Tag Archives: face

Technology

Apple tests new way to unlock an iPhone without removing a face mask

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Apple (AAPL) is testing new iOS software that will allow people to unlock their iPhone’s face recognition security tool, Face ID, if they also happen to be wearing an Apple Watch.
Currently, Face ID recognizes when someone is wearing a mask and triggers the passcode entry screen to appear — an update Apple started testing in May.

But the latest update, which is part of a developer beta test likely to roll out broadly soon, will allow an iPhone to communicate with a synced Apple Watch when the phone is raised to use Face ID.

When authentication is completed — the devices must be in close proximity — the iPhone will automatically unlock and the Apple Watch will vibrate.

Apple said users will need to opt into this feature.

For security purposes, the update will only work to unlock the phone; users will still need to type in a passcode to make transactions through Apple Pay, the App Store or iTunes if wearing a mask.

The latest update is both another step forward for supporting mask wearing during the pandemic and a potential incentive for Apple customers to purchase a smartwatch, or at least use the one they have more frequently.

While Apple’s latest mobile operating system launched in September, the company continually releases updates to fix bugs or introduce new features. Also due later this spring, Apple is expected to introduce a new requirement for users to give explicit permission for apps to track them across the internet.

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Technology

Unlock Your iPhone With Your Apple Watch When Wearing a Face Mask

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Apple’s iOS 13.5 update made your iPhone jump to your secondary method of authentication more quickly when you’re trying to use Face ID while wearing a face mask, but it’s still an arduous process you have to go through each time you want to unlock your iPhone. iOS 14.5 fixes this by adding in a new auto-unlock option for those who also own an Apple Watch; I do, and this is too good a feature to wait for.

I say “wait for” because iOS 14.5 isn’t technically available to the public yet. Apple’s testing the update as part of a developer beta—that wonderful phrase that suggests you’re in for a potentially buggy experience if you opt to slap it on your iPhone right now. I go back and forth on this; I love being able to access the latest features, but having a sluggish or otherwise fussy iPhone—especially if it’s my primary device—isn’t the best experience.

Still, in these pandemic times, having to tap-tap-tap my iPhone after I’ve gotten used to the wonderful convenience of Face ID isn’t very fun, either. So much so, that I think I’m going to go ahead and install the iOS 14.5 beta. What’s the worst that could happen?

If you’d like to join me, here’s how you can get into this normally-for-developers beta. To start, make a backup of your iPhone, whether you’re sending it to iCloud (via Settings > your Apple ID > iCloud > iCloud Backup) or connecting your iPhone to a computer and performing a manual backup. This is important, as you’ll want to be able to revert back to your normal operating system if the beta is too buggy for your tastes.

Screenshot: David Murphy

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Next, open Safari on your iPhone and navigate over to Beta Profiles. Tap “Download” on the box for the iOS 14.5 beta and don’t be stymied by the warning screen:

When prompted by your iPhone about downloading a configuration profile to your device, tap “Allow.” Once done, close Safari and open up your Settings app. Tap on General > Profile, where you’ll find the profile you just downloaded. Tap on it, and then tap on Install in the upper-right corner. You’ll eventually be asked to restart your iPhone as part of the installation process. Do that.

Screenshot: David Murphy

Once your iPhone boots back up, tap on Settings again, and then General > Software Update. You should now be able to download the iOS 14.5 Developer Beta (if it hasn’t already started downloading).

Screenshot: David Murphy

Once it’s done, you’ll find the new Apple Watch-unlock feature in Settings > Face ID & Passcode. However, you’ll also need to repeat these same steps to install the developer beta of watchOS 7.4 (updating your Apple Watch as you normally would in the end, rather than going to your iPhone’s Software Update section).

Don’t assume that this handy feature will work each time you’re using your iPhone while wearing your Apple Watch. The feature, designed for pandemic life, requires your iPhone to detect that you’re wearing a face mask. If it does, and you’re also wearing your (passcode-enabled and unlocked) Apple Watch, your iPhone will unlock automatically. If you aren’t wearing a mask, you’ll have to unlock your iPhone the old-fashioned way.

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Business

Alibaba Q3 earnings: Company prepares to face investors as crackdown in China intensifies

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The company is expected to report a 33% jump in revenue for the quarter ended December compared to a year earlier, according to analysts polled by Refinitiv.

But strong revenue might not be enough to soothe concerns from investors, who have been rattled by worries over how hard Chinese authorities might come down on Ma’s tech empire.

