Author: paulomdevries@gmail.com

  • How to Turn Off Emergency Alerts on iPhone and Android (Fast & Safe)

    How to Turn Off Emergency Alerts on iPhone and Android (Fast & Safe)

    Android robot logo used as a generic smartphone illustration
    Image: Android Robot via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

    Update: Thursday, November 27, 2025 · 4-minute read

    Want fewer blaring alerts at night? Below are safe, quick ways to manage emergency notifications on iPhone and Android. For context, see our Explainer: What are Wireless Emergency Alerts? and Definition: AMBER Alert.

    iPhone: Turn alerts off or adjust

    Works on recent iOS versions; exact labels vary by region and carrier.

    1. Open Settings → Notifications.
    2. Scroll to the bottom to find Government Alerts.
    3. Toggle AMBER Alerts, Emergency Alerts, and (where available) Public Safety Alerts.
    4. Optional: Some models let you set alerts to Always Deliver or adjust Severe vs Extreme alerts.

    Safety tip: Consider leaving Extreme alerts on. You can still reduce disruption by keeping other categories off and using Focus modes for nighttime.

    Android: Turn alerts off or adjust

    Menu names differ slightly by manufacturer. If you don’t see these exactly, use the Settings search for “Emergency alerts” or “Wireless alerts”.

    1. Open Settings → Safety & emergency (or Notifications).
    2. Tap Wireless emergency alerts (or Emergency alerts).
    3. Toggle categories such as Extreme threats, Severe threats, AMBER alerts, and Test alerts.
    4. Optional: Change Alert sound, Vibrate, or Override Do Not Disturb if your device offers those options.

    For manufacturer-specific steps, see: our WEA explainer.

    Control or disable test alerts

    Test alerts may have their own toggle on both iPhone and Android. Turning off test alerts does not affect real emergency warnings. Availability varies by carrier and country.

    How to re-enable alerts (recommended)

    1. Return to your device’s alert settings (same paths above).
    2. Switch Extreme and Severe alerts back on first.
    3. Re-enable AMBER and Public Safety alerts as needed.

    Reminder: Some jurisdictions require certain alerts to remain on. When in doubt, follow local guidance.

    FAQ

    Is it legal to turn off emergency alerts in my country?

    Regulations vary. In many places you can disable some categories, but not all. Check carrier and government guidance before changing settings.

    Do alerts bypass silent mode?

    Often yes—some alerts play a unique tone that can override silent or Do Not Disturb. If offered, you can turn off the “Override DND” option instead of disabling alerts.

    What if I can’t find the menu on my Android?

    Use the Settings search for “Emergency alerts” or open the Messages app → menu → Emergency alerts on some phones.

    Sources

    Keep Reading

  • Brazil unveils a sweeping COP30 climate finance proposal, calling on richer nations to boost funding for developing countries — igniting urgent debate ahead of the summit.




    Delegates discuss climate finance at a UN climate summit in Brazil
    Photo via Unsplash

    Published (UTC): 2025-11-27T18:00:00Z

    TL;DR —
    Brazil has floated a bold new climate finance mechanism ahead of COP30 in Belém, urging wealthy nations to substantially increase predictable funding for adaptation and loss-and-damage. The idea is energizing developing countries while several G7 members signal caution.

    Jump Links

    What Brazil Proposed

    Announced in Brasília, the plan — described as a “Fair Transition Fund 2030” — envisions a structured increase in climate finance linked to economic capacity. High-income countries would make formula-based annual contributions to a pooled fund administered through the UN system and regional development banks.

    Brazil, as COP30 host, frames the fund to prioritize adaptation and loss-and-damage in vulnerable regions, with transparent disbursement, regional windows, and independent oversight. The goal: predictable, multi-year flows rather than ad-hoc pledges.

    Why It Matters

    The debate over climate finance has long centered on a shortfall against the $100 billion per year benchmark. A rules-based, capacity-linked mechanism could shift the conversation from one-off announcements to delivery and impact.

