The 2025 Oscars were filled with memorable moments, from Conan OBriens able job hosting to Sean Bakers historic four wins for a single movie, Anora. But the most notable for folks in the heartland mightve been Adrien Brodys Best Actor win for The Brutalist. Not so much the fact that Brody won, but rather his reaction to winning. Brody gave a five-minute speech that ranged from the personal to the political. And it was longer than that of any other recipient ever.It apparently also was a subject of conversation, if apparently mostly in jest, among the people who made The Brutalist as well.While talking with Den of Geek about his upcoming film Fantasy Life, Alessandro Nivola dropped some information about the group text he shares with Brody and other actors and filmmakers who worked on Brady Corbets epic passion project The Brutalist.Its actually just been giving him a hard time about making a really long speech, Nivola says with a smile, clearly having fun at busting Brodys chops.We text all the time. We have a group text that is mostly stuff that should never be shared with anyone, Nivola reveals. Its the whole cast and weve had it sort of since Venice. Its a tight-knit group. I really have a lot of affection for all of them.That affection extends to Brody earning his second career Oscar for the film. Im really happy for him, Nivola enthuses. I was there at the Oscars, so I was able to say that in person.Nivolas playfulness with Brody is a brighter reflection of their characters relationship in The Brutalist. In that A24 release, Nivola pays Attila Miller, cousin to Holocaust survivor Lszl Tth. Miller left Hungary before World War II and has been able to assimilate into American society, operating a successful furniture store in Philadelphia. When Tth comes to the U.S., Miller provides a bit of stability for him, at least until the two have a falling out.The casts response to Brodys speech also puts the moment into context, making it just one of many uncouth moments in Oscars history. Theres Jack Palances Best Supporting Actor win for City Slickers in 1991, in which he delivers a litany of mildly inappropriate jokes and then decides to do push-ups to show off his strength. Theres 2013 host Seth McFarlane singing a song about nude scenes in movies with the camera cutting away to uncomfortable shots of the women in question sitting in the audience. Theres Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty announcing that La La Land won Best Picture in 2017 when the actual winner was Moonlight.In light of these oddities, its hard to imagine that Brodys long speech will live long in Oscar viewers memories. But it might live forever in the jokes shared on The Brutalist cast text thread.

This article contains some very mild spoilers for Disneys Snow White.Long before seven Dwarfs show up as CGI motion-capture oddities instead of of lovingly hand-drawn creations, 2025s Snow White was already making striking changes to 1937s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. And believe it or not, not all of them were as disturbingly misguided as those Dwarfs of the Uncanny Valley.Gone is the Prince, who is now replaced here by a roguish resistance leader. An instead of ending with Snow White revived by true loves kissa scene which still occursthe 2025 film continues on past the resurrection for a peoples uprising against the Evil Queen. Someday My Prince Will Come has been cut for pop ballads like Good Things Grow, which valorize self-actualization instead of romantic love.While these alterations will certainly rankle purists, theres one group that wont care about the differences, and its the only group that matters: children. The films primary audience will be just as charmed with Snow White 25 as children of the past were with Snow White 37. And its not really the updated social mores that make the new movie work for modern audiences. Its because of Rachel Zeglers performance as Snow White is genuinely enchanting.While many of the 2025 movies attempts to update the original diminish the work overall, Zeglers ability to translate the sweetness of the original character in a way thats accessible to modern kids is what connects this movie in its best moments with old school Disney magic. In a handful of moments, it even changes the story for the better.A New BeginningBoth Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Snow White 25 begin in same way, with an ornate storybook opening to reveal an illuminated manuscript which frames the tale. But whereas the 1937 film lets viewers only read about how Snow Whites wicked stepmother came into the princess life, the 2025 film features voiceover and a flashback sequence, showing the young Snow White living happily with her father and mother, and her sadness when her grieving father marries the Evil Queen (Gal Gadot).This different setups fundamentally change the way the adult Snow White first appears in each film. In 1937, we watch as Snow White (Adriana Caselotti) tells the birds around her at a wishing well about how much she yearns for a man to come and find her. Within seconds of the introduction, a passing prince overhears her, climbs