30Jun
GMG’s Huge Game Sale Includes Some Better Deals Than Steam’s Summer Sale

Thousands of PC games are discounted at Green Man Gaming during the Sizzling Sale, including hits like Dragon’s Dogma 2, Elden Ring, Horizon Forbidden West, and even Kingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece (the full series). The sale is open to everyone, though GMG XP members will see additional savings on select titles–making this a good time to sign up. Many games that aren’t seeing additional XP discounts can be dropped an additional 15% with promo code SIZZLE15.

The Sizzling Sale is just one of numerous notable PC game sales running right now. Most notably, Steam’s annual Summer Sale kicked off this week. But before you make purchases on Steam, we’d recommend checking to see if Green Man Gaming or Fanatical has the deal for a better price. Fanatical’s Red Hot Sale includes over 8,000 game deals, the majority of which are delivered as Steam keys. GMG’s sale also includes a significant number of Steam games. Both Fanatical and GMG have better prices on some games–so it’s definitely worth comparing first. Elsewhere, GOG is running its own summer sales event with big discounts on DRM-free PC games.

With that out of the way, let’s get back to Green Man Gaming’s Sizzling Sale.

To get the full discount as a GMG XP member–if you don’t already have XP discounts unlocked–you’ll first need to make a purchase of $1 or more. To that end, consider picking up something cheap like Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition, which is just $3 (down from $20). Once you’ve spent $1, you’ll be eligible for additional savings on select games.

There are tons of great games in the Sizzling Sale, such as Dave the Diver for $14 (down from $20), Destiny 2: The Final Shape for $42 (down from $50), and Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon for $38 (down from $60).

The Kingdom Hearts series finally landed on Steam earlier this month, and GMG’s sale includes better discounts on the series than you’ll find directly from Steam. Kingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece, which features HD versions of 1.5, 2.5, 2.8, and 3, is $69 (was $100) on Steam. With GMG’s SIZZLE15 promo code, you can purchase the bundle for less than $59.

Kingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece

For something else that will keep you very busy this summer, be sure to check out Hitman World of Assassination, as it’s now just $24 (with SIZZLE15 promo code) and includes Hitman 1, Hitman 2, Hitman 3, and tons of additional DLC missions. That’s one of the better prices we’ve seen for the bundle, making this a great time to check out the stealth-action open world masterpiece.

Other great discounts include Days Gone for $13 (down from $50), Mafia: Trilogy for $20 (down from $60), and Yakuza: Like a Dragon for $12 (down from $60). And if the release of Shadow of the Erdtree has you ready to step into the Lands Between, you can grab Elden Ring for $38 (down from $60) and the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion for $35 (down from $40).

Plenty of other games are discounted at GMG, and you’ll find the best deals below. Please be aware that the prices shown below only reflect the standard discount, so XP deals or the SIZZLE15 promo code (for eligible games) are not factored in. After you add games to your cart, make sure to type SIZZLE15 into the Vouchers & Gift Cards text box before checking out. Not every game below will be eligible

Green Man Gaming Sizzling Sale

GMG XP members can get additional discounts on select games. Add promo code SIZZLE15 to get an extra 15% off many of the games listed below.
30Jun
New model could help provide expectant mothers a clearer path to safe fish consumption

Fish consumption during pregnancy is a complex scientific topic. On one hand, fish are rich in nutrients essential to brain development, including polyunsaturated fatty acids, selenium, iodine, and vitamin D. On the other, fish contain methyl mercury, a known neurotoxicant. This has led the US Food and Drug Administration to recommend that expectant mothers limit consumption, which inadvertently causes many women to forgo fish consumption during pregnancy altogether.

Fish consumption is an important route of methyl mercury exposure, however, efforts to understand the health risk posed by mercury are further complicated by the fact that the nutritional benefits from fish may modify or reduce the toxicity posed by mercury. A new study appearing in the American Journal of Epidemiology based on data from a cohort of residents of a coastal community in Massachusetts creates a new framework that could untangle these questions, reduce confusion, and produce clearer guidance on fish consumption for pregnant mothers.

“We propose an alternative modelling approach to address limitations of previous models and to contribute thereby to improved evidence-based advice on the risks and benefits of fish consumption,” said the authors, who include Sally Thurston, PhD, with the University of Rochester Medical Center, Susan Korrick, MD, MPH, with Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and David Ruppert, PhD, with Cornell University. “In fish-eating populations, this can be addressed by separating mercury exposure into fish intake and average mercury content of the consumed fish.”

The new research comes from an analysis of data from the New Bedford Cohort, which was created to assess the health of children born to mothers residing near the New Bedford Harbor Superfund site in Massachusetts. The current study included 361 children from the cohort who were born between 1993 and 1998 and underwent neurodevelopment assessments, including tests for IQ, language, memory, and attention, at age eight years.

The researchers were able to measure mercury exposure during the third trimester of pregnancy through hair sample collected from the mothers after birth. While hair samples have been the traditional method to study maternal mercury exposure, this approach alone cannot distinguish between mothers who frequently consumed low-mercury fish compared to those who consumed a smaller quantity of high-mercury fish.

To overcome this limitation, the researchers instead created a model that includes estimates of mercury exposure per serving of fish. This was possible because mothers in the cohort also completed a food questionnaire and reported the type and frequency of fish and shellfish consumed during pregnancy. The authors estimated the average mercury levels by type of fish, and when combined with the information about the mother’s diet, they were able to create a more precise and detailed method to estimate the joint associations of pregnancy fish intake and fish mercury levels on neurodevelopment.

Using this model, the researchers found that the relation between pregnancy fish consumption and subsequent neurodevelopment varied depending on the estimated average mercury levels in the fish. Specifically, consuming low mercury-containing fish was beneficial, while consuming fish with higher levels of mercury was detrimental.

“Given methodologic limitations to previous analyses, future work expanding our alternative modelling approach to account for both the average mercury and nutritional content of fish could facilitate better estimation of the risk-benefit tradeoffs of fish consumption, a key component of many healthy diets,” said the authors.

The authors are in the process of applying this model to other large studies of maternal fish consumption, including the Seychelles Child Development Study, which Thurston serves on as an investigator.

The American Journal of Epidemiology study was supported with funding from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
30Jun
A rum affair with tiki cocktails

“Additionally, the Indian palate appreciates the balance of sweetness and complexity found in these cocktails,” believes Badh. Rum is a colonial hangover, pun intended, after the British officials started a distillery in Kasauli in Solan in Himachal Pradesh in 1855.

The newly launched Hawaiian-themed restobar Waikiki at Mumbai’s Peninsula Grand Hotel has the apricot rum-based zombie, the coconut rum-based Island Grog (beverage manager Deepak Singh Koranga’s personal favourite) and the white rum-based Tiki Puka Puka.

“Among the array of tiki cocktails on our menu, my personal favourite is ‘The Secret of the Lost Lagoon’. It is a blend of premium rum, maraschino liqueur, Campari, pineapple juice, passion fruit syrup and freshly squeezed lime juice. All these create a harmonious explosion of flavours,” says Souvik Bhattacharya, bartender at The St. Regis Goa Resort’s Susegado, Seafood Grill & Bar.
30Jun
Compensation for Violation of Fundamental Rights

The Rudal Shah case established the right to compensation for illegal detention amounting to a violation of Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. Read more here!

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Facts of the Case
Issues Identified
Arguments by Petitioners
Arguments by Respondents
Judgement of the Case
Significance of the Judgement
Conclusion

Facts of the Case

Rudal Shah was arrested and detained in prison in the State of Bihar. Despite being acquitted by the Sessions Court on June 3, 1968, he was not released and continued to be unlawfully detained for over 14 years. His prolonged detention without legal basis was a blatant violation of his fundamental rights. Consequently, Rudal Shah filed a writ petition under Article 32 of the Indian Constitution, seeking his immediate release and compensation for the illegal detention he suffered.

Issues Identified in the Rudal Shah Case

The case primarily raised two significant legal issues: the legality of Rudal Shah’s prolonged detention and the entitlement to compensation for the violation of fundamental rights.

Firstly, the court had to determine whether the continued detention of Rudal Shah post-acquittal was illegal. Secondly, it needed to address whether monetary compensation could be awarded for the infringement of his right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Arguments by the Petitioner

Rudal Shah argued that his continued detention after being acquitted by the Sessions Court was not only illegal but also a gross violation of his fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 21. He contended that the unlawful detention had deprived him of his personal liberty and sought compensation for the infringement of his rights.

He emphasized that such a violation necessitated a remedy directly under Article 32 of the Constitution, which empowers the Supreme Court to enforce fundamental rights.

Arguments by the Respondent

The State of Bihar admitted the wrongful detention of Rudal Shah but contended that the court could not award compensation under a writ petition. They argued that Rudal Shah should pursue his claim for compensation through a civil suit in a lower court rather than seeking a remedy directly from the Supreme Court.

The state’s primary defense was that monetary compensation for violation of fundamental rights was not within the purview of the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction under Article 32.

Judgment of the Rudal Shah Case

The Supreme Court of India, in a landmark judgment, recognized the illegal detention of Rudal Shah and the resultant violation of his fundamental rights. The court held that the prolonged detention post-acquittal was indeed illegal and constituted a serious infringement of Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty.

The court took a significant step by awarding Rudal Shah compensation for the violation of his rights, thereby acknowledging that monetary compensation could be granted for the infringement of fundamental rights under Article 21.

The judgment highlighted several crucial points. Firstly, it underscored the paramount importance of Article 21, asserting that any violation of the right to life and personal liberty necessitates adequate compensation.

Secondly, the court established that compensation could be awarded as a public law remedy for the violation of constitutional rights, thus providing a remedy directly under Article 32 of the Constitution.

This was a significant development, as it expanded the scope of judicial remedies available for the protection of fundamental rights. The court awarded Rudal Shah ₹35,000 as compensation, taking into account the severity of the violation and the extensive duration of his illegal detention.

Significance of the Case

The judgment in Rudal Shah v. State of Bihar significantly expanded the interpretation of Article 21, recognizing the right to compensation for the violation of personal liberty. This case is a notable example of judicial activism, where the judiciary took proactive measures to uphold and protect fundamental rights.

By establishing the principle that courts could award compensation as a public law remedy, the judgment set a precedent for awarding compensation for illegal detention, custodial violence, and other violations of fundamental rights.

The judgment reinforced the judiciary’s role in safeguarding personal liberty and ensuring effective remedies for the violation of fundamental rights. It paved the way for future cases where courts continued to award compensation for the infringement of constitutional rights, thereby strengthening the enforcement of fundamental rights in India.

Conclusion

The judgment in Rudal Shah v. State of Bihar is a key decision in Indian constitutional law. It shows the judiciary’s dedication to protecting fundamental rights and offering remedies when these rights are violated. By allowing compensation for illegal detention, the Supreme Court highlighted the importance of Article 21, which protects personal liberty. This case is a major example of how courts enforce fundamental rights and take action against their violations in India.
30Jun
Preity Zinta continues her fashion domination in Paris at couture week in gorgeous black toga dress. Watch | Fashion Trends

Preity Zinta’s fashion dominance streak continues. The actor is in Paris to attend the couture week and has been dishing out one stunning sartorial moment after another. Recently, she attended the Stephane Rolland show at the Paris Couture Week wearing a black toga dress from the designer’s collection. Keep reading as we decode Preity’s fashionable and elegant look inside. (Also Read | Janhvi Kapoor, Preity Zinta, Radhika Apte to Sonam Kapoor; desi stars take over Paris during Fashion Week)

Preity Zinta attends the Stephane Rolland show in a gorgeous black toga dress during Paris Couture Week. (Instagram)

Preity Zinta’s black toga dress for the Stephane Rolland couture show

Preity Zinta took to Instagram to share a picture of herself taking a stroll in the City of Lights, dressed in a black gown by Stephane Rolland. “The road to fashion #pariscoutureweek #stephanerolland #pfw #ting,” she captioned the post. She also shared a BTS video of her dress fitting before the show with the caption, “A sneak peek into my dress fitting with the amazing @stephanerolland_paris before his show for Paris couture week.”

The black toga dress Preity chose for the couture show features a one-shoulder neckline, a full-length trumpet sleeve, an asymmetric hem, a figure-skimming silhouette hugging her curves, a cinched waist, and a train on the back. She accessorised the ensemble with minimal additions, including gold pumps, a black clutch, dainty earrings, and a gold cuff bracelet. Lastly, she styled her tresses in a twisted bun, leaving a few strands of her to sculpt one side of her face.

Preity Zinta attends Rahul Mishra’s couture show in Paris

Earlier, Preity attended Rahul Mishra’s couture show in Paris. The star populated the front row at the show in a strapless white gown featuring shimmering sequin embellishments, a corseted bodice, a sheer skirt, and floral applique work. She styled the ensemble with matching heels, a clutch, side-parted loose locks, and a bracelet.

Preity also wore another look by Rahul Mishra for attending Vogue World in Paris. She chose a dazzling silver ombré gown from the designer’s Superheroes collection. A black embellished net head cover, statement earrings, a bracelet, an embellished clutch, high heels, and striking glam rounded off the look.
30Jun
Supreme Court overturns Chevron doctrine, limiting reach of federal agencies

Dive Brief:

  • The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Chevron doctrine on Friday in a decision that could dramatically limit federal agencies’ regulatory power. 
  • In a 6-3 vote, the high court overruled a 1984 decision in Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council that established the doctrine, which required federal courts to give deference to agencies’ reasonable interpretation of ambiguous statutes.
  • “The Administrative Procedure Act requires courts to exercise their independent judgment in deciding whether an agency has acted within its statutory authority, and courts may not defer to an agency interpretation of the law simply because a statute is ambiguous,” the high court ruled.

Dive Insight:

The decision to overturn Chevron could have massive implications for the regulatory function of agencies from Department of Labor to the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Federal agencies will “likely face more challenges to their rules and regulations” and “the agencies might publish fewer and more modest regulations going forward,” labor and employment firm Littler explained in a blog post for the firm earlier this year. 

In a dissenting opinion, Justice Elena Kagan said the Chevron decision has “served as a cornerstone of administrative law” for 40 years. 

“Congress knows that it does not — in fact cannot — write perfectly complete regulatory statutes. It knows that those statutes will inevitably contain ambiguities that some other actor will have to resolve, and gaps that some other actor will have to fill. And it would usually prefer that actor to be the responsible agency, not a court,” Kagan wrote. “A rule of judicial humility gives way to a rule of judicial hubris. In recent years, this Court has too often taken for itself decision-making authority Congress assigned to agencies.”
30Jun
7 legal, tax and finance-safe steps to help your kids onto the property ladder

The interest rate hiking cycle might have peaked, but it’ll be some time until rates drop, borrowing capacity increases and Australia’s property market reopens to more first-home buyers.

So it’s no wonder that housing affordability (or unaffordability) is such a popular topic at the moment.

There’s no denying it has become a lot harder to make the first step, mainly due to the hurdle of saving up a big enough deposit to meet the bank’s requirements.

Especially when it comes to questioning how our younger generations will ever be able to make their first step on the property ladder at a time when the crippling cost of living and rising interest rates push home ownership out of reach for many.

But parents have been helping their children buy properties for generations and many will be happy to do the same to help their children in future.

The Bank of Mum and Dad provided nearly $3 billion worth of funding to adult children in 2023, the AFR reports, making it one of the nation’s largest residential property lenders.

Such support has increased fivefold in the past five years to assist about 60% of first-home buyers.

But while it’s great news that there are several ways that parents can help their kids onto the property ladder, the bad news is many generous parents are unknowingly creating a minefield of problems for both their own futures and that of their families.

Here are 7 steps to help your kids onto the property ladder without detonating a legal, tax or financial minefield that could sabotage your (or their) future.

1. Work out the safest way to do it

Generally, there are two ways a parent can help their kid buy property – a guarantor loan or a cash gift.

Option 1: A guarantor loan

One of the most common ways that parents help their children is by agreeing to a guarantee loan.

A guarantor loan is a loan product that offers up some of their equity to their child or children to assist with the deposit.

For example, perhaps your daughter could only save $30,000 but needs $60,000 to qualify for a home loan.

If you’re thinking about guaranteeing a loan, make sure you understand the risks.

Take the same care as if you were taking out a loan for yourself.

For example, if you apply for a loan in the future, you’ll have to tell your lender if you’re a guarantor on any other loans.

They might decide not to lend to you, even if the loan that you guaranteed is being repaid.

It’s important to recognise, however, that while you may not have ownership rights over the property, you may be wholly responsible for the entire loan if your daughter or son defaults.

In fact, lawyers say a growing number of court cases involving bitter family disputes about what was agreed and who is responsible for outstanding debts underlines the need for any loan or gift to be carefully documented.

With loans, the minimum a parent should do is register it against the title of the child’s property to make others aware of their interest.

Alternatively, you could lodge a caveat on your child’s property to protect your “equitable mortgage”.

And always have a written loan agreement, even if asking your child to do this might feel a bit awkward at the time because it is so much safer for you to have evidence of a loan agreement.

If you’re considering this option, you should access expert advice before proceeding.

Option 2: A financial gift

As a parent, we all want our children to have good lives and to be successful if that’s what they desire to do.

But does that mindset extend to giving them a financial gift to buy a property?

In my opinion, it really is a personal decision and will depend on factors such as your child’s capability to manage a home loan.

If your son or daughter has been spending every cent that they’ve earned for years, which is why they haven’t saved a property deposit, is it really a good idea to just give them a handout?

Will they have the necessary financial discipline and know-how to not default on their mortgage repayments?

Perhaps a better idea could be to suggest a financial gift that matches their savings.

So, if they knuckle down and save $25,000, then you will tip in an equal amount to bump it up to $50,000.

That way, your child will learn how to save and you will be more confident that they’re not taking on more than they can financially handle.

But parents need to be very clear about whether they’re providing their children with a gift or a loan.

If the money is a gift, this should be made clear in writing to avoid confusion down the track.

If the money is a loan, as mentioned you should write up a loan agreement detailing the size of the loan, the term and how it will be repaid.

So, before you decide on a strategy to help your children buy property, you must ensure you have accessed expert advice from a qualified wealth strategist.

That way, it reduces the chance of any ugly fallouts which could totally undo your original good intentions.

Money Gift

2. Giving a cash sum? Decide how much to give.

Parental contributions vary according to state and territory property prices, with an average of about $92,000 in NSW and $34,000 in Western Australia, according to Jarden Australia, an investment bank and wealth manager.

The national average is about $70,000, and nearly 5% receive more than $200,000, its analysis shows.
30Jun
Use These Tips to Take Striking Black and White Photos on Your Smartphone

Key Takeaways

  • Experiment with classic subjects like portraits and urban landscapes for stunning black and white photography.
  • Frame shots with awareness, envisioning the scene in black and white and focusing on standout elements with contrast.
  • Shoot in color and then convert to black and white with editing apps while experimenting with different filters and tweaks.



Black and white photography can be a stunning alternative to color photography. And yet, most smartphone photographers will ignore the power of black and white photography, whether through ignorance or a perceived lack of skill.

I’m here to dispel any myths around black and white photography, encourage you to give it a go, and offer some tips and advice on how to get good results. Because if you get monochrome photos right, they can look absolutely amazing.


What Subjects Make for Good Black and White Photos?

The first thing to consider is what subjects make for good black and white photography. Ultimately, you shouldn’t let this conversation prevent you from testing all subjects out in black and white, as experimentation is a key tenet of photography. However, some subjects definitely make for better black and white shots than others.


Portraits, street photography, and urban landscapes are all classic subjects for black and white photography. This is because the monochrome finish adds a gritty realism to these shots. In more general terms, subjects that have stand-out elements that aren’t reliant on colors are the key. So, strong lines, patterns, shapes, or textures. Strong variances between light levels. And images that conjure up a downbeat mood.

However, any scene can work in black and white, so it’s worth experimenting. And that is made extremely easy with smartphone photography, as you can switch color photos to black and white with a single tap. So, if you want to conduct a black and white shoot specifically, target the traditional subjects that work, but then add in other shots that may work.


How to Adopt a Black and White Mindset When Shooting

Smartphone photography lends itself perfectly to on-the-fly shots taken as inspiration strikes. Which leads many people to ignore the fundamentals of shooting good photos. However, the one mobile photography technique guaranteed to work is to frame with awareness by taking an extra few seconds when lining up a shot. And this can stand you in good stead with black and white photography too.

Being able to picture what a scene you’re shooting will look like in black and white is a skill, but it’s one you can learn over time with perseverance. The key to success is literally seeing the world in black and white (and various shades of gray). So frame your shot and consider what it would look like with all the color sucked out of it.


Are there standout elements that contrast with others, or would everything in the frame melt into one gray mass? Is there a strong focal point in the picture that will draw people’s eyes in? Are there obvious areas of light and dark within the frame? Is there enough going on to hold people’s interest in the absence of any color?

Tips for Shooting Black and White Photos on Your Smartphone

The first thing to say here is that you should not bother shooting in black and white. Instead, shoot in color and then change it to black and white in post. All photo editing apps, including Google Photos and Snapseed (the two I personally use), have black and white filters and tools. However, that isn’t to say that you shouldn’t already have it in mind when shooting that a photo might turn out to look better in black and white.


As for specific tips:

  • When shooting, look for opportunities that would look good in black and white. This includes employing leading lines, using the rule of thirds, spotting signs of symmetry, capturing interesting patterns and textures, and taking a minimalist approach. With practice, you’ll see the potential for black and white shots everywhere you look.
  • Look to include elements in your photos that would look good in monochrome and not rely on vibrant colors for interest. If a subject is too reliant on its bold colors, then it probably isn’t a candidate for black and white photography. However, if it boasts high levels of contrast, it probably is.
  • Look for interesting sources of light, whether it’s filtering through clouds, lighting a specific area of the frame, or adding a strong contrast to your image. Light is an important element of all types of photography, but it’s absolutely crucial for black and white shots.


Tips for Editing Your Smartphone Photos Into Black and White

As we have already established, while it’s good to think about the possibility of turning a photo from color to black and white, and shooting with that in mind, the actual process can be handled in post. So here are some things to keep in mind when editing your smartphone photos from color to black and white:

  • Try switching every photo you shoot from color to black and white to see what works and what doesn’t. This is the best way of training your brain to understand the fundamentals of black and white photography. After a day of shooting, open your photo editing app of choice, and apply a black and white filter to each image in turn. If it works, save a copy, and if it doesn’t, discard your edits.
  • Most photo editing apps will offer multiple black and white filters, all of which produce slightly different results. So try them all. Snapseed, which I recommend to all smartphone photographers, also boasts a dedicated black and white tool that offers tweaks beyond filters. Changing the brightness, contrast, and/or grain can have a huge impact, and create unique black and white photos.
  • Try editing your images in other ways both before and after turning them from color to black and white. This could include dialing up the contrast to the highest it will go, or reducing the sharpness of the image. By tweaking quite specific elements, you can create some unique black and white photos. You can even use the same settings for multiple photos to create your own style.


A lot of amateur photographers will avoid black and white photography, opting instead to go all-in on color. However, thanks to the power of smartphone cameras and image editors, black and white photography is now accessible to everyone, so why not experiment with it yourself?

30Jun
Comedian, actor and painter Martin Mull was always right for the job

For anyone lucky enough to have experienced the long arc of his career, the death of droll, dry, deadpan Martin Mull, Thursday at 80, feels like the end of an era. A writer, songwriter, musician, comedian, comic actor and, out of the spotlight, a serious painter, Mull was a comfortingly disquieting presence — deceptively normal, even bland, but with a spark of evil. Martin Mull is with us, one felt, and that much at least is right with the world.

There was a sort of timelessness in his person. As a well-dressed, articulate young person, he seemed older than his years; later on, owl-eyed behind his spectacles, he came across as oddly boyish.

He leaves behind a long, uninterrupted string of screen credits, beginning with Norman Lear’s small-town soap opera satire “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.” Following that were regular roles in “Roseanne,” “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” “Veep” and “Arrested Development”; guest shots including “Taxi” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”; and work in such films as “Mr. Mom,” “Clue” and “Mrs. Doubtfire.”

And so it seemed he would always be around, and working. Even so, his appearances were never quite expected, or in the expected place. But he was ever welcome, and always right for the job.

Like Steve Martin, his friend and junior by two years, he was an accomplished instrumentalist. As a purveyor of witty comic songs, Mull was in the tradition of Tom Lehrer and Flanders and Swann and a peer of Dan Hicks, with whom he shared a taste in floral-print shirts. He was a countercultural cabaret artist who set himself apart from the counterculture. Again like Martin, he dressed well in an age when younger comics let their hair grow long and wore street clothes to distinguish themselves from their suit-and-tie elders.

But where Martin was a flurry of flapping arms and legs, Mull worked from a place of stillness. His musical stage act, Martin Mull & His Fabulous Furniture, found him in his signature prop, a big armchair, leaning forward over his big, hollow-body guitar.

“Ever seen one of these before? It’s electric. You’ll be seeing a lot of those in the near future,” he said.

Later, he leaned back as Barth Gimble, the host of the talk show parodies “Fernwood 2 Night” and “America 2 Night.” Even his solo spots on “The Tonight Show” — on which he was a hilarious, blue-streak-talking guest, usually playing off his career in show business — were delivered sitting.

On “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman,” Mull played Garth Gimble, an abusive husband who died impaled on the star of a Christmas tree. One would say that Garth had to die in order that Barth, his twin brother, might live. On the spun-off “Fernwood 2 Night,” Mull and Fred Willard, as confidently dim sidekick Jerry Hubbard, created a telepathic double act in which they could seem antithetical expressions of a single character.

Together, the talk shows lasted only two summer seasons; but due to their weeknight appearances, they produced 130 episodes, giving them cultural weight. (You may find them extracted all over the internet.) Mull and Willard would work together again over the years, in the Cinemax series “The History of White People in America” and the follow-up feature “Portrait of a White Marriage,” in commercials for Red Roof Inn, as a gay couple on “Roseanne” and as robots on “Dexter’s Laboratory.”

Martin Mull, left, with fellow comedian Steve Martin in Santa Monica in 2014.

(Ryan Miller / Invision)

Mull grew up in North Ridgeville, Ohio, not far from Fernwood in the map of the imagination, and white insularity was a theme in his comedy. My first Mull memory came with the 1973 album “Martin Mull & His Fabulous Furniture in Your Living Room,” which opened with a version of “Dueling Banjos” played on tubas. The record included a “Lake Erie delta” blues song, purportedly learned from his real estate agent grandfather. It was performed on a ukulele with a baby bottle used as a slide: “I woke up this afternoon / Both cars were gone / I felt so low down deep inside / I threw my drink across the lawn.”

“The History of White People in America,” he told David Letterman, would examine “what, if anything, has the white Anglo-Saxon Protestant done in this country since World War I. It’ll be taking a pretty good hard look at that.”

A memorable episode of “Fernwood” exhibits a Jewish person stopped for speeding as he passed through town as something of an exotic animal, for the benefit of Fernwoodians who may have “actually never seen a real live Jew before.”

“I hope that seat’s all right,” Barth says, welcoming his guest. “ I’m not sure what you’re used to.”

Like many great comedians — the Marx Brothers and W.C. Fields before him, or Albert Brooks in his own time — Mull was a temperamental outsider who achieved the success of an insider, while remaining essentially untamed. It’s not beside the point that he was, from first to last, a serious artist. He held undergraduate and graduate degrees from the Rhode Island School of Design — where, it does not seem too coincidental to mention, the Talking Heads were born. He would refer to show business as a “day job” that allowed him to pursue painting.

We were lucky he needed the work.
30Jun
Why Is Porsche Taycan Recalled Globally? Know Reason and Other Details

New Delhi, June 30: Porsche has issued a global recall for every single unit of the Taycan electric sports car manufactured and sold since its launch in 2020. The recall might affect around 1,50,000 Taycans sold worldwide so far. Porsche Taycan is the company’s flagship electric vehicle and the global recall highlights the importance of the issue under consideration. The recall requires immediate attention to ensure the safety of the customers of the Porsche Taycan. The decision reflects Porsche’s determination to maintaining high standards and addressing any potential risks to its customers.

As per a report of Financial Express, Porsche has issued a global recall for the Taycan, affecting every unit sold. Porsche will send a letter to car owners, asking them to bring their vehicles to the dealership to have a new hose installed. The replacement process will take about two hours, and it will be done for free without affecting the warranty, according to a report of Autocar India. Porsche Car Crash in Pune: Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde Hands Over Cheques of Rs 10 Lakh Each to Parents of IT Engineers Who Were Killed After Being Hit by Luxurious Car.

What Is the Reason Behind the Porsche Taycan Recall?

As per reports, the recall is due to a potential issue with the front brake hose of the Porsche Taycan, which could develop cracks and lead to a brake fluid leak. It can reduce the brake pressure and affect the braking performance of the Taycan. However, Porsche claims that only about one percent of the recalled cars are actually affected by this issue. Mahindra XUV700 SUV Surpasses 2 Lakh Unit Production Mark; Celebrates With Two New Colours.

According to the carmaker, if the affected cars have a warning light on the dashboard, it is recommended to drive the Porsche Taycan directly to a dealership for further inspection and necessary repairs. However, if a red warning light appears, Porsche advises against driving the car. But, if there is no warning light illuminated on the dashboard, it is considered safe to drive the vehicle.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 30, 2024 11:16 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
30Jun
Amazon Is Investigating Perplexity Over Claims of Scraping Abuse

Amazon’s cloud division has launched an investigation into Perplexity AI. At issue is whether the AI search startup is violating Amazon Web Services rules by scraping websites that attempted to prevent it from doing so, WIRED has learned.

AWS spokesperson Patrick Neighorn confirmed the company’s investigation of Perplexity following a WIRED inquiry about the startup’s apparent scraping practices. WIRED had previously found that the Perplexity—which has backing from the Jeff Bezos family fund and Nvidia, and was recently valued at $3 billion—appears to rely on content from scraped websites that had forbidden access through the Robots Exclusion Protocol, a common web standard. While the Robots Exclusion Protocol is not legally binding, terms of service generally are.

The Robots Exclusion Protocol is a decades-old web standard that involves placing a plaintext file (like wired.com/robots.txt) on a domain to indicate which pages should not be accessed by automated bots and crawlers. While companies that use scrapers can choose to ignore this protocol, most have traditionally respected it. Neighorn told WIRED that AWS customers must adhere to the robots.txt standard while crawling websites.

“AWS’s terms of service prohibit abusive and illegal activities and our customers are responsible for complying with those terms,” Neighorn said in a statement. “We routinely receive reports of alleged abuse from a variety of sources and engage our customers to understand those reports.”

Scrutiny of Perplexity’s practices follows a June 11 report from Forbes that accused the startup of stealing at least one of its articles. WIRED investigations confirmed the practice and found further evidence of scraping abuse and plagiarism by systems linked to Perplexity’s AI-powered search chatbot. Engineers for Condé Nast, WIRED’s parent company, block Perplexity’s crawler across all its websites using a robots.txt file. But WIRED found the company had access to a server using an unpublished IP address—44.221.181.252—which visited Condé Nast properties at least hundreds of times in the past three months, apparently to scrape Condé Nast websites.

The machine associated with Perplexity appears to be engaged in widespread crawling of news websites that forbid bots from accessing their content. Spokespeople for The Guardian, Forbes, and The New York Times also say they detected the IP address repeatedly visiting their servers.

WIRED traced the IP address to a virtual machine known as an Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) instance hosted on AWS, which launched its investigation after we asked whether using AWS infrastructure to scrape websites that forbade it violated the company’s terms of service.

Last week, Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas responded to WIRED’s investigation first by saying the questions we posed to the company “reflect a deep and fundamental misunderstanding of how Perplexity and the Internet work.” Srinivas then told Fast Company that the secret IP address WIRED observed scraping Condé Nast websites and a test site we created was operated by a third-party company that performs web crawling and indexing services. He refused to name the company, citing a nondisclosure agreement. When asked if he would tell the third party to stop crawling WIRED, Srinivas replied, “It’s complicated.”
30Jun
Elon Musk Deepfake Videos Targeting Crypto Investors Displayed on Channel Seven Following YouTube Hack

Elon Musk has previously expressed support for cryptocurrencies publicly, but the billionaire was recently impersonated by cybercriminals who hacked an Australian broadcaster in an attempt to target gullible investors. Over the last few years, Musk has shaken up the crypto market via posts on X (formerly Twitter). Now, his popularity is being used by criminals to target crypto investors — especially those who take the billionaire’s market commentary seriously. Deepfake videos of Musk promoting scam tokens, fake airdrops, and false crypto schemes are reportedly spreading throughout web applications.

Elon Musk deepfake videos displayed via Australian broadcaster

Cybercriminals managed to hack the YouTube channel of The Seven Network (popularly known as Channel Seven) on Thursday following layoffs at the Australian broadcaster, according to a News.com.au report. After gaining control over the broadcaster’s account, the hackers displayed deepfake videos of Musk in which he appears to say that he is giving away crypto tokens.

In the doctored video, the Tesla chief can be heard vouching to return investors double of what they wire to a malicious address. As per the report, the livestream of this deepfake video garnered views from over 150,000 people on the compromised YouTube channel for Channel Seven.

Screenshots of the deepfake version of Musk promoting the fraudulent crypto scheme on the YouTube channel — renamed by the criminals to ‘Tesla Channel’ during the hack — have surfaced on social media. One of the screenshots also shows that a QR code was being displayed on the screen along with a tagline ‘Scan or regret’. YouTube is yet to publicly react to the development.

Earlier this month, when SpaceX conducted the launch of its Starship rocket, at least 35 deepfake videos of Musk were reportedly streamed on YouTube. In these videos, scammers displayed a fake video of Musk promoting a scam crypto scheme asking people to send crypto funds to a wallet address to get double in return.

How Musk has reacted to previous deepfake videos

It’s been a while since Musk has reacted to these deepfake videos of him promoting crypto scams. Back in 2022, he responded after watching one of these fake videos exploiting his identity. “Yikes. Def not me,” the billionaire quipped in response to a now-deleted post.

Musk has not directly commented on deepfakes since that post, but often spoken about his intent to eliminate bot accounts spreading fake information around crypto and politics among other subjects on X (formerly Twitter). It is notable that the billionaire has not quite been able to do so as yet.

Earlier this month, Binance co-founder Yi He asked Musk to improve the X’s privacy and security measures after she found her identity being misused for promoting a fake crypto token on X.

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30Jun
Menu items, busier businesses may be Google local ranking signals

Google Search might be looking at the items in your menu within your Google Business Profile and how busy your establishment is during popular times as local ranking factors and signals.

That’s according to a report by Claudia Tomina. Tomina documented tests on this and believes Google is using these signals to rank businesses in Google Maps and the Google Search local pack.

Menu items. Adding menu items can help a restaurant rank for those menu items on Google, according to the report. So if you add “caesar salad” to your menu items in Google Business Profiles, Google may rank you for [ceasar salad] searches.

This chart shows the ranking improvement for that local restaurant on Google for a search on [best caesar salad near me]. It went from position 71 to position 1 with the change:

I spoke with Tomina, who showed me several other examples of this working.

Popular times. Busier establishments during the Google popular times window tend to rank better than less busy establishments, according to the report.

  • “My research shows that if a business is busier at a specific time of day then they outrank their competitors,” Tomina wrote.

The charts below show local Google ranking reports for the keyword [caesar salad near me]. The rankings improved during popular times throughout the day.

6 26 At 600 Pm
6 26 At 1239 PM
6 26 700 Pm
6 26 8 Pm

Why we care. If you do local SEO or manage your own local business, maybe try some of these things out to see if your rankings will improve. You can easily add your menu to your Google Business Profile to see if it makes a difference in your foot traffic and online orders. And maybe that effort might also increase how busy you are during those popular times and help you rank better.

Add Search Engine Land to your Google News feed.    Google News

New on Search Engine Land

About the author

Barry Schwartz

Barry Schwartz is a technologist and a Contributing Editor to Search Engine Land and a member of the programming team for SMX events. He owns RustyBrick, a NY based web consulting firm. He also runs Search Engine Roundtable, a popular search blog on very advanced SEM topics.

In 2019, Barry was awarded the Outstanding Community Services Award from Search Engine Land, in 2018 he was awarded the US Search Awards the “US Search Personality Of The Year,” you can learn more over here and in 2023 he was listed as a top 50 most influential PPCer by Marketing O’Clock.

Barry can be followed on X here and you can learn more about Barry Schwartz over here or on her personal site.

30Jun
Fanatical Charity Bundle – Get 16 Games For $7 While Supporting A Wonderful Cause

A new PC game bundle deal is live on Fanatical, and if you’re a parent, this is a great collection of games for younger members of the family. Even better, all proceeds from each sale will go toward charity–The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC)–so you’ll be doing a good deed at the same time. Based in the UK, the NSPCC ha been advocating for children since 1883. Pay $7 or more, and you’ll get 16 games to keep forever.

There are some good bargains here and a few noteworthy brands that youngster like, starting with Baby Shark: Sing and Swim Party. You can guide the talented sharks through several activities, sing along to several famous songs, and visit several locations full of fun activities for kids.

Fanatical In Aid Of NSPCC Charity Bundle

Fanatical In Aid of NSPCC Charity Bundle
  • The Entropy Centre
  • Descenders
  • Transformers: Earthspark Expedition
  • Blaze and the Monster Machines: Axle City Racers
  • Baby Shark: Sing & Swim Party
  • Minit Fun Racer
  • Golf It
  • The Last Campfire
  • Little Orpheus
  • Snake Pass
  • Onde
  • ITORAH
  • Glitch Busters: Stuck On You
  • Shatter
  • Breakneck
  • Hoa

Sumo Digital’s Snake Pass is another highlight, as this game is a physics-based puzzle-platform game starring Noodle the Snake. There are some great brain-teasers here as you slither into every nook and cranny in search of collectibles, as well as a pretty great soundtrack. For Autobot fans, you can check out Transformers: Earthspark Expedition. Based on the latest animated series, this game lets you battle and explore as Bumblebee in an adventure to stop his nemesis, Mandroid, from stealing Cybertronian technology and using it to destroy the world.

For something more grounded, there’s extreme mountain-biking in Descenders and Golf It is a fun multiplayer minigolf game with imaginative courses. Another highlight is the charming puzzle adventure The Last Campfire, which was developed by Hello Games, the studio behind No Man’s Sky. Meanwhile, Hoa is a gorgeous family-friendly platformer that’s well-worth checking out.

Most of these games are Steam Deck-compatible as well, so you can install them and let your kids enjoy them while they’re parked on the couch next to you.

If you have a Nintendo Switch, the upcoming slate of family-friendly Switch games are now available to preorder: The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Mario & Luigi: Brothership, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, and Super Mario Party Jamboree.

Disclosure: GameSpot and Fanatical are both owned by Fandom.
30Jun
Creating supranormal hearing in mice

A study from Michigan Medicine’s Kresge Hearing Research Institute was able to produce supranormal hearing in mice, while also supporting a hypothesis on the cause of hidden hearing loss in humans.

The researchers had previously used similar methods — increasing the amount of the neurotrophic factor neurotrophin-3 in the inner ear — to promote the recovery of auditory responses in mice that had experienced acoustic trauma, and to improve hearing in middle-aged mice.

This study is the first to use the same approach in otherwise healthy young mice to create improved auditory processing, beyond what’s naturally occurring.

“We knew that providing Ntf3 to the inner ear in young mice increased the number of synapses between inner hair cells and auditory neurons, but we did not know what having more synapses would do to hearing,” said Gabriel Corfas, Ph.D., director of the Kresge Institute, who led the research team.

“We now show that animals with extra inner ear synapses have normal thresholds — what an audiologist would define as normal hearing — but they can process the auditory information in supranormal ways.”

The resulting paper, “From hidden hearing loss to supranormal auditory processing by neurotrophin 3-mediated modulation of inner hair cell synapse density,” was published in PLOS Biology.

About the paper

As in previous studies, the researchers altered the expression of the Ntf3 to increase the number of synapses between inner hair cells and neurons.

Inner hair cells exist inside the cochlea and convert sound waves into signals sent — via those synapses — to the brain.

This time, however, two groups of young mice were created and studied: one in which synapses were reduced, and a second — the supranormal hearing mice — in which synapses were increased.

“Previously, we have used that same molecule to regenerate synapses lost due to noise exposure in young mice, and to improve hearing in middle-aged mice, when they already start showing signs of age-related hearing loss,” said Corfas.

“This suggests that this molecule has the potential to improve hearing in humans in similar situations. The new results indicate the regenerating synapses or increasing their numbers will improve their auditory processing.”

Both groups of mice underwent a Gap-Prepulse Inhibition test, which measures their ability to detect very brief auditory stimuli.

For this test, the subject is placed in a chamber with a background noise, then a loud tone that startles the mouse is presented alone or preceded by a very brief silent gap.

That gap, when detected by the mouse, reduces the startle response. Researchers then determine how long the silent gap needs to be for the mice to detect it.

Mice with fewer synapses required a much longer silent gap. That result supports a hypothesis about the relationship between synapse density and hidden hearing loss in humans.

Hidden hearing loss describes a difficulty in hearing that cannot be detected by standard testing.

People with hidden hearing loss may struggle to understand speech — or discern sounds in the presence of background noise. And results of the Gap-Prepulse Inhibition test had been previously shown to be correlated with auditory processing in humans.

A surprising find

Less expected, however, were the results of the subjects with increased synapses.

Not only did they show enhanced peaks in measured Acoustic Brain Stem response, but the mice also performed better on the Gap-Prepulse Inhibition test, suggesting an ability to process an increased amount of auditory information.

“We were surprised to find that when we increased the number of synapses, the brain was able to process the extra auditory information. And those subjects performed better than the control mice in the behavioral test,” Corfas said.

Hair cell loss had once been believed to be the primary cause of hearing loss in humans as we age.

Now, however, it’s understood that the loss of inner hair cell synapses can be the first event in the hearing loss process, making therapies that preserve, regenerate and/or increase synapses exciting possible approaches for treating some hearing disorders.

“Some neurodegenerative disorders also start with loss of synapses in the brain,” Corfas said.

“Therefore, the lessons from the studies in the inner ear could help in finding new therapies for some of these devastating diseases.”
30Jun
Don’t say just cheesesteak

Insta cuisine is eccentric at best and downright ridiculous at its worst. The ‘Everything is Cake’ trend is a beguiling social media trick of fantasy and reality: imagine you’re looking at a flower pot packed with mud and blooms in the middle. A hand with a knife appears. Flower pot murder isn’t even Agatha Christie’s domain. It is epicurean legerdemain: the knife plunges into its clay victim which isn’t clay, mind you. It is chocolate. And the metaphorical blood is coffee mousse, coffee ganache, espresso chocolate cake, buttercream and vanilla ice-cream.

This dessert is the pride of 1906, a fine dining restaurant in the sprawling Longwood Gardens, Brandywine Creek Valley just outside of Philadelphia. The main course has roasted beets, braised savoy cabbage and a juicy crab omelette. Philly, best known for its cheesesteak—a power-packed sandwich of beef, provolone and onions—usually is not a star in the gourmet galaxy of the East Coast, especially with New York as a close neighbour. But if you go beyond this epic sandwich, many surprises are guaranteed.

Shock and Awe: Take Vedge, for instance. The restaurant highlights local vegetables. Rutabaga (a root vegetable) becomes a fondue served with pretzels; chioggia (a garden beet) is salt-roasted and served with an arepa pancake and a smidge of black garlic; the cauliflower gets a ‘Chicken 65’ upgrade with a tangy spicy sauce; carrot is cooked rillette style (similar to a confit) and placed on pumpernickel toast; and rhubarb becomes a cheesecake with a sweet pea ice-cream.

Elsewhere, the Garden Restaurant at the Barnes, which looks out onto its blooming namesake, serves a comforting seasonal sweet corn and pumpkin squash soup; roast chicken paired with spring vegetables, herbs and horseradish beurré blanc; and a grilled salmon with puy lentils and sweet pea.
30Jun
Internship Opportunity at KPS Advocates

KPS Advocates has opened applications for internships with them for the months of August and September 2024.

About KPS Advocates

KPS Advocates is a multi-practice law firm having its office in NCR of Delhi, India. The Firm also has associate offices located across various parts of India including Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Chandigarh.

The Firm consists of a team of experienced, dedicated, and dynamic Advocates, Chartered Accountants, and other professionals from across various parts of India who have substantial experience in the field of law in which they are engaged.

About the Opportunity

KPS Advocates has opened applications for internships with them for the months of August and September 2024.

Eligibility Criteria

All Law students.

How to Apply?

Interested students may share their CVs at [email protected].

Location

Gurugram, Haryana.

Contact Information

In case of any query, please contact [email protected].

Click here for the official LinkedIn Notification.

Disclaimer: Charging money from students for internships or from job applicants is an unethical practice and can lead to blacklisting. Facing concerns? Please email us at [email protected]
30Jun
Common skin allergens and their potential link to skin cancer risk | Health

Skin allergies and skin irritation can lead to inflammation. This can further increase the risk of skin cancer over time. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr. Shifa Yadav, Consultant, Dermatology at Artemis Hospital Gurugram, said, “Skin allergies are a widespread concern, with symptoms ranging from mild irritation to severe inflammation. Although they are generally manageable, certain skin allergies and the resulting chronic inflammation can potentially increase the risk of developing skin cancer.”

Skin allergies and skin irritation can lead to inflammation, further increasing the risk of skin cancer over time.(Unsplash)

Dr Kandra Prasanth Reddy, Radiation Oncologist, American Oncology Institute, Hyderabad, further noted down the common skin allergens and how they can enhance the risk of skin cancer:

ALSO READ: Why do we get skin allergies? Health experts share causes, symptoms, treatment

Nickel:

Nickel is a widespread allergen found in jewellery, coins, and household items. Repeated exposure to nickel can lead to allergic contact dermatitis, characterised by chronic inflammation. This persistent inflammatory response can damage skin cells and DNA, which might elevate the risk of developing skin cancer.

Fragrances:

Fragrances in perfumes, lotions, and soaps are known to cause allergic reactions in many individuals. Chronic exposure to these allergens can lead to dermatitis and ongoing skin irritation. This continual immune response may contribute to skin cancer over time.

Preservatives:

Preservatives such as parabens and formaldehyde-releasing agents are common in cosmetics and skincare products. They can cause allergic reactions and sustained skin inflammation, further leading to skin cancer risk.

Chemical sunscreens:

Ingredients in chemical sunscreens, like oxybenzone and avobenzone, protect against UV radiation but can also cause allergic reactions in some individuals. Although these ingredients are essential for preventing sunburn and UV damage, the allergic reactions they provoke can lead to chronic inflammation, potentially raising the risk of skin cancer.

ALSO READ: How important is sunscreen for Indians; the right way to use it for skin cancer prevention

Hair dyes:

Certain chemicals in hair dyes, such as para-phenylenediamine (PPD), can cause allergic reactions. Continuous exposure and allergic reactions to these chemicals can result in long-term skin inflammation, which might increase the risk of skin cancer.

Dr. Shifa Yadav shared insights about a few skin allergies that can increase the risk of skin cancer:

ALSO READ: How to spot skin cancer: Symptoms, treatment and protection

Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema):

Atopic dermatitis is characterised by chronic inflammation and itchy, red patches on the skin. Prolonged inflammation from eczema can lead to DNA damage in skin cells, increasing the risk of skin cancer.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis:

Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when the skin comes into contact with an allergen, leading to an inflammatory response. Common allergens include nickel, fragrances, and certain preservatives found in cosmetics and personal care products. Chronic allergic contact dermatitis can result in persistent skin inflammation.

Photosensitivity:

Photosensitivity, or heightened sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) light, can be caused by certain medications, medical conditions, or exposure to specific chemicals. People with photosensitivity experience severe skin reactions upon UV exposure, leading to chronic inflammation and an increased risk of skin cancer.

Chronic Actinic Dermatitis:

Chronic actinic dermatitis is a condition characterised by severe skin reactions to UV light, similar to photosensitivity but more persistent and widespread. This chronic condition results in prolonged inflammation.
30Jun
PTC faces another Duchenne drug rejection; Coherus sells Humira biosimilar

Today, a brief rundown of news from PTC Therapeutics, Esperion Therapeutics and Coherus Biosciences, as well as updates from Sanofi, Lantheus Holdings and Forbion that you may have missed.

Drug regulators in Europe have, for a third time, recommended against renewing the approval of PTC Therapeutics’ Duchenne muscular dystrophy medicine Translarna. The European Medicines Agency panel had been asked to re-evaluate PTC’s application after the European Commission, in an unusual step, rejected its recommendation and suggested it consider data from patient registries and real-world use. That evidence still doesn’t prove Translarna is effective, the panel said Friday. PTC will again seek another opinion, during which time Translarna will remain on the market in Europe.  — Ben Fidler

Esperion Therapeutics said Friday it has sold rights to sales royalties in Europe for its cholesterol-lowering pill bempedoic acid to Omers Life Sciences for $305 million. Omers will own those royalties until it’s received 1.7-times its initial investment, after which Esperion will reclaim rights. Esperion will use some of the proceeds to pay off a loan from Oberland Capital, and is still eligible to receive up to $300 million in sales-based milestone payments under a licensing deal with Daiichi Sankyo. — Jonathan Gardner

Coherus BioSciences is selling rights to Yusimry, a biosimilar version of Humira, to Hong Kong King-Friend Industrial for $40 million in cash. The biosimilar is the second Coherus has divested this year as part of a plan to focus its business on branded cancer drugs. It won U.S. approval for its first, a cancer immunotherapy called Loqtorzi, in 2023. — Jonathan Gardner

Sanofi is investing $40 million in Vigil Neuroscience, a biotech developing drugs for neurodegenerative diseases. The deal gives Sanofi an exclusive right of first negotiation to license from Vigil an experimental antibody aimed at the protein TREM2. Vigil has one such medicine in early-stage testing for Alzheimer’s disease treatment. The biotech, which went public in 2022 but has lost much of its value since, said the deal will extend its cash runway into 2026. — Gwendolyn Wu

Lantheus Holdings, a developer of radiopharmaceutical drugs and diagnostics, paid $35 million to acquire rights to what it calls a “radiotheranostic pair” from Life Molecular Imaging. The pair consists of a lutetium-based treatment and a gallium-based diagnostic for prostate cancer, both aimed at the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor. Discovered at the Universities Bern and Basel, the pair was initially developed by Bayer and then licensed to Life Molecular. Lantheus plans to start a Phase 1/2a study of the radiopharmaceutical next year, with the gallium-based agent used as a companion diagnostic. — Ned Pagliarulo

European venture capital firm Forbion has hired former Dyne Therapeutics CEO Josh Brumm to help expand its presence in the U.S. Brumm will serve as a general partner and support Forbion’s current portfolio companies as well as “source new opportunities” in the U.S. and Europe, the firm said Thursday. Though Forbion is based in the Netherlands, about 30% of its investments are in the U.S. and Canada. — Gwendolyn Wu
30Jun
Here’s How To Know If Your Best Friends Are Making You Poor

In my five-year study of the daily habits of the rich and poor, I discovered that there are two extreme types of relationships:

Helpful Relationships and Toxic Relationships

Helpful Relationships help lift you up in life and are always happy, optimistic, grateful, enthusiastic, open-minded, life-long learner types who help elevate your chances for success.

Toxic Relationships drag you down in life, sabotaging any chance for success you might have.

Toxic Relationships have certain unique characteristics that you should be on the lookout for and avoid at all costs.

Here are some Toxic Relationship characteristics:

1. Negative Types

They always seem depressed, down, pessimistic, angry, unhappy and ungrateful

They hate those who are doing well in life.

They hate anyone trying to better their lives.

They always have a negative opinion.

To them, the world is a mean, unfair, painful experience.

They drown their misery in drugs or alcohol.

They have very powerful biases.

They see life as unfair and embrace an ideology that requires the punishment, by society, of the wealthy and successful.

2. Deceptive types

They are perpetual liars

They cannot be trusted.

They seek, by whatever means necessary, to take what is not theirs.

They are adept at spinning the truth.

They are experts in rationalizing their bad behaviour.

Nothing is ever their fault.

They are never to blame.

They see others as marks, targets, not people.

Agressive Talk Communication

3. Critical Types

They are very critical of others

They seem to always have an opinion that is critical of something.

They condemn and blame society, the government, their parents, the schools, their boss, their spouse etc.

Everything is a problem.

Nothing is ever straightforward or simple to them.

They complain about everything in their lives and every person in their life.

They are never satisfied or grateful.

4. Backstabber Types

These are people you cannot trust

They are not only looking out for their own interest, they have a maniacal habit of hurting their relationships either intentionally or unintentionally.

They have very low self-esteem, and confidence and do not like anyone who is trying to better their life.

They love to gossip about others.

They have no long-term relationships and move from one new relationship to the next, causing havoc wherever they go.

The danger with backstabbers is that you never see it coming.

They wear a mask when they are in your presence that belies their true selves.

You only find out who they really are when the damage is done.

Extra Spendings
30Jun
Microsoft Can’t Make Copilot Succeed Without Convincing Windows 10 Users

Key Takeaways

  • Microsoft introduced Copilot in 2023 and Copilot+ PCs in 2024, but many Windows users still don’t know about it.
  • Windows 10 still has a massive user base, so making Copilot available on all recent devices could increase adoption.
  • Offering Copilot on Windows 10 will introduce more users to AI PCs, help transition to Windows 12, and secure the AI tool’s successful future.



Microsoft introduced its Copilot AI in 2023 and launched Copilot+ PCs in June this year. Despite the company’s push to make Copilot the standard generative AI to assist its users, the average Windows user may not even know what Copilot is.

While anyone can access Copilot on Microsoft Edge on Windows 10, the dedicated Copilot app is only available with Windows 11 (and only on compatible devices, at that). If mass adoption is the goal, Microsoft will have to make this AI app available on all recent Windows devices.


Windows 10 Still Has a Massive User Base


Windows 11 has been around since 2021, so users have had plenty of time to migrate to Microsoft’s latest operating system. However, many have held off upgrading their computers, with reasons for staying on Windows 10 going from the lack of new features to unsupported hardware.

According to StatCounter, users running Windows 10 still account for more than 68% of the market as of May 2024, compared to Windows 11’s 27%. The operating system’s massive reach means millions of users are missing out on Copilot.

StatCounter

Copilot+ PCs require chips with AI processing capabilities (i.e., an AI PC), meaning that even computers bought as recently as last year won’t be able to run all of Copilot’s features on-device. To ensure that Windows 10 users can get on board, Microsoft will need to beef up its data centers to handle the AI processing requirements.


While this might be a massive expense on Microsoft’s part, it is a worthy investment. After all, if Microsoft can make Copilot as ubiquitous as the Start Menu, it would massively help increase adoption and even encourage more people to upgrade sooner rather than later.

Copilot on Windows 10 Will Introduce More People to AI PCs

If Microsoft can give the huge Windows 10 user base Copilot, even with limited features, it could be an easy way to make Copilot synonymous with Windows.

Just a simple keyboard shortcut, akin to the Copilot Key, to make the software easier to launch can make a big difference. This convenience means they will likely choose Copilot for their AI needs to avoid the extra steps of having to go to the OpenAI website to access ChatGPT or even open Microsoft Edge to find the Copilot icon.


As Windows 10 users get more used to the idea of having an AI companion on their computer, they’ll be more likely to accept its more integrated existence on their PC. This could be similar to Apple Intelligence—one of the best features that Apple will introduce with macOS Sequoia. However, if Microsoft does add Copilot+ features to all recent Windows PCs, it shouldn’t drop the ball on privacy and security, much like the step back the company had to take with the controversial Recall feature.

It Will Make the Transition to Windows 12 Much Easier

Microsoft logo above a screen showing Windows 11 and Windows 10 logos, highlighting different versions of the operating system.
Ralf Liebhold / Shutterstock / Microsoft

The introduction of Copilot+ PCs in June 2024 shows the future of Windows: generative AI features integrated into the operating system and several apps. So, giving Windows 10 users a taste of what the future holds will likely make moving to Windows 12 more palatable.


This could help Microsoft avoid the same issues it continues to face with Windows 11 adoption, which is wallowing at below 30% of the Windows PC market share three years after launch. Furthermore, Apple is introducing its version of AI to all Apple silicon MacBooks, meaning many users will get this feature retroactively. If Windows 10 users miss out on AI features, they might just get a MacBook instead because of Apple Intelligence.

What Would Copilot on Windows 10 Look Like?

microsoft copilot logo with microsoft app logo background
Microsoft

Microsoft should make Copilot on Windows 10 look and act the same as it does on Windows 11. Granted, some features won’t be available on less powerful computers, but the company could just move this processing to its data centers. This will be slower, but it could at least give Windows 10 users a preview of Copilot’s capabilities.


Microsoft has many Copilot apps available, but Copilot in Windows 11 is likely the most important. That’s because it will introduce users who aren’t necessarily looking for an AI chatbot and could show them how useful these things could be. Microsoft could then supercharge this tool’s adoption by adding some (or even all) of its features to Windows 10 to ensure a successful future for its AI tool.

30Jun
L.A.’s underground celebrates the life of punk iconoclast John Albert

Once upon a time, the collected works of music journalists, film critics and other cultural correspondents appeared with regularity on the literary landscape.

We relied on their observations to make sense not only of the art we admired and the artists who created it but of the times we lived in and the places we felt at home.

Now? Not so much. The way culture is celebrated, disseminated and reported on has changed, probably forever.

So when a book like “Running With the Devil: Essays, Articles & Remembrances” by John Albert appears on the horizon, it feels as anachronistic as a sailing vessel flying the skull and bones.

But John Albert was no ordinary writer.

When he died suddenly from a heart attack last year at the age of 58, he left behind a body of work scattered across the pages of books, anthologies, literary journals and alternative weeklies. His friend and editor, Joe Donnelly, hit on the idea to assemble these pieces in a collection.

“Almost as soon as John died,” Donnelly said, “I started thinking about the responsibility to preserve his writing legacy.”

Donnelly approached their mutual friend Iris Berry, co-founder of Punk Hostage Press, about the project. She didn’t need to be convinced.

“There always seemed to be a kind of magic surrounding John Albert,” Berry said. “A mystery and a charisma that I can’t explain. He definitely left us too soon.”

It’s only fitting, then, that “Running With the Devil” will receive a grand, old-school book launch at Wacko Soap Plant from 3 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 30.

Berry and Donnelly will be joined by a crew of underground all-stars that includes Jesse Albert, Jennifer Finch, Brett Gurewitz, Ben Harper, Keith Morris, Arty Nelson, Jerry Stahl, John Waldman and Justin Warfield.

Albert emerged from the exurbs of Los Angeles and embraced the city in all its guises. He was an early member of Christian Death and Bad Religion, two bands whose names suggest a spiritual affinity, or at least a consensus, but couldn’t be more stylistically dissimilar.

He wrote about discovering Black Flag and embracing punk rock with pulp panache: “I have cut my hair short and can’t stop smashing windows.”

“In the Black Flag piece,” Berry said, “I love how he writes about the transition into punk rock in great detail. It affected everyone around him, especially his parents and friends. Throughout history, parents have always been horrified by their kids’ choices, but the punk movement was one of the toughest and John articulated it so well.”

Albert was so much more than a former musician and occasional music writer. As a recovering addict, he found salvation in sport: first and most famously through baseball, which he wrote about in “The Wrecking Crew: The Really Bad News Griffith Park Pirates.”

Writing about a team of recovering addicts, washed-up rockers and miscellaneous oddballs, he captured something magical about L.A.

“He made sense of Los Angeles in a sort of Didion-esque and Eve Babitz way,” Donnelly said. “His best subjects were his friends and the people in his circle, and he had a unique window into Los Angeles during that time and place.”

As Albert’s interests and experiences expanded, so did his writing: He wrote about surfing, living with Hepatitis C, the Red Hot Chili Peppers. As Keith Morris, founding vocalist for Black Flag and the Circle Jerks, puts it: “John was a stud prince rawker and had a great knowledge of all sorts of happening stuff.”

Albert had a knack for writing about things that had been overlooked or pushed to the margins, and by training his lens on them helped make them culturally significant again. In a city that runs on hype, Albert was more interested in those who’d opted out, been left behind or were kicked to the curb by the dream factory.

John Albert sits at a restaurant table, looking down

John Albert.

(Susan Tyler)

“He was a throwback,” Donnelly said, “a punk-rock George Plimpton. He was in the mix of life and wrote from the perspective of lived experience, and not just helicoptering into an anthropological survey of something. He actually knew of what he spoke.”

Although he wasn’t a sentimental writer, Albert wrote with great humor. His sarcasm could be devastating, but he saved it for those in his inner circle, the people he loved most.

“John was such a talented writer,” said Berry. “He remembered so much. The feelings, the details of the feelings, and the places. He slides from comedy to tragedy and back to comedy with such grace. He was a true storyteller.”

One of the many tragedies of Albert’s untimely passing is that we have been deprived a book about fatherhood in 21st century L.A. Albert loved his son, Ravi, and all the proceeds from the collection will go to him.

“Getting to publish his book, ‘Running With the Devil,’ is bittersweet for me,” Berry said. “I’m honored to get to publish him, grateful to Joe Donnelly for bringing it to me and for editing it. I just wish it was under different circumstances. But knowing that it’s for his son, Ravi, is everything. As my mom would say, ‘It’s definitely a mitzvah.’”

Join Iris Berry, Joe Donnelly and friends at Wacko Soap Plant, 4633 Hollywood Blvd., on Sunday, June 30, from 3 to 7 p.m.

Jim Ruland is the author of the novel “Make It Stop” and “Corporate Rock Sucks: The Rise & Fall of SST Records.”

30Jun
Maruti Suzuki Fronx Velocity Edition Available Now Across All Variants in India; Check Price, Specifications and Other Details

New Delhi, June 26: Maruti Suzuki has expanded the availability of the Fronx Velocity Edition across all 14 variants in India. Previously, it was available in Turbo powertrain, but it is now available with both the 1.2L (petrol and CNG) and 1.0L powertrain options. The Fronx, which was first showcased at the Auto Expo 2023, has been well-received by Indian customers. Maruti Suzuki launched the Fronx SUV in India on April 24, 2023.

As per a report of Zee News, Maruti Fronx Velocity Edition is now available across all variants in India.  Initially, the Velocity Edition was only available with the Turbo powertrain, but now Maruti Suzuki has decided to introduce it across all variants. Rivian’s Market Value Increases to USD 6 Billion, Share Price Jumps 50% After It Announces Joint Venture With Volkswagen Group.

Maruti Suzuki has launched the Fronx Velocity Edition, making it available across all variants of its SUV lineup. The Fronx 1.2L Velocity Edition Sigma variant is available at a price of Rs 7.29 lakh (ex-showroom) for a limited period. These variants include options powered by both 1.2L engines (available in petrol and CNG) and 1.0L engines. Customers can also choose between manual and automatic transmission systems for a wide range of driving preferences.

Maruti Fronx Velocity Edition Specifications and Features

The SUV is equipped with a wireless smartphone charger, a 360-degree camera, a Head-Up display featuring turn-by-turn navigation and a 9-inch infotainment system that supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Tesla, Hyundai, Kia and Volkswagen To Voluntarily Recall 4,56,000 Vehicles for Faulty Auto Parts.

The Fronx comes with two engine choices. There is a 1.0L K-Series Boosterjet petrol engine that includes Smart Hybrid technology. The engine is paired with either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic transmission. Another option is the 1.2L K-Series Dual Jet, Dual VVT engine, which can be combined with a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AGS transmission. Maruti Suzuki also offers a CNG version of a 1.2L engine, which is expected to deliver a fuel efficiency of 28.51 km/kg.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 26, 2024 03:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
29Jun
This Viral AI Chatbot Will Lie and Say It’s Human

In late April a video ad for a new AI company went viral on X. A person stands before a billboard in San Francisco, smartphone extended, calls the phone number on display, and has a short call with an incredibly human-sounding bot. The text on the billboard reads: “Still hiring humans?” Also visible is the name of the firm behind the ad, Bland AI.

The reaction to Bland AI’s ad, which has been viewed 3.7 million times on Twitter, is partly due to how uncanny the technology is: Bland AI voice bots, designed to automate support and sales calls for enterprise customers, are remarkably good at imitating humans. Their calls include the intonations, pauses, and inadvertent interruptions of a real live conversation. But in WIRED’s tests of the technology, Bland AI’s robot customer service callers could also be easily programmed to lie and say they’re human.

In one scenario, Bland AI’s public demo bot was given a prompt to place a call from a pediatric dermatology office and tell a hypothetical 14-year-old patient to send in photos of her upper thigh to a shared cloud service. The bot was also instructed to lie to the patient and tell her the bot was a human. It obliged. (No real 14-year-old was called in this test.) In follow-up tests, Bland AI’s bot even denied being an AI without instructions to do so.

Bland AI formed in 2023 and has been backed by the famed Silicon Valley startup incubator Y Combinator. The company considers itself in “stealth” mode, and its cofounder and chief executive, Isaiah Granet, doesn’t name the company in his LinkedIn profile.

The startup’s bot problem is indicative of a larger concern in the fast-growing field of generative AI: Artificially intelligent systems are talking and sounding a lot more like actual humans, and the ethical lines around how transparent these systems are have been blurred. While Bland AI’s bot explicitly claimed to be human in our tests, other popular chatbots sometimes obscure their AI status or simply sound uncannily human. Some researchers worry this opens up end users—the people who actually interact with the product—to potential manipulation.

“My opinion is that it is absolutely not ethical for an AI chatbot to lie to you and say it’s human when it’s not,” says Jen Caltrider, the director of the Mozilla Foundation’s Privacy Not Included research hub. “That’s just a no-brainer, because people are more likely to relax around a real human.”

Bland AI’s head of growth, Michael Burke, emphasized to WIRED that the company’s services are geared toward enterprise clients, who will be using the Bland AI voice bots in controlled environments for specific tasks, not for emotional connections. He also says that clients are rate-limited, to prevent them from sending out spam calls, and that Bland AI regularly pulls keywords and performs audits of its internal systems to detect anomalous behavior.

“This is the advantage of being enterprise-focused. We know exactly what our customers are actually doing,” Burke says. “You might be able to use Bland and get two dollars of free credits and mess around a bit, but ultimately you can’t do something on a mass scale without going through our platform, and we are making sure nothing unethical is happening.”
29Jun
Crypto Price Today: Bitcoin, Ether Prices Fluctuate as Biden vs Trump Debate Skips Mention of Crypto, Analyst Says

Bitcoin opened with a minor price loss on Friday, and the world’s most widely used crypto asset is presently trading at $61,637 (roughly Rs. 51.4 lakh) on international exchanges like CoinMarketCap, after incurring a loss of 0.23 percent. On national exchanges such as WazirX and CoinSwitch however, the value of BTC stood much higher at $66,863 (roughly Rs. 55.8 lakh). Macro-economic factors have always played a vital role in setting the temperament for the crypto market on a global level. Despite expectations from crypto investors, US President Joe Biden and Donald Trump didn’t mention cryptocurrencies during their televised debate on Thursday, leading to volatility on the crypto price charts and experts predict more upheaval in the coming days.

“In a notable shift, Bitcoin posted gains as optimism swelled ahead of the anticipated Biden vs. Trump debate, with investors expecting cryptocurrency to be a focal point. However, the absence of any mention of crypto during the debate has led to concerns over potential impact for Bitcoin prices, possibly dampening industry enthusiasm. Bitcoin is entrenched in oversold territory, indicating a prolonged bearish sentiment. Market analysts predict this phase of stagnation could extend for a few more weeks,” Rajagopal Menon, Vice President, WazirX told Gadgets360.

Similarly, Ether was impacted by a minor 0.09 percent drop in value on Friday. It is currently trading at $3,448 (roughly Rs. 2.87 lakh) on international exchanges and at $3,701 (roughly Rs. 3.09 lakh) on national ones, as per the Gadgets360 crypto price tracker.

“The forthcoming launch of the Ethereum ETF on July 4 is seen as a potential game-changer, with projections of Ethereum prices climbing above $5,000 (roughly Rs. 4.17 lakh),” Menon added.

Cryptocurrencies that managed to log minor gains on Friday include Binance Coin, Dogecoin, Cardano, and Avalanche.

Solana managed to see profits of 6.24 percent on Friday – which is substantially higher than other cryptocurrencies. At the time of writing, Solana was trading at $145 (roughly Rs. 12,139).

“With the first Solana ETF application from VanEck, the SOL ecosystem saw a collective rise and the number of traders increasing by 30 percent. SOL may become the 3rd major crypto asset after BTC and ETH to have its ETF, thanks to its recent growth. Several Solana memecoins also resulted in gains. Some of these memecois include BOME, which rose 15 percent with an 80 percent increase in traders, and WEN, which rose 15.5 percent with a 25 percent increase in traders,” said Ryan Lee, Chief Analyst at Bitget Research.

Meanwhile, cryptocurrencies that registered losses on Friday include Tron, Near Protocol, Underdog, and Status.

As per CoinMarketCap, the overall crypto market rose in valuation by 1.39 percent in the last 24 hours. With this, the market cap of the crypto sector has come to $2.28 trillion (roughly Rs. 1,90,32,984 crore).

Cryptocurrency is an unregulated digital currency, not a legal tender and subject to market risks. The information provided in the article is not intended to be and does not constitute financial advice, trading advice or any other advice or recommendation of any sort offered or endorsed by NDTV. NDTV shall not be responsible for any loss arising from any investment based on any perceived recommendation, forecast or any other information contained in the article. 

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29Jun
Apple expands 30% fee on Facebook and Instagram ads globally

Apple is set to extend its 30% fee on Facebook and Instagram ad purchases made through iOS devices to advertisers worldwide, starting July 1.

Why we care. This move could significantly impact digital advertising costs and strategies for businesses of all sizes, potentially altering marketing strategies and budget allocation toward mobile advertising.

The big picture. Initially implemented for U.S. advertisers in February, this expansion marks a major shift in how social media advertising is priced on mobile devices.

Details:

  • The fee applies to ad purchases made via iOS apps but can be avoided by using desktop web browsers.
  • Meta has updated its web platforms to offer the same ad-boosting functionality as mobile apps.
  • EU regulators and a U.S. federal judge have criticized Apple’s fee structure.

What they’re saying. The fee is “anti-competitive” and gives Apple an unfair advantage, according to Meta’s Director of Privacy & Fairness Policy, Pedro Pavón.

The other side. Apple contends it’s entitled to charge for access to its platform’s audience.

Between the lines. This move is part of an ongoing battle between tech giants over app store policies and revenue sharing.

What’s next. Advertisers will need to adapt their ad purchasing strategies to avoid the fee, potentially shifting more activity to desktop platforms.

How to avoid the fee. Meta has provided guidance on purchasing ads without incurring Apple’s 30% charge.

The bottom line. This change could reshape mobile advertising practices and further intensify scrutiny of Apple’s App Store policies.

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New on Search Engine Land

About the author

Anu Adegbola

Anu Adegbola has been Paid Media Editor of Search Engine Land since 2024. She covers paid search, paid social, retail media, video and more.

In 2008, Anu’s career started with

 delivering digital marketing campaigns (mostly but not exclusively Paid Search) by building strategies, maximising ROI, automating repetitive processes and bringing efficiency from every part of marketing departments through inspiring leadership both on agency, client and marketing tech side.

 

Outside editing Search Engine Land article she is the founder of PPC networking event – PPC Live, host of weekly podcast PPCChat Roundup, and brand evangelist at ClickTech. 

 

She is also an international speaker with some of the stages she has presented on being SMX (US), SMX (Munich), Friends of Search (Amsterdam), brightonSEO, The Marketing Meetup, HeroConf (PPC Hero), SearchLove, BiddableWorld, SESLondon, PPC Chat Live, AdWorld Experience (Bologna) and more.
29Jun
Switch 2 Needs Backwards Compatibility, And Luigi’s Mansion 2 Shows Why

Nintendo has gained a reputation, and not unfairly, for double- or even triple-dipping on its beloved catalog of classic games. From Super Mario All-Stars on Super NES, to the Classic NES Collection on Game Boy Advance, to modern HD remasters like Metroid Prime and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Nintendo has never been shy about capitalizing on its history. As we move into an increasingly digital era, Nintendo has also been noticeably slow to adopt a single, cross-generation digital library akin to PlayStation and Xbox. We’ve seen lots of speculation over whether Nintendo will finally break this trend as it moves into the era of the Switch successor–and recent remasters like Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD show why it’s so necessary that the company follows through with this pro-consumer move.

Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is a remaster of a 2013 3DS game, and a pretty good one at that. I enjoyed revisiting the 3DS game on a modern system and felt it was paying homage to its history. But it’s precisely because this appealed to me as a historical artifact that I couldn’t help but think about what it means for my digital collection. Luigi’s Mansion 2 is, so far, the middle chapter of a series that has already grown past it. It’s nice to have the game unshackled from the 3DS, but that won’t matter if its destiny is just to get shackled to the Nintendo Switch instead.

Now Playing: Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD Review

To be blunt, Luigi’s Mansion 2 is good but slight. It’s an enjoyable little chapter and a neat way to see how the Luigi’s Mansion series has developed, but it’s lower on the tier list of vital remasters than games that are older, more in need of modernization, or just difficult to find. The mere existence of an HD remaster of Luigi’s Mansion 2 shows how Nintendo is filling its release calendar, which is a fine strategy as the Switch lives an especially long time for a console. And it’s far from the last. At its June 2024 Nintendo Direct, the company announced a remaster of Donkey Kong Country Returns, a game that was already ported to the 3DS shortly after its initial release on the Wii and is now making the journey to Switch.

Nintendo has not been especially forward-facing in its online tools. It’s clear that when the 3DS was released, the company hadn’t fully developed its online infrastructure to last into the future. This spate of Wii U and 3DS remasters may be because that account system was not built for the future, Nintendo wants to untether its games from the dual-screen and 3D functionality, or some combination of both.

But there are hopeful signs that the company is learning. Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser said last year that the formation of a single unified “Nintendo Account” will smooth the transition into the next console. While previous hardware had each set up their own distinct account systems, which tied your digital purchases to them, the Switch Online service seems to be under the umbrella of your overall Nintendo Account. That means that when we move to the Switch 2–or whatever it may be named–your account will come with it. Nintendo will at least recognize which games you already own digitally. Backwards compatibility with new hardware is its own distinct technical challenge, and Bowser stopped short of confirming it, but the new system recognizing your existing digital library is a necessary first step.

And that’s a step that is more important now than ever before. Nintendo has already been slow to adopt a modern approach to your digital library, which has been frustrating, but its library of stellar games and years of goodwill has carried it through. Falling behind for another entire generation would be much harder to forgive. Not to mention, it would do damage to the company’s own reputation and value proposition going forward.

To understand why, we just need to look at the words of one of Nintendo’s console rivals. Xbox head Phil Spencer gave a blunt assessment of its own console business, saying that when it lost the race between PS4 and Xbox One, it created a ripple effect going forward. Since that was the generation that most consumers started building their digital library, he said, it was the worst generation for Xbox to lose. Consumers don’t want to switch to a different console when they already have their digital library in an existing ecosystem.

Going even further back, its competitors have done more than Nintendo to offer their earliest games as part of your permanent collection. Hundreds of Xbox 360 games simply work on modern Xbox consoles, disc and all. Original Xbox games can be purchased and remain in your library, for example, and many are included as part of Game Pass. To whatever extent this is an ongoing technical hurdle, it’s one that others solved years ago while Nintendo continues to struggle.

Nintendo isn’t going head-to-head with PlayStation and Xbox the way those two are directly challenging each other. For the last several generations, it has marched to the beat of its own drum and remained safely out of the power-console fray. But there’s a lesson to be learned about how gamers perceive the value of their purchases regardless. Going forward, players expect their games to come with them. We don’t need to buy a third version of Luigi’s Mansion 2 on the next Switch, or a fourth version of Donkey Kong Country Returns. If Nintendo wants players to respect its long history of great games, it needs to let us build a digital collection that lasts.
29Jun
Air pollution exposure during childhood linked directly to adult bronchitis symptoms

A new study brings fresh revelations about the connection between early-life exposure to air pollution and lung health later in life. A research team led by the Keck School of Medicine of USC has shown that exposure to air pollution during childhood is directly associated with bronchitis symptoms as an adult.

To date, many investigations in the field have established intuitive links that are less direct than that: Air pollution exposure while young is consistently associated with lung problems during childhood — and childhood lung problems are consistently associated with lung issues as an adult.

The current study, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Clinical Care Medicine, is one of only a few to show the direct connection between childhood air pollution exposure and adult lung health, a connection not fully explained by air pollution impacts on lung health during childhood. It opens the possibility of yet-to-be-understood factors explaining the path from early air pollution exposure to respiratory maladies many years later.

The team drew upon the USC Children’s Health Study, a large-scale, decades-long study following cohorts of Southern Californians starting at school-age and, for many participants, continuing into adulthood. Importantly, the link between childhood air pollution exposure and adult bronchitis symptoms persisted even when the researchers adjusted for asthma or bronchitis symptoms early in life — a finding that came as a surprise.

“We would expect that these observable impacts on childhood respiratory health would explain the relationship between childhood air pollution exposure and adult respiratory health,” said corresponding author Erika Garcia, PhD, MPH, assistant professor of population and public health sciences at the Keck School of Medicine. “Our results suggest that childhood air pollution exposure has more subtle effects on our respiratory system that still impact us in adulthood.”

Safeguarding lung health, now and later

The focus on exposure during youth is motivated in part by the fact that children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of air pollution. Their respiratory and immune systems are still developing and compared to adults, they breathe in more air relative to their body mass.

Ultimately the concern is twofold, for the health of young people today and for their future health when they grow up. Notably, among study participants with recent bronchitis symptoms as adults, average childhood exposure to a pollutant called nitrogen dioxide fell far below annual Environmental Protection Agency standards — just a bit over half the limit that was set in 1971 and remains in place today.

“This study highlights the importance of lowering air pollution, and especially exposure during the critical period of childhood,” Garcia said. “Because there’s only so much that we can do as individuals to control our exposure, the need to protect children from the adverse effects of air pollution is better addressed at the policy level.”

The study population comprised 1,308 Children’s Health Study participants with an average age of 32 at their adult assessment. The researchers asked about recent bouts of bronchitis symptoms — having either bronchitis, chronic cough, or congestion or phlegm production not associated with a cold. One-quarter of participants had experienced bronchitis symptoms within the previous 12 months.

Presence of bronchitis symptoms was associated with exposure between birth and age 17 to two types of pollutants. One type groups together tiny particles in the air such as dust, pollen, ash from wildfires, industrial emissions and products from vehicle exhaust. The other, nitrogen dioxide, is a byproduct of combustion in automobiles, planes, boats and power plants that is known to hurt lung function.

Long-running health research proves vital to igniting discovery

For as comprehensive an analysis as possible, average pollutant exposure over childhood was based on month-by-month estimates. The researchers matched up family home address at each time point with contemporaneous local air quality measurements taken by the EPA and through the Children’s Health Study.

“We’re fortunate to have this fantastic and nuanced longitudinal study,” Garcia said. “We can learn a lot about how earlier experiences impact adult health. That’s thanks to a long-term team effort from the participants themselves, their families, the schools they attended and all the research staff and investigators who conducted interviews and generated and analyzed data over the years.”

The current study included additional analyses to rule out factors such as prenatal exposure to nitrogen dioxide, current air pollution exposure as adults and the effects of socioeconomic status in childhood or adulthood as drivers of bronchitis symptoms in adults.

Pollution exposure in youth may hurt lung health for some more than others

Garcia and her colleagues also found that the effect of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter exposure during childhood on bronchitis symptoms among adults was stronger for those who had been diagnosed with asthma as kids.

“There may be a subpopulation that is more sensitive to the effects of air pollution,” Garcia said. “We may want to be especially careful to protect them from exposure, so we can improve their outcomes later in life. Reducing air pollution would have benefits not only for current asthma in children but also for their respiratory health as they grow into adulthood.”

She and her colleagues are following up to examine how the level of air pollution exposure at different ages during youth influences breathing issues as an adult. Other future research directions building on the current study’s results could include looking into other markers of childhood and adult respiratory health, such as how well asthma was controlled, or exploring a potential genetic component.

About this study

The study’s co-authors are Zoe Birnhak, Scott West, Steve Howland, Rob McConnell, Shohreh. Farzan, Theresa Bastain, Rima Habre and Carrie Breton, all of the Keck School of Medicine; and Frederick Lurmann and Nathan Pavlovic of the environmental consulting firm Sonoma Technology.

This research received support from the National Institutes of Health (UH3OD023287, P30ES007048).
29Jun
Multiple Choice Questions on Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881

QUESTIONS ON NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENTS ACT

1. Which of the following is a negotiable instrument as per the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881?

a) Cheque

b) Fixed Deposit Receipt

c) Letter of Credit

d) All of the above

2. A bill of exchange must be accepted within how many days of presentment for acceptance?

a) 24 hours

b) 48 hours

c) 72 hours

d) 36 hours

3. Which section of the Negotiable Instruments Act defines a promissory note?

a) Section 4

b) Section 5

c) Section 6

d) Section 7

4. Who is primarily liable on a promissory note?

a) Drawer

b) Acceptor

c) Payee

d) Maker

5. What is the maximum period allowed for the presentation of a cheque?

a) 3 months

b) 6 months

c) 1 month

d) 2 months

6. Which of the following is true about a ‘holder in due course’?

a) He is a holder of the instrument who has obtained it for consideration.

b) He has obtained the instrument without consideration.

c) He cannot sue on the instrument in his own name.

d) He does not have any privileges over a holder.

7. Which section of the Negotiable Instruments Act deals with dishonor of cheque for insufficiency of funds?

a) Section 138

b) Section 139

c) Section 140

d) Section 141

8. In the case of dishonor of a cheque, the drawer is liable to imprisonment for a term which may extend to:

a) One year

b) Two years

c) Three years

d) Six months

9. A negotiable instrument can be transferred by:

a) Delivery

b) Endorsement and delivery

c) Only by delivery

d) Only by endorsement

10. Who among the following is not a party to a cheque?

a) Drawer

b) Drawee

c) Acceptor

d) Payee

11. What is the effect of crossing a cheque?

a) It cannot be cashed at the counter.

b) It can only be cashed at the counter.

c) It becomes a bearer cheque.

d) It can be endorsed further.

12. Which of the following is not a type of crossing of cheques?

a) General Crossing

b) Special Crossing

c) Not Negotiable Crossing

d) Limited Crossing

13. A bill of exchange requires acceptance by:

a) Drawer

b) Drawee

c) Payee

d) Endorser

14. An instrument which is payable to order can be negotiated by:

a) Delivery only

b) Endorsement and delivery

c) Mere endorsement

d) Registration

15. Which of the following is not a negotiable instrument under the Negotiable Instruments Act?

a) Cheque

b) Bill of Exchange

c) Share Certificate

d) Promissory Note

16. When the person primarily liable on the instrument makes the payment, it is called:

a) Dishonor

b) Presentment

c) Payment in due course

d) Endorsement

17. Which section of the Negotiable Instruments Act deals with the definition of a cheque?

a) Section 5

b) Section 6

c) Section 7

d) Section 8

18. A cheque is valid for how many months from the date of issue?

a) 1 month

b) 2 months

c) 3 months

d) 6 months

19. In case of a dishonored cheque, the payee must give notice to the drawer within how many days?

a) 15 days

b) 30 days

c) 60 days

d) 90 days

20. Which of the following statements is correct regarding ‘not negotiable’ crossing?

a) The cheque can be endorsed but not further negotiated.

b) The cheque cannot be endorsed.

c) The cheque can be cashed at the counter.

d) The cheque becomes invalid.

21. What is the primary characteristic of a negotiable instrument?

a) Transferability

b) Validity

c) Expiration

d) Specific use

22. Who can cross a cheque?

a) Drawer

b) Holder

c) Banker

d) All of the above

23. Which of the following is not a form of endorsement?

a) Blank endorsement

b) Special endorsement

c) Restrictive endorsement

d) Open endorsement

24. What happens if a cheque is not presented within the stipulated time?

a) It is invalid.

b) It can still be cashed.

c) It must be revalidated by the drawer.

d) It must be endorsed again.

25. What does the term ‘dishonor of cheque’ imply?

a) Cheque is returned unpaid

b) Cheque is paid on presentation

c) Cheque is lost

d) Cheque is endorsed

26. A promissory note must contain:

a) An order to pay

b) A conditional promise to pay

c) An unconditional promise to pay

d) A request to pay

27. Who can endorse a negotiable instrument?

a) Holder

b) Drawer

c) Banker

d) Any third party

28. A bearer cheque can be negotiated by:

a) Endorsement only

b) Delivery only

c) Endorsement and delivery

d) Registration

29. Which of the following instruments is not covered under the Negotiable Instruments Act?

a) Cheque

b) Promissory Note

c) Bill of Exchange

d) Fixed Deposit Receipt

30. The liability of the endorser of a negotiable instrument is:

a) Conditional

b) Absolute

c) Limited

d) Non-existent

ANSWERS

  1. A
  2. B
  3. A
  4. D
  5. A
  6. A
  7. A
  8. B
  9. B
  10. C
  11. A
  12. D
  13. B
  14. B
  15. C
  16. C
  17. B
  18. C
  19. B
  20. A
  21. A
  22. D
  23. D
  24. A
  25. A
  26. C
  27. A
  28. B
  29. D
  30. A
29Jun
Japan’s tourism surge: Record numbers, rising spending and what travellers should know | Travel

Japan has never seen so many tourists flood into the country so quickly. The yen’s historic collapse, meaning a cheaper traveling experience for those with tourist dollars to spend, coupled with the post-pandemic surge in global tourism, has sparked interest in the nation like never before. More than 14.5 million people arrived in the country in the first five months of this year, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization’s latest figures. That’s 70% up on the same period last year, and on track to beat 2019’s record 31 million visitors.

