Category Archives: News

Apple announces iOS 18 release date: September 16

Throughout right now’s iPhone 16 occasion, Apple introduced that iOS 18 will launch on September 16. iOS 18 brings numerous main new options to iPhone customers, together with new House Display screen customization choices, a redesigned Management Heart, and extra.

iOS 18 launch date

Apple says that iOS 18 might be launched to everybody September 16. This implies iPhone customers in all places will be capable to go to the Settings app, select Normal, then select “Software program Replace.” As a refresher, listed here are the iPhones suitable with iOS 18 this yr:

  • iPhone XR
  • iPhone XS and XS Max
  • iPhone 11
  • iPhone 11 Professional and 11 Professional Max
  • iPhone 12 and 12 mini
  • iPhone 12 Professional and 12 Professional Max
  • iPhone 13 and 13 mini
  • iPhone 13 Professional and 13 Professional Max
  • iPhone 14 and 14 Plus
  • iPhone 14 Professional and 14 Professional Max
  • iPhone 15 and 15 Plus
  • iPhone 15 Professional and 15 Professional Max
  • iPhone 16 and 16 Plus
  • iPhone 16 Professional and 16 Professional Max
  • iPhone SE (2nd gen)
  • iPhone SE (third gen)

What iOS 18 options are you most trying ahead to attempting? Tell us down within the feedback!

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Pension Credit claims more than double in wake of Winter Fuel Payment shake-up

The Winter Gas Fee axe for anybody not in receipt of advantages has spurred hundreds of additional Pension Credit score claims, the Division for Work and Pensions (DWP) revealed.

The DWP sometimes acquired between 3,000 and 4,000 Pension Credit score claims on a weekly foundation, newest figures have revealed.

Nonetheless, from Monday 29 July – the date Labour introduced the Winter Gas Fee axe for tens of millions of pensioners – weekly claims spiked to between 8,000 and 9,000.

Certainly, within the 5 weeks because the Winter Gas Fee shake-up (as much as 26 August), the DWP acquired 38,500 Pension Credit score claims, greater than double (a 115% uplift) the 17,900 claims it acquired within the 5 weeks main as much as the announcement.

Winter Gas Fee axe

On the finish of July, as a part of Labour’s public spending audit Fixing the foundations, Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed the Authorities would tighten the eligibility standards for individuals who might obtain the Winter Gas Fee (also referred to as the WFP).

To be able to fill the quoted “£22bn public finance black gap”, the up-to-£300 cost this winter would solely be made to these in receipt of Pension Credit score, Common Credit score, Revenue Assist, income-related Employment or Assist Allowance, or Jobseeker’s Allowance.

There was uproar from charities and organisations, who urged 10 million folks – together with two million who’re financially struggling – could be excluded from the previously common scheme that helps older folks with heating payments.

However on the time, Steve Webb, associate at LCP and former pensions minister, urged the overhaul might encourage extra folks to say Pension Credit score, much like when the free BBC TV licence for all over-75s was restricted to simply these on the profit. Webb highlighted that this led to a surge in functions for Pension Credit score.

And Rachel Vahey, head of public coverage at AJ Bell, stated the Authorities’s “shock choice” to axe the WFP has prompted the UK’s pensioners to place in claims for Pension Credit score advantages.

Vahey stated: “This reveals the UK’s pensioners are appearing quick. Earlier Authorities estimates recommend simply six in 10 people who find themselves eligible for Pension Credit score make an utility, doubtlessly costing these on the bottom incomes hundreds of kilos in misplaced revenue.

“These speeding to fill within the varieties will probably be wanting to maintain a maintain of the £300 WFP, however might additionally entry different beneficial advantages, together with dental remedy and free TV licences. However there are nonetheless too many pensioners doubtlessly lacking out, and the Authorities must maintain banging the drum to induce these folks to say these beneficial advantages.”

She added that the Authorities is going through rising strain to “U-turn” on its controversial choice, with strain coming not solely from the opposition, however from unions and its personal backbenchers too.

