The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (Cert-In) issued a high-severity advisory about the use of deepfakes to scam people on November 27. The agency said that deepfakes, which use artificial intelligence (AI) “to create highly realistic and convincing fake videos, images, and audio” pose “significant risks, including the potential for disinformation, fraud, and social engineering attacks." READ | In a first, CERT-In can now give expert opinion on evidence from drones, CCTVs It advised organisations to use encrypted and secure communication channels for sensitive discussions to prevent interception and manipulation. There is a high risk of “exploitation” which can lead to misinformation, fraud and reputational damage, the advisory said. The agency said that deepfakes can be used to commit financial fraud, spread disinformation, do social engineering, and generate non-consensual explicit content. When it comes to disinformation, Cert-In warned that deepfakes can be used to spread “false information or manipulate public opinion by creating fake videos of public figures or events” which “can have serious implications for politics, journalism, and public trust”. The advisory was released a week after the Bharatiya Janata Party posted four fake audio clips targeting NCP (SP)’s Supriya Sule on the eve of the Maharashtra assembly elections. Cert-In advised people to be careful about the amount of personal data they share online, especially high-resolution photos and videos that be “exploited” to create deepfakes. The agency also advised people to enable strong privacy settings, verify sources of information, and look for distinctive signs of digital manipulation (lip-sync issues, awkward head and body movements, robotic and mechanical voices, distorted or misaligned visuals, etc.). On May 22, Rajesh Kumar, CEO of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), explained that to commit financial crimes (such as “digital arrests”), criminals rely on social engineering for which they depend both on breached personal data as well as the wealth of personal data and details of relationships that people make publicly available on social media platforms. For organisations, Cert-In said that they should watermark their media to deter deepfake creators, implement verification protocols for all digital communications (multi-factor authentication, callbacks for sensitive transactions), use advanced detection tools, and monitor social media and public channels for potential deepfake content targeting the organisation amongst other measures. Cert-In also advised organisations to conduct regular security audits to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by such technologies, and to ensure that the entity’s legal and compliance frameworks “are capable of effectively addressing deepfake threats”.TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) — A U.S. senator has called for mysterious drones spotted flying at night over sensitive areas in New Jersey and other parts of the Mid-Atlantic region to be “shot down, if necessary,” even as it remains unclear who owns the unmanned aircraft. “We should be doing some very urgent intelligence analysis and take them out of the skies, especially if they’re flying over airports or military bases,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut said Thursday, as concerns about the drones spread across Capitol Hill. People in the New York region are also concerned that the drones may be sharing airspace with commercial airlines, he said, demanding more transparency from the Biden administration. The White House said Thursday that a review of the reported sightings shows that many of them are actually manned aircraft being flown lawfully. White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said there were no reported sightings in any restricted airspace. He said the U.S. Coast Guard has not uncovered any foreign involvement from coastal vessels. “We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or a public safety threat, or have a foreign nexus,” Kirby said, echoing statements from the Pentagon and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh has said they are not U.S. military drones. In a joint statement issued Thursday afternoon, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security said they and their federal partners, in close coordination with the New Jersey State Police, “continue to deploy personnel and technology to investigate this situation and confirm whether the reported drone flights are actually drones or are instead manned aircraft or otherwise inaccurate sightings.” The agencies said they have not corroborated any of the reported sightings with electronic detection, and that reviews of available images appear to show many of the reported drones are actually manned aircraft. “There are no reported or confirmed drone sightings in any restricted air space,” according to the statement. The drones appear to avoid detection by traditional methods such as helicopter and radio, according to a state lawmaker briefed Wednesday by the Department of Homeland Security. The number of sightings has increased in recent days, though officials say many of the objects seen may have been planes rather than drones. It’s also possible that a single drone has been reported more than once. The worry stems partly from the flying objects initially being spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility, and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster. In a post on the social media platform X, Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia described the drones as up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) in diameter and sometimes traveling with their lights switched off. Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use but are subject to local and Federal Aviation Administration regulations and flight restrictions. Operators must be FAA certified. Most, but not all, of the drones spotted in New Jersey appeared to be larger than those typically used by hobbyists. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey said he was frustrated by the lack of transparency, saying it could help spread fear and misinformation. “We should know what’s going on over our skies,” he said Thursday. John Duesler, president of the Pennsylvania Drone Association, said witnesses may be confused about what they are seeing, especially in the dark, and noted it’s hard to know the size of the drones or how close they might be. “There are certainly big drones, such as agricultural drones, but typically they are not the type you see flying around in urban or suburban spaces,” Duesler said Thursday. Duesler said the drones — and those flying them — likely cannot evade detection. “They will leave a radio frequency footprint, they all leave a signature," he said. "We will find out what kind of drones they were, who was flying them and where they were flying them.” Fantasia, a Morris County Republican, was among several lawmakers who met with state police and Homeland Security officials to discuss the sightings from the New York City area across New Jersey and westward into parts of Pennsylvania, including over Philadelphia. It is unknown at this time whether the sightings are related. Duesler said the public wants to know what's going on. “I hope (the government agencies) will come out with more information about this to ease our fears. But this could just be the acts of rogue drone operators, it’s not an ‘invasion’ as some reports have called it,” Duesler said. “I am concerned about this it but not alarmed by it.” Associated Press reporters Mark Scolforo in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and reporter Darlene Superville and videojournalists Serkan Gurbuz and Nathan Ellgren in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report.ace gaming 888 login 。

Agnico Eagle and O3 Mining Welcome Gold Fields' Support of Their Friendly Premium TransactionJulia Wick | (TNS) Los Angeles Times As California politicos look ahead to 2025, the biggest question looming is whether Vice President Kamala Harris — a native daughter, battered just weeks ago by presidential election defeat — will enter the 2026 California governor’s race. Related Articles National Politics | Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people National Politics | Trump taps immigration hard-liner Kari Lake as head of Voice of America National Politics | Trump invites China’s Xi to his inauguration even as he threatens massive tariffs on Beijing National Politics | Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump National Politics | What Americans think about Hegseth, Gabbard and key Trump Cabinet picks AP-NORC poll Harris has yet to give any public indication on her thoughts and those close to her suggest the governorship is not immediately top of mind. But if Harris does ultimately run — and that’s a massive if — her entrée would seismically reshape the already crowded race for California’s highest office. Recent polling suggests Harris would have a major advantage, with 46% of likely voters saying they were somewhat or very likely to support her for governor in 2026, according to a UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies survey co-sponsored by The Times. “If Vice President Harris were to choose to run, I am certain that that would have a near field-clearing effect on the Democratic side,” Rep. Katie Porter, D-Irvine, said during a recent UC Irvine panel interview . Porter, a high-profile Democrat who has been eyeing the wide-open governor’s race, has yet to say whether she plans to run. Porter’s point was broadly echoed in conversations with nearly a dozen California political operatives and strategists, several of whom requested anonymity to speak candidly. Most speculated that a Harris entry would cause some other candidates in the race to scatter, creating further upheaval in down-ballot races as a roster of ambitious politicians scramble for other opportunities. “In politics, you always let the big dogs eat first,” quipped Democratic political consultant Peter Ragone. The current gubernatorial field is a who’s who of California politicians, but lacks a clear favorite or star with widespread name recognition. The vast majority of California’s 22 million voters have yet to pay attention to the race and have little familiarity with the candidates. The list of Democratic candidates includes Los Angeles’ first Latino mayor in more than a century ( Antonio Villaraigosa ); the first female and first out LGBTQ leader of the state Senate ( Toni Atkins ); the sitting lieutenant governor and first woman to hold that post ( Eleni Kounalakis ); the state superintendent of public instruction ( Tony Thurmond ) and the former state controller ( Betty Yee ). Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is serving his second term as California governor, meaning he is ineligible to run again. Several other Democrats, including Porter, outgoing Health and Human Services Director Xavier Becerra and state Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta have also publicly toyed with the idea of a run. They could be less likely to enter the fray should Harris decide to run. What the billionaire mall mogul Rick Caruso — who has also been exploring a run — would choose to do is an open question, as Caruso might contrast himself with Harris as a more centrist candidate. The real estate developer was a registered Republican until November 2019. It’s unlikely that Harris will proffer a public decision in the immediate term, leaving plenty of time for political insiders to game out hypotheticals in the weeks and months to come. Harris’ office did not respond to a request for comment. “I think every candidate for governor is trying to get some kind of intel,” Mike Trujillo, a Los Angeles-based Democratic political consultant and former Villaraigosa staffer, said of a potential Harris run. Trujillo speculated that Harris’ current state was probably similar to Hillary Clinton’s hiking sojourns in the Chappaqua woods after losing to Donald Trump in 2016, or Al Gore growing a beard in the bruising aftermath of his 2000 defeat. “The first thing she’s probably thinking about is, ‘Well, can I run again for president in four years?’ Not, ‘Do I run for governor in two years?’” said one political operative who’s worked with Harris in the past. Harris maintains a home in Brentwood and previously served as California’s senator and attorney general. A successful run for governor in 2026 would almost certainly impede a grab for the presidency in 2028. (Though if history is any guide, an unsuccessful run for California governor does not definitively preclude a bid for the Oval Office: Two years after losing the White House to John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon lost the 1962 contest for governor to Pat Brown . The Yorba Linda native became the nation’s 37th president in 1969.) As the chief executive of a state that doubles as the world’s fifth-largest economy, Harris would have more power to steer policy and make changes as a California governor than she did as vice president, where her job required deference to President Biden. But leading a state, even the nation’s most populous, could feel like small potatoes after being a heartbeat (and a few dozen electoral votes) from the presidency. The protracted slog to November 2026 would also be a stark contrast to her ill-fated 107-day sprint toward the White House, particularly for a candidate whose 2020 presidential primary campaign was dogged by allegations of infighting and mismanagement. “I don’t think Kamala Harris has a deep psychological need to be governor of California, or to be in elective office in order to feel like she can contribute to society,” said the operative who’s worked with Harris in the past. “I think some of these people do, but she’s somebody who has enough prominence that she could do a lot of big, wonderful things without having to worry about balancing California’s budget or negotiating with Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel,” the Encino Democrat who chairs the Assembly’s budget committee. Technically, Harris has until March 2026 to decide whether she enters a race. But political strategists who spoke to The Times theorized that she probably would make a move by late spring, if she chooses to do so. “People will be more annoyed if she drops in in June,” a Democratic strategist involved with one of the gubernatorial campaigns said. Sending a clear signal by February would be more “courteous,” the strategist continued, explaining that such a move would give candidates more time to potentially enter other races. Kounalakis is a longtime friend and ally of Harris’ , and the vice president also has long-term relationships with some of the other candidates and potential candidates. California has eight statewide elected offices and campaign finance laws allow candidates to fundraise interchangeably for them, meaning money already raised for a candidate’s gubernatorial campaign could easily be redirected should they decide to run for, say, lieutenant governor instead. There are already a number of candidates running for lieutenant governor, including former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs, former state Sen. Steven Bradford and former state Treasurer Fiona Ma. But that office probably would see even more interest should Harris enter the gubernatorial race. It’s a largely ceremonial position, but one that has served as a launching pad for the governorship. Still, even if Harris does enter the race, Republican political strategist Mike Murphy threw cold water on the idea that she would have an automatic glide path to the governor’s office. “It’s like Hollywood. Nobody knows anything. She’s famous enough to look credible in early polling. That’s all we know for sure,” Murphy said. “Does that predict the future? No. Are there a lot of downsides (to a potential Harris candidacy)? Totally, yes.” ©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on X (Opens in new window) Most Popular Woman dies, driver injured in James City County crash Woman dies, driver injured in James City County crash Colonial Williamsburg’s Grand Illumination has echoes across the US Colonial Williamsburg's Grand Illumination has echoes across the US House approves $895B defense bill with military pay raise, ban on transgender care for minors House approves $895B defense bill with military pay raise, ban on transgender care for minors Bill Belichick agrees to become North Carolina head football coach Bill Belichick agrees to become North Carolina head football coach Former NFL player opens Newport News youth empowerment center Former NFL player opens Newport News youth empowerment center Phoebus’ football seniors want 4th state title, designation as ‘The Dynasty Class’ Phoebus’ football seniors want 4th state title, designation as ‘The Dynasty Class’ Kingsmill residents address James City County officials with concerns about future development Kingsmill residents address James City County officials with concerns about future development Cause of underground fire at Williamsburg Premium Outlets still unknown — and may stay that way, fire chief says Cause of underground fire at Williamsburg Premium Outlets still unknown — and may stay that way, fire chief says FBI Director Christopher Wray says he intends to resign at the end of Biden’s term next month FBI Director Christopher Wray says he intends to resign at the end of Biden’s term next month Review: Peninsula Community Theatre’s ‘Drinking Habits’ is a comedy about nuns and wine. It’s farcical fun. Review: Peninsula Community Theatre’s ‘Drinking Habits’ is a comedy about nuns and wine. It’s farcical fun. Trending Nationally Hannah Kobayashi, missing Hawaii woman who prompted a massive search, is found safe Kimberly Guilfoyle: Latest Trump nominee accused of sexual misconduct Baseball slugger and former Cleveland Indians All-Star Rocky Colavito passes away NYC wanted posters target CEOs in wake of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson slay ALDI has come up with a better way on shopping carts

Headed South for Winter? 5 Tips for Snowbirds About to Take FlightNo One Knows That You're Great At What You DoMichigan defensive lineman, Merrillville native Kenneth Grant declares for NFL draft

Trekking to the beach only to find the surf full of stinging bluebottles could soon be a thing of the past as scientists investigate how to predict when they are likely to wash ashore. Swell and wind forecasts and machine learning are being used in a bid to build a predictive model for bluebottle movements by researchers at the University of NSW. But it won't be ready this summer as scientists continue testing with plans to make the technology available in late 2025. Bluebottles are biologically closer to coral than jellyfish and cannot swim, placing them at the mercy of ocean currents. Bluebottles deliver a sting which can cause redness and pain but do not generally cause serious harm. They would sink if fitted with the trackers used to keep an eye on sharks and other fish. Scientists instead placed trackers on 3D-printed replica bluebottles placed about five kilometres off the coast of Sydney's Botany Bay in January to get an idea how the stingers could spread. One washed up at Bondi Beach, along with a number of actual bluebottles. Another was picked up by a dog at Palm Beach, at the far end of the city's northern beaches, more than 40km away from the release location. Like bluebottles, the replicas had their sails pointing either left or right, dictating the direction they drifted in the 20km/h winds. But winds over 30km/h overcame those directions, blowing a whole colony of bluebottles the same way. UNSW oceanography researcher Amandine Schaeffer said machine learning and oceanographic models were being used to analyse where bluebottles reached the Australian coast and where they come from. "We're trying to understand how they move with ocean currents, winds and waves, and which conditions bring them to shore," she said. Forecasts for currents, wind and swell could then be used to predict swarms. "The idea is to have a statistical model that is fed with these environmental variables, which will allow us to make predictions about the likelihood of bluebottles being on a particular beach," Dr Schaeffer said. The researchers are working with Surf Life Saving Australia to incorporate the predictions into its Beachsafe app once the predictive model is operational.Chaikin scores 21 off the bench, Lafayette knocks off NCAA Div. III-Rosemont 91-45

