Jan 16, 2025Ravie LakshmananSpear Phishing / Threat IntelligenceThe Russian threat actor known as Star Blizzard has been linked to a new spear-phishing campaign that targets victims' WhatsApp accounts, signaling a departure from its longstanding tradecraft in a likely attempt to evade detection."Star Blizzard's targets are most commonly related to government or diplomacy (both incumbent and former position holders), defense policy or international relations researchers whose work touches on Russia, and sources of assistance to Ukraine related to the war with Russia," the Microsoft Threat Intelligence team said in a report shared with The Hacker News.Star Blizzard (formerly SEABORGIUM) is a Russia-linked threat activity cluster known for its credential harvesting campaigns. Active since at least 2012, it's also tracked under the monikers Blue Callisto, BlueCharlie (or TAG-53), Calisto (alternately spelled Callisto), COLDRIVER, Dancing Salome, Gossamer Bear, Iron Frontier, TA446, and UNC4057.Previously observed attack chains have involved sending spear-phishing emails to targets of interest, usually from a Proton account, attaching documents embedding malicious links that redirect to an Evilginx-powered page that's capable of harvesting credentials and two-factor authentication (2FA) codes via an adversary-in-the-middle (AiTM) attack.Star Blizzard has also been linked to the use of email marketing platforms like HubSpot and MailerLite to conceal the true email sender addresses and obviate the need for including actor-controlled domain infrastructure in email messages.Late last year, Microsoft and the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) announced the seizure of more than 180 domains that were used by the threat actor to target journalists, think tanks, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) between January 2023 and August 2024.The tech giant assessed public disclosure into its activities may have likely prompted the hacking crew to switch up its tactics by compromising WhatsApp accounts. That said, the campaign appears to have been limited and wound down at the end of November 2024."The targets primarily belong to the government and diplomacy sectors, including both current and former officials," Sherrod DeGrippo, director of threat intelligence strategy at Microsoft, told The Hacker News."Additionally, the targets encompass individuals involved in defense policy, researchers in international relations focusing on Russia, and those providing assistance to Ukraine in relation to the war with Russia."It all starts with a spear-phishing email that purports to be from a U.S. government official to lend it a veneer of legitimacy and increase the likelihood that the victim would engage with them.The message contains a quick response (QR) code that urges the recipients to join a supposed WhatsApp group on "the latest non-governmental initiatives aimed at supporting Ukraine NGOs." The code, however, is deliberately broken so as to trigger a response from the victim.Should the email recipient reply, Star Blizzard sends a second message, asking them to click on a t[.]ly shortened link to join the WhatsApp group, while apologizing for the inconvenience caused."When this link is followed, the target is redirected to a web page asking them to scan a QR code to join the group," Microsoft explained. "However, this QR code is actually used by WhatsApp to connect an account to a linked device and/or the WhatsApp Web portal."In the event the target follows the instructions on the site ("aerofluidthermo[.]org"), the approach allows the threat actor to gain unauthorized access to their WhatsApp messages and even exfiltrate the data via browser add-ons.Individuals who belonging to sectors targeted by Star Blizzard are advised to exercise caution when it comes to handling emails containing links to external sources.The campaign "marks a break in long-standing Star Blizzard TTPs and highlights the threat actor's tenacity in continuing spear-phishing campaigns to gain access to sensitive information even in the face of repeated degradations of its operations."Found this article interesting? Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post.SHARE

Joao-Pierre S. Ruth, Senior EditorJanuary 16, 20254 Min ReadFlame front of the Eaton Fire on the first night during the January 2025 California wildfires in Altadena and Los Angeles.Timothy Swope via Alamy Stock PhotoSatellite-based communication helped clear up some of the smoke and confusion that arose from the LA County wildfires that tore into Southern California.Firefighters, who came from across the country, Canada, and Mexico, contained a number of the devastating fires that began the first week of 2025 but some of the largest patches of flame continue to burn.Rescue and recovery efforts require cohesive communication, for individuals and emergency responders, in such a widespread disaster. So far, the infernos across the region consumed collectively more than 40,000 acres of land, destroyed entire communities, and claimed at least 24 lives.Companies such as Intrado and Cisco offer resources that can help ensure clear lines of communication remain available during disasters that might disrupt standard means of staying connected. What happens in these disaster situations is traditional networks may have impacts to them because of the nature