#jlbet
Report notes pay gap between men and women has significant economic effects in NY
Jenelle Evans Criticizes MTV for Keeping Amber Portwood on ‘Teen Mom: The Next Chapter’: ‘She Doesn’t Have Custody of Any of Her Kids’Former President Jimmy Carter has died at the age of 100. The 39th president of the United States was a Georgia peanut farmer who sought to restore trust in government when he assumed the presidency in 1977 and then built a reputation for tireless work as a humanitarian. He earned a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Carter died Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care, at his home in Plains, Georgia. At age 52, Carter was sworn in as president on Jan. 20, 1977, after defeating President Gerald R. Ford in the 1976 general election. Carter left office on Jan. 20, 1981, following his 1980 general election loss to Ronald Reagan. Here's the latest: As reaction poured in from around the world, President Joe Biden mourned Carter’s death, saying the world lost an “extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian” and he lost a dear friend. Biden cited Carter’s compassion and moral clarity, his work to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless and advocacy for the disadvantaged as an example for others. Biden said he is ordering a state funeral for Carter in Washington. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is remembering Carter as a man steeped “in devotion to public service and peace.” The California Democrat said in a statement Sunday that Carter was committed to “honoring the spark of divinity within every person,” something she said manifested in “teaching Sunday school in his beloved Marantha Baptist Church, brokering the landmark Camp David Accords to pave the way to peace or building homes with Habitat for Humanity.” Pelosi also said Carter led “perhaps the most impactful post-presidency in history.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer noted in a post on X the special contribution Carter made by brokering the Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt and through his work with the Carter Center. “Motivated by his strong faith and values, President Carter redefined the post-presidency with a remarkable commitment to social justice and human rights at home and abroad,” Starmer said. To commemorate Carter’s death, officials with the Empire State Building said in a post on social media that the iconic New York City landmark would be lit in red, white and blue on Sunday night, “to honor the life and legacy” of the late former president. In a statement issued Sunday, former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama said Carter’s beloved Maranatha Baptist Church “will be a little quieter on Sunday,s” but added that the late former president “will never be far away -- buried alongside Rosalynn next to a willow tree down the road, his memory calling all of us to heed our better angels.” Noting the “hundreds of tourists from around the world crammed into the pews” to see the former president teach Sunday school, as he did “for most of his adult life,” the Obamas listed Carter’s accomplishments as president. But they made special note of the Sunday school lessons, saying they were catalysts for people making a pilgrimage to the church. “Many people in that church on Sunday morning were there, at least in part, because of something more fundamental: President Carter’s decency.” The longest-lived American president died Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care , at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November 2023 , spent most of their lives. “Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia,” The Carter Center said in posting about his death on the social media platform X. It added in a statement that he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. In his 1975 book “Why Not The Best,” Carter said of himself: “I am a Southerner and an American, I am a farmer, an engineer, a father and husband, a Christian, a politician and former governor, a planner, a businessman, a nuclear physicist, a naval officer, a canoeist, and among other things a lover of Bob Dylan’s songs and Dylan Thomas’s poetry.” A moderate Democrat, Carter entered the 1976 presidential race as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad smile, outspoken Baptist mores and technocratic plans reflecting his education as an engineer. After he left office and returned home to his tiny hometown of Plains in southwest Georgia, Carter regularly taught Sunday School lessons at Maranatha Baptist Church until his mobility declined. Those sessions drew visitors from around the world. Former Vice President Al Gore praised Jimmy Carter for living “a life full of purpose, commitment and kindness” and for being a “lifelong role model for the entire environmental movement.” Carter, who left the White House in 1981 after a landslide defeat to Ronald Reagan. concentrated on conflict resolution, defending democracy and fighting disease in the developing world. Gore, who lost the 2000 presidential election to George W. Bush, remains a leading advocate for action to fight climate change. Both won Nobel Peace Prizes. Gore said that “it is a testament to his unyielding determination to help build a more just and peaceful world” that Carter is often “remembered equally for the work he did as President as he is for his leadership over the 42 years after he left office.” During Gore’s time in the White House, President Bill Clinton had an uneasy relationship with Carter. But Gore said he is “grateful” for “many years of friendship and collaboration” with Carter. Former President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, remember Carter as a man who lived to serve others. “Hillary and I mourn the passing of President Jimmy Carter and give thanks for his long, good life. Guided by his faith, President Carter lived to serve others — until the very end." The statement recalled Carter's many achievements and priorities, including efforts “to protect our natural resources in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, make energy conservation a national priority, return the Panama Canal to Panama, and secure peace between Egypt and Israel at Camp David." After he left office, the Clinton statement said, Carter continued efforts in "supporting honest elections, advancing peace, combating disease, and promoting democracy; to his and Rosalynn’s devotion and hard work at Habitat for Humanity — he worked tirelessly for a better, fairer world,” the statement said.
