Position Purpose:We are looking for a Cloud Engineer to support the deployment, automation, and monitoring of secure AWS infrastructure across healthcare and data analytics solutions. This role is responsible for ensuring resilient cloud environments using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and CI/CD pipelines, while enabling teams to deliver cloud-native applications and services securely and efficiently. Take ownership of DevSecOps practices and grow into a lead infrastructure role supporting secure, large-scale AWS systems in federal health IT environments.Primary Duties & Responsibilities:·       Build and maintain cloud infrastructure using AWS services such as EC2, Lambda, RDS, S3, and VPCs.·       Use Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools such as CloudFormation or AWS CDK to deploy and version cloud environments across DEV, VAL, and PROD.·       Implement and maintain CI/CD pipelines using GitHub Actions, Jenkins, or similar tools.·       Write automation scripts in Python, Bash, or other languages to support deployment, monitoring, and maintenance tasks.·       Monitor and log infrastructure health using CloudWatch, CloudTrail, and third-party tools like Splunk.·       Collaborate with developers, analysts, and project teams to ensure cloud infrastructure supports data pipelines, dashboards, and application services.·       Support system security by applying encryption, access controls, IAM policies, and monitoring best practices.·       Document infrastructure architecture, configurations, and deployment processes for ongoing maintenance and team reuse.·       Collaborate with senior engineers and architects to continuously improve security posture, automation efficiency, and system observability.Minimum Qualifications:·       Bachelor’s degree(or equivalent experience) in computer science, engineering, or related field.·       2+ years of experience in cloud engineering, DevOps, or infrastructure automation roles.·       Experience managing cloud infrastructure in AWS.·       Proficiency with IaC tools such as CloudFormation, CDK, or Terraform.·       Familiarity with Linux-based environments and scripting languages (e.g., Python, Bash).·       Experience with CI/CD pipelines and version control (GitHub preferred).·       Strong problem-solving, documentation, and collaboration skills.Preferred Qualifications:AWS certification (e.g., SysOps Administrator, Solutions Architect, or DevOps Engineer).Demonstrated interest in AWS architecture, security automation, and CI/CD workflows; openness to mentorship and growth into senior engineering responsibilities.Experience deploying secure AWS environments in compliance with HIPAA, FISMA, or CMS ARS standards.Familiarity with security monitoring tools such as CloudWatch, or Config.Experience supporting federal health IT environments (e.g., CMS, VA, state Medicaid).Familiarity with monitoring infrastructure supporting MicroStrategy, Python pipelines, or healthcare reporting systems.

Advertisement Subscribe now Life Puzzlingly, many birds add human-made material to their nests with no obvious function – now there is evidence that these home improvements might ward off predators 23 May 2025 Red kites sometimes put plastic objects in their nestsMike Read / Alamy Stock Photo Birds may decorate nests with artificial objects and feathers to deter magpies and ravens from taking their eggs. Many birds have been observed placing human-made objects in their nests, such as plastic, wires or even anti-bird spikes from buildings. Often, these things seem to have no role as insulation or structural support, and may make nests more conspicuous to predators. Magne Husby at Nord University and Tore Slagsvold at the University of… Advertisement Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox! We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers. Sign up Advertisement More from New Scientist Explore the latest news, articles and features Popular articles Trending New Scientist articles Advertisement

The overall winner has been named as oo office. Its winning concept ‘Proudspeaker’ has been designed as a monumental megaphone intended to amplify LGBTQIA+ voices and stories in public spaces. ‘The form of the Proudspeaker is composed of individual stories, gathered and woven together in a magpie-like process,’ said practice co-founders Rania Francis, Karl Mok and Oleg Sevelkov. ‘It becomes speech made visible – an act of joy, pride and protest.’ The competition was open to students, emerging architects and representatives from established firms. It sought innovative proposals for a float in the annual festival and parade, which will be held in the capital on 5 July.Advertisement The project – backed by Brookfield Properties – will celebrate the contributions of LGBTQIA+ architects to the built environment. Proposals were required to respond to this year’s LFA theme of ‘Voices’ by expressing identity, inclusion and creativity while demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and the circular economy. Rosa Rogina, LFA director, said: ‘Architecture doesn’t just shape our buildings, it shapes our communities, our conversations and our sense of belonging. Proudspeaker is a defiant, joyful, and beautifully conceived response to our 2025 theme. It honours queer creativity and boldly asserts that LGBTQIA+ voices not only belong in the built environment – they are fundamental to it.’ Founded in 1972, the annual Pride parade and festival is the largest LGBTQIA+ event in the UK and the seventh largest in the world, attracting around 1 million people. The London event, traditionally held in July, features a large performance area in Trafalgar Square, with a procession of floats and walking groups. Hawkins\Brown won LFA’s inaugural contest for a float representing LGBTQIA+ architects at 2018’s London Pride. Raw Architecture Workshop won LFA’s 2019 contest for a float at Pride in London and Manchester. In 2021, a group of early-career architects working at Foster + Partners won an open call for a £10,000 installation representing LGBTQIA+ architects at St Anne’s Church in Soho.Advertisement The latest contest sought ‘safe, structurally sound, and suitable’ proposals for a float installation that will be mounted on a 7.5-tonne dropside truck during the annual parade. Concepts had to include handrails, space for speakers and weather-resistant materials. The winning design will now work closely with production specialists to bring their vision to life in time for the parade.