into the courtyard and immediately proclaims his love for her.Even a child, more than willing to suspend disbelief and enjoy the spectacle, should find the princes sudden appearance an declaration of love a little odd. But then, romantic pursuits are never a childs favorite part of a story, so the movie has always been fine just glossing through that and relying on musical stylings, albeit 1937 songwriting sounds nothing like the pop earworms modern kids have been hearing for all of their short lives so far. Now compare this to the 2025 movies extended opening setting where the adult Snow White played by Zegler isnt singing about love from a prince shes never met. Shes singing about the love she once knew and has since lost, the love of her parents.As different as the expanded and modern version of the opening certainly is, it feels the same. Not because of the song that Snow White sings, a contemporary number that could come from any of todays musicals (this movie is, after all, a Marc Platt Production). Rather its because of Zeglers acting is completely without guile or self-consciousness.Zegler seems to float across the screen in this sequence, looking upward and swaying as she walks, sending her dress billowing behind her. She lets a tremor of sadness darken her brow and turns down the corners of her mouth when Snow White remembers where that the love she wants is gone. Childlike innocence returns to her face when she looks into the well and instead of the prince from the 1937 movie she sees herself once again flanked by her parents.The musical style, the longing for parents instead of a romantic partner, all these connect to todays kids better than the 1937 movie. But the 2025 movie retains its innocence we all remember being charmed by in the original almost solely because of Zeglers performance.Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!Floating Over Princess ProblemsThe biggest advantage the 1937 film has over its recent counterpart is the animation. The rotoscoping technique used by Disney animators still gives the movie a haunting quality, especially when matched with incredible effects, such as the interactions between Snow White and the animals or the mystic mists that surround the Evil Queen.The 2025 film borrows its predecessors designs of the animals and the Dwarfs, but its state-of-the-art technology has a very different effect. The new film uses motion-capture technology and gives it Dwarfs realistic skin and hair while retaining the proportions and features of the original. The results are nightmare creatures, more akin to the grotesque Spitting Image puppets of the 1980s than anything from Disneys past.And yet, Zegler sells her scenes with what borders on visual abominations. When the Dwarfs surround her after she enters their cabin, she responds with awe and curiosity. The Dwarfs bicker as they introduce themselves, a bit that feels so mechanical that you can almost see the code appearing on screen, Matrix-like. However, Zegler commits to Snow Whites wonder at their antiques and her genuine pride when she recites their names back to them. We adults might (rightly) grouch at the films horrid visuals, but children will follow Zeglers lead and allow themselves to be taken away into the fantasy.As great as Zeglers acting is, her singing is even better. The 2025 movie wisely retains some of the numbers from the 1937 film (albeit with unnecessary added lyrics) and adds a few numbers of its own. For the most part, the songs are fine, with the wrong-headed postmodern ditty Princess Problems being the only outright mistake. But Zegler is an incredible singer, and effortless delivery makes these by-the-numbers tracks feel like When You Wish Upon a Star. She sings them with full conviction, never once winking at the camera, even when Jonathan (Andrew Burnap), the movies roguish stand-in for the Prince, gripes about unrealistic princess story tropes in Princess Problems.Zegler makes us believe in the fantasy world of Snow White, something that the movies special effects and musical numbers cant achieve without her.The Most Talented Of Them AllUnless youre one of the ding dongs complaining that Snow White isnt Caucasian because her names Snow White (I dont know if youve seen snow or German people before, but those two colors arent the same), then its clear that Rachel Zegler is the best part of the movie. If Snow White is a success, overcoming what appears to be poor initial tracking, it will be entirely thanks to her performance.Which is a good thing and bad. Zegler stunned in Steven Spielbergs West Side Story and was fun in the overstuffed The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, but has had way too many lackluster projects like Shazam: Fury of the Gods in her filmography. If Snow White flops, maybe shell get out of the blockbuster market and toward better, more interesting projects that are equal to her talents. Whatever happens, Snow White proves that Zegler can do something that none of Disneys high-paid filmmaking pros or cutting-edge technology can do by making a classic fairy tale for modern audiences.Snow White is now playing in theaters.

