What would a cheap, Apple A18-powered MacBook actually be good at?

Published

6 hours ago

July 7, 2025

Some Apple rumors just don’t go away, hanging around in perpetuity either because they reflect things that Apple is actually testing in its labs or because hope springs eternal. A HomePod-like device with a screen? A replacement for the dear, departed 27-inch iMac? Touchscreen MacBooks? The return of TouchID fingerprint scanning via a sensor located beneath a screen? Maybe these things are coming, but they ain’t here yet.

However, few rumors have had the longevity or staying power of “Apple is planning a low-cost MacBook,” versions of which have been circulating since at least the late-2000s netbook craze. And yet, despite seismic shifts in just about everything—three distinct processor instruction sets, two CEOs, innumerable design changes, and global trade upheaval—Apple’s cheapest modern laptops have started around $1,000 for more than two decades.

Last week, supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo (whose Apple predictions aren’t always correct, but whose track record is better than your garden variety broken-clock prognosticators) kicked up another round of these rumors, claiming that Apple was preparing to manufacture a new low-cost MacBook based on the iPhone’s A18 Pro chip. Kuo claims it will come in multiple colors, similar to Apple’s lower-cost A16 iPad, and will use a 13-inch screen.

MacRumors chipped in with its own contribution, claiming that a “Mac17,1” model it had found listed in an older macOS update was actually that A18 Pro MacBook model, apparently far enough along in development that Apple’s beta operating systems were running on it.

The last round of “cheap MacBook” rumors happened in late 2023 (also instigated by Kuo, but without the corroboration from Apple’s own software). As we wrote then, Apple’s control over its own chips could make this kind of laptop more plausible. But if it existed, what would this laptop be good for? Who could buy it instead of a MacBook Air, and who would want to stick to Apple’s current $999 status quo? To commemorate the “budget MacBook” idea becoming infinitesimally more likely, let’s ruminate on those questions a bit.

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Passengers at some U.S. airports no longer have to remove footwear, sources say

Published

1 hour ago

July 8, 2025

Kiki Intarasuwan

Passengers at some airports across the U.S. no longer have to remove their shoes during regular preflight security checks, two sources familiar with the change confirmed to CBS News on Monday.

The change appears to be a phased approach, sources said, and the first airports where the no-shoes requirement is expiring include: Baltimore/Washington International Airport, Fort Lauderdale International Airport, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, Portland International Airport, Philadelphia International Airport and Piedmont Triad International Airport in North Carolina.

However, CBS News correspondents at Los Angeles International Airport and New York City’s LaGuardia Airport reported Monday night that they and other passengers didn’t have to take off their shoes.

Travelers with TSA PreCheck already didn’t have to remove their footwear. In order to have PreCheck, travelers must submit an application and go through a clearance process with the TSA.

The change comes amid reports that the Transportation Security Administration has let the security rule expire for fliers going through the standard TSA screening lines.

In a statement to CBS News on Monday, TSA said the agency and the Department of Homeland Security “are always exploring new and innovative ways to enhance the passenger experience and our strong security posture.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Kris Van Cleave and

Kathryn Krupnik

contributed to this report.

Kiki Intarasuwan

Kiki Intarasuwan is a news editor for CBS News & Stations.

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Judge temporarily blocks Trump administration from enforcing funding ban against Planned Parenthood

Published

3 hours ago

July 7, 2025

Sarah Owermohle, Kaanita Iyer

CNN
—

A federal judge on Monday temporarily blocked the Trump administration from enforcing a provision of President Donald Trump’s sweeping domestic policy law to defund Planned Parenthood’s health care services.

The order from US District Judge Indira Talwani, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, blocks the provision’s enforcement for 14 days. The measure would bar Medicaid users from coverage with a health care provider that also provides abortion services.

The Planned Parenthood Federation of America – along with Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts and Planned Parenthood Association of Utah – sued the administration earlier Monday, arguing that the funding ban would have devastating consequences across the country.

While the legislation, which Trump signed on Friday, does not explicitly mention Planned Parenthood, the nationwide family planning and health care provider is in its crosshairs. The law prohibits federal funding for providers “primarily engaged in family planning services, reproductive health, and related medical care” that also provide abortion.

Planned Parenthood has warned that nearly 200 clinics nationwide – which also provide birth control, STI testing and treatment, and cancer screening – could close as a result of the bill’s one-year ban on funds.

