In many instances, information threats don't seem outlandishthey align with normal business operations, expected behavior and even past interactions.

Drug pricing is influenced by numerous factors, but technology has the potential to strike the critical balance between affordability and innovation.

What just happened? Acer has unveiled the absolutely massive Nitro Blaze 11 at CES a handheld gaming PC with a ludicrous 10.95-inch display. If that sounds a bit excessive for a portable device, there's also the relatively compact 8.8-inch Nitro Blaze 8. Let's start with the big guy the Nitro Blaze 11. Acer has shared a photo of a person holding the device, and let's just say it almost looks comical in human hands. But then bigger is (almost) always better for gaming, so we aren't complaining.Under the hood, the handheld rocks an AMD Ryzen 8040HS processor, 16GB LPDDR5X RAM, up to 2TB storage, and dedicated Radeon 780M graphics. Its 10.95-inch WQXGA touchscreen has a 2560 x 1600 resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, and can hit 500 nits of brightness. Radeon Super Resolution and AMD's FidelityFX upscaling tech also keep games looking sharp at high frame rates.The handheld also features detachable controllers with Hall Effect joysticks, back buttons, and rumbling force feedback. There's even a built-in kickstand for propping it up.With all that hardware and the massive display, it's no surprise that the device tips the scales at a whopping 1,050 grams.If you prefer something more portable, Acer has you covered with the Nitro Blaze 8. While much more portable at 8.8 inches, it still flexes impressive muscle under the hood. You're getting the same powerful AMD chip, up to 16GB RAM, 2TB storage, and a 144Hz WQXGA display, albeit in a smaller package. However, it lacks detachable controllers and the stand. // Related StoriesAs for connectivity, you get Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and USB4/3.2 ports on both devices.Both models also include Acer's Game Space app for quickly accessing and managing your game library. To sweeten the deal, Acer is bundling three months of PC Game Pass, meaning you get day-one access to major upcoming titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, plus games from EA's library.The Nitro Blaze 8 will start at $899 in North America when it launches in Q2 2025, while the Nitro Blaze 11 will have a $1,099 starting price. European pricing is set at 999 and 1,199 respectively.

A hot potato: It seems that Meta is going to become a lot more like X, at least when it comes to what you can say on the company's platforms. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has announced the suspension of the fact-checking program, a reduction in the amount of censorship, and the recommendation of more political content across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. In a video announcing the changes, Zuckerberg says Meta has built a lot of complex systems to moderate content, "But the problem with complex systems is they make mistakes."Zuckerberg adds that accidentally censoring just one percent of posts can affect millions of people, and that we're at the point now where there have been too many mistakes and "too much censorship."View this post on InstagramA post shared by Mark Zuckerberg (@zuck)"The recent elections also feel like a cultural tipping point towards once again prioritizing free speech," Zuckerberg continued.Coming to the US first in the next couple of months, Meta's biggest change is the replacement of third-party fact checkers with community notes, which have gained popularity on X. Zuckerberg claims that fact checkers have become too politically biased and have destroyed more trust than they created. // Related StoriesThe notes will appear as labels on posts indicating that there is additional information. To prevent bias, the note will "require agreement between people with a range of perspectives." Meta is also dialing back the prominence of content warning labels.Meta is also going to "simplify" its content policies, removing restrictions on topics such as immigration and gender that "are just out of touch with mainstream discourse.""What started as a movement to be more inclusive has increasingly been used to shut down opinions and shut out people with different ideas, and it's gone too far. So I want to make sure that people can share their beliefs and experiences on our platforms."Another change is the way Meta enforces its policies on platforms. Filters that used to scan for any policy violation will now focus on illegal and high-severity violations such as terrorism, child sexual exploitation, drugs, fraud, and scams. The company will rely on users to report lower-priority violation before it takes any action. Zuckerberg believes this will dramatically reduce the amount of censorship on the platforms.The final change is the return of civic content, which was removed in 2021 due to political misinformation concerns. Zuckerberg said Meta will work to keep civic and political discourse "friendly and positive."The next change is to move Meta's Trust and Safety and Content Moderation teams from California to Texas and other US locations. Zuckerberg said as Meta works to promote free expression, it will help build trust to do this work in places where there is less concern about bias from the teams.Finally, the CEO said Meta will work with President Trump to push back against governments around the world that have been "going after" American companies and pushing to censor more. He claims that Europe's ever-increasing number of censorship laws make it difficult to build anything innovative in the continent. Zuckerberg specifically mentions Latin American courts and China trying to push more censorship.The announcement comes days after former UK deputy prime minister Nick Clegg said he was resigning as Meta's president of global affairs, replaced by Republican Joel Kaplan. The company has also appointed UFC CEO Dana White to its board.While Meta's changes will likely be welcomed by the incoming president, Trump has had a strained relationship with Zuckerberg in the past. Facebook banned the president-elect for two years shortly after the January 6 insurrection in 2021. Trump has also called Facebook the enemy of the people, accused Zuckerberg of plotting against him during the 2020 election, and said he would "spend the rest of his life in prison" if he ever did it again. But Zuckerberg was quick to congratulate Trump on his re-election. Meta also donated $1 million to an inauguration fund for Trump.