By Natalia Mesa Published May 23, 2025 | Comments (0) | Adult Cooper’s hawk dispatching a house sparrow. © Vladimir Dinets Birds continue to be amazing. Crows can use tools and hold grudges against specific people. Magpies can recognize themselves in mirrors. And now, hawks are using traffic signals to hunt down prey, according to a study published today in the journal Frontiers in Ethology.  The story starts with Vladimir Dinets, a zoologist at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and the study’s author, and an intersection in West Orange, New Jersey, near his home. As a zoologist, he had long been interested in animals’ perspective on and understanding of urban environments—and in birds’ relationship with cars, in particular. Scientists have previously observed ravens patrol American highways waiting for roadkill and songbirds using cars to hide from predators. Dinets was on the lookout for these interesting interactions when a young Cooper’s hawk migrated into his neighborhood and started doing something brilliant. The intersection wasn’t particularly busy, even during rush hour, Dinets wrote in a guest editorial for Frontiers in Ethology. But sometimes, a pedestrian would cross the street, causing cars to pile up all the way to a small, bushy tree down the block. The pedestrian “walk” signal would also make a sound that indicated it was time to walk. One morning, Dinets saw the hawk emerge from the tree, fly very low above the line of cars, cross the street between the cars, and then dive to get something near one of the houses. Then the same thing happened again. And again. It turns out that the family that lived in that house near the bushy tree liked to have dinner in their front yard. In response, birds—like sparrows and doves—would flock there to claim the leftover crumbs. That made for easy pickings for the hawk, who would swoop down into the yard to catch said sparrows and doves. But, curiously, the hawk only did this when cars were lined up along the block all the way to the tree. Dinets eventually figured out that the line of cars provided cover for the hawk, and that the hawk had learned to recognize the sound of the pedestrian “walk” signal. As soon as a pedestrian pressed the button, the hawk would fly from wherever it had been hanging out and into the small, bushy tree. It would then wait for cars to pile up before using the line of cars as cover to sneak up on its prey. The hawk had, apparently, learned to use the pedestrian signal as a cue to start heading over to the house crowded with defenseless birds, according to Dinets. “That meant that the hawk understood the connection between the sound and the eventual car queue length,” Dinets explained. The hawk also apparently had a good mental map of the neighborhood. The hawk (or what Dinets thinks was the same hawk) returned the next year and used the same strategy to hunt. Eventually, though, the family moved away and the signal stopped working, so Dinets hasn’t seen any super smart hawks hunting near his home since. Life is tough for birds in cities—they have to avoid windows, weave through cars, and deal with noise. But this study shows at least one way that they’ve adapted to urban living. “I think my observations show that Cooper’s hawks manage to survive and thrive there, at least in part, by being very smart,” Dinets wrote. Daily Newsletter You May Also Like By Ellyn Lapointe Published May 21, 2025 By Ed Cara Published May 15, 2025 By Isaac Schultz Published May 14, 2025 By Isaac Schultz Published May 6, 2025 Partner content with Bird Buddy Updated May 1, 2025 By Isaac Schultz Published May 5, 2025

Macworld If you’re on the hunt for an iPhone but your budget doesn’t quite stretch to Apple’s newest models, buying a used or refurbished iPhone is a great way to pick up a bargain. While this might sound like a risky option, it doesn’t have to be. Specialist retailers offer warranties and check devices before reselling them. We’ll help you find a reputable source for second-hand iPhones. Now that Apple has launched the iPhone 16 series, you can get excellent deals on older phones including the 15-, 14-, and maybe even the 13- series. (Apple still sells the standard iPhone 15 models, but has discontinued the 15 Pro and Pro Max, which means refurbished is the way to go with those models.) The older iPhone you’re prepared to buy, the bigger the savings you can enjoy. In this article, we cover everything there is to know about safely buying a refurbished iPhone, whether you’re looking to buy SIM-free or on contract. Best Refurbished iPhone deals You can save money buying the iPhone 15 from Apple’s refurbished store and from resellers such as BackMarket or Amazon Renewed. We have details of all the best resellers of refurbished iPhones below. Just be aware that the resellers can get a bit creative with the original pricing. Refurbished iPhone 15 deals U.S. Apple refurbished store: Refurbished iPhone 15, 128GB, $619 (save $110) Apple refurbished store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Plus, 128GB, $699 (save $130) Apple refurbished store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro, 512GB, $1,019 (save $180) Apple refurbished store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max, 512GB, $1,099 (save $200) BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro, 