Salesforce on Wednesday announced plans to invest $1 billion in Singapore over the next five years.

As the new term of the Trump administration gets settled, the United States economy sits at a crossroads. With hundreds of billions invested in the energy transition by the previous administration, aimed towards long-term economic and energy security, the stage is set for the United States to take the next step in maintaining its status as the world leader in sustainable technology.Internationally, countries are jockeying to control this trillion dollar market, and while China has an early manufacturing lead, the U.S. industrial and tech sectors can prove to be a decision maker. By focusing on market-driven solutions and domestic resource development, the Trump administration can accelerate what the Biden administration did for the green economy by expediting permits and loosening regulatory approvals, while further strengthening national security and creating high-paying jobs.Critical mineralsAmericas transition to clean energy requires a robust domestic supply of critical minerals, with lithium playing a central role in our energy future. The U.S. possesses significant lithium reserves, particularly in Nevada, California, Texas, and Arkansas, that remain largely untapped. As Trumps ally Elon Musk has pointed out several times, investing in lithium refining is a license to printing money, and contributes directly to the energy and automotive industry through the production of lithium-ion batteries.The United States must maintain a strong presence in critical economic sectors. With EVs being the primary driver of battery demand, the shift toward EVs poses a challenge to the U.S. automotive industry, a key pillar of the nations economy. Over a million Americans are employed in motor vehicle and parts manufacturing, an industry that also plays a fundamental role in the countrys metalworking expertise.This underscores the importance of the ongoing U.S. steel saga and why keeping these industries under American control makes the economy stronger. As other nations scramble to source their own supply of lithium and other critical minerals for the transition, we have the opportunity to reduce dependence on foreign entities and empower U.S. businesses.Embrace the transitionElectrical vehicle (EV) adoption is a win-win for the U.S. The link between dependence on foreign oil and economic recessions plagued Americans in 2022 with high gas prices. While the benefits of EVs and renewable energy are very clear in the context of shifting global economic priorities, America needs to fully commit to it lest it find itself too far behind to compete.This means significantly ramping up our current production.To enhance the scale of domestic EV supply chains, the U.S. military aims to create a dedicated market for American companies by utilizing next-generation batteries in a select group of military vehicles, drones, and equipmentexcluding current lithium-ion technologies and Chinese suppliers. Likewise, these initiatives could extend to other government agencies procuring batteries, such as the U.S. Postal Service fleet and the 28 other federal agencies that have pledged to increase EV adoption.This would go a long way in creating a fast and efficient supply chain for consumer-facing products. Supporting this could be government-led policies and public-private projects connecting domestic mining operations with local electric vehicles and renewable energy manufacturing further integrating supply chains which will benefit the rural areas in which lithium and other minerals are found. High paying jobs, upskilling opportunities, and the economic development of towns and cities are the direct benefits before we begin to consider the accepted financial gains that everyday Americans will make once the EV and renewable energy sector are implemented at scale.What is next?By reducing barriers to private sector investment, streamlining regulations, and supporting domestic resource development, the Trump administration can lead in developing clean energy solutions that benefit the economy and the environment. Environmental stewardship and economic growth are not mutually exclusive, but rather complementary goals that can be achieved through smart, market-driven policies.The U.S. can be the first green global economy, or we can continue being dependent on foreign interests, selling off American assets like U.S. steel, and trusting foreign powers to run supply chains critical to our national security: This is the crossroads we currently sit at. All indications point towards this second iteration of the Trump administration being good for U.S. businesses for the sake of a strong American economy, this means committing to the transition that entire industries have been prepping for since he last took office.Teague Egan is CEO of EnergyX.The Fast Company Impact Council is a private membership community of influential leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual membership dues for access to peer learning and thought leadership opportunities, events and more.