Indian space agency ISRO is set to launch its next SpaDeX mission on a PSLV-C60 vehicle on December 30, 2024 (tomorrow) at 9:58 PM IST. SpaDeX will be one of the most critical missions for the Indian Space Research Organisation because upcoming major launches like Chandrayaan-4, Bharatiya Antariksh Station and others depend on the docking technology. The mission will deploy twin SpaDeX satellites in their determined orbit. The PSLV 4th will act as a POEM (PSLV Orbital Experiment Module), lowering itself into orbit and supporting the ISRO's science experiments. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Completes 132nd and 133rd Launches, Delivers 22 Starlink Satellites and Astranis From One to Many Mission. ISRO is set to launch their SpaDeX mission on PSLV-C60 tomorrow at 9️⃣:5️⃣8️⃣ pm IST!! 🚀 This is going to be one of the most important missions for ISRO, as several of their future endeavors (such as Chandrayaan-4, Bharatiya Antariksh Station, etc) will be dependent on docking... pic.twitter.com/VwJXupx2FR — ISRO Spaceflight (@ISROSpaceflight) December 29, 2024 (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter (X), Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
Ardelyx chief development officer sells $34,443 in stockJimmy Carter: Many evolutions for a centenarian ‘citizen of the world’
Princess Kate inadvertently hinted at a massive change in her life during a key royal appointment today, a body language expert has said. The Princess of Wales , 42, was among the first senior royals to arrive at the annual Christmas Carol service held at Westminster Abbey this evening, appearing initially solo before she was joined by her husband, Prince William , and three children. The younger royals joined after visiting the "kindness tree" on which Prince Louis could be seen leaving a message for the late Queen and Prince Philip . The message read: "Thank you to granny and grandpa because they have played games with me." Princess Kate came with no such message, but body language experts who have carefully studied her body language have noticed subtle changes to her composure that speak volumes. Speaking exclusively to the Mirror , Judi James said she appears to have "changed her body language rituals" and even appeared to emulate the King. Ms James started with the Princess' arrival, saying she emerged with a "radiant" smile before cementing her place as the "leader of the event". She said: "Kate's smile on her lone arrival was classic Kate, a radiant, perfect Duchenne smile that threw a warm and grateful-looking connecting tie-sign to the fans outside. "Her lack of a bag to carry suggested confidence as she has at times used her bags as barriers when she has been feeling vulnerable. Here she just touched the fingers of both hands together or gesticulated as she spoke to again suggest confidence and to define her role as leader of this event." When she entered the service, the expert added, she expressed an all new "dimension" to her behaviour, with Ms James catching the Princess' emotion at attending alongside other cancer survivors. She continued: "But when she was greeting the guests inside, we saw a new dimension to Kate's body language rituals. "She has always been politely animated but here she was much more openly expressive and emotional with her facial expressions. This is a very moving service for Kate, with other cancer sufferers attending, and that seemed to reflect in her animated expressions that ranged from nose-wrinkled, dimpled laughter to a much more empathetic and concerned look, with steepled brows and the saddest eye expression accompanying a kind mouth smile." Ms James added that, at one point during the service, she appeared to mirror King Charles III. She said: "At one point she even seemed to be mirroring her father-in-law, arching her back slightly and performing the kind of playful chuckle that is Charles's signature look when he is meeting guests." Despite this, the strongest mirroring came from Prince William and his eldest son, Prince George , 11, Ms James suggested. She said: "The strongest mirroring though came between William and George. The father and son have famously adopted mirrored poses but it's usual that, with age, the tendency can decline. "Here the opposite seems to be true though, with each mirroring the other now, sitting or standing in identical poses for much of the time."
