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Lucid Group (NASDAQ:LCID) Shares Down 4.8% – Should You Sell?
By Boston.com Staff Take a deeper look at the stories impacting our community from the award-winning Boston Globe Media newsrooms. Hear directly from our journalists as they talk news politics, culture, and lifestyle with Segun Oduolowu and everything sports with Chris Gasper. Sign up for Red Sox updates⚾ Get breaking news and analysis delivered to your inbox during baseball season. Be civil. Be kind.The Huskies bounced back from an upset loss at the hands of Seattle U that snapped a 19-game win streak against the cross-town rival. Osobor opened the game with a three-point play in the first minute and followed it with a layup and the Huskies raced to a 20-point lead by intermission, 46-26. Washington's bench saw plenty of playing time with four players scoring at least nine points. Diallo led the bench effort with 12 points, five assists and a pair of steals. Wilhelm Briedenbach finished with 10 points and five rebounds. Sebastian Robinson was 5 of 22 from the field, including 0-for-4 from distance, but led the Highlanders (2-12) with 16 points. Tim Moore Jr. added 14 points and Ari Fulton contributed 11. The Huskies will look look for their first Big Ten Conference victory after an 0-2 start when they play host to Maryland on Thursday and No. 24 Illinois on Sunday. NJIT returns home to host Medgar Evers on Saturday. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketballAfter a sprawling hacking campaign exposed the communications of an unknown number of Americans, U.S. cybersecurity officials are advising people to use encryption in their communications. To safeguard against the risks highlighted by the campaign, which originated in China, federal cybersecurity authorities released an extensive list of security recommendations for U.S. telecom companies — such as Verizon and AT&T — that were targeted. The advice includes one tip we can all put into practice with our phones: “Ensure that traffic is end-to-end encrypted to the maximum extent possible.” End-to-end encryption, also known as E2EE, means that messages are scrambled so that only the sender and recipient can see them. If anyone else intercepts the message, all they will see is garble that can't be unscrambled without the key. Law enforcement officials had until now resisted this type of encryption because it means the technology companies themselves won't be able to look at the messages, nor respond to law enforcement requests to turn the data over. Adobe Stock Here's a look at various ways ordinary consumers can use end-to-end encryption: Officials said the hackers targeted the metadata of a large number of customers, including information on the dates, times and recipients of calls and texts. They also managed to see the content from texts from a much smaller number of victims. If you're an iPhone user, information in text messages that you send to someone else who also has an iPhone will be encrypted end-to-end. Just look for the blue text bubbles, which indicate that they are encrypted iMessages. The same goes for Android users sending texts through Google Messages. There will be a lock next to the timestamp on each message to indicate the encryption is on. But there's a weakness. When iPhone and Android users text each other, the messages are encrypted only using Rich Communication Services, an industry standard for instant messaging that replaces the older SMS and MMS standards. Apple has noted that RCS messages “aren’t end-to-end encrypted, which means they’re not protected from a third party reading them while they’re sent between devices.” Samsung, which sells Android smartphones, has also hinted at the issue in a footnote at the bottom of a press release last month on RCS, saying, “Encryption only available for Android to Android communication.” To avoid getting caught out when trading texts, experts recommend using encrypted messaging apps. Privacy advocates are big fans of Signal, which applies end-to-end encryption to all messages and voice calls. The independent nonprofit group behind the app promises never to sell, rent or lease customer data and has made its source code publicly available so that it can be audited by anyone to examine it “for security and correctness.” Signal's encryption protocol is so reputable that it has been integrated into rival WhatsApp, so users will enjoy the same level of security protection as Signal, which has a much smaller user base. End-to-end encryption is also the default mode for Facebook Messenger, which like WhatsApp is owned by Meta Platforms. Telegram is an app that can be used for one-on-one conversations, group chats and broadcast “channels" but contrary to popular perception, it doesn't turn on end-to-end encryption by default. Users have to switch on the option. And it doesn’t work with group chats. Cybersecurity experts have warned people against using Telegram for private communications and pointed out that only its opt-in ‘secret chat’ feature is encrypted from end-to-end. The app also has a reputation for being a haven for scammers and criminal activity, highlighted by founder and CEO Pavel Durov's arrest in France. Instead of using your phone to make calls through a wireless cellular network, you can make voice calls with Signal and WhatsApp. Both apps encrypt calls with the same technology that they use to encrypt messages. There are other options. If you have an iPhone you can use Facetime for calls, while Android owners can use the Google Fi service, which are both end-to-end encrypted. The only catch with all these options is that, as with using the chat services to send messages, the person on the other end will also have to have the app installed. WhatsApp and Signal users can customize their privacy preferences in the settings, including hiding an IP address during calls to prevent your general location from being guessed.