of hurricanes or fires and knocks out the traditional communication what were all used to, says Josh Burch, vice president of product operations at Intrado.That might include cellular, landline, VoIP, or voice over Wi-Fi networks, he says. In such instances, Burch says the use of satellite-based communication, including direct to device satellite communication, may come into play.Related:Two to three years ago, something like this wouldnt even have been possible, Burch says. The ability for satellite constellations to communicate with wireless handsets is now possible in certain scenarios.That communication might be limited to text communication in certain circumstances but can still allow emergency messages to be transmitted by individuals who might otherwise lose contact and service on their phones, Burch says. Intrado has processed more than 2,000 TXT29-1-1 messages in LA county since the wildfires began.The LA County wildfires saw Cisco called into action to provide support to agencies tasked with rescue and relief efforts.To avoid confusion in already challenging circumstances, Cisco Crisis Response Director Erin Connors says the Cisco team gets rolling only after they make contact with the emergency response agencies that focus on critical infrastructure, government continuity, aid delivery, and public safety. She says her team leverages Cisco resources, funding, technology, and expertise to connect vulnerable communities in crisis.In the case of the LA fires, there has been some degradation to cellular infrastructure, but not extensively, Connors says. Her team is made up of emergency response network engineers who can deploy in the event of emergencies. We dont self-deploy; its always at the request of partner agencies that are on the ground that have an expressed need that we can meet.Related:For the LA County fires, Connors says her team received requests from state and local response agencies for such needs as connectivity support for command posts and incident management teams. In a lot of cases, this is where theyre setting up new offices, she says. There might still be some backhaul or cellular connectivity, but if theyre setting up new field offices to be able to coordinate and manage their relief activities, they need network infrastructure.Cisco lent satellite backhaul where needed, Connors says, pairing Cisco Meraki security appliances to secure the network. All this goes toward managing and prioritizing network traffic to help response centers deliver services to affected citizens, she says. You can block Netflix streaming, for example, so that doesnt actually take up all the bandwidth for really critical communications to manage response efforts.Resources Cisco brings to bear for such disasters include equipment or remote guidance while the emergency response agencies look for longer-term solutions. Connors says Ciscos response team continues to provide remote support for the recovery from Hurricane Helene and also lent support in response to the 2023 fires in Maui. The team not only works with government agencies, but also supports nonprofit organizations and provides community Wi-Fi and shelters, she says.Related:Though the LA County wildfires covered a vast breadth of geography and cause widespread damage and displacement, Connors says the situation has not necessarily affected the resources Cisco made available. That is despite the challenge of oversight and communication needed to coordinate support from across international. There is just a lot more to manage for all of the agencies, she says. That maybe is a little bit different.Evolution of satellite technology such as Starlink, Connors says, made these types of resources more accessible and affordable to put into play during such crises. Thats been a big game changer.In prior years, Connors says, when Cisco first offered crisis response, resources had to be deployed in person with skilled technicians to set up and manage the network. Nowadays, she says, with Cisco Meraki the equipment can be shipped to location, is relatively easy to install, and features remote support. AI can also be used to scan for threats and troubleshoot the systems, making it easier to manage without always needing boots on the ground for technology to deliver support to agencies that respond to a disaster. We dont necessarily need to fly in, deploy, set it up, and be there long term, Connors says.About the AuthorJoao-Pierre S. RuthSenior EditorJoao-Pierre S. Ruth covers tech policy, including ethics, privacy, legislation, and risk; fintech; code strategy; and cloud & edge computing for InformationWeek. He has been a journalist for more than 25 years, reporting on business and technology first in New Jersey, then covering the New York tech startup community, and later as a freelancer for such outlets as TheStreet, Investopedia, and Street Fight.See more from Joao-Pierre S. 