Sir Keir Starmer has led a host of tributes to former US president Jimmy Carter, saying he “redefined the post-presidency with a remarkable commitment to social justice and human rights at home and abroad”. The Prime Minister said Mr Carter, who died aged 100, will be remembered for the Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt, as well as his “decades of selfless public service”. He added that it was the Democrat’s “lifelong dedication to peace” that led to him receiving the Nobel Peace prize in 2002. Very sorry to hear of President Carter’s passing. I pay tribute to his decades of selfless public service. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this time. — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) Sir Keir was joined in paying tribute to the 39th president by other leaders including the King, current President Joe Biden, Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey and former PM Tony Blair. The King remembered former US president Jimmy Carter’s 1977 visit to the UK with “great fondness” and praised his “dedication and humility”. In a message to Mr Biden and the American people, Charles said: “It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of President Carter. “He was a committed public servant, and devoted his life to promoting peace and human rights. “His dedication and humility served as an inspiration to many, and I remember with great fondness his visit to the United Kingdom in 1977. “My thoughts and prayers are with President Carter’s family and the American people at this time.” Mr Biden said that Mr Carter was an “extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian”. He said his fellow Democrat was a “dear friend”, as he announced that he will order a state funeral to be held for him in Washington DC. “Today, America and the world lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian,” he said. “Over six decades, we had the honour of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. But, what’s extraordinary about Jimmy Carter though is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well. “With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us. He saved, lifted and changed the lives of people all across the globe. “He was a man of great character and courage, hope and optimism.” Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said Mr Carter “will be remembered for generations”. “Jimmy Carter was an inspiration,” Mr Davey wrote on X. “He led a truly remarkable life dedicated to public service with a genuine care for people. “My thoughts are with his family, friends and all those who loved him. He will be remembered for generations.” Mr Blair said: “Jimmy Carter’s life was a testament to public service; from his time in office, and the Camp David Accords, to his remarkable commitment to the cause of people and peace round the world over the past 40 years,” he said. “I always had the greatest respect for him, his spirit and his dedication. He fundamentally cared and consistently toiled to help those in need.”
Teen Mom: The Next Chapter will return for a new season in late January. Ahead of season 2B’s release, some of the series’ stars are drumming up lots of drama. Amber Portwood’s return to social media and her recent TikTok tirade against Gary Shirley has everyone talking. Jenelle Evans has even piled on. The out-of-work reality TV star took to the social media platform to criticize MTV for keeping Amber Portwood on the show. Jenelle Evans slams MTV and Amber Portwood Jenelle Evans appears to be chronically online these days. When she’s not making her own content, she’s apparently watching her form co-stars content. At the very least, she caught Amber Portwood’s TikTok meltdown. She has plenty of thoughts about what Portwood had to say about Gary Shirley. When questioned about Portwood’s recent rant during her own TikTok live event, Evans said she thinks Portwood needs to “kill them with kindness.” While her initial thoughts were rather measured, she veered off course quickly. Evans quickly took aim at MTV, criticizing the network for firing her but keeping Portwood on Teen Mom: The Next Chapter . Evans quipped that there is no reason for Portwood to be on the show because she doesn’t have custody of her children. She suggested that Gary Shirley’s wife , Kristina Shirley, take Portwood’s place. Evans took the opportunity to take one more swipe at Portwood, claiming that she is sure she’s easier to work with than her former co-star. Despite being involved in the same longstanding franchise, Amber Portwood and Jenelle Evans have shared almost no screen time. Portwood was initially cast in Teen Mom, while Evans was a part of Teen Mom 2. Evans was first fired in 2019. She was brought back for Teen Mom: The Next Chapter season 2A after she ended her relationship with David Eeason. MTV decided against including Evans in an additional season. Portwood is expected to appear in season 2B. Why was Jenelle Evans fired from ‘Teen Mom: The Next Chapter’? Jenelle Evans is clearly still bothered by her second dismissal from the Teen Mom franchise, based on her TikTok musings. Still, she insists it was a mutual decision that she made along with MTV and Paramount. The mother of three told her followers she could not reveal exactly why the network did not renew her contract for season 2B. Still, rumors have swirled. The Ashley Reality Roundup Group reported on MTV parting ways with Evans several weeks ago. The outlet alleges MTV opted not to bring Evans back because she pushed hard for her agent-turned-love-interest, August Keen, to be billed as her boyfriend. “Boyfriends” are paid more than guests. According to the publication, MTV was hoping for a redemption arc from Evans. The introduction of yet another love interest effectively ruined the plan. There was reportedly additional drama.