Dwarfed by China in shipbuilding, US looks to build its defense base to fend off warKUWAIT CITY, Dec 25: Kuwait Finance House (KFH) concluded 2024 with 43 distinguished awards and 4 prestigious Group-wide rankings from various global and regional entities, solidifying its leadership position and successful journey in the Islamic banking sector. The awards recognize KFH's excellence in developing services and products that meet customers' aspirations and enhance their banking experience. The awards also highlight KFH's strong operational performance, sustainable growth, diverse strategic advantages, technological innovation, digital transformation, sustainability leadership, comprehensive corporate banking services, and social responsibility initiatives. In addition, they resemble its great success in implementing nationalization, localization and training programs at the level of the private sector in Kuwait. Acting Group Chief Executive Officer at KFH, Abdulwahab Iesa Al Rushood said that the Bank's recent awards solidify its position as a leading global financial institution. Al Rushood pointed out that these awards and recognitions would not have been possible without the bank shareholders and customers trust in addition to the outstanding efforts and talents of employees by providing the best levels of service to customers according to the highest quality standards. He revealed that the success of the digital transformation strategy – which KFH was one of the first Banks to adopt – was reflected in the series of innovative services, products and solutions that the Bank has been unique in launching in recent years, indicating that this pioneering step made KFH attract new segments of customers and enabled it to meet their changing requirements and achieve their satisfaction, and enhance its leading position in the market. World's Best Islamic Financial Institution Al Rushood added: “KFH won World's Best Islamic Financial Institution Award in 2024 by Global Finance magazine. This prestigious recognition underscores KFH's sustained growth in regional and international operations, market leadership in Islamic finance, and a strong financial foundation and operational performance.” In its 17th annual awards for 2024, held during a special ceremony on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group (WBG) meetings in Washington, D.C., USA, Global Finance magazine honored KFH Group with four additional awards. KFH Group was recognized as the 'Best Islamic Corporate Bank - Global,' 'Best Islamic Project Finance Provider - Global,' and KFH-Turkey was named 'Best Islamic Financial Institution in Turkey.' Additionally, AUB, a subsidiary of KFH Group, was awarded 'Bahrain's Best Bank. "Best SME Bank" Award During 2024, KFH was awarded "Best SME Bank in Kuwait" by Global Finance Magazine. The award recognizes KFH's leadership in Islamic finance, its excellence in digital banking solutions such as online banking, mobile banking, and digital payments, and its significant market share. KFH holds the first place in financing small and medium enterprises. Additionally, KFH was also recognized as Kuwait's Best Bank for Sustainable Finance by Global Finance magazine. KFH Capital, the investment arm of KFH Group, was also awarded the Best Investment Bank in Kuwait. Best Bank for ESG in Kuwait KFH was recognized for its leading position in the Islamic banking sector by winning five prestigious awards at the ceremony of Euromoney's Middle East Awards for Excellence 2024, held in Dubai. The awards are Kuwait's Best Bank, Kuwait's Best Bank for ESG, Kuwait's Best Digital Bank – tam digital bank, and Kuwait’s Best Islamic Bank. In addition, KFH Capital, the investment arm of KFH Group, won the Islamic Finance Deal of the Year Award for its role in the Republic of Turkey's USD 2.5 billion Sukuk. KFH Capital, the investment arm of KFH Group, has been awarded "Best for Fixed Income in Kuwait" in the 2024 Euromoney Securities Houses Awards. This recognition underscores the company's achievements and contributions, as well as the quality of the Sukuk deals it has arranged. These include Sukuk issuances for the Republic of Turkey, Dubai Islamic Bank, and Saudi Public Investment Fund, as well as local Sukuk issuances for Kuwait Finance House, Equate Petrochemical Company, and Warba Bank. KFH Capital has excelled in delivering a diverse portfolio of uniquely structured investment products. These innovative offerings consistently generate strong returns, making the company a preferred investment choice for both corporate and individual investors. Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Informatics Award Adding to its record of triumphs, KFH received the 23rd edition of His Highness Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah Informatics Award for 2023 for the category of excellence in digital transformation in technical financial solutions. The award ceremony was held at Bayan Palace under the patronage and presence of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Corporate Social Responsibility Award KFH was recognized with prestigious awards at the 16th Annual EMEA Finance Middle East Banking Awards. KFH secured the following accolades: Best Islamic Bank - Middle East, Best Bank – Kuwait, Best Islamic Bank – Kuwait, Best Product Launch (Zaheb)- Middle East and Corporate Social Responsibility – Middle East Award. Additionally, KFH won “Best Islamic Finance House” and “Best Financial Institution Sukuk” awards at the 16th Annual EMEA Finance Middle East, Africa and Europe Banking Awards. The "Best Financial Institution Sukuk" award celebrates KFH's successful US$1 billion, 5-year Tier 1 Sukuk issuance under its US$4 billion Sukuk Program. Human Resources KFH reaped 13 global awards in the Human Resources field for the year 2024 from the renowned Brandon Hall Group, a company specialized in the evaluation and performance assessment of Banks, companies, and institutions around the world. This achievement highlights KFH Group’s