Apple supplier Foxconn replaces 60,000 humans with robots in China

Apple supplier says automation has freed up its employees for higher value-added roles, such as in R&D
The first wave of robots taking over human jobs is upon us.

Apple Inc. AAPL, -0.06%  supplier Foxconn Technology Co. 2354, +0.41% has replaced 60,000 human workers with robots in a single factory, according to a report in the South China Morning Post, initially published over the weekend.

This is part of a massive reduction in headcount across the entire Kunshan region in China’s Jiangsu province, in which many Taiwanese manufacturers base their Chinese operations.

In a statement to MarketWatch, Foxconn Technology Group confirmed that it has been automating its manufacturing facilities throughout China, including Kunshan, for “many years,” which it says has freed up its employees to focus on higher value-added elements of the manufacturing process, such as research and development, process control and quality control.

”Across all of our facilities today, we are applying robotics engineering and other innovative manufacturing technologies to replace repetitive tasks previously done by employees,” Foxconn said. “As our manufacturing processes and the products we produce become more technologically advanced, automation is playing an increasingly important role in our operations and we have plans to automate more of our manufacturing operations over the coming years.”

Roughly 600 companies in the Kunshan region are reportedly looking to reduce headcount with robots, as part of an effort to accelerate growth and reduce costs, according to the South China Morning Post, which cited data from the Kunshan government. Last year, 35 Taiwanese companies, including Foxconn, spent a total of 4 billion yuan ($610 million) on artificial intelligence as part of this initiative, according to the report.

While developing AI does present higher upfront costs, machines are seen as more predictable and stable over the long term versus humans, potentially leading to personnel cost savings over the long term. With such high pressures placed on these manufacturers, which assemble much of the world’s consumer technology products and are often under strict deadlines, it also alleviates some of the ethical issues that arise when working people too hard for too long to meet demand.


Foxconn has been criticized for years for inadequate working conditions, which led to a string of suicides at its manufacturing facilities a few years ago. Foxconn employees have complained of being overworked, sleeping in less-than-ideal dormitory conditions, and not being paid fairly, but the company has worked to improve conditions recently.
The trend of replacing humans with more efficient robots is not confined to China.

As of February, there were more than 260,000 robots working in U.S. factories, according to industry trade group Robotic Industries Association. A total of 31,464 robots, valued at a combined $1.8 billion, were ordered from North American companies in 2015, a 14% increase in units.

Amazon.com Inc. AMZN, -0.37% is one such U.S. company that has been increasingly employing robots, with thousands shuffling around and sorting items in its fulfillment centers. Auto manufacturers have used robots to assemble cars in the U.S. for years.

At the moment, robots are expected to be used for lower-paying jobs that require less sophisticated skills, such as product assembly. But they are increasingly targeting more sophisticated and social roles that require customer service skills.

SoftBank Group’s 9984, +2.02%  humanoid consumer robot Pepper was rolled out to several Chinese retail stores over the last year. This week, Pepper also got a job at Pizza Hut, with the pizza chain unleashing the robot at certain stores in Asia to take customer in-store orders.

More sophisticated robots are also being developed, though they may face a tougher road to acceptance, given the higher-paid human jobs they threaten.

A robot that could serve many of the same functions as an anesthesiologist, for example, was discontinued in the U.S. after one year due to poor sales. The light demand might be attributed to immense backlash from the American Society of Anesthesiologists, which supports human doctors.

The craziest new Android flagship you’ve ever seen does the one thing the iPhone 7 can’t

There’s no question about it, Samsung’s Galaxy S7 is one of the best Android phones money can buy this year. But Asus has come up with a phone that’s not only cheaper than Samsung’s newest flagship, it also packs crazy hardware and specs that should offer an amazing performance. The new Asus Zenfone 3 Deluxe has specs so impressive that it could easily power up an ultraportable laptop. We’re looking at 6GB of RAM and up to 256GB of built-in storage – and before you ask, yes, it's the same kind of speedy flash memory that’s found inside Samsung’s Galaxy S7. And yes, you can further expand it via microSD storage.

