In todays digital landscape, the traditional security perimeter has dissolved, making identity the new frontline of defence. As organisations increasingly adopt cloud services and remote work models, managing and securing identities has become paramount. Effective Identity and Access Management (IAM) practices are essential for IT departments to safeguard against cyber-attacks, phishing attempts, and ransomware threats. By implementing robust IAM strategies, organisations can ensure that only authorised individuals have access to critical resources, thereby mitigating potential security risks. Lets dive into the most important things to focus on, all of which are aligned to core zero-trust principles.One of the main drivers fuelling the ongoing adoption of cloud technology is the unparalleled ease of access to resources from anywhere, from any device, at any time of day. In practical terms though, it would be short-sighted to allow this level of unchallenged access without verifying that the access requests are being made by the correct person. After all, we still live in an age where usernames and passwords are often written down near the devices theyre used on. IT security teams should have sturdy mechanisms in place to explicitly verify these access requests so that there can be confidence assigned with allowing access, especially from unrecognised network locations.Some examples of how this could look in practice would be by using strong multi-factor authentication (MFA) methods to secure requests. Strong methods include approving an access request via a notification in your chosen authenticator app on a smart device (already using biometrics to be unlocked) or by using a number matching prompt so that the requestor must manually enter the correct answer in their app before access is granted. These methods help skirt some of the growing techniques attackers are using to try and get around MFA prompts: namely, SIM-swapping and MFA fatigue. The emergence of these MFA-focused attack techniques demonstrate that attackers will always try to stay one step ahead of emerging security features.MFA isnt the be-all-and-end-all when it comes to identity security though. Its merely the first hurdle that security teams must place between an attacker and their goal of compromising an environment. The more hurdles that are in place, the more likely an attacker will give up and move to an easier target. MFA will deter most attackers, but not all.User and Entity Behavioural Analytics (UEBA) is another modern technique that can provide an additional layer of security. Regardless of whether an attacker has managed to get by the MFA hurdle theyve encountered, UEBA consistently monitors the different metrics that are generated when a user interacts with the cloud platform. Any deviations from whats considered normal for that user are assigned a risk score, and if enough anomalies are caught, it can force the user into a password reset experience, or even lock the account altogether until the security team is satisfied that the account hasnt been compromised.These techniques demonstrate a small piece of what can be done to bolster the IAM platform to be more resilient to identity-focused attacks. Where this will inevitably move to in the future will be in protecting against the use of AI-generated deepfakes. AI technology is also becoming more accessible to everyone this includes bad actors too! Using features in Microsoft Entra like Verified ID, including having to perform real-time biomimetic scans to prove authenticity, will be commonplace soon, ensuring that when someone gets that call from the CFO at the end of a Friday afternoon to approve huge invoices for payment, they can have confidence theyre speaking with their CFO, and not an AI-generated video call.As organisations grow and evolve, so do the permissions and privileges that are provisioned to make the technology work. Over time, identities can accumulate huge amounts of different al-la-carte permissions to perform very specific tasks. If these permissions arent right-sized regularly, it can mean that some identities can carry huge amounts of power over the IT environment. Lets cover some concepts that help mitigate this risk.Role Based Access Control (RBAC) is a way to consistently provision pre-mapped permissions and privileges to suit a specific role or task. These pre-defined roles make it easy to provision the correct amount of rights for the task at hand. Cloud platforms such as Microsoft 365 and Azure come with many roles out of the box, but also allow for custom roles to suit the needs of any organisation. Its recommended to use RBAC roles as much as possible, and this goes doubly so for when implementing the next technique.Just-in-time (JIT) access takes RBAC a step further. Instead of having identities stacked with elevated permissions and privileges 24 hours a day, JIT access grants elevated rights on a temporary basis. Microsoft Privileged Identity Management is an example of a JIT tool, and allows appropriate identities to temporarily upgrade their permissions to a predetermined RBAC role, and can include additional checks and balances like approvals, forcing an MFA approval, email notifications or customisation options for how long individuals can get access to a certain permissions. Ultimately, this means that if those accounts with access to higher privileges are compromised, it doesnt necessarily mean that the bad actor will be able to exploit those permissions.In addition to using modern IAM techniques and technologies to keep rights and permissions right-sized, its also important to ensure that there are processes in place to ensure good identity hygiene practices. This can come in many forms, but if focusing on Microsoft Entra solutions, we can highlight two specific tools that can help make these processes work smoother than a manual effort. Firstly, access reviews can be used to periodically check identities in an environment and provide an indication of who has been using their elevated rights or not. This leaves service owners empowered to make decisions about who should be left in permission groups or not. This is also a fantastic way of auditing external collaborators who have been invited into your tenant via Entra B2B.Access Packages are another way of keeping permission enablement standardised. Applications, groups, cloud services and more, can be grouped into a single package, for example, Entry-level Accounting may be a package created that grants access to payroll software, viewer access to multiple SharePoint sites and a specific Microsoft Team. Once that person is removed from the access package, for example, if they were