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Showing posts from September, 2024

How Did Hezbollah’s Pagers Simultaneously Explode Across Lebanon?

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Hundreds of pagers belonging to Hezbollah, the Lebanese armed group, have exploded simultaneously across Lebanon, leading to widespread casualties. At the time of reporting, at least nine people have died, and 2,750 have been injured, according to security services and the Lebanese health minister. Among the dead is an eight-year-old girl, and Mohammad Mahdi Ammar, son of Hezbollah MP Ali Ammar, has also been confirmed killed. Hezbollah reported the deaths of two of its fighters. The explosions occurred through the devices' radio wave communication system. Unlike mobile phones, pagers rely on radio frequencies, making them difficult to monitor, which is one reason they are popular with groups like Hezbollah, where security and mobility are critical. The cause of the explosions remains under investigation, but speculation suggests the pagers may have been tampered with, or the radio network may have been hacked, triggering a response in the doctored devices. Hezbollah has point

The Kills Drop Electrifying Cover of Billie Eilish's 'Happier Than Ever,' Announce New EP 'Happier Girls'

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Indie rock duo The Kills have unveiled a powerful, electric rendition of Billie Eilish’s 2021 hit “Happier Than Ever,” set to feature on their upcoming EP Happier Girls , dropping this Friday. The dynamic pair, comprised of vocalist Alison Mosshart and guitarist Jamie Hince , originally debuted an acoustic version of the track during a Sirius XM taping in 2023, captivating audiences with their raw, soulful take on the somber single. In a recent press statement, Mosshart revealed that the idea for the studio recording was sparked by a conversation with Laurence Bell , founder of indie label Domino . Bell, after hearing the acoustic performance on the radio, encouraged the band to revisit the song with a more electric, rock-driven sound. “I’d always really dug ‘Happier Than Ever’ and found myself singing it around the house all the time,” Mosshart shared. “It seemed like a good choice since I loved it and loved singing it.” The Happier Girls EP will be released in both physical a

Microsoft Recovers from Cloud-Based Software Outage Impacting Thousands of Users

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On Thursday, Microsoft confirmed that its cloud-based productivity suite, which includes popular tools such as Word, Excel, and Teams, has fully recovered after a significant outage affected thousands of users. The disruption occurred earlier in the day, impacting connectivity to various Microsoft services. "We can confirm the issue impacting connectivity to Microsoft services is now mitigated," Microsoft said in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter). The outage was traced to a change within a third-party internet service provider's (ISP) "managed-environment," which caused widespread service interruptions. Fortunately, once the ISP reverted the change, Microsoft began to see signs of recovery. This incident follows a similar tech disruption nearly two months ago when a faulty software update from cybersecurity provider CrowdStrike affected 8.5 million Windows devices, crippling essential services across industries such as airlines, banking, and healthcar

Sony Releases Final Trailer for Venom The Last Dance

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  Sony Pictures Entertainment has unveiled the final trailer for Venom: The Last Dance , marking the last entry in the Spider-Man spin-off trilogy. The nearly three-minute trailer gives fans a thrilling first look at Knull, the dark and powerful god of the symbiotes who plays a pivotal role in the upcoming film. Although the glimpse is brief, Knull’s imposing figure, seated on a throne with taloned fingers and long white hair, will be instantly recognizable to comic book fans familiar with the character. The trailer also showcases some of Venom’s new and unique transformations, including a fun moment featuring Venom as a fish. Viewers also catch more of the menacing Venom horse that was first teased in the previous trailer. These quirky forms add excitement to what promises to be a climactic film in the trilogy. "In Venom: The Last Dance , Tom Hardy returns as Venom, one of Marvel’s most iconic and complex characters, for the final installment of the trilogy," reads the

