In Surveilled ( now streaming on Max ), celeb journalist Ronan Farrow investigates how governments use powerful spyware to hack phones and keep tabs on people. The cynical among us won’t be surprised to hear this. But that cynicism is further fortified by Farrow’s discovery that it’s not just fascist despots enacting this breach of privacy and civil liberties – democratic governments are using the software to monitor their own citizens, among them political dissidents and journalists. Farrow grew interested in the topic after his high-profile exposes of Harvey Weinstein and Leslie Moonves’ resulted in him being surveilled by private investigators who used his phone to track him. Farrow has since published multiple pieces in The New Yorker about this troubling technology, with his 2022 story headlined “How Democracies Spy on Their Citizens” forming the basis of this eye-opening hour-long documentary. SURVEILLED : STREAM IT OR SKIP IT? The Gist: The NSO Group is a cyberintelligence organization based in Israel, and infamous for its software dubbed Pegasus, which allows users remote access to smartphones. The company’s only customers are governments, and both parties claim Pegasus is used solely to combat organized crime and terrorism. The software is credited for being a key component in the arrest of infamous Mexican cartel lord El Chapo – but it also has been linked with the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the hands of Saudi government agents. Pegasus exploits code loopholes in various apps, most famously WhatsApp, which scrambled to patch its security vulnerabilities to combat the spyware, and subsequently sued NSO. The most distressing thing about Pegasus? It can worm its way into phones and not only access its data – photos, web history, etc. – but record audio and video without the user even being aware of it. The documentary follows Farrow throughout 2021 and 2022 as he travels from continent to continent investigating this shady activity. Scrutiny on NSO in the wake of its very public controversies found the company adopting a new philosophy of “transparency,” which meant Farrow was allowed to visit its lavish Tel Aviv headquarters to interview various employees – under the watchful eye of its PR rep, of course. The company opened the doors to the press, “up to a point,” Farrow narrates. He walked away with a variety of assertions that NSO’s vetting process for assuring its government clients use Pegasus responsibly is tight. Take our word for it is the takeaway. Trust us. Of course, Farrow distrusts such assurances and digs deeper. He finds a former NSO employee willing to dish on the company’s questionable ethics as long as his identity remains anonymous. He travels to Toronto, where activists at a group known as Citizen Lab have developed a means of testing phones for traces of Pegasus activity. Farrow then follows that thread to Spain, specifically Barcelona, where Citizen Lab investigator Elies Campo learned that the democratic government has been using Pegasus to spy on activists, journalists and politicians supporting a separatist movement in Catalan. From there, Farrow returns to the U.S. to ask politicians what they’re doing to combat such surveillance tactics, and if they’re using them in any capacity. The answer is complicated of course, but it’s also a big fat yes, although entirely within the civil liberties of the citizenry. Farrow’s takeaway? Take our word for it. Trust us. What Movies Will It Remind You Of?: Kill Chain , The Swamp , After Truth ... all docs, like Surveilled , that we wish didn’t have to exist. Performance Worth Watching: Campo is an underappreciated hero of the movement to combat Pegasus, at great personal sacrifice – we learn that the Spanish government hacked his family members’ phones to keep tabs on him. Memorable Dialogue: Farrow asks Connecticut Rep. Jim Himes if the U.S. government uses Pegasus. The politician says yes, but only so the FBI can be fully informed about how it works so they can better combat it: “The notion that, for the first time in our history, we’re gonna say we’re gonna let all the bad guys have technology that we’re not going to use – that’s a novel concept. And when you really think it through, a little bit of a scary concept.” Sex and Skin: None. Our Take: “A little bit of a scary concept.” Understatement of the year. Another disconcerting truth Farrow underscores in Surveilled ? “You can’t put the tech genie back in the bottle,” a U.S. government official says. In other words, once Pegasus is out there flying around, it can’t be eradicated. Now, if you’re wondering what kind of grim, hopeless conclusion Farrow reaches by the end of the doc, well, here it is: “Our only path toward privacy might be living without our phones.” Loll that notion around in your brain, parse it critically with all the even-handed logic and reason you can muster, consider the context of life in America (and other countries wrangling with political instability, of course) and the conclusion you’ll reach is pithy and obvious: We’re doomed. Sorry to be a bummer. Just reflecting the tone and message of this documentary. But hey, at least we’re better informed about things, right? It’s always better to know things than not know things, I keep telling myself, not