Danielle HallAmid a torrent of alarming headlines calling out rising sea temperatures, melting ice sheets and struggling coral reefs, new discoveries about our ocean sparked wonder. In 2024, scientists found the largest coral is bigger than a blue whale, how anglerfish became deep-sea denizens and that the ability for life to glow arose in the ocean half a billion years ago. Butterflies made a historic trans-Atlantic flight, an Antarctic penguin made a surprise appearance on a sandy beach, and a gray whale traveled thousands of miles from home.In case you missed those huge saltwater stories and others, the National Museum of Natural Historys Ocean Portal team rounded up the ten most awe-inspiring ocean moments of the year and detailed them below.Anglerfish developed strange sexual behavior to survive in the deepAnglerfish look like creatures from another world, and their unique method for reproduction is equally peculiar. Males often permanently embed themselves in the bodies of their larger female counterparts, a relationship known as sexual parasitism. In some cases, the male may effectively become an attached sperm-producing organ. In a new study, scientists used DNA analysis and fossils to show that the sexual behavior evolved a long time ago to help them survive in the deep, open ocean. Anglerfish ancestors lived on the seafloor and maneuvered around using specialized stout fins, much like their close relatives the batfishes and frogfishes. Following the demise of the dinosaurs, Earths temperature spiked and put the ocean in a state of turmoil, and the early anglerfish began to explore more of the deep sea. Living in such a vast environment, the worlds largest ecosystem, means the chance of finding a mate is low. The evolution of sexual parasitism enabled a successful reproduction strategy that allowed the creatures to become the diverse, deep-sea swimming fish we know today.Bioluminescence began in the sea10 Fun Facts About BioluminescenceWatch on Fireflies blink in the night due to bioluminescence, but theyre not the only animals able to naturally produce light. Jellyfish, mushrooms, glowworms and others glow, too. This year Smithsonian scientists determined that the first instance of bioluminescence likely occurred in corals about 540 million years ago, close to 300 million years before the next known instance. Octocorals are soft-bodied coralsand most glow when bumped or disturbed, but we still dont know why. In a first step to figure out this mystery, scientists traced the evolution of bioluminescence in the octocoral lineage using a combination of fossils and genetics. Since bioluminescence occurs in many present-day octocorals, scientists determined that their last common ancestoran octocoral living 542 million years agoproduced light, too.Sea turtle growth is affected by rain A hatchling green sea turtle makes its way to the surf. Mark Conlin / VW PICS / UIG via Getty ImageScientists have long known that, as with other reptiles, sea turtles egg development is influenced by the temperature of the nest. Warmer temperatures favor females and a quick development, while cooler temperatures allow for larger bodies and more males. Research published in August in BMC Ecology and Evolution now shows that rainfall also affects the developing baby turtle. Loggerhead turtles respond to heavier rainfall with smaller shells but greater weight, while green turtle hatchlings grow smaller shells without a change in body size. This is important because in the perilous world of a hatchling, shell and body size matter, as they can influence what types of predators are able to consume the young reptiles.Animals explored the globeAnimals continue to surprise us as they travel thousands of miles from where they normally live. In November, beachgoers in Australia witnessed one such bizarre instancea tuxedoed emperor penguin waddling toward the dunes. The penguin was over 2,000 miles from the icy shores of Antarctica where it normally lives and much farther north than where the species is often seen. Biologists interviewed about the animal thought the critter may have ventured to Australia in search of food.Earlier in the year, a marine mammal wowed U.S. scientists. In March, a gray whale was spotted diving south of Nantucket in Massachusetts. Though once common in the Atlantic, gray whales were hunted and removed from that ocean about 300 years agoand only five or so have been seen in the last 15 years there and in the Mediterranean. Scientists say this gray whale was likely the same one seen in Florida in December 2023, and its journey may have been aided by climate change. The Arctics Northwest Passage has recently been ice-free in the summer, which would allow the massive animals to move from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean.A giant coral surpassed a record A diver from the National Geographic Pristine Seas project measures the worlds largest coral colony in the Solomon Islands. Manu San Flix, National Geographic Pristine SeasA massive coral measuring longer than a blue whale was discovered off the coast of the Solomon Islands. The living structure, a Pavona clavus or shoulder blade coral, measures 112 feet wide, 105 feet long and 18 feet talland is thought to be more than 300 years old. Millions of genetically identical individual animals called polyps combine to form the largest coral to ever be discovered, and it can even be seen from space. The behemoth was accidentally found by scientists and filmmakers working for National Geographics Pristine Seas project.Pesto made a big splashCute, fuzzy animals often go viral, so its no surprise that Pesto the penguin chick made waves across the internet. At about 52 pounds by nine months old, Pesto was the largest baby king penguin ever raised at the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium in Australia. He weighed close to double the average adult penguinthanks to a hearty appetite and good genes from his father, Blake. Pestos fame quickly spread after a public gender reveal, and he was viewed close to two billion times on social