Stock market today: Wall Street drifts to a mixed close in thin trading following a holiday pause‘Christmas Light Fight’ Host Carter Oosterhouse on Holiday Traditions, Marriage to Amy Smart & More

ATLANTA — On Jan. 18 and 19 the AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! will be held at State Farm Arena in advance of the College Football Playoff national championship on Jan. 20. The star-studded lineup was announced Thursday at a news conference at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Performances will include Lil Wayne and GloRilla on Saturday; and Camila Cabello, Myles Smith and Knox on Sunday. On game day, the Allstate Championship Tailgate, taking place just outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the Home Depot Backyard, will feature country acts on the Capital One Music Stage, including global superstar Kane Brown and iHeartCountry “On The Verge” artist Ashley Cooke. The concerts are just two of the festivities visiting fans can enjoy in the days leading up to the big game. The fan experience for both ticket holders and the general public has been a focus for event planners. All weekend long, an estimated 100,000 people from across the country are expected to attend fan events preceding kickoff. “It will be an opportunity for fans of all ages to come together to sample what college football is all about, and you don’t have to have a ticket to the game to be a part of it,” said Bill Hancock, executive director of the CFP in a press release. “We’ve worked closely with the Atlanta Football Host Committee to develop fan-friendly events that thousands will enjoy come January.” On Saturday, Jan. 18, Playoff Fan Central will open at the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta. The free, family-friendly experience will include games, clinics, pep rallies, special guest appearances, autograph signings and exhibits celebrating college football and its history. That day, fans can also attend Media Day, presented by Great Clips, which will feature one-hour sessions with student-athletes and coaches from each of the College Football Playoff national championship participating teams. ESPN and social media giants X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok will be taping live broadcasts from the event. On Sunday, Jan. 19, the Trophy Trot, both a 5K and 10K race, will wind its way through the streets of downtown Atlanta. Each Trophy Trot participant will receive a T-shirt and finisher’s medal. Participants can register at atlantatrackclub.org . On Sunday evening, the Georgia Aquarium will host the Taste of the Championship dining event, which offers attendees the opportunity to indulge in food and drink prepared by local Atlanta chefs. This premium experience serves as an elevated exploration of local cuisine on the eve of the national championship. Tickets to the Taste of the Championship event are available on etix.com . Atlanta is the first city ever to repeat as host for the CFP national championship. The playoff was previously held in Atlanta in 2018. “We are honored to be the first city to repeat as host for the CFP national championship and look forward to welcoming college football fans from around the country in January,” said Dan Corso, president of the Atlanta Sports Council and Atlanta Football Host Committee. “This event gives us another opportunity to showcase our incredible city.” The College Football Playoff is the event that crowns the national champion in college football. The quarterfinals and semifinals rotate annually among six bowl games — the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential and the Allstate Sugar Bowl. This year’s quarterfinals will take place on Dec. 31, 2024 and Jan. 1, 2025, while the semifinals will be Jan. 9-10, 2025. The CFP national championship will be Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. For additional information on the College Football Playoff, visit CollegeFootballPlayoff.com . Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Giants receiver Malik Nabers could miss Saints game after MRI confirms hip flexor

The has awarded SK Hynix $458 million in direct funding for the company’s project to build an in West Lafayette, Indiana. The funding will support the South Korean company’s $3.87 billion investment to establish a facility for artificial intelligence products, advanced packaging fabrication, and chip research and development efforts, the said Thursday. Table of Contents AI Hardware Supply Chain Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo noted that the federal investment will strengthen the U.S. AI hardware supply chain, generate hundreds of new jobs and ensure that Indiana will play a critical role in advancing the country’s economic and national security. “By investing in companies like SK Hynix and communities like West Lafayette, the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act continues to supercharge America’s global technology leadership,” she added. Domestic HBM Manufacturing Capacity Funded by the CHIPS and Science Act, the investment will bring high-bandwidth memory, a.k.a. HBM, manufacturing capacity to the United States, courtesy of SK Hynix, according to NIST. The project is estimated to create over a thousand new jobs in Indiana and promote partnerships. Specifically, the company will work with Purdue University to research, develop, produce and package HBMs within the United States. Apart from the direct funding, whose disbursement will be determined by construction, technology, production and commercial milestones, the CHIPS Program Office will also provide up to $500 million in loans to SK Hynix.

