Tim Cook, Apple's executive chairman, explained why he stepped down as CEO before the iPhone Duo launch, citing a transition that started years ago and wanting new CEO John Ternus to have momentum with the product cycle.
TECHNOLOGY
Tim Cook Says He's 'Not Meddling' With Apple's New CEO John Ternus
Tim Cook, Apple's executive chairman, says he has a high level of trust with new CEO John Ternus and is focused on worldwide policy, not interfering with Ternus's work, and is helping him as needed.
Editor's noteTim Cook's assertion that he's 'not meddling' with John Ternus is a deflection from the real issue: how much authority the executive chairman still wields. Watch whether Ternus's first major decision is made without Cook's input, and whether the board's policy on CEO autonomy is clarified.
MARKETING & DESIGN
That Design Thing: Tony Clarkson brings a design event to Shrewsbury, 'the town where nothing happens'
Tony Clarkson, founder of &Something studio, is hosting a design event in Shrewsbury, 'That Design Thing', on 22 October 2026, to bring together local creatives and provide a platform for design-related activities in the town.
Editor's noteThat Design Thing is a symptom of Shrewsbury's design scene being stuck in neutral. The town's lack of design events is a consequence of its failure to attract and retain creative talent, not just a lack of interest. Watch whether the event's success attracts more designers to the town, or if it remains a one-off.
The Reason This Spanish Architect Got Into Prefab Has Nothing to Do With Speed or Budget
Spanish architect Eduardo Mediero's firm Hanghar has created a prefabricated home, Casa Guadalupe, as part of an experiment in industrialization, not for speed or budget reasons, but to rethink design, construction, and quality.
Garage Italia Gives the Fiat 500 an Electric Makeover
Garage Italia has created an electric version of the Fiat 500 Spiaggina, a classic Italian car, with a rear-mounted motor and 11 kWh battery, suitable for short journeys in coastal areas.
ADVERTISING & PR
OpenAI would like to remind marketers that its ads are for the good of humanity
OpenAI's VP Samantha Jacobson explained that ads on ChatGPT are necessary to make the technology accessible to everyone, with revenue generated from ads covering the costs for those who cannot pay.
Editor's noteOpenAI's ad-funded model is a classic trade-off between accessibility and personal data. Watch whether the company's claims of prioritizing consumer trust hold up as it scales its advertising business, particularly in the face of growing scrutiny over data collection and usage.
Apple’s Safari ad tech blocklist sends publishers back to IAB Tech Lab’s Trusted Server
Apple's Safari update blocks ad tech companies, forcing publishers to consider IAB Tech Lab's Trusted Server to avoid revenue losses and maintain ad targeting capabilities. This move affects major players and has broader implications for the ad tech industry. Publishers are re-evaluating their ad infrastructure as a result.
‘There’s nothing wrong with being a heritage brand’: How Revlon is updating its image by looking to the past
Revlon, an 87-year-old beauty brand, aimed to reconnect with both new and existing customers by revisiting its heritage and updating its image to appeal to a modern audience, according to its president of North America, Dana Medema.
HUMAN RESOURCES
Can an employee refuse a polygraph? Why contracts and genuine consent matter
South African employers can discipline employees who refuse polygraph tests, but refusal does not automatically imply misconduct. Contracts and genuine consent are key factors in determining disciplinary action and evidence required.
An Excerpt from Jessica M. Goldstein’s Novel, Retro
Jessica M. Goldstein’s novel, Retro, centres on Ash, a struggling actress who becomes a Time Travel Agent. The agency offers trips to the past, including destinations like the Wild West and Prohibition-era speakeasies. The book received positive reviews and was longlisted for a first novel prize.
“Apparently There Was A Football Match On The Weekend” Says Inner City Leftie Who Wonders Why The Greens Struggle With Middle Australia
Alistair Huxley, a Newtown resident, expressed surprise at the NRL Grand Final’s popularity. He attributed the Greens’ difficulties connecting with middle Australia to a perceived lack of engagement with sporting interests. Huxley suggested replicating successful campaigns featuring figures like Abdul El-Sayed.
Editor's noteMiddle Australia's sporting interests are a proxy for something deeper: a distrust of the Greens' detachment from everyday life. Watch whether Huxley's party starts fielding candidates with sporting credentials, because that would be a tacit admission that policy isn't enough.
Local Man Remembers What He’s Been Missing Out On After Firing Up The VPN
Dale Thomson, a local resident, experienced a return to travel following the use of a VPN subscription. He visited New Zealand and Albania, facilitated by a Voodoo Ranger giveaway. Thomson enjoyed a period of relaxation and leisure activities.
PUBLIC POLICY
New York Is Fining Amish Schools Over Vaccines, So the Amish Are Asking the Supreme Court for Help
New York state is fining Amish schools for not complying with vaccination mandates, prompting the Amish to seek Supreme Court intervention. The fines total $118,000 for three rural schoolhouses. Vaccination is rare among the Amish due to hesitation towards medical practices.
Republicans Are Getting Grilled Over Trump's Tariffs
Republicans are facing criticism over Trump's tariffs ahead of the midterm elections, with some candidates struggling to defend the policies in states heavily reliant on trade with Canada, particularly in the northern border states.
Trump’s Triumphal Arch By The Numbers
Trump's administration plans a triumphal arch in D.C. for the nation's 250th anniversary, with satirical commentary on its construction, including engraved typos, additional structures for corporate logos, and warnings for children, with an estimated 189 million viewers for its dismantling.
Trump Drops Bombshell Evidence Biden Actively Campaigned Against Him
President Trump alleges Joe Biden orchestrated a campaign to dissuade voters from supporting him, involving paid operatives and former presidents, and used attack ads to highlight Trump's perceived failures, aiming to sway the election in Biden's favor.
Editor's noteTrump's claims of a coordinated effort to sway voters against him are a thinly veiled attempt to delegitimize the election outcome. The real question is whether Trump's own campaign spent as much on attack ads as he alleges Biden did. Watch the FEC filings for Trump's 2020 campaign to see if they reveal a similar level of expenditure on propaganda.
