Mexico's lower house passes constitutional ban on e-cigarettes, vapes
The latest Liverpool news as governing body IFAB reportedly have three new rule changes in mind that could impact Premier League and Champions League football Innovation in football has seen a number of rule changes and technologies introduced that continue to play a major part of competitions Liverpool seek to win. Now, the Reds and their rivals have been made aware of three new proposals to shake things up once again. At the forefront of the sport, the Premier League and Champions League have implemented great change in recent years to enhance the way the sport is officiated. For example, both competitions make use of Video Assistant Referees (VAR) in the modern-day, and very soon both will have full access to semi-automated offside systems. Changes such as these are always developed and tested by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), who are officially recognised by world governing body FIFA to oversee developments. However with the introduction of technology they have found reason to alter the actual laws themselves in recent years . As reported by BBC Sport , there could be three new rule changes on the way teams like Everton and Liverpool would have to be aware of. Here, the ECHO analyses these updates... Tactical time-outs IFAB are reportedly concerned with the number of times goalkeepers are going to ground so that they can receive treatment. Unlike outfield positions where players who show signs of injury can be taken to the sidelines, irreplaceable goalkeepers force a pause in the match. After seeing an increase in this happening, the organisation's chief executive David Elleray has said: "We're monitoring that. It's not easy to deal with because the goalkeeper has a right to be treated. "We noticed it developed a couple of years ago and sometimes it's used very much as a tactic when a player gets sent off. It’s something that's on our radar." So there is no active solution in place currently but it is one area of the game the Reds must be concerned about, whether that be down to their own goalkeeper or an opponent's asking for treatment. Offside rule updated This discussion has been advancing ever since VAR was introduced. First reviews using that technology were constantly argued about due to the subjective nature of an official drawing lines manually, now semi-automated technology is gradually being introduced. According to the latest update, IFAB are looking at ways they can alter the law so it would 'give the advantage back to the attacker'. Elleray commented: "We all agree that it would be nice if goals weren't necessarily chalked off for a toenail or a nose. It is part of an early debate but we are seeing if there are ways in which we could deal with the challenges." Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger - now chief of global football development for FIFA - has often been cited explaining his desire to see the offside rule changed so that if any part of the attacker's body is in line with the last defender, it would be deemed onside. This alteration has supposedly been 'cautioned against', so with no specific proposal still as of yet IFAB seem to be taking this discussion seriously. Eight-second margin Lastly, IFAB are said to be eyeing another alteration that would impact goalkeepers. Keepers like Alisson Becker and Jordan Pickford may have to be aware of how long they are able to hold the ball once catching it. The current rule is six seconds before release must happen, otherwise an indirect free-kick is meant to be awarded to the opposite team. Trials in Premier League 2 and Maltese football divisions are reported to have 'proven effective' after it was accepted goalkeepers and referees were ignoring the law. Instead of six seconds they have allowed eight seconds, with closer inspection from the officials. First the referee would have to raise his hand after three seconds, then a countdown would begin for the final five seconds. This change to law is more advanced than the prior two suggestions, with BBC Sport saying it could come into force by the time of the 2026/27 campaign.South Korean police considering overseas travel ban on President Yoon over martial lawQ: I recently heard someone talking about a crested cactus and am intrigued. What are they, and how do you look after them? A: These unusual specimens are a great addition to any indoor cactus collection. The term doesn’t refer to a specific variety, but rather a mutation (or type of damage to the growth points) that can occur to many varieties of cacti and succulents, explains Justin Hancock of Costa Farms. Kiersten Rankel , an expert from plant-care app Greg, says this mutation is called ‘fasciation’, and causes the plant's growing tip to fan out, creating a wavy, fan-like shape instead of the usual cylindrical or rounded growth. ‘Because it’s a difference in growth habit, most crested cacti don’t require different or specialized conditions than the species they came from,’ Justin says. But if you need some general guidelines, the tips below will help. Provide the right growing environment A potted Myrtillocactus geometrizans cristata In general, provide bright light (the more light, the better), and average household relative humidity levels, advises Justin. ‘They prefer a stable temperature of 65-85°F, and should be kept safe from freezing temperatures,’ Kiersten adds. ‘A sunny windowsill is ideal.’ This highly-rated Bluetooth thermometer and humidity monitor from Govee at Amazon will help you keep the surroundings optimal. Add to your collection with this striking six-inch plant, shipped as a bare root from small business Succulent Addiction. Other crested varieties are available, too. Justin Hancock is a Costa Farms horticulturist with over 25 years in the industry. A plant enthusiast and educator, he has a degree in horticultural science and has worked in garden centers and botanical gardens, as a garden designer, and in garden publishing (including at Better Homes and Gardens ). He has experience gardening across the country, from Minnesota to Oregon to Miami. Justin is also co-host of the Costa Farms podcast Plant Rx . Kiersten Rankel is a certified Louisiana Master Naturalist and regularly volunteers with local community gardens and nonprofits to help restore critical ecosystems along the Gulf Coast. She earned her master's degree from Tulane University in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology after her undergraduate degree in Environmental Biology, also from Tulane. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking and tending to her 150+ houseplants and vegetable garden. Avoid overwatering A closer look at the Mammilaria cristata cactus Knowing how to water a cactus is key if you want these plants to thrive. ‘Cacti tend to be low-water plants, depending on the species, so you may want to water once every 10 to 20 days or so, depending on your conditions,’ says Justin. 'In brighter spots and if you fertilize, your plant will grow a little faster and want a bit more water than the same plant would if it were in lower light levels and not fertilized.' He recommends inserting a wooden toothpick into a drainage hole of the pot, which will help monitor moisture levels. ‘Leave it there for a few seconds then slowly pull it out. If it’s clean, then your cactus is probably a little dry and could benefit from watering. If there’s enough moisture in the soil that bits of soil adhere to the toothpick, then it’s probably moist enough.’ Repot when rootbound Generally, crested cacti won't need regular repotting It’s generally a good idea to repot houseplants when they become rootbound. ‘Because cacti tend to have relatively small root systems, you may find it takes several years for the cactus to need repotting,’ says Justin. When repotting your cactus , Justin suggests gently wrapping it in a towel or wearing thick leather gloves to protect your hands from the spines. Transfer it to a larger pot (‘it’s best to go one pot size up, so if your cactus is in a two-inch-diameter pot, go to a three-inch-diameter pot’), filled with a potting mix suitable for succulents and cacti. ‘The best time to repot is in spring, at the start of the growing season,’ adds Kiersten. ‘Allow the plant to acclimate for a few days before watering again.’ ‘There don’t tend to be too many challenges specific to growing crested cacti varieties indoors – they’re generally the same challenges as other indoor cacti,’ says Justin. ‘Watch for pests – particularly mealybugs (which can appear like small, white, cottony bits on the plant), which can be treated with an insecticidal soap or insecticide.’ Overwatering is a common concern for indoor cacti, he adds, as is too little light. According to Justin, many different cacti and succulents have crested forms. These include Cereus spegazzinii f. cristata , Echeveria pulvinata f. cristata , Euphorbia lactea f. cristata , Myrtillocactus geometrizans f. cristata , and Pachycereus marginatus f. cristata. One common example is the brain cactus, Mammillaria elongata f. cristata , Justin adds. It grows in a unique shape often compared to a human brain, he says, but the regular form ( Mammillaria elongata ) looks more traditional, with finger-like growth. Looking for more advice on indoor cacti? Our guide on how to grow cacti from cuttings will help you expand your collection for free.SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The president of South Korea early Wednesday lifted the martial law he imposed on the country hours earlier, bending to political pressure after a tense night in which troops surrounded parliament and lawmakers voted to reject military rule. President Yoon Suk Yeol, who appeared likely to be impeached over his actions, imposed martial law late Tuesday out of frustration with the opposition, vowing to eliminate “anti-state” forces as he struggles against opponents who control parliament and that he accuses of sympathizing with communist North Korea. Police and military personnel were seen leaving the grounds of parliament following the bipartisan vote to overrule the president, and the declaration was formally lifted around 4:30 a.m. during a Cabinet meeting. Parliament acted swiftly after martial law was imposed, with National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik declaring that the law was “invalid” and that lawmakers would “protect democracy with the people.” In all, martial law was in effect for about six hours. The president’s surprising move harkened back to an era of authoritarian leaders that the country has not seen since the 1980s, and it was immediately denounced by the opposition and the leader of Yoon’s own conservative party. Lee Jae-myung , leader of the liberal Democratic Party, which holds the majority in the 300-seat parliament, said the party’s lawmakers would remain in the Assembly’s main hall until Yoon formally lifted his order. Woo applauded how troops quickly left the Assembly after the vote. “Even with our unfortunate memories of military coups, our citizens have surely observed the events of today and saw the maturity of our military,” Woo said. While announcing his plan to lift martial law, Yoon continued to criticize parliament’s attempts to impeach key government officials and senior prosecutors. He said lawmakers had engaged in “unscrupulous acts of legislative and budgetary manipulation that are paralyzing the functions of the state.” Jo Seung-lae, a Democratic lawmaker, claimed that security camera footage following Yoon’s declaration showed that troops moved in a way that suggested they were trying to arrest Lee, Woo and even Han Dong-hoon, the leader of Yoon’s People Power Party. Officials from Yoon’s office and the Defense Ministry did not respond to requests for comment early Wednesday. Seemingly hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the Assembly, waving banners and calling for Yoon’s impeachment. Some protesters scuffled with troops ahead of the lawmakers’ vote, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or major property damage. At least one window was broken as troops attempted to enter the Assembly building. One woman tried unsuccessfully to pull a rifle away from one of the soldiers, while shouting “Aren’t you embarrassed?” Under South Korea’s constitution, the president can declare martial law during “wartime, war-like situations or other comparable national emergency states” that require the use of military force to maintain peace and order. It was questionable whether South Korea is currently in such a state. When martial law is declared, “special measures” can be employed to restrict freedom of press, freedom of assembly and other rights, as well as the power of courts. The constitution also states that the president must oblige when the National Assembly demands the lifting of martial law with a majority vote. Following Yoon’s announcement of martial law, South Korea’s military proclaimed that parliament and other political gatherings that could cause “social confusion” would be suspended, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency said. The military said anyone who violated the decree could be arrested without a warrant. In Washington, the White House said the U.S. was “seriously concerned” by the events in Seoul. A spokesperson for the National Security Council said President Joe Biden’s administration was not notified in advance of the martial law announcement and was in contact with the South Korean government. Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said there was no effect on the more than 27,000 U.S. service members based in South Korea. The South Korean military also said that the country’s striking doctors should return to work within 48 hours, Yonhap said. Thousands of doctors have been striking for months over government plans to expand the number of students at medical schools. Soon after martial law was declared, the parliament speaker called on his YouTube channel for all lawmakers to gather at the National Assembly. He urged military and law enforcement personnel to “remain calm and hold their positions. All 190 lawmakers who participated in the vote supported the lifting of martial law. At one point, television footage showed police officers blocking the entrance of the National Assembly and helmeted soldiers carrying rifles in front of the building. An Associated Press photographer saw at least three helicopters, likely from the military, that landed inside the Assembly grounds, while two or three helicopters circled above the site. The leader of Yoon’s conservative party called the decision to impose martial law “wrong.” Lee, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, said Yoon’s announcement was “illegal and unconstitutional.” Yoon said during a televised speech that martial law would help “rebuild and protect” the country from “falling into the depths of national ruin.” He said he would “eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional democratic order.” “I will eliminate anti-state forces as quickly as possible and normalize the country,” he said, while asking the people to believe in him and tolerate “some inconveniences.” Yoon — whose approval rating dipped in recent months — has struggled to push his agenda against an opposition-controlled parliament since taking office in 2022. His party has been locked in an impasse with the liberal opposition over next year’s budget bill. The opposition has also attempted to impeach three top prosecutors, including the chief of the central Seoul prosecutors’ office, in what the conservatives have called a vendetta against their criminal investigations of Lee, who has been seen as the favorite for the next presidential election in 2027 in opinion polls. During his televised announcement, Yoon also described the opposition as “shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces who are plundering the freedom and happiness of our citizens.” He did not elaborate. Yoon has taken a hard line on North Korea over its nuclear ambitions, departing from the policies of his liberal predecessor, Moon Jae-in, who pursued inter-Korean engagement. Yoon has also dismissed calls for independent investigations into scandals involving his wife and top officials, drawing quick, strong rebukes from his political rivals. Yoon’s move was the first declaration of martial law since the country’s democratization in 1987. The country’s last previous martial law was in October 1979, following the assassination of former military dictator Park Chung-hee. Sydney Seiler, Korean chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, argued that the move was symbolic for Yoon to express his frustration with the opposition-controlled parliament. “He has nothing to lose,” said Seiler, comparing Yoon’s move to the Hail Mary pass in American football, with a slim chance of success. Now Yoon faces likely impeachment, a scenario that was also possible before he made the bold move, Seiler said. Natalia Slavney, research analyst at the Stimson Center’s 38 North website that focuses on Korean affairs, said Yoon’s imposition of martial law was “a serious backslide of democracy" that followed a “worrying trend of abuse” since he took office in 2022. South Korea “has a robust history of political pluralism and is no stranger to mass protests and swift impeachments,” Slavney said, citing the example of former President Park Geun-hye, the country’s first female president, who was ousted from office and imprisoned for bribery and other crimes in 2017 . Associated Press writers Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul, South Korea, and Matt Lee, Didi Tang and Tara Copp in Washington contributed to this report.