There is a sense of homecoming when you move into a building you have known most of your life. When my partner Nicol Castellini Baldissera and I were preparing to move out of Casa degli Atellani, his familys seat in Milan for five generations, a chance phone call led us to our current home, a top-floor apartment in a palazzo in the Brera neighborhood.The 1,200-square-foot apartment is in a building owned by Nicols childhood best friend, Bruno Sforni, and it was during a casual call that Sforni mentioned that it was vacant. In 2022 Bernard Arnault bought Casa degli Atellaniincluding the Leonardo da Vinci vineyard at its centerand we, along with Nicols father Piero and numerous other family members who lived in the family compound, were looking for new homes.Francesco LagneseThe author (left) and Castellini Baldissera. The 19th-century Italian chairs are in a C&C Milano stripe. The dining table belonged to Piero Portaluppi, Castellini Baldisseras great-grandfather, and the rug is an 18th-century Agra.Nicol met Sforni when they were classics students in high school in Milan with a shared love of the arts. He often visited his friends family home, the Palazzo Recalcati Tagliasacchi. I spent countless afternoons in their drawing room overlooking the garden, with the Orto Botanico di Breras towering trees just beyond the walls, Nicol says. It was a house filled with women: Brunos mother, sisters, grandmothers. Even their dogs were female. And it held treasures: In his late fathers study, I remember being awestruck by a collection of Modigliani drawings, an early lesson in art connoisseurship that would stay with me.It is an amalgamation of old and new, filled with the collections of a lifetime.Moving into this palazzo all these decades later has felt, for him, like a return to those memories. Sforni still lives downstairs; we sometimes hear music from his piano playing echo up from the courtyard. Over the decade that Nicol and I have lived together, I have come to cherish his connections to family and friends. For me, a writer and producer who works from home, and an American in Milan, discovering this sense of community has become an essential part of my experience in Italy.The apartment needed to be updated, which is why it sat on the market for a time. But I was undaunted. Ive seen Nicol transform countless spaces for himself and for his clients. He is a wonder with color and blending objects to create a story in any room. While we did renovate the kitchen and bathrooms, much of the transformation in the rest of the apartment relied on the strategic use of paint and texture.Francesco LagneseOn the terrace, the custom awning is by Guido Toschi. The folding chairs are by Casa Tosca, the tablecloth is by Lisa Corti, and the silver tableware is by Argenteria Dabbene.As a figlio darte (child of artists), Nicol often draws upon the work of his great-grandfather, the architect Piero Portaluppi, for inspiration. His influence is apparent in many of the collections Nicol has designed, including wallpaper for PictaLab Milano, carpets for Gucci, and furniture for Casa Tosca, the company we co-founded in 2020.Our apartment was built in 1523 and renovated in 1828. Nicol riffed on that history by incorporating numerous Italian touches, from the Visconti sun painted on the drawing rooms ceiling to the guestrooms framed walls, which are in a pastel palette inspired by 18th-century Venice. The rest is a reflection of our wanderlust, with finds from across Europe and Morocco, where we also have a home.Francesco LagneseThe 18th-century cast iron bed in the primary bedroom is from Genoa. The bed linens are by Morpho + Luna, the antique pendant is by Piero Portaluppi, the desk is Austrian Biedermeier and the 1967 red chair is by Gnter Beltzig.Nicol is a wonder with color and blending objects to create a story.From Casa degli Atellani we brought a number of pieces: a round Portaluppi table that was in Nicols great-grandparents dining room; a magenta and moss Agra rug that miraculously fits our new living room; and even the wall-to-wall library, which Nicol designed decades ago for a -cousins apartment. Other pieces were designed fresh for the space, such as the kelly green sofa and the striped living room curtains, in a fabric that forms part of the collection Nicol designed last year for C&C Milano, the textile company he co-owns with his father and cousins.Step Inside This PalazzoFor the wall treatments, Nicol worked with longtime collaborators at PictaLab Milano. We have a shorthand, Nicol explains. Each new project is a chance to refine past ideas. In the main bedroom they created a textured effect reminiscent of antique velvet, inspired by a palazzo they had worked on in Genoa, while in the living room the faded pink was inspired by the distressed external walls of Venetian palazzos. In the entrance the dated wood paneling was enhanced with a faux boiserie overpaint.This house makes me smile, Nicol told me. It is an amalgamation of old and new, filled with the collections of a lifetime and positioned in my favorite corner of the city. Were very lucky to live here. I couldnt agree more. The apartment is a reflection of our liveslayered, storied, and personal.This story originally appeared in the April 2025 issue of Elle Decor. SUBSCRIBE