sure if I’m lying to myself at least a little bit, and realizing that this is always the silver lining one paints atop bad news. We do get some glimpses into the diligence of serious investigative journalism as we watch Farrow poke and prod and dig and ask difficult questions. It’s not his responsibility to spin things positive or make us feel better. He doesn’t offer a viable solution to the problem of state-sponsored citizen surveillance; let’s face it, asking billions of people to smash their phones with a peen hammer is like asking a crocodile to please let go of your leg, because ow, that hurts. We’re too dependent on the tech, and many of us are all too willing to look the other way, or compromise our civil liberties for the sake of convenience, or be complicit in that look all you want because I never do anything wrong sense. These notions bubble up during the course of Surveilled , alongside a quieter subtextual assertion that we shouldn’t expect allegedly democratic governments to do the right thing for the sake of the greater good, the U.S. included. Consider the words Rep. Himes uses here: “the bad guys.” What a relative term. The U.S. government is certainly considered to be “the bad guys” in other parts of the world, and maybe even within its own borders. Also not particularly reassuring: The Pegasus ordeal puts massive tech conglomerates like Apple and Microsoft on the frontlines of the battle against NSO, since their products are being exploited for nefarious means; on one hand, Big Tech has lots of money and sharklike lawyers at their disposable, but on the other, we trust them as much as the government to do the right thing. All kinds of troublesome information spills out of Surveilled , a documentary that offers reportage so vital, it’s no fun to watch whatsoever. Our Call: For better or worse, we’re more informed about very bad things after watching Surveilled . STREAM IT, then go pour yourself 17 stiff drinks. John Serba is a freelance writer and film critic based in Grand Rapids, Michigan.Bitcoin has surpassed the $100,000 mark as the post-election rally continues. What's next?
AC Milan star Tijjani Reijnders has emerged as a transfer target for Tottenham Tottenham Hotspur had a productive summer transfer window as they not only invested in quite a few young talents with high potential but also managed to move on the majority of the deadwood. 11 games into the 2024/25 campaign and results have been far too inconsistent, but White Hart Lane faithful are wise enough to understand that Ange Postecoglou is building something special in North London. The process of re-tooling the squad after years of misery will take time and Spurs are on the right track under Ange Postecoglou . Of course, for Tottenham to keep pace in the race for the top four, a new signing or two in the January transfer window might be on the agenda. The Lilywhites want to bring in a new midfielder during the winter transfer window, and AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders has emerged as one of the targets . Tijjani Reijnders has averaged 3.08 carries into the final third p90 over the last year. That puts him in the top 1% of central midfielders in Europe. One of the best ball-carrying midfielders on the planet. pic.twitter.com/Mex46V84sE Tijjani Reijnders has established himself as a key player for AC Milan. After a strong Euro 2024 campaign with the Netherlands, he has found more consistency in the final third in his second campaign at Milan. The Zwolle-born talent has recorded four goals and three assists across all competitions , almost matching last year’s total numbers already. This has led to Reijnders becoming one of Europe’s most sought-after midfielders in Europe. Spurs are also among a host of elite European clubs vying for his signature. However, not only the Dutchman is loving life in Italy but also, he is looking to commit his future to Milan. After arriving in a £17 million deal from AZ Alkmaar last summer, the 26-year-old is not eyeing another big-money transfer in 2025 but a contract extension at San Siro. “We are discussing the renewal at the moment, but I can’t say more. However, I see myself at Milan until I’m in my 30s,” Reijnders told Italian transfer guru Gianluca Di Marzio . “It’s one of the most beautiful clubs in the world and it’s an honour to play there. Wearing [the legendary Johan] Cruyff’s number 14 shirt is very special, and I’m happy in Milan.” Spurs failed to replace experienced midfielders such as Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Giovani Lo Celso before the summer window’s deadline. That said, Reijnders had possibly emerged as an option to replace one of them in the engine room. Any possible contract extension with Milan would come as a huge setback to Tottenham, as this would possibly rule out any January or summer move for the Netherlands international. For the North Londoners, it is imperative that they bring in a new midfielder during the mid-season trading period to ensure that Big Ange has needed quality in depth in the middle of the park to cover the games for the second half of the season. This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.X alternative Bluesky reaches 24 million users