Philadelphia's Joel Embiid scored 31 points and pulled down 12 rebounds in his return after missing seven games to spark the 76ers on Sunday in a 108-100 NBA victory at Chicago. Embiid had been sidelined by a left knee injury and personal reasons since a November 20 loss to Memphis, the Sixers going 4-3 in his absence. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Get the latest need-to-know information delivered to your inbox as it happens. Our flagship newsletter. Get our front page stories each morning as well as the latest updates each afternoon during the week + more in-depth weekend editions on Saturdays & Sundays.Reflections of a Legacy: The Enduring Words of Jimmy Carter“I’m trying to find holiday gifts for my sisters. I open a bunch of tabs, I want my wife’s advice.” That’s Browser Company CEO, Josh Miller, in his company’s latest ad for its new AI browser, Dia . Consulting your spouse to find gifts for your siblings is a pure — and dare I say, sweet — thing to do with a browser. But the new product he’s showcasing is replacing Arc, a beloved browser that put Miller’s company on the map. Not everyone is happy about the Browser Company’s pivot from Arc to AI browsing, and this latest commercial inadvertently explains why. Instead of talking to his wife, Miller talks to his AI chatbot and asks the AI to talk to his wife for him. “Hi, Valerie, I hope you’re doing well,” said the AI chatbot, posing as Miller, in an email to his wife. “I came across a few interesting products on Amazon ...” it continued. “Best, Josh.” The email feels more like something you’d write to a distant work colleague, rather than the way you’d speak with a loved one you see every day. While it’s not an inappropriate message, it’s cold and could’ve been sent to anyone. This example from the Browser Company was the latest AI ad that told a different story about the technology than it intended — but perhaps a truer one. It strikes the same sensitive nerve that so many other AI advertisements have in the last year. In trying to promote AI, tech companies can’t help but show how it removes us from the very activities that make us human. Of course, Miller could (and probably should) have customized the prompt to be warmer and address his wife as such, but that’s missing the larger point. Miller didn’t really talk to his wife in this case. The AI browser took a genuine act of human kindness and turned the exchange into something that feels impersonal — largely because it is. AI is further abstracting what it means to connect. At one point, connection meant talking in person; then, around the turn of the century, it migrated to texts sent over the internet. Now humans are starting to experiment with using AI to talk with each other, and in some cases, just talking to AI — removing the need to connect with a human altogether. You could say I’m cherry-picking this ad, but it’s a story that tech companies keep accidentally telling over and over again. This part of the ad was likely intended to show how Dia could retrieve links from multiple web pages and understand their context — an impressive feat for an AI system these days. But this was yet another example of how generative AI can reduce our humanity. Consider Google’s ad earlier this year, where a father and daughter used Gemini to create an AI-generated fan letter to their favorite Olympian. The company later pulled the ad after facing backlash for taking a sweet father-daughter exchange, and automating it away. Or maybe you remember how Apple unveiled its AI features at WWDC this year: showing how you can go up to a stranger’s dog, point your iPhone at it, and have Apple Intelligence tell you what breed it is. Many people pointed out that you could have just asked the stranger what type of dog they have , and maybe you would have found a friend alongside the dog’s breed. Apple's Visual Intelligence enables you to use the camera to look things up. "It will change the way you interact with iPhone" Maybe, it's just "cynical me", but this example of the looking up the cute dog was a perfect opportunity for two humans to connect in a human way by... pic.twitter.com/CZpPb0ufCU Months earlier, Apple apologized for an ad it ran where the company quite literally crushed objects representing human creativity , in favor of an iPad. It wasn’t an ad for AI, but it had the same effect: technology that reduces our humanity. The most extreme example of these AI ads came from an AI startup called Friend. The startup released a promotional video showing how lonely young people could have a virtual companion in the startup’s AI device that they wear around their neck , instead of talking to others. Uncomfortably honest While these AI ads feel dystopian, there’s something about them that also feels honest. These ads represent the ways people are actually using AI for today, even though it’s unsettling when it’s demonstrated on your screen. Some of the most common use cases of AI today are AI-generated art and AI companions. The former is usually a pretty low-stakes, creative task such as creating a picture or a short song. The latter can be surprisingly valuable: people are using chatbots to learn about things or talk through personal problems, much like they would with an intelligent or sympathetic friend. Art and companionship both feel very central to the human experience, and the fact that AI is being used for both of those things today is a reality some find uncomfortable to acknowledge. But for every dystopian AI ad that stirs social media users into a frenzy, there are thousands of AI advertisements that fly under the radar. Why? Because most ads for AI mean nothing at all. Lots of companies have resorted to painting AI as this amorphous, magical children’s book character with no specific use case, and yet, implying that it can do almost