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David Lynch has died.The passing of the brilliant director behind such classics asBlue Velvet,Eraserhead, andTwin Peakswas announced by his family on Lynchs own Facebook page.It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch, they wrote. We would appreciate some privacy at this time. Theres a big hole in the world now that hes no longer with us. But, as he would say, Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole.They added Its a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way, in tribute to Lynchs popular weather reports, which he delivered on local L.A. radio and then online for many years. Lynch was 78 years old.READ MORE: The Best Movies of the 21st CenturyThe iconoclastic artist, director, and musician was born in Montana in 1946. He studied art at the Corcoran School in Washington D.C., the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, before moving to Los Angelesto study filmmaking at the American Film Institute. It was there that Lynch began work on his first feature,Eraserhead, a moody, black and white horror film about a man in a nightmarish industrial world caring for a bizarre-looking baby. (Until the end of his life, Lynch never revealed exactly how he made the films disturbing looking baby.)Eraserheadbecame one of the first America filmsto become a cult hit playing in urban theaters as a midnight movie. (The picture of its title character, played by Jack Nance, adorns the cover of the most famous book on that subject,Midnight Movies by J. Hoberman and Jonathan Rosenbaum.) Lynchs bold work on Eraserheadcaught the attention of Mel Brooks, who brought Lynch on to directThe Elephant Man,which became his first Hollywood production.The success ofThe Elephant Man, which earned Lynchhis first Oscar nomination for Best Director, helped Lynch land the job directing the much-anticipated first adaptation of Frank HerbertsDune.(Along the way, Lynch also turned down the opportunity to directReturn of the Jedi.)Dunewas not well-received at the time and it was a box-office disappointment, butit has become more and more of a cult favorite in recent years.Lynch rebounded fromDunewith one of his signature projects:Blue Velvet, a neo-noir set in a small town where a naive young man (Kyle Maclachlan, who previously worked with Lynch onDune) uncovers a mystery and falls deeper and deeper into the local underworld, where he encounters thederanged Frank Booth, played by Dennis Hopper.Equally controversial and influential,Blue Velvetis now considered one of the greatest movies of the 1980s. And Lynch followed it with maybe his biggest mainstream success ever: The TV seriesTwin Peaks, which channeled many of Blue Velvetssame themes about the darkness lurking beneath the surface of small-town America into the form of a high schoolTV soap opera.The first season ofTwin Peaks became a smash, although mainstream audiences began to lose interest in the series during its second season, after ABC moved the show to Saturday nights and forcing Lynch and the creative team to reveal the answer to the shows biggest mystery, the identity of the murderer of Laura Palmer.AlthoughTwin Peaks ended after its second season, Lynch returned repeatedly to the material, first in a prequel film, 1992sTwin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, and then in a revival show,Twin Peaks: The Return, which expanded the mythology of the show in myriad ways across 18 fascinatingly strange episodes on Showtime in 2017.Lynchs other movies includeWild at Heart,Lost Highway,The Straight Story, and possiblythe most acclaimed film of his entire career,Mulholland Drive.Thatproject began life as a pilot for an ABC series, but after the network rejected it, Lynch retooled the concept, shot new material, and turned it into a feature about an actress (Naomi Watts) who moves to Los Angelesandmeets an amnesiac (Laura Harring).Lynchs cinematic output slowed in the 21st century; he made just one feature afterMulholland Drive, 2006sInland Empire, along with the massiveTwin Peaks: The Return.But he continued creating all sorts of things in his later years. In addition to those famous weather reports,Lynch made music, directed music videos, wrote books, andchampioned Transcendental Meditation, which he practiced for many years.Last summer, Lynch revealed in an interview that he had been diagnosed with emphysema after decades of smoking. The disease had left him essentially homebound, he said, and put an abrupt end to his directing career because he could only walk a short distance before he ran out of oxygen.He did say at that time that for the right project he would try to [direct] it remotely. Sadly, that never happened. But the movies and shows Lynch did make will be watched for decades to come.Get our free mobile app10 Wild Passion Projects from Famous Directors That Were Almost Never MadeIf it weren't for these directors' sheer determination, we might never have seen these movies at all.

We develop software and services that are used by hosting providers to provide security services to their clients.Most of our software is written in C++ and GoLang, but it needs to be integrated with the control panels used by hosting providers.These control panels are in most cases written in PHP, so we are looking for the ability to develop panel extensions and plugins, implement a native user interface for control panels, patch and extend opensource software like Wordpress, and willingness to learn new technologies as well.Our Engineers have wide responsibilities over the whole development lifecycle so knowledge of tools such as Git, Docker, Regular expressions, XML, SQL, HTML, CSS and JavaScript will become handy.We are looking for engineers who can solve problems together, think about big problems such as scalability and availability and sometimes go against the current to also challenge the common decision.Understanding Networking and Web Security will greatly help you succeed. In addition to technical expertise, we value taking ownership beyond the obvious, your motivation to learn new things you dont yet master, ability to make decisions together with your team and willingness to collaborate with different BotGuard teams.Key Responsibilities:- You will develop our integration modules, extensions and plugins for hosting panels such as cPanel, Plesk, and DirectAdmin.