Ma, who co-founded Alibaba more than two decades ago, has watched his businesses draw the ire of Beijing in recent months. He’s also been snubbed by state-run media: On Tuesday, the Shanghai Securities Journal praised prominent Chinese business leaders in an article about “entrepreneurial spirit.” While tech entrepreneurs such as Tencent’s (TCEHY) Pony Ma and Huawei’s Ren Zhengfei were mentioned, Ma was not.

Ma built Alibaba into one of China’s most powerful tech titans. It generated nearly $80 billion in revenue for the fiscal year that ended last March, and it has a market capitalization of more than $700 billion, making it one of the world’s most valuable tech companies.

But Beijing has become increasingly concerned about the clout that big, private tech firms have over the financial industry and other sensitive areas, and how entrenched they have become to everyday life in China through digital payments apps and other services.

Last November, shares in Alibaba slid even though the company’s earnings topped estimates, as it reported results just after regulators shelved a highly anticipated IPO from its financial affiliate, Ant Group.

Since then, the landscape has worsened for Alibaba and other Chinese tech firms. President Xi Jinping in December called efforts to strengthen anti-monopoly rules against online platforms one of the most important goals for 2021, according to state news agency Xinhua. And regulators announced an antitrust investigation into Alibaba on Christmas Eve.

Ant Group, meanwhile, has been told to overhaul its online financial business after authorities criticized it for edging out rivals from the market place, harming consumer rights and taking advantage of regulatory loopholes for its own profit.

Yi Gang, the governor of the People’s Bank of China, said last week at a virtual Davos forum that regulator involvement in that company is ongoing.

Ma — who has retired from the company but still remains a figurehead — has largely remained out of sight through all of this. He vanished from public view for months before briefly emerging in a video in January to speak to teachers at a philanthropic event.

The issues facing Alibaba and Ant have dented the former’s share price. Alibaba’s New York-listed shares are down about 17% since a peak in late October, a plunge that has wiped off more than $140 billion from its market capitalization.

Some analysts suspect Alibaba may survive regulatory scrutiny from China relatively intact. Martin Chorzempa, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, said Chinese authorities likely want to be careful “not to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs,” after all.

But experts warn that the days of unchecked growth are probably over.

“It is clear that [Beijing] is going to narrow the scope of managerial independence through regulation and informal ‘guidance’ to the [Alibaba] conglomerate,” said Doug Fuller, an associate professor at the City University of Hong Kong who studies technological development in Asia.

As for Ant Group, the company will likely still be allowed to go ahead with an IPO once regulators are finished grilling the company over anti-monopoly concerns and consumer privacy issues, according to Kevin Kwek, managing director and senior analyst at Alliance Bernstein.

But if it is forced to make any drastic changes, that could hurt Ant’s valuation when it eventually is able to list. Before the IPO was pulled, Ant was expected to become the largest initial public offering ever with a $34 billion share sale.

“You can bet the best minds of Ant [are] working on the challenges as we speak,” Kwek said. “The question is how much they end up ‘giving up’ and what that could mean for valuations.”

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Technology

Wearing a mask? You can soon use Face ID and Apple Watch to unlock your iPhone

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Last year, when everyone started wearing masks, it became difficult to use Apple‘s Face ID feature to unlock iPhones. The company made unlocking slightly faster by immediately bringing up the passcode screen when your iPhone detected you’re wearing a mask.

Now, it plans to let you unlock the phone with Face ID while wearing your mask — but you would need an Apple Watch. As noted by Engadget, the new iOS 14.5 developer beta allows you to do that if you’re wearing an unlocked Apple Watch.

[Read: India’s new customs duties will make your next phone pricier]

This is how the feature would work: you’ll have to manually enable an option to unlock your iPhone with a less accurate Face ID along with your Apple Watch for authentication.

You’ll be notified on your watch every time you unlock your iPhone successfully — which can be really annoying if you unlock it frequently. I’d rather stick with passcode punching for when I’m wearing a mask.

As my colleague Callum suggested, it would be nice of Apple to bring back Touch ID.  The company included Touch ID under the power button in the iPad Air released last year. It could come up with a similar solution with the iPhone, or as Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggested, it could debut its own under-the-screen fingerprint scanner.

new iPad Air

Right now, the new Face ID unlock system is in testing, but bank on us to write a guide in our Basics section when it’s available to everyone.

Did you know we have a newsletter all about consumer tech? It’s called Plugged In –
and you can subscribe to it right here.