In the meantime, tomorrow additionally sees the publication of the common earnings development figures for July, “which, with the current subdued inflation figures, will probably set the rise within the state pension subsequent yr beneath the triple lock assure”.

Pension Credit score defined

Pension Credit score is a key profit that always tends to go unclaimed by lower-income retirees.

In 2024/25, for those who’re over the state pension age (66), single and your revenue is lower than £218.15 per week, then Pension Credit score will high you as much as that quantity. For a pair, the mixed revenue determine is £332.95.

When it comes to what counts as revenue, it consists of your state pension, different pensions, employment or self-employment earnings and most social safety advantages. As with the state pension, it’s as much as you to say Pension Credit score.

Claiming Pension Credit score additionally acts as a gateway to different advantages, equivalent to assist with heating prices, housing profit, dental remedy and free TV licences (in case you are aged 75 or over).

“The choice to finish common Winter Gas Funds means it additionally turns into a gateway to [a] means-tested Winter Gas Fee,” Vahey added.

Who is Gregory Porter and why does he always wear a hat?

Brooklyn-based singer Gregory Porter performs to sell-out audiences the world over because of his heady mixture of jazz and soul. He has been in contrast with such music greats as Joe Williams, Nat King Cole, Donny Hathway and Marvin Gaye.

Porter was born in Los Angeles and was raised in Bakersfield, California, the place his mom was a minister. He graduated highschool in 1989 and obtained an athletic scholarship to San Diego State College (SDSU Aztecs). Sadly, a shoulder harm throughout his junior yr of highschool restricted his soccer profession.

He is been vastly profitable within the UK since his debut album, Water, was launched in 2010 by way of Motéma Music and was nominated for Greatest Jazz Vocal album on the Grammy Awards. His

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Gregory was additionally a member of the unique Broadway forged of It Ain’t Nothin’ However the Blues. His second album was launched on February 14, 2012. The title observe was additionally nominated for Greatest Conventional R&B Efficiency on the Grammy Awards.

He is an everyday on Graham Norton and Jools Holland’s reveals for the BBC and has additionally sung on Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage.

Porter all the time wears a modified flat cap for public appearances. The explanation for this isn’t fully clear, however he has talked about its position as a safety blanket and refers to it as his “jazz hat.” In an interview with Jazzweekly.com when requested “what’s with the ever present hat?”

Porter replied, “I’ve had some surgical procedure on my pores and skin, so this has been my search for a short while and can proceed to be for some time longer. Folks acknowledge me by it now. It’s what it’s.”

Apple iOS 18 release date announcement: When you can download it

At its “It is Glowtime” occasion on Sept. 9, Apple unveiled the brand new Apple Watch Sequence 10, new AirPods, and, sure, the iPhone 16 sequence. Alongside these new iPhones, Apple can be launching its newest iPhone working system, iOS 18.

iOS 18 was introduced at WWDC again in June, teasing a sequence of recent options. These embody new methods to arrange your House Display screen, a brand new customizable Management Middle, and Apple Intelligence, the headline function.

SEE ALSO:

Apple Occasion 2024: Every part introduced, together with iPhone 16, Apple Watch Sequence 10

Beta testers have been in a position to check out most of those options for a while now — however with a public launch, you will lastly get them for your self. Right here’s what it’s good to know.

iOS 18 launch date

Apple all the time releases new variations of iOS alongside its new iPhones — and outdoors of the beta testing program, you possibly can obtain and set up iOS 18 for your self on Sept. 16, a number of days earlier than the brand new iPhones are launched on Sept. 20.

Whenever you do, although, it received’t supply all of the options that Apple introduced in June. Some sensible dwelling options, for instance, are reserved for iOS 18.1, which doesn’t have an official launch date but, so that you’ll have to attend somewhat to attempt it out. Then, there’s Apple Intelligence, which has its personal launch timeline.

What’s new in iOS 18?

iOS 18 brings with it a sequence of nice new options. Many of those relate to customization, permitting customers to personalize their units.