Article content BERLIN — Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk caused uproar after backing Germany’s far-right party in a major newspaper ahead of key parliamentary elections in the Western European country, leading to the resignation of the paper’s opinion editor in protest. Recommended Videos Germany is to vote in an early election on Feb. 23 after Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party governing coalition collapsed last month in a dispute over how to revitalize the country’s stagnant economy. Musk’s guest opinion piece for Welt am Sonntag — a sister publication of POLITICO owned by the Axel Springer Group — published in German over the weekend, was the second time this month he supported the Alternative for Germany, or AfD. “The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is the last spark of hope for this country,” Musk wrote in his translated commentary. He went on to say the far-right party “can lead the country into a future where economic prosperity, cultural integrity and technological innovation are not just wishes, but reality.” The Tesla Motors CEO also wrote that his investment in Germany gave him the right to comment on the country’s condition. The AfD is polling strongly, but its candidate for the top job, Alice Weidel, has no realistic chance of becoming chancellor because other parties refuse to work with the far-right party. An ally of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, the technology billionaire challenged in his opinion piece the party’s public image. “The portrayal of the AfD as right-wing extremist is clearly false, considering that Alice Weidel, the party’s leader, has a same-sex partner from Sri Lanka! Does that sound like Hitler to you? Please!” My opinion piece in Weld https://t.co/J56Oof6tO4 Musk’s commentary has led to a debate in German media over the boundaries of free speech, with the paper’s own opinion editor announcing her resignation, pointedly on Musk’s social media platform, X. “I always enjoyed leading the opinion section of WELT and WAMS. Today an article by Elon Musk appeared in Welt am Sonntag. I handed in my resignation yesterday after it went to print,” Eva Marie Kogel wrote. A critical article by the future editor-in-chief of the Welt group, Jan Philipp Burgard, accompanied Musk’s opinion piece. “Musk’s diagnosis is correct, but his therapeutic approach, that only the AfD can save Germany, is fatally wrong,” Burgard wrote. Responding to a request for comment from the German Press Agency, dpa, the current editor-in-chief of the Welt group, Ulf Poschardt, and Burgard — who is due to take over on Jan. 1 — said in a joint statement that the discussion over Musk’s piece was “very insightful. Democracy and journalism thrive on freedom of expression.” “This will continue to determine the compass of the “world” in the future. We will develop “Die Welt” even more decisively as a forum for such debates,” they wrote to dpa.CHARLESTON, S.C., Dec. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the holiday season approaches, it’s the perfect time to focus on winter wellness and thoughtful gifting ideas for health-conscious entertaining. Renowned Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Mia Syn shares her top recommendations to help people feel their best while enjoying all the season has to offer. COMBAT HOLIDAY CONGESTION “So many of us look forward to holiday parties and quality time with loved ones,” says Syn, “But we often find ourselves battling sinus congestion from dry air, cold weather, or seasonal allergies.” Her go-to solution? The NEW Mucinex® Sinus Saline Nasal Spray, the first-ever saline product featuring a 2-in-1 nozzle with customizable spray settings. Consumers can choose the ‘Power Jet’ to tackle tough nasal congestion or the ‘Gentle Mist’ to clear everyday congestion and soothe your nose. With its dual-nozzle technology, Mucinex® Sinus Saline Nasal Spray helps relieve congestion caused by allergens, irritants, and colds. Available at major retailers, pharmacies, and on Amazon, you can find your nearest store at Mucinex.com. Direct link: https://www.mucinex.com/ Social Media Handle: Facebook: @mucinex IG: @mucinex_us HOLIDAY TREATS WITH A HEALTHY TWIST Syn also encourages swapping ingredients in traditional holiday recipes with better-for-you alternatives. “One of my favorite holiday ingredients is Almond Breeze Almondmilk,” she shares. Almond Breeze Unsweetened Original Almondmilk: Versitile, plant-based milk with zero grams of sugar. Almond Breeze Extra Creamy Almondmilk: Perfect for its deliciously creamy texture with less sugar and fewer calories than dairy milk. 1 Almond Breeze Almondmilk Nog: A rich holiday classic free of eggs, dairy, and lactose, boasting just 70 calories per serving. “Santa might even prefer Almond Breeze with his cookies this year!” jokes Syn. Direct link: www.AlmondBreeze.com Social Media Handle: Facebook: Almond Breeze Instagram: @AlmondBreeze Twitter: @AlmondBreeze SKINCARE MUST-HAVES FOR WINTER Cold, harsh air can wreak havoc on your skin, causing dryness and accentuating fine lines. "Nobody enjoys that itchy, uncomfortable feeling that winter brings," says Syn, a skincare enthusiast. "That’s why I turn to Mediheal—a trusted name in Korean skincare that’s been raising the bar for years." Mediheal’s toner pads have become a