success in securing the highest number of awards at both the local and regional levels this year. The collection of awards earned by KFH Group includes seven awards specifically awarded to KFH Kuwait, which are: Best Leadership Development Program (Gold) for the Leadership Excellence Program, Best Social Impact (Gold), Best Certification Program (Silver), Best New Hire Onboarding Program (Silver), Best Unique or Innovative Learning and Development Program (Bronze) for Forssah Program, Best Approach to HCM Innovation (Bronze), and Best HR Data Analytics (Bronze). The awards also include six recognitions secured by KFH – Turkey, which are Best Benefits, Wellness and Well-being Program (Gold), Best Selecting and Onboarding Interns (Gold), Best Talent Acquisition Process (Gold), Best Corporate Culture Transformation (Gold), Best Corporate Learning University (Gold) for Kuveyt Turk Academy (KFH- Turkey) and Best Use of Blended Learning (Gold) for Kuveyt Turk Academy (KFH- Turkey). Awards from the Islamic Finance Group KFH Group triumphed at the 2023 Islamic Finance News Awards, receiving three prestigious recognitions from IFN magazine. KFH Group was named Best Islamic Bank in Kuwait for 2023, and its subsidiary, KFH-Turkey, secured the Best Islamic Bank in Turkey award for 2023. Additionally, KFH Capital, KFH's investment arm, clinched the Hybrid Deal of the Year 2023 award for its role in Energy Development of Oman's US$1 billion hybrid Ijarah-Tawarruq Sukuk. Manpower nationalization KFH received an honor from the Council of Ministers of Labor and Social Affairs in GCC States for its distinction and excellence in the execution of the Manpower Nationalization and qualification programs at the private sector level in Kuwait. The recognition was in a special ceremony held in Doha under the patronage of the Ministers of Labor and Social Affairs in GCC. tam Digital Bank tam Digital Bank, Kuwait's first Sharia-compliant digital Bank, won the "Best Technology Use in a Program" award for 2024 at a ceremony organized by Incentive Awards. The London-based event brought together Banks and companies from around the world. tam Digital Bank won the "Best Technology Use in a Program" award for its innovative rewards program. The award was based on a rigorous evaluation of the program, which was deemed the best, unique and youth-centric rewards platform. Key criteria included user engagement, both in earning and redeeming points, the number of app members, the number of visits, and user ratings on the Apple Store. Excellence in e-payment KFH was awarded the Straight Through Processing Excellence Award (STP) by Citibank Group for 2023. KFH was recognized as the best financial institution in the Middle East in the areas for remittances, e-payment services and financial transactions, achieving a perfect score of 100% according to Citibank criteria for this honor. Best Bank in Kuwait for Retail Banking KFH was named the Best Retail Bank in Kuwait by The Asian Banker’s Middle East & Africa Awards program for 2024. Bank of the Year from The Banker KFH was named Bank of the Year 2024 - Kuwait by The Banker, a leading financial publication owned by the Financial Times Group. KFH's second consecutive win of this prestigious award underscores its excellence and leadership in the Kuwaiti banking sector. Forbes Magazine Rating Additionally, KFH achieved a remarkable feat, ranking as the leading Kuwaiti company and tenth in the Middle East in terms of market value and profitability on the Forbes 2024 Top 100 Listed Companies list. This recognition highlights KFH's pioneering role, financial strength, market value, and respected brand. It further strengthens their ambition of becoming a top 100 global bank. First in Growth and Return on Risk KFH Group was ranked first in the Kuwaiti banking sector in terms of growth and return on risk for this year’s Top 100 Arab Banks Rankings from The Banker, reinforcing its journey of outstanding achievements and global recognition. ESG Rating KFH was awarded an "A" rating by MSCI for its exemplary performance in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. This prestigious rating underscores KFH's commitment to sustainable finance and its leadership in integrating ESG principles into its operations and strategic initiatives. In addition, KFH was included in the FTSE4Good Index Series. Created by the global index and data provider FTSE Russell, the FTSE4Good Index Series is designed to measure the performance of companies demonstrating strong Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices. Al Rushood stressed that that the awards are not just an appreciation, but rather a motivation to achieve more successes and accomplishments in the future. They are also evidence of KFH's ability to provide innovative products and services to meet customer’s needs, advance the banking industry and strengthen the Kuwaiti economy.Amazon Fire tablets rank among the best cheap tablets around; they're lightweight, durable, and come with quite a few useful apps. However, unlike other Android tablets , Fire slates don’t (officially) have access to the Google Play Store, so you can’t download many new apps. The Google Play Store is a staple of the Android experience and your gateway to the world's best Android apps . Amazon Fire tablets only let you download from a curated list of apps – a far smaller selection than the Play Store offers – so many people choose to side-load the Play Store onto their Amazon devices. If that’s you, a word of warning: installing the Play Store onto an Amazon tablet is complicated, time-consuming, and frustrating. I’ve been writing about technology for years and even I found this process hard – I had to reset my tablet multiple times when I accidentally made a mistake, or couldn’t figure something out and needed to start again. If I wasn’t tasked with covering this subject for work, I would’ve just bought a cheap Android tablet . Only try this if you’re well-versed in tech, have a good half-hour to an hour to spare, and don’t mind having to reset your Fire tab a few times if you make a mistake. I’d also recommend backing up your data and removing any memory cards, to be safe, and most importantly reading this guide before you begin . So, if you hardy tech users are ready, here’s how to get the Google Play Store on an Amazon Fire tablet. To install the Play Store on your Amazon Fire tablet, you’ll need two things: A Google account , which you created previously. An Amazon Fire tablet . It’ll work on any kind, though the model will affect the process – more on that later. It needs to be connected to the internet. In short, here’s how you get the Play Store on your Amazon Fire tablet. For a more in-depth guide, continue reading. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Set up your tablet by backing everything up, finding out your slate’s model number and software version, and allowing installations from Silk. Download APKs of the four apps you’ll need: Google Account Manager, Google Services Framework, Google Play Services, and Google Play Store. Install the four apps in the above order. Reboot your tablet and log into the Play Store. Get your tablet ready, it’s time to begin. 1. Set up your tablet To install the Google Play Store, you’ll need to get your tablet ready first. Before you even begin, I’d recommend backing up your data so you can easily reset the tablet without worrying about losing anything. First, you’ll need to know what kind of Amazon tablet you actually have. To find out, select the Settings app from the home page and then press Device Options near the bottom. Here, under About Fire Tablet , you’ll see your model – mine, as you’ll see in the image, is the Fire HD 10 (13th Generation). Make a note of this because it’ll be vitally important for the later steps. Next, navigate back to the Settings app because we’re not finished here yet. Next, we’re making sure we can install the apps we need. From the Settings app, press Security & Privacy and then Apps from unknown sources under the Privacy sub-menu. You’ll now be shown a list of all the apps you install – on mine, you can only see Silk, but if you’ve installed other apps, you’ll have a longer list. Select Silk Browser because this is the one you need, and toggle Allow from this source on (the dot will be on the right side, and the toggle slider will be light red). Before we proceed, double-check that you have a decent internet connection, because we’ll be downloading some files. Once you’re definitely connected, it’s time to move on. 2. Download the apps you need To get the Google Play Store on your Amazon Fire tablet, we’re going to be using what are known as Android Packages or APKs, which are files you download from your internet browser to install apps. It’s a way of circumnavigating app stores to get apps, basically, but there’s an element of risk since you’re allowing unvetted files onto your tablet. You’ll need to download four different ones, in order to use the Play Store on your Fire tab. I’ll run you through the process in detail for the first app, so you know how to download APKs, and then help you work out which you need to install. The tricky bit is that, depending on which Fire tablet you have, the exact files are different. Quite a few websites online let you download APKs. For this guide I used APKMirror, but APKPure and F Droid are generally considered to be two other safer options. The first app you’ll need is the Google Account Manager, and there are two options to download. If you have a Fire 7 from the 8th generation or above, Fire HD 8 from the 8th generation or above, Fire HD 10 from the 9th generation or above, or Fire Max 11 from the 9th generation or above, you’ll need one called Google Account Manager v7.1.2. Other tablets need v5.1. You can find these apps on APKMirror here . On that page scroll down to ‘All Versions’ and the v7.1.2 option is right at the top – v5.1 is lower down. Select the one you need. Then scroll down to Download Google Account Manager [version] and select it. On this new page scroll down to Download APK in red and select it. A pop-up will confirm that you really want to download the file – select download and the process will begin. One down, three to go, but now the real work begins – at least you know the process for downloading an APK now. Download numero dos is Google Services Framework, which you can find on APKMirror here . There are various apps to pick from so it’s time for another list. If you have an Amazon Fire 7 that’s 12th gen or beyond, go for Google Services Framework V10. If it’s 9th gen then it’s Google Services Framework v9, if it’s 8th gen it’s Framework v7, and if it’s older it’s Framework v5. If you’ve got a Fire HD 8 that’s 11th gen or beyond it’s v10, 10th gen it’s v9, 8th or 9th gen it’s v7, or older it’s v5. Next, Fire HD 10, and that’s Framework v9 for 9th gen or beyond and Framework v5 for earlier. Finall,y Fire Max 11 is Framework v9. Phew! Now onto download three, and it’s Google Play Services ( not Google Play Store yet! ). Find it on APKMirror here , and prepare to balk at how many versions of this there are (it gets updated most days, sometimes multiple times a day, and each new version is listed individually here). What worked for me was simply selecting a version from the list that was listed with nodpi, and the right version of Android that my tablet had. So, which version does yours have? Well, it depends on the generation. Anything from 2022 and beyond, from gen 12 or later, is Android 11+, and if you bought a new tablet more recently than that, it’ll be this one. If it’s in the 9th to 11th gens, it’ll be Android 9+. The exception is the Fire 7, with the 9th-gen one requiring Android 6+ alongside the 8th-gen models. Anything earlier than that needs Android 5+. Now we’re onto the final app, and it’s the main one: Google Play Store, found on APKMirror here . As before, there are a horrid number of options