Theres no shortage of discourse surrounding Apple Vision Pro. Is it a flop? The future? Something in-between? Most of the narratives have little to do with actually using the device, though. After almost a year of balking at Vision Pros price tag, I finally gave in and bought one recently, and want to share about three specific experiences Ive had in visionOS that have brought me delight.Navigating a new area in Apple MapsI wrote recently about a new Apple Maps feature thats been huge for me: the ability to search for locations specific to the part of the map youre viewing.The reason this change has been so big is that I love using Maps to explore new areas. I do this when planning vacations, but also just in the everyday happenings of life. I get a lot of joy out of exploring my home, New York City, via Apple Maps and finding all kinds of new places to try.Recently my family and I moved apartments, and in the lead-up I used my Vision Pro to scope out our new neighborhood.Vision Pro was the absolute best way to explore our new neighborhood in advance. It brought me so much joy to use Look Around in visionOS with a massive app window.As I browsed the area, I saved restaurants, coffee shops, and other spots to try out after moving. It was a great way to prep for the move, and I see myself doing this a lot more in the future.Funnily enough, Apple Maps in visionOS isnt even a native app. Its an iPad app running in compatibility mode. But the immersive experience Vision Pro provided was still unique.Watching a 3D movieGeneral consensus is that Vision Pro is a great entertainment device, even if the jurys still out on productivity uses. One highlight of visionOS is support for Immersive Video, a special 180-degree video format Apple has pioneered.My views on Immersive Video are still very much in flux, but one of the most delightful entertainment experiences Ive had so far with Vision Pro involved watching a 3D animated movie.Ive tried out 3D live-action movies, and theyre fine. CG-heavy films like Avatar fare better than others. But my favorite to date? Disneys Moana in 3D.The animation is so beautiful, and the 3D effects so compelling, my time watching Moana felt like something very special compared to alternative viewing options.Voice-first computing with SiriI understand it may not be the best time to say nice things about Siri. Apples assistant has issues that need to be fixed, and Im rooting for the Vision Pro guy to fix them.But using Siri in Vision Pro, despite its shortcomings, has brought me a lot of joy.On Apples other platforms, I use Siri for certain things like creating reminders, setting timers, and asking random trivia questions. In Vision Pro though, theres something much more compelling about computing by voice.Because I dont always have a keyboard and trackpad when using Vision Pro, voice becomes the natural way to get things done faster than I otherwise could. The eye and hand tracking in visionOS is compelling, but just speaking and having Siri do things for me feels so great.Siri has a long way to go, but a truly intelligent new Siri could be a game-changer for spatial computing.Vision Pro diary: wrap-upMy early days with the Vision Pro have in no way been perfect. I still struggle to find the best fit for the device, weight can definitely be an issue, and Ive not yet given real work in visionOS a fair shot. But for today, I wanted to highlight some of the delightful experiences Ive had so far that make Vision Pro feel special. Im sure Ill have more to say on all the rest of my visionOS uses in the weeks to come.What are some of your delightful Vision Pro experiences? Let us know in the comments.Best Vision Pro accessoriesAdd 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

While we are still tracking some sweet deals on official Apple woven USB-C cables from under $8.50 a pop, alongside the Apple Watch silicone/braided Solo Loops starting from just $20, some new deals have emerged today as well. On the accessory front we have spotted some additional Alpine and Trail Loop models hitting new lows at 20% off, but we are also now tracking the very first chance to save on the new Nomad magnetic 240W ChargeKey USB-C cable accessory alongside an exclusive discount for new customers that knocks 10% off sale items. But todays headliner would have to be the upgraded 48GB 16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro at over $300 off the going rate joined by entry-level models from $1,399.All of that and more awaits below in todays 9to5Toys Lunch Break.Amazon just knocked a big-time $308 off the 48GB 16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro, more from $1,399Today we are scoping out some seriously notable prices on Apples latest 16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro machines. Firstly, lets start out with the upgraded model with 48GB of RAM and the 512GB SSD it is now down at $2,591 shipped. Youre looking at a regularly $2,899 configuration seeing a deep $308 price drop to deliver the lowest price we can find.While we did see a very brief offer on this model at $2,589 on Amazon that lasted for about half a day, the discount on tap this morning comes within a few bucks of the best price we have tracked on this one, Black Friday and holiday 2024 included.If the 48GB setup on this config is a bit overkill for you, Amazon is also offering a notable price on the 24GB model with the 512GB SSD down at $2,229 shipped. Regularly $2,499, youre looking at a $270 price drop here on both the Space Black and silver colorways to deliver the best price of the year this one did drop to the $2,199 all-time low for Black Friday last year, but todays deal is the best we have tracked otherwise, coming within $30 of the best price yet.The latest 16-incher MacBook Pro units are indeed a more niche purchase it would seem most folks would rather side-step the premium on the extra screen real estate in favor of a more compact and affordable 14-inch variant, and understandably so. But if you are looking for a powerful new M4 Pro machine without paying the M4 Max cash, and enjoy the larger screen display, todays deals should be on your radar.Lets take a look at some of the deals live this week on other M4 MacBook Pro configurations for reference:14-inch M4 MacBook Pro 16GB/512GB $1,399 (Reg. $1,599)14-inch M4 MacBook Pro 16GB/1TB $1,579 (Reg. $1,799)14-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro 24GB/512GB $1,779 (Reg. $1,999)16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro 24GB/1GB $2,229 (Reg. $2,499)16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro 48GB/1GB $2,591 (Reg. $2,899)Amazon official Apple Watch band sale still live with new models: Alpine and Trail Loops from $79 all-time lows [Updated]Just after seeing some solid $119 price drops on Apple Watch Ultra 2 this morning, Amazon has now dropped its prices on a number of official Apple bands, including the navy Trail Loop and Alpine Loop as well as a series of others the Olive Alpine, the new Green Trail model, and more. Youre looking at up to 20% off here and a rare chance to see this many models on sale at the same time. Youll find all of them organized on this landing page for you and we will detail the best of them down below.Trail LoopBlue (S/M size) $79 (Reg. $99)Black Titanium FinishTrail LoopGreen (M/L size) $86 (Reg. $99)Black Titanium FinishTrail LoopBlue/Black (S/M size) $79 (Reg. $99)Natural Titanium FinishAlpine Loop Olive (Medium size) $79 (Reg. $99)Natural Titanium FinishAlpine Loop Indigo (Medium size) $79 (Reg. $99)Natural Titanium FinishAlpine Loop Olive (Small size) $79 (Reg. $99)Black Titanium FinishAnd even moreThe bulk of the most notable deals here today land on the Alpine and Trail Loop models for Apple Watch Ultra 1 and 2, but you will find some very light price drops on a range of Sport Bands alongside the Magnetic Link at50% off the going rate and more.These official Apple Watch bands deals dont tend to stick around for very long, as any avid 9to5Toys reader will already know, so jump in there while you still can.Now live again! Official Apple Watch silicone/braided Solo Loops now starting from just $20 (Up to 70% off)Just after seeing a wildly rare deal on the official Apple Polishing Cloth as part of todays Woot Apple gear accessory sale, the retailer has also brought back its ultra-low price tags on the official Apple Braided Solo Loops for Apple Watch. Originally $99, youll now find a large selection of colors and sizes marked down to $29.99 Prime shipped (a $6 delivery fee will apply otherwise). Those deals also join the silicone Apple Solo Loops on sale as part of todays Woot event down at $19.99 Prime shipped in various colorways this is 59% off the original $49 list price. Additional details below.The official Apple Watch Braided Solo Loops are now available in a wide range of colors at the discounted rate, from more natural black, gray, tan, and white tones through to vibrant reds, oranges, blues, greens, and more. Todays deal delivers 70% in savings off the original price tag, landing on par with our previous mention to match the lowest price we have tracked outside of some previous bundle offers and a limited-time bonus coupon.The Braided Loop features an ultracomfortable and stretchable design by weaving 16,000 recycled polyester yarn filaments around ultrathin silicone threads. The precision-braiding and laser cutting tech result in a casual and yet elevated look that is both sweat and water resistant.These bands, despite the serious clearance pricing, ship with a 1-year Apple warranty today.Browse through the rest of the Woot Apple accessory sale right here for additional deals starting from $7 Prime shipped.Official Apple charging accessory sale: Woven USB-C cables from $8.50, 30/140W wall chargers 50% off, moreVery first price drop hits Nomads new magnetic 240W ChargeKey USB-C cable accessoryThis morning we featuredan exclusive deal code for new Nomad customers, but we wanted to pay some extra attention tothe brands new ChargeKey. The compact, keychain-ready USB-C charging cable now supports up to 240W of juice and also passes data too, but it has yet to see any discounts since launchuntil today. You can now score10% offyour order when purchasing twoof them, and this deal is for anyone (not just new Nomad customers). Details await below.The new Nomad ChargeKeydebutedin mid February 2025 as the brands latest upgraded portable keychain charging and data cable. It launched at $25 and hasnt budged since, much as we expected this soon after release with a brand like Nomad.However, it is now offering a specialBuy Two Get10% offat checkout. Simply head over tothe listing pageandadd two of them to your cartto redeem the discount this will drop your total from $50 down to$45to deliver the first discount and a subsequent all-time low.Note:It is backordered right now, but purchasing today will ensure you get in on the next run, which is scheduled to begin shipping next month.Todays accessories and charging deals:The new iPad (A16) is now out in the wild (and is now marked down at Amazon) alongside the upgraded M3 iPad Air (still seeing its first cash deals right here), but Amazon also just brought back the $100 price drops on Apples latest, greatest, and miniest iPad. Youll now find just about every iPad mini 7 configuration on sale via Amazon at $100 off the going rates with prices kicking off from $399 shipped. Head below for a closer look.Amazon has the 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB models down at $399, $499, and $699 shipped, respectively. Thats a straight up $100 off the regular listings, matching our previous mention, and on par with the lowest prices we have tracked to date.Apples latest iPad mini 7, or more officially the iPad mini (A17 Pro) is the most affordable model in the lineup that can run Apple Intelligence. The aforementioned iPad (A16) is, of course, the least pricey model in the lineup overall it currently starts down at $329 on Amazon but it is not compatible with Apple Intelligence.iPad mini A17 Pro 128GB $399 (Reg. $499)iPad mini A17 Pro 256GB $499 (Reg. $599) iPad mini A17 Pro 256GB $699 (Reg. $799) The iPad mini 7 landed on store shelves in late 2024 with