hit on social media, especially on TikTok, where users are swearing by their magic. Leading the charge are two fan-favorite products: Madecassoside Blemish Pads : A viral sensation in the U.S., these pads are proven to reduce blemishes, dark spots, and uneven skin tone. Clinical results show a 16% improvement in skin texture and tone within just four weeks. Collagen Ampoule Pads : Mediheal’s #1 bestseller in Korea, these pads instantly boost skin elasticity by an astonishing 106% in just one swipe. They also reduce fine lines by up to 33%, making them an anti-aging powerhouse. "Mediheal’s toner pads are absolute game-changers," Syn adds. "They’re versatile, targeting multiple skin concerns, so there’s something for everyone." With a diverse lineup of toner pads and skincare products designed to tackle winter skin woes, Mediheal cements its place as the ultimate go-to for glowing, healthy skin—even in the harshest seasons. For a limited time, the Madecassoside Blemish Pad, Collagen Ampoule Pad and Vitamide Brightening Pad will be available in festive holiday packaging—perfect for gifting to loved ones or treating yourself this season! Direct link: Mediheal Amazon Website Social Media Handle: Facebook: @Mediheal US Instagram: @mediheal_us TikTok: @mediheal_us Twitter (X): @medihealus About YourUpdateTV : YourUpdateTV is a property of D S Simon Media. The video included and release was part of a media tour that was produced by D S Simon Media on behalf of Almond Breeze, Mediheal, and Mucinex. Media Contact: Michael O’Donnell D S Simon Media 212-736-2727 modonnell@dssimon.com A video accompanying this release is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/74283b19-564e-43c4-a467-440c7d109074
A would-be Arizona influencer accused of spraying pesticides on produce at a Phoenix-area Walmart is facing felony charges following the stunt that was posted to social media. Charles Smith, 27, was arrested after videos were uploaded to Instagram and TikTok showed a man spreading bug spray on yams, lemons, chicken and other produce at the Walmart in Mesa, according to the Arizona Republic , part of the USA TODAY Network. According to a press release from the Mesa Police Department , Smith faces one felony charge of introducing poison, as well as misdemeanor charges of theft, criminal damage and endangerment. A judge ordered him held on a $10,000 bond during a court appearance on Monday involving a separate third-degree burglary charge, according to reporting by AZ Family and KSAZ-TV . It's unclear what led to the burglary charge against Smith, though at least one of his videos appears to show him taking something from a customer outside a business and running away. Smith posts public prank videos under the username Wolfie Kahletti on Instagram and TikTok. On Instagram, he has a following of more than 300,000, but he's been banned on Tiktok. Smith faces his next court appearance on Friday. Court records do not list an attorney representing him. What happened? Smith is accused of spraying the bug spray on the grocery items on the evening of Dec. 19. "Through investigative means, and with assistance from the Tempe Police Department, detectives were able to identify Smith as the suspect," Detective Richard Encinas, told the Arizona Republic. "Mesa Police contacted Smith and he turned himself in voluntarily. During the interview, Smith admitted to the theft and spraying of the pesticide." Smith was booked into jail on charges of introducing poison, criminal damage, endangerment and theft. The videos showing the incident were posted on social media under the username Wolfie Kahletti. The videos show Smith dispensing the bug spray, and later two videos were subsequently uploaded with the captions, "Fooled u," "Threw them away" and "Promise I threw them away". The videos show him taking large quantities of produce from the shelves, loading it into a shopping cart, and pushing the cart inside of the Walmart. Followers warned of imminent arrest In the video Smith posted showing something being taken from a customer at what appears to be a restaurant patio, followers commented that he was going to get in trouble someday soon. "Can't wait til you're ARRESTED," one says, while another says: "How are these pranks when you're hurting someone?" Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
My love of movie scoundrels has been sorely tested this year. When I was young, I daydreamed of exotic heists, slick con artists and lovable crooks I’d seen on screen. For most of my moviegoing life, I’ve been a sucker for larceny done well. Most of us are, probably. Related Articles Movies | ‘Nightbitch’ review: Amy Adams goes feral in a cautionary tale of love and parental imbalance Movies | Review: Angelina Jolie glides through ‘Maria’ like an iceberg, but a chilly Callas isn’t enough Movies | Butte Film Fest promises all things film Movies | ‘Sweethearts’ review: Breakup-focused romcom is largely engaging Movies | Making ‘Queer’ required openness. Daniel Craig was ready But now it’s late 2024. Mood is wrong. In the real world, in America, it’s scoundrel time all the time. Maybe Charles Dickens was right. In “American Notes for General Circulation” (1842), the English literary superstar chronicled his travels and detected a widespread, peculiarly