to move departments, or get promoted, removing them from this single Access Package will remove all associated access to the bundle of services. This means that stagnant permissions are less likely to accumulate on a given identity.Even with all the best security tools available, organisations are never 100% immune from attacks. Facing this reality is a key part of a successful security strategy. Its important to always assume a breach is possible and to increase your resilience so that responding to attacks isnt a daunting experience. A couple of concepts can be introduced to help out here.Firstly, the idea of continuous authentication is important to embrace. Instead of adopting the mindset of user X has successfully performed an MFA request therefore Ill grant all the access theyve asked for, seems to complement some of the concepts already covered in this article, but as highlighted earlier, attackers are always going to try to get one step ahead of security tooling, and so its vital that limits are put on access, even if the user seems to be doing everything correctly. Nothing does this better than altering the sign-in frequency that users will be subjected to, especially if access content from outside of the organisation network boundary. Note though, there is an important balance to be struck between enforcing sound security practices and impacting the user experience so the point of frustration. Adaptive Access Controls can also be utilised to galvanize decision-making on access requests. For example, if User X is logging on from their registered device, within the organisational network boundary, to a SaaS platform they use every day that poses minimal risk. Access should be granted in most instances here. However, take User B who is logging on from an external IP address thats a recognised anonymous VPN platform, on an unregistered device, looking to download mass amount of information from SharePoint. This could be a legitimate request, but it also could be signs of identity compromise, and real-time adaptive controls such as the Sign-in or Risk policies in Entra ID Protection can help to keep resources better protected in these scenarios.In summary, implementing a zero-trust security model with a focus on IAM is essential for combating cyber attacks, phishing, and ransomware. By adopting principles such as verify explicitly, least privilege and assume breach, organisations can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorised access and lateral movement within their networks. Technologies like MFA, JIT access and UEBA play a crucial role in enforcing these principles. Additionally, continuous monitoring, identity analytics, and deception technologies help detect and respond to potential breaches swiftly, ensuring a robust and resilient security posture.The Security Think Tank on cloud IAM

If you want one, you'd better act fast.

Hulu's Black Friday deal drops the price of a monthly subscription to the streaming service from $7.99 to $0.99 a month for your first year. Don't miss out.

BANGKOK, THAILAND - JUNE 08: McDonald's french fries on June 08, 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand. ... [+] International fast food chains such as McDonald's, KFC and Burger King are wildly popular in Southeast Asia, with the brands found in nearly every major city and town in the region, a reflection of the brands' global appeal and reach. (Photo by Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images)Getty ImagesMore than 390 million children and adolescents were overweight or obese as of 2022, according to the World Health Organization. A recent study suggests that one way to prevent those in the 5 to 19 age group from becoming obese is to restrict the number of fast food outlets in all neighborhoods.The causes of childhood obesity are complex and multifaceted. However, environmental factors play an important role in the prevalence of childhood obesity. There has been evidence showing that the out-of-home food environment has impacts on childhood energy intake. In particular, fast-food consumption and the location of fast-food outlets are strongly associated with a higher energy intake and a higher prevalence of childhood obesity, the researchers explained in the study.The density of fast-food outlets is the number of fast-food outlets per 100,000 residents, and it has been rising across England. Data from the Food Standards Agency show that the average density of fast-food outlets increased from 142 to 170 per 100,000 residents between 2019 to the end of 2021. Areas of higher deprivation have five times as many fast-food outlets compared to more affluent areas. This may be a contributing factor to inequalities in childhood weight, they added.The team of researchers studied the data of food outlets in England from the Food Standards Agency Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FSA FHRS), which the government agency collected from 2012 and 2020. The team also analyzed data on childrens weight from the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP). They found that underprivileged areas had the highest proportion of fast food outlets.In a press release, Alice Wiseman from the Gateshead Council and Newcastle Council said: Creating environments that support access to healthy, affordable food is one of the biggest public health missions of our generation. The challenge of healthy weight and access to nutritious food is complex, ever-changing, and hard to resolve. There is no silver bullet, and several interventions are needed to create real, impactful, and lasting change.MORE FROMFORBES VETTEDIts great to see when teams across local government come together with full institutional support, how robust planning policies can chip away at such challenges to facilitate healthier and more resilient communities, Wiseman added.Childhood obesity could result in long-term health issues that continue well into adulthood. Prior research has reported that childhood obesity is linked to an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem mainly due to a higher risk of being subjected to bullying and stigmatization. Being obese during childhood is also associated with a higher likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and mental health issues in adulthood.The food environment is changing, with a growing presence of online food delivery available. Future research needs to consider whether and how the online food environment may impact the exposure to unhealthy food and whether existing guidance and legislation needs to be changed to reflect this changing food environment, the authors highlighted. The study was published in the journal Obesity.