in the list – pick the most recent one and find a file that’s listed as nodpi and universal for the version of Android your tablet has. Once again, download it. 3. Install the apps you need Here’s the reason I told you to read this whole article in advance: if you install the apps in the wrong order, then you could ruin your chances of installing the Play Store, period. I did this and found that the best option was to simply wipe my tablet and start again. Firstly, here’s how to install APK apps on your Fire tablet. On the home page, select Files (the icon is a folder) and then press the three-horizontal-line hamburger menu at the top-left (next to the word Documents in the blue bar). In here, select Downloads . Now you’ll see listed all the files you downloaded, and I’d recommend holding your tablet landscape for this part so you can better see the file names. To install an app, press it , then when the disclaimer appears select continue . You’ll get another disclaimer, press install . Now the app will install. Vitally for this process, every time you install an app, press Done and NOT Open! Now on to the order: 1. com.google.android.gsf.login (Google Account Manager) 2. com.google.Android.gsf (Google Services Framework) 3. com.google.android.gms (Google Play Services) 4. com.android.vending (Google Play Store) For the Play Store installation, you’ll again be prompted to open it but do not press open! 4. Prepare your tablet for the Play Store There’s one vital final step before you use the Play Store: reboot your tablet . Reboot your tablet by pressing and holding the power button (that’s the one you press to lock and unlock the device). If you hold it for a few seconds, a menu will appear letting you restart the tablet or turn it off (turn it back on by pressing and holding this button again). Once your Amazon Fire tablet has warmed back up, give it a few moments, and then press the Play Store icon on your home page. You’ll have to log in to the Play Store using your Google account and then, in theory, you should be in! When I first did this, the Play Store initially thought something was wrong and gave me an error message, but then it let me go through to the Play Store and log in anyway. Once you’ve logged in to the Play Store, you can now download apps just as you would on any other tablet. If you’ve installed the apps in the wrong order by accident (or because you don’t like following rules), then you’re out of luck. I’d recommend resetting your tablet and restarting the process from the top. I had this: if you can see the Play Store icon on your home page, but pressing it doesn’t do anything, then you haven’t got the right apps installed, or you didn’t install them in the right order. You’ll have to reset and start again. As I said, this is a really complex process, especially if you’re not a determined tech fan who knows the model number and software version of their tech off by heart. The first step of the above guide will help you find your tablet number, and using either Google or a TechRadar review, you can see which software version you’re on. Make sure your software is up to date (also in the Settings app) while checking this. If you’re still struggling to get the downloads to work, you might need to try the old trial-and-error approach. Researching for this guide, I found countless people online who’d had to install loads of different files to work out the right one! There may be some cases when you follow these instructions to the letter and it just doesn't work. This might be because the APK versions have changed since this article was written in December 2024, or because Amazon's tablets have changed software. I've seen reports online that some Amazon Tablets just don't work with the Play Store, whatever you do, and some do or don't depending on which software version you're on. Most confusingly of all, sometimes updates will suddenly make it work or stop working on certain devices. I'd recommend making sure you're on the newest software update and that you've rebooted your device several times if it doesn't work straight away. But if nothing gets this to work, it might be worth simply picking up a different tablet to access the Play Store, or just getting used to the apps that the Amazon Tablet provides.
New Delhi: Replacing the century-old criminal laws with a new set of legislations for introducing a modern and technology-driven criminal justice system, rolling out the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act and fire-fighting to check unabated violence in Manipur kept the Union home ministry busy in 2024. Assisting the Election Commission in holding the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir without major incidents and bringing down the violence in Naxal-affected states and northeastern region are the other key highlights of the country’s crucial ministry. While the population enumeration exercise Census continues to be on hold for past four years as no decision has been taken by the ministry as to when it will be carried out, the ministry created five year districts in Ladakh and renamed Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar Islands as Sri Vijaya Puram during the year. The three new criminal laws — Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam — replaced the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act of 1872 respectively. The new laws came into effect from July 1. Home Minister Amit Shah, who piloted the legislations, said the new laws would give priority to providing justice, unlike the colonial-era laws that gave primacy to penal action. “These laws are made by Indians, for Indians and by an Indian Parliament and marks the end of colonial criminal justice laws,” he said. Shah said the laws were not just about changing the nomenclature but bringing about a complete overhaul. “Soul, body and spirit of the new laws are Indian,” he said. The new laws brought in a modern justice system, incorporating provisions