Other than Apple Intelligence, maybe the headline function is one which ex-Android customers have been asking for—a extra customizable House Display screen. With iOS 18, you’ll be capable of place apps wherever you need on the display screen (throughout the grid, in fact) as an alternative of getting them organized from left to proper, high to backside, always. Moreover, you possibly can set new Darkish and Tinted House Display screen choices, which convey totally different colours to your House Display screen wallpaper and apps.

Mashable Mild Pace

SEE ALSO:

iPhone 16 Professional and iPhone 16 Professional Max launch at Apple ‘Glowtime’ occasion

The Management Middle can be changing into extra customizable. In iOS 18, you possibly can create and customise a number of pages of the Management Middle and extra simply place and resize your current controls. So, you may have a complete web page devoted to sensible dwelling controls, or you may place solely the controls you care about on one display screen within the precise place that works for you.

Loads of Apple’s first-party apps are getting new options as effectively. iMessage will allow you to use any emoji as a Tapback response, and also you’ll be capable of format textual content with underlines and italics — to not point out RCS assist, which brings higher cross-platform messaging. The Pictures app is getting an all-new single-page design, and also you’ll now be capable of lock apps behind Face ID — so you possibly can higher safe delicate info. Lastly, passwords are shifting out of the Settings app and into their very own Passwords app.

Apple Intelligence

Apple Intelligence is probably an important “function” of iOS 18. It’s simply the identify that Apple calls its bundle of recent AI options. Sadly, accessing these options isn’t fairly so simple as downloading iOS 18. The very first Apple Intelligence options received’t be accessible till iOS 18.1, which is predicted someday in the direction of the top of October, based mostly on earlier iOS iterations. 

SEE ALSO:

iPhone 16 is getting Apple Intelligence — and it is free

Even when iOS 18.1 is launched, it received’t have all the Apple Intelligence options that Apple introduced in June. The at present accessible beta model of iOS 18.1 has new writing instruments that may generate and summarize textual content, urged replies in Messages, telephone name recording and transcripts, and notification summaries for each the Messages and Mail apps. These options will nearly actually be accessible in iOS 18.1, until Apple runs right into a hitch and decides to drag them, which is unlikely.

There are options that nobody outdoors of Apple has examined but, however these will seemingly be held till a later iOS 18 launch. These options embody some headliners, like Picture Playground, Genmoji for generated emoji, Siri enhancements (with the ChatGPT integration), and on-screen consciousness. These are a number of the most vital options of Apple Intelligence, however Apple is taking issues gradual with AI. The corporate has even stated that some options will not be launched till 2025, although it did spotlight that ChatGPT integration could be accessible by the top of 2024, so different Siri enhancements will seemingly be out by then, too.

Once more, although, options might be delayed if Apple needs to carry them longer.

Which units will assist iOS 18?

iOS 18 will probably be accessible on all the similar units that assist iOS 17, which is nice information for these with a barely older telephone. Nevertheless, not all of those fashions will get Apple Intelligence. Solely the iPhone 15 Professional and iPhone 15 Professional Max (together with all iPhone 16 units) get the brand new AI options.

Here is an inventory of units that can get iOS 18.

  • iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Professional, 15 Professional Max

  • iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Professional, 14 Professional Max

  • iPhone 13, 13 Mini, 13 Professional, 13 Professional Max

  • iPhone 12, 12 Mini, 12 Professional, 12 Professional Max

  • iPhone 11, 11 Professional, 11 Professional Max

  • iPhone XS, XS Max

  • iPhone XR

  • iPhone SE (second-generation) 

  • iPhone SE (third-generation)

iOS 18 release date: Apple reveals when iPhone will get major new software update

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Apple has revealed when iPhones will get its main upcoming replace, iOS 18.

The corporate revealed a number of latest merchandise, together with 4 new iPhones, throughout an occasion held at its California headquarters on Monday.

Nevertheless it additionally introduced a change that may come to most current iPhones, without cost: the discharge of iOS 18.