- You will develop our plugins for CMS such as Wordpress.- You will design and implement user interfaces with HTML, CSS and some JavaScript.- You will help our clients extend their custom client portals written in PHP.- You will implement event handlers, small applications running in the background in our cluster.Essential Skills & Requirements:Basic Requirements- 4+ years of professional PHP software development experience with a track record of long-term projects- Complete understanding of how the WWW works- Experience with web security- Working experience in hosting industry is a plus- Working experience with C++ or Golang is a big plusWhat We Expect From Our Co-workers- Curiosity, enthusiasm and strong desire to learn and improve.- Time management and asynchronous communication skills relevant for a remote-first engineering organization.Our tech-stack- C++- Golang- PHP- RabbitMQ- PostgreSQL- Clickhouse- Kubernetes- Gitlab CI/CDWe are striving to create a diverse and inclusive environment. We encourage all applicants to apply for our roles. We value and actively seek diverse talent! Related Jobs See more Back-End Programming jobs

Ashford Borough Councils planning committee approved the plans by a 102 majority voteSource: Hollaway StudioSource: Hollaway StudioSource: Hollaway StudioSource: Hollaway StudioSource: Hollaway StudioSource: Hollaway StudioSource: Hollaway StudioSource: Hollaway Studio1/8show captionPlans for a 100m headquarters and factory for Brompton Bikes on a 100-acre wetlands site near Ashford, Kent, were approved last night by Ashford Borough Council, despite the company recently announcing the project is on hold.The decision comes after Brompton revealed a significant drop in profits, with pre-tax earnings for the year ending March 2024 falling to just 4,602, down from 10.7m the previous year. The company has cited a faltering global bicycle market and an oversupply of cheaper bikes as reasons for the delay.The approved plans, designed by Hollaway Studio, feature a circular building raised 2.2m above the floodplain on stilts. The development aims to transform the wetlands into a publicly accessible nature reserve while housing a state-of-the-art factory capable of producing over 200,000 bicycles annually and employing more than 1,500 people.The design incorporates sustainable transport principles, with no new car parking spaces provided. Staff and visitors will be encouraged to travel by bike or public transport. A wide cycle path will serve as the buildings main artery, allowing cyclists to ride directly into the factory, through its interior, and up to a rooftop museum.Will Butler-Adams, Bromptons managing director, has described the project as a revolutionary and sustainable bicycle factory of the future. He said: The factory will merge the public and private domains of industry through permitting the public to view not only how Brompton bikes are manufactured but to reveal and educate how industry works a rarity in such settings and something that will position it firmly within the community.Comparing the vision to a 21st-century Bournville, Butler-Adams highlighted the projects ambition to integrate industry, sustainability, and community engagement.>> Also read:Hollaway Studio designs floating bike factory for Brompton>> Also read: Hollaway Studios Brompton Bikes HQ on hold after profits collapseButler-Adams told the planning committee that Brompton Bikes aimed to bring a bit more cycling health and happiness into our cities.The proposed development includes spaces for designers, creators, and a manufacturing facility, all linked by an internal street. The building is intended to create a symbiotic relationship between industry and nature, with Hollaway Studio principal partner Guy Hollaway noting that the structure will appear to float above the wetlands, allowing water levels to rise and fall naturally. The foundations will also harness geothermal energy to heat the building.This ambitious project is truly ground-breaking in its approach and aspires to act as an exemplar to demonstrate how industry can embrace sustainable methods of transport and create an architecture that reflects the ethos of Brompton bicycles, added Hollaway.Despite the approval, the developments future remains uncertain following Bromptons financial struggles. The companys current factory in Greenford, west London, is expected to remain operational until at least 2030. Construction on the Ashford site was initially planned for completion by 2027, but no revised timeline has been announced.Ashford Borough Councils planning committee approved the plans by a 102 majority vote, with councillors recognising the projects potential to enhance local biodiversity and boost the economy, even as concerns were raised over the loss of some wildlife habitat and the limited parking provision.

