August 2019

Columbia Hillen

Promptly at six, the ceremony began.

Columbia Hillen

In honor of Napoleon, whom Christopher Biguet, the friendly French food and beverage executive, said, “drank champagne whenever and wherever he could,” the friendly Parisian swung his sword, deftly decapitating the cork from a bottle of fine champagne.

Columbia Hillen

Almost a stone’s throw from the White House, hotel guests gathered in the lobby of The St. Regis Washington for the evening tradition known as ‘sabering’ quaffed complimentary bubbly and chatted amiably with each other as a jazz duet struck up the first chords of the classic tune, ‘Make Believe.’

Columbia Hillen

This little soiree celebrating transition from day to night launched our evening off to a perfect start, culminating in a fine dinner at the Alhambra restaurant.

Named Regis after a lake in upper New York state, this 172-room luxury hotel, part of the Starwood chain owned by Marriott International, was founded in 1926 by John Jacob Astor IV, a rich industrialist who died aboard the Titanic. 

Lavish may be an understated adjective to describe it.

Columbia Hillen

A spacious lobby, accommodating more than 400 people and featuring an ornately coffered ceiling and three glittering chandeliers, is festooned with lush furnishings: Palladian windows, velvet sofas, fresh orchids and roses, smoked mirrors, gilt-framed chairs, floor-to-ceiling curtains, marble-topped tables and embroidered, multi-colored cushions.

To enhance the ambiance even more, the reception and concierge desks are located discreetly in rooms off the main lobby while glass display cases house high-end jewellery, handbags and other accessories from brands such as the White House History Shop and Gucci. 

Columbia Hillen

We basked in the immensity of Suite 510 with multiple rooms, chandeliers above our bed, separate bath and shower, two toilets, four armchairs around a sturdy polished wood table in an extended dining-room, gilt-framed mirrors and paintings, as well as sophisticated toiletries by New York based Laboratoire Remede. The room was even furnished with a special machine that dispensed perfectly chilled plum wine by the glass.

Columbia Hillen

And as we were in a suite, we could also avail of our very own St. Regis Butler Service, which includes daily tea or coffee delivery, unpacking and packing services, and 24/7 access to our butler via email. The hotel even offers a complimentary Sedan service for travel within a two mile radius on a first-come-first-served basis.

Columbia Hillen

Designed by renowned architect David Rockwell, the Alhambra restaurant is every bit as opulent as the lobby including hanging chandeliers and an ornate ceiling, though where the lobby displays strong Neo-Renaissance French influence, the restaurant exudes a more contemporary one. 

Seating is either in private booths or open table. For a cocktail with a difference, try Capitol Mary, the hotel’s take on the classic Bloody Mary. It’s made with gin, clam juice and Maryland-based Old Bay seasoning.

Columbia Hillen

Serving up Mediterranean and French cuisine, we delighted in a three-course menu which included grilled octopus with cauliflower, lobster ravioli and a traditional bouillabasse, completing our evening with special concoctions, smokey Caipirinha (whiskey, syrup and lime) and French 75 (cognac, cava and lime juice).

Columbia Hillen

Close to the White House and Capitol Hill, corporate business is well catered for at St. Regis with more than 11,000 square feet of event space in eight different rooms, including the Astor Ballroom which accommodates around 300 people. 

The hotel has also hosted important celebrities and dignitaries down through the years, from presidents and prime ministers to well-known actresses such as Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor. 

Columbia Hillen

With some of the city’s main attractions such as the Smithsonian Museum, the Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington National Cathedral, Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Smithsonian Institute close-by, it is also a prime deluxe stay-over for tourists visiting the US capital. 


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A Huawei logo displayed at a retail store in Beijing.

Fred Dufour | AFP | Getty Images

Huawei will launch a new flagship phone next month which may not come with Google apps, a source with direct knowledge of the matter told CNBC, as the Chinese firm faces being blocked from accessing the search giant's software.

The Mate 30 will be showcased at a September 19 launch event in Munich, Germany, the source said. It will be powered by Huawei's latest processor called the Kirin 990 which is yet to be unveiled. The Mate 30 will be able to connect to next-generation mobile networks known as 5G which promise super-fast data speeds.

Huawei is pushing ahead with the launch despite being on a U.S. blacklist known as the Entity List. It restricts American firms from doing business with the Chinese company. But the tech giant has been given another 90-day reprieve under which U.S. firms can apply for special licenses to sell to Huawei.

Google is subject to these restrictions. Huawei relies on Google's Android operating system to power its smartphones. In China, Huawei uses a modified version of Android which is stripped of Google services like Gmail or Maps because those are blocked in the country. Instead, it pre-loads its own apps. But in international markets, those Google services are pre-loaded on Huawei phones.

Not having access to Google services abroad could damage Huawei's global ambitions to become the number one smartphone maker in the world, analysts say.

A Google spokesman told Reuters on Wednesday the Mate 30 cannot be sold with licensed Google apps and services due to the U.S. blacklist, adding that the temporary reprieve does not apply to new products such as the upcoming smartphone.

Huawei recently launched its own operating system called HarmonyOS but the source said that it is too soon to put this on the Mate 30.

"We won't launch the Harmony system into the smartphone in such a short time as it will damage the relationship and trust between Huawei and Google since we have been working with Google for many years," the source told CNBC.

Instead, Huawei has another option if it cannot license Google services. It will use an open-source version of Android which will not have Google apps pre-installed on the smartphone. Users could of course download them after.

