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Air Canada's CEO, Michael Rousseau, has announced his retirement by the end of the third quarter of 2026, following a wave of criticism for his handling of a video tribute to pilots killed in a fatal collision at New York's LaGuardia airport.The controversy began when Rousseau posted a four-minute condolence video in which he spoke only two French words – bonjour and merci. This sparked outrage and mockery from both the public and politicians, who criticized him for not speaking French, despite Air Canada's requirement to provide services in both English and French under Canada's Official Languages Act.Rousseau's inability to speak French was seen as a lack of compassion towards the victims of the crash, including Antoine Forest, a 30-year-old francophone pilot. The incident prompted over 2,000 complaints to the office of the commissioner of official languages, and lawmakers in Quebec overwhelmingly passed a motion calling for Rousseau to step down.In response to the backlash, Rousseau issued a statement apologizing for his inability to speak French and promised to continue his efforts to improve. However, the damage had already been done, and Rousseau's retirement was announced shortly after.Rousseau's history with the French language has been scrutinized in the past, including a high-profile speech in Quebec in 2021 where he only spoke English. He had reportedly spent 300 hours studying French before his video statement, but was still unable to string together a handful of rehearsed sentences.

Ella Hopkins recounts her experience of walking in London while wearing noise-cancelling headphones, absorbed in her own world, until one evening when she noticed a stranger in distress on the pavement. Without her headphones, she was able to respond and call for help. The incident made her realize how much she had been missing by being isolated in her own bubble of sound. She decided to ditch her headphones and become more aware of her surroundings. As she started to notice the world around her, Hopkins discovered a new appreciation for the city. She heard hedges humming with bees, snippets of conversations between friends, and preachers shouting about saving souls. She became more open to talking to people and even started learning about bird calls. Hopkins reflects on the benefits of being present, including a greater sense of connection to her community and a newfound appreciation for the beauty of nature. While she still enjoys listening to music and audiobooks, she now does so more consciously, as a choice rather than a crutch. The experience taught her the importance of being aware of her surroundings and the positive impact it had on her life. She concludes that sometimes, it's the simple act of being present that can make all the difference.

Pakistan has become a key player in diplomatic efforts to end the conflict between the US and Iran, hosting a meeting of foreign ministers from Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Pakistan in Islamabad. The two-day consultations aim to align regional positions and prepare the ground for possible direct US-Iran engagement, with Pakistan acting as the central interlocutor between the two nations. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a 90-minute phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, focusing on de-escalation and trust-building measures. Pezeshkian stressed that confidence-building measures are required before Tehran can consider direct dialogue. The Islamabad meeting is not a negotiation, but rather preparation for potential talks. Its goals are to consolidate regional backing for de-escalation and harmonize positions on ceasefire sequencing. Iran has transmitted its response to the US proposal via Islamabad, with demands including an end to hostilities, reparations for damages, guarantees against future attacks, and recognition of its strategic leverage in the Strait of Hormuz. The next 48 to 72 hours will determine whether this diplomatic push produces a meeting between US and Iranian officials. If successful, it could provide the political cover both Washington and Tehran need to enter talks without appearing to concede.

Top diplomats from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey have gathered in Islamabad for two-day talks with their Pakistani counterpart on the escalating conflict between the US and Israel against Iran. The goal is to seek a de-escalation of the situation.The talks, led by Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, follow Iran's agreement to allow 20 more ships under the Pakistani flag to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, with two ships permitted daily. This development was announced by Dar on Saturday.Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had a detailed telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday, lasting over an hour, as part of preparations for the Islamabad talks. Sharif emphasized Pakistan's commitment to bringing an end to the conflict.Al Jazeera's Kamal Kyder, reporting from Islamabad, noted that Pakistan has been acting as a key interlocutor between the US and Iran, facilitating communication between the two sides as part of mediation efforts. He described the gathering in Islamabad as the beginning of a critical process that hinges on diplomacy and dialogue.The talks in Islamabad are seen as a crucial step towards finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Iran's President Pezeshkian has thanked Pakistan for its mediation efforts to stop the aggression against Iran. With Islamabad's longstanding links with Tehran and close contacts in the Gulf, Pakistan is well-positioned to play a key role in these diplomatic efforts.Meanwhile, the risk of an expanded Iran war increased on Saturday as Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels launched their first attacks on Israel since the start of the conflict. The developments underscore the complexity and volatility of the situation in the Middle East.