That will probably be accessible to obtain from 16 September, Apple mentioned.

When it’s launched, it may be downloaded by way of the Settings app. Eligible telephones can even immediate house owners to improve.

It will likely be accessible for each iPhone that may run at present’s iOS 17.

The replace brings new customisation opens for the house display screen and adjustments to apps akin to Photographs.

However it’s notably lacking Apple’s greatest upcoming software program function: Apple Intelligence, its suite of AI-powered close to instruments.

That won’t arrive till October, Apple mentioned. Even then, it would solely be accessible in US English, with additional localisation together with the UK coming in December after which new languages akin to Chinese language in January.

In contrast to iOS 18, the {hardware} necessities to run Apple Intelligence are restrictive: it would solely be accessible on the newest iPhone 15 Professional, in addition to all new iPhone 16 fashions. It is not going to be accessible within the European Union, owing to a dispute with regulators.

Each iOS 18 and iOS 18.1 – the latter of which incorporates Apple Intelligence – can be found in beta model at present. They are often downloaded by becoming a member of Apple’s beta program, although performing some comes with warnings about potential technical points and bugs.

Obituary: James Earl Jones, the voice of Darth Vader and Musafa

James Earl Jones may need loved an performing profession that lasted practically 60 years. However the factor he will likely be remembered for was that voice.

It was a deep, rolling, wonderful contrabass; as soon as described because the sound that “Moses heard when addressed by God.”

He was the voice of Darth Vader within the unique Star Wars trilogy, summoning by speech alone the complete energy of the paranormal ‘Drive’.

Extra not too long ago, he could possibly be heard growling “That is CNN”, conveying urgency and bestowing gravitas on the US information channel’s tagline.

James Earl Jones was born on 17 January 1931 in Mississippi, of African-American, American Indian and Irish ancestry. His father, Robert Earl Jones deserted his household not lengthy after the beginning of his son.

It was a giant family, with 13 folks, and it was determined that Jones ought to dwell along with his grandmother in Memphis “to ease the burden”. However when he was pushed to her home, he clung desperately to the automotive.

“It was the one approach I may categorical that I needed to be with them”, he recalled. “They accepted that.”

It was all so traumatic he developed a stammer that lasted into his teenagers. It acquired so dangerous that, for a while, he was unable to talk, and communicated solely in writing.

Three Sun Belt Football Week 4 Games Elevated to Linear Networks

Soccer

NEW ORLEANS – The Solar Belt Convention, together with ESPN, introduced that three Week 4 non-conference video games have been elevated to linear networks. 
 
The Marshall at Ohio State recreation on Saturday, Sept. 21, will kick off at 12:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. CT on FOX. Regardless of being separated by lower than 150 miles, the matchup would be the first between the 2 packages since 2010. 
 
The Tulane at Louisiana recreation on Saturday, Sept. 21, will kick off at 12:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. CT on ESPNU. The matchup would be the Inexperienced Wave’s first journey to Cajun Area since 2012. 
 
The James Madison at North Carolina recreation on Saturday, Sept. 21, will kick off at 12:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. CT on ACC Community. The competition would be the Dukes’ first towards the Tar Heels since shifting to the FBS degree and becoming a member of the Solar Belt. 
 
The video games be a part of beforehand introduced Week 4 linear matchups—South Alabama at App State at 7:30 pm. ET/6:30 p.m. CT on Thursday, Sept. 19, on ESPN and Georgia Southern at Ole Miss at 7:45 p.m. ET/6:45 p.m. CT on Saturday, Sept. 21 on SEC Community. 
 