Better yet, Asus seems to have discovered the secret recipe for fixing the worst thing about the iPhone's design: The company has crafted an all-aluminum design that removes the ugly antenna lines from the equation.
The phone is touted as the world’s first full-metal smartphone that packs an invisible antenna design. That’s certainly true – just check out the following image and you’ll notice there are no visible antenna lines on the back. The Zenfone 3 Deluxe has a "strong and light aluminum alloy unibody" with a "rear surface free of unsightly antenna lines."

Not even Apple is ready to phase out the annoying plastic antenna bands on the back of the iPhone. The iPhone 7 is believed to have an improved antenna design – instead of four antenna lines on the back we’re only going to have two of them along the top and bottom edges. You can see the new design in this leaked photo, which is likely our first look at a real iPhone 7.

The new Zenfone also comes with an always-on display, high-resolution speakers and a hybrid SIM slot.
The 64GB version will cost you $500, but pricing for the 256GB model is yet to be announced. Even so, the new Asus phone may be an even better choice than the Axon 7 that ZTE surprised us with a few days ago. Keep in mind that Samsung has a 256GB microSD card about to be made official, which means the best Zenfone 3 Deluxe version could pack an amazing 512GB of fast storage.

If you’re not looking to spend top dollar on new Android hardware, you should also know that Asus has more budget-friendly new handsets in store, part of the same Zenfone 3 family: the Zenfone 3 and the Zenfone 3 Ultra.

Disgruntled Texas Man Pays Speeding Ticket With 22,000 Pennies

A Texas man who was found guilty of speeding asfter contesting a ticket has taken out his anger by paying the fine with about 22,000 pennies.

In a dramatic video he created to document his vengeful act with small change, Brett Sanders of Frisco is seen going to the extra effort of branding his buckets with the slogans "Policing for profit" and "Extortion money."

"I'm not a big fan of extortion," Sanders explains in the video he posted to YouTube. "I was convicted by a jury for driving 39 in a 30 and was subject to $212 at the barrel of a gun."
In his 5-minute video, Sanders then fills up the buckets with pennies using a shovel before hauling them down to a county clerk to pay the fine.

As the camera rolls, Sanders lifts up his buckets one after the other and dumps the hundreds of dollars in pennies on the desk.

The clerk, unsurprisingly, looks displeased.
“It felt great. It really felt great,” Sanders told NBC Chicago, who reported that the clerk's employees used a local CoinStar machine to count the change.

It took them three hours. By the end of it, it apeared Sanders had overpaid by $7.81.

He said the clerk's office could keep the extra.

Apple Is Not The Next Blackberry, It's The Next Toyota

In a blog post that recently went viral, Marco Arment argued that Apple may be the next Blackberry. He pointed out that, while other tech companies like Amazon, Facebook and Google are advancing in key artificial intelligence technologies, Apple seems to be falling far behind.

Clearly, he’s right about the second point. Apple’s Siri service is noticeably weaker than competitors and these types of AI services do seem to be key to the digital future. What I think he misses is that Apple has never competed in fundamental technologies. Rather, it has been especially adept at molding existing technologies into products that are “insanely great.”

The truth is that Apple is not really a technology company and never has been. However, it is one of the best design and engineering companies the world has ever seen. More recently, it has also built a supply chain that gives it an additional advantage over competitors. The truth is that Apple isn’t like Blackberry at all. If anything, in the years to come Apple will become the next Toyota.

Scientists Just Discovered Another Sign Suggesting Life Existed on Mars

Carbonates discovered in Martian rock suggest the planet used to have an Earth-like ocean that could have supported life, according to new research published in the Journal of Geophysical Research.

This is the latest study in a growing body of research that suggests ancient Mars was warm, wet and possibly hosted life.

