Wednesday, June 10th Edition

Today’s Big Story

Liquids on a Plane?

 

New airport scanners make screenings much more relaxed

 

I take my grooming routine seriously. Too seriously? Well, that’s between me and my medicine cabinet. But what this means is that it’s always difficult to pack it all when I travel. For more than two decades, we’ve been confined to tiny three-ounce bottles when we travel. We’re forced to chug our drinks before passing through security. And do we take electronics out, or not?

Those confusion and restricting days are coming to end. Well, mostly in Europe for now, where two large airports are installing new 3D Computed Tomography (CT) security scanners that can more accurately detect real threats.

Meanwhile, the U.S.'s Transportation Safety Administration is “aggressively” adding the new scanners to airports, according to Scientific American, but any change to liquid rules does not appear imminent. Part of the reason for the delay is the patchwork implementation, with only about 255 of the country’s 432 airports adding them. The TSA estimates that all its airports will be equipped with 3D scanners by 2043.

Mashable reports that once the new scanners are running, fliers will be able to transport an unlimited amount of liquids in their carry-ons as long as the individual containers do not exceed 2 liters (about 68 fluid ounces). And remember, these new rules will apply to more than drinks, as most airports consider toiletries like lotions, toothpaste and hair gel to be liquids.

Plus, the new scanners’ ability to accurately identify objects through various angles also means travelers can leave their laptops, cameras and other tech in their carry-on luggage as they pass through security. The scanners use sophisticated algorithms to create high-resolution 3D models of bags, allowing security personnel to rotate objects and more accurately identify them as harmless or worth a closer look. A faster and less frustrating screening process … isn’t that what we all deserve right now?

 
We Recommend :

The Valet. team rounded up the best toiletry bags for men that are durable and stylish (and available at any price point).

U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran

 

The retaliatory strikes were in response to a downed Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz

American military forces launched a new round of strikes on Iran on Tuesday evening, hours after President Donald Trump said doing so would be necessary because Iranian forces downed a U.S. Army helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz. Both crew members were rescued and are in stable condition.

The U.S. conducted three waves of attacks, targeting Iranian air defenses and radar sites, according to a senior U.S. official. Air Force and Navy jet fighters dropped precision munitions against the targets, which also included ground control stations. In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched a drone attack on the U.S. Fifth Fleet in Bahrain.

The incident shows the high-stakes nature of Trump’s current position—trying to navigate an end to the war that is straining global economies and tanking his popularity, while ensuring American military credibility. It’s still unclear what this means for the overall ceasefire or for the current state of negotiations for a lasting deal to end the conflict and reopen the Strait.

 
Meanwhile:

Conflicts are on the rise globally, at the highest level since WWII, data shows.

White-Collar Jobs Are Under Pressure

 

But the labor market is, technically, doing just fine

How are you feeling about the job market these days? Like the economy itself, it’s a lot about perception, right? But the fact is that the current landscape for many types of white-collar professional workers is … not great. However, Business Insider reports that the overall U.S. job market is pretty healthy. There is less of a contradiction here than it might seem.

These are gloomy times for many office workers—their employers shedding payroll, their livelihoods threatened by AI. But the jobs seemingly under the greatest threat right now amount to a small share of overall employment. “Far more people work in hospitals, restaurants and schools than in tech companies or consulting firms.” Of course, that could change if AI causes job opportunities to diminish more rapidly than they have thus far.

And the unemployment rate for recent grads is the highest in five years, but AI is not primarily to blame (at least not yet). Many students set to graduate this year already hedged their hopes for finding work in a persistently “low hire, low fire” economy, noting they will now compete with recently laid off workers and those who can’t afford to retire. Labor experts say AI hasn’t cannibalized much entry-level or white-collar work just yet, even as the technology injects more uncertainty into an already tight market.

 
Dig Deeper:

Here’s how 16 top economists think AI will change the job market (and how you should prepare).

Have you
heard about ...

 
 
 
 
 
 

🔒

Today’s Member Extras

Valet. Member

Exclusive

 

Business & Finance Debriefing

The Trends You Need to Know About Right Now

 

China’s exports to the U.S. are surging and a typical American home could cost $1 million by 2050.

 

Today on

 

We sat down with the chef, podcaster and newly minted novelist to talk about what he's into right now: what he's buying, what he's wearing.

 
 

From a O-ring leather belt to a Ninja portable blender.

 
Tip of the Day:

Mosquitoes target red and black clothing while avoiding white and green. There are simple steps you can take to build up your defenses against summer's bloodthirsty gate-crashers.

Morning Motto

Enjoy it while it lasts.

 

Follow: @realfunwow

Keep Reading