American “love of ‘smart’ dealing” across the land. In business and in politics, Dickens observed, slavish admiration of the con men among them “gilds over many a swindle and gross breach of trust.” And here we are. It’ll pass, this scoundrel reprieve of mine. In fact it just did. All it took was thinking about the conspicuous, roguish outlier on my best-of-2024 list: “Challengers.” It’s what this year needed and didn’t know it: a tricky story of lying, duplicitous weasels on and off the court. The best films this year showed me things I hadn’t seen, following familiar character dynamics into fresh territory. Some were more visually distinctive than others; all made eloquent cases for how, and where, their stories unfolded. “All We Imagine as Light,” recently at the Gene Siskel Film Center, works like a poem, or a sustained exhalation of breath, in its simply designed narrative of three Mumbai hospital workers. Fluid, subtly political, filmmaker Payal Kapadia’s achievement is very nearly perfect. So is cowriter-director RaMell Ross’ adaptation of the Colson Whitehead novel “The Nickel Boys,” arriving in Chicago-area theaters on Jan. 3, 2025. “Nickel Boys,” the film, loses the “the” in Whitehead’s title but gains an astonishingly realized visual perspective. If Ross never makes another movie, he’ll have an American masterpiece to his credit. The following top 10 movies of 2024 are in alphabetical order. Both a mosaic of urban ebb and flow, and a delicate revelation of character, director and writer Payal Kapadia’s Mumbai story is hypnotic, patient and in its more traditional story progression, a second feature every bit as good as Kapadia’s first, 2021’s “A Night of Knowing Nothing.” Mikey Madison gives one of the year’s funniest, saddest, truest performances as a Brooklyn exotic dancer who takes a shine to the gangly son of a Russian oligarch, and he to her. Their transactional courtship and dizzying Vegas marriage, followed by violently escalating complications, add up to filmmaker Sean Baker’s triumph, capped by an ending full of exquisite mysteries of the human heart. As played by Adrien Brody, the title character is a visionary architect and Hungarian Jewish emigre arriving in America in 1947 after the Holocaust. (That said, the title refers to more than one character.) His patron, and his nemesis, is the Philadelphia blueblood industrialist played by Guy Pearce. Director/co-writer Brady Corbet’s thrillingly ambitious epic, imperfect but loaded with rewarding risks, was shot mostly in widescreen VistaVision. Worth seeing on the biggest screen you can find. Opens in Chicago-area theaters on Jan. 10, 2025. Zendaya, Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor play games with each other, on the tennis court and in beds, while director Luca Guadagnino builds to a match-point climax that can’t possibly work, and doesn’t quite — but I saw the thing twice anyway. In Bucharest, production assistant Angela zigzags around the city interviewing people for her employer’s workplace safety video. If that sounds less than promising, even for a deadpan Romanian slice-of-life tragicomedy, go ahead and make the mistake of skipping this one. llinca Manolache is terrific as Angela. Like “Do Not Expect Too Much,” director Agnieszka Holland’s harrowing slice of recent history was a 2023 release, making it to Chicago in early 2024. Set along the densely forested Poland/Belarus border, this is a model of well-dramatized fiction honoring what refugees have always known: the fully justified, ever-present fear of the unknown. A quiet marvel of a feature debut from writer-director Annie Baker, this is a mother/daughter tale rich in ambiguities and wry humor, set in a lovely, slightly forlorn corner of rural Massachusetts. Julianne Nicholson, never better; Zoe Ziegler as young, hawk-eyed Lacy, equally memorable. I love this year’s nicest surprise. The premise: A teenager’s future 39-year-old self appears to her, magically, via a strong dose of mushrooms. The surprise: Writer-director Megan Park gradually deepens her scenario and sticks a powerfully emotional landing. Wonderful work from Aubrey Plaza, Maisy Stella, Maria Dizzia and everybody, really. From the horrific true story of a Florida reform school and its decades of abuse, neglect and enraging injustice toward its Black residents, novelist Colson Whitehead’s fictionalized novel makes a remarkable jump to the screen thanks to co-writer/director RaMell Ross’s feature debut. Cousins, not as close as they once were, reunite for a Holocaust heritage tour in Poland and their own search for their late grandmother’s childhood home. They’re the rootless Benji (Kieran Culkin) and tightly sprung David (Jesse Eisenberg, who wrote and directed). Small but very sure, this movie’s themes of genocidal trauma and Jewish legacy support the narrative every step of the way. Culkin is marvelous; so is the perpetually undervalued Eisenberg. To the above, I’ll add 10 more runners-up, again in alphabetical order: “Blink Twice,” directed by Zoe Kravitz. “Conclave,” directed by Edward Berger. “Dune: Part Two ,” directed by Denis Villeneuve. “Good One ,” directed by India Donaldson. “Hit Man,” directed by Richard Linklater. “Joker: Folie a Deux,” directed by Todd Phillips. “Nosferatu,” directed by Robert Eggers, opens in Chicago-area theaters on Dec. 25. “The Outrun,” directed by Nora Fingscheidt. “Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat,” directed by Johan Grimonprez. “Tuesday,” directed by Daina O. Pusić. Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic.René Bennett | (TNS) Bankrate.com If you’re an iPhone user, you might not realize that you already have access to Apple Cash. It’s a digital cash card that’s built into Apple devices and can be found in the default Wallet app. (Note: You must link an eligible debit card to use this service.) The main function of Apple Cash is to make it easier for Apple device users to send money to one another, including sending money through the iMessage app. But Apple Cash is more than just a peer-to-peer (P2P) payment service — it can be used to shop online, in stores or to make in-app purchases. Apple Cash is a convenient way to transfer money between friends and family. Once it’s set up, a user can simply open the iMessage app and send money to a contact through their chat. It’s also useful for those who use Apple Pay, a separate service that allows Apple device users to make contactless payments with any linked card, including an Apple Cash card. Here are some important things to know about setting up and using Apple Cash. Apple Cash is a digital cash card that’s stored in the Wallet app of Apple devices, and it can be used for making P2P payments, as well as purchases through Apple Pay. When you receive money from another Apple Cash user, that money appears in your Apple Cash balance. The balance can then be spent or transferred to a linked bank account or debit card. Sending money to peers with Apple Cash can be done either directly from the digital Apple Cash card (in the Wallet app) or through the iMessage app. You can send or receive anywhere between $1 and $10,000 per message. The money shows up on the recipient’s Apple Cash card instantly, but it may take from one to three days for the balance to be transferred to a bank account. Instant transfers to a bank account are possible, but it comes with a 1.5% fee. There’s also an option to set up Apple Cash Family for children who are under 18 years old. This option limits the amount a child can send to $2,000 per message. Those younger than 18 also cannot add money to their Apple Cash card from a bank account; rather, their balance only grows when they receive money from another Apple Cash user. Apple Cash is a digital card within your Wallet that allows you to spend your Apple Cash online, in stores and in apps as well send and receive money. Apple Pay, however, allows you to make purchases using any credit card or debit card you have stored in your Wallet — including Apple Cash. With Apple Pay, you add credit and debit cards to your Wallet and then have the ability to pay right with your phone (or other Apple product). To set up Apple Cash, you’ll need three things: —A compatible Apple device. —Two-factor authentication enabled for your Apple ID (this can be done in Settings). —An eligible debit card to load funds onto the Apple Cash card. In the Settings app, you can turn on Apple Cash in the Wallet and Apple Pay section. Tap on the Apple Cash card icon and follow the instructions on the screen. You’ll be asked to agree to the terms and conditions, after which your device will set up Apple Cash for you. The Apple Cash card, once set up, can be found in your device’s Wallet app. If you want to set up Apple Cash Family, you’ll first need to have Family Sharing turned on, which can be done in Settings. The family organizer can add children to Apple Cash in the Family Sharing section of Settings. You’ll need to have a debit card linked to your digital Wallet to add money to an Apple Cash card. You can add a debit card to Wallet in the same place where you set up Apple Cash — the Wallet and Apple Pay section of Settings. Once a debit card is linked to your Wallet, open Wallet and tap on the Apple Cash card. Then, tap the More button (an icon with three dots). This will open a page where you can see your Apple Cash balance, add money and transfer funds to a bank account. Tap Add Money and enter the amount you’d like to add (the minimum is $10). You’ll be asked to confirm which debit card you want to use to fund the Apple Cash balance, and then the money is added to the Apple Cash card. There are two ways to send a payment to someone using Apple Cash: directly from your Wallet or in the iMessage app. Both the sender and recipient need Apple Cash to send or receive money. To send money from Wallet, simply tap the Apple Cash card in Wallet and then tap Send. Type in the contact name or phone number of the recipient. Enter the amount you’d like to send (between $1 and $10,000), then review the payment and confirm it with Face ID, Touch ID or a passcode. In iMessage, open the conversation with who you’d like to send money to, or start a new one. Tap on the app button, which appears next to the type bar, and then tap on the Apple Cash icon. You’ll be prompted to enter an amount (between $1 and $10,000). Once you’ve reviewed the amount, tap Send and confirm with Face ID, Touch ID or a passcode. The first time money is sent to someone, the recipient will need to accept the payment within seven days for it to go