Huawei will launch the Mate 30 in international markets as well as China, despite potentially not having access to Google services, the source said, adding that the company is still hoping for some sort of resolution to be reached.

"We are still expecting some miracle to happen," the source told CNBC.

"For smartphone operating systems, the open Android operating system and the ecosystem around it are still our first choice. Please stay tuned for our new products," a Huawei spokesperson said.

Some of these details were first reported by Reuters.

The company has already felt the effects of the Entity List in international markets. It's smartphone shipments in Europe plunged 16% year-on-year in the second quarter of the year. However, in China, its shipments surged as it turned its attention to its home market.

No problem with chips

Huawei has been stepping up its focus on its own core technology, from modems to processors, and now its own operating system in a bid to wean itself off of a reliance on American products.

The Kirin 990 processor which will feature in the Mate 30 was developed by Huawei's HiSilicon unit. It is based on designs by Softbank-owned Arm Holdings. However, the company suspended business with Huawei in May, because its chip designs contain U.S. technology.

The source said that getting access to the components required for the smartphone is "not an issue," however.

Reuters reported Wednesday that Huawei's Arm license is based on work that predated the blacklisting of the Chinese telecoms giant, citing a person familiar with the plans.

Arm Holdings was not immediately available for comment when contacted by CNBC.


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United Airlines on Friday said it doesn't plan to fly the Boeing 737 Max until Dec. 19, more than a month later than previously expected, as the worldwide grounding of the jets approaches the six-month mark and flight cancellations pile up during the holiday season.

Regulators grounded the planes around the world in mid-March after two fatal crashes — one in Indonesia in October and another in Ethiopia in March — killed all 346 people who were aboard the flights.

United and its U.S. competitors who have the Max in their fleets, American and Southwest, have canceled thousands of flights during the busy summer travel season as the planes' grounding wears on. They have also repeatedly extended cancellations from the Max. Regulators have not yet said when they will allow the planes to return to service, creating a headache for flight and crew scheduling.

Southwest last month pulled the plane from its schedules until early January, the latest of the U.S. carriers.

United, which has 14 Boeing 737 Max 9 jets in its fleet, had previously expected the planes to return Nov. 3. The new change, which means United won't have the planes in time for the busy Thanksgiving holiday, will mean 93 flight cancellations a day in November, and 96 a day from Dec. 1-18, or an estimated 1,700 flights that month.

United's targeted return date of Dec. 19 will bring the planes back just before the Christmas travel period. But that return depends on Boeing and aviation regulators.

Boeing developed a software fix for the planes, after investigators implicated a flight-control program that repeatedly pushed down the noses of the two Max jets that crashed. It said it expects the planes to fly again early in the fourth quarter.

American Airlines has removed the planes from its schedules until Nov. 2. American's senior vice president for customer experience, Kerry Philipovitch, told reporters at an industry conference this week that the airline is confident the Max will return in time for the end-of-year holidays.


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Hurricane Dorian has been upgraded to a Category 4, a major and extremely dangerous hurricane, and could now make landfall in the Carolinas.

"There's been a notable change overnight to the forecast of Dorian after Tuesday," the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said on Twitter Saturday morning. However, the NHC also stressed that the new forecast does not preclude Dorian making landfall on the Florida coast.

Early on Saturday morning, Dorian was bearing down on the northwestern Bahamas with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph and was located about 445 miles east of West Palm Beach, Florida.

Forecasters expect the hurricane will hit the east coast on Tuesday morning, while other models predict it will rip through central Florida. Dorian could unleash catastrophic winds, heavy flooding and life-threatening storm surge exacerbated by high tides at the coast.

Florida residents are scrambling to secure supplies at crowded grocery stores and waiting for hours at gas stations that are running out of fuel.

Dorian could also be the first hurricane of Category 4 or higher to hit Florida since 2018, when Hurricane Michael slammed into the Panhandle and caused widespread damage. 

"Two days ago, no one was worried," said Sarah Lam, a clinical researcher who lives in Miami. "Everyone's in survival mode now."

"As soon as I went to the grocery store, shopping carts were gone, people were bringing their own luggage so they could roll the water gallons away and shoving past each other."

"But all the water was gone. And the majority of gas stations are out of gas," she added.

The entire state of Florida is under a declaration of emergency. No evacuations were ordered as of early Friday, but many are expected as the storm's path becomes clearer. If Dorian hits Florida, it would be the fourth hurricane to do so since 2016, after Hermine in 2016, Irma in 2017 and Michael in 2018.

The Florida National Guard has activated 2,500 members, with another 1,500 on standby. The state has also ordered a million gallons of water and sent 860,000 bottles of water to counties.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis warned residents to load up on a week's worth of food, water and medicine, as well as prepare for power outages for multiple days. On Friday, people were racing to finish storm preparations, cleaning out grocery store shelves and causing delays at gas stations as cars lined up for fuel.

Rochelle (L) and Venicia Crise fill sand bags in preparation for the hurricane Dorian on August 29, 2019 in Casselberry, Florida.

Gerardo Mora | Getty Images

Concern over fuel

Gas stations have been running out of fuel rapidly, as happened in 2017 during Hurricane Irma, which hit Florida and triggered gas outages across the state. Some residents are even leaving their cars at the stations.

On Friday, more than half the gas stations in Miami and West Palm Beach had no fuel left, as well as nearly half the gas stations in Fort Myers and Gainesville, according to gas-tracking app Gas Buddy.