Recent violence againstTesladealerships will be labeled domestic terrorism, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday as he selected a newTeslacar to show support for the electric carmakers chief, his ally Elon Musk.Shares of the automaker closed nearly 4% higher on Tuesday, rebounding from the biggest one-day fall in four-and-a half years on Monday.Activists have lately staged so-calledTeslaTakedown protests to voice displeasure over Musks role insweeping cuts to the federal workforce at the behest of Trump and cancellation of contracts that fund humanitarian programs around the world. Musk, the worlds richest person, is spearheading the Trump administrations Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.Theyre harming a great American company, Trump said at the White House, referring to the demonstrators. Nearby, a number ofTeslavehicles were lined up on the driveway between the mansion and the south lawn. Let me tell you, you do it toTesla, and you do it to any company, were going to catch you, and . . . youre going to go through hell.About 350 demonstrators protested outside aTeslaelectric vehicle dealership in Portland, Oregon, last week, while nine people were arrested during a raucous demonstration outside a New York CityTesladealership earlier in March.There have also been recent reports of vandalism onTeslavehicles and showrooms that are under investigation.Trumps decision to buy aTeslaelectric vehiclehe chose a Model Swas a significant show of support for Musk, who has come under criticism for his work in Washington. Model S pricing starts at about $80,000.Trump, in the drivers seat of the shiny red car, said hes not allowed to drive anymore but would keep the vehicle at the White House for his staff to use. He said he would pay by check and did not want a discount from Musk.In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump defended Musk, saying he was putting it on the line to help the country and was doing a fantastic job.Im going to buy a brand newTeslatomorrow morning as a show of confidence and support for Elon Musk, a truly great American, Trump said.Musk thanked the president for his support on his own social media platform X.Trump in January took aim at electric vehicles, revoking a 2021 executive order signed by his predecessor Joe Biden that sought to ensure half of all new vehicles sold in the U.S. by 2030 were electric.Teslas market capitalization has more than halved since hitting an all-time high of $1.5 trillion on December 17, erasing most of the gains the stock made after Musk-backed Trump won the U.S. election in November.The stocks decline since December stems from falling vehicle sales and profit, protests against Musks political activity, and investor worries that politics was distracting the billionaire from tending to his cash cow.But at the White House event with Trump, Musk said he would double production in the next two years.As a function of the great policies of President Trump and his administration and an act of faith in America,Teslais going to double vehicle output in the United States within the next two years, he said.Musk said in January thatTeslawas working hard to increase annual volumes this year, after posting its first drop in annual deliveries in 2024. He did not reiterate an earlier promise of 20%-30% growth in vehicle sales this year.Musk told reporters on Tuesday he would stay in Washington as long as he was useful, but said he would remainTeslas CEO.Jeff Mason and Abhirup Roy, ReutersReporting by Jeff Mason in Washington and Abhirup Roy in San Francisco; additional reporting by Shubham Kalia and Akash Sriram in Bengaluru.

Some tools exist purely to get the job done. Others demand to be admired. The fractal vise is both. Its interlocking jaws move like a puzzle, shifting to grip objects with near-perfect contact. Originally an obscure, high-end machinists tool, it was too complex for the average workshop. MetMo has taken that complexity and distilled it into something refined, compact, and endlessly satisfyingequal parts engineering marvel, functional vise, and mechanical curiosity.MetMo has a reputation for resurrecting old-school mechanical designs and refining them into precision-engineered, tactile experiences. Their MetMo Driver brought a vintage ratchet screwdriver into the 21st century with a satisfying mechanical feel. The MetMo Grip reimagined a classic 1950s engineering tool with modern machining. With the Fractal Vise, theyve once again hit that sweet spot between functional tool and mesmerizing desk toy, making it equally at home in a workshop or as a fidget-worthy showpiece.Designers: Sean Sykes and James WhitfieldClick Here to Buy Now: $193 $215 (10% off). Hurry, only 20/450 left! Raised over $815,000.The magic of a fractal vise lies in its jaws, which move independently to conform perfectly to irregular shapes. Traditional vises rely on