the same compact 8.3-inch display as the previous model alongside a 30% jump in CPU power, 25% better graphics performance, and upgraded storage capacity Apple finally rid the 64GB models from the lineup. Our iPad mini 7 vs 6 comparison feature piece provides a detailed rundown of everything new this time around.New M3 iPad Air hits new all-time low, most affordable models now start from $549This Amazon Renewed Premium 1TB iPhone 15 Pro is now $649 off the original price (1-year warranty)Save a massive $774 on Apples latest 36GB M4 Max MacBook Pro (open-box, 1-yr. warranty), or $350 off brand newScore a new M3 iPad Air or iPad mini 7? The compatible Apple Pencil Pro is at $99 holiday pricing (Nearly 25% off)Spigen debuts new $37 EDC pouch that doubles as a mini MagSafe backpack for your iPhoneWalmart announces giant upcoming sale event to take on Amazons Prime Spring dealsAmazon just officially announced a massive Prime Day Spring Sale start times, deals, and moreAdd 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. 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Image by Bryan Johnson/Facebook/FuturismStudiesAn alarming new investigationby the New York Times accuses youth-obsessed tech mogul Bryan Johnson of covering up some grim side effects experienced by participants testing his line of supplements.Johnson who was an early investor inFuturism, but hasn't had any involvement for years has gone to extreme lengths to slow down or even "reverse" his "biological age" through a series of sometimes extreme self-experiments, like using his teenage sonas a "blood boy" and measuring his nighttime erections.He's parlayed that hype into a line of supplements and meals called "The Blueprint Stack,"bolstered by what the company says were promising study results.But the NYT's reporting makes that study sound very dubious. Out of the roughly 1,700 participants, a whopping 60 percent experienced at least one side effect, according to documents viewed by the newspaper. Blood tests showed that some participants saw their testosterone levels drop or developed prediabetes.The food regimen also reportedly had undesirable side effects."Longevity mix: A lot of comments about hating this as it is making them sick, vomit, have heartburn, etc.," one Blueprint employee told a colleague in early 2024, as quoted by the newspaper."TONS of people saying its causing nausea, bloating," another employee wrote, referring to allulose, a sugar alternative that Johnson has previously sung the praises of.Thanks to a litany of confidentiality agreements employees reportedly had to sign, many felt afraid to speak up.Blueprint executive and Johnsons longtime longevity doctor Oliver Zolman, who worked on the study, appears to have had a falling out with Johnson.Zolman left Blueprint last summer after raising concerns over the study, according to the NYT. The details surrounding his departure are eyebrow-raising, to say the least, with Johnson telling the newspaper that he had resigned "to seek professional help for his serious mental health concerns," though the NYT's sources deny that's the reason Zolman left.Despite having promised to release the results of the study in mid-2024, Johnson has only released some data about a mere 300 participants less than a fifth of the total showing positive results in January. Whether the rest of the data could change that final assessment remains to be seen.In a lengthy tweet detailing the data, Johnson claimed that after 90 days, depression symptoms "improved" by 23 percent, and blood pressure "improved" by seven percent, among other health markers.The replies, however, quickly appeared to corroborate the NYT's reporting, with users complainingthat the regimen "gave me heartburn, gas and bound me up."TheNYT story also alleges that blood test results showed that Johnson's age had increased by as much as ten years, despite a Netflix documentary released earlier this year saying it had been reversed by more than five years(Johnson told theNYTthat the "decision to highlight the 5.1 year reduction was made entirely by the documentarys production team" and that "biological age measurements fluctuate."Johnson seemed concerned about the NYT story before it came out. Earlier this year, he accused the newspaper of sensationalism, describing its reporting as a "hit piece" designed to "construct a narrative about me."Share This Article

When Karim Sawadogo pulled over next to a Denver Police car late on Halloween night of 2023, he issued them a challenge: "take me to jail."A native of Burkina Faso, Sawadogo had been an Uber driver in the Denver area for nearly seven years, clocking over 20,000 rides. That gig came to a screeching halt when a rider reported him for allegedly driving under the influence. Without investigation, Uber immediately suspended his account, depriving him of his primary source of income in a process known as deactivation,as we reported earlier this week.Though he doesn't drink for religious reasons, Sawadogo says, he knew to immediately start a paper trail."I pulled up to these two officers," Sawadogo told us, "and said 'if I'm drunk, please tell me... you can take me to jail.'" He says the officers searched his car and administered him a roadside sobriety test. Instead of hauling him off for driving while intoxicated, they directed him to a 24-hour clinic to get a certified breathalyzer and drug test.That was the start of an ordeal Sawadogo said lasted nearly nine months, plunging him into financial chaos.Uber had provided steady work of more than 40 hours per week. After deactivation,Sawadogo says he had to rely on low-paying odd jobs and the generosity of friends to get by. "I just need a paycheck because I'm going to lose everything," he told us.Even though Sawadogo filed a dispute through Uber's AI-powered "Review Center," the company's