anything. Here’s some examples of odd AI billboards seen around San Francisco: Claude ads are fascinating because they feel completely divorced from Anthropic as a company pic.twitter.com/MjYE1qjgdW “Intelligence so big, you’d swear it was from Texas,” said one. “Adapt your workforce at the speed of AI,” said another. “AI that talks to cars and talks to wildlife,” said a third. “Geminiiiiiiiiiice,” said yet another. See what I mean? I have no idea what these things do, and yet, it all feels inoffensive, vaguely describes AI in a magical way, and gets the product in front of my face. Maybe that’s the point. This banal tapestry of AI advertisements depicts the industry more accurately than any one company can. Most companies don’t really know what AI is good for, and the ways people use AI today are somewhat discomfiting, automating many of the very tasks that make us human. You might wonder why companies aren’t making the obvious AI ads: AI does your boring job so you can spend more time at the beach, with your friends and family, or pursuing your passions. That’s what Zoom’s CEO laid out as his vision for AI , and it’s probably the most optimistic outcome we’ve seen someone describe. Perhaps the reason we’re not seeing more tech companies promise that future is because AI is not ready to do your job. There’s also a conflicting vision there: if AI can do some of your job, couldn’t it also replace you altogether? While it may be a while until AI can actually do your job, it seems most companies are steering clear of that message altogether. I can’t say what the “right way” to be promoting AI is right now, but I do think the status quo for AI ads is objectively strange. Whereas previous generations of technology promised to liberate us, connect us, and make us smarter, the overarching promise of AI is still unclear. If companies are looking for another uplifting message to sell their software with, automating core aspects of the human experience ain’t it.Citibanamex separation now complete, says Citigroup
The Waco Police Department's first electric vehicle likely will not be on traffic patrol any time soon, but its introduction represents a measured, forward-looking step. The department is testing a Ford Mustang Mach-E GT to evaluate its viability for fleet use, department spokesperson Cierra Shipley said. While no timeline has been set for the testing, and emergency equipment is still being installed, the department is taking a cautious approach by using the vehicle as a commander car rather than for patrol or enforcement duties. Waco Sustainability Programs Manager Eric Coffman said the move to bring in an all-electric vehicle to the police fleet aligns with the city’s broader efforts to reduce its environmental impact while ensuring city operations remain cost-effective. Coffman said over the past five years, Waco has prioritized the purchase of light-duty electric vehicles to lower its carbon footprint and improve local air quality. “The police fleet represents a significant portion of vehicle purchases for the city,” Coffman said. “It’s important to evaluate whether EVs are a good fit for that application, considering both financial and operational factors.” The department has used hybrid Ford Police Interceptor SUVs since 2020 , but an all-electric Ford Mustang Mach-E purchased in 2022 for the department was repurposed for other city uses because it was unable to support needed accessories and equipment. Officials said at the time the Mach-E GT model would be better suited for the purpose. VIDEO: The Waco Police Department is on its way to adding 28 new hybrid vehicles to its fleet. (August 2020) In March of last year, the city council approved the purchase of the police department's Mach-E GT for $60,281.09 from Austin Mac Haik Ford Lincoln. It is intended to let the department to assess the vehicle’s viability in a lower-stress environment before considering broader adoption. Overall, Waco has 25 light-duty electric vehicles, powered by the city’s 100% renewable electricity contract that began in 2022, Coffman said. This commitment has already helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions from city operations and contributes to cleaner local air, he said. Coffman said there are several environmental benefits of EVs. “Zero emissions mean these vehicles don’t release carbon dioxide, which is a major contributor to global warming and climate change,” he said. “They also don’t contribute to low-level ozone pollution, which can harm air quality and lead to health issues like increased rates of asthma in children.” The shift to EVs is also financially beneficial, Coffman said. He said the cost to drive an EV is significantly lower than the cost to drive a gas-powered vehicle. “Fuel for an EV costs about $2 per 100 miles, compared to $8 to $15 for an internal combustion engine vehicle,” he said. Maintenance costs are also lower since EVs do not require oil changes, though regular tire rotations are still necessary. Despite the advantages, challenges remain, as repairs to an EV’s electrical systems often require assistance from the manufacturer, making quick fixes less feasible than for traditional vehicles, Coffman said. However, Coffman said such issues highlight the importance of a measured approach to adopting new technology. “Other cities have shown the benefits and challenges of EVs,” Coffman said, pointing to Austin, where a fleet of electric buses faced significant operational setbacks due to manufacturer issues and charging infrastructure problems. “It’s crucial to take a thoughtful, ‘crawl, walk, run’ approach when investing in EV technology.” Waco’s use of the high-profile Mustang Mach-E GT may also influence public perception of the city’s green initiatives. “Supporting sustainability is one of the seven strategic goals of the