Published February 2, 2021 — 05:44 UTC



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Health

Shopping for KN95 or N95 face masks to protect yourself from COVID-19? Know this first

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More-infectious variants of the coronavirus and new federal requirements have people rethinking the quality of their face masks to prevent the spread of Covid-19 until more people can be vaccinated.

Starting Feb. 2, 2021, masks are required on planes, buses, trains and all public transportation hubs in the United States.

For all of Oregon, face coverings are required for everyone 5 and older in indoor public spaces and outdoors anywhere physical distancing isn’t possible.

Not everyone needs medical-grade N95 filters, but Dr. Anthony S. Fauci and officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourage everyone not at risk to wear a face covering with at least two layers of protection when around people not in their household.

Other health experts recommend most people wear a tightly woven face covering over a disposable surgical mask.

See The Oregonian/OregonLive’s coronavirus coverage

The face coverings should be well-fitted over your nose and mouth (review the CDC’s “seal check”) and you should sanitize or wash your hands when handling masks. Do not touch the mask when wearing it.

People who have been exposed to the coronavirus, have health issues or live in areas with high transmission rates can better protect themselves and others by wearing a certified N95 mask that filters 95% of aerosols people emit when coughing, sneezing, breathing and talking.

But where can you find N95s that meet the highest standards? And how can you keep the cost down? N95 masks were about 50 cents a piece before the coronavirus pandemic, but now prices are around $2 each for KN95 masks imported from China and around $5 for a N95 mask made in the U.S. (A 3M-brand valve-less N95 respirator is $1.41 in an eight-pack at Home Depot.)

David Sugar of Ashland was part of a friend’s group email asking if anyone would like to buy N95 masks in bulk through Costco (100 masks at $3.20 each). But Sugar and his wife, Skye, already had a supply of 3M-brand filters, which they purchased when smoke blanketed Ashland two years ago.

They wear layered cloth masks with a pocket in which they insert the N95 filter when they need to go inside a public place.

A recent study of 10 types of face coverings found that cloth and blue surgical masks partially filter the small COVID-19-spreading particles known as aerosols that people emit, according to Harvard Medical School health experts.

As the number in the name indicates, N95 masks made to U.S. standards and KN95 imported from China, are intended to filter at least 95% of airborne particles.

“Actually a type of respirator, an N95 mask offers more protection than a surgical mask does because it can filter out both large and small particles when the wearer inhales,” according to the Mayo Clinic.

While N95 and KN95 face masks were hard to get and were being reserved mostly for front-line medical workers at the beginning of the pandemic last year, supplies of these items have expanded recently and more people have been ordering them online for personal use.

Before you buy, see the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approved products listed by brand and make sure the manufacturer has a NIOSH certificate.

See other federal guidance on mask standards.

The FDA has a list of non-NIOSH-approved KN95 respirator models approved for emergency use during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

N95 respirators are intended to be used once and then properly disposed of and replaced with a new N95 respirator.

Here are N95 or KN95 respirators available to purchase online right now:

AOK N95 mask: This $2.99 mask at Well Before is sold out but you can be notified when they’re in stock again.

BLSCode KN95 protective mask ($1.33 each if purchased in a 60-pack, individually wrapped for $79.74 through Amazon): The mask is made of two layers of non-woven cloth, two layers of melt-blown fabric and one layer of hot air cotton with an adjustable metal nose bridge wire. Read more about KN95s

Home Depot has N95 and KN95 as well as reusable cloth masks. Avoid the N95 masks with a valve or vent. A six-pack of 3M disposable, valve-less N95 respirators is $8.46, or $1.41 a mask.

Kimtech (Kimberly Clark) N95 pouch respirator ($3.99 each from Well Before): The NIOSH-certified mask has a large, duckbill-style breathing chamber and foam headband to maximize comfort. There is also a bendable nosepiece for a consistent seal.

N95 Medical Supplies has three-ply surgical masks as well as N95 and KN95 masks. The ALG hard-cup shell N95 mask with NIOSH approval is sold in a 25-pack for $99.99.

Portland-based Protectly has U.S.-made surgical, N95 and KN95 masks by 3M, Fangtian, Moldex, 3PE and Medline with a 100% guaranteed. Take 23% off Respokare’s N95, NIOSH-approved mask at $5 each in a five- or 30-pack.

Powecom KN95 face mask: The FDA emergency-use authorized mask has multi-layer protection. Available in a 10-pack for $12.94 from Amazon.