The Tesla Cybertruck hit the streets in December 2023, and since then it's made its way everywhere from city streets to Fortnite and Rocket League. But the road hasn't always been smooth for the sharp-angled Cybertruck; Tesla has so far issued seven recalls for the stainless steel pickup.Tesla sits atthe top of the listwhen it comes to total vehicles recalled in 2024, with 5.1 million cars compared with 4.3 million for No. 2 Ford. The futuristic-looking Cybertruck is one of Tesla's most expensive vehicles, with prices ranging from around $80,000 to $102,000, depending on trim. The price can go up more as well, based on add-ons such as the Full Self-Driving mode, which tacks on $8,000 (and which isn't fully autonomous, in spite of its name).Though Tesla hasn't announced any official sales numbers, Forbes estimates that 28,250 Cybertrucks have been sold as of October 2024. Tesla didn't respond to a request for comment.Here's every recall issued for the Tesla Cybertruck so far, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website.Read more: Tesla Model X Recall: What EV Drivers Should Know About All RecallsIncorrect font size on warning lightsDate of recall:Jan. 30, 2024Vehicles affected: 2,193,869Component: Electrical SystemThis one wasn't just for the Tesla Cybertruck. Affected vehicles included the 2012-23 Tesla Model S, 2016-24 Model X, 2017-23 Model Y and the 2024 Cybertruck. The NHTSA found that the font size on the instrument panel for the brake, park and ABS warnings was too small, making it too difficult for the driver to read.To fix the issue, Tesla issued a free over-the-air update, keeping owners from having to take their Teslas into dealerships for an official fix.Unintended acceleration from trapped pedalDate of recall:Apr. 17, 2024Vehicles affected: 3,878Component: Vehicle Speed ControlDefinitely the most major recall for the Cybertruck, this one affected Cybertrucks manufactured from Nov. 13, 2023, through Apr. 4, 2024. The NHTSA said in a report that the accelerator pedal on some Tesla Cybertrucks could dislodge and become trapped by the interior trim, causing the vehicle to accelerate uncontrollably. Drivers could stop the unintended acceleration by pressing and holding the brake pedal, which cuts power to the vehicle's electric motors.Tesla owners had to bring their Cybertrucks into the dealership, where technicians repaired or replaced the accelerator pedal assembly for free. Per the NHTSA's report, the problem was caused by residual lubricant accidentally introduced during the manufacturing process that would cause the pad to fall off of the pedal assembly, thus becoming stuck. Once fixed, the pedal was no longer at risk of becoming stuck.Read more: Tesla Recalls Cybertruck Due to Faulty Accelerator PedalFront windshield wiper can failDate of recall:June 19, 2024Vehicles affected: 11,688Component: VisibilityAccording to Tesla and the NHTSA, excessive electrical current was occasionally delivered to the front windshield wiper motor controller through a faulty component. The excessive current would eventually cause the motor to fail. Once the motor burned out, the front windshield wiper would become inoperable until it was repaired.The issue affected Tesla Cybertrucks manufactured from Nov. 13, 2023, to June 6, 2024, totaling 11,688 units. To fix the issue, owners were encouraged to bring their Teslas to the dealership where the wiper motor was swapped with one without the component defect.Read more: Tesla's Cybertruck Is Driving Into Fortnite and Rocket LeagueImproperly adhered trunk bed trim can detachDate of recall:June 19, 2024Vehicles affected: 12,150Component: StructureThis recall was issued on the same day as the windshield wiper issue. Tesla said a cosmetic applique on the truck, known as a sail applique, was incorrectly installed on some Cybertrucks. The appliques use an adhesive to stick to the frame of the truck, and some models had the adhesive improperly installed. The result is that the trim piece could become loose or even fall off with time, causing a road hazard for other drivers.Cybertruck owners were asked to bring their trucks into the dealership to fix the issue. The fix included replacing any missing trim pieces, using an adhesion promoter to strengthen the existing adhesion, and using pressure-sensitive tape to hold the piece down. Affected trucks were manufactured from Nov. 13, 2023, to May 26, 2024.Rearview camera image may not displayDate of recall:Sept. 26, 2024Vehicles affected: 27,185Component: Back Over PreventionThe Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard states that a rearview camera must display an image within 2 seconds of the car being put in reverse. In certain conditions, the vehicle system may not complete the shutdown process before it's expected to boot up again. This causes a delay that can prevent the rearview camera from showing anything for longer than 2 seconds, which breaks the federal rules.Much like with the incorrect font size recall, Tesla was able to fix this one with a free over-the-air update that kept owners from having to return to the dealership for fixes. Affected Cybertrucks include those made from Nov. 13, 2023, to Sept. 14, 2024.Inverter fault may cause loss of drive powerDate of recall:Nov. 5, 2024Vehicles affected: 2,431Component: Electrical SystemThis was Tesla's second recall affecting the Cybertruck electrical system. This one was caused by faulty metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors, otherwise known as MOSFETs and common in modern vehicles. A small number of Cybertrucks had faulty versions of these transistors in the drive inverter, which could cause the inverter to fail. Failure caused the trucks to stop producing torque and thus simply stop moving. The NHTSA investigation noted that there were no warning signs before failure, so the stoppage could happen at any time.The fix requires Tesla Cybertruck owners to go to the dealership where the inverter was replaced free of charge. This recall is fairly new so owners haven't been formally informed by Tesla yet. The date of ownership notification is planned for the first week of January 2025. Affected trucks were manufactured between Nov. 6, 2023, and July 30, 2024.Tire pressure warning-light issueDate of recall: Dec. 17, 2024Vehicles affected: 694,304Component: TiresTesla is recalling nearly 700,000 vehicles across 16 different car models because of an issue with its tire-pressure monitoring system. The recall affects the 2024 Cybertruck and 2017-2025 Model 3 and 2020-2025 Model Y vehicles,according tothe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.Read more: Tesla Recalls 700,000 Vehicles, Including Cybertruck, Over Tire Pressure IssueThe warning light that monitors tire pressure may not stay lit, meaning drivers might not know their tire pressure is low. That can increase the risk of a crash. Tesla is releasing a free over-the-air software update to help correct the issue. Owners of the impacted cars will receive notification letters in the mail beginning in mid-February 2025.