Marvel Discovery Corp. to Return to Blackfly Gold Project and Duhamel Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Projects; Evaluates Joint Venture Opportunities for Elliott Lake Uranium & Critical Element Assets

As he prepares to return to a Manhattan courtroom to face the judge overseeing his transfer of property to women he defamed, Rudy Giuliani is urging him not to hold him in contempt. In a series of court filings on Christmas Eve, the former New York City mayor implored District Judge Lewis Liman to reject a demand for sanctions from a pair of election workers who accused Giuliani of repeatedly violating court orders — including blowing past deadlines and throwing up obstacles to hand over his property to satisfy tens of millions of dollars he owes them. He also claims that the mother-daughter pair of election workers he defamed in the volatile aftermath of the 2020 presidential election are not even legally entitled to receive any of his property because they failed to file an oath as required under state law. Giuliani is expected to testify at a court hearing set for January 3, where Donald Trump ’s former attorney will say that he “did not knowingly and/or intentionally and/or willingly violate or disobey” any court orders, according to a letter to the judge from his attorney Joseph Cammarata. In a separate filing to the judge written by Giuliani himself, he swore that he already turned over a long list of property to the women, just as he was ordered to. “I respectfully submit that the items which I was required to turn over, I turned over,” he wrote. “The Court should see that I gave everything that I could give.” Giuliani has given “everything” that the judge “required me to provide that I possessed, and out of an abundance of caution, additional items were provided to the Plaintiffs,” he added. The filings included lists of 42 pieces of property that he says were turned over as ordered by the court, including items removed from a storage facility in Ronkonkoma, New York, to another storage locker in Queens. “I have not intentionally or willfully disobeyed any of this Court’s orders or Plaintiffs’ discovery demands,” Giuliani wrote. “If any documents were not produced by me, it was because I did not possess them or was unable to locate them.” He wrote that he has “fully or substantially” complied with the court orders, and that he “should not be held in contempt or sanctioned.” But he also argues that the “receivership has not yet technically or legally begun” because defamed election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss never signed an oath, which “must have been administered by any person authorized to take acknowledgment of deeds by the real property law of New York State, and then filed with the Court before the Plaintiffs undertook the duties as Receivers.” “Even if the Plaintiffs could have filed the Oath at any time, the Plaintiffs failed to do so,” Cammarata wrote in a separate Christmas Eve filing. Earlier this month , attorneys for Freeman and Moss argued Giuliani “has not turned over a single dollar,” nor has he turned over a “number of specific items of personal property that he has been unambiguously ordered” to hand over — including the title to his Mercedes Benz convertible, keys to his Manhattan penthouse, valuable sports memorabilia and home furnishings. “It is unclear at this point even where those possessions are located,” they wrote in court filings. Giuliani has delivered a 1980 Mercedes Benz convertible , more than a dozen watches, and a “single diamond ring,” as well as access to his New York penthouse apartment, “but no keys or ownership documents,” leaving the women “to sort through significant logistical obstacles to a sale, including the presence of his ex-wife’s name on the title,” according to their attorneys. He also only delivered “some” of the items in a storage facility he was ordered to open for the women, they argued. During a court hearing last month , Liman warned Giuliani that he could face contempt sanctions for failing to meet his “unqualified obligation” to deliver all listed property to the women, but Giuliani “has neither complied with that obligation nor provided any explanation for why he could not do so,” according to attorneys for the women. In another hearing in November, Liman criticized Giuliani for “farcical” excuses about his assets. Following Trump’s defeat in the 2020 election, Giuliani falsely accused Freeman and Moss of manipulating election results in Georgia. They sued him for defamation in Washington, D.C., and in December 2023, a jury awarded them $148 million in damages. He then filed for bankruptcy, but after a protracted legal battle, the case was dismissed earlier this year to let Giuliani and his many creditors battle for control of his assets in separate courtrooms overseeing the lawsuits against him. Now, the 80-year-old former mayor faces even more financial penalties — or even jail — in the ongoing legal fallout from his false election claims during his spurious campaign to keep Trump in office. He will appear in court in D.C. on January 10, one week after he sits for a similar hearing in Manhattan, for allegedly breaking a court order against repeating defamatory statements about the women.Conservation groups file suit challenging Bitterroot Forest Plan