BAKU, AZERBAIJAN - NOVEMBER 23: COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev hits the gavel at the passage of a ... [+] measure during a first closing plenary. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)Getty ImagesClimate talks in Baku ended with a mix of urgency and delay, progress and frustration. The $300 billion climate finance pledge, paired with a target of $1.3 trillion by 2035, offers hope that the world is beginning to marshal the resources needed for meaningful climate action. The $1.3 trillion target in particular, a long-term commitment, signals a shift: the financial scale of global climate action is finally catching up with the scale of the crisis itself. If realised, it could be the game-changer that aligns public and private investment with the realities of the energy transition.Yet alongside this limited progress came a serious failure. Negotiators could not agree on the next step for phasing out fossil fuels, the single largest driver of climate change. Efforts to embed language echoing the landmark UAE Consensus from COP28 were thwarted by a handful of nations representing the vested interests of the fossil fuel industry. Decisions on this critical issue were deferred to next years talks in Belm, Brazil. This failure to confront the damage caused by fossil fuels risks undermining the very momentum that the $1.3 trillion target seeks to create.BAKU, AZERBAIJAN - NOVEMBER 22: Activists protest against fossil fuels and for climate finance at ... [+] the UNFCCC COP29 Climate Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)Getty ImagesThe UAE Consensus, forged just last year, marked a watershed moment in global climate negotiations. For the first time, all nations collectively acknowledged the imminent end the fossil fuel era. It sent a powerful signal to markets and investors that the transition to clean energy was no longer a question of if but when. That clarity spurred private sector interest and catalysed plans for renewable energy projects. Baku was meant to build on that foundation, translating recognition into action. It is clear that the uptake of clean energy is unstoppable, now policy makers need to weave in how it replaces fossil fuel energy, so that we can see emission reductions going forward.The onus now shifts to national governments, as they prepare to transform global commitments into domestic action. Ambitious, investible national climate plans (known as NDCs) can serve as roadmaps for how countries plan to reduce emissions, adapt to climate impacts, and transition to clean energy. For businesses and investors, these plans are essential signals, offering the certainty needed to unlock private capital for renewable energy projects, resilient infrastructure, and other climate solutions. Clear, actionable NDCs not only accelerate the energy transition but also attract the private sector funding required to meet the $1.3 trillion target. Nations leaving Baku must ensure their NDCs are not just ambitious on paper but backed by policies that de-risk investments, encourage innovation, and deliver tangible results.MORE FROMFORBES VETTEDThe $1.3 trillion target has the chance to be a turning point. Unlike previous commitments, which often fell short of their ambitions, this pledge has the potential to reshape global climate finance. It acknowledges that the scale of investment must match the scale of the challenge. Meeting this target will require not just public funding but massive private sector mobilization. Innovative mechanisms will be essential to de-risk investments in developing countries, where climate impacts are felt most acutely and where the clean energy potential is greatest.Developing nations face disproportionate risks from climate change, including rising sea levels, extreme weather, and collapsing agricultural systems. Yet their access to finance has been limited by high-risk premiums and underdeveloped infrastructure. The $1.3 trillion pledge could change that by directing both public and private capital toward projects that build resilience and expand access to clean energy.Brazil, Belem: View of the Guama River and the Amazon rainforest. (Photo by Filipe Bispo ... [+] Vale/picture alliance via Getty Images)dpa/picture alliance via Getty ImagesBrazils leadership at COP30 will be pivotal in ensuring these funds translate into action. Hosting the summit in the Amazon, a vital carbon sink and symbol of climate urgency, provides Brazil with a unique platform to push for transformative change. The Amazon is not just a battleground for conservation; it is a reminder of what is at stake in the global climate fight. Brazil must rally nations to advance fossil fuel phase-out, finalise ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and prioritise equitable finance distribution.The COP process itself came under fire during the summit, but it remains essential, despite its flaws. Climate