such as Zero FIR, online registration of police complaints, summonses through electronic modes such as SMS and mandatory videography of crime scenes for all heinous crimes. According to home ministry officials, the new laws have tried to address some of the current social realities and crimes and are going to provide a mechanism to effectively deal with these, keeping in view the ideals enshrined in the Constitution. The CAA, which was enacted in December 2019 for granting Indian nationality to persecuted Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi and Christian migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who came to India on or before December 31, 2014, was rolled out in March and the first set of 14 people were granted Indian citizenship under the law in May. Shah termed the occasion of granting Indian citizenship under the CAA as a “historic day”, saying the decades-long wait of those who faced religious persecution in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan is over. After the enactment in 2019, the CAA got the president’s assent a few days later but the rules under which the Indian citizenship were supposed to be granted were issued only on March 11 after over a delay of four years. The passing of the CAA in 2019 sparked protests in different parts of the country with agitators terming it “discriminatory”. Over a hundred people had lost their lives during the anti-CAA protests or police action in various parts of the country. To allay fears of a section of Muslims and students regarding the CAA, the home ministry, a day after the CAA rules were issued, asserted that the Indian Muslims need not worry as the new legislation would not impact their citizenship and has nothing to do with the community which enjoys equal rights as their Hindu brethren. The ministry made it clear that “no Indian citizen would be asked to produce any document to prove his citizenship after this Act”. Intermittent violence continues to rock Manipur, where the first bout of ethnic clash between majority Meiteis and tribal Kukis was witnessed in May 2023. Even after the death of about 260 people, injury to hundreds and displacement of thousands of people, peace continues to be elusive in the northeastern state. Though there have been efforts from the central government to bring the warring communities into negotiating table, sporadic violence continues there. Members of the ruling BJP were also not spared. Mobs set fire to the residences of several BJP legislators, one of whom is a senior minister, and a Congress MLA in various districts of Imphal Valley in November besides making a foiled attempt to storm the ancestral house of Chief Minister N Biren Singh. Seeing the fragile situation, the Centre in November reimposed the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Manipur’s six police station areas, including the violence-hit Jiribam. On December 24, the Centre appointed former union home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla as new Manipur governor, in an apparent bid to help itself find a lasting peace. However, it is to be seen how Bhalla will walk through the difficult terrain of the sensitive state. Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a relatively peaceful assembly elections, which was held after a gap of 10 years. According to a presentation given by the home ministry to a parliamentary panel, there has been over 70 per cent decline in terror-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir since 2019, when Article 370 was scrapped and the erstwhile state was bifurcated into two Union Territories — Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Continuing its thrust on comprehensive development of villages located in remote areas along the border with China, the government allocated Rs 1,050 crore for 2024-25 under the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) that will benefit select villages in 19 districts in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh. The central government has approved the VVP as a centrally sponsored scheme on February 15, 2023, with financial outlay of Rs 4,800 crore for the financial year 2022-23 to 2025-26 for comprehensive development of the select villages in 46 blocks in 19 districts abutting the northern border.Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM) Stock Price Down 0.8% – Should You Sell?
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Penn State's polarizing QB Drew Allar puts critics on mute and keeps winning games
Former AFL player Richard fell on hard times, quite literally, when he missed a step and suffered "a nasty spill" at a game. or signup to continue reading The accident hurt his pride as much as his body and the retiree, in his 70s, pulled back from social activities and stopped following football in the aftermath. "It was embarrassing really. I mean, I've tackled blokes twice my size but this, it felt like the whole crowd was watching," he said. "Now I just find myself second-guessing every step I take." Richard, with his conversational manner and compassionate advice, is not actually human but a virtual helper crafted from pixels, powered by artificial intelligence, and programmed in human experiences by academics. His character is one of six created at the University of NSW which are designed to help people navigate challenges such as dementia, ageing, trauma, eating disorders, and depression. But the researchers, as well as experts in technology and psychology, warn not all AI chatbots can be relied upon to help people in need. There could be serious risks in turning to generic generative AI services such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini or Meta AI for therapeutic help, they say, as they are not trained to assist with mental health and may simply agree with users rather than helping them. UNSW's AI characters were created to be virtual companions to they people they help, loaded with real-life experiences from