    Policy analysts say a predictable framework would help countries plan resilient infrastructure, insure against climate shocks, and crowd-in private investment — especially if paired with debt relief tools and concessional lending.

    Global Reactions

    • 🇮🇳 India signaled broad support for a more predictable, needs-driven system.
    • 🇪🇺 The EU is engaging on feasibility and governance details, with attention to accountability.
    • 🇺🇸 The United States has emphasized flexibility and national circumstances in any binding structure.
    • 🌍 Major NGOs welcomed the renewed focus on adaptation and loss-and-damage delivery.

    Online, COP30-related discussion is intensifying as Belém prepares for a high-stakes agenda focused not just on targets, but on how resources flow to frontline communities.

    Next Steps Before COP30

    Negotiators are convening informal and technical consultations to narrow options on governance, eligibility, and monitoring. Observers expect a compromise draft to emerge before the opening plenary, clarifying funding pathways and oversight.

    If momentum holds, finance architecture could become a central storyline of COP30 — with knock-on effects for adaptation pipelines, early-warning systems, and just-transition programs through 2030.

    Sources

    Related: Explainer on Climate Loss and Damage


  • Cyber Monday Backlash: Shoppers Question Whether the Deals Are Real

    November 27, 2025

    Laptop displaying Cyber Monday sale banner

    After a decade of Cyber Monday hype, online shoppers are beginning to push back. Viral Reddit threads and TikTok videos are exposing how many “doorbuster” prices are actually year-round discounts in disguise, prompting what analysts are calling the first real backlash to the e-commerce holiday.

    The illusion of the deal

    Price-tracking tools such as CamelCamelCamel and Keepa show that up to 62% of listed Cyber Monday prices match or exceed prices from earlier this month. In other words, the big red banners may not mean what they used to.

    Why shoppers are fed up

    • Recycled discounts: Same items, same prices, new “limited time” labels.
    • Algorithmic scarcity: Websites use countdown timers to simulate demand.
    • Psychological fatigue: After a month of sales noise, buyers crave authenticity.

    What experts suggest

    Financial coaches recommend treating Cyber Monday like a clearance event, not a guarantee of lowest prices. The real bargains, they say, appear when retailers clear stock after December 10th.

    As consumer awareness spreads, 2025 could mark the year Cyber Monday began to lose its shine—and shoppers began to take back control of their carts.

  • AI Voice Cloning Scandal Shakes Global Entertainment Industry

    November 27, 2025

    AI voice waveform on studio monitor

    A new wave of synthetic voice leaks has ignited global outrage after AI-generated replicas of several A-list celebrities and musicians began circulating on streaming and social media platforms. The unauthorized clips—indistinguishable from real speech—were traced to an open-source voice cloning project reportedly exploited by anonymous developers.

    The incident reignites urgent questions about consent, copyright, and compensation in the age of generative audio. Industry groups are now calling for stricter AI regulation and verified watermarking for digital voices.

    Why this matters

    • Consent gap: Most affected celebrities were unaware of the cloning.
    • Creative control: Studios fear revenue loss and reputational risk.
    • Ethical void: No unified global standard yet exists for AI-generated voices.

    What happens next

    Entertainment law experts predict a surge of lawsuits and legislative hearings across the U.S., U.K., and EU in the coming weeks. Some artists have already begun digitally watermarking their real voices to prove authenticity.

    As AI voice synthesis becomes more accessible, the scandal underscores a growing truth: in the future of sound, authenticity will be an algorithmic battle.

  • ChatGPT vs Gemini vs Claude: The AI Showdown Everyone’s Talking About

    Abstract visualization of artificial intelligence brain network
    Image: AI brain network illustration — Wikimedia Commons

    TL;DR: ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude are racing to become the world’s go-to AI. ChatGPT leads in speed and creativity, Gemini dominates in visual reasoning, and Claude impresses with logic and context.

    November 27, 2025 • Artificial Intelligence • ~4 min read

    Jump to: Overview • Key Differences • Who Wins • FAQ

    Overview

    In 2025, the race for AI dominance has intensified. OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Anthropic’s Claude now shape how hundreds of millions of people search, write, and learn. They’ve moved beyond chat — each aims to be a personal assistant, researcher, and creative partner in one.