Respokare Niosh N95 respirator (10-pack for $89.99 from N95MaskCo.com): This mask design by personal protective equipment company Innonix has patented multilayer, anti-viral technology that blocks 95% of small (.3 micron) particles and is said to inactivate up to 99.9% within minutes. Also available in a 5-pack for $49.99 or a 20-pack for $179.99.

Well Before KN95 mask by the company formerly known as Honest PPE Supply: Individually wrapped, the disposable mask has a five-layer design and adjustable nosepiece. Available for $1.99 each but must be purchased in 10 packs. Kid-size masks are also available.

Xiantao Zhongyi N95 respirator mask (20-pack for $179.99 at n95maskco.com): The NIOSH-certified, cup-style mask can be purchased in a box of 1,000 for $6,999.

There are more N95 and KN95 masks available at Amazon and Sears.

Now that we’ve been wearing face coverings for nearly a year, it could be time to replace masks that have been washed frequently (check manufacturers’ guidance) or don’t fit as well as they should.

Before you mask in a bandana or neck gaiter, read this: Evaluation is ongoing on the effectiveness of those types of face coverings in preventing droplets and particles from spreading the coronavirus. At the very least, double up the fabric when in poorly ventilated areas or if you’re unable to safely keep your distance from others.

Face shields, folded handkerchiefs and masks with exhalation valves or vents are also discouraged since they may not be effective enough barriers.

Layers of washable face coverings should also not be see-through.

What to use if you are not at risk? Two or more tightly woven layers of washable, breathable fabric. The mask should completely cover your nose and mouth, and it should fit snugly against the side of your face and have no gaps, says the CDC.

Here are some retailers’ reusable masks offerings:

Amazon has an ever-changing supply of washable and U.S.-made disposable protective masks. The online retailer also has antimicrobial masks and sells PM 2.5 activated carbon filter inserts (100 pack for $21.99).

American Eagle has reusable masks made with two layers and an antimicrobial finish. Youth face masks are on sale and come in a variety of prints and patterns. Twenty percent of mask sales were donated to the Crisis Text Line.

Backcountry has its own line of face masks to have handy when you pass someone on the trail. Also, men’s, women’s and kids clothing plus hiking, camping, biking, climbing, running fly-fishing and paddling gear is up to 50% off during the winter sale.

Dick’s Sporting Goods has “sportmasks” face masks by Under Armour and other fitness brands. Also found at underarmour.com

Fanatics has adult and youth-size face coverings to cheer on every sports team, especially Oregon’s teams.

Disney has Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars character-theme face masks in small, medium and large (see measuring chart) and the company is donating one million cloth face masks for children and families in underserved and vulnerable communities across the U.S. through MedShare.

Spacemask offers three layers of antibacterial nanotech fabric yarn that is said to protect from dangerous particles, droplets, dust, smog, pollen and mold. The washable, contoured Advanced Nanotech Premium face mask is $19. The company pledges to donate 5,000 masks.

School MaskPack has color-coded, Crayola-branded reusable masks ($29.99 for a five-pack for kids, $39.99 for teens and adult sizes) that come with their own mesh laundry bag to keep them together in the washing machine. The masks have adjustable ear straps to securely fit a wide variety of face shapes and sizes. The company is donating 1% of net sales to No Kid Hungry, DonorsChoose and Heart of America.

MasQd has coverings for adults plus a kids collection with themes of green camouflage, rainbow hearts, space, unicorns, cars, puppies and solid colors ($17 each ) plus mask filters (20-pack for $27).

The Gap has masks with filter pockets in adult sizes and kid-friendly ones with themes like Hello Kitty, Jurassic Park, Ninja Turtles, Justice League and Minions (3-pack starts at $5). The company pledges to give away 50,000 masks to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Canada.

The Odells has handmade, washable masks in adult and kid sizes made of a cotton blend with adjustable, behind-the-ear straps with an interior pocket sized to fit a PM2.5 filter ($10). Each mask sold supports 10 meals for hungry children and adults.

Walmart has cotton face coverings for adults and kids on sale. A five-pack of reusable face masks in a washable polyester-blend for ages 3-10 is $10.99 (regular price is $21).

— Janet Eastman | 503-294-4072

jeastman@oregonian.com | @janeteastman



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US

US Capitol riot: Two Proud Boys members face conspiracy charges

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The new indictment against Dominic Pezzola and William Pepe, both of New York, is the first riot-related case to accuse Proud Boys members of working together to attack the Capitol.

But the men are not accused of planning the attack before coming to Washington. They have been charged with conspiring to interfere with police officers defending the Capitol, participating in civil disorder, unlawfully entering restricted grounds and other federal crimes.