media. As the year closes, Pesto is beginning his awkward teen years and molting his endearing fluff in favor of adult feathers meant for swimming. Only time will tell his ultimate adult weight, but it will likely be close to the weight of other king penguins at 35 pounds.Scientists discovered butterflies crossed the Atlantic A painted lady butterfly Gerard TalaveraIn 2013, a flock of battered painted lady butterflies were spotted in French Guiana in South America, halfway across the world from where they normally live in Europe and Africa. How they got there was a mysteryuntil this year. In a June study published in Nature Communications, scientists determined the find was the first documented case of insects travelling across the Atlantic Ocean. Using CSI-like forensics, the researchers sequenced the butterflies genomes and analyzed isotopes found in the insects wings to show they originated in either Africa or Europe. The butterflies also carried two types of pollen on their bodies, both from plant species found only in Africa. And favorable winds blew west across the Atlantic Ocean when the insects likely traveled. Together, all this evidence strongly indicated the painted lady butterflies traveled across the oceana Herculean feat that likely required flying and gliding for somewhere between five and eight days over more than 2,500 miles.Another alien ocean may existEarths ocean isnt the only ocean in this solar system. Weve known of or suspected many othersincluding those of Jupiters moons Europa, Callisto and Ganymede and Saturns moons Enceladus and Titan. This February, another unlikely candidate joined the ranks. Researchers suggest Saturns Death Star moon Mimas may have a secret ocean hidden under miles of solid ice. An initial inspection of the cratered moon showed little indication that it could support so much liquid water. But after reanalyzing both Mimas rotation and orbit around Saturn, scientists found slight shifts in both that together indicate the moon must have an ocean. The startling discovery offers hope there may be even more moons in our solar system with oceansplaces that could potentially harbor life.A photo of an orca wearing a salmon caused a stirAt the end of this year, news of an unusual fashion trend went viral across social media. An image of an orca donning a dead salmon on its head like a hat sparked speculation that an old 1980s fashion trend had returned. Decades ago, orcas in several pods off the West Coast began wearing dead salmon hats, but like all fads, it died off. Two recent sightings of orcas with salmon on their heads in Washington State brought widespread attention to the quirky behaviors of killer whales, but experts caution that its unlikely to be a true fashion revival. Since the initial two reports there have not been any more sightings. Whales, like humans, display personality traits, and while we may never know why these particular orcas recently wore the dead salmon, the story was certainly amusing.A deep-sea expedition uncovered new species Colorful primnoid and zoanthid corals stand out in the deep sea. ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean InstituteThis April, a team of scientists announced they found a vibrant community of sponges, corals, lobsters, squids and myriad other creatures while diving off the coast of Chile. A recent Schmidt Ocean Institute expedition to the underwater mountains of the Salas y Gmez Ridge identified 160 species not previously known to live in the region, with 50 of them being completely new to science. During their explorations, the team set a recorddocumenting the deepest-known photosynthesis-dependent creature in the oceans, a so-called wrinkle coral. The research cruise was just one of many in which the Schmidt Ocean Institute made new discoveries in the Pacificin January it found 100 suspected new species, and in August it announced another 20 new species. The teams work continues to show the great diversity of shapes and sizes of creatures of the deep.Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.Filed Under: Animals, Butterflies, Coral Reefs, Fish, Insects, Natural History Museum, Oceans, Oceans Portal, Penguins, Saturn, Smithsonian, Turtles, Whales, wildlife

The year 2024 has been another very good one for wireless earbuds. Weve reached a point where every tech giant is firing on all cylinders. Apples AirPods Pro, Samsungs Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, and Googles Pixel Buds Pro 2 are each fantastic in their own right and fairly comparable in the features they offer. Are there advantages depending on which you pick? Sure. Samsungs new voice controls are super convenient. Google wins out on comfort. And Apples new hearing health features really level up what we expect from consumer earbuds. But in terms of everyday performance, theyre all within spitting distance of each other.As for over-ear headphones, Sonos introduced its long-rumored Ace headphones this year. Their marquee trick, TV Audio Swap, is the ability to receive audio from a Sonos soundbar for private listening a good example of a brand trying to muster a unique selling point in a competitive market, while Apple, Samsung, and Google are laser-focused on interplay within their own respective ecosystems. (Of course, Sonos headphones were all but forgotten in the avalanche of controversy brought on by the companys overhauled mobile app.)The splash of yellow from Nothings Ear (a) earbuds is a fun departure from the norm.But this year has reinforced that you dont need to spend big to find great value. Apple brought active noise cancellation to its less expensive AirPods 4. With the Nothing Ear and budget-priced Ear (a), Nothing proved yet again that it can compete with long-established earbud makers and outdesign many of them. Style-wise, its hard to choose between the flashy yellow of the Ear (a) or Beats candy red Solo Buds, but Nothing gives you more for your money than Apples brand.2024 also saw Jabra make an exit from the consumer earbuds market. The company spent years producing worthy alternatives to