parallel jaws that can be frustratingly inadequate when holding objects with odd contours, but the MetMo Fractal Vise eliminates that struggle. Whether youre clamping a fragile model, a round pipe, or even an irregularly shaped tool, the vise distributes pressure evenly, gripping firmly without damaging delicate surfaces. Its sort of like watching jigsaw pieces fit into each other as the vises shape changes to match the contours of the object its holding. The result, a much better grip that holds an object at multiple points rather than just sandwiching it between two flat metal planes.Normally, I wouldnt recommend owning a fractal vise its too specialized, and theres a fair chance that 99% of people dont need it. But scale it down the way MetMo does, and now its a work of art that is fun, functional, and accessible (thanks to its affordable price tag). Its a lot like owning a smaller version of a steam locomotive, or an RC car. Its functional, but theres also the added joy in watching a grand machine work perfectly in its scaled-down form.And the functionality part is what MetMos managed to nail perfectly. The Fractal Vise is perfect for designers, artists, hobbyists, craftspeople, model-makers, engineers, tinkerers, or even anyone with a penchant for EDC. The Fractal Vise can be used vertically, horizontally, or even inside-out, allowing it to grip items from the inside instead of from the outside. Its good enough to be placed on a table and used as-is, but can also be clamped into a bigger vise for a more sturdy, robust setup.More importantly, the Fractal Vise is a work of art. The intricate design, the way the jaws shift and move, its all a part of a mechanical choreography that gives you the same joy youd get from watching an engine purr, pistons turn, linkages work, or even looking at the movement of an intricately assembled watch. Normally, I wouldnt recommend owning a fractal vise, but Id encourage people just this one time because of the sheer beauty of this particular pocket-sized piece. It practically classifies as EDC at this point.The MetMo Fractal Vise comes in two sizes: the Fractal Vise 32 and the Fractal Vise 82. The numbers refer to their maximum clamping zones32mm (1.2 inches) and 82mm (3.2 inches), respectively. The shorter 32mm version measures just 2.2 inches in length, while the 82mm variant can go up to 5.5 inches long, offering a slightly more elongated vise design that still fits within collector-toy-territory, while being a serious tool you can use in the workshop.The Fractal Vise has the unique distinction of being both delicate and powerful. You could easily clamp something as frail as an ornate sipping glass in it, and the vise will hold it reliably, but without force. For more robust use-cases, the Fractal Vise can output a clamping force of up to 1,965 Psi (pounds per square inch) thats about the same clamping force of the jaws of an alligator. A shockingly high amount for something small enough to fit in your palm.Each Fractal Vise is entirely machined from metal, with an option of going for an outer block made from either aerospace-grade aluminum or full stainless steel. The aluminum version features hardened stainless steel jaws, keeping it lightweight but strong, while the full-steel variant offers added heft and durability. Every component is precision-milled, hand-finished, and assembled with high-tensile bolts in short it might look like a toy, but like everything MetMo builds, its designed to be as powerful as vises 10x its size, with the promise to last a century even with regular use. Weve not removed any metal for weight or cost saving, so this makes for one very rigid piece of kit. Even though its size is small, you can use it like a serious tool while cutting and hammering, so it wont slow you down while you work, say the folks at MetMo.You can grab your own MetMo Fractal Vise (as I plan on doing so too) at early bird prices of 149 ($193 USD) for the aluminum 32mm version and 179 ($232 USD) for the 82mm variant. The full stainless steel versions start at 249 (~$322 USD), which Id recommend if you need a vise thats as robust and workshop-capable as they come. For most regular use cases, the aluminum Fractal Vise should be sturdy enough to get any job done.Its rare for a vise to be called fun, but MetMos Fractal Vise manages to be exactly that. Its an engineering relic revived for the modern age, a tool thats as practical as it is fascinating, and an irresistible desk companion for anyone who appreciates the beauty of mechanical design. Whether you need a vise or just want an excuse to clamp everything in sight, this little piece of precision engineering is ready to do the job.Click Here to Buy Now: $193 $215 (10% off). Hurry, only 20/450 left! Raised over $815,000.The post This Tiny Precision-Engineered Fractal Vise Is the Coolest Desk Toy You Didnt Know You Needed first appeared on Yanko Design.