Both men were first hit with charges two weeks ago. Prosecutors alleged they had removed metal barricades at the Capitol and that Pezzola had smashed a window using a police officer’s riot shield. Footage of the attack shows pro-Trump rioters entering the Capitol through the broken window.

The Proud Boys are a far-right extremist group, with some members who espouse sexist, White nationalist and anti-Semitic views.

Of the approximately 175 known defendants facing riot-related charges, at least eight are affiliated with the Proud Boys, according to a CNN analysis of court documents. Several of the prosecutors and FBI agents handling these Proud Boys cases are specialists in investigating terrorist groups, violent gangs and other national security matters, according to court filings.

The Justice Department’s counterterrorism section, which is part of the national security division, is helping to lead the case against Pezzola and Pepe, according to a news release issued Friday.

In response to the indictment, Pezzola’s lawyer Michael Scibetta told CNN that he was “denied contact” with his jailed client, which undercut his ability to mount a “meaningful legal defense.”

A lawyer representing Pepe did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment.

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Entertainment

Demi Moore’s face appears back to normal in new Fendi show image after sparking plastic surgery

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She shocked fans while she appeared on the Fendi runway show on Wednesday during Haute Couture Fashion Week, sparking plastic surgery rumors.

But it appears the dramatic runway look was simply just due to an overly contoured face and makeup tricks, as Demi Moore’s face appeared to be back to normal in a new image.

On Friday, the 58-year-old actress shared a candid snap of herself posing with supermodels Christy Turlington and Kate Moss as well as Fendi’s artistic director Kim Jones.

She shocked fans while she appeared on the Fendi runway show on Wednesday during Haute Couture Fashion Week, sparking plastic surgery rumors. But it appears the dramatic runway look was simply just due to an overly contoured face and makeup tricks, as Demi Moore’s face appeared to be back to normal in a new image

The brunette beauty’s cheeks looked full and plump with no sign of the eye-catching defined cheekbones she had sported on the runway, as well as the downturned lips with the bottom lip much more fuller.

In the image, the mother of three looked pretty in glasses with no makeup on and her signature long brunette tresses sleek and loose around her.

The movie star grinned ear to ear in the Instagram image she posted on Friday, January 29, 2021 with the caption: ‘A lot of testing went into this group hug. Loved being part of the @fendi show with you @ctrulington and #kate moss. Thank you @mrkimjones,’ adding a heart emoji.

Demi sparked speculation that she has undergone plastic surgery after showing off a very dramatic new look on the Fendi runway at Haute Couture Fashion Week on Wednesday – leaving spectators stunned. 

All smiles: On Friday, the 58-year-old actress shared a candid snap of herself posing with supermodels Christy Turlington and Kate Moss as well as Fendi’s artistic director Kim Jones

The actress was almost unrecognizable as she joined a host of A-list models on the catwalk for designer Kim Jones’ Fendi Spring Summer 2021 presentation in Paris on Wednesday, and left many social media users questioning whether her transformation has come as the result of cosmetic enhancements, or ‘terrible’ makeup.  

Within minutes of Demi’s appearance on the couture catwalk – for which she modeled a plunging black satin blouse and large statement earrings – Twitter had been flooded with questions from perplexed users about the Striptease star’s new look.   

Makeup: The actress was almost unrecognizable as she joined a host of A-list models on the catwalk for designer Kim Jones’ Fendi Spring Summer 2021 presentation in Paris on Wednesday, and left many social media users questioning whether her transformation has come as the result of cosmetic enhancements, or ‘terrible’ makeup 

Shock: Soon after images of Demi appeared online, social media users expressed their shock over her dramatic new look, with some questioning whether she has had surgery

Questions: Other social media users queried whether her transformation had come as the result of ‘terrible’ makeup , which appears to be the case

Upset: One social media user expressed concern for Demi, suggesting that she had transformed her face because she was struggling with her ‘confidence’ 

‘I wouldn’t have thought that was Demi Moore without the headline,’ one user wrote in reaction to a news story about the actress’s surprise catwalk appearance. ‘Is that all bad fillers? Or is there some horrible contouring happening there also? 

‘That face just doesn’t look right but I can’t figure out if it’s all plastics or of the makeup artist was doing something odd.’ 

Another cheekily wrote: ‘Demi NoMoore plastic surgery! That’s a shame! I wish women would allow themselves to age gracefully. 

‘It’s so much more attractive than when they start messing with their face.’ 