Ninety percent of those clinics, Planned Parenthood says, are in states where abortion is legal.

“This case is about making sure that patients who use Medicaid as their insurance to get birth control, cancer screenings, and STI testing and treatment can continue to do so at their local Planned Parenthood health center, and we will make that clear in court,” Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said in a statement.

The bill originally barred funds for ten years, before the Senate Parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, reduced the measure to one year.

The Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the two local networks celebrated Monday’s order, while warning in a statement of the consequences if the provision is ultimately allowed to take effect.

“Already, in states across the country, providers and health center staff have been forced to turn away patients who use Medicaid to get basic sexual and reproductive health care because President Trump and his backers in Congress passed a law to block them from going to Planned Parenthood,” the groups said. “There are no other providers who can fill the gap if the ‘defunding’ of Planned Parenthood is allowed to stand.”

CNN has reached out to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for comment.

Earlier Monday, anti-abortion advocates quickly railed against Planned Parenthood’s suit.

“Planned Parenthood’s desperation is showing as they run to the courts again to fix a crisis of their own making,” said Susan B. Anthony’s Pro-Life America director of legal affairs and policy counsel Katie Daniel.

Planned Parenthood is also battling the Trump administration in court over cuts to a federal teen pregnancy prevention program. Lawyers for five Planned Parenthood networks argued in a federal District of Columbia court this June that administration’s changes to the program, including limits on language around diversity and equity, were vague and could bar Planned Parenthood from providing longtime services.

This story and headline have been updated with additional developments.

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Denise Richards said she’d ‘never’ divorce Aaron Phypers months ago

Published

3 hours ago

July 7, 2025

Whitney Vasquez

This didn’t age well.

Denise Richards vowed she’d “never” end her marriage to Aaron Phypers, just four months before his shock divorce filing.

The actress, 54, made the remark in a March episode of her reality series, “Denise Richards & Her Wild Things.”

“It’s not easy being married to me,” she confessed, with Phypers responding, “It is not, and she said it! But this is it. I’m done.”

“Yeah, I’m never getting divorced again. Even if we hate each other, I’m not gonna f–king get divorced,” chimed in Richards, referencing her divorce from Charlie Sheen. They married in 2002, and she filed for divorce while pregnant in 2005. It was finalized the following year.

“No, we’ll just have different homes or something,” Phypers added. “But we’re not gonna hate each other.”

All that changed on Monday, July 7, when the fitness guru, 52, filed for divorce, citing “irreconcilable differences” as the reason behind their breakup after six years of marriage.

In the documents obtained by The Post, Phypers listed the date of their separation as July 4.

He also asked to be awarded spousal support from Richards, claiming he’s made zero income since closing his business last year.

In his filing, Richards’ estranged husband alleged she makes over $250K per month on various projects like her TV shows, brand deals, appearances and her OnlyFans.

Phypers estimated his monthly expenditure is $105K, including $20K on clothing, $18K on rent, $15K on entertainment, $15K on eating out, among other expenses.

He doesn’t only want spousal support from his ex.

Phypers also asked the court for possession of his power tools, 2018 Indian Dark Horse motorcycle and his Shelby GT500 sports car.

Richards married the businessman on September 8, 2018.

The “Wild Things” actress has two older children — daughters Sami, 21, and Lola, 20 — whom she shares with Sheen.

The reality star also adopted her youngest daughter, Eloise, 14, in 2011, with Phypers legally adopting her 8 years later.

The Post caught up with Richards and Phypers at an event in May, and the duo gave no indication their marriage was about to end.

The former Bond girl even pitched her then-husband as the next possible 007, telling The Post exclusively that Phypers “would be an amazing Bond,” as casting for the leading man has not been announced.

Richards played Dr. Christmas Jones in the 1999 franchise flick “The World Is Not Enough” alongside Pierce Brosnan.

While the pair appeared happy, Richards’ oldest daughter recently revealed she’s “not even that close” with her stepdad.

In an April podcast episode of “Casual Chaos with Gia Giudice,” Sami disclosed the nature of her relationship with Phypers.

“We don’t ever hang out, we never talk,” she shared, but noted, “He makes her [Richards] happy.”

Richards wasn’t the only one married before their relationship.

Phypers wed “Desperate Housewives” star Nicollette Sheridan in 2015. Their marriage was short-lived as Sheridan filed for divorce in July 2016, just a few months after they tied the knot.

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