The Coruna and DarkSword Threat For years, the prevailing narrative among iPhone security experts was that breaking through Apple's defenses was a rare, high-barrier event requiring significant resources. However, recent investigations by Google, iVerify, and Lookout have shattered this assumption. Researchers have documented broad-scale hacking campaigns utilizing two specific tools, Coruna and DarkSword, which have been used to target victims globally who are not running the latest software updates. Attack Vectors: Hackers are compromising legitimate websites and creating fake pages to deliver spyware. Key Actors: Involvement of Russian spies and Chinese cybercriminals. Tool Availability: The source code for these tools has leaked online, allowing anyone to launch attacks against older iPhones. The Two-Tier iPhone Security Landscape The discovery of Coruna and DarkSword highlights a critical data point in the current security ecosystem: the existence of two distinct classes of iPhone users. This bifurcation is driven by the introduction of Memory Integrity Enforcement in iOS 26, a feature designed to prevent memory corruption bugs—the very vulnerabilities exploited by DarkSword. Class A (Secure): Users on the latest iPhone 17 models running iOS 26 are protected by memory-safe code and Lockdown Mode, making them resistant to these specific memory-based hacks. Class B (Vulnerable): Users running iOS 18 or older versions remain exposed to memory corruption attacks, as these older systems lack the new safety enforcement layers. Challenging the 'Rare Hack' Myth The widespread use of these leaked tools suggests that spyware attacks are becoming more common and less exclusive. This shift is fueled by a thriving "second-hand" market for exploits, where brokers resell vulnerabilities before they are patched. Experts argue that the rarity of iPhone hacks has been overstated simply because they are rarely documented. As noted by Patrick Wardle, the baseline capability for such attacks is now accessible to a wider range of actors, moving beyond state-sponsored actors to include cybercriminals. The End of the 'Rare Hack' Era The future of mobile security appears to be one of continuous escalation. With the code for Coruna and DarkSword now public, the barrier to entry for launching attacks against older devices has lowered significantly. This indicates that memory-based exploits will continue to plague lagging users, and the market for exploit development will likely expand as brokers seek to monetize vulnerabilities before updates are applied.

The Dual Threat: Coruna and DarkSwordSecurity researchers have identified two distinct but equally dangerous hacking toolkits, Coruna and DarkSword, that have leaked onto the open web. These advanced exploit kits, capable of breaking into iPhones and iPads, were originally developed for high-level government surveillance but are now available for anyone to download.Coruna: Targets iOS 13 through 17.2.1. Linked to Trenchant, a unit within U.S. defense contractor L3Harris, and previously used in Operation Triangulation against Russian targets.DarkSword: Targets iOS 18.4 and 18.7. Leaked on GitHub, making it "plug-and-play" for cybercriminals.The Scale of VulnerabilityThe scale of this exposure is staggering. According to Apple's statistics, nearly one-in-three iPhone and iPad users are still not running the latest software. With over 2.5 billion active devices globally, this implies hundreds of millions of users are susceptible to these attacks.DarkSword is particularly concerning because it targets newer devices running iOS 18.4 and 18.7. Researchers have already tested the leaked code, successfully hacking their own devices to demonstrate the ease of use.From State-Sponsored Espionage to Public ExploitationThis leak marks a dangerous shift in the cybersecurity landscape. Historically, sophisticated tools like Coruna were the domain of state-sponsored actors targeting specific regions, such as the Uyghurs in China or activists in Hong Kong.However, the release of DarkSword represents a move toward indiscriminate cybercrime. The tool is written in web languages like HTML and JavaScript, allowing attackers to launch attacks simply by hosting a malicious website. Victims in China, Malaysia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Ukraine have already been targeted.The Future of Zero-Day WeaponizationThe leak of these tools mirrors the infamous 2017 WannaCry ransomware attack, which was fueled by leaked NSA exploits. Once powerful zero-day vulnerabilities are released into the wild, they are nearly impossible to fully contain.Experts recommend immediate action: users must update to iOS 18.7.6 or iOS 26.3.1. For high-risk individuals, enabling Lockdown Mode remains the most effective defense, as there is currently no public evidence of hackers bypassing its protections.