Makeup magic: Demi (seen left in February 2020), 58, sparked rumors that she’s had plastic surgery when she showed off a dramatic new look in Paris on Wednesday (right) but it now appears to be due to over contouring and makeup

‘Demi Moore unfortunately who used to be beautiful is now just a poster child for why not to get plastic surgery,’ said one comment.  

One person expressed their upset over Demi’s changed appearance, commenting: ‘This is total self destruction. This is painful insecurity. This is total lack of confidence. What in the world would make you do that to your own face?’  

Others simply voiced their shock over the images of the Striptease star on the runway, with many admitting that they didn’t initially recognize Demi.  

Working it: Demi made her mark in the style industry as she ruled the catwalk for Kim Jones’ Fendi Spring-Summer presentation during Paris Haute Couture Week on Wednesday

Turning heads: The actress, 58, caught the eye as she was dressed in a satin black blouse, complete with a peplum hemline

Way back when: Demi (pictured left in 1993 and right in 1996) has long been known for maintaining incredibly youthful looks, having been in the spotlight since the early 90s 

Rumors: The actress was plagued by reports in the early 2000s that she’d had $250,000 worth of plastic surgery ahead of her appearance in Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle (pictured)

Shut down: Demi (pictured in July 2020) denied the surgery reports in a 2007 interview, insisting that she had ‘never’ gone under the knife for a cosmetic procedure

‘I cannot believe this is Demi Moore,’ someone said, while another agreed, writing: ‘That can’t be Demi Moore. I had a huge crush on her.’ 

The latest images of Demi reveal a very changed appearance that that seen in the candid snaps the actress has been sharing from home throughout the pandemic – many of which have shown her with no makeup on while lounging around with her family.  

Demi has long been known for her age-defying looks, and has often stunned with her ever-youthful appearance and impressively trim and toned physique, which she has maintained for decades. 

However this is not the first time that she has had to face rumors about whether she has undergone cosmetic surgery.  

It was widely reported almost 20 years ago that Demi had spent nearly $250,000 on plastic surgery to complete transform her face and body ahead of her appearance in the 2003 movie Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, however she shut down the reports as nothing more than speculation, insisting in 2007 that she had ‘never’ had any cosmetic surgery. 

‘I don’t like the idea of having an operation to hold up the aging process – it’s a way to combat your neurosis,’ she said at the time. ‘The scalpel won’t make you happy.’   

During a 2019 interview with the Daily Mirror, Demi said that she is ’embracing’ the natural aging process, despite admitting that there were times when she looked in the mirror and didn’t recognize herself. 

‘Gravity is going in some directions I’m not fond of. I can look in the mirror ­occasionally and say, “You’re lying, I don’t look like that,”‘ the Ghost star explained.  

Confusion: Twitter was flooded with posts about Demi’s new look, with many remarking on her unrecognizable appearance, while others asked what was behind it 

Speculation: Many Twitter users questioned whether Demi had undergone plastic surgery, while others suggested that her dramatic new look may have been due to ‘horrible’ makeup

All eyes on her: The producer teamed the bold piece with a pair of wide-leg trousers and ensured focus remained on her outfit by ditching bracelets and necklaces

All eyes on her: Exuding edgy chic, the screen star’s shirt featured a low-cut neckline, which highlighted her cleavage

Great idea: Models stayed socially distanced from one another amid the global coronavirus pandemic as they stood inside giant perspex letters which spelled out the word ‘Fendi’

‘But I feel for myself it’s about acceptance… embracing it and no longer looking for what’s wrong – just being accepting of everything.’ 

The mother-of-three’s appearance on the runway comes after a low-key few months for Demi, who has spent much of the pandemic hunkering down at home with her family. 

Despite the controversy over her new look, Demi certainly stood her own during the fashion show while modeling alongside A-list fashion stars like Kate Moss and Bella Hadid. 

Demi’s enviable figure was accentuated by the plunging neckline of her black silk blouse, which nipped in at the waist, and left her decolletage and shoulders bare.  

Her long bell-bottom sleeves covered her hands, while the peplum finish helped to emphasize her curves. 

The form-flattering blouse was paired with matching wide-leg trousers, and Demi’s look was completed with some plain black shoes, and some very large statement earrings that dangled down to her armpits. 

She also modeled a chunky cuff on her left ear that sparkled under the glare of the spotlights – which also helped to accentuate Demi’s pronounced cheek bones and plump pout. 

Her youthful-looking complexion was given an extra boost courtesy of some simply yet chic dewy make-up.   