WEEK 4 GAME TIMES & NETWORKS
Thursday, Sept. 19
South Alabama at App State, 7:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. CT – ESPN
 
Saturday, Sept. 21
Marshall at Ohio State, 12:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a/m. CT – FOX
Tulane at Louisiana, 12:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. CT – ESPNU
James Madison at North Carolina, 12:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. CT – ACC Community
Arkansas State at Iowa State, 2:00 p.m. ET/1:00 p.m. CT – ESPN+
Virginia at Coastal Carolina, 2:00 p.m. ET/1:00 p.m. CT – ESPN+
Southern Miss at Jacksonville State, 3:00 p.m. ET/2:00 p.m. CT – ESPN+
Florida A&M at Troy, 7:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. CT – ESPN+
Georgia Southern at Ole Miss, 7:45 p.m. ET/6:45 p.m. CT – SEC Community
ULM at Texas, 8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. CT – ESPN+
 

James Earl Jones, voice of Darth Vader, dies aged 93

Getty Photographs

James Earl Jones, seen right here in 2015

American actor James Earl Jones, greatest recognized for being the voice of the Star Wars villain Darth Vader, has died aged 93.

He died early on Monday morning surrounded by his household, agent Barry McPherson mentioned.

Jones starred in dozens of movies together with Area of Goals, Coming To America, Conan the Barbarian and The Lion King. He was greatest recognized for giving the Star Wars supervillain Darth Vader his distinctive, gravelly voice.

Mark Hamill, who performed Vader’s son Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, posted “RIP Dad” with a damaged coronary heart emoji as he shared a information report of the demise.

‘I really like being a part of that entire delusion’ – James Earl Jones talks to BBC in 2012 about voicing Darth Vader

Throughout his profession, Jones received three Tony awards together with two Emmys and a Grammy, in addition to an honorary Oscar in 2011 for lifetime achievement.

In 1971, he grew to become solely the second Black man nominated for an Academy Award for greatest actor, after Sidney Poitier.

Star Trek actor LeVar Burton was among the many first to pay tribute to Jones, saying “there’ll by no means be one other of his explicit combos of graces”.

Additionally paying tribute, US actor Colman Domingo wrote: “Thanks expensive James Earl Jones for the whole lot. A grasp of our craft. We stand in your shoulders. Relaxation now. You gave us your greatest.”

Getty Photographs

James Earl Jones posed subsequent to Darth Vader throughout a premiere in New York for Star Wars: Episode II Assault of the Clones in 2002

Kevin Costner, who co-starred with Jones in Area of Goals, mentioned: “That booming voice. That quiet power. The kindness that he radiated. A lot could be mentioned about his legacy, so I’ll simply say how grateful I’m that a part of it consists of Area of Goals.”

Oscar-winning actress Octavia Spencer wrote Jones’ “voice and expertise might be remembered all the time” and that “legendary doesn’t even start to explain his iconic roles and impression on cinema perpetually.”

Crystal Minkoff, spouse of The Lion King co-director Rob Minkoff, posted a photograph of Jones holding a statue of Mufasa alongside the phrases: “Relaxation in Energy, Mr Jones. You made a younger animator’s dream come true if you accepted the position of Mufasa.

“Thanks for all you’ve got carried out for Rob. Your reminiscence will stay on.”

Jones was additionally the voice of US broadcaster CNN’s “That is CNN” tagline.

“He was the voice of CNN and our model for a lot of many years, uniquely conveying by speech instantaneous authority, grace, and decorum,” the broadcaster informed the Hollywood Reporter.

“That exceptional voice is only one of many issues the world will miss about James.”

Getty Photographs

James Earl Jones along with his honorary Oscar on the 84th Annual Academy Awards present in Los Angeles in February 2012

Born in Mississippi in January 1931, Jones mentioned he was unable to talk for many of his childhood due to a stammer.

He defined he had developed his well-known voice whereas engaged on learn how to take care of the stammer.

Jones was greatest recognized for voicing Darth Vader within the unique Star Wars movie, which got here out in 1977, and sequels The Empire Strikes Again and Return of the Jedi.

He reprised the position in later movie releases reminiscent of the primary instalment of the Star Wars anthology collection, Rogue One, and the third instalment of the sequel trilogy, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – each launched within the later 2010s.

A distinct actor all the time donned the Darth Vader costume and offered the motion for the well-known villain, together with the late David Prowse, with Jones lending his deep and immediately recognisable voice.