The carbonates were found in 3.8 billion-year-old rock in the Huygens basin that spans about 290 miles:

Scientists Just Discovered Another Sign Suggesting Life Existed on Mars
Why carbonates matter: Carbonates are minerals found throughout Earth's oceans. They're an important part of the carbon cycle, and some marine organisms use them to build shells.

Now the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has captured detailed images of the Martian surface, and it looks like regions of Mars — including Huygens basin and Lucaya crater — are covered in carbonates. We might be looking at the remains of an ancient Martian ocean floor.

"This gives us a stronger picture of a wet environment that was not extreme," astrobiologist Janice Bishop told Gizmodo. "If carbonates were pervasive 4 billion years ago, it's possible that the environment was very microbe-friendly at that time."

The researchers say we need more detailed analysis of the chemistry on Mars to figure out whether or not it supported life. NASA's Mars 2020 rover could collects samples from the area and return them to Earth for scientists to study up close. Better yet, astronauts might be exploring the surface soon.

Apple Has Confirmed That the Next IPhone Will Be All Glass

How much does iPhone insurance cost these days?

A previously rumored claim that Apple's next phone product will feature an all-glass casing was just confirmed by a source close to the development process — meaning that you better hang on tightly to your phones from now on.

Allen Horng, chairman and chief executive of Catcher Technology, said at the company's annual shareholder meeting that Apple Inc. has decided to go all-glass in an effort to make its products more desirable to a new segment of the saturated smartphone market.

"As far as I know, only one [iPhone] model will adopt glass casing next year," Horng told reporters on Thursday.

Forbes has speculated that the model in question will be the hotly anticipated iPhone 8 Plus, or even the rumored "iPhone 7 Pro."

Horng's company, Catcher Technology, has long been tasked with the production of Apple's metal iPhone frames.

According to Forbes, Horng said that although using a glass frame, or chassis, instead of one made of metal would require increased technology to execute, the end result would be a visual departure from anything else currently on the market.

The move is likely a strategic one, and comes at a time when Apple is struggling to compete with its global competitors.

In an April 2016 report, the New York Times claimed that Apple's iPhone, once a prominent symbol of status and wealth in Asia, saw sales fall in 2015 as consumers flocked to buy up products from other suppliers that "compete with Apple on technical specifications and aesthetics."

Scientists May Have Finally Found the Fountain of Youth

We are constantly inundated with products and treatments that promise to “defy aging.” And now it seems sea urchins may have found the answer behind how to actually do it.

Recent studies conducted by the MDI Biological Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine, and published in Aging Cell, took a look at the regenerative properties of three species of sea urchins (each of which have three different life spans) in hopes of understanding more about how the process relates to aging tissues as well as as lost or damaged body parts. May sound like random research, but sea urchins, surprisingly, share a very close genetic makeup to humans.
The scientists hypothesized that as sea urchins aged, their regenerative capacity must also decline, as is expected with "growing older." Instead, they were surprised to find that regardless of how quickly the sea urchin aged (in terms of actual years relative to their life expectancy), the regenerative properties did not decline and maintained youthful function even as they neared the end of their life expectancy. Researchers say this may prove to be incredibly valuable in the whole theory on aging, and contradicts what they had previously thought.

MDI Biological Laboratory Associate Professor James A. Coffman, Ph.D. says "Sea urchins don't appear to age, even when they are short-lived. Because these findings were unexpected in light of the prevailing theories about the evolution of aging, we may have to rethink theories on why aging occurs."

While this doesn’t quite mean we’ll be slathering on sea urchin–serums comes summer, it does open the door for future studies regarding how organisms function in older age, which the scientists say they plan to research further.  

Chinese startup Moxi Group could release the first flexible smartphone this year

Flexible displays are all the rage right now. Samsung has been working hard on them, as has LG, but we have yet to see a product with a truly flexible display. That, however, may change later this year.