    The competition isn’t about one feature anymore — it’s about who best understands human intent and context.

    Key Differences

    • ChatGPT (OpenAI): Fastest at generating fluent, creative text. Strong at summarization, storytelling, and coding.
    • Gemini (Google): Multimodal powerhouse — handles images, video, and live search with fluidity. Integrates directly into Google Workspace.
    • Claude (Anthropic): Excels at accuracy and long-context reasoning. Its tone feels more human and less robotic in professional contexts.

    Each brand has tuned its model to reflect its philosophy: OpenAI pushes versatility, Google leans on data, and Anthropic prioritizes safety and nuance.

    Abstract image illustrating AI competition
    Image: The global AI race intensifies — Wikimedia Commons

    Who Wins?

    It depends on what you value. For creative work and conversation, ChatGPT still feels most intuitive. For analysis and complex reasoning, Claude delivers deeper insights. And for visual or hybrid tasks, Gemini’s integration with Google tools is unmatched.

    Ultimately, users are the winners. AI rivalry drives rapid innovation — and more free, capable tools for everyone.

    FAQ

    Is one AI safer than the others?

    Claude emphasizes safety and transparency. Gemini has strict filters tied to Google policies, and ChatGPT balances openness with guardrails.

    Can they talk to each other?

    Not yet directly — though APIs and third-party tools can connect them for combined workflows.

    Which AI should I use right now?

    ChatGPT for writing and coding, Gemini for visuals and search, Claude for logic and long documents. Many users switch between them daily.

    Sources

    Continue: The Future of AI Tools — How They’ll Reshape Work in 2026

  • Deepfakes Are Everywhere: Can We Still Trust What We See?

    TL;DR: AI can now fake any voice, face, or moment. The rise of deepfakes means “seeing is believing” no longer applies—but awareness and verification can restore trust.

    November 27, 2025 • Technology & Society • Follow topic • ~4 min read

    Jump to: What are deepfakes • Why it matters • How to spot fakes • What’s next • FAQ

    What are deepfakes

    Deepfakes use machine learning to map one person’s face, voice, or gestures onto another’s. Originally an experiment in computer vision, they’ve exploded into mainstream culture—appearing in political ads, celebrity clips, and even fake customer service calls. In 2025, synthetic media detection systems struggle to keep up with new models releasing weekly.

    Share: “We’ve entered an era where anyone can look or sound like anyone.” Copy link

    Why it matters

    • Trust erosion: Video evidence—once the gold standard—can now be questioned or fabricated.
    • Political risk: Deepfakes spread disinformation faster than fact-checkers can respond.
    • Personal harm: Individuals face identity misuse, reputation damage, and blackmail through manipulated content.

    How to spot fakes

    Human eyes can catch what algorithms miss. Experts suggest these simple checks:

    1. Look closely at the eyes and mouth. Blinks and lip-sync often lag behind speech.
    2. Check reflections and lighting. Mismatched shadows are telltale signs.
    3. Verify the source. Reverse-search the video thumbnail or image.
    4. Watch for emotion mismatch. Deepfakes often struggle with natural expressions.

    What’s next

    Researchers are building watermark systems and authenticity protocols for digital content. Governments are drafting “synthetic media” laws requiring clear labels on AI-generated imagery. But in the near term, media literacy—recognizing how easily truth can be manufactured—remains the strongest defense.

    Takeaway: Don’t panic. Verify before sharing. Trust your skepticism as much as your eyes.

    FAQ

    Can AI detect deepfakes?

    Yes, but detection tools lag behind creation tools. Accuracy drops as AI models evolve. Expect a continuous arms race between fake and filter.

    Will watermarks fix this?

    Partially. Standardized watermarks help trace origins, but bad actors can strip or modify them. Awareness still matters most.

    Sources

    Continue: The Next Battle Over Truth Online

  • Why Everyone Feels Addicted to Their Phone in 2025

    TL;DR: Social media apps are engineered to hijack attention. Dopamine hits from short videos and notifications make phones feel impossible to put down—but attention can be rebuilt.