Trump Has Pressed For Voting Changes. GOP Majorities In Congress Will Try To Make That HappenWall Street stocks were little changed on Thursday while Asian equities rose in thin Boxing Day trade, extending their "Santa Claus Rally" with several bourses still shut for the holiday. Japan's Nikkei index closed up 1.1 percent, boosted by comments from the Bank of Japan governor and share price gains for top-selling automaker Toyota. China's plans for massive bond issuances in 2025 also bolstered investor sentiment. "Even though many in the region are still shaking off a bit of a holiday hangover, with several markets closed for Boxing Day, Asian stocks opened higher, riding a favorable wave from China's financial bond juggernaut," said Stephen Innes from SPI Asset Management. In New York, major indices veered in and out of positive territory in a sleepy post-Christmas session. The broad-based S&P 500 finished down less than 0.1 percent. Large technology companies that have led the market in much of 2024 mostly took a breather. These included Netflix, Tesla and Amazon, all of which declined. "What's interesting today is that we're seeing small stocks bounce back a little bit," said Steve Sosnick of Interactive Brokers, noting that the Russell 2000 index put on 0.9 percent. Holiday consumer data showed a 3.8-percent increase in US retail spending from November 1 to December 24, according to a Mastercard SpendingPulse review of a key period for retailers. London Stockton, an analyst at Ned Davis Research, noted that the "Santa Claus rally could still be alive, with strong seasonality into the end of the year." Stock markets have traditionally fared well in the last five trading days of the year and the first two in the new year, a trend known as the "Santa Claus rally." Among a number of possible reasons advanced by experts include the festive holiday mood and purchasing ahead of the end of the tax year. Innes said remarks from Bank of Japan governor Kazuo Ueda in which he refrained from signaling a potential interest rate hike next month also "influenced bullish regional sentiments." Japanese market heavyweight Toyota ended nearly six percent higher after reports in the Nikkei business daily said it aimed to double its return on equity -- a key measure of a company's financial performance. New York - Dow: UP 0.1 percent at 43,325.80 (close) New York - S&P 500: DOWN less than 0.1 percent at 6,037.59 (close) New York - Nasdaq: DOWN 0.1 percent at 20,020.36 (close) Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 1.1 percent at 39,568.06 points (close) Hang Seng: UP 1.1 percent at 20,098.29 points (Tuesday close) Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.1 percent at 3,398.08 points (close) Euro/dollar: UP at $1.0424 from $1.0414 on Tuesday Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2526 from $1.2538 Dollar/yen: UP at 158.00 yen from 157.06 yen Euro/pound: UP at 83.19 pence from 83.05 pence West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.7 percent at $69.62 per barrel Brent North Sea Crude: DOWN 0.4 percent at $73.26 per barrel bur-jmb/aha

NSPNC, political parties continue discussions on democracy, federalismTrekking to the beach only to find the surf full of stinging bluebottles could soon be a thing of the past as scientists investigate how to predict when they are likely to wash ashore. Swell and wind forecasts and machine learning are being used in a bid to build a predictive model for bluebottle movements by researchers at the University of NSW. But it won't be ready this summer as scientists continue testing with plans to make the technology available in late 2025. Bluebottles are biologically closer to coral than jellyfish and cannot swim, placing them at the mercy of ocean currents. Bluebottles deliver a sting which can cause redness and pain but do not generally cause serious harm. They would sink if fitted with the trackers used to keep an eye on sharks and other fish. Scientists instead placed trackers on 3D-printed replica bluebottles placed about five kilometres off the coast of Sydney's Botany Bay in January to get an idea how the stingers could spread. One washed up at Bondi Beach, along with a number of actual bluebottles. Another was picked up by a dog at Palm Beach, at the far end of the city's northern beaches, more than 40km away from the release location. Like bluebottles, the replicas had their sails pointing either left or right, dictating the direction they drifted in the 20km/h winds. But winds over 30km/h overcame those directions, blowing a whole colony of bluebottles the same way. UNSW oceanography researcher Amandine Schaeffer said machine learning and oceanographic models were being used to analyse where bluebottles reached the Australian coast and where they come from. "We're trying to understand how they move with ocean currents, winds and waves, and which conditions bring them to shore," she said. Forecasts for currents, wind and swell could then be used to predict swarms. "The idea is to have a statistical model that is fed with these environmental variables, which will allow us to make predictions about the likelihood of bluebottles being on a particular beach," Dr Schaeffer said. The researchers are working with Surf Life Saving Australia to incorporate the predictions into its Beachsafe app once the predictive model is operational.