change is a collective problem that demands collective solutions. No country, however powerful, can tackle it alone. The multilateral underpinning of the COP framework forces nations to confront these challenges together, amplifying the voices of those most affected and holding leaders accountable. However, the system must evolve to meet the urgency of the crisis. Decision-making must become more action-oriented, and the process must be insulated from the influence of nations or industries seeking to slow progress.As we look toward Brazil, the task is clear. The $1.3 trillion target must be operationalised. The fossil fuel phase-out must be brought back to the table and made central to global climate strategy. Mechanisms to mobilise private sector investment must be scaled, and adaptation and mitigation efforts in vulnerable nations must receive the support they need.The climate crisis is accelerating, but so is the momentum for solutions. The UAE Consensus began the end of fossil fuels. The $1.3 trillion goal connects the reality of the crisis with the financial needs. Now, the key is how to grow momentum and mobilization of public and private actors behind both.

With the holiday season upon us, it's the perfect time to refresh our ultimate gaming monitor buying guide. This comprehensive overview highlights the top displays across key categories, including 4K, 1440p, ultrawide, high-refresh-rate, and 1080p monitors, all based on our extensive testing.It's worth mentioning that before updating this guide, we recently went deep into a few specific categories: 4K gaming monitors, budget 1440p monitors, and best value options. So if you want even more thoughts, and even more recommendations, those dedicated articles are worth checking out. But if you're not settled on a category yet and want a broad overview of the best monitors on the market, this is your starting point.These recommendations are based on extensive hands-on testing. Nearly every monitor on this list has been put through its paces by us, with full reviews available here at TechSpot or at Monitors Unboxed on YouTube. Whatever your gaming needs, this guide is packed with options to help you make the right choice.Best 1440p Gaming MonitorAsus ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDMG 27"In numbers Price: $549 on AmazonFor those after the ultimate 1440p gaming monitor, we currently recommend the Asus ROG Strix XG27AQDMG. This is their new glossy WOLED monitor offering a 27-inch panel size, 1440p resolution, and 240Hz refresh rate with adaptive sync. For most gamers after a high-end, brilliant gaming display, the XG27AQDMG offers an excellent range of features and performance at a solid, though high-end price.There are a few reasons why we recommend this specific model. First, it's an OLED, so it features individual pixel control and elite response times, making it particularly well-suited to HDR gaming. Its transition speed at 240Hz results in motion clarity that's roughly equivalent to 360Hz LCDs, and these benefits are seen at lower refresh rates as well, making it highly versatile for all sorts of gaming, whether we're talking singleplayer or multiplayer.The HDR performance on offer is very good, leading to excellent image quality particularly for single player experiences. We get deep zero-level blacks and tight control over highlights, which produces clean HDR imagery free of zone artifacts. This particular WOLED has decent brightness too for both high and low APL content, in addition to a glossy coating that preserves good black levels and is free from coating grain.The XG27AQDMG is relatively affordable as far as OLEDs are concerned, slotting in at $650 to $700. Yes, that's still an expensive price tag overall, but this Asus model is better than its competitors, which start around $600, particularly for brightness.Alternative ChoicesSome alternate choices to consider are as follows. Get the Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP if you want a 1440p 480Hz OLED with the best motion clarity on the market and are willing to pay $1,000 for the privilege. It's expensive, but truly stunning for multiplayer gaming.Get a 360Hz QD-OLED like the MSI MPG 271QRX, Dell Alienware AW2725DF, or Gigabyte Aorus FO27Q3 if you want a slightly higher refresh rate than the XG27AQDMG but don't want to go all the way up to 480Hz. Typically, they cost about $50 to $100 more than the Asus model, and this group of QD-OLEDs all offer similar performance.Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDPWith that said, we would generally only recommend OLED for content consumption, such as gaming or watching videos. There is a risk of permanent burn-in with OLEDs, exacerbated by static content like you would see when using productivity apps and web browsers. For mixed use cases, or situations where you primarily use your display for work, it's difficult to recommend an OLED right now.On a BudgetFor budget 1440p gamers, there are two paths we would consider at the moment. The first path is HDR gaming, and for that, we recommend the AOC Q27G3XMN. It's a 27-inch 1440p 180Hz VA LCD with 336-zone local dimming, and at just $280, it's one of the cheapest and best entry points to HDR gaming on the market right now.It absolutely destroys most monitors advertised to support HDR, which mostly only have pathetic, useless edge-lit dimming. While below an OLED in terms of HDR performance, the Q27G3XMN offers reasonable full-array dimming capable of producing deeper blacks and a higher-than-standard contrast ratio.AOC Q27G3XMNPeak brightness is in the 1,300-nit range too. However, for gamers after the best motion clarity, this VA LCD isn't the best in that area, so it's a trade-off between contrast capabilities and speed. We also had some concerns over backlight zone flickering. But generally, if you have just $300 to spend and want a true HDR gaming monitor, this AOC display is the way to go.The second path to consider is if you just want a budget, bang-for-buck 1440p monitor and don't care too much about HDR. The golden price zone for these displays right now is between $180 and $230 we just wouldn't pay much more than that for a 1440p mid-refresh non-HDR monitor right now.Dell G2724DOur go-to option that we think generally offers the best value is the Dell G2724D, which can be purchased for a little under $200 most of the time. It's a 27-inch 1440p 165Hz IPS that typically performs as well as more premium offerings.Buy the Dell if you want a balanced experience between all areas, well-optimized response times on average, and good viewing angles. It won't blow you away with its capabilities, but it's an excellent entry point to 1440p at an astonishing price.Other products to consider depending on the price include the MSI G274QPF-QD, Gigabyte M27Q series, LG 27GP850 and 27GP83B, and even the Asrock PG27QFT2A if you want to get a cheap, somewhat compromised yet still functional display. All of these products, we think, are good in various ways and have received positive reviews or recommendations. Back to top Best 4K Gaming MonitorChoose Your Favorite 4K OLEDIn numbers Price: $1,220 on AmazonThe ultimate 4K gaming monitor right now is one of the many 4K OLEDs that hit the market in the first half of 2024. OLED brings lightning-fast response times and individual pixel control, resulting in excellent HDR gaming. When you step up to 4K, you get a higher resolution, better text clarity, and a larger panel size, making these displays some of the best on the market overall.There are two main 32-inch 4K 240Hz OLED panel variants available today: QD-OLED and WOLED. The best choice for you will depend on your preferences. For example, QD-OLEDs are generally glossy, and WOLEDs are usually matte. QD-OLEDs typically have wider color gamuts and higher color brightness, but WOLEDs tend to have stronger brightness in brighter scenes and include dual-mode functionality that allows them to run at 1080p 480Hz. There's no correct choice here, and we don't believe one panel is clearly superior to the other; they offer different features and characteristics.The good news is that you can't really go wrong picking a 4K OLED. Almost all of the 4K models we've tested perform very well, and especially among the QD-OLED pack, the various options perform very similarly.Dell Alienware AW3225QF 32" Curved 240Hz QD-OLED4K QD-OLEDIf you decide to go with a QD-OLED, we can recommend all of the options mentioned below simply because they all use the same panel and it's an excellent panel for gaming.To make a choice here, it's best to focus on any specific features you'd like, such as Dolby Vision or unlocked color modes, as well as pricing in your region: the Asus ROG Swift PG32UCDM, the MSI MPG 321URX, the slightly cheaper MAG 321UPX, the Dell Alienware AW3225QF, and the Gigabyte Aorus FO32U2P, plus the slightly cheaper FO32U2. You should also consider the Samsung Odyssey OLED G80SD that we haven't tested.4K WOLEDThere are also the 4K WOLED options to consider, which are typically more expensive than the QD-OLED models but offer dual-mode 1080p 480Hz functionality. If you think you'd use dual mode, for example in fast-paced competitive games, then grab a WOLED like the Asus ROG Swift PG32UCDP.It's also a great monitor, a little different from the QD-OLEDs, but it certainly gives you that high-end 4K OLED experience that should blow you away with its motion clarity and HDR presentation.Asus ROG Swift PG32UCDPThese 4K OLEDs start at around $900 and can reach upwards of $1,400, so they are not going to be for everyone. But luckily, there are still a bunch of great, budget-oriented 4K LCDs to choose from if you want to enter the 4K ecosystem for more like $400 to $500.These lower-cost models are great choices because they're versatile, featuring a nice balance between gaming and