decision remained firm. After calling to check on his dispute several times a day for months, Sawadogo says the company blocked his phone number altogether, and locked him out of the Review Center.Finally, his patience had run out. "I decided, I said hey, you know what, Im just gonna go to California to see what those guys are doing," he said. Calling in favors and emptying what little remained in his bank account, he flew from Denver to San Francisco in search of answers from Uber headquarters itself.There, too, he says a desk worker waved him off, even as he showed his documented test results. "Soon as he learned I'm from Colorado, he figured, 'this guy's not coming back'." Sawadogo says the worker told him tocome back in a few days, which he did.This time, there was someone else at the desk, who Sawadogo says took his info and unblocked his app so he could file another dispute. "I was so surprised, it only took him like 10 minutes to get me back," the driver said.Though Karim Sawadogo is now back on the road after months of turmoil, his ordeal reflects the glaring lack of due process built into gig work.Classified as an "independent contractor" using a third party app, Sawadogo's right to fair labor practice is close to nonexistent Uber is under no obligation toshow proof of Sawadogo's alleged DUI, or even to listen to his dispute. Legally speaking, it's no different than if Instagram suspended you for breaking its terms of use.Though rideshare giants like Uber and Lyft rely on their drivers to rake in billions in revenue, the rideshare duopoly actively fights back against regulation meant to give vulnerable gig workers the same rights as other employees. On a national scale, it's spawning what labor researchers are calling a "deactivation crisis.""When you rely on them as your main income, they don't care [about] your family," said Sawadogo, "they can just click you off."More on Uber: Uber Drivers Say They're Doomed in the Face of RobotaxisShare This Article

Mar 21, 2025Ravie LakshmananThreat Hunting / VulnerabilityThreat hunters have uncovered a new threat actor named UAT-5918 that has been attacking critical infrastructure entities in Taiwan since at least 2023."UAT-5918, a threat actor believed to be motivated by establishing long-term access for information theft, uses a combination of web shells and open-sourced tooling to conduct post-compromise activities to establish persistence in victim environments for information theft and credential harvesting," Cisco Talos researchers Jungsoo An, Asheer Malhotra, Brandon White, and Vitor Ventura said.Besides critical infrastructure, some of the other targeted verticals include information technology, telecommunications, academia, and healthcare.Assessed to be an advanced persistent threat (APT) group looking to establish long-term persistent access in victim environments, UAT-5918 is said to share tactical overlaps with several Chinese hacking crews tracked as Volt Typhoon, Flax Typhoon, Tropic Trooper, Earth Estries, and Dalbit.Attack chains orchestrated by the group involve obtaining initial access by exploiting N-day security flaws in unpatched web and application servers exposed to the internet. The foothold is then used to drop several open-source tools to conduct network reconnaissance, system information gathering, and lateral movement.UAT-5918's post-exploitation tradecraft involves the use of Fast Reverse Proxy (FRP) and Neo-reGeorge to set up reverse proxy tunnels for accessing compromised endpoints via attacker controlled remote hosts.The threat actor has also been leveraging tools like Mimikatz, LaZagne, and a browser-based extractor dubbed BrowserDataLite to harvest credentials to further burrow deep into the target environment via RDP, WMIC, or Impact. Also used are Chopper web shell, Crowdoor, and SparrowDoor, the latter two of which have been previously put to use by another threat group called Earth Estries.BrowserDataLite, in particular, is designed to pilfer login information, cookies, and browsing history from web browsers. The threat actor also engages in systematic data theft by enumerating local and shared drives to find data of interest."The activity that we monitored suggests that the post-compromise activity is done manually with the main goal being information theft," the researchers said. "Evidently, it also includes deployment of web shells across any discovered sub-domains and internet-accessible servers to open multiple points of entry to the victim organizations."Found this article interesting? Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post.SHARE

Location: London, UK (Remote, must be GMT+- 3hrs)Company Overview:Role Overview:Key Responsibilities:Engage directly with customers to gather feedback and conduct product demos, ensuring our solutions meet their needs (demos calls, customer support)Analyze usage data from PostHog, database queries, and session recordings to derive actionable insights that drive product improvements.Project management:Organize and prioritize Linear (Jira is ) ticketsHelp manage sprints to ensure project milestones are met on time.Suggest features based on customer insights and work closely with our UI/UX designer to review and refine designs, enhancing user experience.Drafting and designing features in FigmaContribute to the strategic planning of the product roadmap, analyzing pricing strategies and exploring potential business deals.Assist in content creation for our product documentation and help articles to support our users effectively.Establish product development processes (roadmapping, sprint cycles, design and engineering workflows)Track product metrics and improvementsImplement low/no-code product features and automations (e.g. email automation)Setup landing pages an other marketing material to promote product featuresSkills