Waco City Council, and we want the public to know about our efforts to promote a healthy environment,” Coffman said. Waco has already seen progress in this direction through organizations such as Keep Waco Beautiful , which champions community-driven green initiatives. Recent headlines have suggested that consumers are losing interest in electric vehicles, but a closer look at the trends tells a different story. CBC’s Nisha Patel breaks down where we’re at in the EV transition and why experts say the future is still electric. At its June 21, 2022 meeting, the Waco City Council reviewed a study on fleet vehicle replacement that summarizes a plan to replace city vehicles as they age, with an eye toward electric and hybrid cars. CST Fleet Services and Ecopreserve, the two consulting firms that worked on the study, found that 16% of the city’s roughly 1,000 vehicles are 20 years old or older, while most are between eight and 10 years old. Read more: https://wacotrib.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/waco-city-council-to-vote-on-hybrid-police-cars-citing-issues-with-electric-models/article_39d1236a-ffd8-11ec-b3a3-037cd043bd1e.html Get local news delivered to your inbox! 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FTC opens Microsoft antitrust investigation that Trump administration must carry on or drop
Taking a look back at this week’s news and headlines from Apple, including iPhone 17 design leaks, iPhone 16 Pro camera issues, Apple’s Black Friday offers, new MacBook Pro display, iOS update warning, Apple News adds ads, and BlueSky’s app store victory. Apple Loop is here to remind you of a few of the many discussions around Apple in the last seven days. You can also read my weekly digest of Android news here on Forbes . iPhone 17 Dynamic Design Introduced by the iPhone 14, Apple’s ‘dynamic island’ surrounds the forward-facing camera and sensors with a black area of pixels and offers information and widgets in the space, expanding as needed, while doing its best to obscure the punched-out spaces. With smaller sensors coming in the iPhone 17 design, the base dynamic island can be reduced: "In terms of design, Pu once again says that all iPhone 17 models will feature an aluminum design that is more complex than the iPhone 16 models. The iPhone 17 Pro Max will introduce a “much narrowed Dynamic Island,” while the other models will retain the current design. "The smaller Dynamic Island on the iPhone 17 Pro Max is made possible by a “metalens” technology for the proximity sensor. This “metalens” change has the potential to significantly reduce the size of the Face ID sensor." ( 9to5Mac ). When Cameras Need More Work Is the iPhone family losing out in the camera space to Android? That’s the suggestion from Roger Fingas, as he looks over the iPhone 16 Pro compared to the Android powered competition. The need for better zoom and more pixels (as opposed to better interpolation software) stand out, as does Apple’s default styles applied to image processing: "I sense Apple doesn't know how to preserve colors and shadows without losing detail, and its camera tech is hampered by a familiar management concern: profit margins. Apple executives are notorious for preserving margins, which is why some iPhone components remain unchanged for years. Apple hasn't changed the lens elements on the iPhone 16 lineup to fix flares in nighttime photos and videos, even though that problem surfaced with the iPhone 13 in 2021." ( Android Police ). Apple’s Black Friday Offers Confirmed As expected, Apple’s Black Friday deal did not offer any discounts, instead following tradition and bundling gift cards in with any purchase made between Black Friday (Nov 29) and Cyber Monday (Dec 2). It’s worth noting that the offers are not available with the latest iPhones, iPads or Macs, but are offered at older models in the portfolio: "If you buy an iPhone 15, iPhone 14 or iPhone SE, you’ll find a gift card comes with the purchase. Apple says that you can snag a gift card of up to $75 with an iPhone. Up to indicates that the lower-priced models will get a lower-value card but exactly what isn’t revealed yet. Obviously, it will be announced before the event starts." ( Forbes ). A New MacBook Display Is Coming Soon WHile the new M4-powered MacBook Pro models gather critical acclaim (and more than a few Black Friday offers from third-party retailers), Apple is already preparing suppliers for the next big innovation. The arrival (finally) of OLED displays to the MacBook range: "In line with previous reports, TrendForce said Apple plans to begin using OLED displays for MacBooks between 2026 and 2027. LG and Samsung will likely be Apple's two major suppliers of OLED displays for the MacBook Pro. "Compared to current MacBook Pro models with mini-LED screens, benefits of OLED technology would include increased brightness, higher contrast ratio with deeper blacks, improved power efficiency for longer battery life, and more. The switch to OLED displays could also contribute to future MacBook Pro models having a thinner design." ( MacRumors ). Update Your Apple Hardware Now Warning Both Apple and the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency have recommended iPhone owners update to iOS 18.1.1 at the earliest opportunity. An update for older phones which cannot run iOS 18 is also available, soiOS 17.7.2 will cover the same issues: "Tracked as CVE-2024-44308, the first issue patched in iOS 18.1.1 is a flaw in the JavaScriptCore framework that could result in code execution if the user interacts with maliciously crafted web content. “Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited on Intel-based Mac systems,” the iPhone maker said on its support page. "The second issue patched in iOS 18.1.1, tracked as CVE-2024-44309, is a flaw in WebKit, the engine that underpins