Valentines Day is a time for love and romance. In theHeart Eyestrailer, the holiday becomes a killing ground for a masked murderer in this slasher romantic comedy.Set to an eerie cover of Cant Take My Eyes Off Of You,Heart Eyesfollows a pair of co-workers who find themselves in the fight of their lives on Valentines Day. The Seattle-based duo is stalked by the Heart Eyes Killer, a murderer wearing a mask with heart-shaped red lights over the eyes. The Heart Eyes Killer specifically hunts and kills couples.Recommended VideosHeart Eyes stars Olivia Holt, Mason Gooding, Gigi Zumbado, Michaela Watkins, Devon Sawa, and Jordana Brewster. Brewsters character, who is in law enforcement, says, Hes like Cupid with a kink, as she investigates a crime scene. Holt plays one of the unlucky girls being stalked by the killer. However, her character knows the only way to eliminate the killer is to face him head-on.Please enable Javascript to view this contentHes going to keep killing people. We end it here, Holts character emphatically states as the Heart Eyes Killer wreaks havoc at a drive-in movie.HEART EYES - Official Trailer (HD)Josh Ruben directsHeart Eyes froma screenplay by Phillip Murphy,Christopher Landon, andMichael Kennedy. Reuben is best known for directing several comedy-horror films, including 2020s Scare Me and 2021s Werewolves Within. Landon, the director of Happy Death Day, produced Heart Eyeswith Greg Gilreath and Adam Hendricks. Heart Eyesstems from Spyglass Media Group, the production banner behind Screamand Scream VI.RelatedHeart Eyesopens theatrically on February 7, 2025, one week before Valentines Day.Editors Recommendations

The U.K. competition regulator said it could approve Synopsyss $35 billion purchase of Ansys after the companies offered to sell off business units to ease regulators concerns.

The $20 million deal gives the chip supplier a toehold in the life-sciences market, a strategy it plans to replicate in other industries.

Investors are hyper-focused on data centers despite big new efforts in gaming, self-driving cars and robotics.