The App Store Connect Transformation Apple has announced a significant update to its App Store Connect service, introducing over 100 new metrics and tools designed to help developers better understand and optimize their apps' performance across Apple's platforms. This overhaul comes at a critical time as the tech industry debates the future of app stores in the age of artificial intelligence. Expanded Metrics and Data Insights The updated App Store Connect now provides developers with comprehensive metrics across key areas including monetization, subscription data, and in-app purchase performance. Unlike third-party services that offer estimated data, Apple's metrics are based directly on the company's own data, providing more accurate insights into app performance. Among the new features are subscription reports that can be exported via an API, enabling developers to analyze their apps' performance offline or integrate Apple's data into their own systems. Developers can now gain deeper understanding of their users by analyzing behavior around download dates, sources, offer start dates, and other key engagement metrics. Competitive Analysis and Benchmarking Apple has introduced peer group benchmarks that allow developers to compare their performance against competitors in critical areas like download-to-paid conversions and proceeds per download. This feature provides valuable context for developers to assess their market position and identify opportunities for improvement. Apple emphasizes that it uses aggregated cohort data and differential privacy techniques to protect both user privacy and individual developer performance data, ensuring that insights can be gained without compromising sensitive information. Enhanced Data Filtering and Analytics Guide Developers can now apply up to seven filters simultaneously when viewing metrics in App Store Connect, allowing for more granular analysis of their app data. This enhanced filtering capability enables deeper dives into specific aspects of app performance. To support developers in making data-driven decisions, Apple has published a new App Store Analytics Guide in the Help section of App Store Connect. This comprehensive resource aims to help developers better understand the App Store's tools and features and develop effective strategies for app success. Strategic Timing Amid AI Evolution The timing of this App Store Connect overhaul is particularly noteworthy, as the industry witnesses rapid advancements in AI capabilities. There's growing speculation that AI agents could eventually replace traditional app stores, with some industry leaders suggesting that smartphone apps may become obsolete as AI-powered web services become more prevalent. Apple appears to be strategically positioning itself to strengthen its lucrative App Store ecosystem rather than allowing it to be disrupted by emerging technologies. The company is reportedly planning to announce an AI-powered Siri at its upcoming developer conference in June, which will be capable of completing tasks within apps, potentially bridging the gap between traditional apps and AI-powered services.

The V&A; Museum's lavish spring show, Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art, is a surrealist's dream come true. The exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the life and work of Elsa Schiaparelli, a fashion designer who defied conventions and pushed the boundaries of art and fashion.Schiaparelli's designs are a whimsical and witty blend of art, culture, and fashion. From a shoe that becomes a hat to a telephone dial that transforms into a compact mirror, each piece is a testament to her innovative spirit and creative genius.The exhibition features collaborations with famous artists like Salvador Dalí and Jean Cocteau, showcasing iconic pieces such as the lobster telephone and the skeleton dress. These works demonstrate Schiaparelli's ability to merge fashion and art, creating something truly unique and groundbreaking.Elsa Schiaparelli was a trailblazer in her own right, launching her fashion career in Paris in the 1930s and quickly gaining recognition for her trompe l'oeil sweaters and shocking pink designs. Her legacy continues to inspire designers today, including Daniel Roseberry, who has been spearheading the brand's revival since 2019.The exhibition also features modern pieces that showcase the brand's continued commitment to innovative design and artistic collaboration. From a golden breastplate worn by Bella Hadid at Cannes to a robot baby made from old flip phones and circuit board shards, these works demonstrate the brand's ongoing dialogue with art and culture.Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art is a must-see exhibition for anyone interested in fashion, art, and culture. It challenges visitors to think differently about the relationship between fashion and art, and showcases the enduring legacy of Elsa Schiaparelli's surrealist designs.

Apple has introduced a new requirement for UK iPhone users, mandating them to confirm they are 18 or older to use certain services. This move, believed to be a first for a European market, comes as part of a broader effort to protect children online. The age verification process can be completed by uploading a credit card or scanning an ID, such as a driving license or national ID. Ofcom, the online regulator, has welcomed the change, calling it “a real win for children and families” and part of a wider drive to “keep young people away from harmful content”. The update is part of a software update and aims to restrict access to certain services and features for users under 18. However, some users have expressed concerns about the privacy implications of uploading personal information for age verification. Apple has assured users that if they already have an account, they can confirm their age with a payment method on file or other eligible methods. The company was unable to immediately specify which services, features, or actions would be inaccessible without age confirmation. This development follows the introduction of age verification gates on many web services, including pornography websites, to comply with the Online Safety Act. Ofcom noted that Apple’s decision makes the UK one of the first countries to receive new child safety protections on devices. The watchdog plans to report on the use of app stores by children and evaluate the effectiveness of age assurance by app store providers.