the AirPods and other products back during the early waves of true wireless earbuds, but Jabra lost its momentum and failed to meaningfully stand out with its more recent Elite earbuds. The Elite 10 Gen 2 are excellent by all accounts but hard to recommend when they represent the end of the line.As for where the category is headed, earbuds are quickly evolving into devices with a purpose that extends well beyond audio consumption. Apples AirPods Pro 2 now offer a powerful trifecta of hearing health features: you can wear them as hearing protection, take a test to gauge your own hearing loss, or use the earbuds as clinical-grade over-the-counter hearing aids. Id expect well see other industry heavyweights like Sony, Samsung, and Google bring similar capabilities to their own future buds perhaps as soon as next year.Apples AirPods Pro 2 can now function as clinical-grade hearing aids for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.Fitness tracking is another area where well continue to see earbuds offer new advantages. Heart rate tracking is becoming relatively common, and the next-generation Powerbeats Pro, due early in 2025, are rumored to include the useful feature.As for the new year, Sonys long-popular 1000X series is due for a refresh. The 1000XM6 earbuds (and headphones) seem like a lock for 2025. I think the same is true of the next AirPods Pro; Apple will reportedly release a redesigned third-gen pair sometime next year. On the other hand, with Samsung and Google having both released new models in the last six months, I wouldnt expect much from them in the near future.Sonys 1000X series is due for an update in 2025.For you audiophiles out there, 2025 is likely to see the introduction of more earbuds that can wirelessly stream lossless audio as Qualcomms most advanced chips start to proliferate across new products from various brands potentially including Sennheiser, Bose, and others. As for other features, Im curious to what extent earbud makers will tap into AI chatbots. Googles Pixel Buds Pro make it possible to carry on entire conversations with Gemini Live. Will other brands look to provide a similar experience with different AI platforms?The new year is certain to get off to a busy start right out of the gate, with headphones and earbuds from dozens of brands expected at CES 2025. Hopefully therell be some genuine surprises among the bunch.Photography by Chris Welch / The Verge

American Airlines temporarily grounded all of its flights in the US this morning due to unspecified technical issues, disrupting travel at the start of a busy Christmas Eve. Service has now resumed as of 8AM ET according to a statement American Airlines spokesperson Sarah Jantz provided to CNN.The airline suffered a massive system outage according to multiple travelers on X who are facing delays, which prevented boarding passes from being scanned and flights from departing. A notice published on the Federal Aviation Administration website at 6.50AM ET said that the airline grounded all flights nationwide. An FAA update posted at 7.50AM ET has since announced that the nationwide groundstop has been canceled. The airline hasnt given any details on what caused the technical issues.Were currently experiencing a technical issue with all American Airlines flights, American Airlines said in a statement on X before flights resumed. Your safety is our utmost priority, once this is rectified, well have you safely on your way to your destination.Update, December 24th: American Airlines flights have now resumed nationwide.

But why is he a monkey? Its the inevitable question asked by any person who has seen the trailer, or for that matter a TikTok reel, of Better Man, the new left-handed biopic about British pop star Robbie Williams. And even as one begins watching this sardonic portrait of the 90s pop music scene in the UK, its still not immediately clear why the creative choice was made.Director Michael Gracey has told the press its simply due to recognizing how Williams sees himself: a dancing monkey bounding around the stage for our entertainment. Yet there is more at work than that SNL logline to justify the films expensive, and eerily convincing, Wt CGI effects. The gimmick grabs the attention, obviously, flashing a quirky eccentricity in furry neon. At an instant, the film is stood apart from other glossy and by-the-numbers portraits of beloved, or at least fondly remembered, musical stars. (See: the Bob Dylan paean playing on the screen next door for more).Still, Gracey and his co-writers, which include Simon Gleeson and Oliver Cole, are angling to do more than take the piss out of Williams. After all, they have not only his blessing, but also his presumably intimate support with Williams acting as an executive producer on the film and credited as doing some of the performance used to create the digital monkey (or humanoid ape of the Rod Serling variety if we want to get technical). One imagines Williams embraces this whimsical flourish partially because it reinforces the self-deprecating image the singer paints of himself. Right until the closing scene, his voiceover narration insists his success is due to merely being the most extravagant cabaret act in Britain. Fair enough, but the oddball choice also gives Better Man more teeth than you normally anticipate from this kind of movie.This isnt (only) a fawning tribute to a pop culture curio; its also a film eager to visually and constantly remind you of its subject matters self-loathing. And the most impressive thing about the Wt effects is how quickly they come to appear as natural. The viewing eye eventually forgets to look for the wires. But even as the technique becomes seamless, it continues to provide an unwavering, if subliminal, message about the bottomless self-disgust necessary to fuel Williams mannered cheek, not to mention the drug habit that nearly killed him.The concept is ultimately a high-tech promise that this is a movie which wishes to keep the warts of its star, internal though they might usually be, visible at all times. In theory, it gives heft