Drew Firment, Chief Cloud Strategist, PluralsightJanuary 8, 20254 Min ReadPixabaySpurred by the rapid adoption of generative AI, cloud computings 20% year-over-year growth is driving its status as todays default operating model. However, the workforce skills gap has many organizations struggling to leverage the clouds full potential. While security and cost controls are key challenges to cloud adoption, the skills gap continues to vex enterprises seeking to maximize their investments in cloud computing, as more than 75% of organizations have abandoned projects due to skills gaps.Many companies hire new talent to address the cloud skills gap, which is only a temporary solution. To implement a sustainable transition to the cloud, leaders must adopt a long-term strategic approach to upskill existing employees with a comprehensive workforce development plan. Continuous learning programs can help companies close their cloud computing skills gap and evolve the workforce to stay ahead of technology. These programs should also include non-technical employees to ensure enterprise-wide cloud literacy.Impact of AI and the Cloud on Security, Compliance, and UpskillingAIs rapid evolution and influence on the cloud are game changers for businesses innovation and management of the complex security and compliance landscapes that come with this shift. Addressing these challenges through upskilling is vital to ensuring companies can navigate the new era of AI and cloud computing confidently and securely.Related:Companies can use AI to automate routine tasks, improve customer experiences through chatbots and recommendations, and analyze large datasets to derive actionable insights. AI also helps cloud environments to be more adaptive and self-optimizing, enabling them to scale based on real-time demand and usage patterns. This integration of AI and the cloud enhances efficiency and innovation but also creates new challenges related to security, compliance, and the need for specialized skills.AI can be a powerful tool to enhance cloud security through advanced threat detection and real-time risk analysis. However, using AI in cloud systems makes these environments more complex, creating more entry points for potential security threats. AI-driven systems that are not properly secured could become targets for malicious actors seeking to exploit vulnerabilities. For example, adversarial AI techniques in which data is manipulated to deceive AI models are an emerging threat to cloud security.To mitigate these risks, businesses need cloud security professionals with expertise in both cloud infrastructure and AI-driven tools. These professionals must know how to use AI to strengthen security measures while also being vigilant about the unique security challenges that AI introduces. Through continuous learning and targeted upskilling programs, organizations can equip their workforce with the knowledge needed to navigate these challenges and unlock the full potential of AI and the cloud.Related:Upskilling Teams, Optimizing Cloud Usage, and AlignmentAcross industries, the cloud is now table stakes, but its successful adoption requires more than just implementing a cloud infrastructure. It demands a holistic approach that optimizes cloud usage and aligns its strategies with business objectives. When done right, cloud computing allows teams to enhance agility and speed, drive innovation, and improve cross-team collaboration. To operationalize cloud computing effectively, businesses must focus on leadership and organizational alignment, cloud governance and security, and continuous upskilling of employees.Cloud adoption should be an integral part of the businesss overall strategy rather than an isolated IT initiative. Key considerations include creating a cloud-first mindset and culture across the organization, from leadership to front-line employees. By utilizing the cloud, organizations can pivot quickly based on market conditions and leverage data analytics and AI to make more informed, data-driven decisions.Related:Cloud computing is a highly specialized skill that requires a deep understanding of cloud platforms, security, DevOps practices, and data management. Training that includes AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud certifications helps employees stay current on the latest cloud technologies and best practices. As cloud computing affects many aspects of a business, from IT and development teams to marketing and operations, a cross-functional collaboration ensures that cloud capabilities are utilized as effectively as possible across the enterprise.Fostering a Culture of Continuous LearningAs the cloud continues to evolve, the need for workforces with the skills to use it will intensify. To remain competitive, organizations must foster a culture in which employees are empowered to update their skills through a mix of formal training, hands-on experience, and knowledge sharing.Organizations that fail to address the skills gap risk falling behind in the race to leverage cloud technologies effectively. By investing in cloud training programs, certifications, and continuous learning, businesses can ensure they have the talent to innovate, scale, and secure their operations in the cloud.About the AuthorDrew FirmentChief Cloud Strategist, PluralsightDrew Firment works closely with business and technology leaders to accelerate cloud adoption by migrating talent to the cloud. Drew was previously Director of Cloud Engineering at Capital One where he led enterprise cloud operations within their Cloud Center of Excellence and migrated the early adopters of Amazon Web Services (AWS) into production. He founded Capital One's cloud engineering college that drove a large-scale talent transformation and earned a patent for measuring cloud adoption and maturity. Drew is recognized by Amazon as an AWS Community Hero for his ongoing efforts to build inclusive and sustainable learning communities.See more from Drew FirmentNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also LikeWebinarsMore WebinarsReportsMore Reports

Ryanair is suing a passenger it said had forced a flight to divert, it announced Wednesday.The airline said it paid for 160 passengers' accommodation after the diversion meant an overnight delay.It said it would take action against "disruptive passengers personally."Ryanairannounced a clampdown on passenger misconduct as it revealed it was suing someone it accused of disrupting a flight and forcing it to divert.The budget airline said it wants to claim over 15,000 euros, around $15,500, in damages, having filed proceedings in the Irish Circuit Court.In a statement issued Wednesday, the airline said it would now take action against "disruptive passengers personally" in a "major misconduct clamp down."It added it would "continue to take decisive action to combat unruly passenger behavior."In the statement, it said that the incident occurred on April 9, 2024, on a flight from Dublin to Lanzarote a popular vacation destination in Spain's Canary Islands.The flight, with 160 passengers on board, diverted to Porto, Portugal, and was delayed overnight, the airline said.The airline accused the passenger of "inexcusable behavior" but did not elaborate on what they had specifically done.A Ryanair spokesperson said the incident cost the airline 15,000 euros for overnight accommodation, passenger expenses, and landing costs."It is unacceptable that passengers many of whom are heading away with family or friends to enjoy a relaxing summer holiday are suffering unnecessary disruption and reduced holiday time as a result of one unruly passenger's behavior," the spokesperson said."This demonstrates just one of the many consequences that passengers who disrupt flights will face as part of Ryanair's zero-tolerance policy, and we hope this action will deter further disruptive behavior on flights so that passengers and crew can travel in a comfortable and respectful environment," they added.