In response, the state has set up police escorts to deliver more gas to stations, and waived service and truck rates for fuel trucks, DeSantis said on Friday morning. Some officials expect that fuel shipments could be delayed.

However, AAA Florida assured residents that there was still plenty of gas to fill cars and the gas tanks for generators, as long as port terminals remain open and trucks continue to make deliveries. And Colonial Pipeline, which delivers gas and diesel fuel, said it was operating normally and doesn't plan to shut down.

"Gas stations can only hold so much fuel at a time. As hurricanes approach, retailers run out of gasoline, like stores run out of water," said AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins. "However, work will continue as long as it is safe, to resupply those tanks. Although there is still plenty of gasoline in the state, the challenge is getting it from the terminals to the pump."

President Donald Trump on Friday ordered federal assistance to supplement state and local responses to the storm, after DeSantis extended an emergency declaration in all the state's 67 counties.

The president also canceled a trip to Poland on Thursday to ensure resources are directed for the storm, adding that the storm "could be an absolute monster."

"The biggest concern will be Dorian's slow motion when it is near Florida, placing some areas of the state at an increasing risk of a prolonged, drawn-out event of strong winds, dangerous storm surge, and heavy rainfall," the National Hurricane Center said in a Friday morning advisory.

"Residents should have their hurricane plan in place, know if they are in a hurricane evacuation zone, and listen to advice given by local emergency officials," the Hurricane Center said.

Correction: Hurricane Dorian could be the first Category 4 storm or higher to hit Florida since 2018. A previous version of this story misstated the year.  


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Images Credit Bulgari and Bulgari Hotels and Resorts

The name of Bulgari brings to mind fine jewels, high style, and Italian beauty. To the delight of discerning travelers, this iconic jewellery house has extended its brand DNA into the hospitality industry with their fine hotel experiences in select locations around the world. China’s seat of power is the dynamic cosmopolitan city of Beijing and is also where you’ll find the Bulgari Hotel Beijing. 

The Bulgari Hotel Beijing is really an urban oasis as much as it is a hotel with only 119 spacious rooms as well as one of the top spa’s in Beijing, a fine Italian restaurant and one of the city’s swankiest bars.  The hotel is located adjacent to two glittering modern business towers, a new contemporary art museum, and sits along the picturesque Liangma River.

The hotel has become an instant iconic landmark, made of limestone exteriors in a sharp geometric pattern that soars to an apex with the Bvlgari nameplate emblazed across the top. Upon arrival you’ll see hotel guests alight from the latest model Maserati cars provided to whisk the hotel’s guests around the city with compliments of the hotel. Upon entering, the gravitas of the hotel begins to manifest itself with a larger than life oil painting of Bvlgari’s founder, Sotrio Bulgari, by famed Chinese artist Yan Pei.  The hallway leads past the gilded Bulgari logo and iconic Bulgari eight-point star motif engraved in the black granite floor. The Bulgari brand is tastefully integrated in the hotel’s décor with displays of Bulgari’s haute jewelry collections, celebrity photographs, and vintage jewellery sketches.

The hotel has been created to impress the most jaded of travelers with its size, grandeur and decadent interiors of three-story ceilings and wide-open spaces. The hotel’s lobby is expansive with plush leather couches and sitting areas centered around a fireplace. Adorning the mantle are oversized prints of a collection of Bvlgari vintage photographs of celebrities, models and baubles. There you’ll find Beijing’s elite who mix and mingle with the hotel’s jet set guests throughout lobby lounge and the adjacent bar.   

Beijing is the center of power and wealth for one of the most commanding superpowers in the world. Unless you’ve been to Beijing in the past 5 years, you’ll want to forget what you may think you know and reassess your opinion. Heavy pollution, overpopulated areas, and a closed-off and rigid society are now a thing of the past. The city has implemented a set of reforms and bold moves to reduce pollution by closing down polluting factories, reducing the population by sending non-Beijing residents back to their provinces, and also reducing the amount of traffic. Today, Beijing is completely cosmopolitan with cleaner air, large western style malls, and green landscapes, yet has preserved its rich heritage, iconic landmarks, and culture. In addition, Beijing ranks in the top 10 cities with the most billionaires and millionaires so on the street you’ll see the newest McLaren’s, Rolls Royce’s galore as well as an endless offering of luxury brand shops just as you would on Rodeo Drive or High Street. The people are friendly and welcome foreigners as they want to learn from us as well.

The Bulgari brand is synonymous with the fine colored jewels and Italian artisanship. This brand identity is reincarnated as chic Italian oasis inside the heart of Beijing constructed with haute Italian design, contemporary architecture and made with the finest materials and craftsmanship. The design reflects the quintessential definition of classy, elegant, and sophisticated without being showy, gaudy or ‘blinged out’. One of the hotels most iconic features is its spiral staircase that is as much art as it is function, in at the staircase’s center is a Murano glass chandeliers with hundreds of blow glass lights creating a surreal design masterpiece. 

The design masterworks continue throughout the hotel with another amazing creation in the Il Bar where Beijing’s upper crust and hotels guests gather as the sun goes down. The space is flooded with natural light through three story high windows with a view of the hotel’s landscaped gardens as well as the teak deck filled with tables under canvas umbrellas. The center piece of the Il Bar is the massive hand-hammered bronze oval bar surrounded with bespoke highchairs, bottles of top shelf spirits and topped with four-foot-tall colourful fresh-cut flower arrangements. This oval bar feature is a signature of Bulgari hotels and inspired by the hull of the boat in the Fontana della Barcaccia fountain in Rome which is steps away from the Bvlgari headquarters. Although the location is Beijing, you’ll always be reminded that the soul of the Bulgari Hotel in the home of the brand, Rome.