A Chinese startup called Moxi Group made headlines lately when it discussed its flexible smartphone. But don’t get too excited yet, the company hasn’t made the Galaxy S7 fold up into fun size — according to Moxi Group Executive Vice President Chongsheng Yu, the first flexible smartphone the company releases will have a black-and-white e-ink display.
“Black-and-white phones are much easier to make,” said Yu in an interview with Bloomberg. “The color model power usage is also much higher than that of the black-and-white unit.”

So how much are you expected to pay for this black-and-white phone? A hefty $760, according to CNN Money. At launch, the phone will only be available in China, but if the demand is big enough, Moxi Group says that it will open up sales outside of the country. Not only that, but Yu also says that a phone with a flexible color display will be available sometime in 2018.

To make a flexible display that still functions properly, the company used a layer of graphene, which is made from a layer of carbon atoms arranged in a way that makes them highly conductive. Of course, the entire device isn’t flexible — it’s a little harder to make a flexible battery and processor than it is to make a flexible display. There’s a module at one end of the device that houses all the non-display parts.

The device is an early example of a flexible smartphone, but it’s still cool to see — hopefully, the likes of Samsung will follow and offer flexible devices of their own in the near future.

The iPhone 7 might actually be in trouble

For a long time, Apple's secrecy was legendary. The company managed to keep secrets under wraps better than any other consumer electronics company in the world. But the explosive popularity of the iPhone changed everything. Workers at the factories where Apple's gear is built found out how valuable these leaks can be, and almost nothing is a surprise these days when Apple finally announces something new.

In the past, these leaks have done precious little in terms of a material impact on Apple's bottom line. This year with the iPhone 7, however, that could change.
Apple shares have recovered nicely since dipping on the revelation (which wasn't really a revelation) that iPhone sales can't keep skyrocketing forever. But what hasn't recovered is the narrative in the tech media that the new iPhone 7 has to be remarkably exciting or it's doomed. This line of thinking obviously doesn't represent reality, and it's also nothing new — blogs and even mainstream news sites cook up similar stories ahead of each new iPhone launch.

What's interesting this time around, however, is some subtext to the story that actually could be based in reality.

Apple's new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are going to sell very, very well. They'll almost certainly be the best-selling high-end smartphones in the world until 2017 when new iPhones come out. What's interesting though, is that the rumor mill might actually have an impact on sales this time around.

According to news from well-connected Apple blogger John Gruber, next year's new iPhones are going to be a complete reimagining of Apple's smartphone lineup. It would normally be an "S" year, but it makes perfect sense. 2017 marks the 10-year anniversary of the original iPhone, so Apple might be planning something big.

Apple's 2017 iPhone — iPhone 8? iPhone X? — almost certainly isn't even finalized at this point, but Gruber says the phone may feature a display that is practically edgeless. He also says Apple might finally do away with the home button and integrate the Touch ID fingerprint scanner into the display panel. This is something Apple has been working on for quite some time, and we know that the technology now exists to make it happen. On top of that, earlier rumors had stated that the phone will also finally feature an upgraded OLED display.

Now here's where things get interesting.

These are very early rumors that have only appeared on tech blogs. Nothing about next year's iPhones has been reported by mainstream media yet. But I'm already seeing chatter from people who have seen the rumors and are starting to turn negative on this year's iPhone upgrade. In fact, I've heard this narrative from a number of people offline as well — people who could hardly be considered tech enthusiasts. They already seem to know that this year's iPhone 7 isn't going to be a big redesign, and they have already heard that next year's model will be. Several of them have said flat-out that they plan to skip the 7.

Some industry watchers like Wells Fargo's Maynard Um are already dismissing the notion that iPhone 8 rumors might impact sales this year. “While it is reasonable to assume Apple may introduce an iconic iPhone in 2017, we believe it is not a foregone conclusion that the consumers will skip the iPhone 7 upgrade in 2016,” Um wrote in a note to clients. “The core of our premise revolves around continued competition for subscribers as two-year contracts come up for renewal.”