New research shows artificial intelligence (AI) can now navigate computer interfaces through voice commands to handle eCommerce transactions, even as most U.S. consumers don’t realize they’re already using AI while shopping online. The technology’s advancement spans from voice shopping and replicas of customer focus groups to smart shopping carts for product recognition. However, security concerns have emerged after an AI bot was tricked into an unauthorized cryptocurrency transfer. AI Voice Shopping Opens New Path for eCommerce New research reveals AI systems can now control computer interfaces through natural voice commands , potentially transforming online shopping. The Microsoft-backed study demonstrates AI agents can autonomously navigate software and complete tasks when directed through conversation. According to PYMNTS Intelligence, 54% of consumers prefer voice technology over typing for its speed and ease. Industry experts predict this advancement will revolutionize human-computer interaction, particularly in the eCommerce space. AI Matches Human Responses with 85% Accuracy Stanford and Google DeepMind researchers have created AI replicas of consumers that match human responses with 85% accuracy. The study involved 1,000 participants who completed two-hour interviews, with their digital twins later taking identical personality tests and surveys. Researchers found an 85% similarity between human and AI responses, even though the AI models performed more poorly on behavioral tests like the “dictator game,” which measures fairness values. The technology could drive market research by opening up access to virtual focus groups without real participants, shifting how companies gather consumer insights. International Retailers Turn to AI Shopping Tools Major retailers worldwide are deploying advanced AI shopping solutions in a bid for more efficiency. Walmart Chile began rolling out smart carts across five stores this week, touting a 95% accuracy in product recognition accuracy. In Thailand, supermarket chain Central Food Retail introduced “Tops Chef Bot,” an AI shopping assistant. Meanwhile, , a Bain study found that despite widespread AI implementation by retailers, 71% of U.S. consumers are unaware they’re using AI while shopping online. AI Crypto Game Bot Tricked Into $47K Transfer A player successfully manipulated Freysa, an AI crypto game bot programmed never to transfer funds, into releasing $47,000 in cryptocurrency. Freysa was an AI agent holding $50,000 in crypto that was programmed never to transfer the funds. Users could pay a fee to try convincing it to break this rule, with one eventually succeeding after 482 attempts. According to a Nov. 28 X post by Freysa developer Jarrod Watts , the winning user used a three-part strategy: establishing a new “admin session” to override previous rules, redefining the transfer function as meant for receiving rather than sending funds, and announcing a fake $100 contribution that triggered the release of the entire prize pool of 13.19 ETH. Cybersecurity experts said the hack demonstrates AI’s vulnerability to social engineering, emphasizing the need for human oversight in financial transactions. Car Dealers Rev Up AI Adoption All car dealerships using AI reported revenue increases , according to a new Fullpath survey, with 80% of these dealerships planning to increase their AI investment in 2025. The technology powers personalized marketing, customer support and digital advertising. Companies like CarMax use AI for vehicle recommendations, while BMW employs it for predictive maintenance, transforming traditional car-buying experiences.Pattern Announces Partnership with Phenome Health
Guess who hasn't even started their holiday shopping yet? Yours truly. But I know, statistically speaking, surely I can't be alone. Luckily I've hunted down some Walmart deals on gear that the WIRED team has hand-tested and would recommend to a friend. Today those friends are you and me. May the odds be ever in our favor. WIRED Featured Deals A sleek-looking Chromebook: Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 for $329 ($171 off) The best fitness tracker: Fitbit Charge 6 for $120 ($40 off) Stocking stuffer earbuds: JLab Go Air Pop Earbuds for $10 ($20 off) An excellent Dyson deal: Dyson V12 Detect Slim Cordless Vacuum for $400 ($250 off) Power up with unlimited access to WIRED . Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today . Tech Deals Samsung 65-inch S90D QD-OLED TV for $1,348 ($200 off) This discount comes close to what we saw during Black Friday. The Samsung S90D ( 9/10, WIRED Recommends ) is one of our very favorite TVs out of the dozens and dozens we've tested. The colors are vivid, but not too vivid, and the contrast and black levels are perfect. It also comes equipped for gaming with a bevy of ports and support for Samsung's Game Hub. Sony 65-inch Bravia 9 QLED TV for $2,698 ($302 off) This is another great deal that's a holdover from Black Friday sales. The Sony Bravia ( 9/10, WIRED Recommends ) is our favorite QLED TV . The mini LEDs give it super bright backlighting, and it's also packed with dimming technology to ensure contrast and black levels stay optimal. We wish it had a few more ports, but overall you're getting stunning picture quality in nearly any environment at a price that could justifiably be higher. Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020) for $599 ($144 off) This MacBook Air ( 9/10, WIRED Recommends ) is the cheapest MacBook you can buy, and the discount makes it even more attainable. It's a little older now, but it's still a great laptop for everyday tasks like getting work done, browsing the web, or binge-watching video essays on YouTube. If you just need a computer that'll do the job without costing an arm and a leg, this is a very good option. Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 for $329 ($171 off) On the hunt for a great-looking Chromebook ? That'd be the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 ( 7/10, WIRED Recommends ). Chromebooks often look bulky or dated, but the CX34 is sleek and svelte, with an all-white design that belies its affordable price tag. It can handle multiple tabs and open apps, and the webcam looks great too. We wish the keyboard was backlit, but this is still an excellent, affordable option that might make a great gift for your household's chief homework-doer. Bose Smart Soundbar for $399 ($100 off) Everybody should have a soundbar . The Bose Smart Soundbar ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ) is nice and compact, and despite its small footprint it packs in great, expansive sound that'll immerse you in whatever you're watching. Since it doesn't have a subwoofer, you won't get room-shaking bass, but it's still going to sound much better than your TV's tinny built-ins. Learn more about it and get additional recommendations in our Soundbars Buying Guide . Beats Pill (2024) Bluetooth Speaker for $100 ($50 off) The new Beats Pill ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ) has the hallmark thumping bass that's characteristic of Beats audio gear. And it packs all that sound into a portable little capsule-shaped package that's got a 24-hour battery life and one-touch pairing for Apple and Android devices. It's dust- and water-resistant, and it can even charge your phone through its USB-C output. If you're looking for a portable party, this Bluetooth speaker is absolutely worth checking out, especially at this price. 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Read more about it in our Gaming Headset Buying Guide . JLab Go Air Pop Earbuds for $10 ($20 off) This deal beats Black Friday's discount by 10 bucks. It used to be hard to find cheap headphones at stocking stuffer prices, but that's exactly what you're getting here. Resident audio expert Parker Hall keeps a pair of these in his gym bag as a backup in case he forgets his usual cans. He says they sound totally decent, and the price tag is icing on the cake. A few different, fun colors are on sale. If your kid is always losing their earbuds, or you just want a reliable backup pair, it's hard to go wrong with this deal. Home and Beauty Deals Dyson V12 Detect Slim Cordless Vacuum for $400 ($250 off) This discount beats what we saw on Black Friday by a staggering $130. The Dyson V12 Detect ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ) is our favorite cordless Dyson vacuum for small spaces. 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Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask for $17 ($5 off) The Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask is a godsend when it comes to my chapped lips in harsh Midwestern winters. The balm-like texture is thick and sticky at first, but it quickly melts and sinks into those painful grooves and cracks, leaving behind soft and soothed skin. My jar has lasted for years because a little goes such a long way. It also makes a great cuticle cream in a pinch. We haven't seen it sell for less. Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus 2.0 for $37 ($31 off) This little gadget is our favorite blow-dry brush . It's a revamped version of the original, and it's faster and smaller than the older model. It's easy to use and gets your hair styled quickly, leaving behind volume and movement that'll make your blowouts look fresh out of the salon. The brush is also detachable if you don't need all that airflow but you still want to tame your tresses.Barkley's brilliance helps Eagles beat Panthers 22-16 but pass game has Philly frustrated
Remembering Jimmy Carter: Maryland leaders react to the death of the country’s 39th president
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is weighing whether to issue sweeping pardons for officials and allies who the White House fears could be unjustly targeted by President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, a preemptive move that would be a novel and risky use of the president’s extraordinary constitutional power. The deliberations so far are largely at the level of White House lawyers. But Biden himself has discussed the topic with some senior aides, according to two people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday to discuss the sensitive subject. No decisions have been made, the people said, and it is possible Biden opts to do nothing at all. Pardons are historically afforded to those accused of specific crimes – and usually those who have already been convicted of an offense — but Biden’s team is considering issuing them for those who have not even been investigated, let alone charged. They fear that Trump and his allies, who have boasted of enemies lists and exacting “retribution,” could launch investigations that would be reputationally and financially costly for their targets even if they don’t result in prosecutions. Related Story: Potential Risks and Implications of Preemptive Pardons While the president’s pardon power is absolute, Biden’s use in this fashion would mark a significant expansion of how they are deployed, and some Biden aides fear it could lay the groundwork for an even more drastic usage by Trump. They also worry that issuing pardons would feed into claims by Trump and his allies that the individuals committed acts that necessitated immunity. Recipients could include infectious-disease specialist Dr. Anthony Fauci, who was instrumental in combating the coronavirus pandemic and who has become a pariah to conservatives angry about mask mandates and vaccines. Others include witnesses in Trump’s criminal or civil trials and Biden administration officials who have drawn the ire of the incoming