Japan is experiencing an unprecedented tourism boom, fueled by a historic yen collapse and a surge in global travel. (Unsplash)

The island nation — famed for its dining, cleanliness and mix of futuristic and traditional experiences — currently feels more like a low-cost travel haven than one of the world’s most advanced economies, thanks to extraordinary currency exchange rates. The yen has been stuck at a three-decade low in recent months, making everything from an omakase sushi lunch to premium A5 wagyu steak much more affordable.

Here are six charts to unpack Japan’s unprecedented travel boom:

Lasting momentum

Japan welcomed more than 3 million visitors for a third straight month in May, with the majority coming from South Korea, China and Taiwan. More than a million Americans made the long-haul trip from the US in the first five months of the year — a 50% jump on the same period in 2019. Tourist numbers from 19 markets — including all Group of Seven nations — this year broke their records for May. Chinese tourists have lagged their global counterparts since the beginning of the year, although the gap is closing. Japan has proved to be the top pick for Chinese tourists this summer.

Based on a Bloomberg Intelligence analysis, Japan is set to receive a record 34 million visitors this year, beating by a year a government target for exceeding 2019 visitor numbers. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has stuck by a longer-term goal of 60 million inbound visitors a year by 2030. In contrast, a lack of overseas purchasing power has discouraged Japanese travelers, and the number heading abroad has still only reached about 60% of its pre-Covid peak.

Spending surge

As the number of visitors increases, so too does the amount of cash they’re spending on their travels. The tourist dollar is going that much further thanks to the weak yen, which has slumped to the lowest level since 1986, and people haven’t been afraid of opening their wallets to snap up bargains from hotels and luxury goods to theme park trips.

Tourists spent a record ¥1.75 trillion in the first quarter of the year, and that figure is likely to surge as the number of Chinese visitors rises. They spend twice as much as the average tourist, according to the Japan Tourism Agency.

Hotel prices

Hotel prices in Japan are rising, but they’re still cheaper than their global peers. The weak yen and the hugely popular cherry blossom season lifted national hotel prices to a near-three decade high in March. The average daily room rate was about ¥20,986 ($136), the highest level since 1997, according to CoStar Group

While Tokyo’s rate was higher, sitting at an average of $177 for the year ending March 2024, the city was a bargain compared to the likes of New York, where the average room cost more than $300 a night, or Singapore, where rates exceeded $250.

Flight demand

More tourists means more transport. Some 37 million flights are scheduled to take off globally this year, according to industry data compiled by BloombergNEF. And a million of those are expected to have landed in Japan by the end of 2024. That’s not been all good news for Japan, with the spiraling number of tourists putting a major strain on local transport and infrastructure.

So, if you’re planning a trip soon, you’re certainly unlikely to be alone. But if you’re hunting for a bargain it could be the perfect moment to take that trip of a lifetime.
29Jun
Rocket gene therapy rejected by FDA over manufacturing

Dive Brief:

  • The Food and Drug Administration has rejected a gene therapy developed by Rocket Pharmaceuticals for a rare type of inherited immunodeficiency, the biotechnology company disclosed Friday.
  • According to Rocket, the FDA asked for “limited additional” information on what’s known as chemistry, manufacturing and controls — the data detailing the quality and consistency of the final drug product. The company said it has met with the agency to “align” on the scope of that request so it can move quickly to secure an eventual approval. 
  • “It is reassuring to have the FDA as a close collaborator who understands the high unmet medical need, clear clinical benefit and importance of timely patient access,” Rocket CEO Gaurav Shah said in the company’s statement.

Dive Insight:

The FDA doesn’t release complete response letters, meaning descriptions of the agency’s feedback come only from the company involved. Still, Wall Street analysts who spoke with Rocket are convinced the rejection is a speed bump, rather than a dead-end for the drugmaker’s gene therapy, called Kresladi. 

“We strongly suspect that Kresladi’s eventual approval is really just a matter of when — not if,” wrote Dae Gon Ha, an analyst at Stifel, in an investor note.

The FDA had already postponed its decision on Kresladi by three months due to a change in the reviewer overseeing Rocket’s application, meaning the agency couldn’t extend its evaluation of the application further. The complete response letter “strikes us as a reluctant last option for the FDA rather than a reflection of any significant deficiencies with the submission package,” Ha wrote. 

Analysts at William Blair and at Chardan outlined similar views in notes to clients Friday. “We ultimately view the CRL as more related to FDA staffing constraints than Kresladi’s critical quality attributes,” wrote William Blair’s Sami Corwin.

Kresladi is built from a patient’s own stem cells, which Rocket genetically modifies to deliver a functional copy of the gene that’s mutated in the condition the therapy treats. Known as severe leukocyte adhesion deficiency-I, the disease weakens the body’s ability to fight infections. Infants born with it often experience bacterial and fungal infections that require hospitalizations and survival beyond childhood is uncommon without a successful bone marrow transplant. 

All nine patients treated in Rocket’s small study of Kresladi have survived through the duration of the trial’s follow-up, now between 18 to 42 months. Data showed declines in the incidence of significant infections follow treatment, as well as signs of resolution of disease-related skin lesions, per Rocket. 

Even if the FDA’s issues with Rocket’s applications are easily resolved, the rejection is another setback for a field that’s faced notable clinical, regulatory and business hurdles. Manufacturing remains a challenging area for developers, as experienced by Abeona Therapeutics, which saw its skin disease cell therapy rejected by the FDA in April.

Biotechnology companies aren’t the only ones running into issues. Both Daiichi Sankyo and AbbVie have recently received manufacturing-related complete response letters from the FDA for drugs they submitted for approval.
29Jun
Money in the bank hits $1.48 trillion – new data reveals

Australians tucked an additional $6.53 billion away in the bank in May as household deposits continued to hit record highs.

The total amount saved in the bank from households is now $1.481 trillion – the 11th consecutive record high, according to the latest APRA monthly banking statistics.

This means household deposits have risen by over $210 billion since the start of the rate hikes (April 2022 vs May 2024).

RateCity.com.au research director, Sally Tindall, said:

“Money in the bank has hit a new record high every single month since mid-last year.”

Australians now have $1.48 trillion stashed in the bank – a rise of more than $210 billion since the start of the RBA hikes.

That’s an astonishing buffer considering the financial pressure many households are under.

With tax time right around the corner and extra cash coming down the line via the government’s stage three tax cuts and the electricity bill rebate, this total balance is likely to continue to climb in the second half of the year as many Australians focus on building up their buffers.

A lot of households will use the extra cash from the stage three tax cuts and other government relief to shore up their budget and pay down rising credit card debt, however, those who are managing to stay afloat are likely to bank at least part of this extra cash.”

Total deposits by households, May 2024

Amount Monthly change Year-on-year change Since start of hikes
$1.481 trillion +$6.53 billion
+0.4%		 +$101.97 billion
+7.4%		 +$210.88 billion
+16.6%

Source: APRA monthly authorised deposit-taking institution statistics.

ANZ’s household deposits to leapfrog NAB’s after Suncorp merger

ANZ currently has the fourth largest value of household deposits on its book, with 11.7 per cent of all household deposits among the banks.

However, Suncorp’s 2.4 per cent share of deposits will see ANZ overtake NAB in terms of the value of household deposits when the two banks merge, taking it to 14.1 per cent or almost $209 billion.

Banks with the largest value of household deposits

Value of household deposits Share of household deposits among ADIs
CBA $392.52 billion 26.5%
Westpac $306.83 billion 20.7%
NAB $203.97 billion 13.8%
ANZ $173.88 billion 11.7%
Macquarie $64.36 billion 4.3%
ING $49.80 billion 3.4%
Bendigo and Adelaide $45.02 billion 3.0%
Suncorp-Metway $35.07 billion 2.4%
ANZ + Suncorp $208.95 billion 14.1%

Source: APRA

Home loan books continue to grow

The total value of housing loans to households – which includes both owner-occupied and investor loans – increased by $11 billion in May, or 0.5 per cent, with all four big banks recording growth in their loan books.

Westpac posted the biggest growth out of the big four banks with a monthly increase of $3 billion, which translates into a 0.6 per cent increase in its loan book.

Macquarie surged ahead again this month with a $1.37 billion rise in the total value of its home loan book (1.2%).

The ANZ-Suncorp merger, when complete, will see ANZ move into third position in the jostle for market share among Australia’s largest home loan lenders.

NAB and ANZ currently have 14.5 per cent and 13.6 per cent share of all ADI loans respectively, however, ANZ’s share is set to rise to 16.0 per cent with the merger.

Big four banks + Macquarie + Suncorp: loans to households, housing: May 2024

  Amount Monthly change Year-on-year change Current share of ADI* market (May)
CBA $554.84 billion +$2.93 billion
0.5%		 +$10.42 billion
+1.9%		 25.2%
Westpac $472.48 billion +$3.02 billion
+0.6%		 +$26.47 billion
+5.9%		 21.5%
NAB $319.28 billion +$135 million
+0.0%		 +$10.81 billion
+3.5%		 14.5%
ANZ $298.23 billion +$1.70 billion
0.6%		 +$19.79 billion
+7.1%		 13.6%
Macquarie $118.17 billion +$1.37 billion
+1.2%		 +$12.62 billion
+12.0%		 5.4%
Suncorp $53.10 billion +$300,000
0.0%		 +$2.43 billion
+4.8%		 2.4%
All ADI loans $2.200 trillion +$11.09 billion
+0.5%		 +$99.09 billion
+4.7%		 100%
ANZ + Suncorp $351.32 billion – – 16.0%

Source: APRA. *Authorised deposit-taking institutions. Note: loans to households: housing is total of both owner-occupier and investor loans as recorded by APRA.

Ms Tindall commented:

“Westpac and Macquarie continued to post strong growth in their residential mortgage books, while ANZ is set to take the reins as Australia’s third largest home loan lender once the Suncorp merger goes through.

The government’s requirement for ANZ to keep both banks’ branches open for the next three years will help settle some nervous Suncorp customers. It has also rightly pressed for the bank to join the Bank@Post program.

Australia Post plays an important role in keeping competition in the banking sector alive, because of the Bank@Post services it provides.

Cash might no longer be king, but there’s still reasonable demand for in-person banking transactions such as depositing and withdrawing cash, and while there are limits to the services Bank@Post can provide it still plays a valuable role across the country.”
29Jun
I Bring My Still Photos to Life Using These 4 Tools

Key Takeaways

  • Deep Nostalgia uses AI to animate faces in still photos, creating short video clips with realistic movements.
  • Clipfly transforms still images into talking avatars, allowing users to create animated scenes with their portraits or selfies.
  • Cutout.Pro and HitPaw are other easy-to-use tools for animating photos, offering various animation styles and historical photo enhancements.



Animating still photos is a fascinating way to bring them to life. It’s like getting a second chance to create a live photo where you had taken a static one. The best part about animating photos is how easy the process is.

With just your smartphone and an internet connection, you can animate any photo you want. Here’s a walkthrough of four tools you can use to animate your still photos.


Animating a still photo used to mean manually adding “fade in,” “fade out,” and “zoom out” animations to your photos. However, that’s changed with AI tools like Deep Nostalgia. Deep Nostalgia, provided by MyHeritage, is a tool that animates faces in still photos to create short video clips. It uses AI to apply realistic movements to the faces in your images, such as blinking, smiling, or turning the head.

How to Animate Photos Using Deep Nostalgia

The process is simple:


  1. Visit the Deep Nostalgia page on the MyHeritage website and sign up.
  2. Upload your photo via the Upload Photo button.

The AI detects the face in your photo and animates it. The result is a lifelike animation that can make people or characters in your photos seem as if they are moving.

Clipfly offers a unique twist to photo animation by creating AI-generated talking avatars from your still images. The tool is a fun way to make portraits or selfies talk as if they were part of an animated scene.

How to Animate Photos With Clipfly

Follow the steps below:

  1. Visit the AI Talking Avatar page on Clipfly’s website and sign up.
  2. Upload the image you’d like to animate.
  3. Select a voice and type in your script. You can also choose to upload your preferred audio clip.
  4. Click the Get Started button.


screenshot showing how to animate photo on clipfly-1

The AI then animates the photo to sync with the audio, making it appear like the person in the photo is speaking. Clipfly offers 20 free credits upon sign-up and charges 10 credits for each generation. After two generations, you’ll need to upgrade to its Pro plan to keep using it.

Cutout.Pro is another easy-to-use tool you can use to animate your photos. After uploading your image, you can choose from a variety of animation styles to give your photo the desired effect. You can have the character in your image sing the “Happy Birthday” song, turn its head, and so on.

How to Animate Photos Using Cutout.Pro

Below are the steps:


  1. Navigate to Cutout.Pro’s Photo Animer page.
  2. Select and upload the image you wish to animate via Upload Image.
  3. Customize the animation style using the Choose Exemplar slider.

cutout pro animate photo page

You can use Cutout.Pro’s Photo Animer for free. That’s, of course, if you don’t mind the giant watermark and 360p quality output. Cutout.Pro’s paid plans begin at $19 for 1 minute of video generation.

HitPaw animates your old photos by adding realistic movements to them. It’s particularly useful for bringing historical photos to life, making it seem as though the subjects are moving within their captured moments.

How to Animate Photos With HitPaw

Here’s how:


  1. Visit HitPaw’s Photo Animator page.
  2. Upload the old photo you want to animate by hitting Upload a Photo.
  3. Allow HitPaw to process the animation.

Hitpaw animate photo page-1

HitPaw allows you to download (boldly) watermarked versions of your animated photo for free. The Pro plans start at $3.99 per week.

Each of these tools offers a unique twist to animating still photos, whether it’s for entertainment, reminiscing, or artistic expression. The steps I’ve provided for each platform will help you transform your still images into animations that tell a story beyond the confines of a single frame. Feel free to explore every one of them (for free) to find the one that works best for you.

29Jun
Martin Mull, comic actor and ‘Roseanne’ star, dies at 80

Martin Mull, the comedic actor best known for his roles in “Clue,” “Roseanne,” “Arrested Development” and “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” died Thursday. He was 80.

His daughter, TV writer and producer Maggie Mull, shared the news on Instagram.

“He was known for excelling at every creative discipline imaginable and also for doing Red Roof Inn commercials,” she wrote. “He would find that joke funny. He was never not funny. My dad will be deeply missed by his wife and daughter, by his friends and coworkers, by fellow artists and comedians and musicians, and — the sign of a truly exceptional person — by many, many dogs.”

Mull, who was also a singer-songwriter, rose to fame in the 1970s on Norman Lear’s satirical soap opera “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman” and its spinoffs, “Fernwood 2 Night” and “America 2-Night.”

The dry-witted comic played Colonel Mustard in the 1985 comedy “Clue” and Teri Garr’s boss in 1983’s “Mr. Mom.” He was Roseanne’s boss, Leon Carp, on her titular sitcom, private detective Gene Parmesan on “Arrested Development” and “Sabrina the Teenage Witch’s” nosy Principal Kraft, in addition to voicing characters on animated shows, including “American Dad!” and “The Simpsons.”

The actor appeared in more than 200 Los Angeles Times articles across four decades. most recently in December. Following the death of Lear, a Times roundup of seven essential Lear shows noted Mull’s contributions to the oddball gallery of characters in “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.”

Here’s a sampling of headlines from Mull’s life as actor and as painter. A full Times appreciation is forthcoming.

Martin Mull with Steve Martin during an art talk at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica in 2014.

(Ryan Miller / Invision / AP)
29Jun
Inside a Violent Gang’s Ruthless Crypto-Stealing Home Invasion Spree

She refused to give up her password, and was, according to the prosecutors’ description, so demoralized by the earlier hacking theft of the majority of her funds that she told the men to simply shoot her. Instead, they stole her engagement ring, two iPhones, a laptop, the charger for the neurostimulator used by the other member of the household as a treatment for Parkinson’s disease, and whatever cash they could find, then left.

For their next victim, the prosecutors describe how the group targeted a man who Seemungal knew to be a fellow SIM swapping hacker and who he believed had in fact robbed him of a significant sum of cryptocurrency in 2021. To prepare for that robbery in September of 2022, they began repeatedly sending their target pizza deliveries in the hope of conditioning him to come to his door without suspicion. When the moment of their planned theft came, however, their target wasn’t home, so they instead lay in wait, then drew guns on their target when he arrived at the house.

Over the next hour, the group bound their victim’s hands behind his back with bootlaces and demanded he hand over access to his crypto accounts. When the account he gave them access to had only a small sum of crypto, they put him in the backseat of their rented Cadillac, struck his face with their guns, drove away, and began extorting his friends and father for crypto payments. Eventually, about 120 miles from their victim’s home, the men took their victim out of the car and told him to kneel. He instead escaped, as one of the men fired a gun from the moving car, though it’s not clear if the shot was intended to hit the victim or merely scare him. One of the group—who has not yet been charged—would later say that St. Felix had suggested they kill their captive.

A few months later, prosecutors write, the group carried out their next attack against another victim they believed to be a wealthy crypto-focused hacker, this time in Texas. On a road trip from Florida to start surveilling their target, St. Felix had fled from law enforcement in Louisiana, flipped his car at more than 90 miles per hour, and broken his leg. The other members of the Florida crew had been arrested after that crash. So the break-in was carried out by a newly recruited team based in the Houston area.

Just a few days before Christmas of 2022, the Texas group broke into their target’s home, bound his family members’ hands with zip ties, and repeatedly hit him in the face demanding he give them access to his cryptocurrency. Prosecutors say they shoved knives and forks under his mother’s fingernails and struck her in the face with a gun. They burned their target’s arm with a hot iron to coerce him to hand over his crypto account details, and at one point attempted to punch him in the genitals.

The victim eventually told his torturers that he had buried a device storing his cryptocurrency in the backyard. (In fact, that hardware wallet, holding $1.4 million in crypto, was in a moving box in the home that the thieves never found.) When the thieves brought their victim to the backyard to locate the device, he climbed a fence and escaped. The burglars stole $150,000 in cash as well as some jewelry, then left.

One Final Job

In early 2023, after those relatively unsuccessful attempts at extortion, an associate of Seemungal’s allegedly began feeding the group tips, hacking into potential targets’ email to see the size of their crypto holdings, and sending those leads to the home invasion crew. One Telegram chat obtained by prosecutors shows a discussion of potential targets, including someone with $1.2 million in Texas and another person with $600,000 in Tennessee.

A screen capture of the group’s Telegram chat as they discussed potential targets. A “lick” here is slang for a robbery target.

Courtesy of Dept. of Justice
29Jun
RBI Releases Financial Stability Report With Mention of DeFi, US Efforts to Regulate Crypto Sector

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has published its latest Financial Stability Report (FSR) that outlines important events that have recently taken place in the national and international banking and fintech sector. The domain of decentralised finance (DeFi) earned a brief mention in RBI’s report wherein the central bank, discussed the focus of global bodies on developments in the sector. The RBI has also touched upon efforts by the US to regulate the crypto sector.

RBI’s FSR report mentions DeFi technology

In its FSR report, the RBI acknowledged that digital financial systems have seen adoption around the world, leading to the creation of newer business models and financial distribution channels.

The advanced technologies of distributed ledger (blockchain), cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML), as per the RBI, have shown to have pertinent implications for financial systems around the world.

Talking in particular about DeFi, the report said that global regulatory bodies like the Financial Action Task Force and the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) are constantly examining developments around DeFi. These global financial whistleblowers are concerned that a rapid growth in DeFi could have effects on the broader asset market and subsequently on the global financial stability.

US efforts to regulate the crypto sector

The central bank notes that the US government is attempting to create a regulatory framework for digital assets, in the form of the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act (FIT21) legislation. The FIT21 Act is expected to and empower the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to oversee digital assets, venues and entities. As per the RBI, the FIT21 Act is also expected to ensure market certainty, while granting some form of recognition to digital assets in the country.

The RBI report also touches upon the US SEC’s decision to approve the trading of exchange traded products (ETPs) for select cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ether ETFs.

On the other hand, India’s central bank has expressed concerns around the rising number of cybercrimes connected with the crypto sector on an international level.

“Ransomware crypto payments, business email compromises and cost of data breaches surged to a new high during 2023. The financial sector has reported over 20,000 cyber intrusions and digital attacks, which resulted in losses amounting to US$ 20 billion over the last 20 years. Furthermore, cyberattacks are found to swell during periods of political and economic uncertainty such as geopolitical tensions, with disruptive consequences,” the report noted.

RBI’s stance on crypto in India appears to be unchanged

The RBI has repeatedly said it prefers that crypto be banned in the country. Since cryptocurrencies allow anonymity in transactions, the central bank is concerned that crypto assets could be exploited for illicit activities like terror financing and money laundering. The crypto sector also gives people more control over their funds and eliminates the need for intermediaries like banks to process financial transactions, which threatens the monopoly of central banks on their respective financial systems.

Even so, the DeFi sector was mentioned once in RBI’s report, and industry members in the country are already hopeful about the future of the fintech sector in India.

“The RBI released its half-yearly Financial Stability Report (FSR) today. There is very little in there for the crypto asset sector, which could be both good, or bad, depending on which way one looks at it! There is no specific negative commentary on financial stability risks from digital assets, which could again mean something, or nothing, depending on which way one looks at this,” said R Venkatesh, Head of Public Policy, CoinSwitch as commenting on the development.

The latest report appears to reaffirm the RBI’s unwillingness to accept cryptocurrencies as legitimate modes of payments in the country in the near future.

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29Jun
Microsoft AI CEO: Web content is ‘freeware’

Microsoft’s AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman believes most web content is “freeware’ that can be used for training AI models. The only exception: websites that explicitly opt out.

Freeware is any form of copyrighted software that can be freely downloaded, installed and used by end users.

The quote. Here’s what Suleyman told CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin at the Aspen Ideas Festival:

  • “…With respect to content that is already on the open web, the social contract of that content since the ’90s has been that it is fair use. Anyone can copy it, recreate with it, reproduce with it. That has been freeware, if you like. That’s been the understanding.
  • “There’s a separate category where a website or a publisher or a news organization had explicitly said, ‘do not scrape or crawl me for any other reason than indexing me so that other people can find that content.’ That’s a gray area and I think that’s going to work its way through the courts.”

Fair use or theft? Fair uses allows for limited use of copyright material (e.g., criticism, teaching, research), but what AI models do goes beyond this. The companies behind the AI models clearly want to profit from this content.

Why we care. There is no such “social contract” that I’m aware of. Microsoft (and Google) simply believe that all online content should be available for AI training. Clearly, this benefits these large multinational corporations. The actual content producers? Not so much.

Zoom out. This controversial quote comes as Microsoft, OpenAI, Google and other companies face multiple legal challenges over copyright infringement. This is also why OpenAI is signing so many content licensing deals.

The video. CEO of Microsoft AI speaks about the future of artificial intelligence at Aspen Ideas Festival (CNBC)

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About the author

Danny Goodwin

Danny Goodwin has been Managing Editor of Search Engine Land & Search Marketing Expo – SMX since 2022. He joined Search Engine Land in 2022 as Senior Editor. In addition to reporting on the latest search marketing news, he manages Search Engine Land’s SME (Subject Matter Expert) program. He also helps program U.S. SMX events.

Goodwin has been editing and writing about the latest developments and trends in search and digital marketing since 2007. He previously was Executive Editor of Search Engine Journal (from 2017 to 2022), managing editor of Momentology (from 2014-2016) and editor of Search Engine Watch (from 2007 to 2014). He has spoken at many major search conferences and virtual events, and has been sourced for his expertise by a wide range of publications and podcasts.

29Jun
Zelda Nintendo Switch Pro Controller Is Available At Walmart

The official Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom edition Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is available once again for right around retail price from Walmart’s online store. This is one of the few times we’ve seen the controller available for close to its original launch price this year–it’s $77, versus $75 MSRP–making this a great chance to pick one up if you missed out the first time. The controller is sold by a third-party seller but is shipped directly from Walmart, and all orders include free 30-day returns.

As an alternate solution, you can grab a pre-owned model of the controller for $65 at GameStop. GameStop Pro members can save a few bucks and get it for just $61.74.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Switch Pro Controller

The Tears of the Kingdom Edition Switch Pro Controller features a semi-translucent body with black and gold decals based on the Zonai ruins from the the game, and black and white colored handles. Aside from the unique looks, the pad is otherwise identical to the standard Switch Pro controller, including support for HD rumble, gyro controls, and amiibo scanning.

We’re not sure how long the Tears of the Kingdom Edition Switch Pro controller will be in stock at either store, so grab them while you can.

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller – Zelda Edition

Alternatively, you can pick up the standard Nintendo Switch Pro Controller for $63 at Walmart (was $70). It’s also worth noting that Amazon and Walmart have deals on Nintendo Switch Joy-Con controllers.

If you’re looking for more deals on officially licensed Zelda-themed Switch controllers, you can grab the Tears of the Kingdom edition of Hori’s Split Pad Pro at Amazon for $54 (was $60). You’ll find even more deals in our roundup of the best Nintendo Switch deals available ahead of Prime Day 2024. We also have a roundup of great controller deals for Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
29Jun
A dog’s puppyhood can cause ‘puppy blues’ reminiscent of baby blues

Bringing a puppy home is usually a happy event, but sometimes the life change that comes with it can provoke significant negative emotions. Researchers found that almost half of dog owners experience anxiety, weariness or frustration during their dog’s puppyhood stage.

According to a study at the University of Helsinki, some dog owners experience feelings similar to the post-natal baby blues — a short-term drop in mood and melancholy — when their dog is a puppy. Caring for a puppy gives rise to a variety of worries, fears and frustration, and it can be difficult to bond with the dog.

“The study found that these so-called ‘puppy blues’ manifest in three ways: anxiety, frustration and weariness. These often occur concurrently, but in some cases one or two of the three may be particularly prominent,” says Psychologist and Doctoral Researcher Aada Ståhl.

An anxious puppy owner’s thoughts are coloured by concerns about the puppy’s wellbeing and development, as well as about their own inadequacy in looking after their dog. Owners might blame themselves when things do not go as planned.

A frustrated puppy owner can experience dissatisfaction and stress as a result of the strain and unexpected challenges of caring for a puppy. They might find it difficult to build an emotional bond with the puppy, wish they had never got the puppy and consider relinquishing the dog.

For the exhausted puppy owner, puppyhood is a time of mental and physical strain. They might have trouble sleeping, and find the constant attention and time the puppy needs tiring and anxiety-inducing.

“Just under half of owners report having had significant negative experiences during their dog’s puppyhood phase, with only about a tenth reporting the most severe levels of strain. This is in line with the prevalence of postnatal depression. However, the negative feelings fade relatively quickly,” says Professor Hannes Lohi.

One interesting finding was that the longer the amount of time that had passed since puppyhood, the more positively people remembered it. In other words, the negative emotional content of memories of puppyhood ‘fades’ over time.

A phenomenon familiar to dog owners is now measurable for further research

The study first collected the experiences of over 100 dog owners who had experienced emotional strain after bringing a puppy home. Based on this data, a survey was developed to measure the ‘puppy blues’. The new survey collected responses from more than 2,000 dog owners, with measures taken to ensure the validity and reliability of the survey.

“Capturing the phenomenon in a measurable form is important if we are to better understand its characteristics, prevalence and duration. This will also allow us to improve understanding of the factors that may predispose owners to or protect them from the ‘puppy blues’, which will help us to develop prevention and support measures,” says Ståhl.

The study represents a new opening in the study of the relationship between humans and pets. Although the term ‘puppy blues’ is commonly used among dog owners, no comprehensive research had been done on the subject before. Exploring this phenomenon will raise awareness, which can help people to prepare for negative feelings and to better recognise and understand their own experiences.

The study is part of a wider project by Professor Hannes Lohi’s research group, which is investigating the relationship between owner and animal and its importance for wellbeing.
29Jun
From training to recovery: Expert tips on nutrition for athletes | Health

Peak athletic performance and effective recovery depend heavily on a well-planned nutritional strategy where balancing carbohydrates, proteins and fats is essential to meet energy needs and support muscle repair and growth. Research indicates athletes should aim for 45-65% of their diet from carbohydrates, 10-30% from proteins, and 25-35% from fats.

From training to recovery: Expert tips on nutrition for athletes (Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels)

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Simrat Kathuria, Founder and Dietitian at The Diet Xperts, shared, “Carbohydrates, especially complex ones from whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, are the main energy source for high-intensity activities, providing steady energy and necessary nutrients. Proteins are vital for muscle development, maintenance and repair, with lean sources such as meats, poultry, fish, eggs, legumes and soy being crucial. Healthy fats, which are often misunderstood, are essential for energy production, nutrient absorption and overall health, with sources like avocados, nuts, seeds and fatty fish recommended.”

She added, “Hydration is equally important, with adequate fluids necessary before, during and after workouts to prevent dehydration. Timing of nutrient intake matters too, with balanced meals needed 3 hours before exercise and snacks 1-2 hours prior for energy. Post-exercise, recovery foods consumed within 30 minutes and again 1-2 hours later help restore glycogen, repair muscles, and promote growth. Adequate rest and recovery allow the body to adapt to training demands. Importantly, consulting a sports dietitian can help develop a personalised nutrition plan tailored to an athlete’s specific goals, considering factors such as age, gender, body composition and training regimen.”

Bringing his expertise to the same, Shivam Dubey, Health Coach and Fitness Influencer, recommended –

  1. Total Macros: Athletes need higher macronutrient intake due to increased physical activity, with ratios varying by sport. Sprinters, for example, might consume 55% carbs, 25% protein, and 20% fat. Their meals could include oatmeal with berries, a chicken quinoa salad and salmon with sweet potato.
  2. Pre and Post Nutrition: For pre-workout, choose easy-to-digest protein and carbs like eggs and rice. A footballer could have scrambled eggs with rice 2 hours before a match. Post-game, a whey protein shake with bananas helps replenish glycogen and aid muscle recovery.
  3. Hydration: To maintain performance, it is recommended to drink 400-800 ml of water in the 2 hours before a game. Sip water or a sports drink every 20 minutes during and rehydrate post-game with water, electrolytes and carbohydrates.
  4. Vitamins and Minerals: For athletes it is especially important to meet the RDA for all vitamins and minerals. For example the RDA for Vitamin C is 80mg, so the athlete can have 1 guava a day to ensure this. Similarly the athlete should try to meet the RDA for all necessary micronutrients.
  5. Ergogenic Aids: Even a 1-2% performance boost can be significant for athletes. Supplements like caffeine and creatine can improve performance by 3-5%. Athletes should try scientifically backed, WADA-approved supplements for better performance.
29Jun
Merck’s pneumococcal vaccine gets CDC panel backing

Dive Brief:

  • Advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday unanimously recommended Merck & Co.’s recently approved pneumococcal vaccine for use in adults aged 65 years and older and in younger adults with certain health conditions who haven’t previously received a shot.
  • The recommendation puts Merck’s vaccine, called Capvaxive, in the same bucket as Pfizer’s Prevnar 20 shot and Merck’s earlier pneumococcal products Vaxneuvance and Pneumovax. Capvaxive was approved by the Food and Drug Administration earlier this month to prevent invasive pneumococcal disease and pneumonia.
  • Pfizer’s Prevnar franchise has long been dominant in the pneumococcal market. Merck hopes to compete with Vaxneuvance and Capvaxive, although it’s not clear how much share it might yet win.

Dive Insight:

Pneumococcal disease can lead to severe infections in the lungs such as pneumonia or meningitis. Older adults and people with certain health conditions are at higher risk of disease.

Capvaxive is Merck’s latest entrant in the pneumococcal vaccine market and offers broad coverage against 21 types of the bacteria that causes pneumococcal disease. Eight of those serotypes are not covered by other shots.

The CDC panel specifically voted to recommend a single Capvaxive dose in adults older than 65 with no prior pneumococcal vaccination or whose vaccination history is unknown. Adults aged 19 to 64 years old who have certain underlying health conditions and no previous record of receiving a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine can also receive the shot, the advisers indicated.

The panel postponed discussion of lowering the age-based recommendation for pneumococcal vaccination to 50 from 65, however. They expect to take that question up at an October meeting.

“When they pick this decision back up in October, we believe the committee will lower the age for vaccination to 50 and recommend both Capvaxive and Prevnar 20,” wrote Leerink Partners analyst Daina Graybosch in a note to clients. “This, as in the current market, will put the companies on equal footing and put Capvaxive sales in the hands of Merck’s commercial organization.”

Another pneumococcal vaccine developer, Vaxcyte, predicts substantial growth in the overall market, forecasts annual sales to reach about $13 billion by 2027, up from $8 billion today.

Total sales for Merck’s Vaxneuvance and Pneumovax 23 totaled over $1 billion in 2023. Pfizer’s Prevnar franchise generated over $6 billion in sales.

Merck previously said Capvaxive would be available as soon as late July.
29Jun
Why neighbourhood has never been so important when investing in property

Key takeaways

Investors should focus on selecting the right neighbourhood when making their property buying decisions, as socio-economic dynamics and lifestyle preferences shape today’s property market.

80% of a property’s performance is dependent on the location and its neighbourhood, and today’s property investors and homebuyers are placing an unprecedented emphasis on lifestyle. These ‘liveable’ neighbourhoods with abundant amenities are where capital growth will outperform.

What makes a good neighbourhood? Generally, a good neighbourhood is determined by its physical location, suburb character and its close proximity to amenities such as a shopping strip, park, coffee shops, education, and even some jobs.

Over the next few years, our property markets will be more fragmented as high interest rates and inflation will continue to eat away at the average Australian’s household budget. This will impact negatively on the lower end of the property market and cause little impetus for capital growth.

In the ever-evolving landscape of real estate there has been a notable shift in focus towards neighbourhood when home owners have been making their buying decisions.

And investors should similarly focus on selecting the right neighbourhood as this trend transcends mere aesthetic appeal or status symbols; it delves into the more profound aspects of socio-economic dynamics and lifestyle preferences shaping today’s property market.

Remember it wasn’t that long ago that the coronavirus pandemic of 2020 and 2021 forced all Australians to reevaluate how we live our lives.

And it wasn’t that long ago that offices were shut, and lockdowns were in place and that resulted in many of us working from home.

Now that our lives are back to normal, people are likely to continue working flexible rosters and hybrid situations where we work at least part-time from home are here to stay.

This means gone are the days where our ‘home’ was simply the place we rest our heads and enjoy some downtime between work and our social lives – the coronavirus social distancing has put an end to life as we once knew it.

If social distancing and the Covid-19 environment have taught us anything, it has taught us the importance of the neighbourhood we live in.

If you can leave your home and be within walking distance of, or a short trip to, a great shopping strip, your favourite coffee shop, amenities, the beach, or a great park, the recently implemented coronavirus restrictions might seem a little more palatable than if you had none of that on your doorstep.

That’s why choosing the right neighbourhood is important for property investors

In short, it’s all to do with capital growth, and we all know capital growth is critical for investment success, or just to create more stored wealth in the value of your home.

Sure there is always the opportunity to add value through renovating your property or making a quick buck when buying well.

But these are “one off’s” and won’t make a long-term difference if your property is not in the right location because you can’t change its location.

This is key because we know that 80% of a property’s performance is dependent on the location and its neighbourhood.

In fact, some locations have even outperformed others by 50-100% over the past decade.

And today’s property investors and homebuyers are placing an unprecedented emphasis on lifestyle.

It’s not just about finding a place to live, but about discovering a place that aligns with one’s way of life.

This is especially true in urban centers like Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane where neighbourhoods offering a mix of cultural experiences, entertainment options, and leisure activities are highly sought after.

These ‘liveable’ neighbourhoods with abundant amenities are where capital growth will outperform.

What makes a ‘good’ neighbourhood?

A good neighbourhood means different things to different people, but there are some key factors that help to determine which locations have the potential to grow in value faster in the future.

Neighbourhood2

Generally, a good neighbourhood is determined by its physical location, suburb character and its close proximity to amenities such as a shopping strip, park, coffee shops, education, and even some jobs.

It’s obvious then that today more people will want to be in a location where everything they need is in short 20-minute proximity – whether that is on public transport, bike ride or walks – to their home.

In planning circles, this concept is known as the ‘20-minute neighbourhood’.

Many inner suburbs of Australia’s capital cities and parts of their middle suburbs already meet the 20-minute neighbourhood tests, but very few outer suburbs do because there is a lower developmental density, less diversity in its community and less access to public transport.

The key criteria for a ‘good’ neighbourhood

Here is a list of 7 primary neighbourhood factors which have the potential to drive up property prices:

1. Close proximity to public transport

School Zone

A key factor to consider is a suburb’s connectivity and infrastructure.

Neighbourhoods with properties that are within walking distance of public transport, such as the train, tram, bus, ferry or light rail, are popular with buyers and therefore are likely to add value over the longer term.

2. Close proximity to schools

While the quality of local schools has always been a crucial factor in property investment, its importance has escalated in recent years.

Families are more willing than ever to pay a premium for properties located in top school zones, driving up demand and prices in these areas.

Interestingly during the property downturn of 2022, the top 10 primary and top 10 secondary school catchment zones nationwide all reported house price growth of at least 25% year-on-year.

3. Accessible amenities

 As I have already mentioned, a neighbourhood with all the local amenities you could want – parks, shops, restaurants, cafes, gyms, the beach etc. – would fetch a premium price for its local properties.

And don’t forget the green factor.”

Green spaces, parks, and environmental quality are no longer just ‘nice-to-haves’.

In the wake of increased environmental awareness, these features have become significant determinants in property investment.
29Jun
NHL legacies and hockey dads: How Jarome Iginla and Byron Ritchie are preparing for the draft

Byron Ritchie jotted out a quick note on his phone and sent off a text to Jarome Iginla, his former Calgary Flames teammate.

Ritchie’s son Ryder was mired in a goal-scoring slump, and Ritchie asked Iginla if he could watch a few of his son’s shifts. “Just see if you’re seeing something different than I am,” Byron asked.

It was one hockey dad asking another for advice, but in truth, less personal versions of this type of exchange are commonplace for Ritchie and Iginla. The two former NHL forwards played together in Calgary for two seasons nearly 20 years ago. They both made their offseason homes in the Okanagan, a picturesque locale in the interior of British Columbia that’s popular among NHL players.

In August 2006, following their first year as teammates in Calgary, Ritchie’s wife, Maria Johansson, and Jarome’s wife, Kara Iginla, both gave birth to sons. Ryder was born on Aug. 3. Tij Iginla arrived the very next day.

Now the two 17-year-olds are top NHL prospects heading into this weekend’s NHL Draft in Las Vegas and working through the pressures of draft eligibility together at RINK Hockey Academy in Kelowna. Jarome Iginla coaches the academy’s U18 team — including his son Joe, who made his WHL debut as a 15-year-old this season — while Byron Ritchie works with players at all levels as a skills development coach.

So when Iginla watched Ryder’s shifts in late November, he came back with a simple suggestion: Turn off your brain.

“As a guy who loves to score and wants to score, it’s all you think about when you’re not doing it,” Ryder says. “’Oh, I haven’t scored in six games,’ and then, ‘Oh no, it’s been seven now.’

“So I’m sitting at home eating dinner and I can’t stop thinking about getting that goal.”

Then Iginla called and told Ryder to do something to take his mind off hockey. “Don’t think about the game,” he told him. “Read. Go for a movie. Just be a kid. Get away from things for a bit.’”

Though he was a fearsome power forward during his playing days, Iginla takes a patient, measured approach to developing young players — including his sons Joe and Tij, and his daughter, Jade, all high-level hockey prospects.

“It’s hard when you’re in it as a player,” Iginla says. “You want to just work harder, work harder. Just keep pushing, you know, break through. But sometimes the best thing is to find something else. Give your brain a rest.”

Iginla and his family settled in Boston after his Hall of Fame playing career concluded in 2017.

With three young children, all ambitious athletes, sports were the primary factor in their decision. Boston had more options for high-level baseball and hockey with easier travel. And just as his children got more into hockey, Jarome found an outlet that helped him adjust to life after the NHL.

“You’ve heard it lots from retired players, but it’s a big adjustment to go from playing and all that comes with it,” he says. “Having to be everywhere, getting to enjoy the competition, and the energy of the game and the wins and losses and just being around the game. It was a big adjustment that first year, but being able to coach really helped.”

While Jade played prep hockey and eventually headed to Shattuck St. Mary’s in Minnesota, Jarome became a co-coach for Tij and Joe’s hockey teams.


In the summers, Iginla will rent ice for his three children: Tij, pictured here with his dad, Joe and Jade. (Courtesy of Jarome Iginla)

“Every night we had a practice or a game, so that kept me busy and kept me part of it,” Iginla says. “I love the game and it was nice to be able to share that, yes with my own kids, but it was also competitive hockey, so it gave me a chance to share it with other kids that want to get better and are into it.”

Eventually, the lure of moving back to Western Canada took hold. Jade was being recruited to play Division 1 college hockey. His sons were serious about pursuing an NHL path, and Jarome wanted them to play in Canada’s Western Hockey League.

“You know our job as parents is to try and help them,” Iginla says, “but also to make sure they keep their options open with their schooling. We believe, though, that if you want it, you work towards it and give it your best shot.”

The combination of significant ice time for aspiring athletes and the educational side of it in the Western Canadian Academy system appealed to the Iginlas.

“So I spoke with Byron, and we took the opportunity,” Iginla says.

Working together came naturally for the former NHL teammates.

“We go back 30 freaking years,” Ritchie says, noting that they had played U17 hockey together.

“You always have that kind of connection with your teammates. And then you have kids one day apart, right? … We just kept in touch.”

The Iginlas enrolled all three kids at RINK, and Jarome joined the academy as a youth coach and began working with his former teammate. Meanwhile, Tij joined a U18 team and played on a line with Ryder.

“Byron and Jarome are so in tune with trying to develop the modern hockey player,”  says RINK executive director Mako Balkovec. “The fact that they have kids here too gives them a vested interest and I think it’s why they bring a certain joy in working with other players, too.

“Byron is very intense, similar to the type of player he was. He’s into it, very demanding. And it shows in how his teams play. And then for the kids, once they get past the — ‘Oh, wow, that’s Jarome Iginla’ — of it, he’s so invested in working with young players. It’s just an incredible opportunity.”

In the winters, especially when Iginla was still playing in Calgary, he’d come home after games and flood his backyard to maintain a rink for his children.

“It was pretty peaceful,” he recalls. “I’d get back at midnight, coming off the road, the stars are out and it’s so quiet out there. Then once you start putting the water on, you start to take pride in it. Make sure it’s not bumpy, make sure the kids don’t complain. It was actually a good stress reliever.”

In the summers, and to this day, Jarome will rent ice for himself and his three children. They’ll run drills, do some skills work, and then play two-on-two.

The teams are always the same: Jarome and his youngest son, Joe, against Jade and Tij.

“In the winter outdoors, we’d play two-on-two all the time, no goalie, so you have to go bar down, and me and Jade are always a team against Joe and Dad,” Tij recalls.

“Usually me and Jade won,” Tij adds confidently. “Our record was pretty good.”


Tij and Ryder, who were born one day apart in the summer of 2006, share a high-octane pace and highly skilled play style. (Courtesy of Jarome Iginla)

“For a long time, I was able to manipulate who wins, just try a little harder, try a little less, and share the wins around because the kids would get so mad,” Iginla says.

“Then … Jade and Tij started getting better. Near the end there, Tij was 14 and Jade was 16 and I couldn’t control it anymore. I wasn’t as good in tight spaces anymore. People would say ‘What do you mean, you can’t beat them?’ Well, come on, I couldn’t body check them! And Tij and Jade were just too good in those tight spaces.

“I’d start coming in at the end of the day and Joe would be so mad that we hadn’t won in a while, and now my wife, Kara, is mad at me, like ‘Why aren’t you ever winning?’ and I’d have to tell her ‘I’m trying!’”

What started as a pair of former NHLers and committed hockey dads coaching their own kids has evolved into something more.

Tij and Ryder share a high-octane pace and highly skilled play style. It’s partly why Tij, ranked as the ninth-best North American skater by NHL Central Scouting ahead of the draft, is considered a likely top-10 pick. Ryder should hear his name called late in the first round or early in the second.

“Growing up and as you get older, coaches tighten it up a little,” Tij says, “but my dad and Byron have a good understanding of development. You might make the odd mistake, but what matters is hustling back when you do.

“That’s the thing about my dad. He looks at what’s changed in the game. He’s not stuck in any old-school ways. He’s always on his iPad looking at stuff, looking at new drills and skills.”

That’s another shared trait between the two dads. Their active group chat with RINK staff includes tons of clips from all levels of hockey, a flowing and constant conversation about the game’s evolution, new drills, debating the value of the newest fad in skills development.

Byron, for example, honed his approach as a skills coach in conversation with his CAA colleague Jim Hughes.


In addition to his work at RINK, Byron Ritchie leads recruiting and player development in Western Canada for CAA. (Courtesy of Byron Ritchie)

“I think small-area games, not just two-on-two cross-ice, but there’s a lot of different small-area games and competitive small-area games where players have to turn their brains on to find open ice,” he says. “Put nets in odd places, crazy things like that, three-on-twos and four-on-threes and the offensive team is outnumbered. Those tweaks, I think, help trigger the brains of skilled players and challenge them to make plays and find space.”

Ultimately the impact of the Iginla-Ritchie partnership at RINK Hockey Academy has expanded beyond the development of their own sons. At this point, some of the most intriguing young players on the continent — including probable 2026 first overall pick Gavin McKenna and Wisconsin-bound offensive defender Chloe Primerano, probably the best women’s hockey prospect to ever come out of Western Canada — are training at RINK and billeting with the Ritchie family.

“He pushes me, and I love it,” says McKenna of the relationship he’s built with Ritchie. “He’s my agent, he’s been my coach, I live here during the summer. He’s been through it all himself, so he’s helped me understand how hard I need to work, even how I have to eat, to get to where I want to go.”

The draft is the culmination of a long-held dream for top hockey players and their families, but it also represents the beginning of the journey.

For Ryder and Tij, and their dads, however, there’s also a sense of relief that will come with the start of a new chapter.

“It’s a lot of pressure in your draft year and I remember it well,” Jarome says. “When you’re getting drafted it’s a unique thing, because you’re constantly getting critiqued and everyone is watching and judging. It’s part of the game, but in your draft year, it just feels like everything is magnified.

“Both Ryder and Tij have done a good job at it, but it’s nice as a parent to know that they’re almost through it.”

(Illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; photos: Jonathan Kozub, Dale Preston / Getty Images)
29Jun
Best Wi-Fi Routers of 2024

Since we have multiple wireless devices like laptops, smartphones, and tablets, Wi-Fi is essential. However, Wi-Fi routers are often overlooked since you might already have a modem-and-router combo provided by your ISP. Those aren’t the best, though, and there’s a good chance your Wi-Fi is being held back by outdated hardware. Separate the modem and router by getting a dedicated Wi-Fi router!



TP-Link

Whether you live in a 1200-square-foot apartment or a 2000-square-foot home, the TP-Link Archer AX55 Pro is more than enough to provide Wi-Fi to every corner. In fact, all four antennas can be pointed in different directions or grouped together to create a stronger signal.

That’s not all: the TP-Link Archer AX55 Pro also features MU-MIMO and OFDMA technology, which reduces the overall congestion and latency that users inevitably experience when sharing the same network.

Lastly, the 2.5Gbps WAN/LAN port is a welcome addition, considering ISP speeds are getting faster and faster. It’s nice having that extra wiggle room, even if your internet doesn’t exceed a gigabyte. However, if your network is under a gigabyte, the TP-Link Archer AX55 offers the same features minus the 2.5Gbps WAN/LAN port.


tp-link archer ax55 pro wi-firouter

Best Overall

TP-Link Archer AX55 Pro

$130 $150 Save $20

The TP-Link Archer AX55 Pro is the golden child of our picks, striking a nice balance of performance and features without being overpriced. It’s perfectly suited for medium to large homes, although you may need to consider OneMesh extenders if it’s too large.

Pros

  • Wi-Fi 6 + 2.5Gbps WAN/LAN
  • Works exceptionally well in medium-sized homes
  • MU-MIMO, OFMDA, and beamforming technology
  • Supports VPN client and servers
Cons

  • OneMesh extenders are recommended in large homes

MSI Radix AXE6600 wi-fi router
MSI

Don’t be fooled by the MSI RadiX AXE6600’s aesthetic. Though its design will surely attract gamers, its performance is beneficial no matter what you do, and that comes down to its performance and features.

With Wi-Fi 6E providing lower latency by nature, the MSI RadiX AXE6600 takes the ball and runs with it. By combining AI QoS, OFMDA, and MU-MIMO technology, you’re far less susceptible to latency issues. MU-MIMO is certainly the MVP here, which serves to split traffic into more manageable queues as opposed to a single lane. That’s beneficial whether you’re gaming or just uploading and downloading images, videos, and so on.


MSI Radix AXE6600

Best Wi-Fi 6E Router

MSI RadiX AXE6600

The MSI RadiX AXE660 fully utilizes Wi-Fi 6E and its capabilities, providing superb performance on its 6Ghz band and even its 5Ghz band. Its mobile app and web interface are also incredibly intuitive, making it rather easy to adjust your network settings.

Pros

  • Excellent performance from both 5Ghz and 6Ghz bands
  • OFMDA, MU-MIMO, and beamforming technology
  • Tri-band design
  • Intuitive mobile app and web interface
Cons

  • 2.4Ghz band is average at best

tp-link archer a8 wi-fi router
TP-Link

Finding a Wi-Fi router on a budget is tricky, but look no further than the TP-Link Archer A8. It features both a 5Ghz and 2.4Ghz band, capable of handling 1300Mbps and 600Mbps, respectively. For a family of four, that’s plenty to maintain a good Wi-Fi connection in a small home.

The TP-Link Archer A8’s best feature is arguably MU-MIMO technology, which allows multiple devices to have their requests carried out at the same time. In practice, this makes your internet connection feel much snappier. The TP-Link Tether app goes beyond usual settings and includes features like parental controls and the ability to create a guest network for others to use temporarily.


tp-link archer a8 with three antennas

Best Budget

TP-Link Archer A8

$60 $80 Save $20

If you don’t need a Wi-Fi router with too many bells and whistles, the TP-Link Archer A8 is far more conscious of your budget while maintaining a few standout features like MU-MIMO and WPA3 encryption. Thanks to the TP-Link Tether app, it’s also very easy to set up.

Pros

  • 1300Mbps and 600Mbps on 5Ghz and 2.4Ghz bands, respectively
  • Good suite of parental controls
  • MU-MIMO technology reduces latency
Cons

  • Struggles with anything bigger than a small apartment/house

Best Wi-Fi Router for Gaming: ASUS RT-AX86U

asus rt-ax86u wifi router front and back
ASUS

Your average Wi-Fi router might be fine for casual gaming, but many popular titles are multiplayer and require more. With the ASUS RT-AX86U, you’re getting a lot more, considering it’s built with gaming in mind.

The ASUS RT-AX86U features adaptive QoS, which is incredibly handy to have if you game and stream at the same time. Devices higher on the list will experience even lower latency—a must-have feature when you’re gaming, especially competitively.

Two other gaming-centric features are Boost Mode and a dedicated gaming port. The latter is simply an Ethernet port that prioritizes any device wired via Ethernet cable, whereas Boost Mode is specifically for mobile devices, which you can enable at any time.


ASUS RT-AX86U wifi router

Best for Gaming

Asus RT-AX86U

Given its ability to prioritize network traffic as you see fit and its low-latency performance, the ASUS RT-AX86U is the go-to for gaming. Its boost mode and dedicated gaming port ensure you get the best connection, not everyone else in the house.

Pros

  • Incredibly low-latency + adaptive QoS
  • Wi-Fi 6
  • Boost mode comes in handy for mobile gaming
  • ?Gamer? aesthetic without being gaudy
Cons

  • Have to be comfortable diving into network settings

TP-Link Deco W7200 on entertainmet center, next to television
TP-Link

If you already have a Wi-Fi router and just need to extend the signal, the TP-Link Deco W7200 is arguably the best option given its performance and well-rounded features. Not to mention, it’s one step removed from plug-and-play, so if you’re someone who isn’t tech-savvy, TP-Link makes it incredibly easy.

The TP-Link Deco W7200’s best feature is its tri-band design, which includes a 2.4Ghz band and two 5Ghz bands. While the 2.4Ghz band is starting to show its age, it still comes in handy for handling smart home devices, like smart lights and cleaning gadgets.


It offers some future-proofing with support for Wi-Fi 6. However, if you want something beyond that, like 6E or even Wi-Fi 7, there’s the Deco XE75 and the BE10000, respectively.

TP-Link Deco W7200 router mesh system

Best Mesh Router System

TP-Link Deco W7200

With support for Wi-Fi 6 and two 5Ghz bands, the TP-Link Deco W7200 is a one-two-punch mesh system with performance to boot. Best of all, it has TP-Link’s signature easy installation process.

Pros

  • Up to 3 in a pack
  • Incredibly easy setup
  • Tri-band design
  • Wide coverage

FAQ

Q: What does Wi-Fi stand for?

To be accurate, Wi-Fi doesn’t stand for anything; however, it’s commonly referred to as a shortened version of “wireless fidelity.”

Q: What is Wi-Fi 6 and 6E?

Wi-Fi is split into various standards and each subsequent generation has better performance. For example Wi-Fi 6 is better than Wi-Fi 5. In other words, Wi-Fi 6 is just another generation of the technology.

In the case of Wi-Fi 6E, it acts as an extension of Wi-Fi 6. The most notably difference between 6 and 6E is that 6E can operate in the 6Ghz band, whereas Wi-Fi 6 is limited to 5Ghz.

Q: What is Wi-Fi 7?

Wi-Fi 7 is yet another standard that improves upon the last generation of wireless technology. It has a much higher link rate and can operate in the 6Ghz band, just like 6E.


Q: Do I need both a modem and router for internet?

It depends on what kind of modem you have. Your run-of-the-mill modem these days will act as a gateway to the internet via Ethernet and Wi-Fi.

If you were given one from your ISP and you have Wi-Fi, then that means your modem is both a modem and a router.

Q: How do I connect the Wi-Fi router to my internet?

Assuming you have your modem already connected to the internet:

  1. Connect an Ethernet cable into the AN port of your Wi-Fi router. It’s labeled “WAN.”
  2. Now connect the other end of the Ethernet cable into your modem. You can use any of the Ethernet ports at the back.
  3. Using your Wi-Fi router’s SSID and network key (located on the router itself), you can then activate your router through your browser.

Depending on the kind of Wi-Fi router you purchase, there may be a proprietary app that makes the setup even easier.

Q: What is the difference between a wireless router and Wi-Fi router?

There aren’t any. A wireless router and Wi-Fi router are synonyms for the same technology.

28Jun
Box office: Kevin Costner’s ‘Horizon’ starts with soft $800,000

Kevin Costner’s western gamble “Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1” got off to a soft start at the box office, bringing in just $800,000 from more than 3,000 locations Thursday, according to studio estimates.

Many in Hollywood are closely watching the box office performance of Costner’s ambitious and risky “Horizon” this weekend, the first of a planned four-part series that is being funded in part by the star himself.

Alongside Costner, who directs, co-writes and produces as well as stars in the movie, the western saga set on the frontier during the Civil War also features Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jena Malone, Luke Wilson, Isabelle Fuhrman, Tatanka Means, Ella Hunt, Abbey Lee, Hayes Costner and Danny Huston.

Going into the weekend, analysts had predicted an opening weekend box office take of $10 million to $12 million in the U.S. and Canada for the Warner Bros. feature, a tepid start. The filmmakers and studio are hoping the movie’s prospects will be boosted by the heartland audiences and older moviegoers who make up Costner’s fan base.

Kevin Costner in “Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1.”

(Warner Bros. Pictures)

Costner stepped away from the wildly successful Taylor Sheridan-created Paramount television series “Yellowstone” to devote himself to the “Horizon” project, which he has wanted to make for decades. Costner previously bet on himself when he put some of his own money into 1990’s “Dances With Wolves,” which would go on to make more than $400 million worldwide and win seven Academy Awards including best picture and director.

“Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2” is set for release in theaters on Aug. 16.

Paramount Pictures’ “A Quiet Place: Day One,” playing on more than 3,700 screens this weekend, made some noise at the box office on Thursday night, bringing in $6.8 million in previews. The two previous installments in the franchise brought in $4.3 million and $4.8 million, respectively.

Directed by Michael Sarnoski, who captured attention with the Nicolas Cage-starring “Pig,” the new “Day One” is the first film in the “Quiet Place” franchise not directed by John Krasinski. Krasiniski, who also starred in the first film, does share a story credit on the new movie with Sarnoski, who wrote the screenplay.

The prequel has been pegged for a domestic debut of $40 million to $50 million, according to prerelease audience surveys.

Joseph Quinn as "Eric" and Lupita Nyong’o as "Samira" in "A Quiet Place: Day One."

Joseph Quinn as “Eric” and Lupita Nyong’o as “Samira” in “A Quiet Place: Day One.”

(Gareth Gatrell/Paramount Pictures)

The film stars Lupita Nyong’o and Joseph Quinn, both new to the series, as the story follows the first arrival on Earth of the alien creatures who attack anything making a sound.

The winner for the weekend is nevertheless expected to be Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2,” which has proven to be a box office juggernaut. The film should cross the $1-billion mark this weekend, the first movie to do so since last year’s “Barbie.”
28Jun
Bolivia Reverses Bitcoin Ban, Legalises Crypto Transactions for Banks

The central bank of Bolivia has decided to lift a ban on payments using Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies imposed in 2014. The country is aiming to balance its economy, while modernising its payment systems. Bolivia has become the latest Latin American country to take a pro-crypto stance, even though Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies are yet to be recognised as legal tender in the region. The central bank will also allow banks to make crypto transactions — a restriction that was implemented in 2020.

Bolivia’s new stance on cryptocurrency and crypto transactions

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Banco Central de Bolilvia announced that it was reversing its ban on cryptocurrency payments in the country, including Bitcoin transactions. The decision was made in collaboration with the Financial System Supervisory Authority (Autoridad de Supervisión del Sistema Financiero) and the Financial Investigation Unit (Unidad de Investigaciones Financieras).

According to Statista, the national debt in Bolivia is projected to increase by $21.2 billion (roughly Rs. 1,76,746 crore) between 2024 and 2029 .

The Bolivian bank has decided to let banks use approved electronic channels and facilitate crypto payments. While Bolivia’s central bank has yet to recognise Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies as legal tender, allowing these transactions could fetch the country more in remittances since cross border crypto transactions are instant and typically free of charge.

In addition, Bolivia has been taking steps to reduce its reliance on the US dollar, especially after back-to-back interest rate hikes in recent months announced by the US Fed to cope with the post-pandemic economic slump. In July 2023, Bolivia reportedly challenged the dominance of the US dollar by turning focus to the Chinese yuan and the Russian ruble.

Other countries in Latin America doubling down on crypto

El Salvador became the first in the world to legalise Bitcoin as a legitimate currency back in September 2021. Salvadoran president Nayib Bukele is continuing efforts to convert the country into a completely pro-BTC region, rife for crypto-related businesses to set up shops in. Brazil is another country that has taken pro-crypto steps in recent years.
28Jun
Google expands Product Studio to new markets, adds features

Google is rolling out its AI-powered Product Studio to merchants in the UK, India, and Japan, while introducing new features to streamline product image creation.

Why it matters. This expansion gives more e-commerce businesses access to free tools for creating high-quality product images, potentially leveling the playing field for smaller merchants competing in a visually-driven online marketplace.

The big picture: Product Studio, part of Google’s Merchant Center Next, now serves merchants in six countries: the US, UK, Canada, Australia, India, and Japan.

Why we care. Advertisers should care about this update as it allows for adding their own assets to the Product Studio giving a higher likelihood for creating not just high quality product images but also having a higher relevancy to their brand.

What’s new.

  1. File upload: Merchants can now directly upload new product images to Product Studio.
  2. Seasonal themes: New templates for wedding and vacation scenes have been added.
  3. Geographic expansion: The tool is now available in three new countries.

What’s next. Google has teased upcoming features, including:

  • Conversion of static images to videos
  • AI-generated visuals matching a brand’s style from a single reference image

How to access. Merchants can use Product Studio through Merchant Center Next or the Google & YouTube app on Shopify.

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About the author

Anu Adegbola

Anu Adegbola has been Paid Media Editor of Search Engine Land since 2024. She covers paid search, paid social, retail media, video and more.

In 2008, Anu’s career started with

 delivering digital marketing campaigns (mostly but not exclusively Paid Search) by building strategies, maximising ROI, automating repetitive processes and bringing efficiency from every part of marketing departments through inspiring leadership both on agency, client and marketing tech side.

 

Outside editing Search Engine Land article she is the founder of PPC networking event – PPC Live, host of weekly podcast PPCChat Roundup, and brand evangelist at ClickTech. 

 

She is also an international speaker with some of the stages she has presented on being SMX (US), SMX (Munich), Friends of Search (Amsterdam), brightonSEO, The Marketing Meetup, HeroConf (PPC Hero), SearchLove, BiddableWorld, SESLondon, PPC Chat Live, AdWorld Experience (Bologna) and more.
28Jun
From Software Addresses And Explains Elden Ring PC Issues

From Software’s DLC for Elden Ring, Shadow of the Erdtree, has been facing performance issues for PC since it launched last week. It appears that the issues may be due to external mouse-control software that players are using.

The official Japanese From Software Player Support X/Twitter account further explains how this may be the issue that PC players are running into. The tweet (machine-translated) reads:

Now Playing: ELDEN RING Shadow Of The Erdtree – Official “United In Shadow” Live Action Launch Trailer

“[ELDEN RING] In the PC version, the frame rate may not be stable when playing the game while running a mouse-control related app. In that case, please try playing the game after stopping the mouse-control related app.”

The day-one patch for Shadow of the Erdtree added various new features to the game. These included a new “Recent Items” tab that helped players easily find new items. In addition, players can now ride Torrent in the final boss fight of the base game. More recently, From Software added another patch, which made Shadow of the Erdtree a bit easier for those who may be stuck.

In our Shadow of the Erdtree review, Tamoor Hussain wrote, “Elden Ring was a masterful open-world game that I would describe as generation-defining–it will go down in history as one of the all-time greats. But, when the final blow was struck in the Land of Shadow and my journey came to an end, I couldn’t help but reflect on how it has made me feel and what has stuck with me.”
28Jun
Analysis suggests 2021 Texas abortion ban resulted in increase in infant deaths in state in year after law went into effect

A study led by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health researchers estimates that infant deaths in Texas increased more than expected in the year following the state’s 2021 ban on abortion in early pregnancy, especially among infants with congenital anomalies.

The Texas law prohibiting abortions after a fetal heartbeat could be detected — as early as five or six weeks — went into effect September 1, 2021. At the time, the law — Senate Bill 8, or S.B. 8 — was the most stringent state abortion law in the country. It did not allow exemptions for congenital anomalies.

The researchers’ analysis of monthly death certificate data in Texas and the rest of the United States found that between 2021 and 2022, infant deaths in Texas rose from 1,985 to 2,240, a year-over-year increase of 255 deaths. This corresponds to a 12.9 percent increase in infant deaths in Texas versus a 1.8 percent increase in infant deaths in the rest of the U.S. during the same period. The study defines infants as under 12 months old.

The study was published online June 24 in JAMA Pediatrics.

The findings come as more U.S. states enact stricter abortion laws following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs decision, the landmark ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade and returned abortion policymaking to the states.

To approximate the causal impact of S.B. 8, the authors narrowed their analysis to examine changes in the expected number of infant deaths in Texas from March to December 2022 — the time period that captures the first set of pregnancies under S.B. 8. The researchers estimate there were 216 excess infant deaths in Texas that would most likely not have occurred from March to December 2022 had the state’s abortion law not been in place. This is equivalent to a 12.7 percent increase above the expected 1,697 infant deaths for this time period. There were 1,913 observed deaths in Texas from March to December 2022.

An analysis of neonatal deaths — deaths in the first 28 days — found similar patterns, with an estimated 145 excess deaths in the post-policy period. These results were not observed in other states.

The new study is thought to be the first to examine how the Texas abortion ban may have impacted infant deaths in the state and is among the first to present evidence evaluating recent abortion bans and pre-viability restrictions. Prior research has shown that states with more abortion restrictions see more infant deaths than those without. The authors note that these earlier studies evaluate fundamentally different and less severe abortion restrictions and primarily examine correlation.

“Our study is particularly relevant given the June 2022 Dobbs Supreme Court decision that returned abortion lawmaking to states and subsequent rollbacks of reproductive rights in many states,” says Alison Gemmill, PhD, assistant professor in the Bloomberg School’s Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health and one of the study’s lead authors. “These findings suggest that restrictive abortion policies may have important unintended consequences in terms of infant health and the associated trauma to families and medical costs.”

For their month-by-month causal analysis, the researchers drew from infant death certificates in Texas and 28 comparison states from 2018 through 2022. They excluded the District of Columbia and several states that had fewer than 10 infant deaths in any month from 2018 to 2022, as the exact counts are not provided in currently publicly available data. The researchers selected March 2022 as the first cohort exposed to the Texas abortion policy because these infants, if born full term, would have been approximately 10 to 14 weeks gestation when the Texas law went into effect in September 2021. Before S.B. 8’s enactment, people would have been able to seek termination in the event a fetal issue was detected during screening prior to 20 weeks gestation.

In an analysis of cause of death using all 2021 and 2022 death certificate data, the researchers found that Texas had atypical increases in infant deaths due to congenital anomalies, the leading cause of infant death. Infant deaths attributable to congenital anomalies increased 22.9 percent in Texas between 2021 and 2022 versus a decrease of 3.1 percent in the rest of the U.S. during the same period. Another divergent cause of death pattern in Texas was infant deaths from accidents, which increased by 21 percent in Texas versus a one percent increase in the rest of the U.S.

“Our results suggest that restrictive abortion policies that limit pregnant people’s ability to terminate pregnancies, particularly those with fetal abnormalities diagnosed later in pregnancy, may lead to increases in infant mortality,” says Suzanne Bell, PhD, MPH, assistant professor in the Bloomberg School’s Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health and one of the study’s lead authors. “These findings make clear the potentially devastating consequences abortion bans can have on pregnant people and families who are unable to overcome barriers to this essential reproductive health service.”

The authors note that the data did not include maternal and clinical characteristics of infant deaths, thus limiting the authors’ ability to explore potential mechanisms behind these findings.

The researchers are currently studying the impact across socioeconomic groups that abortion bans have on live births and infant mortality in Texas and other states that banned abortion following Dobbs.

This study was supported by the Hopkins Population Center from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (P2CHD042854).
28Jun
International Journal of Law Mgmt & Humanities

The International Journal of Law Management & Humanities invites Research papers, Articles, Short Notes, Book Reviews, Case Commentaries, and other related materials for its Volume VII Issue IV.

The Manuscript titled “The Specific Relief (Amendment) Act, 2018” of IJLMH is recently Cited by 2-Judge Bench of Hon’ble Delhi High Court in Page 36 of the Judgement. The Judgement can be accessed by Clicking here.

About The Journal

The International Journal of Law Management & Humanities is a bi-monthly, Double-Blind, Peer-Reviewed International Journal (ISSN: 2581-5369) working in the Law, Management & Humanities arena. Presently the Editorial team of IJLMH consists of Well-known and widely recognised professors and professionals from India, France, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Cameroon, and Nigeria.

IJLMH has published Research Papers of Authors from 51 Countries, 400+ Universities, 20 High Courts, and the Supreme Court of India and Rwanda and has created a revolution in the Indian Legal Publication Industry with innovations. Published Authors of the Journal include Sitting Magistrates, AOR – Supreme Court of India, Advocates of SC, HC and District Courts, Vice-Chancellors, Deans, Academicians, Librarians, Students of Various Universities, and others. The Journal is rated 4.9/5 based on 365+ reviews on Google.

IJLMH has published research of Authors from 51 countries, i.e., Australia, Austria, Afghanistan, Albania, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, China, Dubai, Ethiopia, Germany, Ghana, Guinea, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Morocco, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Qatar, Rwanda, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovak Republic, South Africa, Srilanka, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, U.K., USA, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe.

IJLMH is the first Privately run Indian Journal to be indexed by HeinOnline and to provide FREE DOI to all the manuscripts.

  • Indexing and Impact Factor Information [30 Indexing Databases]

The Journal is indexed in 30 Databases, including HeinOnline, MANUPATRA, ROAD: the Directory of Open Access scholarly Resources by ISSN, ZDB, ABCD Index, Scope Database, Citefactor, Journal Factor, I2OR, SIS, ISI, DRJI, SJIF, SIF and WCOSJ, EDJI Index, Infotiger etc. Please note that indexing of databases does not mean that all the paper will be available on all the databases.

  • Manuscripts at HeinOnline can be accessed at this link.
  • Manuscripts at Manupatra can be accessed at this link.
  • Manuscripts at GOOGLE SCHOLAR can be accessed at this link.
  • Journal Impact Factor: 6.725 (2024) – Calculated by International Institute of Organised Research.
  • Latest Issues: To check the pattern of publication and diversity of Authors please visit our latest issue by clicking here.
  • For quick access, IJLMH also has an Android App which can be downloaded at this link.

Theme

IJLMH is being operated without any theme for best dissemination of knowledge. Any research related to Law, Management or Humanities is acceptable.

SUBMISSION PROCEDURE

  • Submit Your Paper Online at the link mentioned at the end of this post.
  • In case you face any difficulty with Online submission, Submit your paper via email to [email protected] with the subject “Submission of Research Paper – Volume 7 Issue 4”.
  • Track Your Paper Online by clicking here.

IJLMH has a unique Online Submission system that works on AI and allows you to transparently track every step of your Manuscript with Email and SMS notification. Please prefer to submit the manuscript via Online Submission System itself.

Manuscript Processing Charges (To be paid after acceptance)

  • For Indian Authors:  INR 1000.
  • For Other Countries: $25

*This charge does not include a Hard Copy of the Certificate or Paper Booklet. The Hard Copies will be optional to order and charged separately. Hard Copies can be ordered at this link.

*There is no separate charge for co-authorship for a maximum of 2 authors.

Submission Guidelines

  1. The submissions may be made under the following categories; the word limit is exclusive of footnotes:
    • Research paper: 3000 – 7000 words.
    • Article: 1500-3000 words
    • Book reviews: 1500-2000 words
    • Short Note & Case Comment: 1000 – 2000 words
  1. The submission must not be previously published or currently under review at any other journal/conference/book etc. and should not be submitted to any other journal/conference while in process of review with us. Read this point carefully, Kindly do not submit the same paper at many journals/conferences/seminars etc.
  2. The submission must be the original work of the authors i.e. shouldn’t be plagiarized and also should be free from grammatical, spelling and other errors. It must also not contain any defamatory words.
  3. Submission must be accompanied by an abstract of not more than 300 words and author(s) affiliation. No Paper will be accepted without an abstract.
  4. All footnotes/references in the submission must conform to the bluebook 19th Edition.
  5. The charge consists of Co-Authorship for 2 Authors.
  6. Copyright over the published material shall vest with “International Journal of Law Management & Humanities”
  7. A separate cover letter mentioning the name(s) of the author(s), E-mail id, Mobile number, the title of the manuscript and the name of the Institution, shall be sent along with the submission if the submission is being made through email.
  8. All submissions must be made in .doc format. No pdf format shall be entertained.
  9. There should be no mention of the author’s name or any other identity in the original manuscript.

Important Dates

  • Submission Deadline for First Round: 3rd May 2024.
  • Communication of Review Result: Within 2 days of submission.
  • Live Publication of Manuscript: It generally takes 5-6 days for publication, which may, in exceptional cases, extend up to 10 working days after Pre-publication formalities till the Publication and issuance of e-Certificate. Urgent Requests can be made with proper reasons subject to acceptance by the Editorial Board.

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Disclaimer: WEF April, 2021, Lawctopus will not publish any ‘Call for Papers/Blogs’ by journals that charge money at the time of submission. If you find any journal doing so, please intimate us at tanuj.kalia[at]lawctopus.com
28Jun
Most kids and teens with pink eye prescribed unnecessary antibiotics despite guidelines: Study | Health

Doctors are prescribing antibiotics to most kids and teens who have pink eye, despite guidelines that discourage their use, researchers reported Thursday. More than two-thirds of U.S. children and teens who saw a doctor for pink eye left with a prescription for antibiotic eye drops, their research found. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that doctors do not routinely give out antibiotics for what’s also called conjunctivitis, which usually clears up on its own.

A recent study reveals a concerning trend: despite medical guidelines advising otherwise, a significant majority of children and teens diagnosed with pink eye are still being prescribed antibiotics. (Freepik)

Antibiotics don’t work at all on viruses — the most common cause of pink eye. And even mild eye infections from bacteria will resolve on their own in most cases, the medical group says. Pink eye is highly contagious and causes red, swollen and sometimes itchy eyes. Often, a chilled, wet towel and artificial tears are enough to ease symptoms. (Also read: Don’t ignore the pink eye: As cases rise, know what leads to conjunctivitis spike in monsoon; how to avoid )

For their study, researchers used a nationwide database of insurance claims from 2021. Nearly 45,000 children received care for pink eye at a doctor’s office, eye clinic or emergency room and 69% were prescribed antibiotics, which come in drops and ointments. Whether they were treated or not, return visits to the doctor for pink eye were rare, under 4%, according to the study published Thursday in the journal JAMA Ophthalmology.

Doctor’s offices gave antibiotics the most, to 72% of patients, compared to ERs at 57% and eye clinics at 34%. That could be because eye clinics have the tools to figure out what is actually causing the pink eye and treat accordingly, said Dr. Rupa Wong, a pediatric eye doctor at Honolulu Eye Clinic and spokesperson for the ophthalmology group.

Dr. Daniel Shapiro, a pediatric emergency doctor and co-author of the study, said he understands why parents might be alarmed when their child has an infection. “The eye looks red and nasty and so it’s pretty striking and scary,” said Shapiro, of the University of California, San Francisco. But antibiotics shouldn’t be overused if they aren’t going to help, he said.

The study didn’t dig into the specifics of why the antibiotics were prescribed or the outcome. But the fact that return visits were rare in either case suggests that patients are not at higher risk of complications or serious problems if they don’t get a prescription, Wong said. “There are more supportive measures we can take to make your child feel comfortable without resorting to antibiotic eye drops,” Wong said.
28Jun
2seventy slims down with sale of hemophilia assets to Novo

Dive Brief:

  • 2seventy Bio is shrinking further, announcing Thursday the sale of a hemophilia A research program, along with associated technology rights, to partner Novo Nordisk.
  • 2seventy and Novo first teamed up in 2019 to develop a gene editing therapy for the bleeding condition. Under Thursday’s deal, Novo will pay $38 million in cash to acquire the therapy, which is in preclinical testing. 2seventy staff who have been working on the program will join Novo.
  • “Novo Nordisk has been a valued partner over the past five years, and we are confident that under their leadership, the promise of developing a new treatment approach for patients living with hemophilia A will continue to progress,” said 2seventy CEO Chip Baird in a statement.

Dive Insight:

2seventy is the product of Bluebird Bio splitting in half nearly three years ago. The road since then has been difficult for 2seventy, which inherited Bluebird’s cancer drug pipeline. A weak financing market for biotechnology companies made raising fresh funding difficult, while the initial launch of Abecma, a cell therapy for multiple myeloma developed with Bristol Myers Squibb, was hamstrung by tight supply.

Last September, longtime Bluebird CEO Nick Leschly stepped down as head of 2seventy, part of a restructuring that claimed about 180 jobs. Five months later, 2seventy sold off much of its pipeline to Regeneron Pharmaceuticals for cheap in a deal that sent 150 2seventy employees to the larger company.

Thursday’s deal tightens 2seventy’s focus even more narrowly on Abecma, which recently won an expanded approval for earlier multiple myeloma use in the U.S.

In addition to the hemophilia A program, Novo is also acquiring rights to 2seventy’s in vivo gene editing technology outside of its use in cancer and gene editing for autoimmune disease cell therapies.

The hemophilia program in question is built around a gene editing technology known as megaTALs that the companies envisioned using to insert a functional gene into the genome of liver cells. The target gene, known as Factor VIII, is mutated in people with hemophilia A.

While Novo is best known for its diabetes and obesity medicines, the company is active in hemophilia research and recently disclosed updated results for a preventive therapy it’s developing.

“We are devoted to developing therapies with a curative outlook, including our continued development of a next-generation in vivo genome editing program aiming to offer individuals living with Hemophilia A a lifetime free of factor replacement therapy,” said Karina Thorn, Novo’s head of global nucleic acid therapies research, in a statement.

Shares in 2seventy rose by nearly 5% in Thursday morning trading.
28Jun
The ATO busts 5 common tax myths

Recently the Australian Taxation Office sent around a bulletin busting 5 common tax myths.

Did you believe any of them?

Myth 1: Investors can claim travel expenses to visit their residential investment property.

Since 1 July 2017, investors can’t claim travel expenses to check on their residential investment property.

This includes long and short-term rentals, along with holiday homes.

Myth 2: Replacing like-for-like is always a repair or maintenance.

This comes down to ‘what’ is being replaced.

If it’s a depreciating asset, like a cooktop or pool pump, it must be claimed over each asset’s ‘effective life’, which is how long that item is reasonably expected to last.

If it’s replacing the rusted part of the guttering, then it’s a repair. However, if the whole guttering is replaced, including the rusted part – it’s considered capital work.

Myth 3: When buying a place to rent out, investors can claim conveyancer’s fees as a borrowing cost.

Conveyancing, along with state or territory stamp duty and several other costs, aren’t deductible.

These are the costs of acquiring the property.

However, investors need to keep this information for when they sell their property and can use it to reduce the capital gains tax (CGT) cost base.

Cgt Tax2

Myth 4: You only need a market valuation when you sell.

There are several reasons why property investors may need to get a market valuation, including when they sell.

When you earn income from your home, the ATO recommends property owners get a market valuation as Capital Gains Tax  may need to be considered, including when using the home as a:

  • long-term rental
  • short-term rental
  • running a business from home.

Myth 5: Having a rental property means you are in a business.

When you own a residential rental property, it’s likely you are an investor.

For this to be treated as a business by the tax department, you must have a lot of rental properties and manage them in a business-like manner.

Need more information on any of these?

Why not visit the ATO website for details about:
28Jun
Mikal Bridges trade grades: Did Knicks, Nets and Rockets all win?

Maybe you were worried the New York Knicks didn’t have enough players from Villanova after their success this season with Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo. Well, worry no further.

The Knicks are acquiring Mikal Bridges and a second-round pick from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Bojan Bogdanović, five first-round picks and a second-round pick, league sources confirmed Tuesday evening. The Nets are also making a trade with the Houston Rockets, exchanging first-round picks owed to them by Phoenix from the Kevin Durant trade in order to acquire their own picks back from the James Harden trade.

ESPN reported the details of the trade being four unprotected first-round picks from the Knicks, a protected first-round pick from the Bucks and a future second-round pick, along with Bogdanovic. There are a lot of picks being thrown around. There are a lot of things to infer from this. So let’s bust out the red ink and throw some grades on this trade.

Knicks acquire Mikal Bridges and a second-round pick

Last season, the Knicks finished as the East’s No. 2 seed, made it to the second round of the playoffs and then fell apart against Indiana after injuries to several key players, including OG Anunoby.

The Knicks acquired Anunoby halfway through the season and took off after making that move. It helped catapult them toward the top of the East, even with Anunoby missing 27 regular-season games after the trade with an elbow injury, then suffering a hamstring injury in the Indiana series. That makes the acquisition of Bridges, who has not missed a single game in his six-year NBA career, even more important. (Technically, Bridges missed one game in the 2022-23 season when he was traded from Phoenix to Brooklyn in the Kevin Durant deal, but the NBA doesn’t count this as a missed game. In fact, he played 83 games that season due to the schedules of the two squads for which he played.)

GO DEEPER

‘I just want to play every game’: Nets’ Mikal Bridges is more than NBA’s Iron Man, he’s determined

We can start off by talking about how the 27-year-old Bridges is one of the better two-way players in the NBA. His defense has been stellar most years, although it took a dip as he was asked to create more offense in Brooklyn. He went from a decent safety valve on offense with stellar defense in Phoenix to a 21-point per game scorer with solid defense in Brooklyn. Putting him on the Knicks will allow him to devote far more energy on the defensive end of the floor, and pairing him with Anunoby could allow New York to seriously clamp opposing scorers. The Knicks still have to re-sign Anunoby in free agency, but that’s been expected to happen since he was moved to New York at the end of December.

This is a lot of draft capital to give up for Bridges; what is essentially five first-round picks and a second-round pick is a Rudy Gobert-level package. But adding Bridges to the mix with Hart, DiVincenzo and Brunson boosts a team that already boasts some of the best chemistry in the league. It might cost the Knicks big man Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency, but it was already going to be tough to keep him unless he took a discount. We’ll see if Julius Randle is still in the Knicks’ long-term plans after this move, but they have a loaded rotation to battle for supremacy in the East.

Grade: A

Nets acquire Bojan Bogdanović, six first-round picks, their own 2025 pick swap from Houston and a second-round pick

There are so many picks flying around these two trades with the Nets, so let’s break down everything they seem to be acquiring in addition to bringing back Bogdanović, who played in Brooklyn from 2014-2017. These are the picks the Nets get in this trade:

  • Four unprotected first-round picks from the Knicks in 2025, 2027, 2029 and 2031;
  • A 2025 top-four protected first-round pick from Milwaukee via New York;
  • A 2025 first-round pick swap they owed to Houston from Harden trade;
  • A 2026 first-round pick they owed to Houston from the Harden trade;
  • A 2028 unprotected pick swap with the Knicks’ first-rounder;
  • A 2025 second-round pick from New York.

That’s more picks than Rudy Gobert would set on a single play in Quin Snyder’s offense! (That joke is for a very niche audience but I’m hoping the editors don’t remove it.)

This is a surprising move by the Nets, considering they reportedly turned down Jalen Green and upwards of four first-round picks from Houston at the trade deadline. Between these two trades, they have acquired a wild number of picks to restock their cupboard and can now benefit from struggling on the court once again. (Houston has the third pick in this draft because of a pick owed to them by the Nets from the Harden deal.)

The Nets are banking on the idea that the Knicks will be bad again, hopefully (for Brooklyn) by 2029 at the latest. That remains to be seen, as the Knicks have put together an incredible squad and could continue to have more and more success in the Brunson era. It’s important for the Nets to own their own picks again as they go into next year’s draft class, which is loaded with top prospects that could end up being franchise-changers. Brooklyn is lucky the third overall pick it conveyed to Houston this season is in a down draft year.

Brooklyn has now essentially acquired nine first-round picks, along with Cameron Johnson, from the 2023 Durant trade. We’ll see what else the Nets can do to rebuild this roster over the next couple seasons in a favorable market.

Grade: A

Rockets acquire 2025 Suns pick swap, a 2027 first, a 2029 first and a pick swap from Brooklyn 

Let’s catch up on what the Rockets are acquiring here from the Nets as they shuffle around some first-round picks in preparation for an aggressive summer of trade possibilities. This is what they get from the Brooklyn trade:

  • 2025 first-round pick swap from Phoenix owed to Brooklyn from the Kevin Durant trade;
  • 2027 first-round pick from Phoenix owed to Brooklyn in the Durant trade;
  • 2029 first-round pick from either Phoenix or Dallas, depending on which one is more favorable;
  • 2029 first-round pick swap for less favorable of the Phoenix or Dallas picks.

Under new coach Ime Udoka, the Rockets surprised many last season to finish 41-41. Young players like 21-year-old Alperen Şengün and 22-year-old Jalen Green grew up tremendously, as did 21-year-old Jabari Smith Jr. in his role. We also saw some good things from 2023 first-round picks Amen Thompson (21) and Cam Whitmore (19), as well as 2022 first-rounder Tari Eason (23). Veterans Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks and Jeff Green proved to be useful mentors for this young cast of players. The Rockets don’t want to miss the playoffs anymore, and now they’re armed with some impressive draft picks and other assets to be major players in the trade market.

Maybe Houston could try to convince the Phoenix Suns their three-star core is going nowhere and offer their picks back for Durant or Devin Booker at some point in the next season or two. Phoenix wants to win now, but that situation could get ugly quickly after last season’s first-round sweep at the hands of Minnesota. Regardless of who the Rockets target in the trade market, they have one of the more impressive treasure chests of trade assets to tempt a team with a disgruntled star looking to win elsewhere.

This trade might be the first win-win-win we’ve seen in a while, but that depends on what the Nets and Rockets do with all this pick shuffling.

Grade: A-

(Top photo: Nathaniel S. Butler / NBAE via Getty Images)
28Jun
When Does Facebook Messenger Notify Others About Screenshots?

Key Takeaways

  • Facebook only notifies people if someone screenshots or screen records disappearing messages.
  • Anyone can screenshot your other messages on Facebook Messenger or even your Facebook profile.
  • Never share anything online that you’d feel uncomfortable with if it were made public.