128GB, $658 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max, 256GB, $772 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 15 Pro Max, 256GB, $749 Refurbished iPhone 15 deals U.K. Apple refurbished store: Refurbished iPhone 15, 128GB, £589 (save £110) Apple refurbished store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Plus, 128GB, £779 (save £140) Apple refurbished store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro, 256GB, £869 (save £150) Apple refurbished store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max, 256GB, £949 (save £170) BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro, 128GB, £586 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max, 256GB, £628 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 15 Pro Max, 256GB, £730 Screenshot Older Refurbished iPhone deals U.K. In Apple’s UK refurbished store you can also get the following iPhones: iPhone 14-series, iPhone 13 series, including: Apple refurbished store: Refurbished iPhone 13 mini, 512GB, £639 (save £340) Apple refurbished store: Refurbished iPhone 14 Pro, 256GB, £759 (save £240) You can find more deals on specific iPhone handsets in our iPhone deals round ups: iPhone 16 deals U.S. / iPhone 16 deals U.K. – for the best prices on Apple’s newest series of iPhones. iPhone 15 deals U.S. / iPhone 15 deals U.K. – including deals on iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max which Apple no longer sells. iPhone 14 deals – including refurbished deals. iPhone 13 deals – including refurbished deals. Best place to buy a refurbished iPhone Apple itself should be your first port of call, if only to establish a benchmark of what is reasonable to pay for your chosen handset: check to see if the Apple Refurbished Store has the iPhone model you’re looking for. (That’s the U.S. store. British readers should try the U.K. Apple Refurbished Store.) At time of writing Apple is selling refurbished models of the iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. Apple’s refurbished store tends to be the most expensive place to buy refurbished iPhones–although it’s still significantly cheaper than buying new. (The standard reduction on the Apple Refurbished Store is 15 percent.) But there are advantages that come with this higher price. The refurb phones all come with the same one-year limited warranty that you’ll find on the brand-new versions, for example. And it’s worth noting that any parts used in the refurb will be official Apple ones, and all devices come with brand-new batteries. It’s worth shopping around, however, to make sure you’re getting a good deal. There are plenty of other companies that make a living from refurbishing and selling iPhones. Here are some of the more prominent resellers of refurbished and used iPhones: Refurbished iPhone sellers in the U.S. Back Market: You get 30 days to change your mind and a 12-month warranty… or occasionally more. Decluttr: A popular destination for refurbished devices, often with sales that slash even more money off. You can also trade in any of your old tech, gadgets, and media (including books and CDs) to get steeper discounts. The iOutlet on eBay: Offers competitive pricing for refurbished devices and also accepts other gadgets such as iPads, Apple Watches, and gaming consoles.  Amazon Renewed Store: This site’s greatest benefit is that purchases are all backed by Amazon’s standard returns policy and its “Renewed Guarantee” lets you get a refund or replacement within 1 year of receiving your product. Best Buy: Best Buy doesn’t offer a great deal of information on pre-owned iPhones’ condition, but you can return within 14 days if the item is “unopened or defective in any way.” Walmart: Walmart doesn’t sell refurbished iPhones directly; rather, they are sourced from other sellers. Return policies vary from seller to seller, but there are minimum requirements that apply universally. Refurbished iPhone sellers in the U.K. Back Market: You get 30 days to change your mind and a 12-month warranty… or occasionally more. Music Magpie: The UK version of Decluttr and a good place to start looking for refurbished iPhones. You may find that sales reduce the price still further. Hoxton Macs: Don’t let the Mac in the name fool you. Hoxton Macs has started selling refurbished iPhones. Reboxed: Pledges that devices “are fully tested and in perfect working order.” All come with a 12-month no quibble warranty. The iOutlet or The iOutlet on eBay: Offers competitive pricing for refurbished devices and also accepts other gadgets such as iPads, Apple Watches, and gaming consoles.  Amazon Renewed Store: While you can’t really sell on Amazon Renewed unless you’re a business, those looking to buy a refurbished iPhone Amazon Renewed have plenty of options to choose from. Its greatest benefit is that purchases are all backed by Amazon’s standard returns policy and its “Renewed Guarantee” lets you get a refund or replacement within 1 year of receiving your product. Envirofone: Also allows you to trade in your old phone for credit towards purchasing a refurbished phone. 