    [rg-time] • Social Media & Online Culture • Follow topic • [rg-readtime]

    Jump to: Why it happens • How it affects you • How to reset focus • FAQ

    Why it happens

    Every swipe, like, and view triggers a quick hit of dopamine—the brain’s reward chemical. Apps like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts learned that unpredictable rewards (the next funny clip or notification) keep people scrolling far longer than they intend to. It’s the same loop used in slot machines.

    Share: “Phones aren’t tools anymore—they’re dopamine machines.” [rg-copylink]

    How it affects you

    • Focus fragmentation: The average adult switches tasks every 47 seconds online.
    • Sleep disruption: Blue light and constant stimulation reduce sleep quality.
    • Emotional rollercoaster: Likes and comments become micro-approval cycles that can fuel anxiety.

    How to reset focus

    You can retrain your attention, but it takes deliberate friction. Small daily rules rebuild control:

    1. Remove visual cues. Use grayscale mode to reduce the brain’s “reward” color triggers.
    2. Move apps. Keep addictive ones off your home screen or delete them for a week.
    3. Set ‘scroll-free’ hours. No social media before breakfast or after 9 PM.
    4. Replace the loop. Fill idle moments with music, calls, or reading instead of feeds.

    Experts call it “dopamine detox,” but it’s really just giving your brain boredom again—so creativity and calm can return.

    FAQ

    Is it possible to quit completely?

    For most, no. Phones are essential tools. The goal isn’t quitting but controlling usage through awareness and habit design.

    Do younger people struggle more?

    Yes. Teens and young adults show higher baseline dopamine sensitivity and are exposed earlier to variable-reward loops, making regulation harder.

    Will tech companies ever fix it?

    Only under pressure. Some regions now explore “attention laws” requiring design limits on addictive interfaces.

    Sources

    [rg-next url=”/reads/rebuild-focus-in-a-distracted-world” title=”How to Rebuild Focus in a Distracted World”]

  • Climate and Economy: How Warming Reshapes Growth

    TL;DR: The climate crisis isn’t just environmental—it’s economic. Rising heat and shifting weather are changing jobs, prices, and policy everywhere.

    [rg-time] • Global Economy • Follow topic • [rg-readtime]

    Jump to: What’s changing • Who’s affected • How business adapts • The outlook • FAQ

    What’s changing

    Global average temperature is now about 1.3°C higher than pre-industrial levels. Heatwaves, floods, and droughts are disrupting food, trade, and migration patterns. Economists estimate climate-linked shocks could cost 2–5% of global GDP by 2050 if trends continue unchecked.

    Share: “The climate crisis is an economic story, not just an environmental one.” [rg-copylink]

    Who’s affected

    • Workers: Outdoor labor productivity drops as temperatures rise, especially in construction and agriculture.
    • Markets: Food, water, and insurance costs fluctuate with climate volatility.
    • Governments: Facing higher disaster recovery spending and complex energy transitions.

    How business adapts

    Corporations are shifting supply chains, investing in green energy, and using climate data for risk modeling. Finance is adapting too—banks price carbon exposure into lending. The clean transition is now an economic race as much as a moral one.

    • Winners: renewable energy, battery technology, efficiency services.
    • Losers: high-emission industries slow to pivot.

    The outlook

    If adaptation accelerates, growth and decarbonization can coexist. Economies that invest early—Europe, East Asia, parts of Africa—could gain competitive advantage. The next decade will test whether humans can coordinate global-scale transformation while maintaining stability.

    FAQ

    Which countries face the biggest costs?

    Low-lying and heat-exposed nations—Bangladesh, India, parts of Africa—bear disproportionate risk. But rich economies face rising costs too, from wildfires to supply disruptions.

    Will climate action slow growth?

    Short-term adjustments can cost, but long-term stability and innovation create new growth sectors. Delayed action costs more.