Out of doors is spectacular as well with lush, sculptured Italian gardens of indigenous plants, pine trees, and bamboo with large wood pergola allowing a hidden space to relax in a natural oasis in the manic city. Hotel guests enjoy the private park environment of the hotel grounds as well as a tree-lined boardwalk along the river.

The 119 accommodations are as chic and contemporary with Italian designer furnishings, polished wood floors, intricate herringbone headboards and chairs, Cashmere blankets and the lavish leather walled vanity niche.  The bathrooms are exquisite as well with heated floors, Palazzo marble finishes, black granite baths, separate travertine showers and those lovely Bulgari bath amenities. The complimentary services and perks continue to impress with drinks in the mini bar as well as garment pressing and Berluti shoeshine.  All the rooms are spacious, among the largest in the city, with high ceilings, flooded with light from the floor to ceiling widows and offer exceptional views of the Liangma River or the Beijing skyline.

Although the property exudes class without being ostentatious, that refrained ‘bling’ terminates at its lavish Bulgari Suite.  There is nothing subtle about this palatial suite which is one of the largest in the city at over 4000 square feet with its own private spa treatment room, and sauna. The interior design is gorgeous with a large living room replete with bespoke designer furnishings, elevated ceilings with floor to ceiling windows, and twin circular chandeliers with glittering crystal rods adding sparkles against its black granite floors. The bathroom is made for luxuriating with white travertine surfaces, a beautiful green onyx stone walled rain shower for two and a plunge pool size Brera Jacuzzi.    

Italy is known for its gastronomic prowess, so rest assured the dining experience at the Bulgari Hotel Beijing is as exceptional as the accommodations. The hotel has partnered with one of the top chefs in the world, Niko Romito who helms the three-star Michelin restaurant Reale in Italy. Chef Niko works closely with the restaurant staff to select the cuisines and oversees the operation, ingredients, and each dish served.

Il Ristorante Niko Romito is an intimate dining experience with less than 40 tables serving some of the most exquisite haute Italian cuisine in the city. Before the amuse bouche is served, the interiors begin to wet the appetite with window side tables offering outdoor views of the gardens or the oval shaped dark brown leather high back banquets made for getting cosy with your loved one. Descending from the two-story high ceilings are hundreds of blown glass Murano lights that dapple the room in subtle illumination to resemble stars in the midnight sky.

Each culinary pleasure is created with premium Italian and international ingredients and served with a gorgeous presentation. The degustation menu with wine pairing is an exquisite dining experience with dish as after dish offering a delicious taste and flair such as the Marinated sea bream, oscietra caviar, sour cream and extra-virgin olive oil or the 72-hours marinated New Zealand lamb chop with black truffle, or decadent chocolate desert. All of which are paired with fabulous wines from their wine cellar of 500 labels such as the Tuscan wines produced by the Bulgari family.   

Before or after dinner, guests will want to bend the elbow at Il Bar. This is the watering hole for Beijing’s in crowd, local celebrities and tastemakers. The bar scene is sophisticated and chic and during the week, friends gather after work for Aperitivo hour at the close out the workday with a glass of wine, Aperol Spritz and canapes.  On weekends, Il Bar is the Beijing hot spot with a DJ playing sexy up-tempo lounge music while with patrons gathering around the bar or outdoor on the deck. Il Bar is Beijing’s leader of cocktail culture, staffed by talented hipster mixologist as well as frequent regional celebrity bartenders who drop in to whip up fantastic signature cocktails to the delight of their patrons.

The 160,00 square foot Bulgari Hotel Beijing Spa is impressive, offering a select menu of Chinese and Western treatments using La Mer skin care products. The Spa features 11 treatment rooms as well as a relaxation area and men’s and women’s facilities with steam and sauna facilities. The therapists are extremely well trained and knowledgeably about the healing arts such as their massages go deep into sore and knotted muscles releasing tension and leaving worn bodies relaxed and rejuvenated.  

The hotel features a gorgeous 80-foot indoor heated pool adorned with roman pillars, mosaic walls and offers the ambiance of a Roman bath. Guest will enjoy the personal cabanas shrouded with white linen for a bit of privacy and ideal for a snooze in between dips. The pools most alluring feature is the gurgling vitality pool with beautiful green and orange mosaic and water fall under the stone etched Bulgari name plate.       

For a great work out on the road Bulgari partnered with London’s Workshop Gymnasium which was founded by renown personal trainer for British royalty and A-list clients, Lee Mullins. Bespoke workouts are led by an expert physical trainer using weights and cardio allowing guests to reach their fitness goals be it weight loss, strengthening or toning. The gym experience is set in the hotel’s work our facility which is open to all guests and features state of the art Technogym and Kinesis equipment.

Beyond the endless list of wows from the décor, setting, accommodations meal and spa, the Bulgari Hotel Beijing continues to distinguish itself by having an extremely well trained and caring staff. Each interaction is pleasant attentive, discreet and professional. 