4Gadgets: Offers a 12-month warranty for all online orders. Smartfone Store: Look out for the additional 10 percent discount for students and young people. Refurb-Phone: Like most refurb sellers, this site offers a 12-month warranty. Less commonplace is its policy of allowing returns within 14 days if you simply change your mind. The Big Phone Store: Says it ensures refurb phones “are thoroughly tested, repaired, and cleaned before being sent out.” Backs this with a 12-month warranty. Laptops Direct: You get a 12-month warranty on parts and labor. Watch out for slightly confusing grading system: “A3,” for example, means “Average condition.” Where to buy a refurbished iPhone on contract You can pick up refurbished phones on contract as well from the following carriers and resellers: US carriers Verizon AT&T T-Mobile UK carriers GiffGaff Mobiles.co.uk O2 Like New Vodafone Carphone Warehouse Fonehouse  Outside of specialist retailers, there’s also eBay and eBay UK (just be sure to check the seller’s feedback and read the descriptions carefully), and, in the UK, CeX. Buying older iPhones new on contract Another way to dampen the financial impact of buying a new iPhone is to go down the tried and tested route of contracts offered by mobile providers. You’ll find older iPhone models in the online stores of many networks. Prices change all the time, so we’d recommend reading our Best iPhone deals guide on a regular basis to see which offers are currently available. Should I buy a refurbished iPhone? What is refurbished? You might be concerned about buying a refurbished handset, thinking that it would be like buying a second-hand iPhone, but there’s no reason to be worried. Remember: refurbished and second-hard aren’t the same thing. Refurbished iPhones are pre-owned but are wiped, tested, and repaired to work like new.  The iPhones Apple sells in the Refurbished Store were returned to Apple for a variety of reasons: The previous owner could have exercised their consumer rights and returned the handset unused within 14 days (as per Apple’s refund and exchange policy). The iPhone may have been used as a demonstration model. The iPhone may have been returned to Apple due to a fault. The third point on that list may concern you, but you can be sure that Apple will have identified and fixed any faults before reselling the device. The company says refurbished products undergo “full functional testing” and are provided with “genuine Apple part replacements (if necessary).” They also get “a thorough cleaning,” incidentally. There are plenty of benefits to buying a refurbished iPhone: You get a one-year warranty. You get 90 days of tech support. Because you’re buying from Apple directly, there are no shipping costs and free returns. You can also take advantage of Apple’s 14-day returns policy if you change your mind. (Note however that Apple isn’t the only seller to offer such a policy.) Refurbished vs second-hand: What’s the difference? If it’s not already clear, a refurbished iPhone is tested and repaired so the handset works like new (or as close to new as possible). A second-hand iPhone, on the other hand, is simply sold as is, which means the device may not last as long, and may have small imperfections or defects. The battery in particular will be a worry in the long term. There are other risks to buying second-hand too. If the previous owner hasn’t dissociated their Apple ID from the device you may get permanently locked out of the iPhone. Unfortunately, Apple’s customer service wouldn’t be able to help you unlock the phone either, as the company has strict security policies. Such a situation would be less of a concern if you know and can easily contact the previous owner (and they remember their Apple ID details), but we’d prefer avoiding such complications to start with. This is just another reason why buying refurbished is a more reliable route to go if you did want to pick up a previously owned iPhone. What does refurbished Grade A mean? When you shop refurbished you might see grade scores such as A, B, or C; this indicates the condition of the phone. Is it dinged up? Does it have scratches? Or is it completely blemish-free and pristine? The grade gives you a general idea. We say “general” because these grades aren’t set by an independent body, which means they can vary from retailer to retailer. This is how the grades usually break down: Grade A: Looks like new or has very few signs of wear Grade B: Might have some minor scratches and some wear Grade C: Looks used and has obvious signs of wear But some sites go with Fair, Good, and Excellent or some other variation. (One site we’ve visited appears to grade everything as A plus a number–so a comparatively poor handset would be rated as A3. This may strike some readers as a little confusing.) Needless to say, Grade A/A1/Excellent refurbished devices will be more expensive than Grade C, but you’ll still be paying far less than you would for a brand-new device.  Pay attention to refurbished warranties  Given that the quality of refurbished iPhone devices can vary from retailer to retailer, it’s important to pay attention to the warranty. How long is the phone covered? The warranty allows you to get help or free repairs from the seller if you run into any issues after purchase. Retailers typically offer a year, and many allow “quibble-free” returns if you change your mind within 14 days. Check the fine print. More refurbished Apple guides Should I buy a refurbished Apple Watch? Why you should buy a refurbished Mac Should I buy a refurbished iPad & best deals Where to buy a refurbished MacBook or Mac