January 16, 20255 min readHow Will Fire Investigators Trace the Source of the L.A. Wildfires?Wildfires like the Los Angeles blazes destroy so much, but they often spare some evidence of the cause of their ignitionBy Stephanie Pappas edited by Jeanna BrynerA fire-fighting helicopter drops water near the Mandeville Canyon neighborhood and Encino, California, on January 11, 2025. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty ImagesAs firefighters continue to battle the blazes that have destroyed thousands of structures in the Los Angeles area, fire investigators are already trying to figure out how the conflagrations began.Local news agencies report that investigators are closing off streets at the possible ignition sites in the Palisades Highlands, the area of Los Angeles where the Palisades Fire, the largest of the fires in the region, began. The investigation is in the early stages, but officials may be able to find the cause, as they have in other wildfires. Fires can begin in any number of ways: naturally, with a lightning strike or, more often, through some human-related meanssuch as sparks from a downed powerline, a discarded cigarette butt, a poorly doused campfire or even arson. Between 1992 and 2012, 84 percent of all U.S. wildfires were human-caused.Because there were no lightning storms in the L.A. area when the fire started, investigators will be looking for human-related causes. An early point of interest centers around Skull Rock, a landmark near a popular hiking trail above the Palisades Highlands, according to reporters who spotted crime scene tape, police and closed roads near the trailhead. The spot was the site of a small fire on New Years Day that was quickly put out. Its possible for fires to leave embers that can be reignited by wind, but there are also power lines and a lot of human traffic at Skull Rock, leaving multiple possibilities open. [See Photos of the Los Angeles Fires]On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.Meanwhile the investigation into the Eaton Fire, the second-largest blaze in the recent fires in the L.A. area, is currently focused on electrical transmission equipment in Eaton Canyon, according to the Los Angeles Times.Bob Duval is a fire investigator and a regional director at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an international nonprofit organization that puts out a document called NFPA 921: Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations. Its the closest thing to a Bible that fire investigators have, with instructions for how to seek out the cause of everything from a house fire to a blaze ripping across miles of forest. Duval spoke to Scientific American about how to investigate fires like those that have devasted the Los Angeles area.[An edited transcript of the interview follows.]How would an investigation like those now happening in the L.A. region typically start?If its in an area that was populated, you may have eyewitness accounts of a driver who saw some flames or smoke alongside the road. You may have surveillance cameras or traffic cameras on highways. Youve got pilots, commercial aircraft. Can you pin it down to an area based on eyewitness accounts or evidence like a power grid that suddenly shows a fault? If its thousands of acres, can I narrow it down to 10 or 15 acres on the side of this mountain or street and then take it from there? You have to be systematic.And then there will be folks going into the field. You look at patterns. What direction did the fire come from? You look at a large tree. What side of the tree was burned? Does the burn pattern go upward or downward? Take a look at the canopy, the pine needles or leaves. What does it show about the direction of the fire? Then youre going to look at the topography: The wind on one side of a hill is different than the wind on the other side. You have canyons, you have roadways that all impact the way the fire is going to spread.With all that evidence compiled systematically, youre reversing your way back into where the fire started. And then you start looking for causes within that area.You think about a fire destroying everything, but it sounds like some evidence can be left behind.Thats a common misconception, that with a fire investigation, everything is destroyed. Thats why people are under the misunderstanding that if they commit a crime, they [can] try to cover it up by setting the building on fire. Yeah, that may hide some evidence, but it also creates a lot of evidence.For a campfire [that burned out of control], for example, youre looking for: Did they stack wood or brush or twigs? Did they ball up paper? Did they put stones around it to contain it? Youd look for whether the ground is stamped down like there were people there for a while.Is this a common trail used by motorbikes or ATVs [all-terrain vehicles] Is there any evidence of smoking? Was someone clearing brush? Was there anybody doing target shooting or hunting, where a spark or a hot shell from a firearm could have caused [the fire] Does anybody report hearing or seeing fireworks in the area?Another potential cause is arson. That can be a little more difficult. If its a lighter, someone might put it back in their pocket and walk out of the woods. The fire may go undetermined, which is the official term used when we have an area of origin but cant find a cause.Are there differences between investigating wildfires, such as the L.A. fires, and fires that begin in a building?Yes and no. Both of those arenas create patterns, and the investigator uses patterns to help determine the area of origin. In a building, its several compartments if you think of a home or condo. But in a wildfire, there are no compartments. Its wide open. Theres unlimited air. Wind can play a role in a building fire. But in the wildland, wind is a major factor because it drives everything you do. There have been a lot of fatalities in wildland firefighting because the wind pushes the fire and overcomes the firefighters.How long does an investigation typically take?It could be months. I think the folks in California really have their work cut out for them. There are various reviews that the report has to go through. Theyre going to want to make sure that everything is done as well as it possibly can be done. [Thats not to say that the process] should be any different if its a $10 fire or a $100 million fire. The investigation should still be done systematically and by the book. But you can imagine the scrutiny these reports are going to be under because there is potential for civil damage here.