Step into the fluorescent-lit, white-walled purgatory of Lumon Industries, now in LEGO form. The Severance MDR Office set is a love letter to corporate dystopia, letting you meticulously recreate the existential dread of Mark, Helly, Irving, and Dylan as they refine data for reasons beyond human understanding. Finally, a LEGO set that allows you to experience the joyless, sterile beauty of complete work-life separationno need to wait for a microchip in your brain.At first glance, this might seem like the least exciting LEGO set imaginable. No drama, no intricate assemblies, no easter eggs, no detail. Just a series of cubicles, a break room that screams mandatory fun, and a bathroom that exists purely for biological maintenance. But thats precisely what makes it brilliant. It captures the eerie mundanity of Severance in unsettling detail. The Macrodata Refinement (MDR) office is rendered in unsettling detailsterile green carpets, cold white walls, and an open floor plan that feels expansive yet deeply claustrophobic.The stark, sprawling hallways are designed only for walking. The supply closet stands ominously, awaiting a moment of insubordination. Kiers ever-watchful portrait looms over the workspace, a constant reminder that even in LEGO form, you will obey.Designer: GatorJayEach minifigure is a pitch-perfect recreation of the shows cast, right down to the dead-eyed resignation. Mark S. has that signature air of barely concealed despair, Helly R. looks like shes planning her next escape attempt, and Irving B. is radiating pure company loyalty, probably mid-thought about painting the breakroom black. Dylan G. seems one incentive away from snapping, while Milchickgrinning, watchful, terrifyingstands ready to orchestrate a waffle party so unsettling that even your LEGO minifigs will feel uncomfortable. Ms. Cobel completes the set, no doubt ready to invade your real-world life with a Tupperware container of raw eggs.The level of absurd realism here is what makes this set so brilliant. The office cubicles include tiny computer screens displaying cryptic floating numbers, capturing the mystery of data refinement in a way that only true fans will appreciate. The hallways are designed strictly for walkingno frolicking, no distractions, just an endless loop of introspective silence. Theres a vending machine filled with pre-approved snacks, because even your LEGO employees must be kept nutritionally optimized under the watchful eyes of The Board. And yes, the bathroom is included, because whats corporate life without a moment of quiet existential terror under fluorescent lighting?The beauty of Severance is its ability to make the mundane feel unnerving, and this LEGO set achieves the same effect. Youre not just assembling an officeyoure creating a microcosm of control, repetition, and subtle rebellion. Every piece clicks into place with a satisfying precision that echoes Lumons own rigid order, and before you know it, youre fully immersed. Maybe you start adjusting the cubicle walls, deciding who gets visibility and who to isolate. Maybe you recreate the moment Helly leaves a note for her Outie. Maybe you just stare at your completed set, a little too long, wondering what it all means.And thats the genius of this thing. It lulls you in with its innocent LEGO charm, then before you know it, youre deep in philosophical contemplation about the nature of work, selfhood, and free will. The best LEGO sets arent just funthey make you feel something. And this one? It makes you feel like you might be trapped in a corporate nightmare from which there is no escape. But, you know, in a fun way.Now, if youll excuse me, I need to go stare at a Kier Eagan portrait for a while and pretend I have control over my own existence.The MDR Office is the brain-child of LEGO builder GatorJay, and was submitted to the LEGO Ideas website, an online forum where anyone can build and share their own creations. The community votes for their favorite builds, and submissions that cross the 10,000 vote mark are sent to the LEGO internal team to evaluate and hopefully turn into a box set. If you want to see this Severance-themed MOC (My Own Creation) hit the 10k vote mark, cast your vote for it on the LEGO Ideas website here!The post Severance Fans Can Now Build Their Own Fluorescent-Lit Corporate Nightmare in LEGO first appeared on Yanko Design.

