It’s the labor from Hell.
Month: September 2025
Jason Cerin and Brian Faas are back in the “Werk Room Weekly” hot seats after letting “Confession Cube” guest Monét X Change fill in last week. Before diving into the latest drama on “Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale,” they quickly revisit episode 3’s eco-chic cacao couture challenge that pushed the queens’ creativity to new heights….
Hostage Families Urge Immediate Negotiations Amid Rising Palestinian Casualties
As the humanitarian crisis escalates, families of Israeli hostages are urgently calling for negotiations to end the conflict and secure the release of captives. Concurrently, Israeli airstrikes have claimed the lives of over 30 Palestinians across Gaza on Thursday, according to medical sources, reports 24brussels.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which advocates on behalf of relatives of those taken during the Hamas attacks on October 7, has reached out to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the United States, and international mediators. “We ask the prime minister, the U.S. government, and the mediators to immediately convene the negotiating teams and force them to sit at the table until an agreement is reached,” the Forum stated.
Relatives describe these as “fateful days” for the hostages, stressing that “time is running out.” According to Israeli estimates, out of 48 hostages still detained in Gaza, at least 20 are believed to be alive. In recent weeks, families have organized nationwide protests demanding a comprehensive agreement aimed at both concluding the war and securing the captives’ release.
Hamas reaffirmed its willingness to free all hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a permanent ceasefire, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Netanyahu’s office dismissed this proposal as “nothing new,” reiterating that Israel’s conditions include Hamas’s disarmament, the demilitarization of Gaza, and Israeli oversight over security.
Earlier in the year, during a temporary ceasefire from January to March, Hamas had indicated its readiness for a complete release of hostages. However, Israel pursued the “Witkoff framework,” a U.S.-mediated plan for a partial two-month agreement to release half of the captives, which ultimately failed. Authorities in Tel Aviv have since rejected any partial arrangements, insisting that disarmament remains an absolute condition.
On Thursday, the humanitarian situation in Gaza worsened, with over 30 Palestinians reportedly killed in Israeli operations. Among the deceased, three individuals were shot while trying to collect humanitarian aid in Khan Younis, southern Gaza.
The call from hostage families highlights a growing contradiction: while they advocate for immediate negotiations, the increasing civilian death toll in Gaza and the entrenched positions of both sides continue to hinder any political resolution.
Xgimi Unveils Horizon 20 Projectors with Impressive Specs
Xgimi has launched its Horizon 20 lineup of 4K Google TV projectors, aimed at gamers seeking large-screen experiences with minimal input lag. The flagship model, Horizon 20 Max, boasts an impressive brightness of 5700 ISO lumens and a remarkably low input lag of just 1ms, making it a compelling choice for daytime gaming, reports 24brussels.
The Horizon 20 series consists of three models: the base Horizon 20, the Horizon 20 Pro, and the Horizon 20 Max. All models feature a cutting-edge RGB triple laser architecture. The Horizon 20 Max leads the pack with its 5700 ISO lumens, designed for optimal viewing even in bright environments. In comparison, the Horizon 20 Pro delivers 4200 ISO lumens, while the base model offers 3100 ISO lumens, according to Xgimi.
Despite previous criticisms regarding brightness claims from Chinese manufacturers, Xgimi emphasizes that its measurements are now based on ISO lumens, a standard recognized for its reliability. The company asserts that the performance promised by the Horizon 20 Max matches its specifications. Notably, 5700 ISO lumens places this projector in the premium range typically associated with devices costing over $10,000.
In addition to brightness, the projectors support advanced imaging technologies, including Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and IMAX Enhanced modes. The inclusion of optical zoom and lens shifting technology enhances usability by allowing adjustments without image distortion.
For gamers, the Horizon 20 projectors offer a refresh rate of 240Hz and variable refresh rate (VRR) capabilities to synchronize with gaming consoles or PCs. However, achieving the low 1ms response time strictly applies at 1080p/240fps; latency increases slightly to 2.2ms at 1080p/120Hz and 3ms at 4K/60Hz. Xgimi also highlights a dynamic contrast ratio of 10,000:1 when engaging the dynamic black level enhancement mode. Furthermore, Netflix is readily accessible on the device, complemented by 24W built-in Harman Kardon speakers providing 360-degree audio support.
The Horizon 20 series will be available for preorder in the UK and US starting September 5, 2025, with shipments expected to begin in October. The retail price will range from $1,699 for the standard model to $2,999 for the Horizon 20 Max. However, an early bird promotion will offer significant discounts, reducing prices to between $1,189 and $2,399, which also includes a floor stand and a game code for Assassin’s Creed.
Luxembourg – The European Union’s second-highest court, the General Court based in Luxembourg, on Wednesday endorsed a new data transfer agreement between the EU and the United States, replacing two earlier deals rejected by a higher tribunal, reports 24brussels.
This new framework aims to ensure that the US provides an adequate level of protection for personal data transferred from the EU to the US, following the invalidation of previous arrangements by higher courts.
What is the general court’s role in this decision?
“The General Court dismisses an action for annulment of the new framework for the transfer of personal data between the European Union and the United States,”
the court stated in its ruling.
“In so doing, it confirms that, on the date of adoption of the contested decision, the United States of America ensured an adequate level of protection for personal data transferred from the European Union to organisations in that country,”
the General Court added.
The agreement affects thousands of companies, including banks, tech firms, drugmakers, and automakers, that transfer personal data for commercial purposes, such as payroll processing.
What concerns led to the rejection of previous pacts?
Earlier frameworks, including the EU-US Privacy Shield, faced significant scrutiny and legal challenges. They were deemed insufficient because US law allowed government authorities to access transferred data without providing EU citizens a reasonable avenue for judicial redress.
The upper court nullified the previous EU-US data transfer agreements due to concerns that the US did not provide adequate protection for the personal data of EU citizens transferred to its territory.
The European Court of Justice highlighted its worries over US government surveillance of European personal data and the lack of adequate protections ensuring compliance with EU Data Protection standards, particularly concerning GDPR requirements.
What are some other examples of data transfer agreements between the US and EU?
Historically, there have been several significant data transfer agreements between the EU and the US. Notably, the Safe Harbour Agreement was the first major legal framework allowing US companies to self-certify adequate data protection to transfer EU personal data. However, in 2015, the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) invalidated Safe Harbour following revelations about extensive surveillance by US intelligence agencies.
By Marisa Taylor, Chris Prentice and Mike Colias BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Michigan (Reuters) -Close relatives of the federal official who has accused a Federal Reserve governor of improperly claiming primary residence on two properties have declared the same status on two homes in two different states, public records show. Mark and Julie Pulte, the father and stepmother of Bill Pulte, President
If you had any doubts about the true agenda of the “pro-Palestine” movement, just consider last weekend’s annual People’s Conference for Palestine in Detroit. It was a gathering of martyrdom fetishists, Hamas supporters and antisemites, all bathing in an atmosphere of hate, rage and despair as they condemned Israel but reserved their deepest scorn for…
The Venice Film Festival is wrapping up, and this year’s event drew A-listers aplenty. We’re talking Cate Blanchett, Emma Stone, Julia Roberts and even George and Amal Clooney! Page Six Style and Shopping Director Elana Fishman is breaking down the most talked-about looks that graced the Lido over the past couple weeks, on this episode…
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President Trump officially penned his name on the executive order restoring the Department of Defense to the “Department of War.” President Donald Trump, accompanied by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaks with the media while signing an executive order. “I think it sends a message of victory,” he told reporters. This is a developing story….