Microsoft reportedly makes "small" number of further layoffs across divisions including gamingFollowing significant job cuts last year.Image credit: Xbox News by Matt Wales News Reporter Published on Jan. 16, 2025 Microsoft has reportedly made another round of layoffs, this time affecting a "small" number of employees spanning its security, experiences and devices, sales, and gaming divisions.That's according to Business Insider, which - citing "people familiar with the matter" - reports impacted employees were notified of the layoffs on Tuesday. A Microsoft spokesperson told the publication a "small" number of job cuts had been made, but did not specify a figure. It also said the move was unrelated to recent job cuts targeting underperforming employees.The news follows several rounds of layoffs at Microsoft over the last year. In January 2024, the company announced it was cutting 1900 jobs across its gaming division, with a further 650 cuts being made in September. Eurogamer understands Microsoft's latest layoffs have impacted a small number of gaming employees, but that the division wasn't specifically a focus.In response to a request for comment on Business Insider's report, a Microsoft spokesperson told Eurogamer, "Organisational and workforce adjustments are a necessary and regular part of managing our business. We will continue to prioritise and invest in strategic growth areas for our future and in support of our customers and partners."Microsoft's latest layoffs follow a devastating 2024 for the games industry, in which around 13000 employees are believed to have lost their jobs. Those layoffs have continued into the new year, with numerous job cuts having been reported amid studio closures. Last year, Chris Dring shared his thoughts with Eurogamer on why these layoffs are happening.

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games hereIts set to be another incredible year of video games. Nintendo is releasing the Switch 2, everyone is praying for GTA 6, and Sony has some incredible PS5 console exclusives lined-up such as Ghost of Yotei. Nothing is official from Sony right now, but we could possibly be receiving the first PlayStation State of Play for 2025 in February, according to a leaker who was right about the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal date.State of Play February 2025 rumor explainedIts possible we could be getting Sonys first PlayStation State of Play for 2025 in February. This comes courtesy of prominent leaker, NateTheHate.On X, NateTheHate was asked if they know anything about the next State of Play from Sony. In response, the leaker said, Hows February sound?. This doesnt provide a specific date, nor does it confirm that an SOP is set to happen next month.Image credit: @NateTheHate 2 on XNateTheHate has accurately leaked stuff in the past, but, most recently, they are credited with accurately leaking the reveal date for the Nintendo Switch 2. They claimed that the console would be revealed on January 16th, as has happened, and their current prediction is that the console will release in May-June, which is yet to be found out.Usually there is a State of Play in the first quarter of the new year from Sony. There was an SOP in 2024 on January 31st, there was one on February 23rd in 2023, and there was one on March 9th, 2022.There are other rumors such as insider Roberto Serrano suggesting the first SOP of 2025 will take place on either January 28th or 29th. We will have to wait and see if either rumor come to fruition, but nothing has been announced by Sony as of writing.Image credit: @geronimo_73 on XIn other PlayStation related news, Arrowhead has shared their only actor request for the recently announced Helldivers 2 movie.Subscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

Shopping19 of the Most Popular Products Purchased by AD Readers in 2024A year of AD shopping, wrappedBy Audrey LeeInnovative Design13 Chairs That Changed the WorldTheres so much more than most people know to the unexpected history of seatingBy Geoffrey MontesCelebrity HomesTour Supermodel Paloma Elsessers Brooklyn Town HouseFor the globe-trotting star, being home feels like a vacationBy Hannah MartinarchitectureWhy Prefab Architecture Could Be the Future But Probably Wont BeMichael Wyetzner of Michielli + Wyetzner Architects returns to AD to discuss prefab architecture and why it could be the future of housingbut probably wont be. Prefabricated architecture has always posed a more affordable and sustainable future for housing as theyre fast and cheaper to build and produce less waste in the long