The Bluetti Elite 200 is quiet and very handy in a power cut or off-grid situations, but its sheer weight could put off some users.Bluetti Elite 200The rise of portable power stations in recent years is a boon for consumers, as manufacturers push to create smaller, more powerful, quiet, and cost-effective options.The comfort and peace of mind that comes with knowing you'll have electricity during a blackout can be measured in the work files saved, the food unspoiled, and the availability of electronics and vital equipment when everything goes dark. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Split Fictionlaunched last week to much hype and fanfare, and has enjoyed impressive early sales (with over a million units sold worldwide already) to match its widespread critical acclaim. The same is the case in the UK as well, where the game has topped the latest weekly UK physical sales charts, as per data released by the Gfk (via Push Square). Interestingly, 89 percent of its launch physical sales in the UK were on the PS5.A couple other new releases rank in the top 10 as well. Suikoden 1 and 2 HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars takes the No. 4 spot, while Two Point Museum comes in at No. 9. Meanwhile, Monster Hunter Wilds,which was unsurprisingly the top selling game the week prior, has now dropped down to No. 2.The evergreenMario Kart 8 Deluxecontinues to sell well, taking the No. 5 spot, whilefellow first-party Switch titleSuper Mario Party Jamboreebrings up the lists rear at No. 10. Theres alsoPGA Tour 2K25 andCall of Duty: Black Ops 6at No. 7 and No. 8 respectively. You can check out the full top 10 for the week ending March 8 below.No.Title1.Split Fiction2.Monster Hunter Wilds3.The Sims 4: Businesses and Hobbies4.Suikoden 1 and 2 HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars5.Mario Kart 8 Deluxe6.Minecraft (Switch)7.PGA Tour 2K258.Call of Duty: Black Ops 69.Two Point Museum10.Super Mario Party Jamboree

TheOrifranchise has been one of Xboxs biggest wins over the last several years, withOri and the Blind ForestandOri and the Will of the Wispsboth having enjoyed widespread acclaim. Both titles have also seen impressive sales, specific details on which have been revealed.Thomas Mahler director on both Metroidvania hits and co-founder and CEO of developer Moon Studios recently took to Twitter on the occasion ofOri and the Blind Forests10th anniversary, and commemorated the occasion by revealing that the series has collectively sold over 15 million units worldwide across all platforms. Its worth noting that these are sales figures, not player numbers, which means these numbersdontaccount for players who jumped in via Game Pass.Interestingly, this is the first time sales figures have been officially revealed for theOriseries. Back in 2020, it was announced thatOri and the Will of the Wispshad crossed 2.8 million players, while neither Microsoft nor Moon Studios have ever shared any specific numbers forBlind Forest.TheOriseries is available on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.In other amazing news:The Ori series has now sold more than 15 Million copies.Not too shabby for a Metroidvania and a genre we were told is dead when we started to work on it! So thank you to everyone who supported us so far MUCH LOVE! thomasmahler (@thomasmahler) March 11, 2025

The Tasmanian Chapter has had a busy start to the year, and it is hard to believe that it is now March.In February, Chapter Council held its handover meeting. We welcomed Felix Blackman, Guy Edwards and Martin Stephenson, along with Georgina Kemp, who is the incoming EmAGN co-chair. They join existing and continuing chapter councillors, Andrew Williamson, Cath Hall, Gaetano Palmese, Hugh Maguire, Jono Buist, Kate Shepherd (EmAGN co-chair) and Natasha Mackinnon (SONA rep), along with Shamus Mulcahy, in the immediate past president role. We have sadly said goodbye to Jason Licht, Lucy Burke-Smith, Michael Loubser, Pippa Jensen, Will Harkness, Chris Shurman (EmAGN co-chair) and Karyn Bogus (SONA rep for virtual students). I thank these people for their contributions over the years, and look forward to working with the current Chapter Council.It was pleasing to see such a high standard of work entered in this years Tasmanian Architecture Awards on the presentation to the jury day. I acknowledge that presenting to your peers can be a daunting task (this is particularly true for me), and I congratulate