productivity performance, and being an LCD, they won't burn in over time when displaying static apps and content. You won't get true HDR for $400, but there are still plenty of reasons to choose something in this category.Budget 4K ChoicesTwo main budget options we think are worth considering are the Gigabyte M27U and the LG 27GR93U. Typically, the M27U is a little cheaper, coming in at $400, whereas the LG model is ~$30 more expensive.Both are balanced monitors offering motion performance in line with today's IPS LCDs: the M27U at 160Hz and the 27GR93U at 144Hz, both 27 inches in size. There's a wide gamut experience on offer, decent factory calibration, and of course the excellent resolution of a 4K panel that's well-suited to productivity work as well as gaming. There are no areas of performance that especially stand out, but no deal-breaking flaws either.Gigabyte M27UThe LG model is a little better tuned from the factory and supports hardware calibration, so in our opinion, it's the slightly better model overall. LG also offers a larger variant, the 32GR93U, which we'd recommend if you're interested in a 32-inch panel size rather than 27 inches.On its best days, it will set you back $520, which is a fair price, and like the smaller variant, it's an excellent, versatile display with a nice large size that's well-suited to productivity work.LG 27GR93U Back to top Best High-Refresh MultiplayerAsus ROG Swift PG32UCDP | Asus PG27AQDPIn numbers Price: $879 on AmazonMuch of what we discuss in these monitor buying guides is geared towards versatile gaming monitors or categories that mostly benefit single player gamers, like HDR. But if you're a multiplayer gamer, and all you do is enjoy competitive shooters and the like, what you're after is going to be very different from people that want a display to enjoy excellent graphics or to use for part-time productivity.So this time we're adding a dedicated category for multiplayer monitors.The key features to look out for multiplayer gaming are refresh rate, response times, motion clarity, and input lag. Higher refresh rates are clearly better for competitive games as they lead to smoother gameplay, better clarity, and lower latency. Fast response times reduce ghosting and blur, and features like backlight strobing can take clarity to the next level.If you're not interested in using backlight strobing due to its complexity and downsides, the best monitors for motion clarity right now are 480Hz OLEDs.Asus ROG Swift PG32UCDPYou can get this either through a 1440p 480Hz WOLED like the Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP, or a 4K 240Hz WOLED with 1080p 480Hz dual mode, and here we recommend the Asus ROG Swift PG32UCDP.Both are truly excellent products with elite motion clarity equivalent to a theoretical 700Hz LCD. This level of clarity is accessible with full adaptive sync variable refresh rate and HDR compatibility, if you want to use those features, and input latency is really low, which makes them fast and responsive to use.Outside of the "best of the best" OLEDs, multiplayer gamers will also benefit from most other OLEDs on the market that feature a refresh rate of 240Hz or higher. A 240Hz OLED is simply faster and clearer than a 240Hz LCD, and 360Hz is a step up again.How much refresh rate you need will depend on the games you are playing and how many FPS your PC can output there's no difference in clarity between a 240Hz OLED and 360Hz OLED when both are run at 200Hz for 200 FPS but at any given refresh rate, an OLED will produce the best clarity. You can't really go wrong with any of the 1440p OLED options we mentioned earlier, including the Asus XG27AQDMG or cheaper models like the AOC AG276QZD.Budget OptionsFor more budget-conscious multiplayer gamers that want something bang for buck, we'd consider a 1440p 240Hz LCD. You really don't need HDR for multiplayer as many titles don't even support it, in which case the lack of HDR in these LCDs is perfectly fine.Motion clarity won't be as good as an OLED, but at 240Hz you'll generally still be treated to low input lag and a nice fast experience. Like we mentioned in the 1440p section, we'd recommend the MSI G274QPX or the LG 27GR83Q in this category, which can be found for a little over $300.The Esports NicheIf you want the absolute best motion clarity and are willing to enable backlight strobing, this is where we start getting into niche high-refresh 1080p TN monitors.Backlight strobing improves motion clarity through pulsing the image, inserting black frames, and a bit of trickery the best implementations like ULMB2 and DyAc+ work really well, especially in conjunction with high 360Hz and 540Hz refresh rates. But there are also downsides, like how it requires a very specific setup for the best experience with locked frame rates and variable refresh disabled. It's a pro-level feature.BenQ XL2566KOur picks here are the Asus ROG Swift Pro PG248QP, priced