But what's most interesting to me is how early we are in the rumor cycle. It's only May and there are already details from solid sources about next year's major iPhone redesign. And those reports are already starting to make people think about skipping this year's model. What happens when The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal start reporting on next year's iPhone models? Word is already out and you can be sure that the mainstream media will dig into this story in the coming months.

It's obviously still early days. Opinions will change as people learn more about the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. And once they're out and in people's hands, everything could change. But as I mentioned, the iPhone 8 could pose a serious problem if the iPhone 7 doesn't have any truly appealing new features.

Former Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho signs with Manchester United

   The Red Devils are looking to blaze again, and hope Jose Mourinho holds the torch.

Mourinho, 53, signed a contract Thursday afternoon to become Manchester United's newest manager, according to reports.
   He spent his last stint as Chelsea boss from 2013 to 2015. Mourinho has also coached Real Madrid, Porto, Internationally, and at several squads. The Portuguese former soccer star also served on the staff of Barcelona as an assistant manager.

Along the way, Mourinho has picked up trophies in the Primera Division, Premier League, Serie A, Primeira Liga, FA Cup, Taca de Portugal, Copa del Rey, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and more.

Mourinho is 140-28-44 in 212 career Barclays Premier League matches. The new boss at Old Trafford is a three-time manager of the year.

Paris Saint-Germain superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been rumored to be following Mourinho to United. When asked if he and Mourinho had talked about a union, Ibrahimovic has just smiled at reporters.

"Congratulations to Jose on being announced manager of the biggest club in the world," former United star Rio Ferdinand said on Facebook. "This is Jose Mourinho's most exciting & most challenging job yet."

"The first thing he needs to do is install 'winning mentality' back into the club. Get this ingredient back into the players but also the people that work inside the club day to day. Give them back that belief so it is breathing throughout the club again, which is so important. But doing the above in the Manchester United way is equally as important."

Ibrahimovic claims that he has made his choice about his destination and talked about his "great relationship" with the manager, according to ESPN FC.
"I think it's a great move," Ibrahimovic told ESPN FC. "You want action you bring Mourinho. I believe he is the man to bring them back to the top. Wherever he went, he won. He knows what he's doing. So if you want to win you bring Mourinho. I had a fantastic time with him when I was working with him ... If we will work again, I don't know. Let's see how things play out."

"He will be desperate to silence the media who have been writing and saying negative things about him (he will have stored it all being the competitor he is) and will be as focused as ever," Ferdinand said on Facebook. "Mourinho's huge personality is made for this great club, it's what he has been waiting for. Wishing him all the best!"

Premier League release prize money table for 2015-16 season

At least Arsenal is on top of one league…

The Premier League prize money table has been released for the 2015-16 season and Arsene Wenger‘s pulled in $147 million in prize money and TV money to lead the PL.
   PL champs Leicester City received $135 million and come in fifth place behind Arsenal, Manchester City ($141.6 million), Manchester United ($140.8 million) and Tottenham Hotspur ($139 million).

In contrast with Arsenal’s $147 million at the summit of this table, Aston Villa sit in 20th place but still brought in $97.1 million.

José Mourinho reportedly agrees terms with Manchester United

   Brace yourselves, Manchester United supporters: confirmation of José Mourinho is likely to come imminently.
   José Mourinho has reportedly agreed terms with the Manchester United hierarchy, though "issues such as image rights" still have to be resolved before the Portuguese tactician is officially unveiled. That's according to the Daily Mirror, who claim that an official announcement is as likely to come on Thursday as it is Wednesday.

The deal will apparently be a three-year one, in a rare example of intelligent foresight from Ed Woodward: this way he won't have to sack Mourinho just as the players all decide they hate him. David McDonnell also brings juicy details regarding Mourinho's demands in the transfer market:
                        " Mourinho is said to have instructed United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward                           to sign a new centre-back, right midfielder, central midfielder and centre-forward,                               with free agent Zlatan Ibrahimovic set to be the striker.The incoming United boss is                             understood to want a "captain" in central midfield."