and Qualifications:Previous experience in Product for a startup.Advanced technical knowledgeExperience with FigmaExperience working with APIs, AI tools and relatedStrong analytical skills with, ideally experienced with tools like databases, Analytics tools (PostHog, MixPanel, Amplitude, )Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of working closely with both customers and cross-functional teams.Familiarity with Agile methodologies and project management software, preferably Linear or Jira.Ability to multi-task and manage various project elements simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.What We Offer:A chance to be part of a insanely fast growing team in a startup poised for significant growth.Significant autonomy in your role, with a direct impact on the product and the business.Competitive salary and equity optionsQuarterly fully paid trips for our remote team, with upcoming visits to Cape Town and San Francisco.Company-provided conferences, MacBook, and other tools needed for success.How to Apply:Apply NowLet's start your dream job Apply now

All jobs Senior PHP Developer Posted A few minutes agoAbout Learning TapestryHi! We're Learning Tapestry. We're a 25+ person all-remote, global organization dedicated to making digital learning "just work" for educators and learners alike. We solve hard problems in complex education technology environments. Were a triple bottom line company: we make a profit like any good business; our work makes the world better (social impact); and we create a healthy internal work environment for everyone who works here. For our staff we believe in flexible work locations and working arrangements. We empower all of our team members to manage their schedules and adjust as necessary. We're focused on results and impact, not locations and hours. We hire people with great technical ability, but we also expect everyone at Learning Tapestry to have strong character and solid communication skills. Apply now About Learning TapestryHi! We're Learning Tapestry. We're a 35+ person all-remote, global organization dedicated to making digital learning "just work" for educators and learners alike. We solve hard problems in complex education technology environments. Were a triple bottom line company: we make a profit like any good business; our work makes the world better (social impact); and we create a healthy internal work environment for everyone who works here. For our staff we believe in flexible work locations and working arrangements. We empower all of our team members to manage their schedules and adjust as necessary. We hire people with great technical ability, but we also expect everyone at Learning Tapestry to have strong character and solid communication skills.What were looking forYoure an exceptional professional software engineer with at least 5 years of software engineering experience. Youre comfortable in PHP and embrace new approaches to solve problems. We are looking for someone to start from 20-30 hours per week for the first few months, and then stay at 16-24 hours / week for maintenance purposes going forward. There should be at least three hours of availability between 8AM - 5PM ET on your working days. You will be helping maintain a Laravel/Vue.js project for a few clients, making sure the system is running smoothly and also adding additional capabilities requested.Required Skills and ExperienceYou have either:Computer Science or Engineering degree or other STEM degree, orExceptional professional software engineer experience and expertiseYou have very good written communication skills, fluent written English, and comfortable, clear spoken English.At least five years of Software Engineering Experience.Senior level knowledge of PHP (deep knowledge of Laravel preferred)Senior level knowledge of Javascript/Typescript (deep knowledge of Vue.js preferred)Write clean, self-explanatory code using S.O.L.I.D. and design patternsTDDExperience with SQL DBs.Experience working in collaborative environments using git (e.g. GitHub).Comfortable using ticket-based technical project management (e.g., GitHub tickets and boards)Bonus skillsExperience with other programming languages (Ruby, Python, Node.js)Some DevOps/Linux experience with AWS/Azure/Rackspace/Heroku/DigitalOceanContinuous Integration and Deployment experience (e.g., CodeShip, Cloud66)Experience in EdTech Field (Education projects)To ApplyApply with your resume and a cover letter. Please include your availability for this position, as well as your hourly rate. Applications without this information included will not be considered.Please do not apply by reaching out to other company emails or individuals: please note that applying using other communication channels will result in your application not being considered.About YouYoure comfortable in a remote work environment, with team members from different time zones. You can manage your own time and are a self-starter. You have a distraction-free place you can use for work that offers reliable Internet access, either in your home or a local co-working facility. You are experienced and fluent in the productivity tools we use, like Google Apps & Hangouts, Slack, and Harvest for time tracking.Please do not hesitate to apply if you do not match these requirements exactly but think you could be a good fit.Equal OpportunityLearning Tapestry is an equal opportunity employer and encourages individuals of all ethnic and racial backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities to apply. We are also particularly interested in individuals who have lived in or worked with underserved communities such as low-income, gender nonconforming, disabled, or indigenous peoples.Apply NowLet's start your dream job Apply now Learning Tapestry View company Jobs posted: 30 Related Jobs Remote Full-Stack Programming jobs