president and his allies. Some fearful former officials have reached out to the Biden White House preemptively seeking some sort of protection from the future Trump administration, one of the people said. Related Story: Biden’s Previous Pardon Decision and Historical Context It follows Biden’s decision to pardon his son Hunter — not just for his convictions on federal gun and tax violations, but for any potential federal offense committed over an 11-year period, as the president feared that Trump allies would seek to prosecute his son for other offenses. That could serve as a model for other pardons Biden might issue to those who could find themselves in legal jeopardy under Trump. Biden is not the first to consider such pardons — Trump aides considered them for him and his supporters involved in his failed efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election that culminated in a violent riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. But he could be the first to issue them since Trump’s pardons never materialized before he left office nearly four years ago. Gerald Ford granted a “full, free, and absolute pardon” in 1974 to his predecessor, Richard Nixon, over the Watergate scandal. He believed a potential trial would “cause prolonged and divisive debate over the propriety of exposing to further punishment and degradation a man who has already paid the unprecedented penalty of relinquishing the highest elective office of the United States,” as written in the pardon proclamation. Politico was first to report that Biden was studying the use of preemptive pardons. Related Story: Trump’s Campaign Rhetoric and Potential Targets On the campaign trail, Trump made no secret of his desire to seek revenge on those who prosecuted him or crossed him. Trump has talked about “enemies from within” and circulated social media posts that call for the jailing of Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, former Vice President Mike Pence and Sens. Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer. He also zeroed in on former Rep. Liz Cheney, a conservative Republican who campaigned for Harris and helped investigate Jan. 6, and he promoted a social media post that suggested he wanted military tribunals for supposed treason. Kash Patel, whom Trump has announced as his nominee to be director of the FBI, has listed dozens of former government officials he wanted to “come after.” Richard Painter, a Trump critic who served as the top White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush, said he was reluctantly in support of having Biden issue sweeping pardons to people who could be targeted by Trump’s administration. He said he hoped that would “clean the slate” for the incoming president and encourage him to focus on governing, not on punishing his political allies. “It’s not an ideal situation at all,” Painter said. “We have a whole lot of bad options confronting us at this point.” While the Supreme Court this year ruled that the president enjoys broad immunity from prosecution for what could be considered official acts, his aides and allies enjoy no such shield. Some fear that Trump could use the promise of a blanket pardon to encourage his allies to take actions they might otherwise resist for fear of running afoul of the law. “There could be blatant illegal conduct over the next four years, and he can go out and pardon his people before he leaves office,” Painter said. “But if he’s going to do that, he’s going to do that anyway regardless of what Biden does.” More conventional pardons from Biden, such as those for sentencing disparities for people convicted of federal crimes, are expected before the end of the year, the White House said.
Online predators are becoming increasingly resourceful in trolling media platforms where children gravitate, prompting an explosion in police case loads, says an officer who works for the RCMP Integrated Child Exploitation Unit in British Columbia. Data shows the problem spiked during COVID-19 when children began spending more time online — but rates did not wane as police anticipated after lockdowns ended. In B.C., they soared, more than tripling from 2021 to 2023. Australia is banning social media for those under 16. Is it a solution for Canada? Const. Solana Pare is now warning that child exploitation is likely here to stay, as a technological race between police and predators gains momentum. "Technology is becoming more and more available, and online platforms and social media sites are being used by children younger and younger, which provides an opportunity for predators to connect with them," Pare said in an interview. WATCH | Police urge parents to discuss online safety with their kids: Parents should talk to their kids early and often about online safety, RCMP say 6 months ago Duration 3:18 Police have seen a dramatic increase in online sextortion reports. Younger men and teens are being targeted, prompting the RCMP to raise the alarm. Numbers jumping nationally Police say child exploitation cases in B.C. went from about 4,600 in 2021 to 9,600 in 2022 to 15,920 reports last year. The upwards trend was seen nationally, too. Statistics Canada says the rate of online child sexual exploitation reported to police rose by 58 per cent from 2019 to 2022, and police data shows cases have continued to go up. 2 Canadian families join American parents in lawsuit against social media giants The RCMP's National Child Exploitation Crime Centre reported that from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, it received 118,162 reports of suspected online child sexual exploitation offences — a 15 per cent increase compared with the previous year. Online child sexual exploitation, Pare explained, includes offences such as sextortion, child luring and the creation or distribution of sexually