Magnitude-4.7 Malibu Earthquake Shakes Southern California

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Early Thursday morning, an earthquake struck near Malibu, shaking much of Southern California. The quake, initially reported as a magnitude 5.1, was later downgraded to 4.7. It occurred at 7:28 a.m., with a depth of approximately seven miles. Shaking was felt in a wide range of areas including Malibu, Hermosa Beach, La Mirada, Anaheim, Santa Monica, the Hollywood Hills, and parts of the San Fernando Valley. Aftershocks ranging from 1.8 to 3.4 in magnitude have followed the quake, with more expected in the coming hours and days. Fortunately, there have been no reports of significant damage or injuries so far. Standard safety protocols have been put in place, such as slowing down the trains on the Los Angeles Metro system to check for any potential damage. This is a routine procedure whenever an earthquake occurs. Southern California has experienced several recent earthquakes, including a magnitude 5.2 quake near Bakersfield. Though none have caused major damage, seismologists like

WWE Star Sami Zayn Gets Emotional Following Bret Hart’s Appearance on RAW

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WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart made a dramatic return to Monday Night Raw, and Canadian wrestler Sami Zayn found himself caught in the middle of an intense feud between Hart and WWE World Heavyweight Champion Gunther. This marked a thrilling and emotional moment for Zayn, who has long idolized Hart. The September 9 episode of WWE Raw, held in Calgary, Alberta, was electrified by Hart's surprise appearance. The crowd was buzzing as Hart went head-to-head with Gunther, who threw a provocative comment at Hart to escalate the situation. This confrontation prompted Sami Zayn to step in. Zayn, who was visibly emotional, shared his feelings: “You caught me at a really strange time because I’m feeling emotional, to be honest. I’m wearing this jersey not because I’m a Flames fan, but to honor Johnny Gaudreau, who tragically passed away. It makes you reflect on your time here and what you do with it. To share the ring with [Bret Hart], who was my hero growing up, in Calgary is incredibly s

Madonna Stuns at NYFW: Surprise Appearance Following Her 'Near-Death Experience

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New York City was abuzz during Fashion Week when Madonna, the Queen of Pop, made a surprise appearance at the Luar runway show, just months after Beyoncé’s unexpected visit. The star stole the spotlight as she sat front row, injecting extra excitement into the already glamorous event. Madonna arrived just before the show at Rockefeller Plaza, igniting curiosity and whispers among attendees. "Is that really Madonna?" many wondered as the iconic singer made her entrance with her signature flair. It was indeed the pop legend, enjoying a return to the public eye after a challenging 2024. Madonna’s health has been a concern lately, and she admitted that over the summer, she wasn’t sure she would survive the season. But here she was, back in full force. Her fashion choice for the Luar show was bold, as expected. She wore a short-sleeved camel trench coat with structured shoulders, black latex gloves, oversized sunglasses, and thigh-high leather boots. A large Luar bag complete

One of the World’s Largest Consulting Firms to Monitor Employee Locations as It Enforces Return-to-Office Policy

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PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), one of the world’s largest consulting and accounting firms, is introducing a more stringent return-to-office policy. Beginning next year, PwC’s UK-based operations will require employees to be in the office at least three out of five days each week, increasing from the current two-day requirement. In an email to staff, PwC stated that it would begin sharing employees' location data with them on a monthly basis to ensure compliance with the new rules. Laura Hinton, PwC UK’s Managing Partner, said the policy is designed to prioritize in-person collaboration. "This feels right for our business and for our people, given our focus on client service, coaching, and learning and development," she said. The new policy will come into effect in January, allowing staff time to adjust to the changes. PwC emphasized that building and maintaining strong relationships is easier in face-to-face settings, which it believes is key to the firm’s success. Wh

Spotted Lanternfly, an Invasive Species, Discovered in Three Metro Detroit Counties

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A Spotted Lanternfly, an invasive species, has been detected in Wayne, Oakland, and Monroe counties, as reported by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed these findings after conducting a survey across 20 counties in Michigan. While the Spotted Lanternfly has been previously identified in Oakland and Monroe counties, it was spotted in Monroe County for the first time. Originally from Eastern Asia, this invasive insect was first found in the U.S. about a decade ago. It feeds on a wide variety of plants, including grapevines and trees like black walnut, river birch, willow, sumac, and red maple. As they feed, they produce a sticky substance that can coat nearby plants and ground, often causing discoloration or plant death. Officials urge the public to report sightings of Spotted Lanternfly eggs, nymphs, or adults. If you see one, take a photo, note the date, time, and location, and report it. More informatio