through. After the first instance, payments are automatically accepted. If you’re using Apple Cash to make a purchase either online or in a store, you’ll need to pay using Apple Pay. To request money from your iPhone, open the conversation in the Messages app. Tap the plus icon, followed by Apple Cash. Then, tap Request. Tap the send button to send your payment request. Once the request is sent, the person you sent it to can confirm or change the amount they send to you. You can also request money from your Apple watch. Open your messages app, choose a conversation, tap the plus icon and then choose Apple Cash. Once you enter the amount you are requesting, swipe left on the Send button. Tap Request. As you start to accumulate money on the Apple Cash card, you may want to move it to a debit card or a bank account . This can be done by going to the same place where you added funds to the card, by clicking the icon with three dots next to your digital card. Related Articles Technology | As data centers proliferate, conflict with local communities follows Technology | Australia is banning social media for people under 16. Could this work elsewhere — or even there? Technology | Home entertainment holiday gift ideas at a discount Technology | Are you tracking your health with a device? Here’s what could happen with the data Technology | How to get started with Bluesky Enter an amount to be transferred, then tap Next. You’ll be asked whether you want to do an instant transfer (for a 1.5% fee) or a transfer in one to three business days for free. After making a selection, the screen will instruct you to set up a bank account if you don’t already have one set up. You’ll confirm the payment, and the transfer is initiated. Instant transfers can only be made to an eligible debit card, not a bank account. Money is sent within 30 minutes when you select instant transfer. —Zelle: If your bank is offers Zelle, it might be a good idea to take advantage of the P2P payment service. Zelle can be accessed directly from your bank’s mobile app, and it allows you to send instant transfers at no extra cost. —Venmo: Anyone can use Venmo, as long as they’ve downloaded the app. Unlike Apple Cash or Zelle, it’s a standalone P2P payment app. Venmo comes with a social element — users can follow each other and add fun emojis to their payments, although they can also keep their account activity private. —PayPal: This P2P payment service is a good option if you want to send money internationally. It also offers a PayPal Debit card, which, like the Apple Cash card, can be used to make purchases online or in stores. —Samsung Pay Cash: Samsung device users can use this option instead of Apple Cash. Similar to Apple Cash, it is a digital wallet that you can access from a Samsung mobile device. However, to take full advantage of Samsung Pay Cash, users will need to undergo an extra registration process to upgrade to a Full Card Account. Apple Cash makes it easy for Apple device users to send money to each other. Users can simply tap the Apple Cash icon in their text messages to send money through iMessage. It can also be used as an extra repository for spending money and can be used for purchases anywhere Apple Pay is accepted. With that said, only Apple device users can send and receive money using Apple Cash, so those looking for a more universal payment service may want to consider other P2P payment apps . ©2024 Bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Cart.com Partners With Greenwing Technology to Revolutionize E-Procurement for Institutional Buyers 12-26-2024 11:06 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: White Label SEO Firm Image: https://www.globalnewslines.com/uploads/2024/12/1735215457.jpg Cart.com, a leading provider of unified commerce and logistics software and services, has teamed up with Greenwing Technology, a pioneer in punchout integrations, to make e-procurement [ https://www.greenwingtechnology.com/eprocurement-solutions/ ] easier and more efficient for institutional buyers like universities, government agencies, and large corporations. By combining Cart.com's robust B2B Commerce Platform with Greenwing Technology's advanced punchout integration, this collaboration enables suppliers and distributors to directly connect with buyers' e-procurement systems. Popular platforms such as SAP Ariba, Coupa, and Jaggaer are now seamlessly supported, making procurement workflows faster and easier for everyone involved. How the Integration Benefits Businesses For Suppliers Using Cart.com's Platform:Suppliers gain powerful tools to streamline operations and reach more customers, including: * Direct Integration: Automatically connect to buyers' e-procurement platforms, ensuring real-time product availability and accurate pricing. * Automated Workflows: Simplify the purchasing process from start to finish, reducing errors and saving time. * Scalability: Support a wide range of e-procurement systems, making it ideal for businesses of all sizes. For Institutional Buyers:Buyers benefit from a streamlined procurement experience that improves compliance, enhances transparency, and simplifies purchasing. With these capabilities, suppliers can easily meet the unique requirements of institutional buyers, unlocking new business opportunities