Why now is the time to finally buy a Chromebook

     Google's Chromebooks are getting access to Android apps
   Recently, Google’s Chromebooks have gotten a solid foothold in schools and with consumers who want affordable notebooks to go online. Still, I’ve never been able to recommend a Chromebook to somebody in the market for a full-fledged laptop.

Chromebooks were designed primarily for use while connected to the internet. And, despite notable improvements over the years, Chromebooks are still highly dependent on a strong internet connection. What’s more, the Chrome Web Store is a confusing mess, and any apps you do download only work in the Chrome browser.

But I might start changing my tune about Chromebooks after Google’s announcement that it’s bringing Android apps and the Google Play Store to its laptops. That means Google's Chromebooks could now serve as a viable alternative to standard laptops.

With Android apps like Microsoft’s Office, you’ll be able to create and edit Word documents, edit photos and listen to music you saved to your Spotify account without constantly needing to be connected to the web. And thanks to Google’s new Android N operating system, apps will work in their own resizable windows rather than in Chrome browser tabs.

That might not seem like a huge upgrade, but it will go a long way toward making your Chromebook feel like a true laptop.

It also won’t hurt that Google’s Play Store will bring more than a million apps to Chrome OS. Sure, Chrome OS has its own apps store, but it's nowhere near as large as the Google Play Store. What's more, developers prioritize building apps for Android over Chrome OS, since there are more Android devices in the world. The Play Store is also simply more organized and easier to navigate than the Chrome store.

But before you toss your MacBook or Windows laptop in the trash and rush to the store for a Chromebook, it’s still worth pointing out that Google’s notebooks have limitations.
   First off, Chromebooks simply aren’t meant to be as powerful as competing PCs and MacBooks. So, if you’re going to be doing things like using high-end video and photo-editing software, you’ll want to opt for a MacBook or PC. Ditto if you’re into PC gaming.

There's also the fact that certain Android apps might not offer the same kind of functionality as their OS X or Windows-based counterparts. On top of all of that, not all Chromebooks will run Android apps or the Google Play Store. (Still, Google says Chromebooks that can’t run Android or the Play Store will still receive updates to the Chrome OS.)

Those issues aside, Android’s introduction to Chromebooks will likely put the fear of God in Microsoft and Apple — especially since Chromebook sales already outpaced MacBook sales for the first time even before the addition of Android.

So should you buy a Chromebook now?

Well, if the addition of Android apps and the Google Play Store go as planned, then absolutely. You'll get an incredible number of apps and offline capabilities that will make Chromebooks more useful than ever.

If, however, you want a laptop with a lot of processing power, then you’re still better off going with a Windows PC or MacBook. But for most of us, Chromebooks are finally looking like the low-cost PC and MacBook alternatives they were always meant to be.

This is the best Android phone you can buy

   Shopping for a smartphone can be an intimidating process. After all, you’ll likely spend the next two years with whichever digital companion you buy, so you’d better choose wisely.

If you’re an Apple fan, you’re getting an iPhone. You know it, I know it, your goldfish Steve knows it.

But if you’re looking for an Android phone, then oh boy do you have choices. The newest big-name Android handsets are Samsung’s Galaxy S7, HTC’s 10, and LG’s G5. Each one has impressive features, but only one is the best.
   Design

Samsung Galaxy S7: Samsung’s Galaxy S7 looks a lot like its predecessor, the Galaxy S6. It features a metal frame ensconced by front and back glass panels. Everything about the phone’s design is nearly perfect.
Adding to that is the fact that the S7 is waterproof. You can drop the handset in up to 3 feet of water for 30 minutes and it will keep working, no problem. Unfortunately, thanks to its smooth glass body, the S7 is also a fingerprint magnet, which takes away from its luster.

HTC 10: The HTC 10 comes completely wrapped in a metal body with exaggerated chamfered edges that cause light to delicately reflect off of the handset.Up front, an edge-to-edge glass panel makes the 10 feel as luxurious as any phone on the market. It is, however, a bit on the bulky side.