Have you ever wanted to save a message on Facebook Messenger but been nervous about screenshotting it? What if the other person gets a notification to say you took a screengrab? It only happens in rare circumstances.

Facebook Messenger isn’t like Snapchat: it doesn’t automatically tell people when their private texts have been saved as a screenshot. But it does sometimes happen…


Facebook Notifies Others When You Screenshot Disappearing Chats

Facebook Messenger uses end-to-end encryption, meaning that messages are sent securely by default. But just because something is encrypted doesn’t mean one party can’t screenshot chats.

If you’re sending something private over Messenger, however, you can use disappearing messages. These vanish after 24 hours have elapsed. Sometimes, on older versions of Messenger, disappearing messages don’t vanish until 24 hours after the other person has seen them.


When disappearing messages are activated, Facebook will notify you both if one of you takes a screenshot. The notification appears in your chat so it’s not easy to miss.

Even when disappearing messages are turned off, a screenshot notification will still be displayed within 24 hours of those chats being sent.

Can Someone Still Take a Secret Screen Recording of Disappearing Messages?

The same rule applies to screen recordings. If you’re using disappearing messages, both parties will be notified if either one of you takes a secret screen recording too. This notification appears just as it would if someone takes a normal screenshot.

How to Switch to Disappearing Messages on Facebook Messenger

Want to send something private via Facebook Messenger? Your best option is still disappearing messages.


Just open the app and navigate to the person you want to contact (or type their name into the Search field at the top of your interface if you’ve not spoken to them before). Then tap on the person’s name and scroll down to Disappearing messages. Toggle this to 24 hours.

If you can’t find the option to create disappearing chats, either you or the other person doesn’t have the latest version of Messenger.

Just remember not to send anything that’s too sensitive because the person can still screenshot your chats. Knowing when someone records your disappearing messages is like shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted.


If they have a second smartphone, they could also technically take a photo of their primary device with the secondary device—in which case you won’t receive a notification.

Does Facebook Notify Others About Other Screenshots?

Facebook doesn’t notify people if anyone takes a screenshot of normal Messenger chats or Facebook profiles. You’ll only be notified if someone screenshots or records disappearing messages.

That means someone could trawl through your Facebook profile and take photos of your images, likes, and posts.

pixinoo/Shutterstock

This is a good lesson on privacy and security. Remember that anything shared online should be considered public—yes, even if your Facebook privacy settings are tight.


Can You Stop Someone From Screenshotting Facebook Messages?

There’s nothing you can do to actually stop a recipient from screenshotting Facebook Messenger. But knowing that you’ll be notified if they do that is a good deterrent.

When we tested screenshotting disappearing messages on an Oppo Reno 10 Pro+, the app disabled the screenshot function. But this is not the case for all devices and the other chat participant was able to take a screenshot. So know that even though some devices can’t take screenshots of disappearing chats, this isn’t the case for others.

Don’t share anything online that you wouldn’t want to be made public. The internet is not a private space, so don’t put sensitive information or photos online. You never know who could see these things. If you want to be safe, only talk about personal things face-to-face if possible.


Plenty of services offer encryption (thankfully), but screenshotting is nearly impossible to combat. Take Snapchat for example. Everyone knows that things sent there are designed to disappear, and that users are notified if anyone takes a screenshot. That doesn’t stop anyone from doing so regardless.

And if someone is determined enough, they’ll find a way to preserve messages, even if that means taking a photo using another device…Ultimately, you should keep private things private.

28Jun
Biden flops, Trump lies and Democrats face tough decisions on what comes next

Where were President Biden’s debate-enhancing drugs Thursday night, and more importantly, can his supporters access them now to dull memories of his weak performance during the 90-minute live telecast?

The most-watched television event behind the Super Bowl was bad for Biden, but more than that, it triggered a seismic wave of concern among Democrats about where to go next.

Biden missed chance after chance to push back against former President Trump’s distortions on immigration, the economy, the opioid crisis and even his own health. The 81-year-old candidate appeared subdued and wooden during the event, often standing with his mouth agape (he reportedly had a cold). He spent a great deal of his allotted talking time in the weeds trying unsuccessfully to spin impenetrable policy specifics into wider talking points. He meandered in his answers, his voice barely audible at points.

It was an underwhelming performance that did nothing to dispel attacks from the right — and concerns on the left — that he’s too old for the job.

More than that, his anemic showing caused many supporters to ask if it was time to replace Biden with a candidate able to stand up to the deception and bullying of Trump and his minions.

Collective anxiety across social media and among pundits reflected the real issue at the heart of the Atlanta debate.

Biden had a bad night, but America had a much worse one because it did not have a strong voice to push back against the danger Trump poses to democracy.

Trump dominated the debate with confidence and showmanship, speaking in generalities that circumvented real policy talk, ringing the MAGA Pavlovian bell about murderous immigrants, taking credit in response to questions about the economy, abortion and war. With little pushback from his opponent, and none from CNN moderators Dana Bash and Jake Tapper, Trump’s lies won the night.

CNN’s rules going into the live broadcast stated that their anchors would not fact check candidates’ answers during the debate, and each contestant’s mic would be muted when it was the other man’s turn to speak. The rules worked in Trump’s favor.

The former president appeared far more civil and controlled than usual because viewers couldn’t hear him interrupt or talk over Biden. He was also allowed to lie unhampered. He claimed that as president he had the “best environmental numbers” and “the greatest economy in the history of the country!” He said that Democrats want abortions up until and after birth. And he suggested that Nancy Pelosi refused his offer to send National Guard troops to the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, to quell an insurrection he helped foster.

Biden’s ineffectual or totally absent responses also allowed racist remarks from his opponent to go unchallenged. Trump attempted to insult Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war by saying of the incumbent: “He’s become a Palestinian.” As if that were a great insult. The casual racism against Arabs and more specifically, Palestinians, was one of many moments that went unchallenged in a poorly designed debate that allowed for misdirection to stand as truth. Trump also said illegal immigrants were taking “Black jobs.” What exactly is a “Black job?” No one bothered to ask.

Contrast that to a 2008 town hall when GOP presidential nominee John McCain took the microphone from a women who said she couldn’t trust his opponent, Barack Obama, because he was “an Arab.” “No, ma’am,” he said. “He’s a decent family man. A citizen that [I just] happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues, and that’s what the campaign’s all about.” Not a great answer, but enlightened in comparison to today’s GOP.

Colin Powell later said of the right’s attacks that Obama was Muslim: “The correct answer is, he is not a Muslim; he’s a Christian. He’s always been a Christian. But the really right answer is, ‘What if he is?’ Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer’s no, that’s not America.”

There was no chance during Thursday’s debate that Trump was going to talk policy because he doesn’t have one, or even two. He’s running on grievances and payback, and he proceeded on that track Thursday because there was no one there to call him out.

CNN’s stewardship of the debate broke from decades of tradition that saw the nonprofit Commission on Presidential Debates facilitate and manage the debate process. The debate broadcast from an audience-free CNN studio in Atlanta is likely to deliver the cable news’ network’s largest audience in its four-decade history.

That is a scary prospect.

Thursday’s debate is going to require some tough decisions by the Democrats. Does the party stick with Biden and risk losing the country, or run someone who has the energy and voice to put up a fight against the bulldozer that is Trump and MAGA?

If Thursday’s debate is any indication, the stakes are too high to leave things as they are.
28Jun
French AI Startups Felt Unstoppable. Then Came the Election

“Then on the other extreme, [the left-wing New Popular Front] have been so vocal about all the taxation measures they want to bring back that it looks like we’re just going back to pre-Macron period,” Varza says. She points to France’s 2012 “les pigeons” (or “suckers”) movement, a campaign by angry internet entrepreneurs that opposed Socialist president François Hollande’s plan to dramatically raise taxes for founders.

Maya Noël, CEO of France Digitale, an industry group for startups, is worried not only about France’s ability to attract overseas talent, but also about how appealing the next government will be to foreign investors. In February, Google said it would open a new AI hub in Paris, where 300 researchers and engineers would be based. Three months later, Microsoft also announced a record $4 billion investment in its French AI infrastructure. Meta has had an AI research lab in Paris since 2015. Today France is attractive to foreign investors, she says. “And we need them.” Neither Google nor Meta replied to WIRED’s request for comment. Microsoft declined to comment.

The vote will not unseat Macron himself—the presidential election is not scheduled until 2027—but the election outcome could dramatically reshape the lower house of the French Parliament, the National Assembly, and install a prime minister from either the far-right or left-wing coalition. This would plunge the government into uncertainty, raising the risk of gridlock. In the past 60 years, there have been only three occasions when a president has been forced to govern with a prime minister from the opposition party, an arrangement known in France as “cohabitation.”

No AI startup has benefited more from the Macron era than Mistral, which counts Cédric O, former digital minister within Macron’s government, among its cofounders. Mistral has not commented publicly on the choice France faces at the polls. The closest the company has come to sharing its views is Cédric O’s decision to repost an X post by entrepreneur Gilles Babinet last week that said: “I hate the far-right but the left’s economic program is surreal.” When WIRED asked Mistral about the retweet, the company said O was not a spokesperson, and declined to comment.

Babinet, a member of the government’s artificial intelligence committee, says he has already heard colleagues considering leaving France. “A few of the coders I know from Senegal, from Morocco, are already planning their next move,” he says, claiming people have also approached him for help renewing their visas early in case this becomes more difficult under a far-right government.

While other industries have been quietly rushing to support the far-right as a preferable alternative to the left-wing alliance, according to reports, Babinet plays down the threat from the New Popular Front. “It’s clear they come with very old-fashioned economical rules, and therefore they don’t understand at all the new economy,” he says. But after speaking to New Popular Front members, he says the hard-left are a minority in the alliance. “Most of these people are Social Democrats, and therefore they know from experience that when François Hollande came into power, he tried to increase the taxes on the technology, and it failed miserably.”

Already there is a sense of damage control, as the industry tries to reassure outsiders everything will be fine. Babinet points to other moments of political chaos that industries survived. “At the end of the day, Brexit was not so much of a nightmare for the tech scene in the UK,” he says. The UK is still the preferred place to launch a generative AI startup, according to the Accel report.

Stanislas Polu, an OpenAI alumnus who launched French AI startup Dust last year, agrees the industry has enough momentum to survive any headwinds coming its way. “Some of the outcomes might be a bit gloomy,” he says, adding he expects personal finances to be hit. “It’s always a little bit more complicated to navigate a higher volatility environment. I guess we’re hoping that the more moderate people will govern that country. I think that’s all we can hope for.”
28Jun
Delta Exchange Launches in India, Brings Options Trading for Crypto Assests

Delta, a crypto exchange with global headquarters in Kingstown, Saint Vincent, announced the launch of its India subsidiary on Thursday, June 27. The move comes at a time when the Indian government seems to be warming up to cryptocurrencies as it begins deploying rules to oversee the safety of the otherwise volatile digital assets sector. The exchange has set up its office in Mumbai, India’s financial capital.

Delta Exchange’s plans for India

India’s crypto market, even at this growing stage, has a robust presence of national as well as international exchanges. Binance, Kraken, KuCoin, CoinDCX, WazirX, and Unocoin are among crypto exchanges operating in India.

To compete with these already established players in India, Delta has decided to be the first to offer options trading for crypto assets in the country. In options trading, investors are reportedly allowed to buy or sell crypto assets at a predetermined price and date, which guarantees them profit from market price movements without making them own the underlying cryptocurrency.

It is, however, worth noting that crypto options trading is a risky investment with a high potential for loss, which is why it’s not a popular service offering from crypto investors in India.

Among other services, the platform will also let users facilitate instant transfers and deposits in the INR currency.

“This allows traders to operate on the derivatives exchange without the need of holding stablecoins or any other crypto coins. With a heavy focus on compliance and safety of its users, Delta Exchange India does not accept cryptocurrency deposits or withdrawals thereby eliminating any risks associated with crypto custody,” the exchange said in a prepared statement.

The exchange claims that it has already onboarded over 1,00,000 users from India onto the beta version of the platform. The company sees this development as crucial, especially as the country ranks first among 154 nations showing rapid crypto adoption at the grassroot level, as per Global Crypto Adoption Index.

Focus on India’s crypto laws

India’s finance ministry and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have been very meticulous and stringent in deploying rules to oversee the digital assets sector and bring more security to the financially volatile industry.

The Delta exchange has declared that it has registered with India’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU-IND) and has set up a 24×7 customer support system to cater to user grievances at all times.

Founded in 2018, Delta exchange is a digital asset derivatives exchange backed by multiple investors, including CoinFund, Sandeep Nailwal’s family office, Aave, Kyber Network, and SinoGlobal Capital, among others.

“Delta offers daily, weekly and monthly expiries for Bitcoin and Ethereum’s Options contracts, thus allowing more opportunities for traders in the market. Our launch in India marks a significant milestone in our mission to bring a secure, compliant and trader-centric platform for Futures and Options (F&O) traders in the country,” Pankaj Balani, Co – Founder and CEO, Delta, said in the statement.

With India reportedly estimated to house over 270 million crypto users by the end of this year, it seems only natural for crypto firms to increase the stakes and help interested investors venture into Web3 through crypto assets of their choice.

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28Jun
A guide to Google Ads for regulated and sensitive categories

PPC advertising can be challenging, especially when your product or service falls into a sensitive or difficult category.

Whether you’re promoting pharmaceuticals, financial services, adult content or other regulated industries, advertising – especially on Google Ads – requires a balance of creativity, compliance and ethical consideration.

Google Ads remains one of the most powerful platforms for reaching potential customers. However, with great power comes great responsibility.

Advertisers in sensitive categories face unique hurdles, including:

  • Strict policy restrictions.
  • Heightened scrutiny.
  • The constant risk of ad disapprovals or account suspensions.

Seasoned marketers might be frustrated by frequent suspensions, but these policies are in place to maintain a safer advertising platform. 

Recent Google Ads data shows the extent of this effort. In 2023, they blocked or removed 5.5 billion ads and suspended 12.7 million advertiser accounts, nearly doubling their enforcement actions from the previous year. However, many businesses suffer from incorrect suspensions and misclassified compliance cases due to automated reviews.

This article aims to guide you through the advertising of sensitive categories on Google Ads. We’ll explore strategies to effectively promote your products or services while adhering to Google’s policies and maintaining high ethical standards.

Understand Google Ads policies

Google’s comprehensive policies ensure a safe and positive experience for users, advertisers and publishers. Knowing these policies is the first step to successful advertising in challenging niches.

Google Ads policies on sensitive categories

Google Ads policies are designed to protect users from harmful, deceptive or inappropriate content. 

For sensitive categories, these policies are often more stringent and specific. They cover various aspects of advertising, including ad content, targeting and landing pages.

Key policy areas for sensitive categories often include:

  • Restricted content: Products or services that can be advertised but with limitations.
  • Prohibited content: Products or services that cannot be advertised at all.
  • Editorial and technical requirements: Specific guidelines for ad copy, imagery and website content.

Commonly restricted and prohibited content

While the full list is extensive, some common examples of restricted or prohibited content include:

  • Pharmaceuticals and healthcare products.
  • Financial services (e.g., loans, cryptocurrencies).
  • Gambling and games of chance.
  • Adult content and services.
  • Weapons and explosives.
  • Alcohol and tobacco products.
  • Political content.

Each category has its own set of rules. For instance:

  • Pharmaceutical advertisers must be certified by Google and can only promote in certain countries. 
  • Financial services advertisers often need specific licenses and must provide additional disclosures. 

The list of restricted categories is not exhaustive, as many subcategories and industries have unexpected policies. 

For example, in the IT service industry, working on IT hardware may be prohibited unless you are a certified partner, which can be problematic for many computer repair shops or IT freelancers who lack certification from major manufacturers.

Why you must stay updated with policy changes

To stay compliant and effective in sensitive advertising categories on Google Ads, it’s essential to proactively monitor and adapt to policy changes. 

Regularly review Google’s advertising policies, subscribe to their official policy updates and engage with industry forums or groups to gain insights on policy interpretations. 

If you have a Google Ads representative, maintain open communication with them to escalate issues quickly.

Remember, policy violations can lead to ad disapprovals, account suspensions or even permanent bans. Staying informed and compliant is not just about avoiding penalties – it’s about building a sustainable, long-term advertising strategy on the platform.

Conduct thorough research

Thorough research is a must before launching your Google Ads campaign in a sensitive category. This groundwork will help you navigate policy restrictions, understand your audience and develop effective strategies within the given constraints.

Identify the specific restrictions for your category

When diving into Google Ads for sensitive categories, it’s crucial to go beyond just skimming the general guidelines. Dig into the specific policies that apply to your industry. 

You’ll want to look out for any special requirements, like certifications or pre-approvals, that Google might need before you can run your ads. 

Don’t forget to check for any geographical restrictions on where you can advertise. This can be a big deal, depending on your product or service.

Next, try to get a feel for how Google interprets and enforces these policies in real-world situations. 

Take a look at the enforcement examples they provide and spend some time browsing industry forums to see what experiences other advertisers have had. 

If you’re lucky enough to have a Google Ads rep, pick their brain for insights. They can be a goldmine of information.

Finally, don’t overlook the legal side of things. Make sure you’re up to speed on the laws and regulations in the markets you’re targeting. 

Your ads and landing pages need to meet Google’s policies and adhere to the law. 

It might seem like a lot of work upfront, but trust me, it’s way better than dealing with account suspensions or legal headaches down the road.

Understand the target audience and their needs

When you’re navigating the tricky waters of advertising in sensitive categories, understanding your audience becomes absolutely crucial. 

Here’s the thing: with limited reach due to stricter policies and restrictions, every single interaction with a potential customer carries much more weight. 

You can’t afford to cast a wide net and hope for the best. You need to make every impression count.

That’s why it’s important to dive deep into your target audience’s psyche. Crafting detailed buyer personas isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s essential. 

You need to understand not just surface-level demographics but also your potential customers’ underlying motivations, concerns and online behaviors. 

What specific pain points are they grappling with? How do they search for solutions? 

These insights can help you create hyper-targeted ads that resonate on a personal level. Also, make sure to get the full picture of your target audience’s search behavior. 

In sensitive categories, your audience might not be using the most obvious keywords but also a mix of alternatives, synonyms or abbreviations used in the industry.

Don’t underestimate the power of direct feedback, either. Surveys and interviews with your target audience can provide golden nuggets of information that might not be apparent from broader data analysis. 

These firsthand insights can help you fine-tune your messaging to address specific concerns or highlight benefits that truly matter to your audience.

Lastly, mine your existing customer data relentlessly. Those customer service logs, reviews and FAQs are treasure troves of information. They reveal the real questions and concerns your audience has, allowing you to craft ads that speak directly to these issues.

Analyze competitors and their strategies within the constraints

Instead of fixating on copying what’s currently visible, focus on understanding the broader landscape. 

Look at businesses offering similar products or services, but also consider alternative solutions that might be competing for your audience’s attention. This gives you a more comprehensive view of the market.

When analyzing competitor ads and landing pages, look for patterns in messaging and structure rather than specific tactics. 

How are they communicating value while navigating policy restrictions? What themes seem to be consistent across multiple competitors? 

This approach helps you understand the industry’s general direction without getting hung up on potentially non-compliant examples.

While it’s tempting to emulate competitors who seem to be pushing boundaries, always prioritize compliance. 

If you notice competitors potentially breaking rules, use that as a reminder to double-check your own practices rather than as inspiration to follow suit. 

Your goal should be to find ethical, compliant ways to stand out in a tightly regulated space.

Craft compliant ad content

Creating effective ad content for sensitive categories requires a delicate balance between compelling messaging and policy compliance.

Tips for writing ad copy that complies with Google Ads policies

When crafting ads for sensitive categories, navigating the fine line between effective marketing and policy compliance is crucial. 

Familiarize yourself with prohibited terms in your industry and create a list of approved alternatives. Focus on highlighting factual, verifiable benefits without resorting to superlatives or unsupported claims. 

Transparency is key. Be clear about your offering and include necessary disclaimers directly in your ad copy.

Maintain a professional tone throughout your messaging, avoiding sensationalism and using industry-appropriate terminology. This approach aligns with the seriousness of sensitive categories and helps build trust with your audience.

Make smart use of ad extensions to provide additional, compliant information. Sitelinks can offer more context, callouts can highlight key features or certifications and structured snippets can showcase your product categories or services.

Selecting appropriate visuals and media content

When creating visual content for sensitive category ads, aim to balance attractiveness with policy compliance. 

Thoroughly review Google’s image policies for your specific niche, avoiding anything graphic or overly sensational. Always ensure you have proper consent to feature individuals in your visuals.

Focus on high-quality, relevant imagery that accurately represents your product or service. Consider using lifestyle images to provide context, but make sure they remain professional and appealing. 

Don’t forget to incorporate necessary disclaimers or warnings directly into your visual content, ensuring they’re clearly legible.

When exploring different ad formats, such as responsive display ads or video content, proceed with caution. Every element must adhere to platform policies, from the opening frame to the closing shot.

Finally, leverage A/B testing to optimize your visual strategy. Create multiple versions of your ads with different images, then monitor their performance to identify what resonates best with your audience while maintaining strict compliance. 

This data-driven approach allows you to refine your visual content strategy over time, maximizing impact within the bounds of platform regulations.

Examples of compliant ad content in sensitive categories:

  • Pharmaceutical ad
    • Instead of: “Miracle cure for all your ailments!”
    • Try: “FDA-approved medication. May help manage [specific condition]. Consult your doctor.”
  • Financial services ad
    • Instead of: “Guaranteed approval for high-interest loans!”
    • Try: “Personal loans available. Rates from X.XX% APR. Terms apply.”
  • Adult content ad
    • Instead of explicit imagery or text.
    • Try: “Adult entertainment. Age-verified. Secure, discreet service.”

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Design effective landing pages

Ensuring landing pages meet Google’s policy requirements

When it comes to landing pages for sensitive category ads, transparency and compliance are paramount. 

Include comprehensive, accurate details about your product or service, with all the necessary disclaimers, terms and conditions. 

Don’t shy away from clearly stating any limitations, risks or potential side effects associated with your offering. This upfront honesty builds trust with potential customers and helps you stay on the right side of advertising policies.

Make sure your business information is easily accessible. Display your company name, physical address and contact details prominently. Include clear links to your privacy policy and terms of service, typically in the footer. 

For certain industries, consider adding a visible customer support phone number to further enhance credibility and meet specific policy requirements.

Pricing and billing information should be crystal clear. Display all costs upfront, including any recurring charges or additional fees. Explain your billing process in simple terms. 

Avoid any hint of hidden charges or misleading pricing structures. These are quick ways to violate platform policies and consumer trust.

Lastly, pay close attention to industry-specific requirements. If you’re in financial services, include necessary licensing information and disclaimers. 

For pharmaceuticals, ensure all claims are approved and include required warnings. Adult content requires robust age verification systems.

Dig deeper: PPC landing pages: How to craft a winning post-click experience

Provide high-quality, relevant content that aligns with the ad

When crafting landing pages for sensitive category ads, focus on creating a seamless, trustworthy experience. 

Ensure your page content aligns perfectly with your ad claims, maintaining consistency in language and tone. 

Provide comprehensive, valuable information about your offering, including FAQs and policy-compliant testimonials if possible.

Use clear, concise language throughout, avoiding jargon unless necessary. Organize content logically with headers and bullet points for easy digestion. 

Incorporate trust signals like relevant certifications, security badges and reputable reviews to build credibility.

Leverage advanced targeting options

When advertising in sensitive categories, precise targeting becomes even more crucial. It helps ensure your ads reach the right audience while minimizing the risk of policy violations. Here’s how to leverage advanced targeting options effectively:

Utilize demographic and geographic targeting to reach the right audience

Set appropriate age restrictions based on your product and policy requirements to optimize targeting, ensuring adult content targets users 18 or older. 

Use gender targeting for gender-specific products but avoid unfair discrimination. Employ geographic targeting to comply with regional regulations and exclude prohibited locations. 

For financial or luxury products, target by income level to reach interested users while adhering to fair lending laws. Utilize parental status targeting for family-oriented products, ensuring content suitability and compliance.

  • Website visitor remarketing
    • Create lists based on specific page visits to target users who’ve shown interest.
    • Exclude converters to avoid unnecessary ad spend.
  • Customer match
    • Upload customer email lists to re-engage past customers.
    • Ensure you have proper consent to use customer data for advertising.
  • Similar audiences
    • Use this feature to find new users similar to your existing customers.
    • Be cautious with sensitive categories to avoid targeting inappropriate audiences.
  • Dynamic remarketing
    • Show ads featuring products or services users have viewed on your site.
    • Ensure all product images and descriptions comply with policies.
  • Remarketing lists for search ads (RLSA)
    • Adjust bids for past visitors when they search for relevant keywords.
    • Use this to bid more aggressively on high-intent searchers.

Dig deeper: How to combine Google Ads with other channels to retarget, nurture and convert

Use custom intent audiences to target users based on their search behavior

  • In-market audiences
    • Target users actively researching or considering products/services in your category.
    • Be selective with in-market categories to ensure relevance and compliance.
  • Custom intent audiences
    • Create audiences based on keywords, URLs and apps your ideal customer might search for or use.
    • Focus on intent signals that indicate genuine interest without crossing policy lines.
  • Affinity audiences
    • Target users based on their long-term interests and habits.
    • Choose affinities that align with your offering while respecting privacy concerns.
  • Life events targeting
    • For relevant products/services, target users going through specific life changes.
    • Ensure your messaging is sensitive and compliant when using this option.

Tips for compliant and effective targeting in sensitive categories

To optimize ad targeting, use layered targeting to combine multiple methods for specific audience segments, ensuring ads reach the most appropriate users. 

Implement exclusions with negative keywords and audience lists to avoid inappropriate contexts, regularly updating them. 

Use contextual targeting in display campaigns to ensure ads appear in relevant, brand-safe environments. Apply frequency capping to limit ad exposure and prevent fatigue. 

Schedule ads based on the time and day when your audience is most receptive. Regularly review and optimize targeting performance, staying alert to any policy or regulatory changes that might impact your strategy.

Spammy advertising methods to steer clear of

Black hat marketers use deceptive tactics to bypass platform policies. These include cloaking, redirect chains, multiple accounts, coded language and URL shorteners. Some also use rapid ad rotations or slight variations to evade detection. 

While these methods may temporarily work, they violate terms of service and can lead to permanent account suspensions, legal issues, and reputational damage. These practices are risky, unethical and strongly discouraged by advertising platforms and professionals.

Cloaking is a deceptive technique where different content is shown to search engines or ad reviewers compared to regular users. It detects when a page is accessed by a crawler or review system and shows compliant content, while regular users see potentially non-compliant content. This is often achieved through:

  • IP detection: Identifying known IP ranges used by search engines or ad platforms.
  • User-agent sniffing: Checking the browser or device information to spot crawlers.
  • JavaScript-based cloaking: Using scripts to alter page content based on user behavior.

Advertisers using cloaking promote policy-violating products or boost rankings with hidden, keyword-stuffed content. This serious violation often leads to immediate account suspension or blacklisting. As detection methods improve, cloaking becomes increasingly risky and unsustainable.

Such techniques are especially dangerous for real, established companies:

Long-term consequences for legitimate businesses

While black hat marketers often operate with disposable websites and temporary accounts, real businesses have much more at stake:

  • Brand reputation damage: Once exposed, black hat tactics can severely tarnish a company’s reputation. In today’s interconnected digital world, news of unethical practices spreads quickly and can be nearly impossible to overcome.
  • Loss of customer trust: Consumers value authenticity and transparency. Discovering that a trusted brand engaged in deceptive practices can lead to a mass exodus of customers and long-lasting negative sentiment.
  • Permanent platform bans: Major advertising platforms like Google Ads or social media sites may permanently ban offending businesses. This can be catastrophic for companies relying on these channels for customer acquisition.
  • Legal ramifications: Depending on the nature of the deception, businesses might face legal consequences, including fines or lawsuits from misled customers or regulatory bodies.
  • SEO penalties: Search engines can apply severe penalties or completely de-index sites caught using black hat SEO techniques, effectively erasing years of legitimate SEO efforts.
  • Financial losses: Beyond immediate revenue drops, companies may face long-term financial repercussions from damaged reputation, legal fees and the cost of rebranding efforts.
  • Industry blacklisting: In some sectors, being caught using black hat techniques can lead to industry-wide blacklisting or loss of crucial partnerships.
  • Decrease in employee morale and retention: Ethical employees may leave when they discover their company engages in deceptive practices, leading to brain drain and internal turmoil.

Unscrupulous marketers may quickly abandon a project after being caught, but legitimate businesses have established customer bases and long-term goals.

The risks of unethical marketing far outweigh any potential short-term gains for companies focused on sustainable growth and customer trust.

Instead, ethical marketing practices ensure steady, reliable growth and protect valuable assets like reputation and customer loyalty.

If a client is considering unethical tactics, emphasize the long-term consequences. For a legitimate business, it’s never worth it to engage in unethical marketing.

Contributing authors are invited to create content for Search Engine Land and are chosen for their expertise and contribution to the search community. Our contributors work under the oversight of the editorial staff and contributions are checked for quality and relevance to our readers. The opinions they express are their own.
28Jun
Nostalgic Sega Fans Can Add The Genesis Mini 2 To Their Collection For A Solid Price

Much like its predecessor, the Sega Genesis Mini 2 is a stellar mini console. Unlike the Genesis Mini, the Mini 2 was not sold in stores. In fact, it was only available to purchase via Amazon Japan, and Sega manufactured significantly less quantities compared to the original. Those decisions at least partially contributed to the Genesis Mini 2 flying under the radar when it launched in Fall 2022. That’s a shame because the Genesis Mini 2 comes with a superior controller and has more built-in games, including some Sega CD gems, previously unreleased games, and a few new ports. If all of that is of interest to you now’s a good time to add the Genesis Mini 2 to your collection.

Amazon is selling the Sega Genesis Mini 2 for $88.56 plus shipping. Though you get to place your order on the Amazon US storefront, the mini console will actually ship from Amazon’s warehouses in Japan. As such, the shipping cost is fairly high at $22.30.

The Sega Genesis Mini is loaded with 61 Sega games, including both Genesis and Sega CD titles. Some of the standouts: Sonic the Hedgehog CD, Sonic 3D Blast, The Revenge of Shinobi, Earthworm Jim 2, Golden Axe 2, Shining Force CD, and Super Street Fighter II – The New Challengers.

On the hardware side, the mini-console comes with a six-button Genesis controller and is compatible with the three-button controllers released with the original Genesis Mini.

You can check out the full Sega Genesis Mini 2 lineup below.

Sega Genesis Mini 2 games list

After Burner II Cartridge
Alien Soldier Cartridge
Atomic Runner Cartridge
Bonanza Bros. Cartridge
ClayFighter Cartridge
Crusader of Centy Cartridge
Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf Cartridge
Earthworm Jim 2 Cartridge
Elemental Master Cartridge
Fatal Fury 2 Cartridge
Gain Ground Cartridge
Golden Axe II Cartridge
Granada Cartridge
Hellfire Cartridge
Herzog Zwei Cartridge
Lightening Force: Quest for the Darkstar Cartridge
Midnight Resistance Cartridge
OutRun Cartridge
OutRunners Cartridge
Phantasy Star II Cartridge
Populous Cartridge
Rainbow Islands Extra Cartridge
Ranger-X Cartridge
Ristar Cartridge
Rolling Thunder 2 Cartridge
Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi Cartridge
Shining Force II Cartridge
Shining in the Darkness Cartridge
Sonic 3D Blast Cartridge
Splatterhouse 2 Cartridge
Streets of Rage 3 Cartridge
Super Hang-On Cartridge
Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers Cartridge
The Ooze Cartridge
The Revenge of Shinobi Cartridge
ToeJam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron Cartridge
Truxton Cartridge
VectorMan 2 Cartridge
Viewpoint Cartridge
Virtua Racing Cartridge
Warsong Cartridge
Ecco the Dolphin (CD Ver.) SEGA CD
Ecco: The Tides of Time (CD Ver.) SEGA CD
Final Fight CD SEGA CD
Mansion of Hidden Souls SEGA CD
Night Striker SEGA CD
Night Trap SEGA CD
Robo Aleste SEGA CD
Sewer Shark SEGA CD
Shining Force CD SEGA CD
Silpheed SEGA CD
Sonic The Hedgehog CD SEGA CD
The Ninja Warriors SEGA CD

Bonus Games

Title Type
Devi & Pii Previously unreleased
Fantasy Zone New Port
Space Harrier II (+Space Harrier) New Ports
Spatter New Port
Star Mobile Previously unreleased
Super Locomotive New Port
VS Puyo Puyo Sun New Port
28Jun
Dancers are less neurotic | ScienceDaily

A study led by researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, has shown that both amateur and professional dancers are less neurotic than people who do not dance. They are also more agreeable, more open, and more extraverted. But genre of dance matters.

“Tell me if you dance and I will tell you who you are!” A study led by researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics (MPIEA) in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, has shown that both amateur and professional dancers are less neurotic than people who do not dance. They are also more agreeable, more open, and more extraverted. The results of the study have recently been published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences.

In cooperation with Matthias Blattmann, CEO of Gutmann Dance School in Freiburg im Breisgau and Tanzloft GmbH, and Luisa Sancho-Escanero, dance director at the Pfalztheater Kaiserslautern, the MPIEA’s researchers analyzed data from 5,435 people from Sweden and 574 people from Germany, with regards to their Big Five Personality Traits “Openness,””Conscientiousness,””Extraversion,””Agreeableness,” and “Neuroticism.”

“What is unique about this work is that we have brought together very large samples from two different countries. Such data are generally scarce, and previous studies have often been based on rather small samples,” explains senior author Fredrik Ullén, Director at the MPIEA.

In Sweden, the research team was able to rely on an existing database that included data about peoples’ creative engagement and dance achievements. To collect dancer data in Germany, the researchers developed an online survey that was widely shared by dance institutions.

Previous research has found that musicians are more agreeable and more open to others than non-musicians. In the current study, this was also confirmed for dancers. But the researchers also found an interesting difference between the two groups: In comparison to musicians, dancers are not more neurotic, but — on the contrary — less neurotic than people who do not dance.

“In general, both dancers and singers show a high degree of extraversion in their personality — which may be due to the fact that their means of expression when dancing and singing is their body — and this is a very socially exposed situation, more than if you express through an instrument, for example. However, more in-depth investigations are needed to explore this further,” says lead author Julia F. Christensen of the MPIEA.

There was also some evidence of personality differences between dancers of different styles. Swing dancers, for example, seemed to be even less neurotic than Latin and Standard dancers. However, this needs to be confirmed with larger samples of dancers. In the future, the researchers hope to extend their research into dancers’ personalities to many other cultures and dance styles.
28Jun
Internship Opportunity at Ravi Gakhar Law Office

Internship Opportunity at Ravi Gakhar Law Office, Punjab & Haryana High Court, Chandigarh

About Ravi Gakhar Law Office

Established by Advocate Ravi Gakhar in 2010, Ravi Gakhar Law Office is a distinguished legal establishment specializing in Labor and Services Matters and Criminal Matters at the Punjab and Haryana High Court in Chandigarh.

About the Opportunity

Ravi Gakhar Law Office is pleased to announce internship opportunities for law students of any year. This online internship, spanning from July 1st to July 31st 2024, offers a comprehensive learning experience covering various legal procedures and professional ethics.

Number of Vacancies

13

Mode

Virtual.

Key Learnings

  • Engage in real legal tasks, from research to case preparation.
  • Collaborate with dedicated professionals.
  • Learn about the legal profession and enhance your skills.
  • Certificates are awarded based on performance.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Law students from any year.
  • Team players who thrive in a collaborative environment.
  • Hardworking and dedicated individuals.
  • Ready to put in the effort to learn and grow.
  • All generations of lawyers are treated equally.

Application Process

  • Apply: 26th June 2024 to 28th June 2024
  • First Round of Interviews: 29th June 2024
  • Final Round of Interviews: 30th June 2024
  • Equal Opportunity: Skills valued over background or connections.

How to Apply?

Share details via WhatsApp: Name, Year/Semester, Place of Residence, Place of Study, and CV to 8968912919.

Application Deadline

June 28, 2024.

Contact Information

In case of any query, please contact at 8699523346 or [email protected].

Click here for LinkedIn Notification

Disclaimer: Charging money from students for internships or from job applicants is an unethical practice and can lead to blacklisting. Facing concerns? Please email us at [email protected]
28Jun
Bigg Boss OTT 3’s Sana Makbul opens up about battle with non-alcoholic hepatitis: Know its causes, symptoms, treatment | Health

Television actor and model Sana Makbul is a contestant in Bigg Boss OTT 3 and recently got emotional while speaking about dealing with liver disease where she broke down and revealed about suffering from non-alcoholic hepatitis despite never having tasted alcohol all her life. Making a tearful confession, she said, “I’ve non- alcoholic Hepatitis – a liver disease. I’m one of those people who have never tasted alcohol in my life but has yet been diagnosed with it. People get to know about their liver disease mostly when they are in the last stage of it. I’ve been lucky in that case as I got to know about it pretty early.”

Bigg Boss OTT 3’s Sana Makbul opens up about battle with non-alcoholic hepatitis: Know its causes, symptoms, treatment (Photo by Twiiter/officialParle_g/sciqst)

Sana added, “In 2021 I didn’t understand what I was going through. There were days where I couldn’t even get up from the bed.” In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Rajiv Kovil, Head of Diabetology at Zandra Healthcare and Co-Founder of Rang De Neela initiative, shared, “Non-alcoholic hepatitis, also known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is a condition characterised by the accumulation of fat in the liver. This condition is not caused by excessive alcohol consumption, as the name suggests, but rather by a variety of factors that can lead to the development of liver inflammation and damage.”

Get ready to catch the final stages of the World Cup only on Crickit. Anytime, Anywhere. Explore now!

Causes:

Dr Rajiv Kovil revealed, “Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a leading cause of liver disease worldwide. The estimated global incidence of NAFLD is 47 cases per 1,000 population and is higher among males than females In India The prevalence of NAFLD is found to be more than 25% globally and 9% to 32% in the general Indian population. The exact causes of non-alcoholic hepatitis are not fully understood, but it is believed to be linked to factors such as obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic disorders. Individuals with conditions like type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure are at a higher risk of developing non-alcoholic hepatitis.”

Symptoms:

The progression of non-alcoholic hepatitis can vary from individual to individual. Dr Rajiv Kovil informed, “In some cases, the condition may remain relatively mild, with the liver able to function normally despite the presence of fat. However, in more severe cases, the inflammation can lead to the development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which can eventually progress to cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and even liver failure.”

He added, “Symptoms of non-alcoholic hepatitis are often subtle in the early stages and may include fatigue, abdominal discomfort, and a feeling of fullness. As the condition worsens, individuals may experience more severe symptoms, such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), fluid retention and difficulty with blood clotting.”

Traetment:

According to Dr Rajiv Kovil, treatment for non-alcoholic hepatitis typically involves addressing the underlying factors that contribute to the condition. He explained, “This may include weight loss through diet and exercise, management of diabetes or other metabolic disorders, and the use of medications to reduce inflammation and improve liver function. On March 14, 2024, resmetirom (Rezdiffra) became the first drug approved by the US FDA for treating patients with noncirrhotic nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH; recently renamed metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis, or MASH) and moderate-to-advanced hepatic fibrosis.”

He elaborated, “Resmetirom is a pill that activates the thyroid hormone receptor that reduces liver fat accumulation. Treatment with glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists like Semaglutide and Tirzepatide may reduce the risk of developing cirrhosis, liver cancer, and other adverse liver outcomes in adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic liver disease, though none of them have got a labeled indication to treat NAFLD. In cases where the condition has progressed to cirrhosis or liver failure, more intensive treatments, such as liver transplantation, may be necessary.”

Early detection and management of non-alcoholic hepatitis are crucial in preventing the development of more severe liver disease. Regular checkups with a healthcare provider and lifestyle modifications can play a significant role in managing this condition and improving overall liver health.
28Jun
RSV vaccine makers’ shares fall as CDC adjusts shot guidance

Dive Brief:

  • Shares of Moderna, Pfizer and GSK fell as advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discussed updated guidelines for RSV vaccination at a Wednesday meeting.
  • The expert panel recommended adults over 75 years should receive a shot for RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, as should those between 60 and 74 years who are at higher risk of severe disease. The recommendation, which the CDC adopted, replaces the shared clinical decision-making guidance for all adults over 60 that was put in place last year. 
  • The committee postponed discussion of vaccine recommendations for adults aged 50 to 59 years old, which could potentially delay GSK’s plans to expand its shot’s use in that age group after a recent Food and Drug Administration approval.

Dive Insight:

The new vaccination recommendations could shape the market for RSV shots in the U.S. Notably, the CDC is not yet recommending that anyone who previously was vaccinated for RSV get another dose. 

The guidelines for adults between 60 and 74 years old are now more narrow. While people in this age group who are not high risk of RSV disease can still get a vaccine, the changed recommendations might affect whether a shot is covered by insurance. The list of relevant risk factors is broad, however, including cardiovascular disease, lung disease and neurologic or neuromuscular conditions.

Committee members also reviewed at the Wednesday meeting safety data on a neurological side effect called Guillain-Barré syndrome, or GBS, that’s been reported in very rare cases following vaccination GSK’s Arexvy and Pfizer’s Abrysvo. No cases have been reported with Moderna’s newer vaccine Mresvia.

While the rate associated with Abrysvo was higher than with Arexvy, an FDA presentation noted that the analyses were “mixed and highly uncertain.” Still, Evercore ISI analyst Umer Raffat wrote that the advisers gave a “huge pass” to Pfizer. 

Shares in Moderna were hit particularly hard as the company presented updated data on its shot’s efficacy over time. After 18 months, Mresvia’s protection against RSV disease with two or more symptoms fell to 50%, lower than with GSK’s Abrysvo. 

Moderna has been banking on winning a share of the market with its mRNA-based shot, which is available as a more convenient pre-filled syrigne. The vaccine was approved in May.
28Jun
5 Tips to Know Before Moving to Australia

Moving to Australia may seem like an easy task, but you need insider info to tackle obstacles all on your own.

In today’s article, we’ll explore 5 expert tips that will help you move to Australia and find your new home in the down under.

You may even decide to not move to Australia, depending on how well you consider you can acclimatize to the different environment.

Are you ready?

Let’s get started.

1. You may be a little confused, even if you speak English

It’s not a secret that Australians have the lingo that they use in day-to-day life. You may even hear an abundance of curse words, curse words that shouldn’t be spoken in other countries, as a term of endearment.

Some Australian terms you may have never heard before are:

Barbie: Barbecue

Macca’s: Mcdonald’s

Ankle biter: Child

Bogan: Redneck

Bathers: Swimsuit

Brekky: Breakfast

And that’s just the start of the slang. Before you head on over to Australia, learning a few of their slang words will help go a long way.
28Jun
How Long Should A Relationship Break Be? A Therapist Answers

Let’s face it. Relationships can be extremely overwhelming and draining at times. Especially when you and your partner are unsure of the way forward, need to gain clarity regarding your life goals, or simply need a break from each other to figure things out. But how long should a relationship break be to make things work? More importantly, are you sure your relationship will work for the better if you decide to take a break? Or are you wondering how to take a step back in a relationship and still be in touch?

In this article, we will explore such questions about relationship breaks and more, with the help of counselor Ruchi Ruuh (Postgraduate Diploma in Counseling Psychology), who specializes in counseling for issues related to dating, infidelity, marital conflict, and divorce. We will also get a gist of the relationship break rules. So, let’s not wait any longer and dive straight in to find out if hitting the pause button on your relationship is a good idea and when…

What Does Taking A Break Mean In A Relationship

Studies by the Gottman Institute suggest taking a break to avoid or better manage and resolve conflicting situations in relationships may be a good idea indeed. In fact, such studies believe you can “love smarter” when you choose to take a breather to reassess the relationship, make the relationship work, or get back on track.

But what does taking a break mean in a relationship or imply for couples? Ruchi explains, “Taking a break means one or both people in the relationship deciding to step back from the romantic aspect of the relationship but maintaining some sort of limited communication. It can also mean spending time away from your partner but regrouping for just a designated amount of time periodically.” So, in a way, breaks offer temporary respite from relationship issues. 

Stepping back from a relationship can be tough

Can a break help a relationship?

So, now we know that breaks are normal and not such a big deal in relationships. But can a break help a relationship to grow or change in a positive way, or does it harm it in the long run? Do such breaks lead to stronger bonds? What are some valid reasons to take a break in a relationship? Ruchi offers a good look at how such breaks are beneficial to relationships:

  • A break allows both the individuals involved to seek and understand the relationship and assess the relationship dynamics and personal issues. It thus helps you find answers to questions such as, “Is your relationship healthy?”
  • It allows for personal growth, and partners can look for nurturing themselves individually
  • Taking a break can also help people in creating some sort of boundaries, be it physical or emotional, which might help them reevaluate the relationship, which wouldn’t have otherwise been possible
  • Breaks allow people to spend time gaining clarity about their personal goals, values, and needs and find out if they align with those of their partners’
  • Breaks also help people realize and address issues such as relationship instability that may cause the relationship to suffer in future
  • Breaks can help a couple go through the sudden changes of an uncalled-for long-distance relationship due to a job change or relocation

Related Reading: 25 Most Common Relationship Problems And Their Solutions

How Long Should A Relationship Break Be — A Therapist Reveals The Answer

Now that you have the answer to what does taking a break mean in a relationship, are you wondering, “How long should a relationship break last?” A Reddit user, who has taken a break in a relationship, narrates her tale, “My husband and I took a break for 7 months. It was helpful in some ways and damaging in others… in the end we both missed our life together and decided to be back together and we are still together. I can say, I wish I would have never taken the break… there were things that we both did while apart that was damaging to our relationship now. But on the other hand… what if we didn’t take a break? Maybe we would have never started to appreciate each other again…”

Related Reading: 5 Reasons Why Taking a Break in A Relationship is Healthy

In her case, the break was moderately long and lasted for months. Thankfully, it made both her and her husband realize the importance of their relationship. But how long do such breaks last really? And how long should a relationship break be for it to be impactful? Is there ‘a one size fits all’ timeline? 

Infographic on how long should a relationship break be
Breaks in a relationship

Ruchi says, “Breaks in relationships can last for a few days, weeks, or even months, and depends on quite a few factors. The main factor that determines the period of the break is the reason why a couple is seeking the break and their own needs and expectations from it.” She then goes on to differentiate between a few such cases:

1. A break to understand the complexity of the relationship – A few months

The answer to how long should a relationship break last can be tricky. A break that is intended to find out the root causes that are harming the relationship can last for several months. 

Ruchi says, “One of the reasons to take a break in a relationship is to ascertain the causes behind trust issues or difference of values, where a couple needs to sit down and explore the issue and address the concerns.” In such cases, both the partners may need ample time for self-reflection, therapy, or even speaking to confidantes, friends, and family. 

Almost everything will work if you unplug it for a few minutes… including you.

– Anne Lamott

2. Breaks for personal growth – A few weeks

A lot of people take breaks for personal growth, or to focus on themselves. Such breaks may be shorter. They may last for a few weeks. Ruchi says, “In such cases, people can go for a short solo retreat to explore themselves better before getting back with their partners.” 

Related Reading: Expert Tips – How To Reconnect After A Relationship Break

3. A break to deal with work-related stress – A few weeks to months

At times, as Ruchi says, “One of the reasons to take a break in a relationship may be to deal with work-related issues.” Such breaks may last anytime from a few weeks to months. They may even be longer, depending on the complexity of the work/project. 

My cousin, Andrea, faced a similar issue. She felt she could not juggle too many balls at once, and decided she needed time to handle a particularly stressful time in her professional life before rejuvenating her relationship with her husband.

4. Breaks to establish boundaries – A few weeks

If a couple is struggling with boundaries, it may consist of one person having the need for constant communication, which gets overwhelming for the other person. Ruchi says, “So, if the other person can’t deal with the communication overload, they may need enough time to get back into their shell and process their feelings. This can be a short break, after which the other person gets back with enough self-reflection and new ideas to enforce boundaries in the relationship.”

how long should a relationship break last
How long should a relationship break last?

5. Breaks to reconsider commitment – A few weeks to a couple of months

One of the reasons to take a break in a relationship could be the need to reassess the commitment. Couples with one partner in a perpetual commitment phobia can also take breaks. If you’re often left asking, “How long should a relationship break last?”, well, remember, in such cases, such breaks may last from a few weeks to a couple of months. 

So, both partners get enough time to re-evaluate the relationship and decide whether they wish to commit long-term. Ruchi says, “Such breaks should only end when both have decided whether they are confident to go ahead with the relationship or drift apart.”

Relationship Break Rules To Make It Work In Your Favor

Sharing her reasons for going on a relationship break, a Reddit user says, “My SO wasn’t ready to commit for long term without exploring his “bachelor” side. We were apart for 2 months, and he asked for me back after going on some dates and realizing I was the shit.

“Yes, I trust he didn’t do anything else, and even if he had, that was part of the understanding. There was never an obligation to resume the relationship, but we agreed it’s what we both wanted.”

Related Reading: How To Deal With Taking A Break In A Relationship – 7 Rules

So, you see, a break in a relationship without any intention can be meaningless. Ruchi says, “There’s no use of a break if you don’t know why you’re taking it and how it can help you.” So, one must be certain of the cause of such breaks.

Here are a few relationship break rules that Ruchi shares to make such breaks work, especially if you’re in a long-term relationship. So, if you’re clueless about how to take a step back in a relationship and still make it work, read on:

  • Define the purpose of the break: It’s crucial to discuss the goals, concerns, needs, and expectations associated with the break, so that both understand and are on the same page
  • Set a timeline: It’s wise to not make the separation indefinite or ambiguous. Whether it should last for a week, a month, or 6 months, determine a timeline, as that will help you both gain clarity. Both partners would know when to regroup and talk about the future of the relationship
  • Set boundaries: It’s very important that you communicate to each other how you want to keep in contact during the temporary separation or break. For instance, set ground rules about communication ideas, like a phone call every other day, a good morning text, or video calls. Likewise, communicate whether seeing other people is allowed
  • Respect each other’s personal space and independence: While it’s important to maintain connection, you should also avoid excess communication or intrusiveness during the break. Let them pursue their personal goals and make sure that your boundaries are also respected
  • Avoid misunderstandings: If you decide to go no-contact for a long time, make sure that you’ve had an open communication about it with your partner. Also make sure they don’t misunderstand a temporary break as a breakup and seek romantic solace somewhere else. Avoid misunderstandings in a healthy way

Related Reading: 15 Signs You Need a Break From Relationship

  • Use the break for self-improvement: Work on personal growth and self-care. Try and achieve work goals, go on a holiday, seek therapy, spend time with friends, or pursue a hobby. But make sure you don’t waste the time the break offers
  • Seek emotional support: Often one partner is enthusiastic about a break, while the other isn’t. If you’re feeling left out, because this isn’t something you wanted, seek support from family, friends, or a therapist. Seek their perspective, guidance, and emotional support
  • Regroup: If needed, check on each other and regroup from time to time, even within the break, to see if things are going on track. Stay connected in some sort of way
  • Understand that the relationship might change after the break: Whether it’s a brief break or a long one, be aware that when the break ends, your values, thoughts, and priorities might change. Both partners should be ready for these changes to happen. The break may make you a better person or may make you take realistic decisions not based on emotions. Be ready to accept the change to avoid shock and take care of your mental health. You can opt for couples therapy if you want.
Relationship Advice

Key Pointers

  • What does taking a break mean in a relationship? It implies hitting ‘pause’ on the romantic aspects and taking time apart to focus on the bigger picture
  • A break in a relationship can make or break the relationship in the long run
  • How can a break help a relationship? By allowing for personal growth and the time and space to comprehend the relationship
  • How long should a relationship break be? It depends on the couple and their intentions
  • Some clear rules to be followed in relationship breaks are: defining the need for the break, being on the same page, setting boundaries, and avoiding misunderstandings

Relationship breaks can work like magic in some cases. But if not handled properly, they may lead to permanent cracks even in a healthy relationship, eventually leading to the relationship ending on a sour note. The success of a break depends on a lot of soul-searching and introspection. 

Blaming the other person for all the relationship issues isn’t going to work. Instead, pausing the relationship to realize the real issues plaguing the relationship can be beneficial. After all, what’s the point of a break if it doesn’t reveal a few things about you and the relationship. We hope, through this article, we have been able to answer your burning questions such as “How long should a relationship break be?” or “Do relationship breaks really help?” Remember, it’s eventually you and your partner who are to decide the terms and length of the break and how to take a step back in a relationship and still get back together.

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12 Hurtful Things You Or Your Partner Should Never Say To Each Other

Ask Our Expert
28Jun
Fifty years ago, the Sabres drafted a player who didn’t exist: The legend of Taro Tsujimoto

Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story stated all members of the Sabres front office at the time are deceased. Former coach Floyd Smith is still alive. We regret the error.

Josh Tsujimoto usually wears a No. 74 Sabres jersey sporting his last name if he attends a Buffalo home game at KeyBank Center.

It was a gift from his father, Paul, a few years ago and meant to serve as a tangible souvenir of a family legend that spans five decades. But there are nights when Josh isn’t the only one wearing a No. 74 sweater at a Sabres game. From time to time, you’ll see the odd Tsujimoto jersey sprinkled amongst the crowd in Buffalo.

“You go to a Sabres game and you’re bound to see a couple of Taro jerseys,” says John Boutet, chairman of the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame. “Some people have the correct number, which is 13. He was given 13. Some people have 74 because that’s the year it was.”

The jersey is a cult classic because the legend of Taro Tsujimoto isn’t just a family story shared by the father and son.

Instead, it’s an inside joke that has been kept alive by Sabres fans for 50 years.

“Some people recognize it,” Josh says when asked about his jersey. “A lot of out-of-town people will come to a game and they don’t know the backstory. So I’ll tell them, ‘He’s not real. But he’s got a Wikipedia page.’”

Taro Tsujimoto was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the 11th round of the 1974 draft.

The team’s official media guide still lists Tsujimoto alongside the other draft picks from 1974. He’s noted as the 183rd overall selection in the draft, a centerman taken from the Tokyo Katanas.

But the NHL’s official guide and record book does not recognize Tsujimoto. His name has been stricken from historical draft records for a very simple reason: Taro Tsujimoto never existed.

The 1974 NHL draft was unlike any other in league history.

The NHL was in the midst of trying to fend off the rival World Hockey Association, which had already poached several of their notable stars. NHL officials were wary that WHA teams would use the results of their draft to try to lure players to their league. So the NHL hatched a unique plan: They would hold the 1974 draft completely veiled in secrecy.

Over a three-day window — starting on May 28, 1974 — teams would select players via a private telephone call, with the 18 general managers phoning in to NHL president Clarence Campbell at the league headquarters in Montreal to record their pick.

Each team had no clue what other clubs were doing, forcing Campbell to re-read the selections each time a team was drafting a player. The first day alone took eight hours, and the draft was scheduled to go as many rounds as general managers chose to draft.

The process became so meticulous and tedious that several teams started skipping picks altogether.

The Kansas City Scouts — despite being a brand new expansion team — opted to skip their eighth-round selection.

The California Golden Seals punted on their ninth-round pick.


Josh Tsujimoto wears his No. 74 Tsujimoto jersey whenever he attends Sabres home games at KeyBank Center. (Photo courtesy of Josh Tsujimoto)

Both Vancouver and Detroit passed on choosing a player in the 10th round.

But the Buffalo Sabres didn’t want to just skip their pick in the 11th round. Instead, they wanted to send a message to league officials that the draft process was needlessly drawn out and exhausting.

The Sabres had four people handling the draft: General manager Punch Imlach, coach Floyd Smith, scouting director John Andersen and public relations director Paul Wieland. Wieland explained in his 2019 book, “Taro Lives! Confessions of the Sabres Hoaxer” that he was there to gather information on the players drafted but he also had eyes on getting into hockey management. Imlach wanted to help him get there.

Imlach walked into the Sabres’ draft suite on the second day of the draft already fed up with the process. As Wieland recalled in his book, Imlach said, “What the hell can we do to piss off Campbell?”

Andersen suggested drafting a player nobody knew about so teams had to comb through their lists to find him. Then Wieland jumped in and said, “We should draft someone who doesn’t even exist … just make up a name from some place that no one would expect. Like Japan for example.”

Imlach thought about it and said, “Japanese? What the hell. Why not?”

In the spring of 1974, Paul Tsujimoto was a 21-year-old college student back in his family home in Elma, N.Y.

He distinctly recalls being called downstairs from his bedroom for dinner one night when his father relayed the story of a mysterious phone call he had received earlier in the day.

“He said someone with the Buffalo Sabres called him on the phone and asked him a couple of questions,” says Paul. “They wanted to know a common name for a boy in Japan. And they wanted to know what the Japanese word for a sabre was.”

Paul’s father — Joshua Tsujimoto — answered the questions.

He told the caller that Taro was a common name for a boy in Japan. And that the Japanese equivalent of a sabre was called a katana.

The idea to phone the Tsujimoto household was the brainchild of Wieland. When traveling back and forth as a college student, Wieland would drive by Tsujimoto Garden and Gifts, the family’s general store. That’s how he came up with the fictitious last name for the draft pick.

Wieland used the answers from Joshua to help fill out an elaborate backstory that included fake stats in a press release. According to the Sabres, Tsujimoto had a modest 15 goals and 10 assists for the Tokyo Katanas in his draft year.

The Tsujimotos and the four people in the Sabres’ draft room were the only ones aware of the gag.

“We had no idea what they were doing until we found out about the draft a couple of days later,” says Paul. “Then we said, ‘Ahhh. That’s why they called.’”

Wieland and Imlach decided to see how far they could take it. When the team went to training camp in St. Catherines, Wieland roped in team trainer Rip Simonick, who built a locker stall complete with equipment and a Tsujimoto jersey with No. 13 on the back.

Danny Gare, the Sabres’ second-round pick in the 1974 draft, remembers being at rookie camp and everyone wondering who Tsujimoto was and when he might show up. The closer the Sabres got to main camp, the more the intrigue intensified.

“They were making cuts and getting ready for main camp and we hadn’t seen him,” Gare says. “There were a lot of discussion like, ‘Where is this guy?’ There were rumors he had trouble getting his immigration papers and all of that. It was a good prank, man. It was quite a thing.”

Even the owners, Seymour and Northrup Knox, weren’t in on the joke. They were asking Imlach and Wieland every day at training camp if Tsujimoto had arrived. Wieland explained in his book that Imlach would just say he “wasn’t sure if the kid would make it this year, but remember we have his rights in case he decides to turn pro in the future.”

“You had to think this guy was real,” Boutet says. “Who would go through that length to play a practical joke? Well, I guess Paul would.”

It probably helped that the Sabres had a strong draft that year. Gare and Lee Fogolin, the team’s top two picks, played more than 800 NHL games. Gare once led the NHL in goals. Even Derek Smith, taken one round before the Sabres drafted Tsujimoto, ended up playing 335 games and collecting 194 points.

“I remember later playing on a line with Derek Smith and Tony McKegney,” Gare says. “We had a great line. I scored 56 the one year and we were going out afterward to celebrate the season. Derek Smith said to me, ‘Yeah, Tickets, you’ll be remembered for leading the league in goals. I’ll be remembered for being the draft pick before Taro Tsujimoto.’”

The whole Sabres organization ended up becoming quite fond of Wieland’s pranks. Each April 1, Wieland would come up with a fake story to send out in a press release. One year, he typed an entire release to announce that the Sabres would be switching to plastic ice in their arena. A local television news reporter fell for the story and ran it on air. He didn’t talk to Wieland for years after the fact.

Gare still laughs at that one, because he’s now a partner at Can-Ice, a synthetic ice company in Canada. Wieland was ahead of his time without even realizing it.

“He had a likable spirit about him,” Gare says. “He always had a comedic side talking to him.”

“Paul Wieland was such a character. I got to know him a bit over the years. A completely creative, zany guy who was so colorful,” adds Paul. “And he always had some out-of-the-box ideas.”

Wieland’s pranks were only part of his charm. He was innovative on the team’s broadcast, came up with the team’s mascot, Sabretooth, who is still around today and is the reason the Sabres sing the Canadian and United States National anthems before games. His impact on the franchise was enough for Boutet to push for Wieland’s induction into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame this fall.

The NHL wasn’t as enamored with Wieland’s jokes. Then-NHL president Clarence Campbell fell for the plastic ice joke when, according to Wieland’s book, he was quoted by the Canadian Press supporting the Sabres’ attempt to keep the league on the cutting edge of technology. So it’s no surprise Campbell didn’t have a lot of patience for the Taro Tsujimoto joke once the league caught wind of it. The Tsujimoto pick was eventually removed from the official record and the pick entry is now just invalid.

But that didn’t stop the legend from living on in Buffalo. There were bumper stickers and trading cards. Some fans would show up to The Buffalo Memorial Auditorium with big signs that said, “Taro says …” with different endings for each game.

“I used to read them all the time because they were clever,” Gare says.

Wieland used to say that his quirky jokes were a way to put a small market team on the map and show off the city and franchise’s sense of humor. In a bigger market like Toronto, New York or Montreal, Boutet doesn’t think something like the Tsujimoto prank would have taken off in the same way.

“Buffalo people are different,” Boutet says. “We get it. We’re OK to laugh at each other. This was the perfect town to do it in.”

Paul Tsujimoto says he first told his son Josh — who is named after his grandfather — about the legend of Taro when he was about 8 years old.

“It was an inside joke with the family for as long as I can remember,” says Josh. “I remember my dad bringing it up when I was little. I didn’t realize how many people knew about this until I got older.”

Paul owns one Taro Tsujimoto rookie card that was gifted to him by a former employer who was able to track one down.


The legend of Taro Tsujimoto isn’t just a family story shared by the Tsujimoto family. It’s an inside joke that has been kept alive by Sabres fans for 50 years. (Photo courtesy of Josh Tsujimoto)

In 2011, the Panini trading card company decided to print a small run of Taro Tsujimoto rookie cards as part of their 2010-11 rookie set. The card lists Tsujimoto’s alleged birthdate — March 15, 1953 — and posts his height (5 feet 9) and weight (165 pounds).

The back of the card featured a short biography that leaned into Tsujimoto’s curious backstory:

“In Buffalo, it’s not Where Have You Gone, Joe DiMaggio? It’s Where Have You Been, Taro Tsujimoto? The first Japanese player ever selected in the NHL Draft, the Sabres tabbed the mysterious prospect in the 11th round back in 1974. The Canadiens, who had hoped to steal him later in the draft, were rumored to have worked out a deal for the diminutive center that would have sent Jacques Lemaire to Buffalo. Instead, the Sabres held on to his rights and continue to anticipate his arrival. To this day, whispers of his exploits with the Tokyo Katanas stir up the fans at the HSBC Arena, where the faithful often are heard to chant ‘We Want Taro!’”

Panini received the approval of both the NHL and NHL Players’ Association to produce that Tsujimoto card. An NHLPA staffer even assisted Panini in tracking down an era-appropriate photo to use on the front of the card. But as for the identity of the man posing as Taro Tsujimoto on that trading card, nobody seems to know exactly who it is.

“I have no idea who that guy is on the card,” says Paul with a laugh.

One Tsujimoto card was placed in every 20 boxes of that run, making it an elusive card to obtain. The rarity of that card is the perfect reflection of the mystery around Taro Tsujimoto that has endured for 50 years. And it was all courtesy of the creative mind of Wieland.

“He created a folk hero is what he did,” says Gare. “It’s crazy that it still has legs 50 years later.”

“It’s pretty neat. As time goes on, the younger fans don’t know about it, but the story persists,” adds Josh. “And I like that the story continues on. It’s a fun way to remember my grandpa and Mr. Wieland.”

(Illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic. Photo: Derek Cain / Getty Images)
28Jun
You Can Turn Any Old Tablet Into Your Smart Home Hub: Here’s How

Quick Links

Key Takeaways

  • Repurpose old tablets as smart home hubs for convenience and cost-effective home control.
  • Choose a tablet based on smart home platform compatibility.
  • Use a wall mount or stand and install a smart home manager app for full functionality.



You probably have an old tablet, like an iPad, in a drawer or cabinet. But if you’re a smart home fan, it’s simple and easy to give the technology new life as a smart home hub. We’ll show you everything you need to get started.


Why Use an Old Tablet as a Smart Home Hub?

RossHelen/Shutterstock

Smart home technology is a great way to make life just a bit easier. Whether you want to turn on the lights, unlock a door, or do something else, you can do it with just a voice command or tap of a screen.

Smart speakers, for example an Amazon Echo, can provide voice control for a wide variety of smart home products. But especially if you have a number of smart home devices, a hub is a perfect way to see and control your smart home at a glance.


A hub can be used in many locations in your home. Along with mounting the tablet on your wall, you can also find a stand to place it in a well-traveled part of your home so that everyone can use it. As the technology grows and becomes popular, you can find dedicated smart home hubs, like Amazon’s Echo Home Hub we’ve reviewed, for smart home control.

But there’s no need to spend the extra money for that advantage, especially if you have an old tablet lying around. Whether the tablet is from Apple, Amazon, or Google, you can create a smart home hub for much less and still enjoy the convenience of the technology.

How to Get Started

In just a few steps, you can turn any tablet into a powerful smart home hub.

Pick a Tablet

The first step to creating your smart home hub is to pick the tablet. A big consideration is which smart home platform you use at home. For example, you wouldn’t be able to use an Amazon Fire Tablet to control Apple HomeKit devices. Along with not being able to access Siri, Amazon’s tablet doesn’t offer any app to control HomeKit devices.


If you’re new to smart home devices, find out how HomeKit and Alexa compare.

So, to keep things simple, any Apple iPad is great for Apple HomeKit and Amazon Alexa. Amazon’s tablet is obviously great for Alexa-powered devices. And any Android tablet is the best choice for a Google Home setup.

To make the most of the tablet, you’ll first need to check and make sure it is in good working condition. The screen should be free of cracks and fully functional. Also, make sure to update the tablet with the most recent operating system.

Another must-have to turn the tablet into a smart home hub is a power cord and adapter. If the old tablet has a problem keeping a charge, it’s not a dealbreaker, especially if you can keep it plugged in constantly. You also don’t need to worry if the tablet has issues with the front or rear-facing camera as you won’t be taking pictures with a smart home hub.


Find a Wall Mount or Stand

a tablet with a desk mount
mmoktp/Shutterstock

After finding your tablet that best matches your smart home, it’s time to decide where you want it to be located. There are two major ways to use a tablet as a smart home hub. Each option has advantages and disadvantages.

First, you can use a mount to place the tablet on the wall. There are many universal mounts, like this option, which can hold any device with a 4.7- to 12.9-inch screen. It can rotate the tablet a full 360 degrees, so you can use it in either vertical or horizontal orientation.


To use almost any wall mount, you will need to drill holes in the wall. That might not be ideal for renters and apartment dwellers. Another downside is that it will need to be located near a power outlet to keep the battery charged or powered on. You’ll also need to deal with an unsightly power cord draping down the wall.

An alternative is using a tablet stand. This option can fit virtually any tablet on the market and is available in a wide variety of colors. You can place the tablet in either a horizontal or landscape orientation. There is also a convenient location to place a charging cord.

The big advantage of a stand is that it doesn’t place your tablet on a wall. You can place the tablet in the kitchen, bedroom, or pretty much anywhere else. You should also be able to hide the power cord in an out-of-the-way location like behind a table.

A disadvantage is that a tablet used on a stand likely isn’t as convenient as a wall-mounted option and might be more difficult for visitors and family members to use.


Install a Smart Home Manager App

apple home on a tablet
DenPhotos/Shutterstock

The final piece of the puzzle is finding a smart home manager app for the wall-mounted tablet or tablet on a stand. This step depends—once again—on what kind of tablet, and smart home platform, you’re using.

With an iPad, you’ll have the maximum flexibility. The most likely option is to use Apple’s stock Home app with HomeKit devices. While there are other third-party options to control an Apple-friendly smart home, the Home app looks great on the big screen of an iPad and allows tons of customization so you can access the accessories you need quickly.


Apple’s tablet is also an option for Amazon Alexa users. Download the Alexa app on the App Store and you’ll access control for Alexa-compatible products.

Amazon users can also make a Fire tablet a smart home hub with the Alexa app already built in. If you don’t want to open up the Alexa app, you can even choose the Device Dashboard from the lock screen or Quick Settings by swiping down on the home screen. In the Device Dashboard, you can choose your favorite smart home device and routines from the Alexa app.

Android and Google tablets can be set up to control Google Home devices with the built-in app. You can also download the Alexa app to control Amazon-compatible devices as well.

The convenience of a smart home hub might be closer than you think. With an old tablet, and just little bit of work, you can repurpose the technology for a modern smart home.

27Jun
David Medalla at the Hammer Museum: curiously absorbing art

David Medalla, a Filipino artist who died in Manila in 2020 at age 82, is not well known in the United States. “A Stitch in Time,” perhaps his most widely admired work, was an interactive, multiyear piece that he began in London in 1968 by inviting the audience to sew small objects, images or texts of personal significance onto a large cloth suspended in a public space. Its 1998 inclusion in “Out of Actions: Between Performance and the Object, 1949-1979” at the Museum of Contemporary Art is one of the few times Medalla’s art has been shown in Los Angeles.

Now, the UCLA Hammer Museum is presenting “David Medalla: In Conversation With the Cosmos,” organized by interim chief curator Aram Moshayedi, the first American retrospective of the artist’s work and a curiously absorbing affair. “A Stitch in Time” is not included (some documentary material related to it is, including a drawing and a tin box stuffed with bits of cloth and spools of thread). With just a few sculptures and paintings, the show is largely composed of works on paper — scores of drawings, watercolors, notations, sketchbooks, posters, notepads, photographs, scrapbooks and other assorted ephemera — plus documentary photographs by colleagues. The most frequent material Medalla employed over the course of half a century seems to have been ballpoint pen.

Did I mention that his drawings tend to be pretty terrible? They are — at least in the traditional sense of skillfully developed and captivating rendering, or what has been called “artisanal competence” (sometimes derisively). Looking at them is sort of like rifling through the diary of someone with really poor penmanship.

His drawings are rarely where he worked out the look of a painting or sculpture, and none seems to have been intended as a standalone art object. The data can be interesting, even if the look is unripe and sometimes crabbed. The show’s primary exceptions are three vivid, colorfully explosive 1962-63 studies for an impossible sculpture-machine that would ooze molten lava into random patterns — Earth’s primal forces simultaneously destroying and creating.

David Medalla, “Lava Machine,” 1962, acrylic on paper.

(UCLA Hammer Museum)

Perhaps the studies were inspired by contemporaneous, widely reported activity of Hawaii’s dramatic Kilauea volcano and the epic, year-long eruption of Gunung Agung volcano in Indonesia. Volcanic action is hardly uncommon in the Philippines. Whatever the case, with magma running at 1,300 to 2,200 degrees, production of an actual lava sculpture-machine was unlikely. The imaginative drawings entice.

In a notebook entry, Medalla explains that he began to draw in 1943 at age 5, during the brutal Japanese occupation of Manila, when his four older siblings gave him a set of watercolors, colored pencils and pads of paper to play with. He kept at it until he was felled by a stroke in 2016. There’s no indication that he ever developed facility with it.

Nor is there any indication that he wanted to. What begins as rudimentary contour drawings of figures in flat black ink, including male nudes and the intertwined heads of kissing boys, is soon accompanied by scratchy ballpoint sketches, often on ruled paper, of things rumbling through the artist’s head. Images span performance ideas, political sloganeering, plans for kinetic art objects, fascinations with Rosa Luxemburg, the Polish German socialist thinker, Arthur Rimbaud, radical French poet, and more. That early childhood identification of the manual activity of drawing with feelings of social, homosexual and familial warmth repeatedly shines through the exhibition.

It also lurks within the absent “A Stitch in Time.” That participatory project was birthed by serendipity. Medalla had given embroidered handkerchiefs, needles and thread to two ex-lovers, urging them to add embroidery to the cloth at their leisure, in any way they liked. Years later, in a random encounter in Amsterdam with a backpacker from Bali, Medalla discovered one of those handkerchiefs in his possession.

David Medalla's "Kumbum" are politically charged 1971-72 newspaper stories pasted onto colorful poster boards.

David Medalla’s “Kumbum” are politically charged 1971-72 newspaper stories pasted onto colorful poster boards.

(Christopher Knight / Los Angeles Times)

Maybe by chance, the original launch of “A Stitch in Time” also coincided with a landmark labor-relations dispute in the United Kingdom, in which sewing collided with tangled questions of gender and skill. (The peripatetic Medalla lived and worked primarily in London, where he co-founded Signals Gallery, with stints in Paris, New York and Berlin, and he traveled widely, returning periodically to Manila.) London’s 1968 sewing machinists’ strike at a Ford factory, led by six women, caused a huge public uproar when the auto company sought to cut wages for the women’s “less skilled production job” of sewing seat covers rather than welding chassis. The women’s strike, ultimately successful, prompted passage of a national equal pay act.

Medalla’s performance actions sometimes employed fanciful homemade masks — amusing, although nothing special, based on the few displayed examples. Often, the actions took direct aim at social issues, including the shocking imposition of martial law in his previously democratic, post-colonial homeland. Tiered shelves in one Hammer gallery feature a few dozen collages on a rainbow of brightly colored poster boards — titled “Kumbum,” after the endless manifestations of Buddha’s bodies in Tibetan lore — each simply an informational newspaper story or full-page pasted down. Several include scrawled Medalla text that lambastes Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos, one for shutting down the resolutely liberal broadsheet, the Manila Chronicle, founded at the end of World War II.

The show’s standout work, though, is “Cloud Canyons” (2017), one of a series of kinetic sculptures Medalla began exhibiting in 1964. Frothy clouds of soapy bubbles emerge from the tops of five clear plastic pillars, which rise from a circular platform that hides the bubble-compressors. Transitory columns of evanescent foam rise, droop and fall. The foamy shapes recall solid prewar sculptures by Naum Gabo, Constantin Brancusi and Jean Arp, while the kinetic machine creates ephemeral drawings in space, a motif of central importance in Western art after World War II.

Medalla said the work was inspired by personal experience, including an indelible memory of the scary frothing mouth of a wounded Japanese soldier he discovered in the family garden when he was a small child. Constructed right after his lovely but impossible drawings for an erupting lava-machine sculpture, the bubble sculpture is also inescapably erotic. The steadily oozing phallic cycle implies a sequence of erection, ejaculation and flaccid rest, only to endlessly repeat. That five climaxing columns cluster tightly together infers an abstract same-sex orgy — another primal force simultaneously destroying and creating.

‘David Medalla: In Conversation With the Cosmos’

Where: UCLA Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood
When: Tuesdays-Sundays, through Sept. 15
Cost: Free
Info: (310) 443-7000, www.hammer.ucla.edu

27Jun
Tata Motors Reveals Tentative Launch Timeline of Tata Sierra, Tata Nexon CNG and Tata Curvv; Check Details

New Delhi, June 27: Tata Motors has announced the official launch dates of its Tata Nexon CNG, Tata Sierra, and Tata Curvv SUVs for the Indian market. Tata Nexon CNG will reportedly become the first SUV to get electric, CNG, and ICE versions in the subcompact segment. Tata Motors plans to expand its SUV lineup in India with the launch of its new Nexon CNG, Sierra, and Curvv. 

Over the next six years, Tata Motors is strategically aiming to boost its market share by 20%, as per a report by Auto Hindustan Times. The report also revealed that Tata Motors has outlined a tentative launch timeline for its prominent SUV lineup, including the Tata Nexon CNG, Tata Curvv, and Tata Sierra in India. Hyundai Casper EV SUV Unveiled at 2024 Busan International Motor Show; Check Range, Battery, Features and Specifications.

The report detailed the unveiling of the Tata Sierra and Tata Curvv electric vehicles at the prestigious Auto Expo 2023. In a further display of its commitment to innovation, the company also unveiled the upcoming Tata Nexon CNG version and the ICE version of the Tata Curvv electric SUV at the Bharat Mobility Show in January 2024. 

Tata Motors reportedly holds a third spot in passenger vehicle sales; however, the company is working on a strategy to gain more market share in the segment. Shailesh Chandra, MD of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, reportedly said that customer preference for sport utility vehicles over other body-type vehicles would increase. Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis Says Ather Energy Going To Invest Over Rs 2,000 Crore in Manufacturing Facility in State, Will Generate 4,000 Jobs.

Shailesh Chandra said that the Tata Curvv and Tata Sierra will be launched in the next two years and will likely help the company capture the mid-range SUV segment. The company’s managing director said Tata Motors will push more CNG-powered and electric vehicles in the coming years. Tata Sierra will be introduced to the market in FY26, while Tata Cuvv will arrive in the current financial year. Tata Curvv will be introduced in all three versions, including CNG, petrol and EV. Tata Nexon CNG launch is expected later this year.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 27, 2024 11:58 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
27Jun
OpenAI Wants AI to Help Humans Train AI

One of the key ingredients that made ChatGPT a ripsnorting success was an army of human trainers who gave the artificial intelligence model behind the bot guidance on what constitutes good and bad outputs. OpenAI now says that adding even more AI into the mix—to help assist human trainers—could help make AI helpers smarter and more reliable.

In developing ChatGPT, OpenAI pioneered the use of reinforcement learning with human feedback, or RLHF. This technique uses input from human testers to fine-tune an AI model so that its output is judged to be more coherent, less objectionable, and more accurate. The ratings the trainers give feed into an algorithm that drives the model’s behavior. The technique has proven crucial both to making chatbots more reliable and useful and preventing them from misbehaving.

“RLHF does work very well, but it has some key limitations,” says Nat McAleese, a researcher at OpenAI involved with the new work. For one thing, human feedback can be inconsistent. For another it can be difficult for even skilled humans to rate extremely complex outputs, such as sophisticated software code. The process can also optimize a model to produce output that seems convincing rather than actually being accurate.

OpenAI developed a new model by fine-tuning its most powerful offering, GPT-4, to assist human trainers tasked with assessing code. The company found that the new model, dubbed CriticGPT, could catch bugs that humans missed, and that human judges found its critiques of code to be better 63 percent of the time. OpenAI will look at extending the approach to areas beyond code in the future.

“We’re starting work to integrate this technique into our RLHF chat stack,” McAleese says. He notes that the approach is imperfect, since CriticGPT can also make mistakes by hallucinating, but he adds that the technique could help make OpenAI’s models as well as tools like ChatGPT more accurate by reducing errors in human training. He adds that it might also prove crucial in helping AI models become much smarter, because it may allow humans to help train an AI that exceeds their own abilities. “And as models continue to get better and better, we suspect that people will need more help,” McAleese says.

The new technique is one of many now being developed to improve large language models and squeeze more abilities out of them. It is also part of an effort to ensure that AI behaves in acceptable ways even as it becomes more capable.

Earlier this month, Anthropic, a rival to OpenAI founded by ex-OpenAI employees, announced a more capable version of its own chatbot, called Claude, thanks to improvements in the model’s training regimen and the data it is fed. Anthropic and OpenAI have both also recently touted new ways of inspecting AI models to understand how they arrive at their output in order to better prevent unwanted behavior such as deception.

The new technique might help OpenAI train increasingly powerful AI models while ensuring their output is more trustworthy and aligned with human values, especially if the company successfully deploys it in more areas than code. OpenAI has said that it is training its next major AI model, and the company is evidently keen to show that it is serious about ensuring that it behaves. This follows the dissolvement of a prominent team dedicated to assessing the long-term risks posed by AI. The team was co-led by Ilya Sutskever, a cofounder of the company and former board member who briefly pushed CEO Sam Altman out of the company before recanting and helping him regain control. Several members of that team have since criticized the company for moving riskily as it rushes to develop and commercialize powerful AI algorithms.

Dylan Hadfield-Menell, a professor at MIT who researches ways to align AI, says the idea of having AI models help train more powerful ones has been kicking around for a while. “This is a pretty natural development,” he says.

Hadfield-Menell notes that the researchers who originally developed techniques used for RLHF discussed related ideas several years ago. He says it remains to be seen how generally applicable and powerful it is. “It might lead to big jumps in individual capabilities, and it might be a stepping stone towards sort of more effective feedback in the long run,” he says.
27Jun
Binance Tightens Oversight of Its Services, Offers Rewards for Reporting Misuse

Binance has decided to add more layers of security over the management of accounts on its platform. The exchange’s decision comes after internal analyses showed that some of its features and services were being exploited to fetch unfair advantages, such as a better fee rate and higher API limits. Binance has planned to incorporate several steps to make its platform safe for users to engage with cryptocurrencies. The exchange has recently had run-ins with the law enforcement authorities of more than one country, making it reassess its user-friendliness and look for improvements that it can bring to its services.

Binance explains its exploitation

Bad actors have been flocking to exploit cryptocurrencies, mainly because these digital assets can process instant transactions, local and cross border, offering anonymity to the parties involved. Governments around the world are concerned about the misuse of crypto tokens to facilitate unlawful transactions linked to terror financing and money laundering.

Detailing the findings of its own analysis, a blog by Binance said, “Our platform offers various account types, including sub-accounts, managed sub-accounts, and fund manager accounts, which all play an important role in diverse genuine use cases. However, these features also have the potential to be misused by bad actors that seek to circumvent our controls to either access or sell access to a better fee rate and higher API limits.”

To ensure its account features are not being misused, Binance claims to have enhanced the monitoring of all account usage and related activities from a technological standpoint.

“We will investigate all potential or suspected incidents of misuse and, if necessary, take action that we consider appropriate to remedy misuse, which may include, but not limited to, suspension or termination of the relevant accounts,” the post added.

Binance offers rewards to encourage users to report misuse

In December 2023, Binance had claimed that it surpassed over 170 million users on its global network.

In order to catch financial miscreants misusing its platform, Binance has called out to its users asking them to be vigilant. The exchange is offering rewards for reporting potentially suspicious account holders.

“We will provide a reward for any verified case of account misuse. The reward amount will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Your support can make a significant impact and help improve our platform. These efforts are crucial to further enhancing and safeguarding the integrity of our platform,” the exchange noted.

Recently, Binance was fined $2.25 million (roughly Rs. 18.8 crore) in India for reportedly not adhering to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA). The crypto exchange has previously also had encounters with the American and Nigerian authorities over alleged non-compliance of their respective rules overseeing the crypto sector.

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27Jun
Google June 2024 spam update done rolling out

Google’s June 2024 spam update rollout is now complete. The spam update started June 20, 2024, about 7 days ago.

This update was a general and broad spam update, it was not a link spam update and did not automate the site reputation abuse policy, which is still only done via manual actions.

Google wrote this morning, “The rollout was complete as of June 27, 2024.”

Here’s our past coverage of confirmed Google spam updates:

Why we care. If you noticed your rankings changed during this time frame, it may be related to the June 2024 spam update. Maybe your rankings improved because your competitors were hurt by this update. Maybe your rankings declined because Google thinks you were going against its spam policies.

Spam updates. Here are the official Google spam updates documentation:

While Google’s automated systems to detect search spam are constantly operating, we occasionally make notable improvements to how they work. When we do, we refer to this as a spam update and share when they happen on our list of Google Search ranking updates.

For example, SpamBrain is our AI-based spam-prevention system. From time-to-time, we improve that system to make it better at spotting spam and to help ensure it catches new types of spam.

Sites that see a change after a spam update should review our spam policies to ensure they are complying with those. Sites that violate our policies may rank lower in results or not appear in results at all. Making changes may help a site improve if our automated systems learn over a period of months that the site complies with our spam policies.

In the case of a link spam update (an update that specifically deals with link spam), making changes might not generate an improvement. This is because when our systems remove the effects spammy links may have, any ranking benefit the links may have previously generated for your site is lost. Any potential ranking benefits generated by those links cannot be regained.
27Jun
Coder Gets Super Mario 64 Running On A Game Boy Advance

We know that Doom can run on almost anything these days, but it seems that one ambitious coder has tried his best to get Super Mario 64 running on Game Boy Advance hardware. And while it’s far from the smoothest experience, it’s a pretty impressive feat of engineering.

Programmer Joshua Barretto showed off a video of the build in action. The swimming textures and basic Mario model take some getting used to, but the overall effect is clearly recognizable as Super Mario 64. Barretto notes in the video description that the build uses “real” 3D, rather than the fixed 2.5D-perspective tricks of games like Doom. When you consider that then-contemporary GBA games like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 had to rely on zoomed-out isometric camera angles to achieve the illusion of 3D, you can see how far this build is pushing the GBA hardware.

While the project is still in early stages, Barretto says there’s no timeline for its completion, or if it’ll continue to be worked on. Regardless, it’s unlikely to ever be released in a playable state, given Nintendo’s litigious reputation. For example, Nintendo recently shut down the popular Switch emulator Yuzu and 3DS emulator Citra by winning a judgment against the developer group Tropic Haze.
27Jun
How do our memories last a lifetime? New study offers a biological explanation

Whether it’s a first-time visit to a zoo or when we learned to ride a bicycle, we have memories from our childhoods kept well into adult years. But what explains how these memories last nearly an entire lifetime?

A new study in the journal Science Advances, conducted by a team of international researchers, has uncovered a biological explanation for long-term memories. It centers on the discovery of the role of a molecule, KIBRA, that serves as a “glue” to other molecules, thereby solidifying memory formation.