at a whopping $730, as well as the comparatively more affordable BenQ XL2566K at $550. Both are 24-inch 1080p TN LCD monitors. The Asus option goes up to 540Hz and the BenQ up to 360Hz, both offering elite-tier backlight strobing support.The main benefit of going with the Asus PG248QP here is the higher refresh rate for better motion clarity and input lag, as well as its elite ULMB2 backlight strobing technology. It's the clearest, fastest LCD we've tested so far, though its stupidly high price tag is very off-putting. The BenQ XL2566K isn't quite as fast, but it's cheaper, and its DyAc+ backlight strobing tech also performs very well.As both the Asus and BenQ options use TN panels, they are designed exclusively for high-performance gaming and not visual quality. They have atrocious viewing angles and are nothing special when it comes to other aspects of image quality, like contrast ratio or color gamut. But for competitive shooters where you need to see your enemies with extreme clarity? They're awesome for that. Back to top Best UltrawideAlienware AW3423DWF 34" QD-OLEDIn numbers Price: $649 on AmazonWhile we have tested more ultrawide gaming monitors since the last time we recommended this Alienware monitor, our opinion remains that the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF is the best in this category. At just $700 - $800 these days, the AW3423DWF is rarely beaten for value, and thanks to the latest suite of firmware updates, it also offers excellent performance.This Alienware is a 34-inch 3440x1440 165Hz QD-OLED, bringing benefits like elite response times and per-pixel control. This panel can hit up to 1,000 nits of brightness for small elements and just looks great displaying HDR content, making it highly suited to single player gaming, especially with the immersive ultrawide format.It's not the fastest OLED going around these days now that we have 360Hz and even 480Hz options, but the speed of OLED does allow it to punch above its weight relative to an LCD operating at the same refresh rate.The DWF model is well-calibrated and has decent SDR brightness. The subpixel layout of this QD-OLED panel isn't ideal for text quality, and like with all OLEDs, there is a risk of permanent burn-in. The glossy screen coating is divisive, offering benefits in low ambient light environments but struggling in brighter conditions.Solid Ultrawide CompetitionThere is more competition in this category now though. Newer QD-OLED offerings have increased the refresh rate to 240Hz, but typically this comes with a price premium. We weren't overly impressed with the Gigabyte MO34WQC2, for example, which is retailing for its lowest ever price of $900, a near 30% premium over the Alienware.Gigabyte MO34WQC2There's also the MSI MPG 341CQPX, which is a bit cheaper than the Gigabyte, but we haven't tested it. As for WOLED ultrawides, we'd rule them out primarily due to their aggressive 800R curve, which we're not huge fans of, as well as their weaker text rendering and higher price tag. With that said, WOLED is the only way right now to get larger panel formats such as 39 inches and 45 inches.Also worth mentioning, if you want a super-ultrawide panel, there are 49-inch 5120x2160 QD-OLED panels available at up to 240Hz, providing a 32:9 aspect ratio which is the equivalent of two 27-inch 1440p panels stitched together side by side.Samsung Odyssey OLED G95SCOur lukewarm recommendation in this category remains the Samsung Odyssey OLED G95SC, or the G93SC, at $1,200 and $1,000 respectively. Back to top Best 1080p MonitorAOC 24G4In numbers Price: $124 Not much has changed in the 1080p monitor category over the past few years. These days, the main reasons to choose a 1080p monitor are either to get one of the cheapest displays available or to opt for a super high refresh rate model designed for serious competitive gaming. For anything that falls between these two extremes, we believe 1440p monitors offer better bang for your buck.In the budget category, we recommend the AOC 24G4, also known as the 24G4X in some regions. This is a newer, better version of the 1080p AOC monitors we've been recommending for some time now, such as the 24G2SP and 24G2. It also outperforms similar budget monitors like the Gigabyte G24F 2, and at around $125, we can't see any better or more reliable choices.The AOC 24G4 is a 24-inch 1080p 180Hz IPS LCD monitor that, relative to its predecessor, features improved response time tuning and a higher refresh rate. It's not an outstandingly fast display, but it offers a good contrast ratio, wide color gamut, great factory calibration, and low input lag.This ends up creating a nice overall package that delivers a strong balance of motion performance and color quality. It's common in this price range for one of those aspects to be neglected, but that isn't the case with the 24G4, which is why it's a solid entry-level monitor choice.If you're after a premium monitor for esports gaming, as we mentioned in the multiplayer section, we'd recommend either the Asus ROG Swift Pro PG248QP or the BenQ XL2566K. Both are 24-inch 1080p TN LCD monitors that offer elite-tier backlight strobing support for excellent motion clarity in competitive titles.Viewing angles and color performance are pretty bad on these monitors, but they do a fantastic job at improving clarity to make shooting enemies easier. Back to top

