Regulatory Environment - VoIP is restricted in the UAE, potentially impacting the functionality of communication apps like Telegram, Signal, and WhatsApp [1] Technical Implications - Voice calls via TG/Signal/WhatsApp may be unreliable or completely non-functional in the UAE [1]

Elon Musk has promised the overhaul to X’s messaging feature for months, which introduces encrypted messages similar to platforms like Signal or WhatsApp.https://t.co/YTUzquKNdC https://t.co/6grRPNK1M6 ...

Core Insights - The recent AWS outage was caused by a bug in automation software, leading to widespread service disruptions for thousands of applications and websites [1][4] AWS Outage Details - AWS identified the issue as a "latent defect" in its automated DNS management system, which affected its DynamoDB database service [2] - The root cause was traced to an empty DNS record for the US-East-1 datacentre, requiring manual intervention to resolve the issue [3] - AWS has temporarily disabled the DNS automation to implement fixes and additional protections [3] Impact on Services - Approximately 2,000 companies, including major platforms like Signal, Snapchat, and Roblox, experienced service interruptions, with over 8.1 million user-reported issues globally [4] - Specific services, such as Eight Sleep's smart beds, were rendered inoperable during the outage, affecting user control through mobile applications [5] Industry Implications - The outage highlighted the dependency on single points of failure within the internet infrastructure, particularly concerning major cloud service providers [6] - Experts noted that the reliance on a few large tech companies for data services has diminished the internet's inherent resilience [7]

Service Disruption - The outage impacted various online platforms, including Coinbase and Fortnite [1] - Services such as Signal, Zoom, and Amazon's own products like Ring experienced disruptions [1]

Germany now wants to scan all your private messagesSoon they will come for your moneyZcashSignal (@signalapp):We are alarmed by reports that Germany is on the verge of a catastrophic about-face, reversing its longstanding and principled opposition to the EU’s Chat Control proposal which, if passed, could spell the end of the right to privacy in Europe.https://t.co/015qmQnIS2 ...

Allegations and Investigation - Pentagon's watchdog received evidence suggesting Defense Secretary shared classified information about US strikes in Yemen via Signal [1] - The classified information was reportedly sent in an email marked "secret no foreign," indicating unauthorized disclosure could cause serious damage to national security and was not intended for foreign nationals [1][2] - The Post's reporting contradicts claims that no classified intelligence was shared via Signal [3] Implications and Comparisons - The incident is viewed as a serious breach, with parallels drawn to Hillary Clinton's email controversy, though the specifics of a military attack are considered more sensitive [4][7] - Critics argue that addressing the issue with "whataboutism" (comparing to past misconduct) is an admission of wrongdoing [8][9][10] - The investigation confirms what was already widely understood: information about an imminent military strike is classified [10][11] National Security Concerns - Reckless handling of national secrets by the Secretary of Defense during combat puts America at risk [12] - The response should be based on facts, regardless of the source of the reporting [13]

- In just six months, President Trump has brought dozens of hostages home, justice for our Abbey Gate Gold Star families, secured the border, denied Iran a nuclear weapon, brought ceasefires to conflicts in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Yet there is still tremendous work to be done. - We both know Signal is not an appropriate, secure means of communicating highly sensitive information.And yet, on March 24th, "The Atlantic" magazine published a series of Signal messages, including sensitive information ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4, revenues increased by 5% to $932 million, with an adjusted growth of 14% when accounting for currency and last year's extra week [12][53] - For the full year, revenues grew by 8% in U.S. dollars to $3 billion, and by 10% in constant currency [21] - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) for Q4 was $1.48, down from $2.01 in the previous year [66] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Rag & Bone acquisition contributed 9 points to the 14% growth, while the core guest business added 5 points [12] - The licensing business grew by 18% in Q4, driven by strong performance in footwear, fragrances, handbags, and eyewear [15][61] - The Americas retail business saw a 14% constant currency comp decline, while the European retail business had a 5% constant currency comp increase [15][56] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Europe, revenues grew by 2% to $494 million, with a constant currency growth of 13% [53] - Asia revenues decreased by 15% to $70 million, with a constant currency decline of 4% [60] - The U.S. and Canadian guest stores experienced a 14% comp decline, while e-commerce in the region also faced challenges [15][56] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to strengthen brand awareness and customer engagement, focusing on improving retail store and e-commerce productivity [22][51] - Plans include optimizing the business model, enhancing product offerings, and expanding into new markets such as India and the Middle East [22][43] - The company is exploring the integration of its infrastructures across different regions to improve cost structure and profitability [36] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged challenges such as inflationary pressures, traffic declines in retail stores, and the impact of the U.S. dollar on revenues and margins [10][70] - For fiscal year 2026, the company expects revenue growth between 3.9% and 6.2%, with adjusted operating margins between 4.5% and 5.4% [47][79] - Management remains optimistic about growth opportunities, particularly with the Rag & Bone brand and the new Guess Jeans initiative [44][120] Other Important Information - The company plans to close approximately 20 non-strategic stores in North America by the end of the year [39][76] - A new Chief Financial Officer, Alberto Toni, will join the company in June, bringing extensive experience [24] - The company ended the quarter with $563 million in inventory, a 21% increase, largely due to the Rag & Bone acquisition [66] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the drivers for Rag & Bone's growth? - Management expressed excitement about the Rag & Bone acquisition, highlighting strong e-commerce performance and plans for new store openings in Europe and North America [90][92] Question: What is the strategy for the Americas business? - Management discussed plans to improve retail productivity through exclusive product collections and a speed-to-market model to capitalize on current trends [100][102] Question: What opportunities exist for Guess Jeans? - Management noted strong initial performance in Europe and plans for expansion in the U.S. and Japan, emphasizing the brand's alignment with younger consumers [120][129]