It is rare to find perfection; in a jewel or anything else. Bvlgari is one of the most respected Italian jewellery houses and for it to extend its brand into hospitality, they assuredly expect to the same pursuit of perfection as they built into their brand for over 100 years. Exceptional accommodations, fine Italian dining, a fabulous spa, ensconced in a lavish setting, inside and out, is what guests will remember most about their stay. This urban resort, created for the Beijing elite and jet-setters and is a fine testament to the brand's founder, Sotrio Bulgari, who would surely be proud of his legacy and the Bulgari Hotel Beijing.


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File photo of a ride-sharing driver displaying Lyft and Uber stickers on his front windshield in downtown Los Angeles.

AP Photo | Richard Vogel

Uber and Lyft on Thursday pledged $60 million to a California ballot initiative for the 2020 election that would maintain the status of their drivers as contract workers.

The companies have been fighting a California bill that could force them to reclassify their drivers as employees. The bill passed through the California Assembly in May and is working its way through the state Senate.

"We are working on a solution that provides drivers with strong protections that include an earnings guarantee, a system of worker-directed portable benefits, and first-of-its kind industry-wide sectoral bargaining, without jeopardizing the flexibility drivers tell us they value so much," said Adrian Durbin, Lyft senior director of communications, in a statement. "We remain focused on reaching a deal, and are confident about bringing this issue to the voters if necessary."

Under Lyft and Uber's proposed ballot measure, California drivers would be receive more protections and benefits while maintaining their status as independent contractors. Those benefits would include a minimum earnings of $21 per booked hour, injured worker protection, and paid sick leave and paid family leave for those who drive a minimum of 20 hours per week. 

WATCH: Here's how to see which apps have access to your Facebook data — and cut them off


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The runup to the 2020 Democratic primaries is in full swing as the candidates argue over the best way to approach policy. One of the biggest policy divides: the role of private health insurance.

Many countries provide government funded universal health care while offering secondary private insurance. One country that's frequently overlooked: Australia.

Watch the video above to learn more about how Australia's health-care system works, and how it compares with the United States'.


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Apple CEO Tim Cook attends the Economic Summit held for the China Development Forum in Beijing on March 23, 2019.

Laurent Fievet | AFP | Getty Images

Google released a compilation of in-depth research on vulnerabilities in Apple's operating system Thursday night.

The research is interesting and comprehensive, but the impact of the flaws on most iPhone users may not be huge. Also, Google is using the compiled research to publicly needle Apple, following Apple's campaign to differentiate its products on privacy and security.

Here are some top takeaways from the report.

This is not one "bug," but a series of related flaws or problems compiled together in one place by Google's Project Zero. The release involved several in-depth studies Google's Project Zero researchers have conducted over the years. In many cases, the bugs discovered were reported to Apple and fixed with subsequent iOS releases.

Most of the vulnerabilities have already been reported. In one case, a partner researcher from 360 Security, a mobile security application company, earned $200,000 in a November 2018 public hacking competition competition for discovering the previously unknown flaw.

Project Zero is Google's test ground for finding so-called "zero-day exploits" in operating systems, software and hardware. "Zero day" is a reference to the number of days the public has had to use a known patch to a previously unknown vulnerability, so when a vulnerability is newly discovered, it is considered "day zero" of being able to fix it.

The flaws typically start, according to the research, with a targeted "watering hole" attack. In this type of attack, a hacker compromises a single website that is expected to be popular to a specific group of people that the hacker is targeting. Simply visiting the site infects the user's device with malicious code that can be used for a variety of purposes. In this case, it was used to monitor what a user does on their iPhone.

It's unclear how successful these attacks were. But it is clear from the research presented that some of the exploits have been observed "in the wild," as opposed to merely in a research lab. Google says the issue could have affected thousands of devices, but it is not clear how or whether anyone has been directly impacted by these flaws.

Apple has not yet weighed in. Google's claims encompass several issues that have been raised since at least 2014, so Apple may come back with a more nuanced answer to the claims made by Project Zero. It will be interesting to see how they craft a response given their full-throated marketing position of Apple as the most secure phone maker.

Tim Cook has personally lobbed attacks at the security and privacy issues affecting companies like Google and Facebook, and Project Zero has taken direct aim at that with this post.

Google is clearly using the compiled Project Zero research as a counter-measure to Apple's privacy marketing. "Real users make risk decisions based on the public perception of the security of these devices," Google's report says. "The reality remains that security protections will never eliminate the risk of attack if you're being targeted."

The companies that have been targeted directly by Apple's privacy campaign and by the words of its executives have taken a number of actions to fight back. Former Facebook chief security officer Alex Stamos responded to today's Apple news on Twitter by saying, "This is a huge find by Google's team. Attribution for these sites is going to be critical to understanding what impact they might have had." Stamos has also criticized Apple's work in China, and Google CEO Sundar Pichai has taken jabs at Apple, saying in the past "privacy cannot be a luxury good. "

Expect to see more takedowns of Apple's privacy and security. Google's research is solid, but the impact on the average iPhone user is almost certainly negligible. In addition, most of these flaws have been fixed via iPhone's frequent iOS update pushes. This is one of what will be a series of security and privacy pile-ons targeted at Apple in the coming years, as the company seeks to further differentiate itself on security and its rivals try to continue poking holes in that position.

Follow @CNBCtech on Twitter for the latest tech industry news.


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(credit: Courtesy of Sage Lodge)

Alongside the Yellowstone River, Sage Lodge opened in summer 2018 in the heart of Paradise Valley in Montana. The luxury resort offers an ideal rural escape for adventure seekers and rejuvenators alike to bask in the beauty of southern Montana. Situated on more than a mile of Yellowstone riverfront with the majestic Emigrant Peak as a backdrop, Sage Lodge offers an authentic Montana experience for all travelers. 