to what amounts to another celebritys poor little rich boy problems after he gets big by the top of Act Two. Your mileage might vary whether it succeeds at having and eating that cake, but at least it makes the concept of such a dessert in a multiplex overstuffed with bakeries seem novel.Otherwise, the film is mostly the rags-to-riches story you might expect, especially if you are old enough to remember VH1s Behind the Music portraits of various pop stars. Williams is introduced as an ape born to a human father who is far more boorish than the primate child could ever be: Peter Williams (Steve Pemberton). Peter trains his son to believe that you are either born with it or not. Frank Sinatra had it. Dean Martin too. Daddy also thinks he has it, even though he walks out on his son before hes 10 years old so as to pursue a career as a failed pub comic.This is presumably the kernel of Roberts desperate need to please, and to punish the animal within. While still being lovingly raised by his mother (Kate Mulvany) and grandmother (Alison Steadman), adolescent Robert (Jonno Davies for presumably most of the movie in a motion-capture suit) yearns to ditch them as soon as possible and become a member of the early 90s boy band, Take That. Its this musical act that turns Robert into Robbie, and which is depicted as far more humiliating with their short-shorts and banal cafeteria-club music than any cartoonish monkey business could be. Robbie of course abruptly sunders that relationship as well after bristling at the creative monotony of being a glorified backup dancera fate quickly commuted when the other members of Take That kick him out.What follows is a usual laundry list of musical biopic beats: struggle cut short by sudden overnight success; the girlfriend whose life Williams would become a drain on, here personified by fellow pop star Nicole Appleton (Raechelle Banno); a few other musical cameos that will have audiences chuckling, including a vicious but probably deserved dig at Oasis front man Liam Gallagher (Leo Harvey-Elledge); and Robbies inevitable bottoming out. But the intelligence of Better Mans script is how flippant it is. Not only does it go bananas with Williams appearance, but even bits like the inevitable climactic concert of the stars life proving not to be any climax at all as Robbie spends it high as a kite and haunted by visions of his younger self as a baby primate and adolescent twerker stalking him in the audience like the Ghosts of Christmas Past.It is ultimately Better Mans recognition that audiences know the beats theyre walking through, and its eagerness to lightly play with them, if never truly subvert them, which gives Graceys movie rhythm. It might only be dancing to a familiar hook designed for maximum radio play (or Spotify today), but it uses those same chords well.Mostly though it benefits from the obvious novelty of the effects. While the marketing and press has blurred how much of the performance in the movie is young Davies, how much is the real-life Williams, and/or whether most of it should be credited to the digital artists at Wt, the end result is nonetheless effective; cumulatively, it lulls you into pitying this poor put-upon beastie. The combined artistic efforts never once turn into Barnum and Bailey pantomime, even in scenes of Williams dancing with Bannos Appleton before a sea of fireworks. Instead you become invested in the animated characters plight as he deals with real demons like regret over the loss of a grandparent, or the complicated resentments that come from a fiance being pressured by her record label into getting an abortion.Yet that circus analogy still holds across the film, not least of all because Garceys last film was the P.T. Barnum hokum, The Greatest Showman. Better Man is definitely a more successful narrative and character study than that collection of Top 40-ready bangers in search of a plot. The monkey CGI is just the beginning of a film unafraid to actually depict its musical god as also a real devil. But whether Williams is truly man or beast, three-dimensional or a phenomenal cartoon approximation, he is still the only character with any depth in this movie.Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!The films various musical sequences, which do break into pure fantasy, are more ambitious than something as shallow and devoid of insight as, say, Bohemian Rhapsody, but all its self-flagellation still uncannily feels like an act; something an entertainer does to ingratiate the crowd. One senses the real Williams, executive producer that he is, still maintains a steady hand over what we see and what we do not. We get a good hard look at his charisma, and his complicated feelings about it, but everything else is still as glossed over as a montage vaguely acknowledging their protagonists habitual infidelity.Even so, theres a real bittersweet soul here, and a sense that both the film and its protagonist is searching for some kind of authenticity so rarely seen in a genre where most movies become little better than carefully curated playlists. Better Man is not the surface level pop star commercial most standard biopics are, or even the rather similarly innovative Piece by Piece was earlier this year. That Parallel Williams documentary, which was filmed as a standard doc but then animated over with CGI LEGOs, also used novelty to couch what is little better than advocacy filmmaking.Better Man and Williams, however, prove more ambitious and happy to admit this guy was (and is?) a complete animal. He did drugs, sabotaged every important relationship in his life, went through painfully adult crises with his signifcant other, and missed his grandmothers last days. He also provided us with a film that is often, if inconsistently, audacious and worthwhile. It even looks spectacular during the bits where it just plays the hits.Better Man opens in limited released on Dec. 25 and nationwide in the U.S. on Jan. 17. It opens nationwide in the UK on Dec. 26. Learn more about Den of Geeks review process and why you can trust our recommendationshere.