“Previous efforts to understand how molecules store long-term memory focused on the individual actions of single molecules,” explains André Fenton, a professor of neural science at New York University and one of the study’s principal investigators. “Our study shows how they work together to ensure perpetual memory storage.”

“A firmer understanding of how we keep our memories will help guide efforts to illuminate and address memory-related afflictions in the future,” adds Todd Sacktor, a professor at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University and one of the study’s principal investigators.

It’s been long-established that neurons store information in memory as the pattern of strong synapses and weak synapses, which determines the connectivity and function of neural networks. However, the molecules in synapses are unstable, continually moving around in the neurons, and wearing out and being replaced in hours to days, thereby raising the question: How, then, can memories be stable for years to decades?

In a study using laboratory mice, the scientists focused on the role of KIBRA, or kidney and brain expressed protein, the human genetic variants of which are associated with both good and poor memory. They focused on KIBRA’s interactions with other molecules crucial to memory formation — in this case, protein kinase Mzeta (PKMzeta). This enzyme is the most crucial molecule for strengthening normal mammalian synapses that is known, but it degrades after a few days.

Their experiments reveal that KIBRA is the “missing link” in long-term memories, serving as a “persistent synaptic tag,” or glue, that sticks to strong synapses and to PKMzeta while also avoiding weak synapses.

“During memory formation the synapses involved in the formation are activated — and KIBRA is selectively positioned in these synapses,” explains Sacktor, a professor of physiology, pharmacology, anesthesiology, and neurology at SUNY Downstate. “PKMzeta then attaches to the KIBRA-synaptic-tag and keeps those synapses strong. This allows the synapses to stick to newly made KIBRA, attracting more newly made PKMzeta.”

More specifically, their experiments in the Science Advances paper show that breaking the KIBRA-PKMzeta bond erases old memory. Previous work had shown that randomly increasing PKMzeta in the brain enhances weak or faded memories, which was mysterious because it should have done the opposite by acting at random locations, but the persistent synaptic tagging by KIBRA explains why the additional PKMzeta was memory enhancing, by only acting at the KIBRA tagged sites.

“The persistent synaptic tagging mechanism for the first time explains these results that are clinically relevant to neurological and psychiatric disorders of memory,” observes Fenton, who is also on the faculty at NYU Langone Medical Center’s Neuroscience Institute.

The paper’s authors note that the research affirms a concept introduced in 1984 by Francis Crick. Sacktor and Fenton point out that his proposed hypothesis to explain the brain’s role in memory storage despite constant cellular and molecular changes is a Theseus’s Ship mechanism — borrowed from a philosophical argument stemming from Greek mythology in which new planks replace old ones to maintain Theseus’s Ship for years.

“The persistent synaptic tagging mechanism we found is analogous to how new planks replace old planks to maintain Theseus’s Ship for generations, and allows memories to last for years even as the proteins maintaining the memory are replaced,” says Sacktor. “FrancisCrick intuited this Theseus’s Ship mechanism, even predicting the role for a protein kinase. But it took 40 years to discover that the components are KIBRA and PKMzeta and to work out the mechanism of their interaction.”

The study also included researchers from Canada’s McGill University, Germany’s University Hospital of Münster, and University of Texas Medical School at Houston.

This work was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (R37 MH057068, R01 MH115304, R01 NS105472, R01 MH132204, R01 NS108190), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Discovery (203523), and the Garry and Sarah S. Sklar Fund.
27Jun
Webinar on ‘Best Practices for Protecting IP in the Digital World’

Lawctopus Law School is organizing a Free and Open Webinar on “Best Practices for Protecting IP in the Digital World” on June 30, 2024, from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM.

About the Webinar

In the digital era, intellectual property (IP) has become one of the most valuable assets for businesses and individuals alike. As technology advances and the internet becomes a global marketplace, IP theft, piracy, and infringement risks have dramatically increased.

Implementing best practices for protecting intellectual property is essential to safeguarding innovations, creative works, and proprietary information from unauthorized use and exploitation. Effective IP protection helps maintain a competitive edge, ensures legal compliance, fosters innovation, and secures revenue streams.

In an era where digital transformation is reshaping industries, safeguarding intellectual property (IP) has become a paramount concern for innovators, creators, and businesses alike. By the end of this webinar, you will be equipped with actionable strategies to bolster your IP protection efforts, ensuring your innovations and creative works are securely defended against the complexities of the digital age.

Don’t miss this invaluable opportunity to stay ahead of the curve and fortify your IP assets against the ever-evolving landscape of digital threats.

Click here to register for the Webinar on “Best Practices for Protecting IP in the Digital World”.

About Lawctopus Law School

Conceptualized and kick-started in May 2019 and formally launched in March 2020, Lawctopus Law School has taught a wide range of skills to over 14,000+ law students, young lawyers, professionals, academicians, and business people in the last 3 years.

Over 1000 learners have rated our courses, and the average rating of these courses is 92.5/100. Learners commonly described the courses as a ‘warm’ learning experience!

Our courses on Legal Research and Writing, Contract Drafting and Negotiation, Litigation Basics, ODR, IPRs (with separate modules too for Trademarks, Copyrights, and Patents), Applying for LLM Abroad, and Mooting have transformed how people look at legal education and online legal education.

In fact, our open webinars have been attended by over 30,000 people!

Register now!

Structure of the Masterclass

07:00 PM – 07:10 PM: Welcome/ Introduction to the Webinar and the Expert.

07:10 PM- 08:30 PM:

  • Introduction to Digital – Intellectual Property (D-IP) and types.
  • Understanding the common Digital Threats to IP with the help of case studies.
  • Learning Strategies and Legal Measures for Businesses to Protect IP Online.
  • Formulating Strategies for Individuals to Protect IP Online.
  • Study of Case Laws to Comprehend Successful IP Enforcement.
  • Analysing Future Trends and the importance of protecting IP in the Digital Age.

08:30 PM – 09:00 PM: Bonus Registration Opportunity for Marwari University and LLS’ 1-year Diploma in IPR and Technology Laws and a Q&A session with Mr. H.B. Keshava

Key Takeaways from the Webinar

  • Getting Introduced to Digital – Intellectual Property (D-IP) and learning its types.
  • Understanding the Common Digital Threats to IP.
  • Learning the Strategies and Legal Measures for Businesses to Protect IP Online.
  • Navigating Strategies for Individuals to Protect IP Online.
  • Discerning the Future Trends and the Importance of IP Protection in the Digital Age.
  • Interactive Learning with real-world case studies as examples to illustrate Successful IP Enforcement by Large Corporations and Individual Creators.
  • Networking opportunities for attendees, learners, and professionals from diverse backgrounds to connect and build value-based professional relationships to foster knowledge exchange.

Click here to register for the Webinar on “Best Practices for Protecting IP in the Digital World.”

Details of the Webinar:

  • Date: June 30, 2024 (Sunday)
  • Time: 07:00 PM to 09:00 PM
  • Platform: Zoom (The link will be sent upon registration)
  • Registration Fee: None

Who can Attend?

  • Lawyers and Legal Professionals,
  • Law Students,
  • Academicians and Researchers,
  • IP Enthusiasts
  • Career Changers

Click here to register for Marwadi University and Lawctopus Law School’s 1-Year Diploma in IPR and Technology Laws.

About the Speaker

H.B. Keshava is an Advocate who is the Founder and Managing Partner of Baskaran Associates. He is an alumnus of the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun, and later completed his Master’s in Law from the Indian Law Society’s ILS Law College, Pune. He is also a Degree holder and a Master’s holder in Science.

His areas of academic specialisation are in the fields of Law, Science and Technology, which include Energy Laws, Intellectual Property Rights, Cyber Laws, Business Laws, Dispute Resolution, Labour Laws and Space Laws. He is an avid researcher and litigator. He holds many years of experience in the field of law.

He started Baskaran Associates with the goal of serving start-ups and young companies. However, the firm’s reputation is such that many MNCs have also taken up many services from the firm due to the experience and knowledge of H.B. Keshava and his team. He is also a guest lecturer and motivational speaker at many different institutes, universities, and colleges in the country.

He is also a Lead Auditor for ISO certification.

About the Moderator

Samiksha Singh is practising as a criminal litigator and has over 5 years of experience. She has worked extensively on high-profile cases with distinguished law luminaries such as Adv. Satish Maneshinde, Adv. Yug M. Chaudhry & Adv. Faisal Rizvi.

Samiksha graduated from Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), Raipur, with Specialisation Honours in Criminal Laws and International Trade & Investment in 2019. Then, she completed her post-graduation in Criminal Law in 2022. She is pursuing her PhD in allied laws and is also a qualified PoSH Specialist.

Samiksha has always been inclined towards teaching and education. With over 8 years of teaching experience to CLAT Aspirants, she joined the Lawctopus Law School team as the Learning Manager.

Click here to register for the Webinar on “Best Practices for Protecting IP in the Digital World.”

About the <Bonus Registration Opportunity>

From 08:30 PM – 09:00 PM during the Masterclass, you can register for Marwadi University and Lawctopus Law School’s 1-Year Diploma in IPR and Technology Laws.

For those who take action during the Webinar, the following bonuses will apply:

We have for you, bonuses worth Rs. 4500, stay tuned on this page for more updates!

More importantly, learning skill-sets [like research, writing, drafting] and attitude-sets [of life-long learning, kaizen] that will last a lifetime.

Want to avail of these bonuses before attending the Webinar? Email us at [email protected] with the subject line ‘IP Webinar Bonus’, and we’ll make it happen!

Certificates

No certificates will be provided. Please attend for your knowledge and insights.

But wait, If you still wish to obtain a Certificate, you can pay a logistics fee of INR 100 here after the Webinar.

We will give you the code during the Webinar, which you must fill out this form to obtain the Certificate.

Contact

If you have any queries, please write to [email protected].

Click here to register for the Webinar on “Best Practices for Protecting IP in the Digital World”

Click here to register for Marwadi University and Lawctopus Law School’s 1-Year Diploma in IPR and Technology Laws.
27Jun
Paris Fashion Week 2024: Elie Saab’s dramatic flair, De Libran’s vintage elegance and Viktor & Rolf’s boxy collection | Fashion Trends

Elie Saab again transported his VIP guests, including Avril Lavigne and Ellie Goulding at Paris’ Musee des Arts Decoratifs, to a realm of magic and splendor. With silks and velvet, the Lebanese couturier once again conjured a fantastical, almost fairytale world of bridal queens, gleaming foliage and midnight shadows. This season, the fashion world also had another peek at couture for men, which is a slowly growing phenomenon.

This combination of pictures created on June 26, 2024 shows models present creations by Elie Saab during the Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2024 show as part of the Paris Fashion Week, at le Musee des Arts Decoratifs. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP)

Here are some highlights of Wednesday’s fall-winter 2024 couture collection.

Elie Saab gleams for men and women

The Lebanese designer’s fall collection came with dramatic flair, strikingly at midnight, enveloping the audience in a welcome dark mood. Models in black leather opera gloves and graphic bands of black satin set the tone. Men’s couture capes, part of Saab’s theme since fall 2022, were embroidered with sequins and gleaming threads, resembling silver foliage kissed by morning dew. Saab’s opulent men’s couture line continues to add a new dimension to his brand, catering to a market segment that craves visibility. (Also read: Paris Fashion Week 2024 highlights: Loewe’s mythic collection, Dries Van Noten’s last show and more )

Get ready to catch the final stages of the World Cup only on Crickit. Anytime, Anywhere. Explore now!

In the predominantly women’s display, organza whooshes swirled upward from the waist in a feat of artistry. As the collection progressed, the color palette softened. Tried-and-tested floor-length silhouettes dazzled in gemstone hues. A standout piece was a shoulderless gown in powder red, where sequins on the bodice morphed into a sea of feathers cascading down the mermaid-like skirt. The transformation of textures underscored Saab’s craftsmanship.

While Saab’s designs may not always break the mold in innovation or surprise, the commitment to his signature style ensures that his creations remain timeless. His starry clientele appreciates the red carpet-ready classicism. Wednesday’s influential front row was a testament to Saab’s enduring appeal.

Viktor & Rolf expand the box

Dynamic design duo Viktor & Rolf are often praised in couture for thinking outside the box. This season, they expanded the box – literally and figuratively. Couture looks paraded past a visibly amused VIP audience, morphing models with cubic and rectangular structures. One of the first creations featured minimalist fabric with rectangular shoulders, as if the model had been wrapped as a gift or encased in couture for some sort of luxury delivery. Topping off the look, she donned a red, dog-collar-hybrid neck adornment that added an extra layer of whimsy.

Elsewhere, the boxy structures beneath garments riffed on the concept of rigid shoulder pads, recalling in a tongue-in-cheek way the glamour years of Hollywood. The pièce de résistance was a clashing ensemble featuring a blue houndstooth shirt, pastel-striped mini skirt, and a Bordeaux embroidered jacket with gargantuan, box-like ‘shoulder pads’ towering above the model’s forehead. It was a sight to behold, blending past and future in a surreal collision.

“The human body intersects with three-dimensional, abstract geometric shapes like cubes, triangles, and spheres … as well as from a child’s block set,” the house said, acknowledging “a certain absurdism.” Known for their theatrical presentations, Viktor & Rolf once again delivered an engaging and entertaining show that transcended traditional fashion. Hairpieces were stiff and android-like, whimsically swept by the wind, enhancing the surrealist and ironic humor that has become their signature.

Their meticulous construction techniques and structural experimentation shone through, recalling past feats like exaggerated shoulder lines and detachable corsets from a Nosferatu-inspired show. This season’s designs were not just garments but a commentary on fashion itself, and the absurdity of couture. Viktor & Rolf have once again shown that they are the grand architects of high fashion, deconstructing and rebuilding the box with every stitch.

De Libran’s nostalgic charm

French couturier Julie de Libran is renowned for her intimate shows. She often enlists her close friends as models and muses, evoking a nostalgic charm reminiscent of traditional couture presentations. On Wednesday, de Libran took her signature style even further with the models, including the designer’s niece Julia and even de Libran herself! Models held numbered cards, a nod to the historical way collections were once presented for a light and airy display.

This vintage touch was complemented by details like a pink feather trim on a limp-waisted gown, which exuded a 1930s flair. Yet, the gown’s vivid red hue injected a contemporary twist.

De Libran’s affinity for vintage-inspired fabrics shone through in a Bordeaux column dress and a coat with large proportions, both adorned with gleaming lamé velvet flowers. These pieces exemplified her commitment to high-quality craftsmanship and upcycling. Using exquisite fabrics from Lyonnaise mills, her creations are often unique and cannot be replicated, highlighting the artisanal nature of her work.

As a rare independent designer on the couture calendar, de Libran continues to captivate with her blend of nostalgic elegance and modern sophistication.

The art of the invitation

In the Paris luxury industry, the art of the chic invite is vital. Fashion houses vie to create the most inventive and flamboyant show invitations, often delivered by gas-guzzling couriers to each guest’s personal or professional address, with little regard for the environment. The miniature masterpieces sometimes hint at the forthcoming collection, while at other times they are simply whimsical.

Chanel’s latest invitation, a pair of opera glasses, hinted at the show’s theme inside Paris’ opera house. Staying true to its classic roots, Dior sent out beautifully penned cards by an age-old calligrapher, evoking the maison’s timeless elegance. Schiaparelli’s giant gold key invitation reflected the surrealist legacy of founder Elsa Schiaparelli, promising an avant-garde showcase.
27Jun
Novo nixes trial of blood pressure drug it bought in deal worth $1.3B

Dive Brief:

  • Novo Nordisk will end a Phase 3 clinical trial of a hypertension drug it bought for up to $1.3 billion last year because treatment didn’t appear to be working, the company said Wednesday.
  • The decision was based on an interim data analysis by study monitors, which revealed the drug, called ocedurenone, met the trial’s “futility criteria,” indicating treated participants didn’t experience a greater drop in blood pressure than those given placebo.
  • The company will take an accounting charge of 5.7 billion Danish kroner, or about $817 million, on its second quarter earnings to offset the loss of valuation represented by ocedurenone. The charge will lower Novo’s operating profit guidance by 6 percentage points from the 22% to 30% it forecast in May.

Dive Insight:

Novo bought ocedurenone from Singapore-based KBP Biosciences, one of a string of acquisitions made as it seeks to put profits from its diabetes and obesity drugs Ozempic and Wegovy to work.

When Novo announced the deal, KBP had already begun a Phase 3 trial of ocedurenone in people with chronic kidney disease and hypertension that couldn’t be controlled with at least two medications. Results from a Phase 2 study of 162 people had shown ocedurenone lowered blood pressure in that population by 10 points more than a placebo.

The larger Phase 3 study, intended to confirm the earlier findings, enrolled 652. The decision to terminate the trial was based on an interim analysis investigators set up before it began, which involved measuring blood pressure after 12 weeks of treatment for a difference between study volunteers taking ocedurenone and those on placebo.

Had the drug shown signs of benefit at 12 weeks, the study would have evaluated blood pressure again between 48 and 52 weeks to determine how well it worked.

Novo said it is still evaluating next steps for ocedurenone in other indications. When the two companies agreed on the deal, Novo executives had said they intended to initiate Phase 3 trials in cardiovascular disease and other kidney disease settings.

People with chronic kidney disease and hypertension often take multiple drugs to lower blood pressure, including medicines called angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, diuretics, calcium channel blockers or beta blockers. Ocedurenone is a type of diuretic called a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist — a similar mechanism of action to Bayer’s recently approved Kerendia.
27Jun
The good news is the Australian economy is about to turn up. Here’s why

Right now things feel awful.

Tuesday’s Westpac Melbourne Institute survey shows three times as many Australians say their finances have worsened than say they’ve got better, and twice as many think the economy is getting worse as think it is getting better.

The national accounts show real income per Australian (adjusted for inflation) has been sliding for a year.

We are buying less per person online and in shops than at any time in the past two and a half years.

And Commonwealth Bank transaction data shows even our spending on essentials is failing to keep pace, except for older (mostly unmortgaged) Australians who are actually spending more on essentials than they were, as well as more on luxuries.

But – and I am sure you’ll find this hard to believe – things are nowhere near as bad right now, in the middle of 2024, as they were expected to be.

Nowhere near as bad as predicted

A year ago, at the start of the financial year that’s about to end, the panel of expert forecasters assembled by The Conversation expected inflation and interest rates to be much higher than they are today.

Inflation was going to be 3.9%, not the present 3.6% and headed down, and the Reserve Bank’s cash rate was going to climb two times in the second half of 2023 from 4.1% to 4.5%.

Instead, it climbed once, to 4.35%, and hasn’t climbed since.

That’s something worth remembering when people tell you inflation is stubbornly high.

It isn’t as stubbornly high as it was expected to be.

And a recession looks much less likely.

Back in mid-2023, when asked about the probability of a recession in the next two years, the expert panel’s average answer was 42%.

Asked when that recession was most likely to start, the panel’s average answer was December 2023.

So worried was the government over Christmas that it asked the treasury to come up with extra cost of living relief.

What the treasury produced was a reworking of the Stage 3 cuts due to start in July.

The rejig doubled the tax cut set to go to Australians on average earnings and halved the tax cut set to go to Australians on more than A$200,000.

By the time The Conversation’s panel next assembled to examine the probability of a recession, in February, it had cut the likelihood to 20%, which is about the lowest average probability a recession ever gets in these sorts of surveys.

What’s gone right

What’s gone right is that inflation has proved easier to subdue than expected, and not only inflation in the price of goods, many of which are made overseas.

Inflation in the price of services has been falling the entire financial year.

Services Inflation Vs Goods Inflation

That good news has allowed the Reserve Bank to hold off on increasing interest rates all year. And it’s partly because of us.

Businesses attending the bank’s liaison meetings have told it they are “intensifying their focus on containing costs as they find it harder to increase prices”.

That’s because we are less likely to put up with higher prices.
27Jun
The Best 165Hz Monitors for Gaming in 2024

In the fast-paced world of gaming, a 165Hz monitor can give you the edge you need without blowing a hole in your wallet. Going from a 60Hz to a 165Hz display is a night and day difference, making everything feel smooth and responsive, whether playing the latest shooter or tackling intense productivity tasks.



Best 165Hz Monitor Overall: LG 27GP850-B

LG

A 165Hz monitor is worthless if your gaming rig can’t consistently push 165 frames per second (FPS). This 27-inch 1440p IPS display offers the optimal screen size and resolution for a 165Hz gaming monitor. It allows you to easily hit the maximum refresh rates with a mid-range PC build without sacrificing image quality, making it the best option for most people.

The 27GP850-B’s gaming performance is up there with the best. It boasts a lightning-fast 1ms pixel response time and low input lag, on top of the 165Hz refresh rate, which makes everything feel fast and responsive. But what really sets this monitor apart is that it can be overclocked to 180Hz and supports both FreeSync and G-SYNC, making it the fastest, smoothest 165Hz monitor you can get.


The Nano IPS panel also produces gorgeous colors with wide viewing angles, which are handy if you want to share the display with a friend. The 27-inch 1440p resolution also delivers sharp images and text.

LG qhd monitor

Best Overall

LG 27GP850-B

$297 $380 Save $83

The LG 27GP850-B is a 1440p 165Hz monitor that can be further overclocked to 180Hz for smoother gameplay. It strikes a nice balance between great performance and solid visuals without being too heavy on your graphics cards, unlike 4K alternatives.

Pros

  • Overclockable to 180Hz
  • Excellent motion clarity
  • Excellent display
  • Officially certified G-SYNC and FreeSync monitor

The ASUS VG248QG Gaming Monitor on a blue background.
ASUS 

The ASUS VG248QG is a perfect option if you want an inexpensive 165Hz gaming monitor for competitive gaming. It combines the higher refresh rate with an impressive 0.5ms response time and a powerful backlight strobing feature to eliminate persistent blur, resulting in one of the clearest monitors in motion you can get without breaking the bank.


The VG248QG also has native support for FreeSync VRR and G-SYNC compatibility, so you can expect a smooth and tear-free gaming experience, whether using an AMD or NVIDIA graphics card. In addition, you can tap into the ASUS GamePlus and GameVisual features for improved visibility and accuracy to get that extra advantage in fast-paced games.

There’s a compromise to keep the price low, though. It uses a TN panel with noticeably poor viewing angles and washed-out colors compared to an IPS or VA panel. However, that will only be a dealbreaker if you also want to use the monitor for productivity tasks—it performs exceptionally well for gaming.

asus 165hz gaming monitor

Best Value

ASUS VG248QG Gaming Monitor

The ASUS VG248QG is an affordable 165Hz gaming monitor with a class-leading 0.5ms response time, making it ideal for competitive gaming. It packs many advanced gaming features, including backlight strobing and G-SYNC, but its TN panel doesn’t have the best viewing angles.

Pros

  • Outstanding motion handling
  • Supports FreeSync and G-SYNC
  • Ergonomic design
  • Rich connectivity

The Odyssey Neo G7 on a desk with a gaming keyboard and mouse.
Samsung


The Odyssey Neo G7 from Samsung may come at a higher price, but it delivers stunning visuals and an immersive gaming experience unmatched by other 165Hz gaming monitors. Its biggest highlight is the bright and vibrant mini-LED display with 1,196 dimming zones and up to 2,000 nits of brightness that produces deeper blacks and much brighter highlights, making it perfect for HDR gaming. Non-HDR games also look absolutely stunning, thanks to the improved contrast and vibrant colors.

It also supports HDMI 2.1 bandwidth to maintain 4K 120Hz compatibility with the PS5 and Xbox Series X. A fast 1ms response time and native support for Freesync Premium Pro ensure a smooth HDR gaming experience with little blur around fast-moving objects for improved clarity.

samsung neo g7

Best 4K

Samsung Odyssey Neo G7

$654 $1100 Save $446

The Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 is a high-end 4K gaming monitor with a 165Hz refresh rate and HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, ideal for gaming PCs and next-gen consoles. Its mini-LED display with 1,196 local dimming zones significantly improves contrast and color, providing an immersive and captivating viewing experience in games and movies.

Pros

  • Brilliant contrast and HDR experience
  • Quick response time
  • AMD FreeSync Premium Pro support
  • HDMI 2.1 ports for PS5 and Xbox Series X

The Alienware AW3423DWF desk setup with Alienware desktop and keyboard.
Dell


Dell’s Alienware AW3423DWF is one of the best ultrawide gaming monitors available right now. It combines a 165Hz refresh rate with QD-OLED technology to deliver a fast and immersive experience. This monitor undercuts Dell’s own Alienware AW3423DW and the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 while offering all the benefits of the enhanced QD-OLED panel, like improved brightness, a true HDR picture, oversaturated colors, and an infinite contrast ratio that results in deep, inky black.

Modern HDR-capable games look gorgeous here. The fast refresh rate and nearly instantaneous response time deliver a silky smooth gaming experience with excellent motion clarity, which is perfect for highly intense FPS games.

While the panel is only certified FreeSync Premium Pro, VRR works on both AMD and NVIDIA GPUs, so you don’t have to worry about screen tearing or choppy frames. In addition, the 1800R curvature and 3440×1440 resolution combine to add more immersion and detail to games and movies.


dell alienware monitor

Best Ultrawide

Alienware AW3423DWF Gaming Monitor

Between its 34-inch curved screen, vivid QD-OLED panel, enhanced brightness, solid Adaptive Sync support, and near-instant response times, Dell’s Alienware AW3423DWF delivers one of the most immersive and responsive gaming experiences, making it the best 165Hz ultrawide monitor you can buy right now.

Pros

  • Brilliant OLED display
  • Stunning SDR and HDR images
  • Ultra-quick response time
  • FreeSync and G-SYNC Compatible

The Samsung Odyssey G55T on a gray background.
Samsung

For less than half the price of the Alienware AW3423DWF, you can get the Samsung Odyssey G55T, an excellent entry-level ultrawide monitor for work and gaming. It’s a solid alternative if you want something affordable without sacrificing gaming performance or picture quality. While it can’t match the contrast and black levels of an OLED display, this monitor is still miles better than some premium IPS options, so you’re still in for an immersive and stunning viewing experience without breaking the bank.


Designed for gaming first, the Odyssey G55T boasts a 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, FreeSync Premium VRR, and plenty of in-game enhancements to give you an advantage in competitive games with smooth transitions and excellent clarity in fast-paced scenes. In addition, the 3440×1440 resolution produces sharp and detailed images, which, combined with the 1000R curve and decent HDR performance, help breathe life into your games and movies.

samsung neo g5

Best Budget Ultrawide

Samsung Odyssey G55T

$369 $550 Save $181

The Samsung Odyssey G55T has many advantages, including a 165Hz refresh rate, a 1ms response time, FreeSync Premium, and a sharp, vibrant display packed into a relatively affordable 34-inch curved panel.

Pros

  • Sharp and immersive display
  • Good response time performance
  • FreeSync support

FAQ

Q: What does Hz stand for?

In computer monitors, Hz (Hertz) refers to the refresh rate. It measures how many times per second the monitor updates the screen with a new image. Therefore, a 165Hz monitor can display 165 images every second.

Q: Why are refresh rates important for gaming?

A higher refresh rate translates to smoother visuals with less stuttering or tearing, especially in fast-paced games. Compared to 60Hz monitors, the faster image updates on a 165Hz monitor allow gamers to see and react to in-game actions quicker, offering a competitive edge.


Q: Why a 165Hz monitor?

A 165Hz monitor strikes a good balance between competitive gaming and affordability. It offers smoother gameplay than 60Hz displays while remaining more affordable than higher refresh rate options like 240Hz monitors. Additionally, unlike 240Hz monitors, 165Hz models put less strain on the graphics card, so gamers don’t need a super expensive PC to take advantage of the higher refresh rate.

Q: Can a 165Hz monitor run 200 fps (frames per second)?

Yes, a 165Hz monitor can run games at 200 fps (frames per second), but the monitor can only display a maximum of 165 frames per second. While running games at 200fps on a 165Hz monitor is possible, it can lead to screen tearing, which can be visually distracting.

27Jun
Jonathan Van Ness responds to being called a ‘monster’ at work

Jonathan Van Ness is speaking out against allegations that they were a “monster” to work with on the “Queer Eye” set.

The allegations in question came from multiple members of the “Queer Eye” production crew, who told Rolling Stone that the beauty guru known for warmth on screen was actually a “nightmare,” “demeaning,” “abusive” and had “rage issues.” Van Ness — who uses they/he/she pronouns — would allegedly lash out at others weekly, creating a hostile work environment and potentially contributing to fellow host Bobby Berk’s departure from the series.

“They’re really centered around having this warmth, love, and care for other people,” one anonymous source told Rolling Stone. “There’s a real contrast between that and the way that they treat the people who are closest to them across the board. It’s the opposite of what this person is touted and paid to be.”

Van Ness responded to the allegations, which were published in early March, on Wednesday’s “Table Manners” podcast, saying things were “taken out of context” and that the journalist wanted to “make [Van Ness] look as bad as possible.”

Still, Van Ness “didn’t even get on social media … for like three weeks, and any time I tried to dip my toe in, I would immediately see something that was so intensely hurtful.”

The JVN hair care founder said the Queer Eye team learned in December that the article was being written and were “walking on eggshells” for months, waiting for publication.

“I think a lot of people were looking for a reason to hate me or looking for a reason to be like, ‘See I always knew that they were a fake c—,’” Van Ness said.

The reality star did acknowledge that the story inspired self-reflection and encouraged them to step away from the spotlight to process what had happened.

“One thing it taught me was that I had been getting so much self-esteem from social and my job that I didn’t really think that I did get so much self-esteem from it,” Van Ness said.

“My family was so supportive, and my husband, and my team.”
27Jun
Hyundai Casper EV SUV Unveiled at 2024 Busan International Motor Show; Check Range, Battery, Features and Specifications

New Delhi, June 27: Hyundai Motor on Thursday unveiled its Casper Electric sub-compact sport utility vehicle (SUV), the latest in the automaker’s strengthening electric vehicle (EV) lineup. Unveiled at the ‘2024 Busan International Motor Show’, the Casper Electric is the electrified version of the Casper first introduced in 2021, but with a suite of overhauled improvements.

Compared to the existing Casper, the EV features a body lengthened by 230 millimeters and a width widened by 15 mm, allowing improved space utilisation and driving stability. Its front and rear turn signal lamp design incorporates a pixel graphic theme similar to Hyundai’s Ioniq models, presenting a striking EV design, reports Yonhap news agency. Aston Martin Valiant Unveiled: Limited Edition Valiant to Debut at 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed; Check Specifications and Other Details.

The Casper Electric is equipped with a 49kWh nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) battery, offering a driving range of up to 315 kms on a single charge. Additionally, it can be charged from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in just 30 minutes. Furthermore, it features a V2L (vehicle-to-load) function, allowing the car to supply 220 voltage power to external devices. The trunk length has also been increased by 100 mm, expanding the cargo space by 47 liters from the original Casper.

The interior features a 10.25-inch LCD cluster, navigation system and an electronic gear shift column. Additionally, the steering wheel’s center features four pixel lights that show the charging status, voice recognition and other functions. Maruti Suzuki Fronx Velocity Edition Available Now in India; Check Price, Specifications and Other Details.

Hyundai Motor will receive preorders for the long-range model next month and plans to sequentially introduce other trim models later on. Hyundai also showcased other key electric models, including the Ioniq 5 and 6, the Kona Electric, the ST1 commercial delivery model and the hydrogen-powered Xcient fuel cell truck

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 27, 2024 10:08 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
27Jun
Activists Disrupt Amazon Conference Over $1.2 Billion Contract With Israel

Two activists disrupted the Amazon Web Services Summit in Washington, DC, on Wednesday to protest Project Nimbus, Amazon and Google’s $1.2 billion cloud computing contract with the Israeli government.

The protest, which interrupted the keynote speech from Dave Levy, AWS worldwide public sector vice president, is the latest in a series of recent protests that have taken aim at Project Nimbus.

The first activist, who appeared to be a young man in a video shared with WIRED, stood on a chair waving a Palestinian flag and demanded an end to Project Nimbus.

“Dave Levy, why is Amazon contracting for a government that every mainstream human rights organization agrees is an apartheid state?” he yelled. “Why is Amazon providing cloud services for a government that is committing a genocide and that is committing the crime of apartheid?”

The man was promptly escorted out by security and two officers with DC’s Metropolitan Police Department. Shortly after, a second activist, who appeared to be a young woman in a video shared with WIRED, stood on a chair while waving a banner reading, “LET GAZA LIVE.”

“Forty-thousand dead, Dave Levy!” she yelled. “You have blood on your hands with the technology that powers the indiscriminate slaughter of Palestinians! You can do tech for good, but your technology is powering genocide! How do you feel knowing that genocide runs on Amazon?”

This activist, too, was promptly escorted out by security.

Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have both stated that Israel is committing the crime of apartheid. Since Israel began its military campaign on Gaza last fall, more than 39,000 Palestinians, including more than 15,000 children, have died, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Israel’s military campaign followed Hamas’ October 7 attack on southern Israel, which killed more than 1,100 Israelis.

Israel is currently being charged with genocide in the International Court of Justice in a case brought forward by South Africa. In May, the International Criminal Court filed arrest warrants, alleging war crimes, for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, and two other Hamas officials. Israel has repeatedly denied accusations of genocide and other crimes.

Both activists represented No Tech for Apartheid, a coalition formed in 2021 to protest Project Nimbus. The group is made up of tech workers and organizers with Muslim grassroots group MPower Change and anti-Zionist Jewish group Jewish Voices for Peace.

In a statement released by No Tech for Apartheid after the protest, the group said that while they have been protesting Project Nimbus since 2021, for Google and Amazon to continue with the contract “in the midst of this genocide reaches a new level of horror.”

“We’re here to interrupt business as usual until they cut ties,” the statement said.

Amazon did not immediately respond to WIRED’s request for comment.

No Tech for Apartheid has spearheaded several major protests in recent months. In March, group member and then-Google cloud engineer Eddie Hatfield interrupted Google Israel managing director at Mind the Tech, a Google-sponsored conference highlighting the Israeli tech industry. Hatfield was fired days later.

In April, Google employees with the group staged a sit-in protest in company offices in New York and Sunnyvale, California, with simultaneous protests happening outside. In response, nine employees were detained by police and more than 50 employees were fired in two waves of dismissals. Some of the fired workers filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board in response, and the case is ongoing.

In recent weeks, as part of another No Tech for Apartheid effort, more than 1,100 college students from more than 120 universities have signed on to a pledge vowing to not work or intern for Google or Amazon until they drop Project Nimbus.
27Jun
CoinDCX App Gets New ‘Web3 Mode’, Users to Get Access to Over 50,000 DEX Tokens

CoinDCX crypto exchange announced Tuesday, June 25, that it was launching a new Web3 mode within its existing app. Through this new service, the exchange will expose users to over 50,000 decentralised tokens that have not yet been listed on centralised exchanges. The transactions related to the trade and purchase of these DEX tokens will be in a Rupee-friendly format for the 15 million users that CoinDCX claims to be catering to.

What’s CoinDCX’s idea?

At present, there are over 2.4 million cryptocurrencies in circulation around the world and more are entering the crypto market. Traders are frequently drawn towards investing in a handful of popular or utility cryptocurrencies, leaving hundreds and thousands of tokens unexplored because of the volatility and risk factor linked to them.

CoinDCX, with this Web3 mode on its app, is looking to encourage investors to explore lesser-known digital assets. This would give the investors ample opportunities to engage with assets showing high-growth potential before these tokens reach broader markets, the company said in a prepared statement.

It is however noteworthy, that investors will have to be thorough in analysing the decentralised cryptocurrencies they might feel intrigued to invest in. The history of the project a crypto is linked to and its price patterns are amongst parameters that must be examined before entering its ecosystem.

“Users will now have access to emerging, trending, and pre-launch tokens from large and developing ecosystems such as Base, Solana, Binance Smart Chain, Polygon, and ten more chains. Users can buy tokens like ETH, Matic, USDT, USDC, and more through the conventional CoinDCX app using INR, and transfer them to Web3 Mode for purchasing assets within Web3,” the company explained.

‘Milestone moment’: CoinDCX co-founders on Web3 mode

Sumit Gupta and Niraj Khandelwal, the co-founders of CoinDCX, have said that this ‘milestone moment’ for the exchange will now pin it on the top of India’s crypto exchange pyramid.

“The launch of Web3 Mode marks a significant milestone in our mission to simplify Web3 access. This integration was made possible via Okto Chain. Last month, we introduced our fully expressive orchestration layer and in just a month, the first product using this technology is already live for CoinDCX users who can now interact with multiple chains, perform cross-chain token swaps, and confirm their identities across various networks—without dealing with the complexities of blockchain,” Khandelwal said, commenting on the development.

To mark this, the exchange has announced a ‘points airdrop’ initiative that will earn reward points for all CoinDCX’s users – based on their transaction history on the app.

With India reportedly estimated to house over 270 million crypto users by the end of this year, it seems only natural for crypto firms to increase the stakes and help interested investors venture into Web3 through crypto assets of their choice.

In recent days, not just CoinDCX, but other crypto firms in India have refreshed their lists of crypto tokens available to be traded. Last week, for instance, Giottus crypto exchange added 43 new tokens on its crypto list, taking the total count of listed tokens on its platform to 300.

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27Jun
Google Chrome mobile adds local places to Chrome Actions

Google Chrome for Android has added new local places features to Chrome Actions, that will allow Chrome users to quickly call, get directions and read reviews from a local business directly from the Chrome search bar.

What Google said. Google announced it added “new Chrome Actions to help you save time when you’re trying to engage with places like a local business. For example, when you search for a restaurant, you’ll see shortcut buttons in the search results to quickly do things like call, get directions and read reviews.”

Android first. This is first launching on Android today and will be coming to Chrome for iOS later this fall.

What it looks like. Here is a screenshot showing those Chrome Action shortcut buttons. You can see it shows a mobile phone screen doing a search for “verdant valley,” with options underneath the Chrome address bar to “call,” get “directions” and read “reviews.”

Why we care. This may lead to more visibility for local businesses within the Google Chrome Android and, in the future, iOS platforms. Searchers would be able to click to call the business, get driving directions or read reviews a bit faster than when performing a full search in Google.
27Jun
Classic Resident Evil Games Are Back From The Dead On PC

The last couple of years have seen several remakes of Resident Evil games, but for anyone looking to experience the franchise in its original low-polygon glory, the classic games are making a comeback as part of a joint effort between Capcom and GOG. Now accessible through GOG, the first Resident Evil is available to purchase and will be followed by Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis soon. A bundle with all three that saves you 17% overall is available to purchase for $25.

Like other GOG releases, these are all DRM-free versions of the survival-horror games, and they’ve been upgraded with quality-of-life improvements and enhanced compatibility for modern PCs. GOG says this version of Resident Evil is the uncut edition and contains even more blood, graphic violence, and gory scenes than the PlayStation original.

Speaking to Suzi “SphereHunter” Hunterr, GOG detailed some of the challenges in resurrecting the classic Resident Evil games. Technical issues and bugs had to be addressed so that Capcom’s high standards could be met, and by the time the QA process had been completed, GOG had submitted dozens of builds for approval. Some of the enhancements for the games include improved DirectX rendering, new rendering options, and full support for modern controllers.

Other changes are focused on improved timing in cutscenes, better save-game managers, and the option to switch between different localizations of the games. Reports of a Resident Evil re-release picked up steam last week when an age rating for the game was spotted online, making this GOG version the first time Resident Evil has been available on PC digitally.

Meanwhile, Resident Evil Zero is reportedly one of two more remakes in development, and rumors about the still-unannounced Resident Evil 9 claim that it could be an open-world game.
27Jun
Adolescents today are more satisfied with being single

Young people aged 14 to 20 years are nowadays more satisfied with being single than their counterparts ten years ago. This is the conclusion of a study undertaken by the Institute of Psychology at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU). “It seems that today’s adolescents are less inclined to pursue a romantic relationship. This could well be the reason for the increased singlehood satisfaction,” said psychologist Dr. Tita Gonzalez Avilés, lead author of the recent study. Growing numbers of people are living as singles; in other words, they are not in a committed relationship. It has been unclear to date whether this trend towards increased singlehood has also been accompanied by a higher level of satisfaction with this status.

Comparison between singles today and singles ten years ago

Throughout the world, marriage rates have been declining over past decades, while divorce rates and the proportions of single-person households have been on the rise. “It is notable that, particularly in Western industrialized countries, singlehood is no longer unconventional and now considered more socially acceptable than in the past,” stated Dr. Tita Gonzalez Avilés from the JGU Institute of Psychology. She analyzed data from the representative longitudinal Panel Analysis of Intimate Relationships and Family Dynamics (pairfam), which has been surveying the nature of romantic relationship and family dynamics in Germany since 2008. The most recent study is based on the information provided by 2,936 participants in different birth cohorts. The gathered material related to two separate time periods, namely 2008 to 2011 and 2018 to 2021. This allowed the researchers to differentiate between the satisfaction of earlier-born and later-born singles during adolescence (14-20 years), emerging adulthood (24-30 years), and established adulthood (34-40 years).

“Although we know that singlehood is gaining ground, we have not yet determined whether individuals are now more satisfied with this way of life,” added Gonzalez Avilés, explaining the purpose of the study. Their findings, which have recently appeared in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, indicate that adolescent singles born in 2001 to 2003 were more often single and more satisfied with singlehood than the birth cohort born ten years. Furthermore, there were no cohort-related differences among emerging adults aged 24 to 30 years and established adults aged 34 to 40.

Multiple factors explain the higher satisfaction among adolescents

Although the difference in satisfaction between today and ten years ago is not very large, even among adolescents, it stands out from the historical developments among adults. Gonzalez Avilés and her co-authors postulate that this may be due to the fact that living as a single has become increasingly normative over time, especially among the younger generation. Furthermore, their attitudes towards romantic conventions have changed and they are more open to diverse relationship types. “We assume that adolescents nowadays may postpone entering into a stable relationship because they value their personal autonomy and individual fulfillment over a romantic partnership. However, these explanations are — for the time being — speculative and require further investigation,” concluded Gonzalez Avilés.
27Jun
Self-Paced Online Workshop on Incorporation of a Company

About Lawctopus Law School

Conceptualized and kick-started in May 2019, and formally launched in March 2020, Lawctopus Law School has taught a wide range of practical skills to over 10,000+ law students, young lawyers, professionals, academicians, and business people in the last 18 months.

Over 1000 students have rated our courses and the average rating is 92.6/100 call our online courses a ‘warm’ learning experience!

At LLS, our courses are developed by subject matter experts (practitioners and academicians) and these courses are a mix of rigorously researched reading modules, recorded lectures by industry experts, weekly live sessions by experts, assignments (with personalized feedback), special, add-on career webinars, and the now famous ‘warmth and care’ of LLS.

In fact, our courses on Legal Research and Writing, Contract Drafting and Negotiation, Litigation Basics, ODR, IPR (with separate modules too for Trademarks, Copyrights, and Patents), Applying for LLM Abroad, Legal Notice Drafting, Mooting, and test prep mocks have transformed how people look at legal education and online legal education.

About Workshop

Knowing how to register a company is a great strength and skill that a lawyer or a company secretary can possess and this skill can alone help them fetch many clients such as young startups. This 2-day 4-hour workshop will cover everything from knowing the benefits of registering a company to the commencement of business after registering a company. This workshop will give you a complete walkthrough of registering a company on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) website and provide you with deep dive into the drafting of various incorporation documents such as MOA, AOA.

This workshop on ‘How to Incorporate a Company?’ will not only help you understand the benefits of registering a company but a complete overview of the process of registering a company – from drafting to filing.

Enrol for workshop on Incorporation of a Company

Take-aways from the Workshop

  • In-depth clarity about the benefits of registering a Company
  • Knowledge and understanding of the process of registering a company
  • Complete practical know-how of drafting Incorporation documents
  • Knowledge of the functioning of the MCA portal and post-incorporation process

Structure of this Course

Part 1

  • Company viz-a-viz other forms of businesses (LLP, Sole Prop, Partnership)
  • Benefits of registering a Company
  • Incorporation stage: Process and Concepts
  • Checklist of documents, and affidavits to be uploaded during the process with Specimens
  • Memorandum of Association – Deep Dive into drafting with Specimen MOA

Part 2

  • Articles of Association – Deep Dive into drafting with Specimen AOA
  • Demo Registration of a Company on the MCA Portal
  • A walkthrough of Post Incorporation stage to the Commencement of the Business stage

Enrol for workshop on Incorporation of a Company

Duration and Mode of Learning

  • Completely self-paced and online
  • Recorded video lectures
  • Text-based modules and reading resources
  • Online-based forum for doubts

Details

Fees: ₹ 1200 (Including GST)

Workshop Duration and Access

You’ll have access to this workshop for 12 months from the date of registration.

And while you can complete this course at your own pace, we recommend that you completed this course within 4 weeks.

Giving ourselves a fixed timeframe to complete things increases the chances of getting things done.

If you have any questions, please leave a comment on this post or email at [email protected]

Enrol for workshop on Incorporation of a Company

FAQs:

1. Do we have any live class?

No. This is a self-paced course. You can watch the recorded lectures and the reading resources at your own pace and convenience.

2. Can we download the material?

Allowing for downloading of material puts our work at risk of copyright violation and related misuse. Learners can easily access the material (reading modules, recorded lectures, assignmens, etc.) from the Learning Management System (LMS).

Downloading of material is not allowed. Access to the material via the LMS is easy and the students are free to take notes via online/offline mediums.

Need help to decide? Feel free to reach out to us on these channels.

Phone calls/WhatsApp Number: 935 968 4056 (Ishani Patankar, Counsellor, Lawctopus Law School)

Email: [email protected]
27Jun
Transform your cancer battle: Why comprehensive care hospitals are essential | Health

ByZarafshan Shiraz, New Delhi

Are you or your loved one diagnosed with cancer and worried about the treatment and prognosis of the condition? Then, understand that you will need to visit a hospital providing comprehensive care that is well-equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and skilled expertise to battle cancer and become a cancer warrior.

Transform your cancer battle: Why comprehensive care hospitals are essential (Photo by Shutterstock)

India is home to millions of cancer patients where the cases of various types of cancers including breast, lung, ovarian, colon, head and neck, mouth and stomach are rising at an alarming rate in the country. Cancer is known to cause higher morbidity and mortality rates in the patients hence, the best cancer care should be made available for patients based in rural and urban areas to improve their quality of life and reduce the burden on the healthcare system.

Get ready to catch the final stages of the World Cup only on Crickit. Anytime, Anywhere. Explore now!

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Jyoti Mehta, MD Radiation and Clinical Oncologist at TGH Onco-Life Cancer Centre in Talegaon, shared, “Cancer therapy is a holistic and comprehensive, long-term approach that saves the patient’s life and prevents complications. Once a patient visits the hospital for cancer treatment, a thorough examination should be carried out to know his/her history and conduct necessary investigations. After confirming the diagnosis of cancer, the expert will devise a personalised treatment plan as per the patient’s need.”

She highlighted the following advantages of approaching a comprehensive cancer care hospital for prompt intervention –

  • A comprehensive cancer care hospital will offer a multidisciplinary approach to treatment, bringing together experts to provide personalised and comprehensive care for each patient. From medical oncologists and radiation oncologists to Surgical oncologists and support staff, these hospitals offer a collaborative team that can address all aspects of a patient’s treatment plan in one location.
  • A comprehensive cancer care hospital will be able to provide the patient with cutting-edge technology. This means that patients have access to the latest advancements in cancer treatment and the latest diagnostic facilities in the form of tests and screenings, giving them more options for their care. Furthermore, these hospitals often have palliative care services; specialized services such as counselors, and nutritionists who can help patients navigate the emotional and physical challenges after the diagnosis.
  • Genetic counseling and testing can also help to know whether patients have a greater chance for cancers known to run in families, which can also guide treatment options.
  • Choose a comprehensive cancer care hospital for treatment that offers patients the advantages of expertise, innovation, and specialized support services all under one roof. The hospital can provide the best treatment options such as surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and immunotherapy for treating cancer patients. The hospital will also educate patients about physical rehabilitation and educate about lifestyle modifications and counsel them to de-stress and be comfortable during treatment.

Dr Jyoti Mehta concluded, “Cancer doesn’t mean death; it is possible to fight cancer and improve the chances of survival by finding a well-equipped hospital that provides round-the-clock services to the patients under one roof and offers world-class facilities and treatment.”

News / Lifestyle / Health / Transform your cancer battle: Why comprehensive care hospitals are essential

27Jun
Women with a common hormonal disorder have few good treatment options. Could GLP-1 drugs help?

Ozempic and GLP-1 drugs like it became household names due to their potent weight loss benefits, and are now proving useful in a slew of other chronic conditions.

Women are noticing other benefits, too, including some that may be flying under pharmaceutical companies’ radars. Reports have emerged of unexpected pregnancies among women on GLP-1 treatment, and researchers have mused of possible effects on fertility or on hormonal disorders as well.

Melanie Cree, a pediatric endocrinologist at Children’s Hospital Colorado, is one physician looking into this question. Working with her colleagues, she conducted a randomized trial testing semaglutide, the ingredient in Novo Nordisk’s Rybelsus and Wegovy, in women and adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS.

Cree said this research “provides evidence of what these medications can do for PCOS, reproductive measures and periods specifically.” While results from Cree’s first trial aren’t yet published, they were encouraging enough to spur Cree to launch another, larger trial testing the link between weight loss, metabolic changes and reproductive function in people with PCOS.

PCOS is a set of symptoms caused by a hormonal imbalance, usually overproduction of testosterone, that disrupts ovulation. The condition leads to cysts developing in the ovaries, which in turn changes an individual’s menstrual cycle and may result in infertility. People with PCOS can also develop insulin resistance, increasing the risk of Type 2 diabetes and other cardiometabolic issues. The disorder is typically diagnosed during adolescence.

There is no standard treatment for PCOS, and diagnosis can often be time-consuming and difficult. The World Health Organization estimates 70% of affected women remaining undiagnosed globally.

“[Researchers] haven’t pinpointed the reason or background etiology for the condition,” said Pardis Hosseinzadeh, an assistant professor of gynecology and obstetrics at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. “So obviously, when that’s not fully discovered yet it gets hard to treat PCOS, because it affects many different systems in the body.”

Depending on symptoms, doctors may recommend different medications or other interventions, such as weight management or birth control that helps with ovulation, mood changes and hormonal acne.

“Studies like mine and my colleagues’ are very important because there are currently no FDA-approved medications for PCOS,” Cree said.

Weight loss can improve symptoms of PCOS and is therefore usually an objective of treatment. Often, metformin, a diabetes medication, is prescribed, but other lifestyle interventions or even bariatric surgery may also be used.

“One of the primary reasons I started looking at GLP-1’s is because there is this tight association between weight, PCOS hormones and PCOS periods,” Cree said.

Endocrinologists and doctors helping women with PCOS are well aware of the difference weight loss can make in menstrual cycles and hormone regulation. Last year, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, or ASRM, updated its guidelines for treating PCOS, which had been the same since 2018. The new guidelines now note the potential for GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide to help control weight. 

Chau Thien Tay, an endocrinologist at Monash Health who contributed to the new guidelines, told BioPharma Dive that weight loss therapies were considered in the previous framework. The inclusion of GLP-1s this time around “simply reflects a shift in the therapeutic landscape guided by recent advancements and clinical evidence,” she wrote.

With her new study, Cree aims to study whether PCOS symptoms are eased with weight loss, regardless of method, or whether GLP-1 drugs specifically can help with hormonal disorders.

The 10-month trial, which aims to recruit 80 girls and women between 12 and 35 years old, will test the effects of injected semaglutide on ovulation. It will also assess whether age or metabolic and hormonal changes could predict the response to GLP-1 treatment.
27Jun
New $450m scheme to provide essential workers with subsidised Sydney rent

Key takeaways

The Minns government will build apartment blocks for Sydney’s essential workers, offering them cheap rent so they are not priced out of the city.

Essential workers, including nurses, paramedics, teachers, allied health care workers, police officers and firefighters, are set to benefit from the BTR scheme.

The funding will enable Landcom to acquire up to four new sites to build at least 400 new apartments in the next three years, with the aim of providing essential workers with the opportunity to work and live in the communities where they work.

The New South Wales government is planning to build homes around existing infrastructure and roll out the biggest investment in public housing maintenance to date, in order to fix the housing system and create one that is fair and affordable for everyone.

Are we in an election year?

Excuse me for being cynical, but each state seems to be bringing initiatives to help housing affordability.

Don’t get me wrong… this is a good thing.

However, when looking more closely at some of the initiatives, the numbers don’t really stack up.

Nsw

Build-to-rent scheme for essential NSW workers

The recent NSW budget announced that the Minns government will build apartment blocks for Sydney’s essential workers, offering them cheap rent so they’re not priced out of the city.

The budget set aside $450 million to build more than 400 build-to-rent (BTR) dwellings over the next three years for essential workers to rent at a subsidised rate.

Essential workers, including nurses, paramedics, teachers, allied health care workers, police officers and firefighters, are set to benefit from the BTR scheme, which aims to “increase the supply of well built, well located, secure and accessible rental accommodation for the essential workers who keep Sydney running but are being priced out of the market,” the government said.

Premier Chris Minns said the government was thinking “outside the square” to improve affordability.

“We’re expecting big towers, and they’ll be exclusively for essential workers,” Mr Minns said.

The funding will enable Landcom, the NSW-owned land and property development organisation, to acquire up to four new sites to build at least 400 new apartments in the next three years.

“Landcom will select sites with a preference for surplus government land identified as being suitable for housing with the specific locations to be determined,” the government said.

“The homes will be offered to essential workers at a discount to market rent, through a separate subsidy program.

“The Government will retain ownership of the housing with rental income available to help fund a potential future additional expansion of the Government’s key worker housing program.”

While the discounts haven’t been decided, the premier suggested they would be close to 20 per cent.

“We can offer competitive rates because the government will own the land. It will be the builder of the project,” he said.

“Any profits that come about as a result of the project will be reinvested so that we can potentially envisage stage two or stage three of this.”

The apartments will be located in metro Sydney, with the aim of providing essential workers with the opportunity to work and live in the communities where they work.
27Jun
Euro 2024 and the lopsided draw affecting which teams are considered likely finalists

There is a reason, at the very moment Gareth Southgate and his players were having obscenities and plastic cups hurled at them in Cologne on Tuesday, every leading UK bookmaker was slashing the odds on England winning Euro 2024.

It had nothing to do with a sudden surge of optimism or a flurry of betting activity. After all, who would lump any money on an England triumph after that?

It was because of the way the tournament has begun to take shape: the odds for England were cut along with Italy, Austria and Switzerland. The odds on French, Spanish, German or Portuguese glory drifted accordingly.

If it was a free draw after the group stage, as what happens in European club competition, it would be hard to look beyond Spain, Germany, Portugal and — as poorly as they have played so far — pre-tournament favourites France.

But the path was pre-determined. The knockout bracket looked unbalanced before a ball was kicked. It has been unbalanced further by France’s failure to win their group, meaning they join Spain, Germany, Portugal and Denmark in the top half of the bracket. Belgium, should they finish second or third in Group E, could end up there too.

GO DEEPER

What is England’s route to Euro 2024 final?

On paper, the bottom quarter of the bracket looks reasonably strong: Switzerland facing Italy in Berlin on Saturday; England facing a third-placed team (quite feasibly the Netherlands) on Sunday. But Switzerland, Italy and England won one game each in the group stage. Add the Netherlands (or whoever finishes third in Group E — Romania, Belgium, Slovakia or Ukraine) and it becomes four wins from a possible 12.

To spell this out, in the bottom quarter of the draw, a team that has won just once in the group stage will reach the semi-final — where the worst-case scenario would mean facing Austria, Belgium or the Netherlands. The most likely semi-final permutations in the other half of the draw might be Spain or Germany vs Portugal or France.

It was put to Southgate on Tuesday, after a dire 0-0 draw with Slovenia, that England might have got lucky with how the knockout stage is shaping up. “We shouldn’t be seduced by which half of the draw,” the manager told ITV Sport. “We have to take a step at a time. Tonight was an improvement. We’ve got to improve to win the next round.”

In his post-match news conference, it was spelt out to him that England had ended up on the opposite side of the bracket to Germany, France, Spain and Portugal. “We have huge respect for all of the teams you’ve mentioned but equally, there are some very good teams on our side of the draw,” he said.

Not equally, though. As at the 2018 World Cup, fortune has smiled on England and on all the other teams who have ended up on that side of the bracket — not least Austria, who are entitled to claim that, by finishing ahead of France and the Netherlands, they have made their own luck.

In 2018, five of the six top-ranked teams in the knockout stage (Brazil, Belgium, Portugal, Argentina and France) ended up on one side of the draw, while the other half consisted of Spain (who had won only one of their three group games), Russia, Croatia, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Colombia and England.

That World Cup was widely regarded as Belgium’s best chance of winning a major tournament, with so many of their ‘golden generation’ of players at or around the peak of their powers. But they paid a heavy price for winning Group G, beating Japan and Brazil but then falling to France in the semi-final. England’s prize for finishing second to Belgium in their group was a place in the gentler side of the draw, which led to them beating Colombia and Sweden before defeat by Croatia in the semi-final.

Euro 2016 brought a similar imbalance. Italy, under Antonio Conte, excelled in the group stage, but their prize for winning Group E was to be placed on the tougher side of the draw. They beat Spain 2-0 but lost to Germany on penalties in the quarter-final. Germany in turn lost to hosts France in the semi-final. On the other side, Portugal — who had scraped third place in Group F by drawing with Iceland, Austria and Hungary — reached the final by beating Croatia in the round of 16, Poland in the quarter-final and Wales in the semi-final.

Some competitions are based on a free draw, such as the FA Cup. Others, such as the NFL or NBA, see teams ranked on their regular-season record, which should theoretically ensure the two strongest teams in either conference end up on opposite sides of the draw.

International football competitions — including the World Cup, European Championship, Copa America, Africa Cup of Nations and Asian Cup — do not work like that. It is pre-determined from the moment the draw is made: the winner of Group A will play the runner-up of Group B, the winner of Group C will play the runner-up of Group D and so on.

The group-stage draw is seeded, but teams are allocated to each group by a random draw, which raises the possibility of the knockout bracket ending up lop-sided. Because the tournaments are condensed into a four-week or five-week period, with matches played in a host nation, it is felt beneficial to have a pre-determined structure for planning, travel and ensuring each team has enough rest between matches.

There are still inconsistencies. Austria will have a seven-day break between the end of their group matches on Tuesday and their first knockout round next Tuesday, whereas Spain’s opponents in the round of 16 (still to be determined) will have had just four days’ rest.

Everything about knockout football lends itself to variance. But it can be predicted with some confidence that a team that has performed miserably at Euro 2024 will reach the semi-final or feasibly the final. After a difficult group stage, England, Switzerland, Italy and others have had a soft landing. For one of them, it might even prove a springboard.

(Top photo: Andreas Gora/Picture Alliance via Getty Images))
27Jun
How to Stop WhatsApp From Saving Photos

Key Takeaways

  • WhatsApp automatically saves images to your camera roll from chats, even without opening them.
  • Stop photos from downloading at all by changing default settings on both iPhone and Android.
  • You can prevent media downloads on the WhatsApp Web and Desktop apps by adjusting settings there too.



Occasionally you’ll find strange images in your gallery that, for the life of you, you don’t remember downloading. Then you get an inkling to check your WhatsApp chats, and it hits you—WhatsApp automatically downloaded them from your chats and groups.

Here’s how you can stop WhatsApp from downloading media from your chats onto your phone…


How to Stop WhatsApp From Saving Photos to Your Camera Roll

When your friends send you images in your chats, WhatsApp automatically saves them to your camera roll. What’s more, WhatsApp saves those images even if you didn’t open the chats.

That’s why you often find images you don’t recognize on your phone or computer’s camera roll—not to mention how annoying it is when these images are WhatsApp spam. The only way to stop WhatsApp photos from saving to your camera roll is by changing your default chat settings. It’s a quick and easy process.


On iPhone, follow these steps:

  1. In the WhatsApp app, tap the Settings tab at the bottom and select Chats.
  2. Toggle Save to Photos off.

On Android, use these steps:

  1. Tap the three-dot menu and go to Settings > Chats.
  2. Disable Media visibility. This prevents WhatsApp from showing newly downloaded media in your gallery. But you can do this for specific chats too. Once in a chat, tap the contact or group name > Media visibility > No > OK.


How to Stop WhatsApp From Saving Photos At All

Even if you’re not saving WhatsApp images to your camera roll, they may still download automatically and take up space on your phone. This is especially annoying for group chats where a lot of photos or videos are being shared. Going back to delete them all from your storage is time-consuming and unnecessary.

Here’s how to stop media downloads on iPhone:

  1. Open WhatsApp and go to Settings on the bottom menu.
  2. Scroll to Media auto-download.
  3. Tap Photos, and select Never.
  4. Repeat for each media type.

Follow the steps below on an Android phone:

  1. Tap the three-dot menu > Settings > Storage and data.
  2. Tap each option in the Media auto-download section and untick each option. For example, select the When using mobile data option and make sure each option (Photos, Audio, Videos, and Documents) is de-selected.


This lets you manually download images instead. A blurred preview will appear in your chats and you can choose whether to download the image.

How to Stop WhatsApp Photos Downloading on Desktop

You can also stop automatic media downloads on the WhatsApp Web and WhatsApp Desktop apps.

To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Open the WhatsApp desktop app or WhatsApp Web on your computer.
  2. Click the downward-facing arrow above your chats on the left of the screen and select Settings.
  3. Click on Media auto-download and deselect all the options. If you don’t mind WhatsApp saving documents you can leave that box checked.


If you’re finding WhatsApp overwhelming in general, consider getting more familiar with using it through our WhatsApp guide. There are more measures you can take to improve your WhatsApp experience. For instance, you can use WhatsApp tools to organize chats, schedule messages, and tailor your overall experience.

After a busy day, you might prefer to ghost your friends on WhatsApp, at least until you’ve settled down for the evening. The last thing you’d want is to be met with images from the chats you’ve avoided. If you want to have peace of mind, stop WhatsApp from saving images on your phone and computer.

26Jun
Justin Timberlake is bringing social back, after DWI arrest

Justin Timberlake’s bringing interacting-with his-fans-on-social-media back, (yeah).

The “SexyBack” and “What Goes Around … Comes Around” singer returned Tuesday to Instagram to show off exclusive tour merchandise commemorating the Madison Square Garden stops on his Forget Tomorrow World Tour — yes, that world tour. Timberlake made his social media comeback a week after he was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated in the Hamptons.

Timberlake’s Instagram reel shows the Grammy-winning singer, 43, holding up a dark blue tour shirt with bright and bold orange text detailing his New York concert dates. “This is so important right now,” he says, perhaps with a bit of sarcasm. “Let’s go.”

“Got y’alls Knicks colors,” he continues, referring the NBA team that calls Madison Square Garden home. “We had to do it.”

Timberlake will continue his MSG takeover Wednesday before heading over to Boston for two shows. Before hitting the East Coast this week, the “Trolls” star performed in Chicago, where he broke his silence on his recent arrest.

The former ‘N Sync frontman got candid for his Windy City fans, telling them, “It’s been a tough week.”

Then he added: “But you’re here and I’m here. Nothing can change this moment right now. I know sometimes I’m hard to love, but you keep on loving me and I love you right back. Thank you so much.”

Timberlake was arrested early June 18 in Sag Harbor Village, on the eastern end of Long Island. Police officials told The Times last week that the singer failed to stop at a stop sign and failed to remain in his lane.

Since then, several reports have shed light on the arrest. CNN published surveillance video of Timberlake driving in the Hamptons, and Page Six reported that the singer allegedly told a cop unaware of his celebrity that the arrest was “going to ruin the tour.” When the officer asked “What tour?” Timberlake replied, “The world tour.” The report quickly went viral with social media users meme-ing the singer’s remark.

A bartender for the hotel where Timberlake allegedly drank before his arrest confirmed the singer’s claim that he had only one martini before his arrest, People reported.

“If he was drinking more, it wasn’t here,” another hotel employee told the outlet.

Timberlake launched his Forget Tomorrow World Tour in late April amid the release of his latest album, “Everything I Thought It Was.” Times critic Mikael Wood wrote in his review that Timberlake’s latest release is “larded with glib disco-funk tracks and morose, One Republic-style pop-rock tunes” but also offers “a handful of gems” including the songs “Love & War” and “What Lovers Do.”

Times staff writer Nardine Saad contributed to this report.

26Jun
Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis Says Ather Energy Going To Invest Over Rs 2,000 Crore in Manufacturing Facility in State, Will Generate 4,000 Jobs

Mumbai, June 26: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday announced that EV company Ather Energy is going to invest more than Rs 2,000 crore in a manufacturing facility in the state that will generate around 4,000 jobs.

In a post on social media platform X, Fadnavis said he met Swapnil Jain, Founder of Ather Energy, where he was informed about the “great decision.” “Ather Energy, the leading electric scooter manufacturer, has chosen Maharashtra for its third manufacturing facility in Aurangabad Industrial City (AURIC). Rivian’s Market Value Increases to USD 6 Billion, Share Price Jumps 50% After It Announces Joint Venture With Volkswagen Group.

It is a more than Rs 2,000 crore investment, generating employment of around 4,000,” Fadnavis posted. The state-of-the-art plant will annually produce up to 1 million units of vehicles and battery packs both. “This move underscores Maharashtra’s supportive business environment and robust policies for electric vehicle manufacturing, aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for India’s industrial growth,” said the Deputy Chief Minister.

“With effective connectivity via the Samruddhi Expressway, investors are increasingly seeing the potential of this region. This significant investment will not only enhance Maharashtra’s role in the electric mobility revolution but also contribute to boosting employment opportunities across the state,” he added. Jain said that they were excited about the investments in Maharashtra.

“With our expanding product portfolio and the increasing consumer demand for our products, we decided to strategically diversify our production capabilities to an additional location that will be closer to more markets in the country,” he posted on X. “We are thankful to the Maharashtra government and its policies that foster EV manufacturing and growth,” Jain added. Tesla, Hyundai, Kia and Volkswagen To Voluntarily Recall 4,56,000 Vehicles for Faulty Auto Parts.

Founded in 2013 by IIT-Madras alumni Tarun Mehta and Jain, Ather Energy launched its first electric scooter, Ather 450, in 2018, which was followed by Ather 450X in 2020. Ather has also established a public charging network, with over 1,900 charging points across over 100 cities.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 26, 2024 08:22 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
26Jun
Welcome to WIRED Travel | WIRED

Hello, and welcome to WIRED Travel, WIRED’s new destination for coverage of all things transportation, aviation, vacation, and more. Of course, innovations in travel technology, from next-generation electric vehicles to fuel-sipping, climate-friendly aircraft, are all mainstays of WIRED’s coverage already. But we’re excited to pull it all together in one place and have the opportunity to bring you even more.

WIRED Travel will introduce you to companies moving beyond fossil fuels and people embracing the “slow travel” movement. We’ll bring you up-to-date, practical tips and tricks to get where you’re going, like the best apps for solo travel and the gear you should pack before you go. As climate change and extreme weather challenge our transportation systems, we’ll offer a closer look at how experts are addressing global infrastructure challenges and how transit companies are adapting to a changing world.

If your summer plans include a quick getaway to more pleasant shores, or you just want to get a head start on the best deals for your family holidays at the end of the year, we’ve got you covered. Remember though, we’re on this trip together! If you have questions or feedback, or even want to contribute your voice to the section, email us at [email protected], and mention travel in the subject line. We’d love to hear from you.
26Jun
Crypto Price Today: Bitcoin and Ether Stable Amidst Volatility, Most Altcoins Hit by Downturn

The cryptocurrency market is displaying volatility across most cryptocurrencies on Wednesday, June 26. Bitcoin recorded a minor drop of 0.29 percent that dragged down its price from $63,200 (roughly Rs. 52.8 lakh) to the mark of $61,752 (roughly Rs. 51.5 lakh) on foreign exchanges like CoinMarketCap. On national exchanges, meanwhile, the value of Bitcoin stands at the mark of $60,145 (roughly Rs. 50.2 lakh). However, the Bitcoin chart needs significant sell pressure on the downside to test $70,000 (roughly Rs. 58.4 lakh) again.

“Bitcoin after testing the $58,000 (roughly Rs. 48.4 lakh) on Monday rebounded to $62,000 (roughly Rs. 51.9 lakh) in the past 24 hours. This move coincided with a recovery in Nvidia and the Nasdaq Composite, both of which experienced their worst days since April in the previous session,” Edul Patel, CEO of Mudrex told Gadgets360.

Ether showed a minor price hike of 2.63 percent on the crypto price tracker on Wednesday. Ether, at the time of writing, is trading at $3,725 (roughly Rs. 3.11 lakh) on national exchanges and $3,387 (roughly Rs. 2.82 lakh) on international ones.

“The sharp fall is unexpected in light of the anticipated approval of spot Ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the U.S. in July, which had fuelled optimism for a significant price recovery. Significant Year to Date price movements ETH after giving a breakout above the ‘Descending Triangle’ pattern rallied up to $3,977 (roughly Rs. 33 lakh) and started to consolidate in a range from $3,900 (roughly Rs. 3.25 lakh) to $3700 (roughly Rs. 3.08 lakh),” the ZebPay Trade Desk told Gadgets360.

As of Wednesday, cryptocurrencies trading in losses include Binance Coin, Ripple, Tron, Near Protocol, Uniswap, Polygon, Leo, and Cosmos.

Cryptocurrencies trading in profits, meanwhile, include Tether, Solana, Dogecoin, Cardano, Shiba Inu, and Avalanche.

Chainlink, Polkadot, Litecoin, Stellar, Bitcoin SV, and Elrond also managed to retain small gains on the price charts.

The overall crypto market managed to rise by 0.91 percent in valuation over the last 24 hours. As of Wednesday, the crypto market cap stands at $2.28 trillion (roughly Rs. 1,90,34,922 crore), shows CoinMarketCap.

“In altcoins, memecoins continued to dominate the top movers of the day, with Coinbase L2’s leading memecoin, BRETT, and Ethereum’s PEPE topping the charts. Both of these memecoins are inspired by artist Matt Furie’s comic series, ‘The Boy’s Club’,” the CoinSwitch Markets Desk told Gadgets360.

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26Jun
Google testing AI Overviews with link cards at the top

Google is testing moving the link cards from the bottom of the AI Overviews to the top, making those links much more visible and much more likely to be clicked on by a searcher. Currently, these link cards were below the AI Overview answer and are hard for searchers to see and click on.

What it looks like. Here is a screenshot of this new AI Overviews test in Google Search. It was spotted by Bartosz Góralewicz who posted this screenshot on X:

What a Normal AI Overview looks like. Here is a screenshot of the normal version of this AI Overview. By default, you see no link cards, you have to click “Show more” to see them:

Google Ai Overviews Normal

After you click on “Show more” it will then expand and show you the link cards below:

Google Ai Overviews Expanded Cards Bottom

Why we care. If Google makes this change live for all AI Overviews, it might lead to publishers and content creators getting the visibility and clicks they deserve and want from these AI Overviews.

Of course, Google doesn’t show us those impressions and clicks clearly in Google Search Console – yet.

Add Search Engine Land to your Google News feed.    Google News

New on Search Engine Land

About the author

Barry Schwartz

Barry Schwartz is a technologist and a Contributing Editor to Search Engine Land and a member of the programming team for SMX events. He owns RustyBrick, a NY based web consulting firm. He also runs Search Engine Roundtable, a popular search blog on very advanced SEM topics.

In 2019, Barry was awarded the Outstanding Community Services Award from Search Engine Land, in 2018 he was awarded the US Search Awards the “US Search Personality Of The Year,” you can learn more over here and in 2023 he was listed as a top 50 most influential PPCer by Marketing O’Clock.

Barry can be followed on X here and you can learn more about Barry Schwartz over here.

26Jun
The First Descendant Is A Loot Shooter With A Ton Of Customization

When it launches on July 2, The First Descendant will enter a genre that, lately, has had more failures than successes. High-profile games like Anthem, Redfall, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, and Marvel’s Avengers all operated in the same space that the upcoming loot shooter is hoping to enter, and all struggled to make lasting positive impressions. Even the king of loot shooters, Destiny 2, has struggled–though developer Bungie just put out an acclaimed expansion, the game might have been at its lowest point ever just a year ago. Loot shooter players can be a tough crowd.

I recently played about an hour of The First Descendant at Summer Game Fest 2024’s Play Days event, which wasn’t enough to get a full sense of whether developer Nexon will avoid the pitfalls that seem to doom so many of these games. It did, however, give a sense of moment-to-moment gameplay that seems to change significantly depending on which of the 14 characters you play throughout the game. The huge amount of customizations that come with guns, characters, and modifications you can make to your loadout suggest that The First Descendant will offer a whole variety in ways to play it. That, coupled with what sounds like a large amount of content at release, including for its endgame, has me cautiously optimistic that The First Descendant can succeed where so many other recent games have failed.

Now Playing: The First Descendant – Xbox Extended Gameplay First Look

I played as Eseimo in the demo, one of the three new “Descendants” that Nexon is adding to the game at launch, who focuses on using high explosives and tanky, overwhelming force. The demo also included some new content coming at launch, and I was able to jump into one of the game’s dungeons on my own and fight through it. The mission sends you into a snowy facility overrun by enemies, culminating with a boss fight at the end. It gave a pretty good sense of Eseimo’s high-damage, crowd-controlling capabilities, and how he might contribute in a group.

The core of The First Descendant is third-person shooting, the kind where you do a lot of running around and dodge-rolling as you fight. The shooting felt solid generally, capturing the same vibes as something like Outriders, with punchy guns that can easily mow down smaller enemies but require a little extra effort against beefier opponents. I mostly used an assault rifle that kept the bullets flying as much as possible, but The First Descendant includes 11 firearm classes that give some variety to players and their loadouts.

As you might expect, Eseimo’s abilities include whipping grenades into crowds–these came in clutch in the dungeon, where tougher opponents joined a flood of enemies. The trek through the facility included a portion in which I had to defend a large room that had a big dome forcefield in the center while waiting for a door to unlock. The room flooded with enemies, including heavy units carrying large medieval-like shields and even larger, tougher enemies that took a lot of fire to bring down.

You get both a recharging shield and a health bar in The First Descendant, with the latter becoming vulnerable while the former is broken. The recharge on my shields took quite a while, however, which meant that tactical repositioning (running away) is often extremely important to keeping alive as a solo player. It made for a fast and frenetic experience throughout the dungeon, and one that I had a pretty good time with.

Gallery

During that fight, success required keeping clear of smaller melee troops while focusing on the shield-bearing troopers to thin out the numbers of tougher, more dangerous enemies, all while being conscious of positioning because characters could pass through the big forcefield, but it would block bullets and other attacks. When things really got tough, I could activate Eseimo’s most powerful active ability, which essentially turned him into a truck. You charge forward with a dash move that lets you smash through enemies, but you’re unable to stop until you trigger the ability again to let loose a powerful explosion all around you. It was great for cutting through tons of enemies and putting massive hurt on some of the tough-to-kill variants.

The dungeon culminated in a boss fight that gave me some sense of what mechanical elements The First Descendant will employ to make its gunfights a little more interesting. The seven-foot-tall, minigun-wielding fighter was tough to take head-on and, to make matters worse, was flanked by snipers, more of the roving melee troopers, and enemies carrying shields, which required a lot of running around the arena.

That arena was also oddly shaped, making the already tough fight even tougher. The boss came up an elevator attached to a cliff face, its path winding around along the side of a mountain. Staying put wasn’t an option, as the boss would continuously launch mortars that would stun and pummel you if you didn’t clear out before they landed. Yet venture too far to one side and it was a deadly fall. However, if you followed the snaking path upward, you’d reach a position where you could clear out enemies and shoot down at the boss and his minions as they flooded up the path.

The toughest part of the fight came about halfway through, when the boss summoned a set of drones that shielded him from damage. This was where things got a bit more technical; to destroy the shield, I had to shoot the drones, yet only one was vulnerable at a time and only briefly. Zooming in for a quick sniper shot or two was enough to bring the drones down, but with the constant reinforcements of enemy troops and the mortar and minigun attacks from the boss, a lot of coordination was required just to stay alive. As a team, the boss fight might have been easier, given they used careful coordination to keep everyone alive and fighting. For a single player, however, it could get pretty challenging. However, after two rounds of destroying drones, and several close calls, I finally toppled the boss.

No Caption Provided

The hour-long demo gave me enough time to mess with one character and complete one mission. What I played felt good, if a little fleeting and hard to pin down. From the sounds of things, though, The First Descendant will offer a lot of different content. A presentation during the demo noted that Nexon has expanded and deepened the story content in the game from what was previously shown in its beta tests, and will be adding specific stories for each of its 14 characters as well.

For loot shooters like this, endgame is a major consideration–it’s the content that will keep players coming back long-term. The dungeon I saw is one of the game’s higher-level areas, and Nexon said there will be 16 of those dungeons available at launch. They’ll include normal and hard difficulty levels, with the tougher versions dishing out better loot. There are also Void Intercept missions, which are The First Descendant’s real claim to fame. These are battles against absolutely massive creatures and look like they have the ability to create some intense, memorable moments that’ll help keep The First Descendant interesting over the long term.

I didn’t really get a sense of the loot system in my limited play time, but I was impressed by the level of customization and build-crafting that The First Descendant seems to make available. In addition to all the guns and the many characters with their own special abilities, there are “modules.” The First Descendant has something like 560 of these, which you can equip in different combinations to further customize how you play with a series of passive bonuses and alterations to your guns and abilities.

On paper, all of that sounds very strong, and I enjoyed my short time with the game and the one mission I was able to play. If nothing else, the demo left me with the impression that The First Descendant is launching with a lot to do, solid third-person shooter gunplay, and character-specific elements that mix things up pretty significantly.

The First Descendant launches on July 2 for PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, and PS4.
26Jun
Your future medications could be personalized for you on a 3D printer

Chocolate-flavored pills for children who hate taking medicine.

Several drugs combined into one daily pill for seniors who have trouble remembering to take their medications.

Drugs printed at your local pharmacy at personalized dosages that best suit your health needs.

These are just a few potential advantages of 3D drug printing, a new system for manufacturing drugs and treatments on-site at pharmacies, health care facilities and other remote locations.

In 2015, the Food and Drug Administration approved the first 3D-printed drug, Spritam (levetiracetam), for epilepsy. Several other manufacturers and drug companies are developing their own ones.

But the widespread adoption of 3D drug printing will require stringent quality control measures to ensure that people get the right medication and dosage. Even a tiny mismeasurement of a drug’s ingredient during the printing process could endanger a patient’s health.

In a new research paper, NIST research scientist Thomas P. Forbes assesses various approaches to ensuring that 3D drug printers work as designed. The journal article applies a “quality by design” analysis to evaluate the best procedures and protocols to ensure that 3D printers produce drugs at the correct dosages and with the correct mix of chemicals.

Though various methods exist for remotely printing drugs, Forbes focused on one of the most common: inkjet printers and similar systems that can print personalized medication on demand.

Like inkjet printers in homes, though larger, the printer has nozzles that deposit the drug’s liquified materials, or inks, into tiny wells on a tray or directly into capsules. Through freeze-drying and other processes, the liquid can be turned into a tablet or powder poured into a capsule. It can also be evaporated onto a thin film that dissolves in the mouth.

Forbes’ paper does not make any recommendations. Instead, his research identifies and tests several possible methods and techniques for maintaining quality control in 3D drug printing.
26Jun
AI and the Future of Banking

Chapter submissions are invited for a book on Smart Financial Market: AI and the Future of Banking. Read details inside. Submit abstract by July 15!

About Centre for Academic Research and Excellence (CARE)

The Centre for Academic Research and Excellence (CARE) is a pioneering institution dedicated to the advancement of academic research and quality legal education. CARE is driven by a clear and resolute mission to promote academic research and education. Its motto, “Promoting Academic Research and Education” encapsulates its unwavering commitment to empower scholars, researchers, students and legal professionals in their pursuit of knowledge and excellence.

CARE is recognised as a Special Academic Center under the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI). This recognition reaffirms our commitment to the principles of the UNAI, aligning our efforts with the broader global agenda for higher education, research and societal impact.

CARE’s mission is to facilitate and nurture a culture of rigorous academic research, legal scholarship and promote educational excellence. Its vision is to become a global hub for legal academia, recognised for its contributions to evolving jurisprudence and fostering a community of scholars committed to academic research and legal education.

Themes

  • Potential of AI in Banking and finance
  • Role of FinTech Companies in Banking and Finance
  • Transition from traditional banking to digital banking
  • Role of technology in shaping modern banking
  • AI Technologies Transforming Banking
  • Applications of AI in banking: fraud detection, customer service, risk management
  • AI-Driven Financial Market Analysis
  • Algorithms used for stock market predictions and trading.
  • Robo-Advisors and Wealth Management
  • Future trends in AI and wealth management
  • AI applications in regulatory compliance and anti-money laundering (AML)
  • AI’s role in enhancing customer experience in banking.
  • Personalized banking services through AI: chatbots, virtual assistants, and customized offers
  • Blockchain and AI: A Powerful Combination
  • How AI and blockchain can together enhance transparency and security.
  • The Regulatory Landscape of AI in Banking
  • International perspectives on AI regulation in finance
  • Predictions for the future of AI in banking and financial markets.

Any other sub-theme related to Technological finance

Publication Guidelines

  • Any manuscript not meeting these guidelines will be returned to the author(s) for correction, which may cause significant delays in the publication process.
  • Abstract of 200-300 words.
  • Word Count for the full chapter- 3500 to 6000 (excluding reference).
  • Only ORIGINAL submissions will be accepted for publication. Manuscripts should not have been previously published or be submitted for publication elsewhere.
  • Manuscripts should be submitted in Times New Roman, with font size 16 for the title, 14 for headings, and 12 for body text, with line spacing 1.5’ justified, with justified margins on all sides.
  • Co-authorship is permitted, but there can be a maximum of two authors.
  • Preferred referencing style to be followed: Bluebook 21st Edition
  • The chapter shall go through a strict plagiarism and AI check, and the plagiarism shall not be more than the prescribed limit of the University Grant Commission Rules.

The author shall be solely responsible for plagiarism if it is detected before or after the publication of a book chapter.

Submission Procedure

  • Submissions are welcome from academicians, professionals, lawyers, social workers, members of civil society organisations, legislators, students, and/or anyone who has a deep interest in the subject.
  • All the submissions must be made in .doc/.docx formats only.
  • All manuscripts will be accepted based on a double-blind peer-review editorial process.
  • There shall be a rigorous review process
  • . The editorial board will ensure a greater standard of review and identification of quality academic writing. The authors shall be intimated about the status of their manuscript at every stage.
  • The decision of the editorial board regarding the manuscript shall be final and binding. They reserve the sole rights to the publication of the selected chapter in addition to, inter alia, any edits/amends/reproduction.
  • Abstract Submission Link can be accessed at the end of this post.

Importance Dates

  • Abstract Submission: 15th July 2024
  • Intimation of Abstract Selection: 20th July 2024
  • Last Date to Submit Complete Chapter: 30th July 2024
  • Publication Date: 25th August 2024

Contact

Publisher

This book shall be published by Amazon Kindle bearing an ISBN 978-81-975308-8-3

Click here to submit the abstract.

Click here for the official notification.

Click here for the official website.

Disclaimer: WEF April, 2021, Lawctopus will not publish any ‘Call for Papers/Blogs’ by journals that charge money at the time of submission. If you find any journal doing so, please intimate us at tanuj.kalia[at]lawctopus.com
26Jun
Why is Isha Ambani carrying twin robots in these pics and what do they mean? Schiaparelli ‘accessory’ explained | Fashion Trends

Isha Ambani surprised the internet after celebrity stylist Anaita Shroff Adjania shared a picture of one of her tech-fusion looks from Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s pre-wedding festivities from Italy. Isha wore a strapless dress accessorised with the infamous robot babies from Schiaparelli’s spring 2024 couture collection. Here’s all you need to know about them. (Also Read | Katy Perry goes viral for her mind-blowing dress with 500-foot train; it can be seen even after she’s left the room)

Isha Ambani carries Schiaparelli twin robots in these pics from Anant Ambani-Radhika Merchant’s pre-wedding festivities. (Instagram)

Why is Isha Ambani carrying the Schiaparelli twin robots; what do they mean?

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Isha Ambani’s Schiaparelli haute couture look was custom-designed for the entrepreneur, according to Anaita. The bionic dolls represent her twins, Krishna and Aadiya Piramal. Meanwhile, Schiaparelli intended the robot babies to be an ode to a bygone era, reflecting the fusion of early 2000s technology and 90s tech nostalgia.

Isha’s strapless dress features a square neckline, tassel embellishments on the metallic bustier, a velvet skirt, a midi-length hem, and a figure-hugging silhouette. Isha carried the twin robot babies to accessorise the custom look. Meanwhile, heels, a sleek ponytail, bracelets, and dainty ear studs completed the styling.

For the uninitiated, creative director Daniel Roseberry introduced the robot baby on the runway during the Schiaparelli Spring 2024 couture collection at Paris Fashion Week in January. The dramatic accessory was embroidered with Swarovski crystals, old batteries, electronic chips, flip phones and more electronic waste from the pre-iPhone era. While Anaita did not specify the elements used for Isha’s custom look, they seem like an inspired version.