everyone who presented. I would also like to thank the jurors for their time and considered questions throughout. The day is about sharing the work that has taken place in the state, and also provides an opportunity for an informal catch up thank you to those who assisted in ensuring we were well fed at the BBQ!The award entries will be exhibited in Hobart, with a launch event scheduled for Thursday 5 June, and then in Launceston, with the launch event on Friday 4 July, prior to the awards presentation event, which will also be held in Launceston, on Saturday 5 July. Mark these dates in your calendar as we hope to see you all there.Chapter representatives have attended a number of Government roundtable meetings already this year, and representatives will be attending the City of Hobarts developer forum on Thursday 19 March. The meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss issues relating to development approvals in Hobart. We are seeking input from members to take to this meeting, and if you have issues that you would like raised, please let me know, or contact the Institute prior to the meeting.The Institute has also responded to a number of submission this year, including the Clarence City Heart Plan, and the proposed changes relating to prescribed maintenance under the Building Act 2016. Thank you to members who assisted with these submissions. Currently, the chapter is working on a response to the Southern Tasmania Regional Land Use Strategy Urban Growth Boundary proposed update (due Friday 14 March), the Tasmanian Government contract review (due Friday 21 March), the Review of the Department of Treasury and Finance Prequalification Scheme (due Monday 31 March stay tuned as there is a plan to hold a Practice Forum to discuss this) and CBOS Draft Directors Guidelines Livable Housing Access Requirements (due Wednesday 9 April). If you would like more information on any of these submissions, or would like to assist, please contact Fiona at the Tas Chapter. All past Institute submissions can be found on the Institutes submission library.The last few weeks has seen a number of events, including the Architects Recipe: 1970s AV Jennings, part of the Open House Hobart program which was postponed from last year; Japanese traditional Temple Building with Yuji Kanesada; EmAGNs The Temporality of Being: Closing Night & Full Moon; a site visit to The Tasmanian House 3 by Jiri Lev Architecture; the Findlay Projects Cooporative Housing Developments talk with Emily Taylor and Claire Austin; the first of the Learning From One Another | Conversations Through Architecture | First House talks, where we heard from Poppy Taylor, David Travalia and Garry Forward; the Emerging Architect Prize Tour with Jennifer McMaster and local winner, Keith Westbrook; and last, but not least, the Findlay Projects International Womens Day Breakfast, where we heard from members of the Antarctic Womens Network who spoke to the theme of womens perspectives of Antarctic space the built and natural environment. Many people have been involved in the delivery of all these events, and I thank you all for your efforts in enabling an inclusive and vibrant chapter.Daniel Lane RAIATasmanian Chapter PresidentAustralian Institute of ArchitectsThe post A MESSAGE FROM THE TAS CHAPTER PRESIDENT appeared first on Australian Institute of Architects.

The Mauritius kestrel (Falco punctatus) is a bird of prey in the family Falconidae endemic to the forests of Mauritius, where it is restricted to the southwestern plateau's forests, cliffs, and ravines. It colonized the island and evolved into a distinct species from other Indian Ocean kestrels, probably during the Gelasian or Early Pleistocene periods. The Mauritius kestrel can reach a size between 26 and 30.5 centimetres (10.2 and 12.0 inches), with a mass of up to 250 grams (8.8 ounces) and rounded wings with a span of approximately 45 centimetres (18 inches). Males are slightly smaller than the females. It is a carnivorous bird, eating geckos, dragonflies, cicadas, cockroaches, crickets, and small birds. It hunts by means of short, swift flights through the forests. In 2022, it was proclaimed the Mauritian national bird to mark the 30th anniversary of the Republic of Mauritius. This Mauritius kestrel was photographed in the Ebony Forest near the village of Chamarel.Photograph credit: Charles J. SharpRecently featured: Eero SaarinenVerbena hastataDetourArchiveMore featured pictures