people in similar situations, Jill Bennett, who leads its , says. The characters felt a little flat and basic before generative AI large-language models appeared, she says, and the technology helped to make them more conversational and interactive. "The idea is you create a very relatable character on the understanding that people don't want to be seeking help, people don't want to sign up for a boring course, and we're creating someone who can be a mate and chat about footy but also tell his story," Professor Bennett told AAP. "Once you have these relatable characters that people trust and find enjoyable and stimulating, you can deliver good information to them." One of the group's most advanced AI characters is Viv, who has been trained to help people with dementia. The older female character is designed to listen to users, share experiences, provide "reality testing" by explaining surroundings, and provide a calm, even-tempered and non-judgemental presence. "In aged care, there may not be someone to sit with you and talk for an extended period and if you're home alone there definitely wouldn't be," Prof Bennett said. "The idea is that a character could be gently calming, could be reassuring, could be clarifying if you don't know whether something's real or not, or it could just have a soothing effect from having someone who hears you and is with you and makes you feel that things are all right." Other characters include a supportive coach for people with eating disorders or a therapist for those battling depression, and the group is investigating companions to deal with loneliness. The AI companions can be delivered on a TV screen or another device, Prof Bennett says, and the group plans to launch characters commercially before the end of 2025. But using generative AI tools to help with personal problems is a trend that is already taking off, RMIT psychology senior lecturer James Collett says, as internet users seek help. "ChatGPT is already out of the bottle, we can't put it back in, and people are going to use it for psychotherapy and even for companionship," he said. Perhaps surprisingly, using generative AI services for assistance can provide limited assistance in some instances, he says, even though he does not recommend it. AI chatbots could deliver reflective questions that make users consider their own feelings, he says, or help to validate their experiences. They could not draw on body language and non-verbal cues like a therapist though, Dr Collett says, and they should not be used to diagnose an issue. "The real risk is not that (users are) going to experience a catastrophe, the risk is that they're not going to benefit in the long-term," he says. "It might take the edge off enough that they avoid engaging in some sort of psychotherapy that could be a better long-term solution." AI services are also commonly programmed to agree with users, rather than gently challenging their statements, Dr Collett says, which could prove problematic. Chatbots have been associated with at least two deaths worldwide, including a 14-year-old American boy suffering from depression who, according to a lawsuit, took bad advice from a virtual companion. Specialised AI technology could assist people in certain circumstances, UNSW AI Institute chief scientist Toby Walsh says, such as situations in which they may fear judgement or feel more comfortable communicating with software. Ultimately, he says, AI-based therapy or companions will not be able to supplant human assistance but merely supplement it. "There's nothing that can replace our human connections with each other," he said. "We're never going to fully relate to a machine because it's never going to suffer like us, it's never going to enjoy the highs of life, it's never going to fall in love and, equally, it's never going to lose a loved one or have to contemplate its own mortality." 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SUMMARY (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); NSO Group Held Accountable: A U.S. court ruled against NSO Group for hacking WhatsApp accounts, violating U.S. law and its terms of service. Pegasus Spyware Abuse: NSO exploited a WhatsApp flaw to install Pegasus spyware on 1,400 devices, targeting activists, journalists, and officials. WhatsApp Lawsuit Victory: WhatsApp sued NSO in 2019 after discovering the spyware attack, marking a major win for privacy rights. Court Rejects NSO’s Defense: The court dismissed NSO’s claims of immunity, holding it liable despite its stated anti-terrorism purpose. Spyware Industry Implications: The ruling sets a precedent for accountability, boosting privacy advocacy efforts against invasive technologies. The Israeli spyware company NSO Group has been held liable for compromising the accounts of hundreds of WhatsApp users, marking a significant legal victory for Meta Platforms. The Ruling In a landmark ruling, U.S. District Judge Phyllis Hamilton found the NSO Group responsible for hacking and breaching the world’s leading messaging app WhatsApp’s terms of service, compromising the accounts of hundreds of its users. According to court documents (PDF), the NSO Group exploited a vulnerability in the messaging app to install its powerful Pegasus spyware on at least 1,400 devices. This spyware, known for its ability to infiltrate phones and extract sensitive data, was allegedly used to target journalists, human rights activists, political dissidents, and government officials, raising serious concerns about privacy and human rights. Background Details For your information, WhatsApp filed the lawsuit in 2019, accusing NSO Group of accessing its servers without authorization to deploy Pegasus . It was reported by Hackread.com that the NSO Group was suspected of exploiting a new “MMS Fingerprint” attack on WhatsApp, exposing device information without user interaction. Hackread.com also reported earlier this year that WhatsApp discovered the vulnerability in May 2019 , which let attackers install Pegasus spyware on users’ devices. The flaw was then used to target government officials and activists globally. WhatsApp sued NSO Group for the exploitation The Israeli firm, which claims its technology is used to combat terrorism and crime, argued that its actions were justified and that it should be shielded from liability. However, the court rejected these arguments, finding that it was responsible for the breach and that its actions violated US law. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); This ruling has major implications for the spyware industry , which operates in a legal gray area. It establishes a precedent that companies like NSO Group can be held accountable for the misuse of their technology, even if they claim to be providing services to legitimate government agencies. The decision is also a major victory for privacy advocates, who have long warned about the dangers of invasive surveillance technologies. WhatsApp hailed the ruling as a “huge win for privacy,” emphasizing that it would continue to work to protect user communications from such attacks. “We spent five years presenting our case because we firmly believe that spyware companies could not hide behind immunity or avoid accountability for their unlawful actions,” Will Cathcart, the head of WhatsApp stated. RELATED TOPICS ChatGPT’s Training Methods Challenged in Lawsuit Apple loses lawsuit against cyber security startup Corellium Amazon Files Lawsuits Against Fraudsters Over Fake Reviews YouTube MP3 Converter Site Shut Down After Labels Win Lawsuit Dutch Watchdog Sues Adobe Over Mass Collection of Citizen Data
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To safeguard against the risks highlighted by the campaign, which originated in China, federal cybersecurity authorities released an extensive list of security recommendations for U.S. telecom companies — such as Verizon and AT&T — that were targeted. The advice includes one tip we can all put into practice with our phones: “Ensure that traffic is end-to-end encrypted to the maximum extent possible.” End-to-end encryption, also known as E2EE, means that messages are scrambled so that only the sender and recipient can see them. If anyone else intercepts the message, all they will see is garble that can't be unscrambled without the key. Law enforcement officials had until now resisted this type of encryption because it means the technology companies themselves won't be able to look at the messages, nor respond to law enforcement requests to turn the data over. Here's a look at various ways ordinary consumers can use end-to-end encryption: Texting Officials said the hackers targeted the metadata of a large number of customers, including information on the dates, times and recipients of calls and texts. They also managed to see the content from texts from a much smaller number of victims. If you're an iPhone user, information in text messages that you send to someone else who also has an iPhone will be encrypted end-to-end. Just look for the blue text bubbles, which indicate that they are encrypted iMessages. The same goes for Android users sending texts through Google Messages. There will be a lock next to the timestamp on each message to indicate the encryption is on. But there's a weakness. When iPhone and Android users text each other, the messages are encrypted only using Rich Communication Services, an industry standard for instant messaging that replaces the older SMS and MMS standards. Apple has noted that RCS messages “aren’t end-to-end encrypted, which means they’re not protected from a third party reading them while they’re sent between devices.” Samsung, which sells Android smartphones, has also hinted at the issue in a footnote at the bottom of a press release last month on RCS, saying, “Encryption only available for Android to Android communication.” Chat apps To avoid getting caught out when trading texts, experts recommend using encrypted messaging apps. Privacy advocates are big fans of Signal, which applies end-to-end encryption to all messages and voice calls. The independent nonprofit group behind the app promises never to sell, rent or lease customer data and has made its source code publicly available so that it can be audited by anyone to examine it “for security and correctness.” Signal's encryption protocol is so reputable that it has been integrated into rival WhatsApp, so users will enjoy the same level of security protection as Signal, which has a much smaller user base. End-to-end encryption is also the default mode for Facebook Messenger, which like WhatsApp is owned by Meta Platforms. What about Telegram? Telegram is an app that can be used for one-on-one conversations, group chats and broadcast “channels" but contrary to popular perception, it doesn't turn on end-to-end encryption by default. Users have to switch on the option. And it doesn’t work with group chats. Cybersecurity experts have warned people against using Telegram for private communications and pointed out that only its opt-in ‘secret chat’ feature is encrypted from end-to-end. The app also has a reputation for being a haven for scammers and criminal activity, highlighted by founder and CEO Pavel Durov's arrest in France. Making calls Instead of using your phone to make calls through a wireless cellular network, you can make voice calls with Signal and WhatsApp. Both apps encrypt calls with the same technology that they use to encrypt messages. There are other options. If you have an iPhone you can use Facetime for calls, while Android owners can use the Google Fi service, which are both end-to-end encrypted. The only catch with all these options is that, as with using the chat services to send messages, the person on the other end will also have to have the app installed. WhatsApp and Signal users can customize their privacy preferences in the settings, including hiding an IP address during calls to prevent your general location from being guessed.