explicit images of a minor. "We don't see these types of reports going away," Pare said. "We only see them increasing because the use of electronic devices and social media, and kids being online earlier and earlier is becoming more common. There's going to be more opportunity for predators to target children online." Monique St. Germain, general counsel for the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, said the most common type of child luring is communicating with a youth online in order get them to produce sexual abuse material. She said "the pandemic accelerated those types of cases, and it hasn't slowed down." "The tools (Canadian authorities) have to deal with this type of behaviour are inadequate for the scope and the scale of what's going on," she said. Rise of 'sextortion' Online exploitation gained international attention in 2015 in the case of Port Coquitlam, B.C., teenager, Amanda Todd, who died by suicide after being blackmailed and harassed online by a man for years, starting when she was 12. The month before the 15-year-old died, she uploaded a nine-minute video using a series of flash cards detailing the abuse she experienced by the stranger and how it had affected her life. It's been viewed millions of times. Carol Todd holds a photograph of her late daughter Amanda Todd signed by U.S. singer Demi Lovato with the words 'Stay Strong' in Port Coquitlam, B.C., on Oct. 5, 2013. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press) Dutch national Aydin Coban was extradited to Canada for trial and, in October 2022, he was convicted of charges including the extortion and harassment of Todd. Since then, the term "sextortion" has made its way into the vernacular as more cases come to light. Data Online child sexual exploitation is now at epidemic levels and that has police concerned Among them was Carson Cleland, a 12-year-old Prince George, B.C., boy who died by suicide in October 2023 after falling victim to the crime. In New Brunswick that same month, 16-year-old William Doiron took his own life after falling victim to a global sextortion scheme. WATCH | New Brunswick teen's death part of growing sextortion problem: How a tragic N.B. sextortion case is part of a global trend 11 months ago Duration 3:12 William Doiron took his own life in 2022 after facing threats that his explicit images would be shared online if he didn't pay a ransom. His mother is speaking out to try to bring awareness to the growing issue of sextortion. Mounties across Canada have issued news releases warning of increased cases in their communities, noting that the consequences for the victims can include self-harm and suicide. St. Germain said technology, such as artificial intelligence, is also becoming more user-friendly. "The existence of that technology and its ease of use and ready accessibility is a problem, and it is going to be an increasingly large problem as we move forward," she said. Liberals split online harms bill to postpone debate over policing hate speech Pare said police are also adapting to technological advancements in order to keep up with the ever-changing online landscape. "Police are constantly obtaining training on digital technologies to increase our knowledge and understanding of all the intricacies involving their use and how to capture any digital evidence," she said. Pare said the true rates of the crime are impossible to determine, but pointed to increased social awareness and legislation across North America around mandatory reporting of child abuse material from social media companies as a potential reason for the increase. It's not going undetected any longer, she said. "Additionally, there's been a lot of use in artificial intelligence to detect child exploitation materials within those platforms." Pare said "it's up to each individual platform" to ensure there is no child sexual abuse material on their sites or apps. "With mandatory reporting, it's putting the onus back on the electronic service providers to ensure they have measures in place to prevent this from happening, and if it is happening that it is being reported," she said. "That being said, there are times when things don't get located." Dutch man who sexually extorted B.C. teen Amanda Todd given 6-year sentence in Netherlands That is why the Canadian Centre for Child Protection has been advocating for the adoption of the Online Harms Bill that the federal government introduced in February, St. Germain said. "It's shocking that up until now, we've relied on companies to self regulate, meaning we've just relied on them to do the right thing," she said. "What we are seeing in terms of the number of offences and in terms of all the harm that is happening in society as a result of online platforms is completely tied to the decision not to regulate. We need to have rules in any sector, and this sector is no different." Canada 'really behind' The Online Harms Bill covers seven types of harms, from non-consensual sharing of intimate images to content that can be used to bully a child. Earlier this month, Justice Minister Arif Virani announced the Liberal government will split the bill into two parts: dealing with keeping children safe online, and combating predators and issues related to revenge pornography. "We are putting our emphasis and prioritization and our time and efforts on the first portion of the bill," Virani told reporters on Dec. 5. Social media companies can't be let 'off the hook' over deadly sextortion of kids, B.C. premier says Such measures would include a new Digital Safety Commission of Canada, which would compel social media companies to outline how they plan to reduce the risks their platforms pose to users, particularly minors. It would have the power to levy fines and evaluate companies' digital safety plans. St. Germain said such a