For one dynamic Washington, D.C., couple, downsizing didnt mean having to compromise on a single thingnot on the amount of space necessary to showcase their enviable art collection, or on having ample room for their visiting children and grandchildren, or even on the breathtaking location.Situated on the western bank of the Potomac River, within the Ritz-Carlton Residences Georgetown, is an art-filled penthouse that counts works by Fernando Botero, Francois-Xavier Lalanne, and Robert Rauschenberg among its rotating roster of residents. Its also home to a well-traveled, down-to-earth couple who were in the market for a family-friendly white cube where they could entertain a revolving door of friends and family with very little effort but plenty of panache. They sold their large house in D.C., and moved here for a more convenient lifestyle, says designer John Meeks of New Yorkbased Aman & Meeks. Theyre very family oriented and, even though it may look a little intimidating, it doesnt matter that everything is whitethe grandchildren are free to go anywhere they want!Even though it may look a little intimidating, it doesnt matter that everything is whitethe grandchildren are free to go anywhere they want! Its a stark contrast to their previous home, but they were game for anything, explains Jim Aman, the design firms cofounder. We designed their more traditional home 14 years ago, and the only real note for this one was that she wanted it all white. Having also conceived the interiors of the couples Palm Beach home, the design duo understood the assignment. They wanted a showplace, so we gave the 10-foot ceilings and walls a real pop with a very white Venetian plaster.The nearly 5,000-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom home, in addition to serving as an ideal backdrop for the homeowners museum-worthy collection, also highlights an array of antique furnishings that complement the otherwise contemporary styling. Much of the chinoiserie was inherited from her mother, who had an amazing penthouse in D.C. that [famed interior designer] Jay Spectre did, says Aman.Of course, for most design projects, mixing periods, styles, and aesthetics is only to be expected, but working with important art collections can be a little trickier. Luckily, with nearly 30 years of experience, Aman and Meeks have learned a thing or two about that. Are [people] going to look at a blue-chip piece of art on the wall or the sofa underneath? posits Meeks. Its usually the piece of art, and weve always been respectful of that fact.And it was a lesson the pair learned early on in their business. We had a client a long time ago, a major art collector, and she said, I want my antiques, my furniturewhatever is in the environmentto be as good as my art, but never upstage it, and that note has served us well.1FoyerKaren FuchsWhen youre greeted at the front door by one of Francois-Xavier Lalannes iconic and friendly sheep sculptures, you know youve entered the home of a seasoned contemporary art collector. To the right is a work by Takashi Murakami and at the entrance to the foyer is another by Fernando Botero with a Karl Springer bench below.The antique Chinese needlepoint rug belonged to the homeowners mother. The pair of 18th-century Venetian mirrors were acquired through Newel Antiques. The mirrors work perfectly there because, not only do they enlarge the space, but they also replicate the art in a sense too, says Aman. Its a very bright apartment anyway, but they help bring light into one of its darker spaces.2FoyerKaren FuchsAman & Meeks had the light fixture custom designed by Gaspare Asaro. The console and lamp are from the New Yorkbased Twenty First Gallery, with a painting by Sam Francis above. The antique Chinese rug belonged to the clients mother and was in their previous home.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below3GalleryKaren FuchsThe designers juxtaposed white oak flooring against the Venetian plaster ceilings and walls as a way to infuse warmth throughout the home. The center table is from Lobel Modern, and the chandelier is by Mark Brazier-Jones. To the right is an 18th-century Chinese cabinet that also belonged to the clients mother and has been outfitted as a bar. Both the fish sculpture atop the cabinet and the chair in front are by Francois-Xavier Lalanne. The Hindu bust at the far end of the hallway leading to the primary bedroom suite worked out perfectly because we needed that sense of perspective there, says Aman.4Living RoomKaren FuchsThey have some pretty serious art, but the chairs are playful and they kind of take things down a notch to feel more relatable, shares Aman about the Pierre Yovanovitch Mama Bear chairs that anchor the room. Originally, we were just going to do two, but she insisted on four. When she gets excited about something theres no stopping her!The custom carpet is by Stark, and the Paula Swinnen cocktail tablewith a potted porcelain hollyhock by Vladimir Kanevsky on topis from Bernd Goeckler Antiques. Tucked underneath an 18th-century chinoiserie console is another Karl Springer bench. Above it is a painting by Willem de Kooning. On the back wall is a modest size painting by Marc Chagall.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below5Living RoomKaren FuchsSweeping floor-to-ceiling views of the Potomac only enhance the couples seminal art collection. The custom sofas were designed by Aman & Meeks, as was the Egyptian-style daybed. They sit everywhere in this home, and red wine is no problem at all, says Meeks with a laugh. Weve used a lot of Perennials fabrics, so theres no reason to be worried!Between the sofas is a pair of Silas Seandel Biomorphic tables. The mushroom table is from Maison Gerard, and in the far left corner is an 18th-century carved wood lotus blossom sculpture. To the left of that is a drawing by Fernando Botero, and across the room is a painting by Jonas Wood.6Dining RoomKaren FuchsFormal dining room or well-curated gallery at Art Basel? The couple can seat up to 16 for dinner at this oak table custom designed by Aman & Meeks. Overhead is a chandelier the clients commissioned directly from artist Michele Oka Doner.