Sticking to the rules: Demi sensibly covered her face with a mask as she left the show following her catwalk appearance 

No rest for the wicked: The producer arrived in France with her daughter Scout Willis and other A-list stars on Tuesday (pictured)

The mother-of-three is not a newcomer to the runway having recently starred in Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty showcase. 

Models stayed socially distanced from one another amid the global coronavirus pandemic as they stood inside giant perspex letters which spelled out the word ‘Fendi’.  

British designer Kim, who joined Italian fashion house Fendi as its lead designer for womenswear in September 2020, and continues to fulfil his role as artistic director at Dior Men’s.

The fashion expert succeeds the late Karl Lagerfeld in his Fendi role, which the designer held from the mid-1960s. 

Chanel designer Karl sadly passed away aged 85 from complications of pancreatic cancer on February 2019. 

Supermodel Kate Moss told Vogue ahead of the show: ‘I always wanted to wear his [Kim’s] menswear – and now he’s making womenswear!’  

How Demi usually looks: The star was seen promoting her book Inside Out last year

The fashion icon, 47, was one of Jones’s muses for the latest collection, and one of his best friends, and the publication notes that she modeled his clothing at Charleston, in the March 2021 issue. 

‘It’s quite a challenge,’ said Antoine Arnault, the LVMH group head of communications and chief executive of Berluti, who has known Mr. Jones since they worked together at Vuitton. 

The businessman told the New York Times: ‘Mr. Jones is one of our superstars. When you have a top footballer on your team, you want to let him play to to his full potential.’  

Ralph Lauren, Giorgio Armani, Raf Simons and Hedi Slimane have all made the leap from menswear to womenswear.

The site reports that Fendi surpassed a billion euros in revenue in 2017 (about $1.2 billion) to become one of the more important brands in the LVMH portfolio.

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Health

Idaho women wears burka to City Council meeting to ‘protest’ face masks

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An Idaho woman went on a bizarre rant at a local city council meeting saying she had to wear a “freaking burka” so she could avoid wearing face masks while attending college classes on campus.

A woman who identified herself as Katie Dugger voiced her frustration about the mask mandate and shared why masks had been a burden in her life during a city council meeting in Lewiston, Idaho on Monday.

Dugger, wearing a colorful outfit with a headscarf over her head complained that she took off a semester from school because she didn’t want to wear a mask.

“I took last semester off at LCSC (Lewis-Clark State College) because of all this nonsense because I can not wear a mask,” she said.

“It doesn’t matter why but it is very traumatizing for me to put on a mask, because of something that happened to me when I was a kid.”

Dugger went on to explain why she was chose to wear her eccentric outfit instead of wearing a mask.

“I’m wearing this because the only way I could go to school today was because I had to act like I had on a freaking burka and go like this so I could go to school and cover my face like I am a Muslim because I can breathe through this at least,” she said.

“This is thin enough that I can breathe through it. The way for me to go to school and get my education is I have to dress like a freaking Muslim,” the woman added.

Dugger also downplayed the vaccine during the rant.

“If they want to get a vaccine, let them get a vaccine and get Bell’s palsy and fall over dead two weeks later,” she claimed.

Idaho has reported over 161,000 COVID-19 cases and 1,714 deaths as of Wednesday, according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.



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Technology

Capcom Is Still Hiding Ethan’s Face In Resident Evil Village

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Image: Capcom

While Ethan Winters may be the new face of the Resident Evil series, we still haven’t seen his actual face. And it doesn’t look like that’s going to change when Resident Evil Village launches on May 7.

2017’s Resident Evil 7 Biohazard marked a dramatic change for Capcom’s long-running survival horror franchise. Rather than controlling the main character from a third-person perspective, players jumped right into Ethan’s shoes via first-person gameplay. Resident Evil Village looks to be picking up where its predecessor left off in more ways than one: Capcom is still hiding Ethan’s face from us.

It makes sense on some level that we wouldn’t see much of Ethan in the gameplay trailers. We’re supposed to be Ethan, after all. That’s the whole point of the first-person perspective. That said, I couldn’t help but laugh when I noticed that Capcom has even kept him hidden in promotional assets. It’s almost like Ethan himself is going out of his way to keep his face a secret.

Take this piece of artwork from last year, for instance. Why is Ethan holding his gun like that? Is he smelling it?

Image: Capcom

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And this one, which is part of a new batch released after Capcom’s showcase earlier this week. You’re going to need to see the tall vampire lady to best her in a knife fight, Ethan.

