more information today (March 3).Ritual Tides is the complete opposite of what Rockstar doesThe team shows off some of the stunning detail in the video above, as well as some concept art that looks downright horrifying.It'll be in first-person for plenty of scares, with a climbing system designed to be more stressful. It's intended as a "fresh take on first-person horror", and will cover some "exceedingly dark" subject matter.Combat-wise, the team isn't quite ready to show it off yet, but it won't be a power fantasy. Macleod says some inspiration came from Day-Z of all places when it comes to the impermanence of weapons but guns won't answer all of Ritual Tides' problems.Other sources of inspiration include Metroid Prime Echoes, Silent Hill, Resident Evil Village, Amnesia: The Dark Descent, and Lovecraft stories including The Thing on the Doorstep.Wouldn't want his dentist billThose visuals come from the team scanning their own assets and reference material, and the studio is now beginning to reveal more about the game as it approaches release.While acknowledging that Vertpaint is a smaller studio than its AAA rivals, Mcleod is keen to stress that the team wants "to set a new industry standard for quality both in terms of gripping gameplay and graphical breakthroughs."It's currently slated for PC first, with a console release planned for later.For more from former Rockstar devs, be sure to check out MindsEye from Leslie Benzies' new studio, which definitely looks a lot like GTA.Article continues belowFor the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.

Bradford Unveils Ramadan Pavilion Infinite Light for 2025 United Kingdom City of CultureSave this picture! David LindsayA new site-specific pavilion has been unveiled in Bradford city centre as part of the 2025 UK City of Culture celebrations. Designed by artist Zarah Hussain and architectural designer Fatima Mejbil, Infinite Light marks the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan and the launch of Ramadan Festival 2025. The project has been commissioned by the Ramadan Tent Project in collaboration with Bradford 2025 and follows the inaugural Ramadan Pavilion designed by Shahed Saleem in 2023.The Pavilion, which will remain in Centenary Square from February 14, is the second edition of the Ramadan Pavilion initiative. This year's structure reflects the festival's theme of Connection, drawing inspiration from various architectural traditions to create an inclusive space for all communities in Bradford. As the month of Ramadan began this year on Saturday, March 1, the Pavilion serves as a timely focal point for reflection, gathering, and cultural celebration throughout the holy month.Save this picture!The design consists of a double-archway structure, with the lower arch influenced by the colonnaded courtyards of sacred and civic spaces, including those surrounding the holy sanctuary in Mecca, built in the 16th century. The higher arch references Venetian Gothic architecture, known for its pointed forms and tracery stonework, similar to elements found in Bradford's City Hall, designed in the 1870s by local architect Henry Francis Lockwood. The Pavilion will be illuminated each evening at sunset to mark the end of the daily fast during Ramadan. Related Article Shahed Saleem Presents Deconstructed Mosque for Ramadan Pavilion 2023 at the V&A Museum in London As a key element of the Ramadan Festival, the Pavilion serves as a contemplative and welcoming space, designed to platform engagement across different communities. Its presence in the city centre aims to highlight Bradford's diverse cultural heritage while offering an opportunity for visitors to explore Islamic arts and architecture.Save this picture!The biennial Ramadan Pavilion first appeared in 2023 at the V&A Museum in South Kensington, designed by architect Shahed Saleem. This year, its placement in Bradford aligns with the city's designation as the UK City of Culture 2025. The Ramadan Festival, organized by the Ramadan Tent Project, includes a series of artistic, cultural, and community events, alongside Open Iftar, the UK's largest communal Ramadan gathering.Save this picture!Islamic architecture continues to inspire contemporary design, combining historical influences with novel approaches to space and form. In other related news, the Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 has opened in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, presenting over 60 works that explore spirituality and cultural narratives through art, architecture, and design. Meanwhile, East Architecture Studio has been awarded the inaugural Almusalla Prize at the Biennale for their interpretation of a contemporary prayer space, which integrates natural light and local materials to create a meditative environment. More broadly, this editorial explores how contemporary mosque design is shifting toward context-driven architecture rather than relying solely on symbolic elements, reflecting evolving cultural and spatial needs across different regions.Image gallerySee allShow lessAbout this authorNour FakharanyAuthorCite: Nour Fakharany. "Bradford Unveils Ramadan Pavilion Infinite Light for 2025 United Kingdom City of Culture" 03 Mar 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1027561/bradford-unveils-ramadan-pavilion-infinite-light-for-2025-united-kingdom-city-of-culture&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

Milan, a global hub of fashion and finance, increasingly asserts itself as a leading center for architecture and design. Its status as Italy's second-largest city underpins its vibrant cultural scene, attracting both established and emerging creative talent. Additionally, Milan is home to esteemed educational institutions recognized for their focus on heritage preservation and conservation. Its cultural and design significance is increasingly pronounced, as a growing number of creators are relocating to establish their presence in this vibrant creative hub.

Nature, Published online: 03 March 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00619-wExperts explain why scientists must commit to engaging with the communities they want to help at all stages of the research process from planning to dissemination.

These masks, known for their distortion and asymmetry, are one of the oldest kinds of art in southwest Alaska.

Ideas about the global dispersal of Homo sapiens have changed over time.

I did this somewhere at the end of last year, so that I could publish it in the spring submitted by /u/Odd-Cream-878 [link] [comments]

Take a look at this stunning portrait of Arcane's Jinx, showing her in an emotional, heartfelt state, created with ZBrush and Substance 3D Painter by 3D Artist Kyungin Moon.More renders: https://80.lv/articles/check-out-this-emotional-portrait-of-arcane-s-jinx-made-with-zbrush/