Just 35 minutes from Yellowstone National Park, the resort presents 50 guest rooms, including a 34-room lodge and four stand-alone ranch houses which are tailor made for guest’s stays. As each Ranch House 2,783 square feet it is ideal for a group getaway or retreat or can be booked individually. With four separate guestrooms totaling six king beds and two queen pullout sofas, with a private bathroom in each guestroom per ranch house, all rooms connect to a central space with a dining area, living room, double-sided gas fireplace, full kitchen and private patio with outdoor fireplace. 

(credit: Courtesy of Sage Lodge)

From inspiring peaks to go explore to rolling rivers to expansive landscapes unique to the Northwest, Sage Lodge awakens a strong sense of adventure. The ultimate Montana luxury resort getaway provides a multitude of year-around outdoor activities including hiking, fly-fishing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, birding, dog sledding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing weather permitting. Through a partnership with SAGE, an innovative, world-class manufacturer of performance fly fishing equipment, Sage Lodge offers lessons for every experience level from their catch and release pond on property to guided excursions to the best locations in Paradise Valley.

(credit: Courtesy of Sage Lodge)

Located less than an hour from Bozeman, the lodge provides distinctive Montana hospitality from their warm-welcoming staff and being a dog-friendly resort, you can often spot General Manager Paul Robertson’s yellow lab Norm roaming around the property. The ranch-like décor of all their structures is inspired by the great outdoors and affords guests with unparalleled views in every direction. Interior design firm Degen & Degen bring the outdoors inside from the shared spaces to individual rooms and suites making sure that the surrounding landscape was properly reflected and shown. 

Whether looking for outdoor adventure or a peaceful getaway, Sage Lodge offers a unique blend of extravagant offerings with the rustic outdoors. The Spa at Sage Lodge offers a cedarwood sauna, steam room, relaxation lounge, and outdoor jacuzzi for guests to relax and rejuvenate after their adventures. Guests can choose from numerous treatments or tailored services, like the angler’s massage or gentleman’s grooming package.  The spa allows guests to experience the natural elements of Paradise Valley with an array of services ranging from massages to facials to body treatments. 

(credit: Courtesy of Sage Lodge)

At The Grill at Sage Lodge, Chef Brian Sullivan brings new meaning to fine dining in Montana with his whimsical yet true take on Montana-fare. In a warm environment with open kitchen and windows looking out onto the property, the center of the restaurant is its wood-fired grill which immerses guests in captivating flames, the crackling of the firewood and the aromas of freshly prepared meats and fish. From their popular Rattlesnake Fritters to the jaw-dropping Tomahawk for Two (it is served with the bone and 32-oz ribeye on the same plate), a must try is their Grass or Grain? entrée. This dish provides diners three tastings of grain fed meat from Yellowstone grass-fed beef (Y.G.B.), grass fed meat from mt ranch and mt wagyu cattle co., allowing guests the ability to taste the difference between how their food is fed.

(credit: Courtesy of Sage Lodge)

Choose from one of their seasonal, multi-day itineraries, like five-night Yellowstone Discovery, or an all-inclusive program, like the Ultimate Fly-Fishing Escape, or create your own adventure with a selection of à la carte activities. Two experiences that are not to be missed in the evening are the sunset llama trek to a beautiful spot on the 1,200 acre property for a fresh picnic or the Yellowstone Sunset River Tour, a guided float down the Yellowstone River complete with gourmet cheese boards, light hors d’oeuvres, wine and beer.  In this two to three-hour journey, guests learn the topography of the region and can see first-hand the wide variety of animals from the riverbank shore.

A stay at Sage Lodge will present awe-inspiring views, abundant outdoor adventure and activities and top-notch service beckoning travelers for a true luxury yet authentic experience. 


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Apple said on Thursday it will start offering independent repair shops parts, tools and guides to help fix broken iPhones.

The new repair program allows big and small repair outfits to sign up and get access to parts for common out-of-warranty repairs, something that was previously restricted to Apple's network of authorized service providers.

The move represents an about-face for Apple, which typically encourages any repairs to be made by its authorized service providers and makes it difficult for users to replace aging or broken parts themselves. Additionally, the company has fought California's proposed right-to-repair bill, which would require companies such as Apple to make repair information and parts available to both device owners and independent repair shops.

Apple said the new program is free to join but that shops will be required to have an Apple-certified technician who has taken a preparatory course provided by the company. Repairs will not be covered by Apple's warranty, and independent providers will have to offer their own warranties for service, an Apple spokesperson told CNBC.

To start, Apple is launching the program in the U.S. before rolling it out to more countries. The company said it has already conducted successful trials of the program with 20 independent repair businesses in North America, Europe and Asia.

"When a repair is needed, a customer should have confidence the repair is done right," Jeff Williams, Apple's chief operating officer, said in a statement. "We believe the safest and most reliable repair is one handled by a trained technician using genuine parts that have been properly engineered and rigorously tested."

Apple has received criticism from users and right-to-repair advocates who say the company should make it easier for them to repair their own devices. Most recently, the company faced an uproar after repair experts discovered it was issuing iPhone service alerts when users attempted to swap out their battery for a new one.

The company has taken some steps to change its stance on the matter. In June, Apple announced it would allow all U.S. Best Buy stores to handle some repairs.

-- Kif Leswing contributed to this story.