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below7Dining RoomKaren FuchsSpread across the surface of the table is a collection of small sculptural works by artist Beth Katleman. Beth is a friend, and our client had seen her work displayed at a Dior boutique and loved it, says Meeks. And its set up there all the time, even when theyre eating: It tells a story, and you can actually play with it.On the way to the kitchen, to the right is a painting by Robert Rauschenberg and to the left a work by Timothy Curtis.8KitchenKaren FuchsThis was a total gut renovation, shares Aman. Like the rest of the home, she wanted it really clean, with white lacquered cabinetry. Above the bar is a work by Tokyo-based artist Shun Sudo, and nearby the appliances is a work by Julian Opie. The barstools are by Studio Vondom. Its a spot where the grandkids have breakfast and hang out.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below9Primary BedroomKaren FuchsShe wanted purple, purple, purple, so we said lavender, lavender, lavender, jokes Meeks. Were not big primary color people!It wasnt a difficult compromise given the outcome of the couples light-filled sanctuary. The custom four-poster bed was designed by Aman & Meeks, and both its headboard and bed scarf are embroidered with butterflies and other colorful insects. Its very Schiaparelli, says Meeks.The pair of Roberto Rida lamps were some of the first pieces the designers purchased for the project. We actually designed the room around them, adds Aman. The antique Lucite table is by Marie-Claude de Fouquires, and the pair of 1960s stools were a find at Incollect.10Primary BedroonKaren FuchsThe views of the Potomac dont disappoint in any room of this expansive penthouse, least of all in the primary bedroom. The pair of aluminum Lotus nesting tables are by Franck Evennou, and the potted porcelain hydrangea is by Vladimir Kanevsky. Over the custom sofa is a sterling silver leaf glass-paneled art piece is by Anne Peabody.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below11Primary Dressing RoomKaren FuchsAman & Meekss clients have the art of dressing down to a science in this spacious closet.12Primary BathroomKaren FuchsOur very good friend Robert Lee Morris did the chandelier mobile for us, shares Meeks. Hes known more for jewelry design but has been doing a lot of lighting fixtures for us. To the left of the room is a playful wall sculpture by another friend of the designers, Beth Katleman.

Apple is again supporting World Aids Day on December 1st, and will be donating $5 for every qualifying purchase between November 29 and December 8. Update: The company set a cap of $3M on its donation, and (RED) has tweeted that Apple hit this cap and donated the full sum This will be the 18th year in which Apple has supported The Global Fund, which seeks to fight HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria.The Global FundThe Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was established in 2002, and has been credited with saving 65 million lives since then.The Global Fund is a worldwide partnership to defeat HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria and ensure a healthier, safer and more equitable future for all. We raise and invest more than US$5 billion a year to fight deadly infectious diseases, challenge the injustice that fuels them, and strengthen health systems and pandemic preparedness in more than 100 of the hardest hit countries.We unite world leaders, communities, civil society, health workers and the private sector to find solutions that have the most impact, and we take them to scale worldwide. Since 2002, our partnership has saved 65 million lives.We are the worlds largest multilateral funder of global health grants in low- and middle-income countries, disbursing over US$65 billion to countries since 2002. We know that with science, money, political will and leadership, we can fight and overcome the deadliest disease threats.The Global Fund is proof that by working hand-in-hand with civil society, governments, private sector partners, philanthropists, technical partners and communities affected by the diseases, we can save lives and dramatically change the course of HIV, TB and malaria.Apple supporting World Aids DayApple began its own support for the fund not longer after it was established. One element of this is a collaboration with (PRODUCT)RED to create limited edition models of Apple products in a red color, with up to 50% of profits donated to the fund.The launch of the (RED) iPod Nano marked the beginning of one of (RED)s most successful partnerships that soon extended to the ultra-popular iPhone [and Apple Watch]. Since 2006, Apple has generated $250 million for HIV testing, treatment and counseling. Apples action encouraged other companies in tech and beyond to step up and join the movement.In addition, Apple makes annual sales-related donations across all Apple products in the period surrounding World Aids Day.This year, from November 29th through December 8, Apple will donate $5 for every purchase made using Apple Pay on apple.com, through the Apple Store app, or at an Apple Store. The donation goes to the Global Fund to fight AIDS and to help fund critical health programs that save lives.The company usually turns Apple Store logos red on December 1st.Photo: AppleAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has responded to a series of massive Marriott and Starwood data breaches, ordering the companies to make no fewer than 13 changes to ensure it cant happen again.More than 344 million customers were impacted by three separate security breaches, which revealed personal data that included credit card details and passport information Marriott and Starwood data breachesThe first of the three breaches dates all the way back to 2018.The Marriott International hotel group is the latest company to announce a large-scale hack of a customer database. For approximately 327 million of these guests, the information includes some combination of name, mailing address, phone number, email address, passport number, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) account information, date of birth, gender, arrival and departure information, reservation date, and communication preferences. For some, the information also includes payment card numbers and payment card expiration dates, but the payment card numbers were encrypted using Advanced Encryption Standard encryption (AES-128). There are two components needed