LG G5: Like the S7 and 10, the LG G5 sports a metal body. But the G5 is unique in that the handset has no physical home button on its front panel. Instead, LG has placed the home button on the back of the phone within easy reach of your pointer finger.The G5 has been designed as a modular handset, which means you can remove the bottom of the phone to do things like change its removable battery or add a camera or speaker extensions.

The takeaway: Each of these phones is well-designed and attractive, but the fact that the S7 is waterproof is incredibly appealing. Sure the LG G5 allows you to swap out your battery, but I’d rather have to recharge my phone than worry about it being ruined after falling in a puddle.

Taylor Swift, Gigi Hadid and Cara Delevingne have something awful in common

   Taylor Swift and her famous friends have been targeted by a dangerous cyber bully, and he's not messing around
   There's definitely one person who doesn't want to be a part of Taylor Swift's gal squad, and unfortunately, he's been harassing the singer and her famous friends.
   According to TMZ, Swift, Gigi Hadid and Cara Delevingne have all become targets of an internet troll who is really out to get them — and has gone so far as to send them death threats.

The unnamed man reportedly told Swift, "I will kill some of you." And sent a very creepy tweet to Hadid, writing, "people gon die they're gon die die die die!"

Delevingne was targeted with a message that read, "I will kill your friends and I am excited about it." Wow.

   But it's not just Swift and her friends that have fallen victim to these cyber threats, as TMZ reveals Chrissy Teigen has also received a message that stated, "gonna give it one shot, but I probably gonna end up murdering your friends."

Director Kyle Newman, whose wife, Jaime King, has reportedly also been receiving messages from this individual, alerted the authorities. Law enforcement are now on the hunt for the culprit and have obtained a warrant to search through Twitter's records in the hopes of discovering his identity.

Once again, we are reminded of the dark side to fame. Let's hope that law enforcement locates this individual soon.

This is probably our first look at a real iPhone 7

   With just four months to go until Apple's new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are released, leaks are definitely starting to pick up pace. It makes sense in light of the recent news that iPhone 7 production is now underway — Apple has never been able to keep a lid on things once workers at its manufacturing partners' plants get their hands on new iPhone parts.

If you haven't already seen them, be sure to check out all of the big iPhone 7 leaks you missed from this past weekend. Once you're done there, we have an even bigger treat for all the eager Apple fans out there: In all likelihood, the leaked photo below is our first look at a genuine iPhone 7 in the flesh.
   Apple news cycles in mainstream media bounce dramatically between positive and negative. Things were generally pretty downbeat as the company's iPhone business made its climb, but then things reversed completely following the record-shattering launch of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Now that reporters and analysts have come to terms with the fact that Apple's iPhone business couldn't grow at breakneck speed forever, things have gotten negative again.

As part of the overall negativity on Apple right now, the idea that the upcoming new iPhone 7 is going to be "boring" has begun to permeate through the media. This downbeat attitude is based solely on rumors surrounding the new iPhone's design. People in the know have suggested repeatedly that the new iPhone 7 will look a great deal like the current iPhone 6s and 2014's iPhone 6, but nothing has really been confirmed at this point.

Until now, perhaps.

We've already discussed why a "boring" new iPhone 7 design probably wouldn't be such a big deal. You can read about why in our earlier post. Apple had better hope that most of its customers feel the same way because it looks like next year's iPhone 7 will indeed look strikingly similar to the current flagship iPhone.

Lil Wayne Has Some Choice Words for Cash Money Records

   Lil Wayne used his platform at the 420 Rally in Denver over the weekend to share his true feelings about Cash Money.
   In short, he told the crowd, “F— Cash Money.” They responded by repeating the phrase with enthusiasm.