and building stronger partnerships. Innovation Driving Growth This integration highlights the shared commitment of Cart.com and Greenwing Technology to innovation and operational excellence. By automating and simplifying the e-procurement process, businesses can enhance their capabilities, reduce inefficiencies, and stay competitive in a fast-evolving market. "We're excited to partner with Greenwing Technology to make e-procurement easier for our customers," said Jack Cravy, VP of B2B Commerce at Cart.com. "This integration streamlines the buying process, saves time, and opens up new opportunities for suppliers to work with large organizations. It's all about making B2B commerce simple and efficient." Whether you're a supplier looking to grow or a buyer aiming for a smoother procurement process, this collaboration is designed to create value for everyone. For more information about Cart.com's B2B Commerce Platform or Greenwing Technology's punchout integrations, visit Cart.com [ http://cart.com ] and Greenwing Technology [ https://www.greenwingtechnology.com/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAgJa6BhCOARIsAMiL7V9lGoClnLNJGyXf959eefcbTYt9tdeKEQQH513OtaciSl6moGoeg1IaAqE-EALw_wcB ]. Location: https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3070.433402872646!2d-75.74060140000002!3d39.6849583!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x89c6fd3f0ada4b95%3A0xf9fc566a06290e11!2sGreenwing%20Technology%2C%20Inc.!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1734538737102!5m2!1sen!2sus " width= About Greenwing Technology Greenwing Technology is a leading Punchout Catalog and eProcurement service provider with 15+ years of industry expertise. Our integrations connect 25+ supplier e-commerce systems with 130+ buyer eProcurement platforms through a simple, cloud-based solution. Greenwing Technology offers Punchout Catalog Integrations, electronic Purchase Orders and Invoicing, Advanced Shipping Notices (ASN), and eQuote capabilities on a cloud-based system. Media Contact Company Name: Greenwing Technology, Inc. Contact Person: Jessica Smith Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=cartcom-partners-with-greenwing-technology-to-revolutionize-eprocurement-for-institutional-buyers ] Phone: 1-877-415-3237 Address:314 E Main St Suite 401 City: Newark State: DE 19711 Country: United States Website: https://www.greenwingtechnology.com/ This release was published on openPR.
Qatar tribune Tribune News Network Doha Under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, the activities of the Qatar International Falconry and Hunting Festival (Marmi 2025) will start its 16th edition on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. The festival, organised by the Qatari Al-Qannas Association, will continue until February 1, 2025 at Sabkhat Marmi in Sealine. It is supported by the Social and Sports Activities Support Fund (Daam). Mutab Al Qahtani, chairman of the Marmi Festival, explained that the festival will start this year with the ‘Haddad Al-Tahadi’ championship, noting that the championship is dedicated to falcon chicks, which is the release of a carrier pigeon and the release of a falcon towards it. If the falcon is able to catch or trap the pigeon in a certain location, it is considered the winner deserving a prize of QR100,000 in addition to qualifying for the final and competing for a Lexus car. He said that the Hoopoe Championship will continue for three days from Wednesday to Friday for the first, second and third groups, with one group per day, while the Saluki Racing Championship qualifiers will be held the following day, Saturday, January 4. The head of the Marmi Festival added that the Tal’a Championship will begin on Sunday, January 5 for group 1 to 5, explaining that the championship depends on the falcon’s strong eyesight in seeing the prey, as a Houbara bustard is placed two kilometres away from the falcon’s location, and the falcon that takes off first, lands and hunts it qualifies. Qahtani noted that the Tal’a Championship will be held from January 5 to 10 with five groups each day during the morning period, while the Hadad Al-Tahadi Championship will resume during the same period in the evening period, where the Hadad Al-Tahadi qualifiers will be held for each of the groups from the fourth to the ninth with one group per day, while the Hadad Al-Tahadi Championship will continue in the evening period from January 11 to 14 for the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th groups with one group per day. He added that the start of the local Da’wa Championship will commence on Wednesday, January 15, explaining that this championship measures the speed of falcons, which start from the starting point to the end for a distance of 400 metres, which is a local and international distance for the free and the Shaheen in the Farkh and Qirnas categories. He said that the Marmi International Hunting and Falconry Festival has become a landmark in the efforts of the Al-Gannas Association to preserve the Qatari and Gulf heritage as the festival aims to preserve the heritage and emotional values of this sport inherited from fathers and grandfathers, in addition to its importance in the literature of Arab folklore, especially the Gulf and Qatar. Copy 30/12/2024 10