split "makes sense," noting that most objections to the bill are related to changes to the Criminal Code and not measures around curbing harms to children. "There obviously are differences of opinion in terms of what is the best way forward, and what kind of regulatory approach makes sense, and who should the regulator be, but there does seem to be consensus on the idea that we need to do more in terms of protecting children online," she said, adding that the organization is still in support of the second half of the bill. She said the United Kingdom previously passed its own Online Safety Act that will come into effect in 2025, which includes requiring social media firms to protect children from content such as self-harm material, pornography and violent content. Failure to do so will result in fines. "Canada is really behind," she said. "The amount of information that has come out of the U.K., the amount of time and care and attention that their legislatures have paid to this issue is really quite remarkable, and we really hope that Canada steps up and does something for Canadian children soon." Provinces putting in their own measures In the absence of national legislation, provinces have filled the void. In January, B.C. enacted the Intimate Images Protection Act, providing a path for victims to have online photos, videos or deep fakes expeditiously removed. Individuals are fined up to $500 per day and websites up to $5,000 a day if they don't comply with orders to stop distributing images that are posted without consent. First orders issued under B.C.'s new intimate images act B.C.'s Ministry of Attorney General said that as of Dec. 11, the Civil Resolution Tribunal had received a total of 199 disputes under the Intimate Images Protection Act. It said the Intimate Images Protection Service had served more than 240 clients impacted by the non-consensual distribution of intimate images, adding that four awards of $5,000 each and one for $3,000 had been supplied as of mid-December. B.C. attorney general advises social media, adult-content sites to comply with intimate images act Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Alberta and Saskatchewan have also enacted legislation targeting unauthorized distribution of intimate images. St. Germain said the use of provincial powers is also necessary, but it's not enough. "A piece of provincial legislation is going to be very difficult to be effective against multiple actors in multiple countries," she said, noting that online crime is borderless. "We need something bigger — more comprehensive. We need to use all tools in the tool box."Toyin Abraham Vows To Prioritize Fans Over PoliticsKorea imports 95% of its core minerals such as lithium, nickel, and rare earths. Rare earths, in particular, are characterized by chemical, electrical, magnetic, and luminescent properties that can be achieved by adding only a small amount, and their use has recently increased significantly as core materials in the eco-friendly automobile and renewable energy industries. China, a major producer of rare metals, is controlling the supply through its strategy of weaponizing resources, putting great pressure on the domestic industry. Dr. Jae-Woo Choi and his team at the Center for Water Cycle Research at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) have developed a fiber-based recovery material that can recover rare earth metals such as neodymium (Nd) and dysprosium (Dy) with high efficiency. The findings are in the journal . The is expected to contribute to solving rare earth supply and industrial stability issues by recovering and recycling rare earth metals (neodymium-iron-boron (Nd-Fe-B)) that are mainly used in third-generation permanent magnets, which are essential components in the electric vehicle, hybrid vehicle drive motors, wind power, robotics, and aerospace industries. KIST researchers have developed a nanostructured composite fiber material composed of metal-organic structures and polymer acryl fiber composite fibers to efficiently recover rare earth metals. The adsorptive material is based on acrylic fibers, which are already widely used in Korea, and is economical and productive. The researchers expect that the developed material will be of great industrial use as it easily adsorbs rare earths from waste liquids while facilitating their recovery. The developed fiber material showed adsorption capacities of 468.60 mg/g for neodymium and 435.13 mg/g for dysprosium, the highest in the world. This is significantly higher than conventional adsorption materials and can be applied to simple reactors, which can significantly improve the energy efficiency of the recovery process. The team expects the material to be able to effectively recover rare earths not only from waste , but also from a variety of industrial wastewaters containing , such as mine drainage. In particular, its easy surface modification makes it applicable to a wide range of industrial wastewaters, and it is expected to become a technological alternative for securing rare metal resources. "The high-efficiency rare earth metal recovery material developed in this study is a technology that can replace existing granular adsorption materials, showing excellent results in terms of performance, productivity, economy, and applicability, which will revitalize the digital infrastructure waste mineral extraction ecosystem, and has great potential for industrial application through resource recycling," said Dr. Jae-Woo Choi of KIST. "In the future, the technology can be expanded to selectively recover various useful resources, including rare earths, from industrial wastewater, contributing to carbon neutrality and rare earth-related upstream and downstream industries," said Dr. Youngkyun Jung.
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