Celebrities who wore the Schiaparelli accessory

In a white silk faille skirt and bare upper body, Rihanna carried the Schiaparelli haute couture baby by Daniel Roseberry for a magazine photoshoot. She styled the vintage look with a wild wig, exaggerated brows, and dark lip shade.

Meanwhile, model Maggie Maurer introduced the world to the bionic baby as she walked the ramp during the Schiaparelli Spring 2024 show. The baby bedazzled toddler-shaped figure was made of silver and green electronic panels, pearl-encrusted circuit boards, broken cables, wires and thousands of shimmering Swarovski crystals. Later, Fredrik Robertsson made his official debut at Paris Haute Couture Week yesterday while holding the robot baby.
26Jun
Who’s better off and who’s worse off four years on from the outbreak of COVID? The financial picture might surprise you

A lot has happened to the economy since COVID struck, and reading the economic tea leaves has become more difficult.

Many of the gains for many Australians in 2020 and 2021 were artificial and didn’t last.

The COVID Supplement temporarily doubled JobSeeker, for example.

JobKeeper paid workers what their employers could not.

As these measures have been unwound, the gains have been unwound, making it more difficult than usual to separate the economic signal from the noise.

But in a study just published in the ANU Centre for Social Policy Research journal POLIS@ANU, we have made an attempt.

We wanted to find out which kinds of households are expected to be financially better off and which are worse off five years on from the outbreak of COVID, comparing 2024 with 2019.

We’ve adjusted incomes for living costs

We have examined incomes after adjusting for changes in living costs.

This means that if a household’s after-tax income increased by 20% but its cost of living also increased by 20%, we have regarded its financial living standard as unchanged.

The tool we used was the ANU PolicyMod model of the Australian tax and transfer system, Australian Bureau of Statistics data on employment, demographics, prices and wages, and government data on tax and payments.

We have also taken account of the income tax cuts and changes to payments that begin next month.

Our estimates for December 2024 are projections based on the assumptions in the budget about incomes and prices.

We find overall living standards increased from 2019 to 2021 but then fell sharply in 2022 with a further small fall in 2023.

Overall living standards were 0.6% lower in December 2023 than in December 2019.

This year they are expected to climb to be 1.3% higher than December 2019.

But it’s an overall picture that glosses over the full story.

Gains for high earners, low earners

The only groups whose living standards grew significantly over the period were households on the very lowest and the very highest incomes.

We divided households into five “quintiles”.

The lowest-income fifth we called Quintile 1.

The highest-income fifth we called Quintile 5.

The Quintile 1 living standard grew 3.5%.

The Quintile 5 living standard grew 2.7%.

In contrast, the living standard of the second-lowest quintile barely grew, and the living standards of the middle and upper-middle quintiles actually fell.

The living standards of middle and upper-middle-income Australians were lower in early 2024 than they had been in 2019.

Low-income households did relatively well partly because their payments were indexed to inflation.
26Jun
Turn Your 2D Images Into 3D With These AI Tools

You can easily create 3D images from your 2D images using AI tools. No longer do you have to slave away rendering 3D shapes, these tools will let you enjoy quick and varied results.



Using generative AI, you can transform 2D images or text prompts into 3D images in Alpha 3D. Although it’s a freemium software, new users get their first 50 AI-generated 3D image credits for free.

Alpha 3D’s image generator is focused on augmented reality (AR). Once created, your AR 3D image could be used in Adobe Aero, one of Adobe’s free apps, for creating augmented reality scenes.

At the time of writing in June 2024, the 2D-to-3D-image model is only trained on limited image types. As such, only images of shoes or furniture can be rendered into 3D models. While this limitation holds you back from more explorative 3D images, we expect it to change in the future to accommodate more creative freedom. The text-to-3D-image model doesn’t have the same limitations.


Make 3D Image

This free browser-based app lets you transform your flat photos into 3D images with depth perception. The 3D images are not 3D models, they still look like photographs, but with dimension as opposed to a typical flat photo.

You can upload your own photo or use an image URL to upload. The quality of the dimensional edit depends on the photo and how easy it is for depth perception to be achieved. You can use your 3D photos as an embedded image on websites or download them for personal use anywhere.

For a free app, the results are pretty good and fun to try out, but they’re not professional-standard, by any means.


3 Tripo (Freemium)

Tripo 3D Image Rendering

Tripo adds dimension to your uploaded image, turning it into a great 3D rendering. You can upload your flat images in the form of PNG, JPEG, WEBP, and BMP, both photos or illustrated images. You can also upload by using a text prompt for your creation.

Free users are limited to 600 monthly credits which they can use for 3D image generation and refinements like rigging and stylizing. Professional subscriptions are from $19.90 per month and include 3000 credits. The Premium subscription is from $139.90 per month and receives 25000 monthly credits.

The free version of Tripo produces the same results as either of the paying subscriptions, and they are good quality and accurate.


Immersity 3D Tool

Immersity AI not only produces 3D images from your 2D image uploads, but you can also create 3D motion videos and 3D videos from 2D images. Due to its neural depth engine, Immersity AI has a lot to offer.

After uploading an image, you get a variety of results. The initial result is 3D motion which comes with nine offerings of how the motion will move around your image. It’s subtle, and depending on your image, different animation options may yield better results.

You’re provided options for animation style, amount of motion, animation length, focus point, edge dilation, and depth map for you to edit your 3D motion image for the best output.


The 3D image provides fewer refinement options, but you can choose how to preview your 3D image, the amount of depth, focus point, edge dilation, and depth map. The results of the 2D image to 3D image are not as good as when turning a 2D image into 3D motion. Your results may vary depending on the image you upload.

New free users get 100 credits to use, but you can do a lot without even using any credits, such as outputting lower-quality downloads with watermarks on them. Once you’ve used the free credits, Immersity AI is a very affordable tool. You can purchase 500 credits for $5.00 or 1000 credits for $7.99.

5 Meshy (Freemium)

Meshy 3D Image Tool


New Meshy users get 200 free monthly credits and 50% off a premium subscription. Premium subscriptions start from $8 per month for a Pro subscription, $24 per month for Max, and $48 per month for a Max Unlimited subscription.

Each 2D image to 3D image generation costs five credits with further iterations using more credits. Free users cannot access the AI texture editing tool, and free users can only have one project in the queue at a time.

For a free tool, my results were not very impressive. I uploaded a clear digital illustration with block color sections, but the 3D rendering is fuzzy and amalgamated, so the subject is barely recognizable.

The premium offerings for Meshy have options to edit your 3D rendering, thus providing better results.


Spline is a tool that allows for 3D vector rendering. You can create 3D subjects and scenes for use on website animations and interactions. It also has an AI 3D generator, which allows you to create 3D imagery quickly and then edit it using the tools available in Spline’s software, which can be accessed via the browser, or on apps for both Mac and Windows systems.

While Spline offers some free features within its software, its AI generator for 3D images is part of its premium Super package, from $24 per month.

With Spline’s AI 3D image generator, you can create a 3D image by uploading a 2D image or by using a text prompt to generate your 3D image. You can also upload a 2D image and then use a text prompt that incorporates the 2D image into your 3D rendering. There are a handful of other AI features within Spline’s tools, such as AI textures to apply to your image, AI generation remix for finding different image results, and AI style transfer.


Out of these 3D image generator tools, my favorite is Tripo for free tools or Spline for premium options. Spline’s history in creating 3D imagery holds it accountable as a more reliable tool. Tripo is a great tool for those with little to no experience in 3D rendering.

You can add these AI 3D image generators to the list of creative AI tools that are more than just chatbot answers, and making 3D creations from your 2D images is a cool way to use AI.

26Jun
IATSE deal: Hollywood crew members, studios reach tentative contract

Film and TV crew members have reached a tentative contract deal with the major Hollywood studios after months of bargaining, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers announced Tuesday night.

The resolution arrived before the current contract’s expiration date, finally permitting the entertainment industry to breathe a sigh of relief in the wake of two marathon strikes waged by actors and screenwriters. IATSE’s Hollywood Basic Agreement spans three years and covers some 50,000 craftspeople primarily based in Los Angeles.

The tentative deal includes updated terms related to pay, pension and health benefits, work-life balance, job security, subcontracting, streaming residuals and artificial intelligence.

“From start to finish, your input was invaluable and ensured that our Negotiations Committee was at the bargaining table with clear goals and a consensus for how to achieve them,” IATSE’s negotiating team said Tuesday in a memo to members. “The ratification timeline will be forthcoming and we look forward to presenting to you the complete package.”

A summary of the deal will be released within the next few days, followed by a full copy of the document in roughly two weeks. The deal must then be ratified by the union’s membership before the memorandum of agreement can officially go into effect.

So far, the union has revealed that the deal contains wage-scale increases of 7%, 4%, and 3.5% over the three-year term. It also stipulates that hourly workers are entitled to triple-time pay whenever the workday exceeds 15 hours — an effort by the union to dissuade employers from scheduling marathon shoot days.

Additionally, on-call employees would receive double-time pay on the seventh day of the work week under the new agreement.

The deal includes terms related to artificial intelligence as well, mandating that “no employee is required to provide AI prompts in any manner that would result in the displacement of any covered employee,” according to Tuesday’s announcement.

IATSE and the AMPTP returned to the bargaining table this week after failing to close the deal during the previous round of general negotiations earlier this month. Last to fall into place were terms related to wages, pension and health benefits, according to a union source who was not authorized to comment.

IATSE — which advocates for costume designers, makeup artists, hairstylists, cinematographers, set decorators, lighting technicians, camera operators and other craftspeople — has been campaigning for a new contract since early March. The labor organization’s current pact with the major studios went into effect in 2021 and was set to expire July 31, 2024.

Heading into general negotiations for the Hollywood Basic Agreement, the union was seeking “significant” wage increases to keep up with inflation, higher penalties for rest-period violations, enhanced sick leave and bumps in streaming residuals, as well as regulations around subcontracting and AI. Crew members also demanded funding for their pension and health plans amounting to at least $670 million.

Hollywood’s below-the-line workers concluded general negotiations with the AMPTP about seven months after actors resolved their labor dispute with the entertainment companies.

The overlapping writers’ and actors’ walkouts came as a devastating blow to workers and employers alike. The resulting production shutdown hobbled studios’ release schedules, while countless actors, writers and crew members suffered without work.

Since the strikes lifted, production has been slow to return and numerous entertainment professionals remain unemployed, especially in California, amid a long-brewing industry contraction.

The pullback — largely caused by the companies’ overspending during the streaming wars of the last few years — has manifested in watershed corporate mergers, mass layoffs and shrinking production slates.

Thus, IATSE’s contract campaign arrives at a critical moment for the film and TV business. Initially, both workers and studios were wary of the crew members’ negotiations with the AMPTP leading to another potential strike.

IATSE has never gone on strike in its long history. Nonetheless, members and allies prepared for the worst case scenario by donating money, groceries, meals, shared rides, childcare, temporary housing and other forms of aid to workers in need.

Before launching its contract campaign, IATSE promised that negotiations would culminate in either a ratification vote or a strike-authorization vote.

But it became increasingly clear that IATSE’s dealings with the AMPTP wouldn’t culminate in a walkout once the first phase of negotiations — separate bargaining sessions tailored to the specific concerns of each of the union’s 13 West Coast studio locals — transpired on schedule without incident.

Fresh off the success of the craft-specific talks, the sentiment between the union and the studios was conciliatory and productive approaching general negotiations.

“It’s civil,” IATSE international president Matthew Loeb told The Times in April as the trade-specific negotiations were wrapping up. “Everybody wants to avoid a strike.”

Ahead of the union’s final push, nearly 400 Hollywood actors, writers, directors and producers signed a letter advocating for crew members. Signatories included Quinta Brunson, Mark Ruffalo, Connie Britton, Ryan Coogler, Amy Schumer, Shaka King, Destin Daniel Cretton, Pamela Adlon, Olivia Wilde, Jonathan Groff, Nick Kroll, Lamorne Morris, Lilly Wachowski, Boots Riley, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Natasha Lyonne, Seth Rogen and Kerry Washington.

The letter urged the AMPTP to land on “a fair contract that acknowledges [crew members’] essential contributions to production and allows these behind-the-scenes artists, artisans, and craftspeople to live and retire with dignity.”

“These crewmembers dedicate their lives to their artistry and to their departments– working long hours in often challenging conditions to bring stories to life,” the letter continued.

Teamsters Local 399 — which represents drivers, mechanics, warehouse workers, animal handlers and other tradespeople on film and TV sets — is also pursuing a new contract and has yet to secure a tentative agreement with the AMPTP.
26Jun
Tesla, Hyundai, Kia and Volkswagen To Voluntarily Recall 4,56,000 Vehicles for Faulty Auto Parts

Seoul, June 26: The four companies, also including Volkswagen Group Korea and Tesla Korea, will voluntarily recall 456,977 units of 11 different models, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said in a statement.

The problems that prompted the recall include a design flaw in the engine starter motor in 236,518 units of two Hyundai Genesis models, posing a fire risk. BYD Seal EV Flagship Sedan Launched in Japan, Becomes Company’s Third Car in Country; Check Details.

Also 18,397 units of the hybrid version of Hyundai’s Santa Fe SUV were found to have a software error in the electronic brake system. Kia will recall 157,188 units of its Sportage SUV due to the poor durability of its hydraulic electronic control unit, reports Yonhap news agency. Tesla Model Y Flips Seven Times in Crash, yet Everyone Inside Car Survives; Safety Is Our Primary Design Goal, Says Elon Musk While Reacting to Old Accident Video.

Volkswagen will recall 4,886 units of the ID.4 model due to a software error in the information and electronics control unit, and Tesla will recall 2,819 units due to an error in the seatbelt warning systems in four models. Last month, Hyundai Motor, Kia and two other carmakers recalled over 7,700 vehicles due to faulty components.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 26, 2024 11:09 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
26Jun
The US Is Being Flooded by Chinese Vapes

In late March, a smoke shop in Dyersburg, Tennessee, announced the arrival of a new product in its store: a disposable nicotine vape with an LCD display that can be connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth. Marketed under the brand name RAMA, the strawberry- and kiwi-flavored vape looks more like a cell phone from the early 2000s than a typical e-cigarette. It allows users to customize the screen background, see how many puffs of nicotine are left, and even track the device’s location using an accompanying app. “NEVER LOSE YOUR VAPE AGAIN!!!!” Mk Smoke Shop said in a Facebook post.

Far from a one-off novelty, the RAMA model is part of a wave of technologically sophisticated and highly potent disposable vapes that have begun appearing on shelves in smoke shops and convenience stores across the United States in recent months, according to industry data, social media posts, and other records viewed by WIRED.

Almost exclusively manufactured in China, the vapes are colorful and come in eye-catching metallic finishes, squishy silicone textures, and rounded shapes that fit comfortably in a person’s hand. But what really sets them apart are LCD screens, which make the devices even more harmful for the environment than normal disposable vapes. And like the vast majority of all e-cigarettes available in stores, they are technically illegal and haven’t been approved for sale by the US Food and Drug Administration.

These so-called smart vapes are the product of an innovation boom taking place in China’s $28 billion e-cigarette export industry. It was spurred, in part, by the United States’ lax enforcement of nicotine regulations. The US accounts for nearly two-thirds of Chinese vape exports, according to the China Electronics Chamber of Commerce. From 2020 to 2023, the CDC foundation estimates that sales of non-tobacco-flavored vapes in the US surged more than 60 percent, increasing from 11.2 million to 18 million units.

As competition for the American market intensified, vape producers in Shenzhen needed to find ways to make their products stand out. So they developed vapes that were more affordable, better designed, and delivered higher doses of nicotine compared to their predecessors. In many cases, these innovations allowed them to move up the value chain for e-cigarettes.

Robert Jackler, an emeritus professor of head and neck surgery at Stanford University and the founder of an interdisciplinary research group studying the impacts of tobacco advertising, said that American companies have long manufactured vapes in Shenzhen. But after the Chinese government banned the sale of flavored vapes in 2022, Chinese suppliers began focusing more on marketing their own products directly to overseas customers.

“They cut out the Americans,” Jackler says. As of last year, the Associated Press reported there were over 9,000 kinds of vaping products available for sale in the US, a nearly threefold increase since 2020.

The proliferation of disposable flavored vapes from China has alarmed lawmakers in both the US and Europe. Regulators say they are especially worried about the impact the devices are having on children, who may find the sweet flavors and flashy designs they come in particularly appealing.
26Jun
Binance-Backed CoralApp Set to Launch Flagship Smartphone Powered by AI, Web3

CoralApp, an AI-focussed project backed by Binance, is gearing up to enter the hypercompetitive smartphone market in the coming days. The company has conceptualised a smartphone, dubbed the Coral Phone, packed with Web3 and AI capabilities. While the device will support traditional smartphone functions and apps, it will also be able to work seamlessly with decentralised applications (dApps), decentralised finance (DeFi), and decentralised physical infrastructure networks (DePINs).

Details on Coral Phone

At present, there are an estimated 6.84 billion smartphones globally and the number is soon projected to reach 7.1 billion. Through its Web3-centric smartphone, CoralApp aims to push technologies like DeFi, GameFi, and SocialFi to the masses.

The Coral Phone has been designed to provide direct access to decentralised apps, allow users to experience native on-chain games, and let users save their private wallet keys into the in-built Coral Vault, CoralApp said on the official website.

“Coral Phone offers a comprehensive suite of features enabling users to explore, interact, and thrive in the decentralized digital landscape. From seamless multi-chain cryptocurrency management to native on-chain gaming, Coral Phone isn’t just a smartphone — it’s your portal to a new decentralised digital era,” the website explained.

The company has teamed up with Acurast, a ‘decentralised serverless cloud,’ to combine Web3 and cloud computing technologies for the Coral Phone.

On the hardware front, the smartphone features a 6.55-inch AMOLED display and a 4800mAh battery. The dual-SIM phone will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and will work on customised Coral OS 1.0 based on Android 14.

“The first 2,000 early bird devices will be priced at 1500 USDT or $1,500 (roughly Rs. 1.25 lakh). Limited availability and the price of subsequent sales may be subject to change,” the website added.

The interfacing of this phone will be decentralised, giving more independence to the users over their apps and content privacy. This AI layering on the device will enable it to offer an ‘intelligent’ and secure overall performance, said a report by ZYCrypto.

For now, CoralApp is letting users pre-register for these devices. While the exact date of the release of this device remains undisclosed, the website does say that the early birds will receive their devices by up to six months after having registered.

Binance had incubated CoralApp as part of the Season 4 of its global Incubation Program in 2022.

Web3 smartphones coming to mainstream markets

The Coral Phone is not the first smartphone that combines the already matured smartphone technology with the emerging Web3 technology.

In 2022, Solana Labs had unveiled its Solana Saga smartphone, packed with Web3 features like an inbuilt Seed Vault to safely store all the private keys linked to the device, among other Web3 features.

This year in May, Jambo, a Web3-enabled smartphone brand gave details about the JamboPhone, which is priced at $99 (roughly Rs. 8,230) and is laden with support for Web3 functionalities.

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26Jun
New tROAS Insight Box for shopping campaigns in Google Ads

Google has introduced a new tROAS (target Return on Ad Spend) Insight Box for Performance Max and Standard Shopping campaigns, offering advertisers enhanced visibility into campaign performance.

Why it matters. This update provides ecommerce advertisers with a clearer understanding of their ROAS performance relative to their targets, potentially enabling more informed optimization decisions.

How it works.

  • Displays whether Actual ROAS falls within the expected range.
  • Shows weekly ROAS averages, including projected conversions.
  • Calculates typical variation based on historical campaign data.

Key features.

  • Visual graph of ROAS performance over time.
  • Indication of whether the campaign is on track to meet goals.
  • Inclusion of projected conversions in the analysis

    Why we care. This update essentially empowers advertisers to make more data-driven decisions about their tROAS strategies, potentially leading to improved campaign performance and more efficient use of ad spend.

    First spotted. This update was first seen on Thomas Eccel’s X post:

    The big picture. This tool acknowledges that while individual conversion values may fluctuate above or below the target, Google Ads aims to maintain overall conversion value per cost equal to the set target ROAS.

    What to watch. How this new insight box influences advertisers’ strategy for setting and adjusting tROAS in their shopping campaigns.

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About the author

Anu Adegbola

Anu Adegbola has been Paid Media Editor of Search Engine Land since 2024. She covers paid search, paid social, retail media, video and more.

In 2008, Anu’s career started with

 delivering digital marketing campaigns (mostly but not exclusively Paid Search) by building strategies, maximising ROI, automating repetitive processes and bringing efficiency from every part of marketing departments through inspiring leadership both on agency, client and marketing tech side.

 

Outside editing Search Engine Land article she is the founder of PPC networking event – PPC Live, host of weekly podcast PPCChat Roundup, and brand evangelist at ClickTech. 

 

She is also an international speaker with some of the stages she has presented on being SMX (US), SMX (Munich), Friends of Search (Amsterdam), brightonSEO, The Marketing Meetup, HeroConf (PPC Hero), SearchLove, BiddableWorld, SESLondon, PPC Chat Live, AdWorld Experience (Bologna) and more.
26Jun
Unicorn Overlord For Nintendo Switch Is 50% Off, But You Should Hurry

Vanillaware’s latest tactical RPG, Unicorn Overlord, released earlier this year and is already on sale for 50% off at Amazon. Walmart was offering this deal, too, but has since raised the price back to $40. Only the Nintendo Switch version is eligible for this massive discount, but you can get the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions for $40 each at multiple retailers. That said, Unicorn Overlord feels right at home on Switch, as it’s a great game for portable play–especially at its all-time low price of $30. Deals on the Switch version of Unicorn Overlord have routinely sold out faster than Xbox and PlayStation deals, and Amazon could change the price at any time.

Unicorn Overlord for Nintendo Switch — $30 ($60)

Unicorn Overlord for PS5 and Xbox Series X

Vanillaware is known for creating unique experiences that combine elements from multiple genres. The studio’s previous games include critical hits such as 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, Dragon’s Crown, Odin Sphere, and Muramasa: The Demon Sphere.

Unicorn Overlord might have a quirky name, but it pulled in great reviews due to its strong strategy-RPG elements and gorgeous graphics (despite a lackluster narrative). Our Unicorn Overlord review gave it an 8/10 for those exact reasons.

“The visuals in Unicorn Overlord dazzle right from the opening cutscene, with Vanillaware’s well-loved 2D art bringing a detailed fantasy realm to life,” wrote critic Heidi Kemps. “There’s so much satisfaction and gameplay depth here to sink your teeth into that you may find yourself thinking deeply about the game’s team dynamics even when you’re not playing. When the primary feeling a game leaves you with is wanting to play more of it, you know you have a gem on your hands.”

It’s also worth noting that the collector’s edition is available for $90 (was $130) for Xbox Series X at Woot. Officially called the Monarch Edition, this version is pretty darn cool, as it comes with an original Unicorn Overlord card with over 250 cards, an art boo, music album, and DLC voucher. Amazon has the collector’s edition in stock for retail price for PS5 and Xbox Series X. The Nintendo Switch version is difficult to find in stock.

It’s also worth noting that the collector’s edition is back in stock for PS5 and Xbox Series X at Amazon. It clocks in at $130, but it includes tons of goodies such as an art book, music album, DLC voucher, and even an original Unicorn Overlord card game with over 250 cards.

We’re not sure how long this deal will stick around (or how long the collector’s edition will remain in stock), so head over to the retailers soon if you want to cash in on the offers.
26Jun
Circulating microRNAs likely as effective as A1C for predicting type 2 diabetes in youth

Type 2 diabetes in young people ages 10 to19 has more than doubled in the past 20 years, yet it remains difficult for physicians to predict who will be diagnosed and who will improve with treatment. A newly published study from the University of Oklahoma shows that measuring the circulating abundance of microRNAs — which affect insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas — is likely as effective as measuring the level of sugar in the blood for determining how a young person with the condition will fare.

Jeanie Tryggestad, M.D., an associate professor of pediatrics in the OU College of Medicine, led the study, which is published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. It marks one of the first times microRNA abundance has been explored to predict the progression of Type 2 diabetes in youth. The specific microRNAs in the study are involved in insulin resistance and other actions that can stress beta cells or cause their death. The research is significant because it points to a process that is necessary to understand in order to ultimately design a strategy for prevention.

“Type 2 diabetes in youth is so aggressive, and the decline of beta cell function in youth is much more than we see in adults,” Tryggestad said. “We believe that predicting what will cause beta cell dysfunction, and eventually preventing that dysfunction, is one of the keys for preventing or treating Type 2 diabetes.”

Tryggestad’s study showed that the microRNAs, at baseline, were nearly as effective as A1C measurement (average level of blood sugar) when predicting who would fail to respond to treatment for Type 2 diabetes. Treatment failure was defined as having an A1C of greater than 8% for six months or a circumstance that caused the study participant to go back on insulin without the ability to come back off. Circulating microRNAs also predicted a 20% decrease in beta cell function during the first six months of the study.

Currently, microRNAs can be measured only in a research setting, not in a clinic, but that may change in the future, Tryggestad said. The study’s implications are important not only for the predictive potential of microRNAs, but because they represent a mechanism, or part of the process by which Type 2 diabetes develops and worsens.

“Glucose and A1C are relevant to me as a clinician, but as a clinician-researcher, it’s important to have this additional piece of information about microRNAs because it points us toward a mechanism. It’s the mechanism that we need to understand to design a prevention. It adds a layer of understanding that we haven’t had before,” she said.

Addressing the dramatic increase in Type 2 diabetes in children is only becoming more critical. Each year in the United States, cases of Type 2 diabetes in youth increase by 5.3%. At that rate, the prevalence is expected to increase by a staggering 700% by the year 2060. Tryggestad said that today, more youth ages 15 to 19 are living with Type 2 diabetes than Type 1 diabetes — the first time that has ever happened.

The samples analyzed in this research came from participants in the landmark TODAY study (Treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth). The OU College of Medicine played a major role in the multi-center clinical trial, which began recruiting participants in 2003 and ended in 2020. The trial featured 699 study participants, and Oklahoma enrolled more patients than any other participating site.

The trial was the first and largest of its kind to compare treatments for Type 2 diabetes in youth, but it has continued to yield information since the original study ended. The OU College of Medicine was awarded an additional grant to analyze microRNA samples taken during the first 10 years of the study.
26Jun
Consultant at Development Partnership Administration

Applications in the prescribed proforma are invited from eligible candidates for engagement of Consultant in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

About MEA

MEA is a division of Government of India that is responsible for Promoting friendly relations with the receiving state as also its people, including NRI / PIOs; Reporting accurately on developments in the country of posting which are likely to influence the formulation of India’s policies; Negotiating agreements on various issues with the authorities of the receiving state.

About the Opportunity

Applications in the prescribed proforma are invited from eligible candidates for engagement of 01 (one) Consultant in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Assisting the Division on all legal & contractual matters, drafting notices & legal replies and supporting arbitration cases of the Division and coordinating with the lawyers and arbitrators.
  • Assisting Division on Contractual issue like EoT, claims, termination, notice, payments, imposition of penalty etc.
  • Drafting Statements of Defence (SoD) and examining Statements of Claims (SoC) in arbitration.
  • Filing replies based on the contractual provisions, contract replies having legal repercussions etc.
  • Interpreting and advising on legal matters related to Law of Contracts, handling dispute resolutions.
  • Regular monitoring and follow up of specific legal issues entrusted to him/her.
  • Analyze legal issues and recommend course of action in the legal issues assigned to him/her.
  • Attend court hearings, liaise with Government lawyers and prepare legal briefs.
  • Undertake research on specific legal issues.
  • To maintain a status report of all ongoing Court Cases and track the dates of next hearing etc. to suitably alert the officers concerned.
  • To process matter related to payment of professional fees to Central Govt. Counsel as admissible.
  • The consultants would be required to train the regular staff of the Ministry with a view to transferring the knowledge and skills during the period of Consultancy.
  • Any other legal matter assigned by the Head of Division.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Applicant should be an Indian National.
  • Applicants for the above position must have an LLB Degree from a recognized university in India or abroad.
  • Extra credit will be given for experience of work in a reputed law firm in the area of arbitration and contract law.
  • Age criteria 35-60 years.
  • Applicant should possess fluency in English.
  • Applicant should be well versed with the use of computer, internet etc.

Number of Vacancy

1

Salary

The remuneration package will be commensurate with the experience and profile of the selected candidate, subject to a maximum of ₹18.00 lakh per annum and deduction of applicable taxes. The
consultancy fees shall be paid in Indian Rupees. The amount of consultancy fee so fixed shall remain unchanged during the term of engagement.

How to Apply?

Online:

The remuneration package will be commensurate with the experience and profile of the selected
candidate, subject to a maximum of ₹18.00 lakh per annum and deduction of applicable taxes. The
consultancy fees shall be paid in Indian Rupees. The amount of consultancy fee so fixed shall remain unchanged during the term of engagement.

Offline:

By registered post in an envelope labelled as “Application for the position of Consultant (Contract Expert) in DPA-III Division of Ministry of External Affairs”. This is to be sent to the following address. Under Secretary (PF&PG) Ministry of External Affairs, Room No. 4071, Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan, 23-D, Janpath, New Delhi-110011.

Application Deadline

28th June 2024 (1730 hrs)

Location

Ministry of External Affairs (South Block, Patiala House, JNB, ISIL Building, SSB, Akbar Bhawan), New Delhi.

Disclaimer: Charging money from students for internships or from job applicants is an unethical practice and can lead to blacklisting. Facing concerns? Please email us at [email protected]
26Jun
Using Yoga to alleviate chronic pain: Insights into back pain, arthritis and insomnia | Health

Chronic pain, which includes ailments like back pain, arthritis and headaches, can be incredibly challenging to live with. It affects millions of people worldwide and often leads to a diminished quality of life.

Using Yoga to alleviate chronic pain: Insights into back pain, arthritis and insomnia (Image by Freepik)

While traditional medical treatments play a crucial role in managing pain, experts insist there is another tool that can complement these treatments – Yoga.

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Understanding Chronic Pain:

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar, Founder of Akshar Yoga Kendraa, shared, “Chronic pain isn’t just a physical sensation; it can affect your emotional well-being and overall health. It’s often caused by conditions like arthritis, herniated discs, or tension in the muscles. Regardless of the cause, the pain can be persistent and debilitating.”

How Yoga Helps:

Yoga is a holistic practice that involves physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation. Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar asserted that it may seem surprising but this ancient practice can have a profound impact on managing chronic pain. Here’s how it works –

  1. Improving Flexibility: Yoga postures, known as asanas, gently stretch and strengthen muscles. This can help alleviate tension and improve flexibility, reducing pain associated with conditions like arthritis or muscle spasms.
  2. Enhancing Posture: Many chronic pain issues stem from poor posture. Yoga encourages proper alignment, which can prevent and relieve pain caused by incorrect body mechanics.
  3. Stress Reduction: Stress is a common trigger for chronic pain flare-ups. Yoga incorporates relaxation techniques that calm the mind and reduce stress, potentially reducing the frequency and intensity of pain.
  4. Increasing Body Awareness: Through Yoga, individuals become more attuned to their bodies. This heightened awareness can help them identify pain triggers and adopt healthier habits.

Yoga for Back Pain:

Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar explained that back pain is one of the most prevalent types of chronic pain that can result from various factors, such as muscle strain, herniated discs or poor posture but Yoga offers several asanas that target back pain –

  1. Child’s Pose (Balasana): This gentle stretch can provide relief for lower back pain by elongating the spine and relaxing tight muscles.
  2. Cat-Cow Stretch: This dynamic movement helps improve spinal flexibility and can alleviate tension in the back.
  3. Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana): This posture helps strengthen the back muscles and improve overall posture.

Yoga for Arthritis:

Given that arthritis is a chronic condition characterised by joint inflammation and pain, Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar opined that Yoga can be a valuable tool for managing arthritis pain via –

  • Gentle Joint Movements: Yoga encourages gentle movement of the joints, which can reduce stiffness and improve mobility.
  • Breathing Exercises: Pranayama, or yogic breathing techniques, can help manage pain by promoting relaxation and reducing stress.
  • Supported Poses: Props like cushions or blocks can be used to support the body in poses, making them more accessible and comfortable for those with arthritis.

Yoga for Insomnia:

Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar said, “Struggling with insomnia can be exhausting and frustrating. While there are many remedies out there, yoga offers a natural and effective solution. These simple techniques should be done in the morning to help calm your mind, relax your body, and promote better sleep.” He suggested –

  1. Cold water bath: Taking a cold water bath can help with insomnia by lowering your body temperature, which signals to your brain that it’s time to sleep. The drop in temperature can also promote relaxation and reduce stress, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
  2. Healing walk: Lift your arms up keeping them at shoulder width distance and walk with your arms raised in this position and your hands can be up in the air for 1-3 minutes. Perform a minimum of three sets of these walks of minimum 1-3 minutes each.
  3. Brahmari Pranayama involves breathing deeply, then making a buzzing sound like a bee. It calms the mind and reduces stress. Practice it by sitting comfortably and closing your eyes. Inhale deeply through your nose, then exhale while making a humming sound like a bee

Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar concluded, “Yoga is a simple yet powerful tool for managing chronic pain. Its gentle approach to physical activity, combined with stress reduction techniques, makes it accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels. However, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new exercise program, especially if you have a medical condition. Yoga, when practiced mindfully and consistently, can be a valuable complement to traditional pain management strategies, helping individuals live more comfortably with chronic pain.”
26Jun
Novo to spend $4B on US plant, adding to obesity drug production push

Dive Brief:

  • Novo Nordisk will spend $4.1 billion to build a new U.S. factory in North Carolina, the latest multibillion-dollar investment by the Danish drugmaker to expand production of its fast-selling weight loss and diabetes drugs Wegovy and Ozempic.
  • Funding for the planned factory, announced Tuesday, comes as Novo plans to allocate $6.8 billion towards manufacturing this year. The investments are designed to help the company expand access to its obesity medicines and fend off competition from Eli Lilly.
  • Novo last year budgeted $3.9 billion on production capacity expansions. It added even more bandwidth earlier this year, when its controlling shareholder agreed to buy contract manufacturing company Catalent and sell three plants to Novo in a separate transaction. Meanwhile, Lilly has committed $9 billion to facilities in Indiana.

Dive Insight:

Wall Street analysts believe the market for weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound could surpass more than $100 billion a year by the 2030s. But even now, manufacturers of marketed products are struggling to keep pace with demand. Novo limited access to the lower, “starter” doses of Wegovy for months, while some doses of Lilly’s Zepbound and Mounjaro are currently in shortage.

Demand is expected to grow in the years ahead, as Novo and Lilly bring their medicines into new indications and broaden insurance coverage. Novo showed in testing that Wegovy can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, winning Medicare coverage for some people. Lilly could similarly win over Medicare with recent results showing Zepbound can ease obstructive sleep apnea.

The two companies are also testing their medicines in other common conditions, like the metabolic disease known as MASH, heart failure and even Alzheimer’s.

In the meantime, Lilly and Novo are pouring considerable resources into drug production. The $9 billion Lilly is spending on facilities in Indiana is the largest single investment in its history. Now Novo is following suit with plans to significantly increase its production footprint in North Carolina.

Novo already has a large presence in the state, with three production plants there. But the new plant in Clayton will double its existing square footage. Foundational work has already begun on a 56-acre site, with construction expected to be finalized between 2027 and 2029. The facility will specialize in what’s known as fill-finish, or sterilizing and standardizing medicines and containers before filling and sealing them with drug products.

When completed, the new facility will add 1,000 new jobs to the roughly 2,500 the company already employs in the region.

The facility is the second in the U.S. the company has added this year. The Catalent transaction hands Novo a plant in Indiana, as well as manufacturing sites in Italy and Belgium.

In addition to its investment in Indiana, meanwhile, Lilly is buying a plant in Wisconsin.
26Jun
More hidden taxes for property owners revealed

Key takeaways

The NSW Government is planning to increase property owners’ insurance costs by shifting the cost of the Emergency Service Levy (ESL) onto them, and increasing surcharges for foreign purchasers, raising the surcharge land tax, and freezing the land tax threshold.

The Government’s solution to the state’s economic woes is to transfer the increased insurance costs for emergency services to property owners, which will reduce investment in property.

The Real Estate Institute of NSW (REINSW) has uncovered another underhanded plan by the NSW Government to charge property owners more, aiming to offset increasingly “unaffordable” insurance costs.

Buried within the Budget’s explanatory notes is a reference to the NSW Revenue Legislation Amendment Bill 2024.

This bill outlines the NSW Government’s strategy to shift the cost of the Emergency Service Levy (ESL) away from insurance companies and onto property owners instead.

The state’s emergency services are primarily funded by the ESL.

Taxes2

With the growing impacts of climate change and more frequent natural disasters, these funding requirements are rising, making insurance less affordable, according to the Bill.

The Budget Paper states:

“The Government will remove the ESL on insurers and instead spread a replacement levy across a broad base of property owners.”

Among the proposed measures are increasing surcharges for foreign purchasers, raising the surcharge land tax, and freezing the land tax threshold.
25Jun
What Is Fanfix? Everything You Need to Know About This Patreon Rival

Quick Links

Key Takeaways

  • Fanfix is a platform for exclusive content from creators.
  • Subscribers can see exclusive posts, view live streams, and send messages to creators.
  • Creators can monetize content but need 10,000 followers across social platforms to join.



Fanfix is a website offering fans opportunities to see exclusive content from their favorite content creators. Some content is behind a paywall, similar to how other sites like Patreon and Ko-Fi work, and some of the content is available for free. Here are the basics of what Fanfix is and how to use the service.


What Is Fanfix?

Fanfix allows creators to set up profiles to share exclusive, non-explicit content. Some creators share their content for free, while others lock their content behind a paywall. Fanfix is like Patreon, another service that allows content creators to monetize exclusive content for their patrons.


If you’re looking to learn more about services like Patreon and Ko-Fi from a creator’s perspective, we’ve broken down the pros and cons.

Screenshot of cassianx's creator page on Fanfix with option to subscribe

Fanfix offers the option to follow creators for free and see limited posts or subscribe for a fee. Note that once you follow an account, Fanfix does not currently have the option to unfollow creators. As a subscriber, you can see exclusive posts, view creators’ Fanfix live streams, and even send messages to content creators you like.

If you’re a fan of a creator, you can go to the creator’s Fanfix page and subscribe for exclusive content for a set monthly amount. This amount varies, with some creators charging anywhere form $5 to $12 per month for access.


Screenshot of Fanfix subscriber pricing

Alternatively, you can pay to unlock specific posts for a one-time fee that ranges from a couple bucks to $20.

Screenshot of Fanfix post behind a paywall of $20

There are options to like and comment on creators’ posts on Fanfix, as well. Followers and subscribers can also give tips to content creators via the website. Patreon currently does not have a way to tip creators, so this makes Fanfix stand out.


Screenshot of payment options to tip a creator on Fanfix

Because Fanfix is newer, its interface has some flaws. For example, you must have an account to search for creators on Fanfix. Patreon, however, allows you to search for creators without logging in.

Another major drawback is that Fanfix is only available via web browser, not via an app. Additionally, if you’re looking to support a smaller creator, creators with smaller followings than 10,000 across all platforms are not eligible for a creator account on Fanfix.

As of now, Fanfix only offers a flat rate for subscribers. This stands in stark comparison to Patreon, which offers different payment tiers of membership with potential incentives like personalized letters or merchandise for higher-paying subscribers. Some of your favorite creators might not be on Patreon, though, so Fanfix may be the best way to show your support.


How to Get Started With Fanfix

You can create an account by going to the website, Fanfix.io, and clicking the sign-up option. From there, you can search for content creators you’d like to follow or subscribe to. Fanfix allows users to subscribe to follow creators for free, but it is important to note that you must have a form of payment on file via the website to use the free follows.

Finally, if you’re a creator interested in joining Fanfix, you can submit an application through the website. Most notably, Fanfix requires creators to have a hefty 10,000 followers across all social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok to qualify.

Screenshot of creator application to qualify for creator status on Fanfix


With options to subscribe to and message content creators and view Fanfix-only livestreams, you can stay up-to-date with your favorite content creators. Whether you’re looking to join Fanfix as a creator or to support other creators, Fanfix has a host of opportunities for more interaction and exclusive content.

25Jun
‘I Am: Celine Dion’ director on documenting singer’s agony
NEW YORK — 

“This is by far the biggest crowd I’ve had in a few years,” said Celine Dion onstage at Lincoln Center last week. She was making a rare appearance to introduce “I Am: Celine Dion,” a documentary chronicling her struggles with stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that causes muscle rigidity and has made it difficult for her to do the thing that has most defined her since childhood: sing.

“I cannot believe how fortunate I am to have my fans in my life,” Dion said, pausing to hold back tears as her son, René-Charles Angélil, who was waiting on the side of the stage, handed her a tissue. “Thank you to all of you from the bottom of my heart for being a part of my journey. This movie is my love letter to each of you. I hope to see you all again very soon.”

Director Irene Taylor was not exactly a Dion aficionado when she got a call a few years ago asking if she’d be open to making a film about the French Canadian singer who is known for her powerhouse vocals.

“Honestly, I thought it was not going to be a good fit. I don’t say that out of arrogance. I was like, “What would they want from me? This is not the kind of movie I make,” said Taylor in a video chat. Her previous documentaries include the deeply personal “Moonlight Sonata: Deafness in Three Movements,” about her deaf son and father. She was eventually won over by Dion and tried to approach her subject “with no peripheral vision,” Taylor said. “I really just tried to look at the person in front of me and what was happening.”

The documentary, now streaming on Prime Video, uses clips of performances and interviews from Dion’s 40-year career and traces the basics of her biography — beginning with her childhood in Quebec, where she was the youngest of 14 children, and then her crossover journey from French-language teen star to a chart topper with power ballads like “Because You Loved Me” and “My Heart Will Go On.”

Weaving archival material with contemporary footage of Dion opening up about her health struggles, “I Am: Celine Dion” shows the singer at her most vulnerable, both emotionally and physically.

Gone are the glitz and glamour associated with her onstage persona; Dion appears mostly makeup-free in casual dress, making goofy videos with her adolescent twins. She comes off as endearingly kooky — at one point she breaks out into the Kit Kat “Gimme a break” jingle — but also self-aware and very funny, like when she delivers an impromptu monologue about her love of shoes.

She is also candid about the extent of her health issues, revealing in the film that she had, by then, been experiencing symptoms for 17 years. What first manifested through occasional vocal strain grew steadily more debilitating, forcing her to find ways to fake it on stage and cancel shows — something that she, a performer with a zealous work ethic and devotion to her fans, found nearly as painful as the physical condition itself.

Perhaps most unforgettably, the film captures Dion as she is stricken with an episode of her illness in the middle of a physical therapy session. While lying on a table, she suddenly freezes. And though she can barely make a sound, her wrenched face conveys the agony she’s experiencing. At the New York screening, audience members could be heard weeping throughout the scene.

Director Irene Taylor on her approach to filming Celine Dion, shown in a scene from the documentary: “I really just tried to look at the person in front of me and what was happening.”

(Amazon MGM Studios)

Taylor followed Dion for about a year, spending several days with her a month, and found her brave and authentic — qualities that she hopes come through in the film.

“She was down to earth with me,” she said, “so I just wanted to show the woman who showed me herself.”

Taylor spoke with The Times the day after the screening in New York. The following conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Did you know about her diagnosis when you signed up to make this film?

I did not know about her illness when I signed on to do this. She had been withholding it from the world, including me. It all made sense once I talked with her. I realized it was a pretty devastating lie that she was telling people for years. Her athleticism on stage did not suggest that she was sick. Yes, she was canceling some shows, but she found ways to fake it.

In the beginning, I didn’t know what the film would be about. I didn’t really know what my take would be. I just knew it would be a portrait of her. She had asked me, “Is it possible to make a documentary where no one else is in the documentary, it’s just me?” That would sound very self-centered coming from a certain kind of person, but it was a genuine question. I told her, “It’s certainly possible, but it’s going to be a harder road for you because I need more of your time, and I need your authentic self.”

But Celine was so straight with me. She never told me to stop filming. In fact, she said, “Don’t talk to me about whether you can do something or not, because it’ll throw me off. You’re here in my home, you’ve got carte blanche, do what you need to do.” That is a profound tool to give me. She did not get involved in my editing. She did not ask me to change anything. It is a rare opportunity to be able to make a film about a public figure and have that much agency.

At what point did you learn about the illness?

I got a call saying, “Could we talk about this?” It was a call with someone from the record company and a couple of people from her management team and they basically said, “She’s not well, and we don’t have a name for it.” There wasn’t consensus about it. I had that information going into the first day of shooting, and then it was like a fire hose at me. “Seventeen years, I’ve been lying to everybody. I am feeling so guilty.” I was so overwhelmed that first day. I think she had been holding it in for a long time. Over the first half of filming, I was watching her flail, not knowing what she had, and the doctors not knowing what to do about it. Then over time, there was consensus, and she was very relieved when she got the diagnosis, even though it’s an orphan disease. She said to me, “I don’t want to have a rare disease. No one knows how to fix it.”

When she got that formal diagnosis, that is when she wanted to tell the world, and the way she wanted to do that was through Instagram — just tell people directly. So I pivoted in my filmmaking and decided how to incorporate her telling the world into the story.

Celine Dion standing on a stage backlit with blue lights in a black outfit holding her arm out in front of her.

Irene Taylor said she didn’t know Celine Dion had been battling a deblitating illness for years when she took on the documentary project.

(Richard Shotwell / Invision / Associated Press)

With celebrities and public figures, it can be hard to get them off of their narrative. How did you find her as an interview subject?

I had reservations about making the film, because I saw “Celine Dion” in quotes, as a very cultivated public figure. She had a persona, and I was a little cynical about that. I didn’t want to make a film about someone who had an agenda. It took getting to talk with her, and then just connecting with each other on a personal level about certain personal things. We both love trees. We both raise boys. She was very interested in picking apart everything that was in [the background on] our Zoom calls: “What’s that?” You could tell she was just trying to piece me together.

I had made very intimate films about people I know very well, like my parents and my son. I just didn’t know where she’d fit in. In the end, I realized that the fact that Celine was so used to cameras, the fact that she had lived her life under lights, actually made her a very authentic subject. I realized that, instead of [her celebrity] being something to be wary of, it actually was working in my favor, but only because she had decided, “I have nowhere else to go.” She seemed to have it all. In fact, she was living a very private lie, and she called it a lie. I was amazed at the language she was willing to use to describe herself.

We see Dion have this very intense episode, where it’s clear she’s in excruciating pain. Tell me about filming that — what was going through your head?

This all happened all in a matter of a minute. We were in a physical therapy session. We were 10 minutes out of two days of [her] recording [music] for the first time in several years. She left feeling elated, because she didn’t think she’d be able to do it. Ironically, it is that elation, that emotional high, that can trigger this kind of response. We could have turned the camera off, but we had been filming for eight months at that point, and Celine said, “Film everything.” I thought to myself, “I gotta make sure this woman’s breathing,” so I just pushed my headphones into my ear, and I listened, and I could not hear her breathing. I asked, “Is she breathing?” She was able to squeeze [the therapist’s] hand. I looked at my [director of photography], and we just kept going.

I was actually grateful that about four minutes into the episode, you hear her therapist mention that the cameras are in the room, and he checks with her if it’s OK. I wasn’t sure what she would say in that moment, but she said it was OK. I couldn’t believe what had happened, and I was so grateful she was OK, but I realized that it might be an opportunity, if Celine was up for it, to really show and really validate her suffering.

Six months later, I showed her a rough cut of the film. I was very nervous. I knew there was no way I would ever do this without her consent. She said, “I think this film will help me.” Then she said, “Don’t cut down that scene.”

How did this project change your perception of her? Are you a fan now, or at least an admirer?

A filmmaker should be very wary of getting intoxicated by anything. But I really did allow myself to be inspired by her. We’re almost the same age. I have my health, and I watched someone who was really struggling. She finds so much joy in making music that she is going to come out with something on the other side of this that is going to be very powerful. It may not be the Celine Dion that hit the money notes and basically does three aerobics classes during a concert. It might be a different intensity, it might be a different artistic approach, it might be a different way of performing. But I can tell you she is very focused on being an advocate for people with this disease.
25Jun
BYD Seal EV Flagship Sedan Launched in Japan, Becomes Company’s Third Car in Country; Check Details

Shibuya, June 25: China’s BYD has reportedly launched its most expensive Seal EV model in Japan. The new 2024 Seal EV will be the third electric vehicle from BYD in Japanese market. China’s BYD is the largest electric vehicle maker in the world and reportedly holds around 19.4% market share. Tesla, the second-biggest EV marker in the world, has around 12% of the market share. With its third and most electric vehicle entry in Japan’s market, BYD would provide premium features and specifications to potential buyers in the country.

Business Standard reported that BYD Seal EV orders already started on June 25, 2024 (today) in Japan. The BYD Auto has launched its Seal EV in Japan at around 5,28 million yen (around Rs 27,63,029 or $33,111). In China, the same model is priced at 1,17,800 yuan (around Rs 20,65,711), said the report. The entry of China’s BYD Auto in Japan could affect the domestic automobile companies, which are reportedly struggling with other EV makers. Audi RS Q8 Facelift Unveiled With Technological Updates and Most Powerful V8 Engine; Check Key Specifications and Features.

Build Your Dream (BYD) witnessed a setback in electric vehicle sales during April-June compared to last year, according to Atsuki Tofukuji, BYD Auto Japan’s president, during the launch event of Seal EV at Shibuya. He further told that the sales were affected due to a big reduction in the EV subsidies offered by the Japanese government. 2024 Nissan X Trail SUV Officially Teased; India Launch Imminent.

According to the report, BYD Auto would aim to offer RWD (Rear-Wheel-Drive) and AWD (All-Wheel-Drive) car versions. These versions are said to be introduced in the country with an 82.56 kilowatt-per-hour battery pack. BYD Auto Japan further said that the RWD variant would offer up to 640km range per single charge. On the other hand, the AWD variant would offer up to 575km range on a single charge for 6.05 million yen. BYD Auto launched its BYD Atto 3 and BYD Dolphin electric cars in Japan last year. The company would reportedly add at least one latest model to its lineup in Japan every year.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 25, 2024 06:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
25Jun
Microsoft Faces EU Charges Over ‘Abusive’ Bundling

Brussels has accused Microsoft of illegally abusing its dominance in the business-software market at the expense of smaller rivals, following a complaint at the height of the pandemic by US competitor Slack.

The European Commission said on Tuesday it found that Microsoft was restricting competition by selling its video-conferencing software Teams together in bundles with the company’s other popular office tools such as Office 365 and Microsoft 365 since at least 2019.

“We are concerned that Microsoft may be giving its own communication product Teams an undue advantage over competitors, by tying it to its popular productivity suites for businesses,” the EU’s competition chief Margrethe Vestager said in a statement. “If confirmed, Microsoft’s conduct would be illegal under our competition rules.” The charges announced on Tuesday are only a “preliminary view,” meaning the commission has sent a “statement of objections” to Microsoft and the company has 10 weeks once it receives all the details to respond.

The Microsoft charges arrive in the same week as the European Commission also charged Apple with breaking the European Union’s new digital markets act for failing to let app developers communicate freely with their users. Over the past decade, the EU has become the de facto Big Tech regulator, forcing US giants to alter the way they operate and issuing fines of billions of dollars.

In an attempt to placate Brussels, Microsoft started excluding Teams from some Office bundles in July of last year. However, the commission said today that those changes were insufficient and expressed concern about how easy it was to use rival conferencing software in tandem with Microsoft’s other tools, a practice known as interoperability.

“Having unbundled Teams and taken initial interoperability steps, we appreciate the additional clarity provided today,” said Brad Smith, vice chair and president of Microsoft, in a statement shared with WIRED. The company plans to work to find solutions to address the commission‘s remaining concerns, he added.

If Microsoft and the EU cannot reach an agreement, the commission has the power to levy fines of up to 10 percent of the company’s annual worldwide turnover and can impose remedies on the company.

The commission opened its investigation into Microsoft Teams following a complaint by Slack in July 2020, when there was fierce competition for the remote workers who relied on office software due to pandemic lockdowns. “This is much bigger than Slack versus Microsoft,” Jonathan Prince, then vice president of communications and policy at Slack, said at the time. “This a proxy for two very different philosophies for the future of digital ecosystems, gateways versus gatekeepers.”

On Tuesday, Sabastian Niles, president and chief legal officer of Slack’s parent company Salesforce, described the European Commission’s position as “a win for customer choice and an affirmation that Microsoft’s practices with Teams have harmed competition.”

German video conferencing company Alfaview, which filed a complaint to the commission following Slack, also welcomed the decision. The measures Microsoft has taken so far to unbundle Teams have been ineffective, Niko Fostiropoulos, CEO and founder of Alfaview, said in a statement. “Microsoft offers existing enterprise customers who opt out of Teams in the overall package only a minimal discount of €2 ($2.10),” he said. “This does not provide sufficient incentives to switch to another video conferencing service.”
25Jun
Louisiana Joins Growing List of US States that Support Crypto Mining

Louisiana has become the latest US state to support cryptocurrency mining, as more regions in the country are warming up to digital assets. A newly signed bill is expected to protect the rights of crypto mining individuals and businesses, who can continue to operate in the state as long as they are in compliance with local regulations. The US crypto market evolving into the largest in the world with its industry size projected to reach the valuation of $23,220 million by the end of the year.

Rising Adoption of Crypto Mining Businesses in the US

The governor of Louisiana has signed a bill to foster the growth of businesses related to crypto mining activities in the state, while the state has banned the use of central bank digital currencies, or CBDCs. The state of Louisiana is among others in the US that are tailoring laws around crypto that could open job opportunities and revenue streams for the state treasury.

Bill HB 488 protects the rights of crypto mining individuals and businesses to continue operations but while being in compliance with local noise ordinances. Businesses conducting crypto mining on a commercial level have been directed to set up shops in the industrial zones located across the state, the bill notes.

Furthermore, the bill now restricts all foreign parties from controlling digital mining businesses.

Louisiana’s support for crypto mining could help generate revenue and also open job opportunities in the state, that reportedly houses over 4.6 million citizens. However, crypto mining is infamous for consuming loads of electricity, disrupting power supply for local residents.

The global cryptocurrency mining market was valued at $1.92 billion (roughly Rs. 16,017 crore) in 2022 and is reportedly projected to reach $7 billion (roughly Rs. 58,398 crore) by 2032. As per JP Morgan, the Bitcoin mining sector is reportedly is garnering interest from investors.

The states of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Florida are taking similar pro-crypto mining steps, while the federal government is working on comprehensive legislation to oversee the overall crypto sector.

Crypto Mining in Other Countries

Owing to the electrical load crypto mining businesses put on power grids, several countries have decided to ban their operations. In May, Venezuela banned crypto mining and seized thousands of mining computers.

Norway has also cracked down on crypto mining businesses this year in April.

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25Jun
Google Ads launches Cross-Media Reach Measurement for video campaigns

A new Google Ads tool – Cross-Media Reach Measurement – lets advertisers measure deduplicated, on-target reach and frequency across video campaigns.

Why it matters. This tool helps advertisers understand the efficiency of their YouTube video campaigns compared to TV, providing a comprehensive view of brand campaign performance.

Why we care. This tool essentially empowers advertisers to make more data-driven decisions, potentially leading to more effective branding campaigns and better use of advertising budgets across different media channels and over a long-term period.

How it works.

  • Aggregates and deduplicates reach and frequency across multiple campaigns
  • Shows total on-target reach for specific demographics
  • Measures unique reach across different devices, formats, sites, apps and networks

Key features.

  1. Digital Video Only report: Available globally, measures reach and frequency for Google Ads video campaigns
  2. Digital Video + Traditional TV report: Available in select countries, combines Google Ads metrics with third-party TV data

How to use it.

  • Access through the Measurement menu in Google Ads.
  • Select country and video campaigns (preferably with Target CPM bidding).
  • Generate reports for various age and gender groups over periods up to 92 days.

    The big picture. This tool aims to help advertisers optimize their advertising investments by providing insights into campaign planning and performance across digital and traditional media.

    What’s next. Advertisers can now use this tool to make more informed decisions about their video advertising strategies on YouTube and TV.

Add Search Engine Land to your Google News feed.    Google News

New on Search Engine Land

About the author

Anu Adegbola

Anu Adegbola has been Paid Media Editor of Search Engine Land since 2024. She covers paid search, paid social, retail media, video and more.

In 2008, Anu’s career started with

 delivering digital marketing campaigns (mostly but not exclusively Paid Search) by building strategies, maximising ROI, automating repetitive processes and bringing efficiency from every part of marketing departments through inspiring leadership both on agency, client and marketing tech side.

 

Outside editing Search Engine Land article she is the founder of PPC networking event – PPC Live, host of weekly podcast PPCChat Roundup, and brand evangelist at ClickTech. 

 

She is also an international speaker with some of the stages she has presented on being SMX (US), SMX (Munich), Friends of Search (Amsterdam), brightonSEO, The Marketing Meetup, HeroConf (PPC Hero), SearchLove, BiddableWorld, SESLondon, PPC Chat Live, AdWorld Experience (Bologna) and more.
25Jun
Meet the Middleman’s Middleman – KFF Health News
Dan Weissmann

Some people who expected their health insurance to cover some out-of-network care have been getting stuck with enormous bills.

One Kansas City, Kansas, couple paid thousands of dollars out-of-pocket and up-front for care. They expected to get a partial reimbursement from their insurer. So, they were shocked when instead they got a bill saying they owed even more than what they’d already paid.

It turns out, a little-known data firm called MultiPlan was working with their insurance company to suggest cuts to their coverage. MulitPlan says it’s helping control ballooning health care costs by keeping hospitals and providers from overbilling. But it’s often patients left paying the difference.In this episode of “An Arm and a Leg,” host Dan Weissmann breaks down this confusing world of out-of-network care with New York Times reporter Chris Hamby, who recently published an investigation into MultiPlan.

Dan Weissmann


@danweissmann

Host and producer of “An Arm and a Leg.” Previously, Dan was a staff reporter for Marketplace and Chicago’s WBEZ. His work also appears on All Things Considered, Marketplace, the BBC, 99 Percent Invisible, and Reveal, from the Center for Investigative Reporting.

Credits

Emily Pisacreta
Producer

Claire Davenport
Producer

Adam Raymonda
Audio wizard

Ellen Weiss
Editor

Click to open the Transcript

Transcript: Meet the Middleman’s Middleman

Note: “An Arm and a Leg” uses speech-recognition software to generate transcripts, which may contain errors. Please use the transcript as a tool but check the corresponding audio before quoting the podcast.

Dan: Hey there! Paul and Kristin live in Kansas City with their two kids. Kristin and their daughter, the older kid– they have some complex medical issues, need to see some specialized folks. And some of those folks don’t take Kristin and Paul’s insurance. They’re “out of network,” so Kristin and Paul pay out of pocket– a lot. Maybe $20,000 a year. BUT their health insurance plan does reimburse some out-of-network care. 

o, in January 2023, Kristin called a help line connected with the insurance plan to find out how that was gonna work. 

Kristin H: They basically said, sure, easy peasy, you pay and then you get online and you click this form, you show what you paid, and then we send you a check and reimburse you. 

Dan: Kristin was on it. She built a whole spreadsheet to track every bill she paid, every reimbursement form she’d submitted. And she waited for the checks. The insurance company gave itself months just to process the claims. And when they finally sent statements, the statements seemed … weird. They were like: 

Kristin H: Here’s what you paid, and here’s your discounts, and here’s what you may owe. 

Dan: And Kristin was like … what? 

Kristin H: Because I was thinking, well, I don’t owe anything. We paid out of pocket, but then I was thinking, well, this must be the portion that they’re paying us back. But then the math didn’t add up. 

Dan: Yeah. Not at all. Kristin was expecting to get 50 percent back, like her plan said she would. But this amount wasn’t anything like 50 percent. And what’s this “discount” business? 

It took months– and a lot of digging from Paul, and ultimately a talk with a NewYork Times reporter– before Kristin and Paul understood what was going on, and why it was costing them thousands of dollars. 

What they didn’t know until that New York Times story came out was: Someone was making a multi-billion dollar business out of experiences like theirs. As that story made clear, LOTS of people who expected their insurance to cover them for expensive out-of-network care ended up on the hook for a lot more than they’d expected. 

That story introduced readers to a character who’s become kind of a TYPE on this show. Not a type of person, but a type of business: A middleman that works behind the scenes with insurance companies. So we’ve seen that dynamic with pharmacy benefit managers– the folks who decide what drugs you can get and for how much– and more recently, we looked at a company that uses an algorithm to justify kicking folks out of nursing homes. The middleman in this New York Times story was a company called MultiPlan. 

Reporter Chris Hamby found MultiPlan and insurance companies they worked with were leaving patients on the hook for huge amounts that they absolutely had not expected to pay. MultiPlan was also, along with those insurance companies, pocketing big fees. That story got some folks’ attention. A U.S. Senator has called for action from antitrust regulators. Those regulators might get interested. And we may wanna egg them on– so we’re gonna need to understand the whole scheme. Whothis middleman is– MultiPlan– and how they got themselves in the middle of 60 million people’s health insurance, by their own estimate … and how they make a lot of money. 

This is An Arm and a Leg, a show about why health care costs so freaking much, and what we can maybe do about it. I’m Dan Weissmann. I’m a reporter, and I like a challenge. So, our job on this show is to take one of the most enraging, terrifying, depressing parts of American life– and bring you a show that’s entertaining, empowering, and useful. 

And this time, I’ve got help. 

Chris Hamby: My name is Chris Hamby. I’m a reporter on the investigations desk at the New York Times. 

Dan: Yeah, and of course, Chris is the one who spent months figuring out the story of this middleman company, MultiPlan. 

Chris Hamby: I was poking around a number of areas related to health insurance, and this name just kept coming up. 

Dan: Like in lawsuits. 

Chris Hamby: And it wasn’t always terribly clear what they did exactly or how they were compensated. 

Dan: Or how doctors and patients– regular people– were affected. 

Chris Hamby: So that’s why I decided to try and figure this out, and it’s sort of an opaque space as so many areas of health care are these days. 

Dan: Yeah. In fact, in order to understand this story at all– to understand who’s doing WELL in this scenario– we’ve gotta peel back a layer. It’s something we’ve talked about here before, but not for a while, and you know, not even my mom remembers everything I’ve ever said here. 

This is about the mechanics of how most health insurance people get from their job actually works: about who actually pays medical bills when your insurance settles a claim. It’s not the insurance company. It’s actually the employer paying those bills. 

Of course, employers don’t know how to actually RUN an insurance plan. [Unless the employer is Aetna, I guess]. So they hire insurance companies to administer them. You get a card that says Cigna or Blue Cross, but your employer’s funds actually pay the medical bills, so these are called “self-funded” plans. But this is all stuff most of us are just not aware of. 

Here’s Chris Hamby: 

Chris Hamby: I hadn’t, until about a year ago, even heard of a self-funded plan. And I like to think that I’m reasonably well informed on this stuff. 

Dan: Yeah, that is putting it mildly. Chris made his name and won a Pulitzer Prize covering workplace health issues. So, just park that for a minute: self-funded plan, where the employer is the “self,” actually paying the bills, and paying the insurance company a fee. The insurance company is a middleman. 

OK, now, next layer: The middleman’s middleman. In this case, the company MultiPlan that Chris wrote about. What’s their job? So in this story, the job they’re doing– their middleman job– is to address what is admittedly kind of a tough question: If you go see somebody– a doctor, a therapist– who doesn’t take your insurance, what happens? 

Chris Hamby: How do you determine what a fair amount to pay the provider is? And by extension, how much is the patient potentially on the hook for the unpaid balance? And that has long been a contentious issue. 

Dan: Because, if they don’t take your insurance, a provider could charge … absolutely anything. So is your insurer– and again, that’s often actually your employer– supposed to pay absolutely anything? How much are they supposed to pay? Figuring that out, it’s a job. 

About 15 years ago, another middleman company doing that job got sued by the NewYork state attorney general. The state said this earlier middleman’s way of figuring out what to pay was screwing over both providers and patients. And the state’s lawsuit produced a solution. 

Chris Hamby: The insurance companies agreed to fund the creation of a nonprofit entity that was going be sort of an independent, neutral arbiter of fair prices. It was going to collect data from all the insurers and just make it publicly available. Make sure it was transparent to everyone. 

Dan: This nonprofit is called FAIR Health, and its data is actually public. It still exists. Like, you can use it yourself — you can look up the going rate for a knee replacement, a blood test, whatever. 

Chris Hamby: You can plug in your zip code, plug in your medical procedure and see an estimate of what, you know, typical out-of-network charges and in-network charges would be for these. 

Dan: It’s cool! Check it out yourself; it’s useful. And all the major insurance companies agreed to use it– to use FAIR Health’s benchmarks– to decide what to pay for out-of-network stuff. But, those agreements only committed insurance companies to using FAIR Health for … five years. They expired in 2014. 

Enter middleman companies like MultiPlan, saying to insurance companies: Hey, you COULD use FAIR Health– or you could route out-of-network bills to us: Hire us to get you an even better deal– better prices. 

Chris Hamby: And it’s important to note also that this is a time when private equity is investing in healthcare, and there are some legitimate concerns about driving up those list prices to ridiculously high levels in a lot of cases. So, there were real issues that insurers were saying that they were responding to at the time.

Dan: OK, so that’s the pitch. MultiPlan is saying to insurance companies: We’ll help you hold the line. We can save you more money than if you used FAIR Health. Well, kind of. Because here’s where we come back to the whole thing about self-funded insurance. MultiPlan isn’t saying, “We can save YOU, insurance company, more money than if you used FAIR Health.” They’re saying, “We can help you save your CLIENTS– employers who do self-funded health insurance– more money. And when you save them money, you’re gonna make money. Because you can charge them a percentage of what you’re saving them. And we’ll get a percentage too.” A percentage of the savings. On every single bill. That’s a very different deal than just using FAIR Health’s data. 

Chris Hamby: FAIR Health is not taking a percentage of the savings that they obtain. They’re just selling you their data. And the insurers typically are not charging employers a fee for using FAIR Health’s data. But if they use MultiPlan’s data, both MultiPlan and the insurer typically charge a fee. 

Dan: A percentage. In examples from Chris’s story, the insurance company gets 35 percent of those savings. 

Chris Hamby: And this has become a significant amount of money for a lot of insurance companies. Overall, UnitedHealthcare, is up to, you know, around a billion dollars per year in recent years. 

Dan: UnitedHealthcare collects like a billion dollars in fees for these services, basically, for using MultiPlan specifically? 

Chris Hamby: And they couch that by saying some other out-of-network savings programs, but yes. 

Dan: Whooh! 

Chris Hamby: One thing that the insurers say is that the employers are aware of this; they’ve signed up for it. 

Dan: That employers are hiring, say, Cigna, with MultiPlan to find savings. And employers are agreeing to the fees. 

Chris Hamby: Where it gets a little bit dicier from the employer’s perspective is when you see claims where, for instance, you end up paying the insurance company more in fees than you paid the doctor for treating your employee. 

Dan: yeah, one example from Chris’s story: An out-of-network provider wanted more than $150,000 on one bill. And after the insurance company and MultiPlan did their bit, the employer, a trucking company, ended up paying $58,000. Eight thousand for the provider, and $50,000 to the insurance company and MultiPlan. So, on the one hand, the employer maybe saved $90,000. But paying $50,000 for “cost containment?” Maybe doesn’t sound like such a bargain. 

Some employers and a union that runs a health plan have filed lawsuits looking for some of that money back. And there’s also a big irony here because MultiPlan’s pitch is, you need us because sticker prices are super-wildly high. But MultiPlan isn’t doing anything to contain the sticker prices as a systemic problem. In fact, the higher providers crank up their sticker prices, the more money MultiPlan and the insurance companies they work with can make. But then there’s a big question too, which is, what happens to the rest of that bill for the sticker price? Who pays that? That’s next … 

This episode of An Arm and a Leg is a co-production of Public Road Productions and KFF Health News. The folks at KFF Health News are amazing journalists. Their work wins all kinds of awards, every year. We’re honored to work with them. 

So, a provider sends a bill. MultiPlan and the insurance company say, “Woah, way too much.” And then what happens? Well, it depends. Sometimes, MultiPlan negotiates with the provider. They’ve got people who do this. And those negotiators drive hard bargains. According to Chris’s story, negotiators sometimes tell providers: Here’s my offer, you’ve got a few hours to take it or leave it, and my next offer might be lower. 

Chris talked with a pediatric therapist who said an offer based on MultiPlan’s calculation was less than half of what Medicaid pays. Less than half. And Medicaid rates– they’re notoriously pretty low. Chris talked with some of MultiPlan’s negotiators too. 

Chris Hamby: It was interesting because some of the negotiators felt that they were doing their part to hold down costs and really sort of stick it to providers and hospitals that were price gouging. 

Dan: But …one told Chris she knew the offers she made– they weren’t fair. “It’s just a game,” another one said. “It’s sad.” And maybe the difference is that some of these negotiators were thinking of a big hospital charging $150,000  for something. And maybe some of them were thinking of someone like that therapist– the one who got offered less than half of Medicaid’s rate. 

And I’m not gonna get into the question of who should be doing this kind of negotiating, or what’s fair. I mean, not today, anyway. Because: in a lot of cases with MultiPlan, there’s no negotiation at all. Negotiation only happens when the employer has told the insurance company, look, protect my people. Figure out SOMETHING with the provider so they don’t go after my workers for the rest. 

But that doesn’t always happen. A lot of the time, what happens is: The provider sends a bill. The insurance company kicks in whatever it decides to … and that’s it. 

So Chris’s story opens with a woman who had surgery. With MultiPlan’s help, her insurance company decided to pay about $5,400. And she got stuck with a bill for more than $100,000. 

And then there’s Kristin and Paul in Kansas City. They paid their bills upfront and then looked to get reimbursed– kept a spreadsheet. But when their claims finally got processed, the numbers didn’t add up. Here’s what they saw: Like pretty much every insurance plan, Kristin and Paul’s had a “deductible”– an amount they had to pay out of pocket before insurance would reimburse anything. 

Kristin H: Then I started watching the deductible and you know, when I calculated my spreadsheet of how much we had paid out of pocket, and when we saw what was on like our out-of-network spend, those two weren’t matching. 

Dan: She really couldn’t figure this out. 

Kristin H: I just kind of handed over all of my spreadsheets to Paul, and so that’s when he started digging into the “your discount.” 

Dan: “Your discount…” That was this mysterious number on all the statements from the insurance company. In addition to the provider’s rate, and what insurance might pay, the statements listed, quote, “your discount.” 

Paul H: And I’m like, what is this? I don’t understand why it’s talking about a discount. We are paying cash out of pocket to the provider at their billed rate, and our insurance is saying that there’s some sort of discount. 

Dan: After a bunch of phone calls, he figured it out: The discount was … the difference between the amount on the bill and what the insurance company– with MultiPlan’s help– had decided was a “fair price.” 

Paul H: For example, an occupational therapy bill that might be $125, this third party adjuster might come back and say, essentially what the market rate for that should be is $76. And so, your discount, quote, unquote, is $49. 

Dan: Except of course, it wasn’t a discount for Kristin and Paul. They had already paid that $49, when they paid the provider upfront. Once Kristin and Paul learned what the “discount” actually meant, they started to understand who actually got the benefit– the insurer. Because … 

Kristin H: That discounted rate is actually what will be applied to your deductible. So you’re not going to hit your deductible nearly as quickly as you think. Right? Because we’ve essentially ignored half of your payment. 

Dan: This hits Kristin and Paul in two ways. 

First, it means they’re actually spending a lot more before their insurance kicks in. It also means that when their insurance does start reimbursing them a percentage of what they’ve spent, the insurance is only paying a percentage of that lower amount. Overall, it means the reimbursements Kristin and Paul get are gonna be thousands of dollars less than they’d expected. 

I mean, it took a LOT of work for Kristin and Paul to figure this out. At one point, Paul posted to Reddit asking for help– that’s where Chris Hamby found him. In Paul’s post, he noted how nobody ever even mentioned this third-party adjuster– not until he had already talked to his insurance company for what he said was “about 18 times.” Frequently on hold for 45 minutes or more. 

Kristin says once they finally figured out what was going on, they could figure out how to budget for it. There were sacrifices. She stopped seeing one of her providers as often. But finally figuring out what was going on also allowed them to live with it. 

Kristin H: The infuriating part was telling, like doing exactly what we were told to do, following the process, and then feeling like you are crazy. Like why, why doesn’t this make sense? You know? And so I think I’m fortunate that Paul just wouldn’t let it die and was gonna research until he figured it out. 

Dan: You did all of the work, you tracked it down, you identified the problem, and you, as you say, kind of resigned yourself to it. You’re like, okay, this Goliath is not– we don’t have the slingshot for this. Goliath is stomping all over our town, and we have to live in that reality. Having the knowledge, having done that work, gives you, it sounds like, an ability to have some peace. Like having tracked it down means that this sucks, but it’s not the same as living in a situation where like, now what? Like anything could happen.

Kristin H: Yeah, you feel crazy or hopeless. You know? Like I’ve done everything and this doesn’t … So there’s just the sense of like, am I missing something? You know, is there anything left for me to do? I recognize that everyone is not like this, but for me, knowledge is a gift. 

Dan: Chris Hamby says there’s rarely a way to get this kind of knowledge in advance. He says you’re unlikely to find these kinds of details in your insurance plan document. 

Chris Hamby: It typically will not say when you go out of network, we’re going to send your claim to a third party that you’ve never heard of to price it. It will just give some sort of vague language about competitive rates in your geographic area. And if you call up in advance of seeking the care to try and get an estimate, most of the time you will not get much more specifics than that. They tell you you have to just go and they’ll process the claim and you’ll see when the explanation of benefits comes through. 

Dan: Yeah, and look, I hate to get you even angrier, but Chris says the rules can change on you, without notice. 

Chris Hamby: A lot of people that I talk with also have seen no change in their insurance plan, but they’ve seen their reimbursement rates decline over time. 

Dan: Turns out, behind the scenes, their insurance made a switch from a service like FAIR Health, which looks at what’s getting paid in general, to a service like MultiPlan, which looks for the steepest possible price cuts. 

Chris Hamby: And the difference between those two amounts can be vast. So you have people who in some cases stop seeing their doctors because their costs doubled almost overnight. 

Dan: Oh god. And still. Better to know. Better that as many of us know as possible. That’s why Chris reviewed more than 50,000 pages of documents, and interviewed more than a hundred people for that story. And why lawyers for the New York Times helped get courts to agree to give him documents that had been under seal. 

Kristin and Paul– who had figured most of this out for themselves– they definitely appreciated all that work. 

Paul H: When Chris published the article that he did, it was very validating to know we’re not the only ones who are in this same boat. And there’s actually people who have had far worse experiences than ours. Like, ours kind of pale in comparison. And then immediately, like, within 24 hours to see 1,500 or 1,600 comments on the article talking about it. It’s like, okay, I might not have the stone that can slay the giant, but maybe The NewYork Times has the right sling and they might have the right stone to at least start the conversation. 

Dan: A few weeks after Chris’s article came out, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar sent the top federal antitrust regulators a letter: She wanted them to take a hard look at MultiPlan. 

Chris Hamby: She expressed concern about the potential for price fixing here. 

Dan: Actually, Chris says some providers have already filed lawsuits against MultiPlan based on antitrust allegations. 

Chris Hamby: The idea is that all the insurance companies outsource their pricing decisions to a common vendor. They’re essentially fixing prices via algorithm is the allegation. 

Dan: As we noted here a few episodes ago, these antitrust regulators in the Biden administration have gotten pretty feisty. [That was the episode about the cyberattack on a company called Change Healthcare. It was called “The Hack,” if you missed it. Pretty fun!] 

And I mean, those antitrust regulators have their work cut out for them. And a lot of targets. But I do want to egg them on here. I suspect you do too. Meanwhile, you’re egging US on. 

Listener 1: The first thought that went through my head was I’m going to fight this because this is absolutely ridiculous. I’ve already paid for this. 

Dan: A few weeks ago, we asked you for stories about your experiences with sneaky fees, often called facility fees. 

Listener 2: When the facility fee is twice the office visit fee, it’s just crazy. I mean, it’s a 10-minute appointment for a prescription. 

Dan: You came through, and now we’re making some calls, digging in for more details, and learning so much. We’re gonna have a sneak preview for you in a few weeks. Till then, take care of yourself. 

This episode of An Arm and a Leg was produced by me, Dan Weissmann, with help from Emily Pisacreta and Claire Davenport– our summer intern. Welcome aboard, Claire!– and edited by Ellen Weiss. Adam Raymonda is our audio wizard. Our music is by Dave Weiner and Blue Dot Sessions. Gabrielle Healy is our managing editor for audience. Gabe Bullard is our engagement editor. Bea Bosco is our consulting director of operations. Sarah Ballama is our operations manager. 

An Arm and a Leg is produced in partnership with KFF Health News. That’s a national newsroom producing in-depth journalism about healthcare in America and a core program at KFF, an independent source of health policy research, polling and journalism. Zach Dyer is senior audio producer at KFF Health News. He’s editorial liaison to this show. 

And thanks to the Institute for Nonprofit News for serving as our fiscal sponsor, allowing us to accept tax-exempt donations. You can learn more about INN at INN.org. Finally, thanks to everybody who supports this show financially. You can join in any time at https://armandalegshow.com/support/

Thanks for pitching in if you can, and thanks for listening.

“An Arm and a Leg” is a co-production of KFF Health News and Public Road Productions.

To keep in touch with “An Arm and a Leg,” subscribe to its newsletters. You can also follow the show on Facebook and the social platform X. And if you’ve got stories to tell about the health care system, the producers would love to hear from you.

To hear all KFF Health News podcasts, click here.

And subscribe to “An Arm and a Leg” on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
25Jun
Backbone’s Post Malone Controller Is Now Available, But It’s Limited To 500 Units

Backbone has announced a new limited-edition version of its controller, designed in collaboration with award-winning musician–and noted Lord of the Rings fan–Post Malone. This $200 version of the Backbone One sports a translucent green design, a glow-in-the-dark logo, and several hardware upgrades like an aluminum D-pad and laser-etched aluminum face buttons. These will be very limited, as only 500 of them are being produced. You can try your luck at buying one now. Backbone started taking orders on June 25 at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET.

Backbone One: Post Malone Edition

Gallery

When it inevitably sells out, you can still pick up a regular Backbone for your phone, although you’ll have to settle for a PlayStation white or an Xbox-esque carbon black finish.

With games like Assassin’s Creed Mirage and Death Stranding on newer iPhone models, Netflix’s underrated library, and even anime streaming service Crunchyroll offering a great selection of games, it’s worth investing in one of these devices for some quick gaming when you’re on the go.

Backbone One controllers

The second-gen models are the best as they use a USB-C connection to pair with your phone and they support phone cases. This makes them more appealing as you won’t need to strip the protective cover off of your phone every time you want to do a fresh run in Hades. You’re also getting passthrough charging, a 2.5mm headphone jack, premium buttons and triggers, and support for most iPhones and Android devices.

Our Backbone One review praised it for being a “combination of solid hardware and smart app design,” and it has only gotten better with its second-generation update. For more options you can check our list of the best controllers for Android and iPhone.
25Jun
New study confirms forever chemicals are absorbed through human skin

A study of 17 commonly used synthetic ‘forever chemicals’ has shown that these toxic substances can readily be absorbed through human skin.

New research, published today in Environment International proves for the first time that a wide range of PFAS (perfluoroalkyl substances) — chemicals which do not break down in nature — can permeate the skin barrier and reach the body’s bloodstream.

PFAS are used widely in industries and consumer products from school uniforms to personal care products because of their water and stain repellent properties. While some substances have been banned by government regulation, others are still widely used and their toxic effects have not yet been fully investigated.

PFAS are already known to enter the body through other routes, for example being breathed in or ingested via food or drinking water, and they are known to cause adverse health effects such as a lowered immune response to vaccination, impaired liver function and decreased birth weight.

It has commonly been thought that PFAS are unable to breach the skin barrier, although recent studies have shown links between the use of personal care products and PFAS concentrations in human blood and breast milk. The new study is the most comprehensive assessment yet undertaken of the absorption of PFAS into human skin and confirms that most of them can enter the body via this route.

Lead author of the study, Dr Oddný Ragnarsdóttir carried out the research while studying for her PhD at the University of Birmingham. She explained: “The ability of these chemicals to be absorbed through skin has previously been dismissed because the molecules are ionised. The electrical charge that gives them the ability to repel water and stains was thought to also make them incapable of crossing the skin membrane.

“Our research shows that this theory does not always hold true and that, in fact, uptake through the skin could be a significant source of exposure to these harmful chemicals.”

The researchers investigated 17 different PFAS. The compounds selected were among those most widely used, and most widely studied for their toxic effects and other ways through which humans might be exposed to them. Most significantly, they correspond to chemicals regulated by the EU’s Drinking Water Directive.

In their experiments the team used 3D human skin equivalent models — multilayered laboratory grown tissues that mimic the properties of normal human skin, meaning the study could be carried out without using any animals. They applied samples of each chemical to measure what proportions were absorbed, unabsorbed, or retained within the models.

Of the 17 PFAS tested, the team found 15 substances showed substantial dermal absorption — at least 5% of the exposure dose. At the exposure doses examined, absorption into the bloodstream of the most regulated PFAS (perfluoro octanoic acid (PFOA)) was 13.5% with a further 38% of the applied dose retained within the skin for potential longer-term uptake into the circulation.

The amount absorbed seemed to correlate with the length of the carbon chain within the molecule. Substances with longer carbon chains showed lower levels of absorption, while compounds with shorter chains that were introduced to replace longer carbon chain PFAS like PFOA, were more easily absorbed. Absorption of perfluoro pentanoic acid for example was four times that of PFOA at 59%.

Study co-author, Dr Mohamed Abdallah, said “our study provides first insight into significance of the dermal route as pathway of exposure to a wide range of forever chemicals. Given the large number of existing PFAS, it is important that future studies aim to assess the risk of broad ranges of these toxic chemicals, rather than focusing on one chemical at a time.”

Study co-author, Professor Stuart Harrad, of the University of Birmingham’s School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, added: “This study helps us to understand how important exposure to these chemicals via the skin might be and also which chemical structures might be most easily absorbed. This is important because we see a shift in industry towards chemicals with shorter chain lengths because these are believed to be less toxic — however the trade-off might be that we absorb more of them, so we need to know more about the risks involved.”
25Jun
Research Endeavour Grant Program 2024-25 by NLU Delhi

NLUD is inviting applications for the research grant program (N-REG) 2024-2025.

About NLUD

National Law University, Delhi is one of the National Law Universities in India, situated in Sector-14, Dwarka, Delhi. It offers courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

About the Program

National Law University Delhi has instituted a research grant program that seeks to provide two annual research grants of Rs. 5 lakhs per annum each to academics and researchers based in any Indian institution/organisation. There are no limitations on the current field of work in which applicants are engaged and neither are there limitations on the themes or areas of study, as long as the research proposals engage with law/ legal institutions/ legal cultures/ legal policy through doctrinal/ empirical/ sociolegal/ social science methods.

Proposals that seek to employ STEM research methods are also encouraged provided the proposal at its core furthers perspectives to better understand the law/ legal institutions/ legal cultures/ legal policy.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Indian citizens currently working in any Indian higher educational institution in academic/ research roles are eligible to apply.
  • Applicants must necessarily have a Master’s degree.
  • At least three years of demonstrable work experience in an academic/ research role.
  • Experience gained outside India in this regard will be considered relevant under this requirement.
  • The proposal must be a standalone project and cannot be part of a larger project.
  • Successful applicants should be able to provide an institutional bank account into which the research grant will be received. The institutional bank account must belong to the institution at which the applicant is currently employed.
  • Indian citizens who are employed abroad in any form/ through any employment structure but are currently in Indian higher educational institutions on research fellowships/ grants/ visiting academic arrangements etc. are not eligible to apply

How to Apply?

  • Applications will be accepted only through the online form developed for this purpose (find the link attached).
  • The link to the online form is provided at the end of this call for research proposals.
  • Applicants will be required to submit the following documents as part of the online application form. If any of these documents, the application will be considered incomplete and not eligible for consideration:
    • Research proposal of no more than 2500 words comprising a statement of research objectives and significance of the research, research methodology, and research questions with brief explanations.
    • Progress milestones document of no more than 1500 words that provides details on the quarterly targets towards completion of the research proposed within one year.
    • Budget outline with no more two-levels of subheads under each head of expenditure. Please note that the total expenses on human resources cannot exceed 70%. Also, foreign travel and expenses during such travel are not eligible costs under this grant.
    • A document that comprises a list of publications and research outcomes. CV of the applicant.

Application Deadline

5.00 PM on Sunday, 30th June 2024

Location

Delhi

Click here to apply.
25Jun
Kendall Jenner and Bad Bunny heat up Paris in matching styles for date night; couples take notes. Pics | Fashion Trends

Kendall Jenner and Bad Bunny are having a blast in Paris. After their appearance at the Vogue World 2024 show – while Kendall modelled, Bad Bunny performed – the model and musician were seen in Paris. The couple hit the town for dinner on one night, and on another, they attended an event. They embraced matching styles in chic outfits for both occasions. (Also Read | It’s Preity Zinta’s fashion renaissance era: 3 times she stole our hearts with her latest looks)

Kendall Jenner and Bad Bunny step out in Paris in matching styles for date night. (Instagram)

What Kendall Jenner and Bad Bunny wore for their date night in Paris

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For their romantic dinner date, Kendall Jenner and Bad Bunny opted for complementary grey ensembles. While twinning is a familiar concept among couples, the model and musician’s outfits appeared to be cut from the exact same roll of fabric. Kendall wore a grey-coloured off-shoulder top and pants from Khy, her sister Kylie Jenner’s label, and Bad Bunny chose a double-breasted suit and a black tee.