Apple’s Safari browser. If exploited, a user could fall victim to a cross-site scripting attack, which sees an attacker inject malicious code into a trusted website or application." ( Apple via Forbes ). Hold The Front Page For Ads Axios is reporting that Apple News is now carrying advertising sold by Apple. Previously, ad spots were exclusively handled by a third-party service. From next year, certain areas will now be controlled by Cupertino, which will naturally be taking its 30% rake on the revenue generated, with the rest going to the publisher: "Beginning next year, Apple will sell premium sponsorships of editorially curated content for relevant events, such as the Met Gala, the U.S. Open, and more. In addition to premium sponsorships, the Apple News team is also pitching banner placements and video ads across 17 different formats, including carousel ads that feature different products." ( Axios ). And Finally... The exodus from X (neé Twitter) and the subsequent rise of Bluesky has seen it take the top spot in the App Store as consumers look to bring the Bluesky experience to their mobile: "On the U.S. App Store, Bluesky became the No. 1 app on November 13 and has not lost its position since, according to app intelligence provider Appfigures. That puts it ahead of Threads (No. 4) and X (No. 41). The App Store’s charts reward a combination of the number of installs and the pace of those installs, alongside other metrics, so this bump also has to do with Bluesky’s rate of growth, not just the sheer number of app downloads alone." ( Techcrunch ). Apple Loop brings you seven days worth of highlights every weekend here on Forbes. Don’t forget to follow me so you don’t miss any coverage in the future. Last week’s Apple Loop can be read here , or this week’s edition of Loop’s sister column, Android Circuit, is also available on Forbes .
Dates Set for PG&E Quarterly Stock Dividends
Far-left MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, Chris Hayes, and Ari Melber are “pissed” at Morning Joe co-hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski for meeting with President-elect Donald Trump, reports the Daily Mail . As you already know, the married Morning Joe co-anchors spent the better of a decade using their smug show to smear Donald Trump with every moniker for evil they and their guests could come up with. Depending on the day, Trump was a Russian spy, the second coming of Hitler, a unique threat to democracy, a fascist, a dictator, an authoritarian... Just last year, Joe Scarborough flat-out said that if Trump wins the presidency in 2024, “he will imprison, he will execute, whoever he’s allowed to imprison, execute, drive from the country.” Then Trump wins, and Joe and Mika slip on down to Florida to meet with Orange Adolf at Mar-E-aglesNest. What a couple of clowns. Something else MSNBC is dealing with post-Trump Electoral Triumph is cratering ratings and the knowledge that the Phony Rev. Al Sharpton accepted a half-million in payola dollars from the Kamala Harris campaign just prior to using MSNBC to produce and broadcast a smooch-smooch interview with her in the final days of the campaign. If that’s not worrisome enough for MSNBC staffers, Comcast just announced it is cutting loose MSNBC and all of its other loser cable networks into a separate company. And now we learn that there appears to be a civil war within the hallowed MSNBC walls. “MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow is reportedly furious with her Morning Joe colleagues for meeting with Donald Trump after he won the presidential election,” the Daily Mail wrote . This is no cold civil war either. MSNBC analyst David Jolly almost certainly took a shot at Joe and Mika while appearing on MSNBC over the weekend. “Forgive me for saying this. You can’t go to Mar-a-Lago. You can’t do it. That’s going to get me in trouble. You can’t do that,” Jolly said , adding, “You have to hold Donald Trump accountable for being wrong. You have to hold all of his allies accountable for being wrong, even if that means you’re in a losing environment and you’re threatening your own liberty and your own security as an American.” “The meeting at Mar-a-Lago created a lot of tension in the teams,” a journalist who has worked at MSNBC for 15 years told the Daily Mail , adding that many of the network’s “stars ... see both Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski as opportunistic and with very low self-respect and forgetting their values of being journalists with independence and integrity.” Self-respect? Integrity? Independence? Journalists? I thought this guy worked at MSNBC. Is there a second MSNBC I don’t know about? “They have lost a lot of credibility. Rachel Maddow is pissed at them as are other presenters like Chris Hayes and Ari Melber. They are so frustrated,” the 15-year veteran added. “It was such a stupid thing to do. They have bent the knee to ensure not being targeted by Trump and the whole MAGA world.” Gah! No, they didn’t. Joe and Mika are not worried about Trump targeting them. They are worried about Trump freezing them out. They went to kiss Orange Hitler’s ring for only one reason: access and status. Other than CNN, I cannot think of another news outlet that deserves every terrible thing happening to it more than MSNBC. FREE-FREE-FREE for the holidays: an autographed bookplate if you purchase John Nolte’s first and last novel, BORROWED TIME, between now and December 20. After you’ve made the purchase, email your request to JJMNOLTE at HOTMAIL dot COM with an address and any personalization requests. For example, something like, “To Rachel Levine: The sexiest man alive.” Borrowed Time , is winning five-star raves from everyday readers. You can read an excerpt here and an in-depth review here . Also available in hardcover and on Kindle and Audiobook .