to decrypt the payment card numbers, and at this point, Marriott has not been able to rule out the possibility that both were taken.There were two further hacks after this.FTC orders 13 changesThe FTC has now ordered both hotel groups to implement sweeping changes to guard against any repetition of the failings that allowed the attacks to succeed.Under the order, Marriott and Starwood are required to establish a comprehensive information security program to help safeguard customers personal information, implement a policy to retain personal information only for as long is reasonably necessary, and establish a link on their website for U.S. customers to request for personal information associated with their email address or loyalty rewards account number to be deleted. The order also requires Marriott to review loyalty rewards accounts upon customer request and restore stolen loyalty points.The companies are also prohibited from misrepresenting how they collect, maintain, use, delete or disclose consumers personal information; and the extent to which the companies protect the privacy, security, availability, confidentiality, or integrity of personal information.Given how basic many of the provisions are, they serve as a pretty damning indictment of how bad things must have been. For example, the companies mustnt lie about what they do with your data:Respondents, Respondents officers, agents, and employees, and all other persons in active concert or participation with any of them who receive actual notice of this Order, whether acting directly or indirectly, in connection with any product or service, must not misrepresent in any manner, expressly or by implication:A. Respondents collection, maintenance, use, deletion, or disclosure of Personal Information; andB. The extent to which Respondents protect the privacy, security, availability, confidentiality, or integrity of Personal Information.Other requirements are that the group train its employees in data security, create plans for responding to threats, establish policies to detect intrusions, and use two-factor authentication.Photo byJonathan KemperonUnsplashAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

All American Airline flights are currently grounded on Christmas Eve due to an unspecified technical issue. AA subsidiaries are also unable to fly, and the company says it cant say when the problem will be fixed Americans tweet rather understated the severity of the problem:Were currently experiencing a technical issue with all American Airlines flights. Your safety is our utmost priority, once this is rectified, well have you safely on your way to your destination.Our team is currently working to get this done. An estimated timeframe has not been provided, but theyre trying to fix it in the shortest possible time.However, an FAA advisory made clear that it was a complete, nationwide grounding for all AA main and subsidiary airline flights.DESTINATION AIRPORT: ALLDEP FACILITIES INCLUDED: ALLPROBABILITY OF EXTENSION: MEDIMPACTING CONDITION: COMPANY REQUESTCOMMENTS: NATIONWIDE GROUNDSTOP FOR AAL MAIN AND SUBSThe fact that all flights are grounded, irrespective of aircraft type, suggests a major IT outage. Some are suggesting that its a ransomware attack, but that is pure speculation as neither the airline nor the FAA has yet provided any explanation.Photo byForsaken FilmsonUnsplashAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Dec 24, 2024Ravie LakshmananMalware / Data ExfiltrationCybersecurity researchers have flagged two malicious packages that were uploaded to the Python Package Index (PyPI) repository and came fitted with capabilities to exfiltrate sensitive information from compromised hosts, according to new findings from Fortinet FortiGuard Labs.The packages, named zebo and cometlogger, attracted 118 and 164 downloads each, prior to them being taken down. According to ClickPy statistics, a majority of these downloads came from the United States, China, Russia, and India. Zebo is a "typical example of malware, with functions designed for surveillance, data exfiltration, and unauthorized control," security researcher Jenna Wang said, adding cometlogger "also shows signs of malicious behavior, including dynamic file manipulation, webhook injection, stealing information, and anti-[virtual machine] checks."The first of the two packages, zebo, uses obfuscation techniques, such as hex-encoded strings, to conceal the URL of the command-and-control (C2) server it communicates with over HTTP requests.It also packs in a slew of features to harvest data, including leveraging the pynput library to capture keystrokes and ImageGrab to periodically grab screenshots every hour and save them to a local folder, prior to uploading them to the free image hosting service ImgBB using an API key retrieved from the C2 server.In addition to exfiltrating sensitive data, the malware sets up persistence on the machine by creating a batch script that launches the Python code and adds it to the Windows Startup folder so that it's automatically executed upon every reboot.Cometlogger, on the other hand, is a lot of feature-packed, siphoning a wide range of information, including cookies, passwords, tokens, and account-related data from apps such as Discord, Steam, Instagram, X, TikTok, Reddit, Twitch, Spotify, and Roblox.It's also capable of harvesting system metadata, network and Wi-Fi information, a list of running processes, and clipboard content. Furthermore, it incorporates checks to avoid running in virtualized environments and terminates web browser-related processes to ensure unrestricted file access."By asynchronously executing tasks, the script maximizes efficiency, stealing large amounts of data in a short time," Wang said."While some features could be part of a legitimate tool, the lack of transparency and suspicious functionality make it unsafe to execute. Always scrutinize code before running it and avoid interacting with scripts from unverified sources."Found this article interesting? Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post.SHARE