Kendall’s grey top has a twisted off-shoulder design on one side, a half-sleeve on another, a fitted silhouette, and a cropped hem. the model paired the blouse with matching high-waisted grey pants featuring a fit-and-flared silhouette. She rounded off the look with a black clutch, kitten heels, loose locks, brown lip shade, feathered brows, rouge on the cheeks, and a dewy base.

Bad Bunny complemented Kendall in a grey blazer with notch lapels, full-length sleeves, and an open front. The singer completed his date night outfit with grey tapered pants, a black crewneck tee, white sneakers, sunglasses, and rings.

For attending an event at a restaurant in Paris, Kendall wore a black column dress featuring side-bust cut-outs, a round neckline, a figure-hugging fit, a sheer maxi-length skirt, and a back slit. She glammed the dress with strappy heels, gold earrings, a centre-parted ponytail, pink lips, and a clean-makeup look.

Bad Bunny also wore an all-black outfit to the event. The singer chose an oversized jacket featuring wide collars, full-length sleeves, front button closure, and a cropped hem. He styled it with matching black pants, sunglasses, a chain, ear studs, rings, gloves, and dress shoes.
25Jun
Novo fills in positive picture for preventive hemophilia drug

Dive Brief:

  • Novo Nordisk on Sunday disclosed detailed clinical trial results for an experimental hemophilia treatment dubbed Mim8, showing once-weekly and once-monthly doses of the antibody drug controlled bleeding in people with the more common “A” form of the disorder.
  • The data, which were presented at the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis Annual Congress in Thailand, fill in a positive picture for Mim8’s effectiveness and safety. Novo had said in May that the Phase 3 trial, called Frontier-2, succeeded and shared topline findings.
  • Among people who had not previously been on preventive treatment, researchers reported zero bleeds in 86% of study participants who received once-weekly Mim8, and 95% of those given the once-monthly dose. Those figures were 66% and 65%, respectively, among people in the trial who had prior preventive treatment.

Dive Insight:

The success of Ozempic and Wegovy, Novo’s drugs for diabetes and weight loss, have transformed the Danish drugmaker into the pharmaceutical industry’s second largest. Not surprisingly, analysts and Wall Street investors are now laser focused on that portion of the company’s business.

But Novo continues to develop drugs for rare blood disorders, and has placed emphasis on the potential of Mim8. It’s also invested in sickle cell disease, acquiring Forma Therapeutics two years ago and advancing another drug it licensed in 2018.

The recent results for Mim8 are the first from a Phase 3 trial program that includes three other studies beyond Frontier-2.

Novo enrolled 254 people with hemophilia A into Frontier-2, including those with and without “inhibitors,” which can prevent standard drugs from effectively clotting blood. The one-year study compared Mim8 to either no prophylaxis among those not on preventive treatment, or to prior coagulation factor prophylaxis among those who were.

In the former group, a once-weekly dose of Mim8 reduced the average annualized bleeding rate by 97%, while the once-monthly dose led to a 99% reduction. That translated to an average of 0.45 treated bleeds per patient year among the once-weekly group and 0.20 among the once-monthly patients. In the control arm of people who did not receive preventive treatment, the average rate was 15.75 treated bleeds per patient year.

Patients in the study who previously were on preventive treatment went through a “run-in” phase of the study, and then were given one of the two Mim8 doses. The average rate of treated bleeds was 2.51 per patient year for those on once-weekly dosing, versus 4.83 on their prior prophylaxis, and 1.78 for those on the once-monthly, versus 3.10 on their prior treatment.

There were no thromboembolic events or related serious side effects reported in the trial, Novo said.

“With Mim8, we have the potential of offering a substantial proportion of patients the prospect of zero bleeds and convenient dosing flexibility to fit their lifestyles and needs,” said Martin Holst Lange, head of development for Novo, in the company’s Sunday statement.

Novo plans to submit an approval application for Mim8 toward the end of the year, and will disclose more trial data for the drug at upcoming medical meetings.

A “bispecific” antibody, Mim8 is designed to bridge Factors IXa and X to replace the Factor VIII that’s missing in people with hemophilia A.

If approved, Mim8 would likely compete with Roche’s Hemlibra, which is also a bispecific anitbody and holds approval in the U.S. as a routine preventive treatment for people with hemophilia A. Dosing is flexible to either once-weekly, bi-weekly or once-monthly. Roche reported sales of 4.1 billion Swiss francs last year, or about $4.6 billion, using an average U.S. dollar exchange rate for 2023.
25Jun
The Biggest Property Mistake Millennials are Making 

Millennials who delay buying their first home are putting themselves at huge risk of being long-term renters.

But complaining about a lack of affordability isn’t going to get them anywhere; instead, they need to start to turn attitude into action.

The fact is: that the number of first-home buyers is dwindling.

This is a massive concern, when you consider a home is the biggest asset the average Australian has when they retire.

But now, for the first time, we’re facing a generation of lifetime renters.

Millennial renters could easily spend over $1.25 million on rent during their lifetime.

And in the end, they won’t have anything to show for it!

Rent money is empty money.

It’s throwing money into paying off someone else’s mortgage.

The alternative is investing your money into an appreciating asset.

To do this means getting out of the rental hamster wheel and buying your own home.

Now, I can see two key reasons why young people are delaying a home purchase.

Millennials are either struggling to enter the market because they can’t afford it or because they aren’t prioritising the task of ‘owning a home’.

I can understand why our younger crowd is on the fringe.

The market is expensive, and growing more so, particularly in white-collar hubs where the jobs are.

Added to that, there’s also a negative presumption – heightened by media hype – that it’s not possible for young people to get a foothold in the property anymore.

But that’s not always true.

There are several avenues available to our Millennials that make it possible to enter the market.

I also firmly believe that it’s vital for Millennials to prioritise real estate ownership – despite the planning and sacrifice that it takes.

The earlier, the better.

Why? Because delaying only perpetuates the unaffordability cycle.

Prices won’t suddenly drop significantly in the next year or two, making it easier to jump into real estate.

Every year of delay equals lost capital growth, a step lower on the ladder, and thousands of dead-end rent dollars.

In an ideal world, your first home should be your own.

You have to live somewhere for the rest of your life, so the person who should ideally own that property is you – not your landlord.

A home is the biggest asset you’ll own and over time as it increases in value and you pay down the mortgage, you’ll be able to unlock equity that can be used as seed capital to buy further (investment) properties.

Come retirement, you’ll own your own home – worth considerably more than the purchase price and several investment properties that generate enough income to live comfortably.

property buyers agent

But if you can’t afford to buy your own home in your desired area, what do you do?

First, get to the bottom of the reason why haven’t bought you.

1. Is it because you’re too picky? 

If you haven’t yet bought a home because you’re feeling priced out of the market, it might be time to loosen the ‘dream home’ criteria.

Very few first homebuyers debut in inner-city Sydney.
25Jun
Here Are My Favorite Features

Quick Links

Google released the first Android 15 beta in April 2024, and I’ve been using it on my Pixel 8 Pro since then. It’s not a massive update, but it’s hard to overlook some quality-of-life additions. Below, I’ll list my favorite Android 15 features so far.



1 App Archiving

My Pixel 8 Pro only has 128GB of internal storage, with even less usable space. Once I install all my essential and favorite Android apps, the available free space declines even further, leaving less room for all my media.

Due to this, I have to constantly uninstall apps I don’t use as frequently to free up space. However, the problem is that uninstalling such apps also removes all user data. So, the next time I reinstall the app from the Play Store, I have to set it up from scratch again.


This is where app archiving comes in. While the Play Store has an automatic app archiving feature, Android 15 adds it natively to the OS. So, I can manually archive an unwanted or unused app on my phone to free up space. Archiving will not remove the app or any associated user data from the phone; only selected portions are removed.

The best part is that the archived app’s shortcut is not removed from your phone but only grayed out with a download icon on it. When you tap it, Android 15 automatically downloads it from the Play Store. Once reinstalled, I can tap the shortcut again and start using the app like before—all without having to set it up again from scratch.

To manually archive an app in Android 15, long-press its shortcut and select App info. From the page that opens, choose Archive.

2 Private Space


I have several important and sensitive banking and authenticator apps installed on my phone that I want to keep away from prying eyes. Similarly, there are documents and pictures that I don’t want anyone else using my phone to access. This is where Android 15’s Private Space comes in. It’s similar to Secure Folder on Samsung phones.

As the name indicates, the feature creates a “private space” on my phone for all my important apps and documents. The best part about the feature is that you can log in with a separate Google account. Additionally, you can set up a different PIN or pattern than the one you currently use for your device for additional security.

Setting up a Private Space is easy. Navigate to Settings > Security & privacy > Private Space. Then, simply follow the on-screen instructions to set up the feature.


3 Partial Screen Recording

Google added native screen recording with Android 11, though Samsung and other smartphone manufacturers had implemented this feature in their Android skins years before that.

With Android 15, Google is improving screen recording by adding a per-app recording option. So, instead of capturing my entire screen, I can set the recorder to only to capture the contents of a single app.

This is a great privacy improvement, as I do not need to worry about unwanted notifications or other personal content showing up in my screen recordings. I didn’t expect partial screen recording to be a big deal, but I was surprised by its usefulness since I started using Android 15 on my Pixel 8 Pro.


To start a partial screen recording in Android 15, follow these steps:

  1. Expand the Quick Settings panel on your phone and tap the Screen Record tile.
  2. Select A single app from the dialog box that appears and tap Start recording. You’ll be prompted to choose the app you want to record.
  3. When you select the app, a three-second timer will start in the status bar, after which the screen recording will start.

Incoming notifications, calls, and even your notification shade will not appear in the video when using partial screen recording.

4 Improved Bluetooth Toggle in Quick Settings


Android 15 improves the Bluetooth toggle in the Quick Settings panel by introducing a dialog box to control the paired devices. On Android 14, you can only toggle Bluetooth on or off through its Quick Settings tile. However, in Android 15, tapping the Bluetooth tile will bring up a dialog box showing the connected and paired devices you can quickly connect or disconnect from.

This might seem like a small change, but I frequently connect and disconnect several Bluetooth devices with my Pixel 8 Pro throughout the day. The Bluetooth dialog box speeds up the entire process and reduces unwanted taps.

Android 15 packs several usability improvements, but the above are a few that I have found most helpful in daily life. A lot of features are still only partially working or not fully implemented, so the experience should improve even further once the OS is ready for its public release.

25Jun
Actors Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Talulah Riley tie the knot

Thomas Brodie-Sangster is in love — and there’s nothing he can do about it!

The “Love Actually” child star, 34, married actor Talulah Riley, 38, in a 14th-century church in the village of Anstey, England, over the weekend. The bride arrived in a horse-drawn carriage wearing an elegant white satin dress and lace-lined veil, while the groom opted for a blue suit, white scarf and floral waistcoat, according to photos obtained by The Sun.

The couple, who recently purchased a manor estate near the church, beamed while onlookers threw confetti as they exited together. Guests followed their carriage to the fields near their home, where the reception featured fairground rides including a merry-go-round, an onlooker told the outlet.

The couple met in 2021 on the set of the Disney+ miniseries “Pistol.” This is Brodie-Sangster’s first marriage. Riley was previously married to tech tycoon Elon Musk — twice.

Though the couple have yet to comment on their nuptials, Brodie-Sangster announced their engagement last July on his Instagram, cheekily noting, “Love is all around.”
25Jun
BSA Gold Star 650 India Launch Confirmed; To Be Revealed on Independence Day

Mumbai, June 25: Classic Legends is ready to bring back another legendary brand in the Indian market. After reviving the Jawa and Yezdi brands, the company will resurrect the legendary Birmingham Small Arms (BSA) motorcycle brand in the country on the 78th Independence Day. The company has started sending out block your date for the event, hinting at an unveiling of a motorcycle, which could be the BSA Gold Star 650.  Hero MotoCorp To Hike Prices From July 1.

The British Motorcycle brand owned by Classic Legends, a subsidiary of Mahindra Group, was revived in 2021 globally with the launch of a modern classic bike, the Gold Star 650. The brand is likely to follow the same strategy for the Indian market as well.

BSA Gold Star 650 (Photo Credits: BSA UK)

The upcoming BSA Gold Star 650 sports a retro design taking inspiration from the bike produced in the 50s and 60s, featuring a circular headlamp, flat seat, wide handlebar, and classic-style fuel tank. Chrome detailing on the bike further underlines its aesthetics as a modern classic bike.

Built on a tubular steel double cradle frame, the modern classic bike gets telescopic suspension upfront and dual shockers at the rear. At the front, the bike has a 320 mm disc and a 255 mm disc at the rear. It will also come with dual-channel ABS as standard fitment.

BSA Gold Star 650

BSA Gold Star 650 (Photo Credits: BSA UK)

It will draw power from a 652 cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine paired with a 5-speed gearbox. The unit will churn out 45 bhp at 5,000 rpm and 55 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. The bike is likely to be priced under Rs. 4.5 lakh ex-showroom and will be a direct rival to Royal Enfield’s Interceptor 650.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 25, 2024 01:31 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
25Jun
Apple Hits a Major Roadblock as EU Targets App Store

Apple has become the first Big Tech company to be charged with breaking the European Union’s new digital markets rules, three days after the tech giant said it would not release artificial intelligence in the bloc due to regulation.

On Monday, the European Commission said that Apple’s App Store was preventing developers from communicating with their users and promoting offers to them directly, a practice known as anti-steering.

“Our preliminary position is that Apple does not fully allow steering. Steering is key to ensure that app developers are less dependent on gatekeepers’ app stores and for consumers to be aware of better offers,” Margrethe Vestager, the EU’s competition chief, said in a statement.

On X, the European commissioner for the internal market, Thierry Breton, gave a more damning assessment. “For too long Apple has been squeezing out innovative companies—denying consumers new opportunities and choices,” he said.

The EU referred to its Monday charges as “preliminary findings.” Apple now has the opportunity to respond to the charges and, if an agreement is not reached, the bloc has the power to levy fines—which can reach up to 10 percent of the company’s global turnover—before March 2025.

Tensions between Apple and the EU have been rising for months. Brussels opened an investigation into the smartphone maker in March over failure to comply with the bloc’s competition rules. Although investigations were also opened into Meta and Google-parent Alphabet, it is Apple’s relationship with European developers that has long been the focus in Brussels.

Back in March, one of the members of the European Parliament who negotiated the Digital Markets Act told WIRED that Apple was the logical first target for the new rules, describing the company as “low-hanging fruit.” Under the DMA it is illegal for Big Tech companies to preference their own services over those of rivals.

Developers have seethed against the new business terms imposed on them by Apple, describing the company’s policies as “abusive,” “extortion,” and “ludicrously punitive.”

Apple spokesperson Rob Saunders said on Monday he was confident the company was in compliance with the law. “All developers doing business in the EU on the App Store have the opportunity to utilize the capabilities that we have introduced, including the ability to direct app users to the web to complete purchases at a very competitive rate,” he says.

On Friday, Apple said it would not release its artificial intelligence features in the EU this year due to what the company described as “regulatory uncertainties.” “Specifically, we are concerned that the interoperability requirements of the DMA could force us to compromise the integrity of our products in ways that risk user privacy and data security,” said Saunders in a statement. The features affected are iPhone Mirroring, SharePlay Screen Sharing enhancements, and Apple’s first foray into generative AI, Apple Intelligence.

Apple is not the only company to blame new EU rules for its decision to delay the rollout of new features. Last year, Google delayed the EU rollout of its ChatGPT rival Bard, and earlier in June, Meta paused plans to train its AI on Europeans’ personal Facebook and Instagram data following discussions with privacy regulators. “This is a step backward for European innovation, competition in AI development and further delays bringing the benefits of AI to people in Europe,” the company said at the time.
25Jun
Hong Kong to Explore Legislations Around Crypto, Sets Up Dedicated Subcommittee

Cryptocurrencies have made their mark on the fintech sector in several nations but have met with regulatory challenges because of the associated risks and volatile nature of the crypto market. Hong Kong is the latest to join the list of Asian regions that are accelerating efforts to establish a regulatory framework to oversee the crypto sector. The HKSAR Legislative Council, over the weekend, announced the setting up of a new subcommittee, that will dedicate its time to drafting detailed crypto laws.

Hong Kong aims to become crypto hotspot

Hong Kong authorities have prioritised making the region lucrative for Web3 businesses. After all, despite the financial risks involved with digital assets, the crypto market presently sits atop a valuation of $2.26 trillion (roughly Rs. 1,88,68,265 crore).

Johnny NG Kit-Chong, a member of the HKSAR, took to X to announce the creation of the crypto-focussed subcommittee. In his post, Kit-Chong disclosed that the subcommittee will explore regulations from two aspects – one regarding Web3 policies and the other around virtual assets.

From the point of view of Web3 policies, the subcommittee is tasked with balancing the growth of Web3 under a regulatory framework. The artificial intelligence (AI) sector will also be fostered by this newly formed body.

Policy work around virtual assets, meanwhile, will revolve around protecting investors and consumers that could lead to a boost in market confidence.

Other responsibilities assigned to the subcommittee, as per Kit-Chong, include assessing “potential application scenarios and risks of stablecoins in Hong Kong, and regulatory systems that ensure financial stability without stifling innovation.”

The body will also devote time to exploring the demand for professional custody services due to the rise of virtual assets in Hong Kong and conducting research around corresponding custody methods and regulatory measures.

The members of the committee are also inviting recommendations from the public, which they think can help them oversee Web3 elements like decentralised autonomous organisations (DAOs).

“I welcome suggestions from the global Web3 industry. I will study them in detail and summarise them to present to the government through the Legislative Council platform,” the HKSAR Legislative Council member said.

Where does Hong Kong stand on crypto?

Hong Kong allows the trading and holding of cryptocurrencies, but no cryptocurrency is recognised as legal tender there. Crypto activities related to individual investors are not subject to taxes, however, firms indulging in professional crypto activities are subject to income tax.

As per Triple-a.io, over 2.45 lakh people, or 3.27 percent of Hong Kong’s total population, currently own cryptocurrencies.

Last month, Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) announced that it would be conducting checks to see if all crypto functional exchanges were adhering to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (AMLO) on priority.

Prior to this in April, Hong Kong followed the US to approve ETFs related to Bitcoin and Ether, aiming to boost the engagement of institutional investors with these otherwise risky digital assets.

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25Jun
Google rolls out new shopping tools ahead of summer sales

Google is launching enhanced shopping features to help consumers navigate the upcoming summer sales season, responding to increased interest in online deals.

What’s new:

  1. Updated deals destination:
    • – Shows freshest deals from across retailers in a carousel
    • – Organizes promotions by product categories
    • – Available on mobile and desktop in the U.S.
  1. Membership price display:
    • – Shows regular prices alongside discounted costs for loyalty program members
    • – Currently available for retailers like BestBuy, Petco, and Minted
Screenshot 2024 06 24 At 20.50.52

Why we care. Retail advertisers might need to shift more focus towards promoting deals and special offers to appear in these new features.

Why it matters. With 44% of shoppers saying deal days prompt them to shop more than usual (according to Google/Ipsos Deal Days Survey), these tools aim to help consumers find the best discounts across retailers.

The big picture. These features leverage Google’s Shopping Graph, which contains 45 billion product listings, to provide a centralized shopping experience.

By the numbers.

  • Online searches for “deals” spike in mid-July, surpassing interest in “vacation”
  • 25% of people who regret purchases during big sales say it’s due to finding lower prices later

Between the lines. Google is positioning itself as a one-stop shop for deal-hunting, potentially increasing its importance in the e-commerce ecosystem.

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About the author

Anu Adegbola

Anu Adegbola has been Paid Media Editor of Search Engine Land since 2024. She covers paid search, paid social, retail media, video and more.

In 2008, Anu’s career started with

 delivering digital marketing campaigns (mostly but not exclusively Paid Search) by building strategies, maximising ROI, automating repetitive processes and bringing efficiency from every part of marketing departments through inspiring leadership both on agency, client and marketing tech side.

 

Outside editing Search Engine Land article she is the founder of PPC networking event – PPC Live, host of weekly podcast PPCChat Roundup, and brand evangelist at ClickTech. 

 

She is also an international speaker with some of the stages she has presented on being SMX (US), SMX (Munich), Friends of Search (Amsterdam), brightonSEO, The Marketing Meetup, HeroConf (PPC Hero), SearchLove, BiddableWorld, SESLondon, PPC Chat Live, AdWorld Experience (Bologna) and more.
25Jun
Atari’s Mini 8-Bit Home Computer Drops To Lowest Price Yet At Amazon

Nostalgic Atari fans can add the recently released Atari 400 Mini to their collection for only $102 for a limited time. This is the lowest price yet for the recreation of the 8-bit home computer from 1979, but it’s also an Amazon Lightning Deal with limited quantities. The Atari 400 Mini emulates all Atari 8-bit software from the 400 through the 800XL.

$102 (was $120)

The Atari 400 Mini is more than just a modern revival of old Atari consoles. Along with access to a bunch of built-in games, you can plug in a USB drive to access 8-bit Atari ROMs you own and expand its library. You’ll also get four save state slots per game, making it easier than ever to explore these retro titles. The 400 Mini also has the ability to rewind gameplay, offers an optional CRT filter, and supports 720p output.

Along with the console, you’ll get the CXStick, a modernized version of the iconic Atari CX40 joystick.

Here’s a look at all the preinstalled games on the Atari 400 Mini:

The Atari 400 Mini Game List

  • Airball
  • Asteroids
  • Basketball
  • Battlezone
  • Berzerk
  • Boulder Dash
  • Bristles
  • Capture the Flag
  • Centipede
  • Crystal Castles
  • Elektra Glide
  • Encounter!
  • Flip and Flop
  • Henry’s House
  • Hover Bovver
  • Lee (Bruce Lee)
  • MULE
  • Millipede
  • Miner 2049er
  • Missile Command
  • O’Riley’s Mine
  • Star Raiders II
  • The Seven Cities of Gold
  • Wavy Navy
  • Yoomp

Beyond the new Atari 400 Mini, there are plenty of other Atari consoles to consider. This includes the Atari 2600+ that launched last year and plays original cartridges. It costs $130, but it’s a great option if you still have a bunch of your old Atari games lurking in the basement or stashed away in a closet–or if you want to buy some new games, including the wonderful Mr. Run and Jump. A cheaper alternative is the My Arcade Atari Game Station Pro, which is on sale for $74 (down from $100) and is loaded with over 200 Atari games and comes with two joysticks.

If you want to bring your games on the road, the budget-friendly Atari Pocket Player Pro is worth a closer look. Along with a decidedly retro design, the $29 (was $40 handheld comes with 100 games, including Asteroids, Centipede, Tempest, and Breakout. And for something a bit off the beaten path, you’ll find the Tiny Arcade Atari 2600, which is a tiny desktop arcade game that features a 1.5-inch retro monitor and 10 games.

The Atari 400 Mini isn’t the only classic home computer that has received the miniaturized treatment in recent years. You should also check out the Commodore 64 Mini, which contains 64 preloaded games, for only $45, and the A500 Mini. Better known today as simply Amiga, this small-scale revival of Commodore’s 16-bit PC comes with 25 built-in games. Like the Atari 400 Mini, you can sideload games on these retro computers with a USB stick.
25Jun
Facial recognition linked to close social bonds, not social butterflies

Do you have trouble recognising faces, or do you never forget a face? The better you are at facial recognition, the more supportive relationships you are likely to have, regardless of your personality type.

In a world-first study published last weekend in the journal Cognition, a team of international researchers has reported some surprising findings relating to facial recognition.

The first discovery is that one’s ability to recognise faces has nothing to do with how extraverted, sociable, or gregarious a person is. What is clear, however, is that good facial recall is linked to the number of close, high-quality relationships that people have.

Researchers from the University of South Australia (UniSA), University of Western Australia (UWA) and Curtin University, along with US colleagues from Wellesley College and Harvard Medical School, undertook four separate studies involving more than 3000 people to tease out the relationship between facial recognition, social networks and personality traits.

In tests where participants memorised new faces or identified celebrity faces, their scores correlated with the number of close relationships they enjoyed.

“People who identified more faces typically had larger supportive social networks, which bodes well for their overall health and happiness,” says lead researcher UniSA psychologist Dr Laura Engfors.

“In concrete terms, the rise from the lowest (two) to the highest (28) number of faces that were successfully recognised on one test coincided with six additional close relationships, increasing from nine to 15. That’s an increase of two thirds and it is one extra strong social bond per four famous people recognised.”

The research did not find any link between facial recognition and a more social personality.

“Our findings rule out the idea that being sociable means you’ll probably be great at recognising faces. It also helps to dispel the common misconception that not recognising someone means you are less sociable.

“The ability to recognise faces more easily also means people may develop relationships faster.

“Imagine you’ve had an engaging conversation with someone you have only just met. A few weeks later you run into them again. If you recognise them quickly and easily, it opens the door to develop the rapport you established in your first meeting, helping the relationship to progress.

“On the flip side, if you don’t recognise them, you’ve missed the chance to build on that initial interaction,” Dr Engfors says.

Curtin University researcher and co-author Dr Linda Jeffery says being recognised by someone is a boost to a person’s self-esteem.

“It can make us feel important and valued, leading us to relate to that person more warmly, whereas we feel snubbed if someone we have met before does not recognise us.”

Wellesley College psychologist and co-author Associate Professor Jeremy Wilmer hopes the findings will be used to build stronger communities that facilitate human connection.

“Understanding that not everyone finds it easy to recognise people can help us to support those around us in social interactions,” Prof Wilmer says.

“Something as simple as name tags at a community barbecue or school event can make the difference between a connection built and a connection lost. Similarly, if you catch a flicker of uncertainty on someone’s face when you say hello, a subtle reminder to help them place you will be appreciated.”

People can test their own celebrity face recognition at the researchers’ citizen science website TestMyBrain.org.
25Jun
2nd National Moot Court Competition by JIS University, Kolkata

Registrations are invited for 2nd National Moot Court Competition by JIS University, Kolkata. Register by July 25!

About the University

JIS University was established through the Legislative Act of the Government of West Bengal, viz. JIS University Act, 2014 (West Bengal Act XXII of 2014), which came into force in February 2015. The University’s mission is to be one of the top-class universities in India and a preferred destination for students, research scholars, and faculty members alike.

Students aspiring to study in JIS University can be assured of quality education as all courses are duly accredited and affiliated by University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi; All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Bar Council of India (BCI), Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) and United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI). JIS University is also a member of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) since 2017.

Education in today’s world has become industry-need-oriented and it requires teaching methodologies to be fashioned in such a manner that suits this requirement. JIS University contributes to the growth of higher education, research, entrepreneurship and skill development to blend traditional methods with modern technology-enabled teaching and learning practices and Research & Development.

JIS University has an objective to provide instructions, teaching, training and research in various branches and specialised fields of Science, Engineering & Technology, Pharmacy, Management, Law, Social Sciences and Education. Besides the traditional undergraduate and postgraduate courses, there are integrated B.SC. courses like Physics, Chemistry, Geology, Biotechnology, Microbiology, etc. Other integrated courses such as BBA-MBA (H) and BBA-LLB (H) are also available.

The University provides PhD programmes in various courses as well. Students are offered foreign language classes and are also exposed to international student internships through various student exchange programmes with foreign universities. The University always encourages entrepreneurship and skill development among the students for promoting entrepreneurship, employability and self-employment.

About the Department

JIS University offers various contemporary papers in legal sciences along with the compulsory papers offered by the Bar Council of India (BCI). The course structure is designed in such a way that the student will go through an overall development that is essential to build a successful career in the legal arena.

Regular Moot Courts, debates, seminar, court visits, lok adalats and legal aid camps organized by the department of legal sciences adds to the legal skill development of the law aspirants. Apart from the skill developments programs, the University organizes class test from time to time, conducts mid-term examination and gives assignments to the students which include projects so that the students are well acquainted with the subjects.

The law programs at JIS University are aimed at offering the strong foundation focusing on in-depth study of law and legislature. The university offers various undergraduate, postgraduate and integrated courses in law and related subjects. The programs offered by  the university provide comprehensive knowledge on various subjects across specialist areas to deepen the understanding of students in general as well as specialized areas of law.

The programs offered by JIS are brilliantly designed to encourage students to explore different approaches in a varying manner in which law is conceived and legal processes are perceived. The university is also ranked among the top private law colleges in Kolkata for its brilliantly designed law programs.

Details of the Event

  1. Date of the Program – 29th July, 2024.
  2. Last Date of Registration – 25th July, 2024.
  3. Last Date of Submission of Memorials – 27th July, 2024.

Eligibility

  • Students duly enrolled and pursuing full time 5 years or 3 years undergraduate law course from India or from a foreign university with law as major may apply to participate in 3rd NATIONAL MOOT COURT COMPETITION, JIS UNIVERSITY.  
  • Maximum 5 teams from an Institute are eligible to Participate.
  • A team should be comprising of Maximum 3 Members(2 Speakers and 1 Researcher) or 2 Speakers.
  • A team comprising from students of different institutions are eligible to apply.

Location

  • JIS University campus
  • Mode – Offline
  • Country – India
  • State – West Bengal
  • City – Kolkata

Registration

General

  • Each team shall register to the 2nd National Moot Court Competition, Department of Juridical Sciences, JIS University by filing registration form, in the prescribed manner by XXth Date, Year.

On receipt of the duly filled registration form the institute shall respond to the participating team, acknowledging the receipt.

  1. After the deadline for the registration expires, the Moot Court Committee shall respond to each registered team, with a unique team code, which shall be used to identify the teams during the competition.
  2. Bring a Hard Copy of the Bonafide Certificate duly signed and sealed by the competent authority of the institution.

Important Dates

  1. Date of the Program – 29th July, 2024.
  2. Last Date of Registration – 25th July, 2024.
  3. Last Date of Submission of Memorials – 27th July, 2024.
  4. Last Date for Seeking Clarifications – 25/07/2024.

Fee Details

  • The registration for the event is Rs. 500/-(Five Hundred) per team.
  • The registration fee for 2nd National Moot Court Competition is to be paid through NEFT transfer or UPI. No other payment method shall be accepted.
  • Any additional charges incurred by the team while making the wire transfer are to be borne by the team.

Payment Details

  • Name of Beneficiary: Souvik Chatterji
  • RTGS/ IFS Code No.: SBIN0005374
  • Account Number: 31060816392
  • Account Type: Saving
  • Bank Name: South City
  • Branch Name: State Bank of India
  • E Mail: [email protected]

Prizes

  • Winner – 8000/- + Trophy + Certificate
  • 1st Runner-Up – 5000/- + Trophy + Certificate
  • 2nd Runner-Up – 3000/- + Trophy + Certificate
  • Best Memorial – 3000/- + Trophy + Certificate
  • Best Researcher – 3000/- + Trophy + Certificate
  • Best Speaker – 3000/- + Trophy + Certificate
  • Certificate of Participation to all.

Deadlines

  • Last Date for Seeking Clarifications – 25/07/2024
  • Registration Deadline – 25/07/2024
  • Deadline for Submission of Memorial – 29/07/2024

Contact Information

Faculty Convenor

Dr. Souvik Chatterji, HOD Law, JISU: [email protected]

Student Convenor(s)

  1. Swami Jagannath Rai – 7439031477
  2. Samrat Samaddar – 6289217808
  3. Udayan Das – 9547646633
  4. Bidisha Pratihar – 7432006203
  5. Ayantika Das – 9641363695

Click here for the official link.
25Jun
World Allergy Week: Climate change is accelerating allergy risk. Doctors explain | Health

World Allergy Week 2024: Allergy is a health concern in both developed and developing countries. Environmental factors and host factors contribute to allergies in people. Host factors such as race, genetics, age and gender are responsible for triggering allergies. Every year, World Allergy Week is observed from June 23 to June 29 to discuss the ways we can alleviate the risk of allergies, and boost immunity. Climate change has a crucial role to play in the increasing risk of allergies throughout the world. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr. P Venkata Krishnan, Sr. Consultant, Internal Medicine at Artemis Hospital Gurugram, said, ” Climate change is a significant environmental challenge that has wide-ranging effects on health, including the prevalence and severity of allergies. Understanding the connection between climate change and allergies is necessary for managing and mitigating its impact on public health.”

Understanding the connection between climate change and allergies is necessary for managing and mitigating its impact on public health.(Unsplash)

ALSO READ: World Allergy Week 2024: How to ensure you don’t confuse allergic reaction and malignant lesion

Get ready to catch the final stages of the World Cup only on Crickit. Anytime, Anywhere. Explore now!

Dr Sunita Chhapola Shukla, Founder and Director, Mumbai Allergy Centre and Head of Dept, Allergy Sciences, Sir HN Reliance Hospital further explained, “Allergic diseases are on the rise in India due to factors like industrialisation, urbanisation and lifestyle changes. Pollution is related to allergic diseases like allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, allergic conjunctivitis and allergic skin diseases. Pollutants cause oxidative stress which leads to inflammation and hyper reactivity of the airways leading to symptoms like sneezing, running itchy nose, cough, wheezing and itchy watering eyes.”

ALSO READ: You’re not imagining it, your allergies are getting worse each year

Climate change and allergies: How are they related?

Longer and more intense pollen seasons:

One of the most direct effects of climate change on allergies is the extension and intensification of pollen seasons. Rising global temperatures and heightened carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels lead to longer growing seasons for plants, resulting in prolonged periods of pollen production. Higher CO₂ levels also stimulate plants to produce more pollen, triggering allergic reactions in people.

Increased pollen potency:

Climate change extends pollen seasons and increases the potency of pollens. Increased CO₂ levels can enhance the allergenicity of pollen grains, meaning they contain higher concentrations of proteins that trigger allergic reactions. This makes the pollen more potent and can lead to more severe symptoms in people with respiratory allergies, such as allergic rhinitis and asthma.

Changes in allergen distribution:

Climate change also affects the geographical distribution of allergenic plants. Warmer temperatures enable certain plants to grow in new regions where they previously could not thrive. This means that people who were not previously exposed to specific allergens may start experiencing allergic reactions.

Impact on indoor allergens:

Climate change influences indoor allergens. Increased humidity and warmer temperatures create favourable conditions for mold growth and dust mites which are common indoor allergens. More intense and frequent storms and flooding, also driven by climate change, can lead to water damage in homes, further promoting mold growth. These conditions can enhance the symptoms for people with indoor allergies and asthma.
25Jun
Obesity drugs from Altimmune, Hengrui show potential; Lilly details Zepbound sleep apnea data

Today, a brief rundown of news from Altimmune, Jiangsu Hengrui, Eli Lilly and others that you might have missed from over the weekend, when the American Diabetes Association held its annual meeting.

After an early setback for Altimmune’s obesity shot pemvidutide, the biotechnology company appears to be back on track with additional data. The dual-acting drug, which stimulates the hormones GLP-1 and glucagon, helped participants in the Momentum trial lose an average of 16% of their body weight at the highest dose given, according to full trial results presented at ADA. That weight loss at 48 weeks is in line with what Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy produced at 68 weeks. The company also pointed to pemvidutide’s preservation of lean body mass, which could help differentiate it if approved. Trial investigators described the shot as “well-tolerated,” although early data cuts had revealed that nearly one-quarter of patients dropped out due to side effects. — Jonathan Gardner

An obesity drug Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals recently licensed to a new startup company showed weight loss in a Phase 2 trial that appears “very competitive” to other drugs in development, wrote Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Prakhar Agrawal in a Sunday note to clients. Treatment with the “dual agonist” drug, code-named HRS9531, led to weight loss at 24 weeks of up to 17% among participants given the highest dose. The startup now developing it is backed by $400 million raised from investors Bain Capital Life Sciences, RTW Investments, Atlas Venture and Lyra Capital. — Ned Pagliarulo

Back in April, Eli Lilly released summary data on studies of weight loss medicine Zepbound in people with obesity and sleep apnea. A fuller presentation of results at the ADA meeting, also published in The New England Journal of Medicine Friday, revealed data on “secondary” measures. Among them was a finding that 42% of trial volunteers taking Zepbound alone and half of those taking it while using a breathing machine saw resolution of their condition when measured by sleep apnea events and daytime sleepiness scores. Lilly also said it has submitted the data to the Food and Drug Administration. An approval could allow for Medicare coverage of Zepbound for people with obesity and sleep apnea. — Jonathan Gardner

Three people with Type 1 diabetes achieved independence from insulin one year following treatment with a stem cell-derived cell therapy being developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, according to data presented at the ADA meeting on Friday. Researchers also reported the elimination of severe hypoglycemic events in these three individuals, who all had HbA1C levels below the recommended 7%. Nine other study participants with shorter follow-up also appear to be benefiting from treatment, showing blood sugar control and endogenous insulin secretion. — Ned Pagliarulo

Amylyx Pharmaceuticals is buying an experimental, blood sugar-regulating medicine from Eiger Biopharmaceuticals, which is currently selling assets as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. Eiger’s medicine acts on a protein tied to GLP-1 — the hormone at the center of a revolution in obesity and diabetes care. On Friday, Amylyx agreed to acquire all the rights to the drug for $35 million, plus some other, smaller costs. Earlier this year, the company pulled its closely watched treatment for ALS from the market, and has been trying to recover. — Jacob Bell
25Jun
What is Warren Buffett Invested In Right Now?

Wondering what the Oracle of Omaha has his money invested in?

In this graphic, we illustrate Berkshire Hathaway’s portfolio holdings, as of Q1 2024.

This data was released on May 15, 2024, and can be easily accessed via CNBC’s Berkshire Hathaway Portfolio Tracker.

The value of each position listed in this graphic is based on market prices as of May 23, 2024, and will change over time.

Furthermore, note that Berkshire has received SEC permission to temporarily withhold data on certain positions.

This includes all of its Japanese stocks, which are reported as of June 12, 2023.

It’s (almost) all Apple

The data we used to create this graphic can be found in the following table.

Positions worth less than $5 billion were included in “Other”.
24Jun
5 Reasons I’m Buying Digital Consoles Going Forward

Key Takeaways

  • Digital consoles are cheaper, costing $50-$100 less—making them a budget-friendly choice.
  • Buying digital games is quick and easy, eliminating trips to the store and the need to swap discs.
  • Digital consoles are more travel-friendly, lighter, and free from disc-related issues such as noise.



With most gaming consoles offering digital and disc versions, choosing between them can be a real dilemma. For me, however, digital consoles have become the clear winner, and I’m fully committed to them going forward. Here are some reasons why.


1 Digital Consoles Are Less Expensive

As a gamer who’s always on the lookout for the best deals, the biggest perk of digital consoles for me is their price tag. They are usually $50 to $100 cheaper than their physical counterparts, primarily because they do not include a disc drive.

This can be a significant saving, especially for someone like me who prefers buying digital games over physical discs anyway. With those savings, I can grab a couple of AAA titles or purchase a gaming subscription for six months.

2 Purchasing Digital Games Is Quick and Easy

Not having a disc drive also means I can skip trips to the store every time I want to buy a new game. I don’t have to wait in lines or worry about whether the game I want is in stock. With a digital console, I can simply make the purchase online from the comfort of my couch and download the game immediately.


Not to mention the convenience of switching between games I own, since I don’t have to find and swap discs every time I want to play a different game. Of course, all of this is possible with a disc version console as well, but for me, that defeats the purpose of buying it in the first place.

3 They Are Less Bulky

ALDECA studio/Shutterstock

Going digital also means I can take my console and game library wherever I want. Digital consoles are typically less bulky and lighter than their disc drive counterparts. This makes them more portable and easier to carry, whether I’m heading to a friend’s house, going on vacation, or moving between rooms in my own home.


Having a digital library also means I don’t need to carry around a collection of discs; all my games are stored on the console. This makes digital consoles ideal for a traveling gamer like me who prefers a more minimalist setup.

Inserting a disc into a PS5
Lando Loic/MakeUseOf

Having owned disc consoles in the past, I’ve experienced disc-related issues from time to time. Sometimes, it’s the disc drive making excessive noise, while other times, I’ve had to spend time removing a stuck disc from the console. Fixing these issues often requires patience and a delicate touch to avoid causing further damage.

I’ve also experienced moments when my console wouldn’t detect the game due to minor scratches on the disc. This meant either trying to clean and repair the disc or, in some cases, purchasing a new copy of the game.


Opting for a digital console relieves me of all these concerns. Without a disc drive, there are no mechanical parts that can malfunction or create noise. So, that’s one less thing I have to worry about.

5 They Are Better for the Environment

Lastly, digital consoles are also better for the environment. First, they eliminate the need for physical discs, effectively reducing the amount of plastic waste generated from their production and disposal. Furthermore, digital distribution lowers the carbon footprint associated with shipping physical games.

While digital games also have an environmental impact, it is significantly less than that of physical games. It’s a small step, but collectively, choosing digital consoles can significantly promote environmental sustainability.


So these are some of my primary reasons for choosing digital consoles in the future. The convenience, cost savings, and streamlined experience make digital consoles a perfect match for my gaming style. If you also prioritize these things as a gamer, buying a digital console might be the perfect choice for you too.

24Jun
Julie Chrisley to be resentenced for tax evasion case

Things are looking up for “Chrisley Knows Best” mom Julie Chrisley.

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta on Friday said it will vacate the former USA Network reality star’s current prison sentence for tax evasion. According to court documents obtained by local outlet WSBTV, the district court said it “did not identify the evidence it relied on to hold Julie accountable” for multiple years of fraud also involving her husband Todd Chrisley and their accountant Peter Tarantino starting in 2007.

“We cannot independently find it in the record,” the court document says.

The appeals court said it will hand her case back to the district court “to make the factual findings and calculations necessary to determine loss, restitution, and forfeiture” relating to her new sentence. Julie, 51, is carrying out her prison sentence in a facility in Lexington, Ky.

In June 2022, Todd and Julie Chrisley were convicted of tax evasion and bank fraud. Todd, 56, was initially sentenced to 12 years in Florida’s Federal Prison Camp Pensacola. Julie was initially ordered to serve seven years. Last year, both received reductions in their sentences: Todd is set to be released nearly two years earlier than originally scheduled, and Julie 14 months earlier.

The appeal court’s decision Friday marks a victory for the Chrisley family, whose lawyers have been working to appeal the stars’ verdict and prison sentences since late last year.

Attorney Jay Surgent, one of Julie and Todd’s legal representatives, told The Times in an email statement Monday that his team is “pleased” with the decision and noted that Julie may be eligible for an earlier release. While disappointed that the appeals court did not remand Todd, Surgent said he is hopeful for further appeal efforts.

“We also have other legal maneuvers that will be implemented on Todd’s behalf,” Surgent said.

Savannah Chrisley, the couple’s eldest daughter, broke the news of her mother’s appeal on Saturday. “Didn’t necessarily go as we had hoped but we do have a little win,” the 26-year-old “Unlocked” podcast host said on Instagram.

“For that I am grateful and I hope and pray that the judge can send her home,” Savannah said, before adding she is confident her mother “will be coming sooner rather than later.”

Later in her video, she added: “I have some other ideas up my sleeve to get dad home.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

24Jun
Hyundai Motor Labour Union Strike: Automobile Company’s Worker Union in South Korea Votes in Favour of Strike As Wage Talk Collapse

Seoul, June 24: Unionised workers of South Korea’s leading automaker Hyundai Motor on Monday overwhelmingly voted in favour of staging a strike following the collapse of annual wage negotiations between management and the union.

Earlier this month, the union decided to call off further negotiations after holding the eighth round of wage talks at the company’s plant in Ulsan, around 300 km from Seoul, Yonhap News Agency reported. Monday’s vote was conducted at the Ulsan plant. According to the union, 89.97 per cent of a total of 41,461 votes cast were in favour of a strike. If executed, the walkout would be the first for the company in six years. Hero MotoCorp To Hike Prices of Select Motorcycles and Scooters by up to Rs 1,500 Effective From July 1.

Hyundai Motor’s union has not carried out a strike in the last five years, taking into consideration various factors, such as the Covid-19 pandemic and national trade issues. The union plans to discuss whether and when to carry out the strike in a future meeting. It will also continue to hold working-level negotiations with the management. BIS Introduces Two New Standards To Boost Safety and Quality of EVs; Check Details.

The management has reportedly offered to provide a basic monthly salary increase of 101,000 won ($73.50) and an additional bonus package, which includes an incentive of 350 per cent of an individual’s monthly salary, as well as the issuance of 20 shares of company stock. The company also offered to create a joint management-union fund to be used for donations and other public outreach programmes.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 24, 2024 06:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
24Jun
US Record Labels Sue AI Music Generators Suno and Udio for Copyright Infringement

The music industry has officially declared war on Suno and Udio, two of the most prominent AI music generators. A group of music labels including Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and Sony Music Group has filed lawsuits in US federal court on Monday morning alleging copyright infringement on a “massive scale.”

The plaintiffs seek damages up to $150,000 per work infringed. The lawsuit against Suno is filed in Massachusetts, while the case against Udio’s parent company Uncharted Inc. was filed in New York. Suno and Udio did not immediately respond to a request to comment.

“Unlicensed services like Suno and Udio that claim it’s ‘fair’ to copy an artist’s life’s work and exploit it for their own profit without consent or pay set back the promise of genuinely innovative AI for us all,” Recording Industry Association of America chair and CEO Mitch Glazier said in a press release.

The companies have not publicly disclosed what they trained their generators on. Ed Newton-Rex, a former AI executive who now runs the ethical AI nonprofit Fairly Trained, has written extensively about his experiments with Suno and Udio; Newton-Rex found that he could generate music that “bears a striking resemblance to copyright songs.” In the complaints, the music labels state that they were independently able to prompt Suno into producing outputs that “match” copyrighted work from artists ranging from ABBA to Jason Derulo.

One example provided in the lawsuit describes how the labels generated songs extremely similar to Chuck Berry’s 1958 rock hit “Johnny B. Goode” in Suno by using prompts like “1950s rock and roll, rhythm & blues, 12 bar blues, rockabilly, energetic male vocalist, singer guitarist,” along with snippets of the song’s lyrics. One song almost exactly replicated the “Go, Johnny, go” chorus; the plaintiffs attached side-by-side transcriptions of the scores and argued that such overlap was only possible because Suno had trained on copyrighted work.

The Udio lawsuit offers similar examples, noting that the labels were able to generate a dozen outputs resembling Mariah Carey’s perennial hit “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” It also offers a side-by-side comparison of music and lyrics, and notes that Mariah Carey soundalikes generated by Udio have already caught the attention of the public.

RIAA chief legal officer Ken Doroshow says Suno and Udio are trying to conceal “the full scope of their infringement.” According to the complaint against Suno, the AI company did not deny that it used copyrighted materials in its training data when asked in prelitigation correspondence, but instead said that the training data is “confidential business information.”

Many leading generative AI companies are under intense scrutiny for how they train their tools. It’s common for these companies to argue that they are shielded by the “fair use” doctrine, which permits infringement in certain circumstances. It remains to be seen whether the court system will agree; major players like OpenAI are already facing a host of copyright infringement lawsuits from artists, writers, programmers, and other rights holders.
24Jun
Telegram-Backed TON Blockchain Under Threat of Phishing Attacks, Experts Warn

The Web3 sector is generally considered to have a high exposure to cyber-attacks and hacks, but Telegram-backed The Open Network (TON) blockchain has particularly found itself in trouble. As per blockchain security firm SlowMist, the TON blockchain faces a high risk of phishing attacks. The entire TON ecosystem is currently under threat, which could negatively impact the blockchain’s near future plans, especially at a time when the project admittedly aims to onboard 500 million users on-chain by 2028.

What do cyber experts say?

Yu Xian, the founder of SlowMist, alerted the team behind the TON blockchain about looming phishing threats to the network on June 23. In phishing attacks, the actor entices potential victims into sharing their private information – personal as well as financial – in order to exploit the information and steal funds.

“There are more and more phishing activities in the TON ecosystem. The Telegram ecosystem is too free, and many phishing links (or bot forms) are spread through message groups, airdrops and other deceptive methods,” Xian posted through his Twitter account that goes by the handle @evilcos.

Since TON users can link their wallets to their Telegram accounts, Xian fears that if the integrity of TON-linked wallets is violated, it could expose the affected users’ private messages as well.

The expert believes that the developers behind the TON blockchain should start taking measures to mitigate the situation.

As per Chainalysis, 2022 saw victims lose an estimated $516.8 million (roughly Rs. 4,314 crore) to crypto phishing scams. In 2023, this number stood at $374.6 million (roughly Rs. 3,127 crore) through November.

As of now, TON has not reacted to the development.

Growth of TON

For Telegram founders, the Durov brothers, the idea for The Open Network first took shape around 2018. Later in 2022, the TON mainnet went fully live and operational.

Just recently, the TON coin was listed on Binance for deposits and withdrawals. At the time of writing, TON was trading at $7.31 (roughly Rs. 610) on CoinMarketCap.

Since 2022, Web3 investment company DWF Labs infused $10 million (roughly Rs. 80 crore) in the Layer-1 blockchain network. Around the same time, Telegram said it would auction rare usernames on the TON marketplace.

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24Jun
Google automates lead credits for Local Services Ads

Google is rolling out automated Local Services Ads lead credits in July, streamlining the process for advertisers to receive credit for poor-quality leads.

Why it matters. This change aims to save time for advertisers and ensure more equitable distribution of ad credits, particularly benefiting those with limited resources. This will potentially affect advertisers’ budgets, lead quality and overall experience with the platform.

How it works:

  • Google’s machine learning models will automatically review all leads.
  • Invalid leads will be credited without manual disputes.
  • Credits typically are applied within 30 days.

The big picture. Since launching in 2017, Local Services Ads have evolved, but the manual dispute system has become challenging to scale and vulnerable to gaming. 

  • This automation addresses disparities in lead disputing practices among advertisers and aims to improve overall lead quality.

Key changes.

  • No more manual lead disputes are required.
  • “Job type not serviced” and “geo not serviced” leads will no longer be credited.
  • Overall, more leads are expected to be credited on average.

Exceptions. The system won’t apply to healthcare verticals or advertisers in EMEA.

What’s next. Advertisers are encouraged to provide feedback on every lead through the Lead Feedback survey to help improve future lead quality.

Between the lines. This shift reflects Google’s growing capability to use AI for quality control in its advertising products.

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About the author

Anu Adegbola

Anu Adegbola has been Paid Media Editor of Search Engine Land since 2024. She covers paid search, paid social, retail media, video and more.

In 2008, Anu’s career started with

 delivering digital marketing campaigns (mostly but not exclusively Paid Search) by building strategies, maximising ROI, automating repetitive processes and bringing efficiency from every part of marketing departments through inspiring leadership both on agency, client and marketing tech side.

 

Outside editing Search Engine Land article she is the founder of PPC networking event – PPC Live, host of weekly podcast PPCChat Roundup, and brand evangelist at ClickTech. 

 

She is also an international speaker with some of the stages she has presented on being SMX (US), SMX (Munich), Friends of Search (Amsterdam), brightonSEO, The Marketing Meetup, HeroConf (PPC Hero), SearchLove, BiddableWorld, SESLondon, PPC Chat Live, AdWorld Experience (Bologna) and more.
24Jun
One Elden Ring Player Is Beating Shadow Of The Erdtree’s Bosses Without Lifting A Finger

Elden Ring’s new Shadow of the Erdtree expansion requires fast reflexes, a well-equipped character, and plenty of patience if you’re looking to conquer it. Or if you want to show off, you could find a novel way to play it, just like Twitch streamer Perrikaryal has done by using the power of her mind to make progress.

Working her way through the Elden Ring DLC–which is quickly earning a reputation for being incredibly challenging–Perrikaryal has already managed to beat several of the early bosses with pure brain power, like those two guys in a Chinese dragon costume. How does the hands-free setup work? According to Kotaku, Perrikaryal’s rig uses motion sensors to track her head and eye movements alongside an electroencephalogram (EEG) device to record the electrical activity of her brain.

Now Playing: Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree DLC Review

It’s not a perfect system and there are times when the code behind it requires fine-tuning, but when it works, it really works. If you’re interested, you can see more on Perrikaryal’s Twitch channel, where she has several highlights of challenging the tough new bosses. If you’re not quite ready to build your own Cerebro in your quest to be the top Tarnished in Shadow of the Erdtree, you can check out GameSpot’s Elden Ring DLC guides hub for some helpful tips and tricks, or you can check out our rundown of 14 things to know before jumping in.

Shadow of the Erdtree has been a critical success since it launched, scoring a perfect 10 in GameSpot’s review. On GameSpot’s sister site Metacritic, it has become the highest-rated expansion for a role-playing game ever, a feat that was previously held for several years by The Witcher 3’s Blood and Wine DLC.
24Jun
Study identifies first drug therapy for sleep apnea

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and international collaborators have led a worldwide, advanced study demonstrating the potential of tirzepatide, known to manage type 2 diabetes, as the first effective drug therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a sleep-related disorder characterized by repeated episodes of irregular breathing due to complete or partial blockage of the upper airway.

The results, published in the June 21, 2024 online edition of New England Journal of Medicine, highlight the treatment’s potential to improve the quality of life for millions around the world affected by OSA.

“This study marks a significant milestone in the treatment of OSA, offering a promising new therapeutic option that addresses both respiratory and metabolic complications,” said Atul Malhotra, MD, lead author of the study, professor of medicine at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and director of sleep medicine at UC San Diego Health.

OSA can result in reduced oxygen levels in the blood and can also be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular complications, such as hypertension and heart disease. Recent studies, also led by Malhotra, suggest that the number of OSA patients worldwide is close to 936 million.

Conducted in two Phase III, double-blinded, randomized, controlled trials, the new study cohort involved 469 participants diagnosed with clinical obesity and living with moderate-to-severe OSA. They were recruited from sites in nine different countries, including the U.S., Australia and Germany. Participants either used or did not use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, the most common sleep apnea treatment which uses a machine to maintain an open airway during sleep, preventing interruptions in breathing. Patients were administered either 10 or 15 mg of the drug by injection or a placebo. The impact of tirzepatide was evaluated over 52 weeks.

Researchers found that tirzepatide led to a significant decrease in the number of breathing interruptions during sleep, a key indicator used to measure the severity of OSA. This improvement was much greater than what was seen in participants that were given a placebo. Importantly, some participants that took the drug reached a point where CPAP therapy might not be necessary. Considerable data suggest that a drug therapy that targets both sleep apnea and obesity is beneficial rather than treating either condition alone.

Additionally, the drug therapy improved other aspects related to OSA, such as reducing the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and improved body weight. The most common side effect reported was mild stomach issues.

“Historically, treating OSA meant using devices during sleep, like a CPAP machine, to alleviate breathing difficulties and symptoms,” Malhotra said. “However, its effectiveness relies on consistent use. This new drug treatment offers a more accessible alternative for individuals who cannot tolerate or adhere to existing therapies. We believe that the combination of CPAP therapy with weight loss will be optimal for improving cardiometabolic risk and symptoms. Tirzepatide can also target specific underlying mechanisms of sleep apnea, potentially leading to more personalized and effective treatment.”

Malhotra adds that having a drug therapy for OSA represents a significant advancement in the field.

“It means we can offer an innovative solution, signifying hope and a new standard of care to provide relief to countless individuals and their families who have struggled with the limitations of existing treatments,” said Malhotra. “This breakthrough opens the door to a new era of OSA management for people diagnosed with obesity, potentially transforming how we approach and treat this pervasive condition on a global scale.”

Next steps include conducting clinical trials to examine longer term effects of tirzepatide.

Co-authors of the study include: Ronald Grunstein, University of Sydney; Ingo Fietze, University Hospital Berlin; Terri Weaver, University of Illinois Chicago; Susan Redline, Ali Azarbarzin, and Scott Sands, Harvard Medical School; Richard Schwab, University of Pennsylvania; and Julia Dunn, Sujatro Chakladar, Mathijs Bunck, and Josef Bednarik, Eli Lilly and Company.

Funding support for the study came, in part, from Eli Lilly and Company.
24Jun
Shillong Law College Moot Court Competition

Registrations are invited for the Shillong Law College Moot Court Competition. Read the complete details inside. Apply by July 10!

About the Institution

The Shillong Law College, established in 1964, as an evening institution registered under the Societies Registration Act, No. XXI of 1860. It is also listed under Section 2(f) and 12(B) of the UGC Act, 1956, and recognized by the Bar Council of India.

Initially affiliated with Guahati University, the college has been affiliated with North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) since 1973 and received permanent affiliation in 2007.

The college offers a 3-year LL.B. Degree Course and a 5-year B.A.LL.B Integrated Degree Course. Many graduates hold prominent positions, including High Court Judges, Advocate General, and Additional Advocate General.

Notable alumni include Shri S. N. Phukan, former Chief Justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh and Supreme Court Judge, Justice Home Choudhury, Justice A.P. Subbah, Justice B. Lamare, Justice S.R. Sen, and Justice Nelson Sailo. Several graduates have also served as Registrar General of the High Court of Meghalaya and various judicial positions.

About the Shillong Law College Moot Court Competition

We are excited to announce the inauguration of our 1st Moot Court Competition! This event offers aspiring legal professionals the chance to showcase their advocacy skills, legal knowledge, and courtroom decorum in a realistic simulation of court proceedings.

Participants will argue hypothetical cases before esteemed judges, enhancing their research, writing, and oral argument abilities.

The competition includes several rounds: preliminary, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals, each increasing in complexity. Teams will be judged on written submissions, oral arguments, and courtroom demeanor. This competition provides invaluable practical experience, networking opportunities, and the chance to develop essential legal skills.

Join us in this landmark event and take the first step towards a successful legal career. We look forward to witnessing the talent and dedication of our participants as they compete for top honors.

Message From the Moot Court Society

Dear Moot Court Enthusiasts,

As founding members of the Moot Court Society, we proudly celebrate the inaugural Moot Court Competition. This event marks a milestone in nurturing advocacy, legal reasoning, and justice.

Our vision emerged from a passion for law and a desire to create a platform for aspiring legal minds to hone their skills and engage in rigorous debate. This journey, marked by dedication and collaboration, has brought us here today.

We thank all participants, judges, and volunteers for embracing our vision. Your enthusiasm makes this competition special. To the participants, your hard work and courage are commendable. Win or lose, your efforts reflect your potential and passion.

Let us celebrate the values of fairness, integrity, and excellence that this competition stands for, and inspire future generations of law students.

With heartfelt thanks and best wishes,

The Founding Members of the Moot Court Society

Prizes and Rewards

  • Winner: Rs 1,01,000 + Certificate of Award + Trophy
  • Runners-Up: Rs 51,000 + Certificate of Award + Trophy
  • Best Speaker: Rs 16,000 + Certificate + Memento
  • Best Researcher: Rs 16,000 + Certificate + Memento
  • Best Memorial: Rs 16,000 + Certificate + Memento

Certificate of Participation will be provided to all the participants

Registration Process

  • The last date of provisional registration is 10th July 2024 by 11:59:59 PM. The teams must register online by 10th July 2024.
  • The Registration fee is Rs. 3299/- without accommodation and with accommodation Rs. 4799/-.
  • The provisional registration shall be done by filling up registration form mentioned at the end of this post.
  • Only after the provisional registration, the organising committee shall forward the final registration Link and bank details to the teams via their Email ID of the college and the Team leader. Thus, after the final Registration, the team codes shall be allotted a  maximum of 30 teams shall be registered on a first-come first-serve basis.
  • The registration shall be considered complete only when the ‘Registration Fee’ has been paid successfully and the registration form is duly filled with all the credentials.
  • The participants will receive an official approval mail from the organizing committee after their registration.
  • The organizing committee shall communicate the unique team codes to each team through mail which shall be quoted by the teams after the final registration for further communications with the organising committee.
  • Registration fee once paid is non-refundable.

Important Dates

  • Release of Moot Proposition and Rules: 24th June 2024
  • Provisional Registration Deadline: 5th July 2024
  • Final Registration Deadline: 10th July 2024
  • Clarification Requests Deadline: 20th July 2024
  • Release of Clarifications: 30th July 2024
  • Memorial Soft Copy Submission Deadline: 15th August 2024
  • Memorial Hard Copy Submission: 22nd August 2024
  • (Please note that the teams are not required to send the hard copies of their memorials by post, rather they are to bring 6 hard copies to the venue on the day of the competition, i.e., the 22nd of August,2024.))

Dates of Event

  • Prelims: 22nd August 2024
  • Quarter-finals & Semi-finals: 23rd August 2024
  • Researcher’s Test: 23rd August 2024
  • Finals: 24th August 2024

Important Contacts

  • Faculty Convenor: Shri T.J. Ahmed (09436118186)
  • Faculty Co-Convenor: Dr. D. Mawlong (07085155593)
  • Student Coordinator (PR Team): Neha Agarwal (08974121325)
  • Student Convenor: Krishanu Deb (09863128619)
  • For any queries related to the moot court competition, email [email protected]

Click here for provisional registration.

Click here to view the brochure and prize pool.
24Jun
Katy Perry leaves little to the imagination in barely-there gown, Kendall Jenner steals the show in nude corset dress | Fashion Trends

Katy Perry and Kendall Jenner made headlines with their daring fashion choices at the Vogue World Paris 2024 event on Sunday evening. The global stars lit up the runway in barely-there gowns, radiating sartorial brilliance at Place Vendôme. The event in Paris was a star-studded affair, with A-listers gracing the show in glamorous gowns and exquisite attire, offering a treasure trove of fashion inspiration. However, what truly caught the attention of fashion critics was Katy Perry’s show-stopping look, which left little to the imagination as she stormed the runway. Meanwhile, Kendall Jenner closed the show in a stunning nude corset dress. Let’s decode their head-turning looks and take some fashion notes. (Also read: Hailey Bieber proves maternity fashion can also be bold in risqué lace catsuit, flaunts baby bump on date with Justin )

Kendall Jenner and Katy Perry steal the show in risqué outfits at Paris fashion event.(Gettyimages)

Katy Perry’s barely-there gown

Now catch your favourite game on Crickit. Anytime Anywhere. Find out how

The Firework singer, 39, strutted through the Parisian plaza in an archival Noir Kei Ninomiya dress featuring geometric shapes, adorned with an array of peach-coloured tulle floral embellishments throughout her skirt. The revealing garment showcased plenty of skin, but she confidently rocked it as she made her way around the plaza for the VIP guests in attendance.

She wore her dark hair slicked back for an elegant look. Her glamorous makeup included rosy lip colour, matching eyeshadow, mascara-coated lashes, winged eyeliner, darkened brows, and contoured cheekbones with a hint of blush. She completed her look with lace-up boots.

Kendall Jenner rocks nude corset dress

Kendall Jenner closed the show in a nude corset dress.(Gettyimages)
Kendall Jenner closed the show in a nude corset dress.(Gettyimages)

Kendall Jenner is known for setting fashion trends, and naked dressing is clearly her favourite style. Whether it’s her white sheer Swan dress at Cannes Film Festival or her black naked dress at the Met Gala 2024, she clearly knows how to ace risqué outfits. Her latest show-stopping look was no exception, as she stormed the runway in a nude-coloured sheer dress.

The supermodel, 28, put on a leggy display in the elegant semi-sheer petticoat underskirt. She showcased her slim frame and cinched waist in the figure-hugging garment as she strutted outside the famed Place Vendôme. The extended floor-sweeping train at the back added extra drama to her breathtaking look. Kendall completed her catwalk ensemble with chic white gloves and a swipe of red lipstick. With her luscious tresses styled in soft curls and parted in the middle, she finished off her look perfectly.

News / Lifestyle / Fashion / Katy Perry leaves little to the imagination in barely-there gown, Kendall Jenner steals the show in nude corset dress

24Jun
Sanofi taps Belharra for immune drug research; AstraZeneca’s new cancer drug falls short

Today, a brief rundown of news from Belharra Therapeutics, AstraZeneca, Regenxbio and Tasyha Gene Therapies.

Sanofi will work with biotechnology startup Belharra Therapeutics to develop small molecule drugs for inflammatory diseases, the companies announced Tuesday. Belharra will get $40 million in upfront and near-term payments to start the deal, through which it will use what it describes as “next-generation chemoproteomics” to identify immune drug prospects. The alliance is the second for Belharra, which launched last year with $130 million in funding and a research pact in place with Genentech. — Ben Fidler

AstraZeneca’s bid to expand use of its new breast cancer drug Truqap has fallen short. In the Capitello-290 trial in “triple negative” breast cancer, Truqap plus chemotherapy didn’t help people live longer than did a placebo and chemotherapy. The drug is approved to treat people with hormone-receptor positive, HER2-negative breast cancer if they have certain genetic alterations, a setting where it recorded $50 million in sales in the first quarter of 2024. The U.K.-based drugmaker expects data from a trial in prostate cancer later this year. — Jonathan Gardner

A gene therapy from Taysha Gene Therapies helped improve motor function in four people with the rare neurodevelopmental disorder Rett syndrome, the biotechnology company said Tuesday. The data are from two adult and two pediatric patients enrolled in a Phase 1/2 trial of Taysha’s therapy, called TSHA-102. One of the treated adults sat up unassisted for the first time in over a decade, while researchers observed symptom benefits in the other participants. Taysha plans to next test higher doses of its therapy. — Ned Pagliarulo

Regenxbio got agreement from the Food and Drug Administration on details of an accelerated approval application for a gene therapy the company is developing for the neurodegenerative disease Hunter syndrome. According to Regenxbio, the agency endorses the company’s plans to use a neurological protein as a surrogate marker “reasonably likely” to predict clinical benefit. It’s also discussed with Regenxbio the design of a confirmatory trial that would start next year. The biotech plans to start submitting its application in the third quarter. Dubbed RGX-121, the therapy would be its first wholly owned treatment to reach market. — Ben Fidler

The FDA has partially halted testing of an antibody-drug conjugate BioNTech licensed last year from China-based biotech MediLink Therapeutics. The FDA is concerned that higher doses of the drug, which is being evaluated against breast and lung tumors, may lead to “unreasonable and significant risk of illness and injuries,” according to a regulatory filing from BioNTech. MediLink has stopped enrolling new patients in a Phase 1 trial in the U.S. while it addresses the FDA’s concerns. — Ben Fidler
24Jun
Property Development Process Visualised

Property Development involves a wide range of activities and processes from purchasing land, building and developing high-rise apartment buildings and everything in between.

In order to be successful, you’ll need to educate yourself on property, the markets, economics, finance, town planning, the construction processes and the marketing of real estate projects.

Sound like a lot of work?

Well, it is.

But with well-educated decision-making, it’s a rewarding venture.

We’ve noticed an emerging trend among budding investors – they want an overview of the property development process.

They’re looking at getting into property development as a way of “manufacturing” capital growth and maximising their investment returns.

So we broke down our 19-Part Property Development Series into an easily-digestible seven-step graphic.

After you’ve understood the basics, have a read of our 19-part article series as well as our Team Series underneath.

Educating yourself on the rather complex and lengthy process of property development is a great starting point.

After all, you need to have an idea of your end game and the journey getting there before you can even begin searching for an appropriate property to purchase.

property development process
24Jun
How to Change the AirDrop Name on iPhone, iPad, and Mac

If you’ve ever used AirDrop in a crowded place, you know how frustrating it can be with all the devices that appear. Read along to find out how to make your device’s name unique so that you can find it easily in the AirDrop menu.




How to Change the AirDrop Name of Your iPhone or iPad

Using AirDrop to share photos from your iPhone is one of the easiest ways to share content with friends and family. To find the right device in the AirDrop menu among a sea of Apple devices, you can change the name of your iPhone or iPad by following these steps.

Go to Settings > General > About > Name. Then, tap the X icon next to the current name of the device. Next, type the new name you want to assign to your iPhone or iPad and tap Done to save your changes.

How to Change the AirDrop Name of Your Mac

If you own a Mac, it’s just as easy to change its AirDrop name. The new name will show up when AirDropping a file from an iPhone to a Mac. Here’s what you need to do in macOS:


  1. Click the Apple logo in the menu bar and select System Settings from the dropdown. You can also open System Settings via Spotlight Search.

  2. Click General from the left sidebar, then select the About option on the right.
    macOS Sequoia System Settings

  3. Just click on the name of your Mac and type in the new name that you want to show up in the AirDrop menu.
    macOS Sequoia General Settings About Menu

When you change your Mac’s name, its local network address will also change. So, if you have apps or devices that use this address, you may need to reconfigure some settings.


When it comes to sending files from one Apple device to another, AirDrop takes the cake for being one of the easiest ways to do it. By giving your iPhone, iPad, or Mac a unique name, you can make the process of sending photos, videos, or documents even faster and safer for everyone.


24Jun
Exec Jamie Kellner, who helped create Fox and the WB, dies at 77

Jamie Kellner, a pioneering media executive who helped expand the world of broadcast television by creating Fox and the WB networks, died Friday. He was 77.

Kellner also oversaw CNN, TNT and TBS as chairman and chief executive of Turner Broadcasting System.

He died at his home in Montecito after a long battle with cancer, according to a spokesperson for the family.

Born in Brooklyn and raised on Long Island, Kellner first made a name for himself at Orion Entertainment Group, where he spearheaded an effort with Lorne Michaels to buy the rights to original episodes of “Saturday Night Live,” which were cut into 30-minute episodes and sold in syndication.

The lucrative partnership caught the attention of Rupert Murdoch and Barry Diller, who in the mid-’80s were plotting to launch an upstart broadcast network to rival the long-established “Big Three”: ABC, NBC and CBS. Kellner became the first president and chief operating officer of the Fox Broadcasting Co.

Launched in 1986, Fox was the first new network on American broadcast television since ABC in 1948.

Kellner poached a young NBC executive named Garth Ancier to run programming.

In a phone call Sunday, Ancier recalled Kellner as a formidable executive who “understood not just TV audiences, he also understood the entire way the TV system in the United States worked,” from affiliates to advertisers. Ancier, who also worked with Kellner at the WB, recalled flying to affiliates across the country, attempting to woo them to Fox.

At the time, few industry insiders thought Fox would have much staying power.

“My bosses — [NBC chief executive] Grant Tinker in particular — believed there would never be a fourth network,” Ancier said. “And they said, ‘On top of that, most of those stations they’re putting together are UHF,’ as if it was like the plague. It just meant we had to be different from the other networks.”

Kellner helped shape the network’s brand identity and make it a destination for edgier content, like the bawdy family sitcom “Married…With Children” — a show that initially attracted controversy but became a long-running hit.

“One of the first tests we apply is: Would one of the three networks do this? And quite often, if the answer is ‘yes,’ then we disqualify it. There is no reason for us to exist if we are going to do what they have already done,” Kellner told the New York Times in 1986.

Fox attracted younger viewers with shows that bucked long-held industry convention, like “In Living Color,” the irreverent sketch comedy show featuring a predominantly Black cast; and “Beverly Hills, 90120,” a high school soap opera that became one of the defining shows of the 1990s.

“The whole reason we did ‘The Simpsons’ was because no one had done animation in prime time since ABC in the ‘60s with ‘The Flintstones’ and ‘The Jetsons.’”

“The most important lessons we learned were to be different, to speak in a different voice than what was available to viewers already, and to get as young as you can get,” Kellner told The Times in 1997.

He left Fox in 1993, just as the network was expanding into a seventh night of programming and had numerous buzzy hits like the “90210” spinoff “Melrose Place.” In just seven years, Kellner had turned a “rickety string of UHF affiliates into a significant competitor,” as The Times then put it.

He soon began shopping around an idea for a fifth broadcast network. In 1995, he launched the WB, which initially made its mark with Black sitcoms including “The Wayans Bros.,” “The Jamie Foxx Show” and “Sister, Sister,” but faced stiff competition from another would-be contender, UPN. “We wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t believe this would be as successful, or more successful, than the Fox network,” he said early in the WB’s reign.

One of the network’s first hits was the squeaky clean family drama “7th Heaven.” Throughout the late ‘90s, the network leaned into teen-centered dramas and ushered in a Golden Age for young adult programming that could be both sentimental and self-aware, with shows such as “Dawson’s Creek,” “Felicity” “Gilmore Girls” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” By 2002, the network, in which he had ownership stake, was valued at $1 billion.

“I think the magic of that place came so much from his form of leadership, which was about taking bets on people,” said Greg Berlanti, who was tapped at age 28 to become showrunner on “Dawson’s Creek” and created two other shows at the WB, “Everwood” and “Jack & Bobby.” He recalled Kellner as an executive who supported creative talent and gave shows time to grow, but could also tell you “what five cities your show was most popular in.”

“I’m so glad I met that kind of leader at that age, someone who led with curiosity and compassion and was clear-headed and honest. He imbued people around him with a sense of faith in themselves.” Berlanti believes Kellner-era WB was “the most successful YA network in the history of television,” in part because Kellner “didn’t see it as a lesser audience.”

While still at the WB, he was tapped to succeed Ted Turner as chairman and chief executive of Turner Broadcasting System, where he oversaw TBS, TNT and CNN. He angered wrestling fans in 2001 by canceling World Championship Wrestling programming on TNT and TBS. He presided over CNN during a period of seismic shifts in the news business, with increased competition from Fox News and MSNBC and the cataclysmic attacks of 9/11.

Kellner was known for fostering loyalty among his top executives, several of whom moved with him from network to network. “He gave you tremendous latitude as a boss and mentor, always empowering you to make bold, decisive decisions and never settling for what’s always been done,” said Brad Turell, who was head of corporate communications at Fox, the WB and Turner Broadcasting under Kellner.

Kellner retired from the business in 2004, when he was just 57.

“I found it hard to believe because he was so competitive, in the best sense of the word, and so vigorous. But when he was done, he was really done,” said Ancier.

He remained busy pursuing passions like sailing and gold. He also opened a winery, Cent’Anni, in the Santa Ynez Valley, and was known for hosting Italian meals at his home.

He is survived by his wife, Julie Smith, daughter Melissa, son Christopher, and three grandchildren, Jake, Scarlett and Oliver.    
24Jun
LinkedIn’s AI Career Coaches Will See You Now

Many burned-out workers have likely dreamed of hiring a career coach or résumé writer. Now, LinkedIn is introducing chats with generative AI career experts based on real people. Other new AI tools within the platform will help people write résumés and cover letters or evaluate their qualifications for jobs posted.

LinkedIn has ramped up its generative AI tools in the past year and is moving to incorporate the tech into even more of its offerings. On Thursday, the career site announced new features like a pilot for AI-powered expert advice, an interactive chat to break down information in LinkedIn courses, and more AI features that can be used to search for and apply for jobs for its premium users in English. The changes showcase a massive push by LinkedIn to capitalize on generative AI. (LinkedIn is owned by Microsoft, which has invested heavily in OpenAI, which in turn is powering the platform’s AI offerings.) And as LinkedIn continues its drive to become more than just a job site, people may spend their time there socializing or learning new skills through video courses.

The idea behind some of these AI tools is both for people to grow their skills and to apply to more jobs that closely fit their experience, rather than blasting out résumés en masse. “We expect that you will find the most relevant job faster” using AI, says Gyanda Sachdeva, vice president of product at LinkedIn.

LinkedIn’s AI chatbots will allow premium subscribers to ask career questions like, “How can I negotiate my salary?” The chatbots are trained on the coursework of real-life coaches, who are paid by LinkedIn to repackage their content. Among them are AI versions of Anil Gupta of the University of Maryland, psychologist and author Gemma Leigh Roberts, and career coach Lisa Gates.

Last fall, LinkedIn added AI tools for recruiters to use conversational language to search for job candidates. And earlier this year, the company began rolling out generative AI tools that allow job seekers to open a chat window on job descriptions to ask if they might be a good fit for an open position. In turn, they receive AI-generated feedback about ways their skills and experience align well, or if there are other skills they should add to their profiles to stand out.

LinkedIn is now enhancing some of these features. Premium users can begin their job search with a conversational inquiry, like “Find me an engineering job in Texas that pays at least $110,000.” They can then use generative AI to write cover letters and résumés, tailoring them to specific jobs, in addition to using it for messaging hiring managers or searching for work. WIRED tested the cover-letter-writing feature, and found that the tool was able to synthesize a reporter’s experience listed on LinkedIn and a job posting in a coherent way, but some more editing may be needed to really make the letter stand out with direct examples of past work.
24Jun
Crypto Exchanges in South Korea Said to Re-Examine Over 600 Tokens Listed for Trade

The crypto exchanges operating in South Korea are said to be gearing up for an internal audit. As part of this process, over 600 cryptocurrencies will reportedly be re-examined to see whether they meet the regulatory standards laid out by Seoul. The aim is to protect South Korea’s investor community as well as its financial ecosystem against risks posed by unregulated and volatile crypto assets. The exchanges will also conduct a maintenance review of their respective firms in order to identify any security or cyber threat that may be looming over their businesses, as per the report.

South Korea to identify risky tokens

A total of 29 crypto exchanges operate in South Korea, which include Upbit, Bithumb, Coinone, Korbit, and Gopax among others. The decision of these exchanges to conduct audits of the crypto tokens that are listed for trading on these exchanges is influenced by the Virtual Asset User Protection Act, that is set to go under implementation on June 19 in South Korea, a report by S.Korean publication Chosun said.

The crypto tokens that fail to meet the regulatory standards will reportedly be delisted by exchanges. The exchanges are then said to provide information about the delisting to their respective user communities. Crypto tokens listed less than six months ago are said to get a strict warning to adhere to the country’s legal requirements before facing an expulsion from the trade lists.

“We will allow virtual asset exchanges to review whether to maintain trading support for virtual asset items that have been trading for six months. It is inevitable that transaction support will be suspended for virtual asset items that do not meet the standards for maintaining transaction support,” the Chosun report quoted an anonymous source familiar with the matter.

Process of Token review

Crypto exchanges getting ready to conduct this internal probe have reportedly chalked out important points to cover in order to ensure that all crypto assets are safe for investors to engage with. Audits for these tokens will be conducted along the lines of security, technology level, regulatory compliance, transaction support, and past business history.

Transparency of virtual asset operation, market capitalisation, as well as total issuance and circulation volume are other parameters linked to over 600 tokens said to be analysed by exchanges. The exchanges will reportedly establish an alternate screening method for cryptocurrencies issued by decentralised organisations (DAOs) — that may be difficult to be traded in South Korea.

Furthermore, the Virtual Asset User Protection Act in South Korea directs all exchanges to conduct internal maintenance reviews every three months.

South Korea cracking down on risky crypto habits

The Asian nation has been rather pro-crypto in its approach towards the digital assets sector despite the risks linked to it. With South Korean banks stepping into metaverse ecosystems to authorities approving licences for crypto firms looking to set up shop there – the nation has taken many pro-Web3 steps. The nation categorised blockchain-based tokens as ‘Securities’ back in February 2023, bringing them under its Securities laws.

It is however, notable, that the government there has remained vigilant in terms of overseeing industry players that are engaged with the virtual assets sector. In April 2022, the authorities conducted investigations on exchanges like KuCoin and Coinex to check if their operations were legal or not.

In January 2024, the South Korean authorities reportedly said that the purchase of cryptocurrencies through credit cards could soon be banned in South Korea.

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24Jun
Google AI Overviews showing less often, with less Reddit, data shows

Google appears to have pulled back further on AI Overviews following well-earned criticism about its AI-generated answers giving users incorrect, misleading and dangerous answers.

Let’s dive into new findings from two separate SEO platforms:

  • SEOClarity looked at 2,700 keywords.
  • SERanking analyzed 100,000 keywords.

AI Overviews reduction. Google is showing AI Overviews less often, though the analyses disagree on the percentage. AI Overviews show for:

  • 8.71% of searches, according to SERanking. (Down from 64% – when it was still known as Search Generative Experience)
  • 7.6% of searches, according to SEOClarity. (Down from 17.4% observed May 14-30)

This reduction is not surprising – especially after Google responded to criticism and explained how it would improve AI Overviews on May 30.

Citations. Reddit’s visibility dropped in AI Overviews, according to SERanking. It is no longer among the top 10 most cited domains. The top five domains most referenced websites in AI Overviews:

  • runnersworld.com (1,200 times)
  • healthline.com (1,114 times)
  • linkedin.com (1,027 times)
  • runrepeat.com (933 times)
  • en.wikipedia.org (775 times)

By the numbers. Some interesting findings from SERanking’s analysis:

  • 84.72% of AI Overviews link to at least one domain that also appears in Google’s top 10 organic search results.
  • Featured snippets and AI Overviews appear together 45.39% of the time – and when this happens, citations match 61.79% of the time.
  • AI Overviews are 4,342 characters, on average.
  • Ads appear with AI Overviews 87% of the time.
  • AI Overviews are most often present in Relationships (26.62%), Food and Beverage (24.78%) and Technology (18.11%).

More findings. Here are other interesting findings from SEOClarity’s analysis:

  • AI Overviews appeared for 44% of Your Money Your Life (YMYL) keywords.
  • Local keywords don’t trigger AI Overviews (this seems consistent with recent BrightEdge findings).
  • AI Overviews are most often present in Home Warranty (25.22%), Technology (20.09%), and Social Media (23.96%) industries.

Why we care. Despite the early hiccups in these early days of AI Overviews, Google continues to evolve in the direction of AI Overviews. Google wants to become an answer engine rather than a search engine. As this shift from Classic Search to AI Search continues, some brands and businesses may be forced to adapt to a new reality with less organic traffic.

The reports. You can read them here:

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About the author

Danny Goodwin

Danny Goodwin has been Managing Editor of Search Engine Land & Search Marketing Expo – SMX since 2022. He joined Search Engine Land in 2022 as Senior Editor. In addition to reporting on the latest search marketing news, he manages Search Engine Land’s SME (Subject Matter Expert) program. He also helps program U.S. SMX events.

Goodwin has been editing and writing about the latest developments and trends in search and digital marketing since 2007. He previously was Executive Editor of Search Engine Journal (from 2017 to 2022), managing editor of Momentology (from 2014-2016) and editor of Search Engine Watch (from 2007 to 2014). He has spoken at many major search conferences and virtual events, and has been sourced for his expertise by a wide range of publications and podcasts.

24Jun
Fortnite Festival Guitar Controller Is Back In Stock For Xbox And PC

PDP’s Riffmaster Wireless Guitar Controller for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S (plus PC) sold out instantly when it went up for preorder earlier this year. Subsequent restocks also vanished in no time, but now’s your chance to pick up the newly released peripheral for Fortnite Festival. GameStop has the Xbox Series X|S Riffmaster controller in stock for $130 with free one- to three-day shipping. This model also works wirelessly with PC and Xbox One. The PlayStation version of the controller was also in stock, but it has since sold out.

One of Fortnite’s most notable new game modes of the year, Fortnite Festival is essentially Rock Band inside of Fortnite–it was even developed by Harmonix.

$130

To be clear, this is technically a Rock Band 4 controller, but Epic Games added support for a variety of controllers in April, including Rock Band 4 guitars. The PDP Riffmaster offers a low-latency wireless connection with a 30-foot range, up to 36-hours of battery life, and comes with a built-in 3.5mm audio jack.

It also sports a sleek black design and is collapsible for easy storage. In other words, it’s a modern reimagining of the plastic guitars of yesteryear. One cool design choice is an analog stick located on the back of the neck, opposite the first fret (button).

If you happen to have an old Rock Band 4 guitar sitting around your home that’s still in good condition, it should work with Fortnite Festival. But if you managed to lose your collection of the years (or it’s falling apart after one too many concerts), consider scooping up this sleek new one for your new rockstar career in Fortnite Festival.
24Jun
Membrane protein analogues could accelerate drug discovery

Many drug and antibody discovery pathways focus on intricately folded cell membrane proteins: when molecules of a drug candidate bind to these proteins, like a key going into a lock, they trigger chemical cascades that alter cellular behavior. But because these proteins are embedded in the lipid-containing outer layer of cells, they are tricky to access and insoluble in water-based solutions (hydrophobic), making them difficult to study.

“We wanted to get these proteins out of the cell membrane, so we redesigned them as hyperstable, soluble analogues, which look like membrane proteins but are much easier to work with,” explains Casper Goverde, a PhD student in the Laboratory of Protein Design and Immunoengineering (LPDI) in the School of Engineering.

In a nutshell, Goverde and a research team in the LPDI, led by Bruno Correia, used deep learning to design synthetic soluble versions of cell membrane proteins commonly used in pharmaceutical research. Whereas traditional screening methods rely on indirectly observing cellular reactions to drug and antibody candidates, or painstakingly extracting small quantities of membrane proteins from mammalian cells, the researchers’ computational approach allows them to remove cells from the equation. After designing a soluble protein analogue using their deep learning pipeline, they can use bacteria to produce the modified protein in bulk. These proteins can then bind directly in solution with molecular candidates of interest.

“We estimate that producing a batch of soluble protein analogues using E. coli is around 10 times less expensive than using mammalian cells,” adds PhD student Nicolas Goldbach.

The team’s research has recently been published in the journal Nature.

Flipping the script on protein design

In recent years, scientists have successfully harnessed artificial intelligence networks that use deep learning to design novel protein structures, for example by predicting them based on an input sequence of amino acid building blocks. But for this study, the researchers were interested in protein folds that already exist in nature; what they needed was a more accessible, soluble version of these proteins.