Image: Capcom

This third and final image wasn’t given to press in the United States but I’ve seen it proliferating across Japanese outlets like 4Gamer. It’s more understandable than the others—Ethan’s face would naturally be obscured while using a scoped rifle—but in context, it’s just another example of the lengths Capcom is going to make sure we never get a good look at our protagonist.

Image: Capcom

I vaguely remember fans coming up with theories when Resident Evil 7 was still new that Ethan’s face was never shown because he was going to end up being an important character we already knew. Some folks even thought he might be a clone of Chris Redfield or something ridiculous like that. These days, I’m happy just assuming it’s a running gag among the developers. No silly plot lines necessary.

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World

Jair Bolsonaro could face charges in The Hague over Amazon rainforest | Jair Bolsonaro

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Jair Bolsonaro could face charges in the international criminal court (ICC) after being accused of crimes against humanity.

Indigenous leaders in Brazil and human rights groups are urging the court to investigate the Brazilian president over his dismantling of environmental policies and violations of indigenous rights, which they say amount to ecocide.

William Bourdon, a Paris-based lawyer, submitted a request for a preliminary examination to the tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands, on Friday. The chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, will then determine whether there are grounds for an investigation against Bolsonaro.

There is no deadline for a decision but “it is a matter of great urgency”, Bourdon said. “We are running against the clock, considering the devastation of the Amazon.”

Since Bolsonaro took office in 2019, vast stretches of the rainforest have been destroyed and traditional communities threatened. Deforestation has soared nearly 50% in two years and has reached its highest level since 2008. Invasions of indigenous territories increased 135% in 2019, and at least 18 people were murdered in land conflicts last year.

Despite that, fines for environmental crimes dropped 42% in the Amazon basin in 2019, and the federal government cut the budget for enforcement by 27.4% this year, a report revealed.

“While the scenario is getting worse and worse, the government is reducing enforcement,” said Marcio Astrini, the executive director of Climate Observatory, the group of NGOs behind the report. “It is frightening to see that there is a coordinated attack on the climate, the forest and its people.”

The UN-backed court has mostly ruled on cases of genocide and war crimes since it was created in 2002. However, after facing criticism it decided in 2016 to assess offences in a broader context, which could include major environmental and cultural crimes.

Raoni Metuktire, the leader of the Kayapo people, is well known for his fight for the preservation of the Amazon rainforest and indigenous culture. Photograph: Nicolas Tucat/AFP/Getty Images

Bourdon believes this case could lead to Bolsonaro standing trial for ecocide, a term defined as causing serious and lasting harm to the environment and people. The lawyer filed the case on behalf of indigenous chiefs Almir Suruí and Raoni Metuktire.

Several members of NGOs and lawyers from the US, Brazil and France also worked on the 68-page report describing what they claim are crimes against humanity. It includes cases of murder, forced transfer and persecution of indigenous people in Brazil.

Raoni is renowned for his fight for the preservation of the Amazon rainforest and indigenous culture. The 91-year-old chief of the Kayapo people is currently isolated in his village at the Xingu indigenous territory due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Patxon Metuktire, his 35-year-old grandson, followed him in his quest for help in the international community over the past year: “My grandfather thought it was important to make the complaint because the chief of the nation should protect communities, but he is not doing so.

“People are feeling endorsed to commit crimes, as the president supports them,” Patxon added. “My grandfather believes the Brazilian population cannot make the president stop acting against the indigenous people. He keeps violating our rights, so this is our last resort. My grandfather is ready to testify and clarify anything for prosecutors if needed.”

Scientists have warned that Bolsonaro’s destructive policies could push the Amazon rainforest to an irreversible tipping point, turning swathes of the tropical forest into savannah. This would make it impossible to control climate change.

“Bolsonaro is not only a risk for indigenous peoples, he turned into a global problem, because what he does here has an impact on the planet,” said Sônia Guajajara, the leader of the Association of Brazil’s Indigenous Peoples. “He commits one crime after another against the peoples of the forest and against the environment.”

In November 2019, Brazilian activists delivered an “informative note” at the ICC arguing that Bolsonaro encouraged the genocide against indigenous people. More than a year later, the prosecutor’s office said it was analysing the case to determine whether it would open an examination.

Eloísa Machado, a member of Brazil’s Human Rights Advocacy Collective who worked on the legal action, welcomed the case brought by Bourdon. “Bolsonaro has his actions under analysis now, even if preliminarily,” she said.

Although the proceedings are still at an early stage, Machado said it was an important sign from The Hague: “It is an indication that the facts reported are serious and that the prosecutor’s office is sensitive to the issue.”

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