John Edwards, Technology Journalist & AuthorDecember 24, 20245 Min ReadBrain light via Alamy Stock PhotoArtificial intelligence is transforming virtually all aspects of social and business life. For better or worse, this includes political campaigns and elections.These are not the first elections where AI has been used, but they are the first with low-cost AI tools widely available, introducing a new element of uncertainty for campaigns and voters, observes Ann Skeet, senior director of leadership ethics at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University, via email.AI is changing campaigns at a meteoric rate by providing politicians and their teams with advanced tools to shape public opinion, notes Sez Harmon, an AI policy analyst at the Responsible AI Institute. "Campaigns are using generative AI to personalize voter outreach, tailor speeches and marketing materials, create deepfakes of political opponents, and amplify election narratives." In an online interview, she states that AI tools can also be used for predictive analysis to assess where candidates should focus their advertising and fundraising efforts on campaign tours to sway voters in key jurisdictions.At a time when trust in the election process is rapidly diminishing, tools that blur the lines between reality and misinformation run the risk of eroding voter confidence even more, Skeet warns. "Voters need to bring an extra level of vigilance to their media and advertising consumption during this election cycle and build basic information literacy skills that will help them identify where political information is coming from, how it's vetted, edited and distributed, who's paying for it, and what tools are being used to create it."Related:Streamlining TasksAI tools can collate information and election resources at a speed and depth that's challenging for unassisted human political aides to match, Harmon says. "Some models are trained on years of political strategy data and media coverage, which would be arduous to parse by a team of human analysts." She adds that AI technology is particularly appealing to candidates struggling with tight budgets, since many tools are free or come with only a small licensing fee. "This makes them accessible to groups across the political spectrum."AI is transforming political campaigns by automating repetitive, time-consuming tasks, such as drafting emails, managing social media, and generating content, says Mike Nellis, a political strategist and founder and CEO of Authentic, a political fundraising and consulting firm. It's revolutionizing the way campaigns run in the most boring way imaginable, he notes via email. "These tools work behind the scenes, freeing-up staff to focus on more strategic and human-centered activities, like voter outreach and creative thinking."Related:Faster and EasierAI that streamlines campaign operations, such as fundraising and record-keeping, can improve efficiency and effectiveness, Skeet says. "AI used in political advertising can lower costs, stretching candidates campaign budgets further while allowing the development of targeted advertising that's more affordable." On the downside, using AI without disclosing its application can contribute to the erosion of voter trust and sow confusion amongst the electorate.Political campaigns are also turning to AI to prepare candidates ahead of election debates and speaking engagements, Harmon says. "GenAI platforms can be used to practice responses to hard-hitting political questions, give candidates role-play opportunities to field insults in the style of their opponents, and even provide advice on how to delicately address topics to maximize voter support."For content creation, a growing number of political campaigns now are using chatbots, recommendation engines, analytics platforms, and large language models (LLMs), Harmon says. "For example, campaigns are using AI tools like Polly, which scrapes social media data to predict election outcomes in different regions based on public sentiment."Related:Deception and DisengagementSkeet warns that AI can be used to deceive voters by generating misinformation and disinformation while reinforcing firmly held beliefs. "We have already seen negative applications of the technology to mislead voters and discourage them from voting."Deepfakes can be a particularly effective campaign method, since humans still struggle to discern synthetic media from live coverage and authentic content, Harmon says. "The advanced state of synthetic voice generation and video editing, along with the subtle manipulation of media through face swapping and lip syncing, has made this challenge more pronounced."Positive or Negative?While there are challenges, Nellis believes that AI's benefits in increased efficiency and reduced workload outweigh the negatives, especially when used thoughtfully. "It will reduce burnout by automating mundane tasks, which will help keep staff happier and more engaged, leading to better retention," he notes.Campaigns using AI should make prudent choices that keep them in compliance with existing federal election regulations against fraudulent misrepresentation or solicitation of funds, the use of AI-generated voices in robocalls, and copyright laws, Skeet says.Final ThoughtsOverall, AI is a positive development for political campaigns, Nellis says. "While there are challenges, the benefits of increased efficiency and reduced workloads outweigh the negatives, especially if AI is used thoughtfully."Harmon believes that AI-driven political campaigns are here to stay. "These tools are only as powerful as we make them, and setting limits is pivotal to upholding free and fair elections."About the AuthorJohn EdwardsTechnology Journalist & AuthorJohn Edwards is a veteran business technology journalist. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and numerous business and technology publications, including Computerworld, CFO Magazine, IBM Data Management Magazine, RFID Journal, and Electronic Design. He has also written columns for The Economist's Business Intelligence Unit and PricewaterhouseCoopers' Communications Direct. John has authored several books on business technology topics. His work began appearing online as early as 1983. Throughout the 1980s and 90s, he wrote daily news and feature articles for both the CompuServe and Prodigy online services. His "Behind the Screens" commentaries made him the world's first known professional blogger.See more from John EdwardsNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also LikeWebinarsMore WebinarsReportsMore Reports