“We had the idea to invert this deep learning pipeline that predicts protein structure: if we input a structure, can it tell us the corresponding amino acid sequence?” explains Goverde.

To achieve this, the team used the structure prediction platform AlphaFold2 from Google DeepMind to produce amino acid sequences for soluble versions of several key cell membrane proteins, based on their 3D structure. Then, they used a second deep learning network, ProteinMPNN, to optimize those sequences for functional, soluble proteins. The researchers were pleased to discover that their approach showed remarkable success and accuracy in producing soluble proteins that maintained parts of their native functionality, even when applied to highly complex folds that have so far eluded other design methods.

“The holy grail of biochemistry”

A particular triumph of the study was the pipeline’s success in designing a soluble analogue of a protein shape known as the G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR), which represents around 40% of human cell membrane proteins and is a major pharmaceutical target.

“We showed for the first time that we can redesign the GPCR shape as a stable soluble analogue. This has been a long-standing problem in biochemistry, because if you can make it soluble, you can screen for novel drugs much faster and more easily,” says LPDI scientist Martin Pacesa.

The researchers also see these results as a proof-of-concept for their pipeline’s application to vaccine research, and even cancer therapeutics. For example, they designed a soluble analogue of a protein type called a claudin, which plays a role in making tumors resistant to the immune system and chemotherapy. In their experiments, the team’s soluble claudin analogue retained its biological properties, reinforcing the pipeline’s promise for generating interesting targets for pharmaceutical development.
24Jun
A 13-course journey in Mumbai’s Bandra

Décor: Cupped in toasted woody tones, and warm amber, the intimate restaurant brings in 12 teal hip seaters at the sole table, with an informal bar. The counter has been upcycled from a wooden bar top from The Bombay Canteen.

Service: You can expect warm, genuine, effortless service. The playlist sets the vibe easily, with numbers pulled in by Hussain from his personal stack.

Price: At Rs 5,000 plus taxes per head, this is not really easy on the pocket.

Timings: Wednesday to Saturday, 8 pm onwards. Below 18 years not allowed

Papa’s at Veronica’s, Bandra West, Mumbai
24Jun
Mental health roller coaster during pregnancy: Recognising and managing common issues | Health

ByZarafshan Shiraz, New Delhi

Pregnancy can be a time of great joy and excitement, a kind of roller coaster ride but it can also bring about significant changes in a woman’s mental health hence, it is important to recognise that mental health issues can arise or be exacerbated during pregnancy and it is essential to address these issues to ensure the well-being of both the mother and the baby.

Mental health roller coaster during pregnancy: Recognising and managing common issues (Photo by Pixabay)

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Prasad Kulat, Senior Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Ankura Hospital in Pune, revealed some common mental health issues that can affect pregnant women –

Now catch your favourite game on Crickit. Anytime Anywhere. Find out how
  1. Depression: Depression is a common mental health issue that can affect pregnant women. Symptoms may include feelings of sadness, hopelessness, loss of interest in activities, changes in appetite or sleep patterns and difficulty concentrating.
  2. Anxiety: Anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, can also manifest or worsen during pregnancy. Symptoms may include excessive worry, restlessness, irritability, and physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat or sweating.
  3. Prenatal or antenatal depression: This refers to depression that specifically occurs during pregnancy. It is important to recognize and address prenatal depression as it can have negative effects on both the mother and the baby.
  4. Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs): This is a group of disorders that can occur during pregnancy or in the postpartum period. PMADs include conditions such as postpartum blues, postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, postpartum OCD and postpartum psychosis.
  5. Perinatal PTSD: Some women may experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder related to childbirth, particularly if they had a traumatic birth experience.

Asserting that pregnant women need to prioritise their mental health and seek support if needed, Dr Prasad Kulat recommended some tips for maintaining good mental health during pregnancy –

  1. Seek prenatal care: Regular prenatal visits can help monitor both physical and mental health during pregnancy.
  2. Stay connected: Maintain open communication with your partner, family, friends and healthcare providers about your feelings and concerns.
  3. Practice self-care: Get enough rest, exercise regularly (if approved by your healthcare provider), eat a healthy diet and engage in activities that help you relax and unwind.
  4. Consider therapy: Therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapy, can help manage mental health issues during pregnancy.
  5. Medication: In some cases, medication may be necessary to manage severe mental health conditions during pregnancy. It’s important to consult with a healthcare provider to weigh the risks and benefits of medication use during pregnancy.

Remember, seeking help for mental health issues during pregnancy is not a sign of weakness. It is a proactive step towards ensuring the health and well-being of both you and your baby.

News / Lifestyle / Health / Mental health roller coaster during pregnancy: Recognising and managing common issues

24Jun
Amazon expands drug subscription program to Medicare members

Dive Brief:

  • Amazon has expanded its generic drug savings program to Prime members on Medicare, throwing open the program’s doors to a major population of medication users — if Amazon is able to get them to sign up.
  • The subscription service, called RxPass, is now available to more than 50 million Medicare members in 46 states, according to a Tuesday release. RxPass is not yet available in California, Washington, Texas or Minnesota.
  • RxPass is separate from insurance, but Amazon had to undertake additional regulatory and compliance measures for Medicare beneficiaries to be able to use the subscription service, a spokesperson said.

Dive Insight:

Amazon rolled out RxPass last year as part of a plan to attract more Prime members to Amazon Pharmacy, its online pharmacy division.

Amazon has struggled with uptake of Amazon Pharmacy since launching the business in 2020 in an effort to compete with drugstores like CVS and Walgreens amid the rising need for affordable medications.

During a fourth-quarter earnings call last year, Amazon CEO Andy Jassey said Amazon Pharmacy is “growing really quickly.” However, Amazon has yet to publicly share how many of Amazon’s roughly 200 million Prime members fill their medications on the site. And earlier this year, Amazon laid off a number of employees in the division, building on another round of job cuts in 2023.

RxPass subscribers pay $5 a month to fill as many prescriptions as needed from a list of about 60 generic medications, including delivery to their doorstep.

When the program launched, critics were uncertain as to whether RxPass would result in savings for consumers, given Amazon Pharmacy already offers inexpensive generics. Company executives said the offering is angled toward people with chronic diseases who need multiple medications and may not have significant healthcare coverage.

Medicare members tend to have such coverage for generics through the program’s Part D benefit, which covers a wide range of drugs. However, most Medicare members have two or more chronic conditions — at least two-thirds of enrollees, according to government data.

Amazon touted RxPass’ potential savings in the release, noting a Medicare beneficiary who takes at least one medication through RxPass could save roughly $70 per year, with savings compounding the more medications are filled.

If all Medicare beneficiaries transfer their eligible prescriptions to RxPass, Medicare spending would fall by almost $2 billion, according to the company. An Amazon spokesperson said the company’s economists calculated that figure by analyzing government data to find the cost of equivalent medications through Medicare.

Depending on a Medicare beneficiary’s prescription drug plan, and how many medications they take, an RxPass subscription could lead to savings. For example, the diabetes drug metformin is covered by a little more than half of Part D plans, at a co-pay ranging from $0 to $7, according to GoodRx. On RxPass, metformin is included in the $5 monthly subscription, which also covers other drugs.

Amazon has also launched manufacturer coupons for select brand name medications to try and bolster its online pharmacy.

However, the e-commerce giant faces a number of competitors in the space, including legacy drugstores and newer companies looking to entice clients fed up with rising drug prices and opaque pharmaceutical supply chains.

Amazon is also focused on care delivery in its push into healthcare. Despite high-profile crash-and-burns of past offerings, including hybrid care provider Amazon Care and cost-lowering venture Haven, Amazon has built out a telehealth marketplace, called Amazon Clinic, and acquired medical chain One Medical in 2022.

Late last year, Amazon discounted the cost of a One Medical membership for Prime users.
24Jun
The Great Wealth Transfer: A Boom for Some, a Challenge for All

We are currently witnessing what could be described as the greatest wealth transfer in modern history. As the baby boomer generation begins to age, a massive amount of wealth is being transferred to the subsequent generations. Over the next decade, this generation, who rode a wave of economic prosperity for decades, is forecast to pass…
23Jun
Why I Regret Buying an Android Tablet Instead of an iPad

Key Takeaways

  • iPads fit seamlessly into the Apple ecosystem, making integration between your devices easier.
  • Apple’s native apps and software optimization make the iPad a better choice than Android tablets.
  • Waiting and saving up for an iPad is more cost-effective because you aren’t buying two devices.



If you want an iPad, don’t consider an Android tablet even as a stopgap. I made the mistake of getting an Android tablet when I could’ve just saved money for an iPad. Here’s why I regret not buying the tablet I really wanted first.


1 An iPad Fits Better in the Apple Ecosystem

Danny Maiorca/MakeUseOf

While I’m not an Apple fanboy, I use iPhones and Macs because I think they perform better than their competitors. Of course, I can just use an Android tablet separately and sign into the other two with the same Google ID. However, having another Apple product makes it easier to integrate everything within the same ecosystem.


I can quickly AirDrop content between my devices, and having all of my passwords saved across multiple devices—without needing to use a third-party password manager—is also convenient. There are several other features that make the Apple ecosystem amazing, such as Handoff and AirPlay.

This point is irrelevant if you use an Android phone, but an iPad would fight right in if you’re already within the Apple ecosystem.

2 I Prefer Using Apple’s Native Apps

Apple Freeform app showing a canvas

Besides sticking to the Apple ecosystem, I also like using Apple’s native apps. Apple’s Notes app is one example; I think I’ve genuinely opened Google Keep about five times in my life.


I also like using FaceTime more than any other video calling apps, and iMessage is my preferred way to stay in touch with my friends and family. Freeform is also a helpful app for putting my creative ideas on paper.

I still use some Google apps on my iPad, such as Google Calendar. However, I’d much rather have the benefit of Apple’s native apps and then just download the Google apps I’m interested in.

3 iPadOS Runs Better Than Android

Interactive Widgets on iPadOS 17
Apple

By far, the main reason I prefer Apple products is because of how they work. When I had my Android tablet, I got really frustrated with how slow the software would sometimes run. This is the exact why I switched from my Android smartphone to an iPhone over a decade ago, too.


iPadOS is by no means perfect, but I very rarely encounter performance issues. Moreover, the problems I run into are often solved before too long. Most of the time, I can also troubleshoot common iPad problems without too many issues.

4 An Android Tablet Was a Stopgap

The truth is that I always wanted an iPad, and an Android tablet was nothing more than a stopgap. I’ve often caught myself doing this with all kinds of items, such as clothes and headphones. If you don’t *need* whatever you want to buy, it’s often better to just save up and buy the actual thing you want.

Because I bought an Android tablet instead of waiting for an iPad, I spent more money than I would have. Moreover, I was less satisfied with it. If you’re a student who finds iPads expensive, you should get the Apple Student Discount and save money on your purchase.

5 Many iPad Apps Are Unavailable for Android

Footage on Top in DaVinci Resolve for iPad


Besides Apple’s native apps, some third-party apps I like aren’t available on Android. One great example is DaVinci Resolve, which offers powerful video-editing capabilities without needing a computer. I often use the app to create videos for multiple platforms, and I like how using DaVinci Resolve on an iPad provides access to nodes, comprehensive color grading, etc.

Procreate is another example of an app you’ll find on iPadOS but not Android. If creative apps like this are important to you, I’d strongly suggest saving up for an iPad—especially if you aren’t too interested in Android tablets.

Android tablets are good enough for many people, but I always wanted an iPad for creative work, and buying anything else seemed pointless. I like the Apple ecosystem features and the creative apps available for iPads. Plus, iPadOS usually runs without problems. So, If you’re considering a new iPad, I suggest waiting till you can afford one and not buying a stopgap.


23Jun
Ann Philbin remade the Hammer Museum into a world-class institution

Ann Philbin, photographed at the Los Angeles Times in El Segundo on Nov. 6.

The Los Angeles art world is still reeling — eight months after the fact — from the news that Ann Philbin, longtime director of the Hammer Museum at UCLA, is retiring at the end of this year. Philbin — who has steered the museum for 25 years — leaves a transformative legacy.

When Philbin, 72, took the reins in 1999, the Hammer was a regional university museum with fewer than 50 full-time employees and a $6-million annual operating budget. It’s now a globally recognized destination for contemporary art with more than 100 full-time employees, a $30-million annual budget and star-studded annual fundraising galas. It’s known for its strong point of view, a risk-taking and feminist-minded institution committed to supporting underrepresented artists of all stripes.

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Discover the changemakers who are shaping every cultural corner of Los Angeles. This week we bring you The Civic Center, a collection that includes a groundbreaking mayor, a housing advocate, a giver of food and others who are the backbone of Los Angeles. Come back each Sunday for another installment.

The museum’s “Made in L.A.” biennial, which presented its sixth iteration in October, has become a staple of the West Coast art scene. Along with the Hammer Projects series, it has shined an international spotlight on the city as a leading art hub, illuminating new experimental artists working across painting, sculpture, installation, multimedia, performance and other mediums.

In March 2023, the Hammer debuted a sweeping expansion and renovation project — Philbin’s longtime vision — that had been two decades in the making and cost $90 million. A consummate fundraiser, Philbin successfully realized the $180-million capital campaign for the project, designed by Michael Maltzan Architecture. The Hammer now has 60% more gallery space, an outdoor sculpture terrace and a more visible entrance on the corner of Wilshire and Westwood boulevards. That’s after having debuted renovated third-floor galleries in 2017, a new courtyard performance space in 2018, a new restaurant in 2021 and a works-on-paper gallery and study room for its Grunwald Center Collection in 2022 — among other things.

Ann Philbin

Today, nearly every major museum in the L.A. area is run by a woman. There’s Johanna Burton at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Joanne Heyler at the Broad, Sandra Jackson–Dumont at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, Kathleen Fleming at the Getty Foundation, Jacqueline Stewart at the Academy Museum, Heidi Zuckerman at the Orange County Museum of Art, Cameron Shaw at the California African American Museum and Lori Bettison-Varga at the Natural History Museum.

But two decades ago, Philbin ran the Hammer in a male-dominated art world. It’s impossible to overstate Philbin’s influence on the museum — and the city. She and the Hammer are one.

More from L.A. Influential

23Jun
Samsung and Hyundai Motor Lead R&D Spending All-Time High Despite Falling Sales Amid Economic Slowdown

Seoul, June 23: Research and development (R&D) expenditures by major South Korean companies hit an all-time high last year despite their falling sales amid an economic slowdown, data showed on Sunday.

The country’s top 1,000 companies made investments of 72.5 trillion won ($52.12 billion) combined in 2023, up 8.7 per cent from a year earlier, according to the data from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology. It was the largest ever amount, it showed, reports Yonhap news agency. CERT-In Finds Multiple Bugs in ‘Golang Go’ Programming Language Affecting IBM’s Data Management Software.

The increase came despite their sales falling 2.8 per cent on-year to 1,642 trillion won, and the proportion of corporate R&D investment out of sales rose 4.4 per cent in 2023 from the previous year’s 3.9 per cent. Tech giant Samsung invested the largest amount in R&D last year with 23.9 trillion won, which was up 14.4 per cent on-year and accounted for 32.9 per cent of the total investment by South Korean companies.

Leading carmaker Hyundai Motor came next with 3.7 trillion won, which marked 15.6 per cent on-year growth. R&D spending by chip behemoth SK hynix fell 10 per cent year-on-year to 3.6 trillion won. Home appliances giant LG Electronics increased its R&D expenditure by 10 per cent to 3.3 trillion won, and Samsung Display Co. spent 2.8 trillion won on R&D last year, up 12 per cent on-year.

Kia Corp. was the fifth-largest R&D investor last year with 2.2 trillion won, the data showed. Of the 1,000 companies, 171 were large conglomerates and 491 were second-tier mid-sized companies. The remaining 338 firms were mid- and small-sized companies. Byju’s Moves Karnataka High Court Against NCLT Order Restraining It From Going Ahead With Its Second Rights Issue.

“The number of mid-sized companies that were among the top 1,000 major R&D investing companies has risen over the past years. The government will extend support for companies to increase investment for innovation,” a ministry official said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 23, 2024 02:04 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
23Jun
AI Is Coming for Big Tech Jobs—but Not in the Way You Think

Google, too, has funneled money into its Anthropic AI developments, and its CEO, Sindar Pichai, warned of continuous cuts throughout 2024, which began in January. That comes despite Google reporting strong growth. “We’re responsibly investing in our company’s biggest priorities and the significant opportunities ahead,” says Bailey Tomson, a Google spokesperson. In 2023 and 2024, several Google teams “made changes to become more efficient and work better,” Tomson says. “Through this, we’re simplifying our structures to give employees more opportunity to work on our most innovative and important advances and our biggest company priorities, while reducing bureaucracy and layers.”

This pivot-to-AI narrative echoes past moves by tech companies, like outsourcing workers, which led to poor working conditions for some contracted workers in other countries. “It feels less like there’s a real connection between investment in AI and trade-offs having to be made in other parts of the workforce, but really that this is a narrative shift being used to package a shift that predates the move to AI,” says Parul Koul, president of the Alphabet Workers Union-CWA, which represents some employees from the companies affected by recent layoffs. But because workers don’t receive a lot of transparency about whether their layoffs are tied to AI, it’s still hard to tie some job cuts directly to the tech, Koul says.

The next step, naturally, would be to see the AI that these companies invest in further disrupt their own workplaces. But for now, that doesn’t seem to be happening. AI-fueled layoffs are making up a small portion of job cuts across industries. More than 5,000 jobs were cut between May 2023 and April 2024 where companies cited AI as the reason—but this was either due to companies shifting focus to developing AI tech or because they used AI tools to take over tasks and roles, according to a report from outplacement services firm Challenger, Gray, and Christmas.

In the tech world alone, there have been nearly 100,000 layoffs in 2024, according to Layoffs.fyi, a site that tracks job cuts in the tech industry. Still, specific types of jobs are beginning to bounce back. Openings for AI roles or those that require AI skills made up 12 percent of all tech job offerings in May—the largest percentage in six years—according to CompTIA, a nonprofit trade association for the US IT industry. But AI doesn’t exist in a silo, says Tim Herbert, CompTIA’s chief research officer, and its adoption will likely create adjacent jobs needed to support the new technology. “AI will probably spur investment in other areas,” he says.

The AI reshuffle may not be the great AI takeover, but if AI is the next big opportunity for companies like Alphabet, the lack of efforts to up-skill and train employees to work in those divisions is troubling, Koul says. “There are ways in which the existing workforce can be kept whole or treated with dignity and respect through this process,” Koul says. “A lot of my coworkers, a lot of our union members, work here because they are mission-driven, they believe in the utility of the products they are working on. More opportunities for retraining and moving people to other divisions would be very welcome.”
23Jun
Crypto Price India: Bitcoin Climbs to $65,000, Most Cryptocurrencies Log Small but Notable Profits

The crypto market seems to be on upswing price-wise, with majority cryptocurrencies reflecting profits on Wednesday, June 19. Bitcoin recorded a small gain of 0.35 percent to trade at the price point of $65,573 (roughly Rs. 54.6 lakh), as per CoinMarketCap. This is the first time in weeks that Bitcoin has managed to reach and breach the mark of $65,000 (roughly Rs. 54 lakh) on international exchanges. Meanwhile in India, Bitcoin is trading at $71,915 (roughly Rs. 59.9 lakh) on exchanges like WazirX and CoinDCX.

“Although Bitcoin appears slightly bearish on shorter time frames, it is performing well on weekly charts, indicating that the bull market is likely still ongoing. Bitcoin’s dominance also remains steady at around 55 percent,” the CoinSwitch Markets Desk told Gadgets360.

Ether slipped in value by 2.73 percent on Wednesday, as per Gadgets360’s crypto price tracker. At the time of writing, ETH was trading at $3,092 (roughly Rs. 2.57 lakh) on Indian exchanges and at around $3,560 (roughly Rs. 2. 96 lakh) on international exchanges. Ether price is estimated to go up, given the latest development around it in the US.

“Ethereum developer Consensys has announced that the US Securities and Exchange Commission is ending its investigation into whether ETH is a security and whether sales of ETH constitute security transactions,” the CoinSwitch desk added.

Most cryptocurrencies logged gains on Wednesday. These include Tether, Binance Coin, Solana, Ripple, Dogecoin, Cardano, Shiba Inu, Avalanche, and Tron.

Polkadot, Chainlink, Uniswap, Polygon, and Near Protocol also registered minor gains.

“Overall, the market has been slowly rebounding from recent declines. Ethereum ETF issuers received SEC feedback on their S-1 forms last week, with a deadline to finalise them by this Friday,” Edul Patel, CEO of Mudrex told Gadgets360.

The small bunch of altcoins that reflected losses on Wednesday include Litecoin, Elrond, EOS Coin, and Underdog.

As per CoinMarketCap, the overall crypto market cap rose by 0.92 percent in the last 24 hours. With this, the sector’s valuation has come to $2.38 trillion (roughly Rs. 1,98,41,691 crore).

Cryptocurrency is an unregulated digital currency, not a legal tender and subject to market risks. The information provided in the article is not intended to be and does not constitute financial advice, trading advice or any other advice or recommendation of any sort offered or endorsed by NDTV. NDTV shall not be responsible for any loss arising from any investment based on any perceived recommendation, forecast or any other information contained in the article. 

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23Jun
Amazon Ads in 2024: Maximizing Sponsored Brands campaigns

Amazon’s Sponsored Brands have always been a central component in showcasing brands and capturing customer attention on the platform. Today, many exciting new features are available to revolutionize your advertising strategy.

This article tackles the latest updates on this Amazon ad format and strategies to maximize its potential. With recent advancements in targeting, ad formats, analytics and optimization, there’s never been a better time to refine your approach and achieve outstanding results.

What’s new in Amazon Ads?

Enhanced targeting options

Amazon has significantly upgraded its targeting capabilities for Sponsored Brands campaigns. These enhancements allow advertisers to pinpoint their ideal customer segments with extraordinary precision. 

Expanding criteria to include specific demographics, purchase behaviors and detailed interest categories allows advertisers to reach a broader, more relevant audience. This enhances the impact and efficiency of your campaigns.

Improved ad formats

Amazon recently launched several new ad formats designed to capture and retain customer attention. Among the most notable are video ads and interactive ad formats. 

  • Video ads enable the delivery of visually compelling messages, helping to communicate your brand narrative more effectively. 
  • Interactive ads provide an immersive experience that can boost engagement and drive higher conversion rates. These new formats offer innovative ways to connect with your audience and increase brand visibility.

Advanced analytics and reporting tools

Amazon’s latest updates have introduced advanced analytics and reporting tools for Sponsored Brands campaigns. These tools present deeper insights into campaign performance, helping you identify which strategies are working and where there’s room to improve. 

Detailed metrics on engagement, click-through rates, conversion rates and more are now readily accessible. This data lets you make informed decisions, optimize your campaigns in real time and achieve superior results.

AI-powered optimization

AI is at the forefront of Amazon’s latest innovations. The new AI-powered optimization features automatically adjust your bidding, targeting and ad placements to maximize performance. 

AI analyzes large data sets to find hidden patterns and emerging trends, helping you stay ahead. Using AI can significantly improve efficiency and ROI.

Integration with Amazon Marketing Cloud

Amazon Sponsored Brands now feature deeper integration with the Amazon Marketing Cloud, providing a comprehensive view of your marketing efforts across the Amazon ecosystem. 

It facilitates seamless data sharing and analytics, allowing you to synchronize your ad campaigns with other marketing activities. With this integration, you can create a more cohesive and impactful marketing strategy that elevates your brand presence across Amazon.

1. Leverage enhanced targeting

With the launch of more sophisticated targeting options this year, refining your approach to audience segmentation is crucial.

  • Start by analyzing your customer data to pinpoint the most relevant demographics, behaviors and interests that align with your brand. 
  • Use these insights to create highly targeted ad campaigns tailored specifically to your ideal customers. For instance, targeting health-conscious individuals who frequently buy wellness products can notably improve ad relevance and engagement if you sell fitness gear. 
  • Continuously monitor and fine-tune your targeting parameters to ensure you’re reaching the most valuable audience segments.

2. Create compelling ad content

The latest ad formats offer exciting opportunities to craft more engaging content. 

  • For video ads, focus on creating visually appealing and concise messages highlighting your brand’s unique value. Use storytelling techniques to captivate viewers and leave a lasting impression. 
  • For interactive ads, design immersive experiences that encourage user participation, such as quizzes, product demos or interactive catalogs. The key is to make your ads eye-catching, informative and enjoyable, ultimately increasing engagement and conversion rates.

3. Leverage advanced analytics

Advanced analytics tools are more powerful than ever, providing better insights into your campaign performance.

  • Make it a habit to regularly review these analytics to better understand how your ads are performing. 
  • Identify trends in engagement, click-through rates and conversion metrics to pinpoint successful elements and areas for improvement in your campaigns.
  • Use these insights to inform data-driven decisions, tweak your ad content and target and bidding strategies as needed to optimize performance.

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4. Embrace AI-powered optimization

AI-powered optimization eliminates much of the uncertainty in managing ad campaigns.

  • Set up AI-driven features to automatically adjust bids, targeting and placements using real-time data analysis. This saves you time and guarantees optimal campaign performance. 
  • However, don’t just set it and forget it.
  • Regularly review the adjustments to ensure they align with your overall marketing goals. Make manual tweaks when necessary to refine performance and maintain a competitive advantage.

5. Capitalize on Amazon Marketing Cloud integration

Integrating with Amazon Marketing Cloud allows you to create a more holistic marketing strategy.

  • Leverage the data and analytics from the Marketing Cloud to comprehensively understand your customer journey across different touchpoints. 
  • This empowers you to synchronize your Sponsored Brands ads with other marketing efforts, such as email campaigns, social media advertising and in-store promotions.
  • By aligning these efforts, you can foster a unified brand experience that strengthens customer relationships and boosts overall marketing effectiveness.

Tips and best practices for ongoing success

Stay updated with Amazon’s changes

Amazon frequently enhances its advertising platform with new features and improvements. Staying informed about these changes is vital for maintaining a competitive edge. Here are some steps to ensure you’re always up-to-date:

  • Subscribe to Amazon advertising’s newsletter: It provides regular updates on new features, case studies, and best practices.
  • Join industry forums and groups: Engage with communities on platforms like LinkedIn, Reddit and industry-specific forums where professionals share insights and experiences.
  • Attend webinars and conferences: Amazon and other marketing organizations often host events that can provide in-depth knowledge and networking opportunities.
  • Follow thought leaders: Identify and follow experts in the Amazon advertising space. Their blogs, social media posts and publications can offer valuable insights and tips.

Experiment and iterate

The digital advertising landscape constantly evolves, making experimentation and iteration essential for success. Here’s how to effectively test and refine your strategies:

  • A/B testing: Regularly conduct A/B tests on various elements of your ads, such as headlines, images, calls to action and targeting options. Analyze the results to determine which variations perform best.
  • Pilot new features: Whenever Amazon releases a new feature, consider running a small-scale campaign to test its effectiveness before fully integrating it into your strategy.
  • Monitor competitors: Keep an eye on what your competitors are doing. Analyze their ad formats, messaging and targeting strategies. Learn from their successes and mistakes to improve your own campaigns.
  • Review performance metrics: Set up a schedule to review your campaign performance metrics regularly. Look for trends, spikes and drops in engagement and use this data to make informed adjustments.

Actionable strategies for continuous success

Building a sustainable strategy requires actionable steps that can drive ongoing success. Here’s how to ensure your campaigns remain effective:

  • Regularly update your product listings
    • Ensure your product listings are always up-to-date with accurate information, high-quality images and optimized keywords.
    • Make sure your titles, bullet points and descriptions are clear, concise and compelling.
  • Optimize bids and budgets
    • Regularly review and adjust your bids and budgets based on performance data.
    • Increase funding for high-performing campaigns and decrease spending on less effective ones.
  • Leverage seasonal trends and events
    • Plan and execute campaigns around major shopping seasons and events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Prime Day.
    • Customize your ads to align with seasonal trends and special promotions.
  • Utilize negative keywords
    • Regularly update your negative keyword list to exclude irrelevant searches that don’t convert.
    • This helps to optimize your ad spend and improve your ROI.
  • Enhance customer reviews and ratings
    • Actively seek customer feedback and encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews.
    • Address any negative feedback promptly and use it to improve your products and services.
  • Implement retargeting campaigns
    • Use retargeting to reach customers who have previously viewed or interacted with your products.
    • Craft personalized ads that remind them of the products they are interested in, increasing the likelihood of conversion.

These practical tips in your marketing strategy will enhance your Amazon Sponsored Brands campaigns and support continuous improvement. This proactive approach keeps your brand competitive and successful.

Whether you’re seasoned in selling on Amazon or new to the platform, these insights are designed to help you secure a competitive advantage and maximize the opportunities presented to you now and in the future.

Contributing authors are invited to create content for Search Engine Land and are chosen for their expertise and contribution to the search community. Our contributors work under the oversight of the editorial staff and contributions are checked for quality and relevance to our readers. The opinions they express are their own.
23Jun
A Tale of Two States: Arizona and Florida Diverge on How To Expand Kids’ Health Insurance

Arizona and Florida — whose rates of uninsured children are among the highest in the nation — set goals last year to widen the safety net that provides health insurance to people 18 and younger.

But their plans to expand coverage illustrate key ideological differences on the government’s role in subsidizing health insurance for kids: what to charge low-income families as premiums for public coverage — and what happens if they miss a payment.

“It’s a tale of two states,” said Joan Alker, executive director of Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families.

That divergence represents more than just two states taking their own path. It showcases a broader breakthrough moment, Alker said, as the nation rethinks how government works for families following the covid-19 pandemic.  The divide also underscores the policies at stake in the 2024 presidential election.

Republican-led legislatures in Florida and Arizona worked across party lines in 2023 to pass bills to expand their states’ Children’s Health Insurance Program — widely known as CHIP — which covers anyone younger than 19 in families earning too much to be eligible for Medicaid.

Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and Arizona Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs then signed bills into law last year that increased the amount of money a family can make and still be eligible for their states’ CHIP programs. That’s where the similarities end.

Arizona began to enroll newly eligible children in March. That state has adopted policies that align with the Biden administration’s efforts to apply Affordable Care Act-style protections to CHIP, such as eliminating annual and lifetime limits on coverage and lockouts if families don’t pay premiums.

Arizona’s CHIP plan, called KidsCare, suspended its monthly premiums in 2020 and has yet to reinstate them. State officials are considering whether it’s worth the expense to manage and collect the payments given that new federal rules forbid the state from disenrolling children for nonpayment, said Marcus Johnson, a deputy director for the state’s Medicaid agency.

“We’re trying to understand if the juice is worth the squeeze,” he said.

By contrast, Florida has yet to begin its expanded enrollment and is the only state to file a federal lawsuit challenging a Biden administration rule requiring states to keep kids enrolled for 12 months even if their families don’t pay their premiums.

A judge dismissed Florida’s lawsuit on May 31, saying the state could appeal to federal regulators. The state’s CHIP expansion now awaits federal regulatory approval before newly eligible children can be enrolled.

“No eligible child should face barriers to enrolling in CHIP or be at risk of losing the coverage they rely on,” said Sara Lonardo, a spokesperson for the federal Department of Health and Human Services.

Florida’s CHIP expansion calls for significantly raising premiums and then boosting them by 3% annually. The state estimates expansion will cost an additional $90 million in its first full year and expects to collect about $23 million in new premiums to help fund the expansion of what it calls Florida KidCare.

But Florida officials have said that complying with a provision that bars children from being disenrolled for unpaid premiums would cause the state to lose $1 million a month. The state’s 2024 budget allocates $46.5 billion to health care and projects a $14.6 billion surplus.

Florida officials have flouted federal regulations and removed at least 22,000 children from CHIP for unpaid premiums since the rule banning such disenrollments took effect on Jan. 1, according to public records obtained by the Florida Health Justice Project, a nonprofit advocacy group.

DeSantis’ office and Florida’s Medicaid administration did not respond to KFF Health News’ repeated requests for comment about CHIP. But in legal filings, Florida said its CHIP plan is a “personal responsibility program.” It is “a bridge from Medicaid to private insurance,” the administration said on social media, to get families used to premiums, cost sharing, and the risk of losing coverage when missing a payment.

For some Floridians, like Emily Dent in Cape Coral, the higher premiums proposed in the state’s expansion plan would create a financial burden, not open a path to self-sufficiency.

Dent, 32, said her 8-year-old son, James, was disenrolled from Medicaid in April because the family’s income was too high. Although James would qualify for CHIP under Florida’s proposed expansion, Dent said the $195 monthly premium would be a financial struggle for her family.

Leaving James uninsured is not an option, Dent said. He is severely disabled due to a rare genetic disorder, Pallister-Killian syndrome, and requires round-the-clock nursing.

James Dent, of Cape Coral, Florida, has a rare genetic disorder, Pallister-Killian syndrome, which requires round-the-clock nursing. His mother, Emily Dent, says the 8-year-old was disenrolled from Medicaid in April because the family’s income was too high.(Emily Dent)

“He has to have health insurance,” she said. “But it’s going to drain my savings, which was going to be for a house one day.”

Research shows the cost of premiums can block many families from obtaining and maintaining CHIP coverage even when premiums are low.

And premiums don’t offset much of a state’s costs to operate the program, said Matt Jewett, director of health policy for the Children’s Action Alliance of Arizona, a nonprofit that promotes health insurance coverage for kids in the Grand Canyon State.

He noted that the federal government pays 70% of Florida’s program costs and 75% of Arizona’s — after deducting all premiums collected.

“Premiums are more about an ideological belief that families need to have skin in the game,” he said, “rather than any practical means of paying money to support the program.”

Republican-leaning states are not alone in implementing monthly or quarterly premiums for CHIP. Twenty-two states, including Democratic-leaning states such as New York and Massachusetts, charge premiums.

States have had wide discretion in how they run CHIP since the program became law in 1997, including the ability to charge such premiums and cut people’s access if they failed to pay. That’s been part of its success, said Jennifer Tolbert, deputy director of the Program on Medicaid and the Uninsured at KFF.

“Especially in more conservative states, the ability to create CHIP as a separate program — independent from Medicaid — enabled and fostered that bipartisan support,” Tolbert said.

But in the decades since CHIP was enacted, government’s role in health insurance has evolved, most significantly after President Barack Obama in 2010 signed the Affordable Care Act, which introduced coverage protections and expanded assistance for low-income Americans.

Former President Donald Trump didn’t prioritize those things while in office, Tolbert said. He has suggested that he is open to cutting federal assistance programs if reelected, while the Biden administration has adopted policies to make it easier for low-income Americans to enroll and keep their health coverage.

Just as for Dent, the question of CHIP premiums in this debate isn’t abstract for Erin Booth, a Florida mom who submitted a public comment to federal regulators about Florida’s proposed CHIP expansion. She said she would have to pay a high premium, plus copayments for doctor visits, to keep her 8-year-old son covered.

“I am faced with the impossible decision of whether to pay my mortgage or to pay for health insurance for my son,” she wrote.

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23Jun
Witchspring R Collector’s Edition Preorders Include A Soundtrack, Artbook, And More

Story-driven RPG Witchspring R launched last year on PC to surprising acclaim. The title has gathered enough steam that it’ll soon launch for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch on September 3. The console version will be available in a physical edition of the game for both platforms, as well as a Collector’s Edition that comes with quite a few extra goodies—and both versions are up for preorder at Amazon and Best Buy right now.

The standard edition of Witchspring R runs $40, but the Collector’s Edition will cost you $120 if you want to spring for it. The Collector’s Edition is a pretty significant step up to match the price, with a mix of both physical items and digital goodies to augment your experience. Check the links below for where you can preorder.

$40

You can preorder the standard edition of Witchspring R on Switch at Best Buy, or on Switch and PS5 at Amazon.

$120

The Collector’s Edition of Witchspring R includes a number of additional items, including a download code for the original soundtrack and a hardcover art book. Here’s the complete rundown of everything you get for the extra cash.

  • Special CE outer box
  • Pieberry figure
  • Physical game
  • OST download voucher
  • Hardcover art book
  • New costume Silver Rose set for Pieberry download voucher

If either Best Buy or Amazon lists the Witchspring R Collector’s Edition as not being in stock, check back a little later. Both sites are offering the game as a preorder, and it appears the listings haven’t gone live yet, not that they’re sold out.

If you’re not familiar, Witchspring R is a story-driven RPG starring Pieberry, a witch on the run from a group of soldiers as she ventures out to live with humans for the first time. The game is all about collecting and crafting; you’ll decide how to increase Pieberry’s skills by cooking meals using magical ingredients.

The game uses a turn-based combat system, and in addition to using magic spells and increasing Pieberry’s abilities, you can also recruit and train pets to aid you on your adventure. Training lets you focus on magical attributes for your pets so they’re useful in different situations. Witchspring R uses a painterly anime art style and sports a whole lot of voiced dialogue lines, although only the subtitles are in English.
23Jun
Resiliency shaped by activity in the gut microbiome and brain

A new UCLA Health study has found that resilient people exhibit neural activity in the brain regions associated with improved cognition and regulating of emotions, and were more mindful and better at describing their feelings. The same group also exhibited gut microbiome activity linked to a healthy gut, with reduced inflammation and gut barrier.

For the study, rather than examine microbiome activity and composition linked to disease conditions — like anxiety and depression — the researchers wanted to flip the script and study the gut microbiome and brain in healthy, resilient people who effectively cope with different types of stress, including discrimination and social isolation.

“If we can identify what a healthy resilient brain and microbiome look like, then we can develop targeted interventions to those areas to reduce stress,” said Arpana Gupta, PhD, senior author and co-director of the UCLA Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center. This is believed to be the first study to explore the intersection of resiliency, the brain, and the gut microbiome.

Gupta and her team focused on methods to cope with stress because research has shown that untreated stress can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, obesity, and diabetes. While stress is an inevitable part of life, studying how to handle stress can help prevent developing diseases.

To conduct the study, published in Nature Mental Health, the researchers surveyed 116 people about their resiliency — like trust in one’s instincts and positive acceptance of change — and separated them into two groups. One group ranked high on the resiliency scale and the other group ranked low. The participants also underwent MRI imaging and gave stool samples two or three days before their scans.

The researchers found that people in the high resiliency group were less anxious and depressed, less prone to judge, and had activity in regions of the brain associated with emotional regulation and better cognition compared to the group with low resiliency. “When a stressor happens, often we go to this aroused fight or flight response, and this impairs the breaks in your brain,” Gupta said. “But the highly resilient individuals in the study were found to be better at regulating their emotions, less likely to catastrophize, and keep a level head,” added Desiree Delgadillo, postdoctoral researcher and one of the first authors.

The high resiliency group also had different microbiome activity than the low resiliency group. Namely, the high resiliency group’s microbiomes excreted metabolites and exhibited gene activity associated with low inflammation and a strong and healthy gut barrier. A weak gut barrier, otherwise known as a leaky gut, is caused by inflammation and impairs the gut barrier’s ability to absorb essential nutrients needed by the body while blocking toxins from entering the gut.

The researchers were surprised to find these microbiome signatures associated with the high resiliency group.

“Resilience truly is a whole-body phenomenon that not only affects your brain but also your microbiome and what metabolites that it is producing,” Gupta said. “We have this whole community of microbes in our gut that exudes these therapeutic properties and biochemicals, so I’m looking forward to building upon this research,” Delgadillo said.

The team’s future research will study whether an intervention to increase resilience will change brain and gut microbiome activity. “We could have treatments that target both the brain and the gut that can maybe one day prevent disease,” Gupta said.

A new UCLA Health study has found that resilient people exhibit neural activity in the brain regions associated with improved cognition and regulating of emotions, and were more mindful and better at describing their feelings. The same group also exhibited gut microbiome activity linked to a healthy gut, with reduced inflammation and gut barrier.

For the study, rather than examine microbiome activity and composition linked to disease conditions — like anxiety and depression — the researchers wanted to flip the script and study the gut microbiome and brain in healthy, resilient people who effectively cope with different types of stress, including discrimination and social isolation.

“If we can identify what a healthy resilient brain and microbiome look like, then we can develop targeted interventions to those areas to reduce stress,” said Arpana Gupta, PhD, senior author and co-director of the UCLA Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center. This is believed to be the first study to explore the intersection of resiliency, the brain, and the gut microbiome.

Gupta and her team focused on methods to cope with stress because research has shown that untreated stress can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, obesity, and diabetes. While stress is an inevitable part of life, studying how to handle stress can help prevent developing diseases.

To conduct the study, published in Nature Mental Health, the researchers surveyed 116 people about their resiliency — like trust in one’s instincts and positive acceptance of change — and separated them into two groups. One group ranked high on the resiliency scale and the other group ranked low. The participants also underwent MRI imaging and gave stool samples two or three days before their scans.

The researchers found that people in the h

Gupta and her team focused on methods to cope with stress because research has shown that untreated stress can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, obesity, and diabetes. While stress is an inevitable part of life, studying how to handle stress can help prevent developing diseases.

To conduct the study, published in Nature Mental Health, the researchers surveyed 116 people about their resiliency — like trust in one’s instincts and positive acceptance of change — and separated them into two groups. One group ranked high on the resiliency scale and the other group ranked low. The participants also underwent MRI imaging and gave stool samples two or three days before their scans.

The researchers found that people in the high resiliency group were less anxious and depressed, less prone to judge, and had activity in regions of the brain associated with emotional regulation and better cognition compared to the group with low resiliency. “When a stressor happens, often we go to this aroused fight or flight response, and this impairs the breaks in your brain,” Gupta said. “But the highly resilient individuals in the study were found to be better at regulating their emotions, less likely to catastrophize, and keep a level head,” added Desiree Delgadillo, postdoctoral researcher and one of the first authors.

The high resiliency group also had different microbiome activity than the low resiliency group. Namely, the high resiliency group’s microbiomes excreted metabolites and exhibited gene activity associated with low inflammation and a strong and healthy gut barrier. A weak gut barrier, otherwise known as a leaky gut, is caused by inflammation and impairs the gut barrier’s ability to absorb essential nutrients needed by the body while blocking toxins from entering the gut.

The researchers were surprised to find these microbiome signatures associated with the high resiliency group.

“Resilience truly is a whole-body phenomenon that not only affects your brain but also your microbiome and what metabolites that it is producing,” Gupta said. “We have this whole community of microbes in our gut that exudes these therapeutic properties and biochemicals, so I’m looking forward to building upon this research,” Delgadillo said.

The team’s future research will study whether an intervention to increase resilience will change brain and gut microbiome activity. “We could have treatments that target both the brain and the gut that can maybe one day prevent disease,” Gupta said.

A new UCLA Health study has found that resilient people exhibit neural activity in the brain regions associated with improved cognition and regulating of emotions, and were more mindful and better at describing their feelings. The same group also exhibited gut microbiome activity linked to a healthy gut, with reduced inflammation and gut barrier.

For the study, rather than examine microbiome activity and composition linked to disease conditions — like anxiety and depression — the researchers wanted to flip the script and study the gut microbiome and brain in healthy, resilient people who effectively cope with different types of stress, including discrimination and social isolation.

“If we can identify what a healthy resilient brain and microbiome look like, then we can develop targeted interventions to those areas to reduce stress,” said Arpana Gupta, PhD, senior author and co-director of the UCLA Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center. This is believed to be the first study to explore the intersection of resiliency, the brain, and the gut microbiome.

Gupta and her team focused on methods to cope with stress because research has shown that untreated stress can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, obesity, and diabetes. While stress is an inevitable part of life, studying how to handle stress can help prevent developing diseases.

To conduct the study, published in Nature Mental Health, the researchers surveyed 116 people about their resiliency — like trust in one’s instincts and positive acceptance of change — and separated them into two groups. One group ranked high on the resiliency scale and the other group ranked low. The participants also underwent MRI imaging and gave stool samples two or three days before their scans.

The researchers found that people in the high resiliency group were less anxious and depressed, less prone to judge, and had activity in regions of the brain associated with emotional regulation and better cognition compared to the group with low resiliency. “When a stressor happens, often we go to this aroused fight or flight response, and this impairs the breaks in your brain,” Gupta said. “But the highly resilient individuals in the study were found to be better at regulating their emotions, less likely to catastrophize, and keep a level head,” added Desiree Delgadillo, postdoctoral researcher and one of the first authors.

The high resiliency group also had different microbiome activity than the low resiliency group. Namely, the high resiliency group’s microbiomes excreted metabolites and exhibited gene activity associated with low inflammation and a strong and healthy gut barrier. A weak gut barrier, otherwise known as a leaky gut, is caused by inflammation and impairs the gut barrier’s ability to absorb essential nutrients needed by the body while blocking toxins from entering the gut.

The researchers were surprised to find these microbiome signatures associated with the high resiliency group.

“Resilience truly is a whole-body phenomenon that not only affects your brain but also your microbiome and what metabolites that it is producing,” Gupta said. “We have this whole community of microbes in our gut that exudes these therapeutic properties and biochemicals, so I’m looking forward to building upon this research,” Delgadillo said.

The team’s future research will study whether an intervention to increase resilience will change brain and gut microbiome activity. “We could have treatments that target both the brain and the gut that can maybe one day prevent disease,” Gupta said.
23Jun
India’s gourmet pet food market booms as owners splurge on exotic treats

“There has been a significant increase in demand for gourmet pet food. Pet owners are treating their furry friends like family, since they have more disposable income to spend on their beloved wards. People are becoming savvier about pet nutrition, and look for high-quality ingredients,” explains Dr Shashank Sinha, CEO, Drools Pet food, a company that prides itself on making real, clean pet food which includes vegetarian, non-vegetarian and vegan options. This shift can be accredited to the rise of smaller nuclear families where pets are viewed as valued members, leading to a shift in mindset in pet parenting. “Millennials, are at the forefront of this trend, and are spoiling their furry companions with premium pet products and services,” he reveals.

On Raksha Bandhan day last year, Rani Singh was seized with the desire to pamper her golden lab bro Scotch. She ordered special treats from Paw Petisserie, an exclusive pet bakery. The order included customised edible Rakhi cookies made with peanut butter, which Scotch absolutely adores. They came with special Rakhi-themed decorations, making the memory extra special for Singh. Once Scotch had polished off every last tasty cookie, Singh gushed, “This was the ‘bestest’ Raksha Bandhan ever.”

Yashika Arora, the founder-CEO of Paw Petisserie, believes the outlet’s popularity is because everything is made with pet-safe ingredients. Patrons choose from exotic delights like chicken or mutton ice-cream, different flavours of jams, doughnuts, brownies, breads and salami. However, their most sought-after items are their chicken jerky and mutton chips. “Universally popular ingredients are chicken, peanut butter, yogurt and mutton. Pet parents love our products because everything is human-grade. Even the colours used as decorations for cakes and cupcakes are made from fruits and vegetables,” she shares.
23Jun
Certified Online Training Program on ‘Data Protection Officer’

Applications are invited for Certified Online Training Program on “Data Protection Officer (DPO) (GDPR & DPDPA)” by World Cyber Security Forum. Apply by July 24!

About World Cyber Security Forum

The World Cyber Security Forum (WCSF) is a worldwide renowned cyber consultancy and web community that aims to raise awareness about various internet issues and serves as a source of techno-legal information for professionals, students, and citizens worldwide.

WCSF is not only restricted to providing legal-techno consultancy but also provides free counselling to those in need, workshops, training, and accredited courses for all. The organization also deals in contract administration and contract management.

Individuals are also educated on the most up-to-date cyber news and surveys through the firm. WCSF has been providing fair information to professionals on myriad security concerns that they face on a daily basis as a dedicated cyber security platform.

About Course

This comprehensive course equips you with the knowledge and skills to navigate the evolving landscape of data protection and privacy. Thus, you’ll gain:

  • Understand the current market value for data protection expertise, ensuring you are compensated fairly for your skills. (Note: Up to a 40% salary increase may be achievable!)
  • A deep understanding of data protection regulations about GDPR (EU) and DPDPA (India), ensuring your organization operates compliantly.
  • Learn  to implement and manage effective data protection programs, safeguarding sensitive information.
  • Develop skills in risk management, data protection impact assessments, and data breach response.
  • Learn best practices for implementing data protection measures and managing data privacy programs.
  • Master the art of conducting Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs), cookie audits, managing data breaches, and implementing data protection best practices.
  • Discover the principles of “privacy by design” and “privacy by default,” ensuring privacy is embedded throughout your organization’s products and services.
  • Avail guaranteed and mandatory 2 week online internship program with us where we will be training our attendees on real life projects with 1:1 feedback.
  • Avail three additional training courses essential for a Data Protection Officer (DPO) at no cost, courtesy of the World Cyber Security Forum.

Eligibility

Law Students & Professionals, IT Students & Professionals, Cyber Security Students & Professionals, CISOs and anyone who is interested in making their career in data privacy.

Mode of Course

Online Classes (Remote)

About the Trainers

The industry experts who have extensive work and educational expertise in data privacy or who have served as the DPO in leading international companies will attend all the sessions.

Registration Details

Register today through the link provided at the end of this post.

For any query, please share it in the form mentioned at the end of this post.

Registration Fees

INR 21,999 INR 18,999 (Fees after INR 3,000 discount after applying coupon code “LAWCTOPUS3000”.)

EMI Option available for payment!

Important Dates

  • Last Date to Register: 24th July 2024
  • Training & Internship Dates: 27th July to 31st August (Sessions only on Saturdays and Sundays) (2-week Internship will start immediately after the course ends)

Note: Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. If the full enrollment is reached before the registration deadline, registration will close as soon as the enrollment is met.

Total Duration

Weeks: 6 (Weekend classes only) | Expected Total Time: 18 to 20 hours | Total Sessions: 10

Contact Information

Link to the Course Page

To get a detailed understanding about the course modules, benefits, miscellaneous information and other details please refer here.

Please note: Physical Certificate will be provided to all the attendees (who are residing in India).

Click here to access the official website.

Click here to register.

Click here to submit queries.

Note: This is a sponsored post.
23Jun
Deepika Padukone rocks high heels during pregnancy: Rihanna, Bipasha Basu and more celebs who’ve done it too. Check pics
News
/ Photos
/ Lifestyle Photos
/ Deepika Padukone rocks high heels during pregnancy: Rihanna, Bipasha Basu and more celebs who’ve done it too. Check pics

Published on Jun 23, 2024 10:45 AM IST

From Deepika Padukone to Rihanna and Bipasha Basu, these celebrities are rocking high heels during pregnancy. Check out their stylish maternity looks. All pics

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Published on Jun 23, 2024 10:45 AM IST

Heels during pregnancy? Yes, you heard it right. From Deepika Padukone to Rihanna, these celebrities are redefining maternity fashion with their super stylish looks paired with chic high heels. They prove that maternity fashion can be both fun and stylish, whether it’s a sheer nude dress paired with boots or a bodycon dress with strappy heels. Here’s a look at all the popular stars who have showcased their baby bump in style. Scroll down to take some fashion notes!(Pinterest)

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Deepika Padukone recently showcased her baby bump at the 'Kalki 2898 AD' event in Mumbai. The actress looked stunning in a black Loewe dress featuring a halter neckline and a figure-hugging fit. However, it was Deepika's stylish black strappy pencil heels that stole the limelight. She completed her chic look with subtle makeup and her hair tied in a ponytail.(Instagram)
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View Photos in a new improved layout

Published on Jun 23, 2024 10:45 AM IST

Deepika Padukone recently showcased her baby bump at the ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ event in Mumbai. The actress looked stunning in a black Loewe dress featuring a halter neckline and a figure-hugging fit. However, it was Deepika’s stylish black strappy pencil heels that stole the limelight. She completed her chic look with subtle makeup and her hair tied in a ponytail.(Instagram)

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During her pregnancy, style icon Blake Lively confidently made her baby bump her main accessory. The popular star embraced wearing heels with all her stylish maternity looks, whether it was a mini black dress or an ethereal yellow midi. She effortlessly styled each outfit with complementary pairs of heels, proving that pregnancy fashion can be both chic and enjoyable.(Pinterest)
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View Photos in a new improved layout

Published on Jun 23, 2024 10:45 AM IST

During her pregnancy, style icon Blake Lively confidently made her baby bump her main accessory. The popular star embraced wearing heels with all her stylish maternity looks, whether it was a mini black dress or an ethereal yellow midi. She effortlessly styled each outfit with complementary pairs of heels, proving that pregnancy fashion can be both chic and enjoyable.(Pinterest)

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Meghan Markle's maternity style epitomises class and elegance, with a focus on sophisticated dresses that complement her royal aura. Throughout her pregnancy, one constant in each of her looks was the stunning addition of high heels. These accessories not only elevated her pregnancy outfits but also added a touch of glamour to her impeccable sense of style.(Pinterest)
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View Photos in a new improved layout

Published on Jun 23, 2024 10:45 AM IST

Meghan Markle’s maternity style epitomises class and elegance, with a focus on sophisticated dresses that complement her royal aura. Throughout her pregnancy, one constant in each of her looks was the stunning addition of high heels. These accessories not only elevated her pregnancy outfits but also added a touch of glamour to her impeccable sense of style.(Pinterest)

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Rihanna is known for her daring and bold fashion sense and her maternity looks are no exception. The pop star confidently flaunts sizzling and revealing outfits that embrace her baby bump. From chic strappy heels to stylish boots, Rihanna sets new trends in pregnancy fashion with each ensemble she wears.(Pinterest)
expand-icon
View Photos in a new improved layout

Published on Jun 23, 2024 10:45 AM IST

Rihanna is known for her daring and bold fashion sense and her maternity looks are no exception. The pop star confidently flaunts sizzling and revealing outfits that embrace her baby bump. From chic strappy heels to stylish boots, Rihanna sets new trends in pregnancy fashion with each ensemble she wears.(Pinterest)

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Next on the list, we have the stunning Bipasha Basu. The actress showcases her fashion savvy as she rocks a stylish maternity look featuring a red printed, easy-breezy kaftan dress. She paired it perfectly with a pair of nude pumps heels, complementing her stunning appearance.&nbsp;(Pinterest)
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View Photos in a new improved layout

Published on Jun 23, 2024 10:45 AM IST

Next on the list, we have the stunning Bipasha Basu. The actress showcases her fashion savvy as she rocks a stylish maternity look featuring a red printed, easy-breezy kaftan dress. She paired it perfectly with a pair of nude pumps heels, complementing her stunning appearance. (Pinterest)
23Jun
Twice-yearly shots of Gilead HIV drug effective in large prevention study

Dive Brief:

  • Twice-yearly shots of a Gilead Sciences HIV drug were so effective at preventing infections in a large late-stage clinical trial that study monitors recommend the company stop testing early and offer the drug to all participants.
  • The trial, called Purpose 1 and run in South Africa and Uganda, compared Gilead’s medicine lenacapavir to once-daily Truvada and background HIV infection rates among cisgender women. Lenacapavir proved superior to both, with zero HIV infections reported in the study group, Gilead said Thursday.
  • Gilead hopes testing of twice-yearly lenacapavir will prove it an effective and more convenient preventive option for people at risk of HIV infection. The company expects data late this year or early next from another study that involves cisgender men who have sex with men as well as certain groups of people who are transgender or gender non-binary.

Dive Insight:

Gilead has made oncology a focus of its dealmaking in recent years, investing tens of billions of dollars in acquisitions of cancer drugs and their developers.

But the bulk of Gilead’s business remains in HIV, a field it has long led with a portfolio of pills approved to prevent or treat infections. Lenacapavir is its latest entrant and, as an injection given twice per year, could represent a more convenient way for people to protect against the disease.

“While we know traditional HIV prevention options are highly effective when taken as prescribed, twice-yearly lenacapavir for [pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP] could help address the stigma and discrimination some people may face when taking or storing oral PrEP pills, as well as potentially help increase PrEP adherence and persistence given its twice-yearly dosing schedule,” said Linda-Gail Bekker, director of the Desmond Tutu HIV Center at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, in a statement provided by Gilead.

Gilead released only summary results from the Purpose 1 trial Thursday, indicating fuller details will be presented at a future medical conference.

More than 5,300 women and adolescent girls were enrolled in the study, which randomized participants to receive either preventive lenacapavir, once-daily oral Descovy or once-daily oral Truvada. Both Descovy and Truvada are approved PrEP options.

Lenacapavir and Descovy were then compared to Truvada and, because offering a placebo is now considered unethical in HIV prevention studies, background HIV rates. Researchers reported 0 incident cases of HIV infection in the women who were given lenacapavir, compared to the background incidence rate of 2.41 per 100 person-years.

Lenacapavir was also superior to once-daily Truvada, Gilead said, although the company did not reveal the incidence rate for the Truvada group in its Thursday statement.

HIV incidence among those on once-daily Descovy was similar to that of the Truvada group, but didn’t meet the statistical threshold to show superiority to background HIV incidence. Gilead attributed the latter finding as possibly related to known adherence challenges with once-daily pills.

Brian Abrahams, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets, described the readout in a Thursday note to clients as a “near best-case” outcome. While a positive result had been expected, Abrahams noted that uncertainty remained because Gilead had not conducted a mid-stage study beforehand.

The company will need to obtain positive results from its ongoing Purpose 2 study to support an approval application for lenacapavir in this use. The drug is already approved as Sunlenca in the U.S. and Europe to treat, alongside other therapies, resistant HIV infections in people whose drug regimens no longer keep the disease at bay.

In its statement Thursday, Gilead said that it will soon share more information on its plans for supporting access to lenacapavir, if approved for PrEP, in countries with high infection incidence but limited resources.
23Jun
Why Renting Out Your Mortgage Might Be Smarter Than Paying It Off

When it comes to financial security, traditional advice often centres around paying off your home mortgage as quickly as possible.

The peace of mind that comes with owning your home outright is undeniably appealing.

However, this strategy might not always be the most effective way to grow your wealth.

Instead, using the funds to invest in property can potentially offer greater financial benefits.

Here’s why.

1. Leveraging low interest rates

Even though interest rates in Australia have increased over the last few years, they still remain relatively low compared to historical averages.

Your home mortgage likely has a relatively low-interest rate, especially if you secured it a few years ago.

By choosing to keep your mortgage and instead using your available funds to invest in property, you can leverage this relatively cheap debt to your advantage.

The potential return from a well-chosen property investment, especially if you combine both the capital growth and rental income, would be significantly more than the 5% or 6% you are saving paying down your home mortgage.

2. Opportunity cost of capital

One of the key concepts in investment is the opportunity cost of capital.

When you pay off your mortgage, you’re effectively locking in a guaranteed return equal to your mortgage interest rate – in other words, the 6% or so that you’re not paying on your mortgage.

While this might seem like a safe bet, consider what you might earn if you invested those funds elsewhere.

As I have explained, well-located property investments have historically delivered strong returns over the long term, outpacing the cost of your home mortgage interest.

3. Building wealth through property investment

Investing in additional property can be a powerful way to build wealth.

If you think about it, rather than owning one property, your home, increasing value over time, you will now have two properties taking advantage of leverage and capital growth, and of course, you’ll have your tenants helping subsidise your investment mortgage payments.

One of the big benefits of using your funds to invest in property is that it allows you to take advantage of leverage.

By borrowing to invest, you can amplify your returns – basically, you are controlling a larger asset with a smaller deposit, maximising the return on your funds.

For instance, with a 20% deposit, you control 100% of the property and benefit from 100% of the capital gains, effectively multiplying your investment power.

Remember the bank does not get any share of this tax-free growth.

4. Tax advantages

Investment properties offer tax benefits not available when paying off your home mortgage.

Of course, you don’t invest for tax benefits, but they are the icing on the cake.
23Jun
The Best PC Gaming Controllers of 2024

The tried and tested keyboard and mouse setup has been a staple for PC gamers for decades. However, these days, some of the hottest PC titles are best enjoyed by switching to a gaming controller instead.



Microsoft 

If you’re a PC gamer who wants the best customizable experience possible with your controller, then the Xbox Elite Series 2 Core could be the one for you. Using this wireless controller with the Xbox Accessories app gives you a suite of customizable options, including button mapping, custom player profiles, and light array settings.

It sports a pair of adjustable-tension thumbsticks, shorter hair trigger locks, and a rubberized wraparound grip, which add to the overall pro feel. If you want to change the cosmetics, its thumbstick toppers, paddles, and D-pad can all be swapped out (a thumbstick adjustment tool comes included), and you can choose between wireless, Bluetooth, or USB-C connectivity for added versatility.


Add in an impressive 40-hour battery life, and you have a gaming controller that lives up to its ‘elite’ mantle. It doesn’t come cheap, but if you value near-limitless customization to level up your game time, this is a very worthy upgrade to the standard Xbox core controller.

Xbox Elite Series 2 Core TAG

Best Overall

Xbox Elite Series 2 Core

$117 $140 Save $23

Offering many options for individual player customization, the Xbox Elite Series 2 Core is one of the best gaming controllers for PC gamers overall.

Pros

  • Offers plenty of options for customization
  • 40 hours of battery life
  • Interchangeable D-pad and thumbsticks
  • Non-slip textured grip
  • Available in a range of colors

The Gamesir Kaleid plugged in
Jerome Thomas / MakeUseOf

The GameSir T4 Kaleid is one of the best budget-friendly wired gaming controllers PC gamers could wish for. Its transparent body is ideal for maximizing the customizable LED lighting features, allowing you to tailor its appearance to your liking and play style.


Hall-effect sticks provide a precise level of control free from any niggling drift issues, and macro back buttons allow you the freedom to assign your own commands for a more bespoke experience, which can be further customized using the GameSir Nexus software. Plus, for action gamers, a Turbo function allows you to switch to hair-trigger mode with a quick button press for ultra-responsive control.

Elsewhere, you’ll find a built-in six-axis gyro that supports motion control for intuitive aim assist or steering controls to round out the Kaleid’s list of functions. And with 6.5 feet of cable included, there’s no danger of your gameplay becoming restricted with this impressive, cost-effective controller.

GameSir T4 Kaleid TAG

Best Budget

GameSir T4 Kaleid Transparent PC Controller

For PC gamers who don’t mind a wired connection, the GameSir T4 Kaleid is one of the best feature-rich and budget-friendly gaming controllers currently available.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Surprisingly feature-rich
  • Reasonable scope for customization
  • Cool-looking design

Best Retro PC Controller: 8Bitdo Pro 2

8Bitdo Pro 2 wireless controller with a computer monitor
Jordan Gloor / MakeUseOf


Offering a cool old-school look with convenient wireless functionality, the 8Bitdo Pro 2 is a retro gamer’s dream. But don’t let its more simplistic design deceive you. This wireless and Bluetooth-enabled controller hides plenty of customizable features behind that unassuming exterior.

Using the 8Bitdo Ultimate Software, you can assign macros, set trigger lengths, and access button mapping functions. Thumbstick sensitivity and vibration intensity can also be adjusted, and custom profile switching can be enabled depending on the game.

There are durable hall-effect joysticks that prevent any annoying stick drift issues, and the Pro 2 even supports motion control. Plus, with 20 hours of battery life in the tank (on a full charge), you can enjoy plenty of playtime before it needs a recharge.

8Bitdo Pro 2 TAG

Best Retro

8Bitdo Pro 2

Ideal for retro gaming fans, the 8Bitdo Pro 2 marries a cool retro style with modern-day wireless functionality and is ideal for fast-paced PC gaming.

Pros

  • Cool retro look
  • Decent amount of customization options
  • Hall-effect joysticks
  • 20-hour battery life
  • Also compatible with the Switch and Steam Deck
Cons

  • Software can be a bit hit-and-miss

Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flight Deck
Turtle Beach


The Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flightdeck is a premium controller that’s ideal for your Microsoft Flight Simulator gameplay. Sporting a world-first flight touch display and a customizable OLED HUD, it offers an unrivaled precision experience with more features than you can shake a (flight) stick at.

It consists of a stick module with a gear lever plus a three-position rotary dial, which provides super-smooth throttle control with enhanced haptic detents. It also has a four-way remappable navigation pad and an eight-way HAT switch, which allow you to toggle quickly between attack and fine-tune sensor modes. This gives you complete freedom for customization, with as many as 139 programmable button functions for advanced control.

All this customization comes at a considerable cost, but if you’re serious about your flight sims, this is the controller set you need to elevate your flight time to the next level.


Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flightdeck TAG

Best for Microsoft Flight Simulator

Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flightdeck

Navigate your chosen flight path with sheer precision and control with the Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flightdeck. The perfect gaming controller for fans of Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Pros

  • Incredibly deep customization
  • Offers precision control
  • Can be adjusted to suit all hand sizes
  • Multi-zone RGB lighting
  • On-board audio enhancements
Cons

  • Very expensive
  • For dedicated flight sim fans only

Best PC Fight Stick: NACON Daija Arcade Fight StickNacon DaijaIf you’re looking for a PC controller to help you to KO your opponent with as much proficiency and style as possible, theNacon Daija Arcade Fight Stickhas got you covered. Designed for top fighting games like Tekken, Mortal Kombat, and Soul Caliber, this customizable fight pad has everything you need to bring the pain.

Using the Nacon Daija Arcade Stick software, all buttons are fully mappable. You can set up custom profiles, and swap out the customizable SANWA joystick heads, action buttons, and faceplate to help you juggle those combos with ease. Plus, the textured palm rest means you can do it all in complete comfort, even during extended gameplay sessions.

With added support for audio and chat, you can celebrate your victories with a well-timed taunt or two, as well. The Nacon Daija Arcade Fight Stick is the perfect PC controller for any aspiring ultimate fighting game champion.

NACON Daija Arcade Fight Stick TAG

Best Fight Stick

NACON Daija Arcade Fight Stick

Juggle combos like a pro and get that KO with the Nacon Daija Arcade Fight Stick. Precision control with a host of customizable settings for fighting game enthusiasts.

Pros

  • Plenty of customization options
  • Can be cosmetically altered to suit individual style
  • Supports audio and chat
  • Textured palm rest for added comfort
  • Built with pro-level joysticks and buttons
Cons

  • Expensive
  • Not really suitable for other game genres

FAQ

Q: Can I use my Xbox controllers with PC?

Yes. There are plenty of PC games that allow you to use an Xbox controller instead of a keyboard or mouse. Most Xbox controllers enable you to connect wirelessly with your PC, or via Bluetooth or USB-C cable.


Q: Can I use my PS5 controllers with PC?

Yes. The easiest way to do this is with a USB-C to USB-A cable. With the USB-C end plugged into your DualSense controller and the USB-A plug inserted into your PC’s port, and Windows should automatically detect the controller.

Alternatively, provided that your PC supports Bluetooth, you can connect your PS5’s DualSense wirelessly. Bear in mind that only certain games will support the DualSense’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers.

Q: Are all PC games compatible with a controller?

Most PC games nowadays do provide support for controller-based gameplay. Some older PC games won’t support a controller, although it is possible to map mouse and keyboard inputs into a controller, using an app such as reWASD, or by using Steam’s Big Picture Mode, provided that you have a compatible controller.

Q: How do I get my PC to recognize my controller?

If you are connecting your controller with a USB cable, insert the cable into the USB port and your Windows PC should automatically detect the controller, allowing you to use it immediately.


Alternatively, if your PC is Bluetooth-enabled, you will need to ensure that Bluetooth discovery mode has been engaged. Once this is done, press and hold the sync button on your controller until the Guide button begins to flash. Then, using the Bluetooth menu on your PC, select the option to add the device, to pair your controller with your PC.

23Jun
Erika Girardi’s career funded by stolen client money, prosecutors say

Six weeks before Tom Girardi’s criminal trial in Los Angeles is scheduled to begin, federal prosecutors revealed that they intend to introduce key evidence: that the disgraced former attorney allegedly spent more than $25 million of client and law firm money on the career of his reality TV star wife.

Until now, Erika Girardi — a mainstay of Bravo’s “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” — has rarely been mentioned in her estranged husband’s federal prosecution. Tom Girardi — once a superstar plantiffs attorney and influential Democratic Party donor — and his law firm’s former chief financial officer are accused of stealing $15 million from several clients in a years-long scheme.

In a court filing Friday, prosecutors said they plan to show the jury evidence that Tom Girardi misappropriated far more than that from his law firm, Girardi Keese, and his clients, including the $25 million they allege he diverted to cover the “illegitimate expenses” of EJ Global LLC, a company he formed for his wife’s entertainment career.

“By directing Girardi Keese accounting personnel to make these payments for the benefit of EJ Global, defendant [Tom] Girardi knowingly and intentionally funneled payments sourced from client funds for the improper personal enrichment of his family members,” prosecutors wrote in their filing.

No underlying evidence was included in the filing, and it’s unclear how prosecutors plan to prove their assertion. They did not mention Erika Girardi by name, nor did they accuse her of wrongdoing or knowledge of her husband’s financial practices.

Instead, prosecutors want to rebut Tom Girardi’s defense strategy of blaming the CFO by showing that Girardi was also misappropriating money to spend on his wife and her career.

Erika Girardi’s lawyer, Evan Borges, emphasized that prosecutors did not say the “Housewives” star did anything wrong and claimed that it was “undisputed” that Tom Girardi and his firm handled the finances and accounting of EJ Global LLC.

“She had no knowledge of the actions of Tom Girardi or Girardi Keese regarding client matters or finances,” Borges said, noting that one judge already dismissed a suit against her because of “ZERO evidence” of her involvement in client matters.

“Years ago, Erika filed for divorce and separated from Tom Girardi, and lives in a rental,” Borges said in a statement. “She is entitled to move on with her life.”

Prosecutors want to bring in the evidence related to Erika Girardi’s company, EJ Global, because of what Tom Girardi’s attorneys revealed at a hearing on Thursday. Deputy Public Defender Charles Snyder indicated at the hearing that the defense will point a finger at the law firm’s CFO, Christopher Kamon.

Snyder said his client wasn’t the one “running the machine” — it was Kamon, who oversaw the firm’s accounting department and 127 bank accounts.

In a separate federal prosecution, Kamon is charged with allegedly running a “side fraud” in which he embezzled millions from the law firm using sham vendors, then spent the funds on home renovations, exotic cars and “female escorts,” according to court papers. Kamon, who has pleaded not guilty in both cases, faces a second trial in October for the so-called side fraud.

Girardi’s legal team plans to cite the alleged “side fraud” by the CFO as a cause for large deficits in Girardi Keese’s accounts.

Further, they plan to argue that Girardi was liquidating his personal assets and putting those funds back into the firm for payroll and expenses to offset money depleted by Kamon’s alleged scheme.

In court Thursday, Snyder said that Girardi’s lies to clients about the whereabouts of their settlement money — what prosecutors called “lulling communications” meant to fend them off — were not meant to swindle victims but to permit Girardi himself to get to the bottom of his firm’s finances.

Kamon’s attorney, Michael Severo, poured cold water on the narrative: “It’s just fiction,” he said in court.

With Girardi’s lawyers suggesting that they’ll shift culpability onto Kamon, prosecutors wrote in their filing that evidence of money misappropriated to pay EJ Global’s bills is “essential” to telling “a coherent and complete story of the charged scheme.”

“Excluding such evidence would only serve to distort the truth and leave the jury with the mistaken impression that only defendant Kamon is to blame for such misappropriation when, in truth, defendant Girardi similarly misappropriated tens of millions himself,” the prosecutors wrote.

Girardi and Kamon are scheduled to go on trial together on Aug. 6. But late Friday, Girardi’s attorneys moved to try them separately, in part because their defense strategies are “mutually exclusive.”

That is, Girardi’s lawyers believe that each man will blame the other. They plan to argue that Kamon wanted to cheat and deceive his boss and exploit an elderly man facing cognitive decline. They also predict that Kamon will claim he was “pressured” into acting at Girardi’s command, according to court papers.

Whether to try the two men separately, or to allow evidence of improper payments to Erika Girardi’s limited liability company, will be decided by U.S. District Judge Josephine Staton, who previously ruled Girardi competent to stand trial.

Staton will also rule on a motion filed late Friday by Tom Girardi’s legal team, which asks the judge to suppress evidence provided to prosecutors by the bankruptcy trustee overseeing Girardi’s law firm, saying that a search warrant was never sought to obtain the firm’s internal files and records.

Girardi’s lawyers have argued that the 85-year-old, who resides in the dementia ward of a nursing home, has no short-term memory and does not recognize them or remember the criminal case against him.

But in her ruling earlier this year, Staton said Girardi “clearly understands the nature of the charges against him.”

Girardi was once a titan of the American legal community who won billions of dollars in settlements for clients in a career that spanned five decades. A landmark payout to residents of Hinkley, Calif., by Pacific Gas & Electric and its subsequent portrayal in the film “Erin Brockovich” helped raise Girardi’s public stature. But he was long an insider in California politics, raising sums for governors, senators and legions of local Democratic politicians.

His firm collapsed in late 2020 as evidence emerged that he had misappropriated millions of dollars of settlements that Boeing had paid to widows and orphans of an Indonesian plane crash. The money never reached the families, prompting a federal judge in Chicago to freeze Girardi’s assets and refer him for criminal investigation.

Girardi and his firm were forced into bankruptcy, and since then, scores of former clients have come forward alleging they did not receive all or part of their settlements.

Girardi and his son-in-law David Lira, along with Kamon, also face federal criminal charges in Chicago in connection with the misappropriation of $3 million from the Indonesian plane crash victims.

A trial in Chicago is scheduled for 2025.
23Jun
BIS Introduces Two New Standards To Boost Safety and Quality of EVs; Check Details

New Delhi, June 22: In a bid to boost the safety and quality of electric vehicles (EVs), the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) on Saturday introduced two new standards. The two new standards — ‘IS 18590: 2024’ and ‘IS 18606: 2024’ — will aim to enhance the safety of EVs in the L, M, and N categories.

“These standards focus on the critical component of electric vehicles — the powertrain — ensuring it meets stringent safety requirements. Additionally, they emphasise the safety and performance of batteries, ensuring they are both powerful and secure,” said the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. India-European Union Trade and Technology Council Organise Event Featuring 12 High-Impact Startups in Battery Recycling Technologies for EVs.

According to the Ministry, the shift to electric mobility extends beyond cars and trucks and e-rickshaws and e-karts are gaining popularity across the country. To address this, BIS has introduced ‘IS 18294: 2023’, which establishes safety standards specifically for these vehicles. Tata Motors Announces To Hike Price of Its Commercial Vehicles by up to 2%, Effective From July 1.

These standards cover various aspects, from construction to functionality, ensuring the safety of both drivers and passengers. With these new standards, BIS said it has raised the bar, now having a total of 30 Indian Standards dedicated to electric vehicles and their accessories, including charging systems. “These standards are crucial in driving the transition to a more sustainable, environmentally friendly, and efficient transportation system in the country,” said the ministry.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 23, 2024 10:42 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
23Jun
Banks Are Finally Realizing What Climate Change Will Do to Housing

Clean energy firms are reaping the rewards of this emerging shift. Aira, a Swedish firm that carries out heat pump installations, recently announced that it had struck a deal valued at €200 million ($214 million) for loan commitments from the bank BNP Paribas. This will allow Aira customers in Germany to pay for their heat pumps in installments.

“Banks and financial institutions have a huge responsibility to accelerate the energy transition,” says Eirik Winter, BNP Paribas’ CEO in the Nordic region. That the financing arrangement could also boost property values is a “positive side effect,” he adds.

Home renovations and energy retrofits are not cheap. Loans are often necessary to lower the barrier to entry sufficiently for consumers. Lisa Cooke works for MCS, a body that accredits heat pumps and installers in the UK. She was able to afford a heat pump herself, she says, thanks only to a government grant and just under £5,000 ($6,300) of financing from Aira. “That’s really what has made it achievable for me,” she says. “Even with savings, I wouldn’t have been able to do it otherwise.”

Luca Bertalot, secretary general of the European Mortgage Federation—European Covered Bond Council, says there are huge risks to economic productivity if people can’t secure homes that protect them from the worst effects of climate change. In heat waves, he notes, worker productivity falls, meaning a negative impact on GDP. Conversely, he speaks of a kind of energy retrofit butterfly effect. If people make their home cheaper to cool or heat, perhaps they will save money, which they may spend on other things—their children’s education, say, which in turn improves their children’s chances of a comfortable life (and maybe of buying a climate-safe home themselves) in the future.

But there is still, perhaps, a sluggishness to recognize the storm that is coming. Energy efficiency does little to protect properties from the sharper effects of climate change—stronger storms, rising seas, wildfires, and floods. As governments become unable to cover the costs of these disasters, lenders and insurers will likely end up exposed to the risks. The US National Flood Insurance Program, for instance, is already creaking under the weight of rising debt.

“As the damages pile up, it could well be that the markets will become more efficient and the incentives [to harden properties] become stronger—because nobody’s bailing you out anymore,” says Ralf Toumi at Imperial College London, who consults for insurance firms.

Ultimately, climate change impacts on housing will force some to move elsewhere, suggests Burt. Given the irrevocability of some scenarios, such as coastal villages that could be lost to the sea, or communities that become doomed to endless drought, there are some assets that no amount of hardening or retrofit will ever save. The structural utility of these properties will, like water in a drying oasis, simply evaporate.

To lessen the burden on people who are most at risk of losing their home to climate change, affordable loans might one day be targeted at consumers in these areas to help them move to safer places, says Burt. Lenders who don’t take this approach, and who continue offering mortgages on homes destined to succumb to climate change, may soon rue the day. “If you’re trying to support those markets,” Burt says, “you’re throwing good money after bad.”
23Jun
Giottus Exchange Lists 43 New Cryptocurrencies in India, Pumps Total Token Count to 300

Giottus, a crypto exchange based in India, has bumped up the number of cryptocurrencies listed on its platform for trading. Cryptocurrencies related to decentralised finance (DeFi) protocols, real world assets (RWA), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and memecoins have made it to Giottus’ refreshed list. The exchange claims that it caters to over one million users and the listing of these new tokens is a result of user requests that it has analysed in recent times.

In a statement shared with Gadgets360, Giottus claimed to have conducted analysis of each new token that have been added to the list. Asset quality, reliability, asset fundamentals, and history of market performance are among parameters that were examined, as per the exchange, before adding them to the list.

“The listing of new tokens has been driven by significant demand from our valued customers, particularly in light of the ongoing bull market. The tokens chosen for listing have undergone a rigorous due diligence process which evaluated aspects such as asset quality, reliability, asset fundamentals, and market performance,” the exchange founded in 2017 said.

As per CoinMarketCap, presently the crypto market is lush with over 2.4 million cryptocurrencies in circulation. Giottus alone, claims that it now has 300 cryptocurrencies listed on its platform.

Realising the trend of new tokens finding their ways onto crypto exchanges, the Bharat Web3 Association (BWA) recently laid out a bunch of self-regulatory guidelines for exchanges to follow before listing new tokens on their platforms. The guidelines suggest that all crypto exchanges establish minimum standards to review tokens that are in the pipeline to be listed for public engagement. The exchanges have also been instructed to create their own filtering framework for token listings.

Given that India is deploying regulations to make the crypto sector safe for user engagement, it is expected that more people may attempt to experiment with crypto assets, which despite being volatile in nature, lure-in investors who are looking to make quick money.

As of now, the Government of India has not released its own rulebook on token listings, but has instructed exchanges to complete the KYC formalities of all customers and report any suspicious activities identified internally.

Giottus claims to have registered with India’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) — which was recently mandated by the Centre to ensure that no firm was illegally exposing Indians to the volatile and financially risky crypto space.

“As a registered entity with the FIU and a reporting entity under the India Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (i4C), Giottus adheres to the highest standards of regulatory compliance and believes that such user-centric measures will boost crypto adoption among the masses with its stated aim of reaching five million users by end of 2024,” the exchange added to its statement.

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23Jun
5 ways to align PPC campaigns with business objectives

One of the greatest failings of a PPC specialist is being unable to take a step back and see the big picture.

You can get lost in the weeds of account management and focus too much on vanity metrics, bidding strategy testing and reporting to forget about what the client ultimately wants from the account. 

To be fair, the client is often not great at communicating what that big picture looks like, and they, too, can often get lost in CTR and Search impression share metrics. 

I’ve had more conversations over the years with some clients on why average CPC is up year on year, why they aren’t top of the SERP on certain searches, or why the bounce rate is so high on a Shopping ad compared to a Search, rather than discussing how our overall business objectives are progressing. 

Campaign goals and objectives should be regularly discussed because they are the ultimate measure of success, vary among different people in the company and change over time.

With this in mind, I’ve come up with five considerations for setting up and adapting your PPC goals and objectives 

1. Alignment with overall business goals

Agencies often promise to improve campaign performance but may not know how the client defines performance. Sales teams who are involved in early discussions may have questionable PPC experience since they don’t regularly manage accounts.

Audits are carried out, recommendations are made and account management is handed over. Some conversations are had along the way about the account objectives, but often, this is done after an audit. 

This is odd to me, as without the goals, how do you have context for campaign goals, bidding strategies and account structure? 

Even when objectives are clear, different people involved in the discussions can cause the details to get lost in the setup and week-to-week management.

Those business goals must be the center of your initial campaign strategy and roadmap. Before handling an account, you need to answer the following questions:

  • Is the measurement in place to track all the priority and secondary goals the client wants to track? 
  • Does every campaign currently running, or planned to be built, have a specific goal that is aligned with the overall objective?
  • Is the account structure proportionally reflective of these objectives?
  • How does the business track the success of these objectives and goals? Can we have access to it (Shopify, HubSpot, etc.)?

There will be more specific questions to ask, which may have been covered in the briefing stage, but ensure these are documented and recorded as a reference point for future conversations.

Dig deeper: Setting PPC goals: How to tailor KPIs and metrics for each funnel stage

2. Channel and audience research

With the business priorities and sub-priorities set out, you now have to identify the biggest PPC opportunities that are available to match those priorities.

Research your audience and match their profile with a channel that will produce results based on each priority. Your budget and the client’s available resources will also dictate what channels you decide to invest in.

For example, a new insurance company may have a limited budget to generate brand awareness (priority) and initial leads (sub-priority). 

The first go-to strategy may have been Meta Ads to build awareness and Google Search ads targeting specific keywords for leads. However, the markets using these channels are notoriously competitive, and the average CPC/CPM is very high.

As a new company, they lack a strong brand name and the trust that comes with it. However, they have a young, savvy marketing team and a product targeting a younger audience.

Their team creates high-quality, engaging video content, evident from their YouTube channel, which has 10 times more subscribers than their Meta accounts.

YouTube suits their longer, product-focused videos, and their audience engages better there. Based on this, they decided to focus their advertising budget on YouTube with video in-stream ads for brand awareness and demand gen campaigns for leads.

Dig deeper: Un-silo your PPC campaigns: 4 tactics for more cohesive marketing

3. Enhanced measurement strategy 

It all goes back to your initial conversations. Once priority and sub-priority objectives are agreed upon, identify what needs to be tracked for each objective. Ensure the client agrees with this measurement strategy. 

If the main goal is to generate more revenue, set up revenue tracking for optimization and measurement. This defines success for the account, so client alignment is crucial. Secondary goals might include acquiring new users or increasing average order value (AOV).

Make sure new user acquisition is tracked in both the sales platform (overall) and search ads (platform-specific). This allows you to measure and report on new acquisition bidding strategies.

To measure AOV, implement basket-level data tracking to identify products with the highest AOV. This lets you test bidding on these products separately and measure any uplift.

Often, brand awareness is the most difficult objective to track, and each client will have different ideas on tracking it (e.g., clicks, sessions, views from videos, reach, impressions, etc). 

Some will look deeper, such as brand lift studies (limited to high spenders), direct traffic growth, returning user growth or brand traffic growth. 

It’s likely a combination of these factors and others. The key is to discuss these options with the client and, once agreed upon, make them the focus of advertising measurement, optimization and reporting.

Dig deeper: How to track and measure PPC campaigns

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4. Reporting

With clear and measurable goals and objectives agreed upon, reporting should reflect this as transparently and plainly as possible.

The CEO, CFO, head of sales or any member of the marketing team should be able to understand and interpret a report in the context of the priority and sub-priority objectives agreed upon.

A real-time dashboard is ideal because stakeholders can access reports from any time period without needing frequent email requests for specific data. It should reflect the agreed-upon KPIs for each campaign and metrics related to important objectives like profitability. Organize priority objectives on separate pages to avoid confusion.

You can use a simple test by asking a colleague not involved in the account if they can clearly identify the campaign objectives just by looking at the dashboard structure. 

If someone who also creates dashboards for clients can’t recognize the objectives within 30 seconds, CEOs and CFOs who don’t regularly view dashboards will likely struggle, too. 

Be patient with client feedback on the dashboard’s appearance and data content. Once they’re satisfied, your job is done. It’s also helpful to clearly state specific goals on the dashboard and define where each campaign stands in the sales funnel. 

This transparency is crucial, especially for new team members or those who don’t frequently review dashboards.

Dig deeper: 3 steps for effective PPC reporting and analysis

5. Consistent and structured communication 

With reporting nailed down, you have the foundation for consistent and structured communication among the different client stakeholders.

Carry out monthly report check-ins with your own interpretation of the report, as data alone will rarely tell the whole story and provide context. 

This can be communicated through regular weekly or bi-weekly comms with your day-to-day contact, most likely with the client’s marketing team. 

If possible, build in quarterly and annual reviews. This enables you and the client to regularly take a step back and monitor the overall progress of the objectives. 

Make sure that finance, sales and other leadership stakeholders within the company are brought into these meetings/calls to discuss the overall strategy and reconfirm on their side if their road map hasn’t changed. 