A ship-to-shore data connection seems to have been compromised. Do you pull the plug right away or wait for more details to better assess the risks? What decisions need to be made and who needs to be informed? These are just some of the questions you might face if you participate in a cyber incident exercise. How would you manage and what would you learn? As the maritime industry becomes ever more connected and data driven, there are enormous new opportunities, but also intensifying threats. Cyber criminals are constantly finding new and clever ways to hack systems and steal data. Until recently, however, there was very little in terms of mandatory cyber security requirements on maritime equipment. In the summer of 2022, the International Association of Classification Societies adopted two new Unified Requirements on maritime cyber security. If you contract a newbuild vessel on or after July 1, 2024, it will need to comply with these requirements. Some of the responsibility lies with the owner, some with the shipyards and some with the equipment vendors who supply the equipment for the vessel. With new standards and equipment, the maritime industry should be a lot better prepared to face cyberattacks. But as with any safety equipment or procedures, they need to be tested regularly so that you know how to respond effectively if things ever go wrong. Just like an office fire drill, the aim of a cyber incident exercise is to prepare you for the real thing – to give your people the experience and skills they need to make the right decisions when it really matters. Wärtsilä regularly conducts these cyber incident exercises. In a recent exercise, participants from the Wärtsilä Marine management team were told that there had been a potential hack of the Wärtsilä connection for sending and receiving data between shoreside operations and cruise vessels. The connection is working properly but somebody might have taken over the system with unknown consequences. Do we pull the plug immediately, causing service disruptions and costing everyone involved significant amounts of money, or do we wait for more details to assess risks more accurately? Is this even a real attack? The aim of the exercise was not to find technical solutions but to enhance decision making, cooperation and communication skills. Participants focused on risk assessment, mitigation planning and crisis management, while the exercise evolved in real time as more information became available and new issues were thrown into the mix. “The exercise was very realistic and pretty stressful – and that was before things took an unexpected twist. Suddenly a call came into the situation room from Leigh Carr, Vice President, Maritime Cybersafety at Carnival Corporation. This was not an actor but a genuine customer, and she wanted to know what was happening. Suddenly things became even more realistic,” explains participant Andrea Morgante, Vice President Performance Services, Marine at Wärtsilä. At first the participants felt uncomfortable, but it soon became clear that transparency, open communication and a united front against the common threat was the best line of defence. Because knowledge is power, the more information that is available – and the faster it is shared within the team – the more each party can bring their own experiences and expertise to the table. And this is not just in terms of finding technical solutions to the problem, but also aspects such as communicating to employees, stakeholders and, in this case, passengers. The best teams don’t win by just turning up to the game and doing their best. They win because their skills and the way the players interact have been perfected over countless hours of practice. Cyber resilience is no different. The more you practice, the better you play together and the harder it is for the opposition to divide and conquer you. For the participants from the Wärtsilä Marine management team, the exercise with a participant from Carnival was a great opportunity to share and develop best practices as well as to test plans and procedures. Exercises like this mean that if there ever is a real situation, the affected parties will have a big head start when it comes to neutralising the threat because the basics will be second nature. Joint preparedness raises collective resilience. “Wherever you are in the maritime value chain – a ship owner or operator, a yard, a port or a supplier – the value of joint cyber incident exercises cannot be overstated. If you have a cyber security team and see cyber resilience as a key focus area, let’s learn and develop together,” says Morgante. Source: WärtsiläRevolve to present at the Small Cap Growth Virtual Investor Conference December 5th5 Savvy Ways to Use Your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) This Season