“I really like being a part of that entire delusion, of that entire cult,” Jones mentioned in an interview with BBC HardTalk in 2012, including he was glad to oblige followers who requested for a command recital of his “I’m your father” line.

Jones mentioned he by no means made a lot cash off the Darth Vader half – solely $9,000 (£6,884) for the primary movie – and he thought-about it merely a particular results job.

At his personal insistence, he was not given a credit score for his efficiency. He felt it was all merely one other “particular impact”.

When the movies broke all field workplace data, he was persuaded to rethink.

Jones was additionally effectively generally known as a tv performer, enjoying the older Alex Hailey in Roots: The Subsequent Technology and successful certainly one of his two Emmys for the lead position within the US drama Gabriel’s Hearth.

His gravelly tones have been utilized in The Simpsons and he appeared in early episodes of Sesame Road.

Jones additionally tackled many iconic Shakespeare characters on the stage, together with Othello and King Lear.

Ali Bastian: Former Hollyoaks star diagnosed with breast cancer

She mentioned that she first thought she had a blocked duct, however that she went to a breast clinic after a course of antibiotics didn’t clear up the issue.

Bastian at present lives in Eire, and has two kids with husband David O’Mahony, Isabella, 19 months, and Isla, 4.

The actor has mentioned she is having chemotherapy, however that she will even endure a single mastectomy and radiotherapy.

“It wasn’t clearing up and the extra I felt it, the extra it felt like this wasn’t only a blocked duct,” she added.

“I went to my GP and I mentioned, ‘Truly, can I’m going to the clinic now?’ and he or she was very supportive of that.”

Bastian additionally mentioned advised the journal she felt reassured by the physician who advised her the analysis, as she mentioned medical doctors have “intent to remedy” her.

Along with her therapy, she can also be seeing a psychologist who specialises in oncology, the therapy of most cancers.

Bastian says she has advised her daughter “an age-appropriate model” of her analysis.

“She is aware of that Mummy had a ache in her boob, she was with me once I went to the emergency physician,” she mentioned.

“We advised her that I’m going to take some sturdy drugs that’s making it higher and that Mummy’s going to have a loopy haircut for a bit, and it’ll make me drained typically.”

And she or he additionally desires to return to appearing.

“I’ll get via this and are available out the opposite facet,” she added.

“After my analysis, I went on Instagram and noticed a put up by my buddy Dominic Energy, my former co-star in The Invoice, and I may see he was on set in Hollyoaks.

“I abruptly had an actual pang of, ‘I need to look into an actor’s eyes and do a scene.’ I actually miss it.”

Louise Grimsdell, senior scientific nurse specialist at Breast Most cancers Now, mentioned that whereas “breast most cancers is rare in youthful girls, it’s estimated that round 5,000 girls are identified aged 45 or youthful within the UK annually.

“Ali’s current analysis highlights the significance of being breast conscious all through all levels of a girl’s life,” she mentioned.

“We want her all the perfect for her therapy.

“It is very important concentrate on any new or uncommon modifications to your breasts while you’re breastfeeding. Breast modifications are frequent throughout and after being pregnant. For those who discover any modifications, it’s vital to speak to your GP, midwife or well being customer.”

TRAFFIC ALERT: Lane Closure on Crystal Falls Drive

HAGERSTOWN, MD (September 9, 2024) – The Washington County Freeway Division publicizes an upcoming lane closure on the intersection of Route 64 (Jefferson Blvd) and Crystal Falls Dr on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. This closure might be in impact between 7:30 am to three:00 pm.

A detour might be arrange heading west on Crystal Falls Dr, turning proper onto Federal Lookout Rd, left onto Pioneer Dr, and left onto Cavetown Church Rd to Route 64.

We apologize for any inconvenience this will likely trigger and admire your understanding. Various routes might be out there for motorists.

For additional data, please contact Washington County’s Public Relations and Advertising and marketing Division at [email protected].

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