I’m A Celebrity’s Jane Moore bravely faces first Bushtucker Trial as her panicked campmates scream in terrorExplore the World Expo: Significance of the Event / High Expectations for 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo to Help Boost Region, Leave Positive Legacy for Next GenerationStock indexes drifted to a mixed finish on Wall Street as some heavyweight technology and communications sector stocks offset gains elsewhere in the market. The S&P 500 slipped less than 0.1% Thursday, its first loss after three straight gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.1%. Gains by retailers and health care stocks helped temper the losses. Trading volume was lighter than usual as U.S. markets reopened following the Christmas holiday. The Labor Department reported that U.S. applications for unemployment benefits held steady last week, though continuing claims rose to the highest level in three years. Treasury yields fell in the bond market. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. Stocks wavered on Wall Street in afternoon trading Thursday, as gains in tech companies and retailers helped temper losses elsewhere in the market. The S&P 500 was up less than 0.1% after drifting between small gains and losses. The benchmark index is coming off a three-day winning streak. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 10 points, or less than 0.1%, as of 3:20 p.m. Eastern time. The Nasdaq composite was up 0.1%. Trading volume was lighter than usual as U.S. markets reopened after the Christmas holiday. Chip company Broadcom rose 2.5%, Micron Technology was up 1.3% and Adobe gained 0.8%. While tech stocks overall were in the green, some heavyweights were a drag on the market. Semiconductor giant Nvidia, whose enormous valuation gives it an outsize influence on indexes, slipped 0.1%. Meta Platforms fell 0.5%, Amazon was down 0.4%, and Netflix gave up 0.7%. Tesla was among the biggest decliners in the S&P 500, down 1.4%. Health care stocks helped lift the market. CVS Health rose 1.4% and Walgreens Boots Alliance rose 3.9% for the biggest gain among S&P 500 stocks. Several retailers also gained ground. Target rose 3.1%, Ross Stores added 1.8%, Best Buy was up 2.5% and Dollar Tree gained 3.6%. Traders are watching to see whether retailers have a strong holiday season. The day after Christmas traditionally ranks among the top 10 biggest shopping days of the year, as consumers go online or rush to stores to cash in gift cards and raid bargain bins. U.S.-listed shares in Honda and Nissan rose 4.2% and 15.9%, respectively. The Japanese automakers announced earlier this week that the two companies are in talks to combine. Traders got a labor market update. U.S. applications for unemployment benefits held steady last week , though continuing claims rose to the highest level in three years, the Labor Department reported. Treasury yields turned mostly lower in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.58% from 4.59% late Tuesday. Major European markets were closed, as well as Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia. Trading was expected to be subdued this week with a thin slate of economic data on the calendar. Still, U.S. markets have historically gotten a boost at year’s end despite lower trading volumes. The last five trading days of each year, plus the first two in the new year, have brought an average gain of 1.3% since 1950. So far this month, the U.S. stock market has lost some of its gains since President-elect Donald Trump’s win on Election Day, which raised hopes for faster economic growth and more lax regulations that would boost corporate profits. Worries have risen that Trump’s preference for tariffs and other policies could lead to higher inflation , a bigger U.S. government debt and difficulties for global trade. Even so, the U.S. market remains on pace to deliver strong returns for 2024. The benchmark S&P 500 is up roughly 26% so far this year and remains near its most recent all-time high it set earlier this month — its latest of 57 record highs this year. Wall Street has several economic reports to look forward to next week, including updates on pending home sales and home prices, a report on U.S. construction spending and snapshots of manufacturing activity. ___ AP Business Writers Elaine Kurtenbach and Matt Ott contributed. Alex Veiga, The Associated Press

Wall Street ends flat after the Christmas break

Experts discuss why and how to navigate information overload and counter misinformation so that people with cancer can make well-informed decisions about their care. WASHINGTON , Dec. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Comprehensive Cancer Network ® (NCCN ® )—a non-profit alliance of leading cancer centers—hosted a Patient Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C. , today. The annual event brings together leading experts to promote strategies and best practices for improving cancer care. This year's summit focused on practice and policy solutions for sharing accurate, evidence-based health information with patients and caregivers. It featured a keynote address from W. Kimryn Rathmell, MD, PhD, MMHC, Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) , along with panel discussions that included Robin Vanderpool , DrPH, Chief of the NCI's Health Communication and Informatics Research Branch . "When people with cancer are empowered to make informed choices about their care, they tend to have better outcomes," said Crystal S. Denlinger , MD, Chief Executive Officer, NCCN , who welcomed attendees at the start of the program. "That means we must provide patients with clear, trustworthy information that meets them where they are. For example, the NCCN Guidelines for Patients offer plain-language explanations of the latest evidence-based recommendations. They feature expert guidance on most cancer types, along with prevention, screening, and supportive care. We share them in multiple languages and formats, including books and webinars." "Every person facing cancer needs and deserves high-quality information to understand their options and guide their decisions. The National Cancer Institute, NCCN, and other organizations represented at the summit contribute to a complex information landscape to meet the needs of people with cancer," said Dr. Rathmell. "Trust in the cancer research