Don’t just rely on the marketing team to keep everyone updated. Often, there will be new members of the leadership team who weren’t involved in the initial discussions, so regularly reaffirming objectives and strategies will be welcomed. 

How often have you left annual reviews with the business leadership team feeling disappointed due to negative feedback? 

It was supposed to be a moment to celebrate the year-on-year increase in conversions and lower CPA, which you thought were the main campaign goals. 

However, it turns out the increased leads are low quality, and there are fewer sales conversions (thanks to the sales team for the updated information). Without their input and involvement, this issue wouldn’t have been identified.

These meetings require more preparation and can be stressful, as opinionated individuals, some of whom have bad memories, will scrutinize everything about the campaigns. However, your consistent and transparent reporting on agreed-upon metrics will serve you well. 

Issues like low-quality leads would have been caught earlier when setting primary objectives. (Remember, you should’ve gained access to the client’s HubSpot account initially, integrated it into our measurement setup and included it in our comprehensive report dashboard.)

As we’ve seen in the past few eventful years for online advertising, markets can significantly fluctuate. As the business goalposts shift, then so should your campaign approach. 

In the case of the insurance company mentioned earlier, after a year with their initial strategy, the annual review showed increased brand recognition and a small number of high-quality leads. 

Market analysis revealed that many competitors had exited the search markets, leading to a 30% decrease in average CPC compared to the inflated numbers of the previous year. 

After reviewing forecasting data, the company decided to pivot and revise its main objective to focus more on increasing lead numbers while preserving quality, with brand awareness becoming a secondary priority.

To achieve this, they decided to increase their marketing budget. Previously, their budget wasn’t sufficient for testing search ads. While lead generation was a secondary priority, they now have enough funds to give paid search a fair trial and increase lead volume to align with their primary objective. 

Their successful brand awareness campaign on YouTube over the past year featured innovative, engaging video ads that bolstered the company’s market reputation and established a stronger authority bias. 

This led to higher conversion rates and a more efficient return on investment from paid search than if they had launched the ads a year earlier, when they had minimal market presence and trust, resulting in higher average CPCs.

The scenario happened because of direct communication and clear reporting of primary objectives with senior stakeholders. It’s crucial to have everything agreed upon set up and performing well through the first four steps. 

However, if this isn’t regularly communicated to company decision-makers, you won’t be able to react swiftly and capitalize on market opportunities as they arise.

Dig deeper: How to deliver PPC results to executives: Get out of the weeds

Contributing authors are invited to create content for Search Engine Land and are chosen for their expertise and contribution to the search community. Our contributors work under the oversight of the editorial staff and contributions are checked for quality and relevance to our readers. The opinions they express are their own.
23Jun
Super Bowl Parade Shooting Survivors Await Promised Donations While Bills Pile Up
Peggy Lowe, KCUR and Bram Sable-Smith

Abigail Arellano keeps her son Samuel’s medical bills in a blue folder in a cabinet above the microwave. Even now, four months after the 11-year-old was shot at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade, the bills keep coming.

There’s one for $1,040 for the ambulance ride to the hospital that February afternoon. Another for $2,841.17 from an emergency room visit they made three days after the shooting because his bullet wound looked infected. More follow-ups and counseling in March added another $1,500.

“I think I’m missing some,” Arellano said as she leafed through the pages.

The Arellanos are uninsured and counting on assistance from the fund that raised nearly $2 million in the aftermath of the shooting that left one dead and at least 24 other people with bullet wounds. She keeps that application in the blue folder as well.

The medical costs incurred by the survivors of the shooting are hitting hard, and they won’t end soon. The average medical spending for someone who is shot increases by nearly $30,000 in the first year, according to a Harvard Medical School study. Another study found that number goes up to $35,000 for children. Ten kids were shot at the parade.

Then there are life’s ordinary bills — rent, utilities, car repairs — that don’t stop just because someone survived a mass shooting, even if their injuries prevent them from working or sending kids to school.

The financial burden that comes with surviving is so common it has a name, according to Aswad Thomas of the nonprofit Alliance for Safety and Justice: victimization debt. Some pay it out-of-pocket. Some open a new credit card. Some find help from generous strangers. Others can’t make ends meet.

“We’re really broke right now,” said Jacob Gooch Sr., another survivor, who was shot through the foot and has not yet been able to return to work.

“We’re, like, exhausting our third credit card.”

As is common after mass shootings, a mosaic of new and established resources emerged in this Missouri city promising help. Those include the #KCStrong fund established by the United Way of Greater Kansas City, which is expected to begin paying victims at the end of June.

Survivors must navigate each opportunity to request help as best they can — and hope money comes through.

GoFundMes, Generous Strangers, and a New Line of Credit

Mostly, it’s the moms who keep the bills organized. Tucked above the microwave. Zipped inside a purse. Screenshots stored on a phone. And then there’s a maze of paperwork: The Missouri state victims’ compensation form is five pages, including instructions. It’s another six pages for help from the United Way.

Emily Tavis keeps stacks of paperwork with color-coded binder clips in her basement: Black for her partner, Gooch Sr.; blue for her stepson, Jacob Gooch Jr.; pink for herself. All three were shot at the parade.

Tavis was able to walk after a bullet ripped through her leg, and she considered declining the ambulance ride because she was worried about the cost — she lacked insurance at the time.

Gooch Sr. was unable to walk because he’d been shot in the foot. So they shared an ambulance to the hospital with two of their kids.

“I’m not paying for this s—. I didn’t ask for this life,” Tavis, laughing, recalled thinking at the time. They soon realized 14-year-old Gooch Jr. had a bullet in his foot as well.

Tavis and Gooch Sr. received separate $1,145 bills for the ambulance. Gooch Jr. did not, possibly because he has health coverage through Medicaid, Tavis said.

She sends the medical bills to victims’ compensation, a program to help with the economic losses from a crime, such as medical expenses and lost wages. Even though Tavis and Gooch live in Leavenworth, Kansas, their compensation comes from the program in Missouri, where the shooting occurred.

The program pays only for economic losses not covered by other sources like health insurance, donations, and crowdsourced fundraisers. Gooch Sr. and Jr. both had health insurance at the time of the parade, so the family has been sending only the uncovered portion to victims’ compensation.

The family initially received a lot of support. Friends and relatives made sure they had food to eat. The founder of an online group of Kansas City Chiefs fans sent $1,000 and gifts for the family. A GoFundMe page raised $9,500. And their tax refund helped.

They knew money might get tight with Gooch Sr. unable to work, so they paid three months’ rent in advance. They also paid to have his Ford Escape fixed so he could eventually return to work and bought Tavis a used Honda Accord so she could drive to the job she started 12 days after the parade.

And because the donations were intended for the whole family, they decided to buy summer passes to the Worlds of Fun amusement park for the kids.

But recently, they’ve felt stretched. Gooch Sr.’s short-term disability payments abruptly stopped in May when his health insurance prompted him to see an in-network doctor. He said the short-term disability plan initially didn’t approve the paperwork from his new doctor and started an investigation. The issue was resolved in June and he was expecting back pay soon. In the interim, though, the couple opened a new credit card to cover their bills.

In the interim, the couple opened a new credit card to cover their bills.

“We’ve definitely been robbing Peter to pay Paul,” Tavis said.

Ideally, the money that eventually comes from the United Way, victims’ compensation, and, they hope, back pay from short-term disability will be enough to pay off their debts.

But, Tavis said, “You gotta do what you gotta do. We’re not going to go without lights.”

United Way Payout Expected at End of June

With every mass shooting, donations for survivors inevitably flow in, “just like peanut butter goes with jelly, because people want to help,” said Jeff Dion, executive director of the Mass Violence Survivors Fund, a nonprofit that has helped many communities manage such funds.

Typically, he said, it takes about five months to disburse the money from these large community funds. Victims can potentially get money sooner if their community has a plan in place for these types of funds before a mass shooting. Funds may also advance money to people with urgent financial needs who are certain to qualify.

The United Way hung banners in the Chiefs colors on Kansas City’s Union Station with its #KCStrong campaign within days of the shootings. Driven by large donations from the team, the NFL, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, other individuals, and local companies, it ultimately raised more than $1.8 million.

The promise of a large payout has kept the injured hopeful, even as many felt confused by the process. Some people interviewed for this story did not wish to say anything negative, fearing it would hurt their allocation.

United Way officials announced in April that donations would be closed at the end of that month. On May 1, the organization posted a notice saying it would issue “claimant forms” and that the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office was helping verify shooting victims. The United Way affiliate’s board of trustees plans to meet June 26 to determine allocations, with payments arriving as early as June 27.

Kera Mashek, a spokesperson for United Way of Greater Kansas City, said payouts will be made to 20 of the 24 shooting survivors. The other four either couldn’t be verified as victims or turned down the funds, she said. Claimants do not include the 67 people prosecutors say were trampled in the melee, she said.

Pending board approval, money will also be disbursed to 14 community groups that support nonviolence initiatives, mental health concerns, and first responders, Mashek said.

To criticism that the United Way didn’t communicate well with the victims, Mashek said it tried to respond in a timely manner.

“We’ve tried to keep that line of communication open as fast as possible and most people have been very patient,” she said. “I think that they will be very grateful and very, I believe, pleasantly surprised with the amount of funding that they receive.”

Other Resources Available

Abigail Arellano hadn’t heard of victims’ compensation, which is common. A 2022 survey from the Alliance for Safety and Justice found that 96% of victims did not receive that support and many didn’t know it existed.

Arellano and her husband, Antonio, didn’t attend the parade but they’ve had medical expenses as well. Antonio has been going to therapy at a local health center to help with the stressful task of guiding his son through the trauma. It’s been helpful. But he’s been paying around $125 out-of-pocket for each session, he said, and the bills are mounting.

One of Samuel’s sisters set up a GoFundMe that raised $12,500, and Abigail said it helped that the family shared their story publicly and that Abigail reached out to help others in the Latino community affected by the shooting.

It was Abigail, for instance, who connected 71-year-old Sarai Holguin with the Mexican Consulate in Kansas City. The consulate, in turn, helped Holguin register as an official victim of the shooting, which will enable her to receive assistance from the United Way. Holguin’s bills now include a fourth surgery, to remove the bullet lodged near her knee that she had previously made peace with living with forever — until it began protruding through her skin.

‘Generous and Quick’ Relief to Victims

Several survivors were relieved and grateful to receive funds from a less high-profile, nondenominational group called “The Church Loves Kansas City.”

The day after the shooting, Gary Kendall, who ran a Christian nonprofit called “Love KC,” started a text chain at 6 a.m. with city leaders and faith-based groups, and eventually received pledges of $184,500. (Love KC has now merged with another nonprofit, “Unite KC,” which is disbursing its funds.)

The first payout went to the family of Lisa Lopez-Galvan, the 43-year-old mother of two and popular DJ who was the sole fatality during the parade shootings. Unite KC spent $15,000 on her burial expenses.

Unite KC spent $2,800 so James and Brandie Lemons could get their health insurance restored because James couldn’t work. Unite KC also paid $2,200 for the out-of-pocket surgical costs when James decided to get the bullet removed from his leg.

“I appreciate it,” an emotional James Lemons said. “They don’t have to do that, to open their hearts for no reason.”

Erika Nelson was struggling to pay for household expenses and had to take time off from her home health care job to take her injured daughter, 15-year-old Mireya, to doctor appointments. Mireya was shot in the chin and shoulder and is recovering.

A GoFundMe page set up by Nelson’s best friend raised about $11,000, but it was frozen after Nelson tried to get into the account and GoFundMe thought it was being hacked. She feared the lights would be shut off in their apartment, because of unpaid electric bills, and was feeling desperate.

“I’m struggling with, like, you know, groceries,” Nelson said. “People were like, ‘Oh, go to food pantries.’ Well, the food pantries are not open the times I can get off. I can’t just take off work to go to a food pantry.”

After meeting with Gary Kendall, Nelson received three months of rent and utility payments, about $3,500.

“A weight off my shoulder. I mean, yeah. In a big way,” she whispered. “’Cause you never know. You never know what can happen in two days, five days, two weeks, two months.”

Samuel Arellano’s family recently connected with Unite KC, which will pay for his ambulance bill, one of the hospital bills, and some therapy, worth about $6,000. The bill for the initial emergency room trip was about $20,000, his parents said, but the hospital had been reluctant to send it and ultimately covered the cost.

And Unite KC also intends to pay off a $1,300 credit card bill for Emily Tavis and Jacob Gooch Sr.

Unite KC has disbursed $40,000 so far and hopes to connect with more of the injured families, hoping to be as “generous and quick as we can,” Kendall said. United Way will be like a “lightning bolt” for victims’ relief, Kendall said, but his group is aiming for something different, more like a campfire that burns for the next year.

“We agree this is a horrific thing that happened. It’s a sad state of humanity but it’s a real part,” he said. “So we want to remind them that God has not forgotten you. And that although he allowed this, he has not abandoned them. We believe we can be like an extension of his love to these people.”

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.

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23Jun
How To Beat The Final Boss In Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is filled with numerous challenges that are sure to test your mettle. Perhaps none are as frustrating as a certain foe, whom you’ll meet at the end of your journey. Here’s our guide on how to beat the final boss in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. Naturally, this article contains major spoilers.

How to beat the final boss in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree – Promised Consort Radahn guide

The Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree final boss is General Radahn, your old buddy from when you had migraines after spending hours in Caelid. Now, though, he’s called Promised Consort Radahn, as he’s revealed to be Miquella’s most loyal companion. You’ll battle him in a legacy dungeon called Enir-Ilim, which you’ll gain access to upon burning the Sealing Tree.

There are some similarities between Mr. Starscourge and Mr. Promised Consort, most notably the use of massive dual greatswords and a penchant for dive-bombing you like a meteor. The key difference, now, is that the fight takes place in a smaller arena and not a desert island, so don’t worry about Radahn galloping around on a tiny horse.

Promised Consort Radahn makes his grand entrance without his tiny horse.

Preparing for the Promised Consort Radahn boss fight

Make no mistake, the Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Promised Consort Radahn boss battle is one of the hardest in the entire game (not just the DLC). We feel that he’s more difficult than Malenia. As such, you need to be well-prepared. We suggest the following:

  • Boost your character’s capabilities and summons by collecting more Scadutree Fragments and Revered Spirit Ashes. We defeated the final boss when our Shadow Realm Blessings were at level 17 and level 9, respectively.
  • Speaking of summons, a single summon like the Mimic Tear or Banished Knight Oleg will not be enough. You might need help from NPC allies. You can call on both Thiollier and Ansbach if you complete their quests. We’ve got all the details for you in our Thiollier quest guide and Ansbach quest guide.
  • Golden Braid talisman – You can find this in the Shaman Village once you access the secret northeast area (Scaduview). It boosts holy damage resistance by the utmost.
  • Dragoncrest Shield Talisman +2 – Found in Crumblign Farum Azula in the base game. This helps mitigate physical damage.
  • Armors with high resistance to holy damage.
  • For those who prefer bleed builds, the new Red Bear’s Claw is a viable option. It comes from the Northern Nameless Mausoleum.
  • Base game options, such as Blasphemous Blade and Dark Moon Greatsword, are still viable. You can also choose the Staff of Loss or other spellcasting weapons.
  • The ground in the arena has a bright color. You should have as few runes as possible in case of deaths. It’s going to be hard to see the marker where you dropped your runes, and you don’t want to run around looking for your XP/currency.
  • Lastly, you’ll want to have high Vigor (at least 60). You’ll need all the HP you can get.
Having NPC allies certainly helps.
Having NPC allies certainly helps.

Phase 1: Promised Consort Radahn

What makes Promised Consort Radahn so dangerous is that his combo sequences have multiple swings (sometimes up to five or six strikes), and these have rather fast animation speeds. He also has the following abilities during the first phase of the encounter:

  • Meteor Dive – Radahn will always start the encounter by jumping into the air and dive-bombing your location. Do not spend these first few seconds casting or summoning. Just dodge the initial dive-bomb to be safe.
  • Meteor Rain – Radahn will jump and spawn half a dozen rocks in mid-air. These will crash one by one at your location.
  • Gravity Pull – The boss will pull you if you’re too far away, followed by a stomp that causes a quake. Dodge the eruption as it’s about to occur.
  • Melee combos – Ideally, you should dodge toward the boss instead of sideways or backwards. His swings have follow-ups that can reach you even if you avoid the first few blows.
Radahn's Meteor Dive must be avoided at all costs.
Radahn’s Meteor Dive must be avoided at all costs.

Phase 2: Radahn Consort of Miquella

The second phase against Promised Consort Radahn in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is where things get extremely hectic. At roughly 60% HP, a cutscene will play and Miquella will make an appearance. He’ll then piggyback off Radahn, like a creepy angelic backpack of sorts, causing Radahn’s attacks to be infused with holy damage. This is why it’s important to boost your holy resistance as much as possible, since the boss’ melee attacks are usually followed by holy-based area-of-effect (AoE) damage.

Likewise, Radahn will retain several abilities from the first phase, and you need to watch out for some new tricks such as:

  • Holy Bombardment – The second phase will always begin with Radahn casting a spell that causes multiple beams to strike your location. Remove lock-on immediately and sprint to the side until the beams are gone.
  • Lightspeed Slash – Radahn will start flashing, then he’ll rush and slice you multiple times.
  • Heavenly Eruption – When the ground starts to glow, a massive eruption is about to occur. This will likely deplete a chunk of your HP. You can either block to help mitigate the damage, or sprint behind the boss since this is a frontal AoE spell.
  • Holy Hug – When Radahn pulls back, he’s about to run and grab you in a bear hug. You don’t actually take damage from this move, as Miquella just goads you into giving up. However, if you get hugged for a second time, your character will die because their “heart was stolen.”
Summoned spirits and NPCs can take the brunt of the damage, giving you more time to find an opening.
Summoned spirits and NPCs can take the brunt of the damage, giving you more time to find an opening.

Promised Consort Radahn Remembrance and rewards

Having as many summoned allies as possible certainly helps in the battle against Promised Consort Radahn in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. Your spirit ash summon and NPC allies can distract Radahn and take aggro for a few seconds, giving you enough breathing room. It’s also beneficial for those who like to cast spells from afar or those who want to do a few strikes to apply bleeding.

If you succeed in defeating the boss, then you’ll receive the Remembrance of a God and a Lord, which can be exchanged for the following:

Option 1: Greatsword of Radahn (Lord)

  • Type: Colossal Sword
  • Effect/description: Promised Consort
  • Stat scaling: Str D, Dex D, Int E
  • Stat requirements: Str 22, Dex 18, and Fai 12

Option 2: Greatsword of Radahn (Light)

  • Type: Colossal Sword
  • Effect/description: Lightspeed Slash
  • Stat scaling: Str D, Dex D, and Int E
  • Stat requirements: Str 38, Dex 12, and Int 15

Option 3: Light of Miquella

  • Type: Incantation
  • Effect/description: Annihilates foes with a pillar of light.
  • Stat requirement: Fai 72
  • FP cost: 48
Make sure you duplicate Radahn's Remembrance, unless you want to fight him two more times in succeeding runs.
Make sure you duplicate Radahn’s Remembrance, unless you want to fight him two more times in succeeding runs.

There are also a couple of other notable goodies:

  • Let Us Go Together emote – Obtained after defeating the boss or if your character perishes to the Holy Hug.
  • Circlet of Light – Obtained after interacting with the Memory Orb (ending cutscene).
  • NPC rewards – You can pick up rewards from the NPC allies whose quests you completed.

That does it for our guide on how to beat the final boss in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. If you’d like to know about other rewards, you can take a look at our boss Remembrances guide.

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree takes you to the Realm of Shadow where you have to search for Miquella the Empyrean. If you’re looking for more tips and tactics, you can head over to our guides hub.
23Jun
Hidden DNA mechanisms of rare genetic diseases uncovered

Researchers at the Pacific Northwest Research Institute (PNRI) and collaborating institutions have made a groundbreaking discovery that could significantly advance our understanding of genomic disorders. Their latest study, funded by the National Institutes of Health and published in the journal Cell Genomics, reveals how specific DNA rearrangements called inverted triplications contribute to the development of various genetic diseases.

Understanding the Study

Genomic disorders occur when there are changes or mutations in DNA that disrupt normal biological functions. These can lead to a range of health issues, including developmental delays and neurological problems. One type of complex DNA mutation involves a structure known as a duplication-triplication/inversion-duplication (DUP-TRP/INV-DUP). This study delves into how these complex rearrangements form and their impact on human health.

Key Findings

The research team, led by PNRI Assistant Investigator Cláudia Carvalho, Ph.D., collaborated with her lab colleagues, study lead author Christopher Grochowski, Ph.D., from the James R. Lupski Lab at Baylor College of Medicine, and other scientists to analyze the DNA of 24 individuals with inverted triplications.

They discovered that these rearrangements are caused by segments of DNA switching templates during the repair process. Normally, DNA repair mechanisms use the undamaged complementary strand as a template to accurately repair the damaged DNA. However, sometimes during repair, the repair machinery may inadvertently switch to a different but similar sequence elsewhere in the genome.

These switches occur within pairs of inverted repeats — sections of DNA that are mirror images of each other. Inverted repeats can confuse the repair machinery, leading to the use of the wrong template, which can disrupt normal gene function and contribute to genetic disorders.

  1. Structural Diversity: The study found that these inverted triplications generate a surprising variety of structural variations in the genome, which can lead to different health outcomes.
  2. Gene Dosage Impact: These rearrangements can alter the number of copies of certain genes, known as gene dosage. The correct number of gene copies is crucial for normal human development and function. Changes in gene dosage can cause diseases like MECP2 duplication syndrome, a rare neurodevelopmental disorder.
  3. Mapping Breakpoints: By using advanced DNA sequencing techniques, the researchers identified the precise locations where these DNA segments switch templates leading to an altered number of genes including MECP2.

Dr. Carvalho and Baylor scientists first observed this pathogenic genomic structure in 2011 while studying MECP2duplication syndrome. Only recently, with the advent of long-read sequencing technology, has it become possible to investigate in detail how it forms in the genome.

Implications for Rare Disease Research and Treatment

“This study sheds light on the intricate mechanisms driving genetic rearrangements and their profound impact on rare diseases,” said Dr. Cláudia Carvalho, PNRI’s lead scientist on the study. “By unraveling these complex DNA structures, we open new avenues for understanding the genetic causes of rare diseases and developing targeted treatments to improve patient outcomes.”

These findings are being applied in a follow-up study led by Baylor’s Davut Pehlivan, M.D., investigating how complex genomic structures influence the clinical features of MECP2 duplication syndrome and their impact on targeted therapeutic approaches.
23Jun
Lawctopus’ Online Course on ADR

Are you looking to further your career in arbitration and mediation but don’t know where to start? This online certificate course by Lawctopus could be the perfect place to start.

Why this Course on ADR

Here’s what Akanksha Mishra, Head of Lawctopus Law School, who was closely involved in developing this course, has to say:

When I was in law school, I was very passionate about arbitration and mediation, and I wanted to build my career in this field. However, upon entering the practical field, I realized that my basic knowledge of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act and mediation principles was not enough for me to understand the procedures before tribunals and courts.

In fact, I did not know anything about the essential documents involved in these proceedings, and I struggled a lot in my career.

At this point, I realized that possessing a foundational and practical understanding of arbitration and mediation procedures, as well as drafts, is crucial before entering the real world.

Hence, to spare you from undergoing similar challenges and significantly expedite your career advancement, Lawctopus Law School has designed a comprehensive course on ‘Alternative Dispute Resolution: Arbitration and Mediation’.

The course covers all arbitration procedures and delves into the intricate details of drafting essential documents such as Statements of Claim, Statements of Defence, Awards, Applications for interim relief, Applications for the appointment of arbitrators, Applications for setting aside arbitral awards, Mediation Agreements, etc.

I urge you not to miss this invaluable opportunity to gain practical insights before embarking on internships or entering the job market. Hurry up and register!

Click here to register for this Course.

About Lawctopus Law School (LLS)

Lawctopus Law School (LLS) has taught a wide range of practical skills to over 14,000+ law students, young lawyers, professionals, academicians, and business people. Over 2000 students have rated our courses; the average rating is 92.6/100.

Our online courses are ‘warm’ and ‘rigorous’ learning experiences!

At LLS, our courses are developed by subject matter experts (practitioners and academicians), and these courses are a mix of:

  • Rigorously researched reading modules that compress years of learning in a few pages
  • Recorded lectures by Industry Experts that teach practical learnings worth decades in a few minutes!
  • Weekly live sessions which build upon the reading resources and recorded lectures to clear doubts
  • Practical assignments that mirror real-life assignments so that you ‘learn by doing.’
  • Personal feedback to all students: know where you are going wrong and how you can improve!
  • Special add-on career webinars
  • The now famous ‘warmth and care’ of LLS

Click here to register for this Course.

Faculty and Course Developers: ADR – Arbitration and Mediation

Mr. Amarjeet Singh Chandhiok is a former Additional Solicitor General of India, a living legend in the field of law, and currently a practicing Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India.

Mr. Chandhiok was a member of ICC Arbitral Tribunals for various international arbitrations. He also represented the Indian Government in the Enron Arbitration in London.

Mr. Chandhiok is a Member of the Russian Centre for Dispute Resolution of the BRICS Forum; President, Maadhyam International Council for Conflict Resolution; Member, London Court of International Arbitration; Member, Indian Council of Arbitration; Accredited Mediator of Singapore International Mediation Institute.

Amarjeet sir has also been a former Principal Counsel, European Union Commission, was the President of Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) for six terms, and President-Elect, The Bar Association of India.

Vijay Purohit is the Partner at P&A Law Offices and has close to 15 years of experience in appearing before the Supreme Court of India, various High Courts, tribunals, arbitral tribunals and quasi-judicial authorities in India.

Vijay completed his B.A.LL.B (Hons.) degree in the year 2009 from the Gujarat National Law University (GNLU).

He specialises in domestic and international commercial arbitration and has been a part of several ad-hoc arbitrations and arbitration related litigation matters, as well as institutional arbitrations involving, as an illustration, the rules of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

Purohit is a ‘Fellow’ of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), London, a member of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) as well as the International Bar Association (IBA). Vijay is also a Permanent Member of the Bombay Bar Association (BBA). He was recognised as one of India’s top lawyers under the age of 40 by the Legal Era magazine in the year 2023.

Faizan M. Mithaiwala is a qualified lawyer in India, enrolled as an Advocate with the Bar Council of India and the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa since 2018. He completed his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from K.C. College and Wilson College, followed by an L.L.B. from Rizvi Law College, Mumbai.

Faizan is currently a Principal Associate at P&A Law Offices. With six years of experience, he has appeared and assisted in cases before the Supreme Court of India, Bombay High Court, National Company Law Tribunal, National Company Law Appellate Tribunal, and other courts in Maharashtra.

His primary focus is on arbitrations and arbitration-related litigation. Faizan has been involved in several ad-hoc arbitrations and an institutional arbitration. He is also experienced in invoking the writ jurisdiction of the Bombay High Court and handling cases under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, amongst other commercial disputes.

Advocate Abhishek Gupta graduated from Campus Law Center, Delhi in 2016 and was an Associate at Luthra and Luthra from 2016-2018

He possess a strong background and rich experience in Arbitration, Complex Contract Litigation, Competition Law, Electricity Law, Insolvency & Bankruptcy, Service and Labour Laws, having appeared in a host of cases before the SC, Delhi High Court, and other Courts and Tribunals in/outside Delhi, including Arbitration Tribunals comprising retired Chief Justices of India, Judges of the SC and High Courts.

He is a panel lawyer for National Aluminium Company Ltd. (NALCO), Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. (ONGC), National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Limited, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL), and other private/public entities.

His writings have appeared in various newspapers and online portals such as the Indian Express, Hindustan Times, Bar and Bench, Live Law, Latest Laws, Swarajya Magazine, The Daily Guardian etc.

Gourav Mohanty is an accomplished dispute resolution lawyer renowned for his extensive experience and expertise in handling complex arbitration cases across various sectors especially in enforcing arbitral awards before courts. Before being an independent practitioner, he worked as a Senior Associate in the Dispute Resolution Team of Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co (SAM).

With a profound understanding of both domestic and international arbitration laws, he has successfully represented clients in high-stakes disputes, securing favorable outcomes through strategic litigation and negotiation.

He has published numerous articles on arbitration in legal journals and reputed blogs, and is a member of Young International Arbitration Group. His dedication has positioned him as a trusted advisor in the ADR community

Aditya Aryan, a trained mediator from ‘ADR ODR International’ recognised by IMI, SIMI, and CMC UK graduated from ICFAI Dehradun and has had a stellar record in the area of Mediation, and Online Dispute Resolution (ODR).

He completed another 40-hour mediation training from ‘YCM’ in Association with Khaitan & Co, FCDR, Prachi Mediation, AMP, and Crek ODR. He has also assessed over a dozen Mediation and Negotiation Competitions of repute including those by ICC, CDRC, NLS, GLC, among others.

Aditya has worked for YCM as an Assistant Trainer and Chief of Staff, and is a Mentee at the International Academy of Mediators. Furthermore, Aditya serves as the Young Member at International Arbitration and Mediation Centre, International Mediation Institute (IMI), Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), and at International Council for Commercial Arbitration.

Click here to register for this Course.

Structure and Timeline of this Course on ADR

Upon registration, you will receive an e-mail containing course access details.

The batch will begin from 10th July, 2024 with a live ‘Orientation Session’ which will tell you how to gain full value out of the course. You can expect to receive the schedule for the live sessions by 8th July 2024!

After the orientation session, you will have weekly live sessions with industry experts.

The weekly live sessions happen in the evenings on weekdays or Sundays so that students and professionals can easily attend the classes without impacting their studies or work.

Module 1: Introduction to Arbitration

  • Introduction to Alternative Dispute Resolution
  • Introduction to Arbitration
  • Types of Arbitration
  • Overview of the Arbitration & Conciliation Act and the recent amendments
  • Everything about the Arbitration Agreement
  • Structure, powers and functions of Arbitral Tribunal
  • Role of Courts in Arbitration

Module 2: Dispute Resolution at Grass Root Level

  • Legal framework governing Lok Adalats
  • Structure, Composition and Powers of Nyaya Panchayats
  • Types of Legal Aid Services
  • Preventive and Strategic Legal Aid

Module 3: Arbitral Procedures and Drafting (In an Arbitral Tribunal)

  • Power of court to refer the parties to arbitration
  • Entire procedure of arbitration proceeding
  • When does the arbitration process commence? (section 21)
  • Interim reliefs sought from arbitral tribunal (section 17)
  • Extension of time limit for conclusion of arbitration process (Section 29A)
  • How to draft a Statement Of Claim? (Practical share-screen video)
  • How to draft a Statement Of Defense? (Practical share-screen video)
  • Quantum analysis in arbitration claims
  • How to write an Award? (Practical share-screen video)

Module 4: Arbitral Procedures and Drafting (In Court)

  • How to draft an Application for appointment of Arbitrator (Section 11)? (Practical share-screen video)
  • How to draft an Application for interim relief before court (Section 9)? (Practical share-screen video)
  • How to draft an Application for setting aside an Arbitral Award (Section 34)? (Practical share-screen video)
  • How to execute an Arbitral Award (Section 36)? (Practical share-screen video)
  • Where and how can the Award be challenged?
  • How to draft an Arbitral Appeal (Section 37)? (Practical share-screen video)

Module 5: International Commercial Arbitration (ICA)

  • Introduction to International Commercial Arbitration
  • Key concepts in ICA, Party Autonomy, Kompetenz-Kompetenz, Confidentiality, Evidence, and Conflict (IBA Rules on Evidence and Conflict – disqualification of arbitrators including rulings).
  • Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards in India (New York Convention and Geneva Convention)
  • How to draft an arbitration clause in an international agreement? (Practical share-screen video)
  • Landmark judgments

Module 6: Introduction to Mediation

  • Introduction to Mediation
  • Different types of Mediation
  • Kinds of cases that can/cannot be Mediated?
  • Stages of Mediation

Module 7: Becoming an Effective Mediator

  • How to draft a Mediation Agreement? Validity of Mediation Agreements
  • Skills of Efficient Mediators
  • Psychology of Conflict
  • Mediation at a Global Level
  • Landmark Judgments
  • Career Opportunities in Arbitration and Mediation

Click here to register for this Course.

6 Unique Elements of this Course

  1. Well-researched, practical, and detailed Reading Resources drafted and reviewed by Experts
  2. Recorded lectures by experts
  3. Weekly live sessions by people who have been there and done that!
  4. Compilation of a list of landmark judgments
  5. Sample drafts of all applications and documents
  6. Compulsory practical assignments

How will this online course on ADR help you?

  • This course will teach you the practical aspects of ADR, Arbitration, International Arbitration and Mediation.
  • Learn about the entire arbitration and mediation procedures.
  • Learn to draft the essential documents and applications required for an excellent arbitration and mediation practice.
  • Get access to sample drafts of all these documents and applications.
  • Familiarize yourself with landmark judgments/cases pertaining to arbitration and mediation.
  • It will save at least 2 years of your legal career! You’d have learned what a lawyer learns after 2 years of practice in 2 months.
  • Law students will be able to ace ADR-related internships.
  • Lawyers will be able to kickstart their practice in the field of ADR
  • Arbitrators will be able to enhance their knowledge.

Who can enroll for this course?

  • Law students interested in the field of ADR
  • Young Corporate lawyers and litigators wanting to kickstart an ADR practice
  • Case Managers
  • Academicians who wish to bring a useful, practical angle to their classes
  • Anyone passionate to learn about Arbitration and Mediation

Click here to register for this Course.

Course Fee

Rs. 7900/-

Course Duration

2 months

Process of Learning

  • Upon enrolment, you will get an email consisting of the course access details
  • Orientation session which explains the logistics of the course
  • Recorded video lectures
  • Practical share-screen recorded videos on drafting
  • Weekly live sessions (1.5 hours long)
  • Text-based reading modules
  • List of landmark cases
  • Online discussion forum for clearing your doubts
  • 2 compulsory assignments
  • Personalized feedback on your assignments

Assignment and Certification

You will receive the certificate upon completing the assignment successfully. Please note that we are liberal in our marking and always give a second chance. What we want is a ‘sincere engagement’ from our learners.

Course Duration and Access

You’ll have access to this course for 4 months from the date of registration.

Questions?

If you have any queries regarding the course, please send an email to [email protected] and we will get back to you within 24 hours!

FAQs:

1. Do we have any live class?

Yes. You will have weekly live classes.

The schedule of the live sessions will be announced 1-2 days prior to the start of the course over Email and WhatsApp. The sessions happen on weekday evenings (7-8.30 pm) or on Sundays so that students and professionals can easily attend the classes without impacting their study/work.

In case you miss a live session, you can watch the recording of the session.

2. For how long can I access this course?

You’ll have the course access 4 months from the date of registration.

3. Can we download the material?

No! Allowing for the downloading of material puts our work at risk of copyright violation and related misuse. Learners can easily access the material (reading modules, recorded lectures, assignments, etc.) from the Learning Management System (LMS).

4. Will I be able to draft Arbitration Applications and Documents after doing this course?

Absolutely! The course has been designed in such a manner that you will learn the skill of drafting all the essential applications and documents involved in arbitration proceedings. You will also learn about the procedure followed in arbitration! In short, you will be able to excel in your career in arbitration and mediation.

Click here to register for this Course.

Need help to decide? Feel free to reach out to us on these channels.

Phone calls/WhatsApp Number: 935 968 4056 (Ishani Patankar, Counsellor, Lawctopus Law School)

Email: [email protected]
22Jun
Sidhartha Mallya and Jasmine are married: See first pic from couple’s London wedding | Trending

Sidhartha Mallya and Jasmine are officially married. The couple tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in London on Saturday.

Sidharth Mallya and Jasmine got married in London today.(Instagram/@jassofiaa)

The first photograph from the wedding was shared by the bride on her Instagram Stories a few minutes ago. The picture shows Jasmine in a white wedding gown, hand in hand with husband Sidhartha Mallya who can be seen wearing his gold wedding band.

Now catch your favourite game on Crickit. Anytime Anywhere. Find out how

Visible in the picture is Jasmine’s stunning diamond ring. “Forever,” she wrote while posting the pic on her Instagram Stories.

Siddharth Mallya is the son of fugitive Indian businessman Vijay Mallya. He had announced his upcoming wedding on Instagram earlier this week. “Wedding week has commenced,” Mallya wrote on Instagram, sharing a picture that shows him posing with his fiancée. The picture shows the bride-to-be in a floral dress, posing against a floral frame with the groom.

Take a look at the Instagram announcement below:

The couple had announced their engagement on Halloween last year.

They had also been spotted together on a shopping spree days before their wedding. The ceremony itself was attended by close friends and family members of the bride and groom. Some of the wedding guests had also shared photographs of the customised wedding favours handed out by the happy couple on social media.

Not much is known about the bride Jasmine. According to her Instagram profile, she lives in the US. A Harry Potter fan and a foodie, Jasmine appears to enjoy travelling. The couple together own a Husky, a Beagle, a Golden Retriever and a cat.

Sidhartha Mallya recently released a children’s book titled “Sad-Glad”, a picture book about embracing changing emotions in children.

He was born in Los Angeles, California, and was raised in London and the UAE. He attended Wellington College and Queen Mary University of London. He then attended the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and began working as a model and actor.

News / Trending / Sidhartha Mallya and Jasmine are married: See first pic from couple’s London wedding

22Jun
Obesity drug from Zealand shows potential in early trial

An experimental weight loss shot developed by Denmark-based Zealand Pharma helped people with obesity lose as much as 9% of their body weight over four months, results the company said support further research on a medicine it hopes could compete with drugs from Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly.

The shot, called petrelintide, is part of a class of drugs called amylin analogues that work differently than GLP-1 agonists like Novo’s Wegovy or Lilly’s Zepbound. They may also be useful in combination to spur greater weight loss. 

The data Zealand disclosed Thursday come from the second part of a Phase 1 trial meant to determine the best dose to advance into the larger studies that might support an approval application. This portion of the trial enrolled 48 people with a body mass index of 29 or higher, and randomized 36 to take one of three weekly doses of petrelintide. The other 12 received a placebo shot. 

Zealand only disclosed data from participants given the highest dose, who lost on average 8.6% of their body weight, and those on placebo, who lost an average of 1.7%. The company expects to release more data at an upcoming medical meeting. 

As much as one-third of people taking petrelintide experienced nausea, one of whom discontinued treatment because of moderate nausea and vomiting, the company said. Wegovy and Zepbound were associated with nausea in around 40% and 30%, respectively, of participants in clinical trials.

Zealand plans to advance petrelintide into Phase 2 testing later this year. That timeline puts it behind Lilly’s amylin-stimulating drug eloralintide, which is already in Phase 2 trials, and Novo Nordisk’s GLP-1 combination drug cagrisema, which is in Phase 3. Cagrisema combines the amylin analogue cagrilintide with semaglutide, the active ingridient in Wegovy and Ozempic. 

However, Zealand executives claimed petrelintide could be “best-in-class” based on the data they’ve seen so far.

In a note to investors, Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Prakhar Agrawal wrote that petrelintide outperformed cagrilintide in a similar trial. In Phase 2, the highest dose of the Novo drug stimulated weight loss of 6% versus placebo, where petrelintide had a 7% margin. The Novo drug was associated with more incidents of nausea.

The differences between the two drugs aren’t conclusive as they haven’t been directly compared in a trial.

Zealand has several opportunities in obesity treatment. Its GLP-1 and glucagon-stimulating drug survodutide, which it is developing with Boehringer Ingelheim, is in a Phase 3 trial. A second GLP-1 drug called dapaglutide is in Phase 2.
22Jun
7 money tips to super charge your finances

Key takeaways

It’s really a combination of our mindset, habits, and behaviours that rule our financial destiny.

Let’s look at 7 tips that could make you rich:

1. If you are born poor it’s not your fault, but if you die poor it’s your mistake

2. Don’t follow the herd

3. You should know how many months you have left in your wealth window

4. Practice delayed gratification

5. Don’t think you can ever make money by trading

6. Avoid Credit Card Debt

7. Insure yourself

Becoming financially fluent will be the best gift you can give yourself. And getting sound impartial financial advice along the way is not a cost, it’s an investment.

The maths behind financial independence is incredibly simple.

But, if that’s the case why do so few Australians achieve financial freedom?

It’s not for the lack of knowledge – there are so many money blogs, videos, and podcasts out there.

Instead, it’s a combination of our mindset, habits, and behaviours that rule our financial destiny.

3 Mind Set

So let’s look at 7 tips that could make you rich:

1. If you are born poor it’s not your fault, but if you die poor it’s your mistake

This quote is often attributed to Bill Gates, a self-made multi-billionaire who is now helping the world through his philanthropic work.

What he’s getting at is that you have to take responsibility for your financial future.

You have to become financially literate.

The problem for many is that becoming wealthy is a long journey and it’s not easy.

But then again why should it be easy?

If it were easy, then the rewards would not be so great.

2. Don’t follow the herd

Each of us has been hardwired by evolution with a desire to be part of a herd.

In the early days of humanity, being part of a herd meant survival.

With a herd, there was always someone on guard for predators or danger, and also certain herd members identified opportunities that could be beneficial to the herd.

However, that’s not the way it works with money unless you want to be average and follow the crowd of average folk.

But if you want to achieve financial excellence, one of the best things you can do is not follow the heart.

You need to break away from the pack, take your own path, and make the best choices for yourself as an individual.

Successful investors know that to get to the top of the property ladder, they need to overcome the fears that hold most people back from ever stepping foot on the first rung, or of not waiting for the perfect time or the perfect investment.

And they also understand the importance of, wait for it, going against the crowd!

Warren Buffet said it best, “Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful.”

3. You should know how many months you have left in your wealth window

Your “wealth window” is the time from now until when you stop receiving an earned income.

How much are you going to earn in that time?

Think about it…if you earn $100,000 a year for the next 15 years you will have $1.5 million passing through your hands.

The big question is: how much of this will you keep?

You have two important stages in your life: a saving and investment stage – this is what I call your “wealth window” and your spending stage – your retirement.

For many Australians there biggest asset is their income earning capacity over the rest of their “wealth window.”

Your financial future will depend on the balance between enjoying your money now and planning for “then.”

Which leads to…

4. Practice delayed gratification

If you want more money and freedom in life you’re going to have to practice delayed gratification.

Successful people possess higher patience and an aptitude to postpone the enjoyment of their work.
22Jun
Experience a Romantic Weekend in Chicago

Planning the perfect romantic weekend doesn’t always mean jetting off to a far-flung destination. Sometimes, the most unforgettable experiences are right in your backyard. Chicago, with its stunning skyline and vibrant culture, offers countless opportunities for romance. From scenic bike rides along the lake to intimate dinners at award-winning restaurants, the city has everything you need to create cherished memories.

Imagine starting your day with a stroll down The Magnificent Mile, exploring historic sites and luxury boutiques. Lunch at a cozy spot like The Purple Pig, sharing small plates and savoring the moment, sets the tone for a day filled with love. As evening falls, the city’s romantic restaurants and cocktail bars with sweeping views provide the perfect backdrop for an enchanting night out. Whether it’s the charming Gold Coast area or a luxurious hotel stay, Chicago knows how to set the mood for love.

Planning Your Romantic Weekend in Chicago

Opt for a weekend in Chicago to explore breathtaking views, delicious food, and luxurious stays.

Choosing the Right Time to Visit

While Chicago charms in any season, the ideal times are spring (April to June) and fall (September to November). Mild temperatures and colorful scenery create a perfect romantic backdrop. Summer festivals and winter holiday lights also offer unique experiences. For fewer crowds and lower rates, consider a mid-week visit.

Related Reading: Travel For Two: Tips For Planning Exotic Couples Trip

Getting Around the City

Navigating Chicago is straightforward with its efficient public transportation. The “L” trains and buses cover most attractions. For a more intimate experience, rent bikes and ride along the Lakefront Trail. Taxis and rideshare services keep travel stress-free. Many luxury hotels, like those in the Gold Coast area, are centrally located, making walking a viable and scenic option.

Romantic Accommodations in Chicago

Exploring romantic hotels in Chicago adds an extra layer of charm to any weekend getaway. Whether you’re seeking cozy, boutique lodgings or lavish, luxury options, Chicago offers accommodations tailored to create unforgettable experiences for couples.

Boutique Hotels for a Cozy Stay

Boutique hotels provide an intimate and charming environment, perfect for a romantic weekend. Chicago Athletic Association transports guests to a centennial library with wooden bookshelves and fireplaces in The Drawing Room. Sip on your favorite drink and snack on a meal while soaking in the historical ambiance.

For a unique experience, check out the Hyde Park neighborhood’s literary-themed Sophy Hotel. Decorated with local art and bookish charm, it’s a perfect spot for a cozy, thoughtful stay. Another excellent choice is the Publishing House Bed and Breakfast. Nestled in the West Loop, it offers a warm, inviting atmosphere with gourmet breakfasts and personalized service.

Luxury Options for Ultimate Comfort

For those wanting ultimate comfort, Chicago’s luxury hotels offer top-tier amenities and romantic settings. The Four Seasons Chicago, located near Michigan Avenue, offers exclusive experiences like the Skylight Swim. Enjoy private access to a 50-foot indoor pool and jacuzzi, champagne, and canapés, making it an unforgettable night.

At the Park Hyatt, diners at NoMI Kitchen savor fresh American contemporary cuisine with stunning views of Lake Michigan. The window tables are among the city’s most romantic dining spots. The hotel itself is renowned for its luxurious rooms and impeccable service.

Another remarkable choice is The Langham, Chicago. This hotel features elegant, spacious rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows offering breathtaking views of the cityscape. Pay a visit to the Chuan Spa for rejuvenating treatments, adding a relaxing touch to your romantic weekend. Anchoring any romantic weekend in Chicago, picking the right accommodation sets the stage for creating lasting memories.

Activities for Couples in Chicago

Couples looking to ignite their passion will find an array of romantic activities in Chicago. From stunning architecture to intimate dining venues, there’s something for everyone.

Explore the City’s Architecture and Parks

Chicago’s iconic skyscrapers and breathtaking parks offer perfect settings for romantic strolls and memorable moments. Millennium Park, home to the famous Cloud Gate sculpture, provides scenic walking paths and art installations. For those who appreciate architecture, the Chicago Riverwalk showcases the city’s impressive skyline and historical buildings. Walking along the Lakefront Trail gives couples picturesque views of Lake Michigan and the city’s horizon.

Related Reading: 5 Reasons Why You Should Travel With Your Partner

Enjoy Intimate Dining Experiences

Chicago’s dining scene is rich with intimate venues perfect for couples. Geja’s Cafe, known for its cozy ambiance and four-course fondue dinners, has been a favorite for over 50 years. Couples can enjoy exquisite selections like beef tenderloin, lobster tail, and sea scallops. For French cuisine lovers, Bistro Campagne offers a warm interior and a charming outdoor patio, ideal for a romantic evening. A variety of Michelin-starred restaurants and rooftop eateries also provide unique dining experiences with stunning views of the city.

Take a Scenic Boat Tour

A scenic boat tour on the Chicago River or Lake Michigan offers couples unparalleled views of the city’s architecture and skyline. These tours allow an intimate setting while learning about Chicago’s history and landmarks. For a more romantic touch, evening cruises provide breathtaking views as the city lights reflect on the water. Whether it’s a daytime architectural tour or a sunset sail, a boat tour is a quintessential Chicago experience for couples.

Evening Entertainment for Two

Chicago offers many options for a romantic evening out. Enjoy fine dining, live music, or a comedy show for a memorable night with your special someone.

Related Reading: 27 Road Trip Games For Couples That Make Travel More Fun

Discover Jazz and Live Music Venues

Chicago’s jazz scene is legendary. One of my favorite spots is the Green Mill Cocktail Lounge. This historic venue, once frequented by Al Capone, boasts an intimate setting perfect for couples. For a modern twist, try Andy’s Jazz Club where talented musicians deliver electrifying performances nightly. If you’d rather have a diverse mix of genres, check out the House of Blues. Located near several romantic hotels in Chicago, it offers a vibrant atmosphere and a full dinner menu, making it a one-stop spot for both dining and entertainment.

Laugh Together at a Comedy Show

For those who prefer laughter, Chicago’s comedy scene won’t disappoint. The renowned Second City is a great place to start. Known for launching the careers of numerous comedians, this theater presents top-notch improv and sketch comedy. Another venue, Zanies Comedy Club in Old Town, offers an intimate setting with frequent performances by stand-up comedians. It’s a cozy place to share a night of laughter and create lasting memories.

Unforgettable Romantic Gestures

Creating memories through heartfelt gestures adds a special charm to any romantic weekend. Chicago offers numerous opportunities for expressing love in unique ways.

Stroll Along Lake Michigan at Sunset

A walk along Lake Michigan at sunset provides a breathtaking backdrop. The serene water, accompanied by the changing hues of the sky, creates an ambiance that’s both calming and romantic. Lakefront trails offer convenient routes for leisurely walks. For an added touch, consider visiting Millennium Park located nearby. Holding hands as you explore this iconic area amplifies the experience.

Related Reading: Tips To Travel On A Budget: Cheap Travel Hacks

Visit the City’s Iconic Observation Decks

Observation decks in Chicago offer unparalleled views of the city’s skyline and Lake Michigan. The Skydeck at Willis Tower and 360 Chicago at the former John Hancock Building provide sweeping views from staggering heights. Standing together while observing the bustling city below makes for a memorable moment. If timing permits, try visiting during sunset to witness the city transition into night, enhancing the romantic atmosphere

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22Jun
Five years after Tyler Skaggs’ death, his loved ones’ grief remains raw

LOS ANGELES — Without even noticing, Debbie Skaggs, the mother of the late Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs, slips into the present tense. For three short sentences, her voice elevates, her face lights up.

“He doesn’t big league anyone,” she said. “He’s funny too, he’s a funny guy. And he’s a total music guy.”

For a moment, it’s almost forgotten. But Debbie’s reality is never gone for long: Tyler’s death from a fentanyl overdose, now five years ago. The revelation of his drug abuse. The high-profile trial of a former Angels communications employee. The still-pending $100 million lawsuit against his former team. The fact that she must speak about her son in the past tense.

Skaggs was using oxycodone, and regularly relied on then-Angels communications director Eric Kay, an addict himself, to supply him. Soon after arriving in Texas on July 1, 2019 for a road series, Skaggs swallowed a pill from Kay that contained a lethal dose of fentanyl. He overdosed, choking on his own vomit, and was discovered by hotel employees and team officials the next morning.

Kay was convicted of distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death, and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. He is in federal prison, serving a 22-year sentence.

Five years later, much of the world has moved on. There are small reminders of Skaggs in the Angels’ orbit — a remembrance on the apartment complex next to the stadium, a brief highlight in the Calling All Angels pre-game montage. But, largely, people’s lives have resumed.

For those who loved Skaggs the most, however — his mother; his father, Darrell Skaggs; his wife, Carli Skaggs; and his best friend, Andrew Heaney — moving forward has been a challenge. Much of their lives are still defined by the grief that has been with them for the last five years.

Near the entrance to Debbie’s Los Angeles home is a shrine to her late son. Photos and paintings of him line the walls. In another room is a framed jersey with Skaggs’ number that Nationals starter Patrick Corbin wore as a tribute.

Debbie and Carli, who chose to be interviewed together in Debbie’s home, are close. They’re comfortable finishing each other’s thoughts and asking one another for confirmation when discussing their memories of Tyler. They still regularly get lunch and go for walks.

“I think about Tyler all the time,” Carli said. “I think about the family that we’d have. How many kids we’d have. Just what our life would be like right now. All the time, I think about it.”


Carli Skaggs started dating Tyler in 2013. Just weeks before his death, they were discussing children and their future. (Courtesy of the Skaggs family)

Heaney was Skaggs’ rotation mate and closest friend, despite polar opposite personalities.

Heaney is an introvert, not one to easily form close friendships; Skaggs was gregarious and outgoing, someone everyone felt they knew. He picked his teammates’ walk-up songs, volunteered for charity events and organized dress-up days.

“He made me come out of my shell. In situations (that), had he not been there, I probably wouldn’t have,” Heaney said. “He made me a better person because he allowed me to shine a little bit more, when otherwise I wouldn’t have.”

Skaggs was the guy that Heaney would vent to. “I can’t f—ing get anybody out right now,” Heaney would say when he struggled. Sometimes Skaggs would make Heaney laugh. Sometimes he’d have advice. Sometimes he’d tell him to “suck it the f— up.” But Skaggs always delivered for his friend.

They’d talked about what it would be like to reach fatherhood at the same time. They discussed winning a World Series together. They plotted to sign with a new team together in free agency someday.

Heaney has since become a father to twin girls, just two days after the fourth anniversary of Skaggs’ passing. He signed with a new team in free agency, and, last year, Heaney played a significant role in the first-ever Rangers World Series championship. All the things he’d talked about with Skaggs, the times he’d planned to share with his friend. Instead, he felt guilty: He got to have what Skaggs never will.

“I’m not great at dealing with emotions,” Heaney said. “It’s just hard. For a while there, it was difficult. I didn’t know what to say, I don’t know how to deal with this.”

Heaney has a hard time accepting that Skaggs was abusing pills. He says he never saw that side of him.

He was the prosecution’s first witness in Kay’s trial. Five other MLB players testified about buying drugs from Kay. Matt Harvey testified about providing Skaggs with drugs. Other players testified about Skaggs’ actions the evening of his death.

Heaney’s purpose as a witness was different. He was there to let the jury know who Tyler was as a person, teammate and friend.

For Carli, this trial — delayed several times for more than a year — was an interminable wait. It was a necessary step in the healing process for both her and Debbie. Heaney viewed it differently.

“It didn’t change anything for me,” Heaney said. “I understand there’s a process where people need to be held accountable for whatever they may or may not have done. I just felt like that’s not up to me. I guess I’m impartial in that sense. I wasn’t there for any sort of result.”

Heaney admits he didn’t really care about playing baseball for a while following Skaggs’ death. He had a hard time being present with his teammates. The guy that got Heaney out of his shell was no longer there.

“The void of being in the same organization on the same team,” Heaney said, “and just not having the guy that was my locker neighbor, and my spring training catch partner and the guy that I’d go watch his bullpens, and he’d watch mine, I’d talk with him — I didn’t have that.”

“When you have that one person that you feel like you can be a little more vulnerable with, or closer to, and then they’re gone, you kind of just clam up.”

When Heaney signed with the Rangers and moved to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, he did it fully realizing that it meant a return to the site of trauma. That frightened him. His home was close to the Southlake Plaza where the pair would eat, and not far from the hotel where Skaggs’ life ended.

For a while, Heaney did everything he could to avoid going there, or even seeing it. Eventually, as time has passed, he’s loosened that self-imposed restriction.

“That’s not a good way to think — that some location or stupid f—ing hotel determines where I have good or bad memories of him,” Heaney said. “My memories are up here. Not where I am physically.

“… I don’t know if this is a weird way to say it. But if that’s the place where he passed, maybe that’s the place where I can get closest to him.”


Andrew Heaney, now with the Rangers, struggled with guilt as he reached milestones he and Skaggs had discussed together. (Bailey Orr / Texas Rangers via Getty Images)

Tyler held Carli in his arms, looked her in the eye, and told her that he wanted to have a baby. Just weeks before his death, it felt like their lives were just beginning.

The couple had recently bought a home in Southern California, and discussed adding a child’s room with the architect.

Today, Carli lives alone in a Los Angeles apartment. She rents out the home they purchased together. Following Tyler’s death, she moved in with her parents for two years. She doesn’t keep many photos or reminders of Tyler at her home — seeing his face everywhere would be painful. She took off her wedding ring.

“It’s a reminder of what I no longer have,” Carli said. “It’s not my reality anymore. It’s really hard for me.”

The couple met in 2012, and started dating in 2013. Not long before, Tyler had approached his family and told them he had a Percocet addiction. They tried to help him wean off the drug, but he quit cold turkey.

Carli said she was unaware of her husband’s drug abuse. That part of his life didn’t seem to infiltrate the one they shared. She remembers an engaged husband, constantly texting to tell her that he loved her. She said they had a “healthy” obsession with each other.

Because of that, when he stopped responding to her text messages in the early morning hours of July 1, 2019, she was worried. But the possibility of a drug overdose didn’t enter her mind.

“I was as confused as anybody else was. I was shocked. I wanted answers. I wanted to know what was going on,” Carli said. And has she gotten those answers? “Some answers, not all.”

Before the start of every season, the Dodgers and Angels play three exhibition games at their home ballparks. This spring, a friend left Carli seats to the matchup at Dodger Stadium. It was the first time since 2019 that she’d been back at a ballpark to see the Angels play.

For years, baseball was a massive part of her life. She moved with Tyler each spring to Arizona. She went to the games, and broke down his starts with him. But now, just being back in that environment was anxiety-inducing. She’d avoided it for years.

“I feared all the feelings that I would feel going to the game,” Carli said. “I didn’t want it to set me back. It felt good being there, because the field is where Ty loved to be.

“I thought that he would be happy that I was there, and that made me happy. But it also made me envision Tyler on the mound, and that made me miss him even more. I’m proud of myself for conquering that fear.”

Still, for Carli, there remains no getting over Tyler. She still wants to be a mom, but has a hard time imagining that life with anyone else. “If that’s meant for me, it’ll happen,” said. Her career is centered around this experience; she volunteers as an advocate for victims of crimes  (she prefers to not publicly share where, in order to preserve her privacy). But a daily “emptiness,” as she describes it, persists.

“Everything reminds me of him,” Carli said. “I talk to him. Sometimes I talk out loud. Sometimes I talk to myself.”


Debbie Skaggs used to talk or text with her son every day. She still talks to him, even if he can’t respond. (Courtesy of the Skaggs family)

At least once a day, Debbie will sit down on the couch nearest to the front door of her Los Angeles home. It looks directly toward the shrine she created for her son.

There are paintings of him from when he was young, and one of her with Tyler. There’s a framed jersey with accompanying photos. His flame-shaped urn rests on a table with his glove on top of it. The bubble gum that remained in his locker sits next to it.

She comes there daily to talk to Tyler. Mostly, it’s to tell him that she misses him.

“I have a lot of memories of Tyler. I love looking at him. This is my little meditation area. I’m just proud of him, the person that he was,” Debbie said. “‘You were a great kid, Tyler. And I’m so proud of you.’”

Debbie often receives messages from people who knew Tyler, or knew of him. People who check in to talk. Sometimes she will respond; sometimes, it’s too hard.

Recently, at the grocery store, she ran into an old acquaintance who asked how Tyler was doing. Their kids had played youth sports together, and the woman was completely unaware that he’d been gone for years.

The publicity surrounding the case has been “kind of a double-edged sword,” Debbie said. It’s given the Skaggs family a voice. And it’s made experiences like the one in the grocery store less common. But it’s also placed their son in the center of a major national news story, with all the accompanying scrutiny.

“We’re lucky that we do have this platform, and there are many families that don’t,” Debbie said.  “(But) it’s always hard when somebody who doesn’t know Tyler says something, when they have no idea about the type of person that Tyler was.”

Debbie’s ex-husband, Darrell Skaggs, was recently hospitalized. He’s dealt with health issues for a long time, but they’ve worsened since his son’s death. Debbie and Carli keep up with him, text him, and try to give him some hope.

He never remarried, and lives with his sister. As Debbie said, “Ty was his life.”

“It’s definitely a battle for him,” she said. “He misses Tyler a lot.”

At Kay’s sentencing, a statement was read on Darrell’s behalf detailing his depression and the impact this has had on his life. He was unable to talk for this article because of his hospitalization.

Every once in a while, Debbie will turn on the baseball game, and she’ll see the Angels dugout. She used to wait for the camera to pan to the dugout to get a quick look at Tyler watching the game. Debbie loved watching baseball. But really, she loved watching her son play it.

She hasn’t been back to any ballgame since the night the Angels honored Tyler in 2019 — the night that Heaney convinced her to throw the ceremonial first pitch from the rubber. She delivered a strike, and the Angels, fittingly, went on to throw a combined no-hitter. Her interest in the sport now mostly revolves around following her son’s teammates and friends.

Debbie retired from teaching two years ago, but she returned this semester to fill in at Santa Monica High School. She has so many memories of Tyler there, both as a student and the guy who came back to impart wisdom to the softball team she coached.

Debbie and her son used to talk on the phone, or text, every single day. Debbie still talks with her son, even if he can no longer respond.

“(People) ask, ‘How do you get through it as a mom?’” Debbie said. “And I say, ‘Honestly, I’m still not over it. Every day is a battle.’”

Debbie and Carli also continue to deal with legal battles and litigation. Debbie’s frustration now is focused on the Angels. She remains upset, to this day, that no one from the team called her until after his passing was made public.

It was then-GM Billy Eppler who called Carli. When the phone rang, Carli stopped driving in the middle of the road. After receiving the news, she entered her parents’ home in a state of shock. She called Debbie, forced to deliver the unimaginable news herself. Debbie crumpled to the floor.

Debbie believes that the franchise was derelict in its duty. Following Kay’s conviction, the family’s attorney released a statement saying “The trial showed Eric Kay’s drug trafficking was known to numerous people in the Angels organization.”

Debbie, Carli and Tyler’s father, Darrell, filed a wrongful death lawsuit in 2021, alleging that the Angels either knew, or should have known that Kay was providing drugs to Skaggs.

The family’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, told The Athletic that the Angels have stalled the case. “We’re still arguing discovery matters, and the Angels are resisting it at every stance,” Hardin said. “We’ve got very little from them. The Angels are doing everything they can to keep us from getting the relevant information we need.” He said that a settlement has not been discussed by either side.

Angels outside counsel Todd Theodora responded in a written statement, stating “Fortunately, a retired judge is closely supervising the entire pre-trial discovery process and ensuring that it unfolds with integrity. Angels Baseball has honored all requirements and has faithfully followed and will continue to follow all of her directives.”

The civil trial against the Angels was initially scheduled for October 2023, but has been delayed until April 2025.

“The Angels should have known,” Debbie said.

As much as Debbie and Carli remain angry with the Angels, their views on Kay have shifted over time. At Kay’s sentencing, the prosecution asked for the judge to go above the 20-year mandatory minimum sentence. In the family’s view, Kay killed Tyler. Now, however, their feelings about him  seem to have softened.

“It didn’t make a difference how many years he got, it’s not going to bring Tyler back,” Debbie said. “No one wins in this situation.”

“His family also loses their loved one,” Carli added. “His kids don’t (have their father).”


Tyler Skaggs’ mother Debbie was a softball coach at Santa Monica High, where Tyler would eventually play multiple sports. The Angels selected him in the 2009 MLB draft. (Courtesy of the Skaggs family)

Everyone that cared about Skaggs has seen their lives change since he died.

There’s a framed photo that hangs above Mike Trout’s locker. It showcases different images of Tyler, and others of Trout wearing his friend’s No. 45 jersey. Tyler and Carli’s wedding invitation is wedged in between the frame and the photo.

Every year, on the anniversary of his death, Carli, Debbie and Tyler’s friends will go to the beach in Santa Monica, near the pier, where they once spread his ashes. It’s a place that he loved. They walk past the mural located near his high school. It shows Skaggs smiling, flipping a baseball in the air with a blue hue emanating from his image.

The family has established a foundation in his name to provide financial support, through grants and scholarships to worthy students.

There are ways in which his memory is living on, both through images and tangible actions. Small things that give some light to an otherwise unimaginable tragedy.

“For every person that I watched him do charity events and make them smile,” Heaney said. “For every person that I saw him sign autographs for. For every teammate that I saw him make laugh. For every teammate that I saw him make dance. For every teammate that I saw him make in scream in joy for what he did on the mound or laugh for what he did in the clubhouse, I want them to remember that.”

Grief takes many forms, and evolves over the years. For Carli, it hurts to look at photos. For Debbie, it hurts not to. Heaney can go a few days without thinking about Skaggs. Then it will all wash over him in periodic dreams that end jarringly when he awakens to reality.

Five years is a long time. But grief doesn’t have an end date.

“I want to feel peace and happiness,” Carli said, with a small chuckle to recognize how easy that is to want, and how hard it is to achieve.

“I want to carry his legacy,” Debbie said. “I want people to remember how he lived, not how he died.”

(Top image: Eamonn Dalton / The Athletic; Photo: Jeff Chevrier / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
22Jun
How to Factory Reset Your Chromebook

Quick Links

Key Takeaways

  • Powerwashing a Chromebook can fix issues by deleting files and resetting system settings, but you will lose your data.
  • You can hard reset your Chromebook through the Settings app or with the logged-out method.
  • If issues persist after powerwashing, you may need to perform a full recovery by reinstalling ChromeOS.



Chromebooks are stable and secure, but your options for fixing a broken Chromebook are somewhat limited. If you’re not worried about data loss, powerwashing your Chromebook is one of the best ways to restore its functionality. Here are two methods you can use to factory reset your Chromebook.


How to Factory Reset Your Chromebook Through Settings

Factory resetting (or “powerwashing”) your Chromebook is the simplest recovery option you can use to try to repair your Chromebook. When you factory reset your Chromebook, the powerwash will delete all of your locally stored data but won’t reinstall ChromeOS itself.


It will remove your associated Google accounts, and will also delete any saved networks and owner account permissions on your device. Because powerwashing deletes all of your system configurations, it’s capable of repairing OS issues that you may have accidentally created.

Factory resetting your Chromebook can’t fix issues with the operating system, however. If issues with your Chromebook persist, you may need to reinstall ChromeOS to fix it.

Remember: you will lose all of your locally stored files if you factory reset your Chromebook. To preserve them,
back up your files
on an external drive or to the cloud.

To hard reset your Chromebook through Settings, take the following steps:

  1. Click on the time in the taskbar in the bottom right corner of your screen and then select the Settings gear to open the Settings app.
    accessing the settings through the mini taskbar menu on chromebook

  2. Find and select System Preferences in the navigation menu on the left side of the Settings app.
  3. In the expanded options that appear in the main panel, scroll down until you find the Reset section.
  4. Under the Reset heading, click on the Reset button to the right of the Powerwash option to reset your Chromebook.
  5. A prompt will appear asking you to restart your device before resetting it. Click Restart to initiate the powerwash.
    confirming the restart your device prompt before powerwashing chromebook


If you’re planning on giving your Chromebook to another person, make sure to remove any external storage devices, such as SD cards. Powerwashing only erases the hard drive of the Chromebook itself.

How to Factory Reset a Logged-Out Chromebook

You can’t access Settings if you’re locked out of your Chromebook, and you don’t have any hope of repairing issues with your Chromebook as long as you can’t access the device. Luckily, there is a workaround you can use to factory reset a logged-out Chromebook.

You shouldn’t try to factory reset a school Chromebook or managed device. If you’re experiencing issues with a managed device, it’s better to ask for help than to potentially damage the device.

Here’s how to factory reset your Chromebook, even when it’s logged out:

  1. Boot up your Chromebook and wait for the lock screen to appear. Ideally, your Chromebook should be plugged in before you attempt to factory reset it.
  2. Simultaneously press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R to initiate the powerwashing process.
  3. A prompt will appear asking whether you want to Reset this Chromebook. Click on the Powerwash and Revert button to factory reset your Chromebook.


factory resetting a Chromebook without being logged in through the keyboard shortcut

After you reset your Chromebook, you’ll be prompted to log in to your Google account and set up the device. If you used Google Drive to back up your data before factory resetting your device, it will be immediately accessible once you log in.

No matter why you factory reset your Chromebook, powerwashing is a powerful process that can make even the oldest devices as good as new. If it doesn’t resolve your Chromebook’s problems, tactics like reinstalling ChromeOS may also help.


22Jun
Justin Timberlake addresses DWI arrest at Chicago tour stop

Justin Timberlake knows he’s “hard to love” sometimes but thanked his fans in the Windy City on Friday for doing so anyway, addressing his recent arrest in the Hamptons and subsequent charge of driving while intoxicated in public for the first time.

Apparently, his Tuesday arrest in New York did not “ruin” his world tour after all.

The Grammy and Emmy Award winner, 43, delivered a short but emotional speech Friday night at the United Center in Chicago, the latest stop on his Forget Tomorrow World Tour, as seen in concert footage posted on social media. As the boisterous crowd cheered him on, the former ‘N Sync frontman seemingly humbled himself in front of the sold-out arena.

“We’ve been together through ups and downs and lefts and rights. And, uh, it’s been a tough week. But you’re here and I’m here. Nothing can change this moment right now,” the singer said while holding an acoustic guitar and bowing to his adoring fans. “I know sometimes I’m hard to love, but you keep on loving me and I love you right back. Thank you so much.”

“Now if you’ll oblige me, I’d like to have a little sing-along with you guys,” he added, before launching into the show.

The “Can’t Stop the Feeling” singer was arrested on Long Island after Sag Harbor police saw his gray 2025 BMW UT run a stop sign and struggle to stay in its lane. Police who pulled him over just after 12:30 a.m. alleged the singer’s eyes “were bloodshot and glassy” and “a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage was emanating from his breath.”

A police photo of singer Justin Timberlake taken after his June 18 arrest in Sag Harbor, N.Y., on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

(Sag Harbor Police Department)

“[H]e was unable to divide attention, he had slowed speech, he was unsteady afoot and he performed poorly on all standardized field sobriety tests,” according to court papers obtained by The Times. The “Rock Your Body” singer was booked and held overnight in jail, where his mug shot was taken. He was arraigned hours later in Sag Harbor Village Justice Court, on the eastern end of Long Island, the Suffolk County district attorney’s office confirmed to The Times. He pleaded not guilty, the New York Times reported.

Timberlake’s spokespeople and his attorney did not immediately respond to the Los Angeles Times’ requests for comment.

In surveillance footage obtained by CNN, a car that matched the police description of Timberlake’s vehicle could be seen running the stop sign near where Timberlake was arrested, but it did not appear to be swerving in the clip.

“The Social Network” and “Trolls” actor had been having dinner and drinks with friends at the American Hotel and was pulled over about a mile away, where he told police officers that he had had only one martini before following his friends home. He refused to take a breath test three times and “performed poorly” on field sobriety tests, police said.

Page Six, citing anonymous sources, reported that the police officer who arrested the singer “was so young that he didn’t even know” who the 10-time Grammy winner was. Another source told the outlet that when he was pulled over, “Justin said under his breath, ‘This is going to ruin the tour.’ The cop replied, ‘What tour?’ Justin said, ‘The world tour.’ ” The remark went viral Tuesday and, along with Timberlake’s mugshot, instantly became a meme.

At the police station, where he spent the night, he handed over his wedding ring, phone, baseball cap, watch and wallet, along with a vape pen and green and blue papers, the kind used for rolling marijuana, according to the New York Times.

“He was freaking out and stayed up all night when he was in custody,” a source told People on Friday. “He’s insisting he only had one drink and it wasn’t some wild night out.”

Timberlake was charged with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated because he refused to take a breath test when he was pulled over, Timberlake’s attorney Eddie Burke Jr. told Us Weekly. The singer was also given two citations, one for running a stop sign and the other for not traveling in the correct traffic lane, Burke said.

He was released on his own recognizance; no bail was set. His next court date will be July 26 — the same day he is scheduled to be in Kraków, Poland, on his Forget Tomorrow tour. Timberlake‘s arrest took place during a brief break on the tour, which stopped in L.A. last month and will run through December.

He has kept a low profile since the incident. His attorney on Wednesday told TMZ that he and the singer look forward “to vigorously defending Mr. Timberlake against these allegations. He will have a lot to say at the appropriate time.” The outlet also reported that the musician, who does not have a previous arrest record, does not plan to check into a rehab facility — a proactive move often used by celebrities to look good in front of a judge and strike a better plea deal in alcohol- or drug-related legal incidents.

The remarks he delivered Friday in Chicago marked the first time Timberlake publicly acknowledged the arrest since it happened.

After releasing his sixth studio album, “Everything I Thought It Was,” in March, the hitmaker set off on his Forget Tomorrow world tour in April. The tour is scheduled to continue in Chicago on Saturday before he plays Madison Square Garden in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The musician landed in hot water last year amid revelations in “The Woman in Me,” his ex-girlfriend Britney Spears’ bombshell memoir, that she had an abortion at Timberlake’s behest while they were dating around the turn of the century. Timberlake’s connection to Spears was also scrutinized in 2021 when a series of documentaries about her protracted conservatorship revisited the media’s treatment of the embattled pop princess, which included accepting his spin on their breakup.

Timberlake — now a father of two boys with actor Jessica Biel — took a lot of heat during that time, prompting a public apology to Spears and to his 2004 Super Bowl co-headliner Janet Jackson that acknowledged he “fell short” and benefited from “a system that condones misogyny and racism.”

In the wake of Timberlake’s arrest, Spears’ fans rallied to send her 2011 song “Criminal” — believed to be an allusion to her relationship with Timberlake — back up the charts. Her fans had some success with that endeavor back in January when they staged a digital-music coup to dethrone Timberlake’s new single “Selfish” by streaming her 13-year-old song with the same name.

The swaggering showman is allegedly having a harder time lately landing roles in Hollywood, Page Six reported, and is facing lackluster sales for his tour and latest album, which dropped off the Billboard 200 chart after four weeks.

“The album didn’t do too well, and I don’t see Justin getting big acting roles right now,” a Hollywood insider told the outlet earlier this week.

“He’s got a bit of an ego,” another industry insider added. “His golden boy image is definitely depleted.”

Meanwhile, the owner of the American Hotel told TMZ that Timberlake would be welcomed back anytime, because he was a model customer, “great guest and a nice guy.”

Likewise, “CBS Mornings” host Gayle King defended the musician Wednesday on air, saying that Timberlake is “a really, really great guy” and adding that the incident was “clearly a mistake” and that she bets “nobody knows it more than he.”

“He’s not an irresponsible person, he’s not reckless, he’s not careless,” King said. “Clearly this is not a good thing, he knows that.”

Other celebrities have either come out against the singer or come to his defense. Comedian Ricky Gervais used the viral news story as a way to plug his own vodka brand on X. But singer Billy Joel, who was spotted at the American Hotel after Timberlake’s arrest, told a New York news station, “Judge not lest ye be judged.”

On TikTok, footage from Timberlake’s May tour stop in Las Vegas began making the rounds, with users commenting on the crooner’s reddish eyes while performing in the clip and speculating about whether that was a precursor to his Sag Harbor arrest.
22Jun
STEM Students Refuse to Work at Google and Amazon Over Project Nimbus

More than 1,100 self-identified STEM students and young workers from more than 120 universities have signed a pledge to not take jobs or internships at Google or Amazon until the companies end their involvement in Project Nimbus, a $1.2 billion contract providing cloud computing services and infrastructure to the Israeli government.

The pledgers included undergraduate and graduate students from Stanford, UC Berkeley, the University of San Francisco, and San Francisco State University. Some students from those schools also participated in an anti–Project Nimbus rally on Wednesday outside Google’s San Francisco office with tech workers and activists.

Amazon and Google are top employers for graduates from top STEM schools, according to data from career service College Transitions, which was compiled using publicly available data from LinkedIn. According to the data, as of 2024, 485 UC Berkeley graduates and 216 Stanford graduates work at Google.

The pledge, which marks the latest backlash against Google and Amazon, was organized by No Tech for Apartheid (NOTA), a coalition of tech workers and activists from Muslim grassroots movement MPower Change and advocacy group Jewish Voice for Peace. Since 2021, NOTA has advocated for Google and Amazon to boycott and divest from Project Nimbus and any other work for the Israeli government.

“Palestinians are already harmed by Israeli surveillance and violence,” the pledge reads. “By expanding public cloud computing capacity and providing their state of the art technology to the Israeli occupation’s government and military, Amazon and Google are helping to make Israeli apartheid more efficient, more violent, and even deadlier for Palestinians.”

Sam, who asked to be identified only by his first name for fear of professional repercussions, says that he signed the letter as a 2023 graduate of Cornell University’s master’s program for computer science and recent member of the tech workforce.

He tells WIRED that he was moved to act after watching friends from graduate school who “think one way privately,” but then “went on to take careers in these Big Tech firms.”

“I know a lot of people who—not to say they have a price, but when somebody looks at a starting salary, it’ll test your principles a little bit,” Sam said.

Naomi Hardy-Njie, a communications major and computer science minor at the University of San Francisco, said she heard about the letter while participating at the school’s three-week encampment demanding disclosure and divestment from companies funding the war in Gaza.

Hardy-Njie said that she signed the letter because Google and Amazon executives have been reticent to address protesters’ demands. But change, she said, “has to start from the bottom up.”

NOTA has organized several actions targeting Project Nimbus over the past several months. Eddie Hatfield, a NOTA organizer, was fired from Google in March after he interrupted the Google Israel managing director at a Google-sponsored tech conference in New York. More than 50 Google workers were later fired following a sit-in protest against Project Nimbus in Google’s New York and Sunnyvale offices, which was also organized by NOTA.

Google has claimed that Project Nimbus is “not directed” at classified or military work, but various document leaks have tied the contract to work for Israel’s military. Google and Amazon did not immediately respond to WIRED’s request for comment.
22Jun
Bitcoin Price Drops as Exchange Reserves Hit Three-Year Low; Ether Value Rises Alongside Some Altcoins

Bitcoin price fell by 1.22 percent over the last 24 hours, while the values of several other cryptocurrencies also took a hit on Thursday. As a result, the price of Bitcoin has dropped to $65,255 (roughly Rs. 54.4 lakh) on international exchanges and to $70,540 (roughly Rs. 58.8 lakh) on national exchanges. Market analysts believe that if the price of BTC continues to fall in the same manner, it could eventually plummet to as low as $60,000 (roughly Rs. 50 lakh).

“BTC consolidated in a very narrow range yesterday with altcoins showing some strength after days of choppy markets. This comes as Bitcoin exchange reserves reach a three year low, which means there could be a supply shock on the cards with the unprecedented demand of Bitcoin ETFs,” the CoinSwitch markets desk told Gadgets360 on Thursday.

Ether, on the other hand, performed rather well as its value grew by 1.35 percent over the past day. With this, the price of ETH is now $3,576 (roughly Rs. 2.98 lakh) on foreign exchanges. As per Gadgets360’s crypto price tracker, ETH price in India is currently set at $3,130 (roughly Rs. 2.60 lakh).

Prices of most altcoins drop

Popular altcoins also saw their prices drop on Thursday, just like Bitcoin. These include Binance Coin, Solana, Ripple, Dogecoin, and Cardano.

Shiba Inu, Avalanche, Polkadot, and Leo also registered losses on Thursday.

The overall crypto market cap dipped by 0.17 percent in the last 24 hours. The total crypto market valuation, at the time of writing, stood at $2.38 trillion (roughly Rs. 1,98,55,804 crore), shows CoinMarketCap.

Relatively unknown cryptocurrencies that manged to perform better than their popular counterparts on Thursday include Tron, Chainlink, Uniswap, Polygon, Near Protocol, Litecoin, and Stellar registered profits.

Cosmos, Cronos, Neo Coin, and EOS Coin also saw a small increase in value.

“Ethereum-based tokens, including Ethereum Name Service (ENS) and Lido DAO (LDO), are also gaining strength, suggesting the potential for a significant upswing in the near future,” said WazirX Vice President Rajagopal Menon in a statement to Gadgets 360.

Cryptocurrency is an unregulated digital currency, not a legal tender and subject to market risks. The information provided in the article is not intended to be and does not constitute financial advice, trading advice or any other advice or recommendation of any sort offered or endorsed by NDTV. NDTV shall not be responsible for any loss arising from any investment based on any perceived recommendation, forecast or any other information contained in the article. 

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22Jun
How to create shareable, link-worthy content in the AI era

In 2023, Google’s Gary Illyes stated that links are no longer the third most important Google ranking factor.

Was he lying?

A recent study by Internet Marketing Ninjas showed that over 96% of websites in the Top 10 search results have more than 1,000 backlinks from unique domains.

And only 0.3% have less than 100.

Clearly, websites that rank well in Google Search tend to have more high-quality backlinks.

What is the key to earning those precious nods from other websites?

Content-based link building.

What is content-based link building?

Content-based link building is a strategy used in SEO to acquire backlinks by creating and promoting high-quality content.

Instead of actively soliciting links from other websites, which can be seen as spammy or manipulative, content-based link building focuses on creating valuable, informative or entertaining content that naturally attracts links from other sites.

What types of content tend to earn the most links?

There are two critical elements: relevance and value.

Your content should resonate with other websites, filling a gap in their content or sparking a new idea.

Think long-form content – comprehensive guides, groundbreaking research, visually stunning infographics and forward-thinking opinion pieces – content with a certain “stickiness” that encourages other sites to link back to it as a trusted authority.

Content that attracts high-quality links often falls into certain categories, including:

  • Case studies
  • Industry reports
  • Controversial or opinionated pieces
  • Interviews with industry experts

How to write link-worthy content

Creating content that attracts links isn’t rocket science. You simply need to focus on providing helpful information that answers the burning questions of your target audience.

When you do, you’ll become the default authority in your industry.

Readers respond to engaging headlines, subheadings and eye-catching visuals that segment the text.

To add credibility, illustrate your points with specific data and relatable examples that resonate with your audience.

Dig deeper: How to create linkable assets with ChatGPT

Get the daily newsletter search marketers rely on.

7 effective content-based link building strategies

Want to turbocharge your website’s visibility? Focus on building quality backlinks with these seven strategies.

1. Create linkable assets

Develop valuable resources like infographics, whitepapers or interactive tools that naturally attract links. These linkable assets provide unique value that other sites will want to reference and share with their audience, helping you earn valuable backlinks.

2. Guest posting

Reach out to relevant websites in your niche and offer to write a high-quality guest post. This lets you tap into their audience while earning a backlink to your site. But make sure to choose only reputable sites that are aligned with your target audience.

Find broken links on relevant websites, then reach out to the site owner and offer your content as a replacement. This technique helps site owners fix their broken links while allowing you to earn a valuable backlink and demonstrate your expertise.

4. Skyscraper technique

Find popular content in your niche, then create an even better version. Reach out to sites linking to the original piece and let them know about your improved resource. If your content is truly valuable, many of these sites will update their links.

5. Expert roundups

Create a roundup post featuring insights from industry experts. Reach out to these experts and let them know they’ve been featured. Many will share the post with their audience, driving traffic and earning natural links.

6. Resource pages

Many websites have resource pages that link to helpful content on a specific topic. Find relevant resource pages in your niche and reach out to suggest your content as a valuable addition. If your resource truly adds value, you can earn a high-quality link.

7. Digital PR

Create newsworthy content like original research, surveys or industry reports. Pitch this content to journalists and publications in your niche, and if they cover your story, you’ll earn authoritative links from trusted media sites.

The key to any link building strategy is to focus on providing genuine value. Your content needs to be link-worthy – something that other sites would want to reference and share with their audience to enhance the user experience.

Dig deeper: How to use digital PR to drive backlinks and business growth

The role of social media in content-based link building

Today’s social media landscape offers a unique chance to build relationships and earn links.

Get your audience buzzing by asking thought-provoking questions, sparking lively discussions and responding to comments.

As your social engagement rises, you’ll naturally attract links from people who stumble upon your content.

Another tactic is to mention influencers and thought leaders when sharing your content. If you’ve referenced their work or included their insights, tag them in your social posts, and many will reshare the post with their followers, expanding your reach and increasing your chances of earning links.

Connect with journalists and publications in your industry. Engage with their posts, and when the timing is right, pitch your content for a chance to land valuable backlinks and boost your brand’s visibility.

Remember, link building is about more than just creating great content – it’s about getting that content in front of the right people. Harness the power of social media to promote your content, build relationships and get those high-quality links pointing to your site.

The future of link building: Adapting to the rise of AI-generated content

The future of content is being rewritten by AI and the landscape is shifting rapidly.

These days, artificial intelligence is cranking out incredibly realistic content at lightning speed, making it easy for marketers to whip up social media posts, blog articles and ad copy.

But while this tech is undeniably cool, it’s also making link building a bit of a puzzle.

The web is awash with AI-generated content, making it tough to cut through the noise and earn those prized high-quality backlinks.

What will give you a unique advantage is your human touch. It’s all about tapping into people’s emotions, sharing real-life experiences and offering genuine perspectives – things that AI systems are still struggling to master.

With AI-generated content on the rise, creating truly exceptional content is more crucial than ever. Here are three things to keep in mind when generating link-worthy AI content.

  • Prioritize E-E-A-T: Google’s E-E-A-T guidelines are more important than ever. Create content that showcases your unique expertise and experiences to build trust with your target audience.
  • Focus on user intent: Instead of just targeting keywords, create content that addresses the underlying needs and questions of your target audience. Use tools like Answer the Public to uncover the topics and queries that users are searching for.
  • Experiment with new formats: While long-form content can be great for link building, don’t be afraid to experiment with shorter, more visual formats like infographics, videos and interactive tools. These can be highly shareable and help you stand out in a sea of text-heavy content.

AI may be wreaking havoc on the link building landscape, but it also presents new opportunities for those willing to adapt and innovate.

By focusing on creating unique, valuable content that meets the needs of your target audience, you can continue to earn high-quality backlinks and establish your website as a go-to resource in your industry.

Contributing authors are invited to create content for Search Engine Land and are chosen for their expertise and contribution to the search community. Our contributors work under the oversight of the editorial staff and contributions are checked for quality and relevance to our readers. The opinions they express are their own.
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