Ethereum Mech Shooter 'MetalCore' Launches Open Beta on Epic Games Store

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Exciting news for gamers: MetalCore , the mech shooter that blends elements of Titanfall and Destiny, is entering its open beta phase on the Epic Games Store on September 12. This release will also debut the game’s first in-game season, “MetalPunk Rhapsody,” and marks a significant upgrade as it transitions to Unreal Engine 5. Previously running on Unreal Engine 4, MetalCore has been enhanced to leverage the latest technology, promising smoother gameplay and improved graphics. The move to Unreal Engine 5 reflects the game’s commitment to delivering a cutting-edge experience, aligning with industry standards used by top AAA studios. Studio369, the developer behind MetalCore , has been refining the game through various closed beta phases over the past six months. With the open beta, the studio is inviting everyone to test out the game and experience its new features firsthand. The “MetalPunk Rhapsody” season introduces a fresh seasonal format, with each season lasting approximately

Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl Welcomes Baby ‘Outside of’ Marriage, Working to Rebuild Trust with Wife

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  Dave Grohl has shared a heartfelt message expressing gratitude for the support his family has received as they welcome their newest addition. The 55-year-old singer and his family are “grateful for your consideration toward all the children involved” as they “move forward together.” In his recent post, Grohl did not provide details about the mother of his newborn, maintaining privacy on that front. Grohl, who married his wife Jordyn Blum, 48, on August 2, 2003, in their Los Angeles home, is a father of three. The couple’s children include Violet Maye, born in 2006; Harper Willow, born in 2009; and Ophelia Saint, born in 2014. The story of how Grohl and Blum met is charming. They first crossed paths in 2001 at the Sunset Marquis Whiskey Bar. In a 2007 interview with Elle , Grohl recounted that after a few initial dates, he decided he wasn’t ready for a serious relationship and stopped calling Blum. However, after a few months, he experienced a change of heart and reached out to h

GH Picks AMC Alum Alexa Havins to Play Lulu Spencer

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Fans of General Hospital are buzzing with excitement as the show announces a major casting change for the role of Lulu Spencer. Former All My Children star Alexa Havins, best known for her portrayal of Babe Carey Chandler, has been cast to bring Lulu out of her years-long coma. This news was first reported by Daytime Confidential and confirmed by TVLine. Lulu Spencer, the beloved character born to supercouple Laura and Luke Spencer, was introduced in 1994. Julie Marie Berman was the first actress to take on the role as an adult, earning three Daytime Emmys for her portrayal from 2005 to 2013. Emme Rylan then took over from 2013 to 2020, continuing Lulu’s journey until a dramatic storyline placed her in a coma following a bomb blast. Fans have eagerly awaited Lulu's return, though Rylan has confirmed she will not be reprising the role. Alexa Havins, a native of Arizona, is no stranger to daytime television. She met her husband, Justin Bruening, on All My Children , where he p

Sony Officially Reveals PS5 Pro During PlayStation 5 Technical Presentation

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Sony has finally announced the worst-kept secret in video games: the PlayStation 5 Pro. It costs $700, doesn't come with a disc drive, and launches this November. PS5 lead architect Mark Cerny confirmed the mid-gen refresh during a PS5 Technical Presentation in which he said the new console lets Sony give players the high frame-rates they prefer. The GPU is much larger, ray tracing is improved, and there's custom hardware for machine learning (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution). Design wise,  the PS5 Pro lines up with the leaked information and images that recently hit the internet . It looks a lot like a PS5 Slim, but with stripes along either side. Check out how the PS5 Pro looks in the slideshow of images below. PlayStation 5 Pro First Look In a post on the  PlayStation Blog , Hideaki Nishino, CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment's Platform Business Group, outlined the PS5 Pro's performance features: Upgraded GPU:  With PS5 Pro, we are upgrading to a GPU th