enterprise is essential to ensuring that scientific progress includes and reflects the diversity of patient experiences and providing reliable health information is a key aspect of earning and honoring that trust." During a series of Best Practices Presentations for sharing patient-centered health information, NCCN's Senior Director of Patient Information Operations, Dorothy Shead , explained that the NCCN Guidelines for Patients ® are available for free at NCCN.org/patientguidelines or via the NCCN Patient Guides for Cancer App —thanks to funding via the NCCN Foundation ® . Additional presentations came from spokespeople for We Engage 4 Health, HPV Cancers Alliance, Cancer Support Community, and the Frontier & Rural Patient Navigators at the University of Utah Huntsman Cancer Institute. More information can be found in a new resource toolkit at NCCN.org/patient-advocacy-resources . Preventing the spread of misinformation Speakers underscored the need to identify and debunk any myths that can create misunderstanding and a false sense of security. They discussed the importance of working with trusted messengers to counter misinformation. "A key lesson learned from COVID-19 was the importance of having trusted professional and community advocates address misinformation and disinformation," noted Martha Dawson , DNP, RN, FAAN, FACHE , Immediate Past President, National Black Nurses Association . "Diverse researchers, scientists, policymakers, faith-based leaders, and community advocates with similar lived experiences can serve as sources of trusted information. It is important to support and expand cancer education at the community level and engage with people where they are born, live, work, play, worship and transition life." "Misinformation in cancer care can create confusion, delay treatment, and undermine trust between patients and providers. By addressing these challenges head-on, we can empower patients with accurate, accessible information to make informed decisions about their health," agreed Skyler Johnson , MD, Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah . "Effective communication is at the heart of quality cancer care. We need to equip clinicians and patients with the tools and strategies to counter misinformation, foster trust, and work together through an increasingly complex healthcare landscape." Clear and consistent messaging to build trust A recurring theme throughout the discussions was the importance of clear and consistent health messaging that is delivered in a way everyone can understand. That means keeping in mind inclusive technology and supportive health literacy levels. Speakers cautioned against using too much medical jargon, instead focusing on language that can resonate. They also noted that it can be hard to retain information right after learning you or a loved one has cancer, so careful repetition can be key. Speakers also reiterated how crucial it is to build trust with each patient through open and honest two-way relationships. "As a survivor and caregiver, I've seen firsthand the impact that clear and culturally-relevant care discussions can have for patients and their families," explained Randi Ervin , Survivor/Advocate, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) . "Compassionate, empathetic, and relatable communication—delivered at the right time—can make a difficult journey feel a little more manageable for families like mine." Bryce Reeve , PhD, Professor, Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, commented: "As a health care system, we have a responsibility to ensure that every individual with cancer has a voice in their care. This is especially important for young children and individuals from marginalized communities whose values, perceptions, and experiences have often been overlooked." "Regardless of our affiliations, whether it be community healthcare, academic medicine, the federal government, or the nonprofit sector, it is critical for us to recognize the richness of collaborating with non-science/healthcare community members to address challenges such as health misinformation and equitable clinical trial participation," concluded Arnethea Sutton, PhD, Interim Assistant Director of Community Outreach and Engagement, VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center . "Not only will these collaborations contribute to trust-building amongst all partners, but the richness of diverse thought and perspectives will contribute to the translation of science and ultimately equitable outcomes for all." Learn more about past NCCN Oncology Policy Summits, and save-the-date for future events, at NCCN.org/summits . Next year's series will include the topics: Primary Care and Oncology Collaboration, Artificial Intelligence, and Unique Needs of Veterans and First Responders. About the National Comprehensive Cancer Network The National Comprehensive Cancer Network ® (NCCN ® ) is a not-for-profit alliance of leading cancer centers devoted to patient care, research, and education. NCCN is dedicated to defining and advancing quality, effective, equitable, and accessible cancer care so all people can live better lives. The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines ® ) provide transparent, evidence-based, expert consensus-driven recommendations for cancer treatment, prevention, and supportive services; they are the recognized standard for clinical direction and policy in cancer management and the most thorough and frequently-updated clinical practice guidelines available in any area of medicine. The NCCN Guidelines for Patients ® provide expert cancer treatment information to inform and empower patients and caregivers, through support from the NCCN Foundation ® . NCCN also advances continuing education, global initiatives, policy, and research collaboration and publication in oncology. Visit NCCN.org for more information. Media Contact: Rachel Darwin 267-622-6624 darwin@nccn.org View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nccn-hosts-patient-advocacy-summit-on-improving-access-to-accurate-health-information-302325181.html SOURCE National Comprehensive Cancer NetworkHarry Potter and the spellbinding Wallabies debutPortable Toilet Rental Market to Exhibit a Remarkable CAGR of 8% by 2029, Size, Share, Trends, Key Drivers, Demand, Opportunity Analysis and Competitive Outlook