NASA Rocket Engine Fireplace - 8 Hours in 4KIf you like the idea of a festive log fire crackling away in the cozy confines of your home but you dont actually have one to enjoy, then you can always hop onto YouTube and hit play on a virtual log fire.Recommended VideosIf that doesnt jingle your bells, then how about something a little different like a virtual fireplace with four roaring rocket engines.RelatedIn a somewhat bizarre twist on the usual winter fireplace scene, NASA has shared an eight-hour video yes, eight hours of a rocket engine fireplace, complete with a cozy glow and relaxing roar. The space agency adds that the unique fire is guaranteed to blow your guests away, though hopefully not literally.The footage is in glorious 4K, so its sure to look great on any big-screen TV, though for the best effect be sure to turn your homes heating dial all the way up to 11.Just what you need for the holidays, NASA says in comments accompanying the video, The coziness of a crackling and roaring rocket engine!It adds: Technically, this fireplace packs the heat of the SLS rockets four RS-25 engines and a pair of solid rocket boosters just enough to get you to the moon! (And get through the holidays with your in-laws.)NASAs SLS rocket, which on its debut flight launched the Orion spacecraft on its epic voyage toward the moon in 2022s Artemis I mission, packs a colossal 8.8 million pounds of thrust when it leaves the launchpad.As a little extra for space fans, NASA has also added two framed pictures to its illustration one showing an image of the Orion capsule flying through space, and the other featuring the Artemis logo. Happy holidays!Editors Recommendations

Scientists examining a rock sample from outer space thought theyd hit the jackpot recently when they discovered that it was teeming with life. But they soon learned that the microbes actually originated on Earth.Getting the chance to examine extraterrestrial material has to be on the bucket list of every scientist working in the field, but as the team at Imperial College London learned, the activity is fraught with challenges.Recommended VideosThey were researching a sample of material from the distant Ryugu asteroidgathered during Japans Hayabusa2 mission in 2019 before being brought to Earth in 2020.RelatedThe asteroid sample was then divided up among various groups of scientists around the world, paving the way for an array of tests that might uncover evidence of microbial life on the material. Such an exciting discovery could imply that life on Earth might have originated from extraterrestrial sources, or that life can survive and spread across the solar system.The Ryugu samples were of course treated with great care, with scientists deploying strict contamination controls such as hermetically-sealed transportation and nitrogen-purged clean rooms to limit the chance of contamination.But despite the special measures, the researchers at Imperial College London ended up finding signs not of alien life but terrestrial life instead.In a recent study titled Rapid colonization of a space-returned Ryugu sample by terrestrial microorganisms, the researchers noted that while initial analysis of the material showed no sign of contamination, rods and filaments of organic matter resembling known terrestrial microbes were found on the samples surface within a week of exposure to Earths atmosphere.While the discovery wont have provided the thrill that the researchers must have been hoping for, its still a vitally important one as it shows that even with careful handling, contamination of such highly prized material can still occur, indicating that even more robust safeguards need to be put in place for research work of this nature.The teams discovery doesnt necessarily mean that all of the Ryugu samples in various labs around the world are also contaminated, but it does mean that any claims about the discovery of extraterrestrial life on the material will come under even greater scrutiny than might otherwise have occurred.Editors Recommendations

Tony Sayegh, the head of public affairs at one of TikToks biggest investors, led the effort to win Trumps support for the popular app with ties to China.

Cognitive scientist, author and entrepreneur Gary Marcus was an early and vocal critic of large language models, arguing their limitations were far greater than many people thought. Lately, he has been making the case that LLMs are far riskier, tooand must be regulated.