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Disney opened its Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge land at Walt Disney World's Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida, to massive crowds Thursday.

This opening came three months after Disney greeted guests at its first Star Wars-themed land in Anaheim, California.

During a media event in Orlando, Florida this week, the Bob Chapek, chairman of parks, experiences and products at Disney, praised the Imagineers behind the massive billion-dollar undertakings.

"Every aspect of this land, from the droid tracks on the pavement to the spires that reach the sky, is 100% authentically Star Wars," he said. "And every experience, from visiting the Cantina for a glass of blue milk to piloting the Millennium Falcon, to interacting with your favorite characters, immerses you deeper into your very own Star Wars story."

Kylo Ren and two First Order Stormtroopers at Disney's Star Wars Galaxy's Edge.

Disney

While both the California and the Florida park lands were under construction at the same time, Chapek said the team of Imagineers learned a lot from the Anaheim launch in May. He said the company was able to use the experience of running Batuu 3,000 miles away when putting the final touches on the Orlando location.

Here are the four biggest takeaways the company learned from California:

Attendance constraints

For the first month that Galaxy's Edge was open in California, fans had to make reservations to enter the land. The company permitted guests to wander the land in four-hour increments, an attempt to keep crowd sizes under control and to get a sense of how people would interact within Batuu.

Once that month was over, Disney opened up the park to all guests visiting the Disneyland park. However, it blocked out annual passholders. This was a way to ensure that crowds would not become overwhelming.

Disney did not institute a reservation system for park entrance in Orlando, however.

"We probably didn't need to constrain attendance purposefully as much as we did because the attraction works so darn well," Chapek said. "Always err on the side of the guest experience and making sure those guests are satisfied. Now knowing that, we will not put on ourselves the same constraints."

Visitors to Black Spire Outpost fill the Marketplace on opening day at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, May 31, 2019.

MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images | MediaNews Group | Getty Images

To handle the massive crowds on Thursday, shortly after 6 a.m., the company instituted its virtual queue for parkgoers to gain entry to the land.

The estimated wait time for Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run was around 300 minutes, or five hours, although several parkgoers said Disney's cast members said the ride had a 10-hour wait time. There were also reports of long lines at the milk stands and at some merchandise locations.

Disney did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment.

Drinking at Oga's Cantina

Another big learning curve for the Imagineers was the high demand from guests to saddle up to the bar at Oga's Cantina.

At the end of June, Disney announced that reservations to get into the land were no longer required. However, guests that wanted to set foot in Oga's Cantina or Savi's Workshop — where guests can build a lightsaber — need to enter a virtual queue. At the Anaheim park, Disney opens the online reservation system for these experiences each day at 7 a.m. local time.

From left to right, alcoholic beverages: The Outer Rim, Bespin Fizz, Yub Nub, and Fuzzy Tauntaun.

Kent Phillips/Disney Parks

Reservations can be made through the Disneyland app or through the park's website and a deposit will be required.

For Oga's, a fee of $10 per person must be placed when a reservation is booked. However, Disney only charges if the guest doesn't check in for the time slot. Parkgoers have 45 minutes in the cantina and at least one person in the group must be over age 14.

The interior of Oga's Cantina at Star Wars Galaxy's Edge.

Disney

At Savi's Workshop, the deposit is $199.99, or the full cost of the experience. Like Oga's, the deposit at Savi's will be forfeited if the guest doesn't show up.

"Reservations are nontransferable and may not be sold or bartered," the company posted on its website. So, be prepared to show a reservation confirmation, a photo ID and the credit card that was used to book the experience. Disney wants to prevent people from making reservations and then reselling them to other guests.

Sabaac, Lothcats and First Order flags — oh my!

Chapek said another thing that became very clear, very quickly in California is that the company needs to stock more merchandise.

Cast members in California told CNBC that items like Sabaac cards, Lothcat dolls and First Order flags were sold out and it wasn't clear when the items would be back on shelves at the Black Spire Outpost. Kyber crysals and certain droid parts were also among items that were hard to find in the park.

Conveyor belt filled with droid parts at the Droid Depot on Batuu at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge land.

Disney

A bartender at Oga's said the cantina has been sold out of its Rancor Teeth beer flights since the second week after opening and it hadn't been restocked since.

Chapek said that Orlando's Galaxy's Edge is fully stocked and ready for guests to arrive.

Blue vs. green milk

Fans were also very eager to try out the dairy-free green and blue milks sold in the land. Chapek said the company discovered that it needed to have more than one location that sold the thirst-quenching libations in order to meet demand.

Blue and Green Milk at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge

Kent Phillips/Disney Parks

When you ask cast members and guests which colored milk is better, you'll get a variety of answers. However, it seems that people are either in favor of one or the other, never both. You'll have to take a sip to determine which one is more suited to your palate.


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Russian President Vladimir Putin watches the Red Square Victory Day Parade, on May 9, 2019 in Moscow, Russia.

Mikhail Svetlov | Getty Images News | Getty Images

WASHINGTON — A U.S. intelligence assessment found that the mysterious explosion off of Russia's northern coast occurred during a recovery mission to salvage a nuclear-powered missile from the ocean floor, according to people with direct knowledge of the report.

The mysterious explosion on Aug. 8 killed five scientists and sparked fears that Russia had tested its new nuclear-powered Burevestnik missile, also known as Skyfall.