Lil Wayne has been in a lengthy battle with the label after he sued Birdman for $51 million, alleging that the label’s co-founder misappropriated funds and didn’t pay his artists what they’re rightfully owed. Birdman retaliated by alleging conspiring to have Lil Wayne killed. The two appeared to put their beef aside back in January, but Birdman’s latest track “Hate” suggests otherwise.

Lil Wayne hasn’t been able to release Tha Carter V because Birdman has reportedly been holding it up. The rapper has released other projects since his latest album’s release date in 2014 came and went. He released ColleGrove with 2 Chainz and is said to have another mixtape with DJ Drama in the works. He’s certainly staying busy, but who knows how these new words will go over at Cash Money headquarters. Most likely not well.

Virginia governor under FBI probe over campaign donations: CNN

Virginia's Democratic governor, Terry McAuliffe, is under investigation by the FBI and the U.S. Justice Department over campaign fundraising, CNN reported on Monday.

Van Gaal sacked by Manchester United

   Louis van Gaal has been sacked as Manchester United manager after two years in charge.The former Netherlands boss arrived at the club's training ground in Carrington shortly before 0900GMT and was informed that his contract would be terminated a year early.

United later confirmed the news in a statement, more than three hours after Van Gaal had left their base.

Executive vice chairman Ed Woodward said: "I would like to thank Louis and his staff for their excellent work in the past two years culminating in winning a record-equalling 12th FA Cup for the club (and securing him a title in four different countries).

"He has behaved with great professionalism and dignity throughout his time here. He leaves us with a legacy of having given several young players the confidence to show their ability on the highest stage. Everyone at the club wishes him all the best in the future."

Speculation has long persisted that Van Gaal will be replaced, with United having missed out on Champions League qualification during a season in which their style of football has faced heavy criticism.

Van Gaal was appointed on a three-year deal to succeed David Moyes in 2014 but failed to deliver consistent results despite significant investment in the playing squad, and he lifted his only piece of silverware on Saturday as United beat Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final.

The Dutchman said in a statement: "It has been an honour to manage such a magnificent club as Manchester United FC, and in doing so, I have fulfilled a long-held ambition.

"I am immensely proud to have helped United win the FA Cup for the 12th time in the club's history. I have been privileged during my management career to have won 20 trophies but winning the FA Cup, which is steeped in so much history, will always be one of the most special achievements of my career.

"I am very disappointed to be unable to complete our intended three-year plan. I believe that the foundations are firmly in place to enable the club to move forward and achieve even greater success.

"I would also like to express my gratitude to the amazing United supporters. They are truly the best fans in the world."

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is expected to be named as his replacement this week.

Van Gaal's time at United will be viewed with little fondness by the majority of the club's supporters.

The Dutchman arrived on the back of guiding his country to a third-placed finish in the 2014 World Cup and with a glittering CV, having won league titles in the Netherlands, Spain and Germany, but he fell well short of winning the Premier League.

Having spent upwards of £140million on the likes of Angel Di Maria, Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera shortly after taking the job, the tone was set in his first Premier League game in charge, a 2-1 defeat at home to Swansea City.

Draws at Sunderland and Burnley followed, either side of a 4-0 thumping at MK Dons in the League Cup. His first win came in a 4-0 defeat of QPR, although any momentum was immediately halted by a 5-3 loss at Leicester City.

Six successive league wins steadied the ship prior to Christmas and, although a title challenge never materialised with Mourinho's Chelsea running away with it, United finished fourth to secure a place back in the Champions League having missed out the season before under Moyes.

Memphis Depay, Matteo Darmian, Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Anthony Martial were signed by Van Gaal prior to the 2015-16 season and they seemed to have the desired effect as United started strongly.

However, a run of six games in November and December without a win derailed their league campaign while a 3-2 defeat to Wolfsburg ended their Champions League challenge at the group stage and saw them slip into the Europa League.

They lost to Liverpool at the last-16 stage to increase the pressure on Van Gaal, though Saturday's 2-1 win over Palace did at least see him end his United career on a high as they lifted the FA Cup for the first time in 12 years.