run, so why hasnt it taken over? Wyetzner delves into the history of prefab and why it failed to take off how many architects have hoped it would.ASSETSJ. Paul Getty Trust. Getty Research InstitutecelebritiesTouring the Doctor Odyssey Set With Joshua JacksonToday AD joins Joshua Jackson and production designer, Jamie Walker McCall, to tour the set of Ryan Murphys Doctor Odyssey. Bringing The Odyssey cruise ship to life was no mean featfrom a fully functioning pool on the leisure deck to the most stylish infirmary a doctor could ask for, this set creates a luxurious backdrop for all the shows medical drama.architectureHow an Architect Fit 4 Rooms Into a 74-Square-Foot StudioToday, AD joins architect Beatriz Ramo (STAR strategies + architecture) in Rotterdam to tour The Cabanon, a space that claims to be the biggest smallest apartment in the world. When Beatriz and her husband, Bernd Upmeyer (BOARD), discovered that a tiny 74-square-foot storage room had become available in their apartment building, they knew it was the start of their next design project. The couple envisioned fitting a whole apartment comprising four rooms into the tiny space. Through the construction of an ingenious wooden insert the couple managed to fit a bathroom, bedroom, kitchen/living space, and even a spa into such a tiny spacecompartments fold out when needed and slot perfectly back into place when the residents activity changes.celebritiesInside Paloma Elsessers Timeless Brooklyn HomeToday, AD is welcomed by supermodel Paloma Elsesser to tour her Brooklyn townhouse. An illustrious modeling career means Elsesser is often jet-setting the globe, and as a result, her time at home has become her vacation time. Brooklyn was always where the supermodel wanted to end up setting up home, with Gregory Rockwell and Hester Hodde of Gregory Rockwell Interiors helping bring her oasis to life. Her home takes its cues from Milan design, mixing vintage and artisanal pieces, a style Elsesser has been drawn to since her many travels to Italys fashion capital. As the model settles into her dream home, its already been a place of great personal evolutionI feel like I became a woman here, she admits. I learned to navigate so many thingsa breakup, a contractor, having agency over my decisions and my money. Im under no one elses jurisdiction. Its scary, but also very freeing.celebritiesInside Kendall Jenners Home at ChristmasToday, AD is welcomed back by Kendall Jenner to tour her LA home while its decorated for Christmas. Over the years, the Kardashian-Jenner clan has become known for their flamboyant Christmas decorations but Kendalls approach to holiday decorating is much more traditional. With the help of florist to the stars, Jeff Leatham, green garlands, a classic tree, and vintage decorations lace the halls of her home creating a nostalgic atmosphere. Much of this nostalgia stems from decorations from Kendalls childhood handed down from her mom Krismost notably her collection of Christopher Radko tree ornaments. Growing up with [those ornaments] every year, they became so special to me, she says. And I cant wait to share that with my kids one day, but I love sharing this with my friends. I love entertaining, I love hosting, and so these decorations get used really well.2024 Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, Inc. / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New YorkarchitectureInterior Designer Explains Every Decision Behind This SoHo Loft RenovationToday, AD welcomes interior designer Darren Jett to tour one of his most recent design projects, a full Soho loft renovation. From structural changes to interior design, every decision matters when renovating a spaceJett breaks down how he landed on the final design and what factored into his choices.interiorsInterior Designer Answers Your Top Design QuestionsToday, AD100 designer David Netto joins Architectural Digest to answer your burning interior design questions. What color combinations should you avoid? Should you hang your TV over the fireplace? Netto shares his expertise to help solve any interior design problems you may face.Special thanks to EllsworthKellyFoundation and Gemini G.E.L. LLCArchitecture + DesignA Creative Directors Milan Home Is a Master Class in Secondhand ShoppingThere are so many stellar finds inside Sarah Keenlysides apartmentBy Kelly DawsonArchitecture + DesignThese 24 Beautiful Places of Worship Are Built Into NatureHanging off the sides of mountains or suspended across a forest, these are some of the most skillful examples of sacred architectureBy Katherine McLaughlin