"This was not a new launch of the weapon, instead it was a recovery mission to salvage a lost missile from a previous test," said a person with direct knowledge of the U.S. intelligence assessment. "There was an explosion on one of the vessels involved in the recovery and that caused a reaction in the missile's nuclear core which lead to the radiation leak," said another person, who spoke to CNBC on the condition of anonymity.

The U.S. intelligence report did not mention potential health or environmental risks posed by damage to the missile's nuclear reactor.

CNBC learned last year of Moscow's similar preparations to try to recover a nuclear-powered missile lost at sea. Crews attempted to recover a missile that landed in the Barents Sea after a failed test. The operation included three vessels, one of which is equipped to handle radioactive material from the weapon's nuclear core. If the Russians were able to regain possession of the missile, U.S. intelligence analysts expected that Moscow will use the procedure as a blueprint for future recovery operations.

Read more: Russia is preparing to search for a nuclear-powered missile that was lost at sea after a failed test

Last March, Russian President Vladimir Putin unveiled a slew of hypersonic weapons, as well as Burevestnik, saying it was a nuclear-powered missile with unlimited range. However, the Kremlin has yet to perform a successful test of the weapon over multiple attempts, according to sources with direct knowledge of a U.S. intelligence report on the weapons program.

Burevestnik was tested once earlier this year and prior to that, the weapon was tested four times between November 2017 and February 2018, each resulting in a crash.

The U.S. determined that the longest test flight lasted just more than two minutes, with the missile flying 22 miles before losing control and crashing. The shortest test lasted four seconds and flew for five miles.

The tests apparently showed that the nuclear-powered heart of the cruise missile failed to initiate and, therefore, the weapon was unable to achieve the indefinite flight Putin had boasted about.

What's more, CNBC learned in March that the Kremlin will only produce a few of these weapons because the program has yet to complete a successful test and is too expensive to develop.


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When you close your eyes and picture your paradise, what do you see? A cloudless sky with crystal blue water to match? Sandcastle-spotted beaches mesmerizing the little ones? Maybe you picture your soulmate docking the yacht on an island all your own. . . 

Bringing one or all these visions to life isn’t impossible. In fact, some places are simply destined to do so. Barbados is one of those places and though you’ve likely heard of the West Indies island, there’s much to discover about what makes it so special.

The Destination

Situated along the Northwestern Tip of the Lesser Antilles, the island is easily accessible from the U.S., Canada, Europe, South America and the United Kingdom. The climate is pleasantly predictable, with temperatures hovering around the upper 70s and waters calm and welcoming.

World-class fishing, sailing and aquatic sports appeal to the water buffs, along with premier scuba diving and snorkeling. On land, championship-style golf and scenic hiking are popular pastimes. Sunning and swimming are always encouraged and once you’ve worked up an appetite, there’s no shortage of tasty cuisine in the “Culinary Capital of the Caribbean.” Hello, Barbados!

The Details

So, what could possibly be better than this? Perhaps all of the above plus a state-of-the-art marina and private boat dock. Port Ferdinand Yacht and Beach Club Residences exceed expectations in every respect. Unifying authentic ‘Bajan’ hospitality with a luxurious oceanfront lifestyle, it’s a living dream for yacht lovers and curious travelers alike.

A collection of 46 residences, the exclusive property lends itself to an intimate and convenient way of life. The resort was built to last, which is evident in the high-quality construction of every home and facility. Villas center on a spectacular marina and each features a personal, deeded slip measuring at least 60 feet in length. Don’t own a boat? Fortunately, these slips are in high demand and as such can be easily leased out. If a refined boating community with an elevated level of service speaks to you, planting roots at Port Ferdinand is a no-brainer.

The Style

Colonial in nature, the aesthetic is sophisticated and timeless. Natural light pours in through massive pane-less windows and complements crisp marble floors. Oversized indoor and outdoor living spaces make for prime entertaining and indulge-worthy amenities include a Chef’s kitchens with top-of-the-line appliances, an outdoor dining area and a private whirlpool overlooking the marina.

Maybe the most impressive – and unexpected – attribute is the spaciousness of these villas. From 2,000-square-foot single bedrooms to expansive three-bedroom units and a handful of six-bedroom penthouses upwards of 6,300-square-feet, they’re available for purchase or vacation.

Marrying serious comfort with epic views of the Caribbean Sea, these dwellings beckon guests to retreat within for hours on end. But the rest of the island is calling and when in Barbados, you’ll want to answer.

The Scene

Nothing tempts guests to do so quite like mouthwatering fare. The Quarterdeck Bar & Pizzeria serves up poolside essentials for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The casual eatery is a solid choice with plenty of options. For a slightly more polished dining experience, Dockside at 1359 pleases palettes with Caribbean-French-fusion. It’s also notorious for hosting the island’s greatest Sunday Brunch.

The spot to see and be seen is Nikki Beach. Think cabanas, live music and a lengthy cocktail menu. With enduring traditions like Rosé Saturdays, you’re like to get caught “drinking pink” by noon.

When the sun sets, the party goes on. And Sandbox Tree Spa is fully equipped to aid in post-revel recovery. Standout treatments include the Beachside Massage and Bamford Full Body Exfoliation. Other means of detoxing are via the onsite yoga room and high-tech fitness center. Afterall, finding internal balance is key to enjoying such a dreamy environment. 

The Next Step

Close your eyes once more. If it’s Barbados you see, it’s time to make a move. Visit website for details on Port Ferdinand or sister property, Saint Peter’s Bay. Linked by complimentary water taxi, the resorts offer shared amenities to all residents and guests.


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