    Sources

    [rg-next url=”/reads/green-transition-investment” title=”The Trillion-Dollar Green Transition”]

  • AI and Human Creativity: Can Machines Truly Imagine?

    TL;DR: AI can generate new text, images, and music—but it can’t truly imagine. Human creativity still leads through emotion, context, and intent.

    [rg-time] • Technology & Innovation • Follow topic • ~4 min read

    Jump to: What it means • How AI creates • What humans add • Future of work • FAQ

    What it means

    Generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, and Gemini can write essays, design logos, and compose songs. These systems remix patterns from billions of data points to produce something that looks new. But the “imagination” comes from human prompts, not internal desire or consciousness.

    Share: “AI doesn’t imagine—it recombines what humans have already imagined.” [rg-copylink]

    How AI creates

    • Pattern recognition. AI learns relationships between words, shapes, and sounds.
    • Prediction. It guesses what comes next, based on probability—not inspiration.
    • Training data. Its originality depends on the diversity and quality of human input.

    What humans add

    Humans attach meaning, emotion, and cultural context to creation. A poem about loss, a painting of hope—these connect because they come from experience. AI can mimic the form but not the feeling.

    • Emotion: Humans feel before creating; AI doesn’t.
    • Purpose: Art often intends to communicate or heal; AI lacks that drive.
    • Context: Culture shapes meaning—AI lacks a place in it.

    The future of creative work

    AI will increasingly assist in writing, music, and design—but as an amplifier, not a replacement. Creators who learn to direct AI effectively may become more productive and imaginative. Ethical frameworks and transparency will shape trust in creative industries.

    Tip: Use AI for drafts, structure, or exploration—but always add human voice before publishing.

    FAQ

    Can AI have emotions?

    No. AI models simulate emotional language but don’t experience feeling. Their responses are statistical, not conscious.

    Will AI make art better?

    It can make art faster or more accessible, but quality depends on human editing, taste, and intent.

    How do we keep human creativity alive?

    By teaching critical thinking, empathy, and originality—skills machines can’t copy. Encourage personal storytelling and cultural diversity.

    Sources

    [rg-next] Continue: Will AI Take Creative Jobs?

  • Weight-Loss Drugs Explained: Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro

    TL;DR: GLP-1 drugs (and newer dual-agonists) help people eat less and feel full sooner. They work—but they’re prescriptions, have side effects, and may be costly.

    [rg-time] • Explain in Plain Words • Follow topic • ~4 min read

    What it is

    These are prescription medicines originally developed for type 2 diabetes. For weight management, they help reduce appetite and caloric intake. Brand names you may hear: Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide). Doctors prescribe them based on health history, other medications, and treatment goals.

    Share: “GLP-1 weight-loss drugs help you feel full sooner—but they’re prescriptions with real risks and costs.” [rg-copylink]

    How they work

    • Hormone mimic. They act like gut hormones (GLP-1; and for tirzepatide, GLP-1 + GIP) that signal fullness and slow stomach emptying.
    • Less intake. People tend to eat smaller portions and snack less.
    • Ongoing use. Benefits usually depend on continued treatment plus behavior changes.

    Why it matters

    Many adults struggle with weight-related conditions. These drugs can improve outcomes when used appropriately, but they raise questions about side effects, long-term plans, and affordability. Always discuss personal risks with a clinician.

    Risks and side effects

    • Common: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation—often lessen over time.
    • Less common but serious: certain digestive or gallbladder issues; rare risks are monitored. Not for pregnancy. Check official prescribing information.
    • Interactions: may interact with other medicines and conditions. Medical guidance is required.

    Access and cost

    They require a prescription. Coverage and cost vary by country, insurer, and indication (diabetes vs. obesity). Supply can fluctuate. Ask your provider and insurer about eligibility, coverage criteria, and alternatives.

    What to ask your doctor

    • Is this appropriate for my health history and current medications?
    • What side effects should I watch for, and how are they managed?
    • How long might I stay on it, and what is the plan if